----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, July 18, 2006 6:24 PM
Subject: Njal chapter 9 - Patricia's Effort
This is not as good as it might be - concentration
disturbed it's hot and humid and Lord !! I have a headache thumping
- the translation has been well welcomed - take one's mind off it - don't let
that stop the critique coming over.
Patricia
9. Kafli
Nú er þar til
máls að taka að Hallgerður vex upp, dóttir Höskulds, og er
kvenna fríðust
sýnum og mikil vexti og því var hún langbrók kölluð. Hún var
fagurhár og svo
mikið hárið að hún mátti hylja sig með. Hún var örlynd
og
skaphörð.
Now it is there the story takes/turns to Hallgerd (who) grew up /
had grown, Hoskuld's daughter and she is of women the most beautiful (synum - by
far ??) and very tall and for this she was called
longlegs.
Her hair was lovely (fair - as in beautiful) and so full it was
that she could wrap herself / or hide in it.
(there was a choice - I prefer - wrap herself in
it)
she was generous minded (Z) and severe (Z-my choice) of
temper
Þjóstólfur hét fóstri hennar. Hann var suðureyskur að ætt.
Hann var styrkur
maður og vígur vel og hafði margan mann drepið og bætti
engan mann fé. Það
var mælt að hann væri engi skapbætir
Hallgerði.
Thjostolf was her foster-father he was Hebridean of descent, he
was strong and well skilled in arms (Z) he had killed many and given no
were-gild (CV) (the word - baetti - was in CV relating to
weregild
It was said that in no way did he improve Hallgerð's
character/disposition
Maður er nefndur Þorvaldur. Hann var
Ósvífursson. Hann bjó út á
Meðalfellsströ nd undir Felli.
There was a man by the name of Thorvald. He was Osvif's
son. He lived out at Meðafels Strand under the Fells.
Hann var vel
auðigur að fé. Hann átti eyjar
þær er heita Bjarneyjar. Þær liggja út á
Breiðafirði. Þaðan hafði hann
skreið og mjöl. Þorvaldur var vel styrkur maður
og kurteis, nokkuð bráður í
skaplyndi.
He was well off for money, he owned the islands known as
Bear Island. They lie out at Breiðafjord.
Ther he had dried fish and meal. Thorvald was very strong
and well-mannered (courteous) but short of temper
Það var einu
hverju sinni að þeir feðgar ræddu með sér hvar Þorvaldur mundi
á leita um
kvonfang. En það fannst á að honum þótti sér óvíða
fullkosta.
It was at such a time when Thorvald and his father discussed where
Thorvald might get a wife.
But it was seen that he was difficult to match (i.e.not much
choice)
Þá mælti Ósvífur: "Vilt þú biðja Hallgerðar
langbrókar, dóttur Höskulds?"
Then says Osvif "do you want to ask Hallgerð Long-Leg
Hoskuld's daughter
"Hennar vil eg biðja," segir
hann.
"I want to ask for her" says he
"Það mun ykkur eigi
mjög hent," sagði Ósvífur, "hún er kona skapstór en þú
ert harðlyndur og
óvæginn."
"There may be between you that you are not suited
said Osvif "she is short tempered and you are stubborn and
unyeilding"
"Þar vil eg þó á leita," segir hann, "og mun mig eigi
tjóa að letja."
"there will I nevertheless try" says he " and do not try to
stop me.
"Þú átt og mest í hættu," segir
Ósvífur.
You are risking most says Osvif ( to you is greatest
risk))
Síðan fóru þeir bónorðsför og komu á Höskuldsstaði og höfðu
þar góðar
viðtökur. Þeir ræddu þegar erindi sín fyrir Höskuldi og vöktu
bónorðið
Afterwards they set on a wooing expedition (Alan's words - bargain
hunting - like it)
and came to Hoskuld's place and there had (both) a good reception.
They made their errand known to Hoskuld and discussed a marriage
proposal.
Höskuldur svaraði: "Kunnigt er mér
um hag ykkarn en eg vil enga vél að ykkur
draga að dóttir mín er hörð í
skapi. En um yfirlit hennar og kurteisi megið
þið sjálfir
sjá."
Hoskuld replied "I know of your affairs (i.e.
that you are wealthy) but I want not to deceive you my daughter is sharp
tempered but for her looks and breeding you can both see for
yourselves
(did they look at her
teeth)
Þorvaldur svaraði: "Ger þú kostinn því að eg mun skaplyndi
hennar eigi láta
fyrir kaupi standa."
Thorvald replied " you make the conditions -
her temper will not prevent the
bargain
(so Ding went the Till) (no
Amex)
Síðan tala þeir um kaupið og spurði Höskuldur dóttur sína
eigi eftir því að
honum var hugur á að gifta hana og urðu þeir á sáttir á
allan kaupmála.
Síðan rétti Höskuldur fram höndina en Þorvaldur tók í og
fastnaði sér
Hallgerði og reið heim við svo búið.
Afterwards they talked over the
bargain - Hoskuld did not ask his daughter because he wanted her married and
they agreed all terms.
After this Hoskuld stretched forth
his hand and thorvald took it and (thus) was he betrothed to Hallgerð, and they
rode home with it settled
Well I'm sure this will end in tears
, - for me maybe I wish I might have done better
Kveðja
Patricia