Konr

Konr

"King." The youngest son of Jarl. He alone of Jarl's son knew runes. He also knew how to shelter men, how to blunt the sword-edge, and how to calm the sea; he knew the language of the birds, how to quench fires, and how to allay sorrows. He had the strength and might of twice four men. Konr shared the runes with his father, Rígr-Jarl, but he was more crafty and his wisdom greater, and soon won the right to be called Rígr.

Once, Konr rode through swamps and forests, luring birds and shooting them, when a crow spoke to him:

44. Then sang the crow,
sitting lonely on a bough!
"Why wilt thou, young Kon:
tame the birds?
Rather shouldst thou, young Kon!
on horses ride
...
...
and armies overcome.
45. Nor Dan nor Danp
halls more costly had,
nobler paternal seats,
then ye had.
They well knew how
the keel to ride,
the edge to prove,
wounds to inflict.

At this point the poem breaks off.

References

Source

  • Rígsþula, 38 ff.