[gothic-l] Hamdismal in Gothic

[M. Carver]

Here is the first part of a translation
I'm doing of Hamtheow's lay, which is
very relevant in the mytho-historical
presence of the Goths. I've only done
this much so far, in case anyone wants
to jump in and do part.

Comments/Questions/Corrections welcome.

--Matþaius


Part 1

Gafrahn ik sakjon sleida-baitrosta
maþliþ modawaurd af mikilsaurgai
þan harduhugda hvatida weiga
grimmam waurdam Gudruna sununs.
hve sitits? hve slepits liba?
hve bairits jut bleiþiwaurdjan? . . . .
swistar was inqis Swanahilds haitana
þoei Airmanareiks aihvam uftrad
hveitaim jah swartaim ana hauhwiga
grawaim gaggi-tamaim Gutane haursam.
Waurþuts leitilo leikai Gunþharja
nih haldis in hugdeis ei was ?Hagnwja.
izos fraweitan jut wiljan skuleits
aihtedeits mod meinaize broþre
aiþ hug hardjana Huniþiudane.


Translation:


I heard a most bitter quarrel,
angry words spoken from great sorrow
when hard-hearted Gudrun with fierce words
whetted her sons to strife.
³How sit ye? How sleep away life?
How bear ye to speak words of cheer? . . . .
Ye had a sister, Swanhild hight,
whom Ermonreck trod down with horses
white and black, upon the highway,
with the well-tamed gray horses of the Goths.
Ye are little the like of Gunther,
nor have ye the heart that was in Hogni.
Ye would wish to avenge your sister
if ye had the courage of my brothers
or the stern heart of the Hun-rulers.







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