Alvíssmál English translation from The Elder Edda and the Younger Edda translated

By I. A. Blackwell (1907)

1

Alvíss qvaþ:

«Becki breiþa, The benches they are decking, now shall the bride

nv scal brvþr meþ mer with me bend her way home. That beyond my strength

heim i sinni snvaz; I have hurried will to every one appear: at home naught

hrataþ vm mégi shall disturb my quiet.

mvn hveriom þiccia,

heima scalat hvíld nema.»

2

Þórr qvaþ:

«Hvat er þat fira? What man is this? Why about the nose art thou

hví ertv sva fa/lr vm nasar? So pale? Hast thou last night with corpses lain? To

vartv i nótt meþ ná? me thou seemst to bear resemblance to the Thursar Thou þvrsa líci

þicci mer a þer vera; are not born to carry off a bride.

ertattv til brvþar borinn.»

3

Alvíss qvaþ:

«Alvíss ec heiti, Alvis I am named, beneath the earth I dwell,

by ec fyr iorþ neþan, under the rock I own a place. The lord of chariots I am

a ec vndir steini staþ; come to visit. A promise once confirmed let no one

vagna vers break.

ec em a vit kominn;

bregði engi fa/sto heiti fira!»

4

Þórr qvaþ:

«Ec mvn bregda, I will break it; for o’er the maid I have, as father,

þviat ec brvþar a greatest power. I was from home when the promise

flest vm ráþ sem faþir; was given thee. Among the gods I the sole giver am.

varca ec heima,

þa er þer heitiþ var,

at sa einn er † gia/fer meþ godom.»

5

Alvíss qvaþ:

«Hvat er þat recca, What man is this, who lays claim to power over

er i raþom telz that fair, bright maiden? For far-reaching shafts few

flioþs ens fagrgloa? will know thee. Who has decked thee with bracelets?

fiarrafleina

þic mvno fair kvnna;

hverr hefir þic ba/gom borit?»