Elfarvísur - Einarr Skúlason

Many a man fell from the bloody prow of the sea-steed into the deep; 

abundant nourishment was given to the Glaumr of the troll-woman; 

carrion drifted before the current. 

The bitter-cold Götaälv was reddened by the hot surge of wounds; 

the warm ale of the wolf flowed with the water into the necklace of Karmøy .

Many prow-bloody ships floated empty in the swift estuary—

the troop bent the bow; 

red weapons flew at wet helmets—, 

before the chieftains’ troop fled ashore from Hákon’s animals of the ocean; 

the company was reduced in the noise of the shield.

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Einarr Skúlason (12th century) Iceland

Translation by Kari Ellen Gade

Source: Skaldic Project

• "sea steed" and "animals of the ocean" - i.e. ships
• troll woman - literally: wolf
• "ale of the wolf" and "wounds" - i.e. blood
• "noise of the shield" -i.e. battle