Hse Erati Koukr Traenilsonr.
Fyrir Sunan Lant.
With this Axe which Goukr Traenaldson owned or possessed on the south side of the country.
The beginning of the inscription is wanting. Gauk Trandilson was the foster-brother of Asgrim Elsdagrimson—described in “Burnt Njal,” one of the chiefs in the south of Iceland about 990. The writer probably means to say that these runes were engraved with the same axe which Gauk Trandilson possessed at the end of the 10th century. The runes here found were perhaps engraved about the year 1152. No doubt “the land” here spoken of is Iceland, and the engraver an Icelander, perhaps even a descendant of the old chieftain.—Professor Munch.
Maeth Thaeri Öhse Er Ati Göukr Traen
Ils Sonr Fyrir Sunan Land.
With this Axe, owned by Gauk, the son of Trandil, in the South of the country.—Professor Rafn.
No. XVII.
Haemuntr, Hartheksi, Raeist Run.
Haermunt Hardaxe carved these Runes.—Professor Stephens.
Haermuntr Hartheksi Raeist Run.
Hermund Hardaxe engraved these Runes.—Professor Munch.
Haermundr Harthigsi Raeist Run.
Hermund Hardaxe carved the Runes.
Hermund probably had in his possession the axe which formerly belonged to Gauk Trandilson, and was used by him in carving the runes.—Professor Rafn.
(Note.—Professors Stephens, Munch, and Rafn, all agree that some letters have been lost or miscarried. The letters,