The greatest masterpiece of scaldic art was composed in 1222–23 by Snorri Sturluson on Hakon Hakonsson, King of Norway, and the jarl Skuli, Bard’s son. Hattatal (the list of metres) is its title, and of the 102 strophes each one is in a different metre.
[279]. Cf. mixing blood in foster-brotherhood.
[280]. Cf. Flateyjarbók, iii.
[281]. The harp is also mentioned in Atla Kvida, 31; Oddrunargrat, 29; Atlamal, 62; Bard’s Saga.
[282]. Hersir is called here a bondi.
[283]. One who subdues words—an eloquent man—for every chief was trained to be a good speaker.
[284]. These two lines, which are repeated in every stanza in the original text, are omitted in subsequent stanzas here.
[285]. These three lines are repeated at the beginning of each stanza, but are omitted in subsequent stanzas.
[286]. Rin = Rhine river, fire of Rhine = gold, because hidden in the river.
[287]. Door of Delling, a Dverg = the rock; before his door = on the ground.