Asatru Folk Assembly - Reginsmál, a reading

00:00:00.000 Regan's Mall

00:00:21.000 Regan's Mall

00:00:22.000 The Lay of the Regan

00:00:24.000 The Barad of Regan

00:00:26.000 The Regensmar immediately follows the Grisippa in the Codex Regius, and in addition, stanzas 1, 2, 6, and 18 are quoted in the Vlsunga Saga, and stanzas 11 through 26 in the Núrna Gestáter.

00:00:41.380 In no instance is the title of the poem stated, and in Regius there stands before the introductory prose, very faintly written, what appears to be of Sigrid.

00:00:56.200 As a result, various titles have been affixed to it, the two most often used being the Ballad of Regan and the First Lay of Sigrid Fafnusbane.

00:01:06.400 As a matter of fact, it is by no means clear that the compiler of the edit collection regarded this or either of the two following poems, the Fafnismar and the Sigrid de Fulmo, as separate and distinct poems at all.

00:01:23.220 There are no specific titles given, and the prose notes link the three poems in a fairly consecutive whole.

00:01:31.600 Furthermore, the prose passage introducing the Regensmar connects directly with Fradalfa

00:01:38.340 Sinfiotla, and only the insertion of the Grisippa at this point, which may well have been done 0.83

00:01:45.260 by some stupid copyist, breaks the continuity of the story.

00:01:50.340 For convenience, I have here followed the usual plan of dividing this material into 0.99

00:01:55.480 distinct parts or poems, but I greatly doubt that this division is logically sound.

00:02:02.520 The compiler seems rather to have undertaken to set down the story of Sigurd in consecutive

00:02:07.760 form, making use of all the verse with which he was familiar and which by any stretch of

00:02:14.380 the imagination could be made to fit, filling up the gaps with prose narrative notes based

00:02:19.660 on the living oral tradition.

00:02:21.080 This view is supported by the fact that not one of the three poems in question, and least

00:02:28.720 of all of the Regensmod, can possibly be regarded as a unit.

00:02:33.800 For one thing, each of them includes both types of stanzas commonly used in the Edic

00:02:38.480 poems, and this notwithstanding the efforts of Grütwig and Murlenhof to prove the contrary

00:02:45.300 is almost if not quite conclusive proof that each poem consists of material taken from

00:02:51.480 more than one source. Furthermore, there is nowhere continuity within the verse itself

00:02:58.460 for more than a very few stanzas. An analysis of the regimen all shows the stanzas 1 through

00:03:04.320 4, 6 through 10, and 12 all in Lotharator stanza forms seem to have belonged together

00:03:12.500 there is fragments of a poem dealing with Loki's, not Anvari's, curse on the gold taken

00:03:19.160 by the gods from Anvari and paid to Rethmar.

00:03:24.000 Together with Rethmar's death at the hands of his son Fafnir as the first result of this 0.85

00:03:29.100 curse. 0.68

00:03:30.100 Stanza 5 in Fornistis log is a curse on the gold, here ascribed to Anvari, but the only

00:03:39.820 proper name in the Stanza, Guust, is quite unidentifiable, and the Stanza may originally

00:03:46.780 have had to do with a totally different story. Stanza 11 likewise is in Fornistilog, is merely

00:03:54.320 a father of the man that his daughter rear a family to avenge his death. There is nothing

00:04:00.060 in it to link it necessarily from the dying Grythma. Stanza 13 through 18, all in Fornistilog,

00:04:08.200 Regan's welcome to Sigurd, Sigurd's announcement that he will avenge his father's death on the

00:04:16.840 sons of Humding before he seeks any treasure, and a dialogue between a certain Nikar,

00:04:24.440 who is really Ozen, and Regan as the latter, and Sigurd are on the point of being shipwrecked.

00:04:31.720 This section, stanzas 13-19, bears a striking resemblance to the Helgi Leis and may well have come originally from that cycle.

00:04:43.340 Next follows a passage in Lothahater form, stanzas 19-22 and 24-25, in which Henikarothen gives some general advice as to lucky omens and good conduct in battle.

00:04:59.100 The entire passage might equally well stand in the Hovomorg, and I suspect it originally came from just such a collection of wise sayings.

00:05:10.880 Inserted in this passage stanza 23 in Fornistolog, likewise on the conduct of battle with a bit of tactical advice included.

00:05:21.300 The poem ends with a single stanza, in full instilogue,

00:05:26.100 simply stating that the bloody fight is over and that Sigurd's fought well,

00:05:31.100 a statement equally applicable to any part of the hero's career.

00:05:36.320 Finner Johnson has divided the Regan's model into two poems,

00:05:40.900 or rather into two sets of fragments,

00:05:43.740 but this, well as the foregoing analysis has indicated,

00:05:47.940 does not appear to go nearly far enough.

00:05:51.340 It occurs that, much better with the facts to assume that the compiler of the collection, represented by the Code of Claregius,

00:05:59.080 having set out to tell the story of Sigurd, took his verse fragments pretty much wherever he happened to find them.

00:06:05.540 In this connection, it should be remembered that in the fluid state of oral traditional poems,

00:06:11.340 fragments and stanzas passed readily and frequently from one story to another.

00:06:17.520 Tradition, never critical, doubtless connected with the Sigurd's story much versed that never originated there.

00:06:26.440 If the entire passage, beginning with the prose for Daltus and Fyatla, and except for the Gripispa,

00:06:34.080 including the Regismal, Fafnismal, and Sigurd the Fulmal,

00:06:39.000 can be regarded as a highly uncritical piece of compilation,

00:06:42.760 rendered consecutive by the compiler's prose narrative,

00:06:47.040 its difficulties are largely smoothed away.

00:06:50.420 Any other way of looking at it results in utterly inconclusive attempts to reconstruct poems,

00:06:56.520 some of which quite possibly never existed.

00:06:59.860 The 26 stanzas and accompanying prose notes included under the heading of Regenma

00:07:05.620 belong almost wholly to the northern part of the Sigurd's legend.

00:07:10.580 The mythological features have no counterpart in the southern stories, and only here and

00:07:17.000 there is there any betrayal of the tradition's strongish home.

00:07:21.600 The story of Andvari, Loki, and Rhethmar is purely Norse, as is the concluding section

00:07:28.580 contained in Odin's councils.

00:07:31.240 If we assume that the passage due to the victory over Hunding's sons belongs to the

00:07:35.300 See introductory notes to Helgekvitta Hjörwärtsstöne and Helgekvitta Hjörwärtsstöne and Helgekvitta Hjörwärtsstöne 1.

00:07:44.440 There is very little left to reflect the Sigurd tradition proper.

00:07:49.280 Regarding the general development of the story of Sigurd in the north, see the introductory note to the Grypispel.

00:07:58.900 Regensmall

00:07:59.660 Sigurd went to Hjallprek's stud and chose for himself a horse, who thereafter was called Grani.

00:08:10.140 At that time, Regan, the son of Rethmar, was come to Hjallprek's home.

00:08:16.360 He was more ingenious than all other men, and a dwarf in stature.

00:08:21.240 He was wise, fierce, and skilled in magic.

00:08:26.180 Regan undertook Sigurd's bringing up and teaching, and loved him much.

00:08:31.660 He told Sigurd of his forefathers, and also of this,

00:08:35.700 that once Odin and Honir and Loki had come to Anvari's waterfall,

00:08:40.480 and in the fall were many fish.

00:08:44.100 Anvari was a dwarf who had dwelt long in the waterfall in the shape of a pike,

00:08:49.820 and there he got his food. 0.92

00:08:51.480 Otter was a name of brother of ours, said Regan

00:08:56.040 Who often went into the fall in the shape of an otter

00:08:59.660 He had caught a salmon and sat on the high bank eating with his eyes shut

00:09:04.440 Loki threw a stone at him and killed him

00:09:08.480 The gods thought they had great good luck

00:09:11.800 And stripped his skin off the otter

00:09:14.360 That same evening they sought a night's lodging at Hrithmar's house

00:09:18.980 And showed their booty 0.98

00:09:20.840 Then we seized them and told them as ransom for their lives to fill the otter skin with gold. 0.95

00:09:28.060 Completely cover it outside as well with red gold.

00:09:32.120 Then they sent Loki to the gold.

00:09:34.940 He went to Ron and got our nets. 0.99

00:09:37.980 And went then to Anvary's fall and cast the net in front of the pike. 1.00

00:09:42.860 And the pike leaped into the net. 0.97

00:09:45.280 Then Loki said,

00:09:47.300 What is the fish that runs in the flood?

00:09:50.840 and itself from hell cannot save.

00:09:54.320 If thy head thou wouldst from hell redeem, find me the water's flame.

00:10:01.800 And Vali spake, And Vali am I, and Oim, my father,

00:10:06.840 in many a fall have I fared, and evil none in all the days

00:10:11.600 are doomed me in waters to dwell.

00:10:15.400 Loki spake, And varely say, If thou seekest still to live in the land of men,

00:10:23.680 And payment is set for the sons of men, Who war with lying words.

00:10:29.640 And varely spake, A mighty payment the men must make,

00:10:34.460 Who in Walter Gemell's waters weighed, On a long road lead the whying words

00:10:41.340 That one to another utters.

00:10:44.880 Loki saw all the gold that Anvari had, but when he had brought forth all the gold, he

00:10:51.000 held back one ring, and Loki took this from him.

00:10:55.000 The dwarf went into his rocky hole and said, Now shall the gold and Gust once had bring

00:11:02.100 their debt to brothers Twiang, and evil be for a hero's eight.

00:11:07.540 Joy of my wealth shall no man win.

00:11:11.300 The gods gave Rathmar the gold and filled up the otter skin, and stood it on its feet.

00:11:17.640 Then the gods had to heap up gold and hide it, and when that was done, Rathmar came forward

00:11:23.600 and saw a single whisker, and bade them cover it.

00:11:28.060 Then Odin brought out the ring on Dravernit, and covered the hair.

00:11:34.380 Loki said, The gold is given, and great the price, thou hast my head to save. But fortunately

00:11:43.040 my son shall find not there the bane of ye both it is.

00:11:49.640 Wraithmar spake, Gods yet gave, but ye gave not kindly, gave not with hearts that were

00:11:57.200 whole. Your lives ere this shall ye all have lost, if sooner this fate have I seen.

00:12:04.380 Loki spake

00:12:07.000 Worse is this that me thanks I see

00:12:10.220 For a maid shall kinsmen clash 0.60

00:12:12.660 Heroes unborn thereby shall be 1.00

00:12:16.200 I deem to hatred to doomed

00:12:18.620 Rathomar spake

00:12:21.740 The gold so red

00:12:23.940 Shall I rule me thanks

00:12:25.840 So long as I shall live

00:12:27.680 Not a fear for thy threats I fear

00:12:30.580 So get ye hence to your homes

00:12:33.000 Fafnir and Regan asked Rathmar for a share of the wealth

00:12:39.360 that was paid for the slaying of their brother, Otter.

00:12:42.860 This he refused, and Fafnir thrust his sword

00:12:45.660 through the body of his father, Rathmar, while he was sleeping.

00:12:50.340 Rathmar called to his daughters,

00:12:53.000 Lingeth, Lothaneth, fled is my life, and mighty now is my need.

00:12:59.080 Lingith spoke

00:13:01.980 Though a sister loses her father seldom

00:13:05.600 Revenge on her brother she brings 1.00

00:13:08.040 Rathmar spake 0.87

00:13:10.260 A daughter, woman with wolf's heart bare

00:13:14.480 If thou hast no son with a hero brave 0.96

00:13:17.680 If one weds the maid

00:13:19.260 For the mighty need is mighty

00:13:22.320 There, son for the hurt, thy vengeance seek

00:13:26.840 Then Nerethmar died, and Fathomir took all the gold.

00:13:32.600 Thereupon Neregen asked to have his inheritance from his father, but Fathomir refused this.

00:13:39.680 Then Neregen asked counsel of Lingeth, his sister, how he should win his inheritance.

00:13:45.880 She said,

00:13:47.580 In friendly wise, the wealth shall thou not ask of thy brother in better will.

00:13:53.880 Not seemly is it to seek with the sword Fafnir's treasure to take.

00:13:59.700 All these happenings did Regan tell Sigurd.

00:14:03.620 One day, when he came to Regan's house, he was gladly welcomed.

00:14:08.240 Regan said,

00:14:10.020 Hither the son of Sigmund is come, the hero eager here to haul.

00:14:16.060 His courage is more than our ancient man's, and battle, I hope, from the hardy wolf.

00:14:21.640 Here shall I foster the fearless prince, now Ingvi's heir to us is come.

00:14:28.880 The noblest hero beneath the sun, and threads of his fate all lands in ford.

00:14:36.020 Sigurd was there continually with Regan, who said to Sigurd that Fafnir lay at Gnithith, and was in the shape of a dragon.

00:14:45.480 He had a fear helm, of which all living creatures were terrified.

00:14:50.400 Regan made Sigurd the sword, which was called Grom.

00:14:54.900 It was so sharp that when he thrust it down into the Rhine,

00:14:58.800 and let a strand of wool drift against it with a stream,

00:15:03.100 it cleft the strand asunder as if it were water.

00:15:07.340 With this sword, Sigurd cleft asunder Regan's anvil.

00:15:11.840 After that, Regan edged Sigurd on to slay the Hathafnir.

00:15:17.200 But he said,

00:15:47.200 Whole yonder rides on ravel steeds, o'er towering waves in water's wild.

00:15:55.800 The sail horses, all with sweaters dripping, nor can the sea steeds the gale withstand.

00:16:04.500 Regan answered, On the sea trees here are Sigurd and I.

00:16:10.320 The storm wind drives us on to our death.

00:16:13.380 The waves crash down on the forward deck, and the roller steeds sink.

00:16:19.620 Who seeks our names?

00:16:22.660 Hinnikar I was, when Volsing was, gladdened the ravens, and battle gave.

00:16:30.140 Call me the man from the mountain now, Fang or Fjolnir, with you will I fare.

00:16:37.160 They sailed to the land, and the men went on board, and the storm subsided.

00:16:45.180 Sigurd spake,

00:16:47.320 Nikar, for thou seest the fate that to gods and men is given. 0.98

00:16:54.160 What sign is fairest for him who fights, and best for the swinging of swords?

00:17:01.340 Nikar spake,

00:17:03.200 Many the sign of men if but new. 1.00

00:17:07.160 They're good for the swinging of swords.

00:17:11.140 It is well, methinks, if the warrior meets 0.75

00:17:13.740 A raven black on his road.

00:17:17.400 Another it is, if out thou art come

00:17:20.200 And art ready forth to fare

00:17:22.700 To behold on the path before thy house

00:17:26.660 To fighters greedy of fame.

00:17:30.200 Third it is well, if a howling wolf

00:17:32.680 Thou hearest under the ash

00:17:35.100 And fortune comes if thy foe

00:17:38.440 Thou seest ere thee the hero beholds

00:17:42.300 A man shall fight not when he must fate

00:17:46.560 The moon's bright sister setting late

00:17:49.920 When he shall, who well can see

00:17:53.740 And wedge like forms his men fray

00:17:58.800 Foul is the sign if thy foot shall stumble

00:18:01.940 As thou goest forth to fight

00:18:05.160 Goddess is baneful at both thy sides

00:18:09.280 Will that wounds thou shalt get 0.96

00:18:12.060 Combed and washed shall the wise man go

00:18:16.200 And a meal at mom shall take

00:18:19.180 For unknown it is where at eve he may be

00:18:22.720 It is ill thy luck to lose 0.98

00:18:27.820 Sigurd had a great battle with Lingvi 0.99

00:18:30.580 the son of Hunding, and his brothers.

00:18:34.620 There Lingvi fell and his two brothers with him.

00:18:38.940 And after the battle Regen said, 0.97

00:18:42.240 Now the bloody eagle with biting sword

00:18:45.220 is carved on the back of Sigmund's killer.

00:18:49.220 Few were more fierce in fight than his son,

00:18:52.280 who reddened the earth and gladdened the ravens.

00:18:56.480 Sigurd went home to Hjallprek's house.

00:18:58.720 Thereupon, Regan egged him on to fight with Fafnir.

Asatru Folk Assembly - January 20, 2024

Reginsmál, a reading

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