Grímnismál
Translations
in English
Old Norse Poetry
I
Overview of Grímnismál
Grímnismál (“The Sayings of Grímnir”) is one of the poems of the Poetic Edda. It is presented as a monologue spoken by Odin, who appears in disguise as Grímnir and reveals knowledge about the cosmos, the gods, and their realms.
The poem consists largely of descriptive stanzas that outline the structure of the mythological world, including the halls of the gods, the nature of Yggdrasil, and various cosmological details. It combines narrative framing with extensive mythological information, making it an important source for understanding Norse cosmology.
Themes of Grímnismál
- Cosmology and the structure of the Norse world
- Knowledge and revelation
- The power and identity of Odin
- Kingship, wisdom, and divine favor
II
Read Grímnismál in English
Grímnismál has been translated into English multiple times, each reflecting different styles and interpretations, from early scholarly translations to more modern and accessible versions.
Since each translator brings their own interpretation and emphasis, we recommend not to rely on a single edition alone. Comparing multiple translations and their commentary can provide a broader and more balanced understanding of the poem, which is why several versions are presented here.
Grímnismál - The Sayings of Grímnir
Modern English Translation (in the works.)
— a clear and accessible modern rendering.
Grímnismǫ́l - The Lay of Grimnir
English Translation (1928) by Lee M. Hollander
— scholarly translation balancing accuracy and poetic form.
Grimnismol - The Ballad of Grimnir
English Translation (1923) by Henry Adams Bellows
— one of the most widely read early English editions.
Grimnismál - The Sayings of Grimnir
English Translation (1908) by Olive Bray.
— a classic early 20th-century translation with literary style.
Grímnismál - The Lay of Grimnir
English Translation (1866) by Benjamin Thorpe.
— one of the earliest English translations of the Poetic Edda.
III
Translation samples
1
Hot art thou, blaze, and too high, withal!
Get, fire, thee farther away!
My frieze-coat is singed though I flung it aloft,
flares up the fur in the flames.
–Lee M Hollander (1928)
1
Hot art thou, fire! too fierce by far;
Get ye now gone, ye flames!
The mantle is burnt, though I bear it aloft,
And the fire scorches the fur.
–Henry Adams Bellows (1923)
1
Fierce art thou, fire! and far too great;
flame, get thee further away!
my cloak is scorched though I hold it high;
my mantle burns before me.
–Olive Bray (1908)
1
Fire! thou art hot, and much too great;
flame! let us separate.
My garment is singed, although I lift it up,
my cloak is scorched before it.
–Benjamin Thorpe (1866)
Keep Exploring
Other Old Norse Poems
Explore other poems from the Poetic Edda and the wider Old Norse corpus.
