aga_, but it is open to suspicion from the fact that it here
forms the second part (_thattr_) of _Hjalmar's Kvaeethi_, of
which the first part (_The Thattr of Oervar-Oddr_) is clearly
of later origin; as is shown not only by the language,
but also by the fact that the whole falls in with Suhm's
story,--"The three friends, Hjalmar, Asbjoern and Oervarodd,"
etc. Many verses of _Arngrim's Sons_ presuppose a first
_tattur_ to the ballad, for example that in which the sick
Asbjoern complains that he cannot follow his companion to the
fight on Samso[1]. That the language in the second part is
purer and older than in the first part is easily explained
from the fact that the people of Sando have utilised the
older Faroese version which was taken down by Svabo. They only
needed to transpose the verses and to make a very few changes
to get the whole readjusted according to the Saga or Suhm's
story. The verses which the Sando version has in common with
Svabo's could therefore be used for purposes of comparison.
There are thus weighty reasons for giving preference to
Svabo's version, in spite of all its imperfections.

Of the first part of _Hjalmar's Kvaeethi_ I have unfortunately been
unable to obtain a copy, though it is no doubt accessible at
Copenhagen, as it is mentioned as number 60 ('_Hjalmar's Kvaeethi_, 2
taettir: _a_, Oervaroddur, _b_, Arngrim's Sinir') in a list of
Faroese ballads taken down in the Faroes by Hammershaimb for the
archaeological archives of the Royal Old Norse Text Society[2].
Hammershaimb says[3], however, that the first part "deals with
Hjalmar's youth, the counsel given him by his father when he leaves
home, how he is taken into the retinue (_hireth_) of the Swedish King,
how he distinguishes himself by his bravery against the vikings, and
how he and Asbjoern and Oervarodd swear to be foster-brothers."

The translation which follows is made from Hammershaimb's second
edition of the ballad, published in _Nordiske Oldskrifter_, vols. 18
and 19, Part II[4]--which is in fact Svabo's text; but the refrain of
his first version has been adopted.

It will be noticed that the ballad differs in many points from the
_Saga of Hervoer and Heithrek_. In the first place, according to the
ballad, it is Arngrim and not Angantyr who is buried with the sword
Tyrfing[5]. Secondly, Hervik (the Hervoer of the Saga) is described
as a daughter of Arngr