Gungnir Alternate Translations

When Brokk and Loki arrived and displayed their treasures, the Æsir took their places on their thrones of fate. Odin, Thor and Frey were to be the judges, thus settling the matter. Loki gave to Odin the spear Gungnir; to Thor, the hair for Sif; and to Frey, Skidbladnir. He then described the characteristics of each of the treasures: the spear always pierced cleanly through, never stopping during the thrust; the hair would grow fast to the skin as soon as it came on to Sif’s head; and Skidbladnir would receive a fair wind whenever its sail was raised, no matter where it was going. It could also be folded up like a cloth and put into one’s pouch if so desired.


- Prose Edda, Skaldskaparmal (Jesse L. Byock translation)

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Now when he and Loki brought forward the precious gifts, the Æsir sat down in the seats of judgment; and that verdict was to prevail which Odin, Thor, and Freyr should render. Then Loki gave Odin the spear Gungnir, and to Thor the hair which Sif was to have, and Skídbladnir to Freyr, and told the virtues of all these things: that the spear would never stop in its thrust; the hair would grow to the flesh as soon as it came upon Sif's head; and Skídbladnir would have a favoring breeze as soon as the sail was raised, in whatsoever direction it might go, but could be folded together like a napkin and be kept in Freyr's pouch if he so desired.


- Prose Edda, Skaldskaparmal (Arthur Gilchrist Brodeur translation)

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When Loke and Brok brought forth the treasures, the gods seated themselves upon their doom-steads. It was agreed to abide by the decision which should be pronounced by Odin, Thor and Frey. Loke gave to Odin the spear Gungner, to Thor the hair, which Sif was to have, and to Frey, Skidbladner; and he described the qualities of all these treasures, stating that the spear never would miss its mark, that the hair would grow as soon as it was placed on Sif s head, and that Skidbladner would always have fair wind as soon as the sails were hoisted, no matter where its owner desired to go; besides, the ship could be folded together like a napkin and be carried in his pocket if he desired.


- Prose Edda, Skaldskaparmal (Rasmus B. Anderson translation)

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When he and Loki brought out their treasures, the Æsir sat
down on their thrones and the verdict given by Odin, Thor and
Frey was to stand good. Loki then gave Odin the spear, Gungnir;
Thor, the hair Sif was to have; and Frey, Skidbladnir, and he
explained what sort of treasures they were: the spear never missed
its mark, the hair would grow to her skin as soon as it was put on
Sif’s head, and Skidbladnir got a breeze to take it where it had to
go as soon as its sail was hoisted, and it could be folded together
like a cloth and carried in one’s pouch, if so desired.


- Prose Edda, Skaldskaparmal (Jean I. Young Translation)