The Saga of Gunnlaug the Worm-Tongue and Raven the Skald

Anonymous
Translated by William Morris (1834 - 1896) and Eiríkr Magnússon (1833 - 1913)

A tale from Iceland, 800 years ago.
In a dream of quarrels and death
The birth of fair Helga is told
Cross the north seas ventured for fame
At the call of kings, hearth bereft
Wounded pride, spawn'd of a sensed slight
When tongues fail, sharper blades prevail
Falcon soothes the cloak wrapt wound
Fair one pines and fades from the light. - Summary by Fritz

Genre(s): Sagas

Language: English

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 01 I. Of Thorstein Eglison and his Kin. II. Of Thorstein's Dream. III. Of the Birth and Fostering of Helga the Fair Phil Schempf
00:12:26
Play 02 IV. Of Gunnlaug Worm-tongue and his Kin. V. Of Raven and his Kin. VI. How Helga was vowed to Gunnlaug, and of Gunnlaug's faring abroad. Phil Schempf
00:14:33
Play 03 VII. Of Gunnlaug in the East and the West. VIII. Of Gunnlaug in Ireland. Phil Schempf
00:14:10
Play 04 IX. Of the Quarrel between Gunnlaug and Raven before the Swedish King. X. How Raven came home to Iceland, and asked for Helga to Wife. XI. Of how Gunnlaug must needs abide away from Iceland. Phil Schempf
00:11:19
Play 05 XII. Of Gunnlaug's landing, and how he found Helga wedded to Raven. XIII. Of the Winter-Wedding at Skaney, and how Gunnlaug gave the Kings Cloak to Helga. XIV. Of the Holmgang at the Althing. Phil Schempf
00:14:43
Play 06 XV. How Gunnlaug and Raven agreed to go East to Norway, to try the matter again. XVI. How the two Foes met and fought at Dingness. Phil Schempf
00:10:29
Play 07 XVII. The News of the Fight brought to Iceland. XVIII. The Death of Helga the Fair. Phil Schempf
00:06:09