The Gesta Danorum (Books I-IX) on Bjarke
The Danish History, > Book Two
attestation: Bjarke, messmate of Hjalte, killed a champion by turning the man's head backwards after being hit by a thrown bone
"his messmate, named Bjarke, received a violent blow on the head through the ill aim of the thrower; at whom, stung both by the pain and the jeering, he sent the bone back, so that he twisted the front of his head to the back"
attestation: Bjarke killed Agnar by passing his blade through his body, and Agnar reportedly died smiling
"Bjarke, who was to deal the return-stroke, leaned his foot against a stock, in order to give the freer poise to his steel, and passed his fine-edged blade through the midst of Agnar's body"
attestation: Bjarke's sword was called Lovi, noted for its wonderful sharpness and unusual length
"he used a sword of wonderful sharpness and unusual length which he called Lovi"
attestation: Bjarke slew a huge bear and had his companion Hjalte drink its blood to gain increased bodily strength
"he met a huge bear in a thicket, and slew it with a javelin; and then bade his companion Hjalte put his lips to the beast and drink the blood that came out, that he might be the stronger afterwards"
attestation: Bjarke married Rute, Rolf's sister, winning her as the prize for defeating Agnar
"took to wife his sister Rute, and had the bride of the conquered as the prize of the conquest"
attestation: Bjarke was roused by Hjalte and ordered his chamber-page Skalk to kindle the fire
"Bjarke, awakened, roused up his chamber-page Skalk speedily"
attribution: Bjarke finally emerged armed for battle, declaring himself Rolf's son-in-law and vowing to match his boasts with deeds
"I am the son-in-law of Rolf. He who boasts loud and with big words challenges other men to battle, is bound to be venturous and act up to his words"
attribution: Bjarke ordered warriors to fight bare-breasted, loading their arms with gold bracelets for heavier blows
"let none robe in mail his body that shall perish; let him last of all draw tight the woven steel; let the shields go behind the back; let us fight with bared breasts, and load all your arms with gold"
attribution: Bjarke credited Rolf with granting him twelve kindreds and vowed to repay that honour with his life
"I shall hold it a debt to repay to the king the twelve kindreds which he added to my honours"
attribution: Bjarke recalled killing Agnar son of Ingild with his sword Snyrtir, which earned him the name of Warrior
"I surely pierced a wild stag with the Teutonic sword which is called Snyrtir: from which I won the name of Warrior, when I felled Agnar, son of Ingild"
attribution: Bjarke praised Agnar for dying with a smile, covering his death-hour with courage
"he sank down half-conscious, and, leaning on his elbow, welcomed death with a smile, and spurned destruction with a laugh, and passed rejoicing in the world of Elysium"
attribution: Bjarke lamented the fall of Rolf's nobles, declaring that Pluto was receiving mighty souls rather than lowborn dead
"Renowned nobles are passing away. Lo! Greatest Rolf, thy great ones have fallen, thy holy line is vanishing"
attribution: Bjarke asked Rute if she could see Odin on the battlefield, calling him the one-eyed god mighty in battle
"where now is he that is commonly called Odin, the mighty in battle, content ever with a single eye?"
attribution: Bjarke vowed that if he could see Odin, described as the husband of Frigg with his white shield and tall steed, he would slay him
"If I may look on the awful husband of Frigg, howsoever he be covered with his white shield, and guide his tall steed, he shall in no wise go safe out of Leire"
attribution: Bjarke declared he would die near his slain captain's head, and invited his companions to fall at the king's feet
"I will die overpowered near the head of my slain captain, and at his feet thou also shalt slip on thy face in death"