The The Life and Death of Cormac the Skald (Kormáks saga) on Steingerd

Life And Death Of Cormac The Skald

• attestation: Steingerd noted Cormac had a tuft of hair on his forehead as his one blemish; Cormac's companion Tosti informed him of what the women said about his looks.

  ""There is only one blemish," said she, "his hair is tufted on his forehead""

• attestation: Steingerd confronted with Cormac at Muli accused him of breaking faith first; Cormac replied in verse defending himself and saying his love drove him to founder his horse.

  ""It was thou that made the first breach, Cormac," said she, "for this was none of my doing.""

• attestation: Steingerd left Bersi because he was maimed; she went to her kinsfolk and asked Thorkel Toothgnasher to recover her goods, though he delayed through the winter.

  "She went north to her kinsfolk, and meeting with her brother Thorkel she bade him seek her goods again from Bersi--her pin-money and her dowry, saying that she would not own him now that he was maimed. Thorkel Toothgnasher never blamed her for that, and agreed to undertake her errand; but the winter slipped by and his going was put off."

• attestation: Steingerd warned Cormac that his insulting verse would enrage Thorvald and the Skidings; Cormac responded with a verse threatening to satirize them.

  ""In such words," answered Steingerd, "an ill will is plain to hear. I shall tell Thorvald of this ribaldry: no man would sit still under such insults.""

• attestation: Steingerd told Cormac their relationship was over: 'Thou didst let me go, once for all; and there is no more hope for thee.'

  ""Thou didst let me go, once for all; and there is no more hope for thee.""

• attestation: The false song (verse 63) claimed Cormac wished Steingerd were a horse he could ride; Steingerd became furiously angry and refused to see Cormac.

  ""I wish an old witch that I know of, So wealthy and proud of her havings, Were turned to a steed in the stable --Called Steingerd--and I were the rider!""

• attestation: Steingerd persuaded Thorvald the Tinker to sail abroad to Norway; their ship was attacked by vikings who tried to rob them and carry off Steingerd.

  "Now it is told that Steingerd spoke to Thorvald the Tinker that they also should abroad together. He answered that it was mere folly, but nevertheless he could not deny her. So they set off on their voyage: and as they made their way across the sea, they were attacked by vikings who fell on them to rob them and to carry away Steingerd."