Torsteins Kvæði [English translation]

Listen and let there be silence,

I quote from the ballad of the brave

A king reigned over Norway, he had two sons

Runs and runs my foal

On green ground and wine bore the red grove

Rise to dance for a while

Joyful plays my foal

On green ground

He had two sons, I can mention them both

Magnus and Torstein the earl,

they could match1any swain

The earl goes before the king and tells him

Torstein your son has left the kingdom

If he wants to leave the kingdom,

then no-one shall force him to stay

He can not escape his destiny

he has to figure that out for himself

I promised my father and my mother

When I lay in the cradle

I should not fear the hot fire

nor the sharp steel

The wolf lies in the winter's snow,

finds himself in great distress

Like the man who stands in a battle,

and almost suffers death

The lady was both supported and lead,

into her father's wealth

The light shone from her shoulders,

gleamed like the purest gold

Now this ballad has ended,

it may benefit the good

Torstein received both kingdoms

and all the subjects therein.

1. stevna = to summon