1 On his steed there was Béma riding
Over the blanket of the night the god was gliding
By shimmering north-light he was concealed
A silver bow that he would wield
2 ''O Béma'' Melke trickster said
"Canst thou not reach the stars ahead?
With thy great bow of willow tree
Made by the Elves as gift to thee?"
3 Proud Béma taunted by such mocking words
He draws an arrow fletching made from snow-white birds
With great aim he lets fly
Knocks a star then from the sky
4 The star fell down before the feet
Of old Dwarf Regún who walked the street
From Iron Hills far within the east
To Erebor where once was Smaug, the beast
5 He scoops up the lapsed star
Harder than rock and black as tar
The smithy's heart is set aflame
Deeming what he could forge of fame
6 Alas that this tale let it be known
Highwayman Høgni stalked the road alone
And in a truly unkind wise
He seeks to ease Regún off his prize
7 "On the sky I saw a shine
What the dwarf holds shall now be mine!"
He extends his hand for the final grasp
Hears behind him then a weapon rasp
8 Høgni turns around and then is cloven
By an axe of Firnstayn fine from metal woven
Regún baffled at who came for strife
A girl not older than ten and five
9 "Tell me, girl, who art thou
That thou slayst men just as now
With a weapon of the northmen folk?
From whose womb didst thou woke?"
10 (Skjalddís) "Canst thou see three ravens this corpse now claim?
Black as ebony they very well know my name;
Skjalddís, daughter of Torgrid since fifteen year
To me no fiend dares to draw near."
11 "From Gjaflaug's womb I issued forth
In a night when there was lit the light of the north
In Firnstayn I lived ever on the battlefield
Where many a hero lies beneath his shield."
12 (Regún) "To thee now my life is bound
Until I shall rest at last beneath a mound
For that thou hast this brigand hewn
Let me bestow on thee a boon!"
13 And the Dwarf went to work on the lapsed star
The ringing of his hammer was to be heard afar
He altered ever shape and form
As long as the forge's coals were warm
14 After three days he held a sword at last
And it was crafted with high knowledge from the past
Nothung engraved on the shimmering blade
Ere into Skjalddís' hand it was laid
15 A raven spoke: "Gaffer mine
Where next shall we dine?"
"At the wielder's side of Nothung
Death follows where it's swung."
16 And girdle Norðurreim he gave to her
Around Skjalddís' hip her powers did stir
(Regún) "To thee this is my boon
Adorned with many a rune."
17 There three ravens off they flew
Followed young Skjalddís as she grew
Ever close they stayed to the maid
And her sword that by a Dwarf was made
