Karlevi Runestone - Inscription

Inscription

Transliteration of the runes into Latin characters:

+ s-a... --(s)- i(a)s * satr * aiftir * si(b)(a) * kuþa * sun * fultars * in hons ** liþi * sati * at * u * -ausa-þ-... +: fulkin : likr : hins : fulkþu : flaistr (:)* uisi * þat * maistar * taiþir : tulka * þruþar : traukr : i : þaimsi * huki * munat : raiþ:uiþur : raþa : ruk:starkr * i * tanmarku : --ntils : iarmun**kruntar : urkrontari : lonti
Transcription into Old Norse (the Swedish-Danish dialect):

Sæ s es sattr æfti Sibba Goða, sun Fuldars, en hans liði satti at ... ...

Fulginn ligg hinns fylgðu,
flæstr vissi þat, mæsta
dæði dolga Þruða
draug i þæimsi haugi;
munat Ræið-Viðurr raða
rogstark i Danmarku
ndils iarmungrunda
ugrandai landi.
Older translation:

This stone is set up in memory of Sibbi Góði/Goði, son of Foldarr, and his retinue set on ...

Hidden lies the one
whom followed (most know that)
the greatest deeds,
Þrud's warrior of battles,
in this mound.
Never will a more honest,
hard-fighting 'wagon-Viðurr' upon
Endill's expanses rule the land in Denmark.
Newer translation:

This stone is placed in memory of Sibbi the good, Fuldarr's son, and his retinue placed on ... ...

He lies concealed,
he who was followed
by the greatest deeds (most men knew that),
a chieftain (battle-tree of Þrúðr)
in this howe;
Never again shall such a battle-hardened sea-warrior (Viðurr-of-the-Carriage of
Endill's mighty dominion ( = God of the vessels of the sea) ),
rule unsurpassed over land in Denmark.

A more idiomatic English translation of the poetic stanza is provided by Foote & Wilson:

Tree of Thrúd of hostilities, the man whom the greatest virtues accompanied - most men know that - lies buried in this mound; a more upright chariot-Vidur of wondrous-wide ground of Endil will not rule, strife-strong, land in Denmark.

The reverse side of the stone also has a non-runic inscription In nomin (?) Ie (?) which may mean "In the name of Jesus."

Read more about this topic:  Karlevi Runestone

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