Editiones Arnamagnæanæ. Series B - 01.06.1962, Page 99
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s{onar) kerlingar nefs but that there was some confusion
in an early copy of HÞ is shown by Hr’s reading, Boduar
Asbiarnar son Elldiarns syner Arnor og Juar kellingar nef
(28~9). AJ would scarcely have given the list incorrectly
if his source had been Flat so it may be assumed he used
some other MS in which the list had already been cor-
rupted, though not to such an extent as in Hr.
When he introduces Áslákr, AJ precedes immediately
to refer to Hemingr. In Hr and Flat only Björn is men-
tioned at this point. This early introduction of Hemingr
can scarcely be original as it destroys the dramatic tension
of Áslák’s interview with the king and it must surely be
ascribed to AJ’s abridging of the story. On the other hand,
AJ gives a description of Hemingr (289-90) which is not
found in any known version of HÞ (cf., however, 4916 J7),
Filium is habuit Hemingium, plurimarum rerum scientia
insignem, qvœ illam gentem et eo seculo virum bonum et
celebrem ornare credebantur. Primum enim corporis statura
eximia fuit, qvœ qvandam prœ se ferre majestatem videbatur.
Hanc commendabat virilis formce et faciei augusta species,
capillorum et barbœ flavescens decor, tum etiam exterior
amictus dignitas, qvem libenter se dignum gerebat. Adhœc
animö erat veré magnö, constanti et generoso; prœter etiam
incomparabile feré, qvö pollebat, corporis robur erat manu
ac tota corporis agilitate promptissimus, sive ense cominus,
sive telo eminus, sive cursu, sive nando certandum erat. It
seems unlikely that AJ should have invented this alto-
gether and it may be assumed that he found something
similar in his source (e.g. the words qvandam prœ se ferre
majestatem videbatur are probably a rendering of tíguligr).
It is worth noting that none of the existing versions of
HÞ say anything about Heming’s skill in close combat
with the sword but it is possible that AJ simply added
this extra accomplishment to make the list more im-
pressive. There is nothing in his summary to suggest that
his source contained an episode with sword-play.