Thor, on his way back from a journey to the east, stands before a river and calls for a ferryman to take him across. Hárbarðr, the ferryman, mocks him and claims the river is difficult to cross. A verbal exchange ensues, in which Thor praises his heroic deeds and virtues, while Hárbarðr ridicules him and highlights his own cunning and achievements. Ultimately, Hárbarðr refuses to provide passage, forcing Thor to take a longer route. The Hárbarðsljóð is divided into 60 stanzas. Here is the complete text in Old Norse. The 60 stanzas have been meaningfully summarized into 10 verses:
Old Norse:
1.
Þórr kvað í morgni stinn,
„Hvar er bátur sem flýtur minn?
Hvar er sá maður, sem veginn stendr,
er helmir víðr, fjöðr mér sendir?“
2.
Hárbarðr, vísa og spakmáll,
„Þú, Þórr, ert þurs og þinn mál.
Ek fer um fjöll og skógar ber,
bátinn lofa ek þér eigi her.“
3.
Þórr kvað, „Þú ert hinn grimmr,
segðu mér, hvar er hinn rimmr?
Skríð þú af fjörum og láttu mig fara,
yfir fljót, við himinn hara.“
4.
Hárbarðr hlær og kvað til hans,
„Aldrei fer þú, eða skipið kanns.
Þú munt hér hvíla í skógum mínum,
enginn bátur kemur frá stríðum sínum.“
5.
Þórr kvað, „Ég mun með hamri brjóta,
tröllin skjóta og fjöður smjóta.
Láttu mig fara, þú ellegar mun,
vargar og úlfr bíta í þinn grunn.“
6.
Hárbarðr kvað, „Ek mun eigi skjóta,
Þú, Þórr, skalt á fjöllum móta.
Þú skalt þá bíða og ver eigi hræðir,
heim þú munt snúa með þínar feðr.“
7.
Þórr kvað, „Segðu mér þá, Hárbarðr,
hver þú ert, hver hinn harðr?
Hví fer þú eigi með vígjum vápn,
hversu þú ert svikinn með þinn skapn.“
8.
Hárbarðr kvað, „Ek er Hárbarðr, ek er sniðinn,
frá Ásgarði með orðum minn.
Ek er hinn vitri, þú ert hinn sterki,
ek mun eigi láta þig fara í ferki.“
9.
Þórr kvað, „Miklu betra er skipið mitt,
en orð þín, þau sem eigi ritt.
Þú mun æ þurfa að halda,
segðu mér sönn orð, gef mér skjaldar.“
10.
Hárbarðr kvað, „Farðu nú heim, Þórr hinn stinni,
finna þú mun, hvað fyrir minni.
Ek er hinn klóki, þú ert hinn spilli,
sæfa þú munt með víkingum stilli.“
English translation:
1.
Thor spoke in the early morning,
"Where is the boat that floats mine?
Where is the man who stands unwavering,
whose helm stretches wide, the river he blocks?"
2.
Hárbarðr, wise and eloquent,
"You, Thor, are a giant, your speech is firm.
I wander over mountains, through forests I bear,
the boat I promise you not here."
3.
Thor spoke, "You are so fierce and strong,
tell me, where is the river's song?
Stride from shores and let me go,
across the river, towards heaven's glow."
4.
Hárbarðr laughed and spoke to him,
"Never will you go, or know this ship.
Here you shall rest in my woods' care,
no boat will come from battles there."
5.
Thor spoke, "With hammer I will break,
trolls I'll slay and feathers shake.
Let me go, you wicked one,
wolves and wolves bite in your home."
6.
Hárbarðr said, "I will not shoot,
You, Thor, shall meet on mountains' route.
You shall wait and not be afraid,
home you shall turn with your fathers."
7.
Thor spoke, "Tell me then, Hárbarðr,
who you are, who the tough one?
Why do you not go with weapons of war,
how you are betrayed by your nature."
8.
Hárbarðr said, "I am Hárbarðr, I am skilled,
from Ásgarðr with my words filled.
I am the wise one, you are the strong one,
I will not let you go in this ship."
9.
Thor spoke, "Much better is my ship,
than your words, those not written.
You will always have to hold,
tell me true words, give me shields."
10.
Hárbarðr said, "Go home now, Thor the strong,
you will find what before mine.
I am the clever one, you are the foolish one,
you will sleep with the leaders of the Vikings."