Dag the Wise

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Dag the Wise or Dagr Spaka (2nd or 3rd century AD) was a mythological Swedish king of the House of Ynglings. He was the son of Dyggve, the former king.

Dag was so wise that he could understand the song of birds. He consequently had a tame sparrow which flew to various countries and returned to him with tidings like Hugin and Munin to the wise god Odin.

Once the sparrow happened to land on a corn field in a place called Varva in Reidgotaland (considering the date and location, apparently Gothiscandza). The peasant who owned the field managed to hit the sparrow with a stone and killed him.

When the sparrow did not return, Dag was angry and sacrificed to the gods in order to have an explanation. He was told about what had happened and declared war on the Goths. He landed in Reidgotaland with a great army and pillaged the land causing people to flee.

After having killed many Goths and taken many prisoners, they were returning to their ships. As they crossed the river at a place called Skjotan's ford (the weapon's ford), a thrall came running and threw a hayfork into the Swedish troops. The hayfork hit Dag on the head and he fell dead from his horse.

Frák at Dagr

dauða orði

frægðar fúss

of fara skyldi,

þá er valteins

til Vörva kom

spakfrömuðr

spörs at hefna.

Ok þat orð

á austrvega

vísa ferð

frá vígi bar,

at þann gram

af geta skyldi

slöngviþref

Sleipnis verðar.[link]

What news is this that the king's men,

Flying eastward through the glen,

Report? That Dag the Brave, whose name

Is sounded far and wide by Fame --

That Dag, who knew so well to wield

The battle-axe in bloody field,

Where brave men meet, no more will head

The brave -- that mighty Dag is dead!

Varva was wasted with the sword,

And vengeance taken for the bird --

The little bird that used to bring

News to the ear of the great king.

Varva was ravaged, and the strife

Was ended, when the monarch's life

Was ended too -- the great Dag fell

By the hay-fork of a base thrall! (Laing's translation [link])

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Sources

Ynglingatal
Ynglinga saga (part of the Heimskringla)
Historia Norwegiae

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