Note 72 — CANTO XIX. THE EINHERIER.
William Edward Frye translation
Starkodder was the greatest warrior of his time, and was deified after his death. His name was ever in the greatest veneration among the Scandinavians. Though he killed Oluf, he repented it ever afterwards, and in this poem the poet puts into Oluf’s mouth the generous sentiment, that Starkodder, in killing him and making him die in blood, had perhaps saved him from dying by old age or sickness; in which case, instead of being in Valhalla, he would have risked falling into the hands of Hela. According to the author of this work, Œhlenschläger (who has made Starkodder the subject of a most interesting tragedy), Oluf’s death was revenged by his son Frode Frækne, who clove Starkodder’s scull in single combat. In the above tragedy Frode, after killing Starkodder, renders ample justice to his military talent and exploits, and anticipates, in the following manner, his reception among the heroes of Valhalla:
“Now he’s a god! at the command of Thor Five hundred forty massive gates of Trudvang, Each broad and long, and made of bronze, ope wide With fearful clang; in brilliant armour clad Five hundred forty heroes from each gate Rush forth to meet him, and with loud applause Thus do they greet the chief: All hail! Starkodder! Thou greatest after Tyr and Asa-Thor!”