download - Sage's Lore Library

238 EELIGION OF THE NORTHMEN.
bear witness in, or judge—this cause in such manner
as I know to be most just and true, and most con-
sistent with the law, and that I will fiilfiU all lawful
obligations (ok 611 logmset skil af hendi leysa) con-
cerning the cases which I may have to act upon,
while I am in this Assembly.' "*
Viga-Glum's Saga relates how the Icelandic
Chieftain Glum Eyjolfsson (Viga-Glum) took oath
that he had not committed a murder of which he
had been accused. He was sentenced to take the
oath at three temples in EyjafjorS, viz. : at Djupadal,
at Gnupafellj and at Thvera. " When he had come
with his attendants," it is stated, " to the temple in
Djupadal, six men entered the temple with Glum.
The man who was to administer the Temple-oath
(vinna hofseiS), took in his hand a silver ring, dipped
(roSinn, i. e., red-colored) in the blood of an ox
that was sacrificed; and this ring did not weigh
less than three ounces. Then Glum began to speak
thus :
' I name Asgrim as a witness and Gizur as
another witness that I take the Temple oath on the
ring, and declare before God, i. e., Odin (at ek vinn
hofseiS at baugi ok segi ek fat ^^i, *. e., 05ian),
that I was not present there, and did not commit
murder there, and did not stain point and edge with
blood there, where Thorvald Krok was killed (a-t
ek vark-at Jar, ok vdk-at f)ar, ok rau5k-at Jar odd ok
egg, er |)6rvaldr Kr6kr fekk bana). Give heed
now to the oath, ye who are wise men, and are here
present !' " The form of this oath may serve at the
* Landnmb. IV. 7i