Stanzas 29-36 demonstrate hálfhnept, where each line is shortened by one syllable compared to the standard form, and dunhent, a metre with a deep, thundering sound. Snorri explains how these technical constraints create distinct poetic effect.
Hálfhnept heitir þat háttr er hverr línur er styttri um eina stafkvæð en í dróttkvæðu. Þat þykir kunnig skáld er þetta kann at yrkja sem skyldi. Dunhent heitir þat háttr er þungr er ok þrunginn, sem þruma gengr yfir himin.
Hálfhnept is the name of the metre where each line is one metrical syllable shorter than in dróttkvætt. It is considered a skilled skald who can compose this correctly. Dunhent is the name of the metre that is heavy and dense, like thunder moving across the sky.
Stanzas
Háttatal 29
Gramr, þú gegnir vel göfgum þjóðum; jarl, þú ert sterkr jörðu dróttinn. Hákon hilmir, hróðrligr þengill, Skúli, snjallr seggja líðir.
Prince, you serve well the noble peoples; earl, you are strong, lord of the earth. Hákon the lord, glorious king, Skúli, bold leader of warriors.