Bragi lists the circumlocutions for swords, spears, axes, and shields. Weapons bear poetic names drawn from mythology and heroic lore, and the skald may call the sword the fire of the serpent, the spear the staff of Odin, and the shield the tree of the moon.
Sverð má kalla eld ormsins, þvíat eldr liggr í egginni sem i líki orms. Spjót heitir stafr Óðins ok reyr vígs. Skjöldr heitir mána tré ok veggr hjálms.
The sword may be called the fire of the serpent, for fire runs along the edge as along the body of a serpent. The spear is called the staff of Odin and the reed of battle. The shield is called the tree of the moon and the wall of the helmet.
Öx heitir klauf orms eða hrísla vígs. Skáldar hafa margar slíkar kenningar af fornum sögum um goð ok hetjar.
The axe is called the cleft of the serpent or the branch of battle. Skalds have many such kennings from ancient tales of gods and heroes.