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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 18947 ***
+
+
+
+
+               THE YOUNGER EDDA:
+
+                  also called
+
+       SNORRE’S EDDA, OR THE PROSE EDDA.
+
+      An English Version of the Foreword;
+     The Fooling of Gylfe, The Afterword;
+ Brage’s Talk, The Afterword to Brage’s Talk,
+       and the Important Passages in the
+       Poetical Diction (Skaldskaparmal).
+
+                    with an
+
+  Introduction, Notes, Vocabulary, and Index.
+
+         By RASMUS B. ANDERSON, LL.D.,
+
+Formerly Professor of the Scandinavian Languages
+        in the University of Wisconsin,
+          Ex-U.S. Minister to Denmark,
+ Author of “America Not Discovered By Columbus,”
+“Norse Mythology,” “Viking Tales Of The North,” etc.
+
+
+                    Chicago
+          Scott, Foresman and Company
+                      1901
+
+
+
+
+               Copyright, 1879,
+          By S. C. Griggs and Company.
+
+
+                    Press of
+           The Henry O. Shepard Co.
+                    Chicago.
+
+
+
+
+                       To
+
+             HON. THOS. F. BAYARD,
+
+     Ambassador to the Court of St. James,
+           in Grateful Recollection
+        of Pleasant Official Relations.
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+
+In the beginning, before the heaven and the earth and the sea were
+created, the great abyss Ginungagap was without form and void, and the
+spirit of Fimbultyr moved upon the face of the deep, until the ice-cold
+rivers, the Elivogs, flowing from Niflheim, came in contact with the
+dazzling flames from Muspelheim. This was before Chaos.
+
+And Fimbultyr said: Let the melted drops of vapor quicken into life, and
+the giant Ymer was born in the midst of Ginungagap. He was not a god,
+but the father of all the race of evil giants. This was Chaos.
+
+And Fimbultyr said: Let Ymer be slain and let order be established. And
+straightway Odin and his brothers--the bright sons of Bure--gave Ymer a
+mortal wound, and from his body made they the universe; from his flesh,
+the earth; from his blood, the sea; from his bones, the rocks; from
+his hair, the trees; from his skull, the vaulted heavens; from his
+eye-brows, the bulwark called Midgard. And the gods formed man and woman
+in their own image of two trees, and breathed into them the breath of
+life. Ask and Embla became living souls, and they received a garden in
+Midgard as a dwelling-place for themselves and their children until the
+end of time. This was Cosmos.
+
+The world’s last day approaches. All bonds and fetters that bound the
+forces of heaven and earth together are severed, and the powers of good
+and of evil are brought together in an internecine feud. Loke advances
+with the Fenris-wolf and the Midgard-serpent, his own children, with
+all the hosts of the giants, and with Surt, who flings fire and flame
+over the world. Odin advances with all the asas and all the blessed
+einherjes. They meet, contend, and fall. The wolf swallows Odin but
+Vidar, the Silent, sets his foot upon the monster’s lower jaw, he
+seizes the other with his hand, and thus rends him till he dies. Frey
+encounters Surt, and terrible blows are given ere Frey falls. Heimdal
+and Loke fight and kill each other, and so do Tyr and the dog Garm from
+the Gnipa Cave. Asa-Thor fells the Midgard-serpent with his Mjolner, but
+he retreats only nine paces when he himself falls dead, suffocated by
+the serpent’s venom. Then smoke wreathes up around the ash Ygdrasil,
+the high flames play against the heavens, the graves of the gods, of
+the giants and of men are swallowed up by the sea, and the end has come.
+This is Ragnarok, the twilight of the gods.
+
+But the radiant dawn follows the night. The earth, completely green,
+rises again from the sea, and where the mews have but just been rocking
+on restless waves, rich fields unplowed and unsown, now wave their
+golden harvests before the gentle breezes. The asas awake to a new life,
+Balder is with them again. Then comes the mighty Fimbultyr, the god who
+is from everlasting to everlasting; the god whom the Edda skald dared
+not name. The god of gods comes to the asas. He comes to the great
+judgment and gathers all the good into Gimle to dwell there forever, and
+evermore delights enjoy; but the perjurers and murderers and adulterers
+he sends to Nastrand, that terrible hall, to be torn by Nidhug until
+they are purged from their wickedness. This is Regeneration.
+
+These are the outlines of the Teutonic religion. Such were the doctrines
+established by Odin among our ancestors. Thus do we find it recorded in
+the Eddas of Iceland.
+
+The present volume contains all of the Younger Edda that can possibly be
+of any importance to English readers. In fact, it gives more than has
+ever before been presented in any translation into English, German or
+any of the modern Scandinavian tongues.
+
+We would recommend our readers to omit the Forewords and Afterwords
+until they have perused the Fooling of Gylfe and Brage’s Speech. The
+Forewords and Afterwords, it will readily be seen, are written by a
+later and less skillful hand, and we should be sorry to have anyone lay
+the book aside and lose the pleasure of reading Snorre’s and Olaf’s
+charming work, because he became disgusted with what seemed to him mere
+silly twaddle. And yet these Forewords and Afterwords become interesting
+enough when taken up in connection with a study of the historical
+anthropomorphized Odin. With a view of giving a pretty complete outline
+of the founder of the Teutonic race we have in our notes given all the
+Heimskringla sketch of the Black Sea Odin. We have done this, not only
+on account of the material it furnishes as the groundwork of a Teutonic
+epic, which we trust the muses will ere long direct some one to write,
+but also on account of the vivid picture it gives of Teutonic life as
+shaped and controlled by the Odinic faith.
+
+All the poems quoted in the Younger Edda have in this edition been
+traced back to their sources in the Elder Edda and elsewhere.
+
+Where the notes seem to the reader insufficient, we must refer him to
+our Norse Mythology, where he will, we trust, find much of the
+additional information he may desire.
+
+Well aware that our work has many imperfections, and begging our readers
+to deal generously with our shortcomings, we send the book out into the
+world with the hope that it may aid some young son or daughter of Odin
+to find his way to the fountains of Urd and Mimer and to Idun’s
+rejuvenating apples. The son must not squander, but husband wisely, what
+his father has accumulated. The race must cherish and hold fast and add
+to the thought that the past has bequeathed to it. Thus does it grow
+greater and richer with each new generation. The past is the mirror that
+reflects the future.
+
+  R. B. ANDERSON.
+  University of Wisconsin,
+  Madison, Wis., _September, 1879_.
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+Preface                                          5
+
+Introduction                                    15
+
+Foreword                                        33
+
+
+THE FOOLING OF GYLFE.
+
+CHAPTER I.
+Gefjun’s Plowing                                49
+
+CHAPTER II.
+Gylfe’s Journey to Asgard                       51
+
+CHAPTER III.
+Of the Highest God                              54
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+The Creation of the World                       56
+
+CHAPTER V.
+The Creation (continued)                        64
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+The First Works of the Asas--The Golden Age     69
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+On the Wonderful Things in Heaven               72
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+The Asas                                        79
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+Loke and his Offspring                          91
+
+CHAPTER X.
+The Goddesses (Asynjes)                         97
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+The Giantess Gerd and Skirner’s Journey        101
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+Life in Valhal                                 104
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+Odin’s Horse and Frey’s Ship                   109
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+Thor’s Adventures                              113
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+The Death of Balder                            131
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+Ragnarok                                       140
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+Regeneration                                   147
+
+Afterword to the Fooling of Gylfe              151
+
+
+BRAGE’S TALK.
+
+CHAPTER I.
+Æger’s Journey to Asgard                       152
+
+CHAPTER II.
+Idun and her Apples                            155
+
+CHAPTER III.
+How Njord got Skade to Wife                    158
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+The Origin of Poetry                           160
+
+Afterword to Brage’s Talk                      166
+
+
+EXTRACTS FROM THE POETICAL DICTION.
+
+Thor and Hrungner                              169
+Thor’s Journey to Geirrod’s                    176
+Idun                                           184
+Æger’s Feast                                   187
+Loke’s Wager with the Dwarfs                   189
+The Niflungs and Gjukungs                      193
+Menja and Fenja                                206
+The Grottesong                                 208
+Rolf Krake                                     214
+Hogne and Hild                                 218
+
+
+NOTES.
+
+Enea                                           221
+Herikon                                        221
+The Historical Odin                            221
+Fornjot and the Settlement of Norway           239
+Notes to the Fooling of Gylfe                  242
+Note on the Niflungs and Gjukungs              266
+Note on Menja and Fenja                        267
+Why the Sea is Salt                            268
+
+
+VOCABULARY                                     275
+
+INDEX                                          291
+
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+               THE YOUNGER EDDA.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+INTRODUCTION.
+
+
+The records of our Teutonic past have hitherto received but slight
+attention from the English-speaking branch of the great world-ash
+Ygdrasil. This indifference is the more deplorable, since a knowledge of
+our heroic forefathers would naturally operate as a most powerful means
+of keeping alive among us, and our posterity, that spirit of courage,
+enterprise and independence for which the old Teutons were so
+distinguished.
+
+The religion of our ancestors forms an important chapter in the history
+of the childhood of our race, and this fact has induced us to offer the
+public an English translation of the Eddas. The purely mythological
+portion of the Elder Edda was translated and published by A. S. Cottle,
+in Bristol, in 1797, and the whole work was translated by Benjamin
+Thorpe, and published in London in 1866. Both these works are now out of
+print. Of the Younger Edda we have likewise had two translations into
+English,--the first by Dasent in 1842, the second by Blackwell, in his
+edition of Mallet’s Northern Antiquities, in 1847. The former has long
+been out of print, the latter is a poor imitation of Dasent’s. Both of
+them are very incomplete. These four books constitute all the Edda
+literature we have had in the English language, excepting, of course,
+single lays and chapters translated by Gray, Henderson, W. Taylor,
+Herbert, Jamieson, Pigott, William and Mary Howitt, and others.
+
+The Younger Edda (also called Snorre’s Edda, or the Prose Edda), of
+which we now have the pleasure of presenting our readers an English
+version, contains, as usually published in the original, the following
+divisions:
+
+1. The Foreword.
+
+2. Gylfaginning (The Fooling of Gylfe).
+
+3. The Afterword to Gylfaginning.
+
+4. Brage’s Speech.
+
+5. The Afterword.
+
+6. Skaldskaparmal (a collection of poetic paraphrases, and denominations
+in Skaldic language without paraphrases).
+
+7. Hattatal (an enumeration of metres; a sort of Clavis Metrica).
+
+In some editions there are also found six additional chapters on the
+alphabet, grammar, figures of speech, etc.
+
+There are three important parchment manuscripts of the Younger Edda,
+viz:
+
+1. _Codex Regius_, the so-called King’s Book. This was presented to the
+Royal Library in Copenhagen, by Bishop Brynjulf Sveinsson, in the year
+1640, where it is still kept.
+
+2. _Codex Wormianus_. This is found in the University Library in
+Copenhagen, in the Arne Magnæan collection. It takes its name from
+Professor Ole Worm [died 1654], to whom it was presented by the learned
+Arngrim Jonsson. Christian Worm, the grandson of Ole Worm, and Bishop of
+Seeland [died 1737], afterward presented it to Arne Magnusson.
+
+3. _Codex Upsaliensis_. This is preserved in the Upsala University
+Library. Like the other two, it was found in Iceland, where it was given
+to Jon Rugmann. Later it fell into the hands of Count Magnus Gabriel de
+la Gardie, who in the year 1669 presented it to the Upsala University.
+Besides these three chief documents, there exist four fragmentary
+parchments, and a large number of paper manuscripts.
+
+The first printed edition of the Younger Edda, in the original, is the
+celebrated “Edda Islandorum,” published by Peter Johannes Resen, in
+Copenhagen, in the year 1665. It contains a translation into Latin, made
+partly by Resen himself, and partly also by Magnus Olafsson, Stephan
+Olafsson and Thormod Torfason.
+
+Not until eighty years later, that is in 1746, did the second edition of
+the Younger Edda appear in Upsala under the auspices of Johannes
+Goransson. This was printed from the Codex Upsaliensis.
+
+In the present century we find a third edition by Rasmus Rask, published
+in Stockholm in 1818. This is very complete and critical. The fourth
+edition was issued by Sveinbjorn Egilsson, in Reykjavik, 1849; the fifth
+by the Arne-Magnæan Commission in Copenhagen, 1852.[1] All these five
+editions have long been out of print, and in place of them we have a
+sixth edition by Thorleif Jonsson (Copenhagen, 1875), and a seventh by
+Ernst Wilkin (Paderborn, 1877). Both of these, and especially the
+latter, are thoroughly critical and reliable.
+
+    [Footnote 1: The third volume of this work has not yet appeared.]
+
+Of translations, we must mention in addition to those into English by
+Dasent and Blackwell, R. Nyerup’s translation into Danish (Copenhagen,
+1808); Karl Simrock’s into German (Stuttgart and Tübingen, 1851); and
+Fr. Bergmann’s into French (Paris, 1871). Among the chief authorities to
+be consulted in the study of the Younger Edda may be named, in addition
+to those already mentioned, Fr. Dietrich, Th. Mobius, Fr. Pfeiffer,
+Ludw. Ettmuller, K. Hildebrand, Ludw. Uhland, P. E. Muller, Adolf
+Holzmann, Sophus Bugge, P. A. Munch and Rudolph Keyser. For the material
+in our introduction and notes, we are chiefly indebted to Simrock,
+Wilkin and Keyser. While we have had no opportunity of making original
+researches, the published works have been carefully studied, and all we
+claim for our work is, that it shall contain the results of the latest
+and most thorough investigations by scholars who live nearer the
+fountains of Urd and Mimer than do we. Our translations are made from
+Egilsson’s, Jonsson’s and Wilkins’ editions of the original. We have not
+translated any of the Hattatal, and only the narrative part of
+Skaldskaparmal, and yet our version contains more of the Younger Edda
+than any English, German, French or Danish translation that has hitherto
+been published. The parts omitted cannot possibly be of any interest to
+any one who cannot read them in the original. All the paraphrases of the
+asas and asynjes, of the world, the earth, the sea, the sun, the wind,
+fire, summer, man, woman, gold, of war, arms, of a ship, emperor, king,
+ruler, etc., are of interest only as they help to explain passages of
+Old Norse poems. The same is true of the enumeration of metres, which
+contains a number of epithets and metaphors used by the scalds,
+illustrated by specimens of their poetry, and also by a poem of Snorre
+Sturleson, written in one hundred different metres.
+
+There has been a great deal of learned discussion in regard to the
+authorship of the Younger Edda. Readers specially interested in this
+knotty subject we must refer to Wilkins’ elaborate treatise,
+Untersuchungen zur Snorra Edda (Paderborn, 1878), and to P. E. Muller’s,
+Die Æchtheit der Asalehre (Copenhagen, 1811).
+
+Two celebrated names that without doubt are intimately connected with
+the work are Snorre Sturleson and Olaf Thordsson Hvitaskald. Both of
+these are conspicuous, not only in the literary, but also in the
+political history of Iceland.
+
+    [Footnote 2: Keyser.]
+
+Snorre Sturleson[2] was born in Iceland in the year 1178. Three years
+old, he came to the house of the distinguished chief, Jon Loptsson, at
+Odde, a grandson of Sæmund the Wise, the reputed collector of the Elder
+Edda, where he appears to have remained until Jon Loptsson’s death, in
+the year 1197. Soon afterward Snorre married into a wealthy family, and
+in a short time he became one of the most distinguished leaders in
+Iceland, He was several times elected chief magistrate, and no man in
+the land was his equal in riches and prominence. He and his two elder
+brothers, Thord and Sighvat, who were but little inferior to him in
+wealth and power, were at one time well-nigh supreme in Iceland, and
+Snorre sometimes appeared at the Althing at Thingvols accompanied by
+from eight hundred to nine hundred armed men.
+
+Snorre and his brothers did not only have bitter feuds with other
+families, but a deadly hatred also arose between themselves, making
+their lives a perpetual warfare. Snorre was shrewd as a politician and
+magistrate, and eminent as an orator and skald, but his passions were
+mean, and many of his ways were crooked. He was both ambitious and
+avaricious. He is said to have been the first Icelander who laid plans
+to subjugate his fatherland to Norway, and in this connection is
+supposed to have expected to become a jarl under the king of Norway.
+In this effort he found himself outwitted by his brother’s son, Sturle
+Thordsson, and thus he came into hostile relations with the latter. In
+this feud Snorre was defeated, but when Sturle shortly after fell in a
+battle against his foes, Snorre’s star of hope rose again, and he began
+to occupy himself with far-reaching, ambitious plans. He had been for
+the first time in Norway during the years 1218-1220, and had been well
+received by King Hakon, and especially by Jarl Skule, who was then the
+most influential man in the country. In the year 1237 Snorre visited
+Norway again, and entered, as it is believed, into treasonable
+conspiracies with Jarl Skule. In 1239 he left Norway against the wishes
+of King Hakon, whom he owed obedience, and thereby incurred the king’s
+greatest displeasure. When King Hakon, in 1240, had crushed Skule’s
+rebellion and annihilated this dangerous opponent, it became Snorre’s
+turn to feel the effects of the king’s wrath. At the instigation of King
+Hakon, several chiefs of Iceland united themselves against Snorre and
+murdered him at Reykholt, where ruins of his splendid mansion are still
+to be seen. This event took place on the 22d of September, 1241, and
+Snorre Sturleson was then sixty-three years old. Snorre was Iceland’s
+most distinguished skald and sagaman. As a writer of history he deserves
+to be compared with Herodotos or Thukydides. His Heimskringla, embracing
+an elaborate history of the kings of Norway, is famous throughout the
+civilized world, and Emerson calls it the Iliad and Odyssey of our race.
+An English translation of this work was published by Samuel Laing, in
+London, in 1844. Carlyle’s Early Kings of Norway (London, 1875) was
+inspired by the Heimskringla.
+
+Olaf Thordsson, surnamed Hvitaskald,[3] to distinguish him from his
+contemporary, Olaf Svartaskald,[4] was a son of Snorre’s brother. Though
+not as prominent and influential as his uncle, he took an active part in
+all the troubles of his native island during the first half of the
+thirteenth century. He visited Norway in 1236, whence he went to
+Denmark, where he was a guest at the court of King Valdemar, and is said
+to have enjoyed great esteem. In 1240 we find him again in Norway, where
+he espoused the cause of King Hakon against Skule. On his return to
+Iceland he served four years as chief magistrate of the island. His
+death occurred in the year 1259, and he is numbered among the great
+skalds of Iceland.
+
+    [Footnote 3: White Skald.]
+
+    [Footnote 4: Black Skald.]
+
+Snorre Sturleson and Olaf Hvitaskald are the two names to whom the
+authorship of the Younger Edda has generally been attributed, and the
+work is by many, even to this day, called Snorra Edda--that is, Snorre’s
+Edda. We do not propose to enter into any elaborate discussion of this
+complicated subject, but we will state briefly the reasons given by
+Keyser and others for believing that these men had a hand in preparing
+the Prose Edda. In the first place, we find that the writer of the
+grammatical and rhetorical part of the Younger Edda distinctly mentions
+Snorre as author of Hattatal (the Clavis Metrica), and not only of the
+poem itself, but also of the treatise in prose. In the second place, the
+Arne Magnæan parchment manuscript, which dates back to the close of the
+thirteenth or beginning of the fourteenth century, has the following
+note prefaced to the Skaldskaparmal. “Here ends that part of the book
+which Olaf Thordsson put together, and now begins Skaldskaparmal and the
+Kenningar, according to that which has been found in the lays of the
+chief skalds, and which Snorre afterward suffered to be brought
+together.” In the third place, the Upsala manuscript of the Younger
+Edda, which is known with certainty to have been written in the
+beginning of the fourteenth century, contains this preface, written with
+the same hand as the body of the work: “This book hight Edda. Snorre has
+compiled it in the manner in which it is arranged: first, in regard to
+the asas and Ymer, then Skaldskaparmal and the denominations of many
+things, and finally that Hattatal, which Snorre composed about King
+Hakon and Duke Skule.” In the fourth place, there is a passage in the
+so-called Annales Breviores, supposed to have been written about the
+year 1400. The passage relates to the year 1241, and reads thus: “Snorre
+Sturleson died at Reykholt. He was a wise and very learned man, a great
+chief and shrewd. He was the first man in this land who brought property
+into the hands of the king (the king of Norway). He compiled Edda and
+many other learned historical works and Icelandic sagas. He was murdered
+at Reykholt by Jarl Gissur’s men.”
+
+It seems, then, that there is no room for any doubt that these two men
+have had a share in the authorship of the Younger Edda. How great a
+share each has had is another and more difficult problem to solve.
+Rudolf Keyser’s opinion is (and we know no higher authority on the
+subject), that Snorre is the author, though not in so strict a sense as
+we now use the word, of Gylfaginning, Brage’s Speech, Skaldskaparmal and
+Hattatal. This part of the Younger Edda may thus be said to date back to
+the year 1230, though the material out of which the mythological system
+is constructed is of course much older. We find it in the ancient Vala’s
+Prophecy, of the Elder Edda, a poem that breathes in every line the
+purest asa-faith, and is, without the least doubt, much older than the
+introduction of christianity in the north, or the discovery and
+settlement of Iceland. It is not improbable that the religious system of
+the Odinic religion had assumed a permanent prose form in the memories
+of the people long before the time of Snorre, and that he merely was the
+means of having it committed to writing almost without verbal change.
+
+Olaf Thordsson is unmistakably the author of the grammatical and
+rhetorical portion of the Younger Edda, and its date can therefore
+safely be put at about 1250. The author of the treatise on the alphabet
+is not known, but Professor Keyser thinks it must have been written, its
+first chapter, about the year 1150, and its second chapter about the
+year 1200. The forewords and afterwords are evidently also from another
+pen. Their author is unknown, but they are thought to have been written
+about the year 1300. To sum up, then, we arrive at this conclusion: The
+mythological material of the Younger Edda is as old as the Teutonic
+race. Parts of it are written by authors unknown to fame. A small
+portion is the work of Olaf Thordsson. The most important portion is
+written, or perhaps better, compiled, by Snorre Sturleson, and the whole
+is finally edited and furnished with forewords and afterwords, early in
+the fourteenth century,--according to Keyser, about 1320-1330.
+
+About the name Edda there has also been much learned discussion. Some
+have suggested that it may be a mutilated form of the word Odde, the
+home of Sæmund the Wise, who was long supposed to be the compiler of the
+Elder Edda. In this connection, it has been argued that possibly Sæmund
+had begun the writing of the Younger Edda, too. Others derive the word
+from _óðr_ (mind, soul), which in poetical usage also means song,
+poetry. Others, again, connect Edda with the Sanscrit word Veda, which
+is supposed to mean knowledge. Finally, others adopt the meaning which
+the word has where it is actually used in the Elder Edda, and where it
+means great-grandmother. Vigfusson adopts this definition, and it is
+certainly both scientific and poetical. What can be more beautiful than
+the idea that our great ancestress teaches her descendants the sacred
+traditions, the concentrated wisdom, of the race? To sum up, then,
+we say the Younger, or Prose, or Snorre’s Edda has been produced at
+different times by various hands, and the object of its authors has been
+to produce a manual for the skalds. In addition to the forewords and
+afterwords, it contains two books, one greater (Gylfaginning) and one
+lesser (Brage’s Speech), giving a tolerably full account of Norse
+mythology. Then follows Skaldskaparmal, wherein is an analysis of the
+various circumlocutions practiced by the skalds, all illustrated by
+copious quotations from the poets. How much of these three parts is
+written by Snorre is not certain, but on the other hand, there is no
+doubt that he is the author of Hattatal (Clavis Metrica), which gives an
+enumeration of metres. To these four treatises are added four chapters
+on grammar and rhetoric. The writer of the oldest grammatical treatise
+is thought to be one Thorodd Runemaster, who lived in the middle of the
+twelfth century; and the third treatise is evidently written by Olaf
+Thordsson Hvitaskald, the nephew of Snorre, a scholar who spent some
+time at the court of the Danish king, Valdemar the Victorious.
+
+The Younger Edda contains the systematized theogony and cosmogony of our
+forefathers, while the Elder Edda presents the Odinic faith in a series
+of lays or rhapsodies. The Elder Edda is poetry, while the Younger Edda
+is mainly prose. The Younger Edda may in one sense be regarded as the
+sequel or commentary of the Elder Edda. Both complement each other, and
+both must be studied in connection with the sagas and all the Teutonic
+traditions and folk-lore in order to get a comprehensive idea of the
+asa-faith. The two Eddas constitute, as it were, the Odinic Bible. The
+Elder Edda is the Old Testament, the Younger Edda the New. Like the Old
+Testament, the Elder Edda is in poetry. It is prophetic and enigmatical.
+Like the New Testament, the Younger Edda is in prose; it is lucid, and
+gives a clue to the obscure passages in the Elder Edda. Nay, in many
+respects do the two Eddas correspond with the two Testaments of the
+Christian Bible.
+
+It is a deplorable fact that the religion of our forefathers seems to be
+but little cared for in this country. The mythologies of other nations
+every student manifests an interest for. He reads with the greatest zeal
+all the legends of Rome and Greece, of India and China. He is familiar
+with every room in the labyrinth of Crete, while when he is introduced
+to the shining halls of Valhal and Gladsheim he gropes his way like a
+blind man. He does not know that Idun, with her beautiful apples, might,
+if applied to, render even greater services than Ariadne with her
+wonderful thread. When we inquire whom Tuesday and Wednesday and
+Thursday and Friday are named after, and press questions in reference to
+Tyr, Odin, Thor and Freyja, we get at best but a wise and knowing look.
+Are we, then, as a nation, like the ancient Jews, and do we bend the
+knee before the gods of foreign nations and forsake the altars of our
+own gods? What if we then should suffer the fate of that unhappy
+people--be scattered over all the world and lose our fatherland? In
+these Eddas our fathers have bequeathed unto us all their profoundest,
+all their sublimest, all their best thought. They are the concentrated
+result of their greatest intellectual and spiritual effort, and it
+behooves us to cherish this treasure and make it the fountain at which
+the whole American branch of the Ygdrasil ash may imbibe a united
+national sentiment. It is not enough to brush the dust off these gods
+and goddesses of our ancestors and put them up on pedestals as ornaments
+in our museums and libraries. These coins of the past are not to be laid
+away in numismatic collections. The grandson must use what he has
+inherited from his grandfather. If the coin is not intelligible, then it
+will have to be sent to the mint and stamped anew, in order that it may
+circulate freely. Our ancestral deities want a place in our hearts and
+in our songs.
+
+On the European continent and in England the zeal of the priests in
+propagating Christianity was so great that they sought to root out every
+trace of the asa-faith. They left but unintelligible fragments of the
+heathen religious structure. Our gods and goddesses and heroes were
+consigned to oblivion, and all knowledge of the Odinic religion and of
+the Niblung-story would have been well nigh totally obliterated had not
+a more lucky star hovered over the destinies of Iceland. In this
+remotest corner of the world the ancestral spirit was preserved like the
+glowing embers of Hekla beneath the snow and ice of the glacier. From
+the farthest Thule the spirit of our fathers rises and shines like an
+aurora over all Teutondom. It was in the year 860 that Iceland was
+discovered. In 874 the Teutonic spirit fled thither for refuge from
+tyranny. Here a government based on the principles of old Teutonic
+liberty was established. From here went forth daring vikings, who
+discovered Greenland and Vinland, and showed Columbus the way to
+America. From here the courts of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, England and
+Germany were supplied with skalds to sing their praises. Here was put in
+writing the laws and sagas that give us a clue to the form of old
+Teutonic institutions. Here was preserved the Old Norse language, and in
+it a record of the customs, the institutions and the religion of our
+fathers. Its literature does not belong to that island alone,--it
+belongs to the whole Teutonic race! Iceland is for the Teutons what
+Greece and Rome are for the south of Europe, and she accomplished her
+mission with no less efficiency and success. Cato the Elder used to end
+all his speeches with these words: _“Præterea censeo Carthaginem esse
+delendam.”_ In these days, when so many worship at the shrine of
+Romanism, we think it perfectly just to adopt Cato’s sentence in this
+form: _Præterea censeo Romam esse delendam_.
+
+
+
+
+FOREWORD.
+
+
+1. In the beginning Almighty God created heaven and earth, and all
+things that belong to them, and last he made two human beings, from whom
+the races are descended (Adam and Eve), and their children multiplied
+and spread over all the world. But in the course of time men became
+unequal; some were good and right-believing, but many more turned them
+after the lusts of the world and heeded not God’s laws; and for this
+reason God drowned the world in the flood, and all that was quick in the
+world, except those who were in the ark with Noah. After the flood of
+Noah there lived eight men, who inhabited the world, and from them the
+races are descended; and now, as before, they increased and filled the
+world, and there were very many men who loved to covet wealth and power,
+but turned away from obedience to God, and so much did they do this that
+they would not name God. And who could then tell their sons of the
+wonderful works of God? So it came to pass that they lost God’s name;
+and in the wide world the man was not to be found who could tell of his
+Maker. But, nevertheless, God gave them earthly-gifts, wealth and
+happiness, that should be with them in the world; he also shared wisdom
+among them, so that they understood all earthly things, and all kinds
+that might be seen in the air and on the earth. This they thought upon,
+and wondered at, how it could come to pass that the earth and the beasts
+and the birds had the same nature in some things but still were unlike
+in manners.
+
+One evidence of this nature was that the earth might be dug into upon
+high mountain-peaks and water would spring up there, and it was not
+necessary to dig deeper for water there than in deep dales; thus, also,
+in beasts and birds it is no farther to the blood in the head than in
+the feet. Another proof of this nature is, that every year there grow on
+the earth grass and flowers, and the same year it falls and withers;
+thus, also, on beasts and birds do hair and feathers grow and fall off
+each year. The third nature of the earth is, that when it is opened and
+dug into, then grass grows on the mould which is uppermost on the earth.
+Rocks and stones they explained to correspond to the teeth and bones of
+living things. From these things they judged that the earth must be
+quick and must have life in some way, and they knew that it was of a
+wonderfully great age and of a mighty nature. It nourished all that was
+quick and took to itself all that died. On this account they gave it a
+name, and numbered their ancestors back to it This they also learned
+from their old kinsmen, that when many hundred winters were numbered,
+the course of the heavenly bodies was uneven; some had a longer course
+than others. From such things they suspected that some one must be the
+ruler of the heavenly bodies who could stay their course at his own
+will, and he must be strong and mighty; and of him they thought that, if
+he ruled the prime elements, he must also have been before the heavenly
+bodies, and they saw that, if he ruled the course of the heavenly
+bodies, he must rule the sunshine, and the dew of the heavens, and the
+products of the earth that follow them; and thus, also, the winds of the
+air and therewith the storms of the sea. They knew not where his realm
+was, but they believed that he ruled over all things on the earth and in
+the air, over the heavens and the heavenly bodies, the seas and the
+weather. But in order that these things might be better told and
+remembered, they gave him the same name with themselves, and this belief
+has been changed in many ways, as the peoples have been separated and
+the tongues have been divided.
+
+2. In his old age Noah shared the world with his sons: for Ham he
+intended the western region, for Japheth the northern region, but for
+Shem the southern region, with those parts which will hereafter be
+marked out in the division of the earth into three parts. In the time
+that the sons of these men were in the world, then increased forthwith
+the desire for riches and power, from the fact that they knew many
+crafts that had not been discovered before, and each one was exalted
+with his own handiwork; and so far did they carry their pride, that the
+Africans, descended from Ham, harried in that part of the world which
+the offspring of Shem, their kinsman, inhabited. And when they had
+conquered them, the world seemed to them too small, and they smithied a
+tower with tile and stone, which they meant should reach to heaven, on
+the plain called Sennar. And when this building was so far advanced that
+it extended above the air, and they were no less eager to continue the
+work, and when God saw how their pride waxed high, then he sees that he
+will have to strike it down in some way. And the same God, who is
+almighty, and who might have struck down all their work in the twinkling
+of an eye, and made themselves turn into dust, still preferred to
+frustrate their purpose by making them realize their own littleness, in
+that none of them should understand what the other talked; and thus no
+one knew what the other commanded, and one broke what the other wished
+to build up, until they came to strife among themselves, and therewith
+was frustrated, in the beginning, their purpose of building a tower. And
+he who was foremost, hight Zoroaster, he laughed before he wept when he
+came into the world; but the master-smiths were seventy-two, and so many
+tongues have spread over the world since the giants were dispersed over
+the land, and the nations became numerous. In this same place was built
+the most famous city, which took its name from the tower, and was called
+Babylon. And when the confusion of tongues had taken place, then
+increased the names of men and of other things, and this same Zoroaster
+had many names; and although he understood that his pride was laid low
+by the said building, still he worked his way unto worldly power, and
+had himself chosen king over many peoples of the Assyrians. From him
+arose the error of idolatry; and when he was worshiped he was called
+Baal; we call him Bel; he also had many other names. But as the names
+increased in number, so was truth lost; and from this first error every
+following man worshiped his head-master, beasts or birds, the air and
+the heavenly bodies, and various lifeless things, until the error at
+length spread over the whole world; and so carefully did they lose the
+truth that no one knew his maker, excepting those men alone who spoke
+the Hebrew tongue,--that which flourished before the building of the
+tower,--and still they did not lose the bodily endowments that were
+given them, and therefore they judged of all things with earthly
+understanding, for spiritual wisdom was not given unto them. They deemed
+that all things were smithied of some one material.
+
+3. The world was divided into three parts, one from the south, westward
+to the Mediterranean Sea, which part was called Africa; but the southern
+portion of this part is hot and scorched by the sun. The second part,
+from the west and to the north and to the sea, is that called Europe, or
+Enea. The northern portion of this is cold, so that grass grows not, nor
+can anyone dwell there. From the north around the east region, and all
+to the south, that is called Asia. In that part of the world is all
+beauty and pomp, and wealth of the earth’s products, gold and precious
+stones. There is also the mid-world, and as the earth there is fairer
+and of a better quality than elsewhere, so are also the people there
+most richly endowed with all gifts, with wisdom and strength, with
+beauty and with all knowledge.
+
+4. Near the middle of the world was built the house and inn, the most
+famous that has been made, which was called Troy, in the land which we
+call Turkey. This city was built much larger than others, with more
+skill in many ways, at great expense, and with such means as were at
+hand. There were twelve kingdoms and one over-king, and many lands and
+nations belonged to each kingdom; there were in the city twelve chief
+languages.[5] Their chiefs have surpassed all men who have been in the
+world in all heroic things. No scholar who has ever told of these things
+has ever disputed this fact, and for this reason, that all rulers of the
+north region trace their ancestors back thither, and place in the number
+of the gods all who were rulers of the city. Especially do they place
+Priamos himself in the stead of Odin; nor must that be called wonderful,
+for Priamos was sprung from Saturn, him whom the north region for a long
+time believed to be God himself.
+
+    [Footnote 5: Dasent translates “hövuðtungur” (chief or head
+    tongues) with “lords,” which is certainly an error.]
+
+5. This Saturn grew up in that island in Greece which hight Crete. He
+was greater and stronger and fairer than other men. As in other natural
+endowments, so he excelled all men in wisdom. He invented many crafts
+which had not before been discovered. He was also so great in the art of
+magic that he was certain about things that had not yet come to pass. He
+found, too, that red thing in the earth from which he smelted gold, and
+from such things he soon became very mighty. He also foretold harvests
+and many other secret things, and for such, and many other deeds, he was
+chosen chief of the island. And when he had ruled it a short time, then
+there speedily enough became a great abundance of all things. No money
+circulated excepting gold coins, so plentiful was this metal; and though
+there was famine in other lands, the crops never failed in Crete, so
+that people might seek there all the things which they needed to have.
+And from this and many other secret gifts of power that he had, men
+believed him to be God, and from him arose another error among the
+Cretans and Macedonians like the one before mentioned among the
+Assyrians and Chaldeans from Zoroaster. And when Saturn finds how great
+strength the people think they have in him, he calls himself God, and
+says that he rules heaven and earth and all things.
+
+6. Once he went to Greece in a ship, for there was a king’s daughter on
+whom he had set his heart. He won her love in this way, that one day
+when she was out with her maid-servants, he took upon himself the
+likeness of a bull, and lay before her in the wood, and so fair was he
+that the hue of gold was on every hair; and when the king’s daughter saw
+him she patted his lips. He sprang up and threw off the bull’s likeness
+and took her into his arms and bore her to the ship and took her to
+Crete. But his wife, Juno, found this out, so he turned her (the king’s
+daughter) into the likeness of a heifer and sent her east to the arms of
+the great river (that is, of the Nile, to the Nile country), and let the
+thrall, who hight Argulos, take care of her. She was there twelve months
+before he changed her shape again. Many things did he do like this,
+or even more wonderful He had three sons: one hight Jupiter, another
+Neptune, the third Pluto. They were all men of the greatest
+accomplishments, and Jupiter was by far the greatest; he was a warrior
+and won many kingdoms; he was also crafty like his father, and took upon
+himself the likeness of many animals, and thus he accomplished many
+things which are impossible for mankind; and on account of this, and
+other things, he was held in awe by all nations. Therefore Jupiter is
+put in the place of Thor, since all evil wights fear him.
+
+7. Saturn had built in Crete seventy-two burgs, and when he thought
+himself firmly established in his kingdom, he shared it with his sons,
+whom he set up with himself as gods; and to Jupiter he gave the realm of
+heaven; to Neptune, the realm of the earth, and to Pluto, hell; and this
+last seemed to him the worst to manage, and therefore he gave to him his
+dog, the one whom he called Cerberos, to guard hell. This Cerberos, the
+Greeks say, Herakles dragged out of hell and upon earth. And although
+Saturn had given the realm of heaven to Jupiter, the latter nevertheless
+desired to possess the realm of the earth, and so he harried his
+father’s kingdom, and it is said that he had him taken and emasculated,
+and for such great achievements he declared himself to be god, and the
+Macedonians say that he had the members taken and cast into the sea, and
+therefore they believed for ages that therefrom had come a woman; her
+they called Venus, and numbered among the gods, and she has in all ages
+since been called goddess of love, for they believed she was able to
+turn the hearts of all men and women to love. When Saturn was
+emasculated by Jupiter, his son, he fled from the east out of Crete and
+west into Italy. There dwelt at that time such people as did not work,
+and lived on acorns and grass, and lay in caves or holes in the earth.
+And when Saturn came there he changed his name and called himself Njord,
+for the reason that he thought that Jupiter, his son, might afterward
+seek him out. He was the first there to teach men to plow and plant
+vineyards. There the soil was good and fresh, and it soon produced heavy
+crops. He was made chief and thus he got possession of all the realms
+there and built many burgs.
+
+8. Jupiter, his son, had many sons, from whom races have descended; his
+son was Dardanos, his son Herikon, his son Tros, his son Ilos, his son
+Laomedon, the father of the chief king Priamos. Priamos had many sons;
+one of them was Hektor, who was the most famous of all men in the world
+for strength, and stature and accomplishments, and for all manly deeds
+of a knightly kind; and it is found written that when the Greeks and all
+the strength of the north and east regions fought with the Trojans, they
+would never have become victors had not the Greeks invoked the gods; and
+it is also stated that no human strength would conquer them unless they
+were betrayed by their own men, which afterward was done. And from their
+fame men that came after gave themselves titles, and especially was this
+done by the Romans, who were the most famous in many things after their
+days; and it is said that, when Rome was built, the Romans adapted their
+customs and laws as nearly as possible to those of the Trojans, their
+forefathers. And so much power accompanied these men for many ages
+after, that when Pompey, a Roman chieftain, harried in the east region,
+Odin fled out of Asia and hither to the north country, and then he gave
+to himself and his men their names, and said that Priamos had hight Odin
+and his queen Frigg, and from this the realm afterward took its name and
+was called Frigia where the burg stood. And whether Odin said this of
+himself out of pride, or that it was wrought by the changing of tongues;
+nevertheless many wise men have regarded it a true saying, and for a
+long time after every man who was a great chieftain followed his
+example.
+
+9. A king in Troy hight Munon or Mennon, his wife was a daughter of the
+head-king Priamos and hight Troan; they had a son who hight Tror, him we
+call Thor. He was fostered in Thrace by the duke, who is called Loricos.
+But when he was ten winters old he took his father’s weapons. So fair of
+face was he, when he stood by other men, as when ivory is set in oak;
+his hair was fairer than gold. When he was twelve winters old he had
+full strength; then he lifted from the ground ten bear skins all at
+once, and then he slew Loricos, the duke, his foster-father and his
+wife, Lora or Glora, and took possession of Thrace; this we call
+Thrudheim. Then he visited many lands and knew the countries of the
+world, and conquered single-handed all the berserks and all the giants,
+and one very big dragon and many beasts. In the north region he found
+that prophetess who hight Sibyl, whom we call Sif, and married her. None
+can tell the genealogy of Sif; she was the fairest of all women, her
+hair was like gold. Their son was Loride (Hloride), who was like his
+father; his son was Henrede; his son Vingethor (Vingthor); his son
+Vingener (Vingner); his son Moda (Mode); his son Magi (Magne); his son
+Kesfet; his son Bedvig; his son Atra, whom we call Annan; his son
+Itrman; his son Heremod (Hermod); his son Skjaldun, whom we call Skjold;
+his son Bjaf, whom we call Bjar; his son Jat; his son Gudolf, his son
+Fjarlaf, whom we call Fridleif; he had the son who is called Vodin, whom
+we call Odin; he was a famous man for wisdom and all accomplishments.
+His wife hight Frigida, whom we call Frigg.
+
+10. Odin had the power of divination, and so had his wife, and from this
+knowledge he found out that his name would be held high in the north
+part of the world, and honored beyond that of all kings. For this reason
+he was eager to begin his journey from Turkey, and he had with him very
+many people, young and old, men and women, and he had with him many
+costly things. But wherever they fared over the lands great fame was
+spoken of them, and they were said to be more like gods than men. And
+they stopped not on their journey before they came north into that land
+which is now called Saxland; there Odin remained a long time, and
+subjugated the country far and wide. There Odin established his three
+sons as a defense of the land. One is named Veggdegg; he was a strong
+king and ruled over East Saxland. His son was Vitrgils, and his sons
+were Ritta, the father of Heingest (Hengist), and Sigar, the father of
+Svebdegg, whom we call Svipdag. Another son of Odin hight Beldegg, whom
+we call Balder; he possessed the land which now hight Vestfal; his son
+was Brander, and his son Frjodigar, whom we call Froda (Frode). His son
+was Freovit, his son Yvigg, his son Gevis, whom we call Gave. The third
+son of Odin is named Sigge, his son Verer. These forefathers ruled the
+land which is now called Frankland, and from them is come the race that
+is called the Volsungs. From all of these many and great races are
+descended.
+
+11. Then Odin continued his journey northward and came into the country
+which was called Reidgotaland, and in that land he conquered all that he
+desired. He established there his son, who hight Skjold; his son hight
+Fridleif; from him is descended the race which hight Skjoldungs; these
+are the Dane kings, and that land hight now Jutland, which then was
+called Reidgotaland.
+
+12. Thereupon he fared north to what is now called Svithjod (Sweden),
+there was the king who is called Gylfe. But when he heard of the coming
+of those Asiamen, who were called asas, he went to meet them, and
+offered Odin such things in his kingdom as he himself might desire. And
+such good luck followed their path, that wherever they stopped in the
+lands, there were bountiful crops and good peace; and all believed that
+they were the cause thereof. The mighty men of the kingdom saw that they
+were unlike other men whom they had seen, both in respect to beauty and
+understanding. The land there seemed good to Odin, and he chose there
+for himself a place for a burg, which is now called Sigtuna.[6] He there
+established chiefs, like unto what had formerly existed in Troy; he
+appointed twelve men in the burg to be judges of the law of the land,
+and made all rights to correspond with what had before been in Troy, and
+to what the Turks had been accustomed.
+
+    [Footnote 6: Near Upsala.]
+
+13. Thereupon he fared north until he reached the sea, which they
+thought surrounded all lands, and there he established his son in the
+kingdom, which is now called Norway; he is hight Saming, and the kings
+of Norway count their ancestors back to him, and so do the jarls and
+other mighty men, as it is stated in the Haleygjatal.[7] But Odin had
+with him that son who is called Yngve, who was king in Sweden, and from
+him is descended the families called Ynglings (Yngvelings). The asas
+took to themselves wives there within the land. But some took wives for
+their sons, and these families became so numerous that they spread over
+Saxland, and thence over the whole north region, and the tongue of these
+Asiamen became the native tongue of all these lands. And men think they
+can understand from the way in which the names of their forefathers is
+written, that these names have belonged to this tongue, and that the
+asas have brought this tongue hither to the north, to Norway, to Sweden
+and to Saxland. But in England are old names of places and towns which
+can be seen to have been given in another tongue than this.
+
+    [Footnote 7: A heroic poem, giving the pedigree (tal) of Norse
+    kings.]
+
+
+
+
+THE FOOLING OF GYLFE.
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+
+GEFJUN’S PLOWING.
+
+1. King Gylfe ruled the lands that are now called Svithjod (Sweden). Of
+him it is said that he gave to a wayfaring woman, as a reward for the
+entertainment she had afforded him by her story-telling, a plow-land in
+his realm, as large as four oxen could plow it in a day and a night But
+this woman was of the asa-race; her name was Gefjun. She took from the
+north, from Jotunheim, four oxen, which were the sons of a giant and
+her, and set them before the plow. Then went the plow so hard and deep
+that it tore up the land, and the oxen drew it westward into the sea,
+until it stood still in a sound. There Gefjun set the land, gave it a
+name and called it Seeland. And where the land had been taken away
+became afterward a sea, which in Sweden is now called Logrinn (the Lake,
+the Malar Lake in Sweden). And in the Malar Lake the bays correspond to
+the capes in Seeland. Thus Brage, the old skald:
+
+  Gefjun glad
+  Drew from Gylfe
+  The excellent land,
+  Denmark’s increase,
+  So that it reeked
+  From the running beasts.
+  Four heads and eight eyes
+  Bore the oxen
+  As they went before the wide
+  Robbed land of the grassy isle.[8]
+
+    [Footnote 8: Heimskringla: Ynglinga Saga, ch. v.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+GYLFE’S JOURNEY TO ASGARD.
+
+
+2. King Gylfe was a wise man and skilled in the black art. He wondered
+much that the asa-folk was so mighty in knowledge, that all things went
+after their will. He thought to himself whether this could come from
+their own nature, or whether the cause must be sought for among the gods
+whom they worshiped. He therefore undertook a journey to Asgard. He went
+secretly, having assumed the likeness of an old man, and striving thus
+to disguise himself. But the asas were wiser, for they see into the
+future, and, foreseeing his journey before he came, they received him
+with an eye-deceit. So when he came into the burg he saw there a hall so
+high that he could hardly look over it. Its roof was thatched with
+golden shields as with shingles. Thus says Thjodolf of Hvin, that Valhal
+was thatched with shields:
+
+  Thinking thatchers
+  Thatched the roof;
+  The beams of the burg
+  Beamed with gold.[9]
+
+    [Footnote 9: Heimskringla: Harald Harfager’s Saga, ch. xix.]
+
+In the door of the hall Gylfe saw a man who played with swords so
+dexterously that seven were in the air at one time. That man asked him
+what his name was. Gylfe answered that his name was Ganglere;[10] that
+he had come a long way, and that he sought lodgings for the night. He
+also asked who owned the burg. The other answered that it belonged to
+their king: I will go with you to see him and then you may ask him for
+his name yourself. Then the man turned and led the way into the hall.
+Ganglere followed, and suddenly the doors closed behind him. There he
+saw many rooms and a large number of people, of whom some were playing,
+others were drinking, and some were fighting with weapons. He looked
+around him, and much of what he saw seemed to him incredible. Then
+quoth he:
+
+  Gates all,
+  Before in you go,
+  You must examine well;
+  For you cannot know
+  Where enemies sit
+  In the house before you.[11]
+
+    [Footnote 10: The walker.]
+
+    [Footnote 11: Elder Edda: Havamal.]
+
+He saw three high-seats, one above the other, and in each sat a man. He
+asked what the names of these chiefs were. He, who had conducted him in,
+answered that the one who sat in the lowest high-seat was king, and
+hight Har; the one next above him, Jafnhar; but the one who sat on the
+highest throne, Thride. Har asked the comer what more his errand was,
+and added that food and drink was there at his service, as for all in
+Har’s hall. Ganglere answered that he first would like to ask whether
+there was any wise man. Answered Har: You will not come out from here
+hale unless you are wiser.
+
+  And stand now forth
+  While you ask;
+  He who answers shall sit.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+OF THE HIGHEST GOD.
+
+
+3. Ganglere then made the following question: Who is the highest and
+oldest of all the gods? Made answer Har: Alfather he is called in our
+tongue, but in Asgard of old he had twelve names. The first is Alfather,
+the second is Herran or Herjan, the third Nikar or Hnikar, the fourth
+Nikuz or Hnikud, the fifth Fjolner, the sixth Oske, the seventh Ome, the
+eighth Biflide or Biflinde, the ninth Svidar, the tenth Svidrer, the
+eleventh Vidrer, the twelfth Jalg or Jalk. Ganglere asks again: Where is
+this god? What can he do? What mighty works has he accomplished?
+Answered Har: He lives from everlasting to everlasting, rules over all
+his realm, and governs all things, great and small. Then remarked
+Jafnhar: He made heaven and earth, the air and all things in them.
+Thride added: What is most important, he made man and gave him a spirit,
+which shall live, and never perish, though the body may turn to dust or
+burn to ashes. All who live a life of virtue shall dwell with him in
+Gimle or Vingolf. The wicked, on the other hand, go to Hel, and from her
+to Niflhel, that is, down into the ninth world. Then asked Ganglere:
+What was he doing before heaven and earth were made? Har gave answer:
+Then was he with the frost-giants.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.
+
+
+4. Said Ganglere: How came the world into existence, or how did it rise?
+What was before? Made answer to him Har: Thus is it said in the Vala’s
+Prophecy:
+
+  It was Time’s morning,
+  When there nothing was;
+  Nor sand, nor sea,
+  Nor cooling billows.
+  Earth there was not,
+  Nor heaven above.
+  The Ginungagap was,
+  But grass nowhere.[12]
+
+    [Footnote 12: Elder Edda: The Vala’s Prophecy, 6.]
+
+Jafnhar remarked: Many ages before the earth was made, Niflheim had
+existed, in the midst of which is the well called Hvergelmer, whence
+flow the following streams: Svol, Gunnthro, Form, Fimbul, Thul, Slid and
+Hrid, Sylg and Ylg, Vid, Leipt and Gjoll, the last of which is nearest
+the gate of Hel. Then added Thride: Still there was before a world to
+the south which hight Muspelheim. It is light and hot, and so bright
+and dazzling that no stranger, who is not a native there, can stand it.
+Surt is the name of him who stands on its border guarding it. He has a
+flaming sword in his hand, and at the end of the world he will come and
+harry, conquer all the gods, and burn up the whole world with fire. Thus
+it is said in the Vala’s Prophecy:
+
+  Surt from the south fares
+  With blazing flames;
+  From the sword shines
+  The sun of the war-god.
+  Rocks dash together
+  And witches collapse,
+  Men go the way to Hel
+  And the heavens are cleft.[13]
+
+    [Footnote 13: Elder Edda: The Vala’s Prophecy, 56.]
+
+5. Said Ganglere: What took place before the races came into existence,
+and men increased and multiplied? Replied Har, explaining, that as soon
+as the streams, that are called the Elivogs, had come so far from their
+source that the venomous yeast which flowed with them hardened, as does
+dross that runs from the fire, then it turned into ice. And when this
+ice stopped and flowed no more, then gathered over it the drizzling rain
+that arose from the venom and froze into rime, and one layer of ice was
+laid upon the other clear into Ginungagap. Then said Jafnhar: All that
+part of Ginungagap that turns toward the north was filled with thick
+and heavy ice and rime, and everywhere within were drizzling rains and
+gusts. But the south part of Ginungagap was lighted up by the glowing
+sparks that flew out of Muspelheim. Added Thride: As cold and all things
+grim proceeded from Niflheim, so that which bordered on Muspelheim was
+hot and bright, and Ginungagap was as warm and mild as windless air. And
+when the heated blasts from Muspelheim met the rime, so that it melted
+into drops, then, by the might of him who sent the heat, the drops
+quickened into life and took the likeness of a man, who got the name
+Ymer. But the Frost giants call him Aurgelmer. Thus it is said in the
+short Prophecy of the Vala (the Lay of Hyndla):
+
+  All the valas are
+  From Vidolf descended;
+  All wizards are
+  Of Vilmeide’s race;
+  All enchanters
+  Are sons of Svarthofde;
+  All giants have
+  Come from Ymer.[14]
+
+    [Footnote 14: Elder Edda: Hyndla’a Lay, 34.]
+
+And on this point, when Vafthrudner, the giant, was asked by Gangrad:
+
+  Whence came Aurgelmer
+  Originally to the sons
+  Of the giants?--thou wise giant![15]
+
+he said
+
+  From the Elivogs
+  Sprang drops of venom,
+  And grew till a giant was made.
+  Thence our race
+  Are all descended,
+  Therefore are we all so fierce.[16]
+
+    [Footnote 15: Elder Edda: Vafthrudner’s Lay, 30.]
+
+    [Footnote 16: Elder Edda: Vafthrudner’s Lay, 31.]
+
+Then asked Ganglere: How were the races developed from him? Or what was
+done so that more men were made? Or do you believe him to be god of whom
+you now spake? Made answer Har: By no means do we believe him to be god;
+evil was he and all his offspring, them we call frost-giants. It is said
+that when he slept he fell into a sweat, and then there grew under his
+left arm a man and a woman, and one of his feet begat with the other a
+son. From these come the races that are called frost-giants. The old
+frost-giant we call Ymer.
+
+6. Then said Ganglere: Where did Ymer dwell, and on what did he live?
+Answered Har: The next thing was that when the rime melted into drops,
+there was made thereof a cow, which hight Audhumbla. Four milk-streams
+ran from her teats, and she fed Ymer. Thereupon asked Ganglere: On what
+did the cow subsist? Answered Har: She licked the salt-stones that were
+covered with rime, and the first day that she licked the stones there
+came out of them in the evening a man’s hair, the second day a man’s
+head, and the third day the whole man was there. This man’s name was
+Bure; he was fair of face, great and mighty, and he begat a son whose
+name was Bor. This Bor married a woman whose name was Bestla, the
+daughter of the giant Bolthorn; they had three sons,--the one hight
+Odin, the other Vile, and the third Ve. And it is my belief that this
+Odin and his brothers are the rulers of heaven and earth. We think that
+he must be so called. That is the name of the man whom we know to be the
+greatest and most famous, and well may men call him by that name.
+
+7. Ganglere asked: How could these keep peace with Ymer, or who was the
+stronger? Then answered Har: The sons of Bor slew the giant Ymer, but
+when he fell, there flowed so much blood from his wounds that they
+drowned therein the whole race of frost giants; excepting one, who
+escaped with his household. Him the giants call Bergelmer. He and his
+wife went on board his ark and saved themselves in it. From them are
+come new races of frost-giants, as is here said:
+
+  Countless winters
+  Ere the earth was made,
+  Was born Bergelmer.
+  This first I call to mind
+  How that crafty giant
+  Safe in his ark lay.[17]
+
+    [Footnote 17: Elder Edda: Vafthrudner’s Lay, 35.]
+
+8. Then said Ganglere: What was done then by the sons of Bor, since you
+believe that they were gods? Answered Har: About that there is not a
+little to be said. They took the body of Ymer, carried it into the midst
+of Ginungagap and made of him the earth. Of his blood they made the seas
+and lakes; of his flesh the earth was made, but of his bones the rocks;
+of his teeth and jaws, and of the bones that were broken, they made
+stones and pebbles. Jafnhar remarked: Of the blood that flowed from the
+wounds, and was free, they made the ocean; they fastened the earth
+together and around it they laid this ocean in a ring without, and it
+must seem to most men impossible to cross it. Thride added: They took
+his skull and made thereof the sky, and raised it over the earth with
+four sides. Under each corner they set a dwarf, and the four dwarfs were
+called Austre (east), Vestre (West), Nordre (North), Sudre (South). Then
+they took glowing sparks, that were loose and had been cast out from
+Muspelheim, and placed them in the midst of the boundless heaven, both
+above and below, to light up heaven and earth. They gave resting-places
+to all fires, and set some in heaven; some were made to go free under
+heaven, but they gave them a place and shaped their course. In old songs
+it is said that from that time days and years were reckoned. Thus in the
+Prophecy of the Vala:
+
+  The sun knew not
+  Where her hall she had;
+  The moon knew not
+  What might he had;
+  The stars knew not
+  Their resting-places.[18]
+
+    [Footnote 18: Elder Edda: The Vala’s Prophecy, 8. In Old Norse the
+    sun is feminine, and the moon masculine. See below, sections 11
+    and 12.]
+
+Thus it was before these things were made. Then said Ganglere: Wonderful
+tidings are these I now hear; a wondrous great building is this, and
+deftly constructed. How was the earth fashioned? Made answer Har: The
+earth is round, and without it round about lies the deep ocean, and
+along the outer strand of that sea they gave lands for the giant races
+to dwell in; and against the attack of restless giants they built a burg
+within the sea and around the earth. For this purpose they used the
+giant Ymer’s eyebrows, and they called the burg Midgard. They also took
+his brains and cast them into the air, and made therefrom the clouds,
+as is here said:
+
+  Of Ymer’s flesh
+  The earth was made,
+  And of his sweat the seas;
+  Rocks of his bones,
+  Trees of his hair,
+  And the sky of his skull;
+  But of his eyebrows
+  The blithe powers
+  Made Midgard for the sons of men.
+  Of his brains
+  All the melancholy
+  Clouds were made.[19]
+
+    [Footnote 19: Elder Edda: Grimner’s Lay, 40, 41. Comp.
+    Vafthrudner’s Lay, 21.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE CREATION--(CONTINUED.)
+
+
+9. Then said Ganglere: Much had been done, it seemed to me, when heaven
+and earth were made, when sun and moon were set in their places, and
+when days were marked out; but whence came the people who inhabit the
+world? Har answered as follows: As Bor’s sons went along the sea-strand,
+they found two trees. These trees they took up and made men of them. The
+first gave them spirit and life; the second endowed them with reason and
+power of motion; and the third gave them form, speech, hearing and
+eyesight. They gave them clothes and names; the man they called Ask, and
+the woman Embla. From them all mankind is descended, and a
+dwelling-place was given them under Midgard. In the next place, the sons
+of Bor made for themselves in the middle of the world a burg, which is
+called Asgard, and which we call Troy. There dwelt the gods and their
+race, and thence were wrought many tidings and adventures, both on earth
+and in the sky. In Asgard is a place called Hlidskjalf, and when Odin
+seated himself there in the high-seat, he saw over the whole world, and
+what every man was doing, and he knew all things that he saw. His wife
+hight Frigg, and she was the daughter of Fjorgvin, and from their
+offspring are descended the race that we call asas, who inhabited Asgard
+the old and the realms that lie about it, and all that race are known to
+be gods. And for this reason Odin is called Alfather, that he is the
+father of all gods and men, and of all things that were made by him and
+by his might. Jord (earth) was his daughter and his wife; with her he
+begat his first son, and that is Asa-Thor. To him was given force and
+strength, whereby he conquers all things quick.
+
+10. Norfe, or Narfe, hight a giant, who dwelt in Jotunheim. He had a
+daughter by name Night. She was swarthy and dark like the race she
+belonged to. She was first married to a man who hight Naglfare. Their
+son was Aud. Afterward she was married to Annar. Jord hight their
+daughter. Her last husband was Delling (Daybreak), who was of asa-race.
+Their son was Day, who was light and fair after his father. Then took
+Alfather Night and her son Day, gave them two horses and two cars, and
+set them up in heaven to drive around the earth, each in twelve hours by
+turns. Night rides first on the horse which is called Hrimfaxe, and
+every morning he bedews the earth with the foam from his bit. The horse
+on which Day rides is called Skinfaxe, and with his mane he lights up
+all the sky and the earth.
+
+11. Then said Ganglere: How does he steer the course of the sun and the
+moon? Answered Har: Mundilfare hight the man who had two children. They
+were so fair and beautiful that he called his son Moon, and his
+daughter, whom he gave in marriage to a man by name Glener, he called
+Sun. But the gods became wroth at this arrogance, took both the brother
+and the sister, set them up in heaven, and made Sun drive the horses
+that draw the car of the sun, which the gods had made to light up the
+world from sparks that flew out of Muspelheim. These horses hight Arvak
+and Alsvid. Under their withers the gods placed two wind-bags to cool
+them, but in some songs it is called ironcold (ísarnkol). Moon guides
+the course of the moon, and rules its waxing and waning. He took from
+the earth two children, who hight Bil and Hjuke, as they were going from
+the well called Byrger, and were carrying on their shoulders the bucket
+called Sager and the pole Simul. Their father’s name is Vidfin. These
+children always accompany Moon, as can be seen from the earth.
+
+12. Then said Ganglere: Swift fares Sun, almost as if she were afraid,
+and she could make no more haste in her course if she feared her
+destroyer. Then answered Har: Nor is it wonderful that she speeds with
+all her might. Near is he who pursues her, and there is no escape for
+her but to run before him. Then asked Ganglere: Who causes her this
+toil? Answered Har: It is two wolves. The one hight Skol, he runs after
+her; she fears him and he will one day overtake her. The other hight
+Hate, Hrodvitner’s son; he bounds before her and wants to catch the
+moon, and so he will at last.[20] Then asked Ganglere: Whose offspring
+are these wolves? Said Har; A hag dwells east of Midgard, in the forest
+called Jarnved (Ironwood), where reside the witches called Jarnvidjes.
+The old hag gives birth to many giant sons, and all in wolf’s likeness.
+Thence come these two wolves. It is said that of this wolf-race one is
+the mightiest, and is called Moongarm. He is filled with the life-blood
+of all dead men. He will devour the moon, and stain the heavens and all
+the sky with blood. Thereby the sun will be darkened, the winds will
+grow wild, and roar hither and thither, as it is said in the Prophecy of
+the Vala:
+
+  In the east dwells the old hag,
+  In the Jarnved forest;
+  And brings forth there
+  Fenrer’s offspring.
+  There comes of them all
+  One the worst,
+  The moon’s devourer
+  In a troll’s disguise.
+
+  He is filled with the life-blood
+  Of men doomed to die;
+  The seats of the gods
+  He stains with red gore;
+  Sunshine grows black
+  The summer thereafter,
+  All weather gets fickle.
+  Know you yet or not?[21]
+
+    [Footnote 20: That wolves follow the sun and moon, is a
+    wide-spread popular superstition. In Sweden, a parhelion is
+    called Solvarg (sun-wolf).]
+
+    [Footnote 21: Elder Edda: The Vala’s Prophecy, 43, 44.]
+
+13. Then asked Ganglere: What is the path from earth to heaven? Har
+answered, laughing: Foolishly do you now ask. Have you not been told
+that the gods made a bridge from earth to heaven, which is called
+Bifrost? You must have seen it. It may be that you call it the rainbow.
+It has three colors, is very strong, and is made with more craft and
+skill than other structures. Still, however strong it is, it will break
+when the sons of Muspel come to ride over it, and then they will have to
+swim their horses over great rivers in order to get on. Then said
+Ganglere: The gods did not, it seems to me, build that bridge honestly,
+if it shall be able to break to pieces, since they could have done so,
+had they desired. Then made answer Har: The gods are worthy of no blame
+for this structure. Bifrost is indeed a good bridge, but there is no
+thing in the world that is able to stand when the sons of Muspel come to
+the fight.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+THE FIRST WORKS OF THE ASAS. THE GOLDEN AGE.
+
+
+14. Then said Ganglere: What did Alfather do when Asgard had been built?
+Said Har: In the beginning he appointed rulers in a place in the middle
+of the burg which is called Idavold, who were to judge with him the
+disputes of men and decide the affairs of the burg. Their first work was
+to erect a court, where there were seats for all the twelve, and,
+besides, a high-seat for Alfather. That is the best and largest house
+ever built on earth, and is within and without like solid gold. This
+place is called Gladsheim. Then they built another hall as a home for
+the goddesses, which also is a very beautiful mansion, and is called
+Vingolf. Thereupon they built a forge; made hammer, tongs, anvil, and
+with these all other tools. Afterward they worked in iron, stone and
+wood, and especially in that metal which is called gold. All their
+household wares were of gold. That age was called the golden age, until
+it was lost by the coming of those women from Jotunheim. Then the gods
+set themselves in their high-seats and held counsel. They remembered how
+the dwarfs had quickened in the mould of the earth like maggots in
+flesh. The dwarfs had first been created and had quickened in Ymer’s
+flesh, and were then maggots; but now, by the decision of the gods, they
+got the understanding and likeness of men, but still had to dwell in the
+earth and in rocks. Modsogner was one dwarf and Durin another. So it is
+said in the Vala’s Prophecy:
+
+  Then went all the gods,
+  The all-holy gods,
+  On their judgment seats,
+  And thereon took counsel
+  Who should the race
+  Of dwarfs create
+  From the bloody sea
+  And from Blain’s bones.
+  In the likeness of men
+  Made they many
+  Dwarfs in the earth,
+  As Durin said.
+
+And these, says the Vala, are the names of the dwarfs:
+
+  Nye, Nide,
+  Nordre, Sudre,
+  Austre, Vestre,
+  Althjof, Dvalin,
+  Na, Nain,
+  Niping, Dain,
+  Bifur, Bafur,
+  Bombor, Nore,
+  Ore, Onar,
+  Oin, Mjodvitner,
+  Vig, Gandalf,
+  Vindalf, Thorin,
+  File, Kile,
+  Fundin, Vale,
+  Thro, Throin,
+  Thek, Lit, Vit,
+  Ny, Nyrad,
+  Rek, Radsvid.
+
+But the following are also dwarfs and dwell in the rocks, while the
+above-named dwell in the mould:
+
+  Draupner, Dolgthvare,
+  Hor, Hugstare,
+  Hledjolf, Gloin,
+  Dore, Ore,
+  Duf, Andvare,
+  Hepte, File,
+  Har, Siar.
+
+But the following come from Svarin’s How to Aurvang on Joruvold, and
+from them is sprung Lovar. Their names are:
+
+  Skirfer, Virfir,
+  Skafid, Ae,
+  Alf, Inge,
+  Eikinslgalde,
+  Fal, Froste,
+  Fid, Ginnar.[22]
+
+    [Footnote 22: Elder Edda: The Vala’s Prophecy, 12, 14-16, 18, 19.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+ON THE WONDERFUL THINGS IN HEAVEN.
+
+
+15. Then said Ganglere: Where is the chief or most holy place of the
+gods? Har answered: That is by the ash Ygdrasil. There the gods meet in
+council every day. Said Ganglere: What is said about this place?
+Answered Jafnhar: This ash is the best and greatest of all trees; its
+branches spread over all the world, and reach up above heaven. Three
+roots sustain the tree and stand wide apart; one root is with the asas
+and another with the frost-giants, where Ginungagap formerly was; the
+third reaches into Niflheim; under it is Hvergelmer, where Nidhug gnaws
+the root from below. But under the second root, which extends to the
+frost-giants, is the well of Mimer, wherein knowledge and wisdom are
+concealed. The owner of the well hight Mimer. He is full of wisdom, for
+he drinks from the well with the Gjallar-horn. Alfather once came there
+and asked for a drink from the well, but he did not get it before he
+left one of his eyes as a pledge. So it is said in the Vala’s Prophecy:
+
+  Well know I, Odin,
+  Where you hid your eye:
+  In the crystal-clear
+  Well of Mimer.
+  Mead drinks Mimer
+  Every morning
+  From Valfather’s pledge.
+  Know you yet or not?[23]
+
+    [Footnote 23: Elder Edda: The Vala’s Prophecy, 24.]
+
+The third root of the ash is in heaven, and beneath it is the most
+sacred fountain of Urd. Here the gods have their doomstead. The asas
+ride hither every day over Bifrost, which is also called Asa-bridge. The
+following are the names of the horses of the gods: Sleipner is the best
+one; he belongs to Odin, and he has eight feet. The second is Glad, the
+third Gyller, the fourth Gler, the fifth Skeidbrimer, the sixth
+Silfertop, the seventh Siner, the eighth Gisl, the ninth Falhofner, the
+tenth Gulltop, the eleventh Letfet. Balder’s horse was burned with him.
+Thor goes on foot to the doomstead, and wades the following rivers:
+
+  Kormt and Ormt
+  And the two Kerlaugs;
+  These shall Thor wade
+  Every day
+  When he goes to judge
+  Near the Ygdrasil ash;
+  For the Asa-bridge
+  Burns all ablaze,--
+  The holy waters roar.[24]
+
+    [Footnote 24: Elder Edda: Grimner’s Lay, 29.]
+
+Then asked Ganglere: Does fire burn over Bifrost? Har answered: The red
+which you see in the rainbow is burning fire. The frost-giants and the
+mountain-giants would go up to heaven if Bifrost were passable for all
+who desired to go there. Many fair places there are in heaven, and they
+are all protected by a divine defense. There stands a beautiful hall
+near the fountain beneath the ash. Out of it come three maids, whose
+names are Urd, Verdande and Skuld. These maids shape the lives of men,
+and we call them norns. There are yet more norns, namely those who come
+to every man when he is born, to shape his life, and these are known to
+be of the race of gods; others, on the other hand, are of the race of
+elves, and yet others are of the race of dwarfs. As is here said:
+
+  Far asunder, I think,
+  The norns are born,
+  They are not of the same race.
+  Some are of the asas,
+  Some are of the elves,
+  Some are daughters of Dvalin.[25]
+
+    [Footnote 25: Elder Edda: Fafner’s Lay, 13.]
+
+Then said Ganglere: If the norns rule the fortunes of men, then they
+deal them out exceedingly unevenly. Some live a good life and are rich;
+some get neither wealth nor praise. Some have a long, others a short
+life. Har answered: Good norns and of good descent shape good lives, and
+when some men are weighed down with misfortune, the evil norns are the
+cause of it.
+
+16. Then said Ganglere: What other remarkable things are there to be
+said about the ash? Har answered: Much is to be said about it. On one of
+the boughs of the ash sits an eagle, who knows many things. Between his
+eyes sits a hawk that is called Vedfolner. A squirrel, by name Ratatosk,
+springs up and down the tree, and carries words of envy between the
+eagle and Nidhug. Four stags leap about in the branches of the ash and
+bite the leaves.[26] Their names are: Dain, Dvalin, Duney and Durathro.
+In Hvergelmer with Nidhug are more serpents than tongue can tell. As is
+here said:
+
+  The ash Ygdrasil
+  Bears distress
+  Greater than men know.
+  Stags bite it above,
+  At the side it rots,
+  Nidhug gnaws it below.
+
+    [Footnote 26: The Icelandic barr. See Vigfusson, _sub voce_.]
+
+And so again it is said:
+
+  More serpents lie
+  ’Neath the Ygdrasil ash
+  Than is thought of
+  By every foolish ape.
+  Goin and Moin
+  (They are sons of Grafvitner),
+  Grabak and Grafvollud,
+  Ofner and Svafner
+  Must for aye, methinks,
+  Gnaw the roots of that tree.[27]
+
+    [Footnote 27: Elder Edda: Grimner’s Lay, 35, 34.]
+
+Again, it is said that the norns, that dwell in the fountain of Urd,
+every day take water from the fountain and take the clay that lies
+around the fountain and sprinkle therewith the ash, in order that its
+branches may not wither or decay. This water is so holy that all things
+that are put into the fountain become as white as the film of an
+egg-shell As is here said:
+
+  An ash I know
+  Hight Ygdrasil;
+  A high, holy tree
+  With white clay sprinkled.
+  Thence come the dews
+  That fall in the dales.
+  Green forever it stands
+  Over Urd’s fountain.[28]
+
+    [Footnote 28: Elder Edda: The Vala’s Prophecy, 22.]
+
+The dew which falls on the earth from this tree men call honey-fall, and
+it is the food of bees. Two birds are fed in Urd’s fountain; they are
+called swans, and they are the parents of the race of swans.
+
+17. Then said Ganglere: Great tidings you are able to tell of the
+heavens. Are there other remarkable places than the one by Urd’s
+fountain? Answered Har: There are many magnificent dwellings. One is
+there called Alfheim. There dwell the folk that are called light-elves;
+but the dark-elves dwell down in the earth, and they are unlike the
+light-elves in appearance, but much more so in deeds. The light-elves
+are fairer than the sun to look upon, but the dark-elves are blacker
+than pitch. Another place is called Breidablik, and no place is fairer.
+There is also a mansion called Glitner, of which the walls and pillars
+and posts are of red gold, and the roof is of silver. Furthermore, there
+is a dwelling, by name Himinbjorg, which stands at the end of heaven,
+where the Bifrost-bridge is united with heaven. And there is a great
+dwelling called Valaskjalf, which belongs to Odin. The gods made it and
+thatched it with, sheer silver. In this hall is the high-seat, which is
+called Hlidskjalf, and when Alfather sits in this seat, he sees over all
+the world. In the southern end of the world is the palace, which is the
+fairest of all, and brighter than the sun; its name is Gimle. It shall
+stand when both heaven and earth shall have passed away. In this hall
+the good and the righteous shall dwell through all ages. Thus says the
+Prophecy of the Vala:
+
+  A hall I know, standing
+  Than the sun fairer,
+  Than gold better,
+  Gimle by name.
+  There shall good
+  People dwell,
+  And forever
+  Delights enjoy.[29]
+
+Then said Ganglere: Who guards this palace when Surt’s fire burns up
+heaven and earth? Har answered: It is said that to the south and above
+this heaven is another heaven, which is called Andlang. But there is a
+third, which is above these, and is called Vidblain, and in this heaven
+we believe this mansion (Gimle) to be situated; but we deem that the
+light-elves alone dwell in it now.
+
+    [Footnote 29: Elder Edda: The Vala’s Prophecy, 70.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+THE ASAS.
+
+
+18. Then said Ganglere: Whence comes the wind? It is so strong that it
+moves great seas, and fans fires to flame, and yet, strong as it is,
+it cannot be seen. Therefore it is wonderfully made. Then answered Har:
+That I can tell you well. At the northern end of heaven sits a giant,
+who hight Hrasvelg. He is clad in eagles’ plumes, and when he spreads
+his wings for flight, the winds arise from under them. Thus is it here
+said:
+
+  Hrasvelg hight he
+  Who sits at the end of heaven,
+  A giant in eagle’s disguise.
+  From his wings, they say,
+  The wind does come
+  Over all mankind.[30]
+
+    [Footnote 30: Elder Edda: Vafthrudner’s Lay, 37.]
+
+19. Then said Ganglere: How comes it that summer is so hot, but the
+winter so cold? Har answered: A wise man would not ask such a question,
+for all are able to tell this; but if you alone have become so stupid
+that you have not heard of it, then I would rather forgive you for
+asking unwisely once than that you should go any longer in ignorance of
+what you ought to know. Svasud is the name of him who is father of
+summer, and he lives such a life of enjoyment, that everything that is
+mild is from him called sweet (svasligt). But the father of winter has
+two names, Vindlone and Vindsval. He is the son of Vasad, and all that
+race are grim and of icy breath, and winter is like them.
+
+20. Then asked Ganglere: Which are the asas, in whom men are bound to
+believe? Har answered him: Twelve are the divine asas. Jafnhar said:
+No less holy are the asynjes (goddesses), nor is their power less. Then
+added Thride: Odin is the highest and oldest of the asas. He rules all
+things, but the other gods, each according to his might, serve him as
+children a father. Frigg is his wife, and she knows the fate of men,
+although she tells not thereof, as it is related that Odin himself said
+to Asa-Loke:
+
+  Mad are you, Loke!
+  And out of your senses;
+  Why do you not stop?
+  Fortunes all,
+  Methinks, Frigg knows,
+  Though she tells them not herself.[31]
+
+    [Footnote 31: Elder Edda. Loke’s Quarrel, 29, 47.]
+
+Odin is called Alfather, for he is the father of all the gods; he is
+also called Valfather, for all who fall in fight are his chosen sons.
+For them he prepares Valhal and Vingolf, where they are called einherjes
+(heroes). He is also called Hangagod, Haptagod, Farmagod; and he gave
+himself still more names when he came to King Geirrod:
+
+  Grim is my name,
+  And Ganglare,
+  Herjan, Hjalmbore,
+  Thek, Thride,
+  Thud, Ud,
+  Helblinde, Har,
+  Sad, Svipal,
+  Sangetal,
+  Herteit, Hnikar,
+  Bileyg, Baleyg,
+  Bolverk, Fjolner,
+  Grimner, Glapsvid, Fjolsvid,
+  Sidhot, Sidskeg,
+  Sigfather, Hnikud,
+  Alfather, Atrid, Farmatyr,
+  Oske, Ome,
+  Jafnhar, Biflinde,
+  Gondler, Harbard,
+  Svidur, Svidrir,
+  Jalk, Kjalar, Vidur,
+  Thro, Yg, Thund,
+  Vak, Skilfing,
+  Vafud, Hroptatyr,
+  Gaut, Veratyr.[32]
+
+    [Footnote 32: Elder Edda: Grimner’s Lay, 46-50.]
+
+Then said Ganglere: A very great number of names you have given him; and
+this I know, forsooth, that he must be a very wise man who is able to
+understand and decide what chances are the causes of all these names.
+Har answered: Much knowledge is needed to explain it all rightly, but
+still it is shortest to tell you that most of these names have been
+given him for the reason that, as there are many tongues in the world,
+so all peoples thought they ought to turn his name into their tongue, in
+order that they might be able to worship him and pray to him each in its
+own language. Other causes of these names must be sought in his
+journeys, which are told of in old sagas; and you can lay no claim to
+being called a wise man if you are not able to tell of these wonderful
+adventures.
+
+21. Then said Ganglere: What are the names of the other asas? What is
+their occupation, and what works have they wrought? Har answered: Thor
+is the foremost of them. He is called Asa-Thor, or Oku-Thor.[33] He is
+the strongest of all gods and men, and rules over the realm which is
+called Thrudvang. His hall is called Bilskirner. Therein are five
+hundred and forty floors, and it is the largest house that men have
+made. Thus it is said in Grimner’s Lay:
+
+  Five hundred floors
+  And forty more,
+  Methinks, has bowed Bilskirner.
+  Of houses all
+  That I know roofed
+  I know my son’s is the largest.[34]
+
+    [Footnote 33: Oku is derived from the Finnish thunder-god, Ukko.]
+
+    [Footnote 34: Elder Edda: Grimner’s Lay, 24.]
+
+Thor has two goats, by name Tangnjost and Tangrisner, and a chariot,
+wherein he drives. The goats draw the chariot; wherefore he is called
+Oku-Thor.[35] He possesses three valuable treasures. One of them is the
+hammer Mjolner, which the frost-giants and mountain-giants well know
+when it is raised; and this is not to be wondered at, for with it he has
+split many a skull of their fathers or friends. The second treasure he
+possesses is Megingjarder (belt of strength); when he girds himself with
+it his strength is doubled. His third treasure that is of so great value
+is his iron gloves; these he cannot do without when he lays hold of the
+hammer’s haft. No one is so wise that he can tell all his great works;
+but I can tell you so many tidings of him that it will grow late before
+all is told that I know.
+
+    [Footnote 35: The author of the Younger Edda is here mistaken. See
+    note on page 82 {Footnote 33}.]
+
+22. Thereupon said Ganglere: I wish to ask tidings of more of the asas.
+Har gave him answer: Odin’s second son is Balder, and of him good things
+are to be told. He is the best, and all praise him. He is so fair of
+face and so bright that rays of light issue from him; and there is a
+plant so white that it is likened unto Balder’s brow, and it is the
+whitest of all plants. From this you can judge of the beauty both of his
+hair and of his body. He is the wisest, mildest and most eloquent of all
+the asas; and such is his nature that none can alter the judgment he has
+pronounced. He inhabits the place in heaven called Breidablik, and there
+nothing unclean can enter. As is here said:
+
+  Breidablik it is called,
+  Where Balder has
+  Built for himself a hall
+  In the land
+  Where I know is found
+  The least of evil.[36]
+
+    [Footnote 36: Elder Edda: Grimner’s Lay, 12.]
+
+23. The third asa is he who is called Njord. He dwells in Noatun, which
+is in heaven. He rules the course of the wind and checks the fury of the
+sea and of fire. He is invoked by seafarers and by fishermen. He is so
+rich and wealthy that he can give broad lands and abundance to those who
+call on him for them. He was fostered in Vanaheim, but the vans[37] gave
+him as a hostage to the gods, and received in his stead as an
+asa-hostage the god whose name is Honer. He established peace between
+the gods and vans. Njord took to wife Skade, a daughter of the giant
+Thjasse. She wished to live where her father had dwelt, that is, on the
+mountains in Thrymheim; Njord, on the other hand, preferred to be near
+the sea. They therefore agreed to pass nine nights in Thrymheim and
+three in Noatun. But when Njord came back from the mountains to Noatun
+he sang this:
+
+    [Footnote 37: Compare Vainamoinen, the son of Ukko, in the Finnish
+    epic Kalevala.]
+
+  Weary am I of the mountains,
+  Not long was I there,
+  Only nine nights.
+  The howl of the wolves
+  Methought sounded ill
+  To the song of the swans.
+
+Skade then sang this:
+
+  Sleep I could not
+  On my sea-strand couch,
+  For the scream of the sea-fowl.
+  _There_ wakes me,
+  As he comes from the sea,
+  Every morning the mew.
+
+Then went Skade up on the mountain, and dwelt in Thrymheim. She often
+goes on skees (snow-shoes), with her bow, and shoots wild beasts. She is
+called skee-goddess or skee-dis. Thus it is said:
+
+  Thrymheim it is called
+  Where Thjasse dwelt,
+  That mightiest giant.
+  But now dwells Skade,
+  Pure bride of the gods,
+  In her father’s old homestead.[38]
+
+    [Footnote 38: Elder Edda: Grimner’s Lay, 11.]
+
+24. Njord, in Noatun, afterward begat two children: a son, by name Frey,
+and a daughter, by name Freyja. They were fair of face, and mighty. Frey
+is the most famous of the asas. He rules over rain and sunshine, and
+over the fruits of the earth. It is good to call on him for harvests and
+peace. He also sways the wealth of men. Freyja is the most famous of the
+goddesses. She has in heaven a dwelling which is called Folkvang, and
+when she rides to the battle, one half of the slain belong to her, and
+the other half to Odin. As is here said:
+
+  Folkvang it is called,
+  And there rules Freyja.
+  For the seats in the hall
+  Half of the slain
+  She chooses each day;
+  The other half is Odin’s.[39]
+
+    [Footnote 39: Elder Edda: Grimner’s Lay, 14.]
+
+Her hall is Sesrynmer, and it is large and beautiful. When she goes
+abroad, she drives in a car drawn by two cats. She lends a favorable ear
+to men who call upon her, and it is from her name the title has come
+that women of birth and wealth are called frur.[40] She is fond of love
+ditties, and it is good to call on her in love affairs.
+
+    [Footnote 40: Icel. _frú_ (Ger. _frau_; Dan. _frue_), pl. _frúr_,
+    means a lady. It is used of the wives of men of rank or title.
+    It is derived from Freyja.]
+
+25. Then said Ganglere: Of great importance these asas seem to me to be,
+and it is not wonderful that you have great power, since you have such
+excellent knowledge of the gods, and know to which of them to address
+your prayers on each occasion. But what other gods are there? Har
+answered: There is yet an asa, whose name is Tyr. He is very daring and
+stout-hearted. He sways victory in war, wherefore warriors should call
+on him. There is a saw, that he who surpasses others in bravery, and
+never yields, is Tyr-strong. He is also so wise, that it is said of
+anyone who is specially intelligent, that he is Tyr-learned. A proof of
+his daring is, that when the asas induced the wolf Fenrer to let himself
+be bound with the chain Gleipner, he would not believe that they would
+loose him again until Tyr put his hand in his mouth as a pledge. But
+when the asas would not loose the Fenris-wolf, he bit Tyr’s hand off at
+the place of the wolf’s joint (the wrist; Icel. _úlfliðr_[41]). From
+that time Tyr is one-handed, and he is now called a peacemaker among
+men.
+
+    [Footnote 41: This etymology is, however, erroneous, for the word
+    is derived from _oln_ or _öln_, and the true form of the word is
+    _ölnliðr_ = the ell-joint (wrist); thus we have _ölnboge_--the
+    elbow; _öln_ = _alin_ (Gr. ὠδίνη; Lat. _ulna_; cp. A.-S.
+    _el-boga_; Eng. _elbow_) is the arm from the elbow to the end of
+    the middle finger, hence an ell in long measure.]
+
+26. Brage is the name of another of the asas. He is famous for his
+wisdom, eloquence and flowing speech. He is a master-skald, and from him
+song-craft is called brag (poetry), and such men or women as distinguish
+themselves by their eloquence are called brag-men[42] and brag-women.
+His wife is Idun. She keeps in a box those apples of which the gods eat
+when they grow old, and then they become young again, and so it will be
+until Ragnarok (the twilight of the gods). Then said Ganglere: Of great
+importance to the gods it must be, it seems to me, that Idun preserves
+these apples with care and honesty. Har answered, and laughed: They ran
+a great risk on one occasion, whereof I might tell you more, but you
+shall first hear the names of more asas.
+
+    [Footnote 42: Compare the Anglo-Saxon _brego_ = princeps, chief.]
+
+27. Heimdal is the name of one. He is also called the white-asa. He is
+great and holy; born of nine maidens, all of whom were sisters. He hight
+also Hallinskide and Gullintanne, for his teeth were of gold. His horse
+hight Gulltop (Gold-top). He dwells in a place called Himinbjorg, near
+Bifrost. He is the ward of the gods, and sits at the end of heaven,
+guarding the bridge against the mountain-giants. He needs less sleep
+than a bird; sees an hundred miles around him, and as well by night as
+by day. He hears the grass grow and the wool on the backs of the sheep,
+and of course all things that sound louder than these. He has a trumpet
+called the Gjallarhorn, and when he blows it it can be heard in all the
+worlds. The head is called Heimdal’s sword. Thus it is here said:
+
+  Himinbjorg it is called,
+  Where Heimdal rules
+  Over his holy halls;
+  There drinks the ward of the gods
+  In his delightful dwelling
+  Glad the good mead.[43]
+
+    [Footnote 43: Elder Edda: Grimner’s Lay, 13.]
+
+And again, in Heimdal’s Song, he says himself:
+
+  Son I am of maidens nine,
+  Born I am of sisters nine.
+
+28. Hoder hight one of the asas, who is blind, but exceedingly strong;
+and the gods would wish that this asa never needed to be named, for the
+work of his hand will long be kept in memory both by gods and men.
+
+29. Vidar is the name of the silent asa. He has a very thick shoe, and
+he is the strongest next after Thor. From him the gods have much help in
+all hard tasks.
+
+30. Ale, or Vale, is the son of Odin and Rind. He is daring in combat,
+and a good shot.
+
+31. Uller is the name of one, who is a son of Sif, and a step-son of
+Thor. He is so good an archer, and so fast on his skees, that no one can
+contend with him. He is fair of face, and possesses every quality of a
+warrior. Men should invoke him in single combat.
+
+32. Forsete is a son of Balder and Nanna, Nep’s daughter. He has in
+heaven the hall which hight Glitner. All who come to him with disputes
+go away perfectly reconciled. No better tribunal is to be found among
+gods and men. Thus it is here said:
+
+  Glitner hight the hall,
+  On gold pillars standing,
+  And roofed with silver.
+  There dwells Forsete
+  Throughout all time,
+  And settles all disputes.[44]
+
+    [Footnote 44: Elder Edda: Grimner’s Lay, 15.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+LOKE AND HIS OFFSPRING.
+
+
+33. There is yet one who is numbered among the asas, but whom some call
+the backbiter of the asas. He is the originator of deceit, and the
+disgrace of all gods and men. His name is Loke, or Lopt. His father is
+the giant Farbaute, but his mother’s name is Laufey, or Nal. His
+brothers are Byleist and Helblinde. Loke is fair and beautiful of face,
+but evil in disposition, and very fickle-minded. He surpasses other men
+in the craft called cunning, and cheats in all things. He has often
+brought the asas into great trouble, and often helped them out again,
+with his cunning contrivances. His wife hight Sygin, and their son,
+Nare, or Narfe.
+
+34. Loke had yet more children. A giantess in Jotunheim, hight
+Angerboda. With her he begat three children. The first was the
+Fenris-wolf; the second, Jormungand, that is, the Midgard-serpent, and
+the third, Hel. When the gods knew that these three children were being
+fostered in Jotunheim, and were aware of the prophecies that much woe
+and misfortune would thence come to them, and considering that much evil
+might be looked for from them on their mother’s side, and still more on
+their father’s, Alfather sent some of the gods to take the children and
+bring them to him. When they came to him he threw the serpent into the
+deep sea which surrounds all lands. There waxed the serpent so that he
+lies in the midst of the ocean, surrounds all the earth, and bites his
+own tail. Hel he cast into Niflheim, and gave her power over nine
+worlds,[45] that she should appoint abodes to them that are sent to her,
+namely, those who die from sickness or old age. She has there a great
+mansion, and the walls around it are of strange height, and the gates
+are huge. Eljudner is the name of her hall. Her table hight famine; her
+knife, starvation. Her man-servant’s name is Ganglate; her
+maid-servant’s, Ganglot.[46] Her threshold is called stumbling-block;
+her bed, care; the precious hangings of her bed, gleaming bale. One-half
+of her is blue, and the other half is of the hue of flesh; hence she is
+easily known. Her looks are very stern and grim.
+
+    [Footnote 45: Possibly this ought to read the ninth world, which
+    would correspond with what we read on page 72, and in the Vala’s
+    Prophecy. See also notes. It may be a mistake of the transcriber.]
+
+    [Footnote 46: Both these words mean sloth.]
+
+35. The wolf was fostered by the asas at home, and Tyr was the only one
+who had the courage to go to him and give him food. When the gods saw
+how much he grew every day, and all prophecies declared that he was
+predestined to become fatal to them, they resolved to make a very strong
+fetter, which they called Lading. They brought it to the wolf, and bade
+him try his strength on the fetter. The wolf, who did not think it would
+be too strong for him, let them do therewith as they pleased. But as
+soon as he spurned against it the fetter burst asunder, and he was free
+from Lading. Then the asas made another fetter, by one-half stronger,
+and this they called Drome. They wanted the wolf to try this also,
+saying to him that he would become very famous for his strength, if so
+strong a chain was not able to hold him. The wolf thought that this
+fetter was indeed very strong, but also that his strength had increased
+since he broke Lading. He also took into consideration that it was
+necessary to expose one’s self to some danger if he desired to become
+famous; so he let them put the fetter on him. When the asas said they
+were ready, the wolf shook himself, spurned against and dashed the
+fetter on the ground, so that the broken pieces flew a long distance.
+Thus he broke loose out of Drome. Since then it has been held as a
+proverb, “to get loose out of Lading” or “to dash out of Drome,”
+whenever anything is extraordinarily hard. The asas now began to fear
+that they would not get the wolf bound. So Alfather sent the youth, who
+is called Skirner, and is Frey’s messenger, to some dwarfs in
+Svartalfaheim, and had them make the fetter which is called Gleipner. It
+was made of six things: of the footfall of cats, of the beard of woman,
+of the roots of the mountain, of the sinews of the bear, of the breath
+of the fish, and of the spittle of the birds. If you have not known this
+before, you can easily find out that it is true and that there is no lie
+about it, since you must have observed that a woman has no beard, that a
+cat’s footfall cannot be heard, and that mountains have no roots; and I
+know, forsooth, that what I have told you is perfectly true, although
+there are some things that you do not understand. Then said Ganglere:
+This I must surely understand to be true. I can see these things which
+you have taken as proof. But how was the fetter smithied? Answered Har:
+That I can well explain to you. It was smooth and soft as a silken
+string. How strong and trusty it was you shall now hear. When the fetter
+was brought to the asas, they thanked the messenger for doing his errand
+so well. Then they went out into the lake called Amsvartner, to the holm
+(rocky island) called Lyngve, and called the wolf to go with them. They
+showed him the silken band and bade him break it, saying that it was
+somewhat stronger than its thinness would lead one to suppose. Then they
+handed it from one to the other and tried its strength with their hands,
+but it did not break. Still they said the wolf would be able to snap it.
+The wolf answered: It seems to me that I will get no fame though I break
+asunder so slender a thread as this is. But if it is made with craft and
+guile, then, little though it may look, that band will never come on my
+feet. Then said the asas that he would easily be able to break a slim
+silken band, since he had already burst large iron fetters asunder. But
+even if you are unable to break this band, you have nothing to fear from
+the gods, for we will immediately loose you again. The wolf answered: If
+you get me bound so fast that I am not able to loose myself again, you
+will skulk away, and it will be long before I get any help from you,
+wherefore I am loth to let this band be laid on me; but in order that
+you may not accuse me of cowardice, let some one of you lay his hand in
+my mouth as a pledge that this is done without deceit. The one asa
+looked at the other, and thought there now was a choice of two evils,
+and no one would offer his hand, before Tyr held out his right hand and
+laid it in the wolf’s mouth. But when the wolf now began to spurn
+against it the band grew stiffer, and the more he strained the tighter
+it got. They all laughed except Tyr; he lost his hand. When the asas saw
+that the wolf was sufficiently well bound, they took the chain which was
+fixed to the fetter, and which was called Gelgja, and drew it through a
+large rock which is called Gjol, and fastened this rock deep down in the
+earth. Then they took a large stone, which is called Tvite, and drove it
+still deeper into the ground, and used this stone for a fastening-pin.
+The wolf opened his mouth terribly wide, raged and twisted himself with
+all his might, and wanted to bite them; but they put a sword in his
+mouth, in such a manner that the hilt stood in his lower jaw and the
+point in the upper, that is his gag. He howls terribly, and the saliva
+which runs from his mouth forms a river called Von. There he will lie
+until Ragnarok. Then said Ganglere: Very bad are these children of Loke,
+but they are strong and mighty. But why did not the asas kill the wolf
+when they have evil to expect from him? Har answered: So great respect
+have the gods for their holiness and peace-stead, that they would not
+stain them with the blood of the wolf, though prophecies foretell that
+he must become the bane of Odin.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+THE GODDESSES (ASYNJES).
+
+
+36. Ganglere asked: Which are the goddesses? Har answered: Frigg is the
+first; she possesses the right lordly dwelling which is called Fensaler.
+The second is Saga, who dwells in Sokvabek, and this is a large
+dwelling. The third is Eir, who is the best leech. The fourth is Gefjun,
+who is a may, and those who die maids become her hand-maidens. The fifth
+is Fulla, who is also a may, she wears her hair flowing and has a golden
+ribbon about her head; she carries Frigg’s chest, takes care of her
+shoes and knows her secrets. The sixth is Freyja, who is ranked with
+Frigg. She is wedded to the man whose name is Oder; their daughter’s
+name is Hnos, and she is so fair that all things fair and precious are
+called, from her name, Hnos. Oder went far away. Freyja weeps for him,
+but her tears are red gold. Freyja has many names, and the reason
+therefor is that she changed her name among the various nations to which
+she came in search of Oder. She is called Mardol, Horn, Gefn, and Syr.
+She has the necklace Brising, and she is called Vanadis. The seventh is
+Sjofn, who is fond of turning men’s and women’s hearts to love, and it
+is from her name that love is called Sjafne. The eighth is Lofn, who is
+kind and good to those who call upon her, and she has permission from
+Alfather or Frigg to bring together men and women, no matter what
+difficulties may stand in the way; therefore “love” is so called from
+her name, and also that which is much loved by men. The ninth is Var.
+She hears the oaths and troths that men and women plight to each other.
+Hence such vows are called vars, and she takes vengeance on those who
+break their promises. The tenth is Vor, who is so wise and searching
+that nothing can be concealed from her. It is a saying that a woman
+becomes vor (ware) of what she becomes wise. The eleventh is Syn, who
+guards the door of the hall, and closes it against those who are not to
+enter. In trials she guards those suits in which anyone tries to make
+use of falsehood. Hence is the saying that “syn is set against it,” when
+anyone tries to deny ought. The twelfth is Hlin, who guards those men
+whom Frigg wants to protect from any danger. Hence is the saying that he
+hlins who is forewarned. The thirteenth is Snotra, who is wise and
+courtly. After her, men and women who are wise are called Snotras. The
+fourteenth is Gna, whom Frigg sends on her errands into various worlds.
+She rides upon a horse called Hofvarpner, that runs through the air and
+over the sea. Once, when she was riding, some vans saw her faring
+through the air. Then said one of them:
+
+  What flies there?
+  What fares there?
+  What glides in the air?
+
+She answered
+
+  I fly not,
+  Though I fare
+  And glide through the air
+  On Hofvarpner,
+  That Hamskerper,
+  Begat with Gardrofa.[47]
+
+From Gna’s name it is said that anything that fares high in the air
+gnas. Sol and Bil are numbered among the goddesses, but their nature has
+already been described.[48]
+
+    [Footnote 47: Elder Edda: Grimner’s Lay, 36]
+
+    [Footnote 48: See page 66.]
+
+37. There are still others who are to serve in Valhal, bear the drink
+around, wait upon the table and pass the ale-horns. Thus they are named
+in Grimner’s Lay:
+
+  Hrist and Mist
+  I want my horn to bring to me;
+  Skeggold and Skogul,
+  Hild and Thrud,
+  Hlok and Heifjoter,
+  Gol and Geirahod,
+  Randgrid and Radgrid,
+  And Reginleif;
+  These bear ale to the einherjes.[49]
+
+    [Footnote 49: Elder Edda: Grimner’s Lay, 36.]
+
+These are called valkyries. Odin sends them to all battles, where they
+choose those who are to be slain, and rule over the victory. Gud and
+Rosta, and the youngest norn, Skuld, always ride to sway the battle and
+choose the slain. Jord, the mother of Thor, and Rind, Vale’s mother, are
+numbered among the goddesses.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+THE GIANTESS GERD AND SKIRNER’S JOURNEY.[50]
+
+38. Gymer hight a man whose wife was Orboda, of the race of the mountain
+giants. Their daughter was Gerd, the fairest of all women. One day when
+Frey had gone into Hlidskjalf, and was looking out upon all the worlds,
+he saw toward the north a hamlet wherein was a large and beautiful
+house. To this house went a woman, and when she raised her hands to open
+the door, both the sky and the sea glistened therefrom, and she made all
+the world bright. As a punishment for his audacity in seating himself in
+that holy seat, Frey went away full of grief. When he came home, he
+neither spake, slept, nor drank, and no one dared speak to him. Then
+Njord sent for Skirner, Frey’s servant, bade him go to Frey and ask him
+with whom he was so angry, since he would speak to nobody. Skirner said
+that he would go, though he was loth to do so, as it was probable that
+he would get evil words in reply. When he came to Frey and asked him why
+he was so sad that he would not talk, Frey answered that he had seen a
+beautiful woman, and for her sake he had become so filled with grief,
+that he could not live any longer if he could not get her. And now you
+must go, he added, and ask her hand for me and bring her home to me,
+whether it be with or without the consent of her father. I will reward
+you well for your trouble. Skirner answered saying that he would go on
+this errand, but Frey must give him his sword, that was so excellent
+that it wielded itself in fight. Frey made no objection to this and gave
+him the sword. Skirner went on his journey, courted Gerd for him, and
+got the promise of her that she nine nights thereafter should come to
+Bar-Isle and there have her wedding with Frey. When Skirner came back
+and gave an account of his journey, Frey said:
+
+  Long is one night,
+  Long are two nights,
+  How can I hold out three?
+  Oft to me one month
+  Seemed less
+  Than this half night of love.[51]
+
+    [Footnote 50: This is the Niblung story in a nut-shell.]
+
+    [Footnote 51: Elder Edda: Skirner’s Journey, 42.]
+
+This is the reason why Frey was unarmed when he fought with Bele, and
+slew him with a hart’s horn. Then said Ganglere: It is a great wonder
+that such a lord as Frey would give away his sword, when he did not have
+another as good. A great loss it was to him when he fought with Bele;
+and this I know, forsooth, that he must have repented of that gift. Har
+answered: Of no great account was his meeting with Bele. Frey could have
+slain him with his hand. But the time will come when he will find
+himself in a worse plight for not having his sword, and that will be
+when the sons of Muspel sally forth to the fight.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+LIFE IN VALHAL.
+
+
+39. Then said Ganglere: You say that all men who since the beginning of
+the world have fallen in battle have come to Odin in Valhal. What does
+he have to give them to eat? It seems to me there must be a great throng
+of people. Har answered: It is true, as you remark, that there is a
+great throng; many more are yet to come there, and still they will be
+thought too few when the wolf[52] comes. But however great may be the
+throng in Valhal, they will get plenty of flesh of the boar Sahrimner.
+He is boiled every day and is whole again in the evening. But as to the
+question you just asked, it seems to me there are but few men so wise
+that they are able to answer it correctly. The cook’s name is
+Andhrimner, and the kettle is called Eldhrimner as is here said:
+
+  Andhrimner cooks
+  In Eldhrimner
+  Sahrimner.
+  ’Tis the best of flesh.
+  There are few who know
+  What the einherjes eat.[53]
+
+    [Footnote 52: The Fenris-wolf in Ragnarok.]
+
+    [Footnote 53: Elder Edda: Grimner’s Lay, 18.]
+
+Ganglere asked: Does Odin have the same kind of food as the einherjes?
+Har answered: The food that is placed on his table he gives to his two
+wolves, which hight Gere and Freke. He needs no food himself. Wine is to
+him both food and drink, as is here said:
+
+  Gere and Freke
+  Sates the warfaring,
+  Famous father of hosts;
+  But on wine alone
+  Odin in arms renowned
+  Forever lives.[54]
+
+    [Footnote 54: Elder Edda: Grimner’s Lay, 19.]
+
+Two ravens sit on Odin’s shoulders, and bring to his ears all that they
+hear and see. Their names are Hugin and Munin. At dawn he sends them out
+to fly over the whole world, and they come back at breakfast time. Thus
+he gets information about many things, and hence he is called Rafnagud
+(raven-god). As is here said:
+
+  Hugin and Munin
+  Fly every day
+  Over the great earth.
+  I fear for Hugin
+  That he may not return,
+  Yet more am I anxious for Munin.[55]
+
+    [Footnote 55: Elder Edda: Grimner’s Lay, 20.]
+
+40. Then asked Ganglere: What do the einherjes have to drink that is
+furnished them as bountifully as the food? Or do they drink water? Har
+answered: That is a wonderful question. Do you suppose that Alfather
+invites kings, jarls, or other great men, and gives them water to drink?
+This I know, forsooth, that many a one comes to Valhal who would think
+he was paying a big price for his water-drink, if there were no better
+reception to be found there,--persons, namely, who have died from wounds
+and pain. But I can tell you other tidings. A she-goat, by name Heidrun,
+stands up in Valhal and bites the leaves off the branches of that famous
+tree called Lerad. From her teats runs so much mead that she fills every
+day a vessel in the hall from which the horns are filled, and which is
+so large that all the einherjes get all the drink they want out of it.
+Then said Ganglere: That is a most useful goat, and a right excellent
+tree that must be that she feeds upon. Then said Har: Still more
+remarkable is the hart Eikthyrner, which stands over Valhal and bites
+the branches of the same tree. From his horns fall so many drops down
+into Hvergelmer, that thence flow the rivers that are called Sid, Vid,
+Sekin, Ekin, Svol, Gunthro, Fjorm, Fimbulthul, Gipul, Gopul, Gomul and
+Geirvimul, all of which fall about the abodes of the asas. The following
+are also named: Thyn, Vin, Thol, Bol, Grad, Gunthrain, Nyt, Not, Non,
+Hron, Vina, Vegsvin, Thjodnuma.
+
+41. Then said Ganglere: That was a wonderful tiding that you now told
+me. A mighty house must Valhal be, and a great crowd there must often be
+at the door. Then answered Har: Why do you not ask how many doors there
+are in Valhal, and how large they are? When you find that out, you will
+confess that it would rather be wonderful if everybody could not easily
+go in and out. It is also a fact that it is no more difficult to find
+room within than to get in. Of this you may hear what the Lay of Grimner
+says:
+
+  Five hundred doors
+  And forty more,
+  I trow, there are in Valhal.
+  Eight hundred einherjes
+  Go at a time through one door
+  When they fare to fight with the wolf.[56]
+
+    [Footnote 56: Elder Edda: Grimner’s Lay, 23.]
+
+42. Then said Ganglere: A mighty band of men there is in Valhal, and,
+forsooth, I know that Odin is a very great chief, since he commands so
+mighty a host. But what is the pastime of the einherjes when they do not
+drink? Har answered: Every morning, when they have dressed themselves,
+they take their weapons and go out into the court and fight and slay
+each other. That is their play. Toward breakfast-time they ride home to
+Valhal and sit down to drink. As is here said:
+
+  All the einherjes
+  In Odin’s court
+  Hew daily each other.
+  They choose the slain
+  And ride from the battle-field,
+  Then sit they in peace together.[57]
+
+But true it is, as you said, that Odin is a great chief. There are many
+proofs of that. Thus it is said in the very words of the asas
+themselves:
+
+  The Ygdrasil ash
+  Is the foremost of trees,
+  But Skidbladner of ships,
+  Odin of asas,
+  Sleipner of steeds,
+  Bifrost of bridges,
+  Brage of Skalds,
+  Habrok of hows,
+  But Garm of dogs.[58]
+
+    [Footnote 57: Elder Edda: Vafthrudner’s Lay, 41.]
+
+    [Footnote 58: Elder Edda: Grimner’s Lay, 44.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+ODIN’S HORSE AND FREY’S SHIP.
+
+
+43. Ganglere asked: Whose is that horse Sleipner, and what is there to
+say about it? Har answered: You have no knowledge of Sleipner, nor do
+you know the circumstances attending his birth; but it must seem to you
+worth the telling. In the beginning, when the town of the gods was
+building, when the gods had established Midgard and made Valhal, there
+came a certain builder and offered to make them a burg, in three half
+years, so excellent that it should be perfectly safe against the
+mountain-giants and frost-giants, even though they should get within
+Midgard. But he demanded as his reward, that he should have Freyja, and
+he wanted the sun and moon besides. Then the asas came together and held
+counsel, and the bargain was made with the builder that he should get
+what he demanded if he could get the burg done in one winter; but if on
+the first day of summer any part of the burg was unfinished, then the
+contract should be void. It was also agreed that no man should help him
+with the work. When they told him these terms, he requested that they
+should allow him to have the help of his horse, called Svadilfare, and
+at the suggestion of Loke this was granted him.
+
+On the first day of winter he began to build the burg, but by night he
+hauled stone for it with his horse. But it seemed a great wonder to the
+asas what great rocks that horse drew, and the horse did one half more
+of the mighty task than the builder. The bargain was firmly established
+with witnesses and oaths, for the giant did not deem it safe to be among
+the asas without truce if Thor should come home, who now was on a
+journey to the east fighting trolls. Toward the end of winter the burg
+was far built, and it was so high and strong that it could in nowise be
+taken. When there were three days left before summer, the work was all
+completed excepting the burg gate. Then went the gods to their
+judgment-seats and held counsel, and asked each other who could have
+advised to give Freyja in marriage in Jotunheim, or to plunge the air
+and the heavens in darkness by taking away the sun and the moon and
+giving them to the giant; and all agreed that this must have been
+advised by him who gives the most bad counsels, namely, Loke, son of
+Laufey, and they threatened him with a cruel death if he could not
+contrive some way of preventing the builder from fulfilling his part of
+the bargain, and they proceeded to lay hands on Loke. He in his fright
+then promised with an oath that he should so manage that the builder
+should lose his wages, let it cost him what it would. And the same
+evening, when the builder drove out after stone with his horse
+Svadilfare, a mare suddenly ran out of the woods to the horse and began
+to neigh at him. The steed, knowing what sort of horse this was, grew
+excited, burst the reins asunder and ran after the mare, but she ran
+from him into the woods. The builder hurried after them with all his
+might, and wanted to catch the steed, but these horses kept running all
+night, and thus the time was lost, and at dawn the work had not made the
+usual progress. When the builder saw that his work was not going to be
+completed, he resumed his giant form. When the asas thus became sure
+that it was really a mountain-giant that had come among them, they did
+not heed their oaths, but called on Thor. He came straightway, swung his
+hammer, Mjolner, and paid the workman his wages,--not with the sun and
+moon, but rather by preventing him from dwelling in Jotunheim; and this
+was easily done with the first blow of the hammer, which broke his skull
+into small pieces and sent him down to Niflhel. But Loke had run such a
+race with Svadilfare that he some time after bore a foal. It was gray,
+and had eight feet, and this is the best horse among gods and men. Thus
+it is said in the Vala’s Prophecy:
+
+  Then went the gods.
+  The most holy gods,
+  Onto their judgment-seats,
+  And counseled together
+  Who all the air
+  With guile had blended
+  Or to the giant race
+  Oder’s may had given.
+  Broken were oaths,
+  And words and promises,--
+  All mighty speech
+  That had passed between them.
+  Thor alone did this,
+  Swollen with anger.
+  Seldom sits he still
+  When such things he hears.[59]
+
+44. Then asked Ganglere: What is there to be said of Skidbladner, which
+you say is the best of ships? Is there no ship equally good, or equally
+great? Made answer Har: Skidbladner is the best of ships, and is made
+with the finest workmanship; but Naglfare, which is in Muspel, is the
+largest. Some dwarfs, the sons of Ivalde, made Skidbladner and gave it
+to Frey. It is so large that all the asas, with their weapons and
+war-gear, can find room on board it, and as soon as the sails are
+hoisted it has fair wind, no matter whither it is going. When it is not
+wanted for a voyage, it is made of so many pieces and with so much
+skill, that Frey can fold it together like a napkin and carry it in his
+pocket.
+
+    [Footnote 59: Elder Edda: The Vala’s Prophecy, 29, 30.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+THOR’S ADVENTURES.
+
+
+Then said Ganglere: A good ship is Skidbladner, but much black art must
+have been resorted to ere it was so fashioned. Has Thor never come where
+he has found anything so strong and mighty that it has been superior to
+him either in strength or in the black art? Har answered: Few men, I
+know, are able to tell thereof, but still he has often been in difficult
+straits. But though there have been things so mighty and strong that
+Thor has not been able to gain the victory, they are such as ought not
+to be spoken of; for there are many proofs which all must accept that
+Thor is the mightiest. Then said Ganglere: It seems to me that I have
+now asked about something that no one can answer. Said Jafnhar: We have
+heard tell of adventures that seem to us incredible, but here sits one
+near who is able to tell true tidings thereof, and you may believe that
+he will not lie for the first time now, who never told a lie before.
+Then said Ganglere: I will stand here and listen, to see if any answer
+is to be had to this question. But if you cannot answer my question I
+declare you to be defeated. Then answered Thride: It is evident that he
+now is bound to know, though it does not seem proper for us to speak
+thereof. The beginning of this adventure is that Oku-Thor went on a
+journey with his goats and chariot, and with him went the asa who is
+called Loke. In the evening they came to a bonde[60] and got there
+lodgings for the night. In the evening Thor took his goats and killed
+them both, whereupon he had them flayed and borne into a kettle. When
+the flesh was boiled, Thor and his companion sat down to supper. Thor
+invited the bonde, his wife and their children, a son by name Thjalfe,
+and a daughter by name Roskva, to eat with them. Then Thor laid the
+goat-skins away from the fire-place, and requested the bonde and his
+household to cast the bones onto the skins. Thjalfe, the bonde’s son,
+had the thigh of one of the goats, which he broke asunder with his
+knife, in order to get at the marrow, Thor remained there over night. In
+the morning, just before daybreak, he arose, dressed himself, took the
+hammer Mjolner, lifted it and hallowed the goat-skins. Then the goats
+arose, but one of them limped on one of its hind legs. When Thor saw
+this he said that either the bonde or one of his folk had not dealt
+skillfully with the goat’s bones, for he noticed that the thigh was
+broken. It is not necessary to dwell on this part of the story. All can
+understand how frightened the bonde became when he saw that Thor let his
+brows sink down over his eyes. When he saw his eyes he thought he must
+fall down at the sight of them alone. Thor took hold of the handle of
+his hammer so hard that his knuckles grew white. As might be expected,
+the bonde and all his household cried aloud and sued for peace, offering
+him as an atonement all that they possessed. When he saw their fear, his
+wrath left him. He was appeased, and took as a ransom the bonders
+children, Thjalfe and Roskva. They became his servants, and have always
+accompanied him since that time.
+
+    [Footnote 60: Bonde = peasant.]
+
+46. He left his goats there and went on his way east into Jotunheim,
+clear to the sea, and then he went on across the deep ocean, and went
+ashore on the other side, together with Loke and Thjalfe and Roskva.
+When they had proceeded a short distance, there stood before them a
+great wood, through which they kept going the whole day until dark.
+Thjalfe, who was of all men the fleetest of foot, bore Thor’s bag, but
+the wood was no good place for provisions. When it had become dark, they
+sought a place for their night lodging, and found a very large hall. At
+the end of it was a door as wide as the hall. Here they remained through
+the night. About midnight there was a great earthquake; the ground
+trembled beneath them, and the house shook. Then Thor stood up and
+called his companions. They looked about them and found an adjoining
+room to the right, in the midst of the hall, and there they went in.
+Thor seated himself in the door; the others went farther in and were
+very much frightened. Thor held his hammer by the handle, ready to
+defend himself. Then they heard a great groaning and roaring. When it
+began to dawn, Thor went out and saw a man lying not far from him in the
+wood. He was very large, lay sleeping, and snored loudly. Then Thor
+thought he had found out what noise it was that they had heard in the
+night. He girded himself with his Megingjarder, whereby his asa-might
+increased. Meanwhile the man woke, and immediately arose. It is said
+that Thor this once forbore to strike him with the hammer, and asked him
+for his name. He called himself Skrymer; but, said he, I do not need to
+ask you what your name is,--I know that you are Asa-Thor. But what have
+you done with my glove? He stretched out his hand and picked up his
+glove. Then Thor saw that the glove was the hall in which he had spent
+the night, and that the adjoining room was the thumb of the glove.
+Skrymer asked whether they would accept of his company. Thor said yes.
+Skrymer took and loosed his provision-sack and began to eat his
+breakfast; but Thor and his fellows did the same in another place.
+Skrymer proposed that they should lay their store of provisions
+together, to which Thor consented. Then Skrymer bound all their
+provisions into one bag, laid it on his back, and led the way all the
+day, taking gigantic strides. Late in the evening he sought out a place
+for their night quarters under a large oak. Then Skrymer said to Thor
+that he wanted to lie down to sleep; they might take the provision-sack
+and make ready their supper. Then Skrymer fell asleep and snored
+tremendously. When Thor took the provision-sack and was to open it, then
+happened what seems incredible, but still it must be told,--that he
+could not get one knot loosened, nor could he stir a single end of the
+strings so that it was looser than before. When he saw that all his
+efforts were in vain he became wroth, seized his hammer Mjolner with
+both his hands, stepped with one foot forward to where Skrymer was lying
+and dashed the hammer at his head. Skrymer awoke and asked whether some
+leaf had fallen upon his head; whether they had taken their supper, and
+were ready to go to sleep. Thor answered that they were just going to
+sleep. Then they went under another oak. But the truth must be told,
+that there was no fearless sleeping. About midnight Thor heard that
+Skrymer was snoring and sleeping so fast that it thundered in the wood.
+He arose and went over to him, clutched the hammer tight and hard, and
+gave him a blow in the middle of the crown, so that he knew that the
+head of the hammer sank deep into his head. But just then Skrymer awoke
+and asked: What is that? Did an acorn fall onto my head? How is it with
+you, Thor? Thor hastened back, answered that he had just waked up, and
+said that it was midnight and still time to sleep. Then Thor made up his
+mind that if he could get a chance to give him the third blow, he should
+never see him again, and he now lay watching for Skrymer to sleep fast.
+Shortly before daybreak he heard that Skrymer had fallen asleep. So he
+arose and ran over to him. He clutched the hammer with all his might and
+dashed it at his temples, which he saw uppermost. The hammer sank up to
+the handle. Skrymer sat up, stroked his temples, and said: Are there any
+birds sitting in the tree above me? Methought, as I awoke, that some
+moss from the branches fell on my head. What! are you awake, Thor? It is
+now time to get up and dress; but you have not far left to the burg that
+is called Utgard. I have heard that you have been whispering among
+yourselves that I am not small of stature, but you will see greater men
+when you come to Utgard. Now I will give you wholesome advice. Do not
+brag too much of yourselves, for Utgard-Loke’s thanes will not brook the
+boasting of such insignificant little fellows as you are; otherwise turn
+back, and that is, in fact, the best thing for you to do. But if you are
+bound to continue your journey, then keep straight on eastward; my way
+lies to the north, to those mountains that you there see. Skrymer then
+took the provision-sack and threw it on his back, and, leaving them,
+turned into the wood, and it has not been learned whether the asas
+wished to meet him again in health.
+
+47. Thor and his companions went their way and continued their journey
+until noon. Then they saw a burg standing on a plain, and it was so high
+that they had to bend their necks clear back before they could look over
+it. They drew nearer and came to the burg-gate, which was closed. Thor
+finding himself unable to open it, and being anxious to get within the
+burg, they crept between the bars and so came in. They discovered a
+large hall and went to it. Finding the door open they entered, and saw
+there many men, the most of whom were immensely large, sitting on two
+benches. Thereupon they approached the king, Utgard-Loke, and greeted
+him. He scarcely deigned to look at them, smiled scornfully and showed
+his teeth, saying: It is late to ask for tidings of a long journey, but
+if I am not mistaken this stripling is Oku-Thor, is it not? It may be,
+however, that you are really bigger than you look For what feats are you
+and your companions prepared? No one can stay with us here, unless he is
+skilled in some craft or accomplishment beyond the most of men. Then
+answered he who came in last, namely Loke: I know the feat of which I am
+prepared to give proof, that there is no one present who can eat his
+food faster than I. Then said Utgard-Loke: That is a feat, indeed,
+if you can keep your word, and you shall try it immediately. He then
+summoned from the bench a man by name Loge, and requested him to come
+out on the floor and try his strength against Loke. They took a trough
+full of meat and set it on the floor, whereupon Loke seated himself at
+one end and Loge at the other. Both ate as fast as they could, and met
+at the middle of the trough. Loke had eaten all the flesh off from the
+bones, but Loge had consumed both the flesh and the bones, and the
+trough too. All agreed that Loke had lost the wager. Then Utgard-Loke
+asked what game that young man knew? Thjalfe answered that he would try
+to run a race with anyone that Utgard-Loke might designate. Utgard-Loke
+said this was a good feat, and added that it was to be hoped that he
+excelled in swiftness if he expected to win in this game, but he would
+soon have the matter decided. He arose and went out. There was an
+excellent race-course along the flat plain. Utgard-Loke then summoned a
+young man, whose name was Huge, and bade him run a race with Thjalfe.
+Then they took the first heat, and Huge was so much ahead that when he
+turned at the goal he met Thjalfe. Said Utgard-Loke: You must lay
+yourself more forward, Thjalfe, if you want to win the race; but this I
+confess, that there has never before come anyone hither who was swifter
+of foot than you. Then they took a second heat, and when Huge came to
+the goal and turned, there was a long bolt-shot to Thjalfe. Then said
+Utgard-Loke: Thjalfe seems to me to run well; still I scarcely think he
+will win the race, but this will be proven when they run the third heat.
+Then they took one more heat. Huge ran to the goal and turned back, but
+Thjalfe had not yet gotten to the middle of the course. Then all said
+that this game had been tried sufficiently. Utgard-Loke now asked Thor
+what feats there were that he would be willing to exhibit before them,
+corresponding to the tales that men tell of his great works. Thor
+replied that he preferred to compete with someone in drinking.
+Utgard-Loke said there would be no objection to this. He went into the
+hall, called his cup-bearer, and requested him to take the sconce-horn
+that his thanes were wont to drink from. The cup-bearer immediately
+brought forward the horn and handed it to Thor. Said Utgard-Loke: From
+this horn it is thought to be well drunk if it is emptied in one
+draught, some men empty it in two draughts, but there is no drinker so
+wretched that he cannot exhaust it in three. Thor looked at the horn and
+did not think it was very large, though it seemed pretty long, but he
+was very thirsty. He put it to his lips and swallowed with all his
+might, thinking that he should not have to bend over the horn a second
+time. But when his breath gave out, and he looked into the horn to see
+how it had gone with his drinking, it seemed to him difficult to
+determine whether there was less in it than before. Then said
+Utgard-Loke: That is well drunk, still it is not very much. I could
+never have believed it, if anyone had told me, that Asa-Thor could not
+drink more, but I know you will be able to empty it in a second draught.
+Thor did not answer, but set the horn to his lips, thinking that he
+would now take a larger draught. He drank as long as he could and drank
+deep, as he was wont, but still he could not make the tip of the horn
+come up as much as he would like. And when he set the horn away and
+looked into it, it seemed to him that he had drunk less than the first
+time; but the horn could now be borne without spilling. Then said
+Utgard-Loke: How now, Thor! Are you not leaving more for the third
+draught than befits your skill? It seems to me that if you are to empty
+the horn with the third draught, then this will be the greatest. You
+will not be deemed so great a man here among us as the asas call you, if
+you do not distinguish yourself more in other feats than you seem to me
+to have done in this. Then Thor became wroth, set the horn to his mouth
+and drank with all his might and kept on as long as he could, and when
+he looked into it its contents had indeed visibly diminished, but he
+gave back the horn and would not drink any more. Said Utgard-Loke: It is
+clear that your might is not so great as we thought. Would you like to
+try other games? It is evident that you gained nothing by the first.
+Answered Thor: I should like to try other games, but I should be
+surprised if such a drink at home among the asas would be called small.
+What game will you now offer me? Answered Utgard-Loke: Young lads here
+think it nothing but play to lift my cat up from the ground, and I
+should never have dared to offer such a thing to Asa-Thor had I not
+already seen that you are much less of a man than I thought. Then there
+sprang forth on the floor a gray cat, and it was rather large. Thor went
+over to it, put his hand under the middle of its body and tried to lift
+it up, but the cat bent its back in the same degree as Thor raised his
+hands; and when he had stretched them up as far as he was able the cat
+lifted one foot, and Thor did not carry the game any further. Then said
+Utgard-Loke: This game ended as I expected. The cat is rather large, and
+Thor is small, and little compared with the great men that are here with
+us. Said Thor: Little as you call me, let anyone who likes come hither
+and wrestle with me, for now I am wroth. Answered Utgard-Loke, looking
+about him on the benches: I do not see anyone here who would not think
+it a trifle to wrestle with you. And again he said: Let me see first!
+Call hither that old woman, Elle, my foster-mother, and let Thor wrestle
+with her if he wants to. She has thrown to the ground men who have
+seemed to me no less strong than Thor. Then there came into the hall an
+old woman. Utgard-Loke bade her take a wrestle with Asa-Thor. The tale
+is not long. The result of the grapple was, that the more Thor tightened
+his grasp, the firmer she stood. Then the woman began to bestir herself,
+and Thor lost his footing. They had some very hard tussles, and before
+long Thor was brought down on one knee. Then Utgard-Loke stepped
+forward, bade them cease the wrestling, and added that Thor did not need
+to challenge anybody else to wrestle with him in his hall, besides it
+was now getting late. He showed Thor and his companions to seats, and
+they spent the night there enjoying the best of hospitality.
+
+48. At daybreak the next day Thor and his companions arose, dressed
+themselves and were ready to depart. Then came Utgard-Loke and had the
+table spread for them, and there was no lack of feasting both in food
+and in drink. When they had breakfasted, they immediately departed from
+the burg. Utgard-Loke went with them out of the burg, but at parting he
+spoke to Thor and asked him how he thought his journey had turned out,
+or whether he had ever met a mightier man than himself. Thor answered
+that he could not deny that he had been greatly disgraced in this
+meeting; and this I know, he added, that you will call me a man of
+little account, whereat I am much mortified. Then said Utgard-Loke: Now
+I will tell you the truth, since you have come out of the burg, that if
+I live, and may have my way, you shall never enter it again; and this I
+know, forsooth, that you should never have come into it had I before
+known that you were so strong, and that you had come so near bringing us
+into great misfortune. Know, then, that I have deceived you with
+illusions. When I first found you in the woods I came to meet you, and
+when you were to loose the provision-sack I had bound it with iron
+threads, but you did not find where it was to be untied. In the next
+place, you struck me three times with the hammer. The first blow was the
+least, and still it was so severe that it would have been my death if it
+had hit me. You saw near my burg a mountain cloven at the top into three
+square dales, of which one was the deepest,--these were the dints made
+by your hammer. The mountain I brought before the blows without your
+seeing it. In like manner I deceived you in your contests with my
+courtiers. In regard to the first, in which Loke took part, the facts
+were as follows: He was very hungry and ate fast; but he whose name was
+Loge was wildfire, and he burned the trough no less rapidly than the
+meat. When Thjalfe ran a race with him whose name was Huge, that was my
+thought, and it was impossible for him to keep pace with its swiftness.
+When you drank from the horn, and thought that it diminished so little,
+then, by my troth, it was a great wonder, which I never could have
+deemed possible.. One end of the horn stood in the sea, but that you did
+not see. When you come to the sea-shore you will discover how much the
+sea has sunk by your drinking; that is now called the ebb. Furthermore
+he said: Nor did it seem less wonderful to me that you lifted up the
+cat; and, to tell you the truth, all who saw it were frightened when
+they saw that you raised one of its feet from the ground, for it was not
+such a cat as you thought. It was in reality the Midgard-serpent, which
+surrounds all lands. It was scarcely long enough to touch the earth with
+its tail and head, and you raised it so high that your hand nearly
+reached to heaven. It was also a most astonishing feat when you wrestled
+with Elle, for none has ever been, and none shall ever be, that Elle
+(eld, old age) will not get the better of him, though he gets to be old
+enough to abide her coming. And now the truth is that we must part; and
+it will be better for us both that you do not visit me again. I will
+again defend my burg with similar or other delusions, so that you will
+get no power over me. When Thor heard this tale he seized his hammer and
+lifted it into the air, but when he was about to strike he saw
+Utgard-Loke nowhere; and when he turned back to the burg and was going
+to dash that to pieces, he saw a beautiful and large plain, but no burg.
+So he turned and went his way back to Thrudvang. But it is truthfully
+asserted that he then resolved in his own mind to seek that meeting with
+the Midgard-serpent, which afterward took place. And now I think that no
+one can tell you truer tidings of this journey of Thor.
+
+49. Then said Ganglere: A most powerful man is Utgard-Loke, though he
+deals much with delusions and sorcery. His power is also proven by the
+fact that he had thanes who were so mighty. But has not Thor avenged
+himself for this? Made answer Har: It is not unknown, though no wise men
+tell thereof, how Thor made amends for the journey that has now been
+spoken of. He did not remain long at home, before he busked himself so
+suddenly for a new journey, that he took neither chariot, nor goats nor
+any companions with him. He went out of Midgard in the guise of a young
+man, and came in the evening to a giant by name Hymer.[61] Thor tarried
+there as a guest through the night. In the morning Hymer arose, dressed
+himself, and busked himself to row out upon the sea to fish. Thor also
+sprang up, got ready in a hurry and asked Hymer whether he might row out
+with him. Hymer answered that he would get but little help from Thor, as
+he was so small and young; and he added, you will get cold if I row as
+far out and remain as long as I am wont. Thor said that he might row as
+far from shore as he pleased, for all that, and it was yet to be seen
+who would be the first to ask to row back to land. And Thor grew so
+wroth at the giant that he came near letting the hammer ring on his head
+straightway, but he restrained himself, for he intended to try his
+strength elsewhere. He asked Hymer what they were to have for bait, but
+Hymer replied that he would have to find his own bait. Then Thor turned
+away to where he saw a herd of oxen, that belonged to Hymer. He took the
+largest ox, which was called Himinbrjot, twisted his head off and
+brought it down to the sea-strand. Hymer had then shoved the boat off.
+Thor went on board and seated himself in the stern; he took two oars and
+rowed so that Hymer had to confess that the boat sped fast from his
+rowing. Hymer plied the oars in the bow, and thus the rowing soon ended.
+Then said Hymer that they had come to the place where he was wont to sit
+and catch flat-fish, but Thor said he would like to row much farther
+out, and so they made another swift pull. Then said Hymer that they had
+come so far out that it was dangerous to stay there, for the
+Midgard-serpent. Thor said he wished to row a while longer, and so he
+did; but Hymer was by no means in a happy mood. Thor took in the oars,
+got ready a very strong line, and the hook was neither less nor weaker.
+When he had put on the ox-head for bait, he cast it overboard and it
+sank to the bottom. It must be admitted that Thor now beguiled the
+Midgard-serpent not a whit less than Utgard-Loke mocked him when he was
+to lift the serpent with his hand. The Midgard-serpent took the ox-head
+into his mouth, whereby the hook entered his palate, but when the
+serpent perceived this he tugged so hard that both Thor’s hands were
+dashed against the gunwale. Now Thor became angry, assumed his asa-might
+and spurned so hard that both his feet went through the boat and he
+stood on the bottom of the sea. He pulled the serpent up to the gunwale;
+and in truth no one has ever seen a more terrible sight than when Thor
+whet his eyes on the serpent, and the latter stared at him and spouted
+venom. It is said that the giant Hymer changed hue and grew pale from
+fear when he saw the serpent and beheld the water flowing into the boat;
+but just at the moment when Thor grasped the hammer and lifted it in the
+air, the giant fumbled for his fishing-knife and cut off Thor’s line at
+the gunwale, whereby the serpent sank back into the sea. Thor threw the
+hammer after it, and it is even said that he struck off his head at the
+bottom, but I think the truth is that the Midgard-serpent still lives
+and lies in the ocean. Thor clenched his fist and gave the giant a box
+on the ear so that he fell backward into the sea, and he saw his heels
+last, but Thor waded ashore.
+
+    [Footnote 61: Called Ymer in the Younger Edda, but the Elder Edda
+    calls him Hymer.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+THE DEATH OF BALDER.
+
+
+50. Then asked Ganglere: Have there happened any other remarkable things
+among the asas? A great deed it was, forsooth, that Thor wrought on this
+journey. Har answered: Yes, indeed, there are tidings to be told that
+seemed of far greater importance to the asas. The beginning of this tale
+is, that Balder dreamed dreams great and dangerous to his life. When he
+told these dreams to the asas they took counsel together, and it was
+decided that they should seek peace for Balder against all kinds of
+harm. So Frigg exacted an oath from fire, water, iron and all kinds of
+metal, stones, earth, trees, sicknesses, beasts, birds and creeping
+things, that they should not hurt Balder. When this was done and made
+known, it became the pastime of Balder and the asas that he should stand
+up at their meetings while some of them should shoot at him, others
+should hew at him, while others should throw stones at him; but no
+matter what they did, no harm came to him, and this seemed to all a
+great honor. When Loke, Laufey’s son, saw this, it displeased him very
+much that Balder was not scathed. So he went to Frigg, in Fensal, having
+taken on himself the likeness of a woman. Frigg asked this woman whether
+she knew what the asas were doing at their meeting. She answered that
+all were shooting at Balder, but that he was not scathed thereby. Then
+said Frigg: Neither weapon nor tree can hurt Balder, I have taken an
+oath from them all. Then asked the woman: Have all things taken an oath
+to spare Balder? Frigg answered: West of Valhal there grows a little
+shrub that is called the mistletoe, that seemed to me too young to exact
+an oath from. Then the woman suddenly disappeared. Loke went and pulled
+up the mistletoe and proceeded to the meeting. Hoder stood far to one
+side in the ring of men, because he was blind. Loke addressed himself to
+him, and asked: Why do you not shoot at Balder? He answered: Because I
+do not see where he is, and furthermore I have no weapons. Then said
+Loke: Do like the others and show honor to Balder; I will show you where
+he stands; shoot at him with this wand. Hoder took the mistletoe and
+shot at Balder under the guidance of Loke. The dart pierced him and he
+fell dead to the ground. This is the greatest misfortune that has ever
+happened to gods and men. When Balder had fallen, the asas were struck
+speechless with horror, and their hands failed them to lay hold of the
+corpse. One looked at the other, and all were of one mind toward him who
+had done the deed, but being assembled in a holy peace-stead, no one
+could take vengeance. When the asas at length tried to speak, the
+wailing so choked their voices that one could not describe to the other
+his sorrow. Odin took this misfortune most to heart, since he best
+comprehended how great a loss and injury the fall of Balder was to the
+asas. When the gods came to their senses, Frigg spoke and asked who
+there might be among the asas who desired to win all her love and good
+will by riding the way to Hel and trying to find Balder, and offering
+Hel a ransom if she would allow Balder to return home again to Asgard.
+But he is called Hermod, the Nimble, Odin’s swain, who undertook this
+journey. Odin’s steed, Sleipner, was led forth. Hermod mounted him and
+galloped away.
+
+51. The asas took the corpse of Balder and brought it to the sea-shore.
+Hringhorn was the name of Balder’s ship, and it was the largest of all
+ships. The gods wanted to launch it and make Balder’s bale-fire thereon,
+but they could not move it. Then they sent to Jotunheim after the
+giantess whose name is Hyrrokken. She came riding on a wolf, and had
+twisted serpents for reins. When she alighted, Odin appointed four
+berserks to take care of her steed, but they were unable to hold him
+except by throwing him down on the ground. Hyrrokken went to the prow
+and launched the ship with one single push, but the motion was so
+violent that fire sprang from the underlaid rollers and all the earth
+shook. Then Thor became wroth, grasped his hammer, and would forthwith
+have crushed her skull, had not all the gods asked peace for her.
+Balder’s corpse was borne out on the ship; and when his wife, Nanna,
+daughter of Nep, saw this, her heart was broken with grief and she died.
+She was borne to the funeral-pile and cast on the fire. Thor stood by
+and hallowed the pile with Mjolner. Before his feet ran a dwarf, whose
+name is Lit. Him Thor kicked with his foot and dashed him into the fire,
+and he, too, was burned. But this funeral-pile was attended by many
+kinds of folk. First of all came Odin, accompanied by Frigg and the
+valkyries and his ravens. Frey came riding in his chariot drawn by the
+boar called Gullinburste or Slidrugtanne. Heimdal rode his steed
+Gulltop, and Freyja drove her cats. There was a large number of
+frost-giants and mountain-giants. Odin laid on the funeral-pile his gold
+ring, Draupner, which had the property of producing, every ninth night,
+eight gold rings of equal weight. Balder’s horse, fully caparisoned, was
+led to his master’s pile.
+
+52. But of Hermod it is to be told that he rode nine nights through deep
+and dark valleys, and did not see light until he came to the
+Gjallar-river and rode on the Gjallar-bridge, which is thatched with
+shining gold. Modgud is the name of the may who guards the bridge. She
+asked him for his name, and of what kin he was, saying that the day
+before there rode five fylkes (kingdoms, bands) of dead men over the
+bridge; but she added, it does not shake less under you alone, and you
+do not have the hue of dead men. Why do you ride the way to Hel? He
+answered: I am to ride to Hel to find Balder. Have you seen him pass
+this way? She answered that Balder had ridden over the Gjallar-bridge;
+adding: But downward and northward lies the way to Hel. Then Hermod rode
+on till he came to Hel’s gate. He alighted from his horse, drew the
+girths tighter, remounted him, clapped the spurs into him, and the horse
+leaped over the gate with so much force that he never touched it.
+Thereupon Hermod proceeded to the hall and alighted from his steed. He
+went in, and saw there sitting on the foremost seat his brother Balder.
+He tarried there over night. In the morning he asked Hel whether Balder
+might ride home with him, and told how great weeping there was among the
+asas. But Hel replied that it should now be tried whether Balder was so
+much beloved as was said. If all things, said she, both quick and dead,
+will weep for him, then he shall go back to the asas, but if anything
+refuses to shed tears, then he shall remain with Hel. Hermod arose, and
+Balder accompanied him out of the hall. He took the ring Draupner and
+sent it as a keepsake to Odin. Nanna sent Frigg a kerchief and other
+gifts, and to Fulla she sent a ring. Thereupon Hermod rode back and came
+to Asgard, where he reported the tidings he had seen and heard.
+
+53. Then the asas sent messengers over all the world, praying that
+Balder might be wept out of Hel’s power. All things did so,--men and
+beasts, the earth, stones, trees and all metals, just as you must have
+seen that these things weep when they come out of frost and into heat.
+When the messengers returned home and had done their errand well, they
+found a certain cave wherein sat a giantess (gygr = ogress) whose name
+was Thok. They requested her to weep Balder from Hel; but she answered:
+
+  Thok will weep
+  With dry tears
+  For Balder’s burial;
+  Neither in life nor in death
+  Gave he me gladness.
+  Let Hel keep what she has!
+
+It is generally believed that this Thok was Loke, Laufey’s son, who has
+wrought most evil among the asas.
+
+54. Then said Ganglere: A very great wrong did Loke perpetrate; first of
+all in causing Balder’s death, and next in standing in the way of his
+being loosed from Hel. Did he get no punishment for this misdeed? Har
+answered: Yes, he was repaid for this in a way that he will long
+remember. The gods became exceedingly wroth, as might be expected. So he
+ran away and hid himself in a rock. Here he built a house with four
+doors, so that he might keep an outlook on all sides. Oftentimes in the
+daytime he took on him the likeness of a salmon and concealed himself in
+Frananger Force. Then he thought to himself what stratagems the asas
+might have recourse to in order to catch him. Now, as he was sitting in
+his house, he took flax and yarn and worked them into meshes, in the
+manner that nets have since been made; but a fire was burning before
+him. Then he saw that the asas were not far distant. Odin had seen from
+Hlidskjalf where Loke kept himself. Loke immediately sprang up, cast the
+net on the fire and leaped into the river. When the asas came to the
+house, he entered first who was wisest of them all, and whose name was
+Kvaser; and when he saw in the fire the ashes of the net that had been
+burned, he understood that this must be a contrivance for catching fish,
+and this he told to the asas. Thereupon they took flax and made
+themselves a net after the pattern of that which they saw in the ashes
+and which Loke had made. When the net was made, the asas went to the
+river and cast it into the force. Thor held one end of the net, and all
+the other asas laid hold on the other, thus jointly drawing it along the
+stream. Loke went before it and laid himself down between two stones,
+so that they drew the net over him, although they perceived that some
+living thing touched the meshes. They went up to the force again and
+cast out the net a second time. This time they hung a great weight to
+it, making it so heavy that nothing could possibly pass under it. Loke
+swam before the net, but when he saw that he was near the sea he sprang
+over the top of the net and hastened back to the force. When the asas
+saw whither he went they proceeded up to the force, dividing themselves
+into two bands, but Thor waded in the middle of the stream, and so they
+dragged the net along to the sea. Loke saw that he now had only two
+chances of escape,--either to risk his life and swim out to sea, or to
+leap again over the net. He chose the latter, and made a tremendous leap
+over the top line of the net. Thor grasped after him and caught him, but
+he slipped in his hand so that Thor did not get a firm hold before he
+got to the tail, and this is the reason why the salmon has so slim a
+tail. Now Loke was taken without truce and was brought to a cave. The
+gods took three rocks and set them up on edge, and bored a hole through
+each rock. Then they took Loke’s sons, Vale and Nare or Narfe. Vale they
+changed into the likeness of a wolf, whereupon he tore his brother Narfe
+to pieces, with whose intestines the asas bound Loke over the three
+rocks. One stood under his shoulders, another under his loins, and the
+third under his hams, and the fetters became iron. Skade took a serpent
+and fastened up over him, so that the venom should drop from the serpent
+into his face. But Sigyn, his wife, stands by him, and holds a dish
+under the venom-drops. Whenever the dish becomes full, she goes and
+pours away the venom, and meanwhile the venom drops onto Loke’s face.
+Then he twists his body so violently that the whole earth shakes, and
+this you call earthquakes. There he will lie bound until Ragnarok.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+RAGNAROK.
+
+
+55. Then said Ganglere: What tidings are to be told of Ragnarok? Of this
+I have never heard before. Har answered: Great things are to be said
+thereof. First, there is a winter called the Fimbul-winter, when snow
+drives from all quarters, the frosts are so severe, the winds so keen
+and piercing, that there is no joy in the sun. There are three such
+winters in succession, without any intervening summer. But before these
+there are three other winters, during which great wars rage over all the
+world. Brothers slay each other for the sake of gain, and no one spares
+his father or mother in that manslaughter and adultery. Thus says the
+Vala’s Prophecy:
+
+  Brothers will fight together
+  And become each other’s bane;
+  Sisters’ children
+  Their sib shall spoil.[62]
+  Hard is the world,
+  Sensual sins grow huge.
+  There are ax-ages, sword-ages--
+  Shields are cleft in twain,--
+  There are wind-ages, wolf-ages,
+  Ere the world falls dead.[63]
+
+    [Footnote 62: Commit adultery.]
+
+    [Footnote 63: Elder Edda: The Vala’s Prophecy, 48, 49.]
+
+Then happens what will seem a great miracle, that the wolf[64] devours
+the sun, and this will seem a great loss. The other wolf will devour the
+moon, and this too will cause great mischief. The stars shall be Hurled
+from heaven. Then it shall come to pass that the earth and the mountains
+will shake so violently that trees will be torn up by the roots, the
+mountains will topple down, and all bonds and fetters will be broken and
+snapped. The Fenris-wolf gets loose. The sea rushes over the earth, for
+the Midgard-serpent writhes in giant rage and seeks to gain the land.
+The ship that is called Naglfar also becomes loose. It is made of the
+nails of dead men; wherefore it is worth warning that, when a man dies
+with unpared nails, he supplies a large amount of materials for the
+building of this ship, which both gods and men wish may be finished as
+late as possible. But in this flood Naglfar gets afloat. The giant Hrym
+is its steersman. The Fenris-wolf advances with wide open mouth; the
+upper jaw reaches to heaven and the lower jaw is on the earth. He would
+open it still wider had he room. Fire flashes from his eyes and
+nostrils. The Midgard-serpent vomits forth venom, defiling all the air
+and the sea; he is very terrible, and places himself by the side of the
+wolf. In the midst of this clash and din the heavens are rent in twain,
+and the sons of Muspel come riding through the opening. Surt rides
+first, and before him and after him flames burning fire. He has a very
+good sword, which shines brighter than the sun. As they ride over
+Bifrost it breaks to pieces, as has before been stated. The sons of
+Muspel direct their course to the plain which is called Vigrid. Thither
+repair also the Fenris-wolf and the Midgard-serpent. To this place have
+also come Loke and Hrym, and with him all the frost-giants. In Loke’s
+company are all the friends of Hel. The sons of Muspel have there
+effulgent bands alone by themselves. The plain Vigrid is one hundred
+miles (rasts) on each side.
+
+    [Footnote 64: Fenris-wolf.]
+
+56. While these things are happening, Heimdal stands up, blows with all
+his might in the Gjallar-horn and awakens all the gods, who thereupon
+hold counsel. Odin rides to Mimer’s well to ask advice of Mimer for
+himself and his folk. Then quivers the ash Ygdrasil, and all things in
+heaven and earth fear and tremble. The asas and the einherjes arm
+themselves and speed forth to the battle-field. Odin rides first; with
+his golden helmet, resplendent byrnie, and his spear Gungner, he
+advances against the Fenris-wolf. Thor stands by his side, but can give
+him no assistance, for he has his hands full in his struggle with the
+Midgard-serpent. Frey encounters Surt, and heavy blows are exchanged ere
+Frey falls. The cause of his death is that he has not that good sword
+which he gave to Skirner. Even the dog Garm, that was bound before the
+Gnipa-cave, gets loose. He is the greatest plague. He contends with Tyr,
+and they kill each other. Thor gets great renown by slaying the
+Midgard-serpent, but retreats only nine paces when he falls to the earth
+dead, poisoned by the venom that the serpent blows on him. The wolf
+swallows Odin, and thus causes his death; but Vidar immediately turns
+and rushes at the wolf, placing one foot on his nether jaw. On this foot
+he has the shoe for which materials have been gathering through all
+ages, namely, the strips of leather which men cut off for the toes and
+heels of shoes; wherefore he who wishes to render assistance to the asas
+must cast these strips away. With one hand Vidar seizes the upper jaw of
+the wolf, and thus rends asunder his mouth. Thus the wolf perishes. Loke
+fights with Heimdal, and they kill each other. Thereupon Surt flings
+fire over the earth and burns up all the world. Thus it is said in the
+Vala’s Prophecy:
+
+  Loud blows Heimdal
+  His uplifted horn.
+  Odin speaks
+  With Mimer’s head.
+  The straight-standing ash
+  Ygdrasil quivers,
+  The old tree groans,
+  And the giant gets loose.
+
+  How fare the asas?
+  How fare the elves?
+  All Jotunheim roars.
+  The asas hold counsel;
+  Before their stone-doors
+  Groan the dwarfs,
+  The guides of the wedge-rock.
+  Know you now more or not?
+
+  From the east drives Hrym,
+  Bears his shield before him.
+  Jormungand welters
+  In giant rage
+  And smites the waves.
+  The eagle screams,
+  And with pale beak tears corpses,
+  Naglfar gets loose.
+
+  A ship comes from the east,
+  The hosts of Muspel
+  Come o’er the main,
+  And Loke is steersman.
+  All the fell powers
+  Are with the wolf;
+  Along with them
+  Is Byleist’s brother.[65]
+
+  From the south comes Surt
+  With blazing fire-brand,--
+  The sun of the war-god
+  Shines from his sword.
+  Mountains dash together,
+  Giant maids are frightened,
+  Heroes go the way to Hel,
+  And heaven is rent in twain.
+
+  Then comes to Hlin
+  Another woe,
+  When Odin goes
+  With the wolf to fight,
+  And Bele’s bright slayer[66]
+  To contend with Surt.
+  There will fall
+  Frigg’s beloved.
+
+  Odin’s son goes
+  To fight with the wolf,
+  And Vidar goes on his way
+  To the wild beast.[67]
+  With his hand he thrusts
+  His sword to the heart
+  Of the giant’s child,
+  And avenges his father.
+
+  Then goes the famous
+  Son[68] of Hlodyn
+  To fight with the serpent.
+  Though about to die,
+  He fears not the contest;
+  All men
+  Abandon their homesteads
+  When the warder of Midgard
+  In wrath slays the serpent.
+
+  The sun grows dark,
+  The earth sinks into the sea,
+  The bright stars
+  From heaven vanish;
+  Fire rages,
+  Heat blazes,
+  And high flames play
+  ’Gainst heaven itself.[69]
+
+    [Footnote 65: Loke.]
+
+    [Footnote 66: Frey.]
+
+    [Footnote 67: The Fenris-wolf.]
+
+    [Footnote 68: Thor.]
+
+    [Footnote 69: Elder Edda: The Vala’s Prophecy, 50-52, 54-57, 59,
+    60, 62, 63.]
+
+And again it is said as follows:
+
+  Vigrid is the name of the plain
+  Where in fight shall meet
+  Surt and the gentle god.
+  A hundred miles
+  It is every way.
+  This field is marked out for them.[70]
+
+    [Footnote 70: Elder Edda: Vafthrudner’s Lay, 18.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+REGENERATION.
+
+
+57. Then asked Ganglere: What happens when heaven and earth and all the
+world are consumed in flames, and when all the gods and all the
+einherjes and all men are dead? You have already said that all men shall
+live in some world through all ages. Har answered: There are many good
+and many bad abodes. Best it is to be in Gimle, in heaven. Plenty is
+there of good drink for those who deem this a joy in the hall called
+Brimer. That is also in heaven. There is also an excellent hall which
+stands on the Nida mountains. It is built of red gold, and is called
+Sindre. In this hall good and well-minded men shall dwell. Nastrand is a
+large and terrible hall, and its doors open to the north. It is built of
+serpents wattled together, and all the heads of the serpents turn into
+the hall and vomit forth venom that flows in streams along the hall, and
+in these streams wade perjurers and murderers. So it is here said:
+
+  A hall I know standing
+  Far from the sun
+  On the strand of dead bodies.
+  Drops of venom
+  Fall through the loop-holes.
+  Of serpents’ backs
+  The hall is made.
+
+  There shall wade
+  Through heavy streams
+  Perjurers
+  And murderers.
+
+But in Hvergelmer it is worst.
+
+  There tortures Nidhug
+  The bodies of the dead.[71]
+
+    [Footnote 71: Elder Edda: The Vala’s Prophecy, 40, 41.]
+
+58. Then said Ganglere: Do any gods live then? Is there any earth or
+heaven? Har answered: The earth rises again from the sea, and is green
+and fair. The fields unsown produce their harvests. Vidar and Vale live.
+Neither the sea nor Surfs fire has harmed them, and they dwell on the
+plains of Ida, where Asgard was before. Thither come also the sons of
+Thor, Mode and Magne, and they have Mjolner. Then come Balder and Hoder
+from Hel. They all sit together and talk about the things that happened
+aforetime,--about the Midgard-serpent and the Fenris-wolf. They find in
+the grass those golden tables which the asas once had. Thus it is said:
+
+  Vidar and Vale
+  Dwell in the house of the gods,
+  When quenched is the fire of Surt.
+  Mode and Magne
+  Vingner’s Mjolner shall have
+  When the fight is ended.[72]
+
+    [Footnote 72: Elder Edda: Vafthrudner’s Lay, 51.]
+
+In a place called Hodmimer’s-holt[73] are concealed two persons during
+Surt’s fire, called Lif and Lifthraser. They feed on the morning dew.
+From these so numerous a race is descended that they fill the whole
+world with people, as is here said:
+
+  Lif and Lifthraser
+  Will lie hid
+  In Hodmimer’s-holt.
+  The morning dew
+  They have for food.
+  From them are the races descended.[74]
+
+    [Footnote 73: Holt = grove.]
+
+    [Footnote 74: Elder Edda: Vafthrudner’s Lay, 45.]
+
+But what will seem wonderful to you is that the sun has brought forth a
+daughter not less fair than herself, and she rides in the heavenly
+course of her mother, as is here said:
+
+  A daughter
+  Is born of the sun
+  Ere Fenrer takes her.
+  In her mother’s course
+  When the gods are dead
+  This maid shall ride.[75]
+
+    [Footnote 75: Elder Edda: Vafthrudner’s Lay, 47.]
+
+And if you now can ask more questions, said Har to Ganglere, I know not
+whence that power came to you. I have never heard any one tell further
+the fate of the world. Make now the best use you can of what has been
+told you.
+
+59. Then Ganglere heard a terrible noise on all sides, and when he
+looked about him he stood out-doors on a level plain. He saw neither
+hall nor burg. He went his way and came back to his kingdom, and told
+the tidings which he had seen and heard, and ever since those tidings
+have been handed down from man to man.
+
+
+
+
+AFTERWORD
+
+TO THE FOOLING OF GYLFE.
+
+
+The asas now sat down to talk, and held their counsel, and remembered
+all the tales that were told to Gylfe. They gave the very same names
+that had been named before to the men and places that were there. This
+they did for the reason that, when a long time has elapsed, men should
+not doubt that those asas of whom these tales were now told and those to
+whom the same names were given were all identical. There was one who is
+called Thor, and he is Asa-Thor, the old. He is Oku-Thor, and to him are
+ascribed the great deeds done by Hektor in Troy. But men think that the
+Turks have told of Ulysses, and have called him Loke, for the Turks were
+his greatest enemies.
+
+
+
+
+BRAGE’S TALK.
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+ÆGER’S JOURNEY TO ASGARD.
+
+
+1. A man by name Æger, or Hler, who dwelt on the island called Hler’s
+Isle, was well skilled in the black art. He made a journey to Asgard.
+But the asas knew of his coming and gave him a friendly reception; but
+they also made use of many sorts of delusions. In the evening, when the
+feast began, Odin had swords brought into the hall, and they were so
+bright that it glistened from them so that there was no need of any
+other light while they sat drinking. Then went the asas to their feast,
+and the twelve asas who were appointed judges seated themselves in their
+high-seats. These are their names: Thor, Njord, Frey, Tyr, Heimdal,
+Brage, Vidar, Vale, Uller, Honer, Forsete, Loke. The asynjes (goddesses)
+also were with them: Frigg, Freyja, Gefjun, Idun, Gerd, Sigyn, Fulla,
+Nanna. Æger thought all that he saw looked very grand. The panels of the
+walls were all covered with beautiful shields. The mead was very strong,
+and they drank deep. Next to Æger sat Brage, and they talked much
+together over their drink. Brage spoke to Æger of many things that had
+happened to the asas.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+IDUN AND HER APPLES.
+
+
+2. Brage began his tale by telling how three asas, Odin, Loke and Honer,
+went on a journey over mountains and heaths, where they could get
+nothing to eat. But when they came down into a valley they saw a herd of
+cattle. From this herd they took an ox and went to work to boil it. When
+they deemed that it must be boiled enough they uncovered the broth, but
+it was not yet done. After a little while they lifted the cover off
+again, but it was not yet boiled. They talked among themselves about how
+this could happen. Then they heard a voice in the oak above them, and he
+who sat there said that he was the cause that the broth did not get
+boiled. They looked up and saw an eagle, and it was not a small one.
+Then said the eagle: If you will give me my fill of the ox, then the
+broth will be boiled. They agreed to this. So he flew down from the
+tree, seated himself beside the boiling broth, and immediately snatched
+up first the two thighs of the ox and then both the shoulders. This made
+Loke wroth: he grasped a large pole, raised it with all his might and
+dashed it at the body of the eagle. The eagle shook himself after the
+blow and flew up. One end of the pole fastened itself to the body of the
+eagle, and the other end stuck to Loke’s hands. The eagle flew just high
+enough so that Loke’s feet were dragged over stones and rocks and trees,
+and it seemed to him that his arms would be torn from his
+shoulder-blades. He calls and prays the eagle most earnestly for peace,
+but the latter declares that Loke shall never get free unless he will
+pledge himself to bring Idun and her apples out of Asgard. When Loke had
+promised this, he was set free and went to his companions again; and no
+more is related of this journey, except that they returned home. But at
+the time agreed upon, Loke coaxed Idun out of Asgard into a forest,
+saying that he had found apples that she would think very nice, and he
+requested her to take with her her own apples in order to compare them.
+Then came the giant Thjasse in the guise of an eagle, seized Idun and
+flew away with her to his home in Thrymheim. The asas were ill at ease
+on account of the disappearance of Idun,--they became gray-haired and
+old. They met in council and asked each other who last had seen Idun.
+The last that had been seen of her was that she had gone out of Asgard
+in company with Loke. Then Loke was seized and brought into the council,
+and he was threatened with death or torture. But he became frightened,
+and promised to bring Idun back from Jotunheim if Freyja would lend him
+the falcon-guise that she had. He got the falcon-guise, flew north into
+Jotunheim, and came one day to the giant Thjasse. The giant had rowed
+out to sea, and Idun was at home alone. Loke turned her into the
+likeness of a nut, held her in his claws and flew with all his might.
+But when Thjasse returned home and missed Idun, he took on his
+eagle-guise, flew after Loke, gaining on the latter with his eagle
+wings. When the asas saw the falcon coming flying with the nut, and how
+the eagle flew, they went to the walls of Asgard and brought with them
+bundles of plane-shavings. When the falcon flew within the burg, he let
+himself drop down beside the burg-wall. Then the asas kindled a fire in
+the shavings; and the eagle, being unable to stop himself when he missed
+the falcon, caught fire in his feathers, so that he could not fly any
+farther. The asas were on hand and slew the giant Thjasse within the
+gates of Asgard, and that slaughter is most famous.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+HOW NJORD GOT SKADE TO WIFE.
+
+
+Skade, the daughter of the giant Thjasse, donned her helmet, and byrnie,
+and all her war-gear, and betook herself to Asgard to avenge her
+father’s death. The asas offered her ransom and atonement; and it was
+agreed to, in the first place, that she should choose herself a husband
+among the asas, but she was to make her choice by the feet, which was
+all she was to see of their persons. She saw one man’s feet that were
+wonderfully beautiful, and exclaimed: This one I choose! On Balder there
+are few blemishes. But it was Njord, from Noatun. In the second place,
+it was stipulated that the asas were to do what she did not deem them
+capable of, and that was to make her laugh. Then Loke tied one end of a
+string fast to the beard of a goat and the other around his own body,
+and one pulled this way and the other that, and both of them shrieked
+out loud. Then Loke let himself fall on Skade’s knees, and this made her
+laugh. It is said that Odin did even more than was asked, in that he
+took Thjasse’s eyes and cast them up into heaven, and made two stars of
+them. Then said Æger: This Thjasse seems to me to have been considerable
+of a man; of what kin was he? Brage answered: His father’s name was
+Olvalde, and if I told you of him, you would deem it very remarkable.
+He was very rich in gold, and when he died and his sons were to divide
+their heritage, they had this way of measuring the gold, that each
+should take his mouthful of gold, and they should all take the same
+number of mouthfuls. One of them was Thjasse, another Ide, and the third
+Gang. But we now have it as a saw among us, that we call gold the
+mouth-number of these giants. In runes and songs we wrap the gold up by
+calling it the measure, or word, or tale, of these giants. Then said
+Æger: It seems to me that it will be well hidden in the runes.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+THE ORIGIN OF POETRY.
+
+
+3. And again said Æger: Whence originated the art that is called
+skaldship? Made answer Brage: The beginning of this was, that the gods
+had a war with the people that are called vans. They agreed to hold a
+meeting for the purpose of making peace, and settled their dispute in
+this wise, that they both went to a jar and spit into it. But at parting
+the gods, being unwilling to let this mark of peace perish, shaped it
+into a man whose name was Kvaser, and who was so wise that no one could
+ask him any question that he could not answer. He traveled much about in
+the world to teach men wisdom. Once he came to the home of the dwarfs
+Fjalar and Galar. They called him aside, saying they wished to speak
+with him alone, slew him and let his blood run into two jars called Son
+and Bodn, and into a kettle called Odrarer. They mixed honey with the
+blood, and thus was produced such mead that whoever drinks from it
+becomes a skald and sage. The dwarfs told the asas that Kvaser had
+choked in his wisdom, because no one was so wise that he could ask him
+enough about learning.
+
+4. Then the dwarfs invited to themselves the giant whose name is
+Gilling, and his wife; and when he came they asked him to row out to sea
+with them. When they had gotten a short distance from shore, the dwarfs
+rowed onto a blind rock and capsized the boat. Gilling, who was unable
+to swim, was drowned, but the dwarfs righted the boat again and rowed
+ashore. When they told of this mishap to his wife she took it much to
+heart, and began to cry aloud. Then Fjalar asked her whether it would
+not lighten her sorrow if she could look out upon the sea where her
+husband had perished, and she said it would. He then said to his brother
+Galar that he should go up over the doorway, and as she passed out he
+should let a mill-stone drop onto her head, for he said he was tired of
+her bawling, Galar did so. When the giant Suttung, the son of Gilling,
+found this out he came and seized the dwarfs, took them out to sea and
+left them on a rocky island, which was flooded at high tide. They prayed
+Suttung to spare their lives, and offered him in atonement for their
+father’s blood the precious mead, which he accepted. Suttung brought the
+mead home with him, and hid it in a place called Hnitbjorg. He set his
+daughter Gunlad to guard it. For these reasons we call songship Kvaser’s
+blood; the drink of the dwarfs; the dwarfs’ fill; some kind of liquor of
+Odrarer, or Bodn or Son; the ship of the dwarfs (because this mead
+ransomed their lives from the rocky isle); the mead of Suttung, or the
+liquor of Hnitbjorg.
+
+5. Then remarked Æger: It seems dark to me to call songship by these
+names; but how came the asas by Suttung’s mead? Answered Brage: The saga
+about this is, that Odin set out from home and came to a place where
+nine thralls were mowing hay. He asked them whether they would like to
+have him whet their scythes. To this they said yes. Then he took a
+whet-stone from his belt and whetted the scythes. They thought their
+scythes were much improved, and asked whether the whet-stone was for
+sale. He answered that he who would buy it must pay a fair price for it.
+All said they were willing to give the sum demanded, and each wanted
+Odin to sell it to him. But he threw the whet-stone up in the air, and
+when all wished to catch it they scrambled about it in such a manner
+that each brought his scythe onto the other’s neck. Odin sought lodgings
+for the night at the house of the giant Bauge, who was a brother of
+Suttung. Bauge complained of what had happened to his household, saying
+that his nine thralls had slain each other, and that he did not know
+where he should get other workmen. Odin called himself Bolverk. He
+offered to undertake the work of the nine men for Bauge, but asked in
+payment therefor a drink of Suttung’s mead. Bauge answered that he had
+no control over the mead, saying that Suttung was bound to keep that for
+himself alone. But he agreed to go with Bolverk and try whether they
+could get the mead. During the summer Bolverk did the work of the nine
+men for Bauge, but when winter came he asked for his pay. Then they both
+went to Suttung. Bauge explained to Suttung his bargain with Bolverk,
+but Suttung stoutly refused to give even a drop of the mead. Bolverk
+then proposed to Bauge that they should try whether they could not get
+at the mead by the aid of some trick, and Bauge agreed to this. Then
+Bolverk drew forth the auger which is called Rate, and requested Bauge
+to bore a hole through the rock, if the auger was sharp enough. He did
+so. Then said Bauge that there was a hole through the rock; but Bolverk
+blowed into the hole that the auger had made, and the chips flew back
+into his face. Thus he saw that Bauge intended to deceive him, and
+commanded him to bore through. Bauge bored again, and when Bolverk blew
+a second time the chips flew inward. Now Bolverk changed himself into
+the likeness of a serpent and crept into the auger-hole. Bauge thrust
+after him with the auger, but missed him. Bolverk went to where Gunlad
+was, and shared her couch for three nights. She then promised to give
+him three draughts from the mead. With the first draught he emptied
+Odrarer, in the second Bodn, and in the third Son, and thus he had all
+the mead. Then he took on the guise of an eagle, and flew off as fast as
+he could. When Suttung saw the flight of the eagle, he also took on the
+shape of an eagle and flew after him. When the asas saw Odin coming,
+they set their jars out in the yard. When Odin reached Asgard, he spewed
+the mead up into the jars. He was, however, so near being caught by
+Suttung, that he sent some of the mead after him backward, and as no
+care was taken of this, anybody that wished might have it. This we call
+the share of poetasters. But Suttung’s mead Odin gave to the asas and to
+those men who are able to make verses. Hence we call songship Odin’s
+prey, Odin’s find, Odin’s drink, Odin’s gift, and the drink of the asas.
+
+6. Then said Æger: In how many ways do you vary the poetical
+expressions, or how many kinds of poetry are there? Answered Brage:
+There are two kinds, and all poetry falls into one or the other of these
+classes. Æger asks: Which two? Brage answers: Diction and meter. What
+diction is used in poetry? There are three sorts of poetic diction.
+Which? One is to name everything by its own name; another is to name it
+with a pronoun, but the third sort of diction is called _kenning_ (a
+poetical periphrasis or descriptive name); and this sort is so managed
+that when we name Odin, or Thor or Tyr, or any other of the asas or
+elves, we add to their name a reference to some other asa, or we make
+mention of some of his works. Then the appellation belongs to him who
+corresponds to the whole phrase, and not to him who was actually named.
+Thus we speak of Odin as Sigtyr, Hangatyr or Farmatyr, and such names we
+call simple appellatives. In the same manner he is called Reidartyr.
+
+
+
+
+AFTERWORD
+
+TO BRAGE’S TALK.
+
+
+Now it is to be said to young skalds who are desirous of acquiring the
+diction of poetry, or of increasing their store of words with old names,
+or, on the other hand, are eager to understand what is obscurely sung,
+that they must master this book for their instruction and pastime. These
+sagas are not to be so forgotten or disproved as to take away from
+poetry old periphrases which great skalds have been pleased with. But
+christian men should not believe in heathen gods, nor in the truth of
+these sagas, otherwise than is explained in the beginning of this book,
+where the events are explained which led men away from the true faith,
+and where it, in the next place, is told of the Turks how the men from
+Asia, who are called asas, falsified the tales of the things that
+happened in Troy, in order that the people should believe them to be
+gods.
+
+King Priam in Troy was a great chief over all the Turkish host, and his
+sons were the most distinguished men in his whole army. That excellent
+hall, which the asas called Brime’s Hall, or beer-hall, was King Priam’s
+palace. As for the long tale that they tell of Ragnarok, that is the
+wars of the Trojans. When it is said that Oku-Thor angled with an
+ox-head and drew on board the Midgard-serpent, but that the serpent kept
+his life and sank back into the sea, then this is another version of the
+story that Hektor slew Volukrontes, a famous hero, in the presence of
+Achilleus, and so drew the latter onto him with the head of the slain,
+which they likened unto the head of an ox, which Oku-Thor had torn off.
+When Achilleus was drawn into this danger, on account of his daring,
+it was the salvation of his life that he fled from the fatal blows of
+Hektor, although he was wounded. It is also said that Hektor waged the
+war so mightily, and that his rage was so great when he caught sight of
+Achilleus, that nothing was so strong that it could stand before him.
+When he missed Achilleus, who had fled, he soothed his wrath by slaying
+the champion called Roddros. But the asas say that when Oku-Thor missed
+the serpent, he slew the giant Hymer. In Ragnarok the Midgard serpent
+came suddenly upon Thor and blew venom onto him, and thus struck him
+dead. But the asas could not make up their minds to say that this had
+been the fate of Oku-Thor, that anyone stood over him dead, though this
+had so happened. They rushed headlong over old sagas more than was true
+when they said that the Midgard-serpent there got his death; and they
+added this to the story, that Achilleus reaped the fame of Hektor’s
+death, though he lay dead on the same battle-field on that account. This
+was the work of Elenus and Alexander, and Elenus the asas call Ale. They
+say that he avenged his brother, and that he lived when all the gods
+were dead, and after the fire was quenched that burned up Asgard and all
+the possessions of the gods. Pyrrhos they compared with the Fenris-wolf.
+He slew Odin, and Pyrrhos might be called a wolf according to their
+belief, for he did not spare the peace-steads, when he slew the king in
+the temple before the altar of Thor. The burning of Troy they call the
+flame of Surt. Mode and Magne, the sons of Oku-Thor, came to crave the
+land of Ale or Vidar. He is Æneas. He came away from Troy, and wrought
+thereupon great works. It is said that the sons of Hektor came to
+Frigialand and established themselves in that kingdom, but banished
+Elenus.
+
+
+
+
+EXTRACTS FROM
+
+THE POETICAL DICTION.
+
+(SKALDSKAPARMAL.)[76]
+
+    [Footnote 76: This part of the Younger Edda corresponds to the
+    Latin Ars Poetica, and contains the rules and laws of ancient
+    poetry.]
+
+
+THOR AND HRUNGNER.
+
+Brage told Æger that Thor had gone eastward to crush trolls. Odin rode
+on his horse Sleipner to Jotunheim, and came to the giant whose name is
+Hrungner. Then asked Hrungner what man that was who with a golden helmet
+rode both through the air and over the sea, and added that he had a
+remarkably good horse. Odin said that he would wager his head that so
+good a horse could not be found in Jotunheim. Hrungner admitted that it
+was indeed an excellent horse, but he had one, called Goldfax, that
+could take much longer paces; and in his wrath he immediately sprang
+upon his horse and galloped after Odin, intending to pay him for his
+insolence. Odin rode so fast that he was a good distance ahead, but
+Hrungner had worked himself into such a giant rage that, before he was
+aware of it, he had come within the gates of Asgard. When he came to the
+hall door, the asas invited him to drink with them. He entered the hall
+and requested a drink. They then took the bowls that Thor was accustomed
+to drink from, and Hrungner emptied them all. When he became drunk, he
+gave the freest vent to his loud boastings. He said he was going to take
+Valhal and move it to Jotunheim, demolish Asgard and kill all the gods
+except Freyja and Sif, whom he was going to take home with him. When
+Freyja went forward to refill the bowls for him, he boasted that he was
+going to drink up all the ale of the asas. But when the asas grew weary
+of his arrogance, they named Thor’s name. At once Thor was in the hall,
+swung his hammer in the air, and, being exceedingly wroth, asked who was
+to blame that dog-wise giants were permitted to drink there, who had
+given Hrungner permission to be in Valhal, and why Freyja should pour
+ale for him as she did in the feasts of the asas. Then answered
+Hrungner, looking with anything but friendly eyes at Thor, and said that
+Odin had invited him to drink, and that he was there under his
+protection. Thor replied that he should come to rue that invitation
+before he came out. Hrungner again answered that it would be but little
+credit to Asa-Thor to kill him, unarmed as he was. It would be a greater
+proof of his valor if he dared fight a duel with him at the boundaries
+of his territory, at Grjottungard. It was very foolish of me, he said,
+that I left my shield and my flint-stone at home; had I my weapons here,
+you and I would try a holmgang (duel on a rocky island); but as this is
+not the case, I declare you a coward if you kill me unarmed. Thor was by
+no means the man to refuse to fight a duel when he was challenged, an
+honor which never had been shown him before. Then Hrungner went his way,
+and hastened with all his might back to Jotunheim. His journey became
+famous among the giants, and the proposed meeting with Thor was much
+talked of. They regarded it very important who should gain the victory,
+and they feared the worst from Thor if Hrungner should be defeated, for
+he was the strongest among them. Thereupon the giants made at
+Grjottungard a man of clay, who was nine rasts tall and three rasts
+broad under the arms, but being unable to find a heart large enough to
+be suitable for him, they took the heart from a mare, but even this
+fluttered and trembled when Thor came. Hrungner had, as is well known,
+a heart of stone, sharp and three-sided; just as the rune has since been
+risted that is called Hrungner’s heart. Even his head was of stone. His
+shield was of stone, and was broad and thick, and he was holding this
+shield before him as he stood at Grjottungard waiting for Thor. His
+weapon was a flint-stone, which he swung over his shoulders, and
+altogether he presented a most formidable aspect. On one side of him
+stood the giant of clay, who was named Mokkerkalfe. He was so
+exceedingly terrified, that it is said that he wet himself when he saw
+Thor. Thor proceeded to the duel, and Thjalfe was with him. Thjalfe ran
+forward to where Hrungner was standing, and said to him: You stand illy
+guarded, giant; you hold the shield before you, but Thor has seen you;
+he goes down into the earth and will attack you from below. Then
+Hrungner thrust the shield under his feet and stood on it, but the
+flint-stone he seized with both his hands. The next that he saw were
+flashes of lightning, and he heard loud crashings; and then he saw Thor
+in his asa-might advancing with impetuous speed, swinging his hammer and
+hurling it from afar at Hrungner. Hrungner seized the flint-stone with
+both his hands and threw it against the hammer. They met in the air, and
+the flint-stone broke. One part fell to the earth, and from it have come
+the flint-mountains; the other part hit Thor’s head with such force that
+he fell forward to the ground. But the hammer Mjolner hit Hrungner right
+in the head, and crushed his skull in small pieces. He himself fell
+forward over Thor, so that his foot lay upon Thor’s neck. Meanwhile
+Thjalfe attacked Mokkerkalfe, who fell with but little honor. Then
+Thjalfe went to Thor and was to take Hrungner’s foot off from him, but
+he had not the strength to do it. When the asas learned that Thor had
+fallen, they all came to take the giant’s foot off, but none of them was
+able to move it. Then came Magne, the son of Thor and Jarnsaxa. He was
+only three nights of age. He threw Hrungner’s foot off Thor, and said It
+was a great mishap, father, that I came so late. I think I could have
+slain this giant with my fist, had I met him. Then Thor arose, greeted
+his son lovingly, saying that he would become great and powerful; and,
+added he, I will give you the horse Goldfax, that belonged to Hrungner.
+Odin said that Thor did wrong in giving so fine a horse to the son of a
+giantess, instead of to his father. Thor went home to Thrudvang, but the
+flint-stone still stuck fast in his head. Then came the vala whose name
+is Groa, the wife of Orvandel the Bold. She sang her magic songs over
+Thor until the flint-stone became loose. But when Thor perceived this,
+and was just expecting that the flint-stone would disappear, he desired
+to reward Groa for her healing, and make her heart glad. So he related
+to her how he had waded from the north over the Elivogs rivers, and had
+borne in a basket on his back Orvandel from Jotunheim; and in evidence
+of this he told her how that one toe of his had protruded from the
+basket and had frozen, wherefore Thor had broken it off and had cast it
+up into the sky, and made of it the star which is called Orvandel’s toe.
+Finally he added that it would not be long before Orvandel would come
+home. But Groa became so glad that she forgot her magic songs, and so
+the flint-stone became no looser than it was, and it sticks fast in
+Thor’s head yet. For this reason it is forbidden to throw a flint-stone
+across the floor, for then the stone in Thor’s head is moved. Out of
+this saga Thjodolf of Hvin has made a song:
+
+  We have ample evidence
+  Of the giant-terrifier’s[77] journey
+  To Grjottungard, to the giant Hrungner,
+  In the midst of encircling flames.
+  The courage waxed high in Meile’s brother;[78]
+  The moon-way trembled
+  When Jord’s son[79] went
+  To the steel-gloved contest.
+
+  The heavens stood all in flames
+  For Uller’s step-father,[80]
+  And the earth rocked.
+  Svolne’s[81] widow[82] burst asunder
+  When the span of goats
+  Drew the sublime chariot
+  And its divine master
+  To the meeting with Hrungner.
+
+  Balder’s brother[83] did not tremble
+  Before the greedy fiend of men;
+  Mountains quaked and rocks broke;
+  The heavens were wrapped in flames.
+  Much did the giant
+  Get frightened, I learn,
+  When his bane man he saw
+  Ready to slay him.
+
+  Swiftly the gray shield flew
+  ’Neath the heels of the giant.
+  So the gods willed it,
+  So willed it the valkyries.
+  Hrungner the giant,
+  Eager for slaughter,
+  Needed not long to wait for blows
+  From the valiant friend of the hammer.
+
+  The slayer[84] of Bele’s evil race
+  Made fall the bear of the loud-roaring mountain;[85]
+  On his shield
+  Bite the dust
+  Must the giant
+  Before the sharp-edged hammer,
+  When the giant-crusher
+  Stood against the mighty Hrungner,
+
+  And the flint-stone
+  (So hard to break)
+  Of the friend of the troll-women
+  Into the skull did whiz
+  Of Jord’s son,[86]
+  And this flinty piece
+  Fast did stick
+  In Eindride’s[87] blood;
+
+  Until Orvandel’s wife,
+  Magic songs singing,
+  From the head of Thor
+  Removed the giant’s
+  Excellent flint-stone.
+  All do I know
+  About that shield-journey.
+  A shield adorned
+  With hues most splendid
+  I received from Thorleif.
+
+    [Footnote 77: Thor’s.]
+
+    [Footnote 78: Thor.]
+
+    [Footnote 79: Jord’s (= earth’s) son = Thor.]
+
+    [Footnote 80: Thor.]
+
+    [Footnote 81: Odin’s.]
+
+    [Footnote 82: The earth.]
+
+    [Footnote 83: Thor.]
+
+    [Footnote 84: Thor.]
+
+    [Footnote 85: The giant Hrungner.]
+
+    [Footnote 86: Thor.]
+
+    [Footnote 87: Thor’s.]
+
+
+THOR’S JOURNEY TO GEIRROD’S.
+
+Then said Æger: Much of a man, it seems to me, was that Hrungner. Has
+Thor accomplished any other great deeds in his intercourse with trolls
+(giants)? Then answered Brage: It is worth giving a full account of how
+Thor made a journey to Geirrodsgard. He had with him neither the hammer
+Mjolner, nor his belt of strength, Megingjard, nor his steel gloves; and
+that was Loke’s fault,--he was with him. For it had happened to Loke,
+when he once flew out to amuse himself in Frigg’s falcon-guise, that he,
+out of curiosity, flew into Geirrodsgard, where he saw a large hall. He
+sat down and looked in through the window, but Geirrod discovered him,
+and ordered the bird to be caught and brought to him. The servant had
+hard work to climb up the wall of the hall, so high was it. It amused
+Loke that it gave the servant so much trouble to get at him, and he
+thought it would be time enough to fly away when he had gotten over the
+worst. When the latter now caught at him, Loke spread his wings and
+spurned with his feet, but these were fast, and so Loke was caught and
+brought to the giant. When the latter saw his eyes he suspected that it
+was a man. He put questions to him and bade him answer, but Loke refused
+to speak. Then Geirrod locked him down in a chest, and starved him for
+three months; and when Geirrod finally took him up again, and asked him
+to speak, Loke confessed who he was, and to save his life he swore an
+oath to Geirrod that he would get Thor to come to Geirrodsgard without
+his hammer or his belt of strength.
+
+On his way Thor visited the giantess whose name is Grid. She was the
+mother of Vidar the Silent. She told Thor the truth concerning Geirrod,
+that he was a dog-wise and dangerous giant; and she lent him her own
+belt of strength and steel gloves, and her staff, which is called
+Gridarvol. Then went Thor to the river which is called Vimer, and which
+is the largest of all rivers. He buckled on the belt of strength and
+stemmed the wild torrent with Gridarvol, but Loke held himself fast in
+Megingjard. When Thor had come into the middle of the stream, the river
+waxed so greatly that the waves dashed over his shoulders. Then quoth
+Thor:
+
+  Wax not Vimer,
+  Since I intend to wade
+  To the gards of giants.
+  Know, if you wax,
+  Then waxes my asa-might
+  As high, as the heavens.
+
+Then Thor looked up and saw in a cleft Gjalp, the daughter of Geirrod,
+standing on both sides of the stream, and causing its growth. Then took
+he up out of the river a huge stone and threw at her, saying: At its
+source the stream must be stemmed.[88] He was not wont to miss his mark.
+At the same time he reached the river bank and got hold of a shrub, and
+so he got out of the river. Hence comes the adage that _a shrub saved
+Thor_.[89] When Thor came to Geirrod, he and his companion were shown to
+the guest-room, where lodgings were given them, but there was but one
+seat, and on that Thor sat down. Then he became aware that the seat was
+raised under him toward the roof. He put the Gridarvol against the
+rafters, and pressed himself down against the seat. Then was heard a
+great crash, which was followed by a loud screaming. Under the seat were
+Geirrod’s daughters, Gjalp and Greip, and he had broken the backs of
+both of them. Then quoth Thor:
+
+  Once I employed
+  My asa-might
+  In the gards of the giants.
+  When Gjalp and Greip,
+  Geirrod’s daughters,
+  Wanted to lift me to heaven.
+
+    [Footnote 88: Icelandic proverb.]
+
+    [Footnote 89: Icelandic proverb.]
+
+Then Geirrod had Thor invited into the hall to the games. Large fires
+burned along the whole length of the hall. When Thor came into the hall,
+and stood opposite Geirrod, the latter seized with a pair of tongs a
+red-hot iron wedge and threw it at Thor. But he caught it with his steel
+gloves, and lifted it up in the air. Geirrod sprang behind an iron post
+to guard himself. But Thor threw the wedge with so great force that it
+struck through the post, through Geirrod, through the wall, and then
+went out and into the ground. From this saga, Eilif, son of Gudrun, made
+the following song, called Thor’s Drapa:
+
+  The Midgard-serpent’s father exhorted
+  Thor, the victor of giants,
+  To set out from home.
+  A great liar was Loke.
+  Not quite confident,
+  The companion of the war-god
+  Declared green paths to lie
+  To the gard of Geirrod.
+
+  Thor did not long let Loke
+  Invite him to the arduous journey.
+  They were eager to crush
+  Thorn’s descendants.
+  When he, who is wont to swing Megingjard,
+  Once set out from Odin’s home
+  To visit Ymer’s children in Gandvik,
+
+  The giantess Gjalp,
+  Perjured Geirrod’s daughter,
+  Sooner got ready magic to use
+  Than the god of war and Loke.
+  A song I recite.
+  Those gods noxious to the giants
+  Planted their feet
+  In Endil’s land,
+
+  And the men wont to battle
+  Went forth.
+  The message of death
+  Came of the moon-devourer’s women,
+  When the cunning and wrathful
+  Conqueror of Loke
+  Challenged to a contest
+  The giantess.
+
+  And the troll-woman’s disgracer
+  Waded across the roaring stream,--
+  Rolling full of drenched snow over its banks.
+  He who puts giants to flight
+  Rapidly advanced
+  O’er the broad watery way,
+  Where the noisy stream’s
+  Venom belched forth.
+
+  Thor and his companions
+  Put before him the staff;
+  Thereon he rested
+  Whilst over they waded:
+  Nor sleep did the stones,--
+  The sonorous staff striking the rapid wave
+  Made the river-bed ring,--
+  The mountain-torrent rang with stones.
+
+  The wearer of Megingjard
+  Saw the flood fall
+  On his hard-waxed shoulders:
+  He could do no better.
+  The destroyer of troll-children
+  Let his neck-strength
+  Wax heaven high,
+  Till the mighty stream should diminish.
+
+  But the warriors,
+  The oath-bound protectors of Asgard,--
+  The experienced vikings,--
+  Waded fast and the stream sped on.
+  Thou god of the bow!
+  The billows
+  Blown by the mountain-storm
+  Powerfully rushed
+  Over Thor’s shoulders.
+
+  Thjalfe and his companion,
+  With their heads above water,
+  Got over the river,--
+  To Thor’s belt they clung.
+  Their strength was tested,--
+  Geirrod’s daughters made hard the stream
+  For the iron rod.
+  Angry fared Thor with the Gridarvol.
+
+  Nor did courage fail
+  Those foes of the giant
+  In the seething vortex.
+  Those sworn companions
+  Regarded a brave heart
+  Better than gold.
+  Neither Thor’s nor Thjalfe’s heart
+  From fear did tremble.
+
+  And the war companions--
+  Weapons despising--
+  ’Mong the giants made havoc,
+  Until, O woman!
+  The giant destroyers
+  The conflict of helmets
+  With the warlike race
+  Did commence.
+
+  The giants of Iva’s[90] capes
+  Made a rush with Geirrod;
+  The foes of the cold Svithiod
+  Took to flight.
+  Geirrod’s giants
+  Had to succumb
+  When the lightning wielder’s[91] kinsmen
+  Closely pursued them.
+
+  Wailing was ’mongst the cave-dwellers
+  When the giants,
+  With warlike spirit endowed,
+  Went forward.
+  There was war.
+  The slayer of troll-women,
+  By foes surrounded,
+  The giant’s hard head hit.
+
+  With violent pressure
+  Were pressed the vast eyes
+  Of Gjalp and Greip
+  Against the high roof.
+  The fire-chariot’s driver
+  The old backs broke
+  Of both these maids
+  For the cave-woman.
+
+  The man of the rocky way
+  But scanty knowledge got;
+  Nor able were the giants
+  To enjoy perfect gladness.
+  Thou man of the bow-string!
+  The dwarf’s kinsman
+  An iron beam, in the forge heated,
+  Threw against Odin’s dear son.
+
+  But the battle-hastener,
+  Freyja’s old friend,
+  With swift hands caught
+  In the air the beam
+  As it flew from the hands
+  Of the father of Greip,--
+  His breast with anger swollen
+  Against Thruda’s[92] father.
+
+  Geirrod’s hall trembled
+  When he struck,
+  With his broad head,
+  ’Gainst the old column of the house-wall.
+  Uller’s splendid flatterer
+  Swung the iron beam
+  Straight ’gainst the head
+  Of the knavish giant.
+
+  The crusher of the hall-wont troll-women
+  A splendid victory won
+  Over Glam’s descendants;
+  With gory hammer fared Thor.
+  Gridarvol-staff,
+  Which made disaster
+  ’Mong Geirrod’s companion,
+  Was not used ’gainst that giant himself.
+
+  The much worshiped thunderer,
+  With all his might, slew
+  The dwellers in Alfheim
+  With that little willow-twig,
+  And no shield
+  Was able to resist
+  The strong age-diminisher
+  Of the mountain-king.
+
+    [Footnote 90: A river in Jotunheim.]
+
+    [Footnote 91: Thor’s kinsmen = the asas.]
+
+    [Footnote 92: Thruda was a daughter of Thor and Sif.]
+
+
+IDUN.
+
+How shall Idun be named? She is called the wife of Brage, the keeper of
+the apples; but the apples are called the medicine to bar old age
+(ellilyf, elixir vitæ). She is also called the booty of the giant
+Thjasse, according to what has before been said concerning how he took
+her away from the asas. From this saga Thjodolf, of Hvin, composed the
+following song in his Haustlong:
+
+  How shall the tongue
+  Pay an ample reward
+  For the sonorous shield
+  Which I received from Thorleif,
+  Foremost ’mong soldiers?
+  On the splendidly made shield
+  I see the unsafe journey
+  Of three gods and Thjasse.
+
+  Idun’s robber flew long ago
+  The asas to meet
+  In the giant’s old eagle-guise.
+  The eagle perched
+  Where the asas bore
+  Their food to be cooked.
+  Ye women! The mountain-giant
+  Was not wont to be timid.
+
+  Suspected of malice
+  Was the giant toward the gods.
+  Who causes this?
+  Said the chief of the gods.
+  The wise-worded giant-eagle
+  From the old tree began to speak.
+  The friend of Honer
+  Was not friendly to him.
+
+  The mountain-wolf from Honer
+  Asked for his fill
+  From the holy table:
+  It fell to Honer to blow the fire.
+  The giant, eager to kill,
+  Glided down
+  Where the unsuspecting gods,
+  Odin, Loke and Honer, were sitting.
+
+  The fair lord of the earth
+  Bade Farbaute’s son
+  Quickly to share
+  The ox with the giant;
+  But the cunning foe of the asas
+  Thereupon laid
+  The four parts of the ox
+  Upon the broad table.
+
+  And the huge father of Morn[93]
+  Afterward greedily ate
+  The ox at the tree-root.
+  That was long ago,
+  Until the profound
+  Loke the hard rod laid
+  ’Twixt the shoulders
+  Of the giant Thjasse.
+
+  Then clung with his hands
+  The husband of Sigyn
+  To Skade’s foster-son,
+  In the presence of all the gods.
+  The pole stuck fast
+  To Jotunheim’s strong fascinator,
+  But the hands of Honer’s dear friend
+  Stuck to the other end.
+
+  Flew then with the wise god
+  The voracious bird of prey
+  Far away; so the wolf’s father
+  To pieces must be torn.
+  Odin’s friend got exhausted.
+  Heavy grew Lopt.
+  Odin’s companion
+  Must sue for peace.
+
+  Hymer’s kinsman demanded
+  That the leader of hosts
+  The sorrow-healing maid,
+  Who the asas’ youth-preserving apples keeps,
+  Should bring to him.
+  Brisingamen’s thief
+  Afterward brought Idun
+  To the gard of the giant.
+
+  Sorry were not the giants
+  After this had taken place,
+  Since from the south
+  Idun had come to the giants.
+  All the race
+  Of Yngve-Frey, at the Thing,
+  Grew old and gray,--
+  Ugly-looking were the gods.
+
+  Until the gods found the blood-dog,
+  Idun’s decoying thrall,
+  And bound the maid’s deceiver,
+  You shall, cunning Loke,
+  Spake Thor, die;
+  Unless back you lead,
+  With your tricks, that
+  Good joy-increasing maid.
+
+  Heard have I that thereupon
+  The friend of Honer flew
+  In the guise of a falcon
+  (He often deceived the asas with his cunning);
+  And the strong fraudulent giant,
+  The father of Morn,
+  With the wings of the eagle
+  Sped after the hawk’s child.
+
+  The holy gods soon built a fire--
+  They shaved off kindlings--
+  And the giant was scorched.
+  This is said in memory
+  Of the dwarf’s heel-bridge.[94]
+  A shield adorned with splendid lines
+  From Thorleif I received.
+
+    [Footnote 93: A troll-woman.]
+
+    [Footnote 94: Shield.]
+
+
+ÆGER’S FEAST.
+
+How shall gold be named? It may be called fire; the needles of Glaser;
+Sif’s hair; Fulla’s head-gear; Freyja’s tears; the chatter, talk or word
+of the giants; Draupner’s drop; Draupner’s rain or shower; Freyja’s
+eyes; the otter-ransom, or stroke-ransom, of the asas; the seed of
+Fyrisvold; Holge’s how-roof; the fire of all waters and of the hand;
+or the stone, rock or gleam of the hand.
+
+Why is gold called Æger’s fire? The saga relating to this is, as has
+before been told, that Æger made a visit to Asgard, but when he was
+ready to return home he invited Odin and all the asas to come and pay
+him a visit after the lapse of three months. On this journey went Odin,
+Njord, Frey, Tyr, Brage, Vidar, Loke; and also the asynjes, Frigg,
+Freyja, Gefjun, Skade, Idun, Sif. Thor was not there, for he had gone
+eastward to fight trolls. When the gods had taken their seats, Æger let
+his servants bring in on the hall floor bright gold, which shone and
+lighted up the whole hall like fire, just as the swords in Valhal are
+used instead of fire. Then Loke bandied hasty words with all the gods,
+and slew Æger’s thrall who was called Fimafeng. The name of his other
+thrall is Elder. The name of Æger’s wife is Ran, and they have nine
+daughters, as has before been written. At this feast all things passed
+around spontaneously, both food and ale and all the utensils needed for
+the feasting. Then the asas became aware that Ran had a net in which she
+caught all men who perish at sea. Then the saga goes on telling how it
+happens that gold is called the fire, or light or brightness of Æger, of
+Ran, or of Æger’s daughters; and from these periphrases it is allowed to
+call gold the fire of the sea, or of any of the periphrases of the sea,
+since Æger and Ran are found in periphrases of the sea; and thus gold is
+now called the fire of waters, of rivers, or of all the periphrases of
+rivers. But these names have fared like other periphrases. The younger
+skald has composed poetry after the pattern of the old skalds, imitating
+their songs; but afterward they have expanded the metaphors whenever
+they thought they could improve upon what was sung before; and thus the
+water is the sea, the river is the lakes, the brook is the river. Hence
+all the figures that are expanded more than what has before been found
+are called new tropes, and all seem good that contain likelihood and are
+natural. Thus sang the skald Brage:
+
+  From the king I received
+  The fire of the brook.
+  This the king gave to me
+  And a head with song.
+
+Why is gold called the needles or leaves of Glaser? In Asgard, before
+the doors of Valhal, stands a grove which is called Glaser, and all its
+leaves are of red gold, as is here sung:
+
+  Glaser stands
+  With golden leaves
+  Before Sigtyr’s halls.
+
+This is the fairest forest among gods and men.
+
+
+LOKE’S WAGER WITH THE DWARFS.
+
+Why is gold called Sif’s hair? Loke Laufey’s son had once craftily cut
+all the hair off Sif; but when Thor found it out he seized Loke, and
+would have broken every bone in him, had he not pledged himself with an
+oath to get the swarthy elves to make for Sif a hair of gold that should
+grow like other hair. Then went Loke to the dwarfs that are called
+Ivald’s sons, and they made the hair and Skidbladner, and the spear that
+Odin owned and is called Gungner. Thereupon Loke wagered his head with
+the dwarf, who hight Brok, that his brother Sindre would not be able to
+make three other treasures equally as good as these were. But when they
+came to the smithy, Sindre laid a pig-skin in the furnace and requested
+Brok to blow the bellows, and not to stop blowing before he (Sindre) had
+taken out of the furnace what he had put into it. As soon, however, as
+Sindre had gone out of the smithy and Brok was blowing, a fly lighted on
+his hand and stung him; but he kept on blowing as before until the smith
+had taken the work out of the furnace. That was now a boar, and its
+bristles were of gold. Thereupon he laid gold in the furnace, and
+requested Brok to blow, and not to stop plying the bellows before he
+came back. He went out; but then came the fly and lighted on his neck
+and stung him still worse; but he continued to work the bellows until
+the smith took out of the furnace the gold ring called Draupner. Then
+Sindre placed iron in the furnace, and requested Brok to work the
+bellows, adding that otherwise all would be worthless. Now the fly
+lighted between his eyes and stung his eye-lids, and as the blood ran
+down into his eyes so that he could not see, he let go of the bellows
+just for a moment and drove the fly away with his hands. Then the smith
+came back and said that all that lay in the furnace came near being
+entirely spoiled. Thereupon he took a hammer out of the furnace. All
+these treasures he then placed in the hands of his brother Brok, and
+bade him go with Loke to Asgard to fetch the wager. When Loke and Brok
+brought forth the treasures, the gods seated themselves upon their
+doom-steads. It was agreed to abide by the decision which should be
+pronounced by Odin, Thor and Frey. Loke gave to Odin the spear Gungner,
+to Thor the hair, which Sif was to have, and to Frey, Skidbladner; and
+he described the qualities of all these treasures, stating that the
+spear never would miss its mark, that the hair would grow as soon as it
+was placed on Sif s head, and that Skidbladner would always have fair
+wind as soon as the sails were hoisted, no matter where its owner
+desired to go; besides, the ship could be folded together like a napkin
+and be carried in his pocket if he desired. Then Brok produced his
+treasures. He gave to Odin the ring, saying that every ninth night eight
+other rings as heavy as it would drop from it; to Frey he gave the boar,
+stating that it would run through the air and over seas, by night or by
+day, faster than any horse; and never could it become so dark in the
+night, or in the worlds of darkness, but that it would be light where
+this boar was present, so bright shone his bristles. Then he gave to
+Thor the hammer, and said that he might strike with it as hard as he
+pleased; no matter what was before him, the hammer would take no scathe,
+and wherever he might throw it he would never lose it; it would never
+fly so far that it did not return to his hand; and if he desired, it
+would become so small that he might conceal it in his bosom; but it had
+one fault, which was, that the handle was rather short. The decision of
+the gods was, that the hammer was the best of all these treasures and
+the greatest protection against the frost-giants, and they declared that
+the dwarf had fairly won the wager. Then Loke offered to ransom his
+head. The dwarf answered saying there was no hope for him on that score.
+Take me, then! said Loke; but when the dwarf was to seize him Loke was
+far away, for he had the shoes with which he could run through the air
+and over the sea. Then the dwarf requested Thor to seize him, and he did
+so. Now the dwarf wanted to cut the head off Loke, but Loke said that
+the head was his, but not the neck. Then the dwarf took thread and a
+knife and wanted to pierce holes in Loke’s lips, so as to sew his mouth
+together, but the knife would not cut. Then said he, it would be better
+if he had his brother’s awl, and as soon as he named it the awl was
+there and it pierced Loke’s lips. Now Brok sewed Loke’s mouth together,
+and broke off the thread at the end of the sewing. The thread with which
+the mouth of Loke was sewed together is called Vartare (a strap).
+
+
+THE NIFLUNGS AND GJUKUNGS.
+
+The following is the reason why gold is called otter-ransom: It is
+related that three asas went abroad to learn to know the whole world,
+Odin, Honer and Loke. They came to a river, and walked along the
+river-bank to a force, and near the force was an otter. The otter had
+caught a salmon in the force, and sat eating it with his eyes closed.
+Loke picked up a stone, threw it at the otter and hit him in the head.
+Loke bragged of his chase, for he had secured an otter and a salmon with
+one throw. They took the salmon and the otter with them, and came to a
+byre, where they entered. But the name of the bonde who lived there was
+Hreidmar. He was a mighty man, and thoroughly skilled in the black art.
+The asas asked for night-lodgings, stating that they had plenty of food,
+and showed the bonde their game. But when Hreidmar saw the otter he
+called his sons, Fafner and Regin, and said that Otter, their brother,
+was slain, and also told who had done it. Then the father and the sons
+attacked the asas, seized them and bound them, and then said, in
+reference to the otter, that he was Hreidmar’s son. The asas offered,
+as a ransom for their lives, as much money as Hreidmar himself might
+demand, and this was agreed to, and confirmed with an oath. Then the
+otter was flayed. Hreidmar took the otter-belg and said to them that
+they should fill the belg with red gold, and then cover it with the same
+metal, and when this was done they should be set free. Thereupon Odin
+sent Loke to the home of the swarthy elves, and he came to the dwarf
+whose name is Andvare, and who lived as a fish, in the water. Loke
+caught him in his hands, and demanded of him, as a ransom for his life,
+all the gold that he had in his rock. And when they entered the rock,
+the dwarf produced all the gold that he owned, and that was a very large
+amount. Then the dwarf concealed in his hand a small gold ring. Loke saw
+this, and requested him to hand forth the ring. The dwarf begged him not
+to take the ring away from him, for with this ring he could increase his
+wealth again if he kept it. Loke said the dwarf should not keep as much
+as a penny, took the ring from him and went out. But the dwarf said that
+that ring should be the bane of every one who possessed it. Loke replied
+that he was glad of this, and said that all should be fulfilled
+according to his prophecy: he would take care to bring the curse to the
+ears of him who was to receive it. He went to Hreidmar and showed Odin
+the gold; but when the latter saw the ring, it seemed to him a fair one,
+and he took it and put it aside, giving Hreidmar the rest of the gold.
+They filled the otter-belg as full as it would hold, and raised it up
+when it was full. Then came Odin, and was to cover the belg with gold;
+and when this was done, he requested Hreidmar to come and see whether
+the belg was sufficiently covered. But Hreidmar looked at it, examined
+it closely, and saw a mouth-hair, and demanded that it should be
+covered, too, otherwise the agreement would be broken. Then Odin brought
+forth the ring and covered with it the mouth-hair, saying that now they
+had paid the otter-ransom. But when Odin had taken his spear, and Loke
+his shoes, so that they had nothing more to fear, Loke said that the
+curse that Andvare had pronounced should be fulfilled, and that the ring
+and that gold should be the bane of its possessor; and this curse was
+afterward fulfilled. This explains why gold is called the otter-ransom,
+or forced payment of the asas, or strife-metal.
+
+What more is there to be told of this gold? Hreidmar accepted the gold
+as a ransom for his son, but Fafner and Regin demanded their share of it
+as a ransom for their brother. Hreidmar was, however, unwilling to give
+them as much as a penny of it. Then the brothers made an agreement to
+kill their father for the sake of the gold. When this was done, Regin
+demanded that Fafner should give him one half of it. Fafner answered
+that there was but little hope that he would share the gold with his
+brother, since he had himself slain his father to obtain it; and he
+commanded Regin to get him gone, for else the same thing would happen to
+him as had happened to Hreidmar. Fafner had taken the sword hight
+Hrotte, and the helmet which had belonged to his father, and the latter
+he had placed on his head. This was called the Æger’s helmet, and it was
+a terror to all living to behold it. Regin had the sword called Refil.
+With it he fled. But Fafner went to Gnita-heath (the glittering heath),
+where he made himself a bed, took on him the likeness of a serpent
+(dragon), and lay brooding over the gold.
+
+Regin then went to Thjode, to king Hjalprek, and became his smith. There
+he undertook the fostering of Sigurd (Sigfrid), the son of Sigmund, the
+son of Volsung and the son of Hjordis, the daughter of Eylime. Sigurd
+was the mightiest of all the kings of hosts, in respect to both family
+and power and mind. Regin explained to him where Fafner was lying on the
+gold, and egged him on to try to get possession thereof. Then Regin made
+the sword which is hight Gram (wrath), and which was so sharp that when
+Sigurd held it in the flowing stream it cut asunder a tuft of wool which
+the current carried down against the sword’s edge. In the next place,
+Sigurd cut with his sword Regin’s anvil in twain. Thereupon Sigurd and
+Regin repaired to Gnita-heath. Here Sigurd dug a ditch in Fafner’s path
+and sat down in it; so when Fafner crept to the water and came directly
+over this ditch, Sigurd pierced him with the sword, and this thrust
+caused his death. Then Regin came and declared that Sigurd had slain his
+brother, and demanded of him as a ransom that he should cut out Fafner’s
+heart and roast it on the fire; but Regin kneeled down, drank Fafner’s
+blood, and laid himself down to sleep. While Sigurd was roasting the
+heart, and thought that it must be done, he touched it with his finger
+to see how tender it was; but the fat oozed out of the heart and onto
+his finger and burnt it, so that he thrust his finger into his mouth.
+The heart-blood came in contact with his tongue, which made him
+comprehend the speech of birds, and he understood what the eagles said
+that were sitting in the trees. One of the birds said:
+
+  There sits Sigurd,
+  Stained with blood.
+  On the fire is roasting
+  Fafner’s heart.
+  Wise seemed to me
+  The ring-destroyer,
+  If he the shining
+  Heart would eat.
+
+Another eagle sang:
+
+  There lies Regin,
+  Contemplating
+  How to deceive the man
+  Who trusts him;
+  Thinks in his wrath
+  Of false accusations.
+  The evil smith plots
+  Revenge ’gainst the brother.[95]
+
+    [Footnote 95: Elder Edda: the Lay of Fafner, 32, 33.]
+
+Then Sigurd went to Regin and slew him, and thereupon he mounted his
+horse hight Grane, and rode until he came to Fafner’s bed, took out all
+the gold, packed it in two bags and laid it on Grane’s back, then got on
+himself and rode away. Now is told the saga according to which gold is
+called Fafner’s bed or lair, the metal of Gnita-heath, or Grane’s
+burden.
+
+Then Sigurd rode on until he found a house on the mountain. In it slept
+a woman clad in helmet and coat-of-mail. He drew his sword and cut the
+coat-of-mail off from her. Then she awaked and called herself Hild. Her
+name was Brynhild, and she was a valkyrie. Thence Sigurd rode on and
+came to the king whose name was Gjuke. His wife was called Grimhild, and
+their children were Gunnar, Hogne, Gudrun, Gudny; Gothorm was Gjuke’s
+step-son. Here Sigurd remained a long time. Then he got the hand of
+Gudrun, Gjuke’s daughter, and Gunnar and Hogne entered into a sworn
+brotherhood with Sigurd. Afterward Sigurd and the sons of Gjuke went to
+Atle, Budle’s son, to ask for his sister, Brynhild, for Gunnar’s wife.
+She sat on Hindfell, and her hall was surrounded by the bickering flame
+called the Vafurloge, and she had made a solemn promise not to wed any
+other man than him who dared to ride through the bickering flame. Then
+Sigurd and the Gjukungs (they are also called Niflungs) rode upon the
+mountain, and there Gunnar was to ride through the Vafurloge. He had the
+horse that was called Gote, but this horse did not dare to run into the
+flame. So Sigurd and Gunnar changed form and weapons, for Grane would
+not take a step under any other man than Sigurd. Then Sigurd mounted
+Grane and rode through the bickering flame. That same evening he held a
+wedding with Brynhild; but when they went to bed he drew his sword Gram
+from the sheath and placed it between them. In the morning when he had
+arisen, and had donned his clothes, he gave to Brynhild, as a bridal
+gift, the gold ring that Loke had taken from Andvare, and he received
+another ring as a memento from her. Then Sigurd mounted his horse and
+rode to his companions. He and Gunnar exchanged forms again and went
+back to Gjuke with Brynhild. Sigurd had two children with Gudrun. Their
+names were Sigmund and Swanhild.
+
+Once it happened that Brynhild and Gudrun went to the water to wash
+their hair. When they came to the river Brynhild waded from the river
+bank into the stream, and said that she could not bear to have that
+water in her hair that ran from Gudrun’s hair, for she had a more
+high-minded husband. Then Gudrun followed her into the stream, and said
+that she was entitled to wash her hair farther up the stream than
+Brynhild, for the reason that she had the husband who was bolder than
+Gunnar, or any other man in the world; for it was he who slew Fafner and
+Regin, and inherited the wealth of both. Then answered Brynhild: A
+greater deed it was that Gunnar rode through the Vafurloge, which Sigurd
+did not dare to do. Then laughed Gudrun and said: Do you think it was
+Gunnar who rode through the bickering flame? Then I think you shared the
+bed with him who gave me this gold ring. The gold ring which you have on
+your finger, and which you received as a bridal-gift, is called
+Andvaranaut (Andvare’s Gift), and I do not think Gunnar got it on
+Gnita-heath. Then Brynhild became silent and went home. Thereupon she
+egged Gunnar and Hogne to kill Sigurd; but being sworn brothers of
+Sigurd, they egged Guthorm, their brother, to slay Sigurd. Guthorm
+pierced him with his sword while he was sleeping; but as soon as Sigurd
+was wounded he threw his sword, Gram, after Guthorm, so that it cut him
+in twain through the middle. There Sigurd fell, and his son, three
+winters old, by name Sigmund, whom they also killed. Then Brynhild
+pierced herself with the sword and was cremated with Sigurd. But Gunnar
+and Hogne inherited Fafner’s gold and the Gift of Andvare, and now ruled
+the lands.
+
+King Atle, Budle’s son, Brynhild’s brother, then got in marriage Gudrun,
+who had been Sigurd’s wife, and they had children. King Atle invited
+Gunnar and Hogne to visit him, and they accepted his invitation. But
+before they started on their journey they concealed Fafner’s hoard in
+the Rhine, and that gold has never since been found. King Atle had
+gathered together an army and fought a battle with Gunnar and Hogne, and
+they were captured. Atle had the heart cut out of Hogne alive. This was
+his death. Gunnar he threw into a den of snakes, but a harp was secretly
+brought to him, and he played the harp with his toes (for his hands were
+fettered), so that all the snakes fell asleep excepting the adder, which
+rushed at him and bit him in the breast, and then thrust its head into
+the wound and clung to his liver until he died. Gunnar and Hogne are
+called Niflungs (Niblungs) and Gjukungs. Hence gold is called the
+Niflung treasure or inheritance. A little later Gudrun slew her two sons
+and made from their skulls goblets trimmed with gold, and thereupon the
+funeral ceremonies took place. At the feast, Gudrun poured for King Atle
+in these goblets mead that was mixed with the blood of the youths. Their
+hearts she roasted and gave to the king to eat. When this was done she
+told him all about it, with many unkind words. There was no lack of
+strong mead, so that the most of the people sitting there fell asleep.
+On that night she went to the king when he had fallen asleep, and had
+with her her son Hogne. They slew him, and thus he ended his life. Then
+they set fire to the hall, and with it all the people who were in it
+were burned. Then she went to the sea and sprang into the water to drown
+herself; but she was carried across the fjord, and came to the land
+which belonged to King Jonaker. When he saw her he took her home and
+made her his wife. They had three children, whose names were Sorle,
+Hamder and Erp. They all had hair as black as ravens, like Gunnar and
+Hogne and the other Niflungs.
+
+There was fostered Swanhild, the daughter of Sigurd, and she was the
+fairest of all women. That Jormunrek, the rich, found out. He sent his
+son, Randver, to ask for her hand for him; and when he came to Jonaker,
+Swanhild was delivered to him, so that he might bring her to King
+Jormunrek. Then said Bikke that it would be more fitting that Randver
+should marry Swanhild, he being young and she too, but Jormunrek being
+old. This plan pleased the two young people well. Soon afterward Bikke
+informed the king of it, and so King Jormunrek seized his son and had
+him brought to the gallows. Then Randver took his hawk, plucked the
+feathers off him, and requested that it should be sent to his father,
+whereupon he was hanged. But when King Jormunrek saw the hawk, it came
+to his mind that as the hawk was flightless and featherless, so his
+kingdom was without preservation; for he was old and sonless. Then King
+Jormunrek riding out of the woods from the chase with his courtiers,
+while Queen Swanhild sat dressing her hair, had the courtiers ride onto
+her, and she was trampled to death beneath the feet of the horses. When
+Gudrun heard of this, she begged her sons to avenge Swanhild. While they
+were busking themselves for the journey, she brought them byrnies and
+helmets, so strong that iron could not scathe them. She laid the plan
+for them, that when they came to King Jormunrek, they should attack him
+in the night whilst he was sleeping. Sorle and Hamder should cut off his
+hands and feet, and Erp his head. On the way they asked Erp what
+assistance they were to get from him, when they came to King Jormunrek.
+He answered them that he would give them such assistance as the hand
+gives the foot. They said that the feet got no support from the hands
+whatsoever. They were angry at their mother, because she had forced them
+to undertake this journey with harsh words, and hence they were going to
+do that which would displease her most. So they killed Erp, for she
+loved him the most. A little later, while Sorle was walking, he slipped
+with one foot, and in falling supported himself with his hands. Then
+said he: Now the hands helped the foot; better were it now if Erp were
+living. When they came to Jormunrek, the king, in the night, while he
+was sleeping, they cut off both his hands and his feet. Then he awaked,
+called his men and bade them arise. Said Hamder then: The head would now
+have been off had Erp lived. The courtiers got up, attacked them, but
+could not overcome them with weapons. Then Jormunrek cried to them that
+they should stone them to death. This was done, Sorle and Hamder fell,
+and thus perished the last descendants of Gjuke.
+
+After King Sigurd lived a daughter hight Aslaug, who was fostered at
+Heimer’s in Hlymdaler. From her mighty races are descended. It is said
+that Sigmund, the son of Volsung, was so powerful, that he drank venom
+and received no harm therefrom. But Sinfjotle, his son, and Sigurd, were
+so hard-skinned that no venom coming onto them could harm them.
+Therefore the skald Brage has sung as follows:
+
+  When the tortuous serpent,
+  Full of the drink of the Volsungs,[96]
+  Hung in coils
+  On the bait of the giant-slayer,[97]
+
+Upon these sagas very many skalds have made lays, and from them they
+have taken various themes. Brage the Old made the following song about
+the fall of Sorle and Hamder in the drapa, which he composed about
+Ragnar Lodbrok:
+
+  Jormunrek once,
+  In an evil dream, waked
+  In that sword-contest
+  Against the blood-stained kings.
+  A clashing of arms was heard
+  In the house of Randver’s father,
+  When the raven-blue brothers of Erp
+  The insult avenged.
+
+  Sword-dew flowed
+  Off the bed on the floor.
+  Bloody hands and feet of the king
+  One saw cut off.
+  On his head fell Jormunrek,
+  Frothing in blood.
+  On the shield
+  This is painted.
+
+  The king saw
+  Men so stand
+  That a ring they made
+  ’Round his house.
+  Sorle and Hamder
+  Were both at once,
+  With slippery stones,
+  Struck to the ground.
+
+  King Jormunrek
+  Ordered Gjuke’s descendants
+  Violently to be stoned
+  When they came to take the life
+  Of Swanhild’s husband.
+  All sought to pay
+  Jonaker’s sons
+  With blows and wounds.
+
+  This fall of men
+  And sagas many
+  On the fair shield I see.
+  Ragnar gave me the shield.
+
+    [Footnote 96: The drink of the Volsungs = venom; the tortuous
+    venom-serpent = the Midgard-serpent.]
+
+    [Footnote 97: Thor.]
+
+
+MENJA AND FENJA.
+
+Why is gold called Frode’s meal? The saga giving rise to this is the
+following:
+
+Odin had a son by name Skjold, from whom the Skjoldungs are descended.
+He had his throne and ruled in the lands that are now called Denmark,
+but were then called Gotland. Skjold had a son by name Fridleif, who
+ruled the lands after him. Fridleif’s son was Frode. He took the kingdom
+after his father, at the time when the Emperor Augustus established
+peace in all the earth and Christ was born. But Frode being the
+mightiest king in the northlands, this peace was attributed to him by
+all who spake the Danish tongue, and the Norsemen called it the peace of
+Frode. No man injured the other, even though he might meet, loose or in
+chains, his father’s or brother’s bane. There was no thief or robber,
+so that a gold ring would be a long time on Jalanger’s heath. King Frode
+sent messengers to Svithjod, to the king whose name was Fjolner, and
+bought there two maid-servants, whose names were Fenja and Menja. They
+were large and strong. About this time were found in Denmark two
+mill-stones, so large that no one had the strength to turn them. But the
+nature belonged to these mill-stones that they ground whatever was
+demanded of them by the miller. The name of this mill was Grotte. But
+the man to whom King Frode gave the mill was called Hengekjapt. King
+Frode had the maid-servants led to the mill, and requested them to grind
+for him gold and peace, and Frode’s happiness. Then he gave them no
+longer time to rest or sleep than while the cuckoo was silent or while
+they sang a song. It is said that they sang the song called the
+Grottesong, and before they ended it they ground out a host against
+Frode; so that on the same night there came the sea-king, whose name was
+Mysing, and slew Frode and took a large amount of booty. Therewith the
+Frode-peace ended. Mysing took with him Grotte, and also Fenja and
+Menja, and bade them grind salt, and in the middle of the night they
+asked Mysing whether he did not have salt enough. He bade them grind
+more. They ground only a short time longer before the ship sank. But in
+the ocean arose a whirlpool (Maelstrom, mill-stream) in the place where
+the sea runs into the mill-eye. Thus the sea became salt.
+
+
+THE GROTTESONG.
+
+  Now are come
+  To the house of the king
+  The prescient two,
+  Fenja and Menja.
+  There must the mighty
+  Maidens toil
+  For King Frode,
+  Fridleif’s son.
+
+  Brought to the mill
+  Soon they were;
+  The gray stones
+  They had to turn.
+  Nor rest nor peace
+  He gave to them:
+  He would hear the maidens
+  Turn the mill.
+
+  They turned the mill,
+  The prattling stones
+  The mill ever rattling.
+  What a noise it made!
+  Lay the planks!
+  Lift the stones![98]
+  But he[99] bade the maids
+  Yet more to grind.
+
+  They sang and swung
+  The swift mill-stone,
+  So that Frode’s folk
+  Fell asleep.
+  Then, when she came
+  To the mill to grind,
+  With a hard heart
+  And with loud voice
+  Did Menja sing:
+
+  We grind for Frode
+  Wealth and happiness,
+  And gold abundant
+  On the mill of luck.
+  Dance on roses!
+  Sleep on down!
+  Wake when you please!
+  That is well ground.
+
+  Here shall no one
+  Hurt the other,
+  Nor in ambush lie,
+  Nor seek to kill;
+  Nor shall any one
+  With sharp sword hew,
+  Though bound he should find
+  His brother’s bane.
+
+  They stood in the hall,
+  Their hands were resting;
+  Then was it the first
+  Word that he spoke:
+  Sleep not longer
+  Than the cuckoo on the hall,
+  Or only while
+  A song I sing:
+
+  Frode! you were not
+  Wary enough,--
+  You friend of men,--
+  When maids you bought!
+  At their strength you looked,
+  And at their fair faces,
+  But you asked no questions
+  About their descent.
+
+  Hard was Hrungner
+  And his father;
+  Yet was Thjasse
+  Stronger than they,
+  And Ide and Orner,
+  Our friends, and
+  The mountain-giants’ brothers,
+  Who fostered us two.
+
+  Not would Grotte have come
+  From the mountain gray,
+  Nor this hard stone
+  Out from the earth;
+  The maids of the mountain-giants
+  Would not thus be grinding
+  If we two knew
+  Nothing of the mill.
+
+  Through winters nine
+  Our strength increased,
+  While below the sod
+  We played together.
+  Great deeds were the maids
+  Able to perform;
+  Mountains they
+  From their places moved.
+
+  The stone we rolled
+  From the giants’ dwelling,
+  So that all the earth
+  Did rock and quake.
+  So we hurled
+  The rattling stone,
+  The heavy block,
+  That men caught it.
+
+  In Svithjod’s land
+  Afterward we
+  Fire-wise women,
+  Fared to the battle,
+  Byrnies we burst,
+  Shields we cleaved,
+  Made our way
+  Through gray-clad hosts.
+
+  One chief we slew,
+  Another we aided,--
+  To Guthorm the Good
+  Help we gave.
+  Ere Knue had fallen
+  Nor rest we got.
+  Then bound we were
+  And taken prisoners.
+
+  Such were our deeds
+  In former days,
+  That we heroes brave
+  Were thought to be.
+  With spears sharp
+  Heroes we pierced,
+  So the gore did run
+  And our swords grew red.
+
+  Now we are come
+  To the house of the king,
+  No one us pities.
+  Bond-women are we.
+  Dirt eats our feet,
+  Our limbs are cold,
+  The peace-giver[100] we turn.
+  Hard it is at Frode’s.
+
+  The hands shall stop,
+  The stone shall stand;
+  Now have I ground
+  For my part enough.
+  Yet to the hands
+  No rest must be given,
+  ’Till Frode thinks
+  Enough has been ground.
+
+  Now hold shall the hands
+  The lances hard,
+  The weapons bloody,--
+  Wake now, Frode!
+  Wake now, Frode!
+  If you would listen
+  To our songs,--
+  To sayings old.
+
+  Fire I see burn
+  East of the burg,--
+  The warnews are awake.
+  That is called warning.
+  A host hither
+  Hastily approaches
+  To burn the king’s
+  Lofty dwelling.
+
+  No longer you will sit
+  On the throne of Hleidra
+  And rule o’er red
+  Rings and the mill.
+  Now must we grind
+  With all our might,
+  No warmth will we get
+  From the blood of the slain.
+
+  Now my father’s daughter
+  Bravely turns the mill.
+  The death of many
+  Men she sees.
+  Now broke the large
+  Braces ’neath the mill,--
+  The iron-bound braces.
+  Let us yet grind!
+
+  Let us yet grind!
+  Yrsa’s son
+  Shall on Frode revenge
+  Halfdan’s death.
+  He shall Yrsa’s
+  Offspring be named,
+  And yet Yrsa’s brother.
+  Both of us know it.
+
+  The mill turned the maidens,--
+  Their might they tested;
+  Young they were,
+  And giantesses wild.
+  The braces trembled.
+  Then fell the mill,--
+  In twain was broken
+  The heavy stone.
+
+  All the old world
+  Shook and trembled,
+  But the giant’s maid
+  Speedily said:
+  We have turned the mill, Frode!
+  Now we may stop.
+  By the mill long enough
+  The maidens have stood.
+
+    [Footnote 98: These words are spoken by the maidens while they put
+    the mill together.]
+
+    [Footnote 99: Frode.]
+
+    [Footnote 100: The mill.]
+
+
+ROLF KRAKE.
+
+A king in Denmark hight Rolf Krake, and was the most famous of all kings
+of olden times; moreover, he was more mild, brave and condescending than
+all other men. A proof of his condescension, which is very often spoken
+of in olden stories, was the following: There was a poor little fellow
+by name Vog. He once came into King Rolf’s hall while the king was yet a
+young man, and of rather delicate growth. Then Vog went before him and
+looked up at him. Then said the king: What do you mean to say, my
+fellow, by looking so at me? Answered Vog: When I was at home I heard
+people say that King Rolf, at Hleidra, was the greatest man in the
+northlands, but now sits here in the high-seat a little crow (krake),
+and it they call their king. Then made answer the king: You, my fellow,
+have given me a name, and I shall henceforth be called Rolf Krake, but
+it is customary that a gift accompanies the name. Seeing that you have
+no gift that you can give me with the name, or that would be suitable to
+me, then he who has must give to the other. Then he took a gold ring off
+his hand and gave it to the churl. Then said Vog: You give as the best
+king of all, and therefore I now pledge myself to become the bane of him
+who becomes your bane. Said the king, laughing: A small thing makes Vog
+happy.
+
+Another example is told of Rolf Krake’s bravery. In Upsala reigned a
+king by name Adils, whose wife was Yrsa, Rolf Krake’s mother. He was
+engaged in a war with Norway’s king, Ale. They fought a battle on the
+ice of the lake called Wenern. King Adils sent a message to Rolf Krake,
+his stepson, asking him to come and help him, and promising to furnish
+pay for his whole army during the campaign. Furthermore King Rolf
+himself should have any three treasures that he might choose in Sweden.
+But Rolf Krake could not go to his assistance, on account of the war
+which he was then waging against the Saxons. Still he sent twelve
+berserks to King Adils. Among them were Bodvar Bjarke, Hjalte the
+Valiant, Hvitserk the Keen, Vot, Vidsete, and the brothers Svipday and
+Beigud. In that war fell King Ale and a large part of his army. Then
+King Adils took from the dead King Ale the helmet called Hildesvin, and
+his horse called Rafn. Then the berserks each demanded three pounds of
+gold in pay for their service, and also asked for the treasures which
+they had chosen for Rolf Krake, and which they now desired to bring to
+him. These were the helmet Hildegolt; the byrnie Finnsleif, which no
+steel could scathe; and the gold ring called Sviagris, which had
+belonged to Adils’ forefathers. But the king refused to surrender any of
+these treasures, nor did he give the berserks any pay. The berserks then
+returned home, and were much dissatisfied. They reported all to King
+Rolf, who straightway busked himself to fare against Upsala; and when he
+came with his ships into the river Fyre, he rode against Upsala, and
+with him his twelve berserks, all peaceless. Yrsa, his mother, received
+him and took him to his lodgings, but not to the king’s hall. Large
+fires were kindled for them, and ale was brought them to drink. Then
+came King Adils’ men in and bore fuel onto the fireplace, and made a
+fire so great that it burnt the clothes of Rolf and his berserks,
+saying: Is it true that neither fire nor steel will put Rolf Krake and
+his berserks to flight? Then Rolf Krake and all his men sprang up, and
+he said:
+
+  Let us increase the blaze
+  In Adils’ chambers.
+
+He took his shield and cast it into the fire, and sprang over the fire
+while the shield was burning, and cried:
+
+  From the fire flees not he
+  Who over it leaps.
+
+The same did also his men, one after the other, and then they took those
+who had put fuel on the fire and cast them into it. Now Yrsa came and
+handed Rolf Krake a deer’s horn full of gold, and with it she gave him
+the ring Sviagris, and requested them to ride straightway to their army.
+They sprang upon their horses and rode away over the Fyrisvold. Then
+they saw that King Adils was riding after them with his whole army, all
+armed, and was going to slay them. Rolf Krake took gold out of the horn
+with his right hand, and scattered it over the whole way. But when the
+Swedes saw it they leaped out of their saddles, and each one took as
+much as he could. King Adils bade them ride, and he himself rode on with
+all his might. The name of his horse was Slungner, the fastest of all
+horses. When Rolf Krake saw that King Adils was riding near him, he took
+the ring Sviagris and threw it to him, asking him to take it as a gift.
+King Adils rode to the ring, picked it up with the end of his spear, and
+let it slide down to his hand. Then Rolf Krake turned round and saw that
+the other was stooping. Said he: Like a swine I have now bended the
+foremost of all Swedes. Thus they parted. Hence gold is called the seed
+of Krake or of Fyrisvold.
+
+
+HOGNE AND HILD.
+
+A king by name Hogne had a daughter by name Hild. Her a king, by name
+Hedin, son of Hjarrande, made a prisoner of war, while King Hogne had
+fared to the trysting of the kings. But when he learned that there had
+been harrying in his kingdom, and that his daughter had been taken away,
+he rode with his army in search of Hedin, and learned that he had sailed
+northward along the coast. When King Hogne came to Norway, he found out
+that Hedin had sailed westward into the sea. Then Hogne sailed after him
+to the Orkneys. And when he came to the island called Ha, then Hedin was
+there before him with his host. Then Hild went to meet her father, and
+offered him as a reconciliation from Hedin a necklace; but if he was not
+willing to accept this, she said that Hedin was prepared for a battle,
+and Hogne might expect no clemency from him. Hogne answered his daughter
+harshly. When she returned to Hedin, she told him that Hogne would not
+be reconciled, and bade him busk himself for the battle. And so both
+parties did; they landed on the island and marshaled their hosts. Then
+Hedin called to Hogne, his father-in-law, offering him a reconciliation
+and much gold as a ransom. Hogne answered: Too late do you offer to make
+peace with me, for now I have drawn the sword Dainsleif, which was
+smithied by the dwarfs, and must be the death of a man whenever it is
+drawn; its blows never miss the mark, and the wounds made by it never
+heal. Said Hedin: You boast the sword, but not the victory. That I call
+a good sword that is always faithful to its master. Then they began the
+battle which is called the Hjadninga-vig (the slaying of the
+Hedin_ians_); they fought the whole day, and in the evening the kings
+fared back to their ships. But in the night Hild went to the
+battlefield, and waked up with sorcery all the dead that had fallen. The
+next day the kings went to the battlefield and fought, and so did also
+all they who had fallen the day before. Thus the battle continued from
+day to day; and all they who fell, and all the swords that lay on the
+field of battle, and all the shields, became stone. But as soon as day
+dawned all the dead arose again and fought, and all the weapons became
+new again, and in songs it is said that the Hjadnings will so continue
+until Ragnarok.
+
+
+
+
+NOTES.
+
+
+ENEA.
+
+The Enea mentioned in the Foreword to Gylfe’s Fooling refers to the
+settlement of western Europe, where Æneas is said to have founded a city
+on the Tiber. Bergmann, however, in his Fascination de Gulfi, page 28,
+refers it to the Thracian town Ainos.
+
+
+HERIKON.
+
+Herikon is undoubtedly a mutilated form for Erichthonios. The genealogy
+here given corresponds with the one given in the Iliad, Book 20, 215.
+
+
+THE HISTORICAL ODIN.
+
+The historical or anthropomorphized Odin, described in the Foreword to
+the Fooling of Gylfe, becomes interesting when we compare it with
+Snorre’s account of that hero in Heimskringla, and then compare both
+accounts with the Roman traditions about Æneas. Of course the whole
+story is only a myth; but we should remember that in the minds and
+hearts of our ancestors it served every purpose of genuine history. Our
+fathers accepted it in as good faith as any Christian ever believed in
+the gospel of Christ, and so it had a similar influence in moulding the
+social, religious, political and literary life of our ancestors. We
+become interested in this legend as much as if it were genuine history,
+on account of the influence it wielded upon the minds and hearts of a
+race destined to act so great a part in the social, religious and
+political drama of Europe. We look into this and other ancestral myths,
+and see mirrored in them all that we afterward find to be reliable
+history of the old Teutons. In the same manner we are interested in the
+story told about Romulus and Remus, about Mars and the wolf. This Roman
+myth is equally prophetic in reference to the future career of Rome. The
+warlike Mars, the rapacity of the wolf, and the fratricide Romulus, form
+a mirror in which we see reflected the whole historical development of
+the Romans; so that the story of Romulus is a vest-pocket edition of the
+history of Rome.
+
+There are many points of resemblance between this old story of Odin and
+the account that Virgil gives us of Æneas, the founder of the Latin
+race; and it is believed that, while Virgil imitated Homer, he based his
+poem upon a legend current among his countrymen. The Greeks in Virgil’s
+poem are Pompey and the Romans in our Teutonic story. The Trojans
+correspond to Mithridates and his allies. Æneas and Odin are identical.
+Just as Odin, a heroic defender of Mithridates, after traversing various
+unknown countries, finally reaches the north of Europe, organizes the
+various Teutonic kingdoms, settles his sons upon the thrones of Germany,
+England, Denmark, Sweden and Norway, and instructs his people to gather
+strength and courage, so as eventually to take revenge on the cursed
+Romans; so Æneas, one of the most valiant defenders of Troy, after many
+adventures in various lands, at length settles in Italy, and becomes the
+founder of a race that in course of time is to wreak vengeance upon the
+Greeks. The prophecy contained in the Roman legend was fulfilled by
+Metellus and Mummius, in the years 147 and 146 before Christ, when the
+Romans became the conquerors of Greece. The prophecy contained in our
+Teutonic legend foreshadowed with no less unrelenting necessity the
+downfall of proud Rome, when the Teutonic commander Odoacer, in the year
+476 after Christ, dethroned, not Romulus, brother of Remus, but Romulus
+Augustulus, son of Orestes. Thus history repeats itself. Roman history
+begins and ends with Romulus; and we fancy we can see some connection
+between Od-in and Od-oacer. “As the twig is bent the tree is inclined.”
+
+It might be interesting to institute a similar comparison between our
+Teutonic race-founder Odin and Ulysses, king of Ithaca, but the reader
+will have to do this for himself.
+
+In one respect our heroes differ. The fall of Troy and the wanderings of
+Ulysses became the theme of two great epic poems among the Greeks. The
+wanderings and adventures of Æneas, son of Anchises, were fashioned into
+a lordly epic by Virgil for the Romans. But the much-traveled man, the
+ἀνὴρ πολύτροπος, the weapons and the hero, Odin, who, driven by the
+norns, first came to Teutondom and to the Baltic shores, has not yet
+been sung. This wonderful expedition of our race-founder, which, by
+giving a historic cause to all the later hostilities and conflicts
+between the Teutons and the Romans, might, as suggested by Gibbon,
+supply the noble ground-work of an epic poem as thrilling as the Æneid
+of Virgil, has not yet been woven into a song for our race, and we give
+our readers this full account of Odin from the Heimskringla in
+connection with the Foreword to Gylfe’s Fooling, with the hope that
+among our readers there may be found some descendant of Odin, whose
+skaldic wings are but just fledged for the flights he hopes to take,
+who will take a draught, first from Mimer’s gushing fountain, then from
+Suttung’s mead, brought by Odin to Asgard, and consecrate himself and
+his talents to this legend with all the ardor of his soul. For, as
+William Morris so beautifully says of the Volsung Saga, this is the
+great story of the Teutonic race, and should be to us what the tale of
+Troy was to the Greeks, and what the tale of Æneas was to the Romans,
+to all our race first and afterward, when the evolution of the world has
+made the Teutonic race nothing more than a name of what it has been; a
+story, too, then, should it be to the races that come after us, no less
+than the Iliad, and the Odyssey and the Æneid have been to us.[101] We
+sincerely trust that we shall see Odin wrought into a Teutonic epic,
+that will present in grand outline the contrast between the Roman and
+the Teuton. And now we are prepared to give the Heimskringla account of
+the historical Odin. We have adopted Samuel Laing’s translation, with a
+few verbal alterations where such seemed necessary.
+
+    [Footnote 101: Quoted from memory.]
+
+It is said that the earth’s circle (Heimskringla), which the human race
+inhabits, is torn across into many bights, so that great seas run into
+the land from the out-ocean. Thus it is known that a great sea goes into
+Njorvasound,[102] and up to the land of Jerusalem. From the same sea a
+long sea-bight stretches toward the northeast, and is called the Black
+Sea, and divides the three parts of the earth; of which the eastern part
+is called Asia, and the western is called by some Europe, by some
+Enea.[103] Northward of the Black Sea lies Svithjod the Great,[104] or
+the Cold. The Great Svithjod is reckoned by some not less than the
+Saracens’ land,[105] others compare it to the Great Blueland.[106] The
+northern part of Svithjod lies uninhabited on account of frost and cold,
+as likewise the southern parts of Blueland are waste from the burning
+sun. In Svithjod are many great domains, and many wonderful races of
+men, and many kinds of languages. There are giants,[107] and there are
+dwarfs,[108] and there are also blue men.[109] There are wild beasts and
+dreadfully large dragons. On the north side of the mountains, which lie
+outside of all inhabited lands, runs a river through Svithjod, which is
+properly called by the name of Tanais,[110] but was formerly called
+Tanaquisl or Vanaquisl, and which falls into the ocean at the Black Sea.
+The country of the people on the Vanaquisl was called Vanaland or
+Vanaheim, and the river separates the three parts of the world, of which
+the easternmost is called Asia and the westernmost Europe.
+
+    [Footnote 102: Njorvasound, the Straits of Gibraltar; so called
+    from the first Norseman who sailed through them. His name was
+    Njorve. See Ann. for nordisk Oldkyndighed, Vol. I, p. 58.]
+
+    [Footnote 103: See note, page 221.]
+
+      [Transcriber’s Note:
+      The reference is to the first “Note”, on Enea.]
+
+    [Footnote 104: Svithjod the Great, or the Cold, is the ancient
+    Sarmatia and Scythia Magna, and formed the great part of the
+    present European Russia. In the mythological sagas it is also
+    called Godheim; that is, the home of Odin and the other gods.
+    Svithjod the Less is Sweden proper, and is called Mannheim; that
+    is, the home of the kings, the descendants of the gods.]
+
+    [Footnote 105: The Saracens’ land (Serkland) means North Africa
+    and Spain, and the Saracen countries in Asia; that is, Persia,
+    Assyria, etc.]
+
+    [Footnote 106: Blueland, the country of the blacks in Africa, the
+    country south of Serkland, the modern Ethiopia.]
+
+    [Footnote 107: Tartareans.]
+
+    [Footnote 108: Kalmuks.]
+
+    [Footnote 109: Mongolians.]
+
+    [Footnote 110: The Tanais is the present Don river, which empties
+    into the Sea of Asov.]
+
+The country east of the Tanaquisl in Asia was called Asaland or Asaheim,
+and the chief city in that land was called Asgard.[111] In that city was
+a chief called Odin, and it was a great place for sacrifice. It was the
+custom there that twelve temple-priests[112] should both direct the
+sacrifices and also judge the people. They were called priests or
+masters, and all the people served and obeyed them. Odin was a great and
+very far-traveled warrior, who conquered many kingdoms, and so
+successful was he that in every battle the victory was on his side.
+It was the belief of his people that victory belonged to him in every
+battle. It was his custom when he sent his men into battle, or on any
+expedition, that he first laid his hand upon their heads, and called
+down a blessing upon them; and then they believed their undertaking
+would be successful. His people also were accustomed, whenever they fell
+into danger by land or sea, to call upon his name; and they thought that
+always they got comfort and aid by it, for where he was they thought
+help was near. Often he went away so long that he passed many seasons on
+his journeys.
+
+    [Footnote 111: Asgard is supposed, by those who look for
+    historical fact in mythological tales, to be the present Assor;
+    others, that it is Chasgar in the Caucasian ridge, called by
+    Strabo Aspargum the Asburg, or castle of the asas. We still have
+    in the Norse tongue the word Aas, meaning a ridge of high land.
+    The word asas is not derived from Asia, as Snorre supposed. It is
+    the O.H. Ger. _ans_; Anglo-Sax. _os_ = a hero. The word also
+    means a pillar; and in this latter sense the gods are the pillars
+    of the universe. Connected with the word is undoubtedly Aas, a
+    mountain-ridge, as supporter of the skies; and this reminds us of
+    _Atlas_, as bearer of the world.]
+
+    [Footnote 112: The temple-priests performed the functions of
+    priest and judge, and their office continued hereditary throughout
+    the heathen period of Norse history.]
+
+Odin had two brothers, the one hight Ve, the other Vile,[113] and they
+governed the kingdom when he was absent. It happened once when Odin had
+gone to a great distance, and had been so long away that the people of
+Asia doubted if he would ever return home, that his two brothers took it
+upon themselves to divide his estate; but both of them took his wife
+Frigg to themselves. Odin soon after returned home, and took his wife
+back.
+
+    [Footnote 113: See Norse Mythology, page 174.]
+
+Odin went out with a great army against the Vanaland people; but they
+were well prepared, and defended their land, so that victory was
+changeable, and they ravaged the lands of each other and did great
+damage. They tired of this at last, and, on both sides appointing a
+meeting for establishing peace, made a truce and exchanged hostages. The
+Vanaland people sent their best men,--Njord the Rich and his son Frey;
+the people of Asaland sent a man hight Hœner,[114] as he was a stout and
+very handsome man, and with him they sent a man of great understanding,
+called Mimer; and on the other side the Vanaland people sent the wisest
+man in their community, who was called Quaser. Now when Hœner came to
+Vanaheim he was immediately made a chief, and Mimer came to him with
+good counsel on all occasions. But when Hœner stood in the Things, or
+other meetings, if Mimer was not near him, and any difficult matter was
+laid before him, he always answered in one way: Now let others give
+their advice; so that the Vanaland people got a suspicion that the
+Asaland people had deceived them in the exchange of men. They took
+Mimer, therefore, and beheaded him, and sent his head to the Asaland
+people. Odin took the head, smeared it with herbs, so that it should not
+rot, and sang incantations over it. Thereby he gave it the power that it
+spoke to him, and discovered to him many secrets.[115] Odin placed Njord
+and Frey as priests of the sacrifices, and they became deities of the
+Asaland people. Njord’s daughter, Freyja, was priestess of the
+sacrifices, and first taught the Asaland people the magic art, as it was
+in use and fashion among the Vanaland people. While Njord was with the
+Vanaland people he had taken his own sister in marriage, for that was
+allowed by their law; and their children were Frey and Freyja. But among
+the Asaland people it was forbidden to come together in so near
+relationship.[116]
+
+    [Footnote 114: See Brage’s Talk, p. 160; and Norse Mythology,
+    pp. 247 and 342.]
+
+    [Footnote 115: In the Vala’s Prophecy of the Elder Edda it is
+    said that Odin talks with the head of Mimer before the coming of
+    Ragnarok. See Norse Mythology, p. 421.]
+
+    [Footnote 116: This shows that the vans must have belonged to the
+    mythological system of some older race that, like the ancient
+    Romans (Liber and Libera), recognized the propriety of marriage
+    between brothers and sisters, at least among their gods. Such
+    marriages were not allowed among our Odinic ancestors. Hence we
+    see that when Njord, Frey and Freyja were admitted to Asgard, they
+    entered into new marriage relations. Njord married Skade, Frey
+    married Gerd, and Freyja married Oder. Our ancestors were never
+    savages!]
+
+There goes a great mountain barrier from northeast to southwest, which
+divides the Great Svithjod from other kingdoms. South of this mountain
+ridge is not far to Turkland, where Odin had great possessions.[117] But
+Odin, having foreknowledge and magic-sight, knew that his posterity
+would come to settle and dwell in the northern half of the world. In
+those times the Roman chiefs went wide around the world, subduing to
+themselves all people; and on this account many chiefs fled from their
+domains.[118] Odin set his brothers Vile and Ve over Asgard, and he
+himself, with all the gods and a great many other people, wandered out,
+first westward to Gardarike (Russia), and then south to Saxland
+(Germany). He had many sons, and after having subdued an extensive
+kingdom in Saxland he set his sons to defend the country. He himself
+went northward to the sea, and took up his abode in an island which is
+called Odinse (see note below), in Funen. Then he sent Gefjun across the
+sound to the north to discover new countries, and she came to King
+Gylfe, who gave her a ploughland. Then she went to Jotunheim and bore
+four sons to a giant, and transformed them into a yoke of oxen, and
+yoked them to a plough and broke out the land into the ocean, right
+opposite to Odinse, which was called Seeland, where she afterward
+settled and dwelt.[119] Skjold, a son of Odin, married her, and they
+dwelt at Leidre.[120] Where the ploughed land was, is a lake or sea
+called Laage.[121] In the Swedish land the fjords of Laage correspond to
+the nesses of Seeland. Brage the old sings thus of it:
+
+  Gefjun glad
+  Drew from Gylfe
+  The excellent land,
+  Denmark’s increase,
+  So that it reeked
+  From the running beasts.
+  Four heads and eight eyes
+  Bore the oxen,
+  As they went before the wide
+  Robbed land of the grassy isle.[122]
+
+    [Footnote 117: Turkland was usually supposed to mean Moldau and
+    Wallachia. Some, who regard the great mountain barrier as being
+    the Ural Mountains, think Turkland is Turkistan in Asia. Asia
+    Minor is also frequently styled Turkland.]
+
+    [Footnote 118: Ancient Norse writers connect this event with
+    Mithridates and Pompey the Great. They tell how Odin was a heroic
+    prince who, with his twelve peers or apostles, dwelt in the Black
+    Sea region. He became straightened for room, and so led the asas
+    out of Asia into eastern Europe. Then they go on to tell how the
+    Roman empire had arrived at its highest point of power, and saw
+    all the then known world--the orbis terrarum--subject to its laws,
+    when an unforeseen event raised up enemies against it from the
+    very heart of the forests of Scythia, and on the banks of the Don
+    river. The leader was Mithridates the Great, against whom the
+    Romans waged three wars, and the Romans looked upon him as the
+    most formidable enemy the empire had ever had to contend with.
+    Cicero delivered his famous oration, Pro lege Manilia, and
+    succeeded in getting Pompey appointed commander of the third war
+    against Mithridates. The latter, by flying, had drawn Pompey after
+    him into the wilds of Scythia. Here the king of Pontus sought
+    refuge and new means of vengeance. He hoped to arm against the
+    ambition of Rome all his neighboring nations whose liberties she
+    threatened. He was successful at first, but all those Scythian
+    peoples, ill-united as allies, ill-armed as soldiers, and still
+    worse disciplined, were at length forced to yield to the genius of
+    the great general Pompey. And here traditions tell us that Odin
+    and the other asas were among the allies of Mithridates. Odin had
+    been one of the gallant defenders of Troy, and at the same time,
+    with Æneas and Anchises, he had taken flight out of the burning
+    and falling city. Now he was obliged to withdraw a second time by
+    flight, but this time it was not from the Greeks, but from the
+    Romans, whom he had offended by assisting Mithridates. He was now
+    compelled to go and seek, in lands unknown to his enemies, that
+    safety which he could no longer find in the Scythian forests. He
+    then proceeded to the north of Europe, and laid the foundations of
+    the Teutonic nations. As fast as he subdued the countries in the
+    west and north of Europe he gave them to one or another of his
+    sons to govern. Thus it comes to pass that so many sovereign
+    families throughout Teutondom are said to be descended from Odin.
+    Hengist and Horsa, the chiefs of those Saxons who conquered
+    Britain in the fifth century, counted Odin in the number of their
+    ancestors. The traditions go on to tell how he conquered Denmark,
+    founded Odinse (Odinsve = Odin’s Sanctuary; comp. _ve_ with the
+    German _Wei_ in _Weinacht_), and gave the kingdom to his son
+    Skjold (shield); how he conquered Sweden, founded the Sigtuna
+    temple, and gave the country to his son Yngve; how finally Norway
+    had to submit to him, and be ruled by a third son of Odin, Saming.
+
+    It has been seriously contended,--and it would form an important
+    element in an epic based on the historical Odin,--that a desire of
+    being revenged on the Romans was one of the ruling principles of
+    Odin’s whole conduct. Driven by those foes of universal liberty
+    from his former home in the east, his resentment was the more
+    violent, since the Teutons thought it a sacred duty to revenge all
+    injuries, especially those offered to kinsmen or country. Odin had
+    no other view in traversing so many distant lands, and in
+    establishing with so much zeal his doctrines of valor, than to
+    arouse all Teutonic nations, and unite them against so formidable
+    and odious a race as the Romans. And we, who live in the light of
+    the nineteenth century, and with the records before us, can read
+    the history of the convulsions of Europe during the decline of the
+    Roman empire; we can understand how that leaven, which Odin left
+    in the bosoms of the believers in the asa-faith, first fermented a
+    long time in secret; but we can also see how in the fullness of
+    time, the signal given, the descendants of Odin fell like a swarm
+    of locusts upon this unhappy empire, and, after giving it many
+    terrible shocks, eventually overturned it, thus completely
+    avenging the insult offered so many centuries before by Pompey to
+    their founder Odin. We can understand how it became possible for
+    “those vast multitudes, which the populous north poured from her
+    frozen loins, to pass the Rhine and the Danube, and come like a
+    deluge on the south, and spread beneath Gibraltar and the Libyan
+    sands;” how it were possible, we say, for them so largely to
+    remodel and invigorate a considerable part of Europe, nay, how
+    they could succeed in overrunning and overturning “the rich but
+    rotten, the mighty but marrowless, the disciplined but diseased,
+    Roman empire; that gigantic and heartless and merciless usurpation
+    of soulless materialism and abject superstition of universal
+    despotism, of systemized and relentless plunder, and of depravity
+    deep as hell.” In connection with this subject we would refer our
+    readers to Mallet’s Northern Antiquities, pp. 79-83, where
+    substantially the same account is given; to Norse Mythology, pp.
+    232-236; to George Stephen’s Runic Monuments, Vol. I; and to
+    Charles Kingsley’s The Roman and the Teuton.]
+
+    [Footnote 119: Compare this version of the myth with the one given
+    in the first chapter of The Fooling of Gylfe. Many explain the
+    myth to mean the breaking through of the Baltic between Sweden and
+    Denmark.]
+
+    [Footnote 120: Leidre or Leire, at the end of Isefjord, in the
+    county of Lithraborg, is considered the oldest royal seat in
+    Denmark.]
+
+    [Footnote 121: Laage is a general name for lakes and rivers. It
+    here stands for Lake Malar, in Sweden.]
+
+    [Footnote 122: The grassy isle is Seeland.]
+
+Now when Odin heard that things were in a prosperous condition in the
+land to the east beside Gylfe, he went thither, and Gylfe made a peace
+with him, for Gylfe thought he had no strength to oppose the people of
+Asaland. Odin and Gylfe had many tricks and enchantments against each
+other; but the Asaland people had always the superiority. Odin took up
+his residence at the Malar lake, at the place now called Sigtun.[123]
+There he erected a large temple, where there were sacrifices according
+to the customs of the Asaland people. He appropriated to himself the
+whole of that district of country, and called it Sigtun. To the temple
+gods he gave also domains. Njord dwelt in Noatun, Frey in Upsal, Heimdal
+in Himinbjorg, Thor in Thrudvang, Balder in Breidablik;[124] to all of
+them he gave good domains.
+
+    [Footnote 123: Sigtun. _Sige_, Ger. Sieg, (comp. Sigfrid,) means
+    victory, and is one of Odin’s names; _tun_ means an inclosure, and
+    is the same word as our modern English _town_. Thus Sigtun would,
+    in modern English, be called Odinstown; like our Johnstown,
+    Williamstown, etc.]
+
+    [Footnote 124: Noatun, Thrudvang, Breidablik and Himinbjorg are
+    purely mythological names, and for their significance the reader
+    is referred to The Fooling of Gylfe. Snorre follows the lay of
+    Grimner in the Elder Edda.]
+
+When Odin of Asaland came to the north, and the gods with him, he began
+to exercise and to teach others the arts which the people long afterward
+have practiced. Odin was the cleverest of all, and from him all others
+learned their magic arts; and he knew them first, and knew many more
+than other people. But now, to tell why he is held in such high respect,
+we must mention various causes that contributed to it. When sitting
+among his friends his countenance was so beautiful and friendly, that
+the spirits of all were exhilarated by it; but when he was in war, he
+appeared fierce and dreadful. This arose from his being able to change
+his color and form in any way he liked. Another cause was, that he
+conversed so cleverly and smoothly, that all who heard were persuaded.
+He spoke everything in rhyme, such as is now composed, and which we call
+skald-craft. He and his temple gods were called song-smiths, for from
+them came that art of song into the northern countries. Odin could make
+his enemies in battle blind or deaf, or terror-struck, and their weapons
+so blunt that they could no more cut than a willow-twig; on the other
+hand, his men rushed forward without armor, were as mad as dogs or
+wolves, bit their shields, and were strong as bears or wild bulls, and
+killed people at a blow, and neither fire nor iron told upon them. These
+were called berserks.[125]
+
+    [Footnote 125: Berserk. The etymology of this word has been much
+    contested. Some, upon the authority of Snorre in the above quoted
+    passage, derive it from berr (_bare_) and serkr (comp. _sark_,
+    Scotch for shirt); but this etymology is inadmissible, because
+    serkr is a substantive, not an adjective. Others derive it from
+    berr (Germ. _Bär_ = _ursus_), which is greatly to be preferred,
+    for in olden ages athletes and champions used to wear hides of
+    bears, wolves and reindeer (as skins of lions in the south), hence
+    the names Bjalfe, Bjarnhedinn, Ulfhedinn (hedinn, _pellis_),--
+    “pellibus aut parvis rhenonum tegimentis utuntur.” Cæsar, Bell.
+    Gall. VI, 22. Even the old poets understood the name so, as may be
+    seen in the poem of Hornklofi (beginning of the 10th century),
+    a dialogue between a valkyrie and a raven, where the valkyrie says
+    at berserkja reiðu vil ek þik spyrja, to which the raven replies,
+    Ulfhednar heita, _they are called wolf coats_. In battle the
+    berserks were subject to fits of frenzy, called _berserksgangr_
+    (_furor bersercicus_), when they howled like wild beasts, foamed at
+    the mouth, and gnawed the iron rim of their shields. During these
+    fits they were, according to a popular belief, proof against steel
+    and fire, and made great havoc in the ranks of the enemy. But when
+    the fever abated they were weak and tame. Vigfusson Cleasby’s
+    Icelandic-English Dictionary, _sub voce_.]
+
+Odin could transform his shape; his body would lie as if dead or asleep,
+but then he would be in the shape of a fish, or worm, or bird, or beast,
+and be off in a twinkling to distant lands upon his own or other
+peoples’ business. With words alone he could quench fire, still the
+ocean in tempest, and turn the wind to any quarter he pleased. Odin had
+a ship, which he called Skidbladner,[126] in which he sailed over wide
+seas, and which he could roll up like a cloth. Odin carried with him
+Mimer’s head, which told him all the news of other countries. Sometimes
+even he called the dead out of the earth, or set himself beside the
+burial-mounds; whence he was called the ghost-sovereign, and the lord of
+the mounds. He had two ravens,[127] to whom he had taught the speech of
+man; and they flew far and wide through the land, and brought him the
+news. In all such things he was preëminently wise. He taught all these
+arts in runes and songs, which are called incantations, and therefore
+the Asaland people are called incantation-smiths. Odin also understood
+the art in which the greatest power is lodged, and which he himself
+practiced, namely, what is called magic. By means of this he could know
+beforehand the predestined fate[128] of men, or their not yet completed
+lot, and also bring on the death, ill-luck or bad health of people, or
+take away the strength or wit from one person and give it to another.
+But after such witchcraft followed such weakness and anxiety, that it
+was not thought respectable for men to practice it; and therefore the
+priestesses were brought up in this art. Odin knew definitely where all
+missing cattle were concealed under the earth, and understood the songs
+by which the earth, the hills, the stones and mounds were opened to him;
+and he bound those who dwell in them by the power of his word, and went
+in and took what he pleased. From these arts he became very celebrated.
+His enemies dreaded him; his friends put their trust in him, and relied
+on his power and on himself. He taught the most of his arts to his
+priests of the sacrifices, and they came nearest to himself in all
+wisdom and witch-knowledge. Many others, however, occupied themselves
+much with it; and from that time witchcraft spread far and wide, and
+continued long. People sacrificed to Odin, and the twelve chiefs of
+Asaland,--called them their gods, and believed in them long after. From
+Odin’s name came the name Audun, which people gave to his sons; and from
+Thor’s name came Thorer, also Thorarinn; and it was also sometimes
+augmented by other additions, as Steinthor, Hafthor, and many kinds of
+alterations.
+
+    [Footnote 126: In the mythology this ship belongs to Frey, having
+    been made for him by the dwarfs.]
+
+    [Footnote 127: Hugin and Munin.]
+
+    [Footnote 128: The old Norse word is órlög, which is plural, (from
+    ör = Ger. _ur_, and lög, _laws_,) and means the primal law, fate,
+    weird, doom; the Greek μοῖρα. The idea of predestination was a
+    salient feature in the Odinic religion. The word örlog, O.H.G.
+    _urlac_, M.H.G. _urlone_, Dutch _orlog_, had special reference to
+    a man’s fate in war. Hence Orlogschiffe in German means a naval
+    fleet. The Danish orlog means warfare at sea.]
+
+Odin established the same law in his land that had been before in
+Asaland. Thus he established by law that all dead men should be burned,
+and their property laid with them upon the pile, and the ashes be cast
+into the sea or buried in the earth. Thus, said he, everyone will come
+to Valhal with the riches he had with him upon the pile; and he would
+also enjoy whatever he himself had buried in the earth. For men of
+consequence a mound should be raised to their memory, and for all other
+warriors who had been distinguished for manhood, a standing stone; which
+custom remained long after Odin’s time. Toward winter there should be a
+blood-sacrifice for a good year, and in the middle of winter for a good
+crop; and the third sacrifice should be in summer, for victory in
+battle. Over all Svithjod[129] the people paid Odin a scatt, or tax,--so
+much on each head; but he had to defend the country from enemy or
+disturbance, and pay the expense of the sacrifice-feasts toward winter
+for a good year.
+
+    [Footnote 129: Svithjod, which here means Sweden, is derived from
+    Odin’s name, Svidr and thjod = folk, people. Svithjod thus means
+    Odin’s people, and the country takes its name from the people.]
+
+Njord took a wife hight Skade; but she would not live with him, but
+married afterward Odin, and had many sons by him, of whom one was called
+Saming, and of this Eyvind Skaldespiller sings thus:
+
+  To Asason[130] Queen Skade bore
+  Saming, who dyed his shield in gore,--
+  The giant queen of rock and snow
+  Who loves to dwell on earth below,
+  The iron pine-tree’s daughter she,
+  Sprung from the rocks that rib the sea,
+  To Odin bore full many a son,--
+  Heroes of many a battle won.
+
+    [Footnote 130: Odin.]
+
+To Saming Jarl Hakon the Great reckoned up his pedigree.[131] This
+Svithjod (Sweden) they call Mannheim, but the great Svithjod they call
+Godheim, and of Godheim great wonders and novelties were related.
+
+    [Footnote 131: Norway was given to Saming by Odin.]
+
+Odin died in his bed in Sweden; and when he was near his death he made
+himself be marked with the point of a spear,[132] and said he was going
+to Godheim, and would give a welcome there to all his friends, and all
+brave warriors should be dedicated to him; and the Swedes believed that
+he was gone to the ancient Asgard, and would live there eternally. Then
+began the belief in Odin, and the calling upon him. The Swedes believed
+that he often showed himself to them before any great battle. To some he
+gave victory, others he invited to himself; and they reckoned both of
+these to be well off in their fate. Odin was burnt, and at his pile
+there was great splendor. It was their faith that the higher the smoke
+arose in the air, the higher would he be raised whose pile it was; and
+the richer he would be the more property that was consumed with him.
+
+    [Footnote 132: He gave himself nine wounds in the form of the head
+    of a spear, or Thor’s hammer; that is, he marked himself with the
+    sign of the _cross_, an ancient heathen custom.]
+
+Njord of Noatun was then the sole sovereign of the Swedes; and he
+continued the sacrifices, and was called the drot, or sovereign, by the
+Swedes, and he received scatt and gifts from them. In his days were
+peace and plenty, and such good years in all respects that the Swedes
+believed Njord ruled over the growth of seasons and the prosperity of
+the people. In his time all the diars, or gods, died, and
+blood-sacrifices were made for them. Njord died on a bed of sickness,
+and before he died made himself be marked for Odin with the spear-point.
+The Swedes burned him, and all wept over his grave-mound.
+
+Frey took the kingdom after Njord, and was called drot by the Swedes,
+and they paid taxes to him. He was like his father, fortunate in friends
+and in good seasons. Frey built a great temple at Upsala, made it his
+chief seat, and gave it all his taxes, his land and goods. Then began
+the Upsala domains, which have remained ever since. Then began in his
+day the Frode-peace; and then there were good seasons in all the land,
+which the Swedes ascribed to Frey, so that he was more worshiped than
+the other gods, as the people became much richer in his days by reason
+of the peace and good seasons. His wife was called Gerd, daughter of
+Gymer, and their son was called Fjolner. Frey was called by another
+name, Yngve; and this name Yngve was considered long after in his race
+as a name of honor, so that his descendants have since been called
+Ynglings (_i.e._ Yngve-lings). Frey fell into a sickness, and as his
+illness took the upper hand, his men took the plan of letting few
+approach him. In the meantime they raised a great mound, in which they
+placed a door with three holes in it. Now when Frey died they bore him
+secretly into the mound, but told the Swedes he was alive, and they kept
+watch over him for three years. They brought all the taxes into the
+mound, and through the one hole they put in the gold, through the other
+the silver, and through the third the copper money that was paid. Peace
+and good seasons continued.
+
+Freyja alone remained of the gods, and she became on this account so
+celebrated that all women of distinction were called by her name, whence
+they now have the title Frue (Germ. _Frau_), so that every woman is
+called frue (that is, mistress) over her property, and the wife is
+called the house-frue. Freyja continued the blood-sacrifices. Freyja had
+also many other names. Her husband was called Oder, and her daughters
+Hnos and Gersame. They were so very beautiful that afterward the most
+precious jewels were called by their names.
+
+When it became known to the Swedes that Frey was dead, and yet peace and
+good seasons continued, they believed that it must be so as long as Frey
+remained in Sweden, and therefore they would not burn his remains, but
+called him the god of this world, and afterward offered continually
+blood-sacrifices to him, principally for peace and good seasons.[133]
+
+    [Footnote 133: Here ends Snorre’s account of the asas in
+    Heimskringla. The reader will, of course, compare the account here
+    given of Odin, Njord, Frey, Freyja, etc., with the purely
+    mythological description of them in the Younger Edda, and with
+    that in Norse Mythology. Upon the whole, Snorre has striven to
+    accommodate his sketch to the Eddas, while he has had to clothe
+    mythical beings with the characteristics of human kings. Like
+    Saxo-Grammaticus, Snorre has striven to show that the deities,
+    which we now recognize as personified forces and phenomena of
+    nature, were extraordinary and enterprising persons, who formerly
+    ruled in the North, and inaugurated the customs, government and
+    religion of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, England, and the
+    other Teutonic lands.]
+
+
+FORNJOT AND THE SETTLEMENT OF NORWAY.
+
+In the asa-faith we find various foreign elements introduced. Thus, for
+example, the vans did not originally belong to the Odinic system. As the
+Teutons came in contact with other races, the religious ideas of the
+latter were frequently adopted in some modified form. Especially do
+Finnish elements enter into the asa-system. The Finnish god of thunder
+was Ukko. He is supposed to have been confounded with our Thor, whence
+the latter got the name Öku-Thor (Ukko-Thor). The vans may be connected
+with the Finnish Wainamoinen, and in the same manner a number of Celtic
+elements have been mixed with Teutonic mythology. And this is not all.
+There must have flourished a religious system in the North before the
+arrival of Odin and his apostles. This was probably either Tshudic or
+Celtic, or a mixture of the two. The asa-doctrine superseded it, but
+there still remain traces in some of the oldest records of the North.
+Thus we have in the prehistoric sagas of Iceland an account of the
+finding of Norway, wherein it is related that Fornjot,[134] in Jotland,
+which is also called Finland or Quenland, east of the Gulf of Bothnia,
+had three sons: Hler, also called Æger, Loge and Kare.[135] Of Loge it
+is related that he was of giant descent, and, being very tall of
+stature, he was called Haloge, that is High Loge; and after him the
+northern part of Norway is called Halogaland (now Helgeland). He was
+married to Glod (a red-hot coal), and had with her two daughters, Eysa
+and Eimyrja; both words meaning glowing embers. Haloge had two jarls,
+Vifil (the one taking a vif = wife) and Vesete (the one who sits at the
+ve = the sanctuary, that is, the dweller by the hearth, the first
+sanctuary), who courted his daughters; the former addressing himself to
+Eimyrja, the latter to Eysa, but the king refusing to give his consent,
+they carried them away secretly. Vesete settled in Borgundarholm
+(Bornholm), and had a son, Bue (one who settles on a farm); Vifil sailed
+further east and settled on the island Vifilsey, on the coast of Sweden,
+and had a son, Viking (the pirate).
+
+    [Footnote 134: The word fornjot can be explained in two ways:
+    either as for-njot = the first enjoyer, possessor; or as forn-jot,
+    the ancient giant. He would then correspond to Ymer.]
+
+    [Footnote 135: Notice this trinity: Hler is the sea (comp. the
+    Welsh word _llyr_ = sea); Loge is fire (comp. the Welsh _llwg_),
+    he reminds us both by his name and his nature of Loke; Kare is the
+    wind.]
+
+The third son, Kare, had a numerous offspring. He had one son by name
+Jokul (iceberg), another Froste (frost), and Froste’s son was named Sna
+(snow). He had a third son, by name Thorri (bare frost), after whom the
+mid-winter month, Thorra-month, was called; and his daughters hight Fonn
+(packed snow), Drifa (snow-drift), and Mjoll (meal, fine snow). All
+these correspond well to Kare’s name, which, as stated, means wind.
+Thorri had two sons, Nor and Gor, and a daughter, Goe. The story goes on
+to tell how Goe, the sister, was lost, and how the brothers went to
+search for her, until they finally found him who had robbed her. He was
+Hrolf, from the mountain, a son of the giant Svade, and a grandson of
+Asa-Thor. They settled their trouble, and thereupon Hrolf married Goe,
+and Nor married Hrolf’s sister, settled in the land and called it after
+his own name, Norvegr, that is, Norway. By this story we are reminded of
+Kadmos, who went to seek his lost sister Europa. In the Younger Edda the
+winds are called the sons of Fornjot, the sea is called the son of
+Fornjot, and the brother of the fire and of the winds, and Fornjot is
+named among the old giants. This makes it clear that Fornjot and his
+offspring are not historical persons, but cosmological impersonations.
+And additional proof of this is found by an examination of the beginning
+of the Saga of Thorstein, Viking’s Son. (See Viking Tales of the North,
+pp. 1 and 2).
+
+
+THE FOOLING OF GYLFE.
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+This story about the ploughing of Gylfe reminds us of the legend told in
+the first book of Virgil’s Æneid, about the founding of Carthage by
+Dido, who bought from the Libyan king as much ground as she could cover
+with a bull’s hide. Elsewhere it is related that she cut the bull’s hide
+into narrow strips and encircled therewith all the ground upon which
+Carthage was afterward built. Thus Dido deceived the Libyan king nearly
+as effectually as Gefjun deluded King Gylfe. The story is also told by
+Snorre in Heimskringla, see p. 231.
+
+The passage in verse, which has given translators so much trouble in a
+transposed form, would read as follows: Gefjun glad drew that excellent
+land (djúpródul = the deep sun = gold; öðla = udal = property; djúpródul
+öðla = the golden property), Denmark’s increase (Seeland), so that it
+reeked (steamed) from the running oxen. The oxen bore four heads and
+eight eyes, as they went before the wide piece of robbed land of the
+isle so rich in grass.
+
+Gefjun is usually interpreted as a goddess of agriculture, and her name
+is by some derived from γῆ; and _fjon_, that is, _terræ separatio_;
+others compare it with the Anglo-Saxon _geofon_ = the sea. The etymology
+remains very uncertain.
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+It is to the delusion or eye-deceit mentioned in this chapter that
+Snorre Sturlasson refers in his Heimskringla, in Chapter VI of Ynglinga
+Saga.
+
+Thjodolf of Hvin was a celebrated skald at the court of Harald Fairhair.
+
+Thinking thatchers, etc. Literally transposed, this passage would read:
+Reflecting men let shields (literally Svafner’s, that is Odin’s
+roof-trees,) glisten on the back. They were smitten with stones. To let
+shields glisten on the back, is said of men who throw their shields on
+their backs to protect themselves against those who pursue the flying
+host.
+
+Har means the High One, Jafnhar the Equally High One, and Thride the
+Third One. By these three may be meant the three chief gods of the
+North: Odin, Thor and Frey; or they may be simply an expression of the
+Eddic trinity. This trinity is represented in a number of ways: by Odin,
+Vile and Ve in the creation of the world, and by Odin, Hœner and Loder
+in the creation of Ask and Embla, the first human pair. The number three
+figures extensively in all mythological systems. In the pre-chaotic
+state we have Muspelheim, Niflheim and Ginungagap. Fornjot had three
+sons: Hler, Loge and Kare. There are three norns: Urd, Verdande and
+Skuld. There are three fountains: Hvergelmer, Urd’s and Mimer’s; etc.
+(See Norse Mythology, pp. 183, 195, 196.)
+
+Har being Odin, Har’s Hall will be Valhal. You will not come out from
+this hall unless you are wiser. In the lay of Vafthrudner, of the Elder
+Edda, we have a similar challenge, where Vafthrudner says to Odin:
+
+  Out will you not come
+  From our halls
+  Unless I find you to be wiser (than I am).
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+This chapter gives twelve names of Odin. In the Eddas and in the skaldic
+lays he has in all nearly two hundred names. His most common name is
+Odin (in Anglo-Saxon and in Old High German _Wodan_), and this is
+thought by many to be of the same origin as our word _god_. The other
+Old Norse word for god, _tivi_, is identical in root with Lat. _divus_;
+Sansk. _dwas_; Gr. Διός (Ζεύς); and this is again connected with _Tyr_,
+the Tivisco in the Germania of Tacitus. (See Max Müller’s Lectures on
+the Science of Language, 2d series, p. 425). Paulus Diakonus states that
+Wodan, or Gwodan, was worshiped by all branches of the Teutons. Odin has
+also been sought and found in the Scythian _Zalmoxis_, in the Indian
+_Buddha_, in the Celtic Budd, and in the Mexican Votan. Zalmoxis,
+derived from the Gr. Ζαλμός, helmet, reminds us of Odin as the
+helmet-bearer (Grimm, Gesch. der Deutschen Sprache). According to
+Humboldt, a race in Guatemala, Mexico, claim to be descended from
+Votan (Vues des Cordillères, 1817, I, 208). This suggests the question
+whether Odin’s name may not have been brought to America by the Norse
+discoverers in the 10th and 11th centuries, and adopted by some of the
+native races. In the Lay of Grimner (Elder Edda) the following names of
+Odin are enumerated:
+
+  Grim is my name
+  And Ganglere,
+  Herjan and Helmet-bearer,
+  Thekk and Thride,
+  Thud and Ud,
+  Helblinde and Har,
+
+  Sad and Svipal,
+  And Sanngetal,
+  Herteit and Hnikar,
+  Bileyg and Baleyg,
+  Bolverk, Fjolner,
+  Grim and Grimner,
+  Glapsvid and Fjolsvid,
+
+  Sidhot, Sidskeg,
+  Sigfather, Hnikud,
+  Alfather, Valfather,
+  Atrid and Farmatyr.
+  With one name
+  Was I never named
+  When I fared ’mong the peoples.
+
+  Grimner they called me
+  Here at Geirrod’s,
+  But Jalk at Asmund’s,
+  And Kjalar the time
+  When sleds (kjalka) I drew,
+  And Thror at the Thing,
+  Vidur on the battle-field,
+  Oske and Ome,
+  Jafnhar and Biflinde,
+  Gondler and Harbard ’mong the gods.
+
+  Svidur and Svidre
+  Hight I at Sokmimer’s,
+  And fooled the ancient giant
+  When I alone Midvitne’s,
+  The mighty son’s,
+  Bane had become.
+
+  Odin I now am called,
+  Ygg was my name before,
+  Before that I hight Thund,
+  Yak and Skilfing,
+  Vafud and Hroptatyr,
+  Got and Jalk ’mong the gods,
+  Ofner and Svafner.
+  All these names, I trow,
+  Have to me alone been given.
+
+What the etymology of all these names is, it is not easy to tell. The
+most of them are clearly Norse words, and express the various activities
+of their owner. It is worthy of notice that it is added when and where
+Odin bore this or that name (his name was Grim at Geirrod’s, Jalk at
+Asmund’s, etc.), and that the words sometimes indicate a progressive
+development, as Thund, then Ygg, and then Odin. First he was a mere
+sound in the air (Thund), then he took to thinking (Ygg), and at last he
+became the inspiring soul of the universe. Although we are unable to
+define all these names, they certainly each have a distinct meaning, and
+our ancestors certainly understood them perfectly. Har = the High One;
+Jafn-har = the Equally High One; Thride = the Third (Ζεὺς ἄλλος and
+Τρίτος); Alfather probably contracted from _Alda_father = the Father of
+the Ages and the Creations; Veratyr = the Lord of Beings; Rögner = the
+Ruler (from regin); Got (Gautr, from _gjóta_, to cast) = the Creator,
+Lat. Instillator; Mjotud = the Creator, the word being allied to
+Anglo-Saxon _meotod_, _metod_, Germ. _Messer_, and means originally
+cutter; but to cut and to make are synonymous. Such names as these have
+reference to Odin’s divinity as creator, arranger and ruler of gods and
+men. Svid and Fjolsvid = the swift, the wise; Ganglere, Gangrad and
+Vegtam = the wanderer, the waywont; Vidrer = the weather-ruler, together
+with serpent-names like Ofner, Svafner, etc., refer to Odin’s knowledge,
+his journeys, the various shapes he assumes. Permeating all nature, he
+appears in all its forms. Names like Sidhot = the slouchy hat; Sidskeg =
+the long-beard; Baleyg = the burning-eye; Grimner = the masked; Jalk
+(Jack) = the youth, etc., express the various forms in which he was
+thought to appear,--to his slouchy hat, his long beard, or his age, etc.
+Such names as Sanngetal = the true investigator; Farmatyr = the
+cargo-god, etc., refer to his various occupations as inventor,
+discoverer of runes, protector of trade and commerce, etc. Finally, all
+such names as Herfather = father of hosts; Herjan = the devastator;
+Sigfather = the father of victory; Sigtyr = god of victory; Skilfing =
+producing trembling; Hnikar = the breaker, etc., represent Odin as the
+god of war and victory. Oske = wish, is thus called because he gratifies
+our desires. Gimle, as will be seen later, is the abode of the blessed
+after Ragnarok. Vingolf (Vin and golf) means _friends’ floor_, and is
+the hall of the goddesses. Hel is the goddess of death, and from her
+name our word _hell_ is derived.
+
+Our ancestors divided the universe into nine worlds: the uppermost was
+Muspelheim (the world of light); the lowest was Niflheim (the world of
+darkness). Compare the Greek word νεφέλη = mist. (See Norse Mythology,
+p. 187.)
+
+GINUNGAGAP. Ginn means wide, large, far-reaching, perhaps also void
+(compare the Anglo-Saxon _gin_ = gaping, open, spacious; ginian = to
+gap; and ginnung = a yawning). Ginungagap thus means the yawning gap or
+abyss, and represents empty space. The poets use ginnung in the sense of
+a fish and of a hawk, and in geographical saga-fragments it is used as
+the name of the Polar Sea.
+
+HVERGELMER. This word is usually explained as a transposition for
+Hvergemler, which would then be derived from Hver and gamall (old) = the
+old kettle; but Petersen shows that gelmir must be taken from galm,
+which is still found in the Jutland dialect, and means a gale (compare
+Golmstead = a windy place, and _golme_ = to roar, blow). Gelmer is then
+the one producing galm, and Hvergelmer thus means the roaring kettle.
+The twelve rivers proceeding from Hvergelmer are called the Elivogs
+(Élivágar) in the next chapter. Éli-vágar means, according to Vigfusson,
+ice-waves. The most of the names occur in the long list of river names
+given in the Lay of Grimner, of the Elder Edda. Svol = the cool;
+Gunnthro = the battle-trough. Slid is also mentioned in the Vala’s
+Prophecy, where it is represented as being full of mud and swords. Sylg
+(from _svelgja_ = to swallow) = the devourer; Ylg (from _yla_ = to roar)
+= the roaring one; Leipt = the glowing, is also mentioned in the Lay of
+Helge Hunding’s Bane, where it is stated that they swore by it (compare
+Styx); Gjoll (from _gjalla_ = to glisten and clang) = the shining,
+clanging one. The meaning of the other words is not clear, but they
+doubtless all, like those explained, express cold, violent motion, etc.
+The most noteworthy of these rivers are Leipt and Gjoll. In the Lay of
+Grimner they are said to flow nearest to the abode of man, and fall
+thence into Hel’s realm. Over Gjoll was the bridge which Hermod, after
+the death of Balder, crossed on his way to Hel. It is said to be
+thatched with shining gold, and a maid by name Modgud watches it. In the
+song of Sturle Thordson, on the death of Skule Jarl, it is said that
+“the king’s kinsman went over the Gjoll-bridge.” The farther part of the
+horizon, which often appears like a broad bright stream, may have
+suggested this river.
+
+SURT means the swarthy or black one. Many have regarded him as the
+unknown (dark) god, but this is probably an error. But there was some
+one in Muspelheim who sent the heat, and gave life to the frozen drops
+of rime. The latter, and not Surt, who is a giant, is the eternal god,
+the mighty one, whom the skald in the Lay of Hyndla dare not name. It is
+interesting to notice that our ancestors divided the evolution of the
+world into three distinct periods: (1) a pre-chaotic condition
+(Niflheim, Muspelheim and Ginungagap); (2) a chaotic condition (Ymer and
+the cow Audhumbla); (3) and finally the three gods, Odin (spirit), Vile
+(will) and Ve (sanctity), transformed chaos into cosmos. And away back
+in this pre-chaotic state of the world we find this mighty being who
+sends the heat. It is not definitely stated, but it can be inferred from
+other passages, that just as the good principle existed from everlasting
+in Muspelheim, so the evil principle existed co-eternally with it in
+Hvergelmer in Niflheim. Hvergelmer is the source out of which all matter
+first proceeded, and the dragon or devil Nidhug, who dwells in
+Hvergelmer, is, in our opinion, the evil principle who is from eternity.
+The good principle shall continue forever, but the evil shall cease to
+exist after Ragnarok.
+
+YMER is the noisy one, and his name is derived from _ymja_ = to howl
+(compare also the Finnish deity Jumo, after whom the town Umea takes its
+name, like Odinse).
+
+AURGELMER, THRUDGELMER and BERGELMER express the gradual development
+from aur (clay) to thrud (that which is compressed), and finally to berg
+(rock).
+
+VIDOLF, VILMEIDE and SVARTHOFDE are mentioned nowhere else in the
+mythology.
+
+BURE and BORE mean the bearing and the born; that is, father and son.
+
+BOLTHORN means the miserable one, from bol = evil; and Bestla may mean
+that which is best. The idea then is that Bor united himself with that
+which was best of the miserable material at hand.
+
+That the flood caused by the slaying of Ymer reminds us of Noah and his
+ark, and of the Greek flood, needs only to be suggested.
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+ASK means an ash-tree, and EMBLA an elm-tree.
+
+While the etymology of the names in the myths are very obscure, the
+myths themselves are clear enough. Similar myths abound in Greek
+mythology. The story about Bil and Hjuke is our old English rhyme about
+Jack and Gill, who went up the hill to fetch a pail of water.
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+In reference to the golden age, see Norse Mythology, pp. 182 and 197.
+
+In the appendix to the German so-called Hero-Book we are told that the
+dwarfs were first created to cultivate the desert lands and the
+mountains; thereupon the giants, to subdue the wild beasts; and finally
+the heroes, to assist the dwarfs against the treacherous giants. While
+the giants are always hostile to the gods, the dwarfs are usually
+friendly to them.
+
+DWARFS. Both giants and dwarfs shun the light. If surprised by the
+breaking forth of day, they become changed to stone. In one of the poems
+of the Elder Edda (the Alvismál), Thor amuses the dwarf Alvis with
+various questions till daylight, and then cooly says to him: With great
+artifices, I tell you, you have been deceived; you are surprised here,
+dwarf, by daylight! The sun now shines in the hall. In the Helgakvida
+Atle says to the giantess Hrimgerd: It is now day, Hrimgerd! But Atle
+has detained you, to your life’s perdition. It will appear a laughable
+harbor-mark, where you stand as a stone-image.
+
+In the German tales the dwarfs are described as deformed and diminutive,
+coarsely clad and of dusky hue: “a little black man,” “a little gray
+man.” They are sometimes of the height of a child of four years,
+sometimes as two spans high, a thumb high (hence, Tom Thumb). The old
+Danish ballad of Eline of Villenwood mentions a troll not bigger than an
+ant. Dvergmál (the speech of the dwarfs) is the Old Norse expression for
+the echo in the mountains.
+
+In the later popular belief, the dwarfs are generally called the
+subterraneans, the brown men in the moor, etc. They make themselves
+invisible by a hat or hood. The women spin and weave, the men are
+smiths. In Norway rock-crystal is called dwarf-stone. Certain stones are
+in Denmark called dwarf-hammers. They borrow things and seek advice from
+people, and beg aid for their wives when in labor, all which services
+they reward. But they also lame cattle, are thievish, and will carry off
+damsels. There have been instances of dwarf females having married and
+had children with men. (Thorpe’s Northern Mythology.)
+
+WAR. It was the first warfare in the world, says the Elder Edda, when
+they pierced Gullveig (gold-thirst) through with a spear, and burned her
+in Odin’s hall. Thrice they burned her, thrice she was born anew: again
+and again, but still she lives. When she comes to a house they call her
+Heide (the bright, the welcome), and regard her as a propitious vala or
+prophetess. She can tame wolves, understands witchcraft, and delights
+wicked women. Hereupon the gods consulted together whether they should
+punish this misdeed, or accept a blood-fine, when Odin cast forth a
+spear among mankind, and now began war and slaughter in the world. The
+defenses of the burgh of the asas was broken down. The vans anticipated
+war, and hastened over the field. The valkyries came from afar, ready to
+ride to the gods’ people: Skuld with the shield, Skogul, Gunn, Hild,
+Gondul and Geirr Skogul. (Quoted by Thorpe.)
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+In reference to Ygdrasil, we refer our readers to Norse Mythology, pp.
+205-211, and to Thomas Carlyle’s Heroes and Hero-worship.
+
+A connection between the norns Urd, Verdande and Skuld and the weird
+sisters in Shakspeare’s _Macbeth_ has long since been recognized; but
+new light has recently been thrown upon the subject by the philosopher
+Karl Blind, who has contributed valuable articles on the subject in the
+German periodical “Die Gegenwart” and in the “London Academy.” We take
+the liberty of reproducing here an abstract of his article in the
+“Academy”:
+
+      *    *    *    *    *    *
+
+  The fact itself of these Witches being simply transfigurations, or
+  later disguises, of the Teutonic Norns is fully established--as may
+  be seen from Grimm or Simrock. In delineating these hags, Shakspeare
+  has practically drawn upon old Germanic sources, perhaps upon
+  current folk-lore of his time.
+
+  It has always struck me as noteworthy that in the greater part of
+  the scene between the Weird Sisters, Macbeth and Banquo, and
+  wherever the Witches come in, Shakspeare uses the staff-rime in a
+  remarkable manner. Not only does this add powerfully to the archaic
+  impressiveness and awe, but it also seems to bring the form and
+  figure of the Sisters of Fate more closely within the circle of the
+  Teutonic idea. I have pointed out this striking use of the
+  alliterative system in _Macbeth_ in an article on “An old German
+  Poem and a Vedic Hymn,” which appeared in _Fraser_ in June, 1877,
+  and in which the derivation of the Weird Sisters from the Germanic
+  Norns is mentioned.
+
+  The very first scene in the first act of _Macbeth_ opens strongly
+  with the staff-rime:
+
+    _1st Witch_. When shall we three meet again--
+    In thunder, lightning or in rain?
+
+    _2d Witch_. When the hurly-burly’s done,
+    When the battle’s lost and won.
+
+    _3d Witch_. That will be ere set of sun.
+
+    _1st Witch_. Where the place?
+
+    _2d Witch_.              Upon the heath.
+
+    _3d Witch_. There to meet with Macbeth.
+
+    _1st Witch_. I come, Graymalkin!
+
+    _All_. Paddock calls. Anon.
+    Fair is foul, and foul is fair.
+    Hover through the fog and filthy air.
+
+  Not less marked is the adoption of the fullest staff-rime--together
+  (as above) with the end-rime--in the third scene, when the Weird
+  Sisters speak. Again, there is the staff-rime when Banquo addresses
+  them. Again, the strongest alliteration, combined with the end-rime,
+  runs all through the Witches’ spell-song in Act iv, scene 1. This
+  feature in Shakspeare appears to me to merit closer investigation;
+  all the more so because a less regular alliteration, but still a
+  marked one, is found in not a few passages of a number of his plays.
+  Only one further instance of the systematic employment of
+  alliteration may here be noted in passing. It is in Ariel’s songs in
+  the _Tempest_, Act i, scene 2. Schlegel and Tieck evidently did not
+  observe this alliterative peculiarity. Their otherwise excellent
+  translation does not render it, except so far as the obvious
+  similarity of certain English and German words involuntarily made
+  them do so. But in the notes to their version of _Macbeth_ the
+  character of the Weird Sisters is also misunderstood, though
+  Warburton is referred to, who had already suggested their
+  derivations from the Valkyrs or Norns.
+
+  It is an error to say that the Witches in _Macbeth_ “are never
+  called witches” (compare Act i, scene 3: “‘Give me!’ quoth I.
+  ‘A-roint thee, _witch_!’ the rump-fed ronyon cries”). However, their
+  designation as Weird Sisters fully settles the case of their
+  Germanic origin.
+
+  This name “Weird” is derived from the Anglo-Saxon Norn Wyrd (Sax.
+  _Wurth_; O.H. Ger. _Wurd_; Norse, _Urd_), who represents the Past,
+  as her very name shows. Wurd is _die Gewordene_--the “Has Been,” or
+  rather the “Has Become,” if one could say so in English.
+
+      *    *    *    *    *    *
+
+  In Shakspeare the Witches are three in number--even as in Norse,
+  German, as well as in Keltic and other mythologies. Urd, properly
+  speaking, is the Past. Skuld is the Future, or “That Which shall
+  Be.” Verdandi, usually translated as the Present, has an even deeper
+  meaning. Her name is not to be derived from _vera_ (to be), but from
+  _verda_ (Ger. _werden_). This verb, which has a mixed meaning of “to
+  be,” “to become,” or to “grow,” has been lost in English. Verdandi
+  is, therefore, not merely a representative of present Being, but of
+  the process of Growing, or of Evolution--which gives her figure a
+  profounder aspect. Indeed, there is generally more significance in
+  mythological tales than those imagine who look upon them chiefly as
+  a barren play of fancy.
+
+  Incidentally it may be remarked that, though Shakspeare’s Weird
+  Sisters are three in number--corresponding to Urd, Verdandi and
+  Skuld--German and Northern mythology and folk-lore occasionally
+  speak of twelve or seven of them. In the German tale of
+  _Dornröschen_, or the Sleeping Beauty, there are twelve good fays;
+  and a thirteenth, who works the evil spell. Once, in German
+  folk-lore, we meet with but two Sisters of Fate--one of them called
+  _Kann_, the other _Muss_. Perhaps these are representatives of man’s
+  measure of free will (that which he “can”), and of that which is his
+  inevitable fate--or, that which he “must” do.
+
+  Though the word “Norn” has been lost in England and Germany, it is
+  possibly preserved in a German folk-lore ditty, which speaks of
+  three Sisters of Fate as “Nuns.” Altogether, German folk-lore is
+  still full of rimes about three Weird Sisters. They are sometimes
+  called Wild Women, or Wise Women, or the Measurers
+  (_Metten_)--namely, of Fate; or, euphemistically, like the
+  Eumenides, the Advisers of Welfare (_Heil-Räthinnen_), reminding us
+  of the counsels given to Macbeth in the apparition scene; or the
+  Quick Judges (_Gach-Schepfen_). Even as in the Edda, these German
+  fays weave and twist threads or ropes, and attach them to distant
+  parts, thus fixing the weft of Fate. One of these fays is sometimes
+  called Held, and described as black, or as half dark half
+  white--like Hel, the Mistress of the Nether World. That German fay
+  is also called Rachel, clearly a contraction of Rach-Hel, i.e. the
+  Avengeress Hel.
+
+  Now, in _Macbeth_ also the Weird Sisters are described as “black.”
+  The coming up of Hekate with them in the cave-scene might not
+  unfitly be looked upon as a parallel with the German Held, or
+  Rach-Hel, and the Norse Hel; these Teutonic deities being originally
+  Goddesses of Nocturnal Darkness, and of the Nether World, even as
+  Hekate.
+
+  In German folk-lore, three Sisters of Fate bear the names of Wilbet,
+  Worbet and Ainbet. Etymologically these names seem to refer to the
+  well-disposed nature of a fay representing the Past; to the warring
+  or worrying troubles of the Present; and to the terrors (_Ain_ =
+  _Agin_) of the Future. All over southern Germany, from Austria to
+  Alsace and Rhenish Hesse, the three fays are known under various
+  names besides Wilbet, Worbet, and Ainbet--for instance, as Mechtild,
+  Ottilia, and Gertraud; as Irmina, Adela, and Chlothildis, and so
+  forth. The fay in the middle of this trio is always a good fay,
+  a white fay--but blind. Her treasure (the very names of Ottilia and
+  Adela point to a treasure) is continually being taken from her by
+  the third fay, a dark and evil one, as well as by the first. This
+  myth has been interpreted as meaning that the Present, being blinded
+  as to its own existence, is continually being encroached upon,
+  robbed as it were, by the dark Future and the Past. Of this
+  particular trait there is no vestige in Shakspeare’s Weird Sisters.
+  They, like the Norns, “go hand in hand.” But there is another point
+  which claims attention Shakspeare’s Witches are bearded. (“You
+  should be women, and yet your beards forbid me to interpret that you
+  are so.” Act i, scene 3.)
+
+  It need scarcely be brought to recollection that a commingling of
+  the female and male character occurs in the divine and semi-divine
+  figures of various mythological systems--including the Bearded
+  Venus. Of decisive importance is, however, the fact of a bearded
+  Weird Sister having apparently been believed in by our heathen
+  German forefathers.
+
+  Near Wessobrunn, in Upper Bavaria, where the semi-heathen fragment
+  of a cosmogonic lay, known as “Wessobrunn Prayer,” was discovered,
+  there has also been found, of late, a rudely-sculptured three-headed
+  image. It is looked upon as an ancient effigy of the German Norns.
+  The Cloister of the three Holy Bournes, or Fountains, which stands
+  close by the place of discovery, is supposed to have been set up on
+  ground that had once served for pagan worship. Probably the later
+  monkish establishment of the Three Holy Bournes had taken the place
+  of a similarly named heathen sanctuary where the three Sisters of
+  Fate were once adored. Indeed, the name of all the corresponding
+  fays in yet current German folk-lore is connected with holy wells.
+  This quite fits in with the three Eddic Bournes near the great Tree
+  of Existence, at one of which--apparently at the oldest, which is
+  the very Source of Being--the Norns live, “the maidens that over the
+  Sea of Age travel in deep foreknowledge,” and of whom it is said
+  that:
+
+    They laid the lots, they ruled the life
+    To the sons of men, their fate foretelling.
+
+  Now, curiously enough, the central head of the slab found near
+  Wessobrunn, in the neighborhood of the Cloister of the Three Holy
+  Bournes, is _bearded_. This has puzzled our archæologists. Some of
+  them fancied that what appears to be a beard might after all be the
+  hair of one of the fays or Norns, tied round the chin. By the light
+  of the description of the Weird Sisters in Shakspeare’s _Macbeth_
+  we, however, see at once the true connection.
+
+  In every respect, therefore, his “Witches” are an echo from the
+  ancient Germanic creed--an echo, moreover, coming to us in the
+  oldest Teutonic verse-form; that is, in the staff-rime.
+
+      KARL BLIND.
+
+ELVES. The elves of later times seem a sort of middle thing between the
+light and dark elves. They are fair and lively, but also bad and
+mischievous. In some parts of Norway the peasants describe them as
+diminutive naked boys with hats on. Traces of their dance are sometimes
+to be seen on the wet grass, especially on the banks of rivers. Their
+exhalation is injurious, and is called _alfgust_ or _elfblæst_, causing
+a swelling, which is easily contracted by too nearly approaching places
+where they have spat, etc. They have a predilection for certain spots,
+but particularly for large trees, which on that account the owners do
+not venture to meddle with, but look on them as something sacred, on
+which the weal or woe of the place depends. Certain diseases among their
+cattle are attributed to the elves, and are, therefore, called elf-fire
+or elf-shot. The dark elves are often confounded with the dwarfs, with
+whom they, indeed, seem identical, although they are distinguished in
+Odin’s Raven’s Song. The Norwegians also make a distinction between
+dwarfs and elves, believing the former to live solitary and in quiet,
+while the latter love music and dancing. (Faye, p. 48; quoted by
+Thorpe.)
+
+The fairies of Scotland are precisely identical with the above. They are
+described as a diminutive race of beings of a mixed or rather dubious
+nature, capricious in their dispositions and mischievous in their
+resentment. They inhabit the interior of green hills, chiefly those of a
+conical form, in Gaelic termed _Sighan_, on which they lead their dances
+by moonlight; impressing upon the surface the marks of circles, which
+sometimes appear yellow and blasted, sometimes of a deep green hue, and
+within which it is dangerous to sleep, or to be found after sunset.
+Cattle which are suddenly seized with the cramp, or some similar
+disorder, are said to be _elf-shot_. (Scott’s Minstrelsy of the Scottish
+Border; quoted by Thorpe.)
+
+Of the Swedish elves, Arndt gives the following sketch: Of giants, of
+dwarfs, of the alp, of dragons, that keep watch over treasures, they
+have the usual stories; nor are the kindly elves forgotten. How often
+has my postillion, when he observed a circular mark in the dewy grass,
+exclaimed: See! there the elves have been dancing. These elf-dances play
+a great part in the spinning-room. To those who at midnight happen to
+enter one of these circles, the elves become visible, and may then play
+all kinds of pranks with them; though in general they are little, merry,
+harmless beings, both male and female. They often sit in small stones,
+that are hollowed out in circular form, and which are called elf-querns
+or mill-stones. Their voice is said to be soft like the air. If a loud
+cry is heard in the forest, it is that of the Skogsrå (spirit of the
+wood), which should be answered only by a _He!_ when it can do no harm.
+(Reise durch Sweden; quoted by Thorpe.)
+
+The elf-shot was known in England in very remote times, as appears from
+the Anglo-Saxon incantation, printed by Grimm in his Deutsche
+Mythologie, and in the appendix to Kemble’s Saxons in England: Gif hit
+wœre esa gescot oððe hit wœre ylfa gescot; that is, if it were an
+asa-shot or an elf-shot. On this subject Grimm says: It is a very old
+belief that dangerous arrows were shot by the elves from the air. The
+thunder-bolt is also called elf-shot, and in Scotland a hard, sharp,
+wedge-shaped stone is known by the name of elf-arrow, elf-flint,
+elf-bolt, which, it is supposed, has been sent by the spirits. (Quoted
+by Thorpe.)
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+Our ancestors divided the universe into nine worlds, and these again
+into three groups:
+
+1. Over the earth. Muspelheim, Ljosalfaheim and Asaheim.
+
+2. On the earth. Jotunheim, Midgard and Vanheim.
+
+3. Below the earth. Svartalfaheim, Niflheim and Niflhel.
+
+The gods had twelve abodes:
+
+1. THRUDHEIM. The abode of Thor. His realm is Thrudvang, and his palace
+is Bilskirner.
+
+2. YDALER. Uller’s abode.
+
+3. VALASKJALF. Odin’s hall.
+
+4. SOKVABEK. The abode of Saga.
+
+5. GLADSHEIM, where there are twelve seats for the gods, besides the
+throne occupied by Alfather.
+
+6. THRYMHEIM. Skade’s abode.
+
+7. BREIDABLIK. Balder’s abode.
+
+8. HIMMINBJORG. Heimdal’s abode.
+
+9. FOLKVANG. Freyja’s abode.
+
+10. GLITNER. Forsete’s abode.
+
+11. NOATUN. Njord’s abode.
+
+12. LANDVIDE. Vidar’s abode.
+
+According to the Lay of Grimner, the gods had twelve horses, but the
+owner of each horse is not given:
+
+(1) Sleipner (Odin’s), (2) Goldtop (Heimdal’s), (3) Glad, (4) Gyller,
+(5) Gler, (6) Skeidbrimer, (7) Silvertop, (8) Siner, (9) Gisl, (10)
+Falhofner, (11) Lightfoot, (12) Blodughofdi (Frey’s).
+
+The owners of nine of them are not given, and, moreover, it is stated
+that Thor had no horse, but always either went on foot or drove his
+goats.
+
+The favorite numbers are three, nine and twelve. Monotheism was
+recognized in the unknown god, who is from everlasting to everlasting.
+A number of trinities were established, and the nine worlds were
+classified into three groups. The week had nine days, and originally
+there were probably but nine gods, that is, before the vans were united
+with the asas. The number nine occurs where Heimdal is said to have nine
+mothers, Menglad is said to have nine maid-servants, Æger had nine
+daughters, etc. When the vans were united with the asas, the number rose
+to twelve:
+
+(1) Odin, (2) Thor, (3) Tyr, (4) Balder, (5) Hoder, (6) Heimdal, (7)
+Hermod, (8) Njord, (9) Frey, (10) Uller, (11) Vidar, (12) Forsete.
+
+If we add to this list Brage, Vale and Loke, we get fifteen; but the
+Eddas everywhere declare that there are twelve gods, who were entitled
+to divine worship.
+
+The number of the goddesses is usually given as twenty-six.
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+Loke and his offspring are so fully treated in our Norse Mythology, that
+we content ourselves by referring our readers to that work.
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+Freyja’s ornament Brising. In the saga of Olaf Tryggvason, there is a
+rather awkward story of the manner in which Freyja became possessed of
+her ornament. Freyja, it is told, was a mistress of Odin. Not far from
+the palace dwelt four dwarfs, whose names were Alfrig, Dvalin, Berling
+and Grer; they were skillful smiths. Looking one day into their stony
+dwelling, Freyja saw them at work on a beautiful golden necklace, or
+collar, which she offered to buy, but which they refused to part with,
+except on conditions quite incompatible with the fidelity she owed to
+Odin, but to which she, nevertheless, was tempted to accede. Thus the
+ornament became hers. By some means this transaction came to the
+knowledge of Loke, who told it to Odin. Odin commanded him to get
+possession of the ornament. This was no easy task, for no one could
+enter Freyja’s bower without her consent. He went away whimpering, but
+most were glad on seeing him in such tribulation. When he came to the
+locked bower, he could nowhere find an entrance, and, it being cold
+weather, he began to shiver. He then transformed himself into a fly and
+tried every opening, but in vain; there was nowhere air enough to make
+him to get through [Loke (fire) requires air]. At length he found a hole
+in the roof, but not bigger than the prick of a needle. Through this he
+slipt. On his entrance he looked around to see if anyone were awake, but
+all were buried in sleep. He peeped in at Freyja’s bed, and saw that she
+had the ornament round her neck, but that the lock was on the side she
+lay on. He then transformed himself to a flea, placed himself on
+Freyja’s cheek, and stung her so that she awoke, but only turned herself
+round and slept again. He then laid aside his assumed form, cautiously
+took the ornament, unlocked the bower, and took his prize to Odin. In
+the morning, on waking, Freyja seeing the door open, without having been
+forced, and that her ornament was gone, instantly understood the whole
+affair. Having dressed herself, she repaired to Odin’s hall, and
+upbraided him with having stolen her ornament, and insisted on its
+restoration, which she finally obtained. (Quoted by Thorpe.)
+
+Mention is also made of the Brósinga-men in the Beowulf (verse 2394).
+Here it is represented as belonging to Hermanric, but the legend
+concerning it has never been found.
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+This myth about Frey and Gerd is the subject of one of the most
+fascinating poems in the Elder Edda, the Journey of Skirner. It is, as
+Auber Forestier, in Echoes from Mistland, says, the germ of the Niblung
+story. Frey is Sigurd or Sigfrid, and Gerd is Brynhild. The myth is also
+found in another poem of the Elder Edda, the Lay of Fjolsvin, in which
+the god himself--there called Svipday (the hastener of the
+day)--undertakes the journey to arouse from the winter sleep the cold
+giant nature of the maiden Menglad (the sun-radiant daughter), who is
+identical with Freyja (the goddess of spring, promise, or of love
+between man and woman, and who can easily be compared with Gerd). Before
+the bonds which enchain the maiden can in either case be broken, Bele
+(the giant of spring storms, corresponding to the dragon Fafner in the
+Niblung story,) must be conquered, and Wafurloge (the wall of bickering
+flames that surrounded the castle) must be penetrated. The fanes
+symbolize the funeral pyre, for whoever enters the nether world must
+scorn the fear of death. (Auber Forestier’s Echoes from Mistland;
+Introduction, xliii, xliv.) We also find this story repeated again and
+again, in numberless variations, in Teutonic folk-lore; for instance,
+in The Maiden on the Glass Mountain, where the glass mountain takes the
+place of the bickering flame.
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+The tree Lerad (furnishing protection) must be regarded as a branch of
+Ygdrasil.
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+In Heimskringla Skidbladner is called Odin’s ship. This is correct. All
+that belonged to the gods was his also.
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+For a thorough analysis of Thor as a spring god, as the god who dwells
+in the clouds, as the god of thunder and lightning, as the god of
+agriculture, in short, as the god of culture, we can do no better than
+to refer our readers to Der Mythus von Thor, nach Nordischen Quellen,
+von Ludwig Uhland, Stuttgart, 1836; and to Handbuch der Deutschen
+Mythologie, mit Einschluss der Nordischen, von Karl Simrock, Vierte
+Auflage, Bonn, 1874.
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+The death of Balder is justly regarded as the most beautiful myth in
+Teutonic mythology. It is connected with the Lay of Vegtam in the Elder
+Edda. Like so many other myths (Frey and Gerd, The Robbing of Idun,
+etc.) the myth symbolizes originally the end of summer and return of
+spring. Thus Balder dies every year and goes to Hel. But in the
+following spring he returns to the asas, and gladdens all things living
+and dead with his pure shining light. Gradually, however, the myth was
+changed from a symbol of the departing and returning summer, and applied
+to the departing and returning of the world year, and thus the death of
+Balder prepares the way for Ragnarok and Regeneration. Balder goes to
+Hel and does not return to this world. Thokk refuses to weep for him.
+His return is promised after Ragnarok. The next spring does not bring
+him back, but the rejuvenated earth. Thus the death of Balder becomes
+the central thought in the drama of the fate of the gods and of the
+world. It is inseparably connected with the punishment of Loke and the
+twilight of the gods. The winter following the death of Balder is not an
+ordinary winter, but the Fimbul-winter, which is followed by no summer,
+but by the destruction of the world. The central idea in the Odinic
+religion, the destruction and regeneration of the world, has taken this
+beautiful sun-myth of Balder into its service. Balder is then no more
+merely the pure holy light of heaven; he symbolizes at the same time the
+purity and innocence of the gods; he is changed from a physical to an
+ethical myth. He impersonated all that was good and holy in the life of
+the gods; and so it came to pass that when the golden age had ceased,
+when thirst for gold (Gulveig), when sin and crime had come into the
+world, he was too good to live in it. As in Genesis fratricide (Cain and
+Abel) followed upon the eating of the forbidden fruit, and the loss of
+paradise; so, when the golden age (paradise) had ended among the asas,
+Loke (the serpent) brought fratricide (Hoder and Balder) among the gods;
+themselves and our ancestors regarded fratricide as the lowest depth of
+moral depravity. After the death of Balder
+
+  Brothers slay brothers,
+  Sisters’ children
+  Shed each other’s blood,
+  Hard grows the world,
+  Sensual sin waxes huge.
+
+  There are sword-ages, ax-ages--
+  Shields are cleft in twain,--
+  Storm-ages, murder-ages,--
+  Till the world falls dead,
+  And men no longer spare
+  Or pity one another.
+
+Upon the whole we may say that a sun-myth first represents the death of
+the day at sunset, when the sky is radiant as if dyed in blood. In the
+flushing morn light wins its victory again. Then this same myth becomes
+transferred to the death and birth of summer. Once more it is lifted
+into a higher sphere, while still holding on to its physical
+interpretation, and is applied to the world year. Finally, it is clothed
+with ethical attributes, becomes thoroughly anthropomorphized, and
+typifies the good and the evil, the virtues and vices (light and
+darkness), in the character and life of gods and of men. Thus we get
+four stages in the development of the myth.
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+RAGNAROK. The word is found written in two ways, Ragnarok and ragnarökr.
+Ragna is genitive plural, from the word regin (god), and means of the
+gods. Rok means reason, ground, origin, a wonder, sign, marvel. It is
+allied to the O.H.G. _rahha_ = sentence, judgment. Ragnarök would then
+mean _the history of the gods_, and applied to the dissolution of the
+world, might be translated _the last judgment_, _doomsday_, _weird of
+gods and the world_. Rokr means _twilight_, and Ragnarokr, as the
+Younger Edda has it, thus means _the twilight of the gods_, and the
+latter is adopted by nearly all modern writers, although Gudbr.
+Vigfusson declares that Ragnarok (doomsday) is no doubt the correct
+form. And this is also to be said in favor of doomsday, that Ragnarok
+does not involve only the _twilight_, but the whole _night_ of the gods
+and the world.
+
+
+THE NIFLUNGS AND GJUKUNGS.
+
+This chapter of _Skaldskaparmal_ contains much valuable material for a
+correct understanding of the Nibelungen-Lied, especially as to the
+origin of the Niblung hoard, and the true character of Brynhild. The
+material given here, and in the Icelandic Volsunga Saga, has been used
+by Wm. Morris in his Sigurd the Volsung and the Fall of the Niblungs.
+In the Nibelungen-Lied, as transposed by Auber Forestier, in Echoes from
+Mist-Land, we have a perfect gem of literature from the middle high
+German period, but its author had lost sight of the divine and mythical
+origin of the material that he wove into his poem. It is only by
+combining the German Nibelungen-Lied with the mythical materials found
+in Norseland that our national Teutonic epic can be restored to us.
+Wagner has done this for us in his famous drama; Jordan has done it in
+his Sigfrid’s saga; Morris has done it in the work mentioned above; but
+will not Auber Forestier gather up all the scattered fragments relating
+to Sigurd and Brynhild, and weave them together into a prose narrative,
+that shall delight the young and the old of this great land?
+
+We are glad to welcome at this time a new book in the field of Niblung
+literature. We refer to Geibel’s Brunhild, translated, with introduction
+and notes, by Prof. G. Theo. Dippold, and recently published in Boston.
+
+
+MENJA AND FENJA.
+
+This is usually called the peace of Frode, which corresponds to the
+golden age in the life of the asas. Avarice is the root of crime, and
+all other evils. Avarice is at the bottom of all the endless woes of the
+Niblung story. The myth explaining why the sea is salt is told in a
+variety of forms in different countries. In Germany there are several
+folk-lore stories and traditions in regard to it. In Norway, where
+folk-lore tales are so abundant, we find the myth about Menja and Fenja
+recurring in the following form:
+
+
+WHY THE SEA IS SALT.
+
+Long, long ago there were two brothers, the one was rich and the other
+was poor. On Christmas eve the poor one had not a morsel of bread or
+meat in his house, and so he went to his brother and asked him for
+mercy’s sake to give him something for Christmas. It was not the first
+time the brother had had to give him, and he was not very much pleased
+to see him this time either.
+
+“If you will do what I ask of you, I will give you a whole ham of pork,”
+said he.
+
+The poor man promised immediately, and was very thankful besides.
+
+“There you have it, now go to hell,” said the rich one, and threw the
+ham at him.
+
+“What I have promised, I suppose, I must keep,” said the other. He took
+the ham and started. He walked and walked the whole day, and at twilight
+he came to a place where everything looked so bright and splendid.
+
+“This must be the place,” thought the man with the ham.
+
+Out in the wood-shed stood an old man with a long white beard, cutting
+wood for Christmas.
+
+“Good evening,” said the man with the ham.
+
+“Good evening, sir. Where are you going so late?” said the man.
+
+“I am on my way to hell, if I am on the right road,” said the poor man.
+
+“Yes, you have taken the right road; it is here,” said the old man. “Now
+when you get in, they will all want to buy your ham, for pork is rare
+food in hell; but you must not sell it, unless you get the hand-mill
+that stands back of the door for it. When you come out again I will show
+you how to regulate it. You will find it useful in more than one
+respect.”
+
+The man with the ham thanked the old man for this valuable information,
+and rapped at the devil’s door.
+
+When he came in it happened as the old man had said. All the devils,
+both the large ones and the small ones, crowded around him like ants
+around a worm, and the one bid higher than the other for the ham.
+
+“It is true my wife and I were to have it for our Christmas dinner, but,
+seeing that you are so eager for it, I suppose I will have to let you
+have it,” said the man. “But if I am to sell it, I want that hand-mill
+that stands behind the door there for it.”
+
+The devil did not like to spare it, and kept dickering and bantering
+with the man, but he insisted, and so the devil had to give him the
+hand-mill. When the man came out in the yard he asked the old
+wood-chopper how he should regulate the mill; and when he had learned
+how to do it, he said “thank you,” and made for home as fast as he
+could. But still he did not reach home before twelve o’clock in the
+night Christmas eve.
+
+“Why, where in the world have you been?” said the woman. “Here I have
+been sitting hour after hour waiting and waiting, and I haven’t as much
+as two sticks to put on the fire so as to cook the Christmas porridge.”
+
+“Oh, I could not come any sooner. I had several errands to do, and I had
+a long way to go too. But now I will show you,” said the man. He set the
+mill on the table, and had it first grind light, then a table-cloth,
+then food and ale and all sorts of good things for Christmas, and as he
+commanded the mill ground. The woman expressed her great astonishment
+again and again, and wanted to know where her husband had gotten the
+mill, but this he would not tell.
+
+“It makes no difference where I have gotten it; you see the mill is a
+good one, and that the water does not freeze,” said the man.
+
+Then he ground food and drink, and all good things, for the whole
+Christmas week, and on the third day he invited his friends: he was
+going to have a party. When the rich brother saw all the nice and good
+things at the party, he became very wroth, for he could not bear to see
+his brother have anything.
+
+“Christmas eve he was so needy that he came to me and asked me for
+mercy’s sake to give him a little food, and now he gives a feast as
+though he were both count and king,” said he to the others.
+
+“But where in hell have you gotten all your riches from?” said he to his
+brother.
+
+“Behind the door,” answered he who owned the mill. He did not care to
+give any definite account, but later in the evening, when he began to
+get a little tipsy, he could not help himself and brought out the mill.
+
+“There you see the one that has given me all the riches,” said he, and
+then he let the mill grind both one thing and another. When the brother
+saw this he was bound to have the mill, and after a long bantering about
+it, he finally was to have it; but he was to pay three hundred dollars
+for it, and his brother was to keep it until harvest.
+
+“When I keep it until then, I shall have ground food enough to last many
+years,” thought he.
+
+Of course the mill got no chance to grow rusty during the next six
+months, and when harvest-time came, the rich brother got it; but the
+other man had taken good care not to show him how to regulate it. It was
+in the evening that the rich man brought the mill home, and in the
+morning he bade his wife go and spread the hay after the mowers,--he
+would get dinner ready, he said. Toward dinner he put the mill on the
+table.
+
+“Grind fish and gruel: Grind both well and fast!” said the man, and the
+mill began to grind fish and gruel. It first filled all the dishes and
+tubs full, and after that it covered the whole floor with fish and
+gruel. The man kept puttering and tinkering, and tried to get the mill
+to stop; but no matter how he turned it and fingered at it, the mill
+kept on, and before long the gruel got so deep in the room that the man
+was on the point of drowning. Then he opened the door to the
+sitting-room, but before long that room was filled too, and the man had
+all he could do to get hold of the door-latch down in this flood of
+gruel. When he got the door open he did not remain long in the room. He
+ran out as fast as he could, and there was a perfect flood of fish gruel
+behind, deluging the yard and his fields.
+
+The wife, who was in the meadow making hay, began to think that it took
+a long time to get dinner ready. “Even if husband does not call us, we
+will have to go anyway. I suppose he does not know much about making
+gruel; I will have to go and help him,” said the woman to the mowers.
+
+They went homeward, but on coming up the hill they met the flood of fish
+and gruel and bread, the one mixed up with the other, and the man came
+running ahead of the flood.
+
+“Would that each one of you had an hundred stomachs, but have a care
+that you do not drown in the gruel flood,” cried the husband. He ran by
+them as though the devil had been after him, and hastened down to his
+brother. He begged him in the name of everything sacred to come and take
+the mill away immediately.
+
+“If it grinds another hour the whole settlement will perish in fish and
+gruel,” said he.
+
+But the brother would not take it unless he got three hundred dollars,
+and this money had to be paid to him.
+
+Now the poor brother had both money and the mill, and so it did not take
+long before he got himself a farm, and a much nicer one than his
+brother’s. With his mill he ground out so much gold that he covered his
+house all over with sheets of gold. The house stood down by the
+sea-shore, and it glistened far out upon the sea. All who sailed past
+had to go ashore and visit the rich man in the golden house, and all
+wanted to see the wonderful mill, for its fame spread far and wide, and
+there was none who had not heard speak of it.
+
+After a long time there came a sea-captain who wished to see the mill.
+He asked whether it could grind salt.
+
+“Yes, it can grind salt,” said he who owned the mill; and when the
+captain heard this, he was bound to have it, let it cost what it will.
+For if he had that, thought he, he would not have to sail far off over
+dangerous waters after cargoes of salt. At first the man did not wish to
+sell it, but the captain teased and begged and finally the man sold it,
+and got many thousand dollars for it. When the captain had gotten the
+mill on his back, he did not stay there long, for he was afraid the man
+might reconsider the bargain and back out again. He had no time to ask
+how to regulate it; he went to his ship as fast as he could, and when he
+had gotten some distance out upon the sea, he got his mill out.
+
+“Grind salt both fast and well,” said the captain. The mill began to
+grind salt, and that with all its might. When the captain had gotten the
+ship full he wanted to stop the mill; but no matter how he worked, and
+no matter how he handled it, the mill kept grinding as fast as ever, and
+the heap of salt kept growing larger and larger, and at last the ship
+sank. The mill stands on the bottom of the sea grinding this very day,
+and so it comes that the sea is salt.
+
+
+
+
+VOCABULARY.
+
+
+ADILS. A king who reigned in Upsala.
+AE. A dwarf.
+ÆGER. The god presiding over the stormy sea.
+ALF. A dwarf.
+ALFATHER. A name of Odin.
+ALFHEIM. The home of the elves.
+ALFRIG. A dwarf.
+ALSVID. One of the horses of the sun.
+ALTHJOF. A dwarf.
+ALVIS. A dwarf.
+AMSVARTNER. The name of the lake in which the island was situated where
+  the wolf Fenrer was chained.
+ANDHRIMNER. The cook in Valhal.
+ANDLANG. The second heaven.
+ANDVARE. A dwarf.
+ANDVARE-NAUT. The ring in the Niblung story.
+ANGERBODA. A giantess; mother of the Fenris-wolf.
+ANNAR. Husband of Night and father of Jord.
+ARVAK. The name of one of the horses of the sun.
+ASAHEIM. The home of the asas.
+ASALAND. The land of the asas.
+ASAS. The Teutonic gods.
+ASA-THOR. A common name for Thor.
+ASGARD. The residence of the gods.
+ASK. The name of the first man created by Odin, Honer and Loder.
+ASLAUG. Daughter of Sigurd and Brynhild.
+ASMUND. A man visited by Odin.
+ASYNJES. The Teutonic goddesses.
+ATLE. Gudrun’s husband after the death of Sigurd.
+ATRID. A name of Odin.
+AUD. The son of Night and Naglfare.
+AUDHUMBLA. The cow that nourished the giant Ymer.
+AUDUN. A name derived from Odin.
+AURGELMER. A giant; grandfather of Bergelmer; the same as Ymer.
+AURVANG. A dwarf.
+AUSTRE. A dwarf.
+
+BAFUR. A dwarf.
+BALDER. Son of Odin and Frigg, slain by Hoder.
+BALEYG. A name of Odin.
+BAR-ISLE. A cool grove in which Gerd agreed with Skirner to meet Frey.
+BAUGE. A brother of Suttung. Odin worked for him one summer, in order to
+  get his help in obtaining Suttung’s mead of poetry.
+BEIGUD. One of Rolf Krake’s berserks.
+BELE. A giant, brother of Gerd, slain by Frey.
+BERGELMER. A giant; son of Thrudgelmer and grandson of Aurgelmer.
+BERLING. A dwarf.
+BESTLA. Wife of Bure and mother of Odin.
+BIFLIDE. A name of Odin.
+BIFLINDE. A name of Odin.
+BIFROST. The rainbow.
+BIFUR. A dwarf.
+BIKKE. A minister of Jormunrek; causes Randver to be hanged, and
+  Svanhild trodden to death by horses.
+BIL. One of the children that accompany Moon.
+BILEYG. A name of Odin.
+BILSKIRNER. Thor’s abode.
+BLAIN. A dwarf.
+BLODUGHOFDE. Frey’s horse.
+BODN. One of the three jars in which the poetic mead is kept.
+BODVAR BJARKE. One of Rolf Krake’s berserks.
+BOL. One of the rivers flowing out of Hvergelmer.
+BOLTHORN. A giant; father of Bestla, mother of Odin.
+BOLVERK. A name of Odin.
+BOMBUR. A dwarf.
+BOR. Son of Bure; father of Odin.
+BRAGE. A son of Odin; the best of skalds.
+BREIDABLIK. The abode of Balder.
+BRIMER. One of the heavenly halls after Ragnarok.
+BRISING. Freyja’s necklace.
+BROK. A dwarf.
+BRYNHILD. One of the chief heroines in the Niblung story.
+BUDLE. Father of Atle and Brynhild.
+BUE. A son of Vesete, who settled in Borgundarholm.
+BURE. Grandfather of Odin.
+BYLEIST. A brother of Loke.
+BYRGER. A well from which Bil and Hjuke were going when they were taken
+  by Moon.
+
+DAIN. A dwarf.
+DAIN. One of the stags that bite the leaves of Ygdrasil.
+DAINSLEIF. Hogne’s sword.
+DAY. Son of Delling.
+DAYBREAK. The father of Day.
+DELLING. Daybreak.
+DOLGTHVARE. A dwarf.
+DORE. A dwarf.
+DRAUPNER. Odin’s ring.
+DROME. One of the fetters with which the Fenris-wolf was chained.
+DUF. A dwarf.
+DUNEY. One of the stags that bite the leaves of Ygdrasil.
+DURATHRO. One of the stags that bite the leaves of Ygdrasil.
+DURIN. A dwarf.
+DVALIN. One of the stags that bite the leaves of Ygdrasil.
+DVALIN. A dwarf.
+
+EIKINSKJALDE. A dwarf.
+EIKTHYRNER. A hart that stands over Odin’s hall.
+EILIF. Son of Gudrun; a skald.
+EIMYRJA. One of the daughters of Haloge and Glod.
+EINDRIDE. A name of Thor.
+EIR. An attendant of Menglod, and the best of all in the healing art.
+EKIN. One of the rivers flowing from Hvergelmer.
+ELDER. A servant of Æger.
+ELDHRIMNER. The kettle in which the boar Sahrimner is cooked in Valhal.
+ELIVOGS. The ice-cold streams that flow out of Niflheim.
+ELJUDNER. Hel’s hall.
+ELLE. An old woman (old age) with whom Thor wrestled in Jotunheim.
+EMBLA. The first woman created by Odin, Honer and Loder.
+ENDIL. The name of a giant.
+ERP. A son of Jonaker, murdered by Sorle and Hamder.
+EYLIME. The father of Hjordis, mother of Volsung.
+EYSA. One of the daughters of Haloge and Glod.
+
+FAFNER. Son of Hreidmar, killed by Sigurd.
+FAL. A dwarf.
+FALHOFNER. One of the horses of the gods.
+FARBAUTE. The father of Loke.
+FARMAGOD. One of the names of Odin.
+FARMATYR. One of the names of Odin.
+FENJA. A female slave who ground at Frode’s mill.
+FENRIS-WOLF. The monster wolf, son of Loke.
+FENSALER. The abode of Frigg.
+FID. A dwarf.
+FILE. A dwarf.
+FIMAFENG. Æger’s servant.
+FIMBUL. One of the streams flowing from Hvergelmer.
+FIMBULTHUL. One of the streams flowing from Hvergelmer.
+FIMBUL-TYR. The unknown god.
+FIMBUL-WINTER. The great and awful winter of three years duration
+  preceding Ragnarok.
+FINNSLEIF. A byrnie belonging to King Adils, of Upsala.
+FJALAR. A dwarf.
+FJOLNER. A name of Odin.
+FJOLSVID. A name of Odin.
+FJORGVIN. The mother of Frigg and of Thor.
+FJORM. One of the streams flowing from Hvergelmer.
+FOLKVANG. Freyja’s abode.
+FORM. One of the streams flowing from Hvergelmer.
+FORNJOT. The ancient giant; the father of Æger.
+FORSETE. The peace-maker; son of Balder and Nanna.
+FRANANGER FORCE. The waterfall into which Loke cast himself in the
+  likeness of a salmon.
+FREKE. One of Odin’s wolves.
+FREY. Son of Njord and husband of Skade.
+FREYJA. The daughter of Njord and sister of Frey.
+FRIDLEIF. A son of Skjold.
+FRIGG. Wife of Odin and mother of the gods.
+FRODE. Grandson of Skjold.
+FROSTE. A dwarf.
+FULLA. Frigg’s attendant.
+FUNDIN. A dwarf.
+FYRE. A river in Sweden.
+
+GAGNRAD. A name of Odin.
+GALAR. A dwarf.
+GANDOLF. A dwarf.
+GANG. A giant.
+GANGLARE. A name of Odin.
+GANGLATE. Hel’s man-servant.
+GANGLERE. A name of Odin.
+GANGLOT. Hel’s maid-servant.
+GANGRAD. A name of Odin.
+GARDROFA. A horse.
+GARM. A dog that barks at Ragnarok.
+GAUT. A name of Odin.
+GEFJUN. A goddess; she is present at Æger’s feast.
+GEFN. One of the names of Freyja.
+GEIRAHOD. A valkyrie.
+GEIRROD. A giant visited by Thor.
+GEIR SKOGUL. A valkyrie.
+GEIRVIMUL. One of the streams flowing from Hvergelmer.
+GELGJA. The fetter with which the Fenris-wolf was chained.
+GERD. A beautiful giantess, daughter of Gymer.
+GERE. One of Odin’s wolves.
+GERSAME. One of the daughters of Freyja.
+GILLING. Father of Suttung, who possessed the poetic mead.
+GIMLE. The abode of the righteous after Ragnarok.
+GINNAR. A dwarf.
+GINUNGAGAP. The premundane abyss.
+GIPUL. One of the streams flowing from Hvergelmer.
+GISL. One of the horses of the gods.
+GJALLAR-BRIDGE. The bridge across the river Gjol, near Helheim.
+GJALLAR-HORN. Heimdal’s horn.
+GJALLAR-RIVER. The river near Helheim.
+GJALP. One of the daughters of Geirrod.
+GJUKE. A king in Germany, visited by Sigurd.
+GLADSHEIM. Odin’s dwelling.
+GLAM. The name of a giant.
+GLAPSVID. A name of Odin.
+GLASER. A grove in Asgard.
+GLEIPNER. The last fetter with which the wolf Fenrer was bound.
+GLENER. The husband of Sol (sun).
+GLER. One of the horses of the gods.
+GLITNER. Forsete’s hall.
+GLOIN. A dwarf.
+GNA. Frigg’s messenger.
+GNIPA-CAVE. The cave before which the dog Garm barks.
+GNITA-HEATH. Fafner’s abode, where he kept the treasure of the Niblungs.
+GOIN. A serpent under Ygdrasil.
+GOL. A valkyrie.
+GOLDFAX. The giant Hrungner’s horse.
+GOMUL. One of the streams flowing from Hvergelmer.
+GONDLER. One of the names of Odin.
+GONDUL. A valkyrie.
+GOPUL. One of the streams flowing from Hvergelmer.
+GOT. A name of Odin.
+GOTE. Gunnar’s horse.
+GOTHORM. A son of Gjuke; murders Sigurd, and is slain by him.
+GRABAK. One of the serpents under Ygdrasil.
+GRAD. One of the streams flowing from Hvergelmer.
+GRAFVITNER. A serpent under Ygdrasil.
+GRAFVOLLUD. A serpent under Ygdrasil.
+GRAM. Sigurd’s sword.
+GRANE. Sigurd’s horse.
+GREIP. One of the daughters of Geirrod.
+GRID. A giantess visited by Thor.
+GRIDARVOL. Grid’s staff.
+GRIM. A name of Odin.
+GRIMHILD. Gjuke’s queen.
+GRIMNER. One of the names of Odin.
+GRJOTTUNGARD. The place where Thor fought with Hrungner.
+GROA. A giantess, mother of Orvandel.
+GROTTE. The name of King Frode’s mill.
+GUD. A valkyrie.
+GUDNY. One of the children of Gjuke.
+GUDRUN. The famous daughter of Gjuke.
+GULLINBURSTE. The name of Frey’s boar.
+GULLINTANNE. A name of Heimdal.
+GULLTOP. Heimdal’s horse.
+GULLVEIG. A personification of gold; she is pierced and burnt.
+GUNGNER. Odin’s spear.
+GUNLAT. The daughter of the giant Suttung.
+GUNN. A valkyrie.
+GUNNAR. The famous son of Gjuke.
+GUNTHRAIN. One of the rivers flowing from Hvergelmer.
+GWODAN. An old name for Odin.
+GYLFE. A king of Svithjod, who visited Asgard under the name of
+  Ganglere.
+GYLLER. One of the horses of the gods.
+GYMER. Another name of the ocean divinity Æger.
+
+HABROK. A celebrated hero.
+HALLINSKIDE. Another name of Heimdal.
+HALOGE. A giant, son of Fornjot; also called Loge.
+HAMDER. Son of Jonaker and Gudrun, incited by his mother to avenge his
+  sister’s death.
+HAMSKERPER. A horse; the sire of Hofvarpner, which was Gna’s horse.
+HANGAGOD. A name of Odin.
+HANGATYR. A name of Odin.
+HAPTAGOD. A name of Odin.
+HAR. The High One; applied to Odin.
+HARBARD. A name assumed by Odin.
+HATE. The wolf bounding before the sun, and will at last catch the moon.
+HEIDE. Another name for Gullveig.
+HEIDRUN. A goat that stands over Valhal.
+HEIMDAL. The god of the rainbow.
+HEIMER. Brynhild’s foster-father.
+HEL. The goddess of death; daughter of Loke.
+HELBLINDE. A name of Odin.
+HELMET-BEARER. A name of Odin.
+HENGEKJAPT. The man to whom King Frode gave his mill.
+HEPTE. A dwarf.
+HERAN. A name of Odin.
+HERFATHER. A name of Odin.
+HERJAN. A name of Odin.
+HERMOD. The god who rode on Sleipner to Hel, to get Balder back.
+HERTEIT. A name of Odin.
+HILD. A valkyrie.
+HILDESVIN. A helmet, which King Adils took from King Ale.
+HIMINBJORG. Heimdal’s dwelling.
+HINDFELL. The place where Brynhild sat in her hall, surrounded by the
+  Vafurloge.
+HJALMBORE. A name of Odin.
+HJALPREK. A king in Denmark; collects a fleet for Sigurd.
+HJATLE THE VALIANT. One of Rolf Krake’s berserks.
+HJORDIS. Married to Sigmund, and mother of Sigurd.
+HJUKE. One of the children that accompany Moon.
+HLEDJOLF. A dwarf.
+HLER. Another name of Æger.
+HLIDSKJALF. The seat of Odin, whence he looked out over all the world.
+HLIN. One of the attendants of Frigg; Frigg herself is sometimes called
+  by this name.
+HLODYN. Thor’s mother.
+HLOK. A valkyrie.
+HLORIDE. A name of Thor.
+HNIKER. A name of Odin.
+HNIKUD. A name of Odin.
+HNITBJORG. The place where Suttung hid the poetic mead.
+HNOS. Freyja’s daughter.
+HODER. The slayer of Balder; he is blind.
+HODMIMER’S-HOLT. The grove where the two human beings, Lif and
+  Lifthraser, were preserved during Ragnarok.
+HOFVARPNER. Gna’s horse.
+HOGNE. A son of Gjuke.
+HONER. One of the three creating gods; with Odin and Loder he creates
+  Ask and Embla.
+HOR. A dwarf.
+HORN. A name of Freyja.
+HRASVELG. A giant in an eagle’s plumage, who produces the wind.
+HREIDMAR. The father of Regin and Fafner.
+HRIB. One of the streams flowing from Hvergelmer.
+HRIMFAXE. The horse of Night.
+HRINGHORN. The ship upon which Balder’s body was burned.
+HRIST. A valkyrie.
+HRODVITNER. A wolf; father of the wolf Hate.
+HRON. One of the streams flowing from Hvergelmer.
+HROPTATYR. A name of Odin.
+HROTTE. Fafner’s sword.
+HRUNGNER. A giant; Thor slew him.
+HRYM. A giant, who steers the ship Naglfar at Ragnarok.
+HVERGELMER. The fountain in the middle of Niflheim.
+HUGE. A person (Thought) who ran a race with Thjalfe, in Jotunheim.
+HUGIST. One of Odin’s ravens.
+HUGSTORE. A dwarf.
+HYMER. A giant with whom Thor went fishing when he caught the
+  Midgard-serpent.
+HYNDLA. A vala visited by Freyja.
+HYRROKEN. A giantess who launched the ship on which Balder was burned.
+
+IDA. A plain where the gods first assemble, and where they assemble
+  again after Ragnarok.
+IDAVOLD. The same.
+IDE. A giant, son of Olvalde.
+IDUN. Wife of Brage; she kept the rejuvenating apples.
+IRONWOOD. The abode of giantesses called Jarnveds.
+IVA. A river in Jotunheim.
+IVALD. The father of the dwarfs that made Sif’s hair, the ship
+  Skidbladner, and Odin’s spear Gungner.
+
+JAFNHAR. A name of Odin.
+JALG. A name of Odin.
+JALK. A name of Odin.
+JARNSAXA. One of Heimdal’s nine giant mothers.
+JARNVED. The same as Ironwood.
+JARNVIDJES. The giantesses dwelling in Ironwood.
+JORD. Wife of Odin, mother of Thor.
+JORMUNGAND. The Midgard-serpent.
+JORMUNREK. King of Goths, marries Svanhild.
+JORUVOLD. The country where Aurvang is situated. Thence come several
+  dwarfs.
+JOTUNHEIM. The home of the giants.
+
+KERLAUGS. The rivers that Thor every day must cross.
+KILE. A dwarf.
+KJALER. A name of Odin.
+KORMT. A river which Thor every day must cross.
+KVASER. The hostage given by the vans to the asas; his blood, when
+  slain, was the poetical meed kept by Suttung.
+
+LADING. One of the fetters with which the Fenris-wolf was bound.
+LANDVIDE. Vidar’s abode.
+LAUFEY. Loke’s mother.
+LEIPT. One of the rivers flowing out of Hvergelmer.
+LERAD. A tree near Valhal.
+LETFET. One of the horses of the gods.
+LIF.       } The two persons preserved in Hodmimer’s-holt during
+LIFTHRASER.}   Ragnarok.
+LIT. A dwarf.
+LJOSALFAHEIM. The home of the light elves.
+LODER. One of the three gods who created Ask and Embla.
+LOFN. One of the asynjes.
+LOGE. A giant who tried his strength at eating with Loke in Jotunheim.
+LOKE. The giant-god of the Norse mythology.
+LOPT. Another name for Loke.
+LOVAR. A dwarf.
+LYNGVE. The island where the Fenris-wolf was chained.
+
+MAGNE. A son of Thor.
+MANNHEIM. The home of man; our earth.
+MARDOL. One of the names of Freyja.
+MEGINGJARDER. Thor’s belt.
+MEILE. A son of Odin.
+MENGLAD. Svipdag’s betrothed.
+MENJA. A female slave who ground at Frode’s mill.
+MIDGARD. The name of the earth in the mythology.
+MIDVITNE. A giant.
+MIMER. The name of the wise giant; keeper of the holy well.
+MIST. A valkyrie.
+MJODVITNER. A dwarf.
+MJOLNER. Thorn’s hammer.
+MJOTUD. A name of Odin.
+MODE. One of Thor’s sons.
+MODGUD. The may who guards the Gjallar-bridge.
+MODSOGNER. A dwarf.
+MOIN. A serpent under Ygdrasil.
+MOKKERKALFE. A clay giant in the myth of Thor and Hrungner.
+MOON, brother of Sun. Both children of Mundilfare.
+MOONGARM. A wolf of Loke’s offspring; he devours the moon.
+MORN. A troll-woman.
+MUNDILFARE. Father of the sun and moon.
+MUNIN. One of Odin’s ravens.
+MUSPEL. The name of an abode of fire.
+MUSPELHEIM. The world of blazing light before the creation.
+
+NA. A dwarf.
+NAGLFAR. A mythical ship made of nail-parings; it appears in Ragnarok.
+NAIN. A dwarf.
+NAL. Mother of Loke.
+NANNA. Daughter of Nep; mother of Forsete, and wife of Balder.
+NARE. Sod of Loke; also called Narfe.
+NARFE. _See_ Nare.
+NASTRAND. A place of punishment for the wicked after Ragnarok.
+NEP. Father of Nanna.
+NIBLUNGS. Identical with Gjukungs.
+NIDA MOUNTAINS. A place where there is, after Ragnarok, a golden hall
+  for the race of Sindre (the dwarfs).
+NIDE. A dwarf.
+NIDHUG. A serpent in the nether world.
+NIFLHEIM. The world of mist before the creation.
+NIFLUNGS. Identical with Niblungs.
+NIGHT. Daughter of Norfe.
+NIKAR. A name of Odin.
+NIKUZ. A name of Odin.
+NIPING. A dwarf.
+NJORD. A van; husband of Skade, and father of Frey and Freyja.
+NOATUN. Njord’s dwelling.
+NON. One of the streams flowing from Hvergelmer.
+NOR. The man after whom Norway was supposed to have been named.
+NORDRE. A dwarf.
+NORFE. A giant, father of Night.
+NORNS. The weird sisters.
+NOT. One of the streams flowing from Hvergelmer.
+NY. A dwarf.
+NYE. A dwarf.
+NYRAD. A dwarf.
+
+ODER. Freyja’s husband.
+ODIN. Son of Bor and Bestla; the chief of Teutonic gods.
+ODRARER. One of the vessels in which the poetic mead was kept.
+OFNER. A serpent under Ygdrasil.
+OIN. A dwarf.
+OKU-THOR. A name of Thor.
+OLVALDE. A giant; father of Thjasse, Ide and Gang.
+OME. A name of Odin.
+ONAR. A dwarf.
+ORBODA. Wife of the giant Gymer.
+ORE. A dwarf.
+ORMT. One of the rivers that Thor has to cross.
+ORNER. The name of a giant.
+ORVANDEL. The husband of Groa, the vala who sang magic songs over Thor
+  after he had fought with Hrungner.
+OSKE. A name of Odin.
+OTTER. A son of Hreidmar; in the form of an otter he was killed by Loke.
+
+QUASER. _See_ Kvaser.
+
+RADGRID. A valkyrie.
+RADSVID. A dwarf.
+RAFNAGUD. A name of Odin.
+RAGNAROK. The last day; the dissolution of the gods and the world; the
+  twilight of the gods.
+RAN. The goddess of the sea; wife of Æger.
+RANDGRID. A valkyrie.
+RANDVER. A son of Jormunrek.
+RATATOSK. A squirrel in Ygdrasil.
+RATE. An auger used by Odin in obtaining the poetic mead.
+REGIN. Son of Hreidmar.
+REGINLEIF. A valkyrie.
+REIDARTYR. A name of Odin.
+REK. A dwarf.
+RIND. Mother of Vale.
+ROGNER. A name of Odin.
+ROSKVA. Thor’s maiden follower.
+
+SAHRIMNER. The boar on which the gods and heroes in Valhal live.
+SAD. A name of Odin.
+SAGA. The goddess of history.
+SAGER. The bucket carried by Bil and Hjuke.
+SANGETAL. A name of Odin.
+SEKIN. One of the streams flowing from Hvergelmer.
+SESSRYMNER. Freyja’s palace.
+SIAR. A dwarf.
+SID. A stream flowing from Hvergelmer.
+SIDHOT. A name of Odin.
+SIDSKEG. A name of Odin.
+SIF. Thor’s wife.
+SIGFATHER. A name of Odin.
+SIGFRID. The hero in the Niblung story; the same as Sigurd.
+SIGMUND. Son of Volsung. Also son of Sigurd and Gudrun.
+SINDRE. A dwarf.
+SIGTYR. A name of Odin.
+SIGYN. Loke’s wife.
+SIGURD. The hero in the Niblung story; identical with Sigfrid.
+SILVERTOP. One of the horses of the gods.
+SIMUL. The pole on which Bil and Hjuke carried the bucket.
+SINFJOTLE. Son of Sigmund.
+SINER. One of the horses of the gods.
+SJOFN. One of the asynjes.
+SKADE. A giantess; daughter of Thjasse and wife of Njord.
+SKEGGOLD. A valkyrie.
+SKEIDBRIMER. One of the horses of the gods.
+SKIDBLADNER. Frey’s ship.
+SKIFID. A dwarf.
+SKIFIR. A dwarf.
+SKILFING. A name of Odin.
+SKINFAXE. The horse of Day.
+SKIRNER. Frey’s messenger.
+SKOGUL. A valkyrie.
+SKOL. The wolf that pursues the sun.
+SKRYMER. The name assumed by Utgard-Loke; a giant.
+SKULD. The norn of the future.
+SLEIPNER. Odin’s eight-footed steed.
+SLID. One of the streams flowing from Hvergelmer.
+SLIDRUGTANNE. Frey’s boar.
+SNOTRA. One of the asynjes.
+SOKMIMER. A giant slain by Odin.
+SOKVABEK. A mansion, where Odin and Saga quaff from golden beakers.
+SOL. Daughter of Mundilfare.
+SON. One of the vessels containing the poetic mead.
+SORLE. Son of Jonaker and Gudrun; avenges the death of Svanhild.
+SUDRE. A dwarf.
+SUN. Identical with Sol.
+SURT. Guards Muspelheim. A fire-giant in Ragnarok.
+SUTTUNG. The giant possessing the poetic mead.
+SVADE. A giant.
+SVADILFARE. A horse, the sire of Sleipner.
+SVAFNER. A serpent under Ygdrasil.
+SVANHILD. Daughter of Sigurd and Gudrun.
+SVARIN. A dwarf.
+SVARTALFAHEIM. The home of the swarthy elves.
+SVARTHOFDE. The ancestor of all enchanters.
+SVASUD. The name of a giant; father of summer.
+SVIAGRIS. A ring demanded by the berserks for Rolf Krake.
+SVID. A name of Odin.
+SVIDAR. A name of Odin.
+SVIDR. A name of Odin.
+SVIDRE. A name of Odin.
+SVIDRIR. A name of Odin.
+SVIDUR. A name of Odin.
+SVIPDAG. The betrothed of Menglad.
+SVIPOL. A name of Odin.
+SVOL. One of the streams flowing from Hvergelmer.
+SVOLNE. A name of Odin.
+SYLG. A stream flowing from Hvergelmer.
+SYN. A minor goddess.
+SYR. A name of Freyja.
+
+TANGNJOST.  } Thor’s goats.
+TANGRISNER. }
+THEK. A dwarf; also a name of Odin.
+THJALFE. The name of Thor’s man-servant.
+THJASSE. A giant; the father of Njord’s wife, Skade.
+THJODNUMA. One of the streams flowing from Hvergelmer.
+THOK. Loke in the disguise of a woman.
+THOL. One of the streams flowing from Hvergelmer.
+THOR. Son of Odin and Fjorgyn. The god of thunder.
+THORIN. A dwarf.
+THORN. A giant.
+THRIDE. A name of Odin.
+THRO. A dwarf; also a name of Odin.
+THROIN. A dwarf.
+THROR. A name of Odin.
+THRUD. A valkyrie.
+THUD. A name of Odin.
+THUL. A stream flowing from Hvergelmer.
+THUND. A name of Odin.
+THVITE. A stone used in chaining the Fenris-wolf.
+THYN. One of the streams flowing from Hvergelmer.
+TYR. The one-armed god of war.
+
+UD. A name of Odin.
+UKKO. The god of thunder in Tshudic mythology.
+UKKO-THOR. A name for Thor.
+ULLER. Son of Sif and step-son of Thor.
+URD. The norn of the past.
+UTGARD. The abode of the giant Utgard-Loke.
+UTGARD-LOKE. A giant visited by Thor; identical with Skrymer.
+
+VAFTHRUDNER. A giant visited by Odin.
+VAFUD. A name of Odin.
+VAFURLOGE. The bickering flame surrounding Brynhild on Hindfell.
+VAK. A name of Odin.
+VALASKJALF. One of Odin’s dwellings.
+VALE. Brother of Balder; kills Hoder.
+VALFATHER. A name of Odin.
+VALHAL. The hall to which Odin invites those slain in battle.
+VANADIS. A name of Freyja.
+VANAHEIM. The home of the vans.
+VAR. The goddess of betrothals and marriages.
+VARTARE. The thread with which the mouth of Loke was sewed together.
+VASAD. The grandfather of Winter.
+VE. A brother of Odin. (Odin, Vile and Ve).
+VEDFOLNER. A hawk in Ygdrasil.
+VEGSVIN. One of the streams flowing from Hvergelmer.
+VEGTAM. A name of Odin.
+VERATYR. A name of Odin.
+VERDANDE. The norn of the present.
+VESTRE. A dwarf.
+VID. One of the streams flowing from Hvergelmer.
+VIDAR. Son of Odin and the giantess Grid.
+VIDBLAIN. The third heaven.
+VIDFIN. The father of Bil and Hjuke.
+VIDOLF. The ancestor of the valas.
+VIDRER. A name of Odin.
+VIDUR. A name of Odin.
+VIG. A dwarf.
+VIGRID. The field of battle where the gods and the hosts of Surt meet in
+  Ragnarok.
+VILE. Brother of Odin and Ve.
+VILMEIDE. The ancestor of all wizards.
+VIMER. A river that Thor crosses.
+VIN. A river that flows from Hvergelmer.
+VINA. A river that flows from Hvergelmer.
+VINDALF. A dwarf.
+VINDLONG. One of the names of the father of winter.
+VINDSVAL. One of the names of the father of winter.
+VINGNER. A name of Thor.
+VINGOLF. The palace of the asynjes.
+VINGTHOR. A name of Thor.
+VIRFIR. A dwarf.
+VIT. A dwarf.
+VOLSUNGS. The descendants of Volsung.
+VON. A river formed by the saliva running from the mouth of the chained
+  Fenris-wolf.
+VOR. One of the asynjes.
+
+WODAN. A name of Odin.
+
+YDALER. Uller’s dwelling.
+YG. A name of Odin.
+YGDRASIL. The world-embracing ash-tree.
+YLG. One of the streams flowing from Hvergelmer.
+YMER. The huge giant out of whose body the world was created.
+
+
+
+
+INDEX.
+
+  [Transcriber’s Note:
+
+  Page references in the 5-10 range do not correspond reliably to actual
+  citations; pages 5 and 6 do not exist at all. It is possible that the
+  Preface was rewritten and repaginated between 1879 (the original date
+  of the book) and 1901 (the date of the printing used as the basis for
+  this e-text).]
+
+
+A
+
+Abel, 265.
+Academy (London), 252.
+Achilleus, 167, 168.
+Adam, 33.
+Adela, 255.
+Adils, 215, 217.
+Ae, 71.
+Æger, 153, 154, 159, 160, 162, 164, 169, 176-189, 196, 240, 260.
+Æneas, 168, 221-224, 229, 242.
+Africa and Africans, 36, 38, 225.
+Ainbet, 255.
+Ainos, 221.
+Aldafather, 246.
+Ale, 89, 168, 215.
+Alf, 71.
+Alfather, 65, 69, 72, 77, 80, 81, 92, 94, 98, 106, 245, 246, 259.
+Alfheim, 77, 183.
+Alfrig, 261.
+Alsace, 255.
+Alsvid, 66.
+Althjof, 70.
+Alvis, 251.
+America, 30, 244.
+Amsvartner, 94.
+Anchises, 223, 229.
+Andhrimner, 104.
+Andlang, 78.
+Andvare, 71, 194, 195, 199-201.
+Andvarenaut, 200.
+Angerboda, 91.
+Anglo-Saxon, 258.
+Annan, 45.
+Annar, 65.
+Argulos, 41.
+Ariadne, 29.
+Ariel, 253.
+Ark, 33.
+Arndt, 257, 258.
+Arvak, 66.
+Asaheim, 226, 259.
+Asaland, 226, 234.
+Asas, 79-90.
+Asa-Thor, 241.
+Asburg, 226.
+Asgard, 6, 7, 51, 54, 64, 65, 69, 133, 136, 148, 153, 156-158, 164,
+  168-176, 181, 189, 191, 224, 226, 228, 230, 237.
+Asia, 38, 43, 166, 225-229.
+Asiamen, 46, 48.
+Ask, 5, 64, 243, 250.
+Aslaug, 204.
+Asmund, 245, 246.
+Aspargum, 226.
+Asov, 225.
+Assor, 229.
+Asynjes, 97-100.
+Assyrians, 37, 40, 225.
+Atlas, 226.
+Atle, 198-202, 251.
+Atra, 45.
+Atrid, 81, 245.
+Aud, 65.
+Audhumbla, 59, 246.
+Audun, 235.
+Aurgelmer, 58, 250.
+Aurvang, 71.
+Austre, 61, 70.
+Austria, 255.
+
+
+B
+
+Baal, 37.
+Babylon, 39.
+Bafur, 70.
+Balder, 6, 7, 8, 46, 83, 84, 89, 131-136, 148, 158, 175, 232, 249, 259,
+  260, 264, 265.
+Baleyg, 81, 245, 247.
+Baltic, 223, 231.
+Banquo, 253.
+Bar, 61, 64, 250.
+Bar-Isle, 102.
+Bauge, 162, 163.
+Bavaria, 256.
+Bedvig, 45.
+Beigud, 215.
+Bel, 37.
+Beldegg, 46.
+Bele, 102, 103, 145, 175, 262.
+Beowulf, 262.
+Bergelmer, 60, 250.
+Bergmann, Fr., 18, 221.
+Berling, 261.
+Bestla, 60, 250.
+Biflide, 54.
+Biflinde, 54, 81, 245.
+Bifrost, 68, 73, 74, 77, 88, 108, 142.
+Bifur, 70.
+Bikke, 202, 203.
+Bil, 66, 99, 250.
+Bileyg, 81, 245.
+Bilskirner, 82, 259.
+Bjaf, 45.
+Bjalfe, 233.
+Bjar, 45.
+Bjarnhedinn, 233.
+Black Sea, 225, 229.
+Blackwell, W. L., 15, 18.
+Blain, 70.
+Blind, Karl, 252-256.
+Blodughofde, 260.
+Blueland, 225, 226.
+Bodn, 160-165.
+Bodvar Bjarke, 215.
+Bol, 106.
+Bolthorn, 60, 250.
+Bolverk, 81, 162, 163, 245.
+Bombur, 70.
+Bor, 50, 61, 64, 250.
+Borgundarholm, 240.
+Bornholm, 240.
+Bothnia, 240.
+Brage, 6, 9, 16, 25, 50, 87, 108, 153, 154, 159, 160, 164, 166, 169,
+  184, 187, 189, 205, 231, 260.
+Brander, 46.
+Breidablik, 77, 84, 232, 259.
+Brimer, 147, 166.
+Brising, 97, 186, 261, 262.
+Britain, 230.
+Brok, 190-192.
+Brynhild, 198-201, 262, 267.
+Budd, 244.
+Buddha, 244.
+Budle, 198, 201.
+Bue, 240.
+Bugge, Sophus, 18.
+Bure, 5, 60, 250.
+Byleist, 91, 144.
+Byrger, 66.
+
+
+C
+
+Cæsar, 233.
+Cain, 265.
+Carlyle, Sir Thomas, 22, 252.
+Carthage, 31, 242.
+Cato, the Elder, 31.
+Caucasian, 226.
+Celtic, 239, 240, 244.
+Cerberos, 41.
+Chaldeans, 40.
+Chasgar, 226.
+China, 28.
+Chlotildis, 255.
+Christ, 201, 221, 223.
+Cicero, 229.
+Columbus, 30.
+Cottle, A. S., 15.
+Crete, 28, 39-42.
+
+
+D
+
+Dain, 70, 75.
+Dainsleif, 219.
+Dane, 46.
+Danube, 230.
+Dardanos, 42.
+Dasent, G. W., 15, 16, 18.
+Day, 65, 66.
+Daybreak, 65.
+Delling, 65.
+Denmark, 50, 206, 207, 214, 222, 230, 231, 239, 242, 251.
+Dido, 242.
+Dietrich, Fr., 18.
+Dippold, G. Theo., 267.
+Dolgthvare, 71.
+Don, 225, 229.
+Dore, 71.
+Dornröschen, 254.
+Draupner, 71, 134, 136, 187.
+Drome, 93.
+Duf, 71.
+Duney, 75.
+Durathro, 75.
+Durin, 70.
+Dvalin, 70, 74, 75, 261.
+
+
+E
+
+Egilsson, S., 18, 19.
+Eikenskjalde, 71.
+Eikthyrner, 106.
+Eilif, 179.
+Eimyrja, 240.
+Eindride, 175.
+Eir, 97.
+Ekin, 106.
+Elder, 188.
+Eldhrimner, 104.
+Elenus, 168.
+Eline, 251.
+Elivogs, 5, 57, 59, 173, 248.
+Eljudner, 92.
+Elle, 124, 127.
+Embla, 5, 64, 243, 250.
+Emerson, R. W., 22.
+Endil, 180.
+Enea, 38, 221, 225.
+England, 30, 48, 222, 232, 239, 250, 258.
+Erichthonios, 221.
+Erp, 202-205.
+Ethiopia, 225.
+Ettmüller, Ludw., 18.
+Europe, 38, 221-230, 241, 254.
+Eve, 33.
+Eylime, 196.
+Eysa, 240.
+Eyvind Skaldespiller, 236.
+
+
+F
+
+Fafner, 193-201, 263.
+Fal, 71.
+Falhofner, 73, 260.
+Farbaute, 91, 185.
+Farmagod, 81, 247.
+Farmatyr, 81, 165, 245.
+Faye, A., 257.
+Fenja, 206-208, 267.
+Fenris-wolf, 8, 87, 91-96, 104, 141, 142, 148, 149, 168.
+Fensaler, 97, 132.
+Fid, 71.
+File, 71.
+Fimafeng, 188.
+Fimbul, 56.
+Fimbulthul, 106.
+Fimbul-tyr, 5, 6, 8.
+Fimbul-winter, 7, 140, 264.
+Finnish, 239, 240, 241, 250.
+Finnsleif, 215.
+Fjalar, 160, 161.
+Fjarlaf, 45.
+Fjolner, 54, 81, 207, 238, 245.
+Fjolsvid, 81, 245, 246.
+Fjorgvin, 65.
+Fjorm, 106.
+Folkvang, 86, 259.
+Forestier, Auber, 262, 263, 266, 267.
+Form, 56, 241.
+Fornjot, 239-243.
+Forsete, 89, 90, 153, 259, 260.
+Frananger Force, 137.
+Frankland, 46.
+Fraser’s Magazine, 253.
+Freke, 105.
+Freovit, 46.
+Frey, 6, 7, 8, 85, 86, 94, 101-103, 109-112, 134, 142, 143, 153, 187,
+  191, 192, 227, 228, 237-239, 243, 260, 262, 264.
+Freyja, 6, 7, 29, 85, 86, 97, 110, 134, 153, 157, 170, 183, 187, 228,
+  232, 239, 259, 261, 262.
+Fridleif, 45, 46, 206, 218.
+Frigialand, 168.
+Frigg, 6, 7, 43, 45, 65, 80, 94, 97, 98, 131-136, 145, 153, 176, 187,
+  227.
+Frigia, 43.
+Frigida, 45.
+Frjodiger, 46.
+Frode, 41, 206-213, 238, 267.
+Froste, 71, 240, 241.
+Fulla, 97, 136, 153, 187.
+Fundin, 71.
+Funen, 231.
+Fyre, 216.
+Fyrisvold, 187, 217.
+
+
+G
+
+Gaelic, 257.
+Gagnrad, 247.
+Galar, 160, 161.
+Gandolf, 70.
+Gandvik, 179.
+Gang, 159.
+Ganglare, 81.
+Ganglate, 92.
+Ganglere, 245, 246, 247.
+Ganglot, 92.
+Gangrad, 58.
+Gardarike, 230.
+Gardie, de la, 17.
+Gardrofa, 99.
+Garm, 8, 108, 143.
+Gaut, 81.
+Gave, 46.
+Gefjun, 49, 50, 97, 153, 187, 231, 242.
+Gefn, 97.
+Gegenwart, Die, 252.
+Geibel, Em., 267.
+Geir, 46.
+Geirabod, 99.
+Geirrod, 81, 176-183, 245, 246.
+Geir Skogul, 252.
+Geirvimul, 106.
+Gelgja, 96.
+Gelmer, 248.
+Gerd, 101-113, 153, 228, 238, 262, 265.
+Gere, 105, 261.
+Germania (of Tacitus), 244.
+Germany, 30, 222, 230, 239, 250-256.
+Gersame, 238.
+Gertraud, 255.
+Gibraltar, 225, 230.
+Gill, 250.
+Gilling, 161.
+Gimle, 9, 54, 77, 78, 147, 247.
+Ginnar, 71.
+Ginungagap, 5, 56, 57, 58, 61, 72, 243, 247-249.
+Gipul, 106.
+Gisl, 73, 260.
+Gissur, Jarl, 24.
+Gjallar-bridge, 135, 249.
+Gjallarhorn, 72, 88, 142.
+Gjallar-river, 135.
+Gjalp, 178, 179, 180, 182.
+Gjoll, 56, 96, 248.
+Gjuke, 199, 204, 206, 266.
+Gjukungs, 193-201.
+Glad, 73, 260.
+Gladsheim, 28, 69, 259.
+Glam, 183.
+Glapsvid, 81, 245.
+Glaser, 187, 199.
+Gleipner, 87, 94.
+Glener, 66.
+Gler, 73, 260.
+Glitner, 77, 89, 90, 259.
+Glod, 240.
+Gloin, 71.
+Glora, 44.
+Gna, 98, 99.
+Gnipa-cave, 8, 143.
+Gnita-heath, 196-200.
+God, 33-40, 54.
+Godheim, 225, 236.
+Goe, 241.
+Goin, 75.
+Gol, 99.
+Golden Age, 69-71.
+Goldfax, 169, 176.
+Gomul, 106.
+Gondler, 81, 245.
+Gondul, 252.
+Gopul, 106.
+Gor, 241.
+Got, 246.
+Gote, 199.
+Gothorm, 198-211.
+Gotland, 206.
+Goransson, J., 18.
+Grabak, 76.
+Grad, 106.
+Grafvitner, 75.
+Grafvollud, 76.
+Gram, 199, 200.
+Grane, 198.
+Grave, 199.
+Gray, 16.
+Greece and Greeks, 28, 31, 39-43, 222-229, 250.
+Greenland, 30.
+Greip, 178-183.
+Grid, 177.
+Gridarvol, 177, 181.
+Grim, 81, 245, 246.
+Grimhild, 198.
+Grimm (Brothers), 244, 253, 258.
+Grimner, 81, 244, 245, 247, 248.
+Grjottungard, 171, 174.
+Groa, 173, 174.
+Grotte, 207, 210.
+Grottesong, 207, 208.
+Guatemala, 88, 244.
+Gud, 100.
+Gudny, 198.
+Gudolf, 45.
+Gudrun, 179-203.
+Gullinburste, 134.
+Gullintanne, 88.
+Gulltop, 73, 88, 134, 259.
+Gullveig, 252, 265.
+Gungner, 142, 189-192.
+Gunlad, 160-165.
+Gunn, 252.
+Gunnar, 198-203.
+Gunnthro, 56, 248.
+Gunthrain, 106.
+Gwodan, 244.
+Gylfe, 9, 16, 46, 49, 50, 51, 52, 151, 221, 224, 231, 232, 242.
+Gyller, 73, 260.
+Gymer, 101, 103, 238.
+
+
+H
+
+Ha, 218.
+Habrok, 108.
+Hafthor, 235.
+Hakon, 21-24, 236.
+Haleygjatal, 47.
+Halfdan, 213.
+Hallinskide, 88.
+Haloge, 240.
+Halogeland, 240.
+Ham, 35, 36.
+Hamder, 202, 206.
+Hamskerper, 99.
+Hangagod, 81.
+Hangatyr, 165.
+Haptagod, 81.
+Har, 71, 81, 243-246.
+Harald Harfager, 51, 243.
+Harbard, 245.
+Hate, 67.
+Haustlong, 184.
+Hebrew, 37.
+Hedin, 218, 219.
+Hedinians, 219.
+Heide, 252.
+Heidrun, 106.
+Heimdal, 6, 8, 88, 89, 134, 142, 143, 153, 232, 259, 260.
+Heimer, 204.
+Heimskringla, 10, 22, 50, 57, 221, 224, 239, 242, 243, 263.
+Hekate, 255.
+Hektor, 43, 151, 167, 168.
+Hel, 6, 7, 55, 56, 57, 91-96, 133, 135-137, 142, 144, 148, 248, 255,
+  264.
+Helblinde, 81, 91, 245.
+Held, 255.
+Helge Hundings-Bane, 248.
+Helgeland, 240.
+Helmet-bearer, 245.
+Henderson, 16.
+Hendride, 44.
+Hengekjapt, 207.
+Hengist, 46, 229.
+Hepte, 71.
+Herakles, 41.
+Heran, 54.
+Herbert, 16.
+Herfather, 247.
+Herfjoter, 99.
+Herikon, 43, 221.
+Herjan, 54, 81, 245, 247.
+Hermanric, 262.
+Hermod, 45, 133, 135, 136, 249, 260.
+Hero-book, 250.
+Herodotos, 22.
+Herteit, 81, 245.
+Hesse (Rhenish), 255.
+Hild, 99, 198, 218, 219, 252.
+Hildebrand, Karl, 18.
+Hildesvin, 215.
+Himminbjorg, 77, 88, 89, 232, 259.
+Hindfell, 199.
+Hjaddingavig, 219.
+Hjalmbore, 81.
+Hjalprek, 196.
+Hjalte the Valiant, 215.
+Hjarrande, 218.
+Hjordis, 196.
+Hjuke, 66, 250.
+Hledjolf, 71.
+Hleidre, 212, 214.
+Hler, 153, 240, 243.
+Hlidskjalf, 64, 77, 101, 137.
+Hlin, 98, 145.
+Hlodyn, 145.
+Hlok, 99.
+Hloride, 44.
+Hlymdaler, 204.
+Hnikar, 54, 81, 245, 247.
+Hnikud, 54, 81, 245.
+Hnitbjorg, 161, 162.
+Hnos, 97, 238.
+Hoder, 7, 89, 132, 148, 260, 265.
+Hodmimer’s-holt, 149.
+Hofvarpner, 99.
+Hogne, 198-218.
+Holge, 187.
+Holzmann, A., 18.
+Homer, 222.
+Honer, 84, 153, 155, 157, 184-186, 193, 227, 243.
+Hor, 71.
+Horn, 97.
+Hornklofe, 233.
+Horsa, 229.
+Howitts, the, 16.
+Hrasvelg, 79.
+Hreidmar, 193-196.
+Hrid, 56.
+Hrimfaxe, 65.
+Hrimgerd, 251.
+Hringhorn, 133.
+Hrist, 99.
+Hrodvitner, 67.
+Hrolf, 241.
+Hron, 106.
+Hroptatyr, 81, 246.
+Hrotte, 196.
+Hrungner, 7, 169-176, 210.
+Hrym, 141-144.
+Hvergelmer, 56, 72, 75, 106, 148, 243, 248, 249.
+Hvitserk, 215.
+Huge, 121, 126.
+Hugin, 105.
+Hugstare, 71.
+Humboldt, 244.
+Hymer, 128-133, 167, 186.
+Hyndla, 249.
+Hyrrokken, 133, 134.
+
+
+I
+
+Iceland, 240.
+Ida, 148.
+Idavold, 69.
+Ide, 159.
+Idun, 6, 7, 10, 28, 87, 88, 153, 155, 157, 184-187, 264.
+Iliad, 22, 221, 224.
+Ilos, 43.
+India, 28, 244.
+Irmina, 255.
+Ironwood, 57.
+Isefjord, 231.
+Italy, 42, 222.
+Ithaca, 223.
+Itrman, 45.
+Iva, 182.
+Ivalde, 112, 189.
+
+
+J
+
+Jack, 247, 250.
+Jafnhar, 81, 243, 245, 246.
+Jalanger, 207.
+Jalg, 54.
+Jalk, 54, 81, 245-247.
+Jamieson, 16.
+Japhet, 35.
+Jarnsaxa, 173.
+Jarnved, 67.
+Jarnvidjes, 67.
+Jat, 45.
+Jerusalem, 225.
+Jews, 29.
+Johnstown, 232.
+Jokul, 240.
+Jonaker, 202, 206.
+Jonsson (Arngrim), 17.
+Jonsson (Th.), 18, 19.
+Jord, 65, 100, 174, 175.
+Jormungand, 91-96, 144.
+Jormunrek, 202-206.
+Joruvold, 71.
+Jotland, 240.
+Jotunheim, 49, 65, 69, 91, 110, 111, 115, 133, 144, 157, 169, 176, 185,
+  187, 231, 259.
+Juno, 40, 250.
+Jupiter, 41, 42.
+Jutland, 46, 247.
+
+
+K
+
+Kadmos, 241.
+Kalevala, 84.
+Kalmuks, 225.
+Kann, 254.
+Kare, 240-243.
+Kemble, 258.
+Kerlangs, 73.
+Keyser (Rud.), 18, 19, 20, 23, 25, 26.
+Kesfet, 45.
+Kile, 71.
+Kingsley (Chas.), 230.
+Kjalar, 81, 245.
+Knue, 211.
+Kormt, 73.
+Kvaser, 137, 160-165, 227.
+
+
+L
+
+Laage, 231.
+Lading, 93.
+Laing (Samuel), 22, 224.
+Landvide, 259.
+Laomedon, 43.
+Latin, 222.
+Laufey, 91, 110, 113, 137.
+Leidre (See Hleidre), 231.
+Leipt, 56, 248.
+Lerad, 106, 263.
+Letfet, 73, 260.
+Liber, 228.
+Libera, 228.
+Lif, 149.
+Lifthraser, 149.
+Lit, 71, 134.
+Lithraborg, 231.
+Ljosalfaheim, 259.
+Loder, 243.
+Lofn, 98.
+Loge, 120, 126, 240, 243.
+Logrinn, 49.
+Loke, 6-8, 80, 91-96, 109-145, 151, 153, 155-158, 176-187, 188-199, 240,
+  260, 261, 264, 265.
+Lopt, 91, 186.
+Loptsson (Jon), 20.
+Lora, 44.
+Loricos, 44.
+Loride, 44.
+Lovar, 71.
+Lybia, 230, 242.
+Lyngve, 94.
+
+
+M
+
+Macbeth, 252-265.
+Macedonians, 39, 40, 42.
+Maelstrom, 208.
+Magi, 45.
+Magne, 45, 48, 149, 168, 173.
+Magnusson (Arne), 17, 18, 23.
+Malar, 49, 231, 232.
+Mallet, 16, 230.
+Manilius, 229.
+Mannheim, 225, 236.
+Mardol, 97.
+Mars, 222.
+Mechtild, 255.
+Mediterranean Sea, 38.
+Megingjarder, 83, 106, 176, 180.
+Meile, 174.
+Menglad, 260, 262.
+Menja, 206-209, 267.
+Menon, 44.
+Metellus, 223.
+Mexican, 244.
+Midgard, 5, 62, 63, 67, 109, 128, 145, 259.
+Midvitne, 245.
+Mimer, 10, 19, 72, 73, 142, 143, 224, 227, 228, 234, 243.
+Mist, 99.
+Mithridates, 222, 229.
+Mjodvitner, 70.
+Mjoll, 241.
+Mjolner, 6-8, 64, 83, 111-130, 134, 148, 149, 171, 176.
+Mjotud, 246.
+Möbius (Th.), 18.
+Mode, 45, 148, 149, 168.
+Modgud, 135, 249.
+Modsogner, 70.
+Moin, 75.
+Mokkerkalfe, 171, 173.
+Moldau, 228.
+Mongolians, 225.
+Moon, 66.
+Moongarm, 67.
+Morn, 185, 186.
+Morris (Wm.), 224, 266.
+Müller (Max), 244.
+Müller (P. E.), 18, 20.
+Mummius, 223.
+Munch (P. A.), 18.
+Mundilfare, 66.
+Munin, 105.
+Munon, 44.
+Muspel, 68, 103, 112, 142, 144.
+Muspelheim, 5, 56, 58, 61, 66, 243, 247, 249, 259.
+Muss, 254.
+Mysing, 207.
+
+
+N
+
+Na, 70.
+Naglfar, 65, 112, 141, 144.
+Nain, 70.
+Nal, 91.
+Nanna, 81, 134, 136, 153.
+Nare, 91, 139.
+Narfe, 65, 91, 139.
+Nastrand, 9, 147.
+Nep, 89, 134.
+Neptune, 41.
+Niblungs, 101, 193, 199, 201, 202, 262, 263, 266.
+Niblung Story, 30, 266, 267.
+Nida Mountains, 147.
+Nide, 70.
+Nidhug, 9, 72, 75, 148, 249.
+Niflheim, 5, 56, 58, 72, 92, 243, 247, 249, 259.
+Niflhel, 55, 111, 259.
+Niflungs, 193-199, 201, 202, 266.
+Night,65.
+Nikar, 54.
+Nikuz, 54.
+Nile, 41.
+Niping, 70.
+Njord, 6, 42, 84, 85, 101, 153, 158, 159, 187, 227, 228, 232, 236, 237,
+  239, 259, 260.
+Njorvasnud, 225.
+Njorve, 225.
+Noah, 33, 35, 225.
+Noatun, 84, 85, 158, 232, 237, 259.
+Non, 106.
+Nor, 241.
+Nordre, 61, 70.
+Norfe, 65.
+Norns, 73-78.
+Norway, 215, 218, 222, 230, 236, 239, 240, 241, 251, 256, 257.
+Not, 106.
+Ny, 71.
+Nye, 70.
+Nyrad, 71.
+Nyerup (R.), 18.
+
+
+O
+
+Oder, 97, 112, 228, 238.
+Odin, 5-10, 29, 39, 43, 45-47, 60, 65, 73, 77, 80, 83, 86, 89, 96, 100,
+  104-112, 132-134, 137, 142, 143, 145, 153, 155, 157, 158, 160-165,
+  168-176, 181, 185, 186, 187, 189-192, 194, 195, 206, 221, 239, 240,
+  243-263.
+Odinse, 230, 231, 250.
+Odinstown, 232.
+Odoacer, 223.
+Odrarer, 160-165.
+Odyssey, 22, 224.
+Ofner, 76, 245, 247.
+Oin, 70.
+Oku-Thor, 82, 151, 167, 168, 209.
+Olafsson (Magnus), 17.
+Olafsson (Stephan), 17.
+Olaf (Thordsson), 9, 20, 22, 23-27.
+Olaf (Tryggvason), 261.
+Olvalde, 159.
+Ome, 54, 81, 245.
+Onar, 70.
+Orboda, 101.
+Ore, 70, 71.
+Orestes, 223.
+Orkneys, 218.
+Ormt, 73.
+Orner, 210.
+Orvandel, 173-175.
+Oske, 54, 81, 245, 247.
+Otter, 193.
+Ottilia, 255.
+
+
+P
+
+Paulus (Diakonos), 244.
+Persia, 225.
+Petersen (N. M.), 248.
+Pfeiffer (Fr.), 18.
+Pigott, 16.
+Pluto, 49.
+Poetry (origin of), 161-165.
+Polar Sea, 248.
+Pompey, 43, 222, 229, 230.
+Pontus, 229.
+Priamos, 39, 43, 44, 166, 167.
+Pyrrhus, 168.
+
+
+Q
+
+Quaser (see Kvaser).
+Quenland, 240.
+
+
+R
+
+Rachel, 255.
+Radgrid, 99.
+Redsvid, 71.
+Rafn, 215.
+Rafnagud, 105.
+Ragnar, 206.
+Ragnar (Lodbrok), 205.
+Ragnarok, 8, 88, 96, 104, 139-145, 167, 219, 228, 247, 249, 264, 266.
+Ran, 188.
+Randgrid, 99.
+Randver, 202-205.
+Rask (Rasmus), 18.
+Ratatosk, 75.
+Rate, 163.
+Refil, 196.
+Regin, 193-200.
+Reginleif, 99.
+Reidartyr, 165.
+Reidgotaland, 46.
+Rek, 71.
+Remus, 222, 223.
+Resen (P. J.), 17.
+Rhine, 201, 230.
+Rind, 89, 100.
+Ritta, 46.
+Roddros, 167.
+Rolf Krake, 214-217.
+Rogner, 246.
+Rome, 31, 43, 221-230.
+Romulus, 222, 223.
+Romulus (Augustulus), 223.
+Roskva, 114, 115.
+Rosta, 100.
+Rugman (Jon), 17.
+Russia, 225, 230.
+
+
+S
+
+Sad, 81, 245.
+Saga, 97, 259.
+Sager, 66.
+Sahrimner, 104.
+Saming, 47, 230, 236.
+Samund the Wise, 20, 26.
+Sangetal, 81, 245, 247.
+Saracens, 225.
+Sarmatia, 225.
+Saturn, 38, 40, 41, 42.
+Saxland, 45, 48, 230, 231.
+Saxo-Grammaticus, 239.
+Saxons, 215, 229.
+Schlegel, 253.
+Scotland, 257, 258.
+Scott (Walter), 257, 258.
+Scythia (Magna), 225, 229, 244.
+Seeland, 49, 50, 231, 242.
+Sekin, 106.
+Sennar, 36.
+Serkland, 225.
+Sessrymner, 86.
+Shakspeare, 252-256.
+Shem, 36.
+Siar, 71.
+Sibyl, 44.
+Sid, 106.
+Sidhot, 81, 245, 247.
+Sidskeg, 81, 245, 247.
+Sif, 44, 89, 170, 187, 189-192.
+Sigar, 46.
+Sigfather, 81, 245, 247.
+Sigfrid, 19, 232, 263.
+Sigge, 46.
+Sighan, 257.
+Sighvat, 20.
+Sigmund, 196-204.
+Sigtuna, 47, 230, 232.
+Sigtyr, 165, 189, 247.
+Sigurd, 196-204, 262, 267.
+Sigyn, 139, 153, 185.
+Silvertop, 73, 260.
+Simrock (K.), 18, 19, 253, 263.
+Simul, 66.
+Sindre, 147, 190-192.
+Siner, 73, 260.
+Sinfjotle, 204.
+Sjafne, 98.
+Sjofn, 98.
+Skade, 84, 85, 139, 158, 159, 185, 187, 228, 236, 259.
+Skeggold, 99.
+Skeidbrimer, 73, 200.
+Skidbladner, 108-113, 189-192, 234, 263.
+Skifid, 71.
+Skilfing, 81, 246, 247.
+Skinfaxe, 66.
+Skirfir, 71.
+Skirner, 94, 101-103, 143, 263.
+Skjaldun, 45.
+Skjold, 45, 46, 206, 230, 231.
+Skogul, 99, 252.
+Skol, 67.
+Skrymer, 116-127.
+Skuld, 74, 100, 243, 252, 256.
+Skule (Jarl), 21-24, 249.
+Sleeping Beauty, 254.
+Sleipner, 73, 108-112, 133, 169-176, 259.
+Slid, 56, 248.
+Slidrugtanne, 134.
+Sna, 241.
+Snorre, 9, 19-27, 221, 226, 233, 239, 242, 243.
+Snotra, 98.
+Sokmimer, 245.
+Sokvabek, 97, 259.
+Sol, 99.
+Solvarg, 67.
+Son, 164, 165.
+Sorle, 202-206
+Spain, 225.
+Steinthor, 235.
+Stephens (Geo.), 230.
+Strabo, 226.
+Sturle (Thordsson), 21, 249.
+Styx, 248.
+Sudre, 61, 70.
+Sun, 66.
+Surt, 8, 57, 78, 142-149, 168, 249.
+Suttung, 164, 165.
+Svade, 241.
+Svadilfare, 110, 111.
+Svafner, 76, 243, 246, 247.
+Svanhild, 199-206.
+Svarin, 71, 259.
+Svartalfaheim, 94.
+Svarthofde, 58, 250.
+Svasud, 80.
+Sveinsson (Br.), 17.
+Sviagris, 215, 217.
+Svid, 246.
+Svidar, 54.
+Svidr, 236.
+Svidrer, 54, 245.
+Svidrir, 81.
+Svidur, 245.
+Svipdag, 46, 215, 262.
+Svipol, 81, 245.
+Svithjod, 46, 49, 181, 207, 211, 225, 228, 236.
+Svebdegg, 46.
+Svol, 56, 106, 248.
+Svolne, 174.
+Sylg, 56, 248.
+Syn, 98.
+Syr, 97.
+
+
+T
+
+Tacitus, 244.
+Tanais, 225.
+Tanaquisl, 225, 226.
+Tangnjost, 83.
+Tangrisner, 83.
+Tartareans, 225.
+Taylor (W.), 16.
+Testament (New), 28.
+Testament (Old), 28.
+Teutons, 222-224, 229, 230, 239, 244, 253, 263, 264.
+Thek, 71, 81, 245.
+Thjalfe, 114, 115, 120, 121, 126, 171, 173, 181.
+Thjasse, 84, 85, 155-158, 184-187, 210.
+Thjode, 196.
+Thjodnuma, 106.
+Thjodolf, 51, 174, 184, 243.
+Thok, 136, 137, 264.
+Thol, 106.
+Thor, 6, 8, 29, 41, 44, 65, 73, 82, 83, 89, 100, 109-153, 165-192,
+  205-243, 251, 259, 260, 263.
+Thorarin, 235.
+Thord, 20.
+Thorer, 235.
+Thorin, 70.
+Thorleif, 176, 184, 187.
+Thorn, 179.
+Thorodd (Runemaster), 27.
+Thorpe (Benjamin), 15, 252, 257, 259, 262.
+Thorre, 241.
+Thorstein (Viking’s son), 241.
+Thrace, 44, 221.
+Thride, 81, 243-246.
+Thro, 71, 81.
+Throin, 71.
+Thror, 245.
+Thrud, 99.
+Thruda, 183.
+Thrudgelmer, 250.
+Thrudheim, 44, 259.
+Thrudvang, 82, 127, 173, 232, 259.
+Thrym, 7.
+Thrymheim, 84, 85, 156, 259.
+Thucydides, 22.
+Thud, 81, 245.
+Thul, 56.
+Thule, 30.
+Thund, 81, 246.
+Thvite, 96.
+Thyn, 106.
+Tiber, 221.
+Tieck, 250.
+Tivisco, 244.
+Tom Thumb, 251.
+Torfason (T.), 17.
+Tror, 44.
+Tros, 43.
+Troy, 38, 43, 44, 47, 64, 151, 166, 167, 168, 222-224, 229.
+Tshudic, 240.
+Turkey, 38, 45, 47, 151, 166.
+Turkistan, 228, 229.
+Turkland, 229.
+Tyr, 6, 8, 29, 87, 92, 95, 143, 153, 165, 187, 244, 260.
+
+
+U
+
+Ud, 81, 245.
+Uhland (Ludw.), 18, 263.
+Ukko, 82, 84, 239.
+Ukko-Thor, 239.
+Ulfhedinn, 233.
+Uller, 89, 153, 174, 183, 259, 260.
+Ulysses, 151, 223.
+Umea, 250.
+Upsala, 47, 215, 216, 232, 237.
+Ural Mountains, 229.
+Urd, 10, 19, 73, 74, 76, 243, 252-256.
+Utgard, 118-127.
+Utgard-Loke, 119-130.
+
+
+V
+
+Vafthrudner, 58, 243, 244.
+Vafud, 81, 246.
+Vafurloge, 199, 200.
+Vag, 214, 215.
+Vainamoinen, 84.
+Vak, 81, 246.
+Valaskjalf, 77, 80, 259.
+Valdemar (King), 23, 27.
+Vale, 71, 89, 100, 139, 148, 153, 260.
+Valfather, 73, 243.
+Valhal, 6, 7, 28, 51, 81, 99, 104-109, 132, 170-176, 188, 235, 243.
+Vanadis, 97.
+Vanaheim, 226, 227, 259.
+Vanaland, 226-228.
+Vanaquisl, 225-226.
+Var, 98.
+Vartare, 192.
+Vasad, 80.
+Ve, 60, 227, 230, 243, 249.
+Vedas, 253.
+Vedfolner, 75.
+Veggdegg, 45.
+Vegsvin, 106.
+Vegtam, 247, 264.
+Venus, 42, 256.
+Veratyr, 81, 247.
+Verdande, 74, 243, 252, 256.
+Verer, 46.
+Vesete, 240.
+Vestfal, 46.
+Vestre, 61.
+Vid, 56, 106.
+Vidar, 8, 89, 143, 145, 148, 153, 168, 177, 187, 259, 260.
+Vidblain, 78.
+Vidfin, 66.
+Vidolf, 58, 250.
+Vidrer, 54, 247.
+Vidsete, 215.
+Vidur, 81.
+Vifil, 240.
+Vifilsey, 240.
+Vig, 70.
+Vigfusson (G.), 9, 26, 75, 223, 248, 265.
+Vigrid, 142, 146.
+Viking, 240.
+Vile, 60, 230, 243, 249, 277.
+Villenwood, 251.
+Vilmeide, 58, 250.
+Vimer, 177, 178.
+Vin, 106.
+Vina, 106.
+Vindalf, 70.
+Vindlone, 80.
+Vindsval, 80.
+Vingener, 45, 149.
+Vingethor, 44.
+Vingolf, 54, 69, 81, 247.
+Vinland, 30.
+Virfir, 71.
+Virgil, 222, 223, 242.
+Vit, 71.
+Vitrgils, 46.
+Vodin, 45.
+Vog, 214, 215.
+Volsungs, 46, 196-205.
+Volsung saga, 224, 266.
+Volukrontes, 167.
+Von, 96.
+Vor, 98.
+Vot, 215.
+Votan, 244.
+
+
+W
+
+Wafurloge, 263.
+Wainamoinen, 239.
+Wallachia, 228.
+Warburton, 253.
+Weird Sisters, 253-256.
+Welsh, 240.
+Wenern, 215.
+Wessebrun Prayer, 256.
+Wilbet, 255.
+Wilkin (E.), 18, 19, 20.
+Williamstown, 232.
+Witches, 253-256.
+Wodan, 244.
+Worbet, 255.
+Worm (Chr.), 17.
+Worm (Ole), 17.
+
+
+Y
+
+Ydaler, 259.
+Yg, 81, 246.
+Ygdrasil, 6, 8, 15, 29, 72, 73-78, 108, 142, 143, 252, 263.
+Ylg, 56, 248.
+Ymer, 5, 24, 58-63, 70, 128, 179, 240, 249, 250.
+Ynglinga saga, 50, 243.
+Ynglings, 47, 238.
+Yngve, 47, 230, 238.
+Yngve-Frey, 186.
+Yrsa, 213-216.
+Yvigg, 46.
+
+
+Z
+
+Zalmoxis, 244.
+Zeus, 244, 246.
+Zoroaster, 37, 40.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+           *       *       *       *
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Errors and anomalies noted by transcriber:
+
+A few paragraph-ending periods (full stops) have been supplied.
+
+The author omitted vowel modifiers and diacritics from all names in
+the body text: Hakon, Malar, Mjolnir. The footnotes are generally more
+linguistically precise.
+
+The name “Svanhild/Swanhild” is spelled “Swanhild” in the body text,
+“Svanhild” in the Vocabulary (all occurrences) and Index. The spelling
+“skees” is used consistently.
+
+
+Ambiguous stanzas in verse:
+    The king saw
+    ...
+    ’Round his house.
+    ...
+    Struck to the ground.
+    ...
+    With blows and wounds.
+  _page break after “his house”; no stanza break in printed text until
+  after “blows and wounds”_
+
+
+Typographical errors (all from “Notes”, Vocabulary and Index):
+
+a great sea goes into / Njorvasound
+Footnote 102: Njorvasound ...
+  _spelling as in original: should probably be “Njorvasund”_
+
+Chapter VI of Ynglinga / Saga
+  _text reads “Ynglingla”_
+
+the much-traveled man, the / ἀνὴρ πολύτροπος
+  _text reads “πολύθροπος”_
+
+the valkyrie says / at berserkja reiðu vil ek þik spyrja
+  _text reads “pik spyrja”_
+
+identical in root with Lat. _divus_; / Sansk. _dwas_
+  _so in original; the Sanskrit is usually given as “dyaus”_
+
+Zalmoxis, derived from the Gr. Ζαλμός, helmet
+  _so in original. Ζαλμός is defined by Liddell and Scott--
+  a dictionary available to the author-- as Thracian for “a skin.”_
+
+Compare the Greek word νεφέλη = mist.
+  _text reads “νεφέλγ”_
+
+and then cooly says to him
+  _spelling as in original_
+
+Through this he / slipt.
+  _variant spelling in original_
+
+He impersonated all that was good and holy
+  _text reads “al”_
+
+This chapter of _Skaldskaparmal_
+  _text reads “Skaldkaparmal”_
+
+Echoes from Mistland; Echoes from Mist-Land
+  _inconsistent forms in original_
+
+JARNVIDJES. The giantesses dwelling in Ironwood.
+  _text reads “JARNVIDJIS”_
+
+JORMUNGAND. The Midgard-serpent.
+  _text reads “JORMUNDGAND”_
+
+... from the mouth {of the} chained Fenris-wolf.
+... out of whose body the world was cr{eated.}
+  _page image incomplete; words and letters in braces supplied from
+  context_
+
+Randver, 202-205.
+  _text reads “22-205”_
+
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 18947 ***