The source of this uncorrected OCR text may be viewed in the DjVu format at: 
http://fax.libs.uga.edu/PT7234xE211/ 
or 
http://purl.galileo.usg.edu/ugafax/PT7234xE211/ 





 ßorroma 


anb Romance 
of Jîortfjern Curóle 


of 


\ 

ι'β» 


Classics lärmtet in 
Complete jForm 


VIKING EDITION 

MCMVI 


 DF THE 

IDífeíno JEbítíon 

There are but six hundred and fifty ssts made far the world, 
of which this is 


Na,-5 


 COPTKIOHT 

T. H. SMART. 
1905. 


 ί,...- 
5' '::': «.· 


ΓΙ 

r 


 THE ELDER EDDAS 

OF SAEMUND SIGFUSSON. 


Translated from the Original Old Norse Text into English 

BY 

BENJAMIN THORPE, 


AND THE 


YOUNGER EDDAS 

OF SNORRE STURLESON. 
Translated from the Original Old Norse Text into English 

BY 

I. A. BLACKWELL. 


HON. RASMUS B. ANDERSON, LL.D., 

EDITOK IN CHIEF. 

J. W. BUEL, Ph.D., 

MANAGING EDITOR. 


PUBLISHED BY THE 

NORRŒNA SOCIETY, 

LONDON STOCKHOLM COPENHAGEN BERLIN NEW YORK 
1906 


 LIST OF PHOTOGRAVURES. 

(ELDER AND YOUNGER EDDAS.) 


Frontispiece—Gunnar (Günther). 

Siegfried Awakens Brynhild.. 
Death of Atli.................. 

A Feast in Valhalla............. 


Page 
.159 


..247 
..331 


•Ί 


 CONTENTS. 


THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND. 

Page 
Preface by the Translator ............. .......... ix 

Introduction to the Voluspa ............... ..............xv 

The Vala's Prophecy ...............-...............--·..· 1 

The Lay of Vafthrudnir .................................. 9 

The Lay of Vegtam, or Baldur's Dream........ ........ 26 

The High One's Lay ............................ ..... 29 

Odin's Rune Song ........... ............ ....... 44 

The Lay of Hymir ....................................... 48 

The Lay of Thrym, or the Hammer Recovered ............ 53 

The Lay of the Dwarf Alvis ...................... .... 57 

The Lay of Harbard ....................... ......... 63 

The Journey, or Lay of Skirnir ........ 71 

The Lay of Rig .................................. ....... 78 

Egir's Computation, or Loki's Altercation ................. 84 

The Lay of Fiolsvitli ................... .......... 95 

The Lay of Hyndla .................... .........102 

The Incantation of Groa .... ....... 109 

The Song of the Sun ................ ........... .......Ill 

The Lay of Volund .............................. .......121 

The Lay of Helgi Hiorvard's Son .... ..127 

The First Lay of Helgi Hundingcide .... .... .137 

The Second Lay of Helgi Hundingcide ... ......... 144 

Sinfiotli's End ............................................155 

The Lay of Sigurd, or Gripir's Prophecy...................157 

The Lay of Fafnir ........................................172 

The Lay of Sigrdrifa .....................................180 

Fragments of the Lay of Sigurd and Brynhild..............186 

The Third Lay of Sigurd Fafnicide ....................... 194 

Fragments of the Lay of Brynhild ..... ........203 

The First Lay of Gudrun ................ . 206 

Brynhild's Hel-ride .......................................210 

The Slaughter of the Niflungs ............................212 

The Second Lay of Gudrun ..................... ..... 213 

The Third Lay of Gudrun ................................219 

Oddrun's Lament ........................................ 221 

The Lay of Atli ................................. ........226 

The Groenland Lay of Atli .............. ..... 233 

v 


 J 


CONTENTS 

Page 
Gudrun's Incitement ...................................... 248 

The Lay of Hamdir ......................................251 

THE YOUNGER EDDAS OF STURLESON. 
The Deluding of Gylfi ................... . ........256 

Of the Primordial State of the Universe .......... .......259 

Origin of the Frost-Giants ................................260 

Of the Cow Audhumla, and Birth of Odin................262 

The Making of Heaven and Earth .........................263 

Creation of Man and Woman ..................... ......265 

Night and Day, Sun and Moon ............................266 

Wolves that Pursue the Sun and Moon ...................267 

The Way that Leads to Heaven ...........................268 

The Golden Age ..........................................269 

Origin of the Dwarfs, and Norns of Destiny...............270 

The Ash Yggdrasill and Mimer's Well .... ...........271 

The Norns that Tend Yggdrasill ..........................273 

The Wind and the Seasons ...............................275 

Thor and His Hammer ...................................277 

Balder and Njord ......................... ....... ...278 

Njord and His Wife Skadi ...............................279 

The God Frey and Goddess Freyja .......................280 

Tyr and Other Gods ......................................281 

Hodur the Blind, Assassin of Baldur .....................283 

Loki and His Progeny ....................................284 

Binding the Wolf Fenrir .......................... ......285 

The Goddesses and their Attributes .......289 

Frey, and Gerda the Beautiful.............. ........291 

The Joys of Valhalla .......... ........ .... .293 

The Wonderful Horse Sleipnir .............. ......297 

The Ship Adapted to Sail on Sea or Land........ ......299 

Thor's Adventures in the Land of Giants ...... 300 

The Death of Baldur .....................................315 

Baldur in the Abode of the Dead .................... .... 319 

Loki's Capture and Punishment . .......... 321 

Destruction of the Universe .... .......................... 323 

Restoration of the Universe ......................... ..... 327 

How Loki Carried Away Iduna ..... ......339 

The Origin of Poetry .............................. ... .331 

Odin Beguiles the Daughter of Baugi ................ .... .333 

Glossary .................................................. 335 

vi 


PREFACE. 


SAEMUND, son of Sigfus, the reputed collector of the 
poems bearing his name, which is sometimes also called the 
Elder, and the Poetic, Edda, was of a highly distinguished 
family, being descended in a direct line from King Harald 
Hildetonn. He was born at Oddi, his paternal dwelling in 
the south of Iceland, between the years 1054 and 1057, or 
about 50 years after the establishment by law of the Chris 
tian religion in that island; hence it is easy to imagine that 
many heathens, or baptized favourers of the old mythic 
songs of heathenism, may have lived in his days and im 
parted to him the lays of the times of old, which his un 
fettered mind induced him to hand down to posterity. 

The youth of Sœmund was passed in travel and study, 
in Germany and France, and, according to some accounts, 
in Italy. His cousin John Ogmundson, who later became 
first bishop of Holum, and after his death was received 
among the number of saints, when on his way to Rome, fell 
in with his youthful kinsman, and took him back with him 
to Iceland, in the year 1076. Sœmund afterwards became 
a priest at Oddi, where he instructed many young men in 
useful learning; but the effects of which were not improb 
ably such as to the common people might appear as witch 
craft or magic : and, indeed, Saemund's predilection for the 
sagas and songs of the old heathen times (even for the ma 
gical ones) was so well known, that among his countrymen 
there were some who regarded him as a great sorcerer, 
though chiefly in what is called white or innocuous and de 
vil 


 PREFACE 


fensive sorcery, a repute which still clings to his memory 
among the common people of Iceland, and will long adhere 
to it through the numerous and popular stories regarding 
him (some of them highly entertaining) that are orally 
transmitted from generation to generation.1 

Saemund died at the age of 77, leaving behind him a 
work on the history of Norway and Iceland, which is now 
almost entirely lost. 

The first who ascribed to Ssemund the collection of poems 
known as the Poetic Edda,2 was Brynjolf Svensson, 
bishop of Skalholt. This prelate, who was a zealous col 
lector of ancient manuscripts, found in the year 1643, the 

lrThe following, the first among many, may serve as a specimen. 

Ssemund was residing, in the south of Europe, with a famous Master, 
by whom he was instructed in every kind oí lore ; while, on the other hand, 
he forgot (apparently through intense study) all that he had previously 
learned, even to his own name; so that when the holy man John Ogmund- 
EOii came to his abode, he told him that his name was Koll ; but on John 
insisting that he was no other than Sœmund Sigfusson, born at Oddi in 
Iceland, and relating to him many particulars regarding himself, he at 
length became conscious of his own identity, and resolved to flee from the 
place with his kinsman. For the purpose of deceiving the master, John 
continued some time in the place, and often came to visit him and Sœmund ; 
tUl at last, one dark night, they betook themselves to flight. No sooner had 
the Master missed them than he sent in pursuit of them ; but in vain, 
and the heavens were too overcast to admit, according to his custom, of 
reading their whereabouts in the stars. So they traveled day and night and 
all the following day. But the next night was clear, and the Master at once 
read in the stars where they were, and set out after them at full speed. 
Then Saxuund, casting his eyes up at the heavens, sai', "Now is my Master 
in chase of us, and sees where we are«·" And on John asking what was to 
be done, he answered : "Take one of my shoes off, fill it with water, and set 
it on my head." John did so, and at t*e same moment, the-Master, looking 
up at the heavens, says to his companion : "Bad news ; the stranger John 
has drowned my pupil ; there is water about his forehead." And thereupon 
returned home. The pair now again prosecute their journey night and day ; 
but, in the following night, the Master again consults the stars, when, to his 
great amazement, he sees the star of Sœmund directly above his head, and 
again sets oft after the fugitives. Observing this, Ssemund says : "The 
astrologer is again after us, and again we must look to ourselves; take my 
shoe oft again, and with your knife stab me in the thigh; fill the shoe 
with blood, and place it on the top of my head." John does as directed, and 
the Master, again gazing at the stars, says : "There is blood now about the 
star of Master Koll, and the stranger has for certain murdered him," and 
so returns home. The old man now has once more recourse to his art ; but 
on seeing Sœmund's star shining brightly above him, he exclaimed : "My 
pupil Is still living; so much the better. I have taught him more than 
enough; for he outdoes me both in astrology and magic. Let them now 
proceed in safety ; I am unable to hinder their departure." 

sBishop P. E. Muller supposes the greater number of the Eddaic poems 
to be of the 8th century. Sagabibliothek II, p, 181. 

viii 


PREFACE 

old vellum codex, which is the most complete of all the 
known manuscripts of the Edda; of this he caused a tran 
script to be made, which he entitled Edda Saemundi Mul- 
tiscii. The transcript came into the possession of the royal 
historiographer Torfeus; the original, together with other 
MSS., was presented to the King of Denmark, Frederick. 
III., and placed in the royal library at Copenhagen, where 
it now is.1 As many of the Eddaic poems appear to have 
been orally transmitted in an imperfect state, the collector 
has supplied the deficiencies by prose insertions, whereby 
the integrity of the subject is to a certain degree restored. 

The collection called Ssemund's Edda consists of two 
parts, viz., the Mythological and the Heroic. It is the for 
mer of those which is now offered to the public in an 
English version. In the year ITO?, a translation of this first 
part, by A. S. Cottle, was published at Bristol. This work 
I have never met with ; nor have I seen any English version 
of any part of the Edda, with the exception of Gray's spir 
ited but free translation of the Vegtamskvida. 

The Lay of Volund (Volundarkvida) celebrates the story 
of Volund's doings and sufferings during his sojourn in 
the territory of the Swedish king Nidud. Volund (Ger. 
Wieland, Fr. Veland and Galans) is the Scandinavian and 
Germanic Vulcan (Hephaistos) and Daedalus. In England 
his story, as a skillful smith, is traceable to a very early 
period. In the Anglo-Saxon poem of Beowulf we find that 
hero desiring, in the event of his falling in conflict with 
Grendel, that his corslets may be sent to Hygelac, being, 
as jhe says, the work of Weland ; and king Alfred, in his 
translation of Boethius de Consolatione, renders the words 
fidelis ossa Fabricii, etc. by Hwaet (hwaer) Welondes? 


1Codex Regius, No. 2365, 4to. The handwriting of this MS. Is sup 
posed to be of the beginning of the 14th century. 

ix 


 PREFACE 


PREFACE 


(Where are now the bones of the famous and wise gold 
smith Weland?), evidently taking the proper name of 
Fabricius for an appellative equivalent to faber. In the 
Exeter Book, too, there is a poem in substance closely re 
sembling the Eddaic lay. In his novel of Kenilworth, 
Walter Scott has been guilty of a woeful perversion of the 
old tradition, travestied from the Berkshire legend of Way- 
land Smith. As a land-boundary we find Weland's smithy 
in a Charter of king Eadred A. D. 955. 

On the Lay of Helgi Hiorvard's Son there is nothing to 
remark beyond what appears in the poem itself. 

The Lays of Helgi Hundingcide form the first of the 
series of stories relating to the Volsung race, and the Giu- 
kungs, or Niflungs. 

The connection of the several personages celebrated in 
these poems will appear plain from the following tables : 


Sigi, king of Hunaland, said to be a. son of Odin 

Berir 

Tolsnng = a daughter of the giant Hrimnir 


Signrand = Signi = Borghild = Hiordis 


li. Helgi = 


Hamund. Sinfiotli. Helgi = Sigrun Sigurd = Gudrun 


Sigmnnd, Svanhild. 

m Jornmnrek. 


Ginki = Grimhild. 
I 


Gnimar=Glaumvor. Hogni=Kostbera. Gnthorm. Gndrun,=l Sigurd. 

| 2 Atli. 
Solar. Giuki. Snaevar. 3 Jonakr. 


Bndli. 

Atli = Gudrun : Brynhild = Gunnar. Oddrun. Beckhild = Heimir. 
Erp. Eitil Alsvid. 


Jonakr = Gudrun 

I I 


Erp Hamdir. Sorli. 

The Eddaic series of the Volsung and Niflung lays ter 
minates with the Lay of Hamdir ; the one entitled Gunnar's 
Melody is no doubt a comparatively late composition; yet 
being written in the true ancient spirit of the North is well 
deserving of a place among the Eddaic poems. Nor, indeed, 
is the claim of the Lay of Grotti to rank among the poems 
collected by Sœmund, by any means clear, we know it only 
from its existence in the Skalda; yet on account of its 
antiquity, its intrinsic worth, and its reception in other 
editions of the Edda, both in original and translation, the 
present work would seem, and justly so, incomplete with 
out it. 

The Prose, or Younger Edda, is generally ascribed to the 
celebrated Snorre Sturleson, who was born of a distinguished 
Icelandic family, in the year 1178, and after leading a turbu 
lent and ambitious life, and being twice the supreme magis 
trate of the Republic, was killed A. D. 1241,1 by three of his 
sons-in-law and a step-son. When Snorre was three years 

Snorre, at the death of John Loptson (A. D. 1197), does not appear to 
have possessed any property whatever, though he afterwards became the 
weathiest man in Iceland. His rise in the world was chiefly owing to his 
marriage with Herdlsa, the daughter of a priest called Bersi the Rich,—ja 
very enviable surname, which no doubt enabled the Rev. gentleman to 
brave the decrees of Popes and Councils, and take to himself a wife—who 
brought him a very considerable fortune. If we may judge from Snorre's 
biography, Christianity appears to have effected very little change in the' 
character of the Icelanders. We have the same turbulent and sanguinary 
scenes, the same loose conduct of the women, and perfidy, and remorseless 
cruelty of the men, as in tue Pagan times. 

xi 


t·;. 


 PREFACE 


old, John Loptson of Oddi, the grandson of Ssemund the 
Wise, took him into fosterage. Snorre resided at Oddi until 
his twentieth year, and appears to have received an excellent 
education from his foster father, w'ho was one of the most 
learned men of that period. How far he may have made use 
of the manuscripts of Ssemund and Ari, which were pre 
served at Oddi, it is impossible to say, neither do we know 
the precise contents of these manuscripts; but it is highly 
probable that the most important parts of the work, now 
known under the title of "The Prose Edda," formed a part 
of them, and that Snorre—who may be regarded as the 
Scandinavian Euhemerus—merely added a few chapters, in 
order to render the mythology more conformable to the erro 
neous notions he appears to have entertained respecting its 
signification. Be this as it may, the Prose Edda, in its pres 
ent form, dates from the thirteenth century, and consists of— 
1. Formali (Fore discourse) ; or the prologue. 2. Gylfa- 
ginning (The deluding of Gylfi). 3. Braga^roedur (Con 
versations of Bragi). 4. Eptirmali (After discourse); or 
Epilogue. The Prologue and Epilogue were probably writ 
ten by Snorre himself, and are nothing more than an absurd 
syncretism of Hebrew, Greek, Roman, and Scandinavian 
myths and legends, in which Noah, Priam, Odin, Hector, 
Thor, .¿Eneas, &c., are jumbled together much in the same 
manner as in the romances of the Middle Ages. These dis 
sertations, utterly worthless in themselves, have obviously 
nothing in common with the so-called "Prose Edda," the 
first part of which, containing fifty-three chapters, forms a 
complete synopsis of Scandinavian mythology, derived prin 
cipally from the Poetical Edda. 

THE TRANSLATOR. 


xii 


INTRODUCTION TO THE VOLUSPA. 


As introductory to the Voluspa, the following description 
of a wandering Vala or prophetess may be thought both de 
sirable and interesting: "We find them present at the birth 
of children, when they seem to represent the Norns. They 
acquired their knowledge either by means of seid, during 
the night, while all others in the house were sleeping, and 
uttered their oracles in the morning; or they received sud 
den inspirations during the singing of certain songs appro 
priate to the purpose, without which the sorcery could not 
perfectly succeed. These seid-women were common over all 
the North. When invited by the master of a family, they 
appeared in a peculiar costume, sometimes with a consid 
erable number of followers, e. g. with fifteen young men and 
fifteen girls. For their soothsaying they received money, 
gold rings, and other precious things. Sometimes it was 
necessary to compel them to prophesy. An old description 
of such a Vala, who went from guild to guild telling for 
tunes, will give the best idea of these women and their 
proceedings" :— 

"Thorbiorg, nicknamed the little Vala, during the winter 
attended the guilds, at the invitation of those who desired 
to know their fate, or the quality of the coming year. 
Everything was prepared in the most sumptuous manner 
for her reception. There was an elevated seat, on which lay 
a cushion stuffed with feathers. A man was sent to meet 
her. She came in the evening dressed in a blue mantle 
fastened with thongs and set with stones down to the lap; 


 INTRODUCTION 

round her neck she had a necklace of glass beads, on her. 
head a hood of black lambskin lined with white catskin^ 
in her hand a staff, the head of which was mounted with 
brass and ornamented with stones ; round her body she wore 
a girdle of agaric (knoske), from which hung a bag con 
taining her conjuring apparatus ; on her feet were rough 
calfskin shoes with long ties and tin buttons, on her hands 
catskin gloves, white and hairy within. All bade her wel 
come with a reverent salutation; the master himself con 
ducted her by the hand to her seat. She undertook no 
prophecy on the first day, but would first pass a night there. 
In the evening of the following day she ascended her ele 
vated seat, caused the women to place themselves round 
her, and desired them to sing certain songs, which they did 
in a strong, clear voice. She then prophesied of the coming 
year, and afterwards, all that would advanced and asked 
her such questions as they thought proper, to which they 
received plain answers." 


In the following grand and ancient lay, dating most 
probably from the time of heathenism, are set forth, as the 
utterances of a Vala, or wandering prophetess, as above 
described, the story of the creation of the world from chaos, 
of the origin of the giants, the gods, the dwarfs, and the 
human race, together with other events relating to the 
mythology of the North, and ending with the destruction 
of the gods and the world, and their renewal. 


VÖLUSPA. 


THE VALA'S PROPHECY. 

1. FOR silence I pray all sacred children, great and 
small, sons of Heimdall,1 they will that I Valfather's 
deeds recount, men's ancient saws, those that I best re 
member. 

2. The Jötuns I remember early born, those who me 
of old have reared. I nine \vorlds remember, nine trees, 
the great central tree, beneath the earth. 

3. There was in times of old, where Ymir dwelt, nor 
sand nor sea, nor gelid waves; earth existed not, nor 
heaven above, 'twas a chaotic chasm, and grass nowhere. 

4. Before Bur's sons raised up heaven's vault, they 
who the noble mid-earth shaped. The sun shone from 
the south over the structure's rocks: then was the earth 
begrown with herbage green. 

5. The sun from the south, the moon's companion, her 
right hand cast about the heavenly horses. The sun knew 
not where she2 a dwelling had, the moon knew not what 
power he possessed, the stars knew not where they had a 
station. 

Ίι. the Rlgsmal we are Informed bow Heimdall, under the name of 
Rig, became the progenitor of the three orders of mankind. ¿In the Ger 
manic tongues, as In the Semitic, the sun Is fern., the moon mase. 


ι 

il 

ΙΓ 


xiv 


 THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 


THE VALA'S PROPHECY 


6. Then went the powers all to their judgment-seats, 
the all-holy gods, and thereon held council : to night and 
to the waning moon gave names ; morn they named, and 
mid-day, afternoon and eve, whereby to reckon years. 

7. The JEsir met on Ida's plain ; they altar-steads and 
temples high constructed ; their strength they proved, all 
things tried, furnaces established, precious things forged, 
formed tongs, and fabricated tools ; 

8. At tables played at home; joyous they were; to 
them was naught the want of gold, until there came 
Thurs-maidens three, all powerful, from Jötunheim. 

9. Then went all the powers to their judgment-seats, 
the all-holy gods, and thereon held council, who should 
of the dwarfs the race create, from the sea-giant's blood 
and livid bones. 

10. Then was Môtsognir created greatest of all the 
dwarfs, and Durin second; there in man's likeness they 
created many dwarfs from earth, as Durin said. 

11. Nyi and Nidi, Nordri and Sudri, Austri and Ves- 
tri, Althiôf, Dvalin Nâr and Nain, Niping, Dain, Bivor, 
Bavör, Bornbur, Nori, An and Anar, Ai, Miodvitnir, 

12. Veig and Gandâlf, Vindâlf, Thrain, Thekk and 
Thorin, Thrôr, Vitr, and Litr, Nur and Nyrâd, Regin 
and Râdsvid. Now of the dwarfs I have rightly told. 

13. Fili, Kili, Fundin, Nali, Hepti, Vili, Hanar, 
Svior, Billing, Bruni, Bild, Bûri, Frâr, Hornbori, Frseg 
and Lôni, Aurvang, lari, Eikinskïaldi. 

14. Time 'tis of the dwarfs in Dvalin's band, to the 
sons of men, to Lofar up to reckon, those who came forth 
from the world's rock, earth's foundation, to lora's 
plains. 


15. There were Draupnir, and Dôlgthrasir, Hâr, 
Haugspori, Hlsevang, Glôi, Skirvir, Virvir, Skafid, Ai, 
Alf and Yngvi, Eikinskialdi, 

16. Fialar and Frosti, Finn and Ginnar, Heri, Högg- 
starî, Hliôdôlf, Moin : that above shall, while mortals live, 
the progeny of Lofar, accounted be. 

17. Until there came three mighty and benevolent 
Aîsir to the world from their assembly. They found on 
earth, nearly powerless, Ask and Embla, void of destiny. 

18. Spirit they possessed not, sense they had not, 
blood nor motive powers, nor goodly colour. Spirit gave 
Odin, sense gave Hœnir, blood gave Lodur, and goodly 
colour. 

19. I know an ash standing Yggdrasil hight, a lofty 
tree, laved with limpid water : thence come the dews into 
the dales that fall ; ever stands it green over Urd's foun 
tain. 

20. Thence come maidens, much knowing, three from 
the hall, which under that tree stands; Urd hight the 
one, the second Verdandi, — on a tablet they graved — 
Skuld the third. Laws they established, life allotted to 
the sons of men; destinies pronounced. 

21. Alone she1 sat without, when came that ancient 
dread ¿Esir's prince; and in his eye she gazed. 

22. "Of what wouldst thou ask me ? Why temptest 
thou me? Odin! I know all, where thou thine eye didst 
sink in the pure well of Mim." Mim drinks mead each 
morn from Valfather's pledge.2 Understand ye yet, or 


what? 


Γ 

Ί; 


hereelt ln the thlra 


 THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 

23. The chief of hosts gave her rings and necklace, 
useful discourse, and a divining spirit: wide and far she 
saw o'er every world. 

24. She the Valkyriur saw from afar coming, ready to 
ride to the god's people: Skuld held a shield, Skögul 
was second, then Gunn, Hild Göndul, and Geirskögul. 
Now are enumerated Herian's maidens, the Valkyriur, 
ready over the earth to ride. 

25. She that war remembers, the first on earth, when 
Gullveig1 they with lances pierced, and in the high one's2 
hall her burnt, thrice burnt, thrice brought her forth, oft 
not seldom ; yet she still lives. 

26. Heidi they called her, whithersoe'r she came, the 
well-foreseeing Vala: wolves she tamed, magic arts she 
knew, magic arts practised; ever was she the joy of evil 
people. 

27. Then went the powers all to their judgment-seats, 
the all-holy gods, and thereon held council, whether the 
^Esir should avenge the crime,3 or all the gods receive 
atonement. 

28. Broken was the outer wall of the ^Esir's burgh. 
The Vanir, foreseeing conflict, tramp o'er the plains. 
Odin cast [his spear], and mid the people hurled it: 
that was the first warfare in the world. 

29. Then went the powers all to their judgment- 
seats, the all-holy gods, and thereon held council: who 
had all the air with evil mingled? or to the Jötun race 
Od's maid had given? 

"A personification ol gold. With the introduction ot gold was the 
end of the golden age. "i. e., Odin's: his hall is the world. sOt introduc 
ing the use of gold. 


THE VALA'S PROPHECY 

30. There alone was Thor with anger swollen. He 
seldom sits, when of the like he hears. Oaths are not 
held sacred; nor words, nor swearing, nor binding com 
pacts reciprocally made. 

31. She knows that Heimdall's horn is hidden under 
the heaven-bright holy tree. A river she sees flow, with 
foamy fall, from Valfather's pledge. Understand ye yet, 
or what? 

32. East sat the crone, in lârnvidir, and there reared 
up Fenrir's progeny: of all shall be one especially the 
moon's devourer, in a troll's semblance. 

33. He is sated with the last breath of dying men; 
the god's seat he with red gore defiles : swart is the sun 
shine then for summers after; all weather turns to storm. 
Understand ye yet, or what ? 

34. There on a height sat, striking a harp, the giant 
ess's watch, the joyous Egdir; by him crowed, in the 
bird-wood, the bright red cock, which Fialar hight. 

35. Crowed o'er the ^Esir Gullinkambi, which wakens 
heroes with the sire of hosts ; but another crows beneath 
the earth, a soot-red cock, in the halls of Hel. 

36. I saw of Baldr, the blood-stained god, Odin's son, 
the hidden fate. There stood grown up', high on the 
plain, slender and passing fair, the mistletoe. 

37. From that shrub was made, as to' me it seemed, 
a deadly, noxious dart. Hödr shot it forth; but Frigg 
bewailed, in Fensalir, Valhall's calamity. Understand ye 
yet, or what? 

38. Bound she saw lying, under Hveralund, a mon- 


 THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 

strous form, to Loki like. There sits Sigyn, for her con 
sort's sake, not right glad. Understand ye yet, or what? 

39. Then the Vala knew the fatal bonds were twist 
ing, most rigid, bonds from entrails made. 

40. From the east a river falls, through venom dales, 
with mire and clods, Slid is its name. 

41. On the north there stood, on Nida-fells, a hall of 
gold, for Sindri's race ; and another stood in Okôlnir, the 
Jötuns beer-hall which Brimir hight. 

43. She saw a hall standing, far from the sun, in 
Nâstrond; its doors are northward turned, venom-drops 
fall in through its apertures: entwined is that hall with 
serpents' backs. 

43. She there saw wading the sluggish streams 
bloodthirsty men and perjurers, and him who the ear 
beguiles of another's wife. There Nidhögg sucks the 
corpses of the dead; the wolf tears men. Understand ye 
yet, or what? 

44. Further forward I see, much can I say of Rag- 
narök and the gods' conflict. 

45. Brothers shall fight, and slay each other; cousins 
shall kinship violate. The earth resounds, the giantesses 
flee; no man will another spare. 

46. Hard is it in the world, great whoredom, an axe 
age, a sword age, shields shall be cloven, a wind age, a 
wolf age, ere the world sinks. 

47. Mim's sons dance, but the central tree takes fire 
at the resounding Giallar-horn. Loud blows Heimdall, 
his horn is raised; Odin speaks with Mim's head. 

48. Trembles Yggdrasil's ash yet standing; groans 

6 


THE VALA'S PROPHECY 

that aged tree, and the jötun is loosed. Loud bays Garm 
before the Gnupa-cave, his bonds he rends asunder; and 
the wolf runs. 

49. Hrym steers from the east, the waters rise, the 
mundane snake is coiled in jötun-rage. The worm beats 
the water, and the eagle screams : the pale of beak tears 
carcases; Naglfar is loosed. 

50. That ship fares from the east: come will Mus- 
pell's people o'er the sea, and Loki steers. The monster's 
kin goes all with the wolf; with them the brother is of 
Byleist on their course. 

51. Surt from the south comes with flickering flame ; 
shines from his sword the Val-gods' sun. The stony hills 
are dashed together, the giantesses totter ; men tread the 
path of Hel, and heaven is cloven. 

52. How is it with the ^Esir? How with the Alfar? 
All Jotunheim resounds; the ^Esir are in council. The 
dwarfs groan before their stony doors, the sages of the 
rocky walls. Understand ye yet, or what ? 

53. Then arises. Hlin's second grief, when Odin goes 
with the wolf to fight, and the bright slayer of Beli with 
Surt. Then will Frigg's beloved fall. 

54. Then comes the great victor-sire's son, Vidar, to 
fight with the deadly beast. He with his hands will make 
his sword pierce to the heart of the giant's son: then 
avenges he his father. 

55. Then comes the mighty son of Hlôdyn: (Odin's 
son goes with the monster to fight) ; Midgard's Veor in 
his rage will slay the worm. Nine feet will go Fiörgyn's 
son, bowed by the serpent, who feared no foe. All men 
will their homes forsake. 


 THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 

56. The sun darkens, earth in ocean sinks, fall from 
heaven the bright stars, fire's breath assails the all-nour 
ishing tree, towering fire plays against heaven itself. 

57. She sees arise, a second time, earth from ocean, 
beauteously green, waterfalls descending; the eagle fly 
ing over, which in the fell captures fish. 

58. The ^Esir meet on Ida's plain, and of the mighty 
earth-encircler speak, and there to memory call their 
mighty deeds, and the supreme god's ancient lore. 

59. There shall again the wondrous golden tables in 
the grass be found, which in days of old had possessed 
the ruler of the gods, and Fiölnir's race. 

60. Unsown shall the fields bring forth, all evil be 
amended; Baldr shall come; Hödr and Baldr, the heav 
enly gods, Hropt's glorious dwellings shall inhabit. Un 
derstand ye yet, or what? 

61. Then can Hoenir choose his lot, and the two 
brothers' sons inhabit the spacious Vindheim. Under 
stand ye yet, or what? 

Q2. She a hall standing than the sun brighter, with 
gold bedecked, in Gimill: there shall be righteous peo 
ple dwell, and for evermore happiness enjoy. 

64. Then comes the mighty one to the great judg 
ment, the powerful from above, who rules o'er all. He 
shall dooms pronounce, and strifes allay, holy peace es 
tablish, which shall ever be. 

65. There comes the dark dragon flying from, be 
neath the glistening serpent, from Nida-fels. On his 
wings bears Nidhögg, flying o'er the plain, a corpse. 
Now she will descend. 

8 


THE LAY OF VAFTHKUDNIR 


THE LAY OF VAFTHRUDNIR. 

ODIN visits the Giant (Jötun) Vafthrudnir, for the 
purpose of proving his knowledge. They propose ques 
tions relative to the Cosmogony of the Northern creed, on 
the conditions that the baffled party forfeit his head. The 
Jötun incurs the penalty. 

Odin. 

1. Counsel thou me now, Frigg! as I long to go Vaf 
thrudnir to visit; great desire, I say, I have, in ancient 
lore with that all-wise Jötun to contend. 

Frigg. 

2. At home to bide Hserfather I would counsel, in 
the gods' dwellings; because no Jötun is, I believe, so 
mighty as is Vafthrudnir. 

Odin. 

3. Much have I journeyed, much experienced, mighty 
ones many proved; but this I fain would know, how in 
Vafthrûdnir's halls it is. 

Frigg. 

4. In safety mayest thou go, in safety return; in 
safety on thy journeyings be; may thy wit avail thee, 
when thou, father of men! shalt hold converse with the 
Jötun. 

5. Then went Odin the lore to prove of that all-wise 

9 


 THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 

Jötun. To the hall he came which Im's father owned. 
Ygg went forthwith in. 

Odin. 

6. Hail to thee, Vafthrudnir! to thy hall I am now 
come, thyself to see; for I fain would know, whether 
thou art a cunning and all-wise Jötun. 

Vafthrudnir. 

7. What man is this, that in my habitation by word 
addresses me? Out thou goest not from our halls, if 
thou art not the wiser. 

Odin. 

8. Gagnrad is my name, from my journey I am come 
thirsty to thy halls, needing hospitality,—for I long have 
journeyed—and kind reception from thee, Jötun! 

Vafthrudnir. 

9. Why then, Gagnrad! speakest thou from the 
floor? Take in the hall a seat; then shall be proved 
which knows most, the guest or the ancient talker. 

Gagnrad. 

10. A poor man should, who to a rich man comes, 
speak usefully or hold his tongue : over-much talk brings 
him, I ween, no good, who visits an austere man. 

Vafthrudnir. 

11. Tell me, Gagnrad! since on the floor thou wilt 
prove thy proficiency, how the horse is called that draws 
each day forth over human kind ? 

ίο 


THE LAY OF VAFTHRUDNIR 

Gagnrad. 

12. Skinfaxi he is named, that the bright day draws 
forth over human kind. Of coursers he is best accounted 
among the Reid-goths. Ever sheds light that horse's 
mane. 

Vafthrudnir. 

13. Tell me now, Gagnrad! since on the floor thou 
wilt prove thy proficiency, how that steed is called, which 
from the east draws night o'er the beneficent powers ? 

Gagnrad. 

14. Hrimfaxi he is called, that each night draws 
forth over the beneficent powers. He from his bit lets 
fall drops every morn, whence in the dales comes dew. 

VafthrMnir. 

15. Tell me, Gagnrad! since on the floor thou wilt 
prove thy proficiency, how the stream is called, which 
earth divides between the Jötuns and the Gods ? 

Gagnrad. 

16. Ifing the stream is called which earth divides be 
tween the Jötuns and the Gods : open shall it run through 
out all time. On that stream no ice shall be. 

Vafthrudnir. 

17. Tell me, Gagnrad! since on the floor thou wilt 
prove thy proficiency, how that plain is called, where in 
fight shall meet Surt and the gentle Gods ? 

Gagnrad. 

18. Vigrid the plain is called where in fight shall 

II 


 THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 


THE LAY OF VAFTHRUDNIR 


I 


il 


l'' 


meet Surt and the gentle Gods ; a hundred rasts it is on 
every side. That plain is to them decreed. 

Vafthrudnir. 

19. Wise art thou, O guest! Approach the Jötuns 
bench, and sitting let us together talk ; we will our heads 
in the hall pledge, guest ! for wise utterance. 

Gagnrâd. 

20. Tell me first, if thy wit suffices, and thou, Vaf 
thrudnir ! knowest, whence first came the earth, and the 
high heaven, thou, sagacious Jötun? 

Vafthrudnir. 

21. From Ymir's flesh the earth was formed, and 
from his bones the hills, the heaven from the skull of that 
ice-cold giant, and from his blood the sea. 

Gagnrâd. 

22. Tell me secondly, if thy wit suffices, and thou, 
Vafthrudnir! knowest, whence came the moon, which 
over mankind passes, and the sun likewise? 

Vafthrudnir. 

23. Mundilfœri hight he, who the moon's father is, 
and eke the sun's: round heaven journey each day they 
must, to count years for men. 

Gagnrâd. 

24.. Tell me thirdly, since thou art called wise, and 
if thou, Vafthrudnir! knowest, whence came the day, 
which over people passes, and night with waning moons ? 

12 


Vafthrudnir. 

25. Delling hight he who the day's father is, but 
night was of Nörvi born ; the new and waning moons the 
beneficent powers created, to count years for men. 

Gagnrâd. 

26. Tell me fourthly, since they pronounce thee sage, 
and if thou, Vafthrudnir ! knowest, whence winter came, 
and warm, summer first among the wise gods? 

Vafthrudnir. 

27. Vindsval hight he, who winter's father is, and 
Svâsud summer's; yearly they both shall ever journey, 
until the powers perish. 

Gagnrâd. 

28. Tell me fifthly, since they pronounce thee sage, 
and if thou, Vafthrudnir! knowest, which of the .¿Esir 
•earliest, or of Ymir's sons, in days of old existed? 

Vafthrudnir. 

29. Countless winters, ere earth was formed, was 
Bergelmir born; Thrûdgelmir was his sire, his grandsire 
Aurgelmir 

Gagnrâd. 

30. Tell me sixthly, since thou art called wise, and if 
thou, Vafthrudnir! knowest, whence first came Aurgel 
mir, among the Jötun's sons, thou sagacious Jötun ? 

Vafthrudnir. 

31. From FHvagar sprang venom drops, which grew 

13 


 Jí 


ι » I 


.1 

ι 

I 


THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 

till they became a Jötun ; but sparks flew from the south- 
world : to the ice the fire gave life. 

Gagnrad. 

32. Tell me seventhly, since thou are called wise, and 
if thou knowest, Vafthrudnir! how he children begat, 
the bold Jötun, as he had no giantess's company? 

Vafthrudnir. 

33. Under the armpit grew, 'tis said, of the Hrîm- 
thurs, a girl and boy together; foot with foot begat, of 
that wise Jötun, a six-headed son. 

Gagnrad. 

34. Tell me eighthly, since thou art called wise, and 
if thou knowest, Vafthrudnir! what thou doest first re 
member, or earliest knowest? Thou art an all-wise 
Jötun. 

Vafthrudnir. 

35. Countless winters, ere earth was formed, Bergel- 
mir was born. That I first remember, when that wise 
Jötun in an ark was laid. 

Gagnrad. 

36. Tell me ninthly, since thou art called wise, and 
if thou knowest, Vafthrudnir! whence the wind comes, 
that over ocean passes, itself invisible to1 man ? 

Vafthrudnir. 

37. Hraesvelg he is called, who at the end of heaven 
sits, a Jötun in an eagle's plumage : from his wings comes, 
it is said, the wind, that over all men passes. 

14 


THE LAY OF VAFTHRUDNIR 

Gagnrad. 

38. Tell me tenthly, since thou all the origin of the 
gods knowest, Vafthrudnir! whence Niörd came among 
the .¿Esir's sons? O'er fanes and offer-steads he rules 
by hundreds, yet was not among the .¿Esir born. 

Vafthrudnir. 

39. In Vanaheim wise powers him created, and to 
the gods a hostage gave. At the world's dissolution, he 
will return to the wise Vanir. 

Gagnrad. 

40. Tell me eleventhly, since all the condition of the 
gods thou knowest, Vafthrudnir! what the Einheriar do 
in Haer father's halls, until the powers perish? 

Vafthrudnir. 

41. All the Einheriar in Odin's halls each day to 
gether fight ; the fallen they choose, and from the conflict 
ride; beer with the ^Esir drink, of Sœhrimnir eat their 
fill, then sit in harmony together. 

Gagnrad. 

42. Tell me twelfthly, as thou all the condition of the 
gods knowest, Vafthrudnir! of the Jötuns' secrets, and 
of all the gods', say what truest is, thou all-knowing 
Jötun ! 

Vafthrudnir. 

43. Of the secrets of the Jötuns and of all the gods, 
I can truly tell ; for I have over each world travelled ; to 

IS 


 J." 


l! 

Li', 


t 


'il, 


THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 

nine worlds I came, to Niflhel beneath: here die men 
from Hel. 

Gagnrad. 

44. Much have I journeyed, much experienced, 
mighty ones many proved. What mortals will live, 
when the great "Fimbul"-winter shall from men have 
passed? 

Vafthrûdnir. 

45. Lif and Lîfthrasir; but they will be concealed in 
Hoddmimir's holt. The morning dews they will have 
for food. From, them shall men be born. 

Gagnrad. 

46. Much have I journeyed, much experienced, 
mighty ones many proved. Whence will come the sun 
in that fair heaven, when Fenrir has this devoured? 

Vafthrûdnir. 

47. A daughter shall Alfrödull bear, ere Fenrir shall 
have swallowed her. The maid shall ride, when the 
powers die, on her mother's course. 

Gagnrad. 

48. Much have I journeyed, etc. Who are the maid 
ens that o'er the ocean travel, wise of spirit, journey? 

Vafthrûdnir. 

49. O'er people's dwellings three descend of Mög- 
thrasir's maidens, the sole Hamingiur who are in the 
world, although with Jötuns nurtured. 

16 


THE LAY OF VAFTHRUDNIR 

Gagnrad. 

50. Much have I journeyed, etc. Which of the .¿Esir 
will rule o'er the gods' possession, when Surt's fire shall 
be quenched ? 

Vafthrûdnir. 

51. Vidar and Vali will the gods' holy fanes inhabit, 
when Surt's fire shall be quenched. Modi and Magni 
will Miöllnir possess, and warfare strive to end. 

Gagnrad. 

52. Much have I journeyed, etc. What of Odin will 
the life's end be, when the powers perish ? 

Vafthrûdnir. 

53. The wolf will the father of men devour; him 
Vidar will avenge: he his cold jaws will cleave, in con 
flict with the wolf. 

Gagnrad. 

54. Much have I journeyed, etc. What said Odin 
in his son's ear, ere he on the pile was laid? 

Vafthrûdnir. 

55. That no one knoweth, what thou in days of old 
saidst in thy son's ear. With dying mouth my ancient 
saws I have said, and the gods' destruction. With Odin 
I have contended in wise utterances: of men thou ever 
art the wisest! 


 /r, 


I: 


i 


THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 


THE LAY OF GRIMNIR. 

The subject is wholly mythological. 

KING HRAUDUNG had two sons, one named Agnar, the 
other Geirröd. Agnar was ten, and Geirröd eight win 
ters old. They both rowed out in a boat, with their 
hooks and lines, to catch small fish; but the wind drove 
them out to sea. In the darkness of the night they were 
wrecked on the shore, and went up into the country, 
where they found a cottager, with whom they stayed 
through the winter. The cottager's wife brought up 
Agnar, and the cottager, Geirröd, and gave him good 
advice. In the spring the man got them a ship; but 
when he and his wife accompanied them to the strand, 
the man talked apart with Geirröd. They had a fair 
wind, and reached their father's place. Geirröd was at 
the ship's· prow : he sprang on shore, but pushed the ship 
out, saying, "Go where an evil spirit may get thee." The 
vessel was driven out to sea, but Geirröd went up to the 
town, where he was well received; but his father was 
dead. Geirröd was then taken for king, and became a 
famous man. 

Odin and Frigg were sitting in Hlidskiâlf, looking 
over all the world. Odin said, "Seest thou Agnar, thy 
foster-son, where he is, getting children with a giantess 
in a cave? while Geirröd, my foster-son, is a king resid 
ing in his country." Frigg answered, "He is so inhos- 

18 


THE LAY OF GRIMNIR 

pitable that he tortures his guests, if he thinks that too 
many come." Odin replied that that was the greatest 
falsehood; and they wagered thereupon. Frigg sent her 
waiting-maid Fulla to bid Geirröd be on his guard, lest 
the trollmann who was coming should do him, harm, and 
also say that a token whereby he might be known was, 
that no dog, however fierce, would attack him. But that 
King Geirröd was not hospitable was mere idle talk. 
He, nevertheless, caused the man to be secured whom no 
dog would assail. He was clad in a blue cloak, and was 
named Grimnir, and would say no more concerning him 
self, although he was questioned. The king ordered him 
to be tortured to make him confess, and to be set between 
two fires ; and there he sat for eight nights. King Geir 
röd had a son, ten years old, whom he named Agnar, after 
his brother. Agnar went to Grimnir and gave him a full 
horn to drink from, saying that the king did wrong in 
causing him to be tortured, though innocent. Grimnir 
drank from it. The fire had then so approached him that 
his cloak was burnt ; whereupon he said :— 

1. Fire! thou art hot, and much too great; flame! let 
us separate. My garment is singed, although I lift it up, 
my cloak is scorched before it. 

2. Eight nights have I sat between fires here, and to 
me no one food has offered, save only Agnar, the son of 
Geirröd, who alone shall rule over the land of Goths. 

3. Be thou blessed, Agnar! as blessed as the god of 
men bids thee to be. For one draught thou never shalt 
get better recompense. 

3 ίο 


 /Γ. 


fií 


THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 

4. Holy is the land, which I see lying to ^sir and 
Alfar near; but in Thrûdheim Thor shall dwell until the 
powers perish. 

5. Ydalir it is called, where Ullr has himself a dwell 
ing made. Alfheim the gods to Frey gave in days of 
yore for a tooth-gift. 

6. The third dwelling is, where the kind powers have 
with silver decked the hall; Valaskialf 'tis called, which 
for himself acquired the As in days of old. 

7. Sökkvabekk the fourth is named o;er which the 
gelid waves resound; Odin and Saga there, joyful each 
day, from golden beakers quaff. 

8. Gladsheimi the fifth is named, there the golden- 
bright Valhall stands spacious, there Hropt selects each 
day those men who die by weapons. 

9. Easily to be known is, by those who to Odin come, 
the mansion by its aspect. Its roof with spears is» laid, 
its hall with shields is decked, with corslets are its 
benches strewed. 

10. Easily to be known is, by those who to Odin 
come, the mansion by its aspect. A wolf hangs before 
the western door, over it an eagle hovers. 

11. Thrymheim the sixth is named, where Thiassi 
dwelt that all-powerful Jötun; but Skadi now inhabits, 
the bright bride of gods, her father's ancient home. 

12. Breidablik is the seventh, where Baldr has built 
for himself a hall, in that land, in which I know exists 
the fewest crimes. 

13. Himinbiorg is the eighth, where Heimdall, it is 

20 


THE LAY OF CRIMNIR 

said, rules o'er the holy fanes : there the gods' watchman, 
in his tranquil home, drinks joyful the good mead. 

14. Fôlkvang is the ninth, there Freyia directs the 
sittings in the hall. She half the fallen chooses each day, 
but Odin th' other half. 

15. Glitnir is the tenth; it is on gold sustained, and 
eke with silver decked. There Forseti dwells through 
out all time, and every strife allays. 

16. Nôatûn is the eleventh, there Niörd has himself a 
dwelling made, prince of men; guiltless of sin, he rules 
o'er the high-built fane. 

17. O'ergrown with branches and high grass is 
Vidar's spacious Landvidi : There will the son descend, 
from the steed's back, bold to avenge his father. 

18. Andhrimnir makes, in Eldhrimnir, Ssehrimnir to 
boil, of meats the best; but few know how many Ein- 
heriar it feeds. 

19. Geri and Freki the war-wont sates, the triumph 
ant sire of hosts; but on wine only the famed in arms, 
Odin, ever lives. 

20. Hugin and Munin fly each day over the spacious 
earth. I fear for Hugin, that he come not back, yet 
more anxious am I for Munin. 

21. Thund roars; joyful in Thiodvitnir's water lives 
the fish ; the rapid river seems too great for the battle- 
steed to ford. 

22. Valgrind is the lattice called, in the plain that 
stands, holy before the holy gates : ancient is that lattice, 
but few only know how it is closed with lock. 

23. Five hundred doors, and forty eke, I think, are 

zi 


.C 


 THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 


THE LAY OF GRIM NI R 


•4 


in Valhall. Eight hundred Einheriar will at once from 
each door go when they issue with the wolf to fight. 

24:. Five hundred floors, and forty eke, I think, has 
Bilskirnir with its windings. Of all the roofed houses 
that I know, is my son's the greatest. 

25. Heidrûn the goat is called, that stands o'er Odin's 
hall, and bites from Lserad's branches. He a bowl shall 
fill with the bright mead ; that drink shall never fail. 

26. Eikthyrnir the hart is called, that stands o'er 
Odin's hall, and bites from· Lserad's branches; from his 
horns fall drops into Hvergelmir, whence all waters 
rise :— 

27. Sid and Vid, Sœkin and Eikin, Svöl and Gunn- 
thrô, Fiörm and Fimbulthul, Rin and Rennandi, Gipul 
and Göpul, Gömul and Geirvimul : they round the gods' 
dwelling wind. Thyn and Vin, Thöll and Höll, Grâd 
and Gunnthorin. 

28. Vina one is called, a second Vegsvin, a third 
Thiodnuma; Nyt and Non and Hrön, Slid and Hrid, 
Sylg and Ylg, Vid and Van, Vond and Strond, Gioll and 
Leipt; these (two) fall near to men, but fall hence to 
Hel. 

29. Kormt and Ormt, and the Kerlaugs twain : these 
Thor must wade each day, when he to council goes at 
Yggdrasil's ash ; for the As-bridge is all on fire, the holy 
waters boil. 

30. Glad and Gyllir, Gier and Skeidbrimir, Sillfrin- 
topp and Sinir, Gisl and Falhôfnir, Gulltopp and Lett- 
feti; on these steeds the .¿Esir each day ride, when they 
to council go, at Yggdrasil's ash. 

22 


31. Three roots stand on three ways under Yggdra 
sil's ash: Hel under one abides, under the second the 
Hrimthursar, under the third mankind. 

32. Ratatösk is the squirrel named, which has to run 
in Yggdrasil's ash; he from above the eagle's words must 
carry, and beneath to Nidhögg repeat. 

33. Harts there are also four, which from its sumr 
mits, arch-necked, gnaw. Dain and Dvalin, Duneyr and 
Durathrôr. 

34. More serpents lie under Yggdrasil's ash, than 
any one would think of witless mortals : Gôin and Môin, 
—they are Grafvitnir's sons—Grâbak and Grafvöllud, 
Ofnir and Svafnir, will, I ween, the branches of that tree 
ever lacerate. 

35. Yggdrasil's ash hardship suffers greater than 
men know of; a hart bites it above, and in its side it rots, 
Nidhögg beneath tears it. 

36. Hrist and Mist the horn shall bear me Skeggöld 
and Skögul, Hlökk and Herfiotur, Hildi and Thrûdi, 
Göll and Geirölul, Randgrid and Râdgrîd, and Regin- 
leif, these bear beer to the Einheriar. 

37. Arvakr and Alsvid, theirs 'tis up hence fasting 
the sun to draw : under their shoulder the gentle powers, 
the .¿Esir, have concealed an iron-coolness. 

38. Svalin the shield is called, which stands before 
the sun, the refulgent deity; rocks and ocean must, I 
ween, be burnt, fell it from its place. 

39. Sköll the wolf is named, that the fair-faced god 
dess to the ocean chases ; another Hati hight, he is Hrôd- 
vitnir's son; he the bright maid of heaven shall precede. 

23 


 THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 

40. Of Ymir's flesh was earth created, of his blood 
the sea, of his bones the hills, of his hair trees and plants, 
of his skull the heaven ; 

41. And of his brows the gentle powers formed Mid- 
gard for the sons of men; but of his brain the heavy 
clouds are all created. 

42. Ullr's and all the gods' favour shall have, who 
ever first shall look to the fire ; for open will the dwelling 
be, to the ^Esir's sons, when the kettles are lifted off.1 

43. Ivaldi's sons went in days of old Skidbladnir to 
form, of ships the best, for the bright Frey, Niörd's be 
nign son. 

44. Yggdrasil's ash is of all trees most excellent, and 
of all ships, Skidbladnir, of the 7Ε,&\τ, Odin, and of 
horses, Sleipnir, Bifröst of bridges, and of skallds, Bragi, 
Hâbrôk of hawks, and of dogs, Garm, [Brimir of 
swords.] 

45. Now I my face have raised to the gods' triumph 
ant sons, at that will welcome help awake; from all the 
TEsir, that shall penetrate, to CEgir's bench, to CEgir's 
computation.2 

46. I am called Grim, I am. called Gangleri, Herían 
and Hialmberi, Thekk and Thridi, Thund and Ud, Hel- 
blindi and Hâr, 

47. Sad and Svipall, and Sanngetall, Herteit and 


1What in this strophe is said of Ullr has apparently reference to a lost 
myth. It would seem that, through the intervention of the kettles, the 
.¿Esir were unable to see Odin's unpleasant position between the two fires. 
2My version of this strophe Is not in accordance with those of other inter 
preters. Odin raises his countenance to heaven, in full confidence that when 
seen help will forthwith be afforded him. Under the name of CEgir, Gier- 
rod is generally understood : I rather thinfc the meaning to be, that all the 
.¿Esir who [sit at] CEgir's compotation will forthwith come to his aid. 

24 


THE LAY OF GRIMNIR 

Hnikar Bileyg, ßaleyg, Bölverk, Fiölnir, Grim and 
Grimnir, Glapsvid and Fiölsvid, 

48. Sîdhott, Sîdskegg Sigfödr, Hnikud, Alfodr, 
Valf ödr, Atrid and Farmatyr ; by one name I never have 
been called, since among men I have gone. 

49. Grimnir I am called at Geirröd's, and at As- 
mund's Jâlk and Kialar, when a sledge I drew; Thrôr at 
the public meetings, Vidur in battles, Oski and Omi, 
Jafnhâr and Biflindi, Gôndlir and Harbard with the 
gods. 

50. Svidur and Svidrir I was at Sokkmimir's called, 
and beguiled that ancient Jötun, when of Midvitnir's re 
nowned son I was the sole destroyer. 

51. Drunken art thou, Geirröd, thou hast drunk too 
much, thou art greatly by mead beguiled. Much didst 
thou lose, when thou wast of my help bereft, of all the 
Einheriar's and Odin's favour. 

52. Many things I told thee, but thou hast few re 
membered : thy friends mislead thee. My friend's sword 
lying I see, with blood all dripping. 

53. The fallen by the sword Ygg shall now have; thy 
life is now run out : Wroth with thee are the Dîsir : Odin 
thou now shalt see : draw near to me if thou canst. 

54. Odin I now am named, Ygg I was called before, 
before that, Thund, Vakr and Skilfing, Vâfudr and 
Hrôptatyr, with the gods, Gaut and Jâlk, Ofnir and 
Svafnir, all which I believe to be names of me alone. 

King Geirröd was sitting with his sword lying across 
his knees, half drawn from the scabbard, but on finding 

25 


 THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 


THE LAY OF VEGTAM 


!' 


that it was Odin, he rose for the purpose of removing him 
from the fires, when the sword slipt from his hand with 
the hilt downwards; and the king having stumbled, the 
sword pierced him through and killed him·. Odin then 
vanished, and Agnar was king for a long time after. 


THE LAY OF VEGTAM, OR BALDR'S 
DREAMS. 

1. TOGETHER were the ./Esir all in council, and the 
Asyniur all in conference, and they consulted, the mighty 
gods, why Baldr had oppressive dreams. 

2. [To that god his slumber was most afflicting; his 
auspicious dreams seemed departed. They the Jötuns 
questioned, wise seers of the future, whether this might 
not forebode calamity ? 

3. The responses said that to death destined was 
Ullr's kinsman, of all the dearest: that caused grief to 
Frigg and Svafnir, and to the other powers—On a course 
they resolved : 

4. That they would send to every being, assurance 
to solicit, Baldr not to harm. All species swore oaths to 
spare him ; Frigg received all their vows and compacts. 

5. Valfather fears something defective; he thinks the 
Hamingiur may have departed; the JEsir he convenes, 
their counsel craves: at the deliberation much is devised.] 

6. Uprose Odin lord of men and on Sleipnir he the 

26 


saddle laid ; rode thence down to Niflhel. A dog he met, 
from Hel coming. 

7. It was blood-stained on its breast, on its slaughter- 
craving throat, and nether jaw. It bayed and widely 
gaped at the sire of magic song :—long it howled. 

8. Forth rode Odin—the ground rattled—till to 
Hel's lofty house he came. Then rode Ygg to the east 
ern gate, where he knew there was a Vala's grave. 

9. To the prophetess, he began a magic song to chant, 
towards the north looked, potent runes applied, a spell 
pronounced, an answer demanded, until compelled she 
rose, and with deathlike voice she said : 

Vala. 

10. "What man is this, to me unknown, who has for 
me increased an irksome course ? I have with snow been 
decked, by rain beaten, and with dew moistened: long 
have I been dead." 

Vegtam. 

11. "Vegtam is my name, I am Valtam's son. Tell 
thou me of Hel : from, earth I call on thee. For whom 
are those benches strewed o'er with rings, those costly 
couches o'erlaid with gold?" 

Vala. 

12. "Here stands mead, for Baldr brewed, over the 
bright potion a shield is laid; but the ^sir race are in 
despair. By compulsion I have spoken. I will now be 
silent." 

27 


 THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 

Vegtam. 

13. "Be not silent, Vala! I will question thee, until 
I know all. I will yet know who will Baldr's slayer be, 
and Odin's son of life bereave." 

Vala. 

14. "Hödr will hither his glorious brother send, he 
of Baldr will the slayer be, and Odin's son of life bereave. 
By compulsion I have spoken; I will now be silent." 

Vegtam. 

15. "Be not silent, Vala ! I will question thee, until 
I know all. I will yet know who on Hödr vengeance 
will inflict, or Baldr's slayer raise on the pile." 

Vala. 

16. "Rind a son shall bear, in the «western halls: he 
shall slay Odin's son, when one night old. He a hand 
will not wash, nor his head comb, ere he to the pile has 
borne Baldr's adversary. By compulsion I have spoken ; 
I will now be silent." 

Vegtam. 

• 17. "Be not silent, Vala! I will question thee, until 
I know all. I will yet know who the maidens are, that 
weep at will, and heavenward cast their neck-veils? Tell 
me but that : till then thou steepest not." 

Vala. 

18. "Not Vegtam art thou, as I before believed; 
rather art thou Odin, lord of men !" 

28 


THE HIGH ONE'S LAY 

Odin. 

19. "Thou art no Vala, nor wise woman, rather art 
thou the mother of three Thursar." 

Vala. 

20. "Home ride thou, Odin! and exult. Thus shall 
never more man again visit me, until Loki free from his 
bonds escapes, and Ragnarök all-destroying comes." 


THE HIGH ONE'S1 LAY. 

1. ALL door-ways, before going forward, should be 
looked to; for difficult it is to know where foes may sit 
within a dwelling. 

2. Givers, hail ! A guest is come in : where shall he 
sit? In much haste is he, who on the ways has to try 
his luck. 

3. Fire is needful to him who is come in, and whose 
knees are frozen; food and raiment a man requires, 
wheo'er the fell has travelled. 

4. Water to him is needful who. for refection comes, 
a towel and hospitable invitation, a good reception ; if he 
can get it, discourse and answer. 

5. Wit is needful to him who travels far : at home all 
is easy. A laughing-stock is he who nothing knows, and 
with the instructed sits. 

»Odin Is the "High One." The poem is a collection of rules and maxims, 
and stories of himself, some of them not very consistent with our ideas of 
a supreme deity. 

29 


 "il 


THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 

6. Of his understanding no one should be proud, but 
rather in conduct cautious. When the prudent and taci 
turn come to a dwelling, harm seldom befalls the cau 
tious; for a firmer friend no man ever gets than great 
sagacity. 

7. A wary guest,1 who to refection comes, keeps a 
cautious silence, with his ears listens, and with his eyes 
observes: so explores every prudent man. 

8. He is happy, who for himself obtains fame and 
kind words : less sure is that which a man must have in 
another's breast. 

9. He is happy, who in himself possesses fame and 
wit while living; for bad counsels have oft been received 
from another's breast. 

10. A better burthen no man bears on the way than 
much good sense; that is thought better than riches in a 
strange place ; such is the recourse of the indigent. 

11. A worse provision on the way he cannot carry 
than too much beer-bibbing ; so good is not, as it is said, 
beer for the sons of men. 

12. A worse provision no man can take from table 
than too much beer-bibbing : for the more he drinks the 
less control he has of his own mind. 

13. Oblivion's heron 'tis called that over potations 
hovers; he steals the minds of men. With this bird's 
pinions I was fettered in Gunnlods dwelling. 


'In the Copenhagen paper Ms. F. this strophe begins with the following 
three lines :— 

Wit is needful 

to him who travels far : 

harm seldom befalls the wary: 

They are printed in the Stockholm edition of the original Afzelius and 
Rask, and in the Swedish translation by Afzelius. 

30 


THE HIGH ONE'S LAY 

14. Drunk I was, I was over-drunk, at that cunning 
Fialar's. It's the best drunkenness, when every one after 
it regains his reason. 

15. Taciturn and prudent, and in war daring, should 
a king's children be ; joyous and liberal every one should 
be until his hour of death. 

16. A cowardly man thinks he will ever live, if war 
fare he avoids ; but old age will give him no peace, though 
spears may spare him. 

17. A fool gapes when to a house he comes, to him 
self mutters or is silent ; but all at once, if he gets drink, 
then is the man's mind displayed. 

18. He alone knows who wanders wide, and has 
much experienced, by what disposition each man is ruled, 
who common sense possesses. 

19. Let a man hold the cup^ yet of the mead drink 
moderately, speak sensibly or be silent. As of a fault 
no man will admonish thee, if thou goest betimes to sleep. 

20. A greedy man, if he be not moderate, eats to his 
mortal sorrow. Oftentimes his belly draws laughter on 
a silly man, who among the prudent comes. 

21. Cattle know when to go home, and then from 
grazing cease; but a foolish man never knows his stom 
ach's measure. 

22. A miserable man, and ill-conditioned, sneers at 
every thing : one thing he knows not, which he ought to 
know, that he is not free from faults. 

23. A foolish man is all night awake, pondering over 
everything; he then grows tired; and when morning 
comes,, all is lament as before. 


 THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 


THE HIGH ONE'S LAY 


1 '¡I 


24. A foolish man thinks all who on him smile to be 
his friends ; he feels it not, although they speak ill of him, 
when he sits among the clever. 

35. A foolish man thinks all who speak him fair to be 
his friends; but he will find, if into court he comes, that 
he has few advocates. 

36. A foolish man thinks he knows everything if 
placed in unexpected difficulty ; but he knows not what to 
answer, if to the test he is put. 

27. A foolish man, who among people comes, had 
best be silent ; for no one knows that he knows nothing, 
unless he talks too much. He who previously knew 
nothing will still know nothing, talk he ever so much. 

38. He thinks himself wise, who can ask questions 
and converse also; conceal his ignorance no one can, be 
cause it circulates among men. 

39. He utters too many futile words who is never 
silent; a garrulous tongue, if it be not checked, sings 
often to· its own harm. 

30. For a gazing-stock no man shall have another, 
although he come a stranger to his house. Many a one 
thinks himself wise, if he is not questioned, and can sit 
in a dry habit. 

31. Clever thinks himself the guest who· jeers a guest, 
if he takes to flight. Knows it not certainly he who 
prates at meat, whether he babbles among foes. 

33. Many men are mutually well-disposed, yet at 
table will torment each other. That strife will ever be; 
guest will guest irritate. 

33. Early meals a man should often take, unless to a 

32 


friend's house he goes; else he will sit and mope, will 
seem half-famished, and can of few things inquire. 

34. Long is and indirect the way to a bad friend's, 
though by the road he dwell ; but to a good friend's the 
paths lie direct, though he be far away. 

35. A guest should depart, not always stay in one 
place. The welcome becomes unwelcome, if he too long 
continues in another's house. 

36. One's own house is best, small though it be; at 
home is every one his own master. Though he but two 
goats possess, and a straw-thatched cot, even that is bet 
ter than begging. 

37. One's own house is best, small though it be, at 
home is every one his own master. Bleeding at heart is 
he, who has to ask for food at every meal-tide. 

38. Leaving in the field his arms, let no man go· a 
foot's length forward; for it is hard to· know when on 
the way a man may need his weapon. 

39. I have never found a man so bountiful, or so hos 
pitable that he refused a present; or of his property so 
liberal that he scorned a recompense. 

40. Of the property which he has gained no man 
should suffer need; for the hated oft is spared what for 
the dear was destined. Much goes worse than is ex 
pected. 

41. With arms and vestments friends should each 
other gladden, those which are in themselves most 
sightly. Givers and requiters are longest friends, if all 
[else] goes well.1 


»The sense of this line seems doubtful; I have adopted the version of 
Finn Magnusen. 

33 


 7Ή£ 


OF SAEMUND 


Ι , 


42. To his friend a man should be a friend, and gifts 
with gifts requite. laughter with laughter men should 
receive, but leasing with lying. 

43. To his friend a man should be a friend; to him 
and to his friend ; but of his foe no man shall the friend's 

friend be. 

44. Know, if thou hast a friend whom thou fully 
trustest, and from whom thou woulds't good derive, thou 
shouldst blend thy mind with his, and gifts exchange, 
and often go to see him. 

45. If thou hast another, whom thou little trustest, 
yet wouldst good from him derive, thou shouldst speak 
him fair, but think craftily, and leasing pay with lying. 

46. But of him yet further, whom thou little trustest, 
and thou suspectest his affection; before him thou 
shouldst laugh, and contrary to thy thoughts speak: 
requital should the gift resemble. 

-, 47. I was once young, I was journeying alone, and 
lost my way ; rich I thought myself, when I met another. 
Man is the joy of man. 

48. Liberal and brave men live best, they seldom 
cherish sorrow; but a base-minded man dreads every 
thing; the niggardly is uneasy even at gifts. 

49. My garments in a field I gave away to two 
wooden men: heroes they seemed to be, when they got 
cloaks : exposed to insult is a naked man. 

50. A tree withers that on a hill-top stands ; protects 
it neither bark nor leaves : such is the man whom no one 
favours : why should he live long? 

51. Hotter than fire love for five days burns between 

34 


THE HIGH ONE'S LAY 

false friends ; but is quenched when the sixth day comes, 
and friendship is all impaired. 

52. Something great is not [always] to be given, 
praise is often for a trifle bought. With half a loaf and 
a tilted vessel I got myself a comrade. 

53. Little are the sand-grains, little the wits, little 
the minds of [some] men; for all men are not wise alike: 
men are everywhere by halves. 

54. Moderately wise should each one be, but never 
over-wise : of those men the lives are fairest, who know 
much well. 

55. Moderately wise should each one be, but never 
over-wise ; for a wise man's heart is seldom glad, if he is 
all-wise who owns it. 

56. Moderately wise should each one be, but never 
over-wise. His destiny let know no man beforehand; 
his mind will be freest from' care. 

57. Brand burns from brand until it is burnt out; fire 
is from fire quickened. Man to man becomes known, by 
speech, but a fool by his bashful silence. 

58. He should early rise, who another's property or 
life desires to have. Seldom a sluggish wolf gets prey, 
or a sleeping man victory. 

59. Early should rise he who' has few workers, and 
go his work to see to; greatly is he retarded who sleeps 
the morn away. Wealth half depends on energy. 

60. Of dry planks and roof-shingles a man knows the 
measure ; of the fire-wood that may suffice, both measure 
and time. 

61. Washed and refected let a man ride to the 

4 35 


,1 


 THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 


THE HIGH ONE'S LAY 


:| 


1 l 


Thing,1 although his garments be not too good; of his 
shoes and breeches let no one be ashamed, nor of his 
horse, although he have not a good one. 

63. Inquire and impart should every man of sense, 
who will be accounted sage. Let one only know, a sec 
ond may not; if three, all the world knows. 

63. Gasps and gapes, when to the sea he comes, the 
eagle over old ocean; so is a man, who among many 
comes, and has few advocates. 

64. His power should every sagacious man use with 
discretion; for he will find, when among the bold he 
comes, that no one alone is doughtiest. 

65. Circumspect and reserved every man should be, 
and wary in trusting friends. Of the words that a man 
says to another he often pays the penalty. 

66. Much too early I came to many places, but too 
late to others : the beer was drunk, or not ready : the dis 
liked seldom hits the moment. 

67. Here and there I should have been invited, if I a 
meal had needed; or two hams had hung, at that true 
friend's, where of one I had eaten. 

68. Fire is best among the sons of men, and the sight 
of the sun, if his health a man can have, with a life free 
from vice. 

69. No man lacks everything, although his health be 
bad: one in his sons is happy, one in his kin, one in 
abundant wealth, one in his good works. 

70. It is better to live, even to live miserably; a living 
man can always get a cow. I saw fire consume the rich 
man's property, and death stood without his door. 

lrThe public meeting. _ 


71. The halt can ride on horseback, the one-handed 
drive cattle; the deaf fight and be useful: to be blind is 
better than to be burnt :* no one gets good from a corpse. 

73. A son is better, even if born late, after his father's 
departure. Gravestones seldom stand by the way-side 
unless raised by a kinsman to a kinsman. 

73. Two are adversaries: the tongue is the bane of 
the head: under every cloak I expect a hand. * * * 

74. At night is joyful he who is sure of travelling 
entertainment. [A ship's yards are short.]2 Variable 
is an autumn night. Many are the weather's changes in 
five days, but more in a month. 

75. He [only] knows not who knows nothing, that 
many a one apes another. One man is rich, another 
poor : let him not be thought blameworthy. 

76. Cattle die, kindred die, we ourselves also die; but 
the fair fame never dies of him who has earned it. 

77. Cattle die, kindred die, we ourselves also die; but 
I know one thing that never dies, — judgment on each one 
dead. 

78. Full storehouses I saw at Dives' sons' : now bear 
they the beggar's staff. Such are riches ; as is the twink 
ling of an eye : of friends they are most fickle. 

79. A foolish man, if he acquires wealth or woman's 
love, pride grows within him, but wisdom never : he goes 
on more and more arrogant. 

80. Then 'tis made manifest, if of runes thou ques- 
tionest him, those to the high ones known, which the 

is dead on the funeral pyre. This line is evidently an interpo 

37 


lation. 


 I I 


1 i 


THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 

great powers invented, and the great talker1 painted, that 
he had best hold silence. 

81. At eve the day is to be praised, a woman after 
she is burnt, a sword after it is proved, a maid after she 
is married, ice after it has passed away, beer after it is 
drunk. 

82. In the wind one should hew wood, in a breeze 
row out to' sea, in the dark talk with a lass: many are the 
eyes of day. In a ship voyages are to be made, but a 
shield is for protection, a sword for striking, but a dan> 
sel for a kiss. 

83. By the fire one should drink beer, on the ice 
slide ; buy a horse that is lean, a sword that is rusty ; feed 
a horse at home, but a dog at the farm. 

84. In a maiden's words no one should place fa;th, 
nor in what a woman says; for on a turning wheel have 
their hearts been formed, and guile in their breasts been 
laid; 

85. In a creaking bow, a burning flame, a yawning 
wolf, a chattering crow, a grunting swine, a rootless tree, 
a waxing wave, a boiling kettle, 

86. A flying dart, a falling billow, a one night's ice, a 
coiled serpent, a woman's bed-talk, or a broken sword, a 
bear's play, or a royal child, 

87. A sick calf, a self-willed thrall, a flattering proph 
etess, a corpse newly slain, [a serene sky, a laughing lord, 
a barking dog, and a harlot's grief] ; 

88. An early sown field let no one trust, nor prema 
turely in a son : weather rules the field, and wit the son, 
each of which is doubtful; 


THE HIGH ONE'S LAY 

89. A brother's murderer, though on the high road 
met, a half-burnt house, an over-swift horse, (a horse is 
useless, if a leg be broken), no man is so' confiding as to 
trust any of these. 

90. Such is the love of women, who falsehood medi 
tate, as if one drove not rough-shod, on slippery ice, a 
spirited two-years old and unbroken horse; or as in a 
raging· storm a helmless ship is beaten ; or as if the halt 
were set to catch a reindeer in the thawing fell.1 

91. Openly I now speak, because I both sexes know : 
unstable are men's minds towards women; 'tis then we 
speak most fair when we most falsely think: that de 
ceives even the cautious. 

92. Fair shall speak, and money offer, who would 
obtain a woman's love. Praise the form of a1 fair dam 
sel; he gets who courts her. 

93. At love should no one ever wonder in another: a 
beauteous countenance oft captivates the wise, which cap·- 
tivates not the foolish. 

94 Let no one wonder at another's folly, it is the lot 
of many. All-powerful desire makes of the sons of men 
fools even of the wise. 

95. The mind only knows what lies near the heart, 
that alone is conscious of our affections. No disease is 
worse to' a sensible man than not to be content with him 
self. 

96. That I experienced, when in the reeds I sat, 
awaiting my delight. Body and soul to me was that dis 
creet maiden: nevertheless I possess her not. 


lOdln. 


38 


this line It appears that the poem IB of Norwegian or Swedish 
origin, as the reindeer was unknown in Iceland before the middle of the 
18th century, when It was Introduced by royal command. 

39 


 THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 


THE HIGH ONE'S LAY 


97. Billing's lass1 on her couch I found, sun-bright, 
sleeping. A prince's joy to· me seemed naught, if not 
with that form to live. 

98. "Yet nearer eve must thou, Odin, come, if thou 
wilt talk the maiden over; all will be disastrous, unless 
we alone are privy to such misdeed." 

99. I returned, thinking to love, at her wise desire. 
I thought I should obtain her whole heart and love. 

100. When next I came the bold warriors were all 
awake, with lights burning, and bearing torches: thus 
was the way to pleasure closed. 

101. But at the approach of morn, when again I 
came, the household all was sleeping; the good damsel's 
dog alone I found tied to the bed 

102. Many a fair maiden, when rightly known, to 
wards men is fickle: that I experienced, when that dis 
creet maiden I strove to seduce : contumely of every kind 
that wily girl heaped upon me ; nor of that damsel gained 
I aught. 

103. At home let a man be cheerful, and towards a 
guest liberal ; of wise conduct he should be, of good memr- 
ory and ready speech ; if much knowledge he desires, he 
must often talk on good. 

104. Fimbulfambi he is called who· little has to say : 
such is the nature of the simple. 

105. The old Jotun I sought; now I am come back: 
little got I there by silence; in many words I spoke to my 
advantage in Suttung's halls. 

106. Gunnlod gave me, on her golden seat, a draught 

'The story of Odin and Billing's daughter is no longer extant ; but 
compare the story of Odin and Rinda in Saxo, p. 126, edit. Muller & Vel- 
eschow. 

40 


of the precious mead; a bad recompense I afterwards 
made her, for her whole soul, her fervent love. 

107. Rati's mouth I caused to make a space, and to 
gnaw the rock; over and under me were the Jotun's 
ways: thus I my head did peril. 

108. Of a well-assumed form I made good use: few 
things fail the wise; for Odhrasrir is now come up to 
men's earthly dwellings. 

109. 'Tis to me doubtful that I could have come from 
the Jotun's courts, had not Gunnlod aided me. that good 
damsel, over whom' I laid my arm. 

110. On the day following came the Hrim-thursar, 
to learn something of the High One, in the High One's 
hall: after Bolverk they inquired, whether he with the 
gods were come, or Suttung had destroyed him? 

111. Odin, I believe, a ring-oath1 gave. Who in his 
faith will trust? Suttung defrauded, of his drink be 
reft, and Gunnlod made to weep ! 

112. Time 'tis to discourse from the preacher's chair. 
By the well of Urd I silent sat, I saw and meditated, I 
listened to men's words. 

113. Of runes I heard discourse, and of things di 
vine, nor of graving them were they silent, nor of sage 
counsels, at the High One's hall. In the High One's 
hall. I thus heard say: 

114. I counsel thee, Loddfafnir, to take advice : thou 
wilt profit if thou takest it. Rise not at night, unless to 
explore, or art compelled to go out. 


*In the pagan North oaths were taken on a holy ring or bracelet, as 
with us on the Gospels, a sacred ring being kept in the temple for the 
purpose. 

41 


 THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 

115. I counsel thee, I/oddfafnir, to> take advice, thou 
wilt profit if thou takest it. In an enchantress's embrace 
thou mayest not sleep, so that in her arms she clasp thee. 

116. She will be the cause that thou carest not for 
Thing or prince's words; food thou wilt shun and human 
joys; sorrowful wilt thou go to sleep. 

117. I counsel thee, etc. Another's wife entice thou 
never to secret converse. 

118. I counsel thee, etc. By fell or firth if thou have 
to travel, provide thee well with food. 

119. I counsel thee, etc. A bad man let thou never 
know thy misfortunes; for from a bad man thou never 
wilt obtain a return for thy good will. 

120. I saw mortally wound a man a wicked woman's 
words; a false tongue caused his death, and most un 
righteously. 

121. I counsel thee, etc. If thou knowest thou hast a 
friend, whom thou well canst trust, go oft to visit him; 
for with brushwood over-grown, and with high grass, is 
the way that no one treads. 

122. I counsel thee, etc. A good man attract to thee 
in pleasant converse; and salutary speech learn while 
thou livest. 

123. I counsel thee, etc. With thy friend be thou 
never first to quarrel. Care gnaws the heart, if thou to 
no one canst thy whole mind disclose. 

124. I counsel thee, etc. Words thou never shouldst 
exchange with a witless fool ; 

125. For from an ill-conditioned man thou wilt never 
get a return for good; but a good man will bring thee 
favour by his praise. 


THE HIGH ONE'S LAY 

126. There is a mingling of affection, where one can 
tell another all his mind. Everything is better than 
being with the deceitful. He is not another's friend who 
ever says as he says. 

127. I counsel thee, etc. Even in three words quar 
rel not with a worse man: often the better yields, when 
the worse strikes. 

128. I counsel thee, etc. Be not a shoemaker, nor a 
shaftmaker, unless for thyself it be ; for a shoe if ill made, 
or a shaft if crooked, will call down evi! on thee. 

129. r I counsel thee, etc. Wherever of injury thou 
knowest, regard that injury as thy own; and give to thy 
foes no peace. 

130. I counsel thee, etc. Rejoiced at evil be thou 
never ; but let good give thee pleasure. 

131. I counsel thee, etc. In a battle look not up, 
(like swine the sons of men then become) that men may 
not fascinate thee. 

132. If thou wilt induce a good woman to pleasant 
converse, thou must promise fair, and hold to it : no one 
turns from good if it can be got. 

133. I enjoin thee to be wary, but not over wary; a·. 
drinking be thou most wary, and with another's wife; 
and thirdly, that thieves delude thee not. 

134. With insult or derision treat thou never a guest 
or wayfarer. They often little know, who sit within, of 
what race they are who come. 

135. Vices and virtues the sons of mortals bear in 
their breasts mingled; no one is so good that no failing 
attends him, nor so bad as to be good for nothing. 

43 


 11 

I 


THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 

136. At a hoary speaker laugh thou never; often is 
good that which the aged utter, oft from a shriveled hide 
discreet words issue; from those whose skin is pendent 
and decked with scars, and who go tottering among the 
vile. 

137. I counsel thee, etc. Rail not at a guest, nor 
from thy gate thrust him; treat well the indigent; they 
will speak well of thee. 

138. Strong is the bar that must be raised to admit 
all. Do thou give a penny, or they will call down on 
thee every ill in thy limbs. 

139. I counsel thee, etc. Wherever thou beer drink- 
est, invoke to thee the power of earth ; for earth is good 
against drink, fire for distempers, the oak for constipa 
tion, a corn-ear for sorcery, a hall for domestic strife. 
In bitter hates invoke the moon; the biter for bite-in 
juries is good; but runes against calamity; fluid let earth 
absorb. 

ODIN'S RuNË-soNG.1 

140. I know that I hung, on a wind-rocked tree, nine 
whole nights, with a spear wounded, and to Odin offered, 
myself to myself; on that tree, of which no one knows 
from what root it springs. 

141. Bread no one gave me, nor a horn of drink, 


iThe first eight strophes of this composition require an explanation 
which I am incompetent to afford. They have had many interpreters and 
as many interpretations. The Idea of Odin hanging on a tree would seem to 
have been suggested by what we read of the grove at Upsala, or Slgtuna, 
in which the victims offered to that deity were suspended from the trees. 
In the guise of an unknown wanderer, Odin may be supposed to have been 
captured and thus offered to himself. It no doubt refers to some lost legend. 

44 


ODIN'S RUNE SONG 

downward I peered, to runes applied myself, wailing 
learnt them., then fell down thence. 

142. Potent songs nine from the famed son I learned 
of Bolthom, Bestla's sire, and a draught obtained of the 
precious mead, drawn from Odhrserir. 

143. Then I began to bear fruit, and to' know many 
things, to grow and well thrive : word by word I sought 
out words, fact by fact I sought out facts. 

144. Runes thou wilt find, and explained characters, 
very large characters, very potent characters, which the 
great speaker depicted, and the high powers formed, and 
the powers' prince graved : 

145. Odin among the .¿Esir, but among the Alfar, 
Dain, and Dvalin for the dwarfs, Asvid foi* the Jotuns : 
some I myself graved. 

146. Knowest thou how to grave them? knowest 
thou how to expound them ? knowest thou how to depict 
them? knowest thou how to prove them? knowest thou 
how to pray? knowest thou how to offer? knowest thou 
how to send ?1 knowest thou how to consume ? 

147. 'Tis better not to pray than too much offer; a 
gift ever looks to a return. 'Tis better not to send than 
too much consume. So Thund graved before the origin 
of men, where he ascended, to whence he afterwards 
came. 

148. Those songs I know which the king's wife 
knows not nor son of man. Help the first is called, for 
that will help thee against strifes and cares. 

Trobably, send them (the runes) forth on their several missions. 

45 


Ι Λ 


 THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 

149. For the second I know, what the sons of men 
require, who will as leeches live. * * * * 

150. For the third I know,1 if I have great need to 
restrain my foes, the weapons' edge I deaden: of my 
adversaries nor arms nor wiles harm aught. 

151. FOT the fourth I know, if men place bonds on 
my limbs, I so sing that I can walk ; the fetter starts from 
my feet, and the manacle from my hands. 

152. For the fifth I know, if I see a shot from a hos 
tile hand, a shaft flying amid the host, so swift it cannot 
fly that I cannot arrest it, if only I get sight of it. 

153. For the sixth I know, if one wounds me with a 
green tree's roots;2 also if a man declares hatred to me, 
harm shall consume them sooner than me. 

154. For the seventh I know, if a lofty house I see 
blaze o'er its inmates, so furiously it shall not burn that I 
cannot save it. That song I can sing. 

155. For the eighth I know, what to all is useful to 
learn : where hatred grows among the sons of men—that 
I can quickly assuage. 

156. For the ninth I know, if I stand in need my 
bark on the water to save, I can the wind on the waves 
allay, and the sea lull. 

157. For the tenth I know, if I see troll-wives sport 
ing in air, I can so operate that they will forsake their 
own forms, and their own minds. 

158. For the eleventh I know, if I have to lead my 

lfÎhe miraculous powers here ascribed by Odin to himself bear, in 
many instances, a remarkable similarity to those attributed to him by 
Snorri. 2The ancient inhabitants of the North believed that the roots of 
trees were particularly fitted for hurtful trolldom, or witchcraft, and that 
wounds caused thereby were mortal. In India a similar superstition pre 
vails of the hurtfulness of the roots of trees. 

46 


ODIN'S RUNE SONG 


ancient friends to battle, under their shields I sing, and 
with power they go safe to the fight, safe from the fight; 
safe on every side they go. 

159. For the twelfth I know, if on a tree I see a 
corpse swinging from a halter, I can so grave and in 
runes depict, that the man shall walk, and with me con 
verse. 

160. For the thirteenth I know, if on a young man I 
sprinkle water, he shall not fall, though he into battle 
come: that man shall not sink before swords. 

161. For the fourteenth I know, if in the society of 
men I have to· enumerate the gods, ^sir and Alfar, I 
know the distinctions of all. This few unskilled can do. 

162. For the fifteenth I know what the dwarf Thio- 
dreyrir sang before Delling's doors. Strength he sang 
to the -i^sir, and to the Alfar prosperity, wisdom to 
Hroptatyr. 

163. For the sixteenth I know, if a modest maiden's 
favour and affection I desire to possess, the soul I change 
of the white-armed damsel, and wholly turn her mind. 

164. For the seventeenth I know, that that young 
maiden will reluctantly avoid me. These songs, Lodd- 
fafnir ! thou wilt long have lacked ; yet it may be good if 
thou understandest them, profitable if thou learnest them. 

165. For the eighteenth I know that which I never 
teach to maid or wife of man, (all is better what one only 
knows. This is the closing of the songs) save her alone 
who clasps me in her arms, or is my sister. 

166. Now are sung the High-one's songs, in the 
High-one's hall, to the sons of men all-useful, but useless 

47 


 THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 

to the Jotuns' sons. Hail to him who has sung them! 
Hail to him who knows them! May he profit who has 
learnt them! Hail to those who have listened to them! 


THE LAY OF HYMIR. 

1. ONCE the celestial gods had been taking fish, and 
were in computation, ere they the truth discovered.1 
Rods2 they shook, and blood inspected, when they found 
at CEgir's a lack of kettles. v 

2. Sat the rock-dweller glad as a child, much like the 
son of Miskorblindi. In his eyes looked Ygg's son 
steadfastly. "Thou to the ^Ësir shalt oft a computation 
give." 

3. Caused trouble to the Jotun th' unwelcome-worded 
As: he forthwith meditated vengeance on the gods. 
Sif's husband he besought a kettle him to bring, "in 
which I beer for all of you may brew." 

4. The illustrious gods found that impossible, nor 
could the exalted powers it accomplish, till from true- 
heartedness, Ty to Hlorridi much friendly counsel gave. 

5. "There dwells eastward of Elivagar the all-wise 
Hymir, at heaven's end. My sire, fierce of mood, a ket 
tle owns, a capacious cauldron, a rast in depth," 

Thor. 

6. "Knowest thou whether we can get the liquor- 
boiler?" 

VTcTwit, that they were short of kettles for brewing. 2That is divining 
rods. 


THE LAY OF HYMIR 


"Yes, friend ! if we stratagem· employ." Rapidly they 
drove forward that day from Asgard, till to the giant's 
home they came. 

7. Thor stalled his goats, splendid of horn, then 
turned him to the hall that Hymir owned. The son his 
granddami found to him most loathful; heads she had 
nine hundred. 

8. But another came all-golden forth, fair-browed, 
bearing the beer-cup to> her son: 

9. "Ye Jotuns' kindred! I will you both, ye daring 
pair, under the kettles place. My husband is oftentimes 
niggard towards guests, to ill-humour prone." 

10. But the monster, the fierce-souled Hymir, late re 
turned home from the chase. He the hall entered, the 
icebergs resounded, as the churl approached ; the thicket 
on his cheeks was frozen. 

11. "Hail to thee, Hymir ! be of good cheer : now thy 
son is come to> thy hall, whom we expected from his long 
journey; him accompanies our famed adversary, the 
friend of man, who Veor hight. 

12. See where they sit under the hall's gable, as if to 
shun thee: the pillar stands before them." In shivers 
flew the pillar at the Jotun's glance; the beam was first 
broken in two. 

13. Eight kettles fell, but only one of them·, a hard- 
hammered cauldron, whole fronr the column. The two 
came forth, but the old Jotun with eyes surveyed his ad 
versary. 

14. Augured to him his mind no good, when he saw 

49 


 ί · 


;·ηι 


ti- 


( 


-V 


• * 


ί 


' ''·' i 


Li : 


f] 

11 


u . 


) 


Si 
ι 


liÄ 


i 


) 


¡i 


ί 


1 


ι»1 


.[ 


THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 

the giantess's sorrow on the floor coming. Then were 
three oxen taken, and the Jotun bade them forthwith be 

boiled. 

15. Each one they made by the head shorter, and to 
the fire afterwards bore thera Sif's consort ate, ere to 
sleep he went, completely, he alone, two of Hymir's 

beeves. 

16. Seemed to the hoary friend of Hrungnir Hlor- 
ridi's refection full well large: "We three to-morrow 
night shall be compelled on what we catch to live." 

17. Veor said he would on the sea row, if the bold 
Jotun him would with baits supply: "To1 the herd be 
take thee, (if thou in thy courage trustest, crusher of the 
rock-dwellers!) for baits to seek. 

18. I expect that thou wilt bait from an ox easily ob 
tain." The guest in haste to the forest went, where 
stood an all-black ox before him. 

19. The Thursar's bane wrung from1 an ox the high 
fastness of his two horns. "To me thy work seems 
worse by far, ruler of keels ! than if thou hadst sat quiet." 

20. The lord of goats the apes' kinsman besought the 
horse of plank farther out to move; but the Jotun de 
clared his slight desire farther to row. 

21. The mighty Hymir drew, he alone, two1 whales 
up with his hook ; but at the stern abaft Veor cunningly 
made him a line. 

22. Fixed on the hook the shield of men, the serpent's 
slayer, the ox's head. Gaped at the bait the foe of gods, 
the encircler beneath of every land.1 


lrriie great serpent that encircles the earth. 

50 


THE LAY OF HYMIR 

23. Drew up boldly the mighty Thor the worm with 
venom glistening, up to the side; with his hammer struck, 
on his foul head's summit, like a rock towering, the 
wolf's own brother. 

24. The icebergs resounded, the caverns howled, the 
old earth shrank together: at length the fish back into 
ocean sank.1 

25. The Jotun was little glad, as they rowed back, so 
that the powerful Hymir nothing spake, but the oar 
moved in another course. 

26. "Wilt thou do half the work with me, either the 
whales home to the dwelling beart or the boat fast bind ?" 

27. Hlorridi went, grasped the prow, quickly, with 
its hold-water, lifted the water-steed, together with its 
oars and scoop; bore to the dwelling the Jotun's ocean- 
swine, the curved vessel, through the wooded hills. 

28. But the Jotun yet ever frowned, to strife accus 
tomed, with Thor disputed, said that no one was strong, 
however vigorously he might row, unless he his cup 
could break. 

29. But Hlorridi, when to his hands it came, forth 
with brake an upright stone in twain; sitting dashed the 
cup through the pillars: yet they brought it whole to 
Hymir back. 

30. Until the beauteous woman gave important, 
friendly counsel, which she only knew: "Strike at the 
head of Hymir, the Jotun with food oppressed, that is 
harder than any cup." 

31. Rose then on his knee the stern lord of goats, 

According to the Prose Edda, the giant, overcome with (right, took out 
his knife and severed Thor'sllne. 

5 51 


 1 


I 
l -i 


* 5 


THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 

clad in all his godlike power. Unhurt remained the old 
man's helm-block, but the round wine-bearer was in shiv 
ers broken. 

32. "Much good, I know, has departed from me, 
now that my cup I see hurled from my knees." Thus 
the old man spake: "I can never say again, beer thou 
art too hot. 

33. "Now 'tis to' be tried if ye can carry the beer- 
vessel out of our dwelling." Ty twice assayed to move 
the vessel, yet at each time stood the kettle fast. 

34. Then Modi's father by the brim grasped it, and 
trod through the dwelling's floor. Sif's consort lifted 
the kettle on his head, while about his heels its rings 
jingled. 

35. They had far journeyed before Odin's son cast 
one look backward: he from the caverns saw, with Hy 
mir from the east, a troop of many-headed monsters 
coming. 

36. Prom his shoulders he lifted the kettle down; 
Miollnir hurled forth towards'the savage crew, and slew 
all the mountain-giants, who with Hymir had him pur 
sued. 

37. Long they had not journeyed when of Hlorridi's 
goats one lay down half-dead before the car. It from 
the pole had sprung across the trace; but the false Loki 
was of this the cause. 

38. Now ye have heard,—for what fabulist can more 
fully tell—what indemnity he from the giant got: he 
paid for it with his children both.1 


THE LAY OF THRYM 

39. In his strength exulting he to the gods' council 
came, and had the kettle, which Hymir had possessed, 
out of which every god shall beer with CEgir drink at 
every harvest-tide. 


lThls strophe belongs apparently to another poem. 

52 


THE LAY OF THRYM, OR THE HAMMER 
RECOVERED. 

1. WROTH was Vingthor, when he awoke, and his 
hammer missed; his beard he shook, his forehead struck, 
the son of earth felt all around him; 

2. And first of all these words he uttered: "Hear 
now, Loki! what I now say, which no one knows any 
where on earth, nor in heaven above; the As's hammer 
is stolen !" 

3. They went to the fair Preyia's dwelling, and he 
these words first of all said: "Wilt thou me, Preyia, 
thy feather-garment lend, that perchance my hammer I 
may find?" 

Preyia. 

4. "That I would give thee, although of gold it were, 
and trust it to thee, though it were of silver." 

5. Plew then Loki—the plumage rattled—until he 
came beyond the .¿Esir's dwellings, and came within the 
Jotun's land. 

6. On a mound sat Thrym, the Thursar's lord, for 
his greyhounds plaiting gold bands and his horses' manes 
smoothing. 

S3 


 Vlî; 


' ΐ 

v" 

M 


THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 

7. "How goes it with the .¿Esir? How goes it with 
the Alfar? Why art thou come alone to Jotunheim?" 

Loki. 

8. "Ill it goes with the yEsir, 111 it goes with the 
Alfar. Hast thou Hlorridi's hammer hidden?" 

Thrym. 

9. "I have Hlorridi's hammer hidden eight rasts be 
neath the earth; it shall no man get again, unless he 
bring me Freyia to wife." 

10. Flew then Loki—the plumage rattled—until he 
came beyond the Jotun's dwellings, and came within the 
.¿Esir's courts; there he met Thor, in the middle court, 
who these words first of all uttered. 

11. "Hast thou had success as well as labour? Tell 
me from the air the long tidings. Oft of him who sits 
are the tales defective, and he who lies down utters false 
hood." 

Loki. 

12. "I have had labour and .success: Thrym has 
thy hammer, the Thursar's lord. It shall no man get 
again, unless he bring him Freyia to wife." 

13. They went the fair Freyia to find ; and he those 
words first of all said: "Bind thee, Freyia, in bridal 
raiment, we two must drive to Jotunheim." 

14. Wroth then was Freyia, and with anger chafed, 
all the .¿Esir's hall beneath her trembled : in shivers flew 
the famed Brisinga necklace. "Know me to be of women 
lewdest, if with thee I drive to Jotunheim." 

54 


THE LAY OF THRYM 

15. Straightway went the .¿Esir all to council, and 
the Asyniur all to hold converse; and deliberated the 
mighty gods, how they Hlorridi's hammer might get 
back. 

16. Then said Heimdall, of .¿Esir brightest—he well 
foresaw, like other Vanir—"Let us clothe Thor with 
bridal raiment, let him have the famed Brisinga neck 
lace. 

17. "Let by his side keys jingle, and woman's weeds 
fall round his knees, but on his breast place precious 
stones, and a neat coif set on his head." 

18. Then said Thor, the mighty As : "Me the ^Esir 
will call womanish, if I let myself be clad in bridal rai 
ment." 

19. Then spake Loki, Laufey's son: "Do thou, 
Thor ! refrain from suchlike words : forthwith the Jotuns 
will Asgard inhabit, unless thy hammer thou gettest 
back." 

20. Then they clad Thor in bridal raiment, and with 
the noble Brisinga necklace, let by his side keys jingle, 
and woman's weeds fall round his knees; and on his 
breast placed precious stones, and a neat coif set on his 
head. 

21. Then said Loki, Laufey's son : "I will with thee 
as a servant go : we two will drive to Jotunheim." 

22. Straightway were the goats homeward driven, 
hurried to the traces; they had fast to run. The rocks 
were shivered, the earth was in a blaze ; Odin's son drove 
to Jotunheim. 

23. Then said Thrym, the Thursar's lord: "Rise 

55 


;u 


 /ι 


THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 

up, Jotuns! and the benches deck, now they bring me 
Freyia to wife, Niord's daughter, from Noatun. 

24. "Hither to our court let bring gold-horned cows, 
all-black oxen, for the Jotuns' joy. Treasures I have 
many, necklaces many, Freyia alone seemed to me want 
ing." 

25. In the evening they early came, and for the 
Jotuns beer was brought forth. Thor alone an ox de 
voured, salmons eight, and all the sweetmeats women 
should have. Sif's consort drank three salds of mead. 

26. Then said Thrym, the Thursar's prince : "Where 
hast thou seen brides eat more voraciously ? I neyer saw 
brides feed more amply, nor a maiden drink more mead." 

27. Sat the all-crafty serving-maid close by, who 
words fitting found against the Jotun's speech : "Freyia 
has nothing eaten for eight nights, so eager was she for 
Jotunheim." 

28. Under her veil he stooped desirous to salute her, 
but sprang back along the hall. "Why are so piercing 
Freyia's looks ? Methinks that fire burns from her eyes." 

29. Sat the all-crafty serving-maid close by, who 
words fitting found against the Jotun's speech : "Freyia 
for eight nights has not slept, so eager was she for Jotun 
heim." 

30. In came the Jotun's luckless sister, for a bride- 
gift she dared to ask: "Give me from thy hands the 
ruddy rings, if thou wouldst gain my love, my love and 
favour all." 

31. Then said Thrym, the Thursar's lord: "Bring 
the hammer in, the bride to consecrate; lay Miollnir on 

56 


THE LAY OF THE DWARF ALVIS 

the maiden's knee; unite us each with other by the hand 
of Vor." 

32. Laughed Hlorridi's soul in his breast, when the 
fierce-hearted his hammer recognized. He first slew 
Thrym, the Thursar's lord, and the Jotun's race all 
crushed ; 

33. He slew the Jotun's aged sister, her who a bride- 
gift had demanded; she a blow got instead of skillings, 
a hammer's stroke for many rings. So got Odin's son 
his hammer back. 


THE LAY OF THE DWARF ALVIS. 

Alms. 

1. THE benches they are decking, now shall the bride1 
with me bend her way home. That beyond my strength 
I have hurried will to every one appear : at home naught 
shall disturb my quiet. 

Vingthor. 

2. What man is this? Why about the nose art thou 
so pale? Hast thou last night with corpses lain? To 
me thou seemst to bear resemblance to the Thursar. 
Thou art not born to carry off a bride. 

Alvis. 

3. Alvis I am named, beneath the earth I dwell, 
under the rock I own a place. The lord of chariots I am 

Thor's daughter by his wlte Sit. SkaldsKap. 

57 


I'· 


.'. ,'Λ 


 f 


\ Í 
Mi * 


THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 

come to visit. A promise once confirmed let no one 
break.1 

Vingthor. 
I will break it ; for o'er the maid I have, as father, 


4. 

greatest power. 
was given thee. 


I was from home when the promise 
Among the gods I the sole giver am. 


Alvis. 

5. What man is this, who lays claim to power over 
that fair, bright maiden? For far-reaching shafts few 
will know thee. Who has decked thee with bracelets? 

Vingthor. 

6. Vingthor I am named, wide I have wandered; I 
am Sidgrani's son: with my dissent thou shalt not that 
young maiden have, nor that union obtain. 

Alvis. 

7. Thy consent I fain would have, and that union 
obtain. Rather would I possess than be without that 
snow-white maiden. 

Vingthor. 

8. The maiden's love shall not, wise guest! be unto 
thee denied, if thou of every world canst tell all I desire 
to know. 

Alvis. 

9. Vingthor ! thou canst try, as thou art desirous the 
knowledge of the dwarf to prove. All the nine worlds 
I have travelled over, and every being known. 


appears to allude to a promise made to the dwarf ; but of which 
the story Is lost. 


58 


THE LAY OF THE DWARF ALV1S 

Vingthor. 

10. Tell me, Alvis!—for all men's concerns I pre 
sume thee, dwarf, to know—how the earth is called, 
which lies before the sons of men, in every world. 

Alvis. 

11. Jord among men 'tis called, but with the ¿Esir 
fold ; the Vanir call it vega, the Jotuns igrcen, the Alfar 
groandi, the powers supreme aur. 

Vingthor. 

' 12. Tell me, Alvis, etc. how the heaven is called, 
which is perceptible in every world. 

Alvis. 

13. Himinn 'tis called by men; but hlyrnir with the 
gods ; vindofni the Vanir call it, uppheimr the Jotuns, the 
Alfar fagraraefr, the dwarfs driupansal. 

Vingthor. 

14. Tell me, Alvis! etc., how the moon is called, 
which men see in every world. 

Alvis. 

15. Mani 'tis called by men, but mylinn with the 
gods, hverfanda hvel in Hel1 they call it, skyndi the 
Jotuns, but the dwarfs skin ; the Alfar name it artali. 

Vingthor. 

16. Tell me, Alvis ! etc., how the sun is called, which 
men's sons see in every world. 

!When this composition was written, it appears that Hel was no longer 
regarded as a person, but as a place. 

59 


. 


 THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 


THE LAY OF THE DWARF ALVIS 


Alms. 

17. Sol among men 'tis called, but with the gods 
sunna, the dwarfs call it Dvalinn's leika, the Jotuns 
eyglo, the Alfar fagrahvel, the ^sir's sons alskir. 

Vingthor. 

18. Tell me, Alvis, etc., how the clouds are called, 
which with showers are mingled in every world. 

Alms. 

19. Sky they are called by men, but skurvan by the 
gods ; the Vanir call them vindflot, the Jotuns urvan, the 
Alfar vedrmegin ; in Hel they are called hialm hulids. 

Vingthor. 

20. Tell me, Alvis ! etc., how the wind is called, which 
widely passes over every world. 

Alvis. 

21. Windr 'tis called by men, but vavudr by the gods, 
the wide-ruling powers call it gneggiud, the Jotuns œpir, 
the Alfar dynfari, in Hel they call it hvidudr. 

Vingthor. 

22. Tell me, Alvis! etc., how the calm is called, which 
has to rest in every world. 

Alvis. 

23. Logn 'tis called by men, but laegi by the gods, the 
Vanir call it vindslot, the Jotuns oihly, the Alfar dagsevi, 
the Dwarfs call it dags vera. 

60 


Vingthor. 

24. Tell me, Alvis! etc., what the sea is called, which 
men row over in every world. 

Alvis. 

25. Sser 'tis called by men, but silsegia with the gods ; 
the vanir call it vagr, the Jotuns alheimr, the Alfar 
lagastafr, the Dwarfs call it diupan mar. 

Vingthor. 

26. Tell me, Alvis ! etc., how the fire is called, which 
burns before men's sons in every world. 

Alvis. 

27. Eldr 'tis called by men, but by the ^sir funi; 
the Vanir call it vagr, the Jotuns frekr, but the Dwarfs 
forbrennir; in Hel they call it hrodudr. 

Vingthor. 

28. Tell me, Alvis! etc., how the forest is called, 
which grows for the sons of men in every world. 

Alvis. 

29. Vidr 'tis called by men, but vallar fax by the gods, 
Hel's inmates call it hlidthangr, the Jotuns eldi, the 
Alfar fagrlimi ; the Vanir call it vondr. 

Vingthor. 

30. Tell me, Alvis ! etc., how the night is called, that 
Norvi's daughter high!, in every world. 

Alvis. 

31. Nott it is called by men, but by the gods niol ; the 

61 


. 


 ΊΙ Iff 


THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 

wide-ruling powers call it grima, the Jotuns olios, the 
Alfar svefngaman ; the Dwarfs call it draumniorunn. 

Vingthor. 

32. Tell me, Alvis ! etc., how the seed is called, which 
the sons of men sow in every world. 

Alvis. 

33. Bygg it is called by men, but by the gods barr, 
the Vanir call it vaxtr, the Jotuns seti, the Alfar lagas- 
taf r ; in Hel 'tis hnipinn called. 

Vingthor. 

34. Tell me, Alvis ! etc., how the beer is called, which 
the sons of men drink in every world. 

Alvis. 

35. Ol it is called by men, but by the Msir biorr, the 
Vanir call it veig, hreina logr the Jotuns, but in Hel 'tis 
called miodr: Suttung's sons call it sumbl. 

Vingthor. 

36. In one breast I have never found more ancient 
lore. By great wiles thou hast, I tell thee, been deluded. 
Thou art above ground, dwarf! at dawn; already in the 
hall the sun is shining ! 


;t 


THE LAY OF H ARE ARD 


THE LAY OF HARBARD. 

THOR journeying from the eastern parts came to a 
strait or sound, on the other side of which was a ferry 
man with his boat. Thor cried out :— 

1. Who is the knave of knaves, that by the sound 
stands yonder? 

Harbwrd. 

2. Who is the churl of churls, that cries across the 
water? 

Thor. 

3. Ferry me across the sound, to-morrow I'll regale 
thee. I have a basket on my back: there is no better 
food : at my ease I ate, before ΐ quitted home1, herrings 
and oats, with which I yet feel sated. 

Hartará. 

4. Thou art in haste to praise thy meal : thou surely 
hast no foreknowledge; for sad will be thy home: thy 
mother, I believe, is dead. 

Thor. 

5. Thou sayest now what seems to every one most 
unwelcome to know—that my mother is dead. 

Harbard. 

6. Thou dost not look like one who owns three coun- 

63 


 THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 


THE LAY OF HARBARD 


try dwellings, bare-legged thou standest, and like a beg 
gar clothed; thou hast not even breeches. 

Thor. 

7. Steer hitherward thy boat ; I will direct thee where 
to land. But who owns this skiff, which by the strand 
thou boldest? 

Harbard. 

8. Hildolf fie is named who bade me hold it, a man 
in council wise, who dwells in Radso sound. Robbers 
he bade me not to ferry, or horse-stealers, but good men 
only, and those whom I well knew. Tell me then thy 
name, if thou wilt cross the sound. 

Thor. 

9. I my name will tell, (although I am an outlaw) 
and all my kin: I am Odin's son, Meili's brother, and 
Magni's sire, the gods' mighty leader : With Thor thou 
here mayest speak. I will now ask how thou art called. 

Harbard. 

10. I am Harbard called ; seldom I my name conceal. 

Thor. 

11. Why shouldst thou thy name conceal, unless thou 
crime hast perpetrated? 

Harbard. 

12. Yet, though I may crime have perpetrated, I will 
nathless guard my life against such as thou art; unless I 
death-doomed am. 

64 


Thor. 

13. It seems to me a foul annoyance to wade across 
the strait to thee, and wet my garments : but I will pay 
thee, mannikin ! for thy sharp speeches, if o'er the sound 
I come. 

Harbard. 

14. Here will I stand, and here await thee. Thou 
wilt have found no stouter one since Hrungnir's death. 

Thor. 

15. Thou now remindest me how I with Hrungnir 
fought, that stout-hearted Jotun, whose head was all of 
stone; yet I made him fall, snd sink before me. What 
meanwhile didst thou, Harbard? 

Harbard. 

16. I was with Fiolvari five winters through, in the 
isle which Algron hight. There we could fight, and 
slaughter make, many perils prove, indulge in love. 

Thor. 

17. How did your women prove towards you? 
Harbard. 

18. Sprightly women we had, had they but been 
meek; shrewd ones we had, had they but been kind. Of 
sand a rope they twisted, and from the deep valley dug 
the earth : to them all I alone was superior in cunning. I 
rested with the sisters seven, and' their love and pleasures 
shared. What meanwhile didst thou, Thor? 

65 


•JU 


 THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 

Thor. 

19. I slew Thiassi, that stout-hearted Jotun. : up I cast 
the eyes of Allvaldi's son into the heaven serene : they are 
signs the greatest of my deeds. What meanwhile didst 
thou, Harbard? 

Harbard. 

20. Great seductive arts I used against the riders of 
the night,1 when from their husbands I enticed.them. A 
mighty Jotun I believed Hlebard to be : a magic wand he 
gave me, but from his wits I charmed him. 

Thor. 

31. With evil mind then thou didst good gifts re 
quite. 

Harbard. 

22. One tree gets that which, is f rorn another scraped : 
each one in such case is for self. What meanwhile didst 
thou, Thor? 

Thor. 

23. In the east I was, and slew the Jotun brides, 
crafty in evil, as they to the mountain went. Great 
would have been the Jotun race, had they all lived ; and 
not a man left in Midgard. What meanwhile didst thou, 
Harbard? 

Harbard. 

34. I was in Valland, and followed warfare; princes 
I excited, but never reconciled. Odin has all the jarls 
that in conflict fall; but Thor the race of thralls. 

'Giantesses, witches, etc. 


66 


THE LAY OF HARBARD 

Thor. 

25. Unequally thou wouldst divide the folk among 
the .¿Esir, if thou but hadst the power. 

Harbard. 

36. Thor has strength overmuch, but courage none; 
from cowardice and fear, thou wast crammed into a 
glove, and hardly thoughtest thou wast Thor. Thou 
durst not then, through thy terror, either sneeze or cough, 
lest Fialar it might hear. 

Thor. 

27. Harbard, thou wretch ! I would strike thee dead, 
could I but stretch my arm across the sound. 

Harbard. 

28. Why wouldst thou stretch thy arm across the 
sound, when there is altogether no offence? But what 
didst thou, Thor? 

Thor. 

39. In the east I was, and a river I defended, when 
the sons of Svarang me assailed, and with stones pelted 
me, though in their success they little joyed : they were 
the first to sue for peace. What meanwhile didst thou, 
Harbard? 

Harbard. 

30. I was in the east, and with a certain lass held 
converse ; with that fair I dallied, and long meetings had. 
I that gold-bright one delighted ; the game amused her. 

Thor. 

31. Then you had kind damsels there? 


 THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 


THE LAY OF HARBARD 


I 


Harbard. 

32. Of thy aid I had need, Thor! in retaining that 
maiden lily-fair. 

Thor. 

33. I would have given it thee, if I had had the op 
portunity. 

Harbard. 

34. I would have trusted thee, my confidence if thou 
hadst not betrayed it. 

Thor. 

35. I arn not such a heel-chafer as an old leather shoe 
in spring. 

Harbard. 

36. What meanwhile didst thou, Thor? 

Thor. 

37. The Berserkers' brides I on Lsesso cudgeled; 
they the worst had perpetrated, the whole people,had 
seduced. 

Harbard. 

38. Dastardly didst thou act, Thor ! when thou didst 
cudgel women. 

Thor. 

39. She-wolves they were, and scarcely women. 
They crushed my ship, which with props I had secured, 
with iron clubs threatened me, and drove away Thialfi. 
What meanwhile didst thou, Harbard ? 

Harbard. 

40. I in the army was, which was hither sent, war- 
banners to raise^ lances to redden. 

68 


Thor. 

41. Of that thou now wilt speak, as thou wentest 
forth us hard terms to offer. 

Harbard. 

42. That shall be indemnified by a hand-ring, such 
as arbitrators give, who wish to reconcile us. 

Thor. 

43. Where didst thou learn words than which I never 
heard more irritating ? 

Harbard. 

44. From men I learned them, from ancient men, 
whose home is in the woods. 

Thor. 

45. Thou givest certainly a good name to grave- 
mounds, when thou callest them, homes in the woods. 

Harbard. 

46. So speak I of such a subject. 

Thor. 

47. Thy shrewd words will bring thee evil, if I re 
solve the sound to ford. Louder than a wolf thou wilt 
howl, I trow, if of my hammer thou gettest a touch. 

Harbard. 

48. Sif has a gallant at home; thou wilt anxious be 
to find him : thou shalt that arduous work perform; it will 
beseem thee better. 

69 


 THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 

Thor. 

49. Thou utterest what comes upmost, so that to me 
it be most annoying, thou dastardly varlet! I believe 
thou art lying. 

Harbard. 

50. I believe I am telling truth. Thou art travelling 
slowly ; thou wouldst have long since arrived, hadst thou 
assumed another form. 

Thor. 

51. Harbard! thou wretch! rather is it thou who hast 
detained me. 

Harbard. 

52. I never thought that a ferryman could the course 
of Asa-Thor retard. 

Thor. 

53. One advice I now will give thee: row hither with 
thy boat; let us cease from threats; approach the sire of 
Magni. 

Harbard. 

54. Go farther from, the sound, the passage is refused 
thee. 

Thor. 

55. Show me then the way, if thou wilt not ferry me 
across the water. 

Harbard. 

56. That's too little to refuse. 'Tis far to go; 'tis 
to the stock an hour, and to the stone another ; then keep 
the left hand way, until thou readiest Verland ; there will 

70 


THE JOURNEY OR LAY OF SKIRNIR 

Fiorgyn find her son Thor, and point out to him; his kins 
men's ways to Odin's land. 

Thor. 

57. Can I get there to-day? 

Harbard. 

58. With pain and toil thou mayest get there, while 
the sun is up, which, I believe, is now nigh. 

Thor. 

59. Our talk shall now be short, as thou answerest 
with scoffing only. For refusing to ferry me I will re 
ward thee, if another time we meet. 

Harbard. 

60. Just go to where all the powers of evil may have 
thee. 


THE JOURNEY OR LAY OF SKIRNIR. 

FREY, son of Niordj had one day seated himself in 
Hlidskialf, and was looking over all regions, when turn 
ing his eyes to Jotunheim, he there saw a beautiful girl, 
as she was passing from her father's dwelling to her 
bower. Thereupon he became greatly troubled in mind. 
Frey's attendant was named Skirnir; him Niord desired 
to speak with Frey ; when Skadi said :— 

1. Rise up now, Skirnir! go and request our son to 
speak; and inquire with whom he so sage may be of 
fended. 

71 


 THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 


THE JOURNEY OR LAY OF SKIRNIR 


'l· 


ï: 


l,1 


Skirnir. 

2. Harsh words I have from your son to fear, if I go 
to speak with him, and to inquire with whom he so sage 
may be offended. 

Skirnir. 

3. Tell me now, Frey, prince of gods ! for I desire to 
know, why alone thou sittest in the spacious hall the live 
long day? 

Frey. 

4. Why shall I tell thee, thou young man, my mind's 
great trouble ? for the Alf s' illuminator shines every day, 
yet not for my pleasure. 

Skirnir. 

5. Thy care cannot, I think, be so great, that to me 
thou canst not tell it; for in early days we were young 
together : well might we trust each other. 

Frey. 

6. In Gymir's courts I saw walking a maid for whom 
I long. Her arms gave forth light wherewith shone all 
air and water. 

7. Is more desirable to me that maid than to any 
youth in early days ; yet will no one, ^Esir or Alfar, that 
we together live. 

Skirnir. 

8. Give me but thy steed, which can bear me through 
the dusk, flickering flame, and that sword, which bran 
dishes itself against the Jotuns' race. 

72 


Frey. 

9. I will give thee my steed, which can bear thee 
through the dusk, flickering flame, and that sword, which 
will itself brandish, if he is bold who raises it. 

Skirnir Speaks to the Horse. 

10. Dark it is without, 'tis time, I say, for us to go 
across the misty fells, over the Thursar's land : we shall 
both return, or the all-potent Jotun will seize us both. 
Skirnir rides to Jotunheim, to Gymir's mansion, where 
fierce dogs were chained at the gate of the enclosure that 
was round Gymir's hall. He rides on to where a cow 
herd was sitting on a mound, and says to him: 

11. Tell me, cowherd ! as on the mound thou sittest, 
and watchest all the ways, how I to the speech may come, 
of the young maiden, for Gymir's dogs? 

Cowherd. 

13. Either thou art death-doomed, or thou art a de 
parted one. Speech wilt thou ever lack with the good 
maid of Gymir. 

Skirnir. 

13. Better choices than to whine there are for him 
who is prepared to die : for one day was my age decreed, 
and my whole life determined. 

Gerd. 

14. What is that sound of sounds, which I now 
sounding hear within our dwelling? The earth is 
shaken, and with it all the house of Gymir trembles. 

73 


 THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMVND 


THE JOURNEY OR LAY OF SKIRNIR 


A serving-maid. 

15. A man is here without, dismounted from his 
horse's back : he lets his steed browse on the grass. 

Gerd. 

16. Bid him enter into our hall, and drink of the 
bright mead; although I fear it is my brother's slayer 
who waits without. 

17. Who is this of the Alfar's, or of the Msir's sons, 
or of the wise Vanir's? Why art thou come alone, 
through the hostile fire, our halls to visit ? 

Skirnir. 

18. I am not of the Alfar's, nor of the .¿Ësir's sons, 
nor of the wise Vanir's; yet I am come alone, through 
the hostile fire, your halls to visit. 

19. Apples all-golden I have here eleven : these I will 
give thee, Gerd, thy love to gain, that thou mayest say 
that Frev to thee lives dearest. 

Gerd. 

20. The apples eleven I never will accept for any 
mortal's pleasure; nor will I and Frey, while our lives 
last, live both together. 

Skirmr. 

21. The ring too I will give thee, which was burnt 
with the young son of Odin. Eight of equal weight will 
from it drop, every ninth night. 

Gerd. 

22. The ring I will not accept, burnt though it may 

74 


have been with the young son of Odin. I have no lack 
of gold in Gymir's courts ; for my father's wealth I share. 

Skirnir. 

23. Seest thou this sword, young maiden ! thin, glit 
tering-bright, which I have here in hand? I thy head 
will sever from thy neck, if thou speakst not favourably 
to me. 

Gerd. 

24. Suffer compulsion will I never, to please any 
man; yet this I foresee, if thou and Gymir meet, ye will 
eagerly engage in fight. 

Skirnir. 

25. Seest thou this sword, young maiden! thin, glit 
tering-bright, which I have here in hand? Beneath its 
edge shall the old Jotun fall : thy_ sire is death-doomed. 

26. With a taming-wand I smite thee, and I will 
tame thee, maiden! to my will. Thou shalt go thither, 
where the sons of men shall never more behold thee. 

27. On an eagle's mount thou shalt early sit, looking 
and turned towards Hel. Food shall to thee more loath 
some be than is to any one the glistening serpent among 
men. 

28. As a prodigy thou shalt be, when thou goest 
forth; Hrimnir shall at thee gaze, all beings at thee stare; 
more wide-known thou shalt become than the watch 
among the gods,1 if thou from thy gratings gape. 

29. Solitude and disgust, bonds and impatience, shall 
thy tears with grief augment. Set thee down, and I will 
tell thee of a whelming flood of care, and a double grief. 

^Heimflall. 

75 


 ! l 


κ 


π 


Ί ϊ 

/ ¡ · ? 

Ι , ,' ι 


THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 

30. Terrors shall bow thee down the livelong day, in 
the Jotuns' courts. To the Hrimthursar's halls, thou 
shalt each day crawl exhausted, joyless crawl; wail for 
pastime shalt thou have, and tears and misery. 

31. With a three-headed Thurs thou shalt be ever 
bound, or be without a mate. Thy mind shall tear thee 
from morn to morn: as the thistle thou shalt be which 
has thrust itself on the house-top. 

32. To the wold I have been, and to the humid grove, 
a magic wand to get. A magic wand I got. 

33. Wroth with thee is Odin, wroth with thee is the 
JEsir's prince; Frey shall loathe thee, even ere thou, 
wicked maid ! shalt have felt the gods' dire vengeance. 

34. Hear ye, Jotuns! hear ye, Hrimthursar! sons of 
Suttung! also ye, JEsir's friends! how I forbid, how I 
prohibit man's joy unto the damsel, man's converse to 
the damsel. 

35. Hrimgrimnir the Thurs is named, that shall pos 
sess thee, in the grating of the dead beneath ; there shall 
wretched thralls, from the tree's roots, goats' water give 
thee. Other drink shalt thou, maiden ! never get, either 
for thy pleasure, or for my pleasure. 

36. Thurs1 I cut for thee, and three letters mere: 
ergi, and œdi, and othola. So will I cut them out, as I 
have cut them, in, if there need shall be. 

Gerd. 

37. Hail rather to thee, youth ! and accept an icy cup, 
filled with old mead; although I thought not that I ever 
should love one of Vanir race. 


, etc., the names of magical runes. 


THE JOURNEY OR LAY OF SKIRNIR 

Skirnir. 

38. All my errand will I know, ere I hence ride home. 
When wilt thou converse hold with the powerful son of 
Niord? 

Gerd. 

39. Barri the grove is named, which we both know, 
the grove of tranquil paths. Nine nights hence, there to 
Niord's son Gerd will grant delight. 

Skirnir then rode home. Frey was standing without, 
and spoke to him, asking tidings: 

- 40. Tell me, Skirnir ! ere thou- thy steed unsaddlest, 
and a foot hence thou goest, what thou hast accomplished 
in Jotunheim, for my pleasure or thine ? 

Skirnir. 

41. Barri the grove is named, which we both know, 
the grove of tranquil paths. Nine nights hence, there to 
Niord's son Gerd will grant delight. 

Prey. 

42. Long is one night, yet longer two will be; how 
shall I three endure. Often a month to me less has 
seemed than half a night of longing. 


 Γ: 


J. 

! u 


THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 


THE LAY OF RIG. 

IN ancient Sagas it is related that one of the .¿Esir 
named Heimdall, being on a journey to a certain sea 
shore, came to a village, where he called himself Rig. In 
accordance with this Saga is the following: 

1. In ancient days, they say, along the green ways 
went the powerful and upright sagacious As, the strong 
and active Rig, his onward course pursuing. 

2. Forward he went on the mid-way, and to a dwell 
ing came. The door stood ajar, he went in, fire was on 
the floor. The man and wife sat there, hoary-haired, by 
the hearth, Ai and Edda, in old guise clad. 

3. Rig would counsel give to them both, and himself 
seated in the middle seat, having on either side the do 
mestic pair. 

4. Then Edda from the ashes took a loaf, heavy and 
thick, and with bran mixed ; more besides she laid on the 
middle of the board; there in a bowl was broth on the 
table set, there was a calf boiled, of cates most excellent 

5. Then rose he up, prepared to sleep: Rig would 
counsel give to them both; laid him down in the middle 
of the bed ; the domestic pair lay one on either side. 

6. There he continued three nights together, then de 
parted on the mid-way. Nine months then passed way. 

7. Edda a child brought forth: they with water 
sprinkled its swarthy skin, and named it Thrasl. 

78 


THE LAY OF RIG 

8. It grew up, and well it throve; of its hands the 
skin was shriveled, the knuckles knotty, * * * and 
the fingers thick; a hideous countenance it had, a curved 
back, and protruding heels. 

9. He then began his strength to prove, bast to' bind, 
make of it loads ; then faggots carried home, the livelong 
day. 

10. Then to the dwelling came a woman walking, 
scarred were her foot-soles, her arms sunburnt, her nose 
compressed, her name was Thy. 

11. In the middle seat herself she placed ; by her sat 
the house's son. They spoke and whispered, prepared a 
bed, Thriel and Thy, and days of care. 

IS. Children they begat, and lived content: Their 
names, I think, were Hreimr and Fiosnir, Klur and 
Kleggi, Kefsir, Fulnir, Drumb, Digraldi, Drott and Hos- 
vir, Lut and Leggialdi. Fences they erected, fields ma 
nured, tended swine, kept goats, dug turf. 

13. The daughters were Drumba and Kumba, Ok- 
kvinkalfa, and Arinnefia, Ysia and Ambatt, Eikintiasna, 
Totrughypia, and Tronubeina, whence are sprung the 
race of thralls. 

14. Rig then went on, in a direct course, and came to 
a house; the door stood ajar : he went in; fire was on the 
floor, man and wife sat there engaged at work. 

15. The man was planing wood for a weaver's beam ; 
his beard was trimmed, a lock was on his forehead, his 
shirt close; his chest stood on the floor. 

16. His wife sat by, plied her rock, with outstretched 
arms, prepared for clothing. A hood was on her head, 

79 


 THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 

a loose sark over her breast, a kerchief round her neck, 
studs on her· shoulders. Afi and Amma owned the house. 

17. Rig would counsel give to them both; rose from 
the table, prepared to sleep; laid him down in the middle 
of the bed, the domestic pair lay one on either side. 

18. There he continued three nights together. Nine 
months then passed away. Amma a child brought forth, 
they with water sprinkled it, and called it Karl. The 
mother in linen swathed the ruddy redhead: its eyes 
twinkled. 

19. It grew up, and well throve; learned to' tame 
oxen, make a plough, houses build, and barns construct, 
make carts, and the plough drive. 

20. Then they home conveyed a lass with pendent 
keys, and goatskin kirtle; married her to Karl. Snor 
was her name, under a veil she sat. The couple dwelt 
together, rings exchanged, spread couches, and a house 
hold formed. 

21. Children they begat, and lived content. Hal and 
Dreng, these were named, Held, Thegn, Smith, Breidr- 
bondi, Bundinskegg, Bui and Boddi, Brattskegg and 
Segg. 

22. But [the daughters] were thus called, by other 
names: Snot, Brud, Svanni, Svarri, Sprakki, Fliod, 
Sprund, and Vif, Feima, Ristil;· whence are sprung the 
races of churls. 

23. Rig then went thence, in a direct course, and 
came to a hall : the entrance looked southward, the door 
was half closed, a ring was on the door-post. 

80 


THE LAY OF RIG 

24. He went in; the floor was strewed, a couple sat 
facing each other, Fadir and Modir, with fingers playing. 

25. The husband sat, and twisted string, bent his 
bow, and arrow-shafts prepared; but the housewife 
looked on her arms, smoothed her veil, and her sleeves 
fastened ; 

26. Her head-gear adjusted. A clasp was on her 
breast; ample her robe, her sark was blue; brighter was 
her brow, her breast fairer, her neck whiter than driven 
snow. 

27. Rig would counsel give to them both, and him 
self seated on the middle seat, having on either side the 
domestic pair. 

28. Then took Modir a figured cloth of white linen, 
and the table decked. She then took thin cakes of snow- 
white wheat, and on the table laid. 

29. She set forth salvers full, adorned with silver, on 
the table game and pork, and roasted birds. In a can 
was wine; the cups were ornamented. They drank and 
talked; the day was fast departing, Rig would counsel 
give to them, both. 

30. Rig then rose, the bed prepared; there he then 
remained three nights together, then departed on the mid 
way. Nine months after that passed away. 

31. Modir then brought forth a boy: in silk they 
wrapped him, with water sprinkled him, and named him 
Jarl. Light was his hair, bright his cheeks, his eyes 
piercing as a young serpent's. 

32. There at home Jarl grew up, learned the shield 
to shake, to fix the string, the bow to bend, arrows to 

81 


 THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND 

shaft, javelins to hurl, spears to brandish, horses to ride, 
dogs to let slip, swords to draw, swimming to practise. 

33. Thither from the forest came Rig walking, Rig 
walking: runes he taught him, his own name gave him, 
and his own son declared him, whom he bade possess his 
alodial fields, his alodial fields, his ancient dwellings. 

34. Jarl then rode thence, through a murky way, 
over humid fells, till to a hall he came. His spear he 
brandished, his shield he shook, made his horse curvet, 
and his falchion drew, strife began to raise, the field to 
redden, carnage to make; and conquer lands. 

35. Then he ruled alone over eight vills, riches dis 
tributed, gave to all treasures and precious things; lank- 
sided horses, rings he dispersed, and collars cut in 
pieces.1 

36. The nobles drove through humid ways, came to a 
hall, where Hersir dwelt; there they found a slender 
maiden, fair and elegant, Erna her name. 

37. They demanded her, and conveyed her home, to 
Jarl espoused her; she under the linen2 went. They to 
gether lived, and well throve, had offspring, and old age 
enjoyed. 

38. Bur was their eldest, Barn the second, Jod and 
Adal, Arfi, Mog, Nid and Nidjung. They learned 
games ; Son and Svein swam and at tables played. One 
was named Kund, Kon was youngest. 

39. There grew up Jarl's progeny; horses they broke, 
•curved shields, cut arrows, brandished spears. 

40. But the young Kon understood runes, œfin-runes, 

*Â common practice : the pieces served as money. 2The nuptial yell. 

82 


THE LAY OF RIG 

and aldr-runes; he moreover knew men to preserve, edges 
to deaden, the sea to calm. 

41. He knew the voice of birds, how fires to mitigate, 
assuage and quench ; sorrows to allay. He of eight men 
had the strength and energy. 

42. He with Rig Jarl in runes contended, artifices 
practised, and superior proved; then acquired Rig to be 
called, and skilled in runes. 

43. The young Kon rode through swamps and for 
ests, hurled forth darts, and tamed birds. 

44. Then sang the crow, sitting lonely on a bough! 
"Why wilt thou, young Kon: tame the birds? rather 
shouldst thou, young Kon! on horses ride * * * 
and armies overcome. 

45. Nor Dan nor Danp halls more costly had, nobler 
paternal seats, than ye had. They well kn