The Elder Eddas of Saemund Sigfusson; and the Younger Eddas of Snorre Sturleson Part 3

knowest, whence first came the earth, and the high heaven, thou, sagacious Jotun?

_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.

_Gagnrad._

22. Tell me secondly, if thy wit suffices, and thou, Vafthrudnir!

knowest, whence came the moon, which over mankind pa.s.ses, and the sun likewise?

_Vafthrudnir._

23. Mundilfoeri 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.

_Gagnrad._

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

_Vafthrudnir._

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

_Gagnrad._

26. Tell me fourthly, since they p.r.o.nounce thee sage, and if thou, Vafthrudnir! knowest, whence winter came, and warm summer first among the wise G.o.ds?

_Vafthrudnir._

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

_Gagnrad._

28. Tell me fifthly, since they p.r.o.nounce thee sage, and if thou, Vafthrudnir! knowest, which of the aesir earliest, or of Ymir's sons, in days of old existed?

_Vafthrudnir._

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

_Gagnrad._

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

_Vafthrudnir._

31. From Elivagar sprang venom drops, which grew till they became a Jotun; but sparks flew from the south-world: to the ice the fire gave life.

_Gagnrad_.

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

_Vafthrudnir_.

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

_Gagnrad_.

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

_Vafthrudnir_.

35. Countless winters, ere earth was formed, Bergelmir was born.

That I first remember, when that wise Jotun 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 pa.s.ses, itself invisible to man?

_Vafthrudnir_.

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

_Gagnrad_.

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

_Vafthrudnir_.

39. In Vanaheim wise powers him created, and to the G.o.ds 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 G.o.ds thou knowest, Vafthrudnir! what the Einheriar do in Haerfather's halls, until the powers perish?

_Vafthrudnir_.

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

_Gagnrad_.

42. Tell me twelfthly, as thou all the condition of the G.o.ds knowest, Vafthrudnir! of the Jotuns' secrets, and of all the G.o.ds', say what truest is, thou all-knowing Jotun!

_Vafthrudnir_.

43. Of the secrets of the Jotuns and of all the G.o.ds, I can truly tell; for I have over each world travelled; to 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 pa.s.sed?