The Elder Eddas of Saemund Sigfusson; and the Younger Eddas of Snorre Sturleson Part 5

20. Hugin and Munin fly each day over the s.p.a.cious 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 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. Heidrun the goat is called, that stands o'er Odin's hall, and bites from Laerad'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 Laerad's branches; from his horns fall drops into Hvergelmir, whence all waters rise:--

27. Sid and Vid, Soekin and Eikin, Svol and Gunnthro, Fiorm and Fimbulthul, Rin and Rennandi, Gipul and Gopul, Gomul and Geirvimul: they round the G.o.ds' dwelling wind. Thyn and Vin, Tholl and Holl, Grad and Gunnthorin.

28. Vina one is called, a second Vegsvin, a third Thiodnuma; Nyt and Non and Hron, 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, Gler and Skeidbrimir, Sillfrintopp and Sinir, Gisl and Falhofnir, Gulltopp and Lettfeti; on these steeds the aesir each day ride, when they to council go, at Yggdrasil's ash.

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

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

33. Harts there are also four, which from its summits, arch-necked, gnaw. Dain and Dvalin, Duneyr and Durathror.

34. More serpents lie under Yggdrasil's ash, than any one would think of witless mortals: Goin and Moin,--they are Grafvitnir's sons--Grabak and Grafvollud, Ofnir and Svafnir, will, I ween, the branches of that tree ever lacerate.

35. Yggdrasil's ash hards.h.i.+p suffers greater than men know of; a hart bites it above, and in its side it rots, Nidhogg beneath tears it.

36. Hrist and Mist the horn shall bear me Skeggold and Skogul, Hlokk and Herfiotur, Hildi and Thrudi, Goll and Geirolul, Randgrid and Radgrid, and Reginleif, 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 aesir, have concealed an iron-coolness.

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

39. Skoll the wolf is named, that the fair-faced G.o.ddess to the ocean chases; another Hati hight, he is Hrodvitnir's son; he the bright maid of heaven shall precede.

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 Midgard for the sons of men; but of his brain the heavy clouds are all created.

42. Ullr's and all the G.o.ds' favour shall have, whoever first shall look to the fire; for open will the dwelling be, to the aesir's sons, when the kettles are lifted off.[12]

43. Ivaldi's sons went in days of old Skidbladnir to form, of s.h.i.+ps the best, for the bright Frey, Niord's benign son.

44. Yggdrasil's ash is of all trees most excellent, and of all s.h.i.+ps, Skidbladnir, of the aesir, Odin, and of horses, Sleipnir, Bifrost of bridges, and of skallds, Bragi, Habrok of hawks, and of dogs, Garm, [Brimir of swords.]

45. Now I my face have raised to the G.o.ds' triumphant sons, at that will welcome help awake; from all the aesir, that shall penetrate, to Oegir's bench, to Oegir's compotation.[13]

46. I am called Grim, I am called Gangleri, Herian and Hialmberi, Thekk and Thridi, Thund and Ud, Helblindi and Har,

47. Sad and Svipall, and Sanngetall, Herteit and Hnikar Bileyg, Baleyg, Bolverk, Fiolnir, Grim and Grimnir, Glapsvid and Fiolsvid,

48. Sidhott, Sidskegg Sigfodr, Hnikud, Alfodr, Valfodr, Atrid and Farmatyr; by one name I never have been called, since among men I have gone.

49. Grimnir I am called at Geirrod's, and at Asmund's Jalk and Kialar, when a sledge I drew; Thror at the public meetings, Vidur in battles, Oski and Omi, Jafnhar and Biflindi, Gondlir and Harbard with the G.o.ds.

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

51. Drunken art thou, Geirrod, 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 remembered: 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 Disir: 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, Vafudr and Hroptatyr, with the G.o.ds, Gaut and Jalk, Ofnir and Svafnir, all which I believe to be names of me alone.

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

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 12: What 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 aesir were unable to see Odin's unpleasant position between the two fires.]

[Footnote 13: My version of this strophe is not in accordance with those of other interpreters. Odin raises his countenance to heaven, in full confidence that when seen help will forthwith be afforded him.

Under the name of Oegir, Gierrod is generally understood: I rather think the meaning to be, that all the aesir who [sit at] Oegir's compotation will forthwith come to his aid.]

THE LAY OF VEGTAM, OR BALDR'S DREAMS.

1. Together were the aesir all in council, and the Asyniur all in conference, and they consulted, the mighty G.o.ds, why Baldr had oppressive dreams.

2. [To that G.o.d his slumber was most afflicting; his auspicious dreams seemed departed. They the Jotuns 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, a.s.surance 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 aesir he convenes, their counsel craves: at the deliberation much is devised.]

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