THE PROSE EDDA IN FOUR PARTS -  PART THREE

                                                                          BY SNORRI STURLUSON

        TRANSLATED FROM THE ICELANDIC WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY ARTHUR GILCHRIST BRODEUR, Ph. D

                                          Instructor in English Philology in the University of California.

                                                NEW YORK THE AMERICAN-SCANDINAVIAN FOUNDATION 1916

. I. A certain man was named Ćgir, or Hlér. He dwelt on the island which is now called Hlér's Isle,[2] and was deeply versed in black magic. He took his way to Ásgard, but the Ćsir had foreknowledge of his journey; he was received with good cheer, and yet many things were done by deceit, with eye-illusions. And at evening, when it was time for drinking, Odin had swords brought into the hall, so bright that light radiated from them: and other illumination was not used while they sat at drinking. The n the Ćsir came in to their banquet, and in the high-seats sat them down those twelve Ćsir who were appointed to be judges; these were their names: Thor, Njördr, Freyr, Týr, Heimdallr, Bragi, Vídarr, Váli, Ullr, HSnir, Forseti, Loki; and in like manner the Ásynjur: Frigg, Freyja, Gefjun, Idunn, Gerdr, Sigyn, Fulla, Nanna. It seemed glorious to Ćgir to look about him in the hall: the wainscottings there were all hung with fair shields; there was also stinging mead, copiously quaffed. The man seated next to Ćgir was Bragi, and they took part together in drinking and in converse: Bragi told Ćgir of many things which had come to pass among the Ćsir.

He began the story at the point where three of the Ćsir, Odin and Loki and HSnir, departed from home and were wandering over mountains and wastes, and food was hard to find. But when they came down into a certain dale, they saw a herd of oxen, took one ox, and set about cooking it. Now when they thought that it must be cooked, they broke up the fire, and it was not cooked. After a while had passed, they having scattered the fire a

second time, and it was not cooked, they took counsel together, asking each other what it might mean. Then they heard a voice speaking in the oak up above them, declaring that he who sat there confessed he had caused the lack of virtue in the fire. They looked thither, and there sat an eagle; and it was no small one. Then the eagle said: "If ye are willing to give me my fill of the ox, then it will cook in the fire." They assented to this. Then he let himself float down from the tree and alighted by the fire, and forthwith at the very first took unto himself the two hams of the ox, and both shoulders. Then Loki was angered, snatched up a great pole, brandished it with all his strength, and drove it at the eagle's body. The eagle plunged violently at the blow and flew up, so that the pole was fast to the eagle's back, and Loki's hands to the other end of the pole. The eagle flew at such a height that Loki's feet down below knocked against stones and rock-heaps and trees, and he thought his arms would be torn from his shoulders. He cried aloud, entreating the eagle urgently for peace; but the eagle declared that Loki should never be loosed, unless he would give him his oath to induce Idunn to come out of Ásgard with her apples. Loki assented, and being straightway loosed, went to his companions; nor for that time are any more things reported concerning their journey, until they had come home.

[1. Usually translated "Poetical Diction."

2. Now Lćssř.]

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But at the appointed time Loki lured Idunn out of Ásgard into a certain wood, saying that he had found such apples as would seem to her of great virtue, and prayed that she would have her apples with her and compare them with these. Then Thjazi the giant came there in his eagle's plumage and took Idunn and flew away with her, off into Thrymheimr to his abode.

{p. 91}

But the Ćsir became straitened at the disappearance of Idunn, and speedily they became hoary and old. Then those, Ćsir took counsel together, and each asked the other what had last been known of Idunn; and the last that had been seen was that she had gone out of Ásgard with Loki. Thereupon Loki was seized and brought to the Thing, and was threatened with death, or tortures; when he had become well frightened, he declared that he would seek after Idunn in Jötunheim, if Freyja would lend him the hawk's plumage which she possessed. And when he got the hawk's plumage, he flew north into Jötunheim, and came on a certain day to the home of Thjazi the giant. Thjazi had rowed out to sea, but Idunn was at home alone: Loki turned her into the shape of a nut and grasped her in his claws and flew his utmost.

Now when Thjazi came home and missed Idunn, he took his eagle's plumage and flew after Loki, making a mighty rush of sound with his wings in his flight. But when the Ćsir saw how the hawk flew with the nut, and where the eagle was flying, they went out below Ásgard and bore burdens of plane-shavings thither. As soon as the hawk flew into the citadel, he swooped down close by the castle-wall; then the Ćsir struck fire to the plane-shavings. But the eagle could not stop himself when he missed the hawk: the feathers of the eagle caught fire, and straightway his flight ceased. Then the Ćsir were near at hand and slew Thjazi the giant within the Gate of the Ćsir, and that slaying is exceeding famous.

Now Skadi, the daughter of the giant Thjazi, took helm and birnie and all weapons of war and proceeded to Ásgard, to avenge her father. The Ćsir, however, offered her reconciliation and atonement: the first article was that she should

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choose for herself a husband from among the Ćsir and choose by the feet only, seeing no more of him. Then she saw the feet of one man, passing fair, and said: "I choose this one: in Baldr little can be loathly." But that was Njördr of Nóatún. She had this article also in her bond of reconciliation: that the Ćsir must do a thing she thought they would not be able to accomplish: to make her laugh. Then Loki did this: he tied a cord to the beard of a goat, the other end being about his own genitals, and each gave way in turn, and each of the two screeched loudly; then Loki let himself fall onto Skadi's knee, and she laughed. Thereupon reconciliation was made with her on the part of the Ćsir. It is so said, that Odin did this by way of atonement to Skadi: he took Thjazi's eyes and cast them up into the heavens, and made of them two stars.

Then said Ćgir: "It seems to me that Thjazi was a mighty man: now of what family was he?" Bragi answered: "His father was called Ölvaldi, and if I tell thee of him, thou wilt think these things wonders. He was very rich in gold; but when he died and his sons came to divide the inheritance, they determined upon this measure for the gold which they divided: each should take as much as his mouth would hold, and all the same number of mouthfuls. One of them was Thjazi, the second Idi, the third Gangr. And we have it as a metaphor among us now, to call gold the mouth-tale of these giants; but we conceal it in secret terms or in poesy in this way, that we call it Speech, or Word, or Talk, of these giants."

Then said Ćgir: "I deem that well concealed in secret terms." And again said Ćgir: "Whence did this art, which ye call poesy, derive its beginnings?" Bragi answered: "These were the beginnings thereof. The gods had a dispute

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with the folk which are called Vanir, and they appointed a peace-meeting between them and established peace in this way: they each went to a vat and spat their spittle therein. Then at parting the gods took that peace-token and would not let it perish, but shaped thereof a man. This man is called Kvasir, and he was so wise that none could question him concerning anything but that he knew the solution. He went up and down the earth to give instruction to men; and when he came upon invitation to the abode of certain dwarves, Fjalar and Galarr, they called him into privy converse with them, and killed him, letting his blood run into two vats and a kettle. The kettle is named Ódrerir, and the vats Són and Bodn; they blended honey with the blood, and the outcome was that mead by the virtue of which he who drinks becomes a skald or scholar. The dwarves reported to the Ćsir that Kvasir had choked on his own shrewdness, since there was none so wise there as to be able to question his wisdom.

"Then these dwarves invited the giant who is called Gillingr to visit them, and his wife with him. Next the dwarves invited Gillingr to row upon the sea with them; but when they had gone out from the land, the dwarves rowed into the breakers and capsized the boat. Gillingr was unable to swim, and he perished; but the dwarves righted their boat and rowed to land. They reported this accident to his wife, but she took it grievously and wept aloud. Then Fjalar asked her whether it would ease her heart if she should look out upon the sea at the spot where he had perished; and she desired it. Then he spoke softly to Galarr his brother, bidding him go up over the doorway, when she should go out, and let a mill-stone fall on her head, saying that her weeping grew wearisome to him; and even so he did.

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"Now when the giant Suttungr, Gillingr's son, learned of this, he went over and took the dwarves and carried them out to sea, and set them on a reef which was covered at high tide. They besought Suttungr to grant them respite of their lives, and as the price of reconciliation offered him the precious mead in satisfaction of his father's death. And that became a means of reconciliation between them. Suttungr carried the mead home and concealed it in the place called Hnitbjörg, placing his daughter Gunnlöd there to watch over it. Because of this we call poesy Kvasir's Blood or Dwarves' Drink, or Fill, or any kind of liquid of Ódrerir, or of Bodn, or of Són, or Ferry-Boat of Dwarves--since this mead brought them life--ransom from the reef--or Suttungr's Mead, or Liquor of Hnitbjörg."

Then Ćgir said: "These seem to me dark sayings, to call poesy by these names. But how did ye Ćsir come at Suttungr's Mead?" Bragi answered: "That tale runs thus: Odin departed from home and came to a certain place where nine thralls were mowing hay. He asked if they desired him to whet their scythes, and they assented. Then he took a hone from his belt and whetted the scythes; it seemed to them that the scythes cut better by far, and they asked that the hone be sold them. But he put such a value on it that whoso desired to buy must give a considerable price: nonetheless all said that they would agree, and prayed him to sell it to them. He cast the hone up into the air; but since all wished to lay their hands on it, they became so intermingled with one another that each struck with his scythe against the other's neck.

"Odin sought a night's lodging with the giant who is called Baugi, Suttungr's brother. Baugi bewailed his husbandry, saying that his nine thralls had killed one another,

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and declared that he had no hope of workmen. Odin called himself Bölverkr in Baugi's presence; he offered to undertake nine men's work for Baugi, and demanded for his wages one drink of Suttungr's Mead. Baugi declared that he had no control whatever over the mead, and said that Suttungr was determined to have it to himself, but promised to go with Bölverkr and try if they might get the mead. During the summer Bölverkr accomplished nine men's work for Baugi, but when winter came he asked Baugi for his hire. Then they both set out for Suttungr's. Baugi told Suttungr his brother of his bargain with Bölverkr; but Suttungr flatly refused them a single drop of the mead. Then Bölverkr made suggestion to Baugi that they try certain wiles, if perchance they might find means to get at the mead; and Baugi agreed readily. Thereupon Bölverkr drew out the auger called Rati, saying that Baugi must bore the rock, if the auger cut. He did so. At last Baugi said that the rock was bored through, but Bölverkr blew into the auger-hole, and the chips flew up at him. Then he discovered that Baugi would have deceived him, and he bade him bore through the rock. Baugi bored anew; and when Bölverkr blew a second time, then the chips were blown in by the blast. Then Bölverkr turned himself into a serpent and crawled into the auger-hole, but Baugi thrust at him from behind with the auger and missed him. Bölverkr proceeded to the place where Gunnlöd was, and lay with her three nights; and then she gave him leave to drink three draughts of the mead. In the first draught he drank every drop out of Ódrerir; and in the second, he emptied Bodn; and in the third, Són; and then he had all the mead. Then he turned himself into the shape of an eagle and flew as furiously as he could; but when Suttungr saw the eagle's

{p. 96}

flight, he too assumed the fashion of an eagle and flew after him. When the Ćsir saw Odin flying, straightway they set out their vats in the court; and when Odin came into Ásgard, he spat up the mead into the vats. Nevertheless he came so near to being caught by Suttungr that he sent some mead backwards, and no heed was taken of this: whosoever would might have that, and we call that the poetaster's part.[1] But Odin gave the mead of Suttungr to the Ćsir and to those men who possess the ability to compose. Therefore we call poesy Odin's Booty and Find, and his Drink and Gift, and the Drink of the Ćsir."

Then said Ćgir: "In how many ways are the terms of skaldship variously phrased, or how many are the essential elements of the skaldic art?" Then Bragi answered: "The elements into which all poesy is divided are two." Ćgir asked: "What two?" Bragi said: "Metaphor and metre." "What manner of metaphor is used for skaldic writing?" "Three are the types of skaldic metaphor." "Which?" "Thus: [first], calling everything by its name; the second type is that which is called 'substitution;' the third type of metaphor is that which is called 'periphrasis,' and this type is employed in such manner: Suppose I take Odin, or Thor, or Týr, or any of the Ćsir or Elves; and to any of them whom I mention, I add the name of a property of some other of the Ćsir, or I record certain works of his. Thereupon he becomes owner of the name, and not the one whose name was applied to him: just as when we speak of Victory-Týr, or Týr of the Hanged, or Týr of Cargoes: that then becomes Odin's name: and we call these periphrastic names. So also with the title Týr of the Wain.[2]

[1. See Burns, The Kirk's Alarm, 11th stanza, for a similar idea.

2. Týr. See discussion in Cl.-Vig., p. 647. This word as a proper name refers {footnote p. 97} to the one-armed God of War; but, especially in compounds, it has the sense of God, the God, and is usually applied to Odin. The compounds mentioned here by Snorri are all epithets of Odin. See Gylfaginning, p. 30.]

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"But now one thing must be said to young skalds, to such as yearn to attain to the craft of poesy and to increase their store of figures with traditional metaphors; or to those who crave to acquire the faculty of discerning what is said in hidden phrase: let such an one, then, interpret this book to his instruction and pleasure. Yet one is not so to forget or discredit these traditions as to remove from poesy those ancient metaphors with which it has pleased Chief Skalds to be content; nor, on the other hand, ought Christian men to believe in heathen gods, nor in the truth of these tales otherwise than precisely as one may find here in the beginning of the book.

II. Now you may hear examples of the way in which Chief Skalds have held it becoming to compose, making use of these simple terms and periphrases: as when Arnórr Earls' Skald says that Odin is called Allfather:

Now I'll tell men the virtue Of the terrible Jarl; Allfather's Song-Surf streams; Late my sorrows lighten,

Here, moreover, he calls poesy the Song-Surf of Allfather. Hávardr the Halt sang thus:

Now is the flight of eagles Over the field; the sailors Of the sea-horses hie them To the Hanged-God's gifts and feasting.

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Thus sang Viga-Glúmr:

With the Hanged-God's helmet The hosts have ceased from going By the brink; not pleasant The bravest held the venture.

Thus sang Refr:

Oft the Gracious One came to me At the holy cup of the Raven-God; The king of the stem-ploughed sea's gold From the skald in death is sundered.

Thus sang Eyvindr Skald-Despoiler:

And Sigurdr, He who sated the ravens Of Cargo-God With the gore of the host Of slain Haddings Of life was spoiled By the earth-rulers At Ögló.

Thus sang Glúmr Geirason:

There the Týr of Triumph Himself inspired the terror Of ships; the gods of breezes That favor good men steered them.

Thus sang Eyvindr:

{p. 99}

Göndull and Skögull Gauta-Týr sent To choose from kings Who of Yngvi's kin Should go with Odin And be in Valhall.

Thus sang Úlfr Uggason:

Swiftly the Far-Famed rideth, The Foretelling God, to the fire speeds, To the wide pyre of his offspring; Through my cheeks praise-songs are pouring.

Thus sang Thjódólfr of Hvin:

The slain lay there sand-strewing, Spoil for the Single-Eyed Dweller in Frigg's bosom; In such deeds we rejoiced.

Hallfredr sang thus:

The doughty ship-possessor With sharpened words and soothfast Lures our land, the patient, Barley-lockčd Wife of Thridi.

Here is an example of this metaphor, that in poesy the earth is called the Wife of Odin. Here is told what Eyvindr sang:

Hermódr and Bragi, Spake Hropta-Týr.

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Go ye to greet the Prince; For a king who seemeth A champion cometh To the hall hither.

Thus sang Kormákr:

The Giver of Lands, who bindeth The sail to the top, with gold-lace Honors him who pours god's verse-mead; Odin wrought charms on Rindr.

Thus sang Steinthórr:

Much have I to laud The ancient-made (though little) Liquor of the valiant Load of Gunnlöd's arm-clasp.

Thus sang Úlfr Uggason:

There I think the Valkyrs follow, And ravens, Victorious Odin To the blood of holy Baldr. With old tales the hall was painted.

Thus sang Egill Skallagrímsson:

No victims for this To Víli's brother, The High-God, I offer, Glad to behold him;

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Yet has Mímir's friend On me bestowed Amends of evil Which I account better.

He has given me the art He, the Wolf's Opposer, Accustomed to battle, Of blemish blameless.

Here he is called High God, and Friend of Mímir, and Adversary of the Wolf.

Thus sang Refr:

Swift God of Slain, that wieldeth The snowy billow's wave-hawks, The ships that drive the sea-road, To thee we owe the dwarves' drink.

Thus sang Einarr Tinkling-Scale:

'T is mine to pour the liquor Of the Host-God's mead-cask freely Before the ships' swift Speeder: For this I win no scorning.

Thus sang Úlfr Uggason:

His steed the lordly Heimdallr Spurs to the pyre gods builded For the fallen son of Odin, The All-Wise Raven-Ruler.

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This is said in Eiríksmál:

What dream is that? quoth Odin,-- I thought to rise ere day-break To make Valhall ready For troops of slain; I roused the champions, Bade them rise swiftly Benches to strew, To wash beer-flagons; The Valkyrs to pour wine, As a Prince were coming.

Kormákr sang this:

I pray the precious Ruler Of Yngvi's people, o'er me To hold his hand, bow-shaking. Hroptr bore with him Gungnir.

Thórálfr sang this:

The Mighty One of Hlidskjálf Spake his mind unto them Where the hosts of fearless Hárekr were slaughtered.

Thus sang Eyvindr:

The mead which forth From Surtr's sunk dales The Strong-through-spells Swift-flying bore.

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So sang Bragi:

'Tis seen, on my shield's surface, How the Son of the Father of Peoples Craved to try his strength full swiftly 'Gainst the rain-beat Snake earth-circling.

Thus sang Eínarr:

Since less with Bestla's Offspring Prevail most lordly princes Than thou, my task is singing Thy praise in songs of battle.

Thus sang Thorvaldr Blending-Skald:

Now have I much In the middle grasped Of the son of Borr, Of Búri's heir.

III. "Now you shall hear how the skalds have termed the art of poesy in these metaphorical phrases which have been recorded before: for example, by calling it Kvasir's Gore and Ship of the Dwarves, Dwarves' Mead, Mead of the Ćsir, Giants' Father-Ransom, Liquor of Ódrerir and of Bodn and of Són, and Fullness of these, Liquor of Hnitbjörg, Booty and Find and Gift of Odin, even as has been sung in these verses which Einarr Tinkling-Scale wrought:

I pray the high-souled Warder Of earth to hear the Ocean Of the Cliff of Dwarves, my verses: Hear, Earl, the Gore of Kvasir.

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And as Einarr Tinkling-Scale sang further:

The Dwarves' Crag's Song-wave rushes O'er all the dauntless shield-host Of him who speeds the fury Of the shield-wall's piercing sword-bane.

Even as Ormr Steinthórsson sang:

The body of the dame And my dead be borne Into one hall; the Drink Of Dvalinn, Franklins, hear.

And as Refr sang:

I reveal the Thought's Drink Of the Rock-Folk to Thorsteinn; The Billow of the Dwarf-Crag Plashes; I bid men hearken.

Even as Egill sang:

The Prince requires my lore, And bound his praise to pour, Odin's Mead I bore To English shore.

And as Glúmr Geirason sang:

Let the Princely Giver hearken: I hold the God-King's liquor.

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Let silence, then, be granted, While we sing the loss of thanes.

And as Eyvindr sang:

A hearing I crave For the High One's Liquor, While I utter Gillingr's Atonement; While his kin In the Kettle-Brewing Of the Gallows-Lord To the gods I trace.

Even as Einarr Tinkling-Scale sang:

The Wave of Odin surges; Of Ódrerir's Sea a billow 'Gainst the tongue's song-glade crashes; Aye our King's works are goodly.

And as he sang further:

Now that which Bodn's Billow Bodes forth will straight be uttered: Let the War-King's host make silence In the hall, and hear the Dwarves' Ship.

And as Eilífr Gudrúnarson sang:

Grant shall ye gifts of friendship, Since grows of Són the Seedling In our tongue's fertile sedge-bank: True praise of our High Lord.

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Even as Völu-Steinn sang:

Egill, hear the Heart-streams Of Odin beat in cadence 'Gainst my palate's skerry; The God's Spoil to me is given.

Thus sang Ormr Steinthórsson:

No verse of mine men need to fear, No mockery I intertwine In Odin's Spoil; my skill is sure In forging songs of praise.

Thus sang Úlfr Uggason:

I show to host-glad Áleifr The Heart-Fjord's Shoal of Odin,-- My song: him do I summon To hear the Gift of Grímnir.

Poesy is called Sea, or Liquid of the Dwarves, because Kvasir's blood was liquid in Ódrerir before the mead was made, and then it was put into the kettle; wherefore it is called Odin's Kettle-Liquor, even as Eyvindr sang and as we have recorded before:

While his kin In the Kettle-Brewing Of the Gallows-Lord To the gods I trace.[1]

[1. See page 105.]

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Moreover, poesy is called Ship or Ale of the Dwarves: ale is líđ, and liđ is a word for ships; therefore it is held that it is for this reason that poesy is now called Ship of the Dwarves, even as this verse tells:

The wit of Gunnlöd's Liquor In swelling wind-like fullness, And the everlasting Dwarves' Ship I own, to send the same road.

IV. "What figures should be employed to periphrase the name of Thor? Thus: one should call him Son of Odin and of Jörd, Father of Magni and Módi and Thrúdr, Husband of Sif, Stepfather of Ullr, Wielder and Possessor of Mjöllnir and of the Girdle of Strength, and of Bilskirnir; Defender of Ásgard and of Midgard, Adversary and Slaver of Giants and Troll-Women, Smiter of Hrungnir, of Geirrödr and of Thrívaldi, Master of Thjálfi and Röskva, Foe of the Midgard Serpent. Foster-father of Vingnir and Hlóra. So sang Bragi the Skald:

The line of Odin's Offspring Lay not slack on the gunwale, When the huge ocean-serpent Uncoiled on the sea's bottom.

Thus sang Ölvir Cut-Nose-and-Crop-Ears:

The encírcler of all regions And Jörd's Son sought each other.

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Thus sang Eilífr:

Wroth stood Röskva's Brother, And Magni's Sire wrought bravely: With terror Thor's staunch heart-stone Trembled not, nor Thjálfi's.

And thus sang Eysteinn Valdason:

With glowing eyes Thrúdr's Father Glared at the sea-road's circler, Ere the fishes' watery dwelling Flowed in, the boat confounding.

Eysteinn sang further:

Swiftly Sif's Husband bouned him To haste forth with the Giants For his hardy fishing: Well sing we Hrímnir's horn-stream.

Again he sang:

The earth-fish tugged so fiercely That Ullr's Kinsman's clenched fists Were pulled out past the gunwale; The broad planks rent asunder.

Thus sang Bragi:

The strong fiend's Terrifier In his right hand swung his hammer, When he saw the loathly sea-fish That all the lands confineth.

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Thus sang Gamli:

While the Lord of high Bilskirnir, Whose heart no falsehood fashioned, Swiftly strove to shatter The sea-fish with his hammer.

Thus sang Thorbjörn Lady's-Skald:

Bravely Thor fought for Ásgard And the followers of Odin.

Thus sang Bragi:

And the vast misshapen circler Of the ship's sea-path, fierce-minded, Stared from below in anger At the Skull-Splitter of Hrungnir.

Again sang Bragi:

Well hast Thou, Hewer-in-Sunder Of the nine heads of Thrívaldi, Kept thy goats[1] . . . .

Thus sang Eilífr:

The Merciless Destroyer Of the people of the Giants Grasped with ready fore-arms At the heavy red-hot iron.

[1. The remainder of this stanza cannot be made out.]

{p. 110}

Thus sang Úlfr Uggason:

Faintly the stout-framed thickling A fearful peril called it, At the great draught wondrous heavy Drawn up by the Lord of he-goats.

Thus Úlfr sang further:

The very mighty Slayer Of the Mountain-Man brought crashing His fist on Hymir's temple: That was a hurt full deadly.

Yet again sang Úlfr:

Vimur's ford's Wide-Grappler 'Gainst the waves smote featly The glittering Serpent's head off. With old tales the hall was gleaming.

Here he is called Giant of Vimur's Ford. There is a river called Vimur, which Thor waded when he journeyed to the garth of Geirrödr.

Thus sang Vetrlidi the skald:

Thou didst break the leg of Leikn, Didst cause to stoop Starkadr, Didst bruise Thrívaldi, Didst stand on lifeless Gjálp.

Thus sang Thorbjörn Lady's-Skald:

Thou didst smite the head of Keila, Smash Kjallandi altogether,

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Ere thou slewest Lútr and Leidi, Didst spill the blood of Búseyra; Didst hold back Hengjankjapta, Hyrrokkin died before; Yet sooner in like fashion Svívör from life was taken.

V. "How should one periphrase Baldr? By calling him Son of Odin and Frigg, Husband of Nanna, Father of Forseti, Possessor of Hringhorni and Draupnir, Adversary of Hödr, Companion of Hel, God of Tears. Úlfr Uggason, following the story of Baldr, has composed a long passage in the Húsdrápa; and examples are recorded earlier to the effect that Baldr is so termed.

V1. cc How should one periphrase Njördr? By calling him God of the Vanir, or Kinsman of the Vanir, or Wane, Father of Freyr and Freyja, God of Wealth-Bestowal.

So says Thórdr Sjáreksson:

Gudrun's self by ill Her sons did kill; The wise God-bride At the Wane's side Grieved; men tell Odin tamed steeds well; 'T was not the saying Hamdir spared sword-playing.

Here it is recorded that Skadi departed from Njördr, as has already been written.

{p. 112}

VII. "How should one periphrase Freyr? Thus: by calling him Son of Njördr, Brother of Freyja, and also God of Vanir, and Kinsman of the Vanir, and Wane, and God of the Fertile Season, and God of Wealth-Gifts.

Thus sang Egill Skallagrímsson:

For that Grjótbjörn In goods and gear Freyr and Njördr Have fairly blessed.

Freyr is called Adversary of Beli, even as Eyvindr Spoiler of Skalds sang:

When the Earl's foe Wished to inhabit The outer bounds Of Beli's hater.

He is the possessor of Skídbladnir and of that boar which is called Gold-Bristle, even as it is told here:

Ívaldi's offspring In ancient days Went to shape Skídbladnir, Foremost of ships, Fairly for Freyr, Choicely for Njördr's child.

Thus speaks Úlfr Uggason:

The battle-bold Freyr rideth First on the golden-bristled

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Barrow-boar to the bale-fire Of Baldr, and leads the people.

The boar is also called Fearful-Tusk.

VIII. "How should one periphrase Heimdallr? By calling him Son of Nine Mothers, or Watchman of the Gods, as already has been written; or White God, Foe of Loki, Seeker of Freyja's Necklace. A sword is called Heimdallr's Head: for it is said that he was pierced by a man's head. The tale thereof is told in Heimdalar-galdr; and ever since a head is called Heimdallr's Measure; a sword is called Man's Measure. Heimdallr is the Possessor of Gulltoppr; he is also Frequenter of Vágasker and Singasteinn, where he contended with Loki for the Necklace Brísinga-men, he is also called Vindlér. Úlfr Uggason composed a long passage in the Húsdrápa on that legend, and there it is written that they were in the form of seals. Heimdallr also is son of Odin.

IX. "How should one periphrase Týr? By calling him the One-handed God, and Fosterer of the Wolf, God of Battles, Son of Odin.

X. "How should one periphrase Bragi? By calling him Husband of Idunn, First Maker of Poetry, and the Long-bearded God (after his name, a man who has a great beard is called Beard-Bragi) and Son of Odin.

XI. "How should one periphrase Vídarr? He maybe called the Silent God, Possessor of the Iron Shoe, Foe and Slayer of Fenris-Wolf, Avenger of the Gods, Divine Dweller in

{p. 114}

the Homesteads of the Fathers, Son of Odin, and Brother of the Ćsir.

XII. "How should Váli be periphrased? Thus: by calling him Son of Odin and Rindr, Stepson of Frigg, Brother of the Ćsir, Baldr's Avenger, Foe and Slayer of Hödr, Dweller in the Homesteads of the Fathers.

XIII. "How should one periphrase Hödr? Thus: by calling him the Blind God, Baldr's Slayer, Thrower of the Mistletoe, Son of Odin, Companion of Hel, Foe of Váli.

XIV. How should Ullr be periphrased? By calling him Son of Sif, Stepson of Thor, God of the Snowshoe, God of the Bow, Hunting-God, God of the Shield.

XV. How should HSnir be periphrased? By calling him Bench-Mate or Companion or Friend of Odin, the Swift of God, the Long-Footed, and' King of Clay.[1]

XVI. "How should one periphrase Loki? Thus: call him Son of Fárbauti and Laufey, or of Nil, Brother of Býleistr and of Helblindi, Father of the Monster of Ván (that is, Fenris-Wolf), and of the Vast Monster (that is, the Midgard Serpent), and of Hel, and Nari, and Áli; Kinsman and Uncle, Evil Companion and Bench-Mate of Odin and the Ćsir, Visitor and Chest-Trapping of Geirrödr, Thief of the Giants, of the Goat, of Brísinga-men, and of Idunn's Apples, Kinsman of Sleipnir, Husband of Sigyn, Foe of the Gods, Harmer of Sif's Hair, Forger of Evil, the Sly God,

[1. ?Aur-konung.]

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Slanderer and Cheat of the Gods, Contriver of Baldr's Death, the Bound God, Wrangling Foe of Heimdallr and of Skadi. Even as Úlfr Uggason sings here:

The famed rain-bow's defender, Ready in wisdom, striveth At Singasteinn with Loki, Fárbauti's sin-sly offspring; The son of mothers eight and one, Mighty in wrath, possesses The Stone ere Loki cometh: I make known songs of praise.

Here it is written that Heimdallr is the son of nine mothers.

XVII. "Now an account shall be given of the source of those metaphors which have but now been recorded, and of which no accounts were rendered before: even such as Bragi gave to Ćgir, telling how Thor had gone into the east to slay trolls, and Odin rode Sleipnir into Jötunheim and visited that giant who was named Hrungnir. Hrungnir asked what manner of man he with the golden helm might be, who rode through air and water; and said that the stranger had a wondrous good steed. Odin said he would wager his head there was no horse in Jötunheim that would prove equally good. Hrungnir answered that it was a good horse, but declared that he had a much better paced horse which was called Gold-Mane. Hrungnir had become angry, and vaulted up onto his horse and galloped after him, thinking to pay him for his boasting. Odin gal loped so furiously that he was on the top of the next hill first; but Hrungnir was so filled with the giant's frenzy

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that he took no heed until he had come in beyond the gates of Ásgard. When he came to the hall-door, the Ćsir invited him to drink. He went within and ordered drink to be brought to him, and then those flagons were brought in from which Thor was wont to drink; and Hrungnir swilled from each in turn. But when he had become drunken, then big words were not wanting: he boasted that he would lift up Valhall and carry it to Jötunheim, and sink Ásgard and kill all the gods, save that he would take Freyja and Sif home with him. Freyja alone dared pour for him; and he vowed that he would drink all the ale of the Ćsir. But when his overbearing insolence became tiresome to the Ćsir, they called on the name of Thor.

"Straightway Thor came into the hall, brandishing his hammer, and he was very wroth, and asked who had advised that these dogs of giants be permitted to drink there, or who had granted Hrungnir safe-conduct to be in Valhall, or why Freyja should pour for him as at a feast of the Ćsir. Then Hrungnir answered, looking at Thor with no friendly eyes, and said that Odin had invited him to drink, and he was under his safe-conduct. Thor declared that Hrungnir should repent of that invitation before he got away. Hrungnir answered that Ása-Thor would have scant renown for killing him, weaponless as he was: it were a greater trial of his courage if he dared fight with Hrungnir on the border at Grjótúnagard. 'And it was a great folly,' said he, 'when I left my shield and hone behind at home; if I had my weapons here, then we should try single-combat. But as matters stand, I declare thee a coward if thou wilt slay me, a weaponless man.' Thor was by no means anxious to avoid the fight when challenged to the field, for no one had ever offered him single-combat before.

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"Then Hrungnir went his way, and galloped furiously until he came to Jötunheim. The news of his journey was spread abroad among the giants, and it became noised abroad that a meeting had been arranged between him and Thor; the giants deemed that they had much at stake, who should win the victory, since they looked for ill at Thor's hands if Hrungnir perished, he being strongest of them all. Then the giants made a man of clay at Grjótúnagard: he was nine miles high and three broad under the arm-pits; but they could get no heart big enough to fit him, until they took one from a mare. Even that was not steadfast within him, when Thor came. Hrungnir had the heart which is notorious, of hard stone and spiked with three corners, even as the written character is since formed, which men call Hrungnir's Heart. His head also was of stone; his shield too was stone, wide and thick, and he had the shield before him when he stood at Grjótúnagard and waited for Thor. Moreover he had a hone for a weapon, and brandished it over his shoulders, and he was not a pretty sight. At one side of him stood the clay giant, which was called Mökkurkálfi: he was sore afraid, and it is said that he wet himself when he saw Thor.

"Thor went to the meeting-place, and Thjálfi with him. Then Thjálfi ran forward to the spot where Hrungnir stood and said to him: 'Thou standest unwarily, Giant, having the shield before thee: for Thor has seen thee, and comes hither down below the earth, and will come at thee from beneath.' Then Hrungnir thrust the shield under his feet and stood upon it, wielding the hone with both hands. Then speedily he saw lightnings and heard great claps of thunder; then he saw Thor in God-like anger, who came forward furiously and swung the hammer and cast it at Hrungnir

{p. 118}

from afar off. Hrungnir lifted up the hone in both hands and cast it against him; it struck the hammer in flight, and the hone burst in sunder: one part fell to the earth, and thence are come all the flint-rocks; the other burst on Thor's head, so that he fell forward to the earth. But the hammer Mjöllnir struck Hrungnir in the middle of the head, and smashed his skull into small crumbs, and he fell forward upon Thor, so that his foot lay over Thor's neck. Thjálfi struck at Mökkurkálfi, and he fell with little glory. Thereupon Thjálfi went over to Thor and would have lifted Hrungnir's foot off him, but could not find sufficient strength. Straightway all the Ćsir came up, when they, learned that Thor was fallen, and would have lifted the foot from off him, and could do nothing. Then Magni came up, son of Thor and Járnsaxa: he was then three nights old; he cast the foot of Hrungnir off Thor, and spake: 'See how ill it is, father, that I came so late: I had struck this giant dead with my fist, methinks, if I had met with him.' Thor arose and welcomed his son, saying that he should surely become great; 'And I will give thee,' he said, the horse Gold-Mane, which Hrungnir possessed.' Then Odin spake and said that Thor did wrong to give the good horse to the son of a giantess, and not to his father.

"Thor went home to Thrúdvangar, and the hone remained sticking in his head. Then came the wise woman who was called Gróa, wife of Aurvandill the Valiant: she sang her spells over Thor until the hone was loosened. But when Thor knew that, and thought that there was hope that the hone might be removed, he desired to reward Gróa for her leech-craft and make her glad, and told her these things: that he had waded from the north over Icy Stream and had borne Aurvandill in a basket on his back from the

{p. 119}

north out of Jötunheim. And he added for a token, that one of Aurvandill's toes had stuck out of the basket, and became frozen; wherefore Thor broke it off and cast it up into the heavens, and made thereof the star called Aurvandill's Toe. Thor said that it would not be long ere Aurvandill came home: but Gróa was so rejoiced that she forgot her incantations, and the hone was not loosened, and stands yet in Thor's head. Therefore it is forbidden to cast a hone across the floor, for then the hone is stirred in Thor's head. Thjódólfr of Hvin has made a song after this tale in the Haustlöng. [It says there:

On the high and painted surface Of the hollow shield, still further One may see how the Giant's Terror Sought the home of Grjótún; The angry son of Jörd drove To the play of steel; below him Thundered the moon-way; rage swelled In the heart of Meili's Brother.

All the bright gods' high mansions Burned before Ullr's kinsman; With hail the earth was beaten Along his course, when the he-goats Drew the god of the smooth wain forward To meet the grisly giant: The Earth, the Spouse of Odin, Straightway reft asunder.

No truce made Baldr's brother With the bitter foe of earth-folk.

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Rocks shook, and crags were shivered; The shining Upper Heaven Burned; I saw the giant Of the boat-sailed sea-reef waver And give way fast before him, Seeing his war-like Slayer.

Swiftly the shining shield-rim Shot 'neath the Cliff-Ward's shoe-soles; That was the wise gods' mandate, The War-Valkyrs willed it. The champion of the Waste-Land Not long thereafter waited For the speedy blow delivered By the Friend of the snout-troll's crusher.

He who of breath despoileth Beli's baleful hirelings Felled on the shield rim-circled The fiend of the roaring mountain; The monster of the glen-field Before the mighty hammer Sank, when the Hill-Danes' Breaker Struck down the hideous caitiff.

Then the hone hard-broken Hurled by the Ogress-lover Whirred into the brain-ridge Of Earth's Son, that the whetter Of steels, sticking unloosened In the skull of Odin's offspring,

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Stood there all besprinkled With Einridi's blood.

Until the wise ale-goddess, With wondrous lays, enchanted The vaunted woe, rust-ruddy, From the Wain-God's sloping temples; Painted on its circuit I see them clearly pictured: The fair-bossed shield, with stories Figured, I had from Thórlelfr."][1]

XVIII. Then said, Ćgir: "Methinks Hrungnir was of great might. Did Thor accomplish yet more valorous deeds when he had to do with the trolls?" And Bragi answered: "It is worthy to be told at length, how Thor went to Geirrödr's dwelling. At that time he had not the hammer Mjöllnir with him, nor his Girdle of Might, nor the iron gauntlets: and that was the fault of Loki, who went with him. For once, flying in his sport with Frigg's hawk- plumage, it had happened to Loki to fly for curiosity's sake into Geirrödr's court. There he saw a great hall, and alighted and looked in through the window; and Geirrödr looked up and saw him, and commanded that the bird be taken and brought to him, But he who was sent could scarce get to the top of the wall, so high was it; and it seemed pleasant to Loki to see the man striving with toil and pains to reach him, and he thought it was not yet time to fly away until the other had accomplished the perilous climb. When the man pressed hard after him, then he stretched his wings for flight, and thrust out vehemently, but now his feet were stuck fast.

[1. Passages enclosed within brackets are considered by Jónsson to be spurious.]

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So Loki was taken and brought before Geirrödr the giant; but when Geirrödr saw his eyes, he suspected that this might be a man, and bade him answer; but Loki was silent. Then Geirrödr shut Loki into a chest and starved him there three months. And now when Geirrödr took him out and commanded him to speak, Loki told who he was; and by way of ransom for his life he swore to Geirrödr with oaths that he would get Thor to come into Geirrödr's dwelling in such a fashion that he should have neither hammer nor Girdle of Might with him.

"Thor came to spend the night with that giantess who was called Grídr, mother of Vídarr the Silent. She told Thor the truth concerning Geirrödr, that he was a crafty giant and ill to deal with; and she lent him the Girdle of Might and iron gloves which she possessed, and her staff also, which was called Grídr's Rod. Then Thor proceeded to the river named Vimur, greatest of all rivers. There he girded himself with the Girdle of Might and braced firmly downstream with Grídr's Rod, and Loki held on behind by the Girdle of Might. When Thor came to mid-current, the river waxed so greatly that it broke high upon his shoulders. Then Thor sang this:

Wax thou not now, Vimur, For I fain would wade thee Into the Giants' garth: Know thou, if thou waxest, Then waxeth God-strength in me As high up as the heaven.

"Then Thor saw Gjálp, daughter of Geirrödr, standing in certain ravines, one leg in each, spanning the river,

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and she was causing the spate. Then Thor snatched up a great stone out of the river and cast it at her, saying these words: 'At its source should a river be stemmed.' Nor did he miss that at which he threw. In that moment he came to the shore and took hold of a rowan-clump, and so climbed out of the river; whence comes the saying that rowan is Thor's deliverance.

"Now when Thor came before Geirrödr, the companions were shown first into the goat-fold[1] for their entertainment, and there was one chair there for a seat, and Thor sat there. Then he became aware that the chair moved under him up toward the roof: he thrust Grídr's Rod up against the rafters and pushed back hard against the chair. Then there was a great crash, and screaming followed. Under the chair had been Geirrödr's daughters, Gjálp and Greip; and he had broken both their backs. Then Geirrödr had Thor called into the hall to play games. There were great fires the whole length of the hall. When Thor came up over against Geirrödr, then Geirrödr took up a glowing bar of iron with the tongs and cast it at Thor. Thor caught it with his iron gloves and raised the bar in the air, but Geirrödr leapt behind an iron pillar to save himself. Thor lifted up the bar and threw it, and it passed through the pillar and through Geirrödr and through the wall, and so on out, even into the earth. Eilífr Gudrúnarson has wrought verses on this story, in Thórsdrápa:

[The winding sea-snake's father Did wile from home the slayer

[1. So Cod. Reg. and Cod. Worm.; Cod. Upsal. and Cod. Hypn. read gesta hús = guest's house. Gering, Simrock, and Anderson prefer the latter reading. I have followed Jónsson in accepting geita hús.]

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Of the life of the gods' grim foemen;
--(Ever was Loptr a liar)-- The never faithful Searcher Of the heart of the fearless Thunderer Declared green ways were lying To the walled stead of Geirrödr.

No long space Thor let Loki Lure him to the going: They yearned to overmaster Thorn's offspring, when the Seeker Of Idi's garth, than giants Greater in might, made ready In ancient days, for faring To the Giants' Seat, from Odin's.

Further in the faring Forward went warlike Thjálfi With the divine Host-Cheerer Than the deceiving lover Of her of enchanted singing:
--(I chant the Ale of Odin)-- The hill dame's Mocker measured The moor with hollow foot-soles.

And the war-wonted journeyed Till the hill-women's Waster Came to Gangr's blood, the Vimur; Then Loki's bale-repeller, Eager in anger, lavish Of valor, longed to struggle

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Against the maid, kinswoman Of the sedge-cowled giant.

And the honor-lessener Of the Lady of the Sea-Crag Won foot-hold in the surging Of the hail-rolled leaping hill-spate; The rock-knave's swift Pursuer Passed the broad stream of his staff's road, Where the foam-flecked mighty rivers Frothed with raging venom.

There they set the staves before them In the streaming grove of dogfish; The wind-wood's slippery pebbles, Smitten to speech, slept not; The clashing rod did rattle 'Gainst the worn rocks, and the rapid Of the fells howled, storm-smitten, On the river's stony anvil.

The Weaver of the Girdle Beheld the washing slope-stream Fall on his hard-grown shoulders: No help he found to save him; The Minisher of hill-folk Caused Might to grow within him Even to the roof of heaven, Till the rushing flood should ebb.

The fair warriors of the Ćsir, In battle wise, fast waded,

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And the surging pool, sward-sweeping, Streamed: the earth-drift's billow, Blown by the mighty tempest, Tugged with monstrous fury At the terrible oppressor Of the earth-born tribe of cave-folk.

Till Thjálfi came uplifted On his lord Thor's wide shield-strap: That was a mighty thew-test For the Prop of Heaven; the maidens Of the harmful giant stiffly Held the stream stubborn against them; The Giantess-Destroyer With Grídr's staff fared sternly.

Nor did their hearts of rancor Droop in the men unblemished, Nor courage 'gainst the headlong Fall of the current fail them: A fiercer-daring spirit Flamed in the dauntless God's breast,-- With terror Thor's staunch heart-stone Trembled not, nor Thjálfi's.

And afterward the haters Of the host of sword-companions, The shatterers of bucklers, Dinned on the shield of giants, Ere the destroying peoples Of the shingle-drift of monsters

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Wrought the helm-play of Hedinn 'Gainst the rock-dwelling marksmen.

The hostile folk of sea-heights Fled before the Oppressor Of headland tribes; the dalesmen Of the hill-tops, imperilled, Fled, when Odin's kindred Stood, enduring staunchly; The Danes of the flood-reef's border Bowed down to the Flame-Shaker.

Where the chiefs, with thoughts of valor Imbued, marched into Thorn's house, A mighty crash resounded Of the cave's ring-wall; the slayer Of the mountain-reindeer-people On the giant-maiden's wide hood Was brought in bitter peril: There was baleful peace-talk.

And they pressed the high head, bearing The piercing brow-moon's eye-flame Against the hill-hall's rafters; On the high roof-tree broken He crushed those raging women: The swinging Storm-car's Guider Burst the stout, ancient back-ridge And breast-bones of both women.

Earth's Son became familiar With knowledge strange; the cave-men

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Of the land of stone o'ercame not, Nor long with ale were merry: The frightful elm-string's plucker, The friend of Sudri, hurtled The hot bar, in the forge fused, Into the hand of Odin's Gladdener.

So that Gunnr's Swift-Speeder Seized (the Friend of Freyja), With quick hand-gulps, the molten High-raised draught of metal, When the fire-brand, glowing, Flew with maddened fury From the giant's gripping fingers To the grim Sire of Thrúdr.

The hall of the doughty trembled When he dashed the massy forehead Of the hill-wight 'gainst the bottom Of the house-wall's ancient column; Ullr's glorious step-sire With the glowing bar of mischief Struck with his whole strength downward At the hill-knave's mid-girdle.

The God with gory hammer Crushed utterly Glaumr's lineage; The Hunter of the Kindred Of the hearth-dame was victorious; The Plucker of the Bow-String Lacked not his people's valor,--

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The Chariot-God, who swiftly Wrought grief to the Giant's bench-thanes.

He to whom hosts make offering Hewed down the dolt-like dwellers Of the cloud-abyss of Elf-Home, Crushing them with the fragment Of Grídr's Rod: the litter Of hawks, the race of Listi Could not harm the help-strong Queller of Ella's Stone-Folk.]

XIX." How should one periphrase Frigg? Call her Daughter of Fjörgynn, Wife of Odin, Mother of Baldr, Co-Wife of Jörd and Rindr and Gunnlöd and Grídr, Mother-in-law of Nanna, Lady of the Ćsir and Ásynjur, Mistress of Fulla and of the Hawk-Plumage and of Fensalir.

XX. "How should one periphrase Freyja? Thus: by calling her Daughter of Njördr, Sister of Freyr, Wife of Ódr, Mother of Hnoss, Possessor of the Slain, of Sessrúmnir, of the Gib-Cats, and of Brísinga-men; Goddess of the Vanir, Lady of the Vanir, Goddess Beautiful in Tears, Goddess of Love. All the goddesses may be periphrased thus: by calling them by the name of another, and naming them in terms of their possessions or their works or their kindred.

[XXI. "How should Sif be periphrased? By calling her Wife of Thor, Mother of Ullr, Fair-Haired Goddess, Co-Wife of Járnsaxa, Mother of Thrúdr.

XXII. "How should Idunn be periphrased? Thus: by calling

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her Wife of Bragi, and Keeper of the Apples; and the apples should be called Age-Elixir of the Ćsir. Idunn is also called Spoil of the Giant Thjazi, according to the tale that has been told before, how he took her away from the Ćsir. Thjódólfr of Hvin composed verses after that tale in the Haustlöng:

How shall I make voice-payment Meetly for the shield-bridge . . . . . . . Of the war-wall Thórleifr gave me? I survey the truceless faring Of the three gods strife-foremost, And Thjatsi's, on the shining Cheek of the shield of battle.

The Spoiler of the Lady Swiftly flew with tumult To meet the high god-rulers Long hence in eagle-plumage; The erne in old days lighted Where the Ćsir meat were bearing To the fire-pit; the Giant Of the rocks was called no faint-heart.

The skilful god-deceiver To the gods proved a stern sharer Of bones: the high Instructor Of Ćsir, helmet-hooded, Saw some power checked the seething; The sea-mew, very crafty,

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Spake from the ancient tree-trunk; Loki was ill-willed toward him.

The wolfish monster ordered Meili's Sire to deal him Food from the holy trencher: The friend of Him of Ravens To blow the fire was chosen; The Giant-King, flesh-greedy, Sank down, where the guileless Craft-sparing gods were gathered.

The comely Lord of All Things Commanded Loki swiftly To part the bull's-meat, slaughtered By Skadi's ringing bow-string, Among the folk, but straightway The cunning food-defiler Of the Ćsir filched-the quarters, All four, from the broad table.

And the hungry Sire of Giants Savagely ate the yoke-beast From the oak-tree's sheltering branches,-- That was in ancient ages,-- Ere the wise-minded Loki, Warder of war-spoil, smote him, Boldest of foes of Earth-Folk, With a pole betwixt the shoulders.

The Arm-Burden then of Sigyn, Whom all the gods in bonds see,

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Firmly forthwith was fastened To the Fosterer of Skadi; To Jötunheim's Strong Dweller The pole stuck, and the fingers Of Loki too, companion Of HSnir, clung to the pole's end.

The Bird of Blood flew upward
(Blithesome in his quarry) A long way off with Loki, The lither God, that almost Wolf's Sire was rent asunder; Thor's friend must sue for mercy, Such peace as he might purchase To pray: nigh slain was Loptr.

Then Hymir's Kinsman ordered The crafty god, pain-maddened, To wile to him the Maiden Who warded the Ćsir's age-cure; Ere long the necklace-robber, Brísinga's thief, lured slyly The Dame of Brunnakr's brooklet Into the Base One's dwelling.

At that the steep slope-dwellers No sorrow felt; then Idunn Was from the south, by giants New-stolen, come among them. All Ingvi-Freyr's high kindred, Hoary and old, to council

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Hasted; grewsome of fashion And ugly all the gods were. . . . . . . .[1] This heard I, that the Staunch Friend Of HSnir--oft thereafter With wiles he tricked the Ćsir-- Flew, in hawk-wings hidden; And the vile Sire of Giants, Vigorous Wing-Plume-Wielder, Hurtled on eagle-pinion After the hawk-shaped Loki.

Swiftly the gods have kindled A fire; and the sovereign rulers Sustained the flame with shavings: Scorched was the flying giant,-- He plunged down in mid-soaring: 'Tis pictured on the giant's Sole-bridge, the shield which, painted With stories, Thórleifr gave me.]

"This is the correct manner of periphrasing the Ćsir: To call each of them by the name of another, and to designate him in terms of his works or his possessions or his kindred.

XXIII. "How should the heaven be periphrased? Thus: call it Skull of Ymir, and hence, Giant's Skull; Task or Burden of the Dwarves, or Helm of Vestri and Austri, Sudri, or Nordri; Land of the Sun, of the Moon, and of the

[1. "Brjála đur texti"--Jónsson, Edda (Reykjavik, 1907), p. 384. The condition of the text makes translation impossible.]

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Stars of Heaven, of the Wains and the Winds; Helm, or House, of the Air and the Earth and the Sun. So sang Arnórr Earls'-Skald:

So large of gifts ne'er mounted Young Lord of Shields on ship-deck 'Neath the ancient Skull of Ymir: Splendid this Prince's largess.

And as he sang again:

Bright grows the sun at dusking, The earth sinks into the dark sea, The Toil of Austri bursteth; All the ocean on the fells breaks.

Thus sang Bödvarr the Halt:

For never 'neath the Sun's Plain Shall come a nobler Land-Ward, Keener in battle-onset, Nor a brother of Ingi better.

And as Thjódólfr of Hvin sang:

Jörd's Son drove to the steel-play
(High swelled the godlike anger In the mind of Meili's Brother), And the Moon-Way 'neath him quivered.

Even as sang Ormr Barrey's-Skald:

Lady of Draupnir's gore-streak, However great I know him,

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The wielder (by right he ruleth) Of the Wain's Road sees me gladly.

Even as the skald Bragi sang:

He who threw the dead eyes Of Thjazi, Skadi's father, Into the Winds' Wide Basin O'er the abodes of men-folk many.

And as Markús sang:

'Tis long since the dear-loved Warder Of sea-men was born on the wave-girt earth-bottom Of the Storm-Container; each man praises The sublime age of the Ring-Dispenser.

Even as Steinn Herdísarson sang:

I sing the holy Ruler Of the high World-Tent rather Than men, for very precious Is He: His praises tell I.

And as Arnórr Earls'-Skald sang:

Help, dear King of Heaven, The Day's Plain, help my Hermundr.

And as Arnórr sang further:

Soothfast King of the Sun-Tents, Help stout-hearted Rögnvaldr.

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And as Hallvardr sang:

Knútr wards the land, as the Ruler Of All wards the radiant Fell-Hall.

As Arnórr sang:

Michael, wise of understanding, Weighs what seems done ill, and good things: Then the Monarch of the Sun's Helm At the Doom-Seat parts all mortals.

XXIV. "How should one periphrase the earth? Thus: by calling her Flesh of Ymir, and Mother of Thor, Daughter of Ónarr, Odin's Bride, Co-Wife of Frigg and Rindr and Gunnlöd, Mother-in-law of Sif, Floor and Bottom of the Storm-Hall, Sea of Beasts, Daughter of Night, Sister of Audr and of Day. Even as Eyvindr Skald-Despoiler sang:

Now the beaming gold is hidden In the body of the Mother Of the Giants' Foe; the counsels Of a kindred strong are mighty.

As sang Hallfredr Troublous-Skald:

In council 't was determined That the King's friend, wise in counsel, Should wed the Land, sole Daughter Of Ónarr, greenly wooded.

And he said further:

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The Raven-Abode's brave Ruler Got the broad-faced Bride of Odin, The Land, with kingly counsels Of weapons, lured unto him.

Even as Thjódólfr-sang:

The Ruler, glad in Warriors, In the rowed hull doth fasten The ships of men to the strand's end, At the head of the sea keel-ridden.

As Hallfredr sang:

Full loath to let the Land slip I hold the lordly Spear-Prince Audr's sister is subjected To the splendid Treasure-Spender.

Thus sang Thjódólfr:

Far off the dart-slow sluggard Stood, when the Sword-Inciter In ancient days took to him The unripe Co-Wife of Rindr.

XXV. "How should one periphrase the sea? Thus: by calling it Ymir's Blood; Visitor of the Gods; Husband of Rán; Father of Ćgir's Daughters, of them who are called Himinglćva, Dúfa, Blódughadda, Hefring, Udr, Hrönn, Bylgja, Bára, Kolga; Land of Rán and of Ćgir's Daughters, of Ships and of ships' names, of the Keel, of Beaks, of Planks and Seams, of Fishes, of Ice; Way and Road of

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Sea-Kings; likewise Encircler of Islands; House of Sands and of Kelp and of Reefs; Land of Fishing-gear, of Sea-Fowls, and of Fair Wind. Even as Ormr Barrey's-Skald sang:

On the gravelly beach of good ships Grates the Blood of Ymir.

As Refr sang:

The mild deer of the masthead beareth O'er the murky water from the westward Her wave-pressed bows; the land I look for Before the beak; the Whale-Home shallows.

Even as Steinn sang:

When the fallow fell-wall's Whirlwinds Wove o'er the waves full fiercely, And Ćgir's storm-glad daughters Tore, of grim frost begotten.

And as Refr sang:

Gymir's wet-cold Spae-Wife Wiles the Bear of Twisted Cables Oft into Ćgir's wide jaws, Where the angry billow breaketh.

It is said here that Ćgir and Gymir are both the same. And he sang further:

And the Sea-Peak's Sleipnir slitteth The stormy breast rain-driven,

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The wave, with red stain running Out of white Rán's mouth.

As Einarr Skúlason sang:

The stern snow-wind has thrust out With strength, the ship from landward: The Swan-Land's steed sees Iceland Into the surf receding.

And as he sang further:

Many a stiff rowlock straineth, And the noisy Strand of Fish-Gear, The Sea, the lands o'ercometh: Men's hands oft span the stays.

And he sang yet further:

The gray Isle-Fetter urges Heiti's raven-ship onward; Gold beaks the fleet ships carry: Rich that faring to the Chieftain.

And he sang again:

The Isle-Rim autumn chilly Impels the dock's cold snowshoe.

And thus also:

The cool lands' Surging-Girdle Before the beaks springs asunder.

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As Snćbjorn sang:

They say nine brides of skerries Swiftly move the Sea-Churn Of Grótti's Island-Flour-Bin Beyond the Earth's last outskirt,-- They who long the corny ale ground Of Amlódí; the Giver Of Rings now cuts with ship's beak The Abiding-Place of boat-sides.

Here the sea is called Amlódi's Churn.

As Einarr Skúlason sang:

The sturdy drive-nails weaken In the swift swirl, where paleth Rakni's Heaving Plain: wind Puffs the reefs against the stays.

XXVI. "How should one periphrase the sun? By calling her Daughter of Mundilfari, Sister of the Moon, Wife of Glenr, Fire of Heaven and of the Air. Even as Skúli Thorsteinsson sang:

Glenr's god-blithe Bed-Mate wadeth Into the Goddess's mansion With rays; then the good light cometh Of gray-sarked Máni downward.

Thus sang Einarr Skúlason:

Whereso the lofty flickering Flame of the World's Hall swimmeth

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O'er our loved friend, who hateth And lavisheth the sea-gold.

XXVII. "How should the wind be periphrased? Thus: call it Son of Fornjótr, Brother of the Sea and of Fire, Scathe or Ruin or Hound or Wolf of the Wood or of the Sail or of the Rigging.

Thus spake Sveinn in the Nordrsetu-drápa:

First began to fly Fornjótr's sons ill-shapen.

XXVIII. "How should one periphrase fire? Thus: call it Brother of the Wind and the Sea, Ruin and Destruction of Wood and of Houses, Hálfr's Bane, Sun of Houses.

XXIX. "How should winter be periphrased? Thus: call it Son of Vindsvalr, Destruction of Serpents, Tempest Season. Thus sang Ormr Steinthórsson:

To the blind man I proffer This blessing: Vindsvalr's Son.

Thus sang Ásgrímr:

The warlike Spoil-Bestower, Lavish of Wealth, that winter-- Snake's-Woe--in Thrándheim tarried; The folk knew thy true actions.

XXX. "How should one periphrase summer? Thus: call

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it Son of Svásudr and Comfort of Serpents, and Growth of Men. Even as Egill Skallagrímsson sang:

We shall wave our swords, O Dyer Of Wolf's Teeth, make them glitter: A deed we have for wreaking In the Comfort of Dale-Serpents.

XXXI. "How should man be periphrased? By his works, by that which he gives or receives or does; he may also be periphrased in terms of his property, those things which he possesses, and, if he be liberal, of his liberality; likewise in terms of the families from which he descended, as well as of those which have sprung from him. How is one to periphrase him in terms of these things? Thus, by calling him accomplisher or performer of his goings or his conduct, of his battles or sea-voyages or huntings or weapons or ships. And because he is a tester of weapons and a winner of battles,--the words for 'winner' and 'wood' being the same, as are also those for tester' and 'rowan,'--therefore, from these phrases, skalds have called man Ash or Maple, Grove, or other masculine tree-names, and periphrased him in such expressions in terms of battles or ships or possessions. It is also correct to periphrase man with all the names of the Ćsir; also with giant-terms, and this last is for the most part for mocking or libellous purposes. Periphrasis with the names of elves is held to be favorable.

"Woman should be periphrased with reference to all female garments, gold and jewels, ale or wine or any other drink, or to that which she dispenses or gives; likewise with reference to ale-vessels, and to all those things which it becomes her to perform or to give. It is correct to periphrase

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her thus: by calling her giver or user of that of which she partakes. But the words for 'giver' and 'user' are also names of trees; therefore woman is called in metaphorical speech by all feminine tree-names. Woman is periphrased with reference to jewels or agates for this reason: in heathen times what was called a 'stone-necklace,' which they wore about the neck, was a part of a woman's apparel; now it is used figuratively in such a way as to periphrase woman with stones and all names of stones. Woman is also metaphorically called by the names of the Ásynjur or the Valkyrs or Norris or women of supernatural kind. It is also correct to periphrase woman in terms of all her conduct or property or family.

XXXII. "How should gold be periphrased? Thus: by calling it Ćgir's Fire, and Needles of Glasir, Hair of Sif, Snood of Fulla, Freyja's Tears, Talk and Voice and Word of Giants, Draupnir's Drop and Rain or Shower of Draupnir, or of Freyja's Eyes, Otter's Ransom, Forced Payment of the Ćsir, Seed of Fýris-Plain, Cairn-Roof of Hölgi, Fire of all Waters and of the Hand, Stone and Reef or Gleam of the Hand.

XXXIII. Wherefore is gold called Ćgir's Fire? This tale is to the same purport as we have told before: Ćgir went to Ásgard to a feast, but when he was ready to return home, he invited Odin and all the Ćsir to visit him in three months' time. First came Odin and Njördr, Freyr, Týr, Bragi, Vídarr, Loki; likewise the Ásynjur: Frigg, Freyja, Gefjun, Skadi, Idunn, Sif. Thor was not there, having gone into the eastern lands to slay trolls. When the gods had sat down in their places, straightway Ćgir had bright gold

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brought in onto the floor of the hall, and the gold gave forth light and illumined the hall like fire: and it was used there for lights at his banquet, even as in Valhall swords were used in place of fire. Then Loki bandied sharp words with all the gods, and slew one of Ćgir's thralls, him who was called Five-Finger; another of his thralls was named Fire-Kindler. Rán is the name of Ćgir's wife, and their daughters are nine, even as we have written before. At this feast all things were self-served, both food and ale, and all implements needful to the feast. Then the Ćsir became aware that Rán had that net wherein she was wont to catch all men who go upon the sea. Now this tale is to show whence it comes that gold is called Fire or Light or Brightness of Ćgir, of Rán, or of Ćgir's daughters; and now such use is made of these metaphors that gold is called Fire of the Sea, and of all names of the sea, even as Ćgir or Rán had names associated with the sea. Therefore gold is now called Fire of Waters or of Rivers, and of all river names.

"But these names have fared just as other figures also have done: the later skalds have composed after the examples of the old skalds, even those examples which stood in their poems, but were later expanded into such forms as seemed to later poets to be like what was written before: as a lake is to the sea, or the river to the lake, or the brook to the river. Therefore all these are called new figures, when terms are expanded to greater length than what was recorded before; and all this seems well and good, so fair as it concurs with verisimilitude and nature. As Bragi the Skald sang:

I was given by the Battler The fire of the Brook of Sea-Fish:

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He gave it me, with mercy, For the Drink of the Mountain-Giant.

XXXIV. "Why is gold called the Needles, or Leaves; of Glasir? In Ásgard, before the doors of Valhall, there stands a grove which is called Glasir, and its leafage is all red gold, even as is sung here:

Glasir stands With golden leafage Before the High God's halls.

Far and wide, this tree is the fairest known among gods and men.

XXXV. "Why is gold called Sif's Hair? Loki Laufeyarson, for mischief's sake, cut off all Sif's hair. But when Thor learned of this, he seized Loki, and would have broken every bone in him, had he not sworn to get the Black Elves to make Sif hair of gold, such that it would grow like other hair. After that, Loki went to those dwarves who are called Ívaldi's Sons; and they made the hair, and Skídbladnir also, and the spear which became Odin's possession, and was called Gungnir. Then Loki wagered his head with the dwarf called Brokkr that Brokkr's brother Sindri could not make three other precious things equal in virtue to these. Now when they came to the smithy, Sindri laid a pigskin in the hearth and bade Brokkr blow, and did not cease work until he took out of the hearth that which he had laid therein. But when he went out of the smithy, while the other dwarf was blowing, straightway a fly settled upon his hand and stung: yet he blew on

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as before, until the smith took the work out of the hearth; and it was a boar, with mane and bristles of gold. Next, he laid gold in the hearth and bade Brokkr blow and cease not from his blast until he should return. He went out; but again the fly came and settled on Brokkr's neck, and bit now half again as hard as before; yet he blew even until the smith took from the hearth that gold ring which is called Draupnir. Then Sindri laid iron in the hearth and bade him blow, saying that it would be spoiled if the blast failed. Straightway the fly settled between Brokkr's eyes and stung his eyelid, but when the blood fell into his eyes so that he could not see, then he clutched at it with his hand as swiftly as he could,--while the bellows grew flat,--and he swept the fly from him. Then the smith came thither and said that it had come near to spoiling all that was in the hearth. Then he took from the forge a hammer, put all the precious works into the hands of Brokkr his brother, and bade him go with them to Ásgard and claim the wager.

"Now when he and Loki brought forward the precious gifts, the Ćsir sat down in the seats of judgment; and that verdict was to prevail which Odin, Thor, and Freyr should render. Then Loki gave Odin the spear Gungnir, and to Thor the hair which Sif was to have, and Skídbladnir to Freyr, and told the virtues of all these things: that the spear would never stop in its thrust; the hair would grow to the flesh as soon as it came upon Sif's head; and Skídbladnir would have a favoring breeze as soon as the sail was raised, in whatsoever direction it might go, but could be folded together like a napkin and be kept in Freyr's pouch if he so desired. Then Brokkr brought forward his gifts: he gave to Odin the ring, saying that eight

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rings of the same weight would drop from it every ninth night; to Freyr he gave the boar, saying that it could run through air and water better than any horse, and it could never become so dark with night or gloom of the Murky Regions that there should not be sufficient light where be went, such was the glow from its mane and bristles. Then he gave the hammer to Thor, and said that Thor might smite as hard as he desired, whatsoever might be before him, and the hammer would not fail; and if he threw it at anything, it would never miss, and never fly so far as not to return to his hand; and if be desired, he might keep it in his sark, it was so small; but indeed it was a flaw in the hammer that the fore-haft was somewhat short.

"This was their decision: that the hammer was best of all the precious works, and in it there was the greatest defence against the Rime-Giants; and they gave sentence, that the dwarf should have his wager. Then Loki offered to redeem his head, but the dwarf said that there was no chance of this. 'Take me, then,' quoth Loki; but when Brokkr would have laid hands on him, he was a long way off. Loki had with him those shoes with which he ran through air and over water. Then the dwarf prayed Thor to catch him, and Thor did so. Then the dwarf would have hewn off his head; but Loki said that he might have the head, but not the neck. So the dwarf took a thong and a knife, and would have bored a hole in Loki's lips and stitched his mouth together, but the knife did not cut. Then Brokkr said that it would be better if his brother's awl were there: and even as he named it, the awl was there, and pierced the lips. He stitched the Ups together, and Loki ripped the thong out of the edges. That thong, with which Loki's mouth was sewn together, is called Vartari.

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XXXVI. "One may hear how gold is metaphorically called Fulla's Snood, in this verse which Eyvindr Skald-Despoiler wrought:

Fulla's shining Fillet, The forehead's sun at rising, Shone on the swelling shield-hill For skalds all Hakon's life-days.

XXXVII. "Gold is called Freyja's Tears, as was said before. So sang Skúli Thorsteinsson:

Many a fearless swordsman Received the Tears of Freyja The more the morn when foemen We murdered; we were present.

And as Einarr Skúlason sang:

Where, mounted 'twixt the carvings, The Tear of Mardöll lieth, We bear the axe shield-splitting, Swollen with Serpent's lair-gold.

And here Einarr has further periphrased Freyja so as to call her Mother of Hnoss, or Wife of Ódr, as standeth below:

The shield, tempest's strong roof-ice, With tear-gold is unminished, Eye-rain of Ódr's Bed-Mate: His age the King so useth.

And again thus:

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Hörn's Child, the glorious adornment, I own, gold-wound--a jewel Most fair--to the shield's rim Fast is the golden Sea-Flame: On the gem, Freyr's Niece, the tear-drift Of the fore-head of her Mother She bears; the Raven-Feeder Gave me Fródi's seed-gold's fostering.