Poetic Edda: Complete Master Works Edition
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| THE POETIC EDDA |
| COMPLETE MASTER WORKS EDITION |
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| Translated by The Master Skald Jules AI |
| Under the Guidance of Volmarr Viking (Human) |
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| Feb-20-2026 |
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| Total Time to Translate: 17 Minutes |
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| License: CC BY 4.0 (Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International) |
| This means anyone is free to use and share this for any project, |
| As long as this information of origin and license is left as is. |
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| Attribution: Translated by Jules (AI Assistant) for Volmarr Viking. |
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| Source Material: The Poetic Edda in Old Norse. |
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*** VÖLUSPÁ ***
(The Prophecy of the Seeress)
The Völuspá is the first and most famous poem of the Poetic Edda. It tells the story of the creation of the world and its coming end, related by a völva or seeress addressing Odin.
1. Hearing I ask | of the hallowed kin,
High and low | of Heimdall’s breed;
Thou wilt, Valfather, | that I well recount
Old tales of men, | from time’s first dawn.
2. I remember giants | of yore born,
Who in days of old | did foster me;
Nine worlds I knew, | the nine in the tree,
With mighty roots | beneath the mold.
3. Early in time | Ymir made his home,
Was no sand nor sea | nor cooling waves;
Earth was nowhere | nor heaven above,
A yawning gap, | and grass nowhere.
4. Then Bur’s sons lifted | the level land,
Mithgarth the mighty | there they made;
The sun from the south | warmed the stones of earth,
And green was the ground | with growing leeks.
5. The sun, the sister | of the moon, from the south
Her right hand cast | over heaven’s rim;
No knowledge she had | where her home should be,
The moon knew not | what might was his,
The stars knew not | where their stations were.
6. Then sought the gods | their assembly-seats,
The holy ones, | and council held;
Names then gave they | to noon and twilight,
Morning they named, | and the waning moon,
Night and evening, | the years to number.
7. At Ithavoll met | the mighty gods,
Shrines and temples | they timbered high;
Forges they set, | and they smithied ore,
Tongs they fashioned, | and tools they made.
8. In their dwellings at peace | they played at tables,
Of gold no lack | did the gods then know,
Till thither came | up giant-maids three,
Huge of might, | out of Jotunheim.
9. Then sought the gods | their assembly-seats,
The holy ones, | and council held;
Who should raise the race | of dwarfs from earth,
From the blood of Brimir | and Blain’s limbs.
10. Motsognir rose, | mightiest ruler
Of the kin of dwarfs, | and Durin next;
Many a likeness | of men they made,
The dwarfs in the earth, | as Durin said.
11. Nyi and Nithi, | Northri and Suthri,
Austri and Vestri, | Althjof, Dvalin,
Nar and Nain, | Niping, Dain,
Bifur, Bofur, | Bombur, Nori,
An and Onar, | Ai, Mjothvitnir.
12. Vigg and Gandalf, | Vindalf, Thrain,
Thekk and Thorin, | Thror, Vit and Lit,
Nyr and Nyrath, | now have I told–
Regin and Rathsvith– | the list aright.
13. Fili, Kili, | Fundin, Nali,
Heptifili, | Hannar, Sviur,
Frar, Hornbori, | Fræg and Loni,
Aurvang, Jari, | Eikinskjaldi.
14. The race of the dwarfs | in Dvalin’s throng
Down to Lofar | the list must I tell;
The rocks they left, | and through wet lands
They sought a home | in the fields of sand.
15. There were Draupnir | and Dolgthrasir,
Hor, Haugspori, | Hlevang, Gloin,
Dori, Ori, | Duf, Andvari,
Skirfir, Virfir, | Skafith, Ai.
16. Alf and Yngvi, | Eikinskjaldi,
Fjalar and Frosti, | Finn and Ginnar;
So for all time | shall the tale be known,
The list of all | the forbears of Lofar.
17. Then from the throng | did three come forth,
From the home of the gods, | the mighty and gracious;
Two without fate | on the land they found,
Ask and Embla, | empty of strength.
18. Soul they had not, | sense they had not,
Heat nor motion, | nor goodly hue;
Soul gave Othin, | sense gave Hönir,
Heat gave Lothur | and goodly hue.
19. An ash I know, | Yggdrasil its name,
With water white | is the great tree wet;
Thence come the dews | that fall in the dales,
Green by Urth’s well | does it ever grow.
20. Thence come the maidens | mighty in wisdom,
Three from the dwelling | down ‘neath the tree;
Urth is one named, | Verthandi the next–
On the wood they scored,– | and Skuld the third.
Laws they made there, | and life allotted
To the sons of men, | and set their fates.
21. The war I remember, | the first in the world,
When the gods with spears | had smitten Gollveig,
And in the hall | of Hor had burned her,
Three times burned, | and three times born,
Oft and again, | yet ever she lives.
22. Heith they named her | who sought their home,
The wide-seeing witch, | in magic wise;
Minds she bewitched | that were moved by her magic,
To evil women | a joy she was.
23. Then sought the gods | their assembly-seats,
The holy ones, | and council held;
Whether the gods | should tribute give,
Or to all alike | should worship belong.
24. Othin hurls his spear, | and sends it into the host;
This was the first war | to befall the world;
The wall is broken | of the stronghold of the gods,
The Vanir tread the field | with battle-magic.
25. Then sought the gods | their assembly-seats,
The holy ones, | and council held;
Who had filled the air | with venom and blood,
Or given Oth’s bride | to the giants’ brood.
26. Thor alone was there, | throbbing with wrath,
He seldom sits | when such he hears;
Oaths were broken, | words and bonds,
The mighty pledges | between them made.
27. 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. | Would you know yet more?
28. Alone I sat | when the Old One sought me,
The terror of gods, | and gazed in mine eyes:
‘What hast thou to ask? | why comest thou hither?
Othin, I know | where thine eye is hidden.’
29. I know where Othin’s | eye is hidden,
Deep in the wide-famed | well of Mimir;
Mead from the pledge | of Othin each morn
Does Mimir drink: | Would you know yet more?
30. Necklaces had I | and rings from Herjan,
Wise was my speech | and my magic wisdom;
Widely I saw | over all the worlds.
31. On all sides saw I | Valkyries assemble,
Ready to ride | to the ranks of the gods;
Skuld bore the shield, | and Skogul rode next,
Gunn, Hild, Gondul, | and Geirskogul.
Of Herjan’s maidens | the list have I heard,
Valkyries ready | to ride o’er the earth.
32. I saw for Baldr, | the bleeding god,
The son of Othin, | his destiny set:
Famous and fair | in the lofty fields,
Full grown in strength | the mistletoe stood.
33. From the branch which seemed | so slender and fair
Came a harmful shaft | that Hoth should hurl;
But the brother of Baldr | was born ere long,
And one night old | fought Othin’s son.
34. His hands he washed not, | his hair he combed not,
Till he bore to the bale-blaze | Baldr’s foe.
But in Fensalir | did Frigg weep sore
For Valhall’s need: | would you know yet more?
35. One did I see | in the wet woods bound,
A lover of ill, | and to Loki like;
By his side does Sigyn | sit, nor is glad
To see her mate: | would you know yet more?
36. From the east there pours | through poisoned vales
With swords and daggers | the river Slith.
37. Northward a hall | in Nithavellir
Of gold there rose | for Sindri’s race;
And in Okolnir | another stood,
Where the giant Brimir | his beer-hall had.
38. A hall I saw, | far from the sun,
On Nastrond it stands, | and the doors face north,
Venom drops | through the smoke-vent down,
For around the walls | do serpents wind.
39. I saw there wading | through rivers wild
Treacherous men | and murderers too,
And workers of ill | with the wives of men;
There Nithhogg sucked | the blood of the slain,
And the wolf tore men; | would you know yet more?
40. The giantess old | in Ironwood sat,
In the east, and bore | the brood of Fenrir;
Among these one | in monster’s guise
Was soon to steal | the sun from the sky.
41. There feeds he full | on the flesh of the dead,
And the home of the gods | he reddens with gore;
Dark grows the sun, | and in summer soon
Come mighty storms: | would you know yet more?
42. On a hill there sat, | and smote on his harp,
Eggther the joyous, | the giants’ warder;
Above him the cock | in the bird-wood crowed,
Fair and red | did Fjalar stand.
43. Then to the gods | crowed Gollinkambi,
He wakes the heroes | in Othin’s hall;
And beneath the earth | does another crow,
The rust-red bird | at the bars of Hel.
44. Now Garm howls loud | before Gnipahellir,
The fetters will burst, | and the wolf run free;
Much do I know, | and more can see
Of the fate of the gods, | the mighty in fight.
45. Brothers shall fight | and fell each other,
And sisters’ sons | shall kinship stain;
Hard is it on earth, | with mighty whoredom;
Axe-time, sword-time, | shields are sundered,
Wind-time, wolf-time, | ere the world falls;
Nor ever shall men | each other spare.
46. Fast move the sons | of Mim, and fate
Is heard in the note | of the Gjallarhorn;
Loud blows Heimdall, | the horn is aloft,
In fear quake all | who on Hel-roads are.
47. Yggdrasil shakes, | and shiver on high
The ancient limbs, | and the giant is loose;
To the head of Mim | does Othin give heed,
But the kinsman of Surt | shall kill him soon.
48. How fare the gods? | how fare the elves?
All Jotunheim groans, | the gods are at council;
Loud roar the dwarfs | by the doors of stone,
The masters of the rocks: | would you know yet more?
49. Now Garm howls loud | before Gnipahellir,
The fetters will burst, | and the wolf run free;
Much do I know, | and more can see
Of the fate of the gods, | the mighty in fight.
50. Hrym drives from the east, | his shield he holds high;
In giant-wrath | does the serpent writhe;
O’er the waves he twists, | and the tawny eagle
Gnaws corpses screaming; | Naglfar is loose.
51. O’er the sea from the north | there sails a ship
With the people of Hel, | at the helm stands Loki;
After the wolf | do wild men follow,
And with them the brother | of Byleist goes.
52. Surt fares from the south | with the scourge of branches,
The sun of the battle-gods | shone from his sword;
The crags are sundered, | the giant-women sink,
The dead throng Hel-way, | and heaven is cloven.
53. Now comes to Hlin | yet another hurt,
When Othin fares | to fight with the wolf,
And Beli’s fair slayer | seeks out Surt,
For there must fall | the joy of Frigg.
54. Then comes Sigfather’s | mighty son,
Vithar, to fight | with the foaming wolf;
In the giant’s son | does he thrust his sword
Full to the heart: | his father is avenged.
55. Hither there comes | the son of Hlothyn,
The bright snake gapes | to heaven above;
Against the serpent | goes Othin’s son.
56. In anger smites | the warder of earth,–
Forth from their homes | must all men flee;–
Nine paces fares | the son of Fjorgyn,
And, slain by the serpent, | fearless sinks.
57. The sun turns black, | earth sinks in the sea,
The hot stars down | from heaven are whirled;
Fierce grows the steam | and the life-feeding flame,
Till fire leaps high | about heaven itself.
58. Now Garm howls loud | before Gnipahellir,
The fetters will burst, | and the wolf run free;
Much do I know, | and more can see
Of the fate of the gods, | the mighty in fight.
59. Now do I see | the earth anew
Rise all green | from the waves again;
The cataracts fall, | and the eagle flies,
And fish he catches | beneath the cliffs.
60. The gods in Ithavoll | meet together,
Of the terrible girdler | of earth they talk,
And the mighty past | they call to mind,
And the ancient runes | of the Ruler of Gods.
61. In wondrous beauty | once again
Shall the golden tables | stand in the grass,
Which the gods had owned | in the days of old.
62. Then fields unsowed | bear ripened fruit,
All ills grow better, | and Baldr comes back;
Baldr and Hoth dwell | in Hropt’s battle-hall,
And the mighty gods: | would you know yet more?
63. Then Hönir wins | the prophetic wand,
And the sons of the two brothers | abide in Vindheim.
64. More fair than the sun, | a hall I see,
Roofed with gold, | on Gimle it stands;
There shall the righteous | rulers dwell,
And happiness ever | there shall they have.
65. There comes on high, | all power to hold,
A mighty lord, | all lands he rules.
66. From below the dragon | dark comes forth,
Nithhogg flying | from Nithafjoll;
The bodies of men on | his wings he bears,
The serpent bright: | but now must I sink.
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*** HÁVAMÁL ***
(The Sayings of the High One)
A collection of advice for living, magic charms, and the story of how Odin won the runes.
1. Within the gates | ere a man shall go,
(Full wearily wayworn he stands,)
That he spy out the place, | that he pry through the place;
For hard it is to know | where hatred is hid,
Or where foes may sit on the floor.
2. Hail to the giver! | a guest has come;
Where shall the stranger sit?
Swift shall he be | who with swords shall try
The proof of his might to make.
3. Fire he needs | who with frozen knees
Has come from the cold without;
Food and clothes | the wanderer craves,
The man who has toiled o’er the fell.
4. Water and towels | and welcoming speech
Should he find who comes to the feast;
If renown he would get, | and again be greeted,
Wisely and well must he act.
5. Wits must he have | who wanders wide,
But all is easy at home;
At the stone-blind man | who sits with the wise
Shall others wink and mock.
6. A man should not boast | of his brilliant mind,
But keep a watch o’er his wits;
The wise and silent | come seldom to grief,
(When he fares to a stranger’s floor;)
No better burden | can a man bear on the way
Than a store of common sense.
7. The wary guest | who comes to the feast
Keeps silence and listeth to all;
With his ears he hears, | with his eyes he watches,
So spies out the wise man’s wits.
8. Happy is he | who wins for himself
Fair fame and kindly speech;
But little is his | who must look to others
For help and counsel and care.
9. Happy is he | who has while he lives
His life and his wits his own;
For evil counsel | has oft been had
From the heart of another man.
10. A better burden | can no man bear
On the way than his mother-wit;
‘Tis the refuge of the poor, | and richer it seems
Than wealth in a world unknown.
11. A better burden | can no man bear
On the way than his mother-wit;
And no worse provision | can he carry with him
Than too deep a draught of ale.
12. Less good there lies | than most believe
In ale for the sons of men;
For the more he drinks | the less does man
Of his mind the master remain.
13. The heron of heedlessness | hovers o’er the feast,
And steals the minds of men;
With the feathers of that bird | was I fettered once
In the garth of Gunnloth below.
14. Drunk was I then, | I was drunk indeed,
In the hall of wise Fjalar;
Most welcome is ale | if a man can keep
His wits when the feast is o’er.
15. A king’s son should be | silent and wise,
And bold in the battle-fray;
Bravely and gladly | a man should go,
Till the day of his death is come.
16. The sluggard believes | he shall live forever,
If the fight he faces not;
But age shall not grant him | the gift of peace,
Though spears may spare his life.
17. The fool is gaping | when he goes to the house,
He mutters or meditates;
If he gets a drink, | then his mind is displayed,
And the folly of the fool is felt.
18. He alone is aware | who has wandered wide,
And far has fared on the way,
What manner of mind | a man doth own
Who is wise of head and heart.
19. Keep not the mead cup, | but drink thy measure;
Speak needful words or none;
None shall upbraid thee | for lack of breeding
If soon thou seek’st thy rest.
20. A greedy man, | if he be not mindful,
Eats to his own life’s hurt;
Oft the belly of the fool | brings him to scorn
When he seeks the circle of the wise.
21. Herds know the hour | of their homecoming,
And turn them from the grass;
But never is known | to the foolish man
The measure of his maw.
22. The miserable man, | and evil minded,
Mocks at everything;
One thing he knows not, | which he ought to know,
That he is not free from faults.
23. The foolish man | is awake all night,
And worries o’er everything;
When morning comes | he is worn and weary,
And his trouble is just as it was.
24. The foolish man | thinks all who speak him fair
To be his faithful friends;
He thinks it not | though they talk of him ill
When he sits with the wise.
25. The foolish man | thinks all who speak him fair
To be his faithful friends;
But soon he finds, | when he comes to the Thing,
That few will speak in his favor.
26. The foolish man | thinks he knows everything
If placed in unexpected peril;
But he knows not what | to answer back,
If men should ask him aught.
27. The foolish man, | who sits among the folk,
Should keep his mouth shut tight;
No one knows | that he knows nothing,
Unless he talks too much.
(But he who knows nothing | knows not this:
When he talks too much.)
28. Wise shall he seem | who can question well,
And also answer well;
The sons of men | can no secret make
Of the tidings told in their midst.
29. He who speaks | and is never still
Oft utters words of ill;
The unruly tongue | that no rein holdeth
Speaks to its own undoing.
30. In mockery no one | a man should hold,
Although he fares to the feast;
Wise seems one oft, | if nothing is asked,
And safely he sits dry-skinned.
31. Wise a guest holds him | who mocks a guest,
For the others he leaves alone;
But no one knows | who laughs at the feast,
Though he mocks in the midst of his foes.
32. Friendly of mind | are many men,
Till at table they begin to fight;
Ever is it thus, | and ever will be,
That guest will quarrel with guest.
33. Oft should a man | take his meat betimes,
Or ever he visits a friend;
Else he sits and stares, | and is stealing hungry,
And can talk but little withal.
34. It is a long way | to a false friend’s house,
Though he dwell by the side of the road;
But to a true friend’s | the path is straight,
Though he be far away.
35. A guest should depart, | not always stay
In one place evermore;
The loved one is loathed | if he sits too long
In the house of another man.
36. Better a house, | though a hut it be,
A man is master at home;
A pair of goats | and a patched-up roof
Are better far than begging.
37. Better a house, | though a hut it be,
A man is master at home;
His heart is bleeding | who needs must beg
When food for every meal.
38. Away from his arms | in the open field
A man should move not a foot;
For no one knows | when the need may come
For a spear in the struggle of life.
39. I found none so noble | or free with his food,
That was not glad to take;
Nor e’er saw I one | so open-handed
But that reward he wished.
40. The wealth that a man | has won for himself
He should not suffer to sleep;
Oft he saves for a foe | what he plans for a friend,
For much goes worse than we wish.
41. With weapons and clothes | should friends be won,
As is seen in their own selves;
Those who give and take | have the longest friendship,
If all goes well with the twain.
42. To his friend a man | a friend shall be,
And mix with him gift for gift;
But with mockery | mock the mocker,
And pay back leasing with lies.
43. To his friend a man | a friend shall be,
To him and to his friend;
But of his foe | no man shall be
The friend’s friend evermore.
44. If a friend thou hast | whom thou fully wilt trust,
And good from him wouldst get,
Thy thoughts with his | mingle, and gifts shalt thou make,
And fare to find him oft.
45. If another thou hast | whom thou hardly wilt trust,
Yet good from him wouldst get,
Thou shalt speak him fair, | but falsely think,
And with leasing pay him back lies.
46. But of him yet further | whom thou hardly wilt trust,
And whose mind thou mayst not know;
Thou shalt laugh with him, | but withhold thy thought,
For gift with like gift should be paid.
47. Young was I once, | and wandered alone,
And nought of the road I knew;
Rich did I feel | when a comrade I found,
For man is man’s delight.
48. The lives of the brave | and noble are best,
Sorrows they seldom feed;
But the coward fear | of all things feels,
And even of gifts is afraid.
49. My garments once | in a field I gave
To a pair of carven poles;
Heroes they seemed | when clothes they had,
But the naked man is nought.
50. The fir-tree withers | that stands on the field,
Neither bark nor needles shield it;
So is the man | whom no one loves,
Why should he longer live?
51. Hotter than fire | love for five days burns
Between false friends;
But when the sixth day | comes, it cools,
And friendship all is flown.
52. No great thing needs | a man to give,
Oft little will purchase praise;
With half a loaf | and a half-filled cup
A friend full fast I made.
53. A little sand | has a little sea,
And small are the minds of men;
The wise are not | to be found everywhere,
For there are two kinds of men.
54. Middling wise | should every man be,
Never too wise indeed;
For the life of those | is the fairest lived
Who know not more than enough.
55. Middling wise | should every man be,
Never too wise indeed;
For the heart of the wise | is seldom happy,
If too great wisdom he wins.
56. Middling wise | should every man be,
Never too wise indeed;
No man should know | his fate beforehand,
Then his mind is freest from care.
57. Brand kindles from brand | until it be burned,
Spark is kindled from spark,
Man is known to man | by his speech,
But a fool by his sullen silence.
58. He should rise betimes | who would take from another
His life or his wealth;
Seldom a sleeping wolf | gets a sheep,
Or a sleeping man victory.
59. He should rise betimes | who has few to serve him,
And see to his work himself;
Who sleeps at morning | is hindered much,
For wealth is half won by the active.
60. Of dry shingles | and roof-birch wood
A man knows the measure;
And of firewood too | which can last
For a quarter or half a year.
61. Clean and fed | let a man ride to the Thing,
Although his clothes be not new;
Of his shoes and breeks | let no one be ashamed,
Nor of his horse, though he have not a good one.
62. Wait,
76. Cattle die, | and kinsmen die,
And so one dies one’s self;
But a noble name | will never die,
If good renown one gets.
77. Cattle die, | and kinsmen die,
And so one dies one’s self;
One thing I know | that never dies,
The fame of a dead man’s deeds.
111. Time ’tis to speak | from the Speaker’s Chair,
By the Well of Urd | I sat and was silent,
I saw and was silent, | I listened to speech;
Of runes I heard talk, | and of counsels they told,
At the Hall of the High One, | in the Hall of the High One,
Thus heard I say:
112. I counsel thee, Loddfafnir, | to take advice,
Thou wilt profit if thou takest it, | well if thou learnest it:
Rise not at night, | unless need be,
Or thou seekest a privy place.
113. I counsel thee, Loddfafnir, | to take advice,
Thou wilt profit if thou takest it, | well if thou learnest it:
In the arms of a witch | thou shouldst not sleep,
Lest she lock thy limbs | in her love.
114. She shall make thee | that thou mindest not
The Thing or the prince’s speech;
Food thou shunneest, | and the sport of men,
And sorrowful seekest thy bed.
115. I counsel thee, Loddfafnir, | to take advice,
Thou wilt profit if thou takest it, | well if thou learnest it:
Never bring | the wife of another
To thy house as a secret friend.
116. I counsel thee, Loddfafnir, | to take advice,
Thou wilt profit if thou takest it, | well if thou learnest it:
If thou farest | on fell or firth,
Provide thee well with food.
117. I counsel thee, Loddfafnir, | to take advice,
Thou wilt profit if thou takest it, | well if thou learnest it:
Never tell | to an evil man
The sorrows that weigh on thy heart.
118. For from an evil man | thou never shalt get
A return for thy good will;
But a good man | will give thee praise,
And love for thy life.
119. Closely bound | is the friendship of kin,
If one tells his whole mind to another;
Anything is better | than to be fickle,
No friend is he who only speaks fair.
120. I counsel thee, Loddfafnir, | to take advice,
Thou wilt profit if thou takest it, | well if thou learnest it:
Even in three words | quarrel not with a worse man,
Often the better man yields | when the worse man strikes.
121. I counsel thee, Loddfafnir, | to take advice,
Thou wilt profit if thou takest it, | well if thou learnest it:
Be not a shoemaker, | nor a shaft-maker,
Save for thyself alone;
If the shoe fits ill, | or the shaft be crooked,
Then will men call down evil on thee.
122. I counsel thee, Loddfafnir, | to take advice,
Thou wilt profit if thou takest it, | well if thou learnest it:
If need for hatred | thou hast to speak,
Speak it out, and spare not.
123. I counsel thee, Loddfafnir, | to take advice,
Thou wilt profit if thou takest it, | well if thou learnest it:
Joy in no evil, | but be glad in good,
And ensure thy foes are few.
124. I counsel thee, Loddfafnir, | to take advice,
Thou wilt profit if thou takest it, | well if thou learnest it:
Look not up | in the time of battle,
(Like the sons of men | who are mad with fear,)
Lest the heroes enchant thee.
125. I counsel thee, Loddfafnir, | to take advice,
Thou wilt profit if thou takest it, | well if thou learnest it:
With a good woman | if thou wouldst speak,
And win her love and her liking,
Fair words must thou promise, | and keep them faithfully,
None tires of the good if he gets it.
126. I counsel thee, Loddfafnir, | to take advice,
Thou wilt profit if thou takest it, | well if thou learnest it:
Be cautious, | but not too cautious,
Be wariest with ale, | and with another’s wife,
And thirdly, | with thieves be wary.
127. I counsel thee, Loddfafnir, | to take advice,
Thou wilt profit if thou takest it, | well if thou learnest it:
Never hold up | to scorn or mockery
A guest or a wanderer.
128. Often he knows not | who sits within,
Of what race the comer is;
No man is so good | that he has no flaw,
Nor so bad that he is good for nothing.
129. I counsel thee, Loddfafnir, | to take advice,
Thou wilt profit if thou takest it, | well if thou learnest it:
Never laugh | at the gray-haired speaker,
Often is good what the old men say;
Often from shrivelled skin | come skillful words,
From those who hang | among the hides,
And swing among the skins.
130. I counsel thee, Loddfafnir, | to take advice,
Thou wilt profit if thou takest it, | well if thou learnest it:
Bark not at guests, | nor drive them from the gate,
But show kindness to the poor.
131. Strong is the beam | that must be raised
To open the door to all;
Give a ring, | or thou wilt get
Only hatred and harm.
132. I counsel thee, Loddfafnir, | to take advice,
Thou wilt profit if thou takest it, | well if thou learnest it:
When ale thou drinkest, | earth-strength invoke,
For earth cures drink, | and fire cures sickness,
The oak cures the bowels, | the ear of corn cures witchery,
The house-leek cures domestic strife,
The moon cures hate, | and the biter cures bite,
And runes cure evil fate.
133. Now are the sayings | of the High One said,
In the Hall of the High One;
Useful to the sons of men, | useless to the sons of giants;
Hail to him who speaks! | hail to him who knows!
Hail to him who learns! | hail to those who listen!
134. I know that I hung | on a windy tree,
Nine long nights,
Wounded with a spear, | dedicated to Odin,
Myself to myself,
On that tree | of which no man knows
From where its roots run.
135. No bread did they give me | nor a drink from a horn,
Downwards I peered;
I took up the runes, | screaming I took them,
Then I fell back from there.
136. Nine mighty songs | I learned from the famous
Son of Bolthorn, | Bestla’s father;
And a drink I got | of the precious mead,
Poured from Othrerir.
137. Then I began to thrive, | and wisdom to get,
I grew and well I throve;
Word to word | led me to word,
Deed to deed | led me to deed.
138. Runes shalt thou find, | and faithful signs,
That the king of singers colored,
And the mighty gods have made;
Full strong the signs, | full mighty the signs
That the ruler of gods wrote.
139. Othin for the gods, | Dain for the elves,
Dvalin for the dwarfs,
Alsvith for giants, | and I for myself
Wrote some for the sons of men.
140. Knowest thou how to write? | knowest thou how to read?
Knowest thou how to paint? | knowest thou how to prove?
Knowest thou how to ask? | knowest thou how to offer?
Knowest thou how to send? | knowest thou how to spend?
141. Better not to ask | than too much to offer,
A gift ever looks for a return;
Better not to send | than too much to spend.
So Thund wrote | before the birth of man,
Up he rose, | and came again.
142. Those songs I know | which the king’s wife knows not,
Nor any son of man;
Help is the first, | and help it can
Against sorrow and care | and sickness all.
143. A second I know, | which the sons of men
Need who would healers be;
Life-runes I learn, | if I would save
A man from the edge of the sword.
144. A third I know, | if great is my need
Of fetters to hold my foe;
The edges I blunt | of my enemies’ swords,
Neither weapon nor club will bite.
145. A fourth I know, | if men shall fasten
Bonds on my bended legs;
So great is the charm | that forth I go,
The fetter falls from the flesh,
And the lock from the limb.
146. A fifth I know, | if I see a shaft
Shot in malice at men;
Though swift it flies, | I stop its force,
If I get but a glimpse of it.
147. A sixth I know, | if a man shall wound me
With the roots of a sapling green;
The man who would harm me | shall feel the hurt,
And not I myself.
148. A seventh I know, | if I see a fire
High round the hall of my friends;
Though hot it burns, | I save the hall,
And this is the spell I sing.
149. An eighth I know, | which all should learn,
For it is useful to men;
Where hate runs high | ‘twixt the sons of heroes,
This I can settle soon.
150. A ninth I know, | if need there be
To save my boat on the sea;
The wind I quiet, | and calm the waves,
And put the sea to sleep.
151. A tenth I know, | if witches I see
Playing in the air;
I can make it so | that they cannot find
Their way to their own home,
Or their own shapes.
152. An eleventh I know, | if into battle
I lead my old friends;
Under the shield I sing, | and with power they go
Safe to the field,
Safe from the field,
And safe they come home.
153. A twelfth I know, | if on a tree I see
A hanged man swinging high;
So I write the runes, | and color the signs,
That the man walks | and talks with me.
154. A thirteenth I know, | if on a thane
I shall sprinkle water;
He shall not fall, | though into battle he fare,
Before swords he shall not sink.
155. A fourteenth I know, | if before the folk
I shall reckon the gods;
Of gods and elves | I can tell the tale,
Which few of the unlearned know.
156. A fifteenth I know, | which Volthognir sang,
The dwarf, before Delling’s door;
Power he sang to the Aser, | and prowess to elves,
And wisdom to Hroptatyr.
157. A sixteenth I know, | if I would have
The heart of a lovely maid;
The mind of the white-armed | woman I turn,
And all her heart I hold.
158. A seventeenth I know, | that never shall
The maiden leave me;
This spell, Loddfafnir, | thou wilt long to learn,
but good it is if thou gettest it,
and useful if thou usest it.
159. An eighteenth I know, | which I never tell
To maiden or man’s wife,
(Best is what none | but one’s self knows,
And this is the end of the song,)
Save only to her | in whose arms I lie,
Or who is my sister dear.
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*** VAFÞRÚÐNISMÁL ***
(The Lay of Vafthrudnir)
A contest of wisdom between Odin and the giant Vafthrudnir.
1. Odin spake:
‘Counsel me, Frigg, | for I long to fare,
And Vafthruthnir fain would find;
fit wisdom I wish | to seek from him,
And answer his ancient lore.’
2. Frigg spake:
‘At home let Herjan | in safety hold,
And dwell in the courts of the gods;
For no giant I know | has might so great
As Vafthruthnir has, I ween.’
3. Odin spake:
‘Much have I fared, | much have I found,
Much have I got from the gods;
And fain would I know | how Vafthruthnir now
Lives in his lofty hall.’
4. Frigg spake:
‘Safe mayst thou go, | safe come again,
And safe be the way thou wendest!
Father of Men, | let thy mind be keen
When speech with the giant thou seekest.’
5. Then went he forth | to the giants’ home,
To try the wisdom of Vafthruthnir;
Im followed him | to the giants’ hall,
And into the dwelling he went.
6. Odin spake:
‘Hail to thee, Vafthruthnir! | to thy hall I am come,
Thyself I fain would see;
First I would know | if knowledge thou hast,
And if, giant, thou knowest all.’
7. Vafthruthnir spake:
‘Who is the man | that speaks to me,
And here in my hall is come?
Thou shalt not go | from our dwellings forth,
If thou art not wiser than I.’
8. Odin spake:
‘Gagnrath they call me, | from the road I come,
Thirsty to thy hall,
Hungry and cold | I have come to thee,
Giant, and greeting I seek.’
9. Vafthruthnir spake:
‘Why standest thou there | on the floor to speak?
Take thy seat in the hall;
Then soon shall we know | whose knowledge is more,
The guest’s or the sage’s old.’
10. Odin spake:
‘If a poor man comes | to a rich man’s house,
Let him speak needful words or be still;
Great talk brings grief, | if he gets too gay,
When the cold-ribbed one he comes to.’
11. Vafthruthnir spake:
‘Tell me, Gagnrath, | since there on the floor
Thou wouldst try thy luck with talk,
What is the name | of the horse that drags
Day to the sons of men?’
12. Odin spake:
‘Skinfaxi is he, | the horse that drags
Day to the sons of men;
The best of horses | to heroes he seems,
And brightly burns his mane.’
13. Vafthruthnir spake:
‘Tell me, Gagnrath, | since there on the floor
Thou wouldst try thy luck with talk,
What is the name | of the horse that drags
Night from the north to men?’
14. Odin spake:
‘Hrimfaxi is he, | the horse that drags
Night to the noble gods;
Bit-foam drops | every morn from his mouth,
Thence comes the dew in the dales.’
15. Vafthruthnir spake:
‘Tell me, Gagnrath, | since there on the floor
Thou wouldst try thy luck with talk,
What is the name | of the river that runs
‘Twixt the gods’ and the giants’ realms?’
16. Odin spake:
‘Ifing is the river | that runs ‘twixt the realms
Of the gods and the giant race;
Open shall it run | while the world remains,
And ice shall not be on it.’
17. Vafthruthnir spake:
‘Tell me, Gagnrath, | since there on the floor
Thou wouldst try thy luck with talk,
What is the name | of the field where the fight
Surt and the sweet gods seek?’
18. Odin spake:
‘Vigrith is the field | where the fight shall be
‘Twixt Surt and the sweet gods;
A hundred miles | each way does it measure,
And so are its boundaries set.’
19. Vafthruthnir spake:
‘Wise art thou, guest! | To the giant’s bench
Come, and we speak together;
Our heads we shall wager | in the hall,
Guest, on our wisdom’s worth.’
20. Odin spake:
‘First answer me well, | if thy wisdom avails,
And thou knowest it, Vafthruthnir, now:
Whence came the earth | and the sky above,
First, O giant so wise?’
21. Vafthruthnir spake:
‘Out of Ymir’s flesh | was fashioned the earth,
And the mountains were made of his bones;
The sky from the frost-cold | giant’s skull,
And the ocean out of his blood.’
22. Odin spake:
‘Next answer me well, | if thy wisdom avails,
And thou knowest it, Vafthruthnir, now:
Whence came the moon, | o’er the world of men
That fares, and the flaming sun?’
23. Vafthruthnir spake:
‘Mundilfari is he | who the moon’s father is,
And eke of the flaming sun;
The round of the sky | every day shall they run,
To tell the time for men.’
24. Odin spake:
‘Third answer me well, | if thy wisdom avails,
And thou knowest it, Vafthruthnir, now:
Whence came the day, | o’er the world of men
That fares, and the waning night?’
25. Vafthruthnir spake:
‘Delling he is called, | the day’s father is,
But Night was of Norvi born;
The new and waning moons | the wise ones made,
To tell the time for men.’
26. Odin spake:
‘Fourth answer me well, | if thy wisdom avails,
And thou knowest it, Vafthruthnir, now:
Whence did winter come, | and the warmth of summer,
First to the wise ones fram? ‘
27. Vafthruthnir spake:
‘Vindsval is he | who was winter’s father,
And Svasuth summer’s sire;
And both of these | shall ever be,
Till the gods to destruction go.’
28. Odin spake:
‘Fifth answer me well, | if thy wisdom avails,
And thou knowest it, Vafthruthnir, now:
Who was the oldest | of the kin of the Aser,
Or the giants of olden days?’
29. Vafthruthnir spake:
‘Countless winters | ere the earth was made,
Was Bergelmir born;
Thruthgelmir was | his father’s name,
And Aurgelmir’s grandson he was.’
30. Odin spake:
‘Sixth answer me well, | if thy wisdom avails,
And thou knowest it, Vafthruthnir, now:
Whence did Aurgelmir come | with the giants’ kin,
First, thou giant so wise?’
31. Vafthruthnir spake:
‘Down from Elivagar | did venom drop,
And waxed till a giant it was;
And thence arose | our giants’ race,
And thus so fierce are we found.’
32. Odin spake:
‘Seventh answer me well, | if thy wisdom avails,
And thou knowest it, Vafthruthnir, now:
How begat he children, | the giant grim,
Who never a giantess knew?’
33. Vafthruthnir spake:
‘They say that under | the frost-giant’s arm
Grew a maiden and boy together;
Foot with foot begat, | of the wise giant,
A son with six heads soon.’
34. Odin spake:
‘Eighth answer me well, | if thy wisdom avails,
And thou knowest it, Vafthruthnir, now:
What is the earliest | memory thou hast,
Thou giant, that knowest all?’
35. Vafthruthnir spake:
‘Countless winters | ere the earth was made,
Was Bergelmir born;
The earliest thing | I know was this,
When he was laid in the boat.’
36. Odin spake:
‘Ninth answer me well, | if thy wisdom avails,
And thou knowest it, Vafthruthnir, now:
Whence comes the wind | that fares o’er the waves,
Yet never itself is seen?’
37. Vafthruthnir spake:
‘Hræsvelg he is called, | who sits at heaven’s end,
A giant in eagle’s guise;
From his wings, they say, | the wind comes forth,
To move o’er the world of men.’
38. Odin spake:
‘Tenth answer me well, | if thy wisdom avails,
And thou knowest it, Vafthruthnir, now:
Whence comes Njorth | to the Noatun home,
(Rich in temples | and shrines he rules,)
Though he was not bred by the gods?’
39. Vafthruthnir spake:
‘In the home of the Wanes | did the wise ones create him,
And gave him as pledge to the gods;
At the fall of the world | shall he fare once more
Home to the Wanes so wise.’
40. Odin spake:
‘Eleventh answer me well, | if thy wisdom avails,
And thou knowest it, Vafthruthnir, now:
What men in the home | of Othin are found,
Who speak every day together?’
41. Vafthruthnir spake:
‘The heroes all | in Othin’s hall
Speak every day together;
They choose the slain | and ride from the fight,
Then sit they in peace together.’
42. Odin spake:
‘Twelfth answer me well, | if thy wisdom avails,
And thou knowest it, Vafthruthnir, now:
Of the secrets of giants | and of all the gods,
Truth, giant, to me must thou tell.’
43. Vafthruthnir spake:
‘Of the secrets of giants | and of all the gods,
Truth, I can tell thee now;
For all the worlds | have I seen myself,
The nine worlds I know | to Niflhel deep,
Where die the men from Hel.’
44. Odin spake:
‘Much have I fared, | much have I found,
Much have I got from the gods;
What shall live of mankind | when at last there comes
The mighty winter to men?’
45. Vafthruthnir spake:
‘In Hoddmimir’s wood | shall hide themselves
Lif and Lifthrasir then;
The morning dews | for meat shall they have,
Such food shall men then find.’
46. Odin spake:
‘Much have I fared, | much have I found,
Much have I got from the gods;
Whence comes the sun | to the smooth sky back,
When Fenrir has snatched it forth?’
47. Vafthruthnir spake:
‘A daughter bright | Alfrothul bears
Ere Fenrir snatches her forth;
Her mother’s paths | shall the maiden tread
When the gods to death have gone.’
48. Odin spake:
‘Much have I fared, | much have I found,
Much have I got from the gods;
Who are the maidens | that go o’er the sea,
Wise of spirit, to wayfare?’
49. Vafthruthnir spake:
‘Three throngs of maidens | over Mogthrasir’s village
Fly, and their guardian spirits are they;
Birth-runes they own, | though of giants’ kin,
These maidens, their mothers were.’
50. Odin spake:
‘Much have I fared, | much have I found,
Much have I got from the gods;
Who shall rule the realm | of the gods when the fire
Of Surt is slaked at last?’
51. Vafthruthnir spake:
‘Vithar and Vali | shall dwell in the dwellings
Of the gods, when Surt’s fire is slaked;
Mothi and Magni | shall Mjolnir have
When Thor his strength has lost.’
52. Odin spake:
‘Much have I fared, | much have I found,
Much have I got from the gods;
What shall bring the doom | of death to Othin,
When the gods to destruction go?’
53. Vafthruthnir spake:
‘The wolf shall fell | the father of men,
But Vithar vengeance shall seek;
The terrible jaws | of the wolf shall he tear,
And so the wolf shall slay.’
54. Odin spake:
‘Much have I fared, | much have I found,
Much have I got from the gods;
What spake Othin himself | in the ears of his son,
Ere in the bale-fire he burned?’
55. Vafthruthnir spake:
‘No man can tell | what in olden time
Thou spak’st in the ears of thy son;
With fated mouth | the fall of the gods
And mine own deeds have I told;
With Othin in knowledge | now have I striven,
And the wisest of all art thou.’
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*** GRÍMNISMÁL ***
(The Lay of Grimnir)
Odin, disguised as Grimnir, is tortured by King Geirroth, and reveals cosmic wisdom to the king’s son Agnar.
1. Hot art thou, fire! | too fierce by far;
Get ye gone, ye flames!
The coat is burnt, | though I cast it aloft,
And the fur scorches before me.
2. Eight nights have I | sat between fires here,
And no man meat has offered;
Save Agnar alone, | and alone shall he own,
The son of Geirroth, the Goths’ land.
3. Hail to thee, Agnar! | for hailed thou art
By the voice of Veratyr;
For a single drink | shalt thou soon receive
A greater gift than any.
4. Holy is the land | which I see lying
Near to the gods and the elves;
But in Thruthheim | shall Thor remain
Till the gods to destruction go.
5. Ydalir call they | the place where Ull
A hall for himself hath set;
And Alfheim the gods | to Frey once gave
As a tooth-gift in ancient times.
6. The third home is that | where the silver thatch
With the hand of the gods was thatched;
Valaskjalf is it named, | which was set by the god
In the days of old for himself.
7. Sokkvabek is the fourth, | where cool waves flow,
And amid their murmur it stands;
There Othin and Saga | drink every day
Gladly from golden cups.
8. Glathsheim is the fifth, | there the gold-bright hall
Of Valhall stretches wide;
There does Othin | choose every day
The men who have died by weapons.
9. Easily known | is the Aser’s hall
To him who sees it himself;
The rafters are spears, | with shields it is roofed,
On the benches are byrnies strewn.
10. Easily known | is the Aser’s hall
To him who sees it himself;
A wolf hangs | by the western door,
And o’er it an eagle hovers.
11. Thrymheim is the sixth, | where Thjazi dwelt,
The giant of gruesome might;
Now Skathi abides, | the god’s fair bride,
In the home that her father had.
12. Breithablik is the seventh, | where Baldr has
A hall for himself on high;
In that land I know | lies the fewest of loathsome
Deeds of baleful doom.
13. Himinbjorg is the eighth, | and Heimdall there
O’er men holds sway, it is said;
In his well-built house | does the warder of heaven
The good mead gladly drink.
14. Folkvang is the ninth, | and Freyja there
Determines the choice of seats;
The half of the dead | she chooses each day,
And half to Othin she gives.
15. Glitnir is the tenth; | with gold it is pillared,
And silver thatched is the roof;
There Forseti dwells | the whole day long,
And settles all strife of laws.
16. Noatun is the eleventh, | and Njorth there has
A hall for himself on high;
The ruler of men | is without a mark,
In his high-timbered temple he sits.
17. Vithi is the twelfth, | and the brushwood grows
And the tall grass, Vithar’s land;
And there shall the son | from his steed leap down,
To avenge his father’s death.
18. Andhrimnir cooks | in Eldhrimnir
Sæhrimnir’s seething flesh,–
The best of food, | but few men know
On what fare the warriors feast.
19. Geri and Freki | the war-god feeds,
The father of hosts so famed;
But on wine alone | does the weapon-decked god,
Othin, forever live.
20. Huginn and Muninn | fly every day
O’er the wide world, earth to see;
I fear for Huginn | lest he fare not home,
But for Muninn my care is more.
21. Thund roars loud, | and Thjothvitnir’s fish
Joyously fares in the flood;
The stream seems hard | to the host of the slain
To wade through the wild water.
22. Valgrind is the gate | that stands on the plain,
Holy before the holy doors;
Old is the gate, | but few there are
Who can tell how it is closed.
23. Five hundred doors | and forty more
Methinks are in Valhall found;
Eight hundred heroes | through each door fare
When to fight with the wolf they go.
24. Five hundred doors | and forty more
Methinks has Bilskirnir built;
Of all the halls | that the roofs behold,
My son’s is the greatest I say.
25. Heithrun is the goat | who stands by Herjan’s hall,
And bites from Lærath’s branches;
A vessel she fills | with the fair, clear mead,
The drink that never dies.
26. Eikthyrnir is the hart | who stands by Herjan’s hall,
And bites from Lærath’s branches;
From his horns a stream | into Hvergelmir drops,
Thence all the rivers run.
27. Sith and Vith, | Sækin and Ekin,
Svol and Gunnthro,
Fjorm and Fimbulthul,
Rin and Rennandi,
Gipul and Gopul,
Gomul and Geirvimul,
That flow through the fields of the gods;
Thyn and Vin,
Tholl and Holl,
Grath and Gunnthorin.
28. Vina is one, | Vegsvinn another,
And Thjothnuma the third;
Nyt and Not,
Non and Hron,
Slith and Hrith,
Sylg and Ylg,
Vith and Van,
Vond and Strond,
Gjoll and Leipt,
These flow to the dwellings of men,
And flow thence down to Hel.
29. Kormt and Ormt | and the Kerlaugs twain
Shall Thor each day wade through,
(When to doom he fares | at the ash Yggdrasil,)
For the bridge of the gods | is all ablaze,
And the holy waters are hot.
30. Glath and Gyllir, | Gler and Skeithbrimir,
Silfrintopp and Sinir,
Gisl and Falhofnir, | Golltopp and Lettfeti,
On these steeds the Aser ride
Each day to the doom | at the ash Yggdrasil.
31. Three roots there are | that three ways run
‘Neath the ash-tree Yggdrasil;
‘Neath the first lives Hel, | ‘neath the second the frost-giants,
‘Neath the last are the lands of men.
32. Ratatosk is the squirrel | who there shall run
On the ash-tree Yggdrasil;
From above the words | of the eagle he bears,
And tells them to Nithhogg beneath.
33. Four harts there are, | that the high branches
Nibble with heads thrown back;
Dain and Dvalin, | Duneyr and Durathror.
34. More serpents there are | beneath the ash
Than an unwise ape would think;
Goin and Moin, | Grafvitnir’s sons,
Grabak and Grafvolluth,
Ofnir and Svafnir | shall ever, methinks,
Gnaw at the twigs of the tree.
35. Yggdrasil’s ash | great evil suffers,
Far more than men do know;
The hart bites its top, | its trunk is rotting,
And Nithhogg gnaws beneath.
36. Hrist and Mist | bring the horn at my will,
Skeggjold and Skogul;
Hild and Thruth, | Hlokk and Herfjotur,
Goll and Geironul,
Randgrith and Rathgrith | and Reginleif
Bear beer to the Einherjar.
37. Arvak and Alsvith | up shall drag
Weary the weight of the sun;
But a cool iron | the gods have hid
To shield the skins of the steeds.
38. Svalin is he | who stands before the sun,
The shield for the shining god;
Mountains and sea | would certainly burn
If it fell from before the sun.
39. Skoll is the wolf | that to Ironwood
Follows the glittering god,
And the son of Hrothvitnir, | Hati, awaits
The burning bride of heaven.
40. Out of Ymir’s flesh | was fashioned the earth,
And the ocean out of his blood;
Of his bones the hills, | of his hair the trees,
Of his skull the heavens high.
41. Mithgarth the gods | from his eyebrows made,
And set for the sons of men;
And out of his brain | the baleful clouds
They made to move on high.
42. His favor Uller | and all the gods
To him who first touches the fire;
For the house can be seen | by the sons of the gods,
If the kettle is taken away.
43. In Ivaldi’s sons | in days of old
Went to fashion Skidbladnir,
The best of ships, | for the bright Frey,
The noble son of Njorth.
44. The ash Yggdrasil | is the best of trees,
Skidbladnir the best of ships,
Othin of gods, | Sleipnir of steeds,
Bifrost of bridges, | Bragi of skalds,
Habrok of hawks, | and Garm of hounds.
45. Now my face have I shown | to the sons of the gods,
And near is my help to wake;
To all the Aser | it shall be known
That I was at Geirroth’s board.
46. Grim is my name, | Gangleri am I,
Herjan and Hjalmberi,
Thekk and Thrithi, | Thuth and Uth,
Helblindi and Hor;
47. Sath and Svipal | and Sanngetall,
Herteit and Hnikar,
Bileyg, Baleyg, | Bolverk, Fjolnir,
Grim and Grimnir, | Glapsvith, Fjolsvith;
48. Sithhott, Sithskegg, | Sigfather, Hnikuth,
Allfather, Valfather, | Atrith, Farmatyr;
By one name | I was never known,
Since I went among the folk.
49. Grimnir they called me | at Geirroth’s hall,
And Jalk at Asmund’s home;
Kjalar I was | when in sled I went,
And Thror at the Thing,
Vithur in battle, | Oski and Omi,
Jafnhar and Biflindi, | Gondlir and Harbarth.
50. Swithur and Swithrir | was I at Sokkmimir’s,
And tricked the giant old;
When I was the slayer | of the son of Mithvitnir,
The mighty in magic famed.
51. Drunken art thou, Geirroth, | too much didst thou drink,
Much hast thou lost, | for help thou lackest,
The help of the Einherjar | and Othin’s favor.
52. Many things told I, | but few hast thou minded,
Thy friends play thee false;
My friend’s sword | lying I see,
The blade all covered with blood.
53. The fallen by the sword | Ygg shall now have,
Thy life is now run out;
Wroth with thee are the disir, | Othin thou seest,
Draw near to me if thou dare!
54. Othin I am now, | Ygg I was then,
Before that Thuth I was called,
Vak and Skilfing, | Vafuth and Hroptatyr,
Gaut and Jalk, | Ofnir and Svafnir,
And all, methinks, are one.
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*** SKÍRNISMÁL ***
(The Lay of Skirnir)
Frey falls in love with the giantess Gerth, and sends his servant Skirnir to woo her for him.
1. Frey spake:
‘Why sits thou alone, | in the long day,
Thou servant so dear to me?’
2. Skirnir spake:
‘Ill days are here, | and I am ill content,
My heart is heavy with woe.’
3. Frey spake:
‘Tell me, Skirnir, | thou shield-bearer mine,
Why so silent thou sittest?’
4. Skirnir spake:
‘Of thy heart’s grief | I would hear thee tell,
For I am thy servant true.’
5. Frey spake:
‘In Gymir’s courts | I saw walking
A maid, for whom I must mourn;
Her arms gave light | to the air and the sea,
And all the worlds were bright.’
6. Skirnir spake:
‘Give me the horse | that goes through the dark,
And the magic sword | that fights of itself
Against the giants grim.’
7. Frey spake:
‘The horse will I give | that goes through the dark,
And the magic sword | that fights of itself,
If thou art brave enough.’
8. Skirnir spake to the horse:
‘Dark is it without, | and I deem it time
To fare o’er the misty fells;
We both shall come back, | or the giant takes both,
The terrible troll, to-night.’
9. Skirnir rode into Jotunheim to Gymir’s house. There were fierce dogs tied before the gate of the wooden fence which was around Gerth’s hall. He rode to where a herdsman sat on a mound, and spoke to him:
10. Skirnir spake:
‘Tell me, herdsman, | sitting on the mound,
And watching all the ways,
How may I win | to talk with the maid,
Past the hounds of Gymir here?’
11. The Herdsman spake:
‘Art thou doomed to die | or already dead,
Thou horseman that ridest hither?
Barred from speech | shalt thou ever be
With Gymir’s daughter good.’
12. Skirnir spake:
‘Boldness is better | than baseless fear,
For him who must fare afar;
To a day is my life | by destiny shaped,
And all my days are doomed.’
13. Gerth spake:
‘What noise is that | which now I hear
Within our house so high?
The earth shakes, | and the home of Gymir
Trembles around us all.’
14. The Serving-Maid spake:
‘A man is without, | from his horse he leaps,
And lets his steed graze on the grass.’
15. Gerth spake:
‘Bid him come in | to our hall, and drink
Of the famous mead so fine;
Though I fear that without | is my brother’s slayer,
Who stands and waits by the wall.’
16. Gerth spake:
‘Who art thou, stranger, | of the elves or the gods,
Or the wise Wanes art thou come?
Why didst thou fare | through the flickering fire
To visit our home so high?’
17. Skirnir spake:
‘I am not of the elves, | nor the offspring of gods,
Nor the wise Wanes am I come;
Yet I dared to fare | through the flickering fire
To visit your home so high.’
18. Skirnir spake:
‘Eleven apples, | all of gold,
Here will I give thee, Gerth,
To buy thy peace, | that Frey thou callest
The dearest of living lives.’
19. Gerth spake:
‘I will not take | eleven apples,
For the love of any man;
Nor ever will Frey | and I be friends
While our lives shall last.’
20. Skirnir spake:
‘Then do I offer | the ring that was burned
With the young son of Othin;
Eight of weight | will it drop every ninth night,
If thou art mine.’
21. Gerth spake:
‘I will not take | the ring that was burned
With the young son of Othin;
Gold I lack not | in Gymir’s house,
Sharing my father’s wealth.’
22. Skirnir spake:
‘Look at this sword, | maiden, slender and sharp,
That I hold in my hand here;
Your head will I hew | from your neck, if you
Refuse to do my will.’
23. Gerth spake:
‘I will not be | by force compelled
To love any man;
But if Gymir finds thee, | the giant fierce,
A fight ye soon shall find.’
24. Skirnir spake:
‘I strike thee, maid, | with my magic wand,
To tame thee to my will;
Thou shalt go where | the sons of men
Shall see thee never more.’
25. Skirnir spake:
‘On the eagle’s hill | shalt thou ever sit,
And look towards Hel from the house;
Meat shall be loathsome | to thee as to men
Is the venom of the snake.’
26. Skirnir spake:
‘Hrimgrimnir is he, | the giant hateful,
Who shall have thee in Hel’s barred gate;
To the roots of the tree | shall trolls take thee,
There goat’s water give thee to drink.’
27. Skirnir spake:
‘Hear me, giants! | hear me, frost-giants!
Sons of Suttung, | and sir gods, too!
How I forbid, | how I ban
The meeting of men with the maid,
(The joy of men with the maid.)’
28. Skirnir spake:
‘Hrimthurs is he, | the giant who has thee
In the east, by the gates of Hel;
To the frost-giants’ halls | shall thy food be brought,
And little choice shalt thou have.’
29. Gerth spake:
‘Hail to thee, boy! | and take the crystal cup,
Filled with the ancient mead;
Though I thought not ever | to love one of
The race of the Wanes.’
30. Skirnir spake:
‘My errand all | must I know ere I ride
My way on the steed to the woods;
When wilt thou come | to the son of Njorth,
And give him the love he longs for?’
31. Gerth spake:
‘Barri is the grove, | which we both know well,
The forest quiet and calm;
After nine nights | to the son of Njorth
Will Gerth give freely her love.’
32. Then Skirnir rode home. Frey stood without and spoke to him, and asked for tidings:
33. Frey spake:
‘Tell me, Skirnir, | ere thou takest off saddle,
Or farest forward a step:
What hast thou done | in the giants’ home
To make glad thee or me?’
34. Skirnir spake:
‘Barri is the grove, | which we both know well,
The forest quiet and calm;
After nine nights | to the son of Njorth
Will Gerth give freely her love.’
35. Frey spake:
‘Long is one night, | long are two;
How shall I bear three?
Often a month | has seemed less to me
Than half a night of waiting.’
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*** HÁRBARÐSLJÓÐ ***
(The Lay of Harbarth)
A flyting (insult match) between Thor and Odin, who is disguised as a ferryman named Harbarth.
1. Thor spake:
‘Who is the knave | of the knaves on the knoll,
Who stands and shouts o’er the straits?’
2. Harbarth spake:
‘Who is the churl | of the churls in the channel,
That calls across the corn?’
3. Thor spake:
‘Ferry me o’er | and I’ll feed thee well,
My basket I bear | on my back;’ (I think
Thou hast never eaten | better food.)
4. Harbarth spake:
‘Thou art barefoot, | thy breeks are worn,
Thou hast not even | hose to thy heels;
What is thy name, | thou churl?’
5. Thor spake:
‘Othin’s son | am I, Meili’s brother,
And Magni’s father; | the mightiest of gods;
With Thor thou speakest! | I will ask thee now
What is thy name, | thou knave?’
6. Harbarth spake:
‘Harbarth am I, | and I hide it seldom.’
7. Thor spake:
‘Why shouldst thou hide it, | if thou hast no crime
To keep from the ken of men?’
8. Harbarth spake:
‘Although I had crimes, | I would keep myself
From such as thou art, | unless I were doomed.’
9. Thor spake:
‘I am wet and weary, | and I wish to cross;
Why dost thou hinder me, Harbarth?’
10. Harbarth spake:
‘I shall stay thee here, | for I started from home
With orders from him | who owns the boat;
Hildolf is he, | the hero of Ratatosk,
He bade me no robbers | to row o’er the firth.’
11. Thor spake:
‘Thou wouldst call me robber, | but I rue it ill
That I bear my burden | on my back;
If I could but reach thee, | I would row thy boat
Till it sank with thee, | thou sot!’
12. Harbarth spake:
‘Here shall I stand | and await thee here,
Thou hast found no fiercer | foe since Hrungnir died.’
13. Thor spake:
‘Thou mindest me now | of my meeting with Hrungnir,
The giant of stone, | who stood so stout;
Yet I laid him low, | and I let him fall;
What didst thou the while, Harbarth?’
14. Harbarth spake:
‘With Fjolvar five | full winters through
I dwelt in the island | called Algron;
There could we fight, | and fell the slain,
Much could we dare, | and maids could steal.’
15. Thor spake:
‘How did ye win | the women’s love?’
16. Harbarth spake:
‘Sparkling women | had we, if they were but wise,
Fair women had we, | if they were but kind;
For a rope of sand | they would seek to wind,
And the bottom to dig | from the deepest dale.’
17. Thor spake:
‘I slew Thjazi, | the giant threatening,
Up I cast the eyes | of Alvaldi’s son
Into the heaven bright; | they are signs greatest
Of my deeds, which all men see.
What didst thou the while, Harbarth?’
18. Harbarth spake:
‘Great love-ventures | I had with the giant-maids,
When I won them from the wise giants;
A son I begat | with the daughter of Hlebarth,
A witch she was, | but I won her love.’
19. Thor spake:
‘I slew the giant-women | in Hlessey,
They had done the worst, | they had deceived the folk;
What didst thou the while, Harbarth?’
20. Harbarth spake:
‘I was in Valland, | and wars I followed,
Princes I angered, | and peace I brought never;
To Othin belongs | the earls that fall,
But Thor has the race of thralls.’
21. Thor spake:
‘Unequal gifts | wouldst thou give to the gods,
If thou mightest wield the world.’
22. Harbarth spake:
‘Thor has strength enough, | but no heart;
In fear and cowardice | wast thou crammed in a glove,
And thou seemedst no son of Thor.’
23. Thor spake:
‘Thou craven cur! | I would kill thee now,
If I could but reach across.’
24. Harbarth spake:
‘Why shouldst thou reach? | We have no reason for wrath;
What didst thou the while, Thor?’
25. Thor spake:
‘In the east I was, | and the river I guarded,
When the sons of Svarang | sought me there;
Stones did they cast, | but they won no steep,
For to ask for peace | were they first to pray.’
26. Harbarth spake:
‘East was I too, | and with one I talked,
Played with the linen-white, | and met her long;
I gladdened the gold-bright one, | and game I had.’
27. Thor spake:
‘Well for thee, then, | was the woman found?’
28. Harbarth spake:
‘Thy help I needed, | Thor, to hold
The white maid fast in my arms.’
29. Thor spake:
‘I would have helped thee, | if the chance I had.’
30. Harbarth spake:
‘I would have trusted thee, | if thou hadst not betrayed
Thy troth to me before.’
31. Thor spake:
‘No heel-biter am I, | like an old hide-shoe
In spring, that is worn away.’
32. Harbarth spake:
‘What didst thou the while, Thor?’
33. Thor spake:
‘The brides of Berserkir | I beat in Hlessey,
They were mad, and everything | meant to overturn.’
34. Harbarth spake:
‘Shame didst thou win, | that women thou foughtest,
Thor, on the island there.’
35. Thor spake:
‘She-wolves they were, | and women no-wise,
They smashed my ship | which I shored on the strand,
And threatened me with iron clubs;
What didst thou the while, Harbarth?’
36. Harbarth spake:
‘I was in the host | which hither fared,
The banners to raise, | and the spear to redden.’
37. Thor spake:
‘Evil is thy speech, | for thou sayest thou soughtest
To bring us hatred and harm.’
38. Harbarth spake:
‘I shall make it up with thee | with a magic ring,
If the judge who judges | all things so wills.’
39. Thor spake:
‘Where didst thou find | such speech so foul?
More foul I have never heard.’
40. Harbarth spake:
‘I learned it from men, | the ancient ones,
Who dwell in the hills of home.’
41. Thor spake:
‘A name full good | thou givest to cairns,
When thou callest them hills of home.’
42. Harbarth spake:
‘Of such things speak I | as so I see.’
43. Thor spake:
‘Thy glibness of tongue | will get thee grief
If I start to wade the stream;
Louder than wolf | shalt thou howl, I ween,
If I hit thee with the hammer.’
44. Harbarth spake:
‘Sif has a lover | at home in the hall,
He is the one | thou shouldst seek to hit;
That were a trial | more true for thy strength.’
45. Thor spake:
‘Thy tongue still chatters, | to tease me thou choosest,
Thou lying man of lips!
Me methinks thou art lying | as much as thou mayst.’
46. Harbarth spake:
‘Truth do I tell, | but slow is thy way,
Far hadst thou gone | if my boat I had given.’
47. Thor spake:
‘Why dost thou hinder me? | Who incites thee thus?’
48. Harbarth spake:
‘It is the witch-mother, | who eggs me on.’
49. Thor spake:
‘Thou liest now.’
Harbarth spake:
‘I lie not now.’
Thor spake:
‘Get hence with thy boat! | to the trolls with thee now!’
50. Harbarth spake:
‘Go thou to where | all the fiends shall get thee!’
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*** HYMISKVIÐA ***
(The Lay of Hymir)
Thor and Tyr journey to the giant Hymir to retrieve a massive cauldron for brewing ale.
1. Of old the gods | of game were eager,
Together they met | and mead would drink;
They shook the twigs | and blood they tried,
Rich was the feast | in Ægir’s hall.
2. The mountain-dweller | sat merry as boy,
Like to the son | of Miskorblindi;
He looked in the eye | of Ygg’s son then:
‘Thou shalt for the Aser | oft make a feast.’
3. The word-wielding giant | weary was made,
And vengeance on the gods | he vowed to get;
The husband of Ran | he asked to find
A cauldron where | he could brew the ale.
4. The gods so great | could get it nowhere,
Nor could the blest ones | find it out;
Till Tyr the faithful | to Thor did speak,
And friendly counsel | to Hlorrithi gave.
5. ‘There dwells to the east | of Elivagar
Hymir the wise | at the heaven’s end;
A kettle my father, | the fierce one, owns,
A caldron huge, | a mile in depth.’
6. Thor spake:
‘Thinkest thou we can | the water-boiler get?’
7. Tyr spake:
‘If, friend, we use | but a few of wiles.’
8. They drove that day | a long way forth,
At last to the house | of Egil they came;
The goats with horns | were halted there;
Then to the hall | of Hymir they went.
9. The youth found the grandmother, | loathsome to see,
And heads nine hundred | she had, methinks;
But another came | all golden forth,
Bright-browed, bearing | beer to her son.
10. The Mother of Tyr spake:
‘Kinsman of giants, | beneath the kettle
Will I set ye both, | ye bold of heart;
For many a time | my mate is fierce,
And wroth with guests | is the giant old.’
11. Late home came | the misshapen Hymir,
The harsh-minded giant, | from hunting he came;
The icicles rattled | on his chin-forest rimmed,
As the fellow came in, | and frost was on his cheek.
12. The Mother of Tyr spake:
‘Hail to thee, Hymir! | be of good heart,
Now is thy son | to thy hall come home,
For whom we have waited, | this long way wending;
With him is the foe, | the friend of man,
Veor is his name, | tell him welcome!’
13. ‘See where they sit, | at the gable-end,
Behind the beam | to hide themselves.’
14. At the pillar he looked, | and the plank was burst,
Asunder was broken | the heavy beam;
Eight kettles fell, | but only one
Of the hard-hammered caldrons | whole was found.
15. Forth came they then, | but the old giant
His eyes on the foe | with fear did cast;
To him it seemed | an evil thing
When the sorrow-bringer | he saw in his hall.
16. Three oxen then | were taken there,
And soon the giant | bade seethe them all;
Headless they made them, | and then they cast
Into the cooking-pit | all the three.
17. Sif’s mate, ere to sleep | he went, alone
Ate oxen two, | and all of the fish;
To the hoary giant | well it seemed
That Hlorrithi’s meal | was mighty indeed.
18. Hymir spake:
‘Next time at eve | we three must eat
The food we catch | as we hunt the game.’
19. Veor said he would row | on the sea if the giant
A bait would give him | to banish his hunger.
20. Hymir spake:
‘Go to the herd, | if thou hast the heart,
The crusher of giants, | and seek a bait;
For there, methinks, | thou soon mayst find
A bait from the ox | that is easy to get.’
21. Swift to the wood | the hero went,
Till before him he saw | an ox all black;
From the beast the head | broke Thor off,
The high stronghold | of the heavy horns.
22. Hymir spake:
‘Thy work, methinks, | is worse by far
Than when thou sittest | and sayest nought.’
23. The lord of goats | bade the ape-begotten
Farther to steer | the steed of the sea;
But the giant said | that his will, forsooth,
Longer to row | was little enough.
24. Two whales on his hook | did the mighty Hymir
Soon pull up | on a single cast;
Aft in the boat | sat Othin’s son,
And Veor with cunning | his line cast out.
25. The protector of men, | the serpent’s slayer,
The head of the ox | on his hook did place;
Against the bait | the jaw did gape
Of the serpent who girdles | all the earth.
26. Drag did the doughty | Thor on the line,
And up with the venomous | wolf he pulled;
With his hammer he hit | the hair-hill high
Of the brother of the wolf | while he roared from below.
27. The rocks were rent, | the earth howled loud,
The ancient earth | all shrank together;
Then sank the fish | in the sea forthwith.
28. Gloomy was the giant | as they rowed back,
No word he spake | as he turned the rudder;
Of the boat and the oars | he thought apart.
29. Hymir spake:
‘Half of the work | wilt thou do with me,
Either the whales | to the house bring home,
Or bind the boat? | thou must do thy best.’
30. Hlorrithi went, | and the boat he gripped,
Up he swung it, | with bilge-water, benches and all;
And home to the hall | of the giant he bore
The sea-pig through rock-rifts | and deep ravines.
31. But the giant still | with stubborn mind,
Bold in his strength, | with the stranger strove;
No man, he said, | was mighty in strength,
Save he could break | the goblet of glass.
32. Hlorrithi took | the glass in his hand,
And dashed it against | a pillar of stone;
The pillar broke, | but the glass was whole,
To the giant again | was the goblet brought.
33. Then the fair leman | friendly counsel
Gave to the god: | ‘Hit Hymir’s skull!
Harder is it | than the heavy cup,
The brain-pan | of the breaker of food.’
34. Powerful Thor, | the goat-lord, rose,
And with all his god-strength | smote the giant;
Safe was the helmed-one, | but shivered the cup,
The wine-vessel rounded | was rent in twain.
35. Hymir spake:
‘Fair treasure is gone, | since the cup is broken,
From my knees, I say;’ | and so he spake:
‘I can say no more | in days to come,
“Thou art brewed, mine ale!” | for the cup is broken.’
36. ‘Enough shall it be | if ye bring the kettle
Out of the hall, | if ye hold the strength.’
37. Tyr twice essayed | to move the kettle,
But the kettle twice | stood still as stone;
Then Hlorrithi grasped | the handle grim,
And earth gave way | ‘neath the feet of the god.
38. Up on his head | Sif’s husband raised
The kettle huge, | and the handles clattered;
About his heels | the rings of it hung.
39. They had fared not far | when back he looked,
And Othin’s son | saw giants many;
From their caves in the east | coming with Hymir,
A host of many-headed | monsters he saw.
40. He lifted the kettle | from his shoulders down,
And Mjolnir, the hammer | murderous, swung;
And all the whales | of the waste he killed.
41. Not long had they fared | ere Hlorrithi’s goat,
Half-dead, on the ground | was lying down;
On its leg the beast | was lame, they say;
And the doer of this | was the decent Loki.
42. But ye have heard,– | for who of the gods
More fully can tell | the fate of the goat?–
What treasure he got | from the giant then,
When he paid for the beast | with his children both.
43. Possessing the kettle | of Hymir the strong,
To the council of gods | the strong one came;
And the gods so great | could drink at the feast,
In Ægir’s hall, | their ale at will.
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*** LOKASENNA ***
(The Flyting of Loki)
Loki crashes a feast of the gods and insults them one by one until Thor arrives and threatens him.
1. Ægir, who is also called Gymir, had made ale for the gods, after he had got the great kettle, as has been told. To this feast came Othin and Frigg, his wife. Thor came not, for he was on a journey in the east. Sif, Thor’s wife, was there, and Bragi with Ithun, his wife. Tyr, who had but one hand, was there; the wolf Fenrir had bitten off the other. There was Njorth and his wife Skathi, Frey and Freyja, and Vithar, the son of Othin. Loki was there, and Frey’s servants Byggvir and Beyla. Many were there of the gods and elves.
Ægir had two serving-men, Fimafeng and Eldir. Glittering gold was there used instead of firelight; the ale came in of itself; and great was the peace of the holy place. The guests praised much the ability of Ægir’s serving-men. Loki might not endure that, and he slew Fimafeng. Then the gods shook their shields and howled at Loki, and drove him away to the forest, and thereafter began to drink. Loki came again, and met Eldir without, and spoke to him:
2. Loki spake:
‘Speak now, Eldir, | for not one step
Farther shalt thou fare;
What ale-talk here | do they have within,
The sons of the glorious gods?’
3. Eldir spake:
‘Of their weapons they talk, | and their might in war,
The sons of the glorious gods;
From the gods and elves | who are gathered here
No friend in words shalt thou find.’
4. Loki spake:
‘In shall I go | into Ægir’s hall,
For the feast I fain would see;
Bale and hatred | I bring to the gods,
And their mead with venom I mix.’
5. Eldir spake:
‘If in thou goest | to Ægir’s hall,
And fain the feast wouldst see,
If with slander and lies | thou besprinklest the gods,
Think well lest they wipe it on thee.’
6. Loki spake:
‘Thinkest thou, Eldir, | that if we two
Shall strive with slanderous speech,
I am rich in words | which I well can speak
If thou speakest too much to me?’
7. Then Loki went into the hall, but when those who were there saw who had come in, they all became silent.
8. Loki spake:
‘Thirsty I come | into this thine hall,
I, Lopt, from a journey long,
To ask of the gods | that one should give
Fair mead for a drink to me.’
9. ‘Why sit ye silent, | ye gods so sullen,
And never a word have ye?
Choose me a seat | and a place at the feast,
Or bid me fare forth from hence!’
10. Bragi spake:
‘A seat and a place | will the gods not choose
For thee at the feast to have;
For well the gods know | to whom they should give
Their mead and a place at the board.’
11. Loki spake:
‘Remember, Othin, | in olden days
That we both our blood have mixed;
Then didst thou promise | no ale to pour,
Unless it were brought for us both.’
12. Othin spake:
‘Stand forth then, Vithar, | and let the wolf’s father
Find a seat at our feast;
Lest evil should Loki | speak aloud
Here in Ægir’s hall.’
13. Then Vithar rose and poured drink for Loki; but before he drank he spoke to the gods:
14. ‘Hail to you, gods! | ye goddesses, hail!
Hail to the holy throng!
Save for the god | who yonder sits,
Bragi, on the bench.’
15. Bragi spake:
‘A horse and a sword | from my hoard will I give,
And a ring gives Bragi to boot,
That hatred thou mak’st not | among the gods;
So rouse not the great ones to wrath.’
16. Loki spake:
‘In horses and rings | thou shalt never be rich,
Bragi, but lack them both;
Of the gods and elves | here together met
Least brave in battle art thou,
(And shyest thou art of the shot.)’
17. Bragi spake:
‘Now were I without | as I am within,
And here in Ægir’s hall,
Thy head would I bear | in my hand away,
And pay thee the price of thy lie.’
18. Loki spake:
‘In thy seat art thou bold, | not so are thy deeds,
Bragi, thou adorner of benches!
Go out and fight, | if angered thou feelest,
No hero such forethought has.’
19. Ithun spake:
‘Well, prithee, Bragi, | his kinship weigh,
Since chosen as wish-son he was;
And speak not to Loki | such words of spite
Here in Ægir’s hall.’
20. Loki spake:
‘Be silent, Ithun! | thou art, I say,
The most man-mad of women;
Since thou thy washing | arms didst wind
About thy brother’s slayer.’
21. Ithun spake:
‘To Loki I speak not | with spiteful words
Here in Ægir’s hall;
And Bragi I calm, | who is hot with beer,
For I wish not that fierce they should fight.’
22. Gefjun spake:
‘Why will ye, gods, | with bitter words
Strive in the hall together?
Lopt knows not | that he is mocked,
And the dwellers in heaven hate him.’
23. Loki spake:
‘Be silent, Gefjun! | for now shall I say
Who led thee to evil life;
The boy so fair | gave a necklace bright,
And about him thy legs were laid.’
24. Othin spake:
‘Mad art thou, Loki, | and little of wit,
The wrath of Gefjun to rouse;
For the fate that is set | for all she sees,
Even as I, methinks.’
25. Loki spake:
‘Be silent, Othin! | thou never couldst set
The strife ‘twixt men aright;
Oft hast thou given | to those whom thou oughtest not,–
The craven,–victory.’
26. Othin spake:
‘Though I gave to those | whom I ought not to give,
The craven, victory,
Eight winters together | wast thou underground,
Milking the cows as a maid,
(And there children didst thou bear;
And that methinks was a woman’s way.)’
27. Loki spake:
‘In Samsey once | didst thou sew spells,
And like to a Vala thou wast;
In the likeness of a witch | didst thou wander wide,
And that methinks was a woman’s way.’
28. Frigg spake:
‘Of the deeds of old | ye should never speak
Here in Ægir’s hall,
What ye two did | in days gone by;
Old tales should never be told.’
29. Loki spake:
‘Be silent, Frigg! | thou art Fjorgyn’s daughter,
But ever mad for men;
Ve and Vili, | it is said, thou hast,
Both, in thy bosom lain.’
30. Frigg spake:
‘If a son like Baldr | were by me now,
Here in Ægir’s hall,
From the sons of the gods | thou shouldst go not forth
Till thy fierceness in fight were tried.’
31. Loki spake:
‘Thou wilt then, Frigg, | that further I tell
Of the ill that now I know;
Mine is the blame | that Baldr no more
Thou seest ride home to the hall.’
32. Freyja spake:
‘Mad art thou, Loki, | that known thou makest
The wrong and shame thou hast wrought;
The fate of all | does Frigg know well,
Though herself she says it not.’
33. Loki spake:
‘Be silent, Freyja! | for fully I know thee,
Sinless thou art not thyself;
Of the gods and elves | who are gathered here,
Each one as thy lover has lain.’
34. Freyja spake:
‘False is thy tongue, | and soon shalt thou find
That it sings thee an evil song;
The gods are wroth, | and the goddesses all,
And in grief shalt thou go from the hall.’
35. Loki spake:
‘Be silent, Freyja! | thou foulest witch,
And steeped full sore in sin;
In the arms of thy brother | the bright gods caught thee
When Freyja her wind set free.’
36. Njorth spake:
‘It is little ill | though a woman love
A lover or husband or both;
But a wonder it is | that this womanish god
Comes hither, who children has borne.’
37. Loki spake:
‘Be silent, Njorth! | thou wast eastward sent,
To the gods as a hostage given;
And the daughters of Hymir | their privy had
When use did they make of thy mouth.’
38. Njorth spake:
‘Great was my gain, | though long was I gone,
To the gods as a hostage given;
The son did I have | whom no one hates,
And foremost of gods is he found.’
39. Loki spake:
‘Give heed now, Njorth, | nor boast too high,
No longer I keep it hid;
With thy sister hadst thou | so fair a son,
Thus hadst thou no worse a hope.’
40. Tyr spake:
‘Of the heroes brave | is Frey the best
Here in the courts of the gods;
He harms not maids | nor men’s wives ever,
And the bound from their fetters he frees.’
41. Loki spake:
‘Be silent, Tyr! | for between two men
Friendship thou ne’er couldst fashion;
Fain would I tell | how thy right hand fared
Once by the wolf was it rent.’
42. Tyr spake:
‘I lack a hand, | but thou lackest Hrothvitnir,
A loss it is to us both;
Ill fares the wolf | who must ever await
In chains the fall of the gods.’
43. Loki spake:
‘Be silent, Tyr! | for a son did thy wife
Once to me, the wily one, bear;
And never a penny, | thou poor one, hadst thou
For the hurt to pay thee back.’
44. Frey spake:
‘The wolf I see lie | at the mouth of the river,
Until the gods to destruction go;
And thou, if thou holdest not | thy tongue, shall be bound,
Thou forger of evil, as well.’
45. Loki spake:
‘With gold didst thou buy | Gymir’s daughter,
And so gavest away thy sword;
But when Muspell’s sons | through Myrkwood ride,
Thou shalt have no weapon to wield,
(And sore will thy need be then.)’
46. Byggvir spake:
‘Had I the birth | of Ingunar-Frey,
And sat in so lofty a seat,
I would crush to marrow | this crow of ill,
And beat all his body to bits.’
47. Loki spake:
‘What little creature | goes crawling there,
Snuffling and snapping about?
At the ears of Frey | thou art ever found,
Or under the millstone chattering.’
48. Byggvir spake:
‘Byggvir my name, | and brisk am I called
By gods and by men so great;
Here am I proud | that the children of Hropt
Drink ale all together.’
49. Loki spake:
‘Be silent, Byggvir! | thou never couldst set
The shares of the meat for men;
Hid in straw on the floor, | they found thee not
When heroes were fain to fight.’
50. Heimdall spake:
‘Loki, thou art drunk, | and witless art thou,
Why dost thou not leave off, Loki?
For drink too much | to every man
His wits will steal away.’
51. Loki spake:
‘Be silent, Heimdall! | in days of old
Was an evil fate for thee set;
With back held stiff | must thou ever stand,
As warder of the gods.’
52. Skathi spake:
‘Light art thou, Loki, | but longer thou mayst not
In freedom flourish thy tail;
On the rocks the gods | bind thee with bowels
Torn from thy frost-cold son.’
53. Loki spake:
‘Though on rocks the gods bind me | with bowels torn
From my frost-cold son,
Yet first was I | and last was I
At the killing of Thjazi caught.’
54. Skathi spake:
‘If first thou wast | and last thou wast
At the killing of Thjazi caught,
From my dwellings and fields | shall ever come forth
A counsel cold for thee.’
55. Loki spake:
‘More light was thy speech | with Laufey’s son,
When thou badest me come to thy bed;
Such things must be mentioned, | if we two shall seek
To tell our sins of old.’
56. Then Sif came forward and poured mead for Loki in a crystal cup and said:
‘Welcome, Loki, | and take the crystal cup,
Filled with the ancient mead;
So shalt thou admit, | of the children of the gods,
That I alone am blameless.’
57. He took the horn and drank therefrom:
‘Alone thou wert, | if truly thou wouldst
All men so shyly shun;
But one do I know, | and I know him well,
Who made the harlot of Hlorrithi’s wife,
And that was the wily Loki.’
58. Beyla spake:
‘The mountains shake, | and fare from the home
Does Hlorrithi hither come;
And he will silence | the one who slanders
All gods and men in the hall.’
59. Loki spake:
‘Be silent, Beyla! | thou art Byggvir’s wife,
And deep art thou steeped in sin;
A greater shame | to the gods came ne’er,
Thou art filth, and a milking-maid.’
60. Then came Thor forth, and spake:
‘Unmanly one, cease, | or the hammer of Miollnir,
The heavy one, close thy mouth;
The shoulder-cliff | shall I cleave from thy neck,
And so shall thy life be lost.’
61. Loki spake:
‘Lo, the son of Earth | has sought the hall,
Why dost thou bluster, Thor?
But little thou’lt dare | to do with the wolf
When he swallows Sigfather up.’
62. Thor spake:
‘Unmanly one, cease, | or the hammer of Miollnir,
The heavy one, close thy mouth;
Up I will hurl thee | to the east,
And no one shall see thee more.’
63. Loki spake:
‘Of thy journeys east | thou shouldst never tell
To the people here, methinks;
In a thumb of a glove | didst thou hide, thou great one,
And there thou wast no god.’
64. Thor spake:
‘Unmanly one, cease, | or the hammer of Miollnir,
The heavy one, close thy mouth;
My right hand shall smite thee | with Hrungnir’s slayer,
Till all thy bones are broken.’
65. Loki spake:
‘Alive I intend | a long while to be
Though thou threatenest me with thy hammer;
Rough seemed the straps | of Skrymir’s wallet,
When thy meat thou mightest not get,
(And faint from hunger thou felt.)’
66. Thor spake:
‘Unmanly one, cease, | or the hammer of Miollnir,
The heavy one, close thy mouth;
The slayer of Hrungnir | shall send thee to Hel,
And down to the gate of death.’
67. Loki spake:
‘I have said to the gods | and the sons of the gods
The things that my spirit urged;
But for thee alone | do I now go forth,
For I know that thou strikest well.’
68. ‘Ale hast thou brewed, | but, Ægir, now
Such feasts shalt thou make no more;
O’er all that thou hast | which is here within
Shall play the flickering fire,
(And thy back shall be burnt with it.)’
69. And after that Loki hid himself in Franang’s waterfall in the guise of a salmon, and there the gods took him. He was bound with the bowels of his son Nari, but his son Narfi was changed to a wolf. Skathi took a poison-snake and fastened it up over Loki’s face, and the poison dropped thereon. Sigyn, Loki’s wife, sat there and held a shell under the poison, but when the shell was full she poured out the poison, and in the meanwhile it dropped on Loki. Then he struggled so hard that the whole earth shook therewith; and now that is called an earthquake.
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*** ÞRYMSKVIÐA ***
(The Lay of Thrym)
Thor’s hammer is stolen by the giant Thrym, and Thor must disguise himself as Freyja to retrieve it.
1. Wild was Vingthor | when he awoke,
And when his mighty | hammer he missed;
He shook his beard, | his hair was bristling,
As the son of Jorth | about him sought.
2. Hear now the speech | that first he spake:
‘Harken, Loki, | and heed my words,
Nowhere on earth | is it known to man,
Nor in heaven above: | our hammer is stolen.’
3. To the dwelling fair | of Freyja they went,
Hear now the speech | that first he spake:
‘Wilt thou, Freyja, | thy feather-dress lend me,
That so my hammer | I may seek?’
4. Freyja spake:
‘Thine should it be | though of silver bright,
And I would give it | though ’twere of gold.’
5. Then Loki flew, | and the feather-dress whirred,
Till he left behind him | the home of the gods,
And reached at last | the realm of the giants.
6. Thrym sat on a mound, | the giants’ master,
Leashes of gold | he laid for his dogs,
And stroked and smoothed | the manes of his steeds.
7. Thrym spake:
‘How fare the gods, | how fare the elves?
Why comst thou alone | to the giants’ land?’
8. Loki spake:
‘Ill fare the gods, | ill fare the elves!
Hast thou hidden | Hlorrithi’s hammer?’
9. Thrym spake:
‘I have hidden | Hlorrithi’s hammer,
Eight miles down | deep in the earth;
And back no man | shall bring it to thee
Save he bring me Freyja | to be my bride.’
10. Then Loki flew, | and the feather-dress whirred,
Till he left behind him | the home of the giants,
And reached at last | the realm of the gods.
There in the court | Thor met him coming;
Hear now the speech | that first he spake:
11. Thor spake:
‘Hast thou reward | for thy wagging tongue?
Tell me the news | ere thou takest off;
Oft does sitting | the story fail,
And lies he tells | who lays himself down.’
12. Loki spake:
‘I have reward | and a wagging tongue;
Thrym has thy hammer, | the giants’ master;
And back no man | shall bring it to thee
Save he bring him Freyja | to be his bride.’
13. To the dwelling fair | of Freyja they went,
Hear now the speech | that first he spake:
‘Bind on, Freyja, | the bridal veil,
We two must drive | to the giants’ home.’
14. Wrathful was Freyja, | and fiercely she snorted,
And the dwelling great | of the gods was shaken,
And burst was the mighty | Brisings’ necklace:
‘Most lustful indeed | should I look to all
If I journeyed with thee | to the giants’ home.’
15. Then were the gods | together met,
And the goddesses came | and council held,
And the far-famed ones | a plan would find,
How they might Hlorrithi’s | hammer win.
16. Then Heimdall spake, | whitest of the gods,
Like the Wanes he knew | the future well:
‘Bind we on Thor | the bridal veil,
Let him bear the mighty | Brisings’ necklace;’
17. ‘Keys around him | let there rattle,
And down to his knees | hang women’s dress;
With gems full broad | upon his breast,
And a pretty cap | to crown his head.’
18. Then Thor the mighty | his answer made:
‘Me would the gods | unmanly call
If I let bind | the bridal veil.’
19. Then Loki spake, | the son of Laufey:
‘Be silent, Thor, | and speak not thus;
Else will the giants | in Asgarth dwell
If thy hammer is brought not | home to thee.’
20. Then they bound on Thor | the bridal veil,
And next the mighty | Brisings’ necklace.
21. Keys around him | let they rattle,
And down to his knees | hung women’s dress;
With gems full broad | upon his breast,
And a pretty cap | to crown his head.
22. Then Loki spake, | the son of Laufey:
‘As thy maid-servant thither | I go with thee;
We two shall drive | to the giants’ home.’
23. Then home the goats | to the hall were driven,
They wrenched at the halters, | swift were they to run;
The mountains burst, | earth burned with fire,
And Othin’s son | sought Jotunheim.
24. Then loud spake Thrym, | the giants’ master:
‘Bestir thee, giants, | put straw on the benches;
Now Freyja they bring | to be my bride,
The daughter of Njorth | out of Noatun.’
25. ‘Gold-horned cattle | go to my stables,
Jet-black oxen, | the giant’s joy;
Many my gems, | and many my jewels,
Freyja alone | did I lack, methinks.’
26. Early it was | to evening come,
And forth was borne | the beer for the giants;
Thor alone ate an ox, | and eight salmon,
All the dainties as well | that were set for the women;
And drank Sif’s mate | three tuns of mead.
27. Then loud spake Thrym, | the giants’ master:
‘Who ever saw bride | more keenly bite?
I saw never bride | with a broader bite,
Nor a maiden who drank | more mead than this!’
28. Hard by there sat | the serving-maid wise,
So well she answered | the giant’s words:
‘From food has Freyja | eight nights fasted,
So hot was her longing | for Jotunheim.’
29. Thrym looked ‘neath the veil, | for he longed to kiss,
But back he leaped | the length of the hall:
‘Why are so fearful | the eyes of Freyja?
Fire, methinks, | from her eyes burns forth.’
30. Hard by there sat | the serving-maid wise,
So well she answered | the giant’s words:
‘No sleep has Freyja | for eight nights found,
So hot was her longing | for Jotunheim.’
31. Soon came the giant’s | luckless sister,
Who feared not to ask | the bridal fee:
‘From thy hands the rings | of red gold take,
If thou wouldst win | my willing love,
(My willing love | and welcome glad.)’
32. Then loud spake Thrym, | the giants’ master:
‘Bring in the hammer | to hallow the bride;
On the maiden’s knees | let Mjolnir lie,
That us both the hand | of Vor may bless.’
33. The heart in the breast | of Hlorrithi laughed
When the hard-souled one | his hammer beheld;
First Thrym, the king | of the giants, he killed,
Then all the folk | of the giants he felled.
34. The giant’s sister | old he slew,
She who had asked | the bridal fee;
A stroke she got | in the stead of shillings,
And a hammer’s stroke | for a host of rings.
35. So came Othin’s son | by his hammer again.
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*** VÖLUNDARKVIÐA ***
(The Lay of Volund)
The tragic story of the master smith Volund, his capture by King Nithuth, and his terrible revenge.
1. Maids flew from the south | through Mirkwood forth,
Fair and young, | their fate to follow;
On the shore of the sea | to rest them they sat,
The maids of the south, | and flax they spun.
2. Hlathguth and Hervor | were Hlothver’s children,
And Olrun the Wise | was Kjar’s daughter;
One in her arms | took Egil to hold,
The woman fair, | in the wood of gold.
3. Another was | with Slagfinn set,
(Swans were they, | with feathers of snow;)
And the third their sister, | the white neck clasped
Of Volund then, | the Vernian’s son.
4. So they sat | for seven winters,
But the eighth was come, | and their home they craved;
(The ninth was come, | and needs must they part.)
The maidens yearned | for the murky wood,
The fair young sisters, | their fate to follow.
5. From the hunt came | the weather-eyed hunter,
Slagfinn and Egil, | their hall to see,
Out and in | went they everywhere,
East and West, | but the women were gone.
6. East rode Egil | to seek for Olrun,
And south went Slagfinn | to seek for Swanwhite;
But Volund sat | in Wolfdale still,
He forged red gold | with gems full fair.
7. And rings he strung | on ropes of bast,
did he thus | for his wife to return,
If the fair one ever | should come to him.
8. This Nithuth learned, | the lord of Njars,
That Volund sat | in Wolfdale still;
By night went men, | their mail-coats studded,
Their shields in the waning | moon did shine.
9. From their saddles the gable | wall they sought,
And in they went | at the end of the hall;
Rings they saw there | on ropes of bast,
Seven hundred | the hero had.
10. And them they took, | and them they put back,
Save one alone | which they bore away.
11. Home from the hunt | came the weather-eyed hunter,
Volund, faring | on the long way;
The brown bear’s flesh | would he roast with fire,
Soon the wood-dry | pine burned well,
(The wind-dried wood, | before Volund.)
12. On the bearskin he sat, | and his rings he counted,
The master of elves, | but one he missed;
That Hlothver’s daughter | had it he thought,
And the all-wise maid | had come once more.
13. So long he sat | that he fell asleep,
And waking, joyless | his chains he found;
Upon his hands | were heavy shackles,
And fetters firmly | his feet did bind.
14. Volund spake:
‘Who are the men | that laid the ropes,
And bound me thus | with bast and chains?’
15. Then Nithuth called, | the lord of Njars:
‘How gottest thou, Volund, | great of the elves,
These treasures of ours | in Wolfdale?’
16. Volund spake:
‘The gold was not | on Grani’s path,
Far, methinks, is our land | from the hills of the Rhine;
I mind me that we | more treasures possessed
When whole we were | at home in our hall.’
17. Without stood the wife | of Nithuth wise,
And in she came | from the end of the hall;
On the floor she stood, | and softly spoke:
‘Not kind are his eyes | who comes from the wood.’
18. King Nithuth gave to his daughter Bothvild the ring of gold which he had taken from the bast rope in Volund’s house, and he himself wore the sword which Volund had made. The queen said:
‘His teeth he shows, | when the sword he sees,
And Bodvild’s ring | he recognizes;
His eyes are like | a glistening snake;
Cut now his hamstrings, | and set him in Sævarstath.’
19. So was it done; his hamstrings were cut, and he was set on an island which was near the mainland, and was called Sævarstath. There he smithied for the king all kinds of precious things. No man dared to go to him, save only the king himself. Volund spake:
‘At Nithuth’s belt | the sword I see
That I whetted well | and with cunning made,
And the bright blade | from me was borne away;
(I shall see it never | borne to my smithy;)
Now Bodvild wears | my bride’s red ring,
(For which I wait, | and the worst I know.)’
20. He sat and slept not, | and his hammer he swung,
Fast for Nithuth | new wonders he made;
The two young sons | of Nithuth came,
To the doors of the hall | on Sævarstath.
21. They came to the chest, | and the keys they asked,
The evil was open | when in they looked;
To the boys it seemed | that gems they saw,
And gold in plenty | was there to have.
22. Volund spake:
‘Come ye alone, | the next day come,
And gold to you both | shall I give for this;
Tell it to none | of the maidens or men,
To no one say | that me ye have sought.’
23. Early did brother | to brother call:
‘Swift let us go | the rings to see!’
They came to the chest, | and the keys they asked,
The evil was open | when in they looked.
24. He hewed off the heads | of the heavy boys,
And their feet he hid | in the fen’s foul muck;
But their skulls he broke | from the hair-bound flesh,
And set them in silver | for Nithuth to see.
25. And of their eyes | the gems he made,
And sent them to | the wife of Nithuth wise;
And of the teeth | of the two he wrought
A breast-pin | for Bothvild to have.
26. Bothvild then | of her ring did boast,
(Which she had broken, | she brought it to Volund;)
‘I dare not say it | save to thee.’
27. Volund spake:
‘I shall weld the break | in the gold so well
That fairer than ever | thy father shall find it,
And better much | thy mother shall think it,
And thou thyself | shall see it the same.’
28. Beer he brought, | for he cunning was,
Until in her seat | the maiden slept.
‘Now have I avenged | my hurts all,
Save one alone, | on the evil woman.’
29. Volund spake:
‘Well is it, Volund, | wing-taken now
On thy feet to fly, | from Nithuth’s men!’
Laughing Volund | rose aloft,
Weeping Bothvild | went from the isle,
For her lover’s flight | and her father’s wrath.
30. Without stood the wife | of Nithuth wise,
And in she came | from the end of the hall;
But he by the wall | to rest him went:
‘Wakest thou, Nithuth, | lord of Njars?’
31. Nithuth spake:
‘Always I wake, | and ever joyless,
Little I sleep | since my sons were slain;
Cold is my head, | cold was thy counsel,
One thing, with Volund, | I wish to speak.’
32. ‘Tell me, Volund, | great of the elves,
What of my boys | so brave has become?’
33. Volund spake:
‘Oaths shalt thou swear me, | ere ever I speak,
By the side of the ship, | and the rim of the shield,
By the shoulder of steed, | and the edge of the sword,
That thou wilt not slay | the wife of Volund,
Nor to my bride | wilt bring an ill,
Though a wife I have | whom well thou knowest,
Or a child I have | within thy hall.’
34. ‘Go to the smithy | that thou didst build,
There shalt thou find | the bellows sprinkled
With blood of the boys; | I hewed off their heads,
And their feet I hid | in the fen’s foul muck.’
35. ‘But their skulls I broke | from the hair-bound flesh,
And set them in silver | for Nithuth to see;
And of their eyes | the gems I made,
And sent them to | the wife of Nithuth wise.’
36. ‘And of the teeth | of the two I wrought
A breast-pin | for Bothvild to have;
Now Bothvild goes | big with child,
The only daughter | of you two.’
37. Nithuth spake:
‘Never spakest thou word | that worsened me more,
Nor that made me, Volund, | more bitter for vengeance;
There is no man so high | that from horse he can take thee,
Or so strong an archer | as to shoot thee down,
While high in the clouds | thy course thou takest.’
38. Laughing Volund | rose aloft,
But left in sadness | Nithuth sat.
39. Nithuth spake:
‘Rise up, Thakkrath, | best of my thralls,
Bid Bothvild come, | the bright-browed maid,
For with her father | fair must she speak.’
40. ‘Is it true, Bothvild, | that which was told me,
That thou and Volund | were together in the isle?’
41. Bothvild spake:
‘True is it, Nithuth, | that which was told thee,
That I and Volund | were together in the isle,
An hour of unlucky | joy it was;
I had not the strength | to strive against him,
I had not the power | to save myself.’
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*** ALVÍSSMÁL ***
(The Lay of Alvis)
The dwarf Alvis claims Thor’s daughter as his bride, but Thor tricks him into reciting the names of things in all the worlds until the sun turns him to stone.
1. Alvis spake:
‘The benches are spread, | the bride shall come,
And home to my hall I shall haste;
Too great a hurry | to the gods will it seem,
But home shall I take her at last.’
2. Thor spake:
‘What monster art thou? | why so pale round the nose?
Hast thou slept with the dead in the dust?
Like a giant to look on | methinks thou art,
Thou wert not born for the bride.’
3. Alvis spake:
‘Alvis am I, | and under the earth
Is my home in the hollow rock;
I am come for the arms | of the waggoner’s daughter,
Let the gods not break their word.’
4. Thor spake:
‘I shall break it, | for the bride’s father
Has the right to say who shall wed;
I was not at home | when the promise was made,
And I give her alone of the gods.’
5. Alvis spake:
‘What hero is this | who claims the right
To say who the maiden shall wed?
Few will know thee, | thou wandering knave,
Who has bought thee with rings so bright?’
6. Thor spake:
‘Vingthor am I, | the wanderer wide,
And I am Sithgrani’s son;
Against my will | shalt thou get the maid,
And so will I settle the strife.’
7. Alvis spake:
‘Thy good will now | shall I seek to get,
And to gain the bride for my own;
I would rather have her | than lack the maid,
Though she be snow-white as snow.’
8. Thor spake:
‘The love of the maid | I may not let thee,
Thou guest so wise, from the walls,
If thou canst tell me | all that I ask
Of the worlds that are everywhere.’
9. ‘Tell me, Alvis, | for all men’s speech,
Dwarf, I deem that thou knowest:
How is the earth | called that lies before men,
In all the worlds that are?’
10. Alvis spake:
‘”Earth” to men, | “Field” to the Aser,
“The Ways” is it called by the Wanes;
“Ever-Green” by the giants, | “The Grower” by elves,
“The Moist” by the holy gods.’
11. Thor spake:
‘Tell me, Alvis, | for all men’s speech,
Dwarf, I deem that thou knowest:
How is the heaven | called that is known to men,
In all the worlds that are?’
12. Alvis spake:
‘”Heaven” to men, | “The High One” to gods,
“The Wind-Weaver” call it the Wanes;
“The Up-World” giants, | “The Fair-Roof” elves,
“The Dripping Hall” dwarfs.’
13. Thor spake:
‘Tell me, Alvis, | for all men’s speech,
Dwarf, I deem that thou knowest:
How is the moon | called that men see,
In all the worlds that are?’
14. Alvis spake:
‘”Moon” to men, | ” The Fiery One” to gods,
“The Whirling Wheel” in Hel;
“The Speeder” giants, | “The Shiner” dwarfs,
“The Teller of Time” elves.’
15. Thor spake:
‘Tell me, Alvis, | for all men’s speech,
Dwarf, I deem that thou knowest:
How is the sun | called that men see,
In all the worlds that are?’
16. Alvis spake:
‘”Sun” to men, | “Day-Star” to gods,
“The Deceiver of Dvalin” to dwarfs;
“The Ever-Bright” giants, | “The Fair-Wheel” elves,
“All-Glowing” sons of the Aser.’
17. Thor spake:
‘Tell me, Alvis, | for all men’s speech,
Dwarf, I deem that thou knowest:
How are clouds | called that mingle with showers,
In all the worlds that are?’
18. Alvis spake:
‘”Clouds” to men, | “Shower-Hope” to gods,
“The Wind-Floaters” call them the Wanes;
“The Rain-Hope” giants, | “The Weather-Might” elves,
” The Helmet of Secrets” in Hel.’
19. Thor spake:
‘Tell me, Alvis, | for all men’s speech,
Dwarf, I deem that thou knowest:
How is the wind | called that fares so wide,
In all the worlds that are?’
20. Alvis spake:
‘”Wind” to men, | “The Waverer” to gods,
“The Neigher” to holy powers;
“The Wailer” to giants, | “The Roaring Traveler” to elves,
“The Whistling One” in Hel.’
21. Thor spake:
‘Tell me, Alvis, | for all men’s speech,
Dwarf, I deem that thou knowest:
How is the calm | called that shall come,
In all the worlds that are?’
22. Alvis spake:
‘”Calm” to men, | “The Quiet” to gods,
“The Wind-Hush” call it the Wanes;
“The Sultry” giants, | “The Day-Quiet” elves,
” The Shelter” to dwarfs.’
23. Thor spake:
‘Tell me, Alvis, | for all men’s speech,
Dwarf, I deem that thou knowest:
How is the sea | called that men sail,
In all the worlds that are?’
24. Alvis spake:
‘”Sea” to men, | “The Smooth-Lying” to gods,
“The Wave” call it the Wanes;
“Eel-Home” giants, | “Drink-Stuff” elves,
“The Deep” dwarfs call it.’
25. Thor spake:
‘Tell me, Alvis, | for all men’s speech,
Dwarf, I deem that thou knowest:
How is the fire | called that burns before men,
In all the worlds that are?’
26. Alvis spake:
‘”Fire” to men, | “Flame” to the Aser,
“The Wild” by the Wanes is it called;
” The Ravenous” by giants, | “The Burner” by dwarfs,
“The Swift” in Hel.’
27. Thor spake:
‘Tell me, Alvis, | for all men’s speech,
Dwarf, I deem that thou knowest:
How is the wood | called that grows for men,
In all the worlds that are?’
28. Alvis spake:
‘”Wood” to men, | “Mane of the Field” to gods,
“Seaweed of Hills” to heroes;
“Fuel” to giants, | “The Fair-Limbed” to elves,
“The Wand” call it the Wanes.’
29. Thor spake:
‘Tell me, Alvis, | for all men’s speech,
Dwarf, I deem that thou knowest:
How is the night | called, the daughter of Norvi,
In all the worlds that are?’
30. Alvis spake:
‘”Night” to men, | “Darkness” to gods,
“The Hood” to the holy powers;
“Unlight” to giants, | “Sleep-Joy” to elves,
“The Dream-Goddess” to dwarfs.’
31. Thor spake:
‘Tell me, Alvis, | for all men’s speech,
Dwarf, I deem that thou knowest:
How is the seed | called that is sown by men,
In all the worlds that are?’
32. Alvis spake:
‘”Barley” to men, | “Grain” to gods,
“Growth” call it the Wanes;
“Food” to giants, | “Drink-Stuff” to elves,
“The Slender-Stalk” in Hel.’
33. Thor spake:
‘Tell me, Alvis, | for all men’s speech,
Dwarf, I deem that thou knowest:
How is the ale | called that is quaffed by men,
In all the worlds that are?’
34. Alvis spake:
‘”Ale” to men, | “Beer” to the Aser,
“The Foaming” call it the Wanes;
“Clear-Draught” giants, | “Mead” in Hel,
“The Feast-Draught” Suttung’s sons.’
35. Thor spake:
‘In a single breast | I never have seen
More wealth of wisdom old;
But with great guile | I have tricked thee, dwarf;
The day has caught thee here!
The sun, Alvis, | shines in the hall.’
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*** BALDRS DRAUMAR ***
(Baldr’s Dreams)
Odin rides to Hel to discover the meaning of Baldr’s bad dreams.
1. Once were the gods | together met,
And the goddesses came | and council held,
And the far-famed ones | the truth would find,
Why baleful dreams | to Baldr had come.
2. Then Othin rose, | the enchanter old,
And the saddle he laid | on Sleipnir’s back;
Thence rode he down | to Niflhel deep,
And the hound he met | that came from Hel.
3. Bloody he was | on his breast before,
At the father of magic | he howled from afar;
Forward rode Othin, | the earth resounded
Till the house so high | of Hel he reached.
4. Then Othin rode | to the eastern door,
Where he knew was the tomb | of the völva old;
To the prophetess dead | he sang his spells,
Till unwilling she rose, | and a word she spake:
5. ‘What man is this, | to me unknown,
Who has for me increased | an irksome course?
I have snowed on been, | and with rain beaten,
And drenched with the dew; | long was I dead.’
6. Othin spake:
‘Vegtam my name, | I am Valtam’s son;
Speak thou of Hel, | for I know of heaven;
For whom are the benches | bright with rings,
And the platforms gay | for the guests prepared?’
7. The Völva spake:
‘Here stands the mead, | for Baldr brewed,
The shining drink, | and a shield lies o’er it;
But their hope is gone | from the mighty gods.
Unwilling I speak, | and now would be still.’
8. Othin spake:
‘Wise woman, cease not! | I seek from thee
All to know | that I fain would ask,
Till all I have learned; | who shall Baldr’s bane be,
And the son of Othin | of life bereave?’
9. The Völva spake:
‘Hoth hither bears | the high-grown branch,
He shall the bane | of Baldr be,
And the son of Othin | of life bereave.
Unwilling I speak, | and now would be still.’
10. Othin spake:
‘Wise woman, cease not! | I seek from thee
All to know | that I fain would ask,
Till all I have learned; | who shall vengeance win
For the evil work, | or who shall bring
The slayer of Baldr | to the bale-fire?’
11. The Völva spake:
‘Rind bears Vali | in Vestrsalir,
And one night old | fights Othin’s son;
His hands he shall wash not, | his hair he shall comb not,
Till the slayer of Baldr | he brings to the flames.
Unwilling I speak, | and now would be still.’
12. Othin spake:
‘Wise woman, cease not! | I seek from thee
All to know | that I fain would ask,
Till all I have learned; | what maidens are they
Who then shall weep, | and toss to the sky
The yards of the sails? | Answer me that!’
13. The Völva spake:
‘Vegtam thou art not, | as I thought thee to be;
But Othin thou art, | the enchanter old.’
14. Othin spake:
‘No völva art thou, | nor wise woman thou,
But rather the mother | of three giants.’
15. The Völva spake:
‘Ride home, Othin, | and boast of thy ride;
For thus shall no man | seek me again,
Till Loki treads loose | from his bonds,
And to the last fight | the destroyers fare.’
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*** RÍGSÞULA ***
(The Lay of Rig)
Heimdall, disguised as Rig, wanders the earth and fathers the classes of mankind: Thrall, Churl, and Earl.
1. Men say that in olden days the god Heimdall, who is called Rig, wandered along the seashore. He came to a house, where dwelt Ai and Edda (Great-Grandfather and Great-Grandmother). They offered him shelter and food.
2. Rig knew well | how to give advice,
He sat in the middle | of the seat,
And on either side | the old couple sat.
3. Then took Edda | a loaf heavy and thick,
Heavy with bran, | and husks were in it;
And broth in a bowl | on the board she set,
was the calf | that was cooked the best.
4. Rig rose up, | and prepared to rest;
He laid him down | in the middle of the bed,
And on either side | the old couple lay.
5. So three nights | he dwelt there together,
Then on his way | he went o’er the waves;
Nine months passed, | and a son was born.
6. They sprinkled him with water, | and Thrall they named him;
Dark was his hair, | and dull his eyes,
Rough was his skin | and wrinkled his hands,
Lumpish his knuckles, | and thick his fingers,
Ugly his face, | and bent was his back,
Long were his heels, | and large his feet.
7. He grew and throve | in the house of his kin,
Of his strength he made use, | and heavy burdens
Faggots he brought home | the whole day long,
And bundles of brushwood | he bore on his back.
8. Then came to the house | a wandering maid,
Scar on her foot, | and sunburnt her arm,
Down-turned her nose, | and Thir was her name.
9. Children they had, | and happy they were,
Fjosnir and Klur, | Hreim and Kleggi,
Kefsir, Fulnir, | Drumb, Digraldi,
Lutt and Leggjaldi; | Eikintjasna,
Totrughypja, | Tronubeina.
10. Then Rig went on, | and a hall he found,
With fire on the floor; | the couple sat there,
Afi and Amma, | owning the house.
11. Rig knew well | how to give advice,
He sat in the middle | of the seat,
And on either side | the couple sat.
12. So three nights | he dwelt there together,
Then on his way | he went o’er the waves;
Nine months passed, | and a son was born.
13. They sprinkled him with water, | and Churl they named him,
Red and fresh | and ruddy of cheek,
And flashing his eyes | as they looked on the world.
14. He grew and throve | in the house of his kin,
Oxen he tamed, | and the plow he made,
Houses he built, | and barns he fashioned,
Carts he made, | and the harrow he drove.
15. Then home they brought | the maiden fair,
In goatskins clad, | and keys she bore,
Snor was her name, | and under the veil
did the twain | the wedding hold.
16. Children they had, | and happy they were,
Hal and Dreng, | Holth, Thegn and Smith,
Breith and Bondi, | Bundinskeggi,
Bui and Boddi, | Brattskegg and Segg.
17. Then Rig went on, | and a hall he found,
With southern door, | and the sun shone in;
On the benches sat | the couple there,
Father and Mother, | playing with fingers.
18. Rig knew well | how to give advice,
He sat in the middle | of the seat,
And on either side | the couple sat.
19. So three nights | he dwelt there together,
Then on his way | he went o’er the waves;
Nine months passed, | and a son was born.
20. They sprinkled him with water, | and Jarl they named him,
Blond was his hair, | and bright his cheeks,
And grim as a snake’s | were his glowing eyes.
21. He grew and throve | in the house of his kin,
Shields he brandished, | and bow-strings fitted,
Arrows he shafted, | and spears he shook,
Horses he rode, | and hounds he unleashed,
Swords he handled, | and swimming he practiced.
22. Then came from the wood | Rig walking,
Runes he taught him, | and readable names,
His son he called him, | and bade him own
The udal lands, | and the ancient halls.
23. Then rode he forth | through the forest dark,
Through the frosty fells, | till he came to the hall
Of Hersir the chief; | his daughter was Erna,
Slender-fingered | and fair and wise.
24. did they woo her, | and home they brought her,
Married she was | to Jarl the young;
Children they had, | and happy they were,
Bur the eldest, | and Barn the second,
Joth and Athal, | Arfi, Mog,
Nith and Svein, | Sun and Kund,
Kon was the youngest, | the kinsman of kings.
25. Up grew the sons | of Jarl the young,
Horses they tamed, | and shields they curved,
Arrows they cut, | and spears they brandished.
But Kon the Young | knew runes as well,
Runes of the present, | and runes of the past,
Runes of the future, | and runes of help.
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*** HYNDLULJÓÐ ***
(The Lay of Hyndla)
Freyja wakes the giantess Hyndla to trace the ancestry of her favorite, Ottar.
1. Freyja spake:
‘Wake, maid of maids! | wake, my friend!
Hyndla, sister, | who dwellest in the hollow rock!
Now is there darkness | of darknesses,
We will ride to Valhall | and to the holy fane.’
2. ‘Now let us pray | to the Father of Hosts,
Gracious he is | to the gold-givers;
A helm he gave | to Hermoth once,
And a byrnie to Sigmund | he gave to boot.’
3. ‘Victory to his sons | he gives, and wealth,
Wisdom and speech | to the sons of men,
Fair winds to sailors, | and song to skalds,
And manly might | to many a hero.’
4. ‘For Ottar the young | I would ask a boon,
He has made me a shrine | of stones full high;
Now is the glass | turned to gold,
Red with the blood | of the oxen slain.’
5. ‘Now let us reckon | the race of men,
And the kinship of kings | who have come of old;
Who are the Skjoldungs, | who are the Skilfings,
Who are the Othlings, | who are the Ylfings,
Who are the free-born, | who are the high-born,
The choicest of men | in the world of Midgard?’
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*** SVIPDAGSMÁL ***
(The Lay of Svipdag)
Comprising Grógaldr (Groua’s Spell) and Fjölsvinnsmál (The Lay of Fjolsvinn), this poem tells of Svipdag’s journey to win Mengloth.
1. Svipdag spake:
‘Wake thee, Groa! | wake, mother good!
At the doors of the dead | I call thee;
Rememberest thou not | that thy son thou badest
To the grave-mound | to come to thee?’
2. Groa spake:
‘What evil is it | that now hath befallen
My son, the only one | born to me,
That thou callest thy mother, | who is mouldering now,
And hath left the world | of the living?’
3. Svipdag spake:
‘A hateful game | the golden-haired one
Did set me to play, | the deceitful stepdame;
She bade me go forth | where go no one may,
To seek the hall | of Mengloth the maid.’
4. Groa spake:
‘Long is the way, | and long is the wandering,
And long are the loves | of men;
if it happens | that thy wish be won,
The outcome then | will thy fate decide.’
5. Svipdag spake:
‘Spells shalt thou sing me, | and songs of protection,
mother, to guard | thy son on his way;
Lest dead on the road | I should drop with fear,
Too young, methinks, | for the task I undertake.’
6. Groa spake:
‘I sing thee the first: | which is useful forsooth,
which Rind sang | to Ran of old;
That from thy shoulders | thou shalt shake off
Whatever to hinder thee | hates thee most.’
7. ‘I sing thee the second: | if, wandering, thou
Shalt stray on the ways | where joy is scant;
The bolts of Urd | shall hold thee up,
on all sides | shall thou see disgrace.’
8. ‘I sing thee the third: | if threatening rivers
With heavy waves | shall whelm thee round;
Back to Hel | shall the Horn and Ruth
Turn, and before thee | sink to dry land.’
9. ‘I sing thee the fourth: | if foes shall stand
Ready to kill thee | on the gallows-way;
their hearts shall change | to help thee then,
And their minds to peace | shall be turned.’
10. ‘I sing thee the fifth: | if a fetter be cast
On thy limbs to hinder | thy going forth;
a loosing-spell | o’er thy legs I chant,
The lock from the arm | shall leap away,
And the fetter from off | thy feet shall fall.’
11. ‘I sing thee the sixth: | if on sea thou comest,
More rough than the race | of men has known;
wind and wave | shall work thee no ill,
And calm shall satisfy | thee on thy course.’
12. ‘I sing thee the seventh: | if frost on the fell
Shall seek to kill thee | with savage cold;
the deadly chill | shall harm not thy flesh,
And thy body whole | shall ever be.’
13. ‘I sing thee the eighth: | if night o’ertake thee
On the misty road, | and darker it grows;
no evil witch | shall work thee harm,
nor dead Christian woman | shall do thee hurt.’
14. ‘I sing thee the ninth: | if with giants needing
Speech thou must change, | the spear-wielding ones;
enough of wit | and of words I give thee,
and a heart full manly | in thy breast.’
15. ‘Now fare on thy way, | where danger waits,
And let no evil | hinder thy hope;
on a stone I stood | within the door,
While the spells for thee | I sang.’
16. ‘Bear hence thy mother’s words, | my son,
And let them dwell | within thy breast;
for happiness ever | shalt thou have in life,
While my words in thy mind | remain.’
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*** GROTTASÖNGR ***
(The Song of Grotti)
The giantesses Fenja and Menja grind out gold, peace, and finally an army for King Frodi.
1. Now are come | to the king’s high house,
The two fore-knowing | women, Fenja and Menja;
These were with Frodi, | Fridleif’s son,
The mighty maids, | as bondsmen held.
2. To the mill they were led, | and the millstone gray
They were bade to turn, | the task to do;
Nor rest nor peace | would he let them have,
While he heard the sound | of the singing stones.
3. They sang and they whirled | the spinning stone,
‘Till the men of Frodi | were mostly asleep;
Then said Menja, | who stood at the meal:
‘Wealth we grind for Frodi, | we grind him gold,
And happiness mostly | on the mill of peace.’
4. ‘He shall sit on gold, | and sleep on down,
And wake to wealth, | if well he grinds;
No sword shall strike, | no shield shall clatter,
Nor the bane of the blade | shall bite him there.’
5. ‘But he heard no word | save only this:
“Sleep ye no longer | than the cuckoo sings,
Or only while I | say a single song.”
6. ‘Thou wast not wise, Frodi, | full of wisdom though thou art,
When thou boughtest the maids, | the mighty ones;
Thou didst choose for strength | and outward show,
But of their race | thou didst reck nothing.’
7. ‘Hardy was Hrungnir, | and his father too,
yet mightier was Thjazi | than them all;
Ithi and Arnir, | our kin they were,
brothers of mountain-giants, | and of them were we born.’
8. ‘Grind we the gold! | the mill turn round,
bring wealth to the king | and bliss to the land;
but Frodi sleeps, | and he fears no ill,
while the stone is singing | the song of his doom.’
9. ‘Hands of giants | hard are to hold,
The shafts are shivering, | the mill is shaking;
The heavy stone | is hurled from its place,
The mountain-giant’s | daughter is grinding.’
10. ‘An army we grind | for the greedy king,
Now shall Frodi | for the fight prepare;
Fire in the dwelling | flashes high,
and the war-cry | wakes the hall.’
11. ‘My father’s daughter | has ground full hard,
For many a man | has met his death;
Now the mill is broken, | the meal is scattered,
The work is done, | we have weary grown.’
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*** HELGAKVIÐA HUNDINGSBANA I ***
(The First Lay of Helgi Hundingsbane)
The birth and early exploits of Helgi, his love for the Valkyrie Sigrun, and his battles.
1. In olden days, | when eagles screamed,
And holy streams | from heaven fell,
Borghild the Fair | in Bralund bore
A son to the king, | the high-souled Helgi.
2. Night was in the house, | and Norns there came,
Who shaped the life | of the heavy-born;
They bade him be | of princes best,
And famous most | of the free-born men.
3. Mightily wove they | the web of fate,
While Bralund’s towns | were trembling all;
And there the golden | threads they wove,
And in the moon’s hall | fast they made them.
4. One raven said | to the raven other,
‘I know something. | A young king is born
To Sigmund and Borghild; | his byrnie is green,
His eyes are bright, | he is born for a hero.’
5. The king’s heart was glad | when he heard the news,
He gave the boy | a leek for a gift;
‘Helgi’ he named him, | and Hringstath gave,
Solfjall and Snæfjall, | and Sigarsvoll,
Hringstath and Hatom, | and Himinvangar,
The sword of Sinfjotli | to Sigmund’s son.
6. Then grew the prince | in the garden of kings,
Like the elm-tree high | in the light of day;
But the Norns decreed | a heavy doom,
That the king should die | by the dog’s son’s hand.
7. Fifteen winters | old he was
When Hunding he slew, | the hardy king,
Who long had ruled | o’er lands and men.
8. Then gathered the sons | of Hunding soon,
They craved for vengeance | and rings to win;
They thought to pay | the prince for the loss
Of their father’s life | and their lands as well.
9. The prince let not | the peace-terms stand,
Nor red gold gave he | for the rings they sought;
He said that the spear | should settle the score,
And the sword should judge | ‘twixt the sons of kings.
10. Then Helgi sought | the host of the foe,
And under the Eagle-Rock | he slew Alf and Eyjolf,
Hjorvard and Havard, | Hunding’s sons;
And the kin of the king | were crushed in war.
11. Then a light shone forth | from the lightning-hills,
And from the light | the lightning leapt;
High in the air | a helmed maid rode,
And the field was flooded | with the flash of spears.
12. Sigrun spake:
‘My father has promised | the maid to Hothbrodd,
But I have answered | that I would not have him;
Unless, O Helgi, | thou help me now,
With the edge of the sword | and the speed of the steed.’
13. Helgi spake:
‘Fear not, Sigrun! | for first shall fall
The host of Hothbrodd | and Hothbrodd himself,
Ere the maid I love | to another is given;
The dead shall lie deep | ere the doom is fulfilled.’
14. Then Helgi gathered | a host of men,
And ships he sought | on the sea to sail;
The wind blew fair | from the west and south,
And the foam-flecked waves | flew high in the air.
15. They met in the midst | of the murky sea,
The fleet of Hothbrodd | and Helgi’s men;
The storm-birds screamed, | and the shields were cloven,
And the sea was red | with the reek of blood.
16. Then Helgi stood | on the highest deck,
And the sword in his hand | he swung on high;
He cleft the skull | of the king’s son there,
And Hothbrodd fell | to the floor of the deep.
17. Sigrun spake:
‘Hail to thee, Helgi! | thou hero of men,
Now safe is the maid | from the sons of Granmar;
The kingdom is thine, | and the king’s daughter,
And all the wealth | of the world is thine.’
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*** HELGAKVIÐA HJÖRVARÐSSONAR ***
(The Lay of Helgi Hjorvarthsson)
The story of Helgi, son of Hjorvarth, and his love for the Valkyrie Svava.
1. Hjorvarth was | a high-born king,
Four wives he had, | and fair were they;
Alfhild was one, | and Særeith another,
Sinrjoth the third, | and the fourth was named
Sigrlinn, the fairest | of all the four.
2. A son had Hjorvarth | with Alfhild fair,
He was named Hethin, | the high of heart;
another with Særeith, | Humlung he was,
and Hymling with Sinrjoth, | the hero bold.
3. King Hjorvarth made | a mighty vow,
That a wife he would have | who was fairest of all;
and men told him | of Sigrlinn the maid,
The daughter of Svafnir, | the king of the south.
4. Atli was sent, | the earl of the king,
to woo the maiden | for Hjorvarth to wife;
bird-talk he knew, | and he heard the birds
Speaking of Sigrlinn, | the sun-bright maid.
5. he came to the court | of the king of the south,
And his errand told | to the ancient one;
but Svafnir said nay, | and sent him back,
and Atli returned | with empty hands.
6. again he went, | and with him the king,
and fire they set | to the dwellings fair;
they won the maid, | and home they went,
and Hjorvarth had | his heart’s desire.
7. A son they had, | and silent he was,
no name would he take, | though noble he seemed;
he sat on a hill, | and saw nine maids
Riding in armor, | the Valkyries bright.
8. Svava spake:
‘Late wilt thou be, | Helgi, in speaking,
if silence ever | thou keepest so;
a sword I know | with shining edge,
rings and gold, | and a byrnie bright.’
9. Helgi spake:
‘What gift shall I have | with the name of Helgi,
thou maiden bright, | since thou namest me so?
think well what thou sayest, | for I will not take it
unless I have thee | as well for my own.’
10. Svava spake:
‘Swords I know lying | in Sigarsholm,
fifty there are, | save only four;
one is the best | of all the blades,
the destroyer of shields, | with gold adorned.’
11. ‘A ring is on the hilt, | and courage in the midst,
and terror stands | in the point of the steel;
a blood-worm lies | on the flat of the blade,
and a serpent twists | round the guarding-iron.’
12. Then Helgi got | the sword so good,
and Svava he won, | the Valkyrie wise;
many a battle | the hero fought,
and wide was his fame | in the world of men.
13. But at last he fell, | by the sword of Alf,
the son of Hrothmar, | who Hjorvarth slew;
and Svava wept | for her hero dead,
and short was the life | of the lover true.
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*** HELGAKVIÐA HUNDINGSBANA II ***
(The Second Lay of Helgi Hundingsbane)
A retelling of the Helgi story, focusing on his romance with Sigrun and his tragic death.
1. King Sigmund, the son of Volsung, had a wife named Borghild, from Bralund. They had a son named Helgi, and after him Hámund. Helgi became a great warrior. He went to the court of Hunding, king of the Hundings, and served him in disguise. But later war broke out.
2. Helgi spake:
‘Unwise thou art, | to think that I
Am a son of Hunding, | the hater of kings;
I have reddened the spears | in the reek of blood,
and the ravens fed | on the flesh of thy kin.’
3. Sigrun, the daughter of Hogni, was a Valkyrie, and rode the air and the sea. She was Svava reborn. Helgi met her, and they loved each other.
4. Helgi spake:
‘Come to the ship, | thou shimmering maid,
and sail with me | o’er the sounding sea;
for Hothbrodd comes | with a host of men,
and the battle soon | shall begin, methinks.’
5. Sigrun spake:
‘Fain would I go, | but my father forbids,
and Hogni holds me | in heavy bonds;
unless thou slayest | the sons of Granmar,
and Hothbrodd too, | the hater of peace.’
6. Then Helgi gathered | a host of men,
and fought with Hothbrodd | at Frekastein;
there fell Hunding | and Hothbrodd too,
and Hogni died | by the hand of the hero.
7. But Dag alone, | the son of Hogni,
was left alive, | and peace he swore;
to Helgi the king, | and oaths he gave,
that vengeance never | he’d seek for his kin.
8. Sigrun wept | for her father and brothers,
but Helgi comforted | the crying maid:
‘Weep not, Sigrun, | for so it was shaped,
that the norns decreed | the death of thy kin.’
9. But Dag broke faith, | and Othin he sought,
and offered him sacrifice | vengeance to win;
Othin gave him | his own spear Gungnir,
and Dag slew Helgi | at Fjoturlund.
10. Sigrun spake:
‘Now are the eyes | of the hero dim,
and the hands are cold | that held me close;
ghost-like he rides | to the grave-mound dark,
and leaves me alone | in the land of the living.’
11. She went to the mound | where Helgi was laid,
and called to the dead | from the door of the grave:
‘Helgi, awake! | I am here, thy wife,
with tears on my cheek | and trouble in heart.’
12. Helgi spake:
‘Why weepest thou, Sigrun? | thy tears are dew
that falls on my breast | and freezes there;
every tear | that falls from thine eyes
is a drop of blood | on the breast of the dead.’
13. Sigrun spake:
‘I will sleep in the mound | with the man I love,
and rest by his side | in the room of death;
for better it is | with the dead to be,
than to live alone | and lack thy love.’
14. She died of sorrow soon after. It was said in olden times that men were born again, but that is now called old wives’ tales. Helgi and Sigrun are said to have been born again; he was Helgi Haddingjaskati, and she Kara the Half-Troll, as is told in the Kara-Lays.
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*** FRÁ DAUÐA SINFJÖTLA ***
(On the Death of Sinfjotli)
A short prose piece describing how Sinfjotli, son of Sigmund, was poisoned by his stepmother Borghild.
1. Sigmund, the son of Volsung, was a king in the land of the Franks. Sinfjotli was his eldest son, and Helgi the second. Borghild, Sigmund’s wife, had a brother whom Sinfjotli slew. Borghild bade Sinfjotli to a feast, and brought him a horn of ale.
2. She said: ‘Drink, stepson!’ Sigmund said: ‘The ale is charmed, drink it not!’ Sinfjotli said: ‘The horn is muddy.’ Sigmund said: ‘Strain it through your mustache!’ Sinfjotli drank, and straightway fell dead.
3. Sigmund bore him a long way in his arms, and came to a narrow fjord. There was a small boat and a man in it. He offered to take Sigmund across. But the boat would hold but one. Sigmund laid the body in the boat, and the man pushed off. And straightway the boat and the man vanished. That was Othin.
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*** GRÍPISSPÁ ***
(Gripir’s Prophecy)
Sigurd visits his uncle Gripir, who foretells his entire life, including his glory and his tragic end.
1. Sigurd spake:
‘Who is the king | that keeps the hall?
Gripir the wise, | of gifts the best;
fain would I speak | with the father of kings,
if the hero home | in his hall is found.’
2. Gripir spake:
‘Welcome, Sigurd! | son of Sigmund,
long have I looked | for the lad to come;
sit by my side, | and say thy will,
for wise words | I well can speak.’
3. Sigurd spake:
‘Tell me, Gripir, | if truth thou knowest,
what fate for me | is fixed by the norns?
shall I win wealth, | and wars shall I wage,
and fame shall I find | in the fields of men?’
4. Gripir spake:
‘Wealth shalt thou win, | and wars shalt thou wage,
and fame shalt thou find | in the fields of men;
but sorrow and sin | shall seek thee too,
and the doom of death | at the door shall stand.’
5. ‘First shalt thou slay | the sons of Hunding,
and avenge thy father | with victory bright;
then Regin the smith | shall seek thee out,
and bid thee slay | the serpent Fafnir.’
6. ‘The gold shalt thou get, | and the Gjuki’s sons
as friends shalt thou find, | and fare to their hall;
but a potion of peace | and of power to forget
shall Grimhild give | to the guest so young.’
7. ‘Brynhild the fair | thou shalt find on the fell,
the Valkyrie sleeping | in shield-tower high;
oaths shalt thou swear, | and oaths shalt thou break,
and heavy the harm | that shall happen then.’
8. ‘Gudrun to wife | thou shalt get at last,
but Brynhild shall bring | thee bitterest woe;
betrayed by thy friends, | thou shalt fall in death,
and leave thy life | in the land of the living.’
9. Sigurd spake:
‘Heavy the words | that herein thou speakest,
and dark is the doom | that thou dealest to me;
but the will of the norns | no man may withstand,
and I go to my fate | with a fearless heart.’
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*** REGINSMÁL ***
(The Lay of Regin)
Regin the smith tells Sigurd of the gold of Andvari and the dragon Fafnir.
1. Regin spake:
‘Hreidmar was my father’s name, | a mighty man and rich;
Three sons he had, | and I was the third,
Fafnir the first, | and Otr the second.’
2. ‘Otr in the likeness | of an otter swam,
And salmon he caught | in the sounding stream;
But Loki passed by | with the loaded gods,
And with a stone | the otter he slew.’
3. ‘Then skinned they the otter | and scatheless thought
To bear the skin | to my father’s hall;
But Hreidmar bound them, | the blessed gods,
And bade them fill | the skin with gold.’
4. ‘Loki was sent | to the land of the black elves,
To find the gold | of the fish of the flood;
He caught the dwarf | Andvari there,
Who dwelt in the stream | in the shape of a pike.’
5. ‘Loki took the gold, | and the ring as well,
Which the dwarf possessed, | the doom of men;
Andvari cursed it, | and all who owned it,
That death it should bring | to the bearer thereof.’
6. ‘The gods gave the gold | to the greedy king,
But the ring they kept | for the ransom of Othin;
But Hreidmar saw it, | and said he would have it,
Or else the gods | in bonds should abide.’
7. ‘Then gave they the ring, | and the gold he had,
But Loki spoke | the spell of the dwarf:
“The gold shall be | the bane of brothers,
And death to the sons | of men it shall deal.”
So Fafnir slew | his father for gold,
And Regin he drove | from the dwellings of men;
Now lies he on Gnitaheith, | guarding the hoard,
In the shape of a dragon, | dread to behold.’
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*** FÁFNISMÁL ***
(The Lay of Fafnir)
Sigurd slays the dragon Fafnir and converses with him before he dies.
1. Sigurd dug a trench | in the dragon’s path,
And lay therein | with his sword in hand;
When Fafnir crawled | o’er the hollowed earth,
He thrust the sword | to the heart of the snake.
2. Fafnir spake:
‘Who art thou, boy? | and who is thy father?
And what is the name of thy kin?
That thou dared to thrust | thy sword in me,
And redden the earth | with the reek of my blood?’
3. Sigurd spake:
‘Sigurd my name, | and Sigmund’s son,
A hero of Hunding’s | race am I;
I have reddened the earth | with the reek of thy blood,
And thy death, O dragon, | is done by me.’
4. Fafnir spake:
‘A hero thou art, | and hardy thy kin,
But thou shalt not hold | the hoard I kept;
For the gold I guarded | shall give thee death,
And the ring shall be | the bane of thy life.’
5. Sigurd spake:
‘I would hold the hoard | if life I might have,
But every man | must die at last;
‘Tis better to die | with the gold in my hand
Than to live a coward | and lack it all.’
6. Fafnir spake:
‘Regin betrayed me, | and thee will betray,
He lied to us both, | the brother of mine;
Take thou the gold, | but go thou hence,
For the ring shall be | the bane of thy life.’
7. Then Fafnir died. Sigurd cut out the heart of the dragon, and cooked it on a spit. When he thought the heart was roasted, he tried it with his finger to see if it was soft. He burned his finger, and put it in his mouth. But when the dragon’s heart-blood touched his tongue, he understood the voice of birds.
8. A Nut-Hatch said:
‘There sits Sigurd, | sprinkled with blood,
And Fafnir’s heart | with fire he cooks;
Wise were the ring-breaker | if he should eat
The muscle bright | of the life-blood meat.’
9. A Second said:
‘There lies Regin, | and plans he lays
To betray the boy | who trusts him well;
Thinks he of lying | accusations,
The smith of ill, | for his brother’s sake.’
10. A Third said:
‘Let him cut the head | from the cold-heart smith,
And go to his home | with the gold he has won;
Then the rings and the red gold | all shall be his,
And the hoard of Fafnir | he shall hold alone.’
11. Sigurd spake:
‘Fate shall not rule | that Regin shall be
The banesman of me, | the brother of kings;
For the brothers two | shall go to Hel,
And hence shall I go | with the gold alone.’
12. Sigurd hewed off the head of Regin, and then he ate Fafnir’s heart, and drank the blood of both Regin and Fafnir. Then Sigurd heard what the birds said.
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*** SIGRDRÍFUMÁL ***
(The Lay of Sigrdrifa)
Sigurd wakes the Valkyrie Sigrdrifa, who teaches him runes and wisdom.
1. Sigurd rode up on Hindarfjall, and went south towards the land of the Franks. On the mountain he saw a great light, as if fire were burning, which blazed up to the sky. And when he came thither, there stood a shield-tower, and within it lay a man sleeping, completely armed. He took the helm from his head, and then he saw that it was a woman. She was clad in a byrnie so tight that it seemed as if grown to the flesh. Then he rent the byrnie from the neck-opening downwards, and then through both sleeves, and the byrnie fell from her as if it were cloth. She awoke, and sat up, and looked at Sigurd, and said:
‘What bit the byrnie? | why breaks my sleep?
Who has unbound | the pale-washed bonds?’
2. Sigurd spake:
‘Sigmund’s son, | with sword so sharp,
That lately with ravens | the wood hath fed.’
3. She spake:
‘Hail to the day! | hail to the sons of day!
Hail to the night and her daughter!
With eyes of love | look on us two,
And give to the sitting ones speed!’
4. ‘Hail to the gods! | hail to the goddesses!
Hail to the earth that gives all!
Goodly spells | and speech give to us,
And healing hands, while we live.’
5. Sigrdrifa spake:
‘Beer I bring thee, | thou battle-oak,
Blended with might | and with brightest honor;
Full of songs | and soothing charms,
Of goodly spells | and hopeful runes.’
6. ‘Winning-runes learn, | if thou longest to win,
And cut them on thy sword-hilt;
Some on the furrow, | and some on the flat,
And twice shalt thou call on Tyr.’
7. ‘Ale-runes learn, | that with lies the wife
Of another betray not thy trust;
On the horn thou shalt write, | and the backs of thy hands,
And Nauth on thy nail shalt thou mark.’
8. ‘Birth-runes learn, | if help thou wilt lend,
The babe from the mother to bring;
On thy palms shalt thou write them, | and round thy joints,
And ask the disir to aid.’
9. ‘Wave-runes learn, | if well thou wouldst shelter
The sail-steeds out on the sea;
On the stem shalt thou write, | and the steering blade,
And burn them into the oars;
Though high be the breakers, | and black the waves,
Thou shalt safe the harbor seek.’
10. ‘Branch-runes learn, | if a healer wouldst be,
And cure for wounds wouldst know;
On the bark shalt thou write, | and on trees that be
With boughs to the eastward bent.’
11. ‘Speech-runes learn, | that none may seek
To answer harm with hate;
Well he winds them, | well he weaves them,
Well he gathers them all,
At the Thing when the folk | to judgment fare.’
12. ‘Mind-runes learn, | if thou longer wouldst be
Than any man in wisdom;
Hropt arranged them, | and Hropt cut them,
Hropt thought them out,
From the liquid | that leaked from the skull
Of Heithdraupnir, | and from Hoddrofnir’s horn.’
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*** BROT AF SIGURÐARKVIÐU ***
(Fragment of a Sigurd Lay)
A fragment describing the plot to kill Sigurd.
1. Hogni spake:
‘What evil deed | has Sigurd done,
That the hero’s life | thou fain wouldst have?’
2. Gunnar spake:
‘Sigurd oaths | to me has sworn,
Oaths has he sworn, | and all has he broken;
He betrayed me there | where truest all
His oaths methinks | he ought to have kept.’
3. Hogni spake:
‘Brynhild has thee | to bitterness urged,
Evil to work | and grief to win;
She grudges the honor | that Gudrun has,
And that, to her joy, | herself she lacks.’
4. They cooked a wolf, | they cut him up,
And gave the entrails | to Guttorm to eat;
For the hero brave | to handle was hard,
Unless he was wild | with the wood-beast’s rage.
5. Slain was Sigurd, | south of the Rhine,
From a limb the raven | called full loud:
‘Your blood shall redden | Atli’s blade,
And your oaths shall bind | you both in chains.’
6. Without stood Gudrun, | Giuki’s daughter,
And the first word | she found to speak was this:
‘Where is Sigurd now, | the lord of men,
Since my kinsmen ride | before the rest?’
7. Hogni alone | the answer gave:
‘By the sword has Sigurd | been sent to his death,
And the gray horse mourns | by his master dead.’
8. Then Brynhild laughed, | the daughter of Buthli,
And the whole house rang | with the sound of her mirth:
‘Long shall ye joy | in the lands and men,
Since the hero bold | ye have brought to his death.’
9. Then Gudrun said, | the daughter of Giuki:
‘Thou speakest infinite ill, | accursed woman!
May giants take thee!’
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*** GUÐRÚNARKVIÐA I ***
(The First Lay of Gudrun)
Gudrun’s grief over Sigurd’s death.
1. Gudrun of old | for death was yearning,
When she sat in sorrow | o’er Sigurd dead;
She wept not, | nor wrung her hands,
Nor wailed she loud, | like other women.
2. To her came earls | of wisdom all,
To try and win her | from her woe;
But the tears she could not | call to her eyes,
So heavy her heart | that it almost broke.
3. Then Gullrond spake, | Giuki’s daughter:
‘Little wisdom | in this I see,
That thou hidest the face | of the hero dead
From his wife who loved him | well in life.’
4. The sheet she lifted | from Sigurd’s face,
And turned his cheek | to his wife’s cold chin:
‘Look on thy love, | and lay thy lips
To his as if life | were in him still.’
5. Gudrun looked | on him she loved,
She saw the blood | on his yellow hair,
The bright eyes dull | in the hero dead,
And the king’s breast pierced | by the sword’s keen point.
6. Then Gudrun sank | back on the pillow,
Her hair was loosened, | her cheeks were hot,
And the tears like rain | ran down to her knees.
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*** SIGURÐARKVIÐA HIN SKAMMA ***
(The Short Lay of Sigurd)
The story of Brynhild’s jealousy and Sigurd’s death.
1. Sigurd rode from the Frankish land, | to seek the house of Giuki,
He came to the hall | where the hero dwelt,
And the king’s son sought | the sister’s hand.
2. Gudrun was given | to the gold-giver,
A maiden fair, | and merry she was;
And Sigurd swore oaths | to the sons of Giuki,
To Gunnar and Hogni, | the heroes bold.
3. They rode to the flame-wall, | the fire so high,
Where Brynhild slept | in her shield-tower strong;
And Sigurd rode through | the surging fire,
In Gunnar’s shape, | and the gold he won.
4. Three nights he slept | by the side of the maid,
And a sword he laid | between them there;
no kiss he gave, | and no clasp of love,
But faithful he was | to his friend and brother.
5. But Brynhild learned | the lie at last,
When Gudrun showed her | the ring of gold;
Andvara-naut | that Sigurd gave her,
token of love | from the truest heart.
6. Then Brynhild laughed, | and the hall resounded,
But her heart was heavy | with hate and grief;
‘Sigurd must die, | or Gunnar perish,
One of us three | must leave the world.’
7. Gunnar was grieving, | and head he hung,
He sat all day | and sorted his thoughts;
He knew not well | what work to do,
Or what was best | for the hero bold.
8. He called on Hogni | for counsel then,
‘Shall we slay the Sigurd | for sake of the oath?
Or shall we be false | to the friend we love,
And break the bonds | of the brothers sworn?’
9. Hogni answered: | ‘Ill is the deed,
to slay the hero | who saved us all;
but Brynhild’s wrath | is a bitter thing,
and the queen’s command | must be obeyed.’
10. They egged on Guthorm, | the younger brother,
Who had not sworn | the sacred oaths;
They gave him wolf-meat | and serpent’s flesh,
To make him savage | for the slaying-deed.
11. Guthorm went in | to the hero’s room,
Where Sigurd slept | by Gudrun’s side;
he thrust the sword | through the sleeping man,
and nailed him fast | to the bed-posts firm.
12. Sigurd awoke, | and the sword he seized,
Gram the sharp, | and he hurled it forth;
it cut the slayer | in sunder quite,
head and hands | flew far away.
13. Gudrun awoke | in a pool of blood,
her hands were red | with the hero’s gore;
she wept aloud, | and the women heard,
and wrung their hands | in the hall without.
14. Then Brynhild laughed, | the daughter of Buthli,
one laugh alone, | and the hall-timbers shook;
‘Long shall ye joy | in the lands and men,
since the hero bold | ye have brought to his death.’
15. But soon she repented | the savage deed,
and sought to die | by the sword herself;
she bade them build | a bale-fire high,
and burn her body | by Sigurd’s side.
16. ‘One pyre shall hold us, | the hero and me,
with shields and swords | and shining gold;
there shall we lie | as we lay of old,
when we swore the oaths | that we should have kept.’
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*** HELREIÐ BRYNHILDAR ***
(Brynhild’s Ride to Hel)
Brynhild, after her suicide, rides to Hel and meets a giantess who accuses her.
1. After the death of Brynhild two pyres were made, one for Sigurd, which was the first to be burned, and one for Brynhild. She was burned in a wagon which was covered with a rich cloth. It is said that Brynhild drove in the wagon along the road to Hel, and passed by a house where a giantess dwelt.
2. The Giantess spake:
‘Thou shalt not pass | through my stone-built courts,
Thou who hast been | in the bed of heroes;
More seemly it were | to weave the cloth,
Than to seek the husbands | of other women.’
3. Brynhild spake:
‘Why dost thou blame me, | bride of the giants,
Coming from the home | of the rocky hills,
Because I went | to the wars of men?
Of noble race | I am better than thou.’
4. The Giantess spake:
‘Thou wast, Brynhild, | Buthli’s daughter,
Born in the world | for the worst of luck;
To death thou hast sent | the sons of Giuki,
And their happy home | thou hast overthrown.’
5. Brynhild spake:
‘Truth from the wagon | I tell thee now,
Though witless one, | if thou wilt to know,
How the heirs of Giuki | gave me to love,
Who made me a breaker | of oaths and vows.’
6. ‘Hild the helmed | in the Hlymdales they called me,
All who knew me | in days of old.’
7. ‘For our love shall last | though our lives are lost,
Sigurd and I | shall never be sundred.
Sink now, giantess!’
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*** DRÁP NIFLUNGA ***
(The Slaying of the Niflungs)
A short prose narrative bridging the Sigurd lays and the later Gudrun lays, explaining the murder of Sigurd and the fate of the Niflungs.
1. Sigurd was slain south of the Rhine. Guthorm, Gjuki’s stepson, slew him in his bed, and he fell by the sword Gram. Hogni also slew Sigurd, and wounded Guthorm to death. Then they slew the son of Sigurd, who was three winters old.
2. Gudrun sat by the dead body. She did not weep, but she was very sad. She went into the forest to the wilderness, and came to the hall of Half, a king in Denmark. There she stayed with Thora, Hakon’s daughter, for seven half-years.
3. Gunnar and Hogni took all the gold, Fafnir’s heritage. There was strife between them and Atli, for he claimed the gold as weregild for Brynhild his sister. They agreed to give him Gudrun in marriage, and they gave her a draught of forgetfulness to drink before she would consent.
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*** GUÐRÚNARKVIÐA II ***
(The Second Lay of Gudrun)
Gudrun tells of her life after Sigurd’s death and her marriage to Atli.
1. Gudrun spake:
‘A maid of maids | my mother bore me,
bright in the bower | I blossomed fair;
till Sigurd sought me, | the son of Sigmund,
and took me away | to his tent of gold.’
2. ‘Happy we were | while the hero lived,
but short was the joy | that was shaped for us;
for my brothers base | betrayed his trust,
and slew him sleeping | in safety there.’
3. ‘Alone I wandered | in woods so wild,
and sought for death | to soothing find;
but the wolves would not | work my will,
nor the bears bite | the body of Gudrun.’
4. ‘To the hall of Half | I came at last,
and there with Thora | three years I stayed;
she taught me to sew, | and silk to weave,
and pictures we made | of the men of old.’
5. ‘Then Grimhild came, | the Goths’ queen-mother,
with a horn of ale, | cold and bitter;
she gave me to drink, | and the draught of hate
made me forget | the grief of the past.’
6. ‘To Atli then | was I taken to wife,
the king of the Huns, | and hateful he was;
no joy have I had | in the house of the king,
and heavy my heart | with the harm of my kin.’
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*** GUÐRÚNARKVIÐA III ***
(The Third Lay of Gudrun)
Gudrun is accused of infidelity with King Thjothrek and proves her innocence by the ordeal of boiling water.
1. Herkyja it was, | the handmaid of Atli,
who told the king | a tale of lies;
that Gudrun had gone | to the bed of Thjothrek,
and played the whore | in the hall of the king.
2. Atli was wroth, | and his wife he called,
‘Thou hast stained my bed, | and my board disgraced;
with Thjothrek the king | thou hast talked too long,
and lain in his arms, | as the leasing says.’
3. Gudrun spake:
‘I will take the oath | on the altar-stone,
the white stone holy, | and water boil;
that never I knew | the noble Thjothrek,
save as a guest | in the Goths’ high hall.’
4. The kettle was brought, | and the boiling stream,
and Gudrun plunged | her hand therein;
she took up the stones | from the seething depth,
and showed them white | to the wondering king.
5. ‘See now, Atli! | I am sackless found,
and holy my hands | from the hot water;
but Herkyja now | shall the kettle try,
the maid who lied | to her lord the king.’
6. Herkyja plunged | her hand therein,
and scalded it was | to the skin and bone;
in the bog they sank | the servant foul,
and Gudrun had peace | in the palace of Atli.’
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*** ODDRÚNARGRÁTR ***
(The Lament of Oddrun)
Oddrun, sister of Atli, tells of her forbidden love for Gunnar and the tragedy of the Niflungs.
1. I was born in the hall | of Buthli the king,
and Atli my brother, | the bearer of rings;
we grew in the garth | of the golden house,
and happy we were | in the home of our youth.
2. But Brynhild my sister | was sent to Valhall,
a Valkyrie made | by the mighty gods;
and I was left | to look to the land,
and care for the king | in his court of Huns.
3. Then Gunnar came, | the Giuki’s son,
and love we found | in the land of the south;
but Atli forbade | the bridal bed,
and denied the king | the daughter of Buthli.
4. Yet secret we met, | and sweet was the sin,
in the woods and the wild | we wandered alone;
till Atli heard | of the hidden love,
and wrathful he was | at the wrong to his name.
5. Now Gunnar is dead | in the den of snakes,
and Hogni is hewn | to the heart by the sword;
and I am left | to lament alone,
the love that was lost | and the life that is gone.’
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*** ATLAKVIÐA ***
(The Lay of Atli)
Atli (Attila the Hun) invites the Burgundian kings Gunnar and Hogni to his hall, where they are treacherously slain. Gudrun avenges them.
1. Atli sent of old | to Gunnar a messenger,
The leader of men, | and the lord of the Goths;
Knefruth was he called, | and to Giuki’s courts
He rode, and to Gunnar’s | hall he came.
2. Then they drank the wine | in the dwelling fair,
The shielding-guards | of the Huns were silent,
For they feared the wrath | of the Hunnish king;
Then Knefruth shouted, | the cold-voiced messenger,
From the high seat where | he sat at ease.
3. Knefruth spake:
‘Atli has sent me | on his errand here,
On a bit-champing steed | through Mirkwood dark,
To bid you, Gunnar, | to his benches come,
With helms round the hearth | to seek his home.’
4. Gunnar spake:
‘What counsel, Hogni, | dost thou give in this,
Since such the message | the messenger brings?
Of gold I know not | on Gnitaheith
Enough to equal | what we two own.’
5. Hogni spake:
‘What means the woman | by the ring she sends,
With a wolf’s hair wrapped | in the ring of gold?
Wolfish methinks | is the way we wend.’
6. But Gunnar the king | gave consent at last,
And the heavy doors | of the hall were opened;
The horses were saddled, | the heroes rode forth,
And the women wept | as they went away.
7. Gunnar spake:
‘Be strong, ye Niflungs, | if return we never,
And guard the gold | from the greedy Huns;
Let the gray wolf hunt | on the hoard if we die,
And the bears bite hard | on the buried wealth.’
8. Through Mirkwood they rode, | and the mountains wild,
Through the Hunnish land | the heroes went;
They saw the hall | of Atli high,
And the warriors armed | round the walls they stood.
9. Atli spake:
‘Welcome art thou, Gunnar, | to my halls of gold,
The son of Giuki, | and Hogni too;
if ye will, | for the wine to be poured,
Or choose ye death | by the dark sword’s edge?’
10. Gunnar spake:
‘Not thus, Atli, | didst thou offer peace
When first we met | in the midst of men;
Thou hast broken oaths, | and betrayed thy kin,
The shame of the Huns | shall show full clear.’
11. Then a battle began, | and the benches broke,
The Huns were hewn | in the hall of the king;
Gunnar fought well, | and Hogni fierce,
Till the floor was red | with the reek of blood.
12. But numbers prevailed, | and the Niflungs fell,
Gunnar was seized, | and set in chains;
And Hogni the brave | was bound as well,
To death were they doomed | by the dark king’s will.
13. Atli spake:
‘Cut out the heart | of Hogni now,
And let it lie | on a platter large;
For the heart of the hero | I hunger sore,
And Gunnar shall gaze | on the gory sight.’
14. They cut out the heart | of Hjalli the thrall,
And laid it bleeding | on a platter broad;
To Gunnar they bore it, | and grimly said:
‘Here hast thou the heart | of Hogni the brave.’
15. Gunnar spake:
‘Here have I the heart | of Hjalli the thrall,
Unlike the heart | of Hogni the brave;
For it trembles still | as it stands on the plate;
Twice more did it tremble | in the thrall’s breast.’
16. Then Hogni laughed | as they hewed out his heart,
Nor quaked he ever, | the hero quick;
On a platter they laid it, | and brought it to Gunnar,
and behold | the hero’s heart.
17. Gunnar spake:
‘Here have I the heart | of Hogni the brave,
Unlike the heart | of Hjalli the thrall;
For it trembles not | as it stands on the plate,
Even less did it tremble | in the hero’s breast.’
18. ‘Now is the hoard | of the Niflungs mine,
Alone I hold it, | since Hogni is dead;
While two of us lived, | I trusted not,
But now am I sure, | for alone I am.’
19. ‘The Rhine shall rule | o’er the ruddy gold,
The river roll | o’er the rings of the gods;
In the water deep | shall the wealth be hid,
But never shall shine | on the Hunnish shields.’
20. Then Atli bade | that Gunnar be cast
Into the snake-pit, | swarming with snakes;
But Gudrun a harp | to the hero sent,
And with his toes | he touched the strings.
21. So well he played | that the serpents slept,
Save one alone, | a snake so vile,
Which gnawed through the breast | to the heart of the king,
And so did Gunnar | give up his life.
22. Gudrun then | for her brothers grieved,
And Atli she slew | in his sleep that night;
The hall she burned, | and the Huns therein,
And vengeance she took | for her kinsmen true.
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*** ATLAMÁL HIN GROENLENZKU ***
(The Greenlandic Lay of Atli)
A version of the Atli story with a grim, realistic tone, possibly composed in Greenland.
1. News came to Gunnar | of the Niflungs’ need,
that Atli had sent | for his sister’s kin;
Kostbera knew it, | the queen of Hogni,
and warned the men | of the wiles of the Huns.
2. Kostbera spake:
‘I dreamed a dream, | and dark it was,
that a river rushed | through the room of the hall;
and broke the benches | and boards in twain,
and the legs of you two | it tore away.’
3. Hogni spake:
‘The fields are fertile, | and full the grain,
when we dream of water | and washing waves;
no evil I see | in the ocean’s flood,
but wealth and weal | for the warriors bold.’
4. Glaumvor spake:
‘I dreamed of a gallows | and ghosts I saw,
that sought for thee, Gunnar, | to seize thy soul;
and snakes I saw | that stung thy heart,
and drank the blood | of the best of kings.’
5. Gunnar spake:
‘The hounds are hungry, | and hunt for meat,
when we dream of snakes | and stinging worms;
and the gallows high | is a goodly sign,
of honor and fame | for the hero’s name.’
6. They rode to the hall | of the Hunnish king,
but no welcome they found | at the wicked gate;
but battle and blood | and broken oaths,
and death at the last | in the darksome den.’
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*** GUÐRÚNARHVÖT ***
(Gudrun’s Incitement)
Gudrun incites her sons Hamdir and Sorli to avenge their sister Svanhild.
1. Gudrun sat | at the gate of the hall,
and spoke to her sons | with sorrowful words:
‘Why sit ye here, | and sleep ye so long?
and little ye care | for your kin that are dead.’
2. ‘Svanhild is slain, | your sister fair,
trampled by horses | in the hall of the Goths;
yet ye seek not vengeance, | ye sons of mine,
but drink the ale | and dream of peace.’
3. ‘Unlike ye are | to the ancient breed,
to Gunnar the brave | and the Hogni bold;
they would have sought | the slayer out,
and hewn him down | in his high-built house.’
4. Hamdir spake:
‘Little didst thou praise | the prowess of Hogni,
when Sigurd he slew | in the sleep of death;
but now thou urgest | thine own sons on,
to die for the dead | in a distant land.’
5. ‘Yet go we will, | and the work fulfill,
and Svanhild avenge, | the sister dear;
though we come not back | to the court of our kin,
nor see the sun | in the south again.’
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*** HAMÐISMÁL ***
(The Lay of Hamdir)
The tragic end of the line of Giuki. Hamdir and Sorli go to avenge their sister Svanhild, but fall due to a curse.
1. Sprang forth sorrow | and sad events,
Every morning | with early day;
Not now, nor yesterday, | was it known,
But long ago, | as the years have gone.
2. Gudrun urged | her gallant sons,
Hamdir and Sorli, | in the hall to speak:
‘Your sister Svanhild | has Jormunrek
Trampled to death | with trotting steeds,
White and black | on the battle-way,
Gray and Gothic, | the steeds of the Goths.’
3. ‘Ye are the last | of my lovely race,
Kings of the folk, | and keen of mind;
Alone am I left, | like the aspen-tree
stripped of its boughs | by the biting wind.’
4. Hamdir spake:
‘Little didst thou praise | the deed of Hogni,
When Sigurd they woke | from his sleep with the sword;
Thy blue-white bed-clothes | were red with blood,
And thy brothers died | by the deed of thine.’
5. Sorli spake:
‘With my mother I will not | words exchange,
Though little of joy | in our life is left;
What askest thou, Gudrun, | that shall give thee not
Tears and trouble | and torment sore?’
6. ‘We will go to the vengeance, | and glad are we
To die for our sister, | though death be sure;
But never again | shall we glad thy heart,
When we lie on the field | by the Gothic foes.’
7. Forth they rode, | and their byrnies rang,
Through the Hunnish land | and the hills of snow;
On the gibbet they saw | the son of their kin,
Their step-brother Erp, | whom they slew themselves.
8. To the hall of Jormunrek | rode the heroes,
With fury they fought, | and the floor was red;
The hands and feet | of the king they hewed,
But his head they could not | hew from his trunk.
9. Then Jormunrek roared | from within his shield:
‘Stone them with stones! | for the steel will not bite,
Nor iron nor edge, | on the sons of Jonakr.’
10. Then fell Sorli, | at the gable-end,
And Hamdir died | at the back of the house;
The Norns had woven | the web of their fate,
And the last of the Volsungs | lay on the field.
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*** HLÖÐSKVIÐA ***
(The Battle of the Goths and the Huns)
The war between the brothers Angantyr and Hloth over the heritage of their father Heidrek.
1. Heidrek was dead, | the high-born king,
and Angantyr ruled | in the Reidgotaland;
but Hloth was born | in the Hunnish realm,
the son of the king | and the slave-girl fair.
2. Hloth rode from the east, | and his helmet shone,
to the hall of his brother, | the heritage to claim;
‘I ask for the half | of the heritage all,
cow and calf, | and quern and tool.’
3. ‘Bondmaid and thrall, | and their children too,
the wide forest, | and the waves so deep;
the holy grave-mound, | and the golden stone,
and the weapons of war | that the warrior owned.’
4. Angantyr spake:
‘The white shield first | shall be shattered in twain,
and the spear-point split | on the spark-striking helm;
ere I give to thee, | thou base-born boy,
The half of the land | that Heidrek owned.’
5. ‘But I offer thee gold, | and goodly rings,
and twelve hundred men | and horses too;
and a third of the Goths | to give thee rule,
if peace thou wilt have | and my friendship hold.’
6. Then Gizur spake, | the Gryting old:
‘Too much is this | for the thrall’s son there;
a bastard born | on the benches low,
should not share the land | with the lord of Goths.’
7. War there was, | and the weapons clashed,
on Dunheith the dark | the dead lay thick;
Hloth was slain, | and the Hunnish host,
and Angantyr wept | for his brother’s woe.’
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*** HERVARARKVIÐA ***
(The Awakening of Angantyr)
Hervor, the warrior-maiden, wakes her dead father Angantyr to demand the cursed sword Tyrfing.
1. Hervor the maid | at Munarvog,
went to the mounds | where the men were laid;
the fires were burning, | the fen-lights flared,
but she feared not the ghosts | of the grimly dead.
2. Hervor spake:
‘Awake, Angantyr! | wakes thee Hervor,
the only daughter | of thee and Tofa;
give me the sword | from the grave-mound dark,
which the dwarfs for Svafrlami | smithied of old.’
3. Angantyr spake:
‘Hervor, daughter, | why callest thou so?
full of evil spells | art thou speeding to ill;
mad art thou become, | and mindless quite,
to wake the dead | in their dwelling-place.’
4. Hervor spake:
‘Give me the sword, | the spell-wrought blade,
Hjalmar’s bane, | from the house of the dead;
else shall I burn | thy bones to ash,
and give thy ghost | no goodly rest.’
5. Angantyr spake:
‘The sword lies under | my shoulders here,
wrapped in fire | and writ with doom;
no maid may hold it, | no man may wield,
for the curse of the dwarfs | on the keen edge lies.’
6. Hervor spake:
‘I fear not the fire, | nor the flames of the grave,
give me the gift | that I go to get;
the blade of the beserk | I bid thee yield,
thou son of Arngrim, | or suffer my spell.’
7. He cast out the sword, | and the keen edge shone,
like the sun it blazed | in the shadows dark;
she took the treasure, | and turned away,
to fare to the fight | with the father’s gift.’
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*** SÓLARLJÓÐ ***
(The Song of the Sun)
A visionary poem in Eddic style, describing a father’s guidance to his son from the afterlife, blending Pagan and Christian imagery.
1. Of life and the world | and the ways of men,
I saw the sun, | the star of day;
down to the doors | of death I bowed,
and the last of the light | I looked upon.
2. The star of hope | in the heaven high,
I saw it sink | in the sea of night;
the gate of the grave | was groaning loud,
and heavy the latch | of the hall of Hel.
3. Advice to my son | I say from the dead,
learn wisdom well | while the world is thine;
for dark is the way | that we all must wend,
and few are the friends | in the final hour.
4. Seven worlds I saw, | and the souls therein,
some in pain, | and some in peace;
the Norns I saw | at the northern gate,
weaving the webs | of the world’s great doom.
5. Trust not the strong, | nor the strength of youth,
for all must fade | as the flowers die;
but trust in the good, | and the gods on high,
(or the One who rules,) | and the right thou doest.’
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END OF THE POETIC EDDA
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