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

Sæmundur fróði Snorri Sturluson

9. Menglod is her name, her mother her begat with Svaf, Thorin's son. She here holds sway, and has power over these lands and costly halls. _Vindkald_. 10. Tell me, Fiolsvith! etc., what the grate is called, than which among the gods mortals never saw a greater artifice? _Fiolsvith_. 11. Thrymgioll it is called, and Solblindi's three sons constructed it: a fetter fastens, every wayfarer, who lifts it from its opening. _Vindkald_. 12. Tell me, Fiolsvith! etc., what that structure is called, than which among the gods mortals never saw a greater artifice? _Fiolsvith_. 13. Gastropnir it is called, and I constructed it of Leirbrimir's limbs. I have so supported it, that it will ever stand while the world lasts. _Vindkald_. 14. Tell me, Fiolsvith! etc., what those dogs are called, that chase away the giantesses, and safety to the fields restore? _Fiolsvith_. 15. Gifr the one is called, the other Geri, if thou that wouldst know. Eleven watches they will keep, until the powers perish. _Vindkald_. 16. Tell me, Fiolsvith! etc., whether any man can enter while those fierce assailants sleep? _Fiolsvith_. 17. Alternate sleep was strictly to them enjoined, since to the watch they were appointed. One sleeps by night, by day the other, so that no wight can enter if he comes. _Vindkald_. 18. Tell me, Fiolsvith! etc., whether there is any food that men can get, such that they can run in while they eat? _Fiolsvith_. 19. Two repasts lie in Vidofnir's wings, if thou that wouldst know: that is alone such food as men can give them and run in while they eat. _Vindkald_. 20. Tell me, Fiolsvith! etc., what that tree is called that with its branches spreads itself over every land? _Fiolsvith_. 21. Mimameidir it is called; but few men know from what roots it springs: it by that will fall which fewest know. Nor fire nor iron will harm it. _Vindkald_. 22. Tell me, Fiolsvith! etc., to what the virtue is of that famed tree applied, which nor fire nor iron will harm? _Fiolsvith_. 23. Its fruit shall on the fire be laid, for labouring women; out then will pass what would in remain: so is it a creator of mankind. _Vindkald_. 24. Tell me, Fioisvith! etc., what the cock is called that sits in that lofty tree, and all-glittering is with gold? _Fiolsvith_. 25. Vidofnir he is called; in the clear air he stands, in the boughs of Mima's tree: afflictions only brings, together indissoluble, the swart bird at his lonely meal. _Vindkald_. 26. Tell me, Fiolsvith! etc., whether there be any weapon, before which Vidofnir may fall to Hel's abode? _Fiolsvith_. 27. Hævatein the twig is named, and Lopt plucked it, down by the gate of Death. In an iron chest it lies with Sinmoera, and is with nine strong locks secured. _Vindkald_. 28. Tell me, Fiolsvith! etc., whether he will alive return, who seeks after, and will take, that rod? _Fiolsvith_. 29. He will return who seeks after, and will take, the rod, if he bears that which few possess to the dame of the glassy clay. _Vindkald_. 30. Tell me, Fiolsvith! etc., whether there is any treasure, that mortals can obtain, at which the pale giantess will rejoice? _Fiolsvith_. 31. The bright sickle that lies in Vidofnir's wings, thou in a bag shalt bear, and to Sinmoera give, before she will think fit to lend an arm for conflict. _Vindkald_. 32. Tell me, Fiolsvith! etc., what this hall is called, which is girt round with a curious flickering flame? _Fiolsvith_. 33. Hyr it is called, and it will long tremble as on a lance's point. This sumptuous house shall, for ages hence, be but from hearsay known. _Vindkald_. 34. Tell me, Fiolsvith! etc., which of the Æsir's sons has that constructed, which within the court I saw? _Fiolsvith_. 35. Uni and Iri, Bari and Ori, Var and Vegdrasil, Dorri and Uri, Delling and Atvard, Lidskialf, Loki. _Vindkald_. 36. Tell me, Fiolsvith! etc., what that mount is called, on which I see a splendid maiden stand? _Fiolsvith_. 37. Hyfiaberg 'tis called, and long has it a solace been to the bowed-down and sorrowful: each woman becomes healthy, although a year's disease she have, if she can but ascend it. _Vindkald_. 38. Tell me, Fiolsvith! etc., how those maids are called, who sit at Menglod's knees in harmony together? _Fiolsvith_. 39. Hlif the first is called, the second is Hlifthursa, the third Thiodvarta, Biort and Blid, Blidr, Frid, Eir and Orboda. _Vindkald_. 40. Tell me, Fiolsvith! etc., whether they protect those who offer to them, if it should, be needful? _Fiolsvith_. 41. Every summer in which men offer to them, at the holy place, no pestilence so great shall come to the sons of men, but they will free each from peril. _Vindkald_. 42. Tell me, Fiolsvith! etc., whether there is any man that may in Menglod's soft arms sleep? _Fiolsvith_. 43. There is no man who may in Menglod's soft arms sleep, save only Svipdag; to him the sun-bright maid is for wife betrothed. _Vindkald_. 44. Set the doors open! Let the gate stand wide; here thou mayest Svipdag see; but yet go learn if Menglod will accept my love. _Fiolsvith_. 45. Hear, Menglod! A man is hither come: go and behold the stranger; the dogs rejoice; the house has itself opened. I think it must be Svipdag. _Menglod_. 46. Fierce ravens shall, on the high gallows, tear out thy eyes, if thou art lying, that hither from afar is come the youth unto my halls. 47. Whence art thou come? Whence hast thou journeyed? How do thy kindred call thee? Of thy race and name I must have a token, if I was betrothed to thee. _Svipdag_. 48. Svipdag I am named, Solbiart was my father named; thence the winds on the cold ways drove me. Urd's decree may no one gainsay, however lightly uttered. _Menglod_. 49. Welcome thou art: my will I have obtained; greeting a kiss shall follow. A sight unlooked-for gladdens most persons, when one the other loves. 50. Long have I sat on my loved hill, day and night expecting thee. Now that is come to pass which I have hoped, that thou, dear youth, again to my halls art come. _Svipdag_. 51. Longing I have undergone for thy love; and thou, for my affection. Now it is certain, that we shall pass our lives together. THE LAY OF HYNDLA. Freyia rides with her favourite Ottar to Hyndla, a Vala, for the purpose of obtaining information respecting Ottar's genealogy, such information being required by him in a legal dispute with Angantyr. Having obtained this, Freyia further requests Hyndla to give Ottar a potion (minnisol) that will enable him to remember all that has been told him. This she refuses, but is forced to comply by Freyia having encircled her cave with flames. She gives him the potion, but accompanied by a malediction, which is by Freyia turned to a blessing. _Freyia_. 1. Wake, maid of maids! Wake, my friend! Hyndla! Sister! who in the cavern dwellest. Now there is dark of darks; we will both to Valhall ride, and to the holy fane. 2. Let us Heriafather pray into our minds to enter, he gives and grants gold to the deserving. He gave to Hermod a helm and corslet, and from him Sigmund a sword received. 3. Victory to his sons he gives, but to some riches; eloquence to the great, and to men, wit; fair wind he gives to traders, but poesy to skallds; valour he gives to many a warrior. 4. She to Thor will offer, she to him will pray, that to thee he may be well disposed; although he bears ill will to Jotun females. 5. Now of thy wolves take one from out the stall; let him run with runic rein.[42] _Hyndla_. 6. Sluggish is thy hog the god's way to tread: _Freyia_. 7. I will my noble palfrey saddle. _Hyndla_. 8. False are thou, Freyia! who temptest me: by thy eyes thou showest it, so fixed upon us; while thou thy man hast on the dead-road,[43] the young Ottar, Innstein's son. 9. Dull art thou, Hyndla! methinks thou dreamest, since thou sayest that my man is on the dead-road with me; there where my hog sparkles with its golden bristles, hight Hildisvini, which for me made the two skilful dwarfs, Dain and Nabbi. From the saddle we will talk: let us sit, and of princely families discourse, of those chieftains who from the gods descend. They have contested for the dead's gold, Ottar the young and Angantyr. 10. A duty 'tis to act so that the young prince his paternal heritage may have, after his kindred. 11. An offer-stead to me he raised, with stones constructed; now is that stone as glass become. With the blood of oxen he newly sprinkled it. Ottar ever trusted in the Asyniur. 12. Now let us reckon up the ancient families, and the races of exalted men. Who are the Skioldungs? Who are the Skilfings? Who the Odlings? Who the Ylfings? Who the hold-born? Who the hers-born? The choicest race of men under heaven? _Hyndla_. 13. Thou, Ottar! art of Innstein born, but Innstein was from Alf the Old, Alf was from Ulf, Ulf from Sæfari, but Sæfari from Svan the Red. 14. Thy father had a mother, for her necklaces famed, she, I think, was named Hledis the priestess; Frodi her father was, and her mother Friant: all that stock is reckoned among chieftains. 15. Ali was of old of men the strongest, Halfdan before him, the highest of the Skioldungs; (Famed were the wars by those chieftains led) his deeds seemed to soar to the skirts of heaven. 16. By Eimund aided, chief of men, he Sigtrygg slew with the cold steel. He Almveig had to wife, first of women. They begat and had eighteen sons. 17. From them the Skioldungs, from them the Skilfings, from them the Odlings, from them the Ynglings, from them the hold-born, from them the hers-born, the choicest race of men under heaven. All that race is thine, Ottar Heimski! 18. Hildegun her mother was, of Svafa born and a sea-king. All that race is thine, Ottar Heimski! Carest thou this to know? Wishest thou a longer narrative? 19. Dag wedded Thora, mother of warriors: of that race were born the noble champions, Fradmar, Gyrd, and the Frekis both, Am, Josur, Mar, Alf the Old. Carest thou this to know? Wishest thou a longer narrative? 20. Ketil their friend was named, heir of Klyp; he was maternal grandsire of thy mother. Then was Frodi yet before Kari, but the eldest born was Alf. 21. Nanna was next, Nokkvi's daughter; her son was thy father's kinsman, ancient is that kinship. I knew both Brodd and Horfi. All that race is thine, Ottar Heimski! 22. Isolf, Asolf, Olmod's sons and Skurhild's Skekkil's daughter; thou shalt yet count chieftains many. All that race is thine, Ottar Heimski! 23. Gunnar, Balk, Grim, Ardskafi, Jarnskiold, Thorir, Ulf, Ginandi, Bui and Brami, Barri and Reifnir, Tind and Hyrfing, the two Haddingis. All that race is thine, Ottar Heimski! 24. To toil and tumult were the sons of Arngrim born, and of Eyfura: ferocious berserkir, calamity of every kind, by land and sea, like fire they carried. All that race is thine, Ottar Heimski! 25. I knew both Brodd and Horfi, they were in the court of Hrolf the Old; all descended from Jormunrek, son-in-law of Sigurd. (Listen to my story) the dread of nations, him who Fafnir slew. 26. He was a king, from Volsung sprung, and Hiordis from Hrodung; but Eylimi from the Odlings. All that race is thine, Ottar Heimski! 27. Gunnar and Hogni, sons of Giuki; and Gudrun likewise, their sister. Guttorm; was not of Giuki's race, although he brother was of them both. All that race is thine, Ottar Heimski! 28. Harald Hildetonn, born of Hrærekir Slongvanbaugi; he was a son of Aud, Aud the rich was Ivar's daughter; but Radbard was Randver's father. They were heroes to the gods devoted. All that race is thine, Ottar Heimski!