The Elder Eddas of Saemund Sigfusson; and the Younger Eddas of Snorre Sturleson
18. Andhrimnir makes, in Eldhrimnir, Sæhrimnir to boil, of meats the
best; but few know how many Einheriar it feeds.
19. Geri and Freki the war-wont sates, the triumphant sire of hosts;
but on wine only the famed in arms, Odin, ever lives.
20. Hugin and Munin fly each day over the spacious earth. I fear for
Hugin, that he come not back, yet more anxious am I for Munin.
21. Thund roars; joyful in Thiodvitnir's water lives the fish; the
rapid river seems too great for the battle-steed to ford.
22. Valgrind is the lattice called, in the plain that stands, holy
before the holy gates: ancient is that lattice, but few only know how
it is closed with lock.
23. Five hundred doors, and forty eke, I think, are in Valhall.
Eight hundred Einheriar will at once from each door go when they issue
with the wolf to fight.
24. Five hundred floors, and forty eke, I think, has Bilskirnir with
its windings. Of all the roofed houses that I know, is my son's the
greatest.
25. Heidrûn the goat is called, that stands o'er Odin's hall, and
bites from Lærâd's branches. He a bowl shall fill with the bright
mead; that drink shall never fail.
26. Eikthyrnir the hart is called, that stands o'er Odin's hall, and
bites from Lærâd's branches; from his horns fall drops into
Hvergelmir, whence all waters rise:--
27. Sid and Vid, Soekin and Eikin, Svöl and Gunnthrô, Fiörm and
Fimbulthul, Rin and Rennandi, Gipul and Göpul, Gömul and Geirvimul:
they round the gods' dwelling wind. Thyn and Vin, Thöll and Höll, Grâd
and Gunnthorin.
28. Vina one is called, a second Vegsvin, a third Thiodnuma; Nyt and
Nön and Hrön, Slid and Hrid, Sylg and Ylg, Vîd and Vân, Vönd and
Strönd, Gioll and Leipt; these (two) fall near to men, but fall hence
to Hel.
29. Körmt and Ormt, and the Kerlaugs twain: these Thor must wade
each day, when he to council goes at Yggdrasil's ash; for the
As-bridge is all on fire, the holy waters boil.
30. Glad and Gyllir, Gler and Skeidbrimir, Sillfrintopp and Sinir,
Gisl and Falhôfnir, Gulltopp and Lettfeti; on these steeds the Æsir
each day ride, when they to council go, at Yggdrasil's ash.
31. Three roots stand on three ways under Yggdrasil's ash: Hel under
one abides, under the second the Hrimthursar, under the third mankind.
32. Ratatösk is the squirrel named, which, has to run in Yggdrasil's
ash; he from above the eagle's words must carry, and beneath to
Nidhögg repeat.
33. Harts there are also four, which from its summits, arch-necked,
gnaw. Dâin and Dvalin, Duneyr and Durathrôr.
34. More serpents lie under Yggdrasil's ash, than any one would
think of witless mortals: Gôin and Môin,--they are Grafvitnir's
sons--Grâbak and Grafvöllud, Ofnir and Svafnir, will, I ween, the
branches of that tree ever lacerate.
35. Yggdrasil's ash hardship suffers greater than men know of; a
hart bites it above, and in its side it rots, Nidhögg beneath tears
it.
36. Hrist and Mist the horn shall bear me Skeggöld and Skögul, Hlökk
and Herfiotur, Hildi and Thrûdi, Göll and Geirölul, Randgríd and
Râdgrîd, and Reginleif, these bear beer to the Einheriar.
37. Arvakr and Alsvid, theirs 'tis up hence fasting the sun to draw:
under their shoulder the gentle powers, the Æsir, have concealed an
iron-coolness.
38. Svalin the shield is called, which stands before the sun, the
refulgent deity; rocks and ocean must, I ween, be burnt, fell it from
its place.
39. Sköll the wolf is named, that the fair-faced goddess to the
ocean chases; another Hati hight, he is Hrôdvitnir's son; he the
bright maid of heaven shall precede.
40. Of Ymir's flesh was earth created, of his blood the sea, of his
bones the hills, of his hair trees and plants, of his skull the
heaven;
41. And of his brows the gentle powers formed Midgard for the sons
of men; but of his brain the heavy clouds are all created.
42. Ullr's and all the gods' favour shall have, whoever first shall
look to the fire; for open will the dwelling be, to the Æsir's sons,
when the kettles are lifted off.[12]
43. Ivaldi's sons went in days of old Skidbladnir to form, of ships
the best, for the bright Frey, Niörd's benign son.
44. Yggdrasil's ash is of all trees most excellent, and of all
ships, Skidbladnir, of the Æsir, Odin, and of horses, Sleipnir,
Bifröst of bridges, and of skallds, Bragi, Hâbrôk of hawks, and of
dogs, Garm, [Brimir of swords.]
45. Now I my face have raised to the gods' triumphant sons, at that
will welcome help awake; from all the Æsir, that shall penetrate, to
Oegir's bench, to Oegir's compotation.[13]
46. I am called Grim, I am called Gangleri, Herian and Hiâlmberi,
Thekk and Thridi, Thund and Ud, Helblindi and Har,
47. Sad and Svipall, and Sanngetall, Herteit and Hnikar Bileyg,
Bâleyg, Bölverk, Fiölnir, Grîm and Grimnir, Glapsvid and Fiölsvid,
48. Sîdhött, Sîdskegg Sigfödr, Hnikud, Alfodr, Valfödr, Atrid and
Farmatyr; by one name I never have been called, since among men I have
gone.
49. Grimnir I am called at Geirröd's, and at Asmund's Jâlk and
Kialar, when a sledge I drew; Thrôr at the public meetings, Vidur in
battles, Oski and Omi, Jafnhâr and Biflindi, Gôndlir and Harbard with
the gods.
50. Svidur and Svidrir I was at Sökkmimir's called, and beguiled
that ancient Jötun, when of Midvitnir's renowned son I was the sole
destroyer.
51. Drunken art thou, Geirröd, thou hast drunk too much, thou art
greatly by mead beguiled. Much didst thou lose, when thou wast of my
help bereft, of all the Einheriar's and Odin's favour.
52. Many things I told thee, but thou hast few remembered: thy
friends mislead thee. My friend's sword lying I see, with blood all
dripping.
53. The fallen by the sword Ygg shall now have; thy life is now run
out: Wroth with thee are the Dîsir: Odin thou now shalt see: draw near
to me if thou canst.
54. Odin I now am named, Ygg I was called before, before that,
Thund, Vakr and Skilfing, Vâfudr and Hrôptatyr, with the gods, Gaut
and Jâlk, Ofnir and Svafnir, all which I believe to be names of me
alone.
King Geirröd was sitting with his sword lying across his knees, half
drawn from the scabbard, but on finding that it was Odin, he rose for
the purpose of removing him from the fires, when the sword slipt from
his hand with the hilt downwards; and the king having stumbled, the
sword pierced him through and killed him. Odin then vanished, and
Agnar was king for a long time after.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 12: What in this strophe is said of Ullr has apparently
reference to a lost myth. It would seem that, through the intervention
of the kettles, the Æsir were unable to see Odin's unpleasant position
between the two fires.]
[Footnote 13: My version of this strophe is not in accordance with
those of other interpreters. Odin raises his countenance to heaven, in
full confidence that when seen help will forthwith be afforded him.
Under the name of Oegir, Gierrod is generally understood: I rather
think the meaning to be, that all the Æsir who [sit at] Oegir's
compotation will forthwith come to his aid.]
THE LAY OF VEGTAM, OR BALDR'S DREAMS.
1. Together were the Æsir all in council, and the Asyniur all in
conference, and they consulted, the mighty gods, why Baldr had
oppressive dreams.
2. [To that god his slumber was most afflicting; his auspicious
dreams seemed departed. They the Jötuns questioned, wise seers of the
future, whether this might not forebode calamity?
3. The responses said that to death destined was Ullr's kinsman, of
all the dearest: that caused grief to Frigg and Svafnir, and to the
other powers--On a course they resolved:
4. That they would send to every being, assurance to solicit, Baldr
not to harm. All species swore oaths to spare him; Frigg received all
their vows and compacts.
5. Valfather fears something defective; he thinks the Hamingiur may
have departed; the Æsir he convenes, their counsel craves: at the
deliberation much is devised.]
6. Uprose Odin lord of men and on Sleipnir he the saddle laid; rode
thence down to Niflhel. A dog he met, from Hel coming.
7. It was blood-stained on its breast, on its slaughter-craving
throat, and nether jaw. It bayed and widely gaped at the sire of magic
song:--long it howled.
8. Forth rode Odin--the ground rattled--till to Hel's lofty house he
came. Then rode Ygg to the eastern gate, where he knew there was a
Vala's grave.
9. To the prophetess, he began a magic song to chant, towards the
north looked, potent runes applied, a spell pronounced, an answer
demanded, until compelled she rose, and with deathlike voice she said:
_Vala_.
10. "What man is this, to me unknown, who has for me increased an
irksome course? I have with snow been decked, by rain beaten, and with
dew moistened: long have I been dead."
_Vegtam_.
11. "Vegtam is my name, I am Valtam's son. Tell thou me of Hel:
from, earth I call on thee. For whom are those benches strewed o'er
with rings, those costly couches o'erlaid with gold?"
_Vala_.
12. "Here stands mead, for Baldr brewed, over the bright potion a
shield is laid; but the Æsir race are in despair. By compulsion I have
spoken. I will now be silent."
_Vegtam_.
13. "Be not silent, Vala! I will question thee, until I know all. I
will yet know who will Baldr's slayer be, and Odin's son of life
bereave."
_Vala_.
14. "Hödr will hither his glorious brother send, he of Baldr will
the slayer be, and Odin's son of life bereave. By compulsion I have
spoken; I will now be silent."
_Vegtam_.
15. "Be not silent, Vala! I will question thee, until I know all. I
will yet know who on Hödr vengeance will inflict, or Baldr's slayer
raise on the pile."
_Vala_.
16. "Rind a son shall bear, in the western halls: he shall slay
Odin's son, when one night old. He a hand will not wash, nor his head
comb, ere he to the pile has borne Baldr's adversary. By compulsion I
have spoken; I will now be silent."
_Vegtam_.
17. "Be not silent, Vala! I will question thee, until I know all. I
will yet know who the maidens are, that weep at will, and heavenward
cast their neck-veils? Tell me but that: till then thou sleepest not."
_Vala_.
18. "Not Vegtam art thou, as I before believed; rather art thou
Odin, lord of men!"
_Odin_.
19. "Thou art no Vala, nor wise woman, rather art thou the mother of
three Thursar."
_Vala_.
20. "Home ride thou, Odin! and exult. Thus shall never more man
again visit me, until Loki free from his bonds escapes, and Ragnarök
all-destroying comes."
THE HIGH ONE'S[14] LAY.
1. All door-ways, before going forward, should be looked to; for
difficult it is to know where foes may sit within a dwelling.
2. Givers, hail! A guest is come in: where shall he sit? In much
haste is he, who on the ways has to try his luck.
3. Fire is needful to him who is come in, and whose knees are
frozen; food and raiment a man requires, wheo'er the fell has
travelled.
4. Water to him is needful who for refection comes, a towel and
hospitable invitation, a good reception; if he can get it, discourse
and answer.
5. Wit is needful to him who travels far: at home all is easy. A
laughing-stock is he who nothing knows, and with the instructed sits.
6. Of his understanding no one should be proud, but rather in
conduct cautious. When the prudent and taciturn come to a dwelling,
harm seldom befalls the cautious; for a firmer friend no man ever gets
than great sagacity.
7. A wary guest,[15] who to refection comes, keeps a cautious
silence, with his ears listens, and with his eyes observes: so
explores every prudent man.
8. He is happy, who for himself obtains fame and kind words: less
sure is that which a man must have in another's breast.
9. He is happy, who in himself possesses fame and wit while living;