The Elder Futhark Scarf: A Beginner’s Knitting Guide with Rune Symbol Charts and Lore

The Elder Futhark - A Scarf for the Viking in Your Life @ Copyright 2008 Dawn Ellis-Lopez

This is a beginner's scarf, using only knits and purls. The charts can be used and applied to a variety of different techniques, though. It is recommended to keep the background as a straight stockinette stitch to exemplify the runes themselves. Medium to light colors show the pattern off better, and dark colors make them more subtle. It's purely your own preference. This scarf is designed so that twelve of the symbols work up on one side, and then the other twelve are worked down on the other side so that all of the symbols are shown in the up-right position. NOTE: The pattern calls for a seed stitch border around each rune, and each rune is done in reverse stockinette stitch (purls) set in the center of a stockinette stitch field. MATERIALS: Size Us7 straight needles Worsted weight yarn - non-felting Two stitch markers Tapestry needle for weaving in CO 36 stitches. Any basic cast-on method is fine. Work five rows of seed stitch (Kl-P1, etc). The idea is to knit into purls you see, and purl into knits. This is a nice alternative to garter stitch or ribbing. These are the first five rows of your first chart. Row 6: Work the first five seed stitches (kl, p1, kl p1, k1), p3, place stitch marker, p20, place stitch market, p3, finish with the last five seed stitches (p1, kl, pl, kl, p1). There should always be 20 stitches between your markers. written instructions (last pages) will apply only to the area between these markers. This area is also marked off with a heavy border on the charts. Work according to the charts in order. Knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side Purl on the right side, knit on the wrong side Remember to start from the right on odd-numbered rows, and from the left on even numbered rows.

FEHU

Fehu corresponds with the English letter F, and it represents domesticated cattle and wealth. It is earned abundance and financial stability. It also bestows abundance in the future, including fertility, foresight, and wisdom in managing resources.

URUZ

Uruz is a wild ox, Auroch (now extinct), and is the English letter U. It is untamed potential, phenomenal physical strength, fantastic energy and speed, and natural fertility and freedom. It also brings unexpected positive changes, power, and tenacity.

THURISAZ

Thurisaz is TH in English, and is the symbol of the Thorn, and, alternately, of the Giant. It is masculine sexual energy and the ability to react swiftly to threats. It is a fire symbol and often brings necessary destruction, but it also brings regeneration.

ANSUZ

Ansuz is a rune that refers to the ancestral gods through the first letter of the English alphabet, A. It brings messages and communications through intuition, insight, dreaming, or sometimes more conventional channels such as phone or letter. When this rune appears to you, it's time to listen carefully and take the advice Offered.

RAIDHO

Raidho (also spelled Raido on occasion) is the journeying rune, R, and asks us if we are going in the right direction. We have the wagon to get us from one place to another, but Raidho asks us if we are clear on not only our destination but our purpose.

KENAZ

Kenaz (K) is the beacon of light that brings us out of darkness or confusion. It is the development of technical ability, of fine skills. It channels and transmutes fire into a useful tool, allowing the creation of other items.

GEBO

Gebo is a beautiful gift, the letter G, and indicates reward and recognition of value and worth. It also brings unexpected positive surprises and balance in personal and business relationships. When Gebo shows up, know that you have a potential period of well-earned rest coming your way.

WUNJO

Wunjo (w or V) is the rune of Joy, comfort, and pleasure. It is the warm feeling of sitting in a communal setting with your loved ones and enjoying the fellowship of song and stories. It is the expression of trust and faith in the community, the village, the tribe, and the family.

HAGALAZ

Hagalaz (H) is not a happy rune. It represents hail, destruction, and uncontrolled forces that wreak havoc in our lives. Often, this force comes from an unresolved issue in the subconscious, but it can also mean difficult times ahead in the material world.

NAUTHIZ

Nauthiz (N) represents need and delays. Through the distress of confusion and conflict, however, we are shown to be self-reliant, that the power to resolve our issues comes from within ourselves.

Isa is the English letter l, and it is the state of ice. It represents frustration, the sense that forward motion is frozen, and rather than allow feelings of distress to reign, it is important to take this opportunity to look within ourselves, to take time to seek inner clarity.

JERA

Jera is the good harvest, the fruit of our labors finally being reaped. It is the English letter J and Y. It is the break of stagnancy experienced with Isa, and it portends a time of prosperity and peace. NOTE: At this point, the following runes appear to be knitted upside down. This creates the effect that from the center point of the scarf, all runes are shown right side up.

EIHWAZ

Eihwaz, the letters El, is the Yew tree, which is the wood that makes good bows for archery and hunting. It is strength, reliability, dependability, and the knowledge that we are protected and looked after for our efforts. It is also the driving force that leads us to have a sense of purpose.

PERTHO

Pertho (P) is the rune of mystery, the occult, and secret knowledge. It represents feminine energy and the passive nature of knowledge. This rune speaks of initiation into higher levels of learning, knowing the direction of the future, and having the power to determine the forward path.

ALGIZ

Algiz (R, and sometimes Z) is the elk. It is the protective shield that keeps us from harm, but also provides for us. It represents the spiritual connection we have with the gods and the awakening of our higher consciousness, all while being able to ward off evil and keeping darkness at bay.

SOWILO

Sowilo (S) is the sun, the masculine warm energy of the life-force that we all share. It is the indication of our place in the universe, and the nature of things that we all serve our own purpose. This rune brings health, positive change, success, the cleansing fire, and connection to the higher self.

TIWAZ

Tiwaz (also spelled Teiwaz) is T, the sky-god, and the warrior spirit. This rune teaches us about honor, authority, respect, and justice. It brings to light the need for rational thinking and objectivity in determining our course of action. It grants us victory in conflicts.

BERKANO

Berkano is the English letter B, and it is sometimes spelled Berkana. It is the Birch tree, and it is the Mother rune. This symbol speaks to us of childbirth and fertility, but often this applies to fertile ideas and birthing ourselves into the next phase of our lives. It is the springtime and new beginnings.

EHWAZ

Ehwaz (E) is the rune of the horse or other means of transportation. Unlike Raidho, which speaks of journeying in general, Ehwaz is a cumulative effect, a group effort to get from one place to another. This can be in a classroom, in a business, or in a family, and forward progress is shown.

MANNAZ

Mannaz (M) represents Mankind in general and the individual person as well. It is the Self, and also it shows, by way of the other runes around it, your general attitude and feeling about the other members of the Human race. It is individuality, intellect, forethought, and self-awareness.

LAGUZ

Laguz (L) is water flowing and representative of plants that like a lot of water. It is fertility, the source of water, the renewal of emotions, and organic growth. The water element also teaches us about psychic awareness, dreams, deep knowledge and secret meanings.

INGWAZ

Ingwaz (NG) is the earth-god. It is masculine fertility, gestation, and inner growth. It is the common bonds and simple pleasures of family love, community bonds, the home, and human warmth that inspire us to do better for ourselves so that we may enrich those we care about.

DAGAZ

Dagaz (D) resembles a butterfly, and in the same sense, it represents transformation and breakthroughs. when this rune comes to you, it's time to shed old habits and let a new day break in your life. It is hope and happiness and the power to direct changes in your own life.

OTHALA

Othala (O) stands for the ancestral home, the heart of our belief, faith, and love. This is also one of the key runes for learning more about Odin Himself. It is the beginning of our spiritual inheritance and the identity that we develop as a member of our family and tribe. Row 9: k14, p2, k4 Row 10: p4, k2, p14 Row 1l: k14, p2, k4 Row 12: p4, k2, p14 Row 13: k14, p2, k4 Row 14: p4, k2, p14 Row 15: k14, p2, k4 Row 16: p4, k2, p14 Row 17: k14, p2, k4 Row 18: p4, k2, p14 Row 19: k14, p2, k4 Row 20: p4, k2, p14 Row 21: k14, p2, k4 Row 22: p4, k2, p14 Row 23: k13, p3, p4 Row 24: p4, k4, k12 Row 25: kl1, p5, k4 Row 26: p4, k2, p1, k3, p10 Row 27: k9, p3, k2, p2, k4 Row 28: p4, k2, p3, k3, p8 Row 29: k7, p3, k3, p3, k4 Row 30: p4, k4, p3, k3, p6 Row 31: k5, p3, k3, p5, k4 Row 32: p4, k2, p1, k3, p3, k2, p5 Row 33: k5, p1, k3, p3, k2, p2, k4 Row 34: p4, k2, p3, k3, p8 Row 35: k7, p3, k4, p2, k4 Row 36: p4, k2, p5, k3, p6 Row 37: k5, p3, k6, p2, k4 Row 38: p4, k2, p7, k2, k5 Row 49: k4, p2, k9, p2, k3 Row 50: p3, k2, p9, k2, p4 Row 51: k4, p2, k9, p2, k3 Row 52: p3, k2, p9, k2, p4 Row 53: k4, p2, k9, p2, k3 Row 54: p3, k2, p9, k2, p4 Row 55: k4, p2, k9, p2, k3 Row 56: p3, k2, p9, k2, p4 Row 57: k4, p2, k9, p2, k3 Row 58: p3, k2, p9, k2, p4 Row 59: k4, p2, k9, p2, k3 Row 60: p3, k2, p9, k2, p4 Row 61: k4, p2, k9, p2, k3 Row 62: p3, k2, p9, k2, p4 Row 63: k4, p2, k9, p2, k3 Row 64: p3, k2, p9, k2, p4 Row 65: k4, p2, k9, p2, k3 Row 66: p3, k2, p9, k2, p4 Row 67: k4, p3, k8, p2, k3 Row 68: p3, k2, p7, k3, p5 Row 69: k6, p3, k6, p2, k3 Row 70: p3, k2, p5, k3, p7 Row 71: k8, p3, k4, p2, k3 Row 72: p3, k2, p3, k3, p9 Row 73: k10, p3, k2, p2, k3 Row 74: p3, k2, p1, k3, p11 Row 75: k12, p5, k3 Row 76: p3, k4, p13 Row 77: k14, p3, k3 Row 78: p3, k2, p15 Row 89: k14, p2, k4 Row 90: p4, k2, p14 Row 91: k14, p2, k4 Row 92: p4, k2, p14 Row 93: k14, p2, k4 Row 94: p4, k2, p14 Row 95: k13, p3, k4 Row 96: p4, k4, k12 Row 97: k11, p5, k4 Row 98: p4, k2, p1, k3, p10 Row 99: k9, p3, k2, p2, k4 Row 100: p4, k2, p3, k3, p8 Row 101: k7, p3, k4, p2, k4 Row 102: p4, k2, p5, k3, p6 Row 103: k5, p3, k6, p2, k4 Row 104: p4, k2, p6, k3, p5 Row 105: k6, p3, k5, p2, k4 Row 106: p4, k3, p4, k3, p7 Row 107: k8, p3, k3, p2, k4 Row 108: p4, k2, p2, k3, p9 Row 109: k10, p3, kl, p2, k4 Row 110: p4, k5, p11 Row 111: k12, p4, k4 Row 112: p4, k3, k13 Row 113: k14, p2, k4 Row 114: p4, k2, p14 Row 115: k14, p2, k4 Row 116: p4, k2, p14 Row 117: k14, p2, k4 Row 118: p4, k2, p14 Row 129: k14, p2, k4 Row 130: p4, k2, p14 Row 131: k14, p2, k4 Row 132: p4, k2, p14 Row 133: k14, p2, k4 Row 134: p4, k2, p14 Row 135: k14, p2, k4 Row 136: p4, k2, p14 Row 137: k14, p2, k4 Row 138: p4, k2, p14 Row 139: k14, p2, k4 Row 140: p4, k2,p14 Row 14l: k5, pl, k8, p2, k4 Row 142: p4, k2, p7, k2, p5 Row 143: k5, p3, k6, p2, k4 Row 144: p4, k2, p5, k3, p6 Row 145: k7, p3, k4, p2, k4 Row 146: p4, k2, p3, k3, p8 Row 147: k5, p1, k3, p3, k2, p2, k4 Row 148: p4, k2, p1, k3, p3, k2, p5 Row 149: k5, p3, k3, p5, k4 Row 150: p4, k4, p3, k3, p6 Row 151: k7, p3, k3, p3, k4 Row 152: p4, k2, p3, k3, p8 Row 153: k9, p3, k2, p2, k4 Row 154: p4, k2, p1, k3, p10 Row 155: kl1, p5, k4 Row 156: p4, k4, p12 Row 157: k13, p3, k4 Row 158: p4, k2, p14 Row 169: k14, p2, k4 Row 170: p4, k2, p14 Row 171: k14, p2, k4 Row 172: p4, k2, p14 Row 173: k5, p1, k8, p2, k4 Row 174: p4, k2, p7, k2, p5 Row 175: k5, p3, k6, p2, k4 Row 176: p4, k2, p5, k3, p6 Row 177: k7, p3, k4, p2, k4 Row 178: p4, k2, p3, k3, p8 Row 179: k9, p3, k2, p4, k4 Row 180: p4, k2, p1, k3, p10 Row 181: k11, p5, k4 Row 182: p4, k4, k12 Row 183: kl1, p5, k4 Row 184: p4, k2, p1, k3, p10 Row 185: k9, p3, k2, p2, k4 Row 186: p4, k2, p3, k3, p8 Row 187: k7, p3, k4, p2, k4 Row 188: p4, k2, p5, k3, p6 Row 189: k5, p3, k6, p2, k4 Row 190: p4, k2, p5, k3, p6 Row 191: k7, p3, k4, p2, k4 Row 192: p4, k2, p3, k3, p8 Row 193: k9, p3, k2, p2, k4 Row 194: p4, k2, p1, k3, p10 Row 195: k11, p5, k4 Row 196: p4, k4, p12 Row 197: k13, p3, k4 Row 198: p4, k2, p14 Row 209: k2, pl, k17 Row 210: p16, k2, p2 Row 211: k2, p3, k15 Row 212: p14, k3, p3 Row 213: k4, p3, k13 Row 214: p12, k3, p5 Row 215: k6, p3, k11 Row 216: p10, k3, p7 Row 217: k8, p3, k9 Row 218: p8, k3, p9 Row 219: k10, p3, k7 Row 220: p6, k3, p11 Row 221: k12, p3, k5 Row 222: p4, k3, p13 Row 223: k14, p3, k3 Row 224: p2, k3, p15 Row 225: k14, p3, k3 Row 226: p4, k3, p13 Row 227: k12, p3, k5 Row 228: p6, k3, k11 Row 229: k10, p3, k7 Row 230: p8, k3, p9 Row 231: k8, p3, k9 Row 232: p10, k3, p7 Row 233: k6, p3, k11 Row 234: p12,k3, p5 Row 235: k4, p3, kl3 Row 236: p14, k3, p3 Row 237: k2, p3, k15 Row 238: p16, k2, p2 Row 249: k3, p2, k11, p2, k2 Row 250: p2, k2, p11, k2, p3 Row 251: k3, p2, k11, p2, k2 Row 252: p3,k2, p9, k2, p4 Row 253: k4, p2, k9, p2, k3 Row 254: p4, k2, p7, k2, p5 Row 255: k5, p2, k7, p2, k4 Row 256: p5,k2, p5, k2, p6 Row 257: k6, p2, k5, p2, k5 Row 258: p6, k2, p3, k2, p7 Row 259: k7, p2, k3, p2, k6 Row 260: p7,k2, p1, k2, p8 Row 261: k8, p2, kl, p2, k7 Row 262: p8, k3, p9 Row 263: k9, p3, k8 Row 264: p8, k3, p9 Row 265: k9, p3, k8 Row 266: p7, k2, p1, k2, p8 Row 267: k8, p2, kl, p2, k7 Row 268: p6,k2, p3, k2, p7 Row 269: k7, p2, k3, p2, k6 Row 270: p5, k2, p5, k2, p6 Row 271: k6, p2, k5, p2, k5 Row 272: p4, k2, p7, k2, p5 Row 273: k5, p2, k7, p2, k4 Row 274: p3, k2, p9, k2, p4 Row 275: k4, p2, k9, p2, k3 Row 276: p2, k2, p11, k2, p3 Row 277: k3, p2, k11, p2, k2 Row 278: p2, k2, p11, k2, p3 Row 289: k14, p2, k4 Row 290: p4, k2, p14 Row 291: k14, p2, k4 Row 292: p4, k2, p14 Row 293: k14, p2, k4 Row 294: p4, k2, p14 Row 295: k14, p2, k4 Row 296: p4, k2, p14 Row 297: k14, p2, k4 Row 298: p4, k2, p14 Row 299: k14, p2, k4 Row 300: p4, k2, p14 Row 301: k13, p3, k4 Row 302: p4, k4, p12 Row 303: k11, p5, k4 Row 304: p4, k2, pl, k3, p10 Row 305: k9, p3, k2, p2, k4 Row 306: p4, k2, p3, k3, p8 Row 307: k7, p3, k4, p2, k4 Row 308: p4, k2, p5, k3, p6 Row 309: k5, p3, k6, p2, k4 Row 310: p4, k2, p5, k3, p6 Row 311: k7, p3, k4, p2, k4 Row 312: p4, k2, p3, k3, p8 Row 313: k9, p3, k2, p2, k4 Row 314: p4, k2, p1, k3, p10 Row 315: kl1, p5, k4 Row 316: p4, k4, p12 Row 317: k13, p3, k4 Row 318: p4, k2, p14 Row 329: k4, p2, k9, p2, k3 Row 330: p3, k2, p9, k2, p4 Row 331: k4, p2, k9, p2, k3 Row 332: p3, k2, p9, k2, p4 Row 333: k4, p2, k9, p2, k3 Row 334: p3, k2, p9, k2, p4 Row 335: k4, p2, k9, p2, k3 Row 336: p3, k2, p9, k2, p4 Row 337: k4, p2, k9, p2, k3 Row 338: p3, k2, p9, k2, p4 Row 339: k4, p2, k9, p2, k3 Row 340: p3,k2, p9, k2, p4 Row 341: k4, p2, k9, p2, k3 Row 342: p3, k2, p8, k3, p4 Row 343: k4, p4, k7, p2, k3 Row 344: p3, k2, p6, k5, p4 Row 345: k4, p2, kl, p3, k5, p2, k3 Row 346: p3, k2, p4, k3, p2, k2, p4 Row 347: k4, p2, k3, p3, k3, p2, k3 Row 348: p3, k2, p2, k3, p4, k2, p4 Row 349: k4, p2, k5, p3, kl, p2, k3 Row 350: p3, k5, p6, k2, p4 Row 351: k4, p2, k7, p4, k3 Row 352: p3, k3, p8, k2, p4 Row 353: k4, p2, k9, p2, k3 Row 354: p3, k2, p9, k2, p4 Row 355: k4, p2, k9, p2, k3 Row 356: p3, k2, p9, k2, p4 Row 357: k4, p2, k9, p2, k3 Row 358: p3, k2, p9, k2, p4 Row 369: k9, p2, k9 Row 370: p9,k2, p9 Row 371: k9, p2, k9 Row 372: p9, k2, p9 Row 373: k9, p2, k9 Row 374: p9,k2, p9 Row 375: k9, p2, k9 Row 376: p9, k2, p5, kl, p3 Row 377: k3, p2, k4, p2, k9 Row 378: p9,k2, p3, k3, p3 Row 379: k4, p3, k2, p2, k9 Row 380: p9, k2, p1, k3, p5 Row 381: k6, p5, k9 Row 382: p9.k4, p7 Row 383: k8, p3, k9 Row 384: p8, k3, p9 Row 385: k9, p4, k7 Row 386: p6,k5, p9 Row 387: k9, p2, kl, p3, k5 Row 388: p4,k3, p2, k2, p9 Row 389: k9, p2, k3, p3, k3 Row 390: p3, k2, p4, k2, p9 Row 391: k9, p2, k5, p1, k3 Row 392: p9,k2, p9 Row 393: k9, p2, k9 Row 394: p9, k2, p9 Row 395: k9, p2, k9 Row 396: p9, k2, p9 Row 397: k9, p2, k9 Row 398: p9, k2, p9

ISA

All Odd Rows: K9, p2, k9 All Even Rows: P9, k2, p9 For 30 rows from Row 409 to Row 438 Row 449: k9, pl, k10 Row 450: p9, k2, p9 Row 451: k9, p3, k8 Row 452: p7, k3, p10 Row 453: kl1, p3, k6 Row 454: p5, k3, p12 Row 455: k13, p3, k4 Row 456: p3, k3, p14 Row 457: k15, p3, k2 Row 458: p1, k3, p4, kl, p11 Row 459: k10, p2, k5, p3 Row 460: p1, k3, p4, k3, p9 Row 461: k8, p3, k4, p3, k2 Row 462: p3, k3, p4, k3, p7 Row 463: k6, p3, k3, p3, k4 Row 464: p5,k3, p4, k3, p5 Row 465: k4, p3, k4, p3, k6 Row 466: p7, k3, p4, k3, p3 Row 467: k2, p3, k4, p3, k8 Row 468: p9, k2, p5, k3, p1 Row 469: k2, p3, k4, p1, k10 Row 470: p14, k3, p3 Row 47l: k4, p3, k13 Row 472: p12, k3, p5 Row 473: k6, p3, kl1 Row 474: p10, k3, p7 Row 475: k8, p3, k9 Row 476: p8, k3, p9 Row 477: k10, p2, k8 Row 478: p8, kl, pl1 Row 491: k9, p2, p9 Row 492: p8, k3, p9 Row 493: k9, p4, k7 Row 494: p6, k5, p9 Row 495: k9, p2, kl, p3, k5 Row 496: p4, k3, p2, k2, p9 Row 497: k9, p2, k3, p2, k4 Row 498: p4, k1, p4, k2, p9 Row 499: k9, p2, k9 Row 500: p9, k2, p9 Row 501: k9, p2, k9 Row 502: p9, k2, p9 Row 503: k9, p2, k9 Row 504: p9, k2, p9 Row 505: k9, p2, k9 Row 506: p9, k2, p9 Row 507: k9, p2, k9 Row 508: p9, k2, p9 Row 509: k9, p2,k9 Row 510: p9, k2, p9 Row 511: k9, p2, k9 Row 512: p9, k2, p9 Row 513: k4, p1, k4, p2, k9 Row 514: p9,k2, p3, k2, p4 Row 515: k4, p3, k2, p2, k9 Row 516: p9,k2, p1, k3, p5 Row 517: k6, p5, k9 Row 518: p9, p4, p7 Row 519: k8, p3, k9 Row 520: p9, k2, p9 Row 53l: k4, p2, k9, p1, k4 Row 532: p4, k2, p7, k3, p4 Row 533: k4, p4, k5, p3, k4 Row 534: p5, k3, p3, k5, p4 Row 535: k4, p2, kl, p3, kl, p3, k6 Row 536: p7,k5, p2, k2, p4 Row 537: k4, p2, k3, p3, k8 Row 538: p9, kl, p4, k2, p4 Row 539: k4,p2, k14 Row 540: p14, k2, p4 Row 541: k4, p2, k14 Row 542: p14, k2, p4 Row 543: k4, p2, k14 Row 544: p14, k2, p4 Row 545: k4, p2, k14 Row 546: p14, k2, p4 Row 547: k4, p2, k14 Row 548: p14, k2, p4 Row 549: k4, p2, k14 Row 550: p14, k2, p4 Row 551: k4, p2, k14 Row 552: p14,k2, p4 Row 553: k4, p2, k4, p1, k9 Row 554: p8, k3, p3, k2, p4 Row 555: k4, p2, k2, p5, k7 Row 556: p6, k3, pl, k3, p1, k2, p4 Row 557: k4, p5, k3, p3, k5 Row 558: p4, k3, p5, k4, p4 Row 559: k4, p3, k7, p2, k4 Row 560: p4, kl, p9, k2, p4 Row 571: k3, pl, k5, p2, k5, p1, k3 Row 572: p3, k2, p4, k2, p4, k2, p3 Row 573: k3, p3, k3, p2, k3, p3, k3 Row 574: p4, k3, p2, k2, p2, k3, p4 Row 575: k5, p3, kl, p2, k1, p3, k5 Row 576: p6, k8, p6 Row 577: k7, p6, k7 Row 578: p8, k4, p8 Row 579: k9, p2, k9 Row 580: p9,k2, p9 Row 581: k9, p2, k9 Row 582: p9,k2, p9 Row 583: k9, p2, k9 Row 584: p9,k2, p9 Row 585: k9, p2, k9 Row 586: p9,k2, p9 Row 587: k9, p2, k9 Row 588: p9, k2, p9 Row 589: k9, p2, k9 Row 590: p9, k2, p9 Row 591: k9, p2, k9 Row 592: p9, k2, p9 Row 593: k9, p2, k9 Row 594: p9,k2, p9 Row 595: k9, p2,k9 Row 596: p9, k2, p9 Row 597: k9, p2, k9 Row 598: p9,k2, p9 Row 599: k9, p2, k9 Row 600: p9, k2, p9 Row 611: k10, p2, k8 Row 612: p8, k3, p9 Row 613: k8, p3, k9 Row 614: p10, k3, p7 Row 615: k6, p3, k11 Row 616: p12, k3, p5 Row 617: k4, p3, k13 Row 618: p13, k3, p4 Row 619: k5, p2, k13 Row 620: p12,k2, p6 Row 621: k7, p2, k11 Row 622: p11,k2,p7 Row 623: k8, p2, k10 Row 624: p9, k2, p9 Row 625: k9, p2, k9 Row 626: p8, k2, p10 Row 627: k1l, p2, k7 Row 628: p7, k2, p11 Row 629: k12, p2, p6 Row 630: p5,k2, p13 Row 631: kl3, p2, p5 Row 632: p4, k2, p14 Row 633: k14, p3, k3 Row 634: p3, k3, p14 Row 635: k13, p3, k4 Row 636: p5, k3, p12 Row 637: k11, p3, k6 Row 638: p7, k3, p10 Row 639: k9, p3, k8 Row 640: p9, k2, p9 Row 651: k9, p2, k9 Row 652: p8, k4, p8 Row 653: k7, p6, k7 Row 654: p6, k8, p6 Row 655: k5, p3, kl, p2, kl, p3, k5 Row 656: p4, k3, p2, k2, p2, k3, p4 Row 657: k3, p3, k3, p2, k3, p3, k3 Row 658: p3, k2, p4, k2, p4, k2, p3 Row 659: k3, p1, k5, p2, k5, p1, k3 Row 660: p9, k2, p9 Row 661: k9, p2, k9 Row 662: p9, k2, p9 Row 663: k9, p2, k9 Row 664: p9, k2, p9 Row 665: k9, p2, k9 Row 666: p9, k2, p9 Row 667: k9, p2, k9 Row 668: p9, k2, p9 Row 669: k9, p2, k9 Row 670: p9, k2, p9 Row 671: k9, p2, k9 Row 672: p9, k2, p9 Row 673: k9, p2, k9 Row 674: p9, k2, p9 Row 675: k9, p2, k9 Row 676: p9, k2, p9 Row 677: k9, p2, k9 Row 678: p9, k2, p9 Row 679: k9, p2, k9 Row 680: p9, k2, p9 Row 691: k5, p2, k13 Row 692: p12, k3, p5 Row 693: k5, p4, k11 Row 694: p10, k5, p5 Row 695: k5, p2, kl, p3, k9 Row 696: p8, k3, p2, k2, p5 Row 697: k5, p2, k3, p3, k7 Row 698: p6,k3, p4, k2, p5 Row 699: k5, p2, p5, k3, p5 Row 700: p5, k3, p5, k2, p5 Row 701: k5, p2, k4, p3, k6 Row 702: p7, k3, p3, k2, p5 Row 703: k5, p2, k2, p3, k8 Row 704: p9,k3, p1, k2, p5 Row 705: k5, p5, k10 Row 706: p10, k5, p5 Row 707: k5, p2, kl, p3, k9 Row 708: p8, k3, p2, k2, p5 Row 709: k5, p2, k3, p3, k7 Row 710: p6, k3, p4, k2, p5 Row 711: k5, p2, k5, p3, k5 Row 712: p5, k3, p5, k2, p5 Row 713: k5, p2, k4, p3, k6 Row 714: p7, k3, p3, k2, p5 Row 715: k5, p2, k2, p3, k8 Row 716: p9, k3, p1, k2, p5 Row 717: k5, p5, k10 Row 718: p11, k4, p5 Row 719: k5, p3, k12 Row 720: p13,k2, p5 Row 731: k3, p2, k11, p2, k2 Row 732: p2, k3, p9, k3, p3 Row 733: k3, p4, k7, p4, k2 Row 734: p2, k5, p5, k5, p3 Row 735: k3, p2, kl, p3, k3, p3, kl, p2, k2 Row 736: p2, k2, p2, k3, p1, k3, p2, k2, p3 Row 737: k3, p2, k3, p5, k3, p2, k2 Row 738: p2, k2, p4, k3, p4, k2, p3 Row 739: k3, p2, k5, p1, k5, p2, k2 Row 740: p2, k2, p11, k2, p3 Row 741: k3, p2, k11, p2, k2 Row 742: p2, k2, p11, k2, p3 Row 743: k3, p2, k11, p2, k2 Row 744: p2, k2, p11, k2, p3 Row 745: k3, p2, kl1, p2, k2 Row 746: p2, k2, p11, k2, p3 Row 747: k3, p2, k11, p2, k2 Row 748: p2, k2, p11, k2, p3 Row 749: k3, p2, k11, p2, k2 Row 750: p2, k2, p11, k2, p3 Row 751: k3, p2, k11, p2, k2 Row 752: p2, k2, p11, k2, p3 Row 753: k3, p2, k11, p2, k2 Row 754: p2, k2, p11, k2, p3 Row 755: k3, p2, k11, p2, k2 Row 756: p2,k2, p1l, k2, p3 Row 757: k3, p2, k11, p2, k2 Row 758: p2, k2, p11, k2, p3 Row 759: k3, p2, k11, p2, k2 Row 760: p2, k2, p11, k2, p3 Row 771: k2, p2, k12, p2, k2 Row 772: p2, k3, p10, k3, p2 Row 773: k2, p4, k8, p4, k2 Row 774: p2, k5, p6, k5, p2 Row 775: k2, p2, kl, p3, k4, p3, kl, p2, k2 Row 776: p2, k2, p2, k3, p2, k3, p2, k2, p2 Row 777: k2, p2, k3, p6, k3, p2, k2 Row 778: p2, k2, p4, k4, p4, k2, p2 Row 779: k2, p2, k4, p4, k4, p2, k2 Row 780: p2, k2, p3, k6, p3, k2, p2 Row 781: k2, p2, k2, p3, k2, p3, k2, p2, k2 Row 782: p2, k2, p1, k3, p4, k3, p1, k2, p2 Row 783: k2, p5, k6, p5, k2 Row 784: p2, k4, p8, k4, p2 Row 785: k2, p3, k10, p3, k2 Row 786: p2, k2, p12, k2, p2 Row 787: k2, p2, k12, p2, k2 Row 788: p2, k2, p12, k2, p2 Row 789: k2, p2, k12, p2, k2 Row 790: p2, k2, p12, k2, p2 Row 791: k2, p2, k12, p2, k2 Row 792: p2, k2, p12, k2, p2 Row 793: k2, p2, k12, p2, k2 Row 794: p2, k2, p12, k2, p2 Row 795: k2, p2, k12, p2, k2 Row 796: p2, k2, p12, k2, p2 Row 797: k2, p2, k12, p2, k2 Row 798: p2, k2, p12, k2, p2 Row 799: k2, p2, k12, p2, k2 Row 800: p2, k2, p12, k2, p2

LAGUZ

Row 811: k5, p2, k13 Row 812: p12, k3, p5 Row 813: k5, p4, kl1 Row 814: p10, k5, p5 Row 815: k5, p2, kl, p3, k9 Row 816: p8, k3, p2, k2, p5 Row 817: k5, p2, k3, p3, k7 Row 818: p6,k3, p4, k2, p5 Row 819: k5, p2, k5, p3, k5 Row 820: p5, k2, p6, k2, p5 Row 821: k5, p2, k7, pl, k5 Row 822: p13, k2, p5 Row 823: k5, p2, k13 Row 824: p13, k2, p5 Row 825: k5, p2, k13 Row 826: p13, k2, p5 Row 827: k5, p2, k13 Row 828: p13, k2, p5 Row 829: k5, p2, k13 Row 830: p13, k2, p5 Row 831: k5, p2, k13 Row 832: p13,k2, p5 Row 833: k5, p2, k13 Row 834: p13, k2, p5 Row 835: k5, p2, k13 Row 836: p13, k2, p5 Row 837: k5, p2, k13 Row 838: p13, k2, p5 Row 839: k5, p2, k13 Row 840: p13, k2, p5 Row 851: k9, p2, k9 Row 852: p9,k2, p9 Row 853: k8, p4, k8 Row 854: p8, k4, p8 Row 855: k7, p2, k2, p2, k7 Row 856: p7,k2, p2, k2, p7 Row 857: k6, p2, k4, p2, k6 Row 858: p6, k2, p4, k2, p6 Row 859: k5, p2, k6, p2, k5 Row 860: p5, k2, p6, k2, p5 Row 861: k4, p2, k8, p2, k4 Row 862: p4, k2, p8, k2, p4 Row 863: k3, p2, k10, p2, k3 Row 864: p3, k2, p10, k2, p3 Row 865: k2, p3, k10, p3, k2 Row 866: p2, k3, p10, k3, p2 Row 867: k3, p2, k10, p2, k3 Row 868: p3, k2, p10, k2, p3 Row 869: k4, p2, k8, p2, k4 Row 870: p4, k2, p8, k2, p4 Row 871: k5, p2, k6, p2, k5 Row 872: p5, k2, p6, k2, p5 Row 873: k6, p2, k4, p2, k6 Row 874: p6, k2, p4, k2, p6 Row 875: k7, p2, k2, p2, k7 Row 876: p7, k2, p2, k2, p7 Row 877: k8, p4, k8 Row 878: p8, k4, p8 Row 879: k9, p2, k9 Row 880: p9, k2, p9 Row 891: k2, p2, k13, p2, kl Row 892: pl, k3, pl1, k3, p2 Row 893: k2, p3, k11, p3, kl Row 894: p1, k4, p9,k4, p2 Row 895: k2, p4, k9, p4, kl Row 896: pl, k2, pl, k2, p7, k2, pl, k2, p2 Row 897: k2, p2, kl, p2, k7, p2, kl, p2, k1 Row 898: pl, k2, p2, k2, p5, k2, p2, k2, p2 Row 899: k2, p2, k2, p2, k5, p2, k2, p2, k1 Row 900: p1, k2, p3, k2, p3, k2, p3, k2, p2 Row 901: k2, p2, k3, p2, k3, p2, k3, p2, k1 Row 902: p1, k2, p4, k2, p1, k2, p4, k2, p2 Row 903: k2, p2, k4, p2, kl, p2, k4, p2, k1 Row 904: p1, k2, p5, k3, p5, k2, p2 Row 905: k2, p2, k5, p3, k5, p2, kl Row 906: p1, k2, p5, k3, p5, k2, p2 Row 907: k2, p2, k5, p3, k5, p2, kl Row 908: p1, k2, p4, k2, p1, k2, p4, k2, p2 Row 909: k2, p2, k4, p2, kl, p2, k4, p2, k1 Row 910: p1, k2, p3, k2, p3, k2, p3, k2, p2 Row 911: k2, p2, k3, p2, k3, p2, k3, p2, k1 Row 912: p1, k2, p2, k2, p5, k2, p2, k2, p2 Row 913: k2, p2, k2, p2, k5, p2, k2, p2, k1 Row 914: pl, k2, pl, k2, p7, k2, pl, k2, p2 Row 915: k2, p2, kl, p2, k7, p2, kl, p2, k1 Row 916: p1, k4, p9, k4, p2 Row 917: k2, p4, k9, p4, kl Row 918: p1, k3, p11, k3, p2 Row 919: k2, p3, k11, p3, kl Row 920: p1, k2, p13, k2, p2 Row 950: p8, k3, p9 Row 951: k8, p5, k7 Row 952: p6, k3, p1, k3, p7 Row 953: k6, p3, k3, p3, k5 Row 954: p4, k3, p5, k3, p5 Row 955: k4, p3, k7, p3, k3 Row 956: p2, k3, p9, k3, p3 Row 957: k2, p3, k11, p3, k1 Row 958: k3, p13, k3, pl Row 959: kl,p2, k15, p2 Row 960: kl, p17, kl, pl

OTHALA

Row 931: k10, p1, k9 Row 932: p8, k3, p9 Row 933: k8, p5, k7 Row 934: p6, k3, p1, k3, p7 Row 935: k6, p3, k3, p3, k5 Row 936: p4,k3, p5, k3, p5 Row 937: k4, p3, k7, p3, k3 Row 938: p2, k3, p9, k3, p3 Row 939: k2, p3, kl1, p3, kl Row 940: k3, p13, k3, p1 Row 941: kl, p2, k15, p2 Row 942: k3, p13, k3, p1 Row 943: k2, p3, kl1, p3, kl Row 944: p2, k3, p9, k3, p3 Row 945: k4, p3, k7, p3, k3 Row 946: p4, k3, p5, k3, p5 Row 947: k6, p3, k3, p3, k5 Row 948: p6, k3, p1, k3, p7 Row 949: k8, p5, k7

BonusStory: Reprinted Here for Your Amusement, from the Public Domain

GYLFAGINNING

HERE BEGINSTHE BEGUILING OF GYLFI 1. King Gylfi ruled the land that men now call Sweden. It is told of him that he gave to a wandering woman, in return for her merry-making, a plow-land in his realm, as much as four oxen might turn up in a day and a night. But this woman was of the kin of the AEsir; she was named Gefjun. She took from the north, out of Jotunheim, four oxen which were the soils of a certain giant and, herself, and set them before the plow. And the plow cut so wide and so deep that it loosened up the land; and the oxen drew the land out into the sea and to the westward, and stopped in a certain sound. There Gefjun set the land, and gave it a name, calling it Selund. And from that time on, the spot whence the land had been torn up is water: it is now called the Logr in Sweden; and bays lie in that lake even as the headlands in Selund. Thus says Bragi, the ancient skald: Gefjun drew from Gylfi I gladly the wave-trove's free-hold, Till from the running beasts I sweat reeked, to Denmark's increase; The oxen bore, moreover, I eight eyes, gleaming brow-lights, O'er the field's wide: booty, I and four heads in their plowing. Il. King Gylfi was a wise man and skilled in magic; he was much troubled that the AEsir-people were so cunning that all things went according to their will. He pondered whether this might proceed from their own nature, or whether the divine powers which they worshipped might ordain such things. He set out on his way to Asgard, going secretly, and- clad himself in the likeness of an old man, with which he dissembled. But the AEsir were wiser in this matter, having second sight; and they saw his journeying before ever he came, and prepared against him deceptions of the eye. when he came into the town, he saw there a hall so high that he could not easily make out the top of it: its thatching was laid with golden shields after the fashion of a shingled roof. So also says Thjodolfr of Hvin, that Valhall was thatched with shields: On their backs they let beam, I sore battered with stones, Odin's hall-shingles, I the shrewd sea-farers. In the hall-doorway Gylfi saw a man juggling with anlaces, having seven in the air at one time. This man asked of him his name. He called himself Gangleri, and said he had come by the paths of the serpent, and prayed for lodging for the night, asking: "who owns the hall?" The other replied that it was their king: "and I will attend thee to see him; then shalt thou thyself ask him concerning his; name:" and the man wheeled about before him into the hall, and he went after, and straightway the door closed itself on his heels. There he saw a great room and much people, some with games, some drinking; and some had weapons and were fighting. Then he looked about him, and thought unbelievable many things which he saw; and he said: All the gateways I ere one goes out Should one scan: For 't is uncertain I where sit the unfriendly On the bench before thee. He saw three high-seats, each above the other, and three men sat thereon,-one on each. And he asked what might be the name of those lords. He who had conducted him in answered that the one who, sat on the nethermost high-seat was a king, "and his name is Harr; but the next is named Janhár; and he who is uppermost is called Thridi." Then Harr asked the newcomer whether his errand were more than for the meat and drink which were always at his command, as for every one there in the Hall of the High One. He answered that he first desired to learn whether there were any wise man there within. Harr said, that he should not escape whole from thence unless he were wiser. And stand thou forth I who speirest; Who answers, I he shall sit. Ill. Gangleri began his questioning thus: "who is foremost, or oldest, of all the gods?" Harr answered: cc He is called in our speech Allfather, but in the Elder Asgard he had twelve names: one is Allfather; the second is Lord, or Lord of Hosts; the third is Nikarr, or Spear-Lord; the fourth is Nikudr, or Striker; the fifth is Knower of Many Things; the sixth, Fulfiller of Wishes; the seventh, Far-Speaking One; the eighth, The Shaker, or He that Putteth the Armies to Flight; the ninth, The Burner; the tenth, The Destroyer; the eleventh, The Protector; the twelfth, Gelding." Then asked Gangleri: "where is this god, or what power hath he, or what hath he wrought that is a glorious deed?" Harr made answer: "He lives throughout all ages and governs all his realm, and directs all things, great and small." Then said Jafnharr: "He fashioned heaven and earth and air, and all things which are in them." Then. spake Thridi: "The greatest of all is this: that he made man, and gave him the spirit, which shallive and never perish, though the flesh-frame rot to mould, or burn to ashes; and all men shall live, such as are just in action, and be with himself in the place called Gimlé. But evil men go to Hel and thence down to the Misty Hel; and that is down in the ninth world." Then said Gangleri: "what did he before heaven and earth were made?" And Harr answered: "He was then with the Rime-Giants." IV. Gangleri said: "what was the beginning, or how began it, or what was before it?" Hárr answered: "As is told in Voluspá: Erst was the age I when nothing was: Nor sand nor sea, I nor chilling stream-waves; Earth was not found, I nor Ether-Heaven,-- A Yawning Gap, I but grass was none." Then said Jafnharr: "lt was many ages before the earth was shaped that the MistWorld was made; and midmost within it lies the well that is called Hvergelmir, from which spring the rivers called Sv?l, Gunnthrá, Fjorm, Fimbulthul, Slidr and Hrid, Sylgr and Ylgr, Vid, Leiptr; Gjoll is hard by Hel-gates." And Thridi said: "Yet first was the world in the southern region, which was named Muspell; it is light and hot; that region is glowing and burning, and impassable to such as are outlanders and have not their holdings there. He who sits there at the land's-end, to defend the land, is called Surtr; he brandishes a flaming sword, and at the end of the world he shall go forth and harry, and overcome all the gods, and burn all the world with fire; thus is said in Voluspa: Surtr fares from the south I with switch-eating flame,-- On his sword shimmers I the sun of the War-Gods; The rock-crags crash; I the fiends are reeling; Heroes tread Hel-way; I Heaven is cloven." V. Gangleri asked: "How were things wrought, ere the races were and the tribes of men increased?" Then said Harr: "The streams called Ice-waves, those which were so long come from the fountain-heads that the yeasty venom upon them had hardened like the slag that runs out of the fire,--these then became ice; and when the ice halted and ceased to run, then it froze over above. But the drizzling rain that rose from the venom congealed to rime, and the rime increased, frost over frost, each over the other, even into Ginnungagap, the Yawning Void." Then spake Jafnharr: "Ginnungagap, which faced toward the northern quarter, became filled with heaviness, and masses of ice and rime, and from within, drizzling rain and gusts; but the southern part of the Yawning Void was lighted by those sparks and glowing masses which flew out of Muspellheim." And Thridi said: "Just as cold arose out of Niflheim, and all terrible things, so also all that looked toward Muspellheim became hot and glowing; but Ginnungagap was as mild as windless air, and when the breath of heat met the rime, so that it melted and dripped, life was quickened from the yeast-drops, by the power of that which sent the heat, and became a man's form. And that man is named Ymir, but the Rime-Giants call him Aurgelimir; and thence are come the races of the Rime-Giants, as it says in Voluspá the Less: All the witches I spring from Witolf, All the warlocks I are of willharm, And the spell-singers I spring from Swarthead; All the ogres I of Ymir come. But concerning this says Vafthrudnir the giant: Out of the Ice-waves I issued venom-drops, Waxing until I a giant was; Thence are our kindred I come all together,- So it is I they are savage forever." Then said Gangleri: "How did the races grow thence, or after what fashion was it brought to pass that more men came into being? Or do ye hold him God, of whom ye but now spake?" And Jafnharr answered: "By no means do we acknowledge him God; he was evil and all his kindred: we call them Rime-Giants. Now it is said that when he slept, a sweat came upon him, and there grew under his left hand a man and a woman, and one of his feet begat a son with the other; and thus the races are come; these are the Rime-Giants. The old Rime-Giant, him we call Ymir." Vl. Then said Gangleri: "where dwelt Ymir, or wherein did he find sustenance?" Hárr answered: "Straightway after the rime dripped, there sprang from it the cow called Audumla; four streams of milk ran from her udders, and she nourished Ymir." Then asked Gangleri:"wherewithal was the cow nourished?" And Harr made answer: "She licked the ice-blocks, which were salty; and the first day that she licked the blocks, there came forth from the blocks in the evening a man's hair; the second day, a man's head; the third day the whole man was there. He is named Buri: he was fair of feature, great and mighty. He begat a son called Borr, who wedded the woman named Bestla, daughter of Bolthorn the giant; and they had three sons: one was Odin, the second Vili, the third Vé. And this is my belief, that he, Odin, with his brothers, must be ruler of heaven and earth; we hold that he must be so called; so is that man called whom we know to be mightiest and most worthy of honor, and ye do well to let him be so called." Vll. Then said Gangleri: "what covenant was between them, or which was the stronger?" And Harr answered: "The sons of Borr slew Ymir the giant; lo, where he fell there gushed forth so much blood out of his wounds that with it they drowned all the race of the Rime-Giants, save that one, whom giants call Bergelmir, escaped with his household; he went upon his ship, and his wife with him, and they were safe there. And from them are come the races of the Rime-Giants, as is said here: Untold ages I ere earth was shapen, Then was Bergelmir born; That first I recall, I how the famous wise giant On the deck of the ship was laid down." Vll. Then said Gangleri: "what was done then by Borr's sons, if thou believe that they be gods?" Harr replied: "ln this matter there is no litle to be said. They took Ymir and bore him into the middle of the Yawning Void, and made of him the earth: of his blood the sea and the waters; the land was made of his flesh, and the crags of his bones; gravel and stones they fashioned from his teeth and his grinders and from those bones that were broken." And Jafnharr said: "Of the blood, which ran and welled forth freely out of his wounds, they made the sea, when they had formed and made firm the earth together, and laid the sea in a ring round. about her; and it may well seem a hard thing to most men to cross over it." Then said Thridi: "They took his skull also, and made of it the heaven, and set it up over the earth with four corners; and under each corner they set a dwarf: the names of these are East, West, North, and South. Then they took the glowing embers and sparks that burst forth and had been cast out of Muspellheim, and set them in the midst of the Yawning Void, in the heaven, both above and below, to illumine heaven and earth. They assigned places to all fires: to some in heaven, some wandered free under the heavens; nevertheless, to these also they gave a place, and shaped them courses. It is said in old "songs, that from these the days were reckoned, and the tale of years told, as is said in Voluspa: The sun knew not I where she had housing; The moon knew not I what Might he had; The stars knew not I where stood their places. Thus was it ere I the earth was fashioned." Then said Gangleri: These are great tidings which I now hear; that is a wondrous great piece of craftsmanship, and cunningly made. How was the earth contrived?" And Harr answered: "She is ring-shaped without, and round about her without lieth the deep sea; and along the strand of that sea they gave lands to the races of giants for habitation. But on the inner earth they made a citadel round about the world against the hostility of the giants, and for their citadel they raised up the brows of Ymir the giant, and called that place Midgard. They took also his brain and cast it in the air, and made from it the clouds, as is here said: Of Ymir's flesh I the earth was fashioned, And of his sweat the sea; Crags of his bones, I trees of his hair, And of his skull the sky. Then of his brows I the blithe gods made Midgard for sons of men; And of his brain I the bitter-mooded Clouds were all created." IX. Then said Gangleri: "Much indeed they had accomplished then, methinks, when earth and heaven were made, and the sun and the constellations of heaven were fixed, and division was made of days; now whence come the men that people the world?" And Harr answered: 'when the sons of Borr were walking along the seastrand, they found two trees, and took up the trees and shaped men of them: the first gave them spirit and life; the second, wit and feeling; the third, form, speech, hearing, and sight. They gave them clothing and names: the male was called Askr, and the female Embla, and of them was mankind begotten, which received a dwelling-place under Midgard. Next they made for themselves in the middle of the world a city which is called Asgard; men callit Troy. There dwelt the gods and their kindred; and many tidings and tales of it have come to pass both on earth and aloft. There is one abode called Hlidskjalf, and when Alfather sat in the high-seat there, he looked out over the whole world and saw every man's acts, and knew all things which he saw. His wife was called Frigg daughter of Fjorgvinn; and of their blood is come that kindred which we call the races of the Asir, that have peopled the Elder Asgard, and those kingdoms which pertain to it; and that is a divine race. For this reason must he be called Allfather: because he is father of all the gods and of men, and of all that was fulfilled of him and of his might. The Earth was his daughter and his wife; on her he begot the first son, which is Asa-Thor: strength and prowess attend him, wherewith he overcometh all living things. X. "Norfi or Narfi is the name of a giant that dwelt in Jotunheim: he had a daughter called Night; she was swarthy and dark, as befitted her race. She was given to the man named Naglfari; their son was Audr. Afterward she was wedded to him that was called Annarr; Jord was their daughter. Last of all Dayspring had her, and he was of the race of the AEsir; their son was Day: he was radiant and fair after his father. Then Alfather took Night, and Day her son, and gave to them two horses and two chariots, and sent them up into the heavens, to ride round about the earth every two half-days. Night rides before with the horse named Frosty-Mane, and on each morning he bedews the earth with the foam from his bit. The horse that Day has is called Sheen-Mane, and he illumines all the air and the earth from his mane." Xl. Then said Gangleri: "How does he govern the course of the sun or of the moon?"" Harr answered: "A certain man was named Mundilfari, who had two children; they were so fair and comely that he called his son Moon, and his daughter Sun, and wedded her to the man called Glenr. But the gods were incensed at that insolence, and took the brother and sister, and set them up in the heavens; they caused Sun to drive those horses that drew the chariot of the sun, which the gods had fashioned, for the world's illumination, from that glowing stuff which flew out of Muspellheim. Those horses are called thus: Early-wake and All-Strong; and under the shoulders of the horses the gods set two wind-bags to cool them, but in some records that is called 'iron-coolness.' Moon steers the course of the moon, and determines its waxing and waning. He took from the earth-two children, called Bil and Hjuki, they that went from the well called Byrgir, bearing on their shoulders the cask called Soegr, and the pole Simul. Their father is named Vidfinnr. These children follow Moon, as may be seen from the earth." Xll. Then said Gangleri: "The sun fares swiffly, and almost as if she were afraid: she could not hasten her course any the more if she feared her destruction." Then Harr made answer: "lt is no marvel that she hastens furiously: close cometh he that seeks her, and she has no escape save to run away." Then said Gangleri: "who is he that causes her this disquiet?" Harr replied: "lt is two wolves; and he that runs after her is called Skoll; she fears him, and he shall take her. But he that leaps before her is called Hati Hrodvitnisson. He is eager to seize the moon; and so it must be." Then said Gangleri: "what is the race of the wolves?" Harr answered: "A witch dwells to the east of Midgard, in the forest called Ironwood: in that wood dwell the trollwomen, who are known as Ironwood-women. The old witch bears many giants for sons, and all in the shape of wolves; and from this source are these wolves sprung. The saying runs thus: from this race shall come one that shall be mightiest of all, he that is named Moon-Hound; he shall be filled with the flesh of all those men that die, and he shall swallow the moon, and sprinkle with blood the heavens and all the lair; thereof-shall the sun lose her shining, and the winds in that day shall be unquiet and roar on every side. So it says in Voluspa: Eastward dwells the Old One I in Ironwood, And there gives birth I to Fenrir's brethren; There shall spring of them all I a certain one, The moon's taker I in troll's likeness. He is filled with flesh I of fey men. Reddens the gods' seats I with ruddy blood-gouts; Swart becomes sunshine I in summers after, The weather all shifty. I wit ye yet, or what?' Xll. Then said Gangleri: "what is the way to heaven from earth?" Then Harr answered, and laughed aloud: "Now, that is not wisely asked; has it not been told thee, that the gods made a bridge from earth, to heaven, called Bifrost? Thou must have seen it; it may be that ye call it rainbow. It is of three colors, and very strong. and made with cunning and with more magic art than other works of craftsmanship. But strong as it is, yet must it be broken, when the sons of Muspell shall go forth harrying and ride it, and swim their horses over great rivers; thus they shall proceed." Then said Gangleri: "To my thinking the gods did not build the bridge honestly, seeing that it could be broken, and they able to make it as they would." Then Harr replied: "The gods are not deserving of reproof because of this work of skill: a good bridge is Bifrost, but nothing in this world is of such nature that it may be relied on when the sons of Muspell go a-harrying." XIV. Then said Gangleri: "what did Allfather then do when Asgard was made?" Hárr answered: "ln the beginning he established rulers, and bade them ordain fates with him, and give counsel concerning the planning of the town; that was in the place which is called lda-field, in the midst of the town. It was their first work to make that court in which their twelve seats stand, and another, the high-seat which Alfather himself has. That house is the best-made of any on earth, and the greatest; without and within, it is allike one piece of gold; men call it Gladsheim. They made also a second hall: that was a shrine which the goddesses had, and it was a very fair house; men call it Vingolf. Next they fashioned a house, wherein they placed a forge, and made besides a hammer, tongs, and anvil, and by means of these, all other tools. After this they smithied metal and stone and wood, and wrought so abundantly that metal which is called gold, that they had all their household ware and all dishes of gold; and that time is called the Age of Gold, before it was spoiled by the coming of the Women, even those who came out of Jotunheim. Next after this, the gods enthroned themselves in their seats and held judgment, and called to mind whence the dwarves had quickened in the mould and underneath in the earth, even as do maggots in flesh. The dwarves had first received shape and life in the flesh of Ymir, and were then maggots; but by decree of the gods had become conscious with the intelligence of men, and had human shape. And nevertheless they dwell in the earth and in stones. Modsognir was the first, and Durinn the second; so it says in Voluspa. Then strode all the mighty I to the seats of judgment, The gods most holy, I and together held counsel, Who should of dwarves I shape the peoples From the bloody surge I and the Blue One's bones. They made many in man's likeness, Dwarves in the earth, I as Durinn said. And these, says the Sibyl, are their names: Nyi and Nidi, I Nordri and Sudri, Austri, Vestri, I Althjofr, Dvalinn; Nár, Nainn, I Nipingr, Dainn, Bifurr, Báfurr, I Bomburr, Nori, Ori, Onarr, I Oinn, Mjodvitnir, Viggr and Gandalfr, I Vindálfr, Thorinn, Fili, Kili, I Fundinn, Váli; Thror, Throinn, I Thekkr, Litr and Vitr, Nyr, Nyrádr, I Rekkr, Rádsvidr. And these also are dwarves and dwell in stones, but the first in mould: I Draupnir, Dolgthvari, Horr, Hugstari, | Hledjolfr, Gloinn; Dori, Ori, I Dufr, Andvari, Heptifili, I Hárr, Sviarr. And these proceed from Svarinshaugr to Aurvangar on Joruplain, and thence is Lovarr come; these are their names: Skirfir, Virfir | Skáfidr, Ai, Alfr, Yngvi, I Eikinskjaldi, Falr, Frosti, I Fidr, Ginnarr." XV. Then said Gangleri: "where is the chief abode or holy place of the gods?" Harr answered: 'That is at the Ash of Yggdrasill; there the gods must give judgment everyday." Then Gangleri asked: "what is to be said concerning that place?" Then said Jafnharr: "The Ash is greatest of all trees and best: its limbs spread out over all the world and stand above heaven. Three roots of the tree uphold it and stand exceeding broad: one is among the AEsir; another among the Rime-Giants, in that place where aforetime was the Yawning Void; the third stands over Niflheim, and under that root is Hvergelmir, and Nidhoggr gnaws the root from below. But under that root which turns toward the Rime-Giants is Mimir's Well, wherein wisdom and understanding are stored; and he is called Mimir, who keeps the well. He is full of ancient lore, since he drinks of the well from the Gjallar-Horn. Thither came Allfather and craved one drink of the well; but he got it not until he had laid his eye in pledge. So says Voluspa: All know I, Odin, I where the eye thou hiddest, In the wide-renowned I well of Mimir; Mimir drinks mead I every morning From Valfather's wage. I wit ye yet, or what? The third root of the Ash stands in heaven; and under that root is the well which is very holy, that is called the Well of Urdr; there the gods hold their tribunal. Each day the AEsir ride thither up over Bifrost, which is also called the AEsir's Bridge. These are the names of the AEsir's steeds: Sleipnir is best, which Odin has; he has eight feet. The second is Gladr, the third Gyllir, the fourth Glenr, the fifth Skeidbrimir, the sixth Silfrintoppr, the seventh Sinir, the eighth Gisl, the ninth Falhofnir, the tenth. Gulltoppr, the eleventh Léttfeti. Baldr's horse was burnt with him; and Thor walks to the judgment, and wades those rivers which are called thus: Kormt and Ormt I and the Kerlaugs twain, Them shall Thor wade Every day I when he goes to doom At Ash Yggdrasill; For the AEsir's Bridge I burns all with flame, And the holy waters howl." Then said Gangleri: "Does fire burn over Bifrost?" Harr replied: "That which thou seest to be red in the bow is burning fire; the Hill-Giants might go up to heaven, if passage on Bifr?st were open to all those who would cross. There are many fair places in heaven, and over everything there a godlike watch is kept. A hall stands there, fair, under the ash by the well, and out of that hall come three maids, who are called thus: Urdr, Verdandi, Skuld; these maids determine the period of men's lives: we call them Norns; but there are many norns: those who come to each child that is born, to appoint his life; these are of the race of the gods, but the second are of the Elf-people, and the third are of the kindred of the dwarves, as it is said here: Most sundered in birth I I say the Norns are; They claim no common kin: Some are of AEsir-kin, I some are of Elf-kind, Some are Dvalinn's daughters." Then said Gangleri: "lf the Norns determine the weirds of men, then they apportion exceeding unevenly, seeing that some have a pleasant and luxurious life, but others have little worldly goods or fame; some have long life, others short." Harr said: "Good norns and of honorable race appoint good life; but those men that suffer evil fortunes are governed by evil norns." xVl. Then said Gangleri: "what more mighty wonders are to be told of the Ash?" Harr replied: "Much is to be told of it. An eagle sits in the limbs of the Ash, and he has understanding of many a thing; and between his eyes sits the hawk that is called Vedrfolnir. The squirrel called Ratatoskr runs up and down the length of the Ash, bearing envious words between the eagle and Nidh?ggr; and four harts run in the limbs of the Ash and bite the leaves. They are called thus: Dainn, Dvalinn, Duneyrr, Durathror. Moreover, so many serpents are in Hvergelmir with Nidh?ggr, that no tongue can tell them, as is here said: Ash Yggdrasill | suffers anguish, More than men know of: The stag bites above; I on the side it rotteth, And Nidhoggr gnaws from below. And it is further said: More serpents lie | under Yggdrasill's stock Than every unwise ape can think: Goinn and Moinn I (they're Grafvitnir's sons), Grábakr and Grafvolludr; Ofnir and Svafnir | I think shall aye Tear the trunk's twigs. It is further said that these Norns who dwell by the Well of Urdr take water of the well every day, and with it that clay which lies about the well, and sprinkle it over the Ash, to the end that its limbs shall not wither nor rot; for that water is so holy that al things which come there into the well become as white as the film which lies within the egg-shell,--as is here said: I know an Ash standing I called Yggdrasill, A high tree sprinkled I with snow-white clay; Thence come the dews I in the dale that fall-- It stands ever green I above Urdr's well. That dew which falls from it onto the earth is called by men honey-dew, and thereon are bees nourished. Two fowls are fed in Urdr's well: they are called Swans, and from those fowls has come the race of birds which is so called." xVll. Then said Gangleri: "Thou knowest many tidings to tell of the heaven. what chief abodes are there more than at Urdr's Well?" Harr said: "Many places are there, and glorious. That which is called Aifheimr is one, where dwell the peoples called Light-Elves; but the Dark-Elves dwell down in the earth, and they are unlike in appearance, but by far more unlike in nature. The Light-Elves are fairer to look upon than the sun, but the Dark-Elves are blacker than pitch. Then there is also in that place the abode called Breidablik, and there is not in heaven a fairer dwelling. There, too, is the one called Glitnir, whose walls, and all its posts and pillars, are of red gold, but its roof of silver. There is also the abode called Himinbjorg: it stands at heaven's end by the bridge-head, in the place where Bifr?st joins heaven. Another great abode is there, which is named Valaskjalf; Odin possesses that dwelling: the gods made it and thatched it with sheer silver, and in this hall is the Hlidskjálf, the high-seat so called. whenever Alfather sits in that seat, he surveys all lands. At the southern end of heaven is that hall which is fairest of all, and brighter than the sun; it is called Gimlé. It shall stand when both heaven and earth have departed; and good men and of righteous conversation shall dwell therein: so it is said in Voluspá.-- A hallI know standing I than the sun fairer, Thatched with gold I in Gimlé bright; There shall dwell I the doers of righteousness And ever and ever I enjoy delight." Then said Gangleri: "what shall guard this place, when the flame of Surtr shall consume heaven and earth?" Harr answered: "lt is sad that another heaven is to the southward and upward of this one, and it is called Andlangr; but the third heaven is yet above that, and it is called Vidblainn, and in that heaven we think this abode is. But we believe that none but Light-Elves inhabit these mansions now." xVll. Then said Gangleri:"whence comes the wind? It is strong, so that it stirs great seas, and it swells fire; but, strong as it is, none may see it, for it is wonderfully shapen." Then said Harr: "That I am well able to tell thee. At the northward end of heaven sits the giant called Hroesvelgr: he has the plumes of an eagle, and when he stretches his wings for flight, then the wind rises from under his wings, as is here said: Hrcesvelgr hight he I who sits at heaven's ending. Giant in eagle's coat; From his wings, they say, I the wind cometh All men-folk over." XIX. Then said Gangleri: "why is there so much difference, that summer should be hot, but winter cold?" Harr answered: "A wise man would not ask thus, seeing that all are able to tell this; but if thou alone art become-so slight of understanding as not to have heard it, then I will yet permit that thou shouldst rather ask foolishly once, than that thou shouldst be kept longer in ignorance of a thing which it is proper to know. He is called Svasudr who is father of Summer; and he is of pleasant nature, so that from his name whatsoever is pleasant is called 'sweet.' But the father of Winter is variously called Vindljoni or Vindsvalr; he is the son of Vasadr; and these were kinsmen grim and chilly-breasted, and Winter has their temper." XX. Then said Gangleri: "who are the Asir, they in whom it behoves men to believe?" Harr answered: "The divine AEsir are twelve." Then said Jafnharr: "Not less holy are the Asynjur, the goddesses, and they are of no less authority." Then said Thridi: "Odin is highest and eldest of the AEsir: he rules all things, and mighty as are the other gods, they all serve him as children obey a father. Frigg is his wife, and she knows all the fates of men, though she speaks no prophecy,--as is said here, when Odin himself spake with him of the AEsir whom men call Loki: Thou art mad now, I Loki, and reft of mind,-- Why, Loki, leav'st thou not off? Frigg, methinks, I is wise in all fates, Though herself say them not! Odin is called Allfather because he is father of all the gods. He is also called Father of the Slain, because all those that fall in battle are the sons of his adopt on; for them he appoints Valhall and Vingolf, and they are then called Champions. He is also called God of the Hanged, God of Gods, God of Cargoes; and he has also been named in many more ways, after he had come to King Geir?dr: We were called Grimr | and Gangleri, Herjann, Hjálmberi; Thekkr, Thridi, I Thudr, Udr, Helblindi, Hárr. Sadr, Svipall, I Sann-getall, Herteitr, Hnikarr; Bileygr, Baleygr, I Bolverkr, Fjolnir, Grimnir, Glapsvidr, Fjolsvidr. Sidhottr, Sidskeggr, I Sigfodr, Hnikudr, Alfodr, Atridr, Farmatyr; Oski, Omi, I Jafnharr, Biflindi, Gondlir, Hárbardr. Svidurr, Svidrir, I Jalkr, Kjalarr, Vidurr, Thror, Yggr, Thundr; Vakr, Skilfingr, I Vafudr, Hroptatyr, Gautr, Veratyr." Then said Gangleri: "Exceeding many names have ye given him; and, by my faith, it must indeed be a goodly wit that knows all the lore and the examples of what chances have brought about each of these names." Then Harr made answer: "lt is truly a vast sum of knowledge to gather together and set forth fittingly. But it is briefest to tell thee that most of his names have been given him by reason of this chance: there being so many branches of tongues in the world, all peoples believed that it was needful for them to turn his name into their own tongue, by which they might the better invoke him and entreat him on their own behalf. But some occasions for these names arose in his wanderings; and that matter is recorded in tales. Nor canst thou ever be called a wise man if thou shalt not be able to tell of those great events." XXl. Then said Gangleri: "what are the names of the other AEsir, or what is their office, or what deeds of renown have they done?" Har answered: "Thor is the foremost of them, he that is called Thor of the Asir, or Oku-Thor; he is strongest of all the gods and men. He has his realm in the place called Thrudvangar, and his hall is called Bilskirnir; in that hall are five hundred rooms and forty. That is the greatest house that men know of; It is thus said in Grimnismal: Five hundred floors I and more than forty, So reckon I Bilskirnir with bending ways; Of those houses I that I know of hall-roofed, My son's I know the most. Thor has two he-goats, that are called Tooth-Gnasher and Tooth-Gritter, and a chariot wherein he drives, and the he-goats draw the chariot; therefore is he called Oku-Thor. He has also three things of great price: one is the hammer Mjollnir, which the Rime-Giants and the Hill-Giants know, when it is raised on high; and that is no wonder, it has bruised many a skull among their fathers or their kinsmen. He has a second costly thing, best of all: the girdle of might; and when he clasps it about him, then the godlike strength within him is increased by half. Yet a third thing he has, in which there is much virtue: his iron gloves; he cannot do without them when he uses his hammer-shaft. But no one is so wise that he can tell all his mighty works; yet I can tell thee so much tidings of him that the hours would be spent before all that I know were told." XXll. Then said Gangleri: "I would ask tidings of more AEsir." Harr replied: "The second son of Odin is Baldr, and good things are to be said of him. He is best, and all praise him; he is so fair of feature, and so bright, that light shines from him. A certain herb is so white that it is likened to Baldr's brow; of all grasses it is whitest, and by it thou mayest judge his fairness, both in hair and in body. He is the wisest of the AEsir, and the fairest-spoken and most gracious; and that quality attends him, that none may gainsay his judgments. He dwells in the place called Breidablik, which is in heaven; in that place may nothing unclean be, even as is said here: Breidablik 't is called, I where Baldr has A hall made for himself: In that land I where I know lie Fewest baneful runes. XXll. "The third among the AEsir is he that is called Njordr: he dwells in heaven, in the abode called Noatun. He rules the course of the wind, and stills sea and fire; on him shall men call for voyages and for hunting. He is so prosperous and abounding in wealth, that he may give them great plenty of lands or of gear; and him shall men invoke for such things. Njordr is not of the race of the AEsir: he was reared in the land of the Vanir, but the Vanir delivered him as hostage to the gods, and took for hostage in exchange him that men call Hoenir; he became an atonement between the gods and the Vanir. Njordr has to wife the woman called Skadi, daughter of Thjazi the giant. Skadi would fain dwell in the abode which her father had had, which is on certain mountains, in the place called Thrymheimr; but Njordr would be near the sea. They made a compact on fhese ferms: fhey should be nine nights in Thrymheimr, but the second nine at N6atun. But when Njordr came down from the mountain back to Noatun, he sang this lay: Loath were the hills to me, I I was not long in them, Nights only nine; To me the wailing of I wolves seemed ill, After the song of swans. Then Skadi sang this: Sleep could I never I on the sea-beds, For the wailing of waterfowl; He wakens me, I who comes from the deep-- The sea-mew every morn. Then Skadi went up onto the mountain, and dwelt in Thrymheimr. And she goes for the more part on snowshoes and with a bow and arrow, and shoots beasts; she is called Snowshoe-Goddess or Lady of the Snowshoes. So it is said: Thrymheimr 't is called, I where Thjazi dwelt, He the hideous giant; But now Skadi abides, I pure bride of the gods, In her father's ancient freehold. XXIV. "Njordr in Noatun begot afterward two children: the son was called Freyr, and the daughter Freyja; they were fair of face and mighty. Freyr is the most renowned of the Asir; he rules over the rain and the shining of the sun, and therewithal the fruit of the earth; and it is good to call on him for fruitful seasons and peace. He governs also the prosperity of men. But Freyja is the most renowned of the goddesses; she has in heaven the dwelling called Folkvangr, and wheresoever she rides to the strife, she has one-half of the kill, and Odin half, as is here said: Folkvangr 't is called, I where Freyja rules Degrees of seats in the hall; Half the kill I she keepeth each day, And half Odin hath. Her hall Sessrumnir is great and fair. when she goes forth, she drives her cats and sits in a chariot; she is most conformable to man's prayers, and from her name comes the name of honor, Fru, by which noblewomen are called. Songs of love are well-pleasing to her; it is good to call on her for furtherance in love." xXV. Then said Gangleri: "Great in power do these AEsir seem to me; nor is it a marvel, that much authority attends you who are said to possess understanding of the gods, and know which one men should call on for what boon soever. Or are the gods yet more?" Harr said: "Yet remains that one of the AEsir who is called Tyr: he is most daring, and best in stoutness of heart, and he has much authority over victory in battle; it is good for men of valor to invoke him. It is a proverb, that he is Tyr-valiant, who surpasses other men and does not waver. He is wise, so that it is also said, that he that is wisest is Tyr-prudent. This is one token of his daring: when the AEsir enticed Fenris-Wolf to take upon him the fetter Gleipnir, the wolf did not believe them, that they would loose him, until they laid Tyr's hand into his mouth as a pledge. But when the AEsir would not loose him, then he bit off the hand at the place now called 'the wolf's joint; and Tyr is one-handed, and is not called a reconciler of men. xxVl. "One is called Bragi: he is renowned for wisdom, and most of all for fluency of speech and skill with words. He knows most of skaldship, and after him skaldship is called bragr, and from his name that one is called bragr-man or -woman, who possesses eloquence surpassing others, of women or of men. His wife is ldunn: she guards in her chest of ash those apples which the gods must taste whensoever they grow old; and then they all become young, and so it shall be even unto the Weird of the Gods." Then said Gangleri: "A very great thing, methinks, the gods entrust to the watchfulness and good faith of ldunn." Then said Harr, laughing loudly: "T was near being desperate once; I may be able to tell thee of it, but now thou shalt first hear more of the names of the AEsir. XXVll."Heimdallr is the name of one: he is called the White God. He is great and holy; nine maids, all sisters, bore him for a son. He is also called Hallinskidi and Gullintanni; his teeth were of gold, and his horse is called Gold-top. He dwells in the place called Himinbjorg, hard by Bifrost: he is the warder of the gods, and sits there by heaven's end to guard the bridge from the Hill-Giants. He needs less sleep than a bird; he sees equally well night and day a hundred leagues from him, and hears how grass grows on the earth or wool on sheep, and everything that has a louder sound. He has that trumpet which is called Gjallar-Horn, and its blast is heard throughout all worlds. Heimdall's sword is called Head. It is said further: Himinbjorg 't is called, I where Heimdallr, they say, Aye has his housing: There the gods' sentinel I drinks in his snug hall Gladly good mead. And furthermore, he himself says in Heimdalar-galdr: I am of nine I mothers the offspring., Of sisters nine I am I the son. XXVll. "One of the AEsir is named Hodr: he is blind. He is of sufficient strength, but the gods would desire that no occasion should rise of naming this god, for the work of his hands shall long be held in memory among gods and men. XXIx. "Vidarr is the name of one, the silent god. He has a thick shoe. He is nearly as strong as Thor; in him the gods have great trust in all struggles. XXX."One is called Ali or Vali, son of Odin and Rindr: he is daring in fights, and a most fortunate marksman. XXXl. "One is called Ullr, son of Sif, step-son of Thor; he is so excellent a bowman, and so swift on snowshoes, that none may contend with him. He is also fair of aspect and has the accomplishments of a warrior; it is well to call on him in singleCombats. XXXll. "Forseti is the name of the son of Baldr and Nanna daughter of Nep: he has that hall in heaven which is called Glitnir. All that come to him with such quarrels as arise out of law-suits, all these return thence reconciled. That is the best seat of judgment among gods and men; thus it is said here: A hall is called Glitnir, I with gold 't is pillared, And with silver thatched the same; There Forseti bides I the full day through, And puts to sleep all suits. XXxll. "Also numbered among the AEsir is he whom some call the mischief-monger of the AEsir, and the first father of falsehoods, and blemish of all gods and men: he is named Loki or Loptr, son of Farbauti the giant; his mother was Laufey or Nal; his brothers are Byleistr and Helblindi. Loki is beautiful and comely to look upon, evil in spirit., very fickle in habit. He surpassed other men in that wisdom which is called 'sleight,' and had artifices for all occasions; he would ever bring the AEsir into great hardships, and then get them out with crafty counsel. His wife was called Sigyn, their son Nari or Narfi. xXXiv. Yet more children had Loki. Angrboda was the name of a certain giantess in Jotunheim, with whom Loki gat three children: one was Fenris-Wolf, the second Jormungandr--that is the Midgard Serpent,--the third is Hel. But when the gods learned that this kindred was nourished in Jotunheim, and when the gods perceived by prophecy that from this kindred great misfortune should befall them; and since it seemed to all that there was great prospect of il--(first from the mother's blood, and yet worse from the father's)-then Allfather sent gods thither to take the children and bring them to him. When they came to him, straightway he cast the serpent into the deep sea, where he lies about all the land; and this serpent grew so greatly that he lies in the midst of the ocean encompassing all the land, and bites upon his own tail. Hel he cast into Niflheim, and gave to her power over nine worlds, to apportion all abodes among those that were sent to her: that is, men dead of sickness or of old age. She has great possessions there; her walls are exceeding high and her gates great. Her hall is called Sleet-Cold; her dish, Hunger; Famine is her knife; Idler, her thrall; Sloven, her maidservant; Pit of Stumbling, her threshold, by which one enters; Disease, her bed; Gleaming Bale, her bedhangings. She is half blue-black and half flesh-color (by which she is easily recognized), and very lowering and fierce. The Wolf the AEsir brought up at home, and Tyr alone dared go to him to give him meat. But when the gods saw. how much he grew every day, and when all prophecies declared that he was fated to be their destruction, then the AEsir seized upon this way of escape: they made a very strong fetter, which they called Lcedingr, and brought it before the Wolf, bidding him try his strength against the fetter. The Wolf thought that no overwhelming odds, and let them do with him as they would. The first time the Wolf lashed out against it, the fetter broke; so he was loosed out of Loedingr. After this, the AEsir made a second fetter, stronger by half, which they called Dromi, and bade the Wolf try that fetter, saying he would become very famous for strength, if such huge workmanship should not suffice to hold him. But the Wolf thought that this fetter was very strong; he considered also that strength had increased in him since the time he broke Lcedingr: it came into his mind, that he must expose himself to danger, if he would become famous. So he let the fetter be laid upon him. Now when the AEsir declared themselves ready, the Wolf shook himself, dashed the fetter against the earth and struggled fiercely with it, spurned against it, and broke the fetter, so that the fragments flew far. So he dashed himself out of Dromi. Since then it passes as a proverb, 'to loose out of Lcedingr,' or 'to dash out of Dromi,' when anything is exceeding hard. "After that the AEsir feared that they should never be able to get the Wolf bound. Then Alfather sent him who is called Skirnir, Freyr's messenger, down into the region of the Black Elves, to certain dwarves, and caused to be made the fetter named Gleipnir. It was made of six things: the noise a cat makes in foot-fall, the beard of a woman, the roots of a rock, the sinews of a bear, the breath of a fish, and the spittle of a bird. And though thou understand not these matters already, yet now thou mayest speedily find certain proof herein, that no lie is told thee: thou must have seen that a woman has no beard, and no sound comes from the leap of a cat, and there are no roots under a rock; and by my troth, all that I have told thee is equally true, though there be some things which thou canst not put to the test." Then said Gangleri: "This certainly I can perceive to be true: these things which thou hast taken for proof, I can see; but how was the fetter fashioned?" Harr answered: "That I am well able to tell thee. The fetter was soft and smooth as a silken ribbon, but as sure and strong as thou shalt now hear. Then, when the fetter was brought to the AEsir, they thanked the messenger well for his errand. Then the AEsir went out upon the lake called Amsvartnir, to the island called Lyngvi, and summoning the Wolf with them, they showed him the silken ribbon and bade him burst it, saying that it was somewhat stouter than appeared from its thickness. And each passed it to the others, and tested it with the strength of their hands and it did not snap; yet they said the Wolf could break it. Then the Wolf answered: 'Touching this matter of the ribbon, it seems to me that I shall get no glory of it, though I snap asunder so slender a band; but if it be made with cunning and wiles, then, though it seem little, that band shall never come upon my feet.' Then the AEsir answered that he could easily snap apart a slight silken band, he who had before broken great fetters of iron,--'but if thou shalt not be able to burst this band, then thou wilt not be able to frighten the gods; and then we shall unloose thee.' The Wolf said: 'lf ye bind me so that I shall not get free again, then ye will act in such a way that it will be late ere I receive help from you; I am unwilling that this band should be laid upon me. Yet rather than that ye should impugn my courage, let some one of you lay his hand in my mouth, for a pledge that this is done in good faith. Each of the AEsir looked at his neighbor, and none was willing to part with his hand, until Tyr stretched out his right hand and laid it in the Wolf's mouth. But when the Wolf lashed out, the fetter became hardened; and the more he struggled against it, the tighter the band was. Then all laughed except Tyr: he lost his hand. "When the AEsir saw that the Wolf was fully bound, they took the chain that was fast to the fetter, and which is called Gelgja, and passed it through a great rock-it is called Gjoll-and fixed the rock deep down into the earth. Then they took a great stone and drove it yet deeper into the earth--it was called Thviti--and used the stone for a fastening-pin. The Wolf gaped terribly, and thrashed about and strove to bite them; they thrust into his mouth a certain sword: the guards caught in his lower jaw, and the point in the upper; that is his gag. He howls hideously, and slaver runs out of his mouth: that is the river called Van; there he lies till the Weird of the Gods." Then said Gangleri: 'Marvellous ill children did Loki beget, but all these brethren are of great might. Yet why did not the AEsir kill the Wolf, seeing they had expectation of evil from him?" Harr answered: "so greatly did the gods esteem their holy place and sanctuary, that they would not stain it with the Wolf's blood; though (so say the prophecies) he shall be the slayer of Odin." XXXV. Then said Gangleri: "which are the Asynjur? Harr said: "Frigg is the foremost: she has that estate which is called Fensalir, and it is most glorious. The second is Sága: she dwells at Sokkvabekkr, and that is a great abode. The third is Fir: she is the best physician. The fourth is Gefjun: she is a virgin, and they that die maidens attend her. The fifth is Fulla: she also is a maid, and goes with loose tresses and a golden band about her head; she bears the ashen coffer of Frigg, and has charge over her footgear, and knows her secret counsel. Freyja is most gently born (together with Frigg): she is wedded to the man named Odr. Their daughter is Hnoss: she is so fair, that those things which are fair and precious are called hnossir. Odr went away on long journeys, and Freyja weeps for him, and her tears are red gold. Freyja has many names, and this is the cause thereof: that she gave herself sundry names, when she went out among unknown peoples seeking Odr: she is called Mardoll and Horn, Gefn, Syr. Freyja had the necklace Brisinga-men. She is also called Lady of the Vanir. The seventh is Sjofn: she is most diligent in turning the thoughts of men to love, both of women and of men; and from her name love-longing is called sjafni. The eighth is Lofn: she is so gracious and kindly to those that call upon her, that she wins Allfather's or Frigg's permission for the coming together of mankind in marriage, of women and of men, though it were forbidden before, or seem flatly denied; from her name such permission is called "leave, and thus also she is much 'loved' of men. The ninth is Var: she harkens to the oaths and compacts made between men and women; wherefore such covenants are called 'vows.' She also takes vengeance on those who perjure themselves. The tenth is vor: she is wise and of searching spirit, so that none can conceal anything from her; it is a saying, that a woman becomes 'ware' of that of which she is informed. The eleventh is Syn: she keeps the door in the hall, and locks it before those who should not go in; she is also set at trials as a defence against such suits as she wishes to refute: thence is the expression, that syn is set forward, when a man denies. The twelfth is Hlin: she is established as keeper over those men whom Frigg desires to preserve from any danger; thence comes the saying, that he who escapes leans.' Snotra is thirteenth: she is prudent and of gentle bearing: from her name a woman or a man who is moderate is called snotr. The fourteenth is Gna: her Frigg sends into divers lands on her errands; she has that horse which runs over sky and sea and is called HoofTosser. Once when she was riding, certain of the Vanir saw her course in the air; then one spake: What flieth there? I what fareth there, Or glideth in the air? She made answer: I fly not, I though I fare And in the air glide On Hoof-Tosser, I him that Hamskerpir Gat with Gardrofa. From Gna's name that which soars high is said to gncefa. Sol and Bil are reckoned among the Asynjur, but their nature has been told before. xXxVl."There are also those others whose office it is to serve in Valhall, to bear drink and mind the table-service and ale-flagons; thus are they named in Grimnismal: Hrist and Mist I I would have bear the horn to me, Skeggjold and Skogull; Hildr and Thrudr, I Hlokk and Herfjotur, Goll and Geirahod, Randgridr and Rádgridr | and Reginleif These bear the Einherjar ale. These are called Valkyrs: them Odin sends to every battle; they determine men's feyness and award victory. Gudr and Rota and the youngest Norn, she who is called Skuld, ride ever to take the slain and decide fights. Jord, the mother of Thor, and Rindr, Váli's mother, are reckoned among the Asynjur. xXxvll."A certain man was called Gymir, and his wife Aurboda: she was of the stock of the Hill-Giants; their daughter was Gerdr, who was fairest of all women. It chanced one day that Freyr had gone to Hlidskjálf, and gazed over all the world; but when he looked over into the northern region, he saw on an estate a house great and fair. And toward this house went a woman; when she raised her hands and opened the door before her, brightness gleamed from her hands, both over sky and sea, and all the worlds were illumined of her. Thus his overweening pride, in having presumed to sit in that holy seat, was avenged upon him, that he went away full of sorrow. when he had come home, he spake not, he slept not, he drank not; no man dared speak to him. Then Njordr summoned to him Skirnir, Freyr's footpage, and bade him go to Freyr and beg speech of him and ask for whose sake he was so bitter that he would not speak with men. But Skirnir said he would go, albeit unwillingly; and said that evil answers were to be expected of Freyr. "But when he came to Freyr, straightway he asked why Freyr was so downcast, and spake not with men. Then Freyr answered and said that he had seen a fair woman; and for her sake he was so full of grief that he would not live long if he were not to obtain her. 'And now thou shalt go and woo her on my behalf and have her hither, whether her father will or no. I will reward thee well for it.' Then Skirnir answered thus: he would go on his errand, but Freyr should give him his own sword--which is so good that it fights of itself;--and Freyr did not refuse, but gave him the sword. Then Skirnir went forth and wooed the woman for him, and received her promise; and nine nights later she was to come to the place called Barrey, and then go to the bridal with Freyr. But when Skirnir told Freyr his answer, then he sang this lay: Long is one night, I long is the second; How can I wait through three? Often a month I to me seemed less Than this one night of waiting. This was to blame for Freyr's being so weaponless, when he fought with Beli, and slew him with the horn of a hart." Then said Gangleri: "T is much to be wondered at, that such a great chief as Freyr is would give away his sword, not having another equally good. It was a great privation to him, when he fought with him called Beli; by my faith, he must have rued that gift." Then answered Harr: "There was small matter in that, when he and Beli met; Freyr could have killed him with his hand. It shall come to pass that Freyr will think a worse thing has come upon him, when he misses his sword on that day that the Sons of Muspell go a-harrying." XXxVlll. Then said Gangleri: "Thou sayest that all those men who have fallen in battle from the beginning of the world are now come to Odin in Valhall. what has he to give them for food? I should think that a very great host must be there." Then Harr answered: "That which thou sayest is true: a very mighty multitude is there, but many more shall be, notwithstanding which it will seem all too small, in the time when the Wolf shall come. But never is so vast a multitude in Valhall that the flesh of that boar shall fail, which s called Soehrimnir; he is boiled every day and is whole at evening. But this question which thou askest now: I think it likelier that few may be so wise as to be able to report truthfully concerning it. His name who roasts is Andhrimnir, and the kettle is Eldhrimnir; so it is said here: Andhrimnir I has in Eldhrimnir Soehrimnir sodden, Best of hams; I yet how few know With what food the champions are fed." Then said Gangleri: "Has Odin the same fare as the champions?" Harr answered: "That food which stands on his board he gives to two wolves which he has, called Geri and Freki; but no food does he need; wine is both food and drink to him; so it says here: Geri and Freki I the war-mighty glutteth, The glorious God of Hosts; But on wine alone I the weapon-glorious Odin aye liveth. The ravens sit on his shoulders and say into his ear all the tidings which they see or hear; they are called thus: Huginn and Muninn. He sends them at day-break to fly about all the world, and they come back at undern-meal; thus he is acquainted with many tidings. Therefore men call him Raven-God, as is said: Huginn and Muninn hover each day The wide earth over; I fear for Huginn lest he fare not back,-- Yet watch I more for Muninn." XXXix. Then said Gangleri: "what have the champions to drink, that may suffice them as abundantly as the food? Or is water drunk there?" Then said Harr: "Now thou askest strangely; as if Allfather would invite to him kings or earls or other men of might and would give them water to drink! I know, by my faith! that many a man comes to Valhall who would think he had bought his drink of water dearly, if there were not better cheer to be had there, he who before had suffered wounds and burning pain unto death. I can tell thee a different tale of this. The she-goat, she who is called Heidrun, stands up in Valhall and bites the needles from the limb of that tree which is very famous, and is called Lcerádr; and from her udders mead runs so copiously, that she fills a tun every day. That tun is so great that all the champions become quite drunk from it." Then said Gangleri: "That is a wondrous proper goat for them; it must be an exceeding good tree from which she eats." Then spake Harr: "Even more worthy of note is the hart Eikthyrni, which stands in Valhall and bites from the limbs of the tree; and from his horns distils such abundant exudation that it comes down into Hvergelmir, and from thence fall those rivers Called thus: Sid, Vid, Sokin, Eikin, Svol, Gunnthrá, Fjorm, Fimbulthul, Gipul, Gopul, Gomul, Geirvimul. Those fall about the abodes of the Asir; these also are recorded: Thyn, Vin, Tholl, Holl, Grád, Gunnthráin, Nyt, Not, Nonn, Hr?nn, Vina, Vegsvinn, Thjodnuma." XL. Then said Gangleri: "These are marvellous tidings which thou now tellest. A wondrous great house Valhall must be; it must often be exceeding crowded before the doors." Then Har answered: "why dost thou not ask how many doors there are in the hall, or how great? If thou hearest that told, then thou wilt say that it is strange indeed if whosoever will may not go out and in; but it may be said truly that it is no more crowded to find place therein than to enter into it; here thou mayest read in Grimnismal: Five hundred doors I and forty more So I deem stand in Valhall; Eight hundred champions I go out at each door When they fare to fight with the Wolf." XLl. Then said Gangleri: "A very mighty multitude of men is in Valhall, so that, by my faith, Odin is a very great chieftain, since he commands so large an army. Now what is the sport of the champions, when they are not fighting?" Harr replied: "Every day, as soon as they are clothed, they straightway put on their armor and go out into the court and fight, and fell each other. That is their sport; and when the time draws near to undern-meal, they ride home to Valhall and sit down to drink, even as is said here: All the Einherjar | in Odin's court Deal out blows every day; The slain they choose I and ride from the strife, Sit later in love together. But what thou hast said is true: Odin is of great might. Many examples are found in proof of this, as is here said in the words of the AEsir themselves: Ash Yggdrasill's trunk I of trees is foremost, And Skidbladnir of ships; Odin of AEsir, I of all steeds Sleipnir, Bifrost of bridges, I and Bragi of skalds; Hábrok of hawks, I and of hounds Garmr." XLll. Then said Gangleri: "who owns that horse Sleipnir, or what is to be said of him?" Harr answered: "Thou hast no knowledge of Sleipnir's points, and thou knowest not the circumstances of his begetting; but it will seem to thee worth the telling. It was early in the first days of the gods' dwelling here, when the gods had established the Midgard and made Valhall; there came at that time a certain wright and offered to build them a citadel in three seasons, so good that it should be staunch and proof against the Hill-Giants and the Rime-Giants, though they should come in over Midgard. But he demanded as wages that he should have possession of Freyja, and would fain have had the sun and the moon. Then the Asir held parley and took counsel together; and a bargain was made with the wright, that he should have that which he demanded, if he should succeed in completing the citadel in one winter. On the first day of summer, if any part of the citadel were left unfinished, he should lose his reward; and he was to receive help from no man in the work. when they told him these conditions, he asked that they would give him leave to have the help of his stallion, which was called Svadilfari; and Loki advised it, so that the wright's petition was granted. He set to work the first day of winter to make the citadel, and by night he hauled stones with the stallion's aid; and it seemed very marvellous to the AEsir what great rocks that horse drew, for the horse did more rough work by half than did the wright. But there were strong witnesses to their bargain, and many oaths, since it seemed unsafe to the giant to be among the Asir without truce, if Thor should come home. But Thor had then gone away into the eastern region to fight trolls. "Now when the winter drew nigh unto its end, the building of the citadel was far advanced; and it was so high and strong that it could not be taken. when it lacked three days of summer, the work had almost reached the gate of the stronghold. Then the gods sat down in their judgment seats, and sought means of evasion, and asked one another who had advised giving Freyja into Jotunheim, or so destroying the air and the heaven as to take thence the sun and the moon and give them to the giants. The gods agreed that he must have counselled this who is wont to give evil advice, Loki Laufeyarson, and they declared him deserving of an ill death, if he could not hit upon a way of losing the wright his wages; and they threatened Loki with violence. But when he became frightened, then he swore oaths, that he would so contrive that the wright should lose his wages, cost him what it might. "That same evening, when the wright drove out after stone with the stallion Svadilfari, a mare bounded forth from a certain wood and whinnied to him. The stallion, perceiving what manner of horse this was, straightway became frantic, and snapped the traces asunder, and leaped over to the mare, and she away to the wood, and the wright after, striving to seize the stallion. These horses ran all night, and the wright stopped there that night; and afterward, at day, the work was not done as it had been before. when the wright saw that the work could not be brought to an end, he fell into giant's fury. Now that the AEsir saw surely that the hill-giant was come thither, they did not regard their oaths reverently, but called on Thor, who came as quickly. And straightway the hammer Mjollnir was raised aloft; he paid the wright's wage, and not with the sun and the moon. Nay, he even denied him dwelling in Jotunheim, and struck but the one first blow, so that his skull was burst into small crumbs, and sent him down bellow under Niflhel. But Loki had such dealings with Svadilfari, that somewhat later he gave birth to a foal, which was gray and had eight feet; and this horse is the best among gods and men. So is said in Voluspa: Then all the Powers strode I to the seats of judgment, The most holy gods I council held together: Who had the air all I with evil envenomed, Or to the Ettin-race I Odr's maid given. Broken were oaths then, I bond and swearing, Pledges all sacred I which passed between them; Thor alone smote there, I swollen with anger: He seldom sits still I when such he hears of." XLl. Then said Gangleri: "what is to be said of Skidbladnir, that which is best of ships? Is there no ship equally great?" Harr replied: "Skidbladnir is best of ships and made with most skill of craftsmanship; but Naglfar is the largest ship; Muspell has it. Certain dwarves, sons of ivaldi, made Skidbladnir and gave the ship to Freyr. It is so great that all the AEsir may man it, with their weapons and armaments, and it has a favoring wind as soon as the sail is hoisted, whithersoever it is bound; but when there is no occasion for going to sea in it, it is made of so many things and with so much cunning that then it may be folded together like a napkin and kept in one's pouch." XLIV. Then spake Gangleri: "A good ship is Skidbladnir, but very great magic must have been used upon it before it got to be so fashioned. Has Thor never experienced such a thing, that he has found in his path somewhat so mighty or so powerful that it has overmatched him through strength of magic?" Then said Harr: "Few men, I ween, are able to tell of this; yet many a thing has seemed to him hard to overcome. Though there may have been something so powerful or strong that Thor might not have succeeded in winning the victory, yet it is not necessary to speak of it; because there are many examples to prove, and because all are bound to believe, that Thor is mightiest." Then said Gangleri: "lt seems to me that I must have asked you touching this matter what no one is able to tell of. Then spake Jafnharr: "we have heard say concerning some matters which seem to us incredible, but here sits one near at hand who will know how to tell true tidings of this. Therefore thou must believe that he will not lie for the first time now, who never lied before." Gangleri said: "Here willI stand and listen, if any answer is forthcoming to this word; but otherwise I pronounce you overcome, if ye cannot tell that which I askyou." Then spake Thridi: "Now it is evident that he is resolved to know this matter, though it seem not to us a pleasant thing to tell. This is the beginning of this tale: Oku-Thor drove forth with his he-goats and chariot, and with him that As called Loki; they came at evening to a husbandman's, and there received a night's lodging. About evening, Thor took his he-goats and slaughtered them both; after that they were flayed and borne to the caldron. when the cooking was done, then Thor and his companion sat down to supper. Thor invited to meat with him the husbandman and his wife, and their children: the husbandman's son was called Thjalfi, and the daughter Roskva. Then Thor laid the goat-hides farther away from the fire, and said that the husbandman and his servants should cast the bones on the goat-hides. Thjalfi, the husbandman's son, was holding a thigh-bone of the goat, and split it with his knife and broke it for the marrow. "Thor tarried there overnight; and in the interval before day he rose up and clothed himself, took the hammer Mjollnir, swung it up, and hallowed the goat-hides; straightway the he-goats rose up, and then one of them was lame in a hind leg. Thor discovered this, and declared that the husbandman or his household could not have dealt wisely with the bones of the goat: be knew that the thighbone was broken. There is no need to make a long story of it; all may know how frightened the husbandman must have been when he saw how Thor let his brows sink down before his eyes; but when he looked at the eyes, then it seemed to him that he must fall down before their glances alone. Thor clenched his hands on the hammer-shaft so that the knuckles whitened; and the husbandman and all his household did what was to be expected: they cried out lustily, prayed for peace, offered in recompense all that they had. But when he saw their terror, then the fury departed from him, and he became appeased, and took of them in atonement their children, Thjalfi and Roskva, who then became his bond-servants; and they follow him ever since. XLV. "Thereupon he left his goats behind, and began his journey eastward toward Jotunheim and clear to the sea; and then he went out over the sea, that deep one; but when he came to land, he went up, and Loki and Thjalfi and Roskva with him. Then, when they had walked a little while, there stood before them a great forest; they walked all that day till dark. Thjalfi was swifftest-footed of all men; he bore Thor's bag, but there was nothing good for food. As soon as it had become dark, they sought themselves shelter for the night, and found before them a certain hall, very great: there was a door in the end, of equal width with the hall, wherein they took up quarters for the night. But about midnight there came a great earthquake: the earth rocked under them exceedingly, and the house trembled. Then Thor rose up and called to his companions, and they explored farther, and found in the middle of the hall a side-chamber on the right hand, and they went in thither. Thor sat down in the doorway, but the others were farther in from him, and they were afraid; but Thor gripped his hammer-shaft and thought to defend himself. Then they heard a great humming sound, and a crashing. "But when it drew near dawn, then Thor went out and saw a man lying a litle way from him in the wood; and that man was not small; he slept and snored mightily. Then Thor thought he could perceive what kind of noise it was which they had heard during the night. He girded himself with his belt of strength, and his divine power waxed; and on the instant the man awoke and rose up swifftly; and then, it is said, the first time Thor's heart failed him, to strike him with the hammer. He asked him his name, and the man called himself Skrymir,--'but I have no need,' he said, 'to ask thee for thy name; I know that thou art Asa-Thor. But what? Hast thou dragged. away my glove?' Then Skrymir stretched out his hand and took up the glove; and at once Thor saw that it was that which he had taken for a hall during the night; and as for the side-chamber, it was the thumb of the glove. Skrymir asked whether Thor would have his company, and Thor assented to this. Then Skrymir took and unloosened his provision wallet and made ready to eat his morning meal, and Thor and his fellows in another place. Skrymir then proposed to them to lay their supply of food together, and Thor assented. Then Skrymir bound all the food in one bag and laid it on his own back; he went before during the day, and stepped with very great strides; but late in the evening Skrymir found them night-quarters under a certain great oak. Then Skrymir said to Thor that he would lay him down to sleep,-- and do ye take the provision-bag and make ready for your supper. "Thereupon Skrymir slept and snored hard, and Thor took the provision-bag and set about to unloose it; but such things must be told as will seem incredible: he got no knot loosened and no thong-end stirred, so as to be looser than before. when he saw that this work might not avail, then he became angered, gripped the hammer Mjollnir in both hands, and strode with great strides to that place where Skrymir lay, and smote him in the head. Skrymir awoke, and asked whether a leaf had fallen upon his head; or whether they had eaten and were ready for bed? Thor replied that they were just then about to go to sleep; then they went under another oak. It must be told thee, that there was then no fearless sleeping. At midnight Thor heard how Skrymir snored and slept fast, so that it thundered in the woods; then he stood up and went to him, shook his hammer eagerly and hard, and smote down upon the middle of his crown: he saw that the face of the hammer sank deep into his head. And at that moment Skrymir awoke arid said: 'what is it now? Did some acorn fall on my head? Or what is the news with thee, Thor?' But Thor went back speedily, and replied that he was then but new-wakened; said that it was then midnight, and there was yet time to sleep. "Thor meditated that if he could get to strike him a third blow, never should the giant see himself again; he lay now and watched whether Skrymir were sleeping soundly yet. A little before day, when he perceived that Skrymir must have fallen asleep, he stood up at once and rushed over to him, brandished his hammer with all his strength, and smote upon that one of his temples which was turned up. But Skrymir sat up and stroked his cheek, and said: 'Some birds must be siting in the tree above me; I imagined, when I awoke, that some dirt from the twigs fell upon my head. Art thou awake, Thor? It will be time to arise and clothe us; but now ye have no long journey forward to the castle called Utgardr. I have heard how ye have whispered among yourselves that I am no little man in stature; but ye shall see taller men, if ye come into Utgardr. Now I will give you wholesome advice: do not conduct yourselves boastfully, for the henchmen of Utgarda-Loki will not well endure big words from such swaddling-babes. But if not so, then turn back, and I think it were better for you to do that; but if ye will go forward, then turn to the east. As for me, I hold my way north to these hills, which ye may how see.' Skrymir took the provision-bag and cast it on his back, and turned from them across the forest; and it is not recorded that the AEsir bade him god-speed. XLVl. "Thor turned forward on his way, and his fellows, and went onward till mid-day. Then they saw a castle standing in a certain plain, and set their necks down on their backs before they could see up over it. They went to the cattle; and there was a grating in front of the castle-gate, and it was closed. Thor went up to the grating. and did not succeed in opening it; but when they struggled to make their way in, they crept between the bars and came in that way. They saw a great hall and went thither; the door was open; then they went in, and saw there many men on two benches, and most of them were big enough. Thereupon they came before the king Utgarda-Loki and saluted him; but he looked at them in his own good time, and smiled scornfully over his teeth, and said: lt is late to ask tidings of a long journey; or is it otherwise than I think: that this toddler is Oku-Thor? Yet thou mayest be greater than thou appearest to me. what manner of accomplishments are those, which thou and thy fellows think to be ready for? No one shall be here with us who knows not some kind of craft or cunning surpassing most men.' "Then spoke the one who came last, 'Who was called Loki: I know such a trick, which I am ready to try: that there is no one within here who shall eat his food more quickly than I.' Then Utgarda-Loki answered: 'That is a feat, if thou accomplish it; and this feat shall accordingly be put to the proof.' He called to the farther end of the bench, that he who was called Logi should come forth on the floor and try his prowess against Loki. Then a trough was taken and borne in upon the hall-floor and filled with flesh; Loki sat down at the one end and Logi at the other, and each ate as fast as he could, and they met in the middle of the trough. By that time Loki had eaten all the meat from the bones, but Logi likewise had eaten all the meat, and the bones with it, and the trough too; and now it seemed to all as if Loki had lost the game. "Then Utgarda-Loki asked what yonder young man could play at; and Thjálfi answered that he would undertake to run a race with whomsoever Utgarda-Loki would bring up. Then Utgarda-Loki said that that was a good accomplishment, and that there was great likelihood that he must be well endowed with fleetness if he were to perform that feat; yet he would speedily see to it that the matter should be tested. Then Utgarda-Loki arose and went out; and there was a good course to run on over the level plain. Then Utgarda-Loki called to him a certain lad, who was named Hugi, and bade him run a match against Thjalfi. Then they held the first heat; and Hugi was so much ahead that he turned back to meet Thjalfi at the end of the course. Then said Utgarda-Loki: 'Thou wilt need to lay thyself forward more, Thjalfi,if thou art to win the game; but it is none the less true that never have any men come hither who seemed to me fleeter of foot than this.' Then they began another heat; and when Hugi had reached the course's end, and was turning back, there was still a long bolt-shot to Thjalfi. Then spake Utgarda-Loki: 'Thjalfi appears to me to run this course well, but I do not believe of him now that he will win the game. But it will be made manifest presently, when they run the third heat.' Then they began the heat; but when Hugi had come to the end of the course and turned back, Thjalfi had not yet reached mid-course. Then all said that that game had been proven. "Next, Utgarda-Loki asked Thor what feats there were which he might desire to show before them: such great tales as men have made of his mighty works. Then Thor answered that he would most willingly undertake to contend with any in drinking. Utgarda-Loki said that might well be; he went into the hall and called his serving-boy, and bade him bring the sconce-horn which the henchmen were wont to drink off. Straightway the serving-lad came forward with the horn and put it into Thor's hand. Then said Utgarda-Loki: It is held that this horn is well drained if it is drunk off in one drink, but some drink it off in two; but no one is so poor a man at drinking that it fails to drain off in three.' Thor looked upon the horn, and it did not seem big to him; and yet it was somewhat long. Still he was very thirsty; he took and drank, and swallowed enormously, and thought that he should not need to bend oftener to the horn. But when his breath failed, and he raised his head from the horn and looked to see how it had gone with the drinking, it seemed to him that there was very little space by which the drink was lower now in the horn than before. Then said Utgarda-Loki: 'lt is well drunk, and not too much; I should not have believed, if it had been told me, that Asa-Thor could not drink a greater draught. But I know that thou wilt wish to drink it off in another draught.' Thor answered nothing: he set the horn to his mouth, thinking now that he should drink a greater drink, and struggled with the draught until his breath gave out; and yet he saw that the tip of the horn would not come up so much as he liked. when he took the horn from his mouth and looked into it, it seemed to him then as if it had decreased less than the former time; but now there was a clearly apparent lowering in the horn. Then said Utgarda-Loki: 'How now, Thor? Thou wilt not shrink from one more drink than may he well for thee? If thou now drink the third draught from the horn, it seems to me as if this must he esteemed the greatest; but thou canst not be called so great a man here among us as the AEsir call thee, if thou give not a better account of thyself in the other games than it seems to me may come of this.' Then Thor became angry, set- the horn to his mouth, and drank with all his might, and struggled with the drink as much as he could; and when he looked into the horn, at least some space had been made. Then he gave up the horn and would drink no more. "Then said Utgarda-Loki: Now it is evident that thy prowess is not so great as we thought it to be; but wilt thou try thy hand at more games? It may readily be seen that thou gettest no advantage hereof.' Thor answered: "will make trial of yet other games; but it would have seemed wonderful to me, when I was at home with the AEsir, if such drinks had been called so litfle. But what game will ye now offer me?" Then said Utgarda-Loki: 'Young lads here are wont to do this (which is thought of small consequence): lift my cat up from the earth; but I should not have been able to speak of such a thing to Asa-Thor if I had not seen that thou hast far less in thee than I had thought.' Thereupon there leaped forth on the hall-floor a gray cat, and a very big one; and Thor went to it and took it with his hand down under the middle of the belly and lifted up. But the cat bent into an arch just as Thor stretched up his hands; and when Thor reached up as high as he could at the very utmost, then the cat lifted up one foot, and Thor got this game no further advanced. Then said Utgarda-Loki: This game went even as I had foreseen; the cat is very great, whereas Thor is low and little beside the huge men who are here with us.' "Then said Thor: Little as ye call me, let any one come up now and wrestle with me; now I am angry.' Then Utgarda-Loki answered, looking about him on the benches, and spake: 'I see no such man here within, who would not hold it a disgrace to wrestle with thee;' and yet he said: 'Let us see first; let the old woman my nurse be called hither, Elli, and let Thor wrestle with her if he will. She has thrown such men as have seemed to me no less strong than Thor.' Straightway there came into the hall an old woman, stricken in years. Then Utgarda-Loki said that she should grapple with Asa-Thor. There is no need to make a long matter of it: that struggle went in such wise that the harder Thor strove in gripping, the faster she stood; then the old woman essayed a hold, and then Thor became totty on his feet, and their tuggings were very hard. Yet it was not long before Thor fell to his knee, on one foot. Then Utgarda-Loki went up and bade them cease the wrestling, saying that Thor should not need to challenge more men of his body-guard to wrestling. By then it had passed toward night; Utgarda-Loki showed Thor and his companions to a seat, and they tarried there the night long in good cheer. XLVll. "But at morning, as soon as it dawned, Thor and his companions arose, clothed themselves, and were ready to go away. Then came there Utgarda-Loki and caused a table to be set for them; there was no lack of good cheer, meat and drink. So soon as they had eaten, he went out from the castle with them; and at parting Utgarda-Loki spoke to Thor and asked how he thought his journey had ended, or whether he had met any man mightier than himself. Thor answered that he could not say that he had not got much shame in their dealings together. 'But yet I know that ye will call me a man of litle might, and I am ill-content with that. Then said Utgardi-Loki: 'Now I will tell thee the truth, now that thou art come out of the castle; and if I live and am able to prevail, then thou shalt never again come into it. And this I know, by my troth! that thou shouldst never have come into it, If I had known before that thou haddest so much strength in thee, and that thou shouldst so nearly have had us in great peril. But I made ready against thee eyeillusions; and I came upon you the first time in the wood, and when thou wouldst have unloosed the provision-bag, I had bound it with iron, and thou didst not find where to undo it. But next thou didst smite me three blows with the hammer; and the first was least, and was yet so great that it would have sufficed to slay me, if it had come upon me. where thou sawest near my hall a saddle-backed mountain, cut at the top into threesquare dales, and one the deepest, those were the marks of thy hammer. I brought the saddle-back before the blow, but thou didst not see that. So it was also with the games, in which ye did contend against my henchmen: that was the first, which Loki did; he was very hungry and ate zealously, but he who was called Logi was "wild-fire," and he burned the trough no less swiffly than the meat. But when Thjálfi ran the race with him called Hugi, that was my "thought," and it was not to be expected of Thjalfi that he should match swiftness with it. "Moreover, when thou didst drink from the horn, and it seemed to thee to go slowly, then, by my faith, that was a wonder which I should not have believed possible: the other end of the horn was out in the sea, but thou didst not perceive it. But now, when thou comest to the sea, thou shalt be able to mark what a diminishing thou hast drunk in the sea: this is henceforth called "ebb-tides." "And again he said: lt seemed to me not less noteworthy when thou didst lift up the cat; and to tell thee truly, then all were afraid who saw how thou didst lift one foot clear of the earth. That cat was not as it appeared to thee: it was the Midgard Serpent, which lies about all the land, and scarcely does its length suffice to encompass the earth with head and tail. So high didst thou stretch up thine arms that it was then but a litle way more to heaven. It was also a great marvel concerning the wrestling-match, when thou didst withstand so long, and didst not fall more than on one knee, wrestling with Elli; since none such has ever been and none shall be, if he become so old as to abide "Old Age," that she shall not cause him to fall. And now it is truth to tell that we must part; and it will be better on both sides that ye never come again to seek me. Another time I will defend my castle with similar wiles or with others, so that ye shall get no power over me. "When Thor had heard these sayings, he clutched his hammer and brandished it aloft; but when he was about to launch it forward, then he saw Utgarda-Loki nowhere. Then he turned back to the castle, purposing to crush it to pieces; and he saw there a wide and fair plain, but no castle. So he turned back and went his way, till he was come back again to Thrudvangar. But it is a true tale that then he resolved to seek if he might bring about a meeting between himself and the Midgard Serpent, which after ward came to pass. Now I think no one knows how to tell thee more truly concerning this journey of Thor's." XLVIll. Then said Gangleri: "Very mighty is Utgarda-Loki, and he deals much in wiles and in magic; and his might may be seen in that he had such henchmen as have great prowess. Now did Thor ever take vengeance for this?" Harr answered: "lt is not unknown, though one be not a scholar, that Thor took redress for this journey of which the tale has but now been told; and he did not tarry at home long before he made ready for his journey so hastily that he had with him no chariot and no hegoats and no retinue. He went out over Midgard in the guise of a young lad, and came one evening at twilight to a certain giant's, who was called Hymir. Thor abode as guest there overnight; but at dawn Hymir arose and clothed himself and made ready to row to sea a-fishing. Then Thor sprang up and was speedily ready, and asked Hymir to let him row to sea with him. But Hymir said that Thor would be of litfle help to him, being so small and a youth, 'And thou wilt freeze, if I stay so long and so far out as I am wont.' But Thor said that he would be able to row far out from land, for the reason that it was not certain whether he would be the first to ask to row back. Thor became so enraged at the giant that he was forthwith ready to let his hammer crash against him; but he forced himself to forbear, since he purposed to try his strength in another quarter. He asked Hymir what they should have for bait, but Hymir bade him get bait for himself. Then Thor turned away thither where he, saw a certain herd of oxen, which Hymir owned; he took the largest ox, called Himinbrjotr, and cut off its head and went therewith to the sea. By that time Hymir had shoved out the boat. "Thor went aboard the skiff and sat down in the stern-seat, took two oars and rowed; and it seemed to Hymir that swift progress came of his rowing. Hymir rowed forward in the bow, and the rowing proceeded rapidly; then Hymir said that they had arived at those fishing-banks where he was wont to anchor and angle for flatfish. But Thor said that he desired to row much further, and they took a sharp pull; then Hymir said that they had come so far that it was perilous to abide out farther because of the Midgard Serpent. Thor replied that they would row a while yet, and so he did; but Hymir was then sore afraid. Now as soon as Thor had laid by the oars, he made ready a very strong fishing-line, and the hook was no less large and strong. Then Thor put the ox-head on the hook and cast it overboard, and the hook went to the bottom; and it is telling thee the truth to say that then Thor beguiled the Midgard Serpent no less than Utgarda-Loki had mocked Thor, at the time when he lifted up the Serpent in his hand. "The Midgard Serpent snapped at the ox-head, and the hook caught in its jaw; but when the Serpent was aware of this, it dashed away so fiercely that both Thor's fists crashed against the gunwale. Then Thor was angered, and took upon him his divine strength, braced his feet so strongly that he plunged through the ship with both feet, and dashed his feet against the bottom; then he drew the Serpent up to the gunwale. And it may be said that no one has seen very fearful sights who might not see that: bow Thor flashed fiery glances at the Serpent, and the Serpent in turn stared up toward him from below and blew venom. Then, it is said, the giant Hymir grew pale, became yellow, and was sore afraid, when he saw the Serpent, and how the sea rushed out and in through the boat. In the very moment when Thor clutched his hammer and raised it on high, then the giant fumbled for his fish-knife and hacked off Thor's line at the gunwale, and the Serpent sank down into the sea. Thor hurled his hammer after it; and men say that he struck off its head against the bottom; but I think it were true to tell thee that the Midgard Serpent yet lives and lies in the encompassing sea. But 'Thor swung his fist and brought it against Hymir's ear, so that he plunged overboard, and Thor saw the soles of his feet. And Thor waded to land." XLIX. Then spake Gangleri: "Have any more matters of note befallen among the AEsir? A very great deed of valor did Thor achieve on that journey." Harr made answer: "Now shall be told of those tidings which seemed of more consequence to the AEsir. The beginning of the story is this, that Baldr the Good dreamed great and perilous dreams touching his life. When he told these dreams to the AEsir, then they took counsel together: and this was their decision: to ask safety for Baldr from all kinds of dangers. And Frigg took oaths to this purport, that fire and water should spare Baldr, likewise iron and metal of all kinds, stones, earth, trees, sicknesses, beasts, birds, venom, serpents. And when that was done and made known, then it was a diversion of Baldr's and the AEsir, that he should stand up in the Thing, and all the others should some shoot at him, some hew at him, some beat him with stones; but whatsoever was done hurt him not at all, and that seemed to them all a very worshipful thing. "But when Loki Laufeyarson saw this, it pleased him ill that Baldr took no hurt. He went to Fensalir to Frigg, and made himself into the likeness of a woman. Then Frigg asked if that woman knew what the Asir did at the Thing. She said that all were shooting at Baldr, and moreover, that he took no hurt. Then said Frigg: 'Neither weapons nor trees may hurt Baldr: I have taken oaths of them all.' Then the woman asked: 'Have all things taken oaths to spare Baldr?' and Frigg answered: 'There grows a tree-sprout alone westward of Valhall: it is called Mistletoe; I thought it too young to ask the oath of. Then straightway the woman turned away; but Loki took Mistletoe and pulled it up and went to the Thing. "H?dr stood outside the ring of men, because he was blind. Then spake Loki to him: Why dost fhou not shoot af Baldr?' He answered: 'Because I see not where Baldr is; and for this also, that I am weaponless.' Then said Loki: 'Do thou also after the manner of other men, and show Baldr honor as the other men do. I will direct thee where he stands; shoot at him with this wand.' Hodr took Mistletoe and shot at Baldr, being guided by Loki: the shaft flew through Baldr, and he fell dead to the earth; and that was the greatest mischance that has ever befallen among gods and men. "Then, when Baldr was fallen, words failed all the, AEsir, and their hands likewise to lay hold of him; each looked at the other, and all were of one mind as to him who had. wrought the work, but none might take vengeance, so great a sanctuary was in that place. But when the Asir tried to speak, then it befell first that weeping broke out, so that none might speak to the others with words concerning his grief. But Odin bore that misfortune by so much the worst, as he had most perception of how great harm and loss for the AEsir were in the death of Baldr. "Now when the gods had come to themselves, Frigg spake, and asked who there might be among the AEsir who would fain have for his own all her love and favor: let him ride the road to Hel, and seek if he may find Baldr, and offer Hel a ransom if she will let Baldr come home to Asgard. And he is named Herm6dr the Bold, Odin's son, who undertook that embassy. Then Sleipnir was taken, Odin's steed, and led forward; and Hermodr mounted on that horse and galloped off. "The AEsir took the body of Baldr and brought it to the sea. Hringhorni is the name of Baldr's ship: it was greatest of all ships; the gods would have launched it and made Baldr's pyre thereon, but the ship stirred not forward. Then word was sent to Jotunheim after that giantess who is called Hyrrokkin. When she had come, riding a wolf and having a viper for bridle, then she leaped off the steed; and Odin called to four berserks to tend the steed; but they were not able to hold it until they had felled it. Then Hyrrokkin went to the prow of the boat and thrust it out at the first push, so that fire burst from the rollers, and all lands trembled. Thor became angry and clutched his hammer, and would straightway have broken her head, had not the gods prayed for peace for her. "Then was the body of Baldr borne out on shipboard; and when his wife, Nanna the daughter of Nep, saw that, straightway her heart burst with grief, and she died; she was borne to the pyre, and fire was kindled. Then Thor stood by and hallowed the pyre with Mjollnir; and before his feet ran a certain dwarf which was named Litr; Thor kicked at him with his foot and thrust him into the fire, and he burned. People of many races visited this burning: First is to be told of Odin, how Frigg and the Valkyrs went with him, and his ravens; but Freyr drove in his chariot with the boar Called Gold-Mane, or Fearful-Tusk, and Heimdallr rode the horse called Gold-Top, and Freyja drove her cats. Thither came also much people of the Rime-Giants and the Hill-Giants. Odin laid on the pyre that gold ring which is called Draupnir; this quality attended it, that every ninth night there dropped from it eight gold rings of equal weight. Baldr's horse was led to the bale-fire with all his trappings. "Now this is to be told concerning Hermodr, that he rode nine nights through dark dales and deep, so that he saw not before he was come to the river Gjoll and rode onto the Gjoll-Bridge; which bridge is thatched with glittering gold. M6dgudr is the maiden called who guards the bridge; she asked him his name and race, saying that the day before there had ridden over the bridge five companies of dead men; but the bridge thunders no less under thee alone, and thou hast not the color of dead men. why ridest thou hither on Hel-way?' He answered: 'I am appointed to ride to Hel to seek out Baldr. Hast thou perchance seen Baldr on Hel-way?' She said that Baldr had ridden there over Gjoll's Bridge,--'but down and north lieth Hel-way.' 'Then Hermodr rode on till he came to Hel-gate; he dismounted from his steed and made his girths fast, mounted and pricked him with his spurs; and the steed leaped so hard over the gate that he came nowise near to it. Then Herm6dr rode home to the hall and dismounted from his steed, went into the hall, and saw sitting there in the high-seat Baldr, his brother; and Hermodr tarried there overnight. At morn Hermodr prayed Hel that Baldr might ride home with him, and told her how great weeping was among the AEsir. But Hel said that in this wise it should be put to the test, whether Baldr were so all-beloved as had been said: 'lf all things in the world, quick and dead, weep for him, then he shall go back to the AEsir; but he shall remain with Hel if any gainsay it or will not weep.' Then Hermodr arose; but Baldr led him out of the hall, and took the ring Draupnir and sent it to Odin for a remembrance. And Nanna sent Frigg a linen smock, and yet more gifts, and to Fulla a golden finger-ring. "Then Hermodr rode his way back, and came into Asgard, and told all those tidings which he had seen and heard. Thereupon the AEsir sent over all the world messengers to pray that Baldr be wept out of Hel; and all men did this, and quick things, and the earth, and stones, and trees, and all metals,--even as thou must have seen that these things weep when they come out of frost and into the heat. Then, when the messengers went home, having well wrought their errand, they found, in a certain cave, where a giantess sat: she called herself Thokk. They prayed her to weep Baldr out of Hel; she answered: Thokk will weep I waterless tears For Baldr's bale-fare; Living or dead, I I loved not the churl's son; Let Hel hold to that she hath! And men deem that she who was there was Loki Laufeyarson, who hath wrought most ill among the AEsir." L. Then said Gangleri: "Exceeding much Loki had brought to pass, when he had first been cause that Baldr was slain, and then that he was not redeemed out of Hel. Was any vengeance taken on him for this?" Harr answered: "This thing was repaid him in such wise that he shall remember it long. When the gods had become as wroth with him as was to be looked for, he ran off and hid himself in a certain mountain; there he made a house with four doors, so that he could see out of the house in all directions. Often throughout the day he turned himself into the likeness of a salmon and hid himself in the place called Franangr-Falls; then he would ponder what manner of wile the gods would devise to take him in the water-fall. But when he sat in the house, he took twine of linen and knitted meshes as a net is made since; but a fire burned before him. Then he saw that the AEsir were close upon him; and Odin had seen from Hlidskjálf where he was. He leaped up at once and out into the river, but cast the net into the fire. "when the AEsir had come to the house, he went in first who was wisest of all, who is called Kvasir; and when he saw in the fire the white ash where the net had burned, then he perceived that that thing must be a device for catching fish, and told it to the AEsir. Straightway they took hold, and made themselves a net after the pattern of the one which they perceived, by the burnt-out ashes, that Loki had made. When the net was ready, then the AEsir went to the river and cast the net into the fall; Thor held one end of the net, and all of the AEsir held the other, and they drew the net. But Loki darted ahead and lay down between two stones; they drew the net over him, and perceived that something living was in front of it. A second time they went up to the fall and cast out the net, having bound it to something so heavy that nothing should be able to pass under it. Then Loki swam ahead of the net; but when he saw that it was but a short distance to the sea, then he jumped up over the net-rope and ran into the fall. Now the AEsir saw where he went, and went up again to the fall and divided the company into two parts, but Thor waded along in mid-stream; and so they went out toward the sea. Now Loki saw a choice of two courses: it was a mortal peril to dash out into the sea; but this was the second--to leap over the net again. And so he did: be leaped as swiffly as he could over the net-cord. Thor clutched at him and got hold of him, and he slipped in Thor's hand, so that the hand stopped at the tail; and for this reason the salmon has a tapering back. "Now Loki was taken truceless, and was brought with them into a certain cave. Thereupon they took three flat stones, and set them on edge and drilled a hole in each stone. Then were taken Loki's sons, Vili and Nari or Narfi; the AEsir changed Vali into the form of a wolf, and he tore asunder Narfi his brother. And the AEsir took his entrails and bound Loki with them over the three stones: one stands under his shoulders, the second under his loins, the third under his boughs; and those bonds were turned to iron. Then Skadi took a venomous serpent and fastened it up over him, so that the venom should drip from the serpent into his face. But Sigyn, his wife, stands near him and holds a basin under the venom-drops; and when the basin is full, she goes and pours out the venom, but in the meantime the venom drips into his face. Then he writhes against it with such force that all the earth trembles: ye call that'earthquakes.' There he lies in bonds till the Weird of the Gods." Ll. Then said Gangleri: "what tidings are to be told concerning the Weird of the Gods? Never before have I heard aught said of this." Harr answered: "Great tidings are to be told of it, and much. The first is this, that there shall come that winter which is called the Awful winter: in that time snow shall drive from all quarters; frosts shall be great then, and winds sharp; there shall be no virtue in the sun. Those winters shall proceed three in succession, and no summer between; but first shall come three other winters, such that over all the world there shall be mighty battles. In that time brothers shall slay each other for greed's sake, and none shall spare father or son in manslaughter and in incest; so it says in Voluspá: Brothers shall strive I and slaughter each other; Own sisters' children I shall sin together; Il days among men, I many a whoredom: An axe-age, a sword-age, I shields shall be cloven; A wind-age, a wolf-age, I ere the world totters. Then shall happen what seems great tidings: the Wolf shall swallow the sun; and this shall seem to men a great harm. Then the other wolf shall seize the moon, and he also shall work great ruin; the stars shall vanish from the heavens. Then shall come to pass these tidings also: all the earth shall tremble so, and the crags, that trees shall be torn up from the earth, and the crags fall to ruin; and all fetters and bonds shall be broken and rent. Then shall Fenris-Wolf get loose; then the sea shall gush forth Upon the land, because the Midgard Serpent stirs in giant wrath and advances up onto the land. Then that too shall happen, that Naglfar shall be loosened, the ship which is so named. (lt is made of dead men's nails; wherefore a warning is desirable, that if a man die with unshorn nails, that man adds much material to the ship Naglfar, which gods and men were fain to have finished late.) Yet in this seaflood Naglfar shall float. Hrymr is the name of the giant who steers Naglfar. FenrisWolf shall advance with gaping mouth, and his lower jaw shall be against the earth, but the upper against heaven,--he would gape yet more if there were room for it; fires blaze from his eyes and nostrils. The Midgard Serpent shall blow venom so that he shall sprinkle all the air and water; and he is very terrible, and shall be on one side of the Wolf. In this din shall the heaven be cloven, and the Sons of Muspell ride thence: Surtr shall ride first, and both before him and after him burning fire; his sword is exceeding good: from it radiance shines brighter than from the sun; when they ride over Bifrost, then the bridge shall break, as has been told before. The Sons of Muspell shall go forth to that field which is called Vigridr, thither shall come FenrisWolf also and the Midgard Serpent; then Loki and Hrymr shall come there also, and with him all the Rime-Giants. All the champions of Hel follow Loki; and the Sons of Muspell shall have a company by themselves, and it shall be very bright. The field Vigridr is a hundred leagues wide each way. "When these tidings come to pass, then shall Heimdallr rise up and blow mightily in the Gjallar-Horn, and awaken all the gods; and they shall hold council together. Then Odin shall ride to Mimir's Well and take counsel of Mimir for himself and his host. Then the Ash of Yggdrasill shall tremble, and nothing then shall be without fear in heaven or in earth. Then shall the Asir put on their war-weeds, and all the Champions, and advance to the field: Odin rides first with the gold helmet and a fair birnie, and his spear, which is called Gungnir. He shall go forth against FenrisWolf, and Thor stands forward on his other side, and can be of no avail to him, because he shall have his hands full to fight against the Midgard Serpent. Freyr shall contend with Surtr, and a hard encounter shall there be between them before Freyr falls: it is to be his death that he lacks that good sword of his, which he gave to Skirnir. Then shall the dog Garmr be loosed, which is bound before Gnipa's Cave: he is the greatest monster; he shall do battle with Tyr, and each become the other's slayer. Thor shall put to death the Midgard Serpent, and shall stride away nine paces from that spot; then shall he fall dead to the earth, because of the venom which the Snake has blown at him. The Wolf shall swallow Odin; that shall be his ending But straight thereafter shall Vidarr stride forth and set one foot upon the lower jaw of the wolf: on that foot he has the shoe, materials for which have been gathering throughout all time. (They are the scraps of leather which men cut out: of their shoes at toe or heel; therefore he who desires in his heart to come to the Asir's help should cast those scraps away.) with one hand he shall seize the Wolf's upper jaw and tear his gullet asunder; and that is the death of the Wolf. Loki shall have battle with Heimdallr, and each be the slayer of the other. Then straightway shall Surtr cast fire over the earth and burn all the world; so is said in Voluspa: High blows Heimdallr, I the horn is aloft; Odin communes | with Mimir's head; Trembles Yggdrasill's I towering Ash; The old tree wails I when the Ettin is loosed. What of the AEsir? I What of the Elf-folk? All Jotunheim echoes, | the AEsir are at council; The dwarves are groaning I before their stone doors, Wise in rock-walls; I wit ye yet, or what? Hrymr sails from the east, I the sea floods onward; The monstrous Beast I twists in mighty wrath; The Snake beats the waves, I the Eagle is screaming; The gold-neb tears corpses, I Naglfar is loosed. From the east sails the keel; I come now Muspell's folk Over the sea-waves, I and Loki steereth; There are the warlocks I all with the Wolf,-- With them is the brother I of Byleistr faring. Surtr fares from southward I with switch-eating flame; On his sword shimmers I the sun of the war-gods; The rocks are falling, I and fiends are reeling. Heroes tread Hel-way, I heaven is cloven. Then to the Goddess I a second grief cometh, When Odin fares I to fight with the Wolf, And Beli's slayer, I the bright god, with Surtr; There must fall I Frigg's beloved. Odin's son goeth I to strife with the Wolf,-- Vidarr, speeding I to meet the slaughter-beast; The sword in his hand I to the heart he thrusteth Of the fiend's offspring; avenged is his Father. Now goeth Hlodyn's I glorious son Not in flight from the Serpent, I of fear unheeding; All the earth's offspring I must empty the homesteads, When furiously smiteth I Midgard's defender. The sun shall be darkened, I earth sinks in the sea,-- Glide from the heaven I the glittering stars; Smoke-reek rages I and reddening fire: The high heat licks I against heaven itself. And here it says yet so: Vigridr hight the field I where in fight shall meet Surtr and the cherished gods; An hundred leagues I it has on each side: Unto them that field is fated." Lll. Then said Gangleri: 'what shall come to pass afterward, when all the world is burned, and dead are all the gods and all the champions and all mankind? Have ye not said before, that every man shallive in some world throughout all ages?" Then Thridi answered: "In that time the good abodes shall be many, and many the ill; then it shall be best to be in Gimlé in Heaven. Moreover, there is plenteous abundance of good drink, for them that esteem that a pleasure, in the hall which is called Brimir: it stands in Okolnir. That too is a good hall which stands in Nida Fells, made of red gold; its name is Sindri. In these halls shall dwell good men and pure in heart. "On Nastrand is a great hall and evil, and its doors face to the north: it is all woven of serpent-backs like a wattle-house; and all the snake-heads turn into the house and blow venom, so that along the hall run rivers of venom; and they who have broken oaths, and murderers, wade those rivers, even as it says here: I know a hall standing I far from the sun, In Nastrand: the doors; I to northward are turned; Venom-drops fill I down from the roof-holes; That hall is bordered I with backs of serpents. There are doomed to wade I the weltering streams Men that are mansworn, I and they that murderers are. But it is worst in Hvergelmir: There the cursed snake I tears dead men's corpses." Lll. Then spake Gangleri: "Shall any of the gods live then, or shall there be then any earth or heaven?" Harr answered: "ln that time the earth shall emerge out of the sea, and shall then be green and fair; then shall the fruits of it be brought forth unsown. Vidarr and Vali shall be living, inasmuch as neither sea nor the fire of Surtr shall have harmed them; and they shall dwell at lda-Plain, where Asgard was before. And then the sons of Thor, Modi and Magni, shall come there, and they shall have Mjollnir there. After that Baldr shall come thither, and Hodr, from Hel; then all shall sit down together and hold speech. with one another, and call to mind their secret wisdom, and speak of those happenings which have been before: of the Midgard Serpent and of Fenris-Wolf. Then they shall find in the grass those golden chess-pieces which the AEsir had had; thus is it said: In the deities' shrines | shall dwell Vidarr and Vali When the Fire of Surtr is slackened; M6di and Magni I shall have Mjollnir At the ceasing of Thor's strife. In the place called Hoddmimir's Holt there shall lie hidden during the Fire of Surtr two of mankind, who are called thus: Lif and Lifthrasir, and for food they shall have the morning-dews. From these folk shall come so numerous an offspring that all the world shall be peopled, even as is said here: Lif and Lifthrasir, I these shall lurk hidden In the Holt of Hoddmimir; The morning dews I their meat shall be; Thence are gendered the generations. And it may seem wonderful to thee, that the sun shall have borne a daughter not less fair than herself; and the daughter shall then tread in the steps of her mother, as is said here: The Elfin-beam I shall bear a daughter, Ere Fenris drags her forth; That maid shall go, I when the great gods die, To ride her mother's road. But now, if thou art able to ask yet further, then indeed I know not whence answer shall come to thee, for I never heard any man tell forth at greater length the course of the world; and now avail thyself of that which thou hast heard." LIV. Thereupon Gangleri heard great noises on every side of him; and then, when he had looked about him more, lo, he stood out of doors on a level plain, and saw no hall there and no castle. Then he went his way forth and came home into his kingdom, and told those tidings which he had seen and heard; and after him each man told these tales to the other.