The Elder Eddas of Saemund Sigfusson; and the Younger Eddas of Snorre Sturleson Part 13

21. Windr 'tis called by men, but vavudr by the G.o.ds, the wide-ruling powers call it gneggiud, the Jotuns oepir, the Alfar dynfari, in Hel they call it hvidudr.

_Vingthor_.

22. Tell me, Alvis! etc., how the calm is called, which has to rest in every world.

_Alvis_.

23. Logn 'tis called by men, but laegi by the G.o.ds, the Vanir call it vindslot, the Jotuns ofhly, the Alfar dagsevi, the Dwarfs call it dags vera.

_Vingthor_.

24. Tell me, Alvis! etc., what the sea is called, which men row over in every world.

_Alvis_.

25. Saer 'tis called by men, but silaegia with the G.o.ds; the vanir call it vagr, the Jotuns alheimr, the Alfar lagastafr, the Dwarfs call it diupan mar.

_Vingthor_.

26. Tell me, Alvis! etc., how the fire is called, which burns before men's sons in every world.

_Alvis_.

27. Eldr 'tis called by men, but by the aesir funi; the Vanir call it vagr, the Jotuns frekr, but the Dwarfs forbrennir; in Hel they call it hrodudr.

_Vingthor_.

28. Tell me, Alvis! etc., how the forest is called, which grows for the sons of men in every world.

_Alvis_.

29. Vidr 'tis called by men, but vallarfax by the G.o.ds, Hel's inmates call it hlidthangr, the Jotuns eldi, the Alfar f.a.grlimi; the Vanir call it vondr.

_Vingthor_.

30. Tell me, Alvis! etc., how the night is called, that Norvi's daughter hight, in every world.

_Alvis_.

31. Nott it is called by men, but by the G.o.ds niol; the wide-ruling powers call it grima, the Jotuns olios, the Alfar svefngaman; the Dwarfs call it draumniorunn.

_Vingthor_.

32. Tell me, Alvis! etc., how the seed is called, which the sons of men sow in every world.

_Alvis_.

33. Bygg it is called by men, but by the G.o.ds barr, the Vanir call it vaxtr, the Jotuns aeti, the Alfar lagastafr; in Hel 'tis hnipinn called.

_Vingthor_.

34. Tell me, Alvis! etc., how the beer is called, which the sons of men drink in every world.

_Alvis_.

35. Ol it is called by men, but by the aesir biorr, the Vanir call it veig, hreina logr the Jotuns, but in Hel 'tis called miodr: Suttung's sons call it sumbl.

_Vingthor_.

36. In one breast I have never found more ancient lore. By great wiles thou hast, I tell thee, been deluded. Thou art above ground, dwarf! at dawn; already in the hall the sun is s.h.i.+ning!

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 33: Thrud, Thor's daughter by his wife Sif. _Skaldskap_.]

[Footnote 34: This appears to allude to a promise made to the dwarf; but of which the story is lost.]

[Footnote 35: When this composition was written, it appears that Hel was no longer regarded as a person, but as a place.]

THE LAY OF HARBARD.

Thor journeying from the eastern parts came to a strait or sound, on the other side of which was a ferryman with his boat. Thor cried out:--

1. Who is the knave of knaves, that by the sound stands yonder?

_Harbard_.

2. Who is the churl of churls, that cries across the water?

_Thor_.

3. Ferry me across the sound, to-morrow I'll regale thee. I have a basket on my back: there is no better food: at my ease I ate, before I quitted home, herrings and oats, with which I yet feel sated.

_Harbard_.

4. Thou art in haste to praise thy meal: thou surely hast no foreknowledge; for sad will be thy home: thy mother, I believe, is dead.

_Thor_.

5. Thou sayest now what seems to every one most unwelcome to know--that my mother is dead.

_Harbard_.

6. Thou dost not look like one who owns three country dwellings, bare-legged thou standest, and like a beggar clothed; thou hast not even breeches.