The Elder Eddas of Saemund Sigfusson; and the Younger Eddas of Snorre Sturleson Part 4

_Vafthrudnir_.

45. Lif and Lifthrasir; but they will be concealed in Hoddmimir's holt. The morning dews they will have for food. From, them shall men be born.

_Gagnrad_.

46. Much have I journeyed, much experienced, mighty ones many proved. Whence will come the sun in that fair heaven, when Fenrir has this devoured?

_Vafthrudnir_.

47. A daughter shall Alfrodull bear, ere Fenrir shall have swallowed her. The maid shall ride, when the powers die, on her mother's course.

_Gagnrad_.

48. Much have I journeyed, etc. Who are the maidens that o'er the ocean travel, wise of spirit, journey?

_Vafthrudnir_.

49. O'er people's dwellings three descend of Mogthrasir's maidens, the sole Hamingiur who are in the world, although with Jotuns nurtured.

_Gagnrad_.

50. Much have I journeyed, etc. Which of the aesir will rule o'er the G.o.ds' possession, when Surt's fire shall be quenched?

_Vafthrudnir_.

51. Vidar and Vali will the G.o.ds' holy fanes inhabit, when Surt's fire shall be quenched. Modi and Magni will Miollnir possess, and warfare strive to end.

_Gagnrad_.

52. Much have I journeyed, etc. What of Odin will the life's end be, when the powers perish?

_Vafthrudnir_.

53. The wolf will the father of men devour; him Vidar will avenge: he his cold jaws will cleave, in conflict with the wolf.

_Gagnrad_.

54. Much have I journeyed, etc. What said Odin in his son's ear, ere he on the pile was laid?

_Vafthrudnir_.

55. That no one knoweth, what thou in days of old saidst in thy son's ear. With dying mouth my ancient saws I have said, and the G.o.ds'

destruction. With Odin I have contended in wise utterances: of men thou ever art the wisest!

THE LAY OF GRIMNIR.

The subject is wholly mythological.

King Hraudung had two sons, one named Agnar, the other Geirrod. Agnar was ten, and Geirrod eight winters old. They both rowed out in a boat, with their hooks and lines, to catch small fish; but the wind drove them out to sea. In the darkness of the night they were wrecked on the sh.o.r.e, and went up into the country, where they found a cottager, with whom they stayed through the winter. The cottager's wife brought up Agnar, and the cottager, Geirrod, and gave him good advice. In the spring the man got them a s.h.i.+p; but when he and his wife accompanied them to the strand, the man talked apart with Geirrod. They had a fair wind, and reached their father's place. Geirrod was at the s.h.i.+p's prow: he sprang on sh.o.r.e, but pushed the s.h.i.+p out, saying, "Go where an evil spirit may get thee." The vessel was driven out to sea, but Geirrod went up to the town, where he was well received; but his father was dead. Geirrod was then taken for king, and became a famous man.

Odin and Frigg were sitting in Hlidskialf, looking over all the world.

Odin said, "Seest thou Agnar, thy foster-son, where he is, getting children with a giantess in a cave? while Geirrod, my foster-son, is a king residing in his country." Frigg answered, "He is so inhospitable that he tortures his guests, if he thinks that too many come." Odin replied that that was the greatest falsehood; and they wagered thereupon. Frigg sent her waiting-maid Fulla to bid Geirrod be on his guard, lest the trollmann who was coming should do him harm, and also say that a token whereby he might be known was, that no dog, however fierce, would attack him. But that King Geirrod was not hospitable was mere idle talk. He, nevertheless, caused the man to be secured whom no dog would a.s.sail. He was clad in a blue cloak, and was named Grimnir, and would say no more concerning himself, although he was questioned.

The king ordered him to be tortured to make him confess, and to be set between two fires; and there he sat for eight nights. King Geirrod had a son ten years old, whom he named Agnar, after his brother. Agnar went to Grimnir and gave him a full horn to drink from, saying that the king did wrong in causing him to be tortured, though innocent.

Grimnir drank from it. The fire had then so approached him that his cloak was burnt; whereupon he said:--

1. Fire! thou art hot, and much too great; flame! let us separate.

My garment is singed, although I lift it up, my cloak is scorched before it.

2. Eight nights have I sat between fires here, and to me no one food has offered, save only Agnar, the son of Geirrod, who alone shall rule over the land of Goths.

3. Be thou blessed, Agnar! as blessed as the G.o.d of men bids thee to be. For one draught thou never shalt get better recompense.

4. Holy is the land, which I see lying to aesir and Alfar near; but in Thrudheim Thor shall dwell until the powers perish.

5. Ydalir it is called, where Ullr has himself a dwelling made.

Alfheim the G.o.ds to Frey gave in days of yore for a tooth-gift.

6. The third dwelling is, where the kind powers have with silver decked the hall; Valaskialf 'tis called, which for himself acquired the As in days of old.

7. Sokkvabekk the fourth is named o'er which the gelid waves resound; Odin and Saga there, joyful each day, from golden beakers quaff.

8. Gladsheim the fifth is named, there the golden-bright Valhall stands s.p.a.cious, there Hropt selects each day those men who die by weapons.

9. Easily to be known is, by those who to Odin come, the mansion by its aspect. Its roof with spears is laid, its hall with s.h.i.+elds is decked, with corslets are its benches strewed.

10. Easily to be known is, by those who to Odin come, the mansion by its aspect. A wolf hangs before the western door, over it an eagle hovers.

11. Thrymheim the sixth is named, where Thia.s.si dwelt that all-powerful Jotun; but Skadi now inhabits, the bright bride of G.o.ds, her father's ancient home.

12. Breidablik is the seventh, where Baldr has built for himself a hall, in that land, in which I know exists the fewest crimes.

13. Himinbiorg is the eighth, where Heimdall, it is said, rules o'er the holy fanes: there the G.o.ds' watchman, in his tranquil home, drinks joyful the good mead.

14. Folkvang is the ninth, there Freyia directs the sittings in the hall. She half the fallen chooses each day, but Odin th' other half.

15. Glitnir is the tenth; it is on gold sustained, and eke with silver decked. There Forseti dwells throughout all time, and every strife allays.

16. Noatun is the eleventh, there Niord has himself a dwelling made, prince of men; guiltless of sin, he rules o'er the high-built fane.

17. O'ergrown with branches and high gra.s.s is Vidar's s.p.a.cious Landvidi: There will the son descend, from the steed's back, bold to avenge his father.

18. Andhrimnir makes, in Eldhrimnir, Saehrimnir to boil, of meats the best; but few know how many Einheriar it feeds.

19. Geri and Freki the war-wont sates, the triumphant sire of hosts; but on wine only the famed in arms, Odin, ever lives.