A = ^^ c= A = ^^_ u^ - : i_ X = = IC *\v^^*^ -^ «^^ \ Hi Ut. kt kc Sire, The countenance of an enlightened Prince has ever been earjcrhj sought after by the most distinguished authors. It may then well be permitted to an humble admirer and translator of a poem of Denmark's greatest Scald to desire to place himself and his ivork under the protection of a King of Denmark, ivho yields to no Sovereign of any age or coimtry in his love of science, and in his zealous furtherance of all that can adorn or benefit the great family of mankind. In soliciting the permission of dedicating this ivork to your Majesty. I had nothing to plead in favour of my request, but my ardent zeal for Scandinavian literature; I kneiv, however, that such zeal would be my greatest recom- mendation in the etjes of a patriotic Monarch, and the gracious permission accorded to me by Your Majesty I consider as my highest reward. I have the honour to be, Sire, Your Majesty's most gratefid and devoted humble servant, \\ . K. FItYR. Paris, January, 1845. PREFACE BY THE TRANSLATOR. The argument of the poem by the author is the sole document that accompanies the original work ; there are neither notes nor preface to the edition from which I have made my translation, and which is the only one I have ever seen. To the people of education in Scandi- navia, who are well versed in the ancient mythology of their country, notes are perhaps not strictly necessary, inasmuch as this poem is based upon the Edda, which is universally read ; but since, to the generality of English readers, the Edda and the Scandinavian my- thology are but little, if at all famihar, I feel myself bound to fmniish them with all the information on the subject that I have been able to collect from various sources ; by which they will be enabled to read this poem with additional pleasure and profit. The Scandinavian mythology, like that of all other nations, is founded on the personification and con- viir PUHl'ACE. sequent adoration of the powers of nature, which may be expressed by the word " Demonism," used in its Greek sense ; to this may be added the deification of national heroes. The first source of Demonism (I here borrow the words of Wieland in his admirable work called Agatho- demon) lies in the ignorance of mankind, in the early stages of the world, of the real causes or laws by which the powers of nature act, on the one side ; and on the other, in the innate propensity of man to reflect the image of the things which he can and does see, on the things which lie beyond the contact of his senses. This induces us to personify the causes of the effects that we behold in nature ; we assign to them our manner of thinking and acting, and we endow them with a form like our own, because we can conceive no higher model. Thus we give a supposed existence to an infinite number of divinities in heaven and earth, whose operations are seen and felt, though the agents themselves are unseen or unknown. Thus the earth, the sun, the moon, the stars, the sea, rivers, woods, mountains, etc. , all have their peculiar divinities ; and as these were considered as the cause of light or of darkness, of warmth or of cold, of fertility or of barren- ness, of the eternal vicissitudes of the year, month or day, as well as of tlic destructive effects of storms, tem- pests, floods, volcanoes, earthquakes, etc., to the idea of their existence became conjoined the belief of their PREFACE. IS superhuman power. They were therefore recognised as the arbitrary rulers of nature, who had their separate principahties, circles, and districts in her empire ; and as we ascribe to] them our own passions, caprices, and necessities, we naturally endeavour to captivate their good will, or avert their anger, by prayers, sacri- fices, presents, or penances. On the principle of Demonism, therefore, did the earliest legislatoi's establish the basis of their fabric of social order, civilization and religion ; and it was by profiting by this innate inclination of mankind, that priests and mystagogues succeeded in consolidating their power and influence, which became necessarily augmented and enhanced by the right they arrogated to themselves of canonizing or deifying those heroes or princes, whom they were disposed to hold up as worthy of adoration, or as examples to be followed by the people. History thus became blended with allegory and my- thology ; and this circumstance, combined with the total want of chronology, which seems lo pervade the early records of all nations, renders it extremely diffi- cult to give to any mythology a consistent form, pro- porlionate in all its parts, and presenting an invariable doctrine or system of action. Proceeding thus from a similar source, the Scandi- navian polytheism has a remarkable coincidence with those of Greece, Italy, Egypt and India ; and from its X PREFACE. classification of the superior powers into good and evil genii, it bears a still more striking resemblance to the religion of the ancient Persians, the doctrine of the Magi, which admits the co-existence of, and the eternal struggle between, the two opposing principles of Good and Evil, under the types of Ormuzd and Ahrimanes. It seems generally admitted that the Gothic mythology was introduced into the north-west of Europe by the Asar or Asiatic Goths, when, under the guidance of the historical Odin, they emigrated from the borders of the Black Sea and penetrated into Scandinavia, where they founded their empire ; and had they at that time been acquainted with navigation, they would most assuredly not have stopped there, but would have invaded the British Islands, which would have afforded an easy con- quest, and a more alluring resting-place, from the superior fertility of their soil, and far greater mildness of the climate. The word Asa may be derived from Asia, or both may be derived from the word As or Az,* which in the Zend or ancient Persian dialect (the link between the Gothic and the Sanscrit) signifies "powerful, elevated ;" and may have been applied to that part of Asia border- ing on Europe by its own inhabitants, as a country, par excellence, occupied by a super-excellent people ; on the same principle that the word " Svensk" (Swedish) is This may be the oiiijin of (he term ^ce in cards. PREFACE. XI derived from " Sven " (man), and denotes a man, par excellence; and the country itself called ^'- Sverige" (empire of men, Sweden). The word Goth also is a synonyme for what is good, great, and illustrious ; for in all the Teutonic and Scandinavian languages, the three words Goth, good, and God spring from the same root ; such has ever been the self-love and vanity of nations. The term Jotiui or Jette may on the other hand have been the name of some rival nation, profess- ing a different worship, and engaged in a long and obstinate warfare with the Asar or Goths, either in Asia or in Europe ; and by the suggestion of national hatred, the Asar may have given the name of their ene- mies (the Jetter) to the destructive powers of nature, personified by the malevolent genii or giants : hence in the Icelandic, Danish and Swedish languages, the term Jotun, Jette, or Jatte, denotes a giant and implies the idea formed of this fabulous race by all nations. The historical Odin was deified after his death, as were his wives, his sons, and immediate relations, and either their names may have been given to the benign inlluences of nature, or they (Odin and his relations) may have adopted the names of the gods of their Asiatic ancestors, in order to impose on their new subjects. The names of regions, places and abodes were transferred from Asia to Scandinavia ; and the said names were, either previously or subsequently to the first grand im- migration of the Goths into the north-west of FAirope* XII PREFACE. applied by them to the supposed residences of the gods in heaven. Among the Egyptians and Greeks, the names of the Zodiac and of the constellations afford a similar and satisfactory proof of the continual re-action of earth on heaven, and of heaven on earth.* The popular belief of the continual intercourse be- tween heaven and earth, between gods, demi-gods, and heroes in the early ages of mankind, fostered and encouraged by the many ingenious allegories framed by the priests, the sole astronomers of the time, out of the movements and influences of the celestial bodies, render either hypothesis probable, and may serve to account for the many incongruities that prevail in the Scandina- vian, as well as in other mythologies ; it is sufficient for the comprehension of this poem, to lay down the principle, that the Asar (gods) represent the creating, embellishing, and conservative powers of nature; and the .Tetter (giants) , on the contrary, represent the de- facing, comipting, rfcsfn/cf/i'c powers of the same. The giants existed before the gods , inasmuch as chaos, darkness and confusion preceded creation, light and order. With respect to the superhuman size attributed by * In the prosaic Edda is this remarkable passage, wherein the name of Odin is given to Alfader, the supreme god. " We suppose that he (Odin, the god) must have been so called, for so is called the man, the greatest and the most glorious that we know, and well may mankind let him bear that name." PREFACE. xiii most nations to evil spirits, it may be observed, that in darkness the terrors of mankind increase, and the shades of night magnify considerably to the visual orb every object in nature : hence to the Jetter, or evil genii, who were supposed to wander about at night doing mischief, was lent by the imagination a form gigantic in stature, and features frightful to behold. Day appears I the giants vanish ! or they assume the ordinary appearance of towers, steeples, and windmills ; or they become changed to wolves and bears ; or they dwindle to the usual human size : but are slill dangerous by their knowledge of magic, their power of eflfecting transfor- mations, and by the artifices and illusions whereby they seek to mislead mankind and seduce them to the perpe- tration of evil. That the Jotun or Jetter, who were probably the aboriginal inhabitants of Scandinavia at the time of the Gothic invasion, should appear to the Asar to be giants in size, and as having the heads of bears, wolves, elks, or wild bulls, conjoined to human bodies, may be very easily and naturally accounted for. The Jotun race were in a very low state of civilization compared with the Asar, and were, probably, totally unacquainted with the art of tanning or weaving. They accordingly clothed themselves with the skins of beasts ; and in order to increase the terrific in their exterior (an object of great importance among savage nations) , they preserved the head, tail, and claws of the animals, in whose spoils they arrayed themselves ; and wore its XIV PRKFACE. head, horns and all, as a head-dress above their own, allowing the tail to dangle behind them, while its paws crossed their breast. This must naturally have given to them the appearance, not only of a stature far above the human size, but that also of partaking of the shape and nature both of man and beast, which idea was not a little supported by the ferocity of their manners ; and such was probably the origin of giantism in every country. * I shall now proceed to give an outline of the cosmo- gony and principal events of the Scandinavian mytho- logy, as far as they can be collected from the only au- thentic source ext'^nt, viz, the fragments of the poetry contained in the elder or poetic Edda, discovered and compiled by the celebrated Sa^mund Sigfusson, a native of Iceland, who was born in the year 1054, and died in 1133. He was a Christian priest of extensive talents and acquirements, who made a journey to Rome, a rare occurrence, at that time, among the clergy of the north. He it was who discovered these fragments, and at once perceived their value. He compiled them, and gave them to light, with a Latin translation of his own, * The figure given to the devil by the imagination of the northern nations is a confirmation of this hypothesis; whereas the Orientals give to him a more seducing form ; but in modern times the least cultivated minds reject the northern type, as Gothe says in his drama of Faust : Das nordische Phantom ist jetzt nicht mehr zu schauen, Wo siehstdu jetzt die Horner, Schweif und Klauen? (Faust von Gothe. j PREFACE. XV under the name of the Edda, which, in the Icelandic or ancient Scandinavian tongue, means " Ancestress." It was fortunate that this discovery was made by a man so enhghtened and liberal as Sajmunder, who was free from all the prejudices which prevailed among the clergy of his time. Any poem or writing connected with the ancient polytheistic religion of the country, was at that time considered as the work of devils, and severely proscribed. The poems of the Edda, therefore, had they fallen into the hands of an ignorant or bigotted priest, would have been burnt, and lost to posterity for ever. The fragments thus collected together under the name of the Edda are, indeed, but the disjectorum membra poetarum ; but they form the only document extant, which throws on the Scandinavian mythology a light at all to be depended on.* Of importance far inferior, but still of considerable * The Eddas are written in the Icelandic tongue, then called the Suio-Gothic, and sometimes the J^Torrana iunga (or Norse tongue), which was formerly the language of all Scandinavia. After the introduction of Christianity, from the connection with the Empire and the Church, this tongue be- came gradually deterioriated by a mixture with the German ; and it is by this mixture with the German that the modern Swedish and Danish languages are formed. Iceland having been colonised by some Norwegian families previous to the corruption of the language, has thus, from its insular po- sition, preserved the old language pure ; and it is now called Icelandic, which, though a dead language for Scandinavia, is a living one in Iceland. XVI PREFACE. relative utility, is the younger or prosaic Edda, com- posed, rather than compiled, by Snorro Storleson, a learned Icelander, who was born in 1178, and was killed at Reykiaholt in 1241. This work, written in prose, may be considered as a commentary on the elder or poetic Edda, with several additions and legends, col- lected probably from oral tradition. It is written in a homely, story-telling style, and but for the elder Edda, would stand a chance of being considered as unimpor- tant as a black letter romaunt or fairy tale. In the pre- face to it, there is a strange jumble of history, sacred and profane ; a very fantastic geography ; and an at- tempt to derive the genealogy of all the nations in Eu- rope from the Trojans : there reigns, moreover, through- out the whole work, a total want of chronology. * The most interesting part of the work, from the light it throws on the elder Edda, is the Gyllfaginning, or Conversations of King Gyllfe, who reigned over a part of Sweden at the time of Odin's invasion. A curious appendage to the work is the " Skalde spruket" (the language of the Skalds) , which forms a sort of Gradiis ad Parnassum of the Icelandic poetry, in which the synonymes and epithets of all persons and things oc- curring in the works of the Skalds, are given with ex- treme accuracy. But, as 1 have before stated, the whole * Snorro Storleson is likewise the author of the celebrated history called HeimJ^rhi^Iaa, a most valuable work. TREFACE. XVII importance of Snorro Sturleson's work is derived from the elder or poetic Edda. In the Gyllfaginning occurs the following remarkable passage : " King Gylffe was a prudent and very wise man ; it " caused him much surprize that the Asar possessed so ** much knowledge, that every thing yielded to their *' will ; and he reflected whether this could proceed ' ' from their own power, or whether they derived it " from the Gods, to whom they sacrificed. " It is from the Gyllfaginning that I boiTow the fol- lowing account of the cosmogony, according to the Scandinavian mythology. In the beginning when nothing existed, when there •was neither earth, nor sea, nor heaven, all was Gin- nungagap, * a vast unfathomable abyss. Towards the north of this abyss lay a world of cold and darkness called INiffelheim, in the midst of which was the source or fountain Hvergelmer. On the south of Ginnungagap lay Muspelheim, a world of heat, light and fire. From the source Hvergelmer flowed twelve rivers, called col- lectively Elivagor. These flowed into Ginnungagap, so far from their source, that the poisonous matter they contained congealed at length, and formed a mass of ice. On the other hand, the sparks and flames pro- ceeding from Muspelheim, came into contact with this * For the meaning of Ginnungagap and of all the other proper names, see the alphabetical catalogue annexed to this preface. xviii PREFACE. congealed mass ; and the heat, operating on the cold, produced the giant Ymer, the grand progenitor of the race of giants. He was wicked, and so were all his race, who were called Hrimthusser. Shortly after the apparition of Ymer, arose the cow Audumbla ; she nourished herself by licking the frost from the pillars of salt in Ginnungagap; and this operation produced, on the first day, a man's hair ; on the second, his whole head ; on the third the entire man ; this man was called Bure. Bure had a son called Bor ; and this Bor, by an union with a beautiful giantess of the name of Betsla, became the father of three sons, Odin, Vil and Ve, the progenitors of the Asar race. These three brothers slew the giant Ymer, from whose body flowed so much blood, that all the giants were drowned therein, except Bergelmer and his wife, who escaped from the deluge on the top of a mountain. Bergelmer and his wife had a numerous progeny , and by them were per- petuated the giant race. Odin, Vil and Ve, having slain Ymer, proceeded to the creation of the world, as it now exists. From the limbs of Ymer, they created the earth, the mountains from his bones, the sea from his blood, the heavens from his scull ; and from his eye- brows they built Midgard, name of the abode to be in- habited by the human race, and so called, because it lies in the middle region. They then from two trees, which they found on the sea-shore, created a man, called Askur, and a woman called Embla ; and placed PREFACE. XIX them to dwell in Midgard. From this pair descend all mankind. On the confines of Midgard towards the north, and separated from it by mountains of ice and snow, and dreary wastes eternally agitated by storms, lies Utgard, the domain of the giants, whose sovereign is Lok, com- monly called Utgard-Lok, to distinguish him from an Asa bearing the same name. Utgard became thus the region assigned to the giant race, as Midgard was to mankind. The Asar chose for themselves a region supposed to be in the heavens above the earth , and this region they called Asagard. There they built for them- selves various palaces and tenements ; and dwelling therein, pass their time in joy and felicity, in banquets, tournaments, festivals, and amusements of all sorts ; or they occupy themselves in conferring happiness upon, and imagining inventions useful and beneficial to the human race. They occasionally descend from Asagard to Midgard, by passing over the bridge Bifrost, ■when they deem it necessary to intervene immediately in the affairs of mankind, for the purpose of relieving the oppressed, or of enforcing the practice of justice and benevolence. The giants, on the contrary, when they sally forth from their domain in Utgard, do so for the purpose of creating storms and earthquakes, and causing, either openly or insidiously, as much mischief as possible to gods and men. XX PREFACE. 1 shall not in this preface enumerate the names of the different gods and goddesses, nor of their abodes and attributes ; neither shall 1 enumerate the names of the giants, nor those of the Dvergar, of the Alfer, or of the Vaner. All these names will be found in a cata- logue, alphabetically arranged, which 1 shall annex to this work. Neither shall I take notice, in this preface, of the various' episodes of the mythology, which are introduced in the body of the poem, and explain them- selves ; but I shall proceed to give an account of the death of Balder,* as it is related in the younger or prosaic Edda. Frigga is the wife of Odin and queen of the gods. Their son Balder, the most benevolent among the Asar, called by the Skalds ' ' the fillet that binds together the " garland of the gods," was troubled with unpleasant dreams, portending some dreadful calamity to himself, and pregnant with mischief and ruin to the universe. He related his dreams to the Asar, and a council was held by them, in order to devise the means of averting the threatened mischief. His mother Frigga exacted an oath from all the elements, from iron and all kinds of metals, from stones, trees, beasts, birds, fishes and * The details of the dealh of Balder are not given in this I'oem " The Gods of tlie North." It is only alhided to in the speech of the Vala, in the last canto ; but OEhlcnschlager has treated the "Death of Balder" separately, and made it the subjcet of an admirable tragic opera, with choruses and tro- chaics in the Greek style. PREFACE. XXI reptiles, that they would do no injury to Balder. When this oath was made, it was agreed upon by the Asar, that they should throw their lances at Balder, or cut at him with their swords, by way of amusement and ex- periment Of course, enchanted as he was, he remained unscathed from all those assaults. This rejoiced the gods exceedingly ; but there was one among the Asar, called Lok, originally of giant race, but admitted among the gods ; a being of a treacherous and vacillating dis- position, addicted to mockery and calumny, and inhe- riting from his ancestors, the giants, a strong innate disposition to mischief. It grieved him sore, that no injury could be done to Balder. He repaired to Fensal, the abode of Frigga, in the shape of a female, and re- lated to her what had past between Balder and the other Asar at the tournament. Frigga replied : No weapon can do injury to Balder, for I have exacted an oath in his favour from all things likely to do him mis- chief. Lok answered : Have you really exacted an oath from all things ? Frigga replied : Eastward to Valhalla grows a little plant, called the misletoe ; from it 1 exacted no oath^ for it appeared to me so insigniGcant, as to be incapa])le of doing harm to anybody. J.ok went away, dug up the plant, and made thereof a spear ; he then went in search of Ha^dur, twin-brother of Balder, and born blind. Having found him, he asked him, why he did not join in the general amuse- ment, and cast a weapon at Balder. Ha^dur replied : xwi I'llEFACE. 1 am blind, and have no weapon. Lok answered : You should not be. the only one among the Asar, who does not do honour to Balder ; here ! take this lance (giving to him the spear made of the misletoe), and run at him with it ! Hjedur did so, and Balder fell down dead. The gods were inconsolable at his loss, and sent Hermod, the messenger of Odin, to Hela, the queen of death and of the shades below, into whose hands Balder had fallen, in order to supplicate his release. Hermod mounted the steed of Odin, called Sleipner, and re- paired to the abode of Hela, in order to demand the restitution of Balder. Hela at first refused to release him on any condition whatsoever ; but at length relent- ing, she said : iNow is the time to prove, if Balder be really so beloved by all creatures, as ye pretend. If, therefore, every thing in nature will shed tears for Balder's death, and demand his release, I will grant it. Hermod returned to Asagard, satisfied with the success of his mission. The Asar sent messengers all over the earth, calling upon all creatures to weep for Balder's death ; and all creatures did grieve and join in the prayer for his release from the shades of Helheim, except an old witch, by name Thock, who was sitting by the entrance of a cavern. When called upon to join in the general lamentation, she answered spite- fully : With dry tears Doth riiOck grieve PREFACE. ixia For the death of Balder ; He never did good to me Either in life or death -, May Hela retain her prey ! and in consequence of this solitary refusal, Hela did retain her prey, and will do so until the end of time. It was now discovered that the witch Thock was no other than Lok himself in disguise ; and the gods, en- raged at his treachery, inflicted on him a summary vengeance. Changing his two sons into wolves, who devour each other, the gods make a chain from their intestines, and bind therewith Lok to a sharp rock in a subterranean abode. They then place over him two enormous serpents, who drop their venom on his limbs, and he is to remain exposed to this continual torture until the end of the world. But though Lok be thus punished, the calamity springing from Balder's death cannot be averted ; from it dales the entrance of crime and misery into the world, and a state of unceasing warfare in the heavens, on the earth, and under the earth; which state is to last until the great day of Ragnarok, called the twilight of ihe gods. On that awful day, which is to be preceded by a severe unin- terrupted winter of three yeai's' duration, a great battle is to be fought between the gods and giants, in which dreadful conflict giants, gods, mankind, the whole miiverse, in fine, are to perish in a shower of fire and blood. After the destruction of the world, a new XXIV PiiEFACE. creation is lo take place under the auspices of Yidar, the god of silence and wisdom, the sole being who sur- vives the general conflagration. It is he who is to resuscitate the gods and the human race, and to lead them to dwell in the palace of Glmle on the plains of Ida, an abode of eternal joy and felicity, where virtue and love are to reign triumphant, and vice and hatred be extinguished for ever. As the details of the destruc- tion of the world and of its reconstruction are given in the last canto of this poem, I need not dwell on them here.* Besides the alphabetical catalogue, explicatory of all that remains to be known, concerning the events and personages which figure in this poem, I have an- nexed to each canto notes, which give the hidden sense and meaning of most of the mythes and allegories ; on which subjects I have boiTowed all my information from the celebrated Danish antiquarian Finn Magnussen, now living in Copenhagen, which information is to be found in his two admirable works, the one called " The elder Edda, translated with copious notes and * Respecting the tragic opera of Balder by OEhlenschlager, which I have also translated, Sneedorf Birch says : " The mythe of Balder is one of the most beautiful and sub- lime poetical compositions, whose equal is not to be found in the Greek or Roman mythology, or perhaps in that of any other people. This mythe has besides furnished the subject of one of the finest mnsterpieces in the Danish Hterature, na- mely, the drama of " Balder the Good," byOEhlenschlager. PREFACE. x\v illustrations;" the other, ''The Edda doctrine ex- plained and elucidated." These two works afford a complete key to the mythes and allegories of the Scandinavian mythology, intricate as it is ; and armed thus with his (Finn Magnussen's) magic wand, I too may fearlessly undertake the office of Hierophant. With respect to this poem and its author,* it has been observed by a modern Danish writer of some emi- nence : ' ' There have been various poetical works in ' ' all the northern languages based on the legends of ' ' the Edda ; but no author has woven thereof a whole, ' ' nor has so happily and poetically embodied its genius, *' mythes and transformations, as OEhlenschlager in '*'his celebrated poem, The Gods of the North." To me it seems that he has combined in an eminent degree the peculiar excellences of three distinguished poets, of three distinct ages, viz. those of Hesiod in his Theogony, of Ovid in his Metamorphoses, and of Ariosto in his Orlando Furioso. OEhlenschlager seems to pos- sess all the inexhaustible genius, fertility of invention, playfulness, and sly, but not ill-natured, satire of the bard of Ferrara: " II grande clie canto le armi e gli araori." Of my translation, it befits not me to speak. Like my archetype, I have adopted various metres for the * Siieedorf Birch. xxTi PREFACE. different cantos, not always the same as those of the original ; for I wished to take a freer scope, and not to fetter myself by an invariable adoption of the self-same metres, which would have been attended with great difficulty, inasmuch as some of them are unsuitable to the genius of the English language, which is far less laconic than the Danish. I have likewise, in a few instances, amplified my archetype, for I was determined that nothing of his should be lost ; yet I trust, that even in those parts where I have most amplified, I have never departed from the meaning and spirit of the author. I can therefore never admit, that my trans- lation, though unshackled, should be termed " a free one," or Bcarbeitung , as the Germans express it. With respect to my qualifications as a translator, they are as follows : from the early age of fifteen 1 have been engaged in the acquisition of the language and literature of Germany ; for the last twelve years, I have closely studied the Danish and Swedish languages, and I have lately attempted the Icelandic. About eight years ago, 1 made a summer torn' in Denmark and Sweden, and when at Copenhagen, 1 became acquainted with Finn JMagnussen, the cele- brated antiquarian, and with the poet OEhlenschlager himself, most of whose works 1 had previously read with unbounded admiration and delight, and among which, this poem, " The Gods of the iNorth," had ex- cited my peculiar attention. Thus prepared, I deter- PREFACE. xxvii mined on undertaking a metrical version of the whole of this work, one canto of which (the 12th) I had pre- viously translated, and published anonymously in a Parisian weekly review, in 1835. In my translation, I was further encouraged by the idea that I was thereby contributing to spread among my countrymen a taste for the mythology and general literature of Scandinavia, which is capable of furnish- ing to the painter or the sculptor a series of subjects not less interesting than those derived from the classic sources of Greece or Rome. I I'ecommend, also, to the attention of scholars, the study of the Danish and Swe- dish languages, as the key to an historical literature extremely rich and diversified, interesting to the readers of every European nation, but more particularly so to the English reader, who is desirous of forming an intimate acquaintance with the arcana of his own language, and with his own early history, laws, customs, manners, and legends. The history of Denmark, INorway, and Sweden is as captivating as a romance, and it presents an astonishing variety of the most singular events, which would aflbrd admirable subjects for epic and dra- matic poetry, as well as for the historical novel. The Enghsh reader will perceive, likewise, that the Scandi- navian mythology is the fountain head of many of the most popular tales, legends, and ballads of his own country. It will interest him to mark the effect of the introduction of the Christian religion upon the Scandi- xxviii PREFACE. navian polytheism, as therein he may trace the origin of many of our own superstitions and fabulous tradi- tions. At the appearance of the Cross, the proud edi- fice of Valhalla, not seldom, alas ! polluted with human gore, crumbles into dust. Asagard, with all its palaces and gardens, dissolves in air ! The mighty Odin him- self, the wise, the just, the beneficent Odin, degene- rates into a common-place demon, liable to be exorcised by a parish priest. The Nornor, or Fates, the solemn, majestic, and impartial Nornor, though stern, yet beau- tiful to behold, become changed to disgusting and wrinkled witches, and figure as such in the weird sis- ters of Macbeth. The awful giants of Utgard sink into the ogres of a fairy tale ; Thor, deprived of his belt, his hammer, his gauntlets, and his car, dwindles into Jack the Giant-killer,* the familiar hero of our days of childhood; and from the'^raa gaas (grey goose), a name given to a collection of ancient legends in the Ice- landic tongue, from the circumstance of great longevity being attributed to that bird, may be traced our old nursery acquaintance and monitress, Mother Goose. -f 1 have only to add, that I began the translation of this * Thor is called by the Scalds Jotnl-bane, i. e. Bane of the Giants : perhaps Odin himself may be the original Jack the Giant-killer, since one of his names is Jalc. — See the Grimnis- mal in the poetic Edda. 7 The French also call these tales Lcs Contes de ma Mere l^Oie, PREFACE. ixn poem towards the end of the year 1836, and finished it in the autumn of 1837 ; but I was compelled by cir- cumstances to delay the publication of it until the pre- sent year. W. E. Frye. Paris, January 1845. ALPHABETICAL LIST OF THE PROPER NAMES OCCURRING IN OR CONNECTED WITH THE POEM ENTITLED "THE GODS OF THE NORTH." TFith the assistance of Finn Magyiussen^s work Edda- Iseren (Doctrine of the Eclda)^ I have composed the following alphabetical list of the proper names which occur in this poem, ivherein the attributes of the several personages are given, and which should he considted whenever a proper name occurs , since I have not thought it necessary to repeat in the notes annexed to each canto what is already given in this catalogue. JEGIR is the god of the sea, the INeptime of the Scandinavian mythology. His dwelling was supposed to be on the island of Hlesey, now called Lessoe, in the Cattegat, He is some- times called Hier JEgir. He is of a benevolent disposition ; but his consort Ran, who is of giant race, is otherwise. The etymology of the name ^gir is from the Icelandic verb yEgi, to liquify, inundate, etc. ALFAIJER (Father of all) a name given to Odin, as king of gods and men. It is sometimes given to a supreme un- known God, prc-existcnt and su))erior to Odin himself. xsxii ALPHABETICAL LIST ALF, plural ALFER, are Inferior elementary divinities, di- vided into two classes, viz the white. Alfer, or Alfsof light; and the black Alier, or Alfs of darkness. The white Alfer are related to the Asar and Vaner, and are friendly to mankind ; they dwell with Balder in his palace of Breida- blik. The black Alfer are mischievously disposed : they are connected with the Dvergar (dwarfs), and like them they shun the light of day : they dwell in caverns and sally out at night only. Our word ^^" is derived therefrom. ANGUUBOD, name of a Jettinde (giantess), who, in con- sequence of an amour with Asa-Lok, brought forth three frightful offspring, viz. the wolf Fenris, the serpent Jor- mundgard, commonly called the serpent of Midgard, and Hela, queen of death and of the shades below. The word ^w^?'E, name of a Danish princess. — See Hagbarth. S1GY?» , the w ife of Asa-Lok; she alone does not abandon him in his adversity ; and when he is chained in the subterranean cavern, with the enormous serpents hanging over him, OF PROPER NAMES. lxi she holds out a vase to catch the venom they let drop. When the vase is filled, she goes out to empty it ; the ve- nom of the serpents then falling on Lok, causes him to writhe with pain, and this movement causes earthquakes. S10F?»fA, an Asynia, daughter of Freya ; she presides over sleep and sends pleasing dreams. Etym. : Icelandic verb sofna (to sleep). S1\ADA , daughter of the giant Thiasse ; she comes to Valhalla in a fury, to revenge her father's death, becomes pacified at the sight of Balder, and having caught Niord at a ganie of blindman's-buff, obtains him for a husband ; but their tempers being very different, she being capricious and violent, and he placid and benevolent, they soon quar- rell. They cannot agree about their place of residence; she wishing to dwell in the mountains inland, and he pre- ferring to dwell on the sea-shore. Niord says : " I was tired of the mountains, Though I was not long there ; Only nine nights : The howling of the wolf Was disagreeable to me Accustomed to the chaunt of the swan.' Skada says : " I could not sleep On the banks of the sea, On account of the screaming of birds ; And the sea-gulls by their cries, Disturb my repose every morning." As Skada means " inischief'' in all the Teutonic and Lxii ALPHABETICAL LIST Scandinavian dialects, (to scathe, in English), the allegory is clear : by her union whith Niord she represents the mis- chievous qualities of the wind, he the salubrious and bene- ficent ones. SKALDS, or SCALDS ; so the poets were called in Scandi- navia. SKIDBLADAER or SKYBLAD.\ER, name of a ship given to thegods by Gerda, on her marriage with Frey. Whennot required for navigation, it could be folded up like a scarf. It seems to resemble the Sverga, or ship of heaven, of the Hindoos; and they are both probably types of the clouds, for shij is "cloud," and hlada, leaf, in the Icelandic tongue. SKINFAX, name of the steed who draws the chariot of day. Its meaning is " light-bearer," the cpwircpopof of the Greeks. SKlRNIRj name of an Asa, messenger of Frey ; he is sent by Frey to negociate his union with Gerda, and by Odin to procure a cord to bind the wolf Fenris, both which commissions he executes successfully. Etym. : Icelandic verb skirna [to clear up). SKRYMER, name of a giant who meets Thor on his journey to Utgard and leads him astray. He mystifies him also by giving to him a wallet filled with provisions, but which Thor could not untie. Etym. : Icelandic word skrwn (boasting), from which comes the Swedish verb skrymma (to look big). SKULDA, name of the Noma, or destiny of the future. , Etym.: skulu (shall), in Icelandic. SLEIPNER, name of Odin's charger. He has eight feet; he typifies the wind with its eight principal points. OF PROPER NAMES. LXin SNOTRA., an Asynia extremely graceful, who inspires man- kind with elegance of gesture and diction. Etym. : Ice- landic verb snotra (to teach manners). STARKODDER, name of a celebrated Scandinavian war- rior. He slew king Oluf in a perfidious manner, but hav- ing afterwards greatly distinguished himself by a series of brilliant actions, he seems to have obliterated his crime, for he was deified after his death. He may be considered in some measure as the Hercules of the Goths. SURTIIR, name of a formidable giant, who, with flames collected from Muspelheim, is to set fire to the universe at Ragnarok. Etym. : surtr (swarthy incolour). SlITTU^^G ; Suttung's mead ; see Qvaser, SVEA, SVITHIOD, names of Sweden. SYN, name of an Asynia who in this poem figures as the porteress of Valhalla, but in the Edda she is porteress of the palace of Freya. THIASSE, name of a giant, father of Skada. In the shape of an eagle he carries off Asa-Lok, and compels him to join in a plot to steal away Iduna from Asagard. When Iduna is delivered, Thiasse pursues her in the shape of a griffin, but is burnt to death by faUing into the bale fire at Breidablik. THOR, an Asa, son of Odin and Frigga, the god of war, strength, and thunder. He plays a most prominent part in the Gothic mythology. He is the arch enemy of the giants, and is constantly employed in punishing crime and oppression and protecting the weak and virtuous. His various actions are described in this poem, of which he is Lxiv ALPHABETICAL LIST the principal hero. He is the owner of a famous hammer called Aliobier, and of a no less famous belt called Meg'in- gard ; he wears steel gauntlets and brazen armour. He travels usually in a golden car, drawn by two white goats, Tanngniostr and Tanngrisncr ; when that car rolls along the heavens, it causes thunder and lightning. The worship of Thor seems to be of very remote antiquity ; he typifies probably the occult force of nature, which checks the bhnd fury of the elements and brings them back to their proper limits. There is no mention of Thor as an his- torical personage. Odin is thought to have introduced the worship of Thor into Scandinavia ; hence, by mytho- logic filiation, he is said to be Thor's father ; or this rela- tionship may typify supreme force proceeding from su- preme wisdom. Thor defeats and puts to flight the giants ; thus does thunder disperse noxious exhalations and purify the atmosphere. Thor seems to resemble the Indra of the Hindoo mythology. THRYMUR, name of a giant who falls in love with Freya. Having obtained possession of Thor's hammer, Miolner, he offers to restore it on condition of obtaining the hand of Freya. The gods are unwilling to part with Freya, but hit on the expedient of sending Thor disguised as Freya, and Asa-Lok as female attendant, down to Thrymur's abode in Jotunheim. As soon as Thor obtains his ham- mer, he throws off his female attire, and slays Thrymur and all his followers. TIALFE, or Tialf, name of a young peasant adopted by Thor and admitted among the Asar ; he accompanies Thor as his shield-bearer in all his expeditions. He is brother of Roska. OF PROPER NAMES. lxv TliN'G, or THSNG ; a council is so called in the Scandina- vian peninsula. This word has the exact meaning of the English word " thing," " business," etc., and of the Latin " negotium." Storting means " grand council," for stor signifies " great" in all the Scandinavian dialects. TUUDVANG, or TRUDY ANGUR, name of the domain of Thor, in Asagard. TROLD, in Swedish Trolly means an evil demon or goblin in the Scandinavian mythology -, they were very fantastic and grotesque in their appearance. The French word drole (anglice droll) is probably derived therefrom, and was introduced by the Norsemen when they conquered Neu stria. TROLDKiE3IPELAI\D ; the giants' territory was often so called. Etym. : trold (goblin), kccmpe (warrior), land (land). TYR, an Asa, renowned for his valour, and younger bro- ther to Thor. His celebrated adventure with the wolf Fenris, who bites off his hand, is related in the 26th canto of this poem. Etym. : tijr (brilliant renown). ULLER, name of an Asa who presides over archery and duels. tIRDA, name of the Noma or destiny of the past. Etym. : Icelandic word iirdu (was). UTGARD is the name of the territory of the giants. It was supposed to be to the north of Midgard, and that moun- tains of ice formed the barrier between the two regions. It also signifies the world below, and inchides Jotunheim, Svartalfheim, Niffelheim, and Nastrond. Etym. : nt sig- Lxvi ALPHABETICAL LIST nifies exclusion, anglic6 o?DIS, or Verandis, name of the Noma or destiny of the present. Etym. : verandi, participle present of the Icelandic verb^'«< CUM®® ffiil< THOR IN HELHEIM. The story you're about to hear May well incredible appear : To visit the remotest end Of Utgard's realm the chiefs pretend : Not easy will this project prove Through wastes of endless frost and snow ; At each third step they onward move O'er the glazed frost, they fall back two. The road, on which their course they bent, Now form'd a deep and dark descent : They grope along through ice and snow, And though pitch dark, they hear cocks crow. Thor ever foremost marches on ; The others follow the faint hght That from his brazen armour shone, And shudder oft from cold and fright. 36 THE QODS OF THE NORTH. Through caverns drear they move on slow, Which seem to lengthen as they go ; Pale shadows flit along ; they hear The rustling sound of waters near : Now toads croak harsh, and owlets screech ; Now fogs arise, and vapours damp ; But Thor, intent his goal to reach, Struggles across the frozen swamp. At length the gloomy fogs of night Became dispell'd by sudden light ; Though faint, it fail'd not to impart Fresh vigour to the Asa's heart. Two torches burning blue anon A lurid flick'ring gleam display ; While through the cloven rock the moon Sends forth a pale and wizard ray. At length a massive gate they reach : Two grisly fantoms there kept watch : One seem'd a female, one a male ; Their furrow'd cheeks were deadly pale. Lo '.slowly rising from their seat, They fix the chiefs with earnest gaze ; These halt before the pond'rous gate, And view those forms in mute amaze. CANTO 111. 37 In shrouds of white the spectres grim, While ague shakes each gelid hmb, Brandish aloft with angry groan Their javelins form'd of human bone. As Thor advanc'd, their shields they clash, And croak aloud these words of fear : "Go back ! go back ! ye strangers rash ! Whence do ye come ! what seek ye here ? " Why seek ye in the pride and bloom Of health and youth these realms of gloom? Never did such a troop before Find entrance to this fated shore. For those who meanly die on straw, The Nornor have these shades decreed ; But not for those, who Odin's law Hold sacred, and in battle bleed. *' Ye may not tread this threshold fell, Bound fast by adamantine spell : 'Tis here a pale-blue female reigns, Here stern her fearful law maintains : Here captive holds the dastard crew, Who on the bed of sickness die, Who wounds and glorious death eschew, And basely from the combat fly." 38 THE GODS OF THE NORTH. Then Thor : " We've reach'd th' abode, 1 ween, Of Hela, unforgiving queen ; O Lok I we now shall soon behold Thy pale-blue daughter stern and cold." Then Lok grew pale, and trembling said : ' ' Let us return ! I bitter rue My grievous fault : 1 how I dread My frightful offspring's face to view 1" Then Thor replied with look severe : " A God should never yield to fear ; Shame ! resolution thus to lack ! Rouse all thy nerve, and shrink not back ! A giantess (1) thy heart subdued, And thou to passion didst succumb, Too well 1 know, that nothing good Can from the blood of giants come. " 'Twas Skulda in her book of fate Did this event predestinate ; If she decreed thy amorous flame, Who shall that prudent Noma blame ? Thy offspring causes fear, 'tis true. But never can contempt excite ; Not only men, but Asar too, All view her features with affright. CANTO 111. :i'J " Where joy and pleasure flourish most And nurs'd by strength their empire boast, Yet still, at the bare sight of fear Those blessings straight will disappear ; Thus Fenris can embitter all The glories of Valhalla's feast ; His very look hath power t'appal, And freeze with dread great Odin's breast. ?' And say ! how should our Asgard then Differ from the abode of men, Did not death, misery and disgrace A line of demarcation trace ? Like Midgard's snake, (2) misfortune fell Winds round, and gnaws the heart of earth ; And he too, Lok, thou know'st full well, From thy embrace derived his birth. *' Yet, O thou Asa dear ! 'tis well Thou hast engender'd the grim Hel ! Due honour she should ever find ; She punishes the INidding kind, She my avenger is ; 'tis she Who best upholds my law and right ; Take courage, therefore ! learn from me Never to think of craven flight !" ^^ THE GODS OF THE NORTH. . This sage discourse now caiis'd the fear Of Asa Lok to disappear ; To him much consolation gave The prudence of his comrade brave. Thor rais'd his lance ; the portal vast He struck with force ; it swung around, Like leaf before th' autumnal blast ; The hinges creak'd with jarring sound. Now Thor his champions onward led, The vault re-echo'd with their tread ; Now little Roska 'gan to cower, And closely grasp'd the hand of Thor. Through many a winding gall'ry past. They stumble on, or creep, or glide, Until a flick'ring flame at last Serves their ambiguous path to guide. At length an opening towards the north They find, and 'gainst it struggle forth ; To where the roof describes an arch. And forms a vestibule, they march ; This vestibule to a vast hall Conducts them, where they now behold The wretches deaf to honour's call, Whom Helheim's bars imprison'd hold. CANTO 111 41 Along the wall pale phantoms flit, Who groan and shake with aguish fit ! Palsies, catarrhs, and fevers grim Prey on each agonizing limb. When Thor advanc'd, they wept and whined ; Down their wan cheek a cold sweat flows ! While slimy snakes, around them twined, Cause by their bite convulsive throes I Under the vaulted roof, behold ! A throne appears, but not of gold, Silver, or ivory ; this throne Was built of human sculls alone ! Thereon sat Hela, fell to view ; Her skin a chalky hue reveal'd, Down from the girdle ; livid blue Above it seem'd from blood congeal'd ! A man's thigh-bone in moonshine bleach'd T' enforce new torments she outstretch'd, For never her vindictive mind Allows to rest the bidding kind : This bone exhal'd a corpse-like smell ; On high she waved it like a wand ; It made all crouch ; it serv'd full well As sceptre in her clammy hand. 42 THE GODS OF THE NORTH No sound, but moans to make flesh creep, Here interrupts the silence deep ; No zephyrs thaw the frost severe ; (3) Cadav'rous odours taint the air ; Three torches blue illum'd the scene ! By each a ghastly spectre stood ! Shapes frightfully diseased were seen, But on their limbs no trace of blood ! Now Thor began to smile ; exempt From fear himself, he with contempt The crowd of trembling ghosts beheld. And loud this stern discourse he held : " wretched fools ! why did ye shun The dangers of all-glorious war ? Thus may it fare with every one Who dares not follow Asa- Thor ! " Ye miserable, who eschew'd Danger and death and scenes of blood ! Weaker than women ! Ilela now Grinds ye with never-ending woe ; Ye fear'd to don the warrior's helm. And trembled at the bowstring's twang ; Well, now, in Uel's accursed realm, Ye tremble with eternal pang ! " CANTO III. 43 Thus Thor : the ghosts respond with moan : The chief advanc'd to Hela's throne, And though thick fogs his utt'rance choke, He still, though hoarse, thus suppliant spoke : " Hela, terrific queen ! whose eye Fills every living breast with fear, Ah ! not spontaneously do I Before thy awful throne appear. " 1 cannot the desire withstand To visit Lok of Utgard's land ; 1 long that chieftain to behold, And therefore here have travell'd bold. Then, ! resolve me, Hela true. For well thou know'st each distant clime, Where must I turn? what course pursue, To reach the realm of Jotunheim?" Then Hela croak'd out thus with force, From throat with fogs and vapour hoarse : ' ' Begone from hence ! depart ! away ! Ye'U soon arrive where giants sway ; The rosy hues that stain your cheek My eye-balls sear to look upon ; Of health, and youth, and strength they speak ; Such sights I loathe : avaunt ! begone ! " 44 THE GODS OF THE NORTH. Now Thor a sis^n impatient made Behind him, which his troop obey'd. Lok ventuf'd not to raise his eye, As be stern Hela's throne past by ; He closed his eyes her sight to shun, And stumbled heavily along : She look'd at him and breathM a groan, Which echoed far the rocks among. I will not hide the fact that Thor, However firm and brave in war, Seem'd anxious much and was not slow To quit those gloomy realms of woe. They march into the mountain's core, And issuing from the farthest rock. They soon arrive, and stand before The palace vast of Utgard-Lok. ®i(H®® 1^< THOR ARRIVES AT UTGARD. When Utgard now before him lay, The chief seem'd well content : Its site hemm'd in by mountains grey, Its towers, its vast extent Excite his wonder : at (he gate A chosen band of warriors sat, All clad in armour shining, With cheek on hand reclining. Down from the walls they cast a look, And at his hammer sneer : The shield of each was granite rock, A huge pine trunk each spear ! But while on Thor they look askance. And view him closer still advance, They shout, his efforts braving, On high their lances waving. 46 THE GODS OF THE NORTH. And now to giant Skrymur's wand Thor needs must have recourse ; He snatches it from Tialfe's hand, And strikes the gate with force. The bars and bolts receded straight, And open flew the massive gate, On creaking hinges wheehng, A wondrous scene revealing ! Young Roska now was like to swoon, When viewing with dismay Abodes, where cliffs in arches hewn Exclude the light of day. And strange to all appears the sight Of walls of alabaster bright In Utgard-Lok's vast dwelling, The giant fire-compelling. INo solar beam hath ever shone Within this mansion wide. Where seated on his marble throne Reigns Utgard-Lok in pride. Around their sovereign scornful stand In triple rank a numerous band ; Cuirasses bright of iron Their bodies stout environ. CANTO IV. 47 When Utgard's haughty chief beheld The glance of Thor severe, His quiv'ring lip too plain reveal'd Signs ill-suppress'd of fear. His muscles were of marble grey, Nor sense nor feeUng they betray ; With eyes hke rubies glaring, On Thor he fix'd them staring. Still fogs and darkness reign 'd : anon Lok utter'd accents strange ; A blow his brazen shield upon Now caused the scene to change. Then flames burst from the vaulted dome, And play'd around the spacious room, A varied light displaying. O'er gold and silver straying ! In motion seem'd the arches all ; Then Lok : •' That trembhng roof Behold ! twiH crush ye, should it fall ; 'Twere best ye keep aloof. " Struck with these words Thor rais'd his eyes, And view'd above him with surprize A moving rock appalling. Which threaten'd instant falling. 48 THE GODS OF THE NORTH. Intrepid thus he spoke : " Let that, Which can't itself sustain, Fall down ! thy rocks may crush me flat ; Thy warning I disdain. " And now down fell the pond'rous mass, And roU'd along the cavern's base, Afar its fragments scatt'ring, With awful din and clatt'ring I And lo ! exuding from the ground A poisonous vapour grey. Like billow, roU'd the hall around ; But all at onceto stay Its course at Aukthor's feet it seem'd, And in a circle 'bout him steam'd; But naught he fear'd, when gazing On all those sights amazing. Then Thor : "In vain to cause my death Thy roUing rocks conspire ; And naught avail to quench my breath Thy poisonous vapours dire : From noble Frigga's womb I spring, My sire is Odin, puissant king In lofty Asgard dwelling, All other gods excelling. "> CANTO VI. 49 Then Dtgard Lok with accent griim : " 1 know the reason well, That brings thee to these realms of gloom, Where swarthy giants dwell : 1 know thy lineage and thy blood, Yet laugh to scorn the Asar brood, Thy hammer's force despising, And naught thy merit prizing. " Thou boastest of thy strength sublime And all thou canst effect ; We giants still fore Arild's time Were giants, recollect ! Before the Asar we held sway, Before thou, Thor, hadstseen the day; Before thy hammer's glory Had furnish'd theme for story. " Let me our earhest records trace ! Before the world's creation There was a vast and empty space ; (I) Therein no vegetation. Ice, snow, and fog from JNiflellieim Lay northward ; south from Muspelheim Proceeded sparks of fire, That warmth and growth inspire. 50 THE GODS OF THE NGRTJl. " Against the frost i' th' vast abyss Winds from the south now came ; They raix'd ; then matter dropp'd, and lliis One solid heap became : Now cold 'gainst fire, and fire 'gainst cold Long struggled hard the palm to hold ; But fire remain'd victorious : Thence Ymer sprang the glorious ! " Him we acknowledge as the sire Of our gigantic brood : E'en ye our towering size admire, With strength immense endow'd. At that time thy earth-shaking car Did not exist, presumptuous Thor ! " Let me, quoth Thor, this history Expound and all its mystery ! " The wond'rous facts I now relate. Than 1 none better knows : Alfader gave the word ; and strait The cow Audumbla rose! She lick'd the frost from the hard mass; Thence sprang the noble Asar race From solid strength descended, With warm blood ever blended. CANTO IV. 3j '' With matter cold mixM genial tlarne ; Then Bure sprang to life; After him Bor ; a giant dame (2) He carried off as wife : This pair combined in high degree Strength, beauty, grace, and symmetry ; His birtli from their embraces Each Asa proudly traces; " The Alfs and Vaner too : m fine Whate'er in Heimkringlas Is found most precious, rare, and fine, Was join'd to build our race. The finest oaks must flourish tall, Be fell'd, and cut in faggots small, When iuel we require To feed the nuptial pyre. " Therefore, that first ye saw the light, Ye giants proud ! 'tis true ; Yet Bor, our ancestor, in fight Your hero did subdue : Ymer could not the force withstand Of Bor ; he perish'd by his hand ; That giant so presuming In his own blood lay fuming. 52 THE OODS OF THE NORTH " Then down into the deep abyss Bor Ymer's body cast ; riiis iorm'd the Earth's vast edifice ; His blood the Ocean vast ; The mountains from his bones arise ; His brains compose the cloudy skies, And still continue dreaming, With constant changes teeming. " Then all around and up and down The eye-brows thick he spread, And lo ! from these the lofty town Of Midgard lifts its head 1 The scull was next spread out, and bent To build the heavenly firmament, Which Freya tinged with azure, The favorite hue of pleasure. " Now Bor in haste from Muspelheim Took many sparks, and threw them High 'midst the firmament sublime, And there ye still may view them : There still they glow with brilliant light ; There still, as they revolve, excite, Above their heads and under Their feet, the Asar's wonder. CANTO IV. 53 " Now Bor and Bure fell'd two trees , Which grew by the sea-shore ; A man and woman's form to these Was given by mystic lore : From the strong oak the man was made ; The fragrant rose produced the maid. In grace and beauty shining, AH hearts to love inclining •, " Askur and Embia hight : and lo ! Bure this couple led To Midgard's city : from those two The human race proceed : There still they dwell and multiply, And render to the Asar high Their constant adoration. With many a rich oblation. " Full well can I this histVy trace, And every fact relate, What time befel the giant race Destruction and defeat : Bergelmer only and his wife, Saved on a wreck, escaped with life : From them thy giant nation Derives its generation. M THE GODS OF THE NORTH " To dwell in caverns 'neath the earth We Asar have compell'd ye : Why boast ye then your earlier birth, Since thus we gods have quell'd ye? Spite of your spells and magic song, Ye dwell perforce these rocks among : At night alone ye rally. And forth on mischief sally. " As noxious herbs and weeds incline To spread afar their roots, Fraud, rapine, evil to enshrine, Such are your main pursuits ! Ye think once more in arms to try Your strength against our dynasty; Your boasts are out of season ; Ye'll bitter rue your treason. " For not content with mischief done To Askur's sons of earth, Ye've dared to wreak your malice on Upsala's sacred hearth. Down have ye cast the temple's walls, And this aloud for vengeance calls ; Ye've quench'd the sacred fire : Tremble for Odin's ire! " CANTO IV. 55 His eye shot flames as thus he spoke, His nostrils breath'd disdain ; Proud and contemptuous was the look He cast on Utgard's train : His brazen armour's brilliant sheen Made every Jotun quake, I ween; Himself stood calm, defending His right with soul unbending. The wild tlames caused him no affright, Which all around him shone ; Sudden a stream, as silver bright, Rush'd like a torrent down : It nearM his feet, and fain would go Beyond, but, stopping, ceased to flow, As if with fear congealing At Aukthor's look repelling. At length the giant king rejoin'd. While fear assail'd his heart : " I would not, that with angry mind Thou shouldst from hence depart : Then tarry here with us awhile, And on our pastime deign to smile ! This realm, trust my assertion, Can furnish rare diversion. 3e THE GODS OF THE NORTH. " We'll enter on a course of frames. When ye've repose enjovM. Such as a noble race beseems Of hate and envy void. In such a combat we can well Prove, without wrath, who most excel In wit, strength, or invention. In generous contention. To this proposal Thor agreed : Lok rising from his throne His guests with courteous gesture led Into a wide saloon. Golden its walls ; of marble neat The table rests on golden feet : There stand with liquor glowing Carbuncle cups o'erflowing. Loud through the echoing rocks around The various metals clang ! Cascades of quicksilver resound A strange and wizard twang ! Now Thor sat down with conscious pride, His three companions by his side. Their fninds, without misgiving. To joy and pleasure giving. mwm V. MAGIC SPELLS IN CTGARD. Now at the festive board sat down The chiefs in social converse. Lok Arose, and thus in jesting tone The ever sprightly Asa spoke : " To pass the time, while here we sit, Let us some mirthful game devise, Some trial of our strength or wit, And prove who best deserves the prize." " To this proposal 1 agree. " To him thus Utgard-Lok replied ; " And what the game or sport shall be. Let thy ingenious brain decide!" Then catching up some roasted meat, The Asa laughing cries : ' ' 'Tis well ; Be this my first triumphant feat! In eating none can Lok excel. ^8 THE GODS OF THE NORTH. " I find my appetite increase By what 1 have endured of late ; By plenteous cheer 'twere not amiss, Melhinks, my strength to renovate Good trencher-men in troth we are, Of limbs robust and stomachs able : Go, therefore! bid the cook prepare, And set the viands on the table!" " To what best suits thee I accede," Still jesting, Utgard-Lok replies ; " There can be nothing worse, indeed, Than hungry from the board to rise : Yet, my good friend ! thou'lt soon perceive, However strong thy stomach be, In eating thou canst naught achieve 'Gainst one of my good company." This speech annoy'd Laufeia's son ; He jump'd up hastily, and said : " Thou whoreson fiend! thou evil one! Think'st thou my purpose to dissuade ?" The swarthy chief made no reply. But call'd to one amidst his crew : " Come forth !" and lo ! with fearful cry Starts forth a goblin (1) fell to view! CANTO V. 59 Obedient to his master's call, Who now his zeal and service claims, He stalks across the spacious hall, In armour cover'd o'er with flames : The most were yellow ; some were red ; Some blue ; anon with scornful look Towering above his rival's head, He cast his eyes on Asa-Lok. His widely gaping mouth reveals A double row of grinders long ; At every finger, 'stead of nails. Were likewise teeth both sharp and strong And strange to tell, each tooth displays On mouth or hand a pow'rful light. Young Roska view'd them with amaze, And shrunk back trembling with affright. The shadows that obscured the rock All vanish'd at the goblin's sight. " I do perceive," said Asa-Lok, " Each «f thy limbs hath power to bite : Yet trust me ! though thou hast the power Each finger to employ as tooth, Thou' It not be able to devoui- More food than Loptiii- with his mouth." <'0 THE GODS OF THE NORTH. ^ Into the hall by Lok's command A dish was brought of purest ore ; 'Twas vast in size, and it contain'd Of joints of meat an ample store. The ugly fiend and Asa-Lok Set to and crunched with all their might ; They eat, as though they both would choke This caused much wonder and delischt. Each sat at one end of the dish, But in the middle soon they meet : Lok from the bones had clear'd the flesh ; At length he could no longer eat. Not so the goblin ; he devour'd The hard bones, golden dish, and all : He roll'd his eyes around the board. And for more viands fain would call. Now loudly laugh'd the giant crew ; E'en Thor the serious laugh'd outright : Young Tialfe grinn'd, and Roska too Was much diverted at the sight. The guests now sitting round the board, As arbiters pronounce the doom; They loud proclaim with one accord. That Asa-Lok was overcome. CANTO V. 61 Then Utgarcl-Lok in jesting mood Call'd out to Tialfe by his name : " Since we are cloy VI with drink and food, Let us arrange some other game ! We practise here, the time to kill, Jokes and diversions not a few : (tO thou, brave youth! and try thy skill ! 1 fain would see what thou canst do." " What callst thou trying? do not boast Too much!" the ardent Tialf replied : " Though Asa-Lok the prize have lost, That cannot, sure, our worth decide. He gave me armour ; and ye' 11 find, Though ye can bones and dish devour Like dogs, that with undaunted mind I brave, and hope to quell your power." Then Ltgard's Chief with knitted brow Rejoin'd: " Twere bootless to contend On what is past and gone : do thou Propose some game, my youthful friend ! " Good ! answer'd Tialfe : '' Be it so ! " And strait his corslet 'gan t' unlace. " An ye consent, I'm ready now With any of your train to race." ti"^-«-*>^'^ ®iIM®®.^SCI< CONVERSATION BETWEEN SKIRNIR AND FREY. Bit when the moon had fled the rock behind, Follow'd by Maanegarm the winged fiend, Who, constant in pursuit, to human eyes Mostly invisible, but in the skies Sometimes in form of wolf, when rain pours down Protrudes his head amidst the vapours brown : From ocean's bed the sun majestic rose, Like blushing Freya with her cheeks of rose. When from the bath outstepping, she displays (Alone, naught fearing indiscretion's gaze) Her charms voluptuous to the morning chill, While on the trees the birds are slumb'ring still. Skirnir the gallant courier mounts his steed ; Fulla had fill'd his flask with Suttung's mead ; While fair Iduna, mindful of the brave. To guard his hfe and health, an apple gave. Lo ! thus prepared, he cleaves the liquid sky Charged with a mission from A I fader high 228 THE GODS OF THE NORTH. For on that very night was llermod flown (Odin's own courier) to a distant zone ; There to avenge by punishment subUme, O Freya ! thy perfidious consort's crime. Charged with his errand now must Skirnu' ride To Dovre's caverns, where the dwarfs reside ; Those smiths ingenious, who with wondrous art Can to all metals various forms impart : By Odin's order they were strict enjoin'd To forge a fetter, Fenris wolf to bind, Subtle and slight, but strong his force to quell, And proved and charm'd with many a mystic spell. For iron nought avail'd, nor copper chain The dangerous monster's fury to restrain ; For such, like singed threads, he burst in twain. But as o'er Bifrost bridge he pass'd along. Thus Skirnir mused : " Methinks, it were not wrong. Before I leave the regions of the sky. To ascertain, if my own master Frey Hath not some mandate for his trusty swain ; For though to Odin, king of gods and men. We all must bow, and own his sovereign might. Yet our own master claims an equal right." Thus said, he spurr'd his courser toward the grove Of birch-trees, where the Asa loved to rove. There Frey, with chin reclining on his hand. Was wont to sit, and muse, while o'er the land CANTO XXI. 229 The seed is sown, and with lond hopes elate, The husbandmen th' approach of autumn wait. But when this time Skirnir his master found With palhd hue, immers'd in grief profound, He wonder'd much, and thus exclaim'd aloud : " How now? my sovereign! thus with sorrow bow'd, When all creation, deck'd in radiant vest, Indulges brighest hopes, which thy behest Alone can gratify ; for in thy hand The Fates have placed the fecundating wand, Which spreads abundant harvests o'er the land. But little would the sower's pains avail, Didst thou not send unseen through mead and vale A swarm of Alfs, the labourer's way to clear. The thieving sparrows with their darts to scare. And root out all the noxious insect race, Which lie in ambush in each furrow's trace. But 'tis in autumn that we most admire Thy power, Asa, when with looks of fire Thou gildest bright each waving field of corn : For when the reaper's scythe at dawn of morn Bhthesome resounds, thy greatest triumph then Is hail'd with rapture by the sons of men. 'Tis far more cheering to their hearts to hear The scythe's shrill sound, than clang of shield and spear, To do Thor homage in his proud career." " Ah! what avails my boasted power and pride, If it can naught effect (thus Frey replied) 230 THE GODS OF THE NORTH. Than causing trees to shoot and corn to grow ? What boots my form divine and radiant brow, If I be not beloved ? my power how vain ! " " And art thou not beloved ? " rejoin'd the swain : ' ' Doth not all nature at thy altar bend ? Doth not the mighty Odin call thee friend? For thee each Disa feels an ardent flame, And all the gods thy love fraternal claim. " Now Frey began each circumstance to tell That him on Hlidskialf's lofty tower befel : How in the mountain cavern he beheld A form, which every other form excell'd, An image of the fairest and the best. That stamp'd itself for ever in his breast. Then Skirnir : "Now doth my loved master prove, I well perceive, the mighty power of love : Whoe'er of love's keen arrows feels the smart, Freya with doubts and fears distracts his heart. With hand upon his breast, in wayward fits, Despairing of success, the lover sits : Yet could he once his soul to action strain. An easy triumph he, perhaps, might gain. Why thus despair ? Is Gerda thy beloved ? Cannot she, thinkst thou, by thy prayers be moved? Is she not young, and handsome, soft and mild. In the first spring of life a flow'ret wild? Thinkst thou a goblin bridegroom doom'd to prove The exfpiisite reward olGerda's love? CANTO XXI. 231 Shame were it ibr a ruler of the skies, Should Horse-leg, the rough clown, bear off the prize ; Or should a damsel of such wondrous charms Languish and pine in Goat-beard's shaggy arms. Then Frey : " Could I the maid's consent obtain, Yet fear I Odin, king of gods and men ; He would refuse his sanction." " Why suppose Said Skirnir, " Odin would thy views oppose? To bind the marriage knot consent he gave Whilom 'twixt /Egir, monarch of the wave, And the perfidious harsh ill-favour'd Ran, Who spreads her net to drown the race of man. And did he not his sanction too accord To bind fierce Skada with benignant Niord ? How then could his impartial spirit blame A better suited match, a worthier flame 'Twixt thee and Gerda, loveliest mountain dame? " Not always so austere and so sedate Trust me, is Odin, as when high in state He thrones amidst Valhalla's champions grave : He too hath sometimes been love's humblest slave; The lively Freya, with her cheeks of rose, Hath oft disturbed that prudent god's repose : Then weary of the banquet, and the sight Of arm'd Einherier in the mimick'd fight, Disguised to earth he oft descends, and there Clasps in his fond embrace some mortal fair. 232 THE GODS OF THE NORTH. " Hast thou forgot the time, when Odin, fired With love for Princess Rinda's charms, attired As a laborious smith, once found his way To Garderike, where her sire held sway? First prudently he strove to gain the fair By gifts of iron, gold, and silver rare: But she rejected all ; and with disdain She smote the cheek of; the presumptuous swain. But nought rebuff d, again he took the field, Like chieftain arm'd with brazen helm and shield; He urged his suit, and met with no success ; A second blow chastised his eagerness. But since a blow from silken hand of dame With no dishonour soils a warrior's name. Like oil it served to increase the Asa's flame. Once more he to the charge return'd, array'd This time in guise of lowly waiting-maid : He sold his liberty, with fondest care And earnest zeal to serve his mistress fair : He wash'd her feet on each revolving night. And in the humblest duties felt delight : This moved her tender heart : and that relief. Which to the hardy smith and plume-clad chief She had refused, she voluntary gave To the profound devotion of a slave. " Still more of Odin's various loves, in spite Of Saga's prudence, can I bring to light, CANTO XXr. 233 Although she graves them on her sable shield In mystic runes, from vulgar ken conceal'd. When first was ratified the bond of peace Between the Asar and the Vaner race, Loud through the mountains of the eastern chain Was heard of love and bhss the jocund strain. The Vaner damsels with long streaming hair, Their forms voluptuous to the girdle bare, Join'd in the mazy dance and rais'd the song ' To crash of cymbals and the sound of gong. The vine's rich juice their cheeks had colour'd high And gave fresh lustre to each flashing eye ; Such thriUing accents from their pouting lips, Such melting tones were heard, as might echpse The strain of nightingale, when to the grove He lures his mate with blandishments of love. " Now to the deepest glen the nymphs withdrew; The Asar close th' alluring prey pursue. Heimdal soon vanish'd ; Vidar, too, the grave, Most taciturn of all the Asar brave. Who ne'er his prowess boasts ; then Hermod flew Into the copse, and, some say, Odin too. Well, well ! the transports of that blissful night The genial bard engender'd, Qvaser (2) hight ; His mother was a damsel of sixteen, Fair-hair'd, blue-eyed, of loveliest shape and mien; She brought him forth amidst the myrtle grove, And gave him to the gods, a pledge of love. 234 THE GODS OF THE NOUTH. ' ' He grew to manhood fast, was wise and strong. And from his mother learn'd the art of song. With various talents blest and generous mind, He travell'd o'er the earth to serve mankind, And much he joy'd to place within their reach All that his wisdom or his skill could teach. But mahce slumbers not ; at close of day It lies in ambush to destroy its prey. Qvaser oft wander'd o'er the mountain steep ; Two scowling dwarfs there kill'd him while asleep ; Into a golden vase they pour'd his blood, From which, with honey mix'd, a drink they brew'd This drink the Scalds' bright science could inspire, ; And fill man's bosom with poetic fire. The vengeance of Valhalla to prevent And screen their guilt, the dwarfs a tale invent ; They spread abroad that Qvaser they had found In the deep flood of his own wisdom drown'd. But to conceal their crime they strove in vain ; And ample vengeance for his brother slain On those malignant dwarfs brave Suttung took ; He seized them both and bound them to a rock ; That rock, by stormy billows lash'd, doth stand In the mid ocean, distant far from land. As a still further punishment, he left The traitors hfe, of all its joys bereft : There haunts them still the ghost of Qvaser slain, And hunger gnaws them with eternal pain." Frey sigh'd, young Skirnir smiled, and still his tale Continued sprightly : " Suttung did not fail CANTO XXI. 236 To seize the vasefiU'd with the precious juice, For well he knew its value and its use ; The vase he trusted to no dragon's care, But to his prudent daughter, GunUod fair. Then Odin first conceived the project bold Of gaining mast'ry of that vase of gold : He mounted on his courser, Sleipner hight, And swift descending from Valhalla's height, Soon reach'd a field, where arm'd with scythes he vie w'd Nine savage goblins of the Jotun brood, Intent, by the broad streaming northern light, To cut down all a peasant's corn that night ; And Odin knew their master, Bauge, dwell'd In a huge cave close bord'ring on the field. No deference pay to justice or to right The thievish giants ; their sole law is might : They rove the world around and laugh to scorn The Asar's golden rules ; the peasant's corn They carry off, while he lies fast asleep. And, what he sows, those ruthless robbers reap. Night of their force and fraud conceals each trace, For Night herself is of the giant race : Her sire, the giant Narf ; an Asa bright, Delling, became her husband ; then did Night Give birth to honest Day : thus oft arise Virtue and grace from ughness and viqe. But Night when she o'er earth her ride extends. Mounted on Hrimfax, whom she often lends To Skada, acts in concert with the brood Of giants, and conceals their deeds of blood. 236 THE GODS OF THE NORTH Rut Moon, the graceful child with golden hair About her temples, boasts a courage rare, And far beyond her sex and age ; 'tis she Exposes oft the giants' villany ; And when from a dark cloud with radiant head Fair Moon emerges, to the rocks they speed To hide themselves ; but soon commence again, And to their mountain lair bear off amain The fruits and treasures of the luckless swain. Then when the husbandman walks o'er the field At dawn of day, and views his harvest fell'd And all laid waste, he thinks the nightly frost Hath caused the mischief and his labours cross'd. Then he complains to Frey, but vain his prayer ;" Frey sigh'd, and gaz'd around with vacant stare. Skirnir continued ; still he hoped, forsooth, With tales and jests his master's mind to sooth. " But not alone the giants mischief cause, The cunning dwarfs too oft infringe the laws ; They, when the summer breeze embalms the air. In shape of ants and cockchafers repair To th' field, and there devour the ears of corn. Laughing the wretched peasant's plaint to scorn. When Odin now the thievish giants view'd, Pity and indignation fired his blood ; He took out from his pouch a polished stone, (3) Than which for sharp'ning scythes a better one Could not be found ; then call'd out loud and blythe 'Which of ye needs a stone to wet his scythe ?' CANTO XX[. 237 He threw it high in air, but as it fell, The greedy giants had with rancour fell. Disputing for the stone, each other slain, And streams of blood incarnadined the plain. " Then Odin towards the mountain hied him strait And knock'd, with Bolverk's name, at Bauge's gate ; He there took service, and with nine men's power For the nine reapers household labours bore ; But this condition fix'd, Bauge a road Should find him to fair Gunliod's abode. Now Bauge bored the rock, and Odin blew Into the hole, but the dust backward flew Into his eyes. The giant's trick was plain ; The hole was not made straight ; but when again Bauge his borer used, the god applied Quickly his mouth and blew. To th' other side Now flew the dust ; the aperture was free ; And Odin, in a serpent's form, with glee Glides through the rock ; the giant with his steel Strikes after, but in vain he strives the snake to kill. And Odin, when he reach'd the other side, Besumed his proper form with conscious pride. With snow-white arm beneath her cheek of rose, There Gunliod slumb'ring lay in deep repose ; While the lamp spread a ilick'ring ray around, Odin beheld the vase with garlands crown'd. Odin presents himself, not fiercely now Like a wild man, but with majestic brow 23H THE GODS OF THE NORTH. He stands ; then with a lover's ardour kneels Before the maid, and all his soul reveals. • His eloquence, his manly beauty gain'd Her heart ; three nights with Gunliod he remain'd. And oft, while on his mistress' form he gaz'd, She to her lover's lips the mystic vessel rais'd. Right lustily he drank ; then with his prize Triumphant he regain'd his native skies," Now Skirnir ceas'd his story, and awhile Gazed on his master with an artful smile ; Then Frey his silence broke : " So ! thus doth love An Asa ! sensual joys alone their passion move ! The sweeter fruit of sentiment, I trow, The race of Bor and Bure do not know. Skirnir ! did the Fates to Frey accord To dwell on Hlidskialf's tower, like Valhall'slord, How fortunate ! then every morn the sight Of Gerda would my ravish'd soul delight. This would repay me amply for my sighs And for my nightly tears : alas ! there lies A barrier insurmountable between My love and me : all I dare hope to glean Is her dear image, which can ne'er depart ; Here, here, it lies, deep buried in my heart. Of her bright charms the deep imprinted trace Nor time nor circumstance can e'er efface. What greater pleasure, Skirnir ! can we prove, Than to behold the darling maid we love ? CANTO XXI. 239 Oh yes ! there is a pleasure far more sweet ; When looks reciprocal our glances meet, And earnest give of future sympathy : Oh ! 'tis the most enchanting melody, When the sweet voice of the beloved fair Whispers " I love thee" in her lover's ear. Yet e'en the tongue can ne'er its happiness, With half the ardour, half the force express. As doth an eye, whose silent eloquence Reveals each thought, and beams with love intense. " Now hie thee swift to the dark giant's land, And execute Valfader's stern command ! Procure a fetter forged with mystic spell Fenris the wolf to chain, that monster fell ! Not difficult the task will prove, methinks. For the dwarf's science from no labour shrinks. But neither mystic spell nor magic chain Can to Valhalla bind my heart again : To Gerda solely it belongs ; it flies With wings impetuous through the azure skies Over Ginnungagap, abyss profound. And hovers with delight the mountain fair around. But shouldst thou find the dear enchanting maid, Tell her what thou hast seen, what Prey hath said! Doubtless already me with scorn she views ; The giant's hate the Asar still pursues. As for the rest she is too wondrous fair, Too graceful in her manners, shape and air, •i40 THE GODS OF THE NORTH. Not to expect with sighs and homage meet A host of lovers kneeling at her feet. And if the swain, to whom she plights her vow, Is less esteem'd by the whole world below. Than is the god — should Gerda preference give To him — what then avails my proud prerogative ? " Farewell! Now hie thee hence, my Skirnir brave! To execute the order Odin gave. But on thy master's woes be silent still! E'en could I hope to bend her father's will, Could he, though giant-like to softness steel'd, From interested views be taught to yield, What then ? but little comfort this would prove ; The father's power! court not, but the love Of his fair daughter. O thou Gerda dear ! Couldst thou but view thy ardent lover here Immersed in grief profound, thy generous heart Some words of comfort would, perhaps, impart : Would give asylum to affection's sighs. And learn a suitor thus sincere to prize. Thus doth the mountain's summit wrapt in snow Melt by degrees before the summer's glow, And to a plant gives birth, which scents the gale, More fragrant than the lily of the vale." Thus spoke the god, and sat him down beside The brook to weep ; the waters onward glide, And, as they flow, receive the lover's tears. While mirror-like the stream his beauteous ima£:e bears. CANTO XXI. 241 But Skirnir, who in missions from the god So oft had visited the dwarfs' abode, Had learnt their various arts ; and now while Frey Sat gazing on the stream with mournful eye, Skirnir, I say, with sudden impulse took A handful of the water from the brook, Which the reflection of Frey's image gave ; Into his horn he quickly pour'd the wave, And stopp'd it with a cork ; then to his side Made fast the horn, and gallop'd off with pride. This artifice by Frey was noticed not ; Gerda alone absorb'd his ev'ry thought. 21 «i(K®® Hf «< FREY S PLAINT AT THE FOUNTAIN. Swain ! who sighest sad with cheek so pale, And to the gentle Freya dost complain, Because thy vows and ardour naught avail The love of a proud maiden's heart to gain : Because to thee no joys the vernal gale Affords : Ah ! blame not Freya ! she thy pain Beholds and shares ; forlorn, a pray to woe Herself, her golden tears incessant flow. (1) Naught surely can compete with love's delight; But love resembles much a northern spring : For one day's pure and genial solar light, iNine days of sleet and cloud discomfort bring. Many the birds whose screams the ear affright, But few there are, that can melodious sing : While lapwings, sparrows, owlets never fail. Seldom is heard the voice of nightingale. CANTO XXII. 243 A graceful maid is rarely to be found ; But should the object of thy fond pursuit Shine forthto view with matchless beauty crown'd, She may be silly, harsh, or dissolute ; But e'en if beauty, virtue, judgment sound, All in thy choice unite, what doth it boot ? She for another feels a sympathy, And with indiff'rence turns her eyes from thee. To guarantee the zest complete of love, How many things must be on earth combined ! First, two hearts which a mutual passion prove : Then grace and beauty, with a soul refined : Then the moon shining through the beechen grove, When the spring greets the earth with zephyrs kind Then meeting without danger or suspense : Then the embrace ; and with that — innocence. CaK«® XXM1< THE JOURNEY OF SKIRNIR.* INow Skirnir, eager his zeal to prove, Down Bifrost urges his course amain, And, speeding through Hertha's gloomy grove, Soon reaches the Giant's drear domain. 'Twas like the wind blowing o'er the road, Which gate nor barrier hath power to stop : 'Twas hke the blast raging o'er the flood, Which lashes to foam the billow's top. Now Skirnir thought : " Pitch dark is the night, Brakes, briars, and brambles impede my course : And the wind and the ram with all their might 'Gainst the bosom beat of my jaded horse. But if no Giant in th' hour of need To give me refuge as guest will deign, Then Skirnir must on his panting steed Return in haste to Valhalla again." * Respecting the metre of this Canto, see the note. CANTO XXlll. 215 To Elivagor he chose the road, He came to a fiord, (1) and fain would cross : And there at the brink a ferryman stood With wrinkled brow, and with aspect cross. " Who art thou, fellow, that standst so grave Upright in thy bark ?" thus Skirnir cried : " "If thou wilt ferry me o'er the wave, I'll give thee oatcakes, and herrings beside. " Upon my shoulder ray wallet see ! Therein of provisions a store I've put." Then answer'd the ferryman scornfully : " Fine horseman thou, with thy shoeless foot I (2) A woollen kirtle is all thy treasure. Yet thou talkst Uke a lord of wealth and power. Hal thinkst thou slaves to thy will and pleasure Us Giants to find at the midnight hour ?" SKIRMR. Steer hither thy bark ! thou grumbling wight ! Thy name and thy lineage quick declare ! Why stand there idle the livelong night, And lose every chance to earn a fare ? IIARBABU. A INidding is he who denies his name ; Yet were I base as the torrent's scum, 246 THE GODS OF THE NORTH. My biith to reveal I'd feel no shame : 'Tis not such as thou shalt make me dumb. SKIKMK. 1 seek not to cross the fiord, I swear, To teach thee manners and language meet : But thou hast perchance a sister fair, Who would more courteous a stranger greet ; Or thou art link'd to a beauteous bride. Who would not disdain on a youth to smile : Then ferry me quick to the other side ! I fain would commune with her awhile. UARBARD. Aye ! aye ! our females are smart and fair ; That Odin himself must needs confess : I only wish more renown'd they were For constancy and for gentleness. If in search of beauty thou makest thy trip, Thou'lt meet with dames that will please thee well : Bnt beware lest a kiss from the wife's soft lip Be repaid by a kiss from the husband's steel ! SKIKMK. Like dogs forsooth are your mountain brood, Envious and snarling and quarrelsome ; CANTO XXIII. 2n Who to other creatures refuse the food, Which they themselves can never consume. Incapable of true love are ye, Yet ye fain would exact return of love : Ye seek not to hide your inconstancy, Yet expect your matrons should constant prove. HARB4RD. Thou hast talk'd enough : 'tis an envious theme Now rest thee, and quench thy thirst, and eat ! But ere I ferry thee o'er the stream, Thou must proof exhibit of talent meet.' No fare from trav'llers I'm wont to take ; But if they cannot give answers good To every question I chuse to make, Down at once thev sink in the dark blue flood. And now the goblin began to ask Young Skirnir about the orbs of heaven : What various names ('twas no easy task) To the sun and moon and stars were given : To earth and water, to fire and air, To plants and trees, to the wind and rain : And what the terms expressive were, Which all their properties explain. 24S THE GODS OF THE NORTH. Rut Skirnir's answers never fail, And all his ready wit display : ' ' The earth is call'd by the Asar, vale ,• By the Alter, green .- by the Vaner, wa9/ ,- The cave of metals^ by Dwarfs 'tis named : Fruit-bearer^ by all the Giant brood." Then Harbard, raising his oar, exclaimed : " In truth, my hero ! thou answer'st good." " Heaven," Skirnir quickly then rejoin'd, " Is term'd by the Asar the ceiling blue ; The Vaner term it the realm of wind: And drypsal (4) 'tis call'd by the Dvergar crew : Fairloft by the Alfs : by the Giants 'tis hight Opheim. (5)" All these answers, 'twas plain to see, Were much approved by the ferrying wight, And Skirnir's cakes he devour'd with glee. " To the moon by the Dwarfs, I know full well, Of yellow-shiner the name is given : By the Asar, dreamer in the vale .• By Hela 'tis term'd the wJieel of heaven .- By the Alfs, year-reckoner .- the Giants proud With the name inconstant soil the moon : " Then Harbard chuckled, and cried aloud : " Much knowledge, 'tis plain, thou hast, my son!" CANTO XXIII. 24'.) ' ' The sun is call'd the darter of rays In Valaskialf by the Asar all : But the Dwarfs, who cannot endure its blaze, Sight-blinder the glorious orb miscall : 'Tis named by the Alfs the wreath of gold .• J^Tight-vanquisher by the Giant breed." These answers grave Harbard much extoU'd, And herrings he eat with his oaten bread. " The cloud that flits the heavens along Is term'd by the Asar the car of Thor .■ Bain-dropper in every Vaner's song : And runaway base in the Giant's lore : By the Alfs shade-giver ; the Dwarfs, who thrive In their grots, and dislike the glare of day, (6) To the cloud the term umhrella give, Since it shields them well from the solar ray. " The wind doth many a title claim From the denizens of air and earth : The wide-embracer is its name, The blust'rer, railer, and so forth. The metal-melter^ the smoky-veiVd^ Are appellations given to fire. And hair of tJie earth the trees are call'd. When their branches wave in their green attire." •^JO THE (iODS OK THE NORTH. Fresh questions the boatman grave proposed, IJut the answers of Skirnir never fail. Of day and of night the names he posed, And those bestow'd on corn and ale. Then Harbard said : " Ne'er met my eyes A man with wisdom so profound : Yet Gestur's riddles, 1 surmise, Will far beyond thy reach be found." Grim Harbard now unmoor'd his bark, And briskly Skirnir stepp'd on board ; For naught he valued the Giants dark, And felt secure with his trusty sword. And though the frightful boatman stared As stiff as a corpse with his evil eye, Yet not a whit was the hero scared, For his witchcraft all he could well defy. llxii Harbard soon lays down his oar. For lo ! the skiff no guidance needs : Steady it nears the mountain shore, Urged by the stream, which upwards speeds. UnUke all other streams this wave, Which from the mountains take their source, And toward the sea, their common grave, Flow downward with unerring course. CANTO X\1H. i.)! Swift gliding on the wizard brook, They reach a drear and barren spot. Where dews in vain bathe the naked rock, Nor plant nor blade of grass takes root. No bird's soft carol here fills the sky, All nature here seems a lifeless corse ; Naught is heard but the owl, which flitting by Assails the ear with warnings hoarse. 'Twas night : the earth in frost was bound Thick flakes of snow from heaven descend : Rising on every side around. Huge ice-bergs seem their course to fend : The shaggy beard of Harbard froze, And icicles his ringlets deck'd : But naught could Skirnir discompose ; On him the cold had no effect. 'Twas day : a torrent rustling through A drear and sandy desert flow'd ; The wind like breath from furnace blew ; The sun was veil'd by sultry cloud ; A thirsty buffalo its snout Protruded from the tepid wave : Yet scorching heats and vapours naught Affect the nerves of Skirnir brave. ^^•i THE GODS OF THE NORTH. Quoth Ilarbard : " Friend ! 1 must allow, Thy nature can all climes withstand : Thou heedest neither Greenland's snow, Nor scorching suns of Negroland." rhen Skirnir answer'd smiling. " Right ! Nor heat nor cold should travellers dread : Were I a soft effeminate wight, Think'st thou, I should so far have sped?" The bark now with redoubled speed Shot 'gainst a perpendic'lar rock; The bark had timbers proof at need, Else were it split by such a shock : But naught alarm'd was Skirnir bold, When dash'd against the marble steep. Now Harbard's brows in wrinkles roU'd, And many a curse he murmur'd deep. " Now we're arrived upon the strand ; Yon silver-hair'd blind veteran see ! If thou hast wit at thy command, The cavern's gate he'll ope for thee. If thou his riddles canst unravel, The mountain's treasures he'll display : But hast thou doubts, 'twere best to travel Homeward, young friend, without delay. CANTO XXllI. 253 " For Gestur none admits, before His (8) riddles they correct unfold : In chains of copper by his door Yon four ferocious dogs behold ! His riddles shouldst thou fail to guess, On thee he'll loose his mastiffs strait ; Then will thy mangled Umbs express In language clear the wand'rer's fate." ' ' I am prepared for all his guile ; Let him begin forthwith his task ! And thou wilt find, that I have skill To solve each riddle he may ask." "Nay! nay! thou dost, advent' rous youth, Thy skill, perhaps, too highly prize : But now 'tis time from Gestur's mouth To hear them : Hark !" aloud he cries. GESTLR. What is it that union and mirth inspires, Yet oft is the cause of quarrel and strife? Which oft the tongue with eloquence fires, Yet oft deprives it of power and life ? SKIRNIR. Not difficult is this question, I trow; Mead is the key to the riddle proposed : 254 THE OODS OF THE NORTH. Wit from the mead-horn dotli oiten tlow ; By the mead-cup oft is tlie fool exposed. GESTl B. 1 pass'd on a road, where three roads met, Yet these roads never touch'd each other, llowe'er ingenious thy mother wit, Here's a nut to crack, thy brains will bother. SKIRNIR. To a frost-bound river thou didst come, And o'er the ice thou didst glide with speed, While under thy feet the fishes swum, And birds in the air tlew o'er thy head. GESTIB. I yesterday drank, but water 'twas not, iNor any pottage with liquid drench'd, i\or wine, nor beer, nor mead was my lot, Yet my burning thirst was easily quench'd. SKIRNIB. Beneath a tree thou didst lay thee down, While the dews of night all creation drench'd ; At morn thou didst lick the dew from the stone, And thus thy thirst was easily quench'd. CANTO XX in. -ibh GESTIR. A two nosed bride groom I know full well, Who kisses his bride with such ardent zeal, That if thy finger were placed between, His nose would smash both bone and skin. SKIRMR. The answer deft I can scarcely miss : Who would not shrink from the ardent kiss, That the hammer to the anvil gives, When his trade the smith laborious drives ? GESTl'R. Two creatures without lungs 1 know ; Yet such is the force with which they blow, That metals they melt, and snakes they breed. Which have power to hiss and to bite, when dead, SKIRNIB. Thy lungless wights are the smith's mst bellows, And swords for the warrior's use thev form : How weak would prove e'en the bravest fellows Without their swords in the battle's storm ! GESTIR. A wondrous weaver there is forsooth, Who sits on his woof, and weaves hi^ cloth : 256 THE GODS OF THE NORTH. His eyes are four, and his legs are eight, And his knees exceed his body in height. SEIRMR. I would not as model of beauty cite The spider, yet he's an industrious wight ; He 's thrifty too ; and from his own breast He weaves his woof, and he builds his nest. GESTIR. 'Twas black as a raven, and bright as a shield, And sharp as a spit, as it lay on the field, But lately it glow'd with an ardent flame, But now like the grave it is cold and tame. SKIKNIR. 'Thou sawst the lava from Hecla flow, Which in the sun's beam so bright did glow ; But o'er snow-clad fields meandering down, It ceased to flow, and it turn'd to stone. GESTIR. / Of a white-hair'd female I've been told. Who well knows how white balls to mould ; Yet hath this female never a hand : This riddle, pray ! dost thou understand ? CANTO XX[II. 257 SKIBNIR. 'Tis the long-neck'd sivan with its colour white, Who loves to sail on the lake so bright : No hands hath she, but her yellow feet Can give to her eggs the figure meet. GESTLR. A corpse sat riding a corpse upon, And though without Hfe the steed moved on ; Across the river it speeded fast, And stopp'd on the opposite bank at last. SKIRMK. On the ice lay a horse deprived of breath, And on it an eagle frozen to death : On the drifting ice the courser sped Across the stream, although it w'as dead. GESTt'R. Who is it in ashes sleeps like a slave, And seems neither life nor vigour to have? Yet when 'tis angry, and throws off its mask, O ! then its mercy 'tis vain to ask. SKIRMR. In the midst of ashes the glimmering spark No one ever deigns to notice or mark : 22 258 THE GODS OF THK NORTH. Yet should it escape, and flame abroad, Tlieii woe to each straw-roof'd dwelling of wood I GESTIR, Who is that wizard with cloak of grey That speeds o'er forest and stream his way ? Who flies 'fore the wind, and not from the lance, And darkens the sun's beneficent glance ? SKIRNIB. Thy riddle is easy, Gestur blind ! 'Tis the cloud compels the sun to yield : lint iNiord comes riding upon the wind. And the cloud in turn must quit the field. GESTIK. What beast is that in yonder field Whose house protects him Uke a shield? Toad-like in form, his house of horn May laugh the serpent's tooth to scorn. SEIBPilR. The tortoise thou must mean, I'm sure ; Beneath his shell he sits secure : Happy the chief who takes the field, Guarded by such a powerful shield ! CANTO XXIII. 259 GESTL'R. Who are those lively females, say ! In summer clad in hue of clay, But when stern winter hovers in sight, They flaunt in bridal robes of white ? SKIBIMR. Thou speakst oi partridges, 1 guess ; While winter lasts, white is their dress ; Like bears, their coats aside they fling, And brown, like clay, become in spring. GESTLR. What nymphs are those, who speed away, Unmarried, to their dying day ; While caps on their dark locks are worn, And flowing trains their backs adorn? SKIRMR. Thou meanest sure the waves of ocean, Which winds so easy put in motion, But to a speedy end they come ; Their joy is naught but froth and scum. GESTin. Who plunges oft in the sea profound, And joys with tooth to seize the ground ? 2C0 THE GODS OF THE NORTH. Who saveth many a chieftain good From dangers dire by wind or tlood? SKIRMK. This riddle doth, wizard bhnd ! With thoughts subUme inspire my mind : The anchor surely thou dost mean, Emblem of Hope to mortal men. GESTIB. What guests are those, that in silence drain A cup, which unemptied doth still remain? Though the guests in silence their bellies fill, The cup itself makes a clamour shrill. SKIRMR. Each little jt»(<7 abstains from noise, When he his mother's milk enjoys : But never the mother can silence keep, She grunts for pastime loud and deep. GESTIB. Thy wits will fail thee, I surmise, Shouldst thou perchance a monster meet. Who boasts ten tongues and twenty eyes, W' ith twice five tails, and forty feet. CANTO XXHl. "JOl SKIRMK. Thy frightful beast, Gestur blind ! Can with no terrors fill my mind: The pregnant sow be pleased to slay That stands by yonder trough, 1 pray ! " The sow was slain ; such was her doom ; They counted the pigs in the mother's womb Skirnir, in troth, had guess'd aright, For lo ! nine farrow appear'd in sight. The news threw Gestur into fits -, Too great for him was this mental shock : Changed to a statue there he sits For aye, upon that fatal rock! Now wagg'd their tails, were mild and lame The dogs, so fierce and wild before : When Skirnir to the mountain came, Wide open flew the cavern door : And in went Skirnir, fearless swain, His master's errand to fulfil : Of peril reckless and of pain, He felt he was an Asa still. Through the rock's windings intricate Without a torch he found the road ; He reach'd an open silver gale, Near which a stream o'er diamonds tlow'd. CilK®® mi'¥< GERDA S LOVE. Skirmr the open silver portal view'd, And through an archway straight his course pursued : The passage, cut through coal, and polish'd bright, Gave to the traveller sufficient light. But soon, when he some paces onward sped, Again the starry vault shone o'er his head. To a court-yard he came ; and there his eyes Met with a sight that fill'd him with surprize : For there, instead of ducks and hens, a brood Of snakes and lizards crawl'd about for food, (1) Which from her apron's fold a maiden threw, And call'd them to be fed in accents strange and new. But all at once the maid, when she espied The swain, rush'd back behind a porch, and cried Stoutly for help : her speech brave Skirnir naught Could comprehend ; 'twas Finnish, as he thought. A numerous train of carles and maidens, scared At the shrill sound, stept forth and round them stared. Skirnir observ'd them close : their stature shoit And squab ; their visage sallow ; coarse, lank, swart CANTO XXIV. 2iVi Their hair ; small eyes that with no meaning glow ; Nostrils compress'd ; a forehead flat and low ; Their fingers, like dried carrots, long and lean ; Awkward their gait ; ignoble all their mien : Their looks betray, so lustreless, so tame, Their portion scant of the celestial flame : In Finnmark and in Greenland such a race May still be found, devoid of soul or grace. " Now help me, Thor !" quoth Skirnir, in despite : ** Hath my good master lost his senses quite ? Is then his love a witch like one of these. Whose aspect bare the warmest blood would freeze ? Love's blind, they say, but madness 'twere, forsooth, For such a hero in the bloom of youth To pair off with a damsel so uncouth." Thus musing towards the porch he cast a glance, And there beheld from 'midst her train advance The beauteous Gerda : wonder and delight Enchant his soul at such a vision bright ! He stood entranced, and dumb : e'en so doth stand The humble swain, when at his lord's command He ploughs the earth, and turning up the mould. Discovers fiU'd with coins a vase of gold. Now could he well conceive his master's flame, For ne'er his eyes beheld a lovelier dame : Notgolden-hued her locks, like those which deck The brow of Freya ; down her ivory neck Part flow in ebon ringlets, part entwine With many a glossy wrcalh her front divine : 2fiJ THE GODS OF THE NORTH. Not heavenly blue her eyes, like those which grace The lofty females of the Asar race ; But like two garnets dark they fervent beam, And fix the heart with soul-subduing gleam. In just proportion every' feature shone, And all combin'd to form a paragon. Now Skirnir, when the power of speech again He felt, address'd the fair, and to explain His mission straight began ; but with disdain Hasty she answer'd : '^ To thy lord return ! And tell him, Frey for me may vainly burn. Ne'er let him hope to touch my heart, still less The mountain damsel in his arms to press : 1 hate him ; is he not of Asar race ? And can we e'er forget the dire disgrace Heap'd on us giants ? by their mystic spells Our Utgard-Lok in gloomiest caverns dwells. Yet is his prison vast ; we still can boast A world more glorious than the one we've lost. We hold more treasures in our grots profound, Than on the surface of the earth are found. With ether's glitt'ring orbs let Odin toy ; In frothy billows JEgir seek his joy ; Frigga in fading flow'rets boast her choice ; The Alfs in unsubstantial air rejoice: But we possess fire, metals, precious stones, At our command the fierce volcano groans : We need but nod, as the proud courser shakes His mane, earth with a fev'rish motion quakes : CANTO XXIV. 265 Walls, castles, towns are levell'd with the ground, And forests sink in wat'ry wastes profound. Though Odin in Valhalla boast his might, Lok hath an elder and superior right, And earth still owns him lord : but think ! think ! The time will come when all your power shall shrink : Your race expire ; Valhall in flames be hurl'd ; Though now ye vainly dream to rule the world." INow to fair Gerda answer'd Skirnir mild : " Who taught thee such conceits? thou lovely child 1 Not from thy own conception comes thy speech ; Too innocent thy heart such flights to reach : For Utgard-Lok thou knowst not, ne'er hast seen. With hair upright hke quills and swarthy mien : This from thy father thou hast learnt, 1 ween. 'Tis well ; that thy opinions are the same As his, who shall thy filial reverence blame ? Yet think again ! but distantly art thou Allied with Utgard-Lok, who reigns below : INaught with that chief in common dost thou share ; He, frightful to behold ; thou, wondrous fair. Like rose-bud thou, t'embalm the air design'd ; Like deadly nightshade he, to blast mankind. Yet oft the virtues of a child suffice To expiate her father's crimes and vice : From unlike sources various products spring ; Joy sometimes grief ; misfortune bliss doth bring. Between the sand runs not the muddy stream So long, till purified it shows a gleam •JGf. THE GODS OF THE NOIMU. Like tliat ol diamond ? in its surface bright The maidens then to view their forms delight. From mould impure sweet flowers their birth derive, Yet lift their heads in air, and fragrant thrive. ]Now let the rose of love thy front entwine, And with earth's brightest jewel heaven combine !" INow Gerda thus replied in soften'd tone : " Thy speech is courteous and discreet, 1 own : With zeal and eloquence dost thou fulfill The task imposed thee by thy sov'reign's will : So now depart ! but first, I pray thee, taste, Thy strength to renovate, our night's repast, Then quick returning to thy bright domain Inform thy anxious lord, his suit is vain. Tell him, however prudent, smooth and kind Thy words, they naught have intluenc'd Gerda's mind. Stout champions, brave in war, our mountains yield, Chiefs, whom in power the Asar ne'er excell'd : Should such a chief one day his passion prove For me, and bend my heart to mutual love. Then will the mountain nymph with joy and pride Accept his hand, and hail the name of bride. Here in my native vales content I live ; (2) 'Midst mountains high, and fountains clear 1 thrive. A princess too by birth, born to conmiand, Among the giant race pre-eminent 1 stand, j And, trust me! not so humble or so low Doth Gerda feel, as with submissive brow CANTO XXIV. 267 T'intriule hersell amongst the gods on high-, To meet contempt from every Disa's eye, Who hold my birth too mean, myself too base To form alliance with the Asar race." " Therein thou dost the fair Asynior wrong ; (Thus Skirnir answer'd with persuasive tongue) Pride, arrogance prevail amongst mankind, But in a Disa's soul ne'er harbour find. The features grand that mark the gods on high Are virtue, wisdom, and simplicity, Not birth ; since 'tis well known the gods among, That Thor and Odin both from nothing sprung. Like insects, at Alfader's nod ; though now On ValhalFs throne they sit with radiant brow." To him replied the lively Gerda : " Love, For what we know not, we can never prove. 1 know my native vale, each rock, each field, But Frey or Valhall ne'er my eyes beheld. Me hath he never seen ; whence springs his flame At once so ardent for the mountain dame ? Methinks, to tell thee truth, my gentle swain I All goes not right in thy fond master's brain." And now his master's actions and his fate Did Skirnir circumstantially relate : How he ascended lllidskialf's lofty tower, And what from thence he view'd in Gerda's bower -'6H THE GODS OF THE NORTH. How, when her charms she bared, love's potent dart At once Iransfix'd his vacillating heart. With downcast look and palpitating breast, Deep blushing, Gerda listen'd to her guest. But when young Skirnir talk'd about the moon, She laughed, and quick resumed her jesting tone. '' If like the moon thy master be," she said, " Let him ne'er hope to win a youthful maid ! For pale and sallow is the moon ; such hue All blooming damsels with repugnance view : Such love is lukewarm." — " Nay !" the swain replied, " Did Frey once press thee in his arms as bride. Thou wouldst not of his lukewarm love complain ; But since my powers of argument are vain, 'Twere best I seek my couch ; but first, 1 pray, Let me the bower, where thou dost sleep, survey. A present from my sov'reign lord 1 bear For thee, which I would fain deposit there." Laughing, she pointed out her chamber-door. Then went herself his supper to procure ; For Gerda was by nature good and kind. And Skirnir's jovial frankness pleased her mind. Skirnir now stood alone ; her couch he view'd, Near which a vase of alabaster stood, Wherein the maid, before she went to rest, Was wont to lave her face, her arras, her breast : 'Twas fiU'd with water : with his projert pleas'd. In haste his horn the gallant Skirnir seiz'd ; CANTO XXIV. .^09 Within the vase all its contents he pour'd, And charged it with the image of his lord. This done, he left the bower of Gerda strait, And his own chamber sought with mind elate. But now the mountain damsel, when her guest And all her menials had retired to rest, Flew to her chamber, curious to behold t The gift from Valhall brought by Skirnir bold. Curling her lip, as maids are wont to do, She thus exclaim'd with laugh contemptuous : '• Now I needs must view the wond'rous present given By the enamour'd denizen of heaven. What can it be ? diamonds, or rubies bright. Silver, or gold are common in my sight : Such treasures in our spacious grots abound, But in the skies, I trow, are seldom found." But when around she look'd, and naught could find, She laughed again, but anger vex'd her mind : " I thought as much ; a miserable joke; Worthy of Asar ;" jeering thus she spoke. " 1 must allow, the gods do far surpass In fraud and mockery our giant race." And now the maid began to loose her zone, And from her shoulders doff the woollen gown : Bared to the middle by the diamond's light She stands ; what glorious charms appear in sight ! •■i70 THE (iODS OF THE NOIITH. In th' hollow of her hand she caught the wave To cool her purple cheek, her front to lave ; Hut when she view'd the image bright of Frey Reflected in the wave, a piercing cry She gave, and started back with fear assail'd ; Then blushing, cross-ways o'er her bosom held Her arms, and catching up her robe in haste, Around her beauteous body wound it fast. But soon to admiration changed her fear, And to her mind the stratagem was clear. Wrapp'd in her garment to the neck, she flew Once more the image beautiful to view : The form divine of the enchanting god Melted the maiden's heart, and fired her blood : What majesty displays his forehead high ! What tender mournful smiles beam from his eye Of fire ! his bosom seems t'exhale a sigh : 'Twas meant for Gerda ; from his polish'd brow A down his ivory neck the golden tresses flow : With hand placed on his heart he seems to say ; " Here Gerda reigns with undisputed sway !" Pensive awhile she stood ; nor was aware That down her damask cheek had roll'd a tear Into her lover's mouth : an ardent flame, O wonder ! from the gelid water came, And enter'd deep her heart : now with a sigh. O'er the vase leaning, she exclaim'd : "0 Frey !" Then sudden started back once more, afraid, Some prying witness might her bower invade : Rut when secure that she alone was there, She oft bow'd down to kiss the image fair. CANTO XXIV. It vanish'd now within the eddying wave, Which had the power thy purple mouth to lave, But not to cool thy hps, O virgin bright ! But when the water clear again in sight Brought back the image of the god beloved, Beflection deep the heart of Gerda moved. Seldom with greater care explores the sage The vast conceptions that his mind engage, Than doth the deep-enamour'd maiden trace Each separate feature of her lover's face ; O'erlooking, while each beauty glads her heart, In favour of the whole, each faulty part. But here must Gerda search for faults in vain ; Perfect was Frey ; without one flaw or stain His form ; a god, a prince amongst the Asar train. Now vanish'd all her pride ; she now became Soft as a dove, and gentle as a Iamb : Now slides her 'kerchief from her ivory neck ; The air was warm ; no fears her passion check. " This image, by the waves' reflection made, This image cannot see," she blushing said : " I cannot rest enjoy, until 1 lave My arms and bosom in the cooling wave." Thus said, her tunic from her breast she threw, And stood with half her charms exposed to view : 'Twas thus, as poets tell, fair Embla stood, When bursting from the tree her Askur first she view'd. Now on her couch she fain would court repose, But strove in vain to sleep ; full oft she rose 272 THE GODS OF THE NORTH. To look into the basin standing nigh, And contemplate the much-lov'd form of Frey. At length the gentle Siofna, who unseen 'Midst Gerda's train had enter'd, and the scene Had witness'd, felt compassion for the maid, And waved her poppy garland o'er her head : She closed her eyelids with her magic art, And sent delightful dreams to gladden Gerda's heart. ®iiK®® ffw< SKIRNIR FDLFILS HIS ERRAND.* When Skirnir awoke at the morning light, (The sunbeams redden the sky) , With friendly mien, all with brass bedight, The Giant his couch stood by ; Like a Guldbrand pine so tall, so strong ; (The birds on the trees sing sweet) In his hand he bore an iron pole long, And Skirnir he came to greet. His daughter stood near him with witching look ; (On the flow' rets the dew-drops shine) As the ivy around the gnarled oak. Thus did Gerda her sire entwine. A cup of drink for Skirnir he bore ; (The sunbeams redden the sky) " Before," quoth he, " thou leavest my door, Hear, and take with thee my reply ! " Respecting the metre of this Canto, see the note. 23 271 THE GODS OF THE NORTH. " Young Frey loves dearly my daughter bright; (The birds on the trees sing sweet) And if 1 have read in her soul aright, She thinks him a consort meet. " But thou knowest, without her father's yea, (On the flow' rets the dew-drops shine) 'Tis all labour lost ; but, the truth to say, I to favour this match incline. "But goods must be given in change for goods; (The sunbeams redden the sky) And heretofore 'twixt Giants and Gods Hath not tlourish'd much amity. " Young Frey hath a sword, the best i' the north, (The birds on the trees sing sweet) And Gerda, methinks, is that sword well worth ; So on just conditions I'll treat. " When theheartonceloves with fervour and truth, (On the flow'rets the dew-drops shine) In war no longer delights the youth ; He sighs at his mistress' shrine. «' I.et Frey then give me his mystic sword ! (The sunbeams redden the sky) My daughter dear will I then accord As consort to him for aye. CANTO XXV. 275 " But if he refuse to cede the glaive, (The birds on the trees sing sweet) The hardest rock that repels the wave He might just as well entreat." With this answer the swain rode homeward bound , (On the flow'rets the dew-drops shine) And returning, shorter the road he found Than in coming, ye may divine. As he gallop'd once more o'er the tlow'ry mead, (The sunbeams redden the sky) He thought, by the rustling his falchion made, Of Odin the lord so high. The magic fetter came o'er his mind (The birds on the trees sing sweet) That was destin'd Fenris the wolf to bind : Then he jump'd from his courser fleet. And began to climb up on Elver-hoy : (On the flow'rets the dew-drops shine) And there two dwarfs he perceiv'd with joy Fit to execute his design. There they sit, and enjoy the morning breeze ; (The sunbeams redden the sky) They love to rest under branching trees, But from the sun's glare they fly. 276 THE GODS OF THE NORTH. And oft they dance on the huniid grass, (The birds on the trees sing sweet) And joy the mystic circle to trace On the turf with their nimble feet. When Skirnir met them, he bared his sword, (On the tlow'rets the dew-drops shine) And thus address'd them with threat'ning word: '• Hear me, httle masters mine ! " By Odin's order 1 crave your aid (The sunbeams redden the sky) For Fenris wolf a fetter to braid ; This instant your labours ply! " If not, 1 will slay ye both, 1 swear." (The birds on the trees sing sweet) The little men, how they shook with fear ! They scarce could stand on their feet. They blink like mice with their little eyes. (On the flow'rets the dew-drops shine) ' ' Nay ! put up thy sword I " each Dwarf replies ; ' ' Behold ! here's the magic twine ! '• We heard of the order that Odin gave, (The sunbeams redden the sky) And the very best cord shall Odin have To bind his arch-enemy. CANTO XXV. 277 " This fetter was forged, Skirnir, hear! (The birds on the trees sing sweet) Of the beards of woman ; the nerves of bear ; Of the noise of a kitten's feet ; " Of the breath of birds ; of fishes' scum ; (On the tlowrets the dew-drops shine) Of the roots of rocks ; with finger and thumb Have we full'd this wondrous line." Now from them the swain took the magic chain, (The sunbeams redden the sky) And the Dwarfs they fled to their grots again, And Skirnir vaulted on high. Now Bifrost appears with its briUiant sheen ; (The birds on the trees sing sweet :) Its tints enliven the sky serene The returning chief to greet. Like a bird in spring brave Skirnir flew (On the flow'rets the dew-drops shine) And Valhallanew much he joy'd to view, And partake of Sahrimner's chine. And now he relates to Odin and Frey How their mandates he fulfill'd •, Odin smiled on the swain with a grateful eye, Prey's bosom with rapture thrillVl. 2;h the gods of the north. Praise and honours on Skirnir overtlow ; What pleasure in Valhall reigns ! For Frey shall now be freed from his woe. And Fenris be bound in chains. o«< ciiH®« xx¥i< THE WOLF FENRIS AND TYR. What joys Valhalla's realm pervade ! In brilliant nuptial dress array'd, A last farewell bids Gerda now To forest, rock, and vale below. Towards Bifrost bridge ascends the fair ; Like shooting star she cleaves the air. On heaven's exterior bulwark stand In pride of place th' Asynior bland : And when their scrutinizing eye Survey'd the darhng choice of Frey, As full in Asgard's view she came, Vanish'd at once each latent flame Of envy, suUenness, and pride, And all admired the graceful bride. Her glossy ringlets ebon dark A contrast not unpleasing mark With the bright locks of golden hue, Which down the Disar's shoulders flow. 2m THE GODS OK THK NOKTH. They welcome her with tones of love, And lead her straight to Freya's grove : Gluing to Gerda's lips of rose Her own, what joy each Disa shows! And every Asa courts the bliss Her well-turned lily hand to kiss. Of Frey's content I need not speak, Therein must fail my harpings weak. He who hath courted, and hath known What 'tis to call his maid his own, He knows and feels it too ; while naught Can by the art of Scald be taught. But such sensation, youth ! if thou Yet knowest not, go learn it now ! And when in thy fond maiden's arms, Thou gloatest on her radiant charms, And feelst 'twere primest ecstacy Or thus to live, or thus to die, Then wouldst thou know, and couldiJt reveal The joys that Frey and Gerda feel. Here ends my song of love ; too soon My harp must sound with diff'rent tone : Oft from the lay sweet echoes spring. As from the little bird in spring, When, flutt'ring through the beechen grove, He fills the air with notes of love. Oft too its tones the ear assail With sound as harsh as that of whale, CANTO XXVI 281 When he, through ice-bergs struggling, blows And snorts amain with giant throes. Like foam, the words then hurried fly, Which from his nostrils mounts the sky, And forms a column gleaming bright Amidst the lurid clouds of night. The sweetest plant of joy beneath Lurks oft, alas ! the germ of death ! Misfortune soon its power assumes ; And 'midst the liveliest joys and fumes Of pleasure on the marriage night Intrudes with Hvid face. Affright ! True, shouts of joy Valhalla shook ; But sudden, springing from a nook, Fenris the wolf, with eye of flame, Unwelcome guest, to the banquet came : He paced around with fiendish grin, Snapping at every Asa's chin : And oft with unremitting spite The Disar's legs he strove to bite. But Odin, weary of this bane, Possessing now the mystic chain Wherewith to bind the hateful beast, To Heimdal whisper'd his behest ; And quick transferr'd the magic band Into that faithful Asa's hand. Heimdal, he knew, had skill and wit ; To cope with Fenris none more fit : •282 THE GODS OK THE NOUTIL And next to Lok he boasts the pow'r In jestinsc to beg^uile the hour. The wit oi Heimdal, void of hate Or malice, bloom'd like violet : But not innocuous Loptur's jest, I^ike thorn, it lacerates the breast. Heimdaller, holding now the band Slender as bowstring in his hand, Approach'd the wolf, and with a smile : " Let us," said he, " the time beguile. Since, banish'd to the lealm of Hel, Sorrow and hate have bid farewell For ever to Valhalla's court, With some diverting manly sport ! In honour of Frey's nuptial feast Let each some art that suits him best Exert to please the gods! and thou, My wolf ! thy feats of strength mayst show For deeds of strength they all admire ; And thou must, sure, the prize acquire." " Yes!" grinn'd maliciously the wolf: "What thou hast said is true enough : The hammer, when by strength or skill Unexercised, is useless still. But first allow me to demand, What means that fetter in thy hand ? Thou Asa with the golden tooth ! W ouldst bind me like a dog, forsooth •'" CANTO XXVI. 283 " He, who hath power himself to free, Cannot be fetter'd easily : The slave is bound ; but in the hand Of strength an honourable band Becomes the fetter:" (thus rephed Heimdaller.) " And since 'tis thy pride The strongest iron bars to gnaw In two, as if 'twere so much straw, Permit me, to afford delight To Odin and the Disar bright, To bind thee with this brittle chain. Which thou canst surely bite in twain." And now the wolf began to look Around him for his father Lok ; But all in vain ; no Lok was there ; The hateful beast then scowl'd with fear, And sunk his tail, and show'd his tooth, And loU'd his tongue from his frothy mouth. Then howl'd he forth in tones of spite : " 1 will not thus be bound to-night : Go thy way, artful Heimdal ! go ! Methinks, it is not needful now On such a cord my strength to use, Thor, Frey, and Odin to amuse. On bars of brass or iron they Have seen me oft my strength display. If forged by common art that cord, No pleasure would such feat afford : •284 TllK GODS OF THE NORTH. r>iit il by magic spell 'twere made, Then foully were the wolf betray'd." Heimdaller bhish'd : but Asa-Tyr, The youthful page devoid of fear, When Heimdars cheek so red he view'd, In anger bit his lips to blood. He griev'd to see an Asa droop, Unable with the wolf to cope, And from the contest forced to tly In silence and humility. To humble the malignant beast. Himself now entered in the list, And cried aloud : ' ' Come, wolf! behold ! My hand as hostage thou shalt hold 1 While round thy limbs the cord is laced, Within thy mouth shall it be placed. And lying at thy mercy there, Nor trick nor fraud hast thou to fear." On Tyr's presumption every god Astonish'd look'd: he tranquil stood. Now Thor thus whisper'd : "Youthful friend ! What rashness ! what dost thou pretend ? Thy courage, certes, 1 admire, But naught a hero can aspire To do without his hand." ' ' No fear 1 feel, thou cautious one !" said Tyr. CANTO XXVI. -285 " Thy counsel sage 1 need not now ; Two hands, perhaps, requirest thou, But thou shalt see, and frankly own, That Tyr can do with one alone." Thus said, his dexter hand the youth Into the wolf's wide-gaping mouth Undaunted thrust : the wolf is bound With the dwarfs' cord his hmbs around. And now to loose or burst the chain He struggles hard, but all in vain : Since naught his utmost powers avail, The Asar laugh to see him quail. All laugh'd, excepting Asa-Tyr ; The sport, alas ! hath cost him dear, For, bitten from the wrist, his hand In Fenris' bloody jaws remain'd ! But the youth, still undaunted, thrust The stump into a heap of dust, And stretching out his arm on high. He shouts with voice that rends the sky : " Now first my strength innate I feel ; Hard was the trial, yet 'tis well. Now to Vaulunder's forge I'll go. And he will make for Tyr, 1 know, A hand of iron, fit to wield Or glaive or mace i' th' bloody field : What foes will dare the chief environ, Whose hand and glaive are both of iron ?" •280 THE GODS OF THE NORTH. Thus said, he left in haste the hall, Much pitied by the Disar all. They thought : " what a valiant youth ! Thor's £ame he will eclipse, forsooth." But Gerda's thoughts alone on Frey Were fix'd ; both breath'd a tender sigh. And hied them to the shady grove To revel in the joys of love. On Thor now Odin cast a look ; Thor silent stood ; then Odin spoke : " This is too much ! is't then our doom Brutal as giants to become ? rueful act! what boots, my friend, Courage by reason unrestrain'd ? Lost is thy hammer in the wave, And Frey hath giv'n away his glaive, That glaive which caused a mortal chill, And whose bare look sufficed to kill ; Now in the mountain cave it lies, And giants learn its worth to prize. True, the wolf Fenris is trepann'd, But Tyr hath lost his dexter hand ; Ran in the ocean rules her lord, And Skada shares the power with INiord." Thus said, As-Odin slowly rose ; His robe around his limbs he throws CANTO XXVr. OS'S VingoK he leaves with gloomy mind, But Asa-Thor remains behind. He sits with hand beneath his chin. And eyes the wolf with looks of spleen, But both keep silence : in the hall The waiting-damsels enter all, To quench the lights ; in darkness now The god must sit with wrinkled brow : Yet still he fix'd with looks of ire The wolf, whose eyeballs vomit fire. Now to a burst of laughter wild The god gave vent, which Hlidskialf fiU'd With terror ; then the hall he left, And bang'd the door, with fury chaf'd. He doffs his helmet ; through the air Shines, meteor-like, his streaming hair ! He mounts his car; through heaven he rolls, And awful thunders shake the poles, Down on the earth all night he threw His lightnings ; many a one he slew : Here towns and villages became A prey to th' all-devouring flame ; A forest there of oak-trees fum'd, Down to their very roots consum'd. The children scream'd ; the mothers tore Their hair ; Thor foam'd like angry boar : And he, who whilom lov'd to save, Prov'd unrelenting as the grave. But when at length shone forth the day, Towaids Trudvang's gate he bent his way ; •2«8 THE OODS OF IHE NORTH. There Sif leceiv'd him in her arms, And strove to sooth his wild alarms. The goddess well knew how t'assuage With bland caress his utmost rage ; She knew his wrath would soon be o'er, And tenderness resume its power. Then smiled the earth with tears of dew, Such as an infant's face bedew, Whose father too much wrath has shown And struck too hard his little one. Repentance now Thor's looks bespeak, And tears roll down his manly cheek, For he, when calm, was good and kind. He then sent down on th' morning wind Roska and Tialf to Gefion's (1) strand. And every circumjacent land. With gold and silver, to divide 'Mongst those whose dwellings were destroy'd. f The dead he to Valhalla brought, And next the helpless infants sought Who perish'd on that fatal night ; And bearing them to Folkvang's height, He bless'd them all in Freya's name. And chang'd to Alfs they straight became. Now wings upon their shoulders grew, And 'midst delights so strange and new, Meeting again, assembled there In Freya's grove, their parents dear. They sport and play the ti-ees beneath, Unconscious they had suffer 'd death. ®i(N«® mww< THE BANQUET OF ^GIR. Hlesey's an island ol renown ; But now 'tis small, for time and tide, Batt'ring its base on every side, Into the sea have plough'd it down ; But great in times of old its worth ; Then Hlesey could the rage abate Of the fierce Dragon of the north, Yclept by nations Kattegat. There, built o finest muscle-shell, Amidst vast beds of sea-weed bright, The vaulted hall appears in sight. Where Aig'n- ever lov'd to dwell. While raging Ran o'er ocean flew, By his pearl-jug was^gir seen ; And now he drank, and now he blew For pastime in his conque marine. 24 •i90 THE GODS OF THE NORTH. Cruel was Ran ; Irightlul her irown ; Like the fell goddess Hela, she Delighting to destroy, with glee Spreads out her nets mankind to drown But, like th' unruffled sea, the smile Of JEgir al) creation charms ; And oft doth he the hours beguile, Soft dallying in a mermaid's arms. While Ran afar is storming, he Basks in the sun at home ; his soul It joys with diamond-pointed pole To trace runes on the placid sea. The surf each time reveal'd his joy, When he behind the rushes prest (Far from his scolding wife's annoy) A billow to his ardent breast. On Frey and Gerda oft he smiled : Much did his heart the vision charm Of the fair couple arm in arm Indulging in love's transports wild. For much the Gods did AL^ir prize, And by the Gods was lov'd full well. Heaven thus to bathe in Ocean joys, Who loves its genial ray to feel. CANTO XXVII. ioi And now he bade them to his least: When Rana wander'd far from home, To banquet in his friendly dome His friends with eagerness he prest. In vats of flint and ice profound His ale and beer the monarch stow'd ; Fish, lobsters, crabs in store were found, And cook'd in many a difPrent mode. No help he needs to deck his board, For every time he guests invites, The active Finnafeng delights To serve as cook his much-lov'd lord. But little fuel he requires ; The rivers for their monarch toil : And, warm'd by subterranean fires, Lo! of itself each spring doth boil. Where Malstrom whirls with frightful sound Into its gulf the eddying wave. That gulf, from which 'tis vain to save, Whiten'd with foam for leagues around : There Eldir's club to atoms breaks Whatever falls to Ocean's share ; There ^]gir's mill for ever clacks ; He grinds his wheat and barley there. 292 THE GODS OF THE NORTH. To Gerda's lather Asa-Frey As present gave, we know full well, The best among the blades of steel, With which no other arm could vie : He granted, not to die forlorn Of love himself, the giant's prayer ; Gave him his sword, and in return Receiv'd a nymph of beauty rare. Much Gerda lov'd her consort Frey ; Apart they never more could dwell : His portrait Frey did far excel; He won the greatest victory : And Gerda then, her love to mark, Enraptur'd with his graceful mien, Gave to her friend a wondrous bark, (1) The like of which was never seen. Well might the Scald in times of yore Of Hringhorn, (2) Balder's vessel, say, It flew unscathed o'er marsh and sea, INor quicksand fear'd, nor rocky shore. There safely could the Disar fair Sit by the gods in pomp array'd ; liut not the battle's shock to bear Was pious Balder's vessel made. CANTO XXVII. 203 In time of peace this bark behold Ghde swiftly from its haven gay, And towards the marl pursue its way' With a rich cargo in its hold ! Of horn is built its lofty prow With sable shining crooked rings ; And when it tlies, each swelling bow Aside in foam the billow^ flings. There is another bark of fame, 'Tis by the giants own'd, we know ; 'Tis built of dead-men's nails, and so Of Naglefar it boasts the name. (3) In the morass this vessel lies, As yet a huge unfinish'd hulk ; Year after year its builder tries Unwearied to increase its bulk. All those who from the dead neglect To cut the nails off foot and hand, Bring ill-luck to the Asar band, And mischief cause to rule uncheck'd. From this the giants an immense Advantage o'er the gods derive : By idlesse and improvidence Thus mischief never fails to thrive. 294 THE GODS OF THE NORTH. But for the bark, which Gerda kind As present to the Asar gave, It can the wildest storm enslave, And stiffly sail against the wind : In armour all the gods can stand Upon its deck with sword and helm, And sail from bright Valhalla's land To plough the waves in yEgir's realm. And when the gods to brave the gale No longer chuse for pleasure's sake, Then Gerda can this vessel take And fold it up like silken veil. Then lies it, free from tempest's shocks, In Gerda's bosom (blissful coast !) And gently 'tween two surges rocks, Such as the Ocean cannot boast. The Asar's voyage to yEgir's isle Think now how glorious 'twas to view ! The morning sun rejoicing too Deign'd warmly on their course to smile. See silent Vidar by the mast ! And Odin by the rudder stand ! And see, like flowers in vase incased, In all their charms th' Asynior bland! CANTO XX VII. 29 J How gently sail'd the bark along, As on a river ; ne'er it lurch'd Nor plunged : upon the boom was perch'd Heimdaller ; Bragur tuned his song; Niord waves the standard high in air ; Like subtlest dust ascends the spray : An awning, framed by Frigga's care Of oak leaves, veil'd the solar ray. Their temples wreaths of llowers adorn ; Nor did there lack amusement good, For by the gangway naked stood Young Tyr, as when he first was born : In his left hand he grasp'd his sword ; A shark enormous hove in sight ! The hero brave jump'd overboard, With the fell shark to prove his might. Now must each Disa shake with fear ; The monster bravely fought, in truth ; It open'd wide its frightful mouth. And snapp'd with fury after Tyr. But soon doth cease the Disar's pain, And gaily now they laugh aloud ; The hero sprung on board again ; Down sank the dying shark in blood. 296 THE GODS OF THE NORTH. Ye all do know, the spiteful Ran Delights with monsters fierce to live : She to that shark did mandate give To execute her envious plan : By her 'twas sent to plague with fear The guests who sped to ^gir's hall ; But when the shark was slain by Tyr, She then dispatch'd a monstrous whale. Foaming it roli'd impetuous by, So vast, it seem'd an isle broke loose ! It snorted loud, while from its nose A wat'ry column spouted high. But Heimdal lo \ for sport in haste Athwart the wat'ry column flew ; Then brilliant shone, as through he past, A band of seven-colour'd hue ! Now Vidar standing at the poop Fix'd with his fearful eye the whale : At once its powers of mischief fail ; To Vidar's eye all creatures stoop. Aloud read Odin many a rune ; The whale must to the bottom go ; For Vidar's look, like a harpoon, Had pierced the monster through and through. CANTO XXVI I. 09^ 'Twas eve : the land begins to loom ; Now Hlesey full in sight appears : And much it joys Valhalla's peers To greet HIer ^gir's friendly dome. Like clouds which shooting through the sky Rush eager towards the wave's embrace, Thus hghtly did Skidbladnei- ily, Its name well suits its worth to trace. The anchor's tooth now bit the ground : The sun its parting radiance shed. A troop of Mermaids towards them sped. And sportive swam the bark around : There three by three those nymphs were seen, Their arms around each other's neck, With flowing hair as rushes green, And limbs like snow without a speck. Each with a silver-tissued veil, And brows with garlands while attired, Sporting and dancing, never lired, With songs of joy their guests they hail. And now the Alfer they invite To join their train with accents bland : The bark the thoughtless Alfer quit, And with their partners haste to land. (4) 298 THE GODS OF THi: NOimi. They sat by pairs upon the rock : Each Alf a gallant warrior proved ; The Mermaids hke true females loved, Unshrinking from the amorous shock : There was no lack of pinching, flouncing, Of kisses, and embraces warm : The sound was that of sea-birds pouncing Amidst a silv'ry herring-swarm. Hler iiigir sits upon his throne. With sceptre emblem of his might : His silver helmet, gleaming bright With crest in form of Dragon shone. Yet from this helm so fair to view Oft came a soul-appalling sound ; ' Twas hke the tempest howhng through The hollow of a rock profound. I' th' middle of the festive hall. For night had now obscured the earth, A lump of gold placed on the hearth Gave ample hght and warmth to all. The monarch here his fiiends regales With what his realm produces best; And every guest exulting hails The generous founder of the feast. CANTO X.Wll. 2'iy But while the gods enjoy'd their feast, As far as Finnmark's farthest dale, Midst fogs, and snow, and sleet, and hail Flew Asa-Lok like one possest. Wildly his cheek of corpse-like hue Contrasted with each ebon lock Wide streaming through the ether blue, Like vapours dark at Ragnarok, Vexation great the caitiff feels, That Fenris wolf in chains should pine But forming quick a bold design, Bats' wings he fastened to his heels : Then to his shoulders wings of owl With art ingenious making fast, He seem'd a huge ill-omenM fowl, As o'er the rocks and plains he past. " So ! 1 have not invited been, Among the rest, to ^gir's isle : And, though a god, am held too vile To figure in that brilliant scene ; But Thor is absent, so 'tis said ; He wanders warring in the east : Now I'll mix gravel in their bread, And spoil the glories of Iheir feast. ■•^Of THE GODS OF THE NORTH. " Since I cannot their pleasures share, Others' enjoyment I'll prevent : While Lok 's a prey to discontent, No guest the smiles of joy shall wear. Ha ! they shall soon be made to feel, No rose is pluck'd without a thorn ; And drops of wormwood I'll distil Into each Asa's drinking-horn. " Great powers I have not ; yet in need The weakest worm hath force to wound My tongue the Disar shall confound, And floods of tears I'll make them shed. Since they're averse to Asa-Lok, To make them fear him be my aim : My gibes obscene their ears shall shock ; My calumnies destroy their fame. " Who on the power of truth relies 'Gainst slander, will repent full soon ; Since there is but one truth alone Against a hundred thousand lies. How easy is it to deceive Mankind, if we but have the will ! The mass all, that they hear, believe. And Lok in fraud is master still." CANTO XXVII. 301 Such was the restless caitilTs song, As sharp he grazed the mountain's side : On his best weapon he rehed, His merciless, unwearied tongue. But, passing by some dwarfs, he paused, And in his service pressM them all ; Chusing sharp adder's stings, he caused His tongue to be belav'd withal. With garland strange he deck'd his head, His hair he twisted into horns ; Thereto he added sharpest thorns, With dark-blue hemlock flowers bespread. To Hlesey now his course he bent, And there bold Finnafeng he slew, Who strove his entrance to prevent Among the jovial ^^gir's crew. Sprinkled with Finnafenger's blood, He sat him down by JEgir's'gaLte, Preparing for the stern debate With shameless front and accent rude. Spite of his visage blood-besmear'd, He rose and enterd the saloon ; Around him insolent he stared, And thus he spoke in jeering tone. 30;i THE GODS Of THE NURTH. '' Now hail to ye, ye Disar all ! Hail to ye, gods ! Valhalla's powers ! Without the blast inclement roars, But here 'tis snug in yEgir's hall. Indulging in your evening feast Fiird with bright ale each drains his horn Despised is the unbidden guest, But your contempt he laughs to scorn. " With haughty glances towards the ground. To answer Lok ye all disdain. The slave of yEgir I have slain, His cook for science so renown'd : To T^igir's hall he barr'd my way, But I chastised his insolence : The slave must, true, his lord obey, But expiate oft his lord's offence. ODIN. How darest thou, wretch ! without a blush Invade the Asar's brilliant sphere ? Thou ne'er shalt be invited here ! Thou screeching owl behind the bush ! Avaunt! thou kill-joy ! quick retreat, Nor here thy odious form intrude ! My lance, I swear, when next we meet, Shall pierce thy heart, and drink thy blood. CANTO XXVll. 303 LOK. More kind and decent was thy tone. When, dress'd as lowly waiting-maid, Thou turn'dst the silly Rinda's head, Heiress of Garderike's throne : Clothed in the garment of a slave. Was conduct that for Odin fit? Ha! though thou art more wise than brave, Thy prudence far exceeds thy wit. nRAGl R. How darest thou thus presume to vent On Valhall's king thy envious spite, With hair like hedgehog's quills upright, And sland'rons tongue on mischief bent? Valhalla's rays thy eye-balls sear ; Down then ! to realms of darkness hie ! And since (he sun thou canst not bear, For evei' from its splendour fly ! LOK. 'Tis not thy menace makes me shrink ; Thy sword rests ever in the sheath ; Useless ! except to waste thy breath lnemj)ty boasts, to doze and drink! Cautious of shedding blood art thou, To bite less proper than to bay : When call'd upon to wield the bow, The valiant Bragur slinks away. ^*^* THE GODS OF THE NORTH. IDLAA. How dares thy spiteful tongue assail The god, whose lyre enchants the earth. Whose lofty song throughout the north Cheers, hke the moon, life's gloomy vale ? Who raises merit to the skies, Who points the genuine road to fame ; From evil causes good to rise. And stamps the Nidding'sact with shame. LOK. ■? Why prudish now 'gainst vice protest Slow wert thou 'gainst the mountain fiend Thy precious virtue to defend, When he thy juicy apples prest : Fear taught thee to be soft and tame, Thiasse could tell us how and when ; (&) Of Bragur's honour, dainty dame ! Thou wert not quite so mindful then. GEr'IO>. A dame, more pure and innocent Than Ydun, nowhere can be found : 'Tis time thy sland'rous tongue were bound, Yet 'tis to me indifferent. Foul sower of all calumny! What wretched harvests must thou reap ! Pursue thy trade ! add lie to lie ! 1 hold lliy ntrnosl malice cheaf). CANTO XXVII. 305 LOK. To men thouVt scornful, cold, and glum, But that is while the day shines bright : 'Tis well no power of speech hath night, And that each forest tree is dumb. Whene'er behind the bush, proud maid ! Thy limbs thou bathest in the flood ; Thou dost not then disdain, 'tis said, To cool the water-demon's blood. ODIN. This is too much. I'd have thee know. The moon's bright disk thou canst not stain ; That lily fair 'tis labour vain To soil ; 'tis casting coals on snow. Fly, caitiff, to thy rocks remote ! Cease to disturb the social hour ! Bark, an it give Ihee joy, without, Like mastiff chain'd at yllgir's door ! LOK. Hold thy tongue, Odin ! blind, in troth, Are thy awards i' Ih' tented field. The bold must oft to witchcraft yield , When Odin boils the magic broth. 'Tis thy delight the brave to lower, And crown with palms the base and mean ; Oft dost thou borrow Mimer's power. But seldom his discernment keen. •25 300 THE GODS OF THE NORTH. FRir.GA. Ila. Lok ! (lost thou presume to call The chief, whom all the gods revere, AUader's self, unjust, severe, And partial, in this sacred hall ? He will not now disturb the peace Of i^gir's hospitable board, But grief he'll force thee to express To-morrow for each sland'rous word. LOK. Hold thy tongue, Frigga! Asgard's queen ! From scratching, pain oft follows strait ; Like the queen bee, with many a mate, But with no king is Frigga seen. Not sparing of thy charms art thou. By zephyrs pleas'd to be carest ; In Spring thy looks too plainly show The longing that pervades thy breast. FREYA. O Lok ! since wrath hath no effect The venom of thy tongue to tame, Let females some exception claim : Treat them at least with some respect. Behold, the tears of Freya flow ! Would they could melt thy stubborn hate ! Ah me ! what pleasure feelest thou The gods' fair fame to lacerate? CANTO XXVII. 307 LOK. What causes Freya's grief? I pray : Is it from longing I behold Her cheek bedew'd with tears of gold ? What dost thou long for ? Freya, say ! Thy husband fair has fled, 'tis true, But 'tis not, sure, a hopeless case ; Thou canst find lovers not a few, Eager and fit to take his place. But why did Odur break his chain ? Ha, Freya ! did he find thy kiss Too warm, too prodigal of bliss ? Or was it that he felt disdain Por charms which had so oft been bared And closely scann'd in \ alaskialf, And felt no zest in favours shared With every Ase and every Alf ? FREY. Be silent with thy hissing, snake ! With fire-red eye, where malice glows, Why thus delight to prick the rose, W^hen thistles grow on every brake ? Why thus calumniate the good ? Why cause a gracious female pain ? Go ! hie thee hence to Angurbod, With locks as coarse as horse's mane ! 308 THE OODR OK THE NORTH I.OK. With cynic Inst thine eye still shines ; 'Tis thou hast Valaskialf bclray'd, Frey ! since with thy sword hath fled All vigour from thy jaded loins. Fair Gerdawith her luscious kiss Sucks out, like leech, thy warmest blood ; Each time Ihou tastest Freya's bliss. Much joy it gives to Angurbod, HKIMDAL. With the dark wizard 'neath yon rock, Upon my life, thou must have drank, And here thou com'st, with liquor rank, Our ears with ribald taunts to shock. Thy sparks of wit proceed, I trow. But from the fumes of mead and ale ; Its emptiness we all do know : Thy sarcasms here must ever fail. LOK. Ha! Lok must now succumb, 'tis plain, Since pompous Heimdal threatens too ; Think'st thou I fear thy famous bow, Made of mere vapour, sleet, and rain ? And what is Heimdal's self, I ask, When of his gaudy colours shorn ? W^hat is he then behind his mask ? A simple watchman with his horn 1 CANro xxvH. ao<) U.VLDEK. DeLiiul tljy ribaldi-y so coarse, I can discein a vein of wit, And genius too for all things (it, Did virtue lend licr sterling force. Like TFill oTFisp with spurious light, Thou friskest the deep marsh about; While others thou wowldst lain benight, Thy own fantastic flame goes out. LOK. The lamb doth scarce compassion meet ; Coward, he lets himself be slain : Lok ne'er before his foes will deign, Lamb-like, in piteous strains to bleat. Vain, Balder, is that rule of thine, Patience and piety to use ; lie only bows at virtue's shrine, Whose arm is weak ami wit obtuse." Vidar spoke not, but eamiest stated Full in the face of Asa-Lok ; The caitiff instant felt the shock. With quiv'ring lip and visage scared. The water-spout with gloomy frown, Thus colunm-like from heaven doth come, With thick shoes stamps old Ocean down, And scatters far the billow's scum. 310 THE GODS OF THE NORTH. Now black the vault of heaven became ; Athwart the vapours thick and close, While Loptur's blood with terror froze, Glitter'd afar a lurid flame ! Of thunder now tremendous peals Shake earth and make the billows roar, And every one instinctive feels With awe th' approach of Asa-Thor ! Lok sigh'd and sweated now with fear, Yet still his terror he conceal'd ; At length the lightning's glare reveal'd The white-hair'd goats and golden car. But when Thorfull in view appear'd, Lok's colour fled, his spirits fail'd ; At sight of the majestic beard Of ebon hue, the traitor quail'd. ruuR. Be silent, thou of sland'rers worst, Who striv'st the Asar's fame to soil ! INe'er doth thy INidding's brain recoil From hatching some vile scheme accurst. But come, I'll put an end full soon To all thy schemes of treach'ry fell ; To Ltgard's shades I'll cast thee down, And bind thee fast with chains of Hel. CANTO XXVII. 311 LOK. I tremble not ; 1 turn not pale ; Thou hast not got thy Miolner now ; Thy genuine hammer lies, we know, Buried beneath the serpent's scale. Aye! spite of all thy godlike vigour, Oft didst thou, Thor, my pity move ; I laugh'd to see the silly figure Thou mad'st in Skrymur's sweaty glove. (G) THOK. Be silent, thou pestiferous cloud, That striv'st to damp celestial fire ! Thou'lt find, no hammer 1 require To punish thee and all thy brood. Behold that pine on yon high rock ! Thereon I'll hang thy odious form ; All creatures shall thy suff'rings mock, Traitor ! when dangling in the storm. LOK. Methinks it is no longer fit That Lok should throw away his jests ; My songs were meant for jovial guests, For those who value mirth and wit. The other gods with temper hear My gibes, and like my humour well ; But Tlior a joke could never bear : 'Tis time I bid ye all farewell. ;U2 THE GODS OF THE NOUTll. Thus said, he plunges in the sea ; Swift as an eel he scuils along : But after him, by anger stung, Thor hurl'd a lightning's forked ray. But Lok intent his limbs to save, Deep under water bow'd his head ; Inaocuous 'midst the boiling wave The thund'rer's flaming arrow sped, Thus as, when vanish clouds and rain. The air breathes more serene and mild, Each lovely Disa gracious smil'd ; Joy colour'd high their cheeks again. Freed from the wretch, their torment dire, They pass the night in dance and song ; And strains from /Egir's golden lyre He-echo loud the rocks among. €iIK®« X5SWHI.> LOK's TUEACIIEKY. * liv serpent's form Lok fled away into the ocean blue ; All the fell monsters of the deep now met him full in view. In order to avoid them, how dexterously he toils ! JNow in a line deploys him, now rolls himself in coils ! The peasant standing on a cliff follow'd with curious eye The course of Lok, as like the wind he swiftly glided by : Fearing pursuers, up he swam as far as Lindernees, On Norway's coast; and hid him there 'midst sea-weed, sand, and At length his shape resuming, upon a reef of rock [grass. He seats himself, like goatherd who watches o'er his flock. "What have I done? Ah! woe is me! from Valaskialf's abode Thus exiled, what is Loptur now ? a giant, or a god ? Am I thus amongst monsters condemn'd my time to pass?" Where's now my fav'rite pastime, the zest of life ? alas ! Must I 'midst stupid giants dwell in the realms of night, Who dose like sleepy dragons o'er gold and silver bright? For them no sunshine blazes, no spring brings with it joy, The art the blockheads know not existence to enjoy : * The reader is requested, before he begins this Canto, to read the note 314 THE GODS OF THE NORTH. I licy know not love's soft blandishment, they prize not music's tone, Their only pastime is to hear the cascade rushing down. Heavily slumbering like bears in gelid caverns drear, What doth avail heroic strength, if th' hero be a bear ? Shall I ne'er listen to again the sound of Bragur's harp ? At times on the good bard, I own, I used my wit too sharp. In Fensal shall my eyes no more the fair Asynior woo ? My impudence no longer tinge with red their skin of snow ? iNo longer now shall Odin sage be overreach'd by me ? 'Twas my chief sport to disconcert his stiff formality. Shall my sarcasms no longer put to blush Asa-Thor ? Thor is indeed a hero, and had he half the store Of wit, that falls to Loptur's share, to all Valhalla's power He could defiance bid, and force each god his crest to lower. He suits me well ; with patience my raillery he bears ; AVilh him I love to travel ; and when his car he steers Athwart the spacious regions of heav'n with pond'rous wheels, And thunders shake Heimkringlas with soul-appaUing peals, 1 share Hlorrida's glory : each time earth trembling shook, 1 thought myself his equal, and frown'd with swagg'ring look. Each Disa smiled enchanting, when courteous I address'd her ; With blushes Fulla trembled, when in my arms I press'd her. She is in love with Lok, I know, poor little innocent thing ! And many other Disar in my net I hoped to bring. IVly impudence doth in their cheek the blush of shame recall, But soon, becoming used to it, they'll cease to blush at all. Sweet to my taste Sahrimner was, and sweeter still the mead ; And when the proud Einherier pranced about the tlow'ry mead \\ith shield and lance, 1 was content : all things to hear and sce,^ And mock at all the gods by turns, vvas charming sport to me. CANTO XXVIII. 315 1 was the clev'rest oi them all, and with the gods 1 play'd, Just as a cat does with a mouse, which he has just waylaid. First doth he his poor captive with feign'd caresses quail ; His eyes with malice sparkle -, he frisks about his tail : At length when weary of the sport his food Grimalkin needs, His teeth inflict the mortal crunch, and then poor mousie bleeds ! But now Puss on the house-roof sits, nor deems himself secure E'en there ; he licks his beard and jiaws ; his master from the door Hath chased him in his anger, because i' th' cupboard he With his dame's hams and bacon had chosen to make free. But if their loss 1 feel, will not they feel my loss much more ? Odin, I'm sure, when no one laughs, will feel vexation sore. Long days of constant seriousness the Asar soon will rue ; They'll find that to the zest of life mirth must contribute too. Heavy and dull are they become already ; there they sit. And yawn, and in their mead-horn gaze, when they have emptied it. Let but the Disar once the bread without the leaven taste, insipid will it prove, I trow, wilhout friend I^optur's yeast : Without the poignancy of change pleasure itself must pall. And light, unchequer'd e'er by shade, be insupportable. No diff'rence of opinion now excites ye ; true, ye breathe. But spiritless and dull your life ; 'lis the repose of death." In such reflections Loptur from sorrow sought relief, And often gazed he wistful upon Yggdrassil's leaf. " Could 1," thought he, "of Asa-Thor the pardon once obtain, The favour of the other gods 'twere easy to regain. Thus Lok amidst the grove of pines pensive and restless stray'd ; His silence deep at length he broke : "1 have it now, " he said ; 3ll> THE GODS OF THE NOIMII. For Thor his hammer I'll procure ; 1 thiuk, upon my hie, To get his hammer back again he'd give away his wile." Now over hill and dale lie tlew, quite joyous at the thouj-^ht, And passing through the hard-wood grove, soon reach'd the mountain Thei'e at the entrance of a cave sat Thrymur, giant-king, [grot : Around a bunch of arrows sharp twining a golden string : lied ribbantls in his courser's mane then did he interlace, While the full moon pour'd streams of light adown his dusky face. Into the field the giant look'd, and seeing Lok, cried out : " Ha ! welcome here ! thou smallest toe in mighty Odin's foot ! To visit us poor folks below dolh Loptur condescend ? What pleasure can an Asa find in our dark goblin-land ? Have the gods turn'd thee out of doors ? hast thou been indiscreet :' Shame were it such a chief of worth so scornfully to treat ; To start them game the gods, perhaps, thee falcon-like have sent : Speak out then, thou accomplish'd rogue ! say ! what is thy intent?" Now sitting down by Thrymur's side with mien composed he said : '• With insults deep and injury the gods have Lok repaid ; Did I not hope one day your cause to aid, ye giants good ! I ne'er would set my foot again in Valhall's curst abode. You do require a spy, methinks, to find out and detect All that the fraudful xVsar brood against your realm project : Some clever and ingenious wight ; and where on earth's vast round iMore proper for this task than Lok can any one be found '•? Besides, unknown to ye no doubt, I've often proved your friend, And to some gratitude from ye I may with right pretend : But howsoe'er wiih pitying eye my sufferings ye regard, In my own conscience, in my heart I find my best reward." CANTO XXVni. 317 TlienTlirymuranswei'd, Ian gliing loud : " What moans this cantins: [speech ? With pious look and honied words tliinkst thou to overreach Us giant champions, as ye catch the larks with berries red Behind a net of horse-hair fix'd, and 'bout the meadow spread ? Tears canst thou shed, like Dragon foul, when, eager for his food, lie seeketh travelers to entrap within the marshy flood ; T)Ut out with it ! thy errand quick, turncoat vile, relate ! Be frank for once, or in thy face, by Hel, I'll shut my gate." " Ah ! thou hast reason to he proud and haughty," answer'd Lok : " Now may'st thou with contemj)t on Thor, and all Valhalla look : Hast thou not found his hammer 'twixtthe scales of Jormundgard ? A glorious booty 'tis, forsooth : 'twill all your pains reward : For though that hammer's use thyself thou dost not understand, Immense advantage 'twill afford ; thou may'st with right demand, In ransom for that weapon, all the wealth thou canst conceive ; Whate'er thou chusest to exact, the god will freely give." "What ransom ?" cried the giant harsh and rough : "doth Thor [possess Gold, silver, copper, as I do within my deep recess ? Such gifis small value have for me ; for riches naught I care ; But much of Freya have I heard, and of her beauty rare : They say, she doth in form and grace all other dames eclipse; Ivory her limbs, of gold her hair, of coral are her lips : Her voice sweet music ; plump well-rounded arms ; a laughingmien ; A mouth that is for kissing made, and loves it too, I ween. I burn with ardour to embrace a nymph of colour white ; No more the dames of swarthy hue my passion can excite. 318 'IIIE CiOns OI' IHE NOKTH. li' therefore Freya lair, as bride, Odin to me will givc, Thor in exchange his hammer bright that instant shall receive. Did not Frey wed a Jotnn nymph ? If so, with equal right May Jotun Thrymur claim as spouse his sister Freya bright. Such my proposal is, which thou to Asagard mayst bear ; Why should we plague each other's lives with endless hate and war, Let friendship durable ensue upon this marriage tie ! But mark me ! Miolner eight miles deep doth in the ocean lie : Never again shall Thor, I swear, his much-prized arm behold, Unless I clasp in my embrace Freya with hair of gold." Thus spake the giant-king i a dwarf, as page, came to the gate, And oped it ; in his master went ; the dwarf then closed it strait. Lok stood without at th' midnight hour abandon'd and forlorn, To Asar and to giants both the object of their scorn. He laugh'd out loudly in the dark : so fearful was the sound, The owls perch'd on the forest trees fell down upon the ground. To learn the cause, the scolding Ran rose from the depths of ocean, And scars on warriors' limbs now bled afresh at th' wild commotion : Fell Jormundgardur shook himself ; for miles and miles around Men, fields, and dwellings were submerged in ocean's waves profound. Each Nidding starting from his couch by stings of conscience vex'd Arose ; a cold sweat on his brow announced a soul perplex'd : Fenris loud howling through the sky the vast creation scared ; Lok's laughter and the wolfish howl the long long night were heard. " Giants and gods alike I hate," said Lok : " soon shall they prove, How terrible that power can be, which but itself doth love. CANTO XXVllI. 319 Would 1 could make them perish all together ! ha ! what bliss, Could 1 the vast Heimkringlas sink i' th' bottomless abvss 1 Ye've exiled me from Valaskialf ; asylum ye refuse ; But means of vengeance still I hold, and such I mean to use. Like tree rubbing 'gainst tree in fell collision shall ye come, Until a flame arise, and all your hated brood consume : Then shall ye when too late, I trow, do honour to my skill :" Thus did the traitor Lok the air with groans and curses fdl. " With force unmanageable works the purblind mountain race; The Asar boast their virtue pure, combined with strength and grace : If to an act of treachery I once could Thor incline, Then cunning overreaches strength; the triumph then were mine; Thor a mere giant then becomes : when at the midnight hour Odin of witches dire invokes the soul-appalling power, Yggdrassil trembles ; then grows dry the fount in Lrda's vale : Then shines the frightful Jormungard with doubly brilliant scale : Hel's colour from a livid blue changes from joy to white, And Heimdal's horn excites the world to sempiternal fight." But since his last expulsion Lok to mount to Valhall's dome Without safe conduct ventured not, and houseless still must roam : Towards evening he reach'd the grove of beech on Sealand's isle, As homeward with his plough return'd the peasant from his toil. There is a spot within that grove, whence fountains with delight Spring from benignant Hertha's breast, and through the sand stream bright : 'Twas on the spot where Leire stood, and afterwards king Hro(l) With many a stone and plank and joist constructed Kongebo. (2) At morning and at evening's blush there loved the Alls to rove, And scatter Freya's tears like dew throughout the beechen grove : 320 THE GODS OF THE NORTH And when she prick'd her fin£>er with her needle, up they took The drops of blood, and pour'd them on the g:reen plants by thebrook : Lo! by the next revolvingsim those plants with flowers were crown'd, Which spread delii?htfnl odours throuc:h the grove for miles around. Tiiey took the yellow sparrows grey, who o'er earth's surface rove, Andkiss'dtlieirbeaksandtaughtthem howto pour forth notesoflove. Niglitingales they became at once, whose tones so sweetly sound, And fd 1 each youthful heart with dreams of tenderness profound. Now ev'ry morning they anoint the locks of Freya fair With precious unguent, which embalms with fragrancy the air. Once from theDisa in a shell they stole some drops of oil, Aud pour'd them on a weed ; a Julian flower repaid their toil : But far too strong that odour proved ; its strength prevails e'en now. Some drops were left; with water mix'd upon the turf they throw Those drops, and lo! upon green stems blue violets fragrant grow! Thus in that grove the little Alfs amuse themselves secure ; They teach the peasant's cock to crow loud at his master's door. To rouse him from his slumber, and make him hie with speed To earn with plough and harrow for wife and children bread. At night they show the lover, who through the forest roves, The way that he should wander, to find the maid he loves : And when he meets her, when her hand he presses tenderly, The Alfs their hands together bind with links of flowers, which she, ?yowkind become, ne'er seeks to loose. Hut while the blithesome crew Of Alls were dancing on the grass yet glitt'ring bright with dew, Lo! from an ash-tree's hollow trunk Lok started forth to view! The Erl-king in the full-moon's glare he much resembled now, With crown of blackberry, thick beard, and tail like that of cow, CANTO XXVlIf. :}21 At first the All's were terrified ; away they fain would tly ; They fear'd it was their enemies the black Alfs hov'ring nigh : But when they Loptur recognized, they hail'd him with a shout Of laughter, and dehghted frisk'd their new-come guest about : He pleased them ; in their frohcs oft he took an active part ; He was an Asa, well they knew, but knew not his bad heart. "How now? friend Lok! what dost thou here i th' forest? art thou [sprung From th' branches of the tree, to dance our mirthful choir among?" " Yes ! my dear little creatures ! Lok, ye know, doth love ye all ; Eager to teach ye novel sports, he comes to join your ball. " He join'd the dance ; a circle now the Alfs around him trace, But Lok's tail made a rustling noise, like serpent in the grass : Sudden the fountain ceased to tlow ; the once transparent brook Troubled and dark became, while toads in stagnant marshes croak; A swarm of crickets hover round a corpse with deafning cry : But how could innocent white Alfs suspect Lok's treachery? Thus on the grass in Autumn late two lovers often sit; They gaze upon each other's face with rapture and delight ; They feel not that the fev'rishair announces : " One shall die !" Grasping their flow'ry garland in their hands, their ecstacy Makes them incautious ; they inhale the pestilential breath Of the foul Lok, who lurks behind the bushes on the heath. The placid moon, which cheer'd so oft their love with radiancemeek, But which had not the power to cool the deep blush on their cheek, A few weeks later on the bier a lifeless corpse doth view Crown'd with white flowers : from Lok's black artsjich bitter fruits •2G [ensue! 322 THE GODS OF THE NORTH. " Ye friendly little AH's! " said Lok in soft cajoling strain, " D'ye wish to know the reason why I join your sportive train ? Ye' re call'd Valhalla's children ; the Asar hold ye dear ; Poor Lok needs your assistance, and therefore comes he here. I have been sadly indiscreet; too free hath been my tongue ; But yEgir's banquet is to blame ; his liquor was too strong, My head too weak : I've mock'd the gods ; my crime 1 frankly own : But if great Odin will once more admit me near his throne, If Thor for what I've said or sung will grant his pardon too, 1 promise in return (my word is truth itself, ye know) To fetch him Miiilner back again, which deep in earth now lies ; So that again he may strike home, and win each glorious prize, Nor fear that a short hammer-shaft his strength might neutralize." The friendly Alfer promised all for Lok to intercede : Like doves so white to Valhall's dome they flew his cause to plead : With folded hands in lengthen'd file entering, they knelt before The Asar, for the culprit Lok forgiveness to implore. All hearts were moved; first Freya smiled; then Frey : ah ! who can say " No," to a prayer for mercy, when such lovely children pray ? Now they led forth the criminal, who soft behind them crept, He flatter'd, play'd the hypocrite, fell on his knees, and wept ; He tried to kiss Thor's garment : at this demeanour base The hero blush'd with anger, and struck him on the face. " A vaunt ! thou miserable wretch !" said Thor, with fearful cry ; " Thy abjectness more wrath excites, than did thy treachery." ''Dear slialt thou pay for this," , thought Lok, "thy pride one day be [cool'd ; The bowstring 's pulled so frequently, it snaps at length : but hold, CANTO xxviri. '^'^'^ I must refrain from menace, be meek and humble here, And all my schemes of vengeance till fitter time defer." So now in haste up springing, he loudly shouted ! "Peace ; Good tidings now I bring ye : all strife and hate shall cease : Giants and gods no longer eternal war shall wage ; The bosom melts with kindness, that once throbb'd high with rage. The heart of Thrymur beats with love ; the object of his flame Is Freya ; to the rocks and woods he sighs out Freya's name. And when athwart the birch-trees he views her glorious fane, And marks her spindle sparkling with many a yellow skein, The female, thinks the giant, who such a quantity Of flax can spin, must truly a clever housewife be. She 's just the dame for Thrymur's taste ; soft, delicate, and thin Must be the fingers, that can draw the silken thread so fine. Her skin the lily's hue presents, her cheek the peach's bloom. Her lips are red as blood, I'm told ; the rest all white as foam : With brightest gold in colour her silken tresses vie, And three times can she wind them around her forehead high. They say she's in affliction, her husband she has lost; Good sense this doth not argue to be so deeply crost : But it denotes fidelity ; and that, one may surmise, Supposes that she too upon fidelity relies : For ah! where would the guerdon be of virtue, if one doubted Incessantly ? for Freya too, whose beauty is undoubted. The thistle no attention meets, e'en from the butterfly ; But the rose ne'er can rest in peace for th' homage of the bee. " Thy sermon on fidelity, 1 pray thee, spare us now !" Said Freya, laughing : " embleai of fidelity, we know, Is Loptur's heart: but quickly Thrymur's demand prefer, And thv remaiks on virtue another lime we'll hear." •{■^'1 THE GODS OF TMK NORTH. "They are not mine, fair lady !" quoth Lok : " 1 only come, As messenger from Thrymur, to Valhall's azure dome. Freya the Disa fair he loves with manhood's fervent fire -, His love for her all Jotunheim with softness doth inspire. His father, Lok of Utgard stern, so wrapp'd up in his son, Hath for the ardent lover's vows a tender pity shown. Brother-in-law of Odin thus should Utgard-Lok become, A mighty change will then forthwith o'er all Heimkringlas come : Henceforth twixt good and evil no diff'rence will appear ; All contrasts blend harmonious, when the dark owl shall pair With the white dove : sunshine shall mix with the volcano's gleam And in Valhalla's fragrant grove unsavoury vapours steam : Smooth skinn'd and beardless man become;wonianabeard shall wear; Twilight will all the fashion be ; day and night disappear: Sweet violets on carrion bloom ; a blade of straw a knife, A spit a lily straight become : the warrior and his wife Will change professions ; she the javelin, he the distaff hold : Such transformations wonderful our eyes will then behold. But Thrymur is a serious wight, this must not be forgot, He's somewhat jealous too, and jokes he understandeth not: And Freya must, if she consent to share the giant's reign, As Thrymur's spouse, in subterranean gloom for aye remain. True, love will vanish from the earth ; but where, 1 pray, the loss. Since liate no longer will exist our hearts to plague and cross? Heimdaller's Bifrost then will lose its variegated hue, No more display its gorgeous rays, red, yellow, green, and blue : Those colours will together blend, and form a dingy grey ; And toads within their moss-grown pools will sing like thrushes gay." At this pro))Osal Freya's breast with indignation swell'd. And thus with words of bitter scorn Lok's project she repell'd : CANTO XXVm 3>o " Were I'leya to the giant's land disposed to go witli thee, Must Freya terribly, forsooth, in want of husband be. But now the Asar, when the sun its earliest rays display'd, Assemble all to hold the Ting beneath Yggdrassil's shade. There, to avoid temptation, they did not Lok invite: But Lok to visit Heimdal went towards the rainbow bright : Soft in his ear he whisper'd, gave counsel, swore that zeal For Valhall had induced him that mission to fulfil : " The gods," said he, " I know, 'gainst me a strong aversion have, But the whole thing, as thou perceiv'st, is of importance grave. Thee judgment lacks not ; my advice thou'st heard me frankly state ; Follow it, if it seem thee good: if not, reject it strait ! But whatsoever be resolv'd, let it be quickly done, For execution the design should follow hard upon. Heimdaller who had heard what past 'tween Lok and Thrymur grim At th' entrance of the grot, and knew, Lok did not lie this time, Approved of the proposal, and took the counsel well : The worm thus often pierceth the nut with hardest shell." Then Asa-Heimdal at the Ting thus spake aloud : "'Tis time The giants' pride to tame, methinks, and vanquish Jotunheim. To raise them to the rank of gods, that oft we've done ; thereby Our strength we lost not : doth not Niord fierce Skada mollify ? And yEgir with his potent arm check Rana's perfidy ? Young Gerda dotes upon her spouse ; she 's full of charm and grace; She gave Skidbladner to the gods ; she 's of a better race : Women with coal-black hair from her descend, within whqse blood The tlame of love more ardent sriows. Sav ! were not Lok a god, 3-2G THE GODS OF THE NORTH. What mischief might he not effect in regions void of light ? And hath not oft the moon bestow'd the power of day on night ? But should light's ray, deserting heaven, descend into th' abyss, Would not for ever disappear our glory, strength, and bliss? Shall we then Freya cede? ah no ! by the great gods, I swear, Valhall a joyless waste would prove, if Freya were not there. Iduna's fruit of health and youth accords, 'tis true, the power, liut Freya 'tis who sows the seed of love's delightful flower : We all admire her ; when the gods she folds in her embrace, The ecstacy that fills their soul what tongue hath power to trace ? And shall that lovely Disa depart from us for aye? Shall mist for ever darken Folkvangur's vivid ray? And must that bosom soft and fair against the hairy breast Of the rough giant throb, and by his rugged hand be prest? Shall lips, which utter tones so mild, and soul unite with soulj Be soil'd by the disgusting kiss of such a goblin foul? Shall eyes, whose soul-subduing rays a power resistless prove. Be doom'd to contemplate a form impossible to love? jNo ! rather let Yggdrassil's top in Nastrond's marsh corrode, Or Bifrost sink dissolv'd in dew to /Egir's deep abode! Myself, who on the brink of heaven must watchful stand in arms, 1 can but catch a fleeting glimpse of Freya's matchless charms : But when, each morning, crown'd with flowers she o'er my bridge [doth pass, With fecundating smile the realm of mother Earth to grace, With tenfold zeal inspired, in hand my Gialler-horn I take; Its joyous tones to love of life and strength mankind awake : Quitting his nest, then soars the lark towards the celestial height ; At housand carols to the world proclaim with loud delight, That Freya's soul-enchanting smile hath bless'd Heimdaller's sight." CANTO XXVIII. 327 Heinidallei's words liml no dissent : the Asars' hearts Ihey move ; And Freya's eyes rewarded him with such sweet looks of love, He blush'd hke morn, when through night's veil the day begins to [break : Tears glisten'd in his radiant eyes, and roll'd adown his cheek. Heimdaller then Lok's plan explain'd, and spoke : " Ye Asar hi"h ! His hammer Thor will ne'er regain, unless we mystify The amorous giant : as ye know, he seeks a bride more fair Than those he 's been accustomed to, in his dark mountain lair. Unused to females, who possess grace, beauty, symmetry, To dupe the giant's senses coarse no arduous task would be. If Thor will but consent to dress in feminine attire, There is a bride at once most fit to cool the giant's fire ! Let Thor like Freya be array'd : to further the deceit She'll not refuse, I trow, to lend the robes and jewels meet. Odin a lotion too can give of faculty divine To wash off all callosity and roughness from the skin. Thor then, with face as white as meal, and cheek as red as blood, Will lose his shaggy beard, 'tis true, but not his hardihood. Let the famed necklace Brising about his neck be wound ; There in exchange for Miiilner a bride at once is found! Before his bosom two round stones we'll fix within his vest. And there, in outward form at least, appears a woman's breast ! And these when wrapp'd in scarlet cloth, at the baresight will fill With sulphur all the giant's veins, and cause his blood to thrill. A bonnet with a long white veil to grace his brows were meet ; And bunch of keys, lied to his waist, the bridal dress complete. Lok too, as waiting-maid attired, with Thor shall bend his way To IJtgard's realm : he'll not rehise, I guess, this part to play 3i8 THE GODS OF THE NORTH. Then, when Thor sits upon the couch in the dark giant's dome, When bearing Miblner in their arms the black dwarfs forward come, When Thrymur, drunk with love, shall place the hammer on Thor's [breast, What then Thor has to do, methinks, I need not here suggest. In Heimdal 'twere presumption great, by words or argument, To teach great Asa-Thor the use of his own instrument." With joy the Disar clapp'd their hands, and with each other vied, Delighted with the stratagem, to dress up Thor as bride. The gods indulge in hearty laugh ; Yggdrassil flouts the sky ; Its branches green wave o'er the roof of Valhall gloriously. Balder, Forsete, Mimer were absent from the Ting, And mightily this favour'd Lok's project. Drupner ring On Odin's finger dropp'd, indeed, on the grass others nine, And fain, to its construction true, would warn its lord divine : But the Asynior's laughter gay banish'd from Odin's breast All scruples; so that Loptur's guile he deem'd a harmless jest. Thor did indeed remonstrate : " How? as female, Thor appear? Unheard of 1 ne'er can I consent the female garb to wear." But Freya with her lily hand patted his cheek, and lo! All scruples vanished from his breast, all wrinkles from his brow. " 'Tis true," said Freya, '"mortal man composed of wretched dust Must by his nature ever be a victim to mistrust; Must ever guard himself against the influence of hate. Which ne'er the most illustrious deeds fails to calumniate ; But Thor in Trudvang rules; who dare his acts divine arraign Surely to aid a humorous freak his godhead cannot stain." .,„? Young FuUa, bearing Freya's robes, nowenter'd in the hall ; But Odin's hand nuist widen iheni; for Thor they were too small CANTO XXVIH. 3-2<.> But to give him a slender waist their utmost efforts fail, For he was stout, and would not move without his coat of mail. Now on his breast the two round stones twas Hermod's task to place ; At this the fair Valkyrior blush'd, and laugh'd, and hid their face. Now they suspend about his neck the necklace, Brising hight, With many a ruby rich adorn'd, and many a diamond bright. Now to the face and neck of Thor Odin applied his hand ; All roughness vanish'd at the touch : white, delicate and bland Became his skin ; no hue remain'd, which Thor could designate. Now round his brazen helm a cap with long white veil Ihey plait ; He don'd his gloves, and Megingard around his girdle laced, To act with force, when in his hand his Miolner should be placed. Now red they take to paint his cheek ; they cut his nails ; when drest, A sprig of whitethorn in full bloom they fasten to his breast. Now round the god travestied thus th' Asynior young and gay, Like children at a fav'rite game, delighted frisk and play : " O Thrymur! gallant Thrymur!" in chorus loud they chime, " Hast thou ne'er been love's vassal, thou'lt not escape this time." To harness now and yoke the goats was Tialf's peculiar care : Then Thor and Lok in female garb ascend the golden car. Thus down o'er Bifrost's dizzy height, in Freya's robes array'd, Drove Asa-Thor; a tinge of rose the vault of heav'n o'erspread. As the car pass'd, Heimdaller blew his horn in glorious style. The virgins nine salute the god with fascinating smile. Seen from the earth, like meteor bright the golden car appear'd ; This time no thunder shook the poles ; no forked lightnings glared : The car athwart the azure sky swift glided like a swan ; Therein sat Tialfe, Asa-Lok, and Thor, the giants' banc. (3) caH®® xxix< IHE HAMMER OF THOU KECOVEREI). Seated in his golden car, Gliding swift as shooting star, Thor, with Loptur by his side, Towards the giant's dwelling hied. Lok on treason ever bent, Pleased his foes to circumvent, At the triumph of his guile Chuckled with malignant smile. Now tremble the rocks ! they proceed on their way : The mountains a wide yawning entrance display ! But only half open the portal was found ; And a flame often tlash'd through the darkness profound CANTO XXIX. 331 Black as jet, but streak'd with tlatne, Thrymur to the portal carne : There the giant proud and strong Tower'd amidst his vassal throng ! On his brows a diadem Deck'd with many a brilliant gem. Now he greets, with conscious pride, Graciously his beauteous bride. At the porch as his life-guards six monarchs behold ! One glitt'ring in Silver ; one flaming in Gold ; One in Iron dark blue ; one in Copper bright red ; White in Tin was this chieftain; that, sable in Lead. From the car the gods descend : Thrymur see ! his hand extend To conduct his fancied spouse : High his blood with passion glows. Many a gloomy corridor Must the Asar pass, before They can reach the giant's throne, Shining in the vast saloon. Each gem, like a princess so fine and so fair. Graced the hall : sprightly Ruby, gay Emerald was there ; Mild Sapphire, and Diamond so regal in mien : Their splendid tiaras enliven the scene. ■•*32 THE GODS OF THE NORTH. Through the humid caverns, where Sunbeam ne'er hath cheer'd the air, Thor moves onward, free Irom dread, By his giant consort led. Little dwarfs, the way to show, Foremost march the gall'ries through. Holding each a sulphur brand Blazing in his rugged hand. Half conceal'd in a corner, and far from the light. There stand the shield-bearers, all ready for fight There was sour-featur'd Vitriol, and Arsenic fell. Whose look would the stoutest assailant repel. Like a little child in mien. Pale and cross was Cobalt seen : Oft it stared with ghastly frown. Sitting on the gelid stone. Through the hall its fetid breath Spread around a scent of death : Legs it had not, but a pad CrownM its venom-swelter'd head. In the midst of the hall blazed a coal-cover'd pyre. And the giants assembled in troops round the fire : Cuirasses they wore on their hair-cover'd breasts, And defiance they breath'd with their high-waving crests. CANTO XXIX. 333 Echoing now the rocks among Loud they chaiint a magic song : Like the dismal yell its sound Of the agonizing hound, When its belly drips with gore Torn by tusk of angry boar, While his bowels o'er the plain, Gasping short, he trails with pain. Dame Hela two chieftains illustrious had sent From her palace ; they both were of regal descent : Consumption, in gorgeous apparel array'd ; Plague, with spots on his robe, and all conquering blade. Sole of all the giant race Lok of Utgard did not grace Thrymur's hall that marriage night : Visions dire his mind affright. Treason doth he apprehend ; Carrion scents his nose offend. In a corner uow was spread Deck'd with skins the nuptial bed. While all the old giants and infants were stowM, Wrapt in sleep, in the sov' reign of Utgard's abode, Each grown male and female, each maiden and swain To assist at the marriage of Thrymur remain. '.{'34 THE GODS OF THE NOUTM. Tbor in silken robe arrayM Counterfeits the bashful maid : Now his eyes he glanced around ; Now he fixM them on the ground : Now the two round stones inspire Thrymur's breast with amorous fire. Then the goblet-bearing swain Enter'd midst the festive train. Now with hydromel sparkling each goblet he (ill'd ; Now into the hall rush'd the giants so wild : With flames now the cheeks of each other they smutted, And, like rams, with the horns on their temples they butted. Eager now to join the feast Towards the board each giant prest Much they stared the bride to see Eat and drink so lustily : Though he many a goblet drainM, Thor unsated still remained : Still he for more liquor cries : What a sight for Thrymur's eyes ! Scarce fiU'd was Thor's goblet, he emptied it strait, Though fill'd to the brim ; a whole ox he ate, Eight salmon to boot ; and with marvellous speed The husband of Sif swallow'd three tons of mead. t CANTO XXIX. 335 Then said Thrymur : "So much meat, " So much fish doth Freya eat ? So much beer? so much mead Can she swallow? strange, indeed ! Who would not astonish'd be Such a dainty dame to see Drain each oft replenish'd bowl, As '(were but a thimble-full ?" But Lok, who as waiting-maid stood by the side Of Thor, in excuse whisper'd Thrymur. '• Thy bride Eight nights without eating or drinking hath past, And deep longing for thee was the cause of her fast." Thrymur now at what he heard Chuckled joyful in his beard : See him with enamour'd mien Towards his consort's bosom lean ! But Thor's flashing eyes subdued Soon the lover's hardihood ; Quick the giant must retire Aw'd by Aukthor's look of fire. Then said Lok, from the giant all fears to remove : "Her thoughts ever dwelling on fhrymur and love, Poor Freya eight nights without sleeping hath past, Hence her eyes are so red, and her brow overcast." wm Tllli GODS OF THE NOKTll. Then a female black as coal, With short frizzled hair like wool, Enter'd in the festive hall ; Yoiing was she, smooth skinn'd, and tall On her brows a crown she wore, Emblem of her regal power : While around her waist a zone Deck'd with many a jewel shone. " Come, sister ! 'tis time (so a trnce to your blushes) To couch with your bridegroom on bed of dry rushes As consort of Thrymur I'll hail thee at morn ; And many a gem shall thy temples adorn. " Now to fetch the shaft divine. Giant Thrymur made a sign. " In the bosom of my bride Be it placed !" the giant cried. " Tis the hour of midnight -, now Must be sworn the marriage vow : (1) Now by Miblner's iron bright Mutual faith and troth we'll plight." Scarce was utter'd the order, when in came a troop Of dwarfs bearing Miblner ; and oft must they stoop : Scarce sufficient were they, though their number was great, And they gasp and they groan under Miblner's vast weight. CANTO XXIX. 33t When the Asa held at last In his hands the hammer fast, Pleas'd was he its nib to view Shining with reflection bhie : Then he raised his stature up To the very cavern's top : Roll'd his eye-balls flashing flame ! Red, blood-red his cheek became! The head-dress and veil from his helmet drop down ; Indignant he tore from his body the gown : With the beard on his chin, and the scars on his breast, The broad-shoulder'd champion as Thor stood confest ! Berserk fury in his eye, Now he swung his arm on high ! While he dealt his deadly blows, Higher still his courage rose. Who shall now the carnage trace Of the wretched Jotun race? Ha! what bloody torrents roll From each giant's cloven skull ! When Thrymur was kill'd, arm'd with club and with spear, Darting forth from their caverns fresh giants appear : But Thor hammer'd round him as brisk as Vauhinder, When he beats on his anvil the iron asunder. 33S THE CODS OF TfFE NORTH. Hriigner now, a man of stone, (2) Onward moved with haughty frown, While his eyes with ghastly glow Hurl'd defiance on the foe: 'Stead of heart, within his breast Was a granite fragment placed ; Twas three-corner'd ; there it stood Void of feeling, void of blood. And lo ! for the giants a figure of clay Of aspect ferocious now join'd in the fray ! His bosom was fiU'd with the heart of a horse ; Strong and mighty it made him, and swift at the course. Now 'gainst Hrugner naught alarm'd Thor advanced with Mi6lner arm'd. On the club of Hrugner, lo ! Thor inflicts a'deadly blow ! With such energy 'twas given, Hrugner's mace was piecemeal riven, While its scatter'd fragments fall, Frightful clatt'ring round the hall. But the clay-fashion'd chieftain was Mokkurcalf hight He struck on his shield, and presumed on his might ; Rut, pierced by the sword of young Tialf in the fray, The horse-fiend fell down with a horrible neigh. CANTO XXIX. r say Now was heard the dying moan, Many a shriek and many a groan ! Thor was dreadful in his ire ; Naught could tame his warlike fire. Thousand giants round him lay, Victims of the bloody fray. Down hke tool of paviour fell Miolner with a pond'rous peal. Now, reeking with blood, sprang the treacherous Lok 'Mongst the wounded, like Nidding, their miseries to mock; When he met with a giant all drench'd in his gore And dying, he laugh'd, and he stabb'd him once more. Now there reign'd a silence deep. As when winds and billows sleep On the coast : with gloomy mien Thor beheld the frightful scene. From the giants' dark abode, Fill'd with mangled limbs and blood. Every vital spark had fled : All was silent ! all was dead ! In vain all their courage the giants display ; With eyes closed in death, like mow'd rushes they lay : Naught remain'd of their strength or their valour behind ; From their bodies hath fled the invincible mind. 3 10 THE GODS OF THE NOllTH. As the lion, when his might Hath victorious proved in fight, Viewing now his vanquish'd prey Breathless, bleeding, fore him lie, With revenge no longer burns, All his rage to pity turns, And the beasts' high-minded chief Ruminates in silent grief; Thus Thor, when his fury was o'er, look'd and sigh'd Deep in silence and pensive, his victims beside : But Lok, like the lynx, from his lips licking gore, Grinn'd with cruel delight, and still thirsted for more. >»<^©-iBa M¥# SCStm^- THE VALAS PROPHECY. As Thor sat silent, and the fight was o'er, Slow from the giants' blood a smoke arose, And white and thick the vapour spread itseli ! Trembling with guilt and fear Lok veil'd his face. At length the smoke, dissolving by degrees, Develop'd a gigantic female form : Silent she stood ; her eyelids were half-closed ; Her visage pale as death : through all (he caves Glimmer'd a lurid llame. Upon the brow Of Lok glared visibly the stamp of crime. The mountain dame long contemplated Thor With look serene, though stern : (he god remain'd Mournful and mute. At length a sigh exhaled Of deep compassion from her laboring breast : Grave was her aspect; in each feature reign'd The calm of peace : peculiar tenderness, Mix'd with severity, restrain'd her wrath. ?A-i THK GODii OF THE NOIITII. " Sad tidings liave 1 to announce to thee, O Thor!" thus she began •, "for thou hast soil'd Thy honour : Lok hath taught thee how to sin. But for a short time longer shalt thou bear Thy Miolner : sore it grieves me to announce Thy fall, Thor! for thou art good and brave, And dear to me for aye will be thy name. But the whole Ocean cannot wash away The rust that stains thy shield ; then listen now Calmly to what I shall unfold, and learn From me thy future fate ! Though all creation To ashes buin, yet that which is eternal No flame consumes ; 'tis only the foul mask That bursts, and falls to dust. I sing to thee A song of heavy import, "the World's End." Into Valhalla's realm shall find its way Corruption leagued with pain: with splendour false Dazzled your eyes become, like those of man : This deeply moves the pious Balder's heart; He warns, but warns in vain; unheeded still Remains his counsel sage : the heavenly Frigga Now to a mere terrestrial Hertha sinks : In Freya's look voluptuousness alone Predominates and burns : ferocious Thor Becomes, and Odin weak: then Lok shall weave His woof of treach'ry and deceit: all things Forebode the fall of the degen'rate world : Frivolity with vice reigns close allied ; Then bursts thy roof of pearl, O Breidablik! CANTO XXX. :U3 Lok in the dark the fatal arrow guides ; Drown'd in fraternal blood affection lies : The corpse of Balder decks the pyre : the race Of Alfer disappear from Valaskialf : Peace is compell'd to abdicate her reign, While war and pestilence rage uncontroU'd. Now every day still more and more corrupt Becomes the race of Askur ; no respect Is paid to oaths : i' th' hand of brutal force The glaive tyrannic crushes and dethrones Truth, piety, and justice : idols grim Of stone, or wood, or brass, alone are worshipped, Where whilom burnt a pure and holy flame. Now men are sacrificed at Odin's shrine Like cattle : many a gentle maiden drown'd In Hertha's honour in the mystic grove. Where then shall innocence protection find ? The probity so famed of th' olden time Hath vanish'd from the earth : but Lok ! thy joy Shall be of short duration; thou shalt fall A victim to thy own insidious arts ; Thou first didst cruelty to th' Asar teach, And cruel shall thy expiation be. In a deep subterranean cave shalt thou Be captive held, and rage and foam in vain : The Asar in their wrath shall seize and fasten Thy body to a rock: one peak shall bear Thy shoulder, one thy loins, and one thy knees. No one for thee the smallest pity feels : Thy sons each other shall, like wolves, devour. :»1J THE GODS OF THIi NORTH. And their intestines bind their guilty sire. Yet true and faithful shall remain thy spouse, And she alone; and though the serpents huge Hang venom-breathing o'er thee, pair by pair, Dropping their foam on thee but half alive, Yet Sigyn's gentle nature shall not fail; Assiduous she will stretch a vessel forth To shelter from the dropping venom him, Who once was dearly iov'd : the vase, when fill'd, She carries out ; then on thy fester'd wounds And hps the poison fails; writhing with pain Thou tremblest ; at the shock earth trembles too. Then Odin hurls his javelin wide around, Slaying the wretched denizens of earth To gorge himself with plunder : blood doth cleave E'en to the robe of peace : where then repose Can find the weary wand'rer ? lo ! Guldveige Advances, goddess like ! her shrine of gold Is worshipp'd fervently o'er hill and vale. She can the wildest wolf with fetters bind, Yet she capricious to the worst of men Accords her favours, and is prodigal Of treasure to the vile and base alone. Then is good counsel in Valhalla scarce, For Mimer hath long since the sacred grove Abandon'd in despair, and in a well Dwells like a reptile. Odin, true, his eye Has given in pledge to him, that he may see CANTO XXX. 345 More clear athwart the murkiness, but vain The gift; more dim doth Mimer's sight becoirie. The vaults wide gaping of the rocks present The aspect of a coffin ! Nastrond's gulf Opes its tremendous jaws, where serpents foul Hiss and exhale their poison all around, Mix'd with the flame of sulphur burning blue I Into that gulf fall headlong down the men Who never felt repentance; round their limbs The speckled serpents eoil, intent to bite : Huge as an ox, with formidable spring Conscience, the giant scorpion, tears the heart Of th' vicious with its fangs : deep in their llesh Fell Nidhog revels with insatiate tooth : * Flames crackle loud in the abyss profound, And Bragur's harp divine is heard no more. Down in Hvergelmer Elivagor roars ; On every coast by shipwreck lives are lost : The ancient firs and oaks with branches bare Uprooted lie : the moon is swallow'd up By Maanegarm : the sun, like out-burnt coal, Grows dark, while loud the giants' laugh resounds To mock the Asar with insulting gibe. Deep in the bosom of the mounlain now Shall Utgard-Lok his progeny excite With eloquence indignant to avenge The death of their forefathers. Fialar now. The blood-red cock, is heard to crow ! the dog Yells loud and oft before the cave of Gnypa ! Then llela opes her gates with frighthil clang! 34f» TMK <;()ns OP THE NOKTH. Willi golden helms, and yellow tresses bright Wide streaming through the air, to battle ride The proud \ alkyrior ; the decrees of late The ISornor now no longer can conceal. Then days of tempest, war, and pestilence And foul revolt arise : his brother's life The brother spareth not : no mercy shows Man, flush'd with battle, to his fellow man. Shakes with affright Yggdrassil's top, and straight Becomes the prey of flames! the Asar tremble, And terror reigns upon their brows divine. Sighs from the rack and groans re-echo loud The miseries of the earth : upon the bridge lleimdaller perch'd blows fearfully his horn To rouse all nature to th' eternal strife ; While Jormundgardur lifts his head and hisses. With vapours dark the rainbow, once so bright, Becomes obscured : down ride the Asar : Bifrost Breaks down with frightful crash : the sky sucks up The vapour like a swamp : the heavens thus lose Their brightest ornament ; while Naglefare, With giants fiU'd, through noisome weed-choked marsh Forces its way ; the black Hag at the mast Triumphant waves ; Lok, prince of Utgard, stands Himself exulting at the prow, and calls Aloud for battle ! All the giant band With clash of shields re-echo loud the cry ! Now Fenris breaks his chain ; he howls aloud, And hails the giants with applauding yell. His foam covers the ocean ; with affright CANTO X\X. 347 The stars fall headlong down Irom heav'n, and sink With hissing noise, extinguish'd, in the sea. Upon the waters all the fish lie dead : Now slowly rising from the south advances A column thick of vapour 1 joy pervades The giants' hearts, when they behold the flame Athwart the sultry vapour burning blue. 'Tis Surtur, whom the vast abyss sends forth, Of the most frightful darkness puissant chief, Grasping in both black hands his steel-blue glaive. Now towards Valhalla's realm he seems to move ; Now towards the earth : he rolls along the sky, And vapours foul, and bowlings horiible Conglomerate around his dusky brow. But who 'gainst Surtur rushes to the fight ? 'Tis Frey ; but he turns pale, for now his sword He hath not : hark ! a trampling loud is heard Of horses' hoofs : 'tis Odin ; see ! he hastes To join the combat, boldly piercing through The thickest of the fight : upon his front The scars of Geirsodd bleed afresh : his steed Is white ; a golden crest gleams on his helm : With Gugner (1) arm'd he rushes on the wolf ! Alas! by Fenris' jaws \alhalla's lord Is seiz'd and swallow'd up ! — a morning ray Of purple shines afar with glimm'ring light — 'Tis Odin's blood. — Now Frigga in the sky Is seen wringing her hands, with aspect pale : She strives grave Vidar's courage to excite : Like whirlwind in the midst of vapour forth :iJ8 THE GODS OF THE NORTH. She sends her son. Vidar no longer now Keeps silence ; learl'iilly he groans and sighs : His eyes flash fire, but with extended jaws Fenris, the woll', rushes to meet his foe, Gnashing his frightful teeth : but Vidar soon O'ercomes the wolf, as were he but a whelp : He throws him on his back, tears out his tongue, And tramples him to death beneath his feet. At length arrives a great important hour, For now to vapour by the power of fire The waters all dissolve, and the white sand Of ocean's depth extreme is bared to view. Now Jormundgardur feels the burning heat, And writhes impatient with sensation strange. Unused on land to fold himself in coils. See with uplifted hammer Thor approach ! . So fierce a combat ne'er was seen before : The snake with cunning strives around the limbs Of Thor, in brazen armour cased, to wind His dark blue rings, while on the monster's scales The hero's hammer deals repeated blows. Long and uncertain lasts the awful fight ; At length is heard a hideous scream ; for now Victorious Thor hath given the mortal blow. And tramples with his heel the monster's head. But in the agonies of death around The hero's feet the serpent winds his folds Still closer, and with venom-spreading foam Bedews the conqueror's front, and gioans and dies. Thor stands victorious; but too soon grows pale; CANTO XXX. 319 He staggers ; now he rallies ; now again Staggers nine paces ; and sinks down in death ! So heart-appalHng is thy dying look, O Thor I th' Asynior all expire of grief : They feel it like a dagger in their heart. Garm destroys Tyr ; but Tyr in dying pierces The monster's heart : now from his lurking-place, Like cat, springs Lok, and brandishes on high A sulfurous torch from INastrond ; on his brow Glitters a brazen helm : Heimdaller moves 'Gainst him with sword uplifted, one blow strikes, And down to Nastrond sinks th' eternal foe. Then vanishes like colours in the night Heimdaller's self: the dwarfs are heard to sigh Deep in the rocks ; they die of fright ; yet shines Awhile the golden car of Thor ; but soon It disappears : the two white goats expire. But lately gleam'd a feeble light, but now 'Tis utterly extinguish'd : all creation Sinks overwhelm'd in one vast shower of blood. Alfader reigns once more sole lord of all. With mind reluctant hitherto have I A strain interpreted of presage dire, The world's destruction, and the Asar's fall. But listen now to a more pleasing theme. The hope and consolation that ensue ! From ocean's depth a new-form'd earth shall spring! The azure wave reflect the new-spun grass ! Again adown the rock the cataract fall. 350 THE GODS OK THE NOIITII. O'er which clouds fleeting pass, and eae^les soar ! On Ida's plain tlie Asar all assembled Ai^ain awake to new-framed life and joy ! All recollection of the ancient strife Is banish'd from their minds; a new-born child, A graceful daughter hath the sun produced, Who shall upon her mother's well-known path All glorious move, but far more beautiful Than her, by all so dearly loved and prized. The human race shall likewise be restored To life from their long slumber : now awake Lif and Liftrasir, by the morning dew Refresh'd and nourish'd : then shall every grief Seem but remembrance of a painful dream. The Asar all shall to the grove repair, Where amidst flowers the crystal fountain streams : In all his glory will Alfader then Reveal himself to man ; his buckler hold On high, glitt'ring with runes, whose sense sublime Shall shield his children from all future harm. Tablets of gold, with golden counters deck'd, Shall in the grass be found, where violets Give fragrant odour : on each counter shines Each thought and action of a human life. The facts of old shall mere illusion prove. And med'cine, what was whilom poison held. The corn shall not the sower's toil require, But spring spontaneous from the womb of earth : No serpent lurk beneath the flower; all evil Shall vanish : order, justice, truth and love CANTO XXX. :jjl Eternally tiiiunphant now shall leign. Then high above Valhalla's roof extends The dwelling of the blest, the glorious Gimle, Pavilion of the Good ; an edifice Which naught can shake, naught injure or destroy. There shall the tender heart of Balder find True consolation ; there shall he again Embrace his brother Haedur : Bragur too Shall press Iduna to his breast once more : Freya again her long lost Odur meet : Frey fold his faithful Gerda in his arms : Thor Sif embrace. All hearts shall cease to bleed. But Miolner is not to be found in Gimle : Behold ! with smile of love ineffable Alfader gives to Thor a glaive, whose hilt Shines forth in form of cross with hlies graced . Now," said the Vala, "have my lips reveal'd All that time yet conceals : my solemn words Ponder, Thor! for 1 must now depart, Becall'd by him, at whose behest 1 came." Thus said, she sank into the yawning ground ! A fearful gust of wind howl'd through the rocks. And in the cave Thor found himself alone : His hammer in his bosom lay ; at once He recognized the fatal weapon. Tialfe Lay slumb'ring by his side : in heaps around The giants' bodies strew'd, all drench'd with gore, Bore witness to the prowess he display'd. arvi THE GODS OP THE NORTH. Tlior now again ascends to ^'alaskialf : The Vala's revelation he imparts To Odin : Odin and the Asar all Silent remain, immersM in thought prolound ! Here ends my song about the Gods on high. NOTES AND ELUCIDATIONS. NOTES TO THE FIRST CANTO. Specimen or the metre in the original. gt 6agn fulb vaerb at Imt SO»e& gamie 9?uncc flaaer; £aancr mtg ebevS Ocv< ! SOlenS jeg ®ulbf)arpen fraaec. ; J^toab i be mocfc ©frtfttr ilte be Stacmpcr «jaae. (1) The name of this giantess is Angurbod : see theCatalogue of proper Names. 340 NOTES AND ELUCIDATIONS. (2) MidgarcCs snake is the serpent Jormundgard, type of the ocean, which surrounds the earth (Midgard). According to Ling, a Swedish poet, themythe of Lok and his three offspring, Fenris, Hela and Jormundgard, may be thus explained. Fenris denotes what is destructive or prejudicial in Fire : Hela denotes the deleterious qualities of the Earth, in decompos- ing substances and causing rottenness : Jormundgard denotes the destruc- tive qualities of Water: all these are caused by the action oi Air (Lok or Loptur) mixing with Angurbod (impurity). The amour of Asa-Lok and Angurbod has some resemblance to the amour of the giant Typhon with Echidna, which produced the Chimera, Cerberus and Hydra of the Greek mythology. (3) The Hell of the christians is always represented by theologians as a place oietemaljire ; yet in the country where the religion of Odin pre- vailed, the inhabitants, from ancient custom, could not refrain from con- sidering it sometimes as a place of eternal cold. At least, the idea some- limes breaks out in the ballads composed long after the introduction of Christianity. In a Scottish ballad, for instance, inserted by Walter Scott in his " Minstrelsey of the Scottish Border," there is the following »(anza : O wbalen a mountain is yon, she said, All so dreary wi' frost and snow i* O yon is the mountain of Hell, he cried, Where you and 1 must go. NOTES TO THE FOURTH CANTO. Rpeclmcn of the original. ©a i(».a vet for OattS.'Oeje 55cti ftovc UtgavbfJrtb ; Set tun^c «cl tovnbjc/ NOTES AND ELUCIDATIONS. 341 For this Canto, I have adopted a metre something similar to that used in Biiiger's Leonora. (1) This vast and empty space is Ginnungagap. (2) The giantess Betsla. The Author, in his cosmogony, has adhered closely to the Edda. NOTES TO THE FIFTH CAISTO. Specimen of the original. S)a Bcb be htiit 'Bov&c 53e ^acmpev i-unbt nu \\xif tog £ofc fntlf fit Ovbt, Sen muntce Wa glafc/ etc. (1) Who this Goblin turns out to be, is explained in the next Canto. (2) Little Thumb; so I translate Tommeliden, the name of Utgard-Lok's racer; who he, the drinking-horn presented to Thor, the cat, and the old woman turn out be, all this is explained in the next Canto. (3) I do not Gnd in the Edda any mention of this feat ; it is probably the poet's own invention, and meant as a pendant to the episode of Mars and Venus. (4) Let no one be astonished, that the car of the goddess of love should be drawn by cats. Cats are the most ardent and persevering of lovers. The celebrated Spanish poet Lope de Vega has said of them, Los gatos en efeto Son del amor el indice perfeto. and in another place. Que cosa puede haber con que se igualc [ La pacicncia dc un galo enamorado? 342 NOTES AND ELUCIDATIONS. (5) This combal between Thor and the giantesses on the rocky isle is al- luded to in the elder or poetic Edda, in the chapter called " Harbard's song.'' Harbard makes Thor the following reproach, when the latter tells him that he had beaten and put to flight the giantesses on the isle of Hlesey •■ " Shamefully didst thou act, O Thor! When thou didst beat women. Thor answers : They were not women ; They were she-wolves ; They attacked me with iron clubs. The meaning of this, according to FinnMagnussen, is, that the noxious vapours and tempest on Hlesey were dispersed by a thunderstorm ; and the iron clubs denote hailstones. (6) The apple of Iduna. See the Catalogue. NOTES TO THE SIXTH CANTO. Specimen of the original. , t>a nu ^cn .^ett f)in ^\>AKt 93;ibt ubj gj^iu-fcn flob/ 5Ut unbei- .^imtcn flavc, 'a3iCb 23lomrtev vcb ftii Sot/ etc. (1) The circumstance of the dwarf's face being veiled, means, thai the Ihoughl of Ulgard-Lok could not be divined by Thor. (2) It was a saying in ihe pagan time, when the ebb began, " Thor drinks.'' NOTES AND ELUCIDATIONS. U:i The Author has adhered closely to ihe prosaic Edda in his narration of Thor's adventure in Utgard. VVilh respect to the two Loks, and the diflference between them, it is not a little curious to find that in the gospel of INicodemus (one of those rejected by the council of Nice, chap, xx, verses 2 and following), Satan and the prince of hell are described as two distinct persons ; and when Satan in- forms the latter, that he has achieved for him a great conquest, by bringing captive to his realm no less a personage than Jesus Christ, the prince of hell, instead of thanking Satan for that service, loads him with reproaches for his unpardonable thoughtlesness, in bringing into his dominions a person by whom he (the prince of hell) had sustained a serious detriment, in the loss of sundry souls, whom Jesus Christ, in escaping from hell, had carried off with him, and who, but for that visit, would still have re- mained there. ' It is singular that this comparison should have escaped the notice, not only of Finn Magnussen, but that of all the other commentators of the Edda, when discussing the subject of the two Loks. 1 stumbled by mere chance three years ago on a copy of the apocryphal New Testament in German, and on reading the chapter above quoted, the ideaof this ana- logy immediately and forcibly struck me. NOTES TO THE SEVENTH CANTO. Specimen of the original. SOor mpnnc i^(^ imu\io\:i>c, Og UMlti vi&t fit ?»ltf : X)c rigc/ fete ^jpi'bc (grtrt ftiitiiU nintt l)rtm ait. 344 NOTES AND ELUCIDATIONS. (1) In amplifying Ihis stanza, 1 could not avoid borrowing something from Mason, in that beautiful chorus of Elfrida, beginning, "Say! will no white-robed son of light," and the words " Whose cheek but emulates the peach's bloom, " Whose breath the hyacinth's perfume, " occurring to my memory, I made no scruple of adopting them, and 1 am sure my readers will view with an indulgent eye this plagiarism. (2) The classical reader will be reminded in this passage of the speech of Jupiter to Venus, when she is wounded by Diomed : Ov TO/, TSKVov ey.ov, S'cS'otai rroAsfji.tiia. spyac, etc. NOTES TO THE EIGHTH CAINTO. Specimen of the original. @u& 2I)oiv tim Untcvfiaei'fe/ 2>af tit i J^u faa gram ; Jf)an lob fig intet macvfc/ 55og ttfUii bet Dam 6fam/ 5lt Setter Oam turbe giaeffo etc. By way of variety, I have adopted a trochaic metre for my translation of this Canto. (1) The serpent Jormundgard, type of humidity and its dangerous eflFecls ; it is a happy idea of the poet to imagine all the serpent kind en- gendered by him. In every mythology the serpent seems to be the emblem of humidity and its noxious qualities. The fable of Jormundgard has evidently given rise to the supposed existence of the kraken, or monstrous sea-serpent. NOTES AND ELUCIDATIONS. 845 *■ (2) According to the Scandinavian belief, the half of those who fell in bailie fell to the share of Odin, and the other half lo Freya. Finn Mag- nussen thinks this to be a mistake, and that by Freya is meant Frigga, the wife of Odin. The allegory then becomes more clear : Odin typifies the heavens, Frigga the earth; the spirits of the slain ascend to Odin, their bodies remain with Frigga. Another very ingenious allegory lies in the nature of the nourishment used by Odin at the banquet of Valhalla. In the younger or prosaic Edda it is written, " The food that comes to his (Odin's) share, he gives to bis two wolves, Gere and Freke. He himself requires no solid food, for wine is to him both meat and drink." In the elder or poetic Edda it is thus written in Ibe chapter called Grimnismal : The warlike highly honoured Father of heroes gives his food To Gere and to Freke ; For by wine alone Is the glorious Odin nourished." By this is meant, that in battle Ihe spirits of the slain mount lo heaven (Odin), while their bodies remain a prey to wolves, and other beasls of prey. Spirits are typified by wine, the most spirituous of all fermented liquors. The above quotations from the two Eddas afford, perhaps, the best illustration of the difference of their respective styles. NOTES TO THE MNTH CANTO. Specimen of the original. Oi-mcn UxA vm falten «8uni) i J^auct, etrnciigt « Si)lcb fu], lob .^ovbet (lacniU/ gi 55al()rtl§ ®Inebev mccr ijmx I'miiflc ?)^an vcci- ()aiit felv gacfivimncv in-rtgc ; .^lan btttcrt leer 09 (pottci- 05ubcv ; and so on in tercels and couplets. I have adopted a free but rhymed metre for my translation. NOTES AND ELUCIDATIONS. 347 ISOTES TO THE ELEVENTH CANTO. Specimen of the original. Zvatl af Qlftoxn 9lt l)an bicj alter Jljll'act ftnbec : Qiil &u ct VOVii ajillien^ gvijlnv 33vinge iu !Svanb i SBIotet albvig. 1 have given two translations of this Canto, one of which is an attempt to imitate the metre of the original, in which ffihlenschlager has successfully imitated the alliterative metre of the Icelandic poetry. (1) Lassie ; the liberty of using a Scottish word may well be allowed in a translation from the Danish, since there is so much alTmity between the Danish and the Lowland Scotch languages. NOTES TO THE TWELFTH CANTO. Specimen of the original. Jp)an I'rtb t .fatten Oij facnftc bevpatv ^ani ^MVn i)anx cjlacbte faa \\\avt : gjaai- gif fig nil fjjctlcv i Olanfcn ^Ux, ®a faetber Oun mobigc ?:artvc. (1) By leek and by crout : a common method of swearing among the Scandinavians to this day. (2) liauta-strn means a tombstone, or funeral monument, (3) Odin's eye, i.e. the sun. ^** NOTES AND ELUCIDATIONS. (4) By ihis descriplion, ihe poel has probably meant to designate the fossile formations of the earth. (5) The new hair made for Sif may possibly represent a meteor, comet, or shooting star, or perhaps lightning, as connected with thunder (Thor). Finn Magnussen thinks that, in this mythe, S?/typiQes the earth, and her hair the cojti, which is cut down by Lok (lime), and reproduced and gilded by him at the instigation of Thor; i.e. the electrical heat of summer ripening the corn. I have adopted a similar metre to the original in my translation of this Ganto, but with greater prodigality of rhyme, Ihe middle rhymes being only used by the author in Ihe nine last stanzas. NOTES TO THE THIRTEENTH CANTO. Specimen of the original. 2<§'Db«n ub mcb .^acnti* bvpg/ 09 mcb SofC/ ben g«enb i ODtjaw ftrtcvf ; Se "JQienncffcffiffclfCf bcm pnatog. (a>il iu fiacnbc bin 'Syimi, pi-bv fcl\) f)an§ 55rtctf) 2tf rtt fibbe pan Stol i ^Ui^fiatH Slot 23av Dbin tvciitt ben opmacvffommc ©rot ; (5om ajanbi-ins^manb/ i Sfoggcvncg Cop j^rttt artnbcv/ og fblev (el» fig 6tbvv etc. In my translation of this Canlo, I have adopted as a metre a stanza of eight lines, generally of ten syllables each, but admitting occasionally lines of eight or twelve syllables ; the arrangement of the rhymes is varied. It is in fact exactly the same metre as that adopted by Schiller, in his translation of the second and fourth Books of the .^neis, and by Wieland, in bis poem of Idris and Zenide. NOTES AND ELUCIDATIONS. 34'J (1) Jarl : a title of nobility in Norway, corresponding to that of count ; the English title, earl, is derived therefrom. (2) This eagle is the giant Thiasse, who took that form, in order to get Asa-Lok into his power, and compel him to carry off Iduna, the guardian of the apples of immortality, from Asagard. (3) Alia lumaca; so the Italians term that style of wreathing the hair. NOTES TO THE FOURTEENTH CANTO. Specimen of the original. 6om 55»nbcn bUxtfcv ()en itn tettt Sf»)/ (Saa i'««n6ec Over ^cbvift i gvigOebcn ; ; V gen SSblge fan!/ een m(tv fig paa mv Og dampen legev Icfllcnbc mc& Sveben ; Snrtvt 6IJnfc (S»aevb/ fnavt vufie be f (Sfebcn. r' jg)ttab er t>it Alt 1 (Et flogttgt ®ibg(cinbbcr ', (Sn (Sommevt'ugl/ Com xx^vvii ftg — og i'iti. 1 much wished to adopt, as a metre for the translation of this Canto, the Spenserian stanza, hut 1 found it too difficult. I therefore adopted a metre of my own invention, viz., a stanza of nine lines, eight of which have ten syllables, and the ninth, which rhymes with the sixth and eighth, has twelve. The arrangement of the rhyme is regular throughout, and it appears to me that this metre has something of the march and harmony of the Spenserian stanza. (1) In this stanza the poet means probably to convey the idea, that who- ever wishes to succeed in his profession, whatever it he, must aim at ex- cellence and immorlality. :{50 NOTES AND ELUCIDATIONS. (2) Kallegat means Passage of the Cat, so called from its danger, aris- ing from the frequency of lempesls. The poet begins here to trace the calamities and deterioration caused to the world by the absence of Iduna. (3) Yggdrassil; see this name in the Alphabetical Catalogue. Yggdrassil, the mythological ash-tree, is called by the Scalds " the tree of life." There is a Christmas ceremony at this day in Germany, wherein an artificial tree, generally made of fir, bears on its branches \arious little presents for chil- dren, for which they draw lots. May not this tree trace its origin from Yggdrassil, the tree of life, which distributes to the human race their dif- ferent lots ? The human race has often been compared by poets to a tree, and the generations of mankind to its leaves. Homer has, 'O/H Tav (bvKhm ysvsii}Toiy}S's koli ctvS'pav. (4) Odin's ravens ; their names are Hugin (thought), and Munin (me- mory. Finn Magnussen thus explains the mythe of the rape of Iduna by the giant Thiasse : Iduna represents the mild air of spring, which gives renovated life and animation to all nature. Thiasse represents winter, and the carrying off of Iduna typifies the disappearance of all genial warmth at the approach of winter ; her deliverance from the prison of Thiasse denotes the return of spring ; Thiasse being burnt to death in the bale-fire of Breidablik, denotes the melting and disappearance of ice by the heat of the sun at the approach of summer. The rape and the deliverance of Iduna are both effectuated through the agency of Asa-Lok, who typifies time and its vacillating nature, now impelled to good, and now to evil. NOTES TO. THE FIFTEENTH CANTO. Specimen of the original. SBlomfirc& cnb i Octlciisi Srtitii/ NOTES AND ELUCIDATIONS. 351 gievnt i 5irien vaa ^itv^tu yiatv bet ffionnc ©inifian ; Sor be ()ib til 'Dlovt'cn bioflo griOb ben folbe 5.lippe&Iof/ J^vov be I'toge Settevg jF>«ev og ©vaevge^ Slof. The metre 1 have adopted for my translation of this Canto is of my own invention ; it may be thought fantastic, but in its trochaic form it has something of the march of the original. I leave the first, third, and fifth line unrhymed, with a double close. (1) Vaner : see the article Vaner and Vanahcim in the Alphabetical Catalogue. (2) Ginnistan ; by Ginnistan is probably meant Persia or Armenia. My friend Dr. Constancio suggests to me, that the word may be derived from Zend, the actual name of a tribe of Curds, and signifying in Persian life, living, and figuratively vigorous. The word Zend, with the addition <){ stan (country, in Persian), comes very near the word Ginnistan. (3) The circumstance of Niord being given as a hostage to the Asar pleads in favour of the hypothesis 1 have already given, namely, thai INiord and his children Frey and Freya were Assyrian or Persian divinities, adopted by the Asar, and incorporated in their religion. Frey, the son of Niord, typifies the sun at the winter solstice, and the festivities of the new year in the pagan time were instituted to do him honour. His father INiord presides over the winds and waves ; but Balder also typifies the sun (at its highest elevation), and .^gir is the god of the sea. The fact is, that in the Scandinavian mythology there are two sun-gods and two gods of the sea. The explanation of this seeming incongruity is not diffi- cult. Among the Asar, Balder was the sun-god, and iEgir the god of the sea; but among the Vaner, Niord was the god of the winds and waves, Frey typified the sun, and his sister Freya the moon. When the political alliance took place between the Asar and the Vaner, the former adopted some of the divinities of the latter, and in consequence of ihis amalgama- 352 NOTES AND ELUCIDATIONS. tion, Niordj Frey and Freya received suitable posts in the Gothic pantheon. It is remarkable, that among the ancient Egyptians the sun was called Phre. Among the Greeks, Bacchus often typified the sun, and by the llomans he was called Liber, which has exactly the same meaning' as the word Frey, y'n.free. (4) By Niord's drying up marshes and dispelling vapours may be meant the salubrious effects of the north wind. (5) Odur ; this description will remind the classical reader of Bacchus. It seems to me that the appellation Goth was not known in Scandinavia previous to the invasion of the Asar, and that these last assumed the name of Goths (good and brave men), when they introduced their religion into that country. This idea leads me also to surmise, that as long as the Asar remained in Asia, the name Hrimthusser (frost-giant), and not Jetter or Jotun, was applied to the evil spirits of their mythology ; and that it was not until after their grand immigration into Scandinavia, under the com- mand of the historical Odin, that the term Jetter or Jotun (which was the national appellation of the aborigenes of Scandinavia) was, in consequence of the long and bitter wars between the Asar and Jetter, and of the national hatred arising therefrom, applied by the Asar to those malevolent spirits, who, as they supposed, assisted their enemies, the Jetter. The self-love of all nations leads them to assume, that they are the favourites of the good gods, and that the evil spirits are the abettors, instigators, and coadjutors of their enemies ; and even in our time, as has been wittily remarked by Washington Irving, a number of the poorfsor/ of people in England, during the war against revolutionary France, thought that somehow or other God Almighty was on the side of the English government. As a further con- firmation of my conjecture that the word Goth was unknown to the Scan- dinavian peninsula, until introduced there by the Asar, I cite the follow- ing passage from a Saga, written in the Icelandic or ancient Scandinavian tongue : En dha voru dhessi lond er Asia menn bygdu kijllud Godlond, en f6lkid Godjod. Odin ok bans synir voru st6rum vitrir ok fjiilkunnigir, fagrir at NOTES AND ELUCIDATIONS. 353 alitum, og sterkir At afli. Margir adrir i dheirra aett voru mikiir afbiird- harmenn, medh ymisligum algerleik, og nokkura af dheim t6ku menn til at bl6ta og Irua a, ok kblludhu godh sin. Translated Ihus : Then this land, which Asia's people look possession of, was called God- land, and the people Godjod. Odin and his sons were very wise and skilled in many things, fair in aspect, and strong limbed. Many or Iheir race were men of great strength and of divers perfections, and the people began to worship some of them, and call them their gods. NOTES TO THE SIXTEENTH CANTO. Specimen of the metre. WenS ®bun »ac i grtcngfcl/ ftob ajal&al font en ®i'flv>, (5n ffugtbau iitt \>m opftugt at baetmcvfcn ^av, 3 SSorgenS ijbc ^aliev l)Vei- ®ub iai i fin 25vaiv Og font en SOirtrinelflbtte fii\>t ()cn tor Cuj (nixt. The metre I have adopted for the translation of this Canto is somewhat more rejjular than that of the original : mine is in lines of thirteen syllables each: a slight pause after the seventh syllable will give the rylhm re- quired. (1) This Canto begins with a description of the fatal consequences of the absence of Iduna : all the pleasures of Valhalla are suspended. According to Finn IMagnussen, the mythe of Skada's entry into Valhalla may be thus interpreted : Skada here typifies the violent winds and capricious tempe- rature of the commencement of spring, which proceeds from winter, as Skada does from her father, the frost- giant Thiassc. Though she enters 29 354 NOTES AND ELUCIDATIONS. Valhalla with violent designs, she becomes pacified at the sight of Balder (the sun at the summer solstice). Thus doth spring, commencing with tempests, become appeased and calm, from the increasing heat of the sun at the beginning of summer. The English reader will be here reminded of the old English proverb : " Spring comes in like a lion, and goes out like a lamb." (2) Hildur's favourite sport ; i. e. war. See this name in the Catalogue. (3) The story of the game of blind man's buff, called by the Northmen blind cow, in which Skada calches Niord, and is united to him in marriage, is borrowed from the prosaic Edda. 1 can find no satisfactory solution of this mythe; it may mean, however, that the spring weather, after much shuffling and shifting about, settles down at last into a mild serenity and constancy (during summer). But the matrimonial bliss of Niord and his consort will not be of long duration. Towards the autumnal equinox, Skada's capricious temper will break out, she will begin her mischievous pranks again, and set winds and waves by the ears as usual. Skada's catching Niord by the leg in the game of blind man's buff, may mean the force of a tempest, which sometimes lifts men off their legs. NOTES TO THE SEVENTEENTH CANTO. Specimen of the metre. !D«&t tifci Siclbeljaden et ^ammcv blc\> tjan t)rtcv ; en ttilia, 93}6 t)an btneb wa ^BoJflvcnc/ Utt ! The nature and attributes of all the gods and goddessess seated at the banquet of Valhalla, are so fully detailed in the text, that notes to this Canlo are almost superfluous. (1) Alludes lo Skirnir's name, derived from skima (to clear up, lo brighten). (2) Frey is somclimcs called I'reyr. (3) By this the poet means, no doubt, that the pearl and coral divers, 350 NOTES AND ELUCIDATIONS. from their being accustomed lo remain for a long lime under water, are less liable to be drowned than other people. (4) By Ervin'fi minster is meant the steeple of the cathedral of Stras- burgh, built by Ervin of Steinbach. (5) The nature of the message given by Odin to Hermod has been already related in the 15lh Canto. NOTES TO THE IVINETEENTH CANTO. Specimen of the metre. gvfl 93nlrtffi«If gjf Obtn nu i fcen naefte ^al ; !Cicv venteb Ijam ©inOevJaiv be fiob i tufln&tal: Sfltt/ t»en gobc 53t)gtci-ffc/ vitt aabneb '?)ovtcn§ Stoi> S)tt ti-rtabtc mcttcm ^aempev iiiitt ben .^erve iaa ()bi. (1) Slaikoddcr was the greatest warrior of his time, and was deiQed after his death. His name was ever in the greatest veneration among the Scandinavians. Though he killed Oluf, he repented it ever afterwards, and in this poem the poet puts into Olufs mouth the generous sentiment, that Starkodder, in killing him and making him die in blood, had perhaps saved him from dying by old age or sickness ; in which case, instead of being in Valhalla, he would have risked falling into the hands of Hela. According lo the author of this work, (Ehlenschlager (who has made Starkodder Ihe subject of a most interesting tragedy), Oluf's death was revenged by his son Frode Frsekne, who clove Starkodder's scull in single combat. In the above tragedy Frode, after killing Starkodder, renders ample justice to his military talent and exploits, and anticipates, in Ihe fol- lowing manner, his receplion among the heroes of Valhalla : NOTES AND ELUCIDATIONS. 357 " Now he's a god ! at the command of Thor Five hundred forty massive gates of Trudvang, Each broad and long, and made of bronze, ope wide With fearful clang ; in brilliant armour clad Five hundred forty heroes from each gate Rush forth to meet him, and with loud applause Thus do they greet the chief : All hail! Starkodderl Thou greatest after Tyr and Asa-Thor !" (2) The purport of this message is explained in the twenty-first Canto. It was to obtain from the dwarfs a magic chain, wherewith to bindFenris. (Z) This butting match between Asa-Lok and one of Thor's goals was no doubt suggested to the poet (for there is no account of it in either Edda) by the painting or mosaic found in Herculaneum, I believe, or in Pompeii, and which has been made the subject of many a bas-relief, medallion, or cameo : viz. a satyr butting against a goat. To CEhlensch- lager may well be applied the line of Haley respecting Ariosto : " The bard of pathos now, and now of mirth I " NOTES TO THE TWENTIETH CANTO. Specimen of the metre. 5 tatttt StoHc Sr« Dcflen rebc/ gjleb S»acrt (if 6fcbC/ etc. I have chosen the octosyllabic couplet for my translation. "* The mythologic formation of the island of Sealand (of which Copenhagen is the present capital), and which forms Ihe subject of this Canlo, is thufi given in Ihe poetic Edda : 358 NOTES AND ELUCIDATIONS. " (lladly drew Gefion From the powerful Gyllfe Denmark's annexation, So that it smoked afler ibe springing oxen. Four heads and eight eyes Had the oxen, who drew The piece of earth after them, To form the favourite island." (1) The etymology of Sealand, called formerly and more properly i:0B- lund, is from the Danish words see (sea) and lund (grove). (2) (Eresund is the appellation for what other nations call the Sou7id par excellence ; for sund means a channel or strait. NOTES TO THE TWENTY-FIRST C.\NTO. In the original, this Canto is written in the classic hcxamcler, which seems to suit wonderfully well the Danish and Swedish languages. Specimen of the metre. "Sntn ba 9)laanc bag Sielb «av \i\mttt, bacfttg ton'ulgt af ?)laancgai-m/ &cn bevingcbc SvolW (om ftc&fe ben aenaftciv ?3^ccft ufunlia for 93ienncfEci-§ i^lif/ bog ftunbum t ^Ugnffi) (SDtiUg I'om UlV/ iiaav i ©unftcvnc fcrun fjntt Vtfcv t'lt ^ooeb. 1 have i;iven nn translation in the len syllabled heroic couplet. NOTES AND ELUCIDATIONS. 351) (1) Horseleg and Goalbeard ; names of the two giants raenlioned in ilie 1 7lh Canto as having behaved rudely to Gerda. (2) Quaser in the Icelandic language signifies breath or inspiration. The slory of Quaser is probably an oriental one of some poet, who was mur- dered by those who were jealous of his talents, and were rf«'ar/i in genius compared to him. (3) The story of the stone, which Odin casts among the giants to incile them to discord, resembles much a circumstance mentioned in the poem ofApoUoniusof Rhodes, called "The Argonauts" in the 3d Canto. *' But the giants, springing from the furrows which he had traced, covered with their arms the field he had ploughed. Jason, returning, rushes toward them, and throws amongst them an enormous stone ; many are crushed by it ; others, disputing for its possession, slay one another. '' In fact, llie amour of Odin with Gunliod has some sort of resemblance in the beginning to that of Jason and Medea. NOTES TO THE TWENTY-SECOND CANTO. Specimen of the metre. 2)u UngeiM'venb/ fom fuffet taui meb blegcii ^in&/ Sorbt ct gve»)a fignei- bit ^Bipft/ gocbi bu ei fan bbie \ioUm 'VigeS , etc. In stanzas of eight lines. In my translation 1 have adopted the ottava rima. (I) Freya's grief for the loss of Odur is related in the 15lh Canto. Freyais often termed by the Scalds the " goddess of the golden tear." 360 NOTES AND ELUCIDATIONS. NOTES TO THE TWENTY-THIRD CANTO. Specimen of the metre. ^lU iltt (Sfivniv/ ()«rtb (jrtu funtC/ Titi ab ben ffionnc gjcgnbuevanb/ ^(n o»ei- gorbcnS bunfle fiunbc/ ©a font ()an til JroIbfaempcUinb. Set »au fom QStnben/ 33cien over ; 5)en ingen 3}pm fan b«bc &ov ; Set imi- I'om iSUuft »aa .^avet^ 25ovciv Sev'fvufev ^BbtgenS I'ovtc ^op. In Ihe metre I have adopted for this Canto, Ihave introduced occasion- ally anapcsts, for the sake of greater variety. In this Canto thfe poet has diverged considerably from either Edda, and has boldly and felicitously sketched a plan of his own, into which, however, lie has interwoven ideas taken from three different Cantos of the poetic Edda: viz Harbard's song; ^iuwmaZ (discourse of Alvis) ; Skimisfor fjourney of Skirnir). In the Grst, Harbard's song, itisThor, and not Skirnir, who enters into a dialogue with Harbard, whom he meets at the (iord. In the second, Alvismal, the subject of the Canto is a dialogue be- tween Thor and the dwarf Alvis (all-wise), wherein the latter makes a pom- pous display of his learning, by giving deBnitions and synenymes of earth, heaven, wind, Jive, nearly in Ihe same manner that Skirnir does in this Canto. In the third, Skirnir's journey, wherein Skirnir is sent by Frey to propose marriage to (lerda, are mentioned the ferocious dogs which guard the dwelling of giant Gymer, the father of Gerda. (1) Fiord means a creek or arm of Ihe sea running inland ; on the coast of Norway the fiords run lor a very considerable distance inland ; and thus flowing from Ihe sea at rtie high fide form a contrast with the course of the rivers. NOTES AND ELUCIDATIONS. 361 (2) The word shoeless foot, in the original ntpgrne Fod, seems borrowed from the speech of Harbard to Thor, in Harbard's song in thepoelicEdda, wherein he says, Thou dost not look, as if thou Three domains possess'd ; Bare-legged thou standest In beggar's apparel. (3) The remarlis on the females of the Jotun race seem likewise bor- rowed from the same chapter in the poetic Edda: We had sprightly women. Were they but gentle ; We had clever women, Were they but fond of us. (4) Drypsal means Drippinyhall . (5) Oppheim means abode above. ((>) The original has Svalhjelm (cool helmet), and means a covering to protect the head against the rays of the sun ; 1 have therefore chosen the word umbrella &s the most appropriate expression. (7) Alludes to the difference betwen a fiord and a river. (8) With respect to Gcstur and his riddles, they are not to be found in the Edda ; but the poet has borrowed the idea from the Hervara Saga, wherein king Heidrck, who had a great talent for divining riddles and enigmas, had a great many proposed to him by Odin, under the disguise of the blind Geslur. Probably because Thor had taken off his shoes, in order to fonl (lie stream. 362 NOTES AND ELUCIDATIONS. Extract from the Hervara Saga in the original Icelandic, wilh a IKeral translation. Heiman ik for, Heiman 6k ferdadist ; Si 6k a veg vega : Vegr var undir ; Vegr var yfir, Ok ver ga alia : Heidrekr kongr ! Hyggtu at gatu? From home 1 went, From home I travelled, Saw 1 on way ways : The way was under, The way was over, And the way over all ; Heidrekking! Guessest thou the riddle ? Ood er g4ta dhin, fiestr blindi I G6tit er dheirrar : Fugl dhar yflr flo ; Fiskr dhar undir svam Fortu k brii. Good is riddle thine, Gestur blind ! Guessed is it : Bird there over flew ; Fish there under swan' ' Thyself went on bridge NOTES TO THE TWENTY-FOUUTH CANTO. This Canto in the original is written in the classic hexameter. Specimen. ^rt nu (Sftniiv blfo vaet ben o»labti'b(v»erne eaagc/ .^vov mcb futfort ®tanb§ t)am e« 53voe§ stntt'rtnncbc (Btttntul 35cicn \)i(le ; ba Qit ban bevinb; og bvat ban bctanbt ftfl -Itnei* t hi Suft .^tmlcn \)av blna meb uraltige 6tiernev/ etc. I have chosen for my translation our heroic couplet. NOTES AND ELUCIDATIONS. 36.5 (1) The poet, in this line, alludes no doubt lo the unclean food often used by the inhabitants of Finmark. (2) This part of Gerda's speech rewiinds me of the discourse of the beautiful Marcela, in the XIV chapter, 2d book, part 1st of Don Quixote. In this Canto the poet has diverged considerably from the chapter in the poetic Edda, called the Skirnisfor, which treats of the same subject. In (Ehlenschlager's poem, as has been seen, Skirnir makes use of the most gentle and insinuating means of persuasion to induce Gerda lo give ear to his proposal ; and the stratagem of Frey's likeness conveyed from the brook into Gerda's basin is entirely the poet's own concetto, and it is, 1 think, a very ingenious one : whereas, in the Edda, Skirnir makes use of the most terrible threats and sinister predictions, in order to force Gerda to accede to bis master's wishes ; and at length he succeeds in terrifying her into submission : among other threats, which are not of the most decent nature, he tells her that she shall either be wedded to a frightful three- headed Goblin of the Hrimlhussar race, or pine a maid, tormented with the most violent desires, which cannot be gratified. NOTE TO THE TWENTY-FIFTH CANTO. In the original, the metre of this Canto is written in imitation of one much used in the ancient Danish ballads, which, admitting a refrain that seems to have little or no connection with the substance of the ballad, con- tinue it in every stanza throughout the piece. Here are three dijf'crcnt refrains used in succession throughout the whole Canto, except iu the two last stanzas. Specimen. ©a efivnir vaagncb t itacftc 0nv (SPlfti'aalcH i igfitcn tis» I'litcr) 364 NOTES AND ELUCIDATIONS. tn ftl>^ incb •Scrtti9t)e& «eb OanS.Si) 5>jei'9tvolbcn i a(i iBlommen) ®om Dvanfen omfli^nger ben funfne 58ut/ Jg)un »ar meb gaberen fommen. & SBaegcc fjun tnb for ©ubtn 6«iv (Solfivaalcn t ©hjen (I9 babcv)/ etc. 1 hare followed exactly the same plan in my translalion. NOTE TO THE TWENTY-SIXTH CANTO. This Canto in the original is written in the octosyllabic couplet. I have adopted the same metre for the translation. Specimen of the metre. 9Iu bU\> bev 5n)b i 35rt(t)al§ ®aavb 3 fine asabmcl/ btobc gj^uar/ rt»et ftanbev S>ttn '• 9;u fpUUx) fun ev libeti/ Zin SBbtgcrne mcb Sibcn ^ar plijtctbenisijcn; SOiCn fior t oibtibg Sactc Tien fneii'eb Ooi og tiat/ 09 tvobfeb <)f;orben§ 0vage/ 55ctfovtc Kattegat. The subject of this Canto is taken from the celebrated chapter in the poetic Edda, called " ^Egir's feast" or "Lok's scurrility," to account for the origin, object and meaning of which, has puzzled all the commentators of the Edda. The most simple eclaircissement thereof seems to be that of Finn Magnussen, who thinks that the author of it may have been a sort of Scandinavian Lucian, who wished to throw a sly ridicule on the gods of his country, ffihlenschlager has varied, augmented, and embellished the subject with imagery and embroidery of his own, and has omitted cer- tain parts of somewhat too obscene a nature. (1) Skidbladner, name of the bark given by Gerda to Frey. The fol- lowing is probably the explanation of this mylhe. Frey signifies the sun ; Gerda, the earth. Skidbladner signifies the clouds or vapours extracted from the earth by the rays of the sun. See Skidbladner in the Alphabetical Catalogue. (2) Hringhorn ; name of Balder's bark. The language of the ancient Scandinavians was highly poetical and metaphorical. A ship was often compared to an animal, and its masts to the horns of the said animal ; the masts were made fast with iron rings round their circumference, and this 1 lake to be the surest etymology of the word Hringborn or Ringhorn. The ships of the Vikings were longand deep, and had usually but one mast. 306 NOTES AND ELUCIDATIONS. (2) Naglcfare : See Ihe Catalogue. (4) It seems lo me as if Ihe author has taken this idea from the account given in Cook's voyages of the women of Otaheile swimming off from the shore to the ship, to look out for lovers among the sailors. (5) I here acknowledge a plagiarism from Dryden, in his quaint transla- tion of the Novimus et qui te in the Third Bucolic of Virgil. (6) Alludes to Thor and his companions' adventure related in the Second Canto- NOTES TO THE TWENTY- EIGHTH CANTO. The metre in the original is in couplets as follows : jFtcn Sofc flbt) t JF>avct/ font Drm/ flimet Mm, 9Jfle ^c frtcte (Bmn Ijatt ftart part ©wfict iaat. S^an iivafte fig mcb yngeft/ fian bugteb ftg met> Sit. 'Part ^Dftcn fulgtc !8onbcn mcb Ocjet 0am en 'STdiU The metre 1 have adopted for the translation of this Canto is the couplet ot lines of fourteen syllables occasionally interpersed with couplets of thirteen syl- lables. In reading the latter, a pause should be made after the seventh syllable. This metre resembles that of the original, and has much of its prosaic and familiar march. This Canto and Ihe next arc based on the chapter of the poetic Edda, called Thrymsqvida. (1) King Hro founded the town ofRoeskild, situate where Leire once stood. Roeskild is about twenty-five English miles distant W. from Co- penhagen, and has a magnificent cathedral, which is the cemetery 'of the Danish kings. NOTES AND ELUCIDATIONS. .{GT (2) Kongebo, means royal residence or palace. (3) Giants' bane, in Icelandic J(5/j(7i ftfin?, name given by the Scalds lo Thor, on account of his constant enmity towards the giants. NOTES TO THE TWENTY-NINTH CANTO. Specimen of the metre in the original. 9lu 2(i'at0ov gjleb Sofc foer ^aa ®«lbcnfavm Xit SicIbctS eteen; ■D9 Soft iah 3 j^icrtet glnb ^cb ©ubeng ^avni/ Zii Settevg gjicen. Qaa, vciftc be fvem mcbcn§ ^lippen ffiaUv ■iOlcb en (la&cnbe ^Ibft Stecnfeicrget fin'af/ Dg ben ^nlc faa foi-t fun anbncb % fiaUv 09 en iiue mcb ©nju gienneni ?.ijulmct traf. 1 have adopted for the translation of this Canio a metre, alternalively trochaic and anapeslic. (1) It was the custom, at the marriage ceremony of the ancient Scan- dinavians in the pagan time, for the betrothed lo swear Qdelity to each other, in touching the hammer of Thor. May not this account for the ceremony of marriage at Grelna-green being always performed by a black- smith? The lowland Scots arc of Scandinavian origin, and (hey have preserved many a custom and many a superstition of their ancestors. »6S NOTES AND ELUCIDATIONS. (2) Respecting Hrugner and Mokkurcalf, please to consult the Alpha- betical Catalogue. The following explanation of the foregoing mylhe Is given by the Swedish poet Ling : The loss of Thor's hammer, and its remaining eight miles under ground in the hands of Thrymur the frost giant, denotes the impotence or inactivity of the electrical Jluid during the eight months' winter of the northern regions. The invitation of Thrymur to Freya typifies the struggle of nature at the approach of spring, to renew its vitality. Stuhr's opinion of this mythe is much the same as that of Ling. He thinks it to be a hymn in honour of spring, typified by Freya. Thor borrows Freya's attire, i. e. in spring the electrical heat resumes its force. Thor travels with Loptur (the air) to Thrymur. They are furnished with a copious repast ; i. e. at the approach of and by the inQuence of spring, the unfruitfulness of the earth ceases. When Asa-Lok speaks of the eiyht nights of longing passed by the pretended Freya, it means the progressive changes undergone by the polar atmosphere during the eight winter months, before the heat finally obtains the mastery. The immense appetite and quantity of mead drank by Thor denote the absorption of the earth's vapours by the electrical fire of summer, and the death of Thrymur denotes the total disappearance of winter. It is scarcely necessary to remind the reader, that Miolner, the hammer of Thor, typifies, almost everywhere, thunder, or the electrical fire and its effects. In the Greek poem of Nonnus, called the Dionysiacs, or Actions of Bacchus, we find a mythe having no doubt the same signification as that of the Thrymsqvida. Jupiter at the approach of winter loses his thunder- bolls, which fall into the hands of the giant Typhon. He recovers them in spring, by means of a stratagem of Cadmus, and soon after makes use of them to discomfit and slay the giant Typhon. NOTES AND ELUCIDATIONS. 309 NOTE TO THE THIRTIETH CANTO. In tbe original this Canto is written in terza rima as follows. 5)a JOoi* nu flitte fa&/ 03 entt »ai- .S:ainpen/ Sa ftceg en (ongfom 5vbg a.^ Settcblobct/ 09 0»ib 03 ti)f oploftcbe fuj S)am»cn. Sa if taelucb Sofe beat 09 tabtc 93^obct/ etc Besides the difficulty of the terza rima, it is a metre not very well suited to the genius of the English language. 1 have, therefore, given my translation of this Canto in blank verse, following the example of Carey in his version of Dante. The subject of this Canto seems taken partly from some strophes in the Voluspa, and partly from the Vaftrudnismal, which are the names of two of the most important chapters of the poetic Edda. (1) Gugner, name of Odin's lance. This Canto does not require notes, but as it may amuse the reader to compare the history of the destruction and reproduction of the world with the account thereof given in the Edda, I here subjoin some extracts from the two chapters above mentioned, following Finn Magnussen's translation. I think the reader will remark some resemblance between certain parts of this Canto and certain parts of the Apocalypse. The battle between Thor and the Serpent Jormundgard is not unlike the combat between the Arch- angel Michael and the great dragon ; and the palace of Gimle, the future abode of the blessed, presents an image of the new Jerusalem. 30 370 NOTES AND ELUCIDATIONS. EXTRACTS FROM THE VAFTRUDNISMAL (Discourse of Vaptrudner). The wolf (Fenris) shall swallow up The father of lime (Odin) ; But Vidar shall avenge him, And tear the monster's jaws asunder. A daughter shall be born Of the old sun,* Before Fenris swallows her up : After the fall of the gods The daughter shall travel On the same course as her mother did. Lif and Liftrasir Remain conceal'd in the wood (Hoddmimer) ; They are nourished by the morning dew, And from them the new race shall spring. When the Qre (of Surtur; shall be exiinguish'd, Vidar shall construct anew The dwellings of the gods. Then Onally shall peace Succeed to the long strife. ' The sun i.s feminine in (he Gothic languages. NOTES AND ELUCIDATIONS. 371 EXTRACTS FROM THE VOLUSPA (Vala's Prophecy). Loud howls the monster (the dog Garm) At the cavern of Gnypa ; The wolf (Fenris) shall break his chain. Brother shall fight with brother And slay each other : The bonds of affection and parentage Shall be rent asunder : Evil reigns in the world ; Libidinous excess triumphs ; The sword, the axe Shall be in constant employ : Shields shall be cloven ; Times of tempest, of wolfish ferocity, Before the world finally ends ; No man shall spare his neighbour. Naglefar moves forward With keel gliding from the East ; Lok steers it. Surlur compelling flames Advances from the south ! The earth sinks into the deep ! The stars disappear from heaven ! 372 NOTES AND ELUCIDATIONS. Volumes of fire and smoke Consume the all-nourishing tree (Yggdrassil) ' Flames mounting on high Consume heaven itself. And behold arises a second time The earth from the sea ! The Asar shall meet again On the plains of Ida ; There shall again Wonderful tablets of gold Be found in the grass. Fields unsown Shall produce corn ; All evil vanish ; Balder return ; He and Hoedur shall dwelt In Odin's holy abode. A palace is seen Brighter than the sun Roof'd with gold Standing on Gimle ! Therein shall dwell Virtuous people, And enjoy happiness For ever and ever I ETYMOLOCIES OMITTED IN THE CATALOGUE. Lok from locka (to tempt). Hofvarpur, nanicof the steed ofGna, from /io/(lioof), hvarpa (to throw out). <4f' CONTENTS. Canto. 1 Thor sets out on an adventure with Lok. . 2 Spells upon the heath • 3 Thor arrives in Helheim • . 4 Thor arrives in Utgard . 5 Magic spells in Utgard 6 The spells unravelled 7 The return home 8 Thor visits the giant Hymir. . . T . . 9 Thor's fishing adventure 10 Lok becomes enamoured of Sif 11 Conversation between Lok and Sif . , . 12 Lok procures things of value from the dwarfs 13 The rape of Iduna *14 The deliverance of Iduna , . 15 The Vaner 16 The nuptials of Skada J 7 The amour of Frey 18 Joy in Valhalla 19 The Einherier 20 Bragur's song in honour of Gefion. . . . 21 Conversation between Skirnir and Frey . . 22 Frey's plaint at the fountain 23 The journey of Skirnir 24 Gerda's love 25 Skirnir fulfills his errand 26 The wolf Fenris and Tyr 27 The banquet of iEgir 28 Lok's treachery 29 The hammer of Thor recovered .... 30 The Vala's prophecy Page. 1 16 35 45 57 81 92 102 117 122 128 138 147 166 180 190 196 204 213 221 227 242 244 262 273 279 289 313 330 341 The readur, following Page. XXXVIII XLVI LXIII 25 36 110 129 142 194 206 259 326 before lie begins the work, i.s respectfully requested to correct the I..inc. 4 12 12 4 5 2 4 11 5 6 11 2 ERRATA. from bottom, for he read the. from top, for threwherselfrearf threw herself. from top, for incolour read in colour. from top, for ht-m read them . from top, for I OR(is read toads. from lop, for ofthe read of the. fro7n bottom, for careerpursues read career pursues. frvm top, for owesubmission rearfowc submission. from bottom, for ts read Its. from bottom, after hlonm insert a.\l from top, fur while read white. from bottom, for At liousaud read A thousand. ,,^, 37 /4e DATE DUE INTERUBlkARY LOAks__ J V:W-.,'".3 :-S:^:^| .^.:- APR RtCO WR 3 1986 11980 GAYLORD :sv-<,,.. PRINTED INU.S.A. 3 1970 00340 4800 ■.--.u. UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY AA 000 321615 \