Norse stories retold from the Eddas

NORSE STORIES

Books

MY

STUDY

FIRE

MY

STUDY

FIRE,

UNDER

STUDIES

ESSAYS

BOOKS

NORSE

AND

WORK

LIFE

OF

THE

SPIRIT

SHAKESPEARE

OF

OF

ARDEN

NATURE .

WORK

AND

CULTURE

CULTURE

AND

STORIES

WILLIAM

CHILD

INTERPRETATION

CULTURE

ON

FOREST

ELSEWHERE

LITERATURE

NATURE

AND

ESSAYS

THE

IN

ON

SERIES

AND

LITERARY

IN

ESSAYS

SECOND

TREES

THE

SHORT

ffir.

bg

DAYS

NORSE

STORIES

FROM

THE

EDDAS

HAMILTON

NEW

DODD, MDCCCCII

RETOLD *

WRIGHT

YORK: MEAD

PUBLISHED AND

COMPANY

*

MABIE

BY

BY

1882

Copyright,

BY

BROTHERS

ROBERTS

Copyright, 1900

BY

DODD,

COMPANY

MEAD AND

STACK

ANNEX

TO

J.

T.

M.

Contents

Chapter I.

Page THE

MAKING

OF

WORLD

THE

i .

II. III.

GODS

MEN

AND

ODIN'S

.

13

SEARCH

WISDOM

FOR

.

IV.

How

ODIN

TO

V.

THE

BROUGHT

24

.

MEAD

THE

ASGARD

36

WOOING

GERD

OF

54

....

VI.

THE

MAKING

OF

HAMMER

THE

.

VII.

ODIN

GEIRROD'S

IN

PALACE .

VIII.

APPLES

THE

84

.

IDUN

OF

99

....

IX.

THOR

GOES

FISHING

A

.

X.

XI.

THOR

How

How

FOUND

THOR

.

.

.

113

.

127

HAMMER

HIS

FOUGHT

GIANT

THE

HRUNGNER XII.

THE

141

BINDING

OF

WOLF

THE

.

156

.

171

.

.

197

.

.

.

.

.

XIII. XIV.

THOR'S THE

WONDERFUL DEATH

OF

JOURNEY BALDER .

XV.

How

LORE

WAS

PUNISHED .

XVI. XVII.

THE THE

TWILIGHT NEW

69

OF

EARTH

THE

GODS

222

234 244

VII

Stories

Norse

9

The

Chapter

I

of

the

Making hundred

EIGHT galleys the

and

far into

mist

in

the

been

by

the

were

of

ports the

old

gods

and

repeated Norse

evening some

the

unknown known

men Norsestorm

unknown

soft

ern west-

the

man

henceforth

in

that of

the

brought

battles

the

giants

hundreds in

anchor

at

Northern

of

stories

of

summer

and

Italy

firesides were

bold

riding

for

when

ago,

through

the

Mediterranean,

Africa, of

of

the

in

or,

seas,

the

years

scudding

were

World

long

had years

winter

together by Iceland, as

the

and

Elder

Stories

Norse

Edda

and

;

others

stories, with in

the

ancient

all its wide take

time,

and

worlds

and

rule

to

of cliffs so

brave

the

and

through

conquests,

beginning of

birth

the

of the

coming

number the

of the

gods

them. faces

the

massive

with

sea

that

their

a

rise

out

of

the

line

tions foundaout with-

everlasting. Islands

seem

;

the

of

lous, marvelThese

in its heart

to

tell

over

Norway

waves

a

wanderings and back

one

old

same

Edda.

which

carried

race

the

equally

Younger

books,

later

years

retold

Sturleson

Snorre

noble

hundred

a

tossing

deep, tranquilwaters

of

fjords,overhung with fir-covered mountains, and bright at night with the quenchlesssplendour of the stars, flow through narrow channels the to outer ocean against the sky ; and the

great mountains

stand 2

vast

and

im-

The

of the World

Making

movable,

if from

as

No

eternityto

steering his

Norseman,

adventurous

galley along these rocky

shores, seeing, perhaps, the of

rush North

the

polar

.reverberation of Thor's from

mountain

peak,

would had

from

the

than

the

even

in

worlds

shone

there

hung

and

no

Not reveal life in

even

his the

great

the

Eddas

thoughts awful

or

the

seen un-

depths. able

to

his

describe

solitariness 3

where

All-father,

are

to

to

heavens

but

nothing

silent in the

when

begun

not

space

the

Edman,

time

a

vast

was

the

of

the

spiritof solitaryand

of

had

gods

live, and no

him

them

saw

wisdom

any

told

not

he

as

roll

that these

beginning,if

very

das, wiser had

been

long

mountain

to

believed

not

the

hammer

peak have

mighty

against the

seas

hearing

and

Cape,

things

nity. eter-

of

a

si-

Stories

Norse lent

universe

that

in

to

they

he

began

far in

of the

out

rose

of eternal

land

time

worlds, and

Niflheim

declare

only

can

good

own

the

build

north the

his

;

winter

the

depths, in

wrapped

fogs and mists, and far in the south Muspelheim, the land of quenchless fire,glowing with unspeakable heat and overhung with clouds and fiery sparks, in

the

Between

of

land

fire

fathomless,

the

yawned

Niflheim and

as

poured the

great

awful

icy streams

of

from

masses

the

chasm

abyss ; and

the 4

and

rivers of

it the

with

less bottom-

black

soundless fell into

they congealed

darkness

edges

into

and

of ice and

land

abyss, Ginungagap,

in

ing blind-

whose

and

sword.

the

of

midst

lightsat Surt, guarding kingdom of fire with a flaming

heat

the

the

and

the and

silent

fury, the

hung

northern over

the

cataracts

The

of the World

Making

icy fogs gathered

winds

bitter

and

swept. the

Against

whirling of

shifting fogs the

fires of

of

light far

and

abyss,

sparks above

mist

met

moment

drop

into

heat

;

cow

she

sunless

wide

the

ing Glitter-

off

and

towards wandered

the

as

heat

then

fell

icy

in

the

for

motionless

abyss, and

a

drop by

there,

cold, fire and

out

fog,

in

solitude,the giantYmer

life.

To

Audhumbla stood

glow

the silent space

burning and

and

into

grew

the

that had

courses

and

darkness

a

far

stars

the

brief

as

into

air, it hung

upper

the

shot

like

their

of

into

floated

from

floating

driftingsnow.

and

north

and

sending

the

through

glowed

throwing broad

Muspelheim,

beams

the

Niflheim

flames

wandering

and

snows

give was

nourishing 5

him

made, the

food and

giant

Stories

Norse

with

her

milk, she

which

stones

licked

began the

on

take

to

stature

face

Bure

called

Bor, and

father

first of also

who

of

the

the

The

he

became

Ve, the

and

giant Ymer children

many

and frost-giants

were

of

whom

son,

of

right, up-

Bure.

was

Odin, Vile,

father

man

mighty

Bor, in turn,

gods.

the

was

a

stood

man

a

salt,

larger,and

name

had

Now

the

of

and

his

and

;

the

day

of

fair

head

shape, grew

third

icy

with

covered

were

straightwaythe

and

the

of

enemies

gods. Ymer

full of

was

so

Ve

could at

slew

him,

torrents

and

size, and

vast

live in peace

they

fell

upon

the blood

from

with

body

Bergelmer

drowned

; 6

these

him, and

him,

poured

his great

giants,save

wife, were

such

evil,that Odin, Vile, and

not

last

and

the

to

grew

two

in such that

and

all

his alone

The

of the World

Making a

whole

of the

race

the

fashioned

frost-giants sprang.

the world with

wrought

out

seas

and

into

the

the

north, south,

and

dwarf

caught

the

out

of

the

sky,

stars

the

valleys

until

endless

it

were

the

the

lay

set

whole

circle of waters,

dreary

heim, the home

and

shores

of the 7

they

floated

that

the

set

west

them

in

of

the

splendour

over

the

up all

over

place; and

the world

an

wide far

and

east,

Muspelheim

Around

great

deep

sparks

great

shone

and

bending heaven,

it in

keep

to

They

beauty

sending the waters deep fjords; and

stretched

they

they

hills, fillingthe

the

through

there

out

the

plains, cutting

into

body

of it.

divine

spreading

power,

the

them

gods dragged Ymer's of the abyss,and centre

The

a

from

chest,and

escaped on

earth.

deep

and

of

sea,

beyond Jotun-

frost-giants.

Stories

Norse To

the

beautiful of

giantessNight,

their

swift

and

ride

might

the

through

faxe, and

she

as

after

his

from

drops

his of

the

heavens

also

Sun

his

at

angry to

the around

of

he

Hrimat

course

the

shining

There

who

was

had

such

the the

one

other

the

and

gods were daring that they set

;

the in

Sun

their

the world.

So 8

and

the

daily

day

a

ing exceed-

called and

Moon,

guide

Moon

Night

her

light.

that

or

or

in

once

fleet

mother,

daughter

Maane,

they

waitingearth with bit; Day flew swiftly

with

beauty Sol,

the

Mundilfare,

and

son

that

horse, Skinfaxe, filling

his

one

gave

sky

ended

dusky

mane

gods

the

bedewed

dawn

was

hours.

first behind

drove

her

to

father

horses

twenty-four

every

one

the

number,

own

chariots

whose

Day,

son

and

and

so

the

other

courses

night,

The

and

summer

harvest,

a

winter, seed-time

and

overlooking all

lands

the

when

gods

came

looked

and

done, had

made

the

earth, green

and

at

bent

day of

of

There

and was

of

whose

thrones

they

called

noble

also, and

splendour

Ida

midst

the

a

hall

homes 9

by

sun

And

for

their

shining cityof

the

the

heavens

by night.

gold,

pure

circled with

gods,

the soft

plain of

built In

Asgard. hall

with

the

fair;

somed fruitful,blos-

radiant

stars

they

was

them

and

home,

and

it

the

chose

they

that

feet,and

and

moon

was

all that

upon

filled with

and

work

their

over

Ida, Here

seas.

their

saw

of

plain and

rose

top of

the

on

beautiful

the

was

of the earth

centre

loftymountain,

it

and

established.

were

the very

In

of the World

Making

it stood

walls of the

a

were

twelve

it Gladsheim.

for the for

desses god-

all

the

Stories

Norse

of tools,

to

the

world

anvils,hammers,

and

manner

tongs,

forgethe weapons slay the giants and

that

to

in

heaven

they

the

rainbow

bridge,over

and

keep earth

From

order.

to

passed

great

a

all

which

were

ready

filled it with

smithy, and with

made

They

gods.

Bifrost,

stretched

repassed in

which their

they

journey-

ings. When

the

overhanging called

skill and

Age

day

of

sport

in

the

and

in

care

curious nor

sorrow

things. 10

the

fires

with

derful won-

all kinds

There

anywhere;

of

plains of

night as,

it

The

games

the

smithy,

a

that

Gold.

skill,they fashioned of

came

happy

strengthon

Ida, and blazed

the

cloud

world, there

endless

had

gods

beautiful

peaceful and

so

was

the

a

and

done,

was

like

shone

Asgard time

work

was

no

no

clouds

The

of the

Making the

darkened

blightsfell

no

sun,

mighty

growing fields, no

the

pressed

the

on

hearts

them

summoning

World

out

tasks

of

the

gods

of

ease

and

pleasure to great enterprisesand perils. At last the happy to

came

Norns,

who

determined

and

shaped

the

abode

at

Ygdrasil, the

gods

tilled

course

lives

of

field of

the

shouts

the

ringingvoices

harvesters

were

gods

took

the

of

they

made

it

them

to

work

of

the

from

children of

never

in

the ii

even

care.

at

the

no

its

one

seas

play

reapers

heard.

earth-mould the

tree

not

crossed

or

events

things,took

fruitful,but

was

the

Skuld,

of

foot

the

free

were

its

the

time

terrible

and

henceforth

and

earth

The

three

Verdande,

ful aw-

day

one

the

fates,

or

sisters, Urd,

their

for

end,

an

on

dwarfs veins

So and

and

;

and and the out set

of metal

Stories

Norse

dark

in

and It

happened

also

together along and

they

elm,

two

beautiful

looked

Odin

great

of

Out

"

last, "let earth

our

long, his

and

will

we

at

fill the

fruitful,and

child, and

a

mind. said

to

man

it

make

foliage.

trees," he

make

an

straightand

into

these

sea,

and

with

them

came

us

and be

shall

at

thought

trees,

the

ash

an

crowned

symmetrical and

of

shore

upon

Odin,

walking

were

the

came

ground.

that

day

one

Loder

and

Hoener,

under

caverns

he care

for him." And

out

the

first

and

the

and

the

man

of

and

gods woman

ash

the

were

woman

called Embla.

12

the

and

the

man

elm

made, Ask

Chapter Gods

A

there

whose

king the

well

as

a

Now

in

and,

as

much

plough this

found

in

woman

of

was

the

gods

and

her

She

took

four

great

name

'3

oxen

him

which

so

her,

gave

four

as

day

a

A

told

he

land

how

shelter

return

that

in

and

receive.

stories;

king

and

;

knew

to

once

wise

all wisdom,

like

He

how

woman

the

reward,

could

as

wonderful

pleased

Gylfe

king,

the

a

knowledge

part

hands,

many

Sweden

was

this

of

creation

goodness.

wayfaring his

in

in

larger part

at

ruled

of

wisdom

give

the

name

was

to

after

of

hundreds

many

years

world,

Men

and

GREAT

II

and the was

from

a

as

oxen

night.

race

of

Gefjun. Jotun-

Stories

Norse

who

helm,

giant,and and

drove

them

the

king

which And

the

tore

the

a

lake

This

;

for

and must saw

gods which

she

soil,that

by

had

the

the

sea

and

but

the

he

he

was

a

who

;

and

their will

Logrinn.

14

of

done

the

after wisdom

seeker

for wisdom

marvellous

was

was

beginning

searches

the

and

formed

go to the gods to find it. the wonderful things which did

this

taken

land

called

now

west,

called

Seeland

which

is

was

by

Gylfe's acquaintancewith

King gods

from

which

for her.

the

to

Gefjun

which

filled

was

land

drawn

the

sea

mainland,

place

plough

the

apart

into

left it.

the

taken

set

the

it into

country

from

into

a

great piece of land, and

a

there

new

had

deep

so

away

carried and

forth

the

plough, being

giants,cut it

before

them

set

offspringof

the

were

ways in

He the

in

Asgard,

and much

their

upon it

whence

whom

he

mighty by reason

works

he

of

and

thinking and

much

these

about

that

the

and

form

the

made

of

the

know

gods who

The

they man

was

gods not

who

was

old

very

the

learn

to

man

As-

secrets

letting them

was.

all

know

only

knew

day

one

Gylfe,

a

without

he

he

himself, Gylfe

of

to

things could

long journey

gard, thinking

After

man

no

continually asking assumed

strong

gods.

questions which

the

answer

powerful

made

were

greater

finding

whose

and

force in themselves,

they

other

by

gods, of

were

saw,

the

whether

or

heard

had

make

not

these

whether

his mind

up

could

He

came.

wondered

and

power

thought

he

earth, and

the

upon

Men

and

Gods

but

that to

came

they 15

things, and

knew

the

old

Asgard that

he

Stories

Norse the

make

was

to

he

had

much

so

received

They

he

be, and

to

could

he

much

as

The but

have

the

and

among

men.

No

sooner

of a

the

gods

great

gold

in

was

he

a

the

Thatched The

that

he

with

the roof;

Beamed

of the

with 16

burg

gold.

home in

could roof

of

shields

of

the

thatchers

beams

gods,

himself

place of shingles: Thinking

men,

wisdom

new

And

thatched

as

Asgard

to

enter

high it.

over

of

the

he found

hall, so

hardly see this hall

than

peared ap-

is

visited

rarelyvisited

did

if

learns.

often

beginning

as

much

as

which

;

King's coming

the

was

learned

ever

have

gods

it.

he

what

was

he

man

of

however,

understand

a

men

thought

as

him,

they thought

as

journey long before

Gods When this

Gylfe came

great hall

with

Men

and

he

saw

his

name,

old

man,

the

the

had

a

long

come

begged he

asked,

unimportant

to

their

Ganglere "You

yourself

to

very

owned was

it

he

that

and

night; a

who

disguise,replied that

that

the

who

man,

he

that

were

matter,

was

and

for

if it

an

as

he

distance

in

king

asked

Walker,

as

The

hall.

the

time.

one

that

lodging

a

at

kept

swords

answered or

and

air

he

king speaking

Ganglere, he

that

player with

this

wonderful

such

quickness and skill seven flashingin the When

playing

man

a

with

swords

of

the door

to

god

a

belonged

would

take

him. him

ask

may

when

see

you

his

name

him,"

he

added.

Then hall

the 2

the and

led

man

no

sooner

I7

the

way were

into

they

Stories

Norse within

its walls

than

shut.

There

were

the

under

of

some

and

whom

horns

or

things he frightenedby he

and

did

the

and

not

his

all,

him and

he

upon

ing righthalf of at

not

was

all

go,

well

sit

enemies the

house

each

before

had

three

of 18

;

know

cannot

you

Gylfe saw

great

ignorance,however,

examine

must

For

games,

of

understand

in you

Before

When

people,

himself:

Gates

In

of

of weapons;

kinds

He

to

Where

every

were

some

saw.

said

You

and

playing

different

Gylfe

and

were rooms

drinking out

cups,

with

full

were

were

some

roof

be

to

doors

many

shining

seemed

room

the

you.

about

looked seats

these

or

a

thrones man

sat

the

above

high "

What

kings ? who

led

the

of and

was

sat

on

was

sat

asked.

him

into

who

called

highest throne

he

when

he

who

come

there, and

gods of

were

Odin,

god

often bent

spoke

in

and

asked

tone

and

was,

by invitinghim

so

called

was

seeingthree.

Odin,

or

Gylfe

Gylfe was

who

three

wonderful

and

he

and

be

to

Har,

and

him

reallyseeing one

was

seemed

Then

above

forms

different

Gylfe

much

next

these

king

that he who

the

Now

lowest

the

was

and

Har,

man

answered

the

on

Jafnhar,

many

deep

sat

hall

called

Thride.

and

the

these

the

And

throne

the

of

names

thrones

three

on

as

the

he

he

that

played

fought.

are

"

which

throng

and

drank

and

Men

and

Gods

him

bade to

eat

as

he

upon 19

he

why and

a

had

welcome drink

chose.

as

But

learningthe

Norse

of

secrets

the

to

stop

drink,

or

Har's

answer

wise

Har

answered

answer

full of

them "

unharmed

long

not

unless

find

Then

gods

often

were

so

stand under-

not

afterwards

:

this

from

go

he He

to

which

that he did

until

shall

You

the

as

in words

meaning

did

nor

one.

were

him,

men,

not

questions.

if there

man

did

he wanted

repliedboldly that a

he

that

gods

food

of

think

Stories

place

go

wiser

than

seek

the

gods,

you

came."

you

It is unless

dangerous profitby

we

for it is better

Gylfe

Then

a

"

of God "

and

what

be

to

stood

and

live

not

boldly

seeking

asked

many

the

and

;

power

20

tell us;

ignorant than

standing in

man

questions about ways

they

and

knowledge

possess

Odin,

to

gods and

the

to

by

it.

before ence pres-

edge, for knowland

deep

and

their

about

the

their

giants,and the

man

;

and

moon

and Odin

homes

stars

and

;

the

his

things which

to

know,

but

cannot

the

gods

teach

them.

Odin

had

a

deep mysteries

the

told

him,

been

had

spoken

a

these

great noise alone

hall and

Then, had his

own

and

in

and

And told

to

kingdom, 21

answer

the

bade

of what

use

Odin

when

heard ing stand-

plain, and

vanished

he and

all

of these

wonder

seen,

unless

himself

found

had

eager

Gylfe

words

filled with and

sons sea-

Gylfe

and

best

great

a

Asgard

heard

told

refused

he

questionermake had

the

learn

questions

more

any

and

are

men

understand

could

man

sun

questionsand

the

that

tion crea-

fire.

and

,him

When

the

about

wind

answered

the

and

about

and

about

and

;

of the world

making of

Men

and

Gods

the

utterly. by

went

told

all

he

home

to

of

the

Norse

things which

marvellous him

his

on

the

gods

journey

;

he

by

those

who

the

to

who

talked

who

lived

Isle and

and

the he

gods

had

Odin hall

and

the

and

the

island

hall

was

the

-^Eger, Hler's

coming

swords

began

into

of

were

they lighted the fire

hung

The

gods sat

and

and

drank 22

or

with

on

with

fore be-

great

a

feast

brought

of

man

Asgard

to

prepared

shields. ate

his

When

aid

to

of great wisdom,

of

swords

the

for

;

called

man

a

only

journey

brightnessthat without

gods

and

these

again

children's

the

not

knew

feast for him.

the

generations.

the

came

heard

latest

the

made

membered re-

was

their

also

was

said

of

and

with on

home

told

and

Gylfe was

Now

befallen

the

to

what

children

children

had

and

stories

wonderful their

Stories

the such

hall

lamps

;

glittering

their thrones

j'Eger,and

Gods

him

told

Brage

of

tales the

to

came

in

Men

and

strange

things

ful wonder-

which

had

fallen be-

gods.

this

And

told

the

and

is

the

know

this

the

book.

way

in

stories

which which

men

are

Chapter

THE sil,

wonderful made

the

against

and

piercing

winds

women,

and

feeble,

tree

gave

preserving

look

birds This

bound

to

live

died of

as

long

as

flutter

mighty all

the

ash-tree

24

and

and

to

under men

weary

yet the

there

among

worlds

old

decay.

its freshness

been

strong

and

;

it,animals

upon to

be

to

signs

no

the

man

had

played be

to

grew

and

in

sun

No it

children

lived

and

winter. when

branches,

the

shade

stronghold against of

Little

young.

of

heat

remember

could

was

far-spreading

a

a

Wisdom

ash-tree, Ygdra-

fierce

summer,

its

for

Search

Odin's

III

Forever

beauty,

were

feed its

ash-

it to

men

it,

under

branches.

touched

together

and in

its

Odin's wonderful it

Search circle

depths

of

life.

of

into

down

deep

sent

for Wisdom

where

Hel,

with

third

the

all kinds

it

able

to

spread the

the

over

of

air

heroes

died

tree

sat

of

gnawed branches

earth, and in

the

itself,rustling home

the

great

battle.

of

the

deeds

At

the

or

foot

the three Norns,wonder-

they will

was

never

were

whole

done

man's

every

it often

pents Ser-

worms

spinners of fate, who

thread what

had

manfully in

of the ful

who

Mid-

men.

Its

Asgard

against the Valhal,

;

giants;

boughs swayed

topmost

clear

of

destroy them. out

lived

dead

grasped

its roots, but

continuallyat

sightless

of the

of 'gard,the dwelling-place and

root

firmly in Jotun-

heim, the dreary home and

the

the

it fastened

another

One

was,

;

and cut

life,making a

strange

off when

just beginning to 25

the

weave

show

it

ing weav-

the pattern

itself.

Stories

Norse

And the the

branches song

sat

and

death. all

its leaves

by day

it;

at

night over

of the

birth

topmost

of animals

the rainbow the

as

its

made

under

hung

light

the winds

through its rustlingbranches,

swept

the multitudinous

of the leaves

murmur

strange

among

northern

pale

it,and

;

of bird

kind

stories of

the

its

world,

its branches

Under

every

;

kept

so

the

In

manner

nest

flashed

life from

eaglesinginga strange

an

the

browsed

sprinkled

of

water

green.

about

decay

Norns

fountain, and

Urdar forever

it

the

with

tree

these

day

every

past and

told

of

the

future. The

gods, the

them

and

knew

past that the

gods giants,or they

After became would 26

of

more

had

gods

for wisdom. the

much

so

the

than

older

giants were

a

to

to

time,

ever, how-

than

the

wiser

have

go

ceased

to

Odin's be

Search

gods, and

been

giants,instead When

the

there

the

to

of

keeper and

the

Memory,

or

of

out

paid ;

for of

water

of

the

was

wise that he

went

touched

waters

Ygdrasil well

wise

very

learn, Odin

whose

of

roots

itself.

was

a

well

the

he

until

draughts

he

well

was

the

contained

well

wisdom,

old

Mimer,

no

gave

The

very

giant,named

and

and

young,

things which

to

become

well

deep

a

had

gods

anxious

,to

still

was

the

them.

destroying

still many

the

so

destroyed by

of

world

were

even

for Wisdom

and

whoever

drank

straightwaywonderfully

it became

wise. "

Give

water, had

O

me

Mimer,"

said

of

into

its

this

Odin,

the well, and

reached down

draught

a

was

clear

when

he

ing look-

clear, fathomless

depths. Mimer,

the

keeper, was 27

so

old

that

Stories

Norse

he

could

had

calm

and noble

was

This

"

great

said

all who able

are

had

have

would

he

for

"

he

I will

god

a

was

gained bar-

godlike

so

wise

be

to

he

and

else.

whatever

ask,"

you

answered. Mimer

must

thought a

leave

Then

of

he

anything

give you

to

continued. less of

more

not can-

only

thought longer and

cared

great than

I

"

willingto give

he

been

at

fully wonder-

a

ask, but

sharper,but that

had

be

in

and

greatlyin return," If Odin

to

long

his waist.

majestictone.

to

who

his

to

price,"he

give those

down

only

sweet,

face

stars, his

is

water

were

eyes

restful,and

flowed

beard

white

His

the

as

and

that

everything

happened.

ever

clear

a

remember

the

he

an

eye," he drew

up

sparkling 28

"

moment.

a

said

at

great

water,

and

You

last.

draught Odin

his

quenched

behind.

eye be

and

sacrifice. Odin

So

giant There

that

he

whom

the

life often Of

wisdom

fame

was

curious

and

edge, in knowl-

difficult questions, been

always as

now,

his

on

wonderful

even

many

worlds, and

things in

the

the

One

great.

day

a

man's

wisdom.

his

and

many

were

gods as

strange

future, he 29

silenced

stories

among

thinking of the

who

Jotunheim, with

contended

had

or

him.

with

giant, Vafthrudner,

told, and

in all

god

no

had

many

toil

giant,however,

depended

this

could

wisest

was

killed,for then,

and

left

had

gods

contend

all-wise in

with

went

struggleand

could

many

and

the

there

and

one

was

called

was

Even

became

^theworlds,

in

thirst and

without

wise

not

sat

divine

rejoicing, although

away an

for Wisdom

Search

Odin's

his

Odin

things

mysterious thought

of

Stories

Norse

Vafthrudner. heim

and

I

"

will

wisdom

measure

with

the wisest of the he

thrudner, Vaf-

giants,"said

Frigg, his wife, who

to

Jotun-

to

go

sitting

was

by. Then had

Frigg remembered

giantand

had

fear

over

came

You

knows

half

be

as

heim. and

blue

His

his

him,

and

who

met

golden as

his

on

?

you

feared

persuaded

Asgard

should

giant

who "

nothing, stay, and

to

Frigg sadly said good-by of

worlds,

why

"

;

much

so

who

Odin, not

said

treacherous

a

not

But

out

a

fate

same

in all the

wisest

are

seek

could

the

that

her

All-Father," she you

back, and

come

befall Odin.

might "

never

who

the all-wise

with

contend

to

gone

those

as

he

passed

journey tojotun-

mantle

helmet

set

he

with

stars

left behind

hejourneyed swiftlythose

him

saw

nothing godlike 3"

in

Odin's him

; nor

last

he I

"

did

Vafthrudner

stood

am

the

at

he

gruffly

.with

in

you

coming in

mastery

both,"

he

a

He

down,

to

hence

the

ask

strive

giant

thought of with

"

and

a

him

for

want

of

if you

not can-

shall

questions you alive."

not

even

ask

but

let him

stand much

too

After

a

Odin in

to

the

sit

hall,

to

show

him

time

he

began

O

wise

graad, Gan-

questions.

ask "

I

The

did

courtesy.

to

to

all you

have

my

despisinghim any

chance

contend

growled,

go

"

knowledge.

answer

never

him.

wisdom."

shall

"You

Vafthrudner

as

toward

at laughed scornfully man

at

giant'sdoor.

said,

and hospitality

your

when

simple traveller,Gangraad

a

by name," came

for Wisdom

Search

Tell the

me, name

Asgard

if you

can,

of the river which from

Jotunheim." 31

vides di-

Stories

Norse

"The

river

freezes

over," answered

if it were

as

world

Ifing, which

it

indeed

no

he

Good,"

said,

rightly.

of the horses

night

across

Odin

if he

reply. have

me,

now,

carry

swered an-

the

day and

fairly spoken

were

and

giantcould

surprisethat

"

great

you

Skinfaxe

"

these

the

that

the words

The

in

up

sky."

replied,

faxe." his

the

answered

"

Tell

names

Before

have

heard

though al-

him,

to

was

looked he

surprisewhen "

quickly, question in the

could

man

Vafthrudner

it.

Odin

the easiest

and

;

never

a

not

Hrimconceal

should

man

know

things. Once

more,"

he

said

quickly,as

riskingeverything on

were

question;

"

tell the

plain where

name

of

the

Battle

will

be

question,for

the

the

me

Last

one

fought." This

was

a

terrible 32

Odin's Battle

Last

still far off in the

was

the

only

and

of the

when

he

ready

for

the

heard

of his

words,

and

solemnly,

Vigrid,which

is

for

be

divine

plain miles

hundred

one

to

said, slowly

the

On

"

his head

the

was

then

life,and

when

and

bowed

battle

that

work

of on

side."

Vafthrudner his

where

Odin

come.

ture, fu-

the greatest

and

gods

giantsknew

it would

each

for Wisdom

Search

He

seat.

graad

was

that his

and

knew

in

one

life hung

own

he himself

that

now

great

some

from

trembling

rose

would

soon

Gan-

disguise,

on

be

the

swers an-

forced

make.

to "

Sit here

whoever has

never

Then rude

stone

gods

and

3

me," he said,

beside

you

are,

entered

they

sat

"

worthier these down

hall,the the wisest 33

for,

antagonist

walls."

togetherin

mightiest of of the

the the

giants,and

Norse the

great

life

hanging time

listened

to

be, those

asked

the

said

he drew

out

of

the

events

wonderful

the

things of

of

future

whose

know;

and

as

things flash,and

humble

that

he

Odin's to

seemed

Gangraad, but 34

to

the

these

eyes

grow no

the

from

past, race

tion ques-

mysterious

only

touched

his form

until he

dim,

secrets

no

Odin,

the

he began and finally giants, him

ask

his wisdom.

now,"

turn

Vafthrudner

surely.

giant could

after another

one

nobler

the

silent

Vafthrudner

as

the

time

a

It is my

then

and

was

for he had exhausted

more,

of

will

on

secrets

and coming swiftly

After

and

man

no

a

deep questionafter another,

one

answer

"

scale, went

Wonderful

man

no

wisdom, with

either

when

when

Odin the

in

them.

of the

walls

in

contest

between

time

Stories

gods derful won-

began

to

largerand longer

the

mighty god

he

was,

he

felt the

with

question.

hours

down

Balder

but words

days doom

Odin

been with

ascended

the

himself

could

of

ear

funeral

answer

Vafthrudner with

plied re-

of

old ?

upon

I

have

myself,for contended art

ever

Who

"

awe,

thyself,All-father, knoweth thou didst say to thy son

Thou

was

giant,

the

whisper in

question, and humbly and

I have

So

the

"

Only this

he

as

pile?

Odin

questioning,

asked

and

last Odin

at

swift

his

stooped

did

by, until

went

in

What

as

nearinghim

doom

coming

paused "

trembled

Vafthrudner

and

every

So

for Wisdom

Search

Odin's

the in the

brought my in my ance ignorself. it-

with wisdom the wisest

of all."

conquered, and Wisdom she victorious, as always Odin

even

when

she

giants. 35

has

has

contended

Chapter How

Odin

BESIDES the

Vans,

the

air.

the

The who

hollow

of with

seas

the

peace

Frey the

sent

earth his

while of world

filled sweetest

of

ruled

storms

of

of

these

and

rain

and

for

cared

daughter Freyja made

with

joys they 36

His

son

upon

harvests,

was

so

the

ever

men

with knew.

full

whole

tenderness,

of

hearts

them

over

the

the

the

sunshine

and

she

was

in

calm.

great

a

and

vexed

spread

or

beautiful the

seas

winds

hand

his

were

the

the

kept

Mid-

there

men,

in

lived over

greatest

that

love

ruled

and

who

who

gods

world

Njord,

Mead

Asgard

Asgard the

the

brought to

gard,

IV

and

the

Odin

How

It

went

to

the

fierce

When

them.

last, Njord,

at

found

made

was

and

Frey,

Freyja in

themselves

henceforth

gard, and

tween struggle be-

peace

for

homes

Vans

other, and

the

was

ning begin-

the

and

each

with

Mead

the

at

gods

war

and

long

they

As-

all

were

as

family.

one

the

While

made

was

council

open

was

the

over

of

rid

the

resolved

should

and

out a

them

remind took

of it

they

moulded

and

and

called

him

was

grown

up

a

wonderful 37

the

meeting

something

they

Kvaser

born,

war

So

man,

great jar

glad to be that they

so

create

always

council.

were

troublesome to

the

when

gods

a

peace

between

space

parties,and

two

which

at

being held,

was

in the

stood

of

almost

happened that

the

Brought

the

of

that the

great jar the

form

Kvaser. when man

he

he

was

was

Stories

Norse

all the

In

too.

wise

so

world

he

knew

the

world

of

heaven

places

Kvaser

wise

all

was

a

great

he

that

for

People

rather

when

they

the

very

best

really eller, travto

think ; but

men

opinion of

the

the

gods,

first poet

they

man

of.

easier

any

and

sometimes

One

night

keep

cannot

poets

trouble

of

the

were.

wiser

sometimes sort

sort

because men

made

think

But

it.

place

made

they

made

could

useless

not

was

he

went

better.

poets

from

always welcome,

place, and and

hell as

always going wherever

what

and

too,

He

are.

men

any

answer

and

good,

was

body no-

gods lived, how

made,

was

was

him

ask

could

the

how

He

he ;

as

question, and

there

as

along through

not

Kvaser one

38

than

other

half was

of

out

so

of men,

well.

travelling those

deep

How

Odin

valleys

that

that

in

Galar

names,

he

dwarfs

two

only

little in

and

mean

in

nature,

they

hated

a

the

towards "

"

knows

he

all

they

was

so

had

Galar looked

Kvaser

saw

small

cruel, and

they.

still

coming

house.

Fjalar! Fjalar!

here

queer

nature,

because

he

the

like

and

dark, ugly face,which

uglier when

very

and

than

sea

to

size,but

little

Kvaser

nobler

much

of

envious

very

the

Fjalar. They

not

were

to came

and

people

Mead

with

were

other

the

down

run

country,

of

house

Brought

he

wise

the

comes

"

talks

in

rhymes,

so

much

more

called

out,

who

man

ways al-

thinks

and than

he

anybody

else." And

walking shadow

when across

came

thunder-cloud.

Fjalar the

fields, his

over "

39

the

saw

a

face

Galar,"

he

poet black like

a

whis-

Norse

Stories

pered, looking could

nobody alone

hear,

let 's kill

;

much

it dashed

had

him

each

chase

and

other

tumbling

Kvaser

came

pretended told

and

above see,

had him.

the

on

to

be

him

very

he

all others

because been

that

he

one,

and

the

was

had

never

when

so

was

roaring

they

When

to one

they him,

see

person

wanted

to

questionthey time

noble

thought 40

and

had a

and

dwarfs

waiting a long

Kvaser

waves

caps

glad

they

they

the

beach. the

to

up

would

you

white

foaming

was

If you

of

voices

sea,

rocks,

his mind.

their

toss

the

and

sing it,

the

heard

they

in

song

him."

slowly approaching

was

against the

heard

have as

a

how

see

will do

house,

him

got

and

him,

that

see

"we've

Kvaser

the

making

to

his wisdom

good

Meanwhile

as

around

evil

asked

to

ask

himself of him

any to

go

How

Odin

Brought

with

them

into of

lonely part nobody could

suspicion

no

harm

; but

the

to

from

him,

honey,

and

but Not

their talk, he

had

that

they

any

than

true

Suttung,

death, put

his father

them

on

where

they would

when

the tide

to

leave

them

a

and

too

when

little

been out

41

to

rocky

the covered dis-

he

had

in, and

; but

for

;

be certainly

came

Fja-

Gilling,and

the dwarfs

took

ness sweet-

poetry.

after this Galar

it

mead

only

giant named

two

it with

wonderful

make

how

in

mixed

life to

for

him

killed

blood

not

giant'sson,

and

his

come

struck

Having

took

punished

were

they

they

It

a

meant

had

sooner

the

lar killed

to

hear

so

long

and that

kettle, and

made.

was

the

they caught a

dark

very

behind.

jars and

Mead

valley, so

no

place

down

a

the

put sea

island

drowned

rowed

the rascals

off

begged

Stories

Norse

hard

so

be

to

promised would give

the

him

it in his

cellar,and

home

Gunlad

to

watch

for he

knew

what

was.

So

told it

daughter

and

passed

into

hands

put

night,

preciousdrink

a

mead

and

his

day

they

Then

mead.

the mead

took

the

live if

let them

to

Suttung

dwarfs'

ly off,that he final-

taken

the

it

of the

out

keeping

of

a

giant. Now

the

gods

Kvaser,

and

when

without

passed

said

dwarfs his this own

he

had

was

counsel, he

the

gods

had

gone

been

Odin

false story.

a

what

him,

; but

wisdom

own

and

missed on

one

to

the

choked

by

knew

kept

that his

nothing about do, but

him, and of his 42

him,

and

He

said

going

was

had

Fjalar if they

and about

anything

knew

of

time from

word

any

fond

very

long

a

Galar

asked

they

were

one

knew

day he

long journeys.

How

Odin

As

he walked

for

a

god

;

he looked

he

^in

had

kind

any

hardly

of

the

which

Odin

crowned

with

its steep

its fjords breaking the

for the

gods

thinking

all the

get the mead He

love

out

that he

coast

sea

;

into

enjoyed how

of the

he

and

berless num-

it all, he

was

should

giant'scellar.

well that Suttung perfectly and never give it up willingly, must get it either by force or by

knew

would

its great

beauty, but time

"

mountains,

the

Odin

bays.

way,

rushing

pine ;

into

out

his

streams

fir and

standing

crags

country

valleys, with

green

;

it

could

Words

took

sparkling cold them

keep

to

beautiful

the

through

charge, and

hard

order.

deep, quiet

some hand-

very

pretty much

his

very

describe

through its

had in

work

to

a

him

took

in fact that is what

world

whole

like

He

reallywas.

the

Mead

along nobody

labourer, and he

the

Brought

43

Stories

Norse

Suttung

stratagem.

the cellar

and

about

it the

If he

had

given

but

up,

his

was

bring it Now

loved

who

a

his

as

the

in

stranger

coming

watch like

and

to

one

thralls

were

saw

a

them.

towards

thing to

It see

a

out-of-the-wayplace,

He

stopped

was

a

he

but

themselves, and

named

farmer, and nine

all

men

him.

in stature,

brother

a

uncommon

very

the

meant

fields, they

stranger in that and

he

and

had

was

mowing

a

the

Kvaser, and

blood,

;

heaven.

to

afternoon,

was

have

his way

not

was

him.

to

would

he

that

Suttung

Bauge,

thought

it seemed

man

a

of the solid

out

Odin

harder

been

strong,

very

more

besides, he had mead

cut

was

the

and

rock;

was

had

a

farm was

very

work

to

labourer very

large

noble

face

manner.

"A

of

fine meadow 44

grass,"he

said

Odin

How

in

musical

deep

a

them,

but

"

Brought

They

find

you

scythes

your

voice

the

as

Mead

he

joined

it hard

work

;

dull."

are

did certainly

look

tired

and

overworked. Hand

"

whet

me

for

them

to

have

so

they

thralls

anybody him

gave

were

that

do

the

continued

you,"

The

stranger.

I will

scythesand

your

their

glad

very

for

them,

out scythes with-

In a moment saying a word. valley rang with the quick strokes

the

the

the

stone

sparks The

the

hard

metal,

in showers

around

on

flew

had

men

never

and

them. such

seen

whetting of scythes before, and astonishment

they

found

fall

like

mowing, was

now

a

their

greater still when

grew that

of

the

grass

magic

before

which

had

the

easiest

world. 45

seemed

them.

been

The

hard,

so

thing

to

in

the

Stories

Norse

Sell

"

the

us

whetstone,"

the stranger.

shouted, crowding around "

will

sell

it,but

price for

each

threw

his

did

off, and

if he was

to

high

his

into

the

sun

it,the the

air,

it, which each

slew

scythe, and

the whetstone

the

ling quarrel-

fight for

in

the

away,

the

field. walked

going down,

was

giant'shouse

give

supper

stranger, and

After and

self, him-

and

asked

might stay all night. Bauge in those willing,as people were

days, the

it for

have

left alone

was

as

to

came

it

with

threw

He

good

fiercelythat

so

fellow

stranger

I

"

a

were

should

them

bade

they

they

which

to

stranger

have

must

demanded

while

and

and

I

coolly,

very

it."

Then

as

he

said

Well,"

they

supper

Bauge

told

asked

and

a

him

they talked

bed in.

together,

the stranger that 46

to

his

How

thralls had

nine

had

field and

he

that he

did

"

to

get

men

it," said the stranger.

I '11 do

said

"but

Bauge,

are

you

one."

only

"That

try

because

trouble

work.

"Yes,"

"

the

other, and

each

where

know

not

his

do

to

killed

Mead

fightingin

been

in great

was

the

Brought

Odin

is

the

I '11 do

and

me

true," he answered,

"but

of

work

all

nine."

looked

Bauge

it, but

if he

as

it

"

shall

What

Bauge, the

bargain

change

to

thought

a

uncertain "

I '11do

I

few what the

good

that

was

pay

you

determined

before

his

one

was

gained, at least,and

the

mind.

man

The

moments

pay

did n't

as

he

lieve beman

thing. some-

?

"

tinued con-

to

finish

had

time

stranger if he

were

wanted.

work," he said slowly, 47

Stories

Norse

last,

"

at

if

in

of the mead

Bauge

was

could

much

very

would

get

how the

give him

his

it

mead.

He

of

it,and

chance

good

a

for

done

to

I

can't

that, for Suttung

takes

precious

said

care

what

I

next

man

nothing. promise

good So

the

drop

a

was

work

"Well," you

he

however, that Suttung

sure,

thought

cellar."

surprised;

understand

not

drink

a

brother's

anything about

was

he,

of

the

the

all

and

of

wondered

in

was

nine what

new

farm-hand

the

work

was

nothing more,

but

mead,

made,

and

the

was

at

stranger

early

summer,

the

fields

doing

Bauge

men.

of

kind was

;

done and

I '11 do

get it."

you

bargain was

morning

late, he

"

help

to

can

the

work;

work

give me

your

very

not

knew

he

will

you

he 48

the

often his

man

a

but

and

so

long

he

cared

asked

no

as

for ques-

How

Odin

The

tions. name

he

stranger

Bolverk,

was

months work

all

was

demanded

pay.

go

and

"We'll

'

about

it,"said

went

brother with

the

his

little of

;

brother

my

both

they

so

he

his

told

Bauge and

the

had

made

for

asked

a

mead.

said

No,"

"

Bauge

The

Bolverk

and

bargain

the

all

was

came,

ask

workman,

his

himself.

Suttung.

to

that

and

done,

his

said

winter

by,

went

Mead

once

about

said

ever

the

Brought

Suttung

crossly,

very

looking suspiciouslyat Bolverk;

and

bargain of mine,

"it's

no

drop

shall

at

for a

gone hidden 4

ill

that he

thought done

seemed his

not

from

way

the

all

at

fortune, and had

nothing ;

little

not

a

have."

you

Bolverk

and

gotten

but

after

Bauge

his work

they

together and house by the 49

prised sur-

had

were

trees,

Stories

Norse

Bolverk

drew his

under

help

to

going

said

he,

get

that

me

into

through into

the

when

it

It

against the

about

the

he

go

on.

he

began

and

he

it

pressed

began

told

In

a

fly

to

cloud

a

stopped, for he

Bolverk

so

he

told

little time

had

knew

because

true,

he

get into

Bolverk

but

50

it

rapidity,the

really would

out;

took

ger, astonishingau-

he

be

couldn't

but

auger,

word

than

through,

ting cut-

getting

him

had

Once

chips still flew to

and

of

fairlymaking

stone

cellar, and

that

rock

wonderful

him.

bored

idea

that

am

for it."

the

an

rock

with

afraid

was

was

I

mead.

to

sooner

no

chips of

you

with

saying a

bore.

around

promised

"

handed

was

for

at

thick

a

cellar

it without to

from

auger

Suttung'scellar smiled

Bauge

an

clothing.

Bauge,"

"

out

the

Bauge

the

au-

ger

but he

while

and

there

into

sightof the

into

thrust

the

back

late, Bauge

the

hastily

auger

voice

cellar,"Too

the need

you

and

rock

Bolverk's

from

;

direction

Bauge caught

but

hole,

answered

in every

When

it he

looked

Bolverk,

no

crept up

hole.

the

was

stared

largeworm

the Mead

Bauge

slipped through.

around,

a

Brought

Odin

How

n't

bore

any

longer." Bauge suspected that

Then

who

had

all

summer,

himself

the

done

a

be

must

worm,

than

more

nine

men

body some-

Bolverk

common.

was

actuallyin Suttung's house,

how

was

he

to

man

suddenly changed

and

into

of

work

a

get

out

again with

but

the

mead? the

Gunlad, been

charged O

the was

precious

young

lady

by her

father

who to

had watch

J

drink

day

and

quietlybeside it,when sitting 5*

night, she

Stories

Norse

suddenly surprised,and

was

before

her.

What

man

said

young

but

knows, was

she

had

he

They

At

admired rate,

any

he

let him

drink

three

the

mead,

only

three.

And took a

the

he

third

the

the

place. mead

other

finished

another

now

worm,

with

most

but

the

jar, with

one

emptied

he

to

of, for

emptied

he

that

tonishing as-

draughts anybody heard

he

hinted

and

certainly the

were

her

told

he

one

any

her

of

draughts

nobody

lovely;

before.

persuaded

her

to

very

seen

much

so

handsome

the

exhausted,

was

never

standing

man

probably

much

very

that

beautiful

and

young

a

apparitionof

little frightened, by the a

not

no

than

an

52

the

the

had

he

second

jar, and

had

sooner

in

first

with

kettle.

wonderful

Bolverk

ever

change

entered

as

he drunk

instant

he

be-

Odin

How

what

knew

had

splendid wings

faster, higher circles that of

vanished

he

easy

was

flight.

higher, in far round

the

in

until

rose

out

with

air, faster

mountains,

flighthe had

broad,

and

swept

the

Gunlad

outspread

still

the

Through

Mead

happened,

in

risingupward

the

before

eagle, and

an

came

Brought

of

swift the

sight,and

and

wide mits sumjestic ma-

earth his

mighty pinionsbeat againstthe gates of Asgard. So

Odin

heaven, and are

brought

where

only

the

it remains

those

permitted to

whom drink

53

mead

this

to

the

gods

of it.

to

day, love

Chapter The

busy

was

and

ridges the

and

be

gathered

by

the

winds

soft

with

blinding passed

harvesting were

for.

care

Frey and

and his But

it

mist

the

the

the

ing weav-

about

of

the in

rain

sowing

of

the and

over

winter

when

as

the

and

ripening watch

to

driven

landscape

curtains for

to

were

came,

day

in

and

day

out,

happened,

in

this

long

dull

idle

was

so

;

leys, val-

heavens,

of

folding

tain moun-

and

sea

the

draperies

or

fruit

at

across

hills,

they

showers

to

was

the

into

deep

out

mer, sum-

the

along

gentle far

in

sunlight

fruitful

and

Gerd

enough

the

when warm

of

Wooing

FREY fall

V

54

The that

season,

he

about

Odin's

the world

flashed

the

god,

nor

awful

in that

nothing to do,

;

and

then

and

sat

but

about

boldly down

when

the

ing nothhas

one

wrong.

little

a

sit

to

do

to

longer,

the

mounted

on

man

which

it is easy

wandered

Frey

idle and

dared

seat, from

hidden

was

and

Neither

Odin, had

save

look

thought

more

before.

than

restless

was

mind

Frey's

again,leaving him

out

Asgard,

it and

was

into

lessly rest-

throne

sit upon

To

over

that

wandering

was

that

saw

empty. out

he

morning

one

when

of Gerd

Wooing

steps of

throne

the

world.

What There

a

wonderful

lay Asgard

clear

with

heaven

like ;

there

its steep mountains

was

!

was

in the

were

great

55

it

beautiful

there

morning light; clouds

view

the ling rol-

in the

waves

the and

world

tossing

Stories

Norse

seas

there

and

;

of the

home

the

along

looked

Frey this

of

like

coast

the

the

enemies the

barrenness

the

to

he

looked

back

winds

beautiful

a

not

In

a

figuremoved

and

desolate

steps, paused then

house, a

raised

her

56

scape, landthe

all the

slowly to

at arms

Dark

of the shadows,

mounted

moment

he

ever, how-

moment, out

as

brightor

one

walked

maiden

a

over

visible in

thing was round.

country

gloomy

swept

and

house

hills.

the

valleys,and

stony

and

;

the

amid

lay across cold

always

massive

a

shine sun-

winter

earth

saw

standing alone shadows

and

summer,

bring

plotting to

and

earnestly at

gods lived, hating and

the

sentinels.

grim

where

dreary place the

cliffs standing

and

long

bidding, for-

and

giants,gloomy

great black

"

the

Jotunheim,

was

the to

the

door, loosen

latch.

the

Straightway

warmth hills.

she

she air

and

was

and

When

deepened heart

was

rocks

of

she

fast

for

ness, loveliwere

the

bound

door

shadows

the

hills,and

Frey's the

among

the

sittingin

been

had

He

Jotunheim.

punished

earth

heavens

her

the

among

her

opened

it behind

closed

and

that

with

the

even

radiant.

uplifted

beautiful

flooded

the

over

with

stood

so

were

ful wonder-

a

lightstole

and

As

arms

of Gerd

Wooing

The

seat

of

Odin. For nor

days Frey

until

then

Skirner, own

as

a

slept,

ate,

about,

wandered

him

ask

cloud, and he

why

no

was

Njord, Frey's father,

sorrowful.

waited and

gloomy

dared

one

so

He

spoke.

silent and

neither

he

with

could a

whom

brother, and

wait

no

longer,

heavy

heart

sent

for

Frey

loved

as

his

to

find

begged 57

him

Stories

Norse

the came

folded

and

arms

the

ground. do

Why

"

been

yours The

"

for

not

?

"

we

;

tell

me

And

looked

Frey

told

until

he he

could had

how of

seat

maiden

won

are

be

never

her

58

a

sudden

snows

he

and

like a

truth

Odin

Jotunheim

when

Frey's

on

other's

him

shadows, like

summer

that

the

upon

among

of

sorrow."

beautiful

the

hand

your

into

climbed

together,"said

each

trust

but

Frey.

Skirner, laying his arm

day,

every

children

were

always

"

answered

me,"

day are

have

that

joy shines

sun

We

"

"Where

asked.

light and

all

stay here

you

he

alone?" the

gloomily

cast

eyes

with

about

Frey walking

upon

upon

Skirner

of all this sadness.

cause

;

had and seen

sunbeam

coming deep, and

happy again for himself.

The If that is

"

said

that

Give

"

the

when

which

the

horse

was

soon

wind

I will

and

glad to get the desire delay about giving up

to

the sword,

and

mounted

his

on

came

black

processionof

of

bear him

hard

hoofs

rider

Faster drove

moved

stars

hills

on

rang

of

59

if

as

sparks

at

the horse

they

night

the stony

faithful

he

along All

faster

and

the

endless

the

company.

the

of

fjordsas

one

the

scatteringshowers step.

the

the

summits

would

Night

shadows

by

one

the

riding like

and

lay across

passed,and

Skirner

and

dreary journey.

the

on,

mountains

the

itself

swings

opposed,

too

was

his heart

the

flame,

Jotunheim."

Frey of

the

swiftest horse fire and

through

sword

heard

had

your

giantsare to

go

he

me

ride

can

and

all,it is easily managed," when

Skirner

story.

of Gerd

Wooing

way,

every

daring until

Stories

Norse his

like the flash

flightwas

of the

brave

on,

Skirner;

"we

prize or

the

shall

with

return

the

mighty giant will keep

last the

At and

the

the

home

and

the

the

throne

long journey

of

the

dogs

tear

who on

was

stood Odin's

about

him

if

from

limb

aside

and

shepherd sittingon

a

rode

mound

the ner, Skir-

savagelyupon furiously as

turned

was

giant'sdaughter.

chained

rushed

would

the

were

barking he

Frey

Gerd,

was

It

reached.

maiden

when

door

over

was

Gymer, frost-giant

beautiful

gate and

So

house

gloomy

Fierce

a

horse," shouted

both."

us

at

roar

thunderbolt.

Rush

"

and

they limb. up

to near

by. Shepherd,

"

and

dogs ?

"

he

how

speak

shall I

with

asked. 60

quietthese

ter Gymer's daugh-

The

The

shepherd

"Who

do

whence doomed

to

answered,

come

you

die, or

are

Whoever

already? will

with

him

at

he

you,"

are

and

you

looked

in his eyes.

wonder

"

of Gerd

Wooing

you

Are

a

ghost

are,

you with

you

Gymer's

get

speech

not

afraid," said

never

?

daughter." "I

am

proudly of

day

;

fate has

my

death,

"

Skirner

already fixed and

it

the be

cannot

changed." Skirner's

voice

clear and

rang

above

the

howling

Gerd

in her

chamber

of

strong

dogs, and

the

heard

the

brave

"

she

called

words. "

to

noise

What her

shakes One

maidens. and

the

is that ? "The

foundations

of the maidens

earth

very

looked

tremble." out

and

Skirner.

saw

"A

warrior

stands 61

without

the

Stories

Norse

wall," she

waits, his horse the

grass

before

gates." him

Bid

"

the

enter

at

brother

Skirner

and

the

the

at

from

his

that

beauty

he

for

him

keenly

knew

stony

beautiful

the

before

looked and

moment

tion, invita-

second

through

stood

She

Gerd.

er slay-

come."

no

walked

and

quaff

quickly springing to

and,

halls

has

needed

ground,

and

once

for I fear the

pleasant mead, of my

a

the

eats

he

while

"and

answered;

ness brightfrom

was

Asgard. "Are "

;

god,

you and

night

why

and

have

flame

elf ?

or

"

she

through

come

you to

visit

elf

nor

ed ask-

Gymer's

halls?" "

I

Skirner home

neither

am "

;

and

yet I have

through nightand

beautiful

among

the 62

god," to

come

flame.

gods

and

said

your

Frey, loved

The of all the and

earth, has

has

he

won

I will

"

until

happy again

beautiful

with

back

go

beauty

your

seen

for himself.

you

eleven

you

be

never

can

of Gerd

Wooing

I

bring

apples if you

will

me."

go,"

not

Gerd's

was

quick

answer.

rich

shall itself,

as

be

and

frowned

take

in my

gold enough his

"

gentleness, If you

sword

!

strike

your

Gerd

height "

eyes,

will

drew and I will

not

answered, be

never

63

castingaside flashing

return

I will

your

body."

from

herself

house."

this

at

not

have

I

father's

look

fair head

I will

ring.

said Skirner,

Then,"

in his hand

"

angrily.

wondrous

your

said

her.

gently urging Gerd

rings

yours,"

Skirner, holding Draupner

"

every

night drops eight other

ninth as

ring,which

wonderful

This

"

up

to

with won

her

full

flashing by

force.

Norse

for your

As meet

will

I

Skirner

will

quickly slay him,"

said

for sword."

to

be

be

moved

face out

he

voice, as chanted

her

"

and

darkness

round tears

top you

never

;

in cease

to

64

ments move-

breathed

over

:

"

sit in

terrors

awful

the

Gerd

some

may

in

about

you

on

curse.

slow

incantation

refuse,may

mountain

her, he

silence

wove

enchantments

If you

solemn

a

over

with

with

and

mystic

Skirner

the direful

her

it

awful

of the wand dread

to

changed.

in

and

breathless

while

proud

too

suddenly

waved

an

was

cold

too

was

magic wand,

a

fixed upon

room

she

only

threats.

by

drew

There

Gerd

by giftsand

won

Skirner's

eyes

But

angrily. scornfully;

smiled

He

father

threats, my

sword

you "

Stories

dreary crowd

shapes

fall from

erlasting ev-

and your

The hated

eyes

;

you

pass

Wooing

of Gerd

of

and

gods

men,

life in solitude

your

may

and

olation des-

! 'T

"

is done thus

Thus, And

! I wind I

three

Fury,

Lust,

and

I

wound,

I

spell,if

you

as

This

fatal

bowed

Her

pride could

of

a

head

her

and not

that

than

Woe.

straightunwind are

kind."

an

awful

to

live with

stay in

to

and

it

was

so

through She

softened

raised that

i

Andersen's

Norse

65

god

home

warmth melt

her

they

her.

knew

a

the

and

coldness.

ness still-

clasped hands. thing yield,but some-

steal

to

*

quivering

gentle

icy

5

Restless

frost-giant.A

seemed

;

below,

stood

curse,

with

better

;

Gerd, trembling under

terrible

was

giant form

stopped, and

told

mystic charm

fell characters

followed. the

the

trace

and

E'en

Skirner

the

Mythology

her

face, ly hard-

Stories

Norse

greet you," she said,

I

"

brimming

that

think

not a

cup

of

mead,

I

should

this

with

"

but

did

I

love

ever

god." Skirner

When back

with

him,

she

Frey

nine

days

hence

bride

in the

Skirner

in

the

that he

the

drew

he

near

his father's

"

She

When

"

Nine

meet

his

of

his

as

was

ing rid-

and

so

horse

happy

Frey's happiness

seemed

short, and

as

fore Frey standingbe-

saw

ly halls,looking anxious-

coming.

is yours

his horse "

He

distance

for his

fast

him.

thought

to

go

become

and

mounted

as

carry

to

of Bar-isle.

soon

homeward could

promised

groves

was

her

pressed

?

!

into "

"

he

shouted, urging

swifter

said

flight.

Frey eagerly.

days hence,

in the

groves

of

Bar-isle," joyfully replied Skirner, who

expected

be

to

66

loaded

with

The

Frey, however,

thanks.

forgot what

he

that

of Gerd

Wooing

eager flame

and

night

through for

ridden

had

his friend

so

was

love

of him. One

"

day

three

?

long

"

for

wait

I

thanks

all the

was

long, indeed,

;

shall

How

two.

are

is

Skirner

got. The

days

enough

for

day shone

of

the

trees,

great Gerd

far lovelier

while

the

her earth

end, and

they skies

stood

grew

last

at

morning

the

branches

Frey

found

when

happy

his she

the ing, com-

stood the

And

door.

soft,the

wind

the

on

with

sun

south

or

than

67

est long-

Never

waiting for

father's was

the

came.

brightly

beautiful

whole

an

long

were

even

Bar-isle,under

at

before

but

;

musically as

so

when

to

day

so

blew

Frey

comes

ninth

the

followed

that

in

them, for

clasped trees

hands

put

on

Norse

a

tender

along

green,

Stories

flowers

the

side,the ripening

the mountain

grain swayed lay warm

blossomed

in the

fields,and

fragrantover

and

land.

68

mer sum-

the

Chapter The

ONE

wife, Bilskirner

a

sunlight he

as

the

like

great

wish ;

and

asleep carry

when he

he

thought off

a

of

beautiful he

somehow

that

her

palace.

own

anything

saw

to

her

of

her

noticed it

was

golden 69

like a

very

in

the

thought

saw

instead

long

there

Loke

and

her

made

sat

statue

temple, in

it

by

passed

thunder-

or

She

she

as

palace

shoulders

her

least

at

;

the

with

asleep,

gold.

picture

pretty

beautiful

Thrudvang,

fell

of

Hammer

sittingin

was

fallingabout

shower

the

Sif, Thor's

as

in

she

world, hair

of

Making day

VI

so

less, motion-

goddess

in

a

living goddess

a

Loke

never

without

the

might

spoil

that a

Sif

good

hair,

and

was

time so

Norse

of

her

rob

could, and he

god, the

a

she

Thor

which

had

always

And

him

from

there

was

of

failed

never

to

before

threshold

the

eyes his

had

in

the

the

look

had

at

the

strong beat

never

world, 70

ing mak-

She

him

and

but

dangers

life.

greet ;

;

proud

quicker at sightof

giant

the like

him,

one

god's heart, which second

been

came

meet

to

tender

labours

and

Thor

forgetwith

her

miss

eyes.

presently

Sif

hair

herself,lest

should

his

as

Sif

beautiful

hid

and

off them

When

deed. her

a

behind

home

light to

he

than

carried

and

evil

went

was

palace,cut

coming

beauty

no

the

found

and

awoke

thief

a

leavingone

of his

gone,

like

locks

without

Thor

noiselesslyas

stole into

trace

which

As

more

golden

away,

of

that

proud.

most

Stories

the

grew

a

est greatfaint

The

fear

with

that

had

quickly

from

In