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B 1,008,425

N"-; ..-.

I

3ftelattti(e ^oetrj.

^C'^X

ox

C|)e €XitiK of ^ntmnnti

TBANSLATED INTO ENGLISH VEBSE,

A. S. COTTLE, ""^^^d^jy

Of MAGDALEN COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE,

Si noflrum areret ingenium, de vctuflatis poC&t
fontibus irrigari.

HiEROME.

BRISTOL:

' PRINTED BY K. BIGGS^ FOR
JOSEPH COTTLE, AND SOLD IN LONDON BT
MESSRS. R0BINS0N9.

MTftrtimm m n nn i t Fin n n n ni in ii ii i i nm inninniH^^

► 5

INTRODUCTION.

The Northern nations maintained a
doubtful conteft with Rome, even ia
the moft glorious period of the Repub-
lic — but when Rome had funk into
depraved flavery, the enthufiafm of a
fierce fuperftition prevailed, and the face
of Europe has been changed by its fuc*
cefs. The tenets of this fuperftition
muft be fought for in die Edda.

The original inhabitants of Europe
according to fome writers, confifted of
two diftinfl; races of men, the Celts and
♦Sanaiatians. The latter they fay w^rethc

* If any perfon would wifh to fee this qucftion more
fdly difcuffcd he will find it in Percy s Northern Andr
quities..

IV.

AnCeftors of the Ruffians, Poles, Bohe-
mians and Walachians. From the former
defcended the ancient inhabitants of
Gaul, Germany, Scandinavia, Britain and
Spain. But by others this pofition is
denied, fo far however as relates to the
Celts^ Thefe maintain that Germany,
Scandinavia, Gaul and Britain, Were not
inhabited by the defcendants of one
fingle race; but divided between the
Celtic who were the anceftors of the
Gauls^ Britons, and Irilh; and the
Gothic or Teutonic, from whom the
Germans, Belgians, Saxons and Scandi-
navians derive their origin.

Two reafons may be afligned for this
difFereoce of opinion. One from the
fimilarity of language, the othfer, of
cuftom. In remote ages prior to hiftory,
and the improvements of fcience, the
bounds and limits of each nation were

V,

but faintly diftinguilhed. The barbarous
inhabitants of Europe, roving and unfett-
led, often varied their fituation. At one •
time they feized this part of the country,
at another, were driven from it by fome
ftronger tribe of Barbarians, or fponta-
neoufly left it in fearch of fome new
fettlement. Thus Caefar informs us that
the Gauls often migrated acrofs the
Rhine into Germany, and on the other
hand, the Germans into Gaul. By thcfe
means the languages andcuftomsofeach
became blended together, till in time,
hiftorians were led to believe that they
were both originally defcended from the
fame ftock. The Roman writers had fuch
^ confufed and indiftin6t knowledge of
the defcerit and character of the northern
nations of Europe, that they confounded
both the Celts and Goths with the Sarma-
tiguis, who ^re well known to have been

VI.

a diftinft nation from them both. Thus
Zofimus, an hiftorian of the third cen-
tury, includes them all under the com-
mon name of Scythians ; and this at a
time when, after their loiig and frequent
intercourfe with the Romans, their hif-
torians ought to have been taught to
diftinguifti them better.

But notwithftanding the general refem-
blances between the Germans and Gauls,
or in other words, the Teutonic and
Celtic nsttions, they are fufficiently dif-
tinguilhed from each other, and differ
confiderably in their perfon, manners,
laws, religion, and language.

Caefar exprefsly aflures us, that the
Celts or inhabitants of Gaul, differed in
language, cuftom, and laws, from the
Belgae, on the one hand, who were
chiefly a Teutonic people, and from the
jniiabit^ints of Aquitain on the other^ who-

vu.

from their vicinity to Spain, were proba-
bly of Iberian extraftjon; and Caelar
ought certainly to be confidered as com-
plete matter of the fubjeft, Tacitus alfo
has obferved a linking difference in the
perfons of the Germans, Gauls, and
Spaniards. .

They differed alfo in cuftoms and
manners. To inllance only in one point,
among the ^Germans, the wife did not
give a dowry to her hufband, but the
hufband to the wife. Among the
Gauls, the hufband received a portion
in money with his wife, for which he
made her a fuitable fettlement of his
goods.

They differed no lefs in their inflitu-
tions and laws. The Celtic nations do
not appear to have had that equal plan
of liberty, which was the peculiar cha-
rafteriflic of all the Gothic tribes^, and

VUl.

which they carried with them, and
planted wherever they made fettlements.
On the contrary, in Gaul, all the freedom
and power chiefly centered among the
Druids and the chief men, whom Caefar
calls Equites or Knights : but the infe-
rior people were little better than in a
ftate of flavery ; whereas the meaneft
German was independent and free.

But if none of thefe proofs of their

being two diftinft people exifled, the

difference between their religion and

language would decide the controverfy

at once.

Among the Celts, there was a peculiar
Hierarchy or facred College, which had
the entire conduQ: of all their religious
and even civil afiairs. The members of
this inftitution, who were Druids, ferved
them both for Magiftrates and Priefts ;
J)ut among the Gothic and Teutonic

IX,

nations, nothing of this kind is to be
found. It is true the Gothic nations
had their priefts, but they bore no noiorc
refemblance to the Druids, than to the
Pontiffs of the Greeks and Romans, or
any other Pagan people.
The Druids believed in the traiifmigra-i
tion of the foul. The Teutonic nations,
on the contrary, held that there was a
fixed Elyfium, and a hell, where the
valiant and juft were rewarded, and
where the cowardly and the wicked
fuftered puniflhment. The defcription
of thefe places forms a great part of the
Edda.

In many other inftances, the inftitu-
tions of the Druids were extremely dit
ferent from thofe of the Gothic nations.
The former frequently burnt a great
quantity of human viftims alive, in large
wicker images, as an offering to thfijf

X.

Gods. The Gothic nations, though hkc
all other Pagans, they occafionally defiled
their altars with human blood, appear
never to have had any cuilom like
this.

The Druids venerated the oak and the
miftletoe, the latter of which was regarded
by them, as the moft divine and falutary
of plants, and gathered with very pecu-
liar ceremonies* In the Gothic mytho-
logy, if any tree fecms to have been
regarded with more particular attention
than others, it is the a(h, as appears by
its defcripton in the Song of Grimner,
and the frequent allufions that are made
to it in other parts of the Edda. But as
for miftletoe, it is reprefented rather as
a contemptible and mifchievous fhrub.

But what particularly diftinguifhes the
Celtic inftitutions from thofe of the
6k)thic nations, is that remarkable air of

XI.

fecrecy with which the Druids conceal^
ed their doftrines from the vulgar ; for-
bidding that they (hould be ever conir
mitted to writing, and upon that account
not having fo much as an alphabet of
their own; In this, the inftitutions of
Odin and the Gothic Scalds or Poets were
quite the reverfe. No barbarous people
were ever fo addifted to writing, as
appears from the innumerable quantity
of Runic infcriptions fcattered all over
the North ; jio barbarous people ever
held letters in higher reverence, afcri-
bing the invention of them to their chief
Deity, and attributing to the letters them-
felves fupematural virtues.

From a very few rude and fimple
tenets originally, thofe wild fablers called
fcalds or poets had, in the courfe of eight
or nine centuries, invented and raifed an
amazing ftrutlure of fi9:ion* We muft

x\u

not, therefore, fuppofc that aH the fables
of the Edda were equally known to the
Gothic nations of every age or tribe. As
tnith is uniform and (imple, fo error is
jnoft irregular and various ; and it is
very poflible, that different fables and
different obfervances might pre vail among
the fame people in different times and
countries. This, poffibly, may account
for the diffimilar relations concerning the
fame fa6b, which are found in the Edda
of Saemund and that of Snorro.

From the. imperfeft knowledge of the
divine attributes, all pagan nations are
extremely apt to intermix fomething
local with the idea of the divinity, to
fuppofe peculiar Deities prefiding over
certain difl:ri6ls, and to worfhip this or
th?t Gqd with particular rites, which were
pnly to be obferved in one certain fpot.
H^nQC, to inattentive foreigners, there

XMU

might appear a difference of religioti
among nations who all maintained, at the
bottom, one common creed; and this
will account for whatever difagreement
is remarked between the ancient writers,
in their defcriptions of the Gods of the
ancient Germans : it will alfo account
for whatever difference may appear
between the imperfeft relation^ of the
Roman hiftorians, and the full difplay of
the Gothic mythology, held forth in the
Edda of Ssemund. It is indeed very
probable, that only the firfl; rudiments
of the Gothic religion had begun to be
formed, when the Germans were firft
known to the Romans : and when the
Saxons made their irruptions into Bri-
tain, though they had the fame general
belief concerning Odin, Thor, Frigga..
&c, yet probably the complete fyftem
had not airived to the full maturity it

afterwards attained under the inventive
hands of the Scalds;

As a particular account of Odin has
been omitted in the notes of this volume,
it will be fupplied here.

Odin is believed to have been the name
of the one true God, among the firft colo-
nies who came from the Eaft, and peopled
Germany and Scandinavia, and among
their pofterity for feveral ages. But at
length a mighty conqueror, the leader of
a new army of adventurers from the
Eaft, over-ran the North of Europe,
ercfted a great Empire, affumed the name
of Odin, and claimed the honors which
had been fomierly paid to that Deity*
The Icelandic chronicles reprefent him
as the moft eloquent and perfuafive of
men ; they afcribe to him the introduc-
tion of the art of poetry among the
Scandinavians, and likewife the inven-

XV.

firm of the Runic charafters, He had
alfo the addrefs to perfuade his followers
that he could over-run the world in the
twinkling of an eye ; that he had the
direflion of the air and tempefts ; that

r

he could transformhimfelf intaall fliapes,
could raife the dead, could foretel things
to come, deprive his enemies by enchant-
ment, of health and vigor, and difcover
all the treafures hid in the earth. They
add, that by his tender and melodious
airs, he could make the plains and Moun-
tains open and expand with delight;
and that the ghofts, thusattraded, would
leave their infernal caverns, and ftand
motionlefs about him. 'Nor was he lefs
dreadful and furious inbatde; changing
himfelf into the fliape of a bear, a wild ^
bull, or a lion, and amidft ranks of ene-
mies committing the moft horrible de-
vastation, without receiving any wound

Xvr.

Tiiinfelf. When he had extended his
power, and increafed his fame by con-
queft and artifice, he determined to die
in a different way from other men. He
aflembled his friends and with the fliarp
point of a lance, he made in his body
nine different wounds in the form of a
circle ; and when expiring he declared^
that he was going to Scy thia, where he
fhoiild become an immortal God. He
added, that he would prepare blifs and
felicity for thofe of his countrymen who
lived a virtuous life, who fought with
bravery, and who died like heroes in
the field of battle. This injunftion had
the defired effeft: his countrymen fupcr-
flitioully believed him, and conflantly
recommended themfelves to his protec-
tion when they engaged in battle ; and
they entreated him to receive the fouls^
of fuch as fell in war.

XVll.

It remains to give fome account of the
reputed author of thefe odes.

Saerriund was born in the year 1056.
His father's name was Sigfus, and his
mother's Thoreya.

Saemund, when a boy, leaving his
native country, travelled into foreign
parts for the fakeof acquiring knowledge ;
and dwelt, there fo long, that he was
nearly forgotten by his countrymen;
till Jonas the fon of Ogmund, bilhop of
Holenlis, traveUing to Rome, fearched
for him and brought him back to his
native country, in the year 1078.

When he returned home, he oc-
cupied a farm which was his here-
ditary pofleflion, called Odda^ fitu-
ated in the Southern part of the ifland,
and took upon himfelf the facerdotal
office. In . this he behaved fo well,

b

XVlll.

that he \vas called the ornament and fup .
port of the Icelandic church ; and this
not without fufficient reafon, for he was
by far the moft learned and pious of all
his cotemporaries.

He married a wife whofe name was
Gudruna, the daughter of Kolbein, by
whom he had many children, who were
efteemed among the moft illuftrious of
the ifland. Saemund himfelf was one of
the governors, and (hewed himfelf well
qualified for that high ofRce, in the dif-
pute that took place between Thorgil
the fon of Odd, and Halfid the fon of
Mar. Thefe were men of great power,
and had engaged on their feparate fides,
almoft all the nobility of the ifland ; but
by the good offices of Saemund and
others, they became fpeedily reconciled.
To Saemund it was, on account of his
great knowledge in antiquity, that Arras,

XIX.

as well a$ oti^rs, fi^bi^kted the Jiiflo-
ries they had wi^tten of dieir country
for revifion.

Saemund, not content to infpeft the
works of others, began, after the exam-
ple of Arras, to refq^e the antiquities of
his country from oblivion. He was
then abiovit 70 years of age. It :is certain
tibathe wrote thetiiftory of Norway, froo^
Harald Harfagre, or the F^ir-haired, to
Magnus the good. A few remains of this
hiftory are feen in the writings of ,an ano-
nymous perfpn, who from documents
thence derived, has written in Icel^mdic
v^rfes.of little note, anaqcountofaferies
ofJ&ings, and the ancient hiftory of Nor-
\Kay.

According to ibme, he died at the age
of eighty, in the year 1 1 33 ; and accord-
ing to others, ii35. But:the accounts
that are left of him are fo blended with

XX.

the fabulous, that it is very difficult at
this diftance of time to fpeak with cer-
tainty either about himfelf or his wri-
tings.

Concerning the Ed da, which is
afcribed to Saemund, it is neceflary to
obferve, that for feveral ages it remained
undifcovered ; but was at laft found by
one Bryniolfus Suenonius in the year
1639. ^' ^^^ '^^^ written on parch-
ment, in a very obfcure charafter ; but
by die labors of the learned difcoyerer,
its meaning was* fully afcertained, and
an exaft tranfcript of it taken. He it
was who firft called it the Edda of Sae-
mund. Thormadus Torfaeus obtained
the manufcript of Bryniolfus. He was
Hiftoriographer to the King of Norway,
and a great Antiquarian. For a long
time it was preferved in his Mufeum,
and fhown Only as a curiofity to the

XXI.

learned. Rcfenius at laft obtained the
manufcript from Torfaeus. Befide this,
there were leveral writings which could
challenge as great, if not greater antiquity
than the manufcript of Bryniolfus. They
were all, however, connected together,
and mutually threw light upon each
other.

There are two opinions concerning
the title given to thefe Odes. One is of
Olaus, who in his notes to the Volufpa,
aflerts that Saemund, wifhing to refcue
from obhvion the Mythology of his an-
ceftors, which in his time was chiefly
traditionary, compofcd thofe odes in the
Icelandic language which bear his name,
and having completed them, gave them
the name of Edda. Oppofite to this is
the opinion of Gudmundus ; according
to whom Saemund was the firft perfon
who introduced the knowledge of the

XXll.

latin into the ifland, and tranflated the
popular odes he there found, written in
the Runic charafter, into that language :
ileither dcfcs he think that he added to,
at altered them in thfe leaft. Refenius^
in his preface to the Volufpa, feems to
haVe adopted the fame opinion. Bryni-
olfus and Wormius were of the former
Opitiioh. But however it is, the great
antiiq[uity of thefe odes muft be acknow-
Ifeflged. Rurialfus Jonas, in his dif-
fertation on the elements of the Northern
lahguagies, does not fcruple to affcrt, that
the mythology of thfefe odes, and proba-
bly a great {iart of the odes thehafelveis,
are as aiicient as the times when the Afi^
atics firft came lAVo the J^6Tth of Europe*
The opinions contained in thefe odes,
therefore, he traces up to the Erythrean
Sybil, which is known to have exifted
before the times of the Trojan wan

XXlll.

To the attentive reader of the Northern
antiquities', a ftriking fimilarity will ap-
pear between them and the Grecian.
Odin appears to be the Northern Adonis.
He was beloved by Frigga, who repre-
fents Venus, and is killed at laft by a
Wolf, as Adonis was by a boan He may
alfo be compared with Mercury, on ac-
count of his eloquence, ^d authority
over the fouls of departed heroes, when
they arrive at Valhalla. Horace fays of
Mercury —

Tu pias laoftis animas reponis
Sedibus^ virgaque levam coerces
Aurea turbam, ibperis Deorum
Gratus, et imis.

Lok may be compared to the Apollo of
the Grecians. Apollo was believed to
be the author of plagues ; fo we find in
the Volufpa, Lok threatening the Gods
that he would fpread infe6lion through

XXIV.

the air. In the twilight of the Gods, alfo,
he is to fight with, and deftfoy Heim-
daller, the God of the Air. Apollo, by
the Grecians, is called Loxias, either, it is
fuppofed, on account of the obliquity of
the Zodiac, in which the fun goes, or the
ambiguity of his oracles, or laftly from
Ao%o;, infidiae. This exaftly agrees with
the charafter of Lok, who is called the
architeft of guile, &c. The wolf alfo
was facred to Apollo, and Fenrir, the moft
voracious of wolves, was the fon of Lok,
At the feaft of Ager, he feems to have
a6):ed the part of Momus. There is an
odd coincidence of thought between this
ode and the wanton wife of Bath. Thor
in many things is fimilar to Hercules.
He fought with the ferpent of Midgard —
Hercules with the Hydra : he overcame
the Giants — fo did Hercules. The ar-
mour of Thor and Hercules bear alfo

XXV,

fome refemblance. The former carried
a Mallet^ wore a girdle of courage, and
defended his hands with gauntlets — Her-
cules had his Club, his Lion's (kin, and
his Cacfti- Thor alfo bears fome analogy
to the Grecian Jupiter who overthrew
the Giants with his thunder as Thor did
with his mallet. Balder, on account of
his beauty, was fuppofed to be the God
of the fun. It is faid that all nature, toge-
ther with Frigga and the Gods, grieved
for his death — this feems very analagous
to the fables of Adonis and Atys. Tyr
anfwers to Mars, and alfo to Hercules.
One fought with Cerberus, the other with
Garmer. Heimdaller prefided over tJic
Ether. This was the office that the Gre-
cians affigned to Minerva. There is alfo
a fimilarity of names between the Nor*
them and Grecian Goddefles— Frigga
founds like Dea Phrygia, Loduna like

xxvu

Latona. . For more reafons than this,
Loduna may be fuppofed to be ^he Gre-
cian Latona, for they were both fuppofed
to inhabit an Ifland, undiilurbed with
ftorms, fertile in the extreme, and cloath-
ed with verdure twice in the year.
Freyabears fome refemblance to Venus ;
(he was inconfolable at the lofs of her
hufband, as Venus was at the lofs of
Adonis ; the pig was facrificed to Venus^
and the boar to Freya ; Freya and Frigga
moreover, bear fome refemblance to Juno
and Diana, becaufe, like them, they were
invoked by pregnant women. The
Nomas of the Northern nations, feeni to
anfwer to the Parcae of the Greeks and
Latins, for they were equally efteemcd
die arbiters of the life of men. The
Northern notions concerning Genii who
fhun the light, magic rites, andtheemi-
gration of the foul from the body, may

XXVli*

be traced to the Orphic myftcries of
Thrace.. Odin's head of Mimer may be
. Compared to the head of Orpheus, which
was faid to utter oracles ; and Heidruna^
the goat of Odin, to that by which Jupi-
ter was nourifhed. To thefe fimilitud^s
may be added alfo, the eyes of the fons
of Thiaz, which like thofe of Argus were
Converted into ftars, that ornamented thd
tail of the bird of Juno, The whole
earth was alfo bound by Juno, not to
reveal the place where Latona brought
forth : Frigga, in the fame manner, ex^
ftded an oath from Nature, not to hurt
her fiivorite Balder. Sigard eat the
heart and drank the blood of a ferpent,
by means of which he was enabled to
underftand the language of birds ; the
fame circumftatice is related alfo of De-
mocritus, Melampus, and ApoUonius
Thyaneus^ All thefe circumftances

XXX,

but the abfurd fuperftitions of the
Church of Rome.

Bristol^ Nov. i, 1797.

TO

A. S. COTTLE,

FROM

ROBERT SOUTHEZ

Amos! I did not leave withoot regret
Tlie pleafant home of Burton. Many months
Of tranquilleft retirement had endear'd
The low abode, atul I had fbmetimes heard .
The ixMce of fHendfliip there, and pafs'd with thee
Hours of fuoh blameleis merriment as fiill
Make memory cbearfiik Nor wilt thou forget
How with hard toil and difficult afcent #
We icaled the ruining cliff, and often paus'd
That the fea-breeze might cool our throbbing

brows.
And gazed upon the ocean, fhadowed half
By gathered clouds, beyond whofe darker line .

XXXll.

Its pale grey fplendour, far as fight could reach
Rofe like another iky. Nor will my friend
Forget the fcenes of limpleft characlcr,
The hill that from the watcr'd vale abrupt
Starts up^ upon whofe dark and heathy lide
Often at evening I have lain me down.
And dwelt upon the green and goodly vale,
Its mazy ftreams and tufted villages.
Rich in the funftiine now, now half embrown'd
By the long fweeping fhadows, till my foul
Had entered in the deep and quiet joy
All its hufli'd powers. And thou wilt fometimeslovc
With memory's eye to trace the ruined pile
Beneath whofe ancient foot with ceafelefs lapfe
The eternal flream flows on, and that old Keep
Thro' whofe long rifted chafm the far-feen light
Fixes the traveller's eye, and the white cliffs
Thatcifing flately o'er the diflant deep
Shine (ilvery in the noon. But thou hafl view'd
Thefc fcenes like one who pafles thro' a land
Where his heart is not ; I, my friend, long time
Had fojourn'd there, and I am pne who form

XXillU

With each minuteft circumftance of place

Acquaintance, and the unfrequented field

Where many a day I walk in folitude.

Is as a friend to me. Nor have I left

That unfrequented field unforrowing.

Over whofe wooded limits the church tower

Arofe in fingle majefty : its bank

Was edged with feathery fern, that feem'd to form

A little foreft to the infcd tribes

Who lived there, and were happy ; and the fun

O'er the red ripenefs of the bending grafs

Pour'd a glad fmile. A pleafant place it was !

And, Amos ! I could wifh that thou and I

And thy good brother, who in my heart holds

Almoft a brother's place, might once again.

With as few earthly cares to ruffle us.

Meet in that low abode..

But now I know
Thro* wildeft fcenes of llrange fublimity.
Building the Runic rhyme, thy Fancy roves ;

c

XXXIV.

Niflhirs nine worlds, and Surtur s fiery plain,
And where upon Creation's uttermoft verge,
The weary Dwarfs, that bear the weight of Heaven,
Hope the long winter that no fpring muft cheer.
And the laft found that from Heimdaller's trump
Shall echo thro' all worlds, and found the kndl
Of earth and heaven.

A (hange and favage faith
Of mightieft power ! it fram'd the unfeeling foul
Stern to inflid and ftubbom to endure.
That laughM iti death. When round the poilbn'd

bread
Of Regncr clung the viper brood, and trail'd
Their coiling length along his fbflering wounds.
He, fearlefs in his faith, the death-fbng pour'd.
And lived in his pafl fame ; for fure he hoped
Amid the Spirits of the mighty dead
Soon to enjoy the fight. And when his fbns
Avenged their father's fate, and like the wings

XXXV.

Of fome huge eagle *fpread the fevered ribs
Of Ella, in the fhield-roofd hall they thought
One day from Ella's flcull to quafFthe mead.
Their valours guerdon.

Wild the Runic faith.
And wild the realms where Scandinavian Chiefs
And Scalds arofe, and hence the Scalds' iirong verfe

* Apud Anglos^ Danos^ aliafque nationes Boreales, vidor
ignomini^ fumm^ debellatum adverfariutn affe(5turus, gladium
circa fcapulas ad fplxiam dorfi adigebat, cc^fque^ aa){^i(QiDo
per corporis longttudinem fa£to vulnere^ utrinque a fpin^
feperabet, quae^ ad'latera dedu6tae> alas repraefentabent Aqui-
linas. Hoc genus mortis vocabaiit AquUam inJorfo ifUc^^'us
delincere, GJoflarium Iflandicam M. S. S. ejufmodi vuln^s five
plagam teHatur. In Jl^oAsistsiisu, '^ tone Comes Einarus in
dorfo Half49ni Aqnilinao) excitavit plagaiQ, ita ut gladuun
dorfo adigerit, omnefque coftas a fpinii fepcrarct ufque ad
lumbos, indeque pulmonc^ extraxit." In ©rtnieajjUj " Ormcrus
evaginato gladio in dorfo Eruii Aquilinam inflexit plagam^
feparatis a dorfo coflis^ and pulmonibus exemptis.

Stephanus Stephanius.

The death of Regner Lothbrog is well known. His fons
revenged him by thus executing Ella of Northumberland.

XXXVl.

Partook the favage wildnels. And methinks

Amid fuch fcenes as thefc, the Poet's foul

Might beft attain full growth ; pinc-cover'd rocks,

And nDountain forefts of eternal (hade.

And glens and vales, on whofe green quietness

The lingering eye repofes, and fair lakes

That image the light foliage of the beech.

Or the grey glitter of the afpen leaves

On the ftill bough thin trembling. Scenes like thefe

Have almoft lived before me, when I gazed

Upon their fair refcmblance traced by *him

Who fung the banifli'd man of Ardebeil,

Or to the eye of Fancy held by "f-her.

Who among women left no equal mind

When from this world (he pafs'd ; and I could weep.

To think that She is to the grave gone down !

*Alluding to fome views in Norway, taken by Mr. Charles
Fox — ^Whofe Plaints, Confolations, and Delights of Achmed
Ardebeili, from the Perlian, are well known.

t Mary Wollftonecraft.

»-• \ . *

xxxvii.

Were I, my friend, a folitary man^
Without one tie in life to anchor me,
I think that I would wander far to view
Such fcenes as thefe, for they would fill a heart
That loathes the commerce of this wretched world.
And fickens at its hollow gaieties.
And fure it were mod pleafant when the day
Was young, to roam along the mountain path.
And mark the upmoft pines, or grey with age.
Or blue in their firft foliage, richly tinged
With the flant fun-beam, then at fits to paufe
; And gaze into the glen, a deep abyfs
Of vapour, whence the unfeen torrents roar
I Up-thunder'd. Sweet to walk abroad at night
When as the fummer moon was high in heaven
And (hed a calm clear luftre, fuch as gave
The encircling mountains to the eyje, diftin6l,
Difrobed of all their bright day-borrow'd hues.
The rocks* huge fhadows darker, the glen flream
Sparkling along its courfe, and the cool air
Fiird with the firs' faint odour.

xxxviu.

But in footh
Well pleas'd am I to fit me down in peace^
While Pbantafy, an uiitifM traveller
Goes forth ; and I fliall thank thee for the rhyme
TPhat with the Poets of the diftant years
Makes me hold convfeffe. 'Twas a flrange belid*!
And evil wis the hoar when men began
To humanize their God, and gave to ftoeks
And (lanes the ^incommunicable name»
It is not firange that fimf^e men fhould rear
The grafly altar to the glorious fiin,
And pile it with (pring flowers and fummer fruits^
And when the glorious fun fmil'd on thw rites
And^ade the landikip lovely, the warm heart
With no unholy zieal might fwell the hymn
Of adoration. When the favage hears
The thunder kirft, and fees the lurid flcy
Glow with repeated ^res, it is not ftrange

* Men^ ferving either calamity or tyranny, did afcribe unto
ftones and flocks the incommunrcable name.

Wifdom of Solomon, xiv. 21.

Xxxix.

That he fhould baften to his hut and veil

His -f-face, and dread the iDaetpon of the ftorm.

Nor that the ancient Poet, he who fed

His flock befide the ftreaxn of Helicon,

Should let creative fancy pepple earth

With unfecn powers, that clad in darknefs roam

Around the world, and mark the deeds of *men.

But that the Prieft with folemn mockery,

Or monftrous faith, (hould call on God to lead

His armies forth, and defolate and killji

Arid over the red banners of the war.

Even in the blefled name of Jesus, pour

Prayers of a bloodier hate than ever rofe

At Odin's altar, or the Mexican, i^^

The vi<ftim*s heart ftill quivering in his gralp,

f L^fitaa fur les Moeurs Sauvagcs.

Ue^x Sfra'cciieyoi, Tfavrrj (poirwvrss sy aiav,

H2I0A0S.

xl.

RaisM at Mexitlis' (hrine — this is moft foul^
Moft rank, moft blafphemous idolatry !
Atid better were it for thcfe wretched men
With infant vidims to have fed the fire
Of Moloch, in that hour when they (hall call
Upon the hills and rocks to cover them,
For the judgment day is come.

A few grey ftones
Now mark the fpot where Odin's temple ftood.
And there the traveller feeks with bufy eye
His altar green with mofs. The Northern chiefs
Caft not their captive in the dungeon now
To the viper brood, nor to the eagle's fhape
Carve out his mangled form. Yet let not Earth,
Yet let not Heaven forget the prifon houfe
Of Olmutz ! what tho' to his Conqueror's fword
Crouching, the Opprcflbr lets his vidlim fee
Once more the light of day, let-Earth and Heaven
Remember to his Conqueror's fword he yields
What at his feet a woman begg'd in vain.

u^ ^j^.)^-.v. ^-^ S.^ •^^--' ^^-^^^ "V-"'*
xii.

A wretched wife. Now may the profperous winds
Speed thee La Fayette ! to that happier fhore
Where Prieftly dwells, where Kofciufko refts
From holy warfare. Perfccuted men !
Outcafts of Europe ! fufFerers in the caufe
Of Truth and Freedom ! ye have found a home.
And in the peaceful evening of your days
A high reward is yours, the bleflednefs
Of felf-applaufe.

Is it not ftrange, my friend.
If ought of human folly could furprize,
That men fhojuld with fuch duteous zealobferve
Each ideot form, each agonizing rite
Of Pagan faith, whilft there are none who keep
The cafy precepts of the Nazarene,
The faith that with it brings its own reward,
The law of peace and love ? — But they are wife
Who in thefe evil and tumultuous times
Heed not the world's mad bufinefs : chiefly they
Who with moil pleafant labouring acquire

xlii.

No fclfilh knowledge. Of his fellow kind
He well defervcs, who for their evening hours
A blamelelsjoy affords^ and his good works.
When in the grave he flccps, fhall ftill funrive.
Now fare thee well and profper in thy talk.

ROBERT SOUTHEr.

CONTENTS.

Page
Intrododion Hi,

Epiftle from Robert Southey xxxi.

Song of Vafthradnis 3

Song of Grimner 45

Journey of Skirner 79

Song of Harbard 103

Song of Hymer 127

Fcaft of Agcr , 149

Ode of Thiym 179

Song of the Ravens 195

Song of the Traveller 215

Wifdom of Alvifs 245

Fable of Fiolfuid 269

Song of Hyndla 29J

THE

SONG

OP

VAFTHRUDNIS.

ARGUMENT.

Hiis Ode defcribes a certain journey undertaken
by Odin^ under the name of Ganradb^ to
Vafthruonis> a gigantic chief of the Jotunori
or Jotori. The objed in view was to difcovcr
which was the wifeft.

THE

SONG

OP

VAFTHRUDNIS.

ODIN.

Valhalla's Queen !* I pray thcc (ay
Which to Vafthrudnis' hall's the way :
For I with him intend to try
My ikill in ancient tnyfieiy.

FRIGGA.

Do not leave thy native fkles>
Source of Heroes ! I advife:
For well I know no giant mi^ht^
Ever witnefs'd in the fight,
With his prowefs can compare.

**' Valhalla's Queen/'— Frigga, the Wife of
Odin.

( 4 )
ODIN.

Myfteries divine and rare
I've often fecn, I've often known,
And now am bent to make my own
All from mortals I can learn.

FRIGGA.

Safe may'ft thou go, and fafc returfi.
And, for each Groddefs, may thy life
Be fafe from evVy mortal ftrife.
Let prudence on thy fteps attend.
And wifdom with her ihield defend :
Thus doubly guarded. Chief! advance
Thro' fate's elaborate myftic dance.

With light'ning fpeed the hero fled,
Fearlefs of what the Goddefs faid.
His fecret purpofe to fulfil
Of finding out the giant's fkill,
Strait to the fpacious hall he prefs'd,

( 9 )

By great Vafthrudnis long poflefs'd.
There Ygger* fees the chief of men !

ODIN*

AH hail Vafthrudnis ! Odin then —
Lo ! to thy halls unknown I came.
To learn and fpread thy wond'rous fame
And firft I pray thee, giant ! tell,
If facred wifdom with thee dwell ?

VAFTHRUDNIS.

What mortal he who dares to come.
Unbidden, to my awful dome
To hold difcourfe ? For never more
Shall he his homeward path explore ;
Unlefs he haply Ihould exceed.
What wifdom is to me decreed.

* Ygger, one of tjie names of Odin^ fignifjing
fufpicious or careful.

( 6 )

ODIN.

Ganradc, great Giant ! is my name ;
Late^ thirfty, and &tigued^ I came
To thy dread balls ; and long have ftray'd.
Seeking thy bofpitable aid.

VAFTHRUDNIS.

Wberefore, Ganrade ! do you feck
Here beneath Heaven's cope to fpeak ?
Enter within my awful door.
And there unfold thy hidden lore :
For much in truth I wifh to fee,
Which is the wifeft, thee or me.

GANRADE.

When to the prefence of the great^^
A man draws near of humble flate ;
Let him his tongue with wifdom guide.
Or ignorance in lilence hide :
But, when an enemy is by.
The wife will (bun loquacity.

( 7 )

VAFTHRUDNIS.

Mighty Ganrade ! if you feek
Here beneath heaven's cope to fpeak^
And prove your wifdom by difcourfe ;
What pame diftinguifhes that horfe
Who o'er mankind, thro' heaven's high way.
Drags the imperial car of day ?

GANRADE.

That horfe who thro' the heaven's high way.
Drags the imperial par of day,
♦Skinfaxi's call'd— 'mong horfes, he
Has juftly gain'd fupremacy :
Forever does his mane appear.
Floating refplendent thro' the air.

* Skinfaxi, Aurora, which the Greeks called
^uj(r(po§os and the Latins Lucifer, having a
white horfe eafy to be mounted. This defcrip-
tion does not differ much from that of Varro,
'^ Jubar dicitur flella Lucifer, quae in fummo
habet diffufum lumen, ut Leo in capite jubam/*

( » )

VAPTHRUDNIS.

Tell, mighty Ganrade ! if yon feck
Here beneath heaven's cope to fpeak.
What horfe is that, who o'er the fight
Of Gods, drags on the veil of night ?

GANRADE.

^Hrimfaxi o'er the fight

Of Gods, drags on the veil of night :

Ficm his iron bits diftil

Each morning dew on vale and hill.

VAFTHRUDNIS.

Tell, mighty Ganrade ! if you feek
Here beneath heaven's cope to fpeak ;
Among the ions of mortal birth
What river parts the Gods and Earth ?

§ Hbibitaxi, by which is underftood HcTpenis.

( 9 )
GANRADE.

Among the fons of mortal birth

The ftream that parts the Gods and earth.

Is * Ifing called. Thro' regions wide

It ever rolls its ample tide :

Nor does the petrifying wind,

Its waves in icy fetters bind.

VAFTHRUDNIS.

Tell, mighty Ganrade ! now the name,
Borne iJy that wide-extended plain ;
Where, decked with many a fliining car,
Gods and great 1 Surtur rufli to war.

* Ifing. This feems to be an allegorical river
fignifying difcord and perpetual enmity, which
feparates bad men from the feats of the bled
and the Grods. Its literal meaning is anger. .

f Surtur, the adverfary of Odin, who dwells at
the antartic pole,

( 10 )
GANRADE.

The plain^ o'erlpread with many a car.
Where Gods and Surtur rufh to war,
* Vigridi 's caird ; and each way round
A hundred miles extends its bound —
Such does it meet the traveler's eyes.

VAPTHRUDNIS.

Tmly^ O Granrad ! thou art wife.
Now to the giant's inmoft ieat
Approach, with not unworthy feet ;
And there in colloquy fublime.
We'll ipcnd the yet remaining time.
Stranger ! in wifdom's arduous ffaife
Riik glorioufly the loft of life.

GANHADK

Vafthrudnis ! tdl, fince thou art wife.
And facrcd truth thy fpeech fupplics ;

* VioRiDi, a fabulous place, the theatre of con-
tention between tbe Gods and their oppofers.

( 11 )

♦Whence, of old, the fpacious earth,
An4 out-ftretch'd heavens, had their birth ?

* ^^ Whence of old" — To underftand this and
the following verfes, it is neceflary to obferve,
that according to the Northern Mythology, Nifleil
M^as created long before the earth ; in the Centre
of which rofe a fountain called Hvergelmer. Its
effluvia produced many rivers near the boundaries
^f Hell, called in the Icelandic language, Suol,
Guntra, Fimbul, Thul, Slidr, Hridr, Ylgr, Sylgr,
Wid, Le)rptr, GioU : which fignify, according to
the Qr4er in which they ftand, Mifery, Hope defer-
red. Habitation of Death, Swift perdition. Scab-
bard, Cruel jftorm,Whirlpool, Wailingandgnafhing
of teeth, and Widely flowing. Thefirft worldcreated
in the fouthem regions was called Mufpell — ^itwas
bright and hot, and for that reafon was intolerable
to all flrangers, and none but its native inhabit
t^nts pould refide there. Ip the confines of this
world dwelt Surtur. In thefe parts were certain
rivers called Elivagi, whiph, whep they had pro-
ceeded fo far from their fource, that the poifon
with which they were replete could harden, their
waters were converted into ice, bearing all the
fantaftic forms of drofs and ore in a refiner s fur-
nace. Thence arofe a poifonous exhalation which
fpread around like a hoar froil, and was con-
tinually increafing in the great void called Ginnun-
gagap. This place looked toward the north, an4

( 1^ )

VAFTHRUDNIS.

O Ganrade, bear ! the fpacious earth
From fleih of *Ymer took its birth :

appeared without like an immenfe ftro Qup e of
fhoir and ice ; but within was filled with doods
and air. The foothem part of this region wai
mdted bf fpoiLs of fire ^idiich flew from Mofpdl-
iheim. For hxxn Niflheim proceeded cold, and
from Mnfpellfheim light and heat. Eternal ferenitj
reigned in Ginnni^agap. When warm gales ap-
proached this place^ the ioe began to flow with
living drops. From thefe Ymcr was created, whom
the Hrimthnffi called Anrgelmer. Ymer was not
efleemed a God, becanfe he and his whole poflerity
were evil. It is related of him, that fleeping, he
•fmitted fweat from under his left wing, fixxn
whence Man and Woman were formed. Hence
arofc the race of the Hrimthnffi, of whom
Tmer was the firft. From diflblved Ice was alfo
formed the firfl Cow, called Andumbla. From
her udder flowed four milk7 rivers, hj which
Ymer was nouriflied. But Odin, Vile, and
Vc — the fons of Bore, killed Ymer, antt
carried him into the middle of Ginnungagap.
Here £rom his flelh they created the earth } the

* Ymes, the ruler of the Elements.

( 13 ) .

The craggy rocks and fcatter'd ftoncs.
Had for their origin his bones :
The Ikies expanded from his brains,
And ocean iflu'd from his veins.

fea and rivers from his blood ; mountains from his
hones y rocks and Hones from his broken bones
and teeth -, herbs from his hair ; heaven from his
IkuU 3 the habitable earth from his eye^brows j and
at lad the clouds from his brains. In this account^
confufed and allegorical as it may feem^ is con-
tained the hiftory of the creation ; not fo^ however,
but that many other things arc interfperfed which
relate to after times. Thus the ftory of Bergelmer
relates to the Deluge. What things were believed
by the nprthem nations to have exifled before the
coming of Odin^ may be fummed up in a few
articles.

1. Matter did not exifl from eternity.

2. But becaufe it once exifled, it was neceffary
there fhould be fome firfi caufe. That was efleemed
the mofl perfed of beings and creator of all
things.

3. This wife Being firft created Nifleim, the
place of ftorms^ or Chaos: whence originated
matter.

4. This place being formed, he divided it into
xtgioDs. The immenib void contained within the

( 14 )
GANRADE.

Vafthrudnis ! fay, fince thou art wile,
And lacred truth thy fpeech fupplies ;
Whence shines the Moon with gilded horn ?
And whence the fun illumes the mom }

fides feparating it from the abyfs, was called Gin-
mmgagap : there the air was moft pure, prodacinfi[
lieat in one place and cold in another.

5. Then the Creator made the tnrbid waters of
the Eli vagi rivers to flow between the fpaces of
heat and cold.

6. From materials taken from this river, equally
fiibjed to the operation of heat and cold, he formed
a mafs and endued it with a living principle. This
firfl formation was called Tmer, to whom was
attributed a human appearance. He was fuppofed
to be the tx4x^oxo<rfMv of thofe elements from which
the woiid was formed.

7* From the fame materials the world, man, and
all living things were created; thofe particles
being feleded for each which were moll particu-
larly fuited to its nature.

It may be obferved that there feem to be three
divine perfons which exceed all others. And be-
caufe it is difficult to conceive of an operative

( 15 )
VAFTHRUDNIS.

!Hc from whom the Moon firft Sprung,
And Sun his annual courfe begun^

being without afcribiDg t6 him locality, fhape,
and name : thefe powers were called Odin, Vile,
and Ve ; and to thefe was attributed the cueation
of all things. This feems to hare been their
origin-r-In former days there had been heroes and
great rulers, who were fuppofed to poflefs a divine
principle for the many benefits they had conferred
on their fubjeds; by them they were ranked
among the inferior Gods. But in after times, fince

Omnia poll obitum fingat majora vetustas,

their origin became fabulous, and they were raifed to
a fuperior clafsof Gods. This therefore will account
for our finding Odin fometimes called the father
of Gods and Men : and creator of all things. And
again, feeing him defcribed as originating from
matter, and about to be devoured by the wolf.
Moihem has made the fame obfervation concerning
Jupiter, who is often called by Homer and Hefiod^

And ""iMytsos ®9wv anygnroMv.

( 16 )

Is § Mundilforer—tbefe around
The balanced earth in depths profound^
Travel each day with filent pace,
And mark the feafbns in their race*

GANRADE.

Vafthrudnis ! fay, fince thou art wife.
And facred truth thy fpeech fupplies ;
Whence day o'er men its glory ipreads.
And night with (hades involves their heads ?

VAFTHRUDNIS.

♦Dcllinger o'er the travelers way.
Shines gentle harbinger of day ;

§ Mundilf orer, the axis of the earth reitiainiDg

fixed while the fun and fbars revolved ronnd.
Ttius, Aratus,
0« [ji^Ev Ofji'jug ttoXes^ re %(it aXXadtg aXXoi s^vr£$

Aura^ oy 8$ oXiyov y.Bta.vitrcs'rai clKKol yM,\ oLVtwg
AJov aisv afTjpgy. b^bi 5' a$a\acvroy airayr}
'Ms(r(n}yvs yaiav,

* DellingTer^ the Father of Day or Twilight.

(71 )

But fullen Night with raven wing^

Did firft from fatal *N6rver Ipring*

The Deities benign ordain

The filver Moon to wax and wane 5

And fhed her renovated light,

In monthly wheel, on human fighti

GANRADB,

Vafthrudnis ! tell, fince thou art wife.
And facred truth thy fpeecK fupplies ;
Whence at the firft came winter's fnow.
And whence the fummer*s fultry glow ;
Spreading their influence thro' the Ikies,
Over the fage divinities ?

* NoRVER— The Father of Night, like itfdf
gloomy and black. Nott or Night married
Bellinger, and had a fon whofe name was Dager
or Day. HaLvrtyitattj^ took notice of Nott and
Dager; and gave to each a horfe and chariots

( 18 )

VAFTHRUDNIS.

§Vindsualer firft bade fnow arife •
'f'Suasuder fires the fummer fkics :
Thefe two fhall hold alternate reign,
Long as the Gods their faith maintain.

GANRADE.

This fifth thing tell, fincc thou art wife,
And facred t^th thy fp6ech fuppHcs ;
Who, eldeft in the Afori clinoe,
IfTued at the birth of time ?
And who 'mong Ymer's progeny ?

VAFTHRUDNIS.

When wintry ftorms o'erfpread the Iky,
E'er yet from ocean rofe the earth,

§ ViNDSUALER— The Father of Winter,
t SuAsuDER-^The Father of Summer.

( iO )

Great *Bergelmcr had his birth t
^Thrudgclmer was his father's namc-^
He from great ^ Aurgelmer came.

GANRADE.

This fixth thing tell, fince thou art wife.
And facred truth thy fpeech fupplies ;
Whence, number'd 'mongft the Jotni fons,
Of eldeft birth Aurgelmer comes ?

VAFTHRUDNIS.

From eaftern *Elivagi ftrands.
Black drops of venom dy'd the lands ;

* Bergelmbr— Noah^ from Berg, a mountainy

and Gemler, aq old man.
§ THRUDGELMEa-^Lamech.
+ Aurgelmer — ^Adam.

* Elivagi. — ^The ftreamsN of the Volga are
here fuppofed to be meant. In this and the follow-
ing verfes the poet explains in a confiifed man-
ner, the Creation of Man. Firft, he bints at
the materials of creation : then at the creation of
man: and thirdly, at the antediluvian world,
the wickednefs of which occafioned the deffarac«
tion of the Jotni by a deluge.

( 20 )

Strait from the widely moift'ned earth
A teeming giant took his birth.
§But quickly fparks of fire flew
From fouthern climes — a wonder new —
And gave to winter's driving fleet
The animating power of heat.

§ " But quickly."— The writer of the Volufpa
thus defcribes the phenomenon of creation — In
the day-fpring of ages, fays he, there was nei-
ther fea nor fhore, nor refrefhing breezes. The
whole was only one vaft abyfs, without herb and
without feed. The Sun had then no palace :
the Moon was ignorant of her power. Towards
the fouth there was a luminous and burning
world: from this world flowed out incef-
fantly into the Abyfs that laid towards the north
torrents of fparkling fire 5 which, in proportion
as they removed far away from their fource,
congealed as they fell into the Abyfs, and fo
filled it with fcum and ice. A warm breath
coming from the fouth, melted the vapours
arifing from this chaos, and formed of them
living drops 5 whence was bom the giant Ymer
or Aurgelmer. It is reported that whilft he
flept, an extraordinary fweat under his arm-pits
produced a male and female 3 whence fpru^g the
race of the giants 3 a race evil and corrupt as well
gS their author.

( 21 )

GANRADE.

This feventh thing tell, (ince thou art wife.
And (acred truth thy fpeech fupplies ;
How from that hoary-headed man
A race of giants firft began ;
Since wives of gigantean race
Had never felt his fierce embrace ?

VAFTHRUDNIS.

O Ganrade ! hear — a maid and fbn
From under his wide pinions fprung ;
His ftct, as ancient legends fay.
Next their genial power difplay.
And forth a * fecond iflbe came.
Rejoicing in their parent's fame.

* " A fecond iffue," which took place in a differ-
ent manner to what the former creation did. This
mode of generation among the Gods, is thasexplain-
ed by Voffius : ^' In natura attendentes vim adi-
" vam et paffivam, earn et marem et foeminam
" dixerc} marem illud, quod vim in alia exferit;

( 2^ )

GANRAD£.

This eighth thing tell, fince thou art wife,
And facred truth thy fpeech fupplies ;
What new bom objedl* round thine eye

'^ faeminam, quae vim alienam recipit, et quafi
^' foecundatur."

Orpheus, in his Hymn to Nature, has a fimilar
idea.

There was a creation alfo originating from
the Cow Andumblaj, called the family of Bor,
fo nained from the firfl of that family, who was
the Father of Odin. The fons of Bor flew the
giant Ymer, and the blood ran from his wounds
in fuch abundance, that it caufed a general inun-
dation, wherein periflied all the giants, except one,
who faving himifelf in a bark, efcaped with all his .
family. Then a new world was formed. The
fons of Bor, or the Gods, dragged the body of the'
giant into the Abyfs, and of it made the earth, in
the way before defcribed. They created four
dwarfs to fupport the heavens, called North, £ail.
Weft, and South. They fixed tapers in the hea-
vens, and affigncd to other fires certain fpaces
which they were to run through, fome of them in
heaven, others under the heaven : the days were
diftinguifhed, and the years numbered. They

( 23 )

Arpfe at thy nativity ?

For Giant ! thou canft wifdom boaft.

vAfthrudnis.

Far back on times *remoteft coaft,
Before the Gods had form'd the earth.
Great Bergelmer had his birth : —
This I remember — He was wife,
And guarded by fond Deities ;
Who fafe embark'd him on the tide,
And bade him fafe the temped ride.

made the earfh round, and fun*ounded it with the
deep ocean, upon the banks of which they placed
the giants. One day as the fons of Bor were
taking a walk, they found two pieces of wood
floating upon the water ; thefe they took, and
out of them formed a man and woman. The
eldefl of the (rods gave them life and fouls 5 the
fecond motion and knowledge ; the third the gift
of fpeech, hearing and fight, to which he added
beauty and raiment. From this man and this wo-
man, named Aikus and Embla, is defcended the
race of men who are permitted to inhabit the
earth.

m

* Remoteft coaft, the antartic pole.

( 24 )

GANRADE.

This ninth thing tell, fince thou art wife.
And facred truth thy (peech fupplies ;
Whence come the winds that o'er the deep.
On their unfcen pinion fweep ?

VAFTHRUDNIS.

Where the heavens remoteft bound.
With darknefs is encircled round ;
There *HraBfvelger fits and fwings
The tempeft from his eagle wings.

GANRADE.

Begin, for Sage ! thou knoweft well.
The origin of Gods to tell : —

* Hrjbsvel6Er> the name of an Eagle derived from
Hrje^ a dead body^ and Svblgbr^ a glutton.
Such a perfon has feldom a very failidious tafle
fo the wind renders all places clear and wholefome^
by canying away noxious vapours 5— Loca vcn^-
nofa nifi ventofa.

( 25 )

Whence, ampng the Afori ftate.
Did great *Niorder being take ?
Many a dome of facred fame.
Him for their protedlor claim.
No Afi Sire the chief begot.

* Ni o RDBR, the Neptune of the Northern nations
who prefided over the fea and winds. This is one
of thofe Grenii whom the Celts placed in the
Elements. The extent of his empire rendered
him refpe6table> and we find in the north to this
day, traces of the Veneration which was there
paid him. Men were exhorted to worfhip him
for fear he fhould do them mifchief> a motive like
that which caufed the Romans to ereft Temples to
Fever.

He was in great ellimation among the Vani,
Miough Lok has complimented him in this manner:

Taceto Niorde !

Tu enim in orientem, hinc

Obfes ad deos mittebaris.

Virgincs giganteae,

Te pro matula utebantur,

]Bt tuum in os mingebant*

( 26 )
VAFTHRUDNIS.

Among the •f-Vani 'twas his lot.
To fpring fh)m Anceftors divine.
An hofiage at theif facred fhrine :
He'll be when time has run his round.
Again among the Vani found.

GANRADE.

Vafthrudnis now th' eleventh tell,
Since thou comprehended well,
Whence the fource of Godhead fprings.
And all the myilic caufe of things ;
In what renown'd terrific field
Their fwords, the :{:Monoheroes wield ;

f Vani^ a nation dwelling between the Tanais and
Volga defcended from the Grecians.

X MoN0HBROES.->— Thofe only whofe blood had
been fhed in battle> nught afpire to the pleafures
which Odin prepared for them in Valhalla. This
hope rendered all the inhabitants of £uropeintrepid>

( 27 )

Who oft with valor's keen delight.
In dreadful recreation fight ;
While Gods behold.

and made them not only defy, but feek with ardor
the moft cruel deaths. Accordingly King Regne^
Lodbrag when be was going to die, far from
attering groans, or forming complaints, expreifed
bis joy thus : " We are cut to pieces with fwords ;
" but this fills me with joy, when I think of the
'* feaft that is preparing for me in Odin's palace.
" Quickly, quickly feated in the fplendid habitation
" of the Grods, we ihall drink beer out of the fkulls
" of our enemies. A brave man fears not to die,
*' I fhall utter no timorous words as I enter the
'* Hall of Odin." This fanatic hope derived addi-
tional force from the ignominy affixed to every
kind of death but fuch as was of a violent nature,
and the fear of being fent after fuch an exit into
Nifihil. Confonant to this Lucan thus defcribet
the northern inhabitants of Europe :

Certe populi quos defpicit ardos
Felices errore fuo ! quos ille timorum
Maximus baud urget lethi metus } inde ruendi
In ferrum mens prona viris, animaeque capacc9
Mortis : et ignavum rediturse parcere vita.

( ae )

VAFTHftUDNIS.

In Odin*s field.
Their fwords the Monoheroes wield ;
And daily on each other bear.
The dread confli6ling ftorm of war.
ScarrM in the fight, the chiefs divide.
And home on ftately fteeds they ride ;
Then with the Gods in fplendid halls,
Dritik oblivion to their brawls :
Saehrimner's fleih a fcaft affords.
And concord reigns around their boards.

GANRADE.

Vafthrudnis ! now the twelfth thing tell.
Since thou comprehendefl: well.
Whence the fourcc of Godhead fprings,
And all the myftic caufe of things ;
What fecrets to the Gods belong.
What to the gigaxitean throng.

( 29 )

VAFTHRUDNIS.

What fecrets to the Gods belong.
And to the gigantcan throng
I will unfold — In ev'ry world,
* I my banners have unfurl'd :
Behold ! nine traversM fpheres above,
Th' extent of nriy refearches prove :
Beneath the (hades of *Niflhil lie —
There the men of Hela die.

* NiFLHiL, the northern mythology teaches that
the fouls of bad men defcend into Hela and thence
into Niflhil^ which is the ninth fphere or world;
This bears fome analogy to the defcription Virgil
has given of the infernal regions.

Fata obilant, triilique palus inamabilis unda
Alligat et novibs ftyx interfufa coercet.

This place confifted of nine worlds, referred for
thofe who died of difeafe or old age. Hela or
Death there exercifed her defpotic power j her
place was Anguish -, her table Famine 5 her
waiters were Expectation and Delay j the
threfhold of the. door ^nras Precipice ; her bed
Leanness : fhe was livid and ghaflly pale; and her
▼cry looks infpired horror.

( 30 )

GANRADE.

Much have Ifccn, and much have known.
And wife in ancient myftVy grown ;
Tell me alas ! what men furvive,
♦When Winter o'er the world fhall drive ?
That Winter of difaftrous fame,
Which trembling mortals fear to name.

*"When Winter." The Northern nations believed
that a barbarous age would corqe, an age of the
Sword^ as they called it, when iniquity fhoutd
infeft the earth, when brothers fliould ftain them-
i^ves with brothers blood, when fons fhpuld be
the murderers of their fathers, and fathers of their
Ions, when inceil and adultery fhould be common,
when no man fhould fpare his friend. Imme-
diately after that, a defolating winter fhould fuc-
ceed, wherein the fnow fhould fall from the four
comers of the world, the winds blow with fury,
and the whole earth be hard bound in ice. Three
fuch winters fhould pafs away without being
foftened with one fummer. Then fhould fucceed
afionifhing prodigies : mongers fhould break their
chains and efcape ; the great dragon fhould roll
himfelf in the ocean, and with his motions the
earth fhould be fhaken; thetrees betom up by the

( 31 )

VAFTHRUDNIS.

Hoddmimer is the dcftin'd hill.
The waAed plains of earth to fill

roots, and the rocks daihed againft each other.
From this general definition a world was to be
created where nothing but peace and happinefs'
ihould reign. — ^The Volufpa defcribes it in this
manner:

Broedor mono berias,

Oc at bonom verda

Muno fyflrungar

Sifiom fpilla.

Hart er med hauldrom,

Herdomr mikill.

Skeggold.' Scalmold.

Skildir klofnir.

Vi'ndold, Wargold,

Adr : verold fteipiz.

Which exadly agrees with what Ovid fdjB,

Jupiter antiqui contraxit tempera veris :
Perque hyemes, aeftufque^ & inaequales autumnos^
£t breve ver^ fpatiis exegit quatuor annum.
Turn primtim ficcis aer fervoribus ufhis
Canduit : & ventis glades adfirida pependit.
Turn primiim fubi&re domos. Domus antra fiierunt^

( 32 )

In the fafe caverns of its fide.
Shall f Life and Vital Heat refide :
By dew the fugitives be fled,
And thence (hall man eredl his head.

Et denfi frutices, & vin6tae cortice virgae,
Semlna turn primvlm longis Cerealia fulcis
Obruta funt, preffiquc jago gemuerejuvenci.

Tertia poll illas fucceflit abenea proles,
Saevior ingeniis> & ad horrida promptior arma r
Net fcclerata tamen. De duro eft ultima fcrro.
Protinus irrumpit venae pejoris in aevum
Ooine nefas : fag^re pudor, vertimquc, fidefque :
In quorum fubi^re locum fraudefque dolique
Infidiaeque, & vis, & amor fceleratus habendi.
Jamque nocens ferrum, ferroque nocentius aurum •
Prodierat : prodit bellum, quod pugnat utroque :
Sanguine^que manu crepifantia concutit arma.
Vivitur ex rapto. Non hofpes ab hofpite tutus,
Non focer k genero : fratrum quoque gratia rara eft.
Inmiinet exitio vir conjugis, ilia mariti 5
Lurida tern})iles mifcent aconita novercae :
Filius ante diem patrios inquirit in annos.
Vi6ta jacet pietas j & virgo caede madentcs
Ultima coeleftum terras Aftraea reliquit.

+ '' Life and Vital Heat," ihall be hid in die body
of the renewed earth ; thefc by the means of moif-
ture fhall produce man. The opinions of the

( 3» )

GANRADE.

Much have I feen^ and much have known^
And wife in ancient mift'ry grown ;
Where (hall th' extinguifh'd fun be founds
Within the azure vault profound^
When :j:Fenrir with his power malign^
Forbids his beams again to fhine ?

Sythians and Egyptians were the fame. Virgil alfo
fays.

Cum primum lucem pecudes haufere virumque
Ferrea progenies duris capui exudit arvts.

Ovid too was of the fame opinion.

Caetera diverfis tellus animalia formis
Sponte fu^ peperit^ podquam vetus humor ab igne
PercaluitSolis^ coenumque^ udaeque paludes
Intumu^re aedu : f<£cundaque femina rerum
Vivaci nutrita folo, ceu matris in alvo
Crevemnt, faciemque aliquam cep^re morando.
Quippe ubi temperiem fums^re humorque, calorque,
Concipunt : & ab his oriuntur cunda duobus.
CCimque fit ignis aquae pugnax ) vapor humidus omnes
Res create be difcors concordia foetibus apta efl.

X Fbnrik. — ^While that Winter laft fpoken of
exifts, the wolf Fenrir fhall break loofe from hia

(34 )

VAFTjagppjJIS.

JJp (h^U ,a ijloQmipg yirgm laife,
E'er F^mr fli^U pbfcwrf; bi^ raySrrT-
^§he lifce her<Jqddefe p^pthqr liyp$,
§When pqrifli lefler Ueitie^.

chains, where a great river difembogaes itfelf into
the Ocean, (by which is meant time and eternity),
and open his enormous mouth which reaches from
Heaven to Earth -, the £re ihall flafh out frqi^ his
^yes and nostrils -, he ihall devour the fun « and
the great dragon which follows him^ ihall vomiC
forth upon the waters and into the air, great tor-
rents of venom. In this confuiion, the Aars ihall
fly from their places, the heavens ihall cleave
afunder, and the army of evil Genii and Giants,
condu6ted by Surtur (the black), and followed by
Lok, ihjdl break in to attack the Gods.

* " She like." — Rikdac* U the Virgin here
underilood.

^ '^ When perifh."— The ^rft and fecond order
of Deities were fuppofed i^ver to perifh -, thefe,
therefore^ muii; mean an inferior qrder, who ih^l
be abforbed in the great twilight of the Gods*

( 3* )
OANRADE.*

Mucb.bsfvellfciBri, aiKl much havfc known,
And wife itt ancient mift'ry grown ;
What virgins then, Vafthrudnis ! fay,
Protenftthe worid with gcritle fway ?

VAFTHRUDNIS.

Among three nations fcatter'd wide,
Hoftile virgins fhall refide ;
*But others over thefe (hall reign.
And all their deeds malign reftrain ;
Mortals from Iheqn no hardfhips dread,
Altho* among tb' Jotni bred.

* '* But others." — ^The raeaning of the paffage
feems to be this : — ^The human race fhall be divided
into three people, who Ihall take poffeffion of the
world riling from the fea, and fhall dwell upon it :
then all places fhall be filled with good Genii, who
fhall defend the horoan race from thofe that are '
evil.

( 36 )

QANRADE.

Much have I feen, and much have known^
And wife in ancient myftVy grown :
The *age ofSurtur now no more —
What chiefs ihall rule the Afarian (horc.
And o'er the lofty fanes prefide
That men for Gods benign provide ?

VAFTHRUDNIS.
The age ofSurtur now no more —

♦ " Age of Surtur/* — ^The confummation of dl
things : This was to take place by means of fn-e.
Similar to this was the opinion of the Stoics as
appears from Sophocles.

BsoLi yoL^ sscci Ksivos aiwvujv %foyo^
oray itv^os y3iJi.oyra hcroLv^ov, %aonj

ATTavra rairiysia xa< i^sra^ciA
(phe^si i^aysig.

In Ovid alfo we find the fame fentiment.

Efle quoque in fatis reminifcitur affore tempus^
Quo mare^ quo tellus, correptaq regia coeli
Ardeat^ et mundi moles operofa laboret.

( 37 )

ifVidar and ^Vali rife to power :
They o'er the temples fhall prefidc,
That men for fav'ring Gods provide.
*Modi and •f'Magni then (hall reign.
And happily for man obtain
The fatal mallet of Great Thor,
And thro' the world extinguifli war.

GANRADE.

Much have I feen, and much have known.
And wife in ancient myftVy grown :

X ViDAR. He wears thick ihoes^ but of fo won-
derful a texture^ that by means of them he can
walk in air and tread upon water. He is almoft as
fbrong ds Thor himfelfj and in all critical con-
jundures, affords the Gods great confolation. He
is the God of filence.

§ Vali. — Son of Odin and Rinda, bold in war,
and an excellent archery he killed Hoder in revenge
for Balder's death.

♦ Modi, (ignifies vigor of mind.

f Magni, ftrength of body. All the preceding,
except Vali, were the foos of Thor.

(58 )

From Odin'3 cy^, V^tbrudnis 1 fay.
What fate fhall blot the light of day ?

VAFTHRUDNI5.

*A fliaggy monfter fhall devopr.
The •f'parent of the fleeting hour :
Then Vidar (hall indignant fpeed
Vengeance for the guilty deed,
And, wide around, the hateful plain
Shall fmoke with blood, for ijlVitner flain.

G'ANRADE.

Much have I feen, and much have known.
And wife in ancient myftVy grown :
Tell me once more, Vafthrudnis I tell.
What fecret voice from Odin fell ;

* '^ A fliaggy monfter.*' — Fenrir the wolf.

t '' The parent."— Odin the God of the fun, by
which time is computed.

:|; ViTNER,— One of the names of Odin.

( 39 )

When to his fon he whifp'ring flood,
E'er the boy clim'd the fatal wood.

VAFTHRUDNIS.

None know fince time its race hath run
What Odin whifper'd to his fon.
The fate of Gods and myftic lore
With thee no longer I explore.
Thou, by the hand of knowledge led.
The fatal ftroke of death haft fled :
And fince thy wifdom I have try'd.
Hear Vafthrudnis thus decide —
In myflerics of every kind.
Thou art the wifefl of mankind.

SONG

OP

GRIMNER.

ARGUMENT.

King HRAUDUNGER had two Sons, one
called Agnare the other Geirroo. AgDarr was
ten years old and Gierrod eight, when they went
to fea in a boat for the pUrpofe of £fhing. A
tempefl drove the boat far from their own ihore
and carried them to a flrange country } where they
met a certain countryman. There they wintered.
The Miftrefs of the houfe loved Agnarr, but the
Mailer, Greirrod; who taught him to be crafty.
The fame perfon in the following fpring gave the
boys a boat -, but when he and his wife had led
them to the fhore, he fpoke fomething privately
to Greirrod. The boys obtaining a favourable wind,
returned toward their own coaft. Then Geirrod,
ftanding on the prow of the vei&l, leaped on {bore,
and puihing the boat off, faid, '' now go where
the evil Grenii may meet with thee." The boat
was carried into the ocean 3 but Geirrod going
home, was kindly received. Geirrod therefore
was created king and became illuftrious. While
all this was tranfadting, Odin and Frigga fitting
in Hlidikialfa beheld all the regions of the earth.
" See" faid Odin '^ your favourite Agnarr fitting
" in a cave with his gigantic wife and his chil-
*^ dren around him 5 but my favourite Geirrod is
''* become king, and reigns in peace." Frigga

( 44 )

anfwcrcd, " Geirrod is pariimonious and exercifes
'' cruelty upon his gueih when he thinks too many
*' trouble him." Odin denyed this affertion.
They lay a wager concerning it. Frigga fent the
nymph Fylla to admonifh the king, left a certain
magician who had come into his country fhould
poifon him i ihe informed him that he might be
diftinguilhed by this fign, that no dog would bark
at his approach. But that was needlefs, becaufe
Geirrod difcountenanced the vifits of all ftrangers.
He took care however that the man fhould be
feized, whom the dogs rcfiifed to hurt. He was
drefled in blue apparel and took the name of
Grimner. When any one afked queftions concern-
ing himfelf, he refufed to anfwer them. The king
examined him by torture between two fires y where
he remained eight nights. Geirrod had a fon^ ten
years old, called Agnarr, bearing the name of his
Uncle. Agnarr approached Grimner and gave
him a cup of water, faying that the king bfehaved
very ill to ponifh an innocent man. Grimner
drank the contents. But by that time the fire
burnt his clothes ; when he began to fpeak^

( 45 )

SONG

OF

G R I M N E R.

I.

Fire ! fpare thy fury fpare.

Nor thus thy torrents on me bear :

Thy flames fierce flafhing from me turn —

In vain I ftrive — my garments burn :

Tho' high in ;air my cloak I raife.

It waiics before thy fcorchlng blaze.

II.
By the pale fires fullen lights
I've watch*d eight times the round of nighrt.
Mortals on me difdain to thiiik.
Nor offer food, nor offer drink —
Agnarr except — who kind of foul.
Gave one cool refrefhing bowl :
Thou gentle Youth ! fo fates have told,
The fceptre of the Goths fhalt hold.

( 46 )

III.
The cup was kiqd^ aod great's the meed^
That to thy bounty will fucceed ;
Safe fhalt thou reign from ev'ry foe, —
Smooth fliall tby tide of fortune flow.

IV.
Dear are the lands to Gods on high,
That neighboring to the Alfi lie.
On plains of ^Thrudbeim f Tbor (hall dwell.
While Gods their goldeu ages telL

* Thkudueim, lay between the confines of the
Afi and Alfi.

t Thor, the eldeft fon of Odin } ftrrength and
valor are the attendants of this God^ therefore he
triumphs over every thing that has life. When
the Northern nations adopted the Roman Calender^
that day which was confeorated to J^piler er
itiafter of thunder, was affigncd to Thor and was^^
called Thorfdag or Thurfday.

The Laplanders to this day have a God anfwer-
ing to Thor, whom they wofihip under the name,
of Horagalles, They depidt him with a double-
headed mallet, and invoke him chiefiy not to
injure with his thunder their Raindeer. as thef
wander expqfed upoq,, thQ wide ajod defolate
mountains.

lem; de.Ljipppn:

( 47 )

V.
:{;UIler there bath fix*d his; home,
Where the fwift Ydali roam.
The Gods when time firft fprang to light,
Fair *Alf heim gave to 'f'Freyer'u right ;
The honors of his infant &ni^,
Forever to perpetuate-

X Uller, a God the offspring of Sifia and fon-
in-law of Tbor. He is fo quick in ihootiqg his
arrows, and fo nimble in the ufe of his ikates,
that notliing can (land before hioh - He is alfo
very handfome in his perfon, and poffeffes every
quality of the Hero 5 wherefore he was invoked
in duels or iingle combats.

* Alfheim, fignifies in Gothic, the abode of
the Genii or the fanes of the male fex. Of thefe
fome are good and fome bad. With regard to the
bad they were particularly dreaded about the hour
of noon. This fuperflition has prevailed no lefs in
France than elfewhere 5 though it came from the
eafl. St. Bazil recommends us to pray to God
fome time hefot^ noon, to avert this danger. The
Celts with the fame view offered iacrifices. One
fays pleafantly, '' The true Demon of noon is
" hunger when one has nothing to fatisfy it."

f Frbter, fon of Niorder.

( 48 )

VI.
The third abode^ I know it well.
Is where the Gods benignant dwell.
The roofs with lilver radiance (hine,
"Tis caird ^Valaskialf divine ;
Becauic a God in times unknown,
Chofe to make that feat his own.

VII.
Saucquabeccer is the name.
The next immortal, portals claim ;
There icy waters evVy hour.
Around in horrid difs'nance pour ;
While Odin, *Saga, orgies hold.
Quaffing libations out of gold.

VIIJ.^
•f-Glad(hcimcr next fuccecds — the land.
Where bright J Valhalla's towers stand :

X VALA8RiikLF> a palace of Odin.

* Skok, a Goddefs.

t Glxdshbimbr^ (the abode of joy.)

J Valhalla, The palace of Odin, where that
CuhI rccci\'e:i all fuch as die in a violent manner
from the beginning to the end of the world

(49 )

In burnifli'd gold they proudly rife.
And lofe their radiance in the ikies.
^Hropter there with potent word.
Dooms myriads daily to the fword.

IX.
Where Odin's towers rife to view.
Thus may be known by iymbols true ;
Broken fhafts of many a (pear
Emblazoning the roofs appear:
The domes with fliields are cover'd o'er.
And coats of mail furround the floor.

X.
Where Odin's towers rife to view.
Thus may be known by iymbols true ; -
A gaunt *Wol flits in pend'lous ft ate.
Ever o'er the weftern gate ;
While *Eagles the wide portals gface^

§ Hroptbs^ one of the names of Odin.
f Wolf and BkOLEs, thefe were ftatues.

( 50 )

XI.
Thrymheimer flands the next in place -^
Thiaz there has fix'd his throne —
A giSnt Ibng to glory known.
But ifSkada, chafte nymph of the Iky,

X Sk AD A, daughter of Thiaz and wifcof Niorder.
She prefers dwelling on the fpot where her father
inhabits^ which is in the land of mountains 3 but
Niorder loves to refide near the fea 5 yet they came
at length to this agreement between £hemfelves,
that th^ {hould pafs together nine night» among
the mountains^ and three on the fhore of the fea.
One day, Niorder, returning from the mountains,
compofed this f6ng : ^^ How do I hate the abode
*' of the mountains I I have only pafs'd nine nights
" there J but how long and tedious did they fccni !
"There one hears nothing but the howling of
" wolves, inHead of the fweet tinging of the fwans,
" who dwell on the fea fliores." In tofwer to ihi$,
Skada compofed the following verfes : " How is
" it pofflble for me to enjoy my reft on the couch
*' of the God of the Ocean 5 whilft birds in flocks,
" returning each morning, awake me with their
" fcreabiings ?" Then Skada returned to the moun-
tains where her father dwelt 3 there fnatching up
her boW, and faftening on her fnow-fkates^ fhe
employed herfelf in chaoe of favage beafts.

( si )

The honors of her anceftry^
Shall ibon poflefs.

XII.

Seventh in fame,
*Breidablikef mortals name :
Within whofe confecrated walls
Stand tBalder's hofpitable halls.
Iliere fmiling peace has ever Ihone,
And virtue calls the place her own.

^ Brbidablikeh^ the palace of Balder. This
place is in heaven and nothing- impure can have
admittance there 5 within are columns^ upon which
are engraved verfes^ capable of recalling the dead
to life.

+ Balder^ the fecond fon of Odin. He is of
an excellent natural temper 3 and has the uoiverial
praife of mankind 5 fo handfome in his perfon^
and of fo dazzling a look> that he feems to dart
forth rays of light. To comprehend the beauty
of his hair it is neceifary to know that the whited
of all vegetables is called the ^' eye-brow of Balder."
It feems probable that Balder is the fame God
whom the Noricians and Gauls wodhipped undisr
the name of Belenus. He was the Apollo of the
Greeks and Romans.

( 52 )

XIIL
Himinbiorga eighth I fing,
Where o'er the lands, propitious king,
^Heimdaller reigns. There mindful he,
Of every holy myftery.

* Heimdallier, a facred and powerfd deity.
He is the fon of nine virgins who are fifters. He
is likewife called the ^' God with the golden teeth,"
becauf6 his teeth are of that metal. He dwells
at the end of tlie bridge Bifroft or the Rain-bow,
in a cafUe called tlie " Celeftial Fort." He is the
fentinel or watchman of the Grods. The poft
aifligned to him is to abide at the entry into hea-
ven^ to prevent the giants from forcing their way
over the bridge. He fleeps lefs than a bird 5 and
fees by night as well as by day, more than an hun-
dred leagues around him. So acute is his ear
that he hears the grafs growing on the earth, and
the wbol on the fheeps back) nor does the finalleft
found efcape him. Betides this, he has a trum-
pet which is heard through all worlds. This God
is celebrated in the following verfes. f^ The
" Celestial Fort is the caftle where HeimdaK
" ler refides, that facred guardian of heavei>,
" who drinks divine hydromel 4n the fecurcr and
" tranquil palaces of the Gods !"

( &3 )

On downy couches fpends his hours.
And copioufly metheglin pours, .

XIV.
Falcvanger's towers claim my fong,
Thefe to *Freya's right belong ;
Who chief prefiding at each feaft.
Appoints his place to ev'ry gueft :
Half of the flain by her's poflefl:.
But Odin daily claims the reft.

* Freya, the daughter of Niorder -, fhe is the
moft propitious of the goddeffes. The place which
fhe inhabits in heaven, is called Falcvanger, or
Union of the People. She goes on horfeback to
every place where battles are fought, and aflerts
her right to one half of the llain 3 the other half
belongs to Odin. Her palace is large and magni-
ficent ', thence fhe fallies forth in a chariot drawn
by two cats. She lends a favourable ear to thofe
who fue to her for afliflance. From her were
the Scandinavian ladies named. She is very much
delighted with the fongs of lovers 5 and fuch as
would be happy in their amours worfhip this
Goddefs.

( 54 )

XV.
Tenth houfe of fame, lo ! Glitner fhines^
Bleil with the wealth of golden mines :
Bright molten filver crowns the dome,
-f-For^fter proudly calls his own :
There on foft rose-leaf beds he lies^
While funs fucceffive fet and rife.

XVI.
*Noathuna the eleventh place.
The manfions of Niorder grace :

f Forester, a God, the Son of Balder. He
pofTefTes the palace in heaven called Glitnir. All
who refer to him the decifion pf their controver-
iies, return from his tribunal mutually fatisfied.
It is the mod excellent tribunal found amongft
Gods or men, according to thefe verfes : '' Glit-
** nir is the name of a palace which is upheld by
" pillars of gold, and covered with a roof of filver.
" There it is that Forefter refides the greatcft part
'* of his time, who reconciles and appeafes all forts
** of quiarrels."

* NoATHUNA, the palace of Niorder the God
of the fea.

The Chinese, as well as the Grecians and
Northern nations, have their Neptune, whofe

( 55 )

He, blamelelefs king of men, prefides
O'er domes whofe fummits touch the (kics.

XVU,
The lands of tVidar far are fecn,
Befet with thorny brakes obfcene ;
Rank herbage (hoots alofl in ^r,
And marfliy fallows flourifh there.
Vidar, defcending from his fteed,
Swifl in purfuit fcarce bends the reed ;
A parent's wrongs provoke his ire.
And vengeance from his arm require.

name is Toong-hai-vaung, or king of the eaftem
fea. The temple where he is worshipped is called
Ta-coo 5 he is there reprefented as fitting on the
waves with firmnefs^ eafe^ and dignity^ holding a
dolphin in one hand and a magnet in the other.

Staunton's Accoont of China.

t ViDAR^ mentioned before as the God of
Silence, is reprefented as living in fuch a fituation
that by its inacceffibility he might avoid the con-
verfe of men. He was defpifed by the other Gods,
and for that reafon fuppofed to be more affiduoos
in revenging his father Odiij's death.

( 56 )

XVIII.
:}:Andhrimnex fpeedily returns t
The fire beneath *Eldhrimner bums t
•f'Saehrimner ftnokes in floods below —
The beft reflexion heroes know.
Few think how many warriors dine.
From off his wide extended chine.

XIX.
§The chief inur'd to toils in war.
Removing from the feafl: afar.
Bids II Gerr and Freker daily eat.
The fmoking honors of the treat :
But Odin, great in martial deeds.
With mead, immortal vigor feeds.

:|: Andhrimner^ the Cook of the Afori.

* £ldhrimner^ the Cauldron.

f Sjbhrimner^ the Boar.

§ The chief, Odin.

II Gerr and Freker, two wolves kept byOdip,
to whoni he coniigns all the food brought to his
table. ::< ..... ' •

( 57 )

XX.
tHugo, in azure fields of air.
And tMumin too each day appear ;
I fear left Hugo fafe return.
But more for Mumin inly mourn.

XXI.
Lo ! Thunda's waters rend my ear.
While tranquil ftand^ Thiodvitner :
Smooth in the lake the fifh are feen.
Gliding thro' the liquid green.

f Hugo and Mumin, the ravens of Odin. He
lets them loofe every day ^ and they, after having
made their excurfions over the whole world, return
again at night about the hour of repad. Hence
it is that this God knows fo many things, and is
called the king of the ravens. Hngo, fignifies
fpirit or thought, and Mumin, memory. Thor
made Thialfe contend with Hugo in fwiftnefs :
but Hugo fo far outftripk him, that in returning
to the barrier whence they fet out, they met face
to face. It was the opinion of the Northern
writers, that if reafon and memory were once Ipfl,
{they would never be thoroughly recovered again.

( 58 )

Thunda's waters haft'ning fleet.
Touch not * Valgom ! with thy feet.

XXII.
Far o'er yon bills old ^Valgrind ftands,
Eredled by no mortal bands :
Few know the dome's myfterious ways,
Or how the mafly bars to raife.

XXIII.
Behold ! Valhalla proudly Ihrouds,
Her towers in the ambient clouds ;
Five hundred portals grace the fide.
With forty more unfolding wide.
Thro' cv'ry gate in war array.
With banners dreaming to the day.
Eight hundred warriors pafllage find.
When for martial deeds inclin'd.

* Valgom^ one of Odin's horfcs.
|Val6rind> thefortrds of feled heroes*

J. 59 )

XXIV.
Five hundred domes afpiring higb^
With forty others pierce the iky :
There^ Gods in mazy lab'rynths roam-
One portal leads to ev'ry dome :
But that which loflieft pillars grace^
Pelongs to my illuflrious race.

XXV.
*Heidruna, wildeft of the train,
That fport on hill, or ruflet plain.
Near Odin's hall falacious breeds.
And on the leaves of Laerad feeds.
Jlis fpacious horn (hall fill the bowl,
That lifts to rapture Odin's foul ;
And ever drinking — ever dry —
Still the copious ftream fupply.

* Heidruna, the Goat. From her paps flow»
Hjdromel and Mead in fuch great abundance,
jthat It fills every day a pitcher large enough to
fn^briate all the heroes.

( 60 )

XXVI.
.There too, forever wartd'ring near.
Is feen fwift-footed tEikthyrncr ;
He on Laerad's foliage feeds.
And annually prolific breeds.
Faft in :|:Hrvergelmer's tide.
Dew-drops down his antlers glide ;
Whence, winding thro* the porous earth,
Augmented rivers take their birth.

XXVII.
*Sider, Vider, Fimbulthuler,
^aekiner, and Geirumuler, —

t Eikthymer^ the Stag.
X Hrvergelmer, the father of rivers.

*SiDEK, &c. Names of celeftial livers. There
are fifteen befide thefe, but they are not enumera-
ted in the tranflation^ on account of their harfh
and unufual founds. For the curious therefore,
they are put in the notes 5 viz : Eikin, Suol, .
Gimnthro, Fiorm, Rin, Rennandi, Gipul, Gau-
pul, Gaumul, Din, Vin, DavlJ, H^vll, Grap,
Gunndorin.

( 61 ) '

Thefe thro* lands immortal, flow,
And plenty on the Gods beftow.^

XXVIII.
"j-Viner, Noter, Vegsuonner,
Niter, Stronder, and Heronner, —
The lands of mortals thefe divide,
And downward thence to Hela glide.

XXIX.
:|:0'er four fam'd rivers fpreading far,
Thor drives on his thundering car ;
When to the afli of Yggdrafil,
He goes to tell his wondVous will.
Then evVy bridge th' Afori raife.
Shall fmoke in^ undulating blaze.
Each mortal flream its banks forfake,
And facred fonts combuftion take.

f ViNER. The names of many terreftrial rivers
are here omitted j viz: Naunn, Hraun^ Slid,
Hrid, Sylgr, Ylgr, Vid, Van, Vaund, Straund,
GiauU, and Serptr.

X " O'er four fam*d rivere," — ^Tbeir names are
J&aurmt, Aurmt, and the two Herlaugars.

< «i )

XXX.
*11iofe ileeds with unrein'dfiiry glide,*
On which the fons of Afi ride ;
When ftudious of the Thund'rer'g wilt.
They crowd the afii of -f-Yggdrafil.

* '^ Thofc ftccds/'— Their names are Gladr>
6yllr, Gler, Sccidbrknur, Silferintoppr, Sinir,
Gifl, Falhofncr, Gulltopcr, LettfcU.

f Ygoobasil. It is the greateft of all tites^ its
l>ranches cover the furface of the earthy its top
reaches to heaven, it is fupported by three vaft
roots, one of which extends to the ninth world,
or Hell. An Eagle, whofe piercing eye difcovcj^
all things, perches on his branches. A Squirrel
is continually mniung up and down to bring news ;
while a parcel of ferpents, fattened to the trunk,
endearoiu" to deftroy him . From tmder one of the
roots runs a fountain wherein wifdom is concealed.
From a neighbouring fpring (the fountain of paft
things) three virgins arc continually drawing a
precious water, with which they rcfr^ih the Afh-
tree 5 this water keq>s up the beauty of its foliage^
and, after having refreihed its leaves, falls back
again to the earth, where it forms the dew of
which the bees make their honey. Thefe three
^irgiDB always keep utider the «lh 3 and it is they
who difpcnie Uie days and ages of men. Eveiy

( «3 )

XXXI.
O'er three fam*d nations wide it fhodts,
Three majeftic antique roots :

man hath a deftiny appropriated to himfelf^ who
determines the duration and events of his life.
But the three deftinies of more efpecial note are
Urd (the paft,) Werandi (the prcfent,) and Sctdde
(the future.)

The Mohammedans have alfo in their mytholog}'
a Tree very fimilar to this, called Tuba or the tree
of happineis: It is faid to ftand in the palace of
Mohammed, though a branch of it will reach to
the houfe of every true believer ', that it is loaden
with pomegranates, grapes, dates, and other fruit,
of furprifing bignefs and of taftes unknown to
mortals. So that if a man defire to eat of any
particular kind of fruit, it will immediately be
prefented to him ; or if he chufe flefh, birds ready
drefTed will be fet before him according to his
wiih. They add, that the boughs of this tree will
^ontaneoufly bend down to thehand of the perfon
who would gadier of its fruits, and that it will
fapply the bled not only with food, l>ut alfo with
^ken garments, and beaH&toride on ready faddled
aiM bridled, and adorned with rich trappings,
which will burfi forth from its fruits 5 and that this
tree is fo large, that a perfon mounted on the
fleeteft horfe, would not be able to gallop from
one end of its Hiade to the other in an hundred
years.

( 64 )

One fpreads o'er Hela*s confines far ;
Another (hades the ♦Hrimthurfai' ;
tLong will the third a race prote6l>
That laws norfacred rites negledl.

XXXII.
TheSquirril who with, nitnble IkilJ,
Sports thro' the afli of Yggdralil,
The mandates of the Eagle brings.
That plumes aloft his fpreading wings.
To where JNidhogger far beneath.
Coils in many a Ihining wreath.

XXXIII.
§!Pour Stags protedled by its boughs.
With lifted foreheads daily browze.

* HrimtiIursaM^ a nation of one-eyed inhabr-
tants 5 this is faid of them becaufe they are great
marksmen and fhut one eye when they take aim ;
they dwelt in the Eaft.

f '^ Long will the third a race,** — ^This meam
the inhabitants of Southerii regions.

X NiDHooGER, the name of a ferpent.

§ " Four Stags,** — ^Their names are, Dainn, Dua-
linn, Duneyrr, and Duradror.

( 65 )

XXXIV.
fieneath the autumnal leaves that fpread
The ground below the foreft's head^
More hilling ferpents daily glide^
Than e'er unwary *Apa ipied.
Grafvitner's fons are long decreed^
Daily on the Afli to feed,

XXXV.
The Afli of Yggdrafil fuftains
The beafts that range a thoufand plains t
Boughs^ to the Slag ; its bark affords
Protedion to the infeA hoards ;
While at its root with ceafelefs bite,
Nidhogger hides his thefl in night

XXXVI.
+Hrifta and Mifta> daily bear
Bowls that footh the brow of care ;

* Aj^a, Apes.

f Hrista and Mista^ thefe Groddefles are called
Valkyries^ Odin fends them into the field of battle
to make choice of thofe who are to be ilain^ and
to befiiow the viOoiy.

E

( 66 )

Ever Odin's chiefs rqgate.
With foul invigorating ale.

XXXVII.
Yok'd to the chariot of the Sun,
Each day thro' hcav'n |two coarfens ran
Then Gods beneath their helmets love
In iron canopy to rove.

XXXViii.
Prefented to the blazing iklcs,
The argent fliield, *Sualiner lies :
Natwe wovM its doom receivfe.
Were it once the heavens to leave.

XXXIX.
Skoller, the diroftd wolf whofc rage
Devours the monuments of age,
Purfues the God whofe eye fuWime
Daily furvcys each terrene clime.

X " TVo Courfers," — ^Arvacer and Alfuither, the
iwrtfcs of the Sun.

* SuALiNER, the folar fiudki or £dNik)iis refri-
gerator of the wprld.

( 67 )

Before the gentle Queen of heaven,
To *Hater 'tis forever given
Still to advance— the fame we're toJd^
From Herodvitner fprung of old-
XL.
At firft the variegated earth.
Prom flefh of Ymer had bis birth j
His blood fopplied the ocean bed ;
His bones the rocky mountains bred ;
Transform'd to herbs his hair was feen ;
His fkuU o*er^arcb'd the blue fcrene ;
For man, propitious Deities
Fluck'd the ibadowiogs of his eyes.
And Midgar form'd that happy zone.
Which heat and cold alike have flown ;
Dun vapors from his brain exhaled.
And clouds in fcattcr'd fquadrons lail'd—
Black clouds that in their bofoms bore
The germs of elemental war.

^ Hater, another wolf who it the precurfor of
the Moon.

( 6g )

XLI.
*Behold ! *midft circling flames I ftand :
The youth who ftretch'd his daring hand-
Him mighty Uller (hall applaud.
And crown with favor, evVy Gtod.
The great Afori progeny,
Geirrod ! (hall thy bafenefs fee ;
And urgM at laft by Godlike love,
Thefe boiling cauldrons (hall remove.

XLII.
Th' "j-Ivaldi fons, in ancient days,
A glorious fabric ftrove to raife :
:};Skidbladner was the name they gave —

• " Behold r* — Over the fires which furrounded
Odin, the Cooks had put cauldrons to boil : Odin
wiihed Geirrod or his fervants to remove them
that the Afori when they drew near, might at
once fee and refcue him : or perhaps the coming
of the Afori was all a pretence, meant only to
intimidate Geirrod.

t IvALDi, a Nation of Dwarfs.

X Skidbladnbr, a Ship fo large, that all tht
Gods completely armed might find room to fit in
it at their eafe. As foon as ever its fails are unfurled.

( 69 )

The nobleft bark that plough'd the wave-
Soon as the wondVous toil was done.
They gave it to *Niorder's Son.

XLIII.
Yggdrafil is chief of trees.
That dallies with the wanton breeze ;
Let fam'd Skidbladner ever ride,
The faireft Ship that fkims the tide :
Odin among th' Afori claims,
Higheft honors — greateft names :
'j'Sliepner with his thund'ring mane.
Is chief of ileeds that feud the plain :

a favourable gale arifes and carries it of itfelf to
whatfoever place it is deilined. And when the
Gods have no mind to fail, they can take it into
pieces fo fmall, that being folded one upon another,
the whole will go into a pocket.

* Niorder's Son, Frcyer.

f Sliepnbr, a Horfe with eight feet. His origin
is thus related in the Edda of Snorro. One day a
certain Archite6t offered his fervices to the Grods
to build them in the fpace of two years a City, fo
well fortified, that they fliould be perfedly fafe
from the incuriions of the Giants, even although

( 70 )

:|:Bifroft ftands in fwelling pride,
Chief of piles that bridge the tide

they fhould have already penetrated within the
cnclofure of Midgard ; but he demanded for big
reward the Goddefs Freya, together with the Sun
and Moon : After long deliberation, the Gods
agreed to hi» terms, provided he would fitiifti the
whole himfelf without any one*s aififbince, and all
within the fpace of one fingle Winter : But if any
thing fhould remain to be finifhed on the firft day
of Summer, he fhould entirely forfeit the recom^
pence agreed on. On being acquainted with
this, the Archited ftipulated that he fhould hie
allowed the ufe of his horfe. And to this, by
the advice of Lok, the Gods afTented. This agree-
ment was confirmed by many oaths, and concluded
in the prefence of many witnefTes ; for without
this precaution, a Giant would not have thought
himfelf fafe among the Gods, efpecially if Thor
had been returned from the journey he had then
taken into the Eaft, to conquer the Giants. From
the very firfl night, this Giant caufed his horfe to
draw flones of an immenfe bulk 3 and the Gods faw
with furprife, that this creature did more work
than the maflcr himfelf. The Winter however,
was far advanced, and towards tlie latter end of it,
this impregnable City bad almofl attained the

J BxF&osT^ the Rain-bowt

' ( 71 )

Who like *Brag, fince earlicft time>
Can weave the magic web of rhyme ?

fummit of perfection. In ihort, when the full
time was now expired, all but three days, nothing
was wanting to complete the work, except the
gates. Then the Gods entered into confultation,
and enquired of one another who among them it
was, that could have advifed to marry Freya into
the Country of the Giants 3 and to plunge the iky
and heavens into darknefs, by permitting the Sun
and Moon to be carried away. They all agreed
that Lok was the author of that bad council, and
that he fhould be put to a moll cruel death, if he
did not contrive fome way to prevent the workman
from accomplifhing his undertaking. Immediately
they laid hands on Lok 3 who in his fright promifed
on oath to do whatever they defired, let it coft him
what it would. That very night while the work-
man was employing his horfe as ufual in conveying
flones, there fuddenly leaped forth a mare from the
neighbouring foreft, which allured the horfe with
her neighings. The animal no fooner faw her.

* Brag, a God celebrated for his wifdom,
eloquence, and majeftic air. He is not only
eminently lkille4 in poetry, but the Art itfelf is
called from his name Bbagek, and the mofl
diftinguiihed poets receive their names from him.

( n )

What bird like Habroc fwift in flight ?
Or bold in the aerial fight ?
What dog with Garmer fcents afar
The vidims of the fylvan war ?

XLIV.
'j'My various hardftiips I defcribe.
Now to the Sigtivori tribe ;

but giving way to his ardor, broke his bridle^
and began to run after the mare. This obliged the
workman alfo to run after bis horfe> and thu9
between one and the other, the whole night was
loft, fo that the progrefs of the work was delayed
till next morning. The Archited perceiving that
he had no other means to finifh his undertakings
refumed his own proper fhape; and the Gods
perceiving that it was really a Giant with whom
they had made the contrad, paid no longer any
regard to their oath ; but calling the Gfod Thor, he
came and fhattered the head of the worl^man to
pieces with his mallet. Shortly after, Lok came
and reported that the Mare ' had a foal, which
after proved to be the fampus Sliepner.

f *' My various", — Odin now begins to affume
his true charader, and aflerts that he is inftilling
Into the minds of his diftant friends an idea of his
fufiferings.

( 73 )

Prote(Sling hands approach mc near i
Steps of Afori now I hear :
The giants feat fhall they afcend.
And ipmoft halls with clamours rend,

XLV.
When in the nations I am feen.
Mortals who to my fanes convene
:[; Shall hail me with a thoufand names^
Great as celeflial virtue claims.
* Geirrod trembles ! does thy foul
Yield the maft'ry to the bowl ?

J '' Shall hail &c."— The names of Odin arc the
following : Grimer, Gangler, Herian, Hialmbcr,
Theccer, Thrid, Thud, Uder, Helblind, Harr,
Sader, Suipal, Sannrgetal^ Hcrteiter, Hnicarr, Bil-
cyger, Bal-eyger, Baulvercer, Fiolner, Grimar,
Grimner, Glapfaid, Fiolfuid, Sithaviter, Sidfccg-
gar, Sigfander, Henikuder, Alfander, Valfander,
Atrid, Farmat, Jale, Rialer, Vider, Ofci, Omi,
Jafnhar, Biflinder, Gondler, Harbard, Suidur,
Suidner, Ygger, Thunder, Vacer, Hroptcr, Gaijr
ten, Jalcer, Ofner, Suafner.

* " Geirrod trembles." — ^He now begins to dif-
cover who it is he has been tormenting. The
latter part of this verfe fecms to have been fpokeii
in a ib-ain of Ridicule.

( 74 )

(The bowl can Gods and men decdve) :
Or doft thou at thy honours grieve ?
What heroes croud thy palace gate.
And Gods thy vengeful malice fate ?

XLVi,
Much have I faid ; but faid in vain :
Mem'ry flies thy troubled brain*
Thy friends deceitful prefs around :
I fee thy faulchion on the ground.
The faulchion of my hoft is dy'd.!
The blood runs purpling from his side !

XLVII.
Ygger foon (hall point the blade.
For deed of rightful veng'ance made.
Thy days are paft, I now predidl :
Now the Deftinies affli<5.
With flames encircled, Odin fee !
Geirrod ! Geirrod ! refcue me.

( 75 )

King Geirrod was fiCting with his fword upon
his knees,, half unfbeathedj but when he under-
ftood who it was he had been tormenting, he arofe
to lead him from the fires. The fword fell with
the point upwards ; and the king> tumbling at the
fame time, fell upon it, and was pierced through
the body. Thus he died : — Odin then difappeared,
and Agnarr fucceeded to the throne.

JOURNEY

OF

S K I R N E R.

{ 79 )
JOURNEY of SKIRNER.

FrEYER, thefonof Niorder, as he fat on *Hlid-
fkialfa, beholding the regions of the world 3 caft
his eyes on the nation of the Jotunhcimi, where he
beheld a fair virgin as ihe paffed through her
father's houfe to a iblitary apartment* He became
fuddenly very fad. Skimer was the fervant of
Freyer. Niorder called him and bid him enquire
into the canfe of his mailer's grief. While fSkada
the wife of Niorder petulently faid —

SKADA.

Go Skirner ! fpeedily enquire,
Confam'd by what untam'd defire
Of hidden lore, my fon retreats
Into his manfion's intnoft feats ?

* Hlidfkialfa, the throne in the palace of Valaf-
kialf^ not at Valhalla as fome have faid. This
throne was fo fituated, that any one fitting upon
it might behold all the regions of the world. It
properly belonged to Odin and Frigga^ and perhaps
the paffion of Freyer was a punifhment inflided
on him for his prefumption in fitting there.

f Skada,-— A giaateft, wife of Niorder^ and
flep-mothcr of Freyer.

( SCI )

Afkhim if wifdom will refidc.
With paffion, envy, love, or pride ?

SKIRNEit.

My rafhnefs will I fear, bring dowrt,

Th' indignant eye, the fcornful frown ;

Yet will I tempt bis folitiide.

And footh bim if he think me rude.

Chief of lineage divine !

Long may thy princely virtues fhine —

Tell me, for I wifh to know.

The ftory of thy bitter woe :

Say why you fhun the field and grove.

And lonely thus your chambers rove*

Should you my boldnefs difapprove.

Forgive me — ^'tis the crime of love.

FREYER.*

Why gentle youth thus feek to know

*Freyer. — He is the mildeft of all the Gods> and
preiides over the rain and the fun, and all the pro-
du€dons of the earth. He is invoked to obtain
either fine feafons, plenty, or peace 5 for it is he
who difpences peace and riches.

( «1 )

The hift'ry^f my iccret woe ?
The cheerful fun illumes the (ky^
But leaver to gloom, my foul a prey.

SKIRNER*

Thy finrrows caunot be fo great>

But friencKhip may participate.

In youth we wander'd gay compeers ;

Our fports the (ame — the fame our years :

Then why the fccret shun to tcU

To one who ever lov'd thee welK

FREYER.

*In Gimer's balls with flatcly pacc^
A virgin, decked by ev'ry Grace,
Walking lone in beauty's pride.
From Hlidlkialfa I have fpied.

" In Gimei^s halls.** — ^He was one of the race of
the giants of the mountains^ who had by bis wife
Orbod, a daughter named Gerda^ the moft beau-
tiful of her fex.

( 82)

Her arms in marble luilre fbone^
And lucid glories danced along ;
A brighter day o'er ether fpread^
And ocean fmiFd upon his bed*
A ftronger flame infpires my breaft
Than ever earth-born youth poflied.
Would that I were of mortal mouldy
Her charms unenvy'd to infold !
But Gods malignant difapprove
Immortals join'd to mortal love.

SKIRNER.

Grant from thy flails with quickeft fpeed
A courfer of etherial breed ;
That thro' the dun obfcure of night
May bear me clad in fpedlre light.
Let me too the fword difpJay,
Round which the beamy lightnings play-
That fword portentous, gleaming far.
Which fcatters all the files of war.

Take from my flails with quickeft fpeed;,

( 83 )

A courfer of etherial breed;
That thro' the dun obfcure of night
May bear thee clad in fpectre light. ■
*Take too the fword which they who know
Wifely to ufe, will on each foe
UnfufFerable fplendors poun

SKIRNER,

ADDRESSING HIS HORSE.

•f-Midnight rules the fateful hour

* " Take too the fword." — Freyer had occalion
to repent afterwards, of his having given his fword
to Skimer. He had firft an encounter with Bela,
and having no -fword, was forced to defend him-
felf with the horn of ^ ftag. But in the twilight
of tlie Gods, he miffes it much more 5 for thereby
he is vanquifhed by Surtur.

t *' Midnight rules." — ^This is not unlike Mezen-
tius*s addrefs to his horfe Rhosbus —

Hand deje6lus, equum duci jubet : hoc decus illi.
Hoc folamen erat : bellis hoc vidtor abibat
Omnibus. Alloquitur moerentem^ & talibus infit.
Hhoebe ! diu, res li qua diu mortalibus ulla efl,
Viximus. Aut hodie vi6tor fpolia ilia crucnta,
£t caput ,^neae referes, Lauiique dolorum
Ultor eris mecum : aut aperit fi nulla viam vis .
Occumbes pariter : neque enim fortiffime, credo
Juffa aliena pati^ & dominos dignabere Teiicros.

( «^ )

Bright unnumbered flars appear i
The time of our depairture's near.
Let us the arduous toil purfue^
And dip our feet in niQunt^tn dew.
Together wc will danger try.
Together live, together die.

Skimer was carried among the Jotunheimi^ to
the houfe of Gimer, where were a number of fierce
dogs. He rides up to a Shepherd keeping fheep
on a hill, and thus addreflefi himr**

SKIRNER.

Shepherd ! art thou feated there
To guard from wolves thy fleecy care ?
Or doom'd to fpend thy lonefome days
Guardian of thefe defert ways ?
*Gimer's dwelling lo ! I feek.

*"Grimcr's dwelling, — ^Frejrer being a God was
very well able to inform Skimer of the names of
thofe he went to.

( 85 )

With lovely Gcrda wifli to fpcak :
InftriKa me how it may be done.
And teach me too thofc dogs to fhun.

SHEPHERD.

Art thou to death foredoom'd a prey ?
Or dead, revifit'ft thus the day ?
The dogs will never be beguil'd—
Thou can'ft not fpcak with Gimer*s child.

SKIRNER.

Good fhepherd liften to the tale —
Death and life are in the fcale !
Worn with many an anguifh'd figh.
One there is prepared to die :
Already is the day decreed —
If I fucceed not, he muil bleed.

GERDA.

Wbftt Doiie is that aifiils my ear i
Sounds of coming fteps I hear !
Earth a firange commotion feels !
Oimer's tower terrific reels !

( 86 )

MAID.

A trav'Uer to the gate draws nigh.
With manly port and daring eye :
Now he alights from ofFhisfteed,
And turns him forth at large to feed.

GERDA.

*Bid him welcome — ^Maiden ! hafte-
Let him our methcglin tafte :
-f-Yet ftill I feel a fecret fear.
Some murderer approaches near,

GERDA.

Doft thou from th' Alfori come ?
Or 'mong the Afori is thy home ?

* '^ Bid him welcome." — ^The northern nations
were peculiarly remarkable for hofpi tali ty to fb*an-
gers 5 and eHeemed a breach of its laws among the
greateft of crimes.

t " Yet ftill."— Gcrda's brother had been for-
mcrly killed by a ftranger.

- { 87 )

Or of the Vani ? haply then,
Wifcft of the fons of men.
Why alone — no fuccour near —
Didft thou the Jhoftile fires dare ?
Whence could a worthy caufe proceed
To prompt thee to ib mad a deed ?

SKJRNER.

Not from th' Alfori do I come ;
Nor 'mong the Afori is my home ;
Nor me, the Vani honors grace,
Deem'd wifeft of the human race :
Yet ftill the firey ways I trod
Alone, that lead to thy abode.

♦Eleven apples. Maid ! behold,
I offer thee of radiant gold :

$ " Hoftilc fires.- — Perhaps this may be a figu-
rative expreffion^ to defcribe the fiiry of the dogs
who guarded the manfion.

* Eleven Apples." — Apples feem always to have
becQ coafccrat^ to love 5 thus we find io Virgil's

( w )

That thou a favoriog word would'ft gife.
And bid the gentle Frcycr live.

QERDA.

Know at no mortal beck I ftand-^
Ceafe thy oflfer — I command.
From Freyer will I keep aloof:
He never comes beneath this roof.

Eclogues the Shepherd fSsnding fome to hiaMiihcff.

— -rSilvefhi ex arbore lefta
Aurea mala decern mifi : eras altera mittatn.

" Aurea," Servius explains as belonging more to
the colour, than the fubfiance of the fruit : a
£milar explanation may be alfo applied perhaps to
the '' radiant gold" of which Skimer's apples were
faid to be fpnned.

Propebtius had perhaps in his eye the preced-
ing paflage in Virgil when he faid in his 34th
Elegy,

Utqup decern poffint cx^mmperc mala pueUam,
And again — Felix, qui viles fomu i^caris amora.
Ariilophanes alfo had faid-p—

( 89 )

fiKIRNER.

Gerda ! Jo I offer more —
*The mighty ring that ^Hermod bore
Thro' Hela's flames ; and thence retrieved,
The ftrangc fecundine power received :
Eight lifter rings in weight and ufe,
EvVy ninth night to produce.

GERDA.,

Of thy prefents talk no more —
rU not take what Hermod bore.

♦ " The mighty ring," — ^This was a ring that
Balder fent from Hela as a token of remembrance
to Odin. Odin threw it on the funeral pile of his
Son and endued it with the wonderful property
related.

+ Hermod, — Surnamed the nimble or a6tivc,
the Son of Odin. At the requeft of . Frigga he
went on Odin's horfe dowrf to hell to fearch for
Balder. For the fpace of nine days and as many
nights he travelled through deep vallies^ fo dark
that he did not begin to fee where he was going
till he arrived at the river of Gioll. He paiTed
over the bridge that led to hell^ which he found
defended by a large grate^ over which he leaped
and found Balder feated in the moft diflingnifhed
^t in the palace.

( 90 )

Gold I have, enough to fpare :
Niorder's wealth I will not (hare.

SKIRNER.

Maiden ! fee this fword divine
With finely polifh'd lufire (hine :
Soul of beauty ! thou art dead—
Sever'd thy devoted head —
If refolv'd with proud difdain.
Still to flight thy lover's pain.

GERDA,

My right, my freedom, and my hand,
I yield to no proud foe's demand ;
While Gimer can his faulcion rear,
I, nor thee, nor Freyer fear.

SKIRNER.

Maiden ! fee this fword I wear,
Temper'd with celeflial care :
Can'fl: thou view thy father fall.
Mangled in bis cheerful hall ?

( 91 )

If thc3iu confent not, 'tis decreed
By this the hoary chief fhall bleed.

Again behold this wand I lift,
Virtued with the wond'rous gift ;
Of taming ftubborn mortals ftill.
Obedient to fuperior will.
Maiden ! thou confign'd fhalt be.
To endlefs, dark obfcurity,

Juft as the famifh'd eagle high

On clifts that feem to prop the Iky,

At morning's dawn, with eager ken.

Looks wiftful o'er the diftant glen :

So thou to joy alive no more,

*Shalt caft thine eyes t' wards Hela's fhore

The charm of fweeteft found fhall die

And pleafqrc from thy palate fly ;

* '' Shall caft, &c."— that is, ihe ihould be fo
diflatisfied with life, as to wiih even to die.

< 9^ )

While noxious favor taints thy food»

t Worfe than the ferpent's venom'd blood.

Forth {halt thou go a monfler feed,
DefilM with noilbme filth obfcene.
On thee Ihall Hrimner fix his eyes^
And mortals fiare in mute furprife :
Far off like (bme maligpant flar.
Thine infamy shall gleam afar :
Yet ever thro' thy prifon grate.
To look and languilh be thy fate.

Solitude's unvarying hour ;
Hatred's heart-corroding power ;
Clanking chains that galling bind ;
Impatience— fcorpion of the mind ;
Thefe are tortures thou ffaalt know.
While floods of grief unceaiing flow.
Maiden fit awhile and hear.
What other woes afBidl thee near :

t " Worfe than, &c.— The ferpeat of Midgard
is here meant.

( 93 )

Double forrow is thy doom —

For good that's pafi^ and ills to come.

Horror shall thy path ^ttend^
Where'er thy lonely footfieps bend ;
Daily where *Hrimthurfiir reign.
Go progreft mournful o'er the plain^
Oppreft with foul tormenting care —
Prey of comfortlefe deipair.
Thou art doom'd in tears to find
The only folace of thy mind :
The lengthened fbrrow— ceafelefs tear.
In thy deftiny appear.

Three-headed monfters, Handing rounds
Shall ever with their yells confound :
At night around thy joyless bed.
No nuptial torch its rays fhall flied :
Grief Ihall leave thee no repofe.

* Hrimthursar,— Were the fierccft of all the
Giants*

( 94 )

At morning's dawn— at even's clofc i
Dcfpair fhall round thy foul be twin'd.
And drink the vigor of thy mind ;
As round the oak rank ivy cleaves.
Steals all its fap, and blafts its leaves.

An unfhorn mountain's brow I fought.
Where never lonely woodman wrought ;
There the magic wand I found.
And pluck'd it joyful from the ground.

Thy cruelty hath Odin fpied ;
Thundering Thor beheld thy pride ;
E'en Freyer now has felt difdain —
But e'er, O Maiden ! you obtain.
The veng'ance due from Gods on high.

Giants fhall thy doom defcry ;
Hrimthurfar fhall thy wailings hear ;
Suttungi fons fhall freeze with fear ;
And godlike heroes fhudd'ring fee.
The horrors of thy deftiny.

( 95 )

Now the nuptial joy is marr'd !
Now the mother s hope debarred !

Midft prifons of the ghaftly dead,
Whence fmiling hope is ever fled,
Himgrimner (hall thy durance keep.
With watchful eyes that never fleep.
Squalid youths with ghaftly grin,
In hollow bitter roots fhall bring,
Urine of the unfavVy goat,
To quell the parchings of thy throat.

Better cups fhall never grace
The orgies of that direful place.
All thy prayers fhall ceafe to move.
The foul of difappointed love.
Mark the giant ! mark him well !
Hear me his attendants tell !
Can'st thou with the Fiends engage,
Madness y Impotence^ and Rage ?
Thus thy torments I defcribe :
The furies in my breaft fubfide ;

( )

Peace her empire has begun ;
The die is caft — ^tbe work is done^.

GERDA.

Youth f fomc words of cbinfort fay —
' Ceafe thy angry threats, I pray.
The maHy flaggon deign to wield.
With generous cool metbeglin fill'd.
Gods ! and (hall I never prove.
The fweets of honourable love ?

SKIRNER.

Before my miilion I complete.
Tell me what the happy feat I
Where thou to gentle Freyer's arms.
Wilt yield pcrfleffion of thy charms.

GIRDA.

In Barian groves the appointment keep.
Where winds on billowy verdure fleep :
And when nine nights their courfe have run,
I there will meet Niorder's fon.

( 97 )

Skiraer retunw home, and is met by Frcyer,
who immediately begins —

FREYER.

E'er thy foot the green fwerd prefs.
Tell me, Skirner ! what fuccefs ?

SKIRNER.

In Barian groves the appointment keep.
Where winds on billowy verdure ileep.
There, when nine nights their courfehave

run,
The maid will meet Niorder's fon.

FREYER*

One is long — ^yet longer twain—
But who a third night can fuftain ?
Whole months in fwifter current move,
Than half one fleeplcfs night of love.

THE

SONG

OP

H A R B A R D.

1 HOR returning from bis expedition in the Bail
comes to a certain ford : on the oppofite fide flood
a ferryman near his boat> with whom Thor thus
begins —

( 103 )

THB

SONG

QP

H A R B A R D.

THOR.

What Ferryman is he who ftands^
By his Boat on yonder fands ?

*HARBARD.

What man is he, on yonder fide.
Who fends his voice acrofs the tide ?

* Harbard. We find this mentioned as one of
the names of Odin in the enumeration of them
giveQ in the Song of Grimner $ and it is probable
that Odin took the difguife of a fenyman, that he
might have an opportunity of trying his wit with
hi9 Soo Thpr.

( 104 )
THOR.

O'er the ferry bear me hence ;

ril an ample meed difpenfe.

In my balket, lo ! I bear.

Gates I've cull'd with niceft care.

Ere I left my homely (hed,

On oats and herrings long I fed :

But viands on a toilfome way,

The trav'Uer needs more choice than they.

HARBARD,

Improvident ! thy balket ftore.
Why praife for nburifhable power ?
And little prefcient of the road,
Know'ft not to prize the precious load.
'f'Hark ! death invades thy diftant home !
Heard'ft thou not thy mother's groan ?

t " Hark/'— As Harbard intended to delay Thor
at the ford, he wilhed to make the hinderance as
irkfomc as poffible, and therefore mentioned a
circumftance which he knew would, above all
others, excite his curiolity, and increafe his dcfire
of finiihing fpeedily his journey.

( 105 )

THOR.

Well I know thee — thou haft faid.
Hark ! thy diftant mothers dead ;
Becaufe thou kneweft, I believe,
How my foul the news would grieve*

HARBARD.

Grief had been none, if fomc eflatc.
Had reconcil'd thy mother's fate.
That thou art poor, thy legs declare.
And weeds that ftrolling jugglers wear.
Naught do I fee — fo mean thou art,
:}:To hide thy moft inglorious part,

THOR.

Hither ferryman, I pray,
Pufh thy veflel on its way/

X " To hide,"— It is probable that Thor had
dripped off his lower garments for the purpofe of
wading through the ford -, but finding it too deep,
had been compelled to call upon Harbard for
affiilance.

( 106)

Who the owner, tell befidc

That bade thee o'er thefe banks prefide ?

HAKBARD.

Hildolf is the owner's name ;
Far thro' thefe lands, has fpread, his fame.
In Radfeyia's bay he lives, *

And thence this ftri6l injundlion gives —
Let not the bafe-born prefs thy keel.
Nor vagabonds, that horfes ileal :
Be honorable men thy freight.
And on the worthy trav'Uer wait.
Acrofs the Frith thy name unfold.
If on thy way thou wifh to hold.

THOR.

With other views, this morn I came —
Yet freely I profefs my name ;
And all my pedigree unfold,
In archives of the Gods enroU'd.
Odin's paternal care I prove ;
Meili claims a brother's love ;

( 107 )

Me Magni*s filial mind reveres—
Stern dynaft of the ftarry fpheres.
With mighty Thor difcourfe you hold —
Ferryman ! thy name unfold.

HARBARD.

Harbard I ! and 'tis my pride.
Never from man my name to hide.

THOR.

Why (hould'ft thou wifh to hide thy name,
Except oppreft with guilty fhame ?

HARBARD.

Did I fuch guilty terror feel,
'Tis true my name I would conceal ;
When fuch a virtuous God were by,
Unlefs I madly wifh'd to die.

THOR.

Among the miseries of my life^
With thee I deem this verbal ftrifc ;

( ^08 )

Forc'd as I am, to feek thy fhore.
And wet my garments with thine oar.
But villain ! know fome other day.
Thy words farcaftic I'll repay.

HARBARD.

I my rightful power ufe.
And hither all approach refufe :
Since bold ♦Hrugner went below.
Thou never found'ft fo fierce a foe,

THOR.

Thofe words to memory recall,
Hrugner's un lamented fall.
On him my fatal mallet fped —
The Giant with the rocky head :

* Hhugner. — ^This giant, in his encounter with
Thor, carried a lance made all of wetftone. Thor
broke it in pieces by a blow with his mallet, and
made the fplinters fly fo far, that all the fubfequent
wetflones found in the world, are parts of it ; as
indeed they appear evidently broken off from
fomething by violence. This genealogy of wet-*
flones is not inferior in ingenuity to that of Ovid*s
Lapis Lydius.

( 109 )

He trod no more the ways of men —
What, Harbard ! thine achievements then ?

HARBARD.

In *Algrona's fertile ifle,
Five winters I endur'd the while :
Vv iih brave Fiolvar there I liv*d.
And hofpitable cheer received.
With him the battles brunt I bore.
And dy'd the meadow flower with gore :
There did I every danger prove ;
And largely too indulged in love.

THOR.

Didil thou in that happy ifle,
The maidens eafily beguile ?

HARBARD.

They were wife, as wife I've feen ;
But tainted with virago fplecn :

* '* Algrona" iignifies perpetual verdure.

( 110 )

They were fair, as fair could be ;

But all their paftime, cruelty.

They twifted once with dexterous hand,

A rope of untenacious fand ;

And fill'd a valley's vaft profound,

With many a mountain fummit round.

Happy I their love to gain,

Revell'd with them on the plain.

Oft encircled in their arms,

I wooM their fmiles and won their charms.

What the mean time didft thou do ?

THOR.

I the race of Thiaz flew :
Above I hurl'd their faring eyes.
And ftars illumin'd all the Ikies.
There all mortals ever read
The records of the glorious deed.
What meantime did the fates decree,
Harbard ! for thy deftiny ?

HARBARD.

To Gigantean dames I bore.

( 111 )

Philtres of fedu6live power-
Strong was the fpell, and tender flame^
Shot tinrefifted thro* their fratne.
Helibard was great of mind^
And chief among the Giant kind ;
He gave a wand, by magic made,
And I with guile his gift repaid.

THOR.

Good with evil to requite.

Has ever been the knave's delight.

HARBARD.

What you approve, may me difpleafc —
A different foil to different trees z
Let each his own miideeds r^orm.
What meanwhile did Thor perform ?

THOR.

I in eaftem climate's rode,
Near a Giant's drear abode :
There, the trafly dames to ipite,
I fent the chief to fhades of night

( 112)

Had he liv'd, fair *Midgard's zone,
A wild and joylefs waftc had fhown.
Meanwhile Harbard what thine aim .^

HARBARD.

Bent on war to 'f-Gaul I came :
Chief I ftir'd with chief to fight.
Nor cared I which was wrong or right.
Odin's heroes boldly dare.
The fierce arbitrament of war :
A fervilc, cringing, coward race
The banners of vile Thor difgrace.

THOR.

Had'ft thou the power to divide.
Honor's meed to either fide ;
Unjafl:ly would'ft thou fink my fame.
And lift on high my rival's name.

* " Midgard," was the fortrefs by which men
were defended againil the incurfions of the Giants.

f " Gaul," from the derivation of this word in
the Icelandic language it may fignify any foreign
country or field of battle.

( 113 )

HARBARD.

Brutal ftrength I own is thine ;
But faint thy mental virtues (hine.
I faw thee once with all thy pride.
Low in a fweaty ♦Gauntlet hide.

* " Gauntlet."— The ftory of Thor's llccping in
a gauntlet> is thus told in the £dda of Snorro :
One day the God Thor fet out with Lok, in his
own chariot> drawn by two he-goats j and when
night came on, put up at a peafant*s cottage.
Thor flew his two he-goats and dreffed them for
fupper. The peafant and his children were invited
to the repaft. He had a- fon whofe name
was Thialfe and a daughter called Rafka. Thor
ordered them to throw all the bones into the ikins
of the goats : but Thialfe looking for the marrow
broke one of the ihank bones. Thor the next
morning> waved his mallet and the two goats
reaflumed their wonted form 3 but one of them
was found to be lame. Thor fufpeding that this
mifchief had been done by fome one of the family^
grew enraged and feizcd furioully his mallet.
The peafant implored forgivenefs and Thor was
appeafed 3 but carried away with him Thialfe and
Rafka. Leaving his goats^ he went with his com-
panions to the land of the giants. Overtaken on
their journey by night, they went as they thought
into the houfc of a certain Giant to ileep. Here

( HO

No thundering accents then were heard ;
For fear had ftifled every word.

they paffcd (he iirglit : but iti the middle of It, an
earthquake fhook their abode. Tbor was terrified
and feized his mallet to defend himfelf. Mean-
while they heard k rtittibling noife^— It was a
Giant who had alarmed them by his fnoring.
Thor immediately binds on his girdle of courage
and enqnit^ hts tiairte. *''My name is Slfcrytnner,"
fays he, 'f*and thy name' Is thbr : tell me have you
not picked lip iiiy gauntlet?" Thbr tlicn perceived
that he had b6«i fl6eping in the' Giant's* jgauiitlet }
and the chamber W5s only oncf 6f its fingers. The
Giant joined his cbtttpany, aind travdling all day,
lay'dovm- at riight under an oak to ileep ; telling
Thor to go to his Wallet if he ^wranted any thing to
eat. Thor tried to open it, but was unable to
loofena fingle 'kriftt, "Vciedat this, he feized his
maMet and threw it -at the Giant's head. The
giant awoke, and enquired' if forne leaf had fallen
upon him. Thor remained quiet under ano-
thferoak^ aiid when the giant' b<*gan to (bore again,
dr6ve' his mallet * iiMx) the hinder- p^rt of his head.
The-giantawakmg'enquiredofThorif fome fmaU
grain of fand had not fallen upon that part, anfd
why he did not go to fldep. Th6r however tc-
folving to havea*'third'blc^v, 'watched his oppor-.
tunity, and drove (he mallet up to its handle into
the giant's cheek. ' Skrymrier awoke, and enquired
if fome bird's feather ' had irot fallen uptJn him.
They then rife, and Quietly ptrfue their journey.

Great Thor was then *afraid to fnee^e^
And trembled at each paffing breeze.
•j-Fiolarr fought, but fought in vain :
What mortal can his fcorn contain }

THORt

Peace, rude flandVer ! flop thy throat ;
Were I ftationcd near thy boat.
Thee to Hela I would fend.
'Tis well my arm will not extend.-—

HARBARD.

Why my words thy rage provoke ?
More harmlefsly I never fpoke.
Whither meanwhile went great Thor ?

* '' Afraid io faceze."

Nee faftinebas ibi
Prae formidine tua
Pedere neque ftemucrc.

t '' Fidarr,- another name fpr Scrynmcr.

( 116 )

THOR, ,

I in eailern climes waged war ;
There Suarangi fons withftood,
Preffing thro* the frontier flood.
Long they burFd the fplinter'd rocks ;
But boldly I withftood their {hocks :
Till weary with the flrifc they ceafe.
And fue at laft to me for peace.
To Harbard meanwhile what enfued ?

HARBARD.

*In the Eaft a maid I woo'd :
Fair as the ftately teil tree, fhe
Oft held me in fweet colloquy.
Beneath her radiance when fhe fmil'd.
Gentle Loves my cares beguil'd ;
Her bright effulgence dim'd the day ;
Pleafant was our amorous play !

* '• In the Eaft;* &c. Harbard purpofcly fup-
preffes the name of the virgin, left Thor fliould
difcovcr who he was.

( 117)

THOR.

Thou wcrt bleft with many a maid.

HARBARD.

Then, O Thor ! t mifs'd thy aid.
One there was like orient mom,
And graceful as of Goddefs born.

THOR.

Surely (he had been thy bride ;
But fate my prefence there deny'd.

HARBARD.

They who once their friends deceive.
Friends feldom afterwards believe/

THOR.

Think'ft thou Fm like thofe mortal fhocs,
*Made indurate by vernal dews ?

* '* Made indurate."— Thig b a northern pro-
verb to denote a falfe friend ; becaufe a ihoe that
has become (tiff, hurts the foot of the wearer which
it was meant to defend.

( HO

HARBARD.

Whilfc I cnjoyM the maiden's fmile.
What did mighty Thor the while ?

THOR.

In Helfeyia's lands I flew^
♦The partners of a giant crew.
Juft, my vengeance on them fell—
Deep ikiird in every magic fpelL

HARBARD.

Bravely done, I own, great Thor !
On feeble women to make war.

THOR.

•j-Wolves they were, all mortals fwore ;
And only form of women bore.

* " The partners.** — ^Thefe were the wives of
the Berferki } who were giants remarkably fierce^
and ikilled in magic.

t " Wolves, &c."— The whole of Thofs anfwer
is fpoken ironically.

( U9 )

They dafti'd my yeflcl on the fands.
That bore me oft to diftant lands :
An iron fcourge they twifted then,
And drove me back to Thialfen.
What raeanwhiPe can Harbard boaft ?

HARBARD.

I amid a warlike hoft,

Sublime the floating banners bore,

And dipped my javelin in gore.

THOR.

Thou, offspring of the fordid earth,
To me of high celeflial birth,
OfFered'st thy bare conditions then.
And fought for peace 'twiJct Gods and men.

HARBARD.

The GQBteft of the ring I know*
Made thee once my bitter foe :
Yet ftill the judges thought it fair,
Tho' fcrutiniz'd with greatefl care.

( 120)
THOR.

Whence doft thou thofe gibes relate^
Pointed with ipalignant hate ?
For never fmote upon mine ear,
A fpeech fo fancy and fevere.

HARBARD.

I took them from the daily fpeech.
That old men to their children teach :
And ev'ry one the fame can tell,
That in the groves immortal dwell,

THOR.

Truly thofe groves of little fame.
Receive too honourable name.

HARBARD.

Such is the name that mortals give.
Who love beneath their (hade to live.

( 121 )

THOR.

Amply (hall thy wit be paid,
If I begin the ford to wade :
Howling like a wolf you'd reel.
If once my mallet doom'd to feel.

HARBARD.

Better Sivia's houfe go find,
Fiird with damfels fair and kind
Wifely there thy prowefs fhow.
But dread to meet a braver foe.

THOR.

Thou (hoot'ft with mod pernicious fpite.
But feldom aim'fl thy fhafts aright.
Infernal caitiff, wretch abfurd !
Thou lieft at thy every word.

HARBARD.

This, however, muft be true.
Slowly you your way purfue :

( laa )

Better progrefs had you made,
If in fome other form array'd.

THOR.

Harbard docs ray right deny.
More than wrongs can jofHfy.

harbard;

Did Thor's vile (hephcrd ne'er prevent,
Afeus when on journeying bent ?

THOR.

A truce, good Harbard ! take thy oar.
Launch thy bark and leave the fhore :
Ceafe each petulent reproach,
And Magni's fire with fpeed approach.

HARBARD,

Truce vile Thor ! forfake the fhore,
The fates forbid to bear thee o'er.

THOR.

Tho* a paflagc thou deny,

( 123 )

Tell how the road's long windings lie.

HARBARD.

What's the road I foon can fay j
But long and toilfome is the way.
Thro' a marfli you firft muft go—
Then lofty rocks their fummits (how ;
Thence purfue the left hand road^
To diftant Verlalid's fair abode.
There anxious Fiorgin fhall fee.
Her long expe6led progeny t
She the winding ways will teach,
E'er to Odin's land you reach.

THOR.
Can I reach there while 'tis day ?

HARBARD.

long and tedious is the way :

But e'er the the weft'ring trav'ller fet,

To Odin's dwelling you may get.

( 124)

THOR.

Then here enquiry (hall fubfide.
For thou art all ill will and pride :
But for the boon deny'd this day.
Some future time will I repay.

HARBARD.

Let perils round thy path be fpread.
And furies howl about thy head !

THE

SONG

OP

H Y M E R.

(127 )

S O N O

OP

H Y M E R.

Gods :piirfue the fykan frght —
Gods that in fierce war delight.
The chace is o'er, and weary they.
Awhile the banquet's joy delay.
Till the teeming entrails tell,
Truth divin'd by ^miftic fpell.
Their awfiil wands they now ered ;
Now the facred blood \nfpe&.
Soon by omens fure, 'twas known,
"* Ager did no cauldron own .

* Agee." — A great Magician, and Lord of
Helfcyia : comipg from Aigard was received by
the Afi at a fplendld banquet. When he departed,
he invited Odin and all the Aii to come to his

( 1^8)

IL

The Grods command — and thro' the Ikics^
With eagle fpeed bold *Veorr flies.
In youthful vigor Ager fhone.
Sitting on a rocky throne :
Giant terrors deck'd his brow :
Odin's fon addreflcs now —
'Tis your's for Afi fons with fpeed.
To fpread the banquet late decreed.

maniion at a time he then appointed. The Afi
were afraid there was no fincerity in his invitation,
becaufe there was little dependence to be placed
upon the friendihip of the Giants. To find if
their fufpicions were well founded, they made a
facrifice,^ and examined the entrails of the vi6tim«
They found that Ager had no cauldron, and con-
cluded that his invitation was all faladous. The
Afi, therefore, fent Veorr to infill upon an im-
mediate banquet, which they knew he could not
poflibly give. By this means they hoped to find a
pretence for quarreling with Ager and fpoiling him
of his riches.

* Veorr. — One of the names of Thor

> ( 1^9 )

III.
Never more ungrateful word.
The one-eyed, fordid mpnftcr heard.
Now his angry eye-balls roll ;
*Dark deceit abforbs his foul-
Veorr quickly, hither bear,
A cauldron thro' the fields of air :
Ale, with fpeed, I then will brew,
Worthy chiefs like them and you.

IV. .

•f-That exploit, the immortals grieve.
Their powers unequal to atchieve ;

* '' Dark deceit."— Ager began to find out the
drift of the Afi^ and thought to avoid the necef&ty
of giving a banquet, by throwing fome difficultjr
in thfe way.

t " That exploit." — ^Thor is now fuppofed to
have returned to the Afi, and to have related to
them the fuccefs of his mifiion : but this the poet
has left to the judgment of the reader to find out.
There are many fuch quick tranfitions in this poem^
which it is neceifary particularly to attend to.

( 130)

Till :}:Tyr a wond'rous fccret told.
Alone, to §£lorrid the bold.

Hymer fkilld' in magic fpells,
'Mong eaftern Elivagi dwells —
He, the father that I boaft.
Ranges earth's remoteft coaft :
His houfe a cauldron can fupply.
Of unexplor'd profundity.

VI.

Think'ft thou Hymer wont refufe ?
Not if we difcretion ufe.
Swiftly chariotted they ride,
Thro* the earth-fpread regions wide :
E'er fetting day the night revive.
At the gianfs houfe arrive.

X Tyr — ^This Tyr is a different perfon from him
who was the fon of Odin^ and who loft his hand
by the bite of the wolf.

§ Elorrid.— One of the nanaes of Thor.

( 131 )

vn.

The travellers to the fliecp coles lead.
Their goats with gilded horns to feed :
Soon Hymer*s halls their fleps refound.
There brave Tyr his grandaift found :
She whom ev'ry mortal dreads —
The monfter with nine hundred heads.

VUI.

With eye brows white as pureft fnow.
His mother came in friendlleft fhow.
Her veft with gold was garnifli'd o'er ;
Her hands a mafly flaggon bore :
Giant fons ! flie faid, regale.
Round our tables crown'd with ale.

IX.

But know that Hymer is not kind !
Fierceft paflions rule his mind.
No mortal on bis word depends,
And works begun, he feldom ends.
Now from the foreft's daily roam,
Hymer flowly fought his home.

( 132 )

X.

Wide flew the doors — a thund'ring clang,
Thro' his *icy mountain rang :
The frozen foreft on his chin,
Sent as he ilrode a hideous din.

XI.

Hail Hymer ! hail, with me rejoice —
Thefe Halls refound a flranger voice.
From travels long on diftant bourns,
Our Son,— our long-loft Son returns:
Veorr, come of gentleft race —
He too has deign'd our Halls to grace.

XII,

But lo ! he hides, and e'en thy fon,

The terrors of thy brow to Ihun :

Yon Pillar's fafe -guard fix'd their choice.

* " Icy mountain." — ^This muflbe an Hyperbole
to exprefe the greynefs of his hair, and- the vaft
hulk of his head.

( 133 )

Soon as they heard thy awful voice.
The Giant (hot an angry look.
The mafly pillar ijnftant (hook : —
His eyes upon the ceiling lit.
And evVy beam afunder fplit.

XIII.

Eight cauldrons on the pillar bung,
The fury of his eye balls flung
With deafning uproar thro' the hall :
Seven were broken by the fall.
The eighth uninjur'd by the ftroke,
Efcap'd the florm the reft had broke.
All trembling now the guefts appear ;
The Giant Hymer drew more near :
But fudden flartled with furprife —
•j-His old opponent met his eyes.

t " His old opponent." — Thor was well known
among the Giants as their greateft enemy. Hymer
therefore, as we find foon afterwards, was willing
to conciliate the favor of one whofe power he had
fo much occafiou tp dread.

( 134 )

XIY.

Veorr fadly did forebode.

As the Giant nearer ftrode.

Of three fat Bulls he thinM the ftall.

To grace for once his niggard halL

XV.

Kiird and drefs*d, he placM them whole.

In a wide extended bowl.

On thefe the fpn of Odin fed.

E'er at night he fought his bed :

One fufficM the guefts to treat.

Two the giant Hymer eat,

XVI,

Hymer's wife,' with eye-brows hoar.
The wafte of food lamented fore :
Our fields, (he cry'd, will fcarce fuffice,
' Another day fuch large fupplies.

XVII.

Veorr anfwerM he could row.
And far in ocean llrait would go,

( 135 )

At fi{her*s toil to try his fate.
If Hymer would fupply the bait.
That I will, the chief reply'd, .
And boats to carry us befide.
Let the tamer of mankind
Hisbaits among my paftures find.

XVIII.

Of all the beads that range the field,
A Bull the choiceft bait will yield.
Swift to the woods the hero flew.
And thence the wifti'd for vitlim drew.

XIX.

On his forehead high upborne.
Mid way betwixt each branching hom,^
The king of giants dealt a blow.
And laid the bellowing monfier low.
Navigator, Hymer cries,
• Verily, thy deeds furprife !
But dill the happier I had been.
Had I not thy prowels feen.

( 136 )

XX.

Farther into ocean now.
Let us launch our daring prow, —
The valiant fon of Odin cry*d :
But Hymer his aflent deny'd.

XXI.

Firft fuccefs was Hymer's fate ;

A whale's wide fwallow took the bait :

Mightily his line he drew.

And in the boat the monfter threw.

Soon crafty Thor th' expedient took,

Beneath the boat to fix his hook.

XXII.

The deftin'd vidlor of the fnake,
Now began his rod to take ,
A firm-fpun cable- line he took.
And fix'd the bull's head to the hook.
The zone-like monfter feiz'd the bait,
That Gods indignant juftly hate.

( 137 )

XXIII.

Veorr fiercely drew the line,
The flimy fpires began to fhine ;
Voluminous the reptile wreath'd.
As firft the untry'd air he breath'd :
Then guided o'er the veflel's fide,
Lay fpreading many a furlong wide,
*Veorr to his mallet fled.
And finote the wolf-like ferpcnt's head.

* Veorr, &c. — ^The ftory of Thor's engagement
with the Great Serpent, is told differently in the
Edda of Snorro, which was written, or collated
rather, 180 years after the Edda of Saemund. As
it may not be unentertaining to compare the two
together, it fliall here be related : —

Thor refolved to attack the ferpent if an oppor-
tunity offered : with this view he fet out from
Afgard pnder the form of a young boy, in order to
go to the giant Hymer. When he got there, he
befought the giant to permit him to go on board
his bark with him when he went a fifhing. The
giant anfwered, that a little puny flripling like
him, could be of no ufe to him, but would be
ready to die of cold when they fhould reach the
high feas, whither heufually went. Thor anfwered
him, that he feared nothing -, and aiked him what
bait he intended to fifh with. Hymer bade him

( 140 )

But fought the wide boat's fstrtheft iide^
And there, his oar, in filence ply'd.

XXVI.

Wilt thou Veorr ! Hymer cries,
Afiift in bearing home our prize ;
And lend me too a willing hand.
To haul the veflel on the ftrand.

XXVII.

Elorrid delayM no more.

But high in air the veflel bore —

Whales, pumps, oars, benches, ropes and all.

And plac'd them in the mountain hall.

XXVIII.

Th' exploit was great — ^yet Hymer's pride.
Still fuperior ftrength deny'd :
Beft prov'd he faid if by one ftroke.
Yon firm compa6ied bowl he broke,

XXIX.

Elorrid at his folly laught ; —

Then broke in two the column's (haft :

(141)

This he did, nor left his feat,
So cafy the prodigious feat.
Hymer's fervants now croud round.
And place the bowl upon the ground.

XXX.

The hoftcfs inftantly drew near.
And whifper'd Veorr in the ear ;
DuU'd by repaft — no mifchief dread :
Dafh it at the Gianf s head.

XXXI.

Veorr quickly flood upright,
Awful in colledled might :
The bowl was fliiver'd by the ftroke :
The rocky IkuU remain'd unbroke.

XXXII.

Much I fear'd the old man cry'd,
This night fome mifchief would betide.
Since bright I faw the flaggon fland,
Polifh'd by too frequent hand.

( 142 )

In vain the banquet I bewail : —
Too freely Veorr drinks my ale.

XXXIII.

Other fports will I fupply :
Lift yon mafly cauldron high.
Mighty Tyr his flrength twice prov'd —
Twice the cauldron flood unmov'd,

XXXIV.

Up rofe Veorr from his feat,
(Earth Ihook beneath his pond'rous feet,)
Then high in air the cauldron fwung :
The hooks were broke whereon it hung.

XXXV.

He fled, and many regions paft,
Veorr turn'd his eyes at laft :
When bent on fwift purfuit he faw,
Hymer forth his legions draw :
In hafte they leave each lone rcceft.
And fwift to weftem climates prefs.

( 143 )

XXXVI.

The cauldron fpecdily put by,
Veorr lifts his mallet high.
And deals his vengeful blows about.
Thick on the rocky headed rout ;
Who, manful in their chieftain's right,
Had follow'd Hymer to the fight.

xxxvn.

E'er long they journey 'd on their way.
The goat of Veorr dying lay :
His foot difabled by a fear,
Check'd the fury of his can
* Lok, that evil minded fon.
This deed had fraudulently done.

* Lok. — ^The antient Scandinavians feem to
have regarded him as their evirCrcnius^ whom,
neverthelefs, they ranked amonft their Gods. He
is called the calumniator of the Gods, the grand
contriver of deceits and frauds, the reproach of
Gods and men, and the archite6t of guilt. He is
beautiful in his figure, but his mind is evil, and
his inclinations incondant. No body renders him
divine honors. He furpafles all mortals in the

(144 )
XXXVIII.

Hymcr's bafencfs now you know ;
(And who like me the truth can fhow ?)
Veorr s vengeance I have fung ;
And Hymer fpoil'd of many a fon.

XXXIX,

Veorr glorying in his ftrength.
Seeks the abode of Gods at length.
His arms the mafly cauldron hold,
Poflefs'd by Hymer long of old.
Ager now (hall glad the foul
Of Gods, with his autumnal bowl.

arts of perfidy and craft. He had many children
by his wife Segnie : befides three monflers who
owe their birth to hira -, the wolf Fenrir, the ftr-
pent of Midgard, and Hela or Death. All three are
enemies to the Grods^ who, after various flruggles,
have chained the wolf till the lafl day, when he
fliall break loofe and devour the fun. The ferpent
has been caft into the fea, where he fhall remain
till conquered by the God Thor. Hela, or Death
ihall be banifhed into the lower regions, where
ihe ihall have the government of nine worlds,,
into which ihe didributes thofe who are fent to
icr.

THE

FEAST OF AGER,

OR

QUARREL of LOK.

ARGUMENT,

AgER, or Gymer, had prepared a feaft for the
Afi^ after he had obtained the great Cauldron
fpoken of in the preceding Ode. To this feaft
came Odin and his wife Frigga. Thor was abfent
on an expedition in the Eaft. Sifia the wife of
Thor was prcfent. Brag alfo and his wife Iduna.
Tyr was there having but one hand 5 for as he
ftrove to bind Fenrir the wolf, it was bitten off.
Niorder and his wife Freya, and Vidar the Son of
Odin were there. Hither alfo came Lok, and the
fervants of Freya, Beygguer and Beyla ) together
with many of the Aii and Alfori. Ager had two
fervants Fimaffcnger and Elder. There polifhed ^
gold anfwered the purpofe of lights : and the •
bowls were handed about by invifible agency or
a certain inftin6tive power belonging to each.
The place was facred to peace. The guefts praifed
the fervants of Ager; which difpleafed Lok, and
he killed Fimaffenger. The Afi took their fhields,
and afTaulting Lok, drove him into a wood. After-
wards they fit down to caroufe. But Lok foon
returning, thus began with Elder :

( 149)

FEAST OF ACER,

OR

QUARREL of LOK.

Ere another ftep you go.
Elder ! tell, for well you know.
What high fubje6ls entertain.
The jovial Sigtivorian train.

ELDER.

Arms thofe Heroes love to tell.
And what in bloody fight befel i
Th' Afori and.Alfori bold—
Th^ no flatt'ring fpeeches hold.

i

( 150)

LOK.

Now the Gods their feats fbriake

Ager's fupper to partake.

For Afi fons the bowl I fill

With mead, the fourceof many an ill,

ELDER.

Know if Ager's halls you tread,
To tafte the banquet I have fpread ;
The angry Gods will not permit,
Th' intrufion of thy venom'd wit.

LOK.

Thy reproaches Elder ! fpare.
Nor thus my well known fury dare 2
If undue liberty thou take,
Pointed fpeeches I can make.

LoK then entered into the hall. The Afi were
^flonifhed at hiB coiouog and remained filent.

( 151 )
LOK.

Late return'd from diftant lands,
Lok, behold I a fuppliant ftands :
Jovial fons of Afi hafte,
Let me your metbeglin tafle.

Why opprefsM with filent gloom ?
Gods ! do you deny me room ?
To the banquet's joys invite ;
Or boldly fay — depart our fight.

BRAG.

Thee, to this hofpitable dome,
Afi fons forbid to come :
, For well the fons of Afi know
On whom their favors to bcftow*

LOK.

StationM in a foreign clime,
Odin ! recoiled the. time.

( 152)

When I thy curft defigns withftood.
And mix'd with thine my ftreaming blood :
Then thou fwor ft that bowls were free.
Mutually 'twixt thee and me.

ODIN.

Vidar ! yield at my defire :
Welcome make the wolfifh Sire.
The mifcreant then perchance may ceafe
To interrupt our banquet's peace.

LOK.

Afi and Aliniae, hail !
All within this (acred pale !
All but him I yonder lee —
Brag is my fworn enemy.

BRAG.

A horfe, a falchion, and a ring,
Speedily to thee Fll bring.
The price of peace — if thou refrain.
To interrupt our peace again.

( 153 )

Qnell thy malice — I advife.

And make not Gods thine enemies.

LOK.

Horfes and jewels ill belong.

To him that's neither brave nor ftrong.

Of all the All feafling here,

You are mod the flave of fear : —

In battle's bloody conflict:, you.

Swift to fly but not purfue.

BRAG.

Well I know thefe walls debar
Strife of fpirits edg'd to war :
Elfe thy life would ill requite.
The malice of thy words this night.

LOK.

Brav'ry animates thy foul,
When brifkly circulates the bowl :
Now, while anger prompts, away !
I'll meet thee m the bloody fray.

iMiiilii^

( 154)

*IDUNA.

By all thine infants ! I entreat,
Hufband, do not leave thy feat—
By all the Gods this manlion throng !
Do not anfwer wrong for wrong.

LOK.

Peace, Iduna ! elfe, I fwear,
Thy am'rous follies I'll declare :
No blufties o'er thy pale face fpread.
To take a murd'rer to thy bed.

* Iduna. — She was the wife of Brag; and kept
in a box certain apples, which the Gods tafte of
whenever they fed old age approaching 3 forthefe
apples have the virtue of reftoring youth to all
who eat them. It is by this means that the Gods
will fubfift, till the darknefs of the laft times.

The apples of Iduna are a very agreeable fiction.
In the hiftory of them we difcover the favorite fyf-
tem of the Celts, refpe6ting the infenlible and
continual decay of nature and of the Gods, who
were united to it> and depended upon it.

( 155 )
IDUNA.

Lok ! I anfwer not thy fpite ;

Such wrangling would difgrace the night.

Gentle Brag ! thy portion drink,

Nor more of Lok's mad challenge think.

*GEFIONA.

Wherefore a contentious word,
Among the peaceful Afi heard ?
^Lopter, prey of fell defpair.
Seeks deftrudlion evVy where.

LOK.

Peace, Gefiona ! I pray ;
Doft fhou recoUeA the day,
When a youth of winning fmile,
Did thy ealy love beguile ?

* Gefiona. — ^Thc Goddcfs of virginity, wh©
takes into her fervice, all cbafte maids after their
death.

f LoFTER.— One of the names of Lok.

( 156 )

:}:How a toy he then fupply'd,
Which you to chaftefl ufe apply 'd.

ODIN.

Surely Lok his wits has loft.
Thus a Groddefs to accoft : —
She who with keen lighted ken.
Heads the fates of Gods and Men.

LOK.

Odin, peace ! for ill you know.
The meed of virtue to beftow :
Often you the knave and fool.
Bid to conquer — bid to rule.

ODIN.

On fuch as thefe, 'tis well you know.

Partial I my gifts beftow.

Thee I hous'd in depths profound.

X " How a toy." — Hoc crat monilc quod aiunt
in coitu facere mulieres lafcivas.

( 157 )

*Eight winters underneath the ground: —
There infants on their mothers hung ;
And there didft thou bring forth thy young.
Bed employ I could divine.
For foul effeminate like thine.

LOK.

You, on diftant travel bent,
Halting thro' Samfeya went :
There from door to door you ftray'd,
In Fortune-teller's garb array'd.
What better fate could Gods divine.
For foul deceitful fuch as thine ?

*FRIGGA.
The tinie forbids to liflen more.

* " Eight winters." — ^There is no veftige remain-
ing of Northern antiquities, which throws light
on this circumftance.

* Frigga. — She is the lame with the Grecian
Venus. Dies Veneris was called after her name,
Frigga*s day or Friday : Her hulband alfo, which
was Odin, has a day appropriated to him, ori-
ginally called Woden's-day, but now Wcdnefday.

( 158 )

Where Odin halted— monfters bore.
Ccafe in anger to relate,
What in former days your fate.
Wife men hold the prefent fafl:>
And lud oblivion hide the paft.

LOK.

Ceafe, good Frigga ! ceafe thy pother-
Worthy child of worthy mother.
Thou in unfele6led arms
Haft lavifbly beftow'd thy charms.
Thee to th' altar f Vidrer led ;
But you led others to his bed.

FRIGGA.

From Hcla's realms, were Balder here,
He'd difcipline thy tongue with fear :
Thefe facred walls were weak to charm.
The force of his vindidive arm.

t ViDHEii. — One of the names of Odin.

( 159 )
LpK.

Urge me no further with difdain ;—
Ungrateful truth can I explain :
I round Balder's flioulders threw,
♦The (hades that hid him from thy view.

tFREYA.

Lok ! tis folly to relate,

Crimes from thee that take their date.

* " The ihades." — Alluding to the circamftancc
of his halving perfuaded Hoder to fling the miftle-
toe at Balder^ by which he was tranfixed and
killed.

t " Freya."— She is the moft illuftrious of the
(roddeffes next to Frigga. She married a perfon
named Oder^ and brought him a daughter named
Noffa^ fo very handfome, th^t whatever is beau-
tiful or precious is called by her name. But Oder
left her in order to travel into remote countries.
Since that time Freya continually weeps, and her
tears are drops of pure gold. She has a great
variety of names 5 for having gone over many
countries in fearch of her hufband^ each people
gave her a different name: fome calling her
Vanadis, or the Goddefs of Hope, &c. &g. She
wears a rich chain of Gold.

( ifio)

Frigga vainly boafls no power.

Yet Frigga knows each fateful hour.

LOK.

Freya ! you in beauty (hine.
But ftore of virtue is not thine :
EvVy Afi here can boaft.
Some favor at thy hufband*s coft.

FREYA.

Gall drops from thy tongue diftil,
That will in time procure thee ill.
Afi fons, with one confent,
Wiih thee from the banquet fent 1

LOK.

Freya, peace ! each fpcll is thine.
That blackeft forcery can divine.
*Thou againfl thy brother's life,
Raised'fi the Gods to mortal ftrife.

* " Thoa againft." — ^Thcrc is nothlDg in hiftory
that explains this circumflance.

( lOi )

NIORI>£R.

'|-Parum qoxse babet,

Etfi cuftodes velamentorum

Sibi parent amafiutn, vel quemcanqae.

Iftud monftri eft fimilc, quod

Deus pathicus hue intro advenit,

Atque is liberos pcperit.

LOK.

Tace Niorde!
Tu eras iu orientem' bine,
Obfes mifliis a diis;
Hymeris filiae utebantur
Te pro lotii alvealo
Atque tibi in os immejebant.

f " Parum noxae." — ^The fentiments and expref-
£ons of this and the following verfe would not
admit with propriety of an Englifh verfionj
and as the original would be unintelligible to the
generality of readers^ they are given in latin.

( l^^)

NIORDER*

That day I never fhall repent.
When to the eaft an hoftage fent :
For there an offspring bleft my lovcs-
A Prince whom ev'ry God approves.

LOK.

Niorder ! ceafe thy liHy prate.
Or other follies I'll relate :
A lifter you to inceft won.
And thence a viler race begun.

*TYR.

Of all the illuftrious princes round,
Freyer to none is fecond found :

* Ttr, a Warrior and Deity, protedor of cham-
pions and brave men. He ranks among the braveH
of the Grods, fo that it is proverbial to fay of a man
who furpafles others in valor, that ht" is as hrave
as Tyr :" The Gods one day perfuaded the Wolf.
Fenrir, their enemy, to permit himfelf to be chained;
but he fearing that they would never after-

( 163)

He dries the weeping virgin's tear j
He bids the vanquiftiM ceafe to fear ; .
To opprefs the poor, his foul difdains j
And frees the captive from his chains.

LOK.

I charge thee. Peace ! for ill you know^
To compromife *twixt foe and foe :
Remember once your hand was bit,
By Fenrir in an angry fit.

TYR.

I fufFerM in a hand at moft ;
But you your reputation loft :

v^ds unloofe him, periifled in his refufal^ till
Tyr put his hand by way of pledge, into the mouth
of the monfter. The Gods not judging it proper to
redeem the pledge by unchaining the wolf, he bit
off the God*s hand, fevering it at that part, which
has been ever lincc called, '* Ulflithery* or the
'' Wolfsjolntr From that time this God has but
one hand. His remarkable prudence has given
occasion to this form of exprellion, fuch a one is
^^fagacious as Tyr." He does npt like to fee men
live in peace.

■MWHHWHailHnnHHIWMI

( 164)

Villain ! you the wolf applaud,
That threatens death to evVy God.

LOK.

Ceafe thy lying, fland'rous tongue !
Thy wife to me produc'd a fon :
Nor could'ft thou. Impotent ! obtain,
Redrcfs to wipe away the (lain.

FREYER.

*I fee the wolf, whom Gods affli6l.
Where rivers meet the ocean, fit :
Perfifting in malicious hate ;
This, architect of guile ! thy fate.

*''l fee the wolf/'— This ftory is told in the
Edda of Snorro. The Gods bred up the Wolf
Fenrir, but none among them durd approach to give
him food except Tyr. When they perceived tbat
he grew prodigioufly in ftrength and lize, and were
warned by the oracles that he fhould one day
become fatal to them j Chey determined to mak6
ftrong iron fetters for hiin. They prefented them
to the Wolf, dcfiring him to put them on 5 to

( 165 )
LOK.

Gymer's daughter you deceiv'dj
Who, Skirner's lying threats, believ'd ;
But there, to thy eternal coft.

fhew his fbength in endeavouring to break them.
The monller perceiving that this enterprize would
not be very difficult, permitted the Gods to do
what they would ; and then violently exerting
himfelf, burft the chains, and fet himfelf at liberty.
The Gods made ftill (Iron ger chains, and perfuaded
him to be bound a fecond time. The wolf faw
plainly that they could not be brokei fo eafy as
the firft 5 but finding himfelf increafe in ftrength,
and knowing that he could never become famous
without running fome riik, voluntarily fubmitted
to be chained. As foon as this was done^ he fhook
himfelf, rolled upon the ground, dafhed his chains
againft the earth, and at lafl burft his fetters, which
he made to fly in pieces all around him. After
this the Gods defpaired of ever being able to bind
the wolf : whereupon the univcrfal Father fent
Skimer, the meflcnger of the Grod Frcyer, into
the country of the black Genii, to a dwarf 5 to
engage him to make a new bandage to confine
Fenrir. This bandage (formed according to Goran-
fon of fw materials, namely, the noife made by
cats feet ; of a woman's beard ; of the roots of

( 166)

For love, the myftic falchion loft.
The fons of Mifpell, like a flood.
Soon fhall fweep the gloomy wood ;

mountains ; of the nerves of bears ; of the breath
of fifties ; and the fpittle of birds,) was perfedly
fmooth, and to all appearance like a common
ftring. When it was brought to the Gods, they
were very thankful ; and taking the wolf with
them into a certain iftand in a lake, they ftiewed
him the firing, and entreated that he would try to
break it. They took it therafelves one after the
other, and attempted the exploit in vain^ and
then told him, that there was none befide himfelf,
who could accompllfti fuch an enterprize. The
wolf feeing it fo ftight, miftrufted fome artifice,
and refufed to be bound. The Gods redoubled
their perfuafions, and at length, the wolf that he
might not feem a coward, fubmitted to be bound ;
on this condition however, that one of them fliould
put his hand in his mouth as a pledge of fecurity.
The wolf could not extricate himfelf, and the Gods
were exceedingly diverted, all except Tyr, who
loft his hand by the bargain. The Gods feeing
him faft bound, took the end of the ftring, and
drew it through the middle of a large rock, which
they funk deep into the earth. To make his con-
finement ftill more fure, they tied the end of the
cord, which c^rae through the rock, to a great
ftone, which they funk ftill deeper. The wolf

( 167)

No weapon then fhall grace thy hand.
Their furious inroads to withftand.

BEYGGUER*

If from thofe natal honors fprung,
That grace Niorder*s valiant fon :
Thy chattering, *crow-likc, guilty head.
Like pulpy marrow fliould be fpread :
And evVy bone within thy Ikin,
Small as the path-way dull be feen.

opening wide his tremendous jaws, endeavoured to
devour them j but the Gods thruft into his mouth
a fword, which pierced his under jaw. The
howlings which he then made were horrible ;
and fince that time, the foam £ows continually
from his mouth in fuch abundance, that it forms
a river called Vam or The Vices. At the twilight
of the Gods, and not before, will he break his
chain.

* " Crow like.** — ^The crow has ever been
efleeraed the moft petulant, and quarrelfome of
birds, and therefore was a Tery applicable epithet
for Lok.

mmvm^mimw^^M u^nmmm

( 168 )
J-OK.

What docs that dwarfifli mifcreant fay ?
Go to the larder, fpeed thy way ;
Gorge on each dainty ; lick each plate ;
But fhun to tafte my bitter hate :
For Freyer each bafe office fill —
And fervile labor at his mill.

BEYGGUER.

Beygguer's my name, and 'tis my pride.
At feafts convivial to prelide
Chief of the train, to Gods who bear.
Cups that liquidate all care.

Peace, thou ill-form'd, haggard thing,
•j-Cups thou know'ft not how to bring:

t Cups thou, &c." — Beygguer was not then in
his proper office, for be was the Cook and Stew-
ard of Freya. He had been forced perhaps to take
upon him the employment of waiting on the gue(b^

{ 1% )

When din of battle bray'd around,
Thou in a flufF'd (Iraw-bed wert found.

HEIMDALLER.

Thus in dregs of folly funk.
Art thou mifcreant ! mad or drunk ?
Cups intemperate always teach.
Virulent abufive (peech.

LOK*

Peace, Heimdallcr ! fordid fate,
Mark'd thy lot from earlieft date :
*On thee the dew of heaven diftill'd,
StationM in th' opprobrious field.

on account of the death of Agcr*s fcrvant,
whom Lok had killed. There is one objection to
this however, becaufe the cups were faid to be
borne about by invifible agency.

* " On thee the dew." — It has been obferved
before, that Heimdaller was the Watchman of
^he Gods.

( 170)

SKADA.

Lok ! thy tongue will never fail ;
•l-Sporting with a wanton tail.
On a bleak rock's craggy fleep,
Where froft winds ftormy vigils keep.
Thee, vindi6live Gods (hall bind.
With cords of ftrong intefline kind,

Tho' on a bleak rock's craggy fleep,
Where frofl: winds ftormy vigils keep,
Gods vindidlivc me may bind.
With cords of ftrong intefline kind :
Yet know, I fcnt with this right hand,
Thy hoary lire to Hela's flrand-

t *' Sporting with, &c." — ^This if fimile taken
from a dog, who wags his tail when he is pleafed.
Lok in like manner^ was pleafed with the opppr-
tunlty he thei^ had of abufing the Gods.

( 171 )
SKADA.

Tho' thou fent'ft to Hela's ftrand,
Thiaz with accurfed hand ;
Yet from my halls and rich domain,
' A temped on thy head (hall rain.

LOK.

Kinder fpeeches from thy tongue;,
SoothM the ears of Lofeyia's fon ;
When thou heardi'ft his midnight tread.
Gently Healing to thy bed.
Honeft Lok will not conceal —
If crimes exift, he mpft reveal.

Beyla coming forwards, offers to Lok a cup of
fnead, and thus addreifes him :

LIII.

Xjo ! gentle Lok ! I intercede,

And pledge thee with this cup of me^d.

That fhe of all th' Afori train.

Free from thy flander may remain.

( m )

Lok drinks the mead, and anfwers,
LIV.

Not e'en thyfelf can I pafs by ;
Thy crime is infidelity :
To Elonrid's bed a rival came^
'And Lok was the intruder's name.

BEYLA.

Lo ! the mountains quake with fear !
Elorrid approaches near:
Now thy calumny fhall ceafe.
And Gods and men recover peace.

LOK.

Silence, Beyla ! Beygguer's wife !
Thou haft led a Sorcerefs life.
Monfter foul ! repudiate jade !
No more the afori race degrade.

Thor enters and fpeaks.
LVir.
Ceafe^ foul prater ! mortals' fcom !

( 173 )

High my vengeful mallet's borne :
EvVy hope of life is fled —
Soon it fmites thy guilty head !

LOK.

Son of Earth ! but late I came-^ .
Why fhould rage convulfe thy frame ?
Such vaunting words will not be fpoke.
When *tis with the wolf to cope ;
Sneakingly you'll Ikulk away.
And leave your aged fire a prey.

THOR.

Ceafe foul prater ! mortals* fcorn !
High my vengeful mallet's borne ;
Ev'ry hope of life is fled —
Soon it fmites thy guilty head !
To the Eaft I'll hurl thee then ;
Far from the cheerful haunts of men.

LOK.
To tell the Gods, what there you did.

( 174 )

Time and circumftance forbid :
How neck to heel, in narrow boundy
The pigmy Thor a refuge found.

THOR.

Ceafe, foul prater ! mortals* fcorn ! •
High my vengeful mallet's borne :
EvVy hope of life is fled —
Soon it fmites thy. guilty head 1

LOK. '

Altho* thy mallet me deftroy,
You a banquet will enjoy :
Thongs of Saehrimner once you eat.
And thought them a delicious treat :
Starving then, enforc'd you faid.
Fighting valor muft be fed.

THOR.

Ceafe, foul prater ! mortals' fcorn !
High my vengeful mallet's borne :

( 175 )

EvVy hope of life is fled-—
Lo ! it fmites thy guilty head !
Then to Hela thee FU fend.
In prifon there thy days to end.

LOK.

I, the truth with fearless tongue,
To Afi and Alfori fujig :
To thee, great Thor ! alone I yield —
Fierce in the enfanguin*d field.

Ager made a feaft this night ;
But never more fhall gueft invite :
Flames his-manfion Ihall furround.
And creeping up his back be found.

Lok^ after this> took the form of a falmon> and
plunged into the catarad of Franangrenfis. There
they took, and bound him with the intellines of
his fon Narcr: but his other fon, Nafier, wai
turned into a wolf. Skada brought a fnake, and
fufpended it over the face of Lok^ that the venom

( 176)

might drop on him. Sigync, the wife of Lofe,
caught the venom in a bowl -, and when it was
full^ carried it oat: in the mean time it fell upon
Lok. Then he was feized with a great tremor,
by which the whole earth was fhaken ^ that to
this day, is called an Earthquake.

THJE

ODE OP THYRM,

OR

RECOVERY of the MALLET,

M

^n^H^u^ ' ; ■ alU ! l ■ ll 7tmt^n r<^n^q ^ ^^MMUf»^

( 179)

TH£

ODE OF THRYM, &c.

r. I.

Thor upriiing from his bed.
Finds his trufty mallet fled !
Stormy pafEon rends his foul ;
Fierce his fla(hing eye-balls roll ;
From his heaving breail uprear'd,
Gufly whirlwinds fhake his beard ;
With bootlefs fearch he gropes around ;
Then fmites his head and ftamps the ground.

Furioufly his voice be lift* ;
Rocks refound and mountain clifts :
Haften, Lok ! behold a crime.
Yet uncatalogued in tiMe !

( 180 )

Witnefs earth and heaven my wrong !
The God is fpoil'd — the mallet gone.

III.

They on bufieft fearch intent.
Their fteps to Freya's dwelling bent.
Freya ! fwift for Lok prepare,
Wings to cut the liquid air !
To find my mallet — ev'ry fliore.
And ikies, and Teas fhall he explore.

FREYA.

Tho' form'd of filver were their mould.
And ev'ry feather tipt with gold ;
Yet the rich boon I'd not deny.
To bring to light fuch yillany.
Lok boyant in the purple Iky,
Shakes his founding pinions bigh^
O'er Afori climes he fails,
Favor'd by propitious gales ;
The Afi fcarce his track defcry,
Loft in the dubious difiant iky :

( 181 )

Nor does he, till thofe lands in fight
Where giants wander, check his flight.

V.

Thrim, Thurfori Lord, was now
High feated on a mountain brow :
He caird his dogs in pairs around ;
Their necks in golden leafties bound ;
And, recent from the dufty plain.
Composed each flying courfer's main.

THRYM.

Lok ! what meflSge doft thou bring,
From Afi on impetuous wing,
(The chief begun) that thus alone.
Thy face is to the Jotni fliown ?

I.OK.

Woes the Afi race betide !
Alfi fons have loft their pride !
Haft thou, chief, the mallet hid^
Late poflTefsM by Elorrid ?

( 182 )

THRYM.

I the hateful mallet hid^
Late poflefs'd by Elorrid,
Low in dreary caves profound.
Eight miles underneath the ground :
He the mallet fhall retrieve.
That Frcya's hand to me fhall give.

IX.

Lok mounting boyant in the Iky,
Shook his founding pinions high :
The lands be left where giants roam^
And quickly reached bis diftant honte.
Thor be met, in thought profound.
Pacing flow bis balls around :
Anxious doubts the chief oppreft.
Who, thus his words to Lok addreft.

THOR.

Lok! in language brief exprefs.
What thy laborsr^whftt fiiccelb.

( 183 )

Ere repaft or bawl regale.
Tell thy long expe<Slcd tale.
Me forloro and ill at eafe.
Legends long have ceas'd to pleafc :
Thor, repofing on his bed,
Has long oiUiope^ fpare diet fed.

LOK.

I the hateful thief have found !

*Tis hid eight miles beneath the ground ;

He the mallet fhall retrieve.

Who to Thrym ihall Freya give.

To beauteous Freya foon they brought.
Tidings with no joyance fraught.
Thor commands the unwilling fair
Nuptial garments to prepare :
Together we, the hero cry'd,
Mufi to the Jotni regions ride.

XIII.

Paffion in Freya'« check glowM hot ;

( 184 )

Cold tremors thro' her bofom (hot :
To her wan eye, the tidings threw
On all things round a faddening hue:
The heaving bracelet on her breaft
The forrows of her foul confefi.
But yet, flie cries, I'll not i^fufe
Man's beft privilege to ufe ;
Conferrt with you to go, I give.
To confines where the Jotni live,

XIV.

The Afi and Afiniae ftate.
Were now conven'd in clofe debate ;
How they to Elorrid might reftore.
The mallet he poflefs'd of yore.

XV.

HeimdaHer, wife Afori fon,
Firft the high confult begun :
(Ofttimes he the mifts withdrew
That hid futurity from view,)
Let us, he cries, the chief adorn,
With that bright veil at nuptials borne ;

( 185 )

Whofe hyacinthine glories {hine^
Emblem of blufhing love divine.

XVI.

Keys from his girdle let him wear.
Symbolic of domeflic care :
A virgin's mantle round him throw.
That loofe in fwecping folds may iiovv :
Let golden ring^ his hands adorn^
And round bis head a wreath be worn.

XVlh

Quickly Thor objedlion fram'd—
I (hall a puling girl be nam*d
By Afi fons ; if round my head
This Hyacinthine veil be fpread.

XVIII.

Care not for that, Loveya's fon !.
Lok, in quick reply begun ;
Know th' Afgardi fons fhall reign,
If thou thy arms doft not regain !

(186)

XIX.

Thor then with nuptial tire was crowned :

Low fwept his pall along the ground :

In emblematic order fhone,

The keys fufpended from his zone :

Rings upon his hand he bore^

And round his bead a garland wore.

XX.

I too in female garb array'd,
Lok cry'd, will imitate thy maid :
Thus we'll to the Jotni ride.
Nymph and fervant^ fide by fide.

XXI. .

Quickly to their goats they flew.
And round the fhining harnefs threw.
The gilded chariot, form'd for fpeed.
Soon confefs'd tb' immortal breed.
Rocks, as they purfu'd their way,
Difiblv'd ia imokiog clouds away j

(187)

And as their flying ileps rebound^
Lambent radiance fired the ground :
Nor was their untam'd fury fpent.
Till Thor to th' Jotni went.

XXIL

Thurlbri i dynafts of this fphere !
(Thor began approaching near^)
Strew around each fragrant flower- !
Quick prepare the nuptial bower J *
Freya from Niprder fprung.
Whom Noathuna calls her fon^
Comes to grace your cbieftain^s bed-
Hafle the wading banquet fpread i

THRYM.

Flocks of no ignoble breed,
I in my rich paftures feed :
•Oxen too with jetty hide.
Daily my repafts provide:
Emerals of liquid green,
Xn my cabinets are feen :

( 188 )

Pearls and jewels there abound
That might a Goddefs form furround.
All I want is Freya's charms.
And Freya foon (hall blefs my arms.

XXIV.

Ere ether glow'd with weftern red.
Fair the rich repaft was fpread.
Thor cat daintily and fpare —
Eight falmon and an ox his (hare.
For courfer food he wifely deem'd,
III the fairer fex befeem'd.
Elorrid too his thirft repreft ;
With but three moderate flaggons blcft, •

XXV.

Chieftains ! who this board furround,
(Thrym exclaim'd) thefe deeds confound ;
For never did a bridegroom fee.
His fair one eat fo greedily.
Such appetite, in maid or wife,
I never wituefs'd in my life..

( 189 )

Never were fuch draughts of mead
Before, to maiden's fhare decreed.

XXVI.

Thefe words the two impoftors ftiock ;
Up rofe the waiting woman Lok,
And rack'd her fancy to devife
Some fpeech to footh the chief's furprife.
Eight nights, fhe cry'd, we've polled here.
Nor tafted hofpitable cheer :
So great was Freya's wifh to fee
The Jotni fons, and fup with thee.

XXVII.

Thrim fmil'd, and am'roufly inclin'd,
Threw the veil of Thor behind ;.
Then ftarting fideways from his feat.
Affrighted, made a fwift retreat.
Freya ! he cries, ah ! tell me why
Thou look'ft at me fo furioufly :
For verily thine eye-balls ftarc
With moft terrific fiery glare.

( 19*)

And in default of dower and rings^
More furioufly his mallet fwings.
His veng'ancc o*er — and weapon won.
Home retum'd Loveya's fon.

THE

SONG

OF THE

RAVENS.

N

( igs )

SONG

OP THB

RAVENS.

Odin's *ftrength may never fail 5
Afori ftill in wit prevail ;
Vani fons be counted wife ;
Fates may weave the Deftinies ;
'f'Dryas calamities increaie ;
Woes of mortals never ceafe ;
Peace by :}:Thurfi be witbfiood ;
Nymphs imbrue their bands in blood.

♦ '* Odin's ftrengtb," — Perhaps the meaning of
diis verfe is^ that the powers and virtues which are
attributed to Odin and the reft, availed nothing in
the calamity which then threatened the Afi flate.

f Diyas, a bibulous gigantic woman, by whom
the Heavens are fappofed to be prefigured.

t Thurfi, the Geloni.

i i Mmiiiiiii ii iB i i

( 196)

II.

Forth is iflu'd the decree,
*Evil days fhall Afi fee !
Potentates 'gainft them fhall league
Skiird in every dark intrigue.
•f-Odraelis ever fafe remains.
While Urda guards the facred plains ;
To inveftigate their doom.
In vain the fons of Afi come.

III.

Now they turn the intentful mind.
Other oracles to find ;
But angry Gods their v^roes increafe^
And bid each lucid vifion ceafe.

* " ]^vil days," — ^The Afi were fenfible that fomc
great calamity was about to befall them; but what
it was, or by what remedy it might be averted,
they Were entirely ignorant. It is fuppofed to be
the death of Balder.

f Odraefis, was the vafe in which the liquor of
wifdom was contained. All approach to this was
prohibited by Urda, who was appointed to this
ftation by certain fuperior Gods hollile to the Afi.

{W )

:J:Thrainer's words bewildered fcem.
Like the maniac's mid-day dream :
:}:Dainer's fhrincs their fecrcts tell.
Deep involv'd in myftic fpell.

IV.

*Duergi fons, bqneath heavens cope.
Sometimes lift their hands in hope ;
Again their fruitlefs toil bewail ;
Down fink their hands — ^their fpirits fail.
Thofe whom the mountain clifts delight.
Where fwift •f'Ginnunger wheels his flight.
All pale behold the heavens above
In direful trepidation piove.

X Thrainer and Dainer^ two oracles.

* Duergi, the Dwarfs who fuftained the heavens.
Their names were North, Eaft, Weft, and South.
They are reprefented as fcarce able to fuftain the
weight of the falling Heavens.

Atlas er ipfe laboratl
Vixque fuis humeris candentem fuftinet axem.

Ovip,
t Crinnunger, the Hawk.

jn^m^g^g^n^

nT3!"-"» ■

( 198 )

4: Alfuither leaves the track of day.
And fpre^ds tbro' ether wild difmay.

Nations feel the earthquake's force :
The fun maintains no equal courfe :
Storms, wide wafting thro' the air.
Their rage on plains and mountains bear.
Men aghaft in vain enquire.
Whence the iterated ire ?
Truths oracular fubfide
*In limpid Mimer's angry tide :
When ? — or where ? — no mortal eye
Can read the coming deftiny.

X Alfuither, one of the horfes of the Sun.
Utque labant curvae jufto fine pondere naves^
Pcrque mare inftabiles nimi^ levitate feruntnr 5
Sic onere afiueto vacuos dat in aera faltus^
Succutiturque alt^ j fimilifque eft carrus inani.
Quod fimul ac fenll&re, ruunt^ tritumquc relinquunt
Quadrijagi fpatium : nee quo prius^ ordine currunt.

Otid.

♦ '' In limpid, &c. — ^At this fount dwdt an
oracle^ whom the Gods ufed to confult.

( 199 )

VI.

The Goddefs from Afori fprung.
Gifted . with prophetic tongue ; —
She who her behefts oft made
Beneath the •f'dew-diftilling Ihade,
Long to fojourn is decreed.
In vales that down to Hela lead.
Ivaldi fons in fcorn maintain
$Iduna Icaft of all her train.

t '' Dew-diftilling fhade,— The Afli of Yggdrafil.

% Iduna, not the wife of Brag> but of the nation
of the Afori. Some think that this is the fame
with Volva in the defcent of Odin, in fpite of a
few difficulties which attend this fuppofition. In
one Ode the prophetefs is reprefented as wandering
about clothed with the fkin of a wolf, and maintain-
ing a determinate filence^ in the other, ihe is
reprefented as dead and in her grave 5 but being
raifed by the power of necromancy anfwering
every queltion which is propofed to her. To clear
pp thefe difficulties, fome have fuppofed that the
power of Odin was greater than that of Heimdaller,
and that might be the occaiion of her fpeaking in
one inftance and not in another ; and with refped
to the difTerencc of her fituation in the two odes ;

( MO )

VII.

There in hateful durance pent^
In vain fhe mourns her dire deicent :
Doom'd in thofe fhades no joys to find
AiTuafiv^ of her troubled mind.
A different fate fhe once had known,
When gay the flar of fortune fhone : .
The joylefs Nymph is doom'd to pine
Aflbciate now with Norver's line.

VIII.

Warrior Gods the maiden fee
Prey to deep defpondency :
Around her limbs they caufe to float
In wolf-like fhow a fhaggy coat :
Her mind is fafhion'd to her lot.
And ev'ry pafl delight forgot.

they fay> that poffibly fome mutilations might have
taken placc^ which would have cleared up this
objedion. If this and the following Ode are con-
nefted together, the death of Balder muft have
been the circumHance which threw the Afi in^o
fuch alarm.

( >201 )

IX.

*Lo ! from that river's fertile fide,
Whofe waves o'er golden fhallows glide^
'f'Vidrir intent to know the fate
Sufpended o'er the Afi ftate.
Bids :{;Bifrasf s chief in compafs brief^
Hafte and bring the quick relief.
Brag and Lok without delay^
He takes companions of his way. !

The chief and his attendants near.
Where high the myftic towers appear^
Soft melodious accents pour
To the fage prefiding power.
In * Hidikialfa's lofty dome^

* *' Lo ! from that river's;*— Gioll.

f ViDRiR. — A name of Odin fignifying fagacions,

X " Bifraft's chief."— .Heimdaller.

* HiDSKiALFA. — A palace of Odin : its name
£gnified the terror of nations^ becaufe he thence
beheld eveiy thbg that was tranfaded in the
world.

i

( 202 )

-^Odin liftens as they come :

Secrecy he beft approves.

And far each prying eye removes,

XL

Heimdaller, eloquent and wife.
Thus began the myfteries : —
Of all the lylvan Gods that rove.
The hill, the fountain, and the grove ;
Of each belov'd aflbciate here.
Beneath this dark infernal fphere ;
Say, can'ft thou the hour declare.
When they leave the vital air ?
What accidents their life attend ? ,
And what their mortal courfe Ihall end ?

XII.

Oft the maiden they invoke ; —
No word oracular (he fpoke :

f Odin, — ^Wifhed to fee aqd hear what wa»
going on between Heimdaller and the Sorcerefs,
and therefore fends the Monoheroes to a dlftance^
that they might not diflrad his attention,

( 203 )

A fecrct grief her eye reveal'd.

While motionlefs htt lips were feard*

The Gods in vain attempt to hide

The big drops down their cheeks tl^&t glide t

O'er-moiftenM hands at length difplay

What ftreams of anguiih urge their wa^.

XIII.

As when from oriental fkies^
Where Elivagi dreams arife.
The thorny wand^ with giant might,
Js brandifli'd o'er the realms of night :
(That wand with which the drowfy Go4
Subdjies the nations to his nod,
When in his (hadowy car he rides,
And o'er wild phantom'd dreams prefides.)

XIV.

Then mortals fink fupine to reft.
By unfeen opiate charm opprefsM ;
The nervelefs arm inaflive lies,
And daily vigor nightly dips .

( ^4 )

♦Even wakeful Gods its power feel.
And half fubdu'd inconicious reel.
Thus Dainer bids the waod of fleep
Nightly o'er the nations fweep :
The dizzy whirlings of his head
On all things round a torpor fpread,

XV.

In fullen^ lilent^ abje6l mood^

As ilruck by him Joruna fiood :

The Gods in movelefs^ firange furprife.

In vain expected her replies.

More ardent yet her words they (ought ;-

Again repulfe frefh Ibrrows brought :

Till vows and tears at laft they find

Too weak to n^ove her fiedfaft mind.

* "Even wakeful Gods." — ^Heimdaller is here
particularly meant, who was the mofl vigilant of
the Gddg. Homer alfo had his wakefxd hero.

( 205 •)

XVI.

Then he who founds the :}:vocaI horn
In Odin's halls, at early, morn —
He, the embafly who bore,
TurnM hii fteps nor queftion'd more.
*NaIa's fon with fpeed he took.
And fad, Joruna's (brines forfook.
'f'The bard celeftial ftaid behind,
In hopes fome favoring hour to find. .

XVII.

The chiefe of Vidar thro* the Ikies

Were borne where j;Vingoirs towers arife j

X " Vocal horn."— This was given to Helmdaller
by Odin.

* Nala. — She was the mother of Lok.

t'* The bard cdcftial.*'— Brag, who is celebrated
for his poetical talents in the fecond ode.

X ViNOOLF.— The manfion of love and convivi-
ality^ facred to the GoddeiTes; and the abode of
the juil after death.

(•206 )

♦ The winds of Forniot urgM their flighty
Before the rapid wheels of night.
There the Afi fons they find,
At banquet^ in bright halls reclioM.

XVIII.

f The God that holds the fcales of right.
And quails nedarean bowls each night —
May he, they cried, fecure maintain .
The fceptre of his guiltlefs reign ;
Long may the Gods bis prailes tell.
Beneath his aufpices, who dwell ^
And with immortal Odin fhare
Pleafures unallyM with care.

* '* While wings of Forniot."— The f<m of this
being preiided over the winds. It has been fup-
pofed that Heimdaller and Lok» in their retora,
took the form of ravens for the fakeof fpecd,
and that hence is derived the title of this ode.

t^'The God."— Odin,

(2d7)

XIX.

*Baulvcrkcr llationM cv'iy giicft
That round the immortal banquet prelsM.
FamM Saehrimner was the treat —
The food that Gods delight to eat.
In :[:Mimer's bowls Skogula bore
Brilk mctheglin brimming o'er.

XX.

The banquet done — the immortals grow
Impatient their fuccefs to know :
Grods around Heimdaller prefs —

♦ Baulverker. — Odin, who prefided at the
feaft i its literal meaniDg i8> author of calamities :
bat this mufl bo underftood in a limited fenfe^ as
confined to thofe who have merited pumfhment bj
their mifcQndud^.

t MiMBR.— 'A name of Odin^ derived from
ffti/xcojxoi; becaufe of his dexterity in changing
himfelf into any form. The poiTeifion of the bowls
is rightly attributed to him who was the mailer of
Ihefeaft.

( 208 )

*Lok, the Goddeiles addreis.
Tell us, they cried, what wood'rous thing
From the prophetic in»d you bring.
While (hades of night extend their reign
Over the wide etherial plain.

XXI.

Froitleis was our tcnl they iaid ; —
Loath to anfwer was the maid.
The Grods ailonifh'd, plan again.
How beft the anfwer to obtsun.

xxn.

*Omi fpoke, and ftill profound
Held the lift'ning Gods around :
Let each he cried, this night revolve.
What feems to him the beft relblve ;

*"Lok, the Goddcflcs."— It is difficult to ac-
count why the female diYinities fhoold be partica-
larly fond of Lok, fince he was well known among
them, asthemoftmifcfaieToasand abandoned of
the Gods.

* Omi.— A name of Odin.

(209)

Night, in fable garb arrayed,
•f^Will lend to thought propitious aid :
And what to each fhall feem bed done.
Let him declare by morrow's fun.

XXIII.

On weftern hills and o'er the main.
Where :}:Rinda's mother holds her reign,
*The wolf, refrefh'd with evening dews,
Swift the God of day purfues.
Up the thoughtful heroes rofe.
And bade each other foft repofe ;
While tHrimfaxi fwiftly flies.
Where Hropter with his conibrt lies.

t '^ Will lend, Sec."— So in the Iphiginlaof
Euripides, night is called f y^f oyij.

X RiNDA, was the daughter of the Sun fpoken
of by Vafthrudnis in the firft Ode.

* '' The Wolf/— Fenrir was always fuppofcd t©
follow the Sun.

t Hrimfaxi, means froftjc-inane.
o

(210)

XXIV.

With gems adorn'd, :|:DelliDger*s Ton
Drove down the borfes of the fun :
Far off their manes in fireaky beam.
Shone o*er the plains of Mannaheim.
Now, thro' the weftem portals far.
Shot rapid the refplendeot car.

XXV.

Nymphs that mountain fummits love^
And they who Thurffian fbrefts rove.
Soft Genii of the deep and air.
And wandering Nani^ now repair
To where the A(h extends its fhade^
For deep and cool refreihment made.

XXVL

The Dynafls wake from loft repofe :
The fun in blufhing fplendor rofe. •

t Ddlinger^s Son^ Dager.

HiliWIIiliilliriMliillliiililiiiiilliiliii

BBaflBHiML.

. ( 211 )

Nighty with all her fhadowy train.
Sunk below the weftem main.
*Ulfuma*s fon with joy awakes^
And fwift his chearful clarion takes ;
From dome to dome its call reboundfl^
And each celeftial rock refounds.

* Ulfiinu*s Son, Heimdalier.

"■'""'""■'"•'^'''•'•-

. i^:^J J.^^^^

THE

SONG OP THE TRAVELLER,

OR

DESCENT OF ODIN.

iminiiinfiiifi

( 215 )

THB

SONG of the TRAVELLER, &i:.

I.

The morn was up— the blaft blew loud —

When now, their halls, the Afi croud:

*AfiniaB too the council feck,

Ever privileged to fpeak.

Death of tBalder was the theme —

His thought by day, by night his dream,

* AsiNi A^ Goddei&s> wives of the Afi.

f BOLDER, this God thought his life was in
extreme danger, and told the dreams that he had
to that efFed to the other Gods. The^r agree to
conjure away all the danger with which he was
threatened. Frigga, and Odin go through all
nature and cxad an oath from eveiy thing not to
hurt him. Odin ilill fearing that danger might
lurk fomewhere, defcends into Hela to confult a

( 216 )

II.

A phantom, pale and bleeding rofe.
Ever as be fought repofe :
Ghaflly vilions round him preil.
And fcar'd his midnight hours of reft.
The Giants croud each facred fane,
Where Goddefses prefageful reign.

famous forcerefs who lay buried there, by name
Volva/ to know if fate did indeed requiie that
Balder fhould die. In the mean time the Godg
divert themfelves in a grand afferably, and fialder
flood as a mark at which they threw darts and
Hones. But nothing injured him on account of
the oath, by which every thing was rendered
harmlefs. Lok perfonating an old woman, learnt
from Frigga, that no oath was exaded from the
Miflejtoe becaufe it appeared young and feeble.
Lok then returned to the fports, and purfuaded
Hoder who was blind, to throw a branch of
MifTdtoe at Balder, which pierced hun through
and killed him.

It would not perhaps be refining too much upon
this circumftance, to explain it as an Allegory -,
or to fuppofe that the difhirbance wrought among
the Gods by the Miffeltoe, was meant to exprefs
the oppofition which Odin's religion found from
the Druids of the Celtic Nations.

(217 )

To know the impending evil near.
Threatened by the nightly fear.

III.

The facred * oracles declare —
Balder mull for death prepare !
Afi fad the tidings hear ;
Frigga drops the impaffion'd tear .
Dignify 'd in lilent grief,
Odin feeks not fuch relief:
But deeply ponders in his mind.
Safety for his fon to find.

*" Oracles/* — There wereformerly many oracles
in Sweden^ Norway^ and Denmark. That at Upfal
feeros to have been the ndofl famous. Saxo Gram-
raaticus mentions a very noted one alfo at Delia.
Thefe differed very little from thofe of Greece and
Aiia^ except in exterior fplendor. Odin had the
power of calling up the fouls of the deceafed,
as appears from this Ode^ to know what was
tranfading in diflant countries. This feemed to
be a kind of dernier refort in cafes of great
difficulty.

( 218 )
IV.

Let us, he cry*d, forbid to fly

The ftormy powers that rule the iky ;

League with the light'nings; thunders

chain ;
And quell the uprifing, angry main :
Left, milfion'd by the powers of fate.
They in direful ambulh wait.
For Balder, Odin, thus afraid.
Peace with willing nature made.;
And every jarring element,
For once harmonioufly confent.

Still the father of the flain.
Felt a fecret dread remain ; —
Tho* nature's felf could not evade
Bonds and oaths fo &ri&ly made ;
Yet Fate, beyond his power to bind.
He knew might fome expedient find,
CcyivenM afrefli each warlike fon—

( 219 )

Again the council is begun;
Various clamors rend the hall c
Odin heard and judg'd of all.

VI.

Then, upriling from his place^
Odin — friend of human race.
Strait caprifon'd his freed —
Sleipner of etherial breed.
As down to Hela's realms he drew.
Thick the ftiadcs of darknefs grew :
The Dog of Hell, with ceafelefs bay,
Purfu'd the trav'ller on his way.

VII.

RoubM from his feaft of death, with gore,
His ihaggy limbs were crimfonM o'er :
Still round his fangs the fibres hung,
Quiv'ring on his frothy tongue.
He bark*d ! iand thro' the void profound,
Hell re-echo*d to the found.

( 220 )

VIII.

With dauntlcfs foul the hero rode ;
Safe he reached the dire abode ;
Now the facred portals preft ;
Trembling earth the God confeft !
Towards the eaft then bent his way.
Where lo>V beneath the forcerefs lay.

IX.

With magic rites the concave rung ;
Necromantic airs he fung ;
Hyperborean climates view'd ;
♦Runic rhymes around he llrewM ;

* '' Runic rhymes."— The Scalds or Bards of the
Scandinavians^ boafted a power of difhirbing the
repofe of the dead> and dragging them out of
their gloomy abodes^ by means of certain fongs
they knew how to compofe. The fame ignorance
which made poetry be regarded as fomething
fupernatural^ perfuaded themalfo> that the letters
or Runic chara6ters^ incldded in them certain
mjrfierious and magical properties. There were
letters or Runes^ to procure viaory, to prefervc

( 221 )

Deep the incantation wrought ;
Then the maid fepulchral fought.
From the hollow tomb beneath,
Volva's voice was heard to breathe !

VOLVA.

What mortal he who dares invade
The dwelling where my bones are laid ?
The fnows of ages long I've worn ;
Long the driving tempeft borne ;
Long the rains have drench'd my head ;
Long I've moulder'd with the dead.

from poifon, to relieve women in labor, to cure
bodily difeafes, to difpel evil thoughts from the
mind, to diifipate melancholy, and to foften the
feverity of a cruel miflrefs. They employed pretty
near the fame chara6ters for all thefe different pur-
pofes, but varied the order and combination of the
letters. They wrote them either from right to
left, or from top to bottom, or in form of a circle,
or contrary to the courfe of the fun. Odin there-
fore is reprefented as ufing a iiipilar expedient.

( 222 )

ODIN.

Vegtam is the invader's name,
. Sprung from fires of warlike fame*
Mortal truths will he reveal ;
Thou no work of fate conceal.
Tell me for what hero's fhade.
Yon feat with coftliefl care array 'd.
Deftin'd for whom, that radiant bed^^
Rich with golden trappings fpread,

VOLVA*

Lo ! for Balder are decreed,
Pureft bowls of honey'd mead :
Safe for him they lie conceaFd,
0*er canopy'd by yonder fhield.
Drink of Gods (hall Balder (hare ;
I Afi fbns (hall drink defpair.
More, unwilling I relate —
Leave me, mortal ! to my fate.

( 223 )

ODIN*

Sorcercfs ! obey my fpell ;
Arife and other fecretstell.
By whom (hall haplefs Balder fall^
Reft from Odin's chearful hall ?

VOLVA.

Long in fate it is decreed,
Brother fhall by brother bleed.
Eyelefs Hoder foon iball tbrow^
The unfufpeded mifleltoc :
Then fhall haplefs Balder fall.
Reft from Odin's chearful hall.
More, unwilling I relate —
Leave me^ mortal ! to my fate.

ODIN.

Longer from thy flumbers flay ;
Volva ! rife and tell me, pray —
When time fhall Hoder's guilt reveal.
What arm fhall wield the avenging fleel I

( 224 )

Who the foe of Balder flay.
And on the pile funereal lay ?

VOLVA*

Where weftern funs their circuit run.
To Odin, *Rinda bears a fon.
Ere at night he feek his bed ;
Ere in dew he bathe his head ;
Or wildly fl reaming to the air.
Trim the luxuriance of his hair ;
He fhall guilty Hoder flay.
And on the pile funereal lay.
More, unwilling I relate —
Leave me, mortal ! to my fate.

♦RiNDA.— By her Odin had Vali. After Odin
underflands that his own fon ihould revenge the
death of Balder^ he aiks no more queflions con-
cerning the main obje^ of his expedition; but
leaves every thing then to the fates. The next
thing he afked^ was meant to reveal his true cha-
rader, by way of infulting Volva, who had fuf-
fered herfelf tobe deceived by him.

( 235 )

ODIN.

Once more now^ prcfpitious fpeak^
Then my homeward way I feck.
* Who that virgin train declare.
Wailing with difhevel'd hair—
They who now with fwollen eyes.
Rend their veils with piercing cries ?
Ere the incantation ceafe.
Tell me this and take thy peace.

* " Who that virgin, &c." — An idea fecms
here to have entered into the mind of Odin,
concerning the general lamentation which fhould
take place through nature, for the recovery of Bal-
der from Hela. The dory is told thus in the £dda
of Snorro. — ^Frigga wifhed to recover Balder from
Death, and for that purpofe fent Hermod to Hela/
<o perfuade her to give him up, afluring her at the
fame time, that all the Gods had been . mofl fe-
verely afHided at his lofs. Hela told him fhe
would know whether it was true that Balder was
fo much beloved, as he had reprefented. She
required, therefore, that all things animate and
inanimate, ihould weep for his death -, and in that
cafe fhe would fend, him back to the Gods. The

( 'j^dG^y

VOLVA%

Mifls of death forfake my brow —
Regal Sire ! I know now :
In Vegtam*& borrowed fertn appears
The datelcfs guardian of the fphere*.

ODIN.

'No longer I efteena thee wife —
Maid ! in ftrength thy virtue lies.

Gods, on his return, fcnt mcffcDgcrs throughout
n\\ the world, begging of every thing to weep, in
order to deliver Balder from Hell. Then the
mefflengers returned, concluding they had efiedu-
ally performed their commiffion : but as they were
travelling along, they found in a cavern, an old;
witch, who called herfelf Thok j the mcfTengers
having befought her, that ihe would be fo good as
to fhed tears for the d^iverance of Balder; ihc
anfwered in verfes to this efFeft : — "Thok will weep
*' with dry eyes for the funeral of Balder ; let all
" things living or dead weep if they will : but let
" Hcla keep her prey ! " 1 1 was conjeAured that this
curfed witch was Lok himfclf, who never ceafed
to plague the Gods. He was the caufe that Balder
was flain *, he was alio the caufe that he could not
return to life.

( a37 )

Gigantean fons I fee,

iSprung from fuch a fource as thee.

VOLVA.

Odin ! I thy vifit fpum,
Home in triumph now return !
Again no mortal fliall prefume
To call me from my fitent tomb ;
Till Lok indignant break his chain,
*Twilight round dilaftrous reign.

• « Twilight round/'— The great twilight of the
Grods^ when the fun ihall be darkened^ the earth
be overwhelmed in the fea^ the ilar? fall from
heaven^ vapor mixed with fire arifc, and heaven
itfelf begin to flame. Then Odin attacks the
wolf, and is devoured. At that inftant, Vidar
coming forward, rends the monfter afunder. Thor
fights with the great ferpent of Midgard, and is
killed. The dog Garmer attacks Tyr, and both
die in the confiid. Lok and Heimdaller fight,
and mutually kill each other. It is thus dcfcribed
in the Volufpa — " Heimdaller Uflts up his crooked
*^ trumpet, and founds it aloud. Odin confults
*' the head of Mimer : the Afli is violently Ihaken
*' and fends forth d groan : The giant burfts his
*' irons. What is doing among the Gods ? What

( 238 )
Mulpelli their banners raife^

'• among the Genu ? The land of tlie Giants is fil-
" led with uproar 3 the deities colle6t and affemble
*' together. The dwarfs iigh and groan before the
"doors of their caverns. Oh! ye inhabitants of
" the mountains ; can you fay whether any thing
*' will yet remain in exigence ?'*

The defcription that Seneca the tragedian has
given of the end of the world, is not very different
from the preceding one 3 his words are-
Jam jam legibus obrutis
Mundo cum veniet dies
Autralis polus obruet
Quicquid per Lybiam jacct, &c.
Ar6tous polus obruet
Quicquid fubjacet axibus.
Amiffum trepidus polo
Titan excutiet diem.
Cseli regia concidens
Ortus atque obitus trahet
Atque omnes pariter Deos
Perdet mors aliqua, et Chaos
£t mors et fata noviffima
In fe conftituet fibi
Gluis mundum capiet locus ?

( 239 )
■f-And Surtur wrap the world in blaze*

t *' And Surtur wrap." — In this confufion of all
things^ tlie army of evil Genii and Giants^ conduc-
ted by Surtur^ ihall break in to attack the Gods.
He ihall fcatter fire around every where, which
{hall confume all things, and reach even to heaven.
But prefently after, a new earth fprings from the
bofom of the waves, adorned with green meadows 3
the fields there bring forth without culture j calam-
ities are there unknown ; a palace is there raifed,
more (hining than the fun, all covered with gold.
This is the palace which the jufl will inhabit, and
where they will enjoy delight for ever more. Then
the Powerful, the Valiant, He who governs
ALL THINGS, comes forth from his lofty abodes, to
render divine juftice.

THE

WISDOM

OF

A L V I S S.

ARGUMENT.

1 HIS ode appears to be written to fhew the excel-
lence of the Icelandic language^ in being able to
furnifh fuch a variety of names for every indivdual
thing. Thefe, the trapflator has been obliged to
cxprefs, in moil inftances, by a periphrafis. The
fubjed of it is a certain Dwarf, who calls himfelf
Alviss, or All-Wise, that prides himfelf iu
having feen the nine worlds, and makes a pedantic
difplay of his knowledge before Thor. He comes
^om Afgaird, to demand the daughter of Thor in
marriage. Thor acknowledges that his daughter
had been promifed to him, but refiifes to give her
pp, on account of his abfence when the agreement
was entered into, He, however, leaves the dwarf
fome hope of obtaining her, by the difplay of his
fuperior knowledge. This he did for the purpofe
of detaining the dwarf till next mornings for he
was of that fpecies of Genii who fhun the light.
At the conclufion of the difcourfe, the dwarf wa$
forced to depart without his bride, and not with^
out fome danger of his life. By this artifice Thor
feemed not to have violated the rights of hofpitality,
or to have broken his engagement 5 and the danger
to which the dwarf was expofed, could be attributed
to nothing but his own temerity.

( 1245 )

TH£

WISDOM of ALFISS.

ALVISS.

I HAVE ftrew'd each fragrant flower.

And decked with care the bridal bower :

Let tlie pljgfated virgin ^read,

The nuptial veil around her head ;

Bid her Idndred long adieu.

And back with me her way pnrfue.

Years matured and youthful power

Loud demand the bridal liour.

Fate ! forbid each rude annoy

To blaft the fpring time of our joy.

THOR.

What youth art thou approaching near,
With that pallid iook of fear ?

( 246 )

Late from climes doft thou return.
Where flames of livid fulphur burn ?
That thus, to each beholder's view.
Thou wear'ft their derivated hue.
By all ValhallaVGods I fwear.
Hence my child thou fhalt not bear !

AI/VISS.

Alvifs my name — In (hades I dwell.
Neighbouring to the fhores of Hell.
There underneath a fleep rock's fide.
In caves of darknefs, I refide.
Late thofe realms I left this night.
To wander till the morning light.
Let me not my errand rue.
Chieftain ! to thy word be true*

THOR.

Words are changeful as the wind.
And never meant a Grod to bind.
I the privilege will ufe,
AHufband for my child to chufe.

( ^7 )

When fhe was plighted to thy love,
With Gods I banquetted above.
*Dwarf, my laft refolve receive !
To thee my child I will not give.

*DwARF. — ^The Dwarfs were a fpecies of beings
bred in the dull of the earth ; jufl as worms are
in a dead carcafe. It was in the body of the
Giant Hymer that they were firft engendered, and
began to move and live. At firft they were only
worms > but by order of the Gods, they at length
partook of both human ihape and reafon. They
always dwell in fubterraneous caverns, and among
rocks.

£dda of Snokro.

This pafTage from Snorro deferves attention. We
may difcover here, one of the effeds of that igno-
rant prejudice, which has made us for fo many
ages, regard all arts and handicrafts, as the occu*
pation of mean people and flaves. Our Celtic and
Gothic anceftors, imagining there was fomething
magical, and beyond the reach of man, in me-
chanical (kill, could fcarcely believe that an able
artift was one of their own fpecies, or defcended
from the fame common origin. Let us confider
what might facilitate the entrance of fuch an idea
into their minds. There wore, perhaps, fome
neighbouring people^ who bordered upon one of

( 248 )

ALVISS.

Who is he that dares prefttino,
Thus to fix a daughter's doom ?
Can he love's fierce fires controul,
Or chafe the pafllions fi^om the foul ?

the Celtic or Gothic tribes -, and who, although
le£s warlike than themfelves^ and much inferior ia
ilrength and flature> might yet excel them in dex-
icrity : and addi6ting themfelves to coanual arts,
might carry on a commerce with them, fufficiently
exteniive to have the fame of it fpread confiderably
far. All thefe circuraftances will agree very well
with the Laplanders 5 who are ftill as famous for
their magic, as remarkable for the lownefsof their
ijtature : pacific even to a degree of cowardice 3 but
oi a mechanic indu&ry, which fbi*merly mvJX liave
appeared very coniiderable. The (lories which
were inveiited cooceming this people, pal£ag
thnxigh the mouths of fo many ignorant relaters,
would foon acquire all the degrees of the marvel-
lous, of which they were fufceptiblc. Thus, as
we fee in ancient romances, the dwarfs foon be-
came the forgers of enchanted armour, on which
neither iwords nor conjurations could make any
impreifion. They were poffefled of caverns full of
treafure» entirely at their own difpofal. As the
dwarfs were feeble and but of fmall courage, they

All, believe me^ know thy pride ;
They know thy littlenefe befide :
Where are tbe lands fpread wide and 6ir,
That own thee for their rightful heir ?

THOR.

Thor the thunderer ! lo I ftand —
I have travers'd every land :

were fuppofed to be crafty, and full of deceit and
artifice. This, which in old romances is called
Disloyalty, is the charader always given them
in thofe fabulous narrations.

Even at this time, the notion is not every where
exploded, that there arc, in the bowels of the
earth. Fairies, or a kind of dwarfiih and tiny
beings, of human ihape, remarkable for their
riches, their a^vity, and malevolence. Shak-
fpeare, availing himfelf of thefe popular notions,
made, perhaps, a creation of his own, and amufes
the worlds to this day, with the vagaries of Puck
and Oberon. In many countries of the North, the
people are ftiil firmly perfuaded of their exifieace.
In Iceland, they Ihew the very rocks and hills, in
which they maintain, that there are fwarms of
thefe fmall fubterraneous men, of the raoft tiny
iize, but moft delicate figures.

( 250 )

♦Valfander is my glorious fire !
Hence with unbleft fpeed retire.
Badly has thy errand fped — -
Thou my daughter fhalt not wed.

ALVISS.

Truth and honor both cohfpire
To make thee yield to my defire.
But tho' thy fcorn I plainly fee.
Thy Son-in-law I ftill would be,

THOR.

-J-Leamed Gueft ! I wifli to grant.
All thy ardent wifties want.
Freely I my daughter's charms.
Yield to thine expedlant arms ;
If by wifdom thou can*ft prove,

* Valfakdbb^ one of the names of Odin.

1* " Learned Gueft." — ^Thor changes his tone,
and begins to flatter him, that he might more*
eafily engage him in fome long difqniiition.

(251)

A juft pretcnfion.to her love.

Thy ftorcs of knowledge open now—

1 will queflion — ^anfwer thou.

ALVIS.

Tho' thy purpofe Thor ! I know.
The trial I will undergo,
ril unravel ev'ry maze
Malicious artifice can raife.
Skiird in myfteries profound,
1 have traveird nine worlds round !

THOR.

Alvifs, lift the veil that hides.

Where nature fecretly refides.

For gentle Dwarf ! I know thee well-

Mafter of each myftic fpell.

What nime is to that Glebe aflign'd-

The fertile nurfe of human-kind ?

M

( .252 )

ALVISS-

They, who fpring from mortal birth.
Call that glebe the parent earth :
Afi, unexhaufted wealth ;
Source of happinefs and health :
Vani, with prefageful mind,
Grave and florehoufe of mankind :
Giants, who to woods refort,
A ruflet champaign for their fport :
Alfi, born to gentler doom,
Treafury of vernal bloom :
Gods, whom heaven and earth obey^
Call it by the name of clay.

THOR.

Alvis ! lift the veil that hides.

Where nature fecretly refidcs :

For gentle Dwarf I I know thee well,

Mafter of each myftic fpell.

What titles do the heavens receive,

'neath which the race of mortals live ?

( 253 )

ALVISS.

Mortals call the heavens on high
The blue pavilion of the Iky :
Gods above, the exterior rind,
Form'd the kernel earth to bind :
The heavens, Vani, call the fource.
Whence fweep the whirlwinds angry

courfe :
Giants, who in war delight.
The plain where Gods contending fight :
Alfi, with domes emblazon'd high.
The ftarry cieling of the Iky :
Duergi Ions the concave view.
And call it parent of the dew.

THOR.

Alvifs ! lift the veil that hides
Where nature fecretly refides :
For, gentle Dwarf, I know thee well—
Mailer of each myiiic IpelU

( 254 )

What names denote the Queen of night.
That guides the lone heath-wanderer right,

ALVISS.

Mortals call that orb of light,
Friendly vifitant of night ;
They who o'er the heavens prefidc^
Ruler of the fwelling tide :
Who in (hades of Hela lie.
The wandering lifter of the Iky :
Giants hail the moon afar.
Swift meflenger from ftar to flar r
Nani, call her milder ray,
Handmaid to the God of day :
Alfi, name the changeful fphere.
Regulator of the year.

THOR.

Alvifs ! lift the veil that hides,
Where nature fecretly refides:
Tell me, gentle Dwarf} the name.
Borne by yon daily wandering flame.

( 255 )

ALVISS.

Sun by thofe the nations rove :
Star of day by Gods above :
Pygmies, the folar regent call,
*The fiery petrifying ball :
Giants, the fountain ever bright.
Of unexhaufted heat and light :
Alfi ions, the elherial car
That fends its bickering radiance far •
Afori, fplendid God of Fire,
Whofc roving footftcps never tire.

THOR.

Alvifs ! lift the veil that hides^
Where nature fecretly refides :
Tell me what names the clouds denote.
That widely o'er the nations float.

* '' The fiery;'— The Duergi or Pygmies were
a nation of Genii who ihunnedthe light; and it
was anciently believed, that if ever they were ex-
pofed to the rays of the txxa, they would be turned
into fione.

( 256 )

ALVISS.

Men, call the clouds that fail on high,
The fertile (hadowings of the fky :
Gods, whom indignation warms.
The flying magazine of ftorms :
Vani, wife in myftic things.
Chariots of contending winds :
Giants, call the cloudy train.
Omens of defcending rain :
Alfi fons, lince time began.
Stormy vifiters of man :
The Hela race, who dread the light.
Call them the friendly veils of night.

THOR.

Alvifs ! lift the veil that hides.
Where nature fecretly refides:
Tell me what names denote the wind,
That fweeps unfeen o'er humankind.

ALVISS.

Men call the winds o'er earth that fly.
Contending brethren of the flcy :

{257 )

Gods, who on their bofom glide.
Name them their foft ethcrial tide :
Leiler deities, who rove
By hill, by fountain, or by grove.
And love the gentle pure ferene.
Call them the noify fons of fpleen :
Giants, when they thunder by.
Name them the clarions of the iky :
Duergi, view a wreathing fnake.
When eddying gufts a whirlwind make.

THOB.

Alvifs ! lift the veil that hides.
Where nature fecretly refides.
What are the names that ocean bore^
Since man adventurous ploughed it o*er ?

ALVISS.

Man, who within its bofom pries.
Calls it the *mirror of the flues :

» '' Mirror of the Ikies ."—
Nupcr me in littore vidi

Qaam

( 258 )

Gods^ that thro' all nature view.
The eternal fource of rain and dew :
Vani, the vagrant of the (horcs,
MeandVing thro' a thoufand pores :
Giants^ the ilormy ocean make^
The wide dominions of -f^he fnake :
Alfi^ name the ocean bed^
Source of ev'ry fountain head :
Duergi fons, who o'er it fweep.
Call it the unfathomable deep.

THOR.

Alvifs ! lift the veil that hides,
Where nature fecretly refides :
The names of Fire now recite.
That cheers the gloomy brow of night.

Quum placidum vcntis ftarct mare.

ViBOIL.

Theocritus.
t " Of the fhake.'VThc fcrpentof Midgard.

( 259 )

ALVISS.

Mortals know it by the name

Of fouUinvigorating flame :

Alfi, call the glowing hearth.

Centre of convivial mirth:

Vani fons, the latent tide.

That flows thro' all creation wide :

Giants, the unconquerable power,

Doom'd creation to devour :

Duergi fons, a prifoner mild,

3ut freed from chains, a maniac wiM;

Hela, the tyrant of a day.

Ruling with refiftlefs fway.

THOR.

Alvifs ! lifl: the veil that hides.
Where nature fecretly refides:
Tell me what names to woods belong,
Refounding oft with vocal fong ?

ALVISS.

Men call the wild impervions wood,
The empire of the fhaggy brood :

( 26o )

Heroes of ccleftial birth.
The briftles of the monfler earth :
The infernal train that Hela fills.
The unfhorn honors of the hills :
Giants call each woodland maze.
Food of all-confuming blaze :
Alfi, nymphs whofe fpreading arms.
Shine annually with vernal charms :
Vani, call the cloud-capt pine,
Wand of potentates divine.

THOR,

Alviis ! lift the veil that hides.
Where nature fecretly refides :
What titles-by the night are claimed.
Offspring of black Norver nam'd.

ALVISS.

Mortals proclaim the pitchy night.
Day of fanciful delight :
Gods declare the fuUen hpur.
Dewy nurfe of plant and flower :

(a6i)

Giants, call it time obfcure.
When Genii to deftrudlion lure %
Alfi, the dark myfierious womb.
Whence dreams in bright fucceilion come^
Duergi, hag, whofe myftic fwecp.
Weaves the fubtle web of IJeep.

THOR.

Alvifs ! lift the veil that hides.
Where nature fecretly refides.
Tell me what names the harveft yields.
That waves o*er bright autumnal fields.

ALVISS.

Mortals call the aufpicious grain.
Golden effluence of the plain :
Gods, that roll the circling fphere.
The laft, beft bounty of the year :
Vani, wealth, with fwcat and toil,
Extraded from the ftubbom foil :
Giants, who delight in blood.
Call the harve^, fx)urfer's food ;

( 262 )

Alfi, who at feafts regale,
Name it flamina of ale :
Duergi, call the golden leas^
Bending path-ways of the breeze,

THOR.

Alvifs ! lift the veil that hides.
Where nature fecretly refides :
Say what denotes the mantling ale.
On which the fons of earth regale ?

ALVISS,

Mortals call it liquor rare.

To foothe the fullen brow of care :

Alfi, drink of power divine.

To make the face of forix)w (hine :

Vani, call the amber bowl.

Source of vigor to the foul i

Giant fons, the potent charm.

That ftimulates to fight the arm :

Hela's race, the nobleft- meed^

That Gods to mortals have decreed :

mmoBBBm

( 263 )

Suttungi fons, the beverage praife^
And call it length'ner of days.

THOR^

Alvifs ! Tve never feen I vow,
A mortal half fo wife as thou :
But ilill thy wifdom could not fee.
The depth of my duplicity.
Hafte, Dwarf! up eaflern hills afar
Bellinger drives his glittering car.

THE

FABLE

OP

FIOLSUID.

ARGUMENT.

buiPDAGEE is a young man of an illuftrioui
family, who was deftined to marry a regal virgin,
whofc name was Menglada. But before the nup-
tials were celebrated, according to ancient cufiom,
he went to acquire glory in a warlike expedition.
In the mean time, it is probable that many ftrovc
to gain the afFedions of his midrefs ; whofe offers,
however, ihe faithfully rejcded, and whofe com-
pany Ihc avoided. She dwelt in a manfion that
was excellently defended by ftrong fortifications
without, and by pcrfons who were attached to her
within. We underfland alfo, that it was defended
by certain fires which furrounded it. Suipdager,
after long abfcnce, returns in difguife, for the
purpofe, perhaps, of trying her fidelity, about
which fome injurious reports had been raifed.
Coming to the gate, he meets with one Fiolfuid,
who was ftationed there as a guard. Fiolfuid
abufes him, and denies him entrance. Suipdager^
although ordered to depart, yet pertinacioufly re-
mains about the gate. After he had known from
Fiolfuid, that Menglada refided in the manfion,
he began to propofe queftions in an enigmatical
manner, which Fiolfuid readily anfwered. The
queflions and anfwers are at this time equally ob-
fcure. The obfciurity, however, refts in the
things themfelves, not in the words.

K.

(269)

THB

FABLE of FIOLSUID.

Before the palace gates *he (aw
The Giant forth his legions draw.
Stranger hence ! the chieftain cry'd.
To thee all entrance is deny*d :
Back thro' the marfliy plains retreat.
That hither lead thy wand'ring feet.

FIOLSUID*

What ftranger he, in tatter'd ilate,
Who loiters round this palace gate ?
Art thou a robber in difguife ?
Or mendicant that lives by lies ?
Whence thy journey, tell — ^and where—
And what thy errand here declare.

* ''Hefaw." Suipdagcr.

( 270 )

STRANGER.

What rude barbarian ftation'd here,
Thus with taunts invades my ear ;
And to a traveller dares deny.
The rights of hofpitality ?
Back with fpeed thy footfteps bend.
And (hame for this thy life attend.

FIOLSUID.

Stranger ! Fiolfuid I am namM^
For prudence I and wifdom fam'd :
On mendicants that croud this gate^
I fquander not my Lord's eftate.
Speed thee on thy deftin'd way ;
Or at thy peril. Villain ! ftay.

4

STRANGER.

Where tower's magnificent arife,
Oft the poor man turns his eyes ;
" Lord of this wealth/' he cries, " ah I Why

( 271 )

*' Feaft mine eyes, and bread deny ?
" Ceafe, ceafe to fpread fo fair and wide,
" Thofe riches that my wants deride.'*
Joylefs, like him, I now behold
Thefe roofs emblazon'd high with gold.
But tho' misfortune me attend,
May'ft thou thy days in plcafure fpend.

FIOLSUID.

Unfold what names thy parents bear.
And what their lineage declare.

STRANGER.

Know Vinkaldcr is my name ;
From old Valkalder firft I came.
Should you trace my kindred higher.
You'll find Fiolkalder his fire.
Tell me, Fiolfuid ! in return.
The fecrets I would wifli to learn.
What happy potentate is heir
Of all thefe lands out-fpread fo fair.

( 272 )
FIOLSUID.

0*er all thefe widc-fpread rich domains^
Fair Menglada juftly reigns.
Her fire was Suafer — in the field
No foe with him the fpear could wield.
Thoriner calFd the Hero fon, —
Brave offspring, fix^m jufl: parent fpning.

VINDKALDER.

Say what name for her is found.
Among the nations neighboring round :
For Gods above the maiden ftile,^
Unequal'd architedl of guile.

FIOLSUID.

*When (he fpcaks, the rocks around.
Re-echo with the thunder's found.

* " When (he fpeaks."— Fiolfuid, like a faith-
ful guardian, gives a frightful defcription of
Menglada, that he might deter the flranger from
any attempt to fee her.

( 273 )

Mortals at her voice afraid^
Thrimgialla name the maid.
Solbrindcr's progeny with guile.
Around her rais'd this lofty pile*
What bold advent' rer fhall prefume.
To free her from her prifon gloom.
Shall to the wild winds vainly groan,
Fix'd as in cverlafting ftbne.

.VINDKALDER.

Say, what name denotes that pile,
Whofe mazy lab'rinths Gods beguile.

FIOLSUID.

That boufe, Gaftropner, mortals name,
A ftru6lure of immortal fame :
I the towers built ftrong and high.
And bade them time and fiorm defy.

VINDKALDER.
When the hoftile giant train,
Vanquifh'd, left the enlanguin'd plain ;

( 274 )

Say, what titles were affign'd.
To the fierce dogs they left behind ;
That in the fields their vigils hold.
And night and day proted the fold,

FIOLSUID.

One purfu'd his prey with fpeed.
And Gifer was tbc name decreed :
The other was in combat brave.
And man the title, Gerer, gave.
Along the winding vales they go.
And keep at diftance evVy foe :
Eleven folds by night and day.
They watch, till Gods the guardians fiay,

VINDKALDER.

Say, if mortal can evade.

The hoflile dogs in flumber laid.

FIOLSUID.

By turns the wary guardians fleep ,
By turns' their wakeful vigils keep.

( 275 )

Their cuftom this, fince firft at large.
They rov'd about the eleven-fold charge.
Thus none their notice can elude.
Or in their precindls fafe intrude.

VINDKALDER.

Defended by what potent charm.
May one approach fecure from harm ;
And whilft to hunger, watching yields,
Rufh into thofe forbidden fields ?

FIOLSUID,

Shook by the blaft, defcends the fruit,
In clufters round the antique root
Of yonder tree — the only charm.
That can the monfters rage difarm :
Tempt them with this lufcious treat,
Forgetful of their charge, they eat.

VINDKALDER.

Say, what names denote that tree,
Of umbrofe prodigality ;

( 276 )

That o*cr all lands where men refide^
Extends its verdant branches wide ?

FIOLSUID.

Whence arife its roots below.
Few there are pretend to know.
'Tis Tree of Emulation nam*d^
And widely thro* the nations fam'd.
Its boughs no tempefl can annoy.
Nor fire burn, nor ileel defiroy.

VINDKALDER.

Shall the vigor of this tree.
Survive thro* all eternity ?
Since ftorms can work it no annoy.
Nor fire burn, nor fteel dcftroy.

FIOLSUID.

Fruit of this tree, prepared with heat.
Let each pregnant woman eat ;
So fhall the embryo of her womb.
Safe to infantine vigor come.

( ^77 )

Prudent mortals may not cbule,
But largdy of this fruit to uft.

VINDKALDER.

Perch'd on yon lofty top branch high,
What Cock is that falutcs my eye ?
His ftation fafe he feems to hold ;
And all his feathers (hine with gold.

FIOLSUID.

Vidofner is the name they give —
His plumes the morning gales receive ;
Then bright he fliines midft orient beams^
And faireft bird of nature feems.
Far ofl his echoing notes refound ;
But fcatter mifery around :
His ruffled plumes with luftre fliine.
But all their influence is malign.
Dark author^ he, of many a groan^
Eats his dire repafl alone.

( 278 )

VINDKALDER.

Say, could one hope, by force or art.
To reach Vidofner with a dart ?
And thus with retribution meet.
Bring him from his direful feat.

FIOLSUID.

Hevatein is an arrow's nam^.
That never difappoints the aim.
Loptcr endu'd it with that fpell.
Where prifon'd ghofts in darknefs dwell.
A brazen vafe the reed contains.
Where iron handed Sinmor reigns :
There nine times is it circled round.
With barriers in the abyfs profound.

VINDKALDER.

Is fafe return for him decreed.
Who boldly ventures for this reed ?

FIOLSUID.
Safe return for him's decreed.
Who boldly ventures for the reed ;

( 279 )

If Genii of the *lucicl clay.
He take companions of his way.

VINDKALDER.

Does mortal man the power hold.
By force of diamond or gold,
Safe to the drear abode to prefi,
And bribe the lurid Giantefs ?

FIOLSUID,

•f-A fliining blade, you'll find beneath,
Vidofner*s wings — that fafely iheath,
And bear it to thofe martial plains.
Where iron handed Sinmor reigns,
Arm'd with this he'll boldly dare,
The dorm of battle to prepare.

VINDKALDER.

What does man yon manfion name.
Surrounded by protecting flame ?

* '' Ludd. clay."— The Earth,
t '' A fhining blade/*— A Feather.

( 280 )
FIOLSUID.

Becaufe its high dome like a fiar^

Shoots its lucid radiance far ;

Mortals thence derive its name.

And call the manlion, House op Flame.

As on a faulchion's point fet faft^

It moves to to ev'ry random blaft.

This fabric, tott'ring to its bafe.

Is heritage of human race.

VINDKALDER.

What walls arc thofe within that fhine.
As founded by fome power divine ?

FIOLSUID.

*0n them arc fculptur*d many a name^
With Lok's, the Imp of fubtle fame.

^ '' On tfaeiii^iDcJ^-*Tbe names are Urn, Iri>
Barri^ Ori, Varns, Vegdralil, Deni, Uri, Bellin-
ger, Atvarder. Thefe are fuppofed to be the
names of certain dwarfs; and each wall to be built
by the individual whofe name it bears.

( ^81 )

VINDKALDER.

What is that rock whofe craggy head.
Bends incumbent o'er its bed ;
While on its lofty top I trace,
A virgin form of goodliefl grace ?

FIOLSUID.
The Rock of Pleasure is the name
Thofe rude majeftic fummits claim.
There round the convalefcent's brow.
Gales fatubrious ever blow •
The figh of anguifli never there,
Rends the pure elaftic air.
Happy ! thrice happy ! is her lot,
Who gains that life infpiring fpot :
For pain, and malady, and care.
It med'cines from each fufTring fair.

VINDKALDER.
What names denote that virgin croud,
Whofe fongs iymphonious echo loud ;
As feated at Menglada's knees.
They charm the Genii of the breeze ?

( 282 )
FIOLSUID.

♦Thcfirft that's feen with Goddcfs face.
Is guardian of the etherial race :
The next the giant brood defends :
The third o'er man her care extends :
The fourth all learning's (lores combines :
The fifth in milder virtue fhines :
Graces fupreme the fixth adorn :
The feventh is fair as vernal mom :
The eighth each healing flow'ret knows.
On plain or mountain brow that grows :
The ninth fair nymph aflumes the part
Of Guardian to each liberal art.

* « The firft, &c.-— Thefe are the nine mufes of
the northern nations. Sir W. Jones informs us
that the Afiatics alfo have their nine Gopia" or'
Mufes. This is one among the many circura-
flances which leads one to fufpe6t, that the Mytho-
logy of the heathens originated, at firfl, from one
and the fame fource. The names of the Northern
Mufes are Hlif, Hlif-durfa, Theodrarta, Beort,
Blith, Blithur, Frith, Eir, and Aurboda.

< 283 )

VINDKALDER. ,

Will the nymphs their vot'ries aid—
Thofe by whom due rites are paid ?

FIOLSUID.

Never to thofe of mortal birth.
Of happinefs fo great a dearth.
As when to thefe they altars raife
Beneath the fcorching day liar's blaze.
Each votVy at their cruel fhrine.
Feels envy's ferpents round him twine.

VINDKALDER.

Is it given to mortal arms.

To embrace Menglada's matchlefs charms.

FIOLSUID.

Deftined for Suipdager alone
Long the maiden's charms has (hone
In radiance like the ftar, whofe light
Chears the fuUen brow of night.

( 264 )

VINDKALDER.

Lift the mafly barriers high !
Bid the portals open fly !
Beauty is the glorious meed.
By Gods, to Suipdager decreed !
Menglada will not difapprove
The offer of my deftin'd love.

FIOLSUID.

Hear, Menglada ! to this fphere,
From diftant lands a man draws near.
Dogs, as he approach the gate,
The welcome gueft congratulate.
The doors tbemfelves wide open fly :
'Tis Suipdager that paflfes by.

MENGLADA.

Where the vafl: Portico's arife.
Let ravens gorge upon thine eyes ;
If falfely, from a diflant land,
Thou fay'st my Lover ' feeks my hand.

( 285 )

MBNGLADA.

On what journey art thou bent ?
Thee what motive hither fent ?
Tell me what thy parents names ;
What nation thy prote6tion claims ;
And all thy pedigree explain^
Ere my hand thou hope to gain.

VINDKALDER.

Suipdager fpeaks at thy defire —

Solibarter was my lire.

Far from my home beat to and fro,

I've wander'd long where froft winds blow.

The power of *the fatal maid.

No earth-born fufFerer can evade :

Not lightly I the power arraign.

That taught me firft to tafte of pain.

MENGLADA.

My ev'ry wifli Fve now attained,

* '^ The fatal maid."— A pcrfonification of fate.

( 286 )

In fafcty Suipdager Fvc gained.
May GxkIs propitious thee defend^
And joy thy future life attend.
If ever I have pleafure felt —
(A boon to me but rarely dealt,)
'Tis now to fee my lover's face.
And clafp him in my warm embrace.

Oftimes, companioned with defpair,
Fve outwatch'd the midnight Bear ;
At ev'ry found that fmote my ear,
Hope falfely whifper'd, thou wert near.
Oftimes by day exalted high,
I've caft around the wiftful eye :
For thee, feen funs fucceffive rife.
And chas'd them to the weftem Ikies.

I too long time have fought thy charms —
Now hafte thee to thy lover's arms.
Adverfe fate no more (hall frown ;
But joy our future moments crown.

THE

SONG

OP

HYNDLA;

ARGUMENT,

In this ode, which is fometimes called the Volujpa
brevior, a certain woman is introduced, foliciting
Freyia to fettle the difpiite between Ottar and
Angantyr, concerning their right of inheritance,
by unfolding their ancient genealogies. It happens
in this ode, as it does indeed in many of the Edda,
on account of the careleffncfs of tranfcribers, that
no proper dillin^on of perfons is preferred : there-
fore many parts are ambiguous, if not obfcure,
which belong even to the argument itfelf. For
firft it is uncertain what perfon this Freyia is, whe-
ther fhe be a Goddefs or a Mortal. Trofoeus was
of the latter opinion 3 though it is moft probable
fhe was Odin's wife. Then it may be afked, who
was Hyndla ? She was faid to dwell in a cave, and
might be, perhaps, one of the Giantefles, who
was gifted with the power of prophecy. This is
all that can be afTerted of her ; for fhe does not
appear to have been a Goddefs. Ottar is the hero
of the Ode, whofe pedigree is fo pompoufly rela-
ted y but what perfon he was, and in what con-
dition, we are not informed. It is uncertain, alfo,
whether or not he was prefent at the difpute. If
he was, it fecms to have been merely as an hearer,
under the form of a boar, left he fhould be known
by Hyndla, who feemed to have favored his rival
Angantyr. Freyia begins to fpeak —

(291 )

THE

SONG of HYNDLA.

I.

Beauteous virgin ! rife from flcep —
With me this nightly vigil keep :
*Sifl:er Hyndla ! leave thy cave.
And unexplor'd adventures brave.
Shades of night the mountains hide :
Let us two together ride.
Far off to -|-manfions of the flain.
Where Odin holds his peaceful reign.

IL

Now the nations' guardian pray
To fliine propitious on our W^y.

* Sister. — Hyndla was not the Sifter of Frcyia
who fpeaks^ but this was faid to flatter her.

t '' Manfio;is of the flain."— Valhalja.

( 292 )

'Tis he who fallen virtue lifts.

And graces with celeftial gifts*

He to mighty Hermod gave

The helm, the hauberk, and the glave

To Segmund too, when war was near,

Conlign'd the unconquerable ipear.

III.

Vidlory binds the warrior's brow,
To Odin, who performs his vow :
A different votary (ball find
Fortune to his hopes prove kind :
The God to others will impart
The gift of all-perfuafive art :
Knowledge with her fiores fhall grace,
Th^ bcnefadlors of their race :
He who o'er the ocean fails.
Shall find from him propitious gales :
To prompt the fympathetic tear.
To bid the purple tyrant fear.
And trance with joy the raviih'd mind.

( ^93 )

^Thefe to poets he affign'd :
To heroes Odin will fupply
Strength to vanquifti or to die.

* *' Thefe to Poets/'— Theorigin of Poetry being
an Allegory not altogether void of inveqtion^ it fhall
be here rdated :

AN ICELANDIC TALE.

The Gfods of the North had formed a man much
in the fame manner as the Grecian Deities are faid
to have formed Orion. This i^an was called
Kaufer. He was fo clever, that no quciHon could
be propofed which he was not able to refolve : he
traverfed the whole world teaching mankind
wifdom. But his merits exciting envy, two D warft
treacheroufly flew himj and receiving his blood
into a veflel, mixed it up with honey, and thence
compofed a liquor, which renders, all thofe who
drink of it Poets. The Gods miffing their Son,
enquired of the Dwarfs what was become of him.
The Dwarfs to extricate themfclves out of the
difficulty, replied, that Kaufer had died, fuffijcated
by his knowledge, becaufe he could not meet with
perfons to eafe and unburthen his mind to, by
propofing to him fo many learned queHions as was
neceflary to his relief. But their perfidy wau
afterward difcovered by an unexpeded accident,

( ^94 )

IV.

-j-Atihrines of Thor by me decreed.
Daily (hall the vkaim bleed.
Ceafelefs FU the God invoke,
To guard thee from the wizard's flroke,

Thefe Dwarfs having drawn upon themfelves the
refentment of a certain Giants he feized and ex-
pofed them upon a rock furrounded on all fides by
the fea. In this frightful fituation, their only

+ '' At fhrines." — ^The prevalence of facrifices
among the heathen^ is very remarkable.

Di^ quibus imperium eft pelagic quorum equoracurro^
Vobis laetus ego hoc candentem in littore taurum
Conflituam ante arras^ voti reus 3 extaque falfos
Porriciam in fiudibus &: vina liquenti^ fundam.

Virgil,

Quis non altaribus illis
Irrita thura tulit ? quoties pro conjuge conjux^
Pro nato genitor^ dum verba precantia dicit,
Non exoratis animam finivit in aris^
luque manu thuris pars inconfumpta reperta ed !
Admoti quoties templis> dum vota facerdos
Concipit^ & fundit purum inter comua vixium^ ~
Haud cxpedtato ceciderunt vulnere tauri !

Ovip.

(295 )

And ever round thy facred head.
His adamantine (hield to fpread :
*Tho' virgins of the giant train,
Such favor cannot hope to gain.

Take with expeditious hands,
The wolf that in yon flable flands ;

recourfe was to purchafe their deliverance at the
price of that divine beverage. The Giant being
fatisfied with this ranfom^ carried it home, and
delivered it to the cuftody of his daughter Gunloda :
hence poetry is indifferently, in alluiion to the fame
fable, called, " The Blood of Kaufer :" the " Beve-
rage,** or, " The ranfom of the Dwarfs, &c."

This valuable acquifition was eagerly fought
after by the Gods, but very difficult to obtain,
becaufe it was concealed tinder rocks. Odin was
neverthelefs determined to try for it, and be made
the attempt in the following manner : Transform-
ing himfelf into a worm, he glided through a
crevife into a cavern where the beverage was kept.

* '* Tho' virgins." — There was perpetual enmity
between Thor and the race of Giants.

'O tn t ;f;jt n nnn» v m »w

T^VJJliJJAMj ULA' ■ ^■■^

(296)

Let him ftrait the chariot grace,
Harnefs'd with the magic trace.
The boar too tardy will delay
Our journey thro* the etherial way.
I will hafte with quickeft fpeed,
And faddle my immortal fteed.

Then refuming his natural fhape, and gaining the
heart of Gunloda, he prevailed on her to let him
drink three draughts of the liquor entrufled to her
care. But the crafty Deity, refolvirig to make the
mofi of his advantage, pulled fo deep, that at the
lafi draught, he left none behind him in the veflel >
and transforming himfelf into an £agle, flew away
to Afgard, to. depofit in fafety, the precious trea-
fure he had obtained. The Giant who was a
Magician, inHantly difcovered the artifice that bad
been pradifed, and changing himfelf alfo into an
Eagle, flew with all fpeed after Odin 5 who had
almoft reached the gates of Afgard. Then the Gods
all ran out of their palaces to aiiifl and fupport their
mafler 3 and forefeeing that he would have much
difficulty to fecure the liquor, without expofing
himfelf to the danger of being taken, they imme-
diately fet out all the veflels they could lay their
hands on. In efFe6t, Odin finding he could not
cfcape but by eafing himfelf of that burthen which
retarded his flight, inftantly filled all the pitchers

( 297 )

HYNDLA.

Doft thou by artifice intend,
My mind to fome dark plot to bend.
A latent roguery I defcry,
Sparkling in thine azure eye.
Ottar's youthful charms, I fear^
To Odin bodes fbme mifchief near.

with tliis miracQlons liquor : and from hence it
has been diftributed among both Gods and men.
But in the hurry and confufion in which the liquor
was difcharged^ the bulk of mankind were not
aware that Odin only threw up part of it through
his beak} the reft wa» emitted in anoppofite direc-
tion : and as it is only the former liquor that this
Grod gives as a beverage to the good Poets^ whom
he would wiih to animate with a divine infpira-
tion : fo it is only the latter fort that falls to the
fhare of bad rhymers 3 for as this flowed from it«
inferior fource in the greateft abundance, the Gods
beftow it in liberal draughts on all that will apply :
this makes the crowd veiy great about the vcSJdB ;
and this is the reafon why the world is overwhelmed
with fuch a redundance of wretched vcrfcs.

(296)

Do not incantations ufe^
Thy hufband's goodnefs to abufe i
And make him unfufpedling {how
Favor to his rival foe.

FREYIA.

The words of Hyndla puzzled feem
Like wilder*d (hapingsof a dream.
Well thou know'ft, a man no more — ^
Ottar pcrfonates the boar.
His back with gilded briftles (hines ;
His voice with grating harftinefs whines*
Will the father of the flain,
By favor thus his honors (lain ?

HYNDLA.

Let us rather now difcourfe
About fit trappings for the horfc ;
Then foaring 'bove all lefTer things.
Talk of the lineage of kings :
Of heroes who far back can trace
Kindred with celeftial race.

( 299 )

No haughty rival fhall withhold
From Ottar his paternal gold.

IX.

EvVy nerve I willing drain,
That he bis long loft right may gain :
That right, by care parental left,
Unjuftly from the hero reft.
H^raisM a temple to my name.
And juftly may my favor claim :
Far off^ its cryftal turrets (hine
As built by arcbitedl divine.
And daily at my altars fall
The lowing vidtims of the ftall.
Ottar on me relies for .aid.
And well his truft fhall be repaid.

X.
The * Odlingi evVy chief applauds ;

^Odlingi. — This family took its name from
Odi the fon of Halfdan. He and his brother
Budlin are faid to have conquered Saxony and Gaul>
and to have reigned there.

( 300 )

•f-Ylfingi emulate the gods.
Let us then in order trace
The hiftory of each martial race.
Whence came the ^ Skioldungf feme ?
Adn whence Skilfingi's glorious name ?
What firft bade private worth arife^
AdornM with titles of the ikies ?
What powers the monarch's brow array.
With beams unborrowed of the day ?

XI.

Ottar*s wreaths unfuUy'd fhinc,-^
Sprung from Innflein's glorious line.
Innilein can a lineage claim
From matchlefs Alf, grown old in fame.

f YLFiNGi.*-It is uncertain from whence this
family derived its name, whether from Ulf the
great-grandfather of Ottar, or Alf, or lafUy from
Olcr the fon of Dager, nephew of Halfdan.

|Skioldun6i. — ^There are two families of this
name, one of Danifii kings, from Skiold the foh
of Odin, and another of the kings of Norway,
fromSkiold, the fon of Skelter^ nephew of Halfdon.

.( 301 )

From Saefar, Alf his race begun ;
He was red hair'd Suaner's fon.

XII.

Grac'd with jewels Innftein led
Ottar's mother to his bed.
Hledifa was the maiden's name ;
Far blazoned for prophetic fame.
Her fire was Froder ; Friant fair
Firft tendered her^ maternal care.
Thefe o'er many a fubjed land
Held the fceptre of command.

XIII.

*Aali ftrong up tore with eafe.
Firm rock-rooted foreft trees.

* '' AuLi."f— Saxo Grammaticas relates many
things concerning this perfon. Among others he
mentions his having been engaged in naval wars
with the ndghbooring kings^ and alfo that leagued
with Ring, he had undertaken a war againft
Harold.

( 302 )

Halfdan fhone in fceptred pride,
*Bove all who o'er the world prefidc.
Thefc from many a well fought plain
Have borne the trophies of the flain ;
While far o'er earth's remoteft bounds
The glory of their deeds refounds.

XIV.

The fons of -f-Halfden round him fpread

Their fhields when youthful vigor fled.

In youth with retribution due.

He in battle Sigtryg flew.

Twice nine brave Sons the monarch told.

From Almveig fprung, renown'd of old.

XV.

Skilvingi, Skioldungi too.
Hence their natal honors drew.

t Halfdfn.-tA King of Norway, of whom
veiy little is known, except that he canied his
amis far into the Eaft, and flew Sigtryg in fiogle
combat.

( 303 )

To fires like thcfe, Ynlingi trace.
The blood of their illuftrious race.
Nobles and princes down this line,
In long defcent unbroken fhine.
Such anceftry can Ottar boafi.
Till far in fabled ages loft.

XVI.

Ifilldegunda was the dame

Whence beauteous Almveig fprung to

fame.
In Suava's arms, of chafte defire,
A regal Sailor was her fire :
Such anceftry can Oltar boaft.
Till far in fabled ages loft.
Let Ottar glory in his race ! .
Shall we other heroes trace ?

XVII.

Dager beauteous Thora led —
Source of heroes — to his bed.

( 304 )

Thence a race of warriors came.
High enroU'd in deathlefs fame :
Frodmar and Gyrder, brave as wife.
And hence the ♦wolfifli brethren rife,
Jofurmar here, and Aunner too.
And aged Alf their being drew.
Let Ottar glory in his race !
Shall we other heroes trace ?

XVIII.

The praife of heroes I refbund !

Of Ketill, ever faithful found.

Klyp illuflrious was his heir —

Grandfire called to Friant fair.

Ketill was brave Froder's Ion ;

From Kari he his race begun :

But Alf, with time-thin'd locks, was grey

Ere tbefe beheld the light of day.

* '' Wolfifh brethren."— Gen: and. Frekcr j thefe
were, moft likely, heroes, who for certain quali*
ties, were denominated wolves.

( 305 )

XIX.

^Nanna*s beauties grace bis ftock^
Defcended from illufirious Nock.
With ber parent, Alf could claim
The honors of a kindred name.
But, loft in time, in vain I trace
The antique honors of the race.
Other heroes now I tell—
I knew Brod and Horver well.
Such anceftry can Ottar boaft,
Till far in fabled ages loft !

XX.

libl and Aibl equal fhare,
Aulmoder*g paternal care t
In cheerful halls he fpent his life ;
Skurkilld was the hero's wife.
Chiefs and Princes down this line.
In long defcent unbroken (hine.
Such anceftry can Ottar boaft.
Till far in fabled ages loft T

* Nann A,— Was the mother of Alf.

( 306 )

XXI.

In rolls of fame *ten heroes (hinc,
Sprung from Arngrim's glorious line.
Such anceftry can Ottar boaft.
Till far in fabled ages loft !

XXII.

As trees that feel the mountain blaft,
Their ftrength'ned roots more widely caft ;
So nurs'd in ftorms, thofe heroes grew.
And thence unconquer'd brav*ry drew.
Torrents with impetuous fway,
Sweep the proftrate folds away :
Autumnal flames with whirlwind force,
Difpeople forefts in their courfe :
Berferki thus, thro' regions wide,
Scatter'd defolation's tide.
Such anceftry can Ottar boaft,
Till far in fabled ages loft !

* " Ten heroes/'— Their names are Gunnarr^
Grimer, Thorer, Ulf, Bui, Brami> Barri, Reifner,
Tinder, and Tifnnger.

( 307 )

XXIII. .

Other heroes now I tell —

I knew Brod and Horver well.

In balls of Rhalf, with dance and Tong,

Their youthful moments pafsM along.

Thefe, with Jormuker, kindred hold —

Son-in-law of Sigurd bold.

Hear me, Hyndla ! now relate,

Fafner born to haplefs fate.

I the hero knew full well —

Befet with cruel bands he fell.

XXIV.

He a regal office bore.

From *Vaulfung fprung in days of yore.

•f-Hiordifa I can trace

From Herodunger's giant race,

• Vaulsung.— Wag the paternal grandfather of
Sigurd.

t HioRDisA. — Was the mother of Sigurd, def-
cendcd from Halfdan.

( 308 >

j;£Iymi on his father's fide.
Came from OdIingi*s valiant tribe.
Such anceftry can Ottar boai^^
Till far in fabled ages loft !

XXV.

Gunmarr and Hogni both may claim.
From Guiker their paternal fame.
Gudruna too, a father's love.
Did from the hoary chieftain prove.
Guttormer, from a difTrent fource.
Dates his not ignoble courfe :
His fire the fame — ^but to his bed,
A foreign damfel he had led.
Such anceftry can Ottar boaft.
Till far in fabled ages loft !

XXVI. '

Harald known by teeth of gold.
Sprung from Hraereker of old.

X Elymi.— Was the father of Hioi^a, dcC-
cended from the family of the Lofdongi.

( 309 )

Hraercker was Odar's fori :
From Juar Oda*s fame begun.
To Radbard, Randver was the fire- —
Youth of ev'ry maid's defire.
Thefe with heroes were enroird,
Whofe deeds delighted Gods behold.
Such anceftry can Ottat boaft,
Till far in &bled ages loft !

xxvir.

Eleven Afi heroes rofe.
Ere Balder's fpirit found repofe.
Witnefs of his daring wrong.
With indignation Vali ftrong.
Swift his fword vindidlive drew.
And brother for loft brother flew.
Such anceftry can Ottar boaft,
Till far in fabled ages loft I

XXVIII.

From Bur, the fire of Balder came,
A chieftain of no trivial fame.

( 310 )

Freycr's bed did Gerda grace.
From Gimer fprung, of giant race :
Her mother, Orbod, mortals call, .
Fam'd for her hofpitable hall.
Thiaz, magnificent and good.
Derives from her his kindred blood.
From him a lovely virgin came —
Skada, among the Gods her name,

XXIX.

Deeds immortal I unfold !
Mighty deeds remain untold !
To earth my ftrains do not belong: —
Other heroes claim my fong.

XXX.

Haki, grac'd for virtues mild ;
Huda, boaftcd for her child ;
Huda, for female virtue fam'd,
Hiorvard for her fire claimed ;
Hrofsthiover, and Heidcr too.
Life and fame from Hrimner drew.

( 311 )
XXXI.

What females from Vidolva fprung
Magic incantations fung :
Deeply vers'd in myftic fpell.
The future, Vilmeid's fons could tell :
The wifeft of the human race,
The lineage of Suarthof grace :
And laft the giant fons of earth,
From Ymer celebrate their birth.

XXXII.

Deeds immortal I unfold !
Mighty deeds remain untold !
Te earth my ftrains do not belong: —
Other heroes claim my fong.

XXXIII.
Of elder time *a hero came
Recorded iii the rolls of fame.
The Gods to him reveal'd their lore,
And wifdom opcn'd every ftore.
On a green fmooth-ftiaven bank.
Where funs the dews of morning drank,

* ''Aherocame"— Hbimdalleb.

( 312)

Nine virgins knew prolific joy.

And bore conjoint the wond'rous boy :

With garlands wreathed his infant head,

And mildcft virtues round him fhed.

He was fed by ocean's wave ;

Earth to him her tribute gave ;

For him tich cenfers frnoak'd around.

And blood facrific dy*d the ground.

XXXIV.

Deeds immortal I unfold !

Mighty deeds remain untold !

To earth my llrains do not belong : —

Other heroes claim my fong.

XXXV.

Fathered by Lok — the gracelefs God,
The wolf arofc from Angurbod.
That ftill the fun fhould yield, its light.
And moon irradiate the night ,
Lok, compell'd by coward fear.
Led the mare of Sleipner near.
Where journey'd fober on his courfe
The horfe endu*d with magic force.

(313 )

XXXVI.

Of ev*ry fteed, thro* hill or dale
That fnufTd the fragrance of the gale,
Suadilfar higheft bore her head.
And fleeted thro* the paftures fled.
A wondrous courfer was her fire —
Byleifl; with noflrils breathing fire.

XXXVII.

Not Gods above, or man can praife,

Lok, the Imp of evil ways.

Smoking on the cindery ground,

An hatlf-burnt forcerefs heart he found.

He by female arts was won.

And all his high-bom hopes undone.

Ever from that luckleis time

Deep he plunged in ev'ry crime.

xxxvin.

Billowed ocean roars aloud.

And lambent fweeps the impending cloud;

Its exhalations round the world

Arc by the tempeft's fury hurFd t

(314 )

From thence the fleecy fnows arifc.
And angry whirlwinds (hake the Ikies :
Thence round ev'ry mountain's head
Storms dark lowering firft were bred.

XXXIX,

Exalted in celeftial flate,
*One there is fupremely great.
To him the Lord of mortal things,
Earth her various tribute brings :
The fons of ages him applaud,
As greatefl, wifeft, ftrongeft God.
He guides at will the wandVing fpheres.
His voice obedient nature hears.

XL.

rf-In after times, of greater fame.
One (hall come I dare not name.
Few there are pretend to fee
Farther into deftiny,

* '* One there is." — Suppofed to be meant Thor.

t " In afbd: times.'*— This is fpoken concerning
Surijp.

(315)

iPbn when with maufpicious n^^
Odin fhallthe wolf jengage.

XLI.

*Go !. to the fovereign of thy hearty
The draught memorial impart.
That mindful he the things may tell
Which from thy lips of wifdom fell ;
When he, with Angantyr the bold,
Diicourle in ancefiry fhali hold.

XLIL

Hyhdla ! hence with fpeed arifc —

Sleep hangs heavy on my eyes.

The northern teem (h^ll drink the main^

Ere favor thou from me obtain.

To friendftiip cool, go burn with luft,

Unbofom'd to the midnight guft :

* '^ Go to/'— -This verfc is fpokcn by Hyndla.
U

( 3l6 )

Sport with thy lovers like the fawn,
And curfe the prying eye of dawn,

XLIir.

Warm'd with infuriate ardor rove ;
Enjoy each unfele6ted love ;
Lift to the ftealthy midnight tread,
Of lovers to thy reeking bed.
Delicious wanton ! fwift^ arife,
While (helter'd by ftill night's difguife .
Sport with thy lovers like the fawn.
And curfe the prying eye of dawn.

XLIV.

Thee, ling ring wood-nymph, I'll furround
With flames deep drawn from hell's profound.
Safe prifon'd then, in* central fire.
Vain fhalt thou ftruggle to retire.
Hafte, hateful trait' refs ! burn with luft,
Unbofom'd to the midnight guft :
Sport with thy lovers like the fawn,
And curfe the prying eye of dawn.

( 317 )
XLV.

*Earth in ruins meets mine eyes I
1 fee hateful flames arifc !
All are doom'd to tread the road
That leads to Hcla's dark abode.
But ere on day mine eye-lids clofe.
And fpirit find its laft repofe.
Kind Goddcfs ! to vile Ottar bear
The goblet drugged with bitter'ft care.
I the deadly portion view,
Venom'd with dark night-fhade dew !

XLVJ.

Empty vifions round thee prefs.
To mock thy gaze of wrctchednefs.
Tho' gigantcan be thy train,
Thy imprecations all are vain.
He fhall quaff th' immortal bowl.
That glads each high ccleftial foul :

* "Earth in ruins/*— This verfe is fpokcn by
Hytidh.

pnr.... ....

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