NOTE TO THE THIRTIETH CANTO.
In the original this Canto is written in terza rima as follows.
Da Thor nu sti̱lle sad, og endt var Kampen,
Da steeg en langsom Rög af Jeṯṯeblodeṯ,
Og hvid og tyk oplöftede sig Dampen.
Da ski̱aelved Loke brat og tabte Modeṯ, etc.
Besides the difficulty of the terza rima, it is a metre not very well suited to the genius of the English language. I have, therefore, given my translation of this Canto in blank verse, following the example of Carey in his version of Dante.
The subject of this Canto seems taken partly from some strophes in the Voluspâ, and partly from the Vaftrudnismal, which are the names of two of the most important chapters of the poetic Edda.
[103] Gugner, name of Odin’s lance.
This Canto does not require notes, but as it may amuse the reader to compare the history of the destruction and reproduction of the world with the account thereof given in the Edda, I here subjoin some extracts from the two chapters above mentioned, following Finn Magnussen’s translation. I think the reader will remark some resemblance between certain parts of this Canto and certain parts of the Apocalypse. The battle between Thor and the Serpent Jormundgard is not unlike the combat between the Archangel Michael and the great dragon; and the palace of Gimle, the future abode of the blessed, presents an image of the new Jerusalem.
EXTRACTS FROM THE VAFTRUDNISMAL
(Discourse of Vaftrudner).
The wolf (Fenris) shall swallow up
The father of time (Odin);
But Vidar shall avenge him,
And tear the monster’s jaws asunder.
…
A daughter shall be born
Of the old sun,[104]
Before Fenris swallows her up:
After the fall of the gods
The daughter shall travel
On the same course as her mother did.
…
Lif and Liftrasir
Remain conceal’d in the wood (Hoddmimer);
They are nourished by the morning dew,
And from them the new race shall spring.
…
When the fire (of Surtur) shall be extinguish’d,
Vidar shall construct anew
The dwellings of the gods.
…
Then finally shall peace
Succeed to the long strife.
[104] The sun is feminine in the Gothic languages.
EXTRACTS FROM THE VOLUSPA
(Vala’s Prophecy).
Loud howls the monster (the dog Garm)
At the cavern of Gnypa;
The wolf (Fenris) shall break his chain.
…
Brother shall fight with brother
And slay each other:
The bonds of affection and parentage
Shall be rent asunder:
Evil reigns in the world;
Libidinous excess triumphs;
The sword, the axe
Shall be in constant employ:
Shields shall be cloven;
Times of tempest, of wolfish ferocity,
Before the world finally ends;
No man shall spare his neighbour.
…
Naglefar moves forward
With keel gliding from the East;
Lok steers it.
…
Surtur compelling flames
Advances from the south!
…
The earth sinks into the deep!
The stars disappear from heaven!
Volumes of fire and smoke
Consume the all-nourishing tree (Yggdrassil)
Flames mounting on high
Consume heaven itself.
…
And behold arises a second time
The earth from the sea!
…
The Asar shall meet again
On the plains of Ida;
There shall again
Wonderful tablets of gold
Be found in the grass.
…
Fields unsown
Shall produce corn;
All evil vanish;
Balder return;
He and Hœdur shall dwell
In Odin’s holy abode.
…
A palace is seen
Brighter than the sun
Roof’d with gold
Standing on Gimle!
Therein shall dwell
Virtuous people,
And enjoy happiness
For ever and ever!