NOTES TO THE EIGHTEENTH CANTO.
Specimen of the metre.
Da ilte dem imöde Freiers gode Skosvend,
Vel Skirnir man ham naevner. Nu er hun her igien,
Til Guderne han raabte, da han dem kunde see,
Nu Ydun er i Valhal: endt er nu Asernes Vee!
The nature and attributes of all the gods and goddesses seated at the banquet of Valhalla, are so fully detailed in the text, that notes to this Canto are almost superfluous.
[67] Alludes to Skirnir’s name, derived from skirna (to clear up, to brighten).
[68] Frey is sometimes called Freyr.
[69] By this the poet means, no doubt, that the pearl and coral divers, from their being accustomed to remain for a long time under water, are less liable to be drowned than other people.
[70] By Ervin’s minster is meant the steeple of the cathedral of Strasburgh, built by Ervin of Steinbach.
[71] The nature of the message given by Odin to Hermod has been already related in the 15th Canto.