The Gods of the North: an epic poem

by Adam Oehlenschläger

THE GODS OF THE NORTH.

For all proper names, the reader is requested to consult the Alphabetical List preceding this poem. The notes to which the figures refer, are to be found at the end of the poem.

CANTO I.
THOR SETS OUT ON AN ADVENTURE WITH LOK.

A story wonderful to hear

Recorded stands in ancient runes;

Now to my golden harp give ear,

And ponder well its mystic tunes!

The strange events, which yet remain

Unravell’d of the Asar bright,

Be mine the glory to explain,

And all their actions bring to light.

Th’ eternal wars, the deadly hate

Between the Gods and Giant race;

Of Asa-Lok the guile innate;

Alfader’s wisdom; Freya’s grace;

The Berserk fights of Thor the bold;

The joys of Valhall, dome sublime:

All these I sing: come, young and old!

And listen to my varied rhyme!

Thus sang in days of yore a Scald,

And I from him repeat the song:

A land there is, Trudvanger call’d,

Where frowns a castle huge and strong:

This building boasts its massive walls,

And many a spacious colonnade;

Its forty and five hundred halls

With silver or with gold inlaid.

How many forests, lakes and fields

On every side this pile surround!

The roof is tiled with copper shields,

Which shed a dazzling lustre round.

Therein the mighty Asa dwells,

Whom mortals term the god of war;

Odin excepted, he excels

All other gods: his name is Thor.

Around his waist a belt he wears,

And gloves of steel his hands protect;

Miölner, a hammer vast, he bears,

When in the fight he stands erect.

That belt a tenfold power doth give,

When round his loins he girds it tight;

Nor doth the foe remain alive,

On whom his hammer haps to light.

Late vanquish’d by the Asar brave,

Excluded from the solar ray,

Bound in the mountain’s deepest cave,

In fetters Lok of Utgard lay.

But vain the giant monarch’s doom,

Naught can his stubborn hate control;

Here in the midst of cold and gloom

Fresh thoughts of vengeance fire his soul.

Like singed threads his chains he rends,

Bursts through the surface of the earth,

To Upsala his course he bends,

Of Northern gods the sacred hearth;

He there extinguishes the fire,

And shakes to dust the temple’s walls.[13]

This deed excites great Odin’s ire;

To council he the Asar calls.

Each at the council board, I ween,

Gave the advice that seem’d him fit:

But Thor with hand beneath his chin

Lost in reflection seem’d to sit.

Much did the hero muse and scan,

How best to punish Loki’s crime,

And by some well-concerted plan

To crush the Lord of Jotunheim.

To rove in search of glorious war

This Asa chief finds much delight,

High seated in his golden car

Drawn by two goats of colour white.

Earth well may tremble with dismay,

When through the skies this chariot rolls,

For clouds then veil the face of day,

And awful thunders shake the poles.

But ’mongst the Asar one call’d Lok

Holds rank, nor undeserved the name;

For much he joys with spiteful mock

To lacerate his neighbours’ fame.

Howe’er he shine in outward grace,

Hollow and false is all within:

Before the Ash[14] he oft must pass

In penance for his various sin.

With scorpion wit and envious tongue

Though oft he gives the Asar pain,

Still his arch jests and gibing song

Compel them strait to laugh again:

His features fair are own’d by all,

But all his mind perverse deplore;

He takes his seat in Odin’s hall

Upon the bench next Asa-Thor.

The Nymphs[15], that Valhall’s dome adorn,

With breast of lily, cheek of pink,

To all th’ Einherier in their turn

Now bear around th’ immortal drink.

The largest horn high-fill’d with mead

Was drain’d by Thor the chieftain bold:

And then to seek his goats he sped,

And yoke them to his car of gold.

He grasps his hammer, mounts his car,

And bids Lok place him by his side;

The thunders roar, the lightnings glare,

As down the vault of heaven they glide!

Heimdaller views them roll along,

And greets with trumpet loud and shrill:

The seven virgins[16] tune their song,

And Thor salute with gracious smile.

Then Lok on fraud and guile intent,

Thus Thor address’d: “Methinks, ’tis time

Our bitter foes to circumvent,

And quell the powers of Jotunheim;

Thou mayst defy the force of fire,

And laugh to scorn the earthquake’s shock;

Feelest thou not a strong desire

For once to visit Utgard Lok?”

Then Thor: “My corslet braves the steel;

My helm unbruised in fight remains:

And, be he dwarf or giant fell,

Whom Miölner strikes, it ends his pains.”

Now to the earth they swift descend;

The birds sing gaily in the wood,

And every flower its head doth bend,

Owning the presence of a god.

The sun now sinks beneath the main,

The night obscures its parting rays;

Rolling athwart the starry plain,

The moon its silver disk displays:

Two funeral mounds appear in sight:

Then first the eyes of Asa Thor

Glisten’d in triumph. Late at night

They stand a peasant’s hut before.

They ask for shelter; lowly bows

The peasant, and replies: “My lords!

You’re welcome here to seek repose;

But little else my roof affords.”

They needs must stoop to enter through

The cottage door; and there they found

The peasant’s wife and daughter too

Sitting the lowly hearth around.

The daughter was a graceful maid

With azure eyes and golden hair.

They rose; and thus the matron said:

“Alas! but meagre is our fare:

Mere roots and herbs our meal supply;

No flesh invigorates our blood.”

“Fear not! This night shall be no lack of food.”

See now the giant-queller raise

His hammer! lo! his goats he slew!

Such was his custom: with amaze,

Yet not displeased this act to view,

The old dame stared; then rushed in haste

Upon the board to spread the cloth;

While Lok, as cook, prepared to baste

The meat, and mix the savoury broth.

A wondrous fact I now reveal:

Thor drives these goats around the earth,

And slays them for his nightly meal,

When no provisions cheer the hearth.

This done, their skins and bones he takes,

And casts them in a corner strait:

And lo! those goats, when he awakes,

Again stand living at the gate.

See from the wood the peasant’s son

Laden with faggots now appear!

He piles them on the hearth: anon

The smoking steaks the trav’llers cheer:

No dish had they; Thor’s buckler broad

This want supplied: and now they feed

With hearty zest, while the goats’ blood

Furnish’d to all delicious mead.

No sooner was the supper past,

Thor rose observant of his rite;

The bones within the skins he cast;

This did not ’scape the urchin’s sight:

His liquorish tooth would fain partake

Of daintier food than met the eye;

So unperceived a bone he brake,

And suck’d the marrow greedily.

The morning dawn’d: with choral strain

The feather’d songsters fill the skies:

The sun ascends: the travellers twain

From slumbers light refresh’d arise.

To war and bold adventure prone,

Each buckles on his armour strait,

And whets his weapon on the stone,

That stands without the cottage gate.

As in the car the Asar sprung,

The urchin’s trick was manifest;

One goat limp’d heavily along,

As if with lameness sore oppress’d.[17]

Thor was enraged; his colour fled;

He bit his lips; his eyes flash’d fire;

Well might the wretched peasant dread

For wife and child the chieftain’s ire.

But more so, when he saw the chief

Brandish on high his hammer vast:

The danger threaten’d, no relief

At hand; with fear he stood aghast:

Then, kneeling down, he humbly sued

Forgiveness for the stripling’s guile,

Offering all he had: the God

At such an offer well might smile.

Relenting at the peasant’s prayer,

And pitying his extreme distress,

He bade him rise with friendly air,

And gave his hand in pledge of peace.

“If to my care thou wilt confide

Those children stout,” said Asa-Thor,

“I will for all their wants provide,

And teach them both the art of war.”

Pleased to escape with a whole skin,

This offer glad the swain embraced:

Lok gave to each a javelin,

And strait their limbs in armour laced:

Their glist’ning eyes the joy reveal

Of Tialfe bold, and Roska bright:

To serve the God how proud they feel,

And court the perils of the fight.

The Lord of Trudvang now design’d

On foot to seek the giant’s lair:

His car and goats he left behind,

Confided to the peasant’s care.

Impatient of delay, he fain

Would march direct to Jotunheim.

They journey on o’er many a plain,

And rivers cross, and mountains climb.

And now can I assert with truth,

Tialfe became a warrior good;

No son of earth could e’er this youth

Surpass in zeal and fortitude:

His strength by Thor was duly prized,

As gay he trudg’d across the field,

And on his brawny shoulders poised

The heavy bag with viands fill’d.

E’en Freya’s self could scarce excel

Young Roska for her shape and air;

Her bosom now is cased in steel,

A golden helmet crowns her hair.

Thor towers aloft in plates of brass,

With Miölner in his right hand gleaming:

Lok trips along in light cuirass,

His dark locks o’er his shoulders streaming.

Now marching on, the tedious way

They oft beguile with gay discourse;

Sudden a wild tempestuous sea

Appears in sight, and checks their course!

The roaring billows reckless roll’d

White foaming ’gainst the marble steep!

And Rana’s voice was heard to scold

With frightful scream from out the deep!

The mighty monarch, Ægir hight,

Consort of Ran, o’er ocean reigns:

Beneath a roof of pearl so bright

He sits, and stern his right maintains;

With diamond-pointed pole the wave

He guides; a silver helmet, starr’d

With coral, decks his temples grave,

And sea-weed forms his shaggy beard.

On Hlesey you may find his throne

Of muscle-shell: this monarch sage

Can by a frown or wink alone

The billows’ utmost wrath assuage.

’Twixt him and Niord a pact holds good,[18]

And when Niord rides across the deep,

On coal-black courser mounted proud,

The winds are hush’d, the billows sleep.

Lok now with terror stood appall’d;

This did not ’scape Thor’s eye severe.

“Ha!” to his comrade stern he call’d:

“Let not thy courage fail thee here!

Take heart! take heart! if thus we shrink

At th’ onset of our enterprize,

What shame! what scandal! think! oh think!

Thou didst thyself this plan devise.”

Thus said, into the foaming sea

He plunged, and bade them follow strait:

No more delay; they all obey;

And spite of helm and corslet’s weight

With nervous arm they stem the brine;

With fear no more their bosoms quail:

They heed not now the mermaid’s whine,

And laugh to scorn the snorting whale.

On, on they swim with hope elate,

In spite of warring wave and wind;

And though the waves high o’er them beat,

Full many a mile they leave behind.

At length the lightning’s vivid flash

By fits reveals a glimpse of land;

And breakers, that around them dash,

Give hopes to gain the adverse strand.

How wondrous is thy strength, O Thor!

Encouraged by th’ example set

Of that brave chief, they reach the shore,

And land in garments dripping wet.

The moon, emerging from a cloud,

A wild and barren heath displays:

They droop, but Thor cries out aloud:

“Now, by yon moon’s benignant rays,

“We may some dwelling find at last;

Let us inland our course pursue!”

O’er sand and ice they struggle fast,

While cold and bleak the north-wind blew.

Roska at length, with marching spent,

Implored her fellow-trav’llers’ aid;

Lok carried now the damsel faint,

Lok ever lov’d a beauteous maid.

Now burst the clouds with thunder riven,

And dark as pitch the sky became,

Save when athwart the vault of heaven

A meteor lanced a transient flame!

The rain in torrents now descending,

Struck terror in each trav’ller’s breast;

E’en Thor himself, that chief unbending,

Could scarce his mind of fear divest.

He girds his belt around him tight:

“Here Lok of Utgard’s juggling play

Hath ample scope the heroes bright

Of Asagard to lead astray.

But short shall the fiend’s triumph be;

His insolence will I chastise,

And teach him low to bend the knee

Before the rulers of the skies!”

Thus Thor. At length a hut they find;

They enter; it may serve them well

For shelter from the piercing wind

And rain, that still in torrents fell.

But such a hut was never seen;[19]

Open remain’d one side entire;

’T was one vast door; the chiefs, I ween,

This entrance strange did much admire.

They loose their wallet now to seek

Their food, by hunger gaunt compell’d;

Poor Roska, with a pallid cheek,

Sat in a corner, half congeal’d.

Two legs of goat they soon consumed,

Then laid them down to seek repose;

But Thor alone the watch assumed,

His thoughts forbid his eyes to close.

His cheek upon his palm reclines;

He sits beside the spacious door;

Secure of Miölner, he designs

Destruction to the giant’s power.

This gives him comfort and delight;

What glory will to him accrue!

How oft during the long, long night,

He grasps with pride his weapon true!

CANTO II.
SPELLS UPON THE HEATH.

As Thor now sat with watchful ear,

In pensiveness profound,

A startling din he chanced to hear,

’Twas like the earthquake’s sound.

All nature shook; the billows’ roar

By this was deafen’d quite:

Thor grasp’d his hammer, nor forbore

His belt to fasten tight.

Now starting up, the Asa spake

Aloud with accent shrill:

“Who is it dares this noise to make,

When Hlorrida lies still?”

His choler he could scarce restrain,

He fain would kill and slay;

And much it gave the hero pain

No foe stood in his way.

A comet now with awful sweep

Shot through the sky blood-red,

And, stretch’d out on the earth asleep,

A Jotun vast display’d!

His snoring made the mountains shake,

So frightful was the sound;

He seem’d as long as the boa snake

On Java’s swampy ground.

When Thor’s eye to the spot was turn’d,

He saw the giant move,

And on the goblin’s skull he burn’d

His hammer’s strength to prove.

Of this the giant seem’d aware,

He started up in haste:

The sight all mortal eyes would scare,

Of such dimensions vast.

He view’d his foes with fearful scowl,

He shook his shoulders broad;

His voice was like the ice-bear’s growl,

Vex’d by the hunter’s goad;

Each of his nerves like brass was strong,

And hard and tough his skin;

He bore a pole of iron long,

Instead of javelin.

Now Thor to scrutinize his foe

With cautious look began;

Then burst he forth: “Say, who art thou,

Thou strange, wild-looking man?”

Then he: “From Goblin-land[20] I come,

All weapons’ force I mock,

For who shall Skrymur overcome,

Who serves great Utgard-Lok?

“Thy name I ask not, and though now

I first behold thy face,

The features of our bitt’rest foe

In thine, methinks, I trace.

And though the Asar with applause

Thy merits loud proclaim,

We giants spurn their boasted laws,

And laugh to scorn their fame.

“The trifling noise my snoring made

Hath caused thee much alarm;

With helm and plume upon thy head

Thou canst not reach my arm.

Upon my palm I’d hold thee high

All in thy armour dress’d;

Yet of our Jotun race am I

The weakest and the least.”

He gazed around on every side,

His eye-balls fiercely glared:

“Where is my glove? (he gruffly cried,)

To steal it who hath dared?”

At length a horse-laugh wild and fierce

Announced the giant’s mirth;

He laugh’d to see Thor’s followers

From out the hut come forth.

The giant now to feel the ground

Stoop’d down with knitted brow;

He stoop’d again, and groped around:

“My glove, where is it now?”

His helm’s bright horse-hair waved sublime,

Like fir-crown’d mountain’s top:

He stoop’d once more; and lo! this time

He took the cottage up!

Then first our travellers perceiv’d

By th’ morning dawn full well,

That, what a cottage they believ’d,

Was a vast glove of steel.[21]

Upon his hand the giant drew

The glove; it fitted tight;

At once it fill’d the champions true

With wonder and affright.

But Thor exclaim’d: “Cheer up, my friends!

Believe me! strength or skill

Never on size alone depends;

The wolf an ox can kill.

For me, with this foul fiend to cope

Quite resolute I stand:

Shame were it, should an Asa droop

With Miölner in his hand.”

Now this discourse the giant fear’d;

He lean’d against his spear.

“What urgeth Thor of Asagard

To quit his brilliant sphere?

What moves the mighty God of war

To tread this barren strand?

Why is he come without his car

To our dark Goblin-land?”

Then thus replied with accent grum

The god to heroes dear:

“Enough! it pleas’d me here to come,

And, therefore, I am here.

’Bout Lok thy swarthy king things strange

I’ve heard, and now I go

My thoughts with him to interchange

In Utgard’s realm below.

“I long to view that Chief of fame,

And tarry there awhile;

For naught I fear his arms of flame,

Nor e’en his magic guile:

The giants long have learn’d to quake,

When Asa-Thor drew near.”

Tialfe and Roska, as he spake,

Now smiled, devoid of fear.

The giant now with bitter sneer

Thus boisterously replies:

“I warn thee not to persevere

In this rash enterprize:

Athwart the iron staves so high,

That Utgard’s realm surround,

No Asa with impunity

His entrance e’er hath found.

“Restrain thy course, thou Asa pale!

Nor seek our realm to view!

For there thy strength will naught avail;

Thy rashness thou mayst rue:

As friend, I know, thou comest not,

But shouldst thou entrance gain,

Defeat and shame will be thy lot,

And hope of flight is vain.

“Go back, I say! once more return

To thy star-lighted dome!

Midst wilds of bramble, brake and thorn,

What boots it here to roam?

A desert drear, where howls the storm,

A sea, where billows roar,

Between the gods and giants form

The bound’ry ever more.

“In warlike games and banquets gay

The Asar pass their time,

Warm’d by the sun’s eternal ray

In Asagard sublime:

A royal life of bliss and power

The Nornor them have given;

And mortals fervent still adore

The denizens of heaven.

“But for the swarthy giant brood

Far different is the lot:

They wax in strength and hardihood

I’ th’ mountain’s deepest grot.

Earth’s sons to us no honour pay;

They venture not to tread

Those dreary wastes, where we hold sway;

They fly from us with dread.

“Darkness our realm for aye conceals

From earth’s light-favour’d sphere:

No fires, but what the flint reveals,

Our gloomy caverns cheer:

The Asar’s glory ’tis to found

Creation, order, life:

But we delight to spread around

Destruction, ruin, strife.”

Now Thor was stagger’d, and anon

With Miölner struck his shield.

“Thou bitter fiend! thou evil One,

’Gainst sense and feeling steel’d!

My hammer cannot here, of course,

Attain thy lofty brow;

But thou shouldst feel my lightning’s force,

Were in Trudvang now.

“Do Utgard’s champions dare to hold

To Thor such language proud?

Foul pismire thou in earth’s black mould!

Vile slug with torpid blood!

Thinkst thou to damp my courage high,

Because thou tower’st above

These brambles? I thy arms defy;

Thy arts my pity move.

“I tell ye plain, ye giant brood!

Were ye in number more

Than snakes in Nastrond’s marshy flood,

Or sands on the sea-shore,

I’d brave ye all; for none alive

Would Thor the combat shun;

To me what pleasure would it give

To slay ye every one!

“Not only valour stout in war,

But wit, and skill, and grace

Our Asar boast; and think ye, Thor

Cannot your Lok surpass?

Your frightful teeth may terrify

The children of mankind:

Thor’s frown alone would make ye fly,

Like chaff before the wind.

“Alfader hath of old consign’d ye

To realms of damp and shade;

In caverns deep, ’tis there we find ye

In treach’rous ambuscade;

Night only gives ye courage; then

Ye quit your lurking place,

And with huge clubs and frightful din

The works of man deface.

“When the poor trav’ller seeks his home,

Ye lead him far astray;

With murderers and wolves ye roam,

And guide them to their prey:

Ye feast on human hearts; their blood

Ye drink with savage joy;

And all that’s useful, great, and good,

Your lust is to destroy.

“But tremble! think! the day will come,

When you shall perish all:

The Nornor have decreed your doom;

By our hand shall ye fall:

Your limbs shall be consumed by fire;

The mountains be your grave:

Let no one hope Alfader’s ire

Unpunish’d long to brave!

“In torrents shall your life’s blood flow;

The dwarfs, although they be

Your kinsmen, towards your overthrow

Shall lend their industry:

For us the sons of light ’tis they

That forge the weapons good,

And those same weapons shall one day

Be colour’d with your blood.

“Behold this hammer! from its blow

The tide of death bursts forth:

’Twas a dwarf’s gift; this girdle too!

I’ve prov’d, methinks, its worth.”

Thus said, the hero brandish’d high

His Miölner; at the sight

The giant cow’ring made reply:

“I question not thy might:

“Let us be friends, thou Asa good!

To Utgard straight I’ll guide thee;

And every night with choicest food

For supper I’ll provide thee:

And Utgard-Lok will much rejoice,

Such is my fond belief.

Himself to see and hear the voice

Of such a glorious chief.”

Silent they moved along the strand,

While Skrymur march’d before,

Bearing a wallet in his hand:

E’en Roska fear’d no more.

The farther they advanc’d, the road

Less difficult became.

Thor’s anger vanish’d; on they strode;

With joy their faces beam.

They cross’d a plain at close of day;

On th’ borders of a wood

Arrived, quoth Skrymur: “Here we may,

Methinks, take rest and food.

Let us this night no further go,

Repose we all do need:

And, when at morn the cock’s shrill crow

Awakes us, we’ll proceed.”

His heavy wallet down he flings,

Then adds with meaning sly:

“Be cautious not to spoil the strings,

When you this bag untie!

In it, believe me, thou wilt find

A supper, better far

Than what, O Thor, thy consort kind,

Sif, could herself prepare.”

And now under the green-wood tree

The giant went to sleep,

While shelter’d by the forest’s lee

The rest their vigils keep:

For they would fain, by hunger press’d,

Of the good cheer partake

The bag contain’d; and oft they bless’d

The donor for its sake.

At length said Thor: “We must, my friends!

Our work with caution ply:

Since Skrymur caution recommends,

When we this bag untie.

Methinks, ’twere better to confide

To Roska’s hand this toil:

Her fingers soft will best avoid

His precious bag to spoil.”

Now with good will fair Roska took

The wallet on her knee;

And while the task she undertook,

Sat down beneath a tree.

The wallet to unbind with care

Much did the damsel strain;

The knots so closely twisted were,

’Twas labour all in vain.

Then Thor from his moss-cover’d seat

To Tialfe said: “Try thou!

For supperless thou wouldst regret

To go to sleep, I know.”

Now with the wallet on his thigh

Young Tialfe sat him down,

But vain his active fingers ply;

He gives it up full soon.

“I cannot by soft means,” he cried,

“These close-tied knots undo;

Force must be used.” “Nay!” Thor replied,

“Ye all have heard my vow

The Giant’s wallet not to spoil;

But since our food we need,

Go, Lok! try thou the arduous toil!

Thou mayst perhaps succeed.

“For what to man remains unknown,

Thou often canst divine;

Doubtless, thy hand, Laufeia’s son!

Will these hard knots untwine.”

Lok took the wallet up, and strove

Dextrous the knots to loose;

But vain his skill and efforts prove

Against the mystic noose.

Thor smiled; he rose, and seiz’d the bag,

By hunger gaunt impell’d;

Yet soon his strenuous efforts flag:

Lo! Thor himself hath fail’d!

The God in wrath took up at length

His sword, the knots to cut;

In vain he cut with all his strength;

The wallet open’d not.

With both his hands in fury now

He lifts his hammer fell:

“The fiend has juggled us, I trow,

With some accursed spell.

To punish him be mine the task,

And Miölner will, I trust,

Athwart the Goblin’s broken casque

Its shaft with brains incrust.”

With this, upon the giant’s head

He dealt a pond’rous blow:

The giant oped his eyes, and said:

“What hath disturb’d me so?

Upon my cheek hath fall’n some leaf,

As fast asleep I lay;

But where’s my wallet, mighty chief?

Hast thou untied it, pray?”

Now red with anger Thor became:

“Thou bitter fiend! this night

(He murmur’d, while his eyes shot flame)

Shall death thy fraud requite.”

Once more to sleep the giant rude

Address’d himself; his snoring

Deafen’d the monsters of the wood

In awful concert roaring.

Now Thor, much vexed, a second blow

With force redoubled gives:

His eyes roll fearful to and fro:

“What? still the Goblin lives?”

At length with rage and fury spent,

He throws his Miölner down:

But to the nib the hammer went

Into the giant’s crown.

The giant woke: his mouth he screw’d;

“I now perceive full well,

While I was sleeping in the wood,

An acorn on me fell.

But where’s my wallet? comrades dear!

Have ye the knots untwined?

And did ye not delicious cheer

In my good wallet find?”

The giant turn’d again to sleep

All on the mossy ground;

While Thor with thoughts of vengeance deep

His belt fast round him bound:

He raised his powerful voice aloud

To Odin’s throne on high;

The very beasts that haunt the wood

Were frighten’d at his cry.

His eyes flash’d fire; a crash was heard!

He struck with might and main!

But lo! the giant’s temples hard

Unscathed still remain!

“How now? what’s this? upon my brow

A branch hath fall’n, I find:

But where’s my wallet? tell me now!

Have ye the knots untwined?”[22]

Shaking his limbs, the giant vast

Slow from the grass rose up;

The sun, emerging from the east,

Now gilds the forest’s top.

“Methinks,” said he, “O chief divine!

Our course we should pursue,

If still it be your firm design

Great Utgard Lok to view.”

The giant now with shield and spear

Moved on, and led the way:

Close in his wake the others steer

Their course, all blithe and gay.

But lo! the tall cloud-threatening towers,

Though distant, meet their eyes,

Where dwell the fierce gigantic powers,

Who gods and men despise!

’Tis Utgard! rocks piled upon rocks

Compose its ramparts vast!

And see what massive bolts and locks

Its portals huge make fast!

Enormous bars of iron, long

As mast of admiral,

Form palisades with sharpen’d prong,

Which stoutest hearts appal.

“Behold our city!” Skrymur cried,

“Its towers impregnable!

Its stony bastions stretching wide!

Its palisades of steel!

Yet fear thou naught! accept this pike!

Thou needst but once the gate

With its enchanted point to strike,

And lo! ’twill open strait.

“And now farewell! I must begone,

And leave ye here behind:

To guide ye safe to Lok’s proud throne

Giants enow ye’ll find:

Take heart! with a firm step advance!

Valour ye do not lack;

With such a hammer, sword and lance,

Ye need fear no attack.”

Thus said, he grasp’d his wallet fast,

And bound it to his spear;

Then strode on to the mountains vast,

Which towards the north[23] appear,

And soon he vanish’d from their view

The winding rocks among;

While Thor with his companions true

’Gainst Utgard march’d along.

CANTO III.
THOR IN HELHEIM.

The story you’re about to hear

May well incredible appear:

To visit the remotest end

Of Utgard’s realm the chiefs pretend:

Not easy will this project prove

Through wastes of endless frost and snow;

At each third step they onward move

O’er the glazed frost, they fall back two.

The road, on which their course they bent,

Now form’d a deep and dark descent:

They grope along through ice and snow,

And though pitch dark, they hear cocks crow.

Thor ever foremost marches on;

The others follow the faint light

That from his brazen armour shone,

And shudder oft from cold and fright.

Through caverns drear they move on slow,

Which seem to lengthen as they go;

Pale shadows flit along; they hear

The rustling sound of waters near:

Now toads croak harsh, and owlets screech;

Now fogs arise, and vapours damp;

But Thor, intent his goal to reach,

Struggles across the frozen swamp.

At length the gloomy fogs of night

Became dispell’d by sudden light;

Though faint, it fail’d not to impart

Fresh vigour to the Asa’s heart.

Two torches burning blue anon

A lurid flick’ring gleam display;

While through the cloven rock the moon

Sends forth a pale and wizard ray.

At length a massive gate they reach:

Two grisly fantoms there kept watch:

One seem’d a female, one a male;

Their furrow’d cheeks were deadly pale.

Lo! slowly rising from their seat,

They fix the chiefs with earnest gaze;

These halt before the pond’rous gate,

And view those forms in mute amaze.

In shrouds of white the spectres grim,

While ague shakes each gelid limb,

Brandish aloft with angry groan

Their javelins form’d of human bone.

As Thor advanc’d, their shields they clash,

And croak aloud these words of fear:

“Go back! go back! ye strangers rash!

Whence do ye come! what seek ye here?

“Why seek ye in the pride and bloom

Of health and youth these realms of gloom?

Never did such a troop before

Find entrance to this fated shore.

For those who meanly die on straw,

The Nornor have these shades decreed;

But not for those, who Odin’s law

Hold sacred, and in battle bleed.

“Ye may not tread this threshold fell,

Bound fast by adamantine spell:

’Tis here a pale-blue female reigns,

Here stern her fearful law maintains:

Here captive holds the dastard crew,

Who on the bed of sickness die,

Who wounds and glorious death eschew,

And basely from the combat fly.”

Then Thor: “We’ve reach’d th’ abode, I ween,

Of Hela, unforgiving queen;

O Lok! we now shall soon behold

Thy pale-blue daughter stern and cold.”

Then Lok grew pale, and trembling said:

“Let us return! I bitter rue

My grievous fault: O! how I dread

My frightful offspring’s face to view!”

Then Thor replied with look severe:

“A God should never yield to fear;

Shame! resolution thus to lack!

Rouse all thy nerve, and shrink not back!

A giantess[24] thy heart subdued,

And thou to passion didst succumb,

Too well I know, that nothing good

Can from the blood of giants come.

“’Twas Skulda in her book of fate

Did this event predestinate;

If she decreed thy amorous flame,

Who shall that prudent Norna blame?

Thy offspring causes fear, ’tis true,

But never can contempt excite;

Not only men, but Asar too,

All view her features with affright.

“Where joy and pleasure flourish most

And nurs’d by strength their empire boast,

Yet still, at the bare sight of fear

Those blessings straight will disappear;

Thus Fenris can embitter all

The glories of Valhalla’s feast;

His very look hath power t’appal,

And freeze with dread great Odin’s breast.

“And say! how should our Asgard then

Differ from the abode of men,

Did not death, misery and disgrace

A line of demarcation trace?

Like Midgard’s snake,[25] misfortune fell

Winds round, and gnaws the heart of earth;

And he too, Lok, thou know’st full well,

From thy embrace derived his birth.

“Yet, O thou Asa dear! ’tis well

Thou hast engender’d the grim Hel!

Due honour she should ever find;

She punishes the Nidding kind,

She my avenger is; ’tis she

Who best upholds my law and right;

Take courage, therefore! learn from me

Never to think of craven flight!”

This sage discourse now caus’d the fear

Of Asa Lok to disappear;

To him much consolation gave

The prudence of his comrade brave.

Thor rais’d his lance; the portal vast

He struck with force; it swung around,

Like leaf before th’ autumnal blast;

The hinges creak’d with jarring sound.

Now Thor his champions onward led,

The vault re-echo’d with their tread;

Now little Roska ’gan to cower,

And closely grasp’d the hand of Thor.

Through many a winding gall’ry past,

They stumble on, or creep, or glide,

Until a flick’ring flame at last

Serves their ambiguous path to guide.

At length an opening towards the north

They find, and ’gainst it struggle forth;

To where the roof describes an arch,

And forms a vestibule, they march;

This vestibule to a vast hall

Conducts them, where they now behold

The wretches deaf to honour’s call,

Whom Helheim’s bars imprison’d hold.

Along the wall pale phantoms flit,

Who groan and shake with aguish fit!

Palsies, catarrhs, and fevers grim

Prey on each agonizing limb.

When Thor advanc’d, they wept and whined;

Down their wan cheek a cold sweat flows!

While slimy snakes, around them twined,

Cause by their bite convulsive throes!

Under the vaulted roof, behold!

A throne appears, but not of gold,

Silver, or ivory; this throne

Was built of human sculls alone!

Thereon sat Hela, fell to view;

Her skin a chalky hue reveal’d,

Down from the girdle; livid blue

Above it seem’d from blood congeal’d!

A man’s thigh-bone in moonshine bleach’d

T’ enforce new torments she outstretch’d,

For never her vindictive mind

Allows to rest the Nidding kind:

This bone exhal’d a corpse-like smell;

On high she waved it like a wand;

It made all crouch; it serv’d full well

As sceptre in her clammy hand.

No sound, but moans to make flesh creep,

Here interrupts the silence deep;

No zephyrs thaw the frost severe;[26]

Cadav’rous odours taint the air;

Three torches blue illum’d the scene!

By each a ghastly spectre stood!

Shapes frightfully diseased were seen,

But on their limbs no trace of blood!

Now Thor began to smile; exempt

From fear himself, he with contempt

The crowd of trembling ghosts beheld,

And loud this stern discourse he held:

“O wretched fools! why did ye shun

The dangers of all-glorious war?

Thus may it fare with every one

Who dares not follow Asa-Thor!

“Ye miserable, who eschew’d

Danger and death and scenes of blood!

Weaker than women! Hela now

Grinds ye with never-ending woe;

Ye fear’d to don the warrior’s helm,

And trembled at the bowstring’s twang;

Well, now, in Hel’s accursed realm,

Ye tremble with eternal pang!”

Thus Thor: the ghosts respond with moan:

The chief advanc’d to Hela’s throne,

And though thick fogs his utt’rance choke,

He still, though hoarse, thus suppliant spoke:

“Hela, terrific queen! whose eye

Fills every living breast with fear,

Ah! not spontaneously do I

Before thy awful throne appear.

“I cannot the desire withstand

To visit Lok of Utgard’s land;

I long that chieftain to behold,

And therefore here have travell’d bold.

Then, O! resolve me, Hela true,

For well thou know’st each distant clime,

Where must I turn? what course pursue,

To reach the realm of Jotunheim?”

Then Hela croak’d out thus with force,

From throat with fogs and vapour hoarse:

“Begone from hence! depart! away!

Ye’ll soon arrive where giants sway;

The rosy hues that stain your cheek

My eye-balls sear to look upon;

Of health, and youth, and strength they speak;

Such sights I loathe: avaunt! begone!”

Now Thor a sign impatient made

Behind him, which his troop obey’d.

Lok ventur’d not to raise his eye,

As he stern Hela’s throne past by;

He closed his eyes her sight to shun,

And stumbled heavily along:

She look’d at him and breath’d a groan,

Which echoed far the rocks among.

I will not hide the fact that Thor,

However firm and brave in war,

Seem’d anxious much and was not slow

To quit those gloomy realms of woe.

They march into the mountain’s core,

And issuing from the farthest rock,

They soon arrive, and stand before

The palace vast of Utgard-Lok.

CANTO IV.
THOR ARRIVES AT UTGARD.

When Utgard now before him lay,

The chief seem’d well content:

Its site hemm’d in by mountains grey,

Its towers, its vast extent

Excite his wonder: at the gate

A chosen band of warriors sat,

All clad in armour shining,

With cheek on hand reclining.

Down from the walls they cast a look,

And at his hammer sneer:

The shield of each was granite rock,

A huge pine trunk each spear!

But while on Thor they look askance,

And view him closer still advance,

They shout, his efforts braving,

On high their lances waving.

And now to giant Skrymur’s wand

Thor needs must have recourse;

He snatches it from Tialfe’s hand,

And strikes the gate with force.

The bars and bolts receded straight,

And open flew the massive gate,

On creaking hinges wheeling,

A wondrous scene revealing!

Young Roska now was like to swoon,

When viewing with dismay

Abodes, where cliffs in arches hewn

Exclude the light of day.

And strange to all appears the sight

Of walls of alabaster bright

In Utgard-Lok’s vast dwelling,

The giant fire-compelling.

No solar beam hath ever shone

Within this mansion wide,

Where seated on his marble throne

Reigns Utgard-Lok in pride.

Around their sovereign scornful stand

In triple rank a numerous band;

Cuirasses bright of iron

Their bodies stout environ.

When Utgard’s haughty chief beheld

The glance of Thor severe,

His quiv’ring lip too plain reveal’d

Signs ill-suppress’d of fear.

His muscles were of marble grey,

Nor sense nor feeling they betray;

With eyes like rubies glaring,

On Thor he fix’d them staring.

Still fogs and darkness reign’d: anon

Lok utter’d accents strange;

A blow his brazen shield upon

Now caused the scene to change.

Then flames burst from the vaulted dome,

And play’d around the spacious room,

A varied light displaying,

O’er gold and silver straying!

In motion seem’d the arches all;

Then Lok: “That trembling roof

Behold! twill crush ye, should it fall;

’Twere best ye keep aloof.”

Struck with these words Thor rais’d his eyes,

And view’d above him with surprize

A moving rock appalling,

Which threaten’d instant falling.

Intrepid thus he spoke: “Let that,

Which can’t itself sustain,

Fall down! thy rocks may crush me flat;

Thy warning I disdain.”

And now down fell the pond’rous mass,

And roll’d along the cavern’s base,

Afar its fragments scatt’ring,

With awful din and clatt’ring!

And lo! exuding from the ground

A poisonous vapour grey,

Like billow, roll’d the hall around;

But all at once to stay

Its course at Aukthor’s feet it seem’d,

And in a circle ’bout him steam’d;

But naught he fear’d, when gazing

On all those sights amazing.

Then Thor: “In vain to cause my death

Thy rolling rocks conspire;

And naught avail to quench my breath

Thy poisonous vapours dire:

From noble Frigga’s womb I spring,

My sire is Odin, puissant king

In lofty Asgard dwelling,

All other gods excelling.”

Then Utgard Lok with accent grum:

“I know the reason well,

That brings thee to these realms of gloom,

Where swarthy giants dwell:

I know thy lineage and thy blood,

Yet laugh to scorn the Asar brood,

Thy hammer’s force despising,

And naught thy merit prizing.

“Thou boastest of thy strength sublime

And all thou canst effect;

We giants still fore Arild’s time

Were giants, recollect!

Before the Asar we held sway,

Before thou, Thor, hadst seen the day;

Before thy hammer’s glory

Had furnish’d theme for story.

“Let me our earliest records trace!

Before the world’s creation

There was a vast and empty space;[27]

Therein no vegetation.

Ice, snow, and fog from Niffelheim

Lay northward; south from Muspelheim

Proceeded sparks of fire,

That warmth and growth inspire.

“Against the frost i’ th’ vast abyss

Winds from the south now came;

They mix’d; then matter dropp’d, and this

One solid heap became:

Now cold ’gainst fire, and fire ’gainst cold

Long struggled hard the palm to hold;

But fire remain’d victorious:

Thence Ymer sprang the glorious!

“Him we acknowledge as the sire

Of our gigantic brood:

E’en ye our towering size admire,

With strength immense endow’d.

At that time thy earth-shaking car

Did not exist, presumptuous Thor!

“Let me,” quoth Thor, “this history

Expound and all its mystery!

“The wond’rous facts I now relate.

Than I none better knows:

Alfader gave the word; and strait

The cow Audumbla rose!

She lick’d the frost from the hard mass;

Thence sprang the noble Asar race

From solid strength descended,

With warm blood ever blended.

“With matter cold mix’d genial flame;

Then Bure sprang to life;

After him Bor; a giant dame[28]

He carried off as wife:

This pair combined in high degree

Strength, beauty, grace, and symmetry;

His birth from their embraces

Each Asa proudly traces;

“The Alfs and Vaner too: in fine

Whate’er in Heimkringlas

Is found most precious, rare, and fine,

Was join’d to build our race.

The finest oaks must flourish tall,

Be fell’d, and cut in faggots small,

When fuel we require

To feed the nuptial pyre.

“Therefore, that first ye saw the light,

Ye giants proud! ’tis true;

Yet Bor, our ancestor, in fight

Your hero did subdue:

Ymer could not the force withstand

Of Bor; he perish’d by his hand;

That giant so presuming

In his own blood lay fuming.

“Then down into the deep abyss

Bor Ymer’s body cast;

This form’d the Earth’s vast edifice;

His blood the Ocean vast;

The mountains from his bones arise;

His brains compose the cloudy skies,

And still continue dreaming,

With constant changes teeming.

“Then all around and up and down

The eye-brows thick he spread,

And lo! from these the lofty town

Of Midgard lifts its head!

The scull was next spread out, and bent

To build the heavenly firmament,

Which Freya tinged with azure,

The fav’rite hue of pleasure.

“Now Bor in haste from Muspelheim

Took many sparks, and threw them

High ’midst the firmament sublime,

And there ye still may view them:

There still they glow with brilliant light;

There still, as they revolve, excite,

Above their heads and under

Their feet, the Asar’s wonder.

“Now Bor and Bure fell’d two trees,

Which grew by the sea-shore;

A man and woman’s form to these

Was given by mystic lore:

From the strong oak the man was made;

The fragrant rose produced the maid,

In grace and beauty shining,

All hearts to love inclining;

“Askur and Embla hight: and lo!

Bure this couple led

To Midgard’s city: from those two

The human race proceed:

There still they dwell and multiply,

And render to the Asar high

Their constant adoration,

With many a rich oblation.

“Full well can I this hist’ry trace.

And every fact relate,

What time befel the giant race

Destruction and defeat:

Bergelmer only and his wife,

Saved on a wreck, escaped with life:

From them thy giant nation

Derives its generation.

“To dwell in caverns ’neath the earth

We Asar have compell’d ye:

Why boast ye then your earlier birth,

Since thus we gods have quell’d ye?

Spite of your spells and magic song,

Ye dwell perforce these rocks among:

At night alone ye rally,

And forth on mischief sally.

“As noxious herbs and weeds incline

To spread afar their roots,

Fraud, rapine, evil to enshrine,

Such are your main pursuits!

Ye think once more in arms to try

Your strength against our dynasty;

Your boasts are out of season;

Ye’ll bitter rue your treason.

“For not content with mischief done

To Askur’s sons of earth,

Ye’ve dared to wreak your malice on

Upsala’s sacred hearth.

Down have ye cast the temple’s walls,

And this aloud for vengeance calls;

Ye’ve quench’d the sacred fire:

Tremble for Odin’s ire!”

His eye shot flames as thus he spoke,

His nostrils breath’d disdain;

Proud and contemptuous was the look

He cast on Utgard’s train:

His brazen armour’s brilliant sheen

Made every Jotun quake, I ween;

Himself stood calm, defending

His right with soul unbending.

The wild flames caused him no affright,

Which all around him shone;

Sudden a stream, as silver bright,

Rush’d like a torrent down:

It near’d his feet, and fain would go

Beyond, but, stopping, ceased to flow,

As if with fear congealing

At Aukthor’s look repelling.

At length the giant king rejoin’d,

While fear assail’d his heart:

“I would not, that with angry mind

Thou shouldst from hence depart:

Then tarry here with us awhile,

And on our pastime deign to smile!

This realm, trust my assertion,

Can furnish rare diversion.

“We’ll enter on a course of games,

When ye’ve repose enjoy’d,

Such as a noble race beseems

Of hate and envy void.

In such a combat we can well

Prove, without wrath, who most excel

In wit, strength, or invention,

In generous contention.

To this proposal Thor agreed:

Lok rising from his throne

His guests with courteous gesture led

Into a wide saloon.

Golden its walls; of marble neat

The table rests on golden feet:

There stand with liquor glowing

Carbuncle cups o’erflowing.

Loud through the echoing rocks around

The various metals clang!

Cascades of quicksilver resound

A strange and wizard twang!

Now Thor sat down with conscious pride,

His three companions by his side,

Their minds, without misgiving,

To joy and pleasure giving.

CANTO V.
MAGIC SPELLS IN UTGARD.

Now at the festive board sat down

The chiefs in social converse. Lok

Arose, and thus in jesting tone

The ever sprightly Asa spoke:

“To pass the time, while here we sit,

Let us some mirthful game devise,

Some trial of our strength or wit,

And prove who best deserves the prize.”

“To this proposal I agree,”

To him thus Utgard-Lok replied;

“And what the game or sport shall be,

Let thy ingenious brain decide!”

Then catching up some roasted meat,

The Asa laughing cries: “’Tis well;

Be this my first triumphant feat!

In eating none can Lok excel.

“I find my appetite increase

By what I have endured of late;

By plenteous cheer ’twere not amiss,

Methinks, my strength to renovate:

Good trencher-men in troth we are,

Of limbs robust and stomachs able:

Go, therefore! bid the cook prepare,

And set the viands on the table!”

“To what best suits thee I accede,”

Still jesting, Utgard-Lok replies;

“There can be nothing worse, indeed,

Than hungry from the board to rise:

Yet, my good friend! thou’lt soon perceive,

However strong thy stomach be,

In eating thou canst naught achieve

’Gainst one of my good company.”

This speech annoy’d Laufeia’s son;

He jump’d up hastily, and said:

“Thou whoreson fiend! thou evil one!

Think’st thou my purpose to dissuade?”

The swarthy chief made no reply,

But call’d to one amidst his crew:

“Come forth!” and lo! with fearful cry

Starts forth a goblin[29] fell to view!

Obedient to his master’s call,

Who now his zeal and service claims,

He stalks across the spacious hall,

In armour cover’d o’er with flames:

The most were yellow; some were red;

Some blue; anon with scornful look

Towering above his rival’s head,

He cast his eyes on Asa-Lok.

His widely gaping mouth reveals

A double row of grinders long;

At every finger, ’stead of nails,

Were likewise teeth both sharp and strong:

And strange to tell, each tooth displays

On mouth or hand a pow’rful light.

Young Roska view’d them with amaze,

And shrunk back trembling with affright.

The shadows that obscured the rock

All vanish’d at the goblin’s sight.

“I do perceive,” said Asa-Lok,

“Each of thy limbs hath power to bite:

Yet trust me! though thou hast the power

Each finger to employ as tooth,

Thou’lt not be able to devour

More food than Loptur with his mouth.”

Into the hall by Lok’s command

A dish was brought of purest ore;

’Twas vast in size, and it contain’d

Of joints of meat an ample store.

The ugly fiend and Asa-Lok

Set to and crunched with all their might;

They eat, as though they both would choke:

This caused much wonder and delight.

Each sat at one end of the dish,

But in the middle soon they meet:

Lok from the bones had clear’d the flesh;

At length he could no longer eat.

Not so the goblin; he devour’d

The hard bones, golden dish, and all:

He roll’d his eyes around the board,

And for more viands fain would call.

Now loudly laugh’d the giant crew;

E’en Thor the serious laugh’d outright:

Young Tialfe grinn’d, and Roska too

Was much diverted at the sight.

The guests now sitting round the board,

As arbiters pronounce the doom;

They loud proclaim with one accord,

That Asa-Lok was overcome.

Then Utgard-Lok in jesting mood

Call’d out to Tialfe by his name:

“Since we are cloy’d with drink and food,

Let us arrange some other game!

We practise here, the time to kill,

Jokes and diversions not a few:

Go thou, brave youth! and try thy skill!

I fain would see what thou canst do.”

“What callst thou trying? do not boast

Too much!” the ardent Tialf replied:

“Though Asa-Lok the prize have lost,

That cannot, sure, our worth decide.

He gave me armour; and ye’ll find,

Though ye can bones and dish devour

Like dogs, that with undaunted mind

I brave, and hope to quell your power.”

Then Utgard’s Chief with knitted brow

Rejoin’d: “Twere bootless to contend

On what is past and gone: do thou

Propose some game, my youthful friend!”

“Good!” answer’d Tialfe: “Be it so!”

And strait his corslet ’gan t’ unlace.

“An ye consent, I’m ready now

With any of your train to race.”

Then thus the swarthy chief: “’Tis well;

And such a sport, methinks, is meet:

For when our arms in vigour fail,

We find our safety in our feet.

Come then! begin! trace out the course!

Yet I suspect, thou’lt soon succumb,

However great in speed thy force,

When racing with my little Thumb.”[30]

Now Tialfe’s limbs with anger shook,

He threw around a scornful glance;

And view’d forth crawling from a nook

A strange and dwarfish elf advance!

Though little strength he seem’d to boast,

Yet supple as a bow was he:

A veil enveloping his bust

His features none allow’d to see.

“I see his body swells or shrinks,”

Quoth Tialf, “at pleasure ’fore the wind;

In elasticity, methinks,

He leaves all creatures far behind.

Come, little hero! come along,

And let us strait begin our course!

Much need we, when the race is long,

Not merely suppleness, but force.”

The signal given, off they set!

The rocks re-echo with the sound!

The dwarf first reach’d the goal, and met

Full butt his rival, turning round.

Tialf bit his lips, and scarce suppress’d

His anger; panting thus he spake:

“’Tis not enough our speed to test;

Let us another trial make!”

Now off they start again: and though

With all his might young Tialfe raced,

Swifter than dart from archer’s bow

The supple dwarf the goal embraced.

He halted, while his rival still

Distant a half bow-shot was seen;

Thus easy baffling Tialfe’s skill,

He chuckled in his sleeve, I ween.

One trial more the chiefs ordain’d;

The dwarf the gage rejected not;

He flew, and quick the goal attain’d,

And strait returning, reach’d the spot

From which they started, long before

Tialfe himself could reach the goal.

The youth sank breathless on the floor,

With jaded limbs and anguish’d soul.

That Tialf was vanquish’d all agreed:

Like wind the dwarf now vanish’d fleet.

Then Utgard’s chief to Aukthor said:

“Now try thyself some dextrous feat!

Thy champions hitherto have shown

But little skill and little power;

But thou perhaps, and thou alone,

Mayst all our efforts overpower.”

Thor drily then: “It may be so;

I seek not our defeat to skreen:

In eating, certes, I allow,

That Asa-Lok hath vanquish’d been.

But that which most is thought in me

Surprising, is my power of drink:

Bring me a drinking horn! ye’ll see,

From no competitor I shrink.”

The chief gives signal; quick as thought

Into the spacious hall is borne,

Of curious yellow metal wrought,

And carved with runes, a drinking horn.

Its point extreme, so vast its length,

Afar without the cavern lies:

E’en Thor, though conscious of his strength,

Was stagger’d at its awful size.

With anxious eye and strict attention

See Thor this vessel contemplate!

It seems in truth of vast dimension,

Yet for his stomach not too great.

Then Utgard’s chief. “Well mayst thou doubt,

If thou hast power that horn to drain:

He who can see its measure out,

Certes, will not of thirst complain.

“But when through guile or negligence

A giant hath our laws profaned,

To empty that whole horn’s contents

Is oft the punishment ordain’d.

One draught the horn can seldom drain,

In two the feat we sometimes see;

But there is none among my train

Who cannot empty it in three.”

To him thus Asa-Lok replied:

“’Mongst all the chiefs in Odin’s realm,

If my experience may decide,

In drinking Thor bears off the palm.

Whene’er he calls aloud for drink,

And graps the horn with nervous arm,

The Asar back with terror shrink,

And Valhall trembles with alarm.

“For him Iduna’s tender care

Provides the luscious apple-wine;

And scarcely more delicious are

The kisses from her lips divine:

In drinking, as in fighting great,

One single draught doth Thor suffice

The largest horn to empty strait;

And none with him dispute the prize.

“A well known fact I now declare;

As’-Odin every morning hies

To Mimer’s sacred fountain, where

He courteous for a drink applies:

Then Mimer from those bounteous rills

A beaker, of dimensions vast

In depth and breath, with water fills;

That water boasts of wine the taste.

“Odin once Valaskialf forsook;

To travel far it seem’d him fit:

While absent, Thor that beaker took,

And at one draught he emptied it:

Since then, the mighty warrior’s fame

Resounds from every Asa’s mouth,

And Asgard’s chronicles proclaim

The feat. I tell ye naught but truth.

When Odin learn’d this act of Thor,

Thus burst he forth in angry tone:

“Ha! what presumption! thou art far

Too daring and too rash, my son!

That fountain fresh with wisdom glows;

Thor drank and straight did wit obtain:

How canst thou, then, our chief suppose

Incompetent thy horn to drain?”

Then answer’d Utgard’s prince: “Who knows?

In Odin’s hall perhaps they feel

Less thirst than here.” Then Thor arose,

And with that arm, whose nerves are steel,

The horn he lifted from the ground;

Nor difficult this effort seem’d:

This movement caused an echoing sound,

And was alone a marvel deem’d.

“Of drinkers we will hail thee first,

If in that horn thou naught dost leave;

And certainly thy tongue with thirst

Unto thy palate will not cleave.”

Thus sneering said the fiend: awhile

The Asa stood immers’d in thought:

Then grasp’d the horn with sudden smile,

And took one long and pow’rful draught.

E’en as the sandy wilderness

Drinks in th’ impetuous floods of rain,

That pour down from the heavenly space,

Thus Aukthor drank, and drank amain:

He stopp’d, and with complacent look

Began the vessel to explore;

Yet spite of the long draught he took,

It seem’d as full as ’twas before.

But Thor’s high courage never fails;

He leans upon his hammer bright:

Again the beaker he assails,

And quaffs with all his soul and might.

In furrows deep his forehead rolls;

His veins swell at the effort rude:

He drank, as do the clefts and holes

Of the ravine drink in the flood.

Once more the chief review’d the horn;

Full, as before, the horn remains:

How deep did then our hero mourn

His baffled strength and bootless pains!

Well might this horn with wonder fill

Those, who knew not its mystery;

For, spite of all he swallow’d, still

The smallest space was not left dry.

Again the god his mouth applies

Th’ unfathomable horn to drain:

He drank, e’en as the deep abyss

Drank in the blood of Ymer slain:

The giants who this feat beheld

All with astonishment turn’d pale,

But prudently their fear conceal’d:

Yet e’en this draught did nought avail.

When Asa Thor at length perceived,

How fruitless all his efforts were

To drain the horn, he inward grieved,

And thus he spoke: “I must declare,

Ye chiefs of Jotunheim are first

In power of swallowing drink, as well

As flesh; for such unnatural thirst

We sons of Asgard never feel.

“The bowl we Asar do not drain

The feverish heat of thirst to quell;

We feel it not; ’tis strength to gain,

That we imbibe our hydromel.

How joyous at the board we meet!

What lovely maids our drink prepare!

’Tis far less water’d, and more sweet

Than your insipid beverage here.”

Then to the god these words address’d

The chief of Utgard’s gloomy state.

“When with broad shoulders we are bless’d,

The stomach also should be great;

But since ’tis only sport, I fain

Some other proof of skill would see;

Some cheerful game do thou ordain!

The choice, O chief! I leave to thee.

“Our custom in this vast saloon

Is to divert ourselves with play;

Tis thus with my companions boon

Fast glide the tedious hours away;

Then let us now at once proceed

To try some sport, the time to pass

I have it: Who can best succeed

In lifting up a ponderous mass?”

Quoth Thor: “I do consent to that.”

Lo! from a hole came running out

A big and curious broad-tail’d cat,

And twirl’d itself the hall about.

It look’d at Thor, and seem’d to quake

With terror; then it shrunk, and bent

Itself in folds, like wily snake,

To spring upon its prey intent.

With its red eyes so small it peep’d,

Hunger and malice in its frown;

Then on its belly forward crept,

And gently by the god lay down.

No furs enwrapp’d this creature’s skin,

But rings of horn its limbs encased;

When first call’d forth the sport to join,

It seem’d with terror sore oppress’d.

It play’d and frisk’d the guests among

With tail so scaly long and thick;

Its mouth protrudes a forked tongue,

With which ’twas wont its lips to lick.

Then Lok: “Canst thou lift up that cat,

O Thor! thy strength is great indeed.”

“Nay!” answered Asa Lok, “a weight

Far greater he can lift at need.

“The hammer that our chief doth bear,

Alone outweighs one hundred pound;

But mark my words, while I declare

A feat, for which he’s much renown’d:

Once into lovely Freya’s hall

He enter’d, while she sleeping lay;

He seiz’d the goddess, couch and all,

And bore them in his arms away.

With freshest rose-leaves fill’d, the bed

Was wrought of massive golden ore;

But though so heavily it weigh’d,

With ease he raised it from the floor;

Then to his castle, Trudvang hight,

Triumphant bore it through the air;

So noiseless was the Asa’s flight,

He naught disturb’d the sleeping fair.

The goddess bright with roses crown’d

Awoke at midnight’s solemn hour,

And much did it the fair astound,

To find herself in Aukthor’s bower:

Himself was kneeling by her side;

Till roused from her surprize at length

She rose in all her beauty’s pride,

And trembled at the hero’s strength.[31]

Since charged with load of such vast weight,

He bird-like cleaved the liquid air,

Dost thou suppose thy frightful cat

Too heavy for his arm to bear?

Two sable cats[32] draw Freya’s car,

And what they draw, he raised alone:

Than both his strength was greater far;

Think ye, he cannot lift up one?”

The prince of Utgard smiled: “Take care!”

Quoth he: “be not too sure of that!

For I suspect, that Freya’s car

Is far less heavy than my cat.”

Now Thor prepared in Utgard’s hall

His strength to prove with eager zest;

But silence he implored from all,

And all complied with his request.

Fixing the cat with watchful eye,

Thor ’neath its belly threw his arm;

It claw’d and spat most frightfully,

And whined with fury and alarm.

’Twas vain with this vile beast to cope,

And Thor soon found his efforts weak;

The more he strove to lift it up,

The higher still became its back.

On high, as far as arm could reach,

He raised the creature towards the roof;

But higher still the cat could stretch

Its strange elastic form at proof:

So hard the struggle, e’en the soul

Of mighty Thor felt some dismay:

Now through the roof he breaks a hole,

And fain towards heaven would lift his prey.

But spite of all his efforts, he

Could raise but one leg from the hearth;

Tenacious clung the other three,

As if fast rooted, to the earth.

At length exhausted he became,

And down he let the creature fall;

And though he strove to hide his shame,

’Twas clearly visible to all.

The cat was then removed. The fiend

With look demure and wily sneer

Then said to Tialfe’s lord: “My friend!

Thus goes it with our pastimes here.

Like all things else in our domain,

That cat can wond’rous strength deploy;

E’en Thor, great Odin’s son, ’tis plain,

Cannot in strength with giants vie.”

To him thus sharp the god of war,

For much those words his spirit grate:

“Now by my hammer and my car,

Talking and boasting much I hate;

But since with sneer and bantering

The force of Thor thou seemst to doubt,

Come forth thyself, O swarthy king!

And try with me a wrestling bout!”

With soften’d voice the chief rejoin’d,

For now fear made him lower his crest:

“Nay! why so hasty? bear in mind,

That all things here are done in jest!

No malice here disturbs our sport;

But since a wrestling match you chuse,

I’ve an old woman in my court,

To cope with Thor she’ll not refuse.”

To him Laufeia’s crafty son:

“She comes not for our chief too late;

She’ll rue the sport; his grasp alone

Has power her limbs to dislocate:

In ancient runes hath she not read,

How on the giant’s isle of rock,

’Midst a vast female troop he sped,

And made them feel his hammer’s shock?

“’Twas sport to see him deal such blows

On those fierce virgins; none unscathed

Escaped; though numberless his foes,

’Midst flames his look defiance breathed:

To drown him one the thought conceived,

And urged him to the ocean’s brink;

But such a blow her scull received,

She ne’er again had power to think.[33]”

Angry and deeply blushing, Thor

Struck on the forehead Asa Lok:

Down to the earth he sank before

His feet, while thus the thund’rer spoke.

“Thus I chastise thy sland’rous tongue,

On calumny and lies intent:

Doubtless the Asar’s choir among

Thou art the most impertinent!

“Wretched buffoon! base weather-cock!

Vile mimic of the giant race!

How darest thou Asa Thor provoke,

And falsehoods thus insidious trace?

Thyself an Asa, thou do’st e’er

Delight thy peers to vilify:

As sure as Fenris howls, I swear

Thy punishment shall dreadful be.”

Now rising slow with blushing cheek,

And forehead bleeding, Loptur spoke:

“Why, cruel! on thy comrade wreak

Thy vengeance for a harmless joke?

’Twas but in jest; since ’twas agreed

That all we do should be in sport,

Why not in word as well as deed

With temper bear a sly retort?

“Are then thy strength and bravery

At once become so weak, O Thor,

That a mere joke, a raillery,

To damp their energy hath power?

No signs of fear or weakness show’d

Those virgins: clad in steel and brass,

With clubs they to the battle strode;

In strength no males could them surpass.

“Yes! female goblins fell were they,

Who sank beneath thy shaft divine;

And this old woman here, I say,

Reminds me of that act of thine:

Meagre, decrepit, toothless, old,

Can such a witch with Thor contend?”

Then quickly answer’d Thor the bold:

“Enough! here let our quarrel end!”

Now tottering in the hall appears,

Leaning a knotty staff upon,

A woman deep advanced in years;

Her eyes were sunk, her cheek was wan;

Her coarse white locks, her shrivell’d skin

Announced extreme decrepitude:

To pity much did Thor incline,

When such a fragile form he view’d.

“It is not fit,” the Asa said,

“That thou shouldst cope with me before

Thou hast a cup of juice essay’d,

Whose fruit grows in Valhalla’s bower.”

Now from a hole within his shield

He took a fruit of luscious taste:[34]

With courteous look and accent mild

To taste it much the dame he prest.

“Eat this! my venerable dame!

Thy days of youth ’twill straight restore;

This fruit from Bragur’s garden came;

Iduna guards the sacred store:

’Twill make thy veins beat high with youth;

’Twill fill with eloquence thy tongue.”

Then thus the dame: “I’m old, in truth,

Yet I remain for ever young.

“All things do I devour, yet naught

Consume; as for thy fruit divine,

Keep it thyself! I need it not!

But come! let us the sport begin!”

Thus said, her arms around her foe

She cast with wondrous force and glee;

Thor, struggling hard the crone to throw,

At length fell breathless on his knee.

His comrades trembled, sore afraid

To view their chieftain’s sad mischance:

Now Thor to them a signal made

To succour him with sword and lance.

Then turning round in wrath extreme,

To Utgard-Lok he fiercely cries:

“Let me this instant quit thy realm,

Where frantic witchcraft gains the prize!

“I cannot bear such magic spells,

Such visions strange: Odin alone,

My sire, who in Valhalla dwells,

Can from such mischief shield his son:

Unknown to him I’ve travell’d here;

Ah me! I do repent me now!

Deceit, misfortune, checks severe

Are all that I have proved below.

“But when we next renew the fight,

Naught shall thy spells thy person shield:

Odin can magic runes indite,

As Thor knows how his mace to wield:

Allied we shall one day descend

From thy vile yoke the world to free,

And Utgard-Lok, arch-traitrous fiend,

In his own realm shall vanquish’d be.”

Indignant then he faced about,

While shame and anger tinged his cheek;

The chief of Utgard led him out,

With mind perplex’d and gesture meek:

The mountain deeply sigh’d and mourn’d;

Down rush’d its silv’ry blood amain;

The gate slow on its hinges turn’d,

And Thor once more bestrode the plain.

CANTO VI.
THE SPELLS UNRAVELLED.

When now from subterranean gloom

Emerged, again the hero stood

Amidst the plain where flow’rets bloom,

With joy the azure sky he view’d:

His hammer shed around a light;

His armour seem’d on fire:

He feels once more his wonted might

Through all his veins transpire.

He waved his hammer. Utgard’s lord

At once in him could recognize

The god by Jotunheim abhorr’d,

The god, whose thunders shake the skies:

His hair now stood upright with fear,

His heart began to beat,

For though in Utgard’s nether sphere

The chief had met defeat,

He fear’d, that when the bright domain

Of Asgard Thor again should reach,

Odin would all the spells explain,

And surest means of vengeance teach.

“That fatal consequence to thwart

I must some scheme devise:

Were it not best myself t’ impart

To Thor those mysteries,

And frankly thus at once reveal

How all things happen’d there below?

The key to each enchanted spell

’Twere better he from us should know,

Than learn it elsewhere; this would move

Still more the Asar’s wrath,

And hard would then the contest prove

’Gainst Thor and Odin both.”

Thus to himself thought Utgard Lok:

Then full of cunning and deceit

To Thor he thus embarrass’d spoke:

“Tis well for us, thou hast thought fit

To leave our kingdom: thou shalt ne’er

With my consent return;

Much from thy visit did I fear,

We might have cause to mourn.

“But now that for our giant race

All danger’s past, will I relate

Frankly, how all things came to pass:

And here, O chief! thy prowess great

We all confess, and all admire;

Thy sword and hammer bright

All foes with terror must inspire,

When thou appearst in sight.

“I learn’d with much astonishment

And no small dread, O chief! that thou

Hadst form’d a project of descent

From Valaskialf to earth below.

But when thy further views I learn’d

To visit Utgard’s realm,

Methought, O chief! thy brain was turn’d

To harbour such a scheme.

“Doubtless, I did not dare offend

A god as frank as he is strong;

I only sought my realm to fend

By wizard spell and mystic song:

The winds and waves in wild commotion

I urged from pole to pole;

But neither winds nor waves of Ocean

Have power to daunt thy soul.

“I straight assumed a shape, of more

Than human size or human strength;

Upon the ground I ’gan to snore,

With all my limbs stretch’d out at length:

I thought to fright thee from the heath,

And check thy bold advance;

But vain my threat’ning size and teeth

Against thy sword and lance.

“I trembled for thy hammer too

Forged in the gloomy dwarfs’ abode;

He whom that strikes, full well I know,

Is forthwith deluged in his blood.

By strange illusions I inclined

To give thy nerves a shock;

But it ne’er enter’d in my mind

So brave a chief to mock.

“What I had plann’d, I did fulfil

Forthwith; but thou wert naught afeard:

Naught didst thou else, but closer still

Thy belt around thy body gird:

But I acknowledge, when I view’d

Thy footsteps turn my way,

A cold sweat all my limbs bedew’d,

As on the grass I lay.

“Thy eyes were thus deceived: the blow

That first thy hammer gave my head,

Though not thy heaviest, would, I trow,

If felt, have my quietus made:

When I beheld thee raise thy arm,

My limbs with terror shook,

I conjured by a powerful charm

Thy blow against that rock.”

At this discourse Thor stood aghast,

Then hied the rock to scrutinize;

He there beheld three caverns vast

Hewn in the rock before his eyes.

While Thor with wonder view’d this cave,

The giant humbly said:

“Behold! the blows thy hammer gave

Those caverns three have made.

“But still th’ illusion to maintain,

And further still thy sense deceive,

I rubb’d my brow and feign’d some pain

At every blow thou thoughtst to give.

I must confess thy hammer’s shock

Could lay the mightiest low;

But thou didst split the granite rock,

Instead of Skrymur’s brow.

“I thought to lead thee ’stray amidst

The mountain’s windings intricate;

By my contrivance ’twas thou didst

Arrive at pale-blue Hela’s gate.

I thought to frighten thee away

From our snow-cover’d zone;

But fear to thee, I needs must say,

Is utterly unknown.

“And now will I relate to ye

How all occurr’d in my domain:

Then listen to my words, I pray,

While those enigmas I explain.

And first, O Lok! I gave to thee

A dish well fill’d with meat;

Thou didst thy duty manfully,

’Twas sport to see thee eat.

“Though thou with all thy force didst eat,

And we thy powers did much admire,

Yet how couldst thou escape defeat,

When thy competitor was Fire?

For thus the goblin fierce we call

With ever-craving maw:

What wonder, that bones, dish, and all,

He should consume like straw?

“And, Tialfe! though in racing thou

Didst manifest a wondrous speed,

Yet to thy rival thou must bow,

His swiftness far did thine exceed;

But where’s the wonder that sharp elf

Should first the goal embrace?

For know! it was my Thought itself,

The dwarf,[35] who won the race:

“All things in swiftness Thought excels:

Who can so plain a truth gainsay?

And mine I charged with magic spells,

To lead thee from the course astray.

Yet though but ill-success ye’ve met

On Utgard’s gloomy shore,

Believe me, we shall ne’er forget

The mighty deeds of Thor.

“I cannot from thy praise restrain,

O Asa! for thy powers of drink;

For though the horn thou couldst not drain,

Thou didst not from the effort shrink.

Each of my vassals stood aghast

At such a bold essay;

For one end of that horn so vast,

Think! in the ocean lay!

“While thou didst so much water quaff,

O Asa! we could well perceive

The horn by suction did one half

The sea of its contents bereave:

Dost thou of my assertion doubt?

Go to yon cliff’s high brink,

And see how much thy drinking bout

Has made old Ocean shrink!”

Now Asa-Thor moved towards the sea;

Him follow’d Roska, Lok, and Tialf:

They lean’d upon their swords to see

The ocean; it had sunk one half.

The depth immense they all admire

From a stupendous height;

But terrified, they quick retire

From the appalling sight.

Then thus the chief of Utgard: “Thor,

I hope, will bear me no ill-will;

I trust he hath absolved me, for

I’ve giv’n him scope to prove his skill:

My spells have only served to show

His powers in clearer light;

The sands from whence the waters flow

Have testified his might.

“When thou, great chieftain, shalt return

To thy bright dome in Trudvang’s grove,

There shalt thou find that drinking-horn:

Accept it as a pledge of love.

’Twill serve thy visit to recall

To Utgard-Lok’s abode,

And cause, when drinking in thy hall,

The daily ebb and flood.”[36]

Then Thor: “In fraud and artifice

Thou art a most accomplish’d elf;

Methinks it would not be amiss

To try my strength upon thyself.

Thou dost deserve with broken head

Thy treason to deplore,

And that this hand be tinged with red,

And moisten’d with thy gore.”

Then Utgard’s chief to sigh began,

With quiv’ring lip and falt’ring tone:

“It would not, sure, the stronger man

Become to slay the weaker one:

Thy struggle with the cat we saw

To raise it towards the roof;

When it began to spit and claw,

With fear we stood aloof.

“With all thy thund’ring from the sky,

Thou ne’er hast caused such fear as then;

For know, the cat, that thou didst try

To bear aloft with effort vain,

Was the enormous serpent fell

That Midgard’s sphere enfolds,

And circling all the earth, its tail

In its own mouth it holds!

“Proud of thy strength of heavenly proof,

Thou strov’st the struggling beast to raise,

And high as the vast cavern’s roof

Thou seem’dst to lift it up with ease:

But still, however high from earth

Thou strov’st to lift it up,

With angry tail it lash’d the hearth,

And made thy prowess droop.

“And lastly, the old wrinkled dame,

Who, wrestling, show’d such skill and power,

Weak and decrepit though she seem,

Had strength enough thy crest to lower.

But where’s the wonder that her arm

Should conquer Thor sublime?

To conquer all the fatal charm

She boasts: her name is Time.

“That crone so greedy, gaunt, and grim,

Wanders about with hungry mouth;

Old though she seem in face and limb,

Yet still she boasts eternal youth.

In every clime she proves her pow’r

By great Alfader’s doom;

And though she every thing devour,

She nothing does consume.

“One day her grinders will devour,

I tell ye truth, our giant breed;

She’ll likewise crush the Asars’ power,

For thus the Nornor have decreed.

Thou wert compell’d to bend the knee

Before that ancient dame;

Let that defeat a warning be,

And thy presumption tame!”

Now Aukthor’s eyes with fury glare;

He rais’d his mace, and fain would slay

The fiend; but he, dissolv’d in air,

Had fled to Utgard far away.

The god no longer now beheld

A mountain o’er his head:

He stands upon a spacious field

With clover thick o’erspread.

CANTO VII.
THE RETURN HOME.

Girding his belt still closer round

His loins, the chief his way pursued:

Towards eve a meadow vast he found,

Where herds of cattle grazing stood.

Still moving on with soul on fire,

His eyes a distant dwelling reach,

The humble cot of Tialfe’s sire

Embosom’d in a grove of beech.

Then Tialfe blush’d, and towards the cot

Ran lustily along the grass:

Him follow’d Roska light of foot

With streaming hair and rosy face.

To view the spot how great their joy,

Where first the breath of life they drew!

Shouts of delight reveal the boy;

Roska shed tears like morning dew.

Close to the cottage-door outspread

A linden-tree its branches wide:

The peasant there beneath its shade

Sat with his consort by his side.

Soon as the children met their eyes,

High beat their hearts with ecstacy;

“Lo! there is Tialf!” the Gaffer cries:

“Lo! there is Roska!” echoes she.

The dame gave vent to many a tear,

When clasping Roska in her arms:

Much wonder caused the shield and spear,

And eye that spoke of war’s alarms.

The ancient dame felt never tired

Upon her daughter’s charms to dwell;

Her size improved she much admired,

Her slender waist, and bosom’s swell.

“I scarcely can believe, that I

Gave birth to such a daughter brave:

Whence gottest thou that flashing eye?

And who that shining corslet gave?”

Young Roska gravely thus replied:

“My gracious master Asa-Thor

The corslet shield and sword supplied:

His lessons fit my soul for war.”

Then the old man with locks so grey

In close embrace his Tialfe held:

The youth with self-esteem swell’d high,

Proud of his casque, his lance and shield.

“My darling boy! in truth, ’tis strange,”

Thus sobbing did the parent say:

“Whence comes so wonderful a change?

Thou wert a child but yesterday.

“Whence gottest thou that martial brow,

And strength the toils of war to brave?

Who gave thee force to bend the bow,

And who that glitt’ring armour gave?”

Then Tialfe: “Thor my gracious lord

Gave me these arms; the art of war

From him I learn; to wield the sword,

And poise the lance, and mount the car.”

When to his parents Tialf reveal’d

The presence of the puissant Thor,

The old man and his consort kneel’d,

Inspired with awe, the god before:

With timid sigh the old man said:

“O god! whose fame the world doth fill,

Thy car is safe beneath my shed,

And thy two goats are living still.”

This speech the Asa’s nerves restored;

His wrath quick vanish’d like the wind:

Reflecting on the giant’s word,

He felt consoled in heart and mind.

Now to the stable straight he goes,

And opes the door: with joy he swell’d,

And quick forgot all cares and woes,

When he his goats and car beheld.

And now the giant queller took

(His custom ’twas) his hammer bright;

A well directed blow he struck,

And slew his goats of colour white.

Now jump’d th’ old woman up in haste,

Upon the board to spread the cloth;

While Lok began the meat to baste,

And feed the fire, and mix the broth.

Lo! from the wood the peasant’s son,

Laden with faggots, now appears;

He piles them on the hearth: anon

The smoking flesh the trav’llers cheers:

No dish had they; Thor’s buckler broad

This want supplied: and now they feed

With hearty zest, while the goats’ blood

Furnish’d, as wont, delicious mead.

No sooner was the supper past,

Thor rose observant of his rite;

The bones within the skins he cast:

But Tialfe’s father at the sight,

Mindful of what before was done,

Quits hastily the festive hearth,

And grasping by the arm his son,

Into the forest leads him forth.

Then Thor, the mighty, cried aloud:

“Why dost thou lead that youth away?”

But the old peasant only bow’d,

And to the grove pursued his way:

“What once he did, I recollect,”

Quoth he; “I must not hesitate;

I’m fearful, if he be not check’d,

He may his former trick repeat.”

The giant-queller laugh’d amain:

“Nay, father! leave the youth alone;

I wager, Tialfe will ne’er again

Be tempted by a marrow-bone:

To renovate his strength he now

No longer needs to suck the marrow,

As whilom, when he drove the plough,

Or fell’d the wood, or wheel’d the barrow.

Cheer’d by the Asa’s blithesome mood,

The old man let Tialf’s kirtle go:

The trav’llers now, with savoury food

Refresh’d, their thoughts on sleep bestow.

But Thor, the mighty god of war,

Whose soul with thoughts heroick glows,

Doff’d not his armour; in his car

He stepp’d, and there enjoy’d repose.

The morning dawn’d: with choral lay

The feather’d songsters fill the skies:

The sun ascends; the trav’llers gay

From slumbers light refresh’d arise.

To war and bold adventure prone,

Each buckles on his armour strait,

And whets his weapon on the stone,

That stands without the cottage gate.

On the goats’ feet Thor went to nail

The shoes of gold; the silken reins

He fasten’d, and prepared to sail

Across the vast celestial plains.

He grasps his hammer; in the car

His followers place them by his side:

’Midst thunder’s crash and lightning’s glare

They mount, and skyward rapid glide.

The car swift rolling through the sky

The peasant views with mute amaze:

The more he marks them mounting high,

The more he stares with stupid gaze.

Soaring aloft, what words can paint

Roska’s and Tialf’s extreme surprize,

When stretching cross the firmament

The rainbow ring salutes their eyes?

When Asa Thor, the god renown’d,

Arrived within his bright domain,

Behold a purple blush around

Spread itself o’er the azure plain:

Heimdaller, when he view’d the car,

Sounded his horn in glorious style;

And the seven Virgins greeted Thor

With wave of hand and gracious smile.

Then said the Miölner-brandisher

To the young Roska lily-white:

“’Twere best I bring thee strait to her,

Who rules in Folkvang, Freya hight;

For never since the world has been

The world, was female, wife, or maid,

In Trudvang’s warlike castle seen;

Nor will I now that rule evade.”

The dome of Freya, queen of love,

The fairest of the Disar fair,

Stands in a vale, where many a grove

Of rose-trees sweet embalms the air.

From earthly sorrow and annoy

For ever freed, each constant youth

And faithful maid doth there enjoy

The guerdon bright of love and truth.

In that abode of joy and bliss,

Where many a graceful form is seen,

The greatest ornament, I wis,

Is Freya’s self, the lovely queen.

Her golden hair, her eyes deep blue,

Her bosom turn’d with finest swell,

Her slender waist, her skin’s soft hue,

Her teeth which brightest pearls excel,

Her breath of sweetest flower perfume,

Her soul-enchanting smile, her cheek

Which emulates the peach’s bloom,[37]

All these to sing my voice is weak.

In either hand she holds a rose;

Each doth delicious odour spread:

Each with the liveliest colour glows;

One tinges morn, one eve with red.

So gentle is her soul and mind,

All painful cares and griefs she heals:

Her breath, which forms the vernal wind,

The earth with vegetation fills.

When morn displays its roseate hue,

Tears glisten in her orbs so bright;

These fall to earth in shape of dew,

And fill each flow’ret with delight.

Two daughters claim her tend’rest care,

Their faultless forms what graces deck!

Like waterfall, their radiant hair

Streams down their alabaster neck!

Hnos, who the moon’s bright chariot guides,

The paragon of children shines:

Siofna, who over sleep presides,

All hearts to peace and love inclines.

“Folkvangur is the place, methinks.

Most suitable to Roska fair;

From danger, oft I’ve seen, she shrinks,

And fails in strength the shield to bear.”

Thus Thor in disappointment said,

Then from the girl her armour takes:

“Give up thy sword! thou peasant maid!

Such weapons ill become thy sex.

“I’ll lead thee strait to Freya’s grove,

Where every female loves to dwell:

Better wilt thou in sports of love,

Than in the toils of war excel.[38]

Good will and spirit too thou hast,

But oft thy vigour fails at proof:

For thy soft-fibred hand ’twere best

To hold the harp, or weave the woof.”

Thereat to Freya’s blest abode

He march’d, with Roska by his side;

The maid accompanied the god,

With confidence of joy and pride.

The goddess praised her graceful air,

Her shape, her eyes, her youthful bloom

And from that moment Roska fair

Remain’d for aye in Folkvang’s dome.

Now Thor to Valhall hastens on,

With Tialf his swain in armour clad;

Odin beholds him from his throne,

And hails his son with accents glad.

Now the Valkyrior bright advance

With brimming cups of hydromel:

Th’ Einherier all with horse and lance

Now charges make, and now repel.

CANTO VIII.
THOR VISITS THE GIANT HYMIR.

Thor, though vex’d in mind, his anger

Prudently resolv’d to hide;

Thus to be the butt of mock’ry

To the giants gall’d his pride:

Vengeful thoughts his heart corroding

Urge him ’gainst that lawless crew;

Down to Ocean’s deepest cavern

He would fain his foes pursue.

Now to Odin’s throne ascending

In his brazen armour clad,

Low with filial reverence bending,

To Alfader thus he said:

“Force ’gainst giants naught availeth;

Wisdom too must bear its part:

Father! from thy cup of science

Grant one drop to cheer my heart!”

Quaffing now from wisdom’s beaker,

New conceptions fill his brain:

Naught this time to Lok his comrade

Of his plan will Thor explain.

Sole his bold career pursuing,

Think! what joy his bosom feels,

Proudly Dovre’s lofty pine-tops

Crushing with his chariot wheels.

Now the rocky cave approaching,

Near the vast white-foaming sea,

Where for ages Midgard’s serpent

Coil’d amidst the sea-weed lay;

When he view’d it put in motion

Treach’rously the billow blue;

Swell’d his heart with deep emotion;

Glances proud towards heaven he threw.

Monster vile! thou shall no longer

(Thus in thought discourse he holds)

The affrighted earth encircle

With thy venom-swelter’d folds.

Thou shalt cease thy hateful pastime,

Hurling seamen down to Ran:

Thor shall crush thee; from thy fury

Thor shall free the race of man.

Now the god assumes the figure

Of a youthful rustic clown:

Where the whirlwind eddies howling,

There he throws his helmet down.

Like a rock well planed and hollow’d,

Crested with a grove of pine,

Thus the brazen helm and horse-hair

Glitt’ring in the sunbeam shine.

Now his beard he doff’d, and threw it

On a rock; a bush to view,

There it lay: himself moved onward,

Changed to swain in kirtle blue.

Dext’rous was the transformation;

Who could now the Asar know?

Heimdal view’d the change with pleasure,

Perch’d on Bifrost’s radiant bow.

Giant Hymir’s rocky dwelling

Thor proceeded now to find,

With red cheeks and locks so yellow

Streaming ’fore the morning wind:

Round his waist his belt fast girded

Show’d like strip of crimson wool:

Thus the Asa, arm’d with cunning,

Giants shall no more befool.

Like an axe he bore his hammer,

Trudging o’er the dusty plain;

Scarce can he disguise his fierceness,

Scarce his vengeful thoughts restrain.

Entering in a gloomy cavern

Near the rustling waterfall,

In his morning dream indulging,

There he found the giant tall.

Crown’d with dusky hair, his forehead

Seem’d a sea-weed-cover’d rock;

Hard his loins and tough his fibres,

Like the trunk and roots of oak:

In his mouth, which wide extended

Show’d like cavern vast and dark,

Glared three rows of frightful grinders

Like the teeth of rav’nous shark.

Near this cave a fertile meadow

Varies with the rugged scene:

Flowers of divers hues contrasting

With the dew-clad grass so green:

Lambkins frisk and bleat delighted,

Nibbling leaves from ev’ry thorn;

There in richest clover revel

Oxen fat with crumpled horn.

Now the giant woke, and casting

Round his eyes of fiery hue,

In a corner Thor discovered,

Like a weak-limb’d lad to view.

“Ha! who into Hymir’s dwelling

Rashly dares to force his way?

Wretched stripling! for thy boldness

Thou with loss of life shall pay.”

Then the stripling, nothing daunted:

“Here I stand with conscience clear;

Time doth all conditions level;

Nought is to be gain’d by fear.

Though before I never trembled,

Now I well may feel alarm:

Sure, a chief so strong and mighty

Will not deign a boy to harm?

“Much doth it become a giant

Magnanimity to show!

Nought would it, O chief! avail thee,

Should my blood in torrents flow:

Why then should I feel down-hearted?

Thou wouldst but despise me more;

Thinkst thou, I have left my courage

At my father’s cottage-door?

“Pale to turn and fear exhibit

Baseness proves, and naught avails;

See the hedgehog, who a pris’ner

In his bristly castle quails:

Naught he deems himself in safety,

Though his quills erect he rears;

Still to peace and joy a stranger,

E’en the slightest noise he fears.

“Not so acts the little sparrow,

Far more delicate and weak;

Though not cased in mail, in ev’ry

Cleft and nook he shows his beak;

Mark, his bold, advent’rous spirit

Ne’er from danger keeps aloof;

Frank and free, he often perches

Twitt’ring on the peasant’s roof.

“Here I stand, a simple sparrow,

In the giant’s dark abode;

Sure the mighty eagle will not

Deign to shed a sparrow’s blood!

Coarsest food, naught else I ask thee;

Crumbs, that from thy table fall;

And whene’er thou goest a fishing,

I will aid thy net to haul.”

Then the giant, loudly laughing,

Stretch’d his lip from ear to ear:

“Him, who thus implores my pity

Slay I will not; do not fear!”

Much he laugh’d to hear a story

Told in such a simple strain,

And his laugh so wild and boist’rous

Made the forest ring again.

Then said he: “In th’ early morning

Rudely blows the northern blast;

Here thou’rt from its force protected,

Couch’d within this cavern vast.

But when sitting in the fragile

Bark on the tempestuous sea,

If thy sprightliness and courage

There stand by thee, we shall see.”

“Since my nerve thou doubtest, giant,”

Thor replied, “No more delay!

Put me quickly on the trial;

Hast thou any bait, I pray?”

“Friend, the bait that best will suit thee

In my garden thou wilt find;

There doth many a caterpillar

Round the bushes crawl and wind.

“But if on the leaf thou findest

None, of other means I know:

Take thy spade and dig yon barrow,

Worms enough thou’lt find, I trow!

Take thy shirt-pin off and bend it;

Lo! a fish-hook hast thou strait.

Then thou art prepared for fishing;

I myself use eels for bait.”

“Ha! the worm shall not escape me,”

Angry Thor replied, “I know;

Round my arm in anguish writhing,

It shall perish by my blow.

Come, no more delay! allow me

But to take what suits me best.”

“Go and do so,” said the giant;

Off the stripling sets in haste;

To the meadow straight he hies him,

Where the giant’s cattle stood;

There full butt a bull ferocious

Barr’d his way in threat’ning mood.

Now with levell’d horns he rushes

On the youth his rage to wreak;

Thor, its head with both hands seizing,

Tore it from the bleeding neck!

With the head upon his shoulder

Of the proudly-horned bull,

Thor came running ’cross the meadow,

High in glee, of courage full.

With the greatest ease he bore it,

And he needs must run in haste,

For the giant had already

Hoisted in his boat the mast.

When the giant on the shoulder

Of the youth the bull’s head view’d,

Loud he praised his strength and courage,

Much admired his hardihood.

Launching now the sloop for fishing,

Each the oar with ardour plies,

While the keel with noise and creaking

Through the dark blue billow flies.

Then thought Aukthor: To the serpent

Could I once approach as nigh,

So that I could thrust my Miölner

Into his ferocious eye,

This would give me greater pleasure,

Than to hear the clash of arms,

Or to gaze in proud Valhalla

On the bright Valkyrior’s charms.

All the world’s distress and mis’ry[39]

From that serpent fell proceeds:

Couch’d in ambush, on the vitals

Of th’ affrighted earth he feeds:

From his fangs all dire diseases

He to plague mankind distils;

And his venom in vast globules

Sea and land with havock fills.

When a man by ling’ring sickness

Tortured, feels th’ approach of death;

When he, during life’s last struggle,

Faint and fev’rish pants for breath;

When the wife reads in her husband’s

Sunken eye his last farewell;

Then his scales the serpent shaking

Hisses with enjoyment fell.

When the mother views with anguish

At her breast her dying child,

Which but lately, like an apple,

Blooming grew in autumn mild;

When the child will suck no longer,

When life’s strength is vanish’d quite;

Joyous then the serpent rises,

Loudly hissing in the night.

When man’s brain in death is frozen,

Loud he testifies his joy;

Shakes his scales, when from the topmast

Falls the luckless sailor boy.

When a constant swain his darling

Maiden on the pyre beholds,

Foams the ocean, where the serpent

Coils itself in endless folds.

All the serpents foul and frightful,

That infest the lab’ring earth,

Are engender’d by that monster

From the froth it vomits forth:

From it springs the fatal boa

On the distant southern shores,

Which insatiate still with hunger

Oft the biggest ox devours.

Now this snake in motion spiral

Twines itself the trees around;

Now to catch the heedless cattle,

Steals along the swampy ground.

Those of lesser growth with equal

Malice their bright hues display,

And with eyes deceitful gleaming

Askur’s hapless offspring slay.

Beautiful with rings encircled

Are their skins like flowers to view,

Vying oft in brilliant colour

With the rose and violet’s hue:

Vapours poisonous exuding

Under hedges oft they lie;

And the birds upon the branches

Fascinate with magic eye.

Fenris certainly is frightful,

Friend of the malignant night;

Oft he hurls men down to Helheim,

From the steep cliff’s dizzy height:

Oft he guides the midnight robber,

Steel excites him to employ,

And whene’er the robber murders,

Fenris howls with frantic joy.

’Gainst the forest-king the lion

He the tiger fell begot:

Formerly the bear suck’d honey,

Guileless in his mossy grot.

Next engender’d he th’ hyæna,

Lynx, and fox, to plunder given;

And ’gainst these the bear and lion

Are to endless contest driven.

Fenris, when a wounded body

He perceives at midnight hour,

Makes it carrion; but this serpent

Hath a far more dang’rous power:

I will, therefore, quick destroy it;

Man shall cease to be its prey:

Thor shall Askur’s race deliver

From their fiercest enemy.

Blest with health and strength to Freya[40]

Shall they mount to realms on high!

And when they become too numerous,

Let them fight and bravely die!

They should ne’er give way to hatred,

Even where the sword decides:

Wrath becomes not gallant warriors,

Whom the voice of honour guides.

They shall move in ranks to battle.

No sea-serpent cause them fear;

There like merry youths and lusty,

Enter on their bright career:

Manfully rush on each other,

Wave the sword, the pennon spread,

And in fair and open combat

Joy their generous blood to shed.

Then when blood streams forth in torrents

Thor in arms shall tread the sky,

And ’midst thunder’s crash and lightning

Summon them to Valhall high:

There admitted ’mongst the Asar

Shall they quaff delicious mead,

While with heavenly harpings Bragur

Chaunts aloud each glorious deed.

Thus the Asa thought, and onward

’Gan to row with all his might;

With his oar he made the billow

Fly before him foaming white.

Fired with anger, he continued

On with furious zeal to row:

Streams of brine in spray dissolving

Down his back and shoulders flow.

Now the boat half fill’d with water,

Giant Hymir cried in wrath,

“Hold! I bid thee! row no longer!

We shall swamp, and perish both.”

“Nay,” said Thor, “let us go farther!

Soon we’ll make a glorious cast;”

But the giant stamp’d with passion,

Leaning ’gainst the quiv’ring mast.

“If thou rowest any further,”

Said the giant, “we shall reach

Just the spot, where Jormundgardur

His enormous length doth stretch.”

“As for me, I fear no serpents,”

Thor replied, the fisher good;

“Boiling wave and howling tempest

Only serve to cool my blood.”

Now he lifts with all his vigour

Up the giant’s anchor vast,

Fixes the bull’s head upon it,

To his belt then makes it fast:

One end fasten’d to his body,

Now it serves him as a line;

Overboard he throws the anchor,

Trusting to his skill divine.

CANTO IX.
THOR’S FISHING ADVENTURE.

Lo! coil’d in folds voluminous and vast,

Behind huge beds of coral buried fast,

Far in the deepest cavern of the sea,

The Midgard serpent Jormundgardur lay!

While o’er him free and active sports the whale,

He foams, and with vexation bites his tail.

Full oft he strives to lift his frightful head

Above the wave, and terror round him spread;

But cased in boney rings and cartilage,

Vain are his efforts, impotent his rage.

Dozing amidst the sedge with half-closed eye,

Oft has the deep re-echoed with his sigh.

The dark blue billow from his vision shields

The starry vault, the bright celestial fields:

And as the bear, when angry, licks his paws,

Thus oft he threatens, while his tail he gnaws:

Oysters and muscles thickly cluster’d deck,

In guise of beard, the scaly monster’s neck.

Lashing the coast, his body mines the rock;

The waters mount; earth feels the frequent shock;

Nastrond wide gapes, and Hecla vomits smoke!

With flames of joy the ice-crown’d mountain glows,

While down its side the liquid lava flows!

There, while the wave drips from his shaggy mane,

Lok’s frightful offspring doth his post maintain:

There doth he lie, and heave, and pant, and rock,

Impatient for the day of Ragnarok.

But lo! his sluggish eye he opens wide,

And marks the Asa’s bait before him glide:

The bull’s head floating ’fore his mouth he sees,

And eager his fell hunger to appease,

Prepares with swallow wide the tempting bait to seize.

When at his belt Thor feels a vig’rous pull,

The snake has bitten, and his gorge is full.

Thor towards him draws the belt: the serpent’s head,

With weeds, the growth of centuries, bespread,

Must needs the will of Asa Thor obey,

And rise perforce to view the light of day;

The anchor to disgorge in vain he toils,

And struggling hard in knots his body coils.

In vain; Thor is a fisherman endow’d

With perseverance, strength, and hardihood;

The serpent pow’rless with extended jaws

Must blindly follow, when the Asa draws.

But when above the wave appears his head,

Earth trembles with astonishment and dread;

The sky is overcast with sudden gloom,

And mix’d with sand the billows swell and foam.

When high in air protrude his long fore-teeth,

All nature shrinks, infected by his breath:

Small is his left, and large his dexter eye;

His scales present a many-colour’d die:

His jaws wide gape, his palate swells with pain;

As wont, like fighting cock, he screams amain:

The dryness of his throat with sultry heat

Charges the air—now threatens to upset

The fragile bark; but Thor around his loins

Tighter and tighter still his girdle twines:

Naught fears the god, whom heroes all revere;

He puts forth all his strength, and shines without compeer.

Towards him he pulls his prey with effort rude;

The serpent writhes, his jaws are fill’d with blood;

The bark is swamp’d; but lo! on shallow ground

The chief already has a station found,

And drags the monster forth from the abyss profound.

The monster shakes and bellows; from his eye

Shoot flames; but Thor, the fisher good stands nigh,

And threatens Nastrond’s brood with hammer lifted high

When now the giant saw the danger grave,

Thus with himself he reason’d: “I must save

This serpent, for the sake of Jotunheim:

For is it not foretold in mystic rhyme,

At Ragnarok this snake with pois’nous breath

Thor, our arch-enemy, will crush to death?”

The wolf-faced giant, vex’d his bark to lose,

And anxious from the hook the captive snake to loose,

His dagger grasping (fashion’d ’twas with skill

By the dwarf’s labour) strives the belt to file;

But Thor, with his vast hammer rising now:

Strikes at the monster’s head a fearful blow.

Deep was the sound! the pines along the shore

Scatter their leaves; and loud the billows roar!

Fresh ’midst the murky skies the rainbow glows;

Heimdal rejoicing loud his clarion blows!

The rain comes hissing down, the lightning glares;

The sun’s bright eye, but lately fill’d with tears,

Bursts through the blanket of the dark, to view

The Asa’s valour, and his triumph too.

On high now Thor his hammer lifts again:

The giant shakes with fear; the serpent yells with pain.

Though still the giant strives the belt to file

With his sharp dagger, naught avails his toil;

Now on the anchor he would fain essay

His force; and, wading fish-like, bends his way,

To where, still struggling hard, the hook-bound serpent lay.

He puts forth all his strength, and files: the sight

Makes Heimdal tremble, e’en from Bifrost’s height.

Now dark as pitch become the heavens, for lo!

Filed by the giant’s steel, the anchor bursts in two!

The serpent freed now sinks beneath the main,

And hark! resounds a loud triumphal strain;

’Tis Loptur’s[41] daughter, who the gods on high

Insults with gibing laugh, and bitter mockery.

Inland the giant towards his mountain flies:

Up to his waist in water Aukthor cries,

And fills with imprecations dire the skies.

Now through the yeasty wave he wades; his rage

And deep vexation nothing can assuage:

He hurls his lightning o’er th’ affrighted main,

And still he hopes, and thinks the monster serpent slain.

The serpent ’midst the rushes roll’d and raved,

Severely wounded, though his life was saved:

Again his crest he raises, on the rock

Again he lies, and waits for Ragnarok.

Now in his fury Thor his hammer threw

After the serpent: deep the nib pierced through

The monster’s flank; the gods beheld with pain

Such glorious feats of strength deploy’d in vain.

Now Thor without his hammer homeward hies:

Between the serpent’s scales deep-buried Miölner lies.

CANTO X.
LOK BECOMES ENAMOURED OF SIF.

With pensive look

In Valaskialf sits Asa-Lok:

His head hangs down; his spirits fail;

To cheer him naught Valhalla’s joys avail:

The mead hath lost its wonted zest;

Sâhrimner’s flesh he scorns to taste.

Naught good his gloomy look betides;

The Asar he unceasingly derides.

Whene’er on Asa-Thor he thinks,

His dusky front in wrinkles sinks.

“On fresh adventure art thou started,

Thou mighty one!

And this time all alone;

Naught of thy plan hast thou to Lok imparted.”

He cannot easily digest

Such slights: his soul can find no rest:

Nowhere he feels at home:

And longs once more through the wide world to roam.

Tis flattering to his pride

In arms to follow Asa-Thor,

And carry, by the hero’s side,

The iron gauntlets of the god of war.

As round the oak fast twining thrives

The mistletoe, that supple parasite,

And strength and growth therefrom derives:

Thus Asa-Lok, the artful wight,

Clings to the god, although with hate

He views him; hoping some bright beam

Of Thor’s renown on him may gleam,

And shed some lustre on his humbler state.

As, gleaning from the sun its light,

The moon dispels the gloom of night:

Thus doth the cunning Loptur aim

To shine with Aucthor’s borrow’d fame:

While Askur’s race know not the truth,

And equal homage pay to both.

He sits at th’ entrance of a grot:

A stream transparent murmurs near.

To bathe in this sequester’d spot

The lovely Disar oft repair.

By cowardice and treachery

Alone is Loptur known to fame;

The Disar all abhor his name,

And ever from his presence fly:

Love’s arrows keen he oft doth prove,

But never meets return of love.

Now towards the brook th’ Asynior pass;

They dance in couples on the grass.

With Siofna her beloved child

See Freya dance in measure wild!

See Eir Iduna fond embrace,

And o’er the mead the mystic circle trace!

Now as in mazy rounds they wheel,

Their robes fall off, and all their charms reveal.

Now Loptur from his lurking place

Gloats on each feature, charm, and grace;

His ravish’d eyes at leisure scan

All that can tempt the heart of man:

The semi-globes of each voluptuous breast,

The well turn’d haunches, and the slender waist:

The Disar little thought that Lok

Enjoy’d the sight with prying look.

Like swans they sail adown the stream,

Attended by their handmaids fair:

Like birds of passage now they seem,

Who seek a softer clime and milder air.

Now round each other’s loins their arms they wreathe;

Like wild ducks now they dive the stream beneath:

Their snow-white arms they oft employ,

Like fishes’ fins, to stem the wave;

The wave transported foams with joy,

Such graceful-fashion’d limbs to lave.

But who of these in Loptur’s eyes

In beauty bears away the prize?

Thor’s consort, Sif, he most admires;

For ne’er his roving eyes could find

Such beauty with such strength combined:

His veins with wildest flames she fires.

In charms this goddess yields to none,

Except to Freya; she alone

(To whom Alfader, when he meant

To fill the world with ravishment,

Gave life and being) doth surpass

Fair Sif in beauty and in grace.

Sif cannot boast that mild soft beam

In th’ azure eye, that melts all hearts,

E’en like the moon, when it imparts

To beechen grove its silver gleam;

Strong limb’d and with majestic mien,

She shines a lofty heroine;

And Sif all tongues aloud proclaim

A true high-minded northern dame.

Her shoulders broad so milky white,

Her juicy, plump, and well-turn’d arms

Are fit for love’s or war’s alarms,

T’ embrace, or to defend her right.

These shoulders fascinate Lok’s eyes,

He views her with extreme surprize;

Her haughty look excites in him

A passion never felt before;

With gloating eye he scans each limb,

And sinks a slave to Astrild’s power.

The arches of her eye-brows meet;

This would all other dames disfigure;

But naught doth this her charms defeat,

But adds to each peculiar vigour:

For in her awe-inspiring gaze

Her lofty soul itself pourtrays.

Proud and indifferent to desire,

No passion seems her breast to fire;

Not small her hands, but dainty white

Like swan’s-down, or new fallen-snow;

Her nails like polish’d almonds grow;

On well-turn’d feet her tow’ring height

Securely stands; her hair loose streaming

Down to her feet descends, with golden radiance gleaming.

Behind the bush conceal’d,

Are all these charms to Lok reveal’d.

Then thus he thought: What pleasure should I prove

To be encircled by such arms!

To taste all those luxurious charms,

And in the beechen grove—revel in joy and love!

Close to my lips those coral lips I’d glue,

Those lips, which offer to my ravish’d view

Teeth fine as pearls, and whiter far, I trow,

Than any beast of prey can show.

What tumult fires my blood!

Oh! that I could,

While Thor is gone a-fishing far,

Fish him to shame in the same bath with her!

Thus thinks the lustful treach’rous elf,

And still behind the bush conceals himself:

For Sif her dwelling soon will seek,

Which lies midst Dovre’s rocks so bleak,

Where fir-trees undulate with many a spire:

Her robes resuming quick, the Disa veils

Each charm, while passion Loptur’s breast assails

With still increasing fire.

She claps her helm her golden locks upon,

Which, moisten’d by the wave, less brilliant shone.

Now far inland she climbs the mountain steep:

Lok follows after cautious and unseen.

Arrived at her abode in the sequester’d glen,

The rustling waterfall lulls Sifia soon to sleep.

The wind invading now the bower

With burning kisses dries her hair,

And gives back to those tresses fair

Their golden tinge and magic power.

CANTO XI.
CONVERSATION BETWEEN LOK AND SIF.

LOK.

Pardon the lowly slave of love,

Whom thy enchanting form inspires

Once more to plead in amorous strain!

O that thy heart would deign to prove

The fervour that my bosom fires,

And urge thy will to soothe my pain!

SIF.

With cautious step draws near the thief,

And dextrously he opes the door;

The cunning mouse creeps through the hole:

While Lok, the dark insidious chief,

Steals to my couch at midnight hour,

For never rests his lustful soul.

LOK.

To catch the fish the worm is held;

The trap ensnares the artful fox:

All to some tempting bait must yield;

Lok is allured by female locks.

SIF.

To thy own wife, to Sigyn hie!

In flowing locks descends her raven hair:

Or Angurbod with fond caresses ply!

She will not, sure, refuse thy couch to share.

LOK.

Whene’er with thirst we languish,

And no delicious fruit is nigh,

The sourest apple to assuage our anguish

We pluck, and swallow greedily:

But when such charms as thine, O Disa dear!

Before our ravish’d eyes appear,

Who would not?—but while thou in sleep

Indulgest, Thor goes fishing on the deep:

Thoughtless of home he braves the gale,

And with the giant bobs for whale.

While he that wild career pursues,

Do thou a softer pastime chuse!

With foliage soft is fill’d thy bower—

Love points—propitious smiles the hour.

SIF.

Hast thou forgot in Mimer’s fane

The banquet held? with amorous pray’r

My heart thou strovest to ensnare;

What was my answer? cold disdain.

I am not changed; and Sif bestows

Once more contempt on all thy vows.

But be advised, and quickly flee!

Thor may return, and on a tree

He’d quick suspend thy odious form,

To dangle in the midnight storm.

The Disa spoke: indignant pride

Inflamed her look; she turn’d aside.

And reckless of her suitor’s pain

To sleep address’d herself again.

Her golden tresses in profusion

From the bedside hung streaming down,

While Lok with anger and confusion

Beheld all chance of conquest flown.

But when her forehead’s grove appears

In sight, by vengeance fired, the shears

He takes, and with malignant pleasure

Lops from her head its golden treasure.

Aloft the caitiff bears away

With outspread wings his gorgeous prey!

How meteor-like the tresses gleam,

As through the murky heavens they stream!

And falling down, where’er he flew,

Give to the corn its golden hue!

Where’er he flew, down fell the hair

In flakes, and tinged with colour fair

The peasant-maidens’ locks, who dwell

On Hertha’s isle or Guldbrand’s dale.

Their locks of yore were black as jet,

As Finnish women bear them yet:

But now their tresses’ golden die

May well with Freya’s, or with Gefion’s vie.

CANTO XI.
LOK’S CONVERSATION WITH SIF.

An attempt to translate the 11th canto in the alliterative metre of the Icelandic or ancient Scandinavian poetry, something in the style of the original.

LOK.

Forgive love’s lowly

Liegeman, O Sifia!

Again thy beauty

His bosom burns.

O that my passion,

Pleading for pity,

Could chafe thy fainter

Feelings to flame!

SIF.

Through holes creep rats

Restless roving;

The thief undoeth

Dextrous the door;

Sleep is not safe from

The snares of Loki,

Who with lust leering

Lurks in my bower.

LOK.

With hooks bait-blinded

Beguiled are fishes;

In traps fallacious

Oft foxes fall;

By locks luxuriant

Of lovely females

Seduced, e’en subtle

Loki succumbs.

SIF.

Go seek thy own spouse

Soft-hearted Sigyn,

Wreathing in raven

Ringlets her hair!

Or to thy jet-black

Giantess hie thee!

She to thy wanton

Wishes will yield.

LOK.

By hunger harass’d

Haws must content us,

When no well-flavour’d

Fruit we can find.

Be not disdainful,

Delicate Disa!

Hear with complacent

Pity my prayer!

On the high seas with

Hymir, thy husband

Sits in the wherry,

Wheedling the whale:

Or, of home reckless,

Roves by the rivers,

Intent the silv’ry

Salmon to snare.

While he his own way

Wilfully wanders,

Do thou more pleasing

Pastime pursue!

Thy blooming bower is

Bestrew’d with foliage;

The hour so long’d for

Lures us to love.

SIF.

Of Mimer’s bounteous

Banquet bethink thee,

When thou to Sifia

Sigh’dst forth thy suit!

This time again fate

Frowns on thy frolic;

Vain are thy vows to

Vanquish my heart.

Get thee hence, heartless

Hater of Asar!

Thund’ring terrific,

Thor travels home:

To loftiest larch-tree

Lash’d, he’ll suspend thee

Mournful to moulder

In midnight storms.

Thus the disdainful

Disa derided

Her lustful lover’s

Languishing suit:

Turning away from

The fiend false-hearted,

Sinks the fair Sifia

Softly to sleep.

But now the fraudful

Felon’s eye fixes

From the bedside her

Hair hanging down:

From the head of Sifia

(Seizing her scissors)

Clips he its golden

Glittering grove.

Through airy regions

Rapidly rising,

Loptur licentious

Launches his flight:

Proud of his precious

Prey, he deploys it;

Like shooting star, he

Scuds through the sky.

Thus shone the recreant

Ravisher roaming,

Vaulting thro’ veering

Vapours of night:

For though in murky

Mists mourn’d the heavens,

Sifia’s locks dismal

Darkness dispell’d.

Where’er he flew, in

Flakes fell the hair down

O’er Hertha’s fertile

Flower-crown’d fields;

Stiff’ning the wheat-stalks

Wide-around waving,

Yarely with yellow

Gilding the green.

Where’er he flew, in

Flakes fell the hair down.

Gleaming on Guldbrand’s

Grain-cover’d vale:

Now on each lively

Lassie it lowers,[42]

Tinging with topaz

Tresses of jet.

Of yore in ringlets

Raven-hued rolling,

Their hair o’ershadowed

Shoulders of snow:

Now they display their

Tresses triumphant,

Golden, like Gefion’s,

Like Freya’s, fair.

CANTO XII.
LOK PROCURES THINGS OF VALUE FROM THE DWARFS.

Lok sat in his hall and thought on his deed,

With his vengeance well content;

But Sif, o’er the lake as she bow’d her head,

To a flood of tears gave vent:

For no more in ringlets she now can wreathe

Her hair so golden, so shining;

When her face she view’d in the stream beneath,

She never could cease repining.

But Lok sat under the green-wood tree,

Like the cunning fox by his hole:

Now the earth felt a shock, and began to rock,

And the thunder began to roll.

And well he knows what that sound betides;

’Twas a sign that Thor was coming:

So, changed to a salmon, he quickly glides

All into the flood so foaming.

But Thor in the shape of a gull dived down,

And the salmon he caught with his beak:

“Thou knave,” quoth he, “well I knew ’twas thee;

Thou shalt bitter rue thy freak.

“I’ll break and pound every bone of thine,

As the mill-stone pounds the corn.”

Now Lok, resuming his shape divine,

His mischief affects to mourn:

“Why this rage?” quoth he, with humble prayer?

“By slaying me where’s thy gain?

Sif will not recover a single hair,

Bald-headed for aye she’ll remain.

“If thou wilt forgive my frolic this bout,

(’Twas a sorry frolic, I own,)

Why then I swear by leek and by crout,[43]

By the moss on the Bauta-stone,[44]

“By Odin’s[45] eye, and by Mimer’s fountain,

By thy hammer and golden car,

I’ll straight descend to the caves of the mountain,

To the dwarfs, who my vassals are.

“And for Sif a new head of hair I’ll bring

Of gold, before dawn of day;

She then will rival the youthful spring

All deck’d in her flow’rets gay.”

“Thou swear’st by my hammer, but that I’ve lost,”

Indignant the god replies;

“Which well thou know’st, in the ocean toss’d,

In the hands of Ran now lies.”

“Well, then, I’ll procure thee a hammer new,”

Says Lok, the deceiver sly,

“And at the bare sight of that hammer bright,

All the giants, thy foes, will fly.”

“Thou pleadest in vain; I come with Frey,

My brother in arms so brave:

Thy flesh to the ravens shall food supply,

Thy brains shall float on the wave.”

“O spare me, Frey!” thus Lok made reply,

“Thy mercy I humbly implore;

I’ll procure thee a steed of such matchless speed,

As the world never saw before.

“All the earth around this courser shall bound,

To mortals a cheering sight;

And o’er the salt sea ’twill bear thee free,

And shine like herrings at night.”

Now the tears he shed and the vows he made

Have soften’d the Asar twain:

“Go, the depths to brave of the mountain cave,

And, what thou hast sworn, obtain!”

Now like a mole through the rocky hole

He glides, and reaches the place,

Where with all their might, by the sulph’rous light,

Stood working the dwarfish race.

There the bellows blew, and the sparks outflew

Through the vaulted roof so glowing;

In leathern frock stood the dwarfish flock,

And crystals they all were blowing.

They melted sand in the sea-coal brand,

And mix’d with it leaves of rose;

By the furnace flame it harden’d became,

And a ruby proud arose.

Now the females stout have gather’d without

Fresh bunches of violets blue;

And the sapphire bright, to dazzle the sight,

Was produced from the magic stew.

From the juicy mass of concocted grass

An emerald fashion’d appears;

And pearls they distill’d from a limbeck, fill’d

With widows’ and orphans’ tears.

In this cavern dark one could straight remark,

That chieftains had play’d of yore;

For a table there stood, of muscle-shell good,

And of counters and fish a store.

In the rock inlaid was a giantess’ head,[46]

With the bust all changed to stone;

And the cascade fell, with its deafening yell,

All over the calcined bone.

From the giantess’ mouth jutting forth he saw

Huge teeth, as frightful and long

As those which fill the elephant’s jaw,

Or like those of the walrus strong.

Now Lok to the dwarfs declares his mission,

The dwarfs to his mandate bow:

“To thee,” they cried, “we all owe submission,

For our sovereign, Lok! art thou.”

A wild boar’s skin was then brought in,

The largest they well could find;

And with their bellows those hardy fellows

To the work compel the wind.

Now blow upon blow their hammers they throw,

Till sparks from the skin outflew;

But with envy’s smart rankled Loptur’s heart,

And his purpose he ’gan to rue:

“To those Asar two I’m compelled, ’tis true,

The things I promised, to give;

But by Hel I swear, that those presents rare

Unscathed they shall not receive.”

The dwarfs in a ring, round the anvil spring,

And busy the bellows ply;

But Lok, in his guile, became changed the while

To a huge blue-bottle fly.

On the blower’s hand now he took his stand,

And began his skin to prick;

But he prick’d in vain, the dwarf felt no pain,

For his skin was hard and thick.

But behold! the steed (’twas for Frey decreed)

Burst forth from amidst the flame,

And the form it bore of a huge wild boar,

And Gyllinbörste its name!

When dark is the night, and no stars give light,

It a meteor’s shape assumes;

Then on it mounts Frey, and rides, through the sky,

While its mane all the earth illumes.

Now into a mould a handful of gold

These workmen so skilful threw;

But when drawn from the flame, O! then it became

An ornament bright to view.

For now ’twas a ring of burnish’d gold;

Two hands that each other grasp

Were figured thereon, and a precious stone

Was carved as a flower for clasp.

’Twas a jewel of weight; for Odin the great

Was destined this precious ring;

’Twas a worthy charm, to encircle the arm

Of the Asar’s lofty king.

This ring so bright boasts a wondrous might,

’Tis a fact in the north well known,

That eight other rings, on each ninth night,

From the parent ring drop down.

Such rings are the meed, so Odin decreed,

For each constant and loving pair;

And this ring was found, at the funeral mound,

On the bosom of Balder fair.

Now more iron the crew on the anvil threw,

No flame they for this required;

And though black and cold, they hammer’d it bold,

Till they gave it the form desired.

When the hammer for Thor, fit weapon of war,

Drew near to its termination,

Lok, fraudful in mind, and to mischief inclin’d,

Undertook a new transformation,

And, changed to a hornet with painful sting,

He stung the dwarf on the chin;

And this time the smith felt the pain forthwith,

For the blood flow’d down his skin.

And he drove the hornet away with his hand

Ere the hammer was finish’d quite;

Thus its shaft fail’d in length, but the god of strength

Grasp’d the weapon with keen delight.

Next a female dwarf took a lump of gold,

To her distaff’s spindle she bound it;

And the wheel went round with a whizzing sound

And the gold in threads around it.

And she span and span, while the gold thread ran,

New hair for the Disa mild;

She sang by the rill, that flowed from the hill,

This strain so wizard and wild:

“The goddess her hair henceforward shall bear

Loose streaming before the wind;

Nor in plait nor in fold shall the ductile gold

Hereafter her temples bind.

“Each swain who above shall behold it move

Like a meteor through the sky,[47]

His heart ’twill ensnare, for her ringlets fair

With those of Freya shall vie.

“Though gold be dead, when it touches the head

Of that Disa in beauty’s bloom,

’Twill life receive, and easy to weave

Like flax will it straight become.

“Like the high-plum’d crest by the winds carest,

It shall wave and enchant the sight;

It shall never decay; like the sun at mid-day

It shall pour forth a wondrous light.”

Thus she sang, and with glee now she bent the knee,

And presented the gift to Thor;

He gazed on each tress, and must needs confess

Such locks he ne’er saw before.

From the mountain Frey vaults his steed on high,

Thor follows with hammer and hair;

To the regions of light, where the sire of the fight

Rules in glory, they both repair.

Now on Sifia fair Thor fasten’d the hair;

It took root like sea-weed on rocks:

Down her lovely face, fraught with ev’ry grace,

It fell down in luxuriant locks.

At Valhalla’s Ting to Odin the ring

Was tender’d with homage due;

And Lok this time was pardon’d his crime,

But too soon he sinn’d anew.

CANTO XIII.
THE RAPE OF IDUNA.

Odin, with Hænir and with Asa-Lok,

Assuming human forms, once on a time

To view the earth a journey undertook.

Odin felt weary of his throne sublime

On Hlidskialf, and he fain would rove

Throughout the world, mankind himself to prove:

While through the forest dark he bends his way,

He gasps for breath, and feels himself but clay.

O’er mountains cover’d with eternal snow

They wander now, and now through Orkner’s vale;

Before them stood, perch’d on the dizzy brow

Of a projecting rock, huge as a whale,

An ice-bear fierce! naught did the sight

The travellers alarm; the monster fled,

’Midst heaps of snow to hide himself with dread,

For inwardly he felt the Asar’s presence bright.

Thus they advance to where the snow gives way,

And grass luxuriant grows, and flowers, and corn;

The rocks, which now before them lay,

Birch, pine, and larch, and various shrubs adorn.

Ice-clumps upon the roof no more they view’d,

Where sleeps the dwarfish Lapp in gloom and smoke;

But in the vales strong houses built of wood

More polish’d life and milder clime bespoke.

No longer rolling in his sledge they view

The dark-hair’d Finn by nimble rein-deer drawn;

The horses’ hoofs here boast the iron shoe;

The[48] Jarl’s proud mansion on the well-trimm’d lawn

Tow’ring arose, where lay in nuptial dress

His youthful bride, all grace and loveliness:

The lark with blithesome carol fills his throat,

And silences at once the dark owl’s screeching note.

Down falling o’er the grass, the dew of heaven

With pearls besprinkles every flower and stem;

Home crawl the peasant’s geese by urchin driven;

Oxen stand drinking at the limpid stream;

He yokes them to the plough; then whistling, light

Of heart, with many a furrow scars the field;

While the three Asar on earth’s bastion sit,

Like warlike champions arm’d with spear and shield.

Then smil’d the father of the fight,

And said to Lok, who by his side was placed:

“Methinks, if I have read thy soul aright,

The peasant’s provender thou fain wouldst taste.

Of hunger too myself I feel the power;

By the long march fatigued, my spirits fail:

From Vardoe we are come, in one short hour,

To the dark birchen grove in Guldbrand’s dale.”

Then laughing, Lok replied: “Be sure,

Since each ingredient’s here at hand,

A good repast Lok’s genius will procure;

Fat oxen in the meadow lowing stand;

Like the red fox, give but the word,

I’ll hie me to the peasant’s pantry board;

To baste our meat his butter will I steal,

At his expense we’ll make a glorious meal.

“In the meanwhile an ox must Hœnir slay,

And with its tepid blood refresh the earth;

Then with his dagger’s point the carcase flay,

While I steal bread from the good peasant’s hearth.

Some humble charge thou wilt perhaps consent

To exercise, and think thereof no shame;

To strike out sparks, for instance, from the flint,

And with dry reeds and faggots feed the flame.”

Then Odin answered, sighing: “Ah! too plain

I feel, I’m clothed in human clay and dust:

Men live by rapine; ’tis their trade accurst;

And what one loses doth another gain.

Go, then, employ thy nimble heel!

Follow thy fav’rite trade and steal!

That we are gods did the good peasant know,

He’d slaughter all his herd, methinks, his zeal to show.”

Now Hœnir kill’d an ox, and Loptur ran

To th’ pantry, where his store the peasant kept;

Slily on tiptoe through each room he crept,

And with fresh butter fill’d his can.

He then took bread made of the finest rye,

In a white napkin wrapp’d; and as he pass’d

The hen-roost, all the eggs that met his eye

He snatch’d up quick and in his basket placed.

Meanwhile did Hœnir not remain

Inactive long; with much dexterity

He bound in cords and truss’d the cattle slain,

And fix’d it ’gainst a trunk of osier nigh.

He took the bowels out and stripp’d the skin

From off the flesh; then wash’d away the blood

From the fat-cover’d thighs and ample chine,

And with his prize content, exclaim’d that all was good.

But Odin, he who through the world’s expanse

Hath launch’d the sun in sempiternal course,

And lighting with his torch her golden lance

Instructs her how to guide her matchless force;

Who, from that sun borrowing her fainter rays,

Hath to the moon a milder radiance given,

And bade small sparks innumerable blaze

Athwart the pole, when night envelops heaven:

Now humbler functions Odin’s labours claim;

With flint and steel he now proceeds

To elicit many a spark, and feed the flame

With faggots, wither’d branches, and dry reeds;

And soon the smoke’s white column rose

In spiral motion from the burning straw.

With conscious pride now Odin’s bosom glows

To mark the strict observance of his law.

His glorious eye moisten’d with many a tear,

Thus he exclaims, with pride and joy elate:

“O wonderful in small things as in great,

In what is distant as in what is near!

In one small rain-drop equally divine,

Ægir! as in thy ocean: Odin too

In one small flint-drawn spark doth equal shine,

As when the sun’s vast orb he launch’d in ether blue!

“And Thor! when thou dost hurl thy lightning down,

What dost thou more than I do now, my son?”

Now Lok return’d with butter, salt, and eggs,

Proud of his robbery and nimble legs;

The weazles, foxes, rats, as he pass’d by,

Jump’d from their holes and thus began to squeal:

“Lo! there he goes, our god, so trippingly!

Well doth he teach his subjects how to steal.”

Then Odin laugh’d: “This loss will I repair,

Lok’s theft the honest swain shall not regret,

For harvests thousandfold his fields shall bear;

This for the stolen bread will compensate.

His flocks and herds with wondrous increase fill’d

Shall for the butter make amends, I trow:

And for the salt, on every child

Of his will I prudence and wit bestow.

While Hœnir to divide the carcase toil’d,

To a sharp spit a pine-branch Loptur filed;

Then felling two small trees, firm in the ground

One end he fix’d; the other end he clove

Of each, and on them turn’d the spit around:

Nor did he long delay his skill to prove;

He skewer’d each joint, then fed the flame, and plied

The labours of the cook with joy and pride.

While thus he stood watching each bubbling joint,

To some short distance were his comrades gone;

When he surmised the roast enough was done,

He prick’d it often with his dagger’s point:

Yet still dropp’d from the flesh the tepid gore,

As if it from a living creature came;

And though the fire he nourish’d more and more,

Heavier and duller burn’d the flame.

Thwarted by such delay, he stands aghast,

And ever and anon consults the sky;

When lo! an eagle of dimensions vast[49]

With threat’ning aspect fix’d his eye,

With outspread wings, as midnight vapours dark,

Perch’d on the branches of an elm-tree lithe;

Forth jutting from the leaves, its beak so stark

Shone crook’d and polish’d as a reaper’s scythe.

As th’ ignis fatuus over marsh and mire

At midnight a malignant radiance flings;

Thus glared the giant bird with eyes of fire,

And gazed upon the roast, and clapp’d its wings.

Behold a dire mischance the cook befell!

Down fell the cloven trees! and with them fell

The ox! the eagle still with frightful leer

Gazed on the flame, which now went out from fear.

“Why sitst thou there? by what accurst device

Thus jugglest thou,” said Lok, “to spoil the meat?”

“Of thy good cheer I fain would taste a slice,”

Answer’d the eagle, “for my hunger’s great:

If then thou’lt treat me as thy guest,

Thy roast shall expeditiously be drest.”

Thus said, the bird his swarthy pinions shakes,

And hops down from the tree, and gnaws the steaks.

With bitter gall now swell’d the breast of Lok;

He grasp’d in both his hands a pond’rous spear;

But vain his efforts all, as if he struck

In the dark night the vacant air.

The eagle’s beak caught one end of the lance,

While Loptur’s hands fast to the other clung;

High soar’d the eagle through the heaven’s expanse,

While dangling to the lance his foe with terror hung.

Borne by the goblin through the airy space,

O’er forest, hill and dale flies Asa Lok;

Now dip his legs into the deep morass;

Now strike against each sharp projecting rock:

The frogs all grin, the eagle laughs aloud;

Who feels compassion for a Nidding base?

The marsh bespatters all his limbs with mud,

And brambles, brakes, and thorns his features fair deface.

Bruised by the rocks, now drip with blood his feet;

He weeps; but cold the cliff beholds his pain:

Against his bosom mercilessly beat

The howling tempest, hail, and snow, and rain.

Now in the ocean deep immersed he lies,

A hedgehog like with mackerel bedight:

Now borne aloft athwart the sunny skies,

A swarm of bees upon his forehead light.

Much did he pray and promise, but in vain;

Now Thor invoked, now loud to Odin screech’d:

The goblin still pursued his course amain,

Until a mountain’s snow-clad top he reach’d:

He there with iron fetters strong and tight

Bound fast the caitiff to a rugged rock;

Then jeering cried: “Sit there, thou treach’rous wight!

Sit there, and groan in chains till Ragnarok!”

Then Lok with humble mien and piteous face:

“Thou viewst me, I perceive, O chief! with hate,

And I deserve it; how could I forget,

That I too sprung from the brave mountain race?

But if my arguments thou’lt deign to hear,

And give me back my liberty so dear,

My cunning shall the Asar’s strength enthral,

And in one common ruin plunge them all.”

“Well then!” the goblin drily thus replied,

“If I release thee from these realms of night,

And give thee back to liberty and light,

Wilt thou by my conditions strict abide?

Then ponder well, and swear to my demand!

Thou shalt procure, and place at my command

That which is held in greatest estimation,

The gods’ best gift, since first the world’s creation.

“Behold where Bragur’s wife, Iduna hight,

Dwells in her bower employ’d in household care!

Like shell of snail,[50] around her forehead bright,

Is wreath’d in many a fold her radiant hair;

Straight as the poplar is her shape; her mien,

Her varied grace, no words have power to tell;

While bounding ’neath the silken veil so green

The plump luxuriant snowy hillocks swell.

“A vessel rare of burnish’d gold

That Disa in her hands is wont to hold;

From Asagard ’twas brought, where on the ground

By Odin, Vil, and Ve ’twas found;

Not easy ’tis the images portray’d

Thereon to guess; one reaps, another sows;

The sun, emerging from dark vapour, glows,

Charm’d by the magic murmurs of a maid.

“An apple in that vessel claims her care,

Red as a rose, yellow as wax to view;

A power divine reigns in that fruit so rare,

The power, health, youth and beauty to renew.

The influence of time is never seen,

Or felt by those, who on that apple feast;

And every Disa, who its juice doth taste,

Maintains the bloom and freshness of eighteen.

“Without this fruit so precious, where, Oh! where

Would be their godlike strength, and beauty rare?

Each goddess would resemble Hela grim,

Did not this juice invigorate each limb.

E’en as each furrow on the sandy waste

Is levell’d by the wind, and disappears,

Thus full and white becomes the flabby breast,

As when the funeral mound its snowy vestment wears.

“Just as the spark ignites the branches dry,

That juice gives lustre to the old man’s eye:

But for that drink, youth’s fervid glow

In Odin’s veins long since had ceased to flow:

Did not Iduna mingle every morn

That apple’s juice i’ th’ liquor brew’d for Thor,

The world his boasted strength would laugh to scorn,

Spite of his belt, his gauntlets, and his car.

“No raven’s scream in Idun’s grove is heard;

Nor ever jars the ear the cricket’s cry:

For Asa-Bragur the celestial bard

All nature animates with harpings high.

Now towards the east he turns his fond regard;

And when the sun, fresh bursting from the sky,

Spreads o’er the ravish’d earth its magic shine,

He strikes the golden harp, and chaunts a lay divine.

“Cheer’d by the glorious sound all creatures smile,

From every flower and plant bright tear-drops flow;

Then feels the earth a soft and holy thrill,

And the spring blushes with a deeper glow;

Then beats with love the maiden’s heart still more;

Then dreams of bliss the dying old man soothe;

Immortal strains console his parting hour,

And to bright Gimle’s realm the awful passage smooth.

“If in my power thou’lt place the beauteous wife

Of Bragur, with her vessel rare of gold,

I’ll give thee liberty again and life,

And loose thee from this mountain-prison cold.”

“Well then,” quick answer’d Lok, “I swear, I swear.”

“Nay!” Thiasse grim replied with bitter mock,

“Thy ape-like oaths and vows thou well mayst spare;

No one, be sure, will trust the oath of Lok.

“To all an object of contempt and scorn

Thee gods and giants equally despise;

Mere froth and scum each oath by thee that’s sworn,

A cloud that into vapour melts and flies:

No! vacillating traitor! fraudful swain!

For thy good faith I must have surer ground:

The peasant’s dog is fasten’d with a chain;

With his own mouth shall Lok be bound.

“The venom-swelter’d serpent brood

Their poison in their hollow teeth collect,

And only then the venom takes effect,

When, pierced the skin, it mingles with the blood:

If from its gums each tooth be torn,

Harmless becomes the snake and innocent;

Around the neck, or arm, or waist ’tis worn,

A strange, but still innocuous ornament.

“But far more mischief, traitor! than the snake,

Thou causest with thy sland’rous tongue alone:

Well, then! this trial I’m disposed to make:

Deprived of speech, thou shalt thy crimes atone.”

No sooner said than done, the giant took

A diamond pin, steel thread; and now with glee

Together fast he sew’d the lips of Lok:

Ye gods! in truth, ’twas droll to see.

“Hold! hold! I faint—I die,” said Lok

With frightful howl—“one word—I feel such pain—

For mercy’s sake—I cannot breathe—I choke—”

“Breathe with thy nostrils! thou hast twain;”—

Answer’d the giant: and with double seam

Continued fast his captive’s lips to sow,

Naught caring for his piteous scream:

This done, some magic runes he murmur’d low.

“Now, then, I have thee safe: now, caitiff! hie

To the green bower, where fair Iduna dwells!

To my own hall i’ th’ hard-wood grove I fly,

Where Cape North’s granite front the surge repels.

There bring to me forthwith my wish’d for prey!

Once in my arms the fruit and goddess lay!

Then will I straight thy mouth unbind,

And all our mountain race shall hail thee friend.”

Then of his own contrivance proud,

And loudly laughing, Thiasse let him go.

And now behold the once loquacious god,

Dumb, spiritless, the lowest of the low!

Like partridge, when by hawk pursued across

The sky it flies, glad to escape within

Its straw-built nest, though with the loss

Of half its plumage, and with bleeding skin.

But now, when near to Asa-gard arrived,

Tortured in mind and raging with his smart:

“Unheard of (thus he thought), of speech deprived,

How shall I now seduce a female heart?

By cunning, not by force, must this be done;

But how can I my cunning bring to pass?

Who both as weak and dumb to all is known,

Must ever for a hopeless blockhead pass.”

Much musing on his errand night and day,

His brain a thought conceiv’d that pleased him well:

Could not a rune, carv’d on a staff, convey,

As well as word of mouth, a fraudful tale?

Warm, unsuspecting is Iduna’s heart;

As genuine spouse of Bragur well she loves

To listen to a strain that pity moves;

And Lok is no small master of his art.

He drew his knife, delighted with the plan,

And cut a long stick from a neighb’ring wood;

His theme of lies he then forthwith began,

And lied, as far, as the stick’s length allow’d.

These were the runes he carv’d. “There is a tree

I’ th’ giants’ orchard, on whose branches grow

Apples of wondrous flavour, three by three,

With tint, like the sun’s purple blush on snow.

“These apples a more powerful juice contain,

Than those thou keepest in thy golden cup.

This liquor rare could once the Asar drain,

All Jotunheim before their arms must stoop.

To hide that precious fruit from the world’s eye

Has been the giants’ constant industry:

Thus have they, to avert the menaced doom,

Enwrapp’d that grove in sempiternal gloom.

“But a young giantess (O power of love!)

Th’ important secret hath to me reveal’d,

And shown the road to the mysterious grove,

Where flourishes that glorious tree conceal’d.

But lo! while on our route, a goblin lay

In wait for us behind the brazen wall,

And, fearful we the secret might betray,

Hath let on Lok peculiar vengeance fall.

“To close my mouth the giant has thought fit

With diamond needle, and with thread of steel;

Yet naught his ruthless act, nor murmur’d spell

Hath power to damp my mother wit:

That, thanks to Mimer, in the hour of need

To Lok will never fail; that still is free:

And thus upon this staff with speed

The giants’ secret have I traced for thee.

“If with thy apple of eternal youth

Thou wouldst attend me to the giants’ grove,

Then would the threads burst from my bleeding mouth,

Without thy aid the task would idle prove.

So sure and simple is the stratagem,

I need not pluck those apples from their stem,

Thou needst but touch them with thy fingers white,

They’ll instant fall into thy vessel bright.”

These runes he carv’d, and with the staff he flew

To th’ arbour in the grove across the sea,

Where sat Iduna with her eyes of blue,

Under the shade of her own apple-tree.

Mindful of wondrous scenes, she fix’d her look

Stedfast on every beast that wander’d by;

But most the graceful stag engaged her eye,

Ogling his own proud form in the pellucid brook.

A fountain bubbling near with eddying flow

Fills the transparent stream: with motion fleet

A cygnet scuds across, and at the feet

Of his fair mistress makes obeisance low:

There with her vessel sat the goddess meek,

And fed her fav’rite swan with crumbs of bread

While ever and anon he plunged his beak

Within the circles by the bread-crumbs made.

Absent was Bragur; he Alfader’s might

Was chaunting in shield-cover’d Valaskialf:

With rapture listen’d every Asa bright,

And every Disa fair, and radiant Alf.

Mimer had also left his fav’rite care;

Thus like an artless child Iduna lay,

And unsuspecting fell an easy prey

Into the treach’rous Lok’s malignant snare.

His bleeding mouth with pity she beheld;

And when to reinforce his runes of guile

His eyes shed tears like those of crocodile,

With grief oppress’d her gentle bosom swell’d:

She reach’d to him her hand so lily white,

And spreading wide her feather’d garment light,

Wafted herself and Loptur far away

Towards the dark hard-wood grove, where Thiass expectant lay.

Soaring athwart the azure plains on high,

Radiant was she and glorious to behold,

As in the groves of Ind or Araby

The bird of paradise with train of gold:

When lo! a griffin black rush’d from his lair,

Pounced with his talons on th’ affrighted fair,

And bore her far away! the giants’ scream of joy

Re-echoed from the rocks to welcome their decoy!

The Disa then too late her error found,

And wept: the winds with zeal and love intense

Waft down her tears to Ocean’s caves profound,

And there to pearls those precious drops condense.

And when her last farewell Iduna sigh’d,

A mournful plaint re-echoed from the vale:

The stagnant air blasts all the lily’s pride;

No more the roses’ perfume scents the gale.

A dew lethargic, noisome, humid, cold

Around the heavens its veil malignant spread!

And lo! the sun shorn of its rays of gold

In midst of vapour stood with disk blood-red!

And cold became the whilom jocund breast

Of ev’ry hero and of ev’ry maid;

Far towards the south the feather’d songsters prest,

And with them too all joy and gladness fled!

CANTO XIV.
THE DELIVERANCE OF IDUNA.

As vanish ’fore the wind the vapours light,

Thus sinks each action of the human race

Into th’ abyss of sempiternal night;

One billow sinks; another mounts apace:

Alternate peace coquetting plays with war;

Now in the sheath the glaive inglorious lies,

And now with glitt’ring menace flouts the air:

’Tis all a juggle—a butterfly, that hies

Careless from flower to flower—pairs with its kind—and dies.

Why boast in fight thy prowess, warrior wild?

What was it? scum—mere froth upon the sea

Of time—self-love impell’d thee—fortune smiled—

Thy docile troop must needs their Chief obey.

But come, lay bare thy heart! and at the shrine

Of truth confess! (concealment now were shame)

Where is the merit of that act of thine,

That made thee rival of thy father’s fame?

That thou didst death defy? Doth not a beast the same?

Where Timour pulverized in days of yore

Whole hecatombs of foes at Samarcand,

The loose sand whirls in eddies as before.

Nor of that triumph doth one record stand:

The meadows still display their emerald sheen,

Forgetful of the day, when frantic war

With streams of blood incarnadined the green;

No longer now the traveller’s vision scare

Huge piles of human sculls, long since dispersed in air.

And who art thou whose quenchless thirst of fame

Thus furiously lays waste th’ affrighted earth?

Not near so puissant as the nightly flame,

Which the volcano’s entrails vomit forth.

The harden’d lava-streams its force attest,

And though a thousand long long years have fled,

Give to the swelling grape its poignant zest:

Thy deed, like ashes, moulders with the dead;

The ravens on thy fame, as on thy limbs, have fed.

Yet do not thou crow neither, little gnome

Who sittest in thy workshop snug, and filest;

Who safe intrench’d within thy rocky dome,

Lookst down securely on the fight, and smilest,

As looks the lamb upon the wolf below:

Who thinkst the awl a better instrument

Than Aukthor’s hammer: thou requirest too

Iduna’s apple, if thou beest intent

To reach thy labour’s goal, and shine pre-eminent.

Whoever, dwarf or giant, seeks to rise[51]

From his low cave to genius’ source divine,

Let him towards thee, Iduna! lift his eyes,

And view, where burning incense at thy shrine

Bragur with Mimer, Balder, chaunt all hail,

And in thy praise their lofty strains unite:

No real hero will thy blessing fail,

And future Scalds his actions shall recite,

And o’er his tomb describe an endless halo bright.

How flat unprofitable life would flow.

Unquicken’d, Idun, by thy apple’s zest!

Deprived of Mimer’s fount, how mean and low

Were man’s existence, by vile cares opprest!

Dark Surtur chaunts the song of triumph loud,

To see the lov’d Iduna captive borne:

While Lok, of his successful mischief proud,

Joys in his heart to see the Asar mourn,

And Valhall’s glories fled, and Valaskialf forlorn.

Now when the sun arose, by vapours foul

Obscured, it fill’d no bosom with delight:

When the dull moon slow climb’d from pole to pole,

It heard no amorous plaint disturb the night.

No longer travels with his car and goats

The once aspiring Thor; now deaf to praise

He throws aside his club; he raves; he dotes;

While Hlidskialf, Odin’s dome, shorn of its rays,

No longer warms the earth with heart-consoling blaze.

And Freya’s bosom, once so proud to view,

Now sinks like snow before the solar beam:

Her golden hair assumes a silver hue;

Her once blue eyes two gelid rain-drops seem.

Heimdal, who on his rainbow stood betimes

Shining amidst his seven colours bright,

Discover’d frightful witches mutt’ring rhimes

Of direst import, with black caps bedight,

And wings, like those of bat, loud flapping in the night.

With a lethargic mist they veil the sky,

And summon Skada from her grot profound:

While Niord, before whose lance all vapours fly,

Rests in his cell, in magic slumbers bound.

Now Skada, mounted on her glander’d horse,

Whose nostrils, frightful snorting, taint the gale,

Each night uncheck’d pursues her baneful course:

Athwart the clouds her murky sisters sail,

And with loud shrieks of woe th’ affrighted earth assail.

Each star now veils its front, which once in guise

Of lamp illumed the heavens: the seaman bold,

Who, sailing in the Kattegat,[52] defies

The foaming billow and the tempest cold,

Hath lost his rudder; and when in despair

He to his anchor needs recourse must have,

Behold! the cable stiff with frozen air

Cannot be bent: death rides upon the wave,

And stares with beamless eye, and shakes his icy glaive!

When summer came, no sunbeam cheer’d the vale;

Like slave, the wretched swain must groan and sweat:

His house, his tools, his clothing he must sell;

His only thoughts were rye, and oats, and wheat:

He had forgotten quite to bend the knee

In humble duty fore Alfader’s throne:

His horse was far more dignified than he;

He felt with inward pang, and needs must own

His watch-dog’s heart more warm, more faithful than his own.

No longer now the warriors, as before,

Sit at the board of their crown’d chieftain high,

Gentle yet awful, worthy sons of Thor,

Soft temper’d by the radiance mild of Frey:

In scurrilous abuse and words of shame

To jealousy and hate they now give vent;

To slur and vilify his comrade’s fame,

More than to raise his own, each chief is bent;

Ignoble quarrels mark their envious discontent.

When the Scald sung, ’twas raving coarse and wild,

No longer Gimle’s inspiration sure;

No longer from thy breast, O nature mild!

He drew the milk so bountiful, so pure;

His only nurses now were prejudice

And discord, each a foul-mouth’d envious quean:

His aim is now, deep grovelling in vice,

To please the multitude with jest obscene,

To flatter or to mock, calumniate and feign.

Once Saga sat, and on her shield engraved

Each act of virtue generous, good, and great:

Of graver and of buckler now bereaved,

She pines, unconscious of the world’s debate:

The fond devotion to the public weal,

The scenes of Nidaros and Leir in vain

Crowd fore her eyes, and to her sense appeal:

The heron of oblivion clouds her brain;

Self-interest views the oak and laurel with disdain.

Sage Mimer griev’d the world’s mischance to know,

And Balder mark’d it in his bright abode:

With bitter tears see Mimer’s fountain flow!

The sap no longer gives the kernel food.

And Balder, gentle-hearted as a maid,

Visited Mimer in his cavern cold:

At once the rueful change they both survey’d:

’Twas night, and Balder sat with locks of gold,

His once unruffled brow in gloomy wrinkles roll’d.

’Twas easy to perceive all joy was fled;

Each goddess had her youth and beauty lost.

What wonder Mimer bow’d his laurell’d head,

At such discovery sad, dishearten’d, crost?

What wonder Balder, once serene and meek,

To omens dire should yield himself a prey?

Hear him with quiv’ring lip and hectic cheek,

Grief in his heart, and madness in his eye,

Rave incoherent strains, wild gazing at the sky!

Now at the ash Yggdrassil[53] they alight,

Whose branches o’er the earth their shade extend;

The holy tree, to which the Asar bright

Down from the bridge of Bifrost all descend.

There, as a shepherd watches o’er his flock,

Odin, enthroned as judge supreme, appears;

Examines every cause with piercing look;

Enacts new laws; pronounces doom; and hears

What from the nether world his courier Hermod bears.

In this immortal ash an eagle lives;

All things it sees, and straight imparts the same

To Odin’s ravens:[54] but no longer thrives,

Vigilant as before, its look of flame.

Thick murky vapours an unwholesome veil

Spread o’er the tree, and glide with motion fleet

O’er rock, and marsh, o’er forest, hill, and dale:

The squirrel crouching at the eagle’s feet

Hath naught but rotten fruit and hollow nuts to eat.

Balder and Mimer now direct their course,

Passing that tree, to Urda’s mystic stream:

The forest path conducts them to the source,

Which from the rock bursts forth with silv’ry gleam:

Fragments of stone with ivy overspread

Choke up the passage to the silent dell,

To all impervious, but the Asar dread:

Berries and flowers the sacred fount conceal;

Pine forests thick around each eye profane repel.

But every growth was blighted! and behold

On the stream’s brink the Norna Skulda sat,

With finger on her lips, and aspect cold,

The awful guardian of the book of fate:

Omniscient queen, whose mind can fathom all

That to Alfader’s self remains unknown.

Enormous wings adown her shoulders fall:

A fillet broad upon her forehead shone,

With many a mystic rune and strange device thereon.

Green was her garment; towards the fountain now,

Now towards the days to come she turns her eye.

Wrapp’d in a sable shroud with tranquil brow,

But with averted face, sits Urda nigh.

Here with her sisters twain Verdandis too,

Mistress of time, resides: her garment bright

Was interwov’n with scales of various hue.

These females all are of gigantic height;

None dare dispute their will; resistless is their might.

Sleep never ventures here: the Nornor’s eyes

Do never close, whether the mid-day sun

Or radiant stars illuminate the skies:

Awake they sit, though motionless like stone.

Urda the actions of the past unveils;

Skulda the future cons with prudence meet:

Meanwhile Verdandis weighs in golden scales

The present gifts, the gods to send think fit,

A sceptre or a grave; a triumph or defeat.

Immovable they sit, mute as the grave,

Like sphinx of marble on the Theban plain;

While shine reflected in the limpid wave

The figures of the awful virgin train.

Impatient the decrees of fate to learn

Oft to this grove the proud Valkyrior come;

With questions sharp assail the Nornor stern,

Then soar aloft, through the wide world to roam,

And fill the troubled air with strange prophetic doom.

Thus Mimer to the lofty Skulda spoke:

“O thou! who feelest neither joy nor woe,

Hostile to none, friendly to none; whose look,

Like that of falcon ardent, can pierce through

The blackest night, whether the dove doth coo,

Or the sword clash, alike unmoved; my prayer

Do not reject! and O resolve me true

The great enigma! shall Iduna fair

Again, freed from her chains, respire her natal air?”

The virgin breast of Skulda swell’d awhile:

What marble seem’d, now moved with high pulsation;

She gazed on Mimer; and he thought, a smile

Play’d on her mouth; it gave him consolation.

Urda’s fount ceased to rustle through the dell;

From Skulda’s lips resounds this solemn strain:

“When bravery shall fickle time compel

To constancy, and fast the recreant chain,

Upon the wings of love health shall fly home again.”

She spoke. In sable clouds Night veils her brow;

And sooth’d with hope, Earth’s bosom gently heaves:

The fount calls to its water: “Swell and flow!”

The blast loud whistles through the arid leaves.

Homeward with joy now hie the Asar twain,

For well the Nornor’s speech they comprehend:

They oft repeat the heart-consoling strain,

While floating in the air they swift ascend,

And eager still their course towards bright Valhalla bend.

“When bravery shall fickle time compel

To constancy, shall health fly home again

Upon the wings of love.” Thus through the dell

Re-echoed wide the solemn Nornor’s strain.

“What other god but Thor can solve this spell?

Juggler of time is Lok, we all agree;

And Thor alone can Lok subdue—tis well—

The Queen of Love preserves the prison key,

’Tis said, that Queen alone can set Iduna free.

These words were ponder’d oft the gods among;

Thor seized their import; red as blood his cheek

With anger, from his bench he quickly sprung,

And grasp’d the pallid Loptur by the neck:

And lo! as round the spindle turns the wheel,

When busy housewife spins her flax with glee,

Thus Thor twirl’d Lok around from head to heel;

And now he touch’d the moon, and now the sea,

While at the caitiff’s screams the gods laugh’d heartily.

“Thy being is a composition strange

Of Asagard and Helheim (thus said Thor):

Force must compel thee to repent and change;

Thou must be shook like oil and vinegar,

When in a vessel mix’d: but, traitor! say!

Ere from thy worthless trunk thy head be torn,

Wilt thou amend? wilt thou my voice obey?

Wilt thou, on the light wings of Freya borne,

Bring back Iduna straight to Valaskialf forlorn?

A coward and a traitor both is Lok,

And want of firmness all his acts reveal:

Fearful to be whirl’d round again and shook,

Lowly at Aukthor’s feet behold him kneel!

“If the bright Queen, the fairest of the fair,

The lily, which adorns Folkvangur’s plain,

Freya, will lend her wings, I solemn swear,

Spite of all spells, to loose Iduna’s chain,

And bring the goddess back to Asagard again.

“My soul’s resolv’d; naught shall my purpose bend,

The beauteous captive’s suff’rings deep I feel:

Foul Thiasse was to blame; by him constrain’d

Was I the goddess and her vase to steal.

But o’er the forest’s pines and ocean’s wave,

Cloth’d like a bird with gentle Freya’s wing.

I’ll hie me swiftly to the giant’s cave.

And back in triumph fair Iduna bring:

Health, youth, and strength again in Valaskialf shall spring.”

To fetch her pinions Freya was not slow;

Her hands to fix them on Lok’s shoulders deign.

Aye, and much more would she have giv’n, I trow,

Her own lost youth and beauty to regain.

Now Lok for his past conduct feeling shame,

And mindful too of Thiasse’s bitter mock,

O’er hill and dale, and marsh, and forest, came

To where, deep in the bowels of the rock,

The fair Iduna sigh’d, conceal’d in gloom and smoke.

But in the dark Lok finds his way most sure:

Naught was he daunted by the giant’s spell;

On Freya’s wings relies the god secure,

Which time defy, and brave the power of steel.

His course he steers, thorns, brakes, and briars among;

Now like an owl he has recourse to flight;

Now like a cat he needs must creep along.

At length the secret cave appears in sight,

Where rocks piled upon rocks conceal the treasure bright.

Immers’d in grief the fair Iduna sat

Like marble statue on a monument;

Upon the sea of time so desolate,

Which never ebbs, her look despairing bent.

But spite of every hindrance, Asa-Lok

Into the gloomy cavern forced his way,

Where pined the Disa fetter’d to the rock:

Some words of comfort scarce he stopp’d to say,

But caught her in his arms, and bore her far away.

While they together flew o’er land and sea,

Behold! a bale fire vast illumes the north!

’Twas Asa-gard whence Odin, Vil, and Ve

Sent messages to Lok o’er all the earth.

But now blest tidings all Valhalla cheer:

Iduna, borne by Lok, arrives in view!

Scarce did the nymph in Odin’s dome appear,

Away all care and pain and sorrow flew;

Each flow’ret oped again its chalice to the dew.

The lark now sang; each goddess felt the charm;

Again their bosom with youth’s fullness swell’d:

Odin again felt vigour in his arm,

And Thor once more aloft his hammer held.

Again the sun lent to the moon its gold,

And lit anew the radiant rings on high.

Mimer no more his brow in wrinkles roll’d:

Balder no longer, madness in his eye,

Raved incoherent strains, wild gazing at the sky.

And lo! obscures the sky a vision vast,

Awful, but not unpleasing to behold!

’Tis Thiasse! who his prey pursuing fast

Hath become dazzled by the bale-fire’s gold.

He flutters round it long with sable wings;

E’en as the moth, attracted by the fire,

Into the flame abrupt its body flings;

Th’ enormous Jotun-fly doth thus expire,

By his own impulse hurl’d against the blazing pyre.

E’en so doth every frightful vision dire,

Which terrifies mankind i’ th’ hour of night,

Dissolve, when blazes forth the gorgeous pyre,

Which from the east dispenses warmth and light.

And thus the genial dew, which falls in spring,

Sheds tears of gladness on each plant around:

And every lively bird doth tuneful sing,

Inspired with joy, like Bragur, when he found

His darling wife once more in his embraces bound.

CANTO XV.
THE VANER.[55]

Ere in days of yore the lofty Asar

Schemes of conquest to devise began,

Ruling their ancestral mountain region

Near the plains of bounteous Ginnistan;[56]

Ere they, on proud coursers prancing,

Scorning danger, sallied forth,

Giants quelling,

Dwarfs compelling,

Towards the granite strong-holds of the North.

Oft with friendly mien the peaceful Vaner

With them sought alliance to cement:

’Twas the Vaner taught the race of Odin

Art and science, life’s best blandishment:

Taught them to root out the thistle,

And with flowers to deck the field;

Then to prove

Faith and love,

Niord the horseman swift as hostage yield.

Drought severe oft forest, vale and meadow,

Suffer’d from the ardent solar flame;

But no sooner Niord bestrode his courser,

Fresh and cool the air at once became:

He dispels each noxious vapour,

Paints the sky with azure hue;

Precious arts

He imparts,

Nature to adorn and strengthen too.

By his sister he became the father

First of Frey, and then of Freya fair;

By the Vaner’s law he chose his consort,

Such a tie is not illicit there.

Both were lovely, joy’d to kindle

In man’s breast the amorous flame:

Such a nation

Still keeps station

On Caucasian steeps, with well-earn’d fame.

Now behold the dynasts of Valhalla

Swift their course from Asia’s valleys bend,

Southern fire and Orient’s lofty genius

With the North’s more sober blood to blend!

Naught their earnest wish concealing,

Niord their soft entreaties gain:

Straight doth Niord[57]

Pledge his word,

And with son and daughter join their train.

Odin spake: “Th’ unconquer’d North invites us

With her fir-clad mountains wild and drear!

There the beechen forest waves majestic,

Redolent with Ocean’s healthful air!

Thither will I lead my Asar,

On those rocks my legions spread:

Thou, O Thor!

During war.

During peace shall Odin take the lead,

Planting on each isle and rock their banner,

Shall our bands victorious still advance:

On those rugged cliffs shall oft give battle;

Oft our skiffs on foaming billows dance.

Think! when with the force of iron

Mingles Orient’s genial flame,

What a race,

Full of grace,

Rising there, the world’s applause shall claim!”

Joyful on his winged courser mounted,

Niord for the whole army clear’d the road;

Drying up each marsh, each mist dispelling,[58]

Fearless through impervious wilds he rode.

Never weary, flying, swimming,

Proud his steed pursues his course:

Winds compelling,

Skiffs propelling,

Nature bows to Niord’s resistless force.

Glorious to behold was Niord the hero,

As he pranced along the meadows gay:

Graceful through the sky his courser’s pinions

Floated like a dream i’ th’ morning grey:

Quick he views, and leaves as quickly,

All he finds, both far and near:

With bright beams

Proudly gleams,

Perch’d upon his helm, the morning star.

Of your aid deprived, O skilful Vaner!

What were in the north the Asar’s power?

What would then avail thy wisdom, Odin?

What avail thy boasted strength, O Thor?

Frey midst thorns and brakes and briars

Flax and corn benignant sows:

On mankind,

Ever kind,

Freya offspring beautiful bestows.

She herself obtain’d a handsome bridegroom;

Odur was he call’d on India’s plain:[59]

On the banks of Ganges first she met him,

Tow’ring midst a numerous warlike train:

Crown’d with garlands, hymns reciting,

Swains and maidens round him throng:

With loud crash

Cymbals clash:

Rocks re-echo the triumphal song.

See him on his golden car high seated

Drawn by lions and by tigers strong!

These, compell’d by his heroic valour,

Humbly drag his chariot wheels along:

Laurel wreaths aloft extending,

Nymphs precede the car and sing;

Drum and flute,

Lyre and lute,

To the chaunt their aid harmonious bring.

From the dark recesses of the forest

Started forth the grim ferocious bands!

Ravish’d at the sound of drum and cymbal,

With delight they danced and clapp’d their hands.

Odur by the crystal fountain

Stopp’d them in the shady glen;

There he tamed,

And reclaimed

To the arts of peace those savage men.

Now on every slope and sun-tipp’d mountain

Most exposed to Muspel’s genial heat,

Near the wave, the branches green he planted,

Which produce the raisin’s treasure sweet:

Soon from him the valley’s children

Learn the art to press the vine:

From its blood,

Grateful food,

Love finds nurture for its flame divine.

In the grove the amorous god presented

To the goddess bright the jovial bowl:

Clust’ring grapes and leaves adorn his forehead;

Pleasure-breathing looks reveal his soul:

Smooth his limbs like those of woman,

Still a vigorous male was he:

Yet the fair

Disa’s hair

Bound him fast, and made him bend the knee.

From the trees so green the birds delighted

Mark each fond caress, each amorous freak;

How she with her hands of alabaster

Fondly pats the hero’s sun-burnt cheek:

Like the billows’ foam, her bosom

Proudly swell’d, exposed and bare:

Every flower

Witness bore

To the transports of the beauteous pair.

Freya now became the spouse of Odur;

Seldom could the lovers separate.

When the Asar from their old dominion

Sallied forth to found the northern state,

In his chariot drawn by leopards

Odur seated with his spouse

In his arms,

On her charms

Gazing ever, plights eternal vows.

Much it cost the hero to relinquish

Such a land, the parent of the vine:

But who would not, far beyond the raisin,

Prize a lovely female’s charms divine?

Still he took his vine-plants with him,

Mindful of his precious art:

Oft in glowing

Cups o’erflowing

Odur’s gift refreshes Odin’s heart.

Thus, while all the other gods of Valhall

Drain the goblet fill’d with mead and ale,

Odin with the apple of Iduna,

Or with wine, enjoys his best regale:

And when Odur fled from Freya,

’Scaping from the gelid north,

He bestow’d

On the god

What he deem’d the gift of greatest worth.

How could he forget the lovely Disa

After such enjoyment rich and rare?

How thus tear himself away unfeeling

From a bosom so divinely fair?

Yet he’d oft, in bliss dissolving,

Term his spouse his greatest treasure:

With delight

On that night

Oft he thought entranced, and wept with pleasure.

But when Thiasse carried off Iduna,

Vanish’d every trace of Freya’s bloom;

Old and wrinkled, flabby and repelling

Was the Disa, once so fair, become:

From the couch he leap’d in anger,

Drew his sword in wild alarm:

O confusion!

Curst delusion!

Vainly now he seeks each wonted charm.

“Is it thus thou hast deceiv’d thy lover?

Ugly witch!” disdainful thus he said:

“Grace of birth divine and youth perennial

Didst thou feign to lure me to thy bed?

But the mask hath dropp’d—I find not

Of thy charms one single trace:

Old in mien,

Shrivell’d, lean.

How canst thou unblushing show thy face?”

Naught avail’d the tears of Freya: Odur

Fled disgusted from her nerveless arms.

Where he once such poignant pleasure tasted,

Where he revell’d in celestial charms.

There he left his car and leopards:

Freya sits, to grief a prey,

Sad, despairing,

Wildly staring

At the heaven’s expanse, or dark blue sea.

Never more the Asar race beheld him;

To his Vaner he return’d again.

Golden tears now shed the wretched Freya,

When she gazed upon the stormy main.

Though she found again her beauty,

Odur never more she found:

Tears of woe

Constant flow

From her eyes: the groves her plaint resound.

When the apples of the fair Iduna,

Fruit of health and youth, were found again,

Much it griev’d Valfader’s heart to notice

Beauty sorrowing on her couch in vain:

Straight he sent in search of Odur

Hermod with his magic spear.

Now his fate

I’ll relate,

If my harpings ye will deign to hear.

Odur hied him to the grove of laurel,

Where first Freya met his amorous glance:

Vain the satyrs with their music greet him;

Vain voluptuous damsels round him dance:

Callous now to all about him,

Dwelling on his loss severe,

Much he groan’d,

Wept and moan’d

In the sandy waste, forlorn and drear.

Grapes and vine-leaves from his brow depending,

Now with vacant gaze he fixes heaven:

In the spring of youth thus solitary,

Swim his eyes, with melancholy riven.

Sweet illusion charms his spirit;

Yielding to the frenzy bland,

Lost in dreams

Still he seems,

On his bosom ever press’d his hand.

Hermod, from behind the bush advancing,

Touches Odur with his magic wand:

Straight transform’d e’en to the very marrow

See him now a marble statue stand!

To this day through Asia roving,

Him, ’tis said, the Scald hath found

Thus alone

Changed to stone

In the forest, still with vine-leaves crown’d.

For the death of her beloved Odur

Deeply Freya mourns with grief sincere:

In the ecstacy of melancholy

Down her lovely cheek flows many a tear:

Oft her heart’s profound emotion

Pours she in each lover’s breast;

Pleasing thrill,

Flowing still,

Painful longing! from thy poignant zest.

CANTO XVI.
THE NUPTIALS OF SKADA.

While captive pined Iduna, Valhalla seem’d a grave;[60]

A fruitful isle was swallow’d by the remorseless wave;

In each nook of the palace, each god, morose, alone,

Sat looking straight before him, as motionless as stone.

No longer the Einherier, eight hundred at a time,

In the arena skirmish for Odin’s prize sublime;

They now no longer sally from Trudvang’s brazen port,

To give wounds and receive them, in Hildur’s[61] fav’rite sport.

They cease the glaive to brandish; their blood no longer flows;

They spring not up with laughter from the well-levell’d blows:

Nor roast flesh of Sâhrimner with appetite assail;

Nor drain the horn capacious, brimming with mead or ale.

No more in Freya’s garden are faithful lovers seen,

In ecstacy conversing under the bowers so green:

By passion warm’d no longer, they to the fountain throng,

Nor listen by the moonlight to Philomela’s song.

No more Hagbarth and Signe, when the blue wave beneath

The sun descends, now descant on their heroic death,

When they, upon love’s pinions, were wafted from the vale

Of bitter care and sorrow to bright Gladheimasal.

While Valaskialf is shrouded by mists and noisome dews,

In th’ absence of the apple, that youth and strength renews,

The giants, wild rejoicing, in arms all ready stand

To lay waste proud Valhalla with vengeful sword and brand.

The first who thought on vengeance with helm and buckler bright

Was giant Thiasse’s daughter, mischievous Skada hight:

Clad in her brazen armour, to Valhall’s gate she came,

And knew not that her father had perish’d in the flame.

This female was to Freya unlike in mind and grace,

Yet wit she had and vigour, nor homely was her face:

When mounted on her courser in the dark stormy night,

Under her sable head-dress her eyes gave dazzling light.

Though with impure old witches she revels in the wood,

Yet she herself was blooming in health and youthful blood:

On her fair cheek the tempest the rose’s hue bestow’d;

Her hair adown her shoulders in jetty ringlets flow’d.

Like two white foaming billows her bosom swell’d half-bared;

Her arms smooth and well-rounded; her flesh was plump and hard:

Like the storm-wind in temper, capricious, wild and proud;

Fearful the rocks re-echo, whene’er she scolds aloud.

But when she came to Vingolf, her anger vanish’d quite:

She view’d with admiration the fair-hair’d sons of light;

With love her heart beat wildly, when Balder came in view;

With rapture fill’d her bosom his eyes so soft, so blue.

Those eyes, ’tis true, lack’d lustre; the cause ye well may guess,

’Tis since Iduna’s apples no more the Asar bless.

Shouts Skada: “Peace I offer, and all my wrongs forgive,

If Balder fair as husband, Odin to me will give.”

That Skada might not sicken from unrequited love,

They bound her eyes, and bade her her skill in coursing prove:

’Twas Odin’s own proposal. “Begin the sport,” quoth he;

“Whom[62] she blindfolded catches, shall Skada’s husband be.”

Now like a sea-bird flutt’ring, the black-hair’d virgin stout

Rustled, and breath’d like whirlwind the spacious hall about:

The gods draw back; now forward they move; now halt, afraid;

No easy task they found it to shun the giant maid.

Though far more skill and swiftness th’ Asynior all could boast,

Before Iduna’s treasure was to Valhalla lost,

Yet Skada now excels them; she jumps about as brisk,

As silver-scaled fishes through billows glide and frisk.

A pair of legs now catching, she laugh’d and straight began

Their measure and proportion with eager hand to scan:

She much admired the ankle, the powerful calf, the foot;

These well-turn’d limbs, thought Skada, a happy prize denote.

At first she thought ’twas Balder: she utter’d not a word,

But rising, tore her band off, and saw that it was Niord:

She burst into a loud laugh, which caused the walls to shake,

And pressing to her bosom her captive, thus she spake:

“Ha! we shall suit each other; in truth a well-match’d pair:

As soon as with her apple returns Iduna fair,

Begin once more thy blowing! I’ll raise the wind by night:

In tempers diff’rent moulded, by turns we’ll prove our might.

“On gold-maned Skinfax mounted, thou shalt prevail by day:

At night, upon dark Hrimfax, will I pursue my way:

With flowers thou lov’st to dally; to barren rocks I cling:

Health to the north thou bringest; I Skada mischief bring.

“In summer and in autumn, then are thy seasons meet;

My vapours thou dispersest, and coolst the sultry heat:

Then I, on skaits, o’er Finnmark with bow and arrow fly,

And through fog, sleet and snow-storm my course unseen I ply.

“With cricket on thy shoulder, with beechen branch in hand,

While nightingales sweet singing upon thy helmet stand,

Thou ridest on thy courser, o’er forest, hill and dale,

With rays of light proceeding from his long mane and tail.

“Short mane and tail hath Hrimfax; he’s black and small in size:

Hoar frost clings to his nostrils; his breathings chill the skies:

But fearful are his neighings; and when he rears, then mark!

Unroof’d becomes each dwelling, unmasted every bark.

“Me gulls and sea-mews follow with shrill ear-piercing cries;

The Mermaids from the water, at my command, arise:

The seal jumps in the billow, when I am close at hand;

He dares no longer sun him upon the rocky strand.

“Dost thou not comprehend me? thou seemst to hesitate:

Hath not Ægir a consort i’ th’ ocean with a net?

Is not Ægir an Asa? is not Ran giant-born?

Why then shouldst thou of Skada reject the love with scorn?

“How long ’twixt gods and giants shall last the hateful feud?

’Tis time, methinks, the quarrel to end with ties of blood:

’Twill soon to peace eternal all obstacles remove,

If thou to me wilt promise fidelity and love.

“The bitter must be mingled with all that is too sweet,

And life recall to living what lies in death’s retreat;

Joy must with grief alternate; night shift the rule with day;

The herring shoals, when shining, become of whales the prey.

“Not every plant can flourish; thus were the cherry-tree

Ever from storms protected by the wall’s friendly lee,

Did not the wind its blossom scatter around like snow,

Its trunk would soon be rotten, the tree soon cease to grow.”

By such convincing reasons the wavering god she plied:

At the command of Odin the marriage knot was tied.

But Idun still was absent; dull pass’d the nuptial feast;

Each Disa mourn’d; but Freya wept more than all the rest.

Hoarse was the voice of Bragur; the mead-horn ceased to cheer:

A knife lay in Frey’s bosom; the cause ye soon shall hear:

He greeted not his father, but sorrowful in mood

He to the height ascended, where Hlidskialf’s castle stood.

On Hlidskialf’s tower so lofty stands Odin’s mystic throne;

From thence all the world’s actions are to his eye made known:

No other god but Odin dare mount that awful seat;

Frey on that day, however, this rule seem’d to forget.

He fix’d the royal garland in thought upon his head,

But half its wonted splendour with Idun’s fruit was fled:

There gazed he, sad and pensive, o’er mountain, rock and field;

And now my rhimes shall tell ye, what there the god beheld.

CANTO XVII.
THE AMOUR OF FREY.

A spacious chamber met his eyes hewn in the cavern grey;

Therein reclining on a couch a beauteous damsel lay:

In slumbers light indulged the maid so innocent and meek;

The blush of morning tinged with red her alabaster cheek.

Careless reposed her graceful arm across her forehead bright,

Her raven locks in ringlets twined between her fingers white;

Her small white hand quite buried seem’d i’ th’ streaming coal-black hair,

Thus doth a lamb behind the leaves of a dark bush appear.

E’en as a serpent coiled within the lily’s chalice rests,

Thus curl the silken jetty locks adown her swelling breasts:

As loving as two sisters kiss, thus kiss the lips of rose;

But proudly from each other turn away the breasts, like foes.

Tow’ring the slender waist above, each claims preeminence;

But, as between two rain-drops, none could see the difference.

Frey gazes on the rosy lips, and on the breast of snow,

And quite forgets Iduna’s loss, and all Valhalla’s woe.

But while he gazed, his longing eyes witness’d a wondrous sight!

For now to white the red was changed! and red became the white!

When cherries burst, they show their stone; when her lips part, behold!

Two rows of teeth, as bright as pearls or ivory, they unfold!

And when the tunic fell aside with the pulsation strong,

Up from the lovely damsel’s breast a pair of rose-buds sprung!

Then she awoke, and with her hand those treasures sought to veil;

But strict their duty to fulfil the parted fingers fail.

Now rising from her couch she flies, as nimble as a roe,

To where a fountain’s limpid stream adown the rock doth flow:

She bathes her cheek, her large dark eyes and eke her snow-white arms

A genial glow, unfelt before, the favour’d fountain warms.

In order not to lose its strength, between the rocks it ran

Fermenting, and a source of health became to suff’ring man:

The grot with crutches was hung round; the lame, who hither come,

No longer need their crutches’ aid, to gain their native home.

The blind too, who had lifted up their eyelids oft in vain,

Found, when they drank the holy wave, the power of sight again:

This caused much marvel; all mankind this silver stream adore;

But it from Gerda’s youth derived its wonder-working power.

She takes out from a case a comb of burnish’d gold so rare,

And with her fingers white divides her glossy raven hair:

She combs her locks; they glisten bright; what pleasure they impart

To love-sick Frey! he felt each spark; they melted in his heart.

She wreath’d a band of twisted hair around her forehead high,

Adorn’d with sapphires blue, which shone with wondrous brilliancy:

She then put on a costly robe of asbest silver white;

The border of the robe was hemm’d with garnets rare and bright.

A milk-tub made of polish’d deal he saw her take up now,

And to the flow’ry mead repair, to milk her brindled cow:

In clover deep there grazing stood the cow with crumpled horn;

I’ th’ middle of the meadow spread its blossom the black thorn.

She sat down on the clover green, and with her fingers neat

Under the cow she fix’d the pail, and grasp’d the swelling teat;

While the milk foam’d, the beast to stare with much indifference seem’d:

“O thou cold-hearted stupid cow!” thus Asa Frey exclaim’d.

His look the graceful Jotun nymph now follow’d ev’rywhere;

He sigh’d: “I ne’er before beheld a maid so wondrous fair.”

His words she heard, but innocence dwell’d in her radiant eye,

And intellect was deeply stamp’d upon her forehead high.

Her cheek a glow unusual felt; bewitchingly she smiled;

With piety and steady faith was fill’d her bosom mild:

He saw her then sit down to spin, and much admired the zeal,

With which her younger sisters all she taught to turn the wheel.

Her arms around her much-loved sire with tenderness she flung;

She smooth’d his beard, and ’gainst the wall his bow and quiver hung:

When from the forest home he came, she piled the hearth with logs;

And in the milk put many a slice of bread to feed his dogs.

Heath-cocks, wild ducks, and partridges upon the dresser lie:

No more they now the thrushes’ song disturb with piercing cry:

The hare too, who such speed had shown, how changed! with legs stretch’d out,

Now stiff and cold he lies, while blood drips from his mangled throat.

Now Gerda took from out a case a diamond of great worth,

The like was never seen before i’ th’ mountains of the north,

For if into the darkest room ’twas brought i’ th’ hour of night,

And placed upon the hearth, it shed around a dazzling light.

Now with her apron round her waist the giant-maiden stands,

The fire fierce burning hardens not her delicate white hands;

Her breast lost not its lily hue; her cheek was not more brown;

That she was giant-born, could all infer from that alone.

Towards evening to her father’s house came giants old and young,

To drain the bowl, and pass the night in revelry and song:

Some stand on hoofs of horse; while some horns on their forehead bear;

Others have beards of goat; the rest a loftier nature share.

For every one is well aware, that of the giant race

There must be many tribes distinct, of unlike form and face;

With human bodies some combine the head of wolf or bear;[63]

Some dwell in subterranean caves; some in the forest drear:

Others with human visage graced the Asar’s type recall;

They war upon the gods, ’tis true, but that comes from their fall:

Though not endow’d with heavenly power, magic they understand;

In woollen oft like peasants clad they wander through the land.

Of this last race was Gerda fair: her sire would oft invite

The wild Hrimthusser[64] to his board; she view’d them all with slight.

“Gerda’s in truth a handsome girl, ’tis pity she’s so cold:”

This was remark’d by Horse-leg young, and eke by Goat-beard old.

Against her robe they rubb’d themselves; they pinched her arms and thighs;

At this the Jotun damsel blush’d with anger and surprize.

“If ye cannot behave yourselves,” said she in threat’ning tone,

“I’ll instantly retire, and leave ye here to sup alone.”

Of beauty with good sense allied so powerful is the charm,

The sturdy giants felt ashamed, and swore they meant no harm:

She fill’d their cups with foaming ale, and gave them savoury food;

But when their jokes obscene and coarse the giant carles renew’d,

She kiss’d her sire, and sought her bower: there stood she all alone,

And look’d out at the wide expanse, and gazed upon the moon:

She sigh’d with longing, but for what, she could not rightly tell;

She felt so warm, that from her breast she doff’d the silken veil.

The moon benignant shone; it seem’d towards earth its course to lower,

And sent strong rays of light within the lovely Gerda’s bower:

She thought it was the sun of night, the silver-helm-clad moon,

But it was Asa-Frey himself peeping from Hlidskialf’s throne.

Now when, by sleep oppress’d, her limbs upon the couch she laid,

Frey wish’d a thousand times good night to the bewitching maid.

Descending then from Hlidskialf’s tower, he strait began to rove.

Like dreamer in the midnight hour, towards Freya’s beechen grove.

Towards Freya’s grove the love-sick god pensive pursued his way:

Its glories at Iduna’s rape became of frost the prey;

The leaves all lay in yellow heaps the wither’d trunks around;

The silver brook, once used to flowers, now flint-stones only found.

And now throughout the grove resounds the tempest’s awful yell!

Scared by the shock, the rain-drops bright from the dry branches fell!

So much had love absorb’d his thoughts, when this the god perceiv’d,

He thought each branch upon the trees, like him enamour’d, griev’d.

The howling of the storm amongst the trees with joy he hailed;

It much resembled, as he thought, the sighs his breast exhaled:

He knew not it was Skada’s self, that through the forest blew

Behind her cloud: the whole wide world appear’d to him as new.

How dreadful was the change! now seem’d Heimkringlas dead indeed,

Since from its native soil was torn the life-renewing reed!

But it was not Iduna’s form, that Frey long’d to embrace,

But thee, o Gerda! scion fair of Jotun’s swarthy race.

As thus he sat immers’d in thought, sudden his eye survey’d

His sister Freya; there she stood in linen white array’d,

With silver ringlets, like a dame in the decline of life,

Who on her beauty’s vanish’d spring looks back with inward grief.

She heard her brother’s plaintive sigh. “Unfortunate,” she said:

“Why didst thou Hlidskialf’s tower ascend? hath magic turn’d thy head?

Were I in all my glory now a Disa, as before,

In the dark vales of Jotunheim naught would avail my power.

“And if it could, would Odin e’er permit Frey to espouse

A giantess? hath he not long for Eir reclaim’d thy vows?

The Disa, who when Idun fair in Valhall takes her seat.

Gives health to all the Asar’s blood with liquor from the beet.”

“Odin cannot compel my choice,” her brother answer’d sore,

“E’en if he still possess’d his strength and glory, as before:

Giants to slay Thor boasts the power; but not to quench the flame,

Which burns impetuous in my heart for the fair mountain dame!”

Thus the fraternal pair conversed, and shared each other’s grief;

But Freya breath’d the deepest sigh, despairing of relief.

She said: “My dearest brother! thee the future may console;

But as for me, no hope remains to sooth my anguish’d soul.

“For he, who hath not yet possessed what he desires, may still

Hope to obtain it; time one day may on his efforts smile:

But he, who, which he once enjoy’d, hath lost the darling bliss,

Looks from a height, and views below a fathomless abyss!

“Alas! a Vaner I’m no more;” thus sigh’d despairing Frey;

“E’en were I handsome as before, when Idun’s fruit was nigh,

Still vanish’d is my peace of mind; no longer I’m the same;

Nerveless and weak I feel; and Lok, the traitor Lok’s to blame.”

While Frey thus reasons, lo! a change[65] strikes his astonish’d sight

The sun dispels all mist and fog! day follows upon night!

The frost dissolves in genial dew! azure becomes the sky!

And in a whirlwind from the grove the wither’d branches fly!

The trees stood full of buds! these swell’d! flowers blossom’d forth! and lo!

Freya now feels a pressure strange before her heart! below

She casts a hasty glance, and views with pleasure and surprize

The rose-buds on her breast again with youthful fullness rise.

Frey gazed upon the brook; of late slowly it crept ’midst stones,

But now through banks of violets blue with rapid course it runs:

The spot, where grew a noisome weed, now odours sweet exhales;

He look’d; and in its place, behold! a rose the air regales!

Now on each other gazed the pair with mutual ecstacy;

Of all the females in the world the handsomest was she:

In him she view’d the paragon of males with rose-crown’d brow,

And had she ne’er felt love before, she would have felt it now.

A clapping loud of wings was heard: they look’d, and with delight

Beheld the stork, who with his mate had homeward wing’d his flight:

They had been far in southern climes[66], the swarthy tribes among;

What could they not relate, had they the power to use their tongue?

The stork now sought his clay-built nest all in the beechen grove:

Again over the daisied mead the cattle grazing rove:

And bursting from his tomb, soon as the sun resumed his power,

The butterfly each flower caress’d, himself a living flower,

The cold dissolves, while breezes mild and gentle fan the air:

The genial warmth was felt by Frey and by his sister fair:

They marvel much, and listen; on each other gaze, and sigh:

Hark! tones resound from Valaskialf; they were the tones of joy.

CANTO XVIII.
JOY IN VALHALLA.

Skirnir the messenger of Frey now running towards them came:[67]

Such now is the good news he brings, he well deserves the name.

Soon as he saw them, loud he call’d to Frey and Freya: Ho!

Idun to Valhall is return’d; ended is all our woe!

When these glad tidings met their ear, delight they both express’d,

And flew to Valhall to partake of Odin’s mid-day feast:

Great was the joy and revelry; each Asa swell’d with pride,

When Idun sat at the right hand of Odin, like a bride.

Before her stands the golden vase that holds the sacred fruit,

From which the gods the purple bloom of youth and health recruit;

Next to Iduna Bragur sits; his eyes with constant gaze

Devour her charms: thus from the sun the sun-flower drinks the rays.

Frigga the bounteous mother smiled: the Earth, deliver’d now,

A wreath of flowers and ears of corn had sent to grace her brow:

She carves Sâhrimner’s roasted flesh, and sends the slices round

By a young nymph, whose temples shine with golden fillet crown’d.

’Twas Fulla, Frigga’s handmaid. Gna, who joys to mount the steed,

Hofvarpur hight, for every guest pours out delicious mead:

When bearing round the brimming horns the bright Valkyrior move,

The charms of those attendants fair inspire each god with love.

A seat by Odin’s dexter hand just between him and Eir

Remain’d unoccupied; ’twas meant for Freya and for Freyr:[68]

By Thor his consort Sif was placed; the warlike god was seen

Oft on the shoulders of his wife his awful front to lean.

Next them sat Heimdal; when his eyes Freya and Frey behold,

Smiling he draws his lip aside, and shows his tooth of gold:

So sharp his ears, he hears wool grow and grasses upwards shoot,

And well he knew what in the grove those two had talk’d about.

Next to Heimdaller Gefion sat, the proud shield-bearing maid;

But naught avail’d to gain her heart the courtship that he paid;

Like rose-bud just about to burst blooming and fresh her hue;

Yet with indifference profound doth she love’s pastime view.

All the young maidens who, uncrown’d by Freya and by love,

By death are stricken, refuge find in Gefion’s holy grove:

Here they converse and oft in sport around the meadow run,

When cold and sharp the weather feels, and clouds obscure the sun.

Their greatest pleasure is to view each plant and flow’ret grow;

But in this grove no rose is pluck’d; no garlands bind their brow;

The fountain, where they love to bathe, is shielded well from sight

Profane, by a thick hedge; secure they sleep the long long night.

Yet it is whisper’d, when the moon shines forth, their thoughts on love

Will sometimes dwell; oft stolen looks they cast towards Freya’s grove:

But no one may such thoughts indulge, Gefion is so severe,

No male, not e’en a little boy, dare in her grove appear.

In front of her a goddess sat, whose temper’s diff’rent mould

With that of Gefion contrast forms, as heat compared with cold:

’Twas gentle Siofna, whose blue eyes with love and softness beam,

’Tis she who fills the heart of youth with the first pleasing dream.

Clad in a vest of muscle-shell, with crown of sea-weed green,

Sat Ægir, Ocean’s king: he drank out of a conque marine.

Next to him sat his consort Ran, with temper given to strife:

The timid Disar view with dread Ægir’s ill-favour’d wife.

Harsh-featured was her face, her look malignant, ne’er was she

So joyous, as when vessels sunk in the wide-yawning sea:

She dwells in Ocean’s deepest cave: seldom to Valhall came:

With pain in their bright choir enroll’d the Asar view’d her name.

With th’ Asa who sat next to her she form’d a contrast wide;

They seem’d the images of love and hatred side by side:

Twas Balder, who with youthful bloom all renovated shone:

The Disar all cast looks of love on Odin’s fair-hair’d son.

His light gold tresses, parted, gleam’d over his forehead bright;

His brows resembled just the flower “the brows of Balder” hight:

His aspect’s majesty divine no language can impart;

Where’er he turn’d his eyes, their glance went deep into the heart.

The guardian of a secret grave confided to his care,

For which the world no language hath, nor mortal clay an ear,

Such Balder seem’d; spite of his mild and gentle soul, I trow,

If he but cast a glance on Thor, with reverence Thor must bow.

Such softness with such strength combined no Asa boasts but he;

Spite of his blithesome brow, it bears the stamp of sovereignty:

It could appease the wrath of Ran; on him she loved to gaze:

Then smiled she like a wave, on which a star benignant plays.

Mother of pearl and coral bright upon the board she laid:[69]

To Nanna, Balder’s consort, she presented them, and said:

“Whatever mortal thou mayst chuse to rescue from the grave

Beneath the billow, with these gifts thou shall have power to save.”

To Nanna sat just opposite Lofna with flower-crown’d brow:

When with thy dreams two youthful hearts, O gentle Siofna! glow,

Then Lofna, when invoked, to sooth the lover’s pain delights,

And spite of every obstacle, the amorous pair unites:

And if this union be denied on earth, affliction’s vale,

Aloft she bears them on her wings to Freya’s blissful hall.

Nanna she gave to Balder’s arms; and pitying Signe’s fate,

Burst Hagbarth’s noose, and from the tree bore him to Folkvang’s gate.

Now Hædur, fumbling through the hall, cheerless and sullen goes;

He mutters words in Vidar’s ears, the god with the thick shoes:

Stone blind is Hædur, though robust, the sovereign of the night;

A tunick black as jet he wears with silver stars bedight.

The secrets of eternity are all to Vidar known;

Their stern unflinching guardian he, amongst the gods alone,

Ne’er opes his mouth; his shoulders are like Aukthor’s, broad and strong,

And strong like Vidar is the man who can restrain his tongue.

Two gods, whose qualities on earth are seldom found allied,

Eternally in Odin’s hall are seated side by side:

Resistless is their power combined; all view them with respect;

Loder, the god of beauty reigns; Hænir, of intellect.

The next to Hænir on the bench the serious Var appears,

Stern awe-inspiring goddess, who the rod of conscience bears;

She hears the oaths of all mankind: whoever breaks his vow,

To Nastrond down she hurls the wretch, to endless wail and woe.

Near her were many vacant seats; Forsete just and stern,

Var’s firmest prop, will not so soon to Valaskialf return:

As soon as Idun was released, down to the earth he hied,

As judge supreme by Urda’s wave the causes to decide.

Saga Forsete’s footsteps close with graver and with shield

Had follow’d, to record in runes whatever time reveal’d:

But every morning her return the anxious gods await,

To hear her ’fore Alfader’s throne her narrative relate.

But Niord, to Skada married, soon the ill-match’d union rued:

She bade him to the nuptial-couch on Dovre’s summit rude;

In every corner of the rock the eddying whirlwind roars,

While Skada’s brother o’er the sea, the tall Vandhose, soars:

His arms cling to the sky; his legs drop dangling o’er the wave;

He laughs; the seamen at his sight are fill’d with terror grave:

Now all at once, to water changed, he gushes down amain.

And all he meets in his career drives headlong down to Ran.

Now Skada with dishevell’d hair from Dovre’s cliffs arose;

She grasp’d her lance, to deal around dire wounds and mortal blows:

“Up! come to help me! bridegroom dear!” thus call’d she out to Niord:

The god turns pale with anger, when he hears her voice abhorr’d.

But luck would have it, Idun fair was on that very morn

Replaced in Valhall; at her sight Niord felt his strength return;

Like tempest from the south he rose, and vanquish’d the east-wind,

And Skada fled to hide herself drear Finnmark’s rocks behind.

Lately at Garderik she put in force a strange resolve;

With fragments of sharp ice, which should not on the tongue dissolve,

She fill’d her lungs; with these she sought the ambient air to freeze,

But Niord the mischief soon dispell’d with flower-scented breeze.

At length they peace conclude: nine days was Niord to wear the crown,

Healthy and free the north remain, subject to Niord alone:

Skada the three succeeding days might march with flag unfurl’d:

Thus with alternate change do Good and Evil rule the world.

Ere Niord to Skada was allied, the north was far more mild;

Often with fire from Muspelheim the northern air he fill’d:

But longer now the mists prevail, so doth the grim east-wind;

For no one boasts the power to tame Skada’s malignant mind.

While Skada slumbers in her cave, ’tis Niord’s peculiar care

In arches o’er the verdant earth to mould the light-blue air;

And where are more delightful woods and meadows to be found,

Than those of Denmark, when the lays of nightingales resound?

Niord weeps with rage, while Skada fell lays waste his rich domain,

But changed his precious tears become to fecundating rain;

When rain descends, it never fails to damp the tempest’s wings;

Thus ever ’gainst his consort’s spells some antidote he brings.

From Vingolf Niord was absent, when the mead was handed round,

For while Forsete sat as judge by Urda’s wave profound,

He clear’d the air from vapours foul: where’er extends his power,

Healthy and free each peasant breathes, sickness prevails no more.

Not far from Balder Snotra sat with mild and graceful look:

She blush’d, while from a silver dish small cakes her fingers took;

In gesture, movement, and in speech her gentle grace she blends,

And often to the poet’s lay her soft expression lends.

Hlyn too was there, whom Frigga sends to guard the race of men

From danger, when dark, Surtur spreads his snares o’er marsh and fen.

Next Uller sat the archer good, with bow across his loins:

Instead of war, to end all feuds by duel he enjoins.

The Asar thus in Valaskialf their joyous vigils keep,

Which on the arches vast of heaven rests its foundation deep;

Each azure-colour’d cupola on columns doth repose;

Straight as the forest’s finest fir each marble column rose.

Bucklers and swords with silver hilts around these columns shone.

Now Bragur strikes the golden harp, and in pathetic tone

He sings the danger that the gods so lately had incurr’d,

And while he sang, Iduna’s cup pass’d round the festive board.

Now far beyond Valhalla’s roof ascends each swelling note,

And melts away towards Hlidskialf’s tower far in the air remote:

E’en as the loftiest pine in height exceeds the humblest flower,

Thus Ervin’s minster is eclips’d by Hlidskialf’s awful tower.[70]

Now Frey and Freya take their seat: then joins the banquet Tyr,

Brother of Thor; no danger doth that valiant stripling fear:

Behind Valfader’s chair he stands, while lasts the sumptuous feast,

And waits upon him like a page, in scarlet kirtle drest.

But still insensible to joy and mindful of her woes

Sigh’d beauteous Freya; copious tears bedew’d her cheeks of rose:

Ah! what is beauty? (thus she thought) and why should it return,

If from the heart the heart’s beloved remain for ever torn?

While Freya thus indulged in grief, Odin, the mighty lord,

His courier Hermod call’d; he came, and, charged with Odin’s word,

Went out again, but reappear’d, quick as a waterfall,

And Freya’s daughter, little Hnos, he led into the hall.

The little creature smiling stood behind her mother’s chair,

Over her shoulders delicate stream’d down her well comb’d hair:

The mother wept still more; her child close in her arms she prest;

A flood of golden tears humect the lovely Freya’s breast.

See Odin now the god sublime quick from the table rise!

To Hermod whispers he a word with anger in his eyes:[71]

Straight Hermod vanish’d from the hall, arm’d with his magic wand:

Not half so swift the falcon flies, launch’d by the hunter’s hand.

O that Alfader had not mark’d the beauteous Freya’s grief!

Alas! how anger’s haste destroys all prospect of relief!

If Odur could have seen, methinks, his consort fair once more,

Repentance’ sting he would have felt, and lov’d her, as before.

But now to marble statue changed, what can he feel? ’Tis true,

His eyes wide open stand, but naught those eyes have power to view:

No animation from the grapes doth wretched Odur prove

That deck his brow; on feet he stands, but those feet cannot move.

Now Freya must for ever grieve, and her own grief impart

To other hearts; henceforward love was mix’d with painful smart:

Happy, as handsome, Hnos became, as she advanced in size;

She brings delight and joy to love; but Freya tears and sighs.

CANTO XIX.
THE EINHERIER.

From Valaskialf to the next hall Odin repairs in state,

Where thousands of th’ Einherier their king’s approach await.

The folding doors, at Syn the porteress’ touch, wide open fly!

Then enters, ’mongst the champions brave, Odin the lord so high.

With kindness he salutes them all, for every one he knew;

A troop of warriors lately slain had just appear’d in view:

Their limbs were all besmear’d with blood, deep gashes on their breast;

They stared as in a dream, and thought: Who could this scene have guest?

Then Eir advanced; she follow’d close Odin the chief so great:

In all their gaping wounds she poured the liquor of the beet;

These closed again, changed to slight scars; then woke the warriors brave,

And found they were recall’d to life, and rescued from the grave.

Pale from the fight, a strong old man enter’d with snowy beard;

His skull was cloven by a sword; frightful the gash appear’d;

But Eir upon his bleeding front, while he before her kneel’d,

With a strong pressure laid her hand; the wound that instant heal’d.

The glorious father of the fight then ask’d the warrior’s name:

“I am Starkodder,” answer’d he, “a chief well known to fame:

Food for the ravens I have given myriads of foes on earth;

But here I meet them all as friends, and recognize their worth.”

Hærfader gravely then replied: “A Nidding once wert thou;

By gold seduced, thou didst commit a crime on earth below.”

“I sinn’d once in my youthful days,” Starkodder humbly said;

“But even till my eightieth year atonement have I made.[72]

“From Helheim’s prison-bars I saved King Oluf, it is true:”

But lo! King Oluf now appears: the old man well he knew:

He straight embraced him, moved to tears, and said: “Well mayst thou plead

Innumerable glorious acts to cancel one misdeed.

“The giants tempted thee, but Thor soon to thy succour came;

Thrice happy he, who in his breast the dark-hued Alf can tame!”

A rustling noise was heard, ’twas Thor shining in brazen arms;

He rush’d into the hall, and caught Starkodder in his arms:

He press’d him to his heart, and with emotion wept aloud:

Now Roska brought a leopard’s skin, and gave it to the god:

Amongst th’ Einherier clash of shields resounds with deaf’ning din,

When on the veteran’s shoulders broad Thor hung the leopard’s skin.

A club made from Yggdrassil’s wood he places in his hand;

Thus ’mongst the demi-gods enroll’d Starkodder takes his stand:

Counsel he gives to those who once were guilty of a crime,

I’ th’ holy wave of Balder’s fount to wash off Nastrond’s slime.

Now to the field of battle his th’ Einherier all with glee:

How the vast plain with heroes swarms, like billows on the sea!

The danger, that the greatest strength and bravery on earth

Could scarce o’ercome, was pastime here; mere children’s play and mirth.

And now the phalanx in the shape of a boar’s head they form;

The lances clash with rustling noise like branches, when a storm

In autumn whistles through the grove, ere snow makes white the green;

Each glitt’ring blade like lightning strikes, that kills before ’tis seen.

Astounded at these wonders all, Starkodder silent stood:

The buildings that inclose the space with ravishment he view’d.

Vingolf and Gladheim on one side their lofty turrets rear;

Valaskialf in the centre; left doth Freya’s dome appear.

But over Valaskialf he mark’d the awful tower immense,

The like of which was never seen o’er all the earth’s expanse;

’Twas like the serpent Jormundgard in all his colours bright,

When poised upon his tail he stands in perpendic’lar height.

Upon the buckler-cover’d roof two beasts Starkodder view’d;

A goat over the dome, a stag over the portal stood:

Heidruna doth all other goats in value far excel,

Since from her udder, ’stead of milk, flow streams of hydromel.

But from the antlers of the stag a rill with brilliant spray

And pleasing murmur spouted forth; it never ceased to play;

A silver basin, when it falls, receives the bounteous stream;

In various channels thence it flows to the world’s bound extreme.

On a balcony take their stand to view the feats of arms

The Disar all: what Scald hath power to sing their matchless charms?

Garlands of oak with their fair hands they wreath, and cast below

As trophies in th’ arena vast, to grace the victor’s brow.

Starkodder mounted on the roof to view each wondrous sight,

While Hermod friendly show’d the way by evening’s rosy light.

He mark’d Heidruna the green leaves from th’ ash Yggdrassil crop,

Which from the earth beyond the roof extends its branching top.

Not far from Valhall’s lofty gate, where Heimdal sentry stood,

Starkodder the vast bridge of heaven, the gorgeous Bifrost, view’d:

In its construction precious stones of various hue it blends,

And, rising in one single arch, o’er all the earth extends.

Over this bridge, when they descend to earth, the Asar ride

To sit as judges in the grove, by th’ ash Yggdrassil’s side:

This bridge is dangerous to pass, steep, narrow; but, like bees

Upon a wall, the gods contrive to hold on it with ease.

Southward appears a verdant grove, and there upon a height,

Resting on azure columns, stands a palace fair and light:

High beech-trees of the liveliest green encircle this domain:

There, to Starkodder Heimdal said, doth lovely Freya reign!

Northward appears a forest black; on a steep granite rock

Stands a strong castle, with deep ditch, which any siege could mock;

Its roof was tiled with copper shields; Trudvang the name it bore:

There, Heimdal to Starkodder said, dwells the all-powerful Thor!

The sun now sank beneath the wave, and clear and round the moon

On Valaskialf, on Folkvang bright, on massive Trudvang shone!

Athwart the clouds Starkodder saw far off a dazzling light:

“How now?” to Hermod thus he said, “have ye two moons at night?

“The light thou takest for a moon,” thus answered Hermod mild,

Is Breidablik; that mansion’s roof with costly pearls is tiled:

There Asa-Balder sits enthron’d the fleecy clouds among;

Hark! how he chaunts with the white Alfs the dulcet vesper song!

“And hark! what thrilling melody the echoing clouds impart!

Like the soft joys of innocence, it melts the coldest heart:

But in the hall below resound laughter and boist’rous glee,

And like the dove before the hawk, the pious tones give way.”

To Vingolf now they both descend; there joy tumultuous reigns:

In honour of Valfader’s name his horn each warrior drains.

There the good Scalds, who oft the north had gladden’d, touch the chord,

They all like loving brothers sit at Odin’s oaken board.

A Drapa now, a splendid theme, together they rehearse;

With glorious choral harmony resounds th’ heroic verse:

’Twas like to many a bunch of grapes, each from a diff’rent vine

Gather’d, and now together press’d to form a generous wine.

Here neither jealousy intrigues, nor envy gnaws the heart;

Each hears with deference sincere when others aught impart,

And each rejoices like a child who lovely flowers beholds,

When, what his own hath not conceived, another’s brain unfolds.

“There, next to Thor,” thus Hermod said, “Starkodder, is thy seat.”

At times throughout the vast saloon flashes a splendour great;

It flashes from the shields that hang in rows against the wall;

The silver hilts and the steel blades a dazzling ray let fall.

When now the mead was drank, and when each Scald had ceased his song,

Enter’d the scoffer Asa-Lok the jovial guests among;

His nature is well-known: now red with insolence he grew;

And to the mock’ry of the gods exposed himself anew.

Though by the greater gods despised and hated by the less,

Yet often they must needs admire his wit and liveliness;

At times his cunning was of use worse mischief to prevent,

And when buffoonery prevail’d, there was his element.

But not innocuous were his jokes; sharp, like the razor’s edge,

Both friend and foe alike they cut, yet ’twas his privilege.

When circulates the brimming horn and seriousness gives way,

We sometimes listen to a fool and tolerate his play.

With Fenris first he play’d, the wolf, whom he in a dark cave

Of a foul witch begot; but all the guests with aspect grave

Beheld the sport; it pleased them not, nor did his laughter help;

For all the Asar fear’d the wolf, though he was but a whelp.

His eyes glared fiercely; every day his size and strength increas’d:

Unwilling Odin in his hall suffer’d the hateful beast:

To Skirnir, messenger of Frey, he turn’d aside his head,

Whisp’ring a mandate in his ear; Skirnir the hint obey’d.[73]

But now Lok could not fail to see that Fenris was by all

Abhorr’d and fear’d; without the gate he led him from the hall.

Loud howl’d the wolf; to earth he hied; he there a robber found,

And help’d to murder, while his teeth enlarged the victim’s wound.

Now to the stable hasten’d Lok by special leave of Thor,

And brought in one of the white goats that drew the hero’s car:

The bearded father of the flock was heard to sigh and groan;

It vex’d the reverend goat to play the part of a buffoon.

With Fulla’s garter at one end Lok by the beard made fast

The sturdy goat; the other end he tied to his own waist:

Now to the goat he turn’d his back, and struck him with a thorn;

The beast enraged ran at his foe full butt with levell’d horn.

To a short distance they retired; now they again fell to;[74]

The gods in Valaskialf laugh’d loud the sport absurd to view.

This amused Lok; no shame he felt within his breast; he thought

That, while at him they laugh’d, they all were laughing at the goat.

But such buffoonery soon must fail amusement to impart;

Loud laugh’d the mighty gods, ’tis true, but ’twas not from the heart.

Oft doth a scene absurd and strange the lungs to laughter move,

E’en when the heart and sense such scenes must ever disapprove.

Gefion began to frown; now Thor a sign to Bragur made:

That silly play offended much the chaste high-minded maid.

She rose to quit the hall, but Thor whisper’d to Bragur: “Pray

Recite, to soothe the virgin’s ears, some soul-inspiring lay!”

Then Bragur tuned his harp and said: “Now listen to my lays!

Behold! I strike the golden harp in noble Gefion’s praise!”

At this the maid resumed her seat; what female could eschew

To listen gracious to the song, that gives her honour due?

CANTO XX.
BRAGUR’S SONG IN HONOUR OF GEFION.

When the Asar’s numerous band

From the East to Gauthiod’s strand

Rode, on coursers arm’d in mail,

Sword in hand, o’er mountain, vale,

Forest, lake, their march pursuing,

The proud Jotun race subduing;

Gefion, as a bulrush strait,

Hied one summer evening late

To where Svea’s fountain flows,

Where the Jetter’s dwelling rose

Built of wood; where Gyllfe’s hand

Levied tribute from the land,

Far as the wave, whose stormy spray

Scoops through the hills a double bay.

There while the Scald’s poetic fire

To strains harmonious waked the lyre,

The mighty chief sat in his hall,

Surrounded by his champions all.

All lauded the heroic lay,

And Gefion, who pass’d that way,

Lured by the harp’s melodious sound,

With sensibility profound

Listening to each ecstatic note,

Remain’d fast rooted to the spot.

The sons of Gyllfe much incline

To bend the knee at beauty’s shrine:

No sooner they the Disa view’d,

As listening at the gate she stood,

They sprang up from their bench; with prayer

They earnestly besieged the fair

To enter in the festive hall,

Where she took seat, admired by all.

Though melancholy was her mien,

She shed new lustre on the scene:

Her eyes’ bewitching glance could melt

Each warrior’s heart beneath his belt,

Hearts, which were slow to move before,

Save when the clarion blew for war.

And now the Scald had ceased his lay;

The harp’s last tone had died away:

Gefion arose, her bosom swelling

With conscious dignity, repelling

All hope her favours to obtain:

As when on silv’ry lake the swan

Doth proud its swelling neck deploy,

The water feels a thrilling joy

The bosom downy-white to lave,

Which with indifference ploughs the wave.

Thus Gyllfe’s warriors Gefion bright

Behold with wonder and delight,

And striking on their shields, proclaim

Loud homage to her spotless name;

But with a cold disdain the maid

Their homage and their vows repaid.

“Farewell, ye champions mountain-born!

Lo! to my lips I raise the horn,

And with the pledge of hydromel

I bid ye all a long farewell!

Now to the grove to gather flowers,

Late moisten’d by benignant showers,

My course I bend, while through the vale

Yet sounds the plaint of nightingale:

And when to-morrow’s moon shall roll

In silv’ry track athwart the pole,

The daughter of the East again

Shall join her much-loved sisters’ train.”

“Nay! Gefion! stay with us! oh stay!

And when the summer’s lengthen’d ray

Tinges our hills, thine be the toil

To plant fresh flowers on Svithiod’s soil.

But if from hence, O goddess bright!

Thou art resolv’d to wing thy flight,

No more will joy or pleasure deign

To smile on Svea’s drear domain.”

“Well then! your zeal for Gefion prove!

And with her on it, drag this grove

Into the Ocean! I the land

Will deck with flowers; but it must stand

An island green ’midst billows blue:

If not—receive my last adieu!

Gefion ye ne’er shall see again,

O Jetter! in your proud domain.”

“Let Gefion swear with us to stay,

We’ll all submit to Gefion’s sway:

Let graceful Gefion deign to smile,

We’ll straight her fondest wish fulfill.

Choose the best portion of the land

Thyself! forthwith the Jetter band,

Harness’d like Ægir’s coursers brave,

Shall drag it forth into the wave:

There as an island shall it stand,

O goddess fair! at thy command!”

The Disa now her skill display’d:

A plough with precious stones inlaid

She took, and plough’d the grove around,

With all its trees, a trench profound.

This done, she southward placed a rock

The billows’ utmost rage to mock:

Through the deep trench in rush’d the main,

And quicksands follow’d in its train.

With joy and pride her bosom swell’d,

When she her fav’rite grove beheld

Wash’d by the ocean’s azure spray:

Next towards the north she form’d a bay,

Protection ample to afford

To ships; and call’d it Issefiord.

To Gefion’s car the champions bright

Yoked themselves, changed to oxen white:

The grove far from the hills they drew,

And fixed it midst the ocean blue.

There as an island stands apart

The continent’s most fruitful part!

And since the grove the billows lave,

Sealund’s[75] the name the Disa gave:

And future ages all proclaim,

The island well deserves the name;

Since there the finest grove they see

Gracefully married to the sea.

Thus Sealund stands! thus took its birth

The brightest ornament of earth!

A south, with teeming verdure graced,

I’ th’ bosom of the north enchased!

Now through the vacant space doth flow

The wave, in which the heavenly bow

Reflects itself: now vessels sail,

Where once the car roll’d through the vale;

And fishes swim, where once the trees

Responded to the evening breeze.

Then join your voice to Bragur’s lays!

He strikes the harp in Gefion’s praise!

Hail, Gefion! glorious Disa, hail!

Ne’er shall the poet’s ardour fail

To render thee all homage due;

Thy power triumphant still we view;

For Sealund with each vale and hill

By Oresund doth flourish still.[76]

CANTO XXI.
CONVERSATION BETWEEN SKIRNIR AND FREY.

But when the moon had fled the rock behind,

Follow’d by Maanegarm the winged fiend,

Who, constant in pursuit, to human eyes

Mostly invisible, but in the skies

Sometimes in form of wolf, when rain pours down,

Protrudes his head amidst the vapours brown:

From ocean’s bed the sun majestic rose,

Like blushing Freya with her cheeks of rose,

When from the bath outstepping, she displays

(Alone, naught fearing indiscretion’s gaze)

Her charms voluptuous to the morning chill,

While on the trees the birds are slumb’ring still.

Skirnir the gallant courier mounts his steed;

Fulla had fill’d his flask with Suttung’s mead;

While fair Iduna, mindful of the brave,

To guard his life and health, an apple gave.

Lo! thus prepared, he cleaves the liquid sky

Charged with a mission from Alfader high

For on that very night was Hermod flown

(Odin’s own courier) to a distant zone;

There to avenge by punishment sublime,

O Freya! thy perfidious consort’s crime.

Charged with his errand now must Skirnir ride

To Dovre’s caverns, where the dwarfs reside;

Those smiths ingenious, who with wondrous art

Can to all metals various forms impart:

By Odin’s order they were strict enjoin’d

To forge a fetter, Fenris wolf to bind,

Subtle and slight, but strong his force to quell,

And proved and charm’d with many a mystic spell.

For iron nought avail’d, nor copper chain

The dangerous monster’s fury to restrain;

For such, like singed threads, he burst in twain.

But as o’er Bifrost bridge he pass’d along,

Thus Skirnir mused: “Methinks, it were not wrong,

Before I leave the regions of the sky,

To ascertain, if my own master Frey

Hath not some mandate for his trusty swain;

For though to Odin, king of gods and men,

We all must bow, and own his sovereign might,

Yet our own master claims an equal right.”

Thus said, he spurr’d his courser toward the grove

Of birch-trees, where the Asa loved to rove.

There Frey, with chin reclining on his hand,

Was wont to sit, and muse, while o’er the land

The seed is sown, and with fond hopes elate,

The husbandmen th’ approach of autumn wait.

But when this time Skirnir his master found

With pallid hue, immers’d in grief profound,

He wonder’d much, and thus exclaim’d aloud:

“How now? my sovereign! thus with sorrow bow’d,

When all creation, deck’d in radiant vest,

Indulges brightest hopes, which thy behest

Alone can gratify; for in thy hand

The Fates have placed the fecundating wand,

Which spreads abundant harvests o’er the land.

But little would the sower’s pains avail,

Didst thou not send unseen through mead and vale

A swarm of Alfs, the labourer’s way to clear,

The thieving sparrows with their darts to scare,

And root out all the noxious insect race,

Which lie in ambush in each furrow’s trace.

But ’tis in autumn that we most admire

Thy power, O Asa, when with looks of fire

Thou gildest bright each waving field of corn:

For when the reaper’s scythe at dawn of morn

Blithesome resounds, thy greatest triumph then

Is hail’d with rapture by the sons of men.

’Tis far more cheering to their hearts to hear

The scythe’s shrill sound, than clang of shield and spear,

To do Thor homage in his proud career.”

“Ah! what avails my boasted power and pride,

If it can naught effect (thus Frey replied)

Than causing trees to shoot and corn to grow?

What boots my form divine and radiant brow,

If I be not beloved? my power how vain!”

“And art thou not beloved?” rejoin’d the swain:

“Doth not all nature at thy altar bend?

Doth not the mighty Odin call thee friend?

For thee each Disa feels an ardent flame,

And all the gods thy love fraternal claim.”

Now Frey began each circumstance to tell

That him on Hlidskialf’s lofty tower befel:

How in the mountain cavern he beheld

A form, which every other form excell’d,

An image of the fairest and the best,

That stamp’d itself for ever in his breast.

Then Skirnir: “Now doth my loved master prove,

I well perceive, the mighty power of love:

Whoe’er of love’s keen arrows feels the smart,

Freya with doubts and fears distracts his heart.

With hand upon his breast, in wayward fits,

Despairing of success, the lover sits:

Yet could he once his soul to action strain,

An easy triumph he, perhaps, might gain.

Why thus despair? Is Gerda thy beloved?

Cannot she, thinkst thou, by thy prayers be moved?

Is she not young, and handsome, soft and mild,

In the first spring of life a flow’ret wild?

Thinkst thou a goblin bridegroom doom’d to prove

The exquisite reward of Gerda’s love?

Shame were it for a ruler of the skies,

Should Horse-leg, the rough clown, bear off the prize;

Or should a damsel of such wondrous charms

Languish and pine in Goat-beard’s shaggy arms.”[77]

Then Frey: “Could I the maid’s consent obtain,

Yet fear I Odin, king of gods and men;

He would refuse his sanction.” “Why suppose

Said Skirnir, “Odin would thy views oppose?

To bind the marriage knot consent he gave

Whilom ’twixt Ægir, monarch of the wave,

And the perfidious harsh ill-favour’d Ran,

Who spreads her net to drown the race of man.

And did he not his sanction too accord

To bind fierce Skada with benignant Niord?

How then could his impartial spirit blame

A better suited match, a worthier flame

’Twixt thee and Gerda, loveliest mountain dame?

“Not always so austere and so sedate

Trust me, is Odin, as when high in state

He thrones amidst Valhalla’s champions grave:

He too hath sometimes been love’s humblest slave;

The lively Freya, with her cheeks of rose,

Hath oft disturbed that prudent god’s repose:

Then weary of the banquet, and the sight

Of arm’d Einherier in the mimick’d fight,

Disguised to earth he oft descends, and there

Clasps in his fond embrace some mortal fair.

“Hast thou forgot the time, when Odin, fired

With love for Princess Rinda’s charms, attired

As a laborious smith, once found his way

To Garderike, where her sire held sway?

First prudently he strove to gain the fair

By gifts of iron, gold, and silver rare:

But she rejected all; and with disdain

She smote the cheek of the presumptuous swain.

But nought rebuff’d, again he took the field,

Like chieftain arm’d with brazen helm and shield;

He urged his suit, and met with no success;

A second blow chastised his eagerness.

But since a blow from silken hand of dame

With no dishonour soils a warrior’s name,

Like oil it served to increase the Asa’s flame.

“Once more he to the charge return’d, array’d

This time in guise of lowly waiting-maid:

He sold his liberty, with fondest care

And earnest zeal to serve his mistress fair:

He wash’d her feet on each revolving night,

And in the humblest duties felt delight:

This moved her tender heart: and that relief,

Which to the hardy smith and plume-clad chief

She had refused, she voluntary gave

To the profound devotion of a slave.

“Still more of Odin’s various loves, in spite

Of Saga’s prudence, can I bring to light,

Although she graves them on her sable shield

In mystic runes, from vulgar ken conceal’d.

When first was ratified the bond of peace

Between the Asar and the Vaner race,

Loud through the mountains of the eastern chain

Was heard of love and bliss the jocund strain.

The Vaner damsels with long streaming hair,

Their forms voluptuous to the girdle bare,

Join’d in the mazy dance and rais’d the song

To crash of cymbals and the sound of gong.

The vine’s rich juice their cheeks had colour’d high

And gave fresh lustre to each flashing eye;

Such thrilling accents from their pouting lips.

Such melting tones were heard, as might eclipse

The strain of nightingale, when to the grove

He lures his mate with blandishments of love.

“Now to the deepest glen the nymphs withdrew;

The Asar close th’ alluring prey pursue.

Heimdal soon vanish’d; Vidar, too, the grave,

Most taciturn of all the Asar brave,

Who ne’er his prowess boasts; then Hermod flew

Into the copse, and, some say, Odin too.

Well, well! the transports of that blissful night

The genial bard engender’d, Qvaser[78] hight;

His mother was a damsel of sixteen,

Fair-hair’d, blue-eyed, of loveliest shape and mien;

She brought him forth amidst the myrtle grove,

And gave him to the gods, a pledge of love.

“He grew to manhood fast, was wise and strong,

And from his mother learn’d the art of song.

With various talents blest and generous mind,

He travell’d o’er the earth to serve mankind,

And much he joy’d to place within their reach

All that his wisdom or his skill could teach.

But malice slumbers not; at close of day

It lies in ambush to destroy its prey.

Qvaser oft wander’d o’er the mountain steep;

Two scowling dwarfs there kill’d him while asleep;

Into a golden vase they pour’d his blood,

From which, with honey mix’d, a drink they brew’d

This drink the Scalds’ bright science could inspire,

And fill man’s bosom with poetic fire.

The vengeance of Valhalla to prevent

And screen their guilt, the dwarfs a tale invent;

They spread abroad that Qvaser they had found

In the deep flood of his own wisdom drown’d.

But to conceal their crime they strove in vain;

And ample vengeance for his brother slain

On those malignant dwarfs brave Suttung took;

He seized them both and bound them to a rock;

That rock, by stormy billows lash’d, doth stand

In the mid ocean, distant far from land.

As a still further punishment, he left

The traitors life, of all its joys bereft:

There haunts them still the ghost of Qvaser slain,

And hunger gnaws them with eternal pain.”

Frey sigh’d, young Skirnir smiled, and still his tale

Continued sprightly: “Suttung did not fail

To seize the vase fill’d with the precious juice,

For well he knew its value and its use;

The vase he trusted to no dragon’s care,

But to his prudent daughter, Gunliod fair.

Then Odin first conceived the project bold

Of gaining mast’ry of that vase of gold:

He mounted on his courser, Sleipner hight,

And swift descending from Valhalla’s height,

Soon reach’d a field, where arm’d with scythes he view’d

Nine savage goblins of the Jotun brood,

Intent, by the broad streaming northern light,

To cut down all a peasant’s corn that night;

And Odin knew their master, Bauge, dwell’d

In a huge cave close bord’ring on the field.

No deference pay to justice or to right

The thievish giants; their sole law is might:

They rove the world around and laugh to scorn

The Asar’s golden rules; the peasant’s corn

They carry off, while he lies fast asleep,

And, what he sows, those ruthless robbers reap.

Night of their force and fraud conceals each trace,

For Night herself is of the giant race:

Her sire, the giant Narf; an Asa bright,

Delling, became her husband; then did Night

Give birth to honest Day: thus oft arise

Virtue and grace from ugliness and vice.

But Night when she o’er earth her ride extends,

Mounted on Hrimfax, whom she often lends

To Skada, acts in concert with the brood

Of giants, and conceals their deeds of blood.

But Moon, the graceful child with golden hair

About her temples, boasts a courage rare,

And far beyond her sex and age; ’tis she

Exposes oft the giants’ villany;

And when from a dark cloud with radiant head

Fair Moon emerges, to the rocks they speed

To hide themselves; but soon commence again,

And to their mountain lair bear off amain

The fruits and treasures of the luckless swain.

Then when the husbandman walks o’er the field

At dawn of day, and views his harvest fell’d

And all laid waste, he thinks the nightly frost

Hath caused the mischief and his labours cross’d.

Then he complains to Frey, but vain his prayer;”

Frey sigh’d, and gaz’d around with vacant stare.

Skirnir continued; still he hoped, forsooth,

With tales and jests his master’s mind to sooth.

“But not alone the giants mischief cause,

The cunning dwarfs too oft infringe the laws;

They, when the summer breeze embalms the air,

In shape of ants and cockchafers repair

To th’ field, and there devour the ears of corn,

Laughing the wretched peasant’s plaint to scorn.

When Odin now the thievish giants view’d,

Pity and indignation fired his blood;

He took out from his pouch a polished stone,[79]

Than which for sharp’ning scythes a better one

Could not be found; then call’d out loud and blythe:

’Which of ye needs a stone to wet his scythe?’

He threw it high in air, but as it fell,

The greedy giants had with rancour fell,

Disputing for the stone, each other slain,

And streams of blood incarnadined the plain.

“Then Odin towards the mountain hied him strait

And knock’d, with Bolverk’s name, at Bauge’s gate;

He there took service, and with nine men’s power

For the nine reapers household labours bore;

But this condition fix’d, Bauge a road

Should find him to fair Gunliod’s abode.

Now Bauge bored the rock, and Odin blew

Into the hole, but the dust backward flew

Into his eyes. The giant’s trick was plain;

The hole was not made straight; but when again

Bauge his borer used, the god applied

Quickly his mouth and blew. To th’ other side

Now flew the dust; the aperture was free;

And Odin, in a serpent’s form, with glee

Glides through the rock; the giant with his steel

Strikes after, but in vain he strives the snake to kill.

And Odin, when he reach’d the other side,

Resumed his proper form with conscious pride.

With snow-white arm beneath her cheek of rose,

There Gunliod slumb’ring lay in deep repose;

While the lamp spread a flick’ring ray around,

Odin beheld the vase with garlands crown’d.

Odin presents himself, not fiercely now

Like a wild man, but with majestic brow

He stands; then with a lover’s ardour kneels

Before the maid, and all his soul reveals.

His eloquence, his manly beauty gain’d

Her heart; three nights with Gunliod he remain’d.

And oft, while on his mistress’ form he gaz’d,

She to her lover’s lips the mystic vessel rais’d.

Right lustily he drank; then with his prize

Triumphant he regain’d his native skies.”

Now Skirnir ceas’d his story, and awhile

Gazed on his master with an artful smile;

Then Frey his silence broke: “So! thus doth love

An Asa! sensual joys alone their passion move!

The sweeter fruit of sentiment, I trow,

The race of Bor and Bure do not know.

O Skirnir! did the Fates to Frey accord

To dwell on Hlidskialf’s tower, like Valhall’s lord,

How fortunate! then every morn the sight

Of Gerda would my ravish’d soul delight.

This would repay me amply for my sighs

And for my nightly tears: alas! there lies

A barrier insurmountable between

My love and me: all I dare hope to glean

Is her dear image, which can ne’er depart;

Here, here, it lies, deep buried in my heart.

Of her bright charms the deep imprinted trace

Nor time nor circumstance can e’er efface.

What greater pleasure, Skirnir! can we prove,

Than to behold the darling maid we love?

Oh yes! there is a pleasure far more sweet;

When looks reciprocal our glances meet,

And earnest give of future sympathy:

Oh! ’tis the most enchanting melody,

When the sweet voice of the beloved fair

Whispers “I love thee” in her lover’s ear.

Yet e’en the tongue can ne’er its happiness,

With half the ardour, half the force express,

As doth an eye, whose silent eloquence

Reveals each thought, and beams with love intense.

“Now hie thee swift to the dark giant’s land,

And execute Valfader’s stern command!

Procure a fetter forged with mystic spell

Fenris the wolf to chain, that monster fell!

Not difficult the task will prove, methinks,

For the dwarf’s science from no labour shrinks.

But neither mystic spell nor magic chain

Can to Valhalla bind my heart again:

To Gerda solely it belongs; it flies

With wings impetuous through the azure skies

Over Ginnungagap, abyss profound,

And hovers with delight the mountain fair around.

But shouldst thou find the dear enchanting maid,

Tell her what thou hast seen, what Frey hath said!

Doubtless already me with scorn she views;

The giant’s hate the Asar still pursues.

As for the rest she is too wondrous fair,

Too graceful in her manners, shape and air,

Not to expect with sighs and homage meet

A host of lovers kneeling at her feet.

And if the swain, to whom she plights her vow,

Is less esteem’d by the whole world below,

Than is the god—should Gerda preference give

To him—what then avails my proud prerogative?

“Farewell! Now hie thee hence, my Skirnir brave!

To execute the order Odin gave.

But on thy master’s woes be silent still!

E’en could I hope to bend her father’s will,

Could he, though giant-like to softness steel’d,

From interested views be taught to yield,

What then? but little comfort this would prove;

The father’s power I court not, but the love

Of his fair daughter. O thou Gerda dear!

Couldst thou but view thy ardent lover here

Immersed in grief profound, thy generous heart

Some words of comfort would, perhaps, impart:

Would give asylum to affection’s sighs,

And learn a suitor thus sincere to prize.

Thus doth the mountain’s summit wrapt in snow

Melt by degrees before the summer’s glow,

And to a plant gives birth, which scents the gale,

More fragrant than the lily of the vale.”

Thus spoke the god, and sat him down beside

The brook to weep; the waters onward glide,

And, as they flow, receive the lover’s tears,

While mirror-like the stream his beauteous image bears.

But Skirnir, who in missions from the god

So oft had visited the dwarfs’ abode,

Had learnt their various arts; and now while Frey

Sat gazing on the stream with mournful eye,

Skirnir, I say, with sudden impulse took

A handful of the water from the brook,

Which the reflection of Frey’s image gave;

Into his horn he quickly pour’d the wave,

And stopp’d it with a cork; then to his side

Made fast the horn, and gallop’d off with pride.

This artifice by Frey was noticed not;

Gerda alone absorb’d his ev’ry thought.

CANTO XXII.
FREY’S PLAINT AT THE FOUNTAIN.

O Swain! who sighest sad with cheek so pale,

And to the gentle Freya dost complain,

Because thy vows and ardour naught avail

The love of a proud maiden’s heart to gain:

Because to thee no joys the vernal gale

Affords: Ah! blame not Freya! she thy pain

Beholds and shares; forlorn, a pray to woe

Herself, her golden tears incessant flow.[80]

Naught surely can compete with love’s delight;

But love resembles much a northern spring:

For one day’s pure and genial solar light,

Nine days of sleet and cloud discomfort bring.

Many the birds whose screams the ear affright,

But few there are, that can melodious sing:

While lapwings, sparrows, owlets never fail,

Seldom is heard the voice of nightingale.

A graceful maid is rarely to be found;

But should the object of thy fond pursuit

Shine forth to view with matchless beauty crown’d,

She may be silly, harsh, or dissolute;

But e’en if beauty, virtue, judgment sound,

All in thy choice unite, what doth it boot?

She for another feels a sympathy,

And with indiff’rence turns her eyes from thee.

To guarantee the zest complete of love,

How many things must be on earth combined!

First, two hearts which a mutual passion prove:

Then grace and beauty, with a soul refined:

Then the moon shining through the beechen grove,

When the spring greets the earth with zephyrs kind:

Then meeting without danger or suspense:

Then the embrace; and with that—innocence.

CANTO XXIII.
THE JOURNEY OF SKIRNIR.

Respecting the metre of this Canto, see the note.

Now Skirnir, eager his zeal to prove,

Down Bifrost urges his course amain,

And, speeding through Hertha’s gloomy grove,

Soon reaches the Giant’s drear domain.

’Twas like the wind blowing o’er the road,

Which gate nor barrier hath power to stop:

’Twas like the blast raging o’er the flood,

Which lashes to foam the billow’s top.

Now Skirnir thought: “Pitch dark is the night,

Brakes, briars, and brambles impede my course:

And the wind and the rain with all their might

’Gainst the bosom beat of my jaded horse.

But if no Giant in th’ hour of need

To give me refuge as guest will deign,

Then Skirnir must on his panting steed

Return in haste to Valhalla again.”

To Elivagor he chose the road,

He came to a fiord,[81] and fain would cross:

And there at the brink a ferryman stood

With wrinkled brow, and with aspect cross.

“Who art thou, fellow, that standst so grave

Upright in thy bark?” thus Skirnir cried:

“If thou wilt ferry me o’er the wave,

I’ll give thee oatcakes, and herrings beside.

“Upon my shoulder my wallet see!

Therein of provisions a store I’ve put.”

Then answer’d the ferryman scornfully:

“Fine horseman thou, with thy shoeless foot![82]

A woollen kirtle is all thy treasure,

Yet thou talkst like a lord of wealth and power.

Ha! thinkst thou slaves to thy will and pleasure

Us Giants to find at the midnight hour?”

SKIRNIR.

Steer hither thy bark! thou grumbling wight!

Thy name and thy lineage quick declare!

Why stand there idle the livelong night,

And lose every chance to earn a fare?

HARBARD.

A Nidding is he who denies his name;

Yet were I base as the torrent’s scum,

My birth to reveal I’d feel no shame:

’Tis not such as thou shall make me dumb.

SKIRNIR.

I seek not to cross the fiord, I swear,

To teach thee manners and language meet:

But thou hast perchance a sister fair,

Who would more courteous a stranger greet:

Or thou art link’d to a beauteous bride,

Who would not disdain on a youth to smile:

Then ferry me quick to the other side!

I fain would commune with her awhile.

HARBARD.

Aye! aye! our females are smart and fair;

That Odin himself must needs confess:

I only wish more renown’d they were

For constancy and for gentleness.[83]

If in search of beauty thou makest thy trip,

Thou’lt meet with dames that will please thee well:

But beware lest a kiss from the wife’s soft lip

Be repaid by a kiss from the husband’s steel!

SKIRNIR.

Like dogs forsooth are your mountain brood,

Envious and snarling and quarrelsome;

Who to other creatures refuse the food,

Which they themselves can never consume.

Incapable of true love are ye,

Yet ye fain would exact return of love:

Ye seek not to hide your inconstancy,

Yet expect your matrons should constant prove.

HARBARD.

Thou hast talk’d enough: ’tis an envious theme:

Now rest thee, and quench thy thirst, and eat!

But ere I ferry thee o’er the stream,

Thou must proof exhibit of talent meet.

No fare from trav’llers I’m wont to take;

But if they cannot give answers good

To every question I chuse to make,

Down at once they sink in the dark blue flood.

And now the goblin began to ask

Young Skirnir about the orbs of heaven:

What various names (’twas no easy task)

To the sun and moon and stars were given:

To earth and water, to fire and air,

To plants and trees, to the wind and rain:

And what the terms expressive were,

Which all their properties explain.

But Skirnir’s answers never fail,

And all his ready wit display:

“The earth is call’d by the Asar, vale:

By the Alfer, green: by the Vaner, way:

The cave of metals, by Dwarfs ’tis named:

Fruit-bearer, by all the Giant brood.”

Then Harbard, raising his oar, exclaimed:

“In truth, my hero! thou answer’st good.”

“Heaven,” Skirnir quickly then rejoin’d,

“Is term’d by the Asar the ceiling blue;

The Vaner term it the realm of wind:

And drypsal[84] ’tis call’d by the Dvergar crew:

Fairloft by the Alfs: by the Giants ’tis hight

Opheim.[85]” All these answers, ’twas plain to see,

Were much approved by the ferrying wight,

And Skirnir’s cakes he devour’d with glee.

“To the moon by the Dwarfs, I know full well,

Of yellow-shiner the name is given:

By the Asar, dreamer in the vale:

By Hela ’tis term’d the wheel of heaven:

By the Alfs, year-reckoner: the Giants proud

With the name inconstant soil the moon:”

Then Harbard chuckled, and cried aloud:

“Much knowledge, ’tis plain, thou hast, my son!”

“The sun is call’d the darter of rays

In Valaskialf by the Asar all:

But the Dwarfs, who cannot endure its blaze,

Sight-blinder the glorious orb miscall:

’Tis named by the Alfs the wreath of gold:

Night-vanquisher by the Giant breed.”

These answers grave Harbard much extoll’d,

And herrings he eat with his oaten bread.

“The cloud that flits the heavens along

Is term’d by the Asar the car of Thor:

Rain-dropper in every Vaner’s song:

And runaway base in the Giant’s lore:

By the Alfs shade-giver; the Dwarfs, who thrive

In their grots, and dislike the glare of day,[86]

To the cloud the term umbrella give,

Since it shields them well from the solar ray.

“The wind doth many a title claim

From the denizens of air and earth:

The wide-embracer is its name,

The blust’rer, railer, and so forth.

The metal-melter, the smoky-veil’d,

Are appellations given to fire.

And hair of the earth the trees are call’d,

When their branches wave in their green attire.”

Fresh questions the boatman grave proposed,

But the answers of Skirnir never fail.

Of day and of night the names he posed,

And those bestow’d on corn and ale.

Then Harbard said: “Ne’er met my eyes

A man with wisdom so profound:

Yet Gestur’s riddles, I surmise,

Will far beyond thy reach be found.”

Grim Harbard now unmoor’d his bark,

And briskly Skirnir stepp’d on board;

For naught he valued the Giants dark,

And felt secure with his trusty sword.

And though the frightful boatman stared

As stiff as a corpse with his evil eye,

Yet not a whit was the hero scared,

For his witchcraft all he could well defy.

But Harbard soon lays down his oar,

For lo! the skiff no guidance needs:

Steady it nears the mountain shore,

Urged by the stream, which upwards speeds.

Unlike all other streams this wave,

Which from the mountains take their source,

And toward the sea, their common grave,

Flow downward with unerring course.[87]

Swift gliding on the wizard brook,

They reach a drear and barren spot,

Where dews in vain bathe the naked rock,

Nor plant nor blade of grass takes root.

No bird’s soft carol here fills the sky,

All nature here seems a lifeless corse;

Naught is heard but the owl, which flitting by

Assails the ear with warnings hoarse.

’Twas night: the earth in frost was bound:

Thick flakes of snow from heaven descend:

Rising on every side around,

Huge ice-bergs seem their course to fend:

The shaggy beard of Harbard froze,

And icicles his ringlets deck’d:

But naught could Skirnir discompose;

On him the cold had no effect.

’Twas day: a torrent rustling through

A drear and sandy desert flow’d;

The wind like breath from furnace blew;

The sun was veil’d by sultry cloud;

A thirsty buffalo its snout

Protruded from the tepid wave:

Yet scorching heats and vapours naught

Affect the nerves of Skirnir brave.

Quoth Harbard: “Friend! I must allow,

Thy nature can all climes withstand:

Thou heedest neither Greenland’s snow,

Nor scorching suns of Negroland.”

Then Skirnir answer’d smiling. “Right!

Nor heat nor cold should travellers dread:

Were I a soft effeminate wight,

Think’st thou, I should so far have sped?”

The bark now with redoubled speed

Shot ’gainst a perpendic’lar rock;

The bark had timbers proof at need,

Else were it split by such a shock:

But naught alarm’d was Skirnir bold,

When dash’d against the marble steep.

Now Harbard’s brows in wrinkles roll’d,

And many a curse he murmur’d deep.

“Now we’re arrived upon the strand;

Yon silver-hair’d blind veteran see!

If thou hast wit at thy command,

The cavern’s gate he’ll ope for thee.

If thou his riddles canst unravel,

The mountain’s treasures he’ll display:

But hast thou doubts, ’twere best to travel

Homeward, young friend, without delay.

“For Gestur none admits, before

His[88] riddles they correct unfold:

In chains of copper by his door

Yon four ferocious dogs behold!

His riddles shouldst thou fail to guess,

On thee he’ll loose his mastiffs strait;

Then will thy mangled limbs express

In language clear the wand’rer’s fate.”

“I am prepared for all his guile;

Let him begin forthwith his task!

And thou wilt find, that I have skill

To solve each riddle he may ask.”

“Nay! nay! thou dost, advent’rous youth,

Thy skill, perhaps, too highly prize:

But now ’tis time from Gestur’s mouth

To hear them: Hark!” aloud he cries.

GESTUR.

What is it that union and mirth inspires,

Yet oft is the cause of quarrel and strife?

Which oft the tongue with eloquence fires,

Yet oft deprives it of power and life?

SKIRNIR.

Not difficult is this question, I trow;

Mead is the key to the riddle proposed:

Wit from the mead-horn doth often flow;

By the mead-cup oft is the fool exposed.

GESTUR.

I pass’d on a road, where three roads met,

Yet these roads never touch’d each other.

Howe’er ingenious thy mother wit,

Here’s a nut to crack, thy brains will bother.

SKIRNIR.

To a frost-bound river thou didst come,

And o’er the ice thou didst glide with speed,

While under thy feet the fishes swum,

And birds in the air flew o’er thy head.

GESTUR.

I yesterday drank, but water ’twas not,

Nor any pottage with liquid drench’d,

Nor wine, nor beer, nor mead was my lot,

Yet my burning thirst was easily quench’d.

SKIRNIR.

Beneath a tree thou didst lay thee down.

While the dews of night all creation drench’d;

At morn thou didst lick the dew from the stone,

And thus thy thirst was easily quench’d.

GESTUR.

A two nosed bride groom I know full well,

Who kisses his bride with such ardent zeal,

That if thy finger were placed between,

His nose would smash both bone and skin.

SKIRNIR.

The answer deft I can scarcely miss:

Who would not shrink from the ardent kiss,

That the hammer to the anvil gives,

When his trade the smith laborious drives?

GESTUR.

Two creatures without lungs I know;

Yet such is the force with which they blow,

That metals they melt, and snakes they breed,

Which have power to hiss and to bite, when dead.

SKIRNIR.

Thy lungless wights are the smith’s vast bellows,

And swords for the warrior’s use they form:

How weak would prove e’en the bravest fellows

Without their swords in the battle’s storm!

GESTUR.

A wondrous weaver there is forsooth,

Who sits on his woof, and weaves his cloth:

His eyes are four, and his legs are eight,

And his knees exceed his body in height.

SKIRNIR.

I would not as model of beauty cite

The spider, yet he’s an industrious wight;

He’s thrifty too; and from his own breast

He weaves his woof, and he builds his nest.

GESTUR.

’Twas black as a raven, and bright as a shield,

And sharp as a spit, as it lay on the field,

But lately it glow’d with an ardent flame,

But now like the grave it is cold and tame.

SKIRNIR.

Thou sawst the lava from Hecla flow,

Which in the sun’s beam so bright did glow;

But o’er snow-clad fields meandering down,

It ceased to flow, and it turn’d to stone.

GESTUR.

Of a white-hair’d female I’ve been told,

Who well knows how white balls to mould;

Yet hath this female never a hand:

This riddle, pray! dost thou understand?

SKIRNIR.

’Tis the long-neck’d swan with its colour white,

Who loves to sail on the lake so bright:

No hands hath she, but her yellow feet

Can give to her eggs the figure meet.

GESTUR.

A corpse sat riding a corpse upon,

And though without life the steed moved on;

Across the river it speeded fast,

And stopp’d on the opposite bank at last.

SKIRNIR.

On the ice lay a horse deprived of breath,

And on it an eagle frozen to death:

On the drifting ice the courser sped

Across the stream, although it was dead.

GESTUR.

Who is it in ashes sleeps like a slave,

And seems neither life nor vigour to have?

Yet when ’tis angry, and throws off its mask,

O! then its mercy ’tis vain to ask.

SKIRNIR.

In the midst of ashes the glimmering spark

No one ever deigns to notice or mark:

Yet should it escape, and flame abroad,

Then woe to each straw-roof’d dwelling of wood!

GESTUR.

Who is that wizard with cloak of grey

That speeds o’er forest and stream his way?

Who flies ’fore the wind, and not from the lance,

And darkens the sun’s beneficent glance?

SKIRNIR.

Thy riddle is easy, O Gestur blind!

’Tis the cloud compels the sun to yield:

But Niord comes riding upon the wind,

And the cloud in turn must quit the field.

GESTUR.

What beast is that in yonder field

Whose house protects him like a shield?

Toad-like in form, his house of horn

May laugh the serpent’s tooth to scorn.

SKIRNIR.

The tortoise thou must mean, I’m sure:

Beneath his shell he sits secure:

Happy the chief who takes the field,

Guarded by such a powerful shield!

GESTUR.

Who are those lively females, say!

In summer clad in hue of clay,

But when stern winter hovers in sight,

They flaunt in bridal robes of white?

SKIRNIR.

Thou speakst of partridges, I guess;

While winter lasts, white is their dress;

Like bears, their coats aside they fling,

And brown, like clay, become in spring.

GESTUR.

What nymphs are those, who speed away,

Unmarried, to their dying day;

White caps on their dark locks are worn,

And flowing trains their backs adorn?

SKIRNIR.

Thou meanest sure the waves of ocean,

Which winds so easy put in motion,

But to a speedy end they come;

Their joy is naught but froth and scum.

GESTUR.

Who plunges oft in the sea profound,

And joys with tooth to seize the ground?

Who saveth many a chieftain good

From dangers dire by wind or flood?

SKIRNIR.

This riddle doth, O wizard blind!

With thoughts sublime inspire my mind:

The anchor surely thou dost mean,

Emblem of Hope to mortal men.

GESTUR.

What guests are those, that in silence drain

A cup, which unemptied doth still remain?

Though the guests in silence their bellies fill,

The cup itself makes a clamour shrill.

SKIRNIR.

Each little pig abstains from noise,

When he his mother’s milk enjoys:

But never the mother can silence keep,

She grunts for pastime loud and deep.

GESTUR.

Thy wits will fail thee, I surmise,

Shouldst thou perchance a monster meet,

Who boasts ten tongues and twenty eyes,

With twice five tails, and forty feet.

SKIRNIR.

Thy frightful beast, O Gestur blind!

Can with no terrors fill my mind:

The pregnant sow be pleased to slay

That stands by yonder trough, I pray!”

The sow was slain; such was her doom;

They counted the pigs in the mother’s womb:

Skirnir, in troth, had guess’d aright,

For lo! nine farrow appear’d in sight.

The news threw Gestur into fits;

Too great for him was this mental shock:

Changed to a statue there he sits

For aye, upon that fatal rock!

Now wagg’d their tails, were mild and tame

The dogs, so fierce and wild before:

When Skirnir to the mountain came,

Wide open flew the cavern door:

And in went Skirnir, fearless swain,

His master’s errand to fulfil:

Of peril reckless and of pain,

He felt he was an Asa still.

Through the rock’s windings intricate

Without a torch he found the road;

He reach’d an open silver gate,

Near which a stream o’er diamonds flow’d.

CANTO XXIV.
GERDA’S LOVE.

Skirnir the open silver portal view’d,

And through an archway straight his course pursued:

The passage, cut through coal, and polish’d bright,

Gave to the traveller sufficient light.

But soon, when he some paces onward sped,

Again the starry vault shone o’er his head.

To a court-yard he came; and there his eyes

Met with a sight that fill’d him with surprize:

For there, instead of ducks and hens, a brood

Of snakes and lizards crawl’d about for food,[89]

Which from her apron’s fold a maiden threw,

And call’d them to be fed in accents strange and new.

But all at once the maid, when she espied

The swain, rush’d back behind a porch, and cried

Stoutly for help: her speech brave Skirnir naught

Could comprehend; ’twas Finnish, as he thought.

A numerous train of carles and maidens, scared

At the shrill sound, slept forth and round them stared.

Skirnir observ’d them close: their stature short

And squab: their visage sallow; coarse, lank, swart

Their hair; small eyes that with no meaning glow;

Nostrils compress’d; a forehead flat and low;

Their fingers, like dried carrots, long and lean;

Awkward their gait; ignoble all their mien:

Their looks betray, so lustreless, so tame,

Their portion scant of the celestial flame:

In Finnmark and in Greenland such a race

May still be found, devoid of soul or grace.

“Now help me, Thor!” quoth Skirnir, in despite:

“Hath my good master lost his senses quite?

Is then his love a witch like one of these,

Whose aspect bare the warmest blood would freeze?

Love’s blind, they say, but madness ’twere, forsooth,

For such a hero in the bloom of youth

To pair off with a damsel so uncouth.”

Thus musing towards the porch he cast a glance,

And there beheld from ’midst her train advance

The beauteous Gerda: wonder and delight

Enchant his soul at such a vision bright!

He stood entranced, and dumb: e’en so doth stand

The humble swain, when at his lord’s command

He ploughs the earth, and turning up the mould,

Discovers fill’d with coins a vase of gold.

Now could he well conceive his master’s flame,

For ne’er his eyes beheld a lovelier dame:

Not golden-hued her locks, like those which deck

The brow of Freya; down her ivory neck

Part flow in ebon ringlets, part entwine

With many a glossy wreath her front divine:

Not heavenly blue her eyes, like those which grace

The lofty females of the Asar race;

But like two garnets dark they fervent beam,

And fix the heart with soul-subduing gleam.

In just proportion every feature shone,

And all combin’d to form a paragon.

Now Skirnir, when the power of speech again

He felt, address’d the fair, and to explain

His mission straight began; but with disdain

Hasty she answer’d: “To thy lord return!

And tell him, Frey for me may vainly burn.

Ne’er let him hope to touch my heart, still less

The mountain damsel in his arms to press:

I hate him; is he not of Asar race?

And can we e’er forget the dire disgrace

Heap’d on us giants? by their mystic spells

Our Utgard-Lok in gloomiest caverns dwells.

Yet is his prison vast; we still can boast

A world more glorious than the one we’ve lost.

We hold more treasures in our grots profound,

Than on the surface of the earth are found.

With ether’s glitt’ring orbs let Odin toy;

In frothy billows Ægir seek his joy;

Frigga in fading flow’rets boast her choice;

The Alfs in unsubstantial air rejoice:

But we possess fire, metals, precious stones,

At our command the fierce volcano groans:

We need but nod, as the proud courser shakes

His mane, earth with a fev’rish motion quakes:

Walls, castles, towns are levell’d with the ground,

And forests sink in wat’ry wastes profound.

Though Odin in Valhalla boast his might,

Lok hath an elder and superior right,

And earth still owns him lord: but think! O think!

The time will come when all your power shall shrink:

Your race expire; Valhall in flames be hurl’d;

Though now ye vainly dream to rule the world.”

Now to fair Gerda answer’d Skirnir mild:

“Who taught thee such conceits? thou lovely child!

Not from thy own conception comes thy speech;

Too innocent thy heart such flights to reach:

For Utgard-Lok thou knowst not, ne’er hast seen,

With hair upright like quills and swarthy mien:

This from thy father thou hast learnt, I ween.

’Tis well; that thy opinions are the same

As his, who shall thy filial reverence blame?

Yet think again! but distantly art thou

Allied with Utgard-Lok, who reigns below:

Naught with that chief in common dost thou share;

He, frightful to behold; thou, wondrous fair.

Like rose-bud thou, t’embalm the air design’d;

Like deadly nightshade he, to blast mankind.

Yet oft the virtues of a child suffice

To expiate her father’s crimes and vice:

From unlike sources various products spring;

Joy sometimes grief; misfortune bliss doth bring.

Between the sand runs not the muddy stream

So long, till purified it shows a gleam

Like that of diamond? in its surface bright

The maidens then to view their forms delight.

From mould impure sweet flowers their birth derive,

Yet lift their heads in air, and fragrant thrive.

Now let the rose of love thy front entwine,

And with earth’s brightest jewel heaven combine!”

Now Gerda thus replied in soften’d tone:

“Thy speech is courteous and discreet, I own:

With zeal and eloquence dost thou fulfill

The task imposed thee by thy sov’reign’s will:

So now depart! but first, I pray thee, taste,

Thy strength to renovate, our night’s repast,

Then quick returning to thy bright domain

Inform thy anxious lord, his suit is vain.

Tell him, however prudent, smooth and kind

Thy words, they naught have influenc’d Gerda’s mind.

Stout champions, brave in war, our mountains yield,

Chiefs, whom in power the Asar ne’er excell’d:

Should such a chief one day his passion prove

For me, and bend my heart to mutual love,

Then will the mountain nymph with joy and pride

Accept his hand, and hail the name of bride.

Here in my native vales content I live;[90]

’Midst mountains high, and fountains clear I thrive.

A princess too by birth, born to command,

Among the giant race pre-eminent I stand.

And, trust me! not so humble or so low

Doth Gerda feel, as with submissive brow

T’intrude herself amongst the gods on high;

To meet contempt from every Disa’s eye,

Who hold my birth too mean, myself too base

To form alliance with the Asar race.”

“Therein thou dost the fair Asynior wrong;

(Thus Skirnir answer’d with persuasive tongue)

Pride, arrogance prevail amongst mankind,

But in a Disa’s soul ne’er harbour find.

The features grand that mark the gods on high

Are virtue, wisdom, and simplicity,

Not birth; since ’tis well known the gods among,

That Thor and Odin both from nothing sprung,

Like insects, at Alfader’s nod; though now

On Valhall’s throne they sit with radiant brow.”

To him replied the lively Gerda: “Love,

For what we know not, we can never prove.

I know my native vale, each rock, each field,

But Frey or Valhall ne’er my eyes beheld.

Me hath he never seen; whence springs his flame

At once so ardent for the mountain dame?

Methinks, to tell thee truth, my gentle swain!

All goes not right in thy fond master’s brain.”

And now his master’s actions and his fate

Did Skirnir circumstantially relate:

How he ascended Hlidskialf’s lofty tower,

And what from thence he view’d in Gerda’s bower:

How, when her charms she bared, love’s potent dart

At once transfix’d his vacillating heart.

With downcast look and palpitating breast,

Deep blushing, Gerda listen’d to her guest.

But when young Skirnir talk’d about the moon,

She laughed, and quick resumed her jesting tone.

“If like the moon thy master be,” she said,

“Let him ne’er hope to win a youthful maid!

For pale and sallow is the moon; such hue

All blooming damsels with repugnance view:

Such love is lukewarm.”—“Nay!” the swain replied,

“Did Frey once press thee in his arms as bride,

Thou wouldst not of his lukewarm love complain;

But since my powers of argument are vain,

’Twere best I seek my couch; but first, I pray,

Let me the bower, where thou dost sleep, survey.

A present from my sov’reign lord I bear

For thee, which I would fain deposit there.”

Laughing, she pointed out her chamber-door,

Then went herself his supper to procure;

For Gerda was by nature good and kind,

And Skirnir’s jovial frankness pleased her mind.

Skirnir now stood alone; her couch he view’d,

Near which a vase of alabaster stood,

Wherein the maid, before she went to rest,

Was wont to lave her face, her arms, her breast:

’Twas fill’d with water: with his project pleas’d,

In haste his horn the gallant Skirnir seiz’d;

Within the vase all its contents he pour’d.

And charged it with the image of his lord.

This done, he left the bower of Gerda strait,

And his own chamber sought with mind elate.

But now the mountain damsel, when her guest

And all her menials had retired to rest,

Flew to her chamber, curious to behold

The gift from Valhall brought by Skirnir bold.

Curling her lip, as maids are wont to do,

She thus exclaim’d with laugh contemptuous: “Now

I needs must view the wond’rous present given

By the enamour’d denizen of heaven.

What can it be? diamonds, or rubies bright,

Silver, or gold are common in my sight:

Such treasures in our spacious grots abound,

But in the skies, I trow, are seldom found.”

But when around she look’d, and naught could find,

She laughed again, but anger vex’d her mind:

“I thought as much; a miserable joke;

Worthy of Asar;” jeering thus she spoke.

“I must allow, the gods do far surpass

In fraud and mockery our giant race.”

And now the maid began to loose her zone,

And from her shoulders doff the woollen gown:

Bared to the middle by the diamond’s light

She stands; what glorious charms appear in sight!

In th’ hollow of her hand she caught the wave

To cool her purple cheek, her front to lave;

But when she view’d the image bright of Frey

Reflected in the wave, a piercing cry

She gave, and started back with fear assail’d;

Then blushing, cross-ways o’er her bosom held

Her arms, and catching up her robe in haste,

Around her beauteous body wound it fast.

But soon to admiration changed her fear,

And to her mind the stratagem was clear.

Wrapp’d in her garment to the neck, she flew

Once more the image beautiful to view:

The form divine of the enchanting god

Melted the maiden’s heart, and fired her blood:

What majesty displays his forehead high!

What tender mournful smiles beam from his eye

Of fire! his bosom seems t’exhale a sigh:

’Twas meant for Gerda; from his polish’d brow

Adown his ivory neck the golden tresses flow:

With hand placed on his heart he seems to say;

“Here Gerda reigns with undisputed sway!”

Pensive awhile she stood; nor was aware

That down her damask cheek had roll’d a tear

Into her lover’s mouth: an ardent flame,

O wonder! from the gelid water came,

And enter’d deep her heart: now with a sigh,

O’er the vase leaning, she exclaim’d: “O Frey!”

Then sudden started back once more, afraid,

Some prying witness might her bower invade:

But when secure that she alone was there,

She oft bow’d down to kiss the image fair.

It vanish’d now within the eddying wave,

Which had the power thy purple mouth to lave,

But not to cool thy lips, O virgin bright!

But when the water clear again in sight

Brought back the image of the god beloved,

Reflection deep the heart of Gerda moved.

Seldom with greater care explores the sage

The vast conceptions that his mind engage,

Than doth the deep-enamour’d maiden trace

Each separate feature of her lover’s face;

O’erlooking, while each beauty glads her heart,

In favour of the whole, each faulty part.

But here must Gerda search for faults in vain;

Perfect was Frey; without one flaw or stain

His form; a god, a prince amongst the Asar train.

Now vanish’d all her pride; she now became

Soft as a dove, and gentle as a lamb:

Now slides her ’kerchief from her ivory neck;

The air was warm; no fears her passion check.

“This image, by the waves’ reflection made,

This image cannot see,” she blushing said:

“I cannot rest enjoy, until I lave

My arms and bosom in the cooling wave.”

Thus said, her tunic from her breast she threw,

And stood with half her charms exposed to view:

’Twas thus, as poets tell, fair Embla stood,

When bursting from the tree her Askur first she view’d.

Now on her couch she fain would court repose,

But strove in vain to sleep; full oft she rose

To look into the basin standing nigh,

And contemplate the much-lov’d form of Frey.

At length the gentle Siofna, who unseen

’Midst Gerda’s train had enter’d, and the scene

Had witness’d, felt compassion for the maid,

And waved her poppy garland o’er her head:

She closed her eyelids with her magic art.

And sent delightful dreams to gladden Gerda’s heart.

CANTO XXV.
SKIRNIR FULFILS HIS ERRAND.

Respecting the metre of this Canto, see the note.

When Skirnir awoke at the morning light,

(The sunbeams redden the sky)

With friendly mien, all with brass bedight,

The Giant his couch stood by;

Like a Guldbrand pine so tall, so strong;

(The birds on the trees sing sweet)

In his hand he bore an iron pole long,

And Skirnir he came to greet.

His daughter stood near him with witching look;

(On the flow’rets the dew-drops shine)

As the ivy around the gnarled oak,

Thus did Gerda her sire entwine.

A cup of drink for Skirnir he bore;

(The sunbeams redden the sky)

“Before,” quoth he, “thou leavest my door,

Hear, and take with thee my reply!

“Young Frey loves dearly my daughter bright;

(The birds on the trees sing sweet)

And if I have read in her soul aright,

She thinks him a consort meet.

“But thou knowest, without her father’s yea,

(On the flow’rets the dew-drops shine)

’Tis all labour lost; but, the truth to say,

I to favour this match incline.

“But goods must be given in change for goods;

(The sunbeams redden the sky)

And heretofore ’twixt Giants and Gods

Hath not flourish’d much amity.

“Young Frey hath a sword, the best i’ the north,

(The birds on the trees sing sweet)

And Gerda, methinks, is that sword well worth;

So on just conditions I’ll treat.

“When the heart once loves with fervour and truth,

(On the flow’rets the dew-drops shine)

In war no longer delights the youth;

He sighs at his mistress’ shrine.

“Let Frey then give me his mystic sword!

(The sunbeams redden the sky)

My daughter dear will I then accord

As consort to him for aye.

“But if he refuse to cede the glaive,

(The birds on the trees sing sweet)

The hardest rock that repels the wave

He might just as well entreat.”

With this answer the swain rode homeward bound,

(On the flow’rets the dew-drops shine)

And returning, shorter the road he found

Than in coming, ye may divine.

As he gallop’d once more o’er the flow’ry mead,

(The sunbeams redden the sky)

He thought, by the rustling his falchion made,

Of Odin the lord so high.

The magic fetter came o’er his mind

(The birds on the trees sing sweet)

That was destin’d Fenris the wolf to bind:

Then he jump’d from his courser fleet,

And began to climb up on Elver-hoy:

(On the flow’rets the dew-drops shine)

And there two dwarfs he perceiv’d with joy

Fit to execute his design.

There they sit, and enjoy the morning breeze;

(The sunbeams redden the sky)

They love to rest under branching trees,

But from the sun’s glare they fly.

And oft they dance on the humid grass,

(The birds on the trees sing sweet)

And joy the mystic circle to trace

On the turf with their nimble feet.

When Skirnir met them, he bared his sword,

(On the flow’rets the dew-drops shine)

And thus address’d them with threat’ning word:

“Hear me, little masters mine!

“By Odin’s order I crave your aid

(The sunbeams redden the sky)

For Fenris wolf a fetter to braid;

This instant your labours ply!

“If not, I will slay ye both, I swear.”

(The birds on the trees sing sweet)

The little men, how they shook with fear!

They scarce could stand on their feet.

They blink like mice with their little eyes.

(On the flow’rets the dew-drops shine)

“Nay! put up thy sword!” each Dwarf replies;

“Behold! here’s the magic twine!

“We heard of the order that Odin gave,

(The sunbeams redden the sky)

And the very best cord shall Odin have

To bind his arch-enemy.

“This fetter was forged, O Skirnir, hear!

(The birds on the trees sing sweet)

Of the beards of woman; the nerves of bear;

Of the noise of a kitten’s feet;

“Of the breath of birds; of fishes’ scum;

(On the flowrets the dew-drops shine)

Of the roots of rocks; with finger and thumb

Have we full’d this wondrous line.”

Now from them the swain took the magic chain,

(The sunbeams redden the sky)

And the Dwarfs they fled to their grots again,

And Skirnir vaulted on high.

Now Bifrost appears with its brilliant sheen;

(The birds on the trees sing sweet)

Its tints enliven the sky serene

The returning chief to greet.

Like a bird in spring brave Skirnir flew

(On the flow’rets the dew-drops shine)

And Valhall anew much he joy’d to view,

And partake of Sâhrimner’s chine.

And now he relates to Odin and Frey

How their mandates he fulfill’d;

Odin smiled on the swain with a grateful eye,

Frey’s bosom with rapture thrill’d.

Praise and honours on Skirnir overflow;

What pleasure in Valhall reigns!

For Frey shall now be freed from his woe,

And Fenris be bound in chains.

CANTO XXVI.
THE WOLF FENRIS AND TYR.

What joys Valhalla’s realm pervade!

In brilliant nuptial dress array’d,

A last farewell bids Gerda now

To forest, rock, and vale below.

Towards Bifrost bridge ascends the fair;

Like shooting star she cleaves the air.

On heaven’s exterior bulwark stand

In pride of place th’ Asynior bland:

And when their scrutinizing eye

Survey’d the darling choice of Frey,

As full in Asgard’s view she came,

Vanish’d at once each latent flame

Of envy, sullenness, and pride,

And all admired the graceful bride.

Her glossy ringlets ebon dark

A contrast not unpleasing mark

With the bright locks of golden hue,

Which down the Disar’s shoulders flow.

They welcome her with tones of love,

And lead her straight to Freya’s grove:

Gluing to Gerda’s lips of rose

Her own, what joy each Disa shows!

And every Asa courts the bliss

Her well-turned lily hand to kiss.

Of Frey’s content I need not speak,

Therein must fail my harpings weak.

He who hath courted, and hath known

What ’tis to call his maid his own,

He knows and feels it too; while naught

Can by the art of Scald be taught.

But such sensation, youth! if thou

Yet knowest not, go learn it now!

And when in thy fond maiden’s arms,

Thou gloatest on her radiant charms,

And feelst ’twere primest ecstacy

Or thus to live, or thus to die,

Then wouldst thou know, and couldst reveal

The joys that Frey and Gerda feel.

Here ends my song of love; too soon

My harp must sound with diff’rent tone:

Oft from the lay sweet echoes spring,

As from the little bird in spring,

When, flutt’ring through the beechen grove,

He fills the air with notes of love.

Oft too its tones the ear assail

With sound as harsh as that of whale,

When he, through ice-bergs struggling, blows

And snorts amain with giant throes.

Like foam, the words then hurried fly,

Which from his nostrils mounts the sky,

And forms a column gleaming bright

Amidst the lurid clouds of night.

The sweetest plant of joy beneath

Lurks oft, alas! the germ of death!

Misfortune soon its power assumes;

And ’midst the liveliest joys and fumes

Of pleasure on the marriage night

Intrudes with livid face, Affright!

True, shouts of joy Valhalla shook;

But sudden, springing from a nook,

Fenris the wolf, with eye of flame,

Unwelcome guest, to the banquet came:

He paced around with fiendish grin,

Snapping at every Asa’s chin:

And oft with unremitting spite

The Disar’s legs he strove to bite.

But Odin, weary of this bane,

Possessing now the mystic chain

Wherewith to bind the hateful beast,

To Heimdal whisper’d his behest;

And quick transferr’d the magic band

Into that faithful Asa’s hand.

Heimdal, he knew, had skill and wit;

To cope with Fenris none more fit:

And next to Lok he boasts the pow’r

In jesting to beguile the hour.

The wit of Heimdal, void of hate

Or malice, bloom’d like violet:

But not innocuous Loptur’s jest,

Like thorn, it lacerates the breast.

Heimdaller, holding now the band

Slender as bowstring in his hand,

Approach’d the wolf, and with a smile:

“Let us,” said he, “the time beguile,

Since, banish’d to the realm of Hel,

Sorrow and hate have bid farewell

For ever to Valhalla’s court,

With some diverting manly sport!

In honour of Frey’s nuptial feast

Let each some art that suits him best

Exert to please the gods! and thou,

My wolf! thy feats of strength mayst show:

For deeds of strength they all admire;

And thou must, sure, the prize acquire.”

“Yes!” grinn’d maliciously the wolf:

“What thou hast said is true enough:

The hammer, when by strength or skill

Unexercised, is useless still.

But first allow me to demand,

What means that fetter in thy hand?

Thou Asa with the golden tooth!

Wouldst bind me like a dog, forsooth?”

“He, who hath power himself to free,

Cannot be fetter’d easily:

The slave is bound; but in the hand

Of strength an honourable band

Becomes the fetter:” (thus replied

Heimdaller.) “And since ’tis thy pride

The strongest iron bars to gnaw

In two, as if ’twere so much straw,

Permit me, to afford delight

To Odin and the Disar bright,

To bind thee with this brittle chain,

Which thou canst surely bite in twain.”

And now the wolf began to look

Around him for his father Lok;

But all in vain; no Lok was there;

The hateful beast then scowl’d with fear,

And sunk his tail, and show’d his tooth,

And loll’d his tongue from his frothy mouth.

Then howl’d he forth in tones of spite:

“I will not thus be bound to-night:

Go thy way, artful Heimdal! go!

Methinks, it is not needful now

On such a cord my strength to use,

Thor, Frey, and Odin to amuse.

On bars of brass or iron they

Have seen me oft my strength display.

If forged by common art that cord,

No pleasure would such feat afford:

But if by magic spell ’twere made,

Then foully were the wolf betray’d.”

Heimdaller blush’d: but Asa-Tyr,

The youthful page devoid of fear,

When Heimdal’s cheek so red he view’d,

In anger bit his lips to blood.

He griev’d to see an Asa droop,

Unable with the wolf to cope,

And from the contest forced to fly

In silence and humility.

To humble the malignant beast,

Himself now enter’d in the list,

And cried aloud: “Come, wolf! behold!

My hand as hostage thou shalt hold!

While round thy limbs the cord is laced,

Within thy mouth shall it be placed,

And lying at thy mercy there,

Nor trick nor fraud hast thou to fear.”

On Tyr’s presumption every god

Astonish’d look’d: he tranquil stood.

Now Thor thus whisper’d: “Youthful friend!

What rashness! what dost thou pretend?

Thy courage, certes, I admire,

But naught a hero can aspire

To do without his hand.” “No fear

I feel, thou cautious one!” said Tyr.

“Thy counsel sage I need not now;

Two hands, perhaps, requirest thou,

But thou shalt see, and frankly own,

That Tyr can do with one alone.”

Thus said, his dexter hand the youth

Into the wolf’s wide-gaping mouth

Undaunted thrust: the wolf is bound

With the dwarfs’ cord his limbs around.

And now to loose or burst the chain

He struggles hard, but all in vain:

Since naught his utmost powers avail,

The Asar laugh to see him quail.

All laugh’d, excepting Asa-Tyr;

The sport, alas! hath cost him dear,

For, bitten from the wrist, his hand

In Fenris’ bloody jaws remain’d!

But the youth, still undaunted, thrust

The stump into a heap of dust,

And stretching out his arm on high,

He shouts with voice that rends the sky:

“Now first my strength innate I feel;

Hard was the trial, yet ’tis well.

Now to Vaulunder’s forge I’ll go,

And he will make for Tyr, I know,

A hand of iron, fit to wield

Or glaive or mace i’ th’ bloody field:

What foes will dare the chief environ,

Whose hand and glaive are both of iron?”

Thus said, he left in haste the hall,

Much pitied by the Disar all.

They thought: “O what a valiant youth!

Thor’s fame he will eclipse, forsooth.”

But Gerda’s thoughts alone on Frey

Were fix’d; both breath’d a tender sigh,

And hied them to the shady grove

To revel in the joys of love.

On Thor now Odin cast a look;

Thor silent stood; then Odin spoke:

“This is too much! is’t then our doom

Brutal as giants to become?

O rueful act! what boots, my friend,

Courage by reason unrestrain’d?

Lost is thy hammer in the wave,

And Frey hath giv’n away his glaive,

That glaive which caused a mortal chill,

And whose bare look sufficed to kill;

Now in the mountain cave it lies,

And giants learn its worth to prize.

True, the wolf Fenris is trepann’d,

But Tyr hath lost his dexter hand;

Ran in the ocean rules her lord,

And Skada shares the power with Niord.”

Thus said, As-Odin slowly rose;

His robe around his limbs he throws:

Vingolf he leaves with gloomy mind,

But Asa-Thor remains behind.

He sits with hand beneath his chin,

And eyes the wolf with looks of spleen,

But both keep silence: in the hall

The waiting-damsels enter all,

To quench the lights; in darkness now

The god must sit with wrinkled brow:

Yet still he fix’d with looks of ire

The wolf, whose eye-balls vomit fire.

Now to a burst of laughter wild

The god gave vent, which Hlidskialf fill’d

With terror; then the hall he left,

And bang’d the door, with fury chaf’d.

He doffs his helmet; through the air

Shines, meteor-like, his streaming hair!

He mounts his car; through heaven he rolls,

And awful thunders shake the poles.

Down on the earth all night he threw

His lightnings; many a one he slew:

Here towns and villages became

A prey to th’ all-devouring flame;

A forest there of oak-trees fum’d,

Down to their very roots consum’d.

The children scream’d; the mothers tore

Their hair; Thor foam’d like angry boar:

And he, who whilom lov’d to save,

Prov’d unrelenting as the grave.

But when at length shone forth the day,

Towards Trudvang’s gate he bent his way;

There Sif receiv’d him in her arms,

And strove to sooth his wild alarms.

The goddess well knew how t’assuage

With bland caress his utmost rage;

She knew his wrath would soon be o’er,

And tenderness resume its power.

Then smiled the earth with tears of dew,

Such as an infant’s face bedew,

Whose father too much wrath has shown

And struck too hard his little one.

Repentance now Thor’s looks bespeak,

And tears roll down his manly cheek,

For he, when calm, was good and kind.

He then sent down on th’ morning wind

Roska and Tialf to Gefion’s[91] strand,

And every circumjacent land,

With gold and silver, to divide

’Mongst those whose dwellings were destroy’d.

The dead he to Valhalla brought,

And next the helpless infants sought

Who perish’d on that fatal night;

And bearing them to Folkvang’s height,

He bless’d them all in Freya’s name,

And chang’d to Alfs they straight became.

Now wings upon their shoulders grew,

And ’midst delights so strange and new,

Meeting again, assembled there

In Freya’s grove, their parents dear,

They sport and play the trees beneath,

Unconscious they had suffer’d death.

CANTO XXVII.
THE BANQUET OF ÆGIR.

Hlesey’s an island of renown;

But now ’tis small, for time and tide,

Batt’ring its base on every side,

Into the sea have plough’d it down;

But great in times of old its worth;

Then Hlesey could the rage abate

Of the fierce Dragon of the north,

Yclept by nations Kattegat.

There, built of finest muscle-shell,

Amidst vast beds of sea-weed bright,

The vaulted hall appears in sight,

Where Ægir ever lov’d to dwell.

While raging Ran o’er ocean flew,

By his pearl-jug was Ægir seen;

And now he drank, and now he blew

For pastime in his conque marine.

Cruel was Ran; frightful her frown;

Like the fell goddess Hela, she

Delighting to destroy, with glee

Spreads out her nets mankind to drown:

But, like th’ unruffled sea, the smile

Of Ægir all creation charms;

And oft doth he the hours beguile,

Soft dallying in a mermaid’s arms.

While Ran afar is storming, he

Basks in the sun at home; his soul

It joys with diamond-pointed pole

To trace runes on the placid sea.

The surf each time reveal’d his joy,

When he behind the rushes prest

(Far from his scolding wife’s annoy)

A billow to his ardent breast.

On Frey and Gerda oft he smiled:

Much did his heart the vision charm

Of the fair couple arm in arm

Indulging in love’s transports wild.

For much the Gods did Ægir prize,

And by the Gods was lov’d full well.

Heaven thus to bathe in Ocean joys,

Who loves its genial ray to feel.

And now he bade them to his feast:

When Rana wander’d far from home,

To banquet in his friendly dome

His friends with eagerness he prest.

In vats of flint and ice profound

His ale and beer the monarch stow’d;

Fish, lobsters, crabs in store were found,

And cook’d in many a diff’rent mode.

No help he needs to deck his board,

For every time he guests invites,

The active Finnafeng delights

To serve as cook his much-lov’d lord.

But little fuel he requires;

The rivers for their monarch toil:

And, warm’d by subterranean fires,

Lo! of itself each spring doth boil.

Where Malstrom whirls with frightful sound

Into its gulf the eddying wave,

That gulf, from which ’tis vain to save,

Whiten’d with foam for leagues around:

There Eldir’s club to atoms breaks

Whatever falls to Ocean’s share;

There Ægir’s mill for ever clacks;

He grinds his wheat and barley there.

To Gerda’s father Asa-Frey

As present gave, we know full well,

The best among the blades of steel,

With which no other arm could vie:

He granted, not to die forlorn

Of love himself, the giant’s prayer;

Gave him his sword, and in return

Receiv’d a nymph of beauty rare.

Much Gerda lov’d her consort Frey;

Apart they never more could dwell:

His portrait Frey did far excel;

He won the greatest victory:

And Gerda then, her love to mark,

Enraptur’d with his graceful mien,

Gave to her friend a wondrous bark,[92]

The like of which was never seen.

Well might the Scald in times of yore

Of Hringhorn,[93] Balder’s vessel, say,

It flew unscathed o’er marsh and sea,

Nor quicksand fear’d, nor rocky shore.

There safely could the Disar fair

Sit by the gods in pomp array’d;

But not the battle’s shock to bear

Was pious Balder’s vessel made.

In time of peace this bark behold

Glide swiftly from its haven gay,

And towards the mart pursue its way

With a rich cargo in its hold!

Of horn is built its lofty prow

With sable shining crooked rings;

And when it flies, each swelling bow

Aside in foam the billow flings.

There is another bark of fame,

’Tis by the giants own’d, we know;

’Tis built of dead-men’s nails, and so

Of Naglefar it boasts the name.[94]

In the morass this vessel lies,

As yet a huge unfinish’d hulk;

Year after year its builder tries

Unwearied to increase its bulk.

All those who from the dead neglect

To cut the nails off foot and hand,

Bring ill-luck to the Asar band,

And mischief cause to rule uncheck’d.

From this the giants an immense

Advantage o’er the gods derive:

By idlesse and improvidence

Thus mischief never fails to thrive.

But for the bark, which Gerda kind

As present to the Asar gave,

It can the wildest storm enslave,

And stiffly sail against the wind:

In armour all the gods can stand

Upon its deck with sword and helm,

And sail from bright Valhalla’s land

To plough the waves in Ægir’s realm.

And when the gods to brave the gale

No longer chuse for pleasure’s sake,

Then Gerda can this vessel take

And fold it up like silken veil.

Then lies it, free from tempest’s shocks,

In Gerda’s bosom (blissful coast!)

And gently ’tween two surges rocks,

Such as the Ocean cannot boast.

The Asar’s voyage to Ægir’s isle

Think now how glorious ’twas to view!

The morning sun rejoicing too

Deign’d warmly on their course to smile.

See silent Vidar by the mast!

And Odin by the rudder stand!

And see, like flowers in vase incased,

In all their charms th’ Asynior bland!

How gently sail’d the bark along,

As on a river; ne’er it lurch’d

Nor plunged: upon the boom was perch’d

Heimdaller; Bragur tuned his song;

Niord waves the standard high in air;

Like subtlest dust ascends the spray:

An awning, framed by Frigga’s care

Of oak leaves, veil’d the solar ray.

Their temples wreaths of flowers adorn;

Nor did there lack amusement good,

For by the gangway naked stood

Young Tyr, as when he first was born:

In his left hand he grasp’d his sword;

A shark enormous hove in sight!

The hero brave jump’d overboard,

With the fell shark to prove his might.

Now must each Disa shake with fear;

The monster bravely fought, in truth;

It open’d wide its frightful mouth,

And snapp’d with fury after Tyr.

But soon doth cease the Disar’s pain,

And gaily now they laugh aloud;

The hero sprung on board again;

Down sank the dying shark in blood.

Ye all do know, the spiteful Ran

Delights with monsters fierce to live:

She to that shark did mandate give

To execute her envious plan:

By her ’twas sent to plague with fear

The guests who sped to Ægir’s hall;

But when the shark was slain by Tyr,

She then dispatch’d a monstrous whale.

Foaming it roll’d impetuous by,

So vast, it seem’d an isle broke loose!

It snorted loud, while from its nose

A wat’ry column spouted high.

But Heimdal lo! for sport in haste

Athwart the wat’ry column flew;

Then brilliant shone, as through he past,

A band of seven-colour’d hue!

Now Vidar standing at the poop

Fix’d with his fearful eye the whale:

At once its powers of mischief fail;

To Vidar’s eye all creatures stoop.

Aloud read Odin many a rune;

The whale must to the bottom go;

For Vidar’s look, like a harpoon,

Had pierced the monster through and through.

’Twas eve: the land begins to loom;

Now Hlesey full in sight appears:

And much it joys Valhalla’s peers

To greet Hler Ægir’s friendly dome.

Like clouds which shooting through the sky

Rush eager towards the wave’s embrace,

Thus lightly did Skidbladner fly,

Its name well suits its worth to trace.

The anchor’s tooth now bit the ground:

The sun its parting radiance shed.

A troop of Mermaids towards them sped,

And sportive swam the bark around:

There three by three those nymphs were seen,

Their arms around each other’s neck,

With flowing hair as rushes green,

And limbs like snow without a speck.

Each with a silver-tissued veil,

And brows with garlands white attired,

Sporting and dancing, never tired,

With songs of joy their guests they hail.

And now the Alfer they invite

To join their train with accents bland:

The bark the thoughtless Alfer quit,

And with their partners haste to land.[95]

They sat by pairs upon the rock:

Each Alf a gallant warrior proved;

The Mermaids like true females loved,

Unshrinking from the amorous shock:

There was no lack of pinching, flouncing,

Of kisses, and embraces warm:

The sound was that of sea-birds pouncing

Amidst a silv’ry herring-swarm.

Hler Ægir sits upon his throne,

With sceptre emblem of his might:

His silver helmet, gleaming bright

With crest in form of Dragon shone.

Yet from this helm so fair to view

Oft came a soul-appalling sound;

’Twas like the tempest howling through

The hollow of a rock profound.

I’ th’ middle of the festive hall,

For night had now obscured the earth,

A lump of gold placed on the hearth

Gave ample light and warmth to all.

The monarch here his friends regales

With what his realm produces best;

And every guest exulting hails

The generous founder of the feast.

But while the gods enjoy’d their feast,

As far as Finnmark’s farthest dale,

Midst fogs, and snow, and sleet, and hail

Flew Asa-Lok like one possest.

Wildly his cheek of corpse-like hue

Contrasted with each ebon lock

Wide streaming through the ether blue,

Like vapours dark at Ragnarok.

Vexation great the caitiff feels,

That Fenris wolf in chains should pine:

But forming quick a bold design,

Bats’ wings he fastened to his heels:

Then to his shoulders wings of owl

With art ingenious making fast,

He seem’d a huge ill-omen’d fowl,

As o’er the rocks and plains he past.

“So! I have not invited been,

Among the rest, to Ægir’s isle:

And, though a god, am held too vile

To figure in that brilliant scene;

But Thor is absent, so ’tis said;

He wanders warring in the east:

Now I’ll mix gravel in their bread,

And spoil the glories of their feast.

“Since I cannot their pleasures share,

Others’ enjoyment I’ll prevent:

While Lok ’s a prey to discontent,

No guest the smiles of joy shall wear.

Ha! they shall soon be made to feel,

No rose is pluck’d without a thorn;

And drops of wormwood I’ll distil

Into each Asa’s drinking-horn.

“Great powers I have not; yet in need

The weakest worm hath force to wound:

My tongue the Disar shall confound,

And floods of tears I’ll make them shed.

Since they’re averse to Asa-Lok,

To make them fear him be my aim:

My gibes obscene their ears shall shock;

My calumnies destroy their fame.

“Who on the power of truth relies

’Gainst slander, will repent full soon;

Since there is but one truth alone

Against a hundred thousand lies.

How easy is it to deceive

Mankind, if we but have the will!

The mass all, that they hear, believe,

And Lok in fraud is master still.”

Such was the restless caitiff’s song,

As sharp he grazed the mountain’s side:

On his best weapon he relied,

His merciless, unwearied tongue.

But, passing by some dwarfs, he paused,

And in his service press’d them all;

Chusing sharp adder’s stings, he caused

His tongue to be belay’d withal.

With garland strange he deck’d his head,

His hair he twisted into horns;

Thereto he added sharpest thorns,

With dark-blue hemlock flowers bespread.

To Hlesey now his course he bent,

And there bold Finnafeng he slew,

Who strove his entrance to prevent

Among the jovial Ægir’s crew.

Sprinkled with Finnafenger’s blood,

He sat him down by Ægir’s gate,

Preparing for the stern debate

With shameless front and accent rude.

Spite of his visage blood-besmear’d,

He rose and enter’d the saloon;

Around him insolent he stared,

And thus he spoke in jeering tone.

“Now hail to ye, ye Disar all!

Hail to ye, gods! Valhalla’s powers!

Without the blast inclement roars,

But here ’tis snug in Ægir’s hall.

Indulging in your evening feast

Fill’d with bright ale each drains his horn:

Despised is the unbidden guest,

But your contempt he laughs to scorn.

“With haughty glances towards the ground,

To answer Lok ye all disdain.

The slave of Ægir I have slain,

His cook for science so renown’d:

To Ægir’s hall he barr’d my way,

But I chastised his insolence:

The slave must, true, his lord obey,

But expiate oft his lord’s offence.

ODIN.

How darest thou, wretch! without a blush

Invade the Asar’s brilliant sphere?

Thou ne’er shalt be invited here!

Thou screeching owl behind the bush!

Avaunt! thou kill-joy! quick retreat,

Nor here thy odious form intrude!

My lance, I swear, when next we meet,

Shall pierce thy heart, and drink thy blood.

LOK.

More kind and decent was thy tone,

When, dress’d as lowly waiting-maid,

Thou turn’dst the silly Rinda’s head,

Heiress of Garderike’s throne:

Clothed in the garment of a slave,

Was conduct that for Odin fit?

Ha! though thou art more wise than brave,

Thy prudence far exceeds thy wit.

BRAGUR.

How darest thou thus presume to vent

On Valhall’s king thy envious spite,

With hair like hedgehog’s quills upright,

And sland’rous tongue on mischief bent?

Valhalla’s rays thy eye-balls sear;

Down then! to realms of darkness hie!

And since the sun thou canst not bear,

For ever from its splendour fly!

LOK.

’Tis not thy menace makes me shrink;

Thy sword rests ever in the sheath;

Useless! except to waste thy breath

In empty boasts, to doze and drink!

Cautious of shedding blood art thou,

To bite less proper than to bay:

When call’d upon to wield the bow,

The valiant Bragur slinks away.

IDUNA.

How dares thy spiteful tongue assail

The god, whose lyre enchants the earth,

Whose lofty song throughout the north

Cheers, like the moon, life’s gloomy vale?

Who raises merit to the skies,

Who points the genuine road to fame;

From evil causes good to rise,

And stamps the Nidding’s act with shame.

LOK.

Why prudish now ’gainst vice protest?

Slow wert thou ’gainst the mountain fiend

Thy precious virtue to defend,

When he thy juicy apples prest:

Fear taught thee to be soft and tame,

Thiasse could tell us how and when;[96]

Of Bragur’s honour, dainty dame!

Thou wert not quite so mindful then.

GEFION.

A dame, more pure and innocent

Than Ydun, nowhere can be found:

’Tis time thy sland’rous tongue were bound,

Yet ’tis to me indifferent.

Foul sower of all calumny!

What wretched harvests must thou reap!

Pursue thy trade! add lie to lie!

I hold thy utmost malice cheap.

LOK.

To men thou’rt scornful, cold, and glum,

But that is while the day shines bright:

’Tis well no power of speech hath night,

And that each forest tree is dumb.

Whene’er behind the bush, proud maid!

Thy limbs thou bathest in the flood;

Thou dost not then disdain, ’tis said,

To cool the water-demon’s blood.

ODIN.

This is too much. I’d have thee know,

The moon’s bright disk thou canst not stain;

That lily fair ’tis labour vain

To soil; ’tis casting coals on snow.

Fly, caitiff, to thy rocks remote!

Cease to disturb the social hour!

Bark, an it give thee joy, without,

Like mastiff chain’d at Ægir’s door!

LOK.

Hold thy tongue, Odin! blind, in troth,

Are thy awards i’ th’ tented field.

The bold must oft to witchcraft yield,

When Odin boils the magic broth.

’Tis thy delight the brave to lower,

And crown with palms the base and mean;

Oft dost thou borrow Mimer’s power,

But seldom his discernment keen.

FRIGGA.

Ha, Lok! dost thou presume to call

The chief, whom all the gods revere,

Alfader’s self, unjust, severe,

And partial, in this sacred hall?

He will not now disturb the peace

Of Ægir’s hospitable board,

But grief he’ll force thee to express

To-morrow for each sland’rous word.

LOK.

Hold thy tongue, Frigga! Asgard’s queen!

From scratching, pain oft follows strait;

Like the queen bee, with many a mate,

But with no king is Frigga seen.

Not sparing of thy charms art thou,

By zephyrs pleas’d to be carest;

In Spring thy looks too plainly show

The longing that pervades thy breast.

FREYA.

O Lok! since wrath hath no effect

The venom of thy tongue to tame,

Let females some exception claim:

Treat them at least with some respect.

Behold, the tears of Freya flow!

Would they could melt thy stubborn hate!

Ah me! what pleasure feelest thou

The gods’ fair fame to lacerate?

LOK.

What causes Freya’s grief? I pray:

Is it from longing I behold

Her cheek bedew’d with tears of gold?

What dost thou long for? Freya, say!

Thy husband fair has fled, ’tis true,

But ’tis not, sure, a hopeless case;

Thou canst find lovers not a few,

Eager and fit to take his place.

But why did Odur break his chain?

Ha, Freya! did he find thy kiss

Too warm, too prodigal of bliss?

Or was it that he felt disdain

For charms which had so oft been bared

And closely scann’d in Valaskialf,

And felt no zest in favours shared

With every Ase and every Alf?

FREY.

Be silent with thy hissing, snake!

With fire-red eye, where malice glows,

Why thus delight to prick the rose,

When thistles grow on every brake?

Why thus calumniate the good?

Why cause a gracious female pain?

Go! hie thee hence to Angurbod,

With locks as coarse as horse’s mane!

LOK.

With cynic lust thine eye still shines;

Tis thou hast Valaskialf betray’d,

O Frey! since with thy sword hath fled

All vigour from thy jaded loins.

Fair Gerda with her luscious kiss

Sucks out, like leech, thy warmest blood;

Each time thou tastest Freya’s bliss,

Much joy it gives to Angurbod.

HEIMDAL.

With the dark wizard ’neath yon rock,

Upon my life, thou must have drank,

And here thou com’st, with liquor rank,

Our ears with ribald taunts to shock.

Thy sparks of wit proceed, I trow,

But from the fumes of mead and ale;

Its emptiness we all do know:

Thy sarcasms here must ever fail.

LOK.

Ha! Lok must now succumb, ’tis plain,

Since pompous Heimdal threatens too;

Think’st thou I fear thy famous bow,

Made of mere vapour, sleet, and rain?

And what is Heimdal’s self, I ask,

When of his gaudy colours shorn?

What is he then behind his mask?

A simple watchman with his horn!

BALDER.

Behind thy ribaldry so coarse,

I can discern a vein of wit,

And genius too for all things fit,

Did virtue lend her sterling force.

Like Will o’ Wisp with spurious light,

Thou friskest the deep marsh about;

While others thou wouldst fain benight,

Thy own fantastic flame goes out.

LOK.

The lamb doth scarce compassion meet;

Coward, he lets himself be slain:

Lok ne’er before his foes will deign,

Lamb-like, in piteous strains to bleat.

Vain, Balder, is that rule of thine,

Patience and piety to use;

He only bows at virtue’s shrine,

Whose arm is weak and wit obtuse.

Vidar spoke not, but earnest stared

Full in the face of Asa-Lok;

The caitiff instant felt the shock,

With quiv’ring lip and visage scared.

The water-spout with gloomy frown,

Thus column-like from heaven doth come,

With thick shoes stamps old Ocean down,

And scatters far the billow’s scum.

Now black the vault of heaven became;

Athwart the vapours thick and close,

While Loptur’s blood with terror froze,

Glitter’d afar a lurid flame!

Of thunder now tremendous peals

Shake earth and make the billows roar,

And every one instinctive feels

With awe th’ approach of Asa-Thor!

Lok sigh’d and sweated now with fear,

Yet still his terror he conceal’d;

At length the lightning’s glare reveal’d

The white-hair’d goats and golden car.

But when Thor full in view appear’d,

Lok’s colour fled, his spirits fail’d;

At sight of the majestic beard

Of ebon hue, the traitor quail’d.

THOR.

Be silent, thou of sland’rers worst,

Who striv’st the Asar’s fame to soil!

Ne’er doth thy Nidding’s brain recoil

From hatching some vile scheme accurst.

But come, I’ll put an end full soon

To all thy schemes of treach’ry fell;

To Utgard’s shades I’ll cast thee down,

And bind thee fast with chains of Hel.

LOK.

I tremble not; I turn not pale;

Thou hast not got thy Miölner now;

Thy genuine hammer lies, we know,

Buried beneath the serpent’s scale.

Aye! spite of all thy godlike vigour,

Oft didst thou, Thor, my pity move;

I laugh’d to see the silly figure

Thou mad’st in Skrymur’s sweaty glove.[97]

THOR.

Be silent, thou pestiferous cloud,

That striv’st to damp celestial fire!

Thou’lt find, no hammer I require

To punish thee and all thy brood.

Behold that pine on yon high rock!

Thereon I’ll hang thy odious form;

All creatures shall thy suff’rings mock,

Traitor! when dangling in the storm.

LOK.

Methinks it is no longer fit

That Lok should throw away his jests;

My songs were meant for jovial guests,

For those who value mirth and wit.

The other gods with temper hear

My gibes, and like my humour well;

But Thor a joke could never bear:

’Tis time I bid ye all farewell.

Thus said, he plunges in the sea;

Swift as an eel he scuds along:

But after him, by anger stung,

Thor hurl’d a lightning’s forked ray.

But Lok intent his limbs to save,

Deep under water bow’d his head;

Innocuous ’midst the boiling wave

The thund’rer’s flaming arrow sped.

Thus as, when vanish clouds and rain,

The air breathes more serene and mild,

Each lovely Disa gracious smil’d;

Joy colour’d high their cheeks again.

Freed from the wretch, their torment dire,

They pass the night in dance and song;

And strains from Ægir’s golden lyre

Re-echo loud the rocks among.

CANTO XXVIII.
LOK’S TREACHERY.

The reader is requested, before he begins this Canto, to read the note.

In serpent’s form Lok fled away into the ocean blue;

All the fell monsters of the deep now met him full in view.

In order to avoid them, how dexterously he toils!

Now in a line deploys him, now rolls himself in coils!

The peasant standing on a cliff followed with curious eye

The course of Lok, as like the wind he swiftly glided by:

Fearing pursuers, up he swam as far as Lindernæs,

On Norway’s coast; and hid him there ’midst sea-weed, sand, and grass.

At length his shape resuming, upon a reef of rock

He seats himself, like goatherd who watches o’er his flock.

“What have I done? Ah! woe is me! from Valaskialf’s abode

Thus exiled, what is Loptur now? a giant, or a god?

Am I thus amongst monsters condemn’d my time to pass?”

Where’s now my fav’rite pastime, the zest of life? alas!

Must I ’midst stupid giants dwell in the realms of night,

Who dose like sleepy dragons o’er gold and silver bright?

For them no sunshine blazes, no spring brings with it joy,

The art the blockheads know not existence to enjoy:

They know not love’s soft blandishment, they prize not music’s tone,

Their only pastime is to hear the cascade rushing down.

Heavily slumbering like bears in gelid caverns drear,

What doth avail heroic strength, if th’ hero be a bear?

Shall I ne’er listen to again the sound of Bragur’s harp?

At times on the good bard, I own, I used my wit too sharp.

In Fensal shall my eyes no more the fair Asynior woo?

My impudence no longer tinge with red their skin of snow?

No longer now shall Odin sage be overreach’d by me?

’Twas my chief sport to disconcert his stiff formality.

Shall my sarcasms no longer put to blush Asa-Thor?

Thor is indeed a hero, and had he half the store

Of wit, that falls to Loptur’s share, to all Valhalla’s power

He could defiance bid, and force each god his crest to lower.

He suits me well; with patience my raillery he bears;

With him I love to travel; and when his car he steers

Athwart the spacious regions of heav’n with pond’rous wheels,

And thunders shake Heimkringlas with soul-appalling peals,

I share Hlorrida’s glory: each time earth trembling shook,

I thought myself his equal, and frown’d with swagg’ring look.

Each Disa smiled enchanting, when courteous I address’d her;

With blushes Fulla trembled, when in my arms I press’d her.

She is in love with Lok, I know, poor little innocent thing!

And many other Disar in my net I hoped to bring.

My impudence doth in their cheek the blush of shame recall,

But soon, becoming used to it, they’ll cease to blush at all.

Sweet to my taste Sâhrimner was, and sweeter still the mead;

And when the proud Einherier pranced about the flow’ry mead

With shield and lance, I was content: all things to hear and see,

And mock at all the gods by turns, was charming sport to me.

I was the clev’rest of them all, and with the gods I play’d,

Just as a cat does with a mouse, which he has just waylaid.

First doth he his poor captive with feign’d caresses quail;

His eyes with malice sparkle; he frisks about his tail:

At length when weary of the sport his food Grimalkin needs,

His teeth inflict the mortal crunch, and then poor mousie bleeds!

But now Puss on the house-roof sits, nor deems himself secure

E’en there; he licks his beard and paws; his master from the door

Hath chased him in his anger, because i’ th’ cupboard he

With his dame’s hams and bacon had chosen to make free.

But if their loss I feel, will not they feel my loss much more?

Odin, I’m sure, when no one laughs, will feel vexation sore.

Long days of constant seriousness the Asar soon will rue;

They’ll find that to the zest of life mirth must contribute too.

Heavy and dull are they become already; there they sit,

And yawn, and in their mead-horn gaze, when they have emptied it.

Let but the Disar once the bread without the leaven taste,

Insipid will it prove, I trow, without friend Loptur’s yeast:

Without the poignancy of change pleasure itself must pall,

And light, unchequer’d e’er by shade, be insupportable.

No diff’rence of opinion now excites ye; true, ye breathe,

But spiritless and dull your life; ’tis the repose of death.”

In such reflections Loptur from sorrow sought relief,

And often gazed he wistful upon Yggdrassil’s leaf.

“Could I,” thought he, “of Asa-Thor the pardon once obtain,

The favour of the other gods ’twere easy to regain.”

Thus Lok amidst the grove of pines pensive and restless stray’d;

His silence deep at length he broke: “I have it now,” he said;

For Thor his hammer I’ll procure; I think, upon my life,

To get his hammer back again he’d give away his wife.”

Now over hill and dale he flew, quite joyous at the thought,

And passing through the hard-wood grove, soon reach’d the mountain grot:

There at the entrance of a cave sat Thrymur, giant-king,

Around a bunch of arrows sharp twining a golden string:

Red ribbands in his courser’s mane then did he interlace,

While the full moon pour’d streams of light adown his dusky face.

Into the field the giant look’d, and seeing Lok, cried out:

“Ha! welcome here! thou smallest toe in mighty Odin’s foot!

To visit us poor folks below doth Loptur condescend?

What pleasure can an Asa find in our dark goblin-land?

Have the gods turn’d thee out of doors? hast thou been indiscreet?

Shame were it such a chief of worth so scornfully to treat;

To start them game the gods, perhaps, thee falcon-like have sent:

Speak out then, thou accomplish’d rogue! say! what is thy intent?”

Now sitting down by Thrymur’s side with mien composed he said:

“With insults deep and injury the gods have Lok repaid;

Did I not hope one day your cause to aid, ye giants good!

I ne’er would set my foot again in Valhall’s curst abode.

You do require a spy, methinks, to find out and detect

All that the fraudful Asar brood against your realm project:

Some clever and ingenious wight; and where on earth’s vast round

More proper for this task than Lok can any one be found?

Besides, unknown to ye no doubt, I’ve often proved your friend,

And to some gratitude from ye I may with right pretend:

But howsoe’er with pitying eye my sufferings ye regard,

In my own conscience, in my heart I find my best reward.”

Then Thrymur answer’d, laughing loud: “What means this canting speech?”

With pious look and honied words thinkst thou to overreach

Us giant champions, as ye catch the larks with berries red

Behind a net of horse-hair fix’d, and ’bout the meadow spread?

Tears canst thou shed, like Dragon foul, when, eager for his food,

He seeketh travelers to entrap within the marshy flood;

But out with it! thy errand quick, O turncoat vile, relate!

Be frank for once, or in thy face, by Hel, I’ll shut my gate.”

“Ah! thou hast reason to be proud and haughty,” answer’d Lok:

“Now may’st thou with contempt on Thor, and all Valhalla look:

Hast thou not found his hammer ’twixt the scales of Jormundgard?

A glorious booty ’tis, forsooth: ’twill all your pains reward:

For though that hammer’s use thyself thou dost not understand,

Immense advantage ’twill afford; thou may’st with right demand,

In ransom for that weapon, all the wealth thou canst conceive;

Whate’er thou chusest to exact, the god will freely give.”

“What ransom?” cried the giant harsh and rough: “doth Thor possess

Gold, silver, copper, as I do within my deep recess?

Such gifts small value have for me; for riches naught I care;

But much of Freya have I heard, and of her beauty rare:

They say, she doth in form and grace all other dames eclipse;

Ivory her limbs, of gold her hair, of coral are her lips:

Her voice sweet music; plump well-rounded arms; a laughing mien;

A mouth that is for kissing made, and loves it too, I ween.

I burn with ardour to embrace a nymph of colour white;

No more the dames of swarthy hue my passion can excite.

If therefore Freya fair, as bride, Odin to me will give,

Thor in exchange his hammer bright that instant shall receive.

Did not Frey wed a Jotun nymph? If so, with equal right

May Jotun Thrymur claim as spouse his sister Freya bright.

Such my proposal is, which thou to Asagard mayst bear;

Why should we plague each other’s lives with endless hale and war,

Let friendship durable ensue upon this marriage tie!

But mark me! Miölner eight miles deep doth in the ocean lie:

Never again shall Thor, I swear, his much-prized arm behold,

Unless I clasp in my embrace Freya with hair of gold.”

Thus spake the giant-king: a dwarf, as page, came to the gate,

And oped it; in his master went; the dwarf then closed it strait.

Lok stood without at th’ midnight hour abandon’d and forlorn,

To Asar and to giants both the object of their scorn.

He laugh’d out loudly in the dark: so fearful was the sound,

The owls perch’d on the forest trees fell down upon the ground.

To learn the cause, the scolding Ran rose from the depths of ocean,

And scars on warriors’ limbs now bled afresh at th’ wild commotion:

Fell Jormundgardur shook himself; for miles and miles around

Men, fields,and dwellings were submerged in ocean’s waves profound.

Each Nidding starting from his couch by stings of conscience vex’d

Arose; a cold sweat on his brow announced a soul perplex’d:

Fenris loud howling through the sky the vast creation scared;

Lok’s laughter and the wolfish howl the long long night were heard.

“Giants and gods alike I hate,” said Lok: “soon shall they prove,

How terrible that power can be, which but itself doth love.

Would I could make them perish all together! ha! what bliss,

Could I the vast Heimkringlas sink i’ th’ bottomless abyss!

Ye’ve exiled me from Valaskialf; asylum ye refuse;

But means of vengeance still I hold, and such I mean to use.

Like tree rubbing ’gainst tree in fell collision shall ye come,

Until a flame arise, and all your hated brood consume:

Then shall ye when too late, I trow, do honour to my skill:”

Thus did the traitor Lok the air with groans and curses fill.

“With force unmanageable works the purblind mountain race;

The Asar boast their virtue pure, combined with strength and grace:

If to an act of treachery I once could Thor incline,

Then cunning overreaches strength; the triumph then were mine;

Thor a mere giant then becomes: when at the midnight hour

Odin of witches dire invokes the soul-appalling power,

Yggdrassil trembles; then grows dry the fount in Urda’s vale:

Then shines the frightful Jormungard with doubly brilliant scale:

Hel’s colour from a livid blue changes from joy to white,

And Heimdal’s horn excites the world to sempiternal fight.”

But since his last expulsion Lok to mount to Valhall’s dome

Without safe conduct ventured not, and houseless still must roam:

Towards evening he reach’d the grove of beech on Sealand’s isle,

As homeward with his plough return’d the peasant from his toil.

There is a spot within that grove, whence fountains with delight

Spring from benignant Hertha’s breast, and through the sand stream bright:

’Twas on the spot where Leire stood, and afterwards king Hro[98]

With many a stone and plank and joist constructed Kongebo.[99]

At morning and at evening’s blush there loved the Alfs to rove,

And scatter Freya’s tears like dew throughout the beechen grove:

And when she prick’d her finger with her needle, up they took

The drops of blood, and pour’d them on the green plants by the brook:

Lo! by the next revolving sun those plants with flowers were crown’d,

Which spread delightful odours through the grove for miles around.

They took the yellow sparrows grey, who o’er earth’s surface rove,

And kiss’d their beaks and taught them how to pour forth notes of love.

Nightingales they became at once, whose tones so sweetly sound,

And fill each youthful heart with dreams of tenderness profound.

Now ev’ry morning they anoint the locks of Freya fair

With precious unguent, which embalms with fragrancy the air.

Once from the Disa in a shell they stole some drops of oil,

And pour’d them on a weed; a Julian flower repaid their toil:

But far too strong that odour proved; its strength prevails e’en now.

Some drops were left; with water mix’d upon the turf they throw

Those drops, and lo! upon green stems blue violets fragrant grow!

Thus in that grove the little Alfs amuse themselves secure;

They teach the peasant’s cock to crow loud at his master’s door,

To rouse him from his slumber, and make him hie with speed

To earn with plough and harrow for wife and children bread.

At night they show the lover, who through the forest roves,

The way that he should wander, to find the maid he loves:

And when he meets her, when her hand he presses tenderly,

The Alfs their hands together bind with links of flowers, which she,

Now kind become, ne’er seeks to loose.

But while the blithesome crew

Of Alfs were dancing on the grass yet glitt’ring bright with dew,

Lo! from an ash-tree’s hollow trunk Lok started forth to view!

The Erl-king in the full-moon’s glare he much resembled now,

With crown of blackberry, thick beard, and tail like that of cow.

At first the Alfs were terrified; away they fain would fly;

They fear’d it was their enemies the black Alfs hov’ring nigh:

But when they Loptur recognized, they hail’d him with a shout

Of laughter, and delighted frisk’d their new-come guest about:

He pleased them; in their frolics oft he took an active part;

He was an Asa, well they knew, but knew not his bad heart.

“How now? friend Lok! what dost thou here i th’ forest? art thou sprung

From th’ branches of the tree, to dance our mirthful choir among?”

“Yes! my dear little creatures! Lok, ye know, doth love ye all;

Eager to teach ye novel sports, he comes to join your ball.”

He join’d the dance; a circle now the Alfs around him trace,

But Lok’s tail made a rustling noise, like serpent in the grass:

Sudden the fountain ceased to flow; the once transparent brook

Troubled and dark became, while toads in stagnant marshes croak;

A swarm of crickets hover round a corpse with deaf’ning cry:

But how could innocent white Alfs suspect Lok’s treachery?

Thus on the grass in Autumn late two lovers often sit;

They gaze upon each other’s face with rapture and delight;

They feel not that the fev’rish air announces: “One shall die!”

Grasping their flow’ry garland in their hands, their ecstacy

Makes them incautious; they inhale the pestilential breath

Of the foul Lok, who lurks behind the bushes on the heath.

The placid moon, which cheer’d so oft their love with radiance meek,

But which had not the power to cool the deep blush on their cheek,

A few weeks later on the bier a lifeless corpse doth view

Crown’d with white flowers: from Lok’s black art such bitter fruits ensue!

“Ye friendly little Alfs!” said Lok in soft cajoling strain,

“D’ye wish to know the reason why I join your sportive train?

Ye’re call’d Valhalla’s children; the Asar hold ye dear;

Poor Lok needs your assistance, and therefore comes he here.

I have been sadly indiscreet; too free hath been my tongue;

But Ægir’s banquet is to blame; his liquor was too strong,

My head too weak: I’ve mock’d the gods; my crime I frankly own:

But if great Odin will once more admit me near his throne,

If Thor for what I’ve said or sung will grant his pardon too,

I promise in return (my word is truth itself, ye know)

To fetch him Miölner back again, which deep in earth now lies;

So that again he may strike home, and win each glorious prize,

Nor fear that a short hammer-shaft his strength might neutralize.”

The friendly Alfer promised all for Lok to intercede:

Like doves so white to Valhall’s dome they flew his cause to plead:

With folded hands in lengthen’d file entering, they knelt before

The Asar, for the culprit Lok forgiveness to implore.

All hearts were moved; first Freya smiled; then Frey: ah! who can say

“No,” to a prayer for mercy, when such lovely children pray?

Now they led forth the criminal, who soft behind them crept,

He flatter’d, play’d the hypocrite, fell on his knees, and wept;

He tried to kiss Thor’s garment: at this demeanour base

The hero blush’d with anger, and struck him on the face.

“Avaunt! thou miserable wretch!” said Thor, with fearful cry;

“Thy abjectness more wrath excites, than did thy treachery.”

“Dear shalt thou pay for this,” thought Lok, “thy pride one day be cool’d;

The bowstring’s pulled so frequently, it snaps at length: but hold.

I must refrain from menace, be meek and humble here,

And all my schemes of vengeance till fitter time defer.”

So now in haste up springing, he loudly shouted! “Peace;

Good tidings now I bring ye: all strife and hate shall cease:

Giants and gods no longer eternal war shall wage;

The bosom melts with kindness, that once throbb’d high with rage.

The heart of Thrymur beats with love; the object of his flame

Is Freya; to the rocks and woods he sighs out Freya’s name.

And when athwart the birch-trees he views her glorious fane,

And marks her spindle sparkling with many a yellow skein,

The female, thinks the giant, who such a quantity

Of flax can spin, must truly a clever housewife be.

She’s just the dame for Thrymur’s taste; soft, delicate, and thin

Must be the fingers, that can draw the silken thread so fine.

Her skin the lily’s hue presents, her cheek the peach’s bloom,

Her lips are red as blood, I’m told; the rest all white as foam:

With brightest gold in colour her silken tresses vie,

And three times can she wind them around her forehead high.

They say she’s in affliction, her husband she has lost;

Good sense this doth not argue to be so deeply crost:

But it denotes fidelity; and that, one may surmise,

Supposes that she too upon fidelity relies:

For ah! where would the guerdon be of virtue, if one doubted

Incessantly? for Freya too, whose beauty is undoubted.

The thistle no attention meets, e’en from the butterfly;

But the rose ne’er can rest in peace for th’ homage of the bee.”

“Thy sermon on fidelity, I pray thee, spare us now!”

Said Freya, laughing: “emblem of fidelity, we know,

Is Loptur’s heart: but quickly Thrymur’s demand prefer,

And thy remarks on virtue another time we’ll hear.”

“They are not mine, fair lady!” quoth Lok: “I only come,

As messenger from Thrymur, to Valhall’s azure dome.

Freya the Disa fair he loves with manhood’s fervent fire;

His love for her all Jotunheim with softness doth inspire.

His father, Lok of Utgard stern, so wrapp’d up in his son,

Hath for the ardent lover’s vows a tender pity shown.

Brother-in-law of Odin thus should Utgard-Lok become,

A mighty change will then forthwith o’er all Heimkringlas come:

Henceforth twixt good and evil no diff’rence will appear;

All contrasts blend harmonious, when the dark owl shall pair

With the white dove: sunshine shall mix with the volcano’s gleam

And in Valhalla’s fragrant grove unsavoury vapours steam:

Smooth-skinn’d and beardless man become; woman a beard shall wear;

Twilight will all the fashion be; day and night disappear:

Sweet violets on carrion bloom; a blade of straw a knife,

A spit a lily straight become: the warrior and his wife

Will change professions; she the javelin, he the distaff hold:

Such transformations wonderful our eyes will then behold.

But Thrymur is a serious wight, this must not be forgot,

He’s somewhat jealous too, and jokes he understandeth not:

And Freya must, if she consent to share the giant’s reign,

As Thrymur’s spouse, in subterranean gloom for aye remain.

True, love will vanish from the earth; but where, I pray, the loss,

Since hate no longer will exist our hearts to plague and cross?

Heimdaller’s Bifrost then will lose its variegated hue,

No more display its gorgeous rays, red, yellow, green, and blue:

Those colours will together blend, and form a dingy grey;

And toads within their moss-grown pools will sing like thrushes gay.”

At this proposal Freya’s breast with indignation swell’d,

And thus with words of bitter scorn Lok’s project she repell’d:

“Were Freya to the giant’s land disposed to go with thee,

Must Freya terribly, forsooth, in want of husband be.”

But now the Asar, when the sun its earliest rays display’d,

Assemble all to hold the Ting beneath Yggdrassil’s shade.

There, to avoid temptation, they did not Lok invite:

But Lok to visit Heimdal went towards the rainbow bright:

Soft in his ear he whisper’d, gave counsel, swore that zeal

For Valhall had induced him that mission to fulfil:

“The gods,” said he, “I know, ’gainst me a strong aversion have,

But the whole thing, as thou perceiv’st, is of importance grave.

Thee judgment lacks not; my advice thou’st heard me frankly state;

Follow it, if it seem thee good: if not, reject it strait!

But whatsoever be resolv’d, let it be quickly done,

For execution the design should follow hard upon.

Heimdaller who had heard what past ’tween Lok and Thrymur grim

At th’ entrance of the grot, and knew, Lok did not lie this time,

Approved of the proposal, and took the counsel well:

The worm thus often pierceth the nut with hardest shell.”

Then Asa-Heimdal at the Ting thus spake aloud: “’Tis time

The giants’ pride to tame, methinks, and vanquish Jotunheim.

To raise them to the rank of gods, that oft we’ve done; thereby

Our strength we lost not: doth not Niord fierce Skada mollify?

And Ægir with his potent arm check Rana’s perfidy?

Young Gerda dotes upon her spouse; she’s full of charm and grace;

She gave Skidbladner to the gods; she’s of a better race:

Women with coal-black hair from her descend, within whose blood

The flame of love more ardent glows. Say! were not Lok a god,

What mischief might he not effect in regions void of light?

And hath not oft the moon bestow’d the power of day on night?

But should light’s ray, deserting heaven, descend into th’ abyss,

Would not for ever disappear our glory, strength, and bliss?

Shall we then Freya cede? ah no! by the great gods, I swear,

Valhall a joyless waste would prove, if Freya were not there.

Iduna’s fruit of health and youth accords, ’tis true, the power,

But Freya ’tis who sows the seed of love’s delightful flower:

We all admire her; when the gods she folds in her embrace,

The ecstacy that fills their soul what tongue hath power to trace?

And shall that lovely Disa depart from us for aye?

Shall mist for ever darken Folkvangur’s vivid ray?

And must that bosom soft and fair against the hairy breast

Of the rough giant throb, and by his rugged hand be prest?

Shall lips, which utter tones so mild, and soul unite with soul,

Be soil’d by the disgusting kiss of such a goblin foul?

Shall eyes, whose soul-subduing rays a power resistless prove,

Be doom’d to contemplate a form impossible to love?

No! rather let Yggdrassil’s top in Nastrond’s marsh corrode,

Or Bifrost sink dissolv’d in dew to Ægir’s deep abode!

Myself, who on the brink of heaven must watchful stand in arms,

I can but catch a fleeting glimpse of Freya’s matchless charms:

But when, each morning, crown’d with flowers she o’er my bridge doth pass,

With fecundating smile the realm of mother Earth to grace,

With tenfold zeal inspired, in hand my Gialler-horn I take;

Its joyous tones to love of life and strength mankind awake:

Quitting his nest, then soars the lark towards the celestial height;

A thousand carols to the world proclaim with loud delight,

That Freya’s soul-enchanting smile hath bless’d Heimdaller’s sight.”

Heimdaller’s words find no dissent: the Asars’ hearts they move;

And Freya’s eyes rewarded him with such sweet looks of love,

He blush’d like morn, when through night’s veil the day begins to break:

Tears glisten’d in his radiant eyes, and roll’d adown his cheek.

Heimdaller then Lok’s plan explained, and spoke: “Ye Asar high!

His hammer Thor will ne’er regain, unless we mystify

The amorous giant: as ye know, he seeks a bride more fair

Than those he’s been accustomed to, in his dark mountain lair.

Unused to females, who possess grace, beauty, symmetry.

To dupe the giant’s senses coarse no arduous task would be.

If Thor will but consent to dress in feminine attire,

There is a bride at once most fit to cool the giant’s fire!

Let Thor like Freya be array’d: to further the deceit

She’ll not refuse, I trow, to lend the robes and jewels meet.

Odin a lotion too can give of faculty divine

To wash off all callosity and roughness from the skin.

Thor then, with face as white as meal, and cheek as red as blood,

Will lose his shaggy beard, ’tis true, but not his hardihood.

Let the famed necklace Brising about his neck be wound;

There in exchange for Miölner a bride at once is found!

Before his bosom two round stones we’ll fix within his vest,

And there, in outward form at least, appears a woman’s breast!

And these when wrapp’d in scarlet cloth, at the bare sight will fill

With sulphur all the giant’s veins, and cause his blood to thrill.

A bonnet with a long white veil to grace his brows were meet;

And bunch of keys, tied to his waist, the bridal dress complete.

Lok too, as waiting-maid attired, with Thor shall bend his way

To Utgard’s realm: he’ll not refuse, I guess, this part to play,

Then, when Thor sits upon the couch in the dark giant’s dome,

When bearing Miölner in their arms the black dwarfs forward come,

When Thrymur, drunk with love, shall place the hammer on Thor’s breast,

What then Thor has to do, methinks, I need not here suggest.

In Heimdal ’twere presumption great, by words or argument,

To teach great Asa-Thor the use of his own instrument.”

With joy the Disar clapp’d their hands, and with each other vied,

Delighted with the stratagem, to dress up Thor as bride.

The gods indulge in hearty laugh; Yggdrassil flouts the sky;

Its branches green wave o’er the roof of Valhall gloriously.

Balder, Forsete, Mimer were absent from the Ting,

And mightily this favour’d Lok’s project. Drupner ring

On Odin’s finger dropp’d, indeed, on the grass others nine,

And fain, to its construction true, would warn its lord divine:

But the Asynior’s laughter gay banish’d from Odin’s breast

All scruples; so that Loptur’s guile he deem’d a harmless jest.

Thor did indeed remonstrate: “How? as female, Thor appear?

Unheard of! ne’er can I consent the female garb to wear.”

But Freya with her lily hand patted his cheek, and lo!

All scruples vanished from his breast, all wrinkles from his brow.

“’Tis true,” said Freya, “mortal man composed of wretched dust

Must by his nature ever be a victim to mistrust;

Must ever guard himself against the influence of hate,

Which ne’er the most illustrious deeds fails to calumniate;

But Thor in Trudvang rules; who dare his acts divine arraign?

Surely to aid a humorous freak his godhead cannot slain.”

Young Fulla, bearing Freya’s robes, now enter’d in the hall;

But Odin’s hand must widen them; for Thor they were too small:

But to give him a slender waist their utmost efforts fail,

For he was stout, and would not move without his coat of mail.

Now on his breast the two round stones ’twas Hermod’s task to place;

At this the fair Valkyrior blush’d, and laugh’d, and hid their face.

Now they suspend about his neck the necklace, Brising hight,

With many a ruby rich adorn’d, and many a diamond bright.

Now to the face and neck of Thor Odin applied his hand;

All roughness vanish’d at the touch: white, delicate and bland

Became his skin; no hue remain’d, which Thor could designate.

Now round his brazen helm a cap with long white veil they plait;

He don’d his gloves, and Megingard around his girdle laced,

To act with force, when in his hand his Miölner should be placed.

Now red they take to paint his cheek; they cut his nails; when drest,

A sprig of whitethorn in full bloom they fasten to his breast.

Now round the god travestied thus th’ Asynior young and gay,

Like children at a fav’rite game, delighted frisk and play:

“O Thrymur! gallant Thrymur!” in chorus loud they chime,

“Hast thou ne’er been love’s vassal, thou’lt not escape this time.”

To harness now and yoke the goats was Tialf’s peculiar care:

Then Thor and Lok in female garb ascend the golden car.

Thus down o’er Bifrost’s dizzy height, in Freya’s robes array’d,

Drove Asa-Thor; a tinge of rose the vault of heav’n o’erspread.

As the car pass’d, Heimdaller blew his horn in glorious style,

The virgins nine salute the god with fascinating smile.

Seen from the earth, like meteor bright the golden car appear’d;

This time no thunder shook the poles; no forked lightnings glared:

The car athwart the azure sky swift glided like a swan;

Therein sat Tialfe, Asa-Lok, and Thor, the giants’ bane.[100]

CANTO XXIX.
THE HAMMER OF THOR RECOVERED.

Seated in his golden car,

Gliding swift as shooting star,

Thor, with Loptur by his side,

Towards the giant’s dwelling hied.

Lok on treason ever bent,

Pleased his foes to circumvent,

At the triumph of his guile

Chuckled with malignant smile.

Now tremble the rocks! they proceed on their way:

The mountains a wide yawning entrance display!

But only half open the portal was found;

And a flame often flash’d through the darkness profound.

Black as jet, but streak’d with flame,

Thrymur to the portal came:

There the giant proud and strong

Tower’d amidst his vassal throng!

On his brows a diadem

Deck’d with many a brilliant gem.

Now he greets, with conscious pride,

Graciously his beauteous bride.

At the porch as his life-guards six monarchs behold!

One glitt’ring in Silver; one flaming in Gold;

One in Iron dark blue; one in Copper bright red;

White in Tin was this chieftain; that, sable in Lead.

From the car the gods descend:

Thrymur see! his hand extend

To conduct his fancied spouse:

High his blood with passion glows.

Many a gloomy corridor

Must the Asar pass, before

They can reach the giant’s throne,

Shining in the vast saloon.

Each gem, like a princess so fine and so fair,

Graced the hall: sprightly Ruby, gay Emerald was there;

Mild Sapphire, and Diamond so regal in mien:

Their splendid tiaras enliven the scene.

Through the humid caverns, where

Sunbeam ne’er hath cheer’d the air,

Thor moves onward, free from dread,

By his giant consort led.

Little dwarfs, the way to show,

Foremost march the gall’ries through,

Holding each a sulphur brand

Blazing in his rugged hand.

Half conceal’d in a corner, and far from the light,

There stand the shield-bearers, all ready for fight:

There was sour-featur’d Vitriol, and Arsenic fell,

Whose look would the stoutest assailant repel.

Like a little child in mien,

Pale and cross was Cobalt seen:

Oft it stared with ghastly frown,

Sitting on the gelid stone.

Through the hall its fetid breath

Spread around a scent of death:

Legs it had not, but a pad

Crown’d its venom-swelter’d head.

In the midst of the hall blazed a coal-cover’d pyre,

And the giants assembled in troops round the fire:

Cuirasses they wore on their hair-cover’d breasts,

And defiance they breath’d with their high-waving crests.

Echoing now the rocks among

Loud they chaunt a magic song:

Like the dismal yell its sound

Of the agonizing hound,

When its belly drips with gore

Torn by tusk of angry boar,

While his bowels o’er the plain,

Gasping short, he trails with pain.

Dame Hela two chieftains illustrious had sent

From her palace; they both were of regal descent:

Consumption, in gorgeous apparel array’d;

Plague, with spots on his robe, and all conquering blade.

Sole of all the giant race

Lok of Utgard did not grace

Thrymur’s hall that marriage night:

Visions dire his mind affright.

Treason doth he apprehend;

Carrion scents his nose offend.

In a corner now was spread

Deck’d with skins the nuptial bed.

While all the old giants and infants were stow’d,

Wrapt in sleep, in the sov’reign of Utgard’s abode,

Each grown male and female, each maiden and swain

To assist at the marriage of Thrymur remain.

Thor in silken robe array’d

Counterfeits the bashful maid:

Now his eyes he glanced around;

Now he fix’d them on the ground:

Now the two round stones inspire

Thrymur’s breast with amorous fire.

Then the goblet-bearing swain

Enter’d midst the festive train.

Now with hydromel sparkling each goblet he fill’d;

Now into the hall rush’d the giants so wild:

With flames now the cheeks of each other they smutted,

And, like rams, with the horns on their temples they butted.

Eager now to join the feast

Towards the board each giant prest:

Much they stared the bride to see

Eat and drink so lustily:

Though he many a goblet drain’d,

Thor unsated still remain’d:

Still he for more liquor cries:

What a sight for Thrymur’s eyes!

Scarce fill’d was Thor’s goblet, he emptied it strait,

Though fill’d to the brim; a whole ox he ate,

Eight salmon to boot; and with marvellous speed

The husband of Sif swallow’d three tons of mead.

Then said Thrymur: “So much meat,

So much fish doth Freya eat?

So much beer? so much mead

Can she swallow? strange, indeed!

Who would not astonish’d be

Such a dainty dame to see

Drain each oft replenish’d bowl,

As ’twere but a thimble-full?”

But Lok, who as waiting-maid stood by the side

Of Thor, in excuse whisper’d Thrymur. “Thy bride

Eight nights without eating or drinking hath past,

And deep longing for thee was the cause of her fast.”

Thrymur now at what he heard

Chuckled joyful in his beard:

See him with enamour’d mien

Towards his consort’s bosom lean!

But Thor’s flashing eyes subdued

Soon the lover’s hardihood;

Quick the giant must retire

Aw’d by Aukthor’s look of fire.

Then said Lok, from the giant all fears to remove:

“Her thoughts ever dwelling on Thrymur and love,

Poor Freya eight nights without sleeping hath past,

Hence her eyes are so red, and her brow overcast.”

Then a female black as coal,

With short frizzled hair like wool,

Enter’d in the festive hall;

Young was she, smooth skinn’d, and tall:

On her brows a crown she wore,

Emblem of her regal power:

While around her waist a zone

Deck’d with many a jewel shone.

“Come, sister! ’tis time (so a truce to your blushes)

To couch with your bridegroom on bed of dry rushes:

As consort of Thrymur I’ll hail thee at morn;

And many a gem shall thy temples adorn.”

Now to fetch the shaft divine,

Giant Thrymur made a sign.

“In the bosom of my bride

Be it placed!” the giant cried.

“’Tis the hour of midnight; now

Must be sworn the marriage vow:[101]

Now by Miölner’s iron bright

Mutual faith and troth we’ll plight.”

Scarce was utter’d the order, when in came a troop

Of dwarfs bearing Miölner; and oft must they stoop:

Scarce sufficient were they, though their number was great.

And they gasp and they groan under Miölner’s vast weight.

When the Asa held at last

In his hands the hammer fast,

Pleas’d was he its nib to view

Shining with reflection blue:

Then he raised his stature up

To the very cavern’s top:

Roll’d his eye-balls flashing flame!

Red, blood-red his cheek became!

The head-dress and veil from his helmet drop down;

Indignant he tore from his body the gown:

With the beard on his chin, and the scars on his breast,

The broad-shoulder’d champion as Thor stood confest!

Berserk fury in his eye,

Now he swung his arm on high!

While he dealt his deadly blows,

Higher still his courage rose.

Who shall now the carnage trace

Of the wretched Jotun race?

Ha! what bloody torrents roll

From each giant’s cloven skull!

When Thrymur was kill’d, arm’d with club and with spear,

Darting forth from their caverns fresh giants appear:

But Thor hammer’d round him as brisk as Vaulunder,

When he beats on his anvil the iron asunder.

Hrugner now, a man of stone,[102]

Onward moved with haughty frown,

While his eyes with ghastly glow

Hurl’d defiance on the foe:

’Stead of heart, within his breast

Was a granite fragment placed;

Twas three-corner’d; there it stood

Void of feeling, void of blood.

And lo! for the giants a figure of clay

Of aspect ferocious now join’d in the fray!

His bosom was fill’d with the heart of a horse;

Strong and mighty it made him, and swift at the course.

Now ’gainst Hrugner naught alarm’d

Thor advanced with Miölner arm’d.

On the club of Hrugner, lo!

Thor inflicts a deadly blow!

With such energy ’twas given,

Hrugner’s mace was piecemeal riven,

While its scatter’d fragments fall,

Frightful clatt’ring round the hall.

But the clay-fashion’d chieftain was Mokkurcalf hight:

He struck on his shield, and presumed on his might;

But, pierced by the sword of young Tialf in the fray,

The horse-fiend fell down with a horrible neigh.

Now was heard the dying moan,

Many a shriek and many a groan!

Thor was dreadful in his ire;

Naught could tame his warlike fire.

Thousand giants round him lay,

Victims of the bloody fray.

Down like tool of paviour fell

Miölner with a pond’rous peal.

Now, reeking with blood, sprang the treacherous Lok

’Mongst the wounded, like Nidding, their miseries to mock;

When he met with a giant all drench’d in his gore

And dying, he laugh’d, and he stabb’d him once more.

Now there reign’d a silence deep,

As when winds and billows sleep

On the coast: with gloomy mien

Thor beheld the frightful scene.

From the giants’ dark abode,

Fill’d with mangled limbs and blood,

Every vital spark had fled:

All was silent! all was dead!

In vain all their courage the giants display;

With eyes closed in death, like mow’d rushes they lay:

Naught remain’d of their strength or their valour behind;

From their bodies hath fled the invincible mind.

As the lion, when his might

Hath victorious proved in fight,

Viewing now his vanquish’d prey

Breathless, bleeding, fore him lie,

With revenge no longer burns,

All his rage to pity turns,

And the beasts’ high-minded chief

Ruminates in silent grief;

Thus Thor, when his fury was o’er, look’d and sigh’d

Deep in silence and pensive, his victims beside:

But Lok, like the lynx, from his lips licking gore,

Grinn’d with cruel delight, and still thirsted for more.

CANTO XXX.
THE VALA’S PROPHECY.

As Thor sat silent, and the fight was o’er,

Slow from the giants’ blood a smoke arose,

And white and thick the vapour spread itself!

Trembling with guilt and fear Lok veil’d his face.

At length the smoke, dissolving by degrees,

Develop’d a gigantic female form:

Silent she stood; her eyelids were half-closed;

Her visage pale as death: through all the caves

Glimmer’d a lurid flame. Upon the brow

Of Lok glared visibly the stamp of crime.

The mountain dame long contemplated Thor

With look serene, though stern: the god remain’d

Mournful and mute. At length a sigh exhaled

Of deep compassion from her lab’ring breast:

Grave was her aspect; in each feature reign’d

The calm of peace: peculiar tenderness,

Mix’d with severity, restrain’d her wrath.

“Sad tidings have I to announce to thee,

O Thor!” thus she began; “for thou hast soil’d

Thy honour: Lok hath taught thee how to sin.

But for a short time longer shalt thou bear

Thy Miölner: sore it grieves me to announce

Thy fall, O Thor! for thou art good and brave,

And dear to me for aye will be thy name.

But the whole Ocean cannot wash away

The rust that stains thy shield; then listen now

Calmly to what I shall unfold, and learn

From me thy future fate! Though all creation

To ashes burn, yet that which is eternal

No flame consumes; ’tis only the foul mask

That bursts, and falls to dust.

I sing to thee

A song of heavy import, “the World’s End.”

Into Valhalla’s realm shall find its way

Corruption leagued with pain: with splendour false

Dazzled your eyes become, like those of man:

This deeply moves the pious Balder’s heart;

He warns, but warns in vain; unheeded still

Remains his counsel sage: the heavenly Frigga

Now to a mere terrestrial Hertha sinks:

In Freya’s look voluptuousness alone

Predominates and burns: ferocious Thor

Becomes, and Odin weak: then Lok shall weave

His woof of treach’ry and deceit: all things

Forebode the fall of the degen’rate world:

Frivolity with vice reigns close allied;

Then bursts thy roof of pearl, O Breidablik!

Lok in the dark the fatal arrow guides;

Drown’d in fraternal blood affection lies:

The corpse of Balder decks the pyre: the race

Of Alfer disappear from Valaskialf:

Peace is compell’d to abdicate her reign,

While war and pestilence rage uncontroll’d.

Now every day still more and more corrupt

Becomes the race of Askur; no respect

Is paid to oaths: i’ th’ hand of brutal force

The glaive tyrannic crushes and dethrones

Truth, piety, and justice: idols grim

Of stone, or wood, or brass, alone are worshipp’d,

Where whilom burnt a pure and holy flame.

Now men are sacrificed at Odin’s shrine

Like cattle: many a gentle maiden drown’d

In Hertha’s honour in the mystic grove.

Where then shall innocence protection find?

The probity so famed of th’ olden time

Hath vanish’d from the earth: but Lok! thy joy

Shall be of short duration; thou shall fall

A victim to thy own insidious arts;

Thou first didst cruelty to th’ Asar teach,

And cruel shall thy expiation be.

In a deep subterranean cave shall thou

Be captive held, and rage and foam in vain:

The Asar in their wrath shall seize and fasten

Thy body to a rock: one peak shall bear

Thy shoulder, one thy loins, and one thy knees.

No one for thee the smallest pity feels:

Thy sons each other shall, like wolves, devour,

And their intestines bind their guilty sire.

Yet true and faithful shall remain thy spouse,

And she alone; and though the serpents huge

Hang venom-breathing o’er thee, pair by pair,

Dropping their foam on thee but half alive,

Yet Sigyn’s gentle nature shall not fail;

Assiduous she will stretch a vessel forth

To shelter from the dropping venom him,

Who once was dearly lov’d: the vase, when fill’d,

She carries out; then on thy fester’d wounds

And lips the poison falls; writhing with pain

Thou tremblest; at the shock earth trembles too.

Then Odin hurls his javelin wide around,

Slaying the wretched denizens of earth

To gorge himself with plunder: blood doth cleave

E’en to the robe of peace: where then repose

Can find the weary wand’rer? lo! Guldveige

Advances, goddess like! her shrine of gold

Is worshipp’d fervently o’er hill and vale.

She can the wildest wolf with fetters bind,

Yet she capricious to the worst of men

Accords her favours, and is prodigal

Of treasure to the vile and base alone.

Then is good counsel in Valhalla scarce,

For Mimer hath long since the sacred grove

Abandon’d in despair, and in a well

Dwells like a reptile. Odin, true, his eye

Has given in pledge to him, that he may see

More clear athwart the murkiness, but vain

The gift; more dim doth Mimer’s sight become.

The vaults wide gaping of the rocks present

The aspect of a coffin! Nastrond’s gulf

Opes its tremendous jaws, where serpents foul

Hiss and exhale their poison all around,

Mix’d with the flame of sulphur burning blue!

Into that gulf fall headlong down the men

Who never felt repentance; round their limbs

The speckled serpents coil, intent to bite:

Huge as an ox, with formidable spring

Conscience, the giant scorpion, tears the heart

Of th’ vicious with its fangs: deep in their flesh

Fell Nidhög revels with insatiate tooth:

Flames crackle loud in the abyss profound,

And Bragur’s harp divine is heard no more.

Down in Hvergelmer Elivagor roars;

On every coast by shipwreck lives are lost:

The ancient firs and oaks with branches bare

Uprooted lie: the moon is swallow’d up

By Maanegarm: the sun, like out-burnt coal,

Grows dark, while loud the giants’ laugh resounds

To mock the Asar with insulting gibe.

Deep in the bosom of the mountain now

Shall Utgard-Lok his progeny excite

With eloquence indignant to avenge

The death of their forefathers. Fialar now,

The blood-red cock, is heard to crow! the dog

Yells loud and oft before the cave of Gnypa!

Then Hela opes her gates with frightful clang!

With golden helms, and yellow tresses bright

Wide streaming through the air, to battle ride

The proud Valkyrior: the decrees of fate

The Nornor now no longer can conceal.

Then days of tempest, war, and pestilence

And foul revolt arise: his brother’s life

The brother spareth not: no mercy shows

Man, flush’d with battle, to his fellow man.

Shakes with affright Yggdrassil’s top, and straight

Becomes the prey of flames! the Asar tremble,

And terror reigns upon their brows divine.

Sighs from the rack and groans re-echo loud

The miseries of the earth: upon the bridge

Heimdaller perch’d blows fearfully his horn

To rouse all nature to th’ eternal strife;

While Jormundgardur lifts his head and hisses.

With vapours dark the rainbow, once so bright,

Becomes obscured: down ride the Asar: Bifrost

Breaks down with frightful crash: the sky sucks up

The vapour like a swamp: the heavens thus lose

Their brightest ornament; while Naglefare,

With giants fill’d, through noisome weed-choked marsh

Forces its way; the black flag at the mast

Triumphant waves; Lok, prince of Utgard, stands

Himself exulting at the prow, and calls

Aloud for battle! All the giant band

With clash of shields re-echo loud the cry!

Now Fenris breaks his chain; he howls aloud,

And hails the giants with applauding yell.

His foam covers the ocean; with affright

The stars fall headlong down from heav’n, and sink

With hissing noise, extinguish’d, in the sea.

Upon the waters all the fish lie dead:

Now slowly rising from the south advances

A column thick of vapour! joy pervades

The giants’ hearts, when they behold the flame

Athwart the sultry vapour burning blue.

’Tis Surtur, whom the vast abyss sends forth,

Of the most frightful darkness puissant chief,

Grasping in both black hands his steel-blue glaive.

Now towards Valhalla’s realm he seems to move;

Now towards the earth: he rolls along the sky,

And vapours foul, and howlings horrible

Conglomerate around his dusky brow.

But who ’gainst Surtur rushes to the fight?

’Tis Frey; but he turns pale, for now his sword

He hath not: hark! a trampling loud is heard

Of horses’ hoofs: ’tis Odin; see! he hastes

To join the combat, boldly piercing through

The thickest of the fight: upon his front

The scars of Geirsodd bleed afresh: his steed

Is white; a golden crest gleams on his helm:

With Gugner[103] arm’d he rushes on the wolf!

Alas! by Fenris’ jaws Valhalla’s lord

Is seiz’d and swallow’d up!—a morning ray

Of purple shines afar with glimm’ring light—

’Tis Odin’s blood.—Now Frigga in the sky

Is seen wringing her hands, with aspect pale:

She strives grave Vidar’s courage to excite:

Like whirlwind in the midst of vapour forth

She sends her son. Vidar no longer now

Keeps silence; fearfully he groans and sighs:

His eyes flash fire, but with extended jaws

Fenris, the wolf, rushes to meet his foe,

Gnashing his frightful teeth: but Vidar soon

O’ercomes the wolf, as were he but a whelp:

He throws him on his back, tears out his tongue,

And tramples him to death beneath his feet.

At length arrives a great important hour,

For now to vapour by the power of fire

The waters all dissolve, and the white sand

Of ocean’s depth extreme is bared to view.

Now Jormundgardur feels the burning heat,

And writhes impatient with sensation strange,

Unused on land to fold himself in coils.

See with uplifted hammer Thor approach!

So fierce a combat ne’er was seen before:

The snake with cunning strives around the limbs

Of Thor, in brazen armour cased, to wind

His dark blue rings, while on the monster’s scales

The hero’s hammer deals repeated blows.

Long and uncertain lasts the awful fight;

At length is heard a hideous scream; for now

Victorious Thor hath given the mortal blow,

And tramples with his heel the monster’s head.

But in the agonies of death around

The hero’s feet the serpent winds his folds

Still closer, and with venom-spreading foam

Bedews the conqueror’s front, and groans and dies.

Thor stands victorious; but too soon grows pale;

He staggers; now he rallies; now again

Staggers nine paces; and sinks down in death!

So heart-appalling is thy dying look,

O Thor! th’ Asynior all expire of grief:

They feel it like a dagger in their heart.

Garm destroys Tyr; but Tyr in dying pierces

The monster’s heart: now from his lurking-place,

Like cat, springs Lok, and brandishes on high

A sulfurous torch from Nastrond; on his brow

Glitters a brazen helm: Heimdaller moves

’Gainst him with sword uplifted, one blow strikes,

And down to Nastrond sinks th’ eternal foe.

Then vanishes like colours in the night

Heimdaller’s self: the dwarfs are heard to sigh

Deep in the rocks; they die of fright; yet shines

Awhile the golden car of Thor; but soon

It disappears: the two white goats expire.

But lately gleam’d a feeble light, but now

’Tis utterly extinguish’d: all creation

Sinks overwhelm’d in one vast shower of blood.

Alfader reigns once more sole lord of all.

With mind reluctant hitherto have I

A strain interpreted of presage dire,

The world’s destruction, and the Asar’s fall.

But listen now to a more pleasing theme,

The hope and consolation that ensue!

From ocean’s depth a new-form’d earth shall spring!

The azure wave reflect the new-spun grass!

Again adown the rock the cataract fall,

O’er which clouds fleeting pass, and eagles soar!

On Ida’s plain the Asar all assembled

Again awake to new-framed life and joy!

All recollection of the ancient strife

Is banish’d from their minds; a new-born child,

A graceful daughter hath the sun produced,

Who shall upon her mother’s well-known path

All glorious move, but far more beautiful

Than her, by all so dearly loved and prized.

The human race shall likewise be restored

To life from their long slumber: now awake

Lif and Liftrasir, by the morning dew

Refresh’d and nourish’d: then shall every grief

Seem but remembrance of a painful dream.

The Asar all shall to the grove repair,

Where amidst flowers the crystal fountain streams:

In all his glory will Alfader then

Reveal himself to man; his buckler hold

On high, glitt’ring with runes, whose sense sublime

Shall shield his children from all future harm.

Tablets of gold, with golden counters deck’d,

Shall in the grass be found, where violets

Give fragrant odour: on each counter shines

Each thought and action of a human life.

The facts of old shall mere illusion prove,

And med’cine, what was whilom poison held.

The corn shall not the sower’s toil require,

But spring spontaneous from the womb of earth:

No serpent lurk beneath the flower; all evil

Shall vanish: order, justice, truth and love

Eternally triumphant now shall reign.

Then high above Valhalla’s roof extends

The dwelling of the blest, the glorious Gimle,

Pavilion of the Good; an edifice

Which naught can shake, naught injure or destroy.

There shall the tender heart of Balder find

True consolation; there shall he again

Embrace his brother Hædur: Bragur too

Shall press Iduna to his breast once more:

Freya again her long lost Odur meet:

Frey fold his faithful Gerda in his arms:

Thor Sif embrace. All hearts shall cease to bleed.

But Miölner is not to be found in Gimle:

Behold! with smile of love ineffable

Alfader gives to Thor a glaive, whose hilt

Shines forth in form of cross with lilies graced.

“Now,” said the Vala, “have my lips reveal’d

All that time yet conceals: my solemn words

Ponder, O Thor! for I must now depart,

Recall’d by him, at whose behest I came.”

Thus said, she sank into the yawning ground!

A fearful gust of wind howl’d through the rocks,

And in the cave Thor found himself alone:

His hammer in his bosom lay; at once

He recognized the fatal weapon. Tialfe

Lay slumb’ring by his side: in heaps around

The giants’ bodies strew’d, all drench’d with gore;

Bore witness to the prowess he display’d.

Thor now again ascends to Valaskialf:

The Vala’s revelation he imparts

To Odin: Odin and the Asar all

Silent remain, immers’d in thought profound!

Here ends my song about the Gods on high.