“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,