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,