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!