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