“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)