With hissing noise, extinguish’d, in the sea.
Upon the waters all the fish lie dead:
Now slowly rising from the south advances
A column thick of vapour! joy pervades
The giants’ hearts, when they behold the flame
Athwart the sultry vapour burning blue.
’Tis Surtur, whom the vast abyss sends forth,
Of the most frightful darkness puissant chief,
Grasping in both black hands his steel-blue glaive.
Now towards Valhalla’s realm he seems to move;