[11] The French also call these tales Les Contes de ma Mère l’Oie.
ALPHABETICAL LIST
OF THE PROPER NAMES OCCURRING IN OR CONNECTED WITH THE POEM ENTITLED “THE GODS OF THE NORTH.”
With the assistance of Finn Magnussen’s work Eddalæren (Doctrine of the Edda), I have composed the following alphabetical list of the proper names which occur in this poem, wherein the attributes of the several personages are given, and which should be consulted whenever a proper name occurs, since I have not thought it necessary to repeat in the notes annexed to each canto what is already given in this catalogue.
ÆGIR is the god of the sea, the Neptune of the Scandinavian mythology. His dwelling was supposed to be on the island of Hlesey, now called Lessoe, in the Cattegat. He is sometimes called Hler Ægir. He is of a benevolent disposition; but his consort Ran, who is of giant race, is otherwise. The etymology of the name Ægir is from the Icelandic verb Ægi, to liquify, inundate, etc.
ALFADER (Father of all) a name given to Odin, as king of gods and men. It is sometimes given to a supreme unknown God, pre-existent and superior to Odin himself.
ALF, plural ALFER, are inferior elementary divinities, divided into two classes, viz. the white Alfer, or Alfs of light; and the black Alfer, or Alfs of darkness. The white Alfer are related to the Asar and Vaner, and are friendly to mankind; they dwell with Balder in his palace of Breidablik. The black Alfer are mischievously disposed: they are connected with the Dvergar (dwarfs), and like them they shun the light of day: they dwell in caverns and sally out at night only. Our word elf is derived therefrom.
ANGURBOD, name of a Jettinde (giantess), who, in consequence of an amour with Asa-Lok, brought forth three frightful offspring, viz. the wolf Fenris, the serpent Jormundgard, commonly called the serpent of Midgard, and Hela, queen of death and of the shades below. The word Angurbod denotes “messenger of sorrow.”
ARILD, Arilds-tid (time of Arild). From Arilds-time is a manner of reckoning among the Scandinavians, similar to our expression from “Noah’s time.” It means the time when mankind first learned the use of fire, and to have fixed habitations. Etym.: arne (hearth), ild (fire), and tid (time).