[47]. These popular northern fireside stories and tales are partly gathered from direct oral narration, and partly taken from a small volume, “Islenzk Æfintyri,” the collection of Messrs. M. Grimson and J. Arnason, published in Icelandic, at Reykjavik, in 1852.
[48]. Völu-spá or spae, the Prophesy—wisdom, oracle, or mystic song—of Völu (Völu is the genitive of Vala). Scoticê, Vala’s spae, as in the word spae-wife. One of these Valor, or Northern sybills, whom Odin consulted in Neifelhem, when found in the tomb where she had lain for ages, is represented as saying—
“I was snowed over with snows,
And beaten with rains,
And drenched with the dews;
Dead have I long been.”
[49]. These specimens of old Icelandic poetry are selected from “The Literature and Romance of Northern Europe,” by William and Mary Howitt: 2 vols. 8vo., Colburn & Co., 1852.
[50]. Written in reply to the following lines, by Delta, sent her by way of a challenge.
“To where the Arctic billow foams
Round Shetland’s sad and silent homes,