19—22. Compare Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Act III., Scene V.
20. Ragnarök, the twilight of the gods, the end of the world.
CANTO VIII.
Lines 27—28. See note, canto V: 21.
35. Urdas blanka våg. The pure water of Urda's fountain. The norns daily brought holy water out of this fountain to sprinkle the roots of the great world-tree Yggdrasil in order to keep it ever green. This tree is symbolic of the universe as a great unity. Its branches reach unto heaven. One of its roots extends unto the abode of men, another to the realm of the giants and the third to Hel's kingdom.
36. Gefton, the virgin goddess and the protector of female chastity. All women that died unmarried were supposed to serve her.
57. Bifrosts bro, the rainbow, the radiant bridge over which the gods pass from heaven to earth. The valkyrs conduct the fallen heroes to Valhall over this bridge.
59. Där skall han stå. Han refers to the god of love who is represented as having light wings on his shoulders.
65—66. See canto I: 35.
77. Min vreda norna. My evil fate.