175. nidingsstänger were pillars raised at crossroads or other conspicuous places to mock an enemy or to indicate that he was held in contempt by every one. At the top was the head of a horse and further down were comic inscriptions giving the name of the despised person and the nature of his offence.
179. till lands, on land, antiquated genitive. There are many similar expressions in Swedish.
190. Gudbrands däld, the valley of Gudbrand in central Norway.
196. springa, break.
202. Heimskringla, the earth. Note the apt figure Heimskringlas panna, meaning the Northland.
233. snögar, poetical form for snöar.
CANTO XV.
Stanza 3. Kort är hammarens skaft hos den segrande Tor. The handle of Tor's hammer, Mjölner, was very short; in his conflicts with the giants the god hurled it at the enemies. It always returned to his hand, no matter how far he might hurl it. Frej's sword, referred to, had the power of fighting successfully of its own accord as soon as it was drawn from the sheath.
4. den som stryker (segel), the one that lowers the sails, i.e., surrenders.
6. Valfader, Oden.