[425]. The raven was looked upon as very wise and prophetic.
[426]. I.e., a Valkyrja.
[427]. The birds of Odin were the birds of prey, or perhaps his ravens Hugin and Munin coming to tell him the news.
[428]. The hail-sprinkled gull, sprinkled with blood; hail—poetical expression used for arrows. The wave of the heap of slain—the blood of the slain making waves by its quantity. A gull is often used as meaning a bird of prey.
[429]. The mead of kings (blood of warriors slain by the host of kings).
[430]. Shield is called here the plain of the ring. The tree of the shield is the warrior.
[431]. I make ready for the sound of Ilm—take my weapon for battle, as the sound of Ilm is = noise made by weapons.
[432]. A Valkyrja.
[433]. Hedin’s cloth = armour. The dyed wand is the sword dripping with blood.
[434]. In Helgakvida Hundingsbana, sleep is called draum-thing (dream-meeting).