We mixed blood together?[[115]]
To taste of liquor
Thou swarest never,
Unless it were brought to us both.
The sire of gods was moved by this appeal; and he cried—
Arise, Vidar,
And let the wolf’s father
Take his place at the board!
He did take his place; and as each of the guests remonstrated with him on his ill-nature, he launched out into new abuse. He spared none; and though his reproaches were bitter, they had foundation enough to render them keenly felt. Neither the awful dignity of Odin, nor the thunderbolt of Thor, who arrived about the midst of the festival, could shield them from his attacks. We have not space for the alleged vices of the dwellers in the Scandinavian Olympus; but his abuse made the gods inwardly resolve to effect his destruction whenever the opportunity occurred. His share in the death of Balder (to which we shall soon advert) hastened the time.
OTHER DEITIES.