On the grass the vessel’s keel;
High above it, gilt and splendid,
Rose the figurehead ferocious
With its crest of steel.”
Then they adorned the funeral pyre with garlands of flowers, with golden vessels and rings, with finely wrought weapons and rich necklets and armlets; and when this was done they carried out the fair body of Balder the Beautiful, and bearing it reverently upon their shields they laid it upon the pyre.
Then they tried to launch the good ship, but so heavily laden was she that they could not stir her an inch.
The Mountain-Giants, from their heights afar, had watched the tragedy with eyes that were not unpitying, for even they had no ill-will for Balder and they sent and told of a giantess called Hyrroken, who was so strong that she could launch any vessel whatever its weight might be.
So the Asas sent to fetch her from Giantland, and she soon came, riding a wolf for steed and twisted serpents for reins.
When she alighted, Odin ordered four of his mightiest warriors to hold the wolf, but he was so strong that they could do nothing until the giantess had thrown him down and bound him fast.
Then with a few enormous strides, Hyrroken reached the great vessel, and set her shoulder against the prow, sending the ship rolling into the deep.