After a lengthy and interesting dialog, Odin proposes a question which the giant can not answer, so Vafthruðnis replies:—

“None know since time its race hath run

What Odin whispered to his son.

The fate of gods and mystic lore

With thee no longer I explore.

Thou, by the hand of knowledge led,

The fatal stroke of death has fled;

And since thy wisdom I have tried,

Hear Vafthruðnis thus decide,—

‘In mysteries of every kind,