113 When they had sate down to table, Thorns anger was so great that he spake not a word, but struck his brow with his clenched hand, revolving in his mind how he might best chastise the insolence of Utgardelok. As soon as the repast was ended, and the Valkyrs had filled horns of mead for each of the guests, Thor announced his intention to drive his car, and, having harnessed his goats, and nailed on their golden shoes, and called to Asa-Loke, who always sat next to him at Odin’s table, to accompany him, he wound the leathern reins round his waist, and taking Miölner in his hand, drove towards the bridge Bifrost.1 Adown the painted way As drove th’ impetuous god, The red flames, lambent, play Along the wheel-tracks broad. Heimdall his horn blew loud, The god with sleepless eye, Seven maids submissive bow’d As the gold car flew by. On earth some meteor dire Men thought then to behold; 1 The bridge Bifrost, or the rainbow, was the bridge over which the gods passed on their way from heaven to earth, Heimdall was the warder of the gods and had his station on its summit. The seven maids were the seven colours of the rainbow.

114 The heavens were fraught with fire, In peals the thunder roll’d: Swift as enamour’d swan, Passed on the Aser’s car, With Thor, the Giant-Bane,2 And Loptur thro’ the air.                             Oehlenschläger. Asa-Loke, who, although the Thunderer had said nothing, suspected his purpose, and who, notwithstanding repeated chastisements, could never be taught to hold his tongue, began now tauntingly to propose a journey to Utgard,3 remarking that although the trip might be attended with some hazard, the giant king was well worth the seeing. Thor answered him shortly that he cared very little for Utgardelok, and that he had only to fling his hammer to crush him and his whole train of trolds and dwarfs. So spake the god of war And fearlessly drove on, With Loptur in his car, To earth’s green regions down: The little birds sang sweet, The trees, in reverence, bow’d, 2 One of the epithets applied to Thor. 3 Utgard, literally the outermost dwelling, was the frozen circle of rocks which was supposed to surround the universe, the residence of giants and evil spirits.

115 All nature seem’d to greet Valhalla’s warrior god.4 The rose and violet blue Wither’d afore his look: Their tender forms to view Such radiance could not brook: Closed was each honied cup, As their great lord drew nigh; The gentle flow’rets droop, Breathe on their god and die. It was now getting towards night-fall: The sun had sunk to rest In purple green and gold;5 In simple yellow drest The moon rose o’er the wold. Great Aüka-Thor drove fest Two warrior barrows6 by, As the dark tombs they pass’d Bright flash’d the Aser’s eye. 4 There is much poetical propriety in the respect thus paid to Thor, the personification of thunder, the refreshing rains accompanying which, so powerfully affect vegetation. 5 Those who have never visited Norway during the autumn, can scarcely form an idea of the splendour of its setting sun, at that season of the year. 6 Odin is supposed to have introduced into the north the custom of burying the dead under eminences or mounds of earth from Scythia, where it appears to have existed from the remotest times. These mounds or barrows are very numerous in Denmark and in the west of England. They are found also on the banks of the Black Sea, in the Crimea, and may be traced from the Steppes of Great Tartary throughout Europe, (particularly in Bohemia, Normandy, and the Low Countries) to the ocean. They were generally thrown up near some public road, fountain, or frequented spot, and often, still, bear the name of the warrior or prince over whose bones they were raised. The old Scandinavians had three kinds of burial places, called—“haugr,” “kuml,” and “dys.” The “Haugr” the latest in date, were raised to the greatest height, and constructed with the most care. They were turfed on the outside, and the interior was composed of well beaten earth, in the centre of which was an oblong chamber of stone, called a giant-chamber (Jætte-stue), from the enormous size of the stones of which it was usually composed. In these the body was laid, sometimes in a sitting posture, sometimes stretched out, or when it had been burned the ashes were sometimes placed in an urn, sometimes scattered about. In latter times the entrance to these chambers was secured by beams of timber.—The “Kuml,” of older date than the haugr, was lower and less considerable, but in these also, the body was above ground, being covered with earth loosely thrown together.—The “Dys” was destined for slaves, criminals, or prisoners, offered to the gods. The bodies were cast into a hole, under a hedge or into a wood, and earth or rubbish thrown over them. These were never covered with green turf, nor marked by monumental stones. The summits of barrows are often encircled with stones, and those were the most complete which consisted of three eminences, with a stone altar (Cromlech) on the centre one.

116 At length they arrived at a lonely peasant’s hut, and Thor called out to ask for a night’s lodging. The peasant readily granted it, and the travelers

117 alighting entered the cabin, which was so low that they were obliged to bend nearly double. The peasant’s family consisted of himself and his old wife, and of a son and a daughter, Tialf and Roska. The old woman lamented to Thor, that she had nothing to offer him for supper but some roots. Thor answered that he would provide food, and bade her prepare the table. He then took Miölner, his hammer, and slew his two he-goats, and having stripped them of their skins, put them into the boiler. The skins were spread out carefully before the hearth, and Thor desired the peasant to be sure to put all the bones into them. When the meat was cooked, they all sat down to supper: The peasant’s meagre store Not ev’n a dish could yield: It matter’d not to Thor, Who ate from off his shield. The goats were soon devoured, A part was left to bleed, The blood in jugs they pour’d, And straight ’twas sparkling mead. During the supper, however, Tialf, the boy, had contrived to get a thigh-bone of one of the goats, which he brake for the sake of the marrow. Thor staid over the night in the cottage. The next morning before dawn, he rose, and taking Miölner in his hand he swang it in the air over the goat-skins and

118 bones.7 The goats immediately sprang up in life and spirits, but one of them was lame in the hind leg. Thor’s anger on this was kindled. He said that the peasant or his people must have been careless with the bones, seeing that a thigh-bone had been broken. It would be in vain to seek to describe the terror of the whole family, when they saw how Thor’s forehead became wrinkled, and his eye-balls nearly turned round with fury. He grasped his hammer-haft so hard, that his knuckles became white. They all fell on their knees and begged for mercy, offering as compensation all that they possessed. When Thor saw their terror he took pity on them, and his anger completely disappeared. He demanded, however, that Tialf and Roska should forthwith enter into his service, to which the peasant gladly consented. The goats and car were now left at the cottage, and the two Aser with their attendants set out on foot for Jotun-heim. Of Tialf it should be told, Right well the lad turn’d out: He proved a warrior bold, His heart and arm were stout. 7 The heathen Finn-lapps still take care not to break the bones of the animals which they sacrifice, saying, that the gods may put flesh and skin on them again.— F. Magnussen

119 This came of hearty food, To eat he ne’er was slack; In favour high he stood With Thor, and bare the pack. A form as Freya’s bright Had Roska, blue-eyed maid; Her bosom round and white In glittering steel array’d. Proud smiled the maiden fair, Pleased with her waving crest, Her yellow, silken hair, A golden morion prest. Miölner o’er shoulder thrown, Resolve mark’d in his look, As Thor strode stoutly on His rattling8 copper shook. With arms less cumbrous dight, Loke, lightly tripp’d along, From casque with silver white His dark locks loosely hung. They travelled on with such speed that they soon arrived at the sea, which it was necessary to pass. 8 The Scandinavians had made considerable progress in the art of working copper, whilst yet ignorant how to separate iron from the ore. In the interesting collection of Northern Antiquities at Copenhagen, there are some swords of copper, the edges of which are sheathed with thin plates of iron (probably meteoric), for the sake of its superior hardness.

120 The storm was raging with great fury, and Ran’s9 voice might very easily be distinguished in the midst of it. It was now evident to Thor that Loke’s heart began already to fail, and turning to him he told him that it was of no avail to be alarmed, that he himself had first proposed the adventure, and that it should never be said that Thor turned back from any undertaking for fear of danger. Then like some ponderous rock He plunged into the wave: Ran, frighten’d at the shock, Slunk to her inmost cave. With courage fill’d, the rest Follow’d their fearless lord; The sea their mail’d sides press’d, And round them, threat’ning, roar’d. For many a league they toil’d, With desperate strength, along: Hark! o’er the billows, wild, And clear mermaid’s10 song. Hid by some sea-worn cliff She chants ill-omen’d dirge: I trow, with sinews stiff They buffet now the surge. 9 Ran, the wife of the sea-god, Ægir, was cruel and ricious, and caused all shipwrecks. 10 The belief in mermen and mermaids is still common in Norway and Denmark. Their appearance portends a storm.

121 The storm increased in violence, but Thor con-tinned to encourage his companions, and to help them when their strength was failing, and at length, in spite of all difficulties, they reached the opposite shore. They were however still in a lamentable plight, hungry and dripping with wet. The moon which gleamed for a moment from out the dark clouds, showed all around a wild, trackless desert, overgrown with dwarf birch. Thor said that no time was to be lost, but that they should proceed at once up into the country. With many a weary step, Through fen and bog they wend, Now on the smooth ice slip, Now sink into the sand. The labouring sky was black As raven’s glossy plume, Save where with vivid streak Blue lightnings mock’d the gloom. Comets with fiery tails Shot swift the heaven athwart, The hail fell thick, huge whales Bellow’d in monstrous sport; Bitter the keen wind blew, Young Roska swoon’d for fear, Loke quick to aid her flew, He ever loved the fair. Thor at length began to lose his temper, which Utgardelok had tried to the utmost. He muttered:

122 the giant thinks to bring me to shame, but I will tame his insolence. At length in the midst of the desert, they espied a kind of hut, which they entered, in order to obtain shelter against the pelting of the storm. It consisted of one vast room, of an extraordinary shape, being neither round nor square, and one entire side was occupied by the entrance. They were too wearied, however, to trouble themselves much about this, and having devoured the contents of Tialf’s pack, they all lay down to sleep except Thor, who placed himself to watch at the entrance of the hut in a sitting posture. His eye-balls glared dreadfully out on the waste, with one hand he grasped Miölner, the other was placed beneath his chin. He did not stir once during the whole night. II. ENCHANTMENT ON THE HEATH. Whilst Thor was thus on the watch, he heard suddenly, towards morning, a noise which seemed to issue from beneath his feet, and so loud that it could not have been caused by anything mortal. Thor called out angrily to know who dared to disturb the rest of those within the hut, and receiving no answer, his ire got up, and he sprang upon his feet, resolved to punish the intruder. By the aid

123 of the fiery meteors which were playing about, he perceived, stretched out at length, a huge giant asleep, whose bulk was so great that it covered several acres of ground. Thor did not hesitate long as to the course he should pursue, but swinging Miölner around was about to put an effectual stop to the insolent snoring of the giant, when suddenly as if aware of the stroke, he rose up lightly, and then first Thor became fully aware of his prodigious size. He had a long spear or spud in his hand. Thor could not help being a little amazed at so unexpected an apparition, but after a slight pause, demanded of the giant who he was, and whence he came? He replied that his name was Skrymner, and that he came from Jotunheim, where he served the king Utgardelok. He added that he had no need to ask who Thor was as he knew very well that he was no friend to giants. He had heard, he said, a great deal of Thor’s feats, but that after all the god seemed to him nothing very wonderful, and that it would be no hard matter to place him, armour and all, on one hand. He remarked at the same time that he himself was held in but little esteem in Jotunheim. Soon after, turning round, he called out that he had lost his gauntlet, and kneeling down groped about in search of it, when at length, laying hold of the

124 hut in which they had been passing the night, he lifted it up with the greatest ease. Now mom the heaven had cleared, And plainly all descried, What erst a hut appeared, Was but a gauntlet wide. Muttering betwixt his teeth The giant drew it on, Thor’s comrades held their breath, Their courage was nigh gone. Thor, however, was not in any degree daunted, but told his companions not to be down-cast; that he had never yet heard that size was a proof of courage, and that a wolf would have no difficulty in overcoming an ox. He added, that the foul giant was much mistaken if he thought to intimidate him, or to weaken his trust in Miölner. After a short silence, Skrymner observed, that it was a very strange taste to journey so far to see a barren waste of sand, and asked Thor why he came to Jotunheim? Him answer’d haughtily, The god to warriors dear; It pleased me here to be, And therefore am I here. He added, that having heard much in Asgard of Utgardelok, he was resolved to see him face to

125 face, and that as for his magic and his frozen mountains, he only laughed at them. All Niffelheim seem’d loose, So loud the giant roar’d: “Thy neck into a noosé Thou runn’st,” such was his word: “Take warning ere too late, Tall ramparts gird about Our realm, from which ne’er yet Unscourged came Aser out. “Turn back, thou warrior true, Nor madly further roam, Too late, the hour thou’lt rue, Thou sought’st the giant’s home. With no benign intent Thou com’st our monarch near: On strife and war thou’rt bent, Be warn’d, ’twill cost thee dear. “Turn back, thou Aser bright, Back from this hostile soil; Turn to thy realms of light, What boots it here to while! A wild, which foot ne’er paced; A sea, where tempests roar; Thy sires as barriers placed ’Twixt us and Asgard’s shore. “There joys which never cloy, The feast, the fight, the dance, By turns your days employ,

126 Gilt by Soel’s11 ceaseless glance. To ye fond nornies shared A lordly destiny; On earth, adored, and fear’d, Blissful in heaven to be. “But Ymer’s banish’d race Far other lot obtain’d: Bare rocks our dwelling-place, To hard deeds we are train’d. For us no flame ascends, Mortals no altars raise; Terror our steps attends, Cunning and strength our praise. “Our halls, caves dark and low! Torch-lit, our rocks beneath: As th’ Aser life bestow, We bring disease and death; Earth hides us in her womb, Thick, knotted clubs we wield, Within our cavern’s gloom E’en gods with fear are chill’d.” An instant Thor held back, He struck his shield with force, “Enchanter foul,” he spake, In voice with passion hoarse: “Tis well thy stature tall Saves thee from Miölner’s swing: 11 Soel was a goddess who directed the course of the sun; her brother, Mone, governed in like manner the moon.

127 Were we in Thrudheim’s12 hall, Mine arm should lightnings fling. “Of Utgard, a vile slave, Bid Thor to change intent! A peasant, arm’d with stave, Question my hardiment! What, tho’ thy misshaped head Thou lift’st on high, so proud, Think’st thou to strike with dread Valhalla’s warrior god!” The god with rage flow’d o’er, He clench’d his mail-clad hand: “Were there of giants more Than grains of ocean sand, Or snakes on Nastrond’s13 wall Me little ’twould import, To earth I’d fell them all, Nor ask more welcome sport. “Thou swoln and turgid sponge, Spite of thy brittle spear, I’d slay thee with one lunge Of my good falchion here: Let earth’s weak children cow’r Before thine aspect grim, To crush thee, Thor hath pow’r With but his buckler’s rim.” 12 Thor’s residence. 13 Nastrond, the Scandinavian hell, was built of snakes.

128 Thor ended by upbraiding the giant with the treachery and cruelty of his race, and by reminding him of the Nornies’ decree, that the whole of them and Utgardelok himself were one day to perish by the hands of the Aser. Skrymner was now in great alarm, and seeing that Thor was preparing in earnest for combat, he sought to pacify him, and said, that since the god was resolved to go to Utgard, he himself would be the guide, and would find provision on the way, of which they would stand much in need. He added, that he had no doubt, that his monarch would be well pleased to see so distinguished a warrior at his court. Accordingly they proceeded onwards, Skrymner with a wallet on his back leading the way. The road led along a wide lake, and as they advanced began to assume a more smiling appearance. Roska, who had been much alarmed, resumed her courage, and Loke beguiled the time by his pleasant jests. They quicken’d now their pace, For th’ evening star ’gan peer, Skrymner, with smiling face, Show’d where a grove was near. This reach’d, his wallet down The weary giant laid, And, in a friendly tone, Thus to the wanderers said:

129 “Beneath this leafy shade We’ll lay us down to sleep, Till o’er the dewy glade The grey morn ’gins to peep.” He gave Thor the wallet, which was fastened in a curious manner, saying, that it contained as good i supper as Sif14 herself could have prepared, at the same time he begged the god be careful in untying the strings, as he did not wish them to be broken. He then retired into the wood and lay down to sleep. Under the grove’s warm lee, Shelter’d from rain and blast, Stretch’d ’neath a greenwood tree, He soon in sleep was fast. Upon the velvet lawn God Thor, and Roska fair, And Loke, and Tialf, sate down To breathe the ev’ning air. The elves, with flow’rs who deck The meads, their strength renew. Being hungry, Skrymner’s pack The thund’rer near him drew. To Roska then he spake: “Let’s to our host be true:— 14 Sif was Thor’s wife.

130 The supper out to take, Sweet maid, must fall to you. The giant charged enow To spare his paltry bands: His wallet scarce, I trow, Could fall to gentler hands.” With ready smile the maid Sank on her knee, so round, T’ unloose, as Thor had bid, The strings the pack that bound. This, however, she found no easy matter, and having tried in vain for some time, she was obliged to give up the attempt. Thor now called to Tialf to take the job in hand, observing that he had not the appearance of one who would like to go to bed supperless. Tialf sate down on his hams, and putting the wallet betwixt his knees thought to have opened it presently, but he found that the more he picked at the knot, the tighter it became, so he abandoned the task also, and said that were he master, he would cut it at once. Thor, however, would keep his word and bade Loke try, remarking that it would be a cunning wight who could puzzle him. Loke did so, but could not succeed. Thor laughed heartily to see how Loke was vexed at his ill success, and at last set about untying the wallet himself; he pulled and twisted the knot with his brawny hands, but it foiled him

131 well as the others. His wrath now began to rise, and drawing his sword, he sought to cut the strings, but although he hewed with all his might, he could not sever one. By this time he had become quite furious, and seizing Miölner, cried out, the churl would be merry at our expence, but unless my hammer fail, he shall rue his joke. The God with fell intent, Now gather’d all his strength, And to the giant went, Who lay stretch’d out at length. A well-aim’d blow he struck Just where the brows unite, With force might cleave a rock, Truth, ’twas a fearful sight. Scarce roused, his heavy eyes The giant open’d, half; At his side Thor espies All arm’d, and with him Tialf— “What could have made me wake,” Quoth he; “’twas sure a leaf— Well Thor, what news o’ th’ pack? Hast eaten all the beef?” With rage Thor near had burst, Fiercely his lips he bit: He mutter’d: “Slave accurst! Thou shalt not ’scape me yet.” The giant gave no heed, But slowly turn’d him o’er,

132 And soon the woody glade Re-echo’d with his snore. Thor, bent on deadly barm, Frowning again drew near, Miölner with out-stretch’d arm Three times he swang in air. The stroke was levell’d well,— Swift as the meteor shaft Full on his front it fell, And sank up to the haft. This Skrymner seem’d to move; With force he struck his head. “A murrain on the grove,” In grumbling tone he said: “In peace one cannot rest, Some berry’s bruised my crown, What, Thor! still up! ’twere best Till morn to lay you down.” Low murm’ring ’twixt his teeth, He soon resank to sleep. Awhile Thor held his breath; He groan’d in spirit, deep; To Odin, his great sire, He raised his voice on high, The little feathered quire The grove, in terror, fly. His eyes like lightnings flashed, He drew his girdle tight, On Skrymner’s temple crash’d The steel with awful might.

133 It made the giant start; He roar’d aloud: “How now! What makes my forehead smart? There must have fall’n a bough.” But the morning sun having now appeared above the trees, he rose up, and saying that it was time to proceed on their journey, he took up the unopened wallet and led the way to Utgard. In a short time they came in sight of the town, and Skrymner having pointed it out to Thor, told him he must now leave him. He showed him, howler, the way he was to take, and gave him his spud, by placing which against lock or bar, they would immediately open or fly back. He then bade the travellers farewell, wishing them luck, and telling them they would have need of their courage, and striding straight over rock and river he was soon out of sight. III. THOR IN HELHEIM. The facts which we have now to relate are of so extraordinary a nature, that they almost exceed belief. The way of the travellers lay across a wide plain covered with ice, and for every step that Thor and his companions took it seemed as if they slipped back two. At length, when nearly

134 exhausted, they reached a point from whence a pathway led through the rocks, down towards the gates of the town. The night-owl mournful scream’d, The heavens as pitch were black; Half crazed poor Roska seem’d, Kept close to God Thor’s back. For many a weary hour, Still deeper down they went, Heard chafing torrents roar, In rocky prisons pent: Pale spectres flitted past; The god, with lengthened stride, Adown the steep way fast, In silence, onwards hied. On a sudden on turning the point of a rock, they perceived what through the thick darkness seemed to be a taper’s light, but as they advanced they found it was the glare of a fire-brand. At the same moment the moon gleamed faintly on the bare rocks near them, and they saw a large cavern which yawned across the path-way. Entering it, they arrived at a wicket before which sate two tall ghastly spectres. Both hasten’d up to rise As Asa-Thor drew near, And with dull, stony eyes Return’d the war-god’s stare.

135 A woman one appeared, The other was a man: No mortal eye had dared Their hideous forms to scan. Rattled their leaden teeth, They shook with icy pain, Theirs was the chill of death, May ne’er know warmth again. A plume of raven hue Shadow’d each bloodless head: Over their armour blue White winding-sheets were spread. Their maces, strange to tell, Of dead men’s bones were made. Heavy to earth they fell, Might stout heart have dismay’d. In deep, sepulchral tone, The spectres slowly spake, ’Twas like a half-check’d groan, Made Tialf and Roska quake. “What hath your footsteps here, Ye rash intruders, sent? Your blood runs warm and clear, Your days not yet are spent. “Ye yet may fell in fight,15 What come ye here to seek 15 Those who were slain in battle passed at once to Valhalla, and were not subjected to Hela, who had sway over those who died peacefully in their beds.

136 Within these realms of night? Turn back, insane, turn back! Here an enchantress dread Governs with iron sway, All who on peaceful bed, Inglorious, quit the day.” Thor, upon this, turned to his companions and said, that from what they had just heard it was evident that they had been misled, and that this mast be the gate of Helheim. He added, jeeringly, to Loke, that the prospect of seeing his daughter Hela must be highly gratifying to him. Loke felt the bitter taunt, Was white with ire his cheek; Sudden he turn’d askant As if retreat to seek. “I’ll stay not here, ray race,” He cried: “in plight forlorn To view—this hateful place, I’ll quit and back return.” But Thor told him to beware how he took a step which might bring him to destruction, and reproached him for repining like a woman at what the decree of the nornies had rendered inevitable. He added, that although no one could think on his offspring without shuddering, even Odin himself could not pretend to despise them, and that he for his own part and all good warriors held Hela

137 in high esteem, as the scourger of cowards. This discourse of Thor succeeded in bringing back Loke to a better way of thinking, and the god now lifting up Skrymner’s spear struck it against the gate, which immediately flew open with a noise like a gust of wind. The way Thor foremost led, He fear’d nor foe nor spell; Heavy and dull their tread In the dead silence fell. Roska, the fearful maid, Her cheeks as lilies white, To Thor close ever stay’d, And his rough hand held tight. The travellers were now completely shut out from the light of day, and the road, which wound through fractured rocks of granite, was so narrow that it was with difficulty that two could go abreast. At length they arrived at a lofty vaulted cavern, along the walls of which were ranged side by side a countless multitude of pale shivering ghosts, who gazed timidly on the strangers as they passed, and as Thor drew near, fled from him in great terror. At the end of the cavern stood a throne composed of skulls and human bones, on which sate Hela, the queen of death, she was hideous to look upon, half of her body being white and half blue. Instead of a sceptre she held in her hand a dead

138 man’s bone, which had been bleached in the moonlight. No sound was to be heard but hollow sighs, damp fogs rose from the earth, and the air smelt like a newly stirred grave. The only light proceeded from three funeral tapers, which were held by the same number of skeletons. Reck’d not the Aser proud, With fierce disdain he burn’d, And to the trembling crowd Contemptuously turn’d: “So be it with those,” he cried: “Who fear like men to die, Who, living, Thor denied, Dead, let them wail and sigh. “Ye woman-hearted fools, Who shrank from wounds and strife, What boots, where Hela rules, Your soft inglorious life? Your souls the battle-horn Ne’er fill’d with warlike glee: To cower were ye born, Cower to eternity!” Then straight to Hela’s throne Advanced the warrior stern, And spake in gentler tone: “Well pleased am I to learn That in thy realms, gaunt queen! Cowards find fitting doom, But do not falsely ween That willing, here we come.

139 “Tow’rds Jotunheim to hie, To Utgard’s king, we thought; Twas Skrymner’s ready lie Our footsteps hither brought. I trow the way we’ve lost: To the dark monarch’s home, Then say, if that thou know’st, How we may readiest come.” Hela to Miölner’s lord, With grating voice, replied; (Such noise gives edge of sword On steel-proof helmet tried). “Leave quick my cavern’s gloom! Your way is straight, begone! Your full cheek’s healthful bloom I dare not look upon.” Thor now made a sign to his companions to move on quickly. As Loke passed his daughter he turned away his head, and seemed choked with grief. A mournful sigh escaped Hela, which was re-echoed heavily through the cavern. They all made the best of their way out of the kingdom of the grisly queen, and passing through the bowels of the earthy at length reached the northern side of the icy mountain. IV. THOR ARRIVES AT UTGARD. After all his adventures, Thor was not sorry at length to have reached Utgard, although it had but

140 a gloomy appearance, being surrounded with black rocks and yawning chasms, and the neighbourhood covered with ice and eternal snows. Before the gates, which were secured by massive chains and bolts, there were huge giants keeping watch. Their spears were tall pines, and their shields were made of granite. When the strangers first drew near, they rose up as if to oppose their progress, but looking a second time they sate down in scorn, and bade them pass on. They were much amused with Thor’s hammer. Thor for the present took no notice of them, but striking his spear against the gate the bolts flew back and it swang open. They entered a hall of a wondrous size and height, lit up by torches, and it soon appeared that they had forced the palace of Utgardelok himself, for in the centre they beheld the monarch seated on a lofty throne, surrounded by a triple ring of giants in complete armour. Thor, nothing daunted, advanced towards them with a firm step. No one was stout enough to attempt to bar his way, but yielding place he reached the foot of the throne, and cast so fierce a look upon the king that he could not endure it, but turned away trembling. The king now, on his side, in the hope of terrifying Thor, struck thrice on his shield with his steel mace, and immediately the hall began to

141 shake, the walls and roof laboured and split, flames burst from out the ground, and vast heaps of treasure were exposed to view. Thor himself could scarcely keep his legs. Utgardelok called out to him that he had better be gone, or that the roof would fall upon him. The god, looking upwards, perceived a huge rocky fragment just tottering over his head. He had scarcely time to say, that “what could not be cured must be endured,” and that “whatever happened to him he should not ask for his enemy’s pity,” when down fell the mass, with a tremendous noise, and strewed the whole ground with its fragments. This only caused Thor to smile. At the same moment a dense, white vapour, with a suffocating smell, issued from two clefts in the rock, and creeping onwards, completely enveloped and threatened to overwhelm them. On grim Utgardelok Thor scowl’d with vengeful eye: “Innocuous fell thy rock, Thy poison I defy. Cease from thy malice vain, Thou’st now to deal with one Scorns thee and all thy train; Thou strivest ’gainst Odin’s son.” The demon quick replied: “Thou thund’ring god, full well

142 I know thee—wrath and pride The Aser’s race reveal; Usurping race, which now Reigns in the realms of light; Nay, boots not knit thy brow, And Miölner grasp so tight. “Thy pow’r to work us ill Thou’st learn’d too high to rate; Giants are giants still! And that from ancient date: Our race to light was brought Full many an age before Aser were known, or thought Of Miölner was or Thor.” He then proceeded at length to give an account of the first creation of the earth, &c. which, as our readers have nothing to learn on that point, we shall not repeat here. Thor, on his side, showed that he was not a whit behind him in his cosmogony, and maintained stoutly that there were no grounds for the vain boast that the giants were of a loftier descent, and that if Bergelmer and his wife had not been by chance at sea, fishing, when Ymer was killed, there would have been an end to the whole race. “But as the noxious weed, Tho’ ne’er so oft destroy’d, Still, from some hidden seed, Is ever fresh supplied:

143 So ye, infernal brood, To earth oft howling cast, Still thirst for strife and blood, Unmindful of the past. “But know ’twill work ye ill, On evil ever bent, The world with crimes to fill, And sorrows not content, Your sacrilegious ire Not Odin’s self e’en spared. His fane and sacred fire To desecrate you dared: “’Tis therefore I am come Here, to these regions low, To tell thee, in thine home, Thy treasons foul I know: That thee and all thy brood, For these thy felon deeds, T’ extirpate, but the nod Of Bore’s great son16 there needs.” ’Twas a fair sight to see The lofty warrior god, As in his majesty And conscious might he stood. Bright on his godlike breast His golden cuirass shone, The trembling giants prest Close to their monarch’s throne. 16 Odin.

144 Utgardelok was evidently much alarmed, but, pretending that what had been done was only to try Thor’s courage, he said that he could not suffer him to depart in anger, and invited him to a feast, after which, they might prove their skill in such sports as warriors delight in. God Thor a prompt assent To Lok’s proposal gave: To banquet then they went Into an inner cave. Of porphyr rimm’d with gold, A slab with meats was spread; From cups, the warriors bold, Of amber, drank their mead. For musick, rippling streams And moaning winds made chime; A concert strange, me-seems, But suiting place and time. With Roska by his side, The mead Thor deep ’gan quaff, Loke Tialf with bumpers plied, And loud went round the laugh. V. ENCHANTMENTS IN UTGARD. Whilst they were thus feasting and making wassail, Asa-Loke, who could never remain long quiet, said to Utgardelok: you talked of trials of strength; for my part there is one feat to which I

145 challenge the best amongst you. The king asked him what it was; and Loke answered that he never yet met with any one who could equal him in eating, that what he had already had was scarcely enough to whet his appetite, and that unless he obtained more he certainly should not desire to visit Utgard a second time Utgardelok calmly said that he would pledge himself to find one who should be more than his match, and making a signal there issued from one side of the hall a giant, whose appearance might have alarmed the boldest. He gazed around with ire, All o’er his armour play’d Fork’d, hissing tongues of fire, Most white, some blue, some red. His long jagg’d iron teeth Were set in double rows. His mouth—of monstrous width— His nails—like vulture’s claws— His body—meagre, gaunt— His eyes two live coals seem’d— His cheeks—of ashy tint— Fire from his nostrils gleam’d. Loke was a little astonished at this apparition, but relying on his powers, declared himself confident of the victory. A trencher was now laid across the table, and meats of every kind were heaped

146 upon it until it could hold no more. Loge, which was the name of the giant, was placed at one end, Loke at the other. At a given signal they commenced like two famished wolves, but were soon forced to desist, having met just mid-way. The umpires then drew near, Loke had not striven in vain; His bones of flesh were bare, No jot was to be seen: But when the giant’s place, In turn they came to view; He’d swallow’d all his mess, And bones, and trencher too. I trow there then was mirth, Thor’s sides were near to split, Tialf rolled upon the earth, Roska was in a fit. Loke, crest-fall’n, left the hall, And all, with one accord, Unto the giant tall The victory award. The monarch then turned to Thor, and said that it would be a reproach to him if by some feat he could not make up for Loke’s discomfiture, and asked what the stripling could do. Tialf sprang up and said: that he saw no great reason to be proud of eating bones like a dog, but that he Would challenge any of the dark king’s court to run with him upon skees or snow-shoes.

147 Utgardelok remarked that the choice was a good one, and that swiftness of foot had often stood the bravest in stead. Then loud the king ’gan call, And forth a dwarf there came, Pliant as yew, but small Of limb, Hugo his name. His semblance vague and strange, None captive him could make, Still, restless, he would range Nor e’er repose would take. A veil was o’er him thrown. Tialf owned that he had never before seen any one so supple. They repaired to a vast plain covered with snow, and began the race, but Hugo had by far the advantage, and met Tialf face to face, returning from the goal. Utgardelok said that they had better try again, and that Tialf might speed better. They did so, but Tialf, although he never once drew breath, still lagged behind a whole bow-shot. He begged for one more trial which was granted, but Hugo again reached the goal before Tialf had gone halfway. On this the judges declared that Hugo was the conqueror, who straight vanished away like a dream. Utgardelok said: that as far as he had witnessed he held the expertness of his guests in

148 but light esteem, but that Thor had yet to choose what feat he would attempt, and might perhaps redeem their credit. The god replied: “’tis well, Let straight be brought me here A horn of Hydromel, The draught I love, or beer; Though Asa-Loke with shame Was foil’d, he deep must drink Who Thor to treat the same, In emptying cups, doth think.” The king a signal gave, And, on his shoulders borne, Straightways a brawny slave Dragg’d in a monstrous horn— Right ancient did it seem, ’Twas form’d of wroughten gold, And, all around the rim, Were graven letters old. They had now returned to the hall. Thor could not help looking with astonishment on the horn, which was so large that one end remained on the outside of the cavern. The king said, sneeringly, that he would not be very thirsty when he had drunk that out, adding that there were but few in Utgard who could empty it at a draught, and that it required good wind to do so in two, but that none ever failed in three.

149 Quoth Loke to Utgard’s king: “With Asa-Thor to drink No god in Valhal’s ring, But with despair would shrink— When the brisk mead goes round, By blue-ey’d Valkyrs pour’d, His potent draughts astound The thirstiest at the board. “It may have reach’d your ear How that to Mimer’s fount, Each morning, to repair Odin to drink is wont: The horn in which the sage The gifted liquor pours, The one-eyed’s17 thirst t’ assuage, In size far passeth yours. “It chanced, when Odin once From Asgard was away, Thor thought him, for the nonce, The magic well to see; The horn, fill’d to the brim, The thirsty thunderer quaff’d, Light emprize seem’d it him To drink it at a draught. “Of th’ hardy deed the fame Was in each Aser’s mouth, When t’ Odin’s ears it came, The raven-god was wroth; 17 An epithet of Odin, vid. c. 2.

150 It grieves me of my son, Quoth he: that men should tell Such freaks, I trow that soon He’ll drink e’en Urda’s well.18 “Thus, by a lucky theft, Did Thor his wit obtain, He’d, else, been quite bereft, Nor great e’en now the gain: But if that Mimer’s cup To clear, so little cost, Be sure your lesser stoup Will off with ease be tost.” Loke, thus as usual, vented his spleen against Thor in an under voice to Utgardelok, who told him to be under no apprehension as to the result of the undertaking. But they now ceased their conversation, for Thor taking up the huge cup in both his hands began to drink, and at the same moment a hollow noise, like the rushing of waters, was heard. Not thirstier the parch’d sand Drinks up the thunder shower, When on th’ exhausted land Its quickening waters pour; Than Thor the liquor plied; When now he’d quench’d his thirst, Into the horn he spied, But lo! as at the first, 18 Urda, the Norny of the past, v. ch. viii.

151 ’Twas full up to the brim. He stood not long in doubt, Though strange it seem’d to him; Resolved to drink it out, He lean’d on Miolner’s haft, And quaff’d the mead again, Which down his weason chafed, Like torrent down ravine. So lustily he swill’d, Might turn e’en Glommen19 dry; “I trow it now will yield,” Quoth he: and turn’d his eye To see how far’t had sunk, But still, e’en as before, Twas full—in vain he’d drunk— Furious he stamp’d the floor. The lord of Thrudheim shook With baffled pride and wrath: The horn he fiercely took And lifted to his mouth; He drank, as when of yore Th’ abyss drank Ymer’s blood, The dark king’s brow ’gan lour, Trembling the giants stood. 19 The Glommen is the largest river in Norway, clear and rapid. It rises in the mountains above Roraas, and, after a course of near three hundred English miles, entirely through Norway, falls into the North Sea near Friedrichsstadt. In its course it forms from fifteen to twenty considerable waterfalls, of which the principal are the Sarpen-foss, near its mouth, the Morch-foss, and the Vammen’s-foss.

152 Thor was not one to flinch, But all the god could do, The drink scarce sank an inch, The horn to earth he threw, And cried: “More and I burst, Boots not to strive at odds, The fever’s burning thirst Consumes not Valhal’s gods. “With revelry and laugh In the bright face of day, To glad our hearts we quaff, Not parching heat t’ allay.” Quoth Lok: “We giants think Deep drinking proof of might, That those at board who shrink Are like to shrink in fight.” He added, however, as there was time enow left, that if Thor was disposed they might try some other feat, and proposed to lift weights from the ground. Thor had no objection, and the king defied him to lift up his cat. Upon this a strange dingy looking cat appeared with scales like a serpent, and fixed its fiery eyes upon the god. Thor, bending down, placed his hand under the belly, and summoning his strength, sought to raise it from the ground, But still, the more he strove The cat the higher stretch’d,

153 Until the very roof O’th’ cave at length it reach’d: Thor struck it with such might A fragment vast flew out; But, all his force despite, He could but raise one foot. Now, when all vain he found, With rage his teeth he gnash’d, And, furious, to the ground The struggling monster dash’d. Quoth Lok: “My cat, no doubt, Is large as here are all, But though he think him stout, The Thund’rer is but small.” Thor replied, that he hated all vain boasters, and since Utgardelok had dared to mock him to his face, he challenged him to come down from his throne, and that they two should fairly try their strength. The king said that there was no need for such heat, seeing that they had only met for sport, and that if Thor was anxious to wrestle he’d call in his old nurse to try a fall with him. On this, with wonted sneer, Dark Loke of Asgard spake: “The crone had best beware, Nor, rash, her credit stake: Perchance she ne’er hath heard Thor’s deeds on Geyruth’s rock,20 20 Vid. ch. iv.

154 How of the giant lord The daughters’ backs he broke: “Passing a river, one Well-nigh the god had drown’d, But with a pebble stone He drove her from the ground; Sure, of the mighty Thor Well worthy was the feat, In fight, three virgins fair And an old man to beat.” Thus th’ Aser false ‘gan rail, But Thor, who ill could brook His taunts, with glove of mail To earth the caitiff struck. His anger fiercely burn’d— “What now, thou prating fool,” He cried: “not yet hast learn’d Thy venom’d tongue to rule? “Thou shuffling weathercock, Which each breeze turneth round! Seed thrown upon a rock! Echo to every sound! Well doth it thee befit The heavenly gods to jeer, Whom, bounteous, they permit At Valhal’s board t’ appear! “But, by great Odin’s throne Forbearance may be tried O’er much”—with alter’d tone, The prostrate recreant cried:

155 “What have I done, great lord, To rouse thy fearful ire? Can then an idle word Set Auka-Thor on fire? “Who’d e’er believed a jest, In sportive humour spoke, Had in the thunderer’s breast Such angry feelings ’woke? The hags, to all ’tis known, Who fell beneath thy stroke, Did nought in common own, Save sex, with Embla’s stock. “They were not maids who feel And cherish Freya’s pow’r; Their rugged breasts with steel Were arm’d, and clubs they bore. When that the sorcerer talk’d Of the foul witch, his nurse, Methought how they were baulk’d, With her ’twill sure fare worse.” Quoth Thor: “To Loke ne’er yet Did specious reason lack, But what is past forget, And learn thy tongue to check.” And now, a wither’d hag Hobbled into the hall, Like to a leathern bag Her breasts, all shrivell’d, fall. Upon a knotted crutch Her feeble steps she stay’d;

156 Her eyes which rheumed much, Were deep sunk in her head; Like saffron was her cheek; Her back as bow was bent; Her foul hair matted thick; She still cough’d as she went. Quick from the witch unclean The pure god, loathing, turn’d: “What doth the sorcerer mean! Is Thor the thunderer scorn’d! Does the dark monarch trow I’ll stoop to prove my strength With one, who’s scarce enow To walk the cavern’s length?” But soon the god’s disgust Did to compassion yield; In haste his hand he thrust Into his copper shield, And, from a hollow, out Two fragrant apples took; “Eat, mother, of the fruit,” Quoth he: “fair hands did pluck “From Bragi’s golden tree: Such is their magic pow’r To th’ oldest, presently, They vigorous youth restore.” Oppress’d with age, the crone— To see her, aye! ’twas ruth— Upon a stool sate down— “I’m old,” quoth she; “but youth

157 “Eternal I enjoy— Your needful apples keep— Though all things I destroy, I need nor food nor sleep.” With wonder Thor was struck At such discourse obscure; The god would fain have spoke; But, sudden, from the floor She leap’d, and round him tight, Her long, lean arms she wound; And strove, with all her might, To cast him to the ground. Like raging tigress, wild Upon her prey she sprung, And, though full long she toil’d,— At length on one knee flung. When, that a toothless crone Valhalla’s pride could worst, The Aser saw, a groan Forth from their bosoms burst. Thor, wrathful, turn’d about Unto the giant foul— “Straight, traitor, lead me out,” He cried; “this witchcraft’s hole. “Unknown to my great sire, I left the realms above To Utgard to repair, Thy hellish power to prove; Hence is it that thy spells O’er all my strength prevail,

158 He, who presumption quells, Has doom’d it, here, to fail. “But let not triumph vain More dice to ill-timed glee! Soon shall these rocks again My weighty hammer see; Then shall appear who shuns The strife, and if thy power Thor’s sword and Odin’s Runes, Combined, can triumph o’er.” This said, the god in wroth Hied towards the gate with speed, The way the monarch forth From out the care must lead: In haste, Loke and the rest Their lord to follow rose, The gates, when scarce they’d past, With a harsh grating close. VI. ENCHANTMENTS EXPLAINED. When Thor and his companions found that they were clear out of the region of night, their blood, which had been half frozen, began once more to flow freely through their veins. The sun shone brightly on the green fields and flowers, but it was evident that Thor could not chase from his mind the galling thought of his defeat. Utgardelok

159 remarked the dark cloud on his brow, which boded him no good. Deceived by magic art, Though Thor had left his reign, And burn’d but to depart For Asgard’s realms again; He knew that the deceit To Hlidskialf’s lord21 was known, And fear’d, when th’ Aser’s feet Stood before Odin’s throne, Th’ all-knowing might reveal His arts, and both unite To make the giants feel Their then resistless might. He resolved, therefore, to put on the appearance of candour, and to confess to Thor the imposture which had been played upon him: And so, in candid guise, Though his false heart did quake Within, the sire of lies Thus to the thunderer spake: “At length my fear’s at end, Thy foot my threshold’s past, And Skulda22 dire forefend It there again should rest. 21 Odin. 22 One of the three Nornies or fates, who presided over the future.

160 “But since concealment now No peril would avert, And that, e’en in a foe, I honour high desert; Those feats, which e’en the best Of Utgard glazed with fear, And with alarm my breast O’er-whelm’d, I’ll now declare. The rattling of thy car On Bifrost,23 when I heard, Nought good I hoped, O Thor! From thy trip netherward: But when that thine intent I learn’d, t’ Utgard to hie, Each art thee to prevent I straight resolved to try. “I knew that, for defence, ’Twas vain to arms to flee ’Gainst Miölner’s lord, and hence Cal’d to aid sorcery. Twas I the furious storm Stirr’d up, thy course t’ oppose; In vain—thy bosom, firm, Still o’er the wild waves rose. “Here foil’d, quick out I drew My form to monstrous height, And, where thy course I knew, As ’twere by chance, did wait: 23 The bridge of the Gods, the rainbow.

161 I thought thee thus t’ affright, And back thy footsteps turn; But I had yet thy might, And courage high to learn. “If with a magic knot I knew thy pack to bind, To mock thee, Thor, the thought Ne’er came within my mind; That freak nigh cost me dear, The truth to tell, e’en now My blood runs cold with fear, To think how thy first blow, “To th’ other twain though light, Close to my temples fell;— Perdy, an ’t had me hit I’d not been here to tell The tale. But if, in doubt, Thy mind still proof doth need, Turn but thine eyes about, Thy prowess thou may’st read.” Thor turn’d to where the plain A rocky barrier crost, Wherein three dells were seen, One deeper than the rest. “Each time that Miölner fell,” Quoth Lok, “the mighty stroke Caused, as thou see’st, a dell, I lay behind the rock, “From thee, by magic, hid: Trow me, Til ne’er deny

162 That when, O Thor! there’s need, Thy blows fall heavily— I led thee next astray To Hela’s shadowy reign, But here thy course to stay My hopes, as erst, were vain. “And now, in turn, to speak Of all that late befel, Need was by charms to seek Your prowess to repel. Thou, Loke, in eating, first The palm did’st well contest; E’en hunger’s self might burst To swallow such repast. “But, though you quickly clear’d The trencher, piled on high, Your tooth, it soon appeared, With Löge’s could not vie:— Still, need not thence be lower’d Your pride, the Giant dire, Who bones and flesh devour’d, Know, was ‘incarnate fire.’ “In running, Tialf, your meed In question none will call; To say the truth, your speed With wonder fill’d us all. The dwarf, so quick of limb, Whom to out-run you sought, No shame his victory deem— That dwarf, Tialf, was my ‘thought.’”

163 Utgardelok then turning to Thor, said: “Your achievements here, Thor, will be talked of in Utgard for ages to come, and, indeed, exceed belief. And first, with respect to the horn; you must have perceived that one end of it was on the outside of the hall, but it never struck you that it communicated with the sea. I shall not speedily forget our alarm when the liquor began to sink in it. If, however, you have any doubt of the truth of what I say, you have only to appeal to the evidence of your senses.” Thor raised his eyes, and saw in fact that the ocean, as far as they could reach, was dry. Upon this his anger was kindled afresh to find how he had been taken in, but the dark king would not give him time to brood upon it, saying that he would surely find no difficulty in pardoning a deceit which had set the greatness of his power in so clear a light, that he would soon reach Asgard, and there— The magic horn would find, And, when in sportive mood, Might cause, if so inclined, The ocean’s ebb and flood. This last gibe made Thor quite lose his patience, and he lifted up Miölner to fell his enemy to the earth, who now, pale with fear, said that it would

164 be little worthy of the Thunderer to slay one in no respect his equal, and that the feats which he had still to explain were even more worthy of admiration than the rest. The beast, which he had taken for a cat, and had nearly strangled, was in fact Jormungandur, or the great serpent, and the height to which he had raised it would appear from the circumstance that it was only its tail that remained on earth. The ancient, wrinkled crone, ’Gainst whom your strength was staked; Who seem’d with age fordone, Who e’en your pity waked— So feeble deem’d to be— Who foird your manhood’s prime, And forced you bend the knee, That hag despised was Time. “Time, who eternal youth, Though old, doth still enjoy; Whose ever-gnawing tooth Must all at length destroy. She leaneth on a crutch, And slow doth seem her pace, But ne’er wight her may catch, If once she by do pass. “Her all-consuming might Will lay us giants low; Ay! and the spirits of light Must fall before her too.

165 To earth on one knee thrown, The aged beldame’s power Already once thou’st known, Learn, hence, thy pride to lower.” Thor’s patience now was spent, Miölner with glove of steel He grasp’d in firm intent The king to earth to fell— But king and rocks were gone, The Thunderer’s wrath was vain; The Aser stood, alone, In a wide silent plain. VII. RETURN HOME. At first Thor and his companions were much perplexed to know exactly where they were, but after journeying for a time they perceived a wood at a distance, and proceeding towards it, at length distinguished plainly a cottage in the midst of the trees, which Tialf first recognized to be that of his old parents. He set off at full speed towards it, and Roska after him, striving which could arrive the first. A pollard lime, near bare With age, stood nigh the cot, ’Neath which the ancient pair, In the warm sun-shine, sat:

166 When the twain breathless came, Th’ old folks, leaped op for joy; My Roska! cried the dame— The gaffer—Tialf! my boy! Th’ old nether wept out-right— Close to her aged breast Her pride, her eyes’ delight, Her darting girl, she prest; As the pone morning dew Doth on the violet lie; So die full tear die blue Scarce dimm’d of Roska’s eye. Such scenes and horrors past, When least she’d hoped again In mother’s arms to rest! Sure ’twas some phantasm vain— Not less the dame’s surprize, Ah! threefold happy day, And can I trust mine eyes! Can these my children be! The aged sire, whose hair Was white and eyes were dull, Had well nigh dropp’d a tear: On his son gazing full, He cried: “Why, Tialf, my lad! I scarce my son had known; Thou’rt taller by a head, And Roska, too, is grown. “One moon has scarce grown old Since, clown, thou left’st this place,

167 And, now, thy portaunce bold No warrior would disgrace. With ease thou wield’st thy lance— And little Roska’s mien How changed! her blue eye’s glance Less downcast now I ween.” Tialf said that if any change had taken place in them it was all owing to Thor, and the God then coming up, the old peasants fell prostrate before him, and by their simple expressions of gratitude, soon dissipated the ill humour which Utgardelok’s treachery had caused in him. Having visited his goats and car, and prepared a supper as before, they retired to rest after their fatigue. Not yet the lark had sung Her earliest matin lay, When up from couch they sprung, And, e’er that dawn’d the day, Nail’d on the shoes of gold, The harness’d goats led out; Then up the warriors bold Into the chariot got. I trow o’ th’ aged pair Not little the surprise, When, sudden, in the air Aloft the car ’gan rise; At first, young Roska’s head Was dizzy with the height; But soon the maiden’s dread Was changed t’ unmix’d delight.

168 From Bifrost’s lofty bow With wond’ring eye she gazed On the wide scene below— Quoth Thor: “Thou’lt sure be pleased, Dear maid, all dangers o’er To learn,—henceforth a home Thou’lt find in Freya’s bower— In Thrudheim’s hall may come “No woman.”———— He then gave her a long description of Folkvangur, which was the name of the residence of Freya, for which, on account of the length of this chapter, we must refer the reader to another place. Thor here, in Freya’s train The maid would place, for shield And spear he well had seen Were not for her to wield. “Give back the arms,” he said: Twas plain regrettingly: “Such gear, thou gentle maid, Is all too rude for thee. “To fair Folkvangur’s queen And nymphs I’ll thee present— More fit for Freya’s train Than deeds of hardiment. No terror there thou’lt feel, Pleasures thou’lt have enow, To bear the warrior’s steel Needs sterner stuff, I trow.”

169 Without any more delay, as Roska was content, Thor repaired to the palace of the goddess, who received her into her bower, where she has remained ever since. Thor to Valhalla hied With Tialf, and took his place; His son when Odin spied, Could scarce a smile suppress. The Valkyrs, clothed in white, Fill’d him a welcome cup; Then out they went to fight, And hew’d till time to sup.