Thor and Hymir
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Guerber, H. A. (Hélène Adeline)
Then Môdi’s father
By the brim grasped it,
And trod through
The dwelling’s floor.”
Lay of Hymir (Thorpe’s tr.)
The wrench with which he finally pulled it up did great damage to the giant’s house and his feet broke through the floor. As Tyr and Thor were departing, the latter with the huge pot clapped on his head in place of a hat, Hymir summoned his brother frost giants, and proposed that they should pursue and slay their inveterate foe. Turning round, Thor suddenly became aware of their pursuit, and, hurling Miölnir repeatedly at the giants, he slew them all ere they could overtake him. Tyr and Thor then resumed their journey back to Ægir, carrying the kettle in which he was to brew ale for the harvest feast.
The physical explanation of this myth is, of course, a thunder storm (Thor), in conflict with the raging sea (the Midgard snake), and the breaking up of the polar ice (Hymir’s goblet and floor) in the heat of summer.
The gods now arrayed themselves in festive attire and proceeded joyfully to Ægir’s feast, and ever after they were wont to celebrate the harvest home in his coral caves.
“Then Vans and Æsir, mighty gods,
Of earth and air, and Asgard, lords,—
Advancing with each goddess fair,
A brilliant retinue most rare,—
Attending mighty Odin, swept
Up wave-worn aisle in radiant march.”
Valhalla (J. C. Jones).