Introductory Note
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Bellows, Henry Adams
Aid bring they to all | who offerings give,
If need be found therefor?”
Fjolsvith spake:
56. “Soon aid they all | who offerings give
On the holy altars high;
And if danger they see | for the sons of men,
Then each from ill do they guard.”
Svipdag spake:
57. “Now answer me, Fjolsvith, | the question I ask,
For now the truth would I know:
Lives there the man | who in Mengloth’s arms
So fair may seek to sleep?”
Fjolsvith spake:
58. “No man there is | who in Mengloth’s arms
So fair may seek to sleep,
Save Svipdag alone, | for the sun-bright maid
Is destined his bride to be.”
[250]
Svipdag spake:
59. “Fling back the gates! | make the gateway wide!
Here mayst thou Svipdag see!
Hence get thee to find | if gladness soon
Mengloth to me will give.”
Fjolsvith spake:
60. “Hearken, Mengloth, | a man is come;
Go thou the guest to see!
The hounds are fawning, | the house bursts open,—
Svipdag, methinks, is there.”
Mengloth spake:
61. “On the gallows high | shall hungry ravens
Soon thine eyes pluck out,
If thou liest in saying | that here at last
The hero is come to my hall.
62. “Whence camest thou hither? | how camest thou here?
What name do thy kinsmen call thee?
Thy race and thy name | as a sign must I know,
That thy bride I am destined to be.”
Svipdag spake:
63. “Svipdag am I, | and Solbjart’s son;
Thence came I by wind-cold ways; [251]