The Nimble God
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Guerber, H. A. (Hélène Adeline)
Another of Odin’s sons was Hermod, his special attendant, a bright and beautiful young god, who was gifted with great rapidity of motion and was therefore designated as the swift or nimble god.
“But there was one, the first of all the gods
For speed, and Hermod was his name in Heaven;
Most fleet he was.”
Balder Dead (Matthew Arnold).
On account of this important attribute Hermod was usually employed by the gods as messenger, and at a mere sign from Odin he was always ready to speed to any part of creation. As a special mark of favour, Allfather gave him a magnificent corselet and helmet, which he often donned when he prepared to take part in war, and sometimes Odin entrusted to his care the precious spear Gungnir, bidding him cast it over the heads of combatants about to engage in battle, that their ardour might be kindled into murderous fury.
“Let us Odin pray
Into our minds to enter;
He gives and grants
Gold to the deserving.
He gave to Hermod
A helm and corselet.”
Sæmund’s Edda (Thorpe’s tr.).
Hermod delighted in battle, and was often called “the valiant in battle,” and confounded with the god of the universe, Irmin. It is said that he sometimes accompanied the Valkyrs on their ride to earth, and frequently escorted the warriors to Valhalla, wherefore he was considered the leader of the heroic dead.
“To him spake Hermoder and Brage:
‘We meet thee and greet thee from all,
To the gods thou art known by thy valour,
And they bid thee a guest to their hall.’”
Owen Meredith.
Hermod’s distinctive attribute, besides his corselet and helm, was a wand or staff called Gambantein, the emblem of his office, which he carried with him wherever he went.