NOTES
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Bellows, Henry Adams
Source notes
44. Probably an omission, perhaps of considerable length, before this stanza. For the description of the destruction of the world, cf. Voluspo, 57.
45. Cf. Voluspo, 65, where the possible reference to Christianity is noted. With this stanza the fragmentary “short Voluspo” ends, and the dialogue between Freyja and Hyndla continues.
46. Freyja now admits the identity of her boar as Ottar, who [232]with the help of the “memory-beer” is to recall the entire genealogy he has just heard, and thus win his wager with Angantyr.
47.Heithrun: the she-goat that stands by Valhall (cf. Grimnismol, 25), the name being here used simply of she-goats in general, in caustic comment on Freyja’s morals. Of these Loki entertained a similar view; cf. Lokasenna, 30.
48.Oth: cf. stanza 6 and note, and Voluspo, 25 and note. Lines 3–4, abbreviated in the manuscript, are very likely repeated here by mistake.
49. The manuscript repeats once again lines 3–4 of stanza 47 as the last two lines of this stanza. It seems probable that two lines have been lost, to the effect that Freyja will burn the giantess alive “If swiftly now | thou dost not seek, / And hither bring | the memory-beer.” [234]