Introductory Note
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Bellows, Henry Adams
There is much that I know;— | wilt thou hear yet more?
37. One there was born | in the bygone days,
Of the race of the gods, | and great was his might;
Nine giant women, | at the world’s edge,
Once bore the man | so mighty in arms.
38. Gjolp there bore him, | Greip there bore him,
Eistla bore him, | and Eyrgjafa,
Ulfrun bore him, | and Angeyja,
Imth and Atla, | and Jarnsaxa.
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39. Strong was he made | with the strength of earth,
With the ice-cold sea, | and the blood of swine.
40. One there was born, | the best of all,
And strong was he made | with the strength of earth;
The proudest is called | the kinsman of men
Of the rulers all | throughout the world.
41. Much have I told thee, | and further will tell;
There is much that I know;— | wilt thou hear yet more?
42. The wolf did Loki | with Angrbotha win,
And Sleipnir bore he | to Svathilfari;
The worst of marvels | seemed the one
That sprang from the brother | of Byleist then.
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43. A heart ate Loki,— | in the embers it lay,
And half-cooked found he | the woman’s heart;—
With child from the woman | Lopt soon was,
And thence among men | came the monsters all.
44. The sea, storm-driven, | seeks heaven itself,
O’er the earth it flows, | the air grows sterile;
Then follow the snows | and the furious winds,
For the gods are doomed, | and the end is death.
45. Then comes another, | a greater than all,
Though never I dare | his name to speak;
Few are they now | that farther can see
Than the moment when Othin | shall meet the wolf.
* * * * * *
Freyja spake:
46. “To my boar now bring | the memory-beer,
So that all thy words, | that well thou hast spoken, [232]
The third morn hence | he may hold in mind,