The Elder Eddas of Saemund Sigfusson; and the Younger Eddas of Snorre Sturleson by Saemund Sigfusson and Snorre Sturleson

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23. Gunnar, Balk, Grim, Ardskafi, Jarnskiold, Thorir, Ulf, Ginandi,
Bui and Brami, Barri and Reifnir, Tind and Hyrfing, the two Haddingis.
All that race is thine, Ottar Heimski!

24. To toil and tumult were the sons of Arngrim born, and of Eyfura:
ferocious berserkir, calamity of every kind, by land and sea, like
fire they carried. All that race is thine, Ottar Heimski!

25. I knew both Brodd and Horfi, they were in the court of Hrolf the
Old; all descended from Jormunrek, son-in-law of Sigurd. (Listen to my
story) the dread of nations, him who Fafnir slew.

26. He was a king, from Volsung sprung, and Hiordis from Hrodung;
but Eylimi from the Odlings. All that race is thine, Ottar Heimski!

27. Gunnar and Hogni, sons of Giuki; and Gudrun likewise, their
sister. Guttorm; was not of Giuki's race, although he brother was of
them both. All that race is thine, Ottar Heimski!

28. Harald Hildetonn, born of Hraerekir Slongvanbaugi; he was a son
of Aud, Aud the rich was Ivar's daughter; but Radbard was Randver's
father. They were heroes to the gods devoted. All that race is thine,
Ottar Heimski!

29. There were eleven AEsir reckoned, when Baldr on the pile was
laid; him Vali showed himself worthy to avenge, his own brother: he
the slayer slew. All that race is thine, Ottar Heimski!

30. Baldr's father was son of Bur: Frey to wife had Gerd, she was
Gymir's daughter, from Jotuns sprung and Aurboda; Thiassi also was
their relation, that haughty Jotun; Skadi was his daughter.

31. We tell thee much, and remember more: I admonish thee thus much
to know. Wishest thou yet a longer narrative?

32. Haki was not the worst of Hvedna's sons, and Hiorvard was
Hvedna's father; Heid and Hrossthiof were of Hrimnir's race.

33. All the Valas are from Vidolf; all the soothsayers from
Vilmeidr, all the sorcerers from Svarthofdi; all the Jotuns come from
Ymir.

34. We tell thee much, and more remember, I admonish thee thus much
to know. Wishest thou yet a longer narrative?

35. There was one born, in times of old, with wondrous might
endowed, of origin divine: nine Jotun maids gave birth to the gracious
god, at the world's margin.

36. Gialp gave him birth, Greip gave him birth, Eistla gave him
birth, and Angeia; Ulfrun gave him birth, and Eyrgiafa, Imd and Atla,
and Jarnsaxa.

37. The boy was nourished with the strength of earth, with the
ice-cold sea, and with Son's blood. We tell thee much, and more
remember. I admonish thee thus much to know. Wishest thou a yet longer
narrative?

38. Loki begat the wolf with Angrboda, but Sleipnir he begat with
Svadilfari: one monster seemed of all most deadly, which from
Byleist's brother sprang.

39. Loki, scorched up in his heart's affections, had found a
half-burnt woman's heart. Loki became guileful from that wicked woman;
thence in the world are all giantesses come.

40. Ocean towers with storms to heaven itself, flows o'er the land;
the air is rent: thence come snows and rapid winds; then it is decreed
that the rain should cease.

41. There was one born greater than all, the boy was nourished with
the strength of earth; he was declared a ruler, mightiest and richest,
allied by kinship to all princes.

42. Then shall another come, yet mightier, although I dare not his
name declare. Few may see further forth than when Odin meets the wolf.

_Freyia_.

43. Bear thou the memory-cup to my guest, so that he may all the
words repeat of this, discourse, on the third morn, when he and
Angantyr reckon up races.

_Hyndla_.

44. Go thou quickly hence, I long to sleep; more of my wondrous
power thou gettest not from me. Thou runnest, my hot friend, out at
nights, as among he-goats the she-goat goes.

45. Thou hast run thyself mad, ever longing; many a one has stolen
under thy girdle. Thou runnest, my hot friend, out at nights, as among
he-goats, the she-goat goes.

_Freyia_.

46. Fire I strike over thee, dweller of the wood! so that thou goest
not ever away from hence.

_Hyndla_.

47. Fire I see burning, and the earth blazing; many will have their
lives to save. Bear thou the cup to Ottar's hand, the mead with venom
mingled, in an evil hour!

_Freyia_.

48. Thy malediction shall be powerless; although thou, Jotun-maid!
dost evil threaten. He shall drink delicious draughts. All the gods I
pray to favour Ottar.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 42: That is, with a rein inscribed with runes.]

[Footnote 43: The road to Valhall.]

THE INCANTATION OF GROA.

_Son_.

1. Wake up, Groa! wake up, good woman! at the gates of death I wake
thee! if thou rememberest, that thou thy son badest to thy grave-mound
to come.

_Mother_.

2. What now troubles my only son? With what affliction art thou
burthened, that thou thy mother callest, who to dust is come, and from
human homes departed?

_Son_.

3. A hateful game thou, crafty woman, didst set before me, whom my
has father in his bosom cherished, when thou badest me go no one knows
whither, Menglod to meet.

_Mother_.

4. Long is the journey, long are the ways, long are men's desires.
If it so fall out, that thou thy will obtainest, the event must then
be as it may.

_Son_.

5. Sing to me songs which are good. Mother! protect thy son. Dead on
my way I fear to be. I seem too young in years.

_Mother_.

6. I will sing to thee first one that is thought most useful, which
Rind sang to Ran; that from thy shoulders thou shouldst cast what to
thee seems irksome: let thyself thyself direct.

7. A second I will sing to thee, as thou hast to wander joyless on
thy ways. May Urd's protection hold thee on every side, where thou
seest turpitude.

8. A third I will sing to thee. If the mighty rivers to thy life's
peril fall, Horn and Rud, may they flow down to Hel, and for thee ever
be diminished.

9. A fourth I will sing to thee. If foes assail thee ready on the
dangerous road, their hearts shall fail them, and to thee be power,
and their minds to peace be turned.

10. A fifth I will sing to thee. If bonds be cast on thy limbs,
friendly spells I will let on thy joints be sung, and the lock from
thy arms shall start, [and from thy feet the fetter].

11. A sixth I will sing to thee. If on the sea thou comest, more
stormy than men have known it, air and water shall in a bag attend
thee, and a tranquil course afford thee.

12. A seventh I will sing to thee. If on a mountain high frost
should assail thee, deadly cold shall not thy carcase injure, nor draw
thy body to thy limbs.

13. An eighth I will sing to thee. If night overtake thee, when out
on the misty way, that the dead Christian woman no power may have to
do thee harm.

14. A ninth I will sing to thee. If with a far-famed spear-armed
Jotun thou words exchangest, of words and wit to thy mindful heart
abundance shall be given.

15. Go now ever where calamity may be, and no harm shall obstruct
thy wishes. On a stone fast in the earth I have stood within the door,
while songs I sang to thee.

16. My son! bear hence thy mother's words, and in thy breast let
them dwell; for happiness abundant shalt thou have in life, while of
my words thou art mindful.

THE SONG OF THE SUN.

This singular poem, the authorship of which is, in some manuscripts,
assigned to Saemund himself, may be termed a Voice from the Dead, given
under the form of a dream, in which a deceased father is supposed to
address his son from another world. The first 7 strophes seem hardly
connected with the following ones, which, as far as the 32nd consist
chiefly in aphorisms with examples, some closely resembling those in
the Havamal. In the remaining portion is given the recital of the last
illness of the supposed speaker, his death, and the scenes his soul
passed through on the way to its final home.

The composition exhibits a strange mixture of Christianity and
Heathenism, whence it would seem that the poet's own religion was in a
transition state. Of the allusions to Heathenism it is, however, to be
observed that they are chiefly to persons and actions of which there
is no trace in the Odinic mythology, as known to us, and are possibly
the fruits of the poet's own imagination. The title of the poem is no
doubt derived from the allusion to the Sun at the beginning of
strophes 39-45.

For an elaborate and learned commentary, with an interlinear version
of "the Song of the Sun," the reader may consult "Les Chants de Sol,"
by Professor Bergmann, Strasbourg & Paris, 1858.

1. Of life and property a fierce freebooter despoiled mankind; over
the ways beset by him might no one living pass.

2. Alone he ate most frequently, no one invited he to his repast;
until weary, and with failing strength, a wandering guest came from
the way.

3. In need of drink that way-worn man, and hungry feigned to be:
with trembling heart he seemed to trust him who had been so
evil-minded.

4. Meat and drink to the weary one he gave, all with upright heart;
on God he thought, the traveller's wants supplied; for he felt he was
an evil-doer.

5. Up stood the guest, he evil meditated, he had not been kindly
treated; his sin within him swelled, he while sleeping murdered his
wary cautious host.

6. The God of heaven he prayed for help, when being struck he woke;
but he was doomed the sins of him on himself to take, whom sackless he
had slain.

7. Holy angels came from heaven above, and took to them his soul: in
a life of purity it shall ever live with the almighty God.

8. Riches and health no one may command, though all go smoothly with
him. To many that befalls which they least expect. No one may command
his tranquillity.

9. Unnar and Saevaldi never imagined that happiness would fall from
them, yet naked they became, and of all bereft, and, like wolves, ran
to the forest.

10. The force of pleasure has many a one bewailed. Cares are often
caused by women; pernicious they become, although the mighty God them
pure created.

11. United were Svafud and Skarthedin, neither might without the
other be, until to frenzy they were driven for a woman: she was
destined for their perdition.

12. On account of that fair maid, neither of them cared for games or
joyous days; no other thing could they in memory bear than that bright
form.

13. Sad to them were the gloomy nights, no sweet sleep might they
enjoy: but from that anguish rose hate intense between the faithful
friends.

14. Hostile deeds are in most places fiercely avenged. To the holm
they went,[44] for that fair woman, and each one found his death.

15. Arrogance should no one entertain: I indeed have seen that those
who follow her, for the most part, turn from God.

16. Rich were both, Radey and Vebogi, and thought only of their
well-being; now they sit and turn their sores to various hearths.

17. They in themselves confided, and thought themselves alone to be
above all people; but their lot Almighty God was pleased otherwise to
appoint.

18. A life of luxury they led, in many ways, and had gold for
sport. Now they are requited, so that they must walk between frost and
fire.

19. To thy enemies trust thou never, although they speak thee fair:
promise them good: 'tis good to have another's injury as a warning.

20. So it befell Sorli the upright, when he placed himself in
Vigolf's power; he confidently trusted him, his brother's murderer,
but he proved false.

21. Peace to them he granted, with heart sincere; they in return
promised him gold, feigned themselves friends, while they together
drank; but then came forth their guile.

22. Then afterwards, on the second day, when they in Rygiardal rode,
they with swords wounded him who sackless was, and let his life go
forth.

23. His corpse they dragged (on a lonely way, and cut up piecemeal)
into a well, and would it hide; but the holy Lord beheld from heaven.

24. His soul summoned home the true God into his joy to come; but
the evil doers will, I wean, late be from torments called.

25. Do thou pray the Disir of the Lord's words to be kind to thee in
spirit: for a week after, all shall then go happily, according to thy
will.

26. For a deed of ire that thou hast perpetrated, never atone with
evil: the weeping thou shalt soothe with benefits: that is salutary to
the soul.

27. On God a man shall for good things call, on him who has mankind
created. Greatly sinful is every man who late finds the Father.

28. To be solicited, we opine, is with all earnestness for that
which is lacking: of all things may be destitute he who for nothing
asks: few heed the wants of the silent.

29. Late I came, though called betimes, to the supreme Judge's door;
thitherward I yearn; for it was promised me, he who craves it shall of
the feast partake.

30. Sins are the cause that sorrowing we depart from this world: no
one stands in dread, if he does no evil: good it is to be blameless.

31. Like unto wolves all those seem who have a faithless mind: so he
will prove who has to go through ways strewed with gleeds.

32. Friendly counsels, and wisely composed, seven I have imparted to
thee: consider thou them well, and forget them never: they are all
useful to learn.

33. Of that I will speak, how happy I was in the world, and
secondly, how the sons of men reluctantly become corpses.

34. Pleasure and pride deceive the sons of men who after money
crave; shining riches at last become a sorrow: many have riches driven
to madness.

35. Steeped in joys I seemed to men; for little did I see before me:
our worldly sojourn has the Lord created in delights abounding.

36. Bowed down I sat, long I tottered, of life was most desirous;
but He prevailed who was all-powerful: onward are the ways of the
doomed.

37. The cords of Hel were tightly bound round my sides; I would rend
them, but they were strong. 'Tis easy free to go.

38. I alone knew, how on all sides my pains increased. The maids of
Hel each eve with horror bade me to their home.

39. The sun I saw, true star of day, sink in its roaring home; but
Hel's grated doors on the other side I heard heavily creaking.

40. The sun I saw with blood-red beams beset: (fast was I then from
this world declining) mightier she appeared, in many ways, than she
was before.

41. The sun I saw, and it seemed to me as if I saw a glorious god: I
bowed before her, for the last time, in the world of men.

42. The sun I saw: she beamed forth so that I seemed nothing to
know; but Gioll's streams roared from the other side mingled much with
blood.

43. The sun I saw, with quivering eyes, appalled and shrinking; for
my heart in great measure was dissolved in languor.

44. The sun I saw seldom sadder; I had then almost from the world
declined: my tongue was as wood become, and all was cold without me.

45. The sun I saw never after, since that gloomy day; for the
mountain-waters closed over me, and I went called from torments.

46. The star of hope, when I was born, fled from my breast away;
high it flew, settled nowhere, so that it might find rest.

47. Longer than all was that one night, when stiff on my straw I
lay; then becomes manifest the divine word: "Man is the same as
earth."

48. The Creator God can it estimate and know, (He who made heaven
and earth) how forsaken many go hence, although from kindred parted.

49. Of his works each has the reward: happy is he who does good. Of
my wealth bereft, to me was destined a bed strewed with sand.

50. Bodily desires men oftentimes seduce, of them has many a one too
much: water of baths was of all things to me most loathsome.

51. In the Norns' seat nine days I sat, thence I was mounted on a
horse: there the giantess's sun shone grimly through the dripping
clouds of heaven.

52. Without and within, I seemed to traverse all the seven nether
worlds: up and down, I sought an easier way, where I might have the
readiest paths.

53. Of that is to be told, which I first saw, when I to the worlds
of torment came:--scorched birds, which were souls, flew numerous as
flies.

54. From the west I saw Von's dragons fly, and Glaeval's paths
obscure: their wings they shook; wide around me seemed the earth and
heaven to burst.

55. The sun's hart I saw from the south coming, he was by two
together led: his feet stood on the earth, but his horns reached up to
heaven.

56. From the north riding I saw the sons of Nidi, they were seven in
all: from full horns, the pure mead they drank from the heaven-god's
well.

57. The wind was silent, the waters stopped their course; then I
heard a doleful sound: for their husbands false-faced women ground
earth for food.

58. Gory stones those dark women turned sorrowfully; bleeding hearts
hung out of their breasts, faint with much affliction.

59. Many a man I saw wounded go on those gleed-strewed paths; their
faces seemed to me all reddened with reeking blood.

60. Many men I saw to earth gone down, who holy service might not
have; heathen stars stood above their heads, painted with deadly
characters.

61. I saw those men who much envy harbour at another's fortune;
bloody runes were on their breasts graved painfully.

62. I there saw men many not joyful; they were all wandering wild:
this he earns, who by this world's vices is infatuated.

63. I saw those men who had in various ways acquired other's
property: in shoals they went to Castle-covetous, and burthens bore of
lead.

64. I saw those men who many had of life and property bereft:
through the breasts of those men passed strong venomous serpents.

65. I saw those men who the holy days would not observe: their hands
were on hot stones firmly nailed.

66. I saw those men who from pride valued themselves too highly;
their garments ludicrously were in fire enveloped.

67. I saw those men who had many false words of others uttered:
Hel's ravens from their heads their eyes miserably tore.

68. All the horrors thou wilt not get to know which Hel's inmates
suffer. Pleasant sins end in painful penalties: pains ever follow
pleasure.

69. I saw those men who had much given for God's laws; pure lights
were above their heads brightly burning.

70. I saw those men who from exalted mind helped the poor to aid:
angels, read holy books above their heads.

71. I saw those men who with much fasting had their bodies wasted:
God's angels bowed before them: that is the highest joy.

72. I saw those men who had put food into their mothers' mouth:
their couches were on the rays of heaven pleasantly placed.

73. Holy virgins had cleanly washed the souls from sin of those men,
who for a long time had themselves tormented.

74. Lofty cars I saw towards heaven going; they were on the way to
God: men guided them who had been murdered wholly without crime.

75. Almighty Father! greatest Son! holy Spirit of heaven! Thee I
pray, who hast us all created; free us all from miseries.

76. Biugvor and Iyistvor sit at Herdir's doors, on resounding seat;
iron gore falls from their nostrils, which kindles hate among men.

77. Odin's wife rows in earth's ship, eager after pleasures; her
sails are reefed late, which on the ropes of desire are hung.

78. Son! I thy father and Solkatla's sons have alone obtained for
thee that horn of hart, which from the grave-mound bore the wise
Vigdvalin.

79. Here are runes which have engraven Niord's daughters nine,
Radvor the eldest, and the youngest Kreppvor, and their seven sisters.

80. How much violence have they perpetrated Svaf and Svaflogi!
bloodshed they have excited, and wounds have sucked, after an evil
custom.

81. This lay, which I have taught thee, thou shalt before the living
sing, the Sun-Song, which will appear in many parts no fiction.

82. Here we part, but again shall meet on the day of men's
rejoicing. Oh Lord! unto the dead grant peace, and to the living
comfort.

83. Wondrous lore has in dream to thee been sung, but thou hast seen
the truth: no man has been so wise created that has before heard the
Sun-song.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 44: That is, _they engaged in single combat_; the spot for
such encounters being called a _holm_, consisting of a circular space
marked out by stones.]

THE LAY OF VOLUND.

There was a king in Sweden named Nidud: he had two sons and a
daughter, whose name was Bodvild. There were three brothers, sons of a
king of the Finns, one was called Slagfid, the second Egil, the third
Volund. They went on snow-shoes and hunted wild-beasts. They came to
Ulfdal, and there made themselves a house, where there is a water
called Ulfsiar. Early one morning they found on the border of the lake
three females sitting and spinning flax. Near them lay their
swan-plumages: they were Valkyriur. Two of them, Hladgud-Svanhvit and
Hervor-Alvit, were daughters of King Hlodver; the third was Olrun, a
daughter of Kiar of Valland. They took them home with them to their
dwelling. Egil had Olrun, Slagfid Svanhvit, and Volund Alvit. They
lived there seven years, when they flew away seeking conflicts, and
did not return. Egil then went on snow-shoes in search of Olrun, and
Slagfid in search of Svanhvit, but Volund remained in Ulfdal. He was a
most skilful man, as we learn from old traditions. King Nidud ordered
him to be seized, so as it is here related.

1. Maids flew from the south, through the murky wood, Alvit the
young, fate to fulfil. On the lake's margin they sat to repose, the
southern damsels; precious flax they spun.

2. One of them, of maidens fairest, to his comely breast Egil
clasped. Svanhvit was the second, she a swan's plumage bore; but the
third, their sister, the white neck clasped of Volund.

3. There they stayed seven winters through; but all the eighth were
with longing seized; and in the ninth fate parted them. The maidens
yearned for the murky wood, the young Alvit, fate to fulfil.

4. Prom the chase came the ardent hunters, Slagfid and Egil, found
their house deserted, went out and in, and looked around. Egil went
east after Olrun, and Slagfid west after Svanhvit;

5. But Volund alone remained in Ulfdal. He the red gold set with the
hard gem, well fastened all the rings on linden bast, and so awaited
his bright consort, if to him she would return.

6. It was told to Nidud, the Niarars' lord, that Volund alone
remained in Ulfdal. In the night went men, in studded corslets, their
shields glistened in the waning moon.

7. From their saddles they alighted at the house's gable, thence
went in through the house. On the bast they saw the rings all drawn,
seven hundred, which the warrior owned.

8. And they took them off, and they put them on, all save one, which
they bore away. Came then from the chase the ardent hunter, Volund,
gliding[45] on the long way.

9. To the fire he went, bear's flesh to roast. Soon blazed the
brushwood, and the arid fir, the wind-dried wood, before Volund.

10. On the bearskin sat, his rings counted, the Alfar's companion:
one was missing. He thought that Hlodver's daughter had it, the young
Alvit, and that she was returned.

11. So long he sat until he slept; and he awoke of joy bereft: on
his hands he felt heavy constraints, and round his feet fetters
clasped.

12. "Who are the men that on the rings' possessor have laid bonds?
and me have bound?"

13. Then cried Nidud, the Niarars' lord: "Whence gottest thou,
Volund! Alfars' chief![46] our gold, in Ulfdal?"

14. "No gold was here in Grani's path, far I thought our land from
the hills of Rhine. I mind me that we more treasures possessed, when,
a whole family, we were at home.

15. Hladgud and Hervor were of Hlodver born; known was Olrun, Kiar's
daughter, she entered into the house, stood on the floor, her voice
moderated: Now is he not mirthful, who from the forest comes."

King Nidud gave to his daughter Bodvild the ring which had been taken
from the bast in Volund's house; but he himself bore the sword that
had belonged to Volund. The queen said:

16. His teeth he shows, when the sword he sees, and Bodvild's ring
he recognizes: threatening are his eyes as a glistening serpent's: let
be severed his sinews' strength; and set him then in Saevarstad.

This was done; he was hamstrung, and then set on a certain small
island near the shore, called Saevarstad. He there forged for the king
all kinds of jewellery work. No one was allowed to go to him, except
the king. Volund said:

17. "The sword shines in Nidud's belt, which I whetted as I could
most skilfully, and tempered, as seemed to me most cunningly. That
bright blade forever is taken from me: never shall I see it borne into
Volund's smithy.

18. Now Bodvild wears my consort's red-gold rings: for this I have
no indemnity." He sat and never slept, and his hammer plied; but much
more speedy vengeance devised on Nidud.

19. The two young sons of Nidud ran in at the door to look, in
Saevarstad. To the chest they came, for the keys asked; manifest was
their grudge, when therein they looked.

20. Many necklaces were there, which to those youths appeared of the
red gold to be, and treasures. "Come ye two alone, to-morrow come;
that gold shall be given to you.

21. Tell it not to the maidens, nor to the household folk, nor to
any one, that ye have been with me." Early called one the other,
brother, brother: "Let us go see the rings."

22. To the chest they came, for the keys asked; manifest was their
grudge, when therein they looked. Of those children he the heads cut
off, and under the prison's mixen laid their bodies.

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