Myths of the Norsemen

 From the Eddas and Sagas

 By

 H. A. Guerber

 Author of "The Myths of Greece and Rome" etc. 

 London George G. Harrap & Company 15 York Street Covent Garden

 1909

 Printed by Ballantyne & Co. Limited Tavistock Street, Covent Garden, London

CONTENTS

 Chap. Page

 I. The Beginning 1 II. Odin 16 III. Frigga 42 IV. Thor 59 V. Tyr 85 VI. Bragi 95 VII. Idun 103 VIII. Niörd 111 IX. Frey 117 X. Freya 131 XI. Uller 139 XII. Forseti 142 XIII. Heimdall 146 XIV. Hermod 154 XV. Vidar 158 XVI. Vali 162 XVII. The Norns 166 XVIII. The Valkyrs 173 XIX. Hel 180 XX. Ægir 185 XXI. Balder 197 XXII. Loki 216 XXIII. The Giants 230 XXIV. The Dwarfs 239 XXV. The Elves 246 XXVI. The Sigurd Saga 251 XXVII. The Frithiof Saga 298 XXVIII. The Twilight of the Gods 329 XXIX. Greek and Northern Mythologies--A Comparison 342

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

 Norsemen Landing in Iceland (Oscar Wergeland) Frontispiece

   To face page The Giant with the Flaming Sword (J. C. Dollman) 2 The Wolves Pursuing Sol and Mani (J. C. Dollman) 8 Odin (Sir E. Burne-Jones) 16 The Chosen Slain (K. Dielitz) 18 A Viking Foray (J. C. Dollman) 20 The Pied Piper of Hamelin (H. Kaulbach) 28 Odin (B. E. Fogelberg) 36 Frigga Spinning the Clouds (J. C. Dollman) 42 Tannhäuser and Frau Venus (J. Wagrez) 52 Eástre (Jacques Reich) 54 Huldra's Nymphs (B. E. Ward) 58 Thor (B. E. Fogelberg) 60 Sif (J. C. Dollman) 64 Thor and the Mountain (J. C. Dollman) 72 A Foray (A. Malmström) 88 The Binding of Fenris (Dorothy Hardy) 92 Idun (B. E. Ward) 100 Loki and Thiassi (Dorothy Hardy) 104 Frey (Jacques Reich) 118 Freya (N. J. O. Blommér) 132 The Rainbow Bridge (H. Hendrich) 146 Heimdall (Dorothy Hardy) 148 Jarl (Albert Edelfelt) 152 The Norns (C. Ehrenberg) 166 The Dises (Dorothy Hardy) 170 The Swan-Maiden (Gertrude Demain Hammond, R. I. ) 174 The Ride of the Valkyrs (J. C. Dollman) 176 Brunhild and Siegmund (J. Wagrez) 178 The Road to Valhalla (Severin Nilsson) 182 Ægir (J. P. Molin) 186 Ran (M. E. Winge) 190 The Neckan (J. P. Molin) 194 Loki and Hodur (C. G. Qvarnström) 202 The Death of Balder (Dorothy Hardy) 206 Hermod before Hela (J. C. Dollman) 210 Loki and Svadilfari (Dorothy Hardy) 222 Loki and Sigyn (M. E. Winge) 228 Thor and the Giants (M. E. Winge) 230 Torghatten 234 The Peaks of the Trolls 244 The Elf-Dance (N. J. O. Blommér) 246 The White Elves (Charles P. Sainton, R. I. ) 248 Old Houses with Carved Posts 250 The Were-Wolves (J. C. Dollman) 260 A Hero's Farewell (M. E. Winge) 264 The Funeral Procession (H. Hendrich) 268 Sigurd and Fafnir (K. Dielitz) 274 Sigurd Finds Brunhild (J. Wagrez) 278 Odin and Brunhild (K. Dielitz) 280 Aslaug (Gertrude Demain Hammond, R. I. ) 282 Sigurd and Gunnar (J. C. Dollman) 284 The Death of Siegfried (H. Hendrich) 288 The End of Brunhild (J. Wagrez) 290 Ingeborg (M. E. Winge) 304 Frithiof Cleaves the Shield of Helgé (Knut Ekwall) 308 Ingeborg Watches her Lover Depart (Knut Ekwall) 312 Frithiof's Return to Framnäs (Knut Ekwall) 316 Frithiof at the Shrine of Balder (Knut Ekwall) 318 Frithiof at the Court of Ring (Knut Ekwall) 320 Frithiof Watches the Sleeping King (Knut Ekwall) 324 Odin and Fenris (Dorothy Hardy) 334 The Ride of the Valkyrs (H. Hendrich) 344 The Storm-Ride (Gilbert Bayes) 358

INTRODUCTION

The prime importance of the rude fragments of poetry preserved inearly Icelandic literature will now be disputed by none, but therehas been until recent times an extraordinary indifference to thewealth of religious tradition and mythical lore which they contain. 

The long neglect of these precious records of our heathen ancestorsis not the fault of the material in which all that survives oftheir religious beliefs is enshrined, for it may safely be assertedthat the Edda is as rich in the essentials of national romanceand race-imagination, rugged though it be, as the more gracefuland idyllic mythology of the South. Neither is it due to anythingweak in the conception of the deities themselves, for althoughthey may not rise to great spiritual heights, foremost students ofIcelandic literature agree that they stand out rude and massive as theScandinavian mountains. They exhibit "a spirit of victory, superiorto brute force, superior to mere matter, a spirit that fights andovercomes. " [1] "Even were some part of the matter of their mythstaken from others, yet the Norsemen have given their gods a noble, upright, great spirit, and placed them upon a high level that is alltheir own. " [2] "In fact these old Norse songs have a truth in them, an inward perennial truth and greatness. It is a greatness not ofmere body and gigantic bulk, but a rude greatness of soul. " [3]

The introduction of Christianity into the North brought with it theinfluence of the Classical races, and this eventually supplanted thenative genius, so that the alien mythology and literature of Greeceand Rome have formed an increasing part of the mental equipment of thenorthern peoples in proportion as the native literature and traditionhave been neglected. 

Undoubtedly Northern mythology has exercised a deep influence uponour customs, laws, and language, and there has been, therefore, a great unconscious inspiration flowing from these into Englishliterature. The most distinctive traits of this mythology are apeculiar grim humour, to be found in the religion of no other race, and a dark thread of tragedy which runs throughout the whole woof, and these characteristics, touching both extremes, are writ largeover English literature. 

But of conscious influence, compared with the rich draught of Hellenicinspiration, there is little to be found, and if we turn to modernart the difference is even more apparent. 

This indifference may be attributed to many causes, but it was duefirst to the fact that the religious beliefs of our pagan ancestorswere not held with any real tenacity. Hence the success of themore or less considered policy of the early Christian missionariesto confuse the heathen beliefs, and merge them in the new faith, an interesting example of which is to be seen in the transferenceto the Christian festival of Easter of the attributes of the pagangoddess Eástre, from whom it took even the name. Northern mythologywas in this way arrested ere it had attained its full development, and the progress of Christianity eventually relegated it to the limboof forgotten things. Its comprehensive and intelligent scheme, however, in strong contrast with the disconnected mythology of Greece and Rome, formed the basis of a more or less rational faith which prepared theNorseman to receive the teaching of Christianity, and so helped tobring about its own undoing. 

The religious beliefs of the North are not mirrored with anyexactitude in the Elder Edda. Indeed only a travesty of the faith ofour ancestors has been preserved in Norse literature. The early poetloved allegory, and his imagination rioted among the conceptions ofhis fertile muse. "His eye was fixed on the mountains till the snowypeaks assumed human features and the giant of the rock or the icedescended with heavy tread; or he would gaze at the splendour of thespring, or of the summer fields, till Freya with the gleaming necklacestepped forth, or Sif with the flowing locks of gold. " [4]

We are told nothing as to sacrificial and religious rites, andall else is omitted which does not provide material for artistictreatment. The so-called Northern Mythology, therefore, may be regardedas a precious relic of the beginning of Northern poetry, rather thanas a representation of the religious beliefs of the Scandinavians, and these literary fragments bear many signs of the transitional stagewherein the confusion of the old and new faiths is easily apparent. 

But notwithstanding the limitations imposed by long neglect it ispossible to reconstruct in part a plan of the ancient Norse beliefs, and the general reader will derive much profit from Carlyle'silluminating study in "Heroes and Hero-worship. " "A bewildering, inextricable jungle of delusions, confusions, falsehoods andabsurdities, covering the whole field of Life!" he calls them, with all good reason. But he goes on to show, with equal truth, that at the soul of this crude worship of distorted nature was aspiritual force seeking expression. What we probe without reverencethey viewed with awe, and not understanding it, straightway deifiedit, as all children have been apt to do in all stages of the world'shistory. Truly they were hero-worshippers after Carlyle's own heart, and scepticism had no place in their simple philosophy. 

It was the infancy of thought gazing upon a universe filled withdivinity, and believing heartily with all sincerity. A large-heartedpeople reaching out in the dark towards ideals which were better thanthey knew. Ragnarok was to undo their gods because they had stumbledfrom their higher standards. 

We have to thank a curious phenomenon for the preservation of so muchof the old lore as we still possess. While foreign influences werecorrupting the Norse language, it remained practically unaltered inIceland, which had been colonised from the mainland by the Norsemenwho had fled thither to escape the oppression of Harold Fairhair afterhis crushing victory of Hafrsfirth. These people brought with them thepoetic genius which had already manifested itself, and it took freshroot in that barren soil. Many of the old Norse poets were nativesof Iceland, and in the early part of the Christian era, a supremeservice was rendered to Norse literature by the Christian priest, Sæmund, who industriously brought together a large amount of paganpoetry in a collection known as the Elder Edda, which is the chieffoundation of our present knowledge of the religion of our Norseancestors. Icelandic literature remained a sealed book, however, until the end of the eighteenth century, and very slowly since thattime it has been winning its way in the teeth of indifference, untilthere are now signs that it will eventually come into its own. "Toknow the old Faith, " says Carlyle, "brings us into closer and clearerrelation with the Past--with our own possessions in the Past. Forthe whole Past is the possession of the Present; the Past had alwayssomething true, and is a precious possession. "

The weighty words of William Morris regarding the Volsunga Sagamay also be fitly quoted as an introduction to the whole of thiscollection of "Myths of the Norsemen": "This is the great story ofthe North, which should be to all our race what the Tale of Troy wasto the Greeks--to all our race first, and afterwards, when the changeof the world has made our race nothing more than a name of what hasbeen--a story too--then should it be to those that come after us noless than the Tale of Troy has been to us. "

CHAPTER I: THE BEGINNING

Myths of Creation

Although the Aryan inhabitants of Northern Europe are supposed by someauthorities to have come originally from the plateau of Iran, in theheart of Asia, the climate and scenery of the countries where theyfinally settled had great influence in shaping their early religiousbeliefs, as well as in ordering their mode of living. 

The grand and rugged landscapes of Northern Europe, the midnightsun, the flashing rays of the aurora borealis, the ocean continuallylashing itself into fury against the great cliffs and icebergs ofthe Arctic Circle, could not but impress the people as vividly asthe almost miraculous vegetation, the perpetual light, and the blueseas and skies of their brief summer season. It is no great wonder, therefore, that the Icelanders, for instance, to whom we owe the mostperfect records of this belief, fancied in looking about them that theworld was originally created from a strange mixture of fire and ice. 

Northern mythology is grand and tragical. Its principal theme is theperpetual struggle of the beneficent forces of Nature against theinjurious, and hence it is not graceful and idyllic in character, like the religion of the sunny South, where the people could baskin perpetual sunshine, and the fruits of the earth grew ready totheir hand. 

It was very natural that the dangers incurred in hunting and fishingunder these inclement skies, and the suffering entailed by the longcold winters when the sun never shines, made our ancestors contemplatecold and ice as malevolent spirits; and it was with equal reason thatthey invoked with special fervour the beneficent influences of heatand light. 

When questioned concerning the creation of the world, the Northernscalds, or poets, whose songs are preserved in the Eddas and Sagas, declared that in the beginning, when there was as yet no earth, norsea, nor air, when darkness rested over all, there existed a powerfulbeing called Allfather, whom they dimly conceived as uncreated aswell as unseen, and that whatever he willed came to pass. 

In the centre of space there was, in the morning of time, a greatabyss called Ginnunga-gap, the cleft of clefts, the yawning gulf, whose depths no eye could fathom, as it was enveloped in perpetualtwilight. North of this abode was a space or world known as Nifl-heim, the home of mist and darkness, in the centre of which bubbled theexhaustless spring Hvergelmir, the seething cauldron, whose waterssupplied twelve great streams known as the Elivagar. As the water ofthese streams flowed swiftly away from its source and encounteredthe cold blasts from the yawning gulf, it soon hardened into hugeblocks of ice, which rolled downward into the immeasurable depths ofthe great abyss with a continual roar like thunder. 

South of this dark chasm, and directly opposite Nifl-heim, the realmof mist, was another world called Muspells-heim, the home of elementalfire, where all was warmth and brightness, and whose frontiers werecontinually guarded by Surtr, the flame giant. This giant fiercelybrandished his flashing sword, and continually sent forth great showersof sparks, which fell with a hissing sound upon the ice-blocks inthe bottom of the abyss, and partly melted them by their heat. 

 "Great Surtur, with his burning sword, Southward at Muspel's gate kept ward, And flashes of celestial flame, Life-giving, from the fire-world came. "

 Valhalla (J. C. Jones). 

Ymir and Audhumla

As the steam rose in clouds it again encountered the prevailing cold, and was changed into rime or hoarfrost, which, layer by layer, filledup the great central space. Thus by the continual action of cold andheat, and also probably by the will of the uncreated and unseen, a gigantic creature called Ymir or Orgelmir (seething clay), thepersonification of the frozen ocean, came to life amid the ice-blocksin the abyss, and as he was born of rime he was called a Hrim-thurs, or ice-giant. 

 "In early times, When Ymir lived, Was sand, nor sea, Nor cooling wave; No earth was found, Nor heaven above; One chaos all, And nowhere grass. "

 Sæmund's Edda (Henderson's tr. ). 

Groping about in the gloom in search of something to eat, Ymirperceived a gigantic cow called Audhumla (the nourisher), whichhad been created by the same agency as himself, and out of the samematerials. Hastening towards her, Ymir noticed with pleasure thatfrom her udder flowed four great streams of milk, which would supplyample nourishment. 

All his wants were thus satisfied; but the cow, looking about her forfood in her turn, began to lick the salt off a neighbouring ice-blockwith her rough tongue. This she continued to do until first the hair ofa god appeared and then the whole head emerged from its icy envelope, until by-and-by Buri (the producer) stepped forth entirely free. 

While the cow had been thus engaged, Ymir, the giant, had fallenasleep, and as he slept a son and daughter were born from theperspiration under his armpit, and his feet produced the six-headedgiant Thrudgelmir, who, shortly after his birth, brought forth inhis turn the giant Bergelmir, from whom all the evil frost giantsare descended. 

 "Under the armpit grew, 'Tis said of Hrim-thurs, A girl and boy together; Foot with foot begat, Of that wise Jötun, A six-headed son. "

 Sæmund's Edda (Thorpe's tr. ). 

Odin, Vili, and Ve

When these giants became aware of the existence of the god Buri, andof his son Börr (born), whom he had immediately produced, they beganwaging war against them, for as the gods and giants represented theopposite forces of good and evil, there was no hope of their livingtogether in peace. The struggle continued evidently for ages, neitherparty gaining a decided advantage, until Börr married the giantessBestla, daughter of Bolthorn (the thorn of evil), who bore him threepowerful sons, Odin (spirit), Vili (will), and Ve (holy). These threesons immediately joined their father in his struggle against thehostile frost-giants, and finally succeeded in slaying their deadliestfoe, the great Ymir. As he sank down lifeless the blood gushed fromhis wounds in such floods that it produced a great deluge, in whichall his race perished, with the exception of Bergelmir, who escapedin a boat and went with his wife to the confines of the world. 

 "And all the race of Ymir thou didst drown, Save one, Bergelmer: he on shipboard fled Thy deluge, and from him the giants sprang. "

 Balder Dead (Matthew Arnold). 

Here he took up his abode, calling the place Jötunheim (the home of thegiants), and here he begat a new race of frost-giants, who inheritedhis dislikes, continued the feud, and were always ready to sallyforth from their desolate country and raid the territory of the gods. 

The gods, in Northern mythology called Æsir (pillars and supportersof the world), having thus triumphed over their foes, and being nolonger engaged in perpetual warfare, now began to look about them, with intent to improve the desolate aspect of things and fashion ahabitable world. After due consideration Börr's sons rolled Ymir'sgreat corpse into the yawning abyss, and began to create the worldout of its various component parts. 

The Creation of the Earth

Out of the flesh they fashioned Midgard (middle garden), as the earthwas called. This was placed in the exact centre of the vast space, and hedged all round with Ymir's eyebrows for bulwarks or ramparts. Thesolid portion of Midgard was surrounded by the giant's blood or sweat, which formed the ocean, while his bones made the hills, his flatteeth the cliffs, and his curly hair the trees and all vegetation. 

Well pleased with the result of their first efforts at creation, thegods now took the giant's unwieldy skull and poised it skilfully asthe vaulted heavens above earth and sea; then scattering his brainsthroughout the expanse beneath they fashioned from them the fleecyclouds. 

 "Of Ymir's flesh Was earth created, Of his blood the sea, Of his bones the hills, Of his hair trees and plants, Of his skull the heavens, And of his brows The gentle powers Formed Midgard for the sons of men; But of his brain The heavy clouds are All created. "

 Norse Mythology (R. B. Anderson). 

To support the heavenly vault, the gods stationed the strong dwarfs, Nordri, Sudri, Austri, Westri, at its four corners, bidding themsustain it upon their shoulders, and from them the four points ofthe compass received their present names of North, South, East, andWest. To give light to the world thus created, the gods studded theheavenly vault with sparks secured from Muspells-heim, points of lightwhich shone steadily through the gloom like brilliant stars. The mostvivid of these sparks, however, were reserved for the manufacture ofthe sun and moon, which were placed in beautiful golden chariots. 

 "And from the flaming world, where Muspel reigns, Thou sent'st and fetched'st fire, and madest lights: Sun, moon, and stars, which thou hast hung in heaven, Dividing clear the paths of night and day. "

 Balder Dead (Matthew Arnold). 

When all these preparations had been finished, and the steeds Arvakr(the early waker) and Alsvin (the rapid goer) were harnessed to thesun-chariot, the gods, fearing lest the animals should suffer fromtheir proximity to the ardent sphere, placed under their withers greatskins filled with air or with some refrigerant substance. They alsofashioned the shield Svalin (the cooler), and placed it in front of thecar to shelter them from the sun's direct rays, which would else haveburned them and the earth to a cinder. The moon-car was, similarly, provided with a fleet steed called Alsvider (the all-swift); but noshield was required to protect him from the mild rays of the moon. 

Mani and Sol

The chariots were ready, the steeds harnessed and impatient to beginwhat was to be their daily round, but who should guide them alongthe right road? The gods looked about them, and their attention wasattracted to the two beautiful offspring of the giant Mundilfari. Hewas very proud of his children, and had named them after the newlycreated orbs, Mani (the moon) and Sol (the sun). Sol, the Sun-maid, was the spouse of Glaur (glow), who was probably one of Surtr's sons. 

The names proved to be happily bestowed, as the brother and sisterwere given the direction of the steeds of their bright namesakes. Afterreceiving due counsel from the gods, they were transferred to the sky, and day by day they fulfilled their appointed duties and guided theirsteeds along the heavenly paths. 

 "Know that Mundilfær is hight Father to the moon and sun; Age on age shall roll away, While they mark the months and days. "

 Hávamál (W. Taylor's tr. ). 

The gods next summoned Nott (night), a daughter of Norvi, one of thegiants, and entrusted to her care a dark chariot, drawn by a sablesteed, Hrim-faxi (frost mane), from whose waving mane the dew andhoarfrost dropped down upon the earth. 

 "Hrim-faxi is the sable steed, From the east who brings the night, Fraught with the showering joys of love: As he champs the foamy bit, Drops of dew are scattered round To adorn the vales of earth. "

 Vafthrudni's-mal (W. Taylor's tr. ). 

The goddess of night had thrice been married, and by her first husband, Naglfari, she had had a son named Aud; by her second, Annar, a daughterJörd (earth); and by her third, the god Dellinger (dawn), another son, of radiant beauty, was now born to her, and he was given the name ofDag (day). 

As soon as the gods became aware of this beautiful being's existencethey provided a chariot for him also, drawn by the resplendent whitesteed Skin-faxi (shining mane), from whose mane bright beams oflight shone forth in every direction, illuminating all the world, and bringing light and gladness to all. 

 "Forth from the east, up the ascent of heaven, Day drove his courser with the shining mane. "

 Balder Dead (Matthew Arnold). 

The Wolves Sköll and Hati

But as evil always treads close upon the footsteps of good, hoping todestroy it, the ancient inhabitants of the Northern regions imaginedthat both Sun and Moon were incessantly pursued by the fierce wolvesSköll (repulsion) and Hati (hatred), whose sole aim was to overtakeand swallow the brilliant objects before them, so that the worldmight again be enveloped in its primeval darkness. 

 "Sköll the wolf is named That the fair-faced goddess To the ocean chases; Another Hati hight He is Hrodvitnir's son; He the bright maid of heaven shall precede. "

 Sæmuna's Edda (Thorpe's tr. ). 

At times, they said, the wolves overtook and tried to swallow theirprey, thus producing an eclipse of the radiant orbs. Then the terrifiedpeople raised such a deafening clamour that the wolves, frightened bythe noise, hastily dropped them. Thus rescued, Sun and Moon resumedtheir course, fleeing more rapidly than before, the hungry monstersrushing along in their wake, lusting for the time when their effortswould prevail and the end of the world would come. For the Northernnations believed that as their gods had sprung from an alliance betweenthe divine element (Börr) and the mortal (Bestla), they were finite, and doomed to perish with the world they had made. 

 "But even in this early morn Faintly foreshadowed was the dawn Of that fierce struggle, deadly shock, Which yet should end in Ragnarok; When Good and Evil, Death and Life, Beginning now, end then their strife. "

 Valhalla (J. C. Jones). 

Mani was accompanied also by Hiuki, the waxing, and Bil, the waning, moon, two children whom he had snatched from earth, where a cruelfather forced them to carry water all night. Our ancestors fanciedthey saw these children, the original "Jack and Jill, " with their pail, darkly outlined upon the moon. 

The gods not only appointed Sun, Moon, Day, and Night to mark theprocession of the year, but also called Evening, Midnight, Morning, Forenoon, Noon, and Afternoon to share their duties, making Summer andWinter the rulers of the seasons. Summer, a direct descendant of Svasud(the mild and lovely), inherited his sire's gentle disposition, andwas loved by all except Winter, his deadly enemy, the son of Vindsual, himself a son of the disagreeable god Vasud, the personification ofthe icy wind. 

 "Vindsual is the name of him Who begat the winter's god; Summer from Suasuthur sprang: Both shall walk the way of years, Till the twilight of the gods. "

 Vafthrudni's-mal (W. Taylor's tr. ). 

The cold winds continually swept down from the north, chilling allthe earth, and the Northmen imagined that these were set in motionby the great giant Hræ-svelgr (the corpse-swallower), who, clad ineagle plumes, sat at the extreme northern verge of the heavens, andthat when he raised his arms or wings the cold blasts darted forthand swept ruthlessly over the face of the earth, blighting all thingswith their icy breath. 

 "Hræ-svelger is the name of him Who sits beyond the end of heaven, And winnows wide his eagle-wings, Whence the sweeping blasts have birth. "

 Vafthrudni's-mal (W. Taylor's tr. ). 

Dwarfs and Elves

While the gods were occupied in creating the earth and providingfor its illumination, a whole host of maggot-like creatures hadbeen breeding in Ymir's flesh. These uncouth beings now attracteddivine attention. Summoning them into their presence, the gods firstgave them forms and endowed them with superhuman intelligence, andthen divided them into two large classes. Those which were dark, treacherous, and cunning by nature were banished to Svart-alfa-heim, the home of the black dwarfs, situated underground, whence they werenever allowed to come forth during the day, under penalty of beingturned into stone. They were called Dwarfs, Trolls, Gnomes, or Kobolds, and spent all their time and energy in exploring the secret recessesof the earth. They collected gold, silver, and precious stones, which they stowed away in secret crevices, whence they could withdrawthem at will. The remainder of these small creatures, including allthat were fair, good, and useful, the gods called Fairies and Elves, and they sent them to dwell in the airy realm of Alf-heim (home ofthe light-elves), situated between heaven and earth, whence theycould flit downward whenever they pleased, to attend to the plantsand flowers, sport with the birds and butterflies, or dance in thesilvery moonlight on the green. 

Odin, who had been the leading spirit in all these undertakings, now bade the gods, his descendants, follow him to the broad plaincalled Idawold, far above the earth, on the other side of the greatstream Ifing, whose waters never froze. 

 "Ifing's deep and murky wave Parts the ancient sons of earth From the dwelling of the Goths: Open flows the mighty flood, Nor shall ice arrest its course While the wheel of Ages rolls. "

 Vafthrudni's-mal (W. Taylor's tr. ). 

In the centre of the sacred space, which from the beginning of theworld had been reserved for their own abode and called Asgard (home ofthe gods), the twelve Æsir (gods) and twenty-four Asynjur (goddesses)all assembled at the bidding of Odin. Then was held a great council, at which it was decreed that no blood should be shed within the limitsof their realm, or peace-stead, but that harmony should reign therefor ever. As a further result of the conference the gods set up aforge where they fashioned all their weapons and the tools requiredto build the magnificent palaces of precious metals, in which theylived for many long years in a state of such perfect happiness thatthis period has been called the Golden Age. 

The Creation of Man

Although the gods had from the beginning designed Midgard, orMana-heim, as the abode of man, there were at first no human beings toinhabit it. One day Odin, Vili, and Ve, according to some authorities, or Odin, Hoenir (the bright one), and Lodur, or Loki (fire), startedout together and walked along the seashore, where they found eithertwo trees, the ash, Ask, and the elm, Embla, or two blocks of wood, hewn into rude semblances of the human form. The gods gazed at firstupon the inanimate wood in silent wonder; then, perceiving the use itcould be put to, Odin gave these logs souls, Hoenir bestowed motionand senses, and Lodur contributed blood and blooming complexions. 

Thus endowed with speech and thought, and with power to love and tohope and to work, and with life and death, the newly created man andwoman were left to rule Midgard at will. They gradually peopled itwith their descendants, while the gods, remembering they had calledthem into life, took a special interest in all they did, watched overthem, and often vouchsafed their aid and protection. 

The Tree Yggdrasil

Allfather next created a huge ash called Yggdrasil, the tree of theuniverse, of time, or of life, which filled all the world, takingroot not only in the remotest depths of Nifl-heim, where bubbled thespring Hvergelmir, but also in Midgard, near Mimir's well (the ocean), and in Asgard, near the Urdar fountain. 

From its three great roots the tree attained such a marvellous heightthat its topmost bough, called Lerad (the peace-giver), overshadowedOdin's hall, while the other wide-spreading branches towered over theother worlds. An eagle was perched on the bough Lerad, and betweenhis eyes sat the falcon Vedfolnir, sending his piercing glances downinto heaven, earth, and Nifl-heim, and reporting all that he saw. 

As the tree Yggdrasil was ever green, its leaves never withering, it served as pasture-ground not only for Odin's goat Heidrun, whichsupplied the heavenly mead, the drink of the gods, but also for thestags Dain, Dvalin, Duneyr, and Durathor, from whose horns honey-dewdropped down upon the earth and furnished the water for all the riversin the world. 

In the seething cauldron Hvergelmir, close by the great tree, ahorrible dragon, called Nidhug, continually gnawed the roots, andwas helped in his work of destruction by countless worms, whose aimit was to kill the tree, knowing that its death would be the signalfor the downfall of the gods. 

 "Through all our life a tempter prowls malignant, The cruel Nidhug from the world below. He hates that asa-light whose rays benignant On th' hero's brow and glitt'ring sword bright glow. "

 Viking Tales of the North (R. B. Anderson). 

Scampering continually up and down the branches and trunk of thetree, the squirrel Ratatosk (branch-borer), the typical busybodyand tale-bearer, passed its time repeating to the dragon below theremarks of the eagle above, and vice versa, in the hope of stirringup strife between them. 

The Bridge Bifröst

It was, of course, essential that the tree Yggdrasil should bemaintained in a perfectly healthy condition, and this duty wasperformed by the Norns, or Fates, who daily sprinkled it with theholy waters from the Urdar fountain. This water, as it trickled downto earth through branches and leaves, supplied the bees with honey. 

From either edge of Nifl-heim, arching high above Midgard, rose thesacred bridge, Bifröst (Asabru, the rainbow), built of fire, water, and air, whose quivering and changing hues it retained, and over whichthe gods travelled to and fro to the earth or to the Urdar well, atthe foot of the ash Yggdrasil, where they daily assembled in council. 

 "The gods arose And took their horses, and set forth to ride O'er the bridge Bifrost, where is Heimdall's watch, To the ash Igdrasil, and Ida's plain. Thor came on foot, the rest on horseback rode. "

 Balder Dead (Matthew Arnold). 

Of all the gods Thor only, the god of thunder, never passed over thebridge, for fear lest his heavy tread or the heat of his lightningswould destroy it. The god Heimdall kept watch and ward there nightand day. He was armed with a trenchant sword, and carried a trumpetcalled Giallar-horn, upon which he generally blew a soft note toannounce the coming or going of the gods, but upon which a terribleblast would be sounded when Ragnarok should come, and the frost-giantsand Surtr combined to destroy the world. 

 "Surt from the south comes With flickering flame; Shines from his sword The Val-god's sun. The stony hills are dashed together, The giantesses totter; Men tread the path of Hel, And heaven is cloven. "

 Sæmund's Edda (Thorpe's tr. ). 

The Vanas

Now although the original inhabitants of heaven were the Æsir, they were not the sole divinities of the Northern races, who alsorecognised the power of the sea- and wind-gods, the Vanas, dwellingin Vana-heim and ruling their realms as they pleased. In early times, before the golden palaces in Asgard were built, a dispute arose betweenthe Æsir and Vanas, and they resorted to arms, using rocks, mountains, and icebergs as missiles in the fray. But discovering ere long thatin unity alone lay strength, they composed their differences and madepeace, and to ratify the treaty they exchanged hostages. 

It was thus that the Van, Niörd, came to dwell in Asgard with his twochildren, Frey and Freya, while the Asa, Hoenir, Odin's own brother, took up his abode in Vana-heim. 

CHAPTER II: ODIN

The Father of Gods and Men

Odin, Wuotan, or Woden was the highest and holiest god of theNorthern races. He was the all-pervading spirit of the universe, thepersonification of the air, the god of universal wisdom and victory, and the leader and protector of princes and heroes. As all the godswere supposed to be descended from him, he was surnamed Allfather, and as eldest and chief among them he occupied the highest seat inAsgard. Known by the name of Hlidskialf, this chair was not only anexalted throne, but also a mighty watch-tower, from whence he couldoverlook the whole world and see at a glance all that was happeningamong gods, giants, elves, dwarfs, and men. 

 "From the hall of Heaven he rode away To Lidskialf, and sate upon his throne, The mount, from whence his eye surveys the world. And far from Heaven he turned his shining orbs To look on Midgard, and the earth, and men. "

 Balder Dead (Matthew Arnold). 

Odin's Personal Appearance

None but Odin and his wife and queen Frigga were privileged to usethis seat, and when they occupied it they generally gazed towardsthe south and west, the goal of all the hopes and excursions of theNorthern nations. Odin was generally represented as a tall, vigorousman, about fifty years of age, either with dark curling hair or witha long grey beard and bald head. He was clad in a suit of grey, witha blue hood, and his muscular body was enveloped in a wide blue mantleflecked with grey--an emblem of the sky with its fleecy clouds. In hishand Odin generally carried the infallible spear Gungnir, which wasso sacred that an oath sworn upon its point could never be broken, and on his finger or arm he wore the marvellous ring, Draupnir, theemblem of fruitfulness, precious beyond compare. When seated uponhis throne or armed for the fray, to mingle in which he would oftendescend to earth, Odin wore his eagle helmet; but when he wanderedpeacefully about the earth in human guise, to see what men were doing, he generally donned a broad-brimmed hat, drawn low over his foreheadto conceal the fact that he possessed but one eye. 

Two ravens, Hugin (thought) and Munin (memory), perched upon hisshoulders as he sat upon his throne, and these he sent out into thewide world every morning, anxiously watching for their return atnightfall, when they whispered into his ears news of all they hadseen and heard. Thus he was kept well informed about everything thatwas happening on earth. 

 "Hugin and Munin Fly each day Over the spacious earth. I fear for Hugin That he come not back, Yet more anxious am I for Munin. "

 Norse Mythology (R. B. Anderson). 

At his feet crouched two wolves or hunting hounds, Geri and Freki, animals which were therefore considered sacred to him, and of good omenif met by the way. Odin always fed these wolves with his own handsfrom meat set before him. He required no food at all for himself, and seldom tasted anything except the sacred mead. 

 "Geri and Freki The war-wont sates, The triumphant sire of hosts; But on wine only The famed in arms Odin, ever lives. "

 Lay of Grimnir (Thorpe's tr. ). 

When seated in state upon his throne, Odin rested his feet upon afootstool of gold, the work of the gods, all of whose furniture andutensils were fashioned either of that precious metal or of silver. 

Besides the magnificent hall Glads-heim, where stood the twelve seatsoccupied by the gods when they met in council, and Valaskialf, wherehis throne, Hlidskialf, was placed, Odin had a third palace in Asgard, situated in the midst of the marvellous grove Glasir, whose shimmeringleaves were of red gold. 

Valhalla

This palace, called Valhalla (the hall of the chosen slain), had fivehundred and forty doors, wide enough to allow the passage of eighthundred warriors abreast, and above the principal gate were a boar'shead and an eagle whose piercing glance penetrated to the far cornersof the world. The walls of this marvellous building were fashionedof glittering spears, so highly polished that they illuminated thehall. The roof was of golden shields, and the benches were decoratedwith fine armour, the god's gifts to his guests. Here long tablesafforded ample accommodation for the Einheriar, warriors fallen inbattle, who were specially favoured by Odin. 

 "Easily to be known is, By those who to Odin come, The mansion by its aspect. Its roof with spears is laid, Its hall with shields is decked, With corselets are its benches strewed. "

 Lay of Grimnir (Thorpe's tr. ). 

The ancient Northern nations, who deemed warfare the most honourableof occupations, and considered courage the greatest virtue, worshippedOdin principally as god of battle and victory. They believed thatwhenever a fight was impending he sent out his special attendants, the shield-, battle-, or wish-maidens, called Valkyrs (choosers of theslain), who selected from the dead warriors one-half of their number, whom they bore on their fleet steeds over the quivering rainbow bridge, Bifröst, into Valhalla. Welcomed by Odin's sons, Hermod and Bragi, the heroes were conducted to the foot of Odin's throne, where theyreceived the praise due to their valour. When some special favouriteof the god was thus brought into Asgard, Valfather (father of theslain), as Odin was called when he presided over the warriors, wouldsometimes rise from his throne and in person bid him welcome at thegreat entrance gate. 

The Feast of the Heroes

Besides the glory of such distinction, and the enjoyment of Odin'sbeloved presence day after day, other more material pleasures awaitedthe warriors in Valhalla. Generous entertainment was provided forthem at the long tables, where the beautiful white-armed virgins, the Valkyrs, having laid aside their armour and clad themselves inpure white robes, waited upon them with assiduous attention. Thesemaidens, nine in number according to some authorities, broughtthe heroes great horns full of delicious mead, and set before themhuge portions of boar's flesh, upon which they feasted heartily. Theusual Northern drink was beer or ale, but our ancestors fancied thisbeverage too coarse for the heavenly sphere. They therefore imaginedthat Valfather kept his table liberally supplied with mead or hydromel, which was daily furnished in great abundance by his she-goat Heidrun, who continually browsed on the tender leaves and twigs on Lerad, Yggdrasil's topmost branch. 

 "Rash war and perilous battle, their delight; And immature, and red with glorious wounds, Unpeaceful death their choice: deriving thence A right to feast and drain immortal bowls, In Odin's hall; whose blazing roof resounds The genial uproar of those shades who fall In desperate fight, or by some brave attempt. "

 Liberty (James Thomson). 

The meat upon which the Einheriar feasted was the flesh of the divineboar Sæhrimnir, a marvellous beast, daily slain by the cook Andhrimnir, and boiled in the great cauldron Eldhrimnir; but although Odin'sguests had true Northern appetites and gorged themselves to the full, there was always plenty of meat for all. 

 "Andhrimnir cooks In Eldhrimnir Sæhrimnir; 'Tis the best of flesh; But few know What the einherjes eat. "

 Lay of Grimnir (Anderson's version). 

Moreover, the supply was exhaustless, for the boar always came tolife again before the time of the next meal. This miraculous renewalof supplies in the larder was not the only wonderful occurrence inValhalla, for it is related that the warriors, after having eaten anddrunk to satiety, always called for their weapons, armed themselves, and rode out into the great courtyard, where they fought against oneanother, repeating the feats of arms for which they were famed onearth, and recklessly dealing terrible wounds, which, however, weremiraculously and completely healed as soon as the dinner horn sounded. 

 "All the chosen guests of Odin Daily ply the trade of war; From the fields of festal fight Swift they ride in gleaming arms, And gaily, at the board of gods, Quaff the cup of sparkling ale And eat Sæhrimni's vaunted flesh. "

 Vafthrudni's-mal (W. Taylor's tr. ). 

Whole and happy at the sound of the horn, and bearing one anotherno grudge for cruel thrusts given and received, the Einheriar wouldride gaily back to Valhalla to renew their feasts in Odin's belovedpresence, while the white-armed Valkyrs, with flying hair, glidedgracefully about, constantly filling their horns or their favouritedrinking vessels, the skulls of their enemies, while the scalds sangof war and of stirring Viking forays. 

 "And all day long they there are hack'd and hewn 'Mid dust, and groans, and limbs lopped off, and blood; But all at night return to Odin's hall Woundless and fresh: such lot is theirs in heaven. "

 Balder Dead (Matthew Arnold). 

Fighting and feasting thus, the heroes were said to spend their daysin perfect bliss, while Odin delighted in their strength and number, which, however, he foresaw would not avail to prevent his downfallwhen the day of the last battle should dawn. 

As such pleasures were the highest a Northern warrior's fancy couldpaint, it was very natural that all fighting men should love Odin, andearly in life should dedicate themselves to his service. They vowedto die arms in hand, if possible, and even wounded themselves withtheir own spears when death drew near, if they had been unfortunateenough to escape death on the battlefield and were threatened with"straw death, " as they called decease from old age or sickness. 

 "To Odin then true-fast Carves he fair runics, -- Death-runes cut deep on his arm and his breast. "

 Viking Tales of the North (R. B. Anderson). 

In reward for this devotion Odin watched with special care over hisfavourites, giving them gifts, a magic sword, a spear, or a horse, and making them invincible until their last hour had come, when hehimself appeared to claim or destroy the gift he had bestowed, andthe Valkyrs bore the heroes to Valhalla. 

 "He gave to Hermod A helm and corselet, And from him Sigmund A sword received. "

 Lay of Hyndla (Thorpe's tr. ). 

Sleipnir

When Odin took an active part in war, he generally rode hiseight-footed grey steed, Sleipnir, and bore a white shield. Hisglittering spear flung over the heads of the combatants was the signalfor the fray to commence, and he would dash into the midst of theranks shouting his warcry: "Odin has you all!"

 "And Odin donned His dazzling corslet and his helm of gold, And led the way on Sleipnir. "

 Balder Dead (Matthew Arnold). 

At times he used his magic bow, from which he would shoot ten arrows atonce, every one invariably bringing down a foe. Odin was also supposedto inspire his favourite warriors with the renowned "Berserker rage"(bare sark or shirt), which enabled them, although naked, weaponless, and sore beset, to perform unheard-of feats of valour and strength, and move about as with charmed lives. 

As Odin's characteristics, like the all-pervading elements, weremultitudinous, so also were his names, of which he had no less thantwo hundred, almost all descriptive of some phase of his activities. Hewas considered the ancient god of seamen and of the wind. 

 "Mighty Odin, Norsemen hearts we bend to thee! Steer our barks, all-potent Woden, O'er the surging Baltic Sea. "

 Vail. 

The Wild Hunt

Odin, as wind-god, was pictured as rushing through mid-air on hiseight-footed steed, from which originated the oldest Northern riddle, which runs as follows: "Who are the two who ride to the Thing? Threeeyes have they together, ten feet, and one tail: and thus they travelthrough the lands. " And as the souls of the dead were supposed to bewafted away on the wings of the storm, Odin was worshipped as theleader of all disembodied spirits. In this character he was mostgenerally known as the Wild Huntsman, and when people heard therush and roar of the wind they cried aloud in superstitious fear, fancying they heard and saw him ride past with his train, all mountedon snorting steeds, and accompanied by baying hounds. And the passingof the Wild Hunt, known as Woden's Hunt, the Raging Host, Gabriel'sHounds, or Asgardreia, was also considered a presage of such misfortuneas pestilence or war. 

 "The Rhine flows bright; but its waves ere long Must hear a voice of war, And a clash of spears our hills among, And a trumpet from afar; And the brave on a bloody turf must lie, For the Huntsman hath gone by!"

 The Wild Huntsman (Mrs. Hemans). 

It was further thought that if any were so sacrilegious as to joinin the wild halloo in mockery, they would be immediately snatched upand whirled away with the vanishing host, while those who joined inthe halloo with implicit good faith would be rewarded by the suddengift of a horse's leg, hurled at them from above, which, if carefullykept until the morrow, would be changed into a lump of gold. 

Even after the introduction of Christianity the ignorant Northernfolk still dreaded the on-coming storm, declaring that it was theWild Hunt sweeping across the sky. 

 "And ofttimes will start, For overhead are sweeping Gabriel's hounds, Doomed with their impious lord the flying hart To chase forever on aëreal grounds. "

 Sonnet (Wordsworth). 

Sometimes it left behind a small black dog, which, cowering andwhining upon a neighbouring hearth, had to be kept for a whole year andcarefully tended unless it could be exorcised or frightened away. Theusual recipe, the same as for the riddance of changelings, was to brewbeer in egg-shells, and this performance was supposed so to startlethe spectral dog that he would fly with his tail between his legs, exclaiming that, although as old as the Behmer, or Bohemian forest, he had never before beheld such an uncanny sight. 

 "I am as old As the Behmer wold, And have in my life Such a brewing not seen. "

 Old Saying (Thorpe's tr. )

The object of this phantom hunt varied greatly, and was either avisonary boar or wild horse, white-breasted maidens who were caughtand borne away bound only once in seven years, or the wood nymphs, called Moss Maidens, who were thought to represent the autumn leavestorn from the trees and whirled away by the wintry gale. 

In the middle ages, when the belief in the old heathen deitieswas partly forgotten, the leader of the Wild Hunt was no longerOdin, but Charlemagne, Frederick Barbarossa, King Arthur, or someSabbath-breaker, like the Squire of Rodenstein or Hans von Hackelberg, who, in punishment for his sins, was condemned to hunt for everthrough the realms of air. 

As the winds blew fiercest in autumn and winter, Odin was supposed toprefer hunting during that season, especially during the time betweenChristmas and Twelfth-night, and the peasants were always careful toleave the last sheaf or measure of grain out in the fields to serveas food for his horse. 

This hunt was of course known by various names in the differentcountries of Northern Europe; but as the tales told about it areall alike, they evidently originated in the same old heathen belief, and to this day ignorant people of the North fancy that the bayingof a hound on a stormy night is an infallible presage of death. 

 "Still, still shall last the dreadful chase, Till time itself shall have an end; By day, they scour earth's cavern'd space, At midnight's witching hour, ascend. 

 "This is the horn, and hound, and horse That oft the lated peasant hears; Appall'd, he signs the frequent cross, When the wild din invades his ears. 

 "The wakeful priest oft drops a tear For human pride, for human woe, When, at his midnight mass, he hears The infernal cry of 'Holla, ho!'"

 Sir Walter Scott. 

The Wild Hunt, or Raging Host of Germany, was called Herlathingin England, from the mythical king Herla, its supposed leader; inNorthern France it bore the name of Mesnée d'Hellequin, from Hel, goddess of death; and in the middle ages it was known as Cain's Huntor Herod's Hunt, these latter names being given because the leaderswere supposed to be unable to find rest on account of the iniquitousmurders of Abel, of John the Baptist, and of the Holy Innocents. 

In Central France the Wild Huntsman, whom we have already seen inother countries as Odin, Charlemagne, Barbarossa, Rodenstein, vonHackelberg, King Arthur, Hel, one of the Swedish kings, Gabriel, Cain, or Herod, is also called the Great Huntsman of Fontainebleau(le Grand Veneur de Fontainebleau), and people declare that on theeve of Henry IV. 's murder, and also just before the outbreak of thegreat French Revolution, his shouts were distinctly heard as he sweptacross the sky. 

It was generally believed among the Northern nations that the soulescaped from the body in the shape of a mouse, which crept out ofa corpse's mouth and ran away, and it was also said to creep in andout of the mouths of people in a trance. While the soul was absent, no effort or remedy could recall the patient to life; but as soon asit had come back animation returned. 

The Pied Piper

As Odin was the leader of all disembodied spirits, he was identified inthe middle ages with the Pied Piper of Hamelin. According to mediævallegends, Hamelin was so infested by rats that life became unbearable, and a large reward was offered to any who would rid the town of theserodents. A piper, in parti-coloured garments, offered to undertakethe commission, and the terms being accepted, he commenced to playthrough the streets in such wise that, one and all, the rats werebeguiled out of their holes until they formed a vast procession. Therewas that in the strains which compelled them to follow, until at lastthe river Weser was reached, and all were drowned in its tide. 

 "And ere three shrill notes the pipe uttered, You heard as if an army muttered; And the muttering grew to a grumbling; And the grumbling grew to a mighty rumbling; And out of the houses the rats came tumbling. Great rats, small rats, lean rats, brawny rats, Brown rats, black rats, grey rats, tawny rats, Grave old plodders, gay young friskers, Fathers, mothers, uncles, cousins, Cocking tails and pricking whiskers, Families by tens and dozens, Brothers, sisters, husbands, wives-- Followed the Piper for their lives. From street to street he piped advancing, And step for step they followed dancing, Until they came to the river Weser, Wherein all plunged and perished!"

 Robert Browning. 

As the rats were all dead, and there was no chance of their returningto plague them, the people of Hamelin refused to pay the reward, andthey bade the piper do his worst. He took them at their word, and afew moments later the weird strains of the magic flute again arose, and this time it was the children who swarmed out of the houses andmerrily followed the piper. 

 "There was a rustling that seemed like a bustling Of merry crowds justling at pitching and hustling; Small feet were pattering, wooden shoes clattering, Little hands clapping and little tongues chattering, And, like fowls in a farmyard when barley is scattering, Out came all the children running. All the little boys and girls, With rosy cheeks and flaxen curls, And sparkling eyes and teeth like pearls, Tripping and skipping, ran merrily after The wonderful music with shouting and laughter. "

 Robert Browning. 

The burghers were powerless to prevent the tragedy, and as theystood spellbound the piper led the children out of the town to theKoppelberg, a hill on the confines of the town, which miraculouslyopened to receive the procession, and only closed again when the lastchild had passed out of sight. This legend probably originated theadage "to pay the piper. " The children were never seen in Hamelinagain, and in commemoration of this public calamity all officialdecrees have since been dated so many years after the Pied Piper'svisit. 

 "They made a decree that lawyers never Should think their records dated duly If, after the day of the month and year, These words did not as well appear, 'And so long after what happened here On the Twenty-second of July, Thirteen hundred and seventy-six:' And the better in memory to fix The place of the children's last retreat, They called it the Pied Piper Street-- Where any one playing on pipe or tabor Was sure for the future to lose his labour. "

 Robert Browning. 

In this myth Odin is the piper, the shrill tones of the flute areemblematic of the whistling wind, the rats represent the souls ofthe dead, which cheerfully follow him, and the hollow mountain intowhich he leads the children is typical of the grave. 

Bishop Hatto

Another German legend which owes its existence to this belief isthe story of Bishop Hatto, the miserly prelate, who, annoyed by theclamours of the poor during a time of famine, had them burned alivein a deserted barn, like the rats whom he declared they resembled, rather than give them some of the precious grain which he had laidup for himself. 

 "'I' faith, 'tis an excellent bonfire!' quoth he, 'And the country is greatly obliged to me For ridding it in these times forlorn Of rats that only consume the corn. '"

 Robert Southey. 

Soon after this terrible crime had been accomplished the bishop'sretainers reported the approach of a vast swarm of rats. These, itappears, were the souls of the murdered peasants, which had assumed theforms of the rats to which the bishop had likened them. His effortsto escape were vain, and the rats pursued him even into the middleof the Rhine, to a stone tower in which he took refuge from theirfangs. They swam to the tower, gnawed their way through the stonewalls, and, pouring in on all sides at once, they found the bishopand devoured him alive. 

 "And in at the windows, and in at the door, And through the walls, helter-skelter they pour, And down from the ceiling, and up through the floor, From the right and the left, from behind and before, From within and without, from above and below, And all at once to the Bishop they go. They have whetted their teeth against the stones; And now they pick the Bishop's bones; They gnaw'd the flesh from every limb, For they were sent to do judgment on him!"

 Robert Southey. 

The red glow of the sunset above the Rat Tower near Bingen on theRhine is supposed to be the reflection of the hell fire in which thewicked bishop is slowly roasting in punishment for his heinous crime. 

Irmin

In some parts of Germany Odin was considered to be identical withthe Saxon god Irmin, whose statue, the Irminsul, near Paderborn, wasdestroyed by Charlemagne in 772. Irmin was said to possess a ponderousbrazen chariot, in which he rode across the sky along the path whichwe know as the Milky Way, but which the ancient Germans designatedas Irmin's Way. This chariot, whose rumbling sound occasionallybecame perceptible to mortal ears as thunder, never left the sky, where it can still be seen in the constellation of the Great Bear, which is also known in the North as Odin's, or Charles's, Wain. 

 "The Wain, who wheels on high His circling course, and on Orion waits; Sole star that never bathes in the Ocean wave. "

 Homer's Iliad (Derby's tr. ). 

Mimir's Well

To obtain the great wisdom for which he is so famous, Odin, in themorn of time, visited Mimir's (Memor, memory) spring, "the fountainof all wit and wisdom, " in whose liquid depths even the future wasclearly mirrored, and besought the old man who guarded it to let himhave a draught. But Mimir, who well knew the value of such a favour(for his spring was considered the source or headwater of memory), refused the boon unless Odin would consent to give one of his eyesin exchange. 

The god did not hesitate, so highly did he prize the draught, butimmediately plucked out one of his eyes, which Mimir kept in pledge, sinking it deep down into his fountain, where it shone with mildlustre, leaving Odin with but one eye, which is considered emblematicof the sun. 

 "Through our whole lives we strive towards the sun; That burning forehead is the eye of Odin. His second eye, the moon, shines not so bright; It has he placed in pledge in Mimer's fountain, That he may fetch the healing waters thence, Each morning, for the strengthening of this eye. "

 Oehlenschläger (Howitt's tr. ). 

Drinking deeply of Mimir's fount, Odin gained the knowledge hecoveted, and he never regretted the sacrifice he had made, but asfurther memorial of that day broke off a branch of the sacred treeYggdrasil, which overshadowed the spring, and fashioned from it hisbeloved spear Gungnir. 

 "A dauntless god Drew for drink to its gleam, Where he left in endless Payment the light of an eye. From the world-ash Ere Wotan went he broke a bough; For a spear the staff He split with strength from the stem. "

 Dusk of the Gods, Wagner (Forman's tr. ). 

But although Odin was now all-wise, he was sad and oppressed, forhe had gained an insight into futurity, and had become aware of thetransitory nature of all things, and even of the fate of the gods, who were doomed to pass away. This knowledge so affected his spiritsthat he ever after wore a melancholy and contemplative expression. 

To test the value of the wisdom he had thus obtained, Odin went tovisit the most learned of all the giants, Vafthrudnir, and enteredwith him into a contest of wit, in which the stake was nothing lessthan the loser's head. 

 "Odin rose with speed, and went To contend in runic lore With the wise and crafty Jute. To Vafthrudni's royal hall Came the mighty king of spells. "

 Vafthrudni's-mal (W. Taylor's tr. ). 

Odin and Vafthrudnir

On this occasion Odin had disguised himself as a Wanderer, by Frigga'sadvice, and when asked his name declared it was Gangrad. The contest ofwit immediately began, Vafthrudnir questioning his guest concerningthe horses which carried Day and Night across the sky, the riverIfing separating Jötun-heim from Asgard, and also about Vigrid, the field where the last battle was to be fought. 

All these questions were minutely answered by Odin, who, whenVafthrudnir had ended, began the interrogatory in his turn, andreceived equally explicit answers about the origin of heaven andearth, the creation of the gods, their quarrel with the Vanas, theoccupations of the heroes in Valhalla, the offices of the Norns, andthe rulers who were to replace the Æsir when they had all perishedwith the world they had created. But when, in conclusion, Odin bentnear the giant and softly inquired what words Allfather whisperedto his dead son Balder as he lay upon his funeral pyre, Vafthrudnirsuddenly recognised his divine visitor. Starting back in dismay, hedeclared that no one but Odin himself could answer that question, and that it was now quite plain to him that he had madly strivenin a contest of wisdom and wit with the king of the gods, and fullydeserved the penalty of failure, the loss of his head. 

 "Not the man of mortal race Knows the words which thou hast spoken To thy son in days of yore. I hear the coming tread of death; He soon shall raze the runic lore, And knowledge of the rise of gods, From his ill-fated soul who strove With Odin's self the strife of wit, Wisest of the wise that breathe: Our stake was life, and thou hast won. "

 Vafthrudni's-mal (W. Taylor's tr. ). 

As is the case with so many of the Northern myths, which are oftenfragmentary and obscure, this one ends here, and none of the scaldsinforms us whether Odin really slew his rival, nor what was the answerto his last question; but mythologists have hazarded the suggestionthat the word whispered by Odin in Balder's ear, to console him forhis untimely death, must have been "resurrection. "

Invention of Runes

Besides being god of wisdom, Odin was god and inventor of runes, the earliest alphabet used by Northern nations, which characters, signifying mystery, were at first used for divination, although inlater times they served for inscriptions and records. Just as wisdomcould only be obtained at the cost of sacrifice, Odin himself relatesthat he hung nine days and nights from the sacred tree Yggdrasil, gazing down into the immeasurable depths of Nifl-heim, plunged in deepthought, and self-wounded with his spear, ere he won the knowledgehe sought. 

 "I know that I hung On a wind-rocked tree Nine whole nights, With a spear wounded, And to Odin offered Myself to myself; On that tree Of which no one knows From what root it springs. "

 Odin's Rune-Song (Thorpe's tr. ). 

When he had fully mastered this knowledge, Odin cut magic runes uponhis spear Gungnir, upon the teeth of his horse Sleipnir, upon theclaws of the bear, and upon countless other animate and inanimatethings. And because he had thus hung over the abyss for such a longspace of time, he was ever after considered the patron divinity ofall who were condemned to be hanged or who perished by the noose. 

After obtaining the gift of wisdom and runes, which gave him power overall things, Odin also coveted the gift of eloquence and poetry, whichhe acquired in a manner which we shall relate in a subsequent chapter. 

Geirrod and Agnar

Odin, as has already been stated, took great interest in the affairsof mortals, and, we are told, was specially fond of watching KingHrauding's handsome little sons, Geirrod and Agnar, when they wereabout eight and ten years of age respectively. One day these littlelads went fishing, and a storm suddenly arose which blew their boatfar out to sea, where it finally stranded upon an island, upon whichdwelt a seeming old couple, who in reality were Odin and Frigga indisguise. They had assumed these forms in order to indulge a suddenpassion for the close society of their protégés. The lads were warmlywelcomed and kindly treated, Odin choosing Geirrod as his favourite, and teaching him the use of arms, while Frigga petted and made muchof little Agnar. The boys tarried on the island with their kindprotectors during the long, cold winter season; but when spring came, and the skies were blue, and the sea calm, they embarked in a boatwhich Odin provided, and set out for their native shore. Favoured bygentle breezes, they were soon wafted thither; but as the boat nearedthe strand Geirrod quickly sprang out and pushed it far back into thewater, bidding his brother sail away into the evil spirit's power. Atthat self-same moment the wind veered, and Agnar was indeed carriedaway, while his brother hastened to his father's palace with a lyingtale as to what had happened to his brother. He was joyfully receivedas one from the dead, and in due time he succeeded his father uponthe throne. 

Years passed by, during which the attention of Odin had been claimed byother high considerations, when one day, while the divine couple wereseated on the throne Hlidskialf, Odin suddenly remembered the winter'ssojourn on the desert island, and he bade his wife notice how powerfulhis pupil had become, and taunted her because her favourite Agnar hadmarried a giantess and had remained poor and of no consequence. Friggaquietly replied that it was better to be poor than hardhearted, and accused Geirrod of lack of hospitality--one of the most heinouscrimes in the eyes of a Northman. She even went so far as to declarethat in spite of all his wealth he often ill-treated his guests. 

When Odin heard this accusation he declared that he would prove thefalsity of the charge by assuming the guise of a Wanderer and testingGeirrod's generosity. Wrapped in his cloud-hued raiment, with slouchhat and pilgrim staff, --

 "Wanderer calls me the world, Far have I carried my feet, On the back of the earth I have boundlessly been, "--

 Wagner (Forman's tr. ). 

Odin immediately set out by a roundabout way, while Frigga, to outwithim, immediately despatched a swift messenger to warn Geirrod tobeware of a man in wide mantle and broad-brimmed hat, as he was awicked enchanter who would work him ill. 

When, therefore, Odin presented himself before the king's palacehe was dragged into Geirrod's presence and questioned roughly. Hegave his name as Grimnir, but refused to tell whence he came or whathe wanted, so as this reticence confirmed the suspicion suggestedto the mind of Geirrod, he allowed his love of cruelty full play, and commanded that the stranger should be bound between two fires, in such wise that the flames played around him without quite touchinghim, and he remained thus eight days and nights, in obstinate silence, without food. Now Agnar had returned secretly to his brother's palace, where he occupied a menial position, and one night when all was still, in pity for the suffering of the unfortunate captive, he conveyed tohis lips a horn of ale. But for this Odin would have had nothing todrink--the most serious of all trials to the god. 

At the end of the eighth day, while Geirrod, seated upon his throne, was gloating over his prisoner's sufferings, Odin began to sing--softlyat first, then louder and louder, until the hall re-echoed with histriumphant notes--a prophecy that the king, who had so long enjoyedthe god's favour, would soon perish by his own sword. 

 "The fallen by the sword Ygg shall now have; Thy life is now run out: Wroth with thee are the Dísir: Odin thou now shalt see: Draw near to me if thou canst. "

 Sæmund's Edda (Thorpe's tr. ). 

As the last notes died away the chains dropped from his hands, theflames flickered and went out, and Odin stood in the midst of the hall, no longer in human form, but in all the power and beauty of a god. 

On hearing the ominous prophecy Geirrod hastily drew his sword, intending to slay the insolent singer; but when he beheld the suddentransformation he started in dismay, tripped, fell upon the sharpblade, and perished as Odin had just foretold. Turning to Agnar, who, according to some accounts, was the king's son, and not his brother, for these old stories are often strangely confused, Odin bade himascend the throne in reward for his humanity, and, further to repayhim for the timely draught of ale, he promised to bless him with allmanner of prosperity. 

On another occasion Odin wandered to earth, and was absent solong that the gods began to think that they would not see him inAsgard again. This encouraged his brothers Vili and Ve, who by somemythologists are considered as other personifications of himself, to usurp his power and his throne, and even, we are told, to espousehis wife Frigga. 

 "Be thou silent, Frigg! Thou art Fiörgyn's daughter And ever hast been fond of men, Since Ve and Vili, it is said, Thou, Vidrir's wife, didst Both to thy bosom take. "

 Sæmund's Edda (Thorpe's tr. ). 

May-Day Festivals

But upon Odin's return the usurpers vanished for ever; and incommemoration of the disappearance of the false Odin, who had ruledseven months and had brought nothing but unhappiness to the world, and of the return of the benevolent deity, the heathen Northmenformerly celebrated yearly festivals, which were long continuedas May Day rejoicings. Until very lately there was always, on thatday, a grand procession in Sweden, known as the May Ride, in which aflower-decked May king (Odin) pelted with blossoms the fur-envelopedWinter (his supplanter), until he put him to ignominious flight. InEngland also the first of May was celebrated as a festive occasion, in which May-pole dances, May queens, Maid Marian, and Jack in theGreen played prominent parts. 

As personification of heaven, Odin, of course, was the lover and spouseof the earth, and as to them the earth bore a threefold aspect, theNorthmen depicted him as a polygamist, and allotted to him severalwives. The first among these was Jörd (Erda), the primitive earth, daughter of Night or of the giantess Fiorgyn. She bore him hisfamous son Thor, the god of thunder. The second and principal wifewas Frigga, a personification of the civilised world. She gave himBalder, the gentle god of spring, Hermod, and, according to someauthorities, Tyr. The third wife was Rinda, a personification of thehard and frozen earth, who reluctantly yields to his warm embrace, but finally gives birth to Vali, the emblem of vegetation. 

Odin is also said to have married Saga or Laga, the goddess of history(hence our verb "to say"), and to have daily visited her in the crystalhall of Sokvabek, beneath a cool, ever-flowing river, to drink itswaters and listen to her songs about olden times and vanished races. 

 "Sokvabek hight the fourth dwelling; Over it flow the cool billows; Glad drink there Odin and Saga Every day from golden cups. "

 Norse Mythology (R. B. Anderson). 

His other wives were Grid, the mother of Vidar; Gunlod, the motherof Bragi; Skadi; and the nine giantesses who simultaneously boreHeimdall--all of whom play more or less important parts in the variousmyths of the North. 

The Historical Odin

Besides this ancient Odin, there was a more modern, semi-historicalpersonage of the same name, to whom all the virtues, powers, andadventures of his predecessor have been attributed. He was thechief of the Æsir, inhabitants of Asia Minor, who, sore pressed bythe Romans, and threatened with destruction or slavery, left theirnative land about 70 B. C. , and migrated into Europe. This Odin issaid to have conquered Russia, Germany, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, leaving a son on the throne of each conquered country. He also builtthe town of Odensö. He was welcomed in Sweden by Gylfi, the king, who gave him a share of the realm, and allowed him to found the cityof Sigtuna, where he built a temple and introduced a new system ofworship. Tradition further relates that as his end drew near, thismythical Odin assembled his followers, publicly cut himself ninetimes in the breast with his spear, --a ceremony called "carving Geirodds, "--and told them he was about to return to his native land Asgard, his old home, where he would await their coming, to share with hima life of feasting, drinking, and fighting. 

According to another account, Gylfi, having heard of the powerof the Æsir, the inhabitants of Asgard, and wishing to ascertainwhether these reports were true, journeyed to the south. In due timehe came to Odin's palace, where he was expected, and where he wasdeluded by the vision of Har, Iafn-har, and Thridi, three divinities, enthroned one above the other. The gatekeeper, Gangler, answered allhis questions, and gave him a long explanation of Northern mythology, which is recorded in the Younger Edda, and then, having finished hisinstructions, suddenly vanished with the palace amid a deafening noise. 

According to other very ancient poems, Odin's sons, Weldegg, Beldegg, Sigi, Skiold, Sæming, and Yngvi, became kings of East Saxony, WestSaxony, Franconia, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, and from them aredescended the Saxons, Hengist and Horsa, and the royal families of theNorthern lands. Still another version relates that Odin and Frigga hadseven sons, who founded the Anglo-Saxon heptarchy. In the course oftime this mysterious king was confounded with the Odin whose worshiphe introduced, and all his deeds were attributed to the god. 

Odin was worshipped in numerous temples, but especially in thegreat fane at Upsala, where the most solemn festivals were held, and where sacrifices were offered. The victim was generally a horse, but in times of pressing need human offerings were made, even theking being once offered up to avert a famine. 

 "Upsal's temple, where the North Saw Valhal's halls fair imag'd here on earth. "

 Viking Tales of the North (R. B. Anderson). 

The first toast at every festival here was drunk in his honour, and, besides the first of May, one day in every week was held sacred tohim, and, from his Saxon name, Woden, was called Woden's day, whencethe English word "Wednesday" has been derived. It was customary forthe people to assemble at his shrine on festive occasions, to hearthe songs of the scalds, who were rewarded for their minstrelsy bythe gift of golden bracelets or armlets, which curled up at the endsand were called "Odin's serpents. "

There are but few remains of ancient Northern art now extant, andalthough rude statues of Odin were once quite common they have alldisappeared, as they were made of wood--a perishable substance, whichin the hands of the missionaries, and especially of Olaf the Saint, the Northern iconoclast, was soon reduced to ashes. 

 "There in the Temple, carved in wood, The image of great Odin stood. "

 Saga of King Olaf (Longfellow). 

Odin himself is supposed to have given his people a code of lawswhereby to govern their conduct, in a poem called Hávamál, or theHigh Song, which forms part of the Edda. In this lay he taughtthe fallibility of man, the necessity for courage, temperance, independence, and truthfulness, respect for old age, hospitality, charity, and contentment, and gave instructions for the burial ofthe dead. 

 "At home let a man be cheerful, And toward a guest liberal; Of wise conduct he should be, Of good memory and ready speech; If much knowledge he desires, He must often talk on what is good. "

 Hávamál (Thorpe's tr. ). 

CHAPTER III: FRIGGA

The Queen of the Gods

Frigga, or Frigg, daughter of Fiorgyn and sister of Jörd, according tosome mythologists, is considered by others as a daughter of Jörd andOdin, whom she eventually married. This wedding caused such generalrejoicing in Asgard, where the goddess was greatly beloved, that everafter it was customary to celebrate its anniversary with feast andsong, and the goddess being declared patroness of marriage, her healthwas always proposed with that of Odin and Thor at wedding feasts. 

Frigga was goddess of the atmosphere, or rather of the clouds, and assuch was represented as wearing either snow-white or dark garments, according to her somewhat variable moods. She was queen of the gods, and she alone had the privilege of sitting on the throne Hlidskialf, beside her august husband. From thence she too could look over allthe world and see what was happening, and, according to the beliefof our ancestors, she possessed the knowledge of the future, which, however, no one could ever prevail upon her to reveal, thus provingthat Northern women could keep a secret inviolate. 

 "Of me the gods are sprung; And all that is to come I know, but lock In my own breast, and have to none reveal'd. "

 Balder Dead (Matthew Arnold). 

She was generally represented as a tall, beautiful, and stately woman, crowned with heron plumes, the symbol of silence or forgetfulness, andclothed in pure white robes, secured at the waist by a golden girdle, from which hung a bunch of keys, the distinctive sign of the Northernhousewife, whose special patroness she was said to be. Although sheoften appeared beside her husband, Frigga preferred to remain in herown palace, called Fensalir, the hall of mists or of the sea, whereshe diligently plied her wheel or distaff, spinning golden thread orweaving long webs of bright-coloured clouds. 

In order to perform this work she made use of a marvellous jewelledspinning wheel or distaff, which at night shone brightly in the sky asa constellation, known in the North as Frigga's Spinning Wheel, whilethe inhabitants of the South called the same stars Orion's Girdle. 

To her hall Fensalir the gracious goddess invited husbands and wiveswho had led virtuous lives on earth, so that they might enjoy eachother's companionship even after death, and never be called upon topart again. 

 "There in the glen, Fensalir stands, the house Of Frea, honour'd mother of the gods, And shows its lighted windows and the open doors. "

 Balder Dead (Matthew Arnold). 

Frigga was therefore considered the goddess of conjugal andmotherly love, and was specially worshipped by married lovers andtender parents. This exalted office did not entirely absorb herthoughts however, for we are told that she was very fond of dress, and whenever she appeared before the assembled gods her attire wasrich and becoming, and her jewels chosen with much taste. 

The Stolen Gold

Frigga's love of adornment once led her sadly astray, for, in herlonging to possess some new ornament, she secretly purloined a pieceof gold from a statue representing her husband, which had just beenplaced in his temple. The stolen metal was entrusted to the dwarfs, with instructions to fashion a marvellous necklace for her use. This, when finished, was so resplendent that it greatly enhanced her charms, and even increased Odin's love for her. But when he discovered thetheft of the gold he angrily summoned the dwarfs and bade them revealwho had dared to touch his statue. Unwilling to betray the queen ofthe gods, the dwarfs remained obstinately silent, and, seeing thatno information could be elicited from them, Odin commanded that thestatue should be placed above the temple gate, and set to work todevise runes which should endow it with the power of speech and enableit to denounce the thief. When Frigga heard these tidings she trembledwith fear, and implored her favourite attendant, Fulla, to invent somemeans of protecting her from Allfather's wrath. Fulla, who was alwaysready to serve her mistress, immediately departed, and soon returned, accompanied by a hideous dwarf, who promised to prevent the statuefrom speaking if Frigga would only deign to smile graciously uponhim. This boon having been granted, the dwarf hastened off to thetemple, caused a deep sleep to fall upon the guards, and while theywere thus unconscious, pulled the statue down from its pedestal andbroke it to pieces, so that it could never betray Frigga's theft, in spite of all Odin's efforts to give it the power of speech. 

Odin, discovering this sacrilege on the morrow, was very angry indeed;so angry that he left Asgard and utterly disappeared, carrying awaywith him all the blessings which he had been wont to shower upon godsand men. According to some authorities, his brothers, as we havealready seen, took advantage of his absence to assume his form andsecure possession of his throne and wife; but although they lookedexactly like him they could not restore the lost blessings, and allowedthe ice-giants, or Jotuns, to invade the earth and bind it fast intheir cold fetters. These wicked giants pinched the leaves and budstill they all shrivelled up, stripped the trees bare, shrouded theearth in a great white coverlet, and veiled it in impenetrable mists. 

But at the end of seven weary months the true Odin relented andreturned, and when he saw all the evil that had been done he drovethe usurpers away, forced the frost-giants to relax their grip of theearth and to release her from her icy bonds, and again showered allhis blessings down upon her, cheering her with the light of his smile. 

Odin Outwitted

As has already been seen, Odin, although god of wit and wisdom, wassometimes no match for his wife Frigga, who, womanlike, was sure toobtain her way by some means. On one occasion the august pair wereseated upon Hlidskialf, gazing with interest upon the Winilers andVandals, who were preparing for a battle which was to decide whichpeople should henceforth have supremacy. Odin gazed with satisfactionupon the Vandals, who were loudly praying to him for victory; butFrigga watched the movements of the Winilers with more attention, because they had entreated her aid. She therefore turned to Odinand coaxingly inquired whom he meant to favour on the morrow; he, wishing to evade her question, declared he would not decide, as itwas time for bed, but would give the victory to those upon whom hiseyes first rested in the morning. 

This answer was shrewdly calculated, for Odin knew that his couchwas so turned that upon waking he would face the Vandals, and heintended looking out from thence, instead of waiting until he hadmounted his throne. But, although so cunningly contrived, this planwas frustrated by Frigga, who, divining his purpose, waited until hewas sound asleep, and then noiselessly turned his couch so that heshould face her favourites. Then she sent word to the Winilers to dresstheir women in armour and send them out in battle array at dawn, withtheir long hair carefully combed down over their cheeks and breasts. 

 "Take thou thy women-folk, Maidens and wives: Over your ankles Lace on the white war-hose; Over your bosoms Link up the hard mail-nets; Over your lips Plait long tresses with cunning;-- So war beasts full-bearded King Odin shall deem you, When off the grey sea-beach At sunrise ye greet him. "

 The Longbeards' Saga (Charles Kingsley). 

These instructions were carried out with scrupulous exactness, andwhen Odin awoke the next morning his first conscious glance fell upontheir armed host, and he exclaimed in surprise, "What Longbeards arethose?" (In German the ancient word for long beards was Langobarden, which was the name used to designate the Lombards. ) Frigga, uponhearing this exclamation, which she had foreseen, immediately criedout in triumph that Allfather had given them a new name, and wasin honour bound to follow the usual Northern custom and give also abaptismal gift. 

 "'A name thou hast given them, Shames neither thee nor them, Well can they wear it. Give them the victory, First have they greeted thee; Give them the victory, Yoke-fellow mine!'"

 The Longbeards' Saga (Charles Kingsley). 

Odin, seeing he had been so cleverly outwitted, made no demur, and inmemory of the victory which his favour vouchsafed to them the Winilersretained the name given by the king of the gods, who ever after watchedover them with special care, giving them many blessings, among othersa home in the sunny South, on the fruitful plains of Lombardy. 

Fulla

Frigga had, as her own special attendants, a number of beautifulmaidens, among whom were Fulla (Volla), her sister, according tosome authorities, to whom she entrusted her jewel casket. Fullaalways presided over her mistress's toilet, was privileged to puton her golden shoes, attended her everywhere, was her confidante, and often advised her how best to help the mortals who imploredher aid. Fulla was very beautiful indeed, and had long golden hair, which she wore flowing loose over her shoulders, restrained only bya golden circlet or snood. As her hair was emblematic of the goldengrain, this circlet represented the binding of the sheaf. Fullawas also known as Abundia, or Abundantia, in some parts of Germany, where she was considered the symbol of the fulness of the earth. 

Hlin, Frigga's second attendant, was the goddess of consolation, sent out to kiss away the tears of mourners and pour balm into heartswrung by grief. She also listened with ever-open ears to the prayersof mortals, carrying them to her mistress, and advising her at timeshow best to answer them and give the desired relief. 

Gna

Gna was Frigga's swift messenger. Mounted upon her fleet steedHofvarpnir (hoof-thrower), she would travel with marvellous rapiditythrough fire and air, over land and sea, and was therefore consideredthe personification of the refreshing breeze. Darting thus to and fro, Gna saw all that was happening upon earth, and told her mistressall she knew. On one occasion, as she was passing over Hunaland, she saw King Rerir, a lineal descendant of Odin, sitting mournfullyby the shore, bewailing his childlessness. The queen of heaven, who was also goddess of childbirth, upon hearing this took an apple(the emblem of fruitfulness) from her private store, gave it to Gna, and bade her carry it to the king. With the rapidity of the elementshe personified, Gna darted away, and as she passed over Rerir's head, she dropped her apple into his lap with a radiant smile. 

 "'What flies up there, so quickly driving past?' Her answer from the clouds, as rushing by: 'I fly not, nor do drive, but hurry fast, Hoof-flinger swift through cloud and mist and sky. '"

 Asgard and the Gods (Wagner-Macdowall). 

The king pondered for a moment upon the meaning of this suddenapparition and gift, and then hurried home, his heart beating highwith hope, and gave the apple to his wife to eat. In due season, to his intense joy, she bore him a son, Volsung, the great Northernhero, who became so famous that he gave his name to all his race. 

Lofn, Vjofn, and Syn

Besides the three above mentioned, Frigga had other attendants in hertrain. There was the mild and gracious maiden Lofn (praise or love), whose duty it was to remove all obstacles from the path of lovers. 

 "My lily tall, from her saddle bearing, I led then forth through the temple, faring To th' altar-circle where, priests among, Lofn's vows she took with unfalt'ring tongue. "

 Viking Tales of the North (R. B. Anderson). 

Vjofn's duty was to incline obdurate hearts to love, to maintain peaceand concord among mankind, and to reconcile quarrelling husbands andwives. Syn (truth) guarded the door of Frigga's palace, refusing toopen it to those who were not allowed to come in. When she had onceshut the door upon a would-be intruder no appeal would avail to changeher decision. She therefore presided over all tribunals and trials, and whenever a thing was to be vetoed the usual formula was to declarethat Syn was against it. 

Gefjon

Gefjon was also one of the maidens in Frigga's palace, and to herwere entrusted all those who died unwedded, whom she received andmade happy for ever. 

According to some authorities, Gefjon did not remain a virgin herself, but married one of the giants, by whom she had four sons. This sametradition goes on to declare that Odin sent her before him to visitGylfi, King of Sweden, and to beg for some land which she might callher own. The king, amused at her request, promised her as much land asshe could plough around in one day and night. Gefjon, nothing daunted, changed her four sons into oxen, harnessed them to a plough, and beganto cut a furrow so wide and deep that the king and his courtiers wereamazed. But Gefjon continued her work without showing any signs offatigue, and when she had ploughed all around a large piece of landforcibly wrenched it away, and made her oxen drag it down into the sea, where she made it fast and called it Seeland. 

 "Gefjon drew from Gylfi, Rich in stored up treasure, The land she joined to Denmark. Four heads and eight eyes bearing, While hot sweat trickled down them, The oxen dragged the reft mass That formed this winsome island. "

 Norse Mythology (R. B. Anderson). 

As for the hollow she left behind her, it was quickly filled with waterand formed a lake, at first called Logrum (the sea), but now knownas Mälar, whose every indentation corresponds with the headlands ofSeeland. Gefjon then married Skiold, one of Odin's sons, and becamethe ancestress of the royal Danish race of Skioldungs, dwelling inthe city of Hleidra or Lethra, which she founded, and which becamethe principal place of sacrifice for the heathen Danes. 

Eira, Vara, Vör and Snotra

Eira, also Frigga's attendant, was considered a most skilfulphysician. She gathered simples all over the earth to cure both woundsand diseases, and it was her province to teach the science to women, who were the only ones to practise medicine among the ancient nationsof the North. 

 "Gaping wounds are bound by Eyra. "

 Valhalla (J. C. Jones). 

Vara heard all oaths and punished perjurers, while she rewarded thosewho faithfully kept their word. Then there were also Vör (faith), who knew all that was to occur throughout the world, and Snotra, goddess of virtue, who had mastered all knowledge. 

With such a galaxy of attendants it is little wonder that Frigga wasconsidered a powerful deity; but in spite of the prominent place sheoccupied in Northern religion, she had no special temple nor shrine, and was but little worshipped except in company with Odin. 

Holda

While Frigga was not known by this name in Southern Germany, therewere other goddesses worshipped there, whose attributes were so exactlylike hers, that they were evidently the same, although they bore verydifferent names in the various provinces. Among them was the fairgoddess Holda (Hulda or Frau Holle), who graciously dispensed manyrich gifts. As she presided over the weather, the people were wont todeclare when the snowflakes fell that Frau Holle was shaking her bed, and when it rained, that she was washing her clothes, often pointingto the white clouds as her linen which she had put out to bleach. Whenlong grey strips of clouds drifted across the sky they said she wasweaving, for she was supposed to be also a very diligent weaver, spinner, and housekeeper. It is said she gave flax to mankind andtaught them how to use it, and in the Tyrol the following story istold about the way in which she bestowed this invaluable gift:

The Discovery of Flax

There was once a peasant who daily left his wife and children in thevalley to take his sheep up the mountain to pasture; and as he watchedhis flock grazing on the mountain-side, he often had opportunity touse his cross-bow and bring down a chamois, whose flesh would furnishhis larder with food for many a day. 

While pursuing a fine animal one day he saw it disappear behind aboulder, and when he came to the spot, he was amazed to see a doorwayin the neighbouring glacier, for in the excitement of the pursuit hehad climbed higher and higher, until he was now on top of the mountain, where glittered the everlasting snow. 

The shepherd boldly passed through the open door, and soon foundhimself in a wonderful jewelled cave hung with stalactites, in thecentre of which stood a beautiful woman, clad in silvery robes, andattended by a host of lovely maidens crowned with Alpine roses. In hissurprise, the shepherd sank to his knees, and as in a dream heard thequeenly central figure bid him choose anything he saw to carry awaywith him. Although dazzled by the glow of the precious stones aroundhim, the shepherd's eyes constantly reverted to a little nosegay ofblue flowers which the gracious apparition held in her hand, and henow timidly proffered a request that it might become his. Smiling withpleasure, Holda, for it was she, gave it to him, telling him he hadchosen wisely and would live as long as the flowers did not droop andfade. Then, giving the shepherd a measure of seed which she told himto sow in his field, the goddess bade him begone; and as the thunderpealed and the earth shook, the poor man found himself out upon themountain-side once more, and slowly wended his way home to his wife, to whom he told his adventure and showed the lovely blue flowers andthe measure of seed. 

The woman reproached her husband bitterly for not having brought someof the precious stones which he so glowingly described, instead of theblossoms and seed; nevertheless the man proceeded to sow the latter, and he found to his surprise that the measure supplied seed enoughfor several acres. 

Soon the little green shoots began to appear, and one moonlightnight, while the peasant was gazing upon them, as was his wont, for he felt a curious attraction to the field which he had sown, andoften lingered there wondering what kind of grain would be produced, he saw a misty form hover above the field, with hands outstretchedas if in blessing. At last the field blossomed, and countless littleblue flowers opened their calyxes to the golden sun. When the flowershad withered and the seed was ripe, Holda came once more to teach thepeasant and his wife how to harvest the flax--for such it was--and fromit to spin, weave, and bleach linen. As the people of the neighbourhoodwillingly purchased both linen and flax-seed, the peasant and hiswife soon grew very rich indeed, and while he ploughed, sowed, andharvested, she spun, wove, and bleached the linen. The man lived toa good old age, and saw his grandchildren and great-grandchildrengrow up around him. All this time his carefully treasured bouquethad remained fresh as when he first brought it home, but one day hesaw that during the night the flowers had drooped and were dying. 

Knowing what this portended, and that he too must die, the peasantclimbed the mountain once more to the glacier, and found again thedoorway for which he had often vainly searched. He entered the icyportal, and was never seen or heard of again, for, according to thelegend, the goddess took him under her care, and bade him live inher cave, where his every wish was gratified. 

Tannhäuser

According to a mediæval tradition, Holda dwelt in a cave in theHörselberg, in Thuringia, where she was known as Frau Venus, andwas considered as an enchantress who lured mortals into her realm, where she detained them for ever, steeping their senses in allmanner of sensual pleasures. The most famous of her victims wasTannhäuser, who, after he had lived under her spell for a season, experienced a revulsion of feeling which loosened her bonds over hisspirit and induced anxious thoughts concerning his soul. He escapedfrom her power and hastened to Rome to confess his sins and seekabsolution. But when the Pope heard of his association with one ofthe pagan goddesses whom the priests taught were nothing but demons, he declared that the knight could no more hope for pardon than tosee his staff bear buds and bloom. 

 "Hast thou within the nets of Satan lain? Hast thou thy soul to her perdition pledged? Hast thou thy lip to Hell's Enchantress lent, To drain damnation from her reeking cup? Then know that sooner from the withered staff That in my hand I hold green leaves shall spring, Than from the brand in hell-fire scorched rebloom The blossoms of salvation. "

 Tannhäuser (Owen Meredith). 

Crushed with grief at this pronouncement, Tannhäuser fled, and, despite the entreaties of his faithful friend, Eckhardt, no greattime elapsed ere he returned to the Hörselberg, where he vanishedwithin the cave. He had no sooner disappeared, however, than the Pope'smessengers arrived, proclaiming that he was pardoned, for the witheredstaff had miraculously bloomed, thus proving to all that there wasno sin too heinous to be pardoned, providing repentance were sincere. 

 "Dashed to the hip with travel, dewed with haste, A flying post, and in his hand he bore A withered staff o'erflourished with green leaves; Who, --followed by a crowd of youth and eld, That sang to stun with sound the lark in heaven, 'A miracle! a miracle from Rome! Glory to God that makes the bare bough green!'-- Sprang in the midst, and, hot for answer, asked News of the Knight Tannhäuser. "

 Tannhäuser (Owen Meredith). 

Holda was also the owner of a magic fountain called Quickborn, whichrivalled the famed fountain of youth, and of a chariot in which sherode from place to place when she inspected her domain. This vehiclehaving once suffered damage, the goddess bade a wheelwright repair it, and when he had finished told him to keep some chips as his pay. Theman was indignant at such a meagre reward, and kept only a very few ofthe number; but to his surprise he found these on the morrow changedto gold. 

 "Fricka, thy wife-- This way she reins her harness of rams. Hey! how she whirls The golden whip; The luckless beasts Unboundedly bleat; Her wheels wildly she rattles; Wrath is lit in her look. "

 Wagner (Forman's tr. ). 

Eástre, the Goddess of Spring

The Saxon goddess Eástre, or Ostara, goddess of spring, whose name hassurvived in the English word Easter, is also identical with Frigga, for she too is considered goddess of the earth, or rather of Nature'sresurrection after the long death of winter. This gracious goddesswas so dearly loved by the old Teutons, that even after Christianityhad been introduced they retained so pleasant a recollection of her, that they refused to have her degraded to the rank of a demon, likemany of their other divinities, and transferred her name to their greatChristian feast. It had long been customary to celebrate this day bythe exchange of presents of coloured eggs, for the egg is the type ofthe beginning of life; so the early Christians continued to observethis rule, declaring, however, that the egg is also symbolical of theResurrection. In various parts of Germany, stone altars can still beseen, which are known as Easter-stones, because they were dedicatedto the fair goddess Ostara. They were crowned with flowers by theyoung people, who danced gaily around them by the light of greatbonfires, --a species of popular games practised until the middle ofthe present century, in spite of the priests' denunciations and ofthe repeatedly published edicts against them. 

Bertha, the White Lady

In other parts of Germany, Frigga, Holda, or Ostara is known bythe name of Brechta, Bertha, or the White Lady. She is best knownunder this title in Thuringia, where she was supposed to dwell ina hollow mountain, keeping watch over the Heimchen, souls of unbornchildren, and of those who died unbaptized. Here Bertha watched overagriculture, caring for the plants, which her infant troop wateredcarefully, for each babe was supposed to carry a little jar for thatexpress purpose. While the goddess was duly respected and her retreatunmolested, she remained where she was; but tradition relates thatshe once left the country with her infant train dragging her plough, and settled elsewhere to continue her kind ministrations. Berthais the legendary ancestress of several noble families, and she issupposed to be the same as the industrious queen of the same name, the mythical mother of Charlemagne, whose era has become proverbial, for in speaking of the Golden Age in France and Germany it is customaryto say, "in the days when Bertha spun. "

As this Bertha is supposed to have developed a very large and flatfoot, from continually pressing the treadle of her wheel, she isoften represented in mediæval art as a woman with a splay foot, and hence known as la reine pédauque. 

As ancestress of the imperial house of Germany, the White Lady issupposed to appear in the palace before a death or misfortune inthe family, and this superstition is still so rife in Germany, thatthe newspapers in 1884 contained the official report of a sentinel, who declared that he had seen her flit past him in one of the palacecorridors. 

As Bertha was renowned for her spinning, she naturally was regardedas the special patroness of that branch of female industry, and wassaid to flit through the streets of every village, at nightfall, during the twelve nights between Christmas and January 6, peeringinto every window to inspect the spinning of the household. 

The maidens whose work had been carefully performed were rewarded bya present of one of her own golden threads or a distaff full of extrafine flax; but wherever a careless spinner was found, her wheel wasbroken, her flax soiled, and if she had failed to honour the goddessby eating plenty of the cakes baked at that period of the year, she was cruelly punished. 

In Mecklenburg, this same goddess is known as Frau Gode, or Wode, thefemale form of Wuotan or Odin, and her appearance is always consideredthe harbinger of great prosperity. She is also supposed to be a greathuntress, and to lead the Wild Hunt, mounted upon a white horse, her attendants being changed into hounds and all manner of wild beasts. 

In Holland she was called Vrou-elde, and from her the Milky Way isknown by the Dutch as Vrou-elden-straat; while in parts of NorthernGermany she was called Nerthus (Mother Earth). Her sacred car waskept on an island, presumably Rügen, where the priests guarded itcarefully until she appeared to take a yearly journey throughouther realm to bless the land. The goddess, her face completely hiddenby a thick veil, then sat in this car, which was drawn by two cows, and she was respectfully escorted by her priests. When she passed, the people did homage by ceasing all warfare, and laying aside theirweapons. They donned festive attire, and began no quarrel untilthe goddess had again retired to her sanctuary. Then both car andgoddess were bathed in a secret lake (the Schwartze See, in Rügen), which swallowed up the slaves who had assisted at the bathing, andonce more the priests resumed their watch over the sanctuary andgrove of Nerthus or Hlodyn, to await her next appearance. 

In Scandinavia, this goddess was also known as Huldra, and boasted ofa train of attendant wood-nymphs, who sometimes sought the society ofmortals, to enjoy a dance upon the village green. They could alwaysbe detected, however, by the tip of a cow's tail which trailed frombeneath their long snow-white garments. These Huldra folk were thespecial protectors of the cattle on the mountain-sides, and were saidto surprise the lonely traveller, at times, by the marvellous beautyof the melodies they sang to beguile the hours at their tasks. 

CHAPTER IV: THOR

The Thunderer

According to some mythologists, Thor, or Donar, is the son of Jörd(Erda) and of Odin, but others state that his mother was Frigga, queen of the gods. This child was very remarkable for his great sizeand strength, and very soon after his birth amazed the assembledgods by playfully lifting and throwing about ten great bales of bearskins. Although generally good-tempered, Thor would occasionally flyinto a terrible rage, and as he was very dangerous at these times, hismother, unable to control him, sent him away from home and entrustedhim to the care of Vingnir (the winged), and of Hlora (heat). Thesefoster-parents, who are also considered as the personification ofsheet-lightning, soon managed to control their troublesome charge, andbrought him up so wisely, that the gods entertained a very gratefulrecollection of their kind offices. Thor himself, recognising all heowed them, assumed the names of Vingthor and Hlorridi, by which heis also known. 

 "Cry on, Vingi-Thor, With the dancing of the ring-mail and the smitten shields of war. "

 Sigurd the Volsung (William Morris). 

Having attained his full growth and the age of reason, Thor wasadmitted to Asgard among the other gods, where he occupied one of thetwelve seats in the great judgment hall. He was also given the realmof Thrud-vang or Thrud-heim, where he built a wonderful palace calledBilskirnir (lightning), the most spacious in all Asgard. It containedfive hundred and forty halls for the accommodation of the thralls, who after death were welcomed to his home, where they received equaltreatment with their masters in Valhalla, for Thor was the patrongod of the peasants and lower classes. 

 "Five hundred halls And forty more, Methinketh, hath Bowed Bilskirnir. Of houses roofed There's none I know My son's surpassing. "

 Sæmund's Edda (Percy's tr. ). 

As he was god of thunder, Thor alone was never allowed to pass overthe wonderful bridge Bifröst, lest he should set it aflame by theheat of his presence; and when he wished to join his fellow gods bythe Urdar fountain, under the shade of the sacred tree Yggdrasil, hewas forced to make his way thither on foot, wading through the riversKormt and Ormt, and the two streams Kerlaug, to the trysting place. 

Thor, who was honoured as the highest god in Norway, came second inthe trilogy of all the other countries, and was called "old Thor, "because he is supposed by some mythologists to have belonged to anolder dynasty of gods, and not on account of his actual age, for hewas represented and described as a man in his prime, tall and wellformed, with muscular limbs and bristling red hair and beard, fromwhich, in moments of anger, the sparks flew in showers. 

 "First, Thor with the bent brow, In red beard muttering low, Darting fierce lightnings from eyeballs that glow, Comes, while each chariot wheel Echoes in thunder peal, As his dread hammer shock Makes Earth and Heaven rock, Clouds rifting above, while Earth quakes below. "

 Valhalla (J. C. Jones). 

The Northern races further adorned him with a crown, on each pointof which was either a glittering star, or a steadily burning flame, so that his head was ever surrounded by a kind of halo of fire, his own element. 

Thor's Hammer

Thor was the proud possessor of a magic hammer called Miölnir(the crusher) which he hurled at his enemies, the frost-giants, with destructive power, and which possessed the wonderful propertyof always returning to his hand, however far away he might hurl it. 

 "I am the Thunderer! Here in my Northland, My fastness and fortress, Reign I forever!

 "Here amid icebergs Rule I the nations; This is my hammer, Miölnir the mighty; Giants and sorcerers Cannot withstand it!"

 Saga of King Olaf (Longfellow). 

As this huge hammer, the emblem of the thunderbolts, was generallyred-hot, the god had an iron gauntlet called Iarn-greiper, whichenabled him to grasp it firmly. He could hurl Miölnir a great distance, and his strength, which was always remarkable, was doubled when hewore his magic belt called Megin-giörd. 

 "This is my girdle: Whenever I brace it, Strength is redoubled!"

 Saga of King Olaf (Longfellow). 

Thor's hammer was considered so very sacred by the ancient Northernpeople, that they were wont to make the sign of the hammer, as theChristians later taught them to make the sign of the cross, to wardoff all evil influences, and to secure blessings. The same signwas also made over the newly born infant when water was poured overits head and a name given. The hammer was used to drive in boundarystakes, which it was considered sacrilegious to remove, to hallowthe threshold of a new house, to solemnise a marriage, and, lastly, it played a part in the consecration of the funeral pyre upon whichthe bodies of heroes, together with their weapons and steeds, and, in some cases, with their wives and dependents, were burned. 

In Sweden, Thor, like Odin, was supposed to wear a broad-brimmed hat, and hence the storm-clouds in that country are known as Thor's hat, aname also given to one of the principal mountains in Norway. The rumbleand roar of the thunder were said to be the roll of his chariot, forhe alone among the gods never rode on horseback, but walked, or drovein a brazen chariot drawn by two goats, Tanngniostr (tooth-cracker), and Tanngrisnr (tooth-gnasher), from whose teeth and hoofs the sparksconstantly flew. 

 "Thou camest near the next, O warrior Thor! Shouldering thy hammer, in thy chariot drawn, Swaying the long-hair'd goats with silver'd rein. "

 Balder Dead (Matthew Arnold). 

When the god thus drove from place to place, he was called Aku-thor, or Thor the charioteer, and in Southern Germany the people, fancyinga brazen chariot alone inadequate to furnish all the noise they heard, declared it was loaded with copper kettles, which rattled and clashed, and therefore often called him, with disrespectful familiarity, the kettle-vendor. 

Thor's Family

Thor was twice married; first to the giantess Iarnsaxa (iron stone), who bore him two sons, Magni (strength) and Modi (courage), bothdestined to survive their father and the twilight of the gods, and rule over the new world which was to rise like a phoenix fromthe ashes of the first. His second wife was Sif, the golden-haired, who also bore him two children, Lorride, and a daughter named Thrud, a young giantess renowned for her size and strength. True to thewell-known affinity of contrast, Thrud was wooed by the dwarf Alvis, whom she rather favoured; and one evening, when this suitor, who, being a dwarf, could not face the light of day, presented himself inAsgard to sue for her hand, the assembled gods did not refuse theirconsent. They had scarcely signified their approbation, however, whenThor, who had been absent, suddenly appeared, and casting a glance ofcontempt upon the puny lover, declared he would have to prove that hisknowledge atoned for his small stature, before he could win his bride. 

To test Alvis's mental powers, Thor then questioned him in thelanguage of the gods, Vanas, elves, and dwarfs, artfully prolonginghis examination until sunrise, when the first beam of light, fallingupon the unhappy dwarf, petrified him. There he stood, an enduringexample of the gods' power, to serve as a warning to all other dwarfswho might dare to test it. 

 "Ne'er in human bosom Have I found so many Words of the old time. Thee with subtlest cunning Have I yet befooled. Above ground standeth thou, dwarf By day art overtaken, Bright sunshine fills the hall. "

 Sæmund's Edda (Howitt's version). 

Sif, the Golden-haired

Sif, Thor's wife, was very vain of a magnificent head of long goldenhair which covered her from head to foot like a brilliant veil; andas she too was a symbol of the earth, her hair was said to representthe long grass, or the golden grain covering the Northern harvestfields. Thor was very proud of his wife's beautiful hair; imaginehis dismay, therefore, upon waking one morning, to find her shorn, and as bald and denuded of ornament as the earth when the grain hasbeen garnered, and nothing but the stubble remains! In his anger, Thor sprang to his feet, vowing he would punish the perpetratorof this outrage, whom he immediately and rightly conjectured to beLoki, the arch-plotter, ever on the look-out for some evil deed toperform. Seizing his hammer, Thor went in search of Loki, who attemptedto evade the irate god by changing his form. But it was all to nopurpose; Thor soon overtook him, and without more ado caught him bythe throat, and almost strangled him ere he yielded to his imploringsigns and relaxed his powerful grip. When he could draw his breath, Loki begged forgiveness, but all his entreaties were vain, until hepromised to procure for Sif a new head of hair, as beautiful as thefirst, and as luxuriant in growth. 

 "And thence for Sif new tresses I'll bring Of gold, ere the daylight's gone, So that she shall liken a field in spring, With its yellow-flowered garment on. "

 The Dwarfs, Oehlenschläger (Pigott's tr. ). 

Then Thor consented to let the traitor go; so Loki rapidly crept downinto the bowels of the earth, where Svart-alfa-heim was situated, to beg the dwarf Dvalin to fashion not only the precious hair, buta present for Odin and Frey, whose anger he wished to disarm. 

His request was favourably received and the dwarf fashioned the spearGungnir, which never failed in its aim, and the ship Skidbladnir, which, always wafted by favourable winds, could sail through the airas well as on the water, and which had this further magic property, that although it could contain the gods and all their steeds, itcould be folded up into the very smallest compass and thrust inone's pocket. Lastly, he spun the finest golden thread, from whichhe fashioned the hair required for Sif, declaring that as soon as ittouched her head it would grow fast there and become as her own. 

 "Though they now seem dead, let them touch but her head, Each hair shall the life-moisture fill; Nor shall malice nor spell henceforward prevail Sif's tresses to work aught of ill. "

 The Dwarfs, Oehlenschläger (Pigott's tr. ). 

Loki was so pleased with these proofs of the dwarfs' skill that hedeclared the son of Ivald to be the most clever of smiths--words whichwere overheard by Brock, another dwarf, who exclaimed that he was surehis brother Sindri could produce three objects which would surpassthose which Loki held, not only in intrinsic value, but also in magicalproperties. Loki immediately challenged the dwarf to show his skill, wagering his head against Brock's on the result of the undertaking. 

Sindri, apprised of the wager, accepted Brock's offer to blow thebellows, warning him, however, that he must work persistently andnot for a moment relax his efforts if he wished him to succeed; thenhe threw some gold in the fire, and went out to bespeak the favourof the hidden powers. During his absence Brock diligently plied thebellows, while Loki, hoping to make him pause, changed himself intoa gadfly and cruelly stung his hand. In spite of the pain, the dwarfkept on blowing, and when Sindri returned, he drew out of the firean enormous wild boar, called Gullin-bursti, because of its goldenbristles, which had the power of radiating light as it flitted acrossthe sky, for it could travel through the air with marvellous velocity. 

 "And now, strange to tell, from the roaring fire Came the golden-haired Gullinbörst, To serve as a charger the sun-god Frey, Sure, of all wild boars this the first. "

 The Dwarfs, Oehlenschläger (Pigott's tr. ). 

This first piece of work successfully completed, Sindri flung some moregold on the fire and bade his brother resume blowing, while he againwent out to secure magic assistance. This time Loki, still disguisedas a gadfly, stung the dwarf on his cheek; but in spite of the painBrock worked on, and when Sindri returned, he triumphantly drewout of the flames the magic ring Draupnir, the emblem of fertility, from which eight similar rings dropped every ninth night. 

 "They worked it and turned it with wondrous skill, Till they gave it the virtue rare, That each thrice third night from its rim there fell Eight rings, as their parent fair. "

 The Dwarfs, Oehlenschläger (Pigott's tr. ). 

Now a lump of iron was cast in the flames, and with renewed caution notto forfeit their success by inattention, Sindri passed out, leavingBrock to ply the bellows as before. Loki was now in desperationand he prepared for a final effort. This time, still in the guiseof the gadfly, he stung the dwarf above the eye until the bloodbegan to flow in such a stream, that it prevented his seeing whathe was doing. Hastily raising his hand for a second, Brock dashedaside the stream of blood; but short as was the interruption it hadworked irreparable harm, and when Sindri drew his work out of thefire he uttered an exclamation of disappointment for the hammer hehad fashioned was short in the handle. 

 "Then the dwarf raised his hand to his brow for the smart, Ere the iron well out was beat, And they found that the haft by an inch was too short, But to alter it then 'twas too late. "

 The Dwarfs, Oehlenschläger (Pigott's tr. ). 

Notwithstanding this mishap, Brock was sure of winning the wager andhe did not hesitate to present himself before the gods in Asgard, where he gave Odin the ring Draupnir, Frey the boar Gullin-bursti, and Thor the hammer Miölnir, whose power none could resist. 

Loki in turn gave the spear Gungnir to Odin, the ship Skidbladnir toFrey, and the golden hair to Thor; but although the latter immediatelygrew upon Sif's head and was unanimously declared more beautiful thanher own locks had ever been, the gods decreed that Brock had wonthe wager, on the ground that the hammer Miölnir, in Thor's hands, would prove invaluable against the frost giants on the last day. 

 "And at their head came Thor, Shouldering his hammer, which the giants know. "

 Balder Dead (Matthew Arnold). 

In order to save his head, Loki fled precipitately, but was overtakenby Thor, who brought him back and handed him over to Brock, tellinghim, however, that although Loki's head was rightfully his, hemust not touch his neck. Hindered from obtaining full vengeance, the dwarf determined to punish Loki by sewing his lips together, and as his sword would not pierce them, he borrowed his brother'sawl for the purpose. However, Loki, after enduring the gods' gibesin silence for a little while, managed to cut the string and soonafter was as loquacious as ever. 

In spite of his redoubtable hammer, Thor was not held in dread asthe injurious god of the storm, who destroyed peaceful homesteadsand ruined the harvest by sudden hail-storms and cloud-bursts. TheNorthmen fancied he hurled it only against ice giants and rocky walls, reducing the latter to powder to fertilise the earth and make ityield plentiful fruit to the tillers of the soil. 

In Germany, where the eastern storms are always cold and blighting, while the western bring warm rains and mild weather, Thor was supposedto journey always from west to east, to wage war against the evilspirits which would fain have enveloped the country in impenetrableveils of mist and have bound it in icy fetters. 

Thor's Journey to Jötun-heim

As the giants from Jötun-heim were continually sending out coldblasts of wind to nip the tender buds and hinder the growth of theflowers, Thor once made up his mind to go and force them to behavebetter. Accompanied by Loki he set out in his chariot, and afterriding for a whole day the gods came at nightfall to the confines ofthe giant-world, where, seeing a peasant's hut, they resolved to stayfor rest and refreshment. 

Their host was hospitable but very poor, and Thor, seeing that hewould scarcely be able to supply the necessary food to satisfy hisby no means small appetite, slew both his goats, which he cooked andmade ready to eat, inviting his host and family to partake freely ofthe food thus provided, but cautioning them to throw all the bones, without breaking them, into the skins of the goats which he had spreadout on the floor. 

The peasant and his family ate heartily, but his son Thialfi, encouraged by mischievous Loki, ventured to break one of the bonesand suck out the marrow, thinking his disobedience would not bedetected. On the morrow, however, Thor, ready to depart, struck thegoat skins with his hammer Miölnir, and immediately the goats sprang upas lively as before, except that one seemed somewhat lame. Perceivingthat his commands had been disregarded, Thor would have slain the wholefamily in his wrath. The culprit acknowledged his fault, however, and the peasant offered to compensate for the loss by giving theirate god not only his son Thialfi, but also his daughter Roskva, to serve him for ever. 

Charging the man to take good care of the goats, which he left thereuntil he should return, and bidding the young peasants accompanyhim, Thor now set out on foot with Loki, and after walking all dayfound himself at nightfall in a bleak and barren country, which wasenveloped in an almost impenetrable grey mist. After seeking forsome time, Thor saw through the fog the uncertain outline of whatlooked like a strangely-shaped house. Its open portal was so wide andhigh that it seemed to take up all one side of the house. Enteringand finding neither fire nor light, Thor and his companions flungthemselves wearily down on the floor to sleep, but were soon disturbedby a peculiar noise, and a prolonged trembling of the ground beneaththem. Fearing lest the main roof should fall during this earthquake, Thor and his companions took refuge in a wing of the building, wherethey soon fell sound asleep. At dawn, the god and his companionspassed out, but they had not gone very far ere they saw the recumbentform of a sleeping giant, and perceived that the peculiar soundswhich had disturbed their rest were produced by his snores. At thatmoment the giant awoke, arose, stretched himself, looked about himfor his missing property, and a second later picked up the objectwhich Thor and his companions had mistaken in the darkness for ahouse. They then perceived with amazement that this was nothing morethan a huge mitten, and that the wing in which they had all sleptwas the separate place for the giant's great thumb! Learning thatThor and his companions were on their way to Utgard, as the giants'realm was also called, Skrymir, the giant, proposed to be their guide;and after walking with them all day, he brought them at nightfall toa spot where he proposed to rest. Ere he composed himself for sleep, however, he offered them the provisions in his wallet. But, in spiteof strenuous efforts, neither Thor nor his companions could unfastenthe knots which Skrymir had tied. 

 "Skrymir's thongs Seemed to thee hard, When at the food thou couldst not get, When, in full health, of hunger dying. "

 Sæmund's Edda (Thorpe's tr. ). 

Utgard-loki

Angry because of his snoring, which kept them awake, Thor thricedealt him fearful blows with his hammer. These strokes, instead ofannihilating the monster, merely evoked sleepy comments to the effectthat a leaf, a bit of bark, or a twig from a bird's nest overhead hadfallen upon his face. Early on the morrow, Skrymir left Thor and hiscompanions, pointing out the shortest road to Utgard-loki's castle, which was built of great ice blocks, with huge glittering iciclesas pillars. The gods, slipping between the bars of the great gate, presented themselves boldly before the king of the giants, Utgard-loki, who, recognising them, immediately pretended to be greatly surprisedat their small size, and expressed a wish to see for himself whatthey could do, as he had often heard their prowess vaunted. 

Loki, who had fasted longer than he wished, immediately declaredhe was ready to eat for a wager with any one. So the king ordereda great wooden trough full of meat to be brought into the hall, andplacing Loki at one end and his cook Logi at the other, he bade themsee which would win. Although Loki did wonders, and soon reached themiddle of the trough, he found that, whereas he had picked the bonesclean, his opponent had devoured both them and the trough. 

Smiling contemptuously, Utgard-loki said that it was evident theycould not do much in the eating line, and this so nettled Thor thathe declared if Loki could not eat like the voracious cook, he feltconfident he could drain the biggest vessel in the house, such washis unquenchable thirst. Immediately a horn was brought in, and, Utgard-loki declaring that good drinkers emptied it at one draught, moderately thirsty persons at two, and small drinkers at three, Thor applied his lips to the rim. But, although he drank so deepthat he thought he would burst, the liquid still came almost up tothe rim when he raised his head. A second and third attempt to emptythis horn proved equally unsuccessful. Thialfi then offered to runa race, but a young fellow named Hugi, who was matched against him, soon outstripped him, although Thialfi ran remarkably fast. 

Thor proposed next to show his strength by lifting weights, and waschallenged to pick up the giant's cat. Seizing an opportunity totighten his belt Megin-giörd, which greatly enhanced his strength, he tugged and strained but was able only to raise one of its pawsfrom the floor. 

 "Strong is great Thor, no doubt, when Megingarder He braces tightly o'er his rock-firm loins. "

 Viking Tales of the North (R. B. Anderson). 

A last attempt on his part to wrestle with Utgard-loki's old nurseElli, the only opponent deemed worthy of such a puny fellow, endedjust as disastrously, and the gods, acknowledging they were beaten, were hospitably entertained. On the morrow they were escorted to theconfines of Utgard, where the giant politely informed them that hehoped they would never call upon him again, as he had been forcedto employ magic against them. He then went on to explain that hewas the giant Skrymir, and that had he not taken the precautionto interpose a mountain between his head and Thor's blows, whilehe seemingly lay asleep, he would have been slain, as deep cleftsin the mountain side, to which he pointed, testified to the god'sstrength. Next he informed them that Loki's opponent was Logi (wildfire); that Thialfi had run a race with Hugi (thought), than which noswifter runner exists; that Thor's drinking horn was connected withthe ocean, where his deep draughts had produced a perceptible ebb;that the cat was in reality the terrible Midgard snake encircling theworld, which Thor had nearly pulled out of the sea; and that Elli, his nurse, was old age, whom none can resist. Having finished theseexplanations and cautioned them never to return or he would defendhimself by similar delusions, Utgard-loki vanished, and although Thorangrily brandished his hammer, and would have destroyed his castle, such a mist enveloped it that it could not be seen, and the thundergod was obliged to return to Thrud-vang without having administeredhis purposed salutary lesson to the race of giants. 

 "The strong-armed Thor Full oft against Jotunheim did wend, But spite his belt celestial, spite his gauntlets, Utgard-Loki still his throne retains; Evil, itself a force, to force yields never. "

 Viking Tales of the North (R. B. Anderson). 

Thor and Hrungnir

Odin himself was once dashing through the air on his eight-footed steedSleipnir, when he attracted the attention of the giant Hrungnir, who proposed a race, declaring that Gullfaxi, his steed, couldrival Sleipnir in speed. In the heat of the race, Hrungnir did notnotice the direction in which they were going, until, in the vainhope of overtaking Odin, he urged his steed to the very gates ofValhalla. Discovering then where he was, the giant grew pale withfear, for he knew he had jeopardised his life by venturing into thestronghold of the gods, his hereditary foes. 

The Æsir, however, were too honourable to take even an enemy at adisadvantage, and, instead of doing him harm, they asked him into theirbanqueting-halls, where he proceeded to indulge in liberal potationsof the heavenly mead set before him. He soon grew so excited that hebegan to boast of his power, declaring he would come some day and takepossession of Asgard, which he would destroy, together with the gods, save only Freya and Sif, upon whom he gazed with an admiring leer. 

The gods, knowing he was not responsible, let him talk unmolested;but Thor, coming home just then from one of his journeys, andhearing his threat to carry away the beloved Sif, flew into aterrible rage. He furiously brandished his hammer, with intent toannihilate the boaster. This the gods would not permit, however, andthey quickly threw themselves between the irate Thunderer and theirguest, imploring Thor to respect the sacred rights of hospitality, and not to desecrate their peace-stead by shedding blood. 

Thor was at last induced to bridle his wrath, but he demanded thatHrungnir should appoint a time and place for a holmgang, as a Northernduel was generally called. Thus challenged, Hrungnir promised to meetThor at Griottunagard, the confines of his realm, three days later, and departed somewhat sobered by the fright he had experienced. Whenhis fellow giants heard how rash he had been, they chided him sorely;but they took counsel together in order to make the best of a badsituation. Hrungnir told them that he was to have the privilege ofbeing accompanied by a squire, whom Thialfi would engage in fight, wherefore they proceeded to construct a creature of clay, ninemiles long, and proportionately wide, whom they called Mokerkialfi(mist wader). As they could find no human heart big enough to put inthis monster's breast, they secured that of a mare, which, however, kept fluttering and quivering with apprehension. The day of the duelarrived. Hrungnir and his squire were on the ground awaiting thearrival of their respective opponents. The giant had not only a flintheart and skull, but also a shield and club of the same substance, and therefore deemed himself well-nigh invincible. Thialfi camebefore his master and soon after there was a terrible rumbling andshaking which made the giant apprehensive that his enemy would comeup through the ground and attack him from underneath. He thereforefollowed a hint from Thialfi and stood upon his shield. 

A moment later, however, he saw his mistake, for, while Thialfiattacked Mokerkialfi with a spade, Thor came with a rush upon the sceneand flung his hammer full at his opponent's head. Hrungnir, to wardoff the blow, interposed his stone club, which was shivered into piecesthat flew all over the earth, supplying all the flint stones thereafterto be found, and one fragment sank deep into Thor's forehead. As thegod dropped fainting to the ground, his hammer crashed against thehead of Hrungnir, who fell dead beside him, in such a position thatone of his ponderous legs was thrown over the recumbent god. 

 "Thou now remindest me How I with Hrungnir fought, That stout-hearted Jotun, Whose head was all of stone; Yet I made him fall And sink before me. "

 Sæmund's Edda (Thorpe's tr. ). 

Thialfi, who, in the meanwhile, had disposed of the great clay giantwith its cowardly mare's heart, now rushed to his master's assistance, but his efforts were unavailing, nor could the other gods, whom hequickly summoned, raise the pinioning leg. While they were standingthere, helplessly wondering what they should do next, Thor's littleson Magni came up. According to varying accounts, he was then onlythree days or three years old, but he quickly seized the giant'sfoot, and, unaided, set his father free, declaring that had he onlybeen summoned sooner he would easily have disposed of both giant andsquire. This exhibition of strength made the gods marvel greatly, and helped them to recognise the truth of the various predictions, which one and all declared that their descendants would be mightierthan they, would survive them, and would rule in their turn over thenew heaven and earth. 

To reward his son for his timely aid, Thor gave him the steed Gullfaxi(golden-maned), to which he had fallen heir by right of conquest, and Magni ever after rode this marvellous horse, which almost equalledthe renowned Sleipnir in speed and endurance. 

Groa, the Sorceress

After vainly trying to remove the stone splinter from his forehead, Thor sadly returned home to Thrud-vang, where Sif's loving effortswere equally unsuccessful. She therefore resolved to send for Groa(green-making), a sorceress, noted for her skill in medicine and forthe efficacy of her spells and incantations. Groa immediately signifiedher readiness to render every service in her power to the god who hadso often benefited her, and solemnly began to recite powerful runes, under whose influence Thor felt the stone grow looser and looser. Hisdelight at the prospect of a speedy deliverance made Thor wish toreward the enchantress forthwith, and knowing that nothing could givegreater pleasure to a mother than the prospect of seeing a long-lostchild, he proceeded to tell her that he had recently crossed theElivagar, or ice streams, to rescue her little son Orvandil (germ) fromthe frost giants' cruel power, and had succeeded in carrying him offin a basket. But, as the little rogue would persist in sticking one ofhis bare toes through a hole in the basket, it had been frost-bitten, and Thor, accidentally breaking it off, had flung it up into the sky, to shine as a star, known in the North as "Orvandil's Toe. "

Delighted with these tidings, the prophetess paused in her incantationsto express her joy, but, having forgotten just where she left off, she was unable to continue her spell, and the flint stone remainedembedded in Thor's forehead, whence it could never be dislodged. 

Of course, as Thor's hammer always did him such good service, it wasthe most prized of all his possessions, and his dismay was very greatwhen he awoke one morning and found it gone. His cry of anger anddisappointment soon brought Loki to his side, and to him Thor confidedthe secret of his loss, declaring that were the giants to hear of it, they would soon attempt to storm Asgard and destroy the gods. 

 "Wroth waxed Thor, when his sleep was flown, And he found his trusty hammer gone; He smote his brow, his beard he shook, The son of earth 'gan round him look; And this the first word that he spoke: 'Now listen what I tell thee, Loke; Which neither on earth below is known, Nor in heaven above: my hammer's gone. "

 Thrym's Quida (Herbert's tr. ). 

Thor and Thrym

Loki declared he would try to discover the thief and recover thehammer, if Freya would lend him her falcon plumes, and he immediatelyhastened off to Folkvang to borrow them. His errand was successful andin the form of a bird he then winged his flight across the river Ifing, and over the barren stretches of Jötun-heim, where he suspected thatthe thief would be found. There he saw Thrym, prince of the frostgiants and god of the destructive thunder-storm, sitting alone on ahill-side. Artfully questioning him, he soon learned that Thrym hadstolen the hammer and had buried it deep underground. Moreover, hefound that there was little hope of its being restored unless Freyawere brought to him arrayed as a bride. 

 "I have the Thunderer's hammer bound Fathoms eight beneath the ground; With it shall no one homeward tread Till he bring me Freya to share my bed. "

 Thrym's Quida (Herbert's tr. ). 

Indignant at the giant's presumption, Loki returned to Thrud-vang, but Thor declared it would be well to visit Freya and try to prevailupon her to sacrifice herself for the general good. But when the Æsirtold the goddess of beauty what they wished her to do, she flew intosuch a passion that even her necklace burst. She told them that shewould never leave her beloved husband for any god, much less to marrya detested giant and dwell in Jötun-heim, where all was dreary in theextreme, and where she would soon die of longing for the green fieldsand flowery meadows, in which she loved to roam. Seeing that furtherpersuasions would be useless, Loki and Thor returned home and theredeliberated upon another plan for recovering the hammer. By Heimdall'sadvice, which, however, was only accepted with extreme reluctance, Thor borrowed and put on Freya's clothes together with her necklace, and enveloped himself in a thick veil. Loki, having attired himself ashandmaiden, then mounted with him in the goat-drawn chariot, and thestrangely attired pair set out for Jötun-heim, where they intended toplay the respective parts of the goddess of beauty and her attendant. 

 "Home were driven Then the goats, And hitched to the car; Hasten they must-- The mountains crashed, The earth stood in flames: Odin's son Rode to Jötun-heim. "

 Norse Mythology (R. B. Anderson). 

Thrym welcomed his guests at the palace door, overjoyed at the thoughtthat he was about to secure undisputed possession of the goddessof beauty, for whom he had long sighed in vain. He quickly led themto the banqueting-hall, where Thor, the bride elect, distinguishedhimself by eating an ox, eight huge salmon, and all the cakes andsweets provided for the women, washing down these miscellaneous viandswith the contents of two barrels of mead. 

The giant bridegroom watched these gastronomic feats with amazement, whereupon Loki, in order to reassure him, confidentially whisperedthat the bride was so deeply in love with him that she had not beenable to taste a morsel of food for more than eight days. Thrym thensought to kiss the bride, but drew back appalled at the fire of herglance, which Loki explained as a burning glance of love. The giant'ssister, claiming the usual gifts, was not even noticed; whereforeLoki again whispered to the wondering Thrym that love makes peopleabsent-minded. Intoxicated with passion and mead, which he, too, had drunk in liberal quantities, the bridegroom now bade his servantsproduce the sacred hammer to consecrate the marriage, and as soon asit was brought he himself laid it in the pretended Freya's lap. Thenext moment a powerful hand closed over the short handle, and soonthe giant, his sister, and all the invited guests, were slain by theterrible Thor. 

 "'Bear in the hammer to plight the maid; Upon her lap the bruiser lay, And firmly plight our hands and fay. ' The Thunderer's soul smiled in his breast; When the hammer hard on his lap was placed, Thrym first, the king of the Thursi, he slew, And slaughtered all the giant crew. "

 Thrym's Quida (Herbert's tr. ). 

Leaving a smoking heap of ruins behind them, the gods then droverapidly back to Asgard, where the borrowed garments were given backto Freya, much to the relief of Thor, and the Æsir rejoiced at therecovery of the precious hammer. When next Odin gazed upon that partof Jötun-heim from his throne Hlidskialf, he saw the ruins coveredwith tender green shoots, for Thor, having conquered his enemy, had taken possession of his land, which henceforth would no longerremain barren and desolate, but would bring forth fruit in abundance. 

Thor and Geirrod

Loki once borrowed Freya's falcon-garb and flew off in search ofadventures to another part of Jötun-heim, where he perched on topof the gables of Geirrod's house. He soon attracted the attentionof this giant, who bade one of his servants catch the bird. Amusedat the fellow's clumsy attempts to secure him, Loki flitted aboutfrom place to place, only moving just as the giant was about to layhands upon him, when, miscalculating his distance, he suddenly foundhimself a captive. 

Attracted by the bird's bright eyes, Geirrod looked closely at it andconcluded that it was a god in disguise, and finding that he couldnot force him to speak, he locked him in a cage, where he kept himfor three whole months without food or drink. Conquered at last byhunger and thirst, Loki revealed his identity, and obtained his releaseby promising that he would induce Thor to visit Geirrod without hishammer, belt, or magic gauntlet. Loki then flew back to Asgard, andtold Thor that he had been royally entertained, and that his host hadexpressed a strong desire to see the powerful thunder-god, of whomhe had heard such wonderful tales. Flattered by this artful speech, Thor was induced to consent to a friendly journey to Jötun-heim, and the two gods set out, leaving the three marvellous weapons athome. They had not gone far, however, ere they came to the house ofthe giantess Grid, one of Odin's many wives. Seeing Thor unarmed, she warned him to beware of treachery and lent him her own girdle, staff, and glove. Some time after leaving her, Thor and Loki came tothe river Veimer, which the Thunderer, accustomed to wading, preparedto ford, bidding Loki and Thialfi cling fast to his belt. 

In the middle of the stream, however, a sudden cloud-burst and freshetovertook them; the waters began to rise and roar, and although Thorleaned heavily upon his staff, he was almost swept away by the forceof the raging current. 

 "Wax not, Veimer, Since to wade I desire To the realm of the giants! Know, if thou waxest, Then waxes my asa-might As high as the heavens. "

 Norse Mythology (R. B. Anderson). 

Thor now became aware of the presence, up stream, of Geirrod's daughterGialp, and rightly suspecting that she was the cause of the storm, hepicked up a huge boulder and flung it at her, muttering that the bestplace to dam a river was at its source. The missile had the desiredeffect, for the giantess fled, the waters abated, and Thor, exhaustedbut safe, pulled himself up on the opposite bank by a little shrub, themountain-ash or sorb. This has since been known as "Thor's salvation, "and occult powers have been attributed to it. After resting awhileThor and his companions resumed their journey; but upon arriving atGeirrod's house the god was so exhausted that he sank wearily uponthe only chair in sight. To his surprise, however, he felt it risingbeneath him, and fearful lest he should be crushed against the rafters, he pushed the borrowed staff against the ceiling and forced thechair downward with all his might. Then followed a terrible cracking, sudden cries, and moans of pain; and when Thor came to investigate, it appeared that the giant's daughters, Gialp and Greip, had slippedunder his chair with intent treacherously to slay him, and they hadreaped a righteous retribution and both lay crushed to death. 

 "Once I employed My asa-might In the realm of giants, When Gialp and Greip, Geirrod's daughters, Wanted to lift me to heaven. "

 Norse Mythology (R. B. Anderson). 

Geirrod now appeared and challenged Thor to a test of strength andskill, but without waiting for a preconcerted signal, he flung ared-hot wedge at him. Thor, quick of eye and a practised catcher, caught the missile with the giantess's iron glove, and hurled itback at his opponent. Such was the force of the god, that the missilepassed, not only through the pillar behind which the giant had takenrefuge, but through him and the wall of the house, and buried itselfdeep in the earth without. 

Thor then strode up to the giant's corpse, which at the blow from hisweapon had been petrified into stone, and set it up in a conspicuousplace, as a monument of his strength and of the victory he had wonover his redoubtable foes, the mountain giants. 

The Worship of Thor

Thor's name has been given to many of the places he was wont tofrequent, such as the principal harbour of the Faroe Islands, and tofamilies which claim to be descended from him. It is still extantin such names as Thunderhill in Surrey, and in the family names ofThorburn and Thorwaldsen, but is most conspicuous in the name of oneof the days of the week, Thor's day or Thursday. 

 "Over the whole earth Still is it Thor's day!"

 Saga of King Olaf (Longfellow). 

Thor was considered a pre-eminently benevolent deity, and it was forthat reason that he was so widely worshipped and that temples to hisworship arose at Moeri, Hlader, Godey, Gothland, Upsala, and otherplaces, where the people never failed to invoke him for a favourableyear at Yule-tide, his principal festival. It was customary on thisoccasion to burn a great log of oak, his sacred tree, as an emblem ofthe warmth and light of summer, which would drive away the darknessand cold of winter. 

Brides invariably wore red, Thor's favourite colour, which wasconsidered emblematical of love, and for the same reason betrothalrings in the North were almost always set with a red stone. 

Thor's temples and statues, like Odin's, were fashioned of wood, and the greater number of them were destroyed during the reign ofKing Olaf the Saint. According to ancient chronicles, this monarchforcibly converted his subjects. He was specially incensed againstthe inhabitants of a certain province, because they worshipped arude image of Thor, which they decked with golden ornaments, andbefore which they set food every evening, declaring the god ate it, as no trace of it was left in the morning. 

The people, being called upon in 1030 to renounce this idol in favourof the true God, promised to consent if the morrow were cloudy;but when after a whole night spent by Olaf in ardent prayer, therefollowed a cloudy day, the obstinate people declared they were notyet convinced of his God's power, and would only believe if the sunshone on the next day. 

Once more Olaf spent the night in prayer, but at dawn, to hisgreat chagrin, the sky was overcast. Nevertheless, he assembled thepeople near Thor's statue, and after secretly bidding his principalattendant to smash the idol with his battle-axe if the people turnedtheir eyes away but for a moment, he began to address them. Suddenly, while all were listening to him, Olaf pointed to the horizon, wherethe sun was slowly breaking its way through the clouds, and exclaimed, "Behold our God!" The people one and all turned to see what he meant, and the attendant seized this opportunity for attacking the idol, which yielded easily to his blows, and a host of mice and other verminscattered hastily from its hollow interior. Seeing now that the foodplaced before their god had been devoured by noxious animals only, the people ceased to revere Thor, and definitely accepted the faithwhich King Olaf had so long and vainly pressed upon them. 

CHAPTER V: TYR

The God of War

Tyr Tiu, or Ziu was the son of Odin, and, according to differentmythologists, his mother was Frigga, queen of the gods, or a beautifulgiantess whose name is unknown, but who was a personification of theraging sea. He is the god of martial honour, and one of the twelveprincipal deities of Asgard. Although he appears to have had nospecial dwelling there, he was always welcome to Vingolf or Valhalla, and occupied one of the twelve thrones in the great council hallof Glads-heim. 

 "The hall Glads-heim, which is built of gold; Where are in circle, ranged twelve golden chairs, And in the midst one higher, Odin's Throne. "

 Balder Dead (Matthew Arnold). 

As the God of courage and of war, Tyr was frequently invoked by thevarious nations of the North, who cried to him, as well as to Odin, to obtain victory. That he ranked next to Odin and Thor is provedby his name, Tiu, having been given to one of the days of the week, Tiu's day, which in modern English has become Tuesday. Under the nameof Ziu, Tyr was the principal divinity of the Suabians, who originallycalled their capital, the modern Augsburg, Ziusburg. This people, venerating the god as they did, were wont to worship him under theemblem of a sword, his distinctive attribute, and in his honour heldgreat sword dances, where various figures were performed. Sometimesthe participants forming two long lines, crossed their swords, pointupward, and challenged the boldest among their number to take a flyingleap over them. At other times the warriors joined their sword pointsclosely together in the shape of a rose or wheel, and when thisfigure was complete invited their chief to stand on the navel thusformed of flat, shining steel blades, and then they bore him upon itthrough the camp in triumph. The sword point was further consideredso sacred that it became customary to register oaths upon it. 

 ". .. Come hither, gentlemen, And lay your hands again upon my sword; Never to speak of this that you have heard, Swear by my sword. "

 Hamlet (Shakespeare). 

A distinctive feature of the worship of this god among the Franks andsome other Northern nations was that the priests called Druids or Godioffered up human sacrifices upon his altars, generally cutting thebloody- or spread-eagle upon their victims, that is to say, making adeep incision on either side of the back-bone, turning the ribs thusloosened inside out, and tearing out the viscera through the openingthus made. Of course only prisoners of war were treated thus, and itwas considered a point of honour with north European races to endurethis torture without a moan. These sacrifices were made upon rudestone altars called dolmens, which can still be seen in NorthernEurope. As Tyr was considered the patron god of the sword, it wasdeemed indispensable to engrave the sign or rune representing himupon the blade of every sword--an observance which the Edda enjoinedupon all those who were desirous of obtaining victory. 

 "Sig-runes thou must know, If victory (sigr) thou wilt have, And on thy sword's hilt rist them; Some on the chapes, Some on the guard, And twice name the name of Tyr. "

 Lay of Sigdrifa (Thorpe's tr. ). 

Tyr was identical with the Saxon god Saxnot (from sax, a sword), and with Er, Heru, or Cheru, the chief divinity of the Cheruski, who also considered him god of the sun, and deemed his shining swordblade an emblem of its rays. 

 "This very sword a ray of light Snatched from the Sun!"

 Valhalla (J. C. Jones). 

Tyr's Sword

According to an ancient legend, Cheru's sword, which had been fashionedby the same dwarfs, sons of Ivald, who had also made Odin's spear, was held very sacred by his people, to whose care he had entrusted it, declaring that those who possessed it were sure to have the victoryover their foes. But although carefully guarded in the temple, whereit was hung so that it reflected the first beams of the morning sun, it suddenly and mysteriously disappeared one night. A Vala, druidess, or prophetess, consulted by the priests, revealed that the Norns haddecreed that whoever wielded it would conquer the world and cometo his death by it; but in spite of all entreaties she refused totell who had taken it or where it might be found. Some time afterthis occurrence a tall and dignified stranger came to Cologne, whereVitellius, the Roman prefect, was feasting, and called him away fromhis beloved dainties. In the presence of the Roman soldiery he gavehim the sword, telling him it would bring him glory and renown, andfinally hailed him as emperor. The cry was taken up by the assembledlegions, and Vitellius, without making any personal effort to securethe honour, found himself elected Emperor of Rome. 

The new ruler, however, was so absorbed in indulging his taste forfood and drink that he paid but little heed to the divine weapon. Oneday while leisurely making his way towards Rome he carelessly left ithanging in the antechamber to his pavilion. A German soldier seizedthis opportunity to substitute in its stead his own rusty blade, andthe besotted emperor did not notice the exchange. When he arrived atRome, he learned that the Eastern legions had named Vespasian emperor, and that he was even then on his way home to claim the throne. 

Searching for the sacred weapon to defend his rights, Vitelliusnow discovered the theft, and, overcome by superstitious fears, didnot even attempt to fight. He crawled away into a dark corner of hispalace, whence he was ignominiously dragged by the enraged populace tothe foot of the Capitoline Hill. There the prophecy was duly fulfilled, for the German soldier, who had joined the opposite faction, comingalong at that moment, cut off Vitellius' head with the sacred sword. 

The German soldier now changed from one legion to another, andtravelled over many lands; but wherever he and his sword were found, victory was assured. After winning great honour and distinction, thisman, having grown old, retired from active service to the banks of theDanube, where he secretly buried his treasured weapon, building his hutover its resting-place to guard it as long as he might live. When helay on his deathbed he was implored to reveal where he had hidden it, but he persistently refused to do so, saying that it would be foundby the man who was destined to conquer the world, but that he wouldnot be able to escape the curse. Years passed by. Wave after wavethe tide of barbarian invasion swept over that part of the country, and last of all came the terrible Huns under the leadership of Attila, the "Scourge of God. " As he passed along the river, he saw a peasantmournfully examining his cow's foot, which had been wounded by somesharp instrument hidden in the long grass, and when search was madethe point of a buried sword was found sticking out of the soil. 

Attila, seeing the beautiful workmanship and the fine state ofpreservation of this weapon, immediately exclaimed that it wasCheru's sword, and brandishing it above his head he announced thathe would conquer the world. Battle after battle was fought by theHuns, who, according to the Saga, were everywhere victorious, untilAttila, weary of warfare, settled down in Hungary, taking to wife thebeautiful Burgundian princess Ildico, whose father he had slain. Thisprincess, resenting the murder of her kin and wishing to avenge it, took advantage of the king's state of intoxication upon his weddingnight to secure possession of the divine sword, with which she slewhim in his bed, once more fulfilling the prophecy uttered so manyyears before. 

The magic sword again disappeared for a long time, to be unearthed oncemore, for the last time, by the Duke of Alva, Charles V. 's general, who shortly after won the victory of Mühlberg (1547). The Frankswere wont to celebrate yearly martial games in honour of the sword;but it is said that when the heathen gods were renounced in favourof Christianity, the priests transferred many of their attributes tothe saints, and that this sword became the property of the ArchangelSt. Michael, who has wielded it ever since. 

Tyr, whose name was synonymous with bravery and wisdom, was alsoconsidered by the ancient Northern people to have the white-armedValkyrs, Odin's attendants, at his command, and they thought thathe it was who designated the warriors whom they should transfer toValhalla to aid the gods on the last day. 

 "The god Tyr sent Gondul and Skogul To choose a king Of the race of Ingve, To dwell with Odin In roomy Valhal. "

 Norse Mythology (R. B. Anderson). 

The Story of Fenris

Tyr was generally spoken of and represented as one-armed, just as Odinwas called one-eyed. Various explanations are offered by differentauthorities; some claim that it was because he could give the victoryonly to one side; others, because a sword has but one blade. Howeverthis may be, the ancients preferred to account for the fact in thefollowing way:

Loki married secretly at Jötun-heim the hideous giantess Angur-boda(anguish boding), who bore him three monstrous children--the wolfFenris, Hel, the parti-coloured goddess of death, and Iörmungandr, a terrible serpent. He kept the existence of these monsters secret aslong as he could; but they speedily grew so large that they could nolonger remain confined in the cave where they had come to light. Odin, from his throne Hlidskialf, soon became aware of their existence, and also of the disquieting rapidity with which they increased insize. Fearful lest the monsters, when they had gained further strength, should invade Asgard and destroy the gods, Allfather determined toget rid of them, and striding off to Jötun-heim, he flung Hel intothe depths of Nifl-heim, telling her she could reign over the ninedismal worlds of the dead. He then cast Iörmungandr into the sea, where he attained such immense proportions that at last he encircledthe earth and could bite his own tail. 

 "Into mid-ocean's dark depths hurled, Grown with each day to giant size, The serpent soon inclosed the world, With tail in mouth, in circle-wise; Held harmless still By Odin's will. "

 Valhalla (J. C. Jones). 

None too well pleased that the serpent should attain such fearfuldimensions in his new element, Odin resolved to lead Fenris toAsgard, where he hoped, by kindly treatment, to make him gentleand tractable. But the gods one and all shrank in dismay when theysaw the wolf, and none dared approach to give him food except Tyr, whom nothing daunted. Seeing that Fenris daily increased in size, strength, voracity, and fierceness, the gods assembled in councilto deliberate how they might best dispose of him. They unanimouslydecided that as it would desecrate their peace-steads to slay him, they would bind him fast so that he could work them no harm. 

With that purpose in view, they obtained a strong chain named Læding, and then playfully proposed to Fenris to bind this about him as a testof his vaunted strength. Confident in his ability to release himself, Fenris patiently allowed them to bind him fast, and when all stoodaside, with a mighty effort he stretched himself and easily burstthe chain asunder. 

Concealing their chagrin, the gods were loud in praise of his strength, but they next produced a much stronger fetter, Droma, which, aftersome persuasion, the wolf allowed them to fasten around him asbefore. Again a short, sharp struggle sufficed to burst this bond, and it is proverbial in the North to use the figurative expressions, "to get loose out of Læding, " and "to dash out of Droma, " whenevergreat difficulties have to be surmounted. 

 "Twice did the Æsir strive to bind, Twice did they fetters powerless find; Iron or brass of no avail, Naught, save through magic, could prevail. "

 Valhalla (J. C. Jones). 

The gods, perceiving now that ordinary bonds, however strong, wouldnever prevail against the Fenris wolf's great strength, bade Skirnir, Frey's servant, go down to Svart-alfa-heim and bid the dwarfs fashiona bond which nothing could sever. 

By magic arts the dark elves manufactured a slender silken rope fromsuch impalpable materials as the sound of a cat's footsteps, a woman'sbeard, the roots of a mountain, the longings of the bear, the voice offishes, and the spittle of birds, and when it was finished they gaveit to Skirnir, assuring him that no strength would avail to break it, and that the more it was strained the stronger it would become. 

 "Gleipnir, at last, By Dark Elves cast, In Svart-alf-heim, with strong spells wrought, To Odin was by Skirnir brought: As soft as silk, as light as air, Yet still of magic power most rare. "

 Valhalla (J. C. Jones). 

Armed with this bond, called Gleipnir, the gods went with Fenris to theIsland of Lyngvi, in the middle of Lake Amsvartnir, and again proposedto test his strength. But although Fenris had grown still stronger, he mistrusted the bond which looked so slight. He therefore refused toallow himself to be bound, unless one of the Æsir would consent to puthis hand in his mouth, and leave it there, as a pledge of good faith, and that no magic arts were to be used against him. 

The gods heard the decision with dismay, and all drew back exceptTyr, who, seeing that the others would not venture to comply withthis condition, boldly stepped forward and thrust his hand betweenthe monster's jaws. The gods now fastened Gleipnir securely aroundFenris's neck and paws, and when they saw that his utmost efforts tofree himself were fruitless, they shouted and laughed with glee. Tyr, however, could not share their joy, for the wolf, finding himselfcaptive, bit off the god's hand at the wrist, which since then hasbeen known as the wolf's joint. 

 Loki. 

 "Be silent, Tyr! Thou couldst never settle A strife 'twixt two; Of thy right hand also I must mention make, Which Fenris from thee took. 

 Tyr. 

 I of a hand am wanting, But thou of honest fame; Sad is the lack of either. Nor is the wolf at ease: He in bonds must abide Until the gods' destruction. "

 Sæmund's Edda (Thorpe's tr. ). 

Deprived of his right hand, Tyr was now forced to use the maimed armfor his shield, and to wield his sword with his left hand; but suchwas his dexterity that he slew his enemies as before. 

The gods, in spite of the wolf's struggles, drew the end of the fetterGelgia through the rock Gioll, and fastened it to the boulder Thviti, which was sunk deep in the ground. Opening wide his fearful jaws, Fenris uttered such terrible howls that the gods, to silence him, thrust a sword into his mouth, the hilt resting upon his lower jawand the point against his palate. The blood then began to pour outin such streams that it formed a great river, called Von. The wolfwas destined to remain thus chained fast until the last day, when hewould burst his bonds and would be free to avenge his wrongs. 

 "The wolf Fenrir, Freed from the chain, Shall range the earth. "

 Death-song of Hâkon (W. Taylor's tr. ). 

While some mythologists see in this myth an emblem of crime restrainedand made innocuous by the power of the law, others see the undergroundfire, which kept within bounds can injure no one, but which unfetteredfills the world with destruction and woe. Just as Odin's secondeye is said to rest in Mimir's well, so Tyr's second hand (sword)is found in Fenris's jaws. He has no more use for two weapons thanthe sky for two suns. 

The worship of Tyr is commemorated in sundry places (such as Tübingen, in Germany), which bear more or less modified forms of his name. Thename has also been given to the aconite, a plant known in Northerncountries as "Tyr's helm. "

CHAPTER VI: BRAGI

The Origin of Poetry

At the time of the dispute between the Æsir and Vanas, when peacehad been agreed upon, a vase was brought into the assembly into whichboth parties solemnly spat. From this saliva the gods created Kvasir, a being renowned for his wisdom and goodness, who went about theworld answering all questions asked him, thus teaching and benefitingmankind. The dwarfs, hearing about Kvasir's great wisdom, coveted it, and finding him asleep one day, two of their number, Fialar and Galar, treacherously slew him, and drained every drop of his blood intothree vessels--the kettle Od-hroerir (inspiration) and the bowls Son(expiation) and Boden (offering). After duly mixing this blood withhoney, they manufactured from it a sort of beverage so inspiring thatany one who tasted it immediately became a poet, and could sing witha charm which was certain to win all hearts. 

Now, although the dwarfs had brewed this marvellous mead for their ownconsumption, they did not even taste it, but hid it away in a secretplace, while they went in search of further adventures. They had notgone very far ere they found the giant Gilling also sound asleep, lying on a steep bank, and they maliciously rolled him into the water, where he perished. Then hastening to his dwelling, some climbed onthe roof, carrying a huge millstone, while the others, entering, told the giantess that her husband was dead. This news caused thepoor creature great grief, and she rushed out of the house to viewGilling's remains. As she passed through the door, the wicked dwarfsrolled the millstone down upon her head, and killed her. According toanother account, the dwarfs invited the giant to go fishing with them, and succeeded in slaying him by sending him out in a leaky vessel, which sank beneath his weight. 

The double crime thus committed did not long remain unpunished, forGilling's brother, Suttung, quickly went in search of the dwarfs, determined to avenge him. Seizing them in his mighty grasp, the giantconveyed them to a shoal far out at sea, where they would surely haveperished at the next high tide had they not succeeded in redeemingtheir lives by promising to deliver to the giant their recentlybrewed mead. As soon as Suttung set them ashore, they thereforegave him the precious compound, which he entrusted to his daughterGunlod, bidding her guard it night and day, and allow neither godsnor mortals to have so much as a taste. The better to fulfil thiscommand, Gunlod carried the three vessels into the hollow mountain, where she kept watch over them with the most scrupulous care, nordid she suspect that Odin had discovered their place of concealment, thanks to the sharp eyes of his ever-vigilant ravens Hugin and Munin. 

The Quest of the Draught

As Odin had mastered the runic lore and had tasted the waters ofMimir's fountain, he was already the wisest of gods; but learningof the power of the draught of inspiration manufactured out ofKvasir's blood, he became very anxious to obtain possession of themagic fluid. With this purpose in view he therefore donned hisbroad-brimmed hat, wrapped himself in his cloud-hued cloak, andjourneyed off to Jötun-heim. On his way to the giant's dwelling hepassed by a field where nine ugly thralls were busy making hay. Odinpaused for a moment, watching them at their work, and noticing thattheir scythes seemed very dull indeed, he proposed to whet them, an offer which the thralls eagerly accepted. 

Drawing a whetstone from his bosom, Odin proceeded to sharpen thenine scythes, skilfully giving them such a keen edge that the thralls, delighted, begged that they might have the stone. With good-humouredacquiescence, Odin tossed the whetstone over the wall; but as thenine thralls simultaneously sprang forward to catch it, they woundedone another with their keen scythes. In anger at their respectivecarelessness, they now began to fight, and did not pause until theywere all either mortally wounded or dead. 

Quite undismayed by this tragedy, Odin continued on his way, andshortly after came to the house of the giant Baugi, a brotherof Suttung, who received him very hospitably. In the course ofconversation, Baugi informed him that he was greatly embarrassed, as it was harvest time and all his workmen had just been found deadin the hayfield. 

Odin, who on this occasion had given his name as Bolwerk (evil doer), promptly offered his services to the giant, promising to accomplishas much work as the nine thralls, and to labour diligently all thesummer in exchange for one single draught of Suttung's magic mead whenthe busy season was ended. This bargain was immediately concluded, and Baugi's new servant, Bolwerk, worked incessantly all the summerlong, more than fulfilling his contract, and safely garnering all thegrain before the autumn rains began to fall. When the first days ofwinter came, Bolwerk presented himself before his master, claiminghis reward. But Baugi hesitated and demurred, saying he dared notopenly ask his brother Suttung for the draught of inspiration, butwould try to obtain it by guile. Together, Bolwerk and Baugi thenproceeded to the mountain where Gunlod dwelt, and as they could findno other mode of entering the secret cave, Odin produced his trustyauger, called Rati, and bade the giant bore with all his might tomake a hole through which he might crawl into the interior. 

Baugi silently obeyed, and after a few moments' work withdrew the tool, saying that he had pierced through the mountain, and that Odin wouldhave no difficulty in slipping through. But the god, mistrusting thisstatement, merely blew into the hole, and when the dust and chips cameflying into his face, he sternly bade Baugi resume his boring and notattempt to deceive him again. The giant did as he was told, and whenhe withdrew his tool again, Odin ascertained that the hole was reallyfinished. Changing himself into a snake, he wriggled through withsuch remarkable rapidity that he managed to elude the sharp auger, which Baugi treacherously thrust into the hole after him, intendingto kill him. 

 "Rati's mouth I caused To make a space, And to gnaw the rock; Over and under me Were the Jötun's ways: Thus I my head did peril. "

 Hávamál (Thorpe's tr. ). 

The Rape of the Draught

Having reached the interior of the mountain, Odin reassumed his usualgodlike form and starry mantle, and then presented himself in thestalactite-hung cave before the beautiful Gunlod. He intended to winher love as a means of inducing her to grant him a sip from each ofthe vessels confided to her care. 

Won by his passionate wooing, Gunlod consented to become his wife, and after he had spent three whole days with her in this retreat, she brought out the vessels from their secret hiding-place, and toldhim he might take a sip from each. 

 "And a draught obtained Of the precious mead, Drawn from Od-hroerir. "

 Odin's Rune-Song (Thorpe's tr. ). 

Odin made good use of this permission and drank so deeply that hecompletely drained all three vessels. Then, having obtained all thathe wanted, he emerged from the cave and, donning his eagle plumes, rose high into the blue, and, after hovering for a moment over themountain top, winged his flight towards Asgard. 

He was still far from the gods' realm when he became aware of apursuer, and, indeed, Suttung, having also assumed the form of aneagle, was coming rapidly after him with intent to compel him tosurrender the stolen mead. Odin therefore flew faster and faster, straining every nerve to reach Asgard before the foe should overtakehim, and as he drew near the gods anxiously watched the race. 

Seeing that Odin would only with difficulty be able to escape, theÆsir hastily gathered all the combustible materials they could find, and as he flew over the ramparts of their dwelling, they set fire tothe mass of fuel, so that the flames, rising high, singed the wingsof Suttung, as he followed the god, and he fell into the very midstof the fire, where he was burned to death. 

As for Odin, he flew to where the gods had prepared vessels forthe stolen mead, and disgorged the draught of inspiration in suchbreathless haste that a few drops fell and were scattered over theearth. There they became the portion of rhymesters and poetasters, the gods reserving the main draught for their own consumption, andonly occasionally vouchsafing a taste to some favoured mortal, who, immediately after, would win world-wide renown by his inspired songs. 

 "Of a well-assumed form I made good use: Few things fail the wise; For Od-hroerir Is now come up To men's earthly dwellings. "

 Hávamál (Thorpe's tr. ). 

As men and gods owed the priceless gift to Odin, they were ever readyto express to him their gratitude, and they not only called it byhis name, but they worshipped him as patron of eloquence, poetry, and song, and of all scalds. 

The God of Music

Although Odin had thus won the gift of poetry, he seldom made use ofit himself. It was reserved for his son Bragi, the child of Gunlod, to become the god of poetry and music, and to charm the world withhis songs. 

 "White-bearded bard, ag'd Bragi, his gold harp Sweeps--and yet softer Stealeth the day. "

 Viking Tales of the North (R. B. Anderson). 

As soon as Bragi was born in the stalactite-hung cave where Odin hadwon Gunlod's affections, the dwarfs presented him with a magical goldenharp, and, setting him on one of their own vessels, they sent him outinto the wide world. As the boat gently passed out of subterraneandarkness, and floated over the threshold of Nain, the realm of thedwarf of death, Bragi, the fair and immaculate young god, who untilthen had shown no signs of life, suddenly sat up, and, seizing thegolden harp beside him, he began to sing the wondrous song of life, which rose at times to heaven, and then sank down to the dread realmof Hel, goddess of death. 

 "Yggdrasil's ash is Of all trees most excellent, And of all ships, Skidbladnir; Of the Æsir, Odin, And of horses, Sleipnir; Bifröst of bridges, And of scalds, Bragi. "

 Lay of Grimnir (Thorpe's tr. ). 

While he played the vessel was wafted gently over sunlit waters, andsoon touched the shore. Bragi then proceeded on foot, threading hisway through the bare and silent forest, playing as he walked. At thesound of his tender music the trees began to bud and bloom, and thegrass underfoot was gemmed with countless flowers. 

Here he met Idun, daughter of Ivald, the fair goddess of immortalyouth, whom the dwarfs allowed to visit the earth from time to time, when, at her approach, nature invariably assumed its loveliest andgentlest aspect. 

It was only to be expected that two such beings should feelattracted to each other, and Bragi soon won this fair goddess for hiswife. Together they hastened to Asgard, where both were warmly welcomedand where Odin, after tracing runes on Bragi's tongue, decreed thathe should be the heavenly minstrel and composer of songs in honourof the gods and of the heroes whom he received in Valhalla. 

Worship of Bragi

As Bragi was god of poetry, eloquence, and song, the Northernraces also called poetry by his name, and scalds of either sex werefrequently designated as Braga-men or Braga-women. Bragi was greatlyhonoured by all the Northern races, and hence his health was alwaysdrunk on solemn or festive occasions, but especially at funeral feastsand at Yuletide celebrations. 

When it was time to drink this toast, which was served in cups shapedlike a ship, and was called the Bragaful, the sacred sign of the hammerwas first made over it. Then the new ruler or head of the familysolemnly pledged himself to some great deed of valour, which he wasbound to execute within the year, unless he wished to be considereddestitute of honour. Following his example, all the guests were thenwont to make similar vows and declare what they would do; and as someof them, owing to previous potations, talked rather too freely oftheir intentions on these occasions, this custom seems to connect thegod's name with the vulgar but very expressive English verb "to brag. "

In art, Bragi is generally represented as an elderly man, with longwhite hair and beard, and holding the golden harp from which hisfingers could draw such magic strains. 

CHAPTER VII: IDUN

The Apples of Youth

Idun, the personification of spring or immortal youth, who, accordingto some mythologists, had no birth and was never to taste death, was warmly welcomed by the gods when she made her appearance inAsgard with Bragi. To further win their affections she promised thema daily taste of the marvellous apples which she bore in her casket, and which had the power of conferring immortal youth and lovelinessupon all who partook of them. 

 "The golden apples Out of her garden Have yielded you a dower of youth, Ate you them every day. "

 Wagner (Forman's tr. ). 

Thanks to this magic fruit, the Scandinavian gods, who, becausethey sprang from a mixed race, were not all immortal, warded off theapproach of old age and disease, and remained vigorous, beautiful, andyoung through countless ages. These apples were therefore consideredvery precious indeed, and Idun carefully treasured them in her magiccasket. No matter how many she drew out, the same number alwaysremained for distribution at the feast of the gods, to whom alone shevouchsafed a taste, although dwarfs and giants were eager to obtainpossession of the fruit. 

 "Bright Iduna, Maid immortal! Standing at Valhalla's portal, In her casket has rich store Of rare apples gilded o'er; Those rare apples, not of Earth, Ageing Æsir give fresh birth. "

 Valhalla (J. C. Jones). 

The Story of Thiassi

One day, Odin, Hoenir, and Loki started out upon one of their usualexcursions to earth, and, after wandering for a long while, theyfound themselves in a deserted region, where they could discover nohospitable dwelling. Weary and very hungry, the gods, perceiving aherd of oxen, slew one of the beasts, and, kindling a fire, they satdown beside it to rest while waiting for their meat to cook. 

To their surprise, however, in spite of the roaring flames the carcassremained quite raw. Realising that some magic must be at work, theylooked about them to discover what could hinder their cookery, whenthey perceived an eagle perched upon a tree above them. Seeing that hewas an object of suspicion to the wayfarers, the bird addressed themand admitted that he it was who had prevented the fire from doing itsaccustomed work, but he offered to remove the spell if they would givehim as much food as he could eat. The gods agreed to do this, whereuponthe eagle, swooping downward, fanned the flames with his huge wings, and soon the meat was cooked. The eagle then made ready to carry offthree quarters of the ox as his share, but this was too much for Loki, who seized a great stake lying near at hand, and began to belabourthe voracious bird, forgetting that it was skilled in magic arts. Tohis great dismay one end of the stake stuck fast to the eagle's back, the other to his hands, and he found himself dragged over stones andthrough briers, sometimes through the air, his arms almost torn outof their sockets. In vain he cried for mercy and implored the eagleto let him go; the bird flew on, until he promised any ransom hiscaptor might ask in exchange for his release. 

The seeming eagle, who was the storm giant Thiassi, at last agreedto release Loki upon one condition. He made him promise upon themost solemn of oaths that he would lure Idun out of Asgard, so thatThiassi might obtain possession of her and of her magic fruit. 

Released at last, Loki returned to Odin and Hoenir, to whom, however, he was very careful not to confide the condition upon which he hadobtained his freedom; and when they had returned to Asgard he beganto plan how he might entice Idun outside of the gods' abode. A fewdays later, Bragi being absent on one of his minstrel journeys, Lokisought Idun in the groves of Brunnaker, where she had taken up herabode, and by artfully describing some apples which grew at a shortdistance, and which he mendaciously declared were exactly like hers, he lured her away from Asgard with a crystal dish full of fruit, which she intended to compare with that which he extolled. No soonerhad Idun left Asgard, however, than the deceiver Loki forsook her, and ere she could return to the shelter of the heavenly abode thestorm giant Thiassi swept down from the north on his eagle wings, and catching her up in his cruel talons, he bore her swiftly away tohis barren and desolate home of Thrym-heim. 

 "Thrymheim the sixth is named, Where Thiassi dwelt, That all-powerful Jötun. "

 Lay of Grimnir (Thorpe's tr. ). 

Isolated from her beloved companions, Idun pined, grew pale and sad, but persistently refused to give Thiassi the smallest bite of hermagic fruit, which, as he well knew, would make him beautiful andrenew his strength and youth. 

 "All woes that fall On Odin's hall Can be traced to Loki base. From out Valhalla's portal 'Twas he who pure Iduna lured, -- Whose casket fair Held apples rare That render gods immortal, -- And in Thiassi's tower immured. "

 Valhalla (J. C. Jones). 

Time passed. The gods, thinking that Idun had accompanied her husbandand would soon return, at first paid no heed to her departure, butlittle by little the beneficent effect of the last feast of applespassed away. They began to feel the approach of old age, and sawtheir youth and beauty disappear; so, becoming alarmed, they beganto search for the missing goddess. 

Close investigation revealed the fact that she had last been seen inLoki's company, and when Odin sternly called him to account, he wasforced to admit that he had betrayed her into the storm-giant's power. 

 "By his mocking, scornful mien, Soon in Valhal it was seen 'Twas the traitor Loki's art Which had led Idun apart To gloomy tower And Jotun power. "

 Valhalla (J. C. Jones). 

The Return of Idun

The attitude of the gods now became very menacing, and it was clearto Loki that if he did not devise means to restore the goddess, and that soon, his life would be in considerable danger. 

He assured the indignant gods, therefore, that he would leave nostone unturned in his efforts to secure the release of Idun, and, borrowing Freya's falcon plumage, he flew off to Thrym-heim, wherehe found Idun alone, sadly mourning her exile from Asgard and herbeloved Bragi. Changing the fair goddess into a nut according tosome accounts, or according to others, into a swallow, Loki graspedher tightly between his claws, and then rapidly retraced his way toAsgard, hoping that he would reach the shelter of its high walls ereThiassi returned from a fishing excursion in the Northern seas towhich he had gone. 

Meantime the gods had assembled on the ramparts of the heavenlycity, and they were watching for the return of Loki with far moreanxiety than they had felt for Odin when he went in search ofOd-hroerir. Remembering the success of their ruse on that occasion, they had gathered great piles of fuel, which they were ready to seton fire at any moment. 

Suddenly they saw Loki coming, but descried in his wake a greateagle. This was the giant Thiassi who had suddenly returned toThrym-heim and found that his captive had been carried off by a falcon, in whom he readily recognised one of the gods. Hastily donning hiseagle plumes he had given immediate chase and was rapidly overtakinghis prey. Loki redoubled his efforts as he neared the walls of Asgard, and ere Thiassi overtook him he reached the goal and sank exhausted inthe midst of the gods. Not a moment was lost in setting fire to theaccumulated fuel, and as the pursuing Thiassi passed over the wallsin his turn, the flames and smoke brought him to the ground crippledand half stunned, an easy prey to the gods, who fell ruthlessly uponhim and slew him. 

The Æsir were overjoyed at the recovery of Idun, and they hastenedto partake of the precious apples which she had brought safelyback. Feeling the return of their wonted strength and good looks withevery mouthful they ate, they good-naturedly declared that it wasno wonder if even the giants longed to taste the apples of perpetualyouth. They vowed therefore that they would place Thiassi's eyes asa constellation in the heavens, in order to soften any feeling ofanger which his kinsmen might experience upon learning that he hadbeen slain. 

 "Up I cast the eyes Of Allvaldi's son Into the heaven's serene: They are signs the greatest Of my deeds. "

 Lay of Harbard (Thorpe's tr. ). 

The Goddess of Spring

The physical explanation of this myth is obvious. Idun, the emblem ofvegetation, is forcibly carried away in autumn, when Bragi is absentand the singing of the birds has ceased. The cold wintry wind, Thiassi, detains her in the frozen, barren north, where she cannot thrive, until Loki, the south wind, brings back the seed or the swallow, which are both precursors of the returning spring. The youth, beauty, and strength conferred by Idun are symbolical of Nature's resurrectionin spring after winter's sleep, when colour and vigour return to theearth, which had grown wrinkled and grey. 

Idun Falls to the Nether World

As the disappearance of Idun (vegetation) was a yearly occurrence, we might expect to find other myths dealing with the strikingphenomenon, and there is another favourite of the old scalds which, unfortunately, has come down to us only in a fragmentary and veryincomplete form. According to this account, Idun was once sitting uponthe branches of the sacred ash Yggdrasil when, growing suddenly faint, she loosed her hold and dropped to the ground beneath, and down tothe lowest depths of Nifl-heim. There she lay, pale and motionless, gazing with fixed and horror-struck eyes upon the gruesome sightsof Hel's realm, trembling violently the while, like one overcome bypenetrating cold. 

 "In the dales dwells The prescient Dis, From Yggdrasil's Ash sunk down, Of alfen race, Idun by name, The youngest of Ivaldi's Elder children. She ill brooked Her descent Under the hoar tree's Trunk confined. She would not happy be With Norvi's daughter, Accustomed to a pleasanter Abode at home. "

 Odin's Ravens' Song (Thorpe's tr. ). 

Seeing that she did not return, Odin bade Bragi, Heimdall, and anotherof the gods go in search of her, giving them a white wolfskin toenvelop her in, so that she should not suffer from the cold, andbidding them make every effort to rouse her from the stupor whichhis prescience told him had taken possession of her. 

 "A wolf's skin they gave her, In which herself she clad. "

 Odin's Ravens' Song (Thorpe's tr. ). 

Idun passively allowed the gods to wrap her in the warm wolfskin, but she persistently refused to speak or move, and from her strangemanner her husband sadly suspected that she had had a vision of greatills. The tears ran continuously down her pallid cheeks, and Bragi, overcome by her unhappiness, at length bade the other gods returnto Asgard without him, vowing that he would remain beside his wifeuntil she was ready to leave Hel's dismal realm. The sight of herwoe oppressed him so sorely that he had no heart for his usual merrysongs, and the strings of his harp were mute while he remained inthe underworld. 

 "That voice-like zephyr o'er flow'r meads creeping, Like Bragi's music his harp strings sweeping. "

 Viking Tales of the North (R. B. Anderson). 

In this myth Idun's fall from Yggdrasil is symbolical of the autumnalfalling of the leaves, which lie limp and helpless on the cold bareground until they are hidden from sight under the snow, representedby the wolfskin, which Odin, the sky, sends down to keep them warm;and the cessation of the birds' songs is further typified by Bragi'ssilent harp. 

CHAPTER VIII: NIÖRD

A Hostage with the Gods

We have already seen how the Æsir and Vanas exchanged hostages afterthe terrible war they had waged against each other, and that whileHoenir, Odin's brother, went to live in Vana-heim, Niörd, with histwo children, Frey and Freya, definitely took up his abode in Asgard. 

 "In Vana-heim Wise powers him created, And to the gods a hostage gave. "

 Lay of Vafthrudnir (Thorpe's tr. ). 

As ruler of the winds, and of the sea near the shore, Niörd wasgiven the palace of Nôatûn, near the seashore, where, we are told, hestilled the terrible tempests stirred up by Ægir, god of the deep sea. 

 "Niörd, the god of storms, whom fishers know; Not born in Heaven--he was in Van-heim rear'd, With men, but lives a hostage with the gods; He knows each frith, and every rocky creek Fringed with dark pines, and sands where sea-fowl scream. "

 Balder Dead (Matthew Arnold). 

He also extended his special protection over commerce and fishing, which two occupations could be pursued with advantage only duringthe short summer months, of which he was in a measure consideredthe personification. 

The God of Summer

Niörd is represented in art as a very handsome god, in the primeof life, clad in a short green tunic, with a crown of shells andseaweed upon his head, or a brown-brimmed hat adorned with eagle orheron plumes. As personification of the summer, he was invoked tostill the raging storms which desolated the coasts during the wintermonths. He was also implored to hasten the vernal warmth and therebyextinguish the winter fires. 

As agriculture was practised only during the summer months, andprincipally along the fiords or sea inlets, Niörd was also invokedfor favourable harvests, for he was said to delight in prosperingthose who placed their trust in him. 

Niörd's first wife, according to some authorities, was his sisterNerthus, Mother Earth, who in Germany was identified with Frigga, as wehave seen, but in Scandinavia was considered a separate divinity. Niördwas, however, obliged to part with her when summoned to Asgard, where he occupied one of the twelve seats in the great council hall, and was present at all the assemblies of the gods, withdrawing toNôatûn only when his services were not required by the Æsir. 

 "Nôatûn is the eleventh; There Niörd has Himself a dwelling made, Prince of men; Guiltless of sin, He rules o'er the high-built fane. "

 Lay of Grimnir (Thorpe's tr. ). 

In his home by the seashore, Niörd delighted in watching the gullsfly to and fro, and in observing the graceful movements of the swans, his favourite birds, which were held sacred to him. He spent many anhour, too, gazing at the gambols of the gentle seals, which came tobask in the sunshine at his feet. 

Skadi, Goddess of Winter

Shortly after Idun's return from Thrym-heim, and Thiassi's death withinthe bounds of Asgard, the assembled gods were greatly surprised anddismayed to see Skadi, the giant's daughter, appear one day in theirmidst, to demand satisfaction for her father's death. Although thedaughter of an ugly old Hrim-thurs, Skadi, the goddess of winter, was very beautiful indeed, in her silvery armour, with her glitteringspear, sharp-pointed arrows, short white hunting dress, white furleggings, and broad snowshoes; and the gods could not but recognisethe justice of her claim, wherefore they offered the usual fine inatonement. Skadi, however, was so angry that she at first refusedthis compromise, and sternly demanded a life for a life, until Loki, wishing to appease her wrath, and thinking that if he could only makeher cold lips relax in a smile the rest would be easy, began to playall manner of pranks. Fastening a goat to himself by an invisible cord, he went through a series of antics, which were reproduced by the goat;and the sight was so grotesque that all the gods fairly shouted withmerriment, and even Skadi was forced to smile. 

Taking advantage of this softened mood, the gods pointed to thefirmament where her father's eyes glowed like radiant stars in thenorthern hemisphere. They told her they had placed them there to showhim all honour, and finally added that she might select as husbandany of the gods present at the assembly, providing she were contentto judge of their attractions by their naked feet. 

Blindfolded, so that she could see only the feet of the gods standingin a circle around her, Skadi looked about her and her gaze fell upona pair of beautifully formed feet. She felt sure they must belong toBalder, the god of light, whose bright face had charmed her, and shedesignated their owner as her choice. 

When the bandage was removed, however, she discovered to her chagrinthat she had chosen Niörd, to whom her troth was plighted; butnotwithstanding her disappointment, she spent a happy honeymoon inAsgard, where all seemed to delight in doing her honour. After this, Niörd took his bride home to Nôatûn, where the monotonous sound ofthe waves, the shrieking of the gulls, and the cries of the sealsso disturbed Skadi's slumbers that she finally declared it was quiteimpossible for her to remain there any longer, and she implored herhusband to take her back to her native Thrym-heim. 

 "Sleep could I not On my sea-strand couch, For screams of the sea fowl. There wakes me, When from the wave he comes, Every morning the mew. "

 Norse Mythology (R. B. Anderson). 

Niörd, anxious to please his new wife, consented to take her toThrym-heim and to dwell there with her nine nights out of every twelve, providing she would spend the remaining three with him at Nôatûn;but when he reached the mountain region, the soughing of the wind inthe pines, the thunder of the avalanches, the cracking of the ice, the roar of the waterfalls, and the howling of the wolves appearedto him as unbearable as the sound of the sea had seemed to his wife, and he could not but rejoice each time when his period of exile wasended, and he found himself again at Nôatûn. 

 "Am weary of the mountains; Not long was I there, Only nine nights; The howl of the wolves Methought sounded ill To the song of the swans. "

 Norse Mythology (R. B. Anderson). 

The Parting of Niörd and Skadi

For some time, Niörd and Skadi, who are the personifications of summerand winter, alternated thus, the wife spending the three short summermonths by the sea, and he reluctantly remaining with her in Thrym-heimduring the nine long winter months. But, concluding at last that theirtastes would never agree, they decided to part for ever, and returnedto their respective homes, where each could follow the occupationswhich custom had endeared to them. 

 "Thrym-heim it's called, Where Thjasse dwelled, That stream-mighty giant; But Skade now dwells, Pure bride of the gods, In her father's old mansion. "

 Norse Mythology (R. B. Anderson). 

Skadi now resumed her wonted pastime of hunting, leaving her realmagain only to marry the semi-historical Odin, to whom she bore a soncalled Sæming, the first king of Norway, and the supposed founder ofthe royal race which long ruled that country. 

According to other accounts, however, Skadi eventually married Uller, the winter-god. As Skadi was a skilful marksman, she is representedwith bow and arrow, and, as goddess of the chase, she is generallyaccompanied by one of the wolf-like Eskimo dogs so common in theNorth. Skadi was invoked by hunters and by winter travellers, whosesleighs she would guide over the snow and ice, thus helping them toreach their destination in safety. 

Skadi's anger against the gods, who had slain her father, the stormgiant, is an emblem of the unbending rigidity of the ice-envelopedearth, which, softened at last by the frolicsome play of Loki (theheat lightning), smiles, and permits the embrace of Niörd (summer). Hislove, however, cannot hold her for more than three months of the year(typified in the myth by nights), as she is always secretly longing forthe wintry storms and for her wonted activities among the mountains. 

The Worship of Niörd

Niörd was supposed to bless the vessels passing in and out of port, and his temples were situated by the seashore; there oaths in hisname were commonly sworn, and his health was drunk at every banquet, where he was invariably named with his son Frey. 

As all aquatic plants were supposed to belong to him, the marine spongewas known in the North as "Niörd's glove, " a name which was retaineduntil lately, when the same plant has been popularly re-named the"Virgin's hand. "

CHAPTER IX: FREY

The God of Fairyland

Frey, or Fro, as he was called in Germany, was the son of Niörd andNerthus, or of Niörd and Skadi, and was born in Vana-heim. He thereforebelonged to the race of the Vanas, the divinities of water and air, but was warmly welcomed in Asgard when he came thither as hostagewith his father. As it was customary among the Northern nations tobestow some valuable gift upon a child when he cut his first tooth, the Æsir gave the infant Frey the beautiful realm of Alf-heim orFairyland, the home of the Light Elves. 

 "Alf-heim the gods to Frey Gave in days of yore For a tooth gift. "

 Sæmund's Edda (Thorpe's tr. ). 

Here Frey, the god of the golden sunshine and the warm summershowers, took up his abode, charmed with the society of the elvesand fairies, who implicitly obeyed his every order, and at a signfrom him flitted to and fro, doing all the good in their power, for they were pre-eminently beneficent spirits. 

Frey also received from the gods a marvellous sword (an emblem of thesunbeams), which had the power of fighting successfully, and of itsown accord, as soon as it was drawn from its sheath. Frey wieldedthis principally against the frost giants, whom he hated almost asmuch as did Thor, and because he carried this glittering weapon, he has sometimes been confounded with the sword-god Tyr or Saxnot. 

 "With a short-shafted hammer fights conquering Thor; Frey's own sword but an ell long is made. "

 Viking Tales of the North (R. B. Anderson). 

The dwarfs from Svart-alfa-heim gave Frey the golden-bristled boarGullin-bursti (the golden-bristled), a personification of the sun. Theradiant bristles of this animal were considered symbolical eitherof the solar rays, of the golden grain, which at his bidding wavedover the harvest fields of Midgard, or of agriculture; for the boar(by tearing up the ground with his sharp tusk) was supposed to havefirst taught mankind how to plough. 

 "There was Frey, and sat On the gold-bristled boar, who first, they say, Plowed the brown earth, and made it green for Frey. "

 Lovers of Gudrun (William Morris). 

Frey sometimes rode astride of this marvellous boar, whose speed wasvery great, and at other times harnessed him to his golden chariot, which was said to contain the fruits and flowers which he lavishlyscattered abroad over the face of the earth. 

Frey was, moreover, the proud possessor not only of the dauntless steedBlodug-hofi, which would dash through fire and water at his command, but also of the magic ship Skidbladnir, a personification of theclouds. This vessel, sailing over land and sea, was always waftedalong by favourable winds, and was so elastic that, while it couldassume large enough proportions to carry the gods, their steeds, and all their equipments, it could also be folded up like a napkinand thrust into a pocket. 

 "Ivaldi's sons Went in days of old Skidbladnir to form, Of ships the best, For the bright Frey, Niörd's benign son. "

 Lay of Grimnir (Thorpe's tr. ). 

The Wooing of Gerda

It is related in one of the lays of the Edda that Frey once venturedto ascend Odin's throne Hlidskialf, from which exalted seat his gazeranged over the wide earth. Looking towards the frozen North, he sawa beautiful young maiden enter the house of the frost giant Gymir, and as she raised her hand to lift the latch her radiant beautyilluminated sea and sky. 

A moment later, this lovely creature, whose name was Gerda, and whois considered as a personification of the flashing Northern lights, vanished within her father's house, and Frey pensively wended hisway back to Alfheim, his heart oppressed with longing to make thisfair maiden his wife. Being deeply in love, he was melancholy andabsent-minded in the extreme, and began to behave so strangely thathis father, Niörd, became greatly alarmed about his health, and badehis favourite servant, Skirnir, discover the cause of this suddenchange. After much persuasion, Skirnir finally won from Frey an accountof his ascent of Hlidskialf, and of the fair vision he had seen. Heconfessed his love and also his utter despair, for as Gerda was thedaughter of Gymir and Angur-boda, and a relative of the murderedgiant Thiassi, he feared she would never view his suit with favour. 

 "In Gymer's court I saw her move, The maid who fires my breast with love; Her snow-white arms and bosom fair Shone lovely, kindling sea and air. Dear is she to my wishes, more Than e'er was maid to youth before; But gods and elves, I wot it well, Forbid that we together dwell. "

 Skirner's Lay (Herbert's tr. ). 

Skirnir, however, replied consolingly that he could see no reason whyhis master should take a despondent view of the case, and he offeredto go and woo the maiden in his name, providing Frey would lend him hissteed for the journey, and give him his glittering sword for reward. 

Overjoyed at the prospect of winning the beautiful Gerda, Freywillingly handed Skirnir the flashing sword, and gave him permission touse his horse. But he quickly relapsed into the state of reverie whichhad become usual with him since falling in love, and thus he did notnotice that Skirnir was still hovering near him, nor did he perceivehim cunningly steal the reflection of his face from the surface of thebrook near which he was seated, and imprison it in his drinking horn, with intent "to pour it out in Gerda's cup, and by its beauty winthe heart of the giantess for the lord" for whom he was about to goa-wooing. Provided with this portrait, with eleven golden apples, andwith the magic ring Draupnir, Skirnir now rode off to Jötun-heim, tofulfil his embassy. As he came near Gymir's dwelling he heard the loudand persistent howling of his watch-dogs, which were personificationsof the wintry winds. A shepherd, guarding his flock in the vicinity, told him, in answer to his inquiry, that it would be impossible toapproach the house, on account of the flaming barrier which surroundedit; but Skirnir, knowing that Blodug-hofi would dash through any fire, merely set spurs to his steed, and, riding up unscathed to the giant'sdoor, was soon ushered into the presence of the lovely Gerda. 

To induce the fair maiden to lend a favourable ear to his master'sproposals, Skirnir showed her the stolen portrait, and proffered thegolden apples and magic ring, which, however, she haughtily refusedto accept, declaring that her father had gold enough and to spare. 

 "I take not, I, that wondrous ring, Though it from Balder's pile you bring Gold lack not I, in Gymer's bower; Enough for me my father's dower. "

 Skirner's Lay (Herbert's tr. ). 

Indignant at her scorn, Skirnir now threatened to decapitate her withhis magic sword, but as this did not in the least frighten the maiden, and she calmly defied him, he had recourse to magic arts. Cuttingrunes in his stick, he told her that unless she yielded ere the spellwas ended, she would be condemned either to eternal celibacy, or tomarry some aged frost giant whom she could never love. 

Terrified into submission by the frightful description of her cheerlessfuture in case she persisted in her refusal, Gerda finally consentedto become Frey's wife, and dismissed Skirnir, promising to meet herfuture spouse on the ninth night, in the land of Buri, the green grove, where she would dispel his sadness and make him happy. 

 "Burri is hight the seat of love; Nine nights elapsed, in that known grove Shall brave Niorder's gallant boy From Gerda take the kiss of joy. "

 Skirner's Lay (Herbert's tr. ). 

Delighted with his success, Skirnir hurried back to Alf-heim, whereFrey came eagerly to learn the result of his journey. When he learnedthat Gerda had consented to become his wife, his face grew radiantwith joy; but when Skirnir informed him that he would have to waitnine nights ere he could behold his promised bride, he turned sadlyaway, declaring the time would appear interminable. 

 "Long is one night, and longer twain; But how for three endure my pain? A month of rapture sooner flies Than half one night of wishful sighs. "

 Skirner's Lay (Herbert's tr. ). 

In spite of this loverlike despondency, however, the time of waitingcame to an end, and Frey joyfully hastened to the green grove, where, true to her appointment, he found Gerda, and she became his happy wife, and proudly sat upon his throne beside him. 

 "Frey to wife had Gerd; She was Gymir's daughter, From Jötuns sprung. "

 Sæmund's Edda (Thorpe's tr. ). 

According to some mythologists, Gerda is not a personification of theaurora borealis, but of the earth, which, hard, cold, and unyielding, resists the spring-god's proffers of adornment and fruitfulness (theapples and ring), defies the flashing sunbeams (Frey's sword), andonly consents to receive his kiss when it learns that it will else bedoomed to perpetual barrenness, or given over entirely into the powerof the giants (ice and snow). The nine nights of waiting are typicalof the nine winter months, at the end of which the earth becomes thebride of the sun, in the groves where the trees are budding forthinto leaf and blossom. 

Frey and Gerda, we are told, became the parents of a son calledFiolnir, whose birth consoled Gerda for the loss of her brotherBeli. The latter had attacked Frey and had been slain by him, althoughthe sun-god, deprived of his matchless sword, had been obliged todefend himself with a stag horn which he hastily snatched from thewall of his dwelling. 

Besides the faithful Skirnir, Frey had two other attendants, amarried couple, Beyggvir and Beyla, the personifications of millrefuse and manure, which two ingredients, being used in agriculturefor fertilising purposes, were therefore considered Frey's faithfulservants, in spite of their unpleasant qualities. 

The historical Frey

Snorro-Sturleson, in his "Heimskringla, " or chronicle of the ancientkings of Norway, states that Frey was an historical personage who borethe name of Ingvi-Frey, and ruled in Upsala after the death of thesemi-historical Odin and Niörd. Under his rule the people enjoyed suchprosperity and peace that they declared their king must be a god. Theytherefore began to invoke him as such, carrying their enthusiasticadmiration to such lengths that when he died the priests, not daringto reveal the fact, laid him in a great mound instead of burning hisbody, as had been customary until then. They then informed the peoplethat Frey--whose name was the Northern synonym for "master"--had"gone into the mound, " an expression which eventually became theNorthman's phrase for death. 

Not until three years later did the people, who had continued payingtheir taxes to the king by pouring gold, silver, and copper coininto the mound through three different openings, discover that Freywas dead. As their peace and prosperity had remained undisturbed, they decreed that his corpse should never be burned, and they thusinaugurated the custom of mound-burial, which in due time supplantedthe funeral pyre in many places. One of the three mounds near GamlaUpsala still bears this god's name. His statues were placed in thegreat temple there, and his name was duly mentioned in all solemnoaths, of which the usual formula was, "So help me Frey, Niörd, and the Almighty Asa" (Odin). 

Worship of Frey

No weapons were ever admitted in Frey's temples, the most celebratedof which were at Throndhjeim in Norway, and at Thvera in Iceland. Inthese temples oxen or horses were offered in sacrifice to him, a heavygold ring being dipped in the victim's blood ere the above-mentionedoath was solemnly taken upon it. 

Frey's statues, like those of all the other Northern divinities, were roughly hewn blocks of wood, and the last of these sacred imagesseems to have been destroyed by Olaf the Saint, who, as we have seen, forcibly converted many of his subjects. Besides being god of sunshine, fruitfulness, peace, and prosperity, Frey was considered the patronof horses and horsemen, and the deliverer of all captives. 

 "Frey is the best Of all the chiefs Among the gods. He causes not tears To maids or mothers: His desire is to loosen the fetters Of those enchained. "

 Norse Mythology (R. B. Anderson). 

The Yule Feast

One month of every year, the Yule month, or Thor's month, wasconsidered sacred to Frey as well as to Thor, and began on the longestnight of the year, which bore the name of Mother Night. This monthwas a time of feasting and rejoicing, for it heralded the return ofthe sun. The festival was called Yule (wheel) because the sun wassupposed to resemble a wheel rapidly revolving across the sky. Thisresemblance gave rise to a singular custom in England, Germany, andalong the banks of the Moselle. Until within late years, the peoplewere wont to assemble yearly upon a mountain, to set fire to a hugewooden wheel, twined with straw, which, all ablaze, was then sentrolling down the hill, to plunge with a hiss into the water. 

 "Some others get a rotten Wheele, all worn and cast aside, Which, covered round about with strawe and tow, they closely hide; And caryed to some mountaines top, being all with fire light, They hurle it down with violence, when darke appears the night; Resembling much the sunne, that from the Heavens down should fal, A strange and monstrous sight it seemes, and fearful to them all; But they suppose their mischiefs are all likewise throwne to hell, And that, from harmes and dangers now, in safetie here they dwell. "

 Naogeorgus. 

All the Northern races considered the Yule feast the greatest ofthe year, and were wont to celebrate it with dancing, feasting, and drinking, each god being pledged by name. The first Christianmissionaries, perceiving the extreme popularity of this feast, thoughtit best to encourage drinking to the health of the Lord and his twelveapostles when they first began to convert the Northern heathens. Inhonour of Frey, boar's flesh was eaten on this occasion. Crownedwith laurel and rosemary, the animal's head was brought into thebanqueting-hall with much ceremony--a custom long after observed, as the following lines will show:

 "Caput Apri defero Reddens laudes Domino. The boar's head in hand bring I, With garlands gay and rosemary; I pray you all sing merrily, Qui estis in convivio. "

 Queen's College Carol, Oxford. 

The father of the family laid his hand on the sacred dish, which wascalled "the boar of atonement, " swearing he would be faithful to hisfamily, and would fulfil all his obligations--an example which wasfollowed by all present, from the highest to the lowest. This dishcould be carved only by a man of unblemished reputation and triedcourage, for the boar's head was a sacred emblem which was supposedto inspire every one with fear. For that reason a boar's head wasfrequently used as ornament for the helmets of Northern kings andheroes whose bravery was unquestioned. 

As Frey's name of Fro is phonetically the same as the word used inGerman for gladness, he was considered the patron of every joy, and was invariably invoked by married couples who wished to livein harmony. Those who succeeded in doing so for a certain length oftime were publicly rewarded by the gift of a piece of boar's flesh, for which in later times, the English and Viennese substituted aflitch of bacon or a ham. 

 "You shall swear, by custom of confession, If ever you made nuptial transgression, Be you either married man or wife: If you have brawls or contentious strife; Or otherwise, at bed or at board, Offended each other in deed or word; Or, since the parish clerk said Amen, You wish'd yourselves unmarried again; Or, in a twelvemonth and a day Repented not in thought any way, But continued true in thought and desire, As when you join'd hands in the quire. If to these conditions, with all feare, Of your own accord you will freely sweare, A whole gammon of bacon you shall receive, And bear it hence with love and good leave: For this our custom at Dunmow well known-- Though the pleasure be ours, the bacon's your own. "

 Brand's Popular Antiquities. 

At the village of Dunmow in Essex, the ancient custom is stillobserved. In Vienna the ham or flitch of bacon was hung over thecity gate, whence the successful candidate was expected to bringit down, after he had satisfied the judges that he lived in peacewith his wife, but was not under petticoat rule. It is said that inVienna this ham remained for a long time unclaimed until at lasta worthy burgher presented himself before the judges, bearing hiswife's written affidavit that they had been married twelve years andhad never disagreed--a statement which was confirmed by all theirneighbours. The judges, satisfied with the proofs laid before them, told the candidate that the prize was his, and that he only needclimb the ladder placed beneath it and bring it down. Rejoicing athaving secured such a fine ham, the man speedily mounted the ladder;but as he was about to reach for the prize he noticed that the ham, exposed to the noonday sun, was beginning to melt, and that a dropof fat threatened to fall upon his Sunday coat. Hastily beating aretreat, he pulled off his coat, jocosely remarking that his wifewould scold him roundly were he to stain it, a confession which madethe bystanders roar with laughter, and which cost him his ham. 

Another Yuletide custom was the burning of a huge log, which had tolast through the night, otherwise it was considered a very bad omenindeed. The charred remains of this log were carefully collected, and treasured up for the purpose of setting fire to the log of thefollowing year. 

 "With the last yeeres brand Light the new block, and For good successe in his spending, On your psaltries play, That sweet luck may Come while the log is a-tending. "

 Hesperides (Herrick). 

This festival was so popular in Scandinavia, where it was celebrated inJanuary, that King Olaf, seeing how dear it was to the Northern heart, transferred most of its observances to Christmas day, thereby doingmuch to reconcile the ignorant people to their change of religion. 

As god of peace and prosperity, Frey is supposed to have reappearedupon earth many times, and to have ruled the Swedes under the nameof Ingvi-Frey, whence his descendants were called Inglings. He alsogoverned the Danes under the name of Fridleef. In Denmark he is saidto have married the beautiful maiden Freygerda, whom he had rescuedfrom a dragon. By her he had a son named Frodi, who, in due time, succeeded him as king. 

Frodi ruled Denmark in the days when there was "peace throughoutthe world, " that is to say, just at the time when Christ was bornin Bethlehem of Judea; and because all his subjects lived in amity, he was generally known as Peace Frodi. 

How the Sea became salt

It is related that Frodi once received from Hengi-kiaptr a pair ofmagic millstones, called Grotti, which were so ponderous that noneof his servants nor even his strongest warriors could turn them. Theking was aware that the mill was enchanted and would grind anythinghe wished, so he was very anxious indeed to set it to work, and, during a visit to Sweden, he saw and purchased as slaves the twogiantesses Menia and Fenia, whose powerful muscles and frames hadattracted his attention. 

On his return home, Peace Frodi led his new servants to the mill, and bade them turn the grindstones and grind out gold, peace, andprosperity, and they immediately fulfilled his wishes. Cheerfullythe women worked on, hour after hour, until the king's coffers wereoverflowing with gold, and prosperity and peace were rife throughouthis land. 

 "Let us grind riches to Frothi! Let us grind him, happy In plenty of substance, On our gladdening Quern. "

 Grotta-Savngr (Longfellow's tr. ). 

But when Menia and Fenia would fain have rested awhile, the king, whose greed had been excited, bade them work on. In spite of theirentreaties he forced them to labour hour after hour, allowing themonly as much time to rest as was required for the singing of a versein a song, until exasperated by his cruelty, the giantesses resolvedat length to have revenge. One night while Frodi slept they changedtheir song, and, instead of prosperity and peace, they grimly beganto grind an armed host, whereby they induced the Viking Mysinger toland with a large body of troops. While the spell was working theDanes continued in slumber, and thus they were completely surprisedby the Viking host, who slew them all. 

 "An army must come Hither forthwith, And burn the town For the prince. "

 Grotta Savngr (Longfellow's tr. ). 

Mysinger took the magic millstones Grotti and the two slaves and putthem on board his vessel, bidding the women grind salt, which wasa very valuable staple of commerce at that time. The women obeyed, and their millstones went round, grinding salt in abundance; butthe Viking, as cruel as Frodi, would give the poor women no rest, wherefore a heavy punishment overtook him and his followers. Such animmense quantity of salt was ground by the magic millstones that inthe end its weight sunk the ship and all on board. 

The ponderous stones sank into the sea in the Pentland Firth, oroff the north-western coast of Norway, making a deep round hole, and the waters, rushing into the vortex and gurgling in the holesin the centre of the stones, produced the great whirlpool which isknown as the Maelstrom. As for the salt it soon melted; but such wasthe immense quantity ground by the giantesses that it permeated allthe waters of the sea, which have ever since been very salt. 

CHAPTER X: FREYA

The Goddess of Love

Freya, the fair Northern goddess of beauty and love, was the sisterof Frey and the daughter of Niörd and Nerthus, or Skadi. She was themost beautiful and best beloved of all the goddesses, and while inGermany she was identified with Frigga, in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Iceland she was considered a separate divinity. Freya, havingbeen born in Vana-heim, was also known as Vanadis, the goddess ofthe Vanas, or as Vanabride. 

When she reached Asgard, the gods were so charmed by her beauty andgrace that they bestowed upon her the realm of Folkvang and the greathall Sessrymnir (the roomy-seated), where they assured her she couldeasily accommodate all her guests. 

 "Folkvang 'tis called, Where Freyja has right To dispose of the hall-seats. Every day of the slain She chooses the half, And leaves half to Odin. "

 Norse Mythology (R. B. Anderson). 

Queen of the Valkyrs

Although goddess of love, Freya was not soft and pleasure-loving only, for the ancient Northern races believed that she had very martialtastes, and that as Valfreya she often led the Valkyrs down to thebattlefields, choosing and claiming one half the heroes slain. Shewas therefore often represented with corselet and helmet, shieldand spear, the lower part of her body only being clad in the usualflowing feminine garb. 

Freya transported the chosen slain to Folkvang, where they were dulyentertained. There also she welcomed all pure maidens and faithfulwives, that they might enjoy the company of their lovers and husbandsafter death. The joys of her abode were so enticing to the heroicNorthern women that they often rushed into battle when their lovedones were slain, hoping to meet with the same fate; or they fell upontheir swords, or were voluntarily burned on the same funeral pyre asthe remains of their beloved. 

As Freya was believed to lend a favourable ear to lovers' prayers, she was often invoked by them, and it was customary to compose inher honour love-songs, which were sung on all festive occasions, her very name in Germany being used as the verb "to woo. "

Freya and Odur

Freya, the golden-haired and blue-eyed goddess, was also, at times, considered as a personification of the earth. As such she married Odur, a symbol of the summer sun, whom she dearly loved, and by whom shehad two daughters, Hnoss and Gersemi. These maidens were so beautifulthat all things lovely and precious were called by their names. 

While Odur lingered contentedly at her side, Freya was smilingand perfectly happy; but, alas! the god was a rover at heart, and, wearying of his wife's company, he suddenly left home and wandered farout into the wide world. Freya, sad and forsaken, wept abundantly, and her tears fell upon the hard rocks, which softened at theircontact. We are told even that they trickled down to the very centreof the stones, where they were transformed to gold. Some tears fellinto the sea and were changed into translucent amber. 

Weary of her widowed condition, and longing to clasp her beloved in herarms once more, Freya finally started out in search of him, passingthrough many lands, where she became known by different names, suchas Mardel, Horn, Gefn, Syr, Skialf, and Thrung, inquiring of all shemet whether her husband had passed that way, and shedding everywhereso many tears that gold is to be found in all parts of the earth. 

 "And Freya next came nigh, with golden tears; The loveliest Goddess she in Heaven, by all Most honour'd after Frea, Odin's wife. Her long ago the wandering Oder took To mate, but left her to roam distant lands; Since then she seeks him, and weeps tears of gold. Names hath she many; Vanadis on earth They call her, Freya is her name in Heaven. "

 Balder Dead (Matthew Arnold). 

Far away in the sunny South, under the flowering myrtle-trees, Freya found Odur at last, and her love being restored to her, shewas happy and smiling once again, and as radiant as a bride. It isperhaps because Freya found her husband beneath the flowering myrtle, that Northern brides, to this day, wear myrtle in preference to theconventional orange wreath of other climes. 

Hand in hand, Odur and Freya now gently wended their way home oncemore, and in the light of their happiness the grass grew green, theflowers bloomed, and the birds sang, for all Nature sympathised asheartily with Freya's joy as it had mourned with her when she wasin sorrow. 

 "Out of the morning land, Over the snowdrifts, Beautiful Freya came Tripping to Scoring. White were the moorlands, And frozen before her; Green were the moorlands, And blooming behind her. Out of her gold locks Shaking the spring flowers, Out of her garments Shaking the south wind, Around in the birches Awaking the throstles, And making chaste housewives all Long for their heroes home, Loving and love-giving, Came she to Scoring. "

 The Longbeards' Saga (Charles Kingsley). 

The prettiest plants and flowers in the North were called Freya's hairor Freya's eye dew, while the butterfly was called Freya's hen. Thisgoddess was also supposed to have a special affection for the fairies, whom she loved to watch dancing in the moonbeams, and for whom shereserved her daintiest flowers and sweetest honey. Odur, Freya'shusband, besides being considered a personification of the sun, was also regarded as an emblem of passion, or of the intoxicatingpleasures of love; so the ancients declared that it was no wonderhis wife could not be happy without him. 

Freya's Necklace

Being goddess of beauty, Freya, naturally, was very fond of thetoilet, of glittering adornments, and of precious jewels. One day, while she was in Svart-alfa-heim, the underground kingdom, she sawfour dwarfs fashioning the most wonderful necklace she had everseen. Almost beside herself with longing to possess this treasure, which was called Brisinga-men, and was an emblem of the stars, or ofthe fruitfulness of the earth, Freya implored the dwarfs to give it toher; but they obstinately refused to do so unless she would promiseto grant them her favour. Having secured the necklace at this price, Freya hastened to put it on, and its beauty so enhanced her charms thatshe wore it night and day, and only occasionally could be persuadedto lend it to the other divinities. Thor, however, wore this necklacewhen he personated Freya in Jötun-heim, and Loki coveted and wouldhave stolen it, had it not been for the watchfulness of Heimdall. 

Freya was also the proud possessor of a falcon garb, or falcon plumes, which enabled the wearer to flit through the air as a bird; and thisgarment was so invaluable that it was twice borrowed by Loki, andwas used by Freya herself when she went in search of the missing Odur. 

 "Freya one day Falcon wings took, and through space hied away; Northward and southward she sought her Dearly-loved Odur. "

 Frithiof Saga, Tegnér (Stephens's tr. ). 

As Freya was also considered the goddess of fruitfulness, she wassometimes represented as riding about with her brother Frey in thechariot drawn by the golden-bristled boar, scattering, with lavishhands, fruits and flowers to gladden the hearts of mankind. She had achariot of her own, however, in which she generally travelled. Thiswas drawn by cats, her favourite animals, the emblems of caressingfondness and sensuality, or the personifications of fecundity. 

 "Then came dark-bearded Niörd, and after him Freyia, thin robed, about her ankles slim The gray cats playing. "

 Lovers of Gudrun (William Morris). 

Frey and Freya were held in such high honour throughout the Norththat their names, in modified forms, are still used for "master"and "mistress, " and one day of the week is called Freya's day, or Friday, by the English-speaking race. Freya's temples were verynumerous indeed, and were long maintained by her votaries, the last, in Magdeburg, Germany, being destroyed by order of Charlemagne. 

Story of Ottar and Angantyr

The Northern people were wont to invoke Freya not only for successin love, prosperity, and increase, but also, at times, for aidand protection. This she vouchsafed to all who served her truly, as appeared in the story of Ottar and Angantyr, two men who, afterdisputing for some time concerning their rights to a certain piece ofproperty, laid their quarrel before the Thing. That popular assemblydecreed that the man who could prove that he had the longest line ofnoble ancestors should be declared the winner, and a special day wasappointed to investigate the genealogy of each claimant. 

Ottar, unable to remember the names of more than a few of hisprogenitors, offered sacrifices to Freya, entreating her aid. Thegoddess graciously heard his prayer, and appearing before him, shechanged him into a boar, and rode off upon his back to the dwelling ofthe sorceress Hyndla, a most renowned witch. By threats and entreaties, Freya compelled the old woman to trace Ottar's genealogy back toOdin, and to name every individual in turn, with a synopsis of hisachievements. Then, fearing lest her votary's memory should be unableto retain so many details, Freya further compelled Hyndla to brew apotion of remembrance, which she gave him to drink. 

 "He shall drink Delicious draughts. All the gods I pray To favour Ottar. "

 Sæmund's Edda (Thorpe's tr. ). 

Thus prepared, Ottar presented himself before the Thing on theappointed day, and glibly reciting his pedigree, he named so manymore ancestors than Angantyr could recollect, that he was easilyawarded possession of the property he coveted. 

 "A duty 'tis to act So that the young prince His paternal heritage may have After his kindred. "

 Sæmund's Edda (Thorpe's tr. ). 

The Husbands of Freya

Freya was so beautiful that all the gods, giants, and dwarfs longed forher love and in turn tried to secure her as wife. But Freya scornedthe ugly giants and refused even Thrym, when urged to accept himby Loki and Thor. She was not so obdurate where the gods themselveswere concerned, if the various mythologists are to be believed, foras the personification of the earth she is said to have wedded Odin(the sky), Frey (the fruitful rain), Odur (the sunshine), &c. , untilit seems as if she deserved the accusation hurled against her by thearch-fiend Loki, of having loved and wedded all the gods in turn. 

Worship of Freya

It was customary on solemn occasions to drink Freya's health withthat of the other gods, and when Christianity was introduced in theNorth this toast was transferred to the Virgin or to St. Gertrude;Freya herself, like all the heathen divinities, was declared a demonor witch, and banished to the mountain peaks of Norway, Sweden, or Germany, where the Brocken is pointed out as her special abode, and the general trysting-place of her demon train on Valpurgisnacht. 

 Chorus of Witches. 

 "On to the Brocken the witches are flocking-- Merry meet--merry part--how they gallop and drive, Yellow stubble and stalk are rocking, And young green corn is merry alive, With the shapes and shadows swimming by. To the highest heights they fly, Where Sir Urian sits on high-- Throughout and about, With clamour and shout, Drives the maddening rout, Over stock, over stone; Shriek, laughter, and moan, Before them are blown. "

 Goethe's Faust (Anster's tr. ). 

As the swallow, cuckoo, and cat were held sacred to Freya in heathentimes, these creatures were supposed to have demoniacal attributes, and to this day witches are always depicted with coal-black catsbeside them. 

CHAPTER XI: ULLER

The God of Winter

Uller, the winter-god, was the son of Sif, and the stepson of Thor. Hisfather, who is never mentioned in the Northern sagas, must have beenone of the dreaded frost giants, for Uller loved the cold and delightedin travelling over the country on his broad snowshoes or glitteringskates. This god also delighted in the chase, and pursued his gamethrough the Northern forests, caring but little for ice and snow, against which he was well protected by the thick furs in which hewas always clad. 

As god of hunting and archery, he is represented with a quiver full ofarrows and a huge bow, and as the yew furnishes the best wood for themanufacture of these weapons, it is said to have been his favouritetree. To have a supply of suitable wood ever at hand ready for use, Uller took up his abode at Ydalir, the vale of yews, where it wasalways very damp. 

 "Ydalir it is called, Where Ullr has Himself a dwelling made. "

 Sæmund's Edda (Thorpe's tr. ). 

As winter-god, Uller, or Oller, as he was also called, was consideredsecond only to Odin, whose place he usurped during his absence inthe winter months of the year. During this period he exercised fullsway over Asgard and Midgard, and even, according to some authorities, took possession of Frigga, Odin's wife, as related in the myth of Viliand Ve. But as Uller was very parsimonious, and never bestowed anygifts upon mankind, they gladly hailed the return of Odin, who drovehis supplanter away, forcing him to take refuge either in the frozenNorth or on the tops of the Alps. Here, if we are to believe the poets, he had built a summer house into which he retreated until, knowingOdin had departed once more, he again dared appear in the valleys. 

Uller was also considered god of death, and was supposed to ride inthe Wild Hunt, and at times even to lead it. He is specially notedfor his rapidity of motion, and as the snowshoes used in Northernregions are sometimes made of bone, and turned up in front like theprow of a ship, it was commonly reported that Uller had spoken magicrunes over a piece of bone, changing it into a vessel, which borehim over land or sea at will. 

As snowshoes are shaped like a shield, and as the ice with which heyearly enveloped the earth acts as a shield to protect it from harmduring the winter, Uller was surnamed the shield-god, and he wasspecially invoked by all persons about to engage in a duel or in adesperate fight. 

In Christian times, his place in popular worship was taken bySt. Hubert, the hunter, who, also, was made patron of the first monthof the year, which began on November 22, and was dedicated to him asthe sun passed through the constellation of Sagittarius, the bowman. 

In Anglo-Saxon, Uller was known as Vulder; but in some parts of Germanyhe was called Holler and considered to be the husband of the fairgoddess Holda, whose fields he covered with a thick mantle of snow, to make them more fruitful when the spring came. 

By the Scandinavians, Uller was said to have married Skadi, Niörd'sdivorced wife, the female personification of winter and cold, and theirtastes were so congenial that they lived in perfect harmony together. 

Worship of Uller

Numerous temples were dedicated to Uller in the North, and on hisaltars, as well as on those of all the other gods, lay a sacred ringupon which oaths were sworn. This ring was said to have the power ofshrinking so violently as to sever the finger of any premeditatedperjurer. The people visited Uller's shrine, especially during themonths of November and December, to entreat him to send a thickcovering of snow over their lands, as earnest of a good harvest; andas he was supposed to send out the glorious flashes of the auroraborealis, which illumine the Northern sky during its long night, he was considered nearly akin to Balder, the personification of light. 

According to other authorities, Uller was Balder's special friend, principally because he too spent part of the year in the dismal depthsof Nifl-heim, with Hel, the goddess of death. Uller was supposed toendure a yearly banishment thither, during the summer months, whenhe was forced to resign his sway over the earth to Odin, the summergod, and there Balder came to join him at Midsummer, the date of hisdisappearance from Asgard, for then the days began to grow shorter, andthe rule of light (Balder) gradually yielded to the ever encroachingpower of darkness (Hodur). 

CHAPTER XII: FORSETI

The God of Justice and Truth

Son of Balder, god of light, and of Nanna, goddess of immaculatepurity, Forseti was the wisest, most eloquent, and most gentle of allthe gods. When his presence in Asgard became known, the gods awardedhim a seat in the council hall, decreed that he should be patron ofjustice and righteousness, and gave him as abode the radiant palaceGlitnir. This dwelling had a silver roof, supported on pillars of gold, and it shone so brightly that it could be seen from a great distance. 

 "Glitner is the tenth; It is on gold sustained, And also with silver decked. There Forseti dwells Throughout all time, And every strife allays. "

 Sæmund's Edda (Thorpe's tr. ). 

Here, upon an exalted throne, Forseti, the lawgiver, sat day afterday, settling the differences of gods and men, patiently listeningto both sides of every question, and finally pronouncing sentencesso equitable that none ever found fault with his decrees. Such werethis god's eloquence and power of persuasion that he always succeededin touching his hearers' hearts, and never failed to reconcile eventhe most bitter foes. All who left his presence were thereafter sureto live in peace, for none dared break a vow once made to him, lestthey should incur his just anger and be smitten immediately unto death. 

 "Forsete, Balder's high-born son, Hath heard mine oath; Strike dead, Forset', if e'er I'm won To break my troth. "

 Viking Tales of the North (R. B. Anderson). 

As god of justice and eternal law, Forseti was supposed to presideover every judicial assembly; he was invariably appealed to by allwho were about to undergo a trial, and it was said that he rarelyfailed to help the deserving. 

The Story of Heligoland

In order to facilitate the administration of justice throughout theirland it is related that the Frisians commissioned twelve of theirwisest men, the Asegeir, or elders, to collect the laws of the variousfamilies and tribes composing their nation, and to compile from thema code which should be the basis of uniform laws. The elders, havingpainstakingly finished their task of collecting this miscellaneousinformation, embarked upon a small vessel, to seek some secluded spotwhere they might conduct their deliberations in peace. But no soonerhad they pushed away from shore than a tempest arose, which drovetheir vessel far out to sea, first on this course and then on that, until they entirely lost their bearings. In their distress the twelvejurists called upon Forseti, begging him to help them to reach landonce again, and the prayer was scarcely ended when they perceived, totheir utter surprise, that the vessel contained a thirteenth passenger. 

Seizing the rudder, the newcomer silently brought the vessel round, steering it towards the place where the waves dashed highest, and inan incredibly short space of time they came to an island, where thesteersman motioned them to disembark. In awestruck silence the twelvemen obeyed; and their surprise was further excited when they saw thestranger fling his battle-axe, and a limpid spring gush forth fromthe spot on the greensward where it fell. Imitating the stranger, alldrank of this water without a word; then they sat down in a circle, marvelling because the newcomer resembled each one of them in someparticular, but yet was very different from any one of them in generalaspect and mien. 

Suddenly the silence was broken, and the stranger began to speak inlow tones, which grew firmer and louder as he proceeded to expounda code of laws which combined all the good points of the variousexisting regulations which the Asegeir had collected. His speechbeing finished, the speaker vanished as suddenly and mysteriously ashe had appeared, and the twelve jurists, recovering power of speech, simultaneously exclaimed that Forseti himself had been among them, andhad delivered the code of laws by which the Frisians should henceforthbe judged. In commemoration of the god's appearance they declared theisland upon which they stood to be holy, and they pronounced a solemncurse upon any who might dare to desecrate its sanctity by quarrelor bloodshed. Accordingly this island, known as Forseti's land orHeligoland (holy land), was greatly respected by all the Northernnations, and even the boldest vikings refrained from raiding itsshores, lest they should suffer shipwreck or meet a shameful deathin punishment for their crime. 

Solemn judicial assemblies were frequently held upon this sacred isle, the jurists always drawing water and drinking it in silence, in memoryof Forseti's visit. The waters of his spring were, moreover, consideredto be so holy that all who drank of them were held to be sacred, andeven the cattle who had tasted of them might not be slain. As Forsetiwas said to hold his assizes in spring, summer, and autumn, but neverin winter, it became customary, in all the Northern countries, todispense justice in those seasons, the people declaring that it wasonly when the light shone clearly in the heavens that right couldbecome apparent to all, and that it would be utterly impossible torender an equitable verdict during the dark winter season. Forsetiis seldom mentioned except in connection with Balder. He apparentlyhad no share in the closing battle in which all the other gods playedsuch prominent parts. 

CHAPTER XIII: HEIMDALL

The Watchman of the Gods

In the course of a walk along the sea-shore Odin once beheld ninebeautiful giantesses, the wave maidens, Gialp, Greip, Egia, Augeia, Ulfrun, Aurgiafa, Sindur, Atla, and Iarnsaxa, sound asleep on thewhite sand. The god of the sky was so charmed with these beautifulcreatures that, as the Eddas relate, he wedded all nine of them, and they combined, at the same moment, to bring forth a son, whoreceived the name of Heimdall. 

 "Born was I of mothers nine, Son I am of sisters nine. "

 Sæmund's Edda (Thorpe's tr. ). 

The nine mothers proceeded to nourish their babe on the strength of theearth, the moisture of the sea, and the heat of the sun, which singulardiet proved so strengthening that the new god acquired his full growthin a remarkably short space of time, and hastened to join his fatherin Asgard. He found the gods proudly contemplating the rainbow bridgeBifröst, which they had just constructed out of fire, air, and water, the three materials which can still plainly be seen in its long arch, where glow the three primary colours: the red representing the fire, the blue the air, and the green the cool depths of the sea. 

The Guardian of the Rainbow

This bridge connected heaven and earth, and ended under the shade ofthe mighty world-tree Yggdrasil, close beside the fountain where Mimirkept guard, and the only drawback to prevent the complete enjoymentof the glorious spectacle, was the fear lest the frost-giants shouldmake their way over it and so gain entrance into Asgard. 

The gods had been debating the advisability of appointing a trustworthyguardian, and they hailed the new recruit as one well-fitted to fulfilthe onerous duties of the office. 

Heimdall gladly undertook the responsibility and henceforth, nightand day, he kept vigilant watch over the rainbow highway into Asgard. 

 "Bifröst i' th' east shone forth in brightest green; On its top, in snow-white sheen, Heimdal at his post was seen. "

 Oehlenschläger (Pigott's tr. ). 

To enable their watchman to detect the approach of any enemy from afar, the assembled gods bestowed upon him senses so keen that he is saidto have been able to hear the grass grow on the hillside, and thewool on the sheep's back; to see one hundred miles off as plainly bynight as by day; and with all this he required less sleep than a bird. 

 "'Mongst shivering giants wider known Than him who sits unmoved on high, The guard of heaven, with sleepless eye. "

 Lay of Skirner (Herbert's tr. ). 

Heimdall was provided further with a flashing sword and a marvelloustrumpet, called Giallar-horn, which the gods bade him blow whenever hesaw their enemies approach, declaring that its sound would rouse allcreatures in heaven, earth, and Nifl-heim. Its last dread blast wouldannounce the arrival of that day when the final battle would be fought. 

 "To battle the gods are called By the ancient Gjallar-horn. Loud blows Heimdall, His sound is in the air. "

 Sæmund's Edda (Thorpe's tr. ). 

To keep this instrument, which was a symbol of the crescent moon, ever at hand, Heimdall either hung it on a branch of Yggdrasil abovehis head or sank it in the waters of Mimir's well. In the latter itlay side by side with Odin's eye, which was an emblem of the moon atits full. 

Heimdall's palace, called Himinbiorg, was situated on the highestpoint of the bridge, and here the gods often visited him to quaffthe delicious mead which he set before them. 

 "'Tis Himminbjorg called Where Heimdal, they say, Hath dwelling and rule. There the gods' warder drinks, In peaceful old halls, Gladsome the good mead. "

 Norse Mythology (R. B. Anderson). 

Heimdall was always depicted in resplendent white armour, and he wastherefore called the bright god. He was also known as the light, innocent, and graceful god, all of which names he fully deserved, for he was as good as he was beautiful, and all the gods lovedhim. Connected on his mothers' side with the sea, he was sometimesincluded with the Vanas; and as the ancient Northmen, especially theIcelanders, to whom the surrounding sea appeared the most importantelement, fancied that all things had risen out of it, they attributedto him an all-embracing knowledge and imagined him particularly wise. 

 "Of Æsir the brightest-- He well foresaw Like other Vanir. "

 Sæmund's Edda (Thorpe's tr. ). 

Heimdall was further distinguished by his golden teeth, whichflashed when he smiled, and won for him the surname of Gullintani(golden-toothed). He was also the proud possessor of a swift, golden-maned steed called Gull-top, which bore him to and fro overthe quivering rainbow bridge. This he crossed many times a day, butparticularly in the early morn, at which time, as herald of the day, he bore the name of Heimdellinger. 

 "Early up Bifröst Ran Ulfrun's son, The mighty hornblower Of Himinbiörg. "

 Sæmund's Edda (Thorpe's tr. ). 

Loki and Freya

His extreme acuteness of hearing caused Heimdall to be disturbedone night by the sound of soft, catlike footsteps in the directionof Freya's palace, Folkvang. Projecting his eagle gaze through thedarkness, Heimdall perceived that the sound was produced by Loki, who, having stealthily entered the palace as a fly, had approachedFreya's bedside, and was trying to steal her shining golden necklace, Brisinga-men, the emblem of the fruitfulness of the earth. 

Heimdall saw that the goddess was resting in her sleep in such away that no one could possibly unclasp the necklace without awakingher. Loki stood hesitatingly by the bedside for a few moments, andthen began rapidly to mutter the runes which enabled the gods tochange their form at will. As he did this, Heimdall saw him shrivelup until he was changed to the size and form of a flea, when he creptunder the bed-clothes and bit Freya's side, thus causing her to changeher position without being roused from sleep. 

The clasp was now in view, and Loki, cautiously unfastening it, secured the coveted treasure, and forthwith proceeded to steal awaywith it. Heimdall immediately started out in pursuit of the midnightthief, and quickly overtaking him, he drew his sword from its scabbard, with intent to cut off his head, when the god transformed himself intoa flickering blue flame. Quick as thought, Heimdall changed himselfinto a cloud and sent down a deluge of rain to quench the fire;but Loki as promptly altered his form to that of a huge polar bear, and opened wide his jaws to swallow the water. Heimdall, nothingdaunted, then likewise assumed the form of a bear, and attackedfiercely; but the combat threatening to end disastrously for Loki, the latter changed himself into a seal, and, Heimdall imitating him, a last struggle took place, which ended in Loki being forced to giveup the necklace, which was duly restored to Freya. 

In this myth, Loki is an emblem of drought, or of the baleful effectsof the too ardent heat of the sun, which comes to rob the earth(Freya) of its most cherished ornament (Brisinga-men). Heimdall is apersonification of the gentle rain and dew, which after strugglingfor a while with his foe, the drought, eventually conquers him andforces him to relinquish his prize. 

Heimdall's Names

Heimdall has several other names, among which we find those ofHallinskide and Irmin, for at times he takes Odin's place and isidentified with that god, as well as with the other sword-gods, Er, Heru, Cheru and Tyr, who are all noted for their shining weapons. He, however, is most generally known as warder of the rainbow, and godof heaven, and of the fruitful rains and dews which bring refreshmentto the earth. 

Heimdall also shared with Bragi the honour of welcoming heroes toValhalla, and, under the name of Riger, was considered the divinesire of the various classes which compose the human race, as appearsin the following story:

The Story of Riger

 "Sacred children, Great and small, Sons of Heimdall!"

 Sæmund's Edda (Thorpe's tr. ). 

Heimdall left his place in Asgard one day to wander upon the earth, as the gods were wont to do. He had not gone far ere he came to a poorhut on the seashore, where he found Ai (great grandfather) and Edda(great grandmother), a poor but worthy couple, who hospitably invitedhim to share their meagre meal of porridge. Heimdall, who gave hisname as Riger, gladly accepted this invitation, and remained withthe couple three whole days, teaching them many things. At the end ofthat time he left to resume his journey. Some time after his visit, Edda bore a dark-skinned thick-set boy, whom she called Thrall. 

Thrall soon showed uncommon physical strength and a great aptitudefor all heavy work; and when he had grown up he took to wife Thyr, a heavily built girl with sunburnt hands and flat feet, who, likeher husband, laboured early and late. Many children were born tothis couple and from them all the serfs or thralls of the Northlandwere descended. 

 "They had children Lived and were happy;   They laid fences, Enriched the plow-land, Tended swine, Herded goats, Dug peat. "

 Rigsmál (Du Chaillu's version). 

After leaving the poor hut on the barren seacoast Riger hadpushed inland, where ere long he came to cultivated fields and athrifty farmhouse. Entering this comfortable dwelling, he found Afi(grandfather) and Amma (grandmother), who hospitably invited him tosit down with them and share the plain but bountiful fare which wasprepared for their meal. 

Riger accepted the invitation and he remained three days withhis hosts, imparting the while all manner of useful knowledge tothem. After his departure from their house, Amma gave birth to ablue-eyed sturdy boy, whom she called Karl. As he grew up he exhibitedgreat skill in agricultural pursuits, and in due course he marrieda buxom and thrifty wife named Snor, who bore him many children, from whom the race of husbandmen is descended. 

 "He did grow And thrive well; He broke oxen, Made plows; Timbered houses, Made barns, Made carts, And drove the plow. "

 Rigsmál (Du Chaillu's version). 

Leaving the house of this second couple, Riger continued his journeyuntil he came to a hill, upon which was perched a stately castle. Herehe was received by Fadir (father) and Modir (mother), who, delicatelynurtured and luxuriously clad, received him cordially, and set beforehim dainty meats and rich wines. 

Riger tarried three days with this couple, afterwards returning toHiminbiorg to resume his post as guardian of Asa-bridge; and ere longthe lady of the castle bore a handsome, slenderly built little son, whom she called Jarl. This child early showed a great taste for thehunt and all manner of martial exercises, learned to understand runes, and lived to do great deeds of valour which made his name distinguishedand added glory to his race. Having attained manhood, Jarl marriedErna, an aristocratic, slender-waisted maiden, who ruled his householdwisely and bore him many children, all destined to rule, the youngestof whom, Konur, became the first king of Denmark. This myth wellillustrates the marked sense of class among the Northern races. 

 "Up grew The sons of Jarl; They brake horses, Bent shields, Smoothed shafts, Shook ash spears But Kon, the young, Knew runes, Everlasting runes And life runes. "

 Rigsmál (Du Chaillu's version). 

CHAPTER XIV: HERMOD

The Nimble God

Another of Odin's sons was Hermod, his special attendant, a brightand beautiful young god, who was gifted with great rapidity of motionand 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 employedby the gods as messenger, and at a mere sign from Odin he was alwaysready to speed to any part of creation. As a special mark of favour, Allfather gave him a magnificent corselet and helmet, which heoften donned when he prepared to take part in war, and sometimesOdin entrusted to his care the precious spear Gungnir, bidding himcast 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 inbattle, " and confounded with the god of the universe, Irmin. It issaid that he sometimes accompanied the Valkyrs on their ride to earth, and frequently escorted the warriors to Valhalla, wherefore he wasconsidered 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 awand or staff called Gambantein, the emblem of his office, which hecarried with him wherever he went. 

Hermod and the Soothsayer

Once, oppressed by shadowy fears for the future, and unable to obtainfrom the Norns satisfactory answers to his questions, Odin bade Hermoddon his armour and saddle Sleipnir, which he alone, besides Odin, wasallowed to ride, and hasten off to the land of the Finns. This people, who lived in the frozen regions of the pole, besides being able tocall up the cold storms which swept down from the North, bringing muchice and snow in their train, were supposed to have great occult powers. 

The most noted of these Finnish magicians was Rossthiof (the horsethief) who was wont to entice travellers into his realm by magicarts, that he might rob and slay them; and he had power to predictthe future, although he was always very reluctant to do so. 

Hermod, "the swift, " rode rapidly northward, with directions to seekthis Finn, and instead of his own wand, he carried Odin's runic staff, which Allfather had given him for the purpose of dispelling anyobstacles that Rossthiof might conjure up to hinder his advance. Inspite, therefore, of phantom-like monsters and of invisible snaresand pitfalls, Hermod was enabled safely to reach the magician's abode, and upon the giant attacking him, he was able to master him with ease, and he bound him hand and foot, declaring that he would not set himfree until he promised to reveal all that he wished to know. 

Rossthiof, seeing that there was no hope of escape, pledged himselfto do as his captor wished, and upon being set at liberty, he beganforthwith to mutter incantations, at the mere sound of which the sunhid behind the clouds, the earth trembled and quivered, and the stormwinds howled like a pack of hungry wolves. 

Pointing to the horizon, the magician bade Hermod look, and theswift god saw in the distance a great stream of blood reddening theground. While he gazed wonderingly at this stream, a beautiful womansuddenly appeared, and a moment later a little boy stood besideher. To the god's amazement, this child grew with such marvellousrapidity that he soon attained his full growth, and Hermod furthernoticed that he fiercely brandished a bow and arrows. 

Rossthiof now began to explain the omens which his art had conjuredup, and he declared that the stream of blood portended the murderof one of Odin's sons, but that if the father of the gods should wooand win Rinda, in the land of the Ruthenes (Russia), she would bearhim a son who would attain his full growth in a few hours and wouldavenge his brother's death. 

 "Rind a son shall bear, In the western halls: He shall slay Odin's son, When one night old. "

 Sæmund's Edda (Thorpe's tr. ). 

Hermod listened attentively to the words of Rossthiof and upon hisreturn to Asgard he reported all he had seen and heard to Odin, whose fears were confirmed and who thus definitely ascertained thathe was doomed to lose a son by violent death. He consoled himself, however, with the thought that another of his descendants would avengethe crime and thereby obtain the satisfaction which a true Northmanever required. 

CHAPTER XV: VIDAR

The Silent God

It is related that Odin once loved the beautiful giantess Grid, whodwelt in a cave in the desert, and that, wooing her, he prevailedupon her to become his wife. The offspring of this union between Odin(mind) and Grid (matter) was Vidar, a son as strong as he was taciturn, whom the ancients considered a personification of the primæval forestor of the imperishable forces of Nature. 

As the gods, through Heimdall, were intimately connected with thesea, they were also bound by close ties to the forests and Naturein general through Vidar, surnamed "the silent, " who was destined tosurvive their destruction and rule over a regenerated earth. This godhad his habitation in Landvidi (the wide land), a palace decoratedwith green boughs and fresh flowers, situated in the midst of animpenetrable primæval forest where reigned the deep silence andsolitude which he loved. 

 "Grown over with shrubs And with high grass In Vidar's wide land. "

 Norse Mythology (R. B. Anderson). 

This old Scandinavian conception of the silent Vidar is indeedvery grand and poetical, and was inspired by the rugged Northernscenery. "Who has ever wandered through such forests, in a length ofmany miles, in a boundless expanse, without a path, without a goal, amid their monstrous shadows, their sacred gloom, without being filledwith deep reverence for the sublime greatness of Nature above allhuman agency, without feeling the grandeur of the idea which formsthe basis of Vidar's essence?"

Vidar's Shoe

Vidar is depicted as tall, well-made, and handsome, clad in armour, girded with a broad-bladed sword, and shod with a great iron or leathershoe. According to some mythologists, he owed this peculiar footgearto his mother Grid, who, knowing that he would be called upon to fightagainst fire on the last day, designed it as a protection againstthe fiery element, as her iron gauntlet had shielded Thor in hisencounter with Geirrod. But other authorities state that this shoewas made of the leather scraps which Northern cobblers had eithergiven or thrown away. As it was essential that the shoe should belarge and strong enough to resist the Fenris wolf's sharp teeth atthe last day, it was a matter of religious observance among Northernshoemakers to give away as many odds and ends of leather as possible. 

The Norn's Prophecy

When Vidar joined his peers in Valhalla, they welcomed him gaily, forthey knew that his great strength would serve them well in their timeof need. After they had lovingly regaled him with the golden mead, Allfather bade him follow to the Urdar fountain, where the Nornswere ever busy weaving their web. Questioned by Odin concerning hisfuture and Vidar's destiny, the three sisters answered oracularly;each uttering a sentence:

"Early begun. "

"Further spun. "

"One day done. "

To these their mother, Wyrd, the primitive goddess of fate, added:"With joy once more won. " These mysterious answers would have remainedtotally unintelligible had the goddess not gone on to explain that timeprogresses, that all must change, but that even if the father fell inthe last battle, his son Vidar would be his avenger, and would live torule over a regenerated world, after having conquered all his enemies. 

 "There sits Odin's Son on the horse's back; He will avenge his father. "

 Norse Mythology (R. B. Anderson). 

As Wyrd spoke, the leaves of the world tree fluttered as if agitatedby a breeze, the eagle on its topmost bough flapped its wings, andthe serpent Nidhug for a moment suspended its work of destructionat the roots of the tree. Grid, joining the father and son, rejoicedwith Odin when she heard that their son was destined to survive theolder gods and to rule over the new heaven and earth. 

 "There dwell Vidar and Vale In the gods' holy seats, When the fire of Surt is slaked. "

 Norse Mythology (R. B. Anderson). 

Vidar, however, uttered not a word, but slowly wended his way back tohis palace Landvidi, in the heart of the primæval forest, and there, sitting upon his throne, he pondered long about eternity, futurity, and infinity. If he fathomed their secrets he never revealed them, forthe ancients averred that he was "as silent as the grave"--a silencewhich indicated that no man knows what awaits him in the life to come. 

Vidar was not only a personification of the imperish-ability of Nature, but he was also a symbol of resurrection and renewal, exhibitingthe eternal truth that new shoots and blossoms will spring forth toreplace those which have fallen into decay. 

The shoe he wore was to be his defence against the wolf Fenris, who, having destroyed Odin, would direct his wrath against him, and openwide his terrible jaws to devour him. But the old Northmen declaredthat Vidar would brace the foot thus protected against the monster'slower jaw, and, seizing the upper, would struggle with him until hehad rent him in twain. 

As one shoe only is mentioned in the Vidar myths, some mythologistssuppose that he had but one leg, and was the personification of awaterspout, which would rise suddenly on the last day to quench thewild fire personified by the terrible wolf Fenris. 

CHAPTER XVI: VALI

The Wooing of Rinda

Billing, king of the Ruthenes, was sorely dismayed when he heardthat a great force was about to invade his kingdom, for he was tooold to fight as of yore, and his only child, a daughter named Rinda, although she was of marriageable age, obstinately refused to choosea husband from among her many suitors, and thus give her father thehelp which he so sadly needed. 

While Billing was musing disconsolately in his hall, a strangersuddenly entered his palace. Looking up, the king beheld a middle-agedman wrapped in a wide cloak, with a broad-brimmed hat drawn downover his forehead to conceal the fact that he had but one eye. Thestranger courteously enquired the cause of his evident depression, and as there was that in his bearing that compelled confidence, theking told him all, and at the end of the relation he volunteered tocommand the army of the Ruthenes against their foe. 

His services being joyfully accepted, it was not long ere Odin--forit was he--won a signal victory, and, returning in triumph, he askedpermission to woo the king's daughter Rinda for his wife. Despite thesuitor's advancing years, Billing hoped that his daughter would lenda favourable ear to a wooer who appeared to be very distinguished, and he immediately signified his consent. So Odin, still unknown, presented himself before the princess, but she scornfully rejectedhis proposal, and rudely boxed his ears when he attempted to kiss her. 

Forced to withdraw, Odin nevertheless did not relinquish his purpose tomake Rinda his wife, for he knew, thanks to Rossthiof's prophecy, thatnone but she could bring forth the destined avenger of his murderedson. His next step, therefore, was to assume the form of a smith, in which guise he came back to Billing's hall, and fashioning costlyornaments of silver and gold, he so artfully multiplied these precioustrinkets that the king joyfully acquiesced when he inquired whetherhe might pay his addresses to the princess. The smith, Rosterus ashe announced himself, was, however, as unceremoniously dismissed byRinda as the successful general had been; but although his ear onceagain tingled with the force of her blow, he was more determined thanever to make her his wife. 

The next time Odin presented himself before the capricious damsel, hewas disguised as a dashing warrior, for, thought he, a young soldiermight perchance touch the maiden's heart; but when he again attemptedto kiss her, she pushed him back so suddenly that he stumbled andfell upon one knee. 

 "Many a fair maiden When rightly known, Towards men is fickle; That I experienced, When that discreet maiden I Strove to win; Contumely of every kind That wily girl Heaped upon me; Nor of that damsel gained I aught. "

 Soemund's Edda (Thorpe's tr. ). 

This third insult so enraged Odin that he drew his magic rune stickout of his breast, pointed it at Rinda, and uttered such a terriblespell that she fell back into the arms of her attendants rigid andapparently lifeless. 

When the princess came to life again, her suitor had disappeared, but the king discovered with great dismay that she had entirely losther senses and was melancholy mad. In vain all the physicians weresummoned and all their simples tried; the maiden remained passiveand sad, and her distracted father had well-nigh abandoned hope whenan old woman, who announced herself as Vecha, or Vak, appeared andoffered to undertake the cure of the princess. The seeming old woman, who was Odin in disguise, first prescribed a foot-bath for the patient;but as this did not appear to have any very marked effect, she proposedto try a more drastic treatment. For this, Vecha declared, the patientmust be entrusted to her exclusive care, securely bound so that shecould not offer the least resistance. Billing, anxious to save hischild, was ready to assent to anything; and having thus gained fullpower over Rinda, Odin compelled her to wed him, releasing her frombonds and spell only when she had faithfully promised to be his wife. 

The Birth of Vali

The prophecy of Rossthiof was now fulfilled, for Rinda duly bore a sonnamed Vali (Ali, Bous, or Beav), a personification of the lengtheningdays, who grew with such marvellous rapidity that in the course ofa single day he attained his full stature. Without waiting even towash his face or comb his hair, this young god hastened to Asgard, bow and arrow in hand, to avenge the death of Balder upon his murderer, Hodur, the blind god of darkness. 

 "But, see! th' avenger, Vali, come, Sprung from the west, in Rinda's womb, True son of Odin! one day's birth! He shall not stop nor stay on earth His locks to comb, his hands to lave, His frame to rest, should rest it crave, Until his mission be complete, And Balder's death find vengeance meet. "

 Valhalla (J. C. Jones). 

In this myth, Rinda, a personification of the hard-frozen rind of theearth, resists the warm wooing of the sun, Odin, who vainly pointsout that spring is the time for warlike exploits, and offers theadornments of golden summer. She only yields when, after a shower (thefootbath), a thaw sets in. Conquered then by the sun's irresistiblemight, the earth yields to his embrace, is freed from the spell (ice)which made her hard and cold, and brings forth Vali the nourisher, or Bous the peasant, who emerges from his dark hut when the pleasantdays have come. The slaying of Hodur by Vali is therefore emblematicalof "the breaking forth of new light after wintry darkness. "

Vali, who ranked as one of the twelve deities occupying seats in thegreat hall of Glads-heim, shared with his father the dwelling calledValaskialf, and was destined, even before birth, to survive the lastbattle and twilight of the gods, and to reign with Vidar over theregenerated earth. 

Worship of Vali

Vali is god of eternal light, as Vidar is of imperishable matter;and as beams of light were often called arrows, he is alwaysrepresented and worshipped as an archer. For that reason his monthin Norwegian calendars is designated by the sign of the bow, and iscalled Lios-beri, the light-bringing. As it falls between the middleof January and of February, the early Christians dedicated this monthto St. Valentine, who was also a skilful archer, and was said, likeVali, to be the harbinger of brighter days, the awakener of tendersentiments, and the patron of all lovers. 

CHAPTER XVII: THE NORNS

The Three Fates

The Northern goddesses of fate, who were called Norns, were in nowisesubject to the other gods, who might neither question nor influencetheir decrees. They were three sisters, probably descendants of thegiant Norvi, from whom sprang Nott (night). As soon as the GoldenAge was ended, and sin began to steal even into the heavenly homes ofAsgard, the Norns made their appearance under the great ash Yggdrasil, and took up their abode near the Urdar fountain. According to somemythologists, their mission was to warn the gods of future evil, tobid them make good use of the present, and to teach them wholesomelessons from the past. 

These three sisters, whose names were Urd, Verdandi, and Skuld, werepersonifications of the past, present, and future. Their principaloccupations were to weave the web of fate, to sprinkle daily the sacredtree with water from the Urdar fountain, and to put fresh clay aroundits roots, that it might remain fresh and ever green. 

 "Thence come the maids Who much do know; Three from the hall Beneath the tree; One they named Was, And Being next, The third Shall be. "

 The Völuspâ (Henderson's tr. ). 

Some authorities further state that the Norns kept watch overthe golden apples which hung on the branches of the tree of life, experience, and knowledge, allowing none but Idun to pick the fruit, which was that with which the gods renewed their youth. 

The Norns also fed and tenderly cared for two swans which swam overthe mirror-like surface of the Urdar fountain, and from this pair ofbirds all the swans on earth are supposed to be descended. At times, it is said, the Norns clothed themselves with swan plumage to visitthe earth, or sported like mermaids along the coast and in variouslakes and rivers, appearing to mortals, from time to time, to foretellthe future or give them sage advice. 

The Norns' Web

The Norns sometimes wove webs so large that while one of the weaversstood on a high mountain in the extreme east, another waded far outinto the western sea. The threads of their woof resembled cords, and varied greatly in hue, according to the nature of the eventsabout to occur, and a black thread, tending from north to south, wasinvariably considered an omen of death. As these sisters flashed theshuttle to and fro, they chanted a solemn song. They did not seem toweave according to their own wishes, but blindly, as if reluctantlyexecuting the wishes of Orlog, the eternal law of the universe, anolder and superior power, who apparently had neither beginning nor end. 

Two of the Norns, Urd and Verdandi, were considered to be verybeneficent indeed, while the third, it is said, relentlessly undidtheir work, and often, when nearly finished, tore it angrily to shreds, scattering the remnants to the winds of heaven. As personificationsof time, the Norns were represented as sisters of different agesand characters, Urd (Wurd, weird) appearing very old and decrepit, continually looking backward, as if absorbed in contemplating pastevents and people; Verdandi, the second sister, young, active, andfearless, looked straight before her, while Skuld, the type of thefuture, was generally represented as closely veiled, with head turnedin the direction opposite to where Urd was gazing, and holding a bookor scroll which had not yet been opened or unrolled. 

These Norns were visited daily by the gods, who loved to consult them;and even Odin himself frequently rode down to the Urdar fountainto bespeak their aid, for they generally answered his questions, maintaining silence only about his own fate and that of his fellowgods. 

 "Rode he long and rode he fast. First beneath the great Life Tree, At the sacred Spring sought he Urdar, Norna of the Past; But her backward seeing eye Could no knowledge now supply. Across Verdandi's page there fell Dark shades that ever woes foretell; The shadows which 'round Asgard hung Their baleful darkness o'er it flung; The secret was not written there Might save Valhal, the pure and fair. Last youngest of the sisters three, Skuld, Norna of Futurity, Implored to speak, stood silent by, -- Averted was her tearful eye. "

 Valhalla (J. C. Jones). 

Other Guardian Spirits

Besides the three principal Norns there were many others, far lessimportant, who seem to have been the guardian spirits of mankind, to whom they frequently appeared, lavishing all manner of giftsupon their favourites, and seldom failing to be present at births, marriages, and deaths. 

 "Oh, manifold is their kindred, and who shall tell them all? There are they that rule o'er men folk, and the stars that rise and fall. "

 Sigurd the Volsung (William Morris). 

The Story of Nornagesta

On one occasion the three sisters visited Denmark, and entered thedwelling of a nobleman as his first child came into the world. Enteringthe apartment where the mother lay, the first Norn promised that thechild should be handsome and brave, and the second that he should beprosperous and a great scald--predictions which filled the parents'hearts with joy. Meantime news of what was taking place had goneabroad, and the neighbours came thronging the apartment to such adegree that the pressure of the curious crowd caused the third Nornto be pushed rudely from her chair. 

Angry at this insult, Skuld proudly rose and declared that hersister's gifts should be of no avail, since she would decree thatthe child should live only as long as the taper then burning near thebedside. These ominous words filled the mother's heart with terror, and she tremblingly clasped her babe closer to her breast, for thetaper was nearly burned out and its extinction could not be very longdelayed. The eldest Norn, however, had no intention of seeing herprediction thus set at naught; but as she could not force her sisterto retract her words, she quickly seized the taper, put out the light, and giving the smoking stump to the child's mother, bade her carefullytreasure it, and never light it again until her son was weary of life. 

 "In the mansion it was night: The Norns came, Who should the prince's Life determine. "

 Sæmund's Edda (Thorpe's tr. ). 

The boy was named Nornagesta, in honour of the Norns, and grew up tobe as beautiful, brave, and talented as any mother could wish. When hewas old enough to comprehend the gravity of the trust his mother toldhim the story of the Norns' visit, and placed in his hands the candleend, which he treasured for many a year, placing it for safe-keepinginside the frame of his harp. When his parents were dead, Nornagestawandered from place to place, taking part and distinguishing himselfin every battle, singing his heroic lays wherever he went. As hewas of an enthusiastic and poetic temperament, he did not soon wearyof life, and while other heroes grew wrinkled and old, he remainedyoung at heart and vigorous in frame. He therefore witnessed thestirring deeds of the heroic ages, was the boon companion of theancient warriors, and after living three hundred years, saw thebelief in the old heathen gods gradually supplanted by the teachingsof Christian missionaries. Finally Nornagesta came to the court ofKing Olaf Tryggvesson, who, according to his usual custom, convertedhim almost by force, and compelled him to receive baptism. Then, wishing to convince his people that the time for superstition waspast, the king forced the aged scald to produce and light the taperwhich he had so carefully guarded for more than three centuries. 

In spite of his recent conversion, Nornagesta anxiously watched theflame as it flickered, and when, finally, it went out, he sank lifelessto the ground, thus proving that in spite of the baptism just received, he still believed in the prediction of the Norns. 

In the middle ages, and even later, the Norns figure in many a storyor myth, appearing as fairies or witches, as, for instance, in thetale of "the Sleeping Beauty, " and Shakespeare's tragedy of Macbeth. 

	"1st Witch. When shall we three meet again, 		 In thunder, lightning, or in rain?

	2nd Witch. When the hurlyburly's done, 		 When the battle's lost and won:

	3rd Witch. That will be ere the set of sun. "

		 Macbeth (Shakespeare). 

The Vala

Sometimes the Norns bore the name of Vala, or prophetesses, for theyhad the power of divination--a power which was held in great honourby all the Northern races, who believed that it was restricted tothe female sex. The predictions of the Vala were never questioned, and it is said that the Roman general Drusus was so terrified by theappearance of Veleda, one of these prophetesses, who warned him notto cross the Elbe, that he actually beat a retreat. She foretold hisapproaching death, which indeed happened shortly after through a fallfrom his steed. 

These prophetesses, who were also known as Idises, Dises, or Hagedises, officiated at the forest shrines and in the sacred groves, andalways accompanied invading armies. Riding ahead, or in the midstof the host, they would vehemently urge the warriors on to victory, and when the battle was over they would often cut the bloody-eagleupon the bodies of the captives. The blood was collected into greattubs, wherein the Dises plunged their naked arms up to the shoulders, previous to joining in the wild dance with which the ceremony ended. 

It is not to be wondered at that these women were greatlyfeared. Sacrifices were offered to propitiate them, and it was only inlater times that they were degraded to the rank of witches, and sent tojoin the demon host on the Brocken, or Blocksberg, on Valpurgisnacht. 

Besides the Norns or Dises, who were also regarded as protectivedeities, the Northmen ascribed to each human being a guardian spiritnamed Fylgie, which attended him through life, either in human orbrute shape, and was invisible except at the moment of death by allexcept the initiated few. 

The allegorical meaning of the Norns and of their web of fate is toopatent to need explanation; still some mythologists have made themdemons of the air, and state that their web was the woof of clouds, and that the bands of mists which they strung from rock to tree, and from mountain to mountain, were ruthlessly torn apart by thesuddenly rising wind. Some authorities, moreover, declare that Skuld, the third Norn, was at times a Valkyr, and at others personated thegoddess of death, the terrible Hel. 

CHAPTER XVIII: THE VALKYRS

The Battle Maidens

Odin's special attendants, the Valkyrs, or battle maidens, were eitherhis daughters, like Brunhild, or the offspring of mortal kings, maidens who were privileged to remain immortal and invulnerable aslong as they implicitly obeyed the god and remained virgins. They andtheir steeds were the personification of the clouds, their glitteringweapons being the lightning flashes. The ancients imagined that theyswept down to earth at Valfather's command, to choose among the slainin battle heroes worthy to taste the joys of Valhalla, and braveenough to lend aid to the gods when the great battle should be fought. 

 "There through some battlefield, where men fall fast, Their horses fetlock-deep in blood, they ride, And pick the bravest warriors out for death, Whom they bring back with them at night to Heaven To glad the gods and feast in Odin's hall. "

 Balder Dead (Matthew Arnold). 

These maidens were pictured as young and beautiful, with dazzling whitearms and flowing golden hair. They wore helmets of silver or gold, and blood-red corselets, and with spears and shields glittering, they boldly charged through the fray on their mettlesome whitesteeds. These horses galloped through the realms of air and overthe quivering Bifröst, bearing not only their fair riders, but theheroes slain, who after having received the Valkyrs' kiss of death, were thus immediately transported to Valhalla. 

The Cloud Steeds

As the Valkyrs' steeds were personifications of the clouds, itwas natural to fancy that the hoar frost and dew dropped down uponearth from their glittering manes as they rapidly dashed to and frothrough the air. They were therefore held in high honour and regard, for the people ascribed to their beneficent influence much of thefruitfulness of the earth, the sweetness of dale and mountain-slope, the glory of the pines, and the nourishment of the meadow-land. 

Choosers of the Slain

The mission of the Valkyrs was not only to battlefields upon earth, butthey often rode over the sea, snatching the dying Vikings from theirsinking dragon-ships. Sometimes they stood upon the strand to beckonthem thither, an infallible warning that the coming struggle wouldbe their last, and one which every Northland hero received with joy. 

 "Slowly they moved to the billow side; And the forms, as they grew more clear, Seem'd each on a tall pale steed to ride, And a shadowy crest to rear, And to beckon with faint hand From the dark and rocky strand, And to point a gleaming spear. 

 "Then a stillness on his spirit fell, Before th' unearthly train; For he knew Valhalla's daughters well, The chooser of the slain!"

 Valkyriur Song (Mrs. Hemans). 

Their Numbers and Duties

The numbers of the Valkyrs differ greatly according to variousmythologists, ranging from three to sixteen, most authorities, however, naming only nine. The Valkyrs were considered as divinities of theair; they were also called Norns, or wish maidens. It was said thatFreya and Skuld led them on to the fray. 

 "She saw Valkyries Come from afar, Ready to ride To the tribes of god; Skuld held the shield, Skaugul came next, Gunnr, Hildr, Gaundul, And Geir-skaugul. Thus now are told The Warrior's Norns. "

 Sæmund's Edda (Henderson's tr. ). 

The Valkyrs, as we have seen, had important duties in Valhalla, when, their bloody weapons laid aside, they poured out the heavenly mead forthe Einheriar. This beverage delighted the souls of the new-comers, and they welcomed the fair maidens as warmly as when they had firstseen them on the battlefield and realised that they had come totransport them where they fain would be. 

 "In the shade now tall forms are advancing, And their wan hands like snowflakes in the moonlight are gleaming; They beckon, they whisper, 'Oh! strong Armed in Valour, The pale guests await thee--mead foams in Valhalla. '"

 Finn's Saga (Hewitt). 

Wayland and the Valkyrs

The Valkyrs were supposed to take frequent flights to earth in swanplumage, which they would throw off when they came to a secludedstream, that they might indulge in a bath. Any mortal surprising themthus, and securing their plumage, could prevent them from leaving theearth, and could even force these proud maidens to mate with him ifsuch were his pleasure. 

It is related that three of the Valkyrs, Olrun, Alvit, and Svanhvit, were once sporting in the waters, when suddenly the three brothersEgil, Slagfinn, and Völund, or Wayland the smith, came upon them, and securing their swan plumage, the young men forced them to remainupon earth and become their wives. The Valkyrs, thus detained, remained with their husbands nine years, but at the end of that time, recovering their plumage, or the spell being broken in some other way, they effected their escape. 

 "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. "

 Lay of Völund (Thorpe's tr. ). 

The brothers felt the loss of their wives extremely, and two of them, Egil and Slagfinn, putting on their snow shoes, went in search oftheir loved ones, disappearing in the cold and foggy regions ofthe North. The third brother, Völund, however, remained at home, knowing all search would be of no avail, and he found solace in thecontemplation of a ring which Alvit had given him as a love-token, and he indulged the constant hope that she would return. As he was avery clever smith, and could manufacture the most dainty ornaments ofsilver and gold, as well as magic weapons which no blow could break, he now employed his leisure in making seven hundred rings exactlylike the one which his wife had given him. These, when finished, hebound together; but one night, on coming home from the hunt, he foundthat some one had carried away one ring, leaving the others behind, and his hopes received fresh inspiration, for he told himself thathis wife had been there and would soon return for good. 

That selfsame night, however, he was surprised in his sleep, andbound and made prisoner by Nidud, King of Sweden, who took possessionof his sword, a choice weapon invested with magic powers, which hereserved for his own use, and of the love ring made of pure Rhinegold, which latter he gave to his only daughter, Bodvild. As for theunhappy Völund himself, he was led captive to a neighbouring island, where, after being hamstrung, in order that he should not escape, theking put him to the incessant task of forging weapons and ornamentsfor his use. He also compelled him to build an intricate labyrinth, and to this day a maze in Iceland is known as "Völund's house. "

Völund's rage and despair increased with every new insult offeredhim by Nidud, and night and day he thought upon how he might obtainrevenge. Nor did he forget to provide for his escape, and during thepauses of his labour he fashioned a pair of wings similar to those hiswife had used as a Valkyr, which he intended to don as soon as hisvengeance had been accomplished. One day the king came to visit hiscaptive, and brought him the stolen sword that he might repair it;but Völund cleverly substituted another weapon so exactly like themagic sword as to deceive the king when he came again to claim it. Afew days later, Völund enticed the king's sons into his smithy andslew them, after which he cunningly fashioned drinking vessels outof their skulls, and jewels out of their eyes and teeth, bestowingthese upon their parents and sister. 

 "But their skulls Beneath the hair He in silver set, And to Nidud gave; And of their eyes Precious stones he formed, Which to Nidud's Wily wife he sent. But of the teeth Of the two Breast ornaments he made, And to Bödvild sent. "

 Lay of Völund (Thorpe's tr. ). 

The royal family did not suspect whence they came; and so these giftswere joyfully accepted. As for the poor youths, it was believed thatthey had drifted out to sea and had been drowned. 

Some time after this, Bodvild, wishing to have her ring repaired, alsovisited the smith's hut, where, while waiting, she unsuspectinglypartook of a magic drug, which sent her to sleep and left her inVölund's power. His last act of vengeance accomplished, Völundimmediately donned the wings which he had made in readiness forthis day, and grasping his sword and ring he rose slowly in theair. Directing his flight to the palace, he perched there out of reach, and proclaimed his crimes to Nidud. The king, beside himself withrage, summoned Egil, Völund's brother, who had also fallen into hispower, and bade him use his marvellous skill as an archer to bringdown the impudent bird. Obeying a signal from Völund, Egil aimedfor a protuberance under his wing where a bladder full of the youngprinces' blood was concealed, and the smith flew triumphantly awaywithout hurt, declaring that Odin would give his sword to Sigmund--aprediction which was duly fulfilled. 

Völund then went to Alf-heim, where, if the legend is to be believed, he found his beloved wife, and lived happily again with her untilthe twilight of the gods. 

But, even in Alf-heim, this clever smith continued to ply his craft, and various suits of impenetrable armour, which he is said to havefashioned, are described in later heroic poems. Besides Balmungand Joyeuse, Sigmund's and Charlemagne's celebrated swords, he isreported to have fashioned Miming for his son Heime, and many otherremarkable blades. 

 "It is the mate of Miming Of all swerdes it is king, And Weland it wrought, Bitterfer it is hight. "

 Anglo-Saxon Poetry (Coneybeare's tr. ). 

There are countless other tales of swan maidens or Valkyrs, who aresaid to have consorted with mortals; but the most popular of all isthat of Brunhild, the wife of Sigurd, a descendant of Sigmund andthe most renowned of Northern heroes. 

William Morris, in "The Land East of the Sun and West of the Moon, "gives a fascinating version of another of these Norse legends. Thestory is amongst the most charming of the collection in "The EarthlyParadise. "

Brunhild

The story of Brunhild is to be found in many forms. Some versionsdescribe the heroine as the daughter of a king taken by Odin to servein his Valkyr band, others as chief of the Valkyrs and daughter ofOdin himself. In Richard Wagner's story, "The Ring of the Nibelung, "the great musician presents a particularly attractive, albeit a moremodern conception of the chief Battle-Maiden, and her disobedienceto the command of Odin when sent to summon the youthful Siegmund fromthe side of his beloved Sieglinde to the Halls of the Blessed. 

CHAPTER XIX: HEL

Loki's Offspring

Hel, goddess of death, was the daughter of Loki, god of evil, and ofthe giantess Angurboda, the portender of ill. She came into the worldin a dark cave in Jötun-heim together with the serpent Iörmungandrand the terrible Fenris wolf, the trio being considered as the emblemsof pain, sin, and death. 

 "Now Loki comes, cause of all ill! Men and Æsir curse him still. Long shall the gods deplore, Even till Time be o'er, His base fraud on Asgard's hill. While, deep in Jotunheim, most fell, Are Fenrir, Serpent, and Dread Hel, Pain, Sin, and Death, his children three, Brought up and cherished; thro' them he Tormentor of the world shall be. "

 Valhalla (J. C. Jones). 

In due time Odin became aware of the terrible brood which Loki wascherishing, and resolved, as we have already seen, to banish them fromthe face of the earth. The serpent was therefore cast into the sea, where his writhing was supposed to cause the most terrible tempests;the wolf Fenris was secured in chains, thanks to the dauntless Tyr;and Hel or Hela, the goddess of death, was hurled into the depths ofNifl-heim, where Odin gave her power over nine worlds. 

 "Hela into Niflheim thou threw'st, And gav'st her nine unlighted worlds to rule, A queen, and empire over all the dead. "

 Balder Dead (Matthew Arnold). 

Hel's Kingdom in Nifl-heim

This realm, which was supposed to be situated under the earth, couldonly be entered after a painful journey over the roughest roads in thecold, dark regions of the extreme North. The gate was so far from allhuman abode that even Hermod the swift, mounted upon Sleipnir, had tojourney nine long nights ere he reached the river Giöll. This formedthe boundary of Nifl-heim, over which was thrown a bridge of crystalarched with gold, hung on a single hair, and constantly guarded bythe grim skeleton Mödgud, who made every spirit pay a toll of bloodere she would allow it to pass. 

 "The bridge of glass hung on a hair Thrown o'er the river terrible, -- The Giöll, boundary of Hel. Now here the maiden Mödgud stood, Waiting to take the toll of blood, -- A maiden horrible to sight, Fleshless, with shroud and pall bedight. "

 Valhalla (J. C. Jones). 

The spirits generally rode or drove across this bridge on the horsesor in the waggons which had been burned upon the funeral pyre with thedead to serve that purpose, and the Northern races were very careful tobind upon the feet of the departed a specially strong pair of shoes, called Hel-shoes, that they might not suffer during the long journeyover rough roads. Soon after the Giallar bridge was passed, the spiritreached the Ironwood, where stood none but bare and iron-leafed trees, and, passing through it, reached Hel-gate, beside which the fierce, blood-stained dog Garm kept watch, cowering in a dark hole known asthe Gnipa cave. This monster's rage could only be appeased by theoffering of a Hel-cake, which never failed those who had ever givenbread to the needy. 

 "Loud bays Garm Before the Gnipa cave. "

 Sæmund's Edda (Thorpe's tr. ). 

Within the gate, amid the intense cold and impenetrable darkness, was heard the seething of the great cauldron Hvergelmir, the rollingof the glaciers in the Elivagar and other streams of Hel, among whichwere the Leipter, by which solemn oaths were sworn, and the Slid, in whose turbid waters naked swords continually rolled. 

Further on in this gruesome place was Elvidner (misery), the hall ofthe goddess Hel, whose dish was Hunger. Her knife was Greed. "Idlenesswas the name of her man, Sloth of her maid, Ruin of her threshold, Sorrow of her bed, and Conflagration of her curtains. "

 "Elvidner was Hela's hall. Iron-barred, with massive wall; Horrible that palace tall! Hunger was her table bare; Waste, her knife; her bed, sharp Care; Burning Anguish spread her feast; Bleached bones arrayed each guest; Plague and Famine sang their runes, Mingled with Despair's harsh tunes. Misery and Agony E'er in Hel's abode shall be!"

 Valhalla (J. C. Jones). 

This goddess had many different abodes for the guests who daily came toher, for she received not only perjurers and criminals of all kinds, but also those who were unfortunate enough to die without sheddingblood. To her realm also were consigned those who died of old ageor disease--a mode of decease which was contemptuously called "strawdeath, " as the beds of the people were generally of that material. 

 "Temper'd hard by frost, Tempest and toil their nerves, the sons of those Whose only terror was a bloodless death. "

 Thomson. 

Ideas of the Future Life

Although the innocent were treated kindly by Hel, and enjoyed a stateof negative bliss, it is no wonder that the inhabitants of the Northshrank from the thought of visiting her cheerless abode. And whilethe men preferred to mark themselves with the spear point, to hurlthemselves down from a precipice, or to be burned ere life was quiteextinct, the women did not shrink from equally heroic measures. In theextremity of their sorrow, they did not hesitate to fling themselvesdown a mountain side, or fall upon the swords which were given themat their marriage, so that their bodies might be burned with thosewhom they loved, and their spirits released to join them in the brighthome of the gods. 

Further horrors, however, awaited those whose lives had been criminalor impure, these spirits being banished to Nastrond, the strand ofcorpses, where they waded in ice-cold streams of venom, through a cavemade of wattled serpents, whose poisonous fangs were turned towardsthem. After suffering untold agonies there, they were washed downinto the cauldron Hvergelmir, where the serpent Nidhug ceased for amoment gnawing the root of the tree Yggdrasil to feed upon their bones. 

 "A hall standing Far from the sun In Nâströnd; Its doors are northward turned, Venom-drops fall In through its apertures; Entwined is that hall With serpents' backs. She there saw wading The sluggish streams Bloodthirsty men And perjurers, And him who the ear beguiles Of another's wife. There Nidhog sucks The corpses of the dead. "

 Sæmund's Edda (Thorpe's tr. ). 

Pestilence and Famine

Hel herself was supposed occasionally to leave her dismal abode torange the earth upon her three-legged white horse, and in times ofpestilence or famine, if a part of the inhabitants of a districtescaped, she was said to use a rake, and when whole villages andprovinces were depopulated, as in the case of the historical epidemicof the Black Death, it was said that she had ridden with a broom. 

The Northern races further fancied that the spirits of the dead weresometimes allowed to revisit the earth and appear to their relatives, whose sorrow or joy affected them even after death, as is relatedin the Danish ballad of Aager and Else, where a dead lover bids hissweetheart smile, so that his coffin may be filled with roses insteadof the clotted blood drops produced by her tears. 

 "'Listen now, my good Sir Aager! Dearest bridegroom, all I crave Is to know how it goes with thee In that lonely place, the grave. '

 "'Every time that thou rejoicest, And art happy in thy mind, Are my lonely grave's recesses All with leaves of roses lined. '

 "'Every time that, love, thou grievest, And dost shed the briny flood, Are my lonely grave's recesses Filled with black and loathsome blood. '"

 Ballad of Aager and Else (Longfellow's tr. ). 

CHAPTER XX: ÆGIR

The God of the Sea

Besides Niörd and Mimir, who were both ocean divinities, the onerepresenting the sea near the coast and the other the primæval oceanwhence all things were supposed to have sprung, the Northern racesrecognised another sea-ruler, called Ægir or Hler, who dwelt eitherin the cool depths of his liquid realm or had his abode on the Islandof Lessoe, in the Cattegat, or Hlesey. 

 "Beneath the watery dome, With crystalline splendour, In radiant grandeur, Upreared the sea-god's home. More dazzling than foam of the waves E'er glimmered and gleamed thro' deep caves The glistening sands of its floor, Like some placid lake rippled o'er. "

 Valhalla (J. C. Jones). 

Ægir (the sea), like his brothers Kari (the air) and Loki (fire), is supposed to have belonged to an older dynasty of the gods, for heranked neither with the Æsir, the Vanas, the giants, dwarfs, or elves, but was considered omnipotent within his realm. 

He was supposed to occasion and quiet the great tempests which sweptover the deep, and was generally represented as a gaunt old man, with long white beard and hair, and clawlike fingers ever clutchingconvulsively, as though he longed to have all things within hisgrasp. Whenever he appeared above the waves, it was only to pursue andoverturn vessels, and to greedily drag them to the bottom of the sea, a vocation in which he was thought to take fiendish delight. 

The Goddess Ran

Ægir was mated with his sister, the goddess Ran, whose name means"robber, " and who was as cruel, greedy, and insatiable as herhusband. Her favourite pastime was to lurk near dangerous rocks, whither she enticed mariners, and there spread her net, her mostprized possession, when, having entangled the men in its meshes andbroken their vessels on the jagged cliffs, she would calmly draw themdown into her cheerless realm. 

 "In the deep sea caves By the sounding shore, In the dashing waves When the wild storms roar, In her cold green bowers In the Northern fiords, She lurks and she glowers, She grasps and she hoards, And she spreads her strong net for her prey. "

 Story of Siegfried (Baldwin). 

Ran was considered the goddess of death for all who perished at sea, and the Northern nations fancied that she entertained the drownedin her coral caves, where her couches were spread to receive them, and where the mead flowed freely as in Valhalla. The goddess wasfurther supposed to have a great affection for gold, which was calledthe "flame of the sea, " and was used to illuminate her halls. Thisbelief originated with the sailors, and sprang from the strikingphosphorescent gleam of the waves. To win Ran's good graces, theNorthmen were careful to hide some gold about them whenever anyspecial danger threatened them on the sea. 

 "Gold, on sweetheart ramblings, Pow'rful is and pleasant; Who goes empty-handed Down to sea-blue Ran, Cold her kisses strike, and Fleeting her embrace is-- But we ocean's bride be- Troth with purest gold. "

 Viking Tales of the North (R. B. Anderson). 

The Waves

Ægir and Ran had nine beautiful daughters, the Waves, orbillow-maidens, whose snowy arms and bosoms, long golden hair, deep-blue eyes, and willowy, sensuous forms were fascinating inthe extreme. These maidens delighted in sporting over the surfaceof their father's vast domain, clad lightly in transparent blue, white, or green veils. They were very moody and capricious, however, varying from playful to sullen and apathetic moods, and at timesexciting one another almost to madness, tearing their hair and veils, flinging themselves recklessly upon their hard beds, the rocks, chasing one another with frantic haste, and shrieking aloud with joyor despair. But they seldom came out to play unless their brother, the Wind, were abroad, and according to his mood they were gentleand playful, or rough and boisterous. 

The Waves were generally supposed to go about in triplets, and wereoften said to play around the ships of vikings whom they favoured, smoothing away every obstacle from their course, and helping them toreach speedily their goals. 

 "And Æger's daughters, in blue veils dight, The helm leap round, and urge it on its flight. "

 Viking Tales of the North (R. B. Anderson). 

Ægir's Brewing Kettle

To the Anglo-Saxons the sea-god Ægir was known by the name of Eagor, and whenever an unusually large wave came thundering towards the shore, the sailors were wont to cry, as the Trent boatmen still do, "Look out, Eagor is coming!" He was also known by the name of Hler (the shelterer)among the Northern nations, and of Gymir (the concealer), because hewas always ready to hide things in the depths of his realm, and couldbe depended upon not to reveal the secrets entrusted to his care. And, because the waters of the sea were frequently said to seethe and hiss, the ocean was often called Ægir's brewing kettle or vat. 

The god's two principal servants were Elde and Funfeng, emblems ofthe phosphorescence of the sea; they were noted for their quicknessand they invariably waited upon the guests whom he invited to hisbanquets in the depths of the sea. Ægir sometimes left his realm tovisit the Æsir in Asgard, where he was always royally entertained, andhe delighted in Bragi's many tales of the adventures and achievementsof the gods. Excited by these narratives, as also by the sparklingmead which accompanied them, the god on one occasion ventured toinvite the Æsir to celebrate the harvest feast with him in Hlesey, where he promised to entertain them in his turn. 

Thor and Hymir

Surprised at this invitation, one of the gods ventured to remindÆgir that they were accustomed to dainty fare; whereupon the godof the sea declared that as far as eating was concerned they needbe in no anxiety, as he was sure that he could cater for the mostfastidious appetites; but he confessed that he was not so confidentabout drink, as his brewing kettle was rather small. Hearing this, Thor immediately volunteered to procure a suitable kettle, and setout with Tyr to obtain it. The two gods journeyed east of the Elivagarin Thor's goat chariot, and leaving this at the house of the peasantEgil, Thialfi's father, they wended their way on foot to the dwellingof the giant Hymir, who was known to own a kettle one mile deep andproportionately wide. 

 "There dwells eastward Of Elivagar The all-wise Hymir, At heaven's end. My sire, fierce of mood, A kettle owns, A capacious cauldron, A rast in depth. "

 Sæmund's Edda (Thorpe's tr. ). 

Only the women were at home, however, and Tyr recognised in theelder--an ugly old hag with nine hundred heads--his own grandmother;while the younger, a beautiful young giantess, was, it appeared, his mother, and she received her son and his companion hospitably, and gave them to drink. 

After learning their errand, Tyr's mother bade the visitors hide undersome huge kettles, which rested upon a beam at the end of the hall, for her husband Hymir was very hasty and often slew his would-be guestswith a single baleful glance. The gods quickly followed her advice, andno sooner were they concealed than the old giant Hymir came in. Whenhis wife told him that visitors had come, he frowned so portentously, and flashed such a wrathful look towards their hiding-place, thatthe rafter split and the kettles fell with a crash, and, except thelargest, were all dashed to pieces. 

 "In shivers flew the pillar At the Jötun's glance; The beam was first Broken in two. Eight kettles fell, But only one of them, A hard-hammered cauldron, Whole from the column. "

 Sæmund's Edda (Thorpe's tr. ). 

The giant's wife, however, prevailed upon her husband to welcomeTyr and Thor, and he slew three oxen for their refection; butgreat was his dismay to see the thunder-god eat two of these forhis supper. Muttering that he would have to go fishing early thenext morning to secure a breakfast for so voracious a guest, thegiant retired to rest, and when at dawn the next day he went downto the shore, he was joined by Thor, who said that he had come tohelp him. The giant bade him secure his own bait, whereupon Thorcoolly slew his host's largest ox, Himinbrioter (heaven-breaker), and cutting off its head, he embarked with it and proceeded to rowfar out to sea. In vain Hymir protested that his usual fishing-groundhad been reached, and that they might encounter the terrible Midgardsnake were they to venture any farther; Thor persistently rowed on, until he fancied they were directly above this monster. 

 "On the dark bottom of the great salt lake, Imprisoned lay the giant snake, With naught his sullen sleep to break. "

 Thor's Fishing, Oehlenschläger (Pigott's tr. ). 

Baiting his powerful hook with the ox head, Thor angled forIörmungandr, while the giant meantime drew up two whales, which seemedto him to be enough for an early morning meal. He was about to proposeto return, therefore, when Thor suddenly felt a jerk, and began pullingas hard as he could, for he knew by the resistance of his prey, and theterrible storm created by its frenzied writhings, that he had hookedthe Midgard snake. In his determined efforts to force the snake to riseto the surface, Thor braced his feet so strongly against the bottomof the boat that he went through it and stood on the bed of the sea. 

After an indescribable struggle, the monster's terrible venom-breathinghead appeared, and Thor, seizing his hammer, was about to annihilateit when the giant, frightened by the proximity of Iörmungandr, andfearing lest the boat should sink and he should become the monster'sprey, cut the fishing-line, and thus allowed the snake to drop backlike a stone to the bottom of the sea. 

 "The knife prevails: far down beneath the main The serpent, spent with toil and pain, To the bottom sank again. "

 Thor's Fishing, Oehlenschläger (Pigott's tr. ). 

Angry with Hymir for his inopportune interference, Thor dealt hima blow with his hammer which knocked him overboard; but Hymir, undismayed, waded ashore, and met the god as he returned to thebeach. Hymir then took both whales, his spoil of the sea, upon hisback, to carry them to the house; and Thor, wishing also to show hisstrength, shouldered boat, oars, and fishing tackle, and followed him. 

Breakfast being disposed of, Hymir challenged Thor to prove hisstrength by breaking his beaker; but although the thunder-godthrew it with irresistible force against stone pillars and walls, it remained whole and was not even bent. In obedience to a whisperfrom Tyr's mother, however, Thor suddenly hurled the vessel againstthe giant's forehead, the only substance tougher than itself, when itfell shattered to the ground. Hymir, having thus tested the might ofThor, told him he could have the kettle which the two gods had cometo seek, but Tyr tried to lift it in vain, and Thor could raise itfrom the floor only after he had drawn his belt of strength to thevery last hole. 

 "Tyr twice assayed To move the vessel, Yet at each time Stood the kettle fast. Then Môdi's father By the brim grasped it, And trod through The dwelling's floor. "

 Lay of Hymir (Thorpe's tr. )

The wrench with which he finally pulled it up did great damage to thegiant's house and his feet broke through the floor. As Tyr and Thorwere departing, the latter with the huge pot clapped on his head inplace of a hat, Hymir summoned his brother frost giants, and proposedthat they should pursue and slay their inveterate foe. Turning round, Thor suddenly became aware of their pursuit, and, hurling Miölnirrepeatedly at the giants, he slew them all ere they could overtakehim. Tyr and Thor then resumed their journey back to Ægir, carryingthe kettle in which he was to brew ale for the harvest feast. 

The physical explanation of this myth is, of course, a thunder storm(Thor), in conflict with the raging sea (the Midgard snake), and thebreaking up of the polar ice (Hymir's goblet and floor) in the heatof summer. 

The gods now arrayed themselves in festive attire and proceededjoyfully to Ægir's feast, and ever after they were wont to celebratethe harvest home in his coral caves. 

 "Then Vans and Æsir, mighty gods, Of earth and air, and Asgard, lords, -- Advancing with each goddess fair, A brilliant retinue most rare, -- Attending mighty Odin, swept Up wave-worn aisle in radiant march. "

 Valhalla (J. C. Jones). 

Unloved Divinities

Ægir, as we have seen, ruled the sea with the help of the treacherousRan. Both of these divinities were considered cruel by the Northernnations, who had much to suffer from the sea, which, surroundingthem on all sides, ran far into the heart of their countries throughthe numerous fiords, and often swallowed the ships of their vikings, with all their warrior crews. 

Other Divinities of the Sea

Besides these principal divinities of the sea, the Northern nationsbelieved in mermen and mermaids, and many stories are related ofmermaids who divested themselves for a brief while of swan plumage orseal-garments, which they left upon the beach to be found by mortalswho were thus able to compel the fair maidens to remain on land. 

 "She came through the waves when the fair moon shone (Drift o' the wave and foam o' the sea); She came where I walked on the sands alone, With a heart as light as a heart may be. "

 L. E. R. 

There were also malignant marine monsters known as Nicors, from whosename has been derived the proverbial Old Nick. Many of the lesserwater divinities had fish tails; the females bore the name of Undines, and the males of Stromkarls, Nixies, Necks, or Neckar. 

 "Where in the marisches boometh the bittern, Nicker the Soul-less sits with his ghittern, Sits inconsolable, friendless and foeless, Wailing his destiny, Nicker the Soul-less. "

 From Brother Fabian's Manuscript. 

In the middle ages these water spirits were believed sometimes toleave their native streams, to appear at village dances, where theywere recognised by the wet hem of their garments. They often satbeside the flowing brook or river, playing on a harp, or singingalluring songs while combing out their long golden or green hair. 

 "The Neck here his harp in the glass castle plays, And mermaidens comb out their green hair always, And bleach here their shining white clothes. "

 Stagnelius (Keightley's tr. ). 

The Nixies, Undines, and Stromkarls were particularly gentle andlovable beings, and were very anxious to obtain repeated assurancesof their ultimate salvation. 

Many stories are told of priests or children meeting them playing bya stream, and taunting them with future damnation, which threat neverfailed to turn the joyful music into pitiful wails. Often priest orchildren, discovering their mistake, and touched by the agony of theirvictims, would hasten back to the stream and assure the green-toothedwater sprites of future redemption, when they invariably resumedtheir happy strains. 

 "Know you the Nixies, gay and fair? Their eyes are black, and green their hair-- They lurk in sedgy shores. "

 Mathisson. 

River Nymphs

Besides Elf or Elb, the water sprite who gave its name to the ElbeRiver in Germany, the Neck, from whom the Neckar derives its name, and old Father Rhine, with his numerous daughters (tributary streams), the most famous of all the lesser water divinities is the Lorelei, the siren maiden who sits upon the Lorelei rock near St. Goar, onthe Rhine, and whose alluring song has enticed many a mariner todeath. The legends concerning this siren are very numerous indeed, one of the most ancient being as follows:

Legends of the Lorelei

Lorelei was an immortal, a water nymph, daughter of Father Rhine;during the day she dwelt in the cool depths of the river bed, butlate at night she would appear in the moonlight, sitting aloft upona pinnacle of rock, in full view of all who passed up or down thestream. At times, the evening breeze wafted some of the notes ofher song to the boatmen's ears, when, forgetting time and place inlistening to these enchanting melodies, they drifted upon the sharpand jagged rocks, where they invariably perished. 

 "Above the maiden sitteth, A wondrous form, and fair; With jewels bright she plaiteth Her shining golden hair: With comb of gold prepares it, The task with song beguiled; A fitful burden bears it-- That melody so wild. 

 "The boatman on the river Lists to the song, spell-bound; Oh! what shall him deliver From danger threat'ning round? The waters deep have caught them, Both boat and boatman brave; 'Tis Loreley's song hath brought them Beneath the foaming wave. "

 Song, Heine (Selcher's tr. ). 

One person only is said to have seen the Lorelei close by. This wasa young fisherman from Oberwesel, who met her every evening by theriverside, and spent a few delightful hours with her, drinking in herbeauty and listening to her entrancing song. Tradition had it that erethey parted the Lorelei pointed out the places where the youth shouldcast his nets on the morrow--instructions which he always obeyed, and which invariably brought him success. 

One night the young fisherman was seen going towards the river, but as he never returned search was made for him. No clue to hiswhereabouts being found, the credulous Teutons finally reported thatthe Lorelei had dragged him down to her coral caves that she mightenjoy his companionship for ever. 

According to another version, the Lorelei, with her entrancingstrains from the craggy rocks, lured so many fishermen to a grave inthe depths of Rhine, that an armed force was once sent at nightfallto surround and seize her. But the water nymph laid such a powerfulspell upon the captain and his men that they could move neither handnor foot. While they stood motionless around her, the Lorelei divestedherself of her ornaments, and cast them into the waves below; then, chanting a spell, she lured the waters to the top of the crag uponwhich she was perched, and to the wonder of the soldiers the wavesenclosed a sea-green chariot drawn by white-maned steeds, and thenymph sprang lightly into this and the magic equipage was instantlylost to view. A few moments later the Rhine subsided to its usuallevel, the spell was broken, and the men recovered power of motion, and retreated to tell how their efforts had been baffled. Since then, however, the Lorelei has not been seen, and the peasants declare thatshe still resents the insult offered her and will never again leaveher coral caves. 

CHAPTER XXI: BALDER

The Best Loved

To Odin and Frigga, we are told, were born twin sons as dissimilarin character and physical appearance as it was possible for twochildren to be. Hodur, god of darkness, was sombre, taciturn, andblind, like the obscurity of sin, which he was supposed to symbolise, while his brother Balder, the beautiful, was worshipped as the pureand radiant god of innocence and light. From his snowy brow and goldenlocks seemed to radiate beams of sunshine which gladdened the heartsof gods and men, by whom he was equally beloved. 

 "Of all the twelve round Odin's throne, Balder, the Beautiful, alone, The Sun-god, good, and pure, and bright, Was loved by all, as all love light. "

 Valhalla (J. C. Jones). 

The youthful Balder attained his full growth with marvellous rapidity, and was early admitted to the council of the gods. He took up hisabode in the palace of Breidablik, whose silver roof rested upongolden pillars, and whose purity was such that nothing common orunclean was ever allowed within its precincts, and here he lived inperfect unity with his young wife Nanna (blossom), the daughter of Nip(bud), a beautiful and charming goddess. 

The god of light was well versed in the science of runes, which werecarved on his tongue; he knew the various virtues of simples, one ofwhich, the camomile, was called "Balder's brow, " because its flowerwas as immaculately pure as his forehead. The only thing hidden fromBalder's radiant eyes was the perception of his own ultimate fate. 

 "His own house Breidablik, on whose columns Balder graved The enchantments that recall the dead to life. For wise he was, and many curious arts, Postures of runes, and healing herbs he knew; Unhappy! but that art he did not know, To keep his own life safe, and see the sun. "

 Balder Dead (Matthew Arnold). 

Balder's Dream

As it was so natural for Balder the beautiful to be smiling andhappy, the gods were greatly troubled when on a day they began tonotice a change in his bearing. Gradually the light died out of hisblue eyes, a careworn look came into his face, and his step grewheavy and slow. Odin and Frigga, seeing their beloved son's evidentdepression, tenderly implored him to reveal the cause of his silentgrief. Balder, yielding at last to their anxious entreaties, confessedthat his slumbers, instead of being peaceful and restful as of yore, had been strangely troubled of late by dark and oppressive dreams, which, although he could not clearly remember them when he awoke, constantly haunted him with a vague feeling of fear. 

 "To that god his slumber Was most afflicting; His auspicious dreams Seemed departed. "

 Lay of Vegtam (Thorpe's tr. ). 

When Odin and Frigga heard this, they were very uneasy, but declaredthat nothing would harm their universally beloved son. Nevertheless, when the anxious parents further talked the matter over, theyconfessed that they also were oppressed by strange forebodings, and, coming at last to believe that Balder's life was really threatened, they proceeded to take measures to avert the danger. 

Frigga sent her servants in every direction, with strict charge toprevail upon all living creatures, all plants, metals, stones--infact, every animate and inanimate thing--to register a solemn vownot to harm Balder. All creation readily took the oath, for there wasnothing on earth which did not love the radiant god. So the servantsreturned to Frigga, telling her that all had been duly sworn savethe mistletoe, growing upon the oak stem at the gate of Valhalla, and this, they added, was such a puny, inoffensive thing that no harmcould be feared from it. 

 "On a course they resolved: That they would send To every being, Assurance to solicit, Balder not to harm. All species swore Oaths to spare him; Frigg received all Their vows and compacts. "

 Sæmund's Edda (Thorpe's tr. ). 

Frigga now resumed her spinning in great content, for she felt assuredthat no harm could come to the child she loved above all. 

The Vala's Prophecy

Odin, in the meantime, had resolved to consult one of the dead Valaor prophetesses. Mounted upon his eight-footed steed Sleipnir, he rodeover the tremulous bridge Bifröst and over the weary road which leadsto Giallar and the entrance of Nifl-heim, where, passing through theHelgate and by the dog Garm, he penetrated into Hel's dark abode. 

 "Uprose the king of men with speed, And saddled straight his coal-black steed; Down the yawning steep he rode, That leads to Hela's drear abode. "

 Descent of Odin (Gray). 

Odin saw to his surprise that a feast was being spread in this darkrealm, and that the couches had been covered with tapestry and rings ofgold, as if some highly honoured guest were expected. But he hurried onwithout pausing, until he reached the spot where the Vala had restedundisturbed for many a year, when he began solemnly to chant a magicspell and to trace the runes which had the power of raising the dead. 

 "Thrice pronounc'd, in accents dread, The thrilling verse that wakes the dead: Till from out the hollow ground Slowly breath'd a sullen sound. "

 Descent of Odin (Gray). 

Suddenly the tomb opened, and the prophetess slowly rose, inquiringwho had dared thus to trouble her long rest. Odin, not wishing her toknow that he was the mighty father of gods and men, replied that hewas Vegtam, son of Valtam, and that he had awakened her to inquire forwhom Hel was spreading her couches and preparing a festive meal. Inhollow tones, the prophetess confirmed all his fears by telling himthat the expected guest was Balder, who was destined to be slain byHodur, his brother, the blind god of darkness. 

 "Hodur will hither His glorious brother send; He of Balder will The slayer be, And Odin's son Of life bereave. By compulsion I have spoken; Now I will be silent. "

 Sæmund's Edda (Thorpe's tr. ). 

Despite the Vala's evident reluctance to speak further, Odin was notyet satisfied, and he prevailed upon her to tell him who would avengethe murdered god and call his slayer to account. For revenge andretaliation were considered as a sacred duty by the races of the North. 

Then the prophetess told him, as Rossthiof had already predicted, that Rinda, the earth-goddess, would bear a son to Odin, and thatVali, as this child would be named, would neither wash his face norcomb his hair until he had avenged upon Hodur the death of Balder. 

 "In the caverns of the west, By Odin's fierce embrace comprest, A wondrous boy shall Rinda bear, Who ne'er shall comb his raven hair, Nor wash his visage in the stream, Nor see the sun's departing beam, Till he on Hoder's corse shall smile Flaming on the fun'ral pile. "

 Descent of Odin (Gray). 

When the reluctant Vala had thus spoken, Odin next asked: "Who wouldrefuse to weep at Balder's death?" This incautious question showed aknowledge of the future which no mortal could possess, and immediatelyrevealed to the Vala the identity of her visitor. Therefore, refusingto speak another word, she sank back into the silence of the tomb, declaring that none would be able to lure her out again until theend of the world was come. 

 "Hie thee hence, and boast at home, That never shall inquirer come To break my iron sleep again, Till Lok has burst his tenfold chain; Never, till substantial Night Has reassum'd her ancient right: Till wrapt in flames, in ruin hurl'd, Sinks the fabric of the world. "

 Descent of Odin (Gray). 

Odin having learned the decrees of Orlog (fate), which he knew couldnot be set aside, now remounted his steed, and sadly wended hisway back to Asgard, thinking of the time, not far distant, when hisbeloved son would no more be seen in the heavenly abodes, and whenthe light of his presence would have vanished for ever. 

On entering Glads-heim, however, Odin was somewhat reassured bythe intelligence, promptly conveyed to him by Frigga, that allthings under the sun had promised that they would not harm Balder, and feeling convinced that if nothing would slay their beloved son hemust surely continue to gladden gods and men with his presence, he castcare aside and resigned himself to the pleasures of the festive board. 

The Gods at Play

The playground of the gods was situated on the green plain of Ida, and was called Idavold. Here the gods would resort when in sportivemood, and their favourite game was to throw their golden disks, whichthey could cast with great skill. They had returned to this wontedpastime with redoubled zest since the cloud which had oppressed theirspirits had been dispersed by the precautions of Frigga. Wearied atlast, however, of the accustomed sport, they bethought them of a newgame. They had learned that Balder could not be harmed by any missile, and so they amused themselves by casting all manner of weapons, stones, etc. , at him, certain that no matter how cleverly they tried, andhow accurately they aimed, the objects, having sworn not to injurehim, would either glance aside or fall short. This new amusementproved to be so fascinating that soon all the gods gathered aroundBalder, greeting each new failure to hurt him with prolonged shoutsof laughter. 

The Death of Balder

These bursts of merriment excited the curiosity of Frigga, who satspinning in Fensalir; and seeing an old woman pass by her dwelling, she bade her pause and tell what the gods were doing to provoke suchgreat hilarity. The old woman was none other than Loki in disguise, and he answered Frigga that the gods were throwing stones and othermissiles, blunt and sharp, at Balder, who stood smiling and unharmedin their midst, challenging them to touch him. 

The goddess smiled, and resumed her work, saying that it was quitenatural that nothing should harm Balder, as all things loved the light, of which he was the emblem, and had solemnly sworn not to injurehim. Loki, the personification of fire, was greatly chagrined uponhearing this, for he was jealous of Balder, the sun, who so entirelyeclipsed him and who was generally beloved, while he was feared andavoided as much as possible; but he cleverly concealed his vexation, and inquired of Frigga whether she were quite sure that all objectshad joined the league. 

Frigga proudly answered that she had received the solemn oath ofall things, a harmless little parasite, the mistletoe, which grew onthe oak near Valhalla's gate, only excepted, and this was too smalland weak to be feared. This information was all that Loki wanted, and bidding adieu to Frigga he hobbled off. As soon as he was safelyout of sight, however, he resumed his wonted form and hastened toValhalla, where, at the gate, he found the oak and mistletoe asindicated by Frigga. Then by the exercise of magic arts he impartedto the parasite a size and hardness quite unnatural to it. 

From the wooden stem thus produced he deftly fashioned a shaft withwhich he hastened back to Idavold, where the gods were still hurlingmissiles at Balder, Hodur alone leaning mournfully against a tree thewhile, and taking no part in the game. Carelessly Loki approachedthe blind god, and assuming an appearance of interest, he inquiredthe cause of his melancholy, at the same time artfully insinuatingthat pride and indifference prevented him from participating inthe sport. In answer to these remarks, Hodur pleaded that only hisblindness deterred him from taking part in the new game, and when Lokiput the mistletoe-shaft in his hand, and led him into the midst of thecircle, indicating the direction of the novel target, Hodur threw hisshaft boldly. But to his dismay, instead of the loud laughter whichhe expected, a shuddering cry of horror fell upon his ear, for Balderthe beautiful had fallen to the ground, pierced by the fatal mistletoe. 

 "So on the floor lay Balder dead; and round Lay thickly strewn swords, axes, darts, and spears, Which all the Gods in sport had idly thrown At Balder, whom no weapon pierced or clove; But in his breast stood fixed the fatal bough Of mistletoe, which Lok, the Accuser, gave To Hoder, and unwitting Hoder threw-- 'Gainst that alone had Balder's life no charm. "

 Balder Dead (Matthew Arnold). 

In dire anxiety the gods crowded around their beloved companion, but alas! life was quite extinct, and all their efforts to revive thefallen sun-god were unavailing. Inconsolable at their loss, they nowturned angrily upon Hodur, whom they would there and then have slainhad they not been restrained by the law of the gods that no wilfuldeed of violence should desecrate their peace-steads. The sound oftheir loud lamentation brought the goddesses in hot haste to thedreadful scene, and when Frigga saw that her darling was dead, shepassionately implored the gods to go to Nifl-heim and entreat Hel torelease her victim, for the earth could not exist happily without him. 

Hermod's Errand

As the road was rough and painful in the extreme, none of the godswould volunteer at first to go; but when Frigga promised that sheand Odin would reward the messenger by loving him above all the Æsir, Hermod signified his readiness to execute the commission. To enablehim to do so, Odin lent him Sleipnir, and the noble steed, who wasnot wont to allow any but Odin upon his back, set off without demurupon the dark road which his hoofs had beaten twice before. 

Meantime, Odin caused the body of Balder to be removed to Breidablik, and he directed the gods to go to the forest and cut down huge pineswherewith to build a worthy pyre. 

 "But when the Gods were to the forest gone, Hermod led Sleipnir from Valhalla forth And saddled him; before that, Sleipnir brook'd No meaner hand than Odin's on his mane, On his broad back no lesser rider bore; Yet docile now he stood at Hermod's side, Arching his neck, and glad to be bestrode, Knowing the God they went to seek, how dear. But Hermod mounted him, and sadly fared In silence up the dark untravell'd road Which branches from the north of Heaven, and went All day; and daylight waned, and night came on. And all that night he rode, and journey'd so, Nine days, nine nights, toward the northern ice, Through valleys deep-engulph'd by roaring streams. And on the tenth morn he beheld the bridge Which spans with golden arches Giall's stream, And on the bridge a damsel watching, arm'd, In the straight passage, at the further end, Where the road issues between walling rocks. "

 Balder Dead (Matthew Arnold). 

The Funeral Pyre

While Hermod was speeding along the cheerless road which led toNifl-heim, the gods hewed and carried down to the shore a vast amountof fuel, which they piled upon the deck of Balder's dragon-ship, Ringhorn, constructing an elaborate funeral pyre. According to custom, this was decorated with tapestry hangings, garlands of flowers, vessels and weapons of all kinds, golden rings, and countless objectsof value, ere the immaculate corpse, richly attired, was brought andlaid upon it. 

One by one, the gods now drew near to take a last farewell of theirbeloved companion, and as Nanna bent over him, her loving heart broke, and she fell lifeless by his side. Seeing this, the gods reverentlylaid her beside her husband, that she might accompany him even indeath; and after they had slain his horse and hounds and twinedthe pyre with thorns, the emblems of sleep, Odin, last of the gods, drew near. 

In token of affection for the dead and of sorrow for his loss, allhad lain their most precious possessions upon his pyre, and Odin, bending down, now added to the offerings his magic ring Draupnir. Itwas noted by the assembled gods that he was whispering in his deadson's ear, but none were near enough to hear what word he said. 

These sad preliminaries ended, the gods now prepared to launch theship, but found that the heavy load of fuel and treasures resistedtheir combined efforts and they could not make the vessel stir aninch. The mountain giants, witnessing the scene from afar, and noticingtheir quandary, now drew near and said that they knew of a giantesscalled Hyrrokin, who dwelt in Jötun-heim, and was strong enough tolaunch the vessel without any other aid. The gods therefore bade one ofthe storm giants hasten off to summon Hyrrokin, and she soon appeared, mounted upon a gigantic wolf, which she guided by a bridle made ofwrithing snakes. Riding down to the shore, the giantess dismounted andhaughtily signified her readiness to give the required aid, if in themeantime the gods would take charge of her steed. Odin immediatelydespatched four of his maddest Berserkers to hold the wolf; but, in spite of their phenomenal strength, they could not restrain themonstrous creature until the giantess had thrown it down and boundit fast. 

Hyrrokin, seeing that now they would be able to manage her refractorysteed, strode along the strand to where, high up from the water's edge, lay Balder's mighty ship Ringhorn. 

 "Seventy ells and four extended On the grass the vessel's keel; High above it, gilt and splendid, Rose the figure-head ferocious With its crest of steel. "

 The Saga of King Olaf (Longfellow). 

Setting her shoulder against its stern, with a supreme effort shesent it with a rush into the water. Such was the weight of the mass, however, and the rapidity with which it shot down into the sea, thatthe earth shook as if from an earthquake, and the rollers on whichthe ship glided caught fire from the friction. The unexpected shockalmost caused the gods to lose their balance, and this so angeredThor that he raised his hammer and would have slain the giantesshad he not been restrained by his companions. Easily appeased, asusual--for Thor's temper, although quickly roused, was evanescent--henow boarded the vessel once more to consecrate the funeral pyre withhis sacred hammer. As he was performing this ceremony, the dwarfLit provokingly stumbled into his way, whereupon Thor, who had notentirely recovered his equanimity, kicked him into the fire, whichhe had just kindled with a thorn, and the dwarf was burned to asheswith the bodies of the divine pair. 

The great ship now drifted out to sea, and the flames from the pyrepresented a magnificent spectacle, which assumed a greater glorywith every passing moment, until, when the vessel neared the westernhorizon, it seemed as if sea and sky were on fire. Sadly the godswatched the glowing ship and its precious freight, until suddenly itplunged into the waves and disappeared; nor did they turn aside andreturn to Asgard until the last spark of light had vanished, and theworld, in token of mourning for Balder the good, was enveloped in amantle of darkness. 

 "Soon with a roaring rose the mighty fire, And the pile crackled; and between the logs Sharp quivering tongues of flame shot out, and leapt Curling and darting, higher, until they lick'd The summit of the pile, the dead, the mast, And ate the shrivelling sails; but still the ship Drove on, ablaze above her hull with fire. And the gods stood upon the beach, and gazed; And while they gazed, the sun went lurid down Into the smoke-wrapt sea, and night came on. Then the wind fell with night, and there was calm; But through the dark they watch'd the burning ship Still carried o'er the distant waters, on Farther and farther, like an eye of fire. So show'd in the far darkness, Balder's pile; But fainter, as the stars rose high, it flared; The bodies were consumed, ash choked the pile. And as, in a decaying winter fire, A charr'd log, falling, makes a shower of sparks-- So, with a shower of sparks, the pile fell in, Reddening the sea around; and all was dark. "

 Balder Dead (Matthew Arnold). 

Hermod's Quest

Sadly the gods entered Asgard, where no sounds of merriment orfeasting greeted the ear, for all hearts were filled with anxiousconcern for the end of all things which was felt to be imminent. Andtruly the thought of the terrible Fimbul-winter, which was to heraldtheir death, was one well calculated to disquiet the gods. 

Frigga alone cherished hope, and she watched anxiously for the returnof her messenger, Hermod the swift, who, meanwhile, had ridden overthe tremulous bridge, and along the dark Hel-way, until, on the tenthnight, he had crossed the rushing tide of the river Giöll. Here he waschallenged by Mödgud, who inquired why the Giallar-bridge trembledmore beneath his horse's tread than when a whole army passed, andasked why he, a living rider, was attempting to penetrate into thedreaded realm of Hel. 

 "Who art thou on thy black and fiery horse, Under whose hoofs the bridge o'er Giall's stream Rumbles and shakes? Tell me thy race and home. But yestermorn five troops of dead pass'd by, Bound on their way below to Hela's realm, Nor shook the bridge so much as thou alone. And thou hast flesh and colour on thy cheeks, Like men who live, and draw the vital air; Nor look'st thou pale and wan, like man deceased, Souls bound below, my daily passers here. "

 Balder Dead (Matthew Arnold). 

Hermod explained to Mödgud the reason of his coming, and, havingascertained that Balder and Nanna had ridden over the bridge beforehim, he hastened on, until he came to the gate, which rose forbiddinglybefore him. 

Nothing daunted by this barrier, Hermod dismounted on the smooth ice, and tightening the girths of his saddle, remounted, and burying hisspurs deep into Sleipnir's sleek sides, he put him to a prodigiousleap, which landed them safely on the other side of Hel-gate. 

 "Thence on he journey'd o'er the fields of ice Still north, until he met a stretching wall Barring his way, and in the wall a grate. Then he dismounted, and drew tight the girths, On the smooth ice, of Sleipnir, Odin's horse, And made him leap the grate, and came within. "

 Balder Dead (Matthew Arnold). 

Riding onward, Hermod came at last to Hel's banqueting-hall, where hefound Balder, pale and dejected, lying upon a couch, his wife Nannabeside him, gazing fixedly at a beaker of mead, which apparently hehad no heart to quaff. 

The Condition of Balder's Release

In vain Hermod informed his brother that he had come to redeem him;Balder shook his head sadly, saying that he knew he must remain inhis cheerless abode until the last day should come, but he imploredHermod to take Nanna back with him, as the home of the shades wasno place for such a bright and beautiful creature. But when Nannaheard this request she clung more closely to her husband's side, vowing that nothing would ever induce her to part from him, and thatshe would stay with him for ever, even in Nifl-heim. 

The long night was spent in close conversation, ere Hermod soughtHel and implored her to release Balder. The churlish goddess listenedin silence to his request, and declared finally that she would allowher victim to depart provided that all things animate and inanimatewould show their sorrow for his loss by shedding tears. 

 "Come then! if Balder was so dear beloved, And this is true, and such a loss is Heaven's-- Hear, how to Heaven may Balder be restored. Show me through all the world the signs of grief! Fails but one thing to grieve, here Balder stops! Let all that lives and moves upon the earth Weep him, and all that is without life weep; Let Gods, men, brutes, beweep him; plants and stones. So shall I know the lost was dear indeed, And bend my heart, and give him back to Heaven. "

 Balder Dead (Matthew Arnold). 

This answer was full of encouragement, for all Nature mourned theloss of Balder, and surely there was nothing in all creation whichwould withhold the tribute of a tear. So Hermod cheerfully made hisway out of Hel's dark realm, carrying with him the ring Draupnir, which Balder sent back to Odin, an embroidered carpet from Nanna forFrigga, and a ring for Fulla. 

The Return of Hermod

The assembled gods crowded anxiously round Hermod as soon as hereturned, and when he had delivered his messages and gifts, the Æsirsent heralds to every part of the world to bid all things animateand inanimate weep for Balder. 

 "Go quickly forth through all the world, and pray All living and unliving things to weep Balder, if haply he may thus be won!"

 Balder Dead (Matthew Arnold). 

North, South, East and West rode the heralds, and as they passed tearsfell from every plant and tree, so that the ground was saturated withmoisture, and metals and stones, despite their hard hearts, wept too. 

The way at last led back to Asgard, and by the road-side was a darkcave, in which the messengers saw, crouching, the form of a giantessnamed Thok, whom some mythologists suppose to have been Loki indisguise. When she was called upon to shed a tear, she mocked theheralds, and fleeing into the dark recesses of her cave, she declaredthat no tear should fall from her eyes, and that, for all she cared, Hel might retain her prey for ever. 

 "Thok she weepeth With dry tears For Balder's death-- Neither in life, nor yet in death, Gave he me gladness. Let Hel keep her prey. "

 Elder Edda (Howitt's version). 

As soon as the returning messengers arrived in Asgard, the godscrowded round them to learn the result of their mission; but theirfaces, all aglow with the joy of anticipation, grew dark with despairwhen they heard that one creature had refused the tribute of tears, wherefore they would behold Balder in Asgard no more. 

 "Balder, the Beautiful, shall ne'er From Hel return to upper air! Betrayed by Loki, twice betrayed, The prisoner of Death is made; Ne'er shall he 'scape the place of doom Till fatal Ragnarok be come!"

 Valhalla (J. C. Jones). 

Vali the Avenger

The decrees of fate had not yet been fully consummated, and the finalact of the tragedy remains to be briefly stated. 

We have already seen how Odin succeeded after many rebuffs in securingthe consent of Rinda to their union, and that the son born of thismarriage was destined to avenge the death of Balder. The advent ofthis wondrous infant now took place, and Vali the Avenger, as hewas called, entered Asgard on the day of his birth, and on thatvery same day he slew Hodur with an arrow from a bundle which heseems to have carried for the purpose. Thus the murderer of Balder, unwitting instrument though he was, atoned for the crime with hisblood, according to the code of the true Norseman. 

The Signification of the Story

The physical explanation of this myth is to be found either in thedaily setting of the sun (Balder), which sinks beneath the westernwaves, driven away by darkness (Hodur), or in the ending of the shortNorthern summer and the long reign of the winter season. "Balderrepresents the bright and clear summer, when twilight and daylightkiss each other and go hand in hand in these Northern latitudes. "

 "Balder's pyre, of the sun a mark, Holy hearth red staineth; Yet, soon dies its last faint spark, Darkly then Hoder reigneth. "

 Viking Tales of the North (R. B. Anderson). 

"His death by Hodur is the victory of darkness over light, the darknessof winter over the light of summer; and the revenge by Vali is thebreaking forth of new light after the wintry darkness. "

Loki, the fire, is jealous of Balder, the pure light of heaven, whoalone among the Northern gods never fought, but was always ready withwords of conciliation and peace. 

 "But from thy lips, O Balder, night or day, Heard no one ever an injurious word To God or Hero, but thou keptest back The others, labouring to compose their brawls. "

 Balder Dead (Matthew Arnold). 

The tears shed by all things for the beloved god are symbolical ofthe spring thaw, setting in after the hardness and cold of winter, when every tree and twig, and even the stones drip with moisture;Thok (coal) alone shows no sign of tenderness, as she is buried deepwithin the dark earth and needs not the light of the sun. 

 "And as in winter, when the frost breaks up, At winter's end, before the spring begins, And a warm west wind blows, and thaw sets in-- After an hour a dripping sound is heard In all the forests, and the soft-strewn snow Under the trees is dibbled thick with holes, And from the boughs the snow loads shuffle down; And, in fields sloping to the south, dark plots Of grass peep out amid surrounding snow, And widen, and the peasant's heart is glad-- So through the world was heard a dripping noise Of all things weeping to bring Balder back; And there fell joy upon the Gods to hear. "

 Balder Dead (Matthew Arnold). 

From the depths of their underground prison, the sun (Balder) andvegetation (Nanna) try to cheer heaven (Odin) and earth (Frigga)by sending them the ring Draupnir, the emblem of fertility, and theflowery tapestry, symbolical of the carpet of verdure which willagain deck the earth and enhance her charms with its beauty. 

The ethical signification of the myth is no less beautiful, for Balderand Hodur are symbols of the conflicting forces of good and evil, while Loki impersonates the tempter. 

 "But in each human soul we find That night's dark Hoder, Balder's brother blind, Is born and waxeth strong as he; For blind is ev'ry evil born, as bear cubs be, Night is the cloak of evil; but all good Hath ever clad in shining garments stood. The busy Loke, tempter from of old, Still forward treads incessant, and doth hold The blind one's murder hand, whose quick-launch'd spear Pierceth young Balder's breast, that sun of Valhal's sphere!"

 Viking Tales of the North (R. B. Anderson). 

The Worship of Balder

One of the most important festivals was held at the summer solstice, or midsummer's eve, in honour of Balder the good, for it wasconsidered the anniversary of his death and of his descent intothe lower world. On that day, the longest in the year, the peoplecongregated out of doors, made great bonfires, and watched the sun, which in extreme Northern latitudes barely dips beneath the horizonere it rises upon a new day. From midsummer, the days gradually growshorter, and the sun's rays less warm, until the winter solstice, which was called the "Mother night, " as it was the longest nightin the year. Midsummer's eve, once celebrated in honour of Balder, is now called St. John's day, that saint having entirely supplantedBalder the good. 

CHAPTER XXII: LOKI

The Spirit of Evil

Besides the hideous giant Utgard-Loki, the personification of mischiefand evil, whom Thor and his companions visited in Jötun-heim, theancient Northern nations had another type of sin, whom they calledLoki also, and whom we have already seen under many different aspects. 

In the beginning, Loki was merely the personification of the hearthfire and of the spirit of life. At first a god, he gradually becomes"god and devil combined, " and ends in being held in general detestationas an exact counterpart of the mediæval Lucifer, the prince of lies, "the originator of deceit, and the back-biter" of the Æsir. 

By some authorities Loki was said to be the brother of Odin, butothers assert that the two were not related, but had merely gonethrough the form of swearing blood brotherhood common in the North. 

 "Odin! dost thou remember When we in early days Blended our blood together? When to taste beer Thou did'st constantly refuse Unless to both 'twas offered?"

 Sæmund's Edda (Thorpe's tr. ). 

Loki's Character

While Thor is the embodiment of Northern activity, Loki representsrecreation, and the close companionship early established betweenthese two gods shows very plainly how soon our ancestors realised thatboth were necessary to the welfare of mankind. Thor is ever busy andever in earnest, but Loki makes fun of everything, until at last hislove of mischief leads him entirely astray, and he loses all lovefor goodness and becomes utterly selfish and malevolent. 

He represents evil in the seductive and seemingly beautiful formin which it parades through the world. Because of this deceptiveappearance the gods did not at first avoid him, but treated him as oneof themselves in all good-fellowship, taking him with them whereverthey went, and admitting him not only to their merry-makings, but alsoto their council hall, where, unfortunately, they too often listenedto his advice. 

As we have already seen, Loki played a prominent part in the creationof man, endowing him with the power of motion, and causing the bloodto circulate freely through his veins, whereby he was inspired withpassions. As personification of fire as well as of mischief, Loki(lightning) is often seen with Thor (thunder), whom he accompaniesto Jötun-heim to recover his hammer, to Utgard-Loki's castle, andto Geirrod's house. It is he who steals Freya's necklace and Sif'shair, and betrays Idun into the power of Thiassi; and although hesometimes gives the gods good advice and affords them real help, it is only to extricate them from some predicament into which he hasrashly inveigled them. 

Some authorities declare that, instead of making part of the creativetrilogy (Odin, Hoenir, and Lodur or Loki), this god originallybelonged to a pre-Odinic race of deities, and was the son of thegreat giant Fornjotnr (Ymir), his brothers being Kari (air) and Hler(water), and his sister Ran, the terrible goddess of the sea. Othermythologists, however, make him the son of the giant Farbauti, whohas been identified with Bergelmir, the sole survivor of the deluge, and of Laufeia (leafy isle) or Nal (vessel), his mother, thus statingthat his connection with Odin was only that of the Northern oathof good-fellowship. 

Loki (fire) first married Glut (glow), who bore him two daughters, Eisa (embers) and Einmyria (ashes); it is therefore very evidentthat Norsemen considered him emblematic of the hearth-fire, and whenthe flaming wood crackles on the hearth the goodwives in the Northare still wont to say that Loki is beating his children. Besidesthis wife, Loki is also said to have wedded the giantess Angur-boda(the anguish-boding), who dwelt in Jötun-heim, and who, as we havealready seen, bore him the three monsters: Hel, goddess of death, the Midgard snake Iörmungandr, and the grim wolf Fenris. 

 "Loki begat the wolf With Angur-boda. "

 Sæmund's Edda (Thorpe's tr. ). 

Sigyn

Loki's third marriage was with Sigyn, who proved a most loving anddevoted wife, and bore him two sons, Narve and Vali, the latter anamesake of the god who avenged Balder. Sigyn was always faithfulto her husband, and did not forsake him even after he had definitelybeen cast out of Asgard and confined in the bowels of the earth. 

As Loki was the embodiment of evil in the minds of the Northern races, they entertained nothing but fear of him, built no temples to hishonour, offered no sacrifices to him, and designated the most noxiousweeds by his name. The quivering, overheated atmosphere of summer wassupposed to betoken his presence, for the people were then wont toremark that Loki was sowing his wild oats, and when the sun appearedto be drawing water they said Loki was drinking. 

The story of Loki is so inextricably woven with that of the othergods that most of the myths relating to him have already been told, and there remain but two episodes of his life to relate, one showinghis better side before he had degenerated into the arch deceiver, and the other illustrating how he finally induced the gods to defiletheir peace-steads by wilful murder. 

Skrymsli and the Peasant's Child

A giant and a peasant were playing a game together one day (probably agame of chess, which was a favourite winter pastime with the Northernvikings). They of course had determined to play for certain stakes, and the giant, being victorious, won the peasant's only son, whom hesaid he would come and claim on the morrow unless the parents couldhide him so cleverly that he could not be found. 

Knowing that such a feat would be impossible for them to perform, the parents fervently prayed to Odin to help them, and in answer totheir entreaties the god came down to earth, and changed the boy intoa tiny grain of wheat, which he hid in an ear of grain in the midstof a large field, declaring that the giant would not be able to findhim. The giant Skrymsli, however, possessed wisdom far beyond whatOdin imagined, and, failing to find the child at home, he strodeoff immediately to the field with his scythe, and mowing the wheathe selected the particular ear where the boy was hidden. Countingover the grains of wheat he was about to lay his hand upon the rightone when Odin, hearing the child's cry of distress, snatched thekernel out of the giant's hand, and restored the boy to his parents, telling them that he had done all in his power to help them. But asthe giant vowed he had been cheated, and would again claim the boyon the morrow unless the parents could outwit him, the unfortunatepeasants now turned to Hoenir for aid. The god heard them graciouslyand changed the boy into a fluff of down, which he hid in the breastof a swan swimming in a pond close by. Now when, a few minutes later, Skrymsli came up, he guessed what had occurred, and seizing the swan, he bit off its neck, and would have swallowed the down had not Hoenirwafted it away from his lips and out of reach, restoring the boy safeand sound to his parents, but telling them that he could not furtheraid them. 

Skrymsli warned the parents that he would make a third attempt tosecure the child, whereupon they applied in their despair to Loki, who carried the boy out to sea, and concealed him, as a tiny egg, in the roe of a flounder. Returning from his expedition, Lokiencountered the giant near the shore, and seeing that he was bentupon a fishing excursion, he insisted upon accompanying him. He feltsomewhat uneasy lest the terrible giant should have seen through hisdevice, and therefore thought it would be well for him to be on thespot in case of need. Skrymsli baited his hook, and was more or lesssuccessful in his angling, when suddenly he drew up the identicalflounder in which Loki had concealed his little charge. Opening thefish upon his knee, the giant proceeded to minutely examine the roe, until he found the egg which he was seeking. 

The plight of the boy was certainly perilous, but Loki, watching hischance, snatched the egg out of the giant's grasp, and transforming itagain into the child, he instructed him secretly to run home, passingthrough the boathouse on his way and closing the door behind him. Theterrified boy did as he was told immediately he found himself on land, and the giant, quick to observe his flight, dashed after him intothe boathouse. Now Loki had cunningly placed a sharp spike in such aposition that the great head of the giant ran full tilt against it, and he sank to the ground with a groan, whereupon Loki, seeing himhelpless, cut off one of his legs. Imagine the god's dismay, however, when he saw the pieces join and immediately knit together. But Lokiwas a master of guile, and recognising this as the work of magic, hecut off the other leg, promptly throwing flint and steel between thesevered limb and trunk, and thereby hindering any further sorcery. Thepeasants were immensely relieved to find that their enemy was slain, and ever after they considered Loki the mightiest of all the heavenlycouncil, for he had delivered them effectually from their foe, whilethe other gods had lent only temporary aid. 

The Giant Architect

Notwithstanding their wonderful bridge Bifröst, the tremulous way, and the watchfulness of Heimdall, the gods could not feel entirelysecure in Asgard, and were often fearful lest the frost giants shouldmake their way into Asgard. To obviate this possibility, they finallydecided to build an impregnable fortress; and while they were planninghow this could be done, an unknown architect came with an offer toundertake the construction, provided the gods would give him sun, moon, and Freya, goddess of youth and beauty, as reward. The gods were wrothat so presumptuous an offer, but when they would have indignantlydriven the stranger from their presence, Loki urged them to make abargain which it would be impossible for the stranger to keep, andso they finally told the architect that the guerdon should be his, provided the fortress were finished in the course of a single winter, and that he accomplished the work with no other assistance than thatof his horse Svadilfare. 

 "To Asgard came an architect, And castle offered to erect, -- A castle high Which should defy Deep Jotun guile and giant raid; And this most wily compact made: Fair Freya, with the Moon and Sun, As price the fortress being done. "

 Valhalla (J. C. Jones). 

The unknown architect agreed to these seemingly impossible conditions, and immediately set to work, hauling ponderous blocks of stone bynight, building during the day, and progressing so rapidly thatthe gods began to feel somewhat anxious. Ere long they noticed thatmore than half the labour was accomplished by the wonderful steedSvadilfare, and when they saw, near the end of winter, that the workwas finished save only one portal, which they knew the architectcould easily erect during the night:

 "Horror and fear the gods beset; Finished almost the castle stood! In three days more The work be o'er; Then must they make their contract good, And pay the awful debt. "

 Valhalla (J. C. Jones). 

Terrified lest they should be called upon to part, not only with thesun and moon, but also with Freya, the personification of the youthand beauty of the world, the gods turned upon Loki, and threatenedto kill him unless he devised some means of hindering the architectfrom finishing the work within the specified time. 

Loki's cunning proved once more equal to the situation. He waited untilnightfall of the final day, when, as Svadilfare passed the fringe of aforest, painfully dragging one of the great blocks of stone requiredfor the termination of the work, he rushed out from a dark gladein the guise of a mare, and neighed so invitingly that, in a trice, the horse kicked himself free of his harness and ran after the mare, closely pursued by his angry master. The mare galloped swiftly on, artfully luring horse and master deeper and deeper into the forestshades, until the night was nearly gone, and it was no longer possibleto finish the work. The architect was none other than a redoubtableHrim-thurs, in disguise, and he now returned to Asgard in a toweringrage at the fraud which had been practised upon him. Assuming hiswonted proportions, he would have annihilated the gods had not Thorsuddenly returned from a journey and slain him with his magic hammerMiölnir, which he hurled with terrific force full in his face. 

The gods had saved themselves on this occasion only by fraud and bythe violent deed of Thor, and these were destined to bring great sorrowupon them, and eventually to secure their downfall, and to hasten thecoming of Ragnarok. Loki, however, felt no remorse for his part, andin due time, it is said, he became the parent of an eight-footed steedcalled Sleipnir, which, as we have seen, was Odin's favourite mount. 

 "But Sleipnir he begat With Svadilfari. "

 Lay of Hyndla (Thorpe's tr. ). 

Loki performed so many evil deeds during his career that he richlydeserved the title of "arch deceiver" which was given him. He wasgenerally hated for his subtle malicious ways, and for an inveteratehabit of prevarication which won for him also the title of "princeof lies. "

Loki's last Crime

Loki's last crime, and the one which filled his measure of iniquity, was to induce Hodur to throw the fatal mistletoe at Balder, whom hehated merely on account of his immaculate purity. Perhaps even thiscrime might have been condoned had it not been for his obduracy when, in the disguise of the old woman Thok, he was called upon to shed atear for Balder. His action on this occasion convinced the gods thatnothing but evil remained within him, and they pronounced unanimouslyupon him the sentence of perpetual banishment from Asgard. 

Ægir's Banquet

To divert the gods' sadness and make them, for a short time, forgetthe treachery of Loki and the loss of Balder, Ægir, god of the sea, invited them to partake of a banquet in his coral caves at the bottomof the sea. 

 "Now, to assuage the high gods' grief And bring their mourning some relief, From coral caves 'Neath ocean waves, Mighty King Ægir Invited the Æsir To festival In Hlesey's hall; That, tho' for Baldur every guest Was grieving yet, He might forget Awhile his woe in friendly feast. "

 Valhalla (J. C. Jones). 

The gods gladly accepted the invitation, and clad in their richestgarb, and with festive smiles, they appeared in the coral caves atthe appointed time. None were absent save the radiant Balder, forwhom many a regretful sigh was heaved, and the evil Loki, whom nonecould regret. In the course of the feast, however, this last-namedgod appeared in their midst like a dark shadow, and when bidden todepart, he gave vent to his evil passions in a torrent of invectiveagainst the gods. 

 "Of the Æsir and the Alfar That are here within Not one has a friendly word for thee. "

 Ægir's Compotation, or Loki's Altercation (Thorpe's tr. ). 

Then, jealous of the praises which Funfeng, Ægir's servant, had wonfor the dexterity with which he waited upon his master's guests, Loki suddenly turned upon him and slew him. At this wanton crime, the gods in fierce wrath drove Loki away once more, threatening himwith dire punishment should he ever appear before them again. 

Scarcely had the Æsir recovered from this disagreeable interruptionto their feast, and resumed their places at the board, when Lokicame creeping in once more, resuming his slanders with venomoustongue, and taunting the gods with their weaknesses or shortcomings, dwelling maliciously upon their physical imperfections, and deridingthem for their mistakes. In vain the gods tried to stem his abuse;his voice rose louder and louder, and he was just giving utterance tosome base slander about Sif, when he was suddenly cut short by thesight of Thor's hammer, angrily brandished by an arm whose power heknew full well, and he fled incontinently. 

 "Silence, thou impure being! My mighty hammer, Miöllnir, Shall stop thy prating. I will thy head From thy neck strike; Then will thy life be ended. "

 Ægir's Compotation, or Loki's Altercation (Thorpe's tr. ). 

The Pursuit of Loki

Knowing that he could now have no hope of being admitted into Asgardagain, and that sooner or later the gods, seeing the effect of hisevil deeds, would regret having permitted him to roam the world, andwould try either to bind or slay him, Loki withdrew to the mountains, where he built himself a hut, with four doors which he always leftwide open to permit of a hasty escape. Carefully laying his plans, he decided that if the gods should come in search of him he wouldrush down to the neighbouring cataract, according to tradition theFraananger force or stream, and, changing himself into a salmon, would thus evade his pursuers. He reasoned, however, that althoughhe could easily avoid any hook, it might be difficult for him toeffect his escape if the gods should fashion a net like that of thesea-goddess Ran. 

Haunted by this fear, he decided to test the possibility of makingsuch a mesh, and started to make one out of twine. He was stillengaged upon the task when Odin, Kvasir, and Thor suddenly appearedin the distance; and knowing that they had discovered his retreat, Loki threw his half-finished net into the fire, and, rushing throughone of his ever-open doors, he leaped into the waterfall, where, in theshape of a salmon, he hid among some stones in the bed of the stream. 

The gods, finding the hut empty, were about to depart, when Kvasirperceived the remains of the burnt net on the hearth. After somethought an inspiration came to him, and he advised the gods to weavea similar implement and use it in searching for their foe in theneighbouring stream, since it would be like Loki to choose such amethod of baffling their pursuit. This advice seemed good and wasimmediately followed, and, the net finished, the gods proceeded todrag the stream. Loki eluded the net at its first cast by hidingat the bottom of the river between two stones; and when the godsweighted the mesh and tried a second time, he effected his escape byjumping up stream. A third attempt to secure him proved successful, however, for, as he once more tried to get away by a sudden leap, Thor caught him in mid-air and held him so fast, that he could notescape. The salmon, whose slipperiness is proverbial in the North, is noted for its remarkably slim tail, and Norsemen attribute thisto Thor's tight grasp upon his foe. 

Loki's Punishment

Loki now sullenly resumed his wonted shape, and his captors draggedhim down into a cavern, where they made him fast, using as bonds theentrails of his son Narve, who had been torn to pieces by Vali, hisbrother, whom the gods had changed into a wolf for the purpose. Oneof these fetters was passed under Loki's shoulders, and one underhis loins, thereby securing him firmly hand and foot; but the gods, not feeling quite satisfied that the strips, tough and enduring thoughthey were, would not give way, changed them into adamant or iron. 

 "Thee, on a rock's point, With the entrails of thy ice-cold son, The gods will bind. "

 Sæmund's Edda (Thorpe's tr. ). 

Skadi, the giantess, a personification of the cold mountain stream, who had joyfully watched the fettering of her foe (subterraneanfire), now fastened a serpent directly over his head, so that itsvenom would fall, drop by drop, upon his upturned face. But Sigyn, Loki's faithful wife, hurried with a cup to his side, and until theday of Ragnarok she remained by him, catching the drops as they fell, and never leaving her post except when her vessel was full, and she wasobliged to empty it. Only during her short absences could the dropsof venom fall upon Loki's face, and then they caused such intensepain that he writhed with anguish, his efforts to get free shakingthe earth and producing the earthquakes which so frighten mortals. 

 "Ere they left him in his anguish, O'er his treacherous brow, ungrateful, Skadi hung a serpent hateful, Venom drops for aye distilling, Every nerve with torment filling; Thus shall he in horror languish. By him, still unwearied kneeling, Sigyn at his tortured side, -- Faithful wife! with beaker stealing Drops of venom as they fall, -- Agonising poison all! Sleepless, changeless, ever dealing Comfort, will she still abide; Only when the cup's o'erflowing Must fresh pain and smarting cause, Swift, to void the beaker going, Shall she in her watching pause. Then doth Loki Loudly cry; Shrieks of terror, Groans of horror, Breaking forth in thunder peals With his writhings scared Earth reels. Trembling and quaking, E'en high Heav'n shaking! So wears he out his awful doom, Until dread Ragnarok be come. "

 Valhalla (J. C. Jones). 

In this painful position Loki was destined to remain until the twilightof the gods, when his bonds would be loosed, and he would take partin the fatal conflict on the battlefield of Vigrid, falling at lastby the hand of Heimdall, who would be slain at the same time. 

As we have seen, the venom-dropping snake in this myth is thecold mountain stream, whose waters, falling from time to timeupon subterranean fire, evaporate in steam, which escapes throughfissures, and causes earthquakes and geysers, phenomena with whichthe inhabitants of Iceland, for instance, were very familiar. 

Loki's Day

When the gods were reduced to the rank of demons by the introduction ofChristianity, Loki was confounded with Saturn, who had also been shornof his divine attributes, and both were considered the prototypes ofSatan. The last day of the week, which was held sacred to Loki, wasknown in the Norse as Laugardag, or wash-day, but in English it waschanged to Saturday, and was said to owe its name not to Saturn butto Sataere, the thief in ambush, and the Teutonic god of agriculture, who is supposed to be merely another personification of Loki. 

CHAPTER XXIII: THE GIANTS

Jötun-heim

As we have already seen, the Northern races imagined that the giantswere the first creatures who came to life among the icebergs whichfilled the vast abyss of Ginnunga-gap. These giants were from thevery beginning the opponents and rivals of the gods, and as thelatter were the personifications of all that is good and lovely, the former were representative of all that was ugly and evil. 

 "He comes--he comes--the Frost Spirit comes! on the rushing northern blast, And the dark Norwegian pines have bowed as his fearful breath went past. With an unscorched wing he has hurried on, where the fires on Hecla glow On the darkly beautiful sky above and the ancient ice below. "

 J. G. Whittier. 

When Ymir, the first giant, fell lifeless on the ice, slain by thegods, his progeny were drowned in his blood. One couple only, Bergelmirand his wife, effected their escape to Jötun-heim, where they tookup their abode and became the parents of all the giant race. In theNorth the giants were called by various names, each having a particularmeaning. Jötun, for instance, meant "the great eater, " for the giantswere noted for their enormous appetites as well as for their uncommonsize. They were fond of drinking as well as of eating, wherefore theywere also called Thurses, a word which some writers claim had thesame meaning as thirst; but others think they owed this name to thehigh towers ("turseis") which they were supposed to have built. As thegiants were antagonistic to the gods, the latter always strove to forcethem to remain in Jötun-heim, which was situated in the cold regions ofthe Pole. The giants were almost invariably worsted in their encounterswith the gods, for they were heavy and slow-witted, and had nothingbut stone weapons to oppose to the Æsir's bronze. In spite of thisinequality, however, they were sometimes greatly envied by the gods, for they were thoroughly conversant with all knowledge relating tothe past. Even Odin was envious of this attribute, and no sooner hadhe secured it by a draught from Mimir's spring than he hastened toJötun-heim to measure himself against Vafthrudnir, the most learnedof the giant brood. But he might never have succeeded in defeatinghis antagonist in this strange encounter had he not ceased inquiringabout the past and propounded a question relating to the future. 

Of all the gods Thor was most feared by the Jötuns, for he wascontinually waging war against the frost and mountain giants, who would fain have bound the earth for ever in their rigid bands, thus preventing men from tilling the soil. In fighting against them, Thor, as we have already seen, generally had recourse to his terriblehammer Miölnir. 

Origin of the Mountains

According to German legends the uneven surface of the earth was dueto the giants, who marred its smoothness by treading upon it whileit was still soft and newly created, while streams were formed fromthe copious tears shed by the giantesses upon seeing the valleys madeby their husbands' huge footprints. As such was the Teutonic belief, the people imagined that the giants, who personified the mountainsto them, were huge uncouth creatures, who could only move about inthe darkness or fog, and were petrified as soon as the first rays ofsunlight pierced through the gloom or scattered the clouds. 

This belief led them to name one of their principal mountain chainsthe Riesengebirge (giant mountains). The Scandinavians also sharedthis belief, and to this day the Icelanders designate their highestmountain peaks by the name of Jokul, a modification of the word"Jötun. " In Switzerland, where the everlasting snows rest upon thelofty mountain tops, the people still relate old stories of the timewhen the giants roamed abroad; and when an avalanche came crashingdown the mountain side, they say the giants have restlessly shakenoff part of the icy burden from their brows and shoulders. 

The First Gods

As the giants were also personifications of snow, ice, cold, stone, andsubterranean fire, they were said to be descended from the primitiveFornjotnr, whom some authorities identify with Ymir. According to thisversion of the myth, Fornjotnr had three sons: Hler, the sea; Kari, theair; and Loki, fire. These three divinities, the first gods, formed theoldest trinity, and their respective descendants were the sea giantsMimir, Gymir, and Grendel, the storm giants Thiassi, Thrym, and Beli, and the giants of fire and death, such as the Fenris wolf and Hel. 

As all the royal dynasties claimed descent from some mythical being, the Merovingians asserted that their first progenitor was a sea giant, who rose out of the waves in the form of an ox, and surprised thequeen while she was walking alone on the seashore, compelling her tobecome his wife. She gave birth to a son named Meroveus, the founderof the first dynasty of Frankish kings. 

Many stories have already been told about the most importantgiants. They reappear in many of the later myths and fairy-tales, and manifest, after the introduction of Christianity, a peculiardislike to the sound of church bells and the singing of monks and nuns. 

The Giant in Love

The Scandinavians relate, in this connection, that in the daysof Olaf the Saint a giant called Senjemand, dwelt on the Island ofSenjen, and he was greatly incensed because a nun on the Island ofGrypto daily sang her morning hymn. This giant fell in love with abeautiful maiden called Juterna-jesta, and it was long ere he couldfind courage to propose to her. When at last he made his haltingrequest, the fair damsel scornfully rejected him, declaring that hewas far too old and ugly for her taste. 

 "Miserable Senjemand--ugly and grey! Thou win the maid of Kvedfiord! No--a churl thou art and shalt ever remain. "

 Ballad (Brace's tr. ). 

In his anger at being thus scornfully refused, the giant sworevengeance, and soon after he shot a great flint arrow from his bowat the maiden, who dwelt eighty miles away. Another lover, Torge, also a giant, seeing her peril and wishing to protect her, flunghis hat at the speeding arrow. This hat was a thousand feet highand proportionately broad and thick, nevertheless the arrow piercedthe headgear, falling short, however, of its aim. Senjemand, seeingthat he had failed, and fearing the wrath of Torge, mounted his steedand prepared to ride off as quickly as possible; but the sun, risingjust then above the horizon, turned him into stone, together with thearrow and Torge's hat, the huge pile being known as the Torghattenmountain. The people still point to an obelisk which they say is thestone arrow; to a hole in the mountain, 289 feet high and 88 feet wide, which they say is the aperture made by the arrow in its flight throughthe hat; and to the horseman on Senjen Island, apparently riding acolossal steed and drawing the folds of his wide cavalry cloak closelyabout him. As for the nun whose singing had so disturbed Senjemand, shewas petrified too, and never troubled any one with her psalmody again. 

The Giant and the Church Bells

Another legend relates that one of the mountain giants, annoyed bythe ringing of church bells more than fifty miles away, once caughtup a huge rock, which he hurled at the sacred building. Fortunatelyit fell short and broke in two. Ever since then, the peasants saythat the trolls come on Christmas Eve to raise the largest piece ofstone upon golden pillars, and to dance and feast beneath it. A lady, wishing to know whether this tale were true, once sent her groomto the place. The trolls came forward and hospitably offered him adrink from a horn mounted in gold and ornamented with runes. Seizingthe horn, the groom flung its contents away and dashed off with itat a mad gallop, closely pursued by the trolls, from whom he escapedonly by passing through a stubble field and over running water. Someof their number visited the lady on the morrow to claim this horn, and when she refused to part with it they laid a curse upon her, declaring that her castle would be burned down every time the hornshould be removed. The prediction has thrice been fulfilled, and nowthe family guard the relic with superstitious care. A similar drinkingvessel, obtained in much the same fashion by the Oldenburg family, is exhibited in the collection of the King of Denmark. 

The giants were not supposed to remain stationary, but were said tomove about in the darkness, sometimes transporting masses of earthand sand, which they dropped here and there. The sandhills in northernGermany and Denmark were supposed to have been thus formed. 

The Giants' Ship

A North Frisian tradition relates that the giants possessed a colossalship, called Mannigfual, which constantly cruised about in the AtlanticOcean. Such was the size of this vessel that the captain was saidto patrol the deck on horseback, while the rigging was so extensiveand the masts so high that the sailors who went up as youths camedown as gray-haired men, having rested and refreshed themselves inrooms fashioned and provisioned for that purpose in the huge blocksand pulleys. 

By some mischance it happened that the pilot once directed the immensevessel into the North Sea, and wishing to return to the Atlanticas soon as possible, yet not daring to turn in such a small space, he steered into the English Channel. Imagine the dismay of all onboard when they saw the passage growing narrower and narrower thefarther they advanced. When they came to the narrowest spot, betweenCalais and Dover, it seemed barely possible that the vessel, driftingalong with the current, could force its way through. The captain, with laudable presence of mind, promptly bade his men soap the sidesof the ship, and to lay an extra-thick layer on the starboard, wherethe rugged cliffs of Dover rose threateningly. These orders were nosooner carried out than the vessel entered the narrow space, and, thanks to the captain's precaution, it slipped safely through. Therocks of Dover scraped off so much soap, however, that ever sincethey have been particularly white, and the waves dashing against themstill have an unusually foamy appearance. 

This exciting experience was not the only one through which theMannigfual passed, for we are told that it once, nobody knows how, penetrated into the Baltic Sea, where, the water not being deep enoughto keep the vessel afloat, the captain ordered all the ballast to bethrown overboard. The material thus cast on either side of the vesselinto the sea formed the two islands of Bornholm and Christiansoë. 

Princess Ilse

In Thuringia and in the Black Forest the stories of the giants arelegion, and one of the favourites with the peasants is that aboutIlse, the lovely daughter of the giant of the Ilsenstein. She was socharming that far and wide she was known as the Beautiful PrincessIlse, and was wooed by many knights, of whom she preferred the Lord ofWesterburg. But her father did not at all approve of her consortingwith a mere mortal, and forbade her to see her lover. Princess Ilsewas wilful, however, and in spite of her sire's prohibition shedaily visited her lover. The giant, exasperated by her persistencyand disobedience, finally stretched out his huge hands and, seizingthe rocks, tore a great gap between the height where he dwelt and thecastle of Westerburg. Upon this, Princess Ilse, going to the cleftwhich parted her from her lover, recklessly flung herself over theprecipice into the raging flood beneath, and was there changed intoa bewitching undine. She dwelt in the limpid waters for many a year, appearing from time to time to exercise her fascinations upon mortals, and even, it is said, captivating the affections of the EmperorHenry, who paid frequent visits to her cascade. Her last appearance, according to popular belief, was at Pentecost, a hundred years ago;and the natives have not yet ceased to look for the beautiful princess, who is said still to haunt the stream and to wave her white arms toentice travellers into the cool spray of the waterfall. 

 "I am the Princess Ilse, And I dwell at the Ilsenstein; Come with me to my castle, And bliss shall be mine and thine. 

 "With the cool of my glass-clear waters Thy brow and thy locks I'll lave; And thou'lt think of thy sorrows no longer, For all that thou look'st so grave. 

 "With my white arms twined around thee, And lapped on my breast so white, Thou shalt lie, and dream of elf-land-- Its loves and wild delight. "

 Heine (Martin's tr. ). 

The Giantess's Plaything

The giants inhabited all the earth before it was given to mankind, andit was only with reluctance that they made way for the human race, andretreated into the waste and barren parts of the country, where theybrought up their families in strict seclusion. Such was the ignoranceof their offspring, that a young giantess, straying from home, oncecame to an inhabited valley, where for the first time in her life shesaw a farmer ploughing on the hillside. Deeming him a pretty plaything, she caught him up with his team, and thrusting them into her apron, she gleefully carried them home to exhibit to her father. But thegiant immediately bade her carry peasant and horses back to the placewhere she had found them, and when she had done so he sadly explainedthat the creatures whom she took for mere playthings, would eventuallydrive the giant folk away, and become masters of the earth. 

CHAPTER XXIV: THE DWARFS

Little Men

In the first chapter we saw how the black elves, dwarfs, orSvart-alfar, were bred like maggots in the flesh of the slain giantYmir. The gods, perceiving these tiny, unformed creatures creeping inand out, gave them form and features, and they became known as darkelves, on account of their swarthy complexions. These small beingswere so homely, with their dark skin, green eyes, large heads, shortlegs, and crow's feet, that they were enjoined to hide underground, being commanded never to show themselves during the daytime lest theyshould be turned into stone. Although less powerful than the gods, they were far more intelligent than men, and as their knowledge wasboundless and extended even to the future, gods and men were equallyanxious to question them. 

The dwarfs were also known as trolls, kobolds, brownies, goblins, pucks, or Huldra folk, according to the country where they dwelt. 

 "You are the grey, grey Troll, With the great green eyes, But I love you, grey, grey Troll-- You are so wise!

 "Tell me this sweet morn, Tell me all you know-- Tell me, was I born? Tell me, did I grow?"

 The Legend of the Little Fay (Buchanan). 

The Tarnkappe

These little beings could transport themselves with marvellous celerityfrom one place to another, and they loved to conceal themselvesbehind rocks, when they would mischievously repeat the last wordsof conversations overheard from such hiding-places. Owing to thiswell-known trick, the echoes were called dwarfs' talk, and peoplefancied that the reason why the makers of such sounds were neverseen was because each dwarf was the proud possessor of a tiny redcap which made the wearer invisible. This cap was called Tarnkappe, and without it the dwarfs dared not appear above the surface of theearth after sunrise for fear of being petrified. When wearing it theywere safe from this peril. 

 "Away! let not the sun view me-- I dare no longer stay; An Elfin-child, thou wouldst me see, To stone turn at his ray. "

 La Motte-Fouqué. 

The Legend of Kallundborg

Helva, daughter of the Lord of Nesvek, was loved by Esbern Snare, whose suit, however, was rejected by the proud father with the scornfulwords: "When thou shalt build at Kallundborg a stately church, thenwill I give thee Helva to wife. "

Now Esbern, although of low estate, was proud of heart, even asthe lord, and he determined, come what might, to find a way to winhis coveted bride. So off he strode to a troll in Ullshoi Hill, and effected a bargain whereby the troll undertook to build a finechurch, on completion of which Esbern was to tell the builder's nameor forfeit his eyes and heart. 

Night and day the troll wrought on, and as the building took shape, sadder grew Esbern Snare. He listened at the crevices of the hillby night; he watched during the day; he wore himself to a shadowby anxious thought; he besought the elves to aid him. All to nopurpose. Not a sound did he hear, not a thing did he see, to suggestthe name of the builder. 

Meantime, rumour was busy, and the fair Helva, hearing of the evilcompact, prayed for the soul of the unhappy man. 

Time passed until one day the church lacked only one pillar, and worn out by black despair, Esbern sank exhausted upon a bank, whence he heard the troll hammering the last stone in the quarryunderground. "Fool that I am, " he said bitterly, "I have buildedmy tomb. "

Just then he heard a light footstep, and looking up, he beheld hisbeloved. "Would that I might die in thy stead, " said she, throughher tears, and with that Esbern confessed how that for love of herhe had imperilled eyes and heart and soul. 

Then fast as the troll hammered underground, Helva prayed beside herlover, and the prayers of the maiden prevailed over the spell of thetroll, for suddenly Esbern caught the sound of a troll-wife singingto her infant, bidding it be comforted, for that, on the morrow, Father Fine would return bringing a mortal's eyes and heart. 

Sure of his victim, the troll hurried to Kallundborg with the laststone. "Too late, Fine!" quoth Esbern, and at the word, the trollvanished with his stone, and it is said that the peasants heard atnight the sobbing of a woman underground, and the voice of the trollloud with blame. 

 "Of the Troll of the Church they sing the rune By the Northern Sea in the harvest moon; And the fishers of Zealand hear him still Scolding his wife in Ulshoi hill. 

 "And seaward over its groves of birch Still looks the tower of Kallundborg church, Where, first at its altar, a wedded pair, Stood Helva of Nesvek and Esbern Snare!"

 J. G. Whittier

The Magic of the Dwarfs

The dwarfs, as well as the elves, were ruled by a king, who, invarious countries of northern Europe, was known as Andvari, Alberich, Elbegast, Gondemar, Laurin, or Oberon. He dwelt in a magnificentsubterranean palace, studded with the gems which his subjects hadmined from the bosom of the earth, and, besides untold riches and theTarnkappe, he owned a magic ring, an invincible sword, and a belt ofstrength. At his command the little men, who were very clever smiths, would fashion marvellous jewels or weapons, which their ruler wouldbestow upon favourite mortals. 

We have already seen how the dwarfs fashioned Sif's golden hair, the ship Skidbladnir, the point of Odin's spear Gungnir, the ringDraupnir, the golden-bristled boar Gullin-bursti, the hammer Miölnir, and Freya's golden necklace Brisinga-men. They are also said tohave made the magic girdle which Spenser describes in his poem ofthe "Faerie Queene, "--a girdle which was said to have the power ofrevealing whether its wearer were virtuous or a hypocrite. 

 "That girdle gave the virtue of chaste love And wifehood true to all that did it bear; But whosoever contrary doth prove Might not the same about her middle wear But it would loose, or else asunder tear. "

 Faerie Queene (Spenser). 

The dwarfs also manufactured the mythical sword Tyrfing, which couldcut through iron and stone, and which they gave to Angantyr. Thissword, like Frey's, fought of its own accord, and could not besheathed, after it was once drawn, until it had tasted blood. Angantyrwas so proud of this weapon that he had it buried with him; but hisdaughter Hervor visited his tomb at midnight, recited magic spells, andforced him to rise from his grave to give her the precious blade. Shewielded it bravely, and it eventually became the property of anotherof the Northern heroes. 

Another famous weapon, which according to tradition was forged bythe dwarfs in Eastern lands, was the sword Angurvadel which Frithiofreceived as a portion of his inheritance from his fathers. Its hiltwas of hammered gold, and the blade was inscribed with runes whichwere dull until it was brandished in war, when they flamed red asthe comb of the fighting-cock. 

 "Quick lost was that hero Meeting in battle's night that blade high-flaming with runics. Widely renown'd was this sword, of swords most choice in the Northland. "

 Tegnér's Frithiof (G. Stephens's tr. ). 

The Passing of the Dwarfs

The dwarfs were generally kind and helpful; sometimes they kneadedbread, ground flour, brewed beer, performed countless household tasks, and harvested and threshed the grain for the farmers. If ill-treated, however, or turned to ridicule, these little creatures would forsakethe house and never come back again. When the old gods ceased to beworshipped in the Northlands, the dwarfs withdrew entirely from thecountry, and a ferryman related how he had been hired by a mysteriouspersonage to ply his boat back and forth across the river one night, and at every trip his vessel was so heavily laden with invisiblepassengers that it nearly sank. When his night's work was over, hereceived a rich reward, and his employer informed him that he hadcarried the dwarfs across the river, as they were leaving the countryfor ever in consequence of the unbelief of the people. 

Changelings

According to popular superstition, the dwarfs, in envy of man'staller stature, often tried to improve their race by winning humanwives or by stealing unbaptized children, and substituting theirown offspring for the human mother to nurse. These dwarf babies wereknown as changelings, and were recognisable by their puny and wizenedforms. To recover possession of her own babe, and to rid herself ofthe changeling, a woman was obliged either to brew beer in egg-shellsor to grease the soles of the child's feet and hold them so near theflames that, attracted by their offspring's distressed cries, the dwarfparents would hasten to claim their own and return the stolen child. 

The troll women were said to have the power of changing themselvesinto Maras or nightmares, and of tormenting any one they pleased;but if the victim succeeded in stopping up the hole through which aMara made her ingress into his room, she was entirely at his mercy, and he could even force her to wed him if he chose to do so. A wifethus obtained was sure to remain as long as the opening through whichshe had entered the house was closed, but if the plug were removed, either by accident or design, she immediately effected her escapeand never returned. 

The Peaks of the Trolls

Naturally, traditions of the little folk abound everywhere throughoutthe North, and many places are associated with their memory. Thewell-known Peaks of the Trolls (Trold-Tindterne) in Norway are saidto be the scene of a conflict between two bands of trolls, who inthe eagerness of combat omitted to note the approach of sunrise, with the result that they were changed into the small points of rockwhich stand up noticeably upon the crests of the mountain. 

A Conjecture

Some writers have ventured a conjecture that the dwarfs so oftenmentioned in the ancient sagas and fairy-tales were real beings, probably the Phoenician miners, who, working the coal, iron, copper, gold, and tin mines of England, Norway, Sweden, etc. , took advantageof the simplicity and credulity of the early inhabitants to makethem believe that they belonged to a supernatural race and alwaysdwelt underground, in a region which was called Svart-alfa-heim, or the home of the black elves. 

CHAPTER XXV: THE ELVES

The Realm of Faery

Besides the dwarfs there was another numerous class of tiny creaturescalled Lios-alfar, light or white elves, who inhabited the realms ofair between heaven and earth, and were gently governed by the genialgod Frey from his palace in Alf-heim. They were lovely, beneficentbeings, so pure and innocent that, according to some authorities, their name was derived from the same root as the Latin word "white"(albus), which, in a modified form, was given to the snow-coveredAlps, and to Albion (England), because of her white chalk cliffswhich could be seen afar. 

The elves were so small that they could flit about unseen whilethey tended the flowers, birds, and butterflies; and as they werepassionately fond of dancing, they often glided down to earth on amoonbeam, to dance on the green. Holding one another by the hand, they would dance in circles, thereby making the "fairy rings, " whichwere to be discerned by the deeper green and greater luxuriance ofthe grass which their little feet had pressed. 

 "Merry elves, their morrice pacing To aërial minstrelsy, Emerald rings on brown heath tracing, Trip it deft and merrily. "

 Sir Walter Scott. 

If any mortal stood in the middle of one of these fairy rings hecould, according to popular belief in England, see the fairies andenjoy their favour; but the Scandinavians and Teutons vowed that theunhappy man must die. In illustration of this superstition, a story istold of how Sir Olaf, riding off to his wedding, was enticed by thefairies into their ring. On the morrow, instead of a merry marriage, his friends witnessed a triple funeral, for his mother and bride alsodied when they beheld his lifeless corpse. 

 "Master Olof rode forth ere dawn of the day And came where the Elf-folk were dancing away. The dance is so merry, So merry in the greenwood. 

 "And on the next morn, ere the daylight was red, In Master Olof's house lay three corpses dead. The dance is so merry, So merry in the greenwood. 

 "First Master Olof, and next his young bride, And third his old mother--for sorrow she died. The dance is so merry, So merry in the greenwood. "

 Master Olof at the Elfin Dance (Howitt's tr. ). 

The Elf-dance

These elves, who in England were called fairies or fays, were alsoenthusiastic musicians, and delighted especially in a certain air knownas the elf-dance, which was so irresistible that no one who heard itcould refrain from dancing. If a mortal, overhearing the air, venturedto reproduce it, he suddenly found himself incapable of stopping andwas forced to play on and on until he died of exhaustion, unless hewere deft enough to play the tune backwards, or some one charitablycut the strings of his violin. His hearers, who were forced to danceas long as the tones continued, could only stop when they ceased. 

The Will-o'-the-wisps

In mediæval times, the will-o'-the-wisps were known in the North as elflights, for these tiny sprites were supposed to mislead travellers;and popular superstition held that the Jack-o'-lanterns were therestless spirits of murderers forced against their will to returnto the scene of their crimes. As they nightly walked thither, itis said that they doggedly repeated with every step, "It is right;"but as they returned they sadly reiterated, "It is wrong. "

Oberon and Titania

In later times the fairies or elves were said to be ruled by the kingof the dwarfs, who, being an underground spirit, was considered ademon, and allowed to retain the magic power which the missionarieshad wrested from the god Frey. In England and France the king ofthe fairies was known by the name of Oberon; he governed fairylandwith his queen Titania, and the highest revels on earth were held onMidsummer night. It was then that the fairies all congregated aroundhim and danced most merrily. 

 "Every elf and fairy sprite Hop as light as bird from brier; And this ditty after me Sing, and dance it trippingly. "

 Midsummer-Night's Dream (Shakespeare). 

These elves, like the brownies, Huldra folk, kobolds, etc. , werealso supposed to visit human dwellings, and it was said that theytook mischievous pleasure in tangling and knotting horses' manes andtails. These tangles were known as elf-locks, and whenever a farmerdescried them he declared that his steeds had been elf-ridden duringthe night. 

Alf-blot

In Scandinavia and Germany sacrifices were offered to the elves tomake them propitious. These sacrifices consisted of some small animal, or of a bowl of honey and milk, and were known as Alf-blot. They werequite common until the missionaries taught the people that the elveswere mere demons, when they were transferred to the angels, who werelong entreated to befriend mortals, and propitiated by the same gifts. 

Many of the elves were supposed to live and die with the trees andplants which they tended, but these moss, wood, or tree maidens, whileremarkably beautiful when seen in front, were hollow like a troughwhen viewed from behind. They appear in many of the popular tales, butalmost always as benevolent and helpful spirits, for they were anxiousto do good to mortals and to cultivate friendly relations with them. 

Images on Doorposts

In Scandinavia the elves, both light and dark, were worshippedas household divinities, and their images were carved on thedoorposts. The Norsemen, who were driven from home by the tyranny ofHarald Harfager in 874, took their carved doorposts with them upontheir ships. Similar carvings, including images of the gods and heroes, decorated the pillars of their high seats which they also carriedaway. The exiles showed their trust in their gods by throwing thesewooden images overboard when they neared the Icelandic shores andsettling where the waves carried the posts, even if the spot scarcelyseemed the most desirable. "Thus they carried with them the religion, the poetry, and the laws of their race, and on this desolate volcanicisland they kept these records unchanged for hundreds of years, while other Teutonic nations gradually became affected by theirintercourse with Roman and Byzantine Christianity. " These records, carefully collected by Sæmund the learned, form the Elder Edda, themost precious relic of ancient Northern literature, without which weshould know comparatively little of the religion of our forefathers. 

The sagas relate that the first settlements in Greenland and Vinlandwere made in the same way, --the Norsemen piously landing wherevertheir household gods drifted ashore. 

CHAPTER XXVI: THE SIGURD SAGA

The Beginning of the Story

While the first part of the Elder Edda consists of a collectionof alliterative poems describing the creation of the world, theadventures of the gods, their eventual downfall, and gives a completeexposition of the Northern code of ethics, the second part comprises aseries of heroic lays describing the exploits of the Volsung family, and especially of their chief representative, Sigurd, the favouritehero of the North. 

The Volsunga Saga

These lays form the basis of the great Scandinavian epic, the VolsungaSaga, and have supplied not only the materials for the Nibelungenlied, the German epic, and for countless folk tales, but also for Wagner'scelebrated operas, The Rhinegold, Valkyr, Siegfried, and The Dusk ofthe Gods. In England, William Morris has given them the form whichthey will probably retain in our literature, and it is from his greatepic poem, by the courteous permission of his trustees, and of hispublishers, Messrs. Longmans, Green and Co. , that almost all thequotations in this section are taken in preference to extracts fromthe Edda. 

Sigi

The story of the Volsungs begins with Sigi, a son of Odin, a powerfulman, and generally respected, until he killed a man from motivesof jealousy, the latter having slain more game when they were outhunting together. In consequence of this crime, Sigi was driven fromhis own land and declared an outlaw. But it seems that he had notentirely forfeited Odin's favour, for the god now provided him witha well-equipped vessel, together with a number of brave followers, and promised that victory should ever attend him. 

Thus aided by Odin, the raids of Sigi became a terror to his foes, and in the end he won the glorious empire of the Huns and for manyyears reigned as a powerful monarch. But in extreme old age hisfortune changed, Odin forsook him, his wife's kindred fell upon him, and he was slain in a treacherous encounter. 

Rerir

His death was soon avenged, however, for Rerir, his son, returningfrom an expedition upon which he had been absent from the land at thetime, put the murderers to death as his first act upon mounting thethrone. The rule of Rerir was marked by every sign of prosperity, buthis dearest wish, a son to succeed him, remained unfulfilled for manya year. Finally, however, Frigga decided to grant his constant prayer, and to vouchsafe the heir he longed for. She accordingly despatchedher swift messenger Gna, or Liod, with a miraculous apple, which shedropped into his lap as he was sitting alone on the hillside. Glancingupward, Rerir recognised the emissary of the goddess, and joyfullyhastened home to partake of the apple with his wife. The child whoin due time was born under these favourable auspices was a handsomelittle lad. His parents called him Volsung, and while he was stilla mere infant they both died, and the child became ruler of the land. 

Volsung

Years passed and Volsung's wealth and power ever increased. He was theboldest leader, and rallied many brave warriors around him. Full oftdid they drink his mead underneath the Branstock, a mighty oak, which, rising in the middle of his hall, pierced the roof and overshadowedthe whole house. 

 "And as in all other matters 'twas all earthly houses' crown, And the least of its wall-hung shields was a battle-world's renown, So therein withal was a marvel and a glorious thing to see, For amidst of its midmost hall-floor sprang up a mighty tree, That reared its blessings roofward and wreathed the roof-tree dear With the glory of the summer and the garland of the year. "

Ten stalwart sons were born to Volsung, and one daughter, Signy, came to brighten his home. So lovely was this maiden that when shereached marriageable age many suitors asked for her hand, among whomwas Siggeir, King of the Goths, who finally obtained Volsung's consent, although Signy had never seen him. 

The Wedding of Signy

When the wedding-day came, and the bride beheld her destined husbandshe shrank in dismay, for his puny form and lowering glances contrastedsadly with her brothers' sturdy frames and open faces. But it wastoo late to withdraw--the family honour was at stake--and Signy sosuccessfully concealed her dislike that none save her twin brotherSigmund suspected with what reluctance she became Siggeir's wife. 

The Sword in the Branstock

While the wedding feast was in progress, and when the merry-making wasat its height, the entrance to the hall was suddenly darkened by thetall form of a one-eyed man, closely enveloped in a mantle of cloudyblue. Without vouchsafing word or glance to any in the assembly, thestranger strode to the Branstock and thrust a glittering sword up tothe hilt in its great bole. Then, turning slowly round, he faced theawe-struck and silent assembly, and declared that the weapon would befor the warrior who could pull it out of its oaken sheath, and thatit would assure him victory in every battle. The words ended, he thenpassed out as he had entered, and disappeared, leaving a conviction inthe minds of all that Odin, king of the gods, had been in their midst. 

 "So sweet his speaking sounded, so wise his words did seem, That moveless all men sat there, as in a happy dream We stir not lest we waken; but there his speech had end And slowly down the hall-floor, and outward did he wend; And none would cast him a question or follow on his ways, For they knew that the gift was Odin's, a sword for the world to praise. "

Volsung was the first to recover the power of speech, and, waivinghis own right first to essay the feat, he invited Siggeir to make thefirst attempt to draw the divine weapon out of the tree-trunk. Thebridegroom anxiously tugged and strained, but the sword remainedfirmly embedded in the oak and he resumed his seat, with an air ofchagrin. Then Volsung tried, with the same result. The weapon wasevidently not intended for either of them, and the young Volsungprinces were next invited to try their strength. 

 "Sons I have gotten and cherished, now stand ye forth and try; Lest Odin tell in God-home how from the way he strayed, And how to the man he would not he gave away his blade. 

Sigmund

The nine eldest sons were equally unsuccessful; but when Sigmund, the tenth and youngest, laid his firm young hand upon the hilt, thesword yielded easily to his touch, and he triumphantly drew it outas though it had merely been sheathed in its scabbard. 

 "At last by the side of the Branstock Sigmund the Volsung stood, And with right hand wise in battle the precious sword-hilt caught, Yet in a careless fashion, as he deemed it all for nought; When, lo, from floor to rafter went up a shattering shout, For aloft in the hand of Sigmund the naked blade shone out As high o'er his head he shook it: for the sword had come away From the grip of the heart of the Branstock, as though all loose it lay. "

Nearly all present were gratified at the success of the young prince;but Siggeir's heart was filled with envy, and he coveted possession ofthe weapon. He offered to purchase it from his young brother-in-law, but Sigmund refused to part with it at any price, declaring that itwas clear that the weapon had been intended for him to wear. Thisrefusal so offended Siggeir that he secretly resolved to exterminatethe proud Volsungs, and to secure the divine sword at the same timethat he indulged his hatred towards his new kinsmen. 

Concealing his chagrin, however, he turned to Volsung and cordiallyinvited him to visit his court a month later, together with his sonsand kinsmen. The invitation was immediately accepted, and althoughSigny, suspecting evil, secretly sought her father while her husbandslept, and implored him to retract his promise and stay at home, he would not consent to withdraw his plighted word and so exhibit fear. 

Siggeir's Treachery

A few weeks after the return of the bridal couple, therefore, Volsung'swell-manned vessels arrived within sight of Siggeir's shores. Signyhad been keeping anxious watch, and when she perceived them shehastened down to the beach to implore her kinsmen not to land, warning them that her husband had treacherously planned an ambush, whence they could not escape alive. But Volsung and his sons, whomno peril could daunt, calmly bade her return to her husband's palace, and donning their arms they boldly set foot ashore. 

 "Then sweetly Volsung kissed her: 'Woe am I for thy sake, But Earth the word hath hearkened, that yet unborn I spake; How I ne'er would turn me backward from the sword or fire of bale; --I have held that word till to-day, and to-day shall I change the tale? And look on these thy brethren, how goodly and great are they, Wouldst thou have the maidens mock them, when this pain hath passed away And they sit at the feast hereafter, that they feared the deadly stroke? Let us do our day's work deftly for the praise and glory of folk; And if the Norns will have it that the Volsung kin shall fail, Yet I know of the deed that dies not, and the name that shall ever avail. '"

It befell as Signy had said, for on their way to the palace thebrave little troop fell into Siggeir's ambush, and, although theyfought with heroic courage, they were so borne down by the superiornumber of their foes that Volsung was slain and all his sons weremade captive. The young men were led bound into the presence of thecowardly Siggeir, who had taken no part in the fight, and Sigmundwas forced to relinquish his precious sword, after which he and hisbrothers were condemned to death. 

Signy, hearing the cruel sentence, vainly interceded for her brothers:all she could obtain by her prayers and entreaties was that they shouldbe chained to a fallen oak in the forest, to perish of hunger andthirst if the wild beasts should spare them. Then, lest she shouldvisit and succour her brothers, Siggeir confined his wife in thepalace, where she was closely guarded night and day. 

Every morning early Siggeir himself sent a messenger into the forestto see whether the Volsungs were still living, and every morningthe man returned saying a monster had come during the night and haddevoured one of the princes, leaving nothing but his bones. At last, when none but Sigmund remained alive, Signy thought of a plan, andshe prevailed on one of her servants to carry some honey into theforest and smear it over her brother's face and mouth. 

When the wild beast came that night, attracted by the smell of thehoney, it licked Sigmund's face, and even thrust its tongue intohis mouth. Clinching his teeth upon it, Sigmund, weak and woundedas he was, held on to the animal, and in its frantic struggles hisbonds gave way, and he succeeded in slaying the prowling beast whohad devoured his brothers. Then he vanished into the forest, wherehe remained concealed until the king's messenger had come as usual, and until Signy, released from captivity, came speeding to the forestto weep over her kinsmen's remains. 

Seeing her intense grief, and knowing that she had not participatedin Siggeir's cruelty, Sigmund stole out of his place of concealmentand comforted her as best he could. Together they then buried thewhitening bones, and Sigmund registered a solemn oath to avengehis family's wrongs. This vow was fully approved by Signy, who, however, bade her brother bide a favourable time, promising to sendhim aid. Then the brother and sister sadly parted, she to return toher distasteful palace home, and he to a remote part of the forest, where he built a tiny hut and plied the craft of a smith. 

 "And men say that Signy wept When she left that last of her kindred: yet wept she never more Amid the earls of Siggeir, and as lovely as before Was her face to all men's deeming: nor aught it changed for ruth, Nor for fear nor any longing; and no man said for sooth That she ever laughed thereafter till the day of her death was come. "

Signy's Sons

Siggeir now took possession of the Volsung kingdom, and during the nextfew years he proudly watched the growth of his eldest son, whom Signysecretly sent to her brother when he was ten years of age, that Sigmundmight train up the child to help him to obtain vengeance if he shouldprove worthy. Sigmund reluctantly accepted the charge; but as soonas he had tested the boy he found him deficient in physical courage, so he either sent him back to his mother, or, as some versions relate, slew him. 

Some time after this Signy's second son was sent into the forestfor the same purpose, but Sigmund found him equally lacking incourage. Evidently none but a pure-blooded Volsung would avail forthe grim work of revenge, and Signy, realising this, resolved tocommit a crime. 

 "And once in the dark she murmured: 'Where then was the ancient song That the Gods were but twin-born once, and deemed it nothing wrong To mingle for the world's sake, whence had the Æsir birth, And the Vanir and the Dwarf-kind, and all the folk of earth?"

Her resolution taken, she summoned a beautiful young witch, andexchanging forms with her, she sought the depths of the dark forestand took shelter in Sigmund's hut. The Volsung did not penetrate hissister's disguise. He deemed her nought but the gypsy she seemed, and being soon won by her coquetry, he made her his wife. Three dayslater she disappeared from the hut, and, returning to the palace, she resumed her own form, and when she next gave birth to a son, she rejoiced to see in his bold glance and strong frame the promiseof a true Volsung hero. 

Sinfiotli

When Sinfiotli, as the child was called, was ten years of age, sheherself made a preliminary test of his courage by sewing his garmentto his skin, and then suddenly snatching it off, and as the brave boydid not so much as wince, but laughed aloud, she confidently sent himto the forest hut. Sigmund speedily prepared his usual test, and ereleaving the hut one day he bade Sinfiotli take meal from a certainsack, and knead it and bake some bread. On returning home, Sigmundasked whether his orders had been carried out. The lad replied byshowing the bread, and when closely questioned he artlessly confessedthat he had been obliged to knead into the loaf a great adder whichwas hidden in the meal. Pleased to see that the boy, for whom he felta strange affection, had successfully stood the test which had dauntedhis brothers, Sigmund bade him refrain from eating of the loaf, foralthough he was proof against the bite of a reptile, he could not, like his mentor, taste poison unharmed. 

 "For here, the tale of the elders doth men a marvel to wit, That such was the shaping of Sigmund among all earthly kings, That unhurt he handled adders and other deadly things, And might drink unscathed of venom: but Sinfiotli was so wrought That no sting of creeping creatures would harm his body aught. "

The Werewolves

Sigmund now began patiently to teach Sinfiotli all that a warriorof the North should know, and the two soon became inseparablecompanions. One day while ranging the forest together they cameto a hut, where they found two men sound asleep. Near by hung twowolf-skins, which suggested immediately that the strangers werewerewolves, whom a cruel spell prevented from bearing their naturalform save for a short space at a time. Prompted by curiosity, Sigmundand Sinfiotli donned the wolf-skins, and they were soon, in the guiseof wolves, rushing through the forest, slaying and devouring all thatcame in their way. 

Such were their wolfish passions that soon they attacked each other, and after a fierce struggle Sinfiotli, the younger and weaker, felldead. This catastrophe brought Sigmund to his senses, and he hungover his murdered companion in despair. While thus engaged he saw twoweasels come out of the forest and attack each other fiercely untilone lay dead. The victor then sprang into the thicket, to return witha leaf, which it laid upon its companion's breast. Then was seen amarvellous thing, for at the touch of the magic herb the dead beastcame back to life. A moment later a raven flying overhead dropped asimilar leaf at Sigmund's feet, and he, understanding that the godswished to help him, laid it upon Sinfiotli, who was at once restoredto life. 

In dire fear lest they might work each other further mischief, Sigmundand Sinfiotli now crept home and patiently waited until the time oftheir release should come. To their great relief the skins droppedoff on the ninth night, and they hastily flung them into the fire, where they were entirely consumed, and the spell was broken for ever. 

Sigmund and Sinfiotli taken by Siggeir

Sigmund now confided the story of his wrongs to Sinfiotli, who sworethat, although Siggeir was his father (for neither he nor Sigmundknew the secret of his birth), he would aid him in his revenge. Atnightfall, therefore, he accompanied Sigmund to the king's hall, andthey entered unseen, concealing themselves in the cellar, behind thehuge vats of beer. Here they were discovered by Signy's two youngestchildren, who, while playing with golden rings, which rolled intothe cellar, came suddenly upon the men in ambush. 

They loudly proclaimed their discovery to their father and his guests, but, before Siggeir and his men could take up arms, Signy took bothchildren, and dragging them into the cellar bade her brother slay thelittle traitors. This Sigmund utterly refused to do, but Sinfiotlistruck off their heads ere he turned to fight against the assailants, who were now closing in upon them. 

In spite of all efforts Sigmund and his brave young companion soonfell into the hands of the Goths, whereupon Siggeir sentenced them tobe buried alive in the same mound, with a stone partition between themso that they could neither see nor touch each other. The prisoners wereaccordingly confined in their living grave, and their foes were aboutto place the last stones on the roof, when Signy drew near, bearing abundle of straw, which she was allowed to throw at Sinfiotli's feet, for the Goths fancied that it contained only a few provisions whichwould prolong his agony without helping him to escape. 

When all was still, Sinfiotli undid the sheaf, and great was hisjoy when he found instead of bread the sword which Odin had given toSigmund. Knowing that nothing could dull or break the keen edge ofthis fine weapon, Sinfiotli thrust it through the stone partition, and, aided by Sigmund, he succeeded in cutting an opening, and inthe end both effected their escape through the roof. 

 "Then in the grave-mound's darkness did Sigmund the king upstand, And unto that saw of battle he set his naked hand; And hard the gift of Odin home to their breasts they drew; Sawed Sigmund, sawed Sinfiotli, till the stone was cleft atwo, And they met and kissed together: then they hewed and heaved full hard Till, lo, through the bursten rafters the winter heavens bestarred! And they leap out merry-hearted; nor is there need to say A many words between them of whither was the way. "

Sigmund's Vengeance

As soon as they were free, Sigmund and Sinfiotli returned to the king'shall, and piling combustible materials around it, they set fire tothe mass. Then stationing themselves on either side of the entrance, they prevented all but the women from passing through. They loudlyadjured Signy to escape ere it was too late, but she did not desireto live, and so coming to the entrance for a last embrace she foundopportunity to whisper the secret of Sinfiotli's birth, after whichshe sprang back into the flames and perished with the rest. 

 "And then King Siggeir's roof-tree upheaved for its utmost fall, And its huge walls clashed together, and its mean and lowly things The fire of death confounded with the tokens of the kings. "

Helgi

The long-planned vengeance for the slaughter of the Volsungs havingthus been carried out, Sigmund, feeling that nothing now detainedhim in the land of the Goths, set sail with Sinfiotli and returned toHunaland, where he was warmly welcomed to the seat of power under theshade of his ancestral tree, the mighty Branstock. When his authoritywas fully established, Sigmund married Borghild, a beautiful princess, who bore him two sons, Hamond and Helgi. The latter was visited bythe Norns as he lay in his cradle, and they promised him sumptuousentertainment in Valhalla when his earthly career should be ended. 

 "And the woman was fair and lovely and bore him sons of fame; Men called them Hamond and Helgi, and when Helgi first saw light, There came the Norns to his cradle and gave him life full bright, And called him Sunlit Hill, Sharp Sword, and Land of Rings, And bade him be lovely and great, and a joy in the tale of kings. "

Northern kings generally entrusted their sons' upbringing to astranger, for they thought that so they would be treated with lessindulgence than at home. Accordingly Helgi was fostered by Hagal, and under his care the young prince became so fearless that at theage of fifteen he ventured alone into the hall of Hunding, with whoserace his family was at feud. Passing through the hall unmolested andunrecognised, he left an insolent message, which so angered Hundingthat he immediately set out in pursuit of the bold young prince, whom he followed to the dwelling of Hagal. Helgi would then have beensecured but that meanwhile he had disguised himself as a servant-maid, and was busy grinding corn as if this were his wonted occupation. Theinvaders marvelled somewhat at the maid's tall stature and brawnyarms, nevertheless they departed without suspecting that they hadbeen so near the hero whom they sought. 

Having thus cleverly escaped, Helgi joined Sinfiotli, and collecting anarmy, the two young men marched boldly against the Hundings, with whomthey fought a great battle, over which the Valkyrs hovered, waitingto convey the slain to Valhalla. Gudrun, one of the battle-maidens, was so struck by the courage which Helgi displayed, that she openlysought him and promised to be his wife. Only one of the Hunding race, Dag, remained alive, and he was allowed to go free after promising notto endeavour to avenge his kinsmen's death. This promise was not kept, however, and Dag, having obtained possession of Odin's spear Gungnir, treacherously slew Helgi with it. Gudrun, who in the meantime hadfulfilled her promise to become his wife, wept many tears at his death, and laid a solemn curse upon his murderer; then, hearing from one ofher maids that her slain husband kept calling for her from the depthsof the tomb, she fearlessly entered the mound at night and tenderlyinquired why he called and why his wounds continued to bleed afterdeath. Helgi answered that he could not rest happy because of hergrief, and declared that for every tear she shed a drop of his bloodmust flow. 

 "Thou weepest, gold-adorned! Cruel tears, Sun-bright daughter of the south! Ere to sleep thou goest; Each one falls bloody On the prince's breast, Wet, cold, and piercing, With sorrow big. "

 Sæmund's Edda (Thorpe's tr. ). 

To appease the spirit of her beloved husband, Gudrun from that timeceased to weep, but they did not long remain separated; for soon afterthe spirit of Helgi had ridden over Bifröst and entered Valhalla, to become leader of the Einheriar, he was joined by Gudrun who, as aValkyr once more, resumed her loving tendance of him. When at Odin'scommand she left his side for scenes of human strife, it was to seeknew recruits for the army which her lord was to lead into battle whenRagnarok, the twilight of the gods, should come. 

The Death of Sinfiotli

Sinfiotli, Sigmund's eldest son, also met an early death; for, havingslain in a quarrel the brother of Borghild, she determined to poisonhim. Twice Sinfiotli detected the attempt and told his father thatthere was poison in his cup. Twice Sigmund, whom no venom could injure, drained the bowl; and when Borghild made a third attempt, he badeSinfiotli let the wine flow through his beard. Mistaking the meaningof his father's words, Sinfiotli forthwith drained the cup, and felllifeless to the ground, for the poison was of the most deadly kind. 

 "He drank as he spake the word, and forthwith the venom ran In a chill flood over his heart and down fell the mighty man With never an uttered death-word and never a death-changed look, And the floor of the hall of the Volsungs beneath his falling shook. Then up rose the elder of days with a great and bitter cry, And lifted the head of the fallen; and none durst come anigh To hearken the words of his sorrow, if any words he said But such as the Father of all men might speak over Baldur dead. And again, as before the death-stroke, waxed the hall of the Volsungs dim, And once more he seemed in the forest, where he spake with nought but him. "

Speechless with grief, Sigmund tenderly raised his son's body inhis arms, and strode out of the hall and down to the shore, where hedeposited his precious burden in a skiff which an old one-eyed boatmanbrought at his call. He would fain have stepped aboard also, but erehe could do so the boatman pushed off and the frail craft was soonlost to sight. The bereaved father then slowly wended his way home, taking comfort from the thought that Odin himself had come to claimthe young hero and had rowed away with him "out into the west. "

Hiordis

Sigmund deposed Borghild as his wife and queen in punishment forthis crime, and when he was very old he sued for the hand of Hiordis, a fair young princess, daughter of Eglimi, King of the Islands. Thisyoung maiden had many suitors, among others King Lygni of Hunding'srace, but so great was Sigmund's fame that she gladly accepted himand became his wife. Lygni, the discarded suitor, was so angry atthis decision, that he immediately collected a great army and marchedagainst his successful rival, who, though overpowered by superiornumbers, fought with the courage of despair. 

From the depths of a thicket which commanded the field of battle, Hiordis and her maid anxiously watched the progress of the strife. Theysaw Sigmund pile the dead around him, for none could stand againsthim, until at last a tall, one-eyed warrior suddenly appeared, andthe press of battle gave way before the terror of his presence. 

Without a moment's pause the new champion aimed a fierce blowat Sigmund, which the old hero parried with his sword. The shockshattered the matchless blade, and although the strange assailantvanished as he had come, Sigmund was left defenceless and was soonwounded unto death by his foes. 

 "But lo, through the hedge of the war-shafts, a mighty man there came, One-eyed and seeming ancient, but his visage shone like flame: Gleaming grey was his kirtle, and his hood was cloudy blue; And he bore a mighty twi-bill, as he waded the fight-sheaves through, And stood face to face with Sigmund, and upheaved the bill to smite. Once more round the head of the Volsung fierce glittered the Branstock's light, The sword that came from Odin; and Sigmund's cry once more Rang out to the very heavens above the din of war. Then clashed the meeting edges with Sigmund's latest stroke, And in shivering shards fell earthward that fear of worldly folk. But changed were the eyes of Sigmund, and the war-wrath left his face; For that grey-clad, mighty helper was gone, and in his place Drave on the unbroken spear-wood 'gainst the Volsung's empty hands: And there they smote down Sigmund, the wonder of all lands, On the foemen, on the death-heap his deeds had piled that day. "

As the battle was now won, and the Volsung family all slain, Lygnihastened from the battlefield to take possession of the kingdom andforce the fair Hiordis to become his wife. As soon as he had gone, however, the beautiful young queen crept from her hiding-place inthe thicket, and sought the spot where Sigmund lay all but dead. Shecaught the stricken hero to her breast in a last passionate embrace, and then listened tearfully while he bade her gather the fragments ofhis sword and carefully treasure them for their son whom he foretoldwas soon to be born, and who was destined to avenge his father'sdeath and to be far greater than he. 

 "'I have wrought for the Volsungs truly, and yet have I known full well That a better one than I am shall bear the tale to tell: And for him shall these shards be smithied: and he shall be my son, To remember what I have forgotten and to do what I left undone. '"

Elf, the Viking

While Hiordis was mourning over Sigmund's lifeless body, her handmaidensuddenly warned her of the approach of a band of vikings. Retreatinginto the thicket once more, the two women exchanged garments, afterwhich Hiordis bade the maid walk first and personate the queen, andthey went thus to meet the viking Elf (Helfrat or Helferich). Elfreceived the women graciously, and their story of the battle soexcited his admiration for Sigmund that he caused the remains of theslain hero to be reverentially removed to a suitable spot, where theywere interred with all due ceremony. He then offered the queen andher maid a safe asylum in his hall, and they gladly accompanied himover the seas. 

As he had doubted their relative positions from the first, Elf tookthe first opportunity after arriving in his kingdom to ask a seeminglyidle question in order to ascertain the truth. He asked the pretendedqueen how she knew the hour had come for rising when the winter dayswere short and there was no light to announce the coming of morn, and she replied that, as she was in the habit of drinking milk ereshe fed the cows, she always awoke thirsty. When the same questionwas put to the real Hiordis, she answered, with as little reflection, that she knew it was morning because at that hour the golden ringwhich her father had given her grew cold on her hand. 

The Birth of Sigurd

The suspicions of Elf having thus been confirmed, he offered marriageto the pretended handmaiden, Hiordis, promising to cherish herinfant son, a promise which he nobly kept. When the child was bornElf himself sprinkled him with water--a ceremony which our paganancestors scrupulously observed--and bestowed upon him the name ofSigurd. As he grew up he was treated as the king's own son, and hiseducation was entrusted to Regin, the wisest of men, who knew allthings, his own fate not even excepted, for it had been revealed tohim that he would fall by the hand of a youth. 

 "Again in the house of the Helper there dwelt a certain man, Beardless and low of stature, of visage pinched and wan: So exceeding old was Regin, that no son of man could tell In what year of the days passed over he came to that land to dwell: But the youth of king Elf had he fostered, and the Helper's youth thereto, Yea and his father's father's: the lore of all men he knew, And was deft in every cunning, save the dealings of the sword: So sweet was his tongue-speech fashioned, that men trowed his every word; His hand with the harp-strings blended was the mingler of delight With the latter days of sorrow; all tales he told aright; The Master of the Masters in the smithying craft was he; And he dealt with the wind and the weather and the stilling of the sea; Nor might any learn him leech-craft, for before that race was made, And that man-folk's generation, all their life-days had he weighed. "

Under this tutor Sigurd grew daily in wisdom until few could surpasshim. He mastered the smith's craft, and the art of carving all mannerof runes; he learned languages, music, and eloquence; and, last butnot least, he became a doughty warrior whom none could subdue. When hehad reached manhood Regin prompted him to ask the king for a war-horse, a request which was immediately granted, and Gripir, the stud-keeper, was bidden to allow him to choose from the royal stables the steedwhich he most fancied. 

On his way to the meadow where the horses were at pasture, Sigurd meta one-eyed stranger, clad in grey and blue, who accosted the youngman and bade him drive the horses into the river and select the onewhich could breast the tide with least difficulty. 

Sigurd received the advice gladly, and upon reaching the meadow hedrove the horses into the stream which flowed on one side. One of thenumber, after crossing, raced round the opposite meadow; and, plungingagain into the river, returned to his former pasture without showingany signs of fatigue. Sigurd therefore did not hesitate to select thishorse, and he gave him the name of Grane or Greyfell. The steed wasa descendant of Odin's eight-footed horse Sleipnir, and besides beingunusually strong and indefatigable, was as fearless as his master. 

One winter day while Regin and his pupil were sitting by the fire, the old man struck his harp, and, after the manner of the Northernscalds, sang or recited in the following tale, the story of his life:

The Treasure of the Dwarf King

Hreidmar, king of the dwarf folk, was the father of three sons. Fafnir, the eldest, was gifted with a fearless soul and a powerful arm; Otter, the second, with snare and net, and the power of changing his format will; and Regin, the youngest, with all wisdom and deftness ofhand. To please the avaricious Hreidmar, this youngest son fashionedfor him a house lined with glittering gold and flashing gems, andthis was guarded by Fafnir, whose fierce glances and Ægis helmet nonedared encounter. 

Now it came to pass that Odin, Hoenir, and Loki once came in humanguise, upon one of their wonted expeditions to test the hearts of men, unto the land where Hreidmar dwelt. 

 "And the three were the heart-wise Odin, the Father of the Slain, And Loki, the World's Begrudger, who maketh all labour vain, And Hænir, the Utter-Blameless, who wrought the hope of man, And his heart and inmost yearnings, when first the work began;-- The God that was aforetime, and hereafter yet shall be When the new light yet undreamed of shall shine o'er earth and sea. "

As the gods came near to Hreidmar's dwelling, Loki perceivedan otter basking in the sun. This was none other than the dwarfking's second son, Otter, who now succumbed to Loki's usual love ofdestruction. Killing the unfortunate creature he flung its lifelessbody over his shoulders, thinking it would furnish a good dish whenmeal time came. 

Loki then hastened after his companions, and entering Hreidmar'shouse with them, he flung his burden down upon the floor. The momentthe dwarf king's glance fell upon the seeming otter, he flew intoa towering rage, and ere they could offer effective resistance thegods found themselves lying bound, and they heard Hreidmar declarethat never should they recover their liberty until they could satisfyhis thirst for gold by giving him of that precious substance enoughto cover the skin of the otter inside and out. 

 "'Now hearken the doom I shall speak! Ye stranger-folk shall be free When ye give me the Flame of the Waters, the gathered Gold of the Sea, That Andvari hideth rejoicing in the wan realm pale as the grave; And the Master of Sleight shall fetch it, and the hand that never gave, And the heart that begrudgeth for ever, shall gather and give and rue. --Lo, this is the doom of the wise, and no doom shall be spoken anew. '"

As the otter-skin developed the property of stretching itself to afabulous size, no ordinary treasure could suffice to cover it, and theplight of the gods, therefore, was a very bad one. The case, however, became a little more hopeful when Hreidmar consented to liberate oneof their number. The emissary selected was Loki, who lost no time insetting off to the waterfall where the dwarf Andvari dwelt, in orderthat he might secure the treasure there amassed. 

 "There is a desert of dread in the uttermost part of the world, Where over a wall of mountains is a mighty water hurled, Whose hidden head none knoweth, nor where it meeteth the sea; And that force is the Force of Andvari, and an Elf of the Dark is he. In the cloud and the desert he dwelleth amid that land alone; And his work is the storing of treasure within his house of stone. "

In spite of diligent search, however, Loki could not find the dwarf, until, perceiving a salmon sporting in the foaming waters, it occurredto him that the dwarf might have assumed this shape. Borrowing Ran'snet he soon caught the fish, and learned, as he had suspected, that itwas Andvari. Finding that there was nothing else for it, the dwarf nowreluctantly brought forth his mighty treasure and surrendered it all, including the Helmet of Dread and a hauberk of gold, reserving only aring which was gifted with miraculous powers, and which, like a magnet, attracted the precious ore. But the greedy Loki, catching sight of it, wrenched it from off the dwarf's finger and departed laughing, whilehis victim hurled angry curses after him, declaring that the ring wouldever prove its possessor's bane and would cause the death of many. 

 "That gold Which the dwarf possessed Shall to two brothers Be cause of death, And to eight princes, Of dissension. From my wealth no one Shall good derive. "

 Sæmund's Edda (Thorpe's tr. ). 

On arriving at Hreidmar's house, Loki found the mighty treasure nonetoo great, for the skin became larger with every object placed upon it, and he was forced to throw in the ring Andvaranaut (Andvari's loom), which he had intended to retain, in order to secure the release ofhimself and his companions. Andvari's curse of the gold soon beganto operate. Fafnir and Regin both coveted a share, while Hriedmargloated over his treasure night and day, and would not part with anitem of it. Fafnir the invincible, seeing at last that he could nototherwise gratify his lust, slew his father, and seized the wholeof the treasure, then, when Regin came to claim a share he drove himscornfully away and bade him earn his own living. 

Thus exiled, Regin took refuge among men, to whom he taught the artsof sowing and reaping. He showed them how to work metals, sail theseas, tame horses, yoke beasts of burden, build houses, spin, weave, and sew--in short, all the industries of civilised life, which hadhitherto been unknown. Years elapsed, and Regin patiently bidedhis time, hoping that some day he would find a hero strong enoughto avenge his wrongs upon Fafnir, whom years of gloating over histreasure had changed into a horrible dragon, the terror of Gnîtaheid(Glittering Heath), where he had taken up his abode. 

His story finished, Regin turned suddenly to the attentive Sigurd, saying he knew that the young man could slay the dragon if he wished, and inquiring whether he were ready to aid him to avenge his wrongs. 

 "And he spake: 'Hast thou hearkened, Sigurd? Wilt thou help a man that is old To avenge him for his father? Wilt thou win that treasure of Gold And be more than the Kings of the earth? Wilt thou rid the earth of a wrong And heal the woe and the sorrow my heart hath endured o'er long?'"

Sigurd's Sword

Sigurd immediately assented, on the condition, however, that the curseshould be assumed by Regin, who, also, in order to fitly equip theyoung man for the coming fight, should forge him a sword, which noblow could break. Twice Regin fashioned a marvellous weapon, but twiceSigurd broke it to pieces on the anvil. Then Sigurd bethought him ofthe broken fragments of Sigmund's weapon which were treasured by hismother, and going to Hiordis he begged these from her; and eitherhe or Regin forged from them a blade so strong that it divided thegreat anvil in two without being dinted, and whose temper was suchthat it neatly severed some wool floating gently upon the stream. 

Sigurd now went upon a farewell visit to Gripir, who, knowing thefuture, foretold every event in his coming career; after which hetook leave of his mother, and accompanied by Regin set sail for theland of his fathers, vowing to slay the dragon when he had fulfilledhis first duty, which was to avenge the death of Sigmund. 

 "'First wilt thou, prince, Avenge thy father, And for the wrongs of Eglymi Wilt retaliate. Thou wilt the cruel, The sons of Hunding, Boldly lay low: Thou wilt have victory. '"

 Lay of Sigurd Fafnicide (Thorpe's tr. ). 

On his way to the land of the Volsungs a most marvellous sight wasseen, for there came a man walking on the waters. Sigurd straightwaytook him on board his dragon ship, and the stranger, who gave his nameas Feng or Fiöllnir, promised favourable winds. Also he taught Sigurdhow to distinguish auspicious omens. In reality the old man was Odinor Hnikar, the wave-stiller, but Sigurd did not suspect his identity. 

The Fight with the Dragon

Sigurd was entirely successful in his descent upon Lygni, whom heslew, together with many of his followers. He then departed from hisreconquered kingdom and returned with Regin to slay Fafnir. Togetherthey rode through the mountains, which ever rose higher and higherbefore them, until they came to a great tract of desert which Reginsaid was the haunt of Fafnir. Sigurd now rode on alone until he meta one-eyed stranger, who bade him dig trenches in the middle of thetrack along which the dragon daily dragged his slimy length to theriver to quench his thirst, and to lie in wait in one of these untilthe monster passed over him, when he could thrust his sword straightinto its heart. 

Sigurd gratefully followed this counsel, and was rewarded with completesuccess, for as the monster's loathsome folds rolled overhead, hethrust his sword upward into its left breast, and as he sprang outof the trench the dragon lay gasping in the throes of death. 

 "Then all sank into silence, and the son of Sigmund stood On the torn and furrowed desert by the pool of Fafnir's blood, And the Serpent lay before him, dead, chilly, dull, and grey; And over the Glittering Heath fair shone the sun and the day, And a light wind followed the sun and breathed o'er the fateful place, As fresh as it furrows the sea-plain, or bows the acres' face. "

Regin had prudently remained at a distance until all danger was past, but seeing that his foe was slain, he now came up. He was fearfullest the young hero should claim a reward, so he began to accuse himof having murdered his kin, but, with feigned magnanimity, he declaredthat instead of requiring life for life, in accordance with the customof the North, he would consider it sufficient atonement if Sigurdwould cut out the monster's heart and roast it for him on a spit. 

 "Then Regin spake to Sigurd: 'Of this slaying wilt thou be free? Then gather thou fire together and roast the heart for me, That I may eat it and live, and be thy master and more; For therein was might and wisdom, and the grudged and hoarded lore: --Or, else depart on thy ways afraid from the Glittering Heath. '"

Sigurd was aware that a true warrior never refused satisfaction ofsome kind to the kindred of the slain, so he agreed to the seeminglysmall proposal, and immediately prepared to act as cook, while Regindozed until the meat was ready. After an interval Sigurd touched theroast to ascertain whether it were tender, but burning his fingersseverely, he instinctively thrust them into his mouth to allay thesmart. No sooner had Fafnir's blood thus touched his lips than hediscovered, to his utter surprise, that he could understand thesongs of the birds, many of which were already gathering round thecarrion. Listening attentively, he found that they were telling howRegin meditated mischief against him, and how he ought to slay theold man and take the gold, which was his by right of conquest, afterwhich he ought to partake of the heart and blood of the dragon. Asthis coincided with his own wishes, he slew the evil old man with athrust of his sword and proceeded to eat and drink as the birds hadsuggested, reserving a small portion of Fafnir's heart for futureconsumption. He then wandered off in search of the mighty hoard, and, after donning the Helmet of Dread, the hauberk of gold, and thering Andvaranaut, and loading Greyfell with as much gold as he couldcarry, he sprang to the saddle and sat listening eagerly to the birds'songs to know what his future course should be. 

The Sleeping Warrior Maiden

Soon he heard of a warrior maiden fast asleep on a mountain andsurrounded by a glittering barrier of flames, through which only thebravest of men could pass to arouse her. 

 "On the fell I know A warrior maid to sleep; Over her waves The linden's bane: Ygg whilom stuck A sleep-thorn in the robe Of the maid who Would heroes choose. "

 Lay of Fafnir (Thorpe's tr. ). 

This adventure was the very thing for Sigurd, and he set off atonce. The way lay through trackless regions, and the journey was longand cheerless, but at length he came to the Hindarfiall in Frankland, a tall mountain whose cloud-wreathed summit seemed circled by fieryflames. 

 "Long Sigurd rideth the waste, when, lo, on a morning of day, From out of the tangled crag-walls, amidst the cloudland grey, Comes up a mighty mountain, and it is as though there burns A torch amidst of its cloud-wreath; so thither Sigurd turns, For he deems indeed from its topmost to look on the best of the earth; And Greyfell neigheth beneath him, and his heart is full of mirth. "

Sigurd rode up the mountain side, and the light grew more and morevivid as he proceeded, until when he had neared the summit a barrierof lurid flames stood before him. The fire burned with a roar whichwould have daunted the heart of any other, but Sigurd rememberedthe words of the birds, and without a moment's hesitation he plungedbravely into its very midst. 

 "Now Sigurd turns in his saddle, and the hilt of the Wrath he shifts, And draws a girth the tighter; then the gathered reins he lifts, And crieth aloud to Greyfell, and rides at the wildfire's heart; But the white wall wavers before him and the flame-flood rusheth apart, And high o'er his head it riseth, and wide and wild its roar As it beareth the mighty tidings to the very heavenly floor: But he rideth through its roaring as the warrior rides the rye, When it bows with the wind of the summer and the hid spears draw anigh; The white flame licks his raiment and sweeps through Greyfell's mane, And bathes both hands of Sigurd and the hilt of Fafnir's bane, And winds about his war-helm and mingles with his hair, But nought his raiment dusketh or dims his glittering gear; Then it fails and fades and darkens till all seems left behind, And dawn and the blaze is swallowed in mid-mirk stark and blind. "

The threatening flames having now died away, Sigurd pursued hisjourney over a broad tract of white ashes, directing his course toa great castle, with shield-hung walls. The great gates stood wideopen, and Sigurd rode through them unchallenged by warders or men atarms. Proceeding cautiously, for he feared some snare, he at last cameto the centre of the courtyard, where he saw a recumbent form casedin armour. Sigurd dismounted from his steed and eagerly removed thehelmet, when he started with surprise to behold, instead of a warrior, the face of a most beautiful maiden. 

All his efforts to awaken the sleeper were vain, however, until hehad removed her armour, and she lay before him in pure-white linengarments, her long hair falling in golden waves around her. Then as thelast fastening of her armour gave way, she opened wide her beautifuleyes, which met the rising sun, and first greeting with rapture theglorious spectacle, she turned to her deliverer, and the young heroand the maiden loved each other at first sight. 

 "Then she turned and gazed on Sigurd, and her eyes met the Volsung's eyes. And mighty and measureless now did the tide of his love arise, For their longing had met and mingled, and he knew of her heart that she loved, And she spake unto nothing but him and her lips with the speech-flood moved. "

The maiden now proceeded to tell Sigurd her story. Her name wasBrunhild, and according to some authorities she was the daughter ofan earthly king whom Odin had raised to the rank of a Valkyr. Shehad served him faithfully for a long while, but once had ventured toset her own wishes above his, giving to a younger and therefore moreattractive opponent the victory which Odin had commanded for another. 

In punishment for this act of disobedience, she had been deprivedof her office and banished to earth, where Allfather decreed sheshould wed like any other member of her sex. This sentence filledBrunhild's heart with dismay, for she greatly feared lest it might beher fate to mate with a coward, whom she would despise. To quiet theseapprehensions, Odin took her to Hindarfiall or Hindfell, and touchingher with the Thorn of Sleep, that she might await in unchanged youthand beauty the coming of her destined husband, he surrounded her witha barrier of flame which none but a hero would venture through. 

From the top of Hindarfiall, Brunhild now pointed out to Sigurd herformer home, at Lymdale or Hunaland, telling him he would find herthere whenever he chose to come and claim her as his wife; and then, while they stood on the lonely mountain top together, Sigurd placedthe ring Andvaranaut upon her finger, in token of betrothal, swearingto love her alone as long as life endured. 

 "From his hand then draweth Sigurd Andvari's ancient Gold; There is nought but the sky above them as the ring together they hold, The shapen ancient token, that hath no change nor end, No change, and no beginning, no flaw for God to mend: Then Sigurd cried: 'O Brynhild, now hearken while I swear, That the sun shall die in the heavens and the day no more be fair, If I seek not love in Lymdale and the house that fostered thee, And the land where thou awakedst 'twixt the woodland and the sea!' And she cried: 'O Sigurd, Sigurd, now hearken while I swear That the day shall die for ever and the sun to blackness wear, Ere I forget thee, Sigurd, as I lie 'twixt wood and sea In the little land of Lymdale and the house that fostered me!'"

The Fostering of Aslaug

According to some authorities, the lovers parted after thus plightingtheir troth; but others say that Sigurd soon sought out and weddedBrunhild, with whom he lived for a while in perfect happiness untilforced to leave her and his infant daughter Aslaug. This child, leftorphaned at three years of age, was fostered by Brunhild's father, who, driven away from home, concealed her in a cunningly fashioned harp, until reaching a distant land he was murdered by a peasant couple forthe sake of the gold they supposed it to contain. Their surprise anddisappointment were great indeed when, on breaking the instrument open, they found a beautiful little girl, whom they deemed mute, as she wouldnot speak a word. Time passed, and the child, whom they had trainedas a drudge, grew to be a beautiful maiden, and she won the affectionof a passing viking, Ragnar Lodbrog, King of the Danes, to whom shetold her tale. The viking sailed away to other lands to fulfil thepurposes of his voyage, but when a year had passed, during which timehe won much glory, he came back and carried away Aslaug as his bride. 

 "She heard a voice she deemed well known, Long waited through dull hours bygone And round her mighty arms were cast: But when her trembling red lips passed From out the heaven of that dear kiss, And eyes met eyes, she saw in his Fresh pride, fresh hope, fresh love, and saw The long sweet days still onward draw, Themselves still going hand in hand, As now they went adown the strand. "

 The Fostering of Aslaug (William Morris). 

In continuation of the story of Sigurd and Brunhild, however, we aretold that the young man went to seek adventures in the great world, where he had vowed, as a true hero, to right the wrong and defendthe fatherless and oppressed. 

The Niblungs

In the course of his wanderings, Sigurd came to the land of theNiblungs, the land of continual mist, where Giuki and Grimhild wereking and queen. The latter was specially to be feared, as she was wellversed in magic lore, and could weave spells and concoct marvellouspotions which had power to steep the drinker in temporary forgetfulnessand compel him to yield to her will. 

The king and queen had three sons, Gunnar, Högni, and Guttorm, who were brave young men, and one daughter, Gudrun, the gentlestas well as the most beautiful of maidens. All welcomed Sigurd mostwarmly, and Giuki invited him to tarry awhile. The invitation wasvery agreeable after his long wanderings, and Sigurd was glad tostay and share the pleasures and occupations of the Niblungs. Heaccompanied them to war, and so distinguished himself by his valour, that he won the admiration of Grimhild and she resolved to secure himas her daughter's husband. One day, therefore, she brewed one of hermagic potions, and when he had partaken of it at the hand of Gudrun, he utterly forgot Brunhild and his plighted troth, and all his lovewas diverted unto the queen's daughter. 

 "But the heart was changed in Sigurd; as though it ne'er had been His love of Brynhild perished as he gazed on the Niblung Queen: Brynhild's beloved body was e'en as a wasted hearth, No more for bale or blessing, for plenty or for dearth. "

Although there was not wanting a vague fear that he had forgottensome event in the past which should rule his conduct, Sigurd asked forand obtained Gudrun's hand, and their wedding was celebrated amid therejoicings of the people, who loved the young hero very dearly. Sigurdgave his bride some of Fafnir's heart to eat, and the moment shehad tasted it her nature was changed, and she began to grow cold andsilent to all except him. To further cement his alliance with the twoeldest Giukings (as the sons of Giuki were called) Sigurd entered the"doom ring" with them, and the three young men cut a sod which wasplaced upon a shield, beneath which they stood while they bared andslightly cut their right arms, allowing their blood to mingle in thefresh earth. Then, when they had sworn eternal friendship, the sodwas replaced. 

But although Sigurd loved his wife and felt a true fraternal affectionfor her brothers, he could not lose his haunting sense of oppression, and was seldom seen to smile as radiantly as of old. Giuki had nowdied, and his eldest son, Gunnar, ruled in his stead. As the youngking was unwedded, Grimhild, his mother, besought him to take a wife, suggesting that none seemed more worthy to become Queen of the Niblungsthan Brunhild, who, it was reported, sat in a golden hall surroundedby flames, whence she had declared she would issue only to marry thewarrior who would dare brave the fire for her sake. 

Gunnar's Stratagem

Gunnar immediately prepared to seek this maiden, and strengthenedby one of his mother's magic potions, and encouraged by Sigurd, whoaccompanied him, he felt confident of success. But when on reachingthe summit of the mountain he would have ridden into the fire, hissteed drew back affrighted and he could not induce him to advance astep. Seeing that his companion's steed did not show signs of fear, he asked him of Sigurd; but although Greyfell allowed Gunnar to mount, he would not stir because his master was not on his back. 

Now as Sigurd carried the Helmet of Dread, and Grimhild had givenGunnar a magic potion in case it should be needed, it was possiblefor the companions to exchange their forms and features, and seeingthat Gunnar could not penetrate the flaming wall Sigurd proposed toassume the appearance of Gunnar and woo the bride for him. The kingwas greatly disappointed, but as no alternative offered he dismounted, and the necessary exchange was soon effected. Then Sigurd mountedGreyfell in the semblance of his companion, and this time the steedshowed not the least hesitation, but leaped into the flames at thefirst touch on his bridle, and soon brought his rider to the castle, where, in the great hall, sat Brunhild. Neither recognised the other:Sigurd because of the magic spell cast over him by Grimhild; Brunhildbecause of the altered appearance of her lover. 

The maiden shrank in disappointment from the dark-haired intruder, for she had deemed it impossible for any but Sigurd to ride throughthe flaming circle. But she advanced reluctantly to meet her visitor, and when he declared that he had come to woo her, she permitted himto take a husband's place at her side, for she was bound by solemninjunction to accept as her spouse him who should thus seek herthrough the flames. 

Three days did Sigurd remain with Brunhild, and his bright sword laybared between him and his bride. This singular behaviour aroused thecuriosity of the maiden, wherefore Sigurd told her that the gods hadbidden him celebrate his wedding thus. 

 "There they went in one bed together; but the foster-brother laid 'Twixt him and the body of Brynhild his bright blue battle-blade; And she looked and heeded it nothing; but, e'en as the dead folk lie, With folded hands she lay there, and let the night go by: And as still lay that Image of Gunnar as the dead of life forlorn, And hand on hand he folded as he waited for the morn. So oft in the moonlit minster your fathers may ye see By the side of the ancient mothers await the day to be. "

When the fourth morning dawned, Sigurd drew the ring Andvaranaut fromBrunhild's hand, and, replacing it by another, he received her solemnpromise that in ten days' time she would appear at the Niblung courtto take up her duties as queen and faithful wife. 

 "'I thank thee, King, for thy goodwill, and thy pledge of love I take, Depart with my troth to thy people: but ere full ten days are o'er I shall come to the Sons of the Niblungs, and then shall we part no more Till the day of the change of our life-days, when Odin and Freya shall call. '"

The promise given, Sigurd again passed out of the palace, through theashes, and joined Gunnar, with whom, after he had reported the successof his venture, he hastened to exchange forms once more. The warriorsthen turned their steeds homeward, and only to Gudrun did Sigurd revealthe secret of her brother's wooing, and he gave her the fatal ring, little suspecting the many woes which it was destined to occasion. 

The Coming of Brunhild

True to her promise, Brunhild appeared ten days later, and solemnlyblessing the house she was about to enter, she greeted Gunnarkindly, and allowed him to conduct her to the great hall, where satSigurd beside Gudrun. The Volsung looked up at that moment and as heencountered Brunhild's reproachful eyes Grimhild's spell was broken andthe past came back in a flood of bitter recollection. It was too late, however: both were in honour bound, he to Gudrun and she to Gunnar, whom she passively followed to the high seat, to sit beside him asthe scalds entertained the royal couple with the ancient lays oftheir land. 

The days passed, and Brunhild remained apparently indifferent, buther heart was hot with anger, and often did she steal out of herhusband's palace to the forest, where she could give vent to hergrief in solitude. 

Meanwhile, Gunnar perceived the cold indifference of his wife to hisprotestations of affection, and began to have jealous suspicions, wondering whether Sigurd had honestly told the true story of thewooing, and fearing lest he had taken advantage of his position to winBrunhild's love. Sigurd alone continued the even tenor of his way, striving against none but tyrants and oppressors, and cheering allby his kindly words and smile. 

The Quarrel of the Queens

On a day the queens went down together to the Rhine to bathe, and asthey were entering the water Gudrun claimed precedence by right ofher husband's courage. Brunhild refused to yield what she deemed herright, and a quarrel ensued, in the course of which Gudrun accusedher sister-in-law of not having kept her faith, producing the ringAndvaranaut in support of her charge. The sight of the fatal ringin the hand of her rival crushed Brunhild, and she fled homeward, and lay in speechless grief day after day, until all thought she mustdie. In vain did Gunnar and the members of the royal family seek herin turn and implore her to speak; she would not utter a word untilSigurd came and inquired the cause of her unutterable grief. Then, like a long-pent-up stream, her love and anger burst forth, and sheoverwhelmed the hero with reproaches, until his heart so swelledwith grief for her sorrow that the tight bands of his strong armourgave way. 

 "Out went Sigurd From that interview Into the hall of kings, Writhing with anguish; So that began to start The ardent warrior's Iron-woven sark Off from his sides. "

 Sæmund's Edda (Thorpe's tr. ). 

Words had no power to mend that woeful situation, and Brunhildrefused to heed when Sigurd offered to repudiate Gudrun, saying, as she dismissed him, that she would not be faithless to Gunnar. Thethought that two living men had called her wife was unendurable toher pride, and the next time her husband sought her presence sheimplored him to put Sigurd to death, thus increasing his jealousyand suspicion. He refused to deal violently with Sigurd, however, because of their oath of good fellowship, and so she turned to Högnifor aid. He, too, did not wish to violate his oath, but he inducedGuttorm, by means of much persuasion and one of Grimhild's potions, to undertake the dastardly deed. 

The Death of Sigurd

Accordingly, in the dead of night, Guttorm stole into Sigurd's chamber, weapon in hand; but as he bent over the bed he saw Sigurd's brighteyes fixed upon him, and fled precipitately. Later on he returnedand the scene was repeated; but towards morning, stealing in forthe third time, he found the hero asleep, and traitorously drove hisspear through his back. 

Although wounded unto death, Sigurd raised himself in bed, and seizinghis renowned sword which hung beside him, he flung it with all hisremaining strength at the flying murderer, cutting him in two ashe reached the door. Then, with a last whispered farewell to theterrified Gudrun, Sigurd sank back and breathed his last. 

 "'Mourn not, O Gudrun, this stroke is the last of ill; Fear leaveth the House of the Niblungs on this breaking of the morn; Mayst thou live, O woman beloved, unforsaken, unforlorn!'   'It is Brynhild's deed, ' he murmured, 'and the woman that loves me well; Nought now is left to repent of, and the tale abides to tell. I have done many deeds in my life-days; and all these, and my love, they lie In the hollow hand of Odin till the day of the world go by. I have done and I may not undo, I have given and I take not again: Art thou other than I, Allfather, wilt thou gather my glory in vain?'"

Sigurd's infant son was slain at the same time, and poor Gudrun mournedover her dead in silent, tearless grief; while Brunhild laughed aloud, thereby incurring the wrath of Gunnar, who repented, too late, thathe had not taken measures to avert the dastardly crime. 

The grief of the Niblungs found expression in the public funeralcelebration which was shortly held. A mighty pyre was erected, towhich were brought precious hangings, fresh flowers, and glitteringarms, as was the custom for the burial of a prince; and as these sadpreparations took shape, Gudrun was the object of tender solicitudefrom the women, who, fearing lest her heart would break, tried to openthe flood-gate of her tears by recounting the bitterest sorrows theyhad known, one telling of how she too had lost all she held dear. Butthese attempts to make her weep were utterly vain, until at lengththey laid her husband's head in her lap, bidding her kiss him as ifhe were still alive; then her tears began to flow in torrents. 

The reaction soon set in for Brunhild also; her resentment was allforgotten when she saw the body of Sigurd laid on the pyre, arrayedas if for battle in burnished armour, with the Helmet of Dread at hishead, and accompanied by his steed, which was to be burned with him, together with several of his faithful servants who would not survivehis loss. She withdrew to her apartment, and after distributing herpossessions among her handmaidens, she donned her richest array, and stabbed herself as she lay stretched upon her bed. 

The tidings soon reached Gunnar, who came with all haste to his wifeand just in time to receive her dying injunction to lay her beside thehero she loved, with the glittering, unsheathed sword between them, as it had lain when he had wooed her by proxy. When she had breathedher last, these wishes were faithfully executed, and her body wasburned with Sigurd's amid the lamentations of all the Niblungs. 

In Richard Wagner's story of "The Ring" Brunhild's end is morepicturesque. Mounted on her steed, as when she led the battle-maidensat the command of Odin, she rode into the flames which leaped to heavenfrom the great funeral pyre, and passed for ever from the sight of men. 

 "They are gone--the lovely, the mighty, the hope of the ancient Earth: It shall labour and bear the burden as before that day of their birth: It shall groan in its blind abiding for the day that Sigurd hath sped, And the hour that Brynhild hath hastened, and the dawn that waketh the dead: It shall yearn, and be oft-times holpen, and forget their deeds no more, Till the new sun beams on Baldur and the happy sea-less shore. "

The death scene of Sigurd (Siegfried) is far more powerful in theNibelungenlied. In the Teutonic version his treacherous assailantlures him from a hunting party in the forest to quench his thirst ata brook, where he thrusts him through the back with a spear. His bodywas thence borne home by the hunters and laid at his wife's feet. 

The Flight of Gudrun

Gudrun, still inconsolable, and loathing the kindred who hadtreacherously robbed her of all joy in life, fled from her father'shouse and took refuge with Elf, Sigurd's foster father, who, after thedeath of Hiordis, had married Thora, the daughter of King Hakon. Thetwo women became great friends, and here Gudrun tarried several years, employing herself in embroidering upon tapestry the great deeds ofSigurd, and watching over her little daughter Swanhild, whose brighteyes reminded her vividly of the husband whom she had lost. 

Atli, King of the Huns

In the meantime, Atli, Brunhild's brother, who was now King of theHuns, had sent to Gunnar to demand atonement for his sister's death;and to satisfy his claims Gunnar had promised that when her years ofwidowhood had been accomplished he would give him Gudrun's hand inmarriage. Time passed, and Atli clamoured for the fulfilment of hispromise, wherefore the Niblung brothers, with their mother Grimhild, went to seek the long-absent princess, and by the aid of the magicpotion administered by Grimhild they succeeded in persuading Gudrunto leave little Swanhild in Denmark and to become Atli's wife in theland of the Huns. 

Nevertheless, Gudrun secretly detested her husband, whose avaricioustendencies were extremely repugnant to her; and even the birth oftwo sons, Erp and Eitel, did not console her for the death of herloved ones and the absence of Swanhild. Her thoughts were continuallyof the past, and she often spoke of it, little suspecting that herdescriptions of the wealth of the Niblungs had excited Atli's greed, and that he was secretly planning some pretext for seizing it. 

Atli at last decided to send Knefrud or Wingi, one of his servants, to invite the Niblung princes to visit his court, intending to slaythem when he should have them in his power; but Gudrun, fathoming thisdesign, sent a rune message to her brothers, together with the ringAndvaranaut, around which she had twined a wolf's hair. On the way, however, the messenger partly effaced the runes, thus changing theirmeaning; and when he appeared before the Niblungs, Gunnar acceptedthe invitation, in spite of Högni's and Grimhild's warnings, and anominous dream of Glaumvor, his second wife. 

Burial of the Niblung Treasure

Before departing, however, Gunnar was prevailed upon to bury secretlythe great Niblung hoard in the Rhine, and he sank it in a deep holein the bed of the river, the position of which was known to the royalbrothers only, who took a solemn oath never to reveal it. 

 "Down then and whirling outward the ruddy Gold fell forth, As a flame in the dim grey morning, flashed out a kingdom's worth; Then the waters roared above it, the wan water and the foam Flew up o'er the face of the rock-wall as the tinkling Gold fell home, Unheard, unseen for ever, a wonder and a tale, Till the last of earthly singers from the sons of men shall fail. "

The Treachery of Atli

In martial array the royal band then rode out of the city of theNiblungs, which they were never again to see, and after many adventuresthey entered the land of the Huns, and arrived at Atli's hall, where, finding that they had been foully entrapped, they slew the traitorKnefrud, and prepared to sell their lives as dearly as possible. 

Gudrun hastened to meet them with tender embraces, and, seeing thatthey must fight, she grasped a weapon and loyally aided them in theterrible massacre which ensued. After the first onslaught, Gunnar keptup the spirits of his followers by playing on his harp, which he laidaside only when the assaults were renewed. Thrice the brave Niblungsresisted the assault of the Huns, until all save Gunnar and Högni hadperished, and the king and his brother, wounded, faint, and weary, fell into the hands of their foes, who cast them, securely bound, into a dungeon to await death. 

Atli had prudently abstained from taking any active part in thefight, and he now had his brothers-in-law brought in turn before him, promising them freedom if they would reveal the hiding-place of thegolden hoard; but they proudly kept silence, and it was only aftermuch torture that Gunnar spake, saying that he had sworn a solemnoath never to reveal the secret as long as Högni lived. At the sametime he declared that he would believe his brother dead only whenhis heart was brought to him on a platter. 

 "With a dreadful voice cried Gunnar: 'O fool, hast thou heard it told Who won the Treasure aforetime and the ruddy rings of the Gold? It was Sigurd, child of the Volsungs, the best sprung forth from the best: He rode from the North and the mountains, and became my summer guest, My friend and my brother sworn: he rode the Wavering Fire, And won me the Queen of Glory and accomplished my desire; The praise of the world he was, the hope of the biders in wrong, The help of the lowly people, the hammer of the strong: Ah, oft in the world, henceforward, shall the tale be told of the deed, And I, e'en I, will tell it in the day of the Niblungs' Need: For I sat night-long in my armour, and when light was wide o'er the land I slaughtered Sigurd my brother, and looked on the work of mine hand. And now, O mighty Atli, I have seen the Niblung's wreck, And the feet of the faint-heart dastard have trodden Gunnar's neck; And if all be little enough, and the Gods begrudge me rest, Let me see the heart of Högni cut quick from his living breast, And laid on the dish before me: and then shall I tell of the Gold, And become thy servant, Atli, and my life at thy pleasure hold. '"

Urged by greed, Atli gave immediate orders that Högni's heart shouldbe brought; but his servants, fearing to lay hands on such a grimwarrior, slew the cowardly scullion Hialli. The trembling heartof this poor wretch called forth contemptuous words from Gunnar, who declared that such a timorous organ could never have belongedto his fearless brother. Atli again issued angry commands, and thistime the unquivering heart of Högni was produced, whereupon Gunnar, turning to the monarch, solemnly swore that since the secret nowrested with him alone it would never be revealed. 

The Last of the Niblungs

Livid with anger, the king bade his servants throw Gunnar, withhands bound, into a den of venomous snakes; but this did not dauntthe reckless Niblung, and, his harp having been flung after himin derision, he calmly sat in the pit, harping with his toes, andlulling to sleep all the reptiles save one only. It was said thatAtli's mother had taken the form of this snake, and that she it waswho now bit him in the side, and silenced his triumphant song for ever. 

To celebrate his triumph, Atli now ordered a great feast, commandingGudrun to be present to wait upon him. At this banquet he ate anddrank heartily, little suspecting that his wife had slain both hissons, and had served up their roasted hearts and their blood mixedwith wine in cups made of their skulls. After a time the king and hisguests became intoxicated, when Gudrun, according to one version ofthe story, set fire to the palace, and as the drunken men were aroused, too late to escape, she revealed what she had done, and first stabbingher husband, she calmly perished in the flames with the Huns. Anotherversion relates, however, that she murdered Atli with Sigurd's sword, and having placed his body on a ship, which she sent adrift, she castherself into the sea and was drowned. 

 "She spread out her arms as she spake it, and away from the earth she leapt And cut off her tide of returning: for the sea-waves over her swept, And their will is her will henceforward, and who knoweth the deeps of the sea, And the wealth of the bed of Gudrun, and the days that yet shall be?"

According to a third and very different version, Gudrun was notdrowned, but was borne by the waves to the land where Jonakur wasking. There she became his wife, and the mother of three sons, Sörli, Hamdir, and Erp. She recovered possession, moreover, of her beloveddaughter Swanhild, who, in the meantime, had grown into a beautifulmaiden of marriageable age. 

Swanhild

Swanhild became affianced to Ermenrich, King of Gothland, who sent hisson, Randwer, and one of his servants, Sibich, to escort the bride tohis kingdom. Sibich was a traitor, and as part of a plan to compass thedeath of the royal family that he might claim the kingdom, he accusedRandwer of having tried to win his young stepmother's affections. Thisaccusation so roused the anger of Ermenrich that he ordered his son tobe hanged, and Swanhild to be trampled to death under the feet of wildhorses. The beauty of this daughter of Sigurd and Gudrun was such, however, that even the wild steeds could not be induced to harm heruntil she had been hidden from their sight under a great blanket, when they trod her to death under their cruel hoofs. 

Upon learning the fate of her beloved daughter, Gudrun called herthree sons to her side, and girding them with armour and weaponsagainst which nothing but stone could prevail, she bade them departand avenge their murdered sister, after which she died of grief, and was burned on a great pyre. 

The three youths, Sörli, Hamdir, and Erp, proceeded to Ermenrich'skingdom, but ere they met their foes, the two eldest, deeming Erp tooyoung to assist them, taunted him with his small size, and finallyslew him. Sörli and Hamdir then attacked Ermenrich, cut off his handsand feet, and would have slain him but for a one-eyed stranger whosuddenly appeared and bade the bystanders throw stones at the youngmen. His orders were immediately carried out, and Sörli and Hamdirsoon fell slain under the shower of stones, which, as we have seen, alone had power to injure them. 

 "Ye have heard of Sigurd aforetime, how the foes of God he slew; How forth from the darksome desert the Gold of Waters he drew; How he wakened Love on the Mountain, and wakened Brynhild the Bright, And dwelt upon Earth for a season, and shone in all men's sight. Ye have heard of the Cloudy People, and the dimming of the day, And the latter world's confusion, and Sigurd gone away; Now ye know of the Need of the Niblungs and the end of broken troth, All the death of kings and of kindreds and the Sorrow of Odin the Goth. "

Interpretation of the Saga

This story of the Volsungs is supposed by some authorities to bea series of sun myths, in which Sigi, Rerir, Volsung, Sigmund, andSigurd in turn personify the glowing orb of day. They are all armedwith invincible swords, the sunbeams, and all travel through the worldfighting against their foes, the demons of cold and darkness. Sigurd, like Balder, is beloved of all; he marries Brunhild, the dawn maiden, whom he finds in the midst of flames, the flush of morn, and partsfrom her only to find her again when his career is ended. His body isburned on the funeral pyre, which, like Balder's, represents eitherthe setting sun or the last gleam of summer, of which he too is atype. The slaying of Fafnir symbolises the destruction of the demonof cold or darkness, who has stolen the golden hoard of summer orthe yellow rays of the sun. 

According to other authorities, this Saga is based upon history. Atliis the cruel Attila, the "Scourge of God, " while Gunnar is Gundicarius, a Burgundian monarch, whose kingdom was destroyed by the Huns, and whowas slain with his brothers in 451. Gudrun is the Burgundian princessIldico, who slew her husband on her wedding-night, as has alreadybeen related, using the glittering blade which had once belonged tothe sun-god to avenge her murdered kinsmen. 

CHAPTER XXVII: THE STORY OF FRITHIOF

Bishop Tegnér

Probably no writer of the nineteenth century did so much to awakeninterest in the literary treasures of Scandinavia as Bishop EsaiasTegnér, whom a Swedish author characterised as, "that mighty Geniewho organises even disorder. "

Tegnér's "Frithiof Saga" has been translated once at least into everyEuropean tongue, and some twenty times into English and German. Goethespoke of the work with the greatest enthusiasm, and the tale, whichgives a matchless picture of the life of our heathen ancestors in theNorth, drew similar praise from Longfellow, who considered it to beone of the most remarkable productions of his century. 

Although Tegnér has chosen for his theme the Frithiof saga only, wefind that that tale is the sequel to the older but less interestingThorsten saga, of which we give here a very brief outline, merely toenable the reader to understand clearly every allusion in the moremodern poem. 

As is so frequently the case with these ancient tales, the story beginswith Haloge (Loki), who came north with Odin, and began to reign overnorthern Norway, which from him was called Halogaland. According toNorthern mythology, this god had two lovely daughters. They werecarried off by bold suitors, who, banished from the mainland byHaloge's curses and magic spells, took refuge with their newly wonwives upon neighbouring islands. 

Birth of Viking

Thus it happened that Haloge's grandson, Viking, was born upon theisland of Bornholm, in the Baltic Sea, where he dwelt until he wasfifteen, and where he became the biggest and strongest man of histime. Rumours of his valour finally reached Hunvor, a Swedish princess, who was oppressed by the attentions of a gigantic suitor whom nonedared drive away, and she sent for Viking to deliver her. 

Thus summoned, the youth departed, after having received from hisfather a magic sword named Angurvadel, whose blows would prove fataleven to a giant like the suitor of Hunvor. A "holmgang, " as a duelwas termed in the North, ensued as soon as the hero arrived upon thescene, and Viking, having slain his antagonist, could have marriedthe princess had it not been considered disgraceful for a Northmanto marry before he was twenty. 

To beguile the time of waiting for his promised bride, Viking setout in a well-manned dragon ship; and cruising about the Northern andSouthern seas, he met with countless adventures. During this time hewas particularly persecuted by the kindred of the giant he had slain, who were adepts in magic, and they brought upon him innumerable perilsby land and sea. 

Aided and abetted by his bosom friend, Halfdan, Viking escaped everydanger, slew many of his foes, and, after rescuing Hunvor, whom, inthe meantime, the enemy had carried off to India, he settled down inSweden. His friend, faithful in peace as well as in war, settled nearhim, and married also, choosing for wife Ingeborg, Hunvor's attendant. 

The saga now describes the long, peaceful winters, when the warriorsfeasted and listened to the tales of scalds, rousing themselves toenergetic efforts only when returning spring again permitted them tolaunch their dragon ships and set out once more upon their piraticalexpeditions. 

 "Then the Scald took his harp and sang, And loud through the music rang The sound of that shining word; And the harp-strings a clangour made, As if they were struck with the blade Of a sword. 

 "And the Berserks round about Broke forth into a shout That made the rafters ring: They smote with their fists on the board, And shouted, 'Long live the Sword, And the King!'"

 Longfellow's Saga of King Olaf. 

In the old story the scalds relate with great gusto every phase ofattack and defence during cruise and raid, and describe every blowgiven and received, dwelling with satisfaction upon the carnage andlurid flames which envelop both enemies and ships in common ruin. Afierce fight is often an earnest of future friendship, however, andwe are told that Halfdan and Viking, having failed to conquer Njorfe, a foeman of mettle, sheathed their swords after a most obstinatestruggle, and accepted their enemy as a third link in their closebond of friendship. 

On returning home from one of these customary raids, Viking losthis beloved wife; and, entrusting her child, Ring, to the care of afoster father, after undergoing a short period of mourning, the bravewarrior married again. This time his marital bliss was more lasting, for the saga tells that his second wife bore him nine stalwart sons. 

Njorfe, King of Uplands, in Norway, also rejoiced in a family ofnine brave sons. Now, although their fathers were united in bonds ofthe closest friendship, having sworn blood brotherhood according tothe true Northern rites, the young men were jealous of one another, and greatly inclined to quarrel. 

The Game of Ball

Notwithstanding this smouldering animosity, the youths often met;and the saga relates that they used to play ball together, and givesa description of the earliest ball game on record in the Northernannals. Viking's sons, as tall and strong as he, were inclined to berather reckless of their opponents' welfare, and, judging from thefollowing account, translated from the old saga, the players wereoften left in as sorry a condition as after a modern game. 

"The next morning the brothers went to the games, and generally hadthe ball during the day; they pushed men and let them fall roughly, and beat others. At night three men had their arms broken, and manywere bruised or maimed. "

The game between Njorfe's and Viking's sons culminated in adisagreement, and one of Njorfe's sons struck one of his opponentsa dangerous and treacherous blow. Prevented from taking his revengethen and there by the interference of the spectators, the injuredman made a trivial excuse to return to the ground alone; and, meetinghis assailant there, he slew him. 

The Blood Feud

When Viking heard that one of his sons had slain one of his friend'schildren, he was very indignant, and mindful of his oath to avenge allNjorfe's wrongs, he banished the young murderer. The other brothers, on hearing this sentence, vowed that they would accompany the exile, and so Viking sorrowfully bade them farewell, giving his swordAngurvadel to Thorsten, the eldest, and cautioning him to remainquietly on an island in Lake Wener until all danger of retaliationon the part of Njorfe's remaining sons should be over. 

The young men obeyed; but Njorfe's sons were determined to avengetheir brother, and although they had no boats to convey them overthe lake, they made use of a conjurer's art to bring about a greatfrost. Accompanied by many armed men, they then stole noiselesslyover the ice to attack Thorsten and his brothers, and a terriblecarnage ensued. Only two of the attacking party managed to escape, but they left, as they fancied, all their foes among the dead. 

Then came Viking to bury his sons, and he found that two of them, Thorsten and Thorer, were still alive; whereupon he secretly conveyedthem to a cellar beneath his dwelling, and in due time they recoveredfrom their wounds. 

Njorfe's two surviving sons soon discovered by magic arts that theiropponents were not dead, and they made a second desperate but vainattempt to kill them. Viking saw that the quarrel would be incessantlyrenewed if his sons remained at home; so he now sent them to Halfdan, whose court they reached after a series of adventures which in manypoints resemble those of Theseus on his way to Athens. 

When spring came round Thorsten embarked on a piratical excursion, in the course of which he encountered Jokul, Njorfe's eldest son, who, meanwhile, had taken forcible possession of the kingdom of Sogn, having killed the king, banished his heir, Belé, and changed hisbeautiful daughter, Ingeborg, into the similitude of an old witch. 

Throughout the story Jokul is represented as somewhat of a coward, for he resorted by preference to magic when he wished to injureViking's sons. Thus he stirred up great tempests, and Thorsten, after twice suffering shipwreck, was only saved from the waves bythe seeming witch, whom he promised to marry in gratitude for hergood offices. Thorsten, advised by Ingeborg, now went in search ofBelé, whom he found and replaced upon his hereditary throne, havingsworn eternal friendship with him. After this, the baleful spell wasremoved, and Ingeborg, now revealed in her native beauty, was unitedto Thorsten, and dwelt with him at Framnäs. 

Thorsten and Belé

Every spring Thorsten and Belé set out together in their ships; and, upon one of these expeditions, they joined forces with Angantyr, a foe whose mettle they had duly tested, and proceeded to recoverpossession of a priceless treasure, a magic dragon ship named Ellida, which Ægir, god of the sea, had once given to Viking in reward forhospitable treatment, and which had been stolen from him. 

 "A royal gift to behold, for the swelling planks of its framework Were not fastened with nails, as is wont, but grown in together. Its shape was that of a dragon when swimming, but forward Its head rose proudly on high, the throat with yellow gold flaming; Its belly was spotted with red and yellow, but back by the rudder Coiled out its mighty tail in circles, all scaly with silver; Black wings with edges of red; when all were expanded Ellida raced with the whistling storm, but outstript the eagle. When filled to the edge with warriors, it sailed o'er the waters, You'd deem it a floating fortress, or warlike abode of a monarch. The ship was famed far and wide, and of ships was first in the North. "

 Tegnér, Frithiof Saga (Spalding's tr. ). 

The next season, Thorsten, Belé, and Angantyr conquered the OrkneyIslands, which were given as a kingdom to the latter, he voluntarilypledging himself to pay a yearly tribute to Belé. Next Thorsten andBelé went in quest of a magic ring, or armlet, once forged by Völund, the smith, and stolen by Soté, a famous pirate. 

This bold robber was so afraid lest some one should gain possession ofthe magic ring, that he had buried himself alive with it in a moundin Bretland. Here his ghost was said to keep constant watch over it, and when Thorsten entered his tomb, Belé, who waited outside, heardthe sound of frightful blows given and returned, and saw lurid gleamsof supernatural fire. 

When Thorsten finally staggered out of the mound, pale and bloody, but triumphant, he refused to speak of the horrors he had encounteredto win the coveted treasure, but often would he say, as he showed it, "I trembled but once in my life, and 'twas when I seized it!"

Birth of Frithiof and Ingeborg

Thus owner of the three greatest treasures of the North, Thorstenreturned home to Framnäs, where Ingeborg bore him a fine boy, Frithiof, while two sons, Halfdan and Helgé, were born to Belé. The lads playedtogether, and were already well grown when Ingeborg, Belé's littledaughter, was born, and some time later the child was entrusted tothe care of Hilding, who was already Frithiof's foster father, asThorsten's frequent absences made it difficult for him to undertakethe training of his boy. 

 "Jocund they grew, in guileless glee; Young Frithiof was the sapling tree; In budding beauty by his side, Sweet Ingeborg, the garden's pride. "

 Tegnér, Frithiof Saga (Longfellow's tr. ). 

Frithiof soon became hardy and fearless under his foster father'straining, and Ingeborg rapidly developed the sweetest traits ofcharacter and loveliness. Both were happiest when together; and asthey grew older their childish affection daily became deeper and moreintense, until Hilding, perceiving this state of affairs, bade theyouth remember that he was a subject of the king, and therefore nomate for his only daughter. 

 "To Odin, in his star-lit sky, Ascends her titled ancestry; But Thorsten's son art thou; give way! For 'like thrives best with like, ' they say. "

 Tegnér, Frithiof Saga (G. Stephens's tr. ). 

Frithiof's Love for Ingeborg

These wise admonitions came too late, however, and Frithiof vehementlydeclared that he would win the fair Ingeborg for his bride in spiteof all obstacles and his more humble origin. 

Shortly after this Belé and Thorsten met for the last time, near themagnificent shrine of Balder, where the king, feeling that his end wasnear, had convened a solemn assembly, or Thing, of all his principalsubjects, in order to present his sons Helgé and Halfdan to the peopleas his chosen successors. The young heirs were very coldly receivedon this occasion, for Helgé was of a sombre and taciturn disposition, and inclined to the life of a priest, and Halfdan was of a weak, effeminate nature, and noted for his love of pleasure rather than ofwar and the chase. Frithiof, who was present, and stood beside them, was the object of many admiring glances from the throng. 

 "But close behind them Frithiof goes, Wrapp'd in his mantle blue; His height a whole head taller rose Than that of both the two. 

 He stands between the brothers there-- As though the ripe day stood Atween young morning rosy-fair, And night within the wood. "

 Tegnér, Frithiof Saga (G. Stephens's tr. ). 

After giving his last instructions and counsel to his sons, andspeaking kindly to Frithiof, for whom he entertained a warm regard, the old king turned to his lifelong companion, Thorsten, to takeleave of him, but the old warrior declared that they would not longbe parted. Belé then spoke again to his sons, and bade them erect hishowe, or funeral mound, within sight of that of Thorsten, that theirspirits might commune over the waters of the narrow firth which wouldflow between them, that so they might not be sundered even in death. 

Helgé and Halfdan

These instructions were piously carried out when, shortly after, theaged companions breathed their last; and the great barrows having beenerected, the brothers, Helgé and Halfdan, began to rule their kingdom, while Frithiof, their former playmate, withdrew to his own place atFramnäs, a fertile homestead, lying in a snug valley enclosed by thetowering mountains and the waters of the ever-changing firth. 

 "Three miles extended around the fields of the homestead; on three sides Valleys and mountains and hills, but on the fourth side was the ocean. Birch-woods crowned the summits, but over the down-sloping hill-sides Flourished the golden corn, and man-high was waving the rye-field. "

 Tegnér, Frithiof Saga (Longfellow's tr. ). 

But although surrounded by faithful retainers, and blessed with muchwealth and the possession of the famous treasures of his hero sire, the sword Angurvadel, the Völund ring, and the matchless dragonship Ellida, Frithiof was unhappy, because he could no longer seethe fair Ingeborg daily. All his former spirits revived, however, when in the spring, at his invitation, both kings came to visit him, together with their fair sister, and once again they spent longhours in cheerful companionship. As they were thus constantly throwntogether, Frithiof found opportunity to make known to Ingeborg hisdeep affection, and he received in return an avowal of her love. 

 "He sat by her side, and he pressed her soft hand, And he felt a soft pressure responsive and bland; Whilst his love-beaming gaze Was returned as the sun's in the moon's placid rays. "

 Tegnér, Frithiof Saga (Longfellow's tr. ). 

Frithiof's Suit

When the visit was ended and the guests had departed, Frithiof informedhis confidant and chief companion, Björn, of his determination tofollow them and openly ask for Ingeborg's hand. His ship was set freefrom its moorings and it swooped like an eagle over to the shore nearBalder's shrine, where the royal brothers were seated in state onBelé's tomb to listen to the petitions of their subjects. StraightwayFrithiof presented himself before them, and manfully made his request, adding that the old king had always loved him and would surely havegranted his prayer. 

 "No king was my sire, not a jarl, ev'n--'tis true; Yet Scald-songs his mem'ry and exploits renew; The Rune-stones will tell On high-vaulted cairn what my race hath done well. 

 "With ease could I win me both empire and land;-- But rather I stay on my forefathers' strand; While arms I can wield-- Both poverty's hut and king's palace I'll shield. 

 "On Belé's round barrow we stand; each word In the dark deeps beneath us he hears and has heard; With Frithiof pleadeth The old Chief in his cairn: think! your answer thought needeth. "

 Tegnér, Frithiof Saga (G. Stephens's tr. ). 

Then he went on to promise lifelong fealty and the service of hisstrong right arm in exchange for the boon he craved. 

As Frithiof ceased King Helgé rose, and regarding the young manscornfully, he said: "Our sister is not for a peasant's son; proudchiefs of the Northland may dispute for her hand, but not thou. Asfor thy arrogant proffer, know that I can protect my kingdom. Yet ifthou wouldst be my man, place in my household mayst thou have. "

Enraged at the insult thus publicly offered, Frithiof drew hisinvincible sword; but, remembering that he stood on a consecrated spot, he struck only at the royal shield, which fell in two pieces clashingto the ground. Then striding back to his ship in sullen silence, he embarked and sailed away. 

 "And lo! cloven in twain at a stroke Fell King Helge's gold shield from its pillar of oak: At the clang of the blow, The live started above, the dead started below. "

 Tegnér, Frithiof Saga (Longfellow's tr. ). 

Sigurd Ring a Suitor

After his departure came messengers from Sigurd Ring, the aged Kingof Ringric, in Norway, who, having lost his wife, sent to Helgé andHalfdan to ask Ingeborg's hand in marriage. Before returning answerto this royal suitor, Helgé consulted the Vala, or prophetess, andthe priests, who all declared that the omens were not in favour of themarriage. Upon this Helgé assembled his people to hear the word whichthe messengers were to carry to their master, but unfortunately KingHalfdan gave way to his waggish humour, and made scoffing referenceto the advanced age of the royal suitor. These impolitic wordswere reported to King Ring, and so offended him that he immediatelycollected an army and prepared to march against the Kings of Sogn toavenge the insult with his sword. When the rumour of his approachreached the cowardly brothers they were terrified, and fearing toencounter the foe unaided, they sent Hilding to Frithiof to implorehis help. 

Hilding found Frithiof playing chess with Björn, and immediately madeknown his errand. 

 "'From Bele's high heirs I come with courteous words and prayers Disastrous tidings rouse the brave; On thee a nation's hope relies.   In Balder's fane, griefs loveliest prey, Sweet Ing'borg weeps the livelong day: Say, can her tears unheeded fall, Nor call her champion to her side?'"

 Tegnér, Frithiof Saga (Longfellow's tr. ). 

While the old man was speaking Frithiof continued to play, ever andanon interjecting an enigmatical reference to the game, until at thispoint he said:

 "Björn; thou in vain my queen pursuest, She from childhood dearest, truest! She's my game's most darling piece, and Come what will--I'll save my queen!"

 Tegnér, Frithiof Saga (G. Stephens's tr. ). 

Hilding did not understand such mode of answering, and at lengthrebuked Frithiof for his indifference. Then Frithiof rose, andpressing kindly the old man's hand, he bade him tell the kings thathe was too deeply offended to listen to their appeal. 

Helgé and Halfdan, thus forced to fight without their bravest leader, preferred to make a treaty with Sigurd Ring, and they agreed to givehim not only their sister Ingeborg, but also a yearly tribute. 

At Balder's Shrine

While they were thus engaged at Sogn Sound, Frithiof hastened toBalder's temple, to which Ingeborg had been sent for security, andwhere, as Hilding had declared, he found her a prey to grief. Nowalthough it was considered a sacrilege for man and woman to exchange aword in the sacred building, Frithiof could not forbear to console her;and, forgetting all else, he spoke to her and comforted her, quietingall her apprehensions of the gods' anger by assuring her that Balder, the good, must view their innocent passion with approving eyes, forlove so pure as theirs could defile no sanctuary; and they ended byplighting their troth before the shrine of Balder. 

 "'Thou whisp'rest "Balder, "--His wrath fearest;-- That gentle god all anger flies. We worship here a Lover, dearest! Our hearts' love is his sacrifice; That god whose brow beams sunshine-splendour, Whose faith lasts through eternity, -- Was not his love to beauteous Nanna As pure, as warm, as mine to thee?

 "'His image see!--himself broods o'er it-- How mild, how kind, his bright eyes move! An off'ring bear I here before it, A warm heart full of purest love. Come, kneel with me! no altar incense To Balder's soul more grateful is Than two hearts, vowing in his presence A mutual faith as true as his!'"

 Tegnér, Frithiof Saga (G. Stephens's tr. ). 

Reassured by this reasoning, which received added strength from thevoice which spoke loudly from her own heart, Ingeborg could not refuseto see and converse with Frithiof. During the kings' absence theyoung lovers met every day, and they exchanged love-tokens, Frithiofgiving to Ingeborg Völund's arm-ring, which she solemnly promised tosend back to her lover should she be compelled to break her promiseto live for him alone. Frithiof lingered at Framnäs until the kings'return, when, yielding to the fond entreaties of Ingeborg the Fair, he again appeared before them, and pledged himself to free them fromtheir thraldom to Sigurd Ring if they would only reconsider theirdecision and promise him their sister's hand. 

 "'War stands and strikes His glitt'ring shield within thy boundaries; Thy realm, King Helge, is in jeopardy: But give thy sister, and I'll lend mine arm Thy guard in battle. It may stead thee well. Come! let this grudge between us be forgotten, Unwilling bear I such 'gainst Ing'borg's brother. Be counsell'd, King! be just! and save at once Thy golden crown and thy fair sister's heart! Here is my hand: by Asa-Thor I swear Never again 'tis stretch'd in reconcilement!'"

 Tegnér, Frithiof Saga (G. Stephens's tr. ). 

Frithiof Banished

But although this offer was received with acclamation by the assembledwarriors, Helgé scornfully demanded of Frithiof whether he had spokenwith Ingeborg and so defiled the temple of Balder. 

A shout of "Say nay, Frithiof! say nay!" broke from the ringof warriors, but he proudly answered: "I would not lie to gainValhalla. I have spoken to thy sister, Helgé, yet have I not brokenBalder's peace. "

A murmur of horror passed through the ranks at this avowal, and whenthe harsh voice of Helgé was raised in judgment, none was there togainsay the justice of the sentence. 

This apparently was not a harsh one, but Helgé well knew that itmeant death, and he so intended it. 

Far westward lay the Orkney Islands, ruled by Jarl Angantyr, whoseyearly tribute to Belé was withheld now that the old king lay inhis cairn. Hard-fisted he was said to be, and heavy of hand, and toFrithiof was given the task of demanding the tribute face to face. 

Before he sailed upon the judgment-quest, however, he once more soughtIngeborg, and implored her to elope with him to a home in the sunnySouth, where her happiness should be his law, and where she shouldrule over his subjects as his honoured wife. But Ingeborg sorrowfullyrefused to accompany him, saying that, since her father was no more, she was in duty bound to obey her brothers implicitly, and could notmarry without their consent. 

The fiery spirit of Frithiof was at first impatient under thisdisappointment of his hopes, but in the end his noble nature conquered, and after a heartrending parting scene, he embarked upon Ellida, andsorrowfully sailed out of the harbour, while Ingeborg, through a mistof tears, watched the sail as it faded and disappeared in the distance. 

The vessel was barely out of sight when Helgé sent for two witchesnamed Heid and Ham, bidding them by incantations to stir up a tempestat sea in which it would be impossible for even the god-given vesselEllida to live, that so all on board should perish. The witchesimmediately complied; and with Helgé's aid they soon stirred up astorm the fury of which is unparalleled in history. 

 "Helgé on the strand Chants his wizard-spell, Potent to command Fiends of earth or hell. Gathering darkness shrouds the sky; Hark, the thunder's distant roll! Lurid lightnings, as they fly, Streak with blood the sable pole. Ocean, boiling to its base, Scatters wide its wave of foam; Screaming, as in fleetest chase, Sea-birds seek their island home. "

 Tegnér, Frithiof Saga (Longfellow's tr. ). 

 "Then the storm unfetter'd wingeth Wild his course; in Ocean's foam Now he dips him, now up-swingeth, Whirling toward the God's own home: Rides each Horror-spirit, warning, High upon the topmost wave-- Up from out the white, vast, yawning, Bottomless, unfathom'd grave. "

 Tegnér, Frithiof Saga (G. Stephens's tr. ). 

The Tempest

Unfrighted by tossing waves and whistling blasts, Frithiof sang acheery song to reassure his terrified crew; but when the peril grewso great that his exhausted followers gave themselves up for lost, hebethought him of tribute to the goddess Ran, who ever requires gold ofthem who would rest in peace under the ocean wave. Taking his armlet, he hewed it with his sword and made fair division among his men. 

 "Who goes empty-handed Down to sea-blue Ran? Cold her kisses strike, and Fleeting her embrace is. "

 Tegnér, Frithiof Saga (G. Stephens's tr. ). 

He then bade Björn hold the rudder, and himself climbed to the mast-topto view the horizon. While perched there he descried a whale, uponwhich the two witches were riding the storm. Speaking to his goodship, which was gifted with power of understanding and could obeyhis commands, he now ran down both whale and witches, and the sea wasreddened with their blood. At the same instant the wind fell, the wavesceased to threaten, and fair weather soon smiled again upon the seas. 

Exhausted by their previous superhuman efforts and by the labourof baling their water-logged vessel, the men were too weak to landwhen they at last reached the Orkney Islands, and had to be carriedashore by Björn and Frithiof, who gently laid them down on the sand, bidding them rest and refresh themselves after all the hardships theyhad endured. 

 "Yet more wearied than their Dragon Totter Frithiof's gallant men; Though each leans upon his weapon, Scarcely upright stand they then. Björn, on pow'rful shoulder, dareth Four to carry to the land; Frithiof, all alone, eight beareth, -- Sets them so round the upblaz'd brand. 

 'Nay! ye white-fac'd, shame not! Waves are mighty Vikings; Hard's the unequal struggle-- Ocean's maids our foes. See! there comes the mead-horn, Wand'ring on bright gold-foot; Shipmates! cold limbs warm, --and Here's to Ingeborg!'"

 Tegnér, Frithiof Saga (G. Stephen's tr. ). 

The arrival of Frithiof and his men, and their mode of landing, hadbeen noted by the watchman of Angantyr, who immediately informed hismaster of all he had seen. The jarl exclaimed that the ship which hadweathered such a gale could be none but Ellida, and that its captainwas doubtless Frithiof, Thorsten's gallant son. At these words oneof his Berserkers, Atlé, caught up his weapons and strode from thehall, vowing that he would challenge Frithiof, and thus satisfyhimself concerning the veracity of the tales he had heard of theyoung hero's courage. 

Atlé's Challenge

Although still greatly exhausted, Frithiof immediately acceptedAtlé's challenge, and, after a sharp encounter with swords, in which Angurvadel was triumphant, the two champions grappled indeadly embrace. Widely is that wrestling-match renowned in the North, and well matched were the heroes, but in the end Frithiof threw hisantagonist, whom he would have slain then and there had his sword beenwithin reach. Atlé saw his intention, and bade him go in search of theweapon, promising to remain motionless during his absence. Frithiof, knowing that such a warrior's promise was inviolable, immediatelyobeyed; but when he returned with his sword, and found his antagonistcalmly awaiting death, he relented, and bade Atlé rise and live. 

 "Then storm they, nothing yielded, Two autumn-billows like! And oft, with steel round shielded, Their jarring breasts fierce strike. 

 "All like two bears they wrestle, On hills of snow; and draw And strain, each like an eagle On the angry sea at war. The root-fast rock resisted Full hardly them between And green iron oaks down-twisted With lesser pulls have been. 

 "From each broad brow sweat rushes; Their bosoms coldly heave; And stones and mounds and bushes Dints hundred-fold receive. "

 Tegnér, Frithiof Saga (G. Stephens's tr. ). 

Together the appeased warriors now wended their way to Angantyr's hall, which Frithiof found to be far different from the rude dwellings ofhis native land. The walls were covered with leather richly decoratedwith gilt designs. The chimney-piece was of marble, and glass paneswere in the window-frames. A soft light was diffused from many candlesburning in silver branches, and the tables groaned under the mostluxurious fare. 

High in a silver chair sat the jarl, clad in a coat of goldenmail, over which was flung a rich mantle bordered with ermine, but when Frithiof entered he strode from his seat with cordial handoutstretched. "Full many a horn have I emptied with my old friendThorsten, " said he, "and his brave son is equally welcome at my board. "

Nothing loth, Frithiof seated himself beside his host, and after hehad eaten and drunk he recounted his adventures upon land and sea. 

At last, however, Frithiof made known his errand, whereupon Angantyrsaid that he owed no tribute to Helgé, and would pay him none; butthat he would give the required sum as a free gift to his old friend'sson, leaving him at liberty to dispose of it as he pleased. Meantime, since the season was unpropitious for the return journey, and stormscontinually swept the sea, the king invited Frithiof to tarry withhim over the winter; and it was only when the gentle spring breezeswere blowing once more that he at last allowed him to depart. 

Frithiof's Home-coming

Taking leave of his kind host, Frithiof set sail, and wafted byfavourable winds, the hero, after six days, came in sight of Framnäs, and found that his home had been reduced to a shapeless heap of ashesby Helgé's orders. Sadly Frithiof strode over the ravaged site of hischildhood's home, and as he viewed the desolate scene his heart burnedwithin him. The ruins were not entirely deserted, however, and suddenlyFrithiof felt the cold nozzle of his hound thrust into his hand. Afew moments later his favourite steed bounded to his master's side, and the faithful creatures were well-nigh frantic with delight. Thencame Hilding to greet him with the information that Ingeborg wasnow the wife of Sigurd Ring. When Frithiof heard this he flew into aBerserker rage, and bade his men scuttle the vessels in the harbour, while he strode to the temple in search of Helgé. 

The king stood crowned amid a circle of priests, some of whombrandished flaming pine-knots, while all grasped a sacrificial flintknife. Suddenly there was a clatter of arms and in burst Frithiof, hisbrow dark as autumn storms. Helgé's face went pale as he confronted theangry hero, for he knew what his coming presaged. "Take thy tribute, King, " said Frithiof, and with the words, he took the purse from hisgirdle and flung it in Helgé's face with such force that blood gushedfrom his mouth and he fell swooning at Balder's feet. 

The silver-bearded priests advanced to the scene of violence, butFrithiof motioned them back, and his looks were so threatening thatthey durst not disobey. 

Then his eye fell upon the arm-ring which he had given to Ingeborgand which Helgé had placed upon the arm of Balder, and striding upto the wooden image he said: "Pardon, great Balder, not for theewas the ring wrested from Völund's tomb!" Then he seized the ring, but strongly as he tugged it would not come apart. At last he putforth all his strength, and with a sudden jerk he recovered the ring, and at the same time the image of the god fell prone across the altarfire. The next moment it was enveloped in flames, and before aughtcould be done the whole temple was wreathed in fire and smoke. 

 "All, all's lost! From half-burned hall Th' fire-red cock up-swingeth!-- Sits on the roof, and, with shrilly call Flutt'ring, his free course wingeth. "

 Tegnér's Frithiof Saga (G. Stephens's tr. ). 

Frithiof, horror-stricken at the sacrilege which he had involuntarilyoccasioned, vainly tried to extinguish the flames and save the costlysanctuary, but finding his efforts unavailing he escaped to his shipand resolved upon the weary life of an outcast and exile. 

 "Thou may'st not rest thee, Thou still must haste thee, Ellida!--out Th' wide world about. Yes! rock on! roaming Mid froth salt-foaming My Dragon good!

 "Thou billow bold Befriend me!--Never I'll from thee sever!-- My father's Mound Dull stands, fast-bound, And self-same surges Chaunt changeless dirges; But blue shall mine Through foam-flow'rs shine, 'Mid tempests swimming, And storms thick dimming, And draw yet mo Down, down, below. -- My Life-Home given, Thou shalt, far-driven! My Barrow be-- Thou free broad Sea!"

 Tegnér, Frithiof Saga (G. Stephens's tr. ). 

Frithiof an Exile

Helgé started in pursuit with ten great dragon-ships, but these hadbarely got under way when they began to sink, and Björn said with alaugh, "What Ran enfolds I trust she will keep. " Even King Helgé waswith difficulty got ashore, and the survivors were forced to stand inhelpless inactivity while Ellida's great sails slowly sank beneath thehorizon. It was thus that Frithiof sadly saw his native land vanishfrom sight; and as it disappeared he breathed a tender farewell tothe beloved country which he never expected to see again. 

After thus parting from his native land, Frithiof roved the sea as apirate, or viking. His code was never to settle anywhere, to sleep onhis shield, to fight and neither give nor take quarter, to protectthe ships which paid him tribute and to plunder the others, and todistribute all the booty to his men, reserving for himself nothingbut the glory of the enterprise. Sailing and fighting thus, Frithiofvisited many lands, and came at last to the sunny isles of Greece, whither he would fain have carried Ingeborg as his bride; and thesights called up such a flood of sad memories that he was well-nighoverwhelmed with longing for his beloved and for his native land. 

At the Court of Sigurd Ring

Three years had passed away and Frithiof determined to returnnorthward and visit Sigurd Ring's court. When he announced hispurpose to Björn, his faithful companion reproached him for hisrashness in thinking to journey alone, but Frithiof would not beturned from his purpose, saying: "I am never alone while Angurvadelhangs at my side. " Steering Ellida up the Vik (the main part of theChristiania Fiord), he entrusted her to Björn's care, and, enveloped ina bear-hide, which he wore as a disguise, he set out on foot alone forthe court of Sigurd Ring, arriving there as the Yuletide festivitieswere in progress. As if nothing more than an aged beggar, Frithiof satdown upon the bench near the door, where he quickly became the buttof the courtiers' rough jokes. When one of his tormentors, however, approached too closely, the seeming beggar caught him in a powerfulgrasp and swung him high above his head. 

Terrified by this exhibition of superhuman strength, the courtiersquickly withdrew from the dangerous vicinity, while Sigurd Ring, whose attention was attracted by the commotion, sternly bade thestranger-guest approach and tell who thus dared to break the peacein his royal hall. 

Frithiof answered evasively that he was fostered in penitence, thathe inherited want, and that he came from the wolf; as to his name, this did not matter. The king, as was the courteous custom, did notpress him further, but invited him to take a seat beside him and thequeen, and to share his good cheer. "But first, " said he, "let fallthe clumsy covering which veils, if I mistake not, a proper form. "

Frithiof gladly accepted the invitation thus cordially given, and whenthe hairy hide fell from off his head and shoulders, he stood disclosedin the pride of youth, much to the surprise of the assembled warriors. 

But although his appearance marked him as of no common race, none of the courtiers recognised him. It was different, however, with Ingeborg. Had any curious eye been upon her at that momenther changing colour and the quick heaving of her breast would haverevealed her deep emotion. 

 "The astonish'd queen's pale cheeks, how fast-changing rose-tints dye!-- So purple Northlights, quiv'ring, on snow-hid meadows lie; Like two white water-lilies on storm-wave wild that rest, Each moment rising, falling, --so heaves her trembling breast!"

 Tegnér, Frithiof Saga (G. Stephens's tr. ). 

Frithiof had barely taken his seat at the board when with flourish oftrumpets a great boar was brought in and placed before the king. Inaccordance with the Yule-tide custom of those days the old monarchrose, and touching the head of the animal, he uttered a vow that withthe help of Frey, Odin, and Thor, he would conquer the bold championFrithiof. The next moment Frithiof, too, was upon his feet, and dashinghis sword upon the great wooden bench he declared that Frithiof washis kinsman and he also would vow that though all the world withstood, no harm should reach the hero while he had power to wield his sword. 

At this unexpected interruption the warriors had risen quicklyfrom the oaken benches, but Sigurd Ring smiled indulgently at theyoung man's vehemence and said: "Friend, thy words are overbold, but never yet was guest restrained from uttering his thoughts inthis kingly hall. " Then he turned to Ingeborg and bade her fill tothe brim with her choicest mead a huge horn, richly decorated, whichstood in front of her, and present it to the guest. The queen obeyedwith downcast eyes, and the trembling of her hand caused the liquidto overflow. Two ordinary men could hardly have drained the mightydraught, but Frithiof raised it to his lips, and when he removed thehorn not one drop of the mead remained. 

Ere the banquet was ended Sigurd Ring invited the youthful strangerto remain at his court until the return of spring, and accepting theproffered hospitality, Frithiof became the constant companion of theroyal couple, whom he accompanied upon all occasions. 

One day Sigurd Ring set out to a banquet with Ingeborg. They travelledin a sleigh, while Frithiof, with steel-shod feet, sped gracefullyby their side, cutting many mystic characters in the ice. Their waylay over a dangerous portion of the frozen surface, and Frithiofwarned the king that it would be prudent to avoid this. He wouldnot listen to the counsel, however, and suddenly the sleigh sankin a deep fissure, which threatened to engulph it with the king andqueen. But like falcon descending upon its quarry, Frithiof was attheir side in a moment, and without apparent effort he dragged thesteed and its burden on to the firm ice. "In good sooth, " said Ring, "Frithiof himself could not have done better. "

The long winter came to an end, and in the early spring the king andqueen arranged a hunting-party in which all the court were to takepart. During the progress of the chase the advancing years of SigurdRing made it impossible for him to keep up with the eager hunt, andthus it happened that he dropped behind, until at length he was leftwith Frithiof as his sole companion. They rode slowly together untilthey reached a pleasant dell which invited the weary king to repose, and he declared that he would lie down for a season to rest. 

 "Then threw Frithiof down his mantle, and upon the greensward spread, And the ancient king so trustful laid on Frithiof's knee his head; Slept, as calmly as the hero sleepeth after war's alarms On his shield, calm as an infant sleepeth in its mother's arms. "

 Tegnér, Frithiof Saga (Longfellow's tr. ). 

Frithiof's Loyalty

While the aged king was thus reposing, a bird sang to Frithiof from atree near by, bidding him take advantage of his host's powerlessnessto slay him, and recover the bride of whom he had been unfairlydeprived. But although Frithiof's hot young heart clamoured for hisbeloved, he utterly refused to entertain the dastardly suggestion, but, fearing lest he should be overcome by temptation, despite hishorror at the thought, he impulsively flung his sword far from himinto a neighbouring thicket. 

A few moments later Sigurd Ring opened his eyes, and informed Frithiofthat he had only feigned sleep; he told him also that having recognisedhim from the first, he had tested him in many ways, and had foundhis honour equal to his courage. Old age had now overtaken him andhe felt that death was drawing nigh. In but a short time, therefore, Frithiof might hope to realise his dearest hope, and Sigurd Ring toldhim that he would die happy if he would stay by him until the end. 

A revulsion of feeling had, however, overtaken Frithiof, and he toldthe aged king that he felt that Ingeborg could never be his, becauseof the wrath of Balder. Too long had he stayed; he would now go oncemore upon the sea and would seek death in the fray, that so he mightappease the offended gods. 

Full of his resolve, he quickly made preparations to depart, but whenhe returned to the court to bid farewell to his royal hosts he foundthat Sigurd Ring was at the point of death. The old warrior bethoughthim that "a straw death" would not win the favour of Odin, and inthe presence of Frithiof and his court he slashed bravely the deathrunes on his arm and breast. Then clasping Ingeborg with one hand, he raised the other in blessing over Frithiof and his youthful son, and so passed in peace to the halls of the blessed. 

 "Gods all, I hail ye! Sons of Valhalla! Earth disappears; to the Asa's high feast Gjallar-horn bids me; Blessedness, like a Gold-helmet, circles their up-coming guest!"

 Tegnér, Frithiof Saga (G. Stephens's tr. ). 

Betrothal of Frithiof and Ingeborg

The warriors of the nation now assembled in solemn Thing to choose asuccessor to the throne. Frithiof had won the people's enthusiasticadmiration, and they would fain have elected him king; but he raisedSigurd Ring's little son high on his shield when he heard the shoutwhich acclaimed his name, and presented the boy to the assembly astheir future king, publicly swearing to uphold him until he was ofage to defend the realm. The lad, weary of his cramped position, boldly sprang to the ground as soon as Frithiof's speech was ended, and alighted upon his feet. This act of agile daring in one so youngappealed to the rude Northmen, and a loud shout arose, "We choose thee, shield-borne child!"

 "But thron'd king-like, the lad sat proud On shield-floor high; So the eaglet glad, from rock-hung cloud, The Sun will eye!

 At length this place his young blood found Too dull to keep; And, with one spring, he gains the ground-- A royal leap!"

 Tegnér, Frithiof Saga (G. Stephens's tr. ). 

According to some accounts, Frithiof now made war against Ingeborg'sbrothers, and after conquering them, allowed them to retain theirkingdom on condition that they paid him a yearly tribute. Then he andIngeborg remained in Ringric until the young king was able to assumethe government, when they repaired to Hordaland, a kingdom Frithiofhad obtained by conquest, and which he left to his sons Gungthiofand Hunthiof. 

Bishop Tegnér's conclusion, however, differs very considerably, and if it appears less true to the rude temper of the rugged daysof the sea-rovers, its superior spiritual qualities make it moreattractive. According to Tegnér's poem, Frithiof was urged by thepeople of Sigurd Ring to espouse Ingeborg and remain amongst them asguardian of the realm. But he answered that this might not be, sincethe wrath of Balder still burned against him, and none else couldbestow his cherished bride. He told the people that he would fare overthe seas and seek forgiveness of the god, and soon after, his farewellswere spoken, and once more his vessel was speeding before the wind. 

Frithiof's first visit was paid to his father's burial mound, where, plunged in melancholy at the desolation around, he poured out his soulto the outraged god. He reminded him that it was the custom of theNorthmen to exact blood-fines for kinsmen slain, and surely the blessedgods would not be less forgiving than the earth-born. Passionatelyhe adjured Balder to show him how he could make reparation for hisunpremeditated fault, and suddenly, an answer was vouchsafed, andFrithiof beheld in the clouds a vision of a new temple. 

 "Then sudden, o'er the western waters pendent, An Image comes, with gold and flames resplendent, O'er Balder's grove it hovers, night's clouds under, Like gold crown resting on a bed of green. At last to a temple settling, firm 'tis grounded-- Where Balder stood, another temple's founded. "

 Tegnér, Frithiof Saga (G. Stephens's tr. ). 

The hero immediately understood that the gods had thus indicated ameans of atonement, and he grudged neither wealth nor pains until aglorious temple and grove, which far exceeded the splendour of theold shrine, rose out of the ruins. 

 "Finish'd great Balder's Temple stood! Round it no palisade of wood Ran now as erst; A railing stronger, fairer than the first, And all of hammer'd iron--each bar Gold-tipp'd and regular-- Walls Balder's sacred House. Like some long line Of steel-clad champions, whose bright war-spears shine And golden helms afar--so stood This glitt'ring guard within the holy wood!

 "Of granite blocks enormous, join'd with curious care And daring art, the massy pile was built; and there (A giant-work intended To last till time was ended, ) It rose like Upsal's temple, where the north Saw Valhall's halls fair imag'd here on earth. 

 "Proud stood it there on mountain-steep, its lofty brow Reflected calmly on the sea's bright-flowing wave. But round about, some girdle like of beauteous flow'rs, Went Balder's Dale, with all its groves' soft-murmur'd sighs, And all its birds' sweet-twitter'd songs, --the Home of Peace. "

 Tegnér, Frithiof Saga (G. Stephens's tr. ). 

Meantime, while the timbers were being hewed, King Helgé was absentupon a foray amongst the Finnish mountains. One day it chanced that hisband passed by a crag where stood the lonely shrine of some forgottengod, and King Helgé scaled the rocky summit with intent to raze theruined walls. The lock held fast, and, as Helgé tugged fiercely atthe mouldered gate, suddenly a sculptured image of the deity, rudelysummoned from his ancient sleep, started from his niche above. 

Heavily he fell upon the head of the intruder, and Helgé stretchedhis length upon the rocky floor, nor stirred again. 

When the temple was duly consecrated to Balder's service, Frithiofstood by the altar to await the coming of his expected bride. ButHalfdan first crossed the threshold, his faltering gait showingplainly that he feared an unfriendly reception. Seeing this, Frithiof unbuckled his sword and strode frankly to Halfdan with handoutstretched, whereupon the king, blushing deeply, grasped heartilythe proffered hand, and from that moment all their differences wereforgotten. The next moment Ingeborg approached and the renewed amityof the long-sundered friends was ratified with the hand of the bride, which Halfdan placed in that of his new brother. 

 "Over the copper threshold Halfdan now, With pallid brow And fearful fitful glance, advanceth slow Tow'rds yonder tow'ring ever-dreaded foe-- And, silent, at a distance stands, -- Then Frithiof, with quick hands, The corslet-hater, Angurvadel, from his thigh Unbuckleth, and his bright shield's golden round Leaning 'gainst the altar, thus draws nigh;--

 While his cow'd enemy He thus accosts, with pleasant dignity. -- 'Most noble in this strife will he be found Who first his right hand good Offers in pledge of peaceful brotherhood!'-- Then Halfdan, deeply blushing, doffs with haste His iron-gauntlet and, --with hearty grasp embrac'd, -- Each long, long, sever'd hand Its friend-foe hails, steadfast as mountain-bases stand!

 "And as th' last deep accents Of reconcilement and of blessing sounded; Lo! Ing'borg sudden enters, rich adorn'd With bridal ornaments, and all enrob'd In gorgeous ermine, and by bright-ey'd maidens Slow-follow'd, as on heav'n's broad canopy, Attending star-trains guard the regent-moon!-- But the young bride's fair eyes, Those two blue skies, Fill quick with tears, And to her brother's heart she trembling sinketh;-- He, with his sister's fears Deep-mov'd, her hand all tenderly in Frithiof's linketh, His burden soft transferring to that hero's breast, Its long-tried faith fit place for Ing'borg's rest. "

 Tegnér, Frithiof Saga (G. Stephens's tr. ). 

CHAPTER XXVIII: THE TWILIGHT OF THE GODS

The Decline of the Gods

One of the distinctive features of Northern mythology is that thepeople always believed that their gods belonged to a finite race. TheÆsir had had a beginning; therefore, it was reasoned, they must havean end; and as they were born from a mixture of the divine and giantelements, being thus imperfect, they bore within them the germ ofdeath, and were, like men, doomed to suffer physical death in orderto attain spiritual immortality. 

The whole scheme of Northern mythology was therefore a drama, everystep leading gradually to the climax or tragic end, when, with truepoetic justice, punishment and reward were impartially meted out. Inthe foregoing chapters, the gradual rise and decline of the gods havebeen carefully traced. We have recounted how the Æsir tolerated thepresence of evil, personated by Loki, in their midst; how they weaklyfollowed his advice, allowed him to involve them in all manner ofdifficulties from which they could be extricated only at the priceof part of their virtue or peace, and finally permitted him to gainsuch ascendency over them that he did not scruple to rob them oftheir dearest possession, purity, or innocence, as personified byBalder the good. 

Too late the gods realised how evil was this spirit that had founda home among them, and too late they banished Loki to earth, wheremen, following the gods' example, listened to his teachings, and werecorrupted by his sinister influence. 

 "Brothers slay brothers; Sisters' children Shed each other's blood. Hard is the world; Sensual sin grows huge. There are sword-ages, axe-ages; Shields are cleft in twain; Storm-ages, murder-ages; Till the world falls dead, And men no longer spare Or pity one another. "

 Norse Mythology (R. B. Anderson). 

The Fimbul-winter

Seeing that crime was rampant, and all good banished from the earth, the gods realised that the prophecies uttered of old were about to befulfilled, and that the shadow of Ragnarok, the twilight or dusk of thegods, was already upon them. Sol and Mani grew pale with affright, anddrove their chariots tremblingly along their appointed paths, lookingback with fear at the pursuing wolves which would shortly overtake anddevour them; and as their smiles disappeared the earth grew sad andcold, and the terrible Fimbul-winter began. Then snow fell from thefour points of the compass at once, the biting winds swept down fromthe north, and all the earth was covered with a thick layer of ice. 

 "Grim Fimbul raged, and o'er the world Tempestuous winds and snowstorms hurled; The roaring ocean icebergs ground, And flung its frozen foam around, E'en to the top of mountain height; No warming air Nor radiance fair Of gentle Summer's soft'ning light, Tempered this dreadful glacial night. "

 Valhalla (J. C. Jones). 

This severe winter lasted during three whole seasons without a break, and was followed by three others, equally severe, during which allcheer departed from the earth, and the crimes of men increased withfearful rapidity, whilst, in the general struggle for life, the lastfeelings of humanity and compassion disappeared. 

The Wolves Let Loose

In the dim recesses of the Ironwood the giantess Iarnsaxa or Angur-bodadiligently fed the wolves Hati, Sköll, and Managarm, the progeny ofFenris, with the marrow of murderers' and adulterers' bones; andsuch was the prevalence of these vile crimes, that the well-nighinsatiable monsters were never stinted for food. They daily gainedstrength to pursue Sol and Mani, and finally overtook and devouredthem, deluging the earth with blood from their dripping jaws. 

 "In the east she was seated, that aged woman, in Jarnrid, And there she nourished the posterity of Fenrir; He will be the most formidable of all, he Who, under the form of a monster, will swallow up the moon. "

 Voluspa (Pfeiffer's tr. ). 

At this terrible calamity the whole earth trembled and shook, thestars, affrighted, fell from their places, and Loki, Fenris, and Garm, renewing their efforts, rent their chains asunder and rushed forth totake their revenge. At the same moment the dragon Nidhug gnawed throughthe root of the ash Yggdrasil, which quivered to its topmost bough;the red cock Fialar, perched above Valhalla, loudly crowed an alarm, which was immediately echoed by Gullin-kambi, the rooster in Midgard, and by Hel's dark-red bird in Nifl-heim. 

 "The gold-combed cock The gods in Valhal loudly crowed to arms; The blood-red cock as shrilly summons all On earth and down beneath it. "

 Viking Tales of the North (R. B. Anderson). 

Heimdall Gives the Alarm

Heimdall, noting these ominous portents and hearing the cock'sshrill cry, immediately put the Giallar-horn to his lips and blew thelong-expected blast, which was heard throughout the world. At the firstsound of this rally Æsir and Einheriar sprang from their golden couchesand sallied bravely out of the great hall, armed for the coming fray, and, mounting their impatient steeds, they galloped over the quiveringrainbow bridge to the spacious field of Vigrid, where, as Vafthrudnirhad predicted long before, the last battle was to take place. 

The Terrors of the Sea

The terrible Midgard snake Iörmungandr had been aroused by the generaldisturbance, and with immense writhings and commotion, whereby theseas were lashed into huge waves such as had never before disturbedthe deeps of ocean, he crawled out upon the land, and hastened tojoin the dread fray, in which he was to play a prominent part. 

 "In giant wrath the Serpent tossed In ocean depths, till, free from chain, He rose upon the foaming main; Beneath the lashings of his tail, Seas, mountain high, swelled on the land; Then, darting mad the waves acrost, Pouring forth bloody froth like hail, Spurting with poisoned, venomed breath Foul, deadly mists o'er all the Earth, Thro' thundering surge, he sought the strand. "

 Valhalla (J. C. Jones). 

One of the great waves, stirred up by Iörmungandr's struggles, setafloat Nagilfar, the fatal ship, which was constructed entirely outof the nails of those dead folks whose relatives had failed, throughthe ages, in their duty, having neglected to pare the nails of thedeceased, ere they were laid to rest. No sooner was this vesselafloat, than Loki boarded it with the fiery host from Muspells-heim, and steered it boldly over the stormy waters to the place of conflict. 

This was not the only vessel bound for Vigrid, however, for out of athick fog bank towards the north came another ship, steered by Hrym, in which were all the frost giants, armed to the teeth and eager fora conflict with the Æsir, whom they had always hated. 

The Terrors of the Underworld

At the same time, Hel, the goddess of death, crept through a crevicein the earth out of her underground home, closely followed by theHel-hound Garm, the malefactors of her cheerless realm, and the dragonNidhug, which flew over the battlefield bearing corpses upon his wings. 

As soon as he landed, Loki welcomed these reinforcements with joy, and placing himself at their head he marched with them to the fight. 

Suddenly the skies were rent asunder, and through the fiery breachrode Surtr with his flaming sword, followed by his sons; and asthey rode over the bridge Bifröst, with intent to storm Asgard, the glorious arch sank with a crash beneath their horses' tread. 

 "Down thro' the fields of air, With glittering armour fair, In battle order bright, They sped while seething flame From rapid hoofstrokes came. Leading his gleaming band, rode Surtur, 'Mid the red ranks of raging fire. "

 Valhalla (J. C. Jones). 

The gods knew full well that their end was now near, and that theirweakness and lack of foresight placed them under great disadvantages;for Odin had but one eye, Tyr but one hand, and Frey nothing but astag's horn wherewith to defend himself, instead of his invinciblesword. Nevertheless, the Æsir did not show any signs of despair, but, like true battle-gods of the North, they donned their richest attire, and gaily rode to the battlefield, determined to sell their lives asdearly as possible. 

While they were mustering their forces, Odin once more rode down tothe Urdar fountain, where, under the toppling Yggdrasil, the Nornssat with veiled faces and obstinately silent, their web lying torn attheir feet. Once more the father of the gods whispered a mysteriouscommunication to Mimir, after which he remounted Sleipnir and rejoinedthe waiting host. 

The Great Battle

The combatants were now assembled on Vigrid's broad plain. On one sidewere ranged the stern, calm faces of the Æsir, Vanas, and Einheriar;while on the other were gathered the motley host of Surtr, the grimfrost giants, the pale army of Hel, and Loki and his dread followers, Garm, Fenris, and Iörmungandr, the two latter belching forth fire andsmoke, and exhaling clouds of noxious, deathly vapours, which filledall heaven and earth with their poisonous breath. 

 "The years roll on, The generations pass, the ages grow, And bring us nearer to the final day When from the south shall march the fiery band And cross the bridge of heaven, with Lok for guide, And Fenris at his heel with broken chain; While from the east the giant Rymer steers His ship, and the great serpent makes to land; And all are marshall'd in one flaming square Against the Gods, upon the plains of Heaven. "

 Balder Dead (Matthew Arnold). 

All the pent-up antagonism of ages was now let loose in a torrentof hate, each member of the opposing hosts fighting with grimdetermination, as did our ancestors of old, hand to hand and face toface. With a mighty shock, heard above the roar of battle which filledthe universe, Odin and the Fenris wolf came into impetuous contact, while Thor attacked the Midgard snake, and Tyr came to grips withthe dog Garm. Frey closed with Surtr, Heimdall with Loki, whom hehad defeated once before, and the remainder of the gods and all theEinheriar engaged foes equally worthy of their courage. But, in spiteof their daily preparation in the heavenly city, Valhalla's host wasdoomed to succumb, and Odin was amongst the first of the shiningones to be slain. Not even the high courage and mighty attributesof Allfather could withstand the tide of evil as personified in theFenris wolf. At each succeeding moment of the struggle its colossalsize assumed greater proportions, until finally its wide-open jawsembraced all the space between heaven and earth, and the foul monsterrushed furiously upon the father of gods and engulphed him bodilywithin its horrid maw. 

 "Fenrir shall with impious tooth Slay the sire of rolling years: Vithar shall avenge his fall, And, struggling with the shaggy wolf, Shall cleave his cold and gory jaws. "

 Vafthrudni's-mal (W. Taylor's tr. ). 

None of the gods could lend Allfather a helping hand at that criticalmoment, for it was a time of sore trial to all. Frey put forth heroicefforts, but Surtr's flashing sword now dealt him a death-stroke. Inhis struggle with the arch-enemy, Loki, Heimdall fared better, but hisfinal conquest was dearly bought, for he, too, fell dead. The strugglebetween Tyr and Garm had the same tragic end, and Thor, after a mostterrible encounter with the Midgard snake, and after slaying him witha stroke from Miölnir, staggered back nine paces, and was drowned inthe flood of venom which poured from the dying monster's jaws. 

 "Odin's son goes With the monster to fight; Midgard's Veor in his rage Will slay the worm; Nine feet will go Fiörgyn's son, Bowed by the serpent Who feared no foe. "

 Sæmund's Edda (Thorpe's tr. ). 

Vidar now came rushing from a distant part of the plain to avenge thedeath of his mighty sire, and the doom foretold fell upon Fenris, whoselower jaw now felt the impress of that shoe which had been reservedfor this day. At the same moment Vidar seized the monster's upperjaw with his hands, and with one terrible wrench tore him asunder. 

The Devouring Fire

The other gods who took part in the fray, and all the Einheriar havingnow perished, Surtr suddenly flung his fiery brands over heaven, earth, and the nine kingdoms of Hel. The raging flames enveloped the massivestem of the world ash Yggdrasil, and reached the golden palaces ofthe gods, which were utterly consumed. The vegetation upon earth waslikewise destroyed, and the fervent heat made all the waters seetheand boil. 

 "Fire's breath assails The all-nourishing tree, Towering fire plays Against heaven itself. "

 Sæmund's Edda (Thorpe's tr. ). 

The great conflagration raged fiercely until everything was consumed, when the earth, blackened and scarred, slowly sank beneath the boilingwaves of the sea. Ragnarok had indeed come; the world tragedy wasover, the divine actors were slain, and chaos seemed to have resumedits former sway. But as in a play, after the principals are slain andthe curtain has fallen, the audience still looks for the favouritesto appear and make their bow, so the ancient Northern races fanciedthat, all evil having perished in Surtr's flames, from the generalruin goodness would rise, to resume its sway over the earth, and thatsome of the gods would return to dwell in heaven for ever. 

 "All evil Dies there an endless death, while goodness riseth From that great world-fire, purified at last, To a life far higher, better, nobler than the past. 

 Viking Tales of the North (R. B. Anderson). 

Regeneration

Our ancestors believed fully in regeneration, and held that after acertain space of time the earth, purged by fire and purified by itsimmersion in the sea, rose again in all its pristine beauty and wasillumined by the sun, whose chariot was driven by a daughter of Sol, born before the wolf had devoured her mother. The new orb of daywas not imperfect, as the first sun had been, and its rays were nolonger so ardent that a shield had to be placed between it and theearth. These more beneficent rays soon caused the earth to renew itsgreen mantle, and to bring forth flowers and fruit in abundance. Twohuman beings, a woman, Lif, and a man, Lifthrasir, now emerged from thedepths of Hodmimir's (Mimir's) forest, whence they had fled for refugewhen Surtr set fire to the world. They had sunk into peaceful slumberthere, unconscious of the destruction around them, and had remained, nurtured by the morning dew, until it was safe for them to wanderout once more, when they took possession of the regenerated earth, which their descendants were to people and over which they were tohave full sway. 

 "We shall see emerge From the bright Ocean at our feet an earth More fresh, more verdant than the last, with fruits Self-springing, and a seed of man preserved, Who then shall live in peace, as then in war. "

 Balder Dead (Matthew Arnold). 

A New Heaven

All the gods who represented the developing forces of Nature wereslain on the fatal field of Vigrid, but Vali and Vidar, the types ofthe imperishable forces of Nature, returned to the field of Ida, wherethey were met by Modi and Magni, Thor's sons, the personificationsof strength and energy, who rescued their father's sacred hammer fromthe general destruction, and carried it thither with them. 

 "Vithar's then and Vali's force Heirs the empty realm of gods; Mothi's thew and Magni's might Sways the massy mallet's weight, Won from Thor, when Thor must fall. "

 Vafthrudni's-mal (W. Taylor's tr. ). 

Here they were joined by Hoenir, no longer an exile among the Vanas, who, as developing forces, had also vanished for ever; and out ofthe dark underworld where he had languished so long rose the radiantBalder, together with his brother Hodur, with whom he was reconciled, and with whom he was to live in perfect amity and peace. The pasthad gone for ever, and the surviving deities could recall it withoutbitterness. The memory of their former companions was, however, dearto them, and full often did they return to their old haunts to lingerover the happy associations. It was thus that walking one day in thelong grass on Idavold, they found again the golden disks with whichthe Æsir had been wont to sport. 

 "We shall tread once more that well-known plain Of Ida, and among the grass shall find The golden dice with which we play'd of yore; And that will bring to mind the former life And pastime of the Gods, the wise discourse Of Odin, the delights of other days. "

 Balder Dead (Matthew Arnold). 

When the small band of gods turned mournfully towards the placewhere their lordly dwellings once stood, they became aware, to theirjoyful surprise, that Gimli, the highest heavenly abode, had notbeen consumed, for it rose glittering before them, its golden roofoutshining the sun. Hastening thither they discovered, to the greatincrease of their joy, that it had become the place of refuge forall the virtuous. 

 "In Gimli the lofty There shall the hosts Of the virtuous dwell, And through all ages Taste of deep gladness. "

 Literature and Romance of Northern Europe (Howitt). 

One too Mighty to Name

As the Norsemen who settled in Iceland, and through whom themost complete exposition of the Odinic faith has come down to usin the Eddas and Sagas, were not definitely converted until theeleventh century, --although they had come in contact with Christiansduring their viking raids nearly six centuries before, --it is veryprobable that the Northern scalds gleaned some idea of the Christiandoctrines, and that this knowledge influenced them to a certainextent, and coloured their descriptions of the end of the world andthe regeneration of the earth. It was perhaps this vague knowledge, also, which induced them to add to the Edda a verse, which is generallysupposed to have been an interpolation, proclaiming that another God, too mighty to name, would arise to bear rule over Gimli. From hisheavenly seat he would judge mankind, and separate the bad from thegood. The former would be banished to the horrors of Nastrond, whilethe good would be transported to the blissful halls of Gimli the fair. 

 "Then comes another, Yet more mighty. But Him I dare not Venture to name. Few farther may look Than to where Odin To meet the wolf goes. "

 Literature and Romance of Northern Europe (Howitt). 

There were two other heavenly mansions, however, one reserved forthe dwarfs and the other for the giants; for as these creatureshad no free will, and but blindly executed the decrees of fate, they were not thought to be responsible for any harm done by them, and were therefore held to be undeserving of punishment. 

The dwarfs, ruled by Sindri, were said to occupy a hall in the Nidamountains, where they drank the sparkling mead, while the giants tooktheir pleasure in the hall Brimer, situated in the region Okolnur(not cool), for the power of cold was entirely annihilated, and therewas no more ice. 

Various mythologists have, of course, attempted to explain these myths, and some, as we have already stated, see in the story of Ragnarok theinfluence of Christian teachings, and esteem it only a barbaric versionof the end of the world and the coming judgment day, when a new heavenand earth shall arise, and all the good shall enjoy eternal bliss. 

CHAPTER XXIX: GREEK AND NORTHERN MYTHOLOGIES

Comparative Mythology

During the past fifty years learned men of many nations haveinvestigated philology and comparative mythology so thoroughly thatthey have ascertained beyond the possibility of doubt "that English, together with all the Teutonic dialects of the Continent, belongs tothat large family of speech which comprises, besides the Teutonic, Latin, Greek, Slavonic, and Celtic, the Oriental languages of Indiaand Persia. " "It has also been proved that the various tribes whostarted from the central home to discover Europe in the north, and India in the south, carried away with them, not only a commonlanguage, but a common faith and a common mythology. These are factswhich may be ignored but cannot be disputed, and the two sciencesof comparative grammar and comparative mythology, though but ofrecent origin, rest on a foundation as sound and safe as that ofany of the inductive sciences. " "For more than a thousand years theScandinavian inhabitants of Norway have been separated in languagefrom their Teutonic brethren on the Continent, and yet both have notonly preserved the same stock of popular stories, but they tell them, in several instances, in almost the same words. "

This resemblance, so strong in the early literature of nationsinhabiting countries which present much the same physical aspect andhave nearly the same climate, is not so marked when we compare theNorthern myths with those of the genial South. Still, notwithstandingthe contrast between Northern and Southern Europe, where these mythsgradually ripened and attained their full growth, there is an analogybetween the two mythologies which shows that the seeds from whenceboth sprang were originally the same. 

In the foregoing chapters the Northern system of mythology has beenoutlined as clearly as possible, and the physical significance ofthe myths has been explained. Now we shall endeavour to set forth theresemblance of Northern mythology to that of the other Aryan nations, by comparing it with the Greek, which, however, it does not resembleas closely as it does the Oriental. 

It is, of course, impossible in a work of this character to do morethan mention the main points of resemblance in the stories forming thebasis of these religions; but that will be sufficient to demonstrate, even to the most sceptical, that they must have been identical at aperiod too remote to indicate now with any certainty. 

The Beginning of Things

The Northern nations, like the Greeks, imagined that the worldrose out of chaos; and while the latter described it as a vapoury, formless mass, the former, influenced by their immediate surroundings, depicted it as a chaos of fire and ice--a combination which is onlytoo comprehensible to any one who has visited Iceland and seen thewild, peculiar contrast between its volcanic soil, spouting geysers, and the great icebergs which hedge it round during the long, darkwinter season. 

From these opposing elements, fire and ice, were born the firstdivinities, who, like the first gods of the Greeks, were gigantic instature and uncouth in appearance. Ymir, the huge ice giant, and hisdescendants, are comparable to the Titans, who were also elementalforces of Nature, personifications of subterranean fire; and both, having held full sway for a time, were obliged to yield to greaterperfection. After a fierce struggle for supremacy, they all foundthemselves defeated and banished to the respective remote regions ofTartarus and Jötun-heim. 

The triad, Odin, Vili, and Ve, of the Northern myth is the exactcounterpart of Jupiter, Neptune, and Pluto, who, superior to theTitan forces, rule supreme over the world in their turn. In the Greekmythology, the gods, who are also all related to one another, betakethemselves to Olympus, where they build golden palaces for their use;and in the Northern mythology the divine conquerors repair to Asgard, and there construct similar dwellings. 

Cosmogony

Northern cosmogony was not unlike the Greek, for the people imaginedthat the earth, Mana-heim, was entirely surrounded by the sea, atthe bottom of which lay coiled the huge Midgard snake, biting itsown tail; and it was perfectly natural that, viewing the storm-lashedwaves which beat against their shores, they should imagine these tobe caused by his convulsive writhing. The Greeks, who also fanciedthe earth was round and compassed by a mighty river called Oceanus, described it as flowing with "a steady, equable current, " for theygenerally gazed out upon calm and sunlit seas. Nifl-heim, the Northernregion of perpetual cold and mist, had its exact counterpart in theland north of the Hyperboreans, where feathers (snow) continuallyhovered in the air, and where Hercules drove the Ceryneian stag intoa snowdrift ere he could seize and bind it fast. 

The Phenomena of the Sky

Like the Greeks, the Northern races believed that the earth wascreated first, and that the vaulted heavens were made afterwards toovershadow it entirely. They also imagined that the sun and moon weredaily driven across the sky in chariots drawn by fiery steeds. Sol, the sun maiden, therefore corresponded to Helios, Hyperion, Phoebus, or Apollo, while Mani, the Moon (owing to a peculiarity of Northerngrammar, which makes the sun feminine and the moon masculine), wasthe exact counterpart of Phoebe, Diana, or Cynthia. 

The Northern scalds, who thought that they descried the prancingforms of white-maned steeds in the flying clouds, and the glitterof spears in the flashing light of the aurora borealis, said thatthe Valkyrs, or battle maidens, galloped across the sky, while theGreeks saw in the same natural phenomena the white flocks of Apolloguarded by Phaetusa and Lampetia. 

As the dew fell from the clouds, the Northern poets declared thatit dropped from the manes of the Valkyrs' steeds, while the Greeks, who observed that it generally sparkled longest in the thickets, identified it with Daphne and Procris, whose names are derived fromthe Sanskrit word which means "to sprinkle, " and who are slain bytheir lovers, Apollo and Cephalus, personifications of the sun. 

The earth was considered in the North as well as in the South asa female divinity, the fostering mother of all things; and it wasowing to climatic difference only that the mythology of the North, where people were daily obliged to conquer the right to live by ahand-to-hand struggle with Nature, should represent her as hard andfrozen like Rinda, while the Greeks embodied her in the genial goddessCeres. The Greeks believed that the cold winter winds swept down fromthe North, and the Northern races, in addition, added that they wereproduced by the winnowing of the wings of the great eagle Hræ-svelgr. 

The dwarfs, or dark elves, bred in Ymir's flesh, were like Pluto'sservants in that they never left their underground realm, where they, too, sought the precious metals, which they moulded into delicateornaments such as Vulcan bestowed upon the gods, and into weaponswhich no one could either dint or mar. As for the light elves, wholived above ground and cared for plants, trees, and streams, they wereevidently the Northern equivalents to the nymphs, dryads, oreades, and hamadryads, which peopled the woods, valleys, and fountains ofancient Greece. 

Jupiter and Odin

Jupiter, like Odin, was the father of the gods, the god of victory, and a personification of the universe. Hlidskialf, Allfather's loftythrone, was no less exalted than Olympus or Ida, whence the Thunderercould observe all that was taking place; and Odin's invincible spearGungnir was as terror-inspiring as the thunderbolts brandished by hisGreek prototype. The Northern deities feasted continually upon meadand boar's flesh, the drink and meat most suitable to the inhabitantsof a Northern climate, while the gods of Olympus preferred the nectarand ambrosia which formed their only sustenance. 

Twelve Æsir sat in Odin's council hall to deliberate over the wisestmeasures for the government of the world and men, and an equal numberof gods assembled on the cloudy peak of Mount Olympus for a similarpurpose. The Golden Age in Greece was a period of idyllic happiness, amid ever-flowering groves and under balmy skies, while the Northernage of bliss was also a time when peace and innocence flourished onthe earth, and when evil was as yet entirely unknown. 

The Creation of Man

Using the materials near at hand, the Greeks modelled their firstimages out of clay; hence they naturally imagined that Prometheus hadmade man out of that substance when called upon to fashion a creatureinferior to the gods only. As the Northern statues were hewn outof wood, the Northern races inferred, as a matter of course, thatOdin, Vili, and Ve (who here correspond to Prometheus, Epimetheus, and Minerva, the three Greek creators of man) made the first humancouple, Ask and Embla, out of blocks of wood. 

The goat Heidrun, which supplied the heavenly mead, is like Amalthea, Jupiter's first nurse, and the busy, tell-tale Ratatosk is equivalentto the snow-white crow in the story of Coronis, which was turned blackin punishment for its tattling. Jupiter's eagle has its counterpartin the ravens Hugin and Munin, or in the wolves Geri and Freki, which are ever crouching at Odin's feet. 

Norns and Fates

The close resemblance between the Northern Orlog and the Greek Destiny, goddesses whose decrees the gods themselves were obliged to respect, and the equally powerful Norns and Moeræ, is too obvious to needpointing out, while the Vanas are counterparts of Neptune and theother ocean divinities. The great quarrel between the Vanas and theÆsir is merely another version of the dispute between Jupiter andNeptune for the supremacy of the world. Just as Jupiter forces hisbrother to yield to his authority, so the Æsir remain masters of all, but do not refuse to continue to share their power with their conqueredfoes, who thus become their allies and friends. 

Like Jupiter, Odin is always described as majestic and middle-aged, and both gods are regarded as the divine progenitors of royalraces, for while the Heraclidæ claimed Jupiter as their father, theInglings, Skioldings, etc. , held that Odin was the founder of theirfamilies. The most solemn oaths were sworn by Odin's spear as well asby Jupiter's footstool, and both gods rejoice in a multitude of names, all descriptive of the various phases of their nature and worship. 

Odin, like Jupiter, frequently visited the earth in disguise, tojudge of the hospitable intentions of mankind, as in the story ofGeirrod and Agnar, which resembles that of Philemon and Baucis. Theaim was to encourage hospitality; therefore, in both stories, thosewho showed themselves humanely inclined are richly rewarded, and inthe Northern myth the lesson is enforced by the punishment inflictedupon Geirrod, as the scalds believed in poetic justice and saw thatit was carefully meted out. 

The contest of wit between Odin and Vafthrudnir has its parallel inthe musical rivalry of Apollo and Marsyas, or in the test of skillbetween Minerva and Arachne. Odin further resembled Apollo in thathe, too, was god of eloquence and poetry, and could win all heartsby means of his divine voice; he was like Mercury in that he taughtmortals the use of runes, while the Greek god introduced the alphabet. 

Myths of the Seasons

The disappearance of Odin, the sun or summer, and the consequentdesolation of Frigga, the earth, is merely a different version ofthe myths of Proserpine and Adonis. When Proserpine and Adonis havegone, the earth (Ceres or Venus) bitterly mourns their absence, andrefuses all consolation. It is only when they return from their exilethat she casts off her mourning garments and gloom, and again decksherself in all her jewels. So Frigga and Freya bewail the absence oftheir husbands Odin and Odur, and remain hard and cold until theirreturn. Odin's wife, Saga, the goddess of history, who lingered bySokvabek, "the stream of time and events, " taking note of all she saw, is like Clio, the muse of history, whom Apollo sought by the inspiringfount of Helicon. 

Just as, according to Euhemerus, there was an historical Zeus, buried in Crete, where his grave can still be seen, so there was anhistorical Odin, whose mound rises near Upsala, where the greatestNorthern temple once stood, and where there was a mighty oak whichrivalled the famous tree of Dodona. 

Frigga and Juno

Frigga, like Juno, was a personification of the atmosphere, thepatroness of marriage, of connubial and motherly love, and the goddessof childbirth. She, too, is represented as a beautiful, statelywoman, rejoicing in her adornments; and her special attendant, Gna, rivals Iris in the rapidity with which she executes her mistress'sbehests. Juno has full control over the clouds, which she can brushaway with a motion of her hand, and Frigga is supposed to weave themout of the thread she has spun on her jewelled spinning wheel. 

In Greek mythology we find many examples of the way in which Junoseeks to outwit Jupiter. Similar tales are not lacking in the Northernmyths. Juno obtains possession of Io, in spite of her husband'sreluctance to part with her, and Frigga artfully secures the victoryfor the Winilers in the Langobarden Saga. Odin's wrath at Frigga'stheft of the gold from his statue is equivalent to Jupiter's maritaldispleasure at Juno's jealousy and interference during the war ofTroy. In the story of Gefjon, and the clever way in which she procuredland from Gylfi to form her kingdom of Seeland, we have a reproductionof the story of Dido, who obtained by stratagem the land upon which shefounded her city of Carthage. In both accounts oxen come into play, for while in the Northern myth these sturdy beasts draw the pieceof land far out to sea, in the other an ox hide, cut into strips, serves to enclose the queen's grant. 

Musical Myths

The Pied Piper of Hamelin, who could attract all living creaturesby his music, is like Orpheus or Amphion, whose lyres had the samepower; and Odin, as leader of the dead, is the counterpart of MercuryPsychopompus, both being personifications of the wind, on whose wingsdisembodied souls were thought to be wafted from this mortal sphere. 

The trusty Eckhardt, who would fain save Tannhäuser and prevent hisreturning to expose himself to the enchantments of the sorceress, in the Hörselberg, is like the Greek Mentor, who not only accompaniedTelemachus, but gave him good advice and wise instructions, and wouldhave rescued Ulysses from the hands of Calypso. 

Thor and the Greek Gods

Thor, the Northern thunder-god, also has many points of resemblancewith Jupiter. He bears the hammer Miölnir, the Northern emblem of thedeadly thunderbolt, and, like Jupiter, uses it freely when warringagainst the giants. In his rapid growth Thor resembles Mercury, forwhile the former playfully tosses about several loads of ox hides afew hours after his birth, the latter steals Apollo's oxen before heis one day old. In physical strength Thor resembles Hercules, who alsogave early proofs of uncommon vigour by strangling the serpents sentto slay him in his cradle, and who delighted, later on, in attackingand conquering giants and monsters. Hercules became a woman and tookto spinning to please Omphale, the Lydian queen, and Thor assumed awoman's apparel to visit Thrym and recover his hammer, which had beenburied nine rasts underground. The hammer, his principal attribute, was used for many sacred purposes. It consecrated the funeral pyreand the marriage rite, and boundary stakes driven in by a hammer wereconsidered as sacred among Northern nations as the Hermæ or statuesof Mercury, removal of which was punishable by death. 

Thor's wife, Sif, with her luxuriant golden hair, is, as we havealready stated, an emblem of the earth, and her hair of its richvegetation. Loki's theft of these tresses is equivalent to Pluto's rapeof Proserpine. To recover the golden locks, Loki must visit the dwarfs(Pluto's servants), crouching in the low passages of the undergroundworld; so Mercury must seek Proserpine in Hades. 

The gadfly which hinders Jupiter from recovering possession ofIo, after Mercury has slain Argus, reappears in the Northern mythto sting Brock and to endeavour to prevent the manufacture of themagic ring Draupnir, which is merely a counterpart of Sif's tresses, as it also represents the fruits of the earth. The fly continues totorment the dwarf during the manufacture of Frey's golden-bristledboar, a prototype of Apollo's golden sun chariot, and it preventsthe perfect formation of the handle of Thor's hammer. 

The magic ship Skidbladnir, also made by the dwarfs, is like theswift-sailing Argo, which was a personification of the clouds sailingoverhead; and just as the former was said to be large enough toaccommodate all the gods, so the latter bore all the Greek heroesoff to the distant land of Colchis. 

The Germans, wishing to name the days of the week after their gods, as the Romans had done, gave the name of Thor to Jove's day, and thusmade it the present Thursday. 

Thor's struggle against Hrungnir is a parallel to the fight betweenHercules and Cacus or Antæus; while Groa is evidently Ceres, for she, too, mourns for her absent child Orvandil (Proserpine), and breaksout into a song of joy when she hears that it will return. 

Magni, Thor's son, who when only three hours old exhibits hismarvellous strength by lifting Hrungnir's leg off his recumbent father, also reminds us of the infant Hercules; and Thor's voracious appetiteat Thrym's wedding feast has its parallel in Mercury's first meal, which consisted of two whole oxen. 

The crossing of the swollen tide of Veimer by Thor reminds us ofJason's feat when he waded across the torrent on his way to visitthe tyrant Pelias and recover possession of his father's throne. 

The marvellous necklace worn by Frigga and Freya to enhance theircharms is like the cestus or girdle of Venus, which Juno borrowed tosubjugate her lord, and is, like Sif's tresses and the ring Draupnir, an emblem of luxuriant vegetation or a type of the stars which shinein the firmament. 

The Northern sword-god Tyr is, of course, the Greek war-god Ares, whom he so closely resembles that his name was given to the day ofthe week held sacred to Ares, which is even now known as Tuesday orTiu's day. Like Ares, Tyr was noisy and courageous; he delighted inthe din of battle, and was fearless at all times. He alone dared tobrave the Fenris wolf; and the Southern proverb concerning Scylla andCharybdis has its counterpart in the Northern adage, "to get looseout of Læding and to dash out of Droma. " The Fenris wolf, also apersonification of subterranean fire, is bound, like his prototypesthe Titans, in Tartarus. 

The similarity between the gentle, music-loving Bragi, with his harp, and Apollo or Orpheus, is very great; so is the resemblance betweenthe magic draught Od-hroerir and the waters of Helicon, both of whichwere supposed to serve as inspiration to mortal as well as to immortalpoets. Odin dons eagle plumes to bear away this precious mead, andJupiter assumes a similar guise to secure his cupbearer Ganymede. 

Idun, like Adonis and Proserpine, or still more like Eurydice, is alsoa fair personification of spring. She is borne away by the cruel icegiant Thiassi, who represents the boar which slew Adonis, the kidnapperof Proserpine, or the poisonous serpent which bit Eurydice. Idun isdetained for a long time in Jötun-heim (Hades), where she forgets allher merry, playful ways, and becomes mournful and pale. She cannotreturn alone to Asgard, and it is only when Loki (now an emblem ofthe south wind) comes to bear her away in the shape of a nut or aswallow that she can effect her escape. She reminds us of Proserpineand Adonis escorted back to earth by Mercury (god of the wind), orof Eurydice lured out of Hades by the sweet sounds of Orpheus's harp, which were also symbolical of the soughing of the winds. 

Idun and Eurydice

The myth of Idun's fall from Yggdrasil into the darkest depths ofNifl-heim, while subject to the same explanation and comparison as theabove story, is still more closely related to the tale of Orpheus andEurydice, for the former, like Bragi, cannot exist without the latter, whom he follows even into the dark realm of death; without her hissongs are entirely silenced. The wolf-skin in which Idun is envelopedis typical of the heavy snows in Northern regions, which preserve thetender roots from the blighting influence of the extreme winter cold. 

Skadi and Diana

The Van Niörd, who is god of the sunny summer seas, has his counterpartin Neptune and more especially in Nereus, the personification of thecalm and pleasant aspect of the mighty deep. Niörd's wife, Skadi, is the Northern huntress; she therefore resembles Diana. Like her, she bears a quiver full of arrows, and a bow which she handles withconsummate skill. Her short gown permits the utmost freedom of motion, also, and she, too, is generally accompanied by a hound. 

The story of the transference of Thiassi's eyes to the firmament, where they glow like brilliant stars, reminds us of many Greek starmyths, and especially of Argus's eyes ever on the watch, of Orion andhis jewelled girdle, and of his dog Sirius, all changed into starsby the gods to appease angry goddesses. Loki's antics to win a smilefrom the irate Skadi are considered akin to the quivering flashes ofsheet-lightning which he personified in the North, while Steropes, the Cyclops, typified it for the Greeks. 

Frey and Apollo

The Northern god of sunshine and summer showers, the genial Frey, has many traits in common with Apollo, for, like him, he is beautifuland young, rides the golden-bristled boar which was the Northernconception of the sunbeams, or drives across the sky in a golden car, which reminds us of Apollo's glittering chariot. 

Frey has some of the gentle Zephyrus's characteristics besides, forhe, too, scatters flowers along his way. His horse Blodug-hofi isnot unlike Pegasus, Apollo's favourite steed, for it can pass throughfire and water with equal ease and velocity. 

Fro, like Odin and Jupiter, is also identified with a human king, andhis mound lies beside Odin's near Upsala. His reign was so happy thatit was called the Golden Age, and he therefore reminds us of Saturn, who, exiled to earth, ruled over the people of Italy, and grantedthem similar prosperity. 

Freya and Venus

Gerda, the beautiful maiden, is like Venus, and also like Atalanta;she is hard to woo and hard to win, like the fleet-footed maiden, but, like her, she yields at last and becomes a happy wife. The goldenapples with which Skirnir tries to bribe her remind us of the goldenfruit which Hippomenes cast in Atalanta's way, and which made herlose the race. 

Freya, the goddess of youth, love, and beauty, like Venus, sprang fromthe sea, for she is a daughter of the sea-god Niörd. Venus bestowedher best affections upon the god of war and upon the martial Anchises, while Freya often assumes the garb of a Valkyr, and rides rapidlyto earth to take part in mortal strife and bear away the heroicslain to feast in her halls. Like Venus, she delights in offeringsof fruits and flowers, and lends a gracious ear to the petitionsof lovers. Freya also resembles Minerva, for, like her, she wearsa helmet and breastplate, and, like her, also, she is noted for herbeautiful blue eyes. 

Odur and Adonis

Odur, Freya's husband, is like Adonis, and when he leaves her, she, too, sheds countless tears, which, in her case, are turnedto gold, while Venus's tears are changed into anemones, and thoseof the Heliades, mourning for Phaeton, harden to amber, whichresembles gold in colour and in consistency. Just as Venus rejoicesat Adonis's return, and all Nature blooms in sympathy with her joy, so Freya becomes lighthearted once more when she has found her husbandbeneath the flowering myrtles of the South. Venus's car is drawn byfluttering doves, and Freya's is swiftly carried along by cats, whichare emblems of sensual love, as the doves were considered types oftenderest love. Freya is appreciative of beauty and angrily refusesto marry Thrym, while Venus scorns and finally deserts Vulcan, whomshe has been forced to marry against her will. 

The Greeks represented Justice as a goddess blindfolded, with scalesin one hand and a sword in the other, to indicate the impartiality andthe fixity of her decrees. The corresponding deity of the North wasForseti, who patiently listened to both sides of a question ere he, too, promulgated his impartial and irrevocable sentence. 

Uller, the winter-god, resembles Apollo and Orion only in his love forthe chase, which he pursues with ardour under all circumstances. Heis the Northern bowman, and his skill is quite as unerring as theirs. 

Heimdall, like Argus, was gifted with marvellous keenness of sight, which enabled him to see a hundred miles off as plainly by night asby day. His Giallar-horn, which could be heard throughout all theworld, proclaiming the gods' passage to and fro over the quiveringbridge Bifröst, was like the trumpet of the goddess Renown. As hewas related to the water deities on his mother's side, he could, like Proteus, assume any form at will, and he made good use of thispower on the occasion when he frustrated Loki's attempt to steal thenecklace Brisinga-men. 

Hermod, the quick or nimble, resembles Mercury not only in hismarvellous celerity of motion. He, too, was the messenger of the gods, and, like the Greek divinity, flashed hither and thither, aided not bywinged cap and sandals, but by Odin's steed Sleipnir, whom he alonewas allowed to bestride. Instead of the Caduceus, he bore the wandGambantein. He questioned the Norns and the magician Rossthiof, throughwhom he learned that Vali would come to avenge his brother Balder andto supplant his father Odin. Instances of similar consultations arefound in Greek mythology, where Jupiter would fain have married Thetis, yet desisted when the Fates foretold that if he did so she would bethe mother of a son who would surpass his father in glory and renown. 

The Northern god of silence, Vidar, has some resemblance to Hercules, for while the latter has nothing but a club with which to defendhimself against the Nemean lion, whom he tears asunder, the formeris enabled to rend the Fenris wolf at Ragnarok by the possession ofone large shoe. 

Rinda and Danae

Odin's courtship of Rinda reminds us of Jupiter's wooing of Danae, who is also a symbol of the earth; and while the shower of gold inthe Greek tale is intended to represent the fertilising sunbeams, thefootbath in the Northern story typifies the spring thaw which sets inwhen the sun has overcome the resistance of the frozen earth. Perseus, the child of this union, has many points of resemblance with Vali, for he, too, is an avenger, and slays his mother's enemies just assurely as Vali destroys Hodur, the murderer of Balder. 

The Fates were supposed to preside over birth in Greece, and toforetell a child's future, as did the Norns; and the story of Meleagerhas its unmistakable parallel in that of Nornagesta. Althæa preservesthe half-consumed brand in a chest, Nornagesta conceals the candle-endin his harp; and while the Greek mother brings about her son's deathby casting the brand into the fire, Nornagesta, compelled to lighthis candle-end at Olaf's command, dies as it sputters and burns out. 

Hebe and the Valkyrs were the cupbearers of Olympus and Asgard. Theywere all personifications of youth; and while Hebe married the greathero and demigod Hercules when she ceased to fulfil her office, theValkyrs were relieved from their duties when united to heroes likeHelgi, Hakon, Völund, or Sigurd. 

The Cretan labyrinth has its counterpart in the Icelandic Völundarhaus, and Völund and Dædalus both effect their escape from a maze by acleverly devised pair of wings, which enable them to fly in safetyover land and sea and escape from the tyranny of their respectivemasters, Nidud and Minos. Völund resembles Vulcan, also, in thathe is a clever smith and makes use of his talents to work out hisrevenge. Vulcan, lamed by a fall from Olympus, and neglected by Juno, whom he had tried to befriend, sends her a golden throne, which isprovided with cunning springs to seize and hold her fast. Völund, hamstrung by the suggestion of Nidud's queen, secretly murders hersons, and out of their eyes fashions marvellous jewels, which sheunsuspectingly wears upon her breast until he reveals their origin. 

Myths of the Sea

Just as the Greeks fancied that the tempests were the effect ofNeptune's wrath, so the Northern races attributed them either to thewrithings of Iörmungandr, the Midgard snake, or to the anger of Ægir, who, crowned with seaweed like Neptune, often sent his children, the wave maidens (the counterpart of the Nereides and Oceanides), to play on the tossing billows. Neptune had his dwelling in the coralcaves near the Island of Euboea, while Ægir lived in a similar palacenear the Cattegat. Here he was surrounded by the nixies, undines, and mermaids, the counterpart of the Greek water nymphs, and by theriver-gods of the Rhine, Elbe, and Neckar, who remind us of Alpheusand Peneus, the river-gods of the Greeks. 

The frequency of shipwrecks on the Northern coasts made the peoplethink of Ran (the equivalent of the Greek sea-goddess Amphitrite) asgreedy and avaricious, and they described her as armed with a strongnet, with which she drew all things down into the deep. The GreekSirens had their parallel in the Northern Lorelei, who possessed thesame gift of song, and also lured mariners to their death; whilePrincess Ilse, who was turned into a fountain, reminds us of thenymph Arethusa, who underwent a similar transformation. 

In the Northern conception of Nifl-heim we have an almost exactcounterpart of the Greek Hades. Mödgud, the guardian of theGiallar-bridge (the bridge of death), over which all the spirits ofthe dead must pass, exacts a tribute of blood as rigorously as Charondemands an obolus from every soul he ferries over Acheron, the riverof death. The fierce dog Garm, cowering in the Gnipa hole, and keepingguard at Hel's gate, is like the three-headed monster Cerberus; andthe nine worlds of Nifl-heim are not unlike the divisions of Hades, Nastrond being an adequate substitute for Tartarus, where the wickedwere punished with equal severity. 

The custom of burning dead heroes with their arms, and of slayingvictims, such as horses and dogs, upon their pyre, was much the samein the North as in the South; and while Mors or Thanatos, the GreekDeath, was represented with a sharp scythe, Hel was depicted with abroom or rake, which she used as ruthlessly, and with which she didas much execution. 

Balder and Apollo

Balder, the radiant god of sunshine, reminds us not only of Apollo andOrpheus, but of all the other heroes of sun myths. His wife Nanna islike Flora, and still more like Proserpine, for she, too, goes downinto the underworld, where she tarries for a while. Balder's goldenhall of Breidablik is like Apollo's palace in the east; he, also, delights in flowers; all things smile at his approach, and willinglypledge themselves not to injure him. As Achilles was vulnerable onlyin the heel, so Balder could be slain only by the harmless mistletoe, and his death is occasioned by Loki's jealousy just as Hercules wasslain by that of Deianeira. Balder's funeral pyre on Ringhorn remindsus of Hercules's death on Mount OEta, the flames and reddish glow ofboth fires serving to typify the setting sun. The Northern god of sunand summer could only be released from Nifl-heim if all animate andinanimate objects shed tears; so Proserpine could issue from Hadesonly upon condition that she had partaken of no food. The triflingrefusal of Thok to shed a single tear is like the pomegranate seedswhich Proserpine ate, and the result is equally disastrous in bothcases, as it detains Balder and Proserpine underground, and the earth(Frigga or Ceres) must continue to mourn their absence. 

Through Loki evil entered into the Northern world; Prometheus'sgift of fire brought the same curse upon the Greeks. The punishmentinflicted by the gods upon the culprits is not unlike, for whileLoki is bound with adamantine chains underground, and tortured bythe continuous dropping of venom from the fangs of a snake fastenedabove his head, Prometheus is similarly fettered to Caucasus, and aravenous vulture continually preys upon his liver. Loki's punishmenthas another counterpart in that of Tityus, bound in Hades, and inthat of Enceladus, chained beneath Mount Ætna, where his writhingproduced earthquakes, and his imprecations caused sudden eruptionsof the volcano. Loki, further, resembles Neptune in that he, too, assumed an equine form and was the parent of a wonderful steed, for Sleipnir rivals Arion both in speed and endurance. 

The Fimbul-winter has been compared to the long preliminary fight underthe walls of Troy, and Ragnarok, the grand closing drama of Northernmythology, to the burning of that famous city. "Thor is Hector;the Fenris wolf, Pyrrhus, son of Achilles, who slew Priam (Odin);and Vidar, who survives in Ragnarok, is Æneas. " The destruction ofPriam's palace is the type of the ruin of the gods' golden halls;and the devouring wolves Hati, Sköll, and Managarm, the fiends ofdarkness, are prototypes of Paris and all the other demons of darkness, who bear away or devour the sun-maiden Helen. 

Ragnarok and the Deluge

According to another interpretation, however, Ragnarok and theconsequent submersion of the world is but a Northern version of theDeluge. The survivors, Lif and Lifthrasir, like Deucalion and Pyrrha, were destined to repeople the world; and just as the shrine of Delphialone resisted the destructive power of the great cataclysm, so Gimlistood radiant to receive the surviving gods. 

Giants and Titans

We have already seen how closely the Northern giants resembled theTitans. It only remains to mention that while the Greeks imaginedthat Atlas was changed into a mountain, so the Northmen believed thatthe Riesengebirge, in Germany, were formed from giants, and that theavalanches which descended from their lofty heights were the burdensof snow which these giants impatiently shook from their crests asthey changed their cramped positions. The apparition, in the shape ofa bull, of one of the water giants, who came to woo the queen of theFranks, has its parallel in the story of Jupiter's wooing of Europa, and Meroveus is evidently the exact counterpart of Sarpedon. A faintresemblance can be traced between the giant ship Mannigfual and theArgo, for while the one is supposed to have cruised through the Ægeanand Euxine Seas, and to have made many places memorable by the dangersit encountered there, so the Northern vessel sailed about the Northand Baltic Seas, and is mentioned in connection with the Island ofBornholm and the cliffs of Dover. 

While the Greeks imagined that Nightmares were the evil dreams whichescaped from the Cave of Somnus, the Northern race fancied they werefemale dwarfs or trolls, who crept out of the dark recesses of theearth to torment them. All magic weapons in the North were said tobe the work of the dwarfs, the underground smiths, while those of theGreeks were manufactured by Vulcan and the Cyclopes, under Mount Ætna, or on the Island of Lemnos. 

The Volsunga Saga

In the Sigurd myth we find Odin one-eyed like the Cyclopes, who, likehim, are personifications of the sun. Sigurd is instructed by Gripir, the horse-trainer, who is reminiscent of Chiron, the centaur. He isnot only able to teach a young hero all he need know, and to give himgood advice concerning his future conduct, but is also possessed ofthe gift of prophecy. 

The marvellous sword which becomes the property of Sigmund and ofSigurd as soon as they prove themselves worthy to wield it, and thesword Angurvadel which Frithiof inherits from his sire, remind us ofthe weapon which Ægeus concealed beneath the rock, and which Theseussecured as soon as he had become a man. Sigurd, like Theseus, Perseus, and Jason, seeks to avenge his father's wrongs ere he sets out insearch of the golden hoard, the exact counterpart of the golden fleece, which is also guarded by a dragon, and is very hard to secure. Likeall the Greek sun-gods and heroes, Sigurd has golden hair and brightblue eyes. His struggle with Fafnir reminds us of Apollo's fight withPython, while the ring Andvaranaut can be likened to Venus's cestus, and the curse attached to its possessor is like the tragedy of Helen, who brought endless bloodshed upon all connected with her. 

Sigurd could not have conquered Fafnir without the magic sword, justas the Greeks failed to take Troy without the arrows of Philoctetes, which are also emblems of the all-conquering rays of the sun. Therecovery of the stolen treasure is like Menelaus's recovery of Helen, and it apparently brings as little happiness to Sigurd as his recreantwife did to the Spartan king. 

Brunhild

Brunhild resembles Minerva in her martial tastes, physical appearance, and wisdom; but her anger and resentment when Sigurd forgets herfor Gudrun is like the wrath of OEnone, whom Paris deserts to wooHelen. Brunhild's anger continues to accompany Sigurd through life, and she even seeks to compass his death, while OEnone, called to cureher wounded lover, refuses to do so and permits him to die. OEnoneand Brunhild are both overcome by the same remorseful feelings whentheir lovers have breathed their last, and both insist upon sharingtheir funeral pyres, and end their lives by the side of those whomthey had loved. 

Sun Myths

Containing, as it does, a whole series of sun myths, the Volsunga Sagarepeats itself in every phase; and just as Ariadne, forsaken by thesun-hero Theseus, finally marries Bacchus, so Gudrun, when Sigurd hasdeparted, marries Atli, the King of the Huns. He, too, ends his lifeamid the flames of his burning palace or ship. Gunnar, like Orpheusor Amphion, plays such marvellous strains upon his harp that eventhe serpents are lulled to sleep. According to some interpretations, Atli is like Fafnir, and covets the possession of the gold. Both aretherefore probably personifications "of the winter cloud which broodsover and keeps from mortals the gold of the sun's light and heat, till in the spring the bright orb overcomes the powers of darknessand tempests, and scatters his gold over the face of the earth. "

Swanhild, Sigurd's daughter, is another personification of the sun, as is seen in her blue eyes and golden hair; and her death under thehoofs of black steeds represents the blotting out of the sun by cloudsof storm or of darkness. 

Just as Castor and Pollux hasten to rescue their sister Helen whenshe has been borne away by Theseus, so Swanhild's brothers, Erp, Hamdir, and Sörli, hasten off to avenge her death. 

Such are the main points of resemblance between the mythologiesof the North and South, and the analogy goes far to prove thatthey were originally formed from the same materials, the principaldifferences being due to the local colouring imparted unconsciouslyby the different races. 

NOTES

[1] "Northern Mythology, " Kauffmann. 

[2] Halliday Sparling. 

[3] Carlyle, "Heroes and Hero Worship. "

[4] "Northern Mythology, " Kauffmann.