Chapter II: Preface: By the Translator (2)

=GIANTS=, called in the Scandinavian dialects Jotun, Jetter,
Jâttar, the evil genii of the Gothic mythology. At Ragnarok
they are to fight with and defeat the Asar on the plains of
Vigrid; but they are themselves to perish in the conflagration
that ensues, and they will never be resuscitated (i.e. in a
future state of existence there will be no violence or crime).
The giants dwell in their peculiar territory, Jotunheim, in
Utgard, and are ruled by their sovereign, Lok, commonly called
Utgard-Lok, to distinguish him from an Asa of the same name.
The giants were supposed to be of various forms and races,
some having the heads of wild beasts joined to human bodies,
and others the human form entire. They understood magic,
were capable of assuming divers shapes, and of increasing or
diminishing their stature _ad libitum_. They seem to bear a
great resemblance to the Titans of the Greek, and to the
Afrites of the Mohammedan theology, and all are borrowed from
the Persian system, the doctrine of the Magi.

=GIMLE=, the most beautiful of all buildings, in which virtuous
mortals are to dwell together with the gods, after the
reconstruction of the universe, in eternal joy and felicity.
The grave is often termed by the Scalds, “the verdant gate of
Gimle.” The German word Himmel (heaven) is derived therefrom.
Etym.: from the Icelandic word _gimlir_ (splendour).

=GINNUNGAGAP=, name of the vast abyss which existed before the
present world, and separated Niffelheim (region of fog) from
Muspelheim (region of heat). Etym.: _Ginning_ (between), and
_gapi_ (to yawn or open). The following verbs, in different
languages, all come from the Icelandic verb _gapi_, and have
the very same meaning, viz. _to gape_, English; _gapa_,
Swedish; _gabe_, Danish; _gapen_, Dutch; _gaffen_, German; and
the Greek words χαω, χαος and χασμα (chasm) are likewise from
the same root.

=GLADHEIM=, a general name given to the abodes of the gods in
Asagard, and often used as a synonyme for Valhalla. Etym.:
_glad_ (joy, gladness), and _heim_ (home, or abode).

=GLADHEIMASAL= means _hall of the abode of gladness_, applied
as Gladheim.

=GLITNER=, name of the palace of Forsete, the god of justice.
The word means _equalisation_. It represents the station of
the sun between August 23 and September 23, beginning of the
autumnal equinox, corresponding with the sign of the zodiac
Libra (the balance).

=GNA=, an Asynia, messenger and confidante of Frigga. When she
executes the commissions of her mistress, she rides on the
steed Hofvarpur.

=GNYPA=, name of a cavern in Niffelheim. Etym.: Icelandic word
_gnypr_ (steep).

=GUDBRAND=, or Guldbrand, name of a fertile valley in the
province of Aggerhuys, in Norway.

=GULDVEIGE=, a female divinity, personifying riches. Etym.:
_guld_ (gold), _veige_ (weigh).

=GUNLIOD=, name of the daughter of Suttung, to whose care her
father confided the vase containing the precious beverage
called _Suttung’s mead_. Seduced by Odin, she surrenders to him
the vase.

=GYLLFE=, name of a king of Jotun race, who reigned over a part
of Sweden at the time of the invasion of the historical Odin.

=GYLLINBORSTE= (golden-bristled), name of the mythological
golden boar, fabricated by the dwarfs at the instance of
Asa-Lok, and presented to Frey to serve him as a steed,
mounted on which he travels round the world. According to Finn
Magnussen, it is a type of the sun.

=GYMER=, name of a Jotun or giant, the father of Gerda. Etym.:
_gima_ (_transmitting light_).

=HÆNIR=, name of an Asa, the god of intellect; he accompanies
Odin on his travels. By some he is considered as identic with
_Vil_, the second person of the Scandinavian mythological triad.

=HÆRFADER= (father of the fight), one of the many names given
to Odin.

=HAGBARTH=, name of a Norwegian prince, celebrated for his
valour and his attachment to Signe, a Danish princess. Having
had the misfortune to kill Signe’s brother in single combat,
he falls into the hands of the mother, who, to revenge her
son’s death, causes Hagbarth to be hanged. Signe, in despair at
the loss of her lover, destroys herself. The unfortunate love
of Hagbarth and Signe has been the theme of many a northern
ballad, and Œhlenschläger himself has made it the subject of a
most interesting and pathetic tragedy.

=HARBARD=, in this poem, is the name of a ferryman of Jotun
race, who refuses to ferry Skirnir across a river until he has
answered his questions and displayed his knowledge.

=HEIDRUNA=, name of the mythological goat who stands on the
roof of Valaskialf, and whose teats afford a constant supply of
hydromel to the guests at Valhalla.

=HEIMDAL=, or Heimdaller, name of an Asa who stands as sentinel
at the bridge of Bifrost, to give notice of the approach of
strangers by blowing his horn Giallar. He is constantly on the
alert to prevent surprise on the part of the giants. Of him it
is said, that he was born of nine mothers; that he had a tooth
of gold; that he could do without sleep; see at a distance of
a hundred miles, as well by night as by day; hear wool grow on
the backs of sheep, and grasses shoot. By his doing without
sleep may be meant the absence of night from the northern polar
regions during the summer months. At Ragnarok, he will blow his
horn with all his force, to excite the gods to combat. Etym.:
_Heim_ (abode), and _dallr_ (horn).

=HEIMKRINGLAS=, name given to the universe in the Scandinavian
mythology. Etym.: _Heim_ (abode), _kring_ (round about), and
_lâs_ (clasp).

=HELA=, or =HEL=, name of the queen of death and of the shades
below, daughter of Asa-Lok and of the giantess Angurbod. She
is frightful and appalling to behold: her body is of white
or natural colour below the girdle, but all above is blue or
livid, from congealed blood. The gods, terrified at her sight,
exiled her from Asagard, and cast her down into Niffelheim, to
rule over the dead. There, in her castle Helheim, she receives
the ghosts of the worthless and cowardly, and of those who
die of old age or sickness, who omit to _cut runes to Odin_.
Of Hela it is said in the prosaic Edda, that her abode is
_anguish_; her table, _famine_; her attendants, _delay_ and
_fruitless expectation_; her threshold, _precipice_; her bed,
_lingering sickness_; her bed-curtains, _heart-rending care_.

=HELHEIM= (abode of Hela), name of a strong castle situate
in Niffelheim, in the midst of eternal damp, ice, snow and
darkness. Herein Hela receives and detains her dead guests.

=HERMOD=, an Asa, the messenger of Odin; from his name and
attributes he bears a strong resemblance to the Mercury of the
Greeks, _Hermes_.

=HERTHA= (the Earth), a purely allegorical divinity, and
sometimes used as a synonyme for Frigga. In the pagan time her
image was bathed once a year by female slaves, captives of war,
who were afterwards drowned by the priests in her honour, that
they might not reveal to profane ears the description of the
charms and mysteries they had seen and witnessed.

=HILDUR=, name of a heroine in the northern legends, afterwards
deified and enrolled among the Valkyrior. The story of Hildur,
as related by Samsoes, is as follows: Her lover Hedin and her
father Hogni slew one another in single combat. One night,
in the violence of her grief, she by her magic spells evoked
the ghost of Hedin; but her spells were so powerful, that the
ghost of her father Hogni also arose. The two ghosts commence
fighting, and every night they renew the combat, which is
destined to last until Ragnarok. Hildur is present and applauds
their courage. From this circumstance, War is called by the
Skalds _Hildur’s game_.

=HLESEY=, an Island in the Cattegat, supposed to be the
peculiar residence of Ægir, the god of the sea. Hlesey is now
called _Lessoe_. The word _oe_ in Danish and _ö_ in Swedish
means Island.

=HLIDSKIALF=, name of an immense high tower in Odin’s palace
Valaskialf, from the top of which he can see all that passes in
the world below.

=HLORRIDA=, a name given to Thor, when he drives his car
through the air, causing thunder. Etym.: _Hliod_ (sound), and
_rida_ (to ride).

=HLYN=, name of an Asynia, sent by Frigga to warn mankind of
sudden danger during darkness; from its etymology it evidently
typifies the flash of lightning that occurs at intervals during
a very dark night. The Danish word _lyn_ signifies “lightning.”

=HNOS=, name of a beautiful female child, the daughter of
Freya. Etym.: _hnoss_, an Icelandic word meaning _a precious
thing_.

=HOEDUR= or =HOEDER=, an Asa, twin brother of Balder; he was
born blind. How he slew his brother Balder with a lance made of
a branch of mistletoe has been already related. Hôdur is the
type of night and darkness, as Balder is that of light and day.

=HOFVARPUR=, name of the steed mounted by Gna the messenger of
Frigga.

=HRIMFAX=, name of the steed which draws the chariot of Night.
It means “frost bringer;” this steed is sometimes mounted by
Skada.

=HRIMTHUSSER=, mythologically, the name of a race of giants;
the word means “frost-demon”; and from the word _thuss_, demon
or evil spirit, comes probably the English word _deuce_.
Historically, they were probably the name of some Tartar tribe
at war with the Asar, and who harassed them exceedingly on
their march. From being good archers, and shutting one eye when
they took aim, they obtained the reputation of being one-eyed.

=HRINGHORN=, name of the bark or vessel of Balder, on board
of which his body was placed, and burnt after his death. It
derives its name from the circumstance of its prow being
decorated with rings of horn. Among the Skalds a ship was
often compared to an animal, and its masts to the horns of an
animal. These masts were made fast with iron rings round their
circumference, and this I take to be the surest origin of the
etymology of the name Hringhorn or Ringhorn.

=HROSVELGER=, name of a giant, who, in the shape of an eagle,
causes tempests by the flapping of his wings. Etym.: _hrosi_
(corpse), and _svelge_ (swallow), the wind being the cleanser
of all impurities.

=HRUGNER=, name of a giant made of stone, and animated by the
giants, in order to aid them in the conflict with the Asar.
Within his breast, instead of a heart, he had a three-corner
stone. He typifies probably a volcano, since in the Icelandic
tongue _Hrungnir_ signifies “something that makes a violent
noise.” Hrugner was slain by Thor.

=HUGIN= and =MUNIN=, names given to Odin’s two ravens, who
descend to earth, and bring back to him the news from the
nether world; when not employed as messengers, they perch
themselves on Odin’s shoulders. By _Hugin_ is meant “thought,”
and by _Munin_ “memory.”

=HVERGELMER=, name of a source or fountain in Niffelheim.
Etym.: _Hver_ (urn or kettle), and _gamla_ (old).

=HYMIR=, name of a giant, with whom Thor goes a-fishing in the
disguise of a peasant lad. He catches the serpent Jormundgard,
but Hymir files in two the anchor which served as a hook, and
the serpent escapes.

=IDA=, =IDAVALLEN=, name of the plain, on which the
resuscitated Asar and the human race are to be assembled by
Vidar, after the reconstruction of the world.

=IDUNA=, name of an Asynia, wife of Bragur. She is the guardian
of the golden vase, containing the apples of immortality, the
juice of which gives to the gods perpetual youth, health and
beauty. She was once carried off from Asagard by the giant
Thiasse, aided by the treachery of Asa Lok; and the gods
became at once old and feeble; but when Iduna was recovered,
and brought back to Valhalla with her precious vase, the gods
recovered all their power and advantageous attributes. This
mythe of Iduna’s apples has its parallel in the Amreeta (drink
of immortality) in the Hindoo mythology.

=ISSEFIORD=, name of a large creek or _fiord_, in the island of
Sealand (Denmark), lying towards the north.

=JETTE=, pl. =JETTER=, =JOTUN=. So were called the evil genii
or giants of the Gothic mythology. Historically, they were
probably the aboriginal inhabitants of Scandinavia, and were
of Celtic race, with black hair. Being engaged in continual
and deadly warfare with the Asar or Goths, from the time of
Odin’s invasion, these last may have, from a spirit of national
hatred, transferred the appellation Jotun to the evil genii of
their own mythology, before that epoch termed _Hrimthusser_. In
spite, however, of the hatred and jealousy between the Asar and
Jetter, they sometimes, like the Spaniards and Moors, formed
political and also matrimonial alliances.

=JORMUNGARD=, name of the mythologic serpent, called also the
serpent of Midgard. This serpent was offspring of Asa Lok,
by the giantess Angurbod. His enormous size and frightful
appearance excited such terror in the breast of the gods, that
they hurled him down into the ocean that surrounds Midgard.
There he is to remain until Ragnarok. On that day he will join
the giants in the battle against the gods, and will be slain by
Thor; but Thor will perish himself immediately after, from the
effect of the serpent’s venom. This serpent is represented by
the poets as holding his tail in his mouth, and is no doubt an
emblem of the great Ocean, which was thought in those times to
encircle the earth. His venom represents the dangerous effects
of humidity. In the Hindoo mythology, there is the serpent
_Naga_, which typifies the Ocean. Etym.: _jord_ (earth), _munr_
(mouth), _gard_ (inclosure).

=JOTUN= (giant); see _Jette_ and _Giant_.

=JOTUNHEIM=, peculiar province of the Jotun or giants in
Utgard. Geographically, it is thought to denote Siberia.

=LAUFEY=, or =LAUFEIA=, name of a giantess, the mother of Asa
Lok.

=LEIRE=, name of the ancient capital of Denmark, situated on
the Issefiord, in Sealand. Leire was the theatre of many an
important event. The modern city of Roskild is very near the
spot, where Leire once stood.

=LIF= and =LIFTRASIR=, names of two mythological beings, who
remain concealed in the wood of Hoddmimer, at the destruction
of the world, and from whom the new race of men are to spring;
these beings are purely allegorical, for _lif_ signifies
“life,” and _liftrasir_ “producer of life.”

=LINDERNÆS=, name of a promontory on the southern coast of
Norway, in the canton of Mandal.

=LODER=, an Asa, who conferred beauty on mankind; by some he
is confounded with Ve, the third person of the Scandinavian
mythologic triad.

=LOFNA=, name of an Asynia, who presided over marriage. Etym.:
Icelandic verb _lofa_ (to promise, to betroth).

=LOK=, =ASA LOK=, =UTGARD LOK=. In the Gothic mythology,
there are two important personages of the name of Lok or Loke,
in the earliest times perhaps identic, but in the latter
divided; namely Lok of Utgard, the supreme ruler of the giants
or malevolent spirits, belonging to our world’s system, who
dwells in and rules over Utgard; and Asa Lok, originally of
giant race, but admitted among the Asar. According to Ling, a
modern Swedish poet, in the notes to his poem, called _Asarne_
(the Asar), the mythe of the two Loks is thus explained: Utgard
Lok represents the subterranean fire and its destructive
effects, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions; Asa Lok represents
the deleterious qualities of the air, such as tempests and
unwholesome exhalations. In my opinion, the most simple
explanation of this mythe would be as follows: Utgard Lok
typifies physical evils and calamities, and in this respect he
resembles the Siva of the Hindoos; as possessor of subterranean
riches, he resembles the Plutus of the Greeks, who, as we are
told, was related to Pluto. Asa Lok is the type of moral evil,
or the propensity to vice in human nature, which has been
personified by the Orientals, under the various names of Satan,
Ahrimanes, Belial and Eblis. The punishment inflicted on Asa
Lok for his treachery has been already related. At Ragnarok,
he will break his chain, and join in combat with the giants
against the gods. He and Heimdal will destroy each other.

=LOPTUR=, a name given to Asa Lok; it means _one who runs
through the air_.

=MALSTROM=, name of the famous whirlpool on the coast of
Norway, near Lofoden. _Malstrom_ signifies “millstream.” It is
called by the Skalds the _mill of Ægir_.

=MAANEGARM=, name of the mythologic winged goblin, who
constantly pursues the moon (maane), and will swallow her up at
Ragnarok.

=MANHEIM= (abode of man), a name often given to Midgard, or the
earth.

=MEGINGARD= (girdle of strength), name of Thor’s belt, which
had the faculty of doubling his force when he girded himself
with it.

=MIDGARD=, name given to the earth, as being in the _middle
region_ between Asagard and Utgard.

=MIMER=, an Asa, the god of eloquence and of wisdom; he sits by
the wave of Urda, called the fountain of wisdom, of which he is
the guardian, and which springs near the ash-tree Yggdrassil.
Urda is the destiny of the past, so that the allegory is clear;
by consulting the records of the past, we gain wisdom and
experience.

=MIÖLNER= (breaker in pieces), name of Thor’s hammer, type of
the thunderbolt.

=MOKKURKALF=, name of a gigantic figure made of clay, and
animated by the giants, that he might aid them against Thor.
They gave to him the heart of a horse. This may allude to the
custom among many heathen nations of consecrating an idol of
clay, wood or stone, by putting therein the heart of a man, or
of some animal. Mokkurkalf was slain by Tialf.

=MUSPEL=, =MUSPELHEIM=, name given to the region of fire and
heat which lies to the south of Ginnungagap, and from whence
at Ragnarok, Surtur will collect flames, and set fire to the
universe. Flames are often termed by the Scalds “the children
of Muspel.”

=NAGLEFARE= (ship of nails), name of a bark or vessel built by
the giants. As its name imports, it was built of men’s nails.
On board of this vessel, the giants will embark at Ragnarok,
to give battle to the gods. The giants are continually at work
to increase its size; hence, those who neglect to cut off the
nails from the hands and feet of dead men, contribute to the
building of this vessel, and to the mischief that will ensue
from it. The popular belief of the continuation of the growth
of the hair and nails after death, has probably contributed to
this mythe.

=NANNA=, an Asynia, the wife of Balder, renowned for her piety
and constancy. At his death she threw herself on his funeral
pile, and was burned with him.

=NARF=, name of a giant, the father of Night, and also the name
of one of Asa-Lok’s sons by Sigyn.

=NASTROND=, name of a frightful and noisome marsh in the
subterranean world, filled with venomous serpents, and destined
as a place of punishment in the future life for those who are
absolutely incorrigible.

=NIDAROS=, a city in Norway of great historical celebrity, the
ancient capital of the kingdom, and now called Trondhjem, and
by the Germans Drontheim.

=NIDDING= means “_scoundrel_,” “_worthless fellow_;” it was the
greatest insult to a Scandinavian to call him a Nidding, and
the offence could only be expiated by the blood of the offender.

=NIDHÖG=, name of a frightful dragon that dwells in the marsh
of Nastrond, and who continually gnaws the root of the Ash-tree
Yggdrassil. Etym.: _nid_ (reproach, abuse), _högg_ (blow), in
Icel.

=NIFFELHEIM=, department of Utgard, region of eternal cold,
fog, darkness and horror, lying to the north of Ginnungagap.
It is sometimes used as a synonyme for Utgard, or for Helheim.
_Niffel_ means “fog.”

=NIORD=, or =NIORDUR=, is the Æolus of the Scandinavians, the
god of the winds. He is of Vaner race, and is father of Frey
and Freya. He was admitted among the Asar to preside over the
winds and is the type of the north wind in particular. He is
invoked by fishermen and travellers. He was afterwards married
to Skada, daughter of the giant Thiasse.--Niord is of a very
friendly and benevolent disposition. See the articles _Skada_
and _Vaner_.

=NORNA=, pl. =NORNOR=, name of the Parcæ, or Fates of the
Scandinavians; they were three in number, viz. Urda, Norna, or
destiny of the past; Verdandis, of the present; Skulda, of the
future. They sit near the Ash Yggdrassil, the tree of time,
where they weave the woof of human destiny.

=ODIN= is the Chief Asa, the king of gods and men, the
Jupiter and Mars of the Scandinavian mythology, and the
grand progenitor of the Scandinavian kings. Some think that
this was the name given to the supreme God of nature by the
Asar, previous to the invasion of the north-west of Europe
by the historical Odin, whose real name is said to be Sigge
(conqueror); and that the name of Odin was assumed by Sigge
during his life, or given to him by his followers after his
death. Others think that the real name of the great conqueror
was Odin, and that his name was given to the supreme unknown
God. At all events, the historical Odin was deified after
his death, and being confounded with the mythologic one, was
from that period worshipped as the supreme ruler of the
universe. Odin has an immense number of appellations, the
most remarkable of which are Alfader, Hœrfader and Valfader.
As god of war he is accompanied by two favourite wolves, one
called Gere (rapacity), and the other Freke (audacity), to whom
he gives his share of food at the banquet of Valhalla; for
according to the Edda, Odin lives on wine alone. Odin has also
two favourite ravens, one called Hugin (thought), the other
Munin (memory), who sit perched on his shoulders, and whom he
sometimes dispatches to bring him news from the nether world.
At Ragnarok, Odin is to be swallowed up by the wolf Fenris.
Odin bears a lance called Gugner.

=ODUR=, name of the husband of Freya, whom he abandoned on the
loss of her youth and beauty. He was changed into a statue by
Odin, as a punishment for his desertion. He was the inventor of
the art of making wine.

=OLUF=, a king of Denmark, slain by Starkodder, whom he
afterwards meets in Valhalla.

=QVASER=, name of a chief of Vaner race by his mother; his
father, name unknown, was an Asa. He taught mankind arts and
sciences, but particularly poetry. He was killed by two dwarfs,
who mixed his blood with honey, and poured it into a golden
vase. This drink had the faculty of inspiring poetical talent.
Suttung, the brother of Qvaser, revenged his death on the two
dwarfs, by binding them to a rock in the mid-ocean, where they
suffer perpetual hunger. He then took the vessel containing the
sacred liquor, and gave it in charge to his daughter Gunliod.
This liquor is called by the Scalds “Suttung’s mead,” and is
used as a synonyme for poetical inspiration. Etym.: _Qvasir_,
Icelandic word meaning “breath” or “inspiration.”

=RAGNAROK=, called also “the twilight of the gods,” is the
_last day_, according to the Scandinavian mythology, the day,
on which the whole creation, gods, giants, and mankind are to
perish in a shower of fire and blood. Ragnarok will be preceded
by a dreadfully severe winter of three years duration, called
the Fimbul-vetr. At Ragnarok the wolf Fenris will break his
chain, and so will Lok. A grand battle will be fought between
the gods and giants on the plains of Vigrid, wherein the
latter will be victorious; but it will be a fruitless victory,
for Surtur, with flames from Muspelheim, will set fire to
the universe, and involve victors and vanquished in general
destruction. Vidar alone will survive the general conflagration
and reconstruct the universe. The etymology of the word
Ragnarok, I conceive to be the two Icelandic words: _ragna_ (to
imprecate, implore vengeance), and _rok_ (violent tempest).
Some derive it from _regin_ (dynasts or gods), and _röckur_
(twilight).

=RAN= or =RANA=, name of a giantess, wife of Ægir the god of
the sea. She is of an extremely malevolent disposition, and
takes pleasure in causing shipwrecks and drowning sailors. In
the pagan time, when seamen found their ship about to sink,
it was their custom to hold a piece of money in their hand,
to propitiate Ran. In fact, Ran personifies the dangers and
destructive properties of the sea; Ægir the salubrious and
beneficial ones. The word _Ran_ in Icelandic means “rapacity,”
and from it comes the Danish verb _rane_ (to rob).

=RATATOSK=, name of the mythologic squirrel that resides on the
branches of the Ash Yggdrassil, and employs himself in running
up and down the tree, in order to sow discord between the Eagle
Hrosvelger, who sits on the top, and the dragon Nidhög, who
lies at its root. This will remind the reader of the fable of
Æsop of the eagle, the cat and the sow.

=RINDA=, name of a princess of Garderike, seduced by Odin.

=ROSKA=, name of a peasant’s daughter who, with her brother
Tialfe, was adopted by Thor and accompanied him on his travels.
She was elevated to the rank of an Asynia, and placed in
Folkvang, to dwell with Freya.

=RUNES=, mean “letters of the alphabet” or writings.

=SAGA=, an Asynia, the goddess of history; she is represented
with a graver and shield, on which she engraves events worthy
of commemoration.

=SÆHRIMNER=, name of the mythologic hog, whose flesh furnishes
food for the banquets of Valhalla. It is killed every morning
and resuscitated every night.

=SIF=, or =SIFIA=, an Asynia, the wife of Thor, renowned for
the beauty of her hair. Asa-Lok, to revenge himself on Sif for
spurning his addresses, cut off her hair while she was asleep;
but he was compelled by Thor to procure for her a new head of
hair, made of gold by the dwarfs. Hence gold is often termed by
the Scalds _Sifs hair_.

=SIGNE=, name of a Danish princess.--See Hagbarth.

=SIGYN=, the wife of Asa-Lok; she alone does not abandon him
in his adversity; and when he is chained in the subterranean
cavern, with the enormous serpents hanging over him, she holds
out a vase to catch the venom they let drop. When the vase is
filled, she goes out to empty it; the venom of the serpents
then falling on Lok, causes him to writhe with pain, and this
movement causes earthquakes.

=SIOFNA=, an Asynia, daughter of Freya; she presides over sleep
and sends pleasing dreams. Etym.: Icelandic verb _sofna_ (to
sleep).

=SKADA=, daughter of the giant Thiasse; she comes to Valhalla
in a fury, to revenge her father’s death, becomes pacified
at the sight of Balder, and having caught Niord at a game of
blindman’s-buff, obtains him for a husband; but their tempers
being very different, she being capricious and violent, and he
placid and benevolent, they soon quarrel. They cannot agree
about their place of residence; she wishing to dwell in the
mountains inland, and he preferring to dwell on the sea-shore.
Niord says:

“I was tired of the mountains,
Though I was not long there;
Only nine nights:
The howling of the wolf
Was disagreeable to me
Accustomed to the chaunt of the swan.”

Skada says:

“I could not sleep
On the banks of the sea,
On account of the screaming of birds;
And the sea-gulls by their cries,
Disturb my repose every morning.”

As _Skada_ means “_mischief_” in all the Teutonic and
Scandinavian dialects, (to scathe, in English), the allegory is
clear: by her union with Niord _she_ represents the mischievous
qualities of the wind, _he_ the salubrious and beneficent ones.

=SKALDS=, or =SCALDS=; so the poets were called in Scandinavia.

=SKIDBLADNER= or =SKYBLADNER=, name of a ship given to the
gods by Gerda, on her marriage with Frey. When not required
for navigation, it could be folded up like a scarf. It seems
to resemble the Sverga, or ship of heaven, of the Hindoos;
and they are both probably types of the clouds, for _sky_ is
“cloud,” and _blad_ a leaf, in the Icelandic tongue.

=SKINFAX=, name of the steed who draws the chariot of day. Its
meaning is “light-bearer,” the φωσφορος of the Greeks.

=SKIRNIR=, name of an Asa, messenger of Frey; he is sent by
Frey to negotiate his union with Gerda, and by Odin to procure
a cord to bind the wolf Fenris, both which commissions he
executes successfully. Etym.: Icelandic verb _skirna_ (to clear
up).

=SKRYMER=, name of a giant who meets Thor on his journey to
Utgard and leads him astray. He mystifies him also by giving
to him a wallet filled with provisions, but which Thor could
not untie. Etym.: Icelandic word _skrum_ (boasting), from which
comes the Swedish verb _skrymma_ (to look big).

=SKULDA=, name of the Norna, or destiny of the future. Etym.:
_skulu_ (shall), in Icelandic.

=SLEIPNER=, name of Odin’s charger. He has eight feet; he
typifies the wind with its eight principal points.

=SNOTRA=, an Asynia extremely graceful, who inspires mankind
with elegance of gesture and diction. Etym.: Icelandic verb
_snotra_ (to teach manners).

=STARKODDER=, name of a celebrated Scandinavian warrior. He
slew king Oluf in a perfidious manner, but having afterwards
greatly distinguished himself by a series of brilliant actions,
he seems to have obliterated his crime, for he was deified
after his death. He may be considered in some measure as the
Hercules of the Goths.

=SURTUR=, name of a formidable giant, who, with flames
collected from Muspelheim, is to set fire to the universe at
Ragnarok. Etym.: _surtr_ (swarthy in colour).

=SUTTUNG=; Suttung’s mead; see Qvaser.

=SVEA=, =SVITHIOD=, names of Sweden.

=SYN=, name of an Asynia who in this poem figures as the
porteress of Valhalla, but in the Edda she is porteress of the
palace of Freya.

=THIASSE=, name of a giant, father of Skada. In the shape of
an eagle he carries off Asa-Lok, and compels him to join in a
plot to steal away Iduna from Asagard. When Iduna is delivered,
Thiasse pursues her in the shape of a griffin, but is burnt to
death by falling into the bale fire at Breidablik.

=THOR=, an Asa, son of Odin and Frigga, the god of war,
strength, and thunder. He plays a most prominent part in the
Gothic mythology. He is the arch enemy of the giants, and is
constantly employed in punishing crime and oppression and
protecting the weak and virtuous. His various actions are
described in this poem, of which he is the principal hero. He
is the owner of a famous hammer called _Miölner_, and of a no
less famous belt called _Megingard_; he wears steel gauntlets
and brazen armour. He travels usually in a golden car, drawn
by two white goats, _Tanngniostr_ and _Tanngrisner_; when that
car rolls along the heavens, it causes thunder and lightning.
The worship of Thor seems to be of very remote antiquity; he
typifies probably the occult force of nature, which checks the
blind fury of the elements and brings them back to their proper
limits. There is no mention of Thor as an historical personage.
Odin is thought to have introduced the worship of Thor into
Scandinavia; hence, by mythologic filiation, he is said to
be Thor’s father; or this relationship may typify _supreme
force_ proceeding from _supreme wisdom_. Thor defeats and
puts to flight the giants; thus does thunder disperse noxious
exhalations and purify the atmosphere. Thor seems to resemble
the Indra of the Hindoo mythology.

=THRYMUR=, name of a giant who falls in love with Freya. Having
obtained possession of Thor’s hammer, Miölner, he offers to
restore it on condition of obtaining the hand of Freya. The
gods are unwilling to part with Freya, but hit on the expedient
of sending Thor disguised as Freya, and Asa-Lok as female
attendant, down to Thrymur’s abode in Jotunheim. As soon as
Thor obtains his hammer, he throws off his female attire, and
slays Thrymur and all his followers.

=TIALFE=, or Tialf, name of a young peasant adopted by Thor
and admitted among the Asar; he accompanies Thor as his
shield-bearer in all his expeditions. He is brother of Roska.

=TING=, or =THING=; a council is so called in the Scandinavian
peninsula. This word has the exact meaning of the English
word “thing,” “business,” etc., and of the Latin “negotium.”
_Storting_ means “grand council,” for _stor_ signifies “great”
in all the Scandinavian dialects.

=TRUDVANG=, or =TRUDVANGUR=, name of the domain of Thor, in
Asagard.

=TROLD=, in Swedish _Troll_, means an evil demon or goblin
in the Scandinavian mythology; they were very fantastic and
grotesque in their appearance. The French word _drôle_ (anglicè
_droll_) is probably derived therefrom, and was introduced by
the Norsemen when they conquered Neustria.

=TROLDKÆMPELAND=; the giants’ territory was often so called.
Etym.: _trold_ (goblin), _kæmpe_ (warrior), _land_ (land).

=TYR=, an Asa, renowned for his valour, and younger brother to
Thor. His celebrated adventure with the wolf Fenris, who bites
off his hand, is related in the 26th canto of this poem. Etym.:
_tyr_ (brilliant renown).

=ULLER=, name of an Asa who presides over archery and duels.

=URDA=, name of the Norna or destiny of the past. Etym.:
Icelandic word _urdu_ (was).

=UTGARD= is the name of the territory of the giants. It was
supposed to be to the north of Midgard, and that mountains
of ice formed the barrier between the two regions. It
also signifies the world below, and includes Jotunheim,
Svartalfheim, Niffelheim, and Nastrond. Etym.: _ut_ signifies
_exclusion_, anglicè _out_, and the etymology of _gard_ has
been already given as meaning _enclosure_. Utgard-Lok is the
ruler of Utgard.

=UTGARD-LOK=, see =LOK=.

=VAFTRUDNER=, name of a giant celebrated for his wisdom, who is
consulted by Odin under the name of Gangrôd (weary wanderer.)
Vaftrudner does not, it is true, figure in this poem, but I
introduce him into my catalogue because I am obliged to quote
some passages in a chapter of the Edda bearing his name, in
order to elucidate a passage of Œhlenschläger. Etym.: _vafi_
(eminent), _drutna_ (to be proud).

=VALA=, name of the sibyl or prophetess of the Gothic
mythology, who foretells the destruction of the world.

=VALASKIALF=, name of the palace of Odin, in Asagard, in which
he holds his court.

=VALFADER= (father of the choice), name given to Odin when he
presides at the banquets in Valhalla.

=VALHALLA= (hall of the choice), name of the celebrated
banqueting hall of Odin, in Valaskialf, and theatre of the
convivial festivities of the gods and Einherier.

=VALKYRIE=, pl. Valkyrior, name of the celestial virgins who
attend the fields of battle in order to carry off to Valhalla
the souls of the heroes who fall. They are mounted on white
horses, with fiery manes and tails. At the banquets of Valhalla
they hand round to the guests the mead and ale. The word
Valkyrie means _chooser of the slain_, because they choose
from the heaps of slain those who have shown most courage.
Owing to this belief, the word _val_, which originally meant
“choice,” was applied to a field of battle; hence the Danish
word _valplads_ and the German _wahlplatz_, both signifying
“field of battle.” _Kyrie_ comes from the old Teutonic verb
_küren_ (to choose); there is therefore, properly speaking,
tautology in the word Valkyrie, both the words of which it is
composed signifying _choice_. By the Valkyrior are thought to
be typified those meteoric appearances in the heavens, which
were supposed to forebode wars and tumults.

=VANER=, =VANAHEIM=; mythologically the Vaner were elementary
divinities, and Vanaheim was supposed to be situated in
the heavens, above the earth, immediately above Midgard.
Geographically, Vanaheim, according to Snorro Sturleson, was a
country lying immediately eastward of the Tanais or Don river;
but the historical Vaner are represented as a highly civilized
people, from whom the Asar learnt the arts and sciences and
all that embellishes life. Now I am yet to learn that the
inhabitants of the banks of the Don were ever remarkable for
refined culture; I therefore reject the hypothesis of Snorro
Sturleson, and adopt that of Finn Magnussen, who thinks that
by the historical Vaner are meant the Asiatic Greeks or the
Persians, from whom the Asar or Goths might well learn the arts
of civilization. Niord was a chief of Vaner race; Niord became
father of Frey and Freya by his sister. Such a matrimonial
connection was perfectly lawful among the ancient Persians, and
is so among their descendants, the Parsis or Guebres, to this
day. A learned friend of mine, a Portuguese by birth, by name
Dr. Constancio, much given to the study of philology and the
Eastern languages, thinks that by the Vaner and the country
inhabited by them, Vanaheim, may be meant the country bordering
on the lake Van or Erivan, in Armenia; and this seems extremely
probable, as the Armenians were a Persian peuplade, highly
civilized, and professing in days of old the same religion as
the Guebres. Mythologically, Niord and his son and daughter may
have been divinities worshipped in Armenia, Persia, and Asiatic
Greece, and the Asar may have adopted and incorporated that
worship into their own mythology, just as the Romans and Greeks
adopted many of the divinities and religious ceremonies of the
Egyptians. I think I can perceive a strong resemblance between
Frey and Horus, between Freya and Astarte, and between Niord
and Nereus.

=VANDHOSE= (water-spout), brother of Skada. Etym.: _vand_
(water) and _hose_ (trowser) in Danish.

=VAR=, an Asynia, the goddess of truth; she registers the vows
of mankind and punishes perjury.

=VARDOE=, an island of East Finnmark on the north-eastern
extremity of Norway, in latitude 75° north.

=VAULUNDER= is the Vulcan of the Gothic mythology. Historically
he was a smith, celebrated for the beauty and excellence of his
workmanship in metals. He forges weapons and armour for the
gods.

=VE=, name of the third person in the triad of the Scandinavian
mythology, and son of Bor.

=VERDANDIS=, or Verandis, name of the Norna or destiny of the
present. Etym.: _verandi_, participle present of the Icelandic
verb _vera_ (to be).

=VIDAR=, an Asa, god of wisdom and of silence; he wears thick
shoes, hence he is often called by the Scalds, “the god with
the thick shoes.” He never breaks silence, but his look is
so penetrating that he discovers the most secret thoughts of
men. He is to play a most important part at Ragnarok, and will
slay the wolf Fenris. Vidar alone will survive the general
conflagration and reconstruct the universe on an imperishable
basis. Etym.: Icelandic word _vitra_ (wisdom).

=VIL=, one of the sons of Bor, and second person of the
Scandinavian triad, Odin, Vil, and Ve. Of this triad Sneedorf
Birch thinks that _Odin_ typifies air or breath; _Vil_, light;
and _Ve_, warmth. The death of Ymer, therefore, by Odin,
Vil, and Ve, typifies the annihilation of ice and snow, and
elicitation of the products of the earth by air, light, and
warmth.

=VINGOLF=, name of a palace in Asgard, considered as the
peculiar place of rendezvous of the Asynior or goddesses.

=YGGDRASSIL=, name of the mythologic Ash-tree, called “The
tree of the world.” Of this tree it is thus written in the
prosaic Edda: “This ash is the first and greatest of all trees,
which spreads its branches over the whole earth. It springs
from three roots. Near one of these roots, which pushes the
trunk and branches towards Asagard, flows the fountain of
Urda, which contains the water of wisdom, and of which Mimer
is the guardian. The gods often descend to this spot, to sit
in judgment on the actions of mankind and of one another. They
interrogate Urda. The second root of Yggdrassil stretches
towards the region of the Hrimthusser frost-giants of Utgard.
The third root extends below, as far as Niffelheim, and is
continually gnawed by the dragon Nidhög.” By this, according
to Finn Magnussen, is meant the gradual deterioration of
the world, which will end in its destruction; for the Ash
Yggdrassil is no other than the symbol of our world. May I be
permitted to add my conjecture towards the interpretation of
this mythe: By the first root, which pushes stem and branches
towards Asagard, may be meant the elevation of our thoughts
towards heaven. By the second root, extending towards the
region of the ferocious Hrimthusser, may be meant the tendency
of our minds to fraud, rapine and violence; and by the third
root, gnawed by Nidhög, the writhings of conscience and of
envy: the etymology of the word Nidhög seems at least to give
some weight to my conjecture.

Of this tree it is further written in the prosaic Edda: “On
the branches of this Ash dwells an Eagle: he knoweth much, and
between his eyes sits a Hawk, called Väderfalner. A squirrel,
called Ratatosk, runs up and down the trunk of the Ash-tree,
and endeavours to excite discord between the Eagle and the
Dragon Nidhög, who dwells at its root. Four stags spring
round the Ash-tree, and bite its branches: their names are
Dainn, Dvalen, Dunneyr, and Durathror.” Among the various
interpretations given of this mythe, the following, given by
Grundtvig, seems to me the most happy.

“Yggdrassil is the genealogical tree of the human race; its
triple root denotes the three sorts of men who are to be found
on earth, viz. Those who cooperate powerfully for a noble
and eternal object (children of the gods); Those who work
powerfully, but for an ignoble and temporal object (children
of giants); and lastly, the idle, useless and powerless,
relations of Hela. The Eagle denotes the human mind in its
greatest elevation; the Squirrel denotes the tempter or type of
temptation, who is in compact with the Dragon. The Hawk denotes
the spirit of divination or presentiment of the future, which
agitates the human brain; and the four Stags denote the four
passions or desires of power, of honour, of wealth, and of
sensual pleasure.”

=YMER=, name of the giant, the great progenitor of the giant
race. He was slain by Bor and his sons, as has been already
related; and from his body the world was constructed, according
to the following lines in the poetic Edda in the chapter called
Vaftrudnismal:

From Ymer’s body
The world was created;
The mountains from his bones;
The heavens from the ice-cold giant’s head.

Ymer is evidently the type of the chaos.

As the reader may be curious to know how Ymer propagated his
race, I quote the following question and answer from the
Vaftrudnismal. Odin in disguise interrogates, and Vaftrudner
answers:

Tell me, Vaftrudner!
How did the giant of old (Ymer)
Beget children without a giantess?

Answer:

From the arm of the giant,
According to the tradition,
A boy and girl sprung together;
According to others a six-headed son
Was produced from the feet of the giant.

_Additional remarks respecting Valhalla.--The origin of its conception and meaning._

Finn Magnussen says in his notes to the Vaftrudnismal, speaking of the Einherier and their amusements: “This account of the amusements of the heroes in Valhalla seems, with respect to the ideas of our forefathers about the games suited to warriors, to correspond perfectly with Xenophon’s relation of the warlike diversions of the Thracians, at a great banquet in his time. These are his words: ‘A large round table was prepared; the guests sat round it on benches strewed with leaves, and drank out of large drinking-horns. After they had drank in honour of the gods, and sung to them hymns of praise, the most distinguished Thracians rose up, and began to dance and put on their armour, leaped up and down, and fought with naked swords. One cut at another, who immediately fell in such a manner, that we all thought he was slain; but it was merely a feigned death in a mimicked fight. Then the Paphlagonians gave a great shout. The conquerors stripped the conquered of their armour, and chaunted a hymn in honour of Sitalka; but the other Thracians bore out the fallen, and stretched them out, as if they were dead, although no mischief had happened.’”

(_Xenophon’s Anabasis_, book VI.)

“After that, other warlike spectacles and dances took place, in which women, who were real Amazons, took part. As such games were the delight of the Thracians on the borders of the Black Sea, who were either closely related to the Goths or the same people, so were they also among the customs of our forefathers; at least their ideas of the glories and delights of Valhalla seem to confirm it.”

_Opinion of the Swedish poet Ling respecting Valhalla._

Valhalla is the type of _heroic renown_. In all ages and among all people, cowards have been held in abhorrence; for without courage, strength of soul and firm will, nothing noble can be effectuated. He who exposes his own life to save another’s, he who year after year endures captivity with fortitude in order to enforce the truth of his principles, or meets death with courage, in order to save another from that fate, acquires now as formerly our admiration and esteem. He was called by our forefathers Valhalla’s guest; and on that account Ragnar Lodbrook and Gunnar entertained the hope, while expiring under the fangs of serpents, to be received in Valhalla, because they bore their sufferings with resignation, equally with those heroes who had fallen in battle. But at Ragnarok Valhalla itself will disappear; i.e. _heroic renown_ appertains merely to this earthly life, and with it must finally pass away. Goodness alone lives eternally on the peaceable ever-green island which rises from the sea, and on which stands the palace of Gimle.

I here annex a translation I made of a chorus in the tragedy of Sigurd Ring, by the Swedish poet Stagnelius, as it gives a lively picture of the Valkyrior and of their occupations on the field of battle and in Valhalla.

Aye! such is the Norna’s immutable doom!
On the earth ever discord shall rage!
But a banquet eternal in Asagard’s dome,
All sense of past sufferings assuage:
See her fiery-maned steed the Valkyrie bestride
Towards Valhall fresh hosts of Einherier to guide!

O’er the heath, where the warriors in battle array
Stand glitt’ring in armour, she flies;
To death first she dooms them, then bears off her prey
To partake of the bliss of the skies;
Not a thought doth the haughty one deign to bestow
On the tear of the bride, on the mother’s deep woe.

Now thickens the combat! now onward they dash
At the bugle’s sound savage and shrill!
Bows twang! arrows whiz! lances shiver! glaives clash!
Unyielding each host struggles still!
Now blood runs in torrents adown the green mead,
And the rivers are choked with the limbs of the dead!

On rides the Valkyrie; she knows where to chuse
The bravest midst thousands of slain;
She dismounts; bids them rise; then her course she pursues,
Till she reaches the Asar’s domain;
With pride she parades them still reeking with gore,
Still scarr’d with deep gashes, great Odin before.

Her armour now doffing, at Valfader’s feast,
Crowned with roses, in purple array’d,
The Valkyrie shines, and presents to each guest
The goblet high brimming with mead;
The heroes her graces bewitching behold,
And Bragur entranced strikes the harp-strings of gold.

With respect to the proper names, it may be asked why there is sometimes a variation in the manner of spelling them; why, for instance, Frey should sometimes be called Freyr; Niord, Niordur; Heimdal, Heimdaller; Jormundgard, Jormundgardur. The explanation thereof must be traced to the Icelandic language itself. In one of the declensions many of the masculine nouns, and almost all the proper names masculine, take _er_, _ur_ and _r_ as terminations of the nominative case which are omitted in the other cases; and the Danish, Swedish and German translators of the Edda have adopted the names indifferently without assigning any reason.

THE GODS OF THE NORTH.

ARGUMENT OF THE POEM.

The Asar (Gods), and the Jetter (Giants), represent the two conflicting powers of nature; the former represent the _creative embellishing_ power; the latter the _defacing destructive_ one. Lok[12] vacillates between both, as the _variable spirit_ of time. He proposes to Thor to travel to Jotunheim (abode of the giants), without the knowledge of Odin, in order to punish the arrogance of the giants. Thor is mystified in the subterranean world, and obliged to return unsuccessful; but he makes two young people happy, and elevates them to the rank of gods, because they left their home and parents, and confided themselves implicitly to him. He again forms the resolution of revenging himself on the giants for their presumption, and endeavours to catch the serpent of Midgard. He travels this time with the consent of Odin, and without Lok. Now he shows himself in the plenitude of his power, and is on the point of catching the Serpent, when it is saved by the giant Hymir. In his disappointment, Thor loses his hammer Miölner.

In the mean while Lok pays court to Sif, the wife of Thor, but meets with a contemptuous repulse; to revenge himself, he cuts off her hair while she is asleep. Compelled by Thor and Frey, he procures from the Dvergar (dwarfs), new hair for Sif spun from gold, a new hammer for Thor, the steed Gyllinbörste for Frey, and the ring Drupner for Odin.

Now it happens shortly after, that Lok sets out on an adventure with Odin and Hœnir; but he is caught by the giant Thiasse, who compels him to carry off Iduna from Valhalla, which he willingly undertakes, in order to mortify the gods. With Iduna vanish health, strength, beauty and youth from Valhalla; the gods lose their power. The Nornor (fates), being consulted, announce to them, that “bravery with the help of love shall compel time to fidelity, and blooming life again return to Valhalla.” Now Thor compels Lok to bring back Iduna, and Freya lends to him her falcon’s wings for that purpose. During Iduna’s absence, Freya has lost her husband Odur, who deserted her, because her youth and beauty had vanished. Skada forces her way into Valhalla, and obtains Niord for a husband. Frey, having nothing to do, ascends to Hlidskialf, which is now no longer brilliant, and where hitherto none but Odin dared to repair. He finds himself punished for his temerity by beholding a beautiful mountain-damsel (a rare exception), of whom he becomes violently enamoured. Now Iduna returns to Valhalla, and with her return health, youth and beauty to the gods. The gods are described; the joys of Valhalla; the palaces of heaven; the Einherier. Starkodder arrives in Valhalla, and is raised to the rank of a god. Bragur sings a song in honour of Gefion. The love of Frey for Gerda brings to pass a reconciliation between the gods and giants. Skirnir, Frey’s messenger, consoles his master, by reminding him of Odin’s own amours. He travels on his master’s account to the abode of the beloved damsel, overcomes all difficulties, solves the riddles of the giants, shows to Gerda the portrait of Frey, and softens her heart. Her father gives his consent, on condition that Frey shall cede to him his sword. During his travels, Skirnir has likewise procured for Odin a chain, wherewith to bind the wolf Fenris. On the marriage day of Gerda, the wolf is bound, but Tyr loses his hand. In this manner the operative influence of the giants on the gods is made manifest. The rash Tyr defies the brave Thor; Thor becomes angry, revenges himself on the innocent human race, and repents his anger. The marriage of Gerda is celebrated a second time at the palace of Ægir, god of the sea. There Lok, enraged at the captivity of Fenris, and his own expulsion from the banquet, endeavours to spoil the joy of the meeting, insults the gods, and is compelled to fly. Banished, and weary of wandering about, he again earnestly desires to visit Valhalla, and promises, in order to atone for his effrontery, to procure for Thor the true hammer Miölner from the giant-king Thrymur. Thrymur consents to restore the hammer, but only on condition of Freya becoming his bride. Lok brings this message to Valhalla, after the Alfer had procured for him his pardon from the Asar. Vexed at the contempt of Thor, and seeing the possibility of doing a treacherous action, he gives way to the temptation, and through the means of Heimdal persuades the Asar to a stratagem; so that Thor, dressed as Freya, goes down into Utgard. When Thor is in Utgard, and the hammer Miölner is placed in his lap, he revenges himself by slaying all the giants, except the old ones and the children, who remain concealed in the deepest recesses of the mountain with Utgard-Lok. Then arises from the vapour of the blood a remarkably tall female figure, sent by Alfader. She prophecies the fall of Valhalla, the death of Balder, the torments of Lok, the approaching destruction of the universe, and the punishment of the gods for their deceit; which is, that their existence shall for a time pass away, and the whole creation perish by fire. After this, she consoles them with the assurance of a future life, where innocence and bliss are to reign eternally.

[12] Asa-Lok.

THE GODS OF THE NORTH.

For all proper names, the reader is requested to consult the Alphabetical List preceding this poem. The notes to which the figures refer, are to be found at the end of the poem.