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VALHALLA 
 
 THE 
 
 MYTHS OF NORSELAND 
 
 3 ^rtoiaj in ^lueiue parte 
 
 BY 
 
 JULIA CLINTON JONES 
 
 Faded the Twilight of the gods 
 
 Thro' the wild lands of the North 
 
 From phoenix-fire a God far higher, 
 Our Christ-Child cometh forth. 
 
 / 
 
 V 
 
 SAN FRANCISCO 
 
 PRINTED BY EDWARD BOSQUI «& CO. 
 
 1878. 
 
 t 
 

 COPVRICxHTED, 1878. 
 
 BY JULIA CLINTON JONKS. 
 
 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 
 
To THE MEMORY OF 
 
 MY Grandfather, DE WITT CLINTON, 
 
 FORMER GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, 
 AND TO THAT OF 
 
 My Mother, Mrs. DAVID S. JONES 
 
 THIS VOLUME IS DEDICATED 
 
 AS AN OFFERING OF 
 
 REVERENCE AND OF LOVE, 
 
 BY 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
TO THE READER. 
 
 To avoid a multiplicity of foot notes, an appendix has been 
 prepared, which will be found at end of book, to which the 
 reader is referred for all allusions and proper names. 
 
CONTENTS, 
 
 Casting out of Loki's Brood, 
 
 Creation, 
 
 Dedication, 
 
 Einheriar's Song, 
 
 Hermodur's Visit to Hela, 
 
 Index to Notes, 
 
 King .^gir's Feast, 
 
 Loki, the Mischief Maker, 
 
 Loki's Punishment, 
 
 Mimir's Well, - 
 
 Odin's Visit to the Vala, - 
 
 Preface, - - - 
 
 Ragnarock, 
 
 Regeneration, - - - 
 
 Thor and the Daughters of v^gir, 
 
 Valhalla, 
 
 70 
 23 
 3 
 39 
 95 
 
 100 
 
 48 
 
 109 
 
 59 
 
 88 
 
 7 
 T18 
 
 81 
 29 
 
PREFACE 
 
 I HAT a curious fact it is, that among us, 
 English-speaking people, scholarly in- 
 vestigation has clung rather to the 
 classic lore and mythology of Greece 
 and Rome, than to the less classic, but far purer 
 and truer religion of the North. 
 
 It is much to be deplored that so slight a knowl- 
 edge of Scandinavian Mythology prevails, popularly, 
 with those who boast descent from Hengist and 
 Horsa, and whose pride it is that in their veins 
 flows the blood that long ago thrilled through the 
 bold hearts of the Vikings, descendants of the old 
 Norse-Gods. 
 
8 PREFACE. 
 
 While still Thor and Odin, Tyr and Freya give 
 names to our week-days; — while still many finger- 
 posts of language and legend, custom and super- 
 stition, point us back to the times of Skald and 
 Saga, w^hen our ancestors sang their runic rhymes 
 in groves of oak around the sacrificial stone, and 
 w^orshiped Nature's forces; — here, among us, 
 sprung chiefly of Teutonic races, but little is know^n 
 of their lore and religion. 
 
 That this mythology luas the religion of our fore- 
 fathers, should be an incentive to our careful study 
 of it, casting aside the additional fact of its own 
 interest, grandeur, and beauty. 
 
 The very foundations of the Gothic faith lay in 
 principles of temperance, freedom, and chastity; 
 bravery and justice were its key-stones; through 
 valiant deeds alone could Valhalla, their Heaven, 
 be w^on by its votaries. What w^onder then, im- 
 bued with such doctrines, the part these Norsemen 
 played in early European history,— the mighty turn 
 they gave to the broad current of civilization. 
 
 Fired by threat of subjugation, roused by 
 the advancing strides of conquering Caesar, they 
 rushed like an avalanche from their snow-capped 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 fastnesses, to fall upon Rome, and wrest away her 
 servile dependencies, — to teach unto men the grand 
 doctrines of freedom and moral obligations; — then, 
 as Goth and Teuton, Frank and Saxon, to form 
 new states, with liberty as the basis of their laws, 
 and toleration and justice their crowning glory. 
 
 They found Rome weakened by conquest, and 
 enervated by luxury; one by one they forced her 
 conquests from her, plunging Europe into a state 
 of semi-barbarism, only to raise her up at last, 
 through their stronger northern natures, and purer 
 institutions to a higher degree of enlightenment; 
 infusing through her weakened frame, their own 
 bold blood, thus giving her fresh strength and 
 vitality. 
 
 But, after all, when Goth and Teuton, Frank and 
 Saxon, had trampled upon principalities in their 
 resistless course, — when they had established those 
 dynasties whose successors to-day hold the reins 
 of power, — it needed the defiant daring, the in- 
 domitable spirit of the Norsemen to counteract the 
 more phlegmatic natures of their southern kinsmen. 
 
 Instigated as they were by the teachings of their 
 ^sir-faith, — animated by the example of their 
 
lO PREFACE. 
 
 hero-gods, — inspired by mythical prophecy, — what 
 wonder that we find them carrying out these teach- 
 ings and prophecies, undaunted by danger or the 
 fear of death. 
 
 The broad Atlantic proved no bar to their pro- 
 gress, and the first European who trod American 
 soil was a Norseman. 
 
 Alps nor Pyrenees raised a barrier to their head- 
 long course. Savage as they were in those early 
 days, rude and ferocious, although brave and gen- 
 erous, they were a terror to the more polished 
 inhabitants of the luxurious provinces of the South. 
 
 Italy quailed before these long-beards; Greece 
 trembled as they advanced, chanting the runes of 
 the North. 
 
 Up to the very gates of Jerusalem they pressed; 
 nor were they unknown on the coasts of Africa. 
 Their footsteps echoed through the streets of Con- 
 stantinople; while the white sails of their ships 
 wafted them over the blue waves of the Mediterra- 
 nean, anchoring off the conquered coasts of Apulia 
 and Sicily. 
 
 Until, at last, their very name became a threat, 
 and from church and town went up the prayer, em- 
 
PREFACE. 1 1 
 
 bodied in one of the Litanies of the day, ^^From 
 the fury of the Northmen, good Lord, dehver us !" 
 
 Planting wherever they trod, the germs of a 
 glorious freedom, they were the revolutionists of 
 that age, and all succeeding ages owe them a lasting 
 debt of gratitude for the noble harvest that has 
 sprung up from the seeds of liberty and truth by 
 them sown. 
 
 To their scorn of luxurious feebleness, — to their 
 unswerving love of temperance and morality, do 
 we to-day owe that which has led us on from height 
 to height, — the principles which have placed Eng- 
 land in the foremost rank of the nations, and which 
 are blazoned forth on the glorious flag of her 
 daughter, our own United States. 
 
 Not from conquered Britain, or enslaving Rome, 
 then, came the leaders who roused England to 
 deeds of greatness and glory,— but from the frozen 
 fens and rugged shores of the far-off North, the 
 sons of Thor and Odin rushed to sustain her falter 
 ing van. 
 
 The climate and face of a country unquestionably 
 influence the physical peculiarities of its people, 
 likewise that people's moral characteristics ; so 
 
12 PREFACE. 
 
 Mythology, being a deification of natural phenom- 
 ena, materially partakes of the nature of the climate 
 and face of the country where it is nurtured and 
 matured, — itself only a reflex of the mind of the 
 people among whom it originates. 
 
 Thus, the Southerner, in whose land nature revels 
 in beauty, and whose clime woos to ease and luxury, 
 became effeminate and sensuous; with him, then, 
 religion was pleasure and self-indulgence. 
 
 While, lost in the contemplation of the ice-bound 
 peaks of his native land, — Creation's earliest land- 
 marks, — the Norseman's hardy spirit was lifted up 
 from earth to the thought of a higher existence ; 
 thus did his nature become nobler and more aspiring 
 through contact with his grander, bolder surround- 
 ings, and so gave birth to a purer Mythology. Held 
 fast in the arms of the great Mother, he counted 
 each pulse-beat of her mighty heart, and imbibed 
 renewed life and vigor from this close communion. 
 
 Religion, with him, became a craving after a fuller 
 hfe, one to which this world is but the threshold. 
 The heaven of the Greek was on earth; his mind 
 could soar no higher than Olympus ; Valhalla rested 
 among the clouds, and the death-river Thund, 
 flowed before its gates. 
 
PREFACE. 1^ 
 
 In that dim Elder-Day, the untaught mind of the 
 Norseman, not guided by the Hght of Science as 
 ours now is, and hence unable to trace the intricate 
 workings of the scheme of Nature, ascribed each 
 part of the system, to the particular agency of some 
 peculiar deity, and, as the forces w^ere friendly or 
 unfriendly to him, he either w^orshiped them as 
 gods, or dreaded them as Jotuns. To him, the 
 roaring of the storm was the coming of angry Thor, 
 the thunder of whose chariot wheels shakes the 
 universe, while his eyes flash fierce lightnings. 
 
 Fire, to him, was the demon Loki; whose evil 
 nature breaks forth in the volcano; — who, in a wider 
 sense, was Lucifer himself. 
 
 While again, in Frost and Ice, he recognized 
 giants, monstrous, and most terrible. 
 
 In earth, he found Friga, the loving Mother, 
 wedded to Odin, the Al-father, Lord of heavenly 
 Asgard. The various changes of the seasons, w^ere 
 set forth in mythic forms, and beautifully were 
 the different duties and personaUties of the gods 
 displayed. The Norseman looked forward to his 
 Ragnarock with unquestioning faith, and hoped for 
 a happy resurrection. He believed that through 
 
14 PRFFACK. 
 
 destruction alone could come regeneration, — 
 through death, a higher life. Bright-winged 
 Valkyriar bore him to Valhalla after a hero-death, 
 or the black Dragon, Nidhogg, dragged him down to 
 Nastrond, if base or cowardly. So did he recognize 
 Heaven and Hell. In so many respects did the 
 Norse religion coincide mth the Bible dispensation, 
 that its followers long resisted the introduction of 
 Christianity ; it was only after the announcement 
 that the old gods were dead that Christ was accepted 
 with His mild and holy teachings. It is now, with 
 great pleasure, that I place before the reader these 
 few following fables from distant frozen lands, feeling 
 assured that he will delight, even as I have done, 
 in the poetry of their imagery, and in the grand 
 truths that shine forth through their mythic lore. 
 Concerning the signification which I have attached 
 to these myths, I must state that other explanations 
 are likewise given, that often they are rendered as 
 natural and physical, rather than as spiritual allu- 
 sions. Still, I love to think that the bold Vikings, 
 those strong-souled heroes of Eld, went deeper into 
 the grand scheme of Creation, and recognized the 
 power of God working in the heart of Nature, in a 
 
PREFACE. 1 5 
 
 fuller sense than in the mere Jotun force displayed 
 in the earthquake shock, or tempest blast. In the 
 analogies drawn below, I wish to show the very close 
 similitude between what we are taught by the Church 
 to regard as her peculiar doctrines, and the Mythol- 
 ogy of the North, whose origin is involved in the 
 obscurity of past ages. 
 
 Let us accept these myths as glimmerings of that 
 light which shines in perfect day for us. 
 
 From the beginning was God, and in various 
 forms, all men have acknowledged Him. 
 
 Throughout these myths, the old Skalds and 
 Sagas have striven to evolve the truth dimly shining 
 before them. Throughout runs a double thread — 
 as in the relation of Odin and Friga, Di\dnity acting 
 upon earthly powers, — in the story of Baldur, the 
 innocent Sun-God, and in the personifications of 
 Loki's children, — a double thread, spiritual and 
 physical. 
 
 The Norsemen looked from Nature up to 
 Nature's God, and seeing the various forms and 
 changes of the great Mother, applied them to 
 divinity, and thence to that lesser type of a sublimer 
 being, — man, spiritually, and physically. 
 
1 6 PREFACE. 
 
 And through all we may trace the creating and 
 protecting Trinity of the Christian system; — the 
 great frame-work of the religion of Christ with its 
 final Judgment and Resurrection. 
 
 \Miether the same with the Greek, and borrowed 
 from it, or whether drawn from a pure Aryan foun- 
 tain-head under Indian skies, still the seeds of truth 
 are there. 
 
 In the beginning was Muspel, Xiflheim, and 
 Ginunga, — Fire, Darkness, and Chaos. 
 
 Muspel and Niflheim. meeting in Ginunga, pro- 
 duced the first formless Jotun matter, Ymir, — the 
 world-mass. From Chaos then sprang gods, those 
 Powers of Good, — creative and protective, — and, at 
 the same rime came Jotuns, — Beings of 111, dis- 
 turbing and deadly. 
 
 In the beginning commenced the strife between 
 Good and 111. 
 
 The .Esir-Trinit}-,— Odin, Vili, and Ye.— de- 
 stroyed the Frost-Giants, (destrucrive natural ele- 
 ments) ; then, from Ymir created Earth, and formed 
 Man, each in his own image. So DiWnit}' went 
 forth in a three-fold form, and, the great work of 
 
PREFACE. 1 7 
 
 Creation being complete, in Odin (the .-^oul of the 
 Universe) were the Three blended. In Valhalla, 
 the ^sir-Heaven, assembled the gods, — all personi- 
 fications of divine or earthly powers. 
 
 Thence they watched over Midgard (Earth). 
 Their various adventures are but mythical repre- 
 sentations of the strife between Light and Darkness, 
 Spirit and Matter, Virtue and Vice; — Nature dis- 
 turbed by natural causes of ill, and man's soul torn 
 by lusts and evil passions. 
 
 Among the ^Esir crept in the bad Loki. one with 
 Odin at the first, under the form of Vih, spiritual 
 fire; but, like Lucifer fallen from above, he de- 
 scended on earth, and became an evil flame, cruel 
 and devastating. 
 
 While on earth, he was the parent of the Serpent, 
 the Wolf, and Hela, — Sin, Pain, and Death, — whom 
 the Gods strove to bind in the Abyss, but could 
 only cast down for a time. They were born in the 
 dragon's bed, and nourished on the dew of dwarfs, — 
 personifications, each, of gold. 
 
 So it was that the lust of riches was the nurse 
 and promoter of ills and troubles in the world. 
 Until Loki fell. Earth was as Eden. 
 
1 8 PREFACE. 
 
 Loki and his brood were also the chief causes 
 of physical disturbances, and their demon natures 
 burst forth in the earthquake and volcano, the 
 tempest and conflagration. 
 
 Baldur, the Sun-God, was Innocence, — the Light 
 of the world, quenched by Hoeder (blind, physical 
 strength, — Ignorance), lured on by the tempter Loki 
 (sin). Baldur being slain, his loving wife Nanna (the 
 desire for all good things) was buried with him. 
 
 Then was born Vali (Repentance), who was the 
 swift avenger of his brother. 
 
 Still, although Mother Earth (Friga) with all Cre- 
 ation, except sinful Loki, mourned for Baldur, Hela 
 held him fast. Innocence, once dead, could return 
 no more until the Regeneration. 
 
 Baldur is often the personification of the summer 
 sun slain by the long dark winter of the North. 
 
 Loki, imprisoned in the Abyss, left behind him 
 numerous progeny, — ills and woes that should tor- 
 ment the world, and continue the strife that would 
 end only in the final destruction. 
 
 Odin and Hela divided man between them. 
 
 The spirit went forth from the ^sir-Trinity,^the 
 body (the tree) sprang from the Jotun-World, — 
 
PREFACE. 19 
 
 SO, from the beginning, Odin and Hela contended 
 for dominion over humanity. Valkyriar (bright 
 angels) led hero souls to Odin, to await the final 
 battle when they should fight with him against the 
 hosts of Hela, — those worthless and sin-stricken 
 ones, brought to her by the dread Death-Dragon. 
 
 For this World-Life struggle ended in one great 
 conflict, in which opposing powers mutually de- 
 stroyed each other, and involved the world itself in 
 the general ruin. 
 
 Igdrasil, the Life-Tree, withered in the flames, — 
 for Time shall end at the Judgment-Day. 
 
 As Loki was received in Asgard, so was Lucifer 
 cherished in Heaven. 
 
 As Loki descended on earth, and there brought 
 forth the Serpent, the Wolf, and Hela, to be the 
 tormentors of Midgard, so Lucifer fell from his high 
 estate, and Sin, Pain, and Death, scourges of earth, 
 are his offspring. 
 
 Can we not, in Baldur, see an image, faint per- 
 haps, of that pure One on whom, too, Innocence 
 brooded like a dove, — the Christ slain by that 
 Iscariot who purposed not His death, but blindly 
 sold Him for the reward of betrayal? While who 
 
20 PREFACE. 
 
 is Loki, but the temper Satan, who ever stands 
 behind with e\'il counsel? 
 
 Likewise, as Gabriel with flaming sword stands 
 at the Gate of Heaven, so stood Heimdal at 
 Asgard's portal; and as he, in dreadful Ragnarock, 
 sounded the summons on great Gjallar-hom, — so 
 shall Gabriel with his trump, call the quick and the 
 dead to judgment. 
 
 As Ragnarock came to the Norseman with its 
 storms, and conflagrations, and strife, — when the 
 chained Loki was loosed, — when ^tgir and Ran led 
 out their bands of the Drowned to join with Hela's 
 hosts against Odin and his hero-array ; — when Surtur 
 cast forth his fire, and in the great World-Blaze all 
 ended, and Igdrasil's self was consumed ; — e\ en so 
 to MS comes our Day of Doom, when ''Satan shall 
 be loosed out of his prison; when the sea shall 
 give up her dead, and death and hell deliver up the 
 dead that are in them ; when there shall be war in 
 Heaven, and Michael and his angels shalT fight 
 against the Dragon, whose angels shall fight with 
 him; when the earth shall be consumed, and the 
 heavens depart as a scroll when it is rolled together ; 
 and when time shall be no more/' 
 
PREFACE. 2 1 
 
 And last, these old myth s held orth the promise 
 of a glorious regeneration, — new heavens, and a 
 new earth, with a purer race of ^sir, and a golden- 
 roofed Gimli. 
 
 To us, likewise shall come a resurrection, when 
 *^ former things are passed aw^ay," — when a new earth, 
 and a new heaven shall be prepared for us also, — 
 a new Jerusalem whose streets are pure gold. 
 
 Then shall come to all, — Norseman and Christian 
 alike, and to those who dwell in the uttermost parts 
 of the earth, — the High and Mighty One, whose 
 name no man dare utter, who existed from the 
 beginning, — the creative spark of life from Muspel, — 
 and He who said, ^'Let there be light;" the God of 
 Gods, and Judge of all men, who shall call the good 
 to His glorious golden Throne in highest Heaven, 
 and cast the wicked below to the gloomy habitation 
 of Hell, where the Dragon shall prey on them for- 
 ever and ever, and where they shall dwell in tor_ 
 ment. As by the flames of Surtur's sword did 
 purification come to the yEsir-Creation ; — so, 
 through fire alone shall Earth be purified, and 
 Death be overcome. 
 
 As fair Iduna alone had never touched Loki's 
 
22 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 foul brood, so she alone passed unscathed through 
 Surtur's flames. And so shall Immortality rise 
 above Death, and stand forevermore in Heaven's 
 eternal Gate. 
 
VALHALLA 
 
 PART FIRST 
 
 CREATION. 
 
 N the dim morning-dawn of Time, 
 E'er yet was made the green Earth fair, 
 With Muspel bright, and dark Niflheim, 
 Ginunga, still as windless air, — 
 These three, — two Worlds of Fire and Night 
 With the Abyss, — ruled in their might. 
 
 Great Surtur, with his burning sword, 
 Southward, at Muspel's gate kept ward, 
 And flashes of celestial flame, 
 
24 VALHALLA. 
 
 Life-giving, from the Fire-World came ; 
 While in the North, in Niflheim dread, 
 Dwelt' Nidhogg, Dragon of the Dead ; 
 Death-dealing frosts and vapors rise 
 From that black Mist-World, full of sighs. 
 Between the two, Ginunga lay, 
 A yawning chasm void of day. 
 The salt rime-drops from Niflheim's streams. 
 Quickened by Muspel's living beams, 
 Met in Ginunga's gloomy space, 
 And Ymir bore, of Jotun race. 
 Who of himself Hrimthursar had, — 
 Frost-Giants they, and Jotuns' bad. 
 
 The Cow, Audhumla, having nursed 
 The Jotun Ymir, licked the rime; 
 Just wrath to wreak on the accursed, 
 Then forth sprang Buri, the Divine. 
 From Bor, his son, came ^sir three, 
 Odin, and Vili, and great Ve, 
 Who, slaying Ymir in fierce war, 
 Drowned in his blood the Hrimthursar. 
 
 Now was conceived the god-like plan ; — 
 The Spirit, Light, and mighty Fire, 
 
CREATION. 25 
 
 Those ^sir three, their task began, — 
 
 Creation's wondrous work entire. 
 
 From Asgard's Hill, their heavenly home, 
 
 The sons of Bor triumphant come ! 
 
 Into Ginunga, Ymir hurled; 
 
 Out of his parts they formed the World ; 
 
 His body. Earth; his blood, the Sea; 
 
 Mountains, his bones ; each hair, a tree ; 
 
 They of his skull created sky, 
 
 Above the Earth fair arched high, 
 
 Adorned with sparks from Muspel bright, — 
 
 The Sun, and Moon, and stars of light; 
 
 While, for defence 'gainst Jotun raid, 
 
 A breast-work of his eye-brows made, 
 
 And called it Midgard, and acrost 
 
 From Asgard, threw the bridge Bifrost, — 
 
 The Rainbow-bridge of colors three, — ■ 
 
 That joined with Heaven, Earth might be. 
 
 Around the Earth they caused to swell 
 
 Deep seas upon whose utmost strand, 
 
 J (''tuns escaped they gave to dwell 
 
 In black and fearful nether land. 
 
VALHALLA. 
 
 Of Jotun race sprang black-browed Night, 
 Who unto bright-eyed Day gave birth ; 
 Him ^isir placed in car of light 
 Darkness to chase away from Earth; 
 Hence Night and Day alternate course 
 The heavens in circle-wise, perforce. 
 Night rides before on dark Hrimfax, 
 Who hoar-frost from his bridle shakes ; 
 While, from Skinfaxi's mane so fair, 
 Day scatters light o'er earth and air. 
 Lest Jotun wolves should them devour. 
 To s^^'iftest flight they bend each power. 
 
 The Sun, beneath the sultr}- noon. 
 Held, high in Heaven, her horse's rein : 
 And, with her pale companion. Moon. 
 Waited until the gods should deign 
 To mark their path, their powers to tell. 
 And place the stars from bright Muspel. 
 
 Born in the flesh of Ymir old. 
 Four dwarfs the mighty .^sir set 
 Four comers of the skv to hold ; 
 
CRKATIOX. 
 
 While, where the outmost boundaries met. 
 The giant Hr3e, in eagle guise 
 Sat in the north, — when he shall rise, 
 Each mighty wing-stroke will give birth 
 To storms that desolate the Earth. 
 
 Within, below, o'ershadowing all, 
 The Life-Tree, Igdrasil, upreared 
 Its sacred boughs o'er iVsgard's Hall, 
 Ahke by gods and Jotuns feared. 
 Its Nornir sat by Odin's gate. 
 Spinning the thread of Time and Fate; 
 While deeper down was Mimir's Well 
 On which was laid rare Wisdom's spell ; 
 Its deepest root did Nidhogg gnaw, 
 Dragon of Death ! forever more. 
 Hovered aloft the Eagle, Life, 
 While deep below lurked Death and Strife. 
 
 From high Valhalla's hall of might. 
 The ^sir looked the whole Earth o'er, 
 Did in their handiwork delight; 
 And then, upon the lone sea-shore 
 Seeing two trees, the Ash and Elm, 
 
2 8 VALHALLA. 
 
 They chose them rulers of this realm, 
 Lest all the fair Creation vast 
 Be wasted, lonely, to the last. 
 Odin on them the Spirit poured, 
 And sense was their's by Vili's word ; 
 With flesh, and speech, and sight were they 
 Endowed by power of mighty Ye. 
 *He Ask, she Embla, they by name. 
 First Man and Woman now became. 
 On Midgard did the glorious Three 
 Place human life and destiny. 
 
 And now the gods' great work was o'er. 
 Creation, beautiful, complete. 
 The vaulted sky, the sea-girt shore 
 Lay, stretched along at Odin's feet. 
 But even in this early morn. 
 Faintly foreshadowed, was the dawn 
 Of that fierce struggle, deadly shock. 
 Which yet should end in Ragnarock ; 
 When Good and Evil, Death and Life, 
 Beginning now, end then their strife. 
 
 * The Elder Edda ascribes the creation of man not to the sons of B6r, 
 but to another trinity of gods, — Odin, Hoenir, and L5dur, probably the 
 5ame as Odin, Baldur, and Loki. 
 
PART SECOND. 
 
 VALHALLA. 
 
 LL is ended ! all is done, — 
 Every thing beneath the sun; 
 
 While above, — the stars, the sky,- 
 Even Valhal, home on high 
 
 Of the gods', in Asgard's land, — 
 Full-perfected now doth stand. 
 
 Assemble, ye gods! 
 In Valhalla's high hall 
 Odin awaits ye. 
 Seats stand for ye all. 
 
30 VALHALLA. 
 
 Valhalla's high hall, 'gainst wild tempest proof, 
 Spears are its pillars, and shields are its roof! 
 Battle-axes carve the feast, 
 Coats of mail for ev'ry guest 
 Drape the walls, support the board; 
 Valhalla, home of Odin, God, 
 On Asgard's height, is the delight 
 Of ^Esir, working deeds of might. 
 
 The Eagle of great Igdrasil 
 High hovers o'er the sacred Hill, 
 Bird of Life ! 
 While waves of strife 
 Round the gates of Asgard pour, — 
 Loud hear Thund, the Death-Stream, roar ! 
 'Thro' the dreadful tumult made, 
 Fallen heroes hither wade. 
 Brought to Odin by Valk}T, 
 Battle-maidens held most dear. 
 O'er sea and thro' air, 
 'Mid lightnings' fierce glare. 
 Bright shields bearing, 
 Each maid wearing 
 
VALHALLA. 3 1 
 
 Gleaming armor, side by side, 
 Down thro' lurid sky they ride. 
 When to Asgard back they come, 
 Tyr and Vidar welcome home ; 
 
 Valhal's wide hall 
 
 Has room for all ! 
 Odin loves not empty seat; 
 Fairest maids the victors greet, 
 Fill full high with mead the bowl, — 
 Deeply drinks each warrior soul. 
 
 High in Valhal sits God Odin; 
 
 By his side, in place of pride, 
 Decked with falcon plumes is Friga, — 
 Queen of gods, and Odin's bride ; 
 ^sir's Mother, 
 Fjorgyn's daughter ! 
 Future is to her revealed 
 Useless, for her lips are sealed. 
 
 And now, at last 
 Thro' Heav'n the blast 
 Rings clear from Heimdal's mighty horn, 
 O'er earth and air its sound is borne. 
 
32 VALHALLA. 
 
 Loud summons the ^sir, — 
 Gods of the earth and air, — ■ 
 
 To Valhalla's glorious feast; 
 
 Fading faint the sound has ceased. 
 
 First, Thor with the bent brow. 
 In red beard muttering low, 
 
 Darting fierce lightnings from eye-balls 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. 
 
 Fairest of all gods, beautiful Baldur ! 
 Bright-browed and pure One, best loved of .Esir 
 
 Light from his shining face 
 
 Streams over x\sgard's race; 
 
 Rising from realms of night, 
 
 Bears he in car of light, 
 
 Bears he from realms afar, 
 Brilliantly beaming, joy to Valhalla! 
 
VALHALLA. 33 
 
 Why trembles Friga on her throne 
 When comes bhnd Hoedur, Odin's son? 
 Lo ! strong and silent drawing near, 
 The Mother shrinks from him in fear, 
 
 For of veiled Futurity 
 
 Pierces she the mystery; 
 
 Baldur's fate to her revealed 
 
 Useless, since her lips are sealed. 
 
 Now Loki comes, cause of ill ! 
 
 Men and ^sir 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. 
 
 Lovely Gerda, Goddess rare ! 
 Snow white arms and bosom fair 
 Gleaming soft o'er sea and air ! 
 
VALHALLA. 
 
 With her brilHam beaming bkish, 
 Glowing lights thro' cloud-waves rush. 
 While Auroras from her hair 
 Quiver "round the ether dome: 
 Shooting o'er the Northern skies 
 Radiant arrows from her eyes. 
 As to Odin's joyous home, 
 She, the Bride of Frey. doth come. 
 
 ( ireat Frey himself hastens hither, 
 Lord of warm, life-giving weather! 
 
 Soft-dropping rains 
 
 0"er smiling plains, 
 
 And dew-drops shed 
 
 On Nature's bed, 
 Fall from his chariot, fleet and bright, 
 .\s speeds he on to halls of light. 
 
 Bright Iduna, ^iRid immortal I 
 Standing at Valhalla's portal, 
 
 In her casket has rich store 
 
 Of rare apples, gilded o'er : 
 
 Those rare apples, not of Earth, 
 
 Ageing ^^sir give fresh birth. 
 
VALHALLA. 35 
 
 When e'er the fearful Day be past, — 
 That Day, of Odin's pow'r the last, — 
 
 She, unharmed shall stand the shock. 
 
 Rising over Ragnarock, 
 Defying Surtur, God of Fire, 
 Conqu'ring Serpent, Hel and Fenrir; 
 
 Then, to Gimli's golden dome. 
 
 Lead the purer JEsir home. 
 
 Amid the summons loud. 
 Rising o'er Earth and cloud. 
 Swelling, then lying faint on ambient air, 
 In rich melodious strain 
 The rune-notes' sweet refrain 
 Falls lingering, from the golden harp-strings rare ! 
 
 Ecstatic notes I 
 
 Each, liquid floats 
 In welcome as the .Esir come ; 
 
 Circling round Odin's home. 
 
 Up to Valhalla's dome, 
 Triumphant, exultant, they rise ; 
 
 E'er they reel and rebound 
 
 In full billows of sound. 
 
36 VALHALLA. 
 
 Thrilling greetings thro' trembling skies, — ■ 
 Rare greetings o'er rain-bow arch, 
 As hither the .^sir march, 
 Still Bragi doth sing; 
 Higher and louder, 
 Clearer and prouder, 
 Entrancing chords ring! 
 Seated at Odin's feet, 
 Pouring forth floods of sweet 
 
 Silvery sound, 
 Bragi, on Idun's breast. 
 Singing shall ever rest ; 
 Soft strains from skilled finger-tips, 
 High themes from wise rune-graved lips 
 Echo around! 
 Delighting with his minstrelsy 
 The gods amid their revelry, 
 Until Surtur's fiery brand 
 Ruin flings o'er sea and land ; 
 Then, passed the Twilight of the gods, 
 E'er shall he dwell in pure abodes, 
 And, beyond all reach of sadness. 
 He shall pour forth notes of gladness. 
 
VALHALLA. 37 
 
 More triumphant then the rune, 
 Sweeter far will be the tune 
 Than now in Valhal 
 At high festival, 
 When with Iduna, then shall he 
 The ^^sir greet full joyously, 
 As the fierce strife on Vigrid's plain 
 
 Rolls away, 
 And Odin's race shall meet again 
 In brighter day. 
 
 Feasting and pleasure, 
 
 Joy without measure 
 In Valhalla hold full sway; 
 While, throughout the happy day. 
 To and fro goes Hermodur, — 
 O'er the Earth, and thro' the air 
 Swift and sure, as messenger, 
 Odin's mandates oft doth bear. 
 
 For even in the flowing bowl 
 Shall ne'er forget the god-like soul ; 
 ^sir great 
 All await 
 Until Heimdal sounds his call. 
 
^S VALHALLA. 
 
 Valhalla's feast 
 Enchains no guest ! 
 When there is need, 
 No sparkling mead, 
 Nor maiden's kiss, 
 Nor Asgard's bliss 
 Keeps them in Valhalla's hall. 
 
 To their power belongs 
 To quell evil, right wrongs ! 
 Earth lifts to them her pleading handsj 
 For them, Air stills his tempest bands, 
 While Dwarf with Jotun trembling stands ;- 
 All bow before their high commands. 
 By purity made strong. 
 
 So the gods in glorious state, 
 Dwell within Valhalla's gate. 
 Cursed be the woeful hour 
 When shall creep in Jotun power, 
 When Good and 111, in deadly shock 
 Shall battle in dread Ragnarock. 
 
PART THIRD. 
 
 EINHERIAR'S SONG. 
 
 EASTING sit the mighty ^sir 
 
 In Valhalla's golden splendor : 
 There, on snow-white arm reclining, 
 Garlands gay is Freya twining ; 
 " Mercy," singeth Baldur bright, 
 " Is the ornament of might. 
 As wreaths bedeck the victor's shield, 
 So Mercy crowns him on the field." 
 
 Throned high is Odin great ; 
 Well he loves the Hero-feast : 
 Wounds adorn each warrior guest. 
 
40 VALHALLA. 
 
 In that radiant hall of state 
 Decorated seats are set, 
 Still with gore the swords are wet. 
 No craven there 
 To sit may dare ! 
 In the brightness of the gods, 
 In those blessed, grand abodes, 
 Heroes feast, on couches lying, 
 Brave in life, most blest in dying. 
 
 Close beside him, in the Feast-hall, 
 
 Stand the beauteous Maids of War, 
 Who from the stricken field shall call 
 
 Bands of strong Einheriar. 
 Grave they wait, with bright shields gleaming. 
 
 Thoughtful, brazen spears in hand. 
 Of those chosen Norse-sons dreaming. 
 
 Soon to feast with Odin's band. 
 
 Whispered Odin, " Soon the gray Wolf 
 
 In Valhalla shows his face ; 
 Who can tell how soon in Vingolf 
 
 He shall ravage Asgard's race ? 
 
einheriar's song. 41 
 
 Still seats are empty. Go ye 'forth 
 
 Thro' the kingdoms of the North ; 
 Bold warriors who have bravely fought, 
 
 Mighty deeds have nobly wrought, 
 Choose ye from the misty Norse-land, 
 
 Allies, at our Throne to stand ; 
 So, when fierce Fenrir comes in might. 
 
 They may aid us in the fight. 
 Heroic deed claims god-like meed. 
 Of valiant hearts have ^sir need. 
 Daughters of War ! 
 Scent ye afar 
 Where red battle doth rage, 
 The steam of the carnage. 
 Who on the death-plain 
 Hath striven to gain 
 Peace for his country, and fame for his gods. 
 Bring here on your shields to blessed abodes. 
 E'er in victorious festival 
 To sup with us in high Valhal." 
 
 Swift thro' the startled air. 
 Like lightning flashing, 
 
42 VALHALLA. 
 
 Thro' war-clouds dashing, 
 Speed the Valkyriar ! 
 Brazen armor gleaming bright, 
 Glittering far with Glory's light, 
 *Skuld, their leader, upward lifting 
 Pointing finger, where, thro' rifting 
 Crimson clouds, the path is lying 
 To the gods in glorious dying. 
 
 Louder the battle roars ! 
 
 As rain the life-blood pours ! 
 
 Shivers the barbed lance ! 
 
 Sharp swords like meteors glance! 
 Each fiery heart 
 Pierced by Death's dart 
 Exults with sluggish life to part ! 
 Fiercer yet see warriors battling. 
 Twanging bows and quivers rattling ; 
 Thro' the field, mad chargers rushing, 
 Ruthless hoofs the fallen crushing ; 
 O'er red earth, with strong spears crashing, 
 Gold haired sons of valiant sires 
 
 *Skuld — Noma of the Future 
 
einheriar's song. 43 
 
 Like their northern blasts are dashing ; 
 In each breast, Berserker fires 
 
 Spring hot to life 
 x\t sound of strife, 
 Smell of blood their sinews bracing, 
 Film of death from glazed eyes chasing ; 
 Leaping mad thro' hostile bands, 
 Seizing victory with fierce hands. 
 Clutching in wild grasp, the spear 
 Which shall wide their heart-strings tear ; 
 Triumphant, feel the welcome wound 
 That, sure, the seat of life has found ; 
 Falling on the field of slaughter 
 Wildly screaming joyful laughter. 
 Exultant, that in Saga's song. 
 Undying, should their deeds belong ; 
 Impatient, hail the maids who bear 
 Their souls aloft on blood-shields rare. 
 
 Downward thro' gore and carnage swooping, 
 Valkyriar, o'er the death-field stooping, — 
 The field of fame, — 
 
44 VALHALLA. 
 
 In Odin's name, 
 Choose from the slain 
 On whom the hero-mark is plain. 
 On their brows press icy kisses, 
 Hold them close in cold embraces, 
 Snatch them from the arms of Death, 
 Woo back life with Glory's breath. 
 Back streams their golden hair 
 As thro' the trembling air, 
 • Up to the ^sir. 
 The bold Valkyriar 
 On gory shields their spirits bear. 
 Heimdal waits at Asgard's portal. 
 Leads to Idun, Maid Immortal. 
 Gaping wounds are bound by Eyra 
 Ee'r they feast with blue-eyed Freya. 
 Then, loud the song of triumph rings,— 
 'Tis Bragi, lo ! the rune who sings ! 
 
 BRAGI'S SONG. 
 
 " Skoal to the Heroes, from battle returning ! 
 Loud sung for aye be each death-dealing blow 
 
BRAGIS SONG. 45 
 
 With scorning, to Hel, the craven ones spurning, . 
 
 Shield-bearing Valkyrs exultantly go. 
 Agape are the wounds, proud crimson marks glowing, 
 
 Gashes of glory on Heroes who die ; 
 Precious to Odin, the purple tide flowing. 
 
 Each red drop, a wine-draught, runes ev'ry sigh. 
 Fires of Conquest, the dun skies are lighting, 
 
 Vidar is chaunting victorious strain ; 
 Hail to our Feast-Hall ! great Heimdal, inviting, 
 
 On Gjallar-horn sounds triumphant refrain. 
 Mercy and Might round each bold heart are twining, 
 
 Adorning each soul like shield-graven blooms ; 
 Gondula and Skuld, with Rota, combining. 
 
 Bear them to Vingolf, thro' Death's welcome 
 glooms. 
 Odin awaits them, in splendor proud sitting. 
 
 There gather the gods in high festival ; 
 Vidar and Thor shall receive as befitting 
 
 Einheriar led to golden Valhal. 
 Radiant couches for them are preparing, 
 
 Banquets that strengthen the warrior-soul • 
 Maidens alluring full beakers are bearing, — 
 
 Love mingling with wine in o'erflowing bowl. 
 Softly recline they on warm bosoms, thrilling 
 
46 VALHALLA. 
 
 Every quick pulse of the swift, throbbing heart ; 
 Fulla for Friga their mead-cups high filHng, — 
 
 Joy is imperfect where Love hath no part. 
 Safely surrounded by Passion's sweet longing, 
 
 Feast they and rest they till dawning of light ; 
 Pleasure and banquet to Valor belonging, 
 
 Feasting shall strengthen strong sinews of Might. 
 Then when the car of fair Day is uprising 
 
 From dense murky depths of cloud-land below. 
 On Idavold's plain, in warfare surprising. 
 
 Till eve shall they strive, in prowess shall grow. 
 So, when the gray wolf to Asgard be coming, 
 
 And Jotun hosts rage in wild tempest shock. 
 For Odin they'll fight, in Day of dark dooming, 
 
 And battle for him, in dread Ragnarock." 
 
 So Bragi ends ; thro' list'ning air 
 
 Rise, swell, and die, the rune-notes rare. 
 
 Around the Hall, on seats of gold 
 
 Recline at ease Einheriar bold. 
 
 Bright maids, caressing, pour the mead, 
 
 While Saga chaunts each warlike deed ; 
 
 On Bragi's breast, Iduna leans, 
 
BRAGl'S SONG. 47 
 
 Fair Gerda's blush thro' Valhal gleams, 
 And Friga welcomes to her side 
 The Hero-band, great Odin's pride. 
 In joy and feasting, passes night ; 
 Their souls, with dawn rejoice in fight; 
 They, blest, shall dwell in fair abodes 
 Till comes the Twilight of the gods ; 
 'Gainst Hela, and her hosts of Dead, 
 They then shall strive in battle dread. 
 
PART FOURTH 
 
 LOKI, THE MISCHIEF MAKER. 
 
 ^rr EATH Valhalla's glorious dome, 
 ^j:,^ In the xElsir^s heavenly home, 
 ^ ^1 Hither, hence, they ceaseless roam, 
 -H^J Rest to find, their labors done : 
 Rest and pleasure 
 Without measure ! 
 Finished task is pleasure won. 
 In fair Duty's perfect round. 
 Godlike souls are ever found. 
 
 From beaming day till cloudless night 
 The gods compete in works of might ; 
 
LOKI, THE MISCHIEF MAKER. 49 
 
 Great Friga's bounteous smiles delight 
 
 And warm the Earth ; Frey, from his height. 
 
 Sunshine and rain 
 
 O'er hill and plain, 
 
 Sends to the Earth, 
 
 That plenteous birth 
 From Nature's womb may deck his fane. 
 Lovely Gerda's brilliant blushes, 
 Lights auroral, quiv'ring flushes. 
 From Frey's proud throne, thro' evening air. 
 Tremble in ether wavelets rare. 
 The grateful Earth looks up with love 
 To bright Valhalla's dome above ; 
 While, in dark Jotunheim most drear, 
 Giants and dwarfs shrink down in fear. 
 
 .Love is the rule of all 
 
 In Valhalla's high hall 1 
 Love is the Lord ! Love never fails ! 
 
 Meekness and strength. 
 
 Mingled at length, 
 By Love poised in Odin's just scales. 
 
50 VALHALLA. 
 
 So Love ruled all 
 
 Till Loki's fall,— 
 Loki, thro' whom Death, Sin and Woe 
 Should ravage Heaven, and Earth below 
 One with Odin at the first 
 When the grand Creation burst 
 From the ^'Esir's glorious plan ; 
 One \nth him when Time began ; 
 One \rith him in godlike thought ; 
 One \\'ith him in good deeds \\TOUght ; 
 
 At every feast 
 
 His honored guest ; 
 
 His foster-brother, 
 
 Of Jotun mother ; 
 Fair of face, seductive grace, 
 Fair, as tho' of ^sir race, — 
 Fell he from his high estate. 
 Sinking in the depths of Earth, 
 There had Loki second birth, — 
 Born of Laufey, frail and base ; 
 
 His father. Wind, 
 
 Fickle, unkind ; 
 Dwelt he within Utgard's gate. 
 Thro' Jotun change, his holy fire 
 
LOKI, THE MISCHIEF MAKER. 5 1 
 
 Burnt fiercer into wrong desire, 
 Mingling with evil ones, became 
 x\n earthly, devastating flame. 
 
 Deep below, on dragon's bed, 
 Brought he forth his children dread, 
 Frightful, fearful, fiendish brood ! 
 Loving evil, hating good ; 
 Wily Serpent, raging Fenrir, 
 Dark Hel most awful, scourges drear, 
 Shapes so terrible. 
 Forms too horrible 
 For aught but wretched Guilt to see. 
 Yet ever in the world to be ; 
 While in fierce Loki's deepest soul 
 Held he most dear these offspring foul. 
 
 Now back to Asgard having come, 
 The gods receive the traitor home. 
 Little the mighty ^sir dream 
 Their brother be not all he seem. 
 
 But prone to hate 
 
 Their better state ; 
 Ah ! bitter have the high gods cursed 
 The evil stock which Loki nursed ! 
 
VALHALLA. 
 
 Goes he where the .-Esir go, 
 Working still as secret foe 
 To undo their mighty deeds ; 
 Leaves them at their greatest needs. 
 Now soon in Asgard peace is dead 1 
 From Valhalla rest has fled. 
 
 Creeping in 
 
 Shapes of sin, 
 Lust of gold and greed of gain. 
 Dim the light on Ida's plain. 
 Darklv, denselv slather there 
 Forms that seem of thinnest air. 
 But as yet that show all fair; — 
 Hateful forms, by Loki brought, 
 Which shall render Asgard naught! 
 
 Ever by stealth 
 
 Works he himself, 
 Foul and fiendish like his race : 
 
 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, — 
 
LOKI, THE MISCHIEF MAKER. 53 
 
 Whose casket fair 
 Held apples rare 
 That render gods immortal, — 
 And in Thiassi's tower immured. 
 
 By his mocking, scornful mien, 
 
 Soon, in Valhal it was seen 
 
 'Twas the traitor Loki's art 
 
 Which had led I dun apart 
 To gloomy tower. 
 And Jotun power. 
 In eagle guise he wrought the wrong ; 
 In like disguise the wrathful throng 
 Of ^sir force him bring the maid 
 Safe under Asgard's mighty shade, 
 Guarded by god-like power most strong. 
 
 Once did the traitor rank conspire 
 'Gainst Asgard's mighty host entire ; 
 
 At one fell blow 
 
 To wreak dread woe. 
 Tho' trusted by the .^sir still, 
 'Twas Loki planned the hateful ill. 
 To Asgard came an architect, 
 
54 VALHALUL 
 
 And castle offered to erect, — 
 
 A casdehi^ 
 
 Which should defy 
 Deep Jottm guile and giant raid ; 
 And this most wily compact made. — 
 Fair Freja, with the Moon and Sun 
 As price the foitress being done. 
 Darkened, indeed, and gloomy all 
 Earth, A^ard, and Valhalla's hall. 
 Should au^t the Moon or Sun be^ill ; 
 Barren the earth, breathless the air. 
 If they should lose loved Freya's care ! 
 
 Deceitful wile, 
 
 Sedudng guile 
 So well had veiled the .z.v.z 
 
 The gods could not detect, nor dream 
 Which one of all Valhalla's thnrng 
 Had been the author of the wrong. 
 Till, like a flash, the memory came, — 
 Twas Zoki did the payment name ! 
 
 Horror and fear the gods beset ; 
 Finished almost the castle stood ! 
 
LOKI, THE MISCHIEF MAKER. 55 
 
 In three days more 
 The work be o'er ; 
 Then must they make their contract good, 
 And pay the awful debt. 
 
 Horror and fear 
 
 At danger near 
 Sudden to fiercest anger turned ; 
 Each god-Hke soul now eager burned 
 To force him break the contract dread, 
 Or vengeance wreak on Loki's head. 
 Guile and fear are kindred ever, 
 Brothers ^they, who may not sever ! 
 To appease the ^sir ire 
 Loki bent to their desire. 
 That crafty builder's strongest stay, 
 The magic steed, to wile away. 
 Subtile and full of strange device, 
 As a young mare did he entice 
 The horse afar to unknown shore ; 
 Thus could the plotter harm no more. 
 
 Thro' all the night. 
 
 Till morning's light, 
 
56 VALHALLA. 
 
 Swift after Svadelfari fleet 
 
 The Builder sped with anxious feet. 
 
 But useless all ! By Loki foiled, 
 
 His anger on the gods recoiled, 
 
 As further work himself could naught 
 
 Without the magic aid he brought. 
 
 Now, casting all disguise aside, 
 
 Amidst the gods in angry pride, — 
 
 While crumbling sank the half-built tower. 
 
 In giant form and Jotun power 
 
 He stood ! Wild terror seized on all 
 
 Lest ruin should on Asgard fall. 
 
 Dread hour for Valhal ! help was none 
 When Asgard's stoutest stay was gone ! 
 The vengeful Jotun, tow'ring high. 
 With scofiFmg taunt and furious cry. 
 Shook gate and roof — e'en upper sky, — 
 
 Grasped at the Sun, 
 
 While pallid Moon 
 
 Coursed swiftly by ! 
 Then on the trembling ^sir turned, 
 
 And forward dashed ; 
 
LOKI, THE MISCHIEF MAKER. 57 
 
 In thunders crashed 
 Portal and wall, defences they 
 Too feeble all in such affray, — 
 [.ike reeds from out his path he spurned. 
 
 But, joy ! great Thor, returning slow 
 
 From road and toil 
 
 And frequent broil, 
 
 In wearied march 
 
 Up rainbow arch, 
 Heard the foul insults of the foe. 
 Frantic at the outrage wrought, 
 Maddened by the ruin sought. 
 As storm-wind sudden, on he swept, 
 Like thunder-bolt on Jotun leapt ! 
 x\s on the giant foe he sprang, 
 'Gainst rib and thigh great Mjolnir rang, 
 
 With mighty stroke 
 
 His skull he broke, — 
 Then hurled him dovvm to Hel below. 
 
 So Thor restored Valhalla's peace. 
 But ills in Asgard did not cease ; 
 Uneven balanced Odin's scales. 
 
58 
 
 VALHALLA. 
 
 Kindness on evil nature fails, 
 
 Meekness naught avails ! 
 Odin's self, distraught 
 By the trouble ^^Tought, 
 Early and late e'er sought from Fate 
 Wisdom to rule in god-hke state. 
 
PART FIFTH 
 
 MIMIR'S WELL. 
 
 N the dread Frost-Giants' dwelling, 
 
 In the realm of Jotunheim, 
 By the sacred Life Tree swelling, 
 Filled with mysteries of Time, 
 The Fountain sprang of Mimir wise,- — 
 
 Mimir, knowing good and ill, — 
 While from those silver waves would rise 
 Mists that watered Igdrasil. 
 
 Thoughtful there sat Wisdom's son. 
 Warder of the Well 
 In whose waters dwell 
 
6o VALHALLA. 
 
 Future, past and present lore. 
 From which Nornir evermore 
 Deeply drank. He, knowing One, 
 Whene'er the early dawn was breaking. 
 And Jotunheim from sleep awaking. 
 His constant thirst these waters slaking, 
 Would his very heart-strings steep 
 In full horn drawn from the deep. 
 
 With silv'ry beard which far below 
 His girdle fell in glist'ning flow. 
 With wrinkled brow yet flashing eye. 
 Sat Bragi old, stern Mimir nigh, 
 He, worthy son of Odin high. 
 Who held the gift of minstrelsy. 
 
 When, sudden, from the sacred Well 
 Up would light foam and vapor swell. 
 Or when o'erlapping wave. 
 Springing from deepest cave, 
 Outflung its misty spray. 
 Then to his golden harp would stray 
 His quiv'ring hand, and forth would roll 
 Such strains as straight enchant the soul 
 And hold, spell-bound, the listener's ear; 
 
mimir's well. 6 1 
 
 Rich runic rhymes 
 Of olden times, 
 High words of ancient lore, 
 Deep words from wisdom's store; — 
 While still thro' all the lofty measure. 
 
 With soft sounds breathing clear 
 Of Love's delight and godlike pleasure, 
 Were mingled notes of woe, 
 Tho' sadly, sweetly low, 
 The burden, wierd, unearthly wailing, 
 As tho' doomed spirits, unavailing. 
 Lost raptures mourned; then tones faint failin 
 Would rise again, with harp high sounding. 
 Thro' all the silent air resounding. 
 And louder, longer e'er swelled high. 
 Inspiring themes of poesy, — 
 Deeds of the gods that yet should be,. 
 
 And deeds that were of Eld. 
 By Bragi's deep-rune-written tongue 
 Oft were such magic song-notes sung ; 
 Oft with his harp, in vesture white. 
 He would the ^sir proud delight, 
 For Inspiration's power he held 
 
62 VALHALLA. 
 
 Hither came the awful Vala, 
 Seeress from the land of Hela, 
 Counsel wise to take ; 
 Here her thirst would slake. 
 Often, too, came ^sir hither ; 
 Often sent the Jotuns whither 
 
 Welled the fount of Wisdom fast, 
 Draining deep the horn of Knowledge, 
 
 Solving secrets of the Past. 
 Vapors, rising from the Well's edge, 
 
 Shadows of the Future cast. 
 
 Now, great Odin, just and true, 
 God of gods, on Asgard's hill, 
 Tho' his ravens faithful flew. 
 Bringing news from all earth through, 
 Tho' he quaffed from Urda's bowl 
 Wisdom's draughts that feast the soul, 
 Tho' by Sokvabek he stayed 
 With fair Saga, all- wise maid, — 
 
 Knowledge still 
 Lacked the God to right the ill. 
 
 Anxious, troubled, full of thought 
 To undo the evils wrought. 
 
mimir's well. 63 
 
 Gloomy, grieving, 
 
 Great God Odin 
 Uprising from Valhalla's throne. 
 Slow, the pillared Feast Hall leaving. 
 Engraven deep with runes within, 
 Sad, parting from those halls of light, 
 Forth rode he out into the night, 
 Down to dark Jotunheim alone. 
 
 Rode he long and rode he fast. 
 
 First, beneath the great Life Tree, 
 
 At the sacred Spring, sought he 
 
 Urdar, Noma 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, Noma of Futurity, 
 Implored to speak, stood silent by, — 
 
64 VALHALLA. 
 
 Averted was her tearful eye. 
 
 And now, deprived of guiding light, 
 
 Onward rode Odin thro' the night. 
 
 When to the Fountain's brink he came. 
 The God invoked the Sage's name. 
 
 Arising slow 
 
 Respect to show 
 To Odin great, the ^^sir chief. 
 
 Stood Mimir wise. 
 
 Whose piercing eyes 
 Saw that the Father sought relief 
 From some sharp trouble, fear or grief 
 
 Straight to him, then, Al-father spoke. 
 
 With questioning words the silence broke. 
 " Oh ! all wise Mimir ! 
 Sprung of the ^sir, 
 Wise wert thou e'er of old. 
 Prophet and seer ! unfold 
 
 What mysteries the Fates may hold ! 
 Darkened Valhalla's hall, 
 The gods, confounded all ! 
 
 Shame and disgrace o'er iVsgard's race 
 
mimir's well. 65 
 
 Hang like an evil shrouding pall. 
 Where is our perfect quiet gone ? 
 Why has the peace of Asgard flown ? 
 Whence come the ills, the wrongs that fill 
 With strife and care our happy Hill ? 
 Has yet a god wrought this disgrace ? 
 Or springs it from the Jotun race ? 
 
 Speak thou ! for thou cans't tell ! 
 
 Speak ! Watcher o'er the Well ! 
 
 For, by the oath of gods. 
 
 Whatever rich rewards 
 
 Thou seek, they shall be thine ; — 
 
 Thou hast my pledge divine !" 
 
 Then spoke Mimir, stern and slow. 
 Filling high his golden horn, 
 While deep murmurings, muttered low. 
 Up from out the Well were borne, — 
 Surges of all-knowing Time, 
 Utt'ring faint their solemn chime : 
 '' Odin, drink ! this beaker drain ! 
 Every drop a Fate shall be ; 
 Spill not one ! great God, in vain 
 Misty veil shall lift for thee. 
 
66 VALHALLA. 
 
 Yet e'er these waters can be thine, 
 Sure pledge of payment must be mine ;- 
 Not helmet bright, nor corslet strong, 
 For they to war and strife belong ; 
 No jewels rare, nor golden store ; 
 Thine eye in pledge leave evermore. " 
 
 *^ Uneven sway thy scales. 
 Blind meekness ever fails 
 To balance crafty strength, — 
 The strength that springs from ill,- 
 Behold ! at length 
 From guile and lies 
 Pure peace e'er flies. 
 Strength is evil, vain is will. 
 Meekness, weakness, — each is sin, 
 While false Loki's brood within 
 Ye shall cherish and shall nourish. 
 Giving thus ill deeds to flourish. 
 Be Loki's brood outcast, 
 In deepest depths chained fast ; 
 Else on the cow'ring world 
 Shall torments fierce be hurled ! 
 Ruined shall fall proud Asgard's wall, 
 
miiMir's well. 67 
 
 Void be each throne, — guestless each hall ! 
 Thro' the Serpent, Hel, and Fenrir 
 Shall come destruction, deep and drear. 
 But, battle with them as ye will, 
 Dread Ragnarock thro' them comes still. 
 Too long has Loki dwelt within, 
 Too long have .^sir cherished sin ; 
 Too late ! too late, great God I too late ! 
 Unchangeable the words of Fate. 
 Ward off the ills, if so ye may, — 
 But Ragnarock ye cannot stay ! 
 
 On Baldur's brilliant crest 
 
 What shining glories rest ! 
 White vestured God ! 
 Love is his sword. 
 
 Peace is his battle-cry ! 
 But even now false Loki waits 
 Within the shade of Asgard's gates ; 
 Lo I even now the Tempter stands 
 By Hoedur blind, with guiding hands. 
 
 The hour is drawing nigh ! 
 Alas ! full soon shall x\sgard's light 
 Be quenched and lost in blackest night ! 
 
68 VALHALLA. 
 
 Then triumphs Loki base I 
 Ravens his fearful race ! 
 Terrible shall be the hour 
 \Mien is loosed their baleful power ! 
 Thee, thee shall hideous Fenrir slay 
 With cruel fangs that awful Day 
 When Earth shall bum, gods pass away 
 All this great Friga knoweth well, 
 But heron's crown forbids to tell, — 
 The plumed crown, Forgetfulness, 
 Condemns her lips to silentness. 
 
 " Quaff once again, O God ! 
 
 But mark thou well each word. 
 Xot strength of Thor. or heart of Tyr, 
 'Gainst Serpent, Hel, or fierce Fenrir, 
 Can aught alone. Let all ^^sir 
 Rise in their might, cast out to night 
 Loki's foul brood ; then, in the light 
 Of Justice high, let judgment fall 
 With equal measure upon all. 
 Restored Valhalla's purity, 
 Thus Ragnarock delayed may be. 
 
mimir's well. 69 
 
 Return thou, Odin, e'er too late ! 
 Hear, and obey the words of Fate." 
 
 So ended Mimir, while the swell 
 Of sigh-like murmurs from the well 
 Ceased with his voice ; then all was still. 
 Back Odin rode to Asgard's Hill, 
 Where, in Valhalla's shield-hung hall, 
 Assembled were the ^sir all 
 To learn what might from Fate befall. 
 Again, when early dawn was breaking. 
 And Jotunheim from sleep awaking. 
 Then Mimir, in the morn's first glowing. 
 
 Going to the fountain's edge. 
 Drank ever of the clear mead flowing 
 In his horn, o'er Odin's pledge. 
 
PART SIXTH. 
 
 CASTING OUT OF LOKIS BROOD. 
 
 EEP down in the realms of night, 
 Hideous powers dwelt in might, 
 Brought forth on the dragon's bed,^ 
 With dwarfs dew* and venom fed ; 
 Awful, dreadful shapes of terror, 
 Guilt}^ forms of darkest horror ! 
 Demon birth. 
 Accursed of Earth ! 
 Well do the .^sir know the sight. 
 The traitor Loki was their father 
 By Angurboda, Jotun mother ; 
 
 Dragon's bed and Dwarf's dew, are personifications ofgold. 
 
CASTING OUT OF LOKIS BROOD 71 
 
 Fierce hate and wrong 
 
 With time grown strong ; 
 The brood triumphant, 
 In this exultant, 
 By Fate 'twas given 
 That they should raven 
 Proud Asgard's sons and men among. 
 
 Seated high among the ^sir, - 
 
 In Valhalla's shield-hung Hall, 
 Words of judgment spake God Odin, 
 
 Counsel took he with them all. 
 Fiercely burned the gods' just ire ! 
 Angry-browed, with shoulders bent. 
 On their rune-graved staves they lent ; 
 Thro' Loki's art, had peace within 
 Been slain, while loathsome forms of sin, — 
 The Wolf, the Serpent, and pale Hel, — 
 Permitted upon Earth to dwell. 
 
 Rising from his Judgment-Seat, 
 From his spear-supported Throne, 
 Tow'ring to his fullest height, 
 Spake great Odin, " Thou most fleet 
 
VALHALLA. 
 
 Tried Hermodur ! quick begone ! 
 Bear my mandate ! speed thou forth 
 Thro' the wild and frozen North ; 
 From drear Jotun lands of night 
 Bring the foul death-deahng blight 
 To be judged by ^sir might. '^ 
 
 'Twas done. The deadly brood 
 Before the high Throne stood. 
 AVildly striving, 
 Wrestling, writhing, 
 Unwilling, to the Judgment came. 
 
 Compelled by power of Odin's name. 
 Defiant, haughty Loki reared 
 His lofty head; with threat'nings dared 
 Affront the gods ; if so they feared 
 His power of ill, to cease from wrath, 
 Resign to him his race of death ! 
 Bold Tyr, undaunted, smote swift blow, 
 Then hurled the Evil One below. 
 
 With venom-dripping crest, 
 Fierce tail in mad unrest, 
 Coiling his loathsome length. 
 
CASTING OUT OF LOKIS BROOD 73 
 
 Launching forth rings of strength, 
 Forked tongue, and poisoned breath, 
 The Serpent, child of Death, 
 Menaced Valhalla high ; 
 
 With heaving throes, 
 
 And deafening blows. 
 Lashing the very sky. 
 
 Close by the Throne now Hela stood 
 Whose awful aspect chilled the blood ; 
 
 Gaunt and pallid, 
 
 Grim and livid, 
 A frightful, ghastly shape was she. 
 As dead among the dead shall be. 
 Red lightnings flashed from hollow eyes, 
 Her dark robes gave forth groans and sighs. 
 Back shrank the ^sir, pale, aghast. 
 As thro' their midst the Dread One passed, 
 x\ll reeking with the fumes of death. 
 Mad, drunken, wild with frantic wrath ; 
 Malignant glared she round the Hall, 
 As, baleful, would she crush them all ; 
 Shaking in rage her mighty arm. 
 Burning to work high Asgard harm. 
 
74 VALHALLA. 
 
 Then throned Justice, roused at length, 
 Seized each the monsters in his grasp. 
 Awful in ire and wondrous strength ; 
 In vain they strove 'gainst Odin's clasp I 
 Swiftly impelled thro' air 
 In breathless race 
 They flew thro' space, 
 Thro' mist and cloud, 
 With howlings loud. 
 Cowered the Earth in fear ! 
 While, in Valhalla, at the sight. 
 Shivered the Gods with faces white. 
 
 Into mid-ocean's dark depths hurled, 
 Grown with each day to giant size. 
 The Serpent soon enclosed the world, 
 With tail in mouth, in circle-wise ; 
 
 Held harmless still 
 
 By Odin's will. 
 With lurid eye, in strong despair. 
 
 Belching forth fierce 
 
 Winds that should pierce 
 With rain and storm, the trembling air. 
 
 Up maelstroms broke, 
 
CASTING OUT OF LOKl S BROOD. 75 
 
 While thunders woke 
 
 With sullen roar, 
 
 From shore to shore, 
 As he, with baffled ire, 
 Writhed still in vain desire. 
 
 By Odin strong. 
 
 Avenging wrong. 
 
 In ice-bound realms of Niflheim dread, 
 
 In gloomy regions of the Dead, 
 Was hideous Hel 
 
 Condemned to dwell. 
 Hither, to her dark domain. 
 Came those worthless spirits, slain 
 By old age, disease, or pain. 
 Captive, by the Dragon, Death, 
 Borne on black-hued wings beneath ; 
 Unmarked by hero-gore. 
 There wade they evermore 
 In venom-streams that pour 
 'Round that dismal habitation; 
 All restless driven 
 Till chains be riven 
 In the Day of consternation ; 
 
76 VALHALLA. 
 
 When will those rigid bands 
 Rush forth from Hela's lands, 
 And, in the shock 
 Of Ragnarock, 
 Thro' Thund's roaring river. 
 Against the high ^sir, 
 
 'Gainst the Einheriar, 
 
 Led by Valkyriar, 
 
 Shall strive that fearful host. 
 
 The armies of the lost. 
 
 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 ! 
 
 'Round about Thund's torrent poured ; 
 
 Loud without, Garm, Hell-dog, roared ; 
 
CASTING OUT OF LOKIS BROOD. 77 
 
 While, on the bridge of glass, 
 To take from whom might pass 
 The toll of blood, 
 Grim Modgud stood; 
 There, Hel shall reign 
 Till, freed from chain, 
 In Ragnarock she rave in strife, — 
 Evil 'gainst Good, and Death 'gainst Life. 
 
 Remained for doom Fenrir alone ; 
 Even Al-father on his throne 
 Trembled before that Jotun power, 
 Fearing should come the woeful hour, 
 
 Decreed by Nornir, 
 
 Foretold by Mimir, 
 
 To most high ^sir. 
 When bright Valhal be plunged in gloom, 
 The Wolf's red jaws be Odin's tomb. 
 
 Exultant in his awful strength 
 Before the gods he stood at length. 
 
 None but brave Tyr might dare 
 
 To come the Wolf anear. 
 Twice did the ALsiv strive to bind. 
 
7 8 VALHALLA. 
 
 Twice did they fetters powerless find ; 
 
 Iron or brass of no avail, 
 
 Naught, save thro' magic could prevail. 
 
 Gleipnir, at last, 
 
 By Dark Elves cast, 
 In Svartalf-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 ; 
 Wound round his limbs in w^eblike fold, 
 Full tight did Gleipnir Fenrir hold. 
 
 Striving in vain 
 
 Freedom to gain. 
 Each struggle only tighter bound ; 
 The Wolf lay chained on the ground. 
 With bristling back and gnashing teeth. 
 The monster rolled the throne beneath ; 
 
 The venom froth 
 
 From gory mouth 
 Was scattered by his blistering breath ; 
 Ever he sought in rage to rise, 
 Drawn ever back by magic plies ; 
 
 With frenzied bite 
 
 And furious might. 
 
CASTING OUT OF LOKI S BROOD. 79 
 
 Would tear apart his fetters light. 
 
 Mad howlings loud 
 
 Pierced Asgard proud ; 
 
 More frantic grew ! 
 
 His huge weight threw 
 
 From side to side ; 
 
 His hideous hide 
 
 With dust and gore 
 
 Was covered o'er. 
 
 With foaming jaws 
 
 And outstretched claws 
 Then glared he, impotent, about ; 
 With fury heard the taunting shout. 
 The shrill laughter of the ^sir. 
 Derision loud of all save Tyr, 
 Thro' him one-handed evermore. 
 
 Bound firm, this scourge of earth, 
 Fierce Loki's fiercer birth. 
 On rocky isle 
 To wait the while, 
 A sword between his wide jaws thrust, — 
 The mighty sword of Odin just, — 
 On earth the hilt, the point aloft, 
 
8o VALHALLA. 
 
 His bowlings oft 
 Shook earth and main ; 
 Struggles all vain ! 
 There lies he fast 
 Till time be past, 
 And Ragnarock burst forth at last. 
 
 In vain, alas ! did vengeance come ; 
 
 Doomed, even then, Valhalla's dome- 
 Too late, too late ! 
 Decrees of Fate, 
 Unchanged and sure. 
 Must still endure. 
 
 Stern Destiny, who can avoid ? 
 
 She, pitiless, shall govern all ! 
 
 Fair Asgard's gold-thatched roofs must fall ; 
 
 Void be her thrones ; guestless each hall. 
 
 Alas ! the hour still came apace 
 
 When all of earth and Odin's race 
 
 In Ragnarock should be destroyed. 
 
PART SEVENTH. 
 
 THOR AND THE DAUGHTERS OF ^.GIR. 
 
 N their azure pillows lying, 
 O'er fhem distant murmurs dying, 
 Ocean caves beneath replying 
 From mermaid's horn 
 To echoes borne 
 On winged breeze 
 O'er land and seas 
 From Asgard, Midgard, Jotunheim. 
 Gently rocking to and fro, 
 ^gir's daughters ceaseless go ; 
 Mantles blue the maidens wear, 
 Snow-white bosoms gleaming bare, 
 
82 VALHALLA. 
 
 Sea-grass green their floating hair, 
 Still onward rolling, keeping time. 
 
 Who so fair as the waves, 
 ^gir's daughters. 
 Dancing waters ! 
 Lapping lightly on the land. 
 Sporting softly on the strand. 
 Chasing one another. 
 Then the breeze, their brother. 
 Ruffles their crests. 
 Scatters their spray, 
 While their billowy breasts. 
 Heaving high in their play. 
 Swell and throb ! In coral caves 
 Reigns King ^Egir, 
 Feasts the ^sir, 
 Feasts he, too, the drowned Ones 
 Hither brought by Ran, his queen, 
 Swathed in shrouds of sea-weed green. 
 Fringed with shells ; while still the sheen 
 Of pallid Hmbs and whit'ning bones. 
 E'er ghastly through the meshes comes 
 Of the net, in which each day 
 
THOR AND THE DAUGHTERS OF JEGIR. 83 
 
 Unwary sailors catches she, 
 
 Grim Sea King's guests below to be. 
 
 Who so fierce as the waves, 
 When, from deep ocean caves, 
 ^gir shall call. 
 Shall summon all 
 To bear his fury on high ! 
 Madly raging, roaring, lashing, 
 'Gainst steep crags in wild wrath crashing. 
 Up to Heav'n their spray-clouds dashing. 
 Mingling sea and sky ! 
 
 Hither comes Thor, 
 The Thunderer, 
 To sport with those maids at rest. 
 Sleepily lies each maiden calm, 
 Gently drifting, with snow-white arm 
 
 Folded on billowy breast ; 
 Foam-wreaths over the floating hair, 
 Swelling surges murmuring e'er 
 Lullaby songs that soothe to rest. 
 
 But fierce Thor, 
 The Thunderer, 
 
84 V.ALHALLA. 
 
 Loves no calm I 
 Peace has no charm 
 To lull his soul to rest. 
 Comes he hither to sport an hour. 
 In Jotun's land, 
 With mighty hand, 
 His .-Esir power 
 Rang in the rock 
 In tempest shock, 
 And raised dread fear in giant's breast. 
 What Odin sought, 
 That strong Thor wrought ; 
 And, now returned. 
 For sport he burned 
 E'er yet he reached Bilskirnirs bower. 
 
 From their rest the maids are waking, 
 Dimpling smiles o'er soft cheeks breaking, 
 Sparkhng showers from fingers shaking, — 
 
 Foamy fingers, light and fair ; 
 
 While bright Day from car of gold 
 
 Scatters gems of price untold 
 
 To bedeck each virgin rare. 
 Clinging, clasping in caresses. 
 
THOR AND THE DAUGHTERS OF ^GIR. 85 
 
 To his breast the great God presses 
 Each soft maid, while floating tresses 
 Wrap him in embraces cold. 
 
 Burning Thor, with kisses fierce, 
 
 Will their frozen bosoms pierce, 
 
 Seizes in enfolding arms ; 
 Filled with passion, strong desire. 
 Lustful flames e'er mounting higher, 
 
 Presses wildly yielding forms, 
 
 Riots on their sparkling charms. 
 Lightly still the maids caress him. 
 Closer to their bosoms press him ; 
 
 Strange regrets and vague alarms 
 
 Wake too late ! now, filled with storms 
 
 Of wild WTath, they vainly try 
 
 From his mighty arms to fly. 
 More gently does their lover Thor, 
 To lie at peace the maids implore ; 
 But struggling, rising in their rage. 
 While all the ocean powers engage 
 To free them from the Thunderer, 
 
 At length his wrath they rouse ; 
 Then ends in strife the rude carouse. 
 
86 VALHALLA. 
 
 Fiercely the billows strive, 
 Madly they toss and writhe, 
 'Neath towers of froth they hide ; 
 While all the ocean wide 
 Is lashed in boiling surge, 
 ^gir sits trembling on his throne. 
 For power to match with Thor is none. 
 Now, from their towers the maids emerge, 
 Now, driven back by tempest scourge. 
 Rough, wild waters ! 
 True Jo tun daughters ! 
 Roaring, wrestling, battling, writhing. 
 Evil powers 'gainst ^sir striving ; 
 Now, lost 'neath walls of foaming froth, 
 ^ Now, darting swift high billows forth ! 
 Blinded by the spray they pour. 
 Deafened by their sullen roar. 
 Mighty Thor, 
 The Thunderer, 
 Flashes lightnings, rolls his thunder, 
 Tears their billowy arms asunder, 
 Undoes their fiercely clinging clasp, 
 •Upholds them firmly in his grasp. 
 
THOR AND THE DAUGHTERS OF JEGIR. Sj 
 
 Upholds them high 
 
 'Neath lowering sky, 
 Rampant raging, shrieking shrill, 
 Holds them powerless at his will ; 
 Still the maidens higher lifts, 
 Dashes 'gainst the frowning cliifs, — 
 Dashes with his gathered strength ! 
 His wrath appeased, he turns at length, 
 And muttering in his red beard low, 
 While glaring still from bended brow. 
 Home to Bilskirnir wends he slow ; 
 With mocking laughter doth he go. 
 
PART EIGHTH. 
 
 ODIN'S VISIT TO THE VALA. 
 
 F all the gods of Asgard fair 
 
 Who did in ValhaFs feast-hall meet, 
 'Mong ^sir twelve who gathered there 
 To quaff their mead at Odin's feet, 
 And tell their tales of rare emprize 
 Beneath the light of Freya's eyes ; — 
 Of all the twelve round Odin's throne, 
 Baldur, the Beautiful, alone. 
 The Sun-god, good, and pure, and bright. 
 Was loved by all, as all love light. 
 
 But now strange dreams and omens ill 
 
 O'erclouded brows whence light e'er streamed ; 
 
odin's visit to the vala. 89 
 
 While Midgard all, with Asgard's hill, 
 
 Trembled for him, most cherished deemed. 
 At council grave did hither come 
 Beneath Valhalla's royal dome, 
 The anxious .'^sir, thus to seek 
 What harm might hang o'er Baldur meek. 
 
 They prayed and offered great reward. 
 
 And begged the Earth this charge to make, — 
 
 Round Baldur fair a watch and ward 
 By day and night to ceaseless take. 
 
 Friga, his mother, restless went 
 
 To every plant, each element. 
 
 Each thing, with breath or breathless, she 
 
 Bound by an oath to harmless be 
 
 To her dear son ; but, woe ! ah, woe ! 
 
 She passed the sacred mistletoe. 
 
 Then up rose Odin, anxious still. 
 Saddled Sleipnir, of Loki's brood; — 
 
 To dark Niflheim, fearing some ill. 
 Then quickly rode Al-Father good. 
 
 Forth in his path sprang Garm, the hound. 
 Fierce keeper he of Hela's gate; 
 
90 VALHALLA. 
 
 On rode Odin; from Earth came sound 
 
 Of moaning over Baldur's fate. 
 Reached he soon the eastern portal 
 Whence returns no Hving mortal, 
 Chaunted loud the Saga's song-spell 
 Which shades shall call from death and hell. 
 
 Forth from the tomb the Vala came, 
 Foreboding shape of woe and ill; 
 '^ What man art thou, — called by what name, — 
 Who dares disturb my rest at will ? 
 
 Dead have I lain long years gone by. 
 
 The snows of winter on me lie, 
 
 The rains have washed my bleached bones dry. 
 Long since the worms have ate their fill; 
 
 And now thou 'rt come to break my rest, — 
 
 Speak ! 1 must answer thy behest T 
 
 " Vegtam my name is, Valtam's son. 
 And come I now to question thee; 
 Behold these seats ! see every one 
 
 Bedecked with rings and jewelry ; 
 For whom prepared ? The mead is set. 
 
 The foaming draught with shield laid o'er: - 
 
ODIN S VISIT TO THE VALA. 9 1 
 
 For whom the feast ? the .guest stays yet ! 
 Can gods withhold from Hela's shore?" 
 
 " For Baldur gleams the beaker bright, 
 
 His seat is set by Hela's side : 
 Compelled to speak by power of might, 
 
 Silent henceforward I abide. 
 Hoedur, by Loki's fraud led on, 
 Blind arbiter of sighs and tears ! 
 
 Will slay the bright, the mighty One, 
 And bring the end on Odin's heirs. 
 
 But, see! th' avenger, Vali, come, 
 Sprung from the west, in Rindus' 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 Baldur's death find vengeance meet." 
 
 "Close not thy lips! I further seek 
 
 The name of her who will not mourn. 
 Who will not weep for Baldur meek, 
 But scornful smiles from eve till dawn." 
 
92 VALHALLA. 
 
 '•' Thou art not Wegtam, as I deemed ! 
 Closed are my lips forever more." 
 
 '' Nor art thou Vala, as thou seemed ! 
 No seeress thou of Hela's shore, 
 But mother of the giants dread, 
 Appointed guarders of the dead !" 
 
 '' Ride on, great Odin! thou hast found 
 Answers to all that troubled thee ; 
 
 1 to my cold sleep under ground. 
 Will lay me calm and quietly. 
 
 Compelled, unwilling, have I said; 
 
 My words shall weigh on thee as lead. 
 
 Never for man shall ope my tomb 
 
 Till fatal Ragnarock be come !"' 
 
 So homeward thro' dark Hela's shade 
 Odin his upward journey made; 
 Passe.d close beside the waters still 
 That lave the roots of Igdrasil; 
 Nor heeded Valkyr's greetings fair, 
 When now he reached the purer air; 
 That air to him breathed but one sigh,- 
 '' Baldur the Beautiful must die !" 
 
baldur's death. 93 
 
 BALDUR'S DEATH. 
 
 With mournful brow and heavy eye, 
 
 Came Odin to Valhalla's gate, 
 And passed the fateful Nornir by. 
 
 But found within all joyful state; 
 For ^sir strong and Vingolf fair 
 Had met in Baldur's honor there. 
 And placed him in their midst on high, — 
 A mark for spear and archery; 
 Most god-like of the gods was he. 
 And proven deathless now to be. 
 
 Huge rocks and mighty boulders Thor 
 Hurled with full force, but without harm ; 
 
 And Vidar, with the Thunderer, — 
 
 And Njordj — the Sun-god bore a charm ! 
 
 Loki alone stood silent by; 
 
 Mad, jealous hate was in his eye; 
 
 Swift his device, — as ancient dame. 
 
 He to the loving Mother came, 
 
 And thro' fair words the secret found, — 
 
 That all in, on, above the ground, 
 
 Except the feeble mistletoe, 
 
 Had sworn to shield her son from woe. 
 
94 VALHALLA. 
 
 Then loud laughed Loki ! swift returned, 
 The slighted plant within his hand, 
 
 Soon the bhnd Hoedur he discerned; 
 Then, giving him the tender wand, — 
 *' Wherefore, O Hoedur ! dost not pay 
 
 Due honor to this festal day ? 
 
 Dost thou not see the .-Esir great 
 
 Think it not ill to show him state ? 
 
 Bhnd as thou art, I'll lead to where 
 
 Bright Baldur stands, a target fair; 
 
 Thou knowest well, Creation now 
 
 To work no ill has taken vow." 
 
 Blind Hoedur threw, — ah, woe I the dart 
 By Loki from the frail plant shred, 
 
 Pierced fatal to the Sun-god's heart. 
 Baldur the Beautiful lay dead ! 
 
 Dead lay the Sun-god. Never more 
 
 Should summer-light stream from his brow 
 
 To do him honor, to the shore 
 Came Odin, with the .-Esir now ; 
 
 Heroic souls, by Valkyr led, 
 
 Ljus-Alfers, Vans, thro' sorrow sped 
 
HERMODUR S VISIT TO HELA. 95 
 
 To swell the train that mourned the dead. 
 Near, with bent brows, the Thunderer stood; 
 While Hoedur, bowed 'neath weight of blood, 
 All shod with silence, slow drew near 
 To weep with him their brother dear. 
 
 On swift Hringhorni's giant prow 
 
 Baldur the Beautiful they laid, — 
 The burning ship must bear him now 
 
 Thro' gloomy skies of gathering shade; 
 Dull yellow fringe on pale gold shroud 
 Gleamed coldly 'neath the wintry cloud. 
 Then Odin lit the funeral pyre, — 
 Out to the north, in streams of fire, 
 To Saga's call his spirit sailed, 
 While Nature's heart his loss bewailed. 
 Ne'er shall the mild god hasten home 
 Till fatal Ragnarock be come. 
 
 HERMODUR'S VISIT TO HELA. 
 
 Sad Mother ! watching her dear son 
 Borne by the burning ship away, 
 
96 VALHALLA. 
 
 Dreamed might be Loki's work undone 
 
 Should she to Hela ransom pay. 
 With veiled head and mournful brow, 
 Then did she to the .-Esir go, 
 And sought which of them all would prove 
 The depth and greatness of his love, 
 By riding swift to Elvidnir, 
 Ransom from Hel the White-God dear, 
 xVnd bring him back, the loved of all. 
 Safe to his seat in Asgard's hall. 
 
 At once Hermodur claimed the quest, 
 Mounted Sleipnir, who saddled stood. 
 
 And never sought he stay nor rest 
 Till he nine days had been on road; 
 
 Then, on the tenth, he came to where 
 
 The bridge of glass hung on a hair 
 
 Thrown o'er the river terrible, — 
 
 The Gioll, boundary of Hel. 
 
 Now here the maiden, Alodgud, stood 
 
 Waiting to take the toll of blood, — 
 
 A maiden horrible to sight, 
 
 Fleshless, with shroud and pall bedight. 
 
HERMODUR S VISIT TO HELA. 97 
 
 As swift Hermodur thundered by, — 
 
 ^'Stop!'' quoth the maiden, *^give thy name ! 
 Thou hast not hue of those who die; 
 
 Only yestreen five dead troops came, 
 Yet trembled not this bridge so much 
 Beneath their tread as thy one touch." 
 
 And when he asked, ^^ Did Baldur ride 
 Down to the dead wTthin her sight ?" 
 " E'en now," she answered, '^ at the side 
 
 Of Hel he feasts in halls of night." 
 On rode Hermodur. Fearful Garm, 
 The Hel-dog, bayed, nor caused alarm; 
 The Nornir dread, by Igdrasil, 
 Could not withstay him 'gainst his vail. 
 So he to dark Elvidnir came. 
 And there invoked Hel's mighty name, — 
 Gave Friga's message, told her how 
 All nature mourned for Baldur now. 
 And prayed her set the White-god free, 
 That joy in Asgard's halls might be. 
 
 "And is it so?" swift answered Hel; 
 " Now shall the truth of this appear ! 
 
98 VALHALLA. 
 
 If all things loved thy God so well 
 
 No loss of Baldur need thou fear. 
 Let all things from fair Nature's birth, 
 Breathing or breathless, on the earth, 
 For him, throughout creation, mourn ; 
 And then your Sun-God shall return." 
 
 Back rode Hermodur to the hall 
 
 Where Friga and the ^sir stayed ; 
 There, filled with hope, he told them all 
 
 What promises dark Hela made. 
 Already light seemed to return, 
 For did not Nature e'en now mourn ? 
 What breathing thing, or without breath, 
 That would not mourn for Baldurs death ? 
 
 Quick o'er the earth great Friga sent 
 
 Her mandate that all things should weep 
 
 And gods and Vanir loving lent 
 
 Their powerful aid, that all should keep 
 
 A day of universal woe 
 
 To ransom Baldur from below. 
 
 Now, as Hermodur homeward rode 
 From bearing Friga's message forth. 
 
HERMODUR S VISIT TO HE LA. 99 
 
 A giantess, all shameless, strode 
 
 From a dark cave that fronts the north. 
 Veilless her head, imdimmed her eye. 
 A hateful smile her lips shone nigh; — 
 'Twas Loki, in the form of Thokt, 
 Who, evil, at the summons mocked. 
 ''If so thou please, let Nature wail; 
 Without 7ny tears 'twill not avail. 
 Why should / weep, whose heart is dry ? 
 Weeping and wailing, none will I ! 
 Living or lifeless, ill or well. 
 Let Baldur bide his time with Hel 1" 
 Then, with loud laughter, Thokt was gone. 
 But where she stood a stream poured dovvii. 
 
 Hermodur sad returned, and slow, — 
 Through Asgard spread the words of woe, 
 " Baldur the Beautiful shall ne'er 
 From Hel return to upper air ! 
 Betrayed by Loki, iiuice betrayed. 
 The prisoner of Death is made ; 
 Ne'er shall he 'scape the place of doom 
 Till fatal Ragnarock be come !" 
 
PART NINTH 
 
 KING ^GIR'S FEAST. 
 
 OW Loki's last, worst work was done. 
 
 Triumphant Wrong, exalted high, 
 Overshadowed even Odin's throne. 
 And dimmed the glow o'er Earth and 
 sky. 
 Weeping and gloom 
 Fill'd Valhal'sdome; 
 The stars gleamed pale 
 Thro' Heaven's cloud-veil; 
 Fair Day reined back his steed of light, 
 Exultant rode forth Jotun Night; 
 Lost in the consciousness of woe, 
 All purposeless the .F]sir go. 
 
KING iEGIR S FEAST. lOI 
 
 Withered the Earth ! 
 Creation's birth 
 Reeled bHndly 'neath the staggering blow. 
 
 Baldur, defenceless, innocent, 
 Naught but his shining purity 
 'Gainst evil deeds as surety. 
 
 To Hela's feast by craft was sent. 
 
 Evil before, 
 Now more and more 
 Evil and base the traitor grew ; 
 Lower and lower fell he ever, 
 Only for ill his each endeavor; 
 Fled from his heart the pure and true ; 
 A reckless raging 
 Each power engaging. 
 Until to all his very name 
 Symbol of craft and hate became ; 
 While, still defiant, held he high 
 His haughty head, 'neath lowering sky. 
 Yet still, tho' lost, upon his face 
 
 x\t times a grace 
 Faint glimmered of the ancient day 
 When he and Odin, one in soul, 
 
I02 VALHALLA. 
 
 Mingled their love in flowing bowl ; 
 A transient gleam, — a semblance cast 
 By shadVy mem'ries of the past, — 
 Arising dim to fade away. 
 
 Now, to assauge the high gods' grief 
 x\nd bring their mourning some relief. 
 From coral caves 
 'Neath ocean waves, 
 Mighty King ^F^gir 
 Invited the ^^sir 
 To festival 
 In Hlesey's hall; 
 • That, tho' for Baldur, every guest 
 Was grieving yet, 
 He might forget 
 Awhile his woe in friendly feast. 
 
 The vexed waves heard the summons given; 
 From white lips hissed their wrath to Heaven 
 
 Who joy or feasting e'er should know 
 
 While Baldur sat with Hel below ? 
 
 Panting, heaving, restless waters ! 
 
 Sobbing, moaning, ^F^gir's daughters ! 
 
KING ^GIRS FEAST. 103 
 
 Bellowing in sullen roar, 
 Beating on the rock-girt shore, 
 Tumbling wild in dismal tide, 
 Whitening all the deep sea wide, 
 The booming surges thundering fell 
 O'er sunken rocks in hoarse, sad swell, 
 While the thick mists flaunted high 
 Funeral banners to the sky. 
 Weeping waters ! 
 ^gir's daughters, 
 Unforgetful, 
 And regretful. 
 Wailing over Baldur's fate; 
 While far below 
 Their mournful flow', 
 On throne of state 
 Sat King ^gir. 
 Who the ^sir 
 Would feast at banquet rarely great. 
 
 Beneath the watery dome. 
 
 With crystalline splendor. 
 
 In radiant grandeur, 
 Upreared the sea-god's home. 
 
I04 VALHALLA. 
 
 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. 
 Lights opalescent 
 Glowed phosphorescent 
 Thro' its sparkling emerald walls ; 
 Flowers the fairest, 
 Rich treasures rarest, 
 Lavish decked its billowy halls; 
 Bright shells from ocean's bed. 
 Gem-like, their luster shed, 
 Twinkling in rays most bright. 
 Mingled their gleaming 
 Brilliantly beaming 
 Rainbow-like light. 
 
 Myriad things of ocean. 
 
 With soft gliding motion, 
 
 Through branched coral grove 
 
 Would dartingly rove, 
 Thro' blooms and o'er palm trees, 
 
 'Mid mosses and sea-fan, 
 Swayed by the cool breeze 
 
KING iEGIR S FEAST. 105 
 
 In the grottoes of Ran. 
 
 While thro' crystal gulfs were gleaming 
 
 Ocean depths, with wonders teeming ; 
 Shapes of terror, huge, unsightly, 
 
 Loomed thro' vaulted roof translucent ; 
 Silver finned nsh swam lightly. 
 Sparkling showers scatt'ring brightly, — 
 
 Phosphorescent rays pelucent. 
 
 Devouring Ran, by ^gir's side. 
 Smiled, treacherous, thro' the feast-hall wide. 
 In festive state awaited they 
 Their JEsir guests to deep Hlesey. 
 At length a conch-shell, hung on high. 
 
 Rang hoarse and loud, 
 
 A greeting proud. 
 As Odin and his numerous train 
 
 To hall drew nigh ; 
 While Heimdal, with great Gjallar-horn, 
 Answered the notes, on ripples borne, 
 
 In clear refrain. 
 
 Then Vans and ^sir, mighty gods, 
 Of Earth, and air, and Asgard, lords — 
 
io6 Valhalla. 
 
 Advancing with each goddess fair, 
 A brilHant retinue most rare, — 
 Attending mighty Odin, swept 
 
 Up wave-worn aisle in radiant march, 
 Thro' pillared crystals, glittering bright, 
 Fair diamond lamps, dispersing light. 
 Around them briny breezes crept. 
 Wafting them on 
 To ^gir's throne 
 'Neath billowy arch, 
 Where fountains flowing, filled with mead, 
 And goblets wreathed with bright sea-weed, 
 For them abounded ; 
 While songs resounded 
 Loud and high 
 In welcoming cry. 
 As near and nearer, drew they nigh. 
 
 With burnished gold helm, at their head 
 Great Odin up the feast-hall led, — 
 Mighty father of the ^sir ! 
 With his bride, the blue-eyed Friga ; 
 Azure robes around her flowing. 
 Heron-crested, 
 
KING iEGIR S FEAST. 1 07 
 
 Snow-white breasted, 
 Love upon her soft Hps glowing 
 For her lord, — her heart's desire. 
 
 Freya close beside was treading, 
 Dazzling rays around her shedding 
 From the starry wreath of light, — 
 Sun-worlds, — glowing scarce so bright 
 As fair Beauty's lovely queen 
 Hast'ning on thro' crystal sheen. 
 
 Sweet Bragi, Njord, Forseti mild, 
 And gold-curled Sif, the spouse of Thor, 
 With Vidar, .Frey, and many more, 
 Up thro' the central nave defiled; 
 Absent alone the Thunderer. 
 As close to JEgii's throne they drew. 
 With ev'ry step the conches blew; 
 
 The shrill notes rang, 
 
 And skoal loud sang ! 
 
 Skoal to each guest 
 
 At ^F^gir's feast. 
 
 Higher and louder swelled the glee. 
 Merrier the festivity ! 
 
Io8 VALHALLA. 
 
 When, suddenly, in shadow fell 
 
 A shade from Hel 
 
 The hall within; 
 
 A figure tall 
 Crept in by stealth, — a: shape of sin ! 
 Twas Loki reared his hateful form ; 
 
 Like lull in storm, 
 A dismal silence shrouded all, 
 x\nd ended the high festival. 
 
PART TENTH 
 
 LOKTS PUNISHMENT, 
 
 LONE, forlorn, 
 
 Apart withdrawn, 
 
 An outcast, Loki leant 
 'Gainst coral feast-seat in the aisle; 
 On traitor shameless each the while 
 
 Reproachful glances bent. 
 
 ^' Now, wherefore art thou hither come, 
 An unsought guest, in ^gir's home ? 
 
 At festival 
 
 In banquet hall. 
 For thee, behold ! no seat is set ; 
 No flowing mead thy lips shall wet. 
 
no VALHALLA. 
 
 Depart ! thou scourge of x\sgard's race 1 
 Among the gods thou hast no place." 
 
 Twas Bragi spoke; 
 From Loki broke 
 Resounding words of insult vile; 
 '* Confusion on all 
 Within this hall ! 
 Death to the ^sir ! 
 Ruin to ^gir ! 
 May flames of Surtur 
 
 Destroy ye all I 
 Empty your pleasures, 
 Worthless your treasures : 
 In a brief while 
 
 Cometh your fall. 
 Even now Hela 
 Glares at Valhalla ! 
 Never, ye gods ! again 
 Shall meet your festive train 
 At banquet high. 
 Lo I darkened sky 
 Attests my power. 
 In woeful hour 
 
LOKl'S PUNISHMENT. Ill 
 
 Your Baldur fell thro' subtle art ; 
 
 I plucked the dart 
 That, surely, pierced the Sun-God's heart. 
 
 When Nature wept, 
 
 As Thokt, I kept 
 My tearless watch, lest he 
 From Hela's kingdom freed might be. 
 
 From earhest dawn 
 
 Of Time's young morn, 
 
 On Asgard's hill. 
 
 My steadfast will 
 Opposed you in each high endeavor ; 
 
 Fair tho' I seemed, — 
 
 Friend, as ye deemed, — 
 A double game I played you ever. 
 Triumphant, tho' I now give way ; 
 
 The stronger ye 
 
 This time may be. 
 Soon, ^sir ! comes the woeful day ! 
 Dread Ragnarock ye none can stay ; 
 Then my fierce power shall Valhal know, 
 And Asgard feel me open foe. 
 
112 VALHALLA. 
 
 '' Tremble, ye ^sir ! 
 And you, King ^gir ! 
 Hark how fierce Fenrir 
 Howls loud and long ! 
 
 Now, Odin ! speed 
 Valkyriar, 
 
 Your maids of war; 
 For in Valhalla 
 
 Soon is there need 
 Of brave and strong 
 
 Einheriar ! 
 
 '' Ye fair-faced goddesses ! Not one, 
 By Beauty's light or Wisdom's ray. 
 Can turn away 
 The woe begun. 
 Soon, ravening, shall 
 Thro' proud Valhal, 
 And bright Vingolf, 
 Rage the Gray Wolf ! 
 No seat have /, as welcome guest. 
 At this your feast ! 
 Where horrors dwell 
 In halls of Hel, 
 
LOKl'S PUNISHMENT. II3 
 
 Behold ! a mightier feast is spread, — 
 
 Meats that nourish, 
 
 i\nd cause to flourish 
 The ghastly armies of the Dead. 
 Above, loud crows your golden Cock ! 
 
 Once hath the sound 
 
 Echoed around ! 
 The third time heralds Ragnarock 1" 
 
 Scoffing he spoke, and sneering gazed 
 On throng assembled; — mute, amazed, 
 They, listening, stood an instant's space. 
 
 Then wrath swelled high, 
 
 Darkened each eye, 
 
 Convulsed each face ! 
 Stung by insulting taunt, 
 Enraged at odious vaunt. 
 Quick to his feet each, furious, sprang; 
 Thro' dome and arch deep curses rang ! 
 When, suddenly, a peal of thunder 
 Shivered the crystal gulfs asunder; 
 With lurid ray, fierce lightnings played. 
 
 Reflected bright 
 
 In diamond light. 
 
114 VALHALLA. 
 
 'Gainst billowy wall 
 Of banquet hall, 
 While winds and waves loud tumult made. 
 Then quaked the undulating floor, 
 Quivered each amber lamp, 
 Each \^Teath of sea-weed damp ; 
 Rocked the translucent dome ; 
 Deep aisles were flecked \\ith foam. 
 It was the mighty Thunderer, Thor ! 
 
 S^^ift drawing nigh 
 
 With flashmg eye 
 
 And flaming beard, 
 
 Wroth, mutt'ring low 
 
 'Neath bended brow, 
 He raised great Mjohiir high; 
 On traitor vile he glared 
 
 Before the dread 
 
 Avenger's tread 
 
 Back Loki shrank, 
 
 'Mid steel swords* clank, 
 And, craven ! trembling fled ! 
 
 Mad for vengeance, wild with hate. 
 Forth the gods, infuriate, 
 
LOKI'S PUNISHMENT. II 
 
 From gay halls in coral caves, 
 Rushed thro' surging, swelling waves ! 
 
 In fearful race. 
 
 To Loki chase 
 The wrathful JEsir gave ! 
 Now^, thro' boiling whirlpools darting, 
 Hissing depths, asunder parting; 
 Now, the foaming billows breasting, 
 Never for a moment resting ; 
 Until, wearied out at length. 
 Gathering all his failing strength 
 
 Himself to save. 
 The traitor, to a salmon changing, — 
 
 Slipping, sliding, 
 
 Doubling, gliding. 
 Beneath a roaring cascade ranging, 
 Halted for an instant's space. 
 
 In that instant's pause for breathing, — 
 Waters 'round him frothing, seething. 
 Sides with fear and flight fast heaving, — 
 His fierce enemies perceiving 
 Golden scales thro' foam-clouds flashing, 
 On him dashing, 
 
Il6 VALHALLA. 
 
 Seized and bound him, firmly lashing 
 
 Struggling form with horrid coils. 
 Fettered by the entrails torn 
 From his own son, Jotun-born, 
 Laid he, hopeless, in the toils ; 
 While the ^sir, mocking, taunting. 
 Chained him — powerless and panting, — 
 Fast to a triple-pointed rock. 
 Till freed by final battle -shock. 
 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. 
 
 ^g. 
 
 By him, still unwearied kneelin^ 
 
 Sigyn at his tortured side, — 
 Faithful wife ! with beaker stealing 
 
 Drops of venom as they fall, — 
 
 Agonizing poison all ! 
 Sleepless, changeless, ever dealing 
 
 Comfort, will she still abide; 
 Only when the cup's o'erflowing 
 
LOKIS PUNISHMENT. II7 
 
 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 Ragnarock be come. 
 
 lu this poem, Loki's final capture and punishment only is told. 
 Escaping from the banquet hall of ^gir, he fled to the mountains, 
 where he secreted himself until discovered by Odin, who, with the 
 rest of the -Esir, went in pursuit. Loki, to avoid capture, assumed 
 the form of a salmon, but was finally taken by Thor. 
 
PART ELEVENTH. 
 
 RAGNAROCK 
 
 WAS done ! th' avenging deed was 
 wrought ! 
 Alas, too late ! 
 Decrees of Fate 
 With judgment fraught 
 Must be obeyed. 
 With Baldur dead 
 Pure Peace and Innocence had fled ; 
 When his swift, shining course was stayed, 
 Then darkness gathered o'er the Earth, 
 Strife and Corruption sprang to birth. 
 Tho' 1 oki lay fast bound below. 
 The seeds of woe 
 
RAGNAROCK. II9 
 
 Were sown broadcast; 
 Nearer and nearer drew the hour, 
 Blacker and fiercer grew the power 
 That should o erwhelm all things at last. 
 
 Grim Fimbul raged, and o'er the world 
 Tempestuous winds and snow-storms 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. 
 
 Three other winters howled abroad 
 With furious storms of ice and hail ; 
 Beneath the might of fearful gale 
 Earth trembled; while, thro' wild abyss, 
 The seas around, upthundering, roared 
 To sable skies, with moan and hiss ! 
 Crag hurled on crag with deaf 'ning crash ; 
 Great Igdrasil, beneath the lash 
 Of tempest shock, all quivering stood ; 
 
I20 VALHALLA. 
 
 The blackened skies were flecked with blood 
 By raging powers of Darkness riven 
 From their fixed orbits in the heaven, 
 The palUd stars were ruthless driven 
 
 Thro' flying cloud. 
 Hoarse earthquakes bellowed loud ; 
 Crumbled the rocks ; forests down bowed ! 
 Forth burst the hot volcanic stream ; 
 Flashed forth the fatal lightning's gleam ; 
 Streamed sheets of flame to lurid sky; 
 Devouring tongues of fire rose high, 
 Did mighty Igdrasil enshroud, 
 And Time expired in burning flood. 
 
 All bonds were burst ; 
 
 Troops of accursed 
 Tore rampant thro' the Earth and air ; 
 The gloomy hordes of Night roamed free ; 
 The powers that erst from Chaos came — 
 Fire and Water, Darkness, Death — 
 'Gainst Earth and Asgard strove in wrath. 
 More fiercely than the lurid glare 
 Of conflagration, hideously 
 Shone on men's faces Murder's flame ! 
 
RAGNAROCK. I 2 I 
 
 Brother slew brother — father, child ; 
 Men turned to tigers, mad for gore ! 
 Creation raged ! war followed war ; 
 Impiety, Injustice piled 
 Huge heaps of horror to the sky ; 
 Passion, and Fear, and every crime 
 Mad riot held thro' this dread time — 
 Undaunted, reared their pale heads high ! 
 
 So came, with blood and tempest shock, 
 
 Wild Ragnarock ! 
 
 The Day of Doom — 
 
 The hour was come ! 
 Shrill crowed Valhalla's golden Cock ! 
 The crimson bird of Hel replied. 
 Fierce Fenrir flung his fetters wide. 
 Deep howling, rushed with ravening jaws. 
 Nostrils flame flashing, outstretched claws. 
 Hot eyeballs glaring for his prey ; 
 On-leaping thro' the gulfs of air. 
 With jaws agape from Earth to Heaven, 
 A yawning chasm of red fear 1 
 Well knew the Wolf, that awful Day, 
 What prey should to his maw be given. 
 
122 VALHALLA. 
 
 In giant wrath, the Serpent tossed 
 
 In ocean depths, till, freed from chain. 
 
 He rose upon the foaming main ; 
 
 Beneath the lashings of his tail. 
 
 Seas, mountain high, swelled o'er 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. 
 
 Over the lurid ocean flew 
 
 The Death-ship, Nagelfari, dread, 
 
 Filled with Hrimthursar, led by Hrym, 
 
 Bearing huge rocks ; the winds that blew 
 
 And sped it on this final time. 
 
 Were dying sighs of mortal dead. 
 
 Now at the head of Hei's pale host, 
 Those livid armies of the lost, 
 The unchained Loki furious came. 
 Grimmer and closer, thro' the gloom 
 On pressed they to the plain of Doom. 
 Scorching on high, rolled pillared flame ; 
 
RAGXAROCK. • 1 23 
 
 With bayings that thro' Nature pierced, 
 From Gnipa, Garm, the Hel-Dog, burst ; 
 In mad, chaotic rout, 
 Thro' baleful light. 
 The powers of Night 
 Reeled and careered about ! 
 
 Amid the hideous din, 
 Confusion dire, 
 The blackened Heav'ns were rent in twain ; 
 
 Thro' the jagged rift. 
 
 With dazzling radiance swift, 
 
 Streamed the World of Fire ! 
 
 'Gainst the hosts of Sin, 
 On hastening to broad Vigrid's plain, 
 The blazing sons of Muspel rode : 
 Thro' gloomy clouds their pathway glowed. 
 
 Down thro' the fields of air. 
 
 With glittering armor fair, 
 
 In battle order bright. 
 
 They sped, while seething flame 
 
 From rapid hoof strokes came. 
 Leading his gleaming band, rode Surtur, 
 'Mid the red ranks of raging fire ; 
 
124 VALHALLA. 
 
 His very sword a ray of light 
 
 Snatched from the Sun ! 
 
 Flinging on high 
 Flame banners flaunting to the sky, 
 Onward they came at headlong pace ; 
 The Rainbow Bridge, 'neath furious race, 
 Shivered and sank — its work was done ! 
 
 White as the winter snows. 
 Great Heimdal now arose — 
 Valhalla's Warder, 
 High Heaven's Guarder ! — 
 
 Siezed his huge trump and boldly blew. 
 
 Loudly and long thro' Asgard rang 
 
 Great Gjallar-horn, with startling clang ! 
 
 That summons well the JEsir knew ! 
 
 Then, for the third time, crowed the Cock, 
 
 Assembling all for Ragnarock ! 
 
 As thro' the Heavens the summons rang, 
 Swift to their Chief the ^sir sprang ! 
 Fresh armor seized from steel-draped hall : 
 Exulting loud in awful joy 
 That conflict mighty should employ 
 
RAGNAROCK. I 25 
 
 Once more their might, 
 
 E'en though the fight 
 Should end in Asgard's fatal fall ; 
 For, high o'er Vigrid's gory plain, 
 The .^sir saw fair Gimli's fane. 
 
 Little delay was in that hour : 
 
 Great Odin gathered all his power ! 
 
 Ah ! well for him that to his feasts 
 
 Had bidden he such warrior guests. 
 
 Now, wakened by Valkyriar, 
 
 Brave armies of Einheriar 
 
 With stiffened fingers bound on swords ; 
 
 With shield and lance, 
 
 'Mid bright spears' glance. 
 Pressed on amid the hastening gods. 
 Then, gold-helmed Odin at their head, 
 Valhalla's hosts to Vigrid led j 
 With polished armor shining bright. 
 And cuirass gleaming thro' the night. 
 On to the final battle sped. 
 Close by his side, the Thunderer. 
 With Odin, Fenrir closed in strife ! 
 Awful and strong 
 
126 VALHALLA. 
 
 That contest long, 
 
 For death and Hfe ! 
 Powerless to aid was mighty Thor ; 
 'Gainst him the fell World-Serpent raged, 
 And all his ^^sir powers engaged ! 
 
 Blood-stained the helmet's burnished gold ! 
 In struggles mad o'er Earth they rolled. 
 At last, huge Fenrir's wide-stretched jaw 
 Engulfed the God in grizzly maw ; 
 Thus, by foul Loki's fearful son. 
 Was greatest ill to Asgard done. 
 
 Lo ! Vidar, as avenger, came 
 
 Of Odin's fame 1 
 The Monster in his mighty grasp, 
 
 Resistless clasp, 
 He seized; loud howlings broke. 
 And far, affrighted echoes woke. 
 
 Upon his writhing foe 
 
 Planting his iron shoe. 
 Rending and tearing with vast strength. 
 
 Until, at length. 
 Split he Fenrir's jaws asunder ! 
 
RAGNAROCK. 1 27 
 
 The reft sky shook with deep death growls, 
 And sharp, prolonged, hideous howls 
 Like harsh peals of angry thunder. 
 Scarce conquered was the Gray Wolf dread, 
 E'er, with the life blood oozing slow 
 From wound dealt forth by dying foe, 
 On Fenrir foul fell Vidar, dead. 
 
 Caught in the loathsome toils 
 
 Of Jormungandur's coils. 
 
 Thro' all this fearful war 
 No aid could bear the Thunderer : 
 The Serpent, armed with fatal sting, 
 Loud clanking now with scaly side. 
 Fierce fold on fold out-lapping wide. 
 
 With toss and fling 
 To crush the ^sir-champion tried. 
 At length. 
 With wondrous strength. 
 Great Thor the horrid coils off flung ; 
 Beneath the blows of Mjolnir dread, 
 The savage Monster, stricken dead. 
 In jet-black gore lay weltering. 
 But, in that awful combat, stung 
 
128 VALHALLA. 
 
 By venomed fang, nine steps and more 
 Back recoiled the unconquered Thor, 
 And in his last World- Victory died. 
 
 Once, high in Valhal held a god, 
 But now, a fallen shape abhorred, 
 Condemned for ill 
 Stern doom to fill. 
 Full long had Loki writhed enchained, 
 Tormented, tortured, agonized ; 
 
 Stretched at gigantic length, 
 
 Useless his Jo tun strength. 
 Tearing at iron fetters fast ; 
 Heavings and howlings — all in vain ! 
 There had he tossed long ages past. 
 Revolving schemes of deeds accursed, 
 Wild hopes of wrath and vengeance nursed ; 
 For these, alone, he freedom prized. 
 That, with his pristine power regained. 
 He hatred fierce might wreak at last ; 
 Joyful to him was Vigrid's plain. 
 
 Roused to fresh ire at Fenrirs fall. 
 Up-towered in rage his figure tall. 
 
RAGNAROCK. 1 29 
 
 Breathing defiance deep and loud, 
 Leading ahead Hel's ghostly crowd, 
 With vengeful lust, the ^sir sought. 
 
 Swift o'er the held. 
 
 With brazen shield, 
 
 And lance in rest. 
 Great Heimdal rushed to meet the foe 
 
 'Mid streams of gore, 
 
 While shout and roar 
 
 And thunderous blow 
 Convulsed the earth, the ^ther split ; 
 There, thro' the rift with flames alit. 
 Bright Muspel's sons in awful gaze. 
 One instant glaring in amaze. 
 Marked how in frenzied fight they fought. 
 Then, in death-struggle, wildly pressed, 
 Infuriate, grappling breast to breast, 
 In vengeful arms they, gasping, reeled. 
 
 The universal fury swelled 
 
 Fiercer on high ! 
 
 The vaulted sky. 
 
 High arched with flame. 
 
 Resounded with the deaf 'ning clang 
 
130 VALHALLA. 
 
 Which, deep below, in earthquakes rang. 
 Minions advancing hosts repelled, 
 ^^^lom millions met and fought, unquelled I 
 From air, and earth, and sea, there came 
 
 Throngs until now in bondage held ; 
 Down from their cloudy prisons swept 
 The sons of ^-Egir, fettered kept 
 By thunderbolt and lightning's chain. 
 P'rom seething whirlpools of the main, 
 Up ^-Egir sprang \N-ith Ran's dank train 
 
 Of pallid Drowned; while ravening waves. 
 Huge, rearing high their foaming breasts, 
 Destruction bearing on their crests, 
 
 To battle rushed from ocean caves. 
 Terrific conflict! each on field, 
 Alone, could devastation wield. 
 Host surged on host : then, rallying, flew 
 To join more fierce the strife anew. 
 Xo thought of flight ! 
 On his o^^^l might 
 Each in this mad ning hour relied. 
 Down to her very central point 
 Trembled the earth; thro' every joint 
 Of pale Creation's quiv'ring frame, 
 
RAGNAROCK. 131 
 
 Confusion wild, and warring came : 
 
 Till, darting down from scorching sky, 
 Great Surtur flung his fiery brand ! 
 In conflagration flared the land, 
 
 Shrivelled like scroll the heaven high; 
 Above, below, surrounding fire 
 Still mounting higher, 
 Played lurid 'gainst the crumbHng home 
 Of Valhal's gods in Asgard's dome. 
 
 Ended the frightful war. 
 Alone, as conqueror. 
 Stood Surtur, Victor! 
 With ruined Nature's birth, 
 Down sank the blackened Earth 
 In boiling sea. 
 All smould'ring fell ! 
 That which from Chaos came, 
 To Chaos back returned ; 
 Disastrously, 
 In the eclipse of Asgard's lords, 
 Faded the twilight of the gods. 
 At length one universal fiame. 
 Enwrapping distant spheres, high burned; 
 
\'ALHALLA. 
 
 Laid on one mighty funeral pyre, 
 
 Forth flashed in fierce consuming fire, 
 
 In World-blaze dread, — Earth, Heaven and Hell ! 
 
 ■.^^ 
 
PART TWELFTH. 
 
 REGENERATION 
 
 O Chaos wild again 
 Reigned o'er Creation's fane. 
 P'oul Loki"s brood had given birth 
 To fear in Heav'n/ and crime on Earth. 
 
 So deep had sunk corruption's stain, — 
 
 So far had spread dark sin and pain, — 
 That Death alone 
 Could e'er atone ; 
 
 While thro' the flames of Surtur's sword 
 
 Alone could peace, be yet restored. 
 
 When that dread World-blaze flared on high, 
 
 Mingling in ruin earth and sky, — 
 
134 VALHALLA. 
 
 The lurid glow, still mounting higher. 
 Shone forth, — a god-sent purifier. 
 
 'Twas past. The Fire-God's work was done. 
 
 Died down the flame; 
 
 Weak Nature's shame 
 Submerged in depths of shoreless sea; 
 The charred skies, the smoke-wreaths gray, 
 With battle's din, had passed away; 
 
 Day had begun ! 
 
 All gloriously 
 
 Thro' Heaven's broad fields of trackless light, 
 
 With splendors bursting thro' the night, 
 
 The fairer daughter of the Sun 
 
 Rode forth on her celestial way 
 Round ether main. 
 
 Where starry isles strew thick the plain ; 
 
 One dazzling blaze 
 
 Of cloudless days 
 Flooded all worlds with ecstacy. 
 
 Triumphantly 
 Stept forth the High and Mighty One 
 
 From mansions of Eternity, 
 Where rests for aye His golden throne ; 
 
REGENERATION. 1 35 
 
 To Whom Time was a moment's birth; 
 Strong with the strength of Heaven and Earth, 
 Victorious o er sin and pain, 
 With wondrous majesty stiall reign 
 In judgment's solemn panoply. 
 
 Then the Tife-giving Spirit spoke; 
 
 And sudden broke 
 Up from the bosom of the sea, 
 
 Most beateously, 
 The vernal Earth, ambrosial; 
 Fair as the smile of new-born light. 
 And fairer far than when at dawn 
 Of young Creation's early morn, 
 Up-sprmging from chaotic night, 
 She sang her praise to proud Valhal. 
 
 Raising on high her forehead fair 
 Crowned with sweet flowers of beauty rare, 
 She smiled up to the crystal arch, 
 Laughing with fountain's gurgling plash. 
 And mountain streamlet's joyous dash; 
 
 While shining planets far, 
 Moving in liquid harmony 
 
136 VALHALLA. 
 
 Around the Throne of Him most High, 
 Pausing awhile in measured march, 
 Poured down a flood of softened beams, 
 Caught from blest Gimli's golden gleams, 
 To greet their sister star. 
 
 Decked in bright robes of living green, 
 Enamelled o'er with flow'rets' sheen. 
 
 Sweet Nature stood restored. 
 Ripe unsown harvests clothed the hills; 
 
 The murmuring rills 
 Refreshing dews o'er meadows poured; 
 The mantling vines, luxurious, hung 
 With purple treasures richly fraught ; 
 
 While sunbeams wrought, 
 The leafy bowers of shade among, 
 A network rare of gold with dusk ; 
 Wide gardens of sweet-smelling musk. 
 With jassamine and roses' scent. 
 To perfumed air more perfume lent; 
 Thick woods, whose boughs of fragrance flung 
 Their spicy odors to the breeze. 
 Rose in fresh coolness o'er the vale. 
 And gently swayed to balmy gale; 
 
R EG K N K RATION. I 3 
 
 The bending trees, 
 With burnished fruit, were weighted deep ; 
 
 While, from the steep. 
 Rivers of joy rolled down each dale; 
 On the sweet breeze that gently swelled 
 From groves of cassia and of palm, _ 
 Forth tuneful voices gaily welled 
 From feathered songsters of the air. 
 Whose gorgeous plumes, in colors bright, 
 Flashed jewelled gleams of rainbow light, 
 Mingled with roseate sunbeams fair. 
 Caressing breaths of heavenly balm 
 Young Nature lapped in blessed calm ; 
 While throbbing pulses of the Earth 
 Beat high at her glad second birth. 
 
 Thro' all that doomful Day 
 When Surtur's flames destroyed the world, 
 And back to Chaos Nature hurled. 
 Two gentle beings lay 
 Concealed in Mimir's wood — 
 Hodminir's forest deep; — unscathed, 
 Unshaken by the tempest shock. 
 In dreamless slumbers sweetly swathed. 
 
13^ VALHALLA. 
 
 They, all unharmed, passed 'neath the brand, 
 That burning sword which o'er all waved. 
 Devouring else, air, sea, and land, — 
 Alone, of all Creation, saved 
 From that resistless fire and flood 
 Of Time-destroying Ragnarock. 
 
 Unconscious thro' that hideous strife. 
 
 Awakened now to blissful life, 
 
 Guileless and lovely, they arose 
 
 In new-born strength and purity. 
 
 All passion passed, with care and woes; 
 
 Calmed now convulsed Creation's throes 
 
 To peaceful rest and surity. 
 
 Thro' all that night of horror dread 
 
 On dews of morning they were fed; 
 
 Now, lifting up their joyful eyes 
 
 In rapturous wonder and surprise. 
 
 They gazed around 
 From ether vault to teeming ground. 
 Above, the broad horizon's zone 
 With orient effulgence shone; 
 Beneath, the bounteous Earth sent up 
 Unfading grass, and flow'ret's cup. 
 
REGENERATION. 1 39 
 
 Filled with the wine of early dawn; 
 
 With dew-drops gemmed, each emerald blade 
 
 Within its gleaming, liquid light 
 
 The image of the heavens displayed; 
 
 Eternal spring breathed thro' the morn, 
 
 And cast o'er all her halo bright. 
 
 So beauteous lay, — so tranquilly, — 
 The virgin daughter of the sea, 
 That the two souls who on her gazed. 
 Themselves most innocent and fair. 
 All perfect 'mid perfection rare. 
 By myriad blooming charms amazed. 
 Received with joy this dwelling place. 
 High altars to the gods they reared, 
 Pure Gimli's fane they loved and feared ; 
 So, blest and happy, chosen were 
 As parents of a nobler race. 
 
 Upon the perfume-breathing plain 
 Of Idavoller, where before 
 Stood Asgard's gold-roofed halls of yore, 
 The joyous /Esir met again ; 
 Conquerors from awful fight, 
 
140 VALHALLA. 
 
 Grown pure thro' fire, grown strong with strife, 
 Passed thro' dread death to endless hfe. 
 As thro' dark bars to fane of hght : 
 
 For Loki's reign was o'er. 
 Xo more 
 Should foul wrong, loathsome, side by side 
 With peace and purity abide. 
 
 Broken the power of Hel ; 
 
 Freed from her gloomy chain, 
 Baldur again 
 Rose, luminous, from realms of night. 
 All shapes of 111. as rolled away 
 The T\dlight gloom before his ray, 
 Back to their bonds appalled fell : 
 On Vigrid's plain all evil died. 
 
 That ereat Atonement-Dav, 
 In godlike love, thro' godlike might, 
 Led back the .Esir, purified. 
 To firmer thrones and brighter halls 
 Than e'er were found in Asgard's walls. 
 Love smiled thro" all the universe : 
 Arm linked in arm. in sweet converse, 
 Baldur, with Hoedur seated nigh, 
 In perfect peace and harmony. 
 
REGENERATION. 141 
 
 Glad greetings gave exultantly, 
 As up the heights to Ida's plain 
 The happy ^^sir rose again, 
 In the clear dawn, triumphantly. 
 
 With crystal walls, gold-fretted roof, 
 A new-built Valhal, tempest-proof. 
 
 Towered aloft ; 
 Without, within, all rich and rare, 
 Steel to make strong, and jewels fair 
 
 x\ll lavish spread 
 O'er pavement broad, and vaulted dome ; 
 
 While music soft 
 Floated, full voiced, high overhead. 
 Guiding the ^^sir to their home. 
 Again the beakers deep brimmed o'er; 
 Again the great gods' w^ondrous lore 
 And mighty deeds of Eld were sung ; 
 
 With runic rhyme 
 
 Of earlier time 
 Again the pillared Feast-Hall rung. 
 But now no Battle-Maidens stood 
 Round Odin's Throne, at hero-feast, 
 With gory armor, shields of blood ; 
 
142 VALHALLA. 
 
 All useless now Valk}Tiar, 
 War brought forth no Einheriar, 
 
 For war had ceased. 
 High o'er young Earth and Ida's plain. 
 
 By Gimli's fane — 
 Close by the Throne of Him Most High- 
 With folded wings, stood Victor)^ ; 
 While sweetly thro' each sounding sphere, 
 In tones that swelled on waves of air, 
 He spoke, commanding " Peace ! " 
 Gave chains to Death — to Pain, surcease. 
 
 Wide thrown, lo ! Gimli's golden gate 
 On most harmonious hinges swang. 
 As, from His Everlasting Seat, 
 Arrayed in majesty complete, 
 The Judge Eternal, glorious, came, 
 Weighing, supreme, all things create. 
 Empires of Earth, of Heaven, of Hell I 
 To farthest orbs His judgments rang. 
 As from His lips just sentence fell. 
 The fetid ranks of Sin shrank dowTi 
 
 Beneath His frown. 
 Thro' radiant vault of ether sky. 
 
REGENERATION. 1 43 
 
 To HeFs domain of misery, 
 On wings of hideous Nidhogg borne, 
 In Nastrond's fearful stream to lie, 
 'Neath serpents' fangs, in lurid flame, 
 
 By Fenrir torn, 
 Bound fast in adamantine chain 
 In frightful depths of endless pain ; — 
 Such was their doom of agony. 
 
 Of fear and shame. 
 
 More awful was their second doom. 
 Exiled forever from His face, 
 Removed far in anguished gloom ; 
 To know, above on starry plain, 
 In glories shown fair Gimli's fane. 
 Where joy ecstatic bathed the good 
 
 In endless flood ; 
 While they, condemned, could gain no place 
 
 E'en at His feet — 
 Never the faintest ray might snatch, 
 Nor e'en the dimmest shadow catch 
 
 Of raptures sweet. 
 
 Seated, now, in Gimli's portal, 
 As before at Asgard's gate. 
 
144 VALHALLA. 
 
 Fair Iduna, Maid Immortal, 
 
 Shall the purer .-Esir wait. 
 Songs of joyance ever singing, 
 
 Skoals of triumph, sweet and clear, 
 Thro' the vaulted dome are ringing, 
 
 Echoing thro' crystal sphere. 
 
 '' Passed is the gloom of night. 
 
 Finished the fearful fight, 
 A\'elcome, thrice welcome I to dories on hi2:h. 
 
 For strivino^ and sadness. 
 
 Now taste ye pure gladness ; 
 Lo ! thro' the radiant, orient sky. 
 
 From Gimli's wide portal. 
 
 What splendors immortal 
 Flash o'er your pathway, to Heav'n drawing nigh. 
 
 Joy, joy to you, blest ones ! 
 
 Behold I for you gold thrones 
 Fixed 'neath the dome of Eternity rise ; 
 
 The stars of the morning 
 
 Sing sweet in the dawning ! 
 Rest after conflict, the soul's dearest prize. 
 
 Mount, then, ye heroes all. 
 
 Hasten to Gimli's hall ; 
 Near you, on golden wing, Victory flies ! " 
 
REGENERATION. 1 45 
 
 Pausing awhile, more clear and high 
 Awoke the notes triumphantly. 
 On tuneful hinge, with music sweet, 
 Back roll the gates most glorious 
 The entering conquerors to greet. 
 Then, bending from his lofty seat, 
 
 The Judge Supreme, 
 With smiles that e'er through Gimli gleam, 
 Now welcomes these, victorious. 
 Led by Iduna to His feet. 
 
 Bowed low before th' Eternal Throne, 
 A loftier measure still she sings ; 
 Ten thousand harps with sounding strings 
 Ascribe all praise to Him alone. 
 His justice, might and wisdom own. 
 Thro' listiiing orbs the chorus rings ; 
 The hosts of Heav'n entranced stand 
 Still in their paths, while echoes grand 
 Roll in huge waves of ceaseless sound 
 Those countless burning worlds around 
 
 Too high, too pure, that wondrous strain. 
 For Earth to catch e'en faint refrain ! 
 
146 
 
 VALHALLA. 
 
 Yet Still the exultant song rolls on 
 
 For victory won ! 
 The Twilight passed — dread Ragnarock 
 Passed, with its furious battle shock — 
 All joyful beams, with brillant ray, 
 Regeneration's glorious Day ! 
 
ALPHABETICAL INDEX OF \OTES, 
 
 A. 
 
 ^GiR. — The Northern Neptune j dwelt on the Isle of Hlesey, 
 where at every harvest he entertained the gods. The last 
 feast given to them was after Baldur's death, ended by the 
 unbidden presence of Loki. -^gir was of giant race, but 
 held intercourse with the gods. He ruled over ocean in its 
 entirety. 
 
 ^gir's Daughters. — The waves personified. 
 
 ^gir's Sons. — The rain-drops and hail-stones personified. 
 
 ^siR. — The gods in Valhalla j of these Odin was chief. 
 
 ^sir-Trinity. — Odin, Vili and Ve, sons of Bor, creating the 
 world. 
 
 Al-Father.^ — The supreme God, without a beginning and with- 
 out end, who should reign in the Regeneration. A title 
 often given to Odin as father of the ^sir. 
 
 Angurboda (Anguish-boding). — A giantess, the mother by 
 Loki, of Fenrir, the Serpent, and Hela. 
 
 Architect. — The Jotun, who, in disguise, contracted to build a 
 castle of defense to Asgard, in payment to receive Freya, 
 the Sun and Moon. The bargain was made through Loki • 
 nor did the gods see their danger till three days before the 
 castle was completed. Loki, under compulsion, lured away 
 Svadilfari, the chief aid of the Jotun, who in his true form 
 then attacked the gods ; he was slain by Thor. 
 
 Asgard. — Home of the gods. 
 
 AiK. — The Northern Adam ; created by the /Esir-Trinity, 
 (Odin, Vili and Ve), from an ash tree. 
 
 AuDHUMLA. — The cow formed from the frozen rime of Ginun- 
 ga. From her udder flowed rivers of milk, on which Ymir 
 was nourished. 
 
148 INDEX OF NOTtS. 
 
 B. 
 
 Baldur. — The Summer Sun-God j son of Odin by Friga; 
 best-loved of all gods. Slain by Hodur, through the arti- 
 lice of Loki. 
 
 Berserker (Without armor i. — A warrior wild with martial 
 hir\-; name derived from Arngrim, who, furious, fought un- 
 armed, and conquered the King of Holmgard. 
 
 Bifrost. — The Rainbow bridge joining Asgard to Earth; 
 destroyed at Ragnarock by Surtur. 
 
 BiLSKiRNiR. — The seat of Thor; symbolized the lightning. 
 
 BoR. — Son of Buri, and father of Odin, Vili and Ve, by the 
 Jotun woman, Bestla. 
 
 Bragi. — God of Poetr}- and Song ; son of Odin. 
 
 Buri the Producer). — The progenitor of the .^sir-Trinity; 
 himself formed by the licking of the salt rime by Audhumla. 
 On the first day, out grew from the stones the hairs of a 
 man; on the second day, the head appeared; and, on the 
 third day, forth sprang the man entire. 
 
 D. 
 
 Dagr, ok Day. — Son of Night, by Delling. 
 
 Delling ; Day-break). — Of JE^s'ir race. 
 
 Dwarfs. — Created out of the dust of the earth by the .^isir- 
 Trinity; of Jotun race, but serving the gods. They dwelt 
 in rocks, chiefly, and were metal-workers. Four ot them 
 held up the corners of the sky. 
 
 Dr.\gon's Bed. — A synonym for gold. 
 
 Dwarfs' De.v. — A synonym for gold. 
 
 E. 
 
 Eagle of Igdras l. — Symbol of life, hovering over Igdrasil. 
 
 Einheriar. — Heroes chosen from battle as allies for Odin against 
 the Battle of Ragnarock; feasted by him in Valhalla. 
 
INDEX OF NOTKS. 
 
 149 
 
 Elvidnir (the place of Storms). — The hall of Hela in Nifl- 
 hfcim. 
 
 Embla. — The Northern Eve; formed by the ^sir-Trinity from 
 an elm tree. 
 
 Eyra. — The goddess of healing 3 she bound the wounds of the 
 Einheriar in Valhalla. 
 
 F. 
 
 Fenrir,. — Personification of pain, also of earthly fire. Son of 
 Loki by Angurboda. Bred up in Asgard, finally cast out, 
 and bound with Gleipnir, in depths of eaith; the foam 
 from his mouth formed the river Von; his tossings caused 
 earthquakes. Through his outstretched jaws the ^-Esir 
 thrust Odin's sword, the hilt on Earth, the point in Heaven. 
 Loosed in Ragnarock, he swallowed Odin, and was slain by 
 Vidar. 
 
 FiMBUL. — The terrible winter which lasted three years, preceding 
 Ragnarock. 
 
 Fjorgyn. — Primeval Earth personified. Daughter of Night, and 
 first wife of Odin. 
 
 FoRSETi. — God of peace and justice. Son of Baldur by Nanna. 
 
 Frey. — God of sunshine and soft rains. Of the Vanir, 
 being son of Njcird by Skada; presided over fruitfulness 
 of Earth. His spouse was Gerda, won after long resistance 
 through Skirnir. Their union represented the coming of 
 spring to the winter-Earth, In Ragnarock he was slain by 
 Surtur. 
 
 Freya — The Northern Venus. Goddess of love. Daughter 
 of Njord by Skada, and next in rank to Friga. The wreath 
 of stars, (Brisingamen) was her neeklace ; in Folkvang, 
 her hall, she received pure women, and united faithful 
 lovers. 
 
 Friga. — The Northern Ceres. Daughter of Fjorgyn by Odin, 
 whose wife she became, and queen of the gods. Personifi- 
 cation of cultivated Earth. Patroness of industry and con- 
 jugal love. She penetrated the future, but could not reveal 
 
150 INDEX OF NOTES. 
 
 her knowledge, her lips being sealed by the heron's crown 
 she wore. Foreseeing Baldur's fate, she took from Creation 
 a vow not to injure him, neglecting only the mistletoe. 
 Loki, visiting her as an old woman, discovered this, and 
 hence Baldur's death. Hermoder obtained from Hela a 
 promise to set him free, should all Creation weep for him. 
 Loki as Thokt alone was tearless, and Baldur was lost. 
 
 Frost Giants, or Hrimthursar. — Destructive Jotuns. Deadly 
 influences in nature and in man's soul personified. Sprung 
 from Ymir 5 they were finally drowned in his blood, save 
 one pair who escaped and became progenitors of new Jotun 
 races 
 
 FuLLA (Fertility). — Maid of Friga, whose casket she bore. 
 
 G. 
 
 Garm. — Northern Cerberus. Hell-hound guarding Hela's 
 realm. In Ragnarock Tyr and he destroyed each other. 
 
 Gerda. — Daughter of the giant Gymerj wife of Frey. Symbol 
 of the aiurora-borealis. 
 
 GiMLi. — Dwelling of the pure, after Ragnarock. 
 
 Ginunga-Gap. — The abyss of Chaos, placed before creation 
 between Niflheim and Muspelheim j a bottomless chasm, 
 filled with a fermenting mass of formless matter, flowing 
 from the venom streams of Niflheim. 
 
 GiOLL. — One of the venom-rivers, boundary of Hela's realm. 
 
 Gjallar-Horn. — Heimdal's horn. 
 
 Gleipnir. — The magic chain binding Fenrir; wrought by the 
 dark elves, and brought to the gods by Skirnir. 
 
 Gnipa Cave. — In Niflheim, where was chained Garm. 
 
 Golden Apples. — Given by Iduna to renew youth to the gods. 
 
 GoNDULA. — One of the Valkyriar. 
 
 Gray Wolf. — Fenrir, Son of Loki. 
 
INDKX OF NOTES. 151 
 
 H. 
 
 Heimdal. — Northern Irisj warder of Bifrcist bridge. Sprung 
 from the nine daughters of the waves, through the glow 
 of Odin's eye. With Gjallar-Horn, he assembled y^sir and 
 Einheriar at Ragnarock, when Loki and he fell together. 
 
 Hela. — Daughter of Loki by Angurboda. Goddess of Death, 
 ruling in Nifiheim. Divided the dead with Odin, receiving 
 all cowards and evil-doers. 
 
 Hermodur. — Son of Odin by Friga. Messenger of the gods j 
 the Northern Mercury. 
 
 Heron's Crown (Forgetfulness) . — Worn by Friga. 
 
 Hlesey. — ^gir's abode beneath the ocean. 
 
 HcEDUR. — Personification of darkness and ignorance Son of 
 Odin by Friga. Blind slayer of his brother Baldur, by 
 means of the mistletoe dart. 
 
 Hodmimir's Wood. — Where the human pair were saved in Rag- 
 narock. 
 
 Hr.?:. — A giant in eagle guise, stationed in the North, causing 
 storms by the flapping of his wings. 
 
 Hrimfaxi. — Steed of Night, scattering frost and dew from his bit. 
 
 Hrimthursar. — Frost giants, sprung from Ymir. 
 
 Hrym. — The giant steering the ship Nagelfari at Ragnarock. 
 
 Hringhorni. — The ship upon which Baldur's body was burned. 
 It represented the whole world. 
 
 I. 
 
 Idavold, or Idavoller. — Asgard's plain, where the gods assem- 
 bled after Creation, and where they met again in the Re- 
 generation. 
 
 Iduna. — Goddess of Immortality 5 daughter of the dwarf Ivald, 
 and wife of Bragi. 
 
 Igdrasil. — Tree of Life, having three roots, in Niflheim, Jotun- 
 
152 INDEX OF NOTIlS. 
 
 heim and AsgarH. Mimir's Well was beneath the second, 
 and the Urdar-fount by the last. Nidhogg gnawed the 
 first. Scorched at Ragnarock, it revived in the Regenera- 
 tion. 
 
 J- 
 
 JoRMUNGANDUR. — The MiJgard-Serpent, encircling the Earthy 
 born of Angurboda, by Loki. In Ragnarock, Thor and 
 he fell together. 
 
 JoTUNS (Giants). — Earliest created beings, sprung from Ymir. 
 Personifications of destructive natural elements and evil pas- 
 sions in man. 
 
 JoTUNHEiM (Home of Giants). — Utgard. 
 
 JoTUN-woLVES. — Pursued Sun and Moonj in Ragnarock, over- 
 rook and devoured them. 
 
 L. 
 
 Laufey (Leaf-isle). — Mother of Loki. 
 
 Ljus-ALFEBS. — The light elves ; good spirits. 
 
 Loki. — Son of Farbauti by Laufey, and foster-brother of Odin ; 
 took part, under the name of Ve, in the creation of man, 
 giving him the senses and passions. In primeval times, he 
 was a benign power. Later, he became the embodied prin- 
 ciple of evil. Constant worker of ill to Asgard and 
 Earth. Captured by the gods, and bound with the entrails 
 of his son Narfi, in depths of Earth. Freed in Ragnarock, 
 then slain by Heimdal, who fell also. Earthquakes were 
 thought to be caused by his writhings, and volcanoes by his 
 fiery breath. 
 
 M. 
 
 MiDGARD. — Earth, formed by the Sons of Bor from the body of 
 Ymir^ destroyed in Ragnarock by Surtur's flames, it sprang 
 up more fair in the Regeneration. 
 
 MiMiR. — Personification of memory j the all knowing giant 
 keeper of the Well of Wisdom 5 slain by the Vanir, his 
 head was sent to Odin, who had it embalmed, and thence- 
 forth came to it for advice. 
 
INDEX OF NOTKS. 1 53 
 
 Mimir's Well, (the Ocean). — Lying beneath the second root 
 oflgdrasil. 
 
 MjoLNiR. — Thor's hammer, made for him by the dwarfs. 
 
 MoDGUD. — The skeleton maid taking toll from the dead who 
 crossed the Gioll. The Northern Charon, 
 
 Moon. — Brother of the Sun, and son of the giant Mundilfori, 
 commanded by the gods to drive the car of the Moon. 
 Jotun wolves pursued brother and sister unceasingly, and 
 devoured them at Ragnarock. 
 
 MuspELHEiM. — The realm of frames, ruled over by Surtur. The 
 stars were sparks from Muspelheim. 
 
 Muspel's Sons. — The flames. 
 
 N. 
 
 Nagelfari. — The death -ship built of dead men's nails. 
 
 Nastrond. — Place of punishment for the wicked after Ragna- 
 rock ; in Niflheim. 
 
 NiDHOGG. — Symbol of corruption. Death-dragon gnawing the 
 roots of Igdrasilj bore the wicked to Nastrond, 
 
 Niflheim. — Existed from the beginning. Ice-cold j the realm 
 ofHela. 
 
 NjoRD. — A vana-god, patron of sailors and fishermen, and rul- 
 ing over rains and v/inds. His wife was Skadaj his 
 children were Frey and Freya. He was exchanged by the 
 Vanir for Hoenir, brother of Odin, according to the Elder 
 Edda. 
 
 Night. — Daughter of the Jotun Norve. By Delling, of ^sir 
 
 race, she had a son. Day. Mother and son were placed 
 
 by Al-father in chariots, and forced to drive successively 
 round the heavens. 
 
 NoRNiR (singular, Norna). — The Fates Goddesses of Time. 
 Represented as three sisters, dwelling at the Urdar-fount, 
 from which they daily watered Igdrasil. Odm himself was 
 forced to seek counsel from them, and obey their decrees. 
 
154 INDLX OF NOTES. 
 
 O. 
 
 Odin. — Son of Bor, by Bestla of Hrymthursar race. The high- 
 est of the ^Esir-Trinity5 from him sprang the other gods in 
 Valhalla. Spirit and essence of the universe. His wives 
 were Jord, (Fjorgyn) Friga and Rindus, personifications of 
 Earth. In Ragnarock he was destroyed by Fenrir. Wed- 
 nesday bears his name. 
 
 Odin's Eye (the Spirit — The Sun. Left in pledge at Mimir's 
 Well, symbolizing the sinking of the sun at night into the 
 ocean 5 also, the Eye of Heaven, penetrating the depths of 
 Earth. The Spirit seeking out the treasures of memory. 
 
 Odin's Ravens. — Huginn ;mind) and Muninn (memory). Daily 
 bringing him news from all parts of the Earth. 
 
 R. 
 
 Ragnarock. — Destruction of Earth and death of the gods. 
 The final confiict between good and evil powers. 
 
 Ran, or Rana. — Wife of -.Egir. Evil and malicious j in her 
 net she caught unwary sailors. 
 
 Regeneration. — Corresponded to the Christian Resurrection. 
 When the High and Mighty One held rule. 
 
 Rindus. — Personification of winter earth. One of Odin's wives. 
 
 Rota. — One of the Valkyriar. , 
 
 Runes. — Letters of the old Northern alphabet, supposed to have 
 magical properties. 
 
 Saga. — Goddess of history, dwelling at Sokvabek. Saga, a 
 tale, derives its name from her. 
 
 Serpent. — Jormungandur, son of Loki. 
 
 Shield-graven Blooms. — The Norsemen decorated the edges ot 
 their shields with graven wreaths. 
 
 SiF. — Golden-haired wife of Thor, personification of autumn 
 earth covered with harvests. 
 
INDEX OF NOTES. 155 
 
 SiGYN. — Wife of Loki. In his punishment, she held a basin 
 wherein to catch the venom drops otherwise falling on his 
 face. 
 
 Skada. — Wife ot Njord, and daughter of Thiassi. 
 
 Skalds. — The bards of the North. 
 
 Skinfaxi. — Steed of Day. From his mane, light radiated. 
 
 Skirnir. — Messenger of Frey. 
 
 Skoal. — Signifies " hail," an expression of greeting. 
 
 Skuld. — The Noma of the Future 5 one of the Valkyriar. 
 
 Sleipnir. — Foal by Svadilfari of Loki disguised as a mare j 
 with eight legs, and of wonderful swiftness j he became the 
 steed of Odin. 
 
 SoKVABEK. — The flowing well, where was the hall of Saga. 
 
 Sons of ^gir. — Hail and rain personified. 
 
 SuRTUR. — The god of fire, guarder of Muspelheim. In Ragna- 
 rock, he destroyed Earth with his flames. 
 
 Svadilfari.— Horse of the Jotun architect j sire of Sleipnir. 
 
 T. 
 
 Thiassi. — Giant father of Skada. For him Loki stole Iduna. 
 He was slain by Thor. 
 
 Thokt (Darkness). — Loki, disguised as a giantess, prevented 
 Baldur's ransom. 
 
 Thor. — The northern Jupiter j the thunder-god, son of Odin 
 by Fjorgyn, and next in rank to his father. Fell in Rag- 
 narock, poisoned by the Serpent's breath. Represented as 
 young and handsome, with flame-flashing eyes, bent brows 
 (the thunder-cloud), and red beard (lightning). Thursday 
 was named from him. 
 
 Thund. — The death-river rolling between Asgard and Earth. 
 Twilight. — Ragnarock, the fall of the gods. ~^ 
 
156 INDKX OF NOTES. 
 
 Tyr God of war j son of Odin, by a giantess; keeper of Fen- 
 
 rir, by him rendered cne- handed. Tuesday is named from 
 him. 
 
 ^ U. 
 
 Urda. — Noma of the Past. 
 
 Utgard. — The capital of Jotunheim. 
 
 V. 
 
 Vala, — The prophetess; roused from her death-sleep by Odin, 
 she predicted the death of Baldur, and fall of Asgard. 
 
 Valhalla. --Home of the ^sir, where Odin feasted the Einheriar. 
 
 Valtam. — Fictitious name of Odin's father. 
 
 Vali. — Son of Odin by Rindus ; avenger of his brother Baldur. 
 When only one day old, he slew Hodur. Symbol of the 
 Summer sun chasing away Winter darkness. 
 
 Valkyriar. — Battle-maidens; choosers of the slain, whom 
 they bore on gory shields to Valhalla, where they served 
 them at Odin's feast. 
 
 Vans, or Vanir. — Gods ot the air; deities also of the sea. 
 They were Njord, Frey and Freya. 
 
 Ve. — Son of Bcir. One of the creating yEsir-Trinity. 
 
 Vegtam. — Name assumed by Odin when seeking the Vala. 
 
 Verdandi. — The Noma of the Present. 
 
 ViDAR. — Son of Odin by the giantess Grid. In Ragnarock he 
 
 avenged Odin, and slew Fenrir. 
 Vigrid. — The held of the final battle in Ragnarock. 
 ViLi. — Son of Bur, and one of the creating ^sir-Trinity. 
 ViNGOLF.— Hall of the goddesses in Asgard. 
 Virgin Daughter of the Sea. — Earth, in the Regeneration, 
 
 uprising from the bosom of the ocean. 
 
 Y. 
 
 Ymir (the World Mass). — A giant formed from the melted 
 rime-drops in Ginunga, through the quickening power ot 
 the Supreme God. He of himself had the Hrimthursar; 
 was finally slain by the JE^'ir Trinity, and his sons drowned 
 in his blood. From his parts the world was formed.