with his own son's intestines they bind him fast to three stones set upon edge, and fix a poisonous serpent over his face. Meanwhile his faithful wife Sigyn stands by him and catches the poison in a bowl; but every time it is filled and she must empty its contents, Loki writhes in terrible pain, so that the earth trembles (Fig. 17 1). This is really of but little advantage, since Baldur must remain with Hel. Odin's swain, Hermoth, gained of the death-goddess permission for Baldur's return in case everything in the world should weep over his death. It was done; only a giant woman, Thokk, whom they found in a gloomy mountain cavern, would "weep with dry tears," wherefore Hel kept what she had. But it is commonly thought that it was Loki who had taken on this giant woman's form in order to set a crown upon his work. 19. Nastrond.-Now evil really breaks loose, and great crimes are committed in 1 1 From an English stone cross. The picture is commonly understood to represent Loki's punishment, since Loki is said to signify "the bound devil." Cf. the two foregoing figures and the remark on Bugge's interpretation. (Introd. "Home of the Eddic Poems.") the world; perjured men, murderers, and seducers must wade through heavy streams into a hall on Nastrond, "death-shore," far from the sun. Its door turns toward the north, poison drips in at the louver, and the ceiling is plaited with serpent's backs. Moral corruption increases in a frightful degree: VSP. 45 Brothers will fight together bane, and become each other's sister's children will violate kinship; it is evil in the world, adultery serious,. no man will spare another. Then comes finally the fearful encounter between the warrior gods and the evil powers in the earth, in which all go to destruction. But the conclusion of the conflict means only that a new earth, with gods and men in purified forms, arises. III. RAGNAROK 1. The Enemies of the Gods Assemble.-In the last periods of the world came first the frightful Fimbulvetr, 'great winter,' which is repeated three times. When the deciding moment draws near, the world-tree trembles although it still remains standing; all in Hel's kingdom take fright, the dwarfs, groan in the mountains, and there is a crashing in Jotunheim, while the gods hold their last assembly and Heimdall sends the calling tones of the Gjallarhorn out over the world. Fenrir bursts his chains, and the Mithgarth serpent writhes in giant wrath and lashes the sea into towering waves. From the east comes Hrym with the ship Naglfar, built of dead men's nails; from the north sail Hel's sons over the sea, with Loki in command; and Surt rides on from the south, with flaming sword, at the head of Muspell's sons. Then the bridge of the Aesir falls under the horses' hoofs and heaven is on fire. Fenrir goes forth with yawning mouth; his upper jaw touches heaven while his lower jaw drags along the earth. Fire spurts out from the monster's eyes and nostrils when Odin meets him in battle only to be swallowed up by the terrible abyss. Heimdall fights with Loki; Frey and Surt become each other's destroyers. 2. Thor Fights with the Mithgarth Serpent. The last incident in the conflict is Thor's victory over the Mithgarth serpent. The mighty god of heaven and earth crushes with his hammer the head of his deadly foe; but only nine steps does he totter on, before he sinks dead to the earth, choked by the serpent's poison. VSP. 55 Then comes the great son of Hlothyn; there yawns across the air the Girdle of the earth fire it spurts, poison it spews' Odin's son goes to meet the worm. 56 Strikes with wrath Mithgarth's defender; all men will forsake their home. Nine feet goes Fjorgyn's son bowed, from the snake, who fears no shame. 'Mithgarth Serpent. Not in Sijmon's text. |