Moreover, poesy is called Ship or Ale of the Dwarves: ale is líð, and lið is a word for ships; therefore it is held that it is for this reason that poesy is now called Ship of the Dwarves, even as this verse tells: The wit of Gunnlöd's Liquor IV. "What figures should be employed to periphrase the name of Thor? Thus: one should call him Son of Odin and of Jörd, Father of Magni and Módi and Thrúdr, Husband of Sif, Stepfather of Ullr, Wielder and Possessor of Mjöllnir and of the Girdle of Strength, and of Bilskirnir; Defender of Ásgard and of Midgard, Adversary and Slayer of Giants and Troll-Women, Smiter of Hrungnir, of Geirrödr and of Thrívaldi, Master of Thjálfi and Röskva, Foe of the Midgard Serpent. Foster-father of Vingnir and Hlóra. So sang Bragi the Skald: Thus sang The line of Odin's Offspring Ölvir Cut-Nose-and-Crop-Ears: The encircler of all regions Thus sang Eilífr: Wroth stood Röskva's Brother, And Magni's Sire wrought bravely: And thus sang Eysteinn Valdason: With glowing eyes Thrúdr's Father Eysteinn sang further: Swiftly Sif's Husband bouned him Well sing we Hrímnir's horn-stream. Again he sang: The earth-fish tugged so fiercely Thus sang Bragi: The strong fiend's Terrifier In his right hand swung his hammer, Thus sang Gamli: While the Lord of high Bilskirnir, The sea-fish with his hammer. Thus sang Thorbjörn Lady's-Skald: Bravely Thor fought for Ásgard Thus sang Bragi: And the vast misshapen circler At the Skull-Splitter of Hrungnir. Again sang Bragi: Well hast Thou, Hewer-in-Sunder Thus sang Eilífr: The Merciless Destroyer The remainder of this stanza cannot be made out. Thus sang Thus Úlfr Úlfr Uggason: Faintly the stout-framed thickling At the great draught wondrous heavy sang further: The very mighty Slayer Of the Mountain-Man brought crashing His fist on Hymir's temple: That was a hurt full deadly. Vimur's ford's Wide-Grappler 'Gainst the waves smote featly The glittering Serpent's head off. With old tales the hall was gleaming. Here he is called Giant of Vimur's Ford. There is a river called Vimur, which Thor waded when he journeyed to the garth of Geirrödr. Thus sang Vetrlidi the skald: Thou didst break the leg of Leikn, Didst cause to stoop Starkadr, Didst bruise Thrívaldi, Didst stand on lifeless Gjálp. Thus sang Thorbjörn Lady's-Skald: Thou didst smite the head of Keila, Smash Kjallandi altogether, Ere thou slewest Lútr and Leidi, Yet sooner in like fashion Svívör from life was taken. V. "How should one periphrase Baldr? By calling him Son of Odin and Frigg, Husband of Nanna, Father of Forseti, Possessor of Hringhorni and Draupnir, Adversary of Hödr, Companion of Hel, God of Tears. Úlfr Uggason, following the story of Baldr, has composed a long passage in the Húsdrápa; and examples are recorded earlier to the effect that Baldr is so termed. VI. "How should one periphrase Njördr? By calling him God of the Vanir, or Kinsman of the Vanir, or Wane, Father of Freyr and Freyja, God of Wealth-Bestowal. So says Thórdr Sjáreksson: Gudrún's self by ill At the Wane's side Odin tamed steeds well; 'T was not the saying Hamdir spared sword-playing. Here it is recorded that Skadi departed from Njördr, as has already been written. |