went to a feast in Sweden at the court of the king who was called Fjölnir, and there he bought two maid-servants, Fenja and Menja: they were huge and strong. In that time two mill-stones were found in Denmark, so great that no one was so strong that he could turn them: the nature of the mill was such that whatsoever he who turned asked for, was ground out by the mill-stones. This mill was called Grótti. He who gave King Fródi the mill was named Hengikjöptr. King Fródi had the maid-servants led to the mill, and bade them grind gold; and they did so. First they ground gold and peace and happiness for Fródi; then he would grant them rest or sleep no longer than the cuckoo held its peace or a song might be sung. It is said that they sang the song which is called the Lay of Grótti, and this is its beginning: Now are we come To the king's house, Fenja and Menja: These are with Fródi Son of Fridleifr, The Mighty Maidens, As maid-thralls held. And before they ceased their singing, they ground out a host against Fródi, so that the sea-king called Mýsingr came there that same night and slew Fródi, taking much plunder. Then the Peace of Fródi was ended. Mýsingr took Grótti with him, and Fenja and Menja also, and bade them grind salt. And at midnight they asked whether Mýsingr were not weary of salt. He bade them grind longer. They had ground but a little while, when down sank the ship; and from that time there has been a whirlpool in the sea where the water falls through the hole in the mill-stone. It was then that the sea became salt. ["The lay of Grótti: They to the flour-mill To turn the gray mill-stone: Till he had heard The handmaids' singing. They chanted the song 'Lay we the bins right, They sung and slung To the mill coming: Wealth grind we for Fródi, Fullness of fee At the mill of fortune: 'Here may no one Harm another, Contrive evil, Nor cast wiles for slaying, Nor slaughter any With sword well sharpened, Though his brother's slayer But he spake no word Save only this: 'Sleep ye no longer Than the hall-cuckoo's silence, Nor longer than so, While one song is sung.' 'Thou wast not, Fródi, Full in wisdom, Thou friend of men, When thou boughtest the maidens: Didst choose for strength And outward seeming; But of their kindred Didst not inquire. 'Hardy was Hrungnir, And his father; Yet was Thjazi Than they more mighty: Of us twain are kinsmen,-- Of them were we born. 'Grótti had not come The news of her. "We nine winters Were playmates together, Mighty of stature, 'Neath the earth's surface, The maids had part In mighty works: Ourselves we moved Mighty rocks from their place. "We rolled the rock O'er the Giants' roof-stead, So that the ground, Quaking, gave before us; So slung we The whirling stone, 'And soon after Bears we hunted, And shields we broke; We strode through The gray-mailed spear-host. 'We cast down a king, We crowned another; To Gotthormr good This course we held Those years continuous, That we were known Let blood from wounds, 'Now are we come To the king's abode |