Völuspá
The Prophecy of the Seeress
Old Norse Poetry
English translation (1908) by Olive Bray.
I
About this translation
Olive Bray’s translation of Völuspá comes from her 1908 edition of The Elder or Poetic Edda. In that work the poem is presented in a dual format, with both the Old Norse text and Bray’s English translation. In this version, that original Old Norse text is included beneath each stanza and can be revealed using the toggle below.
Bray’s work has been preserved as closely as possible to the form in which the translator originally presented it. The poem and its commentary remain unchanged.
We have moved Bray’s notes on individual stanzas so that they now appear directly beneath the relevant stanza; in the printed edition they were placed at the bottom of each page.
Here Begins Völuspá
1
Hearing I ask all holy kindreds,
high and low-born, sons of Heimdal !
Thou too, Odin, who bidst me utter
the oldest tidings of men that I mind !
1
Hljóþs biþk allar
helgar kindir,
meiri ok minni
mögu heimdallar :
viltu at ek, Valföþr,
vel fyr telja
forn spjöll fira
þaus fremst of mank.
Völuspá. — In R H, No. 1; cited in Sn. E.
1.—Sons of Heimdal or Rig, hence men are called holy; see Rígsþula.
1.—B. S. Gv. H., vildu Valföþrs vél, Dt. Hl.; vildu at ek Valföþr vel, R.; viltu . . . valföþrs, H.
The World's beginning.
2
I remember of yore were born the Jotuns,
they who aforetime fostered me:
nine worlds I remember, nine in the Tree,
the glorious Fate Tree that springs ‘neath the Earth.
2
Ek man jötna
ár of borna
þás forþum mik
fǽdda höfþu,
niú mank heima,
niú í viþi,
mjötviþ mǽran
fyr mold neþan.
2.—Nine worlds; see Vafþrúðnismál, st. 43. Fate Tree, Yggdrasil; see st. 19; Grímnismál, st. 31; Hávamál, st. 137; Fjölsvinnsmál, st. 14.
2.—Í viþi: Dt. makes this suggestion with hesitation for íviþi, R.
3
‘Twas the earliest of
times when Ymir lived;
then was sand nor sea
nor cooling wave,
nor was Earth found ever,
nor Heaven on high,
there was Yawning of Deeps
and nowhere grass:
3
Ár vas alda
þars Ymir bygþi,
vasa sandr né sǽr
né svalar unnir ;
jörþ fannsk ǽva
né upphiminn,
gap vas ginnunga,
en gras hvergi.
3.—Ymir; see Vafþrúðnismál, st. 21, 29.
3.—Ginnunga-, S. G. Dt. Hl. Ginnunga, Mk., a proper name.
4
ere the sons of the god
had uplifted the world-plain,
and fashioned Midgarth,
the glorious Earth.
Sun shone from the south,
on the world’s bare stones—
then was Earth o’ergrown
with herb of green.
4
Áþr Burs synir
bjöþum of ypþu
þeir es miþgarþ
mǽran skópu ;
sól skein sunnan
á salar steina,
þa vas grund groïn
grǽnum lauki.
4.—The sons of the god, or sons of Bur; see Völuspá in skamma, st. 2.
5
Sun, Moon’s companion,
out of the south
her right hand flung
round the rim of heaven.
Sun knew not yet
where she had her hall;
nor knew the stars
where they had their place;
nor ever the Moon
what might he owned.
5
Sól varp sunnan
sinni mána,
hendi hǽgri
umb himinjöþr ;
sól né vissi,
hvar sali átti,
stjörnur né vissu,
hvar staþi áttu,
máni né vissi,
hvat megins átti.
Ordering of Times and Seasons.
6
Then went all the Powers
to their thrones of doom—
the most holy gods—
and o’er this took counsel:
to Night and the New-Moons
names they gave:
they named the Morning,
and named the Mid-day,
Afternoon, Evening,
—to count the years.
6
Þá gengu regin öll
á rökstóla,
ginnheilug goþ,
ok of þat gǽttusk:
nátt ok niþjum
nöfn of gáfu,
morgin hétu
ok miþjan dag,
undorn ok aptan,
árum at telja.
6.—Thrones of doom, beneath Yggdrasil; see Grímnismál, st. 30.
The Golden Age till the coming of Fate.
7
Gathered the gods
on the Fields of Labour;
they set on high
their courts and temples;
they founded forges,
wrought rich treasures,
tongs they hammered
and fashioned tools.
7
Hittusk ǽsir
á Iþavelli
þeirs hörg ok hof
hátimbruþu;
afla lögþu
auþ smíþuþu
tangir skópu
ok tól görþu.
8
They played at tables
in court, were joyous,—
little they wanted
for wealth of gold.—
Till there came forth three
of the giant race,
all fearful maidens,
from Jötunheim.
8
Tefldu í túni,
teitir váru—
vas þeim vǽttergis
vant ór golli—
unz þriar kvámu
þursa meyjar,
ámátkar mjök,
or jötunheimum.
8.—All-fearful maidens: Cf., this stanza with 60, 61; the Norns, st. 20.
Creation of the Dwarfs.
9
Then went all the Powers
to their thrones of doom,—
the most holy gods,—
and o’er this took counsel:
whom should they make
the lord of dwarfs
out of Ymir’s blood,
and his swarthy limbs.
9
Þá gengu regin öll
á rökstóla,
ginnheilug goþ,
ok of þat gǽttusk:
hvern skyldi dverga
drótt of skepja
ór Brimis blóþi
ok ór blám leggjum.
9.—Ymir is here called Brimir.
9.—Hvern, Dt.; hverr, R.: The sense evidently requires the accusative case.
10
Mead-drinker then
was made the highest,
but Durin second
of all the dwarfs;
and out of the earth
these twain-shaped beings
in form like man,
as Durin bade.
10
Þar vas Mótsognir
mǽztr of orþinn
dverga allra,
en Durinn annarr ;
þeir mannlíkun
mörg of görþu
dvergar í jörþu,
sem Durinn sagþi.
11
New Moon, Waning-moon,
All-thief, Dallier,
North and South
and East and West.
Corpse-like, Death-like,
Niping, Daïnn,
Bifur, Bafur,
Bömbur, Nori,
Ann and Onar,
Aï, Mead-wolf.
11
Nyi ok Niþi,
Norþri ok Suþri,
Austri ok Vestri,
Alþjófr, Dvalinn,
Nár ok Náïnn,
Nípingr Daïnn,
Bífurr Báfurr,
Bömburr Nóri,
Ánn ok Ónarr,
Aï, Mjöþvitnir.
11–16.—Regarded by most authorities as an interpolation.
11–16.—A translation of these obscure names has only been given where it seems to suggest the character of the dwarfs.
12
Vigg and Wand-elf,
Wind-elf, Thraïnn,
Thekk and Thorin,
Thror, Vit, and Lit,
Nyr and Regin,
New-counsel, Wise-counsel,—
now have I numbered
the dwarfs aright.
12
Viggr ok Gandalfr,
Vindalfr, Þraïnn,
Þekkr ok Þórinn,
Þror, Vitr ok Litr,
Nýr ok Nýráþr,
nú hefk dverga—
Reginn ok Ráþsviþr—
rétt of talþa.
13
Fili, Kili,
Fundin, Nali,
Heptifili,
Hannar, Sviur,
Frar, Hornbori,
Fræg and Loni,
Aurvang, Jari,
Oaken-shield.
13
Fíli, Kíli,
Fundinn, Náli,
Heptifíli,
Hrannarr, Sviurr,
Frár, Hornbori,
Frǽgr ok Lóni,
Aurvangr, Jari,
Eikinskjaldi.
14
‘Tis time to number
in Dallier’s song-mead
all the dwarf-kind
of Lofar’s race,—
who from earth’s threshold,
the Plains of Moisture,
sought below the Sandy-realms.
14
Mál es dverga
í Dvalins líþi
ljóna kindum
til Lofars telja ;
þeir es sóttu
frá salar steini
Aurvanga sjöt
til Jöruvalla.
14.—Dallier’s song-mead is thus taken by Dt. and Hl. as a synonym for poetry; cf. Snorri’s “Dallier’s drink.” Dallier is a dwarf well known in the Edda, and is chosen to represent his race who brewed the mead (Sn. E.). This dwarf migration from the earth’s surface is also suggested by Dt. and Hl.
14.—Líþi, Dt. and Hl.; liþi, R.
15
There were Draupnir
and Dolgthrasir,
Har and Haugspori,
Hlevang, Gloin,
Dori, Ori,
Duf, Andvari,
Skirfir, Virfir,
Skafid, Aï.
15
Þar vas Draupnir
ok Dolgþrasir,
Hár, Haugspori,
Hlévangr, Gloïnn,
Dóri, Óri,
Dúfr, Andvari,
Skirfir, Virfir,
Skáfiþr, Aï.
16
Elf and Yngvi,
Oaken-shield,
Fjalar and Frost,
Fin and Ginar.
Thus shall be told
throughout all time
the line who were born
of Lofar’s race.
16
Alfr ok Yngvi,
Eikinskjaldi,
Fjalarr ok Frosti,
Fiþr ok Ginnarr ;
þat mun ǽ uppi,
meðan öld lifir,
langniþja tal
til Lofars hafat.
17
Then came three gods
of the Æsir kindred,
mighty and blessed,
towards their home.
They found on the seashore,
wanting power,
with fate unwoven,
an Ash and Elm.
17
Unz þrír kvámu
ór því liþi
öflgir ok ástkir
ǽsir at húsi;
fundu á landi
lítt megandi
Ask ok Emblu
örlöglausa.
17.—Elm: the meaning of Icelandic embla is doubtful.
18
Spirit they had not,
and mind they owned not,—
blood, nor voice
nor fair appearance.
Spirit gave Odin,
and mind gave Hönir,
blood gave Lodur,
and aspect fair.
18
Önd né áttu,
óþ þau né höfþu,
lá né lǽti
né litu góþa;
önd gaf Óþinn,
óþ gaf Hǽnir,
lá gaf Lóþurr
ok litu góþa.
18.—Hönir: a god of wisdom. Lodur probably stands for Loki, for these three were always companions.
The Tree of Life and Fate.
19
An ash I know standing,
’tis called Yggdrasil,
a high tree sprinkled
with shining drops;
come dews therefrom
which fall in the dales;
it stands ever green
o’er the well of Weird.
19
Ask veitk standa,
heitir Yggdrasill,
hár baþmr ausinn,
hvíta auri;
þaþan koma döggvar
es í dali falla,
stendr ǽ yfir grǽnn
Urþar brunni.
19.—Heitir Yggdrasil, R H W U; Yggdrasils, r, H. G. Sv. Magn.
20
There are the Maidens,
all things knowing,
three in the hall
which stands ‘neath the Tree.
One is named ‘ Weird,’
the second ‘ Being ‘—
who grave on tablets—
but ‘ Shall ‘ the third.
They lay down laws,
they choose out life,
they speak the doom
of the sons of men.
20
Þaþan koma meyjar
margs vitandi
þriar ór þeim sal
es und þolli stendr;
Urþ hétu eina,
aþra Verþandi,
skáru á skíþi,
Skuld ena þriþju;
Þǽr lög lögþu,
þǽr líf kuru
alda börnum,
örlög seggja.
20.—Weird, see Gróugaldr, st. 7.
The War of the Gods.
21
I remember the first
great war in the world,
when Golden-draught
they pierced with spears,
and burned in the hall
of Odin the High One;
thrice they burned her,
the three times born,—
oft, not seldom—
yet still she lives.
21
Þat man folkvig
fyrst í heimi,
es Gollveigu
geirum studdu
ok í höllo Hárs
hána brendu,
þrysvar brendu
þrysvar borna,
opt ósjaldan—:
þó enn lifir.
21.—The story of this war between the Æsir and Wanes is never fully told, but is the subject of constant allusions; see Vafþrúðnismál, st. 39. Golden draught, see Völuspá in skamma, st. 9.
21.—Mh. S. J.; man hón, R. H. has the third person, as in st. 27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 35, 38, 39.
22
Men called her ‘ Witch,’
when she came to their dwellings,
flattering seeress;
wands she enchanted,
spells many wove she,
light-hearted wove them,
and of evil women
was ever the joy.
22
Heiþi hétu
hvars húsa kvam
völu velspaa,
vitti ganda;
seiþ hvars kunni,
seiþ hugleikin,
ǽ vas angan
illrar brúþar.
22.—Witch, or Vala.
22.—Hugleikin, H. B. Gv.; hón leikinn, R., M. L.
23
Then went all the Powers
to their thrones of doom,
the most holy gods,
and o’er this took counsel:
whether the Æsir
should pay a were-gild
and all Powers together
make peaceful offering.
23
Þá gengu regin öll
á rökstóla,
ginnheilug goþ
ok of þat gǽttusk:
hvárt skyldu ǽsir
afráþ gjalda
eþa skyldu goþ öll
gildi eiga.
23.—Lines 2 and 3 are thus understood by Hl.
24
But Odin hurled
and shot ‘mid the host;
and still raged the
first great war in the world.
Broken then were
the bulwarks of Asgard,
the Wanes, war wary,
trampled the field.
24
Fleygði Óþinn
ok i folk of skau:
þat vas enn folkvíg
fyrst í heimi;
brotinn var borþveggr
borgar ása,
knáttu vanir vígská
völlu sporna.
War with the Jötuns.
25
Then went all the Powers
to their thrones of doom,
the most holy gods,
and o’er this took counsel:
who all the air
had mingled with poison
and Freyja had yielded
to the race of Jötuns.
25
Þá gengu regin öll
á rökstóla,
ginnheilug goþ
ok of þat gǽttusk:
hverr lopt hefþi
lǽvi blandit
eþa ǽtt jötuns
Óþs mey gefna.
25.—For Snorri’s account, see Introduction. Freyja is here called the bride of Od or Ottar; see Hyndluljóð.
26
Alone fought the Thunderer
with raging heart—
seldom he rests
when he hears such tidings.
Oaths were broken,
words and swearing,
all solemn treaties
made betwixt them.
26
Þórr einn var vá
þrunginn móþi—
hann sjaldan sitr
es slíkt of fregn—:
á gengusk eiþar,
orþ ok sǽri,
mál öll meginlig
es á meðal fóru.
The Secret Pledges of the Gods.
27
I know where Heimdal’s
hearing is hidden
under the heaven-wont
holy tree,
which I see ever showered
with falling streams
from All-father’s pledge.
—Would ye know further, and what?
27
Veit Heimdallar
hljóþ of folgit
und heiþvönum
helgum baþmi ;
á sé ausask
aurgum forsi
af veþi Valföþrs:
vituþ enn eþa hvat?
28
I sat lone enchanting
when came the Dread One,
the ancient god,
and gazed in my eyes:
‘What dost thou ask of me?
why dost thou prove me?
28
Ein sat úti,
es enn aldni kvam
Yggjungr ásа
ok í augu leit.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hvers fregnið mik,
hví freistiþ mín?
28.—Heimdal’s hearing was celebrated. Dt. and Hl. thus correct the hitherto accepted translation horn of Icl. hljóþ.
29
All know I, Odin,—
yea, where thou hast hidden
thine eye in the wondrous
well of Mimir,
who each morn
from the pledge of All-father
drinks the mead”
—Would ye know further, and what?
29
Allt veit, Óþinn !
hvar auga falt,
í enom mǽra
Mímis brunni;
drekkr mjöþ Mímir
morgin hverjan
af veþi Valföþrs:
vituþ enn eþa hvat?
29.—Mimir, a water giant. He is the wise teacher and counsellor of the gods, although a Jötun; see Hávamál, st. 139.
30
Then Odin bestowed on me
rings and trinkets
for magic spells
and the wisdom of wands.
I saw far and wide
into every world.
30
Valþi Herföþr
hringa ok men
fyr spjöll spaklig
ok spá ganda.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
sá vitt ok vítt
of veröld hverja.
30.—Fyr spjöll, Gv.; fekk spjöll, E. Mh. G. S. J.; féspjöll, B. C. Sv. R.; fe spiöll, R.
31
From far I saw
the Valkyries coming
ready to ride
to the hero host.
Fate held a shield,
and Lofty followed
War and Battle,
Bond and Spearpoint.
Numbered now
are the Warfather’s maidens,
Valkyries, ready
to ride o’er Earth.
31
Sá valkyrjur
vítt of komnar,
görvar at ríþa
til Gotþjóþar :
Skuld helt skildi,
en Skögul önnur,
Guþr, Hildr, Göndul
ok Geirskögul.
Nú ’ru talþar
nönnur Herjans,
görvar at ríþa
grund valkyrjur.
32
I saw for Baldr,
the bleeding god,
the child of Odin,
his doom concealed.
High o’er the fields,
there stood upgrown,
most slender and fair,
the mistletoe.
32
Ek sá Baldri
blóþgum tívur,
Óþins barni
örlög folgin :
stóþ of vaxinn
völlum hǽri
mǽr ok mjök fagr
† mistilteinn.
32–34.—See Baldrs draumar, st. 8–12.
33
And there came from that plant,
though slender it seemed,
the fell woe-shaft
which Höd did shoot.
But Baldr’s brother
was born ere long;
that son of Odin
fought one night old;
33
Varþ af meiþi
es mǽr sýndisk
harmflaug hǽttlig :
Höþr nam skjóta ;
Baldrs bróþir vas
of borinn snimma,
sa nam Óþins sunr
einnǽttr vega.
34
for never hand
he bathed, nor head,
ere he laid on the bale-fire
Baldr’s foe.
But Frigg long wept
o’er the woe of Valhöll
in Fen’s moist halls
—Would ye know further, and what?
34
Þó hendr ǽva
né höfoþ kembþi,
áþr á bál of bar
Baldrs andskota ;
en Frigg of grét
í Fensölum
vá Valhallar :
vituþ enn eþa hvat ?
34.—Fens moist halls: the home of Frigg.
Vision into Hel and Jötunheim.
35
I saw lying bound
in Cauldron-grove
one like the form
of guile-loving Loki.
And there sat Sigyn,
yet o’er her husband
rejoicing little.
—Would ye know further, and what?
35
Hapt sá liggja
und hvera lundi
lǽgjarns líki
Loka áþekkjan ;
þar sitr Sigyn
þeygi of sínum
ver vel glýjuþ :
vituþ enn eþa hvat ?
35.—See Lokasenna, prose ending.
36
From the eastward a flood,
the Stream of Fear,
bore swords and daggers
through Poison-dales.
36
Á fellr austan
of eitrdali
söxum ok sverþum :
Slíþr heitir sú.
. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
37
To the northward stood
on the Moonless Plains,
the golden hall
of the Sparkler’s race;
and a second stood
in the Uncooled realm,
a feast-hall of Jötuns,
‘ Fire,’ ’tis called :
37
Stóþ fyr norþan
á Niþavöllum
salr ór golli
Sindra ǽttar,
en annarr stóþ
á Ókólni
bjórsalr jötuns,
sá Brimir heitir.
37.—The Sparkler: a dwarf and forger of the gods’ treasures; see Grímnismál, st. 43.
38
and far from the sun
I saw a third
on the Strand of Corpses,
with doors set northward:
down through the roof
dripped poison-drops,
for that hall was woven
with serpents’ backs.
38
Sal sá standa
sólu fjarri
Náströndu á,
norþr horfa dyrr ;
fellu eitrdropar
inn of ljóra,
sá ’s undinn salr
orma hryggjum.
39
I saw there wading
the whelming streams
wolf-like murderers,
men forsworn,
and those who another’s
love-whisperer had wiled.
The dragon, Fierce-stinger,
fed on corpses,
a wolf tore men.
—Would ye know further, and what?
39
Sá þar váþa
þunga strauma
menn meinsvara
ok morþvarga
ok þanns annars glepr
eyrarúnu ;
þar só Níþhöggr
naï framgengna,
sleit vargr vera :
vituþ enn eþa hvat ?
39.—Fierce-stinger, see Grímnismál, st. 35.
40
Far east in Iron-wood
sat an old giantess,
Fenrir’s offspring
she fostered there.
From among them all
doth one come forth,
in guise of a troll,
to snatch the sun.
40
Austr sat en aldna
í Járnviþi
ok fǽddi þar
Fenris kindir ;
verþ af öllum
einna nekkverr
tungls tjúgari
í trolls hami.
40.—Ironwood: a famous mythical forest in Jötunheim. Fenrir’s offspring: Skoll, who pursued the sun, and Hati, who followed the moon; see Grm, st. 39.
41
He is gorged, as on lives
of dying men;
he reddens the place
of the Powers like blood.
Swart grows the sunshine
of summer after,
all baleful the storms.
—Would ye know further, and what?
41
Fyllisk fjörvi
feigra manna,
rýþr ragna sjöt
rauþum dreyra ;
svört verþa sólskin
of sumur eptir,
veþr öll válynd :
vituþ enn eþa hvat ?
42
Sits on a mound
and strikes his harp
the gleeful Swordsman,
warder of giant-wives;
o’er him crows
in the roosting tree
the fair red cock
who Fjalar is called.
42
Sat þar á haugi
ok sló hörpu
gýgjar hirþir,
† glaþr Eggþér ;
gól of hánum
í gaglviþi
fagrrauþr hani
sás Fjalar heitir.
42.—The gleeful Swordsman is the warder of Jötunheim, and corresponds with Heimdal, the watchman of the gods.
43
Crows o’er the gods
the Golden-combed;
he wakes the heroes
in War-father’s dwellings;
and crows yet another
beneath the earth,
a dark red cock
in the halls of Hel.
43
Gól of ásum
Gollinkambi,
sá vekr hölþa
at Herjaföþrs ;
en annarr gelr
fyr jörþ neþan
sótrauþr hani
at sölum Heljar.
43.—The Golden-combed, see Fj., st. 17.
44
Loud bays Garm
before Gaping- Hel;
the bond shall be broken
the Wolf run free.
Hidden things I know;
still onward I see
the great Doom of the Powers,
the gods of war.
44
Geyr nú Garmr mjök
fyr Gnipahelli,
festr mun slitna,
en freki rinna !
fjölþ veitk frǽþa,
fram sék lengra
umb ragna rök,
römm sigtíva.
44.—Garm, the Hel hound; see Bdr, st. 2. He and Tyr fight and slay one another (Sn. E.).
Gaping-hel, Icelandic Gnipa-hel, is descriptive of the craggy rock entrance which forms the mouth of Hel. The Wolf, see Ls, st. 39.
44.—Veitk, J. Sv. G.; veit hón, R.; so also st. 49, 58.
45
Brothers shall fight
and be as murderers;
sisters’ children
shall stain their kinship.
‘Tis ill with the world;
comes fearful whoredom,
a Sword age, Axe age,
—shields are cloven,
a Wind age, Wolf age,
ere the world sinks.
Never shall man then
spare another.
45
Brǽþr munu berjask
ok at bönum verþask,
munu systrungar
sifjum spilla ;
hart’s í heimi,
hórdómr mikill ;
skeggöld, skalmöld,
skildir ’u klofnir,
vindöld, vargöld,
áþr veröld steypisk ;
mun engi maþr
öþrum þyrma.
46
Mim’s sons arise;
the Fate Tree kindles
at the roaring sound
of Gjalla-horn.
Loud blows Heimdal,
the horn is aloft,
and Odin speaks
with Mimir’s head.
46
Leika Míms synir,
en mjötviþr kyndisk
at inu gamla
Gjallarhorni ;
hátt blǽss Heimdallr,
horn’s á lopti,
mǽlir Óþinn
viþ Míms höfuþ.
46.—Mim or Mimir: his sons must be the waters of the well, or the streams that flow from it. Compare Ægir and Hymir’s daughters; Hym, st. 2; Ls, st. 34. The story of Mimir’s head is told in Ynglinga S. (see Introd.), but here an earlier form of the myth is implied, in which the head is a well-spring of wisdom.
The Fate Tree: the unemended mjötuþr of the MSS. has suggested various renderings—the judge appears; fate approaches.
46.—Mjötviþr, Dt. and Hl. (notes); mjötuþr, R, etc.
47
Groans the Ancient Tree,
Fenrir is freed,—
shivers, yet standing,
Yggdrasil’s ash.
47
Ymr aldit tré,
en jötunn losnar,
skelfr Yggdrasils
askr standandi,
47.—Fenrir, not Loki, must be intended by Jötun of the text, for Loki was always reckoned among the gods.
47.—Losnar in H is followed by:
hrǽðask allir á helvegum
áþr Surtar þan sevi of gleypir.
48
How do the gods fare,
how do the elves fare?
All Jötunheim rumbles,
the gods are in council;
before the stone doors
the dwarfs are groaning,
a rock-wall finding
—Would ye know further, and what?
48
Hvat’s meþ ásum ?
hvat’s meþ álfum ?
gnýr allr jötunheimr,
ǽsir’u á þingi ;
stynja dvergar
fyr steindurum,
veggbergs vísir :
vituþ enn eþa hvat ?
48.—Placed here by B. G. S.; follows 51 in R.
49
Loud bays Garm
before Gaping-hel:
the bond shall be broken,
the Wolf run free.
Hidden things I know;
still onward I see
the great Doom of the Powers,
the gods of war.
49
Geyr nú Garmr mjök
fyr Gnipahelli,
festr mun slitna,
en freki rinna !
fjölþ veit frǽþa,
fram sék lengra
umb ragna rök,
römm sigtíva.
Gathering of the Destroyers.
50
Drives Hrym from the East
holding shield on high;
the World-serpent writhes
in Jötun-rage;
he lashes the waves;
screams a pale-beaked eagle,
rending corpses,
the Death boat is launched.
50
Hrymr ekr austan,
hefsk lind fyrir ;
snýsk jörmungandr
í jötunmóþi ;
ormr knýr unnir,
en ari hlakkar,
slítr naï niþfölr ;
Naglfar losnar.
50.—Hrym, the leader of the Frost-giants. A pale-beaked eagle, Corpse-swallowers; see Vm. 37. Death-boat or Naglfar, the Nail-ferry, said by Snorri to be made of the nails of dead men.
51
Sails the bark from the North;
the hosts of Hel
o’er the sea are coming,
and Loki steering,
brother of Byleist,
he fares on the way
with Fenrir and all
the monster kinsmen.
51
Kjóll ferr norþan ;
koma munu Heljar
of lög lýþir,
en Loki stýrir ;
fara fíflmegir
meþ freka allir,
þeim es bróþir
Býleists í för.
51.—Byleist is unknown except as Loki’s brother.
51.—Norþan, B. N. G. Sv. Mh. J.; austan, R and other MSS.
Heljar, B. N. G. Sv. Mh. J.; Muspellz, R and other MSS.
52
Rides Surt from the South
fire, bane of branches,
sun of the war gods,
gleams from his sword.
The rock-hills crash,
the troll-wives totter,
men flock Helward,
and heaven is cleft.
52
Surtr ferr sunnan
meþ sviga lǽvi,
skínn af sverþi
sól valtíva ;
grjótbjörg gnata,
en gífr hrata,
troþa halir helveg,
en himinn klofnar.
52.—Surt, see Vm, st. 53.
The last battles of the Gods.
53
Soon comes to pass
Frigg’s second woe,
when Odin fares
to fight with the wolf;
then must he fall,
her lord beloved,
and Beli’s bright slayer
must bow before Surt.
53
Þá kömr Hlínar
harmr annarr fram,
es Óþinn ferr
viþ ulf vega,
en bani Belja
bjartr at Surti :
þá mun Friggjar
falla angan.
53.—Beli’s bright slayer, or Frey. Beli, Snorri tells us, was a giant whom Frey slew with a stag’s horn, for lack of the sword which he had given for Gerd; see Skm, st. 16; Ls, st. 42.
54
Comes forth the stalwart
son of the War-father,
Vidar, to strive
with the deadly beast;
lets he the sword
from his right hand leap
into Fenrir’s heart,
and avenged is the father.
54
Kömr enn mikli
mögr Sigföþur,
Víþarr, vega
at valdýri ;
lǽtr megi hveþrungs
mund of standa
hjör til hjarta :
þá’s hefnt föþur.
55
Comes forth the glorious
offspring of Earth,
Thor, to strive
with the glistening Serpent.
55
Kömr enn mǽri
mögr Hlóþynjar ;
. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
gengr Óþins sunr
ormi mǽta.
55.—The Serpent, see Hym, st. 23.
55, lines 3 and 4.—A trace of these missing lines is found in H, but the reading is doubtful:—
grínn lopt yfir
liþr fránn neþan
. . . . .
. . . . .
—G.
56
Strikes in his wrath
the Warder of Midgard,
while mortals all
their homes forsake;
nine feet recoils he,
the son of Odin,
bowed, from the dragon
who fears not shame.
56
Drepr af móþi
miþgarþs vëurr ;
munu halir allir
heimstöþ ryþja ;
gengr fet niu
Fjörgynjar burr
neppr frá naþri
níþs ókvíþnum.
The End of the World.
57
The sun is darkened,
Earth sinks in the sea,
from heaven turn
the bright stars away.
Rages smoke
with fire, the life-feeder,
high flame plays
against heaven itself.
57
Sól tér sortna,
sígr fold í mar,
hverfa af himni
heiþar stjörnur ;
geisar eimi
ok aldrnari,
leikr hár hiti
viþ himin sjalfan.
58
Loud bays Garm
before Gaping-hel,
the bond shall be broken,
the Wolf run free;
hidden things I know;
still onward I see
the great Doom of the Powers,
the gods of war.
58
Geyr nú Garmr mjök
fyr Gnipahelli,
festr mun slitna,
en freki rinna !
fjölþ veit frǽþa,
fram sék lengra
umb ragna rök,
römm sigtíva.
The new World.
59
I see uprising
a second time
earth from the ocean,
green anew;
the waters fall,
on high the eagle
flies o’er the fell
and catches fish.
59
Sék upp koma
öþru sinni
jörþ ór ǽgi
iþjagrǽna ;
falla forsar,
flýgr örn yfir,
sás á fjalli
fiska veiþir.
59.—Sék, G.; sér hón, R. H.; so also st. 64.
60
The gods are gathered
on the Fields of Labour;
they speak concerning
the great World Serpent,
and remember there
things of former fame
and the Mightiest God’s
old mysteries.
60
Finnask ǽsir
á Iþavelli
ok of moldþinur
mátkan dǽma,
ok minnask þar
á megindóma
ok á Fimbultýs
fornar rúnar.
61
Then shall be found
the wondrous-seeming
golden tables
hid in the grass,
those they had used
in days of yore.
61
Þar munu eptir
undrsamligar
gollnar töflur
í grasi finnast
þǽrs í árdaga
áttar höfþu.
. . . . .
. . . . .
62
And there unsown
shall the fields bring forth;
all harm shall be healed;
Baldr will come—
Höd and Baldr
shall dwell in Valhöll,
at peace the war gods.
—Would ye know further, and what?
62
Munu ósánir
akrar vaxa,
böls mun batna,
mun Baldr koma,
bua Höþr ok Baldr
Hropts sigtoptir,
vel valtívar :
vituþ enn eþa hvat ?
62.—Valhöll, called here the victory halls of Hropt (Odin).
62.—Vel valtívar, R., Dt., Hl.; vé valtíva, R. G. H. S.
63
Then Hönir shall cast
the twigs of divining,
and the sons shall dwell
of Odin’s brothers
in Wind-home wide.
—Would ye know further, and what?
63
Þá kná Hǽnir
hlautviþ kjósa
. . . . .
. . . . .
ok burir byggva
brǽþra Tveggja
vindheim víþan :
vituþ enn eþa hvat ?
63.—The twigs, see Hym, st. 1.
64
I see yet a hall
more fair than the sun,
roofed with gold
in the Fire-sheltered realm;
ever shall dwell there
all holy beings,
blest with joy
through the days of time.
64
Sal sék standa
sólu fegra,
golli þakþan
á Gimlé :
þar skulu dyggvar
dróttir byggva
ok of aldrdaga
ynþis njóta.
64.—Fire-sheltered realm, Icelandic (Gimlé from gim, fire, and hlé, shelter; Dt. and Hl.), which has often been translated jewelled; but the above meaning shows this hall in contrast to the others of st. 37 and 38.
Coming of the new Power, passing of the old.
65
Comes from on high
to the great Assembly
the Mighty Ruler
who orders all.
65
Kömr enn ríki
at regindómi
öflugr ofan
sás öllu rǽþr.
. . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . .
65, lines 1 and 2.— Found only in H.
66
Fares from beneath
a dim dragon flying,
a glistening snake
from the Moonless Fells.
Fierce-stinger bears
the dead on his pinions
away o’er the plains.—
I sink now and cease.
66
Kömr enn dimmi
dreki fljúgandi,
naþr fránn neþan
frá Niþafjöllum ;
bersk í fjöþrum
— flýgr völl yfir —
Níþhöggr naï :
nú mun sökkvask.
References included in this poem:
Manuscripts:
H — Hauksbók
14th-century manuscript containing a version of Völuspá.
R — CODEX REGIUS OF THE ELDER EDDA, a parchment MS. of the 13th–14th centuries, in the Copenhagen Library.
Facsimile by Finnur Jónsson, 1896.
Texts and Translations:
B. — S. Bugge, “Sæmundar Edda hins fróða” (Christiania, 1867). Text.
Dt. & Hl. — F. Detter and R. Heinzel, “Sæmundar Edda,” vol. I (Leipzig, 1903). Text.
G. — H. Gering, “Die Lieder der älteren Edda” (Paderborn, 1904). Text.
H. — K. Hildebrand
Lieder der älteren Edda (1876)
R. — Rasmus Rask
Edda Sæmundar (1818)
S. — B. Sijmons
Die Lieder der Edda (1888)
Glossaries
N.— M. Nygaard : glossary to text (Bergen, 1882).
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