in his burning desire to visit a strange god, and his attempt to explore with curious search an untrodden region beyond the world.  Yet he promised to tell Thorkill the paths of the journey he proposed to make, if he would deliver three true judgments in the form of as many sayings.  Then said Thorkill:  “In good truth, I do not remember ever to have seen a household with more uncomely noses; nor have I ever come to a spot where I had less mind to live.”  Also he said:  “That, I think, is my best foot which can get out of this foremost.”

The giant was pleased with the shrewdness of Thorkill, and praised his sayings, telling him that he must first travel to a grassless land which was veiled in deep darkness; but he must first voyage for four days, rowing incessantly, before he could reach his goal.  There he could visit Utgarda-Loki, who had chosen hideous and grisly caves for his filthy dwelling.  Thorkill was much aghast at being bidden to go on a voyage so long and hazardous; but his doubtful hopes prevailed over his present fears, and he asked for some live fuel.  Then said the giant:  “If thou needest fire, thou must deliver three more judgments in like sayings.”  Then said Thorkill:  “Good counsel is to be obeyed, though a mean fellow gave it.”  Likewise:  “I have gone so far in rashness, that if I can get back I shall owe my safety to none but my own legs.”  And again:  “Were I free to retreat this moment, I would take good care never to come back.”

Thereupon Thorkill took the fire along to his companions; and finding a kindly wind, landed on the fourth day at the appointed harbour.  With his crew he entered a land where an aspect of unbroken night checked the vicissitude of light and darkness.  He could hardly see before him, but beheld a rock of enormous size.  Wishing to explore it, he told his companions, who were standing posted at the door, to strike a fire from flints as a timely safeguard against demons, and kindle it in the entrance.  Then he made others bear a light before him, and stooped his body through the narrow jaws of the cavern, where he beheld a number of iron seats among a swarm of gliding serpents.  Next there met his eye a sluggish mass of water gently flowing over a sandy bottom.  He crossed this, and approached a cavern which sloped somewhat more steeply.  Again, after this, a foul and gloomy room was disclosed to the visitors, wherein they saw Utgarda-Loki, laden hand and foot with enormous chains.  Each of his reeking hairs was as large and stiff as a spear of cornel.  Thorkill (his companions lending a hand), in order that his deeds might gain more credit, plucked one of these from the chin of Utgarda-Loki, who suffered it.  Straightway such a noisome smell reached the bystanders, that they could not breathe without stopping their noses with their mantles.  They could scarcely make their way out, and were bespattered by the snakes which darted at them on every side.