“It is under the ash Yggdrasill,” replied Har, “where the gods assemble every day in council.”

“What is there remarkable in regard to that place?” said Gangler.

“That ash,” answered Jafnhar, “is the greatest and best of all trees.  Its branches spread over the whole world, and even reach above heaven.  It has three roots very wide asunder.  One of them extends to the AEsir, another to the Frost-giants in that very place where was formerly Ginnungagap, and the third stands over Nifelheim, and under this root, which is constantly gnawed by Nidhogg, is Hvergelmir.  But under the root that stretches out towards the Frost-giants there is Mimir’s well, in which wisdom and wit lie hidden.  The owner of this well is called Mimir.  He is full of wisdom, because he drinks the waters of the well from the horn Gjoll every morning.  One day All-father came and begged a draught of this water, which he obtained, but was obliged to leave one of his eyes as a pledge for it.

“The third root of the ash is in heaven, and under it is the holy Urdar-fount.  ’Tis here that the gods sit in judgment.  Every day they ride up hither on horseback over Bifrost, which is called the AEsir Bridge.  These are the names of the horses of the AEsir.  Sleipnir is the best of them; he has eight legs, and belongs to Odin.  The others are Gladr, Gyllir, Glaer, Skeidbrimir, Silfrintoppr, Synir, Gils, Falhofnir, Gulltoppr, and Lettfeti.  Baldur’s horse was burnt with his master’s body.  As for Thor, he goes on foot, and is obliged every day to wade the rivers called Kormt and OErmt, and two others called Kerlaung.

“Through these shall Thor wade every day, as he fares to the doomstead under Yggdrasill’s ash, else the AEsir Bridge would be in flames, and boiling hot would become the holy waters."[130] “But tell me,” said Gangler, “does fire burn over Bifrost?”

“That,” replied Har, “which thou seest red in the bow, is burning fire; for the Frost-giants and the Mountain-giants would go up to heaven by that bridge if it were easy for every one to walk over it.  There are in heaven many goodly homesteads, and none without a celestial ward.  Near the fountain, which is under the ash, stands a very beauteous dwelling, out of which go three maidens, named Urd, Verdandi, and Skuld.[131] These maidens fix the lifetime of all men, and are called Norns.  But there are, indeed, many other Norns, for, when a man is born, there is a Norn to determine his fate.  Some are known to be of heavenly origin, but others belong to the races of the elves and dwarfs; as it is said—­

“’Methinks the Norns were born far asunder, for they are not of the same race.  Some belong to the AEsir, some to the Elves, and some are Dvalin’s daughters.”

“But if these Norns dispense the destinies of men,” said Gangler, “they are, methinks, very unequal in their distribution; for some men are fortunate and wealthy, others acquire neither riches nor honours, some live to a good old age, while others are cut off in their prime.”