“Utgard-Loki then asked what feat the young man who accompanied Thor could perform.  Thjalfi answered that he would run a race with any one who might be matched against him.  The king observed that skill in running was something to boast of, but that if the youth would win the match he must display great agility.  He then arose and went with all who were present to a plain where there was a good ground for running on, and calling a young man named Hugi,[135] bade him run a match with Thjalfi.  In the first course Hugi so much outstripped his competitor that he turned back and met him not far from the starting-place.

“‘Thou must ply thy legs better, Thjalfi,’ said Utgard-Loki, ’if thou wilt win the match, though I must needs say that there never came a man here swifter of foot than thou art.’

“In the second course, Thjalfi was a full bow-shot from the goal when Hugi arrived at it.

“‘Most bravely dost thou run, Thjalfi,’ said Utgard-Loki, ’though thou wilt not, methinks, win the match.  But the third, course must decide.’

“They accordingly ran a third time, but Hugi had already reached the goal before Thjalfi had got half way.  All who were present then cried out that there had been a sufficient trial of skill in this kind of exercise.

50.  “Utgard-Loki then asked Thor in what feats he would choose to give proofs of that dexterity for which he was so famous.  Thor replied, that he would begin a drinking match with any one.  Utgard-Loki consented, and entering the palace, bade his cupbearer bring the large horn which his followers were obliged to drink out of when they had trespassed in any way against established usage.  The cupbearer having presented it to Thor, Utgard-Loki said—­

“’Whoever is a good drinker will empty that horn at a single draught, though some men make two of it, but the most puny drinker of all can do it at three.’

“Thor looked at the horn, which seemed of no extraordinary size, though somewhat long; however, as he was very thirsty, he set it to his lips, and without drawing breath pulled as long and as deeply as he could, that he might not be obliged to make a second draught of it; but when he set the horn down and looked in, he could scarcely perceive that the liquor was diminished.

“‘’Tis well drunken,’ exclaimed Utgard-Loki, ’though nothing much to boast of; and I would not have believed had it been told me that Asa-Thor could not have taken a greater draught, but thou no doubt meanest to make amends at the second pull.’

“Thor, without answering, went to it again with all his might, but when he took the horn from his mouth it seemed to him as if he had drunk rather less than before, although the horn could now be carried without spilling.

“‘How now, Thor,’ said Utgard-Loki; ’thou must not spare thyself more in performing a feat than befits thy skill; but if thou meanest to drain the horn at the third draught thou must pull deeply; and I must needs say that thou wilt not be called so mighty a man here as thou art among the AEsir, if thou showest no greater prowess in other feats than, methinks, will be shown in this.’