Loki.

12.  “I have had labour and success:  Thrym has thy hammer, the Thursar’s lord.  It shall no man get again, unless he bring him Freyia to wife.”

13.  They went the fair Freyia to find; and he those words first of all said:  “Bind thee, Freyia, in bridal raiment, we two must drive to Jotunheim.”

14.  Wroth then was Freyia, and with anger chafed, all the AEsir’s hall beneath her trembled:  in shivers flew the famed Brisinga necklace.  “Know me to be of women lewdest, if with thee I drive to Jotunheim.”

15.  Straightway went the AEsir all to council, and the Asyniur all to hold converse; and deliberated the mighty gods, how they Hlorridi’s hammer might get back.

16.  Then said Heimdall, of AEsir brightest—­he well foresaw, like other Vanir—­“Let us clothe Thor with bridal raiment, let him have the famed Brisinga necklace.

17.  “Let by his side keys jingle, and woman’s weeds fall round his knees, but on his breast place precious stones, and a neat coif set on his head.”

18.  Then said Thor, the mighty As:  “Me the AEsir will call womanish, if I let myself be clad in bridal raiment.”

19.  Then spake Loki, Laufey’s son:  “Do thou, Thor! refrain from suchlike words:  forthwith the Jotuns will Asgard inhabit, unless thy hammer thou gettest back.”

20.  Then they clad Thor in bridal raiment, and with the noble Brisinga necklace, let by his side keys jingle, and woman’s weeds fall round his knees; and on his breast placed precious stones, and a neat coif set on his head.

21.  Then said Loki, Laufey’s son:  “I will with thee as a servant go:  we two will drive to Jotunheim.”

22.  Straightway were the goats homeward driven, hurried to the traces; they had fast to run.  The rocks were shivered, the earth was in a blaze; Odin’s son drove to Jotunheim.

23.  Then said Thrym, the Thursar’s lord:  “Rise up, Jotuns! and the benches deck, now they bring me Freyia to wife, Niord’s daughter, from Noatun.

24.  “Hither to our court let bring gold-horned cows, all-black oxen, for the Jotuns’ joy.  Treasures I have many, necklaces many, Freyia alone seemed to me wanting.”

25.  In the evening they early came, and for the Jotuns beer was brought forth.  Thor alone an ox devoured, salmons eight, and all the sweetmeats women should have.  Sif’s consort drank three salds of mead.

26.  Then said Thrym, the Thursar’s prince:  “Where hast thou seen brides eat more voraciously?  I never saw brides feed more amply, nor a maiden drink more mead.”

27.  Sat the all-crafty serving-maid close by, who words fitting found against the Jotun’s speech:  “Freyia has nothing eaten for eight nights, so eager was she for Jotunheim.”

28.  Under her veil he stooped desirous to salute her, but sprang back along the hall.  “Why are so piercing Freyia’s looks?  Methinks that fire burns from her eyes.”