30.  Tell me, Alvis! etc., how the night is called, that Norvi’s daughter hight, in every world.

Alvis.

31.  Nott it is called by men, but by the gods niol; the wide-ruling powers call it grima, the Jotuns olios, the Alfar svefngaman; the Dwarfs call it draumniorunn.

Vingthor.

32.  Tell me, Alvis! etc., how the seed is called, which the sons of men sow in every world.

Alvis.

33.  Bygg it is called by men, but by the gods barr, the Vanir call it vaxtr, the Jotuns aeti, the Alfar lagastafr; in Hel ’tis hnipinn called.

Vingthor.

34.  Tell me, Alvis! etc., how the beer is called, which the sons of men drink in every world.

Alvis.

35.  Ol it is called by men, but by the AEsir biorr, the Vanir call it veig, hreina logr the Jotuns, but in Hel ’tis called miodr:  Suttung’s sons call it sumbl.

Vingthor.

36.  In one breast I have never found more ancient lore.  By great wiles thou hast, I tell thee, been deluded.  Thou art above ground, dwarf! at dawn; already in the hall the sun is shining!

FOOTNOTES: 

[Footnote 33:  Thrud, Thor’s daughter by his wife Sif. Skaldskap.]

[Footnote 34:  This appears to allude to a promise made to the dwarf; but of which the story is lost.]

[Footnote 35:  When this composition was written, it appears that Hel was no longer regarded as a person, but as a place.]

THE LAY OF HARBARD.

Thor journeying from the eastern parts came to a strait or sound, on the other side of which was a ferryman with his boat.  Thor cried out:—­

1.  Who is the knave of knaves, that by the sound stands yonder?

Harbard.

2.  Who is the churl of churls, that cries across the water?

Thor.

3.  Ferry me across the sound, to-morrow I’ll regale thee.  I have a basket on my back:  there is no better food:  at my ease I ate, before I quitted home, herrings and oats, with which I yet feel sated.

Harbard.

4.  Thou art in haste to praise thy meal:  thou surely hast no foreknowledge; for sad will be thy home:  thy mother, I believe, is dead.

Thor.

5.  Thou sayest now what seems to every one most unwelcome to know—­that my mother is dead.

Harbard.

6.  Thou dost not look like one who owns three country dwellings, bare-legged thou standest, and like a beggar clothed; thou hast not even breeches.

Thor.

7.  Steer hitherward thy boat; I will direct thee where to land.  But who owns this skiff, which by the strand thou holdest?

Harbard.

8.  Hildolf fie is named who bade me hold it, a man in council wise, who dwells in Radso sound.  Robbers he bade me not to ferry, or horse-stealers, but good men only, and those whom I well knew.  Tell me then thy name, if thou wilt cross the sound.