7.  Why gods! are ye so silent, so reserved, that ye cannot speak?  A seat and place choose for me at your board, or bid me hie me hence.

Bragi.

8.  A seat and place will the AEsir never choose for thee at their board; for well the AEsir know for whom they ought to hold a joyous compotation.

Loki.

9.  Odin! dost thou remember when we in early days blended our blood together?  When to taste beer thou didst constantly refuse, unless to both ’twas offered?

Odin.

10.  Rise up, Vidar! and let the wolf’s sire sit at our compotation; that Loki may not utter words of contumely in Oegir’s hall.

Vidar then rising, presented Loki with drink, who before drinking thus addressed the AEsir: 

11.  Hail, AEsir!  Hail, Asyniur!  And ye, all-holy gods! all, save that one As, who sits within there, Bragi, on yonder bench.

Bragi.

12.  A horse and falchion I from my stores will give thee, and also with a ring reward thee, if thou the AEsir wilt not requite with malice.  Provoke not the gods against thee.

Loki.

13.  Of horse and rings wilt thou ever, Bragi! be in want.  Of the AEsir and the Alfar, that are here present, in conflict thou art the most backward, and in the play of darts most timid.

Bragi.

14.  I know that were I without, as I am now within, the hall of Oegir, I thy head would bear in my hand, and so for lying punish thee.

Loki.

15.  Valiant on thy seat art thou, Bragi! but so thou shouldst not be, Bragi, the bench’s pride!  Go and fight, if thou art angry; a brave man sits not considering.

Idun.

16.  I pray thee, Bragi! let avail the bond of children, and of all adopted sons, and to Loki speak not in reproachful words, in Oegir’s hall.

Loki.

17.  Be silent, Idun! of all women I declare thee most fond of men, since thou thy arms, carefully washed, didst twine round thy brother’s murderer.

Idun.

18.  Loki I address not with opprobrious words, in Oegir’s hall.  Bragi I soothe, by beer excited.  I desire not that angry ye fight.

Gefion.

19.  Why will ye, AEsir twain, here within, strive with reproachful words?  Lopt perceives not that he is deluded, and is urged on by fate.

Loki.

20.  Be silent, Gefion!  I will now just mention, how that fair youth thy mind corrupted, who thee a necklace gave, and around whom thou thy limbs didst twine?

Odin.

21.  Thou art raving, Loki! and hast lost thy wits, in calling Gefion’s anger on thee; for all men’s destinies, I ween, she knows as thoroughly as I do.

Loki.

22.  Be silent, Odin!  Thou never couldst allot conflicts between men:  oft hast thou given to those to whom thou oughtest not—­victory to cowards.