51.  In the Norns’ seat nine days I sat, thence I was mounted on a horse:  there the giantess’s sun shone grimly through the dripping clouds of heaven.

52.  Without and within, I seemed to traverse all the seven nether worlds:  up and down, I sought an easier way, where I might have the readiest paths.

53.  Of that is to be told, which I first saw, when I to the worlds of torment came:—­scorched birds, which were souls, flew numerous as flies.

54.  From the west I saw Von’s dragons fly, and Glaeval’s paths obscure:  their wings they shook; wide around me seemed the earth and heaven to burst.

55.  The sun’s hart I saw from the south coming, he was by two together led:  his feet stood on the earth, but his horns reached up to heaven.

56.  From the north riding I saw the sons of Nidi, they were seven in all:  from full horns, the pure mead they drank from the heaven-god’s well.

57.  The wind was silent, the waters stopped their course; then I heard a doleful sound:  for their husbands false-faced women ground earth for food.

58.  Gory stones those dark women turned sorrowfully; bleeding hearts hung out of their breasts, faint with much affliction.

59.  Many a man I saw wounded go on those gleed-strewed paths; their faces seemed to me all reddened with reeking blood.

60.  Many men I saw to earth gone down, who holy service might not have; heathen stars stood above their heads, painted with deadly characters.

61.  I saw those men who much envy harbour at another’s fortune; bloody runes were on their breasts graved painfully.

62.  I there saw men many not joyful; they were all wandering wild:  this he earns, who by this world’s vices is infatuated.

63.  I saw those men who had in various ways acquired other’s property:  in shoals they went to Castle-covetous, and burthens bore of lead.

64.  I saw those men who many had of life and property bereft:  through the breasts of those men passed strong venomous serpents.

65.  I saw those men who the holy days would not observe:  their hands were on hot stones firmly nailed.

66.  I saw those men who from pride valued themselves too highly; their garments ludicrously were in fire enveloped.

67.  I saw those men who had many false words of others uttered:  Hel’s ravens from their heads their eyes miserably tore.

68.  All the horrors thou wilt not get to know which Hel’s inmates suffer.  Pleasant sins end in painful penalties:  pains ever follow pleasure.

69.  I saw those men who had much given for God’s laws; pure lights were above their heads brightly burning.

70.  I saw those men who from exalted mind helped the poor to aid:  angels, read holy books above their heads.

71.  I saw those men who with much fasting had their bodies wasted:  God’s angels bowed before them:  that is the highest joy.