"Hljóðs bið ek allar

helgar kindir,

meiri ok minni,

mögu Heimdallar:

vildu at ek Valföður

vél framtelja,

fornspjöll fíra,

þau er fremst um man."

Hearing I ask

from the holy races,

From Heimdall's sons,

both high and low;

Thou wilt, Valfather,

that well I relate

Old tales I remember

of men long ago.

"Ek man jötna

ár um borna,

þá er forðum

mik fœdda höfðu;

níu man ek heima,

níu íviði,

mjötvið mœran

fyr mold neðan."

I remember yet

the giants of yore,

Who gave me bread

in the days gone by;

Nine worlds I knew,

the nine in the tree

With mighty roots

beneath the mold.

"Ár var alda

þar er Ýmir bygði,

vara sandr né sær

né svalar unnir,

jörð fannsk æva

né upphiminn,

gap var ginnunga,

en gras hvergi."

Of old was the age

when Ymir lived;

Sea nor cool waves

nor sand there were;

Earth had not been,

nor heaven above,

But a yawning gap,

and grass nowhere.

"Áðr Burs synir

bjóðum um yptu,

þeir er miðgarð

mœran skópu:

sól skein sunnan

á salar steina,

þá var grund gróin

grœnum lauki."

Then Bur's sons lifted

the level land,

Mithgarth the mighty

there they made;

The sun from the south

warmed the stones of earth,

And green was the ground

with growing leeks.

"Sól varp sunnan,

sinni mána,

hendi inni hœgri

um himinjódýr;

sól þat né vissi

hvar hon sali átti,

máni þat né vissi

hvat hann megins átti,

stjörnur þat né vissu

hvar þær staði áttu."

The sun, the sister

of the moon, from the south

Her right hand cast

over heaven's rim;

No knowledge she had

where her home should be,

The moon knew not

what might was his,

The stars knew not

where their stations were.

"Þá géngu regin öll

á rökstóla,

ginnheilög goð,

ok um þat gættusk:

nótt ok niðjum

nöfn um gáfu,

morgin hétu

ok miðjan dag,

undorn ok aptan,

árum at telja."

Then sought the gods

their assembly-seats,

The holy ones,

and council held;

Names then gave they

to noon and twilight,

Morning they named,

and the waning moon,

Night and evening,

the years to number.

"Hittusk æsir

á Iðavelli,

þeir er hörg ok hof

hátimbruðu,

afls kostuðu,

alls freistuðu,

afla lögðu,

auð smíðuðu,

tangir skópu

ok tól görðu."

At Ithavoll met

the mighty gods,

Shrines and temples

they timbered high;

Forges they set, and

they smithied ore,

Tongs they wrought,

and tools they fashioned.

"Tefldu í túni,

teitir váru,

var þeim vettugis

vant or gulli,

unz þrjár kvámu

þursa meyjar,

ámátkar mjök,

or jötunheimum."

In their dwellings at peace

they played at tables,

Of gold no lack

did the gods then know,

Till thither came

up giant-maids three,

Huge of might,

out of Jotunheim.

"Þá géngu regin öll

á rökstóla,

ginnheilög goð,

ok um þat gættusk,

hverr skyldi dverga

dróttir skepja

or brimi blóðgu

ok or blám leggjum."

Then sought the gods

their assembly-seats,

The holy ones,

and council held,

To find who should raise

the race of dwarfs

Out of Brimir's blood

and the legs of Blain.

"Þar var Mótsognir

mæztr um orðinn

dverga allra,

en Durinn annarr;

þar niiuinlíkun

mörg um görðusk,

dvergar or jörðu,

sem Durinn sagði."

There was Motsognir

the mightiest made

Of all the dwarfs,

and Durin next;

Many a likeness

of men they made,

The dwarfs in the earth,

as Durin said.

"Nýi ok Niði,

Norðri ok Suðri,

Austri ok Vestri,

Alþjófr, Dvalinn,

Nár ok Náinn,

Nípingr, Dáinn,

Bivörr, Bavörr,

Bömburr, Nori,

Ann ok Anarr,

Ai, Mjöðvitnir."

Nyi and Nithi,

Northri and Suthri,

Austri and Vestri,

Althjof, Dvalin,

Nar and Nain,

Niping, Dain,

Bifur, Bofur,

Bombur, Nori,

An and Onar,

Ai, Mjothvitnir.

"Veigr ok Gandálfr,

Vindálfr, Þráinn,

Þekkr ok Þorinn,

Þrór, Vitr ok Litr,

Nár ok Nýráðr,

nú hefi ek dverga,

Reginn ok Ráðsviðr,

rétt um talda."

Vigg and Gandalf

Vindalf, Thrain,

Thekk and Thorin,

Thror, Vit and Lit,

Nyr and Nyrath,

now have I told

Regin and Rathsvith

the list aright.

"Fili, Kili,

Fundinn, Nali,

Hepti, Vili,

Hanarr, Svíorr,

Billingr, Bruni,

Bildr, Búri,

Frár, Hornbori,

Frægr ok Lóni,

Aurvangr, Jari,

Eikinskjaldi."

Fili, Kili,

Fundin, Nali,

Heptifili,

Hannar, Sviur,

Frar, Hornbori,

Fræg and Loni,

Aurvang, Jari,

Eikinskjaldi.

"Mál er dverga

í Dvalins liði

ljóna kindum

til Lofars telja,

þeir er sóttu

frá salar steini

Aurvanga sjöt

til Jöruvalla."

The race of the dwarfs

in Dvalin's throng

Down to Lofar

the list must I tell;

The rocks they left,

and through wet lands

They sought a home

in the fields of sand.

"Þar var Draupnir

ok Dólgþrasir,

Hár, Haugspori,

Hlævangr, Glói,

Skirvir, Virvir,

Skafiðr, Ai,

Alfr ok Yngvi,

Eikinskjaldi."

There were Draupnir

and Dolgthrasir,

Hor, Haugspori,

Hlevang, Gloin,

Dori, Ori,

Duf, Andvari,

Skirfir, Virfir,

Skafith, Ai.

"Fjalarr ok Frosti,

Finnr ok Ginnarr,

(Heri, Höggstari,

Hljóðólfr, Móinn;)

þat mun uppi,

meðan öld lifir,

langniðja tal

Lofar hafat."

Alf and Yngvi,

Eikinskjaldi,

Fjalar and Frosti,

Fith and Ginnar;

So for all time

shall the tale be known,

The list of all

the forbears of Lofar.

"Unz þrír kvámu

or því liði

öflgir ok ástgir

æsir at húsi,

fundu á landi

lítt megandi

Ask ok Emblu,

orlöglausa."

Then from the throng

did three come forth,

From the home of the gods,

the mighty and gracious;

Two without fate

on the land they found,

Ask and Embla,

empty of might.

"Önd þau né áttu,

óð þau né höfðu,

lá né læti

né litu góða:

önd gaf Oðinn,

óð gaf Hœnir,

lá gaf Loðurr

ok litu góða."

Soul they had not,

sense they had not,

Heat nor motion,

nor goodly hue;

Soul gave Othin,

sense gave Hönir,

Heat gave Lothur

and goodly hue.

"Ask veit ek standa,

heitir Yggdrasill,

hár baðmr ausinn

hvíta auri:

þaðan koma döggvar,

þærs í dala falla,

stendr æ yfir grœnn

Urðar brunni."

An ash I know,

Yggdrasil its name,

With water white

is the great tree wet;

Thence come the dews

that fall in the dales,

Green by Urth's well

does it ever grow.

"Þaðan koma meyjar

margs vitandi

þrjár or þeim sæ

er und þolli stendr:

Urð hétu eina,

aðra Verðandi,

skáru á skíði

Skuld ena þriðju:

þær lög lögðu,

þær líf kuru

alda börnum,

orlög seggja."

Thence come the maidens

mighty in wisdom,

Three from the dwelling

down 'neath the tree;

Urth is one named,

Verthandi the next,

On the wood they scored,

and Skuld the third.

Laws they made there,

and life allotted

To the sons of men,

and set their fates.

"Ein sat hon úti,

þá er inn aldui kom

yggjungr ása

ok í augu leit:"

The war I remember,

the first in the world,

When the gods with spears

had smitten Gollveig,

And in the hall

of Hor had burned her,

Three times burned,

and three times born,

Oft and again,

yet ever she lives.

"Hvers fregnit mik?

hví freistið mín?

alt veit ek, Óðinn!

hvar þú auga falt þitt:

ía í enum mœra

Mímis brunni;

drekkr mjöð Mímir

morgin hverjan

af veði Valföðrs.

Vituð ér enn eða hvat?"

Heith they named her

who sought their home,

The wide-seeing witch,

in magic wise;

Minds she bewitched

that were moved by her magic,

To evil women

a joy she was.

"Valdi henni Herföðr

hringa ok men,

féspjöll spaklig

ok spáganda;

sá hon vítt ok um vítt

of veröld hverja."

On the host his spear

did Othin hurl,

Then in the world

did war first come;

The wall that girdled

the gods was broken,

And the field by the warlike

Wanes was trodden.

"Sá hon valkyrjur

vítt um komnar,

görvar at ríða

til Goðþjóðar;

Skuld hélt skildi,

en Skögul önnur,

Gunnr, Hildr, Göndul

ok Geirskögul.

Nú eru taldar

nönnur Herjans,

görvar at ríða

grund valkyrjur."

Then sought the gods

their assembly-seats,

The holy ones,

and council held,

Whether the gods

should tribute give,

Or to all alike

should worship belong.

"Heiði hana hétu,

hvars til húsa kom,

völu velspá,

vítti hon ganda,

seið hon kunni,

seið hon leikin,

æ var hon angan

illrar þjóðar."

Then sought the gods

their assembly-seats,

The holy ones,

and council held,

To find who with venom

the air had filled,

Or had given Oth's bride

to the giants' brood.

"Þat man hon fólkvíg

fyrst í heimi,

er Gullveig

geirum studdu,

ok í höll Hárs

hana brendu:

þrysvar brendu

þrysvar boma,

opt, ósjaldan,

þó hon enn lifir."

In swelling rage

then rose up Thor,

Seldom he sits

when he such things hears,

And the oaths were broken,

the words and bonds,

The mighty pledges

between them made.

"Þá géngu regin öll

á rökstóla,

ginnheilög goð,

ok um þat gættusk:

hvárt skyldu æsir

afráð gjalda,

eða skyldu goðin öll

gildi eiga."

I know of the horn

of Heimdall, hidden

Under the high-reaching

holy tree;

On it there pours

from Valfather's pledge

A mighty stream:

would you know yet more?

"Brotinn var borðveggr

borgar ása,

knáttu vanir vígspá

völlu sporna,

fleygði Óðinn

ok í fólk um skaut;

þat var enn fólkvíg

fyrst í heimi."

Alone I sat

when the Old One sought me,

The terror of gods,

and gazed in mine eyes:

"What hast thou to ask?

why comest thou hither?

Othin, I know

where thine eye is hidden."

I know where Othin's

eye is hidden,

Deep in the wide-famed

well of Mimir;

Mead from the pledge

of Othin each mom

Does Mimir drink:

would you know yet more?

"Þá géngu regin öll

á rökstóla,

ginnheilög goð,

ok um þat gættusk:

hverir hefði lopt alt

lævi blandit,

eðr ætt jötuns

Oðs mey gefna."

Necklaces had I

and rings from Heerfather,

Wise was my speech

and my magic wisdom;

*********

Widely I saw

over all the worlds.

"Þórr einn þar var

þrunginn móði,

hann sjaldan sitr,

er hann slíkt um fregn;

á géngusk eiðar,

orð ok sœri,

mál öll meginlig

er á meðal fóru."

On all sides saw I

Valkyries assemble,

Ready to ride

to the ranks of the gods;

Skuld bore the shield,

and Skogul rode next,

Guth, Hild, Gondul,

and Geirskogul.

Of Herjan's maidens

the list have ye heard,

Valkyries ready

to ride o'er the earth.

"Veit hon Heimdallar

hljóð um fólgit

undir heiðvönum

helgum baðmi;

á sér hon ausask

aurgum forsi

af veði Valföðrs.

Vituð ér enn eða hvat?"

I saw for Baldr,

the bleeding god,

The son of Othin,

his destiny set:

Famous and fair

in the lofty fields,

Full grown in strength

the mistletoe stood.

"Austr sat hin aldna

í Járnviði

ok fœddi þar

Fenris kindir;

verðr af þeim öllum

einna nökkurr

tungls tjúgari

í trölls hami."

From the branch which seemed

so slender and fair

Came a harmful shaft

that Hoth should hurl;

But the brother of Baldr

was born ere long,

And one night old

fought Othin's son.

"Fyllisk fjörvi

feigra manna,

rýðr ragna sjöt

rauðum dreyra;

svart var þá sólskín

of súmur eptir,

veðr öll válynd.

Vituð ér enn eða hvat?"

His hands he washed not,

his hair he combed not,

Till he bore to the bale-blaze

Baldr's foe.

But in Fensalir

did Frigg weep sore

For Valhall's need:

would you know yet more?

"Sat þar á haugi

ok sló hörpu

gýgjar hirðir,

glaðr Egðir:

gól um hánum

í gaglviði

fagrrauðr hani,

sá er Fjalarr heitir."

Then did Váli slaughter bonds twist:

made farily grim were those fetters of guts.

"Gól um ásuni

Gullinkambi,

sá vekr hölda

at Herjaföðrs:

en annarr gelr

fyr jörð neðan

sótrauðr hani

at sölum Heljar."

One did I see

in the wet woods bound,

A lover of ill,

and to Loki like;

By his side does Sigyn

sit, nor is glad

To see her mate:

would you know yet more?

"Ek sá Baldri,

blóðgum tívor,

Óðins barni

orlög fólgin;

stóð um vaxinn,

völlum hæri,

mjór ok mjök fagr

mistilteinn."

From the east there pours

through poisoned vales

With swords and daggers

the river Slith.

"Varð af þeim meiði,

er mér sýndisk,

harmflaug hættlig,

Höðr nam skjóta;

Baldrs bróðir

var of borinn snemma,

sá nam Óðins sonr

einnættr vega."

Northward a hall

in Nithavellir

Of gold there rose

for Sindri's race;

And in Okolnir

another stood,

Where the giant Brimir

his beer-hall had.

"Þó hann æva hendr,

né höfuð kembði,

áðr á bál um bar

Baldrs andskota;

en Frigg um grét

í Fensölum

vá Valhallar.

Vituð ér enn eða hvat?"

A hall I saw,

far from the sun,

On Nastrond it stands,

and the doors face north,

Venom drops

through the smoke-vent down,

For around the walls

do serpents wind.

"Hapt sá hon liggja

undir hvera lundi,

lægjarnlíki

Loka áþekkjan;

þar sitr Sigyn

þeygi um sínum

ver vel glýjuð.

Vituð ér enn eða hvat?"

I saw there wading

through rivers wild

Treacherous men

and murderers too,

And workers of ill

with the wives of men;

There Nithhogg sucked

the blood of the slain,

And the wolf tore men;

would you know yet more?

"ÞáknáVala

vígbönd snúa,

heldr um harðgjör

höpt or þörmum.

Fjöld veit hon frœða,

fram sé ek lengra,

um ragnarök

röm sigtíva."

The giantess old

in Ironwood sat,

In the east, and bore

the brood of Fenrir;

Among these one

in monster's guise

Was soon to steal

the sun from the sky.

"Geyr Garmr nijök

fyr Gnúpahelli,

festr mun slitna,

en freki renna."

There feeds he full

on the flesh of the dead,

And the home of the gods

he reddens with gore;

Dark grows the sun,

and in summer soon

Come mighty storms:

would you know yet more?

"A fellr austan

um eitrdala

saurum ok sverðum,

Slíðr heitir sú."

On a hill there sat,

and smote on his harp,

Eggther the joyous,

the giants warder;

Above him the cock

in the bird-wood crowed,

Fair and red

did Fjalar stand.

"Stóð fyr norðan

á Niðafjöllum

salr or gulli

Sindra ættar;

en annarr stóð

á Ókólni,

bjórsalr jötuns,

en sá Brímir heitir."

Then to the gods

crowed Gollinkambi,

He wakes the heroes

in Othin's hall;

And beneath the earth

does another crow,

The rust-red bird

at the bars of Hel.

"Sal sá hon standa

sólu fjarri

Náströndu á,

norðr horfa dyrr:

féllu eitrdropar

inn um ljóra,

sá er undinn salr

orma hryggjum."

Now Garm howls loud

before Gnipahellir,

The fetters will burst,

and the wolf run free;

Much do I know,

and more can see

Of the fate of the gods,

the mighty in fight.

"Sá hon þar vaða

þunga strauma

menu meinsvara

ok morðvarga,

ok þann annars glepr

eyrarúnu;

þar saug Níðhöggr

nái framgegna,

sleit vargr vera.

Vituð ér enn eða hvat?"

Brothers shall fight

and fell each other,

And sisters sons

shall kinship stain;

Hard is it on earth,

with mighty whoredom;

Axe-time, sword-time,

shields are sundered,

Wind-time, wolf-time,

ere the world falls;

Nor ever shall men

each other spare.

"Brœðr munu berjask

ok at bönum verðask,

munu systrungar

sifjum spilla;

hart er í heimi,

hórdómr mikill,

skeggöld, skálmöld,

skildir ’ro klofnir,

vindöld, vargöld,

áðr veröld steypisk;

grundir gjalla,

gífr fljúgandi;

mun engi maðr

öðrum þyrma."

Fast move the sons

of Mim, and fate

Is heard in the note

of the Gjallarhorn;

Loud blows Heimdall,

the horn is aloft,

In fear quake all

who on Hel-roads are.

"Leika Míms synir,

en mjötuðr kyndisk,

at enu gamla

Gjallarhorni;

hátt blæss Heimdallr,

horn er á lopti,

mælir Óðinn

við Míms höfuð."

Yggdrasil shakes,

and shiver on high

The ancient limbs,

and the giant is loose;

To the head of Mim

does Othin give heed,

But the kinsman of Surt

shall slay him soon.

"Skelfr Yggdrasils

askr standandi,

ymr it aldna tré,

en jötunn losuar;

hræðask allir

á helvegum,

áðr Surtar þá

sefi of gleypir."

How fare the gods?

how fare the elves?

All Jotunheim groans,

the gods are at council;

Loud roar the dwarfs

by the doors of stone,

The masters of the rocks:

would you know yet more?

"Geyr Garmr mjók

fyr Gnúpahelli,

festr mun slitna,

en freki renna."

Now Garm howls loud

before Gnipahellir,

The fetters will burst,

and the wolf run free

Much do I know,

and more can see

Of the fate of the gods,

the mighty in fight.

"Hrymr ekr austan

hefisk lind fyrir;

sný.sk jörmungandr

í jötunmóði;

ormr knýr unnir,

en ari hlakkar,

slítr nái neffölr,

Naglfar losnar."

From the east comes Hrym

with shield held high;

In giant-wrath

does the serpent writhe;

O'er the waves he twists,

and the tawny eagle

Gnaws corpses screaming;

Naglfar is loose.

"Kjóll ferr austan,

koma munu Muspells

um lög lýðir,

en Loki stýrir:

fara fíflmegir

með freka allir,

þeim er bróðir

Býleists í för."

O'er the sea from the east

there sails a ship

With the people of Muspell,

at the helm stands Loki;

After the wolf

do wild men follow,

And with them the brother

of Byleist goes.

"Surtr ferr sunnsm

með sviga læfi,

skínn af sverði

sól valtífa:

grjótbjörg gnata,

en gífr rata,

troða halir helveg,

en himinn klofnar."

Surt fares from the south

with the scourge of branches,

The sun of the battle-gods

shone from his sword;

The crags are sundered,

the giant-women sink,

The dead throng Hel-way,

and heaven is cloven.

"Hvat er með ásiun?

hvat er með álfum?

gnýr allr jötunheimr,

æsir ’ro á þingi;

stynja dvergar

fyr steindurum

veggbergs vísir.

Vituð ér enn eða hvat?"

Now comes to Hlin

yet another hurt,

When Othin fares

to fight with the wolf,

And Beli's fair slayer

seeks out Surt,

For there must fall

the joy of Frigg.

"Þá kemr Hlínar

harmr annarr fram,

er Oðinn ferr

við úlf vega;

en bani Belja

bjartr at Surti,

þá mun Friggjar

falla angantýr."

Then comes Sigfather's

mighty son,

Vithar, to fight

with the foaming wolf;

In the giant's son

does he thrust his sword

Full to the heart:

his father is avenged.

"Þá kemr inn mikli

mögr Sigfóður

Viðarr vega

at valdýri:

lætr hann megi hveðrungs

mund um standa

hjör til hjartá,

þá er hefnt föður."

Hither there comes

the son of Hlothyn,

The bright snake gapes

to heaven above;

*********

Against the serpent

goes Othin's son.

"Þá kemr inn mœri

mögr Hlóðynjar;

gengr Óðins sonr

við úlf vega,

drepr hann af móði

miðgarðs véorr;

munu halir allir

heimstöð ryðja,

gengr fet níu

Fjörgynjar burr,

neppr frá naðri

níðs ókvíðnum."

In anger smites

the warder of earth,

Forth from their homes

must all men flee;

Nine paces fares

the son of Fjorgyn,

And, slain by the serpent,

fearless he sinks.

"Sól tekr sortna,

sígr fold í mar,

hverfa af himni

heiðar stjörnur;

geisar eimi

við aldrnára,

leikr hár hiti

við himin sjálfan."

The sun turns black,

earth sinks in the sea,

The hot stars down

from heaven are whirled;

Fierce grows the steam

and the life-feeding flame,

Till fire leaps high

about heaven itself.

"Sér hon uppkoma

öðru sinni

jörð or œgi

iðjagrœna:

falla forsar,

flýgr örn yfir,

sá er á fjalli

fiska veiðir."

Now Garm howls loud

before Gnipahellir,

The fetters will burst,

and the wolf run free;

Much do I know,

and more can see

Of the fate of the gods,

the mighty in fight.

"Finnask æsir

á Iðavelli

ok um moldþinur

mátkan dœma,

ok minnask þar

á megindóma

ok á fimbultýs

fornar rúnar."

Now do I see

the earth anew

Rise all green

from the waves again;

The cataracts fall,

and the eagle flies,

And fish he catches

beneath the cliffs.

"Þar munu eptir

undrsamligar

gullnar töflur

í grasi finnask,

þærs í árdaga

áttar höfðu

(fólkvaldr goða

ok Fjölnis kind)."

The gods in Ithavoll

meet together,

Of the terrible girdler

of earth they talk,

And the mighty past

they call to mind,

And the ancient runes

of the Ruler of Gods.

"Munu ósánir

akrar vaxa,

böls mun alls batna,

Baldr mun koma:

búa þeir Höðr ok Baldr

Hropts sigtóptir

vel valtívar.

Vituð ér enn eða hvat?"

In wondrous beauty

once again

Shall the golden tables

stand mid the grass,

Which the gods had owned

in the days of old,

"Þá kná Hœnir

hlautvið kjósa,

ok burir byggja

brœðra tveggja

vindheim víðan.

Vituð ér enn eða hvat?"

Then fields unsowed

bear ripened fruit,

All ills grow better,

and Baldr comes back;

Baldr and Hoth dwell

in Hropt's battle-hall,

And the mighty gods:

would you know yet more?

"Sal sér hon standa

sólu fegra,

gulli þaktan,

á Gimli.

Þar skolu dyggvar

dróttir byggja

ok um aldrdaga

yndis njóta."

Then Hönir wins

the prophetic wand,

And the sons of the brothers

of Tveggi abide

In Vindheim now:

would you know yet more?

"Þá kemr hiun ríki

at regindómi,

öflugr ofan,

sá er öllu ræðr:

(semr hann dóma

ok sakar Ieggr,

vésköp setr,

þau er vera skolu)."

More fair than the sun,

a hall I see,

Roofed with gold,

on Gimle it stands;

There shall the righteous

rulers dwell,

And happiness ever

there shall they have.

"Þar kemr inn dimmi

dreki fljúgandi,

naðr fránn neðan

frá Niðafjöllum:

berr sér í fjöðrum

— flýgr völl yfir —

Níðhöggr nái.

Nú mun hon sökkvask!"

There comes on high,

all power to hold,

A mighty lord,

all lands he rules.

From below the dragon

dark comes forth,

Nithhogg flying

from Nithafjoll;

The bodies of men on

his wings he bears,

The serpent bright:

but now must I sink.