CANTO XXV.

SKIRNIR FULFILS HIS ERRAND.

Respecting the metre of this Canto, see the note.

When Skirnir awoke at the morning light, (The sunbeams redden the sky) With friendly mien, all with brass bedight, The Giant his couch stood by;

Like a Guldbrand pine so tall, so strong; (The birds on the trees sing sweet) In his hand he bore an iron pole long, And Skirnir he came to greet.

His daughter stood near him with witching look; (On the flow’rets the dew-drops shine) As the ivy around the gnarled oak, Thus did Gerda her sire entwine.

A cup of drink for Skirnir he bore; (The sunbeams redden the sky) “Before,” quoth he, “thou leavest my door, Hear, and take with thee my reply!

“Young Frey loves dearly my daughter bright; (The birds on the trees sing sweet) And if I have read in her soul aright, She thinks him a consort meet.

“But thou knowest, without her father’s yea, (On the flow’rets the dew-drops shine) ’Tis all labour lost; but, the truth to say, I to favour this match incline.

“But goods must be given in change for goods; (The sunbeams redden the sky) And heretofore ’twixt Giants and Gods Hath not flourish’d much amity.

“Young Frey hath a sword, the best i’ the north, (The birds on the trees sing sweet) And Gerda, methinks, is that sword well worth; So on just conditions I’ll treat.

“When the heart once loves with fervour and truth, (On the flow’rets the dew-drops shine) In war no longer delights the youth; He sighs at his mistress’ shrine.

“Let Frey then give me his mystic sword! (The sunbeams redden the sky) My daughter dear will I then accord As consort to him for aye.

“But if he refuse to cede the glaive, (The birds on the trees sing sweet) The hardest rock that repels the wave He might just as well entreat.”

With this answer the swain rode homeward bound, (On the flow’rets the dew-drops shine) And returning, shorter the road he found Than in coming, ye may divine.

As he gallop’d once more o’er the flow’ry mead, (The sunbeams redden the sky) He thought, by the rustling his falchion made, Of Odin the lord so high.

The magic fetter came o’er his mind (The birds on the trees sing sweet) That was destin’d Fenris the wolf to bind: Then he jump’d from his courser fleet,

And began to climb up on Elver-hoy: (On the flow’rets the dew-drops shine) And there two dwarfs he perceiv’d with joy Fit to execute his design.

There they sit, and enjoy the morning breeze; (The sunbeams redden the sky) They love to rest under branching trees, But from the sun’s glare they fly.

And oft they dance on the humid grass, (The birds on the trees sing sweet) And joy the mystic circle to trace On the turf with their nimble feet.

When Skirnir met them, he bared his sword, (On the flow’rets the dew-drops shine) And thus address’d them with threat’ning word: “Hear me, little masters mine!

“By Odin’s order I crave your aid (The sunbeams redden the sky) For Fenris wolf a fetter to braid; This instant your labours ply!

“If not, I will slay ye both, I swear.” (The birds on the trees sing sweet) The little men, how they shook with fear! They scarce could stand on their feet.

They blink like mice with their little eyes. (On the flow’rets the dew-drops shine) “Nay! put up thy sword!” each Dwarf replies; “Behold! here’s the magic twine!

“We heard of the order that Odin gave, (The sunbeams redden the sky) And the very best cord shall Odin have To bind his arch-enemy.

“This fetter was forged, O Skirnir, hear! (The birds on the trees sing sweet) Of the beards of woman; the nerves of bear; Of the noise of a kitten’s feet;

“Of the breath of birds; of fishes’ scum; (On the flowrets the dew-drops shine) Of the roots of rocks; with finger and thumb Have we full’d this wondrous line.”

Now from them the swain took the magic chain, (The sunbeams redden the sky) And the Dwarfs they fled to their grots again, And Skirnir vaulted on high.

Now Bifrost appears with its brilliant sheen; (The birds on the trees sing sweet) Its tints enliven the sky serene The returning chief to greet.

Like a bird in spring brave Skirnir flew (On the flow’rets the dew-drops shine) And Valhall anew much he joy’d to view, And partake of Sâhrimner’s chine.

And now he relates to Odin and Frey How their mandates he fulfill’d; Odin smiled on the swain with a grateful eye, Frey’s bosom with rapture thrill’d.

Praise and honours on Skirnir overflow; What pleasure in Valhall reigns! For Frey shall now be freed from his woe, And Fenris be bound in chains.