Transcriber’s note: There was no footnote text for this marker.
How then could Jotunheim be so dark? The reason is afterwards given. Her supernatural beauty illumined the whole country.
Mr. Herbert has thus versified the expedition of Skirnir:—
“Skirnir, arise! and swiftly run, Where lonely sits our pensive son! Bid him to parley, and enquire, ’Gainst whom he teems with sullen ire.”
SKIRNIR (_sung_).—“Ill words, I fear, my lot will prove, If I thy son attempt to move; If I bid parley, and enquire, Why teems his soul with savage ire.”
SKIRNIR (_sung_).—“Prince of the gods, and first in fight, Speak, honoured Freyr, and tell me right! Why spends my lord the tedious day In his lone hall to grief a prey?”
FREYR (_sung_).—“O how shall I, fond youth, disclose To thee my bosom’s heavy woes? The ruddy god shines every day, But dull to me his cheerful ray.”
SKIRNIR (_sung_).—“Thy sorrows deem not I so great, That thou the tale shouldst not relate. Together sported we in youth, And well may trust each other’s truth.”
FREYR (_sung_).—“In Gymer’s court I saw her move, The maid, who fires my breast with love. Her snow-white arms and bosom fair Shone lovely, kindling sea and air. Dear is she to my wishes more, Than ere was maid to youth before: But gods and elfs[102], I wot it well, Forbid that we together dwell.”
SKIRNIR (_sung_).—“Give me that horse of wonderous breed To cross the nightly flame[103] with speed; And that self-brandish’d sword to smite The giant race with strange affright.”
FREYR (_sung_).—“To thee I give this wond’rous steed, To pass the watchful fire with speed; And this, which borne by valiant wight, Self-brandished will his foemen smite.”
SKIRNIR (_addressed to his horse_).—“Dark night is spread; ’tis time, I trow, To climb the mountains hoar with snow. Both shall return, or both remain In durance by the giant ta’en.”
Skirnir rode into Jotunheim to the court of Gymer; furious dogs were tied there before the door of the wooden enclosure, which surrounded Gerda’s bower. He rode towards a shepherd, who was sitting on a mound, and addressed him:
“Shepherd, who sittest on the mound, And turn’st thy watchful eyes around, How may I lull these bloodhounds, say! How speak unharm’d with Gymer’s may!”[104]