One day the god Thor set out, in his car drawn by two he-goats, and
accompanied by Loki, on a journey. Night coming on, they put up at a
peasant's cottage, when Thor killed his goats, and after flaying them
put them in the kettle. When the flesh was sodden, he sat down with,
his fellow-traveler to supper, and invited the peasant and his family
to partake of the repast. The peasant's son was named Thjalfi, and
his daughter Roeska. Thor bade them throw all the bones into the goats'
skins, which were spread out near the fireplace; but young Thjalfi
broke one of the shank-bones with his knife, to come at the marrow.
Thor having passed the night in the cottage, rose at the dawn of day;
and when he was dressed took his mallet Mjoelnir, and lifting it up,
consecrated the goats' skins, which he had no sooner done than the two
goats reassumed their wonted form, only that one of them now limped in
one of its hind legs. Thor, perceiving this, said that the peasant or
one of his family had handled the shank-bone of this goat too roughly,
for he saw clearly that it was broken. It may readily be imagined how
frightened the peasant was, when he saw Thor knit his brows, and grasp
the handle of his mallet with such force that the joints of his
fingers became white from the exertion. Fearing to be struck down by
the very looks of the god, the peasant and his family made joint suit
for pardon, offering whatever they possessed as an atonement for the
offense committed. Thor, seeing their fear, desisted from his wrath
and became more placable, and finally contented himself by requiring
the peasant's children, Thjalfi and Roeska, who became his
bond-servants, and have followed him ever since.
Leaving his goats with the peasant, Thor proceeded eastward on the
road to Joetunheim, until he came to the shores of a vast and deep sea,
which having passed over, he penetrated into a strange country along
with his companions, Loki, Thjalfi, and Roeska. They had not gone far
before they saw before them an immense forest, through which they
wandered all day. Thjalfi was of all men the swiftest of foot. He bore
Thor's wallet, but the forest was a bad place for finding anything
eatable to stow in it. When it became dark, they searched on all sides
for a place where they might pass the night, and at last came to a
very large hall, with an entrance that took up the whole breadth of
one of the ends of the building. Here they chose them a place to sleep
in; but towards midnight were alarmed by an earthquake, which shook
the whole edifice. Thor, rising up, called on his companions to seek
with him a place of safety. On the right they found an adjoining
chamber, into which they entered; but while the others, trembling with
fear, crept into the furthest corner of this retreat, Thor remained at
the doorway with his mallet in his hand, prepared to defend himself
whatever might happen. A terrible groaning was heard during the
night, and at dawn of day Thor went out and observed lying near him a
man of enormous bulk, who slept and snored pretty loudly. Thor could
now account for the noise they had heard over night, and girding on
his Belt of Prowess, increased that divine strength which he now stood
in need of. The giant, awakening, rose up, and it is said that for
once in his life Thor was afraid to make use of his mallet, and
contented himself by simply asking the giant his name.
"My name is Skrymir," said the other; "but I need not ask thy name,
for I know thou art the god Thor. But what hast thou done with my
glove?" And stretching out his hand Skrymir picked up his glove, which
Thor then perceived was what they had taken over night for a hall, the
chamber where they had sought refuge being the thumb. Skrymir then
asked whether they would have his fellowship, and Thor consenting, the
giant opened his wallet and began to eat his breakfast. Thor and his
companions having also taken their morning repast, though in another
place, Skrymir proposed that they should lay their provisions
together, which Thor also assented to. The giant then put all the meat
into one wallet, which he slung on his back and went before them,
taking tremendous strides, the whole day, and at dusk sought out for
them a place where they might pass the night, under a large oak-tree.
Skrymir then told them that he would lie down to sleep. "But take ye
the wallet," he added, "and prepare your supper."
Skrymir soon fell asleep, and began to snore strongly, but incredible
though it may appear, it must nevertheless be told that when Thor came
to open the wallet he could not untie a single knot, nor render a
single string looser than it was before. Seeing that his labor was in
vain, Thor became wroth, and grasping his mallet with both hands while
he advanced a step forward, launched it at the giant's head. Skrymir,
awakening, merely asked whether a leaf had not fallen on his head, and
whether they had supped and were ready to go to sleep. Thor answered
that they were just going to sleep, and so saying, went and laid
himself down under another oak-tree. But sleep came not that night to
Thor, and when he remarked that Skrymir snored again so loud that the
forest re-echoed with the noise, he arose, and grasping his mallet
launched it with such force that it sunk into the giant's skull up to
the handle. Skrymir, awakening, cried out:--
"What's the matter? did an acorn fall on my head? How fares it with
thee, Thor?"
But Thor went away hastily, saying that he had just then awoke, and
that as it was only midnight, there was still time for sleep. He
however resolved that if he had an opportunity of striking a third
blow, it should settle all matters between them. A little before
daybreak he perceived that Skrymir was again fast asleep, and again
grasping his mallet, dashed it with such violence that it forced its
way into the giant's cheek up to the handle. But Skrymir sat up, and
stroking his cheek, said:--
"Are there any birds perched on this tree? Methought when I awoke some
moss from the branches fell on my head. What! art thou awake, Thor?
Methinks it is time for us to get up and dress ourselves; but you have
not now a long way before you to the city called Utgard. I have heard
you whispering to one another that I am not a man of small dimensions;
but if you come into Utgard you will see there many men much taller
than myself. Wherefore I advise you, when you come there, not to make
too much of yourselves, for the followers of Utgard-Loki will not
brook the boasting of such mannikins as ye are. The best thing you
could do would probably be to turn back again; but if you persist in
going on, take the road that leads eastward, for mine now lies
northward to those rocks which you may see in the distance."
Hereupon he threw his wallet over his shoulders and turned away from
them into the forest, and I could never hear that Thor wished to meet
with him a second time.
Thor and his companions proceeded on their way, and towards noon
descried a city standing in the middle of a plain. It was so lofty
that they were obliged to bend their necks quite back on their
shoulders, ere they could see to the top of it. On arriving at the
walls they found the gateway closed, with a gate of bars strongly
locked and bolted. Thor, after trying in vain to open it, crept with
his companions through the bars, and thus succeeded in gaining
admission into the city. Seeing a large palace before them, with the
door wide open, they went in and found a number of men of prodigious
stature sitting on benches in the hall. Going further, they came
before the King, Utgard-Loki, whom they saluted with great respect.
Their salutations were however returned by a contemptuous look from
the King, who after regarding them for some time said with a scornful
smile:--
"It is tedious to ask for tidings of a long journey, yet if I do not
mistake me, that stripling there must be Aku-Thor. Perhaps," he added,
addressing himself to Thor, "thou mayest be taller than thou appearest
to be. But what are the feats that thou and thy fellows deem
yourselves skilled in? for no one is permitted to remain here who does
not in some feat or other excel all men."
"The feat I know," replied Loki, "is to eat quicker than any one else;
and in this I am ready to give a proof against any one here who may
choose to compete with me."
"That will indeed be a feat," said Utgard-Loki, "if thou performest
what thou promisest; and it shall be tried forthwith."
He then ordered one of his men, who was sitting at the further end of
the bench, and whose name was Logi, to come forward and try his skill
with Loki. A trough filled with flesh-meat having been set on the hall
floor, Loki placed himself at one end and Logi at the other, and each
of them began to eat as fast as he could, until they met in the middle
of the trough. But it was soon found that Loki had only eaten the
flesh, whereas his adversary had devoured both flesh and bone, and the
trough to boot. All the company therefore adjudged that Loki was
vanquished.
Utgard-Loki then asked what feat the young man who accompanied Thor
could perform. Thjalfi answered that he would run a race with any one
who might be matched against him. The King observed that skill in
running was something to boast of, but that if the youth would win the
match he must display great agility. He then arose and went with all
who were present to a plain where there was good ground for running
on, and calling a young man named Hugi, bade him run a match with
Thjalfi. In the first course, Hugi so much outstripped his competitor
that he turned back and met him, not far from the starting-place.
"Thou must ply thy legs better, Thjalfi," said Utgard-Loki, "if thou
wilt win the match; though I must needs say that there never came a
man here swifter of foot than thou art."
In the second course, Thjalfi was a full bow-shot from the goal when
Hugi arrived at it.
"Most bravely dost thou run, Thjalfi," said Utgard-Loki, "though thou
wilt not, methinks, win the match. But the third course must decide."
They accordingly ran a third time, but Hugi had already reached the
goal before Thjalfi had got half-way. All who were present then cried
out that there had been a sufficient trial of skill in this kind of
exercise.
Utgard-Loki then asked Thor in what feats he would choose to give
proofs of that dexterity for which he was so famous. Thor replied that
he would begin a drinking match with any one. Utgard-Loki consented,
and entering the palace, bade his cup-bearer bring the large horn
which his followers were obliged to drink out of, when they had
trespassed in any way against established usage. The cup-bearer having
presented it to Thor, Utgard-Loki said:--
"Whoever is a good drinker will empty that horn at a single draught,
though some men make two of it; but the most puny drinker of all can
do it at three."
Thor looked at the horn, which seemed of no extraordinary size, though
somewhat long; however, as he was very thirsty, he set it to his lips,
and without drawing breath, pulled as long and as deeply as he could,
that he might not be obliged to make a second draught of it; but when
he set the horn down and looked in, he could scarcely perceive that
the liquor was diminished.
"'Tis well drunken," exclaimed Utgard-Loki, "though nothing much to
boast of; and I would not have believed, had it been told me, that
Asa-Thor could not take a greater draught; but thou no doubt meanest
to make amends at the second pull."
Thor without answering went at it again with all his might; but when
he took the horn from his mouth it seemed to him as if he had drunk
rather less than before, although the horn could now be carried
without spilling.
"How now! Thor," said Utgard-Loki: "Thou must not spare thyself more,
in performing a feat, than befits thy skill; but if thou meanest to
drain the horn at the third draught thou must pull deeply; and I must
needs say that thou wilt not be called so mighty a man here as thou
art among the AEsir, if thou showest no greater powers in other feats
than methinks will be shown in this."
Thor, full of wrath, again set the horn to his lips and exerted
himself to the utmost to empty it entirely; but on looking in, found
that the liquor was only a little lower; upon which he resolved to
make no further attempt, but gave back the horn to the cup-bearer.
"I now see plainly," said Utgard-Loki, "that thou art not quite so
stout as we thought thee; but wilt thou try any other feat?--though
methinks thou art not likely to bear any prize away with thee hence."
"I will try another feat," replied Thor; "and I am sure such draughts
as I have been drinking would not have been reckoned small among the
AEsir; but what new trial hast thou to propose?"
"We have a very trifling game here," answered Utgard-Loki, "in which
we exercise none but children. It consists in merely lifting my cat
from the ground; nor should I have dared to mention such a feat to
Asa-Thor, if I had not already observed that thou art by no means what
we took thee for."
As he finished speaking, a large gray cat sprang on the hall floor.
Thor, advancing, put his hand under the cat's belly, and did his
utmost to raise him from the floor; but the cat, bending his back,
had--notwithstanding all Thor's efforts--only one of his feet lifted
up; seeing which, Thor made no further attempt.
"This trial has turned out," said Utgard-Loki, "just as I imagined it
would; the cat is large, but Thor is little in comparison with our
men."
"Little as ye call me," answered Thor, "let me see who amongst you
will come hither, now I am in wrath, and wrestle with me."
"I see no one here," said Utgard-Loki, looking at the men sitting on
the benches, "who would not think it beneath him to wrestle with thee:
let somebody, however, call hither that old crone, my nurse Elli, and
let Thor wrestle with her if he will. She has thrown to the ground
many a man not less strong and mighty than this Thor is."
A toothless old woman then entered the hall, and was told by
Utgard-Loki to take hold of Thor. The tale is shortly told. The more
Thor tightened his hold on the crone the firmer she stood. At length,
after a very violent struggle, Thor began to lose his footing, and was
finally brought down upon one knee. Utgard-Loki then told them to
desist, adding that Thor had now no occasion to ask any one else in
the hall to wrestle with him, and it was also getting late. He
therefore showed Thor and his companions to their seats, and they
passed the night there in good cheer.
The next morning, at break of day, Thor and his companions dressed
themselves and prepared for their departure. Utgard-Loki then came
and ordered a table to be set for them, on which there was no lack of
either victuals or drink. After the repast Utgard-Loki led them to the
gate of the city, and on parting asked Thor how he thought his journey
had turned out, and whether he had met with any men stronger than
himself. Thor told him that he could not deny but that he had brought
great shame on himself. "And what grieves me most," he added, "is that
ye call me a man of little worth."
"Nay," said Utgard-Loki, "it behoves me to tell thee the truth, now
thou art out of the city; which so long as I live and have my way thou
shalt never re-enter. And by my troth, had I known beforehand that
thou hadst so much strength in thee, and wouldst have brought me so
near to a great mishap, I would not have suffered thee to enter this
time. Know, then, that I have all along deceived thee by my illusions:
first in the forest, where I arrived before thee, and there thou wert
not able to untie the wallet, because I had bound it with iron wire,
in such a manner that thou couldst not discover how the knot ought to
be loosened. After this, thou gavest me three blows with thy mallet;
the first, though the least, would have ended my days had it fallen on
me, but I brought a rocky mountain before me which thou didst not
perceive, and in this mountain thou wilt find three glens, one of them
remarkably deep. These are the dints made by thy mallet. I have made
use of similar illusions in the contests ye have had with my
followers. In the first, Loki, like hunger itself, devoured all that
was set before him; but Logi was in reality nothing else than ardent
fire, and therefore consumed not only the meat but the trough which
held it. Hugi, with whom Thjalfi contended in running, was Thought;
and it was impossible for Thjalfi to keep pace with that. When thou in
thy turn didst try to empty the horn, thou didst perform, by my troth,
a deed so marvelous that had I not seen it myself I should never have
believed it. For one end of that horn reached the sea, which thou wast
not aware of, but when thou comest to the shore thou wilt perceive how
much the sea has sunk by thy draughts, which have caused what is now
called the ebb. Thou didst perform a feat no less wonderful by lifting
up the cat; and to tell thee the truth, when we saw that one of his
paws was off the floor, we were all of us terror-stricken; for what
thou tookest for a cat was in reality the great Midgard serpent that
encompasseth the whole earth, and he was then barely long enough to
inclose it between his head and tail, so high had thy hand raised him
up towards heaven. Thy wrestling with Elli was also a most astonishing
feat, for there was never yet a man, nor ever shall be, whom Old
Age--for such in fact was Elli--will not sooner or later lay low if he
abide her coming. But now, as we are going to part, let me tell thee
that it will be better for both of us if thou never come near me
again; for shouldst thou do so, I shall again defend myself by other
illusions, so that thou wilt never prevail against me."
On hearing these words, Thor in a rage laid hold of his mallet and
would have launched it at him; but Utgard-Loki had disappeared, and
when Thor would have returned to the city to destroy it, he found
nothing around him but a verdant plain. Proceeding therefore on his
way, he returned without stopping to Thrudvang.
Translation of I.A. Blackwell.