1. From the outward wall he saw one ascending to the seat of the
giant race.
_Fiolsvith_.
Along the humid ways haste thee back hence, here, wretch! is no place
for thee.
2. What monster is it before the fore-court standing, and hovering
round the perilous flame? Whom dost thou seek? Of what art thou in
quest? Or what, friendless being! desirest thou to know?
_Wanderer_.
3. What monster is that, before the fore-court standing, who to the
wayfarer offers not hospitality? Void of honest fame, prattler! hast
thou lived: but hence hie thee home.
_Fiolsvith_.
4. Fiolsvith is my name; wise I am of mind, though of food not
prodigal. Within these courts thou shalt never come: so now, wretch!
take thyself off.
_Wanderer_.
5. From the eye's delight few are disposed to hurry, where there is
something pleasant to be seen. These walls, methinks, shine around
golden halls. Here I could live contented with my lot.
_Fiolsvith_.
6. Tell me, youth; of whom thou art born, or of what race hast
sprung.
_Wanderer_.
7. Vindkald I am called, Varkald was my father named, his sire was
Fiolkald.
8. Tell me, Fiolsvith! that which I will ask thee, and I desire to
know: who here holds sway, and has power over these lands and costly
halls?
_Fiolsvith_.
9. Menglod is her name, her mother her begat with Svaf, Thorin's
son. She here holds sway, and has power over these lands and costly
halls.
_Vindkald_.
10. Tell me, Fiolsvith! etc., what the grate is called, than which
among the gods mortals never saw a greater artifice?
_Fiolsvith_.
11. Thrymgioll it is called, and Solblindi's three sons constructed
it: a fetter fastens, every wayfarer, who lifts it from its opening.
_Vindkald_.
12. Tell me, Fiolsvith! etc., what that structure is called, than
which among the gods mortals never saw a greater artifice?
_Fiolsvith_.
13. Gastropnir it is called, and I constructed it of Leirbrimir's
limbs. I have so supported it, that it will ever stand while the world
lasts.
_Vindkald_.
14. Tell me, Fiolsvith! etc., what those dogs are called, that chase
away the giantesses, and safety to the fields restore?
_Fiolsvith_.
15. Gifr the one is called, the other Geri, if thou that wouldst
know. Eleven watches they will keep, until the powers perish.
_Vindkald_.
16. Tell me, Fiolsvith! etc., whether any man can enter while those
fierce assailants sleep?
_Fiolsvith_.
17. Alternate sleep was strictly to them enjoined, since to the
watch they were appointed. One sleeps by night, by day the other, so
that no wight can enter if he comes.
_Vindkald_.
18. Tell me, Fiolsvith! etc., whether there is any food that men can
get, such that they can run in while they eat?
_Fiolsvith_.
19. Two repasts lie in Vidofnir's wings, if thou that wouldst know:
that is alone such food as men can give them and run in while they
eat.
_Vindkald_.
20. Tell me, Fiolsvith! etc., what that tree is called that with its
branches spreads itself over every land?
_Fiolsvith_.
21. Mimameidir it is called; but few men know from what roots it
springs: it by that will fall which fewest know. Nor fire nor iron
will harm it.
_Vindkald_.
22. Tell me, Fiolsvith! etc., to what the virtue is of that famed
tree applied, which nor fire nor iron will harm?
_Fiolsvith_.
23. Its fruit shall on the fire be laid, for labouring women; out
then will pass what would in remain: so is it a creator of mankind.
_Vindkald_.
24. Tell me, Fioisvith! etc., what the cock is called that sits in
that lofty tree, and all-glittering is with gold?
_Fiolsvith_.
25. Vidofnir he is called; in the clear air he stands, in the boughs
of Mima's tree: afflictions only brings, together indissoluble, the
swart bird at his lonely meal.
_Vindkald_.
26. Tell me, Fiolsvith! etc., whether there be any weapon, before
which Vidofnir may fall to Hel's abode?
_Fiolsvith_.
27. Hævatein the twig is named, and Lopt plucked it, down by the
gate of Death. In an iron chest it lies with Sinmoera, and is with
nine strong locks secured.
_Vindkald_.
28. Tell me, Fiolsvith! etc., whether he will alive return, who
seeks after, and will take, that rod?
_Fiolsvith_.
29. He will return who seeks after, and will take, the rod, if he
bears that which few possess to the dame of the glassy clay.
_Vindkald_.
30. Tell me, Fiolsvith! etc., whether there is any treasure, that
mortals can obtain, at which the pale giantess will rejoice?
_Fiolsvith_.
31. The bright sickle that lies in Vidofnir's wings, thou in a bag
shalt bear, and to Sinmoera give, before she will think fit to lend an
arm for conflict.
_Vindkald_.
32. Tell me, Fiolsvith! etc., what this hall is called, which is
girt round with a curious flickering flame?
_Fiolsvith_.
33. Hyr it is called, and it will long tremble as on a lance's
point. This sumptuous house shall, for ages hence, be but from hearsay
known.
_Vindkald_.
34. Tell me, Fiolsvith! etc., which of the Æsir's sons has that
constructed, which within the court I saw?
_Fiolsvith_.
35. Uni and Iri, Bari and Ori, Var and Vegdrasil, Dorri and Uri,
Delling and Atvard, Lidskialf, Loki.
_Vindkald_.
36. Tell me, Fiolsvith! etc., what that mount is called, on which I
see a splendid maiden stand?
_Fiolsvith_.
37. Hyfiaberg 'tis called, and long has it a solace been to the
bowed-down and sorrowful: each woman becomes healthy, although a
year's disease she have, if she can but ascend it.
_Vindkald_.
38. Tell me, Fiolsvith! etc., how those maids are called, who sit at
Menglod's knees in harmony together?
_Fiolsvith_.
39. Hlif the first is called, the second is Hlifthursa, the third
Thiodvarta, Biort and Blid, Blidr, Frid, Eir and Orboda.
_Vindkald_.
40. Tell me, Fiolsvith! etc., whether they protect those who offer
to them, if it should, be needful?
_Fiolsvith_.
41. Every summer in which men offer to them, at the holy place, no
pestilence so great shall come to the sons of men, but they will free
each from peril.
_Vindkald_.
42. Tell me, Fiolsvith! etc., whether there is any man that may in
Menglod's soft arms sleep?
_Fiolsvith_.
43. There is no man who may in Menglod's soft arms sleep, save only
Svipdag; to him the sun-bright maid is for wife betrothed.
_Vindkald_.
44. Set the doors open! Let the gate stand wide; here thou mayest
Svipdag see; but yet go learn if Menglod will accept my love.
_Fiolsvith_.
45. Hear, Menglod! A man is hither come: go and behold the stranger;
the dogs rejoice; the house has itself opened. I think it must be
Svipdag.
_Menglod_.
46. Fierce ravens shall, on the high gallows, tear out thy eyes, if
thou art lying, that hither from afar is come the youth unto my halls.
47. Whence art thou come? Whence hast thou journeyed? How do thy
kindred call thee? Of thy race and name I must have a token, if I was
betrothed to thee.
_Svipdag_.
48. Svipdag I am named, Solbiart was my father named; thence the
winds on the cold ways drove me. Urd's decree may no one gainsay,
however lightly uttered.
_Menglod_.
49. Welcome thou art: my will I have obtained; greeting a kiss shall
follow. A sight unlooked-for gladdens most persons, when one the other
loves.
50. Long have I sat on my loved hill, day and night expecting thee.
Now that is come to pass which I have hoped, that thou, dear youth,
again to my halls art come.
_Svipdag_.
51. Longing I have undergone for thy love; and thou, for my
affection. Now it is certain, that we shall pass our lives together.