The Abduction of Iðunn
Roles
Narrator: 15 stanzas
Loki: 6.5 stanzas
Óðinn: 5 stanzas
Eagle/Thjazi: 3 stanzas
Skaði: 2 stanzas
Hœnir: 1.5 stanzas
Iðunn: 1.5 stanzas
Freyja: 1 stanza
Njörð: 0.5 stanzas
Narrator:
“Hœnir and Loki
were hiking with Óðinn
across the wastelands
and wilderness paths;
the hungry gods,
from a herd they took,
and in earth oven
an ox they would cook.”
Loki:
“A glorious feast
of this great hoofed beast
will help to ease our hunger.”
Narrator:
“But uncooked the ox
in the oven remained
when once and twice
they tested the meat.
With their supper delayed,
they sought a reason,
and an eagle they heard
in the oak above.”
Óðinn:
“For what rhyme or reason
is the roast delayed?
I suspect an evil spell.”
Eagle:
“I am the cause
of the cooking’s delay:
alone I bear the blame.
Graciously grant
my goodly fill,
and the ox in the oven will cook.”
Hœnir:
“Let others decide
the action we take
in the matter of eagle and ox.”
Loki:
“To hasten our supper
I say we hearken
to the eagle’s offer now.”
Óðinn:
“And well we should,
though wary I be
of this eagle looming and large.
We’ll take, eagle,
the terms you offer;
now have your fill of food.”
Eagle:
“I’ll eat my fill
of ox-flesh now;
mind not what I munch.”
Narrator:
“On the oven to eat
the eagle sat down;
he ate the shoulders
and eagerly the hams.”
Loki:
“That’s much too much
you miserable brat;
for pride I’ll make you pay!”
Narrator:
“The eagle was attacked
by angry Loki;
he struck with a stick
but it stuck in place
against the eagle
when up it flew.
He was carried away,
crying for truce.”
Loki:
“Let me go,
you greedy monster;
just say what you want!”
Eagle:
“With her apples,
bring Iðunn alone
outside of Asgard’s walls.”
Loki:
“Alright, alright!
I really will do it!
Please now put me down!”
Narrator:
“Thus Loki at last
was released by the eagle,
and back he went
to the band of gods.
The travelers three
returned to Asgard
with nothing else
of note to say.
Loki went then
to lovely Iðunn;
his oath to the eagle
he’d aim to keep.”
Loki:
“Lady Iðunn,
come look at the apples
I’ve found in a special forest;
The best that you bear,
bring to compare;
you’ll like these luscious fruits.”
Iðunn:
“I shall see
these sweet new apples;
Loki, lead me onward.”
Narrator:
“Once she was outside
the walls of Asgard,
from Thrymheim came
Thjazi as eagle.”
Thjazi:
“Hello Iðunn,
I have you now!
Your apples will feed this eagle!”
Iðunn:
“Help me Lopt!
Help me Loki!
Someone save me please!”
Narrator:
“Away to Thrymheim,
Thjazi took her;
But grey and old
the gods became,
lacking her famous
and luscious fruit.
The great Aesir
then gathered for moot.”
Óðinn:
“Iðunn is gone
and the apples as well,
for she kept our old-age cure.
Where was last
the wife of Bragi
seen with Ás or Elf?”
Hœnir:
“She left with Loki,
the last I saw,
going outside of Asgard;
But why it mattered
I remembered not,
though hard I thought and thought.”
Óðinn:
“Let mischief’s maker
to this moot be brought;
Loki must answer to us.”
Narrator:
“Loki in chains
was led to the moot
and terribly threatened
with torture or death. . .”
Loki:
“Please, I beg you!
I promise I’ll find her,
whatever the price or pain!
Etin-home I’ll search,
and all I need
is the falcon shape of Freyja.”
Freyja:
“If of finest gold
were my falcon shape,
still to Loki I’d lend it.
Hurry fast,
and fly in search
of Iðunn and old-age cure.”
Narrator:
“As falcon he flew,
fast to Thrymheim;
Lopt was lucky,
its lord was away.”
Loki:
“Hail Iðunn,
I’m here at last
to whisk you away to home.
Now hold still,
I need to charm
and shift your shape for flying,
and shift your shape for fleeing.”
Narrator:
“The falcon then flew
with the form of a nut
— Iðunn bespelled —
as he sped away.
The theft was discovered
when Thjazi returned;
the issue of Ölvaldi
as eagle gave chase.”
Thjazi:
“What happened?
Where’s Iðunn?
Loki will pay with his life!”
Narrator:
“But the falcon flew
fast to Asgard
and reached the safety
inside its walls.
Then the Aesir set
a sawdust blaze,
but the eagle was unable
to end its flight.
With feathers burned,
in the fort it crashed,
and quickly slain
was the sire of Skaði.
The gods and Lopt
then gathered around
the precious cargo
he placed before them.”
Loki:
“A charm I speak
to change you back,
from nut to goddess again,
from nut to Iðunn anew.”
Iðunn:
“Eat my apples,
Asgard dwellers:
regain your glorious youth,
regain your vital vigor.”
Narrator:
“Finally refreshed
and full of youth,
the gods were happy
and again carefree,
’til Skaði with weapons
wended to Asgard,
thirsting for vengeance
for Thjazi her father.”
Skaði:
“Gods of Asgard,
my grievance you’ll hear —
I seek to avenge my sire.
Let the bane of Thjazi
in battle face me;
he will pay the price in blood.”
Óðinn:
“Let us avoid
that vengeful bloodshed
and seek to settle with peace.
The Aesir now
will offer weregild —
atonements three for Thjazi.”
Narrator:
“The gods and Skaði
agreed on the terms:
a memorial, a husband
and making her laugh.”
Óðinn:
“Here now choose
a husband from us
by simply seeing the feet.”
Skaði:
“I choose this one
with charming feet;
they ought to be on Baldur.”
Njörð:
“Njörð of Nóatún
you’ve named as husband;
I’m happy to hear your choice.”
Skaði:
“Now release a laugh
from my lonely heart;
I don’t know how you’ll do it.”
Loki:
“I’m master of mischief
and making laughter;
with goat I’ll get it done.”
Narrator:
“He bound his balls
to the beard of that goat;
then back and forth,
both were squealing.
He fell in her lap;
finally she laughed,
and another part
of the payment was filled.”
Óðinn:
“As final payment,
I fashion now
for your father the finest memorial.”
Narrator:
“For Skaði’s weregild,
into the sky above,
Óðinn then threw
the eyes of Thjazi,
shaped into stars
shining at night:
these bright beacons
are a brilliant tribute.
With atonements three
was Thjazi’s daughter
with the ruling Regin
reconciled and joined.
Thus Skaði we honor
for skis and snow
and wild winter’s
wondrous delights.”
The Creation of the Six Treasures
Roles
Narrator: 17.5 stanzas
Loki: 10 stanzas
Brokk: 7.5 stanzas
Eitri: 7.5 stanzas
Óðinn: 1.5 stanzas
Ívaldasynir: 1 stanza
Sif: 1 stanza
Thor: 0.5 stanzas
Narrator:
“Loving mischief,
Loki had cut
the golden hair
of glorious Sif.
Those strands he sheared,
no stubble remained;
that deed he did
in the dark of night.
When Sif had seen
herself next day,
she screamed and sobbed
and scurried to Thor.”
Sif:
“Oh Thor, my Thor,
my threads of flax
have all been shaved and sheared!
Loki’s scent
lingers nearby;
he must have played a part!”
Narrator:
“Thor went quickly
to threaten Loki
for his dastardly deed
with a doom of pain.”
Thor:
“Her locks you sheared;
your limbs I’ll smash
’til all your bones are broken!”
Loki:
“Spare me please!
I’ll speedily fix
the hurt and harm I’ve caused.
I’ll wend my way
to the world of Dwarves,
and hair of gold I’ll get.”
Narrator:
“The husband of Sif
harked to that offer,
allowing Loki
to leave and make good.
Down he wended
to Dark-Elf home
and entered the realm
of Ívaldi’s sons.”
Loki:
“I hail you all,
Ívaldi’s sons,
and ask a favor in frith.
Make good with the gods
and grant their request
for treasures finely forged:
Golden hair,
the greatest of ships,
and for Hropt a special spear.”
Ívaldasynir:
“We’ll gift the gods
to regain their favor,
by making the treasures tasked.
Our work is best
and one-of-a-kind;
far and wide it’s famed.”
Narrator:
“The smiths began,
the sons of Ívaldi:
from gold they wrought
the gleaming hairs.
The smiths continued,
the sons of Ívaldi:
they shaped with skill
the ship Skíðblaðnir.
The smiths finished,
the sons of Ívaldi:
grim was Gungnir,
the gar they forged.”
Loki:
“Well you’ve worked
these wonderful treasures;
they’ll greatly please the Powers.”
Narrator:
“Loki then left,
but lingered in Dwarf-home.
To the abode of Brokk
he brought the treasures.”
Loki:
“Hail Brokk, old chap,
be awed by the works
of Ívaldi’s excellent sons,
since Eitri can’t make
anything finer,
no matter the might he bears.”
Brokk:
“You’re surely wrong
on his shining craft
that’s unsurpassed and peerless.”
Loki:
“Let’s settle this now
through a serious wager
and gamble our heads on gifts.
Let the Aesir judge:
Óðinn jointly
with Thor, and Freyr as third.”
Brokk:
“I’ll take those terms.
His treasures will win,
and your head from neck be hewn.”
Narrator:
“Eager to off
the issue of Laufey,
those two brothers,
Brokk and Eitri,
began their works
of greatest craft;
the forge was kindled,
fiercely burning.”
Eitri:
“Brokk, my brother,
now blow steady,
as I bear this boar-skin to forge.
Continue on
until I have ended,
and out I’ve pulled that pig.”
Narrator:
“When Eitri went off
to create the treasure,
a fly appeared,
flitting about.
Onto his arm
it angled and bit,
but Brokk persisted,
blowing steadily.
The skin of swine
was skillfully forged
to a boar with bristles
of brightest gold.”
Eitri:
“Well done, brother,
is your work on the bellows;
with skill I’ve surely shaped.
The finest of boars
I’ve brought from the forge;
this gift is fit for Freyr.
Brokk my brother,
now blow steady;
to the forge I go with gold.
Continue on
until I have ended
and out I’ve taken the treasure.”
Narrator:
“When Eitri went off
to create the treasure,
the fly returned,
flitting about.
On his neck it landed
and nibbled harder.
but Brokk persisted,
blowing steadily.
With greater skill
that gold was forged
into a glorious ring
by the gifted smith.”
Eitri:
“Well done, brother,
is your work on the bellows;
with skill I’ve surely shaped.
A golden ring
I’ve gained from the forge;
this gift will honor Óðinn.
Brokk, my brother,
now blow steady;
to the forge I’m off with iron.
Continue on
until I have ended,
and out I’ve taken my triumph.
Greatest of all
this gift can be,
but bad if the blowing fails.”
Narrator:
“When Eitri went off
to create the treasure,
the fly returned,
flitting about.
Onto his eyelids
it angled and bit,
’til blood was flowing
and blinded his eyes.
When the bellows came down,
he brushed at the fly
as quick as he could
to cast it away.
With awesome skill
that iron was forged
into a mighty hammer
by the matchless smith.”
Eitri:
“Good gods, brother,
my greatest work
was nearly wrecked and ruined.
But here it is,
a hammer of might
for famous thundering Thor.
Take the treasures
to test in Asgard
and seek to win the wager.
The head of Loki
will hang on our wall;
soon we’ll see his end!”
Narrator:
“Brokk with treasures
travelled to Asgard;
Loki likewise
landed therein.
To decide the wager,
their seats they took:
Óðinn and Thor
and third was Freyr.”
Loki:
“Hail Óðinn,
this awesome spear
is hight Gungnir grim!
In thrust it serves
as a thane unfailing:
it’ll never stop or stall.
Hail Thor,
this hair of gold
for Sif will serve as her own.
It will hold down roots
when on head it’s placed
and grow as good as any.
Hail Freyr,
this finest of ships
for skimming waves is Skíðblaðnir.
It has fairest winds
— if unfurled are the sails —
always wherever it goes.
When faring’s finished,
it can fold like cloth
and in pocket be kept and carried.”
Brokk:
“Hail Óðinn,
this heavy ring
of gleaming gold is Draupnir.
Eight more of rings,
equally heavy,
it drips each nine of nights.
Hail Freyr,
this finest of boars
can cross the air and ocean
in day or dusk
or dreary night
faster than stallion or steed.
It’s never too dark
in night or dark-world
for the light that beams from its bristles.
Hail Thor,
this hammer of thunder
is mighty Mjöllnir hight!
You may strike as strongly
— at your strived-for target —
and as heavy as you happen to like.
It will never fail,
and it will never miss,
and never will it fly so far
that it not come back
in needful time,
seeking its home in your hand.
And if you like,
so little it is,
that it sits inside your shirt.
The one flaw
in this finest work
is the handle’s lack of length.”
Narrator:
“The gathered gods
together decided,
and Óðinn delivered
the Aesir’s judgement.”
Óðinn:
“We’ve decided this contest
and settled the matter:
the dwarf has won the wager.
For guarding against
the grim frost-giants,
best is bane of etins,
best is mighty Mjöllnir.”
Loki:
“I’ll graciously give
’gild at your judgement
to redeem my dearest head.”
Brokk:
“Your head I’ll hew
with no hope of redemption;
I allow no further delay.”
Loki:
“Catch me then!
I’m quick on my feet,
you slothful tiny twit!”
Narrator:
“Brokk then bounded
to bag the trickster,
but Loki leapt
and left his sight,
spiriting away
with those speedy shoes
that over both air
and ocean can run.
He called on Thor
to catch the thief
who absconded with
the skull he’d won.
Bringing him back,
Björn caught Loki,
handing him over
to the happy dwarf.”
Loki:
“My head you’ve won,
but handle with care,
for none of my neck is yours.”
Óðinn:
“His rede is right
and reckoned well;
don’t harm or hurt his neck.”
Narrator:
“Brokk took a blade
to break some holes
in Loki’s lips
to loop them together,
to thread them fast
with a thong of leather.
The blade was blunted;
no bite it made.”
Brokk:
“Better this would be
with my brother Awl;
easily he’d pierce this prat.”
Narrator:
“As soon as he said
his sibling’s name,
the awl appeared
and pieced the lips.
He tacked them tightly
and tore the edges;
the strap he stitched
is strong Vartari.
The entire tale
we’ve told at last:
of how Sif’s hair
is hight now gold,
of the gods’ gaining
their greatest treasures,
and of locking the lips
on Loki shut.”
The Winning of the Mead
Roles
Narrator: 12 stanzas
Óðinn: 5 stanzas
Baugi: 4 stanzas
Gunnlöð: 2 stanzas
Thralls: 1.5 stanzas
Suttung: 1 stanza
Narrator:
“Out went Óðinn
to Etin-realm.
Thralls nine mowed hay;
thither he came.”
Óðinn:
“Shall I sharpen
your shearing blades?
Better by far they’ll bite.”
Thralls:
“Our work is hard;
we welcome your help.
Make sharp our biting blades.”
Narrator:
“Our hero then took
a hone from his belt:
the scythes he sharpened,
and the slaves were pleased.”
Thralls:
“Your strange stone
has struck quite well;
thanks for bettering these blades.
We must purchase
this prized whetstone;
now just name your price.”
Óðinn:
“Whoever would own it
should offer me now
a reasonable price to pay.”
Narrator:
“But all the thralls
eagerly wanted it.
Up in the air,
Óðinn threw it.
Clamoring to catch it,
they cut their throats,
shearing their necks
with sharpened scythes.
From Baugi the etin,
brother of Suttung,
Óðinn then sought
an evening’s stay.”
Baugi:
“A fix I’m in:
my fortunes are bad.
Where can I look for labor?
My slaves all nine
have slashed their necks;
my hope of harvest is gone.”
Óðinn:
“Hail Baugi,
Bölverk’s my name.
For your slaves I’ll stand in stead.
A single sip
of Suttung’s Mead
I’ll take as my wage for the work.”
Baugi:
“Suttung savors
for himself alone
that precious and potent Mead.
I get no say
in giving that sumbel,
but I’ll try to obtain that pay.”
Narrator:
“Thus Bölverk served
Baugi that summer;
he labored long,
lusting for Mead.
When winter came,
he wanted his hire;
thus both set off
to bargain with Suttung.”
Baugi:
“Hail Suttung,
son of Gilling,
a favor I ask in frith.
Pour for Bölverk
a portion of Mead
as wage for summer’s work.
Here in your hall,
help your brother;
that gift would demand a gift.”
Suttung:
“Certainly not,
simply never!
No one may sip my sumbel!
Leave at once,
and look elsewhere
to find your hireling’s fee!”
Narrator:
“Suttung sent them
sulking away.
But Bölverk said
that Baugi should try
with schemes and tricks
to score the Mead.
Baugi agreed
and began at once.”
Óðinn:
“This auger is Rati;
I ask that you bore
a hole in Hnitbjörg now.”
Narrator:
“Baugi then bored
and broke through stone,
and after a stint
he stopped the cutting.”
Baugi:
“The cutting is done:
I’ve cleared a hole.
Now do what you will.”
Narrator:
“But Bölverk then
blew into the hole,
and back the bits
bounced in his face.”
Óðinn:
“The chore’s undone:
you’re cheating your duty.
Now bore the rest of the rock.”
Narrator:
“Then Baugi again
bored the mountain,
and when Bölverk blew,
the bits flew in.”
Óðinn:
“Your duty’s done:
I deem that you go.
I shift my shape to sneak,
I shift my shape to snake.”
Narrator:
“He became a snake
and crawled in the hole.
Then Baugi stabbed,
bearing the auger;
he missed his mark
from moving too slow.
Bölverk then met
beautiful Gunnlöð.”
Gunnlöð:
“Hail you guest!
I’m hight Gunnlöð;
say now your name to me.”
Óðinn:
“I’m Ása-Óðinn
and offer to you
three night’s pleasure and play.
I ask only
to earn in return
three drinks of mighty Mead.”
Gunnlöð:
“Welcome Óðinn!
Let’s wend to bed
and share our skills with skin.
Long I’ve awaited
a lordly hero
who could merit this idle Mead.”
Narrator:
“After three nights
of thrilling passion,
she brought Bölverk
to the bounty of Mead.
The three cauldrons
— in three large gulps —
he emptied at once
for all the Mead.”
Gunnlöð:
“Óðinn my dear,
if only you’d stay
and make a home of Hnitbjörg.”
Óðinn:
“My dear Gunnlöð,
I do what I must.
I shift my shape to soar,
I shift my shape to eagle.”
Narrator:
“An eagle he became,
and up he flew,
escaping into
the sky above.
When Suttung saw
the soaring flight,
he also put on
his eagle form.
After Óðinn
the etin chased;
the Aesir saw,
and out they set
in the courtyard’s clearing
their cauldrons three.
Óðinn flew over
and upchucked in them.
So close he’d been
to being caught
that an amount of Mead
as mud of eagle
for poetry poor
he piddled out.
All who want it
are able to have it.
But the great bounty
of that glorious sumbel
he brought to the Gods
and the best of Men;
thus Óðinn pours
that potent brew
for the skill of skalds
and scholars alike.”