⁴⁸ “The Dark Fields.” The stanza probably is interpolated, perhaps from some other poem, because of its analogy to the following one.

⁴⁹ “Ever-Cold” (?).

⁵⁰ “The Strand of the Dead,” where Hel’s hall stands.

⁵¹ The direction of evil omen. See “Rígsþula,” St. 26.

⁵² Probably the giantess Angrbotha, about whom see Note 54.

⁵³ This is the typical name for an old and monster-infested forest.

⁵⁴ Or Fenris-Wolf, a mythical wolf engendered by Loki with the giantess Angrbotha, “Boder of III.” See above and “Vǫluspá hin skamma,” St. 12. Others of this brood are Garm, Skoll, and Hati. Skoll will swallow the sun, Hati, the moon, when the end of the world comes (“Grímnismál,” St. 40).

⁵⁵ Blood-red sunsets, dim sunshine, and famine years presage the end of the world. See “Vafþrúðnismál,” St. 44 and Note 30.

⁵⁶ See “prymskviða,” St. 6, Note 5.

⁵⁷ “Swordbearer.” He is glad because of the approaching downfall of the gods, announced by the crowing of the cock.

⁵⁸ “Multiscient.” He wakes the giants to the last combat.