The Short Seeress’ Prophecy
Vǫluspá hin skamma

Though in no wise marked off in the manuscript of “Hyndluljóð,” in which they occur (Sts. 29-44), the stanzas here translated have nothing to do with that poem. Moreover, we are in the fortunate position of having Snorri’s reference to them by the above title.1

From the evident discontinuousness of the poem it may be inferred that the original was longer, but probably was not recalled in its entirety by the person who handed it down. As we now have it, the contents are largely cosmogonic, paralleling “Vǫluspá,” of which it is no doubt an imitation, in matter, structure, and refrain. This likelihood, coupled with certain stylistic features and the fact that the system of twelve gods (a late development) is referred to, indicates it to be the work of a learned and not untalented Icelander of the twelfth century, who knew a number of the older Eddic poems and perhaps some which have since been lost.

1. Eleven only      the Æsir were

when down had drooped      in death Baldr.

Then Váli revenge      did vow for him:

his brother’s slayer      he slew forthwith.2

2. Was Baldr’s father3      Bur’s eldest son...

3. Frey wedded Gerth,4      who was Gymir’s daughter,

of etin-kin,      with Aurbotha.

Thewful Thjatsi5      to them was kin,

the skulking thurs;      was Skathi his daughter.

4. I tell thee much,      yet more lore have I;

thou needs must know this—      wilt know still more?

5. Of Hvethna’s sons      Haki was best,

but Hjorvarth was      Hvethna’s father,

Heith and Hrossthjóf,      Hrímnir’s kinsmen.6

6. From Vithólf7 are      all witches sprung;

the tribe of warlocks,      from Vilmeith all;

the soothsayers,      from Svarthofthi;

and all etins      are of Ymir’s kin.

7. I tell thee much,      yet more lore have I;

thou needs must know this—      wilt know still more?

8. In days of yore      a youth was born,

of sturdy strength,      of the stock of gods;

at the edge of the earth      etin maids nine

gave birth and suck      to the brightest of gods.8

9. I tell thee much,      yet more lore have I;

thou needs must know this—      wilt know still more?

10. Gjálp did bear him,      Greip did bear him,

bore him Eistla      and Eyrgjafa,

bore him Ulf rún      and Angeya,

Imth and Atla,      and Járnsaxa.

11. He was nursed and grew      on the sap of the ground,

on the ice-cold sea      and the sacred boar’s blood.9

12. I tell thee much,      yet more lore have I;

thou needs must know this—      wilt know still more?

13. Gat Loki the Wolf      with Angrbotha,10

and Sleipnir he bore      to Svathilfari;11

but of all ill wights      most awful by far

is Býleist’s brother’s12      baleful offspring.

14. A half-burnt heart      which he had found—

it was a woman’s—      ate wanton Loki;

with child he grew      from the guileful woman.13

Thence are on earth      all ogres sprung.

15. The stormy sea      to the stars is tossed,

overwhelms the land—      the heavens rive.

Thence come great snows      and sweeping blasts.

Then are doomed to die      the drooping gods.14

16. Was a mighty one born,      matchless in strength,

he was nursed and grew      on the sap of the ground;

most high-minded he      ’mongst the hallowed gods,

in sib with all sires15      and sons of earth.

17. 16 A god will come then,      an e’en greater one:

I dare not speak      his dreaded name.

Farther forward      few can see now

than Óthin fighting      the Fenris-Wolf.17