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