I.

Wroth was Thor then when he awoke
And his hammer from him missed;
Beard he bristled, hair he hustled—
Earth's son searched all round about.

 

II.
And he this word first of all spake—
"Hear thou now Loki, let me tell to thee,
What none knoweth either on earth below
Or up in heaven: stolen is Thor's hammer."

 

III.
Then fared they to fair Freya's dwelling,
And he this word first of all spake—
"Wilt thou to me, Freya, feather-covering lend,
That I mine hammer may trace out?"

 

IV.

"That will I give thee though it were golden,
Thou shalt have it were it of silver:"
Flew then Loki, feather-covering whirring,
Until he came within Iötun land.

 

V.
Thrym sat on high, prince of giants,
Golden collars for his hounds twisting,
And his horses' manes a-smoothing.

 

VI.

"How go the Æsir how go the Elves?

Why art thou come alone to Iötun land?"

 

VII.

"1ll go the Æsir, ill go the Elves;

Hast thou the Thunderer's hammer hidden?"

 

VIII.

"I have the Thunderer's hammer hidden,
Eight miles deep in earth beneath;
No one shall get it back again ever,
Unless he bring to me Freya to wife."

 

IX.

Flew then Loki, feather-covering whirring,
Until he came without Iötun land,
And till he came within the Æsir's city;
Met him Thor then, midst of the city,
And he this word first of all spake—

 

X.

"Hast thou thy errand for thy trouble;
Say standing here thy long story:
Oft to one sitting a tale is tiresome,
And to one lying down many lies tell they."

 

XI.

"I have my errand and my trouble;
Thrym has thy hammer—prince of giants—
No one shall get it back again ever,
Until they bring him Freya to wife."

 

XII.

Then fared they to speak with fair Freya,
And he this word first of all spake—
"Bind to thee, Freya, bridal attire,
We two shall drive together to Iötun land."

 

XIII.
Wroth then was Freya, and fumed fiercely;
All the Æsir halls under her trembled;
Down she dashed the necklace Brising:
"Call me wantonest of all women
If I drive with thee to Iötun land."

 

XIV.

Straight went the Æsir all to council,

And the Asynior all to discourse;

Now must the mighty gods consider

How they the Thunderer's hammer shall get.

 

XV.

 Then spake Heimdall, fairest of Æsir,

Well foreseeing, like all his kindred—

"Bind we to Thor then, bridal attire,

Let him wear the great necklace Brising:

 

XVI.

"Keys loud jangling join to his girdle;
Let round his knees fall women's clothing,
But on his breast set broad jewels;
With coif cunningly deck we his head."

 

XVII.

There spake then Thor the valiant hero—
"Æsir would me call right womanish,
If I let bind to me bridal attire."

 

XVIII.

There spake then Loki, son of Laufey—
"Thor, with such words be thou silent;
Quickly shall Iötuns Asgard inhabit
If thou thy hammer bring not again."

 

XIX.

Bound they to Thor then, bridal attire;
Bore he, too, the great Brising necklace,
Keys loud jangling joined they to his girdle,
Let round his knees fall women's clothing,
But on his breast set broad jewels;
With coif cunningly decked they his head.

 

XX.
There spake then Loki, son of Laufey,
"Now must I with thee as thy handmaid,
We two shall drive together to Iötun land."

 

XXI.

Straight were driven home both the he-goats
Which in the traces should nimbly run;
Mountains were shattered, earth burnt in flame,
Odin's son rode unto Iötun land.

 

XXII.

There spake then Thrym, prince of giants—
"Arise ye Iötuns, and cover benches;
Now bring to me Freya for bride,
Niord's daughter from Noatun.

 

XXIII.

"Here in the garth go gold-horned cows,
Coal-black oxen for Iötun's pleasure;
Treasures I have enough, gold rings I have enough,
But Freya only wanted I still."

 

XXIV.

At evening early came the guests many,
And for the Iötuns broached was the ale;
Ate then Thor an ox and eight salmon,
And all the sweetmeats for the women made;
With three tuns mead Thor quenched his thirst.

 

XXV.
There said then Thrym, prince of giants,
"Whoever saw a bride bite sharper?
Never saw I bride bite broader,
Never any maid more mead drink."

 

XXVI.

The cunning handmaid she said thereto,
And made answer unto Iötun speech—
"Freya for eight nights no meal hath eaten,
So sorely longed she for Iötun land."

 

XXVII.

He looked below the veil, wistful to kiss her,.
But away frighted sprang through the hall:
"Why are so piercing the eyes of Freya;
In her eyes, methinketh, fire flameth."

 

XXVIII.

The cunning handmaid she said thereto,
And made answer unto Iötun speech—
"Freya for eight nights sleep has not taken,
So sorely longed she for Iötun land."

 

XXIX.

In came the pitiful Iötun sister,
And dared then to beg for bridal gifts:
"Give me the ruddy ring from thy hand,
If thou wilt gain all my friendship,
My whole friendship and full favour."

 

XXX.

There spake then Thrym, prince of giants,
"Bear in the hammer the bride to hallow;
Lay ye Miölnir on the maiden's knees;
After Vora's custom hallow us together."

 

XXXI.

Blazed in his breast the heart of the Thunderer
When his own hammer the hardhitter knew;
Thrym slew he first—prince of giants—
And the whole Iötun race dashed he in pieces.

 

XXXII.

Slew he that paltry Iötun sister

Who for bridal gifts had dared to beg;

She got cuffs for copper coins,

And hammer strokes for silver money;

 

So came Odin's son again by his hammer.