Vegtamskvida eða Baldrs Dreams

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The Lay of Vegtam, or Baldr´s Dreams.

 

1. Together were the Æsir

all in council,

and the Asyniur

all in conference,

and they consulted,

the mighty gods,

why Baldr had

oppressive dreams.

 

2. To that god his slumber

was most afflicting;

his auspicious dreams

seemed departed.

They the Jötuns questioned,

wise seers of the future,

whether this might not

forebode calamity?

 

3. The responses said

that to death destined was

Ullr’s kinsman,

of all the dearest:

that caused grief

to Frigg and Svafnir,

and to the other powers —

On a course they resolved:

 

4. that they would send

to every being,

assurance to solicit,

Baldr not to harm.

All species swore

oaths to spare him;

Frigg received all

their vows and compacts.

 

5. Valfather fears

something defective;

he thinks the Hamingiur

may have departed;

the Æsir he convenes,

their counsel craves:

at the deliberation

much is devised.

 

6. Uprose Odin

lord of men,

and on Sleipnir he

the saddle laid;

rode thence down

to Niflhel.

A dog he met,

from Hel coming.

 

7. It was blood—stained

on its breast,

on its slaughter—craving throat,

and nether jaw.

It bayed

and widely gaped

at the sire of magic song: —

long it howled.

 

8. Forth rode Odin —

the ground rattled —

till to Hel’s lofty

house he came.

Then rode Ygg

to the eastern gate,

where he knew there was

a Vala’s grave.

 

9. To the prophetess he began

a magic song to chant,

towards the north looked,

potent runes applied,

a spell pronounced,

an answer demanded,

until compelled she rose,

and with deathlike voice she said:

 

Vala

10. “What man is this,

to me unknown

who has for me increased

an irksome course?

I have with snow been decked

by rain beaten,

and with dew moistened:

long have I been dead.”

 

Vegtam

11. “Vegtam is my name,

I am Valtam’s son.

Tell thou me of Hel:

from earth I call on thee.

For whom are those benches

strewed o’er with rings,

those costly couches

o’erlaid with gold?”

 

Vala

12. “Here stands mead,

for Baldr brewed,

over the bright potion

a shield is laid;

but the Æsir race

are in despair.

By compulsion I have spoken

I will now be silent.”

 

Vegtam

13. “Be thou not silent, Vala!

I will question thee,

until I know all.

I will yet know

who will Baldr’s

slayer be,

and Odin’s son

of life bereave.”

 

Vala

14. “Hödr will hither

his glorious brother send,

he of Baldr will

the slayer be,

and Odin’s son

of life bereave.

By compulsion I have spoken;

I will now be silent.”

 

Vegtam

15. “Be not silent, Vala!

I will question thee,

until I know all.

I will yet know

who on Hödr vengeance

will inflict

or Baldr’s slayer

raise on the pile.”

 

Vala

16. “Rind a son shall bear,

in the western halls:

he shall slay Odin’s son,

when one night old.

He a hand will not wash,

nor his head comb,

ere he to the pile has borne

Baldr’s adversary.

By compulsion I have spoken;

I will now be silent.”

 

Vegtam

17. “Be not silent, Vala!

I will question thee,

until I know all.

I will yet know

who the maidens are,

that weep at will,

and heavenward cast

their neck—veils?

Tell me but that:

till then thou sleepest not.”

 

Vala

18. “Not Vegtam art thou,

as I before believed;

rather art thou Odin,

lord of men!”

 

Odin

19. “Thou art no Vala,

nor wise woman,

rather art thou the mother

of three Thursar.”

 

Vala

20. “Home ride thou, Odin!

and exult.

Thus shall never more

man again visit me,

until Loki free

from his bonds escapes,

and Ragnarök

all—destroying comes.”

 

For Further Study See:

 Baldrs Draumar or Vegtamskviða