1. From the outward wall

he saw one ascending to

the seat of the giant race.

 

Fiölsvith

Along the humid ways

haste the back hence,

here, wretch! is no place for thee.

 

2. What monster is it

before the fore-court standing,

and hovering round the perilous flame?

Whom dost thou seek?

Of what art thou in quest?

Or what, friendless being! desirest thou to know?

 

Wanderer

3. What monster is that,

before the fore-court standing,

who to the wayfarer offers not hospitality?

Void of honest fame,

prattler! hast thou lived:

but hence hie thee home.

 

Fiölsvith

4. Fiölsvith is my name;

wise I am of mind,

though of food not prodigal.

Within these courts

thou shalt never come:

so now, wretch! take thyself off.

 

Wanderer

5. From the eye’s delight

few are disposed to hurry,

where there is something

pleasant to be seen.

These walls, methinks,

shine around golden halls.

Here I could live contented with my lot.

Fiölsvith

6. Tell me, youth;

of whom thou art born,

or of what race hath sprung.

 

Wanderer

7. Vindkald I am called,

Varkald was my father named,

his sire was Fiölkald.

 

8. Tell me, Fiölsvith!

that which I will ask thee,

and I desire to know:

who here holds sway,

and has power over

these lands and costly halls?

 

Fiölsvith

9. Menglöd is her name,

her mother her begat

with Svaf, Thorin´s son.

She here holds sway,

and has power over

these lands and costly halls.

 

Vindkald

10. Tell me, Fiölsvith! etc.

what the grate is called,

than which among the gods

mortals never saw a greater artifice?

 

Fiölsvith

11. Thrymgiöll it is called,

and Solblindi´s

three sons constructed it:

a fetter fastens

eery wayfarer,

who lifts it from its opening.

 

Vindkald

12. Tell me, Fiölsvith! etc.

what that structure is called,

than which among the gods

mortals never saw a greater artifice?

 

Fiölsvith

13. Gastropnir it is called,

and I constructed it

of Leirbrimir’s limbs.

I have so supported it,

that it will ever stand

while the world lasts.

 

Vindkald

14. Tell me, Fiölsvith! etc.

what those dogs are called,

that chase away the giantesses,

and safety to the fields restore?

 

Fiölsvith

15. Gifr the one is called,

the other Geri,

if thou that wouldst know.

Eleven watches

they will keep,

until the powers perish.

 

Vindkald

16. Tell me, Fiölsvith! etc.

whether any man

can enter

while those fierce assailants sleep?

 

Fiölsvith

17. Alternate sleep

was strictly to them enjoined,

since to the watch they were appointed.

One sleeps by night,

by day the other,

so that no wight can enter if he comes.

 

Vindkald

18. Tell me, Fiölsvith! etc.

whether there is any food

that men can get,

such that they can run in while they eat?

 

Fiölsvith

19. Two repasts

lie in Vidofnir´s wings,

if thou that wouldst know:

that is alone such food

as men can give them,

and run in while they eat.

Vindkald

20. Tell me, Fiölsvith! etc.

what that tree is called

that with its branches spreads itself

over every land?

 

Fiölsvith

21. Mimameidr it is called;

but few men know

from what roots it springs:

it by that will fall

which fewest know.

Nor fire nor iron will harm it.

 

Vindkald

22. Tell me, Fiölsvith! etc.

to what the virtue is

of that famed tree applied,

which nor fire nor iron will harm?

 

Fiölsvith

23. Its fruit shall

on the fire be laid,

for labouring women;

out then will pass

what would in remain:

so it is a creator of mankind.

 

Vindkald

24. Tell me, Fiölsvith! etc.

what the cock is called

that sits in that lofty tree,

and all-glittering is with gold?

 

Fiölsvith

25. Vidofnir he is called;

in the clear air he stands,

in the boughs of Mima´s tree:

afflictions only brings,

together indissoluble,

the swart bird at his lonely meal.

 

 

 Vindkald

26. Tell me, Fiölsvith! etc.

whether there be any weapon,

before which Vidofnir may

fall to Hel´s abode?

27. Hævatein the twig is named,

and Lopt plucked it,

down by the gate of Death.

In an iron chest it lies

with Sinmoera,

and is with nine strong locks secured.

 

Vindkald

28. Tell me, Fiölsvith! etc.

whether he will alive return,

who seeks after,

and will take, that rod?

 

Fiölsvith

29. He will return

who seeks after,

and will take, the rod,

if he bears that

which few possess

to the dame of the glassy clay.

 

Vindkald

30. Tell me, Fiölsvith! etc.

whether there is any treasure,

that mortals can obtain,

at which the pale giantess will rejoice?

 

Fiölsvith

31. The bright sickle

that lies in Vidofnir´s wings,

thou in a bag shalt bear,

and to Sinmoera give,

before she will think fit

to lend an arm for conflict.

 

Vindkald

32. Tell me, Fiölsvith! etc.

what this hall is called,

which is girt round

with a curious flickering flame?

 

Fiölsvith

33. Hyr it is called,

and it will long

tremble as on a lance´s point.

This sumptuous house

shall, for ages hence,

be but from hearsay known.

 

Vindkald

34. Tell me, Fiölsvith! etc.

which of the Æsir´s sons

has that constructed,

which within the court I saw?

 

Fiölsvith

35. Uni and Iri,

Bari and Ori,

Var and Vegdrasil,

Dorri and Uri,

Delling and Atvard,

Lidskialf, Loki.

 

Vindkald

36. Tell me, Fiölsvith! etc.

what that mount is called

on which I see

a splendid maiden stand?

 

Fiölsvith

37. Hyfiaberg ´tis called,

and long has it a solace been

to the bowed-down and sorrowful:

each woman becomes healthy,

although a year´s disease she have,

if she can but ascend it.

 

Vindkald

38. Tell me, Fiölsvith! etc.

how those maids are called,

who sit at Menglöd´s knees

in harmony together?

 

Fiölsvith

39. Hlif the first is called,

the second is Hlifthursa,

the third Thiodvarta,

Biört and Blid,

Blidr, Frid,

Eir and Örboda.

 

Vindkald

40. Tell me, Fiölsvith! etc.

whether they protect

those who offer to them,

if it should, be needful?

 

Fiölsvith

41. Every summer

in which men offer to them,

at the holy place,

no pestilence so great shall come

to the sons of men,

but they will free each from peril.

 

Vindkald

42. Tell me, Fiölsvith! etc.

whether there is any man

that may in Menglöd´s

soft arms sleep?

 

Fiölsvith

43. There is no man

who may in Menglöd´s

soft arms sleep,

save only Svipdag;

to him the sun-bright maid

is for wife betrothed.

 

Vindkald

44. Set the doors open!

Let the gate stand wide;

here thou mayest Svipdag see;

but yet go learn

if Menglöd will

accept my love.

 

Fiölsvith

45. Hear, Menglöd!

A man is hither come:

go and behold the stranger;

the dogs rejoice;

the house is opened.

I think it must be Svipdag.

 

Menglöd

46. Fierce ravens shall,

on the high gallows,

tear out thy eyes,

if thou art lying,

that hither from afar is come

the youth unto my halls.

 

47. Whence art thou come?

Whence hast thou journeyed?

How do thy kindred call thee?

Of thy race and name

I must have a token,

if I was betrothed to thee.

 

Svipdag

48. Svipdag I am named,

Solbiart was my father named;

thence the winds on the cold ways drove me.

Urd’s decree

may no one gainsay,

however lightly uttered.

 

Menglöd

49. Welcome thou art:

my will I have obtained;

greeting a kiss shall follow.

A sight unlooked-for

gladdens most persons,

when one the other loves.

 

50. Long have I sat

on my loved hill,

day and night

expecting thee.

Now that is come to pass

which I have hoped,

that thou, dear youth, again

to my halls art come.

 

Svipdag

51. Longing I have undergone

for thy love;

and thou, for my affection.

Now it is certain,

that we shall pass

our lives together.