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Gróugaldur and Fjölsvinnsmál
Translated by W.H. Auden and P.B. Taylor
THE SPELL OF GROA
Grogaldr
(Svipdag said:)
1. "Awake, Groa, good woman, awake! From the door of the dead I wake you: see now how badly your son to your grave-hill has wanted to visit?"
(Groa said:)
2. "What aliment have you my only son, what makes heavy your heart, that your mother you call, who under the grave mould does lie, and has left the world of the living?
(Svipdag said:)
3. " The crafty woman she who in her arms embraced my father has set for me a cursed task. To journey where one cannot, to go she bade me to meet fair Mengloth."
(Groa said:)
4. "Long is the way and wearisome, but longer a man's love will last, if you win that which you wish. It is well for you only what the Norns work nonetheless."
(Svipdag said:)
5. "Speak for me such spells as will speed my way! Shield and shelter your me your son!
(Groa said:)
6. "First heed then, that which I know to be most helpful, that spell which Rind spoke for Ran: it will help stop your shoulders from shaking when things seem most shocking;
7. "This other heed you: if ever you are wearily walking on your way: on all sides may you be guarded, when with mocking words you are met.
8. "This third heed you: if in threatening waters you come close to your death: to Hel should go Hronn and Uth, may they dry up the depths for you!
9. "This fourth heed you: if an enemy comes upon you, set to kill you: let their hearers withhold their hands from you, and be made to meet yours halfway.
10. "This fifth heed you: if chained up you are, fastened hand and foot: a loosening spell I will speak over your limbs, so that the locks will burst off your legs, the fetters fly from your feet.
11. "This sixth heed you: if while on the sea the weather rises up more wild than men can handle: wind and water my witchcraft shall lull; then fearlessly you may fare forth!
12. "This seventh heed you: if searing frost beset you on fell high faring: may the deadly cold not over come you ever, nor rob your limbs of their liveliness.
13. "This eighth heed you, if you find yourself on a misty night on the moors, and ill overtake you, or badness from the wraith of a Christian wretch!
14. "This ninth heed you: if with haughty thurs you find yourself jousting with words: wit nor words will you ever be lacking, on order of your heart!
15. "May your errand no longer seem evil to you, nor let you turn from your love: on earth-fast stone I stood within doors, these spells while I spoke for you!
16. "Of your mother's words mindful you should be in your heart, darling, dwell on them: luck-everlasting in life shall you have, the while my words you heed!"
The Lay of FjolsvithFjolsvinnsmal
1. From afar he saw rise the high-timbered hall of the etins.
(Svipdag said:)
"What foul fiend is it in the forecourt who stands, about the flickering fire hovering?"
(Fjolsvith said:)
2. "What are you searching for, wayfarer, what do you want? On wet roads turn straight around, theres no fire for the homeless here!"
(Svipdag said:)
3. "What foul fiend is it in this forecourt who does not welcome the wayfarer?"
(Fjolsvith said:)
"A good name, I think, you never had, so run along home!
4. "I am called Fjolsvith, famed for my lore, but do not give of my food freely: I've never seen you within this court before: be off now, outlaw, away!"
(Svipdag said:)
5. "This place is a feast for the eyes, such a lovely thing to behold; the gates gleam about its golden hall: I would love to warm up here."
(Fjolsvith said:)
6. "To whom where you born, and of what blood, youth; from what house do you hail?"
(Svipdag said:)
"Vindkald my name, Varkald my father, Fjolkald his father was.
7. "Tell me, Fjolsvith, for I want to know; please answer: who owns this seemly hall, so richly wrought with gold?"
(Fjolsvith said:)
8. "She is called Mengloth , whom her mother bore to Svafrthorin's son: 'it is she who owns this seemly hall, so richly wrought with gold."
(Svipdag said:)
9. "Tell me, Fjolsvith, for I want to know; answer as I ask: what is the little gate called which among the gods is feared like no other?"
(Fjolsvith said:)
10. "Thrymgjoll is the gates name which three sons of Solblindi made; with strong fetters the wayfarer it wold stop from taking it off its hinges."
(Svipdag said:)
11. "Tell me, Fjolsvith, for I want to know; answer as I ask: what is the wall called which among the gods is feared like no other?"
(Fjolsvith said:)
12. " It is called Gastropnir , which I built well out of Leirbrimir, the etin's, limbs; 'it is so stanchly built that it will stand as long as men do live."
(Svipdag said:)
13. "Tell me, Fjolsvith, for I want to know; answer as I ask: what the ash is called which spreads its limbs over the whole land?"
(Fjolsvith said:)
14. " 'It is called Mimameith, but no man knows from what roots it does rise; no one knows how to fell such a tree: neither fire nor iron will cut it down."
(Svipdag said:)
15. "Tell me, Fjolsvith, for I want to know; answer as I ask: of the fruit can it be eaten, since not fire nor iron will fell it?"
(Fjolsvith said:)
16. "Of its berries you can roast, for ailing women to eat: then out will come the vitality held within - such strength is bestowed on that tree."
(Svipdag said:)
17. "Tell me, Fjolsvith, for I want to know; answer as I ask: what is the cock called, in the high tree, which sits gleaming all golden?"
(Fjolsvith said:)
18. "He is Vithofnir called and watchful he stands on the branches of Mimameith: with dreadful fear his sound fills the hearers of Surt and Sinmara."
(Svipdag said:)
19. "Tell me, Fjolsvith, for I want to know; answer as I ask: what are the hounds on high, which prowl about the hall?"
(Fjolsvith said:)
20. "Gifr is one called, Geri the other, if you want to know: strong watchdogs they are, and they keep their watch until the night when the doom of the gods draws near."
(Svipdag said:)
21. "Tell me, Fjolsvith, for I want to know; answer as I ask: whether any man might come within when the hungry hounds do sleep?"
(Fjolsvith said:)
22. "They have never both slept at the same time, since the beginning of their watch: one sleeps one night and the other sleeps at noon, so no outsider may enter."
(Svipdag said:)
23. "Tell me, Fjolsvith, for I want to know; answer me as I ask: is there any food that men might throw them and slip in the while they eat."
(Fjolsvith said:)
24. "'Underbeeth Vithofnir's limbs lie two wing-bits , if you want to know: that meat alone may men throw them, and slip in the while they eat."
(Svipdag said:)
25. "Tell me, Fjolsvith, for I want to know; answer please as I ask: what weapon exists which might Vithofnir may send him to the halls of Hel?"
(Fjolsvith said:)
26. " 'There is one called Laevatein , which Lopt did forge, found underneath Niflhel; in an iron kettle Sinmara keeps it safe with nine hard locks."
(Svipdag said:)
27. "Tell me, Fjolsvith, for I want to know; answer as I ask: may any wight return who goes and seeks to win that sword?"
(Fjolsvith said:)
28. The ghost who seeks to win that sword could return home if he fetches that which few do own, to give to that goddess-of-gold."
(Svipdag said:)
29. "Tell me, Fjolsvith, for I want to know; answer as I ask: who owns anything of such worth, that would it would make that fallow ogress want to give up that fine sword?"
(Fjolsvith said:)
30. "You must pluck the shining feather from in front of Vithofnir's gaze and steal it, only then will that sullen Sinmara sell you the weapon able to lay Vithofnir low."
(Svipdag said:)
31. "Tell me, Fjolsvith, for I want to know; answer as I ask: what is the hall called which is hedged about by a wall of flickering flame?"
(Fjolsvith said:)
32. "Lyr it is called, and long will it hover over this high sword's pointed mountain; only from hearsay have men ever heared of this place."
(Svipdag said:)
33. "Tell me, Fjolsvith, for I want to know; answer as I ask: of the gods, who made the golden floor, within the hall so high?"
(Fjolsvith said:)
34. "Uni and Iri, Ori and Bari, Var and Vegdrasil, Darri and Uri and Delling were there, at the time Hlithskjalf was locked."
(Svipdag said:)
35. "Tell me, Fjolsvith, for I want to know; answer as I ask: what is the mountain is called which the maiden does dwell on, aloft and alone?"
(Fjolsvith said:)
36. "It is called Lyfja Mount, and long has it been there for the help of the sick: for one becomes completely healed when hopeless she does seem, the woman who wins it is called."
(Svipdag said:)
37. "Tell me, Fjolsvith, for I want to know; answer as I ask: what are the maids called that sit before Mengloth's knees in sisterly wise?"
(Fjolsvith said:)
38. "Hlif one is called, Hlifthrasa another, a third, Thjothvara; eke Bjort and Bleik, Blith and Frith, Eir and Aurbotha."
(Svipdag said:)
39. "Tell me, Fjolsvith, for I want to know; answer as I ask: do they give help to their worshippers, if they are in need?"
(Fjolsvith said:)
40. "Yes, they do give help to their worshippers who stand loyal with holy gifts; there is never a man that remains in need, but they are lent a helping hand."
(Svipdag said:)
41. "Tell me, Fjolsvith, for I want to know; answer as I ask: if to any man Mengloth will grant in her soft arms to sleep?"
(Fjolsvith said:)
42. "No man lives to whom Mengloth will grant in her soft arms to sleep; only Svipdag the sunbright maiden for whom wedded wife was she given."
(Svipdag said:)
43. "Open then the gates, and give a wide berth! Behold it is Svipdag you are seeing. Now go into the hall to tell Mengloth my love I am here."
(Fjolsvith said:)
44. "Mengloth, do you hear me? A man has arrived; come and greet the guest! The hounds bid welcome, the house has opened: it looks like Svipdag has returned."
(Mengloth said:)
45. "May greedy ravens gouge out your eyes and may you hang high on gallows if you lie and that from long ways afar the hero has come to my hall.
46. "Where did you come from, and what is your kin called at home? Tell me your father's name, that I may have a token to prove I am to be your bride."
(Svipdag said:)
47. "I am called Svipdag, Solbjare was my father; here wandered I wind-cold ways; 'gainst Urth's decree 'it is idle to strive, though loath be your lot."
(Mengloth said:)
48. "My wish have I won: welcome be you; with kiss I clasp you now; the loved one's sight is sweet to her who has lived in longing for him.
49. "Full long sat I on Lyfja Mount, bided you day after day: now has happened what I hoped for so long, that, hero, has come to my hall.
50. "Heartsick was I; to have you I yearned, whilst you did long for my love. Of a truth I know: we two shall live our life and lot together."
 |
by John Bauer (1907)
Colorized by Guddipoland
Notes to The Spell of Groa
1. Svipdag: "He Whose Countenance
Shines Like the Day" (?)
Groa: [From Cymric groach, "witch."]
Like Heith in "Voluspa," St. 22 and "Voluspa
en skamma," St. 5) this is a typical name for
a witch or seeress.
"I wake you": That is, her grave
3. "The crafty woman": His stepmother.
Mengloth: "Glad in Her Necklace."
4. The interpretation in not certain. The
meaning seems to be that, betide what may, or whatever help I may give,
you will succeed only if you are fated to succeed: which is, indeed, the
gist of the fairy story.
6. Rind and Ran: In explanation of the names,
Gering suggests that the Rind here referred to is Vali's mother (See
Balders Dream, St. 11), and that, hence, Ran stands for Vali, the
avenger of Baldr.
7. "This other heed you: if ever you are
wearily walking on your way": Doubtful.
8. Following Bugge's emendation of these
names: Hronn----possibly also Uth, "Wave"---is one of the rivers flowing
to Hel. See 'Lay of Grimnir ' St. 28).
10. For this spell, see 'Words of the High
One', St. 149, and the first Merseburg
Charm.
11. The same charm occurs in the 'Words
of the High one' St. 154.
13. In the original, "Christian Woman." The
line certainly points to the conception that the ghosts of Christian
women are especially dangerous to a heathen hero.
14. See the situation in "Lay of
Vafthrudnir."
15. "on earth-fast stone": Instanced also elsewhere as a practice of sympathetic magic: the spells are as trustworthy as bedrock.
1. As to the abrupt beginning, see the Introduction. I follow
Bugge in the ordering of the first four helmings as well as in the
attribution to the speakers.
2. Possibly a kenning for "mountain". The entire first part of the
stanza is controversial.
3. The "flickering flame" surrounds Mengloth's castle like Brynhild's
wall of fire; "Sigrdrifumal, "Introductory Prose.
4. "The Very Wise", which is also an epithet of Othin"Grimnismal ," St.
48.
5. Over the high mountains.
6. That is, not hospitable to strangers.
7. See "Fafnismal," St. 2, where, too, the hero attempts to conceal his
identity. Not acknowledging himself as the chosen hero, Svipdag must
inquire into the conditions---impossible of fulfillment---through which
access to the castle may be gained.
8. Vindkald, "Wind-Cold"; Varkald, "Spring-Cold"; Fjolkald, "Very Cold."
Gering suggests that, by giving these fictitious names, Svipdag wishes
to make Fjolsvith believe that he, too, is of giant kin.
9. See "Grogaldr " St. 3. The name and status of her kin remain
unexplained.
10. "The Loud-Grating."
11. "Sun-Blinded," dwarfs whose abode is in the darkness.
12. Like the gate described in "Sigurtharkvidha hin skamma," St. 68. The
Old Norse door raised up. See"Rigsthula," St. 26.
13. "Strangling the Intruder" ?.
14. "Clay-Giant" ?; is it built of bricks?
15. In the original, Sts. 13 to 18, dealing with the tree Yggdrasil see
"Voluspa ," St. 19, comeafter St. 24. They are probably interpolated,
having nothing to do with the subject in hand.
16. "Mimir's Tree." His well is under Yggdrasil "Voluspa ," St. 28.
17. See "Grimnismal ," St. 36
18. Conjectural. The word in the original is unexplained.
19. Possibly it's roasted fruit, which, in some trees, has an
emmenagogic effect; but the interpretation is conjectural.
20. The word in the original is not well understood.
21. The fire giant see "Voluspa ," St.51. His wife ? Sinmara is unknown
elsewhere. According to "Voluspa," St. 41 ff, the crowing of thecock
gives warning of the approach of the destroying elements.
22. This line is supplied conjecturally.
23. Both names signify "Greedy." Geri is also thename of one of Othin's
wolves in "Grimnismal," St. 19.
24. Strangely, the manuscripts here have "eleven".
25. The exact meaning of the word in the original isnot clear.26. That
is, slay him.
27. "Wand-of-Destruction," a kenning for "sword".
28. Loki; see "Lokasenna ," St. 6.
29. Surtr's wife?
30. Conjectural. If correct, it is a kenning for"woman": Sinmara.
31. She is pale yellow because she dwells in a cave. See "Alvismal," St.
2.
32. The interpretation of these lines is doubtful. However, the circle
of impossibilities is closed: no one may enter the castle.
33. Following Bugge's interpretation. In other words it is inaccessible.
34. Following Grundtvig's emendation. The half-stanza is difficult. Both
this and the following seven stanzas are irrelevant and, possibly,
interpolated.
35. Most of the following names of dwarfs remain unexplained. Several
occur also in "The Song of the Sybil." The holy number nine plays a
considerable role in both poems.
36. Conjectural. If this reading is adopted the castle bears the same
name as Othin's seat in Valholl.
37. "Mountain of Healing."
38. The nine maidens bear names appropriate to their salutiferous
activities.
39. A lacuna in the manuscript is supplied here following Bugge.
40. To offer up sacrifice.
41. "Sun-Bright."
42. It may be unrelated, but Wind-Cold was Winter's father.
43. Difficult to translate.
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