Page:Norse mythology or, the religion of our forefathers, containing all the myths of the Eddas, systematized and interpreted with an introduction, vocabulary and index.djvu/267

 (All is better What one only knows: This is the closing of the songs) Save her alone Who clasps me in her arms, Or is my sister.

Now are sung the High One's songs In the High One's hall, To the sons of men all useful, But useless to the giants' sons. Hail to him who has sung them! Hail to him who knows them! May he profit who has learnt them! Hall to those who have listened to them!

Odin's sister or wife is, as we have seen, Frigg, the earth, and there is much between heaven and earth of which the wisest men do not even dream, much that the profoundest philosophy is unable to unravel, and this is what Odin never teaches to maid or wife of man.

The runes of Odin were risted on the shield which stands before the shining god, on the ear of Aarvak (the ever-wakeful), and on the hoof of Alsvin; on the wheels that roll under Rogner's chariot, on Sleipner's reins, on the paw of the bear and on the tongue of Brage; on the claws of the wolf, on the beak of the eagle, on bloody wings and on the end of the bridge (the rainbow); on glass, on gold, on wine and on herb; on Vile's heart, on the point of Gungner (Odin's spear), on Grane's breast, on the nails of the norn and on the beak of the owl. All, that were carved, were afterwards scraped off, mixed with the holy mead and sent out into all parts of the world. Some are with the asas, some with the elves, and some with the sons of men.

All this and even more that is omitted we find in the