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/362

 SKIRNER:

Give me that horse of wondrous breed To cross the nightly flame with speed; And that self-brandished sword to smite The giant race with strange affright.

FREY:

To you I give this wondrous steed To pass the watchful fire with speed; And this, which borne by valiant wight, Self-brandished will his foemen smite.

Frey, having thus given away his sword, found himself without arms when he on another occasion fought with Bele, and hence it was that he slew him with a stag's antlers. This combat was, however, a trifling affair, for Frey could have killed him with a blow of his fist, had he felt inclined; but the time will come when the sons of Muspel will sally forth to the fight in Ragnarok, and then indeed will Frey truly regret having parted with his falchion. Having obtained the horse and sword, Skirner set out on his journey, and thus he addressed his horse:

Dark night is spread; 't is time, I trow, To climb the mountains hoar with snow; Both shall return, or both remain In durance, by the giant ta'en.

Skirner rode into Jotunheim, to the court of Gymer. Furious dogs were tied there before the gate of the wooden inclosure which surrounded Gerd's bower. He rode toward a shepherd, who was sitting on a mound, and thus addressed him:

Shepherd, you, that sit on the mound, And turn your watchful eyes around, How may I lull these bloodhounds? say; How speak unharmed with Gymer's may?