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/366

 Odin is wroth, and mighty Thor; E'en Frey shall now your name abhor. But ere o'er your ill-fated head The last dread curse of heaven be spread, Giants and Thurses far and near, Suttung's sons, and ye asas, hear How I forbid with fatal ban This maid the joys, the fruit of man. Cold Grimner is that giant hight Who you shall hold in realms of might; Where slaves in cups of twisted roots Shall bring foul beverage from the goats; Nor sweeter draught, nor blither fare Shall you, sad virgin, ever share. 'Tis done! I wind the mystic charm; Thus, thus I trace the giant form; And three fell characters below, Fury and Lust and restless Woe. E'en as I wound, I straight unwind This fatal spell, if you are kind.

GERD:

Now hail, now hail, you warrior bold! Take, take this cup of crystal cold, And quaff the pure metheglin old. Yet deemed I ne'er that love could bind To vana-youth my hostile mind.

SKIRNER:

I turn not home to bower or hall Till I have learnt mine errand all; Where you will yield the night of joy To brave Njord's, the gallant boy.

GERD:

Bar-isle is hight, the seat of love; Nine nights elapsed, in that known grove Shall brave Njord's, the gallant boy, From Gerd take the kiss of joy.

Then Skirner rode home. Frey stood forth and hailed him and asked what tidings.