Page:Once a Week Dec 1860 to June 61.pdf/137

126 accents, or beats, should fall as much as possible on the words which in each line begin with the alliterative letters. After so much preface, here follows

was Wing-Thorr

When he woke from his rest,

Felt for his hammer

And found it was gone;

Beard he ’gan bristle,

Locks he ’gan tug,

Earth’s boy took to beating

About with his fists.

And this was the speech

He first of all spoke:

Listen now, Loki,

Come list to my tale,—

Nor here on earth below,

Nor in high heaven above,

Knoweth man aught of this,—

The God’s maul is missing.”

Off they went fair

Freyja’s town toward,

And this was the speech

He first of all spoke:

Wilt thou now, Freyja,

Thy feather-suit lend me?

So I my hammer

May hope to regain.”

Freyja quoth: Give it I would thee,

Though golden it were;

Lend it? ay, surely,

Though silvern it were.”

Away then flew Loki,

Feather-wings whirring,

Till he came outside

Asa-garth holy,

Till he came inside

Ogreland ugly.

Thrym sat on hillock,

Lord of the Thursa-kin,

For his greyhounds

Gold bands twisting,

And his grey mares’

Manes a-smoothing.

Thrym quoth: How is’t with Asa-kin?

How is’t with elves?

Why art thou come alone

Down into Ogreland?”

Loki quoth: Ill is’t with Asa-kin,

Ill is’t with elves;

Hast thou the Hardhitter’s

Hammer here hid?”

Thrym quoth: I have the Hardhitter’s

Hammer here hidden,

Miles measured eight

Deep down in mould.