Page:The land of enchantment (1907, Cassell).djvu/120



HE dwelling-place of the Northern gods, or sir, was called Asgard; there they had many shining palaces, the chief of which was called Valhalla. With branches stretching over the earth, and the crown reaching up to the heavens, stood the mighty ash Yggdrasil. It was in great danger of destruction, for harmful worms gnawed at its three roots, four deer ran up and down its branches, biting off the buds and leaves, while on its summit browsed another deer. On the topmost branch sat an eagle, between whose eyes perched a hawk; a mischievous squirrel scampered up and down, breeding dispute between the eagle and the most dangerous of the worms. Daily the three fates watered the tree from Urd’s well, so that the hour of destruction might be delayed.

Chief of the gods was Odin, or Woden as he was called. He ever brooded over the fate of gods and men, and pondered how he might avert the destruction of the world that he foresaw, and for this reason he even gave one eye for a draught from Mimir’s wisdom-giving well that lay by one of the roots of Yggdrasil. He often went among men to learn what they were doing, and to right the wrong. Sometimes he went as a splendid warrior; sometimes as an old man, with a broad- brimmed hat pulled low over his brow and a blue cloak flung round him. He possessed a wonderful spear, and a horse with eight legs, called Sleipnir, that was unequalled for speed, and could ride on the air. In Asgard two ravens sat on his shoulders, whispering all they had seen on their daily flight, while two wolves lay at his feet. He was attended by a number of warrior maidens called Valkyrie, who rode to battle fully armed, and carried to Valhalla those whom Odin selected for death. Only those who died by the sword went there, and many a warrior, dying of sickness or old age, threw himself on his sword that he might