Page:The land of enchantment (1907, Cassell).djvu/132

 for the sake of so much honour. He submitted to be bound, then he shook himself and the chain broke in many pieces.

Sore dismayed were the gods, and they sent to the dwarfs for aid, and the dwarfs gave them a strong bond made of many curious things. It was slight to look upon, like a ribbon of silk, and the wolf shook his head. “There is magic in it; I will not try it,” he said.

“Why,” said the gods, as they vainly tried to tear it, “true it is stronger than the others, but what is that to thee, who art so strong?”

“Methinks,” returned the Fenris wolf, “I shall get little honour by rending so feeble a band. Yet if it be wrought by cunning and deceit, ye shall not put it on me.”

The gods mocked him, saying, “Thou hast broken heavy fetters of iron: canst thou not tear a little silken ribbon? If thou canst not, small cause have we gods to fear thee, and we will unbind thee again.”

“Nay,” said the wolf, “it is not so. If I am bound so that I cannot unloose myself, ye will but mock me, and it will be too late for me to seek your aid. I will not try this fetter, unless one of you will put his hand into my mouth as a pledge that all is fair.”

The gods looked one upon the other, and none liked to run the risk. At last Tyr put his hand into the wolf’s mouth. The gods bound their foe. He rose and stretched himself and, lo, the silken ribbon hardened. He strove to rend it, but in vain; it only grew harder and harder. Helpless and furious he bit off Tyr′s hand. When the gods saw that his efforts were unavailing they laughed loud and long. Only Tyr did not laugh, for he had lost his hand. They took the Fenris wolf and bound him with strong chains to a great rock. He opened his mouth to snap at them, and they placed in it a sword, point up- wards, and there he lay howling till the Day of Doom.

, the Thunderer, the mighty god, arose and seized his hammer. “I will go forth and seek the giants,” said he, “that I may slay them, lest they come to Asgard and do us dire harm.” Then he set forth in his chariot, drawn by two goats, and with him fared Loki, the mischief-maker. The chariot thundered on its way over hill and dale, and sparks flew from the hoofs of the goats, and the earth shook as they tore on their way.