Page:Younger Edda (Anderson, 1880).djvu/184

 The giantess Gjalp,

Pei^jured Geirrod's daughter,

Sooner got ready magic to use

Than the god of war and Loke.

A song I recite.

Those gods noxious to the giants

Planted their feet

In EndiFs land,

And the men wont to battle

Went forth.

The message of death

Came of the moon-devourer's women,

When the cunning and wrathful

Conqueror of Loke

Challenged to a contest

The giantess.

And the troll- woman 's disgracer

Waded across the roaring stream, —

Rolling full of drenched snow over its banks.

He who puts giants to flight

Rapidly advanced

O'er the broad watery way,

Where the noisy stream's

Venom belched forth.

Thor and his companions

Put before him the staff;

Thereon he rested

Whilst over they waded:

Nor sleep did the stones, —

The sonorous staff striking the rapid wave

Made the river-bed ring, —

The mountain- torrent rang with stones.

The wearer of Megingjard

Saw the flood fall

On his hard- waxed shoulders:

He could do no better.