Page:Younger Edda (Anderson, 1880).djvu/185

 The destroyer of troll-children

Let his neck- strength

Wax heaven high,

Till the mighty stream should diminish.

But the warriors,

The oath-bound protectors of Asgard, —

The experienced vikings, —

Waded fast and the stream sped on.

Thou god of the bow!

The billows

Blown by the mountain-storm

Powerfully rushed

Over Thor's shoulders.

Thjalfe and his companion,

With their heads above water,

Got over the river, —

To Thor's belt they clung.

Their strength was tested, —

Geirrod's daughters made hard the stream

For the iron rod.

Angry fared Thor with the Gridarvol.

Nor did courage fail

Those foes of the giant

In the seething vortex.

Those sworn companions

Regarded a brave heart

Better than gold.

Neither Thor's nor Thjalfe's heart

From fear did tremble.

And the war companions —

Weapons despising —

'Mong the giants made havoc,

Until, woman!

The giant destroyers

The conflict of helmets

With the warlike race

Did commence.