# Icelandic Poetry/Song of Vafthrudnis

Layout 2
ARGUMENT.
This Ode describes a certain journey undertaken by Odin, under the name of Ganrade, to Vafthrudnis, a gigantic chief of the Jotunori or Jotori. The object in view was to discover which was the wisest.
THE
SONG
OF
VAFTHRUDNIS
* ↑ “Valhalla’s Queen.”—Frigga, the Wife of Odin.
* ↑ Ygger, one of the names of Odin, signifying suspicious or careful.
* ↑ Skinfaxi, Aurora, which the Greeks called φοσφορος and the Latins Lucifer, having a white horse easy to be mounted. This description does not differ much from that of Varro, “Jubar dicitur stella Lucifer, quæ in summo habet diffusum lumen, ut Leo in capite jubam.”
* ↑ Hrimfaxi, by which is understood Hesperus.
* ↑ Ifing. This seems to be an allegorical river signifying discord and perpetual enmity, which separates bad men from the seats of the blest and the Gods. Its literal meaning is anger.
* ↑ Surtur, the adverfary of Odin, who dwells at the antartic pole.
* ↑ Vigridi, a fabulous place, the theatre of contention between the Gods and their opposers.
* ↑ “Whence of old”—To understand this and the following verses, it is necessary to observe, that according to the Northern Mythology, Nifleil was created long before the earth; in the centre of which rose a fountain called Hvergelmer. Its effluvia produced many rivers near the boundaries of Hell, called in the Icelandic language, Suöl, Guntra, Fimbul, Thul, Slidr, Hridr, Ylgr, Sylgr, Wid, Leyptr, Giöll: which signify, according to the order in which they stand, Misery, Hope deferred, Habitation of Death, Swift perdition, Scabbard, Cruel storm, Whirlpool, Wailing and gnashing of teeth, and Widely flowing. The first world created in the southern regions was called Muspell—it was bright and hot, and for that reason was intolerable to all strangers, and none but its native inhabitants could reside there. In the confines of this world dwelt Surtur. In these parts were certain rivers called Elivagi, which, when they had proceeded so far from their source, that the poison with which they were replete could harden, their waters were converted into ice, bearing all the fantastic forms of dross and ore in a refiner’s furnace. Thence arose a poisonous exhalation which spread around like a hoar frost, and was continually increasing in the great void called Ginnungagap. This place looked toward the north, and appeared without like an immense structure of snow and ice; but within was filled with clouds and air. The southern part of this region was melted by sparks of fire which flew from Muspellsheim. For from Niflheim proceeded cold, and from Muspellsheim light and heat. Eternal serenity reigned in Ginnungagap. When warm gales approached this place, the ice began to flow with living drops. From these Ymer was created, whom the Hrimthussi called Aurgelmer. Ymer was not esteemed a God, because he and his whole posterity were evil. It is related of him, that sleeping, he emitted sweat from under his left wing, from whence Man and Woman were formed. Hence arose the race of the Hrimthussi, of whom Ymer was the first. From dissolved Ice was also formed the first Cow, called Andumbla. From her udder flowed four milky rivers, by which Ymer was nourished. But Odin, Vile, and Ve—the sons of Böre, killed Ymer, and carried him into the middle of Ginnungagap. Here from his flesh they created the earth; the sea and rivers from his blood; mountains from his bones; rocks and stones from his broken bones and teeth; herbs from his hair; heaven from his skull; the habitable earth from his eye-brows; and at last the clouds from his brains. In this account, confused and allegorical as it may seem, is contained the history of the creation; not so, however, but that many other things are interspersed which relate to after times. Thus the story of Bergelmer relates to the Deluge. What things were believed by the northern nations to have existed before the coming of Odin, may be summed up in a few articles. 1. Matter did not exist from eternity. 2. But because it once existed, it was necessary there should be some first cause. That was esteemed the most perfect of beings and creator of all things. 3. This wise Being first created Nifleim, the place of storms, or Chaos: whence originated matter. 4. This place being formed, he divided it into regions. The immense void contained within the sides separating it from the abyss, was called Ginnungagap: there the air was most pure, producing heat in one place and cold in another. 5. Then the Creator made the turbid waters of the Elivagi rivers to flow between the spaces of heat and cold. 6. From materials taken from this river, equally subject to the operation of heat and cold, he formed a mass and endued it with a living principle. This first formation was called Ymer, to whom was attributed a human appearance. He was supposed to be the μικροκοσμον of those elements from which the world was formed. 7. From the same materials the world, man, and all living things were created; those particles being selected for each which were most particularly suited to its nature. It may be observed that there seem to be three divine persons which exceed all others. And because it is difficult to conceive of an operative being without ascribing to him locality, shape, and name: these powers were called Odin, Vile, and Ve; and to these was attributed the creation of all things. This seems to have been their origin—In former days there had been heroes and great rulers, who were supposed to possess a divine principle for the many benefits they had conferred on their subjects; by them they were ranked among the inferior Gods. But in after times, since Omnia post obitum fingat majora vetustas, their origin became fabulous, and they were raised to a superior class of Gods. This therefore will account for our finding Odin sometimes called the father of Gods and Men: and creator of all things. And again, seeing him described as originating from matter, and about to be devoured by the wolf. Moshem has made the same observation concerning Jupiter, who is often called by Homer and Hesiod, And —Πατηρ ανδρων τε Θεων τε And —μεγιςος Θεων αειγενεταων.
* ↑ Ymer, the ruler of the Elements.
* ↑ Mundilförer, the axis of the earth remaining fixed while the sun and stars revolved round. Thus, Aratus, (Greek characters)
* ↑ Dellinger, the Father of Day or Twilight.
* ↑ Nörver—The Father of Night, like itself gloomy and black. Nott or Night married Dellinger, and had a son whose name was Dager or Day. Παντοπατηρ took notice of Nott and Dager, and gave to each a horse and chariot.
* ↑ Vindsualer—The Father of Winter.
* ↑ Suasuder—The Father of Summer.
* ↑ Bergelmer—Noah, from Berg, a mountain, and Gemler, an old man.
* ↑ Thrudgelmer—Lamech.
* ↑ Aurgelmer—Adam.
* ↑ Elivagi.—The streams of the Volga are here supposed to be meant. In this and the following verses the poet explains in a confused manner, the Creation of Man. First, he hints at the materials of creation: then at the creation of man: and thirdly, at the antediluvian world, the wickedness of which occasioned the destruction of the Jötni by a deluge.
This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
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