,*•■ • THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL I Hi PRESENTED BY Richard J. Richardson Provost 1996-2000 "f>?> * /ff (^ ^ ^ p=r ^ ■: .-■ < ECLECTIC SCHOOL READINGS OLD NORSE STORIES BY SARAH POWERS BRADISH i >>*Xc NEW YORK-:-CINCINNATI:CHICAGO AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY Copyright, 1900, by SARAH POWERS B-RADISH. ri. OLD NORSE STORIES. W. P. 3 r ■■ WHAT THESE STORIES ARE Many years ago our forefathers, who lived far away in the Northland, thought that everything in the world was controlled by some god or goddess, who had special care of that thing. When spring came they said, " Iduna is waking." In early summer, when grass covered the hill- sides and grain waved in the valleys, they said, " Sif is preparing a plentiful harvest." When thunder clouds rolled across the sky and lightning flashed, they said, "Thor is driving his chariot and throwing his hammer." They were glad when the long, light days of summer came, and said, "" We love Balder the beautiful, Balder the good." But they shrank from the scorching heat of later sum- mer, and said, "We fear the pranks of Loki, the mischief maker." They saw the rainbow, and called it the bridge leading up to the home of the gods. They loved the gods who were kind to them ; and they dreaded the frost giants and storm giants, who were the enemies of gods and men. They prayed to Odin, the All-father, for wisdom and 3 4 protection, because they did not know the name of the one great God. When they gathered around the fireside in long winter evenings, they told tales of giants, dwarfs, and elves ; and talked^ of Sigurd, the prince of the sunlight, who killed the dragon of cold and darkness and waked the dawn maiden. They thought much of the wonderful beings who lived, as they supposed, above the clouds or under the earth, and told many strange and beautiful stories about them. The author of this little book has endeavored in the following pages to retell some of the most popular of these stories in such a way as to make them attractive to young readers. Most of them show what our ances- tors thought of the common phenomena of nature, — day and night, summer and winter, storms and sunshine, life and death. They also give us some idea of the strange, rude manners of a semi-barbarous people, and of their ways of living both in times of peace and in times of war. For the originals of these stories we must go back to the Norse Eddas, written many hundreds of years ago. The author has drawn much of her material from An- derson's " Norse Mythology " and Guerber's " Myths of Northern Lands." The stories of the Volsungs follow the poetical version of William Morris in the story of "Sigurd the Volsung," and the translation by Morris and Mag- nusson of the ancient "Sigurd Saga." The poetical quo- tations are from Morris's "Sigurd the Volsung." CONTENTS PAGE Iduxa r . 7 Skadi 15 Frey 17 Freya 28 Sif's Hair . . .35 Fenris Wolf 43 loki and skrymsli 47 Thrym 50 /Egir's Feast . . . *^f» 55 Thor and Skrymir . . 60 Thor's Duel with Hruxgnir 71 Thor and Geirrod 78 The Last Appearance of Thor 82 The Broken Promise 83 Geirrod and Agnar 86 The Beginning of Poetry 90 Gangrad and Vafthrudntr 96 Balder 106 Loki's Punishment 115 5 6 PAGE The Twilight of the Gods . . • . . . .118 Volsung 121 SlGNY I23 King Sigmund 147 The House of the Helper 160 Regin's Sjory 168 The Forging of the Sword 178 The Prophecy of Gripir 181 The Glittering Heath 183 Brynhild 189 Gudrux's Dreams . . . 193 Sigurd at Lymdale 199 Sigurd at the Palace of the Nibluxgs .... 203 The Wooixg of Bryxhild 215 The Quarrel of the Queexs 223 The Exd of the Treasure 231 Norse Words 235 NORSE STORIES — »o>*:o* IDUNA i. iduna's garden Iduna was the fair goddess of spring. She lived with her husband, Bragi, in Asgard, in a beautiful garden of fruits and flowers. She tended the flowers, while he wrote verses about them and about the gods and heroes. Every morning Iduna gathered the golden apples of youth for the breakfast of the gods. Every day the £ods and goddesses sat in the cool shade of Iduna's garden. If they were sick or tired, eating one of her apples always brought back health and strength. IT. LOKl's SUPPER Odin the All-father, his brother Hcenir, and Loki the mischief maker, were taking a journey round the world. They wanted to see how men were get- ting on. One evening, when it was too late to go farther, they came to a densely wooded mountain. 7 8 There was no house in sight, and they were tired and hungry. There was nothing to eat. Down in the valley Loki had seen a herd of cattle grazing. They went back, caught an ox, killed it, and dressed the meat. Loki kindled a fire, and began to cook the supper. When it was time for it to be done, the meat was as raw as when first put over the fire. He made more fire, with the same result. He made another fire, but could not cook the meat. They heard a noise in the branches over their heads. Looking up, they saw a very large eagle. They also saw that the eagle was fanning the flames with his wings, to put out their fire. A voice spoke to them. The voice said that if they would give the eagle his supper, their meat would soon be cooked. They at once invited the eagle to eat with them. He flew down, and again fanned the flame with his wings. Now the fire grew brighter, and supper was soon ready. They sat down together ; but the eagle took, for his share, one leg and both shoulders of the ox. Loki was angry at this, for he was very hungry. He took a pole that was lying near, and struck the eagle. One end of the pole stuck fast in the eagle's feathers, and Loki could not let go the other. The eagle flew away over the tree tops, drawing Loki through the branches, and up the mountain slopes, bruising him against the rough rocks; then it flew near the ground, dragging him over stumps and stones and through briery thickets. Loki knew then that the storm giant was hidden under the eagle's plumage. He begged for mercy, but the eagle flew faster. At last Thiassi (for that was the storm giant's name) said, " I will let you go, if you will bring me Iduna and her golden apples." Loki promised, and Thiassi set him free. III. THE BEAUTIFUL APPLES In sorry plight, Loki, all ragged and torn, came back to his companions. The next day the three travelers went home to Asgard, the city of the gods. When Loki went to visit Iduna, he found her busy about her household tasks. She was dressed in green, and wore a garland of leaves. Her hus- band, Bragi, was not at home. Iduna had just gathered the apples for the next meal of the gods. Loki said to her: "I have found a strange tree just outside the city wall. It bears apples finer than yours. The golden color is deeper, and the red a more delicate blush." IO " Yes," said Iduna, " those apples are doubtless more beautiful than mine, but not so good to eat. They will not bring back youth and strength." " I think you are wrong," said Loki. " They are sweeter to the taste, and they restore youth and strength, as well as yours. When I found them, I was very weary ; and when I had eaten one, I felt as well as ever I did." " I will go," said Iduna. " Would it be better to take my apples with me ? " " I think so," said Loki ; " because you can better compare them." She put her apples into a crystal dish, and went with Loki, outside the wall of Asgard. Thiassi was waiting in his eagle's plumage. Poor Iduna heard the roar of the storm giant in the tree tops ; but it was too late to go back. The great eagle caught her in his talons, and flew away to his wintry home in Thrymheim. iv. iduna's return The gods missed Iduna, but supposed she had gone on a visit. Of course Loki said nothing; and the gods did not suspect mischief, until gray hairs began to come in their heads, their color was fading, and their faces were becoming wrinkled. Then they remembered that Iduna had been last II seen with Loki, the mischief maker. They ques- tioned him, but he would not tell the truth. At last, Thor, the thunder god, became angry, and threatened to strike him unless he told all he knew about Iduna. Then he told how he had led her out of Asgard, and how she had been stolen. He promised to bring her back, if Frigga would lend him her falcon dress. Frigga lent him her falcon dress, and he flew away to Thrymheim. Thiassi was out on the sea, fishing. Iduna was sleeping on a rude couch, in a cold, rough hall. There were tears on her cheeks. She looked sad and lonely, but she still held in her arms her crystal dish of apples. Loki, as a falcon, flew in at a window, placed Iduna in a magic nutshell, and flew away with her in his claws. Just then Thiassi came home. When he found he had lost Iduna, he changed himself into an eagle and flew after her. The falcon flew fast, but the eagle flew faster. Thiassi was gaining on Loki, when they came in sight of Asgard. All the gods and goddesses were out looking for Iduna and Loki. When they saw them coming and Thiassi pursuing, they made fires on the city wall. The falcon flew over safely, and gave Iduna back to Bragi and the gods ; but the fire caught the 12 eagle's wings; and, with burning plumage, he fell among them. Thor killed him and threw his eyes up into the heavens, where they still shine as stars. V. IDUNA S FALL A huge ash tree, called Yggdrasil, shaded Odin's hall. This tree supported the whole world. It had three great roots : one in Niflheim, the land of cold and darkness; one in Midgard, the home of men; and one in Asgard, the home of the gods. The tree was cared for by three norns, Past, Present, and Future. Every day they brought fresh clay for its roots, which they moistened with water from the Urdar Fountain. They also sprin- kled the leaves with this life-giving water. Some- times the water dripped from the leaves upon the earth, and made honey, which the bees gathered. The leaves were always green. On the topmost bough sat an eagle. Between his eyes was a falcon. The falcon had very keen sight ; and, from his lofty perch, he could look out over the dwellings of gods and men, and the land of darkness. He talked about everything he saw. Four deer fed on the branches. From their horns dropped sweet dew, which supplied water for all the rivers of earth. The branches also furnished 13 pasture for the goat, Heidrun, from whose milk was made mead for the heroes of Valhalla. Down in the darkness of Niflheim, a dragon continually gnawed the root, to kill the tree; because he knew that, when Yggdrasil withered, the reign of the gods would end. The squirrel. Ratatosk, scampered through the branches, and up and down the trunk. He carried tales from the dragon to the eagle, and from the eagle to the dragon. He liked to keep up contin- ual strife. The council chamber of the gods was at the root of the tree, near Urdar Fountain. It was their hall of justice. They went to it every day ; riding over the rainbow bridge, Bifrost. Thor alone w r ent round another way ; for he feared that his iron chariot might injure the bridge. High up in the branches of this wonderful tree, Iduna built a pretty summer house. One day, while sitting at the door of the house, she fell asleep. Down she tumbled through the branches, past the deer and the goat, startling nimble Rata- tosk. Down she fell into cold, dark Niflheim. White and still she lay at the root of the tree. From his high seat, Odin saw her, and sent Bragi and Heimdal to bring her back. Odin gave them a white wolfskin to protect her from the cold. 14 They found her still alive, but so hurt by the fall that she could neither speak nor move. They wrapped her in the soft white robe; but they could not bring her back until the following spring. Heimdal returned to Odin with the sad news; but Bragi stayed with his wife all the long winter. His harp was silent, and he could not sing ; and there were no bird songs, until Iduna was able to throw off the snowy wolfskin robe, and come back with her husband, to tend the flowers again. SKABI The storm giant, Thiassi, had a daughter named Skadi. She wore a silver helmet, a suit of chain armor, a snow-white hunting dress, ermine leg- gings, and broad snowshoes. She carried a glis- tening spear, and a bow, and a quiver full of arrows. Sne liked to hunt, and she knew how to fight. When she heard of her father's death, she came at once to Asgard. The gods admired her cour- age and loyalty. They tried to offer her gifts ; but she only raised her spear, to hurl it at her father's enemies. Then Loki bowed before her. He sprang to the right and to the left. He danced gracefully. As he swayed to and fro, a long-haired, long-bearded goat imitated every motion. At last, he knelt at her feet, and the goat did the same. Skadi laughed. Her anger was gone, and she could listen to the gods. Odin pointed out two bright stars ; which, he said, were her father's eyes, placed in the heavens to look upon her forever. As for herself, she might marry a god, and become a goddess. She might 15 choose her husband ; but her eyes must be veiled, so she could see only the feet of the gods. Skadi looked about in amazement. Her eyes fell on Balder, the god of light, the fairest being in the universe. She thought, " I shall know Balder if I see only the hem of his garment." So she let them tie the bandage over her eyes. Then she looked down and saw a well-shaped foot. " I choose thee," she said ; " thou art Balder." But it was not Balder. It was Njord, who was tall, slender, handsome, and good. The wedding feast was spread. All the gods and goddesses brought costly gifts. All their palaces were open to the bride. Life in Asgard was better than anything she had ever known. After a few weeks, Njord said he must go back to Noatun, because he had the care of all the ships on the sea, and the sailors needed his protec- tion. Skadi went with him* but the cry of the sea gulls, and the beating of the waves upon the beach, wearied her ; and she longed for the forests of Thrymheim. Njord went with her tocher old home ; but the howling wolves and the growling bears kept him awake at night. So they a^relxl to spend nine days together in Thrymheim, and three days together in Noatun ; and in that way they lived happily many years. ■ FREY i. frey's gifts Njord and Skadi had two children : a boy named Frey, and a girl named Freya. Frey was the god of sunlight and gentle showers, and Freya was the goddess of beauty. It was the custom in the Northland to make every child a present when he cut his first tooth. When Frey's first tooth came through, the gods 2rave him Elfheim, the home of the light elves, or fairies, for a tooth gift. The little god was king of Elfheim, or Fairyland, and lived there with his tiny subjects, whenever he could be spared from Asgard. The little creatures loved tljeir king, and obeyed his lightest wish ; and he was much happier there than in his mother's icy palace at Thrymheim. Little Frey soon became a tall, handsome youth. Then the o-ods 9-ave him a mao-ic sword, which, as soon as it was drawn from the sheath, won every bat^e of its own accord. But Frey seldom used it, except co fight the cruel frost giants, who dreaded his glittering sword, because it held the softening power of the sunbeams. NORSE MYTH STORIES — 2 17 18 Frey had also a fine horse called Blodughofi. This horse could go through fire and water. II. FREY IN ODIN S SEAT Frey was very busy during the summer months. He looked after the sunshine and the warm show- ers. Sometimes he helped his father direct the gentle winds. But, when the sunshine went away, Frey's work went away too. The dark northern winter seemed very long to the young god. One day, when wandering about the city of Asgard, he came to the foot of Odin's lofty throne, Hlidskialf. No one ever ascended this throne, except the All-father and his wife Frigga. But the gods all knew that the whole world could be seen from its summit. Frey wanted to see the whole world. So he began to climb the steps. No one saw him, and he soon came to the top. He sat down on Odin's seat, and looked toward the north. He saw a maiden standing in the doorway of her father's castle. She was the most beautiful maiden in the world. She was Gerda, daughter of Gymir, the frost giant. When she raised her hand to open the door, many-colored lights blazed in the northern sky, and shot out toward the southern heavens. Frey longed to win Gerda for his bride. Frey and his Steed, Golden-bristle. ^tsSL^ 20 But he knew that her father, Gymir, would never consent to their marriage, because Gymir was cousin to Thiassi, the storm giant, whom the gods had killed in Asgard. Slowly and sadly Frey left Hlidskialf. He walked up and down the city streets as usual ; but he was silent, and never joined in the sports of the young gods. At the feasts his cup of sparkling mead was left untasted. No one could find out any reason for his strange conduct. His father, Njord, was greatly alarmed, and sent for his mother, Skadi, who was then at their winter home in Thrymheim. III. HOW SKADI HELPED HER SON Skadi came at once. She, too, was greatly con- cerned about her son. She knew there must be some trouble ; but he refused to tell his mother what it was that made him so miserable. One day Skadi called Skirnir, their most trusted servant. She said : " Skirnir, you played with Frey in childhood ; you were his friend in youth ; you have served him faithfully in manhood. He trusts you. Find out his secret, and help him in his trouble. You alone can save his life." Skirnir went to Frey, and learned from him the story of his visit to the lofty throne, how he had 21 seen Gerda, the most beautiful of maidens, and how he wished to make her his wife. This, Frey said, could never be done, because Gerda was the daugh- ter of Gymir, the frost giant, who hated him. Be- sides, the giants castle was surrounded by a barrier of fire, and at the approach of any stranger the flames leaped as high as the sky. " If that is all," said Skirnir, " I can win fair Gerda for you. Lend me your horse, Blodughofi, and give me your magic sword to be my own." Frey lent him the horse and gave him the sword ; and Skirnir promised to hasten on his journey. Frey sent eleven golden apples and a magic golden ring, as gifts to Gerda. Still Skirnir lingered. One day, as Frey was sitting near a pool, his face was reflected in the surface. Skirnir caught the reflection in his drinking horn, and covered it care- fully. Then he started on his journey ; for, with these three gifts, the golden apples, the magic ring, and the portrait of his handsome master, he was confident that he could win the beautiful maiden. IV. SKIRNIR S JOURNEY Skirnir rode away to the land of the frost giants as fast as Frey's swift steed could carry him. As he came near Gymirs castle, he was stopped by the 22 terrible howling of the giant's watch dogs, Winter Winds. He spoke to the shepherd who was watching the flocks in Gymir's fields. The shepherd said: "You carfhot reach the castle. Even if you pass the dogs, it will be impossible for you to enter the gates, for the whole place is surrounded by fire. Don't you see how the flames light up the sky? " Still Skirnir pressed on. He put spurs to his horse, and outran the dogs. Then he gave rein to Blodughofi, who plunged into the fire, and bore his rider safely to the steps of Gymir's castle. A serv- ant opened the door and led the daring horseman into the presence of Gerda. Skirnir offered her the golden apples and the magic ring, and showed her the portrait of his mas- ter, which he had taKen from the pool. But she said, " My father has gold enough for me," and she did not care at all for the picture. Then Skirnir threatened to cut off her head with the magic sword. He did not intend to do this, because he knew his master would not want a bride without a head. But she was not at all frightened. Then he cut runes in his stick, so that he could weave a magic spell about her. He told her that she would be married to an old frost giant, who would keep her hidden in his cold, dark castle. He 23 kept on cutting runes until she said: " Perhaps it would be better to marry handsome young Frey and live in Asgard, than to marry an ugly old frost giant and live in a dungeon. When spring comes, I will be Frey's bride." Skirnir hurried back toward Asgard. But Frey, impatient to learn how he had succeeded, met him at Elfheim, and there, among the fairies, he learned that, when the trees budded and flowers bloomed and grass grew green again, he might go to the land of Buri, or green groves, to meet his bride. Gerda met him in the land of Buri, as she had promised. They were married, and went to Frey's new palace in Asgard, where they lived happily ever after, and blessed the homes of married pairs who wished to live without strife. V. PEACE-FRODI Frey had a son named Frodi. Frodi lived in Midgarci, or the world of men. He was good and wise, and men were glad to have him for a king. He began to reign in Denmark, when there was peace throughout the world. That was the time when Christ was born in Bethlehem. He was called Peace-Frodi. He had a pair of magic millstones. They could 24 grind anything he wished, but there was no one in all his kingdom strong enough to turn them. He went to visit the king of Sweden, and saw, near the royal palace, two captive giants, who were eight feet tall. They could lift heavy weights, and hurl jave- lins to a great distance. He thought they would be able to turn his enchanted millstones. He bought the giants from their master. Their names were Menia and Fenia. As soon as they came to Denmark, Frodi led them to the magic stones and bade them grind gold, peace, and prosperity. They turned the stones easily, and sang as they worked: — Let us grind riches for Frodi ! Let us make him happy In plenty of substance On our magic Quern. 1 They worked on hour after hour until their backs ached, and they could hardly stand from weariness. There was peace in the world, prosperity in the land, and the king's treasuries were filled with gold. The king had always been kind and gentle, but he was maddened by the sight of the gold, and, when the women begged to be allowed to rest, he sharply bade them work on. " Rest as long as the cuckoo 1 Longfellow's translation, Grotta Savngr. 25 is silent in the spring," he said. " Alas," they replied, "the cuckoo is never silent in the spring." When they could work no longer, he gave them as much time to rest as would be required to sing one verse of their song. But while Frodi slept, they changed their song, and began to grind an armed host, instead of gold. They sang : — An army must come Hither forthwith, And burn the town For the prince. 1 A viking landed with his soldiers, and surprised the Danes. He defeated Frodi's army, and carried away the Danish treasure. He took Menia and Fenia, with their magic millstones, on board his own ship. He ordered them to grind salt, instead of gold. But he w r as as greedy as Frodi had be- come. He kept the giants at work until they were worn out. But they had already ground so much salt that its weight caused the ship to sink, and all on board perished. As the millstones sank, the water, rushing in, gurgled through the holes in the millstones, and made a great whirlpool. This whirlpool is off the northwestern coast of Norway, and is still known as the Maelstrom. 1 Longfellow's translation, Grotta Savngr. 26 The salt dissolved and made all the water very salt, and the water of the sea is salt to this day. VI. YULETIDE Skirnir kept Frey's magic sword for his own, and he did not bring back the borrowed horse, Blodughofi. So, for a long time, Frey had neither sword nor horse. The dwarfs kindly supplied him with a swift steed, as we shall see. This was a boar called Gullinbursti, or Golden-bristle, which was, ever after, Frey's constant attendant. The golden bristles gave light, and were the rays of the sun ; or, some say, the golden grain, which grew in Midgard, at the sun god's bidding. Gul- linbursti, by tearing up the earth with his tusks, taught men to plow. Sometimes Frey rode on his back ; and sometimes he harnessed him to his chariot, from which he scattered fruits and flowers, as he drove over the world. Sometimes his sister Freya rode with him in his chariot, and helped him in blessing men with fruits. Boar's flesh was eaten at the festivals sacred to Frey. The roasted boars head, crowned with laurel and rosemary, was brought into the dining room with great ceremony. The head of the household laid his hand upon it, and swore that 27 he would be faithful to his family and true to his promises. Then every one present followed his example. The boar's head was then carved by a man of good character and great courage. The helmets of Northern warriors were often ornamented with boars' heads, because that em- blem of the conquering sun god was supposed to strike terror to the hearts of the enemy. The longest night of the year was called Mother Night. It was a time of rejoicing, because the sun was then beginning his homeward journey. It was called Yuletide, or Wheeltide, because the sun was thought to be like a wheel rolling across the sky. A large wooden wheel was taken to the top of a high hill, wound well with straw, set on fire, and, when all ablaze, rolled down into the water, because the sight of the burning wheel suoo-ested the sun's course through the heavens. This Yule festival was kept in England for many years. As it occurred in the month of December, it was easily united with the festivities of Christmas. At Yuletide, a huge log was brought in and burned in the great fireplace. It was a bad omen if it did not burn all ni^ht. In the morning, the charred pieces were gathered and saved to light the Yulelog the following year. FREYA I. HOW GOLD CAME TO BE HIDDEN IN THE ROCKS Freya was the daughter of Njord and Skadi. She was the goddess of beauty. She had golden hair and blue eyes. She had a commanding figure, and was clad in flowing robes. She wore a corselet and helmet, and carried a shield and a spear. She rode in a chariot drawn by two large gray cats. She admired brave men, and liked nothing so well as to reward a deed of valor. She visited battle fields, to choose, from the slain heroes, those who should be her guests at Folkvang, her palace in Asgard. The other slain warriors were taken to live with Odin in his great hall, Valhalla. Folkvang was always rilled with heroes and their wives and sweethearts. Northern women often rushed into battle, or fell upon swords, or were burned on the funeral pyre with their beloved dead, hoping that their courage and devotion would win Freya's favor, so that they might enjoy the society of their husbands and lovers in Folk- vang. 28 % ^ Freya. 30 Freya was married to Odur, god of the summer sun. They had two daughters, who were so beau- tiful that all lovely and precious things were called by their names. All beautiful creatures were said to belong to Freya. Butterflies were called Freya's hens. Freya was always happy when she had her family together. But her husband, Odur, was too fond of travel. He always spent the winter in the Southland. This was a source of great grief to Freya. Once he left home without saying where he intended to go. Freya was heartbroken. She wept constantly. All nature wept with her. Hard rocks softened when her tears fell upon them. They opened their stony hearts to receive every shining drop, and hid it as pure gold. The sea treasured her tears, and threw them back upon the shore as clearest amber. After long waiting, Freya went in search of her husband. She wandered through every part of the earth, weeping as she went. The earth kept her tears as fine gold. This is the reason that gold is found in all parts of the world. II. WHY NORTHERN BRIDES WEAR MYRTLE Freya found the missing Odur far away in the sunny Southland. He was sitting under a flowering 3i myrtle tree, watching the fleecy clouds change color in the rays of the setting sun. He was well and happy, and did not think how lonely his beautiful wife must be in the dark winter of the frozen North. But when she stood before him, he was glad to see her; and she was almost beside herself with joy. Hand in hand, they returned to the Northland. Birds sang and flowers bloomed along their path- way, and spring followed their footsteps. Freya wore a garland of myrtle leaves ; and to this day Northern brides wear myrtle wreaths instead of orange blossoms. III. BRISINGA-MEN Freya was fond of ornaments and jewels. One day, when passing through the land of the dark elves, she saw four dwarfs at work on a wonderful necklace. It was called Brisinofa-men. It was an emblem of the fruitfulness of the earth. It was made of the most precious gems, which sparkled like stars. She begged the dwarfs to give her the beautiful necklace. They said it should be hers if she would promise to grant them her favor forever. This was a great deal to ask ; but the necklace was a masterpiece of art, and priceless in value. So she promised all they asked, and they clasped the necklace about her 32 neck. She wore it night and day. Once she lent it to Thor, when he went to the land of the giants ; and once she lost it ; but she always regarded it as her choicest treasure. IV. HEIMDAL SAVES BRISINGA-MEN The gods had just finished the rainbow bridge, which they built to connect Asgard with Midgard and Urdar Fountain. This bridge was made of fire, air, and water. These three things can still be seen in the rainbow ; fire in the red, air in the blue, and water in the green. All the gods except Thor passed over the bridge every day, on their way to their council chamber at Urdar Fountain. Thor was still obliged to harness his goats to his iron chariot .and drive in the old way, because they all feared that his heavy tread and the heat of the lightnings, which always attended him, would de- stroy the beautiful bridge. They feared also that the giants would take advantage of the new bridge to force an entrance into Asgard. So they decided to appoint a guard for the rainbow bridge. Heimdal was the son of the nine wave daughters of ./Egir, ruler of the sea. His nine mothers fed him on the strength of the earth, the moisture of the sea, and the 'heat of the sun. He grew very 33 fast and could do many remarkable tilings. He could hear the grass growing in the fields, and the wool on the sheep's backs. He could see at a dis- tance of one hundred miles, as clearly by night as by day. He needed less sleep than a bird. He was very beautiful, and had gold teeth which flashed when he smiled. He was always clothed in pure white, and carried a glittering sword. The gods decided to take Heimdal to Asgard, and then they appointed him to be guard of the rainbow bridge. They built him a palace on the highest point of the bridge, and gave him a golden- maned horse called Gull-top, and a wonderful trum- pet called Giallar-horn. The trumpet was to be used only when he saw the enemies of the sods approaching. Then he would know that the Twi- light of the Gods was near at hand, and the sound of the trumpet would arouse all creatures in heaven and earth and the land of the mist. One night Heimdal was disturbed by the sound of footsteps in the direction of Freya's palace. He soon found that the noise was made by Loki, who had just changed himself into a fly, in order to enter Freya's chamber window. Once within her room, he resumed his usual form, and tried to take the precious necklace, Brisinga-men, from her neck, as she lay asleep. Her head was turned so that he NORSE MYTH STORIES 2 34 could not reach the clasp without waking her. He stepped back and muttered magic runes. He began to shrink, and shrank and shrank until he shrank into the size and shape of a flea. Then he made his way under the cover and bit Freya's side until she turned in her sleep. He became Loki again, unclasped the necklace, and stole away. Heimdal mounted Gull-top and galloped over the rainbow bridge. He met the robber just outside the gates of Asgard, and drew his sword. Quick as thought, Loki became a faint blue flame. Heim- dal changed himself into a cloud, and poured tor- rents of rain upon the flame. Then the flame became a great white bear, which drank up the water. The cloud became a bear also, and the two bears fought until Loki slipped into the water in the form of a seal. Heimdal became a seal, and pursued Loki until he gave up the necklace, which was sent back to Freya so quickly that she never knew it had been stolen. But Heimdal had been badly hurt in his struggle with Loki. Iduna came and bound up his wounds, and healed them with a golden apple. SIF'S HAIR I. A NOONDAY NAP Sif was the beautiful wife of the stern thunder god, Thor. She called the sunshine and the gen- tle winds to make the grass grow and the grain ripen. Thor brought dark rain clouds to water the growing crops. Thor was very proud of his pretty wife, especially of her long silky hair. One day while Thor had gone to water the corn- fields, Sif was sitting on a grassy bank combing her hair, and watching the reflection in a glassy pool. The noonday heat had made her drowsy, and she fell asleep. Loki, the mischief maker, came by ; and, seeing Sif asleep, thought what fun it would be to cut off her hair. He laughed to himself as he imagined how the thunder god would rage. So he sheared Sif's golden fleece, and shaved her head until it was as bare as the round white arm on which it rested. Then he hid in a thicket to see what would happen. Poor Sif awoke, and cried aloud for Thor. Soon she heard the rumbling of his iron chariot ; and, as 35 36 he came near enough to see her bald pate, light- nings flashed from his eyes. Thoroughly frightened, Loki changed himself into a salmon, and leaped into the river. Thor saw him, and in the shape of a sea gull, poised over the water, darted down into, it, and came up with the fish in his talons. Loki could not wriggle away ; so he took his own form again, and was begging for mercy, when Frey came up. Loki fell on his knees and kissed Frey's feet, and promised to get golden hair for Sif, that would grow as her own had done, a swift steed for Frey, and a new hammer for Thor, if the gentle sun god would save his life. By Frey's advice, Thor let him go. II. LOKI IN ELFHEIM Loki rode away over the rainbow bridge, down through dark passages under the earth. Suddenly the light of Elfheim flashed upon him. The light was made by the fires of the busy dwarfs in their tiny forges and smelting furnaces. Brilliant gems sparkled in the roof. Gold gleamed everywhere. He watched the work of the little fellows with great interest. He saw one making pearls from dew- drops and from maidens' tears. Another made emeralds from the first green leaves of spring. 37 Others made rubies from rosebuds, and sapphires from violets. He spoke to one who was making diamonds; and the dwarf answered politely, with- out looking up, that they did not work in gold, in that part of Elfheim ; that he must go to Ivald's sons, who could make anything they chose. So he went on to the forge of Ivald's sons. It was the brightest nook in all the brilliant cavern. Ivald's sons listened to Loki's story, and began at once to make the golden hair for Sif. First, they threw gold into the furnace. It was melted and drawn seven times. Then one of Ivald's sons sent it to his wife, who sat among the spinners in another part of the hall. She put it on a distaff, as if it were flax, and spun and spun until the golden threads were as fine as silk and as soft as gossamer. She sent it back to her husband by the brown elf who had brought it, and Ivald's sons gave it to Loki, who thanked the kind little smiths and said, " Now make me a hammer for Thor." Ivald's sons shook their heads, and said, " We cannot make a present for Thor, because we have never made one for Odin, who is greater than Thor." Loki was disappointed in not getting a hammer for Thor ; but was pleased at the prospect of taking a valuable present to Odin. 38 Ivald's sons put iron into the furnace, heated it 5 drew it out, rolled it on the anvil, and hammered it with sledges. They made a spear. It was inlaid with precious stones, and tipped with gold seven times tried. They gave it to Loki, saying, " This is the mighty spear, Gungnir, that never fails in its blow, the best gift we humble smiths can make great Odin." They again put gold into the furnace. They blew with the bellows, until the black smoke rolled up the chimney, and the fire blazed up enough to light the whole cavern. They worked fast and faithfully. At last the fire died away, and a ship appeared in the coals. It kept growing larger and larger, until it almost filled the room. It had masts and sails, and places for oarsmen, and room enough to carry a thousand soldiers with their horses. Then, at a word from one of Ivald's sons, it began to shrink, and it grew smaller until he took it up and folded it like a napkin. He gave it to Loki, and said : " Take it to gentle Frey. It is the good ship, Skidbladnir, which will always have favorable winds, whatever way he wishes to go. It is large enough to carry him and all who need to go with him ; and when he does not want to use it, he can fold it and put it in his pocket." Loki thanked the smiths again, and started to go 39 home, heavy-hearted because he had no hammer for Thor and no swift steed for Frey. / III. SINDRl's GIFTS As Loki was about to leave Elfheim he met two brown elves, Brok and his brother Sindri. Brok had overheard Loki saving that Ivald's sons were the best smiths. Now Brok's brother, Sindri, had always been called the best smith. Brok offered to wager his head against Loki's head that his brother could make three better gifts than the three gifts Ivald's sons had made. They went together to Sindri's forge ; and Sindri, proud of his brother's confidence, told him not to be afraid, but that together they would be sure to win. He gave Brok the bellows, saying, " Blow the fire steadily, until I tell you to stop." Then he put a pigskin into the furnace. Loki slipped out of sight, and came back in the shape of a horsefly, and settled on Brok's hand. The fly bit hard, but Brok kept on blowing, until Sindri said, " Enough ! " Then Sindri took from the fire a boar with golden bristles. " This," said he, " is Gullinbursti, or Golden-bristle. He will carry Frey wherever he wishes to 20, over land or sea. He is swifter than J any 40 horse, and the shining: of his eolden bristles will give light in the darkest night." Then he threw gold into the fire, and told Brok to blow as before. The horsefly lighted on Brok's neck, and bit as hard as he could. Still Brok kept on blowing, until Sindri cried, " Enough ! " This time a fine gold ring, set with precious stones, came out of the fire. As Sindri took it up, he said : " This ring is Draupnir. From it eight rings exactly like itself will drop every ninth night. It is a gift to Odin." Sindri threw a bar of iron into the fire, and told Brok to blow with the bellows, just as he had been doing. The fly lighted on Brok's eyelid, and bit until the blood ran down into his eye. Just as Sindri was about to say " Enough," the fly stung so hard that Brok raised his hand to dash it away. The flame leaped up and then died out. Sindri rushed to the furnace in great alarm. He took o out a hammer all finished, only the handle was a little too short. Loki now appeared in his own form. " Go now," said Brok. " My brother has won the bet. This is Mjolnir, the Crusher, fit for the mighty hand of Thor. It will protect Asgard from all the attacks of the giants. When hurled against the enemy it will go straight to the mark, and Thor 41 cannot throw it so far that it will not return to his hand again. This is the best of all the gifts." IV. THE DECISION Loki went home. He gave the golden hair to Thor, who placed it on Sif's head, and it began to grow at once. Frey was well pleased with the ship, Skidbladnir. Kind Odin smiled graciously, as he took the bur- nished spear, Gungnir. Brok had come to Asgard, to bring the gifts made by his brother. Odin, Thor, and Frey sat together to compare the gifts, and to decide the wager of Loki and Brok. Brok gave the hammer, Mjolnir, to Thor; and when Thor swung it in his strong right hand, he became as tall as a giant, dark clouds rolled around him, lightnings flashed, and peals of thunder shook the heights of Asgard. Odin let the brown elf place the ring, Draupnir, upon his finger ; and Frey at last had a swift steed, Golden-bristle. All declared that the hammer, Mjolnir, was the best gift ; and they also thought that the ring and } the steed were better than the gifts of Loki. Then Brok demanded the head of Loki, but 42 Loki had run away. Thor soon brought him back, and the elf raised his sword. But Loki cried: "Al- though my head is yours, you cannot touch my neck. There was nothing said about the neck." So Brok had to be satisfied without Loki's head ; but he was laden with rich gifts from Thor and Sif ; and the gods consented to his sewing up Loki's mouth. But Loki's lips were so tough that the elf could not pierce them with his needle, nor could he cut them with his sword. " If I only had my brother's awl," said he ; and, as soon as he had wished for the awl, it was in his hand. He sewed up Loki's mouth, but the mischief maker soon con- trived to cut the thread, and talked again as merrily as ever. FENRIS WOLF LOKl's CHILDREN Loki had seven children. Three of them were bad children, and he did not want the gods to know about them. Their mother was a giantess, who was glad to have Loki build his palace in the land of the giants. But Odin found out about Loki's home, and ordered the three bad children to be brought to Asgard. Their names were Iormungandr, Hela, and Fenris. As soon as Odin saw them, he knew that he could do nothing for the two older ones. So he sent Iormungandr to live in the bottom of the ocean, where he lay coiled around Midgard. He was the Midgard serpent. He was so long that when he had encircled the whole earth he was compelled to take his tail in his mouth. When he stru^led to rise from his ocean bed, the waves dashed high, and fearful storms swept over the deep. Hela was sent to Niflheim, where she ruled over the dead, except the heroes slain in battle, and their wives and sweethearts. The gods thought that Fenris might grow better if he lived with them in Asgard. So, when the 43 44 other two children were sent away, he was kept in the holy city. He was a bad boy, and had snapped and snarled so long that he was called Fenris Wolf. He walked on his hands and feet. Hair grew all over his body. He had great hungry jaws, and he liked to eat the things that wolves eat. The older he grew, the w T orse he became. He was more than ever like a wolf. He even kept the gods awake by howling on moonlight nights. He was already very large and was growing very fast, and Odin was worried about him. He called a council of all the gods to see what could be done with Fenris Wolf. Heimdal, the guard of the rainbow bridge, and Bragi, and gentle Frey, thought the mighty spear, Gungnir, or Thor's new hammer, Mjolnir, could soon put an end to the wolf. But Odin and Thor and Tyr, the god of war, thought it would not be right to shed blood, unless it were that of an enemy, within the walls of Asgard. Balder, the Good, thought it would be better to kill the dangerous wolf, than to feed him every day a pigeon, a chicken, a lamb, and a calf. But Odin decided that he must be bound and not killed. Tyr alone dared touch him, and he coaxed Fenris Wolf away from the pal- aces to a hill within the city walls. 45 II. THE BONDS OF FEXRIS WOLF Sometimes the gods played games of strength and skill, and they often asked Fenris Wolf to join them. They were not afraid of him at such times, for it pleased him to show how strong he was. There was a blacksmith's shop in Asgard ; and, by Odin's order, strong iron fetters were made for Fenris Wolf. When it was time for the games to begin, the gods showed these fetters to Fenris ; and he, knowing that he could break them as easily as Thor could break a thread, allowed himself to be bound. No sooner were they fastened than he broke them, as if they were wisps of grass. Then the gods helped the smith, and together they made long, heavy chains, larger and heavier than had ever been seen. Fenris Wolf was not quite so ready to be bound with these ; but they told him he could easily break them, and flattered him by tales of his great strength. So he let them bind his huge feet, and wind his body with the heavy chains, until he was covered with the links of iron. The gods did not think he could break loose, but he threw himself upon the ground and struggled hard. The big chains snapped as if they had been made of flax, and Fenris Wolf was free. 4 6 Then Odin sent to the dwarfs and elves. In a few days, the messengers came back with slender, silken bands. They were magic bands, and were made of six things that only dwarfs and elves could obtain. These things were the noise of the footfall of a cat, the beard of a woman, the roots of stones, the breath of fishes, the nerves of bears, and the sweat of birds. The gods then invited Fenris to play with them. He was afraid of the silken bands, because he thought that there was magic about them. The gods laughed, because such a great strong fellow as he feared little strips of silk. So Fenris said that if Tyr would let him hold his right hand in his mouth, he would consent to be bound. Brave Tyr knew what that meant ; but he stepped to Fenris's side, and put his right hand into the wolf's mouth, while the other gods fastened the silken bands. Then the great wolf howled and struggled, and bit Tyr's hand until he .bit it off ; but he could not break the magic bands. When he was tired out, the gods carried him to a great rock, to which they fastened him securely, with heavy iron chains. His bonds were never broken until the time of Ragnarok, or the Twilight of the Gods. J-. LOKI AND SKRYMSLI I. THE PEASANT'S TROUBLE Loki was not always bad. He was fond of mis- chief, and his pranks soon grew into practical jokes. But he was kind sometimes, and generous when it did not cost too much. Once a peasant played chess with a giant. The stake was the peasant's only son. The giant, whose name was Skrymsli, won the game, and said he would come for the boy the next clay. But if the parents could hide the child so that he could not find him, he would give up his claim. In their distress the peasants prayed to Odin for help. The All-father came to earth, changed the boy into a kernel of wheat, hid him in an ear of grain in a lar^e field, and assured the anxious father and mother that the giant would not be able to find him. The following day the giant came, searched the house, but failed to find the boy. Then he took the scythe and mowed the field of wheat. He selected a handful of ears, and chose the ear that 47 4 8 held the enchanted kernel. He was picking out the right grain of wheat, when Odin, hearing the cry of the child, snatched him from the giant's hand and returned him to his parents. But, he said, they must take care of him now, for he could do no more. Then they called on Odin's brother, Hcenir, who changed the boy into down, and hid him in the breast of a swan that was swimming in a pond near by. When the giant came, he went to the pond, caught the swan, bit off its head, and was about to swallow the down, when Hcenir wafted it away from his lips and sent it into the cottage. He gave the boy back to his parents, but declared that he could do no more. II. LOKI COMES TO THE RESCUE In despair, they invoked the aid of Loki, who came at once, carried the boy out to sea, changed him into a tiny tgg, and hid him in the roe of a flounder. Then he rowed back to shore, where he found the giant preparing for a fishing excursion. " Come with me," said Loki, " I will show you a good place to fish for herring." But Skrymsli wanted to fish for flounders, and thought he could do very well alone. Loki, there- 49 fore, insisted on going with him. Skrymsli rowed as far as he wished to go, baited his hook, caught several fish, and, at last, drew up the flounder in which Loki had concealed the precious egg. Then he rowed back to shore. Loki snatched the egg and set the boy on the landing, saying, " Run home now ; but go through the boat house and shut the door behind you." The frightened boy obeyed, and the giant rushed O J J after him. But Loki had fixed a spike in the boat house so that it should strike Skrymsli's head as he passed through. He fell ; and Loki, following, cut off one of his legs. To Lola's surprise, the pieces grew together again. He saw that it was the work of magic, but he cut off the other one, and threw a flint and steel between the leg and the body, which broke the charm, and the giant died. The thankful parents ever after regarded Loki as the greatest of the three gods, because he had deliv- ered them from their trouble, while the others had only helped them for a little time. NORSE MYTH STORIES '"•..,'•" THRYM I. THOR LOSES HIS HAMMER One night Thor had troubled dreams. He thought he saw a giant hand reaching- for his ham- mer, Mjolnir. He fancied Sif had lost her hair again. He seemed to hear distant thunder, as if a storm were raging, without his order. This brought him to his feet. He stretched out his hand for his hammer, but the pale moonlight showed him an empty shelf. Mjolnir was gone. His first thought was of Loki, the mischief maker. But, for once, Loki knew nothing about the trouble. Still Loki said he thought he could find the hammer, if Freya would lend him her falcon dress. In the gray light of early dawn, Thor and Loki went to Freya's palace, and waked the summer god- dess from her morning nap. She was very sorry to hear of Thor's loss, and readily lent him her falcon dress. Loki put it on, and flew away to Thrymheim. He found Thrym, the winter giant, king of all the frost giants, making collars of gold braid for his 50 5i dogs, and gold trappings for his horses. Sitting at the door of his house, he received Loki very kindly. In reply to Loki's question about Trior's hammer, he said : " I have horses and dogs as swift as the wind. I have cows with golden horns, and all-black oxen. I have gold, and jewels, and servants. All I need to make me perfectly happy is a gentle and beautiful wife. I have buried Thor's troublesome hammer eight miles under the earth ; and there it will stay until you bring me fair Freya, the summer goddess, to be my wife, and live in my wintry home." Loki was angry, but said he would see what could be done. II. THOR AS A BRIDE Loki flew back to Asgard, and told Thor what Thrym had said. " Freya must go," said Thor ; " for I must have my hammer," and they went again to Freya's palace to tell her to put on her bridal garments. But Freya refused to go to Thrymheim, and said she would never marry Thrym, the king of the frost giants. The gods and goddesses heard of Thor's loss, of the winter giant's threat to keep the hammer, and of his demand for Freya. They all met in the hall 52 of justice, to see what they could do, to induce Thrym to give up the hammer. Heimdal was the first to speak. " Dress Thor in bridal garments white as snow," said he. " Let flowing robes cover his feet. Fasten a bunch of keys, the badge of the housewife, to his girdle. Clasp a necklace of brilliant gems about his neck, even Freya's precious necklace, Brisinga-men. Throw a bridal veil over his head, and let him go to Thrym in Thrymheim." All the other gods applauded this speech; but bold Thor was afraid to put on woman's dress. He thought the gods would laugh at him ; but he could see no other way to get the hammer, and the ham- mer he must have. By this time, Loki had forgotten his anger, and was anxious to see how Thor would act in bridal robes ; so he said, " Dress me as the bride's waiting maid, and let me go too." The goddesses searched their wardrobes, to find draperies of snowy white, large enough to cover Thor's sinewy form, and a veil thick with rich em- broidery, to hide his bright red beard and his light- ning-flashing eyes. At last they were ready, the bride and the maid. Thor's goats were harnessed to his rumbling iron chariot ; and away they went to Thrymheim. 53 III. THE WEDDING FEAST Thrym was expecting his bride. He bade his servants make the great hall ready for the wedding feast. Tables were set with costly dishes, and a great abundance of food was prepared, rich and delicate, such as he supposed would suit the taste of a goddess from Asgard. Great kettles were filled with sparkling mead; and all awaited the arrival of the bride. Thrym heard the noise of the iron chariot; and soon the bride, attended by her maid, was led to the place of honor in the banquet hall. Her appe- tite was very good. She ate a whole ox, eight large salmon, and all the cakes and sweetmeats; and drank two barrels of mead. Loki, the maid, seeing Thrym's astonishment, whispered, " She has eaten nothing for eight days, she has been so anxious to come to the land of the giants/' Pleased at this, Thrym raised the veil to look at the bride's face. One glance of her eyes sent him to the opposite end of the hall. " Why are her eyes so piercing ? " he asked the maid. " Because," Loki answered, " she has not slept for eight nights, she has so longed for the land of the giants." 54 Thrym was glad to hear this, and wanted to have the marriage ceremony performed at once. But, true to his promise, he first ordered the hammer brought. Then the winter giant's sister, Famine, came in and asked, from the bride, a ring as a wedding pres- ent. Before an answer could be made, a servant laid the hammer on Thor's knees. Thor rose at once. Lightnings flashed from his eyes. Peals of thunder shook the house. The winter giant and his sister fell to the floor. Thor and Loki leaped into the chariot and drove back to Asgard. The walls of the house crumbled to earth, and farmers sowed grain where the banquet hall had been. ^ &-** iEGIR'S FEAST I. iEGIR WANTS A KETTLE y£GiR was the giant king of the ocean. Once a year, he invited the gods and goddesses to a feast in his great banquet hall under the ocean. They all liked to go, for JEgir was a good-natured giant and a genial host. There was always enough of everything, except mead ; that sometimes fell short, because JEgir s kettles were always too small, and now the largest one had been stolen. Thor, who was very fond of mead, said he would get a large kettle, if he only knew where to find one. Tyr, the god of war, was of a giant race. His father was Hymir, the giant of winter darkness ; and his mother was the beautiful goddess of light. Tyr said his father had a kettle a mile deep, and he thought Thor could get it. The goats were harnessed to the iron chariot, and Thor and Tyr set out for the land of the giants. After three days' journey, they came to the house of Hymir. It was late in the afternoon, about time for Hymir to come in from fishing. 55 56 The giant's wife, Tyr's mother, was very glad to see them, and invited them to supper. She was very beautiful ; but her companion in the house, Hymir's mother, was dreadful to look upon. Hymir's mother was a giantess with nine hundred heads, and every head was toothless, blind, and deaf. Tyr's mother said her husband was not always glad to see company ; and, when they heard him coming, it would be safer to hide under the kettles at the farther end of the hall. Soon the door opened, and Hymir came in, bringing a net, in which were a few whales and some other creatures from the sea. His hair and beard glistened with frozen spray. His wife spoke to him kindly, and told him that their son Tyr had come home, and had brought a friend with him. " Where are they now?" growled Hymir. " In the other end of the hall," answered his wife. Hymir looked so fiercely at a beam on which the kettles hung, that all but one fell down. Then the gods came out to greet the giant, who was put in better humor by the sight of his son, and by the flashing of Thor's eyes. y When supper was ready, they sat down to the table together. Three oxen were served. Thor ate two of them. " At this rate," grumbled Hymir, 57 we shall have to go fishing, to get enough to eat. Nothing would please me better," said Thor. II. HOW THOR FISHED The next morning, Hymir called to Thor : " Get up and get your own bait, if you want to go with me." Thor went out, and soon came back with the head of the best ox in all the giant's herd. Gruff old Hymir could say little, since he had sent his guest to catch his own bait; but he hur- ried to the boat as fast as he could, for fear Thor might want more bait. They took the oars, and both began to row. In a few minutes Hymir said, " I always stop here to fish." But Thor answered that it was not worth while to stop so near the shore, and rowed on until they were out of sight of land. Hymir said, " This is a good place to fish for whales." But Thor thought they had not gone quite far enough yet, and rowed out to mid-ocean. They stopped and baited their hooks. Hymir drew in two whales at once. Thor fastened the head of the ox on his hook, and began to pay out the line. Down went the ox head deeper and deeper, until it hung just above the jaws of the Midgard serpent, the great serpent that encircled the earth. 58 The serpent opened its dull eyes, and took the head into its mouth. The hook stuck fast in its throat. Thor pulled in his line, and up came the serpent. Tl^or pulled harder and harder until he broke th^fcfottom of the boat, and his feet went through