Dvergatal

Dvergatal
The Catalog of Dwarfs
From Völuspá, Stanszas 9-16

Translation by Lee M. Hollander of Dvergatal
in the Poetic Edda, from which the following is taken.

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9

Then gathered together the gods for council,
the holy hosts, and held converse:
who the deep-dwelling dwarfs was to make
of Brimir's blood and Blain's 1 bones.

10

Mótsognir rose, mightest ruler
of the kin of dwarfs, but Durin next;
molded many manlike bodies
the dwarfs under erath, as Durin bade them.

11

Nýi and Nithi, 2 Northri and Suthri,
Austri and Vestri, 3 Althjóf, Dvalin,
Nár and Náin, Níping, Dáin,
Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Nóri,
Án and Onar, Ái, Mjóthvitnir.

12

Veig and Gandálf, Vindálf, Thráin,
Thekk and Thorin, Thrór, Vit, and Lit,
Nár and Regin, Nýráth and Ráthsvith;
now is reckoned the roster of dwarfs.

13

Fíli, Kíli, Fundin, Náli,
Heptifíli, Hanar, Svíur,
Frár, Hornbori, Fræg and Lóni,
Aurvang, Jari, Eikinskjaldi.

14

The dwarfs I tell now in Dvalin's host,
down to Lofar- for listening wights-
they who hied them from halls of stone
over sedgy shores to sandy plains. 4

15

There was Draupnir and Dólgthrasir,
Hár and Haugspori, Hlévang, Gloi,
Skirvir, Virvir, Skafith, Ái,
Álf and Yngvi, Eikinskjaldi,

16

Fjalar and Frosti, Finn and Ginnar.
Will ever be known, while earth doth last,
the line of dwarfs to Lofar down.

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The Poetic Edda
Translated by Lee M Hollander © 1962
ISBN 0-292-76499-5
LCCCN 61-10045
Fifth paperback printing 1994
University of Texas Press
Box 7819, Austin, Texas, 78713-7819

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Notes

1. Two giants. The meaning of a number of names in this Þula or rigmarole, is uncertain; that of others, quite obvious. Most seem to refer to the nether world of death, cold, dissolution; a few, to natural phenomena and to the skill for which the dwarfs were known. It will be noted that some names are applied also to other beings - gods, giants, and men - mentioned in the Collection.

2. Waxing and Waning Moon.

3. North, South, East, and West.

4. Conjectural.

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