Voluspá hin skamma The Short Voluspá extracted from Hyndluljóð From The Poetic Edda Translated by Carolyne Larrington Back to Source Texts Index

Eleven were the Aesir when all counted up, Baldr had slumped against a death-hummock; Vali was born to avenge this, the death of his brother, he slew the killer; (all these are you kin, Ottar the foolish). Baldr's father was heir to Bur, Freyr married Gerd, she was Gymir's daughter, of the giant race, and Aurboda's; though Thiaza was their kinsman, the giant who loved to shoot, Skadi was his daughter. Much have we told you, we will tell you more, it's important that you know it, do you want to know more? Haki was the best by far of the sons of Hvaedna, and Hvaedna's father was Hiorvard, Heid and Horse-theif were Hrimnir's children. All the seeresses are descended from Vidolf, all the wizards from Vilmeid, and the seid-practitioners from Svarthofdi, all the giants come from Ymir. Much have we told you, we will tell you more, it's important that you know it, do you want to know more? One was born in bygone days, with enormous power of the sons of men; then nine women gave birth to him, to the spear-magnificent man, daughers of giants, at the edge of the Earth. Much have we told you, we will tell you more, it's important that you know it, do you want to know more? Gialp bore him, Greip bore him, Eistla bore him and Eyrgiafa; Ulfrun and Angeyja, Imd and Atla and Iarnsaxa. He was empowered with the strength of the earth, the cool waves of the sea, and sacrificial blood. Much have we told you, we will tell you more, it's important that you know it, do you want to know more? Loki got the wolf on Angrboda, and he got Sleipnir on Svadlifari; one monster was thought the most baleful, who was descended from Byleist's brother. Loki ate some of the heart, the thought-stone of a woman, roasted on a linden-wood fire, he found it half-cooked; Lopt was impregnated by a wicked woman, from whom every ogress on earth is descended. The ocean stirs up storms against heaven itself, washes over the land, and the air yields; from there come snow and biting winds; then it is decreed that the gods come to their end. One was born greater than all, he was empowered with the strength of Earth; he is said to be the wealthiest of princes, closely related to all the families. Then will come another, even mightier, though I do not dare to name his name; few can now see further than when Odin has to meet the wolf. _______________________________________________________________________ The Poetic Edda, Translated by Carolyne Larrington, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-282383-3 ______________________________________________________________________ Back to Top Back to Source Texts Index Back to Woden's Harrow Home