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98 EELJGION OF THE NOETHMEN.
CHAPTEE lY.
PKOPAGATION OF EVIL ; DECLItTE AKD FAIL OF THE
WOELD.
In the first ages of the world there was a glorious
time of peace among the gods and men. But
Jotun-women came to Asgard, and the .^Esir formed
connections with them. Then happiness was de-
the air was poisoned with wickedness, and
stroyed ;
strife was begun in heaven and on the earth, to
continue until the destruction of both. The Jotnns
attack the ^sir, now with strength and now with
cunning : nought but the power of Thor is able to
prevail over them.
The author of the greatest misfortunes which
have befallen the gods and men, is Loki or Loptr.
He is of Jotun descent, but was received among the
.^ir, and even in the morning of time he was the
foster-brother of Odin. He is of a fair countenance
but evil in disposition. He is called the Slanderer
of the Gods,' the source of deceitful cimning, a dis-
grace among gods and men. He accompanied the
^sir, and they often made use of his strength and
cunning ; but he still oftener acted in concert with
the Jotuns for the destruction of the -^ir. .
Loki had three children by the Jotun-woman
Angurbo5a: the Fenris-wolf, the World-serpent
(Mi5gar6s-ormr, also called Jormungandr), and Hel,