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102 EELIGION OF THE NORTHMEN.
than the sun. They all haste on toward the battle-
field, the immense plains of YigriS.
Heimdall now arises and blows with all his
strength ii^Gjallar-horn. The gods all assemble
together. Yggdrasill's ash is shaken, and everything
in heaven and earth is filled with terror. The
-ifEsir and Einherjar arm themselves and rash forth
to battle. 0(|in rides at their head and meets the
Fenris-wolf ; Thor fights at his side against the Mi6'
garS-serpent. Freyr combats with Surtur, but falls,
for he has no sword. Loki and Heimdall slay each
other. Thor kills the Mi5gar6-serpent, but it vomits
forth upon him a flood of venom. He gives way
nine steps backwards, but falls dead to the ground.
The Fenris-wolf swallows Odin, but falls in turn
before the strong YiSarr, who splits its jaws asun-
der. Then Surtur slings his fire over the world.
Smoke wreathes up around the aU-nourishing tree,
the high flames play against the heavens, and earth,
consumed, sinks down beneath the sea.