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THE DOWNFALL OF THE WOKLD. 141
CilAPTER XII.
OF THE DOWNFALL OF THE WOELD.
Immediately following the Creation of the World
the Asa doctrine establishes a time of peace among
Gods^ and Men. But it vanished from Heaven
when the JEsir allowed the Jotuns to creep into
their midst, and even formed connections with them
in order to satisfy their desires, or to employ their
powers to their own advantage ;
thus they impaired
their Godlike power, and gave their enemies the
courage to begin the great battle which was to en-
dure till the destruction of the World. From the
Earth, also, the time of guiltless peace disappeared
when men became acquainted with the Jotun-power
of gold, and set their minds and their dependence
upon it. Then the Gods were offended, Odin cast
his spear over the people, and strife began upon the
Earth. Such appears to be the meaning of the
somewhat obscure expressions of the Yoluspa on
this subject. Thus excessive cupidity and lust were
regarded as the cause of the degeneration of the
Godlike powers and of the mutual dissensions among
men.*
The Asa doctrine represents Loki as the author
* The O. Edda ;
1*
Voluspd, 25-28.