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IMAGES OF THE GODS. 201
How great the superstition of many of the Northmen
was in regard to the idols, is attested by many
passages in the Sagas, although it must be confessed
that the superstition and blind zeal of the first Chris-
tian teachers gave rise to divers extravagances in
these accounts. The peasants placed food every day
before a statue of Thor in Gudbrandsdal, and be-
lieved that the God consumed it.* Of Thorgerd
HDrgabr48's statue it is related that it made known
to H^on Jarl the Goddess's delight in his offerings,
by bending down its arm so that he was enabled to
draw off the only gold ring which adorned it.f A
statue of Thor at EauSsey in Naumdal, is described
as being so strengthened (magnat) by offerings, that
it could speak with its worshiper Ilau5, and accompany
him about the island, that it could call forth
storms by blowing in its beard, and could even play
at the game of drawing hooks over a fire with King
Olaf Tryggvason. In this sport, however, it came
off a loser, fell into the fire and was destroyed.:!:
When Dala-Gudbrand saw his temple burned down
and the statues of his Gods lying out upon the ground
unharmed, he cried out, "^reat power is given unto
our Gods, that they of themselves have gone out of
the fire ! " But Hakon Jarl, who was less blinded,
said, " The Gods have not done this ; some person
has burned the temple and carried out the Gods.
But" he continued, " the Gods do not avenge them-
* Snor.; OL Hel. S. 118.
t
Fareying. S. 23 ; 01. Tr. S. in Fornm. S. 184.
i OL Tr. S. in Fornm. S. 145, 160,