The History of Initiation - The Masonic Trowel

176 HISTORY OF INITIATION
ruin. Arriving, at length, on the banks of a sluggish
stream, he was directed to plunge into the waters of
purification and explore the caverns situate on the opposite
bank. Soon his progress was intercepted by the
totally useless ; the stars shall fly away and vanish from the heavens ;
the earth and the mountains shall be seen violently agitated; the
trees torn up from the earth by the roots the ; tottering hills to tumble
headlong from their foundations all the chains and irons of the
;
prisoners to be broken and dashed in pieces. Then is the wolf Fenris
let loose the sea rushes ;
impetuously over the earth, because the great
Serpent, changed into a spectre, gains the shore. The Naglefara is set
afloat; this vessel is constructed of the nails of dead men for ; which
reason great care should be taken not to die with unpared nails for
;
he who dies so supplies materials towards the building of that vessel,
which gods and men will wish were finished as late as possible. The
Giant Rymer is the pilot of this vessel, which the sea breaking over
its banks, wafts along with it. The wolf Fenris, advancing, opens his
enormous mouth ; his lower jaw reaches to the earth, and his upper
jaw to the heavens, and would reach still farther, were space itself
found to admit of it. The burning fire flashes out from his eyes and
nostrils. The great Serpent vomits forth floods of poison, which
overwhelm the air and the waters. This terrible monster places
himself by the side of the wolf. In this confusion the heavens shall
cleave asunder and ; by this breach the Genii of Fire enter on horseback.
Surtur is at their head; before and behind him sparkles a
bright, glowing fire. His sword outshines the sun itself. The army
of these Genii, passing on horseback over the bridge of heaven, break
it in pieces : thence they direct their course to a plain, where they
are joined by the wolf Fenris and the great Serpent. Thither also
repair Loke and the Giant Rymer, and with them all the Giants of
the Frost, who follow Loke even to death. The Genii of Fire march
first in battle array, forming a most brilliant squadron on this plain,
which is an hundred degrees square on every side. During these
prodigies, Heimdal, the door-keeper of the gods, rises up he ; violently
sounds his clanging trumpet to awaken the gods, who instantly assemble.
Then Odin repairs to the fountain of Mimis, to consult what he
ought to do, he and his army. The great Ash Tree Ydrasil is shaken ;
nor is anything in heaven or earth exempt from fear and danger. The
gods are clad in armour; Odin puts on his golden helmet, and his
resplendent cuirass he ; grasps his sword, and marches directly against
the wolf Fenris. He hath Thor at his side; but this god cannot
assist him, for he himself fights with the Great Serpent. Frey
encounters Surtur, and terrible blows are exchanged on both sides,
till Frey is beat down ; he owes his defeat to his having formerly
given his sword. to his attendant Skyrner. That day also is let loose
the dog, named Garmer. who hath hitherto been chained at the
entrance of a cavern. He is a monster dreadful even to the gods; he
attacks Tyr. and they kill each other. Thor beats down the Great
Serpent to the earth, but at the same time recoiling back nine steps,
he falls dead upon the spot, suffocated with floods of venom, which
the serpent vomits forth upon him. Odin is devoured by the wolf
Fenris. At the same instant, Vidar advances, and, pressing down the