Northern mythology

NORTHERN MYTHOLOGY. 83
;
and murderers,
through waters foul,
wading she saw%
and who the ears beguile
of others' wives.
But in Hvergelmir it is worst ;
the serpent Nidhogg
sucks the dead bodies,
the wolf tears them.
there ^
There too the river Slid (Slij^r) falls from the east
through poisonous valleys, filled with mud and swords ^.
Of the New World.—There will arise, a second time,
an earth from ocean, in verdant beauty; waterfalls will
descend, the eagle fly over that catches fish in the mountain-streams.
The ^Esir will meet again on Ida's plain,
and of the mighty earth-encircler speak. There will they
remember the great deeds of old, and the glorious gods'
ancient lore. Then will they find in the grass the wondrous
golden tables, which at Time's origin, the prince of
gods and Fiolnir's race had possessed. Unsown fields
shall then bear fruit, all evil cease. Baldur shall return
he and Hod dwell in Odin's noble hall, the heavenly god's
abode. Hoenir shall there offerings receive, and two brothers'
sons inhabit the spacious Vindheim.
There will be
a hall brighter than the sun, roofed with gold, in Gimli
there virtuous folk shall dwell, and happiness enjoy for
evermore. Then will come the Mighty One to the gods'
council, powerful from above, he who rules all things :
will pronounce judgements, and appease quarrels, establish
peace that shall last for ever. But from beneath, from
Nidafell will come flying the
dusky, spotted serpent Nidhogg,
bearing dead carcases on his wings ^.
he
In Snorri's Edda the renew^al of the world is thus de-
1 Vbluspa, Str. 45. 2 jb. Sir. 42.
3 Gylf. 17, 52, 53. Voluspa, Str. 42-45, 59-66. Vafkudiiism. Str. 39,
45, 47, 48, 49, 51. Hyndlulj. Str. 41.