Northern mythology

:
198 XORTHERX MYTHOLOGY.
the allusion is perhaps to the earth prepared by the
plough ; but when, in Skirnir^s journey, she is described
as a beautiful girl, with bright, shining arms, the image
is
without doubt borrowed from the seed, the bright, yellow
corn, so beneticial to man. She is of giant race, of
earth, and as yet dead, but, nevertheless, fair and fertile.
Her resemblance to Ceres is evident : Geres, quod (/e}'it
fruges^; 0. Nor. gera, gcrM : Lat. gcro, gessi. Barri, or
Barey, is the wood or isle of ffernis or buds, from bar, bud,
the eye in a tree, the winded seed. When the god of fruitfulness
embraces the seed, it shoots forth ; and that takes
place with the aid of Skirnir. Gerd's father, G^-mir
(Geymir), denotes one who keeps, lat/s by. Her mother's
name, Aurboda, alludes to the material, earthly substance
that is not yet developed. Frey parted with his sword.
This seems to indicate that he lost liis fertilizing power
he gave it to Skirnir, but whether the latter retained it,
or what became of it, does not appear froui the myth. He
does not require it in his combat with Beli'-. The myth
respecting Beli is not complete, and, therefore, obscure.
It may. however, be noticed that the interpreters take him
for Gerd's brother, of whom she says, that she is fearful
Skirnir will be her brother's destroyer^'. We may here
also observe, that in the Lokaglepsa'* two attendants are
attributed to Frey, Beyggvir and his wife Beyla. Of
Beyggvir Loki says, that he is a little, pert being that is
always hanging at the ear of Frey, and makes a rattling
imder or by the hand-mill ; that he can never distribute
meat to men, and that he hid himself in the bed-straw
when men contended. Of Beyla he says, that she is full
of evil, and that an uglier monster never came among the
^Esir, nor a dirtier slut. Professor Petei*sen considers it
evident that by Beyggvir the refuse of the mill, as chaff,
1 Viuro lie L. L. v. G4. " Pages. 49, 79, SI.
"
Skirnis-tor. Str. 10 and page 47. ^ Str. 44-46, 53. 56.