Northern mythology

5b
XORTHERX MYTHOLOGY.
;
enough of treasures^; Previa alone -was wanting to my
happiness/^
Early in the evening the giants assembled, and the
festivity began. Thor alone devoured an ox, eight salmon,
and all the dainties that are offered to ladies : to which,
by way of slaking his thii*st, he added three huge vessels
of mead. In amazement Thrym exclaimed, '" Xever did
I see a bride eat so voraciously, or diink so much mead."
But the pi-udent wairing-maid said, ^•' For eight nights
and days Freyia has eaten nothing, so fen^ently did she
long after Jotunheim.'' The giant then raised her veil,
and bent foi'wards, with the intention of kissing his bride,
but starting back in terror, rushed through the hall, exclaiming,
'' Why has Preyia so piercing a look ? Her eyes
bum like fire."' But the wily waiting-maid answered,
••'
For eight nights and days Freyia has had no sleep, so
fervently did she long after Jorunheim."
Then came in
the gianr's unlucky sister, to ask for a bridal gift, and
said, '•' Give me the rings of red gold from thy hand, if
thou wilt gain my love and favour." Thi-^TQ then said,
^'
Bring now the hammer in, to consecrate the bride ; lay
Miolnir in the maiden's lap,
and unite us in the name of
Tor-." But the heart of Hlon*idi, the stalwart god,
laughed in his breast, when he felt the hammer in his
hand. First he slew Thrym, then the whole giant tribe
and the gianVs sister got gashes for skillings, and hammerstrokes
for ruddy rings. And thus did Odin's son get
his hammer again^.
Of Thor axd Utgarda-Loki"^.—Once on a time Thor
^ Indians. Greeks and Scandinavians have been accustomed to adorn
the horns of cows with gilding. It has been remarked that even in recent
times the practice is not quite obsolete in the North : the ox that was
given to the people at the coronation of Christian VII. having had gilded
horns. F. Magnusen, Den .Eldre Edda. ii. 124.
- See pa^e 35. ^ Hamarsheimt.
* See a travestie of this story- in Saxo. pp. 429. sq.