This path was long to go, And full of risks severe, But known not to the foe, Whose envy he must fear. The course would lead him past The Land of Ogres, then, Along the coast at last, To reach his home again. Like people with dog's jaw; Thus was the ogres' form. They ate their meat while raw, And drank fresh blood still warm. No mercy could distract Their hunt for humankind. On foot their prey they tracked, Killed all that they could find! Still, men could foil their hunt, By wearing footwear turned, The heel towards the front, So none their path discerned.- Still further was a land Where lived in caves deep set, Of little folk a band, Who helped all those they met. Within their lands were found The Gardens of the Sun. So when it from the ground Rose up, its course to run, It hung close to your hand.- Which meant, at dawn of day, In caves they had to stand, Or burn up in its ray. Here shelves nobody knew, Nor cups on hooks hung loose; Behind the clouds they threw Their spoons straight after use. To get the washing clean, The maids boiled what they wear; Then clouds of steam were seen, And storms formed in the air. On leaving from this land, No more they would see sky, But in the darkness stand, And endless sea pass by. At length their eyes would sight A Hill of Diamonds rare, That sparkles giving light.- Yet none to land should dare! Bright shining is the peak, It glistens without stop- But let no sailor seek, To climb up to the top! Still further on their way, The sky would lighten, then The night would yield to day, And they would see again. A verdant island near Its beauty plain would show.- But let them all know fear, And never closer go! This island to it draws All vessels from the sea, And once upon its shores, They never more come free. If cunning he revealed, Through all these troubles passed, The Northern Sea would yield And bring him home at last. Heartfelt Bearslayer then His earnest thanks could say; Together called his men To set out on their way. But quickly they all scorned Their life of ease to break.- The North Wind's Daughter warned, Her father soon would wake. Then all would be in vain, Their homes they would not reach.- They hurried back again And rushed down to the beach. Their ship they found safe there, As it had been before. It needed no repair, To leave this northern shore. But ice-flows formed up fast And ringed them all around. They felt earth tremors vast, That shook the island's ground. The North Wind's Daughter's cries Were, "Save yourselves and go, My father soon will rise, And winter storms will blow!" Then all knew that they must At once raise up the sail, And, with the wind's first gust, They tried to flee the gale. They scarcely were at sea, When, with a tempest's roar, The snow-capped waves rose free- The North Wind slept no more! In fear of death the crew Exerted all their strength; Before the wind they flew, And got to sea at length. The Land of the Dog-Snout Ogres