From Gymer’s house I have seen a maiden issue For whom I long. Her fair arms shone So as to enlighten air and sea. Dearer is the maid to me Than ever was maid to any youth. But of gods or demigods Not one will wish That we should be united. Skirnir loves the lord with whom he was reared; and he proposes, if Freyr will give him the horse “regardless of flame,” and the sword, to go and win the lady for him. Having mounted, he thus addressed the animal:— “Dark is the night without; Yet it is time for us to go Through the misty hills, Through the land of the Thurser. We both must return, Or both be seized By the powerful giant.” He rode to Jotunheim, and before the gate of Gymer saw fierce dogs. On a hill close by was a herdsman, to whom he rode, and inquired by what means he might pass the dogs so as to speak with Gymer’s daughter. The herdsman replied, that he must either be dead already, or about to die, to venture on such an errand; never could he speak to the lady. Skirnir observed, that he could but die; that he feared not death; and he dismounted. The noise attracted the attention of Gerda: she caused the stranger to enter, and thus addressed him:— “Who art thou?—of the elves? Or of the Aser sons? Or of the wiser Vaner? Why comest thou hither, alone, Through raging flames To visit our hall?”