but unconstrained by prudence it degenerates into cunning and deceitfulness; killing is honorable, but unconstrained by justice and valor it becomes foul murder; to break a promise that can no longer be kept is proper, but when done recklessly it is perjury. We find, throughout the life of the gods, light and darkness well defined and distinctly separated. Loke fluctuates between the two; he gradually leaves light and unites himself to darkness. The darkness of night supplants the light of day; the gloomy winter overcomes the shining summer. The gods learn that they are subject to the infirmities of old age; the rejuvenating Idun sinks into the abyss. From the depths below, Odin receives warnings that the light of life may be extinguished. Loke begins his conflict with Balder; finally his stratagem and cunning gain a victory, and all the sorrowing of nature is in vain. Loke is chained, but Balder does not return from Hel. Vale has avenged his brother’s death, but the end of life is at hand. And now we are prepared for RAGNAROK, followed by the REGENERATION OF THE EARTH. Footnote 75: Peasant, farmer. Footnote 76: To anyone who wishes to read this great epic of the North, we would recommend the _Völsunga Saga_ translated by Eiríkr Magnússon and William Morris. London, 1872. Footnote 77: They are both derived from the Anglo-Saxon _hélan_ or _helian_, to cover, to conceal; compare the English _to hill_. Footnote 78: For a more complete discussion of this subject the reader is referred to Keyser’s _Religion of the Northmen_ translated by Barclay Pennock. New York, 1854. Footnote 79: The Fenris-wolf. Footnote 80: Thok. PART III. RAGNAROK AND REGENERATION. SKULD. Lítið sjáum aptr, En ekki fram; Skyggir Skuld fyrir sjón. CHAPTER I. RAGNAROK. The final destruction of the world, and regeneration of gods and men, is called Ragnarok; that is, the Twilight of the gods (_Ragna_, from _regin_, gods, and _rökr_, darkness). The journey through life has been a long one, and yet we have not reached the end, for the end is also the beginning. Death is the center, where the present and future existence meet. When life ends, there is a change, there comes a new day and a sun without a shadow.