The Heroes of Asgard: Tales from Scandinavian MythologyKeary, Annie
General
The Heroes of Asgard: Tales from Scandinavian Mythology
Keary, Annie
Mythology, Norse -- Juvenile literature
"It is for the Æsir, it is for men," said Odin. "It is Odin's booty,
it is Odin's gift;" and immediately, in haste to share it, the Asa
spread eagle's wings, and flew far up, away from the barren rock, and
the black, cold halls of Suttung, towards his heavenly home. Alas for
Gunnlöd! she has lost her treasure and her Asa too. How cold the
cavern is now in which she sits! her light is gone out; she is left
alone; she is left weeping upon her golden throne. But Odin soared
upwards--flew on toward Asgard, and the Æsir came crowding upon the
city's jewelled walls to watch his approach. And soon they perceived
that two eagles were flying towards the city, the second pursuing the
first. The pursuing eagle was Suttung, who, as soon as he found that
his mead was gone, and that Odin eagle-wise had escaped his
vengeance, spread also _his_ eagle's wings, very strong and very
swift, in pursuit. Suttung appeared to gain upon Odin. Frigga feared
for her beloved. The Asyniur and the Æsir watched breathlessly. Frost
giants and Storm giants came crowding up from the deeps to see. "Does
Odin return amongst the gods?" they asked, "or will Suttung destroy
him?" It was not possible, however, that the struggle should end in
any way but one. The Divine bird dropped from the height upon his
Hall--the High One's Hall--and then there burst from him such a flood
of song that the widest limits of Æsir Land were overflowed--some
sounds even spilt themselves upon the common earth. "It is Poetry
herself, it is Odin's booty, it is Odin's gift. It is for the Æsir,
it is for the Æsir," said a thousand and a thousand songs. "And for
men," answered Allfather, with his million ringing, changing voices;
"it is for men." "Such as have sufficient wit to make a right use of
it," said Loki. And this was the first discordant note that troubled
Asgard after Odin's return.
* * * * *
In this tale, or rather in this arrangement of tales, most of the
chief gods are named, and one or two of the myths concerning them are
hinted at. The sweet mixture made out of Kvasir's blood, and given to
the giant Suttung to keep, was called, as we have seen, Odhærir. It
was kept in three jars, and though the name of it as a whole was
Odhærir, the portion in the second jar was also called "Sohn," and
that in the third jar "Bohn." Odhærir is mentioned in two of the
_Elder Edda_ Songs, and in the _Younger Edda_ an account is given of
Odin bringing it up to Asgard. Neither of the _Eddas_, it must be
remarked, mentions the banishment of the dwarfs and elves in
connection with Kvasir's death. The golden mead, Odhærir, is supposed
to signify poetry. The first syllable of the name means mind and
feeling. Odhærir, spirit mover. "Sohn" means reconciliation, or the
_offer_ of peace. "Bohn" means the _acceptance_ of peace,--these two
latter names referring to the origin of Kvasir, who was created out
of the peace made between the Æsir and the Vanir.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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