xxiii.
To the attentive reader of the Northern antiquities, a striking similarity will appear between them and the Grecian. Odin appears to be the Northern Adonis. He was beloved by Frigga, who represents Venus, and is killed at last by a Wolf, as Adonis was by a boar. He may also be compared with Mercury, on account of his eloquence, and authority over the souls of departed heroes, when they arrive at Valhalla. Horace says of Mercury—
Tu pias lætis animas reponis
Sedibus, virgaque levem coerces
Aurea torbam, superis Deorum
Gratus, et imis.
Sedibus, virgaque levem coerces
Aurea torbam, superis Deorum
Gratus, et imis.
Lok may be compared to the Apollo of the Grecians. Apollo was believed to be the author of plagues; so we find in the Voluspa, Lok threatening the Gods that he would spread infection through
