Page:Northern Antiquities 2.djvu/240

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Combats; Giants contending with the Gods; Loke perpetually deceiving them; Thor interposing in their defence, &c. This is nearly the whole of the Second Part. It would tire our Reader's patience to insert it here intire, although it is three-fourths less than the former. I shall perhaps stand in need of his indulgence, while I barely aim at giving him a succinct idea of it.


Æger, a Danish nobleman, was desirous, in imitation of Gylfe, of going to Asgard, to visit the Gods. The Deities expecting his coming, immediately mounted on their lofty seats, that they might receive him with the greater dignity: and the Goddesses, who yielded to them in nothing, took their places along with them. Æger was splendidly entertained. Odin had ranged all along the hall where they feasted, swords of such an amazing brilliancy and polish, that no other illuminations were wanted. All the walls were covered with glittering shields. They continued drinking for a long time large draughts of the most excellent mead. Brage, the God of Eloquence, sat next to Eger, and the Gods had committed their guest to his care. The conversation that passed between Æger and this Deity, is the subject of this Second Part of the Edda. Brage begins with