( 191 )
daughters of Misfortune;” “the hailstones of helmets.” The Battle-Ax is “the hand of the Homicide, or Slaughterer:” The Eye, “the torch or flambeau of the countenance;” “the diamond of the head.” The Grass and Herbage, “the hair, and the fleece of the earth.” Hair, “the forest of the head:” and if it be white, “the snow of the brain.” The Earth is, “the vessel that floats on the ages;” “the basis, or foundation of the air;” “the daughter of the night.” Night, “the veil of discourse and cares.” A Combat, “the crash of arms; the shower of darts; the clangor of swords; the bath of blood.” The Sea is “the field of pirates:” A Ship, “their skate;” and “the horse of the waves.” Rocks are “the bones of the earth.” The Wind is “the tiger, the lyon, who darts himself upon the houses and vessels,” &c. &c.
Snorro’s work, as published by Resenius, concludes with this collection of Epithets; but in the old MS. preserved at Upsal, and in some others, we find at the end of this Dictionary a small Treatise, by the same Author, on the Construction and Mechanism of the Gothic or Icelandic Metre. If we had a greater number of the ancient Celtic verses remaining[1], this
- ↑ If by “Celtic Verses” here, our Author means those of the ancient Gauls in particular; I know not
