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“Odin pursues his way; his horse causes the infernal caverns to resound and tremble: at length he reaches the deep abode of Death, and stops near to the eastern gate, where stands the tomb of the Prophetess.
“He sings to her verses adapted to call up the dead. He looks towards the north; he engraves Runic characters on her tomb; he utters mysterious words; he demands an answer: until the Prophetess is constrained to arise, and thus utters the words of the dead.
“WHO is this unknown that dares disturb my repose, and drag me from my grave, wherein I have lien dead so long, all covered with snow, and moistened with the rains, &c.”
The other prodigies, which Odin in the Runic Chapter boasts he has the power of
performing, are not of less importance.
“[1]IF I will that a man should neither fall in battle, nor perish by the sword, I sprinkle him over with water at the instant of his birth.” We may here recollect what I have said in the former Volume concerning the baptism of the people of the north, while they were yet Pagans[2].
"If
