Translation:Baldrs draumar
For other English-language translations of this work, see Baldrs draumar.
Later the gods wereall in a meetingand the goddessesall in conversation,and the powerful godstalked aboutwhy there werebad dreams for Baldr.
Up rose Óðinn,the ancient ruler,and he laid the saddleon Sleipnir.He rode from there, downto mist-hell;he met a dog,which came out of hell.
It was bloodyin front, round its breast,and bayed for a long timeat the father of magic.Óðinn rode on,the earth-road resounded;he came to the highhouse of Hel.
Then Óðinn rodeto the door to the east,where he knew ofa witch’s grave.He began to singa wiser death-spelluntil, under duress, she rose,and said these words:
‘What person is it—unfamiliar to me—who has strengthened mefor a difficult journey?I was snowed on with snowand beaten with rainand soaked with dew;I was dead a long time.’
Óðinn said:I am called Road-Tame,I am the son of Death-Tame,tell me about hell—I must go from the world;for whom are the benchesstrewn with rings,the fine daisoverflowed with gold?’
The witch said:‘Here stands meadbrewed for Baldr,bright drinks;a shield lies over them;and the sons of gods arein suspense.I speak under duress;now I will be silent.’
Óðinn said:‘Don’t fall silent, witch:I want to ask you,to know everything;I still want to knowwho will becomeBaldr’s slayerand steal Óðinn’s sonfrom life?’
The witch said:
‘Höðr will carry the highfame-tree here:he will becomeBaldr’s slayerand steal Óðinn’s sonfrom life.I speak under duress;now I will be silent.’
Óðinn said:‘Don’t fall silent, witch,I want to ask you,to know everything;I still want to knowwho will get the evil deedavenged on Höðr,or convey Baldr’sslayer onto the funeral pyre?’
The witch said:‘Rindr will bear Váliin western halls:he, Óðinn’s son,will fight when one night old;he’ll neither wash his handsnor comb his headbefore he conveys Baldr’sshooter onto the funeral pyre.I speak under duress;now I will be silent.’
Óðinn said:‘Don’t fall silent, witch,I want to ask you,to know everything;I still want to knowwho the maidens arewho will weep from longingand throw into the skythe corners of their neck-cloths?’
The witch replied:‘You’re not Road-Tame,as I thought,but you’re Óðinn,the ancient ruler.’
Óðinn said:‘You’re not a witch,nor a wise women,but you’re the motherof three ogres.’
The witch said:‘Ride home, Óðinn,and be proud:no more man will comeback on a visit like you,when Loki is loose,slips from his bonds,and the fate of the godscomes, ripping everything apart.’