The Prose Edda
Snorri Sturluson (Rasmus Anderson translation)
1,062 passages indexed from The Prose Edda (Snorri Sturluson (Rasmus Anderson translation)) — Page 17 of 22
License: Public Domain
The Prose Edda, passage 247
Thrymheim it is called Where Thjasse dwelt, That mightiest giant. But now dwells Skade, Pure bride of the gods, In her father’s old homestead.[38]
The Prose Edda, passage 697
It is said that the earth’s circle (Heimskringla), which the human race inhabits, is torn across into many bights, so that great seas run into the land from the out-ocean. Thus it is known that a great sea goes into Njorvasound,[102] and up to the land of Jerusalem.
The Prose Edda, passage 775
Then began in his day the Frode-peace; and then there were good seasons in all the land, which the Swedes ascribed to Frey, so that he was more worshiped than the other gods, as the people became much richer in his days by reason of the peace and good seasons. His wife was called Gerd, daughter of Gymer, and their son was called Fjolner.
The Prose Edda, passage 1031
Oder, 97, 112, 228, 238. Odin, 5-10, 29, 39, 43, 45-47, 60, 65, 73, 77, 80, 83, 86, 89, 96, 100, 104-112, 132-134, 137, 142, 143, 145, 153, 155, 157, 158, 160-165, 168-176, 181, 185, 186, 187, 189-192, 194, 195, 206, 221, 239, 240, 243-263. Odinse, 230, 231, 250. Odinstown, 232. Odoacer, 223. Odrarer, 160-165. Odyssey, 22, 224. Ofner, 76, 245, 247. Oin, 70. Oku-Thor, 82, 151, 167, 168, 209. Olafsson (Magnus), 17. Olafsson (Stephan), 17. Olaf (Thordsson), 9, 20, 22, 23-27. Olaf (Tryggvason), 261. Olvalde, 159. Ome, 54, 81, 245. Onar, 70. Orboda, 101. Ore, 70, 71. Orestes, 223. Orkneys, 218. Ormt, 73. Orner, 210. Orvandel, 173-175. Oske, 54, 81, 245, 247. Otter, 193. Ottilia, 255.
The Prose Edda, passage 111
They were all men of the greatest accomplishments, and Jupiter was by far the greatest; he was a warrior and won many kingdoms; he was also crafty like his father, and took upon himself the likeness of many animals, and thus he accomplished many things which are impossible for mankind; and on account of this, and other things, he was held in awe by all nations. Therefore Jupiter is put in the place of Thor, since all evil wights fear him.
The Prose Edda, passage 1060
Echoes from Mistland; Echoes from Mist-Land _inconsistent forms in original_
The Prose Edda, passage 614
This was his death. Gunnar he threw into a den of snakes, but a harp was secretly brought to him, and he played the harp with his toes (for his hands were fettered), so that all the snakes fell asleep excepting the adder, which rushed at him and bit him in the breast, and then thrust its head into the wound and clung to his liver until he died. Gunnar and Hogne are called Niflungs (Niblungs) and Gjukungs. Hence gold is called the Niflung treasure or inheritance.
The Prose Edda, passage 141
Thinking thatchers Thatched the roof; The beams of the burg Beamed with gold.[9]
The Prose Edda, passage 594
Fafner answered that there was but little hope that he would share the gold with his brother, since he had himself slain his father to obtain it; and he commanded Regin to get him gone, for else the same thing would happen to him as had happened to Hreidmar. Fafner had taken the sword hight Hrotte, and the helmet which had belonged to his father, and the latter he had placed on his head. This was called the Æger’s helmet, and it was a terror to all living to behold it.
The Prose Edda, passage 344
When Thor took the provision-sack and was to open it, then happened what seems incredible, but still it must be told,--that he could not get one knot loosened, nor could he stir a single end of the strings so that it was looser than before. When he saw that all his efforts were in vain he became wroth, seized his hammer Mjolner with both his hands, stepped with one foot forward to where Skrymer was lying and dashed the hammer at his head.
The Prose Edda, passage 803
Grim is my name And Ganglere, Herjan and Helmet-bearer, Thekk and Thride, Thud and Ud, Helblinde and Har,
The Prose Edda, passage 786
[Footnote 134: The word fornjot can be explained in two ways: either as for-njot = the first enjoyer, possessor; or as forn-jot, the ancient giant. He would then correspond to Ymer.]
The Prose Edda, passage 1022
Iceland, 240. Ida, 148. Idavold, 69. Ide, 159. Idun, 6, 7, 10, 28, 87, 88, 153, 155, 157, 184-187, 264. Iliad, 22, 221, 224. Ilos, 43. India, 28, 244. Irmina, 255. Ironwood, 57. Isefjord, 231. Italy, 42, 222. Ithaca, 223. Itrman, 45. Iva, 182. Ivalde, 112, 189.
The Prose Edda, passage 501
But when the asas grew weary of his arrogance, they named Thor’s name. At once Thor was in the hall, swung his hammer in the air, and, being exceedingly wroth, asked who was to blame that dog-wise giants were permitted to drink there, who had given Hrungner permission to be in Valhal, and why Freyja should pour ale for him as she did in the feasts of the asas.
The Prose Edda, passage 837
In the later popular belief, the dwarfs are generally called the subterraneans, the brown men in the moor, etc. They make themselves invisible by a hat or hood. The women spin and weave, the men are smiths. In Norway rock-crystal is called dwarf-stone. Certain stones are in Denmark called dwarf-hammers. They borrow things and seek advice from people, and beg aid for their wives when in labor, all which services they reward. But they also lame cattle, are thievish, and will carry off damsels. There have been instances of dwarf females having married and had children with men. (Thorpe’s Northern Mythology.)
The Prose Edda, passage 286
The fifth is Fulla, who is also a may, she wears her hair flowing and has a golden ribbon about her head; she carries Frigg’s chest, takes care of her shoes and knows her secrets. The sixth is Freyja, who is ranked with Frigg. She is wedded to the man whose name is Oder; their daughter’s name is Hnos, and she is so fair that all things fair and precious are called, from her name, Hnos. Oder went far away. Freyja weeps for him, but her tears are red gold.
The Prose Edda, passage 144
Gates all, Before in you go, You must examine well; For you cannot know Where enemies sit In the house before you.[11]
The Prose Edda, passage 401
First of all came Odin, accompanied by Frigg and the valkyries and his ravens. Frey came riding in his chariot drawn by the boar called Gullinburste or Slidrugtanne. Heimdal rode his steed Gulltop, and Freyja drove her cats. There was a large number of frost-giants and mountain-giants. Odin laid on the funeral-pile his gold ring, Draupner, which had the property of producing, every ninth night, eight gold rings of equal weight. Balder’s horse, fully caparisoned, was led to his master’s pile.
The Prose Edda, passage 700
There are giants,[107] and there are dwarfs,[108] and there are also blue men.[109] There are wild beasts and dreadfully large dragons. On the north side of the mountains, which lie outside of all inhabited lands, runs a river through Svithjod, which is properly called by the name of Tanais,[110] but was formerly called Tanaquisl or Vanaquisl, and which falls into the ocean at the Black Sea.
The Prose Edda, passage 496
Mode and Magne, the sons of Oku-Thor, came to crave the land of Ale or Vidar. He is Æneas. He came away from Troy, and wrought thereupon great works. It is said that the sons of Hektor came to Frigialand and established themselves in that kingdom, but banished Elenus.
The Prose Edda, passage 723
In those times the Roman chiefs went wide around the world, subduing to themselves all people; and on this account many chiefs fled from their domains.[118] Odin set his brothers Vile and Ve over Asgard, and he himself, with all the gods and a great many other people, wandered out, first westward to Gardarike (Russia), and then south to Saxland (Germany). He had many sons, and after having subdued an extensive kingdom in Saxland he set his sons to defend the country.
The Prose Edda, passage 196
Then the gods set themselves in their high-seats and held counsel. They remembered how the dwarfs had quickened in the mould of the earth like maggots in flesh. The dwarfs had first been created and had quickened in Ymer’s flesh, and were then maggots; but now, by the decision of the gods, they got the understanding and likeness of men, but still had to dwell in the earth and in rocks. Modsogner was one dwarf and Durin another. So it is said in the Vala’s Prophecy:
The Prose Edda, passage 762
[Footnote 128: The old Norse word is órlög, which is plural, (from ör = Ger. _ur_, and lög, _laws_,) and means the primal law, fate, weird, doom; the Greek μοῖρα. The idea of predestination was a salient feature in the Odinic religion. The word örlog, O.H.G. _urlac_, M.H.G. _urlone_, Dutch _orlog_, had special reference to a man’s fate in war. Hence Orlogschiffe in German means a naval fleet. The Danish orlog means warfare at sea.]
The Prose Edda, passage 223
A hall I know, standing Than the sun fairer, Than gold better, Gimle by name. There shall good People dwell, And forever Delights enjoy.[29]
The Prose Edda, passage 445
Vidar and Vale Dwell in the house of the gods, When quenched is the fire of Surt. Mode and Magne Vingner’s Mjolner shall have When the fight is ended.[72]
The Prose Edda, passage 768
To Asason[130] Queen Skade bore Saming, who dyed his shield in gore,-- The giant queen of rock and snow Who loves to dwell on earth below, The iron pine-tree’s daughter she, Sprung from the rocks that rib the sea, To Odin bore full many a son,-- Heroes of many a battle won.
The Prose Edda, passage 685
Our fathers accepted it in as good faith as any Christian ever believed in the gospel of Christ, and so it had a similar influence in moulding the social, religious, political and literary life of our ancestors. We become interested in this legend as much as if it were genuine history, on account of the influence it wielded upon the minds and hearts of a race destined to act so great a part in the social, religious and political drama of Europe.
The Prose Edda, passage 166
7. Ganglere asked: How could these keep peace with Ymer, or who was the stronger? Then answered Har: The sons of Bor slew the giant Ymer, but when he fell, there flowed so much blood from his wounds that they drowned therein the whole race of frost giants; excepting one, who escaped with his household. Him the giants call Bergelmer. He and his wife went on board his ark and saved themselves in it. From them are come new races of frost-giants, as is here said:
The Prose Edda, passage 579
Loke gave to Odin the spear Gungner, to Thor the hair, which Sif was to have, and to Frey, Skidbladner; and he described the qualities of all these treasures, stating that the spear never would miss its mark, that the hair would grow as soon as it was placed on Sif s head, and that Skidbladner would always have fair wind as soon as the sails were hoisted, no matter where its owner desired to go; besides, the ship could be folded together like a napkin and be carried in his pocket if he desired.
The Prose Edda, passage 895
Before the bonds which enchain the maiden can in either case be broken, Bele (the giant of spring storms, corresponding to the dragon Fafner in the Niblung story,) must be conquered, and Wafurloge (the wall of bickering flames that surrounded the castle) must be penetrated. The fanes symbolize the funeral pyre, for whoever enters the nether world must scorn the fear of death.
The Prose Edda, passage 213
16. Then said Ganglere: What other remarkable things are there to be said about the ash? Har answered: Much is to be said about it. On one of the boughs of the ash sits an eagle, who knows many things. Between his eyes sits a hawk that is called Vedfolner. A squirrel, by name Ratatosk, springs up and down the tree, and carries words of envy between the eagle and Nidhug. Four stags leap about in the branches of the ash and bite the leaves.[26] Their names are: Dain, Dvalin, Duney and Durathro. In Hvergelmer with Nidhug are more serpents than tongue can tell. As is here said:
The Prose Edda, passage 672
He took his shield and cast it into the fire, and sprang over the fire while the shield was burning, and cried:
The Prose Edda, passage 430
How fare the asas? How fare the elves? All Jotunheim roars. The asas hold counsel; Before their stone-doors Groan the dwarfs, The guides of the wedge-rock. Know you now more or not?
The Prose Edda, passage 680
Then they began the battle which is called the Hjadninga-vig (the slaying of the Hedin_ians_); they fought the whole day, and in the evening the kings fared back to their ships. But in the night Hild went to the battlefield, and waked up with sorcery all the dead that had fallen. The next day the kings went to the battlefield and fought, and so did also all they who had fallen the day before.
The Prose Edda, passage 343
Late in the evening he sought out a place for their night quarters under a large oak. Then Skrymer said to Thor that he wanted to lie down to sleep; they might take the provision-sack and make ready their supper. Then Skrymer fell asleep and snored tremendously.
The Prose Edda, passage 1011
Frigg, 6, 7, 43, 45, 65, 80, 94, 97, 98, 131-136, 145, 153, 176, 187, 227. Frigia, 43. Frigida, 45. Frjodiger, 46. Frode, 41, 206-213, 238, 267. Froste, 71, 240, 241. Fulla, 97, 136, 153, 187. Fundin, 71. Funen, 231. Fyre, 216. Fyrisvold, 187, 217.
The Prose Edda, passage 4
In the beginning, before the heaven and the earth and the sea were created, the great abyss Ginungagap was without form and void, and the spirit of Fimbultyr moved upon the face of the deep, until the ice-cold rivers, the Elivogs, flowing from Niflheim, came in contact with the dazzling flames from Muspelheim. This was before Chaos.
The Prose Edda, passage 186
The other hight Hate, Hrodvitner’s son; he bounds before her and wants to catch the moon, and so he will at last.[20] Then asked Ganglere: Whose offspring are these wolves? Said Har; A hag dwells east of Midgard, in the forest called Jarnved (Ironwood), where reside the witches called Jarnvidjes. The old hag gives birth to many giant sons, and all in wolf’s likeness. Thence come these two wolves. It is said that of this wolf-race one is the mightiest, and is called Moongarm.
The Prose Edda, passage 443
There shall wade Through heavy streams Perjurers And murderers.
The Prose Edda, passage 168
8. Then said Ganglere: What was done then by the sons of Bor, since you believe that they were gods? Answered Har: About that there is not a little to be said. They took the body of Ymer, carried it into the midst of Ginungagap and made of him the earth. Of his blood they made the seas and lakes; of his flesh the earth was made, but of his bones the rocks; of his teeth and jaws, and of the bones that were broken, they made stones and pebbles.
The Prose Edda, passage 891
He then laid aside his assumed form, cautiously took the ornament, unlocked the bower, and took his prize to Odin. In the morning, on waking, Freyja seeing the door open, without having been forced, and that her ornament was gone, instantly understood the whole affair. Having dressed herself, she repaired to Odin’s hall, and upbraided him with having stolen her ornament, and insisted on its restoration, which she finally obtained. (Quoted by Thorpe.)
The Prose Edda, passage 398
51. The asas took the corpse of Balder and brought it to the sea-shore. Hringhorn was the name of Balder’s ship, and it was the largest of all ships. The gods wanted to launch it and make Balder’s bale-fire thereon, but they could not move it. Then they sent to Jotunheim after the giantess whose name is Hyrrokken. She came riding on a wolf, and had twisted serpents for reins.
The Prose Edda, passage 528
Hence comes the adage that _a shrub saved Thor_.[89] When Thor came to Geirrod, he and his companion were shown to the guest-room, where lodgings were given them, but there was but one seat, and on that Thor sat down. Then he became aware that the seat was raised under him toward the roof. He put the Gridarvol against the rafters, and pressed himself down against the seat. Then was heard a great crash, which was followed by a loud screaming.
The Prose Edda, passage 618
There was fostered Swanhild, the daughter of Sigurd, and she was the fairest of all women. That Jormunrek, the rich, found out. He sent his son, Randver, to ask for her hand for him; and when he came to Jonaker, Swanhild was delivered to him, so that he might bring her to King Jormunrek. Then said Bikke that it would be more fitting that Randver should marry Swanhild, he being young and she too, but Jormunrek being old. This plan pleased the two young people well.
The Prose Edda, passage 815
Hel is the goddess of death, and from her name our word _hell_ is derived.
The Prose Edda, passage 216
More serpents lie ’Neath the Ygdrasil ash Than is thought of By every foolish ape. Goin and Moin (They are sons of Grafvitner), Grabak and Grafvollud, Ofner and Svafner Must for aye, methinks, Gnaw the roots of that tree.[27]
The Prose Edda, passage 17
Where the notes seem to the reader insufficient, we must refer him to our Norse Mythology, where he will, we trust, find much of the additional information he may desire.
The Prose Edda, passage 371
Then said Utgard-Loke: Now I will tell you the truth, since you have come out of the burg, that if I live, and may have my way, you shall never enter it again; and this I know, forsooth, that you should never have come into it had I before known that you were so strong, and that you had come so near bringing us into great misfortune. Know, then, that I have deceived you with illusions.
The Prose Edda, passage 770
Odin died in his bed in Sweden; and when he was near his death he made himself be marked with the point of a spear,[132] and said he was going to Godheim, and would give a welcome there to all his friends, and all brave warriors should be dedicated to him; and the Swedes believed that he was gone to the ancient Asgard, and would live there eternally. Then began the belief in Odin, and the calling upon him. The Swedes believed that he often showed himself to them before any great battle.
The Prose Edda, passage 741
[Footnote 120: Leidre or Leire, at the end of Isefjord, in the county of Lithraborg, is considered the oldest royal seat in Denmark.]