girt with an Hunlandish belt, at which hung her gical instruments. Her buskins were of rough calfwith thongs studded with knobs of brass, and her cat-skin, the fur turned inwards," &c. They were #gi, or Fiol-kunnug; i. e. Multi-scia: and Visindaorum Mulier, Nornir; i. e. Parcæ. Tell me whence their Then I leave thee to 10 These were probably th eir names were Urda, Verda sers of good destinies. As and future, it is probable they here when Odin asks this quest God; which elucidates th ning on the fun'ral pile. w my weary lips I close: _ve me, leave me to repose. ODIN. Yet awhile my call obey; phetess, awake, and say, hat Virgins these, in speechless woe [4], at bend to earth their solemn brow, at their flaxen tresses tear, d snowy veils, that float in air. ll me whence their sorrows rose: en I leave thee to repose. These were probably the Nornir or Parcæ, before-mentioned; r names were Urda, Verdandi, and Skulda; and they were the dissers of good destinies. As their names signify Time past, present, future, it is probable they were always invisible to mortals: therewhen Odin asks this question on seeing them, he betrays himself to God; which elucidates the next speech of the Prophetess. F ODIN. Maid of skill divine Prophetess of good; the giant-brood [5]! PROPHETESS. ce, and boast at home, all Enquirer come Iron-sleep again; Durst his tenfold chain (ƒ); Mater trium Gigantum." He means, therefore, who, from her name, seems to be "no Prophetess o bore to Loke, as the Edda says, three children; e great Serpent Midgard, and Hela, all of them wild but curious system of mythology. Il Lok has burst his tenfold chain. ng, who continues in chains till the Twilight of the hen he shall break his bonds; the human race, the disappear; the earth sink in the seas, and fire conOdin himself and his kindred deities shall perish. ation of this mythology, see "Introduction a l'His II. By turbid slumbers tossed Viller the son of Sifia, noted a tion of it published in 1770, and intitled, "Northern Antiquiin which some mistakes in the original are judiciously cor DITOR thinks he shall render not an unacceptable service to the der of taste, by inserting here a literal version of the original Poem, hich the foregoing is an imitation. The Reader may find a pleain comparing the rugged materials of the Skald with the polished zas and arrangements of the poet. It will be perceived, that er from choice, or the want of a complete Copy, Mr. Gray has -ed over the first five stanzas.] |