Page:The Prose Edda (1916 translation by Arthur Gilchrist Brodeur).pdf/211

Oak, even as stands here:

The fair shaped Oak of Riches

Stands, our mirth forestalling.

Linden, even as is written here:

O dreadful, towering Elm-Tree

Of the dinning shower of weapons,

Our courage shall not lessen:

So bade the Linen's Linden.

Man is periphrased in tree-metaphors, as we have written before; he is called Rowan, or Tester, of Weapons, or of Combats, of Expeditions and of Deeds, of Ships, and of all that which he wields and tests; thus sang Úlfr Uggason:

But the flashing-eyed stiff Edge-Rope

Of the Earth stared past the gunwale

At the Rowan-Tree of the people

Of Stone, the Giant-Tester.

Tree and Beam, as Kormákr sang:

The Beam of the murdering Sword-Twig

Is taller than are many

In the Din of Darts; the sword wins.

The land for dauntless Sigurdr.

Grove, as sang Hallfredr Troublous-Skald:

The Mighty Grove and Faithful

Of the Shield-Murderer, budded

With hair, stands in the Eastlands

Safe with Ullr's Ash-Warriors.