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at the price of that divine beverage. The Giant being satisfied with this ransom, carried it home, and delivered it to the custody of his daughter Gunlôda: hence, adds my author, Poetry is indifferently, in allusion to the same Fable, called “The blood of Kuaser:” “The Beverage,” or “The ransom of the Dwarfs,” &c.
“This valuable acquisition was eagerly sought after by the Gods, but very difficult to obtain, because it was concealed under rocks. Odin was nevertheless determined to try for it, and he made the attempt in the following manner. [1] Transforming himself into a Worm, he glided through a crevise into the cavern where the Beverage was kept. Then resuming his natural shape, and gaining the heart of Gunloda, he prevailed on her to let him drink three draughts of the liquor entrusted to her care. But the crafty Deity, resolving to make the most of his advantage, pulled so deep, that at the last draught, he left none behind him in the vessel; and transforming himself into an eagle, flew away to Asgard, to deposit in safety the precious treasure he had obtained. The Giant, who was a Magician, instantly discovered the
- ↑ In his first Edit. our Author had given here some farther circumstances of this Icelandic Tale; which in his second Impression (here followed) he dropt as unimportant and puerile. T.
