THE POESY OF SKALDS
99
- Göndull and Skögull
- Gauta-Týr sent
- To choose from kings
- Who of Yngvi's kin
- Should go with Odin
- And be in Valhall.
Thus sang Úlfr Uggason:
- Swiftly the Far-Famed rideth,
- The Foretelling God, to the fire speeds,
- To the wide pyre of his offspring;
- Through my cheeks praise-songs are pouring.
Thus sang Thjódólfr of Hvin:
- The slain lay there sand-strewing,
- Spoil for the Single-Eyed
- Dweller in Frigg's bosom;
- In such deeds we rejoiced.
Hallfredr sang thus:
- The doughty ship-possessor
- With sharpened words and soothfast
- Lures our land, the patient,
- Barley-lockèd Wife of Thridi.
Here is an example of this metaphor, that in poesy the earth is called the Wife of Odin. Here is told what Eyvindr sang:
