Page:The Prose Edda (1916 translation by Arthur Gilchrist Brodeur).pdf/59

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THE BEGUILING OF GYLFI
27

And these proceed from Svarinshaugr to Aurvangar on Jöruplain, and thence is Lovarr come; these are their names:

Skirfir, Virfir    Skáfidr, Ái,
Álfr, Yngvi,    Eikinskjaldi,
Falr, Frosti,    Fidr, Ginnarr."

XV. Then said Gangleri: "Where is the chief abode or holy place of the gods?" Hárr answered: 'That is at the Ash of Yggdrasill; there the gods must give judgment everyday." Then Gangleri asked: "What is to be said concerning that place?" Then said Jafnhárr: "The Ash is greatest of all trees and best: its limbs spread out over all the world and stand above heaven. Three roots of the tree uphold it and stand exceeding broad: one is among the Æsir; another among the Rime-Giants, in that place where aforetime was the Yawning Void; the third stands over Niflheim, and under that root is Hvergelmir, and Nídhöggr gnaws the root from below. But under that root which turns toward the Rime-Giants is Mímir's Well, wherein wisdom and understanding are stored; and he is called Mímir, who keeps the well. He is full of ancient lore, since he drinks of the well from the Gjallar-Horn. Thither came Allfather and craved one drink of the well; but he got it not until he had laid his eye in pledge. So says Völuspá:

All know I, Odin,    where the eye thou hiddest,
In the wide-renowned    well of Mímir;
Mímir drinks mead    every morning
From Valfather's wage.    Wit ye yet, or what?

The third root of the Ash stands in heaven; and under