Page:Younger Edda (Anderson, 1880).djvu/191

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The holy gods soon built a fire —
They shaved off kindlings —
And the giant was scorched.
This is said in memory
Of the dwarf's heel-bridge.[1]
A shield adorned with splendid lines
From Thorleif I received.

ÆGER'S FEAST.

How shall gold be named? It may be called Æger's fire; the needles of Glaser; Sif's hair; Fulla's head-gear; Freyja's tears; the chatter, talk or word of the giants; Draupner's drop; Draupner's rain or shower; Freyja's eyes; the otterransom, or stroke-ransom, of the asas; the seed of Fyrisvold; Holge's how-roof; the fire of all waters and of the hand; or the stone, rock or o-leam of the hand.

Why is gold called Æger's fire? The saga relating to this is, as has before been told, that Æofer made a visit to As2:ard, but when he was ready to return home he invited Odin and all the asas to come and pay him a visit after the lapse of three months. On this journey went Odin, Njord, Frey, Tyr, Brage, Vidar, Loke; and also the åsynjes. Frigg, Freyja, Gefjun, Skade, Idun, Sif Thor Avas not there, for he had gone eastward to fight trolls. When the gods had taken their seats, Æger let his servants bring in

  1. Shield.