Lokasenna

Old Norse

Normalized Old Norse · Guðni Jónsson edition · Source ↗

Ægir, er öðru nafni hét Gymir, hann hafði búit ásum öl, þá er hann hafði fengit ketil inn mikla, sem nú er sagt. Til þeirar veizlu kom Óðinn ok Frigg, kona hans. Þórr kom eigi, því at hann var í austrvegi. Sif var þar, kona Þórs, Bragi ok Iðunn, kona hans. Týr var þar. Hann var einhendr, - Fenrisúlfr sleit hönd af honum, þá er hann var bundinn. Þar var Njörðr ok kona hans Skaði, Freyr ok Freyja, Víðarr, son Óðins. Loki var þar ok þjónustumenn Freys, Byggvir ok Beyla. Margt var þar ása ok alfa.

Ægir átti tvá þjónustumenn, Fimafengr ok Eldir. Þar var lýsigull haft fyrir elts ljós. Sjálft barst þar öl. Þar var griðastaðr mikill. Menn lofuðu mjök, hversu góðir þjónustumenn Ægis váru. Loki mátti eigi heyra þat, ok drap hann Fimafeng. Þá skóku æsir skjöldu sína ok æpðu at Loka ok eltu hann braut til skógar, en þeir fóru at drekka. Loki hvarf aftr ok hitti úti Eldi. Loki kvaddi hann:

Stanza 1"Segðu þat, Eldir, svá at þú einugi feti gangir framar, hvat hér inni hafa at ölmálum sigtíva synir."

Eldir kvað:

Stanza 2"Of vápn sín dæma ok um vígrisni sína sigtíva synir; ása ok alfa er hér inni eru, manngi er þér í orði vinr."

Loki kvað:

Stanza 3"Inn skal ganga Ægis hallir í á þat sumbl at sjá; jöll ok áfu færi ek ása sonum, ok blend ek þeim svá meini mjöð."

Eldir kvað:

Stanza 4"Veiztu, ef þú inn gengr Ægis hallir í á þat sumbl at sjá, hrópi ok rógi ef þú eyss á holl regin, á þér munu þau þerra þat."

Loki kvað:

Stanza 5"Veiztu þat, Eldir, ef vit einir skulum sáryrðum sakask, auðigr verða mun ek í andsvörum, ef þú mælir til margt." Síðan gekk Loki inn í höllina. En er þeir sá, er fyrir váru, hverr inn var kominn, þögnuðu þeir allir.

Loki kvað:

Stanza 6"Þyrstr ek kom þessar hallar til, Loftr, um langan veg ásu at biðja, at mér einn gefi mæran drykk mjaðar.

Stanza 7Hví þegið ér svá, þrungin goð, at þér mæla né meguð? Sessa ok staði velið mér sumbli at eða heitið mik heðan."

Bragi kvað:

Stanza 8"Sessa ok staði velja þér sumbli at æsir aldregi, því at æsir vitu, hveim þeir alda skulu gambansumbl of geta."

Loki kvað:

Stanza 9"Mantu þat, Óðinn, er vit í árdaga blendum blóði saman? Ölvi bergja lézktu eigi mundu, nema okkr væri báðum borit."

Óðinn kvað:

Stanza 10"Rístu þá, Viðarr, ok lát ulfs föður sitja sumbli at, síðr oss Loki kveði lastastöfum Ægis höllu í." Þá stóð Viðarr upp ok skenkði Loka. En áðr hann drykki, kvaddi hann ásuna:

Stanza 11"Heilir æsir, heilar ásynjur ok öll ginnheilög goð - nema sá einn áss er innar sitr, Bragi, bekkjum á."

Bragi kvað:

Stanza 12"Mar ok mæki gef ek þér míns féar, ok bætir þér svá baugi Bragi, síðr þú ásum öfund of gjaldir, grem þú eigi goð at þér."

Loki kvað:

Stanza 13"Jós ok armbauga mundu æ vera beggja vanr, Bragi; ása ok alfa, er hér inni eru, þú ert við víg varastr ok skjarrastr við skot."

Bragi kvað:

Stanza 14"Veit ek, ef fyr útan værak, svá sem fyr innan emk, Ægis höll of kominn, höfuð þitt bæra ek í hendi mér; lykak þér þat fyr lygi."

Loki kvað:

Stanza 15"Snjallr ertu í sessi, skal-at-tu svá gera, Bragi bekkskrautuðr; vega þú gakk, ef þú vreiðr séir; hyggsk vætr hvatr fyrir."

Iðunn kvað:

Stanza 16"Bið ek þik, Bragi, barna sifjar duga ok allra óskmaga, at þú Loka kveðir-a lastastöfum Ægis höllu í."

Loki kvað:

Stanza 17"Þegi þú, Iðunn, þik kveð ek allra kvenna vergjarnasta vera, síztu arma þína lagðir ítrþvegna um þinn bróðurbana."

Iðunn kvað:

Stanza 18"Loka ek kveðk-a lastastöfum Ægis höllu í: Braga ek kyrri bjórreifan; vilk-at ek, at it vreiðir vegizk."

Gefjun kvað:

Stanza 19"Hví it æsir tveir skuluð inni hér sáryrðum sakask? Loftki þat veit, at hann leikinn er ok hann fjörg öll fía."

Loki kvað:

Stanza 20"Þegi þú, Gefjun, þess mun ek nú geta, er þik glapði at geði sveinn inn hvíti, er þér sigli gaf ok þú lagðir lær yfir."

Óðinn kvað:

Stanza 21"Ærr ertu, Loki, ok örviti, er þú fær þér Gefjun at gremi, því at aldar örlög hygg ek, at hon öll of viti jafngörla sem ek."

Loki kvað:

Stanza 22"Þegi þú, Óðinn, þú kunnir aldregi deila víg með verum; oft þú gaft, þeim er þú gefa skyldir-a, inum slævurum sigr."

Óðinn kvað:

Stanza 23"Veiztu, ef ek gaf, þeim er ek gefa né skylda, inum slævurum, sigr, átta vetr vartu fyr jörð neðan, kýr mólkandi ok kona, ok hefr þú þar börn borit, ok hugða ek þat args aðal."

Loki kvað:

Stanza 24"En þik síða kóðu Sámseyu í, ok draptu á vétt sem völur; vitka líki fórtu verþjóð yfir, ok hugða ek þat args aðal."

Frigg kvað:

Stanza 25"Örlögum ykkrum skylið aldregi segja seggjum frá, hvat it æsir tveir drýgðuð í árdaga; firrisk æ forn rök firar."

Loki kvað:

Stanza 26"Þegi þú, Frigg, þú ert Fjörgyns mær ok hefr æ vergjörn verit, er þá Véa ok Vilja léztu þér, Viðris kvæn, báða i baðm of tekit."

Frigg kvað:

Stanza 27"Veiztu, ef ek inni ættak Ægis höllum i Baldri líkan bur, út þú né kvæmir frá ása sonum, ok væri þá at þér vreiðum vegit."

Loki kvað:

Stanza 28"Enn vill þú, Frigg, at ek fleiri telja mína meinstafi: ek því réð, er þú ríða sér-at síðan Baldr at sölum."

Freyja kvað:

Stanza 29"Ærr ertu, Loki, er þú yðra telr ljóta leiðstafi; örlög Frigg, hygg ek, at öll viti, þótt hon sjalfgi segi."

Loki kvað:

Stanza 30"Þegi þú, Freyja, þik kann ek fullgörva, er-a þér vamma vant: ása ok alfa, er hér inni eru, hverr hefir þinn hór verit."

Freyja kvað:

Stanza 31"Flá er þér tunga, hygg ek, at þér fremr myni ógótt of gala; reiðir ro þér æsir ok ásynjur, hryggr muntu heim fara."

Loki kvað:

Stanza 32"Þegi þú, Freyja, þú ert fordæða ok meini blandin mjök, síz þik at bræðr þínum stóðu blíð regin ok myndir þú þá, Freyja, frata."

Njörðr kvað:

Stanza 33"Þat er válítit, þótt sér varðir vers fái, hós eða hvárs; hitt er undr, er áss ragr er hér inn of kominn ok hefir sá börn of borit."

Loki kvað:

Stanza 34"Þegi þú, Njörðr, þú vart austr heðan gíls of sendr at goðum; Hymis meyjar höfðu þik at hlandtrogi ok þér i munn migu."

Njörðr kvað:

Stanza 35"Sú erumk líkn, er ek vark langt heðan gísl of sendr at goðum, þá ek mög gat, þann er mangi fíár, ok þykkir sá ása jaðarr."

Loki kvað:

Stanza 36"Hættu nú, Njörðr, haf þú á hófi þik, munk-a ek því leyna lengr: við systur þinni gaztu slíkan mög, ok er-a þó vánu verr."

Týr kvað:

Stanza 37"Freyr er beztr allra ballriða ása görðum í; mey hann né grætir né manns konu ok leysir ór höftum hvern."

Loki kvað:

Stanza 38"Þegi þú, Týr, þú kunnir aldregi bera tilt með tveim; handar innar hægri mun ek hinnar geta, er þér sleit Fenrir frá."

Týr kvað:

Stanza 39"Handar em ek vanr, en þú hróðrsvitnis, böl er beggja þrá; ulfgi hefir ok vel, er í böndum skal bíða ragnarökrs."

Loki kvað:

Stanza 40"Þegi þú, Týr, þat varð þinni konu, at hon átti mög við mér; öln né penning hafðir þú þess aldregi vanréttis, vesall."

Freyr kvað:

Stanza 41"Ulfr sé ek liggja árósi fyrir, unz rjúfask regin; því mundu næst, nema þú nú þegir, bundinn, bölvasmiðr."

Loki kvað:

Stanza 42"Gulli keypta léztu Gymis dóttur ok seldir þitt svá sverð; en er Múspells synir ríða Myrkvið yfir, veizt-a þú þá, vesall, hvé þú vegr."

Byggvir kvað:

Stanza 43"Veiztu, ef ek eðli ættak sem Ingunar-Freyr ok svá sælligt setr, mergi smæra mölða ek þá meinkráku ok lemða alla í liðu."

Loki kvað:

Stanza 44"Hvat er þat it litla er ek þat löggra sék ok snapvíst snapir? At eyrum Freys mundu æ vera ok und kvernum klaka."

Byggvir kvað:

Stanza 45"Byggvir ek heiti, en mik bráðan kveða goð öll ok gumar; því em ek hér hróðugr, at drekka Hrofts megir allir öl saman."

Loki kvað:

Stanza 46"Þegi þú, Byggvir, þú kunnir aldregi deila með mönnum mat, ok þik í flets strái finna né máttu, þá er vágu verar."

Heimdallr kvað:

Stanza 47"Ölr ertu, Loki, svá at þú ert örviti, - hví né lezk-a-ðu, Loki? - því at ofdrykkja veldr alda hveim, er sína mælgi né man-at."

Loki kvað:

Stanza 48"Þegi þú, Heimdallr, þér var í árdaga it ljóta líf of lagit; örgu baki þú munt æ vera ok vaka vörðr goða."

Skaði kvað:

Stanza 49"Létt er þér, Loki; mun-at-tu lengi svá leika lausum hala, því at þik á hjörvi skulu ins hrímkalda magar görnum binda goð."

Loki kvað:

Stanza 50"Veiztu, ef mik á hjörvi skulu ins hrímkalda magar görnum binda goð, fyrstr ok efstr var ek at fjörlagi, þars vér á Þjaza þrifum."

Skaði kvað:

Stanza 51"Veiztu, ef fyrstr ok efstr vartu at fjörlagi, þá er ér á Þjaza þrifuð, frá mínum véum ok vöngum skulu þér æ köld ráð koma."

Loki kvað:

Stanza 52"Léttari í málum vartu við Laufeyjar son, þá er þú létz mér á beð þinn boðit; getit verðr oss slíks, ef vér görva skulum telja vömmin vár." þá gekk Sif fram ok byrlaði Loka í hrímkálki mjöð ok mælti:

Stanza 53"Heill ver þú nú, Loki, ok tak við hrímkálki fullum forns mjaðar, heldr þú hana eina látir með ása sonum vammalausa vera." Hann tók við horni ok drakk af:

Stanza 54"Ein þú værir, ef þú svá værir, vör ok gröm at veri; einn ek veit, svá at ek vita þykkjumk, hór ok af Hlórriða, ok var þat sá inn lævísi Loki."

Beyla kvað:

Stanza 55"Fjöll öll skjalfa; hygg ek á för vera heiman Hlórriða; han ræðr ró, þeim er rægir hér goð öll ok guma."

Loki kvað:

Stanza 56"Þegi þú, Beyla, þú ert Byggvis kvæn ok meini blandinn mjök, ókynjan meira kom-a med ása sonum; öll ertu, deigja, dritin."

Þá kom Þórr at ok kvað:

Stanza 57"Þegi þú, rög vættr, þér skal minn þrúðhamarr, Mjöllnir, mál fyrnema; herðaklett drep ek þér halsi af, ok verðr þá þínu fjörvi of farit."

Loki kvað:

Stanza 58"Jarðar burr er hér nú inn kominn, hví þrasir þú svá, Þórr? En þá þorir þú ekki, er þú skalt við ulfinn vega, ok svelgr hann allan Sigföður."

Þórr kvað:

Stanza 59"Þegi þú, rög vættr, þér skal minn þrúðhamarr, Mjöllnir, mál fyrnema; upp ek þér verp ok á austrvega, síðan þik manngi sér."

Loki kvað:

Stanza 60"Austrförum þínum skaltu aldregi segja seggjum frá, síz í hanska þumlungi hnúkðir þú einheri, ok þóttisk-a þú þá Þórr vera."

Þórr kvað:

Stanza 61"Þegi þú, rög vættr, þér skal minn þrúðhamarr, Mjöllnir, mál fyrnema; hendi inni hægri drep ek þik Hrungnis bana, svá at þér brotnar beina hvat."

Loki kvað:

Stanza 62"Lifa ætla ek mér langan aldr, þóttú hætir hamri mér; skarpar álar þóttu þér Skrýmis vera, ok máttir-a þú þá nesti ná, ok svalzt þú þá hungri heill."

Þórr kvað:

Stanza 63"Þegi þú, rög vættr, þér skal minn þrúðhamarr, Mjöllnir, mál fyrnema; Hrungnis bani mun þér í hel koma fyr nágrindr neðan."

Loki kvað:

Stanza 64"Kvað ek fyr ásum, kvað ek fyr ása sonum, þats mik hvatti hugr, en fyr þér einum mun ek út ganga, því at ek veit, at þú vegr.

Stanza 65Öl gerðir þú, Ægir, en þú aldri munt síðan sumbl of gera; eiga þín öll, er hér inni er, leiki yfir logi, ok brenni þér á baki."

En eftir þetta falst Loki í Fránangrsforsi í lax líki. Þar tóku æsir hann. Hann var bundinn með þörmum sonar síns, Vála, en Narfi, sonr hans, varð at vargi. Skaði tók eitrorm ok festi upp yfir annlit Loka. Draup þar ór eitr. Sigyn, kona Loka, sat þar ok helt munnlaug undir eitrið. En er munnlaugin var full, bar hon út eitrið, en meðan draup eitrit á Loka. Þá kippðist hann svá hart við, at þaðan af skalf jörð öll. Þat eru nú kallaðir landsskjálftar.

English translation

Henry Adams Bellows · First published 1923 · Source & commentary ↗

Ægir, who was also called Gymir, had prepared ale for the gods, after he had got the mighty kettle, as now has been told. To this feast came Othin and Frigg, his wife. Thor came not, as he was on a journey in the East. Sif, Thor's wife, was there, and Brag, with Ithun, his wife. Tyr, who had but one hand, was there; the wolf Fenrir had bitten off his other hand when they had bound him. There were Njorth and Skathi his wife, Freyr and Freyja, and Vithar, the son of Othin. Loki was there, and Freyr's servants Byggvir and Beyla. Many were there of the gods and elves.

Ægir had two serving-men, Fimafeng and Eldir. Glittering gold they had in place of firelight; the ale came in of itself; and great was the peace. The guests praised much the ability of Ægir's serving-men. Loki might not endure that, and he slew Fimafeng. Then the gods shook their shields and howled at Loki and drove him away to the forest, and thereafter set to drinking again. Loki turned back, and outside he met Eldir. Loki spoke to him:

Stanza 1"Speak now, Eldir, | for not one step Farther shalt thou fare; What ale-talk here | do they have within, The sons of the glorious gods?"

Eldir spake:

Stanza 2"Of their weapons they talk, | and their might in war, The sons of the glorious gods; From the gods and elves | who are gathered here No friend in words shalt thou find."

Loki spake:

Stanza 3"In shall I go | into Ægir's hall, For the feast I fain would see; Bale and hatred | I bring to the gods, And their mead with venom I mix."

Eldir spake:

Stanza 4"If in thou goest | to Ægir's hall, And fain the feast wouldst see, And with slander and spite | wouldst sprinkle the gods, Think well lest they wipe it on thee."

Loki spake:

Stanza 5"Bethink thee, Eldir, | if thou and I Shall strive with spiteful speech; Richer I grow | in ready words If thou speakest too much to me." Then Loki went into the hall, but when they who were there saw who had entered, they were all silent.

Loki spake:

Stanza 6"Thirsty I come | into this thine hall, I, Lopt, from a journey long, To ask of the gods | that one should give Fair mead for a drink to me.

Stanza 7"Why sit ye silent, | swollen with pride, Ye gods, and no answer give? At your feast a place | and a seat prepare me, Or bid me forth to fare."

Bragi spake:

Stanza 8"A place and a seat | will the gods prepare No more in their midst for thee; For the gods know well | what men they wish To find at their mighty feasts."

Loki spake:

Stanza 9"Remember, Othin, | in olden days That we both our blood have mixed; Then didst thou promise | no ale to pour, Unless it were brought for us both."

Othin spake:

Stanza 10"Stand forth then, Vithar, | and let the wolf's father Find a seat at our feast; Lest evil should Loki | speak aloud Here within Ægir's hall." Then Vithar arose and poured drink for Loki; but before he drank he spoke to the gods:

Stanza 11"Hail to you, gods! | ye goddesses, hail! Hail to the holy throng! Save for the god | who yonder sits, Bragi there on the bench."

Bragi spake:

Stanza 12"A horse and a sword | from my hoard will I give, And a ring gives Bragi to boot, That hatred thou makst not | among the gods; So rouse not the great ones to wrath."

Loki spake:

Stanza 13"In horses and rings | thou shalt never be rich, Bragi, but both shalt thou lack; Of the gods and elves | here together met Least brave in battle art thou, (And shyest thou art of the shot.)"

Bragi spake:

Stanza 14"Now were I without | as I am within, And here in Ægir's hall, Thine head would I bear | in mine hands away, And pay thee the price of thy lies."

Loki spake:

Stanza 15"In thy seat art thou bold, | not so are thy deeds, Bragi, adorner of benches! Go out and fight | if angered thou feelest, No hero such forethought has."

Ithun spake:

Stanza 16"Well, prithee, Bragi, | his kinship weigh, Since chosen as wish-son he was; And speak not to Loki | such words of spite Here within Ægir's hall."

Loki spake:

Stanza 17"Be silent, Ithun! | thou art, I say, Of women most lustful in love, Since thou thy washed-bright | arms didst wind About thy brother's slayer."

Ithun spake:

Stanza 18"To Loki I speak not | with spiteful words Here within Ægir's hall; And Bragi I calm, | who is hot with beer, For I wish not that fierce they should fight."

Gefjun spake:

Stanza 19"Why, ye gods twain, | with bitter tongues Raise hate among us here? Loki is famed | for his mockery foul, And the dwellers in heaven he hates."

Loki spake:

Stanza 20"Be silent, Gefjun! | for now shall I say Who led thee to evil life; The boy so fair | gave a necklace bright, And about him thy leg was laid."

Othin spake:

Stanza 21"Mad art thou, Loki, | and little of wit, The wrath of Gefjun to rouse; For the fate that is set | for all she sees, Even as I, methinks."

Loki spake:

Stanza 22"Be silent, Othin! | not justly thou settest The fate of the fight among men; Oft gavst thou to him | who deserved not the gift, To the baser, the battle's prize."

Othin spake:

Stanza 23"Though I gave to him | who deserved not the gift, To the baser, the battle's prize; Winters eight | wast thou under the earth, Milking the cows as a maid, (Ay, and babes didst thou bear; Unmanly thy soul must seem.)"

Loki spake:

Stanza 24"They say that with spells | in Samsey once Like witches with charms didst thou work; And in witch's guise | among men didst thou go; Unmanly thy soul must seem."

Frigg spake:

Stanza 25"Of the deeds ye two | of old have done Ye should make no speech among men; Whate'er ye have done | in days gone by, Old tales should ne'er be told."

Loki spake:

Stanza 26"Be silent, Frigg! | thou art Fjorgyn's wife, But ever lustful in love; For Vili and Ve, | thou wife of Vithrir, Both in thy bosom have lain."

Frigg spake:

Stanza 27"If a son like Baldr | were by me now, Here within Ægir's hall, From the sons of the gods | thou shouldst go not forth Till thy fierceness in fight were tried."

Loki spake:

Stanza 28"Thou wilt then, Frigg, | that further I tell Of the ill that now I know; Mine is the blame | that Baldr no more Thou seest ride home to the hall."

Freyja spake:

Stanza 29"Mad art thou, Loki, | that known thou makest The wrong and shame thou hast wrought; The fate of all | does Frigg know well, Though herself she says it not."

Loki spake:

Stanza 30"Be silent, Freyja! | for fully I know thee, Sinless thou art not thyself; Of the gods and elves | who are gathered here, Each one as thy lover has lain."

Freyja spake:

Stanza 31"False is thy tongue, | and soon shalt thou find That it sings thee an evil song; The gods are wroth, | and the goddesses all, And in grief shalt thou homeward go."

Loki spake:

Stanza 32"Be silent, Freyja! | thou foulest witch, And steeped full sore in sin; In the arms of thy brother | the bright gods caught thee When Freyja her wind set free."

Njorth spake:

Stanza 33"Small ill does it work | though a woman may have A lord or a lover or both; But a wonder it is | that this womanish god Comes hither, though babes he has borne."

Loki spake:

Stanza 34"Be silent, Njorth; | thou wast eastward sent, To the gods as a hostage given; And the daughters of Hymir | their privy had When use did they make of thy mouth."

Njorth spake:

Stanza 35"Great was my gain, | though long was I gone, To the gods as a hostage given; The son did I have | whom no man hates, And foremost of gods is found."

Loki spake:

Stanza 36"Give heed now, Njorth, | nor boast too high, No longer I hold it hid; With thy sister hadst thou | so fair a son, Thus hadst thou no worse a hope."

Tyr spake:

Stanza 37"Of the heroes brave | is Freyr the best Here in the home of the gods; He harms not maids | nor the wives of men, And the bound from their fetters he frees."

Loki spake:

Stanza 38"Be silent, Tyr! | for between two men Friendship thou ne'er couldst fashion; Fain would I tell | how Fenrir once Thy right hand rent from thee."

Tyr spake:

Stanza 39"My hand do I lack, | but Hrothvitnir thou, And the loss brings longing to both; Ill fares the wolf | who shall ever await In fetters the fall of the gods."

Loki spake:

Stanza 40"Be silent, Tyr! | for a son with me Thy wife once chanced to win; Not a penny, methinks, | wast thou paid for the wrong, Nor wast righted an inch, poor wretch."

Freyr spake:

Stanza 41"By the mouth of the river | the wolf remains Till the gods to destruction go; Thou too shalt soon, | if thy tongue is not stilled, Be fettered, thou forger of ill."

Loki spake:

Stanza 42"The daughter of Gymir | with gold didst thou buy, And sold thy sword to boot; But when Muspell's sons | through Myrkwood ride, Thou shalt weaponless wait, poor wretch."

Byggvir spake:

Stanza 43"Had I birth so famous | as Ingunar-Freyr, And sat in so lofty a seat, I would crush to marrow | this croaker of ill, And beat all his body to bits."

Loki spake:

Stanza 44"What little creature | goes crawling there, Snuffling and snapping about? At Freyr's ears ever | wilt thou be found, Or muttering hard at the mill."

Byggvir spake:

Stanza 45"Byggvir my name, | and nimble am I, As gods and men do grant; And here am I proud | that the children of Hropt Together all drink ale."

Loki spake:

Stanza 46"Be silent, Byggvir! | thou never couldst set Their shares of the meat for men; Hid in straw on the floor, | they found thee not When heroes were fain to fight."

Heimdall spake:

Stanza 47"Drunk art thou, Loki, | and mad are thy deeds, Why, Loki, leavst thou this not? For drink beyond measure | will lead all men No thought of their tongues to take."

Loki spake:

Stanza 48"Be silent, Heimdall! | in days long since Was an evil fate for thee fixed; With back held stiff | must thou ever stand, As warder of heaven to watch."

Skathi spake:

Stanza 49"Light art thou, Loki, | but longer thou mayst not In freedom flourish thy tail; On the rocks the gods bind thee | with bowels torn Forth from thy frost-cold son."

Loki spake:

Stanza 50"Though on rocks the gods bind me | with bowels torn Forth from my frost-cold son, I was first and last | at the deadly fight There where Thjazi we caught."

Skathi spake:

Stanza 51"Wert thou first and last | at the deadly fight There where Thjazi was caught, From my dwellings and fields | shall ever come forth A counsel cold for thee."

Loki spake:

Stanza 52"More lightly thou spakest | with Laufey's son, When thou badst me come to thy bed; Such things must be known | if now we two Shall seek our sins to tell."

Then Sif came forward and poured mead for Loki in a crystal cup, and said:

Stanza 53"Hail too thee, Loki, | and take thou here The crystal cup of old mead; For me at least, | alone of the gods, Blameless thou knowest to be." He took the horn, and drank therefrom:

Stanza 54"Alone thou wert | if truly thou wouldst All men so shyly shun; But one do I know | full well, methinks, Who had thee from Hlorrithi's arms,-- (Loki the crafty in lies.)"

Beyla spake:

Stanza 55"The mountains shake, | and surely I think From his home comes Hlorrithi now; He will silence the man | who is slandering here Together both gods and men."

Loki spake:

Stanza 56"Be silent, Beyla! | thou art Byggvir's wife, And deep art thou steeped in sin; A greater shame | to the gods came ne'er, Befouled thou art with thy filth."

Then came Thor forth, and spake:

Stanza 57"Unmanly one, cease, | or the mighty hammer, Mjollnir, shall close thy mouth; Thy shoulder-cliff | shall I cleave from thy neck, And so shall thy life be lost."

Loki spake:

Stanza 58"Lo, in has come | the son of Earth: Why threaten so loudly, Thor? Less fierce thou shalt go | to fight with the wolf When he swallows Sigfather up."

Thor spake:

Stanza 59"Unmanly one, cease, | or the mighty hammer, Mjollnir, shall close thy mouth; I shall hurl thee up | and out in the East, Where men shall see thee no more."

Loki spake:

Stanza 60"That thou hast fared | on the East-road forth To men shouldst thou say no more; In the thumb of a glove | didst thou hide, thou great one, And there forgot thou wast Thor."

Thor spake:

Stanza 61"Unmanly one, cease, | or the mighty hammer, Mjollnir, shall close thy mouth; My right hand shall smite thee | with Hrungnir's slayer, Till all thy bones are broken."

Loki spake:

Stanza 62"Along time still | do I think to live, Though thou threatenest thus with thy hammer; Rough seemed the straps | of Skrymir's wallet, When thy meat thou mightest not get, (And faint from hunger didst feel.)"

Thor spake:

Stanza 63"Unmanly one, cease, | or the mighty hammer, Mjollnir, shall close thy mouth; The slayer of Hrungnir | shall send thee to hell, And down to the gate of death."

Loki spake:

Stanza 64"'1 have said to the gods | and the sons of the god, The things that whetted my thoughts; But before thee alone | do I now go forth, For thou fightest well, I ween.

Stanza 65"Ale hast thou brewed, | but, Ægir, now Such feasts shalt thou make no more; O'er all that thou hast | which is here within Shall play the flickering flames, (And thy back shall be burnt with fire.)"

And after that Loki hid himself in Franang's waterfall in the guise of a salmon, and there the gods took him. He was bound with the bowels of his son Vali, but his son Narfi was changed to a wolf. Skathi took a poison-snake and fastened it up over Loki's face, and the poison dropped thereon. Sigyn, Loki's wife, sat there and held a shell under the poison, but when the shell was full she bore away the poison, and meanwhile the poison dropped on Loki.

Then he struggled so hard that the whole earth shook therewith; and now that is called an earthquake.