Poetic Edda - Cottle Trans.
FIOLSUID
Fruit of this tree, prepar'd with heat,
Let each pregnant woman eat;
So shall the embryo of her womb,
Safe to infantine vigor come.
Prudent mortals may not chuse,
But largely of this fruit to use.
VINDKALDER
Perch'd on yon lofty top branch high,
What Cock is that salutes my eye?
His station safe he seems to hold;
And all his feathers shine with gold.
FIOLSUID
Vidofner is the name they give ---
His plumes the morning gales receive;
Then bright he shines midst orient beams,
And fairest bird of nature seems.
Far oft his echoing notes resound;
But scatter misery around:
His ruffled plumes with lustre shine,
But all their influence is malign.
Dark author, he, of many a groan,
Eats his dire repast alone.
VINDKALDER
Say, could one hope, by force or art,
To reach Vidofner with a dart?
And thus with retribution meet,
Bring him from his direful seat.
FIOLSUID
Hevatein is an arrow's name,
That never disappoints the aim.
Lopter endu'd it with that spell,
Where prison'd ghosts in darkness dwell.
A brazen vase the reed contains,
Where iron handed Sinmor reigns:
There nine times is it circled round,
With barriers in the abyss profound.
VINDKALDER
Is safe return for him decreed,
Who boldly ventures for this reed?
FIOLSUID
Safe return for him's decreed,
Who boldly ventures for the reed;
If Genii of the (3) lucid clay,
He take companions of his way.
VINDKALDER
Does mortal man the power hold,
By force of diamond or gold,
Safe to the drear abode to press,
And bribe the lurid Giantess?
FIOLSUID
(4) A shining blade, you'll find beneath,
Vidofner's wings --- that safely sheath,
And bear it to those martial plains,
Where iron handed Sinmor reigns.
Arm'd with this he'll boldly dare,
The storm of battle to prepare.
VINDKALDER
What does man yon mansion name,
Surrounded by protecting flame?
FIOLSUID
Because its high dome like a star,
Shoots its lucid radiance far;
Mortals thence derive its name.
And call the mansion, HOUSE of FLAME.
As on a faulchion's point set fast,
It moves to to ev'ry random blast.
This fabric, tott'ring to its base,
Is heritage of human race.
VINDKALDER
What walls are those within that shine,
As founded by some power divine?
FIOLSUID
(5) On them are sculptur'd many a name,
With Lok's, the Imp of subtle fame.
VINDKALDER
What is that rock whose craggy head,
Bends incumbent o'er its bed;
While on its lofty top I trace,
A virgin form of goodliest grace?
FIOLSUID
The ROCK of PLEASURE is the name
Those rude majestic summits claim.
There round the convalescent's brow,
Gales falubrious ever blow.
The sigh of anguish never there,
Rends the pure elastic air.
Happy! thrice happy! is her lot,
Who gains that life inspiring spot:
For pain, and malady, and care,
It med'cines from each suff'ring fair.
VINDKALDER
What names denote that virgin croud,
Whose songs symphonious echo loud;
As seated at Menglada's knees,
They charm the Genii of the breeze?
FIOLSUID
(6) The first that's seen with Goddess face,
Is guardian of the etherial race:
The next the giant brood defends:
The third o'er man her care extends:
The fourth all learning's stores combines:
The fifth in milder virtue shines:
Graces supreme the sixth adorn:
The seventh is fair as vernal morn:
The eighth each healing flow'ret knows.
On plain or mountain brow that grows:
The ninth fair nymph assumes the part
Of Guardian to each liberal art.
VINDKALDER
Will the nymphs their vot'ries aid ---
Those by whom due rites are paid?
FIOLSUID
Never to those of mortal birth,
Of happiness so great a dearth,
As when to these they altars raise
Beneath the scorching day star's blaze.
Each vot'ry at their cruel shrine,
Feels envy's serpents round him twine.
VINDKALDER
Is it given to mortal arms,
To embrace Menglada's matchless charms.
FIOLSUID
Destined for Suipdager alone
Long the maiden's charms has shone
In radiance like the star, whose light
Chears the sullen brow of night.
VINDKALDER
Lift the massy barriers high!
Bid the portals open fly!
Beauty is the glorious meed,
By Gods, to Suipdager decreed!
Menglada will not disapprove
The offer of my destin'd love.
FIOLSUID
Hear, Menglada! to this sphere,
From distant lands a man draws near.
Dogs, as he approach the gate,
The welcome guest congratulate.
The doors themselves wide open fly:
'Tis Suipdager that passes by.
MENGLADA
Where the vast Portico's arise,
Let ravens gorge upon thine eyes;
If falsely, from a distant land,
Thou say'st my Lover seeks my hand.
MENGLADA
On what journey art thou bent?
Thee what motive hither sent?
Tell me what thy parents names;
What nations thy protection claims;
And all thy pedigree explain,
Ere my hand thou hope to gain.
VINDKALDER
Suipdager speaks at thy desire ---
Solibarter was my sire.
Far from my home beat to and fro,
I've wander'd long where frost winds blow.
The power of (7) the fatal maid,
No earth-born sufferer can evade:
Not lightly I the power arraign,
That taught me first to taste of pain.
MENGLADA
My ev'ry wish I've now attain'd,
In safety Suipdager I've gain'd.
May Gods propitious thee defend,
And joy thy future life attend.
If ever I have pleasure felt ---
(A boon to me but rarely dealt,)
'Tis now to see my lover's face,
And clasp him in my warm embrace.
Oftimes, companion'd with despair,
I've outwatch'd the midnight Bear;
At ev'ry sound that smote my ear,
Hope falsely whisper'd, thou wert near.
Oftimes by day exalted high,
I've cast around the wistful eye:
For thee, seen suns successive rise,
And chas'd them to the western skies.
I too long time have sought thy charms ---
Now haste thee to thy lover's arms.
Adverse fate no more shall frown;
But joy our future moments crown.
Notes:
3. "Lucid clay." --- The Earth. [Back]
4. "A shining blade." --- A Feather. [Back]
5. "On them, &c.", --- The names are Uni, Iri, Barri, Ori, Varns, Vegdrasil, Derri, Uri, Dellinger, Atvarder. These are supposed to be the names of certain dwarfs; and each wall to be built by the individual whose name it bears. [Back]
6. "The first, &c." --- These are the nine mouses of the northern nations. Sir W. Jones informs us that the Asiatics also have their nine Gopia or Muses. This is one among the many circumstances which leads one to suspect, that the Mythology of the heathens originated, at first, from one and the same source. The names of the Northern Muses are Hlif, Hlif-dursa, Theodrarta, Beort, Blith, Blithur, Frith, Eir, and Aurboda. [Back]
7. "The fatal maid." --- A personification of fate. [Back]
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