Notes:

1. Sister. --- Hyndla was not the Sister of Freyia who speaks, but this was said to flatter her. [Back]
2. "Mansions of the slain." --- Valhalla. [Back]
3. "These to Poets." --- The origin of Poetry being an Allegory not altogether void of invention, it shall be here related: AN ICELANDIC TALE. The Gods of the North had formed a man much in the same manner as the Grecian Deities are said to have formed Orion. This man was called Kauser. He was so clever, that no question could be proposed which he was not able to resolve: he traversed the whole world teaching mankind wisdom. But his merits exciting envy, two Dwarfs treacherously slew him; and receiving his blood into a vessel, mixed it up with honey, and thence composed a liquor, which renders all those who drink of it Poets. The Gods missing their Son, enquired of the Dwarfs what was become of him. The Dwarfs to extricate themselves out of the difficulty, replied, that Kauser had died, suffocated by his knowledge, because he could not meet with persons to ease and unburthen his mind to, by proposing to him so many learned questions as was necessary to his relief. But their perfidy was afterward discovered by an unexpected accident. These Dwarfs having drawn upon themselves the resentment of a certain Giant, he seized and exposed them upon a rock surrounded on all sides by the sea. In this frightful situation, their only recourse was to purchase their deliverance at the price of that divine beverage. The Giant being satisfied with this ransom, carried it home, and delivered it to the custody of his daughter Gunloda: hence poetry is indifferently, in allusion to the same fable, called, "The Blood of Kauser:" the "Beverage," or, "The ransom of the Dwarfs, &c," This valuable acquisition was eagerly sought after by the Gods, but very difficult to obtain, because it was concealed under rocks. Odin was nevertheless determined to try for it, and he made the attempt in the following manner: Transforming himself into a worm, he glided through a crevise into a cavern where the beverage was kept. Then resuming his natural shape, and gaining the heart of Gunloda, he prevailed on her to let him drink three draughts of the liquor entrusted to her care. But the crafty Deity, resolving to make the most of his advantage, pulled so deep, that at the last draught, he left none behind him in the vessel; and transforming himself into an Eagle, flew away to Asgard, to deposit in safety, the precious treasure he had obtained. The Giant who was a Magician, instantly discovered the artifice that had been practised, and changing himself also into an Eagle, flew with all speed after Odin; who had almost reached the gates of Asgard. Then the Gods all ran out of their palaces to assist and support their master; and foreseeing that he would have much difficulty to secure the liquor, without exposing himself to the danger of being taken, they immediately set out all the vessels they could lay their hands on. In effect, Odin finding he could not escape but by easing himself of that burthen which retarded his flight, instantly filled all the pitchers with this miraculous liquor: and from hence it has been distributed among both Gods and men. But in the hurry and confusion in which the liquor was discharged, the bulk of mankind were not aware that Odin only threw up part of it through his beak; the rest was emitted in an opposite direction: and as it is only the former liquor that this God gives as a beverage to the good Poets, whom he would wish to animate with a divine inspiration: so it is only the latter fort that falls to the share of bad rhymers; for as this flowed from its inferior source in the greatest abundance, the Gods bestow it in liberal draughts on all that will apply: this makes the crowd very great about the vessels; and this is the reason why the world is overwhelmed with such a redundance of wretched verses. [Back]
4. "At shrines." --- The prevalence of sacrifices among the heathen, is very remarkable. Di, quibus imperium est pelagi, quorum equora curro, Vobis lætus ego hoc candentem in littore taurum Constituam ante arras, voti reus; extaque salsos Porriciam in fluctibus & vina liquentia fundam. VIRGIL. Quis non altaribus illis Irrita thura tulit? quoties pro conjuge conjux, Pro nato genitor, dum verba precantia dicit, Non exoratis animam finivit in aris, Inque manu thuris pars inconsumpta reperta est! Admoti quoties templis, dum vota sacerdos Concipit, & fundit purum inter cornua vinum, Haud expectato ceciderunt vulnere tauri! OVID [Back]
5. "Tho' virgins." --- There was perpetual enmity between Thor and the race of Giants. [Back]
6. Odlingi. --- This family took its name from Odi the son of Halfdan. He and his brother Budlin are said to have conquered Saxony and Gaul, and to have reigned there. [Back]
7. Ylfingi. --- It is uncertain from whence this family derived its name, whether from Ulf the great-grandfather of Ottar, or Alf, or lastly from Oler the son of Dager, nephew of Halfdan. [Back]
8. Skioldungi. --- There are two families of this name, one of Danish kings, from Skiold the son of Odin, and another of the kings of Norway, from Skiold, the son of Skelter, nephew of Halfdon. [Back]
9. "Auli." --- Saxo Grammaticus relates many things concerning this person. Among others he mentions his having been engaged in naval wars with the neighbouring kings, and also that leagued with Ring, he had undertaken a war against Harold. [Back]