THE FEAST OF AGER
OR
QUARREL OF LOK


ARGUMENT

Ager, or Gymer, had prepared a feast for the Asi, after he had obtained the great Cauldron spoken of in the preceding Ode. To this feast came Odin and his wife Frigga. Thor was absent on an expedition in the East. Sifia the wife of Thor was present, Brag also and his wife Iduna. Tyr was there having but one hand; for as he strove to bind Fenrir the wolf, it was bitten off. Niorder and his wife Freya, and Vidar the Son of Odin were there. Hither also came Lok, and the servants of Freya, Beygguer and Beyla; together with many of the Asi and Alfori. Ager had two servants Fimaffenger and Elder. There polished gold answered the purpose of lights: and the bowls were handed about by invisible agency or a certain instinctive power belonging to each. The place was sacred to peace. The guests praised the servants of Ager; which displeased Lok, and he killed Fimaffenger. The Asi took their shields, and assaulting Lok, drove him into a wood. Afterwards they sit down to carouse. But Lok soon returning, thus began with Elder:

Ere another step you go,
Elder! tell, for well you know,
What high subjects entertain,
The jovial Sigtivorian train.

        ELDER
Arms those Heroes love to tell,
And what in bloody fight befel:
Th' Asori and Alfori bold ---
They no flatt'ring speeches hold.

        LOK
Now the Gods their seats forsake
Ager's supper to partake.
For Asi sons the bowl I fill
With mead, the source of many an ill.

        ELDER
Know if Ager's halls you tread,
To taste the banquet I have spread;
The angry Gods will not permit,
Th' intrusion of thy venom'd wit.

        LOK
Thy reproaches Elder! spare,
Nor thus my well known fury dare:
If undue liberty thou take,
Pointed speeches I can make.

        Lok then entered into the hall. The Asi were astonished at his coming and remained silent.

        LOK
Late return'd from distant lands,
Lok, behold! a suppliant stands:
Jovial sons of Asi haste,
Let me your metheglin taste.

Why oppress'd with silent gloom?
Gods! do you deny me room?
To the banquet's joys invite;
Or boldly say --- depart our sight.

        BRAG
Thee, to this hospitable dome,
Asi sons forbid to come:
For well the sons of Asi know
On whom their favors to bestow.

        LOK
Station'd in a foreign clime,
Odin! recollect the time,
When I thy curst designs withstood,
And mix'd with thine my streaming blood:
Then thou swor'st that bowls were free,
Mutually 'twixt thee and me.

        ODIN
Vidar! yield at my desire:
Welcome make the wolfish Sire.
The miscreant then perchance may cease
To interrupt our banquet's peace.

        LOK
Asi and Asiniæ, hail!
All within this sacred pale!
All but him I yonder see ---
Brag is my sworn enemy.

        BRAG
A horse, a falchion, and a ring,
Speedily to thee I'll bring,
The price of peace --- if thou refrain,
To interrupt our peace again.
Quell thy malice --- I advise,
And make not Gods thine enemies.

        LOK
Horses and jewels ill belong,
To him that's neither brave nor strong.
Of all the Asi feasting here,
You are most the slave of fear: ---
In battle's bloody conflict, you,
Swift to fly but not pursue.

        BRAG
Well I know these walls debar
Strife of spirits edg'd to war:
Else thy life would ill requite,
The malice of thy words this night.

        LOK
Brav'ry animates thy soul,
When briskly circulates the bowl:
Now, while anger prompts, away!
I'll meet thee in the bloody fray.