Vluspá

The Prophesy of the Seeress

Translation by D Paul Alecsandri

I am gradually (as work time allows) redrawing þis page to reflect a ſtandardīſd ſpelling in þē original text (þat of Zoëga and Cleaſby), and to update my translation. I have alſo compīld a new verſion of þē original text from four different ſources (a ſtandard compilation, Codex Regius, Hauksbók, and an unatteſted verſion given to me by my Germanic Hiſtory profeſsor in Binghamton University, which i include only becauſe it doesn’t entirely match any of þē oþer verſions) in order to offer þe moſt extenſive verſion of þe text þat i can. You can note my progreſs by following þe footnotes in þe text, which are a new addition, as well as þe uſe of updated orþography in þe translation.

I am alſo updating my table ſtructure to uſe ſtyles ſo þey are a little eaſyër to diſplay and take leſs time to load. Pleaſe bear wiþ me as þeſe changes are taking place.

Finally, i have begun recording ſound bytes of þē individual verſes in caſe anyöne is intereſted in hearing þe text read aloud. Þough i ave no more heard Old Icelandic ſpoken by a native ſpeaker þan Mediæval Latin, i have a fairly good ideä of its pronunciation due to þē extenſive linguiſtical reſearch i have done on þe language. For þe moſt part my pronunciation is ſimilar to þat deſcrībd by Cleasby, differing only perhaps on -au- and --. Click on þe translation to hear a .wav file of þe verſe.

1.
Hlióðs bið ek	allar helgar kindir,	Silence, i beg of you, all holy races, greater and leſser of þe ſons of Heimdall. You wanted þat i, Valfaþer, tell to You þē ancient tales of men, which are þē oldeſt þat i can recall.
meiri ok minni,	mgu Heimdallar.¹
viltu at ek, Valfðr,²	vel framtelja³
forn spjll fira,	þau er (ek)⁴ fremst um man.
¹ Home Valley. ² Faþer of Þoſe Slain in Battle. (Anoþer name for Óðin.) ³ Alſo “fyrtelja” in two of þe texts. Þe meaning is þe ſame. ⁴ “Ek” appears only in þe Codex Regius.
2.
Ek man jtna,	ár um borna	I remember þe giants, born long ago, when þey raiſd me; nine realms I remember, nine worlds, of þe magnificent World Tree below þē earþ.
þá er forðum mik	fœdda hfðu;
níu man ek heima,	níu íviði,
mjtvið¹ mœran	fyr(ir)² mold neðan.
¹ Yggdrasil. ² Hauksbók uſes “fyrir.”
3.
Ár var alda,	þar er Ýmir¹ bygði,	It was long ago when Ýmir dwelt. Þere was neiþer ſand nor ſea nor cold waves; þere was no earþ to be found nor heaven above. Þē abyſs was ſtill freſh, and þere was no graſs anywhere.
vara sandr né sær	né svalar unnir;
jrð fannsk æva	né upphiminn,
gap var ginnunga,²	enn gras hvergi.
¹ “Þe Roarer.” ² Ginnunga-gap refers to primordial chaoſs when þe world was young. “Very-young Gap?”
4.
Áðr Burs synir¹	bjðum um ypðu,	Þen Bur’s ſons raiſd up þe ground, and Miðgarð þe glorious þey ſhāpt; þe ſun ſhone from þe ſouþ on þe ſtones of þe halls, and þe meadows grew þick wiþ green leeks.
þeir er miðgarð,	mœran, skópu;
sól skein sunnan	á salar steina,
þá var grund gróin	grœnum lauki.
¹ Bur’s sons were Óðin, Vili, and Vé.
5.
Sól varp sunnan,	sinni mána,	Þe Sun turned from þe ſouþ, þe moon at her ſide, her right hand on þē edge of heaven; þe Sun did not know where her hall was, þe stars did not know where their places were, þe moon did not know his power.¹
hendi inni hœgri	um himinjður;
sól þat né vissi,	hvar hon sali átti,
stjrnar þat né vissu,	hvar þær staði áttu,
máni þat né vissi,	hvat hann megins átti.
¹ Þis entire verſe likely refers to þe midnight ſun of norþern latitudes.
6.
Þá gengu regin ll	á rkstóla,	So þe rulers all went to þeir ſeats of judgement, very holy gods, and took council on þis: to night and waning moon þey gave names, morning was named and midday, dawn and dusk, þe ſeaſons were counted.
ginnheilg goð,	ok um þat gættusk:
nótt ok niðjum¹	nfn um gáfu,
morgin hétu	ok miðjan dag,
undorn ok aptan,	árum at telja.
¹ Þis likely refers to þe waning moon, alþough it may alſo mean “no moon” (new moon) or even full moon.
7.
Hittusk æsir	á Iðavelli,¹	Þe gods hurryd to Iðavall, and þere þey built up altar and temple high, þey laid hearþs, forged riches, ſhāpt tongs, and wrought tools.
þeir er hrg ok hof	há timbruðu,²
alfla lgðu,	auð smíðuðu,
tangir skópu	ok tól grðu.
¹ Whirlpool Field. ² Hauksbók reads: “afls kostuðv, allz freistuðu.” (“teſted ſtrengþ and prōvd all.”)
8.
Teflðu í túni,	teitir váru,	Þey playd cheſs in þe courtyard, þey were merry, and þere was no lack of anyþing made of gold, until þree giant maidens came, quite terrible, from þe realm of þe giants.
var þeim vættugis	vant ór gulli,
unz þrjár kvámu	þursa meyjar,
ámátkar mjk,	ór jtunheimum.
9.
Þá gengu regin ll	á rkstóla,	So þe rulers all went to þeir ſeats of judgement, very holy gods, and took council on þis: Who ſhould ſhape þe dwarf people from Brim’s blood and from Blain’s bones.
ginnheilg goð,	ok um þat gættusk,
hverr skyldi dverga	dróttin skepja,
ór Brimis¹ blóði	ok ór Blains² leggjum.
¹ Brim is a giant, “þe Sea” or “þe Surf.” ² Blain is anoþer giant, “þe Blue Waves.”
10.
Þá var Móðsognir¹	mæztr um orðinn	Þere Móðsogni had become þe mightieſt of all þe dwarves, and Durin ſecond; þey made many human ſhapes, þeſe dwarves, out of clay, as Durin inſtructed.
dverga allra,	enn Durinn² annarr;
þeir manlíkun	mrg um grðu,
dvergar, ór jrðu,	sem Durinn sagði.
¹ “Mud Tide?” ² “Sulky.”
11.
Nýi ok Niði,¹	Norðri ok Suðri¹	Nýi and Niði, Norðri and Suðri, Austri and Vestri, Alþjóf, Dvalin, Ná and Náin, Níping, Dáin, Bífur, Báfur, Bmbur, Nóri, Án and Ánar, Ái, Miðvitnir.
Austri ok Vestri,	Alþjófr, Dvalinn,²
Nár ok Náinn,	Nípingr, Dáinn,³
Bívurr, Bávurr,	Bmburr, Nóri,⁴
Án ok Ánarr,⁵	Ái,⁶ Miðvitnir.^{7, 8}
¹ “Full Moon and New Moon, Norþ and Souþ” ² “Eaſt and Weſt, All-Þief, [Dwelling?]” ³ Þeſe names do not have an obvious translation. [Nóri = “Inlet?” “Small?”] ⁴ “Corpſe and Kinsman, Peak, Dead,” ⁵ Þe meaning of þeſe names is loſt. ⁶ “Great-Grandfaþer.” (Þis alſo appears in one text as Óinn.) ⁷ “Mead Wolf.” ⁸ Þe names in þis verſe do not always appear in þe ſame order.
12.
Veigr ok Gandálfr,	Vindálfr, Þráinn,¹	Veig and Gandálf, Vindálf, Þráin, Þekk and Þorin, Þró, Vit and Lit, Ný and Nýrað, Regin and Ráðsvið: Now I have correctly liſted all of þe dwarves.
Þekkr ok Þorinn,	Þrór, Vitr ok Litr,²
Nýr ok Nýraðr³	nú hefi ek dverga,⁴
Reginn ok Ráðsviðr⁵	rétt um talða.
¹ “[Strong drink?] and Magic Elf” (Hmmm, where have I heard þat name before?...), “Wind Elf, [unknown]” ² “Pleaſant and [Diminiſht?], [Trough?], Wiſe and Colourd” ³ “New and New Counsellor” ⁴ Hauksbók uſes “rekka” (upright, honourable men) inſtead of “dverga.” ⁵ “Ruler and Council-wiſe”
13.
Fili, Kili,	Fundinn, Náli,¹	Fili, Kili, Fundin, Náli, Hepti, Víli, Hánar, (and) Svíur, Billing, Brúni, Bild and Buri, Frá, Hornbori, Fræg and Lóni, Aurvang, Jari, Eikinskjaldi.
Hepti, Víli,	Hánarr, (ok) Svíurr,²
Billingr, Brúni,	Bildr ok Buri,³
Frár, Hornbori,	Frægr ok Lóni,⁴
Aurvangr, Jari,	Eikinskjaldi.⁵
¹ “File, Deſire, [unknown], and [unknown]” ² “Dagger Hilt, [Fondler?], Found, Needle” ³ “Moment, Brown, [Failure?], and Son” ⁴ “Swift, Horn Borer, Fomous, and Inlet” ⁵ “Gavel Field, [unknown], Oaken Shield”
14.
Mál er, dverga	í Dvalins liði	It is ſaid þat þeſe are þe dwarves in Dvalin’s hoſt in Lofar’s race of men. Þose who ſought to leave þe ſtones of þe hall of Aurvang’s þrone to go to þe battle field.
ljóna kindum	til Lofars telja,
þeir er sóttu	frá salar steini
Aurvanga sjt	til jruvalla.
15.
Þar var Draupnir	ok Dólgþrasir,	Þere was Draupni and Dólgþrasi, Há, Haugspori, Hlévang, Glóin, Dori, Ori, Dúf, Andvari, Skirfi, Virfi, Skáfið, Ái,
Hár, Haugspori,	Hlévangr, Glói(nn),¹
Dori, Ori,²	Dúfr, Andvari,
Skirfir, Virfir,	Skáfiðr, Ái,
¹ Þis is “Glói” in þe Codex Regius. ² Þis line does not appear in þe Codex Regius or Hauksbók.
16.
Álfr ok Yngvi,	Eikinskjaldi,¹	Álf and Yngvi, Eikinskjaldi, Fialar and Frosti, Finn and Ginnar: Þis will laſt as long as þē ages, þe liſt of Lofar’s deſcendants.
Fjalarr ok Frosti,	Finnr ok Ginnarr;²
þat mun³ æ uppi,	meðan ld lifir,
langniðja tal	Lofars hafat.
¹ Elf and Swede, Oaken Shield. ² [Plank?] and Froſt, Finn and [Jeſter?] ³ Alſo man in ſome texts.
17.
Unz þrjár kvámu	ór því liði,¹	Until þree came from þeſe people, mighty and beautiful gods to þe house; þey found þe land wiþ little powër, and þē aſh and þē elm wiþ no deſtiny.
flgir ok ástgir,	æsir, at húsi;
fundu á landi,	lítt megandi,
Ask ok Emblu,²	rlglausa.
¹ Haugsbók reads, “Vndz þriar komu þussa brudir.” (“Unz þrjár kvámu, þursa brúðir.” - “Until þree came, brides of þe giants.”) ² Þis is generally translated as “elm,” alþough it is unclear what kind of tree is really is ſuppōſd to be.
18.
nd þau né áttu,	óð þau né hfðu,	Þey had no breaþ, þey had no reaſon, nor warmþ nor voice nor good colour; Óðin gave þem breaþ, Hœni gave þem reaſon, Lóður gave þem warmþ and good colour.
lá né læti	né litu góða;
nd gaf Óðinn,	óð gaf Hœnir,
lá gaf Lóðurr	ok litu góða.
19.
Ask veit ek standa,	heitir Yggdrasill	I know of an aſh tree ſtanding, calld Yggdraſil, a high tree, wet wiþ white mud; þence come þe dews which fall in þe dales, it ſtands forever green above Urð’s well.
hár baðmr,	ausinn hvíta auri;
þaðan koma dggvar	þærs í dala falla
stendr æ yfir	grœnn Urðar brunni.
20.
Þaðan koma meyjar,	margs vitandi	Þence came þe maidens, knowing much, þree from þe hall which ſtands below þe tree; Urð one was calld, an oþer Verðandi - þey ſcōrd ſtaves - and Sculd was þe þird.
þrjár, ór þeim sal,¹	er und² þolli stendr;
Urð³ hétu eina,	aðra Verðandi,³
skáru á skíði	Skuld³ ina þriðju.
¹ In two of þe texts, þis reads “ór þeim sæ,” (from þe ſea). ² Haugsbók reads “er á þolli stendr.” ³ Þeſe are þe Norns, akin to þe greek Fates. Þeir names mean, reſpectively, “Became,” “Becoming,” and “Shall-Be,” (Paſt, Preſent, and Future) or, if You like, “Qui Erat,” “Qui Est,” and “Qui Venturus Est.”
21.
þær lg lgðu,	þær líf kuru		Þey layd laws, meaſūrd līves; born of old, þey foretold men’s deſtinys.
alda brnum	rlg (at) seggja.
22.
Þat man hon fólkvíg	fyrst í heimi,	She remembers a battle, þe firſt in þe realm, when þey stabbd Gullveig wiþ ſpears and in Há’s hall þey burnd her. Þrice þey burnd her, þrice reborn, often, and ſtill ſhe livd on.
er Gullveig(u)¹	geirum studdu
ok í hll Hárs²	hana brendu;
þrysvar brendu,³	þrysvar borna,
opt, ósjaldan,	þó hon enn lifir.
¹ “Golden drink.” (Poſsibly ale or mead?) ² “High One.” ³ “þrysvar brendu” is repeated twice in þe Codex Regius.
23.
Heiði¹ hana hétu,	hvars (er) til húsa kom,	Þey calld her Heiði when ſhe came to þe houſe, a far-ſeeïng witch, ſhe knew magic. She caſt ſpells wherever ſhe could, enchanted þe love-ſick mind. She was ever þe delight of evil women.
(ok) vlu velspá,	vitti hon ganda;
seið hon, hvars hon kunni,	seið hon hugleikin,
æ var hon angan	illrar brúðar.
¹ A proper name, equivalent to Heidi or Heather, but wiþ roots in þe words “heaþ” and “heaþen;” a witch.
24.
Þá gengu regin ll	á rkstóla,	So þe rulers all went to þeir ſeats of judgement, very holy gods, and took council on þis: Whether þē æſir ſhould be forſt to make compenſation, or ſhould all of þe gods be liable.
ginnheilg goð	ok um þat gættusk,
hvárt skyldu æsir	afráð gjalda¹
eða skyldu goðin ll	gildi eiga.
¹ Literally: “To pay a fine.”
25.
Fleygði Óðinn	ok í fólk um skaut,	Þere was a battle, þe firſt in þe realm. Broken was þe wall of þe caſtle of þe gods. Þe warwiſe vanir knew how to tread þe battlefield.
þat var enn fólkvíg	fyrst í heimi;
brotinn var borðveggr	borgar ása,
knáttu vanir vígspá	vllu sporna.
26.
Þá gengu regin ll	á rkstóla,	So þe rulers all went to þeir ſeats of judgement, very holy gods, and took council on þis: Who had poiſond þē air (wiþ lys) or given Óð’s maiden to þē Etins?
ginnheilg goð	ok um þat gættusk,
hverr hefði lopt allt	lævi blandit
eða ætt jtuns	Óðs mey¹ gefna.
¹ Óð (which can alſo mean eiþer “madneſs” or “reaſon”) was þe huſband of Freyja. Once parted, ſhe walkt þē earþ looking for him, weeping golden tears.
27.
Þórr einn þar vá	þrunginn móði,	Þór alone was troubled, ſtifling his wraþ, he seldom sits by, when he hears of ſuch þings, when oaþs are broken, word and vows, it was time for þe gods to intervene.
hann sjaldan sitr,	er hann slíkt um fregn;
á gengusk eiðar,	orð ok sœri,
mál ll meginlig	er á meðal fóru.
28.
Veit hon Heimdallar	hljóð um fólgit	She knows where Heimdall’s horn is hidden, under þe ſhade of þe holy tree. She ſees it is ſprinkled by a muddy waterfall. By þe pledge of Valfðr, would you like to know more?
undir heiðvnum	helgum baðmi;
á sér hon ausask	aurgum forsi
af veði Valfðrs	vituð ér enn, eða hvat?
29.
Ein sat hon úti,¹	þá er inn aldni kam	She was ſitting alone outſide when þē old one came, Yggjung of þē æsir, and lookt her in þē eye. “What doſt Þou aſk of me? Why doſt Þou tempt me? I know everyþing, Óðin, where Þou hiddeſt Þine eye: in Mím’s great well. Mím drinks mead every morning.” By þe pledge of Valfðr, would you like to know more?
Yggjungr ása,	ok í augu leit;
Hvers fregnið mik?	hví freistið mín?
alt veit ek, Óðinn,	hvar þú auga falt:
í inum mœra	Mímis brunni;
Drekkr mjð Mímir	morgin hverjan
af veði Valfðrs,	vituð ér enn, eða hvat?
¹ Þis is an indication þat ſhe was practiſing ſome ſort of magic, for it was forbidden to do magic indoors. (“Children, how many times do i have to tell You - Never in þe houſe!”)
30.
Valði henni Herfðr¹	hringa ok men,	Herfðr gave to her rings and necklaces, and got from her tales boþ wiſe and prophetic. She ſaw far and far around, everywhere in þe world.
fékk spjll spaklig	ok spáganga;
sá hon vítt ok um vítt	of verld hverja.
¹ Faþer of Men.
30.
Sá hon valkyrior,	vítt um komnar,	She saw the valkyries coming from afar, ready to ride to the gods’ hoards; Sculd holds the shield, Scgul another, Gunn, Hild, Gndul, and Geirgscgul; now the women of Herian are counted, ready to ride the earth, the valkyries.
gorvar at ríða	til Goðþióðar;
Sculd helt scildi,	enn Scgul nnor,
Gunnr, Hildr, Gndul	oc Geirscgul;
nú ero talðar	nnnor Herians,
gorvar at ríða	grund, valkyrior.
31.
Ec sá Baldri,	blóðgom tívor,	I saw Balder, bloody god, Óðin’s son, following his destiny; there stood growing, higher than the field, slender and very fair, the mistletoe.
Óðins barni,	ørlog fólgin;
stóð um vaxinn,	vllom hærri,
miór ok mic fagr,	mistilteinn.
32.
Varð af þeim meiði,	er mær sýndiz,	From this tree came, it seems to me, a hateful missile, Hð took the shot; Balder’s brother was born quickly, Óðin’s son, one night old, took a life.
harmflaug hættlig,	Hðr nam scióta;
Baldrs bróðir var	of borinn snemma,
sá nam Óðins sonr	einnættr vega.
33.
Þó hann æva hendr	né hfuð kembði,	Never did he wash his face or comb his hair, until he bore the funeral pyre to Balder’s foe. Frigg wept on in Fensal the woe of Valhalla, did you know that or what?
áðr á bál um bar	Baldrs andscota;
enn Frigg um grét	í Fenslom
vá Valhallar	vitoð ér enn, eða hvat?
34.
Þá kná Vála	vígbnd snúa,	And Vála knew how to tie battle bonds, strong were the ropes made of entrails.
heldr vóro harðgor	hpt ór þrmom.
35.
Hapt sá hon liggia	undir hvera lundi,	She saw, lying bound at the grove under the hot spring, a deceitful shape, he looked like Loki; there sits Sigyn by her husband saddened by his plight, did you know that or what?
lægiarns líki	Loca áþeccian;
þar sitr Sigyn,	þeygi um sínom
ver velglýiuð	vitoð ér enn, eða hvat?
36.
Á fellr austan	um eitrdala,	And there falls from the east a river through dales of venom, a river of swords and daggers, Slíð it is called.
sxom ok sverðom,	Slíðr heitir sú.
37.
Stóð fyr norðan	á Niða vllom,	There stood to the north in the Niða Fields, a hall of gold belonging to Sinder’s family; and another stood in the deep cold, the giant’s beerhall, and he was called Brimi.
salr ór gulli	Sindra ættar;
enn ennar stóð	á Ókólni,
biórsalr ituns,	enn sá Brimir heitir.
38.
Sal sá hon standa	sólo fiarri,	She saw a hall standing far from the sun, at Nástrndo, to the north opens the door; drops of poison fell through the opening in the roof, a hall wrapped in serpents’ spines.
Nástrndo á,	norðr horfa dyrr;
fello eitrdropar	inn um lióra,
sá er undinn salr	orma hryggiom.
39.
Sá hon þar vaða	þunga strauma	She saw wading in the heavy stream perjured men and murder-wolves, and those who hold secret trists with another’s wife; there Niðhgg sucks the corpses of the departed, a wolf tears men apart, did you know that or what?
menn meinsvara	oc morðvarga,
oc þannz annars glepr	eyra rúno;
þar saug Niðhggr	nái framgengna,
sleit vargr vera	vitoð ér enn, eða hvat?
40.
Austr sat in aldna	í Iárnviði	To the east sat an old woman in Iárnvið and fed Fenri’s children there; From these all one comes, star theif in troll’s shape.
oc fœddi þár	Fenris kindir;
verðr af þeim llom	einna noccorr
tungls tiúgari	í trollz hami.
41.
Fylliz firvi	feigra manna,	He fills himself up with doomed men, the death of the gods is reddened with blood and gore; the sun becomes black the next summer, everything becomes dangerous, did you know that or what?
rýðr ragna sit	rauðom dreyra;
svort verða sólscin	of sumor eptir,
veðr ll válynd	vitoð ér enn eða hvat?
42.
Sat þar á haugi	oc sló horpo	He sat there on a hill and stroked the harp the giants’ herder, glad Eggþér; there shrieked above him in Gaglvið the fair red cock, and he is called Fialar.
gýgiar hirðir,	glaðr Eggþér;
gól um hánom	í gaglviði
fagrrauðr hani,	sá er Fialarr heitir.
43.
Gól um ásom	Gullinkambi,	Gullinkambi shrieks above the gods, he wakens the heros at Heriafð’s; still another shrieks beneath the earth a rust-red cock in the hall of Hell.
sá vecr hlða	at Heriafðrs;
enn annarr gelr	fyr irð neðan,
sótrauðr hani,	at slom Heliar.
44.
Geyr Garmr mic	fyr Gnipahelli,	Garm howls loudly in front of Gnipahell, bonds will be cut, the wolf will run on; she knows much lore, I see farther off about the judgement of the rulers, the renowned gods of victory.
festr mun slitna,	enn freki renna;
filð veit hon frœða,	fram sé ek lengra
um ragna rc,	rmm sigtýva.
45.
Brœðr muno beriaz	oc at bnom verðaz,	Brothers will fight and each be the death of the other, cousins will commit incest; it is difficult in the realm, great whoredom, shield age, sword age, shields will be cloven, wind age, wolf age, then the world falls; no man will spare another.
muno systrungar	sifiom spilla;
hart er í heimi,	hórdómr mikill,
sceggld, scálmld,	scildir ro klofnir,
vindld, vargld,	áðr verold steypiz;
mun engi maðr	rðom þyrma.
46.
Leica Míms synir,	enn mituðr kyndiz	The sons of Mim play and the judgement is made known by that ancient Giallarhorn; Heimdall blows loudly, the horn is in the air, Óðin speaks with Mim’s head.
at ino gamla	Giallarhorni;
hátt blæss Heimdallr,	horn er á lopti,
mælir Óðinn	við Míms hfuð.
47.
Scelfr Yggdrasils	ascr standandi,	Yggdrasil, the standing ash, trembles, the old tree groans, the giant is loose; those on the hell roads tremble in fear, then Surt’s kinsmen swallow them.
ymr iþ aldna tré,	enn itunn losnar;
hræðaz allir	á helvegom,
áðr Surtar þann	sefi of gleypir.
48.
Hvat er með ásom,	hvat er með álfom?	What’s with the gods? What’s with the elves? all of the giants tremble, the gods go to the coucil; the dwarves groan before the stone doors, they are wise in stone, did you know that or what?
gnýr allr itunheimr,	æsir ro á þingi;
stynia dvergar	fyr steindurom,
veggbergs vísir	vitoð ér enn, eða hvat?
49.
Geyr nú Garmr mic	fyr Gnipahelli,	Garm now howls loudly in front of Gnipahell, bonds will be cut, the wolf will run on; she knows much lore, I see farther off about the judgement of the rulers, the renowned gods of victory.
festr mun slitna,	en freki renna;
filð veit hon frœða,	fram sé ek lengra
um ragna rc,	rmm sigtýva.
50.
Hrymr ecr austan,	hefiz lind fyrir,	Hrym drives from the east with his shield before him, the earth serpent writhes in great wrath; the serpent beats the waves, and the eagle cries, Neffl slits corpses open, Naglfar is loose.
snýz irmungandr	í itunmóði;
ormr knýr unnir,	enn ari hlaccar,
slítr nái nefflr,	Naglfar losnar.
51.
Kióll ferr austan,	koma muno Muspellz	A boat comes from the east, the Muspell will come over the wave crests, and Loki steers; Fífl’s kin are all away with the wolves, with the brother of Býleipt in front.
um lg lýðir,	enn Loki stýrir;
fara fífls megir	með freca allir,
þeim er bróðir	Býleiptz í for.
52.
Surtr ferr sunnan	með sviga lævi,	Surt comes from the south with twigs’ bane, shining from his sword is the sun of the gods; mountain crags grind, and the witch roams, men tread the hell-road and heaven is cut in two.
scínn af sverði	sól valtíva;
griótbirg gnata,	enn gifr rata,
troða halir helveg,	enn himinn klofnar.
53.
Þa kømr Hlínar	harmr annarr fram,	From this comes a second grief for Hlín, as Óðin comes to fight with the wolf, and bright Belia dies by Surt’s hand; then will Friggia’s pleasures fall.
er Óðinn ferr	við úlf vega,
enn bani Belia,	biartr, at Surti;
þa mun Friggiar	falla angan.
54.
Geyr nú Garmr mic	fyr Gnipahelli,	Garm now howls loudly in front of Gnipahell, bonds will be cut, the wolf will run on; she knows much lore, I see farther off about the judgement of the rulers, the renowned gods of victory.
festr mun slitna,	en freki renna;
filð veit hon frœða,	fram sé ek lengra
um ragna rc,	rmm sigtýva.
55.
Þa kømr inn micli	mgr Sigfður,	Then comes that great kindsman of Sigfður, Viðar, to fight the valbeast; thrusts with his sword into Hveðrung’s son as he stands strikes him to the heart, and avenges his father.
Víðarr, vega	at valdýri;
lætr hann megi Hveðrungs	mund um standa
hir til hiarta,	þa er hefnt fður.
56.
Gínn lopt yfir	lindi iarðar,	The air yawns over the shield of the earth, Ýg’s jaws gape, serpent in the heights; Óðin’s son will meet the serpent, at the death of the wolf who is Víðar’s kinsman.
gapa Ýgs kiaptar	orms í hæðom;
mun Óðins sonr	eitri mœta,
vargs at dauða	Víðars niðia.
57.
Þa kømr inn mœri	mgr Hlóðyniar,	Then comes Hlóðyn’s renowned kinsman, Óðin’s son went by wolf to battle the serpent; he slays him in rage in the guard of Middle-earth, all men will empty their homesteads; he goes nine feet away, Firgyn’s son bent forth, fearing no hate.
Gengr Óðins sonr	við orm úlf vega;
drepr hann af móði	miðgarðz véor,
muno halir allir	heimstð ryðia;
gengr fet nío	Firgyniar burr
neppr frá naðri,	níðs óquiðnom.
58.
Sól tér sortna,	sígr fold í mar,	The sun dims, the earth sinks into the sea, the stars are hurled from the heavens; smoke surrounds the life nourisher, the heat rises high against heaven itself.
hverfa af himni	heiðar stirnor;
geisar eimi	við aldrnara,
leicr hár hiti	við himin siálfan.
59.
Geyr nú Garmr mic	fyr Gnipahelli,	Garm now howls loudly in front of Gnipahell, bonds will be cut, the wolf will run on; she knows much lore, I see farther off about the judgement of the rulers, the renowned gods of victory.
festr mun slitna,	en freki renna;
filð veit hon frœða,	fram sé ek lengra
um ragna rc,	rmm sigtýva.
60.
Sér hon upp koma	ðro sinni	She sees coming up again the earth out of the green waves; the cateracts fall, the eagle flies above, he catches fish in the falls.
irð ór ægi,	iðiagrœna;
falla forsar,	flýgrrn yfir,
sá er á fialli	fisca veiðir.
61.
Finnaz æsir	á Iðavelli	The Æsir meet on Iða Field and make judgements about the mighty worm and reflect there upon great events and Fimbultý’s old secret lore.
oc um moldþinur	mátcan, dœma
oc minnaz þar	á megindóma
oc á Fimbultýs	fornar rúnar.
62.
Þar muno eptir	undrsamligar	There will be found, wonderfully, golden chess pieces in the grass, those that they had in the old days.
Gullnar tflor	í grasi finnaz,
ðærs í árdaga	áttar hfðo.
63.
Þar muno ósánir	acrar vaxa,	There will the unsown acres grow, wrongs will all be righted, Baldr will come; Hð and Baldr will build Hropt’s victory house, gods of the slain, did you know that or what?
bls mun allz batna,	Baldr mun koma;
búa þeir Hðr ok Baldr	Hroptz sigtóptir,
vel, valtívar	vitoð ér enn, eða hvat?
64.
Þá kná Hœnir	hlautvið kiósa,	There Hœnir knows how to cast lots and the two brothers dwell in the vast wind realm, did you know that or what?
oc byrir byggia	brœðra tveggia
vindheim víðan	vitoð ér enn, eða hvat?
65.
Sal sér hon standa,	sólo fegra,	A hall she sees standing, fair in the sun, gold-roofed, belonging to Gimlé; there shall worthy people dwell and for all days they shall be happy.
gulli þacþan,	á Gimlé;
þar scolo dyggvar	dróttir byggia
oc um aldrdaga	ynðis nióta.
66.
Þá kømr inn ríki	at regindómi,	There somes the mighty one to the judgment day, powerful, from above, he sees and rules all.
flugr, ofan,	sá er llo ræðr.
67.
þá kømr inn dimmi	dreki fliúgandi,	There comes the gloomy flying dragon, a flashing snake below from Niða Falls; it decks itself in feathers, flies over ground, Niðhgg, corpses, now she will sink out of sight.
naðr fránn, neðan	frá Niðafillom;
berr sér í fiðrom	flýgr vll yfir,
Niðhggr, nái	nú mun hon søcqvaz.

1998.03.03·2005.02.16