The Poetic Edda: Voluspo

An introductory note describes the Voluspo's placement in the Codex Regius, its variant versions, and its plan: Othin calls a Volva to tell of the past—creation, the dwarfs, the first man and woman, Yggdrasil, and the war with the Vanir—then to disclose Othin's secrets, and, after being rewarded, to prophesy the gods' destruction, the Valkyries, Baldr's slaying through Loki, the final battle in which Othin is slain, and the new world in which Baldr returns. The note discusses the poem's heathen character and possible tenth-century Icelandic authorship. The stanzas follow. The Volva asks a hearing from Heimdall's sons and addresses Valfather, offering old tales (1). She recalls the giants who fed her and the nine worlds in the tree (2). She tells of the age when Ymir lived amid a yawning gap (3), of Bur's sons raising the land and making Mithgarth (4), and of the sun, moon, and stars not knowing their places (5). The gods take council and name the times (6), build shrines and forges at Ithavoll (7), and play at tables until three giant-maids come from Jotunheim (8). The gods hold council to make dwarfs from Brimir's blood and Blain's legs (9); a catalogue names the dwarfs, from Motsognir and Durin down to Lofar (10–16). Three gods find Ask and Embla; Othin gives soul, Hönir sense, Lothur heat and hue (17–18). The ash Yggdrasil is named (19), and three Norns—Urth, Verthandi, Skuld—set men's fates (20). The gods smite and thrice burn Gollveig, who lives on (21), named Heith (22). Othin hurls his spear, beginning the first war; the gods' wall is broken (23). The gods council over tribute (24) and over who gave Oth's bride to the giants (25). Thor rises in rage and oaths are broken (26). The Volva knows Heimdall's hidden horn and Valfather's pledge (27).

The Volva sits alone when the Old One—Othin—seeks her and gazes into her eyes; she asks why he comes and declares she knows where his eye lies hidden. She states it rests deep in Mimir's well, from which Mimir drinks mead each morning from Othin's pledge, adding her refrain offering further knowledge. She recalls receiving necklaces and rings from Heerfather and seeing across all worlds. She watches Valkyries gather to ride to the gods—Skuld, Skogul, Guth, Hild, Gondul, Geirskogul among Herjan's maidens. She sees the doom set for Baldr, Othin's son, and the mistletoe. From its slender branch comes the shaft Hoth hurls; Baldr's brother, one night old, fights Othin's son, leaving hair uncombed until he brings Baldr's foe to the pyre, while Frigg weeps in Fensalir. She sees a bound figure like Loki, with Sigyn seated unhappily beside him. She names the river Slith, the golden hall of Sindri's race in Nithavellir, Brimir's beer-hall in Okolnir, and the venom-dripping hall on Nastrond where serpents wind and Nithhogg drinks the slain's blood. A giantess in Ironwood bears Fenrir's brood; one steals the sun, feeding on the dead. Eggther harps while the cock Fjalar crows; Gollinkambi rouses Othin's heroes, and another bird crows at Hel. Garm howls; the wolf breaks free. Brothers slay each other amid axe-time and sword-time. Heimdall blows the Gjallarhorn; Yggdrasil shakes; Surt's kinsman will slay Othin. Hrym, Loki, the serpent, Naglfar, and Surt advance from every side. Othin fights the wolf and falls; Vithar avenges him; Hlothyn's son battles the serpent, walks nine paces, and sinks slain.

The sun turns black, earth sinks in the sea, stars are whirled from heaven, and fire leaps about heaven. Garm howls before Gnipahellir, the fetters burst, and the wolf runs free; the speaker knows the fate of the gods. The speaker sees the earth rise green again, with cataracts and an eagle catching fish. The gods meet in Ithavoll, recalling the past and the runes of the Ruler of Gods. Golden tables stand in the grass; fields bear fruit, and Baldr comes back, dwelling with Hoth in Hropt's hall. Hönir wins the prophetic wand. A hall stands on Gimle for the righteous. A mighty lord comes to rule. Nithhogg flies from Nithafjoll bearing bodies of men; the speaker must sink.