THE WELCOME <>F ODIN To Kilt IK. 



42! > 



trusted so well himself and his host that he went far inland 

 with warfare. Then King Olaf, King Jatmund's tax-king, 4 

 came against him ; they fought, and Eirik was overpowered 

 by the land-host, and fell there with all his men. Arnkel 

 and Erlend, the sons of Torfeinar (jarl in the Orkneys), fell 

 there with him (Fagrskinna, c. 28). 



After the death of Eirik, Gunnhild (his wife) caused a poem 

 to be made on him, how Odin welcomed him, which gives us 

 an idea of the belief of people about the Valhalla. 



What dreams are those ? 



Methought a little before day 



That I made Valho'll ready 



For slain people ; 



I bid the valkyrjas cany wine, 



As a king (visi) was coming ; 



I expect 



From the earth 



Some famous warriors ; 



Therefore is my heart glad. 



What is thundering, Bragi, 



As if a thousand were moving, 



Or a multitude of men? 



The wainscot walls do creak (Bragi 



answers) 



As if Baldr were coming 

 Back to the halls of Odin. 

 Foolish talk (said Odin) 

 Sayest thou, wise Bragi, 

 Though thou well knowest all things 

 It is thundering for Eirik 

 AVho will come here 

 The chief into the halls of Odin. 



Sigmund and Sinfjotli ! 



Rise quickly 



And go meet the chief; 



Bid him come in 



If it be Eirik, 



For him I now expect. 



I awakened the Einherjar; 



I bid them rise 



To spread the benches with straw, 



To wash the beer-vessels, 



Why expectest thou Eirik (Sigmund 



said) 



More than other kings ? (konung) 

 In many a land (said Odin) 

 Has he reddened the sword (mcekir) 

 And carried the bloody blade. 



Why didst thou then deprive him of 



victory 



As thou thoughtest he was brave ? 

 Because it is uncertain 

 When the grey wolf looks 

 To the seat of the gods. 



Hail no\v, Eirik (said Sigmund), 

 Thou shall be welcome here ; 

 Enter the hall, wise man ; 

 I would ask 

 Who follows thee 



Of kings (jb'fr) from the thunder of 

 edges (battle) '? 



There are five (said Eirik). 

 I shall tell the names of all. 

 I am myself the sixth. 



Some under-king, or host-kings, probably from Norway. 



