28 



Tilt! MYTHOLOGY OF Till-: XORTILMh'X. 



the Voluspa, with much of which it corresponds, and some 

 part of which it amplifies. 



The mythical and the real are so intermingled that it is 

 often impossible to distinguish the one from the other. 



In the beginning- we are confronted by a chief named Odin, 

 the son of Bor, who lived near the Tanais (the river Don) not 

 far fiom the Pains Meeotis (the Sea of Azof), and there we 

 find one Asgard, which in all probability had its original in 

 some real locality. 



Besides Asar and Jotnar, many other tribes are mentioned 

 which can hardly be regarded as altogether mythical, some 

 of which may have inhabited the far north of the ancient 

 Sweden, or part of the present Russia and Scandinavia ; the 

 Thursar, who were also called Hrimthursar (hoar frost), and 

 the Risar, also Bergrisar (mountain Risar), appear from these 

 names to have lived in a cold mountainous country, possibly 

 the region of the Ural Mountains. 



Jotunheim, the chief burgh of which was Utgard, would 

 appear to be a general, vague name given to a very wide extent 

 of country not embraced in Asaheini (the home of the Asar). 

 Jotunheim, as the name indicates, was the home or country of 

 the Jotnar and Thursar, between whom and the Asar there was 

 fierce enmity. 



Some of the Jotnar were considered very wise, and Odin, as 

 the chief of the Asar, determined to go in disguise to Jotun- 

 heim, the home of the Jotnar, in order to seek out the Jotun 

 Vafthrudnir 1 (the mighty or wise in riddles), who was renowned 

 for his knowledge. The song begins by representing Odin 

 as consulting his wife, Frigg, as to the advisability of under- 

 taking the journey. The stanzas which follow represent Odin 

 questioning Vafthrudnir in his search for knowledge : 



Then went Odin {As Odin enters he sings ) 



To try word-wisdom Hail, Vafthrudnir, 



Of the all-wise Jotun. I have come into thy hall 



To a hall he came, To look at thyself; 



Owned by Ymir's father ; First I want to know, 



In went Ygg at once. 2 If thou art a wise 



Or an all-wise Jotun. 



1 Vafthrudnir. Vaf = weave, or en- 

 t angle : thnulnir = strong, or mighty ; 

 Vaftliriidiiir = niiglitv in riddles 



which cannot be disentangled. 

 '-' The awful = Odin. 



