NJORD AND FRET. 



63 



The Njord who is related to have been punished by uncon- 

 trollable sadness for falling in love with Gerd and sitting on 

 Odin's high-seat is a mythical Njord. 



" A man was called Gymir whose wife Orboda was of Berg 

 (mountain) Kisar kin. Their daughter Gerd was the most beau- 

 tiful of all women. One day Frey had gone to EMdskjdlf 1 and 

 could see over all worlds. When he looked to the North 

 he saw on a farm a large and fine house towards which a 

 woman was walking. When she lifted her arms, opening the 

 door, a light shone from them on the sea, and the air and all 

 worlds were brightened from her. His great boldness in sitting 

 down in the holy seat thus was revenged upon him, for he went 

 away, full of sorrow. When he came home he did not speak 

 or sleep or drink and no one dared question him. Then 

 Njord called to him Skirnir, the shoe-boy of Frey, and 

 told him to go to Frey, address him and ask with whom 

 he was so angry that he would not speak to men. Skirnir 

 said he would go, though not willingly, as unfavourable 

 answers might be expected from him. When he came to 

 Frey he asked why he was so sad and did not speak to men. 

 Frey answered that he had seen a beautiful woman and for 

 her sake he was so full of grief that he would not live long 

 if he should not get her. ' Now thou shalt go and ask her 

 in marriage for me and take her home hither whether her 

 father is willing or not ; I will reward it well.' Skirnir answered 

 that he would undertake this message if Frey gave him his 

 sword. This sword was so good that it fought of itself. Frey 

 did not fail to do this and gave it to him. Skirnir then went 

 and asked the woman in marriage for him and got her promise 

 that she would come after nine nights and keep her wedding 

 with Frey. When Skirnir had told Frey of his journey Frey 

 sang : 



Long is one night, 



Long is another, 



How can I endure three ? 



Often a month to me 

 Shorter seemed 



Than one half of this wedding-night. 

 (Later Edda, Gylfaginning, 37.) 



After the death of Njord, Frey, one of his sons, succeeded 

 him as high priest of the sacrifices, and, according to tradition, 

 built the great temple at Upsala, which became of great repute 

 as a most holy place among the people of the North, who came 



1 A high seat from which Odin could Skiruismal or Skirnisfb'r, on the stor\ \' 

 bee over all worlds. (Gylfaginning, 17 ) Njord falling iu love with Gerd. 

 In the older Edda there is a long poem, 



