388 RELIGION THE NORNIR AND VALKTRIAS. 



fall and dwell with him in Valhalla. The belief in Valkyrias 

 appears to have been of very great antiquity, and is one of the 

 most striking, poetical, and grand features of the Asa faith. 

 In no record of the religions that have come down to us do 

 we find anything that would make us suppose that such belief 

 ever existed in other parts of the world, and it was well 

 adapted to the creed of a people among whom war and the 

 conquest of other lands were leading features. 



Heid in Voluspa gives the names of the Valkyrias and in 

 her version we learn that 



She saw Valkyrias Gurm, Hild, Gondul, 



Come from far off, And Geirskogul ; 



Eeady to ride Now are numbered 



To Goth-thjod. 1 The maidens of Herjan, 2 



Skuld held a shield, The Valkyrias ready 



Skogul was next, To ride over the ground. 



So we see that originally the number of Valkyrias belonging 

 to Odin was only six, afterwards their number increased. 

 Sometimes they appear nine together, at others treble that 

 number. 



Others are mentioned in Grimnismal. Odin, speaking to 

 Geirrod, says 



I want Hrist and Mist Goll and Geirahod, 



To carry the horn to me ; Kandgrid and Kadgrid, 



Skeggjold and Skogul, And Eeginleif, 



Hild and Thrud, They carry ale to the Einherjar." 3 



Hlokk and Herfjotur, 



" Hjorvard and Sigrlin had a large and handsome son. He 

 was silent, and no name had been fastened to him. 4 He sat 

 on a mound, and saw nine Valkyrjas riding, and one of them 

 seemed the foremost she sang : 



Late wilt thou, Helgi, On the Eodnlsvellir, 6 



Rule over rings 5 If thou art ever silent." 



"The daughter of King Eylirni was Svava; she was a 

 Valkyrja and rode over air and sea ; she gave this name to 

 Jlelgi, and often afterwards sheltered him in battles " (Helga 

 Kvida Hjorvardssonar). 



The following among other poetical and figurative names 



1 Thjdd nation, nation of the Goths. I 4 See pp. 3t, 32. 



2 Odin. 5 Wealth. 



3 Warriors. e Sun plains. 



