Visits to the Underworld 109 



woman, some Volva or wise woman is summoned from 

 her tomb. Other poems take us on a journey to the 

 underworld. And finally we have a long poem, the 

 most beautiful in the whole Edda, deeply imbued with 

 Celtic-Christian mythology, which brings up all the 

 beings of the underworld to join with the race of giants 

 in a final battle against gods and men. 



There are three Edda myths which tell almost the 

 same story, — the visit of a god to the underworld. The 

 first account comes from two lays, known as the Con- 

 juring of Groa {Grougcddr), and the lay ofFiolsvinn 

 (Fjolsvissmdl), in which a certain god or hero Svipdag 

 (day-swoop, daybreak) goes down to rescue a maiden 

 who seems to be confined in the netherworld in a hall 

 surrounded by flame. On his way he visits the tomb 

 of his mother, Groa, and by incantations, we may be- 

 lieve, makes her arise from her tomb, and give him 

 counsel before proceeding on his mission — 



' Awake thou, Groa, awake sweet lady. 



At the door of death I wake thee ; 

 Rememberest how thy son thou badest 

 Unto thy cairn to come.' 



Then she awakes and cries — 



' Why callest thou thy mother who is come to mould. 

 And gone from the world of men ? ' 



After that she teaches him charms to keep him safe on 

 his journey. 



When he has reached the underworld or giant-land, 

 for the two are not kept distinct here, the adventurer 

 sees the house of the maiden — Menglod is her name — 

 and this house is encircled by fire. It is guarded by 

 a monster — 



