22 THE WONDER-BOOK OF HORSES 



with the shield Swahn in one hand, and the long, 

 stout reins in the other, and let it be her duty 

 to guide the fiery steeds through the pathway of 

 the skies, favoring all men alike. And let us do 

 likewise with the boy, giving him charge of the 

 feebler team and the silvery chariot, which have 

 stood idle these many years because none of us 

 knew what to do with them. Thus we shall rid 

 ourselves of the hateful boastings of this fellow 

 Mimdilfare, and shall confer blessings not a few 

 upon all mankind." 



No sooner was this proposition made than all 

 the Asa-folk gladly agreed to it. They took the 

 two children from their homes, and imposed upon 

 each the wearisome task that had been suggested. 

 To Sol they gave the burning chariot, which was 

 henceforth called the sun-car, and to Maane they 

 assigned the silvery car that carried the moon. 

 When fair Sol ascended to her place and took the 

 long golden reins in her hands, the fiery steeds, of 

 whom even the bold Asas were afraid, leaped up 

 into the sky and, under her firm and gentle guid- 

 ance, journeyed whithersoever she wished. And 

 she named them Arvak and Alswin because they 

 were ever wakeful and as swift as eagles on the 

 wing. But the sparks which flew from the fast- 



