336 
is, — Will this state of things be permanent ? and the answer 
given by the Norse religious-mythology is that it will not. A 
moment of supreme crisis will arrive in which the ever-opposing 
forces, who may be briefly described as the Powers of Good and 
Evil, will engage in a decisive and intensified contest called 
Ragnarok,* “the Twilight-of-the-gods.” The first sign of 
this terrible event will be the gradual increase of human 
wickedness : — 
“ Further forward I see. 
Of Ragnarok 
Brothers shall fight, 
Cousins shall 
No man will 
Hard is it in the world, 
An axe age, a sword age, 
A wind age, a wolf age. 
Three winters of bloodshed and general disorder will be 
followed by the terrible Fimbulvetr, “ mighty- winter/' or 
three winters of severe cold, when the sun will lose its force. 
At length the Evil-powers will break their present restraints 
and make a general attack upon the world and the gods. 
The wolves who have so long pursued the sun and moon 
will overtake and swallow them; and “the bright stars fall 
from heaven. - ” J A golden-combed cock, type of the benevo- 
lent and beneficial solar power, will crow over the Aesir ; 
whilst a lurid-red cock, type of the destructive flame, will crow 
in the Under-world. To the mighty plain called Yigridr, 
“ Battle,” hasten the opponents of the gods ; namely (1), 
Surtr, whose sword outshines the sun, and the genii of the 
fire from Muspelheim, who, as they march across the bridge 
Bifrost, break it in pieces ; (2) Hrym, “ Rime,” and the array of 
frost giants ; and (3) Loki and his children, with the terrible 
dog Garmr, for Fenrir and Garmr have burst their bonds and 
come up from the Under-world, and the Great Serpent lashing 
the sea in fury comes forth against the gods and places himself 
by the side of the Wolf. Meanwhile, Heimdallr arouses the 
gods by terrific blasts upon the Gjallerhorn, and they gather 
upon the fatal plain, supported by the Einheriar, or “ Great 
Heroes,” who, having fallen gloriously in battle have been re- 
ceived by Odhinn into Valholl, “the Hall-of-the-slain.” The 
contest begins. The solar Odhinn, with golden helmet and 
* “ From regin, gen. pi. ragna, cleus, potestas, and rockr, hvilight , dark- 
ness ” (Thorpe, Northern Mythology , i. 205). 
f Voluspa , 44-6. X Ibid. 56. 
Much can I say 
And the gods conflict. 
And slay each other ; 
Kinship violate. 
Another spare. 
Great whoredom ; 
Shields shall be cloven, 
Ere the world sinks.” j* 
