thor’s journey to jotunheim. 
183 
palace, advises them not to give themselves airs at 
his court,—as unbecoming “ such little fellows ” as 
they were, and disappears in the wood ; “ and ”—as 
the old chronicler slyly adds—“ it is not said whether 
the CEsir wished ever to see him again.” 
They then journey on till noon; till they come to 
a vast palace, where a multitude of men, of whom 
the greater number were immensely large, sat on two 
benches. “ After this they advanced into the pre¬ 
sence of the king, Utgard Loke, and saluted him. 
He scarcely deigned to give them a look, and said, 
smiling: 4 It is late to inquire after true tidings from 
a great distance; but is it not Thor that I see? Yet 
you are really bigger than I imagined. What are 
the exploits that you can perform? For no one is 
tolerated amongst us who cannot distinguish himself by 
some art or accomplishment.’ 
“ 4 Then,’ said Lopt, ‘ I understand an art of which 
I am prepared to give proof; and that is, that no one 
here can dispose of his food as I can.’ Then answered 
Utgard Loke: ‘ Truly this is an art, if thou canst 
achieve it; which we will now see.’ He called from 
the bench a man named Loge to contend with Lopt. 
