THE DEVONSHIRE xVSH-TREE CHARM. 
147 
roaring cauldron). But under the root that stretches out towards 
the Frost-giants there is Mimir's well, in which wisdom and -wit lie 
hidden 
" The third root of the ash is in heaven, and under it is the holy 
Urdar-fount. Tis here that the gods sit in judgment. Every day 
they ride up hither on horseback over Bifrost (the Tremulous 
Bridge or the Aerial Bridge), which is called the JEsiv Bridge. . . . 
As for Thor, he goes on foot, and is obliged every day to wade the 
rivers Kormt and CErmt, and two others called Kerlaung. 
" Through these shall Thor wade every day, as he fares to the 
doomstead under YggdrasiU's ash, else the iEsir Bridge would be 
in flames, and boiling hot would become the holy waters. . . . 
Near the fountain, which is under the ash, stands a very beauteous 
dwelling, out of which go three maidens. . . . These maidens fix 
the lifetime of all men, and are called Norns " 
"What more wonders hast thou to tell me," said Gangler, "con- 
cerning the ash V 
" What I have further to say respecting it," replied Har, " is, 
that there is an eagle perched upon its branches who knows many 
things : between his eyes sits the hawk called Verdurfolnir (Con- 
cealing the weather, or causing serenity). The squirrel named 
Batatb'sk runs up and down the ash, and seeks to cause strife be- 
tween the eagle and Mdhb'gg (the Tenebrous Hewer or Gnawer) 
Four harts run across the branches of the tree and bite the buds. 
.... But there are so many snakes with Mdhogg in Hvergelmir 
(The Boaring Cauldron) that no tongue can recount them. As it 
is said — 
' YggdrasiU's ash 
More hardship bears 
Than men imagine ; 
The hart bites above, 
At the sides it rots, 
Below gnaws Nidhogg.' 
"And again — 
' More serpents lie 
Under YggdrasiU's ash 
Than simpletons think of 
"It is also said that the ISTorns who dwell by the Udar-fount 
draw every day water from the spring, and with it and the clay 
that lies around the fount sprinkle the ash, in order that its branches 
may not rot and wither away. This water is so holy that every- 
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