Baldrs draumar

Senn váru æsirallir á þingiok ásynjurallar á máliok um þat réðuríkir tívarhví væri Baldriballir draumar.

The gods were all in council,the goddesses gathered too —the mighty powers took counsel:why had Baldr's dreams turned dark?

Upp reis Óðinnalda gautrok hann á Sleipnisöðul of lagði;reið hann niðr þaðanniflheljar til;mætti hann hvelpiþeim er ór helju kom.

Odin rose up,the ancient one,and saddled Sleipnir.He rode down from thereto misty Hel —met the houndthat came out of the underworld.

Sá var blóðugrum brjóst framanok galdrs föðurgól of lengi;fram reið Óðinnfoldvegr dunði;hann kom at hávuHeljar ranni.

Its chest was bloody,and it howled longat the father of magic.Odin rode on —the ground shook beneath him —until he reachedthe high hall of Hel.

Þá reið Óðinnfyrir austan dyrrþar er hann vissivölu leiði;nam hann vittugrivalgaldr kveðaunz nauðig reisnás orð of kvað:

Then Odin rodeto the east of the gate,to where he knewthe seeress's grave lay.He chanted the spellthat wakes the dead,until, forced up,the corpse spoke:

"Hvat er manna þatmér ókunnraer mér hefir aukiterfitt sinni?Var ek snivin snæviok slegin regniok drifin döggudauð var ek lengi."Óðinn kvað:

"Who is this —a stranger to me —who's forced this hard road on me?I was buried in snow,lashed by rain,soaked with dew —I have been dead a long time."

"Vegtamr ek heitisonr em ek Valtams;segðu mér ór heljuek mun ór heimi:Hveim eru bekkirbaugum sánirflet fagrligflóuð gulli?"Völva kvað:

Odin said:"Vegtam is my name —I'm Valtam's son.Tell me of Hel,and I'll tell you of the living world:for whom are the benchesstrewn with rings,the fine hallsflooded with gold?"

"Hér stendr Baldriof brugginn mjöðrskírar veigarliggr skjöldr yfiren ásmegirí ofvæni;nauðug sagðaknú mun ek þegja."Óðinn kvað:

The seeress said:"Here stands meadbrewed for Baldr,clear and bright —a shield lies over it.The gods' own kinare in despair.I've spoken against my will —now I'll be silent."

"Þegj-at-tu, völvaþik vil ek fregnaunz alkunnavil ek enn vita:Hverr mun Baldriat bana verðaok Óðins sonaldri ræna?"Völva kvað:

Odin said:"Don't fall silent, seeress —I have more to ask.I want to know it all,down to the last thing:who will becomeBaldr's killer,and steal the lifefrom Odin's son?"

"Höðr berr hávanhróðrbaðm þinighann mun Baldriat bana verðaok Óðins sonaldri ræna;nauðug sagðaknú mun ek þegja."Óðinn kvað:

The seeress said:"Hod will carrythe tall, proud branch there —he'll becomeBaldr's killer,and steal the lifefrom Odin's son.I've spoken against my will —now I'll be silent."

"Þegj-at-tu, völvaþik vil ek fregnaunz alkunnavil ek enn vita:Hverr mun heift Heðihefnt of vinnaeða Baldrs banaá bál vega?"Völva kvað:

Odin said:"Don't fall silent, seeress —I have more to ask.I want to know it all,down to the last thing:who will avengethe deed Hod has done,or bring Baldr's killerto the funeral fire?"

Rindr berr Válaí vestrsölumsá mun Óðins sonreinnættr vega:hönd of þværné höfuð kembiráðr á bál of berrBaldrs andskota;nauðug sagðaknú mun ek þegja."Óðinn kvað:

The seeress said:"Rind will bear Valiin Vestrsalir —that son of Odinwill fight at one night old.He won't wash his handsor comb his hairuntil he carriesBaldr's enemy to the fire.I've spoken against my will —now I'll be silent."

"Þegj-at-tu, völvaþik vil ek fregnaunz alkunnavil ek enn vita:Hverjar ro þær meyjarer at muni grátaok á himin verpahalsa skautum?"Völva kvað:

Odin said:"Don't fall silent, seeress —I have more to ask.I want to know it all,down to the last thing:who are those maidenswho will weep from longing,and throw to the skythe corners of their veils?"

"Ert-at-tu Vegtamrsem ek hugðaheldr ertu Óðinnaldinn gautr."Óðinn kvað:"Ert-at-tu völvané vís konaheldr ertu þriggjaþursa móðir."Völva kvað:

The seeress said:"You're not Vegtam,as I thought —you're Odin,the ancient one."Odin said:"And you're no seeress,no wise woman —you're the motherof three giants."

"Heim ríð þú, Óðinnok ver hróðigrsvá komir mannameir aftr á viter lauss Lokilíðr ór böndumok ragna rökrjúfendr koma."

The seeress said:"Ride home now, Odin,and take your pride with you.No one will cometo seek me out againuntil Loki breaks freeof his bonds,and the destroyersof the gods come at last."