Lokasenna

Ægir, er öðru nafni hét Gymir, hann hafði búit ásum öl, þá er hann hafði fengit ketil inn mikla, sem nú er sagt. Til þeirar veizlu kom Óðinn ok Frigg, kona hans. Þórr kom eigi, því at hann var í austrvegi. Sif var þar, kona Þórs, Bragi ok Iðunn, kona hans. Týr var þar. Hann var einhendr, - Fenrisúlfr sleit hönd af honum, þá er hann var bundinn. Þar var Njörðr ok kona hans Skaði, Freyr ok Freyja, Víðarr, son Óðins. Loki var þar ok þjónustumenn Freys, Byggvir ok Beyla. Margt var þar ása ok alfa. Ægir átti tvá þjónustumenn, Fimafengr ok Eldir. Þar var lýsigull haft fyrir elts ljós. Sjálft barst þar öl. Þar var griðastaðr mikill. Menn lofuðu mjök, hversu góðir þjónustumenn Ægis váru. Loki mátti eigi heyra þat, ok drap hann Fimafeng. Þá skóku æsir skjöldu sína ok æpðu at Loka ok eltu hann braut til skógar, en þeir fóru at drekka. Loki hvarf aftr ok hitti úti Eldi. Loki kvaddi hann:"Segðu þat, Eldirsvá at þú einugifeti gangir framarhvat hér innihafa at ölmálumsigtíva synir."Eldir kvað:

Aegir, who was also called Gymir, had brewed ale for the gods, once he'd gotten hold of the great cauldron, as was just told. Odin came to that feast, and Frigg, his wife. Thor didn't come — he was out east. Sif was there, Thor's wife, and Bragi, and his wife Idunn. Tyr was there. He was one-handed — Fenrir had torn his hand off when the wolf was bound. Njord was there, and his wife Skadi, and Freyr and Freyja, and Vidar, Odin's son. Loki was there too, and Freyr's servants, Byggvir and Beyla. Many gods and elves had gathered there. Aegir had two servants, Fimafeng and Eldir. Glowing gold lit the hall in place of fire. The ale served itself. It was a great sanctuary. People praised how good Aegir's servants were. Loki couldn't bear to hear it, and he killed Fimafeng. Then the gods shook their shields and shouted at Loki and chased him off into the forest, and went back to drinking. Loki came back and found Eldir outside. Loki greeted him:"Tell me, Eldir —not one step farther —what are the sons of the victory-godstalking about in there,over their ale?"

"Of vápn sín dæmaok um vígrisni sínasigtíva synir;ása ok alfaer hér inni erumanngi er þér í orði vinr."Loki kvað:

Eldir said:"They're talking of their weapons,and their skill in war —the sons of the victory-gods.Of all the gods and elves gathered here,not one has a friendly word for you."

"Inn skal gangaÆgis hallir íá þat sumbl at sjá;jöll ok áfufæri ek ása sonumok blend ek þeim svá meini mjöð."Eldir kvað:

Loki said:"I'm going in —into Aegir's hall —to see this feast for myself.I'll bring the gods strife and hatred,and mix their mead with malice."

"Veiztu, ef þú inn gengrÆgis hallir íá þat sumbl at sjáhrópi ok rógief þú eyss á holl reginá þér munu þau þerra þat."Loki kvað:

Eldir said:"Know this:if you go in, into Aegir's hall,to see this feast,and spray the gracious powers with slander and spite —they'll wipe it straight back on you."

"Veiztu þat, Eldiref vit einir skulumsáryrðum sakaskauðigr verðamun ek í andsvörumef þú mælir til margt."Síðan gekk Loki inn í höllina. En er þeir sá, er fyrir váru, hverr inn var kominn, þögnuðu þeir allir.Loki kvað:

Loki said:"You know this too, Eldir:if the two of us trade cutting words alone,I'll come out richer in answers,if you say too much to me."Then Loki went into the hall. When those inside saw who had come in, they all fell silent.Loki said:

"Þyrstr ek komþessar hallar tilLoftr, um langan vegásu at biðjaat mér einn gefimæran drykk mjaðar.

"Thirsty I've come to this hall —I, Lopt, after a long road —to ask the gods for one thing:that someone pour mea fine drink of mead.

Hví þegið ér sváþrungin goðat þér mæla né meguð?Sessa ok staðivelið mér sumbli ateða heitið mik heðan."Bragi kvað:

Why sit there silent,you swollen gods,with nothing to say?Find me a seat and a place at the feast,or tell me to leave."Bragi said:

"Sessa ok staðivelja þér sumbli atæsir aldregiþví at æsir vituhveim þeir alda skulugambansumbl of geta."Loki kvað:

"A seat and a place at the feast —the gods will never find you one.The gods know wellwhich guests they wantat their high feast."Loki said:

"Mantu þat, Óðinner vit í árdagablendum blóði saman?Ölvi bergjalézktu eigi mundunema okkr væri báðum borit."Óðinn kvað:

"Remember, Odin —back in the old days,we mixed our blood together?You swore you'd never drink aleunless it was poured for us both."Odin said:

"Rístu þá, Viðarrok lát ulfs föðursitja sumbli atsíðr oss Lokikveði lastastöfumÆgis höllu í."Þá stóð Viðarr upp ok skenkði Loka. En áðr hann drykki, kvaddi hann ásuna:

"Get up, then, Vidar,and let the wolf's father sit at our feast —so Loki doesn't speak his curseshere in Aegir's hall."Then Vidar stood and poured Loki a drink. Before Loki drank, he toasted the gods:

"Heilir æsirheilar ásynjurok öll ginnheilög goð -nema sá einn ásser innar sitrBragi, bekkjum á."Bragi kvað:

"Hail to the gods!Hail to the goddesses!Hail to all the holy powers —all but the one god sitting there, on the bench:Bragi."Bragi said:

"Mar ok mækigef ek þér míns féarok bætir þér svá baugi Bragisíðr þú ásumöfund of gjaldirgrem þú eigi goð at þér."Loki kvað:

"I'll give you a horse and a sword from my own hoard,and Bragi will make it up to you with a ring besides —so you won't turn the gods against you.Don't rouse them to anger."Loki said:

"Jós ok armbaugamundu æ verabeggja vanr, Bragi;ása ok alfaer hér inni eruþú ert við víg varastrok skjarrastr við skot."Bragi kvað:

"Horses and arm-rings —you'll always be short of both, Bragi.Of the gods and elves gathered here,you're the most battle-shy,and the quickest to flinch from a bowshot."Bragi said:

"Veit ek, ef fyr útan væraksvá sem fyr innan emkÆgis höll of kominnhöfuð þittbæra ek í hendi mér;lykak þér þat fyr lygi."Loki kvað:

"If I were out there now,the way I'm in here, inside Aegir's hall —I'd carry your head off in my hands.I'd pay you back for your lies."Loki said:

"Snjallr ertu í sessiskal-at-tu svá geraBragi bekkskrautuðr;vega þú gakkef þú vreiðr séir;hyggsk vætr hvatr fyrir."Iðunn kvað:

"Bold in your seat, Bragi, bench-ornament —but you'd never do it.Go on, get up and fight, if you're really so angry.A brave man doesn't sit and think it over."Idunn said:

"Bið ek þik, Bragibarna sifjar dugaok allra óskmagaat þú Lokakveðir-a lastastöfumÆgis höllu í."Loki kvað:

"Please, Bragi —for the sake of family, and for all our foster-children —don't curse Lokihere in Aegir's hall."Loki said:

"Þegi þú, Iðunnþik kveð ek allra kvennavergjarnasta verasíztu arma þínalagðir ítrþvegnaum þinn bróðurbana."Iðunn kvað:

"Be quiet, Idunn.Of all women, I say you're the most man-hungry there is —you, who threw your bright, washed armsaround your own brother's killer."Idunn said:

"Loka ek kveðk-alastastöfumÆgis höllu í:Braga ek kyrribjórreifan;vilk-at ek, at it vreiðir vegizk."Gefjun kvað:

"I won't curse Lokihere in Aegir's hall.I'm calming Bragi down —he's had too much beer;I don't want the two of themfighting angry."Gefjon said:

"Hví it æsir tveirskuluð inni hérsáryrðum sakask?Loftki þat veitat hann leikinn erok hann fjörg öll fía."Loki kvað:

"Why do you two godshave to trade bitter words in here?Loki doesn't knowthat he's being made a fool of —and that every living thinghates him."Loki said:

"Þegi þú, Gefjunþess mun ek nú getaer þik glapði at geðisveinn inn hvítier þér sigli gafok þú lagðir lær yfir."Óðinn kvað:

"Be quiet, Gefjon.I'll bring up now what corrupted you:the fair-haired boy who gave you a necklace,and you laid your thigh over him."Odin said:

"Ærr ertu, Lokiok örvitier þú fær þér Gefjun at gremiþví at aldar örlöghygg ek, at hon öll of vitijafngörla sem ek."Loki kvað:

"You're mad, Loki, out of your mind,provoking Gefjon's anger.She knows the fates of every being, I think,as well as I do."Loki said:

"Þegi þú, Óðinnþú kunnir aldregideila víg með verum;oft þú gaftþeim er þú gefa skyldir-ainum slævurum sigr."Óðinn kvað:

"Be quiet, Odin.You never knew how to deal out war fairly among men.You've often given victory to men who didn't deserve it —to the weaker side."Odin said:

"Veiztu, ef ek gafþeim er ek gefa né skyldainum slævurum, sigrátta vetrvartu fyr jörð neðankýr mólkandi ok konaok hefr þú þar börn boritok hugða ek þat args aðal."Loki kvað:

"Suppose I did give victoryto men who didn't deserve it,to the weaker side.You spent eight winters down under the earth as a woman —milking cows, and bearing children there.And I called that the mark of a pervert."Loki said:

"En þik síða kóðuSámseyu íok draptu á vétt sem völur;vitka líkifórtu verþjóð yfirok hugða ek þat args aðal."Frigg kvað:

"But they say you practiced seiðr on Samsø,beating the drum like a witch.You went among mankindin a sorcerer's shape.And I called that the mark of a pervert."Frigg said:

"Örlögum ykkrumskylið aldregisegja seggjum fráhvat it æsir tveirdrýgðuð í árdaga;firrisk æ forn rök firar."Loki kvað:

"The two of you shouldn't tell peoplewhat you got up to, back in the old days —whatever you two gods did, long ago.Let old history stay buried."Loki said:

"Þegi þú, Friggþú ert Fjörgyns mærok hefr æ vergjörn veriter þá Véa ok Viljaléztu þér, Viðris kvænbáða i baðm of tekit."Frigg kvað:

"Be quiet, Frigg.You're Fjorgyn's daughter,and you've always been man-hungry:you, Odin's own wife,took both Vili and Ve into your bed."Frigg said:

"Veiztu, ef ek inni ættakÆgis höllum iBaldri líkan burút þú né kvæmirfrá ása sonumok væri þá at þér vreiðum vegit."Loki kvað:

"If I had a son here in Aegir's hall,one like Baldr,you'd never get out of here alive, away from the gods.They'd kill you where you stand, for all your rage."Loki said:

"Enn vill þú, Friggat ek fleiri teljamína meinstafi:ek því réðer þú ríða sér-atsíðan Baldr at sölum."Freyja kvað:

"So you want more, Frigg? Fine —I'll tell you more of my crimes.It was my doingthat you'll never see Baldrride home to this hall again."Freyja said:

"Ærr ertu, Lokier þú yðra telrljóta leiðstafi;örlög Frigghygg ek, at öll vitiþótt hon sjalfgi segi."Loki kvað:

"You're mad, Loki,naming your own foul, shameful crimes out loud.Frigg knows every fate there is, I think —she just doesn't say it."Loki said:

"Þegi þú, Freyjaþik kann ek fullgörvaer-a þér vamma vant:ása ok alfaer hér inni eruhverr hefir þinn hór verit."Freyja kvað:

"Be quiet, Freyja.I know you through and through —you're not without sin yourself:every single god and elf in this hallhas had you as a lover."Freyja said:

"Flá er þér tungahygg ek, at þér fremr myniógótt of gala;reiðir ro þér æsirok ásynjurhryggr muntu heim fara."Loki kvað:

"Your tongue is false,and I think it'll sing you an even worse song before it's through.The gods are furious with you, and so are the goddesses —you'll go home in grief."Loki said:

"Þegi þú, Freyjaþú ert fordæðaok meini blandin mjöksíz þik at bræðr þínumstóðu blíð reginok myndir þú þá, Freyja, frata."Njörðr kvað:

"Be quiet, Freyja —you're a witch, steeped deep in evil.The gods caught you in bed with your own brother,and you farted, Freyja."Njord said:

"Þat er válítitþótt sér varðirvers fái, hós eða hvárs;hitt er undr, er áss ragrer hér inn of kominnok hefir sá börn of borit."Loki kvað:

"It's no great harmif a woman takes a husband, or a lover, or both.The real wonder isthat a pervert god has walked in here —one who's borne children of his own."Loki said:

"Þegi þú, Njörðrþú vart austr heðangíls of sendr at goðum;Hymis meyjarhöfðu þik at hlandtrogiok þér i munn migu."Njörðr kvað:

"Be quiet, Njord.You were sent east as a hostage to the gods once.Hymir's daughters used you as a piss-trough,and pissed straight in your mouth."Njord said:

"Sú erumk líkner ek vark langt heðangísl of sendr at goðumþá ek mög gatþann er mangi fíárok þykkir sá ása jaðarr."Loki kvað:

"That was still worth it,even sent far from home as a hostage.I got a son there that no one hates,and everyone calls him the pride of the gods."Loki said:

"Hættu nú, Njörðrhaf þú á hófi þikmunk-a ek því leyna lengr:við systur þinnigaztu slíkan mögok er-a þó vánu verr."Týr kvað:

"Enough now, Njord — hold yourself back.I won't keep it hidden any longer:you had that son with your own sister.And that's no worse than anyone would expect."Tyr said:

"Freyr er beztrallra ballriðaása görðum í;mey hann né grætirné manns konuok leysir ór höftum hvern."Loki kvað:

"Freyr's the best of all the bold ridershere in the gods' courts.He's never made a girl cry, or another man's wife —and he frees every prisoner from his bonds."Loki said:

"Þegi þú, Týrþú kunnir aldregibera tilt með tveim;handar innar hægrimun ek hinnar getaer þér sleit Fenrir frá."Týr kvað:

"Be quiet, Tyr.You never could keep the peace between two men.And let me bring up that right hand of yours —the one Fenrir tore off you."Tyr said:

"Handar em ek vanren þú hróðrsvitnisböl er beggja þrá;ulfgi hefir ok veler í böndum skalbíða ragnarökrs."Loki kvað:

"I lost a hand — you lost Hrodvitnir.Both of us are worse for it.The wolf's not doing well either,chained up, waiting for Ragnarok."Loki said:

"Þegi þú, Týrþat varð þinni konuat hon átti mög við mér;öln né penninghafðir þú þess aldregivanréttis, vesall."Freyr kvað:

"Be quiet, Tyr.Your wife had a son with me,and you never got a penny, not a scrap,for the wrong done to you, wretch."Freyr said:

"Ulfr sé ek liggjaárósi fyrirunz rjúfask regin;því mundu næstnema þú nú þegirbundinn, bölvasmiðr."Loki kvað:

"The wolf lies there by the river-mouth,until the gods meet their doom.You'll be right there with him —chained up, you maker of evil —unless you shut your mouth."Loki said:

"Gulli keyptaléztu Gymis dótturok seldir þitt svá sverð;en er Múspells synirríða Myrkvið yfirveizt-a þú þá, vesall, hvé þú vegr."Byggvir kvað:

"You bought Gymir's daughter with gold,and sold off your own sword to do it.And when Muspell's sons come riding through Myrkwood,you'll have nothing to fight with, wretch."Byggvir said:

"Veiztu, ef ek eðli ættaksem Ingunar-Freyrok svá sælligt setrmergi smæramölða ek þá meinkrákuok lemða alla í liðu."Loki kvað:

"If I had a birth as noble as Ingunar-Freyr's,and a seat as fine as his,I'd grind you down finer than marrow, you carrion-crow,and break every joint in your body."Loki said:

"Hvat er þat it litlaer ek þat löggra sékok snapvíst snapir?At eyrum Freysmundu æ veraok und kvernum klaka."Byggvir kvað:

"What's this little thingI see scurrying around,snapping and yapping?You'll always be found at Freyr's ear,or muttering under the millstones."Byggvir said:

"Byggvir ek heitien mik bráðan kveðagoð öll ok gumar;því em ek hér hróðugrat drekka Hrofts megirallir öl saman."Loki kvað:

"Byggvir's my name —the gods and men all call me quick.And I'm proud to be here,where Hropt's sons all drink their ale together."Loki said:

"Þegi þú, Byggvirþú kunnir aldregideila með mönnum matok þik í flets stráifinna né máttuþá er vágu verar."Heimdallr kvað:

"Be quiet, Byggvir.You never knew how to divide out a fair share of food among men —and they couldn't find you in the straw on the floorwhen the fighting started."Heimdall said:

"Ölr ertu, Lokisvá at þú ert örviti- hví né lezk-a-ðu, Loki? -því at ofdrykkjaveldr alda hveimer sína mælgi né man-at."Loki kvað:

"You're drunk, Loki, out of your mind —why won't you stop, Loki?Too much drink makes every manforget how much he's said."Loki said:

"Þegi þú, Heimdallrþér var í árdagait ljóta líf of lagit;örgu bakiþú munt æ veraok vaka vörðr goða."Skaði kvað:

"Be quiet, Heimdall.A grim fate was fixed on you long ago:you'll always have to stand with a stiff back,keeping watch as the gods' own guard."Skadi said:

"Létt er þér, Loki;mun-at-tu lengi sváleika lausum halaþví at þik á hjörviskulu ins hrímkalda magargörnum binda goð."Loki kvað:

"You take this lightly, Loki,but you won't get to run free and easy much longer.The gods will soon take your ice-cold son's gutsand bind you with them, on a sharp rock."Loki said:

"Veiztu, ef mik á hjörviskulu ins hrímkalda magargörnum binda goðfyrstr ok efstrvar ek at fjörlagiþars vér á Þjaza þrifum."Skaði kvað:

"Even if the gods bind mewith my ice-cold son's guts, on a sharp rock —I was still first, and last, at the killing,when we caught Thjazi."Skadi said:

"Veiztu, ef fyrstr ok efstrvartu at fjörlagiþá er ér á Þjaza þrifuðfrá mínum véumok vöngum skuluþér æ köld ráð koma."Loki kvað:

"If you were first and last at the killingwhen we caught Thjazi —then from my sanctuary, my own fields,you'll get nothing but cold counsel, always."Loki said:

"Léttari í málumvartu við Laufeyjar sonþá er þú létz mér á beð þinn boðit;getit verðr oss slíksef vér görva skulumtelja vömmin vár."þá gekk Sif fram ok byrlaði Loka í hrímkálki mjöð ok mælti:

"You spoke a lot softer to Laufey's son,when you invited me into your bed.We'll have to bring things like that up,if we're going to list every one of our sins."Then Sif stepped forward and poured Loki mead in a frost-cup, and said:

"Heill ver þú nú, Lokiok tak við hrímkálkifullum forns mjaðarheldr þú hana einalátir með ása sonumvammalausa vera."Hann tók við horni ok drakk af:

"Welcome, then, Loki —take this frost-cup, full of old mead.Of all the gods here,at least admit that I'm blameless."He took the horn and drank:

"Ein þú væriref þú svá værirvör ok gröm at veri;einn ek veitsvá at ek vita þykkjumkhór ok af Hlórriðaok var þat sá inn lævísi Loki."Beyla kvað:

"You'd be the only one —if you really were that careful, and that fierce, with men.But I know one — if I know anything at all —who took you as a lover, right out of Thor's arms:sly Loki, that was."Beyla said:

"Fjöll öll skjalfa;hygg ek á för veraheiman Hlórriða;han ræðr róþeim er rægir hérgoð öll ok guma."Loki kvað:

"The mountains are shaking.I think Thor's on his way, coming from home.He'll put a stop to whoever's slandering everyone in here,gods and men alike."Loki said:

"Þegi þú, Beylaþú ert Byggvis kvænok meini blandinn mjökókynjan meirakom-a med ása sonum;öll ertu, deigja, dritin."Þá kom Þórr at ok kvað:

"Be quiet, Beyla —you're Byggvir's wife, and steeped deep in evil.No greater disgrace has ever walked in among the gods.You're covered in shit, milkmaid, every inch of you."Then Thor arrived, and said:

"Þegi þú, rög vættrþér skal minn þrúðhamarrMjöllnir, mál fyrnema;herðaklettdrep ek þér halsi afok verðr þá þínu fjörvi of farit."Loki kvað:

"Silence, you pervert.My hammer, Mjollnir, will shut your mouth.I'll strike your head clean off your neck,and that'll be the end of your life."Loki said:

"Jarðar burrer hér nú inn kominnhví þrasir þú svá, Þórr?En þá þorir þú ekkier þú skalt við ulfinn vegaok svelgr hann allan Sigföður."Þórr kvað:

"Look who's walked in —Earth's own son.Why all this bluster, Thor?You won't be nearly so bravewhen you have to fight the wolf,and it swallows Sigfather whole."Thor said:

"Þegi þú, rög vættrþér skal minn þrúðhamarrMjöllnir, mál fyrnema;upp ek þér verpok á austrvegasíðan þik manngi sér."Loki kvað:

"Silence, you pervert.My hammer, Mjollnir, will shut your mouth.I'll throw you straight up and out to the eastern lands,where no one will ever see you again."Loki said:

"Austrförum þínumskaltu aldregisegja seggjum frásíz í hanska þumlungihnúkðir þú einheriok þóttisk-a þú þá Þórr vera."Þórr kvað:

"You'd better never mention your trip east to anyone —not after you crouched inside a giant's glove,you great hero,and forgot you were even Thor."Thor said:

"Þegi þú, rög vættrþér skal minn þrúðhamarrMjöllnir, mál fyrnema;hendi inni hægridrep ek þik Hrungnis banasvá at þér brotnar beina hvat."Loki kvað:

"Silence, you pervert.My hammer, Mjollnir, will shut your mouth.With this right hand — Hrungnir's slayer —I'll strike you till every bone in your body breaks."Loki said:

"Lifa ætla ek mérlangan aldrþóttú hætir hamri mér;skarpar álarþóttu þér Skrýmis veraok máttir-a þú þá nesti náok svalzt þú þá hungri heill."Þórr kvað:

"I mean to live a long life yet,whatever you threaten me with your hammer.Skrymir's straps felt plenty tough to you too, once —when you couldn't even reach your own food,and nearly starved, healthy as you were."Thor said:

"Þegi þú, rög vættrþér skal minn þrúðhamarrMjöllnir, mál fyrnema;Hrungnis banimun þér í hel komafyr nágrindr neðan."Loki kvað:

"Silence, you pervert.My hammer, Mjollnir, will shut your mouth.Hrungnir's slayer will send you straight to hell,down below the gates of the dead."Loki said:

"Kvað ek fyr ásumkvað ek fyr ása sonumþats mik hvatti hugren fyr þér einummun ek út gangaþví at ek veit, at þú vegr.

"I've said my piece before the gods,before the sons of the gods,whatever my heart drove me to say.But for you alone, I'll leave —because I know you'll actually swing.

Öl gerðir þú, Ægiren þú aldri muntsíðan sumbl of gera;eiga þín öller hér inni erleiki yfir logiok brenni þér á baki."En eftir þetta falst Loki í Fránangrsforsi í lax líki. Þar tóku æsir hann. Hann var bundinn með þörmum sonar síns, Vála, en Narfi, sonr hans, varð at vargi. Skaði tók eitrorm ok festi upp yfir annlit Loka. Draup þar ór eitr. Sigyn, kona Loka, sat þar ok helt munnlaug undir eitrið. En er munnlaugin var full, bar hon út eitrið, en meðan draup eitrit á Loka. Þá kippðist hann svá hart við, at þaðan af skalf jörð öll. Þat eru nú kallaðir landsskjálftar.

You brewed the ale well, Aegir —but you'll never hold another feast like this one again.Everything you own, sitting here in this hall —let fire dance over it,and burn on your back."After this, Loki hid himself in Franangr Falls, in the shape of a salmon. There the gods caught him. He was bound with the guts of his own son, Vali, while his other son, Narfi, was turned into a wolf. Skadi took a poison snake and fixed it above Loki's face. Poison dripped from it. Sigyn, Loki's wife, sat there holding a basin under the poison. But whenever the basin was full, she carried the poison out — and while she was gone, the poison dripped onto Loki. He convulsed so violently that the whole earth shook. That is what people now call earthquakes.