Alfaleith.org - The Poetic Edda

25. She that war remembers,
the first on earth,
when Gullveig⁶ they
with lances pierced,
and in the high one's⁷ hall
her burnt,
thrice burnt,
thrice brought her forth,
oft not seldom;
yet she still lives.

26. Heidi they called her,
whithersoe'r she came,
the well-foreseeing Vala:
wolves she tamed,
magic arts she knew,
magic arts practised;
ever was she the joy
of evil people.

27. Then went the powers all
to their judgement-seats,
the all-holy gods,
and thereon held council,
whether the Æsir should
avenge the crime,
or all the gods
receive atonement.

28. Broken was the outer wall
of the Æsir's burgh.
The Vanir, foreseeing conflict
tramp oér the plains.
Odin cast (his spear),
and mid the people hurled it:
that was the first
warfare in the world.
********************

29. Then went the powers all
to their judgement-seats,
the all-holy gods,
and thereon held council:
who had all the air
with evil mingled?
or to the Jötun race
Od's maid had given?

6. A personification of gold. With the introduction of gold was the end of the golden age.

7. i.e., Odin's: his hall is the world.

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