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VafÞrúðnismál: The lay of Vafthrúdnir
Odin visits the Giant (Jötun) Vafthrudnir, for the purpose of proving his knowledge. They propose questions relative to the Cosmogony of the Northern creed, on the condition that the baffled party forfeit his head. The Jötun incurs the penalty.
Odin
1. Counsel thou me now, Frigg!
as I long to go
Vafthrudnir to visit;
great desire, I say,
I have, in ancient lore
with that all-wise Jötun to contend.
Frigg
2. At home to bide
Hærfather I would counsel,
in the gods' dwellings;
because no Jötun
is, I believe, so mighty
as is Vafthrudnir.
Odin
3. Much have I journeyed,
much experienced,
mighty ones many proved;
but this I fain would know,
how in Vafthrudnir's
halls it is.
Frigg
4. In safety mayest thou go,
in safety return,
in safety on thy journeyings be;
may thy wit avail thee,
when thou, father of men! shalt
hold converse with the Jötun.
5. Then went Odin
the lore to prove
of that all-wise Jötun.
To the hall he came
which Im's father owned.
Ygg went forthwith in.
Odin
6. Hail to thee, Vafthrudnir!
to thy hall I am now come,
thyself to see;
for I fain would know,
whether thou art a cunning
and all-wise Jötun.
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