Alfaleith.org - The Prose Edda

Then said Gangleri: “Thou knowest many tidings to tell of the heaven. What chief abodes are there more than at Urdr's Well?” Hárr said: “Many places are there, [31] and glorious. That which is called Álfheimr¹ is one, where dwell the peoples called Light-Elves; but the Dark-Elves dwell down in the earth, and they are unlike in appearance, but by far more unlike in nature. The Light-Elves are fairer to look upon than the sun, but the Dark-Elves are blacker than pitch. Then there is also in that place the abode called Breidablik,² and there is not in heaven a fairer dwelling. There, too, is the one called Glitnir,³ whose walls, and all its posts and pillars, are of red gold, but its roof of silver. There is also the abode called Himinbjörg;⁴ it stands at heaven's end by the bridge-head, in the place where Bifröst joins heaven. Another great abode is there, which is named Valaskjálf;⁵ Odin possesses that dwelling; the gods made it and thatched it with sheer silver, and in this hall is the Hlidskjálf,⁶ the high-seat so called. Whenever Allfather sits in that seat, he surveys all lands. At the southern end of heaven is that hall which is fairest of all, and brighter than the sun; it is called Gimlé.⁷ It shall stand when both heaven and earth have departed; and good men and of righteous conversation shall dwell therein: so it is said in Völuspá:

A hall I know standing                        than the sun fairer,
Thatched with gold                        in Gimlé bright;
There shall dwell                                the doers of righteousness
And ever and ever                 enjoy delight.”

Then said Gangleri: “What shall guard this place, when the flame of Surtr shall consume heaven and earth?” Hárr [32] answered: “It is said that another heaven is to the southward and upward of this one, and it is called Andlangr;⁸ but the third heaven is yet above that, and it is called Vidbláinn,⁹ and in that heaven we think this abode is. But we believe that none but Light-Elves inhabit these mansions now.”

1. Elf-home.

2. Broad-gleaming.

3. Glittering.

4. Heaven-crag.

5. Seat or shelf of the Fallen.

6. Gate-seat.

7. Either dative of Himill = Heaven (?) (Cl.-Vig.), or Gem-decked (Bugge).

8. Wide-reaching, extensive.

9. Wide-blue.

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