Alfaleith.org - The Prose Edda

Then said Gangleri: “Thou sayest that all those men who have fallen in battle from the beginning of the world are now come to Odin in Valhall. What has he to give them for food? I should think that a very great host must be there.” Then Hárr answered: “That which thou sayest is true: a very mighty multitude is there, but many more shall be, notwithstanding which it will seem all too small, in the time when the Wolf shall come. But never is so vast a multitude in Valhall that the flesh of that boar shall fail, which is called Sæhrímnir; he is boiled every day and is whole at evening. But this question which thou askest now: I think it likelier that few may be so wise as to be able to report truthfully concerning it. His name who roasts is Andhrímnir, and the kettle is Eldhrímnir; so it is said here:

Andhrímnir has in Eldhrímnir
Sæhrímnir sodden,
Best of hams; yet how few know
With what food the champions are fed.”

Then said Gangleri: “Has Odin the same fare as the champions?” Hárr answered: “That food which stands on his board he gives to two wolves which he has, called Geri³ and Freki;⁴ but no food does he need; wine is both food and drink to him; so it says here: [51]

and Frekithe war-mighty glutteth,
The glorious God of Hosts;
on wine alone the weapon-glorious
Odin aye liveth.

The ravens sit on his shoulders and say into his ear all the tidings which they see or hear; they are called thus: Hugin¹ and Muninn.²He sends them at day-break to fly about all the world, and they come back at undern-meal; thus he is acquainted with many tidings. Therefore men call him Raven-God, as is said:

Huginn and Muninn hover each day
The wide earth over;
fear for Huginn lest he fare not back,—
Yet watch I more for Muninn.”

1. Ravener.

2. Glutton, greedy.

3. Thought.

4. Memory.

<< Previous Page | Back | Next Page >>