Page:Norse mythology or, the religion of our forefathers, containing all the myths of the Eddas, systematized and interpreted with an introduction, vocabulary and index.djvu/114

The thunderer far distant, with sorrow he thought
  On all he'd engaged to obtain,
And, as summer-breeze fickle, now anxiously sought
  To render the dwarfs' labor vain.

Whilst the bellows plied Brok, and Sindre the hammer,
  And Thor, that the sparks flew on high,
And the sides of the vaulted cave rang with the clamor,
  Loke changed to a huge forest-fly.

And he sat him all swelling with venom and spite,
  On Brok, the wrist just below;
But the dwarf's skin was thick, and he recked not the bite,
  Nor once ceased the bellows to blow.

And now, strange to say, from the roaring fire
  Came the golden-haired Gullinburste,
To serve as a charger the sun-god Frey,
  Sure, of all wild-boars this the first.

They took them pure gold from their secret store,
  The piece 't was but small in size,
But ere 't had been long in the furnace roar,
  'T was a jewel beyond all prize.

A broad red ring all of wroughten gold,
  As a snake with its tail in its head,
And a garland of gems did the rim enfold,
  Together with rare art laid.

T was solid and heavy, and wrought with care,
  Thrice it passed through the white flames' glow;
A ring to produce, fit for Odin to wear,
  No labor they spared, I trow.

They worked it and turned it with wondrous skill,
  Till they gave it the virtue rare,
That each thrice third night from its rim there fell
  Eight rings, as their parent fair.

'T was the same with which Odin sanctified
  God Balder's and Nanna's faith;
On his gentle bosom was Draupner laid,
  When their eyes were closed in death.