CHAPTER II.
THE PRESERVATION.
THE ASH YGDRASIL. MIMER'S FOUNTAIN. URD'S FOUNTAIN. THE NORNS OR FATES.
Ygdrasil is one of the noblest conceptions that
ever entered into any scheme of cosmogony or
human existence. It is in fact the great tree of life,
wonderfully elaborated and extended through the whole
system of the universe. It furnishes bodies for mankind
from its branches; it strikes its roots through all worlds,
and spreads its life-giving arms through the heavens.
All life is cherished by it, even that of serpents, which
devour its roots and seek to destroy it. It has three
grand roots far apart. One of them extends to the
asas, another to the giants in that very place where
was formerly Ginungagap, and the third stands over
Niflheim, and under this root, which is constantly
gnawed by the serpent Nidhug and all his reptile
brood, is the fountain Hvergelmer. Under the root
that stretches out toward the giants is Mimer's fountain,
in which wisdom and wit lie hid. The owner of
this fountain is called Mimer. He is full of wisdom,
because he drinks the waters of the fountain every
morning with the Gjallarhorn. Once Odin came and
begged a draught of this water, which he received, but
he had to leave one of his eyes in pawn for it. Thus
it is recorded in the Elder Edda:
