awe and fear. The giant must perish since he has ventured into combat with Odin. The mind subdues physical nature. When the giant recognizes Odin he realizes his own depressed nature and must die. No rogue can look an honest man in the eye. In Grimnersmál Odin assumes the name of Grimner, and goes to try the mind of his foster-son Geirrod. Geirrod tortures him and places him between two fires. And here begins the lay, in which Odin glorifies himself and the power of the gods and pities his fallen foster-son, but finally discloses himself and declares death to Geirrod for his want of hospitality. Thus Odin closes his address to Geirrod in the lay of Grimner:
Many things I told thee,
But thou hast few remembered:
Thy friends mislead thee.
My friend's sword
Lying I see
With blood all dripping.
The fallen by the sword
Ygg shall now have;
Thy life is now run out:
Wrath with thee are the dises,
Odin thou now shalt see:
Draw near to me, if thou canst.
Odin I am named,
Ygg I was called before,
Before that Thund,
Vaker and Skilfing,
Vafud and Hroptatyr;
With the gods Gaut and Jalk,[1]
Ofner and Svafner;
All which I believe to be
Names of me alone.
- ↑ Jack the Giant-killer.
