THE ELDER EDDA OF SAEMUND
Fafnir.
11. The Norns' decree thou wilt hold in contempt as from a witless wight: In water thou shalt be drowned, if in wind thou rowest. All things bring peril to the fated.
Sigurd.
12. Tell me, Fafnir! as thou art wise declared, and many things to know: who those Norns are, who help in need, and from babes loose the mothers.
Fafnir.
13. Very diversely born I take those Norns to be: they have no common race. Some are of Æsir-race, some of Alfar-race, some are Dvalin's daughters.
Sigurd.
14. Tell me, Fafnir! as thou art wise declared, and many things to know, how that holm is called, where Surt and the Æsir will sword-liquor together mingle?
Fafnir.
15. Oskopnir it is called; there shall the gods with lances play; Bilrost shall be broken, when they go forth, and their steeds in the river swim.
16. An Œgis-helm I bore among the sons of men, while I o'er the treasures lay; stronger than all I thought myself to be; stronger I found not many!
Sigurd.
17. An Œgis-helm is no protection, where men impelled by anger fight: soon he finds, who among many comes, that no one is alone the boldest.
174
