THE LAY OF VEGTAM
saddle laid; rode thence down to Niflhel. A dog he met, from Hel coming.
7. It was blood-stained on its breast, on its slaughter-craving throat, and nether jaw. It bayed and widely gaped at the sire of magic song:—long it howled.
8. Forth rode Odin—the ground rattled—till to Hel's lofty house he came. Then rode Ygg to the eastern gate, where he knew there was a Vala's grave.
9. To the prophetess he began a magic song to chant, towards the north looked, potent runes applied, a spell pronounced, an answer demanded, until compelled she rose, and with deathlike voice she said:
Vala.
10. "What man is this, to me unknown, who has for me increased an irksome course? I have with snow been decked, by rain beaten, and with dew moistened: long have I been dead."
Vegtam.
11. "Vegtam is my name, I am Valtam's son. Tell thou me of Hel: from earth I call on thee. For whom are those benches strewed o'er with rings, those costly couches o'erlaid with gold?"
Vala.
12. "Here stands mead, for Baldr brewed, over the bright potion a shield is laid; but the Æsir race are in despair. By compulsion I have spoken. I will now be silent."
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