English translation based on that of Benjamin Thorpe (1866), with extensive editing.
| 1. |
Hljóðs bið ek allar helgar kindir, meiri ok minni mögu Heimdallar; viltu at ek, Valföðr, vel fyr telja forn spjöll fira, þau er fremst of man. |
For silence I pray all sacred children, great and small, sons of Heimdall they will that I Valfather´s deeds recount, men´s ancient saws, those that I best remember. |
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| 2. |
Ek man jötna ár of borna, þá er forðum mik fædda höfðu; níu man ek heima, níu íviðjur, mjötvið mæran fyr mold neðan. |
The Jötuns I remember early born, those who me of old have reared. I nine worlds remember, nine trees, the great central tree, beneath the earth. |
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| 3. |
Ár var alda, þar er ekki var, var-a sandr né sær né svalar unnir; jörð fannsk æva né upphiminn, gap var ginnunga en gras hvergi. |
There was in times of old, where Ymir dwelt, nor sand nor sea, nor gelid waves; earth existed not, nor heaven above, 'twas a chaotic chasm, and grass nowhere. |
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| 4. |
Áðr Burs synir bjöðum of yppðu, þeir er Miðgarð mæran skópu; sól skein sunnan á salar steina, þá var grund gróin grænum lauki. |
Before Bur´s sons raised up heaven´s vault, they who the noble mid-earth shaped. The sun shone from the south over the structure´s rocks: then was the earth begrown with herbage green. |
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| 5. |
Sól varp sunnan, sinni mána, hendi inni hægri um himinjöður; sól þat né vissi, hvar hon sali átti, máni þat né vissi, hvat hann megins átti, stjörnur þat né vissu hvar þær staði áttu. |
The sun from the south, the moon´s companion, her right hand cast about the heavenly horses. The sun knew not where she a dwelling had, the moon knew not what power he possessed, the stars knew not where they had a station. |
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| 6. |
Þá gengu regin öll á rökstóla, ginnheilög goð, ok um þat gættusk; nótt ok niðjum nöfn of gáfu, morgin hétu ok miðjan dag, undorn ok aftan, árum at telja. |
Then went the power all to their judge-ment seats, the all-holy gods, and thereon held council: to night and to the waning moon gave names; morn they named, and mid-day, afternoon and eve, whereby to reckon years. |
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| 7. |
Hittusk æsir á Iðavelli, þeir er hörg ok hof hátimbruðu; afla lögðu, auð smíðuðu, tangir skópu ok tól gerðu. |
The Æsir met on Ida's plain; they altar-steads and temples high constructed; their strength they proved, all things tried, furnaces established, precious things forged, formed tongs, and fabricated tools. |
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| 8. |
Tefldu í túni, teitir váru, var þeim vettergis vant ór gulli, uns þrjár kvámu þursa meyjar ámáttkar mjök ór Jötunheimum. |
At tables played at home; joyous they were; to them was naught the want of gold, until there came Thurs-maidens three, all powerful, from Jötunheim. |
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| 9. |
Þá gengu regin öll á rökstóla, ginnheilög goð, ok um þat gættusk, hverir skyldi dverga dróttir skepja ór Brimis blóði ok ór Bláins leggjum. |
Then went all the powers to their judgement-seats, the all-holy gods, and thereon held council, who should of the dwarfs the race create, from the sea-giant's blood and livid bones. |
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| 10. |
Þar var Móðsognir mæztr of orðinn dverga allra, en Durinn annarr; þeir mannlíkun mörg of gerðu dvergar í jörðu, sem Durinn sagði. |
Then was Mötsognir created greatest of all the dwarfs, and Durin second; there in man's likeness they created many dwarfs from the earth, as Durin said. |
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| 11. |
Nýi, Niði, Norðri, Suðri, Austri, Vestri, Alþjófr, Dvalinn, Nár ok Náinn Nípingr, Dáinn Bívurr, Bávurr, Bömburr, Nóri, Ánn ok Ánarr, Óinn, Mjöðvitnir. |
Nýi and Nidi, Nordri and Sudri, Asutri and Vestri, Althiöf, Dvalin Bivör, Bavör, Bömbur, Nori, An and Anar, Ai, Miödvitnir, |
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| 12. |
Veggr ok Gandalfr, Vindalfr, Þorinn, Þrár ok Þráinn, Þekkr, Litr ok Vitr, Nýr ok Nýráðr, nú hefi ek dverga, Reginn ok Ráðsviðr, rétt of talða. |
Veig and Gandálf, Vindálf, Thráin, Thekk and Thorin, Thror, Vitr, and Litr, Núr and Nýrád, Regin and Rádsvid. Now of the dwarfs I have rightly told. |
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| 13. |
Fíli, Kíli, Fundinn, Náli, Hefti, Víli, Hannar, Svíurr, Billingr, Brúni, Bíldr ok Buri, Frár, Hornbori, Frægr ok Lóni, Aurvangr, Jari, Eikinskjaldi. |
Fili, Kili, Fundin, Nali, Hepti, Vili, Hanar, Svior, Frár, Hornbori, Fræg and Lóni, Aurvang, Iari, Eikinskialdi. |
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| 14. |
Mál er dverga í Dvalins liði ljóna kindum til Lofars telja, þeir er sóttu frá salar steini Aurvanga sjöt til Jöruvalla. |
Time ´tis of the dwarfs in Dvalin´s band, to the sons of men, to Lofar up to reckon, those who came forth from the world´s rock, earth´s foundation, to Iora´s plains. |
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| 15. |
Þar var Draupnir ok Dolgþrasir, Hár, Haugspori, Hlévangr, Glóinn, Dóri, Óri Dúfr, Andvari Skirfir, Virfir, Skáfiðr, Ái. |
There were Draupnir, and Dólgthrasir, Hár, Haugspori, Hlævang, Glói, Skirvir, Virvir, Skafid, Ai, |
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| 16. |
Alfr ok Yngvi, Eikinskjaldi, Fjalarr ok Frosti, Finnr ok Ginnarr; þat mun æ uppi meðan öld lifir, langniðja tal Lofars hafat. |
Alf and Yngvi, Eikinskialdi, Fjalar and Frosti, Finn and Ginnar: that above shall, while mortals live, the progeny of Lofar, accounted be. |
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| 17. |
Unz þrír kvámu ór því liði öflgir ok ástkir æsir at húsi, fundu á landi lítt megandi Ask ok Emblu örlöglausa. |
Until there came three mighty and benevolent Æsir to the world from their assembly. They found on earth, nearly powerless, Ask and Embla, void of destiny. |
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| 18. |
Önd þau né áttu, óð þau né höfðu, lá né læti né litu góða; önd gaf Óðinn, óð gaf Hænir, lá gaf Lóðurr ok litu góða. |
Spirit they possessed not, sense they had not, blood nor motive powers, nor goodly colour. Spirit gave Odin, sense gave Hoenir, blood gave Lodur, and goodly colour. |
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| 19. |
Ask veit ek standa, heitir Yggdrasill, hár baðmr, ausinn hvíta auri; þaðan koma döggvar, þærs í dala falla, stendr æ yfir grænn Urðarbrunni. |
I know an ash standing Yggdrasil hight, a lofty tree, laved with limpid water: thence come the dews into the dales that fallæ ever stands it green over Urd´s fountain. |
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| 20. |
Þaðan koma meyjar margs vitandi þrjár ór þeim sæ, er und þolli stendr; Urð hétu eina, aðra Verðandi, - skáru á skíði, - Skuld ina þriðju; þær lög lögðu, þær líf kuru alda börnum, örlög seggja. |
Thence come maidens, much knowing, three from the hall, which under that tree stands; Urd hight the one, the second Verdandi, - on a tablet they graved - Skuld the third. Laws they established, life allotted to the sons of men; destinies pronounced. |
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| 21. |
Þat man hon folkvíg fyrst í heimi, er Gullveigu geirum studdu ok í höll Hárs hana brenndu, þrisvar brenndu, þrisvar borna, oft, ósjaldan, þó hon enn lifir. |
She that war remembers, the first on earth, when Gullveig they with lances pierced, and in the high one´s hall her burnt, thrice burnt, thrice brough her forth, oft not seldom; yet she still lives. |
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| 22. |
Heiði hana hétu hvars til húsa kom, völu velspáa, vitti hon ganda; seið hon, hvars hon kunni, seið hon hug leikinn, æ var hon angan illrar brúðar. |
Heidi they called her, whithersoe´r she came, the well-forseeing Vala: wolves she tamed, magic arts she knew, magic arts practised; ever was she the joy of evil people. |
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| 23. |
Þá gengu regin öll á rökstóla, ginnheilög goð, ok um þat gættusk, hvárt skyldu æsir afráð gjalda eða skyldu goðin öll gildi eiga. |
Then went the powers all to their judgement-seats, the all-holy gods, and thereon held council, whether the Æsir should avenge the crime, or all the gods receive atonement. |
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| 24. |
Fleygði Óðinn ok í folk of skaut, þat var enn folkvíg fyrst í heimi; brotinn var borðveggr borgar ása, knáttu vanir vígspá völlu sporna. |
Broken was the outer wall of the Æsir´s burgh. The Vanir, forseeing conflict tramp oér the plains. Odin cast (his spear), and mid the people hurled it: that was the first warfare in the world. |
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| 25. |
Þá gengu regin öll á rökstóla, ginnheilög goð, ok um þat gættusk, hverjir hefði loft allt lævi blandit eða ætt jötuns Óðs mey gefna. |
Then went the powers all to their judgement-seats, the all-holy gods, and thereon held council: who had all the air with evil mingled? or to the Jötun race Od´s maid had given? |
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| 26. |
Þórr einn þar vá þrunginn móði, - hann sjaldan sitr - er hann slíkt of fregn -: á gengusk eiðar, orð ok særi, mál öll meginlig, er á meðal fóru. |
There alone was Thor with anger swollen. He seldom sits, when of the like he hears. Oaths are not held sacred; nor words, nor swearing, nor binding compacts reciprocally made. |
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| 27. |
Veit hon Heimdallar hljóð of folgit und heiðvönum helgum baðmi, á sér hon ausask aurgum forsi af veði Valföðrs. Vituð ér enn - eða hvat? |
She knows that Heimdall's horn is hidden under the heaven bright holy tree. A river she sees flow, with foamy fall, from Valfather's pledge. Understand ye yet, or what? |
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| 28. |
Ein sat hon úti, þá er inn aldni kom yggjungr ása ok í augu leit. Hvers fregnið mik? Hví freistið mín? Allt veit ek, Óðinn, hvar þú auga falt, í inum mæra Mímisbrunni. Drekkr mjöð Mímir morgun hverjan af veði Valföðrs. Vituð ér enn - eða hvat? |
Alone she sat without, when came that ancient dread Æsir´s prince; and in his eyes she gazed. "Of what wouldst thou ask me? Odin! I know all, where thou thine eye didst sink in the pure well of Mim." Mim drinks mead each morn from Valfather's pledge. Understand ye yet, or what? |
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| 29. |
Valði henni Herföðr hringa ok men, fekk spjöll spaklig ok spá ganda, sá hon vítt ok of vítt of veröld hverja. |
The chief of hosts gave her rings and necklace, useful discourse, and a divining spirit: wide and far she saw o'er every world. |
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| 30. |
Sá hon valkyrjur vítt of komnar, görvar at ríða til Goðþjóðar; Skuld helt skildi, en Skögul önnur, Gunnr, Hildr, Göndul ok Geirskögul. Nú eru talðar nönnur Herjans, görvar at ríða grund valkyrjur. |
She the Valkyriur saw from afar coming, ready to ride to the gods' people: Skuld held a sheild, Skögul was second, then Gunn, Hild, Göndul, and Geirskögul. Now are enumerated Herian´s maidens, the Valkyriur, ready over the earth to ride. |
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| 31. |
Ek sá Baldri, blóðgum tívur, Óðins barni, örlög folgin; stóð of vaxinn völlum hæri mjór ok mjök fagr mistilteinn. |
I saw of Baldr, the blood-stained god, Odin's son, the hidden fate. There stood grown up, high on the plain, slender and passing fair, the mistletoe. |
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| 32. |
Varð af þeim meiði, er mær sýndisk, harmflaug hættlig, Höðr nam skjóta; Baldrs bróðir var of borinn snemma, sá nam Óðins sonr einnættr vega. |
From that shrub was made, as to me it seemed, a deadly, noxious dart. Hödr shot it forth; Baldr's Brother was born quickly Odins Son began fighting at one night old |
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| 33. |
Þó hann æva hendr né höfuð kembði, áðr á bál of bar Baldrs andskota; en Frigg of grét í Fensölum vá Valhallar. Vituð ér enn - eða hvat? |
Nor did he ever wash his hand nor comb his hair Until he brought Baldrs killer to the funeral pyr But Frigg bewailed, din Fensalir, Valhall's calamity. Understand ye yet, or what? |
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| 34. |
Þá kná Váli vígbönd snúa, heldr váru harðgör höft ór þörmum. |
Then the Vala knew the fatal bonds were twisting, most rigid, bonds from entrails made. |
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| 35. |
Haft sá hon liggja und Hveralundi, lægjarns líki Loka áþekkjan; þar sitr Sigyn þeygi of sínum ver vel glýjuð. Vituð ér enn - eða hvat? |
Bound she saw lying, under Hveralund, a monstrous form, to Loki like. There sits Sigyn, for her consort's sake, not right glad. Understand ye yet, or what? |
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| 36. |
Á fellur austan um eitrdala söxum ok sverðum, Slíðr heitir sú. |
From the east a river falls, through venom dales, with mire and clods, Slid is its name. |
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| 37. |
Stóð fyr norðan á Niðavöllum salr ór gulli Sindra ættar; en annarr stóð á Ókólni bjórsalr jötuns, en sá Brimir heitir. |
On the north there stood, on Nida-fells, a hall of gold, for Sindri's race; and another stood in Okolnir, the Jötuns beer-hall which Brimir hight. |
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| 38. |
Sal sá hon standa sólu fjarri Náströndu á, norðr horfa dyrr; falla eitrdropar inn um ljóra, sá er undinn salr orma hryggjum. |
She saw a hall standing, far from the sun, in Náströnd; its doors are northward turned, venom-drops fall in through its apertures: entwined is that hall with serpent's backs. |
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| 39. |
Sá hon þar vaða þunga strauma menn meinsvara ok morðvarga ok þann er annars glepr eyrarúnu; þar saug Niðhöggr nái framgengna, sleit vargr vera. Vituð ér enn - eða hvat? |
She there saw wading the sluggish streams bloodthirsty men and perjurers, and him who the ear beguiles of another's wife. There Nidhögg sucks the corpses of the dead; the wolf tears men. Understand ye yet, or what? |
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| 40. |
Austr sat in aldna í Járnviði ok fæddi þar Fenris kindir; verðr af þeim öllum einna nokkurr tungls tjúgari í trölls hami. |
East sat the crone, in Iárnvidir, Fenrir´s progeny: of all shall be one especially the moon's devourer, in a troll's semblance. |
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| 41. |
Fyllisk fjörvi feigra manna, rýðr ragna sjöt rauðum dreyra; svört verða sólskin um sumur eftir, veðr öll válynd. Vituð ér enn - eða hvat? |
He is sated with the last breath of dying men; the gods' seat he with red gore defiles: swart is the sunshine then for summers after; all weather turns to storm. Understand ye yet, or what? |
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| 42. |
Sat þar á haugi ok sló hörpu gýgjar hirðir, glaðr Eggþér; gól of hánum í galgviði fagrrauðr hani, sá er Fjalarr heitir. |
There on a height sat, striking a harp, the giantess's watch, the joyous Egdir; by him crowed, in the bird-wood, the bright red cock, which Fialar hight. |
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| 43. |
Gól of ásum Gullinkambi, sá vekr hölða at Herjaföðrs; en annarr gelr fyr jörð neðan sótrauðr hani at sölum Heljar. |
Crowed o'er the Æsir Gullinkambi, which wakens heroes with the sire of hosts; but another crows beneath the earth, a soot-red cock, in the halls of Hel. |
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| 44. |
Geyr nú Garmr mjök fyr Gnipahelli, festr mun slitna, en freki renna; fjölð veit ek fræða, fram sé ek lengra um ragna rök römm sigtíva. |
Loud bays Garm before the Gnupa-cave, his bonds he rends asunder; and the wolf runs. Further forward I see, much can I say of Ragnarök and the gods´conflict. |
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| 45. |
Bræðr munu berjask ok at bönum verðask, munu systrungar sifjum spilla; hart er í heimi, hórdómr mikill, skeggöld, skalmöld, skildir ro klofnir, vindöld, vargöld, áðr veröld steypisk; mun engi maðr öðrum þyrma. |
Brothers shall fight, and slay each other; cousins shall kinship violate. The earth resounds, the giantesses flee; no man will another spare. Hard is it in the world, great whoredom, an axe age, a sword age, sheilds will be cloven, a wind age, a wolf age, ere the world sinks. |
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| 46. |
Leika Míms synir, en mjötuðr kyndisk at inu galla Gjallarhorni; hátt blæss Heimdallr, horn er á lofti, mælir Óðinn við Míms höfuð. |
Mim's sons dance, but the central tree takes fire, at the resounding Gjallar-horn. Loud blows Heimdall, his horn is raised; Odin speaks with Mim's head. |
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| 47. |
Skelfr Yggdrasils askr standandi, ymr it aldna tré, en jötunn losnar; hræðask allir á helvegum áðr Surtar þann sefi of gleypir. |
Trembles Yggdrasil's ash yet standing; groans that aged tree, and the jötun is loosed. All are terrified on the road to hel Before Surt's Kin swallows it up |
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| 48. |
Hvat er með ásum? Hvat er með alfum? Gnýr allr Jötunheimr, æsir ro á þingi, stynja dvergar fyr steindurum, veggbergs vísir. Vituð ér enn - eða hvat? |
How is it with the Æsir? How with the Alfar? All Jötunheim resounds; the Æsir are in council. The dwarfs groan before their stony doors, the sages of the rocky walls. Understand ye yet, or what? |
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| 49. |
Geyr nú Garmr mjök fyr Gnipahelli, festr mun slitna en freki renna; fjölð veit ek fræða, fram sé ek lengra um ragna rök römm sigtíva. |
Loud bays Garm before the Gnupa-cave, his bonds he rends asunder; and the wolf runs. Further forward I see, much can I say of Ragnarök and the gods´conflict. |
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| 50. |
Hrymr ekr austan, hefisk lind fyrir, snýsk Jörmungandr í jötunmóði; ormr knýr unnir, en ari hlakkar, slítr nái niðfölr, Naglfar losnar. |
Hrym steers from the east, the waters rise, the mundane snake is coiled in jötun-rage. The worm beats the water, and the eagle screams: the pale of beak tears carcases; Naglfar is loosed. |
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| 51. |
Kjóll ferr austan, koma munu Múspells of lög lýðir, en Loki stýrir; fara fíflmegir með freka allir, þeim er bróðir Býleists í för. |
That ship fares from the east: come will Muspell's people o'er the sea, and Loki steers. The monster's kin goes all with the wolf; with them the brother is of Byleist on their course. |
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| 52. |
Surtr ferr sunnan með sviga lævi, skínn af sverði sól valtíva; grjótbjörg gnata, en gífr rata, troða halir helveg, en himinn klofnar. |
Surt from the south comes with flickering flame; shines from his sword the Val-god's sun. The stony hills are dashed together, the giantesses totter; men tread the path of Hel, and heaven is cloven. |
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| 53. |
Þá kemr Hlínar harmr annarr fram, er Óðinn ferr við ulf vega, en bani Belja bjartr at Surti; þá mun Friggjar falla angan. |
Then arises Hlin´s second grief, when Odin goes with the wolf to fight, and the bright slayer of Beli with Surt. Then will Frigg´s beloved fall. |
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| 54. |
Geyr nú Garmr mjök fyr Gnipahelli, festr mun slitna, en freki renna; fjölð veit ek fræða, fram sé ek lengra um ragna rök römm sigtíva |
Loud bays Garm before the Gnupa-cave, his bonds he rends asunder; and the wolf runs. Much do I know, and more can see Of the fate of the gods, the mighty in fight. |
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| 55. |
Þá kemr inn mikli mögr Sigföður, Víðarr, vega at valdýri. Lætr hann megi Hveðrungs mundum standa hjör til hjarta, þá er hefnt föður. |
Then comes the great victor-sire's son, Vidar, to fight with the deadly beast. He with his hands will make his sword peirce to the heart of the giant's son: then avenges he his father. |
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| 56. |
Þá kemr inn mæri mögr Hlóðynjar, gengr Óðins sonr við orm vega, drepr af móði Miðgarðs véurr, munu halir allir heimstöð ryðja; gengr fet níu Fjörgynjar burr neppr frá naðri níðs ókvíðnum. |
Then comes the mighty son of Hlódyn: (Odin's son goes with the monster to fight); Midgárd´s Veor in his rage will slay the worm. Nine feet will go Fiörgyn´s son, bowed by the serpent, who feared no foe. All men will their homes forsake. |
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| 57. |
Sól tér sortna, sígr fold í mar, hverfa af himni heiðar stjörnur; geisar eimi ok aldrnari, leikr hár hiti við himin sjalfan. |
The sun darkens, earth in ocean sinks, fall from heaven the bright stars, fire´s breath assails the all-nourishing tree, towering fire plays against heaven itself. |
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| 58. |
Geyr nú Garmr mjök fyr Gnipahelli, festr mun slitna en freki renna; fjölð veit ek fræða fram sé ek lengra um ragna rök römm sigtíva |
Loud bays Garm before the Gnupa-cave, his bonds he rends asunder; and the wolf runs. Much do I know, and more can see Of the fate of the gods, the mighty in fight. |
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| 59. |
Sér hon upp koma öðru sinni jörð ór ægi iðjagræna; falla forsar, flýgr örn yfir, sá er á fjalli fiska veiðir. |
She sees arise, a second time, earth from ocean, beauteously green, waterfalls descending; the eagle flying over, which in the fell captures fish. |
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| 60. |
Finnask æsir á Iðavelli ok um moldþinur máttkan dæma ok minnask þar á megindóma ok á Fimbultýs fornar rúnir. |
The Æsir meet on Ida´s plain, and of the mighty earth-encircler speak, and there to memory call their mighty deeds, and the supreme god's ancient lore. |
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| 61. |
Þar munu eftir undrsamligar gullnar töflur í grasi finnask, þærs í árdaga áttar höfðu. |
There shall again the wondrous golden tables in the grass be found, which in days of old had possessed the ruler of the gods, and Fjölnir´s race. |
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| 62. |
Munu ósánir akrar vaxa, böls mun alls batna, Baldr mun koma; búa þeir Höðr ok Baldr Hrofts sigtoftir, vé valtíva. Vituð ér enn - eða hvat? |
Unsown shall the fields bring forth, all evil be amended; Baldr shall come; Hödr and Baldr, the heavenly gods, Hropt´s glorious dwellings shall inhabit. Understand ye yet, or what? |
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| 63. |
Þá kná Hænir hlautvið kjósa ok burir byggja bræðra tveggja vindheim víðan. Vituð ér enn - eða hvat? |
Then can Hoenir choose his lot, and the two brother´s sons inhabit the spacious Vindheim. Understand ye yet, or what? |
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| 64. |
Sal sér hon standa sólu fegra, gulli þakðan á Gimléi; þar skulu dyggvar dróttir byggja ok um aldrdaga ynðis njóta. |
She a hall sees standing than the sun brighter, with gold bedecked, in Gimill: there shall the righteous people dwell, and for evermore happiness enjoy. |
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| 65. |
Þá kemr inn ríki at regindómi öflugr ofan, sá er öllu ræðr. |
Then comes the mighty one to the great judgement, He shall dooms pronounce, and strifes allay, holy peace establish. |
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| 66. |
Þar kemr inn dimmi dreki fljúgandi, naðr fránn, neðan frá Niðafjöllum; berr sér í fjöðrum, - flýgr völl yfir, - Niðhöggr nái. Nú mun hon sökkvask. |
There comes the dark dragon flying from beneath, the glistening serpent, from Nida-fells. On his wings bears Nidhögg, flying oér the plain, a corpse. Now she will descend. |