_Loki_.

5. Knowest thou not, Eldir, that if we two with bitter words contend, I shall be rich in answers, if thou sayest too much?

Loki then went into the hall, but when those present saw who was come in, they all sat silent.

_Loki_.

6. I Lopt am come thirsty into this hall, from a long journey, to beseech the aesir one draught to give me of the bright mead.

7. Why G.o.ds! are ye so silent, so reserved, that ye cannot speak? A seat and place choose for me at your board, or bid me hie me hence.

_Bragi_.

8. A seat and place will the aesir never choose for thee at their board; for well the aesir know for whom they ought to hold a joyous compotation.

_Loki_.

9. Odin! dost thou remember when we in early days blended our blood together? When to taste beer thou didst constantly refuse, unless to both 'twas offered?

_Odin_.

10. Rise up, Vidar! and let the wolf's sire sit at our compotation; that Loki may not utter words of contumely in Oegir's hall.

Vidar then rising, presented Loki with drink, who before drinking thus addressed the aesir:

11. Hail, aesir! Hail, Asyniur! And ye, all-holy G.o.ds! all, save that one As, who sits within there, Bragi, on yonder bench.

_Bragi_.

12. A horse and falchion I from my stores will give thee, and also with a ring reward thee, if thou the aesir wilt not requite with malice. Provoke not the G.o.ds against thee.

_Loki_.

13. Of horse and rings wilt thou ever, Bragi! be in want. Of the aesir and the Alfar, that are here present, in conflict thou art the most backward, and in the play of darts most timid.

_Bragi_.

14. I know that were I without, as I am now within, the hall of Oegir, I thy head would bear in my hand, and so for lying punish thee.

_Loki_.

15. Valiant on thy seat art thou, Bragi! but so thou shouldst not be, Bragi, the bench's pride! Go and fight, if thou art angry; a brave man sits not considering.

_Idun_.

16. I pray thee, Bragi! let avail the bond of children, and of all adopted sons, and to Loki speak not in reproachful words, in Oegir's hall.

_Loki_.

17. Be silent, Idun! of all women I declare thee most fond of men, since thou thy arms, carefully washed, didst twine round thy brother's murderer.

_Idun_.

18. Loki I address not with opprobrious words, in Oegir's hall.

Bragi I soothe, by beer excited. I desire not that angry ye fight.

_Gefion_.

19. Why will ye, aesir twain, here within, strive with reproachful words? Lopt perceives not that he is deluded, and is urged on by fate.

_Loki_.

20. Be silent, Gefion! I will now just mention, how that fair youth thy mind corrupted, who thee a necklace gave, and around whom thou thy limbs didst twine?

_Odin_.

21. Thou art raving, Loki! and hast lost thy wits, in calling Gefion's anger on thee; for all men's destinies, I ween, she knows as thoroughly as I do.

_Loki_.

22. Be silent, Odin! Thou never couldst allot conflicts between men: oft hast thou given to those to whom thou oughtest not--victory to cowards.

_Odin_.

23. Knowest thou that I gave to those I ought not--victory to cowards? Thou wast eight winters on the earth below, a milch cow and a woman, and didst there bear children. Now that, methinks, betokens a base nature.

_Loki_.

24. But, it is said, thou wentest with tottering steps in Samso, and knocked at houses as a Vala. In likeness of a fortune teller, thou wentest among people. Now that, methinks, betokens a base nature.

_Frigg_.

25. Your doings ye should never publish among men, what ye, aesir twain, did in days of yore. Ever forgotten be men's former deeds!

_Loki_.

26. Be thou silent, Frigg! Thou art Fiorgyn's daughter, and ever hast been fond of men, since Ve and Vili, it is said, thou, Vidrir's wife, didst both to thy bosom take.

_Frigg_.

27. Know thou that if I had, in Oegir's halls, a son like Baldr, out thou shouldst not go from the aesir's sons: thou should'st have been fiercely a.s.sailed.

_Loki_.

28. But wilt thou, Frigg! that of my wickedness I more recount? I am the cause that thou seest not Baldr riding to the halls.

_Freyia_.