Valhalla

Valhalla

The hall is easily recognised by those who come to Óðinn:
Spear-shafts are the rafters, the hall is thatched with shields,
And the benches are strewn with byrnies.

The hall is easily recognised by those who come to Óðinn:
A warg hangs before the western door,
And an eagle hovers above . . .

Andhrímnir lets Saehrímnir, best of flesh,
Be seethed in Eldhrímnir, the cauldron,
Though few know what the Einherjar feast on.

Battle-accustomed, glorious Host-Father feeds Geri and Freki;
But weapon-stately Óðinn lives on wine alone.

Huginn and Muninn fly over the mighty earth every day;
I fear for Huginn, that he not come back,
But I look more for Muninn.

Thundr roars loudly;
Thjóðvitnir’s fish sports in the flood;
The river roars loudly,
The battle-slain think it too strong to wade.

That which stands on the holy fields,
Before the holy doors,
Is called Valgrind, the Slain-Gate;
Those gates are old,
And few know how they may be locked.

Five hundred and forty doors:
So I know to be in Valhöll;
Eight hundred Einherjar go out of one door,
When they fare to battle the Wolf.

The goat who stands on Host-Father’s hall
Is called Heiðrún,
And bites off the limbs of Laeraðr;
She shall fill a cauldron with the shining mead,
That drink will never be exhausted.

The hart who stands on Host-Father’s hall
Is called Eikthyrnir,
And bites off the limbs of Laeraðr;
And drops fall from his horns into Hvergelmir,
To which all waters wend their way.

Shaker and Mist I wish to have bear a horn to me;
Skeggjöld and Striker, Shrieker and Battle-Fetter,
Loudness and Spear-Striker, Shield-Strength and Rede-Strength,
And God-Inheritance,
They bear ale to the Einherjar.