to sleep, and so saying went and laid
himself down under another tree. But sleep came not that night to Thor,
and when Skrymir snored again so loud that the forest reechoed with the
noise, he arose, and grasping his mallet launched it with such force at
the giant's skull that it made a deep dint in it. Skrymir, awakening,
cried out, "What's the matter? Are there any birds perched on this tree?
I felt some moss from the branches fall on my head. How fares it with
thee Thor?" But Thor went away hastily, saying that he had just then
awoke, and that as it was only midnight, there was still time for sleep.
He, however, resolved that if he had an opportunity of striking a third
blow, it should settle all matters between them.

A little before daybreak he perceived that Skrymir was again fast
asleep, and again grasping his mallet, he dashed it with such violence
that it forced its way into the giant's skull up to the handle. But
Skrymir sat up, and stroking his cheek said, "An acorn fell on my head.
What! Art thou awake, Thor? Methinks it is time for us to get up and
dress ourselves; but you have not now a long way before you to the city
called Utgard. I have heard you whispering to one another that I am not
a man of small dimensions; but if you come to Utgard you will see there
many men much taller than I. Wherefore, I advise you, when you come
there, not to make too much of yourselves, for the followers of
Utgard-Loki will not brook the boasting of such little fellows as you
are. You must take the road that leads eastward, mine lies northward, so
we must part here."

Hereupon he threw his wallet over his shoulders and turned away from
them into the forest, and Thor had no wish to stop him or to ask for any
more of his company.

Thor and his companions proceeded on their way, and towards noon
descried a city standing in the middle of a plain. It was so lofty that
they were obliged to bend their necks quite back on their shoulders in
order to see to the top of it. On arriving they entered the city, and
seeing a large palace before them with the door wide open, they went in,
and found a number of men of prodigious stature, sitting on benches in
the hall. Going further, they came before the king, Utgard-Loki, whom
they saluted with great respect. The king, regarding them with a
scornful smile, said, "If I do not mistake me, that stripling yonder
must be the god Thor." Then addressing himself to Thor, he said,
"Perhaps thou ma