en 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 assailed.

_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_.

29. Mad art thou, Loki! in recounting thy foul misdeeds. Frigg, I
believe, knows all that happens, although she says it not.

_Loki_.

30. Be thou silent, Freyia! I know thee full well; thou art not free
from vices: of the AEsir and the Alfar, that are herein, each has been
thy paramour.

_Freyia_.

31. False is thy tongue. Henceforth it will, I think, prate no good
to thee. Wroth with thee are the AEsir, and the Asyniur. Sad shalt thou
home depart.

_Loki_.

32. Be silent, Freyia! Thou art a sorceress, and with much evil
blended; since against thy brother thou the gentle powers excited. And
then, Freyia! what didst thou do?

_Niord_.

33. It is no great wonder, if silk-clad dames get themselves
husbands, lovers; but 'tis a wonder that a wretched As, that has borne
children, should herein enter.

_Loki_.

34. Be silent, Niord! Thou wast sent eastward hence, a hostage from
the gods. Hymir's daughters had thee for an utensil, and flowed into
thy mouth.[41] _Niord_.

35. 'Tis to me a solace, as I a long way hence was sent, a hostage
from the gods, that I had a son, whom no one hates, and accounted is a
chief among the AEsir.

_Loki_.

36. Cease now, Niord! in bounds contain thyself; I will no longer
keep it secret: it was with thy sister thou