, potent runes applied, a spell pronounced, an answer
demanded, until compelled she rose, and with deathlike voice she said:

_Vala_.

10. "What man is this, to me unknown, who has for me increased an
irksome course? I have with snow been decked, by rain beaten, and with
dew moistened: long have I been dead."

_Vegtam_.

11. "Vegtam is my name, I am Valtam's son. Tell thou me of Hel:
from, earth I call on thee. For whom are those benches strewed o'er
with rings, those costly couches o'erlaid with gold?"

_Vala_.

12. "Here stands mead, for Baldr brewed, over the bright potion a
shield is laid; but the AEsir race are in despair. By compulsion I have
spoken. I will now be silent."

_Vegtam_.

13. "Be not silent, Vala! I will question thee, until I know all. I
will yet know who will Baldr's slayer be, and Odin's son of life
bereave."

_Vala_.

14. "Hoedr will hither his glorious brother send, he of Baldr will
the slayer be, and Odin's son of life bereave. By compulsion I have
spoken; I will now be silent."

_Vegtam_.

15. "Be not silent, Vala! I will question thee, until I know all. I
will yet know who on Hoedr vengeance will inflict, or Baldr's slayer
raise on the pile."

_Vala_.

16. "Rind a son shall bear, in the western halls: he shall slay
Odin's son, when one night old. He a hand will not wash, nor his head
comb, ere he to the pile has borne Baldr's adversary. By compulsion I
have spoken; I will now be silent."

_Vegtam_.

17. "Be not silent, Vala! I will question thee, until I know all. I
will yet know who the maidens are, that weep at will, and heavenward
cast their neck-veils? Tell me but that: till then thou sleepest not."

_Vala_.

18. "Not Vegtam art thou, as I before believed; rather art thou
Odin, lord of men!"

_Odin_.

19. "Thou art no Vala, nor wise woman, rather art thou the mother of
three Thursar."

_Vala_.

20. "Home ride thou, Odin! and exult. Thus shall never more man
again visit me, until Loki free from his bonds escapes, and Ragnaroek
all-destroying comes."

THE HIGH ONE'S[14] LAY.

1. All door-ways, before going forward, should be looked to; for
difficult it is to know where foes may sit within a dwelling.

2. Givers, hail! A guest is come in: where shall he sit? In much
haste is he, who on the ways has to try his luck.

3. Fire is needful to him who is come in, and whose knees are
frozen; food and raiment a man requires, wheo'er the fell has
travelle