become wise even as we are,
and an enemy more dangerous than ever."

"Nevertheless," replied Odin firmly, "you must give me the water, and
I will pay you whatsoever you may ask."

Then Mimir, feeling sure that such a payment would be refused, said,
"I will give you the magic draught in return for one of your eyes."

But to his amazement, for the god was very proud of his keen vision,
Odin at once plucked forth an eye and handed it to him, saying:

"No price is too high to pay for wisdom."

So Mimir was obliged to hand him the horn filled with precious water,
and Odin drank a full draught, caring not at all that henceforth he
was to have but one eye, for he knew that he had gained the precious
gift of wisdom beyond any in the world save Mimir himself.

Meantime, Mimir dropped the eye of the Asa into the well, where it
shines bright as the moon reflected in still waters; and he bade Odin
depart, saying heavily, "This day is the beginning of trouble betwixt
your race and mine."

Determined to put his new-found wisdom to the test, All-Father Odin
now disguised himself as a wandering minstrel and went to visit the
Most Learned of all the Giants save Mimir, who, of course, knew
everything in the whole world. And the Most Learned Giant received him
graciously, and consented readily to enter into a contest of wit, and
it was agreed that the loser should forfeit his head.

The Most Learned Giant was the first to begin. He questioned Odin as
to the size and colour of the horses which bore the chariots of Night
and Day across the sky; he asked him the source of the river which
separated the Land of the Giants from Asgard, and finally he demanded
details about the last battle that was to be fought between Asas and
giants in far-distant days.

All these questions were fully and promptly answered by Odin, and it
was now his turn. He questioned his rival first as to the Beginning of
All Things; then he asked what the heroes did in Valhalla, what was
the work of the Weird Sisters, and who would carry on the work of the
gods when they had passed away.

And all these were fully answered by the Most Learned Giant.

Then Odin bent down to the Giant's ear as he sat on his great seat,
and said softly:

"Tell me, lastly, I pray you, what are the words that the All-Father
will whisper to his son Balder as he lies dead upon his funeral pyre?"

At this the Most Learned Giant uprose, and looking hard into the sad
and troubled face