Poetric Edda, norse poetry, thanks to MR J.R.R Tolkien Options

[Raijinili]

:v special topic. i dont know exactly where it should be, and probably you english speakers know these legends and stuffs already but... just in case

Völsungakvitha en Nýja

Upphaf
(Beginning)

Of old was an age
when was emptiness,
there was sand nor sea
nor surging waves;
unwrought was earth,
unroofed was heaven-
an abyss yawning;
and no blade of grass

*

The Great Gods then
Began their toil,
the wondrous world
they well builded.
from the south the sun
from seas rising
gleamed down on grass
green at morning

*

they hall and hallow
high uptowering,
gleaming-gabled,
golden-posted,
rock-hewn ramparts
reared in splendour,
forge and fortress
framed immortal.

*

unmarred their mirth
in many a court,
where men they made
of their minds cunning;
under hills of heaven
on high builded
they lived in laughter
long years ago.

*

dread shapes arose
from the dim spaces
over sheer mountains
by the shoreless sea,
friends of darkness,
foes immortal
old, unbegotten,
out of ancient void.

*

to the world came war?
the walls of gods
giants beleaguered;
joy was ended.
the mountains were moved,
mighty ocean
surged and thundered,
the sun trembled.

*

the gods gathered
on golden thrones,
of doom and death
deeply pondered,
how fate should be fended,
their foes vanquished,
their labour healed,
light rekindled.

*
in forges fire
of flaming wrath
was heaviest hammer
hewn and wielded.
thunder and lightning.
Thor the mighty
flung among them
felled and sundered.

*

in fear then fled they,
foes immortal
from the walls beaten
watched unceasing;
ringed earth around
with roaring sea
and mountains of ice
on the margin of the world.

*

a seer long silent
her song upraised-
the halls hearkened-
on high she stood.
of doom and death
dark words she spake,
of the last battle
of the leaguered gods.

*

the horn of heimdall
i hear ringing;
the blazing bridge
bends neath horsemen;
the ash is groaning,
his arms trembling,
the wolf waking,
warriors riding.

*

the sword of surt
smoketh redly;
the slumbering serpent
in the sea moveth;
a shadowy ship
from shores of hell
legions bringeth
to the last battle.

*

the wolf fenrir
waits for ódin,
for frey the fair
the flames of surt;
the deep dragon
shall be doom of thor
shall all be ended,
shall earth perish?

*

if in day of doom
one deathless stands
who death hath tasted
and dies no more,
the serpent-slayer,
seed of ódin,
then all shall not end,
nor earth perish.

*

on his head shall be helm,
in his hand lightning,
afire his spirit,
in his face splendour,
the serpent shall shiver
and surt waver,
the wolf be vanquished
and the world rescued.

*

the gods were gathered
on guarded heights,
of doom and death
deep they pondered.
sun they rekindled,
and silver moon
they set to sail
on seas of stars,

*

frey and freya
fair things planted,
trees and flowers,
trembling grasses
thor in chariot
thundered o'er them
through heaven's gateways
to the hills of stone

*

ever would ódin
on earth wander
weighed in wisdom
woe foreknowing,
the lord of lords
and leaguered gods,
his seed sowing,
sire of heroes.

*

valhöll he built
vast and shining;
shields the tiles were,
shafts the rafters.
ravens flew thence
over realms of earth;
at the doors an eagle
darkly waited.

*

the guests were many:
grim their singing,
boar's-flesh eating,
beakers draining;
mighty ones of earth
mailclad sitting
for one they waited,
the world's chosen.