Hrafnagaldr Óðins — Forspjallsljóð, a reading
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Harmful content
Misogyny
1
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Hate speech
13
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Summary
Odin's Song, also known as Forspjalsdottir, or Prelude Poem, is a poem about the coming of Ragnarok, or the end of the world, written in the first strophe of the saga sagas.
Transcript
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Hlapn gauder Odens, Odens raven gauder, Odens raven song.
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This very obscure poem has been regarded as a fragment only of a poem, of which the beginning and end are wanting.
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With regard to the beginning, the want may possibly be more apparent than real,
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The Strauss 2 through 5 being in fact a sort of introduction, although they do not strike
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In consequence of the obscurity of the first Strauss, which seems very slightly connected
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with the following ones, in which the gods and dwarves are described as in council on
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account of certain warnings and forebodings of their apparent downfall, or Ragnarok.
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Another point of difficulty is its title, there being nothing in the whole poem to connect
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it with Odin's ravens, except the mention of Ugr, or Huginn, in the third strophe.
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Erik Hallsson, a learned Dicelander, after having spent or wasted ten years in an attempt
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to explain this poem, confessed that he understood little or nothing of it.
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In its mythology, too, we find parts associated to some of the personages, of which no traces
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though we are hardly justified in pronouncing it with more than one scholar of eminence,
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Allfather works, the Alfar discern, the Vanir know, the Nornir indicate,
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The Avidia brings forth, men endure, the Thursar awaits, the Varkir long.
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The forebodings the Aesir, suspected to be evil, treacherous Vaatar had the runes confounded,
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Urd was enjoyed to guard Urdurr, powerfully to protect it against the increasing multitude.
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Hulg then goes forth, explores the heavens, the powers fear disaster from delay, to a
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strained belief that the dreams was ominous, Dane thought that the dream was dark.
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Among the dwarves virtue decays, worlds sink down to Gnoon's abyss,
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Aftwur Arsvid, strike them down, aft the fallen again collect.
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Stand no longer shall earth or sun, the stream of air with corruption laden shall not cease.
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Hidden is in men's lippid well, men certain knowledge, understand get ye, or what.
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In the dales dwells the prescient dis, from Yggdarsil's ash sunken down, of Alfinres,
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Idun by name, the youngest of Ivardi's elder children.
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She ill brooked her descent under the horse-tree's trunk, confined.
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She would not happy be with Nurvi's daughter accustomed to a pleasanter abode at home.
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The triumphant gods saw Nanna sorrowing in earth's deep sanctuaries.
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A wolf's skin they gave her, in which herself she clad, changed her feelings, practiced
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Vidrir selected Bithroth's guardian of the Gjöl's son's keeper to inquire all that
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Magic songs they sung rode on wolves the gods and gods.
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At the heavenly house Odin listened and Liv's Gjölz let them go forth on their long way.
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The wise god asked the cup-bearer of the gods' progeny and their associates.
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Whether of heaven or hell or earth, she knew the origin, duration, or dissolution.
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She spoke not, she could no words to the ancient gods bring forth, nor a sound uttered.
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Tears flow from the heads with pain repressed, Orbs they flew anew.
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As from the east, from Elivagir, The thorn is impelled by the ice-cold durs,
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Where with dain all people strikes Over the fair mid-earth.
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When every faculty as the hands sink, Lod totters with drowsiness the bright
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sword grit, As drives away the current, the giantess's
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blandishment of the mind's agitations of all people.
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So to the gods appeasement your room to be effected, red with sorrow swollen when they
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They strove the more the greater the repulse, still less than they had hoped did their words
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When the leader of the inquiring travellers, the guardian of Helion's loud-sounding horn
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took the son of Narl for his companion, Grimnir's scald at the palace kept watch.
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Both borne by Fourniot's kin, they entered, and the Aesir forthwith saluted, at Ygg's
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Hung a tear they hailed of the Aesir the most blissful, potent drink in the high seat they
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wished him to enjoy, and the gods to sit happy at the feast, ever with Inyung's pleasure
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On benches seated at Bolverk's bidding, the company of gods were the seriminers of Sated.
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Skurgl at the tables from Nikar's vessel measured out mead in Mimir's horns.
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Of many things inquired when the meal was over, the high gods of Heimdall, the goddesses
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of Loki, whether the maid had uttered divination or wise words, from noon until twilight's
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Ill they showed it had fallen out, their errand bootless, little to glory in, a lack
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of counsel seemed likely, how from the maiden they might an answer get.
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Me answered, all listened. Night is the time for new councils, till the morrow let reflect
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each one competent, to give advice helpful to the Isir.
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Run along the ways of Mother Rhind, the desired repast of Finris Ulf, went from the guild,
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bade the gods farewell, thropped in Trigg as before Hermfaxi.
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The son of Deling urges on his horse, adorned with precious jewels.
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The steed the Valens deluder drew in his chariot.
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In the north boundary of the spacious earth, under the outmost root of the noble tree,
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Went to their couches, Gigjar and Thursar, Spectres, Dwarfs, and Murkals.
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The powers rose, the Ars Illuminator, Northwards towards Niflul, chased the night.
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Up Argyal ran, Ulthran's son, The mighty hornblower of heaven's heights.