Lokasenna, a reading
Episode Stats
Harmful content
Misogyny
10
sentences flagged
Toxicity
16
sentences flagged
Hate speech
58
sentences flagged
Summary
The poem is one of the most vigorous of the entire collection, and seems to have been preserved in exceptionally good condition. The exchange or contest of insults was dear to the Norse heart, and the poem consists chiefly of Loki's taunt to the assembled gods and goddesses, and their largely ineffectual attempts to talk back to him.
Transcript
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The Locasinna is found only in the Regis, where it follows the Himiskvitha.
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Snorri quotes four lines of it, grouped together as a single stanza.
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The poem is one of the most vigorous of the entire collection,
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and seems to have been preserved in exceptionally good condition.
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The exchange or contest of insults was dear to the Norse heart,
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and the Locasinna consists chiefly of Loki's taunt, to the assembled gods and goddesses,
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and their largely ineffectual attempts to talk back to him.
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The author was evidently well versed in mythological foray, and the poem is full of references to incidents not elsewhere recorded.
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As to its date and origin, there is the usual dispute,
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but the latter part of the 10th century in Iceland seem to be the best guesses.
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The prose notes are long and of unusual interest.
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The introductory one links the poem closely to the Hymyskvitha,
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much as the Regensmall, Fafnismall, and Sigurdrismfumall are linked together,
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and the others fill in the narrative gaps in the dialogue, very much like stage directions.
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and provide a conclusion by relating Locke's punishment,
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which presumably is here connected with the wrong incidents.
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It is likely that often when the poem was recited during the two centuries or so before it was committed to writing,
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the speaker inserted some such explanatory comments,
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and the compiler of the collection followed this example
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by adding such explanations as he thought necessary.
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The Locasinna is certainly much older than the Hemisclitha,
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the connection between them being purely one of subject matter,
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and the 12th century compiler evidently knew a good deal less about mythology
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Aegir, who was also called Gimeir, had prepared ale for the gods
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after he had got the mighty Kettle, as now has been told.
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Thor came not, as he was on a journey in the east.
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Sif, Thor's wife, was there, and Bragi with Idun, his wife.
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The wolf Finre had bitten off his other when they had bound him.
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There were Njord and Skadi, his wife, Threyr and Threya, and Vitar, the son of Odin.
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Loki was there, and Freya's servants, Bigvir and Bela, many were there, the gods and elves.
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Aegir had two serving-men, Femmaphang and Eldir. Glittering gold they had in the place
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of firelight. The ale came in of itself, and great was peace. The guests praised much the
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ability of Aegir's serving-men. Loki might not endure that, and slew Flemmaphang.
0.51
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Then the gods shook their shields and howled at Loki and drove him away to the forest,
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Speak now, Eldir, for not one step farther shalt thou fare.
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What ale talk here do they have within, the sons of the glorious gods?
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Of their weapons they talk, and their might in war, the sons of the glorious gods.
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From the gods and the elves, who are gathered here, no friend in word shalt thou find.
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In shall I go into Aegir's hall, for the feast I feign would see.
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Bale and hatred I bring to the gods, and their mead with venom I mix.
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If thou and I shall strive with spiteful speech
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At your feast a place and a seat prepare me, or bid me forth the fair.
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Bragi spake, A place and a seat will the gods prepare,
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No more in their midst for thee, For the gods know well what men they wish
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and let the wolf's father find a seat at our feast,
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In horses and rings thou shalt never be rich, Bragi, but both shalt thou lack.
0.90
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Of the gods and elves here together met, least brave in battle art thou, and shyest thou art of the shot.
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Bragi spake, Now where are I without, as I am within, and here in Agar's hall?
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Thine head would I bear, and mine hands away, and bear thee the price of thy lies.
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Thou art, I say, of women most lustful in love
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For I wish not the fierce they should fight
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For the faith that is set for all she sees
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Not justly thou settest the fate of the fight among men
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Off gavest thou to him who deserved not the gift
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Though I gave to him who deserved not the gift
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Thou art Fjörgen's wife, but ever lustful in love.
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Thryg spake, if a son like Baldr were by me now,
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From the sons of the gods thou shouldst go not forth,
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Loki spake, Thou wilt, then, thing, that further I tell of the ill that now I know.
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Mine is the blame that balder no more thou seest right home to the hall.
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Freya spake, Mad out there, Loki, that known thou makest the wrong and the shame thou hast wrought.
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The fate of all does fling no well, though for self she says it not.
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For between two men friendship thou netherkest fashion
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From my dwellings and fields shall ever come forth
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Then Sif came forward and poured mead for Loki in a crystal cup
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He will silence the man who is slandering here
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Unmanly one, Caesar, the mighty hammer Mjolnir, shall close thy mouth.
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Thy shoulder-cliff shall I cleave from thy neck, and so shall thy life be lost.
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this thou hide, thou great one, and there forgot thou wast Thor. Thor spake, unmanly
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one cease with a mighty hammer, Mjolnir shall close thy mouth, my right hand shall smite
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thee with one good slayer, till all thy bones are broken. Loki spake, a long time still
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The slayer of Rungnir shall send thee to hell
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