Völuspá

The Seeress's Prophecy — all 66 stanzas in the original Old Norse alongside the H. A. Bellows 1936 English translation.

This is the plain-text reference edition of Völuspá: the original Old Norse verse for every one of the 66 stanzas, paired with the public-domain English translation by Henry Adams Bellows (1936). No JavaScript, no login, no paywall — everything below is open for reading, citation, and study.

For the same 66 stanzas with structural commentary (Deeper Meaning) and an entity-by-entity glossary, see the interactive Raven's Völuspá. The first 10 stanzas of that commentary are also open to everyone.

Stanza 1 of 66

The Call to Witness

Old Norse
Hljóðs bið ek allar helgar kindir, meiri ok minni mögu Heimdallar; viltu at ek, Valföðr, vel fyr telja forn spjöll fira, þau er fremst of man.
Bellows Translation
Hearing I ask | from the holy races, From Heimdall’s sons, | both high and low; Thou wilt, Valfather, | that well I relate Old tales I remember | of men long ago.
Stanza 2 of 66

The Source of Memory

Old Norse
Ek man jötna ár of borna, þá er forðum mik fædda höfðu; níu man ek heima, níu íviðjur, mjötvið mæran fyr mold neðan.
Bellows Translation
I remember yet | the giants of yore, Who gave me bread | in the days gone by; Nine worlds I knew, | the nine in the tree With mighty roots | beneath the mold.
Stanza 3 of 66

Before Order

Old Norse
Ár var alda, þat er ekki var, var-a sandr né sær né svalar unnir; jörð fannsk æva né upphiminn, gap var ginnunga en gras hvergi.
Bellows Translation
Of old was the age | when Ymir lived; Sea nor cool waves | nor sand there were; Earth had not been, | nor heaven above, But a yawning gap, | and grass nowhere.
Stanza 4 of 66

The Ordering of the Solar Sphere

Old Norse
Áðr Burs synir bjöðum of yppðu, þeir er Miðgarð mæran skópu; sól skein sunnan á salar steina, þá var grund gróin grænum lauki.
Bellows Translation
Then Bur’s sons lifted | the level land, Mithgarth the mighty | there they made; The sun from the south | warmed the stones of earth, And green was the ground | with growing leeks.
Stanza 5 of 66

The Sun and Moon Awakening

Old Norse
Sól varp sunnan, sinni mána, hendi inni hægri um himinjöður; sól þat né vissi, hvar hon sali átti, máni þat né vissi, hvat hann megins átti, stjörnur þat né vissu hvar þær staði áttu.
Bellows Translation
The sun, the sister | of the moon, from the south Her right hand cast | over heaven’s rim; No knowledge she had | where her home should be, The moon knew not | what might was his, The stars knew not | where their stations were.
Stanza 6 of 66

The Naming of Time

Old Norse
Þá gengu regin öll á rökstóla, ginnheilög goð, ok um þat gættusk; nótt ok niðjum nöfn of gáfu, morgin hétu ok miðjan dag, undorn ok aftan, árum at telja.
Bellows Translation
Then sought the gods | their assembly-seats, The holy ones, | and council held; Names then gave they | to noon and twilight, Morning they named, | and the waning moon, Night and evening, | the years to number.
Stanza 7 of 66

The Æsir Build Midgard

Old Norse
Hittusk æsir á Iðavelli, þeir er hörg ok hof hátimbruðu; afla lögðu, auð smíðuðu, tangir skópu ok tól gerðu.
Bellows Translation
At Ithavoll met | the mighty gods, Shrines and temples | they timbered high; Forges they set, and | they smithied ore, Tongs they wrought, | and tools they fashioned.
Stanza 8 of 66

Three Giant Women Arrive

Old Norse
Tefldu í túni, teitir váru, var þeim vettergis vant ór gulli, uns þrjár kvámu þursa meyjar ámáttkar mjök ór Jötunheimum.
Bellows Translation
In their dwellings at peace | they played at tables, Of gold no lack | did the gods then know,– Till thither came | up giant-maids three, Huge of might, | out of Jotunheim.
Stanza 9 of 66

The Creation of the Dwarves

Old Norse
Þá gengu regin öll á rökstóla, ginnheilög goð, ok um þat gættusk, hverir skyldi dverga dróttir skepja ór Brimis blóði ok ór Bláins leggjum.
Bellows Translation
Then sought the gods | their assembly-seats, The holy ones, | and council held, To find who should raise | the race of dwarfs Out of Brimir’s blood | and the legs of Blain.
Stanza 10 of 66

The Chief Dwarves

Old Norse
Þar var Móðsognir mæztr of orðinn dverga allra, en Durinn annarr; þeir mannlíkun mörg of gerðu dvergar í jörðu, sem Durinn sagði.
Bellows Translation
There was Motsognir | the mightiest made Of all the dwarfs, | and Durin next; Many a likeness | of men they made, The dwarfs in the earth, | as Durin said.
Stanza 11 of 66

The Northern and Southern Dwarves

Old Norse
Nýi, Niði, Norðri, Suðri, Austri, Vestri, Alþjófr, Dvalinn, Nár ok Náinn Nípingr, Dáinn Bívurr, Bávurr, Bömburr, Nóri, Ánn ok Ánarr, Óinn, Mjöðvitnir.
Bellows Translation
Nyi and Nithi, | Northri and Suthri, Austri and Vestri, | Althjof, Dvalin, Nar and Nain, | Niping, Dain, Bifur, Bofur, | Bombur, Nori, An and Onar, | Ai, Mjothvitnir.
Stanza 12 of 66

More Master Dwarves

Old Norse
Veggr ok Gandalfr, Vindalfr, Þorinn, Þrár ok Þráinn, Þekkr, Litr ok Vitr, Nýr ok Nýráðr, nú hefi ek dverga, Reginn ok Ráðsviðr, rétt of talða.
Bellows Translation
Vigg and Gandalf) | Vindalf, Thrain, Thekk and Thorin, | Thror, Vit and Lit, Nyr and Nyrath,– | now have I told– Regin and Rathsvith– | the list aright.
Stanza 13 of 66

The Second Generation of Dwarves

Old Norse
Fíli, Kíli, Fundinn, Náli, Hefti, Víli, Hannar, Svíurr, Billingr, Brúni, Bíldr ok Buri, Frár, Hornbori, Frægr ok Lóni, Aurvangr, Jari, Eikinskjaldi.
Bellows Translation
Fili, Kili, | Fundin, Nali, Heptifili, | Hannar, Sviur, Frar, Hornbori, | Fræg and Loni, Aurvang, Jari, | Eikinskjaldi.
Stanza 14 of 66

The Dwarf Lineages and Their Territory

Old Norse
Mál er dverga í Dvalins liði ljóna kindum til Lofars telja, þeir er sóttu frá salar steini Aurvanga sjöt til Jöruvalla.
Bellows Translation
The race of the dwarfs | in Dvalin’s throng Down to Lofar | the list must I tell; The rocks they left, | and through wet lands They sought a home | in the fields of sand.
Stanza 15 of 66

The Wealth-Makers

Old Norse
Þar var Draupnir ok Dolgþrasir, Hár, Haugspori, Hlévangr, Glóinn, Dóri, Óri Dúfr, Andvari Skirfir, Virfir, Skáfiðr, Ái.
Bellows Translation
There were Draupnir | and Dolgthrasir, Hor, Haugspori, | Hlevang, Gloin, Dori, Ori, | Duf, Andvari, Skirfir, Virfir, | Skafith, Ai.
Stanza 16 of 66

The Final Dwarves and Their Eternity

Old Norse
Alfr ok Yngvi, Eikinskjaldi, Fjalarr ok Frosti, Finnr ok Ginnarr; þat mun æ uppi meðan öld lifir, langniðja tal Lofars hafat.
Bellows Translation
Alf and Yngvi, | Eikinskjaldi, Fjalar and Frosti, | Fith and Ginnar; So for all time | shall the tale be known, The list of all | the forbears of Lofar.
Stanza 17 of 66

Three Gods Find the First Humans

Old Norse
Unz þrír kvámu ór því liði öflgir ok ástkir æsir at húsi, fundu á landi lítt megandi Ask ok Emblu örlöglausa.
Bellows Translation
Then from the throng | did three come forth, From the home of the gods, | the mighty and gracious; Two without fate | on the land they found, Ask and Embla, | empty of might.
Stanza 18 of 66

The Three Gifts of Life

Old Norse
Önd þau né áttu, óð þau né höfðu, lá né læti né litu góða; önd gaf Óðinn, óð gaf Hænir, lá gaf Lóðurr ok litu góða.
Bellows Translation
Soul they had not, | sense they had not, Heat nor motion, | nor goodly hue; Soul gave Othin, | sense gave Hönir, Heat gave Lothur | and goodly hue.
Stanza 19 of 66

Yggdrasill, The World-Tree

Old Norse
Ask veit ek standa, heitir Yggdrasill, hár baðmr, ausinn hvíta auri; þaðan koma döggvar, þærs í dala falla, stendr æ yfir grænn Urðarbrunni.
Bellows Translation
An ash I know, | Yggdrasil its name, With water white | is the great tree wet; Thence come the dews | that fall in the dales, Green by Urth’s well | does it ever grow.
Stanza 20 of 66

The Three Norns

Old Norse
Þaðan koma meyjar margs vitandi þrjár ór þeim sæ, er und þolli stendr; Urð hétu eina, aðra Verðandi, skáru á skíði, Skuld ina þriðju; þær lög lögðu, þær líf kuru alda börnum, örlög seggja.
Bellows Translation
Thence come the maidens | mighty in wisdom, Three from the dwelling | down ’neath the tree; Urth is one named, | Verthandi the next,– On the wood they scored,– | and Skuld the third. Laws they made there, and life allotted To the sons of men, and set their fates.
Stanza 21 of 66

Gullveig Burns

Old Norse
Þat man hon folkvíg fyrst í heimi, er Gullveigu geirum studdu ok í höll Hárs hana brenndu, þrisvar brenndu, þrisvar borna, oft, ósjaldan, þó hon enn lifir.
Bellows Translation
The war I remember, | the first in the world, When the gods with spears | had smitten Gollveig, And in the hall | of Hor had burned her, Three times burned, | and three times born, Oft and again, | yet ever she lives.
Stanza 22 of 66

Heiðr Among Humans

Old Norse
Heiði hana hétu hvars til húsa kom, völu velspáa, vitti hon ganda; seið hon, hvars hon kunni, seið hon hug leikinn, æ var hon angan illrar brúðar.
Bellows Translation
Heith they named her | who sought their home, The wide-seeing witch, | in magic wise; Minds she bewitched | that were moved by her magic, To evil women | a joy she was.
Stanza 23 of 66

The Gods Deliberate

Old Norse
Þá gengu regin öll á rökstóla, ginnheilög goð, ok um þat gættusk, hvárt skyldu æsir afráð gjalda eða skyldu goðin öll gildi eiga.
Bellows Translation
Then sought the gods their assembly-seats; the holy ones held council, whether the gods should tribute give, or all alike should worship belong.
Stanza 24 of 66

Odin Casts His Spear

Old Norse
Fleygði Óðinn ok í folk of skaut, þat var enn folkvíg fyrst í heimi; brotinn var borðveggr borgar ása, knáttu vanir vígspá völlu sporna.
Bellows Translation
Othin hurled his spear over the host; then first war came into the world. The wall of the gods was broken, and the Wanes trod the field.
Stanza 25 of 66

Who Betrayed Whom?

Old Norse
Þá gengu regin öll á rökstóla, ginnheilög goð, ok um þat gættusk, hverjir hefði loft allt lævi blandit eða ætt jötuns Óðs mey gefna.
Bellows Translation
Then sought the gods | their assembly-seats, The holy ones, | and council held, To find who with venom | the air had filled, Or had given Oth’s bride | to the giants’ brood.
Stanza 26 of 66

Thor’s Wrath

Old Norse
Þórr einn þar vá þrunginn móði, hann sjaldan sitr er hann slíkt of fregn — á gengusk eiðar, orð ok særi, mál öll meginlig, er á meðal fóru.
Bellows Translation
In swelling rage | then rose up Thor,– Seldom he sits | when he such things hears,– And the oaths were broken, | the words and bonds, The mighty pledges | between them made.
Stanza 27 of 66

Heimdall’s Hidden Knowledge

Old Norse
Veit hon Heimdallar hljóð of folgit und heiðvönum helgum baðmi, á sér hon ausask aurgum forsi af veði Valföðrs. Vituð ér enn — eða hvat?
Bellows Translation
I know of the horn | of Heimdall, hidden Under the high-reaching | holy tree; On it there pours | from Valfather’s pledge A mighty stream: | would you know yet more?
Stanza 28 of 66

Odin Questions the Seeress

Old Norse
Ein sat hon úti, þá er inn aldni kom yggjungr ása ok í augu leit. Hvers fregnið mik? Hví freistið mín? Allt veit ek, Óðinn, hvar þú auga falt, í inum mæra Mímisbrunni. Drekkr mjöð Mímir morgun hverjan af veði Valföðrs. Vituð ér enn — eða hvat?
Bellows Translation
Alone I sat | when the Old One sought me, The terror of gods, | and gazed in mine eyes: “What hast thou to ask? | why comest thou hither? Othin, I know | where thine eye is hidden.” I know where Othin’s | eye is hidden, Deep in the wide-famed | well of Mimir; Mead from the pledge | of Othin each mom Does Mimir drink: | would you know yet more?
Stanza 29 of 66

The Seeress Receives Gifts

Old Norse
Valði henni Herföðr hringa ok men, fekk spjöll spaklig ok spá ganda, sá hon vítt ok of vítt of veröld hverja.
Bellows Translation
Necklaces had I | and rings from Heerfather, Wise was my speech | and my magic wisdom; . . . . . . . . . . Widely I saw | over all the worlds.
Stanza 30 of 66

The Valkyries

Old Norse
Sá hon valkyrjur vítt of komnar, görvar at ríða til Goðþjóðar; Skuld helt skildi, en Skögul önnur, Gunnr, Hildr, Göndul ok Geirskögul. Nú eru talðar nönnur Herjans, görvar at ríða grund valkyrjur.
Bellows Translation
On all sides saw I | Valkyries assemble, Ready to ride | to the ranks of the gods; Skuld bore the shield, | and Skogul rode next, Guth, Hild, Gondul, | and Geirskogul. Of Herjan’s maidens | the list have ye heard, Valkyries ready | to ride o’er the earth.
Stanza 31 of 66

Baldr the Beautiful

Old Norse
Ek sá Baldri, blóðgum tívur, Óðins barni, örlög folgin; stóð of vaxinn völlum hæri mjór ok mjök fagr mistilteinn.
Bellows Translation
I saw for Baldr, | the bleeding god, The son of Othin, | his destiny set: Famous and fair | in the lofty fields, Full grown in strength | the mistletoe stood.
Stanza 32 of 66

Baldr Falls to the Mistletoe

Old Norse
Varð af þeim meiði, er mær sýndisk, harmflaug hættlig, Höðr nam skjóta; Baldrs bróðir var of borinn snemma, sá nam Óðins sonr einnættr vega.
Bellows Translation
From the branch which seemed | so slender and fair Came a harmful shaft | that Hoth should hurl; But the brother of Baldr | was born ere long, And one night old | fought Othin’s son.
Stanza 33 of 66

Frigg’s Grief

Old Norse
Þó hann æva hendr né höfuð kembði, áðr á bál of bar Baldrs andskota; en Frigg of grét í Fensölum vá Valhallar. Vituð ér enn — eða hvat?
Bellows Translation
His hands he washed not, | his hair he combed not, Till he bore to the bale-blaze | Baldr’s foe. But in Fensalir | did Frigg weep sore For Valhall’s need: | would you know yet more?
Stanza 34 of 66

Vali Avenges Baldr

Old Norse
Þá kná Váli vígbönd snúa, heldr váru harðgör höft ór þörmum.
Bellows Translation
Then did Váli slaughter bonds twist: made farily grim were those fetters of guts.
Stanza 35 of 66

Loki Bound

Old Norse
Haft sá hon liggja und Hveralundi, lægjarns líki Loka áþekkjan; þar sitr Sigyn þeygi of sínum ver vel glýjuð. Vituð ér enn — eða hvat?
Bellows Translation
One did I see | in the wet woods bound, A lover of ill, | and to Loki like; By his side does Sigyn | sit, nor is glad To see her mate: | would you know yet more?
Stanza 36 of 66

The River of Weapons

Old Norse
Á fellur austan um eitrdala söxum ok sverðum, Slíðr heitir sú.
Bellows Translation
From the east there pours | through poisoned vales With swords and daggers | the river Slith.
Stanza 37 of 66

The Halls in the North

Old Norse
Stóð fyr norðan á Niðavöllum salr ór gulli Sindra ættar; en annarr stóð á Ókólni bjórsalr jötuns, en sá Brimir heitir.
Bellows Translation
Northward a hall | in Nithavellir Of gold there rose | for Sindri’s race; And in Okolnir | another stood, Where the giant Brimir | his beer-hall had.
Stanza 38 of 66

Naströnd, the Shore of Corpses

Old Norse
Sal sá hon standa sólu fjarri Náströndu á, norðr horfa dyrr; falla eitrdropar inn um ljóra, sá er undinn salr orma hryggjum.
Bellows Translation
A hall I saw, | far from the sun, On Nastrond it stands, | and the doors face north, Venom drops | through the smoke-vent down, For around the walls | do serpents wind.
Stanza 39 of 66

The Wicked in Naströnd

Old Norse
Sá hon þar vaða þunga strauma menn meinsvara ok morðvarga ok þann er annars glepr eyrarúnu; þar saug Niðhöggr nái framgengna, sleit vargr vera. Vituð ér enn — eða hvat?
Bellows Translation
I saw there wading | through rivers wild Treacherous men | and murderers too, And workers of ill | with the wives of men; There Nithhogg sucked | the blood of the slain, And the wolf tore men; | would you know yet more?
Stanza 40 of 66

The Hag of the Iron-Wood

Old Norse
Austr sat in aldna í Járnviði ok fæddi þar Fenris kindir; verðr af þeim öllum einna nokkurr tungls tjúgari í trölls hami.
Bellows Translation
The giantess old | in Ironwood sat, In the east, and bore | the brood of Fenrir; Among these one | in monster’s guise Was soon to steal | the sun from the sky.
Stanza 41 of 66

The Wolf Feeds on the Doomed

Old Norse
Fyllisk fjörvi feigra manna, rýðr ragna sjöt rauðum dreyra; svört verða sólskin um sumur eftir, veðr öll válynd. Vituð ér enn — eða hvat?
Bellows Translation
There feeds he full | on the flesh of the dead, And the home of the gods | he reddens with gore; Dark grows the sun, | and in summer soon Come mighty storms: | would you know yet more?
Stanza 42 of 66

Fjalarr Crows in the Gallows-Wood

Old Norse
Sat þar á haugi ok sló hörpu gýgjar hirðir, glaðr Eggþér; gól of hánum í galgviði fagrrauðr hani, sá er Fjalarr heitir.
Bellows Translation
On a hill there sat, | and smote on his harp, Eggther the joyous, | the giants’ warder; Above him the cock | in the bird-wood crowed, Fair and red | did Fjalar stand.
Stanza 43 of 66

The Cocks Wake the Worlds

Old Norse
Gól of ásum Gullinkambi, sá vekr hölða at Herjaföðrs; en annarr gelr fyr jörð neðan sótrauðr hani at sölum Heljar.
Bellows Translation
Then to the gods | crowed Gollinkambi, He wakes the heroes | in Othin’s hall; And beneath the earth | does another crow, The rust-red bird | at the bars of Hel.
Stanza 44 of 66

Garmr Howls at Gnipahellir

Old Norse
Geyr nú Garmr mjök fyr Gnipahelli, festr mun slitna, en freki renna; fjölð veit ek fræða, fram sé ek lengra um ragna rök römm sigtíva.
Bellows Translation
Now Garm howls loud | before Gnipahellir, The fetters will burst, | and the wolf run free; Much do I know, | and more can see Of the fate of the gods, | the mighty in fight.
Stanza 45 of 66

Kinship Breaks Before the World Falls

Old Norse
Bræðr munu berjask ok at bönum verðask, munu systrungar sifjum spilla; hart er í heimi, hórdómr mikil, skeggöld, skalmöld, skildir ro klofnir, vindöld, vargöld, áðr veröld steypisk; mun engi maðr öðrum þyrma.
Bellows Translation
Brothers shall fight | and fell each other, And sisters’ sons | shall kinship stain; Hard is it on earth, | with mighty whoredom; Axe-time, sword-time, | shields are sundered, Wind-time, wolf-time, | ere the world falls; Nor ever shall men | each other spare.
Stanza 46 of 66

Gjallarhorn Sounds

Old Norse
Leika Míms synir, en mjötuðr kyndisk at inu galla Gjallarhorni; hátt blæss Heimdallr, horn er á lofti, mælir Óðinn við Míms höfuð.
Bellows Translation
Fast move the sons | of Mim, and fate Is heard in the note | of the Gjallarhorn; Loud blows Heimdall, | the horn is aloft, In fear quake all | who on Hel-roads are.
Stanza 47 of 66

Yggdrasill Shakes

Old Norse
Skelfr Yggdrasils askr standandi, ymr it aldna tré, en jötunn losnar; hræðask allir á helvegum áðr Surtar þann sefi of gleypir.
Bellows Translation
Yggdrasil shakes, | and shiver on high The ancient limbs, | and the giant is loose; To the head of Mim | does Othin give heed, But the kinsman of Surt | shall slay him soon.
Stanza 48 of 66

The Worlds Answer the Crisis

Old Norse
Hvat er með ásum? Hvat er með alfum? Gnýr allr Jötunheimr, æsir ro á þingi, stynja dvergar fyr steindurum, veggbergs vísir. Vituð ér enn — eða hvat?
Bellows Translation
How fare the gods? | how fare the elves? All Jotunheim groans, | the gods are at council; Loud roar the dwarfs | by the doors of stone, The masters of the rocks: | would you know yet more?
Stanza 49 of 66

The Fetter Snaps Again

Old Norse
Geyr nú Garmr mjök fyr Gnipahelli, festr mun slitna en freki renna; fjölð veit ek fræða, fram sé ek lengra um ragna rök römm sigtíva.
Bellows Translation
Now Garm howls loud | before Gnipahellir, The fetters will burst, | and the wolf run free Much do I know, | and more can see Of the fate of the gods, | the mighty in fight.
Stanza 50 of 66

Hrymr, Jörmungandr, and Naglfar

Old Norse
Hrymr ekr austan, hefisk lind fyrir, snýsk Jörmungandr í jötunmóði; ormr knýr unnir, en ari hlakkar, slítr nái niðfölr, Naglfar losnar.
Bellows Translation
From the east comes Hrym | with shield held high; In giant-wrath | does the serpent writhe; O’er the waves he twists, | and the tawny eagle Gnaws corpses screaming; | Naglfar is loose.
Stanza 51 of 66

Loki Steers the Ship

Old Norse
Kjóll ferr austan, koma munu Múspells of lög lýðir, en Loki stýrir; fara fíflmegir með freka allir, þeim er bróðir Býleists í för.
Bellows Translation
O’er the sea from the east | there sails a ship With the people of Muspell, | at the helm stands Loki; After the wolf | do wild men follow, And with them the brother | of Byleist goes.
Stanza 52 of 66

Surtr Comes from the South

Old Norse
Surtr ferr sunnan með sviga lævi, skínn af sverði sól valtíva; grjótbjörg gnata, en gífr rata, troða halir helveg, en himinn klofnar.
Bellows Translation
Surt fares from the south | with the scourge of branches, The sun of the battle-gods | shone from his sword; The crags are sundered, | the giant-women sink, The dead throng Hel-way, | and heaven is cloven.
Stanza 53 of 66

Odin and Freyr Go to Their Fates

Old Norse
Þá kemr Hlínar harmr annarr fram, er Óðinn ferr við ulf vega, en bani Belja bjartr at Surti; þá mun Friggjar falla angan.
Bellows Translation
Now comes to Hlin | yet another hurt, When Othin fares | to fight with the wolf, And Beli’s fair slayer | seeks out Surt, For there must fall | the joy of Frigg.
Stanza 54 of 66

Garmr Howls Again

Old Norse
Geyr nú Garmr mjök fyr Gnipahelli, festr mun slitna, en freki renna; fjölð veit ek fræða, fram sé ek lengra um ragna rök römm sigtíva.
Bellows Translation
Now Garm howls loud | before Gnipahellir,<br>The fetters will burst, | and the wolf run free;<br>Much do I know, | and more can see<br>Of the fate of the gods, | the mighty in fight.
Stanza 55 of 66

Viðarr Avenges Odin

Old Norse
Þá kemr inn mikli mögr Sigföður, Víðarr, vega at valdýri. Lætr hann megi Hveðrungs mundum standa hjör til hjarta, þá er hefnt föður.
Bellows Translation
Then comes Sigfather’s | mighty son,<br>Vithar, to fight | with the foaming wolf;<br>In the giant’s son | does he thrust his sword<br>Full to the heart: | his father is avenged.
Stanza 56 of 66

Thor and the World-Serpent

Old Norse
Þá kemr inn mæri mögr Hlóðynjar, gengr Óðins sonr við orm vega, drepr af móði Miðgarðs véurr, munu halir allir heimstöð ryðja; gengr fet níu Fjörgynjar burr neppr frá naðri níðs ókvíðnum.
Bellows Translation
In anger smites | the warder of earth,– Forth from their homes | must all men flee;- Nine paces fares | the son of Fjorgyn, And, slain by the serpent, | fearless he sinks.
Stanza 57 of 66

The World Burns and Sinks

Old Norse
Sól tér sortna, sígr fold í mar, hverfa af himni heiðar stjörnur; geisar eimi ok aldrnari, leikr hár hiti við himin sjalfan.
Bellows Translation
The sun turns black, | earth sinks in the sea, The hot stars down | from heaven are whirled; Fierce grows the steam | and the life-feeding flame, Till fire leaps high | about heaven itself.
Stanza 58 of 66

The Last Howl Before Renewal

Old Norse
Geyr nú Garmr mjök fyr Gnipahelli, festr mun slitna en freki renna; fjölð veit ek fræða, fram sé ek lengra um ragna rök römm sigtíva.
Bellows Translation
Now Garm howls loud | before Gnipahellir, The fetters will burst, | and the wolf run free; Much do I know, | and more can see Of the fate of the gods, | the mighty in fight.
Stanza 59 of 66

Earth Rises Green Again

Old Norse
Sér hon upp koma öðru sinni jörð ór ægi iðjagræna; falla forsar, flýgr örn yfir, sá er á fjalli fiska veiðir.
Bellows Translation
Now do I see | the earth anew Rise all green | from the waves again; The cataracts fall, | and the eagle flies, And fish he catches | beneath the cliffs.
Stanza 60 of 66

The Gods Remember at Iðavöllr

Old Norse
Finnask æsir á Iðavelli ok um moldþinur máttkan dæma ok minnask þar á megindóma ok á Fimbultýs fornar rúnir.
Bellows Translation
The gods in Ithavoll | meet together, Of the terrible girdler | of earth they talk, And the mighty past | they call to mind, And the ancient runes | of the Ruler of Gods.
Stanza 61 of 66

The Golden Tables Return

Old Norse
Þar munu eftir undrsamligar gullnar töflur í grasi finnask, þærs í árdaga áttar höfðu.
Bellows Translation
In wondrous beauty | once again Shall the golden tables | stand mid the grass, Which the gods had owned | in the days of old,
Stanza 62 of 66

Baldr Returns

Old Norse
Munu ósánir akrar vaxa, böls mun alls batna, Baldr mun koma; búa þeir Höðr ok Baldr Hrofts sigtoftir, vé valtíva. Vituð ér enn — eða hvat?
Bellows Translation
Then fields unsowed | bear ripened fruit, All ills grow better, | and Baldr comes back; Baldr and Hoth dwell | in Hropt’s battle-hall, And the mighty gods: | would you know yet more?
Stanza 63 of 66

Hænir and the Sons of the Brothers

Old Norse
Þá kná Hænir hlautvið kjósa ok burir byggja bræðra tveggja vindheim víðan. Vituð ér enn — eða hvat?
Bellows Translation
Then Hönir wins | the prophetic wand, And the sons of the brothers | of Tveggi abide In Vindheim now: | would you know yet more?
Stanza 64 of 66

Gimlé, the Bright Hall

Old Norse
Sal sér hon standa sólu fegra, gulli þakðan á Gimléi; þar skulu dyggvar dróttir byggja ok um aldrdaga ynðis njóta.
Bellows Translation
More fair than the sun, | a hall I see, Roofed with gold, | on Gimle it stands; There shall the righteous | rulers dwell, And happiness ever | there shall they have.
Stanza 65 of 66

The Mighty One Comes

Old Norse
Þá kemr inn ríki at regindómi öflugr ofan, sá er öllu ræðr.
Bellows Translation
There comes on high, | all power to hold, A mighty lord, | all lands he rules.
Stanza 66 of 66

Níðhöggr Carries the Dead

Old Norse
Þar kemr inn dimmi dreki fljúgandi, naðr fránn, neðan frá Niðafjöllum; berr sér í fjöðrum, flýgr völl yfir, Niðhöggr nái. Nú mun hon sökkvask.
Bellows Translation
From below the dragon | dark comes forth, Nithhogg flying | from Nithafjoll; The bodies of men on | his wings he bears, The serpent bright: | but now must I sink.