Völuspá [English translation]

1

For silence I ask all children, great and small,

sons of Heimdallar; wilt thou, that I, Valfather!

Well recount ancient history of men,

the first I remember?

3

In times of old then Ymir build,

was no sand or sea, nor gelid waves,

earth existed not, nor upper heaven,

gap was yawning, but grass nowhere.

57

The sun darkens, earth in ocean sinks,

from heaven trembles bright stars.

The raging reek with age to linger

plays load heat with heaven itself.

45/47

Ash I know standing, named Yggdrasill,

a lofty tree, laved with limpid water:

thence comes dew that in dales fell;

stands always over the green Urd’s well.

44

Barks Garmr load before Gnípahelli;

the leash may break, and Freki then runs.

Much she knows, forth I see longer,

about Ragnarok the mighty Sigtíva.

59

She sees arise a second time

earth from ocean, beauteously green;

waterfalls descending, eagle flying over,

she from mountains captures fish.

64

Hall she sees standing far from the sun

at Nástrondu, north turns the door;

falls venom-drops in from the roof,

and it's under the hall entwined with serpents.

65

Then comes a kingdom to the ruling-seat,

the high from above, who rules o'er all.