The Prose Edda 2.2

Now you may hear examples of the way in which Chief Skalds have held it becoming to compose, making use of these simple terms and periphrases: as when Arnórr Earls' Skald says that Odin is called Allfather:

Now I'll tell men the virtue Of the terrible Jarl; Allfather's Song-Surf streams; Late my sorrows lighten,

Here, moreover, he calls poesy the Song-Surf of Allfather. Hávardr the Halt sang thus:

Now is the flight of eagles Over the field; the sailors Of the sea-horses hie them To the Hanged-God's gifts and feasting.

Thus sang Viga-Glúmr:

With the Hanged-God's helmet The hosts have ceased from going By the brink; not pleasant The bravest held the venture.

Thus sang Refr:

Oft the Gracious One came to me At the holy cup of the Raven-God; The king of the stem-ploughed sea's gold From the skald in death is sundered.

Thus sang Eyvindr Skald-Despoiler:

And Sigurdr, He who sated the ravens Of Cargo-God With the gore of the host Of slain Haddings Of life was spoiled By the earth-rulers At Ögló.

Thus sang Glúmr Geirason:

There the Týr of Triumph Himself inspired the terror Of ships; the gods of breezes That favor good men steered them.

Thus sang Eyvindr: :Göndull and Skögull :Gauta-Týr sent :To choose from kings :Who of Yngvi's kin :Should go with Odin :And be in Valhall.

Thus sang Úlfr Uggason:

Swiftly the Far-Famed rideth, The Foretelling God, to the fire speeds, To the wide pyre of his offspring; Through my cheeks praise-songs are pouring.

Thus sang Thjódólfr of Hvin:

The slain lay there sand-strewing, Spoil for the Single-Eyed Dweller in Frigg's bosom; In such deeds we rejoiced.

Hallfredr sang thus:

The doughty ship-possessor With sharpened words and soothfast Lures our land, the patient, Barley-lockèd Wife of Thridi.

Here is an example of this metaphor, that in poesy the earth is called the Wife of Odin. Here is told what Eyvindr sang:

Hermódr and Bragi, Spake Hropta-Týr. Go ye to greet the Prince; For a king who seemeth A champion cometh To the hall hither.

Thus sang Kormákr:

The Giver of Lands, who bindeth The sail to the top, with gold-lace Honors him who pours god's verse-mead; Odin wrought charms on Rindr.

Thus sang Steinthórr:

Much have I to laud The ancient-made (though little) Liquor of the valiant Load of Gunnlöd's arm-clasp.

Thus sang Úlfr Uggason:

There I think the Valkyrs follow, And ravens, Victorious Odin To the blood of holy Baldr. With old tales the hall was painted.

Thus sang Egill Skallagrímsson:

No victims for this To Víli's brother, The High-God, I offer, Glad to behold him;

Yet has Mímir's friend On me bestowed Amends of evil Which I account better.

He has given me the art— He, the Wolf's Opposer, Accustomed to battle,— Of blemish blameless.

Here he is called High God, and Friend of Mímir, and Adversary of the Wolf.

Thus sang Refr:

Swift God of Slain, that wieldeth The snowy billow's wave-hawks, The ships that drive the sea-road, To thee we owe the dwarves' drink.

Thus sang Einarr Tinkling-Scale:

'T is mine to pour the liquor Of the Host-God's mead-cask freely Before the ships' swift Speeder: For this I win no scorning.

Thus sang Úlfr Uggason:

His steed the lordly Heimdallr Spurs to the pyre gods builded For the fallen son of Odin, The All-Wise Raven-Ruler.

This is said in Eiríksmál:

What dream is that? quoth Odin,— I thought to rise ere day-break To make Valhall ready For troops of slain; I roused the champions, Bade them rise swiftly Benches to strew, To wash beer-flagons; The Valkyrs to pour wine, As a Prince were coming.

Kormákr sang this:

I pray the precious Ruler Of Yngvi's people, o'er me To hold his hand, bow-shaking. Hroptr bore with him Gungnir.

Thórálfr sang this:

The Mighty One of Hlidskjálf Spake his mind unto them Where the hosts of fearless Hárekr were slaughtered.

Thus sang Eyvindr:

The mead which forth From Surtr's sunk dales The Strong-through-spells Swift-flying bore.

So sang Bragi:

'Tis seen, on my shield's surface, How the Son of the Father of Peoples Craved to try his strength full swiftly 'Gainst the rain-beat Snake earth-circling.

Thus sang Eínarr:

Since less with Bestla's Offspring Prevail most lordly princes Than thou, my task is singing Thy praise in songs of battle.

Thus sang Thorvaldr Blending-Skald:

Now have I much In the middle grasped Of the son of Borr, Of Búri's heir.