The Elder Eddas of Saemund Sigfusson; and the Younger Eddas of Snorre Sturleson

Gunnar, Gunther, or Gunter, King of Burgundy, was probably a real personage of the troubled times with which his name is associated—a period distinguished as much for heroic characters as for tragic events. Gunther represents the best type of kinghood of his age; a man swayed by his affections rather than by ambition, who scrupled at misdeeds, yet yielded to the mastering passions of love; one whose instincts were loyalty to friends and country, and who shrank from cruelties to gain his ends, but who fell a victim to woman's fascinations. History accordingly praises him more for a lover than for a sovereign. LIST OF PHOTOGRAVURES. (ELDER AND YOUNGER EDDAS.) Frontispiece—Gunnar (Gunther) Siegfried Awakens Brynhild Death of Atli A Feast in Valhalla CONTENTS. THE ELDER EDDAS OF SAEMUND. Preface. Introduction To The Voluspa. Völuspâ. The Vala's Prophecy. The Lay Of Vafthrudnir. The Lay Of Grimnir. The Lay Of Vegtam, Or Baldr's Dreams. The High One's Lay. Odin's Rune-song. The Lay Of Hymir. The Lay Of Thrym, Or The Hammer Recovered. The Lay Of The Dwarf Alvis. The Lay Of Harbard. The Journey Or Lay Of Skirnir. The Lay Of Rig. Oegir's Compotation, Or Loki's Altercation. The Lay Of Fiolsvith. The Lay Of Hyndla. The Incantation Of Groa. The Song Of The Sun. The Lay Of Volund. The Lay Of Helgi Hiorvard's Son. The First Lay Of Helgi Hundingcide. The Second Lay Of Helgi Hundingcide. Sinfiotli's End. The First Lay Of Sigurd Fafnicide, Or Gripir's Prophecy. The Second Lay Of Sigurd Fafnicide. The Lay Of Fafnir. The Lay Of Sigrdrifa. Fragments Of The Lay Of Sigurd And Brynhild. The Third Lay Of Sigurd Fafnicide. Fragments Of The Lay Of Brynhild. The First Lay Of Gudrun. Brynhild's Hel-ride. The Slaughter Of The Niflungs. The Second Lay Of Gudrun. The Third Lay Of Gudrun. Oddrun's Lament. The Lay Of Atli. The Groenland Lay Of Atli. Gudrun's Incitement. The Lay Of Hamdir. THE YOUNGER EDDAS OF STURLESON. The Deluding Of Gylfi. Gylfi's Journey To Asgard. Of The Supreme Deity. Of The Primordial State Of The Universe. Origin Of The Hrimthursar, Or Frost-giants. Of The Cow Audhumla, And The Birth Of Odin. How The Sons Of Bor Slew Ymir And From His Body Made Heaven And Earth. Of The Formation Of The First Man And Woman. Of Night And Day. Of The Sun And Moon. Of The Wolves That Pursue The Sun And Moon