doms) and we ought not to despise any of the means which enable us to understand it thoroughly: Nor can we properly judge of its present improved state, without looking back upon the rude beginnings from which it hath emerged *. * The Translator hath concluded this Introduction in a manner somewhat different from his Author, as he had taken occasion to give some Remarks on the French Language, that would have been useless in an English Verfion, and had spoke of his Work with a degree of diffidence, which could now be spared, after it has received such full applause from the Public. T. Ν. Β. N. B. RESENNIUS's Edition of the EDDA, &c. confifts properly of Three distinct Publications: The FIRST contains the whole EDDA: Viz. not only the XXXIII FABLES, which are here translated; but also the other FABLES, (XXIX in number) which our Author calls in pag. 183. the Second Part of the EDDA, though in the original they follow without interruption; and also the Poetical Dictionary described below in pag. xix. and 189, which is most properly the SECOND PART of the EDDA. (vid. p. xix.) The Title Page of this whole Work is as follows, "EDDA ISLANDORUM An. Chr. M.CC.XV Islandicé Conscripta per SNORRONEM STURLA Islandiæ Nomophylacem, Nunc primum ISLANDICÉE, DANICE et LATINÉ ex Antiquis Codicibus MSS. Bibliothecæ Regis et Aliorum in lucem prodit, Opera et Studio PETRI RESENIJ. J. V. D. Juris ac Ethices Profefforis Publ. et Confulis Havnienfis, &c. HAVNIA, M.DC.LX.V." 4to. The SECOND Work is thus intitled, "PHILOSOPHIA Antiquissima NORVEGO-DANICA dicta Uoluspa, quæ est pars EDDA SAMUNDI, EDDA Snorronis non brevi antiquioris, ISLANDICÉ et LATINÉ publici juris primum facta à PETRO JOH. RESENIO. &C. HAVNIE M.DC.LXV." 4to. "ETHICA ODINI pars EDDA SAMUNDI vocata Daavamaal, una cum ejufdem Appendice appellato Runa Capitule, a multis exoptata nunc tandem IsLANDICÉ et LATINÉ in lucem producta est per PETRUM JOH. RESENIUM, &C. HAVNIÆ 1665." 4to. THE EDDA, ÖR, ANCIENT ICELANDIC MYTHOLOGY. The Vision of Gylfe: and Illufions of Har. F ORMERLY in Sweden reigned a king named GYLFE, who was famous for his wisdom and skill in magic. He beheld, with astonishment, the great respect which all his people shewed to the New-comers from Afia; and was at a loss whether to attribute the success of these strangers to the superiority of their natural abilities, or to any divine power refident in them. To be fatisfied in this particular, he resolved to go to ASGARD (A), disguifed under the appearance of an old man of ordinary rank. But the Afiatics * were too * The original is Æfirnir, (Aja) which signifies either Gods or Afiatics. T. VOL. II. B difcerning difcerning not to see through his design, and therefore, as foon as he arrived, they fafcinated his eyes by their inchantments (B). Immediately appeared to his fight a very lofty palace; the roof of which, as far as his eyes could reach, was covered with golden shields. The poet Diodolfe thus describes it, "The Gods had formed " the roof of brilliant gold, the walls of "stone, the foundations of the hall were "mountains (c)." At the entrance of this palace GYLFE saw a man playing with feven little fwords, which he amused himself with toffing into the air and catching as they fell, one after another. This person asked his name; the disguised monarch told him, it was Gangler, and that he came from the rocks of Riphil. He asked, in his turn, to whom that palace belonged? The other told him it belonged to their king, and that he would introduce him to his presence. Gangler entering, saw many stately buildings, and innumerable halls crouded with people; fome drinking, others engaged in various sports, others wrestling. Gangler seeing a multitude of things, the meaning of which he could not comprehend, softly pronounced the following verses. Carefully ex"amine all the gates, before thou advancest "further; for thou canst not tell where "the foes may be fitting, who are placed " in ambush against thee." He afterwards beheld three thrones, raised one above another, and on each throne fat a man (D). Upon his asking which of these was their king, his guide answered, " He who fits on the lowest throne is the king, his name is HAR, or the lofty one: The second is JAFNHAR, i. e. equal to the lofty one: But he who fits on the highest throne is called THRIDI, or the third (E)." Har perceiving Gangler, defired to know what business had brought him to Afgard: Adding, that he should be welcome to eat and drink without cost, along with the other guests of his court. Gangler said, He defired first to know whether there was any person present who was famous for his wisdom and knowledge. Har anfwered, If thou art the more knowing, I fear thou wilt hardly return safe: But go, stand below, and propose thy questions; here fits one will be able to answer thee. REMARKS. In the edition of the EDDA, published by Resenius, there is a Chapter before this: But I have not translated it, because it has little or no relation to the reft, and contains nothing remarkable: It is also not found in the MS. at-Upsal. That chapter feems to have been only prefixed by way of preamble, by SNORRO STURLESON, the compiler of |