THE TWENTY-SEVENTH FABLE.

Of the Journey undertaken by Thor, to go to fish for the great Serpent.

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Find by your account, says Gangler, that the power of this King, you have been mentioning, must be very great, and there cannot be a stronger proof it, than his having courtiers so skilful and dexterous in all respects. But, tell me, did THOR never revenge this affront ? 'Tis well known, fays Har, (though no body has talked of it) that Thor had refolved to attack the great Serpent, if an opportunity offered: with this view he set out from ASGARD a second time, under the form of a young boy, in order to go to the Giant EYMER *. When he was got there, he befought the Giant, to permit him to go aboard his bark along with him, when he went a fishing. The Giant answered, that a little puny stripling like him, could be of no use to him; but would be ready to die of cold, when they should reach the high seas, whither he usually went. Thor affured him that he feared nothing: and afked him what bait he intended to fish with. Eymer bade him to look out for fomething. Thor went up to a herd of cattle which belonged to the Giant, and seizing one of the oxen, tore off his head with his own hands, then returning to the bark where Eymer was, they fate down together. Thor placed himself in the middle of the bark, and plied both his oars at once: Eymer, who rowed alfo at the prow, faw with surprize how swiftly Thor drove the boat forward, and told him, that by the land-marks on the coafts, he discovered that they were come to the most proper place to angle for flat fish. But Thor affured him that they had better go a good way further: accordingly they continued to row on, till at length Eymer told him if they did not stop, they would be in danger from the great Serpent of Midgard. Notwithstanding this, Thor perfifted in rowing further, and spite of the Giant, was a great while before he would lay down his cars. Then taking out a fishing line extremely strong, he fixed to

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it the ox's head, unwound it, and cast it into the fea. The bait reached the bottom, the Serpent greedily devoured the head, and the hook stuck fast in his palate. Immediately the pain made him move with such violence, that Thor was obliged to hold fast with both his hands by the pegs which bear against the oars: but the strong effort he was obliged to make with his whole body, caused his feet to force their way through the boat, and they went down to the bottom of the sea; whilst with his hands, he violently drew up the Serpent to the fide of the vessel. It is impoffible to express the dreadful looks that the God darted at the Serpent, whilst the monster, raising his head, spouted out venom upon him: in the meantime the Giant Eymer feeing, with affright, the water enter his bark on all fides, cut with his knife the string of the fishing-line, just as Thor was going to strike the Serpent with his mace. Upon this the monster fell down again to the bottom of the sea: nevertheless, some add that Thor darted his mace after him, and bruised his head in the midst of the waves. But one may affert with more certainty, that he lives still in the waters *, Then

Then Thor struck the Giant a blow with his fist, nigh the ear, and throwing his head into the sea, waded afterwards on foot to land,

Pontoppidan has recorded, concerning the CRAKEN, and that monstrous Serpent, described in his Hiftory of NORWAY.

T,

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8.

THE TWENTY-EIGHTH FABLE.

C

Of Balder the Good.

MERTAINLY, says Gangler, this was a very great victory of THOR'S. The dream which BALDER had one night, replies Har, was something still more remarkable. This God thought that his life was in extreme danger: wherefore, telling his dream to the other Gods, they agreed to conjure away all the dangers with which Balder was threatened. Then FRIGGA exacted an oath of Fire, Water, Iron and other Metals, as also of Stones, Earth, Trees, Animals, Birds, Diseases, Poison and Worins, that none of them would do any hurt to Balder (A). This done, the Gods, together with Balder himself, fell to diverting themselves in their grand assembly, and Balder ftood as a mark at which they threw, fome of them darts, and some ftones, while others ftruck at him with a fword. But whatever they could do, none of them