The giants of Iva's[90] capes Made a rush with Geirrod; The foes of the cold Svithiod Took to flight. Geirrod's giants Had to succumb When the lightning wielder's[91] kinsmen Closely pursued them.
Wailing was 'mongst the cave-dwellers When the giants, With warlike spirit endowed, Went forward. There was war. The slayer of troll-women, By foes surrounded, The giant's hard head hit.
With violent pressure Were pressed the vast eyes Of Gjalp and Greip Against the high roof. The fire-chariot's driver The old backs broke Of both these maids For the cave-woman.
The man of the rocky way But scanty knowledge got; Nor able were the giants To enjoy perfect gladness. Thou man of the bow-string! The dwarf's kinsman An iron beam, in the forge heated, Threw against Odin's dear son.
But the battle-hastener, Freyja's old friend, With swift hands caught In the air the beam As it flew from the hands Of the father of Greip,-- His breast with anger swollen Against Thruda's[92] father.
Geirrod's hall trembled When he struck, With his broad head, 'Gainst the old column of the house-wall. Uller's splendid flatterer Swung the iron beam Straight 'gainst the head Of the knavish giant.
The crusher of the hall-wont troll-women A splendid victory won Over Glam's descendants; With gory hammer fared Thor. Gridarvol-staff, Which made disaster 'Mong Geirrod's companion, Was not used 'gainst that giant himself.
The much worshiped thunderer, With all his might, slew The dwellers in Alfheim With that little willow-twig, And no shield Was able to resist The strong age-diminisher Of the mountain-king.
[Footnote 91: Thor's kinsmen = the asas.]
[Footnote 92: Thruda was a daughter of Thor and Sif.]
How shall Idun be named? She is called the wife of Brage, the keeper of the apples; but the apples are called the medicine to bar old age (ellilyf, elixir vitæ). She is also called the booty of the giant Thjasse, according to what has before been said concerning how he took her away from the asas. From this saga Thjodolf, of Hvin, composed the following song in his Haustlong:
How shall the tongue Pay an ample reward For the sonorous shield Which I received from Thorleif, Foremost 'mong soldiers? On the splendidly made shield I see the unsafe journey Of three gods and Thjasse.