What figures should be employed to periphrase the name of Thor? Thus: one should call him Son of Odin and of Jörd, Father of Magni and Módi and Thrúdr, Husband of Sif, Stepfather of Ullr, Wielder and Possessor of Mjöllnir and of the Girdle of Strength, and of Bilskirnir; Defender of Ásgard and of Midgard, Adversary and Slaver of Giants and Troll-Women, Smiter of Hrungnir, of Geirrödr and of Thrívaldi, Master of Thjálfi and Röskva, Foe of the Midgard Serpent. Foster-father of Vingnir and Hlóra. So sang Bragi the Skald:

The line of Odin's Offspring
Lay not slack on the gunwale,
When the huge ocean-serpent
Uncoiled on the sea's bottom.

Thus sang Ölvir Cut-Nose-and-Crop-Ears:

The encírcler of all regions
And Jörd's Son sought each other.

Thus sang Eilífr:

Wroth stood Röskva's Brother,
And Magni's Sire wrought bravely:
With terror Thor's staunch heart-stone
Trembled not, nor Thjálfi's.

And thus sang Eysteinn Valdason:

With glowing eyes Thrúdr's Father
Glared at the sea-road's circler,
Ere the fishes' watery dwelling
Flowed in, the boat confounding.

Eysteinn sang further:

Swiftly Sif's Husband bouned him
To haste forth with the Giants
For his hardy fishing:
Well sing we Hrímnir's horn-stream.

Again he sang:

The earth-fish tugged so fiercely
That Ullr's Kinsman's clenched fists
Were pulled out past the gunwale;
The broad planks rent asunder.

Thus sang Bragi:

The strong fiend's Terrifier
In his right hand swung his hammer,
When he saw the loathly sea-fish
That all the lands confineth.

Thus sang Gamli:

While the Lord of high Bilskirnir,
Whose heart no falsehood fashioned,
Swiftly strove to shatter
The sea-fish with his hammer.

Thus sang Thorbjörn Lady's-Skald:

Bravely Thor fought for Ásgard And the followers of Odin.

Thus sang Bragi:

And the vast misshapen circler
Of the ship's sea-path, fierce-minded,
Stared from below in anger
At the Skull-Splitter of Hrungnir.

Again sang Bragi:

Well hast Thou, Hewer-in-Sunder
Of the nine heads of Thrívaldi,
Kept thy goats¹ . . . .

Thus sang Eilífr:

The Merciless Destroyer
Of the people of the Giants
Grasped with ready fore-arms
At the heavy red-hot iron.

Thus sang Úlfr Uggason:

Faintly the stout-framed thickling
A fearful peril called it,
At the great draught wondrous heavy
Drawn up by the Lord of he-goats.

Thus Úlfr sang further:

The very mighty Slayer
Of the Mountain-Man brought crashing
His fist on Hymir's temple:
That was a hurt full deadly.

Yet again sang Úlfr:

Vimur's ford's Wide-Grappler
'Gainst the waves smote featly
The glittering Serpent's head off.
With old tales the hall was gleaming.

Here he is called Giant of Vimur's Ford. There is a river called Vimur, which Thor waded when he journeyed to the garth of Geirrödr.

Thus sang Vetrlidi the skald:

Thou didst break the leg of Leikn,
Didst cause to stoop Starkadr,
Didst bruise Thrívaldi,
Didst stand on lifeless Gjálp.

Thus sang Thorbjörn Lady's-Skald:

Thou didst smite the head of Keila,
Smash Kjallandi altogether,
Ere thou slewest Lútr and Leidi,
Didst spill the blood of Búseyra;
Didst hold back Hengjankjapta,
Hyrrokkin died before;
Yet sooner in like fashion
Svívör from life was taken.

12. Kennings for Baldr

How should one periphrase Baldr? By calling him Son of Odin and Frigg, Husband of Nanna, Father of Forseti, Possessor of Hringhorni and Draupnir, Adversary of Hödr, Companion of Hel, God of Tears. Úlfr Uggason, following the story of Baldr, has composed a long passage in the Húsdrápa; and examples are recorded earlier to the effect that Baldr is so termed.

13. Kennings for Njörðr

How should one periphrase Njördr? By calling him God of the Vanir, or Kinsman of the Vanir, or Wane, Father of Freyr and Freyja, God of Wealth-Bestowal.

So says Thórdr Sjáreksson:

Gudrun's self by ill
Her sons did kill;
The wise God-bride
At the Wane's side
Grieved; men tell
Odin tamed steeds well;
'T was not the saying
Hamdir spared sword-playing.

Here it is recorded that Skadi departed from Njördr, as has already been written.

14. Kennings for Freyr

How should one periphrase Freyr? Thus: by calling him Son of Njördr, Brother of Freyja, and also God of Vanir, and Kinsman of the Vanir, and Wane, and God of the Fertile Season, and God of Wealth-Gifts.

Thus sang Egill Skallagrímsson:

For that Grjótbjörn
In goods and gear
Freyr and Njördr
Have fairly blessed.

Freyr is called Adversary of Beli, even as Eyvindr Spoiler of Skalds sang:

When the Earl's foe
Wished to inhabit
The outer bounds
Of Beli's hater.

He is the possessor of Skídbladnir and of that boar which is called Gold-Bristle, even as it is told here:

Ívaldi's offspring
In ancient days
Went to shape Skídbladnir,
Foremost of ships,
Fairly for Freyr,
Choicely for Njördr's child.

Thus speaks Úlfr Uggason:

The battle-bold Freyr rideth
First on the golden-bristled
Barrow-boar to the bale-fire
Of Baldr, and leads the people.

The boar is also called Fearful-Tusk.

15. Kennings for Heimdallr

How should one periphrase Heimdallr? By calling him Son of Nine Mothers, or Watchman of the Gods, as already has been written; or White God, Foe of Loki, Seeker of Freyja's Necklace. A sword is called Heimdallr's Head: for it is said that he was pierced by a man's head. The tale thereof is told in Heimdalar-galdr; and ever since a head is called Heimdallr's Measure; a sword is called Man's Measure. Heimdallr is the Possessor of Gulltoppr; he is also Frequenter of Vágasker and Singasteinn, where he contended with Loki for the Necklace Brísinga-men, he is also called Vindlér. Úlfr Uggason composed a long passage in the Húsdrápa on that legend, and there it is written that they were in the form of seals. Heimdallr also is son of Odin.

16. Kennings for Týr

How should one periphrase Týr? By calling him the One-handed God, and Fosterer of the Wolf, God of Battles, Son of Odin.

17. Kennings for Bragi

How should one periphrase Bragi? By calling him Husband of Idunn, First Maker of Poetry, and the Long-bearded God (after his name, a man who has a great beard is called Beard-Bragi) and Son of Odin.

18. Kennings for Víðarr

How should one periphrase Vídarr? He maybe called the Silent God, Possessor of the Iron Shoe, Foe and Slayer of Fenris-Wolf, Avenger of the Gods, Divine Dweller in the Homesteads of the Fathers, Son of Odin, and Brother of the Æsir.

19. Kennings for Váli

How should Váli be periphrased? Thus: by calling him Son of Odin and Rindr, Stepson of Frigg, Brother of the Æsir, Baldr's Avenger, Foe and Slayer of Hödr, Dweller in the Homesteads of the Fathers.

20. Kennings for Höðr

How should one periphrase Hödr? Thus: by calling him the Blind God, Baldr's Slayer, Thrower of the Mistletoe, Son of Odin, Companion of Hel, Foe of Váli.

[1. The remainder of this stanza cannot be made out.]

Hvernig skal kenna Þór? Svá, at kalla hann son Óðins ok Jarðar, faðir Magna ok Móða ok Þrúðar, verr Sifjar, stjúpfaðir Ullar, stýrandi ok eigandi Mjöllnis ok megingjarða, Bilskirrnis, verjandi Ásgarðs, Miðgarðs, dólgr ok bani jötna ok trollkvinna, vegandi Hrungnis, Geirröðar, Þrívalda, dróttinn Þjálfa ok Rösku, dólgr Miðgarðsorms, fóstri Vingnis ok Hlóru. Svá kvað Bragi skáld:

42. Vaðr lá Viðris arfa
vilgi slakr, er rakðisk,
á Eynæfis öndri,
Jörmungandr at sandi.

Svá kvað Ölvir hnúfa:

43. Æstisk allra landa
umbgjörð ok sonr Jarðar.

Svá kvað Eilífr:

44. Vreiðr stóð Vrösku bróðir,
vá gagn faðir Magna;
skelfra Þórs né Þjalfa
þróttar steinn við ótta.

Ok sem kvað Eysteinn Valdason:

45. Leit á brattrar brautar
baug hvassligum augum,
æstisk áðr at flausti
öggs búð, faðir Þrúðar.

Enn kvað Eysteinn:

46. Sín bjó Sifjar rúni
snarla fram með karli,
hornstraum getum Hrímnis
hræra, veiðarfæri.

Ok enn kvað hann:

47. Svá brá viðr, at, sýjur,
seiðr, renndu fram breiðar,
jarðar, út af borði
Ulls mágs hnefar skullu.

Svá kvað Bragi:

48. Hamri fórsk í hægri
hönd, þá er allra landa,
ægir öflugbarða,
endiseiðs of kenndi.

Svá kvað Gamli:

49. Þá er gramr, hinn er svik samðit,
snart Bilskirrnis hjarta,
grundar fisk með grandi
gljúfrskeljungs nam rjúfa.

Svá kvað Þorbjörn dísarskáld:

50. Þórr hefir Yggs með árum
Ásgarð af þrek varðan.

Svá kvað Bragi:

51. Ok borðróins barða
brautar hringr inn ljóti
á haussprengi Hrungnis
harðgeðr neðan starði.

Enn kvað Bragi:

52. Vel hafið yðrum eykjum
aftr, Þrívalda, haldit
simbli sumbls of mærum,
sundrkljúfr níu höfða.

Svá kvað Eilífr:

53. Þröngvir gein við þungum
þangs rauðbita tangar
kveldrunninna kvinna
kunnleggs alinmunni.

Svá kvað Úlfr Uggason:

54. Þjokkvöxnum kvaðsk þykkja
þikling firinmikla
hafra njóts at höfgum
hætting megindrætti.

Ok enn þetta:

55. Fullöflugr lét fellir
fjall-Gauts hnefa skjalla,
rammt mein var þat, reyni
reyrar leggs við eyra.

56. Víðgymnir laust Vimrar
vaðs af fránum naðri
hlusta grunn við hrönnum.
Hlaut innan svá minnum.

Hér er hann kallaðr jötunn Vimrar vaðs. Á heitir Vimur, er Þórr óð, þá er hann sótti til Geirröðargarða. Ok svá kvað Vetrliði skáld:

57. Leggi brauzt þú Leiknar,
lamðir Þrívalda,
steypðir Starkeði,
stéttu of Gjalp dauða.

Ok svá kvað Þorbjörn dísarskáld:

58. Ball í Keilu kolli,
Kjallandi brauzt þú alla,
áðr draptu Lút ok Leiða,
léztu dreyra Búseyru;
heftir þú Hengjankjöftu,
Hyrrokkin dó fyrri;
þó var snemr in sáma
Svívör numin lífi.

12. Baldrskenningar.

Hvernig skal kenna Baldr? Svá, at kalla hann son Óðins ok Friggjar, ver Nönnu, faðir Forseta, eigandi Hringhorna ok Draupnis, dólgr Haðar, Heljar sinni, Gráta-goð. Úlfr Uggason hefir kveðit eftir sögu Baldrs langt skeið í Húsdrápu, ok ritat er áðr dæmi til þess, er Baldr er svá kenndr.

13. Njarðarkenningar.

Hvernig skal kenna Njörd? Svá, at kalla hann Vanaguð eða Vananið eða Van ok föður Freys ok Freyju, fégjafa guð. Svá segir Þórðr Sjáreksson:

59. Varð sjalf suna,
nama snotr una,
Kjalarr of tamði,
kváðut Hamði,
Goðrún bani,
goðbrúðr Vani,
heldr vel mara,
hjörleik spara.

Hér er þess getit, er Skaði gekk frá Nirði, sem fyrr er ritat.

14. Freyskenningar.

Hvernig skal kenna Frey? Svá, at kalla hann son Njarðar, bróður Freyju ok enn Vanaguð ok Vananið ok Vanr ok árguð ok fégjafa. Svá kvað Egill Skalla-Grímsson:

60. Því at Grjótbjörn
of gæddan hefir
Freyr ok Njörðr
at féarafli.

Freyr er kallaðr Belja dólgr, svá sem kvað Eyvindr skáldaspillir:

61. Þá er útröst
jarla bági
Belja dolgs
byggja vildi.

Hann er eigandi Skíðblaðnis ok galtar þess, er Gullinbursti heitir, svá sem hér er sagt:

62. Ívalda synir
gengu í árdaga
Skíðblaðni at skapa,
skipa bazt,
skírum Frey,
nýtum Njarðar bur.

Svá segir Úlfr Uggason:

63. Ríðr á börg til borgar
böðfróðr sonar Óðins Freyr ok folkum stýrir
fyrstr inum gulli byrsta.

Hann heitir ok Slíðrugtanni.

15. Heimdallarkenningar.

Hvernig skal Heimdall kenna? Svá, at kalla hann son níu mæðra eða vörð goða, svá sem fyrr er ritat, eða hvíta ás, Loka dólg mensækir Freyju. Heimdallar höfuð heitir sverð. Svá er sagt, at hann var lostinn mannshöfði í gegnum. Um þat er kveðit í Heimdallar galdri, ok er síðan kallat höfuð mjötuðr Heimdallar. Sverð heitir manns mjötuðr. Heimdallr er eigandi Gulltopps. Hann er ok tilsækir Vágaskers ok Singasteins. Þá deilði hann við Loka um Brísingamen. Hann heitir ok Vindlér. Úlfr Uggason kvað í Húsdrápu langa stund eftir þeiri frásögu, ok er þess þar getit, at þeir váru í selalíkjum. Hann er ok sonr Óðins.

16. Týskenningar.

Hvernig skal kenna Tý? Svá, at kalla hann einhenda ás ok úlfs fóstra, víga guð, son Óðins.

17. Bragakenningar.

Hvernig skal kenna Braga? Svá, at kalla hann Iðunnar ver, frumsmið bragar ok inn síðskeggja ás - af hans nafni er sá kallaðr skeggbragi, er mikit skegg hefir - ok sonr Óðins.

18. Víðarskenningar.

Hvernig skal kenna Víðar? Hann má kalla inn þögla ás, eiganda járnskós, dólg ok bana Fenrisúlfs, hefniás goðanna, byggviás föðurtófta ok son Óðins, bróður ásanna.

19. Válakenningar.

Hvernig skal kenna Vála? Svá, at kalla hann son Óðins ok Rindar, stjúpson Friggjar, bróður ásanna, hefniás Baldrs, dólg Haðar ok bana hans, byggvanda föðurtófta.

20. Haðarkenningar.

Hvernig skal kenna Höð? Svá, at kalla hann blinda ás, Baldrs bana, skjótanda Mistilteins, son Óðins, Heljar sinna, Vála dólg.