Page:Kickerbocker Oct 1847 vol 30 no 4.djvu/16

scenes, for the purpose of displaying the qualities of this their god of strength.

It is related that on one occasion the whole of the celestials were invited to a festival, but in the absence of nectar their drink was to consist only of weak beer. This proposed fête was unluckily about to be abandoned, for want of a sufficiently large cauldron in which to prepare the beverage. Great indeed was the consternation of the sons of Odin, who had calculated on a glorious intoxication, and in its place had nothing but the prospect of a return to the meagre festivities of Vallhalla. At this moment of general sorrow it was recollected by Tyr that the Giant Thymer possessed a vessel of sufficient capacity for the purposed entertainment. On this suggestion hope immediately succeeded to the mournful anticipation, and Thor, in company with Tyr, was despatched on the truly arduous duty of securing the desired utensil. The wife of the giant received the adventurers with trembling, for adorned as she was with nine hundred heads, she still feared the temper of her husband, and reflecting on his little disposition toward hospitality, she at once concealed the strangers in the very vessel they were seeking. In a short time Hymer returned from a hunting expedition, and east many an inquisitive glance, as Ogre-like, he scented the blood of the visitants. He immediately commenced traversing the various apartments, and carefully raised all the articles of furniture, and even the stone pillars, till at last he discovered Thor, whom he regarded with a ferocious aspect. He was, however, finally appeased by the persuasion of his wife, and assenting that the stranger should remain all night, ordered three bullocks to be killed for supper. Thor ate a whole one, at which the giant was no less astonished than enraged. In the morning they proceeded together on a fishing excursion, when Thor, using using one of the remaining bullocks as a bait, succeeded in catching the great serpent Midgard which surrounds the world. At this sight the giant grew pale with fear, but Thor, stepping upon the head of the monster, gave him a single blow with his hammer, at which the sea was stirred to its lowest depths, and the very mountains trembled. On their return to the shore the giant, zealous of the strength of Thor, bringing an immense mass of steel, defied him to break the same asunder. The god cast it in repeated trials against iron and rocks, but was unable to destroy its cohesion. He finally flung it with a powerful effort against the forehead of Hymer, who sustained the shock without apparent sensation though the steel was shattered into fragments. The giant now determined on a new experiment. He placed his guests before the immense cauldron, and demanded if they were able to carry it. Tyr essayed in vain, while Thor, laughing at the same time, placed it on his head as a helmet and walked off rapidly. The Giant followed with a crowd of monsters which composed his body gaurd, but Thor overcame them in succession, and finally placed his burden triumphantly

in the assembly of the gods. One morning on rising, Thor discovered that he had lost his hammer; that wonderful instrument, with which he exterminated mon-