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Poetic Edda

1.[1] "Sawest thou Sigrlin,  Svafnir's daughter,The fairest maid  in her home-land found?Though Hjorvath's wives  by men are heldGoodly to see  in Glasir's wood."
  Atli spake:2. "Now with Atli,  Ithmund's son,Wilt thou say more,  thou bird so wise?"
  The bird spake:"I may if the prince  an offering makes,And I have what I will  from the house of the king."
  Atli spake:3. "Choose not Hjorvarth,  nor sons of his,Nor the wives so fair  of the famous chief;Ask not the brides  that the prince's are;Fair let us deal  in friendly wise."
  The bird spake:4.[2] "A fane will I ask,  and altars many,Gold-horned cattle  the prince shall give me,If Sigrlin yet  shall sleep in his arms,Or free of will  the hero shall follow."
  1. ↑ Glasir's wood: Snorri in the Skaldskaparmal quotes a half stanza to the effect that "Glasir stands with golden leaves before Othin's hall," and calls it "the fairest wood among gods and men." The phrase as used here seems to mean little.
  2. ↑ The bird's demands would indicate that it is in reality one of the gods. Gold-horned cattle: cf. Thrymskvitha, 23. There

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