The Prose Edda by Snorri Sturluson Page B

shoulders thepole called Simul with the pail called Soeg. Vidfinn was the name of their father. These children follow Mani, as can be seen from the earth.’
12. THE WOLVES
    Then Gangleri asked, ‘The sun moves quickly and it is almost as though she fears something. She cannot go faster on her journey even if she were afraid of her own death.’
    Then High answered, ‘It is not surprising that she moves with such speed. The one chasing her comes close, and there is no escape for her except to run.’
    â€˜Who is chasing her?’ asked Gangleri.
    High said, ‘There are two wolves, and the one who is chasing her is called Skoll. He frightens her, and he eventually will catch her. The other is called Hati Hrodvitnisson. He runs in front of her trying to catch the moon. And, this will happen.’
    Then Gangleri asked, ‘Of what family are the wolves?’
    High replied, ‘An ogress lives to the east of Midgard in the forest called Jarnvid [Iron Wood]. The troll women who are called the Jarnvidjur [the Iron Wood Dwellers] live in that forest. The old ogress bore many giant sons, all in the likeness of wolves, and it is from here that these wolves come. It is said that the most powerful of this kin will be the one called Managarm [Moon Dog]. He will gorge himself with the life of all who die, and he will swallow the moon, 1 spattering blood throughout the sky and all the heavens. Because of this, the sun will lose its brightness while the winds will turn violent, roaring in from all directions. So it is said in
The Sibyl’s Prophecy
:
    In the East the old one lives 2
in Iron Wood
and there she bears
Fenrir’s brood [the wolves].
    From all of them comes
one in particular,
the ruin of the moon
in the shape of a troll.
    He gorges himself on the life
of doomed men,
reddens the gods’ dwelling
with crimson gore.
Dark goes the sunshine,
for summers after,
the weather all vicious.
Do you know now or what?’
    (
The Sibyl’s Prophecy. 40–41
)
13. BIFROST [THE RAINBOW BRIDGE]
    Then Gangleri said, ‘What is the path from the earth to the sky?’
    Then, snickering, High answered: ‘Your question shows little knowledge. Haven’t you heard that the gods built a bridge from the earth to the sky and it is called Bifrost? You will have seen it, and possibly you call it the rainbow. It has three colours and great strength, and it is made with more skill and knowledge than other constructions. Sturdy though it is, it will break when the sons of Muspell ride over it [at Ragnarok]. Then their horses will swim across great rivers and so they will advance.’
    Then Gangleri said, ‘Since they can do whatever they wish, it seems to me that the gods did not build the bridge reliably if it will break.’
    High replied, ‘The gods deserve no blame for the construction. Bifrost is a sound bridge, but nothing in this world can be trusted when the sons of Muspell attack.’
14. ASGARD AND THE ORIGIN OF THE DWARVES
    Then Gangleri said: ‘What did All-Father do, once Asgard was built?’
    High replied, ‘In the beginning he assigned rulers, asking them to judge with him people’s fate and to oversee the arrangements of the stronghold. This was done at the place called Idavoll [Eternally Renewing Field] in the middle of the strong-hold. 1 Their first task was to build the temple where they placed their seats – twelve in addition to All-Father’s throne. That building is the best and the largest on earth. Outside and inside everything seems to be made of gold, and the place is called Gladsheim [Home of Joy]. They built a second hall, a sanctuary, which belonged to the goddesses, 2 and it was exceptionally beautiful. People call this building Vingolf [Friendly Quarters].
    â€˜Next they set up forges and made hammer, tongs and anvil, and with these they fashioned all other tools. Following this, they worked metal, stone, wood and great quantities of