Folk-Lore and Legends; Scandinavian by Various
page 64 of 167 (38%)
page 64 of 167 (38%)
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Thor had exerted himself to the utmost the cat had only one foot off the
floor. Then Thor would make no further trial. "I thought this game would go so," said Utgard-Loki. "The cat is large and Thor is little when compared with our men." "Little as you call me," answered Thor, "let any one come here and wrestle with me, for now I am angry." Utgard-Loki looked along the benches, and said-- "I see no man here who would not think it absurd to wrestle with you, but let some one call here the old woman, my nurse, Elli, and let Thor wrestle with her, if he will. She has cast to the ground many a man who seemed to me to be as strong as Thor." Then came into the hall a toothless old woman, and Utgard-Loki told her to wrestle with Asu-Thor. The story is not a long one. The harder Thor tightened his hold, the firmer the old woman stood. Then she began to exert herself, Thor tottered, and at last, after a violent tussle, he fell on one knee. On this Utgard-Loki told them to stop, adding that Thor could not desire any one else to wrestle with him in the hall, and the night had closed in. He showed Thor and his companions to seats, and they passed the night, faring well. At daybreak the next morning, Thor and his companions rose, dressed themselves, and prepared to leave at once. Then Utgard-Loki came to them and ordered a table to be set for them having on it plenty of meat and drink. Afterwards he led them out of the city, and on parting asked Thor how he thought his journey had prospered, and whether he had met with |
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