seeing that the sea ran in and out of the skiff, just as Thor raised
aloft his mace, took out his knife and cut the line so that the serpent
at once sank under the water. Thor cast his mace at the serpent, and
some say it cut off its head at the bottom, but it is more true that the
Midgard serpent is yet alive lying at the bottom of the ocean. With his
fist Thor struck Hymir such a blow over the ear that the giant tumbled
headlong into the water, and Thor then waded to land.




THE DEATH OF BALDUR.


Baldur the Good had dreams which forewarned him that his life was in
danger, and he told the gods of them. The gods took counsel together
what should be done, and it was agreed that they should conjure away all
danger that might threaten him. Frigga took an oath of fire, water,
iron, and all other metals, stones, earth, trees, sicknesses, beasts,
birds, poisons, and worms, that these would none of them hurt Baldur.
When this had been done the gods used to divert themselves, Baldur
standing up in the assembly, and all the others throwing at him, hewing
at him, and smiting him with stones, for, do all they would, he received
no hurt, and in this sport all enjoyed themselves.

Loki, however, looked on with envy when he saw that Baldur was not hurt.
So he assumed the form of a woman, and set out to Fensalir to Frigga.
Frigga asked if the stranger knew what the gods did when they met. He
answered that they all shot at Baldur and he was not hurt.