return. Then I came to the land of the Volsungs, where your
father's fathers dwelt, the noblest king-folk that the world
has ever seen. But a longing for the gold and the treasure,
a hungry yearning, that would never be satisfied, filled my
soul. Then for a time I sought to forget this craving. I
spent my days in the getting of knowledge and in teaching
men-folk the ancient lore of my kin, the Dwarfs. I taught
them how to plant and to sow, and to reap the yellow grain.
I showed them where the precious metals of the earth lie
hidden, and how to smelt iron from its ores,--how to shape
the ploughshare and the spade, the spear and the battle-axe.
I taught them how to tame the wild horses of the meadows,
and how to train the yoke-beasts to the plough; how to build
lordly dwellings and mighty strongholds, and how to sail in
ships across old AEgir's watery kingdom. But they gave me no
thanks for what I had done; and as the years went by they
forgot who had been their teacher, and they said that it was
Frey who had given them this knowledge and skill. And I
taught the young maidens how to spin and weave, and to
handle the needle deftly,--to make rich garments, and to
work in tapestry and embroidery. But they, too, forgot me,
and said that it was Freyja who had taught them. Then I
showed men how to read the mystic runes aright, and how to
make the sweet beverage of poetry, that charms all hearts,
and enlightens the world. But they say now that they had
these gifts from Odin. I taught them how to fashion the
tales of old into rich melodious songs, and with music and
sweet-mouthed eloquence to move the minds of their
fellow-men. But they say that Bragi taught them this; and
they remember me only as Regin, the elfin schoolmaster, or