The Poetic Edda on Gerth

The > Volume I > Introductory Note

• attestation: The stanza describes death or destruction involving Gerth.

  "10. "Dark is it without, | and I deem it time To fare through the wild fells, (To fare through the giants' fastness;) We shall both come back, | or us both together The terrible giant will take."

"

• attestation: The stanza describes travel or movement involving Gerth.

  "10. "Dark is it without, | and I deem it time To fare through the wild fells, (To fare through the giants' fastness;) We shall both come back, | or us both together The terrible giant will take."

"

• attestation: The stanza describes binding or imprisonment involving Gerth.

  "10. "Dark is it without, | and I deem it time To fare through the wild fells, (To fare through the giants' fastness;) We shall both come back, | or us both together The terrible giant will take."

"

• attestation: Gerth is associated with the location Jotunheim.

  "10. "Dark is it without, | and I deem it time To fare through the wild fells, (To fare through the giants' fastness;) We shall both come back, | or us both together The terrible giant will take."

"

• attribution: Gerth delivers a speech in the verse.

  "13. "Boldness is better | than plaints can be For him whose feet must fare; To a destined day | has mine age been doomed, And my life's span thereto laid."

Gerth spake:"

• attestation: Gerth is characterized by age in the verse.

  "19. "Eleven apples, | all of gold, Here will I give thee, Gerth, To buy thy troth | that Freyr shall be Deemed to be dearest to you."

Gerth spake:"

• attestation: The stanza references wealth or gifts involving Gerth.

  "19. "Eleven apples, | all of gold, Here will I give thee, Gerth, To buy thy troth | that Freyr shall be Deemed to be dearest to you."

Gerth spake:"

• attestation: The stanza describes warfare or combat involving Gerth.

  "23. "Seest thou, maiden, | this keen, bright sword That I hold here in my hand? Thy head from thy neck | shall I straightway hew, If thou wilt not do my will."

Gerth spake:"

• attribution: Gerth delivers a speech in the verse.

  "37. "I write thee a charm | and three runes therewith, Longing and madness and lust; But what I have writ | I may yet unwrite If I find a need therefor."

Gerth spake:"

• attestation: The stanza describes warfare or combat involving Gerth, Njorth.

  "39. "My tidings all | must I truly learn Ere homeward hence I ride: How soon thou wilt | with the mighty son Of Njorth a meeting make."

Gerth spake:"

• attestation: Gerth is characterized by power in the verse.

  "39. "My tidings all | must I truly learn Ere homeward hence I ride: How soon thou wilt | with the mighty son Of Njorth a meeting make."

Gerth spake:"

• attestation: The stanza describes travel or movement involving Gerth.

  "40. "Barri there is, | which we both know well, A forest fair and still; And nine nights hence | to the son of Njorth Will Gerth there grant delight."

Then Skirnir rode home. Freyr stood without, and spoke to him, and"

• attestation: Gerth is characterized by beauty in the verse.

  "40. "Barri there is, | which we both know well, A forest fair and still; And nine nights hence | to the son of Njorth Will Gerth there grant delight."

Then Skirnir rode home. Freyr stood without, and spoke to him, and"

The > Volume I > Notes

• attestation: Gerth is the daughter of Gymir and heroine of the Skirnismol, connected to Freyr's loss of his sword

  "The daughter of Gymir: Gerth, heroine of the Skirnismol, which gives the details of Freyr's loss of his sword"