SAGA-BOOK - Viking Society Web Publications

130 Saga-Book of the Viking Society
power? Besides, Adam and Eve did not have the
same responsibility for the commandments which they
were bidden to obey as the lEsir for the oaths which they
themselves had sworn. V Oluspd harmanises much better
with the outlook on life of the present age. Man is not
a fallen angel but a beast, a giant, an ape on the way to
becoming like the gods. God's likeness is not a cradle
gift but the final goal of a long advance. Sin has not come
into the world because of any whim of the fates, but is a
natural need of that advance. As we do not know life
without death except on the lowest plane, so we do not
know growth without sin. But life alters its aspect not
a little according to whether we are constantly approaching
or receding from the divine image.
God is faithful. He keeps his promises to the last iota.
But Christianity calls the devil traitor, liar and father of
lies. It is noticeable that popular opinion has corrected
this view of the devil. Nick is a most reliable old
thing. His every word is literally true. The giants are
the same - their faithfulness and the reliability of their
promises are a byword. This is thought out quite
correctly. Nick and the giants are, like God, of one
world, whole and undivided. That is why they are
totally self-consistent.
Thus the undecided mind must look on the matter.
The two opposites are in perfect balance. Discord - sin
- is found only in that part of existence which is on the
way between them.
After the breaking of the oaths the poem grows darker.
The refrain is no longer about the counsels of the holy
gods, but the jeering question Vituo er enn - eoa hvat?
Yet there is still much life-force in the world. The ash
still stands, green all over and bedewed. And the path
of the gods does not lead directly downwards. 6