Chapters 44-95 - Germanic Mythology
Chapters 44-95 - Germanic Mythology
Chapters 44-95 - Germanic Mythology
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The German middle-age poem, "Biterolf," relates that its hero possessed a sword,<br />
made by Mimir the Old, Mime der alte, who was the most excellent smith in the world.<br />
Even Wieland (Völund, Wayland was not to be compared with him), still less anyone<br />
else, with the one exception of Hertrich, who was Mimir's co-laborer, and assisted him in<br />
making all the treasures he produced:<br />
Zuo siner (Mimir's) meisterschefte<br />
ich nieman kan gelichen<br />
in allen fürsten richen<br />
an einen, den ich nenne,<br />
daz man in dar bi erkenne:<br />
Der war Hertrich genant.<br />
. . . . . . .<br />
Durch ir sinne craft<br />
so hæten sie geselleschaft<br />
an werke und an allen dingen. (Biterolf,<br />
1<strong>44</strong> ff.)<br />
To his (Mimir's) mastery<br />
I can compare no one<br />
in all the princely realms<br />
except the one that I name,<br />
so that he is recognized thereby:<br />
He was named Hertrich.<br />
. . . . . . .<br />
Through the power of their<br />
understanding<br />
they were able to collaborate<br />
on works and on all things<br />
Þidreks Saga af Bern, which is based on both German and Norse sources, states<br />
that Mimir was an artist, in whose workshop the sons of princes and the most famous<br />
smiths learned the trade of the smith. Among his apprentices are mentioned Velint<br />
(Völund), Sigurd-Sven, and Eckihard.<br />
These echoes reverberating far down in Christian times of the myth about Mimir,<br />
as chief of smiths, we also perceive in Saxo. It should be remembered what he relates<br />
about the incomparable treasures which are preserved in Gudmund-Mimir's domain,<br />
among which in addition to those already named occur arma humanorum corporum<br />
habitu grandiora (Hist., Book 8) 1 and about Mimingus, who possesses the sword of<br />
victory, and an arm-ring which produces wealth (Hist., Book 3). If we consult the poetic<br />
Edda, we find Mimir mentioned as Hodd-Mimir, Treasure-Mimir (Vafþrúðnismál 45); as<br />
naddgöfugr jötunn, the giant celebrated for his weapons (Gróugaldur 14); as Hoddrofnir,<br />
or Hodd-dropnir, the treasure-dropping one (Sigurdrífumál 13); as Baugreginn, the king<br />
of the gold-rings (Sólarljóð 56). And as shall be shown hereafter, the chief smiths in the<br />
poetic Edda are put in connection with Mimir as the one on whose fields they dwell, or in<br />
whose smithy they work.<br />
In the mythology, artistic and creative powers are closely related to each other.<br />
The great smiths of the Rigveda hymns, the Ribhus, make horses for Indra, create a cow<br />
and her calf, make from a single goblet three equally good, diffuse vegetation over the<br />
fields, and make brooks flow in the valleys (Rigveda, IV. 34:9; IV. 33:8; I. 20:6, 110:3,<br />
and elsewhere). 2 This they do although they are "mortals," who by their merits acquire<br />
1 "wherein arms were laid out too great for those of human stature." Elton translation.<br />
2 Rigveda, IV. 34:9 "Rbhus, who helped their parents and the Asvins, who formed the milch cow and the<br />
pair of horses, made armor, set the heaven and the earth asunder, --far-reaching Heroes, they have made<br />
good their offspring."; IV. 33:8 "May they who formed the swift car, bearing heroes, and the cow<br />
omniform and all-impelling, even they form wealth for us --the Rbhus, dextrous-handed, deft in work and<br />
gracious"; I. 20:6 "The sacrifical ladle, wrought newly by the god Tvastar's hand-- four ladles have ye (the<br />
Rbhus) made thereof."; I. 110:3 "Savitar therefore gave you (the Rbhus) immortality, because ye came