Chapters 44-95 - Germanic Mythology

y a sacred order unlawful for the feet of mortals. 8 Therefore, they continued the march on that
side of the river on which they had gone before, and so came to the mysterious dwelling of
Guthmundus, where a feast was spread before them, at which twelve of his sons, all of noble
appearance, and as many daughters, most fair of face, waited upon them.
But the feast was a peculiar one. The Danes heeded the advice of Thorkillus not to come
into too close contact with their strange table-companions or the servants, and instead of tasting
the courses of food and drink presented, they ate and drank of the provisions they had brought
with them from home. They did this because Thorkillus knew that mortals who accept the
courtesies offered them here lose all memory of the past and remain forever among "these nonhuman
and dismal beings." Danger threatened even those who were weak in reference to the
enticing beauty of Guthmundus' daughters. He offered King Gorm a daughter in marriage. Gorm
himself was prudent enough to decline the honor; but four of his men could not resist the
temptation, and had to pay the penalty with the loss of their memory and with enfeebled minds.
One more trial awaited them. Guthmundus mentioned to the king that he had a villa, and
invited Gorm to accompany him there and taste of the delicious fruits. Thorkillus, who had a
talent for inventing excuses, now found one for the king's lips. The host, though displeased with
the reserve of the guests, still continued to show them friendliness, and when they expressed
their desire to see the domain of Geruthus, he accompanied them all to the river, conducted them
across it, and promised to wait there until they returned.
The land which they now entered was the home of terrors. They had not gone very far
before they discovered before them a city, which seemed to be built of dark mists. Human heads
were raised on stakes which surrounded the bulwarks of the city. Wild dogs, whose rage
Thorkillus, however, knew how to calm, kept watch outside of the gates. The gates were located
high up in the bulwark, and it was necessary to climb up on ladders in order to get to them.
Within the city was a crowd of beings horrible to look at and to hear, and filth and rottenness and
a terrible stench were everywhere. Further in was a sort of mountain-fortress. When they had
reached its entrance, the travellers were overpowered by its awful aspect, but Thorkillus inspired
them with courage. At the same time, he warned them most strictly not to touch any of the
treasures that might entice their eyes. All that sight and soul can conceive as terrible and
loathsome was gathered within this rocky citadel. The door-frames were covered with the soot of
centuries, the walls were draped with filth, the roofs were composed of sharp stings, the floors
were made of serpents encased in foulness. At the thresholds, crowds of monsters acted as
doorkeepers and were very noisy. On iron benches, surrounded by a hurdle-work of lead, there
lay giant monsters which looked like lifeless images. Higher up in a rocky niche sat the aged
Geruthus, with his body pierced and nailed to the rock, and there also lay three women with their
backs broken. Thorkillus explained that it was this Geruthus whom the god Thor had pierced
with a red-hot iron; the women had also received their punishment from the same god.
When the travellers left these places of punishment they came to a place where they saw
cisterns of mead (dolia) in great numbers. These were plated with seven sheets of gold, and
above them hung objects of silver, round in form, from which shot numerous braids down into
the cisterns. Near by was found a gold-plated tooth of some strange animal, and near it, again,
there lay an immense horn decorated with pictures and flashing with precious stones, and also an
arm-ring of great size. Despite the warnings, three of Gorm's men laid greedy hands on these
8 Cujus transeundi cupidos revocavit, docens, eo alveo humana a monstrosis rerum secrevisse naturam, nec
mortalibus ultra fas esse vestigiis. "By this channel nature had divided the world of men from the world of monsters,
and that no mortal track might go further." Elton translation.