In Alvissmal, a dwarf named “All-Wise” visits the home of Thor with the intent of marrying his daughter. Thor disapproves, and occupies the dwarf by asking him numerous questions of mythological trivia—namely, what various peoples (the Aesir, the Vanir, humans, dwarves, elves, etc.) call different phenomena of heaven and earth. The dwarf successfully answers all of his questions, but at the end it is revealed that Thor has been stalling for time, waiting for the sun to come up and turn the unlucky suitor to stone.
All-Wise said:
GET THE BENCHES READY! Now I’m coming home with a bride in tow. It may not seem likely to others around me— but I won’t sleep when I get home.”
Thor said:
“Who is this man? Why are you so pale around the nostrils? Did you spend the night with a corpse? It seems to me you have a monster’s appearance, you have no business seeking a bride.”
All-Wise said:
“I am named All-Wise. I live beneath the earth on my underground estate. I came to visit you, Thor, lord of the goat-chariot; no one will make me retract my words.”
Thor said:
“I will decide that, since I am the bride’s father, and it’s I who gets to say about her. I was not home when she was promised to you; the girl is my daughter, and a goddess.”
All-Wise said:
“Who is this man who speaks for the beautiful lady? You scoundrel, probably no one would defend you— who gave you those rings that you wear?”
Thor said:
“I am named Thor. I’m a wide-traveled man, and son of long-bearded Odin. If I don’t consent, you’ll never get the girl; you’ll stay unmarried forever.”
All-Wise said:
“I’d like to have your consent, and I’d certainly like the bride! I would rather have her than have to live without that girl, who’s lovely as snow.”
Thor said:
“This girl’s love will never be yours, my clever guest, if you dare to leave this house without telling me what I want to know about every realm.
“Tell me, All-Wise— since I think you know everything about everyone, dwarf— what is the earth called that people walk on in every world?”
All-Wise said:
“Men call it Earth, the Aesir call it Soil, the Vanir call it Road, giants call it Green, elves call it Grower, high gods call it Clay.”
Thor said:
“Tell me, All-Wise— since I think you know everything about everyone, dwarf— what do they call the sky, swirling above us, in every world?”
All-Wise said:
“Humans call it Heaven, the Aesir call it Wind-land, the Vanir call it Wind-maker, giants call it Up-world, elves say ‘the High Roof,’ dwarves say ‘the Drip-House.’”
Thor said:
“Tell me, All-Wise— since I think you know everything about everyone, dwarf— what do they call the moon (it’s easy to see) in every world?”
All-Wise said:
“Humans call it Moon, Gods say ‘Changer,’ in Hel they call it the Turning Wheel, the giants call it Hurry— dwarves call it Shiny, and elves say ‘Year-counter.’”
Thor said:
“Tell me, All-Wise— since I think you know everything about everyone, dwarf— what do they call the sun (it’s easy to see, too) in every world?”
All-Wise said:
“Humans call it Sun, Gods say ‘Southern Ball,’ dwarves call it Dvalin’s Toy, giants say ‘Everglow,’ elves call it the Beautiful Wheel; the Aesir say ‘All-clear.’”
Thor said:
“Tell me, All-Wise— since I think you know everything about everyone, dwarf— what do they call the rain-making clouds in every world?”
All-Wise said:
“Humans say ‘Clouds,’ but gods say ‘Hope of Rain,’ the Vanir call them Wind-floats, giants Hope of Hail, elves say ‘Weather-Causers,’ in Hel they call them Helmets of the Hidden.”
Thor said:
“Tell me, All-Wise— since I think you know everything about everyone, dwarf— what do they call the wind, which travels so widely, in every world?”
All-Wise said:
“Humans call it Wind, the gods call it Blower, the holy say ‘Noisemaker,’ giants call it the Screamer, elves say ‘Noisy Traveler,’ in Hel they call it Stormy.”
Thor said:
“Tell me, All-Wise— since I think you know everything about everyone, dwarf— what do they call it when the wind stands still in every world?”
All-Wise said:
“Humans call it Calm, the gods say ‘Unblowing,’ Vanir say ‘Wind-stop,’ giants say ‘Stop-blowing,’ elves call it Day’s Sleep, but dwarves say ‘Day’s Feint.’
Thor said:
“Tell me, All-Wise— since I think you know everything about everyone, dwarf— what do they call the sea that boats are rowed on in every world?”
All-Wise said:
“Humans call it Ocean, gods prefer the name Sea, Vanir call it Restful Harbor, giants say ‘Eel-home,’ elves call it Oar-place, the dwarves say ‘Deep, deep sea.’
Thor said:
“Tell me, All-Wise— since I think you know everything about everyone, dwarf— what do they call fire, which burns before our eyes, in every world?”
All-Wise said:
“Humans call it Fire, the Aesir call it Flame, Vanir call it Warmer, giants say ‘the Bold One,’ dwarves call it Burner, ‘Mover’ is its name in Hel.”
Thor said:
“Tell me, All-Wise— since I think you know everything about everyone, dwarf— what do they call the woods that grow before our eyes in every world?”
All-Wise said:
“Humans call them the Woods, but gods say ‘Wool of the Plains,’ other men call them Hill-hilts, giants call them Firewood, elves say ‘Pretty Leaves,’ the Vanir call them Wands.”
Thor said:
“Tell me, All-Wise— since I think you know everything about everyone, dwarf— what do they call the night, child of Norvi, in every world?”
All-Wise said:
“Humans call it Night, gods say ‘the Darkness,’ the holy gods say ‘the Masked One,’ giants call it the Un-light, elves say ‘Good to Sleep In,’ dwarves say ‘Queen of Dreams.’”
Thor said:
“Tell me, All-Wise— since I think you know everything about everyone, dwarf— what do they call seed that is sown in the earth in every world?”
All-Wise said:
“Humans call it Barley, gods say ‘Grain,’ Vanir call it Grower, giants say ‘Good Eating;’ elves call it Things to Make Beer, in Hel they call it Sunken.”
Thor said:
“Tell me, All-Wise— since I think you know everything about everyone, dwarf— what do they call the ale that everyone drinks in every world?”
All-Wise said:
“Humans call it Ale, the Aesir call it Beer, the Vanir call it Wine, giants call it Cleansing Drink, but in Hel they say ‘Mead’— the giant sons of Suttung call it Toast.
Thor said:
“I’ve never seen a single creature who knew so much old lore! But I have deceived you, All-Wise, with a terrible lie: You’re still up, and it’s dawn, dwarf— the sun shines in the hall!”