Gangleri then asked, ‘What sort of drink do the Einherjar have that lasts them as long as the food? Or is water drunk there?’
High replied, ‘That is a strange question. Would All-Father invite kings, jarls [earls] and other men of rank to his hall and give them water to drink? Truly, many who come to Valhalla, having suffered wounds and the pain of death, would think a drink of water dearly bought if no better greeting were available. About that place, I can tell you another story. The goat Heidrun stands on top of Valhalla and eats the leaves from the branches of that most famous tree, Lerad.1 From her udders streams the mead that daily fills a vat so large that from it all the Einherjar satisfy their thirst.’2
Gangleri then said, ‘That goat is especially useful to them, and the tree that she eats from must be remarkably good.’
High said, ‘Even more notable is the stag Eikthyrnir [Oak Antlers], who stands on top of Valhalla and chews on the branches of that tree. So much moisture drips from his horns that it finds its way down into Hvergelmir. From there flow the rivers Sid, Vid, Sekin, Ekin, Svol, Gunnthro, Fjorm, Fimbulthul, Gipul, Gopul, Gomul and Geirvimul. They flow through the places where the gods live. There are even more rivers called Thyn, Vin, Tholl, Boll, Grad, Gunnthrain, Nyt, Not, Nonn, Hronn, Vina, Vegsvinn and Thjodnuma.’