Chapter 4

Gangleri asked, ‘What was the beginning, or how did things start? What was there before?’

High answered, ‘As it says in The Sibyl’s Prophecy:

Early of ages when nothing was. There was neither sand nor sea nor cold waves. The earth was not found nor the sky above. Ginnungagap[^fn14] was there, but grass, nowhere.’ (*The Sibyl’s Prophecy. 3*)

Next Just-as-High said, ‘Niflheim [Dark World] was made many ages before the earth was created, and at its centre is the spring called Hvergelmir [Roaring Kettle]. From there flow those rivers called Svol, Gunnthra, Fjorm, Fimbulthul, Slid and Hrid, Sylg and Ylg, Vid and Leiptr. Also there is Gjoll, which lies next to Helgrind [Gates of Hel].’

Then Third said, ‘First, however, there was that world in the southern region which is called Muspell.² It is bright and hot.

That region flames and burns and is impassable for foreigners and those who cannot claim it as their native land. Surt [Black One] is the name of he who waits there at the land’s edge to defend it. He has a flaming sword, and when the end of the world comes, he will set off to battle and defeat all the gods, burning the whole world with fire. So it is said in The Sibyl’s Prophecy:

Surt comes from the south with the fiery destruction of branches. The sun shines from the sword of the gods of the slain. Stone cliffs tumble and troll witches stumble.[^fn16] Men tread the Road to Hel as the sky splits apart.’ (*The Sibyl’s Prophecy. 52*)