Gangleri then spoke: ‘Large crowds of people are at Valhalla. It is my belief that Odin must be a powerful lord, because he controls so large an army. But how do the Einherjar amuse themselves when they are not drinking?’
High replied, ‘Every day, after they dress, they put on their war gear. Then they go out to the courtyard and battle, the one attacking the other. Such is their sport. When it comes time to eat, they ride home to Valhalla and sit down to drink, as is said here:
All the Einherjar in Odin’s home fields fight among themselves each day. The slain they select[^fn59] then ride from the battlefield; reconciled, they sit again together.
(The Lay of Vafthrudnir. 41)
‘It is true, as you say, that Odin is powerful. Many examples of his power are evident. Here are the words of the Æsir themselves:
The ash Yggdrasil is foremost of trees, and Skidbladnir of ships, Odin of the Æsir, and of stallions, Sleipnir, Bifrost of bridges, and Bragi of skalds, Habrok of hawks,[^fn60] and of hounds, Garm.’
(The Lay of Grimnir. 44)
-
The slain they select : This line could have several meanings, among them the following: they determine ahead of time who is to be slain, or they choose from among the slain those who should be taken back to Valhalla. ↩
-
Habrok of hawks : Habrok is the hawk of King Hrolf. In The Saga of King Hrolf Kraki, Habrok fights for his lord. ↩