Chapter 32 - Page 2

his mallet launched it with such force at the
giant's skull that it made a deep dint in it. Skrymir awakening
cried out, "What's the matter? Are there any birds perched on
this tree? I felt some moss from the branches fall on my head.
How fares it with thee, Thor?" But Thor went away hastily,
saying that he had just then awoke, and that as it was only
midnight, there was still time for sleep. He however resolved
that if he had an opportunity of striking a third blow, it should
settle all matters between them. A little before daybreak he
perceived that Skrymir was again fast asleep, and again grasping
his mallet, he dashed it with such violence that it forced its
way into the giant's skull up to the handle. But Skrymir sat
up, and stroking his cheek, said, "An acorn fell on my head.
What! Art thou awake, Thor? Methinks it is time for us to get
up and dress ourselves; but you have not now a long way before
you to the city called Utgard. I have heard you whispering to
one another that I am not a man of small dimensions; but if you
come to Utgard you will see there many men much taller than I.
Wherefore I advise you, when you come there, not to make too much
of yourselves, for the followers of Utgard-Loki will not brook
the boasting of such little fellows as you are. You must take
the road that leads eastward, mine lies northward, so we must
part here." Hereupon he threw his wallet over his shoulders, and turned away
from them into the forest, and Thor had no wish to stop him or to
ask for any more of his company. Thor and his companions proceeded on their way, and towards noon
descried a city standing in the middle of a plain. It was so
lofty that they were obliged to bend their necks quite back on
their shoulders in order to see to the top of it. On arriving
they entered the city, and seeing a large palace before them with
the door wide open, they went in, and found a number of men of
prodigious stature, sitting on benches in the hall. Going
further, they came before the king Utgard-Loki, whom they saluted
with great respect. The king, regarding them with a scornful
smile, said, "If I do not mistake me, that stripling yonder must
be the god Thor." Then addressing himself to Thor, he said,
"Perhaps thou mayst be more than thou appearest to be. What are
the feats that thou and thy fellows deem yourselves skilled in,
for no one is permitted to remain here who does not, in some feat
or other, excel all other men?" "The feat that I know," said Loki, "is to eat quicker than any
one else, and in this I am ready to give a proof against any one
here who may choose to compete with me." "That will indeed be a feat," said Utgard-Loki, "if thou
performest what thou promisest, and it shall be tried forthwith." He