Edge Quote 3

Then spoke Gangleri: ‘You are able to give a great deal of
information about the heavens. What other chief centres are there
besides the one at Weird’s well?’

High said: ‘Many splendid places are there. There is one place
that is called Alfheim. There live the folk called light-elves, but
dark-elves live down in the ground, and they are unlike them in
appearance, and even more unlike them in nature. Light-elves are
fairer than the sun to look at, but dark-elves are blacker than
pitch. One place there is called Breidablik, and no fairer place is
there. Also there is the one called Glitnir, and its walls and
columns and pillars are of red gold, and its roof of silver. There
also is a place called Himinbiorg. It stands at the edge of heaven at
the bridge’s end where Bifrost reaches heaven. There also is a
great place called Valaskialf. This place is Odin’s. The gods built it
and roofed it with pure silver, and it is there in this hall that
Hlidskialf is, the throne of that name. And when All-father sits on
that throne he can see over all the world. At the southernmost end
of heaven is the hall which is fairest of all and brighter than the
sun, called Gimle. It shall stand when both heaven and earth have
passed away, and in that place shall live good and righteous
people for ever and ever. Thus it says in Voluspa:

I know a hall standing fairer than the sun, better than gold,
at Gimle. There shall virtuous men dwell, and for all ages
enjoy delight.’

Then spoke Gangleri: ‘What will protect this place when Surt’s
fire burns heaven and earth?’

High said: ‘They say there is another heaven south of and above
this heaven of ours, and that heaven is called Andlang; and that
there is a third heaven still further above that one, and that is
called Vidblain, and it is in that heaven that we believe this place
to be. But we believe it is only light-elves that inhabit these places
for the time being.’

Then spoke Gangleri: ‘Where does the wind come from? It is so
strong it stirs great seas and whips up fire, but strong as it is, it
cannot be seen. Thus it is marvellously made.’

Then said High: ‘I can easily tell you that. At the northernmost
end of heaven there sits a giant called Hræsvelg. He has eagle
form. And when he starts to fly winds arise from beneath his
wings. It says so here:

He is called Hraesvelg who sits at heaven’s end, giant in
eagle form. From his wings they say wind comes over all
men.’

Then spoke Gangleri: ‘Why is there such a great difference
between the warmth of summer and the cold of winter?’


- Prose Edda, Gylfaginning