Work of Nine Men

Odin sought lodging for the night with a giant
called Baugi, Suttung’s brother. Baugi reckoned his economic
affairs were going badly, and said his nine slaves had killed each
other, and declared he did not know where he was going to get
workmen from. Odin told him his name was Bolverk; he offered
to take over the work of nine men for Baugi, and stipulated as his
payment one drink of Suttung’s mead. Baugi said he had no say in
the disposal of the mead, said that Suttung wanted to have it all to
himself, but he said he would go with Bolverk and try whether
they could get the mead. Bolverk did the work of nine men for
Baugi during the summer, and when winter came he asked Baugi
for his hire. Then they both set off. Baugi told his brother Suttung of
his agreement with Bolverk, but Suttung flatly refused a single drop
of the mead. Then Bolverk told Baugi that they would have to try
some stratagems to see if they could get hold of the mead, and Baugi
said that was a good idea.


- Prose Edda, Skaldskaparmal