Brisingamen
The first looked out - his
eyes were opened -
At summer's height - his
heart was softened -
(Sweet murmur of sunlit
water;
Swaying grace of willow's
shade.)
The forge he readied; thus
he wrought:
Warmth and laughter, ease
and languor -
This is what he learned of love.
The next looked out - his
eyes were opened -
At storm and sky - his
heart was seized -
(Reeling currents shred
the clouds;
Lightning blazes; thunder
bellows.)
The forge he readied; thus
he wrought:
Fire and fury, fierce
delight -
This is what he learned of love.
The third looked out - his
eyes were opened -
At gentle rain - his heart
was wrung -
(It drips from fir trees, iron-dark,
And stains the rock a
deeper rust.)
The forge he readied; thus
he wrought:
Strange contentment born
of sorrow -
This is what he learned of love.
The last looked up - his
eyes were opened -
At winter's hoard - his
heart was pierced -
(Dreaming stars in darkness'
throat;
Slow kiss of windless
cold.)
The forge he readied; thus
he wrought:
Joy and stillness, awe
and silence,
Fitting for his fairest love.
Author's note: I think
it was J.S. Pereira who first mentioned to me the modern idea that Freyja
lay with the four dwarves before they forged Brisingamen. The idea
appeals to me strongly; I think it makes sense that this contact with
Freyja's power gave the dwarves the inspiration to shape a treasure worthy
of her.