Of old was the age when Ymir lived Sea nor cool waves nor sand there were Earth had not been nor heaven above But a yawning gap and grass nowhere I remember yet the giants of Yore Who gave me bread in the days gone by Nine worlds i knew the nine in the tree Hidden deep beneath the mold Then sought the gods Their assembly-seats The holy ones Then council held and names they gave To the noon and twilight Then Bur's sons lifted the level land Mithgarth the mighty there they made Hearing i ask From the holy races From Heimdall's sons High and low