From Bishop Percy’s translation of the “Younger Edda.”

“IF it be as thou hast told me,” said Gangler, “that all men who have fallen in fight since the beginning of the world are gone to Odin, in Valhalla, what has he to give them to eat, for methinks there must be a great crowd there?”

  “What thou sayest is quite true,” replied Har, “the crowd there is indeed great, but great though it be, it will still increase, and will be thought too little when the wolf cometh. But however great the band of men in Valhalla may be, the flesh of the boar Sæhrimnir will more than suffice for their sustenance. For although this boar is sodden every morning, he becomes whole again every night. But there are few, methinks, who are wise enough to give thee, in this respect, a satisfactory answer to thy question. The cook is called Andhrimnir, and the kettle Eldhrimnir. As it is said: ‘Andhrimnir cooks in Eldhrimnir, Sæhrimnir.’ ’Tis the best of flesh, though few know how much is required for the Einherjar.”

  “But has Odin,” said Gangler, “the same food as the heroes?”

  “Odin,” replied Har, “gives the meat that is set before him to two wolves, called Geri and Freki, for he himself stands in no need of food. Wine is for him both meat and drink. As it is said:—

  “Two ravens sit on Odin’s shoulders and whisper in his ear the tidings and events they have heard and witnessed. They are called Hugin and Munin. He sends them out at dawn of day to fly over the whole world, and they return at eve towards mealtime. Hence it is that Odin knows so many things, and is called the Raven’s God. As it is said:—