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t thyself ask him his name." So saying he entered the hall, and as Gylfi followed the door banged to behind him. He there saw many stately rooms crowded with people, some playing, some drinking, and others fighting with various weapons. Gangler, seeing a multitude of things, the meaning of which he could not comprehend, softly pronounced the following verse (from the Havamal, st. i.):-- "Scan every gate Ere thou go on, With greatest caution; For hard to say 'tis Where foes are sitting In this fair mansion." He afterwards beheld three thrones raised one above another, with a man sitting on each of them. Upon his asking what the names of these lords might be, his guide answered: "He who sitteth on the lowest throne is a king; his name is Har (the High or Lofty One); the second is Jafnhar (_i.e_. equal to the High); but he who sitteth on the highest throne is called Thridi (the Third)." Har, perceiving the stranger, asked him what his errand was, adding that he should be welcome to eat and drink without cost, as were all those who remained in Hava Hall. Gangler said he desired first to ascertain whether there was any person present renowned for his wisdom. "If thou art not the most knowing," replied Har, "I fear thou wilt hardly return safe. But go, stand there below, and propose thy questions, here sits one who will be able to answer them." OF THE SUPREME DEITY. 3. Gangler thus began his discourse:--"'Who is the first, or eldest of the gods?" "In our language," replied Har, "he is called Alfadir (All-Father, or the Father of all); but in the old Asgard he had twelve names." "Where is this God?" said Gangler; "what is his power? and what hath he done to display his glory?" "He liveth," replied Har, "from all ages, he governeth all realms and swayeth all things great and small." "He hath formed," added Jafnhar, "heaven and earth, and the air, and all things thereunto belonging." "And what is more," continued Thridi, "he hath made man, and given him a soul which shall live and never perish though the body shall have mouldered away, or have been burnt to ashes. And all that are righteous shall dwell with him in the place called Gimli, or Vingolf; but the wicked shall go to Hel, and thence to Niflhel, which is below, in the ninth world." "And where did this god remain before he made heaven and earth?" demanded Gangler. "He was then," replied Har, "with the Hrimthursar
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