this shows very clearly that All-Father Odin was a
warlike Asa and delighted in battles, there was another side to his
character, for beyond all the other Asas he cared for wisdom.

Very early in the morn of time All-Father Odin discovered that beneath
the roots of the Tree of Life, just where sky and ocean met, there was
a marvellous spring of water, "the fountain of all wit and wisdom."
Looking into its crystal depths, all that was going to happen in the
future was revealed, and anyone drinking of it received the gifts of
wisdom, knowledge, and right judgment about all things. Now this
spring was guarded by the Giant Mimir, who prided himself upon being
wiser than any other giants or Asas could be, for he alone had the
right to draw water from the well; and every morning, dipping his
glittering horn therein, he drank a long draught, and with every
draught he grew wiser, till he knew everything that was past and
present and is to come.

When Odin became aware of the marvellous properties of the spring, he
was eager to drink of it, "for," said he, "it is not fitting that a
giant should know more than the Father of Asas and men."

So early one morn he entered a dark grove of trees, where, amidst
great arching roots fantastically intertwined, bubbled the spring; and
keeping watch beside it sat Giant Mimir, his long grey beard sweeping
over his knees, and his great piercing eyes shining with fierce light
as the new-comer approached.

"What do you want here?" he demanded, in a voice that sounded like the
muttering of thunder before a storm.

"I want a drink of yon water from your glittering horn, good Mimir,"
said Odin.

But Giant Mimir sunk his great head upon his chest, and looking from
under his shaggy eyebrows, growled again:

"Begone, I tell you. I give no man drink from my well."

Then Odin drew himself up to his full height, and in a voice that was
more thunderous than that of the giant himself, cried:

"No man am I, O Mimir, but Odin, Father of Asas and men. Refuse not to
me the gift of wisdom; for though I can see all things that happen in
heaven and earth, I cannot see what lies beneath the deep, nor can I
see what shall happen in the future. Give me, therefore, the draught
of wisdom, and I will pay you whatsoever you demand."

But Mimir still refused. "We giants are of elder race than ye Asas
be," he said, "and all the wisdom in the world is in our hands. If I
give you to drink of this water you will