Note 54 — Chapter XXIII · THE SATTERVAL.
Reading edition
According to the Prose Edda, the gods had originally no poetry in their souls. The mead of Poetic Inspiration was in the keeping of the giant Suttung, who entrusted it to his daughter, Gunlauth. Odin made love to her,—obtained possession of the mead, and deserted her. He had, however, the grace to be ashamed of himself, for these are the words of the Hávamál, in which he evidently alludes to this not very creditable passage in his life:
“Gunlauth gave me, On a golden chair seated, A draught of mead delicious; But the return was evil Which she experienced,— With all her faithfulness— With all her deep love! “A holy ring oath I mind me gave Odin,— Now, who can trust him? Suttung is cheated— His mead is stolen— Gunlauth is weeping!”