"Thor went,
grasped the prow
quickly with its hold-water,
lifted the boat
together with its oars
and scoop;
bore to the dwelling
the curved vessel."
Glooskap asks which of the two shall take the paddle, and which sit in
the stern. Hymir inquires,--
"Wilt thou do
half the work with me?
either the whales
home to the dwelling bear,
Or the boat
fast bind?"
Kitpooseagunow drew up a whale.
"The mighty Hymir,
He alone
two whales drew
up with his hook."
After this whale-fishing, the Scandinavian giants at home have a trial
of strength and endurance. Thor throws a cup at Hymir. This cup can
only be broken on Hymir's head, which is of ice, and intensely hard.
"That is harder
than any cup."
This is therefore an effort on the part of Thor to overcome Cold. Hymir
is the incarnation of Cold itself.
"The icebergs resounded
as the churl approached;
the thicket on his cheeks
was frozen.
In shivers flew the pillars
At the Jotun's glance."
That is, the frost cracks the stones and rocks. In the Indian tale the
two giants try to see which can freeze the other. In both there is
distinctly a contest. In the Norse tale Strength or Heat fights Frost;
in the American, Frost is battled with by Frost as a rival.
It may be observed that the Indian tale is far from being perfect, and
that in all probability the whole of it includes a fishing for the
sea-serpent.
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