Gylfaginning - From the Snorra-Edda

A Translation of the original text by Snorri Sturluson.

King Gylfi was a wise man with some skills in the arts of magic. He was perplexed about the powers of the aesir, seeing that all things were at their beck and call. Those powers, he reasoned, were either derived from something in their nature or from the godly powers they paid their allegiance to.

He headed towards Asgard in secret; in the guise of an old man. But the aesir learned of this and they spotted him on his journey before he arrived to Asgard. They prepared for his arrival with illusions.

When he arrived in the city he sighted a palace so tall that its upper reaches were barely visible. Its roof was tiled with golden shields.

Gylfi saw a man juggling with handaxes, seven at once, in the palace's doorway. The juggler asked for his name. Gylfi called himself Gangleri and claimed to be a lost wanderer looking for a place to sleep for the night. He asked who the palace's owner was.

The juggler answered that it was their king. “I can take you to see him. You can then ask him yourself for his name,” and in speaking those words he turned around and walked into the palace. The door closed shut after Gylfi as he followed.

Inside he saw many rooms and crowds of people, some playing games, some drinking, some fighting with arms. He found many of the things he saw incredible.

He saw three thrones in a row and three men, each sitting in his throne. He then asked for their names.

The juggler who led him in, answers that the man in the lowest throne was their king whose name was Tall, the man in the next throne was Astall, while the man in the highest throne was Third. Tall then asks the newly-arrived Gylfi whether he has any other business here mentioning that he is free to partake in the feast with the other people in Havahöll.

Gylfi first asks whether there is somebody here who is well-read and knowledgable, as he is seeking some information. Tall says that he will not be able to leave the palace safely without finding some answers to his questions, and

“Step forward as you listen
the speaker shall stay seated.”