Research source

As he had doubted their relative positions from the first, Elf took the first opportunity after arriving in his…

Date of account: Ancient and medieval traditions presented in 1909
Source: Myths of the Norsemen: From the Eddas and Sagas
Reference: Myths of the Norsemen: From the Eddas and Sagas · selected passage 156
Rights: public_domain
Language: English retelling from Eddic and saga sources
Translation: H. A. Guerber
Record updated: 2026-08-24

Record summary

As he had doubted their relative positions from the first, Elf took the first opportunity after arriving in his kingdom to ask a seemingly idle question in order to ascertain the truth

Published source text

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Source passage

Source text · mention only

As he had doubted their relative positions from the first, Elf took the first opportunity after arriving in his kingdom to ask a seemingly idle question in order to ascertain the truth. He asked the pretended queen how she knew the hour had come for rising when the winter days were short and there was no light to announce the coming of morn, and she replied that, as she was in the habit of drinking milk ere she fed the cows, she always awoke thirsty. When the same question was put to the real Hiordis, she answered, with as little reflection, that she knew it was morning because at that hour the golden ring which her father had given her grew cold on her hand.

Historical context

Contextual commentary · mention only

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Modern context

Contextual commentary · mention only

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