Eiriksmal

The Eiriksmal:

I notice that both The Geek and Doc Russia mentioned "feasting with Odin" in their tributes to Col. Cooper.

If you wonder what such a feast might look like, consider the Eiriksmal. The einherjar are the honored dead of Valhalla, heroes who died on the field. Valkyries I assume you know.

The poem contains also the Viking answer to the question, "Why must good men sometimes die young?" Odin, who has the power to grant victory or to withhold it, is directly asked why he allowed Eirik to die.

I think the Hollander translation, excellent in many respects, is confusing here. What Odin answers is a reference to Fenrir the wolf, who will someday bring war against the gods that will lead to the end of the world. Unlike, say, the Iranian president, Odin is concerned with staving off that war as long as possible -- and so, he needs good warriors for Valhalla. Thus, human war is only to season the men. When they are ready to serve in the defense of the worlds from the forces of chaos, Odin calls them to Valhalla.

This is the meaning of his remark that 'the grey wolf watches the abode of the gods' -- or, as Hollander puts it, "No one knoweth / looks the grey wolf (grimly) / toward the gods' dwelling."

Enjoy it.