The Gods of the North: an epic poem

A striking translation of a 19th‑century Danish epic brings the thunderous world of northern myth into English verse. The poet weaves the ancient Edda’s tales of gods, giants, and heroic mortals into a sweeping narrative that opens with the birth of the world and the first councils of the divine. Readers are greeted by thunderous battles, soaring sky‑ships, and the fierce personalities of deities who command fire, sea, and fate.

Beyond the spectacle, the poem explores how early peoples personified natural forces, turning wind, storm and harvest into mighty beings whose whims shaped daily life. It reflects a universal human impulse to attribute meaning to the unseen, offering a window onto the rituals and heroic ideals that bound communities together. The translator’s notes provide gentle guidance, inviting modern ears to sense the reverence and drama that still echo in the North’s ancient skies.