The Challenge of Thor

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I AM the God Thor,

I am the War God,

I am the Thunderer!

Here in my Northland, 

My fastness and fortress,

Reign I forever!

Here amid icebergs

Rule I the nations; 

This is my hammer, 

Miölner the mighty; 

Giants and sorcerers 

Cannot withstand it!

These are the gauntlets 

Wherewith I wield it,

And hurl it afar off; 

This is my girdle; 

Whenever I brace it, 

Strength is redoubled!

The light thou beholdest

Stream through the heavens,

In flashes of crimson,

Is but my red beard 

Blown by the night-wind, 

Affrighting the nations!

Jove is my brother;

Mine eyes are the lightning; 

The wheels of my chariot

Roll in the thunder, 

The blows of my hammer 

Ring in the earthquake!

Force rules the world still,

Has ruled it, shall rule it;

Meekness is weakness,

Strength is triumphant,

Over the whole earth

Still is it Thor's-Day!

Thou art a God too,

O Galilean! 

And thus singled-handed 

Unto the combat, 

Gauntlet or Gospel,

Here I defy thee!