Talhjolde, Allfathirs Beit

Talhjolde, Allfathirs Beit

published by the

Imperial University Press, 3E 421

The Maker of the world did ask [1]

His congregated flocks

"Which of you is cleverest:

Man or snake or fox?"

Stepp'd forward spoke the Woodland Man

Who'd walked the darkest trails

"I know the way through all the hells

Where Nordic courage fails."

Then slithered forth the sloughing Snake

Who shed dark truths like skin

"I can tell you where to find

Six-angl'd runes within."

Last trotted out the wily Fox

A toothy grin he flashed

"I have the clev'rest skill of all

I'll leave those two abashed."

"For you see, our All-Maker

I think that you will find

The wise words that each other spoke

Were really words of mine."

"I learned to throw my cunning voice

Into another's mouth

And in there took their words for mine

My vict'ry's beyond doubt."

"You are a wordy little Fox."

The mighty father mused

"But laying claims to all these words?

My patience you've abused."

He'd thought himself the cleverest

His tail with pride unfurled

But then the Fox was banished forth

And set to roam the world

Footnotes:

[1] Although there is reason to believe that the proto-Nords of Atmora may have believed in a single "All-Maker" of the world, and even brought this belief in some form with them to Tamriel, this theology has not survived until the present day.