Beneath the Surface

Hail to Bragi, old one, kind one, finest of skalds!
Long-bearded As, quick of temper and of tongue.
wise one who knows when and how and of what to tell,
canny one who sees clearly and speaks with direction,
Husband of fair Idunna, provider of youth
to all Asgard; kind patron of poets and bards,
of those who sing and play in hall or hof. Bragi,
master of verse, rune-tongued weaver of many tales,
you grant to mortal men the gift of eloquence,
of rhetoric, of fiery prose, of ease and grace,
of freely-flowing words, of a firm grasp of meaning:
Bragi, we thank you, and ask your favor. Hail Bragi!