Hymir

Aegir agreed to brew ale for the gods, but demanded a cauldron large enough for the feast. Týr said that the giant Hymir possessed one a mile deep. Thor and Týr went to Hymir’s hall to take it. A giant woman advised them, and Thor stayed there through the night.

At dawn, Hymir prepared to row out to sea. Thor asked to join him. Hymir doubted that Thor, whom he called small and young, would help. He warned that Thor would become cold if they stayed out as long as he usually did. Thor replied that Hymir could row as far as he wished. He said that it remained to be seen who would first ask to return. When Thor asked for bait, Hymir told him to find his own. Thor went to the herd, killed the largest ox with a blow between the eyes, and took its head to the boat.

Hymir caught two whales as they rowed out. Thor used the ox head as bait. Jörmungandr seized it and plunged beneath the waves. Thor pulled against the line with all his strength. After a long struggle, he dragged the serpent halfway from the sea and raised his hammer to strike it. Hymir became terrified and cut the line with his sword. Jörmungandr sank into the depths. Thor rowed towards land while Hymir bailed water from the damaged boat.

Hymir said that his hall still lay many miles away. Thor carried the boat, its oars, Hymir, and the two whales along the shore. At the hall, the contest over the cauldron continued. Thor broke it free and escaped with it, leaving Hymir without the vessel. He took it so that Aegir could brew the ale demanded for the feast.