Soli and Chorus.
 There is a wondrous book
 Of Legends in the old Norse tongue,
 Of the dead kings of Norroway, 
 Legends that once were told or sung
 In many a smoky fireside nook
 Of Iceland, in the ancient day,
 By wandering Saga-man or Scald;
 Heimskringla is the volume called;
 And he who looks may find therein
 The story that we now begin.

RECITATIVE (Bass)
 Summon now the God of Thunder,
 Him who rives the heav'ns asunder,
 Sing the words of mighty Thor
 Challenging the world to war.