Bauge (or Baugi)

Bauge (Or Baugi)

in Norse mythology, was a Jote, brother of Suttung, who possessed the costly Meth, a drink which possessed the power of imparting the art of poetry and eloquence. Odin, desirous of possessing the same, made several fruitless propositions to the giant. He then took on the appearance of a servant, and, after slaying the nine servants of Bauge, offered to do the work of the nine laborers if Bauge would give him a taste of the Meth. Bauge promised, and, when the work was completed, led the god to the mountain where his brother lived. The entrance was blocked up by a huge rock, which Odin ordered Bauge to cut into. Bauge bored through it, and Odin converted himself into a snake and crept in. He now changed himself into the most beautiful man, and won by his songs and form the love of Gunlode, the daughter of Suttung, and she favored him for three nights, consenting to his taking three draughts of the poetic Meth, which she guarded. Odin thus drank all of the Meth and flew away in the form of an eagle, but not without danger, for Suttung sought to overtake him in the same form. Odin had nearly reached Asgard, when he lost some of the Meth. This fell to the poor poets. The rest of the Meth Odin preserved in vessels. The gods very seldom gave it away, and then only to their favorites