The monster wolf, Lodi/Angrboda’s first spawn,

Would destroy the world on some icy dawn.  

In great fear the gods gathered to conspire,

How to stop the wolf, avoid prophecy’s fire.

They caught the wolf and caged him, a pup.

Only Tyr, god of war, dared feed him his sup.

The gods relaxed as they saw his young state,

But as he grew, they began to fear their fate.

Odin, with his son, Vidra, and other gods too,

Feared locking the chains, what Fenris’d do.

But cunning being such a powerful godly trait,

They decided to trick him with clever ego bait.

“Fenris, you feel you are so powerful and strong,

Thinking to break these chains, but you’re wrong.

Let us bind you to show you how weak you are,

If you're strong, they be to your liberty, no bar.”

Fenris said, “Fine.” He allowed loop and band

Of the strongest chains in all the North Land.

But woe to the gods, he pulled with his chin,

They parted like cobwebs, to the gods’ chagrin.

Set aback, the gods would now take a stand,

Contracted elf Svart Alfar for a magic band,

Soft, thin ribbon, flimsy as fine silk thread,

‘Twould be Gleipnir, hold Fenris ‘til dead.

Would be extruded from a magic fountain,

Six elements: footfall of cat, root of mountain,

Woman’s beard, fishes’ breath, sinews of bear,

Spittle of bird -- each woven with extreme care.

Again, the gods collected wits and conspired,

But Fenris was wiser than they desired,

The ribbon’s innocence to him they did tout,

But lest strength and courage be in doubt,

He agreed to being tied. Yet of suspicious mind,

A gods’ hand in his jaws, he’d trade for the bind.

The gods were reluctant this step to undertake,

For it was obvious just what would be at stake.

Finally Tyr agreed to the rather risky venture,

Put his hand in the wolf’s fearsome denture,

The gods chained Fenris with their magic,

A Gleipnir ribbon. To the wolf it was tragic,

For however mightily he struggled and tried,

The Gleipnir bit deeper in his flesh and hide.

In anger and revenge, bit off Tyr’s hand at last,

But ribbon, true to task, held the monster fast.

It gave not an inch in his want to pull free,

It wouldn’t budge, this the gods could see.

Put a sword in his teeth so he couldn’t bite,

Though he tried and tried with all his might. 

They dragged Fenris a mile under ground,

Chained him to a rock, there left him bound.

But prophecy has a way of rearing its head,

When gods interfere where monsters tread.

‘Twas said, Fenris, on the day of Ragnarok,

Would break Gleipnir holding him to a rock,

Join other giants to make war on the gods,

 Deities be crushed ‘neath battle broken rods.  

Fenris would seek out his immortal foe,

Kill and eat Odin from his head to his toe.

But gory deed, return vengeance’d bring,

To Fenris, Vidar would deliver death’s sting.

So goes story of Fenris, also called Fenrir:

A monster enemy the deities held in fear

With a thin little ribbon that wouldn’t break,

‘Til haughty gods, Gleipnir’s magic forsake.