Many places under the heavens are beautiful, protected by the gods.
There under the ash tree by the spring is a splendid hall, and from this hall come forth three maidens
- Urdur, Verdandi, and Skuld - who shape the lives of men.
We call them Norns. There are also other Norns that shape each person's life,
some of the lineage of the gods, others descended from the elves,
but these three are related to the dwarfs….
Then spoke the Wanderer: If the Norns decide the fate of men and women,
then they have accorded them fate in extremely unequal portions,
as some have a good and rich life and some are granted or promised little;
some have a long life, some short.
The High One replied: Good Norns, those who are of good lineage, decree good lives.
But those to whom horrors befall - they were caused by evil Norns.