Fire bears poetic names such as the companion of Surt, the bane of wood, and the force of Muspell. Bragi explains how the skald may link fire to the creation myths and to the world of the fire giants in the south.
Eldr heitir félagi Surts, þvíat Surtr er eldjötunn er varðveitir Múspell. Hann heitir ok bani viðar, þvíat eldr eyðir skóga ok mörk. Má ok kalla hann andardráp trjáa.
Fire is called the companion of Surt, for Surt is the fire giant who guards Muspell. It is also called the bane of wood, for fire destroys forests and groves. One may also call it the death-breath of trees.
Eldr heitir ok máttr Múspells ok ljós heims. Þegar er skaldar nefna eld, megu þeir nota alla þessa heiti eptir þörfum kvæðisins.
Fire is also called the force of Muspell and the light of the world. When skalds name fire, they may use all these designations according to the needs of the poem.