Bragi
;)
was the son of Odin and Gunnlod, a female giant, and was the Germanic god of poetry and eloquence. He was married to Idun, the goddess who kept the magic apples of youth. When Loki returned to Asgard, after being instrumental in causing Balder's death, Bragi, who was never at a loss for words, told him that he was unwelcome company at their feast. Enraged, Loki called Bragi 'the bragger', whereupon Bragi threatened to twist off Loki's head as the only sure method of stopping his lies. Although Odin tried to calm the gathering, the effect of Bragi's words on Loki was to make him even more threatening. He finally prophesied the destruction of the gods and then fled from Asgard.
Possibly Bragi was a late addition to the Germanic pantheon. It is not unlikely that Bragi was added through the divine elevation of a poet, since in Germanic courts poets were venerated second only to kings. Bragi was portrayed as an old, bearded man carrying a harp, and when oaths where sworn they were solemnized by speaking over a vessel called the Cup of Bragi.