The Death of Balder

Transcribed by David Price, email ccx074@coventry.ac.uk
An Edition of 250 Copies only will be printed. No more will be published.
Author of “Bible in Spain,” “Lavengro,” “Wild Wales,” etc.
LONDON JARROLD & SONS, 3 PATERNOSTER BUILDINGS, E.C. 1889
The works of the late poet Ewald are deservedly popular in Denmark. The present tragedy, and the opera of “The Fishermen” (“Fiskerne”), in which occurs the bold lyric which has become the national song of the Danes, are esteemed his best productions.
For the fidelity with which the present version has been made I appeal to those of my countrymen who understand the original, and demand whether I have given a thought or expression equivalents to which are not to be found in the Danish tragedy.
I have imitated the peculiar species of blank verse in which the original is composed, in order that the English reader may form an exact idea thereof, and though by having done so my poetry may have somewhat of a cramped, embarrassed gait, I have a firm hope that I shall not meet very severe reprehension for having sacrificed elegance to fidelity.
GEORGE BORROW.
Balder. Hother. Thor. Nanna. Loke. The Three Valkyrier.
The place of action is a pine-wood on the Norwegian mountains. Round about it are seen steep and uneven rocks. The top of the hindermost and highest is covered with snow .
BALDER and THOR are seated upon stones at some distance from each other. Both are armed—THOR with his hammer, and BALDER with spear and sword.