ACT THE SECOND.
The three VALKRIER. They are armed as war-maids, and besides the spears which hang over their shoulders, each has a short spear in her hand: they take each other by the hands, and walk in a circle, singing.
ALL THREE. O’er the hill, o’er the dell,
O’er the sea’s foamy waters,
Unweariedly ply,
Valhalla, thy daughters,
The blood-dropping wing:
Die, battle, and die!
Is the bidding they bring.
THE FIRST. Not fever’s foul pains.
THE SECOND. Not hunger.
THE THIRD. Not chains.
ALL THREE. But fight and delight.
For the brave ever brings,
Valhalla, thy daughters,
By light and by night,
O’er the land and the waters,
With blood-drooping wing.
THE FIRST. The crash of the spear,
In deadly career,
Is alone to me dear.
THE SECOND. The feeble moan press’d
From the dying man’s breast
Is what pleases me best.
THE THIRD. The cry on the plain
Round the corse of the slain
I list to most pain.
ALL THREE. Die, battle, and die!
O’er the hill, o’er the dell,
O’er the sea’s foamy waters,
Unweariedly ply,
Valhalla, thy daughters,
The blood-dropping wing:
Die, battle, and die,
Is the bidding they bring.
THE FIRST. I hear the sound of arms; but now it ceases.
How long will he delay, the noble warrior?
THE SECOND. Whom wait’st thou for?
THE FIRST. And thou? what will my sister
In this wild spot which blood has never crimson’d?
THE SECOND. What has assembled us? and here where scarcely
A sword has flashed since days of Jotun Ymer,
Was it a god or destiny which drove us?
THE FIRST. Thou knowest that the morning sun illumines
Ten thousand spears on Scotland’s heathy mountains;
High beats with joy each warrior’s heart. In silence,
They forward press, and only wait my on-cry.
Thither would I—but hear the strange adventure
Which stopp’d my flight upon these rocks. Envelop’d
In a black, tempest, I a Finman follow’d,
Who boldly climb’d the mountain summits,
And sprang o’er every yawning rift undaunted:
Then saw I Hothbrod’s valiant son. I saw him
As in the brook he cleans from dust his armour,
And sharp’d laboriously his rusty dagger,
And prov’d upon the pine’s thick stem his falchion;
Then brandish’d he his hunting-spear: far backward
He drew his nervous arm; I heard the weapon
Hiss, but my eye beheld it scarce a moment,
For like the lightning which the black clouds swallow
It vanished, and the heir vainly sought it.
Then look’d I round about, and saw my Finman,
Who held the spear and laugh’d; I storm’d with fury.
Then down he plung’d within a midnight chasm;
And from the deep uprose a voice like thunder
Which slowly booms among the Finnish deserts.
“Unarm’d,” it bellow’d, “shall the warrior perish?
Wither shall he of age, and deep in Hælheim
Be hidden, far from Odin, far from Valhall.”
Angry, I rooted up the oaks in search of
A spear for battle’s friend—and this I fix’d on;
I gave it tempest’s speed and strength to humble
Each warrior whom it smiteth, when with wonder
Of thy fast sounding voice I heard an echo.
THE SECOND. Ye stars! what sorcery! But to me now listen!
I hasten’d unto Hortha’s gloomy forests,
To glut myself in Roman blood; then look’d I
Down from the thunder-cloud in which I journey’d,
And on these towering hills my eyes I fastened;
Then saw I Denmark’s Hother, prince of battle,
Like the rock-pine, which o’er the ocean beetles;
He stood, and storm-winds with his locks were playing,
Then from the brake a wolf sprang, grim and frightful,
And big as Fenri’s Wolf: the Skoldung saw it,
And brandish’d high his spear. Forth went it booming,
As booming goes from the cold North a whirlwind;
Straight vanished wolf and spear; but deep a-forest
Was heard as from a thousand wolves a howling.
“See, see,” it howl’d, “the Skoldung Hother loses
His spear, and in his hand the sword is fragile.
Now have we peace, and Norway’s Kemps may slumber.”
Disturb’d at such dark sorcery, I seiz’d on
The spear of steel thou see’st, and laid lightning
And fiends’ death on its point, when I beheld thee.
THE THIRD (who hitherto has stood in deep thought). Sharp is my sight in war; but here is darkness.
But do not think that chance and magic
Here assembled battle’s angry daughters.
Allfather for the fight prepares; Allfather
Assembles us with murky wink: I saw him,
The mighty Thor; wroth was he, and his hammer
Was in his hand. He stood by Gevar’s dwelling:
He spoke to me, and soon as e’er I answer’d
He vanished, thundering in the eastern heavens.
It is not sport, nor any childish quarrel,
Be ye assured, makes Thor descend from Asgaard.
THE FIRST. He spake to thee?
THE THIRD. As when the warriors slumber,
And suddenly are wak’d to thousand dangers
By din of shields and mingled squadrons’ tumult,
So tower’d he up and shouted when he saw me,
And dread and hollow as the ocean’s bellow,
As moan of forests in the nightly tempest,
Sounded his voice unto my ear!
“What, Rota!” he shouted; Rota here! “Ye gods of heaven!
Whom seekest thou, where unclomb rocks engirdle
Peace, smiling peace? O say! whom, sent by Skulda,
Wilt thou devote upon the stilly mountains?
But ah! what light had I the power to kindle?
Dark is my spirit. The terrific Norna,
She who allots to time, ere it approaches,
It’s luck, and binds it with determined fingers
Unto Fate’s will, is silent, and drives Rota
Far from each plain belov’d where battle rages.
Yet shook the fatal spear with which conflicting
Monarchs I greet, at sunrise thrice it trembled;
And death lies heavy in my arm—that know I,
But for the victim.
THE FIRST. Threatens Fate our Hother?
THE SECOND. Thor’s fear and even thine betoken danger.
THE THIRD. So seems it. Ah! if it concern’d our Hother!
Ye mind full well how high the Danish hero
I ever lov’d—I saw him by a fountain,
Dejected, weaponless, and half in slumber;
But deep into the forest fled the savage,
From whom he took his sword, the sharp-edged Mimer,
And Hother’s spear in his rude hands he carried.
“Retain my falchion, thou ferocious warrior!
Little in conflict shall it e’er avail thee!”
So shouted he, and all the rocks resounded.
Then straight I brought my choicest spear from Valhall—
Long since I cut it from a lonely wild beech,
Which, hid from day, grew up in Lapland’s deserts;
A circle of grey stones stood round about it,
On each was clotted blood, and bones, and ashes;
Blood as I cut the spear the stem emitted—
It crushes stone, and steel, and giants’ armour.
HOTHER, THE OTHERS.
HOTHER (he is armed, but without a spear). Where is this prince of beauty, Nanna’s half-god?
[He starts slightly upon perceiving the VALKYRIER. They advance towards him, hand in hand.
Excuse me my astonishment, fair war-maids!
THE FIRST. Hail to thee dauntless warrior, bane of Gelder!
THE SECOND. Hail to thee, Skoldung, valiant son of Hothbrod!
THE THIRD. Hail, hail to thee, my Hother, Leire’s ruler!
HOTHER (astonished.) Ye know me!
THE THIRD. Yes, thou noble youth, and love thee!
HOTHER. Your goodness overwhelms me—to what godhead
Stand I indebted for this lucky meeting?
THE FIRST. I bring to thee a spear to fight with heroes!
THE SECOND. And this, I hand to thee, can slaughter demons!
THE THIRD. This spear is excellent in fight with Jotuns.
HOTHER. How shall I e’er repay these costly presents?
THE FIRST. Be valiant! fight! send battle’s sons to Valhall!
THE SECOND. Extend the Danish sway and Odin’s worship!
THE THIRD. The sire of many warlike kings of Leire!
[They vanish.
HOTHER. There’s nought but sorcery upon these mountains!
They’ve vanished! Do I dream to-day? Where am I?
Sight, feeling, reason are alike enchanted!
But here, ye gods! here in my bosom rages
The magic—Vanfred’s poison. Nanna, Nanna!
Shall I mistrust thee, then—shall I, thy Hother?
[He places the two spears against a tree, whereon he hangs his shield. That which the first VALKYRIER gave him he retains in his hand.
The fire which love enkindles
First warms with bliss the heart,
But soon, ah! soon the traitor
Awaketh burning smart!
Love’s flame at first discloses
Pure innocence alone;
But quickly by its splendour
A deed of guilt is shown.
O love! thy bliss is vanish’d,
Thy flame extinguish quite,
For in my bride black falsehood
Now only meets my sight.
NANNA, HOTHER.
NANNA (who has stood at the entrance of the scene, and has heard the latter part of Hother’s song). I overheard thee, weak, ignoble Hother!
HOTHER. Ah yes, weak! credulous!
NANNA. Save thyself repentance!
HOTHER. Where is thy demigod?
NANNA. This bosom, Hother, acquitteth me;
That were enough for Nanna, if—
HOTHER. Oh, pray, proceed!
NANNA (affectionately). Lov’d less—
HOTHER (contemptuously). Whom? Balder?
NANNA. Savage! what fiend has pour’d into thy bosom
His bane of late? Ha! fly from me: detest me!
Wilt thou love her thou canst mistrust!
HOTHER. Ah, Nanna!
NANNA. I have debas’d myself to excusation
(Virtue from that, O Hother, ever shrinketh);
Yet trust’st thou not?—one’s wont to trust the lov’d one!
Thou know’st (I told it thee before) that Gevar,
Thy wise instructor, has declar’d that Heaven
Threatens a bloody, horrible misfortune,
In case our love be nois’d about in Asgaard,
Ere certain stars shall stand in other orbits;
And canst thou wonder when so great an Asa
As Odin’s Balder cometh unexpected,
That I all trembling will conceal—
HOTHER. Ha, trembling!
My curse upon the slave who first invented
A word which ne’er my Nanna’s lips should sully;
Thy excusations kill me! I imagined
It was a chaste, a maidenish reflection,
That made my Nanna blush at our affection:
Unmurmuring I obeyed, and kept in secret.
Why hast thou ta’en from me that sweet delusion?
Why spak’st thou not, and say for whom thou tremblest?
For Balder’s death? Thou lovest then thy half-god.
But no, ye gods! No, I believe thee, Nanna!
It is for mine, for Hother’s death, thou fearest.
Then think’st thou me so weak, so wholly powerless,
And lov’st me still? When e’er lov’d maids the dastard?
NANNA. ’Tis no disgrace to quake before a half-god!
HOTHER. ’Fore Odin’s self mere cowards quake. Now hear me!
I—I, or Balder, die to-day!
NANNA. O Hother!
I came to quarrel, came prepar’d with anger;
But ah, in burning tears it soon has melted.
Thou die, or Balder! he—a half-god!
HOTHER. Nanna!
Thy tears insult me sore, and yet—I know not—
They gladden me—they torture—they enchant me.
I love them—I excuse them—I—I know not—
O tear—sweet, bitter tear, desist from flowing!
Thou showest tenderness—but ah! betrayest
Mistrust and slight respect!—ah, love thy Hother,
But oh! believe, he will deserve thee, Nanna:
Thy heart is far too noble for the coward
Who beareth shield and sword and yet can tremble.
HOTHER. The slave only feareth.
NANNA. The hero can fall!
HOTHER. Ah then his fame cheereth
His bride in her thrall.
NANNA. Ah then his bride weeps!
HOTHER. She’s honour’d.
NANNA. She weepeth!
HOTHER. She’s honour’d.
NANNA. And weepeth.
HOTHER. Ah, then his fame cheereth
His bride in her thrall.
BOTH. Ah then his fame cheereth
His bride in her thrall.
NANNA. Ah, if thou now fallest?
HOTHER. And if I now fall?
NANNA. Then I shall be wasted
By ne’er-ceasing smart.
HOTHER. But were my fame blasted
Then break would thy heart.
NANNA. Oh! what is remaining?
HOTHER. My valour’s proud story.
NANNA. Mere grief and complaining!
HOTHER. My name is thy glory.
NANNA. Oh! if thou now fallest.
HOTHER. And if I now fall,
NANNA. Then I shall be wasted
With grief and complaining!
HOTHER. My name is remaining;
But honour once blasted
We both should lose all.
BOTH. The slave only feareth,
The hero can fall;
But then his fame cheereth
His bride in her thrall.
NANNA (with a terrified look, she seizes HOTHER by the arm, upon perceiving BALDER). Ah! Hother, come.
BALDER, HOTHER, NANNA.
BALDER. Dost fly me, cruel Nanna!
Am I so frightful? how have I offended?
HOTHER (will rush towards BALDER, but NANNA makes every effort to prevent him). Ha, Balder, we have met at last.
NANNA (much agitated). My Hother!
Ah, if thou lovest me—if thou respectest my prayer—
BALDER. Thy Hother? O, ye gods! how bitter!
HOTHER. To thee, perhaps to me ’tis sweet and grateful!
BALDER (with majesty). Presumptuous one!
NANNA (casts herself in her anguish nearly at HOTHER’S feet, who is about to lay hands on BALDER). If thou hast ever lov’d me,
Come with me, Hother! come unto my father!
HOTHER. What! shall I fly?
NANNA. Do thou whate’er thou pleasest!
Thou wouldst not have me perish in the forest,
Thou wouldst not, sure, that I should be a witness—
BALDER. Ha, Nanna! fly not from me!
HOTHER (to BALDER). Thou commandest,
I say she shall fly from thee. (To NANNA) Come, my Nanna!
(To BALDER). But do not thou despair! nor yet imagine
Thou wilt have long to wait, if wait thou darest.
[HOTHER and NANNA exeunt.
BALDER. Ha! wherefore crush’d I not to earth the brawler?
But Nanna loves him—and shall Balder render
Nanna unhappy, cause despair to enter
Her breast, and dim with tears her eyes’ effulgence?
And what is his offence, the noble hero?
He loves—ha, who can gaze upon thy beauties
And love thee not, proud maiden? But he braves me!
Ah! he is young and fortunate, and if I
Had slain him now, ’twas Nanna’s love I punish’d,
And not his insolence; and, O my bosom!
Shall thy pure flame dishonour thee? No, Balder!
Love on and die, but of thyself be worthy!
Ha, let me lose my life and all, Allfather!
And Nanna e’en! Yes, let me lose e’en Nanna!
But not the virtue she herself doth honour!
[He hangs his shield upon a tree, which is opposite to that where Hother’s hangs, and sets his spear up against it.
True bliss, through virtue only known,
By virtue’s self deserv’d alone.
Only for thee doth Balder sigh:
My sad heart would a heaven disdain
Which through dishonour it must gain.
So dear let slaves enjoyment buy!
Yes, Balder, worthy of thyself continue!
Canst thou wish Nanna to abandon Hother?
Wish her whose virtue thy high soul so worships
Should weak and base become for thy advantage?
But—does she love him? has he won her promise?
Who knoweth but she merely has dissembled,
And shown a fictious flame to prove thee, Balder!
Transporting dream!
NANNA, BALDER.
NANNA (rushes in, terrified). Ha! Balder if thou lovest—Ah, if thou—
BALDER (casts himself at NANNA’S feet). Heavens,
Nanna! canst thou doubt it?
I burn, I burn!
[Whilst NANNA in her terror makes every effort to raise him, they come into a familiar attitude, in which HOTHER, who has slain bears, and who is wiping the blood from his spear at the moment he appears, perceives them. He starts, and remains standing among the trees, so that he cannot hear what they say.
NANNA. Oh, rescue then my Hother!
Two savage bears among the bushes yonder
Attack’d him; if thou hast love for virtue,
Assist him quick; if thou delayest a moment,
The noblest heart that ever beat they’ll mangle!
Oh! quick: bethink thee not!
BALDER. No, cruel Nanna!
Fear not! My arm shall rescue him thou lovest!
[Just as he is about to rise HOTHER steps forward.
HOTHER, THE LAST.
HOTHER. Ye heavens! do I dream! Enamour’d half-god!
Excuse me for disturbing thee!
BALDER (as he rises up). There is he!
NANNA (goes tenderly to meet HOTHER). Ah, Hother! Ah, my Hother!
HOTHER (pushes her back with his hand). Go, false woman!
BALDER. Gods, how unthankful art thou—how ferocious!
Can such a bear of Nanna be deserving?
HOTHER (takes his shield down from the tree). Now, pay for all, and end thy prate in Valhall!
NANNA. Savage, thou mean’st not sure—
HOTHER. Beware thee, Nanna!
NANNA. Oh, hear me—
HOTHER. I have seen. Go, hide thee, false one!
NANNA. Thou wilt not sure—
HOTHER. I will! And now, by Hothbrod,
He dieth by my hand!
BALDER. Presumptuous mortal!
HOTHER. Thy shield! thy spear! I hate all vaunt, my half-god.
NANNA (rushes towards BALDER, who taketh his weapons). O Balder! noble Balder!
BALDER. Ah, poor Nanna!
Thou see’st he forces me—that death he beggeth!
HOTHER. Ha! this is all too much. Protect him—hide him!
Cover thy gallant with thy faithless bosom!
I will not slay thee; but my oath is uttered,
That he or I shall fall! And now!
[He turns the point of his spear against himself.
NANNA. Ah, Hother!
What doest thou?
HOTHER. I’ve sworn!
NANNA. Hold, hold, thou savage!
I go—I fly. Oh help, ye gods of heaven!
[She goes away in a kind of distraction, but she remains standing at the entrance of the scene, where she with fearful curiosity looks on and off the combatants. The warriors go in circle with uplifted spears.
HOTHER. Now, valiant Balder, call upon thy father!
BALDER. Shame on thee, Hother! Thou offendest Nanna.
HOTHER. Prat’st still, my hero?
BALDER. Well—thou wilt?
HOTHER. Ha, Hothbrod!
[He casts the spear which he had received from the first VALKYRIER, and had retained in his hand. It striketh BALDER, but falls, without taking any effect, at his feet. BALDER in return casts his spear into his left hand, and tears down a huge piece of the neighbouring rock.
NANNA. Ye gods of Gevar!
BALDER. Nanna!
[He casts his spear behind him out of the scene.
NANNA. Noble being!
HOTHER. Ha! darest thou mock me, thou inflated braggart?
[He takes from the tree the spear which the Valkyrier, ROTA, gave him, and casts it. It strikes so hard against BALDER’S breast, that he nearly sinks upon his knee; but it nevertheless falls to the ground without wounding him.
BALDER. Ha! Surtur, ha! Was that the fell destroyer?
Fly from my fury!
HOTHER. Cool its heat in Valhall!
[He casts the last spear, which he has seized in the meantime, but, like the first, without any apparent effect.
BALDER (as he draws his sword). Now, then, presumptuous?
HOTHER (as he likewise draws). Demon! and no half-god!
Thou blunt’st the spear; but here’s a sword remaining!
Now, Hothbrod!
[He strikes at him with his utmost force, but the sword reboundeth from the helm of BALDER.
BALDER. Odin!
[He strikes HOTHER’S sword from his hand, so that it flies into pieces, seizes him by the arm, and sets his sword against his breast. HOTHER sinks upon his knee beneath the powerful grasp, but raises himself immediately, without BALDER’S attempting to hinder him but he retains him so in his power that he cannot move himself. NANNA rushes in and casts herself down upon her knee before BALDER.
NANNA. Generous, noble Balder!
BALDER. Take up thy bride and live!
HOTHER. My life detest I,
I would not give the smallest hair of Nanna,
For yet a thousand years thy whole godship!
BALDER. Die, then!
[He lifts his sword like one who will strike.
HOTHER. Why dost delay?
NANNA. Ha! here thou savage!
Here, strike into this breast and spare my bridegroom.
[BALDER lets his sword sink.
HOTHER. Still, still, thou lovest me? Oh, Nanna! Nanna!
There see’st thou, fiend, she loveth me!
BALDER. Ah, torment!
Ha! I can end thee! [He lifts his sword again.
NANNA. Let my tears prevent thee!
HOTHER. By heavens! she’s mocking thee! If thou delayest,
She’ll laugh full at thee in the arms of Hother.
NANNA. Believe him not, but virtue—thine own bosom!
BALDER (sheathing his sword). Live, Hother! live!
HOTHER. Ha! have I begged for mercy?
BALDER. No! Live; forget our strife, thou dauntless warrior!
Embrace thy friend, and be, as erst, unshackled!
HOTHER. Ha! cruel, proud, and all too noble en’my!
Thou know’st, thou feelest but too well thy triumph!
Ha! thou hast overcome, hast humbled Hother!
And think’st thou he can live? Heard, heard has heaven
My oath, that I or Balder die!
[He grasps his dagger, and is about to stab himself with it, but BALDER wrests it out of his hand.
BALDER. Bethink thee!
HOTHER. Ye heavens! Hother! ah! how art thou fallen!
NANNA (affectionately). My Hother!
HOTHER. Ah! farewell for ever, Nanna!
[He goes hastily away. NANNA attempts to follow him, but BALDER detains her.
NANNA, BALDER.
NANNA. Woe’s me! he will destroy himself.
BALDER. By Odin!
He shall not! Be composed! believe, I’ve power
To hinder it! Believe thy Balder, Nanna!
NANNA (she takes with fervour his hand and bends herself for some time over it). I do believe thee, noble one, I know thee!
I feel all thy exaltedness. Thy virtues
I hold in reverence. Oh! that all my friendship,
That these hot tears were able to reward thee!
BALDER (casts himself upon his knees before her). Oh glimpse! Oh wave of hope, in which I’m drowning!
NANNA (agitated). What hopest thou?
BALDER. Let not thy lips, oh Nanna
Awaken Balder from his dream of rapture;
Let him enjoy it; let him read his destiny,
His hope, his life, in yonder precious tear-drops.
NANNA. Ah, what avails it ’gainst one’s fate to struggle?
My heart can ne’er of Balder be deserving.
BALDER. Ah, that I but—
NANNA. Excuse me now; thou knowest
I’ve—Ah! a miserable friend to comfort.
[She tears herself away from him, gives a friendly look and goes. He follows her for some time with his eyes.
BALDER. Yet will I hope! Hear, hear ye rocks! that Balder
Ventures to hope!—stern fate is now contented!
Blunted is Surtur’s spear, and Nanna wavers!
Oh virtue! which, when blood rag’d high didst triumph,
How sure, how nobly thou reward’st thy lover!
Ye rocks which so lately gave ear to my groans,
Now hear of my hope and my gladness the tones,
And reply ye proud woods that no longer seem drear;
In vain fate and heaven, oh Balder, have cas’d,
With vigour the bosom thou lovest, and placed
In the hand of the hero the sorcerer’s spear.
Oh virtue! thou still dost thy servant befriend;
Ye echoes the triumph of true love extend,
And virtue’s fair guerdon proclaim far and near.
THOR, BALDER.
THOR. Boldly resounds thy song, thou friend of battle!
So bluster from the hero’s lips the bloody
Hard-gotten vict’ries, and the slain foes’ praises,
Whilst he surveys the lonely field of slaughter,
Thou smilest, pleasure from thine eye is flashing,
Like Odin’s, when he freed the earth from danger
By watering it with blood of savage giants.
BALDER. Ha, friend! press thou thy breast unto this bosom,
And feel what lip but feebly can interpret,
Feel heaven’s rapture in my soul!
THOR. Thou ravest!
BALDER. Ah! Nanna, friend!—
THOR. Ha! now I understand thee.
And well it is, full well, that Odin’s Balder
At length by tears has soften’d Gevar’s daughter!
This triumph—
BALDER. Thou art mocking!
THOR. No, thy vict’ry
Shall to me be as one of my most prais’d ones,
As that I won from Nagaard’s gloomy demon!
Ha! it is great! It takes from me and Odin
The dastard fear which has too long tormented
Our bosoms. I no more thine ear shall weary
With vain advice. Enough! the maiden loveth.
BALDER. She loveth—yes, by Hæl! she loveth Hother.
THOR. Ha! Balder, dost thou mock me? Whom? What Hother?
BALDER. Hast Thor forgotten then the valiant Leir-King?
THOR (in thought). No!—by my hammer, no!—I saw him battle
At Rolf, the Daneman’s festival; I saw him,
Strong in his arm.
BALDER. But yet it lost the falchion.
THOR (yet in thought). Before his spear the copper hauberk yielded
Like softest wax. Shall he—But scarce a mortal
Avails thereto—But then if fate—
BALDER. Banish, oh banish,
These murky thoughts, oh Thor! and share my pleasure.
THOR. Thy pleasure! Do I dream? Loves Nanna, Hother?
BALDER. Ay, doth she!
THOR. That rejoices thee? Thou ravest.
BALDER. Ah hear!—my joy thou wilt thyself approve of.
THOR (after some reflection). Now, noble one, I understand: embrace me—
Thy vict’ry’s worthy thee—and me—and Odin.
On Gevar’s rocks I will myself engrave it.
Oh! not a weak, soft-hearted maid, but Balder,
But thee, my friend—the monster in thy bosom,
Thy love, thy foolish love, thou overcamest.
BALDER. Ah, hush thee, cruel one! I feel I’m blushing.
Know, I had never o’er my heart less power.
I burn, and tremble at the thought of seeing
The flame put out by which I am tormented.
THOR. What do I hear? Ye heavens! can an Asa
Lose virtue thus, and all—well, quaff thy pleasure!
And rave and dote! Thou lov’st and art rejected?
How pleasurably! By my arm, I’m thinking
The Valkyrie has touch’d thy skull already,
Thou ravest so—I see thy fate is hastening.
BALDER. My fate’s first law is love.
THOR. Alas, the second
Is death!
BALDER. And where’s the battle? where’s the slayer?
THOR. The slayer? Hother.
BALDER. Weaponless, despairing,
He wanders ’mong the rocks. We fought.
THOR. He liveth?
BALDER. Ah, Nanna wept.
THOR. Curst tears! the blood of Asa
For ye must pay!
BALDER. And friend, had he the power,
Think’st thou that Hother, that the Skiolding basely
Would murder him to whom his life he oweth?
THOR. Not so would he. But if he must, what can he
’Gainst destiny, if she the death-spear hands him,
And guides herself his arm?
BALDER. Oh, banish, banish
Thy timid care, and hear and share my transport;
Just now, as Hother’s life I spar’d there glitter’d,
Through Nanna’s tears the first, first glimpse of pity;
Sweetly she smil’d, and granting me her friendship,
She press’d my hand with loving warmth.
THOR. Ha! vex not
Mine ear, I pray thee, with thy follies—little
Is Asa Thor with dastard love acquainted;
Yet can I see into her heart. She thanks thee
For Hother’s life: that gives thee joy? Thou dreamest.
BALDER. My life’s the dream thou dost aspire to scatter.
THOR. It is thy death!
BALDER. What death? See fate accomplished!
Behold this spear which late the Leir-King brandish’d!
My knee grew weak: I stagger’d when it struck me;
Yet still I live, and it to earth fell blunted.
THOR (Whilst he surveys the spear). Do not deceive thyself, this spear was harden’d
In flames celestial, not in Nastroud’s blazes.
But death has greeted Odin’s son, and Rota,
She who invites the hero-kings to Valhall,
Is here, where never din of arms resounded.
With terror view’d I battle’s haughty daughter:
Dark stood she on a rock, enveiled in vapour;
And on her shoulder, on her steel-cas’d shoulder,
The bird of death, the mournful owl, sat croaking.
Whom seeks she, far from every bloody Champain?
And Surtur’s branch, how soon is that discover’d,
If fate but wish! And think’st thou Loke slumbers?
Ah, Balder fly! forget a foolish passion!
Fly, ere thy fate, which hasteneth, is accomplish’d.
Follow me straight!
BALDER. What—fly! and give up Nanna!
The hope in which I live is far too noble
For me to fly from it.
THOR. O Balder, hear me!
Hear why I come, and if thou wish’st for rescue,
Then heed a friend’s, a father’s last, last warning!
Wondering at thy infatuation, troubled
By threatening, now no longer dark forebodings,
By panic seiz’d, press’d by unwonted sadness,
I left these hills, and thunder-peals announced me
In Asgaard, every eye my trouble notic’d;
Straightway around me stream’d the eldest Aser,
Each first would know, what grief, or rather terror,
Press’d down my eye. But straight Allfather made me
A sign: he blushes, Balder, at thy weakness!
He bade me keep it, whilst we could, a secret,
And question first once more the ancient Mimer.
I question’d him, and murky fate’s explorer
Thus answer’d: “If the sun (ah, hear and tremble,
And save thee, whilst thou canst!) if it to-morrow,
When by its glories yonder hills are brighten’d,
Which oft have echoed back the half-god’s wailings,
Behold him yet in love and yet rejected,
Then likewise it beholds the spear which slays him,
And Odin’s tears and all the Aser’s sorrow!”
BALDER. Time presses, then. Excuse me, Thor; I hasten
With tears to soften Nanna’s noble bosom,
To move her with my prayer, and, lowly kneeling,
My doom demand, be’t life or death; for quickly
Shall Balder’s fate disclose itself. [He goes.
THOR (whilst he looks after him with compassion). Ah, madman!
Headlong thou hurriest to meet destruction!