The thrilling verse that wakes the dead:
Till from out the hollow ground
Slowly breath’d a sullen sound.”
Descent of Odin (Gray).
Suddenly the grave opened, and the prophetess slowly rose, inquiring who he was and why he thus came to trouble her long rest. Odin, not wishing her to know that he was king of the gods, replied that he was Vegtam, Valtam’s son, and that he had awakened her to inquire for whom Hel was spreading her couches and preparing a festive meal. In hollow tones, the prophetess now confirmed all his fears by telling him that the expected guest was Balder, who would shortly be slain by Hodur, his brother, the blind god of darkness.
“Hodur will hither
His glorious brother send;
He of Balder will
The slayer be,
And Odin’s son