Let Gods, men, brutes, beweep him; plants and stone
So shall I know the lost was dear indeed,
And bend my heart, and give him back to Heaven.”
Balder Dead (Matthew Arnold).
Having received this answer, the ring Draupnir, which Balder sent back to Odin, an embroidered carpet from Nanna for Frigga, and a ring for Fulla, Hermod cheerfully made his way out of Hel’s dark realm, whence he hoped soon to rescue Balder the good, for well he knew all Nature sincerely mourned his departure and would shed unlimited tears to win him back.
The assembled gods crowded anxiously around him as soon as he returned, and when he had delivered his messages and gifts, the Æsir sent out heralds to every part of the world to bid all things animate and inanimate weep for Balder.
“Go quickly forth through all the world, and pray
All living and unliving things to weep
Balder, if haply he may thus be won!”
Balder Dead (Matthew Arnold).