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.