LOKE. But come, thy misery sours thee;
Know, I can straight assuage it!
HOTHER. And delayest.
LOKE. Know then at once, thou lucky son of Hothbrod,
The spear which sendeth Balder’s soul to Hælheim.
HOTHER. A spear, a spear! ’tis all I—
LOKE. Is discover’d!
I knew, for I had read it in the planets,
Valhalla’s battle-loving maids must seek for
The ne’er seen weapon, and prepare for slaughter
Its deadly point, and I—yes, I—seduc’d them,
The haughty three, to seek the spear.
HOTHER. Seduc’d them?
LOKE. And dost thou think they wish the death of Balder?
HOTHER. Ha, Vanfred! more.
LOKE. At first thou hadst not the right one;
Thy combat, friend, prov’d that. Near then had
Balder crush’d thee and my design. Aghast I saw him
Brandish the Jotun’s bane—I’m well acquainted
With Balder’s strength; but ha! the fool prov’d tender;
He saw thy bride, and spar’d thee. Then up mounted
My courage and thine own.
HOTHER (to himself). I blush: my courage!
(To LOKE). What, courage! I was raging—blind with fury!