The Death of Balder

by Johannes Ewald

ALL THREE. Poisonous blazes
Harden a spear
For Valhall’s May.

ROTA. Whom it woundeth
It shall slay.

THE FIRST. Whom it woundeth
It shall slay.

THE SECOND. Whom it woundeth
It shall slay.

ALL THREE. Whom it woundeth
It shall slay.

ROTA (takes the spear from the fire and goes towards the other altar). Enough, enough! Now will we in the caldron
Cool its red point—now backward turns the circle,
And as we turn, the life of him turns backward
Whom the spear smites; as quench’d are Nastroud’s sparkles
Vanish shall the life of him it woundeth.

[She retains the spear in her hand, and all three march round the caldron.

ALL THREE. In juice of rue,
And trefoil too;
In marrow of bear
And blood of Trold,
Be cool’d the spear,
Three times cool’d,
When not from blazes
Which Nastroud raises
For Valhall’s May.

ROTA (she dips it in, and then immediately gives it to the first VALKYRIE, who does the same, and then hands it to the second, likewise dips it in the caldron; meanwhile they sing:)

THE FIRST. Whom it woundeth
It shall slay.