LOKE. By Hæl! he’s coming!
Waste not the moments in these foolish visions.
HOTHER. What wouldst thou?
LOKE. Stand behind that pine, and kill him!
HOTHER. Ha! dastard slave!
[He strikes LOKE on the head with the spear, and he instantly sinks howling into the earth. He is no sooner out of sight than everything becomes quiet. The sun rises in its full majesty. After HOTHER has for some time looked on all this with astonishment, he says:
Like thee fall every traitor
Who breatheth wickedness in the Skiolding’s bosom!
Ha, Balder! [He goes somewhat aside.
HOTHER. BALDER.
BALDER (without perceiving HOTHER). Gloomy was this night and horrid!
Around about me angry gods consulted.
What seek they? To affright the soul of Balder?
Now all is still.
HOTHER. Now unconcern’d and haughty
Walks the high demigod! Ah, little thinks he
Each breath he draweth is the gift of Hother.
BALDER. Who utter’d Hother’s name? I heard it utter’d,
But all is hushed as death. I know not wherefore
That name affects me more than any other,
And why within mine ear ’tis ever buzzing.
Ah! can I more than pity him, poor mortal!
Who now his life and feebleness bewaileth,
And trembles weaponless at his own shadow.