BALDER. Thine—as thou callest him—thine Hother liveth.
NANNA (whilst she recognizes BALDER). Ha Balder! thou hast slain him! Ah, forgive me!
My dream confuses me—thou see’st I tremble.
I heard the fall of gods—the gods lamenting;
And bloody by the Hall there stood a spectre:
Big was the ruddy wound whereto it pointed.
Like one deep musing it conceal’d its visage;
But big the tears were through its fingers streaming:
Ah, the pale son of night was tall as Hother!
BALDER. Ha! Hother can’t be dead.
NANNA. I do believe thee;
But ah! I cannot rest—I cannot, Balder,
Till I have seen his face, have spoken to him,
Embrac’d his arm, and press’d it to this bosom.
BALDER (distractedly). Ha, Nanna! this is more—’tis more, by Odin,
Than I can bear!
NANNA (terrified). Ye mighty gods of heaven!
Thou fright’nest me, forlorn one!
[She endeavours to escape, but BALDER detains her by force, and flings himself at her feet.
BALDER. Oh my Nanna!
Stay! by these burning tears I do adjure thee,
By all my sufferings! Stay, oh stay!
NANNA (with disquiet). What wilt thou?
BALDER. I scarcely know! Ah! I have hop’d, dear Nanna!