[He embraces her for the third time, and is going; but she holds fast his arm.
NANNA. Cruel!
If thou hast ever lov’d me—
HOTHER. Canst thou doubt it?
By Odin, more than the best light! Can Hother’s
Tears not make bare to thee his heart?
NANNA Then wherefore
Wouldst thou fly from me!
HOTHER. Honour calleth—Honour!
And that—forgive me—that is more than Nanna.
Ha! I must fly from thee! Each tear thou sheddest
Enfeebles but my heart, and makes death bitter.
[He is going.
NANNA.. If thou regard’st my vow—regard’st my terror,
Wouldst thou not see me die, and die distracted—
HOTHER. What wilt thou?
NANNA. Ah! a prayer!—oh how I tremble—
But if thou meetest Balder—
HOTHER. I avoid him!