The Death of Balder

by Johannes Ewald

MANY VOICES, which answer one another amongst the rocks.
The mighty Balder is dead.

[It thunders; ODIN and FRIGGA appear upon a cloud in a very mournful attitude. THOR and many of the ASER come forward from one side of the wood, and the three VALKYRIER from the other.

THOR (and his retinue). Odin, thy Balder is dead!

CHORUS. Thunders, burst your cloudy portals!
Heaven, earth, and ocean rave!
Weep ye gods, and mourn ye mortals,
O’er the mighty Balder’s grave!

THOR. Gods of battle stern and gory,
Weep ye o’er the hero slain!
Balder, thou the Aser’s glory!
Love, base love, has prov’d thy bane.

CHORUS. Balder, thou the Aser’s glory,
Love, base love, has prov’d thy bane.

ROTA. I of slaughter swift purveyor,
Sorrow o’er the hero slain!
Balder, thou the Jotun-slayer,
Loke’s falsehood was thy bane.

CHORUS. Balder, thou the Jotun-slayer,
Loke’s falsehood was thy bane.

HOTHER. Hother’s burning tears are flowing
O’er the mighty Balder slain;
Ah, thy heart with virtue glowing,
Noble Balder, was thy bane.

CHORUS. Ah, thy heart with virtue glowing,
Noble Balder, was thy bane.