BALDUR From heaven no darkness falls; It is the glamour of his woeful eyes, That spet the night within them.
FREYJA [Half wildly, whispers at Baldur’s ear.] It must cease! The shy bird hath his song within the wood, The shepherd’s call is sweet along the hills, To husband and to lover are the sounds Of gracious voices in the home places,— To him, the ceaseless clanging of his chain.
BALDUR O Freyja, we will minister to him, Until for him the shy bird’s song is sweet, And sweet the shepherd’s call along the hills. Fenris!
[Swinging from the brink of the crater, he lets himself down. As he descends, Fenris springs toward him to the limit of his chain.]
FENRIS Hail, Baldur! hail, brother! Boast thy beauty now; Woo now and wive thee, welcome to Fenris’ woe. All elf-gifts thou asked Odin gave thee, Sunlight, summer, song for solace, Fair face, freedom, Freyja to friend. Me what gave he? Mark!—Mountain-mist, madness, Monstrous made me, marr’d, wolf-masked, Cramped in snow-crater, frost-crusted, chained; Numb, naked, night-winds gnaw me, Blistereth black ice, biteth my bones.
BALDUR Thou shalt be free.
FENRIS Me mocketh, mocketh! Ai!
BALDUR Fenris, my brother, hear me! I bring thee freedom.
FENRIS [Holding out his chain to Baldur.] Liest;—loose me!
BALDUR Hush! I know the secret How thou mayst slip these shackles. I have learned From Odin how he binds thee. Wilt thou hear?