[By a dazzling river of light and thunder-peal, the whole scene is riven. On the peaks at either side appear Loki and Thor. Loki holds in his hand a serpentine whip of many lashes, as of glittering brass; Thor, a white hammer. The Pack cower, moaning; Fenris stands glaring, with head bent backward as in sudden pain.]
ODIN Hail, Loki! Welcome, Thor! in happy time. Are ye not come to crown me Odin the Wise? Shake out the live scorn of thy withering laughter, Loki, over the world: Odin hath been defied! Hammer it, Thor, on the clanged doors of hell, Till their intestine thunders toll our doom— “The wolf shall sit alone, at Valhal’s feast, And eat of Odin’s heart!”
FREYJA Alas! What words
ODIN This is mine heir. Hath it not spoken? This Shall sit one day in Odin’s seat. Mine heir! The heir of all the gods. Behold then, gods, How this, your prince, receives his tutelage.
BALDUR Father, what wilt thou do?
ODIN Tame him, the tameless; The eternal goad against the eternal stone. Yea, though I tame him not till doomsday darken. [To Loki.] Loosen thy scourge.
[Held by his chain, Fenris flees wildly in circles, and seeking to hide himself, finally crouches in terror, centre. He is prevented from entering the cavern by Thor, who stands there.]
FENRIS Anarch! Ai! anarch! Anarch! Ulfr! Ulfr!
BALDUR AND FREYJA Have pity!
ODIN Pity ask Of him; this wolf must reign or I. Strike, Loki! Let thy bright lashes scorch with all their snakes Till the live, brassy serum eats and crawls Into the writhing blood. Begin!