THE PROLOGUE
Foreground—a frozen crater
At back, a cavern. Overhanging this, at left and back,
snow-crusted cliffs, partly bared by the winds, stand
out against the stars.
On one of these, Odin seated; on his shoulders,
two ravens. Beneath him, in the crater and
cavern, half-discernible, Fenris and his Pack.
ODIN He sleeps, yet restive still; with eyelids squint Through which his eyes, in dreams still shifting, flash Like flame through knot-holes. Yet he sleeps; beside him His wild pack, crouching, share his chain.—A lull: Betwixt moonset and sunrise, one at least, One lull in that insensate harsh defiance, The beast-night-barking of my wolfish son. You stars! Fenris is quiet. Now the dews May fall in silence, now the mountain birds Nest silent by the unawakened morning, The wide dark fold its wings and dream. Now peace, The infinite soliloquy of thought, Descends on Odin.
[A silent pause, during which the first pale signs of dawn appear on the crags. Odin whispers to the ravens on his shoulders and they fly away. He sits motionless and serene.]
THE PACK [Slumbrously.] Ulfr! Ulfr sofnathi!
ODIN [Gazes again on Fenris.] That this dread should breathe! And yon beast born from out my loins—to me, To me, that from this forehead plucked an eye To pawn for Mimi’s knowledge.—Wisdom, truth, Beauty, and law, the tranquil goals of mind, All these had I attained, and I a god; Yet on the lank, alluring hag of Chaos Begat this son, this living fang.
THE PACK [Slumbrously.] Ulfr! Ulfr sofnathi!
ODIN O thou Dumb spirit of the mind! O mystery! Were there a god whom Odin might invoke, To thee would Odin sue for pity.—Ages, A thousand ages, anguish; Anguish, remorse, forgiveness, malediction, Light into darkness, horror into hope, Revolving evermore.—O pain, O pain, Sear not my spirit blind!—Thou, tameless wolf, God of the void eternal retrograde, Prone deity of self, by that thou art— Illimitable passion, joyance mad Of being, hate, brute-cunning, gnawing lust, Fenris, I curse thee.