Part 7 (1/2)

NANNA. Savage, thou mean'st not sure--

HOTHER. Beware thee, Nanna!

NANNA. Oh, hear me--

HOTHER. I have seen. Go, hide thee, false one!

NANNA. Thou wilt not sure--

HOTHER. I will! And now, by Hothbrod, He dieth by my hand!

BALDER. Presumptuous mortal!

HOTHER. Thy s.h.i.+eld! thy spear! I hate all vaunt, my half-G.o.d.

NANNA (rushes towards BALDER, who taketh his weapons). O Balder! n.o.ble Balder!

BALDER. Ah, poor Nanna!

Thou see'st he forces me--that death he beggeth!

HOTHER. Ha! this is all too much. Protect him--hide him!

Cover thy gallant with thy faithless bosom!

I will not slay thee; but my oath is uttered, That he or I shall fall! And now!

[He turns the point of his spear against himself.

NANNA. Ah, Hother!

What doest thou?

HOTHER. I've sworn!

NANNA. Hold, hold, thou savage!

I go--I fly. Oh help, ye G.o.ds of heaven!

[She goes away in a kind of distraction, but she remains standing at the entrance of the scene, where she with fearful curiosity looks on and off the combatants. The warriors go in circle with uplifted spears.

HOTHER. Now, valiant Balder, call upon thy father!

BALDER. Shame on thee, Hother! Thou offendest Nanna.

HOTHER. Prat'st still, my hero?

BALDER. Well--thou wilt?

HOTHER. Ha, Hothbrod!

[He casts the spear which he had received from the first VALKYRIER, and had retained in his hand. It striketh BALDER, but falls, without taking any effect, at his feet. BALDER in return casts his spear into his left hand, and tears down a huge piece of the neighbouring rock.

NANNA. Ye G.o.ds of Gevar!