Part 15 (1/2)

HOTHER. Hold, Balder!

BALDER (he releases NANNA, and drawing his sword, hews at HOTHER with his utmost might, who seeks to parry the blow with his spear, retreating at the same time). Fall, presumptuous wretch!

HOTHER. Beware thee!

BALDER. Fall, nidding!

HOTHER. Ha, beware thee!

BALDER. Die!

[He stumbles, and runs the spear into his breast; whereupon he immediately drops his sword and sinks upon one knee.

HOTHER. Ha, Balder!

BALDER. Ha, Nanna!--Thor! I have deserv'd my fortune.

[He dies, and a mighty whirlwind pa.s.ses over the scene.

NANNA. Ye heavens!

HOTHER. He is dead, the mighty Balder!

A VOICE FAR AWAY IN THE FOREST. He is dead, the mighty Balder!

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 att.i.tude. 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 G.o.ds, and mourn ye mortals, O'er the mighty Balder's grave!

THOR. G.o.ds 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.