Transcript

Balder Dead · Balder Dead

0:00
Balder dead by Matthew Arnold Part one ascending. So on the floor lay Balder
0:07
dead, and round lay thickly strewn towards axes, darts and spears, which
0:11
all the gods in sport had idly thrown at Balder, whom no weapon pierced
0:16
or clove, but in his breast stood fixed the fatal bough of mistletoe,
0:20
which locked the accuser gave to Hoder, and unwitting Hoder through against that alone
0:25
had Balder's life no charm. And all the gods and all the heroes came
0:29
and stood round border on the bloody floor, weeping and wailing, and vou
0:32
Halla rain up to its golden roof with sobs and cries. And on the
0:37
tables stood the untasted meats, and in the horns and gold rimmed skulls the
0:42
wine, and now would night have fallen found them yet wailing. But otherwise
0:46
was Odin's will. And thus the father of the ages spake enough of tears,
0:51
ye gods, enough of whale not to lament him. Was Thouhallah made.
0:55
If any here might weep for Balder's death, I most might weep his
0:58
father, such a son I lose today so bride, so love to God.
1:02
But he has met that doom which long ago the naughnies, when his
1:04
mother bare him spun and fate set seal, And that so his end must
1:08
be. Border has met his death, and ye survive weep him an hour.
1:12
But what can grief availe fee yourselves? Ye gods shall meet your doom?
1:17
Will ye who hear me and inhabit heaven? And I too, odin
1:19
to the Lord of all, but ours we shall not meet when that day
1:23
comes, with women's tears and weak complaining cries, Why should we meet another's
1:27
portion? So rather it fits you, having wept your hour with cold,
1:32
dry eyes, and hearts composed and stern, to live as erst your daily
1:36
life in heaven. By me shall vengeance on the murderer, aloke, the
1:40
foe, the accuser, whom, though gods we hate, be strictly cared
1:44
for in the appointed day. Meanwhile, tomorrow, when the morning dawns,
1:49
bring wood to the seashore to Balder's ship, And on the deck build higher
1:52
funeral pie, and on the top lay Balder's corpse, and put fire to
1:56
the wood, and send him out to sea to burn. That is what
1:59
the dead desire, So spake the King of Gods, and straightway rose and
2:04
mounted his horse slip near whom he rode, And from the Hall of Heaven
2:07
he rode away to Lyd's kalf and sat upon his throne the mount from whence
2:12
his eyes obeyed the world, and far from heaven he turned his shining orbs
2:15
to look on midguard and the earth and men. And on the conjuring lapse
2:21
he met his gaze whom antlered reindeer pull over the snow, and on the
2:24
things the gentlest of mankind, fair men who live in holes under the ground.
2:29
Or did he look once more to Ida's plain, nor toward Valhalla and
2:32
the sorrowing gods. For well he knew the gods would heed his word and
2:36
cease to mourn and think of Balder's pie. But then Valhalla all the gods
2:40
went back from a round border. All the heroes went and left his body
2:44
stretched upon the floor, and on their golden chairs. They sate again beside
2:47
the tables in the Hall of Heaven. Before each the cooks who served them
2:52
placed near messes of the boar Serimna's flesh, and the valkyries crowned their horns
2:57
with mead. So they with pent up hearts and tears, eyes wailing no
3:00
more, and silence ate and drank, while twilight fell and sacred night came
3:05
on. But the blind Hoder left the feasting gods in Odin's hall and went
3:09
through Asgard's streets, and passed the haven where the gods have moored their ships,
3:14
and through the gate beyond the wall. Though sightless, his own mind
3:17
led the god down to the margin of the roaring sea. He came and
3:22
sadly went along the sand between the waves, and black overhanging cliffs were in
3:25
and out the screaming sea fowl fly, until he came to where a gully
3:30
brakes through the cliff wall, and a fresh stream runs down from the high
3:34
moors behind and meets the sea. Therein the glen Fensila stands the house of
3:38
freer Old, mother of the gods, and shows its lighted windows to the
3:43
main. There he went up and passed the open doors, and in the
3:46
hall he found those women hold the prophetesses, who by righty turn on Frea's
3:52
hearth, feed high the sacred fire, but night and day, and by
3:55
the inner wall, upon her golden chair, the mother sate with folded hands,
4:00
revolving things to come to her. Drew Hoder near and spake, and
4:02
said, Mother, a child of Bail, thou bearest in me. For
4:08
first thou bearest me with blinded eyes, sightless and helpless, wandering weak in
4:12
heaven. And after that of ignorant, witless mind, thou bearest me and
4:16
unforeseeing soul, that I alone must take the branch from lok thou foe the
4:20
accuser, whom, though gods we hate, and cast it at the dear
4:24
loved Balder's breast, at whom the gods ensport their weapons through against that alone
4:30
had Balder's life no charm. Now therefore, what to attempt or with a
4:32
fly for who will bear my hateful sight in heaven? Can I, o,
4:36
mother, bring them Balder back? Or for thou know'st the fates and
4:41
things allowed, Can I, with Heller's power a compact strike and make exchange
4:45
and give my life for his? He spoke The Mother of the gods,
4:48
replied Hoder, ill fated child of Bail, my son, sightless in soul.
4:55
And I what words are these that one long portioned with his doom of
4:59
death, shad change his lot and fill another's life, and Hella yield to
5:02
this and let him go on balder death hath laid her hand, not thee
5:08
nor doth she count this life a price for that for many gods in heaven,
5:12
not thou alone would freely die to purchase Balder back and wend themselves to
5:15
Hella's gloomy realm. For not so gladsome is that life in heaven which gods
5:20
and heroes lead and feast and fray, waiting the darkness of the final times,
5:25
that one should grudge its loss for Balder's sake. Balder their joy so
5:29
bright, so loved a god. But fate withstands and laws forbid this way.
5:34
Yet in my secret mind, one way I know, or do I
5:38
judge if it shall win or fail. But much must still be tried,
5:42
which shall but fail. And the blind Hoder answered her and said, what
5:46
way is this, o mother, that thou show'st Is it a matter which
5:48
a god might try and straight? The mother of the god's replied, there
5:54
is a way which leads to Hella's realm, untrodden, lonely, far from
5:58
light and heaven. Who goes that way must take no other horse to ride,
6:01
but slip no Odin's horse alone, Or must he choose that common path
6:06
of God's which every day they come and go in Heaven over the bridge Beufrost,
6:11
whereas Hemdel's watch past Midguard Fortress, down to Earth and men. But
6:15
he must tread a dark, untraveled road which branches from the north of Heaven,
6:18
and ride nine days, nine knights toward the northern ice, through valleys
6:23
deep and gulfed with roaring streams. And he will reach on the tenth Mourner
6:27
Bridge, which spans with golden arches Guile's stream, not Bufrost, but that
6:31
bridge a damsel keeps, who tells the passing troops have dead their way to
6:35
the low shore of ghosts in Heller's realm. She will bid him northward,
6:39
steer his course. Then he will journey through no lighted land, nor see
6:43
the sun arise, nor see it set. But he must ever watch the
6:46
northern bear, who, from her frozen height, with jealous eye, confronts
6:49
the dog and hunter in the south, and is alone not dipped in Ocean's
6:53
stream, and straight he will come down to Ocean's strand, ocean whose watery
6:59
ring and fold the world, and on whose marge the ancient giants dwell.
7:02
But he will reach its unknown northern shore, far far beyond the utmost giant's
7:08
home, at the chinked fields of ice, the waste of snow. And
7:11
he must fare across the dismal ice northward until he meets a stretching wall barring
7:15
his way, and in the wall a great But then he must dismount,
7:19
and on the ice tighten the girths of slipna Oven's horse, and make him
7:24
leap the grate and come within. And he will see stretch round him Healer's
7:28
realm, the plains of Niffleham, where dwell the dead, and hear the
7:30
roaring of the streams of Hell, and he will see the feeble, shadowy
7:34
tribes and Balder sitting crowned, and Hell is throne. Then must he not
7:39
regard the waleful ghosts, who all will flit like eddying leaves around. But
7:44
he must straight acost their solemn queen and pay her homage, and entreat with
7:47
prayers, telling her all that grief they have in heaven for Balder, whom
7:53
she holds by right below. If haply he may melt her heart with words
7:57
and make her yield and give him balder back. She spoke, But Hoder
8:01
answered her and said, Mother, a dreadful way is this? Thou ShoWest
8:05
no journey for a sightless god to go and straight? The Mother of the
8:09
gods replied, therefore thyself, thou shalt not go, my son, but
8:13
he whom first thou meetest, when thou comest to Asgard and declarest, this
8:16
hidden way shall go, and I will be his guide Unseen. She spoken
8:20
on her face, let fall her veil, and bowed her head, and
8:24
sate with folded hands. But up the central hearth those women old, who
8:28
while the Mother spake, had ceased their toil, began again to heap the
8:31
sacred fire. And hod A turned and left his mother's house van Sailor,
8:37
whose lit windows looked to see, and came again down to the roaring waves,
8:41
and back along the beach to Asgard, went pondering on that which Frea
8:43
said should be. But night came down and dark at Asgard streets. Then
8:48
from their loathed feast, the gods arose and lighted torches, and took up
8:52
the corpse of Border from the floor of Odin's hall and laid it on a
8:56
bar and bare him home through the fast darkening street, each to his own
9:00
house, bred oblick on his columns. Balder graved with enchantments that recall the
9:05
dead to life. For wise he was, and many curious arts, postures
9:09
of roots and healing herbs he knew, unhappy, but that art he did
9:13
not know. To keep his own life safe and see the sun there to
9:16
his hall, the gods brought Balder home, and each bespake him as he
9:20
laid him down, that ourselves or border, we were born home to our
9:24
halls with torchlight by our kin, so thou mightstive and still delight the gods.
9:30
They spake, and each went home to his own house. But there
9:33
was one, the first of all the gods. For speed and hermod was
9:35
his name in heaven. Most fleet he was. But now he went,
9:39
the last, heavy and heart for border, to his house, which he
9:41
in Asgard built him there to dwell against the harbor by the city wall.
9:46
Him the blind Hoder met as he came up from the sea. City would
9:50
and knew his step. Nor yet could hermold see his brother's face, for
9:52
it grew dark. But Hoder touched his arm and as a spray of honeysuckle
9:56
flowers brushes across a tired travel face who shuffles through the deep dew moistened dust
10:03
on a may evening in the darkened lanes, and starts him that he thinks
10:05
a ghost went by. So Hoder brushed by Hermod's side and said, take
10:11
sleep, no, Hermod, and set forthwith dawn to Healer's kingdom to ask
10:15
balder back, and they shall be thy guides who have the power. He
10:18
spake, and brushed off by and disappeared. And Hermod gazed into the knight
10:22
and said, who is it? Utters through the dark his hest so quickly,
10:26
and will wait for no reply. The voice was like the unhappy Hoder's
10:30
voice, howbeit I will see and do his hest, for there rang note
10:33
divine in that command. So speaking, the fleet footed Hermod came home and
10:39
laid down to sleep in his own house, and all the gods lay down
10:43
in their own homes. And Hoder too came home, distraught with grief,
10:46
loathing to meet adorn the other gods. And he went in and shut the
10:50
door, and fixed his sword upright, and fell on it and died from
10:54
the hill of vidskialf Odin rose the throne from which his eyes surveyed the world
10:58
and mounted Sleepner, and in darkness rode to Asgard, and the stars came
11:03
out in heaven high over Asgard to light home the king. But fiercely Odin
11:07
galloped, moved in heart and swift to Asgard. To the gate he came,
11:11
and terribly the hoofs of Sleipner rang along the flinty floor of Asgard streets,
11:16
and the gods trembled on their golden beds, hearing the wrathful father coming
11:20
home for dread. For like a whirlwind, Odin came and to Valhalla's gate
11:24
he rode and left Sleepner, and Sleepna went to his own stall, and
11:28
in Valhalla Odin laid him down. But in Bredeblick, Nana, Balder's wife,
11:35
came with the goddesses who wrought her will, and stood by Balder,
11:37
lying on his bier, and at his head and feet she stationed scorks,
11:41
who in their lives were famous for their song. His old corpse intoned a
11:46
plaintive strain, a dirge, and Nana and her train replied, and far
11:50
into the night they wailed their dirge. But when their souls were satisfied with
11:54
while, they went and laid them down, and Una went to an upper
11:56
chamber and lay down, and Frea sealed her lids with sleep. And twas
12:01
when night is bordering hard on dawn, when air is chilliest, and the
12:05
stars sunk low and bald, as spirit through the gloom drew near in garb,
12:09
in form in feature, as he was alive, and still the rays
12:13
were round his head, which were his glorious mark in heaven. He stood
12:16
over against the curtain of the bed and gazed on Nana as she slept,
12:20
and spake, Poor Lamb, thou sleepest, and forget'st thy woe. Tears
12:24
stand upon the lashes of thine eyes. Tears wet the pillow by thy cheek.
12:28
But thou, like a young child, hast cried thyself to sleep.
12:31
Sleep on. I watched THEE and am here to aid alive. I kept
12:35
not far from THEE, dear soul. Neither do I neglect THEE now though
12:39
dead. For with to morrow's dawn the gods prepare to gather wood and build
12:43
a funeral pile upon my ship, and burn my corpse with fire. That
12:46
sad sole honor of the dead, and THEE they think to burn, and
12:50
all my choicest wealth with me, for thus ordains the common right. But
12:54
it shall not be so but mild, but swift but painless. Shall a
12:58
stroke from free come to cut thy thread of life and free thy soul,
13:03
and they shall burn thy corpse with mine not THEE. And will I know
13:07
that by no stroke of death tardi or swift wouldst thou be loath to die.
13:09
So it restored thee Nana to my side, whom thou so well hast
13:13
loved, that I can smear thy way. And this at least my prayers
13:16
availe yes, and I fain would altogether ward death from thy head, and
13:20
with the gods in Heaven, prolong thy life, though not by thee desired,
13:24
but right bars this not only thy desire, yet dreary Nanna is the
13:28
life they lead in that dim world. In Hella's moldering realm, and doleful
13:33
are the ghosts. The troops are dead, whom Hella with austere control presides
13:37
from the race of God's. Is no one there save me alone, and
13:39
Hella, solemn Queen, and all the nobler souls of mortal men on battlefield
13:45
have met their death and now feast in thou halla. In my Father's hall,
13:48
only the inglorious sort there below, the old, the cowards, and
13:52
the weaker. There men spent by sickness or obscure decay. But even there
13:56
o, Nana, we might find some soul lace in each other's look and
14:00
speech, wandering together through that gloomy world, and talking of the life we
14:03
led in Heaven, while we yet lived among the other gods. He spake
14:07
and straight his lineaments began to fade, and Nana, in her sleep,
14:11
stretched out her arms towards him, with a cry that he mournfully shook his
14:15
head and disappeared. And as the woodman sees a little smoke hang in the
14:18
air afield and disappears, a balder faded in the night away, and Nana
14:22
on her back sank back. But then Freer, the Mother of the gods,
14:26
with stroke, painless and swift, set free her airy soul, which
14:30
took on Balder's track the way below, And instantly the sacred morn appeared.
14:35
End of Part one, Part two, Journey to the Dead. For from
14:43
the east up the ascent of heaven day drove his courser with the shining mane,
14:46
and in Valhalla, from his gable perch, the golden crested cock began
14:52
to crow hereafter, in the blackest dead of night, with shrill and dismal
14:56
cries. That bird shall crow, warning the gods that fe draw nigh to
15:00
heaven. But now he crew at dawn a cheerful note to wake the gods
15:05
and heroes to their tasks. And all the gods and all the heroes woke,
15:09
and from their beds the heroes rose and donned their arms, and led
15:11
their horses from the stall and mounted them, and in Valhalla's court were ranged,
15:16
And then the daily fray began. And all day long they there are
15:20
hacked and hun mid dust and groans, and limbs lopped off and blood.
15:24
But all at night returned to Odin's hall, woundless and fresh. Such lot
15:28
as theirs in heaven. And the Valkyries on their steeds, went forth toward
15:31
Earth and fights of men, and at their side scolded the youngest of the
15:35
Nawnies rode and over beafrost, whereas Hemdor's watch, past Midguard fortress, down
15:41
to earth. They came there through some battlefield where men fall fast, their
15:46
horses fetlock deep in blood. They ride and picked the bravest warriors out for
15:50
death, whom they bring back with them at night to heaven, to glad
15:52
the gods and feast in Odin's hall. But the gods went not now as
15:58
otherwhile into the till out where the heroes fought to feast their eyes with looking
16:03
on the fray. Nor did they to their judgment place repaired by the ash
16:06
igdrasil in Ida's plain, where they hold counsel and give laws for men.
16:11
But they went Odin first, the rest behind to the hall glad Haam,
16:15
which spelt of gold, where arn circle ranged twelfth golden chairs, and in
16:18
the midst one higher Odin's throne. There all the gods, in silence sate
16:22
them down, And thus the father of the ages spake. Go quickly,
16:26
gods, bring wood to the seashore, with all which it beseems the dead
16:30
to have, and make a funeral pile on boulders ship. On the twelfth
16:33
day, the gods shall burn his corpse, but hermot take thou slippner,
16:37
and ride down to Hella's kingdom to ask balder back. So said he,
16:41
and the gods arose and took axes and ropes, and at their head came
16:44
Thor shouldering his hammer, which the giants know fourth whend did they and drave
16:48
their steeds before and up the dewy mountain tracks. They fared to the dark
16:52
forests in the early dawn, and up and down and sighed and slammed they
16:56
roamed, and from the glens all day. An echo came of crashing falls
16:59
with his mmathaw smote mid the rocks the lichen bearded pines and burst their roots,
17:03
while to their tops. The gods made fast the woven ropes and haled
17:07
them down, and locked their boughs, and clothed them on the sward,
17:11
and bound the logs behind their steeds to draw and drave them homeward. And
17:14
the snorting steeds when straining through the crackling brushwood down and by the darkling forest
17:18
paths, the gods followed, and on their shoulders carried boughs, And they
17:22
came out upon the plane and passed as guard, and led their horses to
17:26
the beach, and loosed them of their loads on the sea shore, and
17:29
ranged the wood in stacks by Balder's ship, And every god went home to
17:32
his own house. When the gods were to the forest, gone her mod
17:36
led slightner from Valhalla for saddled him. Before that slitner brooked no meaner hand
17:41
than Odin's on his mane, on his broad back, no lesser ride a
17:45
boar, yet dosal. Now he stood at Hermod's side, arching his neck,
17:48
and glad to be bestrode. Knowing the god, they went to seek
17:51
how deer, but Hermod mounted him and sadly fared in silence up the dark,
17:56
untraveled road which branches from the north of Heaven, and went all day,
18:00
and daylight waned, and night came on, and all that night he
18:03
rode and journeyed so nine days, nine nights toward the northern ice, through
18:07
valleys deep engulfed by roaring streams. And on the tenth morn he beheld the
18:11
bridge which spans with golden archers Guile's Stream, and on the bridge a damsel
18:17
watching armed. In the straight passage at the farther end, where the road
18:22
issues between walling rocks, scant space that warder left for passers by. But
18:26
as when cow herds in October drive their kine across a snowy mountain pass to
18:32
win a pasture on the southern side, and on the ridge a wagon jerks
18:34
the way wedged in the snow. Then painfully the hinds, with goad and
18:37
shouting, urged their cattle past, plunging through deep untrodden banks of snow,
18:42
to right and left. The warm stream fills the air. So on the
18:45
bridge the dams or blocked the way and questioned hermod as he came, and
18:48
said, who art thou on thy black and fiery horse, under whose hoofs
18:55
the bridge o'er gal's stream rumbles and shakes, tell me thy race and home.
19:00
But yes to morn. Five troops of dead passed by, bound on
19:03
their way below to Hella's realm. Nor shook the bridge so much as thou
19:07
alone, and thou hast flesh and color on thy cheeks, like men who
19:10
live and draw the vital air. Nor look'st thou pal and wand like men
19:14
deceased souls bound below. My daily passes here, and the fleet foot at
19:18
Hermod answered her, Oh damsel, hermod Am, I called the son of
19:22
Odin, and my hiroft house is built far hence in asgard in the city
19:26
of Gods, and sleipner Odin's horses. As I ride and I come sent
19:30
this road on Balder's track. Say then, if he hath crossed thy bridge,
19:33
or no he spake the water of the bridge, replied o Hermod,
19:38
Rarely do the feet of gods or of the horses of the gods resound upon
19:42
thy bridge. And when they cross, I know Balder hath gone this way
19:45
and taken the road below there to the north toward Heller's realm. From here
19:49
the cold white mist can be discerned nor lit with sun, but through the
19:53
darksome air by the dim vapor blotted's light of stars, which hangs over the
19:59
ice where lie the road. For in that ice I lost these northern streams,
20:03
freezing and riching in their onward flow, which from the fountain of Valgelma
20:07
run that spring that bubbles up by Hella's throne. There are the joyless seats,
20:12
the haunt of ghosts. Heller'sbal swarms, and there was bald abound right
20:17
on pass free. But he by this is there. She spake and stepped
20:21
aside, and left him room, and her Mood greeted her and galloped by
20:23
across the bridge. Then she took post again, but northward. Hermod rode
20:27
the way below, and o'er a darksome tract which knows no sun, and
20:30
by the blotted light of stars he fared, and he came down to ocean's
20:34
northern strand, at the drear ice beyond the Giant's home. Thence on he
20:40
journeyed o'er the fields of ice, still north, until he met a stretching
20:44
wall barring his way, and in the wall a grate. Then he dismounted
20:47
andrew tight the girths on the smooth ice of sleepner Odin's horse and made him
20:51
leap the grate and came with him, and he beheld spread round him Heeler's
20:55
realm, the plains of nifflhim where dwell the dead, and heard the thunder
20:59
of the streets of hell. For near the wall the river of Roaring flows
21:03
outmost the others. Near the center run the storm. The abyss, the
21:07
howling, and the paane is flow by Heller's throne and near their spring.
21:11
And from the dark flocked up the shadowy tribes. And as the swallows crowd
21:15
the bulrush beds of some clear river issuing from a lake on autumn days before
21:19
they crossed the sea, and to which bulrush crest, a swallow hangs swinging
21:23
another's skimmed the river streams, and there quick twittering fills the banks and shores.
21:29
So around hermod swarmed the twittering ghosts, women and infants, and young
21:33
men who died too soon for fame with white ungraven shields, and old men
21:38
known to glory. But their star betrayed them, and of wasting age they
21:42
died, not wounds. Yet dying they their armor wore, and now have
21:47
chief regarden. Heller's realm behind flocked wrangling up a piteous crew, greeted of
21:52
none disfeatured and forlorn cowards who were in sloughs, and turred alive. And
21:56
round them still the wattled hurdles hung, wherewith they stamped them down and trod
22:00
them deep, to hide their shameful memory from men. But all he passed
22:04
unhaled, and reached the throne of HeLa, and soar near it balder crowned,
22:08
and Hella sat thereon with countenance stern, and thus bespake him first,
22:12
the solemn queen unhappy, How hast thou endured to leave the light and journey
22:18
to the cheerless land, were idly flit about the feeble shades. How didst
22:22
thou cross the bridge over gale's stream, being alive, and come to ocean's
22:26
shore, Or how overleap the grate that bars the wall? She spake,
22:30
But down off slipner hermod sprang and fell before her feet and clasped her knees,
22:34
and spake, and mild entreated her and said, oh, Hella,
22:37
wherefore should the gods declare their errands to each other? All the ways they
22:41
go the errand, and the way is known. Thou know'st, Thou know'st
22:45
what grief we have in heaven? For Balder, whom thou hold'st by right
22:48
below, Restore him for what part fulfills he Here shall he shed cheer over
22:53
the cheerless seats, and touch the apathetic ghosts with joy? Not for such
22:57
end o, Queen, thou holdst them, For heaven was balderborn, the
23:02
city of gods and heroes, where they live in light and joy. Thither
23:04
restore him, for his place is there. He spoke, and Grave replied
23:10
the solemn queen hermod. For he thou art thou son of Heaven, a
23:14
strange, unlikely errand shure as thine do the God send to me to make
23:18
them blessed? Small bliss my race hath of the gods obtained three mighty children
23:22
to my father. Lok did Angerbode the giant has spring forth Fenris the wolf,
23:27
the serpent huge, and me of these the serpent in the sea,
23:32
Ye caste who sins in your despite hath waxed domain, and now with gleaming
23:36
ring unfolds the world. Me on this jeerless nether world ye through and gave
23:40
me nine unlighted realms to rule. While on his island in the lake are
23:44
far made fast to the board. Craig, by wile not strength, subdued
23:48
with limber chains, lives. Fenris, bound block still subsists in heaven our
23:52
father, Wise, your mate, though loathed and feasts in Odin's hall.
23:56
But him too foes await and netted snares, and in a cave a bed
23:59
of news little rocks, and over his visage serpents dropping gaul. Yet he
24:03
shall one day rise and burst his bonds, and with himself set us his
24:07
offspring free. When he guides must bells children to their born till then,
24:11
in peril or in pain, we live, wrought by the gods, and
24:15
ask the gods our aid. Albeit we abide our day till then we do
24:19
not, as some feebler haters do, seek to afflict our foes with petty
24:23
pangs, helpless to better us or ruin them. Come, then, if
24:27
Balder was so dear beloved, and this is true, and such a loss
24:30
as heavens here, how to heaven, may Bolder be restored? Show me
24:34
through all the world the signs of grief fails, but one thing to grieve
24:38
Here Balder stops. Let all that lives and moves upon the earth weep him,
24:42
and all that is without life weep. Let God's men brutes beweep him,
24:47
plants and stones. So shall I know the lost was dear indeed,
24:51
and bend my heart and give him back to heaven. She spake, and
24:53
hermod answered her and said, Hella, such as thou sayest the terms shall
24:57
be, But come, declare me this truly tell, May I ere I
25:00
depart bit Bolder hail? Or is it here withheld to greet the dead?
25:06
He spake, and straightway, Hella answered him, her mood, great border,
25:08
if thou wilt and hold converse his speech remains, though he be dead,
25:12
And straight to border. Her mood turned and spake, and even in
25:15
the abode of death, her balder, hail thou, hearest of hearing,
25:18
like his speech is thine the terms of thy releasement, hence to heaven.
25:22
Fear nothing but that all shall be fulfilled. For not unmindful of thee are
25:26
the gods who see the light and blessed in asgard dwell even here they seek
25:30
thee out in Heller's realm. And sure of all the happiest far art thou,
25:33
whoever have been known earth or heaven, alive thoust of God's the most
25:37
beloved, And now thou sittest, crowned by Hella's side here, and hast
25:41
honor among all the dead. He spake, and border uttered him reply,
25:44
but feebly as a voice far off. He said her mod the nimble gild
25:48
me not my death, better deliver, sirf a captured man who scatters rushes
25:52
in a master's hall, than be a crowned king here and ruled the dead.
25:56
And now I count not of these terms as safe to be fulfilled,
26:00
nor my return as sure, though I beloved, and many mourn my death,
26:04
for double mind it ever was the seed of lok, and double other
26:07
gifts they give. Howbeit, report thy message and therewith to odin to my
26:11
father, take this ring memorial of me, whether saved or no, and
26:15
tell the heaven born gods how thou hast seen me sitting here below by Hella's
26:18
side. Crowned, having honor among all the dead, he spake and raised
26:22
his hand and gave the ring, and with inscrutable regard, the Queen of
26:26
Hell beheld them, and the ghosts stood dumb. Hermod took the ring,
26:30
and yet once more kneeled and did homage to the solemn Queen, and mounted
26:33
sleipner and set forth to ride back through the astonished tribes of dead to Heaven.
26:38
To the wall he came, and found the grate lifted and issued on
26:41
the fields of ice, and over the ice he fared to ocean strand,
26:45
and up from thence a wet and misty road to the armed Damsel's Bridge and
26:48
Guile's Stream. Was was that way to go than to return for him,
26:52
for others all return his barred. Nine days he took to go too,
26:56
to return, And on the twelfth morn saw the light of heaven, and
26:59
as traveler in the early dawn to the steep edge of some great valley comes
27:03
through which a river flows and seas beneath. Clouds of white rolling vapors filled
27:07
the vale. But over them, on the further slope descries vineyards and crops
27:11
and pastures bright with sun. So Hermod, over the fog between, saw
27:15
heaven and slightness, snorted, for he smelt the air of heaven, and
27:18
mightily as winged he flew. When Hermod saw the towers of Asgard rise,
27:22
and he drew near, and heard no living voice in Asgard, and the
27:26
golden halls were done. Then Hermod knew what labor held the gods, And
27:30
through the empty streets he rode and passed under the gatehouse to the sands,
27:34
and found the gods on the sea shore by Balder's ship. End of Part
27:40
two, Part three, the Funeral. The gods held talk together, grouped
27:45
in knots round Balder's corpse, which they had thither borne, And Hermod came
27:49
down towards them from the gate, and Lock, the father of the Serpent,
27:53
first beheld him come, and to his neighbours spake, see here is
27:57
Hermod, who comes single back from hell. And shall I tell thee how
28:00
he seems like as a farmer who hath lost his dog some morn at market
28:06
in the crowded town, through many streets, the pool beast runs in vain
28:08
and follows this man after that for hours and late at evenings, spent in
28:12
panting, falls before a stranger's thoushold not his home, with flanks a tremble,
28:17
and his slender tongue hangs quivering out between his dust smeared jaws, and
28:21
piteously he eyes the farmers by. But home His master comes to his own
28:25
farm far in the country, wondering where he is. So hermod comes to
28:29
day unfollowed home and straight. His neighbor, moved with wrath, replied,
28:33
deceive a fair in form, but false in heart, enemy mocker, whom,
28:36
though gods we hate, peace. Lest our father Odin hear thy gibe,
28:40
would I might see him snatch thee in his hand and bind thy carcass
28:44
like a bar with cords, and hurl thee in a lake to sink or
28:47
swim, if clear from plotting Boarder's death, to swim, but deep,
28:51
if thou devisest did to drown and perish against fate before thy day, So
28:56
they too soft to one another's spake. That Odin looked toward the land and
28:59
saw his messenger, and he stood forth and cried, and her mod came
29:02
and left from slipner down, and in his father's hand put Slightnes's reign and
29:06
greeted Odin and the gods, and said, Odin, my father, and
29:10
ye gods of Heaven, low home. Having performed your will, I come
29:14
into the joyless kingdom. Have I been below and looked upon the shadowy tribes
29:17
of ghosts and commune with their solemn queen. And to your prayer, she
29:21
sends you this reply. Show her through all the world the signs of grief.
29:26
There's but one thing to grieve. There balder stops. Let God's men
29:29
brutes beweep him, plants and stone, so shall she know your loss was
29:33
dear indeed, and bent her heart and give you balder back. He spoke,
29:37
and all the gods to Odin looked, and straight to the father of
29:40
the ages, said, ye, gods, these terms may keep another day.
29:42
But now put on your arms and mount your steeds, and in procession
29:47
all come near and weep balder, for that is what the dead desire.
29:49
We Ye enough have wept, Then build a pile of the heaped wood and
29:52
burn his corpse with fire out of our sight, that we may turn from
29:56
grief and lead as erst our daily life in heaven. He spoke, and
30:00
the gods armed, and Odin donned his dazzling corselet and his helm of gold,
30:03
and led the way on Sleipner. And the rest followed in tears,
30:07
their father and their king, and thrice in arms around the dead. They
30:10
rode weeping. The sands were wetted, and their arms with their thick falling
30:14
tears. So good a friend they mourned that day, so bright, so
30:17
loved a god. And Odin came and laid his kingly hands on Balder's breast,
30:19
and thus begun the whale farewell or bolder bright and loved my son in
30:25
that great day, the twilight of the gods, when Mussbell's children shall beleague
30:29
heaven, then we shall miss thy counsel and thy arm. Thou camest near
30:33
the next o warrior thor shouldering thy hammer in thy chariot drawn swaying the long
30:37
haired goats with silver rain, and over Balder's corpse. These words did say,
30:41
brother, Thou dwellest in the darksome land, and talkest with the feeble
30:45
tribes of ghosts now. And I know not how they prize thee there.
30:48
But here I know thou wilt be missed and warned, For haughty spirits and
30:52
high wraths are rife among the gods and heroes here in heaven, as among
30:56
those whose joy and work is war. And daily strifes arise and angry words.
31:02
But from thy lips, o Balder night or day, heard no one
31:03
ever an injurious word to God or hero. But thou keptest back the others
31:08
laboring to compose their brawls. Be Ye, then, kindest Balder too was
31:11
kind, for we lose him who smoothed looks strife. In heaven he spake,
31:17
and all the gods are scenting wild and Frayer next came nigh, with
31:19
golden tears, the loveliest god as she in heaven by all most honored after
31:23
Freyer Odin's wife. How long ago the wandering Odour took to mate, but
31:29
left her to rome distant lands. Since then she seeks him and weeps tears
31:33
of gold. Names hath she many vanadas on earth? They call it.
31:36
Frayer is her name in heaven. She in her hands took Balder's head and
31:40
spake Border, my brother, Thou art gone a roade unknown and long and
31:45
haply on that way, my long lost wandering Odor, thou hast met.
31:48
For in the paths of heaven he is not found. Oh, if it
31:52
be, so, tell him what thou wast to his neglected wife, and
31:55
what he is, and wring his heart with shame to hear thy word.
32:00
For he my husband left me here to pine, not long a wife,
32:02
when his unquiet heart first drove him from the interdistant lands. Since then I
32:07
vainly seek him through the world, and weep from short ashore my golden tears.
32:12
But neither God nor mortal heeds my pain. Thou only Balder wast for
32:15
ever kind to take my hand and wipe my tears, and say, weep
32:19
not no freyer, weep no golden tears. One day the wandering Odour will
32:22
return, or thou wilt find him in thy faithful search, on some great
32:27
road, or resting in an inn, or at a ford, or sleeping
32:30
by a tree. So Balder said, But Odour, will I know,
32:32
my truant Odoor, I shall see no more to the world's end. And
32:36
Bolder now is gone, and I am left uncomforted in heaven, she spoke,
32:39
and all the goddess is bewailed. Last, from among the heroes,
32:43
one came near no god, but of the hero trip the chief Regna,
32:46
who swept the northern sea with fleets and ruled over Denmark and the healthy isles
32:52
living. But Ellac captured him and slew a king whose fame then filled the
32:55
vast of heaven. Now time obscures it and men's later deeds. He last
33:00
approached the corpse and spake and said, border, there yet are many schools
33:05
in heaven still left, And that chief schooled thy brother Rage, whom we
33:08
may bid to sing, though thou art gone, And all these gladly while
33:12
we drink, we hear after the feast is done in Odin's hall. But
33:15
they harp ever on one string, and wake remembrance in our soul of wars
33:20
alone, such as on earth we valiantly have waged, and blood and ringing
33:23
blows and violent death. But when thou sangest border, thou didst strike another
33:29
note, And like a bird in spring, thy voice of joyants minded us
33:31
and youth, and wife and children, and our ancient home. Yes,
33:36
and I too remembered. Then no more my dungeon, where the serpents stained
33:38
me dead, nor Ella's victory on the English coast. But I heard thora
33:43
laugh in Gothland Isle, and saw my shepherdess Aslauga, tend her flock along
33:46
the white Norwegian beach. Tears started to mine eyes with yearning joy. Therefore,
33:52
with grateful heart I mourn thee dead. So Redna spake, and all
33:55
the heroes groaned. But now the sun had passed the high of Heaven.
34:00
Soon had all that day been spent in whale. But then the father of
34:02
the ages said, you, gods, their will may be too much of
34:07
whale. Bring now the gathered wood to Boulders ship. Keep on the deck
34:09
the logs, and build the pile. But when the gods and heroes heard,
34:14
they brought the wood to boulder Ship and built a pile full the deck's
34:16
breadth and lofty. Then the corpse of Bolder on the highest top they laid,
34:21
with Nana on his right and on his left Hoder, his brother,
34:22
whom his own hand slew. And they set jars of wine and oil to
34:27
lean against the bodies, and stuck torches near splinters of pine wood soaked with
34:30
turpentine and brought his arms in gold and all his stuff, and slewed the
34:35
dogs, who at his table fed, and his horse boulders horse in most
34:37
he loved, and placed them on the pile, and Odin threw a last
34:40
choice gift thereon his golden ring. The mast. They fixed and hoisted up
34:45
the sails. Then they put fire to the wooden Thrce at his stout,
34:49
shoulder hard against the stern to push the ship through the thick sand. Sparks
34:52
flew from the deep trench. Sheep plowed so strong a god furrowed it,
34:57
and the water gurgled him. And the ship floated on the waves and rocked.
35:00
But in the hills of strong east wind arose and came down moaning to
35:05
the sea. First squalls ran black over the sea's face. Then steady rushed
35:09
the breeze and filled the sails, and blew the fire and wreathed in smoke.
35:13
The ship stood out to sea. Soon with a roaring rose the mighty
35:16
fire, and the pile crackled, and between the logs, sharp quivering tongues
35:21
of flame shot out and leapt, curling and darting higher, until they licked
35:24
the summit of the pile. The dead the mast and ate the shriveling sails.
35:29
But still the ship drove on a blaze above her hull with fire,
35:31
and the gods stood upon the beach and gazed. And while they gazed,
35:35
the sun went lurid down into the smoke wrapped sea, and night came on.
35:39
Then the wind fell with night, and there was calm. But through
35:42
the dark they watched the burning ship still carried over the distant waters on farther
35:46
and farther, like an eye of fire, And long in the far dark
35:51
blazed board as pile, but fainter. As the stars rose high, it
35:54
flared, the bodies were consumed. Ash choked the pile, and as in
35:59
a decaying to fire, a charred log of falling makes a shower of sparks.
36:02
So with the shriff sparks, the pile fell in, reddening the sea
36:06
around, and all was dark. The gods went by starlight up the shore
36:10
to Asgard and sate down in Odin's hall at table, and the funeral feast
36:15
began all night. They ate the boar serimnus flesh, and from their horns
36:19
with silma rimmed, drank mead silent, and waited for the sacred warn and
36:22
mourning over all the world was spread. Then from their loathed feast, the
36:27
gods arose and took their horses and set forth to ride over the bridge bear
36:30
frost, whereas Hemdel's watch to the ash Igdrasil and Ida's plain for came on
36:36
foot the rest on horseback road. They found Mimer sitting by his fountain Wisdom,
36:40
which beneath the ash tree springs, and saw the nawnies watering the roots
36:45
of that world shadowing tree with honeyjew There came the gods and sate them down
36:49
on stones. And thus the father of the ages said, ye gods,
36:52
the terms ye know which hermod brought, except them, all reject them,
36:57
both hard grounds except them, and they bind us unfulfilled, to leave forever
37:00
border in the grave and unrecovered prisoner shade with shades. But how ye say,
37:06
should the fulfillment fail? Smooth sound the terms and lighted to be fulfilled,
37:10
For dear beloved was border while he lived in heaven and earth, And
37:15
who would grudge in tears? But from the traitorous seed of lok they come
37:19
these terms. And I suspect some hidden fraud, ye think, ye gods
37:22
is there no other way. Speak, were not this away the way for
37:27
gods? If I if Odin clad in radiant arms, mounted on sleepner,
37:30
with the warrior Thor drawn in his car beside me and my sons, all
37:35
the strong brood of Heaven to swell my train, should make eruption into Heller's
37:39
realm, and set the fields of gloom ablaze with light, and bring in
37:43
triumph border back to heaven. He spake, and his fierce sons applauded loud.
37:47
But freer mother of the gods arose, daughter and wife of Odin.
37:52
Thus she said, Odin, thou whirlwind, What a threat is this?
37:54
Thou threatenest what transcends thy might even thine? For of all ours the mightiest
38:00
far art thou lord over men on earth and gods in heaven. Yet even
38:04
from Thee thyself hath been withheld one thing to undo what thou thyself hast ruled.
38:09
For all which hath been fixed was fixed by Thee in the beginning ere
38:14
the gods were born, before the heavens were builded, Thou didst slay the
38:16
giant emere in the abys brought forth Thou and thy brethren fierce the sons of
38:21
boar, and cast his trunk to choke the abysmal void. But of his
38:24
flesh and members, thou didst build the earth and ocean, and above them
38:28
heaven. And from the flaming world where must pile rains, Thou senst and
38:31
fetchestest fire and madest lights, sun, moon, and stars, which thou
38:36
hast hung in heaven, dividing clear the paths of night and day. And
38:39
as guard thou didst build, and midguard fought in me. Thou matest and
38:44
of us the gods were born last. Walking by the sea, thou foundest
38:47
spars of wood and framest men, until the earth or on the sea the
38:52
field of pirates sail, and all the race of emre thou didstrown, save
38:55
one bilgelmer. He on shipboard fled thy deluge, and from him the giant
39:00
sprang. But all that brood thou hast removed far off and set by ocean's
39:04
utmost march to dwell. But hella into Niffilum. Thou thrust and gavest her
39:08
nine unlighted worlds to rule a queen an empire. Over all the dead that
39:14
empire wilt Thou now invade light up her darkness from her grasp a subject tear
39:19
try it, But I, for one, will not applaud, nor do
39:22
I merit odin that thou shouldest slight me and my words, though thou be
39:25
first in heaven, For I too am a godess, s born of thee
39:29
thine eldest and of Nei. The gods are sprung, and all that is
39:31
to come I know, but lock in mine own breast and have to none
39:35
revealed. Come then, since Hella holds by right her prey, but offers
39:38
terms for his release to Heaven, except the chance thou canst no more obtain,
39:43
send through the world. Thy messengers entreat all living and unliving things to
39:46
weep for balder. If thou haply, thou mayst melt Hella and win the
39:51
loved one back to heaven. She spake and on her face let fall her
39:54
veil, and bowed her head and sate with folded hands. Nor did the
39:59
all ruling odor and slight her word straightway his spake and thus addressed the gods,
40:04
go quickly forth through all the world and pray or living and unliving things
40:07
to weep balder haply, he may thus be won. When the gods heard,
40:12
they straight arose and took their horses and rode forth through all the world
40:15
north south east west. They struck and roam the world, and treating all
40:19
things to weep, bald as death, and all that lived, and all
40:22
without life wept as in winter when the frost breaks up at winter's end,
40:25
before the spring begins, and a warm west wind blows and thaw sets in.
40:30
After an hour, a dripping sound is heard in all the forests,
40:34
and the soft strewn snow under the trees is dibbled, thick with holes,
40:37
and from the boughs the snow loads shuffle down, and in fields sloping to
40:42
the south, dark plots of grass peep out, admit surrounding snow and widen.
40:45
The peasant's heart is glad. So through the world was heard a dripping
40:49
noise of all things weeping to bring balder back. And there fell joy upon
40:52
the gods to hear. But Hermod rode with Niord, whom he took to
40:55
show him spits and beaches of the sea far off, where someone warned by
41:00
file to weep, Nured, the god of storms, whom fishes know not
41:02
born in heaven, he was in van Heim reared with men, but lives
41:07
a hostage with the gods. He knows each frith, and every rocky creek,
41:10
fringed with dark pines and sands where seafowl scream. They two scored every
41:15
coast, and all things wept, And they rode home together through the wood
41:17
of Jarnvid, which to east of Midguard lies bordering the giants, where the
41:22
trees are iron. They're in the wood before a cave they came, where
41:24
sat in the cave's mouth a skinny hag, toothless and old. She gibes
41:29
the passers by thock, as she called, but now lock wore her shape.
41:32
She greeted them the first and laughed and said, ye, Gods,
41:36
good lack. Is it so dull in heaven that ye come pleasuring too?
41:38
Thox's iron wood lovers have changed, Yeah, fastidiest sprites. Look as in
41:44
some boy's yard. A sweet breathed cow whose major is stuffed full of good
41:47
fresh hay, snuffs at it daintly and stoops her head to chew the straw
41:51
her litter at her feet. So ye grow squeamish gods and sniff at heaven.
41:55
She spake hermod answered her and said thock the vibes. We come,
42:00
we come for tears. Balder is dead, and Hella holds her prey,
42:02
but will restore if all things get him tears begrudge, not died to all
42:07
was Balder deer. Then with a louder laugh, the hag replied, is
42:10
Balder dad, And do ye come for tears? Though with dry eyes will
42:14
weep over Balder's pire? Weep him all other things if they will, I
42:17
weep him. Not let Hella keep her prey. She spake to the cavern's
42:22
depth. She fled mocking, and hermod knew their toil was vain. And
42:24
as seafaring men who long have wrought in the great deep for gain, at
42:28
last come home, and towards evening see the headlands rise of their dear country,
42:31
and complain, descry a fire of withered furs which boys have flt upon
42:36
the cliffs, or smoke of burning weeds out of a tilled field in land.
42:39
Then the wind catches them and drives out again to sea, and they
42:43
go long days tossing up and down over the gray sea riches. And the
42:45
glimpse of port they had makes better a far their toil. So the God's
42:50
cross was better for their joy and sad at heart to nield Hermod's spake.
42:54
It is the accuser Locke, who flouts us all right back and tell in
42:58
Heaven this heavy news I must again below to Heller's realm. He spoke,
43:01
and n Ord set forth back to heaven. But northward Hermod rode the way
43:06
below the way he knew, and traversed Giles's stream, and down to ocean,
43:09
groped and crossed the ice, and came beneath the wall, and found
43:13
the grate still lifted. There was his return for noon, and once more
43:16
Hermod saw around him spread the joyless plains, and heard the streams of hell.
43:22
But as he entered on the extremest bound of Nifflheim, he saw one
43:24
ghost come near, hovering and stopping oft as if afraid, Hoder, the
43:29
unhappy, whom his own hand slew. And Hermod looked and knew his brother's
43:32
ghost, and caught him by his name, and sternly said, Hoder,
43:36
ill fated, blind in heart and eyes, Why tarreest thou to plunge thee
43:39
in the gulf of the deep inner gloom that flittest here in twilight on the
43:44
lonely verge of hell, far from the other ghosts and Heller's throne. Doubtless
43:49
thou fearest to meet Balder's voice, thy brother, whom through folly thou didst
43:52
slay. He spoke, but Hoder answered him and said, Hermod, the
43:57
nimble, dost thou still pursue the unhappy with the approach even in the grave.
44:01
This I died and fled beneath the gloom, not daily to endure abhorring
44:06
gods, and with a hateful presence come to heaven. And canst thou not
44:08
even here pass pitting by no less than border have I lost the light of
44:13
heaven and communion with my kin. I too had once a wife and once
44:16
a child, and substance in a golden house in heaven. But all I
44:20
left of my own act and fled below. And dost thou hate me even
44:22
here? Order upbraids me not, nor hates it all though he has cause,
44:28
have any cause. But he when that with downcast books, I hear
44:30
the cane stretched forth his hand, and with benignant voice, welcome, he
44:34
said, if there be welcome here, brother and fellow sport of lok with
44:37
me, and not to offend thee. Hermod and or to force my hated
44:42
converse on thee came I up from the deep gloom, where I will now
44:45
return. But earnestly I longed to have near, not too far off,
44:49
when that thou camest by, to feel the presence of a brother God,
44:52
and hear the passage of a horse of heaven for the last time. For
44:54
here thou comest no more. He spake and turned to go to the inner
45:00
bloom. But Hermod stayed him with mild words, and said, thou doest
45:02
well to chide me Hoder blind. Truly, thou sayest the planning guilty mind
45:07
was Luke's. The unwitting hand alone was thine. But gods are like the
45:10
sons of men in this, when they have woe, they blame the nearest
45:14
cause. Howbeit, stay and be appeased, and tell sits border still in
45:17
pomp by Hella's side, or as he mingled with the unnumbered dead, and
45:22
the blind Herder answered him and spake his place of state remains by Hella's side,
45:25
but empty for his wife, for Nana came lately below and joined him,
45:30
and the pair frequent the still recesses of the realm of Hella, and
45:32
hold converse undisturbed, but though too doubtless will have breathed the balm which floats
45:37
before a visitant from heaven, and have drawn upward to this verge of hell.
45:42
He spake, and as he ceased, a puff of wind rolled heavily.
45:45
The leaden missed aside round where they stood, and they beheld two forms
45:49
make toward them over the stretching cloudy plain, and hermod straight perceived them who
45:53
they were, Border and Nanna, and to border said border too. Truly.
45:58
Thou foresawest to snare, block triumph still, and Hella keeps her prey.
46:01
No more to asgard. Shalt thou come, nor lodge in thy own
46:05
house bread oblick, nor enjoy the love will bear toward thee, nor train
46:08
up foreset thy son to be beloved like thee. Here must thou lie and
46:12
wait an endless age. Therefore, for the last time, O Balder,
46:15
Hail, He spoke, and Balder answered him and said, hail and farewell,
46:20
for here thou comest no more yet more, not for me hermod when
46:22
thou sittest in heaven, Nor let the other gods lament as wholly to be
46:27
pitied, quite forlorn, for Nana hath rejoined me, who were old in
46:30
heaven, was seldom parted from my side. And still the acceptance follows me,
46:34
which crowned my former life, and cheers me. Even here. The
46:37
iron frown of Hello is relaxed when I draw nigh, and the one tribes
46:40
of dead love me and gladly bring for my award their ineffectual feuds and feeble
46:45
hates shadows of hates. But they distressed them still, and the fleet footed
46:50
hermod made reply. Thou hast then all the solace death allows, esteem and
46:54
function, and so far as well. Yet here thou liest border underground,
46:59
rusting forever, and the years roll on, the generations pass, the ages
47:01
grow and bring us nearer to the final day, when from the south shall
47:06
march the fiery Band and cross the bridge of Heaven with Lok for guide,
47:08
and Fenris at his heel with broken chain. While from the east the giant
47:13
Rhym steers his ship, and the great Serpent makes to land, and all
47:16
are marshaled in one flaming square against the gods upon the plains of Heaven.
47:21
I mourn thee that thou canst not helpest them. He spoke, but Borda
47:24
answered him, and said, mourn not for me, mourn hermd for the
47:28
gods born, for the men on earth, the gods in heaven, who
47:30
live, and with their eyes shall see that day. The day will come
47:34
when fall shall Asgard's towers, and Odin and his sons the seed of heaven.
47:37
But what were I to save them in that hour? If strength my
47:42
to save them could not Odin save my father and his pride, the warrior
47:45
thor Vidar, the silent, the impetuous tear. I what were I when
47:50
these cannot avail? Yet, doubtless, when the day of battle comes,
47:53
and the two hosts are marshaled, and in heaven the golden crested cock shall
47:58
sound alarm, and his black brother bird from hence reply and buckless clash,
48:01
and spears begin to pour. Longing will stir within my breast, though vain,
48:07
but not to me so grievous as I know to other gods. It
48:09
were is my enforced absence from fields where I could nothing aid. For I
48:15
am long since weary of your storm of carnage. And find hermod in your
48:19
life something too much of war and broils, which make life one perpetual fight,
48:22
a bath of blood. Mine eyes are dizzy with the arrow we hail.
48:27
Mine ears are stunned with blows, and sick for calm and active.
48:30
Therefore let me lie in gloom, unarmed and glorious. I attend the course
48:34
of ages, and my late return to light in times less alien to a
48:37
spirit mild in new recovered seats. The happier day you spake, and the
48:42
fleet hermod thus replied, brother, what seats are these? What happier day?
48:46
Tell me that I may ponder it? When gone? And the ray
48:51
crowned boulder answered him. Far to the south, beyond the blue, there
48:54
spreads another heaven, the boundless. No one yet hath reached it. There
48:59
hereafter shall rise the second Asgard, with another name. Thither when over this
49:02
present earth and heavens the tempests of the latter days hath swept, and they
49:07
from sight have disappeared and sunk, shall a small remnant of the God's repair,
49:10
Hoder and I shall join them from the grave. There reassembling, we
49:15
shall see emerge from the bright ocean at our feet, in earth more fresh,
49:17
more verdant than the last, with fruits self springing and a seed of
49:22
man preserved. Who then shall live in peace, is now in war,
49:24
that we in heaven shall find again with joy the ruined palaces of odin seats
49:29
familiar halls where we have supped of old, re enter them with wonder,
49:31
never fill our eyes with gazing, and rebuild with tears. And we shall
49:37
tread once more the well known plain of Ida, and among the grass shall
49:39
find the golden dice, wherewith we played of yore, And that will bring
49:43
to mind the former life and past time of the gods, the wise discourse
49:46
of odin the delights of other days. O hermod, pray that thou mayst
49:51
join us then, Such for the future is my hope. Meanwhile I rest
49:53
the thrall of Hella, and endure death. And the gloom which round me
49:58
even now thickens, and to its inner goldrie calls farewell. The longest speech
50:01
is not allowed. He spoke and waved farewell, and gave his hand to
50:06
Nana, and she gave their brother Blind her hand in turn for guidance.
50:09
And three departed over the cloudy plain, and soon faded from sight into the
50:14
interior bloom. But Hermud stood beside his drooping horse mute, gazing after them
50:19
in tears. And fain fain had he followed their receding steps, though they
50:23
to death were bound, and he to heaven. Then but a power he
50:27
could not break withheld, and as a stork which idle boys have trapped and
50:30
tied him in a yard. At autumn, seas flocks of his kind pass
50:35
flying over his head to warm the lands and coasts that keep the sun.
50:38
He strains to join their flight, and from his shed follows them with a
50:42
long complaining cry. So her Maud gazed and yearned to join his king.
50:47
At last he sighed and set forth back to heaven. End of Part three,
50:53
End of Bolder Dead by Matthew Arnold