BALDER (without perceiving HOTHER). Gloomy was this night and horrid!
Around about me angry gods consulted.
What seek they? To affright the soul of Balder?
Now all is still.
HOTHER. Now unconcern'd and haughty
Walks the high demigod! Ah, little thinks he
Each breath he draweth is the gift of Hother.
BALDER. Who utter'd Hother's name? I heard it utter'd,
But all is hushed as death. I know not wherefore
That name affects me more than any other,
And why within mine ear 'tis ever buzzing.
Ah! can I more than pity him, poor mortal!
Who now his life and feebleness bewaileth,
And trembles weaponless at his own shadow.
HOTHER. Ha, now! for that is worthy of the Skoldung;
I'll be as proud as thou, and fly thy presence! [He goes.
BALDER. Who's speaking here? Who dares disturb my musings?
But, know I not that Finnish fiends are swarming
Upon the rocks! The sun approach'd the ocean,
And yet I found not Nanna: all deserted
Was Gevar's house, and hollow rang each echo
Of Balder's sighs. Where was she, then? where was she?
Ah! Hother charm'd thee. In the arms of Hother
Thou didst not hear my sighs, my timid knocking,
And my enamour'd call, thou cruel maiden!
And what if I had found thee? Then thine answer
Most probably had prov'd the death of Balder.
I know myself no more; my heart it flutters,
And here about it creeps unwonted chillness.
Yes, Nanna! yes; 'twas thou taught'st me to tremble.
Ah! belov'd maiden! I, a half-god, tremble
When thou but breathest, when thy lip thou movest,
As if to utter No, thy lip is open'd.
Oh, hush! and let me sink with hope to Haelheim!
But did I not behold thine eye beam friendship
On Balder? felt I not thy warm tear trickle
Upon this hand? and saw I not thy blushes?
Ha! I'll think through, I will enjoy entirely
My hope: why then, my heart, beat'st thou so wildly?
And why in Balder's eyes are tears uprising,
And hope to me a stranger? Oh, my treasure,
Thou teachest me a dastard's fear! I tremble
Now I've a glimpse of hope to be depriv'd of.
Ah! if 'tis torn from me again, if Nanna--
Oh doubt! oh fear with which my heart is tortur'd!
Yes, Thor, my friend, thy words were truth and wisdom;
That pity that she showed was thanks for sparing Hother:
She trembled but for Hother--for the lov'd one:
Each tear but begged his life. What cruel delusion
Has led my soul astray? Ah, wretched meteor
Of empty hope! thou, thou for me couldst glitter,
As if I had been ignorant of her hatred.
Ha! she has ever fled my path, my shadow;
And when, to my own torment, once I wrested
From the proud maid some sort of heed and answer,
'Twas mockery mere: she called herself unworthy
To be great Balder's bride and Odin's daughter,
And held my love-sick sighs for jest and flatt'ry.
Yet never have I heard the word which killeth,
Without the aid of Surtur's deadly sapling--
The No, the frightful No, by Nanna utter'd.
Ha! I will hear it! Yes, by Haelheim's darkness!
My tears shall now extract that No from Nanna.