The Death of Balder | Page 8

weak, so wholly powerless, And lov'st me still? When e'er lov'd maids
the dastard?
NANNA. 'Tis no disgrace to quake before a half-god!
HOTHER. 'Fore Odin's self mere cowards quake. Now hear me! I--I, or
Balder, die to-day!
NANNA. O Hother! I came to quarrel, came prepar'd with anger; But
ah, in burning tears it soon has melted. Thou die, or Balder! he--a
half-god!
HOTHER. Nanna! Thy tears insult me sore, and yet--I know not-- They
gladden me--they torture--they enchant me. I love them--I excuse
them--I--I know not-- O tear--sweet, bitter tear, desist from flowing!
Thou showest tenderness--but ah! betrayest Mistrust and slight
respect!--ah, love thy Hother, But oh! believe, he will deserve thee,
Nanna: Thy heart is far too noble for the coward Who beareth shield
and sword and yet can tremble.
HOTHER. The slave only feareth.
NANNA. The hero can fall!
HOTHER. Ah then his fame cheereth His bride in her thrall.
NANNA. Ah then his bride weeps!
HOTHER. She's honour'd.
NANNA. She weepeth!
HOTHER. She's honour'd.
NANNA. And weepeth.

HOTHER. Ah, then his fame cheereth His bride in her thrall.
BOTH. Ah then his fame cheereth His bride in her thrall.
NANNA. Ah, if thou now fallest?
HOTHER. And if I now fall?
NANNA. Then I shall be wasted By ne'er-ceasing smart.
HOTHER. But were my fame blasted Then break would thy heart.
NANNA. Oh! what is remaining?
HOTHER. My valour's proud story.
NANNA. Mere grief and complaining!
HOTHER. My name is thy glory.
NANNA. Oh! if thou now fallest.
HOTHER. And if I now fall,
NANNA. Then I shall be wasted With grief and complaining!
HOTHER. My name is remaining; But honour once blasted We both
should lose all.
BOTH. The slave only feareth, The hero can fall; But then his fame
cheereth His bride in her thrall.
NANNA (with a terrified look, she seizes HOTHER by the arm, upon
perceiving BALDER). Ah! Hother, come.
BALDER, HOTHER, NANNA.
BALDER. Dost fly me, cruel Nanna! Am I so frightful? how have I
offended?

HOTHER (will rush towards BALDER, but NANNA makes every
effort to prevent him). Ha, Balder, we have met at last.
NANNA (much agitated). My Hother! Ah, if thou lovest me--if thou
respectest my prayer--
BALDER. Thy Hother? O, ye gods! how bitter!
HOTHER. To thee, perhaps to me 'tis sweet and grateful!
BALDER (with majesty). Presumptuous one!
NANNA (casts herself in her anguish nearly at HOTHER'S feet, who is
about to lay hands on BALDER). If thou hast ever lov'd me, Come with
me, Hother! come unto my father!
HOTHER. What! shall I fly?
NANNA. Do thou whate'er thou pleasest! Thou wouldst not have me
perish in the forest, Thou wouldst not, sure, that I should be a witness--
BALDER. Ha, Nanna! fly not from me!
HOTHER (to BALDER). Thou commandest, I say she shall fly from
thee. (To NANNA) Come, my Nanna! (To BALDER). But do not thou
despair! nor yet imagine Thou wilt have long to wait, if wait thou
darest.
[HOTHER and NANNA exeunt.
BALDER. Ha! wherefore crush'd I not to earth the brawler? But Nanna
loves him--and shall Balder render Nanna unhappy, cause despair to
enter Her breast, and dim with tears her eyes' effulgence? And what is
his offence, the noble hero? He loves--ha, who can gaze upon thy
beauties And love thee not, proud maiden? But he braves me! Ah! he is
young and fortunate, and if I Had slain him now, 'twas Nanna's love I
punish'd, And not his insolence; and, O my bosom! Shall thy pure
flame dishonour thee? No, Balder! Love on and die, but of thyself be
worthy! Ha, let me lose my life and all, Allfather! And Nanna e'en! Yes,

let me lose e'en Nanna! But not the virtue she herself doth honour!
[He hangs his shield upon a tree, which is opposite to that where
Hother's hangs, and sets his spear up against it.
True bliss, through virtue only known, By virtue's self deserv'd alone.
Only for thee doth Balder sigh: My sad heart would a heaven disdain
Which through dishonour it must gain. So dear let slaves enjoyment
buy! Yes, Balder, worthy of thyself continue! Canst thou wish Nanna
to abandon Hother? Wish her whose virtue thy high soul so worships
Should weak and base become for thy advantage? But--does she love
him? has he won her promise? Who knoweth but she merely has
dissembled, And shown a fictious flame to prove thee, Balder!
Transporting dream!
NANNA, BALDER.
NANNA (rushes in, terrified). Ha! Balder if thou lovest--Ah, if thou--
BALDER (casts himself at NANNA'S feet). Heavens, Nanna! canst
thou doubt it? I burn, I burn!
[Whilst NANNA in her terror makes every effort to raise him, they
come into a familiar attitude, in which HOTHER, who has slain bears,
and who is wiping the