The Death of Balder | Page 8

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 blood from his spear at the moment he appears, perceives them. He starts, and remains standing among the trees, so that he cannot hear what they say.
NANNA. Oh, rescue then my Hother! Two savage bears among the bushes yonder Attack'd him; if thou hast love for virtue, Assist him quick; if thou delayest a moment, The noblest heart that ever beat they'll mangle! Oh! quick: bethink thee not!
BALDER. No, cruel Nanna! Fear not! My arm shall rescue him thou lovest!
[Just as he is about to rise HOTHER steps forward.
HOTHER, THE LAST.
HOTHER. Ye heavens! do I dream! Enamour'd half-god! Excuse me for disturbing thee!
BALDER (as he rises up). There is he!
NANNA (goes tenderly to meet HOTHER). Ah, Hother! Ah, my Hother!
HOTHER (pushes her back with his hand). Go, false woman!
BALDER. Gods, how unthankful art thou--how ferocious! Can such a bear of Nanna be deserving?
HOTHER (takes his shield down from the tree). Now, pay for all, and end thy prate in Valhall!
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 shield! thy spear! I hate all vaunt, my half-god.
NANNA (rushes towards BALDER, who taketh his weapons). O Balder! noble 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!