The Death of Balder | Page 9

Cover thy gallant with thy faithless bosom! I will not slay thee; but my oath is uttered, That he or I shall fall! And now!
[He turns the point of his spear against himself.
NANNA. Ah, Hother! What doest thou?
HOTHER. I've sworn!
NANNA. Hold, hold, thou savage! I go--I fly. Oh help, ye gods of heaven!
[She goes away in a kind of distraction, but she remains standing at the entrance of the scene, where she with fearful curiosity looks on and off the combatants. The warriors go in circle with uplifted spears.
HOTHER. Now, valiant Balder, call upon thy father!
BALDER. Shame on thee, Hother! Thou offendest Nanna.
HOTHER. Prat'st still, my hero?
BALDER. Well--thou wilt?
HOTHER. Ha, Hothbrod!
[He casts the spear which he had received from the first VALKYRIER, and had retained in his hand. It striketh BALDER, but falls, without taking any effect, at his feet. BALDER in return casts his spear into his left hand, and tears down a huge piece of the neighbouring rock.
NANNA. Ye gods of Gevar!
BALDER. Nanna!
[He casts his spear behind him out of the scene.
NANNA. Noble being!
HOTHER. Ha! darest thou mock me, thou inflated braggart?
[He takes from the tree the spear which the Valkyrier, ROTA, gave him, and casts it. It strikes so hard against BALDER'S breast, that he nearly sinks upon his knee; but it nevertheless falls to the ground without wounding him.
BALDER. Ha! Surtur, ha! Was that the fell destroyer? Fly from my fury!
HOTHER. Cool its heat in Valhall!
[He casts the last spear, which he has seized in the meantime, but, like the first, without any apparent effect.
BALDER (as he draws his sword). Now, then, presumptuous?
HOTHER (as he likewise draws). Demon! and no half-god! Thou blunt'st the spear; but here's a sword remaining! Now, Hothbrod!
[He strikes at him with his utmost force, but the sword reboundeth from the helm of BALDER.
BALDER. Odin!
[He strikes HOTHER'S sword from his hand, so that it flies into pieces, seizes him by the arm, and sets his sword against his breast. HOTHER sinks upon his knee beneath the powerful grasp, but raises himself immediately, without BALDER'S attempting to hinder him but he retains him so in his power that he cannot move himself. NANNA rushes in and casts herself down upon her knee before BALDER.
NANNA. Generous, noble Balder!
BALDER. Take up thy bride and live!
HOTHER. My life detest I, I would not give the smallest hair of Nanna, For yet a thousand years thy whole godship!
BALDER. Die, then!
[He lifts his sword like one who will strike.
HOTHER. Why dost delay?
NANNA. Ha! here thou savage! Here, strike into this breast and spare my bridegroom.
[BALDER lets his sword sink.
HOTHER. Still, still, thou lovest me? Oh, Nanna! Nanna! There see'st thou, fiend, she loveth me!
BALDER. Ah, torment! Ha! I can end thee! [He lifts his sword again.
NANNA. Let my tears prevent thee!
HOTHER. By heavens! she's mocking thee! If thou delayest, She'll laugh full at thee in the arms of Hother.
NANNA. Believe him not, but virtue--thine own bosom!
BALDER (sheathing his sword). Live, Hother! live!
HOTHER. Ha! have I begged for mercy?
BALDER. No! Live; forget our strife, thou dauntless warrior! Embrace thy friend, and be, as erst, unshackled!
HOTHER. Ha! cruel, proud, and all too noble en'my! Thou know'st, thou feelest but too well thy triumph! Ha! thou hast overcome, hast humbled Hother! And think'st thou he can live? Heard, heard has heaven My oath, that I or Balder die!
[He grasps his dagger, and is about to stab himself with it, but BALDER wrests it out of his hand.
BALDER. Bethink thee!
HOTHER. Ye heavens! Hother! ah! how art thou fallen!
NANNA (affectionately). My Hother!
HOTHER. Ah! farewell for ever, Nanna!
[He goes hastily away. NANNA attempts to follow him, but BALDER detains her.
NANNA, BALDER.
NANNA. Woe's me! he will destroy himself.
BALDER. By Odin! He shall not! Be composed! believe, I've power To hinder it! Believe thy Balder, Nanna!
NANNA (she takes with fervour his hand and bends herself for some time over it). I do believe thee, noble one, I know thee! I feel all thy exaltedness. Thy virtues I hold in reverence. Oh! that all my friendship, That these hot tears were able to reward thee!
BALDER (casts himself upon his knees before her). Oh glimpse! Oh wave of hope, in which I'm drowning!
NANNA (agitated). What hopest thou?
BALDER. Let not thy lips, oh Nanna Awaken Balder from his dream of rapture; Let him enjoy it; let him read his destiny, His hope, his life, in yonder precious tear-drops.
NANNA. Ah, what avails it 'gainst one's fate to struggle? My heart can ne'er of Balder be deserving.
BALDER. Ah, that I but--
NANNA. Excuse me now; thou knowest I've--Ah! a miserable friend to comfort.
[She tears herself away from him, gives a friendly look and goes. He follows her for some time with his eyes.
BALDER. Yet will I hope! Hear, hear ye rocks! that Balder Ventures to hope!--stern fate is now contented! Blunted is