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.