Loke.  Whose, if not Balder’s?

Hother.  Ah, my life he gave me! 
And though I hold the gift in little value,
I took it still.  And shall his lofty spirit
His downfall prove?  Shall I, shall Hother punish
The pity I craved not?

Loke.  By Hael! he’s coming! 
Waste not the moments in these foolish visions.

Hother.  What wouldst thou?

Loke.  Stand behind that pine, and kill him!

Hother.  Ha! dastard slave!

[He strikes Loke on the head with the spear, and he instantly sinks howling into the earth.  He is no sooner out of sight than everything becomes quiet.  The sun rises in its full majesty.  After Hother has for some time looked on all this with astonishment, he says: 

Like thee fall every traitor
Who breatheth wickedness in the Skiolding’s bosom! 
Ha, Balder! [He goes somewhat aside.

Hother.  Balder.

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?