Balder (he springs up like a maniac, and holds his hand for some time
before his head).  Ha! how I’m dreaming! how I waste my moments
In dastard sighs, bewailing like a woman! 
And have I not a shield and sword?  To battle! 
To battle, Balder!  Let thy broad sword glitter! 
Lift high the sword, cleave down the haughty warrior,
And dip thy spear in blood, thou son of Odin! 
Ha! din of shield ’gainst shield, and battle’s bellow,
They, they shall gladden me—­and deafen Nanna! 
And I will cool this heart in blood of Kempions!

[He draws his sword, and runs away in madness.

Nanna (alone).  Ye heavens! what did he mean?  Alas, he rages! 
Wretch that I am! he goes to slay my Hother!

   My hopes ye annih’late,
   Ye powers of the sky! 
   Who’ll strengthen me, fainting,
   Against the god’s might? 
   Who’ll heed my lamenting,
   My sorrowful plight? 
   Ah! whom can I wend to? 
   Will earth e’er attend to
   A powerless cry,
   Which cruel gods smile at? 
   My hopes ye annih’late,
   Ye powers of the sky! 
   Ha! ye have crush’d my heart!  Oh Hother!  Hother! 
   Where art thou?  Ah!  I can no more!  I’m swooning! 
   O Death!  O Freya!

[She supports herself, fainting, against a tree.

Hother, Nanna.

Hother (he rushes up to her in alarm).  Dearest!

Nanna (looking stiffly upon him).  Ah! my Hother!

Hother.  So wild! so pale!  Ah! would thy noble bosom
Was not so tender!

Nanna.  Voice of my belov’d one! 
Oh, speak again!  Oh, speak again!

Hother.  Thou tremblest,
My bride! my much-lov’d bride!  And burning tear-drops,
Oh, hide them!  Ha! they burn me—­melt my courage! 
Weep not, my bride!

Nanna.  Ah, joy! the joy of heaven,
Entices forth these tears!  My Hother liveth!

Hother (mournfully).  Still liveth!

Nanna (affectionately and sorrowfully).  Still!

Hother (turning away his face).  O cruel, cruel fortune! 
Yet I have sworn?

Nanna.  Fright me not, my Hother! 
Affright me not!  What mean’st thou?  Mighty powers! 
Thine eyes thou turnest from thy bride!

Hother (looking upon her with tenderness).  Ah, Nanna!

Nanna.  Ha! tears on Hother’s cheeks!  Oh, save me, Freya! 
What means this?  Oh, I die!

Hother (he embraces her with violence).  Oh, dearest Nanna!

Nanna.  Oh heaven! say—­

Hother (embraces her again).  Once more, my bride!

Nanna.  I tremble
What means this?

Hother.  Canst thou bury in oblivion
Thy Hother’s cruel doubt?  Say, canst thou pardon
His only crime?