“‘All things,’ replied Frigga, ’except one little shrub that grows on the eastern side of Valhalla, and is called Mistletoe, and which I thought too young and feeble to crave an oath from.’

“As soon as Loki heard this he went away, and, resuming his natural shape, cut off the mistletoe, and repaired to the place where the gods were assembled.  There he found Hodur standing apart, without partaking of the sports, on account of his blindness, and going up to him, said, ’Why dost thou not also throw something at Baldur?”

“‘Because I am blind,’ answered Hodur, ’and see not where Baldur is, and have, moreover, nothing to throw with.’

“‘Come then,’ said Loki, ’do like the rest, and show honour to Baldur by throwing this twig at him, and I will direct thy arm, toward the place where he stands.’

58.  “Hodur then took the mistletoe, and under the guidance of Loki, darted it at Baldur, who, pierced through and through, fell down lifeless.  Surely never was there witnessed, either among gods or men, a more atrocious deed than this!  When Baldur fell the AEsir were struck speechless with horror, and then they looked at each other, and all were of one mind to lay hands on him who had done the deed, but they were obliged to delay their vengeance out of respect for the sacred place (Peace-stead) where they were assembled.  They at length gave vent to their grief by loud lamentations, though not one of them could find words to express the poignancy of his feelings.  Odin, especially, was more sensible than the others of the loss they had suffered, for he foresaw what a detriment Baldur’s death would be to the AEsir.  When the gods came to themselves, Frigga asked who among them wished to gain all her love and good will; ‘For this,’ said she, ’shall he have who will ride to Hel and try to find Baldur, and offer Hela a ransom if she will let him return to Asgard;’ whereupon Hermod, surnamed the Nimble, the son of Odin, offered to undertake the journey.  Odin’s horse Sleipnir was then led forth, on which Hermod mounted, and galloped away on his mission.

59.  “The AEsir then took the dead body and bore it to the seashore, where stood Baldur’s ship Hringhorn, which passed for the largest in the world.  But when they wanted to launch it in order to make Baldur’s funeral pile on it, they were unable to make it stir.  In this conjuncture they sent to Jotunheim for a certain giantess named Hyrrokin, who came mounted on a wolf, having twisted serpents for a bridle.  As soon as she alighted, Odin ordered four Berserkir to hold her steed fast, who were, however, obliged to throw the animal on the ground ere they could effect their purpose.  Hyrrokin then went to the ship, and with a single push set it afloat, but the motion was so violent that the fire sparkled from the rollers, and the earth shook all around.  Thor, enraged at the sight, grasped his mallet, and but for the interference of the AEsir would have broken