“And so foul a tale it was, that the men and women folk prayed and cried no longer, but sank down in dull silence for fear.  And the stars that listened overhead shrank out of the sky, and the sea stilled his waves to hear, and the very Gods turned pale and red where they sat, to think that vileness and oppression had thriven so upon the earth, and that deeds of shame had fallen so thick, and that they had in no wise hindered it, but rather increased the sum of sin.

“At last the words of Loki were over, and left a burning silence in the hall; and the sun and moon bowed their heads in witness, and Night and Day said ‘Yea,’ and ‘Truth, he has told truth.’

“Then there was a silence, and all looked at Odin as he sat, sunk down and silent, in his chair, staring at the shrinking crowd with eyes of shame, and majesty, and anger.

“And at the last he rose, and he was clad in grey mists from head to foot, with a cloud of gleaming gold upon his head, like the sunlight on white cliffs seen over the sea through the haze of a summer morning.

“But ere he opened his lips to speak, one who sat among the folk arose and came up the hall, walking strongly and briskly like a king, and looking about him with a resolute and cheerful face to left and right.

“And all held their breath to see him pass, wondering what this thing might be.

“But the man, when he had reached the middle of the hall, cried with a loud voice, ‘Hold.’

“And Odin’s face gleamed white with rage through the fringes of the mist, and he said between his teeth, ‘Who art thou?’

“And at his voice Freya started and blanched, and wrapped herself in her robe.

“And the man said, in a clear loud voice, not defiant, but with a certain royalty about it—­

“’Lord Odin, I am he of whom thou spokest but now; he of whom the ancient oracles have spoken, whom thou knowest, and yet knowest not.’

“And Odin said, ’I know thee not; stand aside therefore, that I may judge thee and thy fellows.’

“And there was a hideous silence for a moment while you might count a score, and the twain stared upon each other.

“Then the man said, in the same voice that shook not nor quivered, ’When the Gods shall sit in order to judge the earth, then shall one come out of the midst of created things, through the earth, and walking upon it; and at his coming the pillars of Valhalla shall be snapped, and the everlasting halls shall fall.’  And he added other words, which the Gods knew, but not the men or women folk.  And when he ceased speaking there blew as it were a whirlwind out of Valhalla, and the high Gods passed away, as it were in skeins and fringes of hanging mist.  Then there were lightnings and thunders, and the earth shook; and terrible voices were heard in heaven, passing to and fro.  And one said, ‘Hence, ye that corrupt justice;’ and another said, ‘The brood of the eagle is come home to roost;’ and another, ’The roof is down.’  And then there were yells and groans; and among mankind there was weeping and laughter, many smiles and tears, and they cried to the stranger, ‘Judge us, thou king of Gods and men.’  But he, turning, said, ‘Nay, but ye are judged already.’  Then was there peace on earth.”