p; and he was
cunning on the timbrel, on the lute, and in every modulation of string
instruments. With his changing measures he could sway the feelings of
men to what passions he would; he knew how to fill human hearts with joy
or sadness, with pity or with hatred, and used to enwrap the soul with
the delight or terror of the ear. All these accomplishments of the youth
pleased Nanna, the daughter of Gewar, mightily, and she began to seek
his embraces. For the valour of a youth will often kindle a maid, and
the courage of those whose looks are not so winning is often acceptable.
For love hath many avenues; the path of pleasure is opened to some
by grace, to others by bravery of soul, and to some by skill in
accomplishments. Courtesy brings to some stores of Love, while most are
commended by brightness of beauty. Nor do the brave inflict a shallower
wound on maidens than the comely.

Now it befell that Balder the son of Odin was troubled at the sight of
Nanna bathing, and was seized with boundless love. He was kindled by her
fair and lustrous body, and his heart was set on fire by her manifest
beauty; for nothing exciteth passion like comeliness. Therefore he
resolved to slay with the sword Hother, who, he feared, was likeliest to
baulk his wishes; so that his love, which brooked no postponement, might
not be delayed in the enjoyment of its desire by any obstacle.

About this time Hother chanced, while hunting, to be led astray by a
mist, and he came on a certain lodge in which were wood-maidens; and
when they greeted him by his own name, he asked who they were.
They declared that it was their guidance and government that mainly
determined the fortunes of war. For they often invisibly took part
in battles, and by their secret assistance won for their friends the
coveted victories. They averted, indeed, that they could win triumphs
and inflict defeats as they would; and further told him how Balder had
seen his foster-sister Nanna while she bathed, and been kindled with
passion for her; but counselled Hother not to attack him in war, worthy
as he was of his deadliest hate, for they declared that Balder was a
demigod, sprung secretly from celestial seed. When Hother had heard
this, the place melted away and left him shelterless, and he found
himself standing in the open and out in the midst of the fields, without
a vestige of shade. Most of all he marvelled at the swift flight of the
maidens, the shifting of the place, and