[He turns the point of his spear against himself.

NANNA. Ah, Hother!
What doest thou?

HOTHER. I've sworn!

NANNA. Hold, hold, thou savage!
I go--I fly. Oh help, ye gods of heaven!

[She goes away in a kind of distraction, but she remains standing at the
entrance of the scene, where she with fearful curiosity looks on and off
the combatants. The warriors go in circle with uplifted spears.

HOTHER. Now, valiant Balder, call upon thy father!

BALDER. Shame on thee, Hother! Thou offendest Nanna.

HOTHER. Prat'st still, my hero?

BALDER. Well--thou wilt?

HOTHER. Ha, Hothbrod!

[He casts the spear which he had received from the first VALKYRIER, and
had retained in his hand. It striketh BALDER, but falls, without taking
any effect, at his feet. BALDER in return casts his spear into his left
hand, and tears down a huge piece of the neighbouring rock.

NANNA. Ye gods of Gevar!

BALDER. Nanna!

[He casts his spear behind him out of the scene.

NANNA. Noble being!

HOTHER. Ha! darest thou mock me, thou inflated braggart?

[He takes from the tree the spear which the Valkyrier, ROTA, gave him,
and casts it. It strikes so hard against BALDER'S breast, that he nearly
sinks upon his knee; but it nevertheless falls to the ground without
wounding him.

BALDER. Ha! Surtur, ha! Was that the fell destroyer?
Fly from my fury!

HOTHER. Cool its heat in Valhall!

[He casts the last spear, which he has seized in the meantime, but, like
the first, without any apparent effect.

BALDER (as he draws his sword). Now, then, presumptuous?

HOTHER (as he likewise draws). Demon! and no half-god!
Thou blunt'st the spear; but here's a sword remaining!
Now, Hothbrod!

[He strikes at him with his utmost force, but the sword reboundeth from
the helm of BALDER.

BALDER. Odin!

[He strikes HOTHER'S sword from his hand, so that it flies into pieces,
seizes him by the arm, and sets his sword against his breast. HOTHER
sinks upon his knee beneath the powerful grasp, but raises himself
immediately, without BALDER'S attempting to hinder him but he retains him
so in his power that he cannot move himself. NANNA rushes in and casts
herself down upon her knee before BALDER.

NANNA. Generous, noble Balder!

BALDER. Take up thy bride and live!

HOTHER. My life detest I,
I would not give the smallest hair of Nanna,
For yet a thousand years thy whole godship!

BALDER. Die, then!

[He lifts his