With it shall no one homeward tread, Till he bring me Freyia to share my bed." Away flew Loke; the winged robe sounds, And this the first word that he spoke: 66 Loke. My labor is past, mine errand I bring; Their way to lovely Freyia they took, The Asi did all to council crowd, * The Asiniæ all talked fast and loud; This they debated, and this they sought, How the hammer of Thor should home be brought. Up then and spoke Heimdallar free, Like the Vani wise was he: "Now busk we Thor as a bride so fair; And high and quaintly braid his hair.” If I let me be dight as a blooming bride." And a maiden kirtle hang to his knees, *Goddesses. And on his bosom jewels rare; And high and quaintly braided his hair. "A servant I thy steps will tend; The mountains shook, the earth burned red, Then Thrym, the king of the Thursi, said, With horns all gilt, each coal-black beast Betimes at evening they approached, And the mantling ale the giants broached. Eight salmons, and an ox full grown, Nor drink so deep of the sparkling mead." Then forward leaned the crafty Loke, And thus the giant he bespoke : 66 'Nought has she eaten for eight long nights; So did she long for the nuptial rites." He stooped beneath her veil to kiss, But he started the length of the hall, I wis: "Why are the looks of Freyia so dire? It seems as her eyeballs glistened with fire." Then forward leaned the crafty Loke, And thus the giant he bespoke : "Nought has she slept for eight long nights; So did she long for the nuptial rites." Then in the giant's sister came, Who dared a bridal gift to claim : "Those rings of gold from thee I crave, Then Thrym, the king of the Thursi, said, And firmly plight our hands and fay." The Thunderer's soul smiled in his breast, When the hammer hard on his lap was placed. Thrym first, the king of the Thursi, he slew, And slaughtered all the giant crew. He slew that giant's sister old, Who prayed for bridal gifts so bold; HERBERT. THE DEATH OF BALDUR. I HEARD a voice that cried, And through the misty air I saw the pallid corpse Borne through the northern sky. Blasts from Niffelheim Lifted the sheeted mists Around him as he passed. And the voice forever cried, |