Funeral Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: ABCDE FGHIJKLMNOPQR STCUVWXXI EYSIJZ A2B2C2D2E2PF2G2H2I2 J2Z K2L2M2N2O2N2F2 P2Q2R2S2T2U2V2W2X2Y2 A2Z2A2 A3B3JK2 VC3D3E3F3A2A3G3K2H3F LI3 J3K3L3F3M3X2Q2N3A2E T2K2O3P3Q3RH3R3TX2S3 K3JI3K2K3T3U3C2V3W3A 3B3 I3X3F2Y3Z3A4A2L2I3 A2B4B3C4L3ED4I3E4F4S 2G4MA3I3I3O2I3H4B4 I3A2Y2I3 Y2I4 I3O2J4I3I3A4E2X3R3K4 I3I3A4S2L4A3T3A4I3C2 I3M4LI3N2V3N2N4I3I3I 3I4N2I3IO4P4I4O4N2Q4 R4S4W3B4K3N2I3O2N2T4 C2U4 A3L3Q4V4I3B I3M4I3W4JI3I3X4Y4I3H 2I3 I3Z4I3Y2I3I3K3B2I3K2 Z2U2A3JI3 I3M4I3 R3A2I3I3V3BK2A3I3I3A 2A2K2I3BN3Y2II3I3I3S 4A3I3I3A2V3NI3K2A2JI 3M2I3 Y2I3 K2M2 M3I3I3E4I3S4C2I3W3IW 3I3FA3 M3V3M2W3I3I3I3T3PI3 A2I3K2I3I3 I3K2 I3A3 I3JI3MA3I3I3IB4 EL3 A2W3I3A2I3I3A3I3I3I3 I3 A3A2 I3I3A2PI3A2I3A2I3A3L 3A3S4A2A3PI3A2 I3 I3I3A2I3 EI3A3I3P4A2 I3I3A2A3I3 A3A3B4B4S4B4 I3A3I3I3A2I3I3I3A3I3 I3I3 PI3A2W3I3I3I3A2I3A3A 2 I3A2I3L3A2A3A3A3Y2A2 QPA3A2W3I3I3EI3Y2P4I 3I3 I3I3 XI3 I3A3B4N3I3A3B4I3A2I3 A3A2O2A3A2 I3I3A3A2A2A2I3I3I3A2 I3PA2 A2

The gods held talk together group'd in knots	A
Round Balder's corpse which they had thither borne	B
And Hermod came down towards them from the gate	C
And Lok the Father of the Serpent first	D
Beheld him come and to his neighbour spake	E
	-
'See here is Hermod who comes single back	F
From Hell and shall I tell thee how he seems	G
Like as a farmer who hath lost his dog	H
Some morn at market in a crowded town	I
Through many streets the poor beast runs in vain	J
And follows this man after that for hours	K
And late at evening spent and panting falls	L
Before a stranger's threshold not his home	M
With flanks a tremble and his slender tongue	N
Hangs quivering out between his dust smear'd jaws	O
And piteously he eyes the passers by	P
But home his master comes to his own farm	Q
Far in the country wondering where he is	R
So Hermod comes to day unfollow'd home '	-
	-
And straight his neighbour mov'd with wrath replied	S
'Deceiver fair in form but false in heart	T
Enemy Mocker whom though Gods we hate	C
Peace lest our Father Odin hear thee gibe	U
Would I might see him snatch thee in his hand	V
And bind thy carcase like a bale with cords	W
And hurl thee in a lake to sink or swim	X
If clear from plotting Balder's death to swim	X
But deep if thou devisedst it to drown	I
And perish against fate before thy day '	-
	-
So they two soft to one another spake	E
But Odin look'd toward the land and saw	Y
His messenger and he stood forth and cried	S
And Hermod came and leapt from Sleipner down	I
And in his Father's hand put Sleipner's rein	J
And greeted Odin and the Gods and said	Z
	-
'Odin my Father and ye Gods of Heaven	A2
Lo home having perform'd your will I come	B2
Into the joyless kingdom have I been	C2
Below and look'd upon the shadowy tribes	D2
Of ghosts and commun'd with their solemn Queen	E2
And to your prayer she sends you this reply	P
Show her through all the world the signs of grief	F2
Fails but one thing to grieve there Balder stops	G2
Let Gods men brutes beweep hint plants and stones	H2
So shall she know your loss was dear indeed	I2
And bend her heart and give you Balder back '	-
	-
He spoke and all the Gods to Odin look'd	J2
And straight the Father of the Ages said	Z
	-
'Ye Gods these terms may keep another day	K2
But now put on your arms and mount your steeds	L2
And in procession all come near and weep	M2
Balder for that is what the dead desire	N2
When ye enough have wept then build a pile	O2
Of the heap'd wood and burn his corpse with fire	N2
Out of our sight that we may turn from grief	F2
And lead as erst our daily life in Heaven '	-
	-
He spoke and the Gods arm'd and Odin donn'd	P2
His dazzling corslet and his helm of gold	Q2
And led the way on Sleipner and the rest	R2
Follow'd in tears their Father and their King	S2
And thrice in arms around the dead they rode	T2
Weeping the sands were wetted and their arms	U2
With their thick falling tears so good a friend	V2
They mourn'd that day so bright so lov'd a God	W2
And Odin came and laid his kingly hands	X2
On Balder's breast and thus began the wail	Y2
	-
'Farewell O Balder bright and lov'd my Son	A2
In that great day the Twilight of the Gods	Z2
When Muspel's children shall beleaguer Heaven	A2
Then we shall miss thy counsel and thy arm '	-
	-
Thou camest near the next O Warrior Thor	A3
Shouldering thy Hammer in thy chariot drawn	B3
Swaying the long hair'd Goats with silver'd rein	J
And over Balder's corpse these words didst say	K2
	-
'Brother thou dwellest in the darksome land	V
And talkest with the feeble tribes of ghosts	C3
Now and I know not how they prize thee there	D3
But here I know thou wilt be miss'd and mourn'd	E3
For haughty spirits and high wraths are rife	F3
Among the Gods and Heroes here in Heaven	A2
As among those whose joy and work is war	A3
And daily strifes arise and angry words	G3
But from thy lips O Balder night or day	K2
Heard no one ever an injurious word	H3
To God or Hero but thou keptest back	F
The others labouring to compose their brawls	L
Be ye then kind as Balder too was kind	I3
For we lose him who smooth'd all strife in Heaven '	-
	-
He spake and all the Gods assenting wail'd	J3
And Freya next came nigh with golden tears	K3
The loveliest Goddess she in Heaven by all	L3
Most honour'd after Frea Odin's wife	F3
Her long ago the wandering Oder took	M3
To mate but left her to roam distant lands	X2
Since then she seeks him and weeps tears of gold	Q2
Names hath she many Vanadis on earth	N3
They call her Freya is her name in Heaven	A2
She in her hands took Balder's head and spake	E
	-
'Balder my brother thou art gone a road	T2
Unknown and long and haply on that way	K2
My long lost wandering Oder thou hast met	O3
For in the paths of Heaven he is not found	P3
Oh if it be so tell him what thou wert	Q3
To his neglected wife and what he is	R
And wring his heart with shame to hear thy word	H3
For he my husband left me here to pine	R3
Not long a wife when his unquiet heart	T
First drove him from me into distant lands	X2
Since then I vainly seek him through the world	S3
And weep from shore to shore my golden tears	K3
But neither god nor mortal heeds my pain	J
Thou only Balder wert for ever kind	I3
To take my hand and wipe my tears and say	K2
Weep not O Freya weep no golden tears	K3
One day the wandering Oder will return	T3
Or thou wilt find him in thy faithful search	U3
On some great road or resting in an inn	C2
Or at a ford or sleeping by a tree	V3
So Balder said but Oder well I know	W3
My truant Oder I shall see no more	A3
To the world's end and Balder now is gone	B3
And I am left uncomforted in Heaven '	-
	-
She spake and all the Goddesses bewail'd	I3
Last from among the Heroes one came near	X3
No God but of the Hero troop the chief	F2
Regner who swept the northern sea with fleets	Y3
And rul'd o'er Denmark and the heathy isles	Z3
Living but Ella captur'd him and slew	A4
A king whose fame then fill'd the vast of Heaven	A2
Now time obscures it and men's later deeds	L2
He last approach'd the corpse and spake and said	I3
	-
'Balder there yet are many Scalds in Heaven	A2
Still left and that chief Scald thy brother Brage	B4
Whom we may bid to sing though thou art gone	B3
And all these gladly while we drink we hear	C4
After the feast is done in Odin's hall	L3
But they harp ever on one string and wake	E
Remembrance in our soul of wars alone	D4
Such as on earth we valiantly have wag'd	I3
And blood and ringing blows and violent death	E4
But when thou sangest Balder thou didst strike	F4
Another note and like a bird in spring	S2
Thy voice of joyance minded us and youth	G4
And wife and children and our ancient home	M
Yes and I too remember'd then no more	A3
My dungeon where the serpents stung me dead	I3
Nor Ella's victory on the English coast	I3
But I heard Thora laugh in Gothland Isle	O2
And saw my shepherdess Aslauga tend	I3
Her flock along the white Norwegian beach	H4
Tears started to mine eyes with yearning joy	B4
Therefore with grateful heart I mourn thee dead '	-
	-
So Regner spake and all the Heroes groan'd	I3
But now the sun had pass'd the height of Heaven	A2
And soon had all that day been spent in wail	Y2
But then the Father of the Ages said	I3
	-
'Ye Gods there well may be too much of wail	Y2
Bring now the gather'd wood to Balder's ship	I4
Heap on the deck the logs and build the pyre '	-
	-
But when the Gods and Heroes heard they brought	I3
The wood to Balder's ship and built a pile	O2
Full the deck's breadth and lofty then the corpse	J4
Of Balder on the highest top they laid	I3
With Nanna on his right and on his left	I3
Hoder his brother whom his own hand slew	A4
And they set jars of wine and oil to lean	E2
Against the bodies and stuck torches near	X3
Splinters of pine wood soak'd with turpentine	R3
And brought his arms and gold and all his stuff	K4
And slew the dogs which at his table fed	I3
And his horse Balder's horse whom most he lov'd	I3
And threw them on the pyre and Odin threw	A4
A last choice gift thereon his golden ring	S2
They fixt the mast and hoisted up the sails	L4
Then they put fire to the wood and Thor	A3
Set his stout shoulder hard against the stern	T3
To push the ship through the thick sand sparks flew	A4
From the deep trench she plough'd so strong a God	I3
Furrow'd it and the water gurgled in	C2
And the Ship floated on the waves and rock'd	I3
But in the hills a strong East Wind arose	M4
And came down moaning to the sea first squalls	L
Ran black o'er the sea's face then steady rush'd	I3
The breeze and fill'd the sails and blew the fire	N2
And wreath'd in smoke the Ship stood out to sea	V3
Soon with a roaring rose the mighty fire	N2
And the pile crackled and between the logs	N4
Sharp quivering tongues of flame shot out and leapt	I3
Curling and darting higher until they lick'd	I3
The summit of the pile the dead the mast	I3
And ate the shrivelling sails but still the Ship	I4
Drove on ablaze above her hull with fire	N2
And the Gods stood upon the beach and gaz'd	I3
And while they gaz'd the Sun went lurid down	I
Into the smoke wrapt sea and Night came on	O4
Then the wind fell with night and there was calm	P4
But through the dark they watch'd the burning Ship	I4
Still carried o'er the distant waters on	O4
Farther and farther like an Eye of Fire	N2
And as in the dark night a travelling man	Q4
Who bivouacs in a forest 'mid the hills	R4
Sees suddenly a spire of flame shoot up	S4
Out of the black waste forest far below	W3
Which woodcutters have lighted near their lodge	B4
Against the wolves and all night long it flares	K3
So flar'd in the far darkness Balder's pyre	N2
But fainter as the stars rose high it burn'd	I3
The bodies were consum'd ash chok'd the pile	O2
And as in a decaying winter fire	N2
A charr'd log falling makes a shower of sparks	T4
So with a shower of sparks the pile fell in	C2
Reddening the sea around and all was dark	U4
	-
But the Gods went by starlight up the shore	A3
To Asgard and sate down in Odin's hall	L3
At table and the funeral feast began	Q4
All night they ate the boar Serimner's flesh	V4
And from their horns with silver rimm'd drank mead	I3
Silent and waited for the sacred Morn	B
	-
And Morning over all the world was spread	I3
Then from their loath d feast the Gods arose	M4
And took their horses and set forth to ride	I3
O'er the bridge Bifrost where is Heimdall's watch	W4
To the ash Igdrasil and Ida's plain	J
Thor came on foot the rest on horseback rode	I3
And they found Mimir sitting by his Fount	I3
Of Wisdom which beneath the ashtree springs	X4
And saw the Nornies watering the roots	Y4
Of that world shadowing tree with Honey dew	I3
There came the Gods and sate them down on stones	H2
And thus the Father of the Ages said	I3
	-
'Ye Gods the terms ye know which Hermod brought	I3
Accept them or reject them both have grounds	Z4
Accept them and they bind us unfulfill'd	I3
To leave for ever Balder in the grave
An unrecover'd prisoner shade with shades
But how ye say should the fulfilment fail	Y2
Smooth sound the terms and light to be fulfill'd	I3
For dear belov'd was Balder while he liv'd	I3
In Heaven and Earth and who would grudge him tears	K3
But from the traitorous seed of Lok they come	B2
These terms and I suspect some hidden fraud	I3
Bethink ye Gods is there no other way	K2
Speak were not this a way the way for Gods	Z2
If I if Odin clad in radiant arms	U2
Mounted on Sleipner with the Warrior Thor	A3
Drawn in his car beside me and my sons
All the strong brood of Heaven to swell my train	J
Should make irruption into Hela's realm
And set the fields of gloom ablaze with light	I3
And bring in triumph Balder back to Heaven '	-
	-
He spake and his fierce sons applauded loud	I3
But Frea Mother of the Gods arose	M4
Daughter and wife of Odin thus she said	I3
	-
'Odin thou Whirlwind what a threat is this
Thou threatenest what transcends thy might even thine	R3
For of all powers the mightiest far art thou
Lord over men on Earth and Gods in Heaven	A2
Yet even from thee thyself hath been withheld	I3
One thing to undo what thou thyself hast rul'd	I3
For all which hath been fixt was fixt by thee	V3
In the beginning ere the Gods were born	B
Before the Heavens were builded thou didst slay	K2
The Giant Ymir whom the Abyss brought forth
Thou and thy brethren fierce the Sons of Bor	A3
And threw his trunk to choke the abysmal void	I3
But of his flesh and members thou didst build	I3
The Earth and Ocean and above them Heaven	A2
And from the flaming world where Muspel reigns
Thou sent'st and fetched'st fire and madest lights
Sun Moon and Stars which thou hast hung in Heaven	A2
Dividing clear the paths of night and day	K2
And Asgard thou didst build and Midgard Fort	I3
Then me thou mad'st of us the Gods were born	B
Then walking by the sea thou foundest spars
Of wood and framed'st men who till the earth	N3
Or on the sea the field of pirates sail	Y2
And all the race of Ymir thou didst drown	I
Save one Bergelmer he on shipboard fled	I3
Thy deluge and from him the Giants sprang
But all that brood thou hast remov'd far off
And set by Ocean's utmost marge to dwell
But Hela into Niflheim thou threw'st	I3
And gav'st her nine unlighted worlds to rule
A Queen and empire over all the dead	I3
That empire wilt thou now invade light up	S4
Her darkness from her grasp a subject tear	A3
Try it but I for one will not applaud	I3
Nor do I merit Odin thou should'st slight	I3
Me and my words though thou be first in Heaven	A2
For I too am a Goddess born of thee	V3
Thine eldest and of me the Gods are sprung	N
And all that is to come I know but lock
In my own breast and have to none reveal'd	I3
Come then since Hela holds by right her prey	K2
But offers terms for his release to heaven	A2
Accept the chance thou canst no more obtain	J
Send through the world thy messengers entreat	I3
All living and unliving things to weep	M2
For Balder if thou haply thus may'st melt	I3
Hela and win the lov'd one back to Heaven '	-
	-
She spake and on her face let fall her veil	Y2
And bow'd her head and sate with folded hands
Nor did the all ruling Odin slight her word	I3
Straightway he spake and thus address'd the Gods
	-
'Go quickly forth through all the world and pray	K2
All living and unliving things to weep	M2
Balder if haply he may thus be won '	-
	-
When the Gods heard they straight arose and took	M3
Their horses and rode forth through all the world	I3
North south east west they struck and roam'd the world	I3
Entreating all things to weep Balder's death	E4
And all that liv'd and all without life wept	I3
And as in winter when the frost breaks up	S4
At winter's end before the spring begins
And a warm west wind blows and thaw sets in	C2
After an hour a dripping sound is heard	I3
In all the forests and the soft strewn snow	W3
Under the trees is dibbled thick with holes
And from the boughs the snowloads shuffle down	I
And in fields sloping to the south dark plots
Of grass peep out amid surrounding snow	W3
And widen and the peasant's heart is glad	I3
So through the world was heard a dripping noise
Of all things weeping to bring Balder back	F
And there fell joy upon the Gods to hear	A3
	-
But Hermod rode with Niord whom he took	M3
To show him spits and beaches of the sea	V3
Far off where some unwarn'd might fail to weep	M2
Niord the God of storms whom fishers know	W3
Not born in Heaven he was in Vanheim rear'd	I3
With men but lives a hostage with the Gods
He knows each frith and every rocky creek
Fring'd with dark pines and sands where seafowl scream
They two scour'd every coast and all things wept	I3
And they rode home together through the wood	I3
Of Jarnvid which to east of Midgard lies
Bordering the Giants where the trees are iron	T3
There in the wood before a cave they came
Where sate in the cave's mouth a skinny Hag
Toothless and old she gibes the passers by	P
Thok is she call'd but now Lok wore her shape
She greeted them the first and laugh'd and said	I3
	-
'Ye Gods good lack is it so dull in Heaven	A2
That ye come pleasuring to Thok's Iron Wood	I3
Lovers of change ye are fastidious sprites
Look as in some boor's yard a sweet breath'd cow
Whose manger is stuff'd full of good fresh hay	K2
Snuffs at it daintily and stoops her head	I3
To chew the straw her litter at her feet	I3
So ye grow squeamish Gods and sniff at Heaven '	-
	-
She spake but Hermod answer'd her and said	I3
'Thok not for gibes we come we come for tears
Balder is dead and Hela holds her prey	K2
But will restore if all things give him tears
Begrudge not thine to all was Balder dear '	-
	-
But with a louder laugh the Hag replied	I3
'Is Balder dead and do ye come for tears
Thok with dry eyes will weep o'er Balder's pyre	A3
Weep him all other things if weep they will
I weep him not let Hela keep her prey '	-
	-
She spake and to the cavern's depth she fled	I3
Mocking and Hermod knew their toil was vain	J
And as seafaring men who long have wrought	I3
In the great deep for gain at last come home	M
And towards evening see the headlands rise
Of their own country and can clear descry	A3
A fire of wither'd furze which boys have lit	I3
Upon the cliffs or smoke of burning weeds
Out of a till'd field inland then the wind	I3
Catches them and drives out again to sea
And they go long days tossing up and down	I
Over the grey sea ridges and the glimpse
Of port they had makes bitterer far their toil
So the Gods' cross was bitterer for their joy	B4
	-
Then sad at heart to Niord Hermod spake	E
'It is the Accuser Lok who flouts us all	L3
Ride back and tell in Heaven this heavy news
I must again below to Hela's realm '	-
	-
He spoke and Niord set forth back to Heaven	A2
But northward Hermod rode the way below	W3
Tho way he knew and travers'd Giall's stream
And down to Ocean grop'd and cross'd the ice
And came beneath the wall and found the grate	I3
Still lifted well was his return foreknown	A2
And once more Hermod saw around him spread	I3
The joyless plains and heard the streams of Hell
But as he enter'd on the extremest hound	I3
Of Niflheim he saw one Ghost come near	A3
Hovering and stopping oft as if afraid	I3
Hoder the unhappy whom his own hand slew	I3
And Hermod look'd and knew his brother's ghost	I3
And call'd him by his name and sternly said	I3
	-
'Hoder ill fated blind in heart and eyes
Why tarriest thou to plunge thee in the gulph
Of the deep inner gloom but flittest here	A3
In twilight on the lonely verge of Hell
Far from the other ghosts and Hela's throne	A2
Doubtless thou fearest to meet Balder's voice
Thy brother whom through folly thou didst slay '	-
	-
He spoke but Hoder answer'd him and said	I3
'Hermod the nimble dost thou still pursue	I3
The unhappy with reproach even in the grave
For this I died and fled beneath the gloom
Not daily to endure abhorring Gods
Nor with a hateful presence cumber Heaven	A2
And canst thou not even here pass pitying by	P
No less than Balder have I lost the light	I3
Of Heaven and communion with my kin	A2
I too had once a wife and once a child	I3
And substance and a golden house in Heaven	A2
But all I left of my own act and fled	I3
Below and dost thou hate me even here	A3
Balder upbraids me not nor hates at all	L3
Though he has cause have any cause but he
When that with downcast looks I hither came
Stretch'd forth his hand and with benignant voice
Welcome he said if there be welcome here	A3
Brother and fellow sport of Lok with me
And not to offend thee Hermod nor to force
My hated converse on thee came I up	S4
From the deep gloom where I will now return	A2
But earnestly I long'd to hover near	A3
Not too far off when that thou camest by	P
To feel the presence of a brother God	I3
And hear the passage of a horse of Heaven	A2
For the last time for here thou com'st no more '	-
	-
He spake and turn'd to go to the inner gloom
But Hermod stay'd him with mild words and said	I3
	-
'Thou doest well to chide me Hoder blind	I3
Truly thou say'st the planning guilty mind	I3
Was Lok's the unwitting hand alone was thine	A2
But Gods are like the sons of men in this
When they have woe they blame the nearest cause
Howbeit stay and be appeas'd and tell
Sits Balder still in pomp by Hela's side	I3
Or is he mingled with the unnumber'd dead '	-
	-
And the blind Hoder answer'd him and spake	E
'His place of state remains by Hela's side	I3
But empty for his wife for Nanna came
Lately below and join'd him and the Pair	A3
Frequent the still recesses of the realm
Of Hela and hold converse undisturb'd	I3
But they too doubtless will have breath'd the balm	P4
Which floats before a visitant from Heaven	A2
And have drawn upwards to this verge of Hell '	-
	-
He spake and as he ceas'd a puff of wind	I3
Roll'd heavily the leaden mist aside	I3
Round where they stood and they beheld Two Forms
Make towards them o'er the stretching cloudy plain	A2
And Hermod straight perceiv'd them who they were	A3
Balder and Nanna and to Balder said	I3
	-
'Balder too truly thou foresaw'st a snare	A3
Lok triumphs still and Hela keeps her prey	A3
No more to Asgard shalt thou come nor lodge	B4
In thy own house Breidablik nor enjoy	B4
The love all bear towards thee nor train up	S4
Forset thy son to be belov'd like thee
Here must thou lie and wait an endless age	B4
Therefore for the last time O Balder hail '	-
	-
He spake and Balder answer'd him and said	I3
'Hail and farewell for here thou com'st no more	A3
Yet mourn not for me Hermod when thou sitt'st	I3
In Heaven nor let the other Gods lament	I3
As wholly to be pitied quite forlorn	A2
For Nanna hath rejoin'd me who of old	I3
In Heaven was seldom parted from my side	I3
And still the acceptance follows me which crowned	I3
My former life and cheers me even here	A3
The iron frown of Hela is relax'd	I3
When I draw nigh and the wan tribes of dead	I3
Trust me and gladly bring for my award	I3
Their ineffectual feuds and feeble hates
Shadows of hates but they distress them still '	-
	-
And the fleet footed Hermod made reply	P
'Thou hast then all the solace death allows
Esteem and function and so far is well
Yet here thou liest Balder underground	I3
Rusting for ever and the years roll on	A2
The generations pass the ages grow	W3
And bring us nearer to the final day	I3
When from the south shall march the Fiery Band	I3
And cross the Bridge of Heaven with Lok for guide	I3
And Fenris at his heel with broken chain	A2
While from the east the Giant Rymer steers
His ship and the great Serpent makes to land	I3
And all are marshall'd in one flaming square	A3
Against the Gods upon the plains of Heaven	A2
I mourn thee that thou canst not help us then '	-
	-
He spake but Balder answer'd him and said	I3
'Mourn not for me Mourn Hermod for the Gods
Mourn for the men on Earth the Gods in Heaven	A2
Who live and with their eyes shall see that day	I3
The day will come when Asgard's towers shall fall	L3
And Odin and his Sons the seed of Heaven	A2
But what were I to save them in that hour	A3
If strength could save them could not Odin save
My Father and his pride the Warrior Thor	A3
Vidar the Silent the Impetuous Tyr	A3
I what were I when these can naught avail	Y2
Yet doubtless when the day of battle comes
And the two Hosts are marshall'd and in Heaven	A2
The golden crested Cock shall sound alarm	Q
And his black Brother Bird from hence reply	P
And bucklers clash and spears begin to pour	A3
Longing will stir within my breast though vain	A2
But not to me so grievous as I know	W3
To other Gods it were is my enforc'd	I3
Absence from fields where I could nothing aid	I3
For I am long since weary of your storm
Of carnage and find Hermod in your life
Something too much of war and broils which make	E
Life one perpetual fight a bath of blood	I3
Mine eyes are dizzy with the arrowy hail	Y2
Mine ears are stunn'd with blows and sick for calm	P4
Inactive therefore let me lie in gloom
Unarm'd inglorious I attend the course
Of ages and my late return to light	I3
In times less alien to a spirit mild	I3
In new recover'd seats the happier day '	-
	-
He spake and the fleet Hermod thus replied	I3
'Brother what seats are these what happier day	I3
Tell me that I may ponder it when gone '	-
	-
And the ray crowned Balder answer'd him	X
'Far to the south beyond The Blue there spreads
Another Heaven The Boundless no one yet	I3
	-
Hath reach'd it there hereafter shall arise
The second Asgard with another name
Thither when o'er this present Earth and Heavens
The tempest of the latter days hath swept	I3
And they from sight have disappear'd and sunk
Shall a small remnant of the Gods repair	A3
Hoder and I shall join them from the grave
There re assembling we shall see emerge	B4
From the bright Ocean at our feet an Earth	N3
More fresh more verdant than the last with fruits
Self springing and a seed of man preserv'd	I3
Who then shall live in peace as now in war	A3
But we in Heaven shall find again with joy	B4
The ruin'd palaces of Odin seats
Familiar halls where we have supp'd of old	I3
Re enter them with wonder never fill
Our eyes with gazing and rebuild with tears
And we shall tread once more the well known plain	A2
Of Ida and among the grass shall find	I3
The golden dice with which we play'd of yore	A3
And that will bring to mind the former life
And pastime of the Gods the wise discourse
Of Odin the delights of other days
O Hermod pray that thou mayst join us then	A2
Such for the future is my hope meanwhile	O2
I rest the thrall of Hela and endure	A3
Death and the gloom which round me even now	A2
Thickens and to its inner gulph recalls
Farewell for longer speech is not allow'd '	-
	-
He spoke and wav'd farewell and gave his hand	I3
To Nanna and she gave their brother blind	I3
Her hand in turn for guidance and The Three	A3
Departed o'er the cloudy plain and soon	A2
Faded from sight into the interior gloom
But Hermod stood beside his drooping horse
Mute gazing after them in tears and fain	A2
Fain had he follow'd their receding steps
Though they to Death were bound and he to Heaven	A2
Then but a Power he could not break withheld	I3
And as a stork which idle boys have trapp'd	I3
And tied him in a yard at autumn sees
Flocks of his kind pass flying o'er his head	I3
To warmer lands and coasts that keep the sun	A2
He strains to join their flight and from his shed	I3
Follows them with a long complaining cry	P
So Hermod gaz'd and yearn'd to join his kin	A2
	-
At last he sigh'd and set forth back to Heaven	A2

Matthew Arnold

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