SELECTIONS IN ENGLISH POETRY
In the strait passage, at the farther end, 430
Where the road issues between walling rocks.
Scant space that warder left for passers by ;—
But as when cowherds in October drive
Their kine across a snowy mountain-pass
To winter-pasture on the southern side, 435
And on the ridge a waggon chokes the way,
Wedged in the snow; then painfully the hinds
With goad and shouting urge their cattle past,
Plunging through deep untrodden banks of snow
To right and left, and warm steam fills the air— 440
So on the bridge that damsel block'd the way,
And question'd Hermod as he came, and said:—
44 Who art thou on thy black and fiery horse
Under whose hoofs the bridge o'er Giall's stream
Rumbles and shakes? Tell me thy race and home. 445
But yestermorn, five troops of dead passed by,
Bound on their way below to Hela's realm,
Nor shook the bridge so much as thou alone.
And thou hast flesh and colour on thy cheeks,
Like men who live, and draw the vital air; 450
Nor look'st thou pale and wan, like m.en deceased,
Souls bound below, my daily passers here."
And the fleet-footed Hermod answer *d her:—
"O Damsel, Hermod am I calPd, the son
Of Odin; and my high-roof d house is built 455
Far hence, in Asgard, in the city of Gods;
And Sleipner, Odin's horse, is this I ride.
And I come, sent this road on Balder's track;
Say then, if he hath cross'd thy bridge or no?"
He spake; the Warder of the bridge replied :— 460
^"O Hermod, rarely do the feet of Gods
Or of the horses of the Gods resound