SELECTIONS IN ENGLISH POETRY

Of Odin, the delights of other days. 1200

0 Hermod, pray that thou may'st join us then!
Such for the future is my hope; meanwhile,

1 rest the thrall of Hela, and endure

Death, and the gloom which round me even now
Thickens, and to its inner gulph recalls. 1205

Farewell, for longer speech is not allow'd!"

He spoke, and waved farewell, and gave his hand
To Nanna; and she gave their brother blind
Her hand, in turn, for guidance; and the three
Departed o'er the cloudy plain, and soon 1210

Faded from sight into the interior gloom.
But Hermod stood beside his drooping horse
Mute, gazing after them in tears; and fain.
Fain had he followed their receding steps,
Though they to Death were bound, and he to Heaven,
Then; but a Power he could not break withheld. 1216

And as a stork which idle boys have trapp'd,
And tied him in a yard, at autumn sees
Flocks of his kind pass flying o'er his head
To warmer lands, and coasts that keep the sun;— 1220
He strains to join their flight, and from his shed
Follows them with a long complaining cry—
So Hermod gazed, and yearn'd to join his kin.

At last he sigh'd, and set forth back to Heaven*

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