Sisters, hence with spurs of speed: Each her thundering faulchion wield : Each bestride her sable steed. Hurry, hurry to the field. No. XLIII. THE DESCENT OF ODIN. FROM THE NORSE TONGUE. -GRAY. The original is to be found in Bartholinus, de causis contemnendæ mortis ; Hafnia, 1689, quarto. Upreis Odinn allda gautr, &c. UPROSE the King of Men with speed, His shaggy throat he open'd wide, While from his jaws, with carnage fill'd, Foam and human gore distill'd: Niflheimr, the hell of the Gothic nations, consisted of nine worlds, to which were devoted all such as died of sickness, old age, or by any other means than in battle. Over it presided Hela, the Goddess of Death. Hoarse he bays with hideous din, The Father of the powerful spell. Onward still his way (The groaning earth beneath him shakes,) Till full before his fearless eyes The portals nine of Hell arise. Right against the eastern gate, Thrice he traced the Runic rhyme; Thrice pronounced, in accents dread, The thrilling verse that wakes the dead; Slowly breathed a sullen sound. PROPHETESS. What call unknown, what charms, presume To break the quiet of the tomb? Who thus afflicts troubled sprite, my And drags me from the realms of night? ла Long on these mouldering bones have beat The drenching dews, and driving rain ! Who is he, with voice unbless'd, Calls me from the bed of rest? ODIN. A traveller, to thee unknown, Is he that calls, a warrior's son. Thou the deeds of light shalt know; For whom yon glitt'ring board is spread, PROPHETESS. Mantling in the goblet see Unwilling I my lips unclose: Leave me, leave me to repose. ODIN. Once again my call obey. What dangers Odin's child await, PROPHETESS. In Hoder's hand the Hero's doom; Leave me, leave me to repose. ODIN. Prophetess, my spell obey, Once again arise, and say, Who th' Avenger of his guilt, By whom shall Hoder's blood be spilt? PROPHETESS. In the caverns of the west, By Odin's fierce embrace compress'd, A wond'rous boy shall Rinda bear, Who ne'er shall comb his raven-hair, Nor wash his visage in the stream, Nor see the sun's departing beam, A a 2 |