Page:Icelandic Poetry or the Edda of Sæmund (1797).pdf/261

THE

SONG of the TRAVELLER, &c.

I.
The morn was up—the blast blew loud—
When now, their halls, the Asi croud:
Afiniæ^[1] too the council seek,
Ever privileged to speak.
Death of Balder^[2] was the theme—
His thought by day, by night his dream.

1. Asiniæ, Goddesses, wives of the Asi.
2. Balder, this God thought his life was in extreme danger, and told the dreams that he had to that effect to the other Gods. They agree to conjure away all the danger with which he was threatened. Frigga and Odin go through all nature and exact an oath from every thing not to hurt him. Odin still fearing that danger might lurk somewhere, descends into Hela to consult a