Chapter 33 - Page 2

through and through, fell down
lifeless. Surely never was there witnessed, either among gods or
men, a more atrocious deed than this. When Baldur fell, the gods
were struck speechless with horror, and then they looked at each
other, and all were of one mind to lay hands on him who had done
the deed, but they were obliged to delay their vengeance out of
respect for the sacred place where they were assembled. They
gave vent to their grief by loud lamentations. When the gods
came to themselves, Frigga asked who among them wished to gain
all her love and good will. "For this," said she, "shall he have
who will ride to Hel and offer Hela a ransom if she will let
Baldur return to Asgard." Whereupon Hermod, surnamed the Nimble,
the son of Odin, offered to undertake the journey. Odin's horse,
Sleipnir, which has eight legs, and can outrun the wind, was then
led forth, on which Hermod mounted and galloped away on his
mission. For the space of nine days and as many nights he rode
through deep glens so dark that he could not discern anything
until he arrived at the river Gyoll, which he passed over on a
bridge covered with glittering gold. The maiden who kept the
bridge asked him his name and lineage, telling him that the day
before five bands of dead persons had ridden over the bridge, and
did not shake it as much as he alone. "But," she added, "thou
hast not death's hue on thee; why then ridest thou here on the
way to Hel?" "I ride to Hel," answered Hermod, "to seek Baldur. Hast thou
perchance seen him pass this way?" She replied, "Baldur hath ridden over Gyoll's bridge, and yonder
lieth the way he took to the abodes of death." Hermod pursued his journey until he came to the barred gates of
Hel. Here he alighted, girthed his saddle tighter, and
remounting clapped both spurs to his horse, who cleared the gate
by a tremendous leap without touching it. Hermod then rode on to
the palace where he found his brother Baldur occupying the most
distinguished seat in the hall, and passed the night in his
company. The next morning he besought Hela to let Baldur ride
home with him, assuring her that nothing but lamentations were to
be heard among the gods. Hela answered that it should now be
tried whether Baldur was so beloved as he was said to be. "If,
therefore," she added, "all things in the world, both living and
lifeless, weep for him, then shall he return to life; but if any
one thing speak against him or refuse to weep, he shall be kept
in Hel." Hermod then rode back to Asgard and gave an account of all he had
heard and witnessed. The gods upon this despatched messengers throughout the world to
beg every thing to weep in order that Baldur might be delivered
from Hel. All things very willingly complied with this