HOTHER. What! shall I fly?

NANNA. Do thou whate'er thou pleasest!
Thou wouldst not have me perish in the forest,
Thou wouldst not, sure, that I should be a witness--

BALDER. Ha, Nanna! fly not from me!

HOTHER (to BALDER). Thou commandest,
I say she shall fly from thee. (To NANNA) Come, my Nanna!
(To BALDER). But do not thou despair! nor yet imagine
Thou wilt have long to wait, if wait thou darest.

[HOTHER and NANNA exeunt.

BALDER. Ha! wherefore crush'd I not to earth the brawler?
But Nanna loves him--and shall Balder render
Nanna unhappy, cause despair to enter
Her breast, and dim with tears her eyes' effulgence?
And what is his offence, the noble hero?
He loves--ha, who can gaze upon thy beauties
And love thee not, proud maiden? But he braves me!
Ah! he is young and fortunate, and if I
Had slain him now, 'twas Nanna's love I punish'd,
And not his insolence; and, O my bosom!
Shall thy pure flame dishonour thee? No, Balder!
Love on and die, but of thyself be worthy!
Ha, let me lose my life and all, Allfather!
And Nanna e'en! Yes, let me lose e'en Nanna!