"No weapon, nor tree may hurt Baldur," answers Frigga, "I have taken an
oath of them all not to do so."

"What," said the pretended woman, "have all things then sworn to spare
Baldur?"

"There is only one little twig which grows to the east of Valhalla,
which is called the mistletoe. Of that I took no oath, for it seemed to
me too young and feeble to do any hurt."

Then the strange woman departed, and Loki having found the mistletoe,
cut it off, and went to the assembly. There he found Hodur standing
apart by himself, for he was blind. Then said Loki to him--

"Why do you not throw at Baldur?"

"Because," said he, "I am blind and cannot see him, and besides I have
nothing to throw."

"Do as the others," said Loki, "and honour Baldur as the rest do. I will
direct your aim. Throw this shaft at him."

Hodur took the mistletoe and, Loki directing him, aimed at Baldur. The
aim was good. The shaft pierced him through, and Baldur fell dead upon
the earth. Surely never was there a greater misfortune either among gods
or men.

When the gods saw that Baldur was dead then they were silent, aghast,
and stood motionless. They looked on one another, and were all agreed as
to what he deserved who had done the deed, but out of respect to the