Page:Norse mythology or, the religion of our forefathers, containing all the myths of the Eddas, systematized and interpreted with an introduction, vocabulary and index.djvu/405

 Thou weepest, gold-adorned, Sunbright woman! Cruel tears, Before thou goest to sleep. Every bloody tear Fell on the king's breast, Ice-cold and swelling With sorrow.

Thus also in the old song of Aage and Else:

Whenever thou grievest, My coffin is within As livid blood: Whenever thou rejoicest, My coffin is within Filled with fragrant roses.

SECTION VI. LOKE'S PUNISHMENT.

Loke and Balder struggled for the government of the world. Loke gradually grew victorious in his terrible children, while Balder, defenseless and innocent, had nothing but his shining purity with which to oppose Loke's baseness. Loke's wickedness reached its culminating point in the death of Balder and in the hag Thok, who with arid tears would wail Balder from Hel.

According to the Younger Edda it would seem that Loke was punished immediately after the death of Balder, but according to the Elder Edda the banquet of Æger seems to have taken place after the death of Balder, and there Loke was present to pour out in words his enmity to the defeated gods. When Æger had received the large kettle, that Thor had brought him from the giant Hymer, he brewed ale for the gods and invited them to a banquet. The gods and elves were gathered there, but Thor was not present. Æger's servants were praised for their attentiveness and agility. This Loke could not bear to hear,