The golden dice wherewith we played of yore; And that will bring to mind the former life And pastime of the gods, the wise discourse Of Odin, the delights of other days. O Hermod, pray that thou may’st join us then! Such for the future is my hope; meanwhile, I rest the thrall of Hela, and endure Death, and the gloom which round me even now Thickens, and to its inner gulf recalls. Farewell, for longer speech is not allowed!” He spoke, and waved farewell, and gave his hand To Nanna; and she gave their brother blind Her hand, in turn, for guidance; and the three Departed o’er the cloudy plain, and soon Faded from sight into the interior gloom. But Hermod stood beside his drooping horse, Mute, gazing after them in tears; and fain, Fain had he followed their receding steps, Though they to death were bound, and he to heaven, Then: but a power he could not break withheld. And as a stork which idle boys have trapped, And tied him in a yard, at autumn sees Flocks of his kind pass flying o’er his head To warmer lands, and coasts that keep the sun; He strains to join their flight, and from his shed Follows them with a long complaining cry,-- So Hermod gazed, and yearned to join his kin. At last he sighed, and set forth back to heaven. _TRISTRAM AND ISEULT._[7] I. Tristram. TRISTRAM. Is she not come? The messenger was sure. Prop me upon the pillows once again. Raise me, my page! this cannot long endure. --Christ, what a night! how the sleet whips the pane! What lights will those out to the northward be? THE PAGE. The lanterns of the fishing-boats at sea. TRISTRAM. Soft--who is that, stands by the dying fire? THE PAGE. Iseult. TRISTRAM. Ah! not the Iseult I desire. * * * * * What knight is this so weak and pale, Though the locks are yet brown on his noble head, Propped on pillows in his bed, Gazing seaward for the light Of some ship that fights the gale On this wild December night? Over the sick man’s feet is spread A dark green forest-dress; A gold harp leans against the bed, Ruddy in the fire’s light. I know him by his harp of gold, Famous in Arthur’s court of old; I know him by his forest-dress,-- The peerless hunter, harper, knight, Tristram of Lyoness.