Thus burst from ODIN's lips the fated sound, As high in air he rear'd the gleaming blade; His faithful friends around In silent wonder saw the scene, affray'd: He, unappall'd, towards the skies Uplifts his death-denouncing eyes; "Ope wide VALHALLA's shield-roof'd hall, Virgins of bliss! obey your master's call; From these injurious realms below The sire of nations hastes to go." Say, faulters now your chieftain's breath? Or chills pale terror now his death-like face? Then weep not, THOR, thy friend's approaching death, Let no unmanly tears disgrace The first of mortal's valiant race: Dauntless HEIMDAL, mourn not now, BALDER! clear thy cloudy brow; I go to happier realms above, To realms of friendship and of love. This unmanly grief dispelling, List to glory's rapturous call; So with ODIN ever dwelling, Meet him in the shield-roof'd hall: Still shall ODIN's fateful lance Before his daring friends advance; When the bloody fight beginning, Helms and shields, and hauberks ringing, Streaming life each fatal wound Pours its current on the ground; Still in clouds portentous riding O'er his comrade host presiding. ODIN, from the stormy air, O'er your affrighted foes shall scatter wild despair. 'Mid the mighty din of battle, Whilst conflicting chariots rattle, Floods of purple slaughter streaming, Fate-fraught falchions widely gleaming; When MISTA marks her destin'd prey, When dread and death deform the day; Happy he amid the strife, Who pours the current of his life; Every toil and trouble ending, ODIN from his hall descending, Shall bear him to his blest retreat, Shall place him in the warrior's seat.