109 



APPENDIX A. 



THE DEATH OF BALDER, 



From the Tale of "The Yoxmo Noeskman " ly Mr. W. B. 



Rands, in the "Boys Own Volume" for 1863. 



(p. 143-4-5.) Beeton: Strand. 



" Once upon a time, Balder the Beautiful, wliom all gods 

 loved, and aU men, and aU tMngs tliat breathed, and that had not 

 breath, was troubled in his sleep -with bad dreams, which made 

 it seem to him that he must die. Then Freyga, who was ex- 

 ceeding fond of Balder, and was, indeed, said to be his mother, 

 stood up in the peace-stead, and declared that she would take 

 this matter in hand, and that Balder shoiild not die, if Odin 

 would give her leave to sit but once in Lidskialf, so that she 

 might look out over all the heavens and the earth. For Lidskialf 

 was the chair of Odin, in which none but he himself might sit — 

 such was the decree of the gods — and he often sat there, that he 

 might see aU that was being done in Jotunheim by the Giants, 

 and what charms were being prepared by the swart little Lapps, 

 and other sorcerers. However, the gods considered it thoroughly 

 among themselves, and at last it was decreed that Freyga might 

 sit in Lidskialf for once, only she was not to tell of it, and it was 

 never to be permitted again. 



So Freyga was very much pleased, and went up all alone 

 to Odin's high seat, and looked out upon heaven and earth, and 

 cried with a loud voice — 



