112 



standing in a circle ajround Balder and trjing to hurt him, and 

 yet none of the things they use seem to do him any harm. How 

 is that?" 



l^o-w Freyga was proud of what she had done when she 

 had ascended Lidskialf, and she said to Lok, taking him for the 

 woman he seemed to he — 



" You must he very ignorant not to know that nothing can 

 harm Balder, for all things in heaven and earth have sworn never 

 to do him ill." 



"What !" said Lok, "aU things?" 



" "Why, yes," said Freyga, " you may well say all things, 

 for who would call the mistletoe a thing ? I did not think it 

 worth while to ask so insignificant an affair for an oath." 



This was just what Lok wanted to hear, and what he ex- 

 pected to hear. So the nest time the gods were having sport 

 with Balder, he took with him a sprig of the mistletoe, and went 

 up with it to Hodei', who, being blind, was standing sadly apart 

 fi'om the rest. 



"Why do not you also fling somewhat at Balder ?" said Lok. 



"First," answered Hoder, " because I cannot see where he 

 stands, and secondly because I have nothing to throw." 



" Well," says Lok, "hold out your hand slyly— behind 

 you — and I wiU put into it something to throw at Balder, and 

 will, moreover, direct your hand, so that you shall take good aim." 



Now, when the Asir saw Hoder making ready to throw this 

 small branch at Balder, they all laughed heartily, and Balder 

 among the rest. 



" Put up your weapon, Hoder, for it seems tome too dan- 

 gerous a thing to throw." 



Those were the words of Balder. But Lok, at the same 

 moment, directed the aim of Hoder, and the mistletoe-bough went 

 straight to the temples of the White Sun-god, who fell down 

 dead." 



