
































































22 THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. 

God of Light the most. After the spell 
which had been laid on all creation not to 
hurt Baldur, the gods were wont to try his 
immunity from harm by getting him to stand 
on the plains of Asgard, and serve as a 
target, at which they hurled darts and stones, 
while others hewed at him with their swords 
and battle-axes. The spell worked well; 
Baldur was ever unhurt, and it came to be 
considered as an honour paid to him, when 
his invulnerability was thus tested. 
One day the gods were thus assembled, 
when Loki, hovering near unseen, gazed 
upon the singular spectacle. He beheld the 
bright-haired god, Baldur the Good, standing 
in a circle formed by the deities of Valhalla, 
Odin stood gazing on the sport, while Thor 
threw his mighty hammer at Baldur, which 
rebounded, without scath to the youthful 
god. In his turn, each god hurled missiles, 
or levelled blows at Baldur, who stood, 
smiling at them, erect and unharmed, 
What could it mean? Loki, who would 
have rejoiced had every blow told, was 

