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THE DOWNFALL OF THE WORLD. 145
nothing impure is found, has reference to the Deity
ofInnocence. Tlie name Balldr signifies the Strong,*
and denotes spiritual Power combined with spotless
Innocence. The blind lioSur, in this connection,
denotes physical strength, with its blind earthly
endeavors. The latter, led on by Sin (Loki), unwit-
tingly slays Innocence, and with Innocence dies the
desire of good and the active participation in it
—
Nanna f dies of a broken heiart and is burned on
the funeral pile of her husband, Baldur. The mur-
der is avenged by the hastily-aroused reflection
Ii66ur is slain by Yali. But Innocence has van-
ished from the world to return no more, although
all Nature mourns its loss. Only in the regenerated
World shall it again prevail.
The Jfeir succeeded in appeasing their thirst for
vengeance upon Loti, and even got him imprisoned
in the Abyss, as they had before imprisoned his
progeny; but the seeds of destruction and death
had already been sown broadcast in the world, and
they grew up Rigorously. Thenceforth the 'JEsir
foresaw the impending di^olution of the world and
of themselves, against which they might, indeed, con-
tend, but were not able to avert.
* Balldr, ballr, baldinn, brave, strong, bold; Mmso-Goth. balfs,
bold ; A-.8. Bealdor, Baldor (the bolder), a hero, a prince, from
beald, b&ld, b6ld ; bold, courageous," honorable, are terms cognate
to the name of the God. Grimni believes this a later meaning, and
that the name may be traced to the Lithy,anian baltas, which sig-
nifies both white and good.
\ From nenna, to be inclined to, to like.