cultural resources in henrik ibsen's early environment - Ibsen.net

26 The family of Norse gods.
27 That is, the new skald, Oehlenschlæger.
Death's harp trembles!
The skald rises purified
From earth-kingdom’s valley,
But on his high
Heavenly journey
He visits the hall of the Aser. 26
Then strides the skald
High above the rainbow
And into the gods' castle,
Odin greets him
Happy from Lidskjalf,
Yet the happiness is mingled with grief;
Since now Norden's
Holy gods
Have lost their spokesman on earth,
Now is the bond
Broken which united
The Aser to the people in the North!
Strangely uneasy,
Gravely disposed,
Forgetting Idavold's pleasures,
Sit in long,
Shining rows
Valfader's heroes so hushed.
Brage then seizes
The harp with skill
Glorious silver notes fall,
Hermod gladly
Leads to his seat
The Aser's mighty skald.
Seated at table
With ringing voice
The skald 27 speaks words of thanks,
He greets Alfader,
Frigg and Baldur
The comfort of Gods and men.
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