the delusive semblance of the
building. For he knew not that all that had passed around him had been a
mere mockery and an unreal trick of the arts of magic.

Returning thence, he related to Gewar the mystification that had
followed on his straying, and straightway asked him for his daughter.
Gewar answered that he would most gladly favour him, but that he feared
if he rejected Balder he would incur his wrath; for Balder, he said, had
proffered him a like request. For he said that the sacred strength of
Balder's body was proof even against steel; adding, however, that he
knew of a sword which could deal him his death, which was fastened up in
the closest bonds; this was in the keeping of Miming, the Satyr of the
woods, who also had a bracelet of a secret and marvellous virtue, that
used to increase the wealth of the owner. Moreover, the way to these
regions was impassable and filled with obstacles, and therefore hard for
mortal men to travel. For the greater part of the road was perpetually
beset with extraordinary cold. So he advised him to harness a car with
reindeer, by means of whose great speed he could cross the hard-frozen
ridges. And when he had got to the place, he should set up his tent away
from the sun in such wise that it should catch the shadow of the cave
where Miming was wont to be; while he should not in return cast a
shade upon Miming, so that no unaccustomed darkness might be thrown and
prevent the Satyr from going out. Thus both the bracelet and the sword
would be ready to his hand, one being attended by fortune in wealth
and the other by fortune in war, and each of them thus bringing a great
prize to the owner. Thus much said Gewar; and Hother was not slow to
carry out his instructions. Planting his tent in the manner aforesaid,
he passed the nights in anxieties and the days in hunting. But through
either season he remained very wakeful and sleepless, allotting the
divisions of night and day so as to devote the one to reflection on
events, and to spend the other in providing food for his body. Once as
he watched all night, his spirit was drooping and dazed with anxiety,
when the Satyr cast a shadow on his tent. Aiming a spear at him, he
brought him down with the blow, stopped him, and bound him, while he
could not make his escape. Then in the most dreadful words he threatened
him with the worst, and demanded the sword and bracelets. The Satyr was
not slow to tender him the ransom of his life for whic