e coat. Asked by them wherefore he had come thither, he
related the disastrous issue of the war. So he began to bewail the ill
luck of his failures and his dismal misfortunes, condemning their breach
of faith, and lamenting that it had not turned out for him as they had
promised him. But the maidens said that though he had seldom come off
victorious, he had nevertheless inflicted as much defeat on the enemy
as they on him, and had dealt as much carnage as he had shared in.
Moreover, the favour of victory would be speedily his, if he could first
lay hands upon a food of extraordinary delightsomeness which had
been devised to increase the strength of Balder. For nothing would be
difficult if he could only get hold of the dainty which was meant to
enhance the rigour of his foe.

Hard as it sounded for earthborn endeavours to make armed assault upon
the gods, the words of the maidens inspired Hother's mind with instant
confidence to fight with Balder. Also some of his own people said that
he could not safely contend with those above; but all regard for their
majesty was expelled by the boundless fire of his spirit. For in brave
souls vehemence is not always sapped by reason, nor doth counsel defeat
rashness. Or perchance it was that Hother remembered how the might of
the lordliest oft proveth unstable, and how a little clod can batter
down great chariots.

On the other side, Balder mustered the Danes to arms and met Hother
in the field. Both sides made a great slaughter; the carnage of the
opposing parties was nearly equal, and night stayed the battle. About
the third watch, Hother, unknown to any man, went out to spy upon the
enemy, anxiety about the impending peril having banished sleep. This
strong excitement favours not bodily rest, and inward disquiet suffers
not outward repose. So, when he came to the camp of the enemy he heard
that three maidens had gone out carrying the secret feast of Balder. He
ran after them (for their footsteps in the dew betrayed their flight),
and at last entered their accustomed dwelling. When they asked him who
he was, he answered, a lutanist, nor did the trial belie his profession.
For when the lyre was offered him, he tuned its strings, ordered and
governed the chords with his quill, and with ready modulation poured
forth a melody pleasant to the ear. Now they had three snakes, of whose
venom they were wont to mix a strengthening compound for the food of
Balder, and even now a flood of sl