Refluent roll'd the crest new sprung,
In clouds with ghastly lightnings stung,--
Faint thunders to their black feet clung.
His faithful hound ran at his heel--
His thighs and breast were bright with steel--
He saw the awful Hellway reel.
But far along its bleak peaks rang
A distant trump--its airy clang
Like light through deathly shadows sprang.
He knew the blast--the voice of love!
Cleft lay the throbbing peak above
Sail'd light, wing'd like a silver dove.
On strove the toiling ghost, his soul
Stirr'd like strong mead in wassail bowl,
That quivers to the shout of "Skoal!"
Strode from the mist close-curv'd and cold
As is a writhing dragon's fold;
A warrior with shield of gold.
A sharp blade glitter'd at his hip,
Flamed like a star his lance's tip;
His bugle sang at bearded lip.
Beneath his golden sandels flew
Stars from the mist as grass flings dew;
Or red fruit falls from the dark yew.
As under shelt'ring wreaths of snow
The dark blue north flowers richly blow--
Beneath long locks of silver glow.
Clear eyes, that burning on a host
Would win a field at sunset lost,
Ere stars from Odin's hand were toss'd.
He stretch'd his hand, he bowed his head:
The wan ghost to his bosom sped--
Dead kiss'd the bearded lips of Dead!
"What dost thou here, my youngest born?
"Thou--scarce yet fronted with life's storm--
"Why art thou from the dark earth torn?
"When high Valhalla puls'd and rang
"With harps that shook as grey bards sang--
"'Mid the loud joy I heard the clang.
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