~ Historical & Classical Poetry ~
XIII.
Balderīs Funeral Pyre
Midnight's sun on the mountain lay,
Blood-red was its gleaming
It was not night nor was it day,
But just between them seeming.
Balder's bale-fire, symbol bright,
On sacred hearth was burning,--
Soon is quenched its wasted light,
Hoder's reign returning.
....
From the Fridthjof's Saga (1820-25) by Esaias Tegner,
Swedish poet (1782-1846).
Its setting is the world of Norse sagas and mythology.
Translated by Thomas A E Holcomb and Martha A Lyon Holcomb,
released for public domain.
Translation of all 24 chapters here.