For Little Childven—Balder. 87

Odin said, ‘This cannot be.

“Balder shall return. 1, myself, will go and bring
him from Hela’s dark regions.”

But Frigga had already sent a messenger to the
spirit world to beg Queen Hela to release Balder.

While waiting for the messenger to return, the
heroes were not idle.

For twelve days and nights they worked as only
love can make men work. They did not pause for
food nor rest.

They built a great funeral pyre, and no one was
too small to help in the work of love.

They found Balder’s ship upon the seashore.

They brought great logs from the forest and
bound them upon the deck.

Upon these they placed his beautiful white horse,
his dogs, his shining armor, and many things
which he had loved on earth.

When it was finished, they raised the sails, set
the ship on fire and pushed it out upon the sea.

They sang and wept all night until at sunrise the
sails fell. .

They watched the flames die down and the
waves wash over the sinking ship.

As they turned sadly from the shore, they met
the messenger from Hela’s regions.

“Rejoice,” he said, “Hela says, ‘If everything
living and lifeless weep for Balder, he may return
tOMIS eo