THE DESCENT OF ODIN. AN OD E. UPROSE the King of Men with speed, And faddled ftrait his coal-black fteed; Down the yawning steep he rode, That leads to * HELA's drear abode. Him * Niflheimr, the hell of the Gothic nations, confifted of nine worlds, to which were devoted all fuch as died of fickness, old age, or by any other means than in battle: Over it prefided HELA, the Goddef's of Death. Him the Dog of Darkness spy'd, His fhaggy throat he open'd wide, Hoarfe he bays with hideous din, Onward ftill his way he takes, (The groaning earth beneath him fhakes) Till full before his fearless eyes The portals nine of hell arife, Right against the eastern gate, By the mofs-grown pile he fate; The duft of the prophetic Maid. Thrice he trac'd the Runic rhyme; Thrice Thrice pronounc'd, in accents dread, The thrilling verfe that wakes the Dead; Till from out the hollow ground Slowly breath'd a fullen found. PR. What call unknown, what charms prefumc To break the quiet of the tomb ?, Who is he, with voice unbleft, That calls me from the bed of reft? O. A Traveller, to thee unknown, Is he that calls, a Warriour's Son. Thou |