The Dead Gods

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The Dead Gods

What of the Gods who ruled the circle wan — That, land which j£ger, Surt», did form in runes; Where Odin's ravens spake, sang Freya's swan; Land of the mid-night suns, and circled moons? Ah! he who slew the Giants — iron Thor? No mountain wight* his hammer stroke appals: The Asas give not Love, nor Peace, nor War; Nor Odin reigns — where are Valhalla's walk? Gone from the northern skys the spectral throng; For aye are hushed the wild Valkyries' cries; Iduc, with youth has passed, Volund, the strong; The wrinkled Noras no more the shuttle plies: Ah! lost* in Vidar's silence, Brage's song; Slain by blind Hoder, dead fair Balder lies!

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Not on Olympus Jove or Hera dwell; Athens, Hermes, Artemis are gone; The patient. Heracles, fierce Ares, fell; Apollo's horses bring no more the dawn! Yea, gone The Thunderer, and Roman Mars, Again old Saturn from his realm does flee; Nor Neptune, Bacchus, drive again their cars; Fair Venus rises not. from Cypres' sea! Unhaunted, now, y£gina's island fount.; And from j€gean s waves no mermaids scream; Profaned Dodona's Groves and Ida's Mount.; In Hellas, nympbless flows each classic stream: To Hade's lord no mortal owes account.; Grim Pluto is, like mighty Pan— a dream!