The references to
the myth in the Elder Edda are:
(1) _Vegtamskvida_ (about 900 A.D.). Odin questions the Sibyl as to
the meaning of Baldr's dreams:
_Odin_. "For whom are the benches (in hell) strewn with rings, the
halls fairly adorned with gold?"
_Sibyl_. "Here the mead, clear drink, stands brewed for Baldr; the
shields are spread. The sons of the Aesir are too merry."
_Odin_. "Who will be Baldr's slayer and rob Odin's son of life?"
_Sibyl_. "Hoed bears thither the high branch of fame: he will be
Baldr's slayer and rob Odin's son of life."
_Odin_. "Who will avenge the deed on Hoed and bring Baldr's slayer to
the funeral pyre?"
_Sibyl_. "Rind bears a son, Vali, in the halls of the west. He shall
not wash his hands nor comb his hair till he bears Baldr's foe to
the pyre."
(2) In _Lokasenna_ Frigg says: "If I had a son like Baldr here in
Oegi's halls, thou shouldst not pass out from the sons of the Aesir,
but be slain here in thy anger"; to which Loki replies, "Wilt thou
that I speak more ill words, Frigg? I am the cause that thou wilt
never more see Baldr ride into the hall."
(3) In _Vafthrudnismal_ the only reference is Odin's question,
"What said Odin in his son's ear when he mounted the pyre?"
(4) In _Voeluspa_ the Sibyl prophesies, "I saw doom threatening Baldr,
the bleeding victim, the son of Odin. Grown high above the meadows
stood the mistletoe, slender and fair. From this stem, which looked
so slender, grew a fatal and dangerous shaft.
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