Amid all the desires of their souls the passion of valour prevailed, and a naval battle was fought with Balder.

One would have thought it a contest of men against gods, for Odin and Thor and the holy array of the gods fought for Balder.

There one could have beheld a war in which divine and human might were mingled.

But Hother was clad in his steel-defying tunic, and charged the closest bands of the gods, assailing them as vehemently as a son of earth could assail the powers above.

However, Thor was swinging his club with marvellous might, and shattered all interposing shields, calling as loudly on his foes to attack him as upon his friends to back him up.