foundcarcosa:

Two messengers met on the straight and stormy road, one running with fleet foot, one riding with swift steed.

“I am Hermod,” the rider said in greeting, “and I go to beseech dread Hela to return Frigg’s favoured son, Baldr, to the realm of the living – for her grief is terrible and we all suffer greatly.”

“I am Hermes,” the runner said in return, “and I go to beseech dread Hades to return Demeter’s only daughter, Persephone, to the realm of the living – for her grief is terrible and the earth suffers greatly.”

“What a terrific and terrible thing a mother is,” Hermod mused.

“What a lonely and hungry thing death is,” Hermes mused.

Two messengers continued on the straight and stormy road, down to the world below.