Chapter XLIII: Section III: Forsete

Forsete is the son of Balder and Nanna. He possesses the heavenly mansion called Glitner, and all disputants at law who bring their cases before him go away perfectly reconciled. His tribunal is the best that is to be found among gods and men. Thus the Elder Edda, in the lay of Grimner:

Glitner is the tenth mansion;
It is on gold sustained,
And also with silver decked.
There Forsete dwells
Throughout all time,
And every strife allays.

Forsete means simply _president_. The island Helgoland was formerly called Forseteland. Justice was dealt out in Norseland during the bright season of the year, and only while the sun was up, in the open air, in the flowering lap of nature. The sanctity of the assembly and purity of justice is expressed by the golden columns and the silver roof of Glitner. The splendor of Balder shone upon his son.

Footnote 56:

The _anthemis cotula_ is generally called _Baldersbraa_ in the North.

Footnote 57:

Guardian spirits.

Footnote 58:

The sparks of fire are dry tears.

Footnote 59:

Milton.