His soul thrilled with rapture at the thought that he and she together should drink from the fountain of immortality , as Odin had promised , and be one thereafter in eternal youth . `` At last they came to the very place where the rainbow touched the earth . And the rainbow was a great bridge , built of living colours , so dazzling and wonderful that beyond it the eye could see nothing , only far away a great , blinding , sparkling glory , where the fountain of life sprang up in a shower of diamond fire . But under the Rainbow Bridge rolled a terrible flood , deep and wide and violent , full of rocks and rapids and whirlpools . `` There was a Warder of the bridge , a god , dark and stern and sorrowful . And to him Odin gave command that he should open the gate and allow his followers to cross the Rainbow Bridge , that they might drink of the fountain of life beyond . And the Warder set open the gate . '' ` Pass on and drink of the fountain , ' he said . ` To all who taste of it shall immortality be given . But only to that one who shall drink of it first shall be permitted to walk at Odin 's right hand forever . ' `` Then the company passed through in great haste , all fired with a desire to be the first to drink of the fountain and win so marvellous a boon . Last of all came Ving . He had lingered behind to pluck a thorn from the foot of a beggar child he had met on the highway , and he had not heard the Warder 's words . But when , eager , joyous , radiant , he set his foot on the rainbow , the stern , sorrowful Warder took him by the arm and drew him back . '' ` Ving , strong , noble , and valiant , ' he said , ` Rainbow Bridge is not for thee . ' `` Very dark grew Ving 's face . Hot rebellion rose in his heart and rushed over his pale lips . '' ` Why dost thou keep back the draught of immortality from me ? ' he demanded passionately . `` The Warder pointed to the dark flood that rolled under the bridge . ''
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