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ILLUSTRATIONS 


OF 


NORTHERN  ANTIQUITIES. 


ain0  i0t  in  altm  ntaeten  tounDets  bil  itgtitt 

tarn  t^eiven  lobeBeeten,  ban  ctonn  i^umi^tlt; 

tSlm  ftoetien,  |)oc|)0e;eiten,  bon  tpeinen  unH  bon  filaeen, 

tUm  c^uonn  mf^en  mtitt,  mom  it  nu  tounlier  lioeren  0aeen» 

S)a0  Liet  Dn  Jl9iiieIunoen,  a£  initio. 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


OF 


ftonjeni  antiquities, 

FROM  THE  EARLIER 

TEUTONIC  AND  SCANDINAVIAN 

ROMANCES; 

BEING  AN 

a&ieittact  of  t{)e  ^ooii  of  ^eroeiet,  anD  Jl^itielunffen  Ha? ; 

WITH  TRANSLATIONS  OF 

METRICAL  TALES, 

FROM  THE 

mii  <l5ttmim,  ^ani»h  ^totiii»'b>  tmit  ^ttlatHiit  %msuafit»; 

WITH 

NOTES  AND  DISSERTATIONS. 


EDINBURGH  : 


Printed  by  James  Ballantyne  and  Co- 

rOE  LONGMAN,  HURST,  REES,  OEME,  AND  BROWN,  LONDON  J 

AND  JOHN  BALLANTYNE  AND  CO.,  EDINBURGH. 

1814. 

© 

E.M, 


ADVERTISEMENT. 


The  purpose  of  the  present  Publication  is  to  introduce  the 
reader  to  the  Metrical  Poems  and  Romances  of  the  ancient 
Gothic  Dialects,  a  subject  intimately  connected  with  the  earlier 
history  of  European  literature,  but  to  which  English  antiqua- 
ries have  as  yet  but  partially  turned  their  eyes.  The  field  of 
Icelandic  Antiquities  has  indeed  been  investigated  by  Percy, 
by  Johnstone,  and  more  lately  by  Mr  Herbert,  with  zeal,  per- 
severance, and  success.  But  the  Romances  of  ancient  Ger- 
many have  been  as  yet  unnoticed,  and,  with  the  Metrical  Tales 
of  Denmark  and  Sweden,  offer  a  new  and  interesting  subject 
of  speculation  to  the  English  reader. 

Should  the  present  volume  be  favourably  received  by  the 
public,  it  is  the  purpose  of  the  Editors  to  extend  their  re- 
searches to  the  Romances  of  Russia  ;  to  the  more  rare  and  less- 
known  Sagas  of  Scandinavia ;  to  the  Original  Songs  of  the  Letts 
and  Esthonians ;  and  to  the  Poetry  of  the  Celtic  Dialects.  Upon 
each  of  these  subjects  materials  have  been  collected,  and  means 
of  access  to  eminent  antiquaries  and  libraries  on  the  continent 


10 


vi  ADVERTISEMENT. 

are  in  the  power  of  the  Editors.  They  would  also  esteem 
themselves  honoured  by  communications  from  any  man  of  li- 
terature, whose  taste  may  have  led  him  to  this  field  of  investi- 
gation. 

The  intended  prosecution  of  the  work  will  depend  on  the 
public  taste  :  and  although  the  Editors  cannot  augur  brilliant 
or  extensive  success  for  a  work  which  relishes  too  much  of  pure 
antiquity  to  be  generally  popular,  they  are  not  without  hopes 
that,  since  their  materials  are  new  to  British  literature,  enough 
of  countenance  may  be  extended  to  their  labours,  to  encourage 
perseverance  in  their  present  undertaking.  Its  end  and  im- 
port may  be  expressed  by  reference  to  the  beautiful  lines  by 
which  Pope  has  described  the  northern  front  of  the  Temple  of 
Fame : — 

"  Of  Gothic  structure  was  the  Northern  side, 
O'erwrought  with  ornaments  of  barb'rous  pride : 
There  huge  Colosses  rose,  with  trophies  crown'd, 
And  Runic  characters  were  graved  around. 
There  sat  Zamolxis  with  erected  eyes, 
And  Odin  here  in  mimic  trances  dies. 
There  on  rude  iron  columns,  smear'd  with  blood. 
The  horrid  forms  of  Scythian  Heroes  stood ; 
Druids  and  Bards  (their  once-loud  harps  unstrung,) 
And  Youths  that  died  to  be  by  Poets  sung." 


CONTENTS. 


PACE. 

On  the  Antient  Teutonic  Poetry  and  Romance, — By  Henry  Weber,  3 

Sect.  I. — A'Sketch  of  the  History  of  Teutonic  Poetry  and  Romance 5 

Sect  II. — Of  the  Teutonic  Cyclus  of  Romance 20 

Das  Heldenbuch.— The  Book  of  Heroes, — By  the  same,    45 

Book  First— Of  the  Emperor  Otnit,  and  the  Dwarf  Elberich,  ib. 

Book  Second.— Part  I.— Of  Hughdietrich  and  his  Son  Wolfdietrich 62 

Book  Second.— Fart  II. — Of  Hughdietrich,  and  his  Son  Wolfdietrich 96 

Book  Third.— Of  the  Garden  of  Roses  at  Worms, 137 

Book  Fourth. — Of  the  Little  Garden  of  Roses,  and  of  Laurin,  King  of  the  Dwarfs,  149 

Dee  Nibelungen  Lied. — The  Song  of  the  Nibelungen, — By  the  same,  167 

Adventure  I. — Of  the  Nibelungen,  , ib. 

Adventure  II. — Of  Siegfried, 170 

Adventure  III How  Siegfried  came  to  Worms,  171 

Adventure  IV. — How  Siegfried  fought  with  the  Saxons, 173 

Adventure  V.— How  Siegfried  first  beheld  Chrimhilt,  ,.„.,..  175 

Adventure  VI. — How  Gunter  proceeded  to  Isenlaud,  to  obtain  the  Hand  of  Brun- 
hild,    176 

Adventure  VII. — How  Gunter  obtained  the  Hand  of  Brunhild,  177 

Adventure  y III. — How  Siegfried  went  to  the  Nibelungen 180 

Adventure  IX. — How  Siegfried  was  sent  to  Worms,  181 

Adventure  X— How  Gunter  held  his  Bridal  Feast  with  Brunhild,  182 

Adventure  XI. — How  Siegfried  came  home  with  Chrimhilt  to  Netherland,  184 

Adventure  XII How  Gunter  invited  Siegfried  and  Chrimhilt  to  a  High  Feast,  ..  185 

Adventure  XIII.— ^How  Siegfried  and  Chrimhilt  went  to  the  High  Feast,  ,.    ib. 

Adventure  XIV. — Of  the  Altercation  between  the  Queens ib. 


viii  CONTENTS. 

FAGB. 

Adventure  XV. — How  Siegfried  was  betrayed, 186 

Adventure  XVI — How  Siegfried  was  slain,  187 

Adventure  XVII. — How  Siegfried  was  bewailed  and  interred,  189 

Adventure  XYIII How  Siegmund  departed  from  Worms, 190 

Adventure  XIX. — How  the  Nibelungen  Treasure  came  to  Worms,  ib. 

Adventure  XX. — How  King  Etzel  sent  to  Burgundy  to  obtain  the  Hand  of  Chrimhilt,  191 

Adventure  XXI How  Chrimhilt  came  to  the  Huns, 192 

Adventure  XXII. — How  Etzel  and  Chrimhilt  held  their  Bridal  Feast, ib. 

Adventure  XXIII. — How  Chrimhilt  invited  her  Brothers  to  a  High  Feast,  ».,.  193 

Adventure  XXIV. — How  Werbel  and  Swemmel  did  their  Message, ib. 

Adventure  XXV.- — How  the  Nibelungen  went  to  the  Huns, 194 

Adventure  XXVI How  Ghelfart  was  slain  by  Dankwart,  198 

Adventure  XXVII How  the  Nibelungen  were  received  by  Rudiger, , 199 

Adventure  XXVIII. — How  the  Nibelungen  came  to  the  Huns, ib. 

Adventure  XXIX How  Haghen  and  Folker  sat  before  the  Hall  of  Chrimhilt,  ....  200 

Adventure  XXX.  How  Haghen  and  Folker  guarded  the  Kings, 201 

Adventure  XXXI — How  the  Kings  went  to  hear  Mass,  202 

Adventure  XXXII. — How  Blodelin  fought  with  Dankwart,  203 

Adventure  XXXIII. — How  Dankwart  brought  the  News  of  the  Slaughter  to  his 

Masters, ib. 

Adventure  XXXIV. — How  Iring  was  slain, 204 

Adventure  XXXV. — How  the  three  Kings  spoke  with  Etzel  and  Chrimhilt  of  a 

Truce, 205 

Adventure  XXXVI. — How  Rudiger  was  slain,  206 

Adventure  XXXYll How  Dietrich's  Champions  were  slain, 207 

Adventure  XXXVIII The  Death  of  Gunter  and  Haghen, 208 

Die  Klage. — The  Lament, — JSy  the  same, , 211 

Appendix  I. — Fragment  of  a  prose  Romance,  in  the  Saxon  Dialect  of  the  Teutonic, 
written  about  the  eighth  Century,  and  printed  from  a  Manuscript  preserved  in 

Cassel,  in  Eccardi  Comment,  de  Rebus  Franciae  Orientalis, — Bi/  the  same,  215 

Appendix  II. — The  Song  of  Old  Hildebrand, — Bt/  the  same,  221 

Appendix  III — The  Battle  of  King  Tidrich  and  the  Lion  with  the  Linden-Woi-m, 

Bi/  the  same,  22S 

Popui-AR  Heroic  and  Romantic  Ballads,  translated  from  the  Northern 

Languages,  with  Notes  and  Illustrations, — By  R.  Jamieson, „..,..  231 

Introduction, ,,.,  233 

Sir  Peter  of  Stauffenbergh  and  the  Mermaid,  , 255,  265 


ON  THE 


TEUTONIC  ROMANCES. 


BY  HENRY  WEBER. 


ON  THE 


ANTIENT  TEUTONIC 


POETRY  AND  ROMANCE. 


No  nation  can  boast  of  a  larger,  and,  in  general,  more  ancient  and 
valuable  stock  of  early  poetry  in  the  vernacular  language,  than  the 
Germans.  The  era  during  which  the  best  and  most  considerable  of 
their  romances  were  produced,  was  exactly  co-eval  with  the  most 
flourishing  period  of  the  Norman  romanciers  and  the  Pr0ven5al  trouba- 
dours, who  have  given  occasion  for  volumes  of  dissertations,  historical 
deductions,  and  hypotheses  as  romantic,  to  the  full,  as  the  poems 
they  were  intended  to  illustrate  and  recommend,  while  that  of  their 
eastern  neighbours  has  been  absolutely  unknown  to  foreigners,  arid, 
till  within  these  few  years,  very  little  studied  by  the  natives  themselves. 
The  respectable  volumes  of  Schilter,  which  were  published  after  his 
death,  by  the  learned  Scherz,  in  1727,  were  almost  confined  to  the 
most  ancient  biblical  and  monkish  rhymes,  and  chiefly  compiled  with  . 
a  view  of  deducing  the  gradual  advancement  of  the  language ;  for 
which  reason  they  afford  great  gratification  to  the  students  of  etymo- 
logy, but  furnish  little  which  can  interest  the  lovers  of  romance,  and 


4  ON  THE  ANTIENT  TEUTONIC 

of  ancient  poetry,  for  its  own  sake.'  About  the  middle  of  the  eigh- 
teenth century,  several  laudable  attempts  were  made  by  the  poetic 
veteran  Bodmer,  in  conjunction  with  Breitinger,  a  learned  Swiss,  to 
revive  the  study  of  their  early  poetry  ;  the  principal  of  which  were  the 
publication  of  the  Parisian  Codex  of  the  works  of  a  hundred  and  forty 
troubadours,  (Minnesaenger,)  which  appeared  in  two  volumes  quarto,  at 
Zurich,  in  the  year  1Y58,  and  an  edition  of  the  latter  half  of  the  great 
romance  of  the  Nibelungen.  In  1784,  a  second  attempt  of  the  same 
kind  was  made  by  another  learned  Swiss,  Professor  Miller.  He  pub- 
lished two  quarto  volumes  of  Teutonic  romances,  and  a  third  was  be- 
gun some  years  after,*  by  Koch,  a  clergyman  of  Berlin,  author  of  a 
most  valuable  Catalogue  Raisonne  of  German  poetry.  But  the  en- 
couragement for  this  species  of  research  was  so  cold,  though  the  work 
was  liberally  supported  by  several  German  princes,  and  by  most  of  the 
universities,  that  the  third  volume  remained  incomplete,  being  broken 
off  in  the  middle  of  a  long  romance ;  and  the  greater  part  of  the  im- 
pression was  sold  for  waste  paper. 

Within  these  ten  years,  however,  the  study  has  suddenly  become 
popular,  and  was  carried  on,  with  the  characteristic  enthusiasm  of  the 
Germans,  so  rapidly,  that  the  greater  and  more  valuable  part  of  their 
romances  would  have  been  given  to  the  public,  if  the  confused  state  of 
the  nation,  the  complete  abolition  of  the  constitution,  and  the  intoler- 
able tyranny  of  their  Gallic  oppressors,  had  not  entirely  paralysed  the 
press,  and  the  exertions  of  the  learned.  A  second  large  collection  of 
romances'  was  projected,  and  the  first  volume  published  by  F.  H.  von 

'  The  same  observations  hold  good  with  respect  to  the  valuable  publications  of  Goldast> 
Eccard,  Laftnbeccius,  Michaelis,  Petz,  &c. 

*  The  following  are  the  contents  of  this  scarce  work.  Vol.  I.  The  romance  of  the 
Nibelungen,  with  the  Lament,  (Klage ;)  the  iEneis  of  Veldeck ;  God  Amor,  a  pretty 
allegorical  poem  in  the  style  of  the  Troubadours  ;  Percival,  by  Wolfram  of  Eschenbach  ; 
and  some  fabliaux. — Vol.  II.  Gotfried  of  Strasburgh's  Sir  Tristan,  with  Vriebert's  con- 
tinuation ;  Florice  and  Blancheflour ;  Ywain,  by  Hartman  of  Ouwe ;  Fridank,  a  conti- 
nued string  of  gnomes  ;  and  a  collection  of  lays  of  love  and  devotion. — The  fragment  of 
the  third  volume  contains  one  half  of  Conrad  of  Wurzburg's  Trojan  War ;  fragments  of 
Wigolais  and  of  Partenopex ;  and  a  score  of  fabliaux. 

•  Entitled, '  Deutsche  Gedichte  des  Mittelalters,'  Berlin,  1808,  4to.    The  volume  con- 


POETRY  AND  ROMANCE.  d 

der  Hagen,  a  nobleman,  enthusiastic  and  indefatigable  in  the  cause, 
and  Dr  J.  G.  Buesching,  the  son  of  the  great  geographer  of  that  name. 
But  we  understand  (though  we  sincerely  hope  our  intelligence  is  errone- 
ous) that  the  undertaking,  for  want  of  the  very  moderate  encourage- 
ment required,  has  been  dropped.  Several  other  works  of  a  similar 
nature,  though  not  of  such  extent,  have  been  published ;  the  most 
valuable  of  which  we  have  been  so  fortunate  as  to  procure  from  the 
continent,  for  insertion  in  the  present  Work. 

To  give  a  short  and  general  sketch  of  the  history  of  Teutonic 
poetry  of  the  middle  ages,  and  to  exhibit  an  analysis,  with  specimens 
of  their  original  and  most  interesting  romances,  is  the  purport  of  this 
portion  ^of  our  work ;  and  we  sincerely  hope  to  be  able  to  communi- 
cate some  of  our  enthusiasm  in  the  cause  to  our  readers.  At  any  rate, 
the  subject  is  entirely  new  in  this  country ;  and  if  the  abstracts  of  the 
romances  should  fail  to  amuse,  on  the  score  of  the  interest  of  the 
story,  or  the  merit  of  the  translated  specimens,  they  cannot  fail  to 
awaken  the  curiosity  of  those  who  are  anxious  to  investigate  the  very 
singular  history  of  the  connection  between  the  romantic  legends  and 
traditions  of  the  different  nations  of  Europe. 


Sect.  I. — A  Sketch  of  the  History  of  Teutonic  Poetry  and  Romance, 

We  need  not  make  any  reference  here  to  the  songs  of  the  ancient  Ger- 
man bards,  mentioned  by  Tacitus,  which  are  irrecoverably  lost.  They 
have  been  said  to  have  been  collected  by  the  order  of  Charlemagne ;  but 
it  is  more  than  probable  that  the  passage  in  Eginhart'  has  been  generally 
misunderstood.     There  is  no  actuar  reference  to  the  bards,  who,  in- 


tains  King  Rother,  Duke  Ernest  of  Bavaria,  Wigamur,  St  George,  and  Solomon  and 
Morolf. 

•  Barbara  et  antiquissima  carmina,  quibus  veterum  regum  actus  et  bella  canebantur, 
scripsit  memoriaeque  mandavit.- — Eginharti  Hist.  Caroli, — See  on  this  subject  some  inge- 
nious remarks  in  Schlegel's  Athenaeum,  Berlin,  1799,  II.  306,  from  which  some  of  the  ar- 
guments in  the  text  are  copied. 


6  ON  THE  ANTIENT  TEUTONIC 

deed,  do  not  seem  to  have  been  a  separate  order  of  men  among  the 
Germans,  as  they  were  among  the  Celts.  The  barbara  et  antiquisstma 
carmina  were,  no  doubt,  ancient  poems  in  the  vernacular  language ; 
but  it  is  very  improbable  that  Charlemagne  would  have  collected  the 
pagan  war-hymns  of  the  time  of  Arminius  and  Ariovist ;  or  that  he 
could  have  accomplished  such  a  collection,  which  was  very  unlikely 
to  have  been  so  long  preserved  by  tradition,  and  which  would  have 
been  quite  unintelligible  in  his  time.  The  poems  mentioned  by 
Eginhart  were  more  likely  to  have  celebrated  the  first  Christian 
monarchs  among  the  Teutonic  nations.  It  will  be  seen  in  the  sequel, 
that  the  most  ancient  Teutonic  romances  actually  refer  to  the  kings 
of  the  Franks,  Longobards,  and  Burgundians ;  and  though  their  pre- 
sent state  by  no  means  indicates  an  age  prior  to  the  twelfth  and  thir- 
teenth centuries,  it  is  very  possible  that  their  continued  popularity 
induced  the  minstrels  of  those  centuries  to  revise  and  modernize  them, 
and,  by  loading  them  with  marvellous  fictions,  and  introducing  refer- 
ences to  customs  and  discoveries  of  their  own  age,  to  render  them 
more  acceptable  to  their  contemporaries.  There  are  frequent  allusions 
to  more  ancient  times  dispersed  in  the  Nibelungen  ; '  and  a  fragment 
of  a  prosaic  romance  of  Hildebrant,  one  of  the  principal  heroes  of  the 
original  German  cyclus  of  romance,  printed  by  Eccard,*  appears, 
from  the  language,  to  have  been  composed  previous  to  the  reign  of 
Charlemagne. 

The  oldest  specimen  of  Teutonic  poetry,  actually  in  existence,  is  a 
creed,  entitled  De  Poeta  Kazungali,  and  appears  to  be  considerably 
older  than  the  era  of  Charlemagne.  A  facsimile  of  the  only  manu- 
script extant,  which  is  preserved  in  the  Bavarian  monastery  of  Wei§- 
sobrunn,  has  been  given  in  the  very  valuable  antiquarian  repertory 
entitled,  Braga  and  Hermode,   (vol.   II.  p.  lis,)  ably  illustrated 


'  Thus,  V.  1433 : 

In  riterlichen  zyhten  die  herren  taten  daz. 
i.  e.  The  lords  did  this  in  the  knightly  times. 
^  Comment,  de  rebus  Franciae  orient.     Wirceb.  1729,  I.  864-902.     See  the  sequel  of 
this  dissertation,  and  the  fragment  itself,  in  the  Appendix. 


POETRY  AND  ROMANCE.  7 

by  the  venerable  and  learned  editor,  Graeter.  The  next,  in  point  of 
time,  is  the  well-known  paraphrase  of  the  four  evangelists,  by  Otfried 
of  Weissenburg,  a  monk  of  St  Gallen,  ably  edited  by  Schilter  ;  if  the 
very  similar  work  of  an  anonymous  poet,  preserved  among  the  Cotton 
MSS.,  be  not  of  higher  antiquity/  A  song  on  St  George,  preserved 
in  the  Vatican  manuscript  of  Otfried,  and  printed  by  Sandwig,  at 
Copenhagen,  in  1783,  seems  to  be  co-eval  with  that  poet's  paraphrase. 
But  the  most  valuable  specimen  of  the  poetry  of  that  age  is  undoubt- 
edly the  encomium  on  the  victory  of  Louis  III.  of  France  over  the 
Normans,  printed  by  Mabillon,  Hickes,  Schilter,  and  others.  About 
the  beginning  of  the  twelfth  century,  another  anonymous  poet  wrote 
a  poetical  legend  of  St  Anno,  archbishop  of  Cologne,  who  died  in 
1075.  It  was  first  printed  in  1639,  by  the  poet  Martin  Opitz,  and 
exhibits  thq  strangest  medley  of  chronicle  and  legend.  Half  of  the 
work,  which  contains  880  lines,  is  occupied  by  a  history  of  the  crea- 
tion, and  of  the  four  monarchies,  and  only  a  small  part  is  dedicated  to 
the  miracles  and  sufferings  of  the  archbishop. 

Soon  after  this,  the  most  splendid  period  of  Teutonic  poetry  and 
romance  commenced.  For  the  space  of  a  century  and  a  hatf,  begin- 
ning about  the  middle  of  the  twelfth,  and  ending  with  the  reign  of 
Rudolph  of  Hapsburgh,  emperors,  kings,  princes,  nobles,  monks,  and 
menial  minstrels,  vied  with  each  other  in  producing  and  translating 
lays  of  love,  romances,  fabliaux,  chronicles,  fables,  and  sacred  legends. 
The  names  and  works  of  above  three  hundred  minstrels  of  that  period 
have  been  preserved ;  among  whom  we  find  the  emperor  Henry, 
(either  the  fourth  or  sixth  of  that  name,)  Conrad,  king  of  the  Ro- 
mans, (probably  the  unfortunate  Conradin,  beheaded  in  the  year  1268,) 
Wenceslaus,  king  of  Bohemia,  (who  died  1253,)  John,  duke  of  Bra- 
bant, and  many  others  of  high  rank. 

•  A  long  Anglo-Saxon  poem  on  the  expedition  of  Regner  Lodbrog  is  preserved  in  the 
Museum,  the  publication  of  which  would  be  a  very  desirable  object.  Professor  Thorke- 
lin  had  prepared  a  manuscript  and  translation  for  the  press,  and  from  his  learning  and 
zeal  every  thing  could  be  expected.  But  it  is  much  to  be  feared,  that,  together  with  the 
other  iavaluable  stores  of  his  library,  it  was  consumed  during  the  bombardment  of  Copen- 
hagen. 


8  ON  THE  ANTIENT  TEUTONIC 

With  the  exception  of  the  original  Teutonic  romances,  which  form 
a  separate  cyclus,  the  minstrels  of  these  two  centuries  contented 
themselves  with  following  the  tract  of  the  Provengal  troubadours,  and 
the  Norman  trouveurs.  On  the  models  furnished  by  the  former,  they 
built  a  vast  number  of  love  canzonets,  very  artificial  in  their  construc- 
tion, and  with  a  most  laboured  multiplicity  of  rhymes.  The  general 
subjects,  like  those  of  their  prototypes,  and  of  Petrarch,  with  his  host 
of  imitators,  are  amatory  and  devotional.  Both  the  emperor  Henry 
and «  Conrad,  the  virtuous  clerk,'  adore  the  shadow,  even  the  neighbour- 
hood of  their  mistress,  deplore  her  cruelty,  and  declare  that  nothing 
can  induce  them  to  break  their  vow  of  fidelity.  Songs  to  the  Virgin 
Mary  are  equally  the  production  of  Friar  Eberhard  of  Sax,  and  of 
the  doughty  knight.  Wolfram  of  Eschenbach.  This  is  quite  in  the 
style  of  chivalry,  and  common  to  the  poets  of  France  and  the  Pro- 
vence. It  cannot  be  denied,  however,  that  we  not  unfrequently  meet 
with  passages  of  great  pathos,  and  descriptions  very  luxuriant ;  and 
that  the  versification  is  fi-equently  wonderfid,  considering  the  age 
of  the  poems.  The  following  almost  hterally-translated  specimen  is 
one  of  the  least  complicated  of  these  songs  of  love.  It  is  the  pro- 
duction of  Otto,  margrave  of  Brandenburgh,  surnamed, '  with  the 
arrow,'  who  died  in  1298  : 

Make  room  unto  my  loved  lady  bright, " 
And  let  me  view  her  body  chaste  and  fair ; 
Emp'rours  with  honour  may  behold  the  sight, 
And  most  confess  her  form  without  compare. 


'  This  will  remind  the  readers  of  old  poetry  of  a  beautiful  song,  printed  in  Tottel's 
Miscellany,  among  the  works  of  Uncertaine  Auctors,  beginning, — 

Give  place,  ye  ladies,  and  be  gone, 
Boast  not  yourselves  at  all. 
For  here  at  hand  approacheth  one, 
Whose  face  will  staine  you  all. 

The  song  is  evidently  a  counterpart  of  one  among  Surrey's  poems,  but  far  better  than 
its  prototype. 

11 


POETRY  AND  ROMANCE. . 

My  heart,  when  all  men  praise  her,  liigher  sweDs  j 

Still  must  I  sing  how  far  the  maid  excells, 

And  humbly  bow  toward  the  region  where  she  dwells. 

Oh,  lady  Love, '  be  thou  my  messenger ; 

Say  I  adore  her  from  my  inmost  soul. 

With  faith  entire,  and  love  no  maid  but  her ; 

Her  beauties  bright  my  senses  all  controul ; 

And  well  she  might  my  sorrowing  fears  beguile ; 

If  once  her  rosy  lips  on  me  would  smile, 

My  cares  would  all  be  gone,  and  ease  my  heart  the  while. 

Two  bitter  woes  have  wounded  me  to  death ; 

Well  may  ye  ween,  all  pleasures  did  they  chace : 

The  blowing  flow'rs  are  faded  on  the  heath  j 

Thus  have  I  sorrow  from  her  lovely  face : 

'Tis  she  alone  can  wound  my  heart  and  heal : 

But  if  her  heart  my  ardent  love  could  feely 

No  more  my  soul  would  strive  its  sorrows  to  conceal. 


Beside  the  lays  of  love  and  devotion,  the  troubadours  of  Germany 
were  fond  of  a  peculiar  species  of  composition,  which  they  entitled 
Watchmen's  Songs,  possessing  considerable  variety,  and  a  degree  of 
sprightliness  which  we  look  for  in  vain  among  their  usual  productions. 
They  generally  begin  with  a  conversation  between  the  lover  and  the 
sentinel  stationed  to  guard  the  castle  wherein  the  lady  of  his  heart 
dwells.  The  sentinel  lends  his  assistance  to  convey  the  knight  into 
her  chamber,  and  when  he  feels  the  dews  of  morning  arise,  warns 
the  lovers  of  its  approach  j  for  which  unwelcome  intelligence  he  is 
generally  severely  reproached ;  but,  fearing  the  consequences,  he 
insists  upon  their  separation.     I  have  ventured  to  present  the  reader 


•  Literally  translated  frwn  the  origitia], '  Frau  Minne,'  the  general  deity  to  whom  the 
amatory  poets  of  the  age  addressed  their  invocations. 


10  ON  THE  ANTIENT  TEUTONIC 

with  the  following  translation  of  one  of  these  pieces,  printed  in  a  late 
collection  of  ballads  and  songs.'  The  general  outKne  of  the  versifica- 
tion is  the  same,  but  it  was  found  impossible  to  preserve  the  multipli- 
city of  rhymes  in  the  original. 


I  heard,  before  the  dawn  of  day, 
The  watchman  sing  aloud, 
"  If  any  loving  ladies  lay 
With  knightly  lovers  proud. 
Arise  !  the  sun  will  soon  appear : 
Then  fly,  ye  knights,  your  ladies  dear, 
And  let  the  bed  grow  cold. 

"  Brightly  gleams  the  firmament, 
In  silvery  splendour  gay ; 
Rejoicing  that  the  night  is  spent 
The  lark  salutes  the  day : 
Then  fly,  ye  lovers,  and  be  gone  ! 
Take  leave  before  the  night  is  done, 
And  dangerous  foes  appear." 


• '  Des  Knaben  Wunderhorn,'  published  at  Berlin,  1806,  8vo.  in  three  volumes,  by  Achinl 
von  Arnim,  and  Clemens  Brentano.  The  following  stanza  is  the  last,  and  is  subjoined 
to  give  the  German  reader  some  idea  of  the  merit  of  the  original,  and  the  diflBcuIty  of  its 
measure : 

Seit  macht  mit  Heiss,  jed  Faehnlein  weiss,  im  Kampfe  heiss, 

Mich  ihrer  Lieb  gedenken, 

Auf  Todes- Au,  in  rothem  Thau,  seh  ich  mein  Frau 

Ihr  Tuechlein  traurig  schwenken  ; 

Den  Ring  ich  schau,  ich  stech  und  hau, 

Hindurch  ich  dring,  und  zu  ihr  sing, 

"  Mein  Leib  ist  dir  behalten." 

The  orthography  has  been  modernised  in  the  printed  copy,  which  was  taken  from  an  an- 
cient MS.  of  troubadour  songs.  I  have  omitted  two  stanzas,  and  fear  that  the  song  is  still 
of  too  great  a  length. 


POETRY  AND  ROMANCE.  II 

The  watchman's  call  did  wound  my  heart, 

And  banished  my  delight : 

"  Aks  !  the  envious  sun  will  part 

Our  loves,  my  lady  bright !" 

On  me  she  looked  with  shamefast  eye, 

Awaking  at  my  mournful  cry, — 

"  Lady,  we  slept  too  long." 

Sf:raight  to  the  window  did  she  speed  : 

"  Good  watchman,  leave  thy  joke  ! 

Awake  us  not  till  o'er  the  mead 

The  morning  sun  has  broke. 

Too  short,  alas  !  the  time  since  here 

I  rested  with  my  leman  dear, 

In  love  and  sweet  delight." — 

"  Lady,  be  warn'd !  On  roof  and  mead 

The  dew-drops  glitter  gay ; 

Quickly  bid  thy  leman  speed. 

Nor  linger  till  the  day  ; 

For  by  the  twilight  did  I  mark 

Wolves  hyiijg  to  their  caverns  dark, 

And  stags  to  covert  fly."— 

Now  by  the  rising  sim  I  viewed 

In  tears  my  lady's  face : 

@he  gave  me  many  a  token  good, 

And  many  a  soft  embrace. 

Our  parting  bitterly  we  mourned  j 

The  breasts  which  erst  in  rapture  burned, 

Were  cold  with  woe  and  care. 

A  ring  with  glittering  ruby  red 
Gave  me  the  lady  sheen, 
And  with  me  from  the  castle  sped 
Along  the  meadow  green ; 


12  ON  THE  ANTIENT  TEUTONIC 

And  wfajlst  I  saw  my  leman  bright, 
She  waved  on  high  her  kerchief  white, 
And  loud,  *  To  arms  !' '  she  cried. 

In  the  raging  fight  each  pennon  white 

Reminds  me  of  her  love  j 

In  the  field  of  blood,  with  mournful  mood, 

I  see  her  kerchief  move : 

Through  foes  I  hew  whene'er  I  view 

Her  ruby  ring,  and  blithely  sing, 

"  Lady,  I  fight  for  thee  !" 

There  are  several  manuscript  collections  of  the '  Minnelieder,'  (lays 
of  love,)  in  different  libraries.  The  most  extensive  is  the  one  already 
mentioned,  as  preserved  in  the  Imperial  library  at  Paris,  and  published 
entire  in  the  year  1758.  It  was  made  at  the  beginning  of  the  four- 
teenth century,  and  therefore  exactly  at  the  close  of  the  golden 
period  of  German  romance  and  song,  by  Rudiger  of  Manasse,  him- 
self a  troubadour,  and  a  nobleman.  The  most  valuable  lays  were 
selected,  and  somewhat  modernised,  by  substituting  modern  spelling, 
and  translating  the  most  obsolete  terms  into  the  language  of  the  pre- 
sent day,  by  Tieck,  a  poet  of  great  merit,  though  too  frequently  car- 
ried away  by  his  enthusiasm.*  There  are  also  manuscripts  at  Jena, 
(the  greater  part  of  which  has  been  printed  in  Miller's  collection,  but 
without  the  music,  which  must  be  highly  curious,  as  the  MS.  is  of  the 
fourteenth  century,)  in  the  abbey  at  Weingarten,  at  Bremen,  Erlangen, 
Landshut  j  six  among  the  Heidelberg  MS.,  in  the  Vatican  ;  and  one  in 
the  possession  of  Brentano,  an  ingenious  poet.  From  the  latter  the 
above  specimen  is  taken.     The  codices  at  Colmar,  at  Weimar,  and  in 


'  In  the  original,  *  Waffen !'  a  usual  cry  in  the  old  German  poems,  generally  used  to 

give  alarm  when  any  danger  approaches,  or  to  encourage  champions  in  the  fight. Sheen, 

a  few  lines  above,  is  a  common  old  English  word,  signifying  beautiful,  bright. 

»  Minnelieder  ausdem  Schwaebischen  Zeitalter,  Berlin,  1803,  8vo. 


POETRY  AND  ROMANCE.  13 

the  possession  of  Professor  Rudiger,  at  Halle,  do  not  belbng  to  this 
flourishing  era. 

The  number  of  romances  produced  during  this  period  is  prodigious, 
and  the  length  of  some  of  them  very  wonderful.  A  catalogue,  by  no 
means  complete,  is  prefixed  to  the  first  volume  of  the  projected  publi- 
cation mentioned  before,  in  this  introduction,  divided  into  six  classes.' 
The  first  contains  the  original  German  cyclus  of  romance,  which  we 
shall  treat  of  more  at  large  at  the  end  of  this  historical  sketch.  The 
second  are  those  relating  to  Charlemagne,  and,  like  the  greater  part 
of  the  remaining  classes,  have  French  originals.  Of  the  oldest  romance 
of  Charlemagne,  in  the  language,  only  a  fi-agment  has  been  preserved, 
and  printed  by  Schilter,  in  the  second  volume  of  his  Thesaurus.  It 
was  afterwards  modernised,  extended,  and  rendered  very  dull,  by  the 
poet  Strieker.  His  work  is  printed  in  the  same  collection  ;  and  there 
are  no  less  than  fifteen  manuscripts  in  existence.  The  romances  of 
Ogier  le  Danois,  Rinaldo,  and  Malagis  (the  Malagigi  of  Bojardo  and 
Ariosto)  are  in  the  Vatican.  Valentine  and  Orson  has  been  printed, 
as  well  as  two  copies  of  Floren  and  Blancheflour ;  one  in  Miller's  col- 
lection, and  another,  very  short  and  good,  in  the  Platt-Dutch  (Lower 
German  dialect,)  by  Bruns.*  The  large  French  romance  of  Aymeri 
de  Narbonne  (containing  in  the  original  no  less  than  77,000  verses,) 
was  translated  by  two  poets,  and  the  two  first  divisions  printed  at 
Cassel,  1781  and  l784. 

The  fourth  cyclus,  of  which  King  Arthur  is  the  central  hero,  is  still 
more  extensive  than  the  last.  That  monarch's  own  romance  was 
translated  by  Henry  of  Turlin.  One  of  the  most  curious  is  Titu- 
rel,  or  the  guardians  of  the  holy  Graal,  by  the  indefetigable  Wolfram 
of  Eschenbach,  which  was  printed  in  1477.  How  far  it  coincides 
with  the  voluminous  St  Grayl,  by  Thomas  Lonelich,  in  Bennet  college 

■  Many  readers  will  consider  this  catalogue  as  dry  and  uninteresting,  but  it  was  necessary 
to  give  it,  in  order  to  enable  collectors  and  admirers  of  English  metrical  romances  and 
traditionary  ballads  to  view  at  once  the  extensive  popularity  of  many  heroes  celebrated 
in  them. 

*  Romantische  und  andere  Gedichte  in  Altplattdeutscher  Sprache,  Berlin,  1798,  8vo. 


14  ON  THE  ANTIENT  TEUTONIC 

library,  Cambridge,  it  would  be  a  curious  matter  to  investigate. 
Percival  was  translated  by  the  same  poet ;  not,  as  he  professes,  from  the 
false  narrations  of  Chretien  de  Troyes,  but  from  the  faithfiil  story  of 
the  Provengal  Kyot.'  It  was  printed  in  the  same  year  with  the  last, 
and  again  from  an  ancient  MS.  in  Miller's  collection.  The  adven- 
tures of  Lohengrin,  son  of  Sir  Percival,  are  in  the  Vatican.  The 
beautifiil  romance  of  Ywaine  and  Gawaine,  by  Hartmann  von  Aue, 
who  flourished  about  1180,  very  exactly  coinciding  with  the  English 
poem  printed  by  Ritson,  was  also  edited  by  Miller,  and  separately  by 
Michaelis,  a  learned  etymologist  at  Vienna.  Of  the  famous  tale  of 
Tristrem  there  are  no  less  than  three  translations  ;  the  principal  one 
by  Gotfried  of  Strasburgh,  (fl.  circa  1230,)  which,  after  his  death,  was 
completed  by  Vribert,  and  is  printed  by  Miller.  Lancelot  was  cele- 
brated by  Ulrich  of  Zazichoven ;  and  other  poets  wrote  romances  of 
Wigolais,  Tandarius  and  Flordibel,  Daniel  of  Blumenthal,  and  Wiga- 
mur,  all  of  them  belonging  to  this  cyclus.  The  French  originals  of 
none  of  these  are  extant,  and  the  latter,  which  has  been  printed  by 
Hagen,  is  highly  curious.  A  singular  cyclic£|,l  romance  of  Arthur's 
knights  is  the  work  of  Furterer,  a  Bavarian  poet  of  the  fifteenth  cen- 
tury. It  is  divided  into  the  following  thirteen  sections  :  Of  the  Ori- 
gin of  Knighthood,  from  the  Times  of  the  Argonautic  expedition  and 
the  Trojan  war,  of  Merlin,  Gawainand  Gamuret,  Tschionadulander 
and  Sigune,  Percival,  Lohengrin,  Florice  and  Wigolais,  Siegfried  de 
Ardemont,  Melerance  of  France,  Ywaine,  Persybein,  Poytisleir,  and 
Lancelot. 

The  iifith  class  contains  romances  founded  on  ancient  history, 
amongst  which  there  are  three  different  poems  founded  on  Guido  de 
Colonna's  fabulous  history  of  the  Trojan  war  ;  other  three  relating  to 
Alexander,  besides  several  which  are  known  to  have  existed,  but  are 
supposed  to  have  perished."     Albrecht  of  Halberstadt  translated, 


«  See  •  Metrical  Romances,'  Edinburgh,  1810,  III.  309. 
*  See  Romances  ut  supra,  vol.  I.  Intr. 


POETRY  AND  ROMANCE.  U 

Ovid's  Metamorphosis,  and  Henry  of  Veldeck,  one  of  their  earliest 
poets,  wrote  the  iEneis,  probably  from  some  French  original. 

The  sixth  and  last  class  embraces  all  the  romances  which  are  uncon- 
nected with  any  of  the  former.  Those  of  German  growth  are,  Duke  Er- 
nest of  Bavaria,  by  Henry  of  Veldeck,  printed  by  Hagen,  an  abstract 
of  which  may  be  found  in  the  third  volume  of  the  late  collection 
of  Metrical  Romances  j  Otho  the  Red ;  Henry  the  Lion,  duke  of 
Brunswick,  (only  a  modernised  copy  of  which,  circulating  among  the 
common  people,  is  extant ;')  Reinfried  of  Brunswick,  (said  to  refer  to 
the  imprisonment  of  Richard  Coeur  de  Lion ;)  Frederick,  duke  of 
Austria ;  the  crusade  of  Albrecht  of  Austria  in  Prussia  ;  William  of 
Austria  ;  Louis  of  Thuringia ;  Frederick  of  Swabia  ;  Henry  of  Swa- 

* 

bia  and  the  princess  Amelberg;  and  the  Moorish  Lady.  Those 
which  refer  to  foreign  heroes  are,  William  of  Brabant,  (founded  on  the 
history  of  WUham  the  Conqueror ;)  Geoffrey  of  Boulogne ;  the 
daughter  of  the  king  of  France  j  Count  Mai  and  Belflor ;  Wittich  of 
the  Jordan  5  Partenopex  and  Meliura,  (only  two  fragments ;)  Dari- 
fant ;  Apollonius  of  Tyre,  (said  to  contain  about  100,000  verses ;) 
Solomon  and  Morolf,  (printed  by  Hagen,  which  is  the  prototype  of  the 
popular  Italian  tale  of  Bertoldo,  Bertoldino,  and  Cacasenno,  and  the 
French  original  of  which  is  in  the  Imperial  library  at  Paris ;)  the  Seven 
Wise  Masters ;  Engeldrut  and  Engelhart,  (the  same  as  our  Amis  and 
Amiloun ;)  St  George,  (printed  in  Hagen's  collection ;)  Barlaam  and 
Josaphat,  and  many  more.  Many  of  these,  it  must,  however,  be  ob- 
served, are  of  a  later  age.  A  very  curious  romance  of  fairy,  printed 
about  1480,  but  evidently  of  the  thirteenth  or  fourteenth  century,  the 
subject  of  which  is  still  popular  in  the  south  of  Germany,  is  in  the 
valuable  Ubrary  of  Francis  Douce,  Esq.,  who  permitted  me  to  copy  it. 
It  seems  to  have  escaped  the  notice  of  the  German  collectors.  The 
author  names  himself  Eckenolt,  and  the  romance  relates  the  marriage 
of  the  knight  Peter  of  Stauffenberg  with  a  mermaid.  Master 
Eckenolt  is  very  tedious,  but  a  later  minstrel  has  condensed  it  into 

*  See  Romances  ut  supra,  vol.  III.  p.  340,  note  t- 


16  ON  THE  ANTIENT  TEUTONIC 

the  shape  of  a  ballad,  printed  in  1595,  which  has  considerable  poetical 
merit,  and  has  been  faithfully  translated  into  the  language  of  the  ro- 
mance of  Ywaine  and  Gawaine,  by  Mr  Robert  Jamieson.  His  ver- 
sion will  be  found  in  a  subsequent  part  of  this  volume. 

The  reader's  patience  has  already  been  severely  tried,  and  I  forbear 
to  enumerate  the  numerous  chronicles,  universal  and  partial,  the 
legends  of  saints,  the  great  host  of  fabliaux,  (scarcely  less  consider- 
able than  that  of  the  French  trouveurs,)  and  sixty-six  different  didac- 
tic and  moral  poems.'  The  most  ancient  of  the  latter  are  three 
printed  in  the  second  volume  of  Schilter ;  one  of  which,  '  Der  Wins- 
beck,'  bears  a  striking  resemblance  to  a  poem  printed  by  Ritson,  and 
entitled, '  How  the  Wise  Man  taught  his  Son.' 

When  this  flourishing  period  of  German  poetry  and  romance  was 
past,  a  system  of  the  most  singular  kind  gradually  overspread  the 
whole  country,  blasting  every  exertion  of  genius,  and  banishing  all 
the  playful  and  wild  products  of  imagination,  which  had  hitherto 
ruled  without  controul,  and  flourished  with  irregular  exuberance. 
Poetry  was  no  longer  cultivated  by  princes  and  nobles,  and  sung  by 
minstrels  in  the  castle  halls  :  it  transferred  its  seat  into  cities,  became 
a  severe  study,  and  was  almost  confined  to  the  horde  of  mechanics, 
who  measured  lines  by  the  yard,  constituted  themselves  into  guilds, 
with  masters,  treasurers,  and  other  officers,  and  in  their  metrical 
court  passed  judgment  upon  any  member  who  did  not  coofoirm  to 
their  established  rules  and  regulations.  Versifiers  (for  poets  there 
were  none,  or  but  a  very  inconsiderable  number  amongst  them)  had 
to  pass  through  the  degrees  of  apprentice  and  journeyman,  before 
they  received  the  envied  title  of  master.  They  were  sent  on  their 
travels  through  Germany,  as  young  mechanics  in  other  arts  are  to  this 
diay.     The  principal  schools  at  Strasburgh  and  Nuremberg  were  con- 

'  It  is  a  singular  circumstance  that  one  of  these,  entitled,  '  Der  Waelsche  Gast,'  i.  e. 
the  Italian  Guest,  was  written  by  Thomas  Tircklere,  an  Italian,  who  chose  to  write  in 
German,  and  who  makes  many  excuses  for  the  inaccuracy  of  his  language,  being  a  fo- 
reigner. The  same  circumstance  gave  rise  to  the  title  of  his  work,  in  which  he  calls  upon 
the  hospitality  of  the  German  nation  to  be  indulgent  to  their  '  Welsh  («.  e.  Italian) 
Guest.' 

11 


POETRY  AND  ROMANCE.  IT 

sidered  in  the  light  of  universities,  and  a  metrical  constitution  was 
established  throughout  the  empire.  Nor  was  this  phenomenon  mCTely 
transitory.  It  endured  for  nearly  three  centuries  and  a  half,  and 
some  ruins  are  still  to  be  traced  of  its  existence,  in  the  old-fashioned 
city  of  Nurimberg.  The  jiedantry  of  the  rules  established  by  this 
constituted  body  can  only  be  equalled  by  King  James  I.'s  '  Rules  and 
CautelS,"  or  by  Bossu's  vauated,  arrogant,  and  dictatorial  directions 
for  epic  poets. 

A  few  classes  of  poetry  were,  however,  cultivated  :with  considerable 
success,  and  chiefly  long  allegorical  and  satirical  poems,  in  which  the 
vices  of  the  times  were  lashed  with  considerable  effect ;  the  whole 
being  shadowed  under  the  disguise  of  commonwealths  estabUshed 
among  animals.  The  most  ancient  of  these,  and  which  properly  be- 
longs to  the  former  period,  is  the  Renner,  by  Hugo  of  Trymberg,  a 
schoolmaster  at  Bamberg,  who  flourished  between  the  years  1260  and 
1300 ;  a  long  poem,  formed  by  the  concatenation  of  numerous  fables. 
The  next  was  the  renowned  Reynard  the  Fox,  undoubtedly  a  trans- 
lation from  the  French  of  Perot  de  Saint  Cloot,  and  his  continuators, 
but  formed  into  a  regular  and  connected  poem,  of  very  considerable 
merit,  written  by- Henry  of  Alkmar, -who  lived  about  1470,  in  the 
dialect  of  Lower  Germany,  very  nearly  approaching  to  the  Dutch. 
Amongst  several  imitations  of  this  poem,  I  will  only  mention  the 
'  Froschmeeuseler,'  or  the  Battle  of  the  Frogs  and  Mice,  founded  upon 
the  mock-epic  attributed  to  Homer,  but  extended  to  the  length  of 
nearly  twenty  thousand  lines.  It  was  the  work  of  George  Rollenhagen, 
and  first  appeared  in  the  year  1595.  The  author:  frequently  proves  him- 
self in  possession  of  considerable  poetical  and  satirical  abilities.  Ano- 
ther poem,  which  bears  some  resemblance,  at  least  in  its  scope,  to  those 
just  enumerated,  is  the  Ship  of  Fools,  by  Sebastian  Brandt,  who  was 
born  at  Strasburg,  in  1458,  and  died  in  1520.  His  work  acquired 
great  popularity,  and  was  translated  several  times  into  Latin,  as  well 
as  into  French  and  Dutch.  The  English  translation,  by  Alexander 
Barclay,  was  made  confessedly  "  out  of  Laten,  Frenche,  and  Doche," 

c 


18  ON  THE  ANTIENT  TEUTONIC 

but  chiefly  from  the  Latin  version  of  Locher,  a  pupil  of  the  ori- 
ginal author.  The  work,  including  the'  numerous  German  altera- 
tions of  it,  underwent  twenty  editions  before  the  year  1626.  The 
only  romance  of  these  times,  worth  mentioning,  is  the  Theuerdank  of 
Melchior  Pfinzing,  who  lived  between  the  years  1481  and  1531 ;  a  re- 
markably dull  and  stupid  allegorical  poem,  on  the  deeds  of  the  empe- 
ror Maximilian,  and  which  owes  the  renown  it  has  obtained  entirely 
to  the  exquisite  cuts  in  the  two  first  editions.  In  the  seven  subse- 
quent impressions,  the  text  is  altered,  and  the  cuts  of  no  value. 

But  the  most  prolific,  and,  at  the  same  time,  the  best  of  the  master- 
singers  is  the  shoemaker  Huns  Sachs,  who  took  up  the  awl  and  the 
pen  alternately.  He  was  born  in  1494,  and  died  in  1576.  Besides 
4275  master-songs  which  he  was  obliged  to  furnish  for  the  trade,  and 
which  he  very  judiciously  ordered  no  future  editor  to  force  into  the 
world,  he  wrote  no  less  than  6840  poems,  within  the  period  of  33 
years.  They  were  printed  in  five  volumes,  with  the  date  of  the  poems 
annexed  to  each.  Among  them  are  197  comical  fabliaux,  116  alle- 
gorical, and  272  profane  tales,  59  fables,  107  hymns,  64  plays  for 
Twelfth  night,  52  profane  and  26  sacred  comedies,  and  28  profane 
and  27  sacred  tragedies.  This  extraordinary  member,  both  of  the 
metrical  and  of  the  gentle  craft,  was  a  man  of  considerable  learning, 
an  intimate  friend  of  Albert  Durer,  and  of  Wilibald  Pirkheimer, 
and,  by  his  satirical  and  sacred  songs,  contributed  considerably  to  the 
advancement  of  the  reformation. 

This  poet  was,  however,  not  the  first  who  cultivated  the  drama  of 
Germany.  If  we  could  reckon  those  who  did  not  write  in  the  ver- 
nacular language  into  the  number  of  native  dramatists,  the  oldest 
in  Germany  is  Helena  von  Rossow,  commonly  called  Hroswitha,  who 
was  a  nun  in  the  abbey  of  Gandersheim  about  the  year  980,  and  has 
left  six  religious  Latin  comedies,  in  imitation  of  Terence,  the  popu- 
larity of  whose  profane  plays  in  the  monasteries  they  were  meant 
to  usurp.  The  most  ancient  appearance  of  a  drama,  if  it  can  be 
called  so,  in  the  German  language,  is  '  The  War  at  Wartburg,'  a  kind 
of  poetical  warfare  by  eight  ancient  poets,  celebrated  in  the  year  1207. 


POETRY  AND  ROMANCE.  W 

In  1322,  the  tragedy  of  '  The  Ten  Virgins'  was  acted  at  Eisenach, 
before  Frederick,  landgrave  of  Thuringia,  upon  whom  it  had  a  very 
tragical  effect.  The  play  is  not  in  existence.  About  the  year  1450, 
Hans  Rosenblut  wrote  six  short  plays  for  Twelfth  Night,  (Fastnacht- 
Spiele,)  a  kind  of  dramatic  composition  which  obtained  great  popula- 
rity. They  are  very  singular ;  and  one  of  them,  in  which  the  Grand 
Sultan  of  Turkey  gives  audience  to  the  Christian  ambassadors,  is  still 
acted  by  puppets  at  the  fairs.  But  the  most  curious  relic  of  the  German 
drama  was  produced  in  the  year  1480,  by  Theodoricus  Schernbeck,  a 
priest,  and  entitled  Apotheosis  Johannis  VIII.  Pontificis  Romani.  The 
piece  is  in  German  rhymes,  and  the  principal  persons  are,  Jutta,  the 
supposed  female  pope,  her  lover,  called  Magister  noster  Parisiensis,  the 
Virgin  Mary,  St  Nicolas,  the  seraphs  Michael  and  Gabriel,  Mors,  or 
Deathi  Lucifer  the  prince  of  Devils,  and  his  mother  Lillis,  with  a 
whole  host  of  fiends.  At  the  opening  of  the  drama,  Lucifer  convenes 
his  diabolical  attendants,  one  of  whom  sings  an  infernal  song,  during 
which  Lillis  and  all  the  fiends  join  in  a  dance.  Lucifer  communicates 
his  intention  of  employing  Jutta,  a  young  Englishwoman,  who,  in  the 
dress  of  a  student,  was  going  to  the  university  of  Paris,  for  his  ends, 
and  dispatches  two  devils,  Sathanas  and  Spiegelglantz,  to  her.  Their 
tempting  the  virgin  is  the  subject  of  the  next  scene.  'After  the  suc- 
cessftil  performance  of  their  errand,  they  return  to  hell,  where  Sathanas 
is  promised  a  fiery  crown,  ornamented  with  adders  and  snakes,  for  re-* 
ward.  The  Clericus  and  Jutta  are  next  introduced,  journeying  to, 
and  arriving  at  Paris,  where  they  prosecute  their  studies  with  great 
success,  and  are  created  doctors.  Then  they  proceed  to  Rome,  and 
are  introduced  by  the  four  cardinals  to  Pope  Bafeilius,  into  whose 
service  they  enter,  and  are  themselves  raised  to  the  dignity  of  cardi- 
nals. Basilius  soon  after  dies,  and  Jutta  is  chosen  his  successor.  The 
son  of  a  Roman  senator  is  brought  to  the  female  pope,  possessed  by  a 
devil ;  who,  tefore  he  consents  to  leave  the  body,  acquaints  the  cardi- 
nals with  the  pregnancy  of  Pope  Jutta.  In  the  following  scene  Christ 
complains  to  his  mother  of  the  sinftil  abomination  at  Rome.  But 
Maria  intercedes  for  mercy  to  the  soul  of  Jutta,  and  Gabriel  is  sent  to 


20  ON  THE  ANTIENT  TEUTONIC 

advise  her  to  leave  her  lewd  life,  and  to  abandon  the  tiara ;  which  she 
promises.  Death  is  sent  to  her,  and  warns  her  of  her  speedy  dissolu- 
tion. She  cries  for  mercy  to  the  Virgin,  who  appears  to  her,  and  pro- 
mises to  intercede  for  her  soul.  Then  she  is  delivered  of  the  child,  and 
Mors  kills  her  instantly  after.  The  devil  whom  she  had  forced  out 
of  the  body  of  the  senator's  son  was  waiting  to  seize  the  soul,  which 
he  carried  to  hell.  There  she  was  forced  to  drink  the  infernal  potion, 
and  threatened  with  the  most  merciless  treatment.  But  she  con- 
tinued to  call  upon  the  Virgin;  for  help  and  deliverance.  In  the  mean- 
time the  most  portentous  signs  had  appeared  at  Rome.  Blood  had 
rained  for  three  days^and  earthquakes  and  famine  had  desolated  the 
country.  The  cardinals  go  in  procession,  with  torches  and  banners, 
and  institute  the  famous  chair  for  trying  the  virility  of  aU  future 
popes.  The  soul  of  Pope  Jutta  was  in  the  meantime  tormented  by 
the  devils,  but  the  Virgin  and  St  Nicolas  intercede  for  her  so  effec- 
tually, that  Christ  sends  St  Michael  to  fetch  it  from  hell,  which  enter- 
prise he  accomplishes  with  considerable  difficulty.  The  drama  ends 
with  the  soliloquy  of  the  delivered  soul.  Notwithstanding  the  great 
incongruity  of  the  plot,  there  is  considerable  merit  in  the  execution, 
and  some  humour  in  the  dialogues  between  the  devils. 

With  the  exception  of  some  fine  church  hymns,  by  Luther  and  se- 
veral of  his  cotemporaries,  there  occurs  no  one  among  the  German 
metrifiers,  from  the  time  of  Hans  Sachs,  worthy  of  mentiffio,  till  the 
appearance  of  Opitz,  Fleming,  and  Weckherlin,  who  flourished  in  the 
first  half  of  the  seventeenth  century,  and  produced  some  poems  of  the 
very  first  rank,  particularly  the  former,  who  obtained  the  name  of  fa- 
ther of  German  poesy.  But  their  successors,  till  within  the  last  fifty 
years-,  are  worthy  of  no  regard  whatever. 


Sect.  II. — Of  the  Teutonic  Ctfclm  of  Romance. 

Before  we  enter  into  a  general  investigation  of  this  comprehensive 
class  of  romances,  and  attempt  to  trace  their  connection  amongst  them- 


POETRY  AND  ROMANCE.  21 

selves,  and  with  their  romantic  brethren  of  the  North,  we  shall  pre- 
fix an  enumeration  of  such  as  are  in  existence  at  present,  in  the  dif- 
ferent libraries,  and  dwell  peculiarly  upon  those  of  which  abstracts  are 
presented  to  the  reader  in  this  volume.  For  this  purpose  we  shall  fol- 
low the  arrangement  of  Hagen,  in  the  collection  of  ancient  German 
poems  mentioned  above,  which  comprehend^  all.  those  that  have 
been  hitherto  discovered,  with  the  exception  of  the  oddeat  fragment 
extant  of  any  of  them,  in  prose.  This,  on  account  of  its  extreme  an- 
tiquity, will  be  given  entire  in  the  Appendix,  with  a  Latin  and  Eng- 
lish literal  translation.  It  is  in  the  dialect  of  Lower  Germany,  ap- 
proaching very  nearly  to  the  Anglo-Saxon,  and  was  printed  in  J.  G. 
Eccardi  Commentar.  de  rebus  Franciae  Orientalis,  (torn.  I.  p.  864,), 
with  a  Latin  translation,  and  a  very  extensive  body  of  notes,  from  a 
MS.,  which  once  belonged  to  the  abbey  of  Fulda,  from  whence  it 
was  transferred  to  the  library  of  the  landgrave  of  Hesse-Cassel.  The 
age  of  the  MS.,  according  to  the  learned  editor,  is  the  eighth  century, 
and  the  romance,  of  which  it  is  a  short  fragment,  seems  to  have  been 
produced  in  the  times  of  paganism,  as  the  principal  hero,  Hildebrand, 
invokes  Irmin,  the  god  of  war  amongst  the  Teutonic  nations.  The 
fragment  consists  of  a  dialogue  between  Hildebrand,  (who  is  one  of 
the  heroes  in  all  these  romances),  and  his  son  Hatubrand,  which  ends 
in  a  combat  between  them,  and  seems  to  have  been  the  original  of  the 
song  of  Hildebrand,  mentioned  in  the  ensuing  Ust,  (No.  13,)  a  transr 
lation  of  which  will  likewise  be  found  in  the  Appendix. 

1.  The  first  among  the  romances  of  this  cyclus,  not  in  point  of  the 
time  of  its  production,  but  in  priority  of  the  events  recorded  in  it, 
consists  of  the  adventures  of  Otnit,  and  of  Hugh-and  Wolfdietrich, 
and  forms  the  first  and  second  part  of  the  great  Book  of  Heroes,  or 
Legend  of  Champions ;  an  abstract  of  which  is  given  in  this  volume. 
Besides  this  romance,  it  contains  two  other  portions,  enumerated  in 
this  list,  (No.  7,  8.)  There  are  several  manuscripts  of  this  extensive 
work  in  the  Vatican  at  Rome,  at  Strasburg,  Vienna,  Frankfort,  &c, 
It  was  first  printed  in  the  fifteenth  century,  without  date,  and  re^ 
printed,  with  little  variation,  in  the  years  1491, 1509,  1545,  1560j  and 


22  ON  THE  ANTIENT  TEUTONIC 

1590;  all  of  these  editions  having  wooden  cuts  tolerably  executed. 
From  a  transcript  of  the  last,  the  present  abstract  has  been  taken. 
The  author  of  the  two  first  divisions  (and  probably  also  of  the 
third)  of  this  work  is  the  knight  Wolfram  of  Eschenbach,  born  in 
Bavaria,  who  flourished  about  1207,  and  was  patronised  chiefly  by  the 
landgrave  of  Thuringia.  He  was  a  most  prolific  poet.  Besides  the 
present  work,  he  is  asserted  to  be  author  of  Titurel,  or  the  Guar- 
dians of  the  Holy  Graal,  of  Percival,  William  of  Oranse,  Lohengrin, 
Duke  Frederick  of  Swabia,  the  History  of  the  Emperors,  and  Godfrey 
of  Bouillon,  all  of  them  poems  of  great  length. 

2.  Etzel's  Hofhaltung,  or  The  Court  of  Etzel,  (Attila  j)  exists  at 
Dresden,  in  MS. 

3.  Dietrich  and  Sighenot ;  was  printed  in  the  years  1490, 1577,  1613, 
and  1677. 

4.  Ecken  Ausfahrt,  the  Expedition  of  the  Ecken;  printed  in  1491, 
1512,  and  1577. 

5.  The  Earlier  Combats  of  Dietrich  and  his  Champions,  in  MS.,  at 
the  Vatican. 

6.  Romance  of  the  youthful  Adventures  of  the  Homy  Siegfried ; 
printed  at  Nurimberg,  without  date.  It  relates  the  same  adventures 
of  this  hero  which  are  the  subject  of  a  popular  book  still  very  current 
in  Germany.  The  hero  leaving  his  father,  wanders  about  for  many 
days,  till,  driven  by  hunger,  he  is  forced  to  work  for  a  smith  ;  but  his 
strength  is  so  prodigious,  that  he  splits  the  anvil  with  the  first  stroke. 
The  smith  gives  him  some  blows,  and  he  in  return  thrdws  him  to  the 
ground.  In  order  to  be  revenged  upon  the  young  apprentice,  the 
smith  sends  him,  under  pretence  of  fetching  charcoal,  to  a  forest,  in- 
habited by  his  brother,  who  had  been  transformed  into  the  shape  of  a 
dragon.  But  Siegfried  tore  out  several  trees,  threw  them  on  the  mon- 
ster, and  then  set  fire  to  the  pile.  The  fat  of  the  dragon  run  upon 
the  ground  like  a  rivulet,  and  Siegfried  accidentally  dipping  his  finger 
in,  and  finding  it  become  of  a  horny  consistence,  bathed  his  whole 
body  in  the  fat,  and  thus  rendered  it  invulnerable,  with  the  exception 
of  a  place  on  his  back,  where  a  leaf  happening  to  stick,  prevented  the 


POETRY  AND  ROMANCE.  23 

fat  from  having  its  due  effect.  (See  the  Nibelungen.)  Afterwards  he 
releases  the  daughter  of  King  Gilibaldus,  who  dwelt  upon  the  Rhine, 
from  a  dragon  who  had  ravished  her  from  her  father's  court ;  and 
achieves  many  other  adventures  with  wild  beasts,  giants,  and  dwarfs. 
He  is  married  to  the  princess,  and  killed  by  the  envy  of  her  three  bro- 
thers, in  the  same  manner  as  in  the  Nibelungen. 

7.  The  Great  Garden  of  Roses  at  Worms,  which  forms  the  third 
division  of  the  Book  of  Heroes.  Another  poem  on  the  same  subject, 
but  differing  widely  from  the  printed  copy,  is  at  Strasburg,  and  in  the 
Vatican. 

8.  The  little  Garden  of  Roses,  or  Laurin,  King  of  the  Dwarfs,  being 
the  fourth  and  last  part  of  the  Book  of  Heroes.  It  was  the  production 
of  Henry  of  Ofterdingen,  a  cotemporary  of  Eschenbach's,  and  a  citizen 
of  Eisenach.  A  copy,  greatly  enlarged,  has  been  printed  from  a 
Copenhagen  MS.,  by  Nyerup,  (Symbolse  ad  Lit.  Teut.  Antiq.  Havniaa, 
1787,  p.  1 — 82.) 

9.  The  Duke  of  Aquitania  exists  in  MS.  at  Vienna,  and  is  probably 
either  the  original,  or  a  translation  of  a  very  curious  Latin  poem, 
which  appears  to  have  been  written  by  a  monk.  It  was  printed  by 
Professor  Fischer  in  1780,  under  this  title, — De  prima  expeditioTie  At- 
tilcEf  regis  Hunnorum^  in  Gallias,  ac  de  rebus  gestis  Waltharii  Aqmtano- 
rum  principis.  Carmen  epicum  secuke  F/.,  from  a  manuscript  of  the  thir- 
teenth century.  Another  edition  was  given  by  Molter,  in  1798.  The 
poem  opens  with  the  praise  of  Attila  and  his  expedition  from  Panno- 
nia.  Gibicho,  king  of  the  Franks,  sends  the  youth  Hagano,  a  descen- 
dant of  the  Trojans,  with  rich  treasures,  to  deprecate  his  wrath. 
Herrik,  king  of  Burgundy,  whose  residence  is  at  Cauillon,  beyond 
the  Aar  and  Rhone,  gives  his  daughter  Hiltegund  as  hostage  to 
Attila,  and  Alphere,  king  of  Aquitania,  sends  his  son  Walther  for  the 
same  purpose.  Hiltegund,  Hagano,  and  Walther  are  educated  at  the 
Hunnish  court,  and  to  the  former  the  royal  jewels  are  given  in  charge. 
Meantime  King  Gibicho  dies,  and  his  son  Gunthar  refuses  to  do 
homage  to  the  Huns,  which  Hagano  hearing,  he  flies  from  Attila. 
Walther  persuaded  the  'princess  Hiltegund  to  accompany  him  in  his 

11 


24  ON  THE  ANTIENT  TEUTONIC 

flight.  She  filled  two  chests  with  golden  rings  from  the  treasury ;  and 
they  took  occasion  to  effect  their  purpose  during  a  feiast.  Walther  rode 
on  his  horse  Leo,  armed  after  the  manner  of  the  Huns,  with  a  two- 
edged  sword  on  his  left,  and  a  orie-edged  one  on  his  right  side.  The 
princess  rode  on  another  horse  with  the  treasure.  They  only  travelled 
during  the  night,  and  arrived  in  a  fortnight  at  Vuormatia,  (Worms,)  the 
residence  of  the  Frankish  king.  Walther  gave  some  fishes  which  he 
had  caught  by  the  way  to  the  ferryman  who  had  ferried  them  over 
the  Rhine,  which  the  latter  brought  to  the  royal  table.  Gunthar  know- 
ing them  not  to  be  the  produce  of  the  Rhine,  and  inquiring  how  he 
obtained  them,  heard  of  the  arrival  of  the  knight  and  the  princess,  and 
of  the  two  chests,  which,  from  the  sound  they  emitted,  appeared  to  con- 
tain gold.  Hagano,  by  the  description,  recognised  his  fellow  Walther  ; 
but  King  Gunthar  resolved  to  seize  on  the  treasures,  and  indemnify  him- 
self for  those  his  father  had  sent  to  Attfla.  He  accordingly  assembled 
his  champions,  and  pursued  Walther,  whom  he  overtook  in  the  forest 
ofVasgovia.  In  a  place  where  two  rocky  mountains  formed  a  nar- 
row cave,  the  Aquitanian  prince  was  attacked,  after  he  had  refiised  to 
give  up  the  treasure  -,  notwithstatiding  Hagano  had  used  every  exer- 
tion to  prevent  the  combat,  the  evil  consequence  of  which  to  the  king 
he  had  beheld  in  a  dream.  For  this  counsel  he  was  upbraided  as  a 
coward  by  the  king,  and  sullenly  retired  to  a  neighbouring  hill,  where 
he  beheld  the  fight.  Of  the  other  eleven  champions  who  had  accom- 
panied Gunthar,  eight  defied  Walther,  one  after  another,  and  were  all 
felled  to  the  ground  by  him.  The  remaining  three  use  a  very  curious 
weapon,  which  is  described  in  several  chronicles  of  the  Franks,  against 
him.  They  throw  a  trident  with  strings  at  his  feet,  and  endeavour  to 
cast  him  to  the  ground,  and  then  to  murder  him.  But  he  stands  firm, 
and  kills  them  all.  Gunthar  flies  to  Hagano,  who  is  reconciled  to 
him,  and  advises  him  to  get  Walther  into  a  snare,  by  a  feigned  retreat. 
Walther  not  suspecting  the  stratagem,  remains  in  a  cave,  and  in  the 
morning,  when  he  issued  to  proceed  on  his  journey,  is  attacked  by  the 
king  and  Hagano.  The  former  soon  falls  before  the  Aquitanian,  and 
fractures  his  thigh-bone  ;  and  the  latter,  after  having  struck  off  his 


POETRY  AND  ROMANCE.  25 

opponent's  right  hand,  had  his  head  opened,  and  his  right  eye  thrust 
out,  by  the  poniard  of  WaUher.  Then  the  three  heroes  reconcile 
themselves,  drink  together  on  the  field  of  battle,  and  joke  upon  the 
loss  of  their  limbs.  The  Franks  return  to  Worms,  and  Walther  to 
Aquitania,  where  he  reigned  in  peace  foi;  thirty  years. — The  sub- 
ject of  this  poem  is  alluded  to,  towards  the  conclusion  of  the  Song  of 
the  Nibelungen  ;  and  a  very  similar  story  occurs  in  the  86th  and  the 
following  chapters  of  the  Wilkina-Saga,  an  account  of  which  will  be  given 
in  p.  28,  &c.  There  the  hero  is  called  Walther  of  Waskastein,  which 
name  he  also  bears  in  the  third  part  of  the  Book  of  Heroes.  Fischer 
judges  the  poem  to  have  been  written  in  the  sixth  century.  It  was 
probably  produced  in  the  time  of  King  Pepin.  The  MS.  at  Carlsruhe 
appears  to  be  of  the  ninth  century ;  and  in  the  chronicle  of  the  abbey 
of  Novalese,  founded  in  the  eighth  century,  at  the  foot  of  Mont  Cenis, 
printed  by  Muratori,  and  by  him  judged  to  have  been  compiled  about 
1060,  an  account  is  given  of  .Walther,  son  of  Alfer,king  of  Aquitania, 
■who  was  a  monk  in  that  monastery,  and  underwent  similar  advea." 
tures.  A  quotation  is  given  in  the  chronicle  from  the  Latin  poem. 
The  principal  heroes  of  it  also  occur  in  the  Nibelungen  and  the  Book 
of  Heroes,  but  there,  instead  of  Franks,  they  are  Burgundia,ns. 

10  and  11.  The  Flight  of  Dietrich  to  the  Huns,  and  his  vain  en- 
deavour to  recover  his  realm.  Both  in  a  MS.  of  the  Vatican,  tran- 
scribed in  1477. 

12.  The  Song  of  the  Nibelungen,  and  the  Lament.  Of  this  most 
ancient  among  the  Teutonic  metrical  romances,  there  are  three  MSS. 
at  St  GaHen,  Hohenems,  and  Munich.  The  latter  half,  with  the  La- 
ment, was  printed  separately  by  Bodmer ;  and  the  whole  in  Miller's 
collection,  mentioned  above,  A  new  edition,  in  which  the  ortho- 
graphy and  the  principal  antiquated^  words  have  been  modernised, 
but  the  versification  and  the  antique  cast  of  the  language  retain- 
ed, was  published  in   1807,  by  Hagen.'     From  a  compairison  of 

'  We  have  to  regret  that  the  copy  which  has  reached  us  wants  the  introduction, 
which  would  have  given  us  great  light  upon  the  history  of  the  poem,  and  its  connection 
with  Scandinavian  romanc.es,  as  the  learning  of  M.  v.  d.  Hagen  insijres  the  great  research 
of  his  investigations. 


26  ON  THE  ANTIENT  TEUTONIC 

the  latter  with  the  old  copy  in  Miller,  the  abstract  in  this  volume  has 
been  made.  It  is  not  easy  to  determine  in  what  age  the  poem  was 
written,  and  the  author  is  unknown.  At  the  end  of  the  Lament,  which 
is  in  a  different  measure,  and  was  probably  written  by  a  different  per- 
son, and  in  a  subsequent  period,  the  author  of  that  poem  names  him- 
self Conrad ;  from  which  evidence  Miller  very  absurdly  concluded  the 
whole  to  be  the  work  of  Conrad  of  Wuerzburg,  who  did  not  flourish 
till  the  years  1280  and  1300.  I  have  no  doubt  whatever  that  the 
romance  itself  is  of  very  high  antiquity,  at  least  of  the  eleventh  cen- 
tury, though  certainly  the  present  copy  has  been  considerably  mo- 
dernized. It  wiU  be  seen  immediately  that  it  is  quoted  in  the  Wilkina- 
Saga,  as  being  very  ancient  at  the  time  that  work  was  compiled, 
which  was  about  the  year  1250. 

13.  The  Song  of  Master  Hildebrand.  The  oldest  copy  is  at  Dres^ 
den,  in  MS.  From  an  ancient  edition,  in  which  it  has  been  considerably 
shortened  ;  it  was  reprinted  by  Eschenburg,  and  a  translation  of  the 
latter  will  be  found  in  the  Appendix,  No.  II.  The  chief  value  of  the 
ballad,  besides  that  of  the  poetry,  is  its  coinciding  so  nearly  with  the 
ancient  prose-fragment  already  mentioned.' 

14.  King  Rother ;  a  very  ancient  poem,  which  has  lately  been  pub- 
lished from  the  only  manuscript  of  it  which  is  known,  in  the  Heidel- 
berg library,  at  the  Vatican.  It  forms,  as  it  were,  an  intermediate 
chain  between  the  German  cyclus  of  romance  and  that  of  Charlemagne. 
The  hero  is  the  grandfather  of  that  emperor,  and  the  father  of  Pepin. 
Almost  the  same  story,  but  attributed  to  a  different  set  of  actors,  occurs 
in  the  Wilkina-Saga,  (p.  113 — 132.)  The  German  editor  supposes, 
with  great  probability,  that  it  was  produced  in  the  first  half  of  the 
twelfth  century.  The  antiquity  of  the  language,  and  the  rudeness  of 
the  versification  and  of  the  rhymes,  which  are  very  similar  to  those 
used  in  the  poem  of  St  Anno,  mentioned  above,  vouch  for  the  truth 
of  his  supposition.  The  fable  of  the  poem  is  so  singular,  that  an  ab- 
stract of  it  deserves  to  be  given  to  the  English  public. 

•  In  the  Danish  Kaempe  Viser  there  is  a  literal  translation  of  the  ballad. 


POETRY  AND  ROMANCE.  27 

It  will  now  be  necessary  to  give  some  account  of  the  Scandinavian 
romances  and  poems,  in  which  the  same  heroes,  and  very  similar 
actions  occur.  The  oldest  mention  of  this  cyclus,  in  that  language,  is 
in  the  Flateyan  Codex,  at  Copenhagen,  written  in  the  fourteenth  cen- 
tury. There  it  is  related  by  the  historian  Gunlog,  how,  at  the  court 
of  King  Olaf  Tryggvin,  who  first  introduced  the  Christian  religion  in 
Norway,  about  the  year  1000,  the  poems  of  the  Edda,  the  second  ode 
of  Sigurd,  who  had  killed  the  smith,  that  of  Brynhildar's  ride  to  hell, 
(translated  partly  by  the  Hon.  W.  Herbert,')  that  of  Gudrunar  Ruida, 
and,  finally,  the  song  of  Gunnar,  were  sung  to  the  harp.  Of  these 
four  poems,  only  the  three  first  are  preserved  in  the  Edda  of  Ssemund. 
In  these  pieces,  which  have  not  as  yet  been  published,  as  well  as  in 
the  Wolsunga-and  Norna-Gest's  Sagas,  printed  in  the  valuable  col- 
lection entitled,  Nordiska  Kaempe  Datter  by  Bioerner,  Brynhildr 
is  a  inythological  personage,  one  of  the  Valkyriae,  not  a  mere  mortal 
virgin,  as  in  the  Teutonic  romances.  She  is  the  daughter  of  Budla, 
king  of  the  Saxons  and  Franks,  and  lived  in  a  lonely  castle,  encircled 
by  the  fire  Vaftloga.  The  Sigurd  of  the  Edda,  according  to  Warnefrid, 
was  the  son  of  Sigmund,  king  of  Hunnenland  and  of  Hiordisa,  and 
had  two  wives,  Brynhildr,  and  Gudruna  Grimhild,  daughter  of  Giuko, 
(the  Gibich  of  the  German  Book  of  Heroes,)  king  of  Niflungaland. 
His  daughter  Asloeg  was  the  wife  of  the  celebrated  Regner  I,pdbrog. 
According  to  this  account,  Sigurd  must  have  lived  in  the  eighth  cen- 
tury ;  but  the  Hyndlu  Lioth,  in  the  Edda,*  makes  him  a  cotempo- 
rary  of  Jormunrek,  (the  Ermanrek  of  the  WilkinarSaga,)  and  there- 
fore also  of  Dietrich  of  Bern,  which  is  more  consonant  to  the  Teuto- 
nic romances.  For  an  abstract  of  the  Wolsunga-Saga,  which  may  be 
considered  as  a  digest  of  the  Scandinavian  traditions,  respecting 
these  celebrated  heroes,  the  reader  is  referred  to  the  elegant  work  of 
Mr  Herbert.*    The  discussion  of  the  question  respecting  the  relative 

•  Miscellaneous  Poetry,  Vol.  II.  Part  II.  p.  I*. 

"  Edda  rhythmica  seu  antiquior,  vulgo  Ssemundina  dicta,  Pars.  I.    Hafniae,  1787,  4tQ. 
Praef.  p.  xxxviii. 
^  Ibid,  p.  381. 
+  Misc.  Poet,  ut  supra,  pp.  20—33, 


28  ON  THE  ANTIENT  TEUTONIC 

antiquity  of  these  and  of  the  Teutonic  traditions  is  reserved  till  the 
end  of  the  following  enumeration  of  the  other  remains  in  the  northern 
languages. 

Saxo  Gfammaticus,  who  wrote  about  the  year  1200,  relates,  that 
Magnus,  the  younger   son  of  the  Danish  king  Nicolas,  conspired 
against  the  life  of  his  elder  brother  Canute,  to  prevent  his  succeed- 
ing to  the  throne  of  his  father,  and  sent  a  Saxon  minstrel,  one  of  the 
conspirators,  to  invite  Canute  to  a  conference,  at  which  he  was  to  be 
slain.      But  the   minstrel   had  compassion  on   Canute,  and  having 
sworn  not  to  betray  the  secret,  he  chaunted,  in  order  to  give  him  an 
indirect  warning,  the  well-known  treachery  of  Grimhild  towards  her 
brothers,  formed  into  a  well-ordered  poem.     This  poem  is  probably 
still  extant ;  for  in  the  valuable  collection  of  Danish  ballads  entitled 
Kaempe  Viser,  there  are  three  which  relate  the  revenge  of  Grimhild, 
or  Chrimhild,  very  httle  differing,  as  to  the  facts,  from  the  Teu- 
tonic romances.     But  the  scene,  which  in  these,  as  well  as  the  older 
Scandinavian  romances,  is  laid  upon  the  Rhine,  is  here  transferred  to 
the  island  of  Hvena,'  situated  between  Zealand  and  Sconia,  and  cele- 
brated in  latter  times  by  the  residence  of  Tycho  de  Brahe.     One  of 
these  very  curious  and  ancient  ballads  will  be  found  in  a  subsequent 
part  of  this  volume,  translated  by  Mr  Jamieson,  together  with  some 
others  relative  to  these  heroes,  whose  popularity  was  nearly  as  exten- 
sive as  that  of  Charlemagne  and  Arthur. 

The  most  comprehensive  of  the  romances  in  the  Scandinavian  tongue 
is  the  Wilkina-and  Niflunga-Saga,^  which  is,  however,  to  be  considered 
entirely  as  a  Teutonic  work.  It  is,  in  fact,  a  digest  of  several  metrical 
romances  in  the  latter  dialect  of  the  Gothic,  in  the  same  manner  as 
Malory's  Mort  Arthur  was  formed  from  the  French  romances.  In 
several  passages  there  is  a  direct  reference  to  far  more  ancient  Teu- 

"  Perhaps  the  reason  of  this  variation  may  be  accounted  for,  by  the  corruption  of  Heu- 
naland,  the  land  of  the  Huns,  which  is  so  called  in  the  Teutonic  romances,  as  well  as  in 
some  of  the  Scandinavian,  into  the  island  of  Hvena. 

»  Wilkina  Saga,  eller  Historien  om  Kong  Thiderich  af  Bern  och  hans  Kaempar;  samt 
Niflunga  Saga,  &c.  Published  by  Peringskiold.  Stockholm,  1715,  fol.,  with  a  Latin  and 
Swedish  translation. 


POETRY  AND  ROMANCE.  '_>9 

tonic  songs  and  poems,  from  which  it  was  compiled.  Thus  in  the 
328th  chafiter,  where  Queen  Ostacia  sends  an  army  of  wild  beasts, 
such  as  lions,  bears,  and  dragons,  German  songs  and  poems  are 
quoted  as  authority.'  Again,  in  the  Niflunga-Saga,  chapter  363*  and 
367,'  similar  references  occur.  And  in  the  Blomsturwalla-Saga 
it  is  said  that  "  the  History  of  King  Thidrik  was  first  written  in  Ger- 
many, and  afterwards  brought  to  Norway  by  Master  Bioern  i  Nidaros, 
who  was  bishop  of  Norway."  He  was  sent  by  King  Hackan  Hack- 
anson,  about  1250,  to  the  court  of  Frederick  II.,  emperor  of  Ger- 
many, whose  brother  was  to  espouse  Christina,  the  daughter  of  King 
Hackan.  At  the  German  court  he  heard  the  history  read,  and 
brought  it  with  him  to  Norway,  where  it  was  translated  into  Scandi- 
navian. Several  manuscripts  were  preserved.  One  of  them  seems  to 
be  nearly  of  the  age  in  which  the  bishop  lived.  The  following  is  a 
bare  outline  of  this  extraordinary  romance,  a  more  dilated  abstract  of 
which  should  certainly  be  given  to  the  public.  In  order  to  exhibit 
the  connection  of  the  Teutonic  romances,  it  was,  however,  deemed 
eligible  to  exhibit  some  general  account  of  it  in  this  place.  The  pre- 
face to  the  Book  of  Heroes  relates  several  parts  of  the  Saga  which 
are  not  at  present  known  to  be  extant  in  German,  shortly,  but  with 
considerable  variations. 

The  romance  begins  with  the  history  of  the  doughty  knight  Sam- 

'  Sva  seigir  i  kvsedum  Thydverskum,  at  hennar  haer  vaeri  likur  fiocedum  sialfom,  oc  hon 
sialf  var  oc  sem  einn  ilugdreki.  i.  e.  The  German  songs  say  that  her  armies  were  like  the 
devils  themselves,  and  she  herself  was  in  the  shape  of  a  fire-drake. 

*  Sva  er  sagt^i  Thydeskum  kvsedum,  &c.  German  poems  speak  of  the  bloody  fight 
between  Thidrik  and  the  Niflungen,  and  how  the  sword  Eckisax  resounded  on  the 
helmets. 

5  Hier  ma  nu  haejra  frasogn  Thydeskra  manna,  &c.  Worthy  of  notice  are  those  Ger- 
man songs  of  the  inhabitants  of  Snsa,  [so  the  residence  of  Attila  is  called  in  this  romance, |] 
where  these  memorable  actions  happened.  They  can  tell  where  Hogen  fell,  where  Irung 
was  slain,  and  where  the  dungeon  was  where  King  Gunnar  was  killed :  They  show  the 
garden,  which  is  still  called  the  Niflung-Garden,  where  the  heroes  were  slain,  &c.  And 
men  of  Munster  and  Bremen,  worthy  of  belief,  relate  the  same  facts,  without  knowing 
any  thing  of  the  others,  almost  without  variation;  from  which  may  be  deduced  the  fidelity 
of  the  histories  sung  in  poems  in  the  Teutonic  tongue,  to  the  commemoration  of  the 
deeds  of  illustrious  men.  (Oc  er  that  mest  eptir  thvi  sem  seigia  forkvaedi  i  Thyderskri 
tunga,  er  giort  hafa  storir  raenn  umm  thau  stortidendi  er  i  thessu  landi  hafa  ordit. ) 


30  ON  THE  ANTIENT  TEUTONIC 

son,  bom  in  the  city  of  Salerno,  who  became  enamoured  of  Hildes- 
vida,  daughter  of  Rodger  Jarl,  lord  of  that  city,  with  whom  he  escaped 
from  her  father's  court,  and  Isilled  him  and  King  Brunstein,  his  bro- 
ther. Then  he  became  king  of  the  Goths,  and  begot  three  sons ; 
Ermenrek,  king  of  the  Goths  in  Puli,  (Apulia,)  Thietmar,  king  of 
Bern,  (Verona,)  and  a  natural  son,  named  Aka  Orlungatrost.  After 
the  death  of  Samson,  Thietmar  married  Odilia,  the  daughter  of  Elsung 
Jarl,  and  begot  the  celebrated  Thidrek,  (Dietrich,  Theoderic,)  of 
Bern,  king  of  Aumlungaland,  (Italy,)  who  is  the  central  hero  of  this 
whole  connection  of  histories,  which  relates  successively  the  deeds  of 
the  champions  who  attached  themselves  to  him,  and  the  manner  in 
which  they  joined  his  fellowship.  The  first  of  these  was  Hildebrand, 
son  of  Reginbald,  duke  of  Venice,  who  came  to  the  court  of  Thietmar 
at  the  age  of  five ;  Thidrek  being  at  the  time  seven  years  old.  A 
strict  intimacy  between  the  boys  took  place,  and  when  they  grew  up 
to  manhood  they  achieved  several  adventures,  the  most  remarkable  of 
which  was  their  making  the  dwarf  Alpris '  captive,  and  their  obtaining, 
by  his  assistance,  the  valuable  sword  Nagelring.  The  next  hero  who 
joins  the  fraternity,  after  being  subdued  in  battle  by  Thidrek,  was 
Heimer,  the  son  of  Studo,  who  dwelt  beyond  the  Alps,  near  Segard, 
the  castle  of  the  Lady  Brynhild,  famed  for  her  matchless  beauty. 

The  history  of  the  third  champion,  Vidga,  (the  Wittich  of  the  Book 
of  Heroes,)  is  next  related.  His  remote  ancestor  was  Wilkinus,  king 
of  Wilkinaland,  (Sweden,)  who,  by  a  sea-monster,  begot  the  giant 
Wada,  who  lived  in  Sealand,  and  had  a  son  called  VeUnt,  one  of  the 
most  excellent  smiths  who  ever  lived.  His  father  hearing  of  the 
great  skill  of  the  smith  Mimer,  in  Hunaland,  sent  him  thither  in  his 
ninth  year,  where  he  learnt  the  trade  at  the  same  time  with  the  cele- 
brated Sigurd,  (Siegfried.)  Afterwards  he  prosecuted  his  study  with 
the  dwarfs  in  a  mountain,  and  there  reached  the  summit  of  his  art. 
His  father  was  killed  by  the  fall  of  a  rock,  occasioned  by  an  earth- 
quake, which  his  tremendous  snoring  produced.*     Velint  proceed- 

"  A  very  sitnilar  adventure  occurs  in  the  first  part  of  the  Book  of  Heroes,  which  see, 
*  This  ludicrous  adventure  is  very  like  one  of  the  god  Thor,  in  the  twenty-third  chapter 
«f  the  prose  Edda,  translated  by  Goranson. 


POETRY  AND  ROMANCE.  ;U 

ed  to  the  court  of  Nidung,  king  of  Waringia,  living  in  Jutland,  at* 
whose  court  he  was  challenged  by  the  smith  Amilias  to  a  trial  of 
skill.  The  latter  fabricated  a  suit  of  armour.  Velint  forged  the 
sword  Mimung  in  seven  days,  with  which  he  cut  [a  ^'thread  of  wool, 
floating  on  the  water,  asunder,  in  the  presence  of  the  king.  But  find- 
ing the  falchion  heavy  and  unweildy,  he  sawed  it  in  pieces,  and,  in  a 
mixture  of  milk  and  meal,  forged  it  in  a  red-hot  fire  for  three  days, 
and  at  the  end  of  thirteen  produced  another  sword,  which  cut  through 
a  whole  ball  of  wool  floating  on  the  water.  Still  he  was  not  satisfied 
with  its  goodness,  but  committed  it  again  to  the  flames,  and  after  seven 
weeks,  having  separated  every  particle  of  dross  from  the  metal,  fabri- 
cated a  falchion  of  such  exquisite  goodness,  that  it  split  a  whole  bun- 
die  of  wool,  floating  on  the  water,  in  two.  The  smith  Amihas  trust- 
ing to  the  impenetrability  of  his  breastplate  and  helmet,  sat  down  upon 
a  bench,  and  bade  his  rival  strike  at  him  with  the  sword.  But  Velint 
split  him  to  the  navel;  and  when  he  complained  that  he  felt  as  if  cold  iron 
had  passed  through  his  ehtrails,  Velint  bade  him  shake  himself  a  little, 
upon  which  his  body  fell  to  the  ground  in  two  pieces. '  Velint  after- 
wards assisted  King  Nidung  in  his  wars,  and  obtained  his  daughter  in 
marriage ;  but,  by  the  order  of  the  king,  he  was  mutilated.  After 
several  other  adventures,  which  would  occupy  too  much  room  in  this 
introduction,  to  particularize  them  separately,  Velint  begot  a  son, 
named  Vidga,  who,  going  to  seek  adventures  when  he  had  attained  to 
manhood,  fought  with  several  of  Thidrek's  knights,  and  at  last  suc- 
ceeded in  vanquishing  that  hero  himself,  upon  which  he  joined  his 
company  of  champions.  After  the  wounds  had  been  cured  which 
Thidrek  had  received  from  the  sword  Mimung,  he  undertook  a  pere- 
grination in  search  of  adventures,  anxious  to  recover  his  fame,  which 
had  been  tarnished  in  the  late  engagement.  In  this  expedition  he 
killed  Ecka,  and  obtained  from  him  the  celebrated  sword  Eckisax ; 
disarmed  Fasold,  and  rescued  Sintram  from  the  jaws  of  a  dragon;  both 
of  whom  become  his  sworn  companions. 

'  This  singular  story  was  adopted  into  the  Edda  by.  Saemund,  under  the  title  of  Vcelun- 

dnrquida. 

11 


32  ON  THE  ANTIENT  TEUTONIC 

After  this  an  episode  is  introduced  respecting  the  wars  of  Wilimer, 
and  of  his  four  giants,  Aspilian,  Aventrod,  Etgeir,  and  Widolf,  (the  lat- 
ter of  whom  is  so  strong,  that  in  time  of  peace  he  is  led  by  a  chain,) 
against  the  Russians ;  and,  after  that,  the  battles  of  Osantrix,  king  of 
Wilkina-land,  and  his  obtaining  Oda,  the  daughter  of  Melias,  king  of 
Hunaland,  for  his  spouse. '  After  the  death  of  King  Melias,  AttUa, 
the  younger  son  of  Osid,  king  of  Frisia,  made  himself  master  of  his 
dominions,  while  his  brother  obtained  those  of  their  father.  Attila 
sent  Rodolf,  *  margrave  of  Bechelar,  to  Osantrix,  demanding  his  daugh- 
ter Erka  in  marriage.  But  his  request  being  refused,  he  invaded  the 
territory  of  Osantrix.  Rodolf^  however,  went  in  disguise  to  Wil- 
kinaburg,  the  residence  of  the  latter,  and  persuaded  the  virgin  to 
elope  with  him.  She  was  brought  to  Attila,  who  made  her  his  queen. 
After  this  follows  the  history  of  Walter  of  Waskastein,  and  his  elope- 
ment with  HUdegund,  very  nearly  coiaciding  with  the  fable  of  the  La- 
tin epic,  an  abstract  of  which  has  already  been  given.  In  the  mean- 
time an  altercation  had  happened  between  Heimer  and  Vidga.  The 
forme?:  joined  a  robber  named  Ingram,  who  molested  the  forest  of  Fal- 
ster,  (a  Danish  isle  near  Zealand,  here  described  as  a  forest  lying  be- 
tween Saxony  and  Denmark.) 

The  si^th  hero  who  joined  the  society  of  Thidrek  was  Thetlef,  the 
son  of  Bitterulf,  who  dwelt  in  Denmark  and  Sconia. '  After  the  fa- 
ther and  son  had  driven  Heimer  and  his  associates  from  their  haunts, 
the  latter  was  knighted,  and  proceeded  in  search  of  adventures.  He 
fought  duels  with  Sigurd  the  Grecian,  and  with  Walter  of  Waska- 
stein, and  then  joined  the  knights  of  Thidrek.  Soon  after,  the  old  king 
Thietmar  died,  and  left  the  inheritance  of  his  dominions  to  Thidrek. 
Wildifer  and  Herbrand,  two  illustrious  heroes,  join  the  chivalrous 
association.    The  wars  of  Osantrix  and  Attila  had  continued  with 


'  This  is  the  part  of  the  fable  which  has  nearly  the  same  subject  with  King  Rother.  See 
above,  p.'  26. 

'■  The  Rudiger  of  the  Nibelungen. 

'  Dietlieb  and  his  father  Bitterolf  are  mentioned,  in  the  third  and  fourth  parts  of  the 
Book  of  Heroes,  as  dwelling  in  Styria. 


POETRY  AND  ROMANCE.  33 

varied  success,  but  the  latter,  craving  and  obtaining  the  assistance  of 
Thidrek,  vanquished  his  opponent  in  a  bloody  battle.  Vidga,  how- 
ever, fell  into  the  power  of  the  Swedes ;  but  his  friend  Wildifer  re- 
leased him  out  of  captivity  by  a  stratagem. 
V  Now  the  celebrated  Sigurd  (Siegfried)  is  introduced  into  the  cir- 
cle of  heroes  who  assemble  round  Thidrek  of  Bern.  His  father,  Sig- 
mund,  king  of  Jarlungaland,  obtained  the  hand  of  Sisile,  daughter  of 
the  Spanish  king  Nidung.  Being  forced  to  leave  her  during  an  ex- 
pedition which  he  undertook  for  the  relief  of  Drasolf,  king  of  the 
Poles,  he  gave  her  in  charge  to  his  two  counsellors,  Hartvin  and  Her- 
man. They  prove  unfaithful  in  their  charge,  and  not  being  able  to 
obtain  their  desires,  accuse  the  queen  of  adultery,  on  the  return  of 
Sigmund,  who  orders  her  to  be  executed.  She  is  led  away  by  the  two 
counts,  but  they  cannot  agree  in  what  manner  to  deprive  her  of  life : 
A  battle  is  the  consequence,  in  which  Hartvin  is  killed.  The  queen 
had  meanwhile  been  delivered  of  a  boy,  whom  she  had  laid  into  a 
drinking-cup  of  glass.  Hartvin,  when  he  fell  dead  on  the  ground, 
accidentally  threw  the  cup  into  the  river,  which  when  the  queen  be- 
held, she  instantly  died  of  grief. '  Herman  returning  to  the  court, 
related  the  manner  of  her  death,  and  that  of  his  fellow,  which  exciting 
the  suspicion  of  Sigmund,  he  ordered  him  immediately  to  quit  his 
sight.  The  child  was  found  floating  on  the  river  by  the  celebrated 
smith  Mimer,  by  him  rescued,  and  educated  in  his  smithy.  But  the 
boy  acquired  prodigious  strength,  and  continually  quarrelled  with  the 
others  who  worked  there,  so  that  Mimer  began  to  fear  him,  and  in 
order  to  be  rid  of  so  troublesome  a  workman,  sent  him  into  a  forest 
haunted  by  his  brother  Regin,  who,  for  his  malice,  had  been  metamor- 
phosed into  a  dragon.  Sigurd,  however,  killed  the  monster,  and  boiled 
a  piece  of  his  body  for  his  food.  He  put  his  finger  into  the  broth,  and 
bringing  it,  in  order  to  cool  it,  to  his  tongue,  a  few  drops  fell  upon  it. 

•  This  part  of  the  story  is  very  similar  to  the  beautiful  legend  of  St  Genevieve.  The 
reader  may  compare  the  history  of  Sigurd,  as  here  related,  with  that  contained  in  the  Ger- 
man popular  book,  a  short  abstract  of  which  is  given  above,  and  with  that  given  in  the 
Wolsunga-Saga  and  the  Edda. 

E 


3*  ON  THE  ANTIENT  TEUTONIC 

He  instantly  understood  the  language  of  the  birds, '  who  were  just  con- 
versing  about  the  danger  in  which  he  stood  from  the  anger  of  Mimer, 
the  brother  of  the  dragon.  Sigurd,  warned  by  their  conversation,  re- 
turned to  the  smith,  and  killed  him.  Then  he  proceeded  to  the  castle 
of  Brynhild,  threw  down  the  seven  gates,  and  took  away  the  wild  horse 
Grana,  which  was  grazing  in  a  meadow.  Then  he  entered  into  the 
service  of  Isung,  king  of  Bertangaland,* 

About  the  same  time  flpurished  the  three  sons  of  Aldrian,  king  of 
Niflungaland, '  and  of  Oda,  his  queen,  Gunnar,  Gernoz,  and  Gissler. 
Hogen  was  also  the  son  of  Queen  Oda,  but  was  the  produce  of  a  con- 
nection she  had  had  with  an  elf,  (Alfiir.)  He  was  a  hero  of  a  fierce 
and  angry  disposition,  just  as  he  is  described  in  the  Nibelungen.  These 
four  heroes  proceeded  to  Bern,  where  Gunnar  and  Hogen  joined  the 
fellowship  of  Thidrek.  The  latter  celebrated  a  feast,  at  which  he,  with 
Gunnar,  Hogen,  Hildebrand,  and  Hornbog  Jarl,  sat  upon  the  right 
side  of  the  table,  and  Widga  the  strong,  Aumlung,  the  son  of  Horn- 
bog,  Thetlef,  Fasold,  Sintram,  Wildifer,  Herbrand,  denominated  the 
wise,  on  account  of  his  distant  peregrinations,  and  Heimer  the  fierce, 
who  was  the  Ganelon  of  the  society,  sat  upon  the  left.  During  the 
feast,  Thidrek  and  his  twelve  champions  conversing  of  deeds  of  arms, 
Herbrand  related  to  them  how  King  Isung  of  Bertangaland  had 
eleven  sons,  and  that  the  matchless  Sigurd  was  also  at  his  court ;  that 
their  swords  and  steeds  were  superior  to  those  of  the  champions  of 
Bern,  and  that  they  were  more  bold  and  heroic  than  themselves.  A 
trial  of  their  comparative  skill  was  immediately  concluded  on.  The 
knights  proceed  on  the  expedition,  during  which  Vidga  slays  the 
giant  Etgeir,*  on  the  frontiers.     When  they  arrived  they  defied  Isung, 

'  From  this  circumstance  it  would  seem  as  if  this  part  of  the  romance  was  oriental. 
Gerbert,  afterwards  Pope  Sylvester  II.,  who  died  in  1003,  is  said,  by  William  of  Malmes- 
bury,  among  other  magic  arts,  to  have  learned  the  language  of  birds  from  the  Moors  at 
Seville. 

•  Peringskiold  translates  this,  Britannia. 

5  The  country  about  Worms,  called  in  the  German  romances  Burgundy. 

*  See  the  Danish  ballad  of  the  Ettin  Langshanks,  in  this  volume. 


POETRY  AND  ROMANCE.  35 

his  sons,  and  Sigurd,  to  do  battle  with  them.'  Hildebrand,  Heinier, 
Hogen,  Sintram,  and  Gunnar  are  vanquished  and  bound,  but  Vidga 
and  Thedef  are  more  fortunate  against  their  opponents,  and.  release 
their  captive  companions.  The  final  and  most  obstinate  combat  takes 
place  between  Thidrek  and  Sigurd,  which  is  thrice  renewed,  but  at 
length  the  former  remains  victor,  having  borrowed  Mimung,  the  sword 
of  Vidga.  Aumlung  espouses  Fallborg,  the  daughter  of  King  Isung, 
and  Sigurd  joins  the  twelve  knights  of  Bern.  Upon  their  return, 
Hornbog,  with  his  son  Aumlung,  Sintram,  and  Herbrand,  return  home 
to  their  dominions. 

After  this,  the  nuptials  between  Sigurd  and  Grimhild,  the  sister 
of  Gunnar,  and  of  that  king  with  Brynhild,  are  related  shortly,  and 
nearly  in  the  same  manner  as  in  the  Nibelungen,  excepting  the  expedi- 
tion to  Isenland,  and  the  trial  of  skill  between  Brunhild  and  Siegfried. 
Sigurd,  however,  actually  takes  advantage  of  lying  by  the  side  of 
Brynhild,  and  subduing  her,  as  proxy  for  Gunnar.  After  these  marri- 
ages several  episodes  are  introduced,  which  have  but  Httle  connection 
with  the  main  action.  The  first  relates  the  death  of  Herthegn,  by  the 
hand  of  his  brother  Sintram,  and  the  elopement  of  their  third  brother, 
Herburt,  with  Hilder,  the  daughter  of  Artais,  king  of  Bertangaland ; 
which  forms  a  singular  connection  between  the.  Teutonic  cyclus  of 
romance,  and  that  of  which  King  Arthur  is  the  central  hero.  Then 
the  marriage  of  Thidrek  himself,  with  the  daughter  of  King  Drusian, 
follows.  Her  two  younger  sisters  are  espoused  by  Thetlef  and  Fasold, 
two  of  his  champions.  After  this  triple  espousal,  the  consti'uctor  of 
this  chain  of  fictions  returns  somewhat  confusedly  to  King  Artus,  who, 
at  his  death,  left  his  empire,  to  his  two  sons,  Iron  andApollonius  >  but 
they  were  expelled  by  Isung  and  his  eleven  sons,  who  have  been  al- 
ready mentioned.  They  fled  to  Attila,  by  whom  they  were  well  re- 
ceived. ApoUonius  was  created  earl  of  Thuringia,  and  Iron  earl  of  Bran- 
denburgh.  Solomon  was  at  that  time  king  of  the  Franks,  and.the  young 
earl  of  Thuringia  fell  in  love  with  his  daughter,  with  whom  he  eloped, 

*  This  portion  of  the  work  is  very  similar  to  the  third  part  of  the  Book  of  Heroes. 


36  ON  THE  ANTIENT  TEUTONIC 

assisted  by  his  brother  Iron,  and  his  wife.  The  latter  soon  after  died. 
After  this,  the  two  earls  and  the  king  made  continual  chaces  and  de- 
predations in  each  others'  forests.  At  length  ApoUonius  died,  and 
Iron  was  made  prisoner  by  Solomon,  but  reconciled  to  him  by  his 
wife,  who  shortly  after  died.  Then  he  had  an  amour  with  Bolfriana,  in 
Fritilabdrg,  wife;  of  the  duke  Ake  Orlungatrost,  by  whom  he  was 
killed.  Ake  was  half-brother  to  Ermenrek,  and  dying  soon  after,  the 
strong  knight  Vidga  married  his  widow,  and  thus  became  vassal  to 
that  king  who  bore  the  crown  at  Rome,  his  dominions  extending  far 
on  both  sides  of  the  Alps. 

Ermenrek  had  one  day  dispatched  his  counsellor  Sif  ka  to  a  distant 
castle,  and  took  the  opportunity  of  his  absence  to  ravish  Odilia,  his 
wife.  When  SiOca  returned,  and  heard  of  the  crime  perpetrated  by 
the  king,  he  resolved  to  obtain  revenge  in  the  most  studied  and  mali- 
cious way.  By  false  insinuations  he  persuaded  the  king  to  cause  his 
own  three  sons,  and  then  the  two  of  Ake  Orlungatrost,  who  had 
been  left  to  the  care  of  Vidga,  to  be  murdered  during  the  absence  of 
the  latter.'  Sifka  then  advised  Ermenrek  to  demand  tribute  of  King 
Thidrek,  and  when  it  was  denied,  to  invade  his  territories.  The  lat- 
ter, not  able  to  withstand  him,  was  forced  to  fly,  and  abandon  Bern, 
and  to  seek  shelter  with  Attila.  For  thirty  years  he  fought  the  battles 
of  that  king  with  him,  against  Osantrix,  king  of  Wilkinaland,  who  was 
slain,  and  Waldemar,  king  of  Russia.  Queen  Erka  at  last  persuaded 
Attila  to  assist  Thidrek  in  an  attempt  to  recover  his  kingdom,  which, 
however,  proved  fruitless.  Thidrek  was  defeated,  his  youngest  bro' 
ther  Thetter,  and  Erp  and  Ortwin,  the  two  sons  of  Attila,  were  killed 
by  Vidga,  who,  flying  from  Thidrek,  was  drowned  in  a  river.  Queen 
Erka  died  soon  after  of  grief. 

Here  the  Niflunga-Saga  begins  with  the  altercation  of  the  two 
queens,  Brynhild  and  Grimild,  and  the  fable  proceeds  nearly  in  the 
same  manner  as  that  of  the  Nibelungen,  and  with  very  few  varia- 
tions, excepting  Hogen's  living  some  days  in  the  dungeon,  and  be- 

'  The  beautiful  popular  story  of  Eckard  the  True  bears  great  resemblance  to  this  tale. 


POETRY  AND  ROMANCE.  at 

getting  a  son,  Aldrian,'  who  revenges  the  death  of  his  father  upon 
Attila,  by  enticing  him  into  the  treasury  of  the  Niblungen,  and  shutting 
him  up  in  it.  Grimild,  according  to  this  narration,  was  killed  by  the 
hand  of  Thidrek. 

A  short  episode  is  introduced  in  the  Niflunga-Saga,  which  relates 
the  warfare  between  King  Isung  of  Bertangaland,  and  Hertnid,  son 
of  Osantrix  and  king  of  Wilkinaland,  in  which  the  former,  and  his 
eleven  sons,  were  killed  by  the  enchantment  of  Ostacia,  the  wife  of 
Hertnid,  who  conjured  up  an  army  of  fiends  and  war-wolfs,  commanding 
them  herself,  in  the  shape  of  a  dragon.  Fasold  the  Proud,  and  Thetlef 
the  Dane,  who  served  in  the  army  of  Isung,  were  also  slain.  The 
magic  queen,  after  her  return  from  the  battle,  sickened,  and  died. 

After  the  heroes  had  fallen  at  Susa,  the  residence  of  Attila,  to  gra- 
tify the  revenge  of  Grimild,  and  no  one  of  Thidrek's  companions 
being  left  alive  but  Hildebrand,  he  resolved  to  return  to  Bern, 
accompanied  by  the  latter,  whose  son,  Alebrand,  had  that  castle  in 
his  possession.  On  their  road  thither  they  heard  of  the  death  of 
King  Ermenrek.  When  Hildebrand  came  to  Bern,  he  met  with  his 
son,  with  whom  he  fought  a  severe  battle,  before  they  recognised  each 
other.*  Alebrand  gave  up  the  castle  to  Thidrek,  killed  Sifka  in  a 
battle,  in  which  the  latter  endeavoured  to  drive  Thidrek  from  his  pos- 
sessions, and  became  his  faithful  servant  till  his  death.  Thidrek  was 
crowned  emperor  at  Rome,  and,  together  with  Hildebrand,  embraced 
the  Christian  faith.  The  latter  soon  afterwards  died,  at  the  age  of 
180,  or,  according  to  others,  200  years.  Thidrek  having  lost  his 
wife  Herraud,  a  relation  of  Attila's,  reigned  many  years^  amusing  him- 
self chiefly  with  the  chace.3 

'  See  the  Danish  ballad  of  Grimild's  Wrack,  in  this  volume. 

*  This  chapter,  the  376th,  bears  great  similarity  to  the  Song  of  Hildebrand,  and  the 
ancient  Teutonic  fragment  in  the  Appendix. 

'  A  singular  passage  occurs  in  the  Annals  of  Snorro,  where  he  relates  the  history  of 
Widfor,  or  Magus  Jarl.  Charlemagne  having  heard  much  of  those  ancient  heroes,  Diet- 
rich of  Bern,  Vidgo,  the  son  of  Velint,  Gunnar  the  Niflung,  Isung,  and  the  northern  hero 
Haldan,  wished  to  see  them.  A  magician  immediately,  by  a  spell,  brought  them  all  before 
the  emperor,  armed,  sitting  on  their  war-horses,  and  marching  in  three  rows.    Among  the 


38  ON  THE  ANTIENT  TEUTONIC 

The  comparison  of  this  extensive  chain  of  fiction,  certainly  grounded 
upon  historic  truth,  with  the  ensuing  abstracts  of  the  principal  Ger- 
man romances,  and  with  the  real  Scandinavian  remains  mentioned 
above,  will  lead  to  curious  investigations,  but  a  positive  and  undeniable 
result  can  hardly  be  expected  at  present.  The  subject  is  compara- 
tively so  new,  and  the  means  of  complete  investigation  so  difficult  of 
access,  that  we  must  content  ourselves  chiefly  with  hypothetical  con- 
clusions. The  most  rational  way  of  accounting  for  the  wide  diffiision 
of  these  romantic  tales,  is,  perhaps,  to  consider  them  as  a  congeries  of 
Gothic  fictions  of  various  times,  (some  of  them  possibly  imported  from 
Asia,  at  the  time  of  the  emigration  of  the  Goths  from  thence,)  engrafts 
ed  upon  real  history  ;  and  as  a  confusion  of  fictions  and  actual  facts,  pro- 
duced by  continual  addition  to  the  real  original  foundation.  We  have 
seen  that  there  is  unquestionable  authority  to  prove  the  existence  of  some 
parts,  at  least,  of  this  cyclus  of  romance  in  the  eighth  and  ninth  century ; 
and  there  is  reason  to  believe  that  they  were  popular  a  considerable 
time,  perhaps  two  centuries,  before.  The  singular  question,  whether 
they  owed  their  origin  to  the  Teutonic  Goths,  or  to  their  northern 
brethren,  we  have  some  data  to  determine.  The  residence  of  the 
principal  heroes  is  placed,  even  in  the  older  Scandinavian  romances  on 
the  subject,  in  Germany ;  and  that  of  Lady  Grimild  was  not  trans- 
ferred to  the  Danish  islands  till  the  time  when  the  popular  ballads  of 
Denmark  were  produced.  It  is  true  that  the  mythological  cast  which 
the  fictions  acquired  in  Scandinavia,  and  the  magic  name  of  the  Edda, 
may  startle  our  belief  in  their  Teutonic  origin ;  but  there  are  such 
stubborn  facts  against  deducing  them  from  Scandinavia,  that  the 
claims  of  the  former  certainly  carry  more  weight.  It  is  well  known 
that  the  most  ancient  Edda  (if  we  except  the  Voluspa  and  a  few 
fragments)  was  compiled  by  Saemund,  who  \yas  born  about  1054, 
and  studied  for  several  years  in  Germany,  at  Erlangen  and  Cologne. 

twelve  spectres,  Dietrich,  who  was  the  third,  and  appeared  more  powerful  and  gigantic 
than  the  rest,  leaped  from  his  horse.  His  example  was  followed  by  the  others,  and  they 
all  seated  themselves  around  the  throne  of  Charlemagne. 


POETRY  AND  ROMANCE.  39 

It  requires  no  great  stretch  of  hypothesis  to  suppose  that  he  might 
have  adopted  some  of  the  Teutonic  traditions  into  his  mythological 
collection,  particularly  as  in  those  portions  which  refer  to  Bryn- 
hild,  Gunnar,  Grimhild,  and  Sigurd,  the  scene  is  placed  on  the 
Rhine,  and  in  Saxony.  But  even  without  having  recourse  to  this 
supposition,  the  antiquity  of  the  fragment  so  often  referred  to,  and  of 
the  Latin  epic  analysed  above,  is  evidently  greatly  superior  to  any 
thing  which  the  Scandinavians  can  show  upon  positive  proof.  To  this 
may  be  added,  that  the  most  extensive  Saga  on  these  subjects,  in  their 
language,  is  professedly  a  compilation  from  ancient  Teutonic  metrical 
romances  and  songs. 

Of  the  historical  origin  of  the  great  epic  Song  of  the  Nibelungen, 
(for  the  Book  of  Heroes,  though  placed  before  that  poem,  on  account 
of  its  relating  the  actions  of  older  heroes,  was  evidently  compiled  in 
much  later  times,  and  is  far- more  fabulous,)  a  few  data  and  coinci« 
dences  are  all  that  can  be  expected.  Attila  (there  named  Etzel) 
needs  no  explanation ;  and  it  is  well  known  that  he  had  Thuringia, 
Poland,  and  Wallachia  unden.  his  dominion,  as  related  in  the  poem. 
His  wife  Halche,  the  -Herka  of  the  Wilkina-Saga,  is  mentioned  in  the 
fragments  of  the  embassy  of  Priscus  to  that  king,  where  she  is  named 
Erca.  In  the  Hungarian  chronicle  of  Thwortz,  Dietrich,  (that  is,  rich 
in  people,  afterwards  corrupted  into  Theoderictis,  but  by  Procopius 
always  spelt  Sivli^ix,)  not  the  celebrated  Theoderic,  king  of  the  Os- 
trogoths, but  one  of  his  predecessors,  who  lived  80  years  before,  is  re- 
presented as  fighting  with  an  army  composed  of  Ostrogoths,  Germans, 
and  Longobards,  against  the  Huns,  at  their  first  irruption  into  Europe, 
by  whom  he  was  defeated,  and  forced  to  join  Attila  with  his  own  forces, 
as  in  the  Wilkina-Saga  and  the  Nibelungen.  .  It  is  there  likewise  re- 
jated,  that  Attila  left  his  kingdom  to  his  two  sons,  Chaba  and  Aladar, 
the  former  by  a  Grecian  mother,  the  latter  by  Kremheilch,  (Chrim- 
hild,)  a  German ;  that  Theoderic  sowed  dissension  between  them,  and 
took,  with  the  Teutonic  nations,  the  party  of  the  latter,  in  consequence 
of  which  a  great  slaughter  took  place,  which  lasted  for  fifteen  days. 


*o  ON  THE  ANTIENT  TEUTONIC 

and  terminated  in  the  defeat  of  Chaba,  and  his  flight  to  Asia. '  There 
is,  however,  some  confiision  respecting  the  Theoderic  (Dietrich)  of 
these  romances.  Several  allusions  are  made,  which  would  cause  us 
to  believe  Theoderic  the  Great  was  intended.  In  the  fragment  of 
Hildebrand,  he  is  evidently  and  indubitably  alluded  to,  as  well  as  his 
enemy  Odoacer.  But  he  was  not  born  till  about  the  year  442,  his 
great  irruption  into  Italy,  and  his  defeat  of  Odoacer  did  not  take  place 
tUl  480,  nor  his  death  till  526 ;  whereas  Attila  was  leader  of  the  Huns 
already  about  428,  invaded  Italy,  and  defeated  the  Western  Goths, 
about  450,  and  died  soon  after.  It  is  therefore  probable,  that  an 
earlier  Theoderic  is  the  subject  of  these  romances.  Gunter,  king  of 
Burgundy,  is  probably  Guntachar,  who  was  actually  king  of  the  Bur- 
gundians,  resided  at  Worms,  and  was  slain  in  a  battle  with  the  Huns, 
about  436.  Siegfried  cannot  so  easily  be  traced  to  any  historic9,l  per- 
sonage. It  has  been  conjectured,  with  some  probability,  that  he  was 
Sigbert,  who  is  said  to  have  been  major-domo  to  Theoderic,  and  to 
have  dwelt,  with  his  wife  Chrimhild,  at  Worms.  His  castle  of  Santen 
is  undoubtedly  Xanten,  a  town  on  the  left  side  of  the  Lower  Rhine. 
Tronek,  the  possession  of  Hagen,  may  have  been  (according  to  the  sup- 
position of  Johannes  Mueller,  the  admirable  historian  of  Switzerland)  th? 
ancient  Tournus,  (Tornucium.)  Isenland  may  either  have  been  a  super- 
added fiction  about  Iceland,  or  the  "celebrated  castle  of  Isenburgh,  on 
the  left  side  of  the  Rhine,  Charlemagne's  favourite  place  of  residence, 
may  be  intended.  There  is  great  and  inexplicable  confusion  re- 
specting the  real  meaning  of  the  title  of  the  poem.  In  some  places, 
Nibelungenland  is  evidently  Norway ;  but,  in  general,  here,  as  well  as 
in  the  Niflunga^Saga,  it  means  Burgundy.  The  Nibelung  heroes  in  the 
latter  are  always  Burgundians,  but  in  the  poem  sometimes  warriors 
of  that  nation,  at  others,  Siegfried's  auxiliaries  from  Norway.  The 
great  Niblung  treasure  is  represented  as  having  come  from  that  coun- 


"  For  this  and  numerous  other  notices  I  am  indebted  to  a  learned  dissertation  in  the 
Zeitung  fuer  Einsiedler,  by  J.  Goerres. 

11 


POETRY  AND  ROMANCE.  41 

try  where  Siegfrie'd  slew  Prince  Niblung  and  his  brother.  Bern,  the 
residence  of  Dietrich,  is  not  the  city  so  called  in  Switzerland,  but  was 
the  original  Gothic  name  of  Verona. 

When  we  compare  these  Teutonic  romances  with  those  of  France, 
England,  and  Spain,  we  are  immediately  struck  with  the  want  of  chi- 
valrous courtesy  of  the  knights,  and  with  the  praises  bestowed  upon  the 
most  savage  and  ferocious  among  them.  We  have  not  here  that  con- 
stant obedience  and  attention  to  the  ladies,  who  are  indeed  frequently 
more  savage  than  their  lovers.  The  peculiar  diablerie  of  these  ro- 
mances, is,  perhaps,  their  most  striking  feature.  The  dwarfs,  who,  by 
the  French  minstrels,  were  represented  as  mere  naturals,  and  humble 
attendants  upon  the  knights,  are  here  exalted  into  creatures  of  great 
cunning,  having  dominion  over  the  interior  of  the  earth,  consequently 
possessing  incalculable  riches  in  gold  and  gems,  and  having  the  stronger, 
but  less  sagacious,  race  of  giants  entirely  under  their  controul.  The 
history  of  the  creation  of  those  three  great  classes,  the  dwarfs,  giants, 
and  heroes,  is  given  by  the  author  of  the  preface  to  the  Book  of  He- 
roes, in  the  following  manner.  "  It  should  be  known  for  what  reason 
God  created  the  great  giants  and  the  little  dwarfs,  and  subsequently 
the  heroes.  First,  he  produced  the  dwarfs,  because  the  mountains 
lay  waste  and  useless,  and  valuable  stores  of  silver  and  gold,  with  gems 
and  pearls,  were  concealed  in  them.  Therefore  God  made  the  dwarfs 
right  wise  and  crafty,  that  they  could  distinguish  good  and  bad,  and 
to  what  use  all  things  should  be  applied.  They  knew  the  use  of  gems — 
that  some  of  them  gave  strength  to  the  wearer,  others  made  him  invi- 
sible, which  were  called  fog-caps. '  Therefore  God  gave  art  and  wisdom 
to  them,  that  they  built  them  hollow  hills  j  he- gave  them  nobility,  so 
that  they,  as  well  as  the  heroes,  were  kings  and  lords ;  and  he  gave  them 
great  riches.  And  the  reason  why  God  created  the  giants,  was,  that 
they  should  slay  the  wild  beasts  and  worms,  (dragons,  serpents,)  and 

'  Nebel-kappen,  tam-kappen.    In  the  romances  themselves,  they  are  not  represented 
3S  gems,  but  as  a  kind  of  veils,  which  rendered  every  thing  covered  by  them  invisible. 

F 


42  ON  THE  ANTIENT  TEUTONIC 

thus  enable  the  dwarfs  to  cultivate  the  mountains  in  safety.  But  after 
some  time,  it  happened  that  the  giants  became  wicked  and  unfaithful, 
and  did  much  harm  to  the  dwarfs.  Then  God  created  the  heroes, 
who  were  of  a  middle  rank  between  the  dwarfs  and  giants.  And  it 
should  be  known,  that  the  heroes  were  worthy  and  faithful  for  many 
years,  and  that  they  were  created  to  come  to  the  assistance  of  the 
dwarfs,  against  the  unfaithful  giants,  the  beasts,  and  the  worms.  The 
land  was  then  waste,  therefore  God  made  strong  heroes,  and  gave 
them  such  a  nature,  that  their  mind  was  ever  bent  on  manhood,  and 
on  battles  and  fights.  Among  the  dwarfs  were  many  kings,  who  had 
giants  for  their  servants  ;  for  they  possessed  rough  countries,  waste  fo- 
rests, and  mountains  near  their  dwellings.  The  heroes  paid  all  ob- 
servance and  honour  to  the  ladies,  protected  widows  and  orphans,  did 
no  harm  to  women,  except  when  their  life  was  in  danger,  were  always 
ready  to  assist  them,  and  often  shewed  their  manhood  before  them,  both 
in  sport  and  in  earnest.  It  should  also  be  known,  that  the  heroes  were 
always  emperors,  kings,  dukes,  earls,  and  served  under  lords,  as  knights 
and  squires,  and  that  they  were  all  noblemen,  and  no  one  was  a  pea- 
sant.    From  them  are  descended  all  lords  and  noblemen." 

With  respect  to  the  following  abstracts  of  the  two  principal  Teutonic 
romances,  and  particularly  the  passages  of  which  a  poetical  translation 
has  been  given,  the  reader  will  not  here  be  troubled  with  many  apo- 
logies. We  were  chiefly  anxious  to  give  somewhat  more  than  a  mere 
outline  of  these  ancient  romantic  relics,  which  have  not  hitherto 
been  known  in  this  island,  and  the  value  of  which  we,  perhaps,  rate  too 
highly.  The  poetical  specimens  in  the  Nibelungen  are  in  the  exact 
measure  of  the  original^  which  closely  resembles  that  employed  by  the 
Spaniards,  in  longer  poems,  previous  to  the  time  of  Boscan.  The  most 
proper  model  of  translating  them  was  therefore  the  elegant  and  spi- 
rited version  of  some  passages  of  the  Poema  del  Cid,  in  the  appendix  to 
Mr  Southey's  Chronicle  of  that  hero.  The  chief  difference  of  this  mea- 
sure from  the  one  employed  by  the  German  minstrel,  is,  the  lines  termi- 
nating  in  rhymes  instead  of  assonance,  and  being  regularly  formed  into 
stanzas  of  four  lines.  The  original  measure  of  the  Book  of  Heroes  is  not 


POETRY  AND  ROMANCE.  43 

exactly  the  same,  every  stanza  containing  eight  short  lines,  or  rather  ha- 
ving a  rhyme,  (generally  feminine,)  at  the  caesura  of  each  line,  corres- 
ponding with  the  rhyme  of  the  caesura  of  the  next.  But  as  it  would  have 
been  almost  impossible  to  preserve  this  exactly  in  an  Enghsh  version, 
and  as  the  metre  is,  at  best,  very  fatiguing,  by  its  uniformity,  the  same 
measure  has  been  employed  as  in  the  Nibelungen.  The  variation  is, 
moreover,  warranted,  by  some  ancient  MS.  fragments  of  the  Book  of 
Heroes  actually  employing  the  exact  form  of  the  stanza  in  the  Nibe- 
lungen. In  the  latter,  the  translations  are  line  for  line,  and  almost  lite- 
ral. Those  from  the  Book  of  Heroes  are  also  very  close  ;  but  it  was 
necessary,  on  account  of  the  verbosity,  and  the  frequent  repetitions, 
to  omit  several  stanzas,  and  often  to  condense  two  into  one.  The 
Nibelungen  and  the  first  part  of  the  Book  of  Heroes  are  divided  into 
adventures  in  the  original.  The  other  parts  of  the  latter  are  not ;  but, 
for  the  sake  of  uniformity,  and  for  the  ease  of  the  reader,  similar  divi- 
sions have  been  introduced  here. 


Basf  jlellimbtufj. 


THE 


BOOK  OF  HEROES. 


BOOK  FIRST. 


OP 


THE  EMPEROR  OTNIT, 


AND  THE  ^ 


DWARF  ELBERICH. 


Adventure  I. 


"  In  the  town  of  Surders,  in  Syria,  a  book  has  been  diseovered,  which 
had  been  buried  there  by  the  savage  pagans,  containing  many  marvels, 
which  I  will  relate  <b  you."  In  the  realm  of  Lombardy  reigned  the 
mighty  King  Otnit,'  and  dwelt  in  his  strong  castle  of  Garten.  He 
was  possessed  of  the  strength  of  twelve  other  men,  and  by  his  valour 
had  rendered  himself  master  of  Rome,  and  of  all  the  surrounding 
countries,  counting  no  less  than  seventy-two  vassal-princes  in  his 
train. 

His  barons  advised  him,  when  he  was  come  to  a  mature  age,  to 
espouse  some  princess,  and  he  professed  himself  perfectly  willing  to 
comply  with  their  desire ;  but  Hellnot,  margrave  of  Tuscany,  declared, 

•  Perhaps  this  name  has  been  corrupted  from  Odenetus,  the  Roman  emperor.  He  is 
known  to  have  fought  against  the  Goths,  and  the  era  in  which  he  lived  suits  that  of  the 
poetical  Otnit,  vt  Ottenit,  remarkably  well. 


46  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

that,  in  all  Italy  and  Germany,  no  damsel  existed  who  could  aspire 
to  his  bed.  At  length  Eligas  of  Russia,  his  most  powerful  vassal,  de- 
clared, that  he  had  heard  of  the  fairest  virgin  on  earth  : 

"  She  shines  all  other  dames  before,         right  as  the  precious  gold ; 
Believe  me^  prince,  her  form  is  dight        with  beauties  manifold : 
Even  as  the  mid-day  sun        upon  the  roses  gleams 
And  on  the  ILIy  fair,        the  lovely  lady  seems." 

She  was  the  daughter  of  Machahol,  king  of  Syria.  All  who  had 
hitherto  endeavoured  to  obtain  her  hand  had  lost  their  lives,  and  the 
battlements  of  the  burgh  of  Montebure  had  thus  been  ornamented 
with  the  heads  of  many  heralds  and  lovers.  The  paynim  king  had 
used  this  cruelty  in  the  hope  of  his  wife's  speedy  death,  when  he  him- 
self intended  to  put  his  daughter  in  her  place.  But  Otnit,  undismayed 
at  these  tidings,  declared  his  resolution  to  besiege  the  king  in  his  cas- 
tle, and  obtain  the  hand  of  the  princess ;  nor  could  the  persuasions  of 
HeUnot  deter  him  from  his  resolution. 

Eligas  undertook  to  bring  five  thousand  men  to  his  assistance :  Hell- 
not  and  Duke  Gherwart  promised  the  same  number  each.  Duke 
Zacheris  offered  twenty  thousand  men,  and  twelve  ships  laden  with 
provisions.  In  this  manner  Otnit  collected  an  army  of  eighty  thou- 
sand men,  in  complete  armour,  amongst  whom  he  distributed  his 
treasures.  He  appointed  his  uncle  Eligas  standarS-bearer.  The  pagan 
king  of  Messina  undertook  to  furnish  the  ships  necessary  for  the  expe- 
dition. Then  Eligas,  with  the  other  dukes  and  vassals,  took  leave,  in  or- 
der to  prepare  the  troops  they  had  undertaken  to  furnish,  within  the 
space  of  one  year. 


Adventure  II. 

The  queen,  his  mother,  incessantly  entreated  Otnit  to  relinquish 
his  design,  but  finding  that  all  her  prayers  were  in  vain,  she  informed 
him  of  a  wonderful  dream  she  had  dreamt,  of  a  hollow  rock.    Otnit, 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  47 

who  for  some  time  had  been  without  any  adventure,  supposed  this  to 
be  a  very  marvellous  one,  and  undertook  it  without  hesitation.  His 
mother  gave  him  a  ring,  and  conjured  him  never  to  part  with  it,  as  it 
contained  a  stone  of  mighty  power,  which  would  guide  him  on  his 
road,  and  in  the  space  of  one  year  would  be  of  more  use  to  him  than 
thirty  thousand  marks  of  gold.  She  then  instructed  him  to  proceed 
in  the  following  manner  : 

"  If  thou  wilt  seek  th'  adventure,         don  thy  armour  strong ; 
Far  to  the  left  thou  ride        the  toVring  rocks  along : 
But  bide  thee,  champion,  and  await,        where  grows  a  Unden-tree, 
There,  flowing  from  the  rock,         a  well  thine  eyes  will  see. 

"  Far  around  the  meadow         spread  the  branches  green, 

Five  hundred  armed  knights  may  stand        beneath  the  shade  I  ween. 

Below  the  linden-tree  await,        and  thou  wUt  meet  full  soon 

The  marvellous  adventure ;        there  must  the  deed  be  done." 

The  hero  armed  himself,  took  leave  of  his  mother,  who  again  re- 
commended the  ring  to  his  particular  care,  and  set  out  alone,  in  search 
of  the  promised  adventure. 

And  now  the  noble  champion        to  a  garden  did  he  pass, 
Where  all  with  lovely  flowers        sprinkled  was  the  grass ; 
The  birds  right  sweetly  chaunted,         loud  and  merry  they  sung : 
Rapidly  his  noble  steed        pass'd  the  mead  along. 

Through  the  clouds  with  splendour        gleam'd  the  sun  so  cheerfully ; 
And  suddenly  the  prince  beheld        the  rock  and  the  linden-tree. 
To  the  ground  the  earth  was  prest,        that  saw  the  champion  good  j 
And  there  he  foimd  a  foot-path  small,         with  little  feet  was  trod. 

Quickly  rode  the  fearless  king        along  the  rocky  mount. 
Where  he  view'd  the  linden-tree,         standing  by  the  fount : 
The  linden-tree  with  leaves  so  green        was  laden  heavily ; 
On  the  branches  many  a  guest        chaunted  merrily : 


48  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

Many  a  duel  sung  the  birds,'        with  loud  and  joyous  cheer. 
Then  spake  the  noble  emperor,         "  Rightly  did  I  spier." 
Up  spake  the  champion  joyfully,         "  The  linden  have  I  found ;" 
By  the  bridle  took  his  steed,         and  leap'd  upon  the  ground. 

By  the  hand  the  noble  courser        led  the  champion  stout. 

And  eagerly  he  looked        the  hnden-tree  about : 

He  spake :  "  No  tree  upon  the  earth        with  thee  may  compare." — 

He  saw  where  in  the  grass        lay  a  child  so  fair. 

•     Much  did  the  hero  marvel,        who  that  child  might  be  : 
Upon  his  little  body        knightly  gear  had  he  j 
So  rich,  no  princess'  son         nobler  arms  might  bear  ; 
Richly  were  they  dighted        with  gold  and  diamonds  fair. 

And  as  the  child  before  him  lay        all  in  the  grass  so  green, 
Spake  Otnit,  "  Fairer  infant        in  the  world  may  not  be  seen. 
I  rode  to  seek  adventures        all  the  mirky  night. 
And  along  with  me  I'll  bear  thee,        thou  infant  fair  and  bright." 

Lightly  he  weened  the  child  to  take,         and  bear  him  o'er  the  plain, 
But  on  his  heart  he  struck  him,         with  wond'rous  might  and  main ; 
That  loudly  cried  Sir  Otnit,        writhing  with  pain  and  woe : 
"  Where  lies  thy  mighty  power  hid,        for  fidl  weighty  was  thy  blow  ?" 

The  combat  between  the  two  champions,  to  all  appearance  so  un^ 
equally  matched,  was  of  long  duration,  and  notwithstanding  Otnit's 
being  possessed  of  the  strength  of  twelve  champions,  he  found  it  no 
easy  undertaking  to  subdue  his  little  opponent,  who  was  named  Elbe- 
rich."  At  last,  however,  he  succeeded  in  throwing  him  to  the  ground, 
where  he-threatened  to  slay  him  for  his  presumption : 


Thus  in  the  original : 

Die  vcegel  mit  gebrsechte 

Sif>  siino-pn  wifiHprst.rf^it. 


Sie  sungen  wiederstreit. 


»  If  we  believe  the  romantic  legends,  this  dwarf  must  have  lived  till  the  times  of  Sieg- 
fried, as  he  is  mentioned  both  in  the  Song  of  the  Nibelungen,  and  the  Wilkina-Saga. 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  49 

Forc'd  by  the  hero's  strength,        he  knelt  upon  his  knee  : 
"  Save  me,  noble  Otnit,        for  thy  chivalry ! 
A  hauberk  will  [  give  thee,        strong,  and  of  wondrous  might : 
Better  armour  never  bore        champion  in  the  fight. 

"  Not  eighty  thousand  marks        would  buy  the  hauberk  bright. 
A  sword  of  mound  I'll  give  thee,         Otnit,  thou  royal  knight  : 
Through  armour,  both  of  gold  and  steel,         cuts  the  weapon  keen  j 
The  helmet  could  its  edge  withstand,        ne'er  in  this  world  was  seen. 

"  Better  blade  was  never         held  in  hero's  hand : 

I  brought  it  from  afar,         Almary  hight  the  land : 

'Twas  wrought  by  cunning  dwarfs,        clear  as  the  clearest  glass : 

I  found  the  glittering  falchion        in  the  mountain  Zeighelsass." 

Elberich  informed  him  that  the  weapon  was  named  Rosse.  He  pro- 
mised to  give  him  also  golden  armour  for  the  legs,  a  helmet  and  a 
shield  of  incomparable  goodness.  He  informed  him  that  he  was  mo- 
narch over  great  numbers  of  wild  dwarfs,  and  that  his  dominions  were 
three  times  as  extensive  as  his  own.  Otnit,  however,  would  not  re- 
lease him  unless  he  promised  him  his  assistance  in  the  expedition  to 
Syria.  The  dwarf  was  very  importunate  to  obtain  from  Otnit  the 
ring  which  his  mother  had  given  him,  and  when  he  was  denied,  up- 
braided him  with  his  niggardly  disposition,  and  the  fear  which  he  stood 
in  of  his  mother's  displeasure.  At  last  he  cunningly  drew  it  from  his 
finger,  and  disappeared  in  an  instant. 

When  Otnit  found  himself  alone  he  was  greatly  dismayed,  and  his 
wrath  was  much  increased  by  the  bitter  taunts  and  reproaches,  for  his 
foolish  inattention,  by  the  invisible  dwarf;  who  told  him  the  amount 
of  the  loss  he  had  sustained  by  allowing  the  ring  to  be  taken  from 
him,  which  had  the  quality  of  rendering  the  wearer  invisible  ;  jeered 
him  with  the  scolding  he  would  receive  when  he  got  home  to  his 
mother ;  and  refused  to  give  him  the  armour  which  he  had  promised. 
The  emperor,  despairing  of  ever  beholding  him  again,  was  mounting 
his  steed  to  depart,  when  the  dwarf  stayed  him,  began  to  give  him 

G 


50  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

some  hopes,  and  at  last,  upon  his  promising  not  to  take  any  revenge, 
returned  the  ring.  Being  thus  rendered  visible  again,  he  greatly 
astonished  Otnit,  by  the  assertion  that  he  was  his  father. 

"  Thou  art  my  son.  Sir  Otnit,"  the  little  champion  spake. — 

"  Then  in  the  fire  I'll  burn  her,  and  her  faithless  love  a-wreak  ; 
Because  in  the  land  of  Lombardy        she  loved  another  knight. 
She  shall  not  live  upon  this  earth        another  day,  I  plight." — 

"  Softly,  noble  emperor  !         When  first  by  her  I  lay, 
'Twas  when  brightly  gleamed  the  sun,        in  the  merry  month  of  May; 
With  my  might  I  forc'd  the  lady,        for  I  found  her  all  alone  : 
Bitterly  she  wept  the  deed ;        against  her  will  'twas  done." 

He  said  that  the  father  of  Otnit  had  incessantly  prayed  for  an  heir, 
and  that  he  had  taken  compassion  upon  him,  and  had  procured  him 
one  in  that  manner.  Otnit  finding  that  he  could  not  prevent  his  own 
illegitimacy,  contented  himself,  and  resolved  to  conceal  the  circum- 
stance from  his  vassals. 

Elberich  entered  the  cave,  and  soon  returned  with  the  promised 
arms,  which  greatly  exceeded  the  expectation  of  Otnit.  The  rings 
of  the  hauberk  were  so  bright,  that  his  eyes  could  scarcely  endure 
their  splendour,  and  the  helmet  was  ornamented  with  two  carbuncles, 
and  a  diamond  of  matchless  value.  Having  put  on  his  new  armour, 
he  mounted  his  horse,  and  took  leave  of  his  diminutive  father,  who, 
upon  obtaining  a  vow  from  him  never  to  revenge  himself  upon  his 
mother,  promised  to  appear  whenever  he  should  desire  his  presence. 

Otnit  was  anxious  to  prove  the  vaunted  qualities  of  the  arms  he  had 
obtained,  and  for  that  purpose  wandered  about  the  forests  for  four 
days ;  but,  to  his  great  mortification,  he  did  not  meet  with  a  single  ad- 
venture. Then  he  resolved  to  engage  the  knights  at  his  own  castle 
in  combat. 

The  king  of  Lombardy,         in  the  morning-tide. 
Sped  him,  all  alone,        to  his  burgh  to  ride  j 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  si 

While  through  the  dusky  clouds        broke  the  star  of  morning  bright, 
And  on  his  helm  resplendent  gleamed        gaily  the  glitt'ring  light. 

Silently  the  knight  abode        all  in  a  meadow  green. 
Until  the  rising  sun         in  the  firmament  was  seen. 
Rashly  through  the  castle-moat        the  noble  champion  run. 
As  if  he  deemed  to  storm         the  castle  all  alone. 

Loudly  from  the  battlements        shouted  the  careful  wait : 

"  Though  your  hauberk  gleam  like  fire,        ye  come  not  to  the  gate." — 

"  To  your  lord  and  master         wide  your  gates  unfold ; 

Bid  my  knights  come  forth  !"        Thus  spake  the  hero  bold. 

The  emperor  then  pretended  that  he  was  a  pagan  knight,  who  had 
slain  Otnit  in  battle,  and  who  was  come  to  challenge  his  seventy- 
two  vassals  to  combat  with  him.  When  his  knights  heard  this,  they 
threw  down  the  draw-bridge,  and  issued  to  the  fight,  where  he  found 
the  virtues  of  his  sword  and  armour  fully  equal  to  the  commendations 
bestowed  on  them  by  the  dwarf.  Having  unhorsed  the  burghgrave ' 
and  his  brother,  he  suddenly  stopped  the  combat,  and  revealed  him« 
self,  to  the  great  content  of  the  combatants.  Then  he  proceeded  to 
visit  his  mother,  whom  he  found  drowned  in  tears,  but  whose  lamen- 
tations were  soon  quieted  by  his  appearance.  He  related  his  adven- 
tures with  the  dwarf,  whose  paternal  connection  with  him  she  did  not 
deny. 


Adventure  III. 

When  th^  year  came  about  which  had  been  appointed  for  the  col- 
lection of  the  forces  to  be  employed  in  the  expedition  to  Syria,  the 
several  princes  and  dukes  arrived  with  their  respective  quotas,  and  im- 
mediately marched  to  Messina,  where  the  heathen  king  had  prepared 

'  The  burghgrave  is  the  same  officer  as  the  chastellain  of  the  French — sometimes  th^ 
lord  of  a  castle ;  at  others,  only  the  governor. 


32  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES- 

every  thing  for  their  embarkation.  After  having  sailed  for  six  weeks, 
the  mariner  on  the  mast  saw  the  city  of  Suders.  He  at  the  same 
time  acquainted  Otnit  how  dangerous  it  would  be  to  enter  the  har- 
bour, as  the  town's-people  were  greatly  addicted  to  robbery. 

Otnit  was  in  great  perplexity,  and  cursed  the  negligence  he  had 
committed,  in  leaying  his  principal  counsellor,  the  dwarf,  behind  him. 
But  turning  suddenly  round,  he  beheld  him  close  at  his  side,  invisible 
to  any  one  but  himself,  and  could  not  help  exclaiming  with  joy, "  Ah, 
father,  what  has  brought  thee  here  ?"  The  dwarf  answered,  smiling, 
that  he  had  sat  on  the  top  of  the  mast  along  with  the  mariner.  When 
the  latter  exclaimed  that  the  pagans  with  great  force  were  coming 
out  of  the  harbour,  he  gave  it  as  his  opinion,  that  Otnit  should  pre- 
tend to  have  come  to  Syria  as  a  merchant.  Eligas  was  greatly  asto- 
nished at  this  conversation,  and  demanded  who  the  invisible  speaker 
might  be : 


"  I  ween  some  strange  adventure         of  magic  this  must  be." — 

"  No,"  spake  the  king  of  Lombardy ;        "  if  thou  the  dwarf  wilt  see 

Clearly  before  thine  eyes,        place  this  ring  thy  finger  round." — 

A  loud  laugh  laughed  the  Russian  king,      when  the  little  knight  he  found. 

Quickly  spake  Sir  Eligas :         "  Thou  little  babe,  alas ! 

Why,  far  from  friends  and  kindred,         o'er  the  ocean  didst  thou  pass  ?" — 

"  Not  all  so  young  am  I        as  thy  wits,  sir  champion,  ween ; 

Fifty  and  three  hundred  years        in  this  world  have  I  seen." 

Otnit  objected  to  the  advice  of  Elberich,  that  he  was  not  capable  of 
speaking  the  language  of  Syria ;  but  the  dwarf  soon  removed  the  ob- 
jection : 

"  Fear  thee  not.  Sir  Otnit ;        here  is  a  gem  of  mound : 
Thou  wilt  speak  all  languages        the  spacious  world  around ; 
Each  one  canst  thou  answer,        from  the  north  unto  the  south. 
When  secretly  the  precious  gem        lies  hid  within  thy  mouth/' 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  53 

This  marvel  staggered  the  faith  of  Otnit  at  first ;  but  when  the  hea- 
then ships  came  within  hearing,  he  soon  had  reason  to  dismiss  his 
unbelief;  for  he  found  no  difficulty  in  conversing  with  the  pagans  on 
board.  He  informed  them  that  he  was  come  with  merchandize  from 
Kerlingen ;'  and  the  heathens  sent  the  account  of  his  arrival  to  the 
judge  of  the  town,  who  ordered  no  one  to  interrupt  their  ships,  and 
sailed  himself  in  a  war-gaUey,  to  convoy  them  into  the  harbour  with 
forty  trumpeters,  bearing  crosses  on  his  flags,  in  token  of  his  amica- 
ble disposition* 

When  Otnit's  navy  arrived  in  the  harbour,  he  consulted  with  the 
dwarf,  and  proposed  to  enter  the  town  during  the  night,  and  destroy 
it,  putting  men,  women,  and  children  to  the  sword,  they  being  no 
better  than  pagans.  But  Elberich  advised  him  to  adopt  more  honour- 
able measures;  and  himself  undertook  to  proceed  to  the  king,  and  de- 
clare to  him  the  purport  of  the  expedition.  He  accordingly  set  out, 
and  in  the  morning  arrived  at  the  burgh  of  Montebure,  where  he  sat 
him  down  on  a  stone  by  the  gates.  Machahol  appeared  on  the  bat- 
tlements, and  being  interrogated  by  the  dwarf,  where  the  king  was, 
the  monarch  informed  him  that  he  bore  the  crown  himself.  The 
dwarf  recommended  to  him  to  leave  his  false  gods ;  but,  though  greatly 
disnmyed  at  the  invisibility  of  his  monitor,  he  refused.  Elberich  then 
demanded  his  daughter  in  marriage  for  the  emperor  Otnit,  at  which  the 
heathen  was  greatly  enraged,  answering  him  with  insults  and  execra- 
tions, and  throwing  a  great  stone,  which  knocked  down  Elberich,  who 
threatened  the  king,  and  scoffed  at  him,  saying,  that  his  master  would 
hang  him  before  his  own  gates. 

The  enraged  monarch  awakened  all  his  attendants,  and  calling  on 
Apollo  and  Mahound  for  revenge,  told  them  of  the  insults  he  had  re- 
ceived. They  descended  into  the  moat,  and  with  their  swords  pierced 
and  hewed  the  air,  hoping  to  wound  the  invisible  messenger.  But 
Elberich  laughed  and  scoffed  at  them,  advising  the  king  to  spare  the 
useless  labour  of  his  attendants. 

'  The  country  of  the  Franks,  on  both  sides  of  the  Rhine. 


54  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

Wrathfully  he  struck  him ;         afar  the  blow  did  souad 
Cursing  fell,  and  foaming,        the  evil  pagan  hound. 
Mother  and  daughter  knelt,        lowly  on  the  ground ; 
Loudly  the  insult  did  they  'plain        to  Apollo  and  Mahound. 


Adventure  IV, 

Elberich  returned  to  his  master,  and  left  the  king  raging  mad,  and 
bound  with  cords  by  his  subjects.  By  the  assistance  of  his  magic 
lore,  he  stole  the  ships  of  the  heathens,  five  hundred  in  number,  and 
delivered  them  to  the  Christians. 

Otnit  then  disembarked  his  troops,  and  marched  to  the  gates ;  Eligas 
taking  the  charge  of  the  standard,  in  which  a  red  lion  was  depicted. 
When  the  pagans  beheld  this  army,  they  collected  their  troops  in 
great  numbers,  and  met  the  enemy.  They  were  under  the  command 
of  a  Constantinopolitan  general.  A  most  bloody  battle  commenced, 
in  which  all  the  champions  of  the  Russian  king  were  slain,  and  him^- 
self  thrown  to  the  ground.  But  Otnit  came  to  his  relief,  and  got  him 
again  mounted.  After  a  long  and  severe  fight,  the  pagans  were  com- 
pletely defeated.  But  Eligas  was  inconsolable  for  the  slaughter  of  his 
knights,  and  loudly  called  for  revenge.  The  dwarf  heard  his  lamen. 
tations,  arid,  to  console  him  in  some  degree,  brought  him  to  a  cave 
where  a  thousand  pagans  had  concealed  themselves,  with  their  wives. 
Eligas  drove  them  out ;  and  though  the  men  fell  upon  their  knees,  he 
beheaded  them  all  without  mercy ;  nor  would  he  spare  the  women, 
who  offered  to  become  Christians.  At  this  cruelty  the  dwarf  was  en- 
raged,  and  brought  the  news  to  Otnit.  The  emperor  strongly  up- 
braided his  uncle  for  his  want  of  inclination  to  make  proselytes ;  but 
the  enraged  Russian  exclaimed, 

"  Sir  Otnit,  leave  thy  preaching !         little  for  thy  wrath  care  I  : 

Another  priest  thou  mu^t  appoint        to  baptize  this  pagan  fry ; 

Wherever  I  may  meet  them,         their  death-wound  have  they  caught ; 

Never  will  I  leave  them,        till  all  to  the  ground  are  brought." 

11 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 


OJ 


Otnit,  after  much  persuasion,  prevailed  upon  Eligas  to  spare  the  re- 
mainder of  the  women,  who  were  willing  to  be  baptized,  and  to  wreak 
his  vengeance  upon  the  idols,  whom  he  dashed  in  pieces  wherever  he 
found  them.  "When  the  evening  broke  in,  and  Otnit  was  forced  to 
desist  from  the  combat,  he  found  that  no  less  than  nine  thousand  of 
his  knights  had  lost  their  lives  in  the  battle. 


Adventure  V. 

In  the  morning  the  army  broke  up,  and  marched  towards  the  castle 
of  Montebjire  j  but  Eligas  declaring  that  he  knew  not  how  to  guide 
them,  the  dwarf  himself  took  the  banner,  and  rode  before  the  host. 
The  soldiers  marvelled  greatly  when  they  saw  no  one  upon  the  horse  ; 
and  Otnit,  by  the  previous  advice  of  Elberich,  pretended  that  they 
were  guided  by  an  angel,  come  from  heaven  to  take  charge  of  the 
souls  of  such  as  fell  in  the  fight ;  whereat  they  were  greatly  comforted, 
and  encouraged  to  fight  with  greater  boldness^    When  they  arrived 
among  the  mountains  within  sight  of  the  castle,  Elberich  returned 
the  banner  to  Eligas,  who  led  the  army  to  the  walls,  and  arranged 
them  in  the  plains- 
There  the  royal  tent  was  struck,        wove  of  the  silken  twine ; 
Richly  was  it  furnished, .      by  the  pagan  of  Messyne. 
Upon  the  blooming  meadow         the  noble  tent  was  pight ; 
Under  its  shade  five  hundred  keraps        stood  ready  for  the  fight. 

Of  ivory  were  the  poles,        clear  as  the  mirror-glass ; 
With  many  a  gem  of  mound        the  tent  adorned  was  : 
Right  in  the  middle  hung        a  bright  carbuncle  stone, 
Like  a  flaming  torch        all  around  the  tent  it  shone. 

Elberich  proceeded,  unseen  of  any  one,  to  the  battlements  of  the 
castle,  and  threw  all  the  warlike  engines  and  weapons  over  the  wall. 
The  heathens  supposed  the  evil  fiend  had  entered  the  burgh,  and 
advised  the  king  by  all  means  to  give  up  his  daughter.    The  old  queen 


56  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

admonished  hira  to  comply  with  their  request,  but  was  punished  for 
her  presumption,  by  the  loss  of  some  of  her  teeth.  He  bade  the 
dwarf  tell  his  master,  that  he  would  give  him  battle  in  the  morning, 
with  seventy  thousand  men.  Elberich  never  ceased  to  scoff  at  the 
enraged  monarch,  and  when  the  latter  threw  a  heavy  stone  at  him,  he 
sprung  aside,  and  in  return  tore  a  handful  of  hair  out  of  the  beard  of 
the  pagan,"  and  then  left  him  raging  and  foaming  at  the  insults  he 
had  received. 

When  the  morning  came,  both  parties  prepared  for  battle,  and  the 
pagans  issued  from  the  gates  of  the  fortress. 

Fiercely  raged  the  battle        JQ  the  tented  field  ; 

And  when  the  lovely  virgin        the  bloody  fight  beheld, 

Down  into  her  lap         fell  full  many  a  tear  : 

For  her  father  in  the  combat         she  wept  with  sorry  cheer. 

Her  swelling  heart  did  burn        like  the  ruby  bright ; 
Glittering  with  tears  her  eyes        shone  like  the  moon  at  night : 
Fairly  was  her  body  dight        with  pearls  and  roses  red : 
No  one  there  consoled         the  sorrow  of  the  maid. 

Tied  with  a  silken  snood,        hung  her  lovely  hair 

All  adown  her  back :         never  was  maid  so  fair : 

A  crown,  with  richest  gems  inlaid,        she  wore  of  the  gold  so  red. — 

Quickly  Elberich,  the  dwarf,        up  to  the  lady  sped. 

Right  before  her  crown        lay  a  carbuncle  stone. 

Which,  like  a  glitt'ring  cross,        o'er  all  the  palace  shone  : 

The  hair  upon  her  head         clear  it  was  and  fine. 

Brightly  around  it  gleamed,         as  the  sun  at  noon  does  shine. 

Weeping  came  the  mother         where  stood  her  daughter  fair ; 
Silently  she  led  her        to  the  house  of  prayer  : 
On  their  knees  they  lowly  fell        down  upon  the  ground. 
And  told  their  woe  and  sorrow         to  Apollo  and  Mahound. 

»  This  indignity  may  have  suggested  to  Wieland  the  adventure  of  the  Sultan  of  Baby- 
lon's beard  in  his  Oberon. 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  57 

Suddenly  the  cunning  dwarf       took  her  hands  in  his. 
Affrighted  spake  the  virgin :        "  What  marvel  strange  is  this  ? 
Some  one  has  caught  my  hands.        Alas !"  she  cried,  and  "  woe  ! 
I  would  the  man  unseen        safely  let  me  go !" 

She  demanded  of  the  invisible  messenger  whether  he  was  Apollo  or 
Mahomet ;  but  when  he  had  informed  her  of  his  real  errand,  she  would 
not  hearken  to  his  propositions,  though  he  threatened  that  Christ 
would  make  her  blind  and  crooked,  in  case  she  refused  baptism. 

Elberich  finding  his  endeavours  unavailing,  proceeded  to  the  bat- 
tlements, and  was  delighted  to  observe  the  great  number  of  dead  pagans 
lying  in  the  moat  of  the  castle.  He  brought  the  ladies  thither,  and 
again  tried  to  persuade  the  virgin  to  save  her  father's  life,  by  accept- 
ing Ptnit  for  her  husband.  Though  her  mother  joined  in  her  en- 
treaties, she  steadily  refused,  and  dared  him  to  touch  any  of  her  gods. 
Quickly  he  seized  them,  knocked  them  about  the  walls,  and  threw 
them  into  the  ditch,  to  the  great  delight  of  the  combatants  below. 
At  last,  when  she  beheld  her  father  in  imminent  danger,  she  consented 
to  send  a  ring  to  her  lover,  but  wished  previously  to  view  him  in  the 
fight.    Elberich  pointed  him  out  to  her : 

"  Behold  the  knightly  champion,        all  other  knights  before ; 
Heaps  of  the  dead  around  him        lie  welt'ring  in  their  gore : 

Bright  his  hauberk  gleaming*        the  battle  shines  among. 

As  if  a  torch  were  lighted        in  the  warring  throng : 

With  his  bloody  falchion        he  fights  for  all  his  host." — 

*'  Of  all  those  champions,"  cried  the  maid,      "  I  could  love  that  hero  most." 

To  his  great  joy  he  observed  this  sudden  exclamation  of  passion,  and 
having  obtained  the  promised  ring,  departed,  to  communicate  the 
intelligence  to  Otnit. 

Elberich  in  vain  endeavoured  to  stop  the  battle,  and  to  pacify  the 
barbarous  rage  of  Eligas,  who  drove  all  the  pagans  into  the  castle. 

H 


58  THE  BCfOK  OF  HEROES. 

Otnit  having  consulted  with  the  dwarf  how  he  might  gain  the  virgin 
into  his  possession,  they  resolved  to  proceed  to  the  moat  of  the  burgh, 
where  the  former  concealed  himself.  Elberich  went  up  to  the  battle- 
ments, where  the  two  queens  stood,  placed  himself  between  them,  and 
reminded  the  maiden  of  the  vow  she  had  made,  to  become  the  wife 
of  his  master.  The  old  queen  at  last  consented  that  her  daughter 
should  go  to  the  edge  of  the  battlements,  and  call  upon  the  gods  for 
assistance :  but  when  they  came  thither,  Elberich  led  her  down  into  the 
moat,  where  they  found  Otnit  fallen  into  a  sound  sleep,  after  the  fa^ 
tigues  of  the  day.  He  was  rudely  awakened  by  the'  dwarf,  and  highly 
gratified  by  obtaining  actual  possession  of  the  object  of  his  voyage. 
Elberich  warned  him,  however,  not  to  commit:  any  indiscretions,  nor 
to  espouse  her  till  she  had  been  baptised. 

The  dwarf,  to  indulge  his  jocular  humour,  carried  the  idols  again 
into  the  burgh,  and  placing  himself  near  them,  unseen,  spoke  words,  as 
it  were  out  of  their  mouths,  indicating  that  they  had  been  prevailed 
upon  by  the  curses  of  the  young  qiieen  to  return  to  their  former  places, 
and  a,dmonishing  the  king  not  to  cross  her  inclinations. 


Adventure  VI. 

Elberich  returning  to  the  emperor,  found  him,  at  a  considerable 
distance,  with  his  beloved. — When  the  king  of  Syria  understood  that 
his  daughter  had  eloped,  he  plucked  out  his  beard,  making  woeful 
lamentations.  Immediately  he  collected  his  remaining  forces,  to  the 
number  of  twenty  thousand,  and  issued  from  the  palace.  When  Otnit 
beheld  the  helmets  glittering  by  the  light  of  the  moon,  he  was  sorely 
dismayed,  for  his  horse  was  ready  to  fall  down  for  weariness.  By  the 
advice  of  the  dwarf  he  carried  the  princess  over  a  rivulet,  and  there 
put  himself  in  a  posture  of  defence.  The  heathen  host  was  at  first 
unable  to  pursue  him  across.  Meanwhile  Elberich  proceeded  to  ad- 
vertise the  Christian  army  of  the  dangerous  situation  of  their  monarch. 

11 


THE  BOOK  OP  HEROES.  59 

The  heathens  at  last  crossed  the  water,  and  attacked  the  emperor,  who 
defended  himself  with  great  valour  till  the  evening  came ;  but  then  he 
was  so  overcome  with  fatigue,  that  he  offered  to  surrender,  if  his  life 
were  granted  to  him.  The  pagans  refused,  and  Otnit  prepared  himself 
to  renew  the  fight,  when  he  heard  the  sound  of  horses'  hoofs,  and 
discovered  that  Eligas  was  coming  to  his  relief. 

Otnit  retired  from  the  fight,  and  laid  his  head  in  the  lap  of  the  maid- 
'en,  with  whom  he  commenced  a  long  amorous  conversation,  which  was 
interrupted  by  the  appearance  of  Eligas,  who  admonished  him  to  pre- 
pare for  battle,  as  they  had  not  as  yet  been  able  to  vanquish  the 
pagan  host.  After  a  long  and  bloody  combat,  in  which  Otnit  granted 
the  Syrian  king  his  life,  the  heathens  took  flight,  and  retired  to  the 
burgh  of  Montebure.  The  young  queen  was  easily  pacified,  by  the 
'assurance  that  her  father's  life  had  been  preserved,  and  willingly 
embarked  with  the  emperor  and  the  small  remainder  of  his  army. 
She  was  baptized  in- the  sea  by  Eligas  and  Elberich,  and  named 
Sidrat. 

On  their  arrival  at  the  burgh  of  Garten,  they  were  welcomed  by  the 
whole  nobility  of  Lombardy.  Six  weeks  were  spent  in  rejoicings, 
tournaments,  and  games  of  all  kinds.  One  day  Queen  Sidrat  expressed 
a  wish  to  behold  the  god  of  Otnit,  for  such  she  supposed  Elberich  to 
be ;  and,  at  the  desire  of  his  son,  he  consented  to  make  himself  visible 
to  the  whole  company  < 


A  crown  of  carbuncle  he  bore        glittering  on  his  head. 

And  came  where  sat  in  royal  hall        many  a  knight  and  gentle  maid. 

There  spake  noble  ladies,        marvelling  at  his  cheer. 

That  ne'er  their  eyes  had  viewed        for  loveliness  his  peer. 

Elberich,  the  little'wlght,        bore  a  harp  into  the  hall  j 
Quickly  o'er  the  strings        flew  his  fingers  small ; 
Loud  his  tones  and  sWeetly        did  in  the  hall  resound  : 
Joyful  sat  the  gentle  dames,        smiling  all  around. 


60  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

The  empress  interrogating  him,  how  he,  being  of  such. a  Kttle 
stature,  had  dared  to  throw  her  gods  over  the  battlements,  he  decla- 
red that  he  was  ready  to  serve  all  the  pagan  deities  in  that  manner, 
though  they  filled  the  bulk  of  three  vessels.  Otriit  seeing  the  igno- 
rance of  his  queen  in  points  of  religion,  caused  learned  clerks  to  teach 
her  reading  and  writing,  and  the  psalter  j  and  they  soon  extinguished 
every  remnant  of  paganism  in  her  mind.  By  the  admonition  of  Elbe- 
rich,  he  distributed  ^reat  riches  among  the  poor,  and  armour  and 
horses  among  the  knights. 


Adventure  VII. 

In  the  mean  time  King  Machahol  was  raging  mad,  and  for  eight 
weeks  would  not  suffer  any  one  to  approach  him.  But  one  day  a  gi- 
gantic and  sage  huntsman  arrived,  and  insisted  upon  being  admitted  to 
the  king.  He  burst  into  his  room,  and  pacified  Machahol's  rage,  by 
offering  to  procure  the  death  of  his  arch-enemy  the  emperor.'  The 
pagan,  highly  delighted  with  the  proposal,  promised  to  load  him  with 
rewards.  The  huntsman  informed  him  that  his  name  was  WeUe,  and 
that  of  his  wife  Rutz. 

"  One  day  the  hounds  I  followed        in  forest  drear  and  dark. 
Till  to  a  hollow  rock  I  came,        where  I  heard  them  fiercely  bark: 
Sudden  two  serpents  venomous        issued  from  the  cave  : 
I  would  not  fight  the  monstrous  worms,        the  world  in  gree  to  have. 

<'  The  man  who  dared  to  nigh  them        would  soon  his  death  have  found. 

Secretly  I  hid  me,        and,  creeping  on  the  ground. 

Sped  me  to  their  nest,        where  two  little  worms '  I  viewed, 

Lying  all  alone,        the  monstrous  dragons'  brood. 

•  The  terms  worm,  drake,  dragon,  and  serpent,  are  indiscriminately  applied  to  these 
monsters,  as  well  as  lind-drake  and  lind-worm ;  probably  from  their  haunt  being  gene- 
rally under  a  linden  or  lime  tree,  which,  (perhaps  from  the  holiness  in  which  trees  were 
held  by  the  ancient  Germans,)  were  also  supposed  to  be  frequented  by  dwarfs  and  fairies 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  61 

*'  In  a  cage  of  iron        safely  them  I  brought. 
They  shall  wreak  on  him  thy  vengeance,        who  thy  ruin  wrought. 
To  Lombardy  I'll  bear  them,        and  breed  them  in  a  cave  : 
Evil  mischief  shall  they  do,        and  bring  Otnit  to  his  grave." 

The  pagan  monarch- bugged  himself  in  the  prospect  of  this  diaboli- 
cal revenge,  and  at  the  request  of  the  huntsman,  gave  him  two  sump- 
ter-horses laden  with  gold,  as  a  specious  introduction  to  the  empress, 
whom  he  was  to  present  with  the  treasure,  and  with  a  letter  fraught 
with  the  most  hypocritical  fondness,  and  congratulations  on  her  hap- 
piness. 

When  Welle  arrived  at  Otnit^s  burgh,  he  unloaded  his  sumpter- 
horses,  and  delivered  the  treasures  with  the  letter  to  the  empress,  who 
was  highly  delighted  with  her  father's  pretended  reconciliation  to  her 
husband.  Three  of  the  packages  had  been  opened ;  the  fourth,  con- 
taining the  young  dragons,  remained  locked  up.  The  huntsman  pre- 
tended that  it  contained  a  young  elephant,  and  a  toad  gifted  with  the 
faculty  of  breeding  precious  stones.  *  "  When  she  comes  to  matu- 
rity," he  exclaimed,  "  she  Avill  produce  a  gem  whose  like  has  never 
been  seen,  in  this  world."  In  order  to  breed  up  these  animals,  he 
demanded  a  cavern  ;  and  one  was  accordingly  delivered  up  to  his  use, 
near  the  town  of  Trient,  in  the  Tyrol.  There  he  fed  his  young  dra- 
gons, who,  as  they  grew  up,  demanded  such  immense  quantities  of 
food,  that  the  people  of  the  country  refused  to  furnish  any  more.  At 
the  same  time  the  huntsman  found  himself  in  great  danger  from  his 
monstrous  pupils,  and  therefore  sent  them  into  the  world,  himself 
escaping  with  great  difficulty  from  their  rage.  They  spread  their 
devastations  over  all  the  dominions  of  Otnit,  even  to  the  gates  of 
Garten. 

Leave  we  now  Sir  Otnit,        the  emperor  of  might: 
With  another  matchless  hero        (Wolfdietrich  was  he  hight) 
Merrily  we'll  pass  the  time,         and  speak  of  his  chivalry, 
And  say  no  more  of  Otnit,        by  the  serpents  doom'd  to  die. 

'  Latterly  the  toadstone  was  not  considered  as  a  gem,  but  as  a  concretion  formed  in  the 
head  of  the  animal,  of  matchless  medicinal  virtue. 


THE 


BOOK  OF  HEROES. 


BOOK  SECOND. 


OF 


HUGHDIETRICH, 


AND  HIS  SON 


WOLFDIETRICH. 


^ART  I. 


"«*  In  the  abbffjr  of  Tagmunde,  in  Franconia,  an  ancient  volume  was 
.discovered.  There  it  was  held  in  high  honour,  and  was  sent  to  the 
bishop  of  Eichstaedt,  who  was  greatly  delighted  with  the  adventures 
related  in  it.  Ten  years  after  his  death,  it  fell  into  the  hands  of  his 
■chaplain,  and  when  he  began  to  tire  of  reading  it,  he  presented  it  to 
-the  abbey  of  St  Walpurg,  in  the  town  of  Eichstaedt.  The  abbess,  a 
lady  of  uncommon  beauty,  was  highly  amused  by  it,  as  well  as  her 
nuns.  She  caused  two  clerks'  to  copy  it  in  the  German  tongue,  for  the 
good  of  the  whole  Christian  world.  In  it  were  related  the  following 
.adventures!" 

*  By  these  two  clerks  may  possibly  be  indicated  the  two  authors  of  the  Book  of -Heroes, 
Wolfram  of  Eschenbach,  who  was  a  native  of  the  bishopric  of  Eichstaedt,  and  Henry  of 
Ofterdingen. 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  69 


Adventure  I. 


In  Constantinople  resided  the  mighty  King  Hughdietrich,  enriched 
with  every  qualification  which  might  render  him  a  powerful  and  noble 
monarch.  His  father.  King  Attenus  of  Greece,  when  he  found  him- 
self  dying,  convened  his  nobles,  and  gave  his  son  into  the  particular 
charge  of  Bechtung,  duke  of  Meran,'  whom  he  had  educated  and 
bred  up  for  sixty  years  in  every  chivalrous  exercise,  in  which  he  was 
now  to  instruct  the  young  king.  Soon  after  Attenus  died,  and  the 
duke  began  to  execute  the  charge  committed  to  him.- 

Bechlung  bred  bis  lord        till  twelve  years  he  had  seen  : 
Many  a  game  he  taught  him, ,      and  many  a  figbt^  I  ween. 
The  prince's  mood  was  risings .       and  be  spake  with  eagercheer, , 
"  By  thy  noble  faith,  Sir  Bechtung,        thy  counsel  would  I  hear. 

"  Full  fain  some  gentle  maiden        would  I  gain  for  wedded  fere : 
O'er  many  a  wide  dominion        am  I  lord,  without  a  peer ; 
I  am  rich  in  lands  and  honours  :         then  find  some  maiden  fair. 
Should  I'die  or  fall  in  battle>        say  who  should  be  mine  heir  ?"' 

Right  joyous  was  Sir  Bechtung,         and  glad  of  the  saw  was  he ; 
He  spake, — "  Far  have  I  traversed         Paynim  and  Christiante, 
But  maid  so  fair  and  noble         never  have  I  seen. 
Who  in  the  realm  of  Greece         might  be-tby  fitting  queen  : 

"  For  if  her  mind  be  noble,        she  is  born  of  villain-blood ; 

If  rich  she  be,  and  high  of  birth,         she  is  black  and  foul  of  rode  : 

Far  and  wide  around  me,         know  I  no  queen  so  fair. 

Who  might  be  good  and  fitting         thy  bed  and  board  to  share." 


'  Bechtung  is  a  contraction  of  Berthold,  and  Meran  is  a  town  in  the  TyroL  The  first 
duke  of  Meran  was  created  in  the  poet's  time,  and  was  called  Berthold  of  Andechs ;  which 
makes  it  very  probable  that  Eschenbach  wished  to  pay  his  court  to  that  duke,  by  descri- 
bing his  qualities,  shadowed  under  those  of  the  imaginary  Bechtung. 


64  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

The  king  convened  all  his  nobles,  and  required  them  to  give  their  ad- 
vice respecting  his  marriage ;  but  they  all  referred  him  to  the  duke  of 
Meran  ;  who  at  length  recollected  that  the  most  beautiftd  damsel  he 
had  ever  beheld,  and  the  only  one  qualified  to  share  his  throne,  was 
Hiltburg,  the  daughter  ofWaligund,fcing  of  Salneck;  but  he  had  sworn 
never  to  give  her  in  marriage  to  any  one,  and  had  inclosed  her  in  a 
fortress  situated  on  a  rock,  surrounded  by  two  walls  and  a  triple 
moat,  where  no  one  had  access  to  her  excepting  her  father  and  mo- 
ther, and  a  maiden  who  attended  upon  her.  He  then  informed  the 
king  ihat  he  had  seen  her  twenty  years  before,  but  gave  him  little 
hopes  of  obtaining  her  hand. 

Hughdietrich,  who  was  now  twenty  years  of  age,  was,  however,  not 
so  easily  to  be  deterred  from  an  undertaking  which  he  had  resolved 
upon.  Knowing  himself  to  be  too  young  to  gain  her  by  fofce,  he 
had  recourse  to  a  device,  so  strange  and  cunning,  that  the  courtiers 
complimented  him  unanimously  upon  his  premature  wisdom. 

*'  Firmly  my  mind  is  fixed^  Hiltburg  the  fair  to  win  ; 

Then,  if  ye  think  it  fitting,  I  will  learn  to  work  and  spin  j 
To  sew  like  cunning  virgin,        quaintly  with  silken  thread ; 

All  the  mast'ry  will  I  learn  which  well-taught  maidens  need. 

"  Richly  will  I  clothe  me        in  gentle  lady's  guise : 
Then  find  me,  noble  Bechtung,        a  mistress  quaint  and  wise ; 
Bid  her  come  and  teach  me        works  fit  for  ladies  mild  ; 
On  the  silk  to  broider      .  beasts,  both  tame  and  wild." ' 

The  young  monarch  soon  became  a  prodigy  in  all  kinds  of  female 
work ;  and  when  he  was  dight  in  ladies'  attire,  every  one  allowed  that 
he  personated  a  female  with  great  propriety.  He  was  now  ready  to  set 
out,  and  Bechtung  advised  him  to  take  fifty  knights,  four  hundred 
warriors,  and  six-and-thii-ty  virgins  with  him,  and  when  he  arrived  at 


•  The  reader  will  immediately  observe  the  similarity  of  this  adventure  with  the  classical 
tale  of  Achilles  and  Dejanira. 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  65 

Salneck,  to  encamp  before  the  castle.  He  described  the  king  as  being 
of  a  very  courteous  disposition,  who  would  soon  send  his  messengers 
to  inquire  where  the  strange  lady  came  from.  Then  he  was  to  pre- 
tend to  be  the  sister  of  Hughdietrich,  who  had  left  Greece  to  avoid 
marrying  a  heathen  king,  to  whom  her  brother  wished  to  espouse 
her.  He  bade  him  remain  three  years  at  Salneck,  and  obtain  the  love 
of  the  young  lady,  at  the  end  of  which  he  himself  would  come  to  con- 
duct him  back  to  his  dominions. 


Adventure  II. 

Every  thing  being  prepared,  the  pretended  lady  set  out,  with  Bech- 
tung  and  the  rest  of  her  train,  and  safely  arrived  before  the  castle. 
King  Walgund  viewed  their  encampment,  issued  from  the  castle,  and 
inquired  what  had  brought  the  feigned  princess  into  his  dominions. 
Hughdietrich  told  the  tale  he  had  been  instructed  by  Bechtung  to 
relate,  and  concluded  by  asking  for  shelter  and  protection.  The 
courteous  king  offered  to  receive  her  whole  suite  into  his  castle,  but 
was  answered  that  the  old  duke  was  forced  to  return.  Walgund  pre- 
sented his  old  acquaintance  with  rich  gifts,  and  the  latter  soon  de- 
parted, after  his  master  had  been  admitted  into  the  burgh.  The  king 
introduced  his  new  guest  to  the  queen,  who  immediately  suspected 
the  trick. 

Quaintly  she  look'd  upon  her  lord, —        "  I  fear  we  shall  be  shent ; 
Hearken  to  my  words,  sir  king,        nor  too  late  thy  courtesy  repent : 
Much  I  fear  that  virgin ;         like  a  warrior  does  she  seem. 
Who  comes  to  gain  thy  daughter        with  cunning  arts,  I  deem." 

"  Lady,  leave  thy  carping,"       spake  Walgund  to  the  queen ; 
"  Never  such  blooming  ros«s        on  the  cheeks  of  man  were  seen." — 
"  I  will  counsel  thee  no  more,'         said  Lady  Liebegart, 
"  But  much  1  fear  the  virgin        will  gain  thy  daughter's  heart." 

1 


66  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

Hughdietrich,  who  went  by  the  name  of  Hiitgund,  began  to  amuse 
himself  with  exercising  the  female  arts  he  had  acquired,  and  astonished 
the  whole  court  by  fabricating  a  table-cloth,  on  which  a  great  variety 
of  animals  were  worked  to  the  life.  The  queen  begged  him  to  teach  the 
art  to  two  of  her  virgins,  which  he  readily  undertook :  and  in  order  to 
gain  the  favour  of  the  king,  he  worked  a  cap  for  him  of  the  most  splen- 
did description,  and,  as  a  reward,  begged  to  be  introduced  to  the  young 
princess.  His  request  was  granted ;  and  so  highly  was  he  honoured,  as 
to  be  placed  opposite  to  her  at  the  table,  after  having  been  six  months 
at  court. 

Never  felt  Hughdietrich         such  joy  and  such  delight. 
As  when  before  his  eyes        he  viewed  the  virgin  bright : 
The  royal  guest  in  courtly  guise         carved  and  cut  the  bread. 
And  with  humble  courtesy        served  the  lovely  maid. 

The  two  virgins  were  admired  by  all  the  company,  and  still  more 
the  richness  of  Hiltgund's  workmanship,  which  induced  Hiltburg  to 
request  her  father's  permission  that  the  Grecian  maid  might  teach  her 
all  the  arts  of  which  she  was  possessed  ;  and  Walgund  readily  gave  his 
consent.  They  were  shut  up  together  in  a  tower,  and  Hughdietrich 
was  so  discreet  as  not  to  touch  the  virgin  for  twelve  weeks,  though  he 
was  her  bed-fellow  every  night.  But  he  could  then  no  longer  resist  the 
temptation.  He  discovered  his  sex,  and  the  design  of  his  expedition 
to  the  maiden,  and,  after  some  struggles,  he  subdued  her  modesty.  In 
this  new  character  he  remained  with  her  for  six-and-thirty  weeks  and 
a  day,  at  the  end  of  which  Hiltburg  discovered  that  she  was  with 
child.  Her  fears  were  of  course  violent ;  but  she  succeeded  in  con- 
ceahng  her  pregnancy  from  her  mother,  who  visited  the  two  compa- 
nions daily. 

One  morning,  while  they  were  taking  the  air  on  the  battlements,  a 
troop  of  horsemen  appeared,  and  Hughdietrich  discovered  by  the  ban- 
ner that  his  faithful  Bechtung  was  come,  according  to  their  agreement, 
to  fetch  him  from  the  castle.     When  the  night  came,  the  Grecian  king^ 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  6r 

used  every  endeavour  to  pacify  Hiltburg,  and  begged  her,  in  case  she 
was  deUvered  of  a  boy,  to  give  him  in  charge  to  the  centinel,  and  per- 
suade him  to  bear  the  child  to  the  cathedral,  where  he  was  to  be  bap- 
tised by  the  name  of  Dietrich.  He  also  instructed  her  to  take  the 
first  opportunity  to  escape  from  the  castle,  and  confide  herself  to  the 
care  of  the  centinel,  the  porter,  to  four  knights  and  four  maids,  who 
would  conduct  her  to  Constantinople,  there  to  be  crowned  queen  on 
her  arrival.  Then  he  took  occasion  to  speak  secretly  to  the  centinel 
and  to  the  porter,  to  whom  he  revealed  his  secret,  and,  by  bribes,  en- 
gaged them  to  undertake  the  enterprise. 

When  the  morning  came,  Bechtung  went  before  the  king,  saying, 
that  the  brother  of  the  Grecian  princess  had  remitted  his  anger  against 
her,  and  had  sent  him  to  bring  her  back  to  Constantinople.  Walgund 
heard  the  tidings  with  great  sorrow,  and  at  first  refused  to  permit  her 
return,  upon  which  the  duke  requested  to  see  the  two  maidens. 
Hughdietrich  whispered  to  his  master  that  he  should  by  all  means 
insist  upon  taking  him  away,  having  fully  accomplished  his  design. 
Then  he  himself  knelt  before  the  king,  and  asked  for  permission  to 
return  to  Greece,  which  was  at  last  granted.  The  parting  with  Hilt- 
burg, whom  he  presented  with  a  gold  ring  as  a  token,  was  of  course 
very  mournful,  but  the  promise  of  speedy  re-union  appeased  her  grief. 
The  king  of  Salneck  presented  the  fictitious  princess  with  splendid 
presents,  and  accompanied  her  part  of  the  way.  The  subjects  of 
Hughdietrich  at  Constantinople  heard  the  news  of  his  return  with 
transport,  and  received  him  with  every  mark  of  attachment.  For  a  year 
he  remained  alone,  in  continual  pain  for  the  absence  of  his  bride. 


Adventure  III. 

Hiltburg,  whenever  she  cast  her  eye  upon  the  ring,  could  not 
restrain  her  tears,  nor  keep  her  hands  from  tearing  out  her  silken 
hair.  At  last  she  was  delivered  of  a  boy,  which  greatly  appeased 
her  melancholy.     On  his  body  she  discovered  a  small  cross,  which 


68  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

proved  subsequently  a  very  useful  token.  Unfortunately  the  old 
queen  shortly  after  came  to  pay*  her  accustomed  visit,  which  put  the 
young  mother  into  the  greatest  consternation.  But  the  centinel  was 
ready  with  an  ingenious  device,  proposing  to  let  the  child  down  into 
the  castle-moat  with  a  rope,  and  to  leave  it  there  during  tlje  unwelcome 
visit  of  Liebgart.  As  there  was  no  time  for  reflection,  the  proposal 
was  accepted,  and  executed  without  hesitation. 

Liebgart  seeing  her  daughter  very  pale,  asked  the  cause,  but  was 
put  off  with  the  pretence  of  sudden  illness,  which,  however,  detained 
her  in  the  tower  till  the  evening.  During  her  presence  her  daughter 
was  in  the  greatest  alarm,  and  her  suspicious  proved  not  to  have  been 
unfounded. 

In  the  moat  the  new-born  babe  meanwhik  in  silence  lay. 

Sleeping  on  the  verdant  grass,  gently  all  the  day ; 

From  the  swathing  and  the  bath  the  child  had  stinted  weeping  : 

No  one  saw  or  heard  its  voice  in  the  meadow  sleeping. 

But  prowling  for  his  prey,        roved  a  savage  wolf  about ; 
Hens  and  capons  for  his  young,         oft  in  the  moat  he  sought: 
In  his  teeth  the  infant        suddenly  he  caught ; 
And  to  the  mirky  forest        his  sleeping  prey  he  brought. 

Unto  an  hollow  rock  he  ran        the  forest-path  along : 

There  the  two  old  wolves  abode,        breeding  up  their  young : 

Four  whelps,  but  three  days  old,         in  the  hollow  lay ; 

No  wiser  th^n  the  child  they  were,         for  they  never  saw  the  day. 

The  old  wolf  threw  the  babe        before  his  savage  brood ; 
To  the  forest  had  he  brought  it,         to  serve  them  for  their  food : 
But  blind  they  were,  and  sought  about        their  mother's  teat  to  gain  ; 
And  safely  lay  the  infant  young,        sleeping  in  the  den. 

When  the  old  queen  was  departed  from  her  daughter,  the  centinel 
descended  into  the  moat,  and  became  desperate  when  he  found  the  in- 
fant gone.    All  night  he  remained  there,  and  having  resolved  what 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  69 

course  to  take,  returned,  and  informed  the  princess  that  he  had  carried 
the  child  to  the  church,  where  it  hadbeen'baptised,  and  had  then  given 
it  in  charge  to  a  wealthy  nurse,  who  had  undertaken  to  educate  it. 

In  the  morning  King  Walgund  went  a-hunting,  and  pursued  the 
very  wolf  that  had  done  the  mischief  to  the  cave.  He  ordered  one 
of  his  knights  to  enter,  and  bring  the  beast  forth  ;  but  no  one  had  the 
hardihood  to  undertake  the  enterprise.  At  last  the  cave  was  digged 
open,  and  the  wolves  pierced  with  the  spears  of  the  huntsmen.  One 
of  them,  who  had  gone  into  the  cave  to  bring  out  the  bodies,  heard 
the  cries  of  the  infant,  and  brought  it  to  the  king,  who  was  so  de- 
lighted with  the  discovery,  that  he  immediately  returned  to  the  castle, 
gave  the  boy  in  charge  to  a  nurse,  promised  to  bestow  on  him  a 
thousand  marks  of  gold  when  he  came  to  maturity,  and  ordered  him 
tp  be  presented  to  him  three  days  in  the  week. 

Liebgart,  in  one  of  her  visits,  had  related  the  history  of  the  child  to 
her  daughter,  and  thereby  brought  her  own  to  her  recollection.  She 
began  to  suspect  the  veracity  of  the  centinel's  narration,  and  at  last 
extorted  the  truth  from  him.  She  proceeded  to  lament  the  loss  of 
her  infant,  which  would  draw  after  it  the  wrath  of  God,  and  the  ha- 
tred of  Hughdietrich,  and  began  to  beat  her  breasts  and  tear  out  her 
hair.  But  the  centinel  hinted  the  possibility  of  the  child  found  in  the 
cave  being  the  identical  one  she  had  lost,  and.  advised  her  to  procure  a 
sight  of  it.  She  soon  prevailed  upon  Liebgart  to  cause  the  nurse  tabring 
the  young  boy  to  her  chamber,  when,  to  her  great  joy,  she  discovered 
the  token  upon  his  back.  At  last  she  saw  the  absolute  necessity  of 
communicating  her  history  to  her  mother ;  and  when  she  found  her  in 
a  confidential  humour,  related  the  whole  affair  ;  informing  her  that  the 
fair  virgin,  Hiltgund,  was  no  other  than  the  Grecian  monarch,  her 
pretended  brother.  The  old  queen  was  well  content  to  hear  the  high 
quahty  of  the  lover,  and  complimented  herself  on  her  sagacity,  in  ha- 
ving discovered  the  virility  of  the  princess,  at  the  very  first  introduc- 
tion of  Hiltgund.  She  undertook  to  reveal  the  truth  to  the  king,  and 
to  manage  the  affair  to  the  complete  satisfaction  of  the  Grecian  king 
and  her  daughter. 


70  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

At  night,  when  the  king  and  his  spouse  had  retired  to  their  cham- 
ber, she  craftily  obtained  a  promise  from  him  not  to  revenge  himself 
for  the  tidings  she  was  about  to  communicate,  and  then  related  to  him 
the  amour  of  her  daughter  and  Hughdietrich;  reminding  him  of  his 
having  refused  to  hearken  to  her  suspicions,  at  the  very  first  arrival  of 
the  feigned  princess.  The  king,  however,  would  not  so  easily  give 
up  his  belief  in  her  virginity,  and  caused  the  centinel  and  porter,  one 
of  whom  he  suspected  to  have  broken  his  faith,  to  be  imprisoned  and 
interrogated.  By  their  examination  he  was  at  last  perfectly  satisfied  of 
the  truth  of  their  narrations,  and  caused  his  barons  formally  to  ab- 
solve him  of  the  oath  he  had  taken,  never  to  give  his  daughter  in  mar- 
riage to  any  one. 

Preparations  were  now  made  for  the  baptism  of  the  infant.  Count 
Wolfelin  and  the  margravine  of  Gallicia  were  associated  with  the  ce- 
lebrated St  George,"  as  witnesses  at  the  baptism,  in  which  the  child 
was  named  Wolfdietrich,  in  commemoration  of  his  miraculous  preser- 
vation. The  count  presented  him  with  a  hundred  marks  of  gold, 
and  the  saint  gave  five  hundred,  and  a  ring  of  great  value.  It  was 
now  resolved  to  send  messengers  to  Constantinople,  and  invite  the 
king  to  come  to  Salneck  for  his  bride.  Wolfelin,  with  four-and- 
twenty  knights,  and  St  George  with  fifty,  undertook  the  embassy.  On 
the  fifteenth  day  they  arrived  in  the  city  of  Constantinople,  where 
they  were  received  royally,  and  richly  rewarded  for  the  welcome 
message. 

Hughdietrich  summoned  Duke  Bechtung  and  many  others  of  his 
vassals  to  attend  him  on  his  journey.  After  eighteen  days  they  ar- 
rived at  Salneck,  where  the  king  had  prepared  a  splendid  camp  for 
their  reception,  before  the  castle.  Walgund  went  forth  to  meet  him, 
and  jocularly  reminded  him  of  the  part  he  had  played  in  the  castle. 
Queen  Liebgart  and  her  daughter  received  him  at  the  gates,  and  the 


'  The  poet,  though  he  has  thus  fabulously  introduced  St  George,  is  pretty  correct  in 
point  of  time.  That  saint  was  martyred  in  303,  and  this  period  suits  very  well  to  that  of 
Hughdietrich,  the  great  grandfather  of  Dietrich,  who  was  the  contemporary  of  Attila. 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  71 

nurse  brought  the  infant  to  his  father,  on  whom  Walgund  promised  to 
bestow  his  kingdom  at  his  demise. 

After  Hughdietrich  had  been  entertained  for  fourteen  days  at  Sal- 
neck,  he  returned  to  his  own  realm,  accompanied  by  his  father-in-law. 
There  the  feast  was  renewed,  with  stiU  greater  splendour,  for  the  space 
of  two  weeks,  and  Walgund,  with  his  attendants,  sent  home  mth  rich 
presents.  Wolfelin  was  made  marshal,  and  the  margravine  governess 
of  the  child.  Nor  were  the  faithful  porter  and  centinel  forgotten,  and 
the  latter  was  created  an  earl. 


Adventure  IV, 

In  the  following  year  Hiltburg  produced  two  sons,  who  were  named 
Boghen  and  Wassmut.  They,  with  their  elder  brother,  were  given 
in  charge  to  Duke  Bechtung,  who  bred  them  up  in  every  kind  of 
warlike  exercises. 

The  princes  young  were  taught        to  protect  all  ladies  fair ; 

Priests  they  bade  them  honour,        and  to  the  mass  repair ; 

All  holy  Christian  lore         were  they  taught,  I  plight : 

Hughdietrich  and  his  noble  queen         caused  priests  to  guide  them  right. 

Bechtung  taught  them  knightly  games ;        on  the  war-horse  firm  to  sit; 
To  leap,  and  to  defend  them ;         rightly  the  mark  to  hit ; 
Cunningly  to  give  the  blow,         and  to  throw  the  lance  afar  : 
Thence  the  victory  they  gain'd        in  many  a  bloody  war. 

Right  before  their  breasts        to  bear  the  weighty  shield. 
In  battle  and  in  tournament         quaintly  the  sword  to  wield. 
Strongly  to  lace  their  helmets  on,         when  called  to  wage  the  fight, 
AH  to  the  royal  brothers        Bechtung  taught  aright. 

He  taught  them  o'er  the  plain        far  to  hurl  the  weighty  rock : 
Mighty  was  their  strength,         and  fearful  was  the  shock. 
When  o'er  the  plain  resounded        the  heavy  stone  aloud  : 
Six  furlongs  threw  beyond  the  rest,        Wolfdieterich  the  proud. 


72  THE  BOOK  OP  HEROES, 

When  Boghen  and  Wassmut  had  reached  their  eleventh,  and  Wolf' 
dietrich  his  thirteenth  year,  they  were  knighted,  at  a  tournament  given 
in  honour  of  that  ceremony.  Wolfdietrich  did  more  deeds  of  arms 
than  twelve  others  of  the  boldest  knights  among  the  combatants.  The 
king  appointed  three  hundred  warriors  to  serve  each  of  them. 

Two.years  after,  Wolfdietrich  went  in  search  of  adventures  to  the 
forests  of  Transylvania,  accompanied  by  Bechtung  and  his  sixteen 
sons.  Mean  time  the  Grecian  realm  was  invaded  by  the  pagan  king 
Alfan,  with  a  hundred  thousand  men  under  his  command.  Hugh- 
dietrich  prepared  to  give  them  battle  on  the  plain  before  Constanti- 
nople, but  could  collect  only  forty  thousand  warriors  to  withstand 
them.     The  shock  of  the  two  armies  was  dreadful. 

Fiercely  o'er  the  plain         they  spurr'd  their  coursers  good ; 
Together  rush'd  the  warriors         to  the  fight  of  death  and  blood ; 
Far  they  liurl'd  around  them         shafts  of  wond'rous  length ; 
Wide  ahout  the  splinters  flew,        for  mighty  was  their  strength. 

Quickly  drew  their  falchions^         Wassmut  and  Boghen  bold  ; 
Many  a  cursing  infidel         in  the  dust  before  them  roll'd  ; 
Helmets  they  split  asunder,         shields  to  shivers  hew'd ; 
Many  a  glitt'ring  hauberk        they  dimm'd  with  the  gush  of  blood. 

The  two  royal  brothers  were  however  wounded,  and  the  victory, 
notwithstanding  the  valour  of  the  Christians,  inclined  to  the  side  of 
the  pagans,  when  Wolfdietrich  fortunately  returned  from  his  expedi- 
tion, and  hearing  of  the  dangerous  situation  of  the  Christian  host,  im- 
mediately joined  the  combat,  and  encouraging  those  who  had  already 
begun  to  turn  their  backs  to  renew  the  fight,  attacked  the  pagans, 
and  by  his  irresistible  valour  completely  routed  them.  The  heathen 
king  fled,  leaving  eighty  thousand  of  his  troops  dead  in  the  field.  The 
salvation  of  the  Grecian  kingdom  was  entirely  attributed  to  the  timely 
arrival  of  Wolfdietrich. 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  7  s 


Adventure  V. 

In  those  times  the  mighty  emperor  Otnit  reigned  in  Lombardy, 
and  ruled  over  many  a  wide  dominion.  One  day  he  boasted  before 
his  nobles,  that  no  monarch  could  withstand  him,  and  that  not  only 
Italy,  but  Swabia,  Bavaria,  "Westphalia,  Kei'neten,  and  St  Jacob's  land,' 
obeyed  his  command.  One  of  his  courtiers  observed,  that  there 
was  a  mighty  king  in  Greece,  who  had  never  paid  tribute  to  him ; 
and  thereby  stimulated  the  emperor  immediately  to  send  an  embassy, 
consisting  of  twelve  earls,  to  demand  tribute  of  Hughdietrich. 

Upon  their  arrival  in  Greece,  they  appeared  in  Hughdietrich's  pre- 
sence-chamber, where  Count  Herman  communicated  the  message  to 
him.  The  Grecian  king  convened  his  sons,  and  asked  their  advice. 
Wolfdietrich  recommended  sending  back  a  defiance  ;  but  his  father,  un- 
willing to  risk  the  life  of  him  and  his  other  sons,  sent  a  sumpter-horse, 
laden  with  gold,  as  tribute.  But  Wolfdietrich  bade  the  messengers 
carry  his  defiance  to  Otnit,  and  inform  him  that  he  himself  would 
come  to  wage  war  with  him,  when  he  arrived  at  man's  estate.  The 
messengers  returned,  each  having  been  rewarded  with  twelve  gold- 
en bows. 

When  Hughdietrich's  death  approached,  he  divided  his  dominions. 
To  his  eldest  son  he  gave  Greece  ;  to  Wassmut,  Widren  and  Zyprian  ; 
and  to  Boghen,  Swabia  and  Profand.*  He  recommended  his  first-born 
to  the  peculiar  care  of  the  faithful  duke  of  Meran. 


Adventure  VI. 

Bechtung  proceeded  in  the  tuition  of  his  pupil,  and  was  particularly 
careful  to  teach  him  the  art  of  throwing  knives,  which  he  had  learned 
from  King  Attenus,  and  in  which  he  was  a  great  proficient.     At  a 

» Kerneten  is  the  country  of  the  Franks ;  St  Jacob's  land,  Spain. 
»  Zyprian,  is  Cyprus ;  Profand,  the  Provence. 

K 


74  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES, 

trial  of  skill,  the  two  combatants  were  placed  upon  two  chairs,  and 
before  they  threw,  gave  notice  what  part  they  intended  to  hit ; 
each  taking  three  knives  for  the  purpose.  The  young  hero  warded 
and  threw  so  well,  that  Bechtung  declared  he  had  far  outdone  him 
in  the  science.  He  related,  that  once  having  had  an  altercation 
with  King  Attenus,  he  had  entered  into  service  with  the  heathen  king 
Grippigon,  to  whom,  and  to  whose  son  Belligan,  he  had  taught  all  the 
throws,  with  the  exception  of  two,  the  secret  of  which  he  had  thought 
proper  to  retain. 

Boghen  and  Wassmut  gave  out  that  their  elder  brother  was  illegi- 
timate, and  seized  upon  his  kingdom.  He  asked  counsel  of  Bech- 
tung, who  immediately  promised  him  every  assistance  in  his  power. 
The  young  king  was  knighted  on  a  Whitsunday,  and  Bechtung  and 
his  sixteen  sons  swore  fealty  to  him,  together  with  four  dukes,  twelve 
earls,  and  a  hundred  knights,  who  entered  into  his  service.  He  then 
collected  four  thousand  warriors,  and  issued  from  his  town  of  Meran, 
to  attack  the  unnatural  brothers.  They  embarked,  and  landed  in  a  &. 
rest  near  Constantinople,  where  Bechtung  ordered  his  men  to  wait 
till  they  heard  the  sound  of  his  horn.  Himself  and  the  young  king 
proceeded  to  Constantinople,  and  came  into  the  hall  of  audience. 
Wolfdietrich  was  utterly  neglected,  but  great  attention  was  paid  to 
the  old  duke.  Wassmut  bade  him  leave  the  service  of  the  illegiti- 
mate oftspring  of  Count  Wolfelin,  as  he  termed  Wolfdietrich.  The 
latter  offered  to  divide  the  kingdom  with  his  brothers,  but  was  an- 
swered only  with  abuse  and  scorn.  Boghen,  when  he  saw  that  he 
could  not  succeed  in  detaching  Bechtung  from  his  fidelity  to  his  bro- 
ther, threatened  him,  but  was  so  terrified  at  the  menaces  of  the  duke, 
that  he  voided  the  hall  with  his  brother,  and  escaped  into  the  interior 
of  the  palace.  Then  Bechtung  blew  his  horn  at  the  gate,  and  his 
champions  immediately  entered  the  city. 

A  dreadful  slaughter  ensued  upon  both  sides.  Two  thousand  of 
the  townsmen  threw  themselves  between  Bechtung  and  his  knights,  but 
by  dint  of  extraordinary  exertions,  they  rescued  him  and  his  lord. 
The  battle  lasted  for  three  days,  till  the  whole  of  Bechtung's  forces 
were  slain,  excepting  his  sixteen  sons. 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  75 

Up  and  spake  Sir  Bechtung,—  *'  Master,  keep  thee  well ; 

Boldly  shall  my  sixteen  sons  the  enemy  repel ; 

Hundred  men  shall  every  one  sturdily  withstand : 

Oft  two  hundred  in  the  field  repuls'd  this  wither'd  hand." 

They  graithed  them  for  the  battle,        when  three  days  were  gone  and  past : 
But  six  of  Bechtung's  noble  sons        dead  on  the  ground  were  cast : 
Cheerfully  the  faithful  duke         his  master  smiled  upon. 
That  he  might  not  view  the  fall        of  each  hardy  son. 

Wolfdietrich  was  at  last  thrown  to  the  ground,  by  a  stone  hurled  on 
him  ftom  the  roof,  and  it  required  the  greatest  exertions  of  his  re- 
maining followers  to  rescue  him,  and  restore  him  to  life.  When  they 
at  last  succeeded,  he  was  forced  to  fly  into  the  forest,  narrowly  pur- 
sued by  the  champions  of  his  brothers. 

Adventure  VII. 

Rapidly  the  Greeks  pursued,        all  the  day,  until  the  night : 
Hastily  the  heroes  fied,        while  their  steeds  had  strength  and  might ; 
To  the  forest  green  they  hied  them,        there  lay  they  all  concealed. 
Till  the  morning  chac'd  the  night,        and  the  rising  sun  revealed. 

Down  they  laid  then)  on  the  grass,        gently  to  repose, 

(But  long  they  rested  not,        for  with  terror  they  arose :) 

Their  bloody  armour  they  unlaced,        their  weapons  down  they  laid  ; 

By  a  fountain  cool  they  rested,        beneath  a  linden's  shade. 

But  one  did  keep  his  armour  on ;         Wolfdieterich  he  hight ; 
Would  not  lay  down  his  weapons,        nor  unlace  his  helmet  bright ; 
Silently  he  wander'd        through  the  forest  wide> 
And  left  his  weary  champions         by  the  fountain's  side. 

Twelve  giants  found  the  knights        all  on  the  grass  recliu'd  : 
Silently  did  creep  along        those  sworn  brothers  of  the  fiend ; ' 

•  Des  teufels  eidgenossen.  Orig. — The  heavy  iron  poles  are  the  invariable  attributes  of 
the  Teutonic  and  Scandinavian  giants. 


76  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

In  their  hands  huge  iron  poles        and  falchions  did  they  hold  ; 
Naked  and  unarmed,  they  seized         and  bound  the  heroes  bold. 

Quick  they  sent  the  tidings        to  the  castle  of  Tremound ; 

Glad  was  Palmund,  giant  fierce,        when  he  saw  the  champions  bound  ; 

Cast  them  in  a  dungeon  dark ;         heavily  he  chain'd  them  : 

Of  their  woe  and  sad  mischance,        there  to  God  they  plain'd  them. 

Scornfully  fierce  Palmund         spake  with  bitter  taunt : 

"  Alfan  in  the  field  ye  conquered ;         but  where  is  now  your  vaunt  f 

'Would  I  had  in  prison  dark.        King  Hughdietrich's  son ! 

He  should  feed  on  bread  and  water,        in  a  dungeon  all  alone." — 

But  now  Wolfdieterich        back  to  the  fountain  sped. 

Beneath  the  linden's  shade,         where  he  ween'd  the  kemps  were  laid : 

All  around  he  sought  them :         woefully  he  cried, 

"  Alas,  that  e'er  I  left  them        by  the  fountain's  side  !" 

He  threw  him  on  the  grass,         and  sighed  in  mournful  mood ; 
Many  a  blow  upon  his  breast        struck  the  hero  good ; 
Loudly  on  their  names  he  called,        the  forest  all  around. 
Up  the  giants  started,        when  they  heard  his  voice  resound. 

"  Arise,  and  seize  your  weapons!"         Palmund  cried  aloud  ; 
"  Quickly  to  my  prison        bring  that  champion  proud." 
Many  falls  they  caught,        running  down  the  mountain. 
Ere  they  viewed  Wolfdieterich,        standing  by  the  fountain. 

Giant  Wilker  led  them  on  ;        before  the  king  he  sprung, 
Stamping  on  the  grass        with  his  pole  of  iron  long. 
"  Little  wight !"  he  shouted,        *'  straight  thy  falchion  yield ; 
Captive  will  I  lead  thee        quickly  o'er  the  field. 


I » 


"  Proudly  I  bore  my  weapon        from  all  the  Grecian  host ; 

No  hand  but  this  shall  wield  it,        for  all  thy  taunting  boast ; 

If  thou  wilt  gain  the  blade,        hotly  must  thou  fight : 

Come  near,  and  shield  thee  well ;        I  defy  thee,  monstrous  wight !" 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  ■?? 

The  giant  was  "soon  laid  low  by  the  hero's  sword..  He  was  immedi- 
ately attacked  by  the  second,  who  struck  him  down  with  his  pole,  and 
bade  him  yield  to  his  mercy.  But  Wolfdietrich  roused  himself,  and 
with  one  blow  severed  his  right  leg  from  his  body.  Upon  this  the 
remaining  ten  giants  attacked  him  jointly,  but  were  all  of  them  dis- 
patched by  the  sword  of  the  Grecian  king. 

Palmund  hearing  the  lamentations  of  his  gigantic  companions, 
quickly  armed  himself,  and  when  he  found  Wolfdietrich  standing  sur- 
rounded by  the  dead  bodies  of  his  champions,  he  bade  him  defend 
himself.  But  the  hero  was  wary,  and  struck  him  a  blow,  which  felled 
him  to  the  ground.  The  pagan,  however,  soon  renewed  the  combat 
with  redoubled  vigour ;  nor  did  the  battle  end  till  the  evening,  when 
the  giant  fled  into  the  forest. 

Now  the  shades  of  evening  came,  when  a  little  dwarf ^appear'd, 

Welcom'd  the  noble  champion^  and  his  drooping  spirit  cheer'd : 

"  Soon  shalt  thou  strike  to  death  Palmund,  that  kemp  of  fame  : 

For  thy  father's  love,  sir  knight,  to  thy  relief  I  came." — 

''  God  reward  my  father,  that  e'er  he  honour'd  thee. 
For  a  gentle  dwarf  thou  art,         and  full  of  loyalty." 
Much  lov'd  the  little  wight        the  noble  Grecian  king. 

And  soon  upon  his  finger  he  thrust  a  golden  ring. 

"  When  the  giant  back  returns,         stick  thy  falchion  in  the  sand. 
His  hauberk  soft  as  lead  will  turn  ;        then  pierce  him  with  thy  brand. 
Now  fare  thee  well,  Wolfdiet^rich ;         to  the  woods  must  I  be  gone." — 
Over  was  the  mirky  night,        the  sun  with  splendour  shone. 

The  giant  returned ;  Wolfdietrich  followed  the  directions  of  the 
dwarf,  who  was  a  rich  king,  named  Bibunk ;  and  the  fight  was  re- 
newed, and  lasted  all  that  day,  without  any  success  on  either  side. 
When  the  evening  came,  Palmund  ran  into  the  woods,  where  he  drank 
of  a  miraculous  fountain,  which  had  the  quality  of  giving  the  strength 
of  sixteen  men  to  whoever  tasted  the  water. 


78  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

In  the  night  the  dwarf  Bibunk  appeared  again,  and  informed  the 
king  what  additional  might  the  giant  had  received  j  but  his  mind  was 
not  dismayed  thereat.  When  he  renewed  the  battle  in  the  morning, 
he  found  that  the  giant's  armour  was  not  able  to  withstand  the  blows 
of  his  sword ;  and  after  fighting  all  that  day,  he  brought  him  to  the 
ground  at  last.  He  immediately  unlaced  his  armour,  and  took  from 
his  body  an  invaluable  silken  shirt,  which  originally  belonged  to  St 
George,  and  which  admitted  no  weapon  to  penetrate  through  it.  The 
pagan  had  found  this  treasure  in  a  monastery  he  had  destroyed.  The 
Christian  hero  used  every  persuasion  to  convert  the  giant,  but  all  his 
endeavours  were  vain ;  the  latter  expressing  himself  perfectly  content 
to  become  a  martyr  for  his  faith.  After  this  he  could  not  expect  any 
mercy,  and  his  head  was  accordingly  struck  off.  The  conqueror  now 
unlaced  his  armour,  in  order  to  put  the  miraculous  shirt  upon  his 
body,  armed  himself  anew,  and  proceeded  on  his  way. 


Adventure  VIII. 

At  the  termination  of  the  forest  he  found  the  castle  of  Tremound, 
and  was  discovered  from  the  battlements  by  the  heathen  queen.  At 
the  gate  stood  a  giant,  named  Alfan,  who  acted  as  porter.  The 
Christian  demanded  of  him  to  liberate  his  knights ;  but  instead  of 
receiving  an  answer,  the  giant  rushed  upon  him,  and  threatened  to 
hang  him  up  at  the  gate.  But  Wolfdietrich  gave  him  a  deep  wound 
in  the  side,  and  when  he  still  reftised  to  deliver  the  prisoners,  struck 
off  his  head. 

He  rushed  up  to  the  hall,  where  he  found  the  queen  and  thirteen 
of  her  vassal  princes,  about  to  regale  themselves  with  a  splendid  re- 
past. When  he  entered,  they  attacked  him  with  benches  and  tables, 
but  were  so  well  received,  that  after  a  severe  combat,  not  one  remained 
alive.  None  of  the  servants  would  give  him  information  who  had  the 
charge  of  the  dungeon  ;  but  when  he  began  to  employ  his  sword,  a 

pagan  started  up,  and  acknowledged  himself  ta  be  their  jailox*,  though 

6 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  79 

he  refused  to  give  up  the  keys.  He  soon  fell,  however,  beneath  the 
hero's  falchion  j  who  could  not  even  then  wrench  them  out  of  his  hands, 
till  he  had  struck  off  his  head. 

Having  obtained  the  keys,  he  proceeded  to  the  dungeon,  and  by 
the  help  of  a  leathern  thong,  drew  up  his  knights  to  the  Ught  of  day. 
Fearing  a  further  attack  from  the  friends  of  Palmund,  they  immedi- 
ately rode  into  the  forest,  and  towards  evening  made  a  fire  in  the 
thickest  part.  Wolfdietrich  observed  that  only  ten  sons  of  Bechtung 
were  present,  and  asking  what  had  become  of  the  other  six,  the  old 
duke  told  him  what  hitherto  he  had  carefully  concealed  firom  him, — 
that  they  had  fallen  in  Constantinople.  This,  added  to  Wolfdietrich's 
other  misfortunes,  made  him  so  desperate,  that  he  endeavoured  to 
plunge  his  sword  into  his  breast,  but  was  prevented  by  the  interposi- 
tion and  the  persuasions  of  Bechtung.  When  night  came,  he  insisted 
upon  guarding  his  knights  during  their  sleep,  though  the  old  duke 
warned  him  that  a  wild  woman  had  been  in  search  of  him  for  seven 
years  past,  in  order  to  obtain  him  for  her  husband.  Till  midnight  he 
stood  centinel  by  the  fire. 


Adventure  IX. 

When  soundly  slept  Sir  Bechtung,        came  the  rough  and  savage  dame. 

Running  where  the  hero  stood        watching  by  the  flame : 

On  four  feet  did  she  crawl  along,        like  to  a  shaggy  bear. 

The  champion  cried :  "  From  savagjS  beasts,         why  hast  thou  wandered  here  ?" 

Up  and  spake  the  hairy  Else:        "  Gentle  I  am  and  mild : 

If  thou  wilt  blip  me,  prince,  from  all  care  I  will  thee  shield  ; 

A  kingdom  will  I  give  thee,  and  many  a  spacious  land ; 
Thirty  castles,  fair  and  strong,        will  I  yield  to  thy  command." 

With  horror  spake  Wolfdieterich, —        "  Thy  gifts  will  I  not  take. 
Nor  touch  thy  laithly  body,        for  thy  savage  kingdom's  sake  : 
The  devil's  mate  thou  art,        then  speed  thee  down  to  hell : 
Much  I  marvel  at  thy  visage,        and  I  loath  thy  horrid  yell." 


80  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES; 

She  took  a  spell  of  grammary,  and  threw  it  on  the  knight : 

Still  he  stood,  and  moved  not :  (I  tell  the  tale  aright :) 
She  took  from  him  his  falchion,        unlac'd  his  hauberk  bright. 

Mournfully  Wolfdietrich  cried,  "  Gone  is  all  my  might. 

"  If  my  faithful  kemps  eleven        should  from  their  sleep  awake. 

How  would  they  laugh,  that  woman's  hand         could  from  me  my  weapon  take ! 

Scornfully  the  knights  would  say,        that,  like  a  coward  slave. 

My  falchion  I  had  yielded,        this  wretched  life  to  save." 

But  vain  were  his  laments  ;         for  through  the  forest  dark. 
With  arts  of  witching  grammary,         a  path-way  she  did  mark : 
Following  through  the  woods,        with  speed  along  he  past ; 
For  sixty  miles  he  wander'd,        till  he  found  the  Else  at  last. 

"  Wilt  thou  win  me  for  thy  wife,        herp  young  and  fair  ?" — 
WrathfuUy  Wolfdieterich        spake  with  angry  cheer : 
"  Restore  my  armour  speedily;         give  back  my  weapon  bright. 
Which  thou  with  witching  malice        didst  steal  this  hinder  night." 

"  Then  yield  thy  gentle  body,        thou  weary  wight,  to  me ; 
With  honours  will  I  crown        thy  locks  right  gloriously." — 
"  With  the  devil  may'st  thou  sleep  :         little  care  I  for  my  life. 
Well  may  I  spare  the  love        of  such  a  laithly  wife." 

Another  spell  of  might  she  threw        upon  the  hero  good ; 
Fearfully  she  witched  him ;        motionless  he  stood  : 
He  slept  a  sleep  of  grammary,        for  mighty  was  the  spell : 
Down  upon  his  glittering  shield,        on  the  sod  he  fell. 

All  above  his  ears,        his  golden  hair  she  cut ; 

Like  a  fool  she  dight  him,        that  his  champions  knew  him  not : 

Witless  rov'd  the  hero        for  a  year  the  forest  round  ; 

On  the  earth  his  food  he  galher'd,         as  in  the  book  is  found. ' 


»  A  very  similar  adventure  occurs  in  the  beautiful  romance  of  Ywaine  and  Gawaine 
mheve  the  former  hero  roves  about  the  forest  in  the  same  manner  as  Wolfdietrich. 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  81 

When  Bechtung  awoke,  and  found  that  Wolfdietrich  was  gone, 
his  sorrow  was  boundless.     He  awakened  his  ten  sons,  and  communi- 
cating the  woeful  intelligence  to  them,  bade  them  go  to  Constantino- 
ple, and  offer  their  service  to  his  brothers,  under  the  condition  of  be- 
ing allowed  to  rejoin  Wolfdietrich  as  soon  as  he  should  again  make  his 
appearance.     Himself,  in  the  garb  of  a  palmer,  wandered  about  many 
countries,  till  he  came  to  the  land  of  Troy,  where  he  found  the  rough 
Else  standing  before  a  castle  situated  on  a  high  rock.     He  immedi- 
ately charged  her  with  having  borne  away  his  pupil,  and  begged  her 
to  deliver  him  out  of  her  bondage ;  but  she  swore  that  he  was  not  in 
the  castle,  and  threw  a  spell  upon  him ;  the  duke  was  however  wary,  and 
escaped  her  toils.     He  wandered  around  all  the  countries  of  Paynim, 
and  not  succeeding  in  his  search,  concluded  that  his  pupil  was  killed, 
and  returned  mournfully  to  Constantinople,  where  he  viewed  his  sons 
standing  upon  the  battlements,  to  whom  he  communicated  the-iU  suc- 
cess of  his  pilgrimage.     The  two  kings,  Boghen  and  Wassmut,  offered 
to  take  him  into  their  service,  but  would  not  hearken  to  the  condition 
he  proposed,  to  return  to  his  original  lord  as  soon  as  he  should  re-ap- 
pear.    They  ordered  him  and  his  sons  to  be  heavily  chained,  and 
forced  them  to  do  nightly  watch  upon  the  battlemoits  of  Constan- 
tinople» 


Adventure  X. 

Now  roved  Wolfdieterich,  the  prince  without  a  peer. 

Around  the  mirky  forest>  witless  for  a  year : 

But  God  his  sorrows  pitied,  when  he  saw  the  hero  shent  ^ 

Quickly  to  the  ugly  witch  message  did  he  send. 

An  angel  bright  before  her        suddenly  she  viewed  : 

"  Say,  wilt  thou  bring,"  he  questioned,        "  to  bis  death  the  hero  good  ? 

God  has  sent  his  sond,         to  warn  thee,  woman  fell ; 

If  thou  wouldst  save  thy  life,        quickly  undo  the  spell. 

L 


82  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

When  the  threat'ning  message        the  savage  woman  heard, 
And  that  at  God's  supreme  command         the  angel  had  appear'd. 
Rapidly  she  sped  her        where  rov'd  the  champion 
Around  the  mirky  forest,        witless  and  alone. 

There  naked,  like  an  innocent,        run  the  hero  bold  : 
Strait  the  spell  of  grammary        from  his  ear  she  did  unfold  : 

His  wits  he  soon  recover'd,  when  the  spell  was  from  his  ear. 

But  his  visage  and  his  form  was  black  and  foul  of  cheer. 

"  Wilt  thou  win  me  for  thy  wife,        gentle  hero,  say  i" — 
Speedily  he  answer'd        to  the  lady,  "  Nay ;  ' 
Never  will  I  wed  thee,        here  I  pledge  my  fay. 
Till  in  holy  fount        thy  sins  are  wash'd  away." — 

"  Son  of  kings,  oh  care  thee  not !         If  thou  my  love  wilt  gain. 

Soon,  baptis'd  in  holy  fount,        will  I  wash  me  clean : 

In  joy  and  sweet  delight        merry  shalt  thou  be. 

Though  now  my  body  rough  and  black         with  loathing  thou  dost  see." — 

"  No,  since  my  knights  are  lost,         not  for  woman's  love  I  long, 
T'S'hen  wild  about  the  woods         drove  me  thy  magic  strong." — 
"  To  thy  brothers  hied  they,        gentle  hero,  hark ! 
But  heavily  they  chain'd  them ;         threw  them  in  dungeon  dark." — 

"  How  may  I  woo  thee  in  the  woods,         lady,  quickly  speak  ? 
Or  how  embrace  thy  hairy  form,         or  kiss  thy  bristlj'  cheek  i" — 
"  Fear  not :  I  will  guide  thee         safely  to  my  realm ; 
Give  thee  back  thy  falchion,        thy  hauberk,  and  thy  helm." 

By  the  hand  she  led  Wolfdietrich        unto  the.  forest's  end ; 
To  the  sea  she  guided  him;         a  ship  lay  on  the  strand  : 
To  a  spacious  realm  she  brought  him,         hight  the  land  of  Troy. 
"  Wilt  thou  take  me  to  thy  wife  ?        all  around  thou  shalt  enjoy." 

To  a  rich  and  gorgeous  chamber        she  led  the  wond'ring  knight ; 
There  stood  a  well  of  youth,'        flowing  clear  and  bright ; 

•  The  well  of  youth  is  probably  an  oriental  fiction,  and  occurs  in  the  French  fabliau  of 
Coquaigne : 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  83 

The  left  side  was  full  cold,        but  warmly  flowed  the  right : 
She  leap'd  into  the  wond'rous  well,        praying  to  God  of  might. 

Rough  Else,  the  mighty  queen,        in  the  baptism  did  he  call 
Lady  Siegheminn,*        the  fairest  dame  of  all. 
Her  bristly  hide  she  left        all  in  the  flowing  tide : 
Never  gazing  champion         lovelier  lady  eyed. 

Her  shape  was  form'd  for  love,        slender,  fair,  and  tall, 
Sti'f^ight  as  is  the  taper         burning  in  the  hall ; 
Brightly  gleam'd  her  cheeks,        like  the  opening  rose : 
Wond'ring  stood  Wolfdiet^rich,        and  forgot  his  pains  and  woes. 

"  Wilt  theu  win  me  to  thy  love  ?         gentle  hero,  say  i" — 
Quickly  spake  Wolfdieterich, —        "  Gladly,  by  my  fay ; 
Mirrour  of  ladies  lovely,         fain  would  I  lay  thee  near. 
But  alas !  my  form  is  laithly,         and  black  am  I  of  cheer." 

To  the  loving  youth  she  said,        "  If  beauteous  thou  wilt  be. 

In  the  flowing  fountain        bathe  thee  speedily  : 

Fair  thy  visage  will  become,        as  before  a  year ; 

Nobly,  champion  bold  and  brave,         will  thy  form  appear." 

Black  and  foul  he  leaped         into  the  well  of  youth. 
But  white  and  fair  he  issued,         with  noble  form,  forsooth. 
In  his  arms,  with  gentle  love,        did  he  clip  the  maid ; 
Merrily  he  kissed  the  dame,        as  she  led  him  to  her  bed. 

Wolfdietrich  considered  that  the  best  mpde  of  delivering  his  knights 
was  to  fight  his  promised  battle  with  the  emperor  Otnit,  and  thus  to 
induce  him  to  become  his  sworn  brother  at  arms.  He  communicated 
his  purpose  to  his  queen,  who,  perceiving  his  resolution  unalterable, 

lajbntaine  de  Jovent, 

Q_uijet  rajovenir  le  gent. 

Barbazan,  ed.  1808,  IV.  180.    A  curious  wooden  cut,  representing  a  well  of  youth,  ^d 
the  effects  of  bathing  in  it,  is  in  the  possession  of  F.  Douce,  Esq. 
•  The  name  is  compounded  of  sieg,  victory,  and  minne,  love. 

6 


84  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

furnished  him  with  a  ship,  the  sails  of  which  were  made  of  the  wings 
of  griffons,  and  with  every  thing  necessary  for  the  voyage,  amongst 
which  were  the  shirt  of  St  George,  and  the  precious  holy  unguent  of 
St  Beatrix. 

After  a  prosperous  voyage  he  arrived  in  Lombardy,  close  to  the 
burgh  of  Garten.  There  he  beheld  a  linden  tree,  under  which  no  one 
was  suffered  to  repose  without  being  attacked  by  the  emperor.  Ha- 
ving given  provisions  for  two  years  to  the  mariners,  to  await  his  re- 
turn, he  proceeded  to  the  tree,  and  laid  himself  down  in  its  shade. 

Merrily  sung  the  birds        all  under  the  linden  tree  ; 
Rapidly  their  notes  they  chaunted ;         sweeter  none  might  be : 
Full  joyously  the  hero  heard        their  melody  arise : 
Nightingales  and  thrushes        strove  to  gain  the  prize. 

Right  winsome  was  their  voice,        as  they  flew  the  tree  around : 
Cheerful  was  Wolfdietrich's  mood,        when  he  heard  their  song  resound : 
Lull'd  to  gentle  slumber,         he  lay  beneath  the  tree ; 
But  Otnit  from  the  battlements        soon  the  sleeping  knight  did  see. 

The  empress  in  vain  endeavoured  to  dissuade  Otnit  from  the  fight: 
he  even^accused  her  of  being  favourable  to  the  strange  knight  j  nor 
would  he  allow  any  of  his  vassals  to  accompany  him  to  the  tree.  He 
awakened  the  Grecian  king  somewhat  harshly,  ordered  him  to  pre- 
pare for  the  combat,  and,  at  his  request,  assisted  him  in  putting  on  his 
armour.  Wolfdietrich  refused  to  tell  his  name,  but  the  emperor 
guessed  who  he  was,  and  was  answered, — 

"  Defend  thyself.  King  Otnit ;        'tis  the  Wolf  dares  thee  to  fight." 

The  battle  between  the  two  heroes  lasted  for  three  hours.  "Wolfdietrich 
was  struck  to  the  ground,  but  soon  revenged  his  fall.  Lifting  his 
sword  with  both  his  hands,  he  inflicted  such  a  blow  upon  Otnit,  that 
he  fell  senseless  to  the  ground,  bleeding  profiisely  from  his  mouth  and 
ears.    The  empress,  who  had  approached  to  view  the  combat,  re- 


THE  BOOK  OP  HEROES.  83 

quested  the  victor  to  bring  some  water  from  a  neighbouring  fountain ; 
which  he  cheerfully  complied  with,  filling  his  helmet  with  the  liquid. 
When  Otnit  recovered  from  his  swoon,  he  requested  to  be  admitted 
brother  at  arms  to  his  opponent,  who  swore  fidelity  to  him,  under  the 
condition  of  receiving  assistance  for  the  liberation  of  his  imprisoned 
knights. 

The  noble  guest  remained,  to  the  great  discontent  of  Lady  Sieghe- 
min,  twelve  weeks  with  his  newly-acquired  friend,  who  could  not  be- 
hold the  amorous  looks  which  the  empress  threw  upon  him  without 
jealousy,  and  gave  him  frequent  hints,  recommending  him  to  rejoin 
his  own  spouse.  The  Grecian  therefore  took  leave,  to  make  a  pil- 
grimage, as  he  pretended,  to  the  holy  sepulchre. 


Adventure  XI. 

At  the  sea-shore  Wolfdietrich  found  his  queen,  who,  impatient  of 
his  absence,  had  come  to  search  for  him.  They  returned  to  Troy, 
and  there  remained  for  half  a  year,  in  the  full  enjoyment  of  their  ma- 
trimonial felicity.  One  day  they  issued  from  the  castle,  to  amuse 
themselves  with  the  chace. 

They  sped  them  to  the  forest        in  the  merry  month  of  May, 
When  for  the  glowing  summer        the  fruit-trees  biossom'd  gay. 

A  gorgeous  tent  was  pitch'd  upon  the  meadow  green  : 
Straight  a  stag  of  noble  form        before  the  tent  was  seen. 

Round  his  spreading  antlers  was  wound  the  glittering  gold ; ' 

Full  of  joy  and  marvel,  gaz'd  on  the  stag  the  hero  bold : 

'Twas  done  with  arts  of  magic,  by  a  giant  fierce  and  wild. 

With  subtle  sleights  to  win  to  his  bed  Dame  Sieghmin  mild. 

'  A  fiction  similar  to  this  occurs  in  the  legend  of  St  Julian,  the  tutelary  saint  of  travel- 
lers, who  was  informed  by  a  stag,  bearing  a  cross  between  the  antlers,  that  he  would  kill 
his  father  and  mother";  which  accordingly  came  to  pass.  His  legend  is  the  subject  of  a 
comedy,  by  Lope  de  Vega,  which,  notwithstanding  the  absurdity  of  the  fable,  has  consi- 
derable merit. 


86  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

And  when  Wolfdieterich  beheld  the  noble  deer, 

Harken  how  the  hero  spake  to  his  gentle  peer : 

"  Await  thou,  royal  lady ;  my  meiny  spon  returns ; 

With  my  hounds  I'll  hunt  the  stag  with  the  golden  horns." 

To  their  palfreys  speedily        the  king  and  his  meiny  flew : 

Through  the  woods  they  chac'd  the  stag,        with  many  a  loud  halloo. — 

But  silently  the  giant        came  where  the  lady  lay ; 

With  the  tent  he  seiz'd  her,        and  bore  the  prize  away. 

O'er  the  sea  he  brought  the  dame,         to  a  distant  land. 
Where,  deep  within  a  forest,        his  qastle  strong  did  stand. 
Though  for  half  a  year  they  sought        all  around  that  lady  fair. 
They  never  found  the  castle'       where  she  lay  in  woe  and  care. 

Around  the  forest  hunted        Wolfdietrich  and  his  men; 
Down  they  brought  the  noble  stag,         and  proudly  turned  again : 
Merrily  they  spurred        through  the  wood  with  speed. 
Where  they  left  the  gorgeous  tent        on  the  verdant  mead. 

When  Wolfiiietrich  returned,  found  his  tent  carried  off,  and  heard. the 
kmentations  of  the  queen's  attendants,  he  was  nearly  distracted,  and 
leaving  the  charge  of  governing  the  kingdom  to  one  of  his  knights,  clotht- 
ed  himself  in  the  garb  of  a  palmer,  and  concealed  his  sword  in  his  pil- 
grim's  staff.  Thus  he  wandered  through  many  a  land,  without  hearing 
any  tidings  of  his  queen ;  and,  at  last,  came  again  to  the  castle  of  Otnit, 
where  no  one  recognised  him  excepting  the  erhpress,  who,  sitting  bppo- 
site  to  him,  knew  him  by  his  eyes,  and  by  his  adroit  manner  of  carving. 
She  spoke  secretly  to  him,  and  inquired  his  reason  for  wandering  about 
in  such  a  mean  guise.  He  related  his  misfortunes  to  her,  but  charged 
her  not  to  acquaint  the  emperor  with  the  secret.  Notwithstanding 
this  injunction,  she  awakened  Otnit, , and  communicated  to  hir»  the 
welcome  intelligence  of  his  brother  in  arms  being  in  the  castle.  The 
emperor  imihfediately  prbceeded  to  Wolfdietrich,"  upbraided  him  with 
his  want  of  confidence,  and,  when  he  heard  of  the  purport  of  his  ex- 
peditioU)  declared  his  resolution  to  accompany  him^  notwithstanding 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  87 

the  remonstrances  of  his  friend,"  and  to  the  great  sorrow  of  Dame 
Sidrat. 


Adventure  XII. 

The  two  companions  set  out  on  their  perilous  expedition,  as  palmers, 
and  towards  evening  entered  a  forest,  where -they  met  with  an  old 
woodman,  and  were  entertained  by  him  with  great  hospitality.  lOtnit,' 
tired  with  the  fatigues  of  the  day,  fell  asleep,  arid  his  friend  bade 
the  woodman  not  awake  him,  fearing  he  should  fall  in  the  expected 
combat.  Inquiring  for  adventures,  he  was  told,  to  his  great  joy,  that 
an  old  giant,  named  Tress3,n,  had  carried  a  lady  to  his  castle,  of  Alten- 
feUen.  When  Wolfdietrich  requested  the  wpodijian  to  point  out  the 
way  to  him,  he  was  unwilling,  fearing  the  angerofhis  gigantic  lord  j 
but  when  he  understood  the  high  rank  of  the  palmer,  and  obtained 
the  promise  of  being  made  sovereign  of  a  country,  h^  consented. 

The  king  followed  the  instructions,  but,  losing  his  way  among  the 
wild  thickets  of  the  forest,  he  wandered  for  fourteen  days  about,  feed- 
ing upon  the  leaves  of  trees,  and  such  game  as  he  happened  to  find  on 
his  way. 

Wearily  he  wandered,        for  gone  was  all  his  strength : 
Before  a  woody  rock         came  the  knight  at  length : 
From  the  rock  a  flowing  well        issued,  bright  and  clear; 
And  o'er  the  well  was  laid,        a  stone  of  the  marble  fair. 

Many  a  herb  of  virtue        bloom'd  the  well  around  i 
By  the  marble  laid  him        the  champion  on  the  ground : 
O'er  his  head  their  melodies        sung  the  birds  aloud. 
Cheering  up  the  weary  soul         of  the  palmer  proud. 

Lady  Sieghemin  was  leaning  over  the  battlements  of  Tressan's  castle, 
and  beheld  the  pil^im  lying  by  the  well.  She  sent  her  damsel  to  ga- 
ther some  of  the  medicinal  herbs  which  flourished  round  about  it. 


88  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES- 

When  the  maiden  approached  the  well,  the  palmer  inquired  by  whom 
she  had  been  sent  thither.  She  informed  him  that  her  mistress  was 
the  disconsolate  Sieghmin,  who  had  made  a  covenant  with  the  giant, 
to  fulfil  his  desires  at  the  end  of  six  months,  which  expired  that  even- 
ing. At  her  departure  the  knight  gave  her  a  ring,  bade  her  show 
it  to  her  mistress,  and  demand  of  her  to  give  him  lodging  for  the 
night. 

When,  Sieghmin  beheld  the  ring,  she  knew  that  Wolfdietrich  had 
eome  in  search  of  her;  and  promising  to  become  the  wife  of  the  old 
giant  that  night,  she  prevailed  upon  him  to  bring  the  palmer  into  the 
castle,  and  entertain  him  till  day-break.. 

He  led  the  weary  pilgrim        into  the  castle-hall. 

Where  hrightly  hurnt  the  fire,        and  many  a  taper  tall : 

On  a  seat  he  sate  him  down,         and  made  him  right  good  cheer  ^ 

His  eyes  around  the  hall        cast  the  hero  without  fear. 

With  anxious  care  he  looked         for  his  lady  bright, 
And  he  view'd  the  gorgeous  tent        once  in  the  forest  pight. 
Cheerfully  the  hero  thought,         "  Rightly  have  I  sped : 
In  the  perilous  adventure        God  will  be  mine  aid !" 

From  the  glittering  flame         straight  the  champion  sprung ; 
Sharply  he  eyed  the  tent,        which  the  giant  stole  with  wrong. 
Wondering,  spake  Sir  Tressan, —        "  Weary  palmer,  stay ; 
Rest  thee  by  the  fire,        for  long  has  been  thy  way." 

Up  and  spake  Wolfdiet^rich, —        "  Strange  marvels  have  I  seen. 
And  heard  of  bold  adventures,        in  lands  where  I  have  been ; 
Once  I  saw  an  emperor,        Otnit  is  his  name. 
Would  dare  defy  thee  boldly,        for  mighty  is  his  fame." 

When  he  had  spoke  the  speech        to  the  giant  old. 
Grimly  by  the  fire        sate  him  down  the  palmer  bold ; 
Waiting  with  impatience,        long  the  time  him  thought,^ 
Till  into  the  glittering  hall        the  supper-meat  was  brpught. 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  89 

But  to  call  them  to  their  meat,        loud  did  a  horn  resound^ 
Soon  entered  many  high-bom  men^        and  stood  the  hall  around  : 
In  the  giant's  courtly  hall,        winsome  dwarfs  appeared. 
Who  the  castle  and  the  mount        with  cunning  arts  had  reared.    • 

Among  the  dwarfs  the  gentle  queen        up  to  the  deas  was  led : 
The  palmer  straight  she  welcomed,        her  cheeks  with  blushes  red. 
"  With  that  palmer  will  I  sit        at  the  board,"  she  cried. 
Soon  they  plac'd  Wolfdieterich        by  the  lady's  side. 

The  queen  inquired  of  the  pilgrim  if  he  had  been  in  Troy,  or  had 
heard  of  Wolfdietrich.  He  answered,  that  since  the  loss  of  his  spouse 
that  hero  hsyi  never  been  seen,  which  brought  the  tears  into  her  eyes. 
Tressan  prepared  to  avenge  the  sorrow  which  the  palmer  had  occa- 
sioned, but,  at  the  intercession  of  the  lady,  he  mitigated  his  anger. 
The  feast  was  now  over. 

Suddenly  Sir  Tressain        seized  his  struggling  bride. 
Ho  !  how  sOon  Wolfdietferich        his  sclaveyn  threw  aside: 
Out  he  drew  his  falchion ;         "  Hold !"  spake  he  wrathfuUy ; 
"  That  lovdy  bride  of  thine,        sir  giant,  leave  to  me." 

"  Dar'st  thou  fight  me,  silly  swain  i"        cried  Sir  Tressan  fierce ; 

"  But  shame  befall  the  champion      who  an  unarmed  knight  would  pierce  ! 

Dight  thee  in  hauberk  quickly,        and  he  who  in  the  fight 

Strikes  his  opponent  down,        let  him  take  the  lady  bright." 

Glad  was  the  palmer  when  he  heard        that  thus  the  giant  said. 
Speedily  the  cunning  dwarfs        upon  the  ground  have  laid, 
Kigbt  between  the  champions,         three  weighty  coats  of  mail : 
"  Palmer,  choose  in  which  thou  wilt        the  giant  fierce  assail." 

Here  lay  an  ancient  hauberk,        fast  was  every  ring ; 
There  lay  two  of  glittering  gold,        fit  for  the  mightiest  king  : 
But  soon  the  palmer  seized         the  hauberk  old  and  black. 
"  Who  bade  thee  take  that  hauberk  old  ?"        in  wrath  the  giant  spake. 

M 


90  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

While  the  giant  armed  himself,  Sieghmiti  assisted  her  lord.  The  com- 
bat lasted  for  three  hours.  Wolfdietrich  was  thrown  to  the  ground, 
and  the  dwarfs  cast  stones  upon  him  j  but  his  lady  encouraged  him, 
bade  him  call  to  God  for  help,  and  reminded  him  of  his  former  deeds. 
He  leaped  from  the  ground,  and  lifting  his  sword  with  both  hands,,  split 
the  giant  to  the  girdle.  He  wished  to  seize  upon  Tressan's  treasures, 
but  the  malicious  dwarfs  had  locked  themselves  in  the  treasury,  to  es- 
cape his  wrath.  Immediately  he  set  fire  to  the  house,  and  burnt  them 
alive.  Now  he  wished  to  depart  with  his  lady,  but  was  informed  that 
he  had  previously  to  encounter  a  more  perilous  adventure  than  the 
one  he  had  just  achieved.  She  related  to  him,  that  in  a  neighbouring 
cave  dwelt  Sir  Tressan's  sister,  named  Grel,  a  most  unwieldy  and  war- 
like giantess ;  who  would,  upon  seeing  the  castle  in  flames,  instantly 
attack  him.  Wolfdietrich  resolved  to  await  her  arrival  before  the  gate, 
where  she  soon  made  her  appearance.  Her  form  was  most  hideous,' 
and  in  her  hand  she  bore  a  sharp  pole  of  steel,  which  she  threw  at  the 
hero's  shield.  Unable  to  stand  the  shock,  he  fell  upon  the  ground, 
and  was  seized  and  bound  by  the  monster,  who  bore  him  away,  to 
hang  him  on  a  neighbouring  willow.  But  previously  she  took  his 
weapon,  and  leaving  him  lying  on  the  ground,  carried  it  to  her  cave. 
At  this  very  time  a  most  seasonable  shower  came  on,  and  he  had  soon 
the  satisfaction  of  finding  himself  disencumbered  of  his  bonds. 

But  mournfully  he  sighed,        for  Dame  Grel  his  sword  had  ta'en  : 
A  dwarf  'gan  hear  and  pity        the  hero's  woeful  strain  : 
He  saw  where  she  had  hid        in  the  rock  the  noble  blade ; 
Straight  he  run  where  on  the  sod        Wolfdieterich  was  laidi 

O'er  the  champion  did  he  cast        a  tarn-cap*  speedily. 

And  has  led  him  to  the  cave,        where  his  falchion  he  did  see. 

»  The  original  describes  her  form  at  length;    The  following  may  sei-ve  as  a  specimen. 

Gross  waren  ir  die  brueste, 
Als  ichs  vernommen  han, 
Wenn  sy  lauffens  gelueste 
So  stiess  sy  sich  daran. 
»  See  p.  41. 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  91 

Novr,  with  leathern  thongs,        the  savage  giantess 

Run  where  the  hero  she  had  left,        bound  upon  the  grass. 

But  when  there  no  more  she  saw  him,        back  to  her  cave  she  came  : 
Scornfully  Wolfdietrich  laughed,        when  he  saw  the  uncouth  dame : 
Off  he  throws  his  tarn-cap,         and  in  her  sight  appears : 
WrathfuUy  upon  him  grins        that  fiend-Jike  woman  fierce. 

With  the  first  blow  he  cut  off  the  right  breast  of  the  giantess,  who 
soon  fell  down  dead.  Then  he  proceeded  to  the  castle  with  the 
friendly  dwarf  Otwell,  whom  the  queen  loaded  with  thanks,  and  to 
whom  half  the  possessions  of  Tressan  were  promised;  the  other  half 
being  reserved  for  the  woodman  who  had  shown  him  the  way  to  the 
giant's  castle. 

They  departed  from  Altenfellen,  and  rejoined  the  woodman,  whom 
they  informed  of  his  advancement.  He  brought  them  where  they  found 
the  emperor  Otnit,  whose  colour  they  were  surprised  to  find  had  be- 
come  perfectly  black.  He  related  to  them  that  he  had  sought  his 
companion  for  many  days  in  the  forest,  and,  among  other  adventures, 
had  come  to  a  hollow  hill,  guarded  by  a  savage  giant,  whom  he  sub- 
dued, and  entered  the  cavern,  which  he  found  inhabited  by  malicious 
giants  and  dwarfs.  When  they  found  his  force  superior  to  their  own, 
they  filled  the  cave  with  sulphureous  smoke,  which  forced  him  to  eva- 
cuate it,  and  changed  his  complexion  to  that  of  a  negro. 

They  proceeded  to  the  emperor's  castle  of  Garten,  where  the  em- 
press received  them,  but  did  not  recognise  Otnit,  and  for  some  time 
would  not  beHeve  the  sable  knight  to  be  her  husband.  When  Wolf- 
dietrich and  the  emperor  parted,  they  again  swore  fidelity  to  each 
other  ;  "and  the  former  renewing  his  resolution  to  visit  the  holy  sepul- 
chre, was  promised  every  assistance  to  recover  his  country,  by  Otnit. 
After  Wolfdiel  rich  had  dwelt  twelve  weeks  in  peace  with  his  spouse, 
in  the  castle  of  Troy,  the  latter  departed  out  of  this  life,  to  the  great 
sorrow  of  her  husband. 


THE  BOOK  OP  HEROES. 


Adventure  XIII. 


It  was  about  this  time  that  Machahol,  the  father-in-law  of  Qtnit, 
had  sent  the  gigantic  huntsman  Welle,  with  the  brood  of  dragons,  into 
Lombardy.  The  terrible  devastation  which  they  committed  brought 
the  emperor  to  the  resolution  to  attempt  their  extermination ;  nor 
could  the  prayers  of  his  empress  divert  him  from  his  purpose.  He 
charged  her,  in  case  he  should  perish  in  the  attempt,  to  take  that  man 
for  her  husband  who  should  revenge  his  death,  and  particularly  recom^- 
mendedhis  companion.  Wolfdietrich  for  the  enterprise. 

Accompanied  only  by  a  grey-hound,  he  set  out  to  the  forest,  and 
blew  his  horn  under  a  linden  tree.  The  gigantic  huntsman  soon  appear- 
ed, and  the  battle  commenced.  He  was  armed, Avith  an  immfiuse  pole  oi 
iron,  with  which  he  struck  down  one  half  of  the  tree,  but  Otnit 
hewed  the  weapon  asunder  with  his  bladei.  Well^  now  drew  his 
sword,  the  length  of  which  was  eleven  ells,  and  struck  the  emperor 
to  the  ground.  Supposing  him  dead,  he  called  to  his  wife  Rutz,  who 
yielded  nothing  to  him  in  size  and  strength,  and  bade  her  prepare  to 
ascend  the  imperial  throne  with  him.  During  her  presence,  Otnit 
thought  it  prudent  to  lie  still,  but  fortunately  she  heard  the  barking  ot 
his  dog,  and  run  into  the  wood,  to  pursue  him.  The  emperor  took 
this  opportunity  of  her  absence^  arose,  and  again  attacked  the  giant, 
whose  legs  he  hewed  from  the  body,  one  after  the  other.  But  Dame 
Rutz  hearing  her  spouse  roaring  with  pain,  ran  to  his  succour,  and  for 
want  of  a  better  weapon,  tore  up  a  whole  tree  by  the  roots.  Otnit 
was,  however,  so  alert,  as  to  avoid  the  blow,  and  with  one  stroke 
cut  off  her  head,  which  he  proposed  to  present  to  the  empress,  but 
found  himself  unable  to  lift  it. 

Otnit  returned  with  the  tidings  of  his  success  to  the  empress,  and 
demanded  his  mother's  ring  from  her ;  informing  her  that  the  person, 
who  returned  the  ring  to  her  would  bring  her  tidings  of  his  death  ; 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  93 

he  who  brought  the  heads  of  the  two  serpents  had  slain  them,  but  she 
should  not  believe  him  unless  the  tongue  was  in  the  head  j'  but  him 
who  brought  his  hauberk  to  her  she  should  immediately  make  lord  of 
her  person,  and  of  the  realm.  Again  he  set  out  on  his  perilous  en- 
terprise, and  found  the  dwarf  Elberich  standing  before  his  cave,  who 
strongly  advised  him  to  abandon  his  intention,  and  when  he  found 
his  resolution  firm,  demanded  the  ring,  which  Otnit  delivered  to  him. 
Having  taken  final  leave  of  the  dwarf,  he  pursued  his  journey,  and  in 
the  evening  kindled  a  large  fire,  to  induce  the  serpents  to  come  and 
attack  him.  Having  refireshed  himself,  his  horse,  and  his  dog,  during 
the  night,  he  proceeded  at  day-break,  and  rode  on  till  he  came  to  a  lin- 
den tree,  which  had  been  enchaated  by  a  female  magician.  All  who 
lay  down  under  the  tree  fell  into  a  profound  sleep,  which  lasted  for 
three  days.  Otnit  being  fatigued,  and  lying  down  on  the  grass,  was 
immediately  thrown  into  the  magic  sleep.^  One  of  the  serpents  in  the 
mean  time  approached.  In  vain  did  the  horse  endeavour  to  wake 
the  hero,  by  biting,  and  scratching  him  with  his  hoofs,  and  the  dog 
with  barking.  The  serpent  threw  down  the  tree,  swallowed  Otnit 
entire,  and  bore  him  towards  its  nest.  But  the  female  enchantress 
had  beheld  the  fact,  recovered  him  out  of  the  serpent's  maw,  and 
bringing  him  back  to  life  by  a  root  of  great  virtue,  carried  him  into  a 
hollow  hill,  where  he  was  courteously,  received  by  a  nuniber  of  dwarfs, 
fl«d  detained  for  a  year  among  them. 


Adventure  XIV. 

In  the  mean  time  the  faithful  dog  returned  to  Garten,  where  every 
one  concluded  that  the  emperor-  had  fallen  in  the  attempt.  The  dog 
endeavoured,  by  pulling  them  by  their  garments,  to  induce  some  of 
the  knights  to  go  and  attack  the  dragons ;  and  one  of  them  actually 

'  This  was  a  common  expedient  among  dragon-slayers.  The  reader  will  recollect  an  ad- 
venture in  Sir  Tristrem,  very  similar  to  this,  and  will  find  a  complete  parallel  to  its  con- 
clusion in  the  sequel  of  this  romance. 


94  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

undertook  the  enterprise.  He  was  led:  by  the  dog  to  the  cave  ;  but 
when  he  viewed  their  enormous  footsteps,  he  abandoned  his  resolution, 
and  returned.  The  barons  endeavoured  to_  induce  the  empress  to 
take  another  husband,  and  when  she  would  not  hearken  to  them,  they 
turned  her  out  of  the  palace,  obliging  her  to  gain  her  sustenance  by 
the  work  of  her  hands.  The  burghgrave,  however,  received  her,  and 
entertained  her  according  to  her  quality. 

When  God  beheld  the  affliction  of  the  empress,  and  of  the  whole 
realm  of  Lombardy,  he  sent  an  angel  to  the  enchantress,  charging  her 
to  -deliver  Otnit  out  of  the  cave.  She  obeyed  the  divine  mandate,  and 
Otnit  proceeded  to  the  cave  of  his  father,  who  returned  to  him  the 
magic  ring,  and  proceeded  in  his  company  to  the  burgh  of  Garten, 
where  they  were  received  with  all  manner  of  rejoicings.  A  tourna- 
ment was  proclaimed,  to  which  all  the  vassal  princes  repaired.  The 
gifts  distributed  by  the  emperor  and  the  dwarf  Elberich  were  of  ines- 
timable value.  He  who  begged  one  mark  received  three  ;  and  many 
who  never  had  a  shilling  in  their  possession,  obtained  a  hundred  pounds 
at  the  tournament. 

Soon  after  the  conclusion  of  the  high  feast,  the  mother  of  Otnit 
died.  After  her  interment,  Elberich  took  his  leave  of  the  emperor:,, 
and  informed  him  that  he  would  no  more  see  him  ;  charging  him 
never  to  attempt  battle  against  the  serpents.  Notwithstanding  every 
entreaty,  he  departed  to  his  subterraneous  dominions,  where  he  was 
received  by  his  numerous  subject  dwarfs  and  giants. 


Adventure  XV. 

Otnit  now  reigned  in  peace  over  his  realm  for  the  space  of  eleven 
years,  but  the  damage  done  by  the  serpents,  who  had  now  increased 
to  the  number  of  twelve,  was  so  dreadful,  that  he  again  resolved  to  go 
and  attack  them  ;  closing  his  ear  against  all  the  entreaties  of  the  em- 
press and  his  barons.  Accompanied  only  by  his  faithful  grey-hound, 
he  proceeded  to  the  forest,  and  had  not  rode  far  when  he  found  an 

3 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  95 

elephant  fighting  with  one  of  the  serpents.  As  he  bore  an  elephant 
in  his  shield,  he  considered  himself  bound  to  assist  the  distressed  ani- 
mal. After  wounding  the  monster  in  three  different  places,  he  put  him 
to  flight,  and  asked  the  elephant  if  he  would  assist  him  in  the  accom- 
plishment of  his  adventure.  The  sagacious  beast  answered  with  a  signi- 
ficant nod.  The  two  companions  proceeded  on  their  way,  but  Otnit 
unfortunately  laid  himself  under  the  enchanted  tree,  and  yielded  soon 
to  its  soporific  effects.  Meanwhile  the  worm  approached,  and  was  at- 
tacked by  the  elephant  j  but  when  the  latter  found  himself  unable  to 
.overcome  the  monster,  he  endeavoured  to  aid  the  horse  and  the  dog 
in  waking  their  master  ;  but  they  could  not  rouse  him  from  his  magic 
sleep.  The,  serpent  again  attacked  the  elephant,  and  tore  him  in 
pieces ;  then  he  swallowed  the  emperor  in  complete  armour,  and 
bore  him  to  his  cave.  By  the  way  he  awoke,  and  endeavoured  to  draw 
his  sword  in  the  belly  of  the  dragbn,  who,  perceiving  his  intention, 
killed  him,  by  running  his  head  against  a  tree. 

The  horse  and  the  dog  returned  to  the  emperor's  castle,  whose  death 
was  now  concluded  as  certain.  The  empress  incessantly  wept  for  his 
loss,  and  would  not  hearken  to  any  proposition  of  marriage.  For  the 
space  of  three  yeai's  no  one .  dared  to  withstand  the  ravages  of  the 
dragons. 


THE 


BOOK  OF  HEROES. 


BOOK  SECOND. 


OP 


HUGHDIETRICH, 


AND  HIS  SON 


WOLFDIETRICH. 


PART  II.» 


Adventure  I. 


After  the  death  of  Sieghmin,  Wolfdietrich  resolved  to  execute  his 
long.prqjected  pilgrimage  to  the  holy  sepulchre.  Entering  a  forest, 
he  was  perceived  by  twelve  robbers,*  who  immediately  divided  the 
expected  prey  between  them,  and  expressed  their  gratitude  to  Ma- 
homet, Jove,  and  Apollo,  and  to  their  lord  Tressan.  One  of  them 
reserved  the  shield  for. himself,  another  the  horse,  the  third  his  hel- 
met ;  the  f  est  claimed  his  leg-armour,  hauberk,  and  sword,  the  foot- 

*  In  the  more  modern  editions  of  the  Book  of  Heroes,  the  second  book  begms  here, 
but  that  of  1509  is  divided  more  properly,  and  has  been  followed  in  this  abstract. 

*  In  the  Wilkina-Saga  occurs  a  similar  battle,  between  Vidga  the  Strong,  and  Grama- 
leif,  with  his  twelve  companions.  In  the  Danish  ballad  of  Child  Vonved,  the  armour  and 
equipment  of  that  knight  are  also  divided  previous  to  the  battle,  by  his  twelve  opponents 
as  in  the  text. 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  97 

cloth  and  trappings  of  his  horse,  his  silken  mantle,  his  collar,  his  steel 
cap,  &c.  Then  they  attacked  him,  but  after  a  long  fight  they  were 
all  of  them  put  to  death  by  Wolfdietrich. 

At  the  end  of  the  forest  he  discovered  the  castle  of  a  friendly  baron, 
named  Ernest,  by  whom  he  was  courteously  received  and  entertained. 
Every  thing  was  done  to  accommodate  him,  particularly  when  he  re- 
vealed his  quality  to  the  beautiful  daughter  of  the  old  knight.  Ha- 
ving taken  his  leave,  he  traversed  many  a  country,  and  passing  through 
Austria,  Lombardy,  and  Tuscany,  proceeded  to  Bullen,'  and  from 
thence  to  Melfrit,  where  he  took  a  •  ship,  and  crossed  the  Mediterra- 
nean. He  landed  on  a  desert  shore,  and  commanded  the  mariner  to 
await  his  return.  During  his  absence  a  most  ghastly  giant  seized  the 
mariner,  and  throwing  him  over  his  shoulder,  bore  him  to  his  hut. 
The  head  of  the  monster  was  an  ell  broad,  his  eyes  yellow,  the  nose 
shaped  like  the  horn  of  a  ram,  his  hair  rough  as  gum,  and  white  as  a 
swan,  his  mouth  of  an  enormous  width,  and  the  ears  of  the  length  of 
those  of  an'  ass.     He  was  clothed  in  the  skins  of  bears. 

Wolfdietrich  on  his  return  beheld  the  giant's  hut,  and  entered  it  at 
the  moment  when  he  was  preparing  to  roast  his  murdered  victim  over 
the  fire.  The  giant  viewing  the  champiouj  conceived  he  would  be  a 
more  delicate  morsel"  than  the  mariner,  and  attacked  him  with  a  tre- 
mendous club,  but  soon  repented  his  enterprise  5  for  Wolfdietrich  with 
one  blow,  struck  off  both  his  hands,  and  then  finished  his  life  by  se- 
vering the  head  from  the  body.  Then  he  returned  to  the  vessel,  and 
consulted  with  the  ship-boy  on  the  possibility  of  their  navigating  the 
ship.  He  was  soon  instructed  how  to  govern  the  helm,  and  they  stood 
out  to  sea ;  but  had  not  sailed  far  before  they  were  attacked  by  a  pi- 
rate, manned  by  seventy  pagans,  who  did  such  damage  to  the  ship  with 
their  cross-bows  and  wild-fire,  that  Wolfdietrich,  whose  breast-plate 
began  to  burn  with  the  heat,  leaped  into  their  ship,  and  began  a  most 
dreadftil  slaughter.     AH  the  mariners  were  killed,  with  the  exception 

'  BuUen  is  Bologna,  and  Meffrit  probably  Manftedonia. 

N 


9S  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

of  one,  who  craved  for  mercy,  and  expressed  himself  willing  to  be 
baptised.  For  this  purpose,  he  was  thrown  into  the  sea,  and  named 
Werner,  and  became  a  most  faithful  servant  to  the  Grecian  hero. 


Adventure  II. 

Wohdietrich,  accompanied  by  Werner  and  the  ship-boy,  landed  in 
the  harbour  of  Acres,  and  proceeded  to  the  house  of  the  Teutonic 
order.  They  were  received  courteously,  but  the  grand  master  of  the 
order  complained  of  the  misfortunes  which  had  befallen  them,  and 
that  no  less  than  eleven  hundred  of  the  knights  had  fallen  in  battle  with 
the  Saracens,  who,  on  the  following  morning,  were  expected  to  renew 
the  attack.  Wolfdietrich  undertook  to  defeat  them,  and  only  required 
forty  knights  to  accompany  him. 

The  night  was  spent  in  conviviality,  and  in  the  morning  the  hero 
issued  with  his  little  troop,  and  soon  discovered  the  pagan  host  ad- 
vancing, to  the  number  of  a  hundred  thousand. 

The  Christians  rushed  into  the  throng  of  their  enemies,  and  com- 
menced such  a  terrible  slaughter,  that  not  one  of  them  escaped. 
Eighty  thousand  lay  dead  on  the  field,  and  the  rest  were  drowned  in 
the  sea."  Wolfdietrich  returned  in  triumph  to  Acres,  and  the  fol- 
lowing day,  to  the  greatgrief  of  the  brethren  of  the  order,  proceeded 
on  his  pilgrimage. 


»  The  poet,  conscious  of  having  here  exceeded  the  bounds  of  probability,  thinks  it  ne- 
cessary to  mention  his  name,  in  order  to  induce  his  readers  to  believe  the  miraculous  vic- 
tory, for  the  sake  of  his  poetical  celebrity.    He  says. 

Das  ist  mir  gar  wol  kund, 
Mir  Wolferam  dem  werden 
Meyster  von  Eschenbach. 

i,  e.  "  Those  deeds  are  well  known  to  me,  Wolfram,  the  worthy  master  of  Eschenbach." 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  99 


Adventure  III. 

Accompanied  by  his  two  companions,  he  arrived,  after  seven  days, 
at  Jerusalem,  without  having  met  with  any  adventures.  They  found 
the  city  surrounded  by  a  great  host  of  heathens,  and,  undismayed  at 
their  number,  immediately  commenced  the  attack,  upon  a  detachment 
of  a  thousand.  Wolfdietrich  was  unhorsed  by  the  pagan  Telfigan, 
but  calling  upon  God,  who  died  on  the  cross,  he  roused  himself  again, 
and  attacked  and  slew  him,  while  his  companions  fought  in  other  parts 
of  the  field. 


'Twixt  the  champions  and  the  host        was  fought  a  sturdy  fight. 
Against  the  Christian  hero        advanced,  with  falchions  bright. 
Beneath  their  waving  banners,        with  loud  and  savage  shout, 
Dimming  the  air  with  arrows,         many  a  pagan  rout. 

Their  heathen  tongues  with  blasphemy        at  the  Christians  railed. 
Many  a  youthful  Saracen        the  knight  of  Greece  assailed  ; 
Round  him  did  they  crowd,         and  struck  him  many  a  blow; 
But  where  his  glittering  falchion  fell,        they  cried  alas  and  woe  ! 

On  their  bucklers  loud  his  blows    .     did  to  the  sky  resound. 
And  the  blood  his  wrath  had  spilt        in  torrents  rolled  around ; 
Many  a  ring  of  steel        from  their  hauberks  down  he  felled. 
Blows  of  death  and  horror        his  trusty  weapon  dealt. 

Warriors  from  their  prancing  steeds         to  the  ground  he  thrust ; 
The  number  was  right  marvellous,        whom  he  rolled  into  the  dust. 
The  battle's  din  resounded        in  the  firmament  like  thunder. 
Thrice  he  cleft,  with  sword  in  hand,        the  pagan  host  asunder. 


The  ship-boy,  who  had  been  left  under  a  tree,  was  pierced  by  the 

sword  of  a  Saracen ;  but  Wolfdietrich  soon  revenged  his  death,  and 
6 


100 .  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

was  so  incensed,  that  he  speedily  finished  the  battle,  and  by  the  as- 
sistance of  his  fellow,  Werner,  left  all  the  pagans  dead  on  the  field. 
Then  he  retired  into  a  neighbouring  forest  to  rest,  after  the  fatigues 
of  the  fight. 

The  heathen  king  Mertzigan  soon  heard  of  the  defeat  cff  his  knights, 
and  of  the  death  of  his  nephew  TeMgan.  He  sent  out  another  de- 
tachment of  a  thousand  knights,  under  the  conduct  of  Terferis.  The 
Christian  champions  came  out  of  the  forest  to  meet  them.  Terferis 
was  killed  by  Werner,  and  the  fight  continued  till  the  night.  It 
was  renewed  in  the  morning.  Werner,  after  performing  wonders  of 
chivalry,  was  slain.  This  misfortune  made  Wolfdietrich  desperate. 
He  pursued  the  flying  pagans  into  the  middle  of  the  royal  camp,  where 
his  horse  fell,  and  himself  being  entangled  among  the  tent-ropes,  made 
captive,  and  brought  before  the  king,  who  adjudged  him  to  be  hanged 
the  following  morning.  But  a  pagan  having  beheld  his  matchless  va- 
lour with  admiration,  and  unwilling  that  such  a  champion  should  die 
an  ignominious  death,  released  him,  restored  his  horse,  and  assist- 
ed him  to  arm  himself.  When  he  found  himself  again  at  liberty, 
he  rode  into  the  tent  of  Mertzigan,  and  made  his  table  flow  with  the 
blood  of  his  vassal  princes.  The  pagan  host  was  summoned  to  arm 
themselves,  and  Wolfdietrich  again  found  himself  in  great  danger. 

Fortunately  a  Christian  knight  in  the  city  beheld  the  battle,  and 
immediately  admonished  his  brother  knights  to  issue  for  the  relief  of 
the  hero.  Five  hundred  followed  his  advice,  and  found  Wolfdietrich 
in  the  midst  of  an  innumerable  host  of  pagans.  After  a  terrible  com- 
bat, they  succeeded  in  completely  defeating  them,  and  Mertzigan  was 
happy  to  escape,  with  a  few  followers,  into  his  realm  of  Martzfell. 

The  Christians  returned  into  the  city  of  Jerusalem  with  the  rescued 
hero,  after  having  buried  two  hundred  of  their  knights,  who  had  fallen 
in  battle.  Wolfdietrich  now  accomplished  his  vow,  and  paid  his  de- 
votions at  the  holy  sepulchre :  then  he  departed,  repelling  every  soli- 
citation of  the  knights  to  remain  ampngst  them. 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  loi 


Adventuee  IV. 

And  now  the  Grecian  hero        from  the  holy  city  hied  : 

His  ship  with  gentle  gales  sailed  o'er  the  ocean-tide : 
Among  the  savage  Paynims        he  came  to  Russian  land  ; 

His  ship  he  left  at  Budin^'  and  leaped  upon  the  strand. 

A  gorgeous  castle  stood        upon  the  meadow  green, 
(Never  fairer  did  he  view,)        built  of  the  marble  sheen. 
With  battlements  five  hundred,        and  hundred  turrets  high ; 
But  there  a  sight  of  horror        met  his  wondering  eye. 

Hearken,  gentle  lordings  !        that  marvel  will  I  tell : — 
If  Christian  knight  adventurous        came  to  the  burghgrave  fell. 
Rest  and  ease  he  purchased  dear :        in  the  morn  he  left  to  wed. 
Fight  upon  the  battlements,        with  treachery,  his  head. 

Belligan,  the  pagan  fierce,        had  a  daughter  fair  and  young ; 
She  could  not  be  more  beauteous,      but  she  wrought  with  woe  and  wrong  : 
By  her  evil  arts  of  grammary        each  wand'ring  Christian  knight 
Left  his  head  in  pledge,        high  on  the  turrets  pight. 

When  Christian  to  the  castle  came,        weary  and  alone. 
Courteously  Dame  Marpaly        received  the  champion ; 
Without  his  arms  she  led  him         to  her  chamber,  richly  dight. 
There  to  rest  him  from  his  travel        with  the  lady  alii  the  night, 

But  when,  full  of  love,        he  hied  him  to  the  bed,* 
And  thought  within  his  arms        to  clasp  that  matchless  maid, 
A  potion  mix'd  with  potent  herbs        the  wanton  youth  she  gave : 
Soon  into  a  magic  sleep        fell  the  warrior  brave. 

■  If  by  Budin  the  poet  means  the  city  of  Buda,  in  Hungary,  he  is  no  better  geographer 
than  most  of  his  fellow-romanciers. 

*  See  the  beautiful  fabliau  of  The  Knight  and  the  Swdrd,  translated  by  Way,  where  a 
similar  adventure  is  told  of  Sir  Gawain. 


102  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

Secretly  Sir  Belligan        into  the  chamber  crept. 
When  the  morning  sun  had  dawned,        where  by  the  maid  he  slept : 
In  fetters  strong  he  bound  him,        and  struck  the  champion  dead. 
And  pitched,  in  triumph  of  the  deed,         on  the  battlements  his  head. 

One  tower  exceeded  all  the  rest  in  beauty  and  strength,  being  sur- 
rounded by  nine  ditches,  and  the  pinnacles  ornamented  with  an  un- 
usual number  of  heads.  It  was  covered  with  transparent  glass,  and 
no  bird  of  the  air  could  enter  it.  Wolfdietrich  could  not  refrain  from 
the  wish  to  be  enabled  to  transfer  such  a  splendid  castle  to  Constanti- 
nople. He  did  not  greatly  admire  the  manner  in  which  the  battle- 
ments were  ornamented,  but,  being  greatly  fatigued,  resolved  to  enter 
the  castle. 

Belligan  was  charmed  with  the  appearance  of  the  knight,  and  obser- 
ving one  of  the  highest  battlements,  which  was  not  as  yet  adorned  in 
the  same  manner  as  the  others,  resolved  to  honour  his  head  with  such 
a  distinguished  place.  He  issued  with  his  meiny  to  receive  the  cham- 
pion, and  ordered  his  daughter  to  be  in  readiness  to  play  her  part. 
The  porter  took  the  horse ;  but  when  his  sword  was  demanded,  Wolf- 
dietrich alleged  that  it  was  not  the  manner  of  his  country  to  deli- 
ver up  that  weapon,  and  persisted  in  retaining  it  by  his  side.  The 
pagan  king  finding  his  resolution  firm,  offered  him  his  daughter  in 
marriage,  and  acquainted  him  with  the  penalty  of  not  having  accom- 
plished the  amorous  enterprise.  Many  hundred  knights  had  lain  by 
her  side,  but  she  was  as  yet  a  virgin.  Hearing  the  perilous  condition, 
the  Grecian  hero  resolved  to  leave  the  castle,  and  his  horse  was  ac- 
cordingly returned  to  him. 

Now  before  the  castle  gate         spurred  the  noble  knight; 
But  he  viewed  a  swelling  sea,        wrought  by  magic  sleight. 
"  Who  caused  the  roaring  waves        to  flow  the  burgh  around. 
Where  grass  and  flowers  blossomed        before  upon  the  ground  ?" 

Into  the  roaring  waters        he  spurred  his  courser  good ; 
But  raging  all  around  him        rushed  the  magic  flood ; 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  103 

The  power  of  the  swelling  waves        his  streogth  could  not  withstand  ; 
With  mighty  force  they  drove  him        aback  upon  the  land. 

He  called  upon  God  and  St  George  to  assist  him  in  his  perilous  situa- 
tion, and  kneeling  before  the  king,  prayed  him  to  present  him  to  his 
daughter,  and  to  give  him  an  opportunity  of  judging  whether  the 
damsel  was  worthy  to  be  his  spouse.  She  appeared  with  a  train  of 
sixty  maidens,  and  Wolfdietrich  was  so  str^ick  with  her  beauty,  that 
he  declared  himself  willing  to  make  her  his  queen,  if  she  would  per- 
mit herself  to  be  baptised.  She  prevailed  upon  him  to  take  off  his  ar- 
mour, very  courteously  assisted  him  in  unlacing  it,  and  then  led  him 
to  the  hall. ,  But  his  charms  had  an  effect  upon  her  heart,  which  no 
knight  had  as  yet  been  able  to  produce.  Against  the  instructions  of 
her  father,  she  declared  her  love  to  him,  and  giving  him  many  tokens 
of  her  real  affection,  bade  him  be  without  fear. 

In  midst  the  gorgeous  hall        stood  of  gold  a  linden  tree. 

And  on  the  branches  many  a  bird         was  framed  right  cunningly ; 

Cast  of  the  precious  gold,        inlaid  with  many  a  gem. 

And  brightly  pearls  of  mound         glittered  upon  the  stem. 

Through  the  stem  and  branches         silver  reeds  ascended. 
Quaintly  framed  by  master's  hand,        in  the  birds  they  ended : 
Bellows  drove  the  wind         through  the  reeds  along ; 
Nightingales  and  thrushes  there        sweetly  tun'd  their  song. 

Around  this  superb  piece  of  machinery  was  placed  an  ivory  table,  of 
a  size  sufficient  for  a  thousand  knights  to  sit  around  it.  Belligan  now 
entered  the  hall  with  his  attendants,  who  ranged  themselves  around 
the  table,  giving  the  place  of  honour,  by  the  side  of  the  princess,  to 
Wolfdietrich.  Many  of  the  pagan  knights,  and  amongst  them,  Gra- 
maly  the  porter,  pitied  his  fate.  The  king  insisted  upon  his  taking 
his  daughter  to  wife  that  night,  and  when  the  supper  was  over,  con- 
ducted him  to  the  fatal  chamber.    The  chamberlain  brought  the 


104  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

sleeping  potion,  but  Marpaly  advised  the  hero  not  to  touch  it,  warn- 
ing him  of  the  consequences ;  so  it  was  poured  upon  the  ground. 
Seeing  the  unwiUingness  of  Wolfdietrich  to  approach  the  bed,  she  up- 
braided him  with  his  unmanhke  coldness,  but  was  answered,  that  he 
could  not  touch  an  unbaptised  woman,  under  the  penalty  of  being 
condemned  eternally  to  the  pains  of  hell.  Nothing,  however,  could 
induce  her  to  part  with  her  attachment  to  Mahound,  who  had  enabled 
her,  notwithstanding  such  numerous  temptations,  to  preserve  her  chas- 
tity for  fifty  years,  in  the  hopes  of  meeting  the  Grecian  hero  Wohdie- 
trich,  whom  she  found,  by  the  magic  books  of  Sybilla,  to  be  at  that 
time  exactly  thirty  years,  twelve  weeks,  and  two  days  old,  and  who 
was  destined  to  reign  over  all  other  kings.  Then  Wolfdietrich  disco- 
vered himself  to  her,  and  each  of  them  endeavoured  to  convince  the 
other  of  the  superior  power  of  their  deities,  but  without  effect.  Mar- 
paly  made  every  effort  to  tempt  him,  and  had  nearly  succeeded,  but 
a  salutary  prayer  to  the  Virgin  Mary  soon  banished  every  wicked  idea 
from  his  mind. 

In  the  morning,  Belligan  came  to  the  chamber  with  a  drawn  sword, 
and  inquired  of  his  daughter,  whether  the  Christian  knight  was  ready 
for  execution.  But  she  called  out  aloud,  cursing  him,  and  lamenting 
that  all  her  temptations  had  proved  fruitless.  The  pagan  then  defied 
him  to  battle,  which  Wolfdietrich  immediately  accepted.  They  is- 
sued from  the  chamber,  and  proceeded  to  another,  where  an  image 
stood,  which  Belligan  alleged  to  be  Death ;  and  said,  that  any  one 
who  dared  to  approach  too  near  was  sure  to  feel  the  penalty  of  his 
rashness  instantaneously.  But  the  Grecian  king  took  up  the  image, 
and  dashing  it  against  the  walls,  broke  it  into  a  thousand  fragments ; 
ironically  complimenting  the  pagan  upon  the  long  life  he  Would  en- 
joy, now  that  his  Death  was  no  more. 

A  heathen  knight  then  defied  him  to  leap  over  a  ditch  nine  fathoms 
wide,  bearing  a  shield  on  his  arm.  He  accepted  the  defiance,  and 
leaped  a  fathom  beyond  his  adversary.  Then  he  demanded  his  steed, 
but  was  informed  that  he  must  first  fight  a  duel,  of  a  very  singular  na- 
ture, with  Belligan.     A  chair  was  placed  at  some  distance  on  the  cas- 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  105 

tie  green,  upon  which  were  laid  three  sticks,  and  upon  these  the  cham- 
pion was  to  stand,  and  not  to  touch  the  ground,  under  the  penalty 
of  immediate  death.  Each  combatant  received  three  sharp  knives, 
and  a  small  buckler,  scarcely  the  breadth  of  a  hand.  Before  proceed- 
ing to  the  combat,  Wolfdietrich,  who  fortunately  wore  the  impenetra- 
ble silk  shirt  of  St  George,  knelt  down,  and  addressed  prayers  to  God, 
for  himself-and  his  eleven  knights  imprisoned  in  Constantinople.  The 
heathen  upbraided  him  with  the  length  of  his  oration,  and  shewed  the 
empty  battlement  destined  to  be  ornamented  with  his  head  ;  saying, 
that  he  himself  feared  no  champion  but  Wolfdietrich,  king  of  Greece, 
by  whose  hands  he  was  destined  to  fall ;  and  offering  him  his  whole 
kingdom,  in  case  he  was  that  hero.  But  the  Christian  concealed  his 
rank,  and  called  himself  a  poor  knight-errant. 

"  Look  to  thy  foot,  sir  knight,"        spake  the  heathea  Belligan  ; 
"  Thou  must  leave  it  here  to  pledge,        nor  bear  it  hence  again ; 
Fast  uuto  the  ground        I  will  pin  it  with  my  knife  ; 
Such  is  my  skill  and  mastery :        Christian,  guard  thy  life!" 

The  heathen  threw  the  weapon        rathly  through  the  air ; 
But  cunningly  Wolfdieterich        leapt  quickly  from  the  chair. 
And  down  upon  the  sticks         again  he  did  alight ; 
No  bird  in  air  had  done  it,        to  tell  the  truth  aright. 

Foully  cursed  the  pagan,  when  he  had  tint  that  throw. 

And  to  Mahomet,  his  god,  he  plained  him  of  his  woe : 

"  Never  will  I  leave  thee,  thou  god  of  might  and  main. 

If  thou  wilt  grant  thy  help,  when  I  throw  the  knife  again. 

"  Who  taught  thee  thus  to  leap  ?         say,  thou  bold  compeer." 
But  Sir  Wolfdieterich        spake  with  cunning  cheer : 
"  Say  no  more.  Sir  Belligan :        what  boots  that  speech  of  thine  ? 
With  thy  second  throw,  alas  !        I  must  lose  this  life  of  mine." 

Again  the  heathen  cried,        "  That  leap  I  learnt  of  yore. 
From  my  noble  master,  Bechtung ;        right  wdhderous  was  his  lore. 

o 


106  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

Say,  is  thy  name  Wolfdiet^rich,        and  art  thou  bred  in  Greece  f 
If  thou  be,  thou  shall  baptise  me,         and  our  enmity  shall  cease." 

But  when  the  Christian  knight        his  fear  and  terror  viewed, 
"  May  knight  be  born  of  savage  wolves  ?"        cried  the  champion  good  : 
"  Alas  !  my  rank  I  must  conceal ;         but  thou  shalt  know  my  name 
When  thrice  thy  blows  have  missed.         Come,  renew  the  bloody  game." 

Again  with  wrath  the  pagan        heaved  his  hand  on  high ; 
Again  he  threw  the  weapon,        and  prayed  for  victory; 
Two  locks  from  the  hero's  temple         he  cut  with  cunning  skill. 
As  if  the  shears  had  dipt  them ;         but  he  did  none  other  ill. 

Speedily  Wolfdieterich        cried  to  God  his  life  to  save. 

"  Heathen  hound,  how  cunningly        a  tonsure  thou  canst  shave ! 

I  shall  need  a  priest  no  more,        to  shrive  me  of  my  sin ; 

By  the  help  of  God  on  high,        I  hope  the  fight  to  win." 

"  Have  I  not  hit  thee  yet  ?"        spake  Belligan  with  wrath. 
"  Ay,  thou  hast  shav'd  my  crown,         but  done  no  other  scath  : 
As  yet  I  bear  no  wound,         then  throw  the  other  knife : 
If  once  again  thy  weapon  miss,         it's  I  have  gained  the  strife." 

"  Christian,  guard  thy  heart !"        cried  the  heathen  king  accurst ; 

"  Soon  a  bloody  well        from  thy  side  shall  burst. 

Keen  is  the  trusty  weapon,         and  bears  the  name  of  Death  ! 

Thou  need'stnot  guard  thy  life ;         thou  hast  breathed  thy  latest  breath." 

The  Christian  wound  St  George's  shirt        his  body  all  about. 
Quickly  passed  the  weapon  keen        through  the  buckler  stout ; 
But  from  the  wonderous  shirt,        to  the  ground  the  knife  did  start. 
Shivered  into  splinters,        nor  touched  the  champion's  heart. 

"  I  have  stood  thy  throws.  Sir  Belligan,"        spake  the  knight  aloud  : 
"  Better  I  can  cast  than  thou         the  knife,  thou  pagan  proud." — 
"  Boast  not  of  thy  cunning,"        cried  King  Belligan ; 
"  Thy  knives  with  magic  art  are  dight,        thou  foolish  Christian  man." 

1 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  107 

Safe  he  thought  his  body ;        but  the  knight  bade  him  bewaie 
His  right  foot  and  his  left  eye,        that  the  heathen  cried,  with  care, 
"  How  may  I  guard  them  both?         In  this  fearful  stound. 
Save  me  from  that  Christian  fell,        with  thy  power.  Sir  Mahound !" 

Wolfdietrich  quickly  threw  the  knife,        and  he  heaved  his  hand  on  high ; 

He  pinned  the  right  foot  on  the  chair,        and  laughing  did  he  cry, 

"  My  skill  it  is  but  little ;         much  I  feared  thy  flight. 

So  I  pinned  thee  to  the  chair :         now  thou  canst  not  quit  my  sight." 

The  second  knife  he  threw,        and  he  hit  him  in  the  side  : 
"  Heathen,  thou  must  die,        for  all  thy  boast  and  pride." 
Woefully  spake  Belligan, —        "  Knight  without  a  peer, 
Quickljhtell  thy  name,        for  much  thy  throws  I  fear.". — 

"  I  am  the  king  of  Greece,        Wolfdietrich  is  my  name." — 
Trembling  cried  the  pagan,        "  Save  me,  thou  knight  of  fame. 
In  the  fount  thou  shalt  baptise  me,         and  teach  me  Christian  lore  : 
Save  me,  noble  champion !         I  pray  thee,  throw  no  more." — 

"  Thou  must  die,  Sir  Belligan ;        many  Christians  hast  thou  shent : 
Alas  !  I  view  their  bloody  heads        upon  thy  battlement." — 
The  pagan  bade  his  meiny        his  gods  before  him  bring : 
Vainly  by  their  might  he  ween'd        to  quell  the  Grecian  king. 

But  over  them  Wolfdieterich        signed  the  holy  cross. 
And  instantly  the  idols  false        broke  down  to  dust  and  dross. 
Up  and  spake  fair  Marpaly, —        "  He  works  with  magic  sleight: 
Much  I  dread  the  malice        of  that  Christian  knight." 

With  sorrow  cried  Sir  Belligan,        "  Mahoun,  help  with  thy  might : 
I  will  give  thee  to  thy  spouse         Marpaly  the  bright." 
Laughing,  cried  the  champion,        "  A  god  full  strange  is  thine ! 
Does  he  seek  to  spouse  the  dame  ?        but  his  marrow  he  shall  tine. 

"  Guard  thy  heart,  sir  king ;        I  warn  thee,  guard  it  well ; 
Quickly  will  I  pierce  it,        with  this  weapon  fell ; 


108  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

If  I  fail  asunder        straight  thy  heart  to  cleave. 

This  head  upon  the  battlement,        in  forfeit,  will  I  Ieav«." 

Speedily  Wolfdieterich        the  third  knife  heaved  on  high : 
Trembling  stood  Sir  Belligan,         for  he  felt  his  death  was  nigh. 
The  pagan's  heart  asunder,        with  cunning  skill  he  cleft : 
Down  upon  the  grass        he  fell,  of  life  bejreft. 


When  the  pagans  beheld  the  death  of  their  sovereign,  they  rushed 
upon  Wolfdietrich,  to  the  number  of  five  hundred.  He  grasped  the 
sword  of  one  of  them,  and  made  great  slaughter  amongst  them  ;  but 
the  mother  of  Marpaly,  who  was  a  great  magician,  caused  a  fog  to 
come  over  him,  that  he  could  not  see  any  of  his  adversaries.  The 
hero  took  the  knife  with  which  he  had  pierced  the  heart  of  Belligan, 
and  fortunately  laid  the  enchantress  dead  on  the  ground.  Instantly 
the  sun  shone  again  in  all  his  splendour,  and  the  hero  recommenced 
the  slaughter.  Unfortunately  his  sword  broke.  His  friend  the  porter 
beheld  him  in  this  extremity,  delivered  another  to  him,  and  rush- 
ed to  his  assistance.  The  two  knights  stemmed  their  backs  against 
each  other,  and  soon  forced  their  assailants  to  give  over  the  battle, 
and  to  crave  baptism  of  their  conqueror.  This  he  refused,  unless 
God  caused  a  manifest  token  of  his  pleasure  that  they  should  receive 
baptism,  by  causing  a  well  to  flow  from  the  rock.  The  infidels  laughed 
at  what  they  supposed  an  impossibility,  but  were  soon  convinced  of 
the  superior  power  of  the  God  of  the  Christians  over  that  of  Maho- 
met, and  were  baptised  in  the  well.  The  young  queen  refused  bap- 
tism, but  was  informed  by  Wolfdietrich  that  she  must  prepare  her- 
self to  accompany  him.  To  the  faithful  porter  Gramaly  he  trans- 
ferred the  possession  of  the  castle  and  the  country;  and  the  heads  of 
the  Christians  on  the  battlements  he  caused  to  be  taken  down  and 
buried. 

His  armour  and  horse  being  re-delivered  to  him,  he  exclaimed  on  the 
folly  of  any  knight  who  gavp  iip  bis  weapon  on  entering  a  castle.  The 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  109 

young  queen  he  bound  on  his  horse  before  him,  and  having  mounted, 
issued  from  the  gate. 


With  magic  art  all  o'er  the  lake        a  broad  bridge  threw  the  dame  ; 
But  onward  as  they  rode,        still  narrower  it  became : 
In  wonder  stood  the  hero ;        to  the  maiden  he  'gan  say, 
"  Damsel,  truly  tell,        who  has  borne  the  bridge  away." 

"  Little  care  I  though  thou  drown,"        cried  Dame  Marpaly. 

"  Then  graithe  thee,"  spake  Wolfdiet^rich ;      "  'tis  thou  must  plunge  with  me."- 

"  No  harm  the  waves  can  do  me ;        with  magic  am  I  dight." — 

"  Then  speed  we  to  the  castle  back,"        cried  the  Christian  knight. 

■ 

Back  the  fearless  hero        turned  his  trusty  horse; 

But  down  the  bridge  was  broken,         by  the  lady's  magic  force. 

In  his  sorrow,  cried  the  champion,        "  Help,  God,  in  this  my  need ! 

Say,  how  may  we  hither  pass,        damsel,  right  ai"eed." 

From  the  courser  Marpaly        suddenly  would  fly. 

"  Stay  thee  here,  thou  woman  fell !        quickly  must  thou  die." 

Piteously  she  wept,        prayed  him  her  life  to  save. 

He  tied  her  to  his  body  fast,        and  plunged  into  the  wave. 

In  the  name  of  God  he  leapt        into  the  lake  amain ; 

But  the  water  suddenly  was  gone;         on  the  mead  he  stood  again. 

"  Lady,  say, how  passed  the  waters?        How  bloomed  the  mead  so  green?" 

"  Alas !"  she  cried,  "  tby  God  is  strong,        or  dead  thou  sure  hadst  been. 

"  Let  me  pass,  Wolfdiet^ricb,        for  thy  chivalry ! 

Knightly  deed  it  were  not,        but  evil  treachery. 

If  thy  hand  thou  didal  imbrue         in  gentle  lady's  blood." 

S  traight  her  bonds  he  loosened,         and  she  leapt  from  the  courser  good. 

Suddenly,  upon-the  mead,        her  garments  down  she  threw. 
And  shewed  her  beauteous  form        to  the  wondering  champion's  view. 

3 


no  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

Hex  hands  she  clapt  together,'         on  the  hev6  did  she  look, 
And  straight,  by  arts  of  grammary,        a  rain's  form  she  took. 

High  upon  a  tree        perched  the  raven  black. 
"  The  devil's  fere  thou  art ;         to  hell  then  speed  thee  back ! 
Had  I  done  thy  vvill,         by  the  foul  fiend  had  I  lain." — 
He  grasped  his  courser's  bridle,         and  away  he  rode  amain. 

But  suddenly  around  him         a  laithly  fog  she  cast ; 

Fouler  it  grew,  and  thicker        still,  as  he  onward  past : 

And  straight  beside  his  courser        stood  a  champion  fell 

A  club  the  black  man  brandished,        and  seemed  the  hound  of  hell. 

Up  and  spake  Wolfdieterich, —        "  Say,  thou  doughty  knight, 
Why  wilt  thou  give  me  battle  ?         I  have  done  thee  no  despight." 
But  fiercely  struck  the  monster         on  his  helm  a  blow  of  might : 

Down  he  fell  upon  the  mead,  and  saw  nor  day  nor  night. 

Full  of  shame  he  rose  again ;         his  glittering  shield  he  clasped. 

Run  against  the  fiend  of  hell,        and  fast  his  falchion  grasped : 

In  the  dreadful  stour        he  took  the  monster's  life. 

Fondly  he  weened  the  fight  was  done,        nor  thought  of  further  strife. 

But  suddenly  two  other  fiends,        fouler  than  the  other. 
Brandished  on  high  their  iron  clubs,        to  avenge  their  fallen  brother. 
Down  they  struck  him  to  the  ground,        in  deadly  swoon  he  fell ; 
Gone  was  all  his  strength,        and  his  face  grew  wan  and  pale. 

But  God  on  high  was  with  him :         quickly  he  arose. 
Run  upon  the  hell-hounds,         and  struck  them  mortal  blows. 
When  the  two  were  dead,  behold !        by  his  side  four  others  stood. 
And  rushed  upon  the  Christian,        thirsting  for  his  blood. 

Hotter  was  the  battle,        bolder  the  champion  grew ; 

Quick  his  might  o'ercame  them ;        to  the  ground  the  fiends  he  threw  ; 

'  This  is  avery  common  way  of  producing  an  enchantment  in  the  Arabian  Tales. 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  Ill 

Powa  he  felled  the  four,        dead  lay  they  by  his  side ; 
Butj  alas !  upon  the  plain,        eight  fouler  he  descried. 

The  uncouth  champions  black        upon  the  hero  rushed; 
With  their  weighty  clubs  of  steel,        him  to  the  ground  they  pushed ; 
Mickle  was  his  pain  and  woe  ;        his  force  was  well  nigh  spent : 
Loudly  of  his  sorrow         to  the  heavens  did  he  lament. 

Again  he  grasped  his  buckler,         and  from  the  plain  arose  ; 

Again,  with  his  good  falchion,        he  dealt  them  heavy  blows. 

And  all  the  evil  hell-hounds        rathly  made  he  bleed  ; 

Deep  were  the  wounds  his  weapon  carved ;        dead  fell  they  on  the  mead. 

But  the  battle*  was  not  over ;         he  came  in  greater  pain ; 
Sixteen  fouler  fiends  than  they        stood  upon  the  plain ; 
And  as  their  clubs  they  wielded,        the  champion  cried  amain, 
"  When  a  fiend,  alas !  I  vanquish,         two  fiercer  come  again." 

Amongst  the  hell-hounds  fierce  he  rushed,        and  thought  to  be  awroke  : 
With  their  iron  clubs  they  struck  him,        that  his  helmet  seemed  to  smoke. 
He  feared  his  fatal  hour  was  nigh ;         astounded  and  dismayed. 
On  the  ground  in  crucial  form  he  fell,        and  called  to  Heaven  for  aid. 

O'er  him  stood  the  foul  fiends,        and  with  their  clubs  of  steel 
Struck  him  o'er  the  helmet,         that  in  deadly  swound  he  fell  : 
But  God  his  sorrow  saw ;        to  the  fiends  his  sond  he  sent : 
From  the  earth  they  vanished,        with  howling  and  lament. 

And  with  them  to  the  deep  abyss        they  bore  the  sorceress  fell : 

Loudly  did  she  shriek,         when  they  cast  her  into  hell. 

The  Christian  hero  thank'd  his  God ;         from  the  ground  he  rose  with  speed  ; 

Joyfully  he  sheathed  his  sword,        and  mounted  on  his  steed. 


112  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 


Adventure  V. 


On  the  fifteenth  day,  after  he  had  passed,  without  any  adventure, 
through  many  countries,  he  arrived  at  the  Straits  of  St  George,' 
where  he  was  overtaken  and  attacked  by  five  hundred  Saracens.  He 
behaved  with  his  usual  bravery,  but  when  the  night  came,  was 
forced  to  leap  i»to  the  sea,  after  having  killed  two  hundred  of  his  ad- 
versaries. His  horse,  who  had  been  wearied  in  the  battle,  began  to 
sink.  In  his  need  he  called  to  God  for  assistance,  and  immediately 
heard  himself  called  by  his  name.  Turning  round,  he  discovered  a 
dwarf,  who,  in  a  very  diminutive  ship,  came  to  his  assistance,  and  car- 
ried him  over  to  the  shore  of  Greece.  He  saw  the  royal  burgh  of 
Constantinople,  but  did  not  recognise  it  in  the  dark,  tiU  the  dwarf  in- 
formed him  that  his  brothers  dwelt  there,  and  that  his  eleven  faithfixl 
champions  were  forced  to  mount  guard  upon  the  battlements.  Ap- 
proaching to  the  walls,  he  heard  the  lamentation  of  Bechtung  and  his 
sons,  which  affected  him  so  much,  that  he  fell  to  the  ground,  and 
cursed  his  unfortunate  fate.  But  the  dwarf  warned  him  that  two  hun- 
dred of  his  brothers'  knights  were  on  the  watch,  and  that  he  had  lit- 
tle chance  of  escaping,  if  they  discovered  him.  Again  he  mounted 
his  courser,  and  taking  his  leave  of  the  dwarf,  continued  his  journey. 
But  his  knights  had  heard  his  voice,  and  in>  vain  consoled  themselves 
in  the  prospect  of  being  speedily  relieved  from  their  bondage. 

Wolfdietricb  rode  on  till  he  came  to  the  oceam,  which  he  crossed, 
and  was  rejoiced  to  see  on  the  opposite  shore,  at  some  distance,  a 
splendid  castle,  built  of  white  marble.  He  pursued  a  narfow  path 
through  the  forest,  and  soon  met  a  giant,  taller  than  any  he  had  yet 
encountered.  His  head  reached  far  above  the  tallest  trees,  his  iron 
pole  was  twelve  ells  in  length,  and  his  shield  appeared  like  a  great 


'  No  uncommon  appellation  for  the  Hellespont,  and  which  was  used  as  late  as  the 
twelfth  century. 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  1 13 

rock.  But  the  champion's  courage  and  aversion  against  giants  was 
not  subdued.  He  ran  to  the  monster,  and  calling  him  the  devil's  com- 
panion, defied  him  to  the  combat.  The  latter  answered  contemptu- 
ously, that  he  would  suffer  him  quietly  to  depart,  upon  delivering  him 
either  a  foot  oi*  an  arm,  which  was  no  more  than  the  usual  toll  he  exact- 
ed from  passengers.  But  when  he  felt  the  heavy  blows  of  the  hero,  he 
soon  changed  his  opinion,  and  was  content  to  engage  in  the  battle. 
The  combatants  were  very  equally  matched  ;  what  the  one  wanted  in 
size  was  fully  made  up  by  his  superior  skill.  Wolfdietrich  first  cleft 
his  opponent's  shield,  and  then  shivered  his  pole  to  splinters.  The 
giant  then  drew  his  tremendous  falchion ;  but  being  unable,  by  the  loss 
of  his  shiold,  to  cover  his  body,  he  was^  soon  wounded  in  the  heart, 
and  his  enormous  body  fell  thundering  to  the  ground.  When  he  found 
himself  dying,  he  cursed  Apollo  and  Mahound,  that  they  had  suffered 
him  to  die  such  a  shameful  death,  and  that  he  had  not  received  his 
mortal  wound  honourably  matched  with  one  of  his  own  size.  The 
Grecian  having  stru<;k  off  the  monster's  head,  proceeded  to  the  tree 
to  which  he  had  tied  his  steed,  who  welcomed  him  with  every  mark 
of  joy.  Exhausted  with  the  fight,  he  lay  down  by  its  side,  and  fell 
asleep* 

The  gorgeous  castle  he  had  beheld  belonged  to  the  heathen  king 
Marsilius  of  Messina,  the  vassal  of  Otnit,  whose  land  had  long  been 
ravaged  by  the  giant ;  and  no  merchant  had  dared  to  land  in  his  domi- 
nions, in  dread  of  being  forced  to  pay  the  cruel  tribute  exacted  by  the 
monster.  At  the  very  time  when  the  Grecian  hero  had  struck  ofi^  his 
headi  an  old  astrologer  was  reading  the  stars,  and  discovered  the  fall 
of  their  uncouth  enemy.  He  straight  awakened  the  king  with-  the 
welcome  intelligence,  and  advised  him  to  cause  the  deed  to  be  pro- 
claimed throughout  his  dominions,  in  order  to  produce  a  revival  of 
commerce.  But  the  old  king  preferred  first  to  show  his  gratitude  and 
hospitality  to- the  doughty  champion,  sent  four-and-twenty  of  his 
knights  to  conduct  him  to  the  castle,  and  issued  himself  with  his  queen 
to  receive  him.     Unfortunately  Wolfdietrich  mistook  them  for  ene- 


114  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

mies,  and  mounting  his  steed,  unhorsed  twenty  of  the  knights,  some 
of  whom  fell  to  rise  no  more.  In  the  mean  time  the  king  and  queen 
arrived,  and  made  use  of  every  persuasion  to  sooth  the  hero's  anger, 
and  convince  him  of  their  friendly  intentions,  in  which  they  succeeded 
at  last,  and  conducted  him  in  triumph  to  the  palace.  Every  exertion 
was  made  to  entertain  the  noble  stranger,  and  the  king  recommended 
to  his  queen  to  pay  every  attention  to  him.  She  offered  him  one  of 
her  beauteous  damsels  for  his  wife,  but  he  answered, — 

"  I  did  not  hither  hie        with  ladies  fair  to  sport : 
The  weighty  spear  and  buckler,        gentle  queen,  I  court; 
For  the  love  of  bloody  battles         around  the  world  I  rove ; 
Leave  then,  royal  dame,        to  talk  of  ladies'  love." 

The  queen  presented  him  with  the  richest  garments,  and  with  a  crown 
inlaid  with  the  most  valuable  gems.     She  accompanied  him  herself 
to  the  chamber,  to  assist  him  in  unlacing  his  armour,  and  put  on  the 
garments  she  had  prepared. 

* 

But  when  his  hauberk  she  would  doff,        the  champion  blushing  said, 
"  Lady,  'tis  far  unmeet  to  stain        thy  hand  with  the  rusty  red. 
Whilst  I  dight  me  in  those  garments,        leave  me  for  a  while : 
Lady,  spare  my  blushes." —        She  departed  with  a  smile. 

When  he  entered  the  hall,  dressed  in  the  gorgeous  garment,  and 
crowned  with  the  rich  coronet,  he  was.  received  by  five  hundred  la- 
dies, and  allowed  by  all  to  be  a  miracle  of  beauty:  And  when  he  re- 
lated his  adventures,  every  one  praised  him  as  matchless,  and  themin- 
strels  sung  his  actions  to  the  sound  of  their  harps. 

Ever  the  host's  right  noble  fame        will  I  praise  and  sing. 
Who  richly  for  his  guests  prepares        the  feast  like  that  proud  king ; 
And  the  guest  I  praise  him  too,        who  shows  his  high-born  blood. 
By  honouring  the  landlord,        as  a  courteous  champion  should. 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  115 

After  he  had  been  entertained  for  the  space  of  thirteen  days,  Wolfdie- 
trich  took  his  leave,  to  the  great  sorrow  of  his  royal  host  and  his 
queen.  He  travelled  towards  Lombardy,  and  soon  entered  a  dark 
forest. 


Adventure  VI. 

He  had  not  proceeded  far  before  he  was  encountered  by  a  giantess 
of  the  most  horrible  appearance,  and  of  enormous  size,  who  grinned 
upon  him  in  a  very  friendly  manner.  But  Wolfdietrich,  who  did  not 
much  relish  her  appearance,  nor  covet  her  friendship,  began  to  draw 
his  sword.'  The  lady,  however,  informed  him  that  her  name  was  Runy, 
that  she  had  the  best  intentions  towards  him,  and  would  entertain  him 
for  any  length  of  time,  and,  finally,  that  she  was  a  near  relation  of  his, 
no  less  than  his  aunt.  The  hero  began  to  repose  confidence  in  her, 
and  followed  her  into  her  fastness,  where  he  was  welcomed  in  a  most 
courteous  manner  by  seven  other  women,  equal  to  her  in  size,  over 
whom  she  reigned  as  queen.  For  three  days  he  was  most  royally 
feasted ;  and  when  he  signified  his  resolution  to  proceed  to  Lombardy, 
she  took  him  under  one  arm,  as  if  he  had  been  a  squirrel,  and  his 
horse  in  the  other,  and  carried  them  above  a  hundred  miles  with  ease 
that  day.  When  she  had  set  him  down  in  the  realm  of  Lombardy, 
she  returned  back,  having  received  many  thanks  from  her  nephew. 

Wolfdietrich  passed  through  Lombardy,  and  on  the  fifth  day  came 
to  Terfis,  which  was  possessed  by  the  rich  burghgrave  Werner.  He 
was  just  holding  a  tournament,  at  which  his  daughter,  the  beautiful 
Amey,  presided.  Hitherto  Count  Herman  of  Tuscany  had  bore  the 
prize  away  ;  but  the  lady  having  hung  a  ring  on  a  small  thread,  and 
challenged  the  knights  to  throw  their  spears  through  it,  for  which 
they  were  to  be  rewarded  with  a  kiss,  no  one  could  accomplish  the 
enterprise.  At  this  moment  Wolfdietrich  arrived,  and  the  lady  sup- 
posing him  to  be  a  knight  adventurous,  prayed  her  father  to  invite  him 
to  partake  of  the  games.    Werner  rode  towards  him,  but  was  obliged 


116  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

to  start  aside  J  for  the  Grecian  supposing  him  to  come  with  hostile  in- 
tentions, had  laid  his  lance  in  rest.  When  he  understood  the  real  in- 
tentions of  the  burghgrave,  he  proceeded  with  him  to  the  throng  of 
knights,  and  was  courteously  received.  Count  Herman  begged  him 
to  try  his  skill  in  piercing  the  ring.  At  first  he  pleaded  the  fatigue 
his  horse  had  undergone,  but  the  count  offered  to  lend  him  his  own, 
which  was  found  incapable  of  bearing  him.  His  own  steed  had  been 
fed  in  the  mean  while,  and  when  it  was  perfectly  recovered,  he  mount- 
ed, and  the  horse  making  a  leap  twelve  fathoms  high,  he  pierced  the 
ring,  and  presenting  it  to  the  lady  of  the  tournament,  received  three 
kisses  for  his  reward. 

Count  Herman  seeing  the  skill  of  the  unknown  knight,  defied  him 
to  joust  with  him  for  a  thousand  marks ;  and  when  the  latter  answered 
that  he  had  not  a  single  one  in  his  possession,  he  upbraided  him  for 
joining  the  company  of  such  wealthy  and  high-born  knights.  But 
Amey,  unwilling  to  lose  the  sport,  and  enraged  at  the  insolence  of  the 
count,  undertook  to  stand  good  for  the  knight,  and  vowed  to  become 
Herman's  spouse,  if  he  could  unhorse  the  unknown  champion ;  stipu- 
lating, however,  that  the  latter  should  be  allowed  fourteen  days  to 
recruit  himself  and  his  courser.  During  the  interval  he  was  enter- 
tained  very  splendidly,  and  distinguished  before  all  other  knights  by 
the  fair  Amey. 

When  the  day  appointed  for  the  jousting  arrived,  the  count  was 
ready  upon  the  field,  and,  at  the  request  of  the  lady,  pledged  himself 
that  his  knights  should  attempt  nothing  against  the  unknown  cham- 
pion, if  he  vanquished  him.  She  armed  Wolfdietrich,  presented  him 
with  an  excellent  old  hauberk,  which  had  belonged  to  Otnit,  and  or- 
namented his  helmet.  Upon  his  arriving  in  the  field,  Herman  pro- 
posed to  him  to  be  allowed  to  have  the  first  jousting,  and  if  Wohdie- 
trich  was  not  unhorsed,  he  would  receive  the  shock  of  his  lance  in  re- 
turn. The  proposal  was  accepted,  and  the  count,  who  had  the  strength 
of  eight  other  men,  chose  a  heavy  lance.  Eight  hundred  knights  had 
assembled  to  view  the  tournament,  and  the  lady-arbitress  was  seated 
among  her  maidens,  to  decide  the  combat. 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  IiT 

Count  Herman  spurred  his  courser,        and  gallopped  o'er  the  plain ; 
With  anger  burnt  his  heart,        and  he  hoped  the  prize  to  gain : 
Against  the  Grecian  hero        he  ran  with  envious  force,  . 
But  he  could  not  stand  the  shock,        and  tumbled  from  his  horse. 

Firmly  sat  Wolfdieterich,        his  shield  repell'd  the  spear. 

From  his  courser  to  the  ground         leap'd  he  without  fear ; 

But  Sir  Herman  bowed  full  courteously        to  the  unknown  knight : 

^  Take  the  gold,  thou  champion,        for  I  may  not  stand  thy  might." 

"  Nay,"  cried  the  Idng  of  Greece,        "  it  must  not,  count,  be  so. 
For  first  before  the  lady        my  power  must  I  show." 
A  long  and  weighty  spear  he  chose,        as  in  the  book  is  told ; 
And  the  ^ear  a  fathom  in  the  ground        thrust  the  hero  bold. 

Amongst  the  knights  resounded,        aloud,  a  joyful  cry. 
When,  withouten  stirrups,        on  his  steed  he  leaped  on  high.' 
Count  Heiman  on  his  courser         mounted,  full  of  care ; 
But  through  his  shirt  of  mail        ran  the  sweat  of  fear. 

O'er  the  court  in  full  career        the  Grecian  did  advance. 

And  above  the  saddle  bow        he  hit  him  with  the  lance ; 

Little  could  the  count  withstand        that  thrust  of  might  and  maitt; 

Fathoms  eight  it  cast  him,        down  upon  the  plain. 

The  knights  of  Count  Herman,  to  the  number  of  two  hundred,  when 
they  beheld  the  fall  of  their  master,  drew  their  falchions,  and  rushed 
upon  his  conqueror.  But  Wolfdietrich  wielded  his  lance  so  well,  that 
he  unhorsed  sixty  of  them.  The  burghgrave  parted  the  fray  with  his 
champions,  and  was  glad  to  find  that  no  harm  was  done,  save  the 
breaking  of  a  few  limbs. 

The  unknown  champion  had  made  such  an  impression  upon  the  fair 


*  This  was  reckoned  one  of  the  requisites  of  a  knight;  and  in  some  countries  no  noble- 
man could  succeed  to  certain  lands  possessed  by  his  ancestors,  without  leaping  upon  his 
horse  completely  armed,  and  without  touching  the  stirrups. 


118  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

Amey,  that  she  declared  to  her  father  that  he  was  the  man  of  her 
heart,  and  notwithstanding  his  objections  on  the  score  of  his  apparent 
low  rank  and  poverty,  insisted  upon  having  no  other  husband.  Wer- 
ner accordingly  made  the  proposal,  which  he  was  surprised  to  find  re- 
jected. The  guest  declared  his  resolution  to  visit  the  emperor  Otnit ; 
and  when  Werner  informed  him  that  he  had  been  destroyed  by  the 
serpents  three  years  before,  he  resolved  to  cpmbat  against  them,  and 
in  case  the  empress  was  as  yet  a  widow,  to  obtain  her  hand.  Werner 
returned,  and  acquainted  his  daughter  with  the  bad  success  of  his  er- 
rand, upon  which  she  declared  to  the  Grecian,  that  she  would  take  no 
husband,  if  he  was  not  recommended  by  him,  and  returned  with  a 
mantle  of  ermine,  which  she  then  gave  him.  He  promised  her  the 
most  worthy  among  his  eleven  imprisoned  champions.  As  he  stood 
in  need  of  a  hauberk,  above  a  hundred  were  offered  to  his  choice.  In 
order  to  try  their  strength,  he  threw  them  on  the  ground,  and,  to  the 
great  astonishment  of  the  spectators,  shivered  twelve  of  them  in  pieces, 
before  he  met  with  one  upon  which  he  could  rely. 


Adventure  VII. 

The  burghgrave  accompanied  Wolfdietrich  to  the  castle  of  Garten, 
and  by  his  advice  he  remained  under  the  walls  till  night,  in  order  to 
hear  the  lamentations  of  the  empress,  and  thereby  to  understand  whe- 
ther she  was  as  yet  unmarried.  Meantime  Werner  took  his  leave, 
and  returned  home.  When  night  came,  the  Grecian  hero  rode  up  to 
the  castle-moat,  but  the  centinel  hearing  his  approach,  and  calling  out 
to  him  not  to  approach  the  walls,  he  thought  it  prudent  to  leap  from 
his  horse,  and  silently  to  conceal  himself  in  the  moat.  The  centinel 
began  to  lament  the  death  of  Otnit,  and  the  unfortunate  situation  of 
the  empress ;  and  the  latter  hearing  his  complaints,  arose  from  her 
chamber,  and  joined  him.  They  began  mutually  to  deplore  her  misfor- 
tunes ;  her  being  kept  from  any  share  in  the  government  by  the  barons, 
and  obUged  to  gain  her  livelihood  by  spinning  and  embroidery ;  and 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  U9 

sorrowing  for  the  death  or  absence  of  Wolfdietaich,  the  best  ftiend 
of  Otnit.  The  hero  could  not  endure  her  lamentations,  but,  in  token  of 
his  presence,  threw  a  heavy  stone  up  to  the  battlements.  The  em- 
press swooned  for  fear,  and  the  centinel  was  scarcely  less  terrified. 
When  she  recovered,  and  considered  the  strength  of  the  throw,  she 
exclaimed  that  no  one  had  so  much  force  since  the  death  of  Otnit, 
except  Wolfdietrich ;  and  sighed  for  the  abseince  of  the  latter,  who 
was  alone  capable  of  destroying  the  dragon-brood,  and  to  whom  she 
would  willingly  deliver  up  the  realm  of  Lombardy,  in  case  he  suc- 
ceeded in  the  enterprise. 

When  she  had  recovered  from  her  consternation,  she  called  out  from 
the  battlemepts  whether  any  one  lay  concealed  there,  and  why  he  had 
so  rudely  interrupted  her  lamentations.  He  answered  that  he  was 
come  to  do  battle  with  the  serpents,  and  had  thrown  the  stone  to  give 
her  a  specimen  of  his  strength.  She  promised  to  make  him  master  of 
Lombardy  and  Germany,  if  he  was  successful ;  but  he  declared  that 
he  would  never  undertake  the  enterprise,  unless  she  promised  to  be- 
come his  spouse,  and  gave  him  a  ring  in  token.  After  some  diflSculty 
she  consented,  and  bade  him  enter  the  castle,  which  he  refused.  Then 
she  let  down  a  ring  tied  to  a  thread,  and  informed  him  that  it  would 
give  him  the  additional  strength  of  two  men,  and  preserve  him  from 
the  effects  of  the  fiery  breath  of  the  dragons.  When  she  inquired  his 
name,  he  reftised  to  discover  it,  but  leaped  upon  his  horse  without 
stirrups,  which  again  brought  the  strength  of  Otnit  and  his  brother  in 
arms  to  her  recollection. 


ApyENTURE  VIII. 

Having  taken  leave  of  the  empress,  he -proceeded  on  the  perilous 
adventure,  and  entered  the  forest.  At  the  very  entrance  he  found  a 
knight  dying,  and  incapable  of  giving  any  answer  to  his  offers  of  as- 
sistance. As  he  stood  over  him,  he  heard  the  cries  of  a,  woman  at  a 
distance,  and  immediately  ran  to  her  assistance.     He  found  her  naked 


120  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

above  the  girdle,  and  clasping  a  tree  with  great  agony.  He  threw  the 
ermine  mantle  given  to  him  by  the  damsel  Amey  over  her  shoulders, 
and  inquired  the  cause  of  hev  misfortunes.  She  related,  that  having 
been  married  to  a  young  knight,  she  was  proceeding  to  her  mother, 
in.  order  to  be  delivered  of  her  first  child,  when  they  were  attacked  by 
the  dragon  called  Schadesan, '  who  had  devoured  eleven  knights  of 
their  train,  and  had  left  her  husband  lying  on  the  ground  bleeding. 
She  had  escaped  the  dragon's  fury,  but  was  then  in  labour.  The 
courteous  knight  of  Greece  offered  her  his  assistance,  and  directed 
her  to  blindfold  his  eyes,  that  he  might  play  the  part  of  a  midwife 
modestly.*  But  she  refused  what  she  considered  incompatible  with  a 
lady's  honour,  and  begged  the  hero  to  bring  her  some  water,  in  order 
to  be  rid  of  his  presence.  He  fetched  water  from  a  neighbouring  well 
in  his  helmet ;  but  when  he  returned,  he  found  both  the  lady  and  her 
new-born  infant  dead.. 

The  knight,  the  mother,  and  the  child,         he  lifted  from  the  ground. 
And  bore  them  to  the  forest's  end,        where  a  chapel  old  he  found  : 
Amongst  the  mouldering  ruins        he  bore  the  bodies  three : 
With  his  falchion  he  digged         a  grave  right  mournfully. 

With  sorry  cheer  he  digged  the  grave        with  his  trusty  blade ;, 
Many  bitter  tears  he  shed,         and.  many  a  prayer  he  pray'd. 
In  the  grave  he  laid  the  knight,        the  child,  and  lady  fair. 
And  for  their  souls  to  God        he  prayed  the  funeral  prayer;. 

The  champion  having  performed  this  pious  office,  proceeded  in 
search  of  the  dragons,  and  soon  discovered  their  den.  He  defied  them 
aloud,  but  found  that  they  were  gone  in  search  of  prey.  Anxious  to 
conclude  his  adventure,  he  traced  their  footsteps  through  the  forest ; 
but  being  aware  of  the  soporific  efiect  of  the  magic  linden,  he  avoided 


•  Literally,  "  without  damage ;"  a  very  improper  name  for  the  monster,  as  indeed  the 
poet  himself  observes  in  another  place. 
'  See  the  Danish  ballad  of  Fair  Midel,  in  this  volume. 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  lei 

approaching  every  tree  of  that  species.  He  had  not  proceeded  far 
before  he  heard  a  great  noise  at  a  distance.  Upon  his  approach,  he 
found  a  lion  giving  battle  to  one  of  the  dragons ;  and  as  he  bore  a 
golden  lion  in  his  shield,  he  considered  himself  bound  to  give  every  as- 
sistance to  the  distressed  animal.  The  latter  signified  his  gratitude 
by  an  inclination  of  the  head,  and  redoubled  his  exertions  in  support 
of  the  champion.  The  dragon's  head  was  of  a  horny  consistence,  his 
shoulders  were  two  ells  in  length,  and  he  walked  upon  four-and- 
twenty  feet.  The  battle  lasted  all  the  day,  but,  notwithstanding  the 
faithful  assistance  of  the  lion,  Wolfdietrich  found  himself  unable  to  in- 
flict any  wound  upon  his  enemy.  By  the  monster's  fiery  breath  his 
sword  became  soft,  and  the  rings  of  his  hauberk  glowed  with  heat. 
He  lamented  the  lion's  inability  to  understand  his  directions,  wish- 
ing him  to  maintain  the  fight  whilst  he  cooled  his  armour.  But  the 
noble  animal  guessed  his  intentions,  and  rushing  upon  the  dragon,  kept 
him  at  bay  for  some  time,  till  he  was  driven  back  to  his  preserver.  The 
latter  then  leaped  on  the  back  of  the  serpent,  but  unfortunately  broke 
his  falchion  against  the  impenetrable  scales.  Now  he  despaired  of  ac- 
complishing his  undertaking,  and  was  proceeding  to  mount  his  horse, 
when  the  dragon  threw  his  tail  around  his  body,  and  took  him  prison- 
er. The  faithful  lion  attempted  to  rescue  him,  but  was  himself  made 
captive,  and  carried  away  in  the  mouth  of  the  monster. 

The  dragon  bore  his  prisoners  over  hill  and  dale,  to  the  den  where 
his  young  brood  were  famishing  with  hunger.  He  threw  down  the 
lion,  who  was  soon  devoured,  without  satisfying  their  appetite.  Wolf- 
dietrich was  then  cast  before  them,  but  he  covered  himself  among  the 
bones  of  his  predecessors,  and  eluded  their  fury  for  some  time.  At 
last  they  discovered  him,  but  the  miraculous  shirt  of  St  George  bade 
defiance  to  their  teeth.  When  the  parent  saw  their  rage,  he  issued 
from  the  cave,  and  returned  with  the  champion's  horse,  which  at  last 
put  a  stop  to  their  appetite.  They  now  bore  Wolfdietrich  into  the 
middle  of  the  cave,  and  amused  themselves  with  throwing  stones  up- 
on him,  which  cast  him  into  a  swoon.     The  young  ones  at  last  tired 

Q 


122  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES, 

of  their  diversion,  and  fell  into  a  sound  sleep.  The  hero  having  reco- 
vered from  his  swoon,  had  time  for  recollection,  and  roused  himself  by 
considering  the  dangerous  situations  in  which  Noah,  Jonas,  and 
Daniel,  had  been  preserved.  He  resolved  to  follow  their  example, 
and  confide  in  Providence.  Stumbling  about  in  the  dark,  among  the 
dead  bodies,  he  fortunately  found  a  sword,  which  had  once  belonged 
to  the  giant  Egkeleit.  To  try  its  mettle,  he  struck  it  several  feet  in 
the  rock,  and  filled  the  cave  with  fire  occasioned  by  the  stroke.  By 
this  light  he  discovered  the  old  worm  Schadesan,  lying  amongst  his 
young  ones.  Convinced  of  the  excellence  of  the  weapon,  he  struck  a 
heavy  blow  at  the  dragon,  who  found  himself  severely  wounded  when 
he  awoke.  The  battle  was  very  severe,  and  lasted  all  the  day.  The 
champion  was  obliged  to  fly,  and  hide  himself  behind  a  corner  of  the 
cave.  But  he  soon  renewed  the  fight,  and  was  at  last  so  fortunate  as 
to  sever  the  monster's  head  from  his  body.  In  the  agony  of  death, 
the  dragon  striking  his  tail  against  the  rock,  illumined  the  whole  cave 
with  the  fire  he  struck  out  of  it,  very  opportunely  for  WolfdietWch,  aS 
he  was  thereby  enabled,  though  with  much  difficulty,  to  find  his  way 
to  the  entrance  of  the  cavern. 

But  the  combats  of  the  champion  were  not  over.  He  was  soon  (En- 
countered by  the  oldest  and  fiercest  of  the  dragons,  whose  head  he 
cut  off,  after  a  severe  battle.  Then  he  entered  the  cave,  and  slew  ten 
of  the  young  brood.  Unfortunately  an  old  dragon  and  a  young  one 
escaped.  One  of  these  was  not  destroyed?  till  eighty  years  after,  when 
he  fell  by  the  sword  of  Dietrich  of  Bern.'  Wolfdietrich  cut  out  the 
tongues  of  the  dragons  which  he  had  subdued,  and  proceeded'  to  the 
place  where  Otnit's  body  lay,  and  appropriated  to  himself  his  crown^  his 
cross,  and  his  armour,  praying  the  dead  body  to  forgive  the  deed!  An 
angel  suddenly  entered  the  body,  and  bade  him  take  them,  promising 
him  at  the  same  time  the  crown  of  Lombardy,  and  the  empress  for 
his  spouse.     Wolfdietrich  armed  himself  in  the  dead  emperor's  ar- 

'  His  battle  with  the  remaining  dragon  is  described  in  a  Danish  ballad,  a  translation  of 
which  will  be  found  in  the  Appendix.  Most  of  the  circumstances  are  closely  copied  from 
the  combat  related  in  the  text. 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  123 

mour,  and  placed  his  bones  in  a  corner,  to  distinguish  them  from  those 
of  the  other  dead  knights.  He  then  issued  from  the  cave,  in  search 
of  the  worms  who  had  escaped,  but  found  his  new  armour  so  heavy, 
that  he  could  not  proceed. 


Adventure  IX.    * 

In  the  mean  time  Duke  Gherwart  came  to  Garten,  with  eighty  of 
his  knights,  and  craved  the  permission  of  the  empress  to  proceed  to 
the  forest,  and  give  battle  to  the  dragons.  But  she  denied  her  con- 
sent, informing  him  that  a  stranger  knight  had  already  undertaken  the 
adventure.  The  duke,  however,  would  not  desist,  but  went  with  his 
knights  into  the  forest,  where  he  found  the  dragon  Schadesan  lying 
dead  before  the  cave.  He  struck  so  many  blows  upon  the  body  with 
his  sword,  that  the  forest  resounded  with  them.  Then  he  declared 
his  resolution  to  be  emperor,  and  made  his  knights  swear  that  they 
would  make  a  false  report  that  he  had  killed  the  monsters.  But  two 
brothers^  Count  Hartman  and  Count  Herman,  refused,  for  which  they 
were  threatened  with  the  vengeance  of  Gherwart,  when  he  should 
bear  the  imperial  crown.  They  left  the  duke,  who  took  the  dragon's 
head,  and  set  out  on  his  return.  He  found  Wolfdietrich  standing  un- 
der a  tree.  The  duke  oifered  him  a  horse,  if  he  would  enter  his  ser- 
vice. But  when  the  Grecian  beheld  the  head  of  the  dragon,  he  scorn- 
fully asked  him  on  what  adventure  he  had  rode  ;  and  when  the  duke 
asserted  that  he  had  slain  the  dragon,  he  gave  him  the  lie.  Gherwart 
ordered  his  knights  to  strike  down  the  champion,  but  he  defended 
himself  so  well,  that,  with  the  assistance  of  Hartman  and  Herman,  he 
unhorsed  two-and-twenty,  though  he  himself  was  on  foot.  The  duke 
struck  him  to  the  ground,  but  he  soon  arose  again,  and  wounded  his  op- 
ponent in  three  places,  so  that  he  was  glad  to  own  his  treacherous  inten- 
tion, and  to  present  his  conqueror  with  his  own  courser.  Wolfdietrich 
convinced  him  of  his  folly,  by  showing  the  tongues  which  he  had  cut  out 


124  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

of  the  dragons'  heads ;  and  they  all  confessed  that  he  deserved  the 
crown  and  the  empress. 

One  of  the  fugitive  knights  gallopped  to  Garten,  with  the  intelligence 
of  the  destruction  of  the  sei'pents  by  the  stranger  knight,  and  was 
richly  rewarded  for  the  intelligence  by  the  empress.  He  was  soon 
followed  by  the  two  counts  Hartman  and  Herman,  who  recounted  to 
her  the  intended  treachery  of  the  duke,  and  the  valour  of  the  unknown 
champion.  Hartman  undertook  to  carry  a  message  from  the  empress, 
who  advised  him  to  bear  a  falcon  on  his  fist,  in  token  of  his  intentions 
being  peaceable.  The  precaution  was  very  seasonable,  for  Wolfdie- 
trich  supposing  him  one  of  the  fugitive  knights,  ashamed  of  his  cowar- 
dice, and  returning  to  give  him  battle,  gallopped  against  him  with  his 
lance  couchant ;  but  beholding  the  token  of  peace,  threw  it  away,  and 
inquired  his  errand.  The  count  asked  him  why  he  did  not  proceed 
to  court,  after  having  destroyed  the  dragons.  The  Grecian  answered, 
that  two  had  escaped,  so  that  he  had  not  wholly  fulfilled  his  vow ;  and 
gave  him  the  empress's  ring,  in  token  of  his  having  executed  the  mes- 
sage. When  the  empress  beheld  him,  she  concluded  that  the  stranger 
despised  her  love,  and  fell  into  a  swoon.  On  her  recovery,  the  count 
informed  her  of  the  reason  of  his  absence,  with  which  she  was  not 
entirely  satisfied.  Duke  Gherwart,  who  now  arrived,  she  would 
not  suffer  to  remain  in  her  presence ;  so  he  returned  into  his  own 
country. 

Wolfdietrich  meanwhile  proceeding  in  search  of  the  two  dragons, 
came  to  a  lake,  where  he  found  a  lion  fighting  fiercely  with  a  very  di- 
minutive worm,  and  roaring  out  with  pain.  At  first  he  could  not  dis- 
cern the  worm,  but  the  latter  beholding  him,  flew  at  his  golden  shield, 
and  threw  fire  at  it  so  fiercely,  that  the  gold  began  to  burn  and  con- 
sume away.  His  whole  armour  became  glowing  hot,  and  every  effort 
to  strike  the  animal  was  in  vain,  as  it  avoided  aU  his  blows,  leaping 
over  his  head,  and  again  attacking  him  with  the  greatest  celerity.  The 
heat  was  so  intense,  that  he  threw  himself  into  the  lake,  to  quench  the 
fire.    In  the  mean  time  the  lion  had  caught  the  worm,  which  the 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  125 

knight  perceiving,  leaped  upon  the  land,  struck  it  asunder  with  his 
sword,  and  threw  the  fragments  into  the  water.  The  whole  lake  was 
soon  in  a  flame,  and  continued  burning  when  the  hero  left  it.  "  I 
will  now  tell  you  of  that  marvellous  worm  :  In  French  it  is  called  Zun- 
der,  in  German,  Saribant,  and  in  the  country  of  Sittelenland,'  Viper. 
Only  two  of  them  exist  in  the  world  at  a  time  ;  for  when  the  young 
ones  are  grown  to  a  certain  age,  they  fall  upon  their  parents,  and  de- 
vour them.  You  have  heard  of  these  strange  animals  :  I  wiU  now  re- 
turn to  the  knight." 

Having  obtained  the  fellowship  of  the  lion  by  a  significant  nod  of 
the  head,  he  proceeded  to  Garten,  to  have  the  wounds  of  the  animal 
cxired.  On  their  road  they  encountered  the  two  fugitive  dragons, 
and  Wolfdietrich  having  instructed  the  lion  to  remain  quiet,  unless  he 
beheld  him  in  imminent  danger,  attacked  the  old  dragoness.  The 
latter,  astonished  at  the  blows  which'she  received  from  the  champion, 
run  against  him,  and  struck  him  to  the  ground;  The  lion  immediately 
came  to  his  assistance,  but  when  the  monster  found  herself  assailed  on 
both  sides,  she  sent  forth  a  doleful  cry,  and  fled  so  speedily,  that  the 
attempt  to  overtake  her  proved  fruitless. 


Adventure  X. 

Wolfdietrich  proceeded  with  the  lion  to  the  burgh,  and  caUing  to 
the  watchman,  informed  him  that  he  was  the  knight  who  had  killed 
the  dragons,  and  instructed  him  to  request  the  empress  to  heal  the 
wounds  of  his  faithful  lion.  Then  he  departed,  refusing  to  enter  the 
•astle.  The  watchman  bore  his  message  to  the  empress,  and  she 
arose  to  comply  with  the  request  of  her  champion.  But.  when  the 
burghgrave,  who  was  now  inimical  to  her,  heard  her  rising,  and  in- 
quired the  cause,  she  pretended  that  she  had  dreamt  of  the  arrival  of 
the  knight  and  of  his  Hon.     She  issued  from  the  castle-gate  where  the 

'  Perhaps  Sicilj. 


126  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES, 

lion  stood,  whom  she  conjured,  for  his  master's  sake,  to  submit  quietly 
to  her  operations.  The  animal  was  borne  into  a  chamber,  where  she 
cauterized  and  bound  up  his  wounds. 

The  following  night  she  silently  arose,  and  joined  the  watchman,  in 
the  expectation  of  the  champion's  arrival,  in  search  of  his  lion ;  nor 
did  she  wait  long,  for  he  soon  rode  up  to  the  castle  walls,  and  de- 
manded his  companion.  The  empress  used  every  persuasion  to  induce 
him  to  enter  the  castle,  and  at  last  succeeded.  The  centinel  opened 
the  gates,  took  his  horse  from  him,  and  led  him  to  the  empress,  by 
whom  he  was  well  entertained,  but  at  whose  request  he  lay  at  the 
furthest  side  of  the  bed,  fearing  the  malice  of  her  knights. 

But  the  burghgrave  had  observed  the  entrance  of  Wolfdietrich,  and 
came  in  the  morning,  accompanied  by  two  hundred  knights,  to  the 
chamber  door,  accusing  the  empress  of  having  committed  adultery 
with  the  murderer  of  Otnit,  whose  armour  they  had  observed  upon 
the  hero.  The  lion  was  now  let  loose,  and  committed  great  havoc 
amongst  the  enemies.  As  soon  as  his  master  was  armed,  he  joined 
him,  arid  commenced  a  dreadful  slaughter,  but  his  faithful  companion 
fell  in  the  fight ;  and  the  hero,  though  he  re-doubled  his  exertions 
to  avenge  him,  was  at  last  forced  to  yield  to  numbers.  A  heavy  stone 
thrown  upon  him  benumbed  his  senses,  and  he  would  have  become  a 
prey  to  his  enemies,  had  not  the  two  faithful  knights,  Hartman  and 
Herman,  bestridden  and  defended  him  tiU  he  recovered  from  his 
swoon.  Then  he  re-commenced  the  slaughter,  striking  so  many 
knights  to  the  ground,  that  the  empress,  fearing  the  destruction  of  all 
her  vassals,  prayed  him  to  desist,  and  persuaded  the  burghgrave  to 
accompany  her  to  the  forest,  where  the  truth  might  be  discovered, 
whether  he  had  murdered  the  emperor,  or  had  actually  killed  the  ser* 
pents. 

The  empress  issued  to  the  forest,  accompanied  by  her  knights.  They 
soon  came  to  the  place  where  the  little  Saribant  lay  dead,  at  which 
sight  Count  Helnot  of  Tuscany  scoffed  at  the  boasted  prowess  of  Wolf- 
dietrich. But  he  was  soon  convinced  of  his  folly,  when  one  of  the 
fugitive  dragons  appeared,  which  put  him  and  the  other  knights  of 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  127 

Lombai'dy  into  such  a  panic,  that  they  were  glad  to  escape,  and  climb 
the  neighbouring  trees.  The  dragoness  attacked  Wolfdietrich,  and 
notwithstanding  a  severe  wound  which  he  inflicted  upon  her,  he  found 
himself  unable  to  bear  her  fiery  breath,  as  he  had  not  the  preservative 
ring  upon  his  finger.  But  the  empress  beholding  his  danger,  bade  him 
enter  the  cave,  and  take  the  shield  of  Otnit,  which  was  inlaid  with 
gems,  having  also  the  virtue  of  rendering  the  fire  innocuous.  When  he 
had  obtained  the  shield,  he  attacked  the  monster,  and  allowed  himself 
to  be  driven  to  the  place  where  the  terrified  knights  had  concealed 
themselves.  Then  he  employed  his  falchion  so  well,  that  he  struck 
her  into  two  pieces.  Four  young  ones  who  fell  out  of  her  body  then 
attacked  him,  but  soon  shared  the  fate  of  their  parent. 

The  knights  were  now  satisfied  of  the  valour  of  Wolfdietrich,  and 
unanimously  offered  the  imperial  crown  to  him.  He  insisted  upon 
their  entering  the  cave,  and  viewing  the  dragon  Schadesan,  which  they 
could  hardly  be  prevailed  upon  to  do.  Above  eighty  bodies  of  dead 
knights  were  brought  out  and  buried,  and  amongst  them  the  head  of 
Otnit,  which  removed  every  scruple  in  the  mind  of  the  empress  and 
her  barons. 


Adventure  XI. 

Great  preparations  were  made  for  the  marriage  and  coronation. 
Duke  Helnot  was  appointed  to  invite  the  neighboming  princes  to  the 
high  feast,  and  a  splendid  encampment  was  made  before  the  castle  of 
Garten.  Thither  resorted,  among  others,  three  noble  kings,  with  their 
knights  ;  Hartenit,  king  of  Spain,  Adelgar  of  France,  and  Fridolt  of 
Sicily.  The  high  feast  was  held  for  fourteen  days,  and  in  the  jousting 
the  new  emperor  bore  the""prize  fi:om  all  the  competitors.  Immense 
sums  of  money  were  distributed  among  the  poor,  and  many  squires  re- 
ceived tlie  order  of  knighthood  from  the  monarch. 

Notwithstanding  these  rejoicings,  Wolfdietrich  moui-ned  in  his  heart 
for  his  companions  imprisoned  at  Constantinople ;  and  his  spouse  ha- 


128  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

ving  one  night  understood  the  cause  of  his  sorrow,  upbraided  him  for 
his  neglect,  and  for  preferring  eleven  of  his  knights  to  her,  and  to  the 
innumerable  champions  whom  she  had  placed  under  his  command. 
But  when  he  answered  that  he  preferred  his  faithful  eleven  to  a  thou- 
sand empresses,  she  waxed  wroth,  and  assembling  thirty  thousand  war- 
riors, complained  of  her  husband's  neglect,  and  called  upon  them  for 
vengeance.  They  were  just  proceeding  to  attack  him,  when  one, 
more  prudent  than  the  rest,  stayed  their  fury,  and  requested  the 
emperor  to  explain  who  the  champions  for  whom  he  had  such  an  af- 
fection were.  Wolfdietrich  then  related  the  matchless  fidelity  of 
Bechtung  and  his  ten  sons.  When  the  empress  understood  that  her 
new  spouse  was  no  other  than  the  companion  and  brother  at  arms  of 
Otnit,  she  fell  upon  her  knees,  prayed  his  forgiveness,  and  offered  all 
the  assistance  of  her  empire  to  procure  the  release  of  his  knights.  Out 
of  the  thirty  thousand  warriors  he  chose  twelve  thousand  to  accom- 
pany him.  The  realm  of  Westria  he  gave  to  the  faithful  counts  Hart- 
man  and  Herman,  pardoned  the  treachery  of  Duke  Gherwart,  and 
permitted  him  to  embark,  with  his  thousand  knights  in  his  company. 
The  empress  bade  him  beware  of  the  beauty  of  the  Grecian  ladies, 
and  prevailed  upon  him  to  spare  the  life  of  his  two  treacherous  bro- 
thers. 


Adventure  XII. 

After  having  sailed  twenty  days,  the  emperor  arrived  near  Con- 
stantinople, and  landed  five  miles  from  the  city.  By  the  advice  of 
Count  Herman,  the  camp  was  struck  in  a  dark  forest,  and  Wolfdietrich, 
with  twelve  of  his  bravest  knights,  proceeded  to  the  walls,  disguised  as 
palmers,  where  he  heard  two  of  Bechtung's  sons,  Hache  and  Herbrant 
lamenting  their  misfortunes.  Approaching  to  the  walls,  he  prayed  them 
to  bestow  alms  upon  him  and  his  brother  pilgrims,  for  the  souls  of  his 
dead  friends.  Herbrant  lamented  his  inability  to  give  him  any  money, 
but.  threw  down  a  hauberk,  and  bade  him  sell  it  in  the  city,  saying, 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  129 

that  he  had  bestowed  the  gift  for  the  souls  of  Wolfdietrich  and  of  their 
father  Bechtung,  who  shortly  before  had  died  of  grief  at  a  feast  pre- 
pared by  the  two  brother  kings,  at  which  they  had  been  forced  to  of- 
ficiate in  wretched  raiment.  When  the  emperor  heard  of  his  faithful 
master's  death,  he  sunk  to  the  earth  with  grief,  and  revealed  himself 
to  his  faithful  knights. 

Herbrant  blew  his  horn  aloud  ;         to  his  brothers  did  he  call, 
"  Quickly  speed  ye  hither,        brethren,  to  the  wall ! 
Behold  that  palmer  on  the  green  1         boldly  did  he  speak  : 
'Tis  I  your  king  Wolfdietrich,         come  your  sorrows  to  awreak." 

On  the  w^ls  the  champions  knelt,        lowly  on  their  knee ; 

To  God  on  high  they  called         to  aid  them  speedily : 

"  Help  us,"  cried  Sir  Herebrant,         "  help  us  for  thy  might ! 

Still  we  kept  our  faith  and  truth,         then  our  chains  asunder  smite." 

God  did  help  them  in  their  need,        those  faithful  brothers  young ; 
Suddenly  asunder        broke  their  fetters  strong : 
Their  care  was  past,  a  shout  of  joy        was  heard  the  knights  among. 
And  down  upon  the  meadow,         from  the  battlements  they  sprung. 

The  sons  of  Bechtung  did  not  at  first  recognize  their  master,  who, 
during  an  absence  of  ten  years,  had  become  hoary.  But  when  he 
shewed  them  the  wound  on  his  head,  which  he  had  received  when  his 
brothers  expelled  him  from  his  inheritance,  they  were  immediately  satis- 
fied. By  their  advice  the  city  was  set  fire  to  in  four  places,  and  a  loud 
war-cry  informed  the  citizens  of  Wolfdietrich's  arrival.  Twenty  thou- 
sand opposed  his  entrance,  whom  himself  and  his  two-and-twenty 
champions  kept  at  bay,  until  he  had  sounded  his  horn,  and  given  warn- 
ing to  his  concealed  troops  to  join  him.  After  a  long  and  bloody  bat- 
tle, an  ancient  knight  stept  before  his  feUow-citizens,  reminded  them 
of  their  allegiance  to  Wolfdietrich,  and  recommended  to  throw  them- 
selves on  his  mercy.     Instantly  all  their  banners  were  cast  to  the 

R 


130  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

gfbund,  and  the  town  was  delivered  up  to  the  rightful  owner,  who  gave 
it  in  charge  to  Duke  Gherwart,  and  marched  to  the  burgh  of  Atnis, 
where  his  brothers  resided. 

When  Boghen  and  Wassmut  understood  his  approach,  they  proposed 
to  give  him  battle  after  seven  days.  They  sent  their  messengers  to 
the  different  parts  of  Greece,  and  soon  collected  an  army  of  forty  thou- 
sand, against  whom  Wolfdietrich  could  only  bring  into  the  field  his 
twelve  thousand  Lombards,  and  four  thousand  citizens  of  Constanti- 
nople. 

And  now  the  truce  was  over,  and  on  th'  appointed  day 

The  armies  rushed  together,  all  to  the  bloody  fray ; 

From,  their  tents  the^r  issued  in  glittering  array. 

Before  the  city  on  the  plain,  their  fortune  to  essay. 

Proudly  marched  the  Grecian  host,        their  helmets  laced  they  on ; 
Bright  their  gleaming  falchions,        and  bright  their  brunies  shone. 
O'er  the  blooming  meadow        trampled  the  destrers  proud. 
And  all  around  resounded         the  horns  of  war  aloud. 

Wolfdieterich  the  brave         straight  his  helmet  laced. 
And  all  his  host  in  ireful  mood,        fast  their  hauberks  braced  : 
He  chose  the  boldest  of  his  knights,         the  trusty  Herebrand, 
Grasped  the  storming  banner,        and  placed  it  in  his  hand. 

The  banner  of  the  faithless  kings        bore  a  noble  duke  : 
Tow'rds  Herebrant  he  spurred  his  steed         that  all  the  meadow  shook  • 
But  he  recked  not  for  his  boasting :        together  have  they  sped 
Herbrant  pierced  him  with  his  lance,      on  the  meadow  fell  he  dead. 

Together  flew  the  hei-oes,        the  steeds  together  rushed ; 
'Gainst  the  weighty  bucklers        their  spears  to  splinters  crushed ; 
Many  a  warrior  in  the  press        lost  his  courser's  rein. 
Fell  among  the  horses'  hoofs,        ne'er  to  rise  again. 


Many  a  noble  courser,        lances  sharp  did  pierce : 
There  lay  many  riven  shields,        and  many  shiven 

n 


many  shivered  spears. 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  l«i 

Then  their  glittering  falchions        from  the  sheatha  they  drew, 
Down  they  cast  with  deadly  blows        warriors  brave  and  true. 

Ever  their  noble. chivalry        and  courage  will  I  sing, 
How  their  blades  cut  many  a  helm,        and  many  an  iron  ring. 
How  they  struck  from  hauberks,        sparks  of  fire  on  high. 
How  the  dust  in  clouds  arose,         darkening  all  the  sky. 

All  the  £eld  was  streaming        with  the  tide  of  blood ; 
From  many  a  dying  warrior's  side         rushed  the  gory  flood. 
But  bolder  far  than  other  kemps,         Wolfdietrich  waged  the  fight ; 
Steeds  and  champions  dead        lay  around  the  noble  knight. 

There  his  matchless  force  he  showed,        burning  in  his  wrath ; 

Habergeons  he  hewed  asunder,        striking  blows  of  death ; 

All  the  Grecian  chivalry         fled  before  his  brand : 
E'en  the  boldest  of  them  all        feared  his  deadly  hand. 

After  a  most  bloody  combat,  the  forces  of  Boghen  and  Was'smut  were 
completely  routed  ;  and  they,  with  the  principal  barons  of  their  party, 
taken  prisoners.  They  were  brought  to  Constantinople,  and  there 
swore  fealty  to  their  conqueror  and  rightful  sovereign. 

Wolfdietrich  proceeded  to  the  cathedral,  where  he  saw  the  tomb  of 
Bechtung.  He  heaved*  up  the  stone,  and  beheld  the  dead  body  of  his 
beloved  master.  He  called  upon  God  to  give  him  some  token  of  his 
soul's  welfare,  and  immediately  the  bones  assumed  a  ghttering  white- 
ness. Many  masses  were  sung  for  his  soul  by  the  command  of  the 
emperor. 


Adventure  XIII. 

Having  established  the  Grecian  kingdom  in  peace,  Wolfdietrich  re- 
turned to  Lombardy,  where  the  empress  received  his  captive  brothers 
with  so  much  courtesy,  that  he  upbraided  her  with  bestowing  such  fa- 
vours upon  his  enemies,  and  neglecting  his  faithful  companions.    He 


132  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

resolved,  notwithstanding  his  promise,  to  execute  the  two  kings ;  but 
his  knights  understanding  his  purpose,  persuaded  the  empress  to  ask 
their  lives  of  him.  At, length  he  yielded  to  her  intreaties,  took  their 
oaths  of  allegiance,  and  sent  them  to  the  possessions  which  his  father 
had  bequeathed  to  them. 

The  emperor  having  prevailed  over  all  his  enemies,  proceeded  to 
Rome,  where  he  was  crowned,  and  held  a  splendid  plenar  court.  Sit- 
ting on  his  throne,  he  received  the  oaths  of  aU  the  vassals  of  the  Ro- 
man empire.  On  his  return  to  Garten,  he  recollected  the  promise  he 
had  made  to  the  beautiful  daughter  of  Count  Werner  of  Terfis,  and 
sent  Hartman  with  twelve  knights  to  her  father.  Having  expedited 
this  message,  and  received  a  hundred  marks  of  gold,  and  rich  dresses 
of  scarlet  silk  in  reward,  he  returned  to  the  emperor,  and  was  soon  fol- 
lowed by  the  count  and  the  fair  Amey,  accompanied  by  eight  hundred 
knights.  A  tournament  was  given  in  their  honour,  but  no  one  dared 
to  run  a  course  against  Wolfdietrich.  Herbrant  exchanged  rings  with 
the  beauteous  Amey,  and  they  were  that  night  married. 

And  when  the  evening  sun  was  down,         under  pall  they  laid. 

And  oh  !  how  full  of  love         was  Herbrant  and  the  maid ! 

Gently  in  her  snowy  arms         lay  the  loving  champion ; 

But  ere  they  weened  the  night  half  past        they  cursed  the  morning  sun. 

After  another  tournament  had  been  held  in  the  morning,  the  em- 
peror rewarded  his  faithM  knights  with  rich  possessions.  To  the  new 
bridegroom  he  gave  the  burgh  of  Garten,  where  he  lived  many  years 
with  his  wife,  who  bore  three  sons,  from  whom  the  Wolfings  (Guelphs) 
are  descended.  The  eldest  was  named  Hildebrand,  and  proved  the 
faithful  tutor  and  companion  of  Dietrich  of  Bern,  the  grandson  of 
Wolfdietrich;  the  second  was  Ner,  a  brave  champion;  and  the  third 
the  renowned  monk  Ilsan.  He  had  also  a  daughter  named  Mergant, 
from  whom  the  doughty  Wolfhart  descended.  The  second  of  Bech- 
tung's  sons,  Hache,  was  created  duke  of  Brisac ;  he  was  father  to 

Eckart,  surnamed  the  true ;  on  the  third,  who  bore  his  father's  own 

9 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  133 

name,  the  emperor  bestowed  the  duchy  of  Meran,  which  the  old  duke 
had  possessed  ;  the  fourth,  Bechtwin,  was  made  lord  of  Kemerland;" 
the  fifth  and  sixth  obtained  Saxony  and  Brabant ;  and  the  other  four 
were  sent  to  Greece,  and  rewarded  with  large  dominions  in  that  coun- 
try. After  they  had  sworn  fidelity  to  the  emperor,  they  departed  to 
their  several  possessions. 

Wolfdietrich  reigned  for  twenty  years  over  the  Roman  empire,  and 
had  a  daughter,  called  after  the  empress,  Sidrat,  and  a  son  named  Hugh- 
dietrich  the  young.  The  latter  was  given  in  charge  to  Herbrant,  who 
educated  him  with  his  own  son  Hildebrand,  in  all  knightlike  exercises. 
When  the  young  prince  was  twelve  years  old,  his  mother  Sidrat  died, 
and  the  emperor  calling  his  barons  together,  declared  his  resolution  to 
retire  into  a  monastery,  for  the  welfare  of  his  soul,  and  to  give  up  the 
crown  to  his  son.  All  the  vassals  swore  fealty  to  the  young  emperor, 
nor  could  their  most  pressing  solicitations  dissuade  the  old  monarch 
from  his  pious  intentions. 


Adventure  XIV. 

At  the  very  furthest  extremity  of  Christendom  stood  the  monastery 
of  Tuskal,  dedicated  to  St  George.  Thither  Wolfdietrich  proceeded, 
became  a  monk,  and  led  a  most  exemplary  life.  Having  sent  back  his 
son  and  his  knights,  who  had  accompanied  him  thither,  he  laid  his  arms 
and  his  golden  crown  upon  the  altar,  and  commenced  his  holy  occu- 
pation. 

But  the  friars'  wicked  gluttony         lie  saw  with  angry  mood; 
Unequally  amongst  them         they  dealt  their  drink  and  food. 
"  Brethren,"  he  spake,  "  to  poor  and  rich         alike  the  food  divide : 
Alas !  for  your  poor  souls         little  boots  your  pride., 

"  Thus  into  your  filthy  maws        your  precious  souls  ye  eat ; 
But,  gluttons,  in  the  fire  of  hell,        hotly  shall  ye  sweat." 

"  Carniola. 


13*  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

He  snatched  the  dainty  viands,        and  the  poorer  friars, fed : 

"  Thus,  bretluen,  let  us  honour  him,        that  on  the  cross  has  bled." 

Wrathfully  two  princes  old,        'gainst  the  hero  hied ; 

But  by  their  chins  he  caught  them,        and  their  beards  together  tied ; 

O'er  a  pole  he  hanged  them  ;         for  mercy  loud  they  cried. 

Swore  to  honour  the  poor  friars,         and  leave  their  wicked  pride. 

The  heathen  king  Tharigas  had  long  bqrne  enmity  to  the  abbey, 
and  sent  a  messenger  thither,  ordering  the  monks  to  deHver  themselves 
into  his  hands.  But  Wolfdietrich  consoled,  them,  and  bade  the  mes- 
senger return  and  defy  the  pagan  king.  The  latter  was  glad  to  escape 
his 'fierce  looks,  and  when  he  reached  the  capital  of  Tharigas,  refused 
to  carry  any  further  messages  to  the  abbey.  When  the  pagan  heard 
that  the  renowned  champion  Wolfdietrich  was  become  a  friar  there, 
he  convened  a  great  host,  and  marched  to  the  abbey.  Five  other 
kings  served  under  him,  all  thirsting  to  revenge  the  injuries  they  had 
sustained  from  Wolfdietrich.  But  when  they  sent  to  demand  the  hero 
from  the  monks,  he  issued  out  of  the  abbey,  and  made  a  great  slaugh- 
ter amongst  them.  For  half  a  year  he  continued  these  excursions, 
and  seldom  returned  without  having  killed  sixty  of  them. 

In  the  mean  tiine  he  sent  word  of  the  perilous  situation  of  the  ab. 
bey  to  his  son,  who  immediately  assembled  his  army,  and  was  joined 
by  the  sons  of  Bechtung.  With  eighty  thousand  troops  they  marched 
to  the  relief  of  the  abbey,  and  were  met  by  Wolfdietrich  with  his  five 
hundred  friars.  The  host  of  the  young  emperor,  according  to  his  fa- 
ther's direction,  attacked  the  pagans  on  one  side,  while  he  with  the 
friars  rushed  against  them  on  the  other.  The  young  Hughdietrich, 
and  his  fellow  Hildebrand,  shewed  themselves  worthy  of  their  descent; 
but  they  were  at  last  surrounded  and  unhorsed.  Herbrant  seeing  them 
fall,  flew  to  their  assistance,  rescued  them,  and  slew  an  incredible  num- 
ber of  the  enemies.  But  the  deeds  of  the  regular  troops  were  not  to 
be  compared  to  the  atchievements  of  the  friars  and  their  leader. 

Up  and  spake  an  ancient  pagan,        and  plained  him  to  Mahound  : 
"  Alas  and  woe !  that  friar  old        was  born  in  evil  stound  ! 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  135 

With  his  letters  long  and  red,        foully  we  are  perplex'd. 

For  yyhere  that  evil  priest  doth  write        we  dare  not  read  bis  text." 

The  heathen  king  Borok,  brother  to  Palmunt  the  giant,  was  killed 
by  Wolfdietrich,  and  Tharigas  himself  was  struck  ]to  the  ground,  and 
taken  prisoner,  after  the  pagan  banner  had  been  cast  down.  Sixty  thou- 
sand of  their  host  lay  dead  on  the  field,  and  the  rest  fled  with  precipita- 
tion. The  Christians  had  lost  two  thousand,  amongst  whom  were  six  sons 
of  Bechttmg.  They  were  buried  with  many  lamentations  in  the  ab- 
bey, and  subsequently  a  splendid  repast  was  provided  in  the  f  efectdry. 
Tharigas  was  pardoned  on  his  consenting  to  be  baptised,  and  swearing 
eternal  fealty  to  the  monastery.  He  sent  for  his  vassals,  who  were 
all  christened,  and  swore  allegiance  to  the  abbots  and  monks.  Then 
they  returned  to  their  possessions,  remaining  ever  after  faithful  to 
their  superiors. 

Wolfdietrich  now  took  leave  of  his  son  and  companions,  and  pro- 
mised to  visit  them  once  every  year.  Hildebrand  begged  him  to  give 
him  armorial  bearings  }  and  he  gave  him  a  shield  with  a  wolf  depicted 
upon  it,  which  his  descendants  have  borne  ever  since,  and  from  which 
they  have  derived  the  denomination  of  Wolfings.' 

Strictly  Sir  Wolfdieterich         kept  his  holy  slate. 
But  to  cleanse  him  of  his  sins         he  begged  a  penance  great : 
His  brethren  bade  him  on  a  bier        in  the  church  to  lay. 
There  to  do  his  penance         all  the  night  until  the  day. 

When  the  night  was  come,         to  the  church  the  hero  sped  : 
Sudden  all  the  ghosts  appeared        who  by  his  sword  lay  dead. 
Many  a  fearful  blow  they  struck         on  the  champion  good  ; 
Ne'er  such  pain  and  woe  he  felt         when  on  the  field  he  stood. 

Sooner  had  he  battle  fought        with  thousands  in  the  field. 
Striking  dints  with  falchions  keen        on  his  glittering  shield. 

•  The  German  writers  abound  in  fabulous  genealogies  of  this  race  of  princes.  See  Me- 
trical Romances,  &c.  Edinburgh,  1810, 1,  p.  xliii. 


136  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.      . 

Half  the  night  against  the  ghosts         he  waged  the  battle  fierce  : 

But  the  empty  air  he  struck        when  he  weened  their  breasts  to  pierce. 

Little  recked  they  for  his  blows  :        with  his  terror  and  his  woe. 

Ere  half  the  night  was  past         his  hair  was  white  as  snow. 

And  when  the  monks  to  matins  sped,         they  found  him  pale  and  cold : 

There  the  ghosts  in  deadly  swoon        had  left  the  champion  bold. 

Having  restored  him  to  life,  the  friars  thanked  God  for  having  granted 
him  such  a  severe  penance,  and  cleansed  him  of  his  sins.  He  conti- 
nued for  sixteen  years  in  this  transitory  life,  and  when  his  soul  left  its 
mortal  habitation,  the  angels  appeared  and  conducted  it  to  eternal 
glory. 


THE 


BOOK  OF  HEROES. 


BOOK  THIRD. 


OF   THE 


GARDEN  OF  ROSES, 


AT 


WORMS. 


Adventure  I. 


On  the  banks  of  the  Rhine  is  situated  the  magnificent  city  of  Worms, 
where  in  ancient  time  King  Gbibich'  reigned.  He  had  three  sons, 
and  a  daughter  of  great  beauty,  named  Chrimhilt,  who  was  promised 
.in  marriage  to  Siegfried,  a  hero  from  Netherland,  whose  courage  was 
so  superlative,  that  "  he  caught  the  lions  in  the  woods,  and  hung  them 
,  over  the  walls  by  their  tails."  Chrimhilt  had  a  garden  of  roses  before 
the  city,  seven  miles  in  length,  surrounded  only  by  a  silken  thread; 
but  no  one  was  suffered  to  enter  it  without  giving  battle  to  the  twelve 
gigantic  guardians.  These  were  the  old  King  Ghibich,  Gunter,  Gher- 
not,  Haghen,  Folker,  Pusolt,  Schruthan,  Ortwin,  Asperian,  Walter  of 
Wachsenstein,  Staudenfuss,  and  Siegfried  himself 

*  So  he  is  denominated  also  in  the  older  Scandinavian  romances,  but  in  the  Nibelungen 
and  the  Wilkina-Saga  he  is  called  Aldrian. 


338  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

One  day  Lady  Chrimhilt  was  boasting  of  the  invincibility  of  her 
,  champions,  when  Folker  of  Alsace  upbraided  her  for  her  pride  and 
presumption,  and  bade  her  beware  of  the  Wolfings  at  Bern,  in  Lom- 
bardy,  and  particularly  of-  their  leader,  the  renowned  Dietrich.  She 
immediately  called  upon  him  to  bear  a  message  of  defiance  to  him ;  but 
he  refused,  on  account  of  the  bravery  and  fierceness  of  the  heroes  of 
Bern.  But  the  youthful  Duke  Sabin  of  Brabant  came  before  her,  and 
expressed  himself  wilUng  to  undertake  the  expedition,  on  the  condi- 
tion of  obtaining  the  beautiful  Saba,  one  of  Lady  ChrimhUt's  damsels, 
for  his  spouse.  The  damsel  consented  reluctantly,  apprehensive  of 
never  beholding  her  lover  again. 

The  duke  having  collected  five  hundred  knights,  set  out  on  his 
journey,  and  on  the  sixth  day  arrived  within  sight  of  the  castle  of  Bern. 
To  guard  themselves  against  any  sudden  attack,  they  grasped  their 
shields,  and  made  themselves  ready  for  battle.  Dietrich  was  juSt  sit- 
ting at  the  high  table,  with  his  thousand  knights  and  their  ladies,  and 
when  he  beheld  the  strangers,  bade  his  champions  prepare  for  the 
fight.  But  the  noble  duchess  of  Ghisel,  in  Lombardy,  recognised  the 
duke  of  Brabant,  and  issuing  from  the  castle,  demanded  the  reason  of 
his  entering  the  dominions  of  Dietrich  without  his  safeguard.  He 
explained  the  nature  of  his  message,  and  she  conducted  him  into  the 
presence.  It  was,  however,  not  easy  to  pacify  the  wrath  of  the 
enraged  Lombard.  The  chaplain  read  the  letter  of  defiance,  in  which 
-the  knight  of  Ben*  was  challenged  to  come  to  Worms,  with  eleven 
of  his  champions,  every  one  of  whom  was  to  fight  with  one  of  Chrim- 
hilt's,  and  the  conqueror  to  be  rewarded  with  a  chaplet  of  roses,  and 
a  kiss  from  the  young  queen.  In  the  conclusion  she  threatened  to 
drive  him  from  his  possessions,  if  he  rdiised  the  challenge ;  which. 
so  enraged  Dietrich,  that  he  swore  none  of  the  messengers  shotdd  re- 
turn alive.  Both  the  parties  prepared  themselves  for  the  engagement, 
but  the  duchess  begged  the  bold  Sir  Wolfort  to  intercede  for  the  Bur- 
gundians,  offering  to  bestow  on  him  one  of  her  fairest  damsels.  He 
declared  that  his  mind  was  not  bent  on  lady's  love,  but  promised  to 
defend  the  guests,  and  to  strike  down  the  first  who  lifted  up  his  hand 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  139 

against  them.  He  armed  himself,  collected  his  knights,  and  rode  up 
to  the  Berner,  declaring  his  resolution  to  defend  the  guests,  and  up- 
braiding him  with  his  treacherous  intention.  Old  Hildebrant  applaud- 
ed his  purpose ;  and  at  last  Dietrich  saw  his  error,  and  received  the 
duke  of  Brabant  courteously.  They  were  splendidly  entertained  for 
ten  days,  and  a  thousand  marks  of  gold  distributed  amongst  them. 
Dietrich  accompanied  them  through  his  dominions,  and  bade  them 
bear  message  to  Lady  Chrimhilt,  that  he  would  shortly  appear  before 
Worms  with  twelve  champions,  and  an  army  of  sixty  thousand  men. 
The  duke  returned  to  Burgundy,  and  having  dispatched  his  message, 
was  rewarded  with  the  hand  of  the  beauteous  Saba,  with  whom  he  re- 
turned to  his  own  dominions. 


Adventure  II. 

Dietrich  sitting  in  counsel,  prayed  Hildebrand  to  choose  the  seve- 
ral champions  who  were  to  fight  against  the  twelve  guardians  of  the 
garden  of  roses.  The  old  hero  advised  Dietrich  to  fight  with  Sieg- 
fried of  Netherland.  He  himself  undertook  to  challenge  the  old 
King  Ghibich.  Against  the  other  ten  he  directed  Wolfort,  Sighestab, 
Heyme,  Wittich,  young  Ortwin,  Eckart  the  true,  Helmschrot,  Duke 
Amelolt,  Monk  Ilsan,  and  Dietlieb  of  Styria.  Sighestab  was  sent  as 
messenger  to  Styria,  with  five  hundred  knights,  to  induce  the  latter  to 
accompany  them.  But  when  he  came  thither,  Bitteroff,  the  father  of 
Dietlieb,  admonished  him  to  abandon  such  a  dangerous  and  fruitless 
enterprise,  and  informed  him.  that  his  son  was  gone  to  Bettelar.  Sig- 
hestab cared  Jittle  for  his  admonitions,  and  immediately  proceeded  in 
search  of  Dietlieb.  But  the  old  margrave  Rudiger  informed  him 
that  the  hero  whom  he  sought  was  at  the  time  in  Transylvania,  where 
he  had  been  wounded  by  a  sea-monster.  The  indefatigable  messenger 
renewed  his  journey,  but  had  the  satisfaction  ofrflnding  Dietlieb  stand-, 
ing  before  the  cathedral  of  Vienna ;  who  accepted  the  fight  in  the  gar- 

3 


140  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

den  of  roses  without  hesitation,  and  proceeded  to  Bern  with  Sig- 
hestab. 

Dietrich  had  now  assembled  his  army  and  all  the  champions,  with 
the  exception  of  the  warlike  monk  Ilsan,  who  dwelt  in  the  abbey  of 
Eisenburg.  Thither  he  marched  with  his  host,  and  encamped  before 
the  walls.  When  Ilsan  beheld  the  army  lying  on  the  territory  of  the 
abbey,  his  face  waxed  green  and  yellow  with  anger.  None  of  his  bre- 
thren dared  to  inquire  the  cause  of  his  wrath.  He  explained  to  them 
his  alarm,  bade  them  bring  his  armour,  and  declared  his  resolution 
singly  to  attack  and  drive  away  the  supposed  enemies.  He  took  an 
iron  pole,  twelve  fathoms  long,  and  issued  from  the  abbey.  His  bro- 
ther Hildebrand  was  the  first  to  descry  him,  and  perceiving  his  me- 
nacing attitude,  bade  the  host  beware,  armed  himself^  and  came  out  to 
meet  him.  He  endeavoured  to  avoid  the  blow  of  the  monk's  pole, 
but  was  hit  on  the  head,  and  his  helmet  struck  off.  Then  Ilsan  disco- 
vered him  to  be  his  brother,  and  demanded  the  reason  of  the  warlike 
encampment  before  the  abbey.  Hildebrand  related  the  challenge  from 
Worms,  and  Ilsan  bade  him  ask  the  abbot  to  grant  him  leave  of  ab- 
sence. Dietrich,  with  all  his  champions,  proceeded  to  the  gate  of  the 
monastery,  and  the  abbot  issued  with  all  his  monks.  He  did  not  at 
first  grant  the  request,  but  expatiated  on  the  impropriety  of  friars  en- 
gaging in  temporal  warfare.  But  Ilsan  threatening  to  make  him  and 
the  friars  answerable  for  the  death  of  any  of  the  Lombard  champions, 
the  abbot  granted  him  leave  to  accompany  Sir  Dietrich,  on  the  con. 
dition  of  his  bringing  him  a  chaplet  of  roses  from  Worms.  Ilsan  ex- 
claimed, that  every  one  of  the  friars  should  receive  one,  if  they  would 
pray  for  his  success,  and  for  the  welfare  of  his  soul ;  and  that  to  obtain 
them,  he  would  fight  with  a  immber  of  champions  equal  to  that  of  the 
friars.  They  promised  to  pray  for  him  day  and  night;  but  they  were 
weary  of  such  a  savage  companion,  and  offered  up  daily  prayers  that 
he  might  fall  under  the  blows  of  the  giant  Staudenfuss. 

Hildebrand  guided  the  host  towards  Worms,  and  on  the  fifth  day 
they  arrived  on  the  opposite  shore  of  the  Rhine.  There  he  acquainted 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  141 

his  companions  that  the  ferryman  was  the  most  fierce  and  savage  one 
in  Christendom,  and  that  he  and  his  twelve  sons  demanded,  as  re- 
ward, a  foot  and  a  hand  from  every  one  whom  they  ferried  over. 

Up  and  spake  Monk  Ilsan, —         "  Quickly  will  I  ride. 
And  beg  the  savage  ferryman        to  lead  us  o'er  the  tide; 
When  he  views  my  mickle  beard,         and  this  grey  cowl  of  mine, 
He  will  deem  us  friars,        and  speed  him  o'er  the  Rhine." 

"  Marvel  strange,"  spake  Wolfort,        "  were  it  thus  to  beg, 
And  for  such  a  host  as  our's         to  lose  a  hand  and  leg. 
Pray  him  as  ye  pray  an  ass,         when  the  sack  he  will  not  bear ; 
Tel]  him  his  lord  and  master,        Satan,  give  him  care." 

Quickly  sped  Monk  Ilsan,         and  cried  to  the  ferryman  bold, 
"  Say,  wilt  ihou  ferry  over         and  fetch  twelve  friars  old  ?" 
.When  he  viewed  his  beard  he  spake, —         "  Yes,  holy  father  mine." 
He  took  his  oars  and  rudder,         and  ferried  o'er  the  Rhine. 

But  when  he  beheld  the  armed  champions  instead  of  the  twelve  cowled 
monks,  he  heaved  up  his  oar,  and  struck  a  weighty  blow  on  the  monk, 
who  had  leaped  into  the  boat.  But  the  latter  returned  his  blows  so 
forcibly,  that  he  was  obliged  to  pray  for  mercy,  exclaiming  that  he 
had  never  before  met  his  match.  And  when  he  understood  that  the 
heroes  came  upon  Lady  Chrimhilt's  invitation,  he  quickly  provided 
ships  for  them,  and  ferried  them  to  the  opposite  shore. 


Adventure  III. 

When  the  arrival  of  the  Lombard  heroes  was  made  known.  King 
Ghibich  went  forth  to  receive  them,  accompanied  with  five  hundred 
knights.  A  splendid  encampment  was  prepared  for  the  guests  be- 
fore the  city.  Queen  Chrimhilt  soon  appeared,  with  a  train  of  three 
hundred  virgins,  richly  apparelled,  to  welcome  Dietrich  and  his  cham- 


142  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

pions.  Wolfort  was  so  enraged  at  her  pride  and  presumption,  that  he 
declared  he  would  give  her  a  blow  if  she.approiaehed  him ;  but  Hilde- 
brand  upbraided  him  for  his  want  of  courtesy,  and  Dietrich  command- 
ed every  mark  of  honour  to  be  paid  to  her.  On  her  approach  she 
bade  them  be  without  feiar,  and  gave  them  a  truce  of  eight  days,  du- 
ring which  they  were  splendidly  entertained  with  feasts  and  tourna- 
ments. 

On  the  ninth  morning  the  truce  was  at  an  end,  and  Chrimhilt  came 
to  propose  the  conditions  ;  but  old  Hildebrand,  who  had  little  cour- 
tesy towards  the  ladies,  bade  her  beware,  and  leave  the  camp.  She 
complained  of  his  uncourteous  behaviour  to  the  old  king,  who  com- 
manded the  giant  Pusolt  to  revenge  her  injury.  When  the  Lombards 
beheld  him,  they  armed  Wolfort,  who  leaped  into  the  garden,  tread- 
ing the  roses  under  his  feet.  The  giant  struck  him  to  the  ground, 
but  Hildebrand  called  to  him,  and  encouraged  him,  that  he  arose  again, 
and,  after  a  fierce  fight,  struck  oft'  the  giant's  head ;  upon  which  Lady 
Chrimhilt  gave  him  the  stipulated  chaplet  and  the  kiss.  The  old 
king  called  upon  Pusolt's  brother,  the  giant  Ortwin,  to  avenge  his 
death,  against  whom  Sighestab  appeared.  They  drove  one  another 
about  the  garden  for  a  long  time,  but  in  the  end  the  giant  shared  his 
brother's  fate,  and  his  opponent  received  the  promised  reward.  Ghi- 
bich  cursed  the  fatal  garden  of  roses^  and  begged  Schruthan  to  re- 
venge the  fall  of  his  champions,  promising  him  half  his  kingdom  if 
he  succeeded.  The  giant  called  out  aloud,  and  demanded  upon  whom 
he  should  take  vengeance  for  the  death  of  his  two  nephews.  Heyme 
was  called  upon  to  engage  him,  but  was  not  immediately  willing, 
pleading  the  enormous  strength  of  Schruthan.  At  last  Hildebrand 
encouraged  him  to  the  fight,  and  he  leaped  into  the  garden,  felled  the 
giant  to  the  ground,  and  was  rewarded  with  the  chaplet  and  the  kiss. 
Asperian,  a  bolder  giant  than  the  former,  now  appeared,  and  defended 
the  garden,  bearing  a  sword  in  each  of  his  hands.  Wittich,  a  cham- 
pion of  little  size,  but  great  strength,  was  called  upon,  but  felt  little 
inclination  to  encounter  the  uncouth  champion.  Not  even  the  proffer 
of  a  dukedom  could  prevail  upon  him.     Hildebrand  advised  Dietrich 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  us 

to  offer  his  invaluable  grey  horse  in  exchange  for  Wittich's  falcon,  to 
which  the  Berner  was  very  unwilling  to  consent.  But  when  he  saw 
nothing  else  would  induce  Wittich  to  hazard  the  combat,  he  made  the 
offer,  which  was  immediately  accepted.  The  champion  assaulted  the 
giant  with  the  two  swords,  and  after  receiving  many  severe  wounds^ 
put  his  opponent  to  flight,  and  received  for  reward  from  Dietrich  the 
horse,  and  from  Chrimhilt  the  kiss  and  the  chaplet.  The  old  king 
could  not  stifl.e  his  wrath,  and  called  upon  Staudenfuss,  the  fiercest  of 
all  the  giants,  who  lamented  that  he  had  not  been  the  first,  as  he  would 
have  put  all  the  knights  of  Bern  to  flight. 

«-, 

'Mongst  the  roses  Staudenfuss   ,  trod  with  tnickle  pride  ; 
With  rage  and  with  impatience,        his  foe  he  did  abide ; 

Much  he  feared  no  Longobard  would  dare  to  meet  his  blade  ; 

But  a  bearded  monk  lay  ready  for  the  fight  arrayed. 

"  Brother  Ilsan,  raise  thine  eyes,"        spake  Sir  Hildebrand, 

"  Where,  'mongst  the  blooming  roses,        our  threatening  foe  does  stand ! 

Staudenfuss,  the  giant  hight,        born  upon  the  Rhine. 

Up,  and  shrive  him  of  his  sins,        holy  brother  mine !"— » 

"  It's  I  will  fight  him,"  cried  the  monk ;        "  my  blessing  shall  he  gain; 
Never  'mongst  the  roses         shall  he  wage  the  fight  again." 
Straight  above  his  coat  of  mail         his  friar's  cowl  he  cast. 
Hid  his  sword  and  buckler>        and  to  the  garden  past. 

Among  the  blooming  roses        leaped  the  grisly  monk : 

With  laughter  ladies  viewed  his  beard,      and  his  visage  brown  and  shrunk  ; 

As  he  trod  with  angry  step        o'er  the  flowery  green. 

Many  a  maiden  laughed  aloud,         and  many  a  knight,  I  ween>^ 

Up  spake  Lady  Chrimhilt,-:-        "  Father,  leave  thine  ire ! 
Go  and  chaunt  thy  matins        with  thy  brothers  in  the  choir." 
"  Gentle  lady,"  cried  the  monk,        "  roses  must  I  have. 
To  deck  my  dusky  cowl        in  guise  right  gay  and  brave." 


144^  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

Loudly  laughed  the  giant,        when  he  saw  his  beard  so  rough,— 
"  Should  I  laughing  die  to-morrow,        I  had  not  laughed  enough. 
Has  the  kemp  of  Bern        sent  his  fool  to  fight  i" — 
"  Giant,  straight  thy  hide  shall  feel        that  I  have  my  wits  aright," 

TJp  heaved  the  monk  his  heavy  fist,        and  Tie  struck  a  weighty  blow, 
Down  among  the  roses        he  felled  his  laughing  foe. 
Fiercely  cried  Sir  Staudenfuss,  "  Thou  art  the  devil's  priest ! 

Heavy  penance  dost  thou  deal        with  ihy  wrinkled  fist." 

Together  rushed  the  uncouth  kemps ;        each  drew  bis  trusty  blade ; 
With  heavy  tread  below  their  feet        they  crushed  the  roses  red ; 
All  the  garden  flowed        with  their  purple  blood ; 
Each  did  strike  full  sorry  blows,        with  their  falchions  good. 

Cruel  looks  their  eyes  did  cast,         and  fearful  was  their  war. 
But  the  friar  cut  his  enemy        o'er  the  head  a  bloody  scar; 
Deeply  carved  his  trusty  sword        through  the  helmet  bright: 
Joyful  was  the  hoary  monk,        for  he  had  won  the  fight. 

They  parted  the  two  champions         speedily  asunder : 
The  friar's  heavy  interdict        lay  the  giant  under. 
Up  arose  Queen  Chrimhiit,         to  Sir  Ilsan  has  she  sped. 
On  his  bald  head  did  she  lay        a  crown  of  roses  red. 

Through  the  garden  roved  he,         as  in  the  merry  dance ; 
A  kiss  the  lady  gave  him,         where  madly  he  did  prance. 
"  Hear,  thou  lady  fair ;        more  roses  must  I  have ; 
To  my  two-and-fifty  brothers         I  promised  chaplets  brave. 

"  If  ye  have  not  kemps  to  fight,        I  must  rob  thy  garden  fair. 

And  right  sorry  should  I  be        to  work  thee  so  much  care." 

"  Fear  not,  the  battle  shalt  thou  wage        with  champions  bold  and  true  : 

Crowns  and  kisses  mayst  thou  gain         for  thy  brothers  fifty-two." 

The  next  combat  was  fought  between  Walter  of  Wachsenstein  and 
the  noble  Dietlieb  of  Styria,  both  of  them  yoxHig  heroes.    By  the 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  145 

persuasion  of  Hildebrand,  Chrimhilt  consented  to  allow  them  to  be 
parted,  and  to  bestow  the  stipulated  reward  on  each  of  them.  Then 
King  Ghibich  called  Folker  of  Alsace,  surnamed  the  Fiddler,  to  the 
fight,  who  bore  a  golden  fiddle  on  his  back.  Young  Ortwin  was  op- 
posed to  him,  and  put  him  to  flight.  The  giant  Haghen  was  now  or- 
dered to  defend  the  garden,  and  the  true  Eckart  defied  him  to  the 
combat.  After  a  courteous  salutation,  they  commenced  the  fight ;  but 
Chrimhilt,  when  she  found  her  champion  in  danger,  relieved  him,  by 
crowning  Eckart  with  the  chaplet ;  he,  however,  refiased  the  kiss  of  a 
maiden  so  cruelly  inclined,  and  without  truth.  The  young  kings 
Ghernot  and  Gilnter  fought  successively  with  Helmschrot  and  Duke 
Amelolt,  and  were  both  forced  to  fly  to  the  ladies  for  shelter,  cursing  the 
bloody  disposition  of  their  sister.  When  King  Ghibich  saw  the  evil 
success  of  his  champions,  he  armed  himself,  and  was  attacked  by  old 
Hildebrand.  The  two  aged  champions  waged  a  long  and  bloody  fight. 
At  last  the  king  was  felled  to  the  ground  ;  but  Hildebrand  spared  his 
life,  at  the  intercession  of  his  daughter.  He  received  the  chaplet,  but 
refused  the  kiss. 

"  Lady,  keep  thy  kisses,"         spake  Hildebrand  the  bold ; 
"  Mine  will  I  carry  home  with  me,        to  my  housewife  old; 
Far  her  love  is  famed  around,        her  stedfast  faith  and  sooth ; 
Why  then  should  I  kiss         a  maiden  without  truth  i" 

No  champions  now  remained  but  Dietrich  of  Bern,  and  the  horny 
Siegfiried.  The  latter  leaped  into  the  garden,  and  loudly  upbraided 
his  opponent  for  making  him  wait.  The  knight  of  Bern  was  admo- 
nished by  Hildebrand  and  Wolfort  to  the  fight,  but  he  accused  them 
of  conspiring  his  death.  He  feared  particularly  three  things  : — Sieg- 
fried's sword  Mimung,'  his  hauberk,  made  by  Master  Eckenbrecht, 

»  We  have  here  another  instance  of  the  confusion  which  has  taken  place  among  the 
writers  of  these  romances.  Mimung,  according  to  the  Wilkina-Saga,  was  the  swoi-d  of 
Vidga,  or  Wittich,  not  that  of  Siegfried,  to  whom  the  former  lent  it  in  the  adventure  cor- 
responding with  this  portion  of  the  Book  of  Heroes.    (See  page  35.) 

T 


146  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

and  the  horny  consistence  of  his  skin,  in  consequence  of  his  having 
bathed  in  the  dragon's  blood.  Hildebrand  used  every  persuasion  to 
stimulate  his  master  to  the  fight,  and  at  last  gave  him  a  severe  blow, 
which  Dietrich  returned,  and  threw  him  to  the  ground.  Ghibich  up- 
braided him  with  the  disgrace  he  had  received  ;  and  at  last,  growing 
ashamed  of  his  fears,  he  mounted  his  horse,  and  entered  the  garden, 
This  battle  was  the  fiercest  that  had  yet  been  fought.  Siegfried  gave 
the  knight  of  Bern  a  severe  wound,  and  was  very  near  gaining  the 
victory,  when  Wolfort,  to  rouse  his  rage,  cried  out  aloud,  that  Hilde-. 
brand  had  been  murdered.  This  had  the  desired  effect.  Dietrich  cut 
through  the  hauberk  and  the  horny  hide  of  his  oppoflent,  and  forced 
him  to  fly  into  the  lap  of  Chrimhilt,  who  covered  him  with  a  veil, 
and  begged  his  life  of  the  conqueror.  But  Dietrich  would  not  be 
pacified  till  Hildebrand  shewed  himself.  Then  he  received  the  re- 
ward from  Chrimhilt,  and  retired. 


Up  spake  the  queen, — "  Monk  Ilsan,        see  your  chaplets  ready  dight; 
Champions  two-and-fifty         stand  waiting  for  the  fight." 
Ilsan  rose,  and  don'd  his  cowl,         and  run  against  them  all ; 
There  the  monk  has  given  them        many  a  heavy  fall. 

To  the  ground  he  felled  them,         and  gave  them  his  benison ; 
Beneath  the  old  monk's  falchion        lay  twelve  champions  of  renown. 
And  full  of  fear  and  sorrow        the  other  forty  were ; 
Their  right  hand  held  they  forth,        begged  him  their  lives  to  spare. 

Rathly  ran  the  monk,        to  the  queen  Chrimhilt  he  hied  : 

"  Lay  thy  champions  in  the  grave,         and  leave  thy  mickle  pride: 

I  have  dight  them  for  their  death ;        I  did  shrive  them  and  anoint  them ; 

Never  will  they  thrive  or  speed        in  the  task  thou  didst  appoint  them. 

"  When  again  thy  roses  blow,        to  the  feast  the  monk  invite." 
The  Lady  Chrimhilt  gave  him        two-and-fifty  chaplets  bright. 
"  Nay,  lady  queen,  remind  thee !         By  the  holy  order  mine, 
I  claim  two-and-fifty  kisses        from  your  lips  so  red  and  fine." 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  14? 

And  when  Chrimhilt,  the  queen,        gave  him  kisses  fifty-two. 
With  his  rough  and  grisly  beard        full  sore  he  made  her  rue. 
That  from  her  lovely  cheek        'gan  flow  the  rosy  blood : 
The  queen  was  full  of  sorrow,        but  the  monk  it  thought  him  good. 

Thus  should  unfaithful  maiden        be  kissed,  and  made  to  bleed. 
And  feel  such  pain  and  sorrow,        for  the  mischief  she  did  breed. 


The  old  King  Ghibich  was  obliged  to  swear  fealty  to  Dietrich,  and 
take  his  dominions  from  him  in  fee.  Chrimhilt  never  re-established 
the  garden  of  roses.  The  Lombards  returned  to  Bern,  where  their 
victory  was  celebrated  with  feasts  and  tournaments ;  at  the  expiration 
of  which  the  monk  took  his  leave,  and  returned  to  the  abbey.  When 
he  knocked  at  the  gate,  every  thing  was  in  consternation,  and  the 
friars  issued  forth  in  procession,  to  deprecate  his  anger. 


"  Brothers  mine,  approach  !         coronets  I  bring : 
Come,  your  bald  heads  will  I  crown,         each  one  like  a  king." 
He  pressed  a  thorny  chaplet        on  each  naked  crown. 
That  o'er  their  rugged  visages        the  gory  flood  ran  down. 

They  sighed  that  all  their  prayers        for  his  death  had  been  in  vain ; 
Loud  they  roared,  but  silently         they  cursed  him  in  their  pain. 
"  Brothers  we  are,"  so  spake  the  monk,        "  then  must  ye  have  your  share; 
For  me  to  bear  the  pain  alone,        in  sooth  it  were  not  fair. 

"  See  how  richly  ye  are  dight !         beauteous  still  ye  were  ; 
Now  ye  are  crowned  with  roses,        none  may  with  ye  compare." 
The  abbot,  and  the  prior,        and  all  the  convent  wept. 
But  no  one,  for  his  life,        forth  against  him  stept. 

"  Ye  must  help  to  bear  my  sins,        holy  brethren  all ; 
For  if  ye  do  not  pray  for  me,        dead  to  the  ground  ye  fall." 
A  few  there  were  who  would  not  pray        for  Monk  Ilsan's  soul : 
He  tied  their  beards  together,        and  hung  them  o'er  a  pole. 


148  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

Loud  they  wept,  and  long  they  begged,        "  Brother,  let  us  go ; 
At  vesper  and  at  matins        will  we  pray  for  you." 
Ever  since,  where'er  be  went,        they  knelt,  and  feared  his  wrath ; 
Helped  to  bear  his  heavy  sins,        untill  his  welcome  death. 


THE 


BOOK  OF  HEROES. 


BOOK  FOURTH. 


OF 


THE  LITTLE  GARDEN  OF  ROSES, 


AND  OF 


LAURIN,  KING  OF  THE  DWARFS. 


Hearken,  knights  of  uoble  cheer ! 
Many  marvels  shall  ye  hear ; 
Wonders  done  in  times  of  old. 
In  ancient  parchments  truly  told  r 
How,  in  many  distant  lands. 
Champions  fought  with  glittering  brands. 
With  giants  bold,  and  dwarfish  knights. 
Many  fierce  and  sturdy  fights. ' 

•  These  lines  are  given  as  a  specimen  of  the  versification  employed  in  this  part  of  the- 
work,  (perhaps  the  most  valuable  of  the  four,)  in  the  printed  copy.  To  have  translated 
all  the  specimens  in  this  metre,  would  not  have  been  very  eligible,  as  the  nakedness  of  the 
original,  and  the  frequent  repetition  of  the  same  epithets  and  the  same  rhymesj  would 
have  appeared  too  evident  in  a  close  version ;  and  to  avoid  this,  great  latitude  in  the 
translation  would  have  been  necessary,  to  make  it  any  way  palatable,  and  more  poetical 
imagination  than  the  present  writer  can  make  any  pretensions  to  possess.  But  the  most 
valid  confirmation  of  the  propriety  of  employing  the  same  metre  as  in  the  other  parts  of 
the  Book  of  Heroes,  is  the  circumstance,  that  the  MS.  copy  of  this  part,  in  the  library  at 
Dresden,  is  actually  in  the  same  stanza  as  the  other  parts. 


150  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 


In  the  land  of  Styria  dwelt        a  youthful  kemp  of  fame ; 

Far  was  spread  his  high  renown,         and  Dietlieb  was  his  name. 

A  fair  and  lovely  sister        bre^  the  noble  bjade  : 

Ever  with  laud  and  honour        'will  I  crown  the  gentle  maid. 

One  morn,  with  all  her  virgins,         she  issued  to  the  plain ; 
Dietlieb,  with  three  noble  earls,         followed  in  her  train : 
With  many  knights  and  squires  she  rode        to  an  ancient  linden  tree ; 
There  in  mirth  and  feasting        lay  the  gallant  company. 

But  sudden  from  their  wondering  eyes        vanished  Similt  the  bright : 
With  arts  of  cunning  grammary,        the  robber  wrought  the  sleight. 
A  tarn-cap  o'er  the  fair  he  cast,        and  his  prize  he  quickly  bore. 
Many  a  day  and  many  a  night,        'through  forests  dark  and  hoar. 

He  bore  her  to  his  cavern,        where  he  ruled  in  royalty, 

O'er  savage  hills  and  valleys,        with  his  Utile  chivalry. 

The  gentle  maid  he  welcomed :         "  Thou  shalt  wear  theicrown  of  gold. 

And  reign  o'er  many  cunning  dwarfs,        and  many  giants  bold."' 

"  Hear,  thou  king  of  might  and  main,"        cried  the  beauteous  may; 
"  If  Dietlieb  gave  me  for  thy  bride,        I  will  dwell  with  thee  for  aye : 
If  not,  no  pleasure  shall  I  know,        but  rest  in  dark  despair. 
Till  back  to  the  land  of  Styria        a  maiden  I  repair." 

Up  and  spake  the  royal  dwarf, —         "  Cast  thy  fears  away : 
Fifteen  lordly  kings        thy  sceptre  shall  obey. 
On  this  middle-earth,         not  the  richest  king  commands 
Nobler  peers  and  champions,         nor  rules  o'er  richer  lands." 

"  But  say,"  cried  Lady  Similt,        "  thy  name,  thou  little  knight ; 

Why  so  small  thy  body,        and  so  great  thy  royal  might  ?" — 

"  Lady,  my  name  is  Laurin ;        bloody  fights  I  fought. 

Before  I  gain'd  my  royal  crown,        and  deeds  full  knight-like  wrought." 

"  Then,"  cried  the  lovely  damsel,        "  since  thy  pow'r  so  great  and  wide. 

Here  I  pledge  my  faith  to  thee." —        The  dwarf  smiled  on  his  bride. 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  151 

In  the  mean  time  Dietlieb  and  his  knights  had  sought  the  lady  in 
vain,  but  fearing  themselves  the  spells  of  the  magician  by  whom  she 
had  been  borne  away,  they  abandoned  the  pursuit,  and  returned  to 
the  casde.  But  Dietlieb  was  inconsolable  for  the  loss  of  his  sister. 
He  left  his  castle,  and  proceeded  to  the  burgh  of  Garten,  to  consult 
with  old  Hildebrand,  whose  wisdom  was  renowned  in  those  days.  The 
old  hero  marked  his  dejected  countenance  as  he  approached,  and  led 
him  into  his  chamber,  where  he  received  the  news  of  the  sudden  dis- 
appearance of  Similt.  He  consoled  the  young  knight,  and  promised 
to  :make  every  exertion  to  discover  and  punish  the  ravisher,  and  bring 
the  lady  back.  Having  armed  themselves,  they  proceeded  into  the 
forest,  accompanied  by  the  knights  of  Hildebrand,  where  they  met  a 
forester,  and  were  about  to  take  him  prisoner,  when  he  deprecated 
their  wrath,  and  infprmed  them  that  he  had  been  outlawed  by  Laurin, 
the  mighty  king  of  the  hills  and  valleys. 


He  dwells  among  the  mountains^         and  rules  with  royal  might ; 
What  though  his  form  be  little^         he  bears  him  like  a  kuight. 
Should  hundred  armed  champions        against  him  wage  the  fight. 
They  would  fall  in  fearful  jeopardy,        before  that  little  wight. 

For  two-and-thirty  years        he  has  graithed  a  spacious  mead. 
And  a  garden  fair  has  planted        all  with  the  roses  red ; 
A  silken  line  is  drawn  around  :         there  many  a  champion  good 
Upon  the  blooming  meadow        has  shed  his  purple  blood. 

Four  portalsWthe  garden  lead,        and  when  the  gates  are  closed. 

No  living  wight  dare  touch  a  rose,        'gainst  his  strict  command  opposed. 

Whoe'er  would  break  the  golden  gates,        or  cut  the  silken  thread. 

Or  would  dare  to  crush  the  flowers         down  beneath  his  tread. 

Soon  for  his  pride  would  leave        to  pledge  a  foot  and  hand  : 

Thus  Laurin,.king  of  dwarfs,        rules  within  his  land. 

In  this  manner  Laurin  committed  great  ravages  in  the  forest  of  the 
Tyrol,  and  Hildebrand  resolved  to  communicate  his  intelligence  to 


J  52  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

Dietrich  and  his  heroes,  and  to  stimulate  younger  knights  than  him- 
self to  undertake  the  enterprise,  and  punish  the  presumption  of  the 
dwarf.  Having  returned  to  Bern,  and  remained  there  some  time,  he 
one  day  related  to  Wittich,  the  son  of  Wieland,  who  was  extolling  the 
matchless  prowess  of  Dietrich,  the  strange  and  perilous  adventure. 
But  Dietrich  overheard  him,  blamed  him  for  having  so  long  concealed 
it,  and  immediately  resolved  to  put  down  the  pride  of  the  little  mo- 
narch. Wittich  undertook  to  accompany  him  in  the  expedition. 
Having  put  on  their  armour,  they  issued  from  the  burgh  of  Bern,  and 
entered  the  thick  and  mountainous  forest  of  the  Tyrol ;  and  after  having 
proceeded  about  thirty  mUes,  they  discovered  the  spacious  meadow, 
and  the  garden  of  roses.  The  knight  of  Bern  was  so  charmed  with  its 
beauty,  that  he  was  unwilUng  to  begin  the  work  of  destruction ;  but 
Wittich  exclaiming  against  the  pride  and  presumption  of  Laurin,  im- 
mediately began  its  desolation. 


Wittich,  the  mighty  champion^        trod  the  roses  to  the  ground. 
Broke  down  the  gates,  and  ravaged         the  garden  far  renowned : 
Gone  was  the  portals'  splendour,         by  the  heroes  bold  destroyed ; 
The  fragrance  of  the  flowers  was  past,        and  all  the  garden's  pride. 

But  as  upon  the  grass         they  lay,  withouten  fear. 
No  heed  they  had  of  danger,        nor  weened  their  foe  was  near : 
Behold,  where  came  a  little  kemp,         in  warlike  manner  dight ; 
A  king  he  was  o'er  many  a  land,         and  Laurin  was  he  hight 

A  lance  with  gold  was  wound  about,         the  little  kinged  bear : 

On  the  lance  a  silken  pennon         fluttered  in  the  air ; 

Thereon  two  hunting  grey-hounds        lively  were  pourtrayed ; 

They  seemed  as  though  they  chaced    •     the  roebuck  through  the  glade. 

His  courser  bounded  like  a  fawn,         and  the  golden  foot-cloth  gay 

Glittered  with  gems  of  mound,        brighter  than  the  day. 

Firmly  in  his  hands         he  grasped  a  golden  rein  ; 

And  with  rubies  red  his  saddle  gleamed,         as  he  pricked  along  the  plain. 

6 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  15S 

In  guise  right  bold  and  chivalrous        in  the  stirrups  rich  he  stood : 
Not  the  truest  blade  could  cut        his  pusens  red  as  blood : 
Hardened  was  his  hauberk        in  the  gore  of  dragons  fierce. 
And  his  golden  bruny  bright        not  the  boldest  knight  might  pierce. 

Around  his  waist  a  girdle        he  wore  of  magic  power ; 
The  strength  of  twelve  the  strongest  men        it  gave  him  in  the  stour. 
Deeds  of  noble  chivalry         and  manhood  wrought  the  knight ; 
Still  had  he  gained  the  victory         in  every  bloody  fight. 

Cunning  he  was,  and  quaint  of  skill,         and  when  bis  wrath  arose. 
The  kemp  must  be  of  mickle  might         could  stand  his  weighty  blows. 
Little  was  King  Laurin,         but  from  many  a  precious  gem 
His  wondtous  strength  and  power,        and  his  bold  courage  came. 

Tall  at  times  his  stature  grew,        with  spells  of  grammary ; 
Then  to  the  noblest  princes         fellow  might  he  be  : 
And  when  he  rode,  a  noble  blade         bore  he  in  his  baud ; 
In  many  fights  the  sword  was  proved         wOrth  a  spacious  land. 

Silken  was  his  mantle,         with  stones  of  mound  inlaid. 
Sewed  in  two-and-seventy  squares,        by  many  a  cunning  maid. 
His  helmet,  strong  and  trusty,        was  forged  of  the  weighty  gold. 
And  when  the  dwarf  did  bear  it,         his  courage  grew  more  bold. 

In  the  gold,  with  many  gems,        a  bright  carbuncle  lay. 

That  where  he  rode  the  darkest  night        was  lighter  than  the  day. 

A  golden  crown  he  bore        upon  his  helmet  bright ; 

With  richer  gems  and  finer  gold         ho  mortal  kjng  is  dight. 

Upon  the  crown  and  on  the  helm        birds  sung  their  merry  lay ; 
Nightingales  and  larks  did  chaunt        their  measures  blithe  and  gay; 
As  if  in  greenwood  flying,         they  tuned  their  minstrelsy : 
With  hand  of  master  were,  they  wrought,      and  with  spells  of  grammary. 

On  his  arm  he  bore        a  gilded  buckler  bright ; 

There  many  sparhawks,tame  and  wild,    were  pourtrayed  with  cunning  slight, 

u 


154,  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

And  a  savage  leopard  ranging,        pi'owling  through  the  wood. 
Right  in  act  to  seize  his  prey,        thirsting  for  their  blood. 

When  Wittich  beheld  the  gorgeous  array  of  the  dwarf,  he  imagined 
some  angel,  most  probably  St  Michael,  appeared  to  them ;  but  Diet- 
rich immediately  supposed  him  to  be  the  lord  of  the  garden,  and  ad- 
vised his  companion  to  fasten  his  helmet,  and  lace  his  armour  tight. 
Upon  the  dwarf's  approach,  they  saluted  him  courteously,  but  were 
overwhelmed  with  the  most  insulting  reproaches  in  return.  He  or- 
dered them  instantly  to  quit  the  garden,  and  to  choose  between  death 
and  the  usual  penalty  he  had  imposed  upon  all  those  who  transgressed 
his  commands — Closing  the  left  foot  and  the  right  hand.  Wittich,  who 
possessed  great  valour,  but  little  prudence,  said  to  the  knight  of  Bern, 
that  he  would  revenge  the  insults  they  had  received ;  and  taking  the 
horse,  which  was  the  size  of  a  goat,  and  the  dwarf  in  one  hand,  throw 
them  against  the  rock.  But  Dietrich  counselled  him  to  beware,  know- 
ing the  miraculous  strength  which  was  often  inherent  in  the  most  di- 
minutive dwarfs ;  and  recollecting  what  unprovoked  injury  they  had 
done  to  the  little  king,  he  wished  himself  safely  returned  to  his  castle  of 
Bern,  and  advised  his  companion  to  collect  all  his  strength  when  he 
attacked  their  diminutive  opponent.  Wittich  was  wroth  at  what  he 
supposed  cowardice  in  his  master,  and  boasted  that  he  would  hang  up 
a  thousand  such  champions,  if  they  dared  to  oppose  him.  King  Lau- 
rin  heard  his  bravadoes,  and  courteously  invited  him  to  try  the  com- 
bat. Wittich,  having  laced  his  helmet  fast,  leaped  upon  his  courser, 
and  run  against  him.  .  But  his  force  was  of  no  avail  against  the  magic 
power  of  his  opponent,  whose  lance  hit  him  on  the  helmet,  and  struck 
him  to  the  ground,  where  he  writhed  with  shame  and  anguish.  The 
dwarf  leaped  out  of  his  stirrups,  bound  him,  and  was  about  to  take 
the  forfeit  he  usually  exacted  upon  the  knights  whom  he  vanquished, 
when  Dietrich  struck  his  falchion  aside,  and  defied  him  to  the  combat. 
King  Laurin  upbraided  him  for  the  insults  he  had  dared  to  commit 
against  him,  and  rejoiced  in  the  hope  of  subduing  the  far-famed  hero 
of  Bern. 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  155 

They  both  mounted  their  horses,  and  were  just  about  to  run  the 
course,  one  against  the  other,  when  the  sage  Hildebrand  arrived,  with 
Dietlieb  and  Sir  Wolfort.  The  old  hero  advised  Dietrich  to  beware 
of  the  dwarf's  strength,  and  to  recollect  that  he  could  never  appear 
with  honour  at  the  court  of  princes,  if  he  should  be  felled  to  the  ground 
by  such  a  diminutive  opponent.  He  counselled  him  to  try  the  com- 
bat on  foot,  and  not  to  attempt  to  penetrate  his  armour,  but  strike 
him  a  heavy  blow  upon  the  ear.  .Dietrich  followed  the  old  hero's  ad- 
vice, leaped  from  his  horse,  and  defied  the  dwarf  to  close  combat, 
which  he  immediately  accepted.  King  Laurin  at  the  first  outset  struck 
the  shield  out  of  Dietrich's  hand,  but  the  latter  gave  him  such  heavy 
blows  upon  his  helmet,  that  he  began  to  despair  of  the  victory,  and 
cursed  the  untimely  arrival  of  Hildebrand,  without  whose  intervention 
he  could  not  have  failed  to  gain  the  day.  When  he  found  that  he 
would  fall  under  the  sword  of  his  opponent,  he  took  a  tarn-cap  out  of 
his  pouch,  <;ast  it  over  his  head,  and  instantly  disappeared  from  the 
sight  of  the  five  knights.  But  though  invisible,  he  continued  to  strike 
at  his  foe,  and  wounded  him  in  twelve  different  places.  The  rage  of 
Dietrich  was  boundless,  and  his  breath  became  fiery  ;  a  quality  which 
it  always  possessed  when  he  was  greatly  enraged,  and  which  proved 
very  useful  to  him  in  the  sequel  of  this  adventure.  He  struck  the  air 
in  all  directions,  and  cut  into  the  rocks  the  depth  of  an  ell,  but  the 
dwarf  knew  weU  how  to  avoid  his  blows.  Hildebrand  continually  en- 
couraged his  master  to  keep  up  the  battle ;  and  when  he  found  that  all 
was  vain,  he  counselled  him  to  challenge  his  little  enemy  to  wrestle 
with  liim,  and  if  he  once  caught  him,  not  to  let  him  escape.  The  dwarf 
accepted  the  defiance,  and,  pulUng  him  by  the  legs,  threw  him  to  the 
ground.  There  they  wrestled  for  a  long  time,  till  Hildebrand  called 
to  the  champion  of  Bern  to  seize  him  by  the  magic  girdle,  and  en- 
deavour to  break  it  asunder.  Dietrich  followed  the  advice,  heaved 
the  dwarf  up  by  his  girdle,  and  threw  him  so  violently  against  the 
rocks,  that  all  the  valleys  re-choed  to  the  fall.  The  necromantic  gir- 
dle was  broken  asunder,  and  fell  on  the  ground.  Hildebrand  imme- 
diately seized  it,  and  thus  left  to  King  Laurin  no  more  than  the  ordi- 


156  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

nary  strength  of  a  dwarf.  He  was  now  forced  to  submit  to  the  victor, 
and  humjjly  to  pray  for  his  life.  But  though  he  offered  to  deUver  up 
all  the  immense  treasures  concealed  in  his  subterraneous  dominions, 
Dietrich  was  so  enraged  at  the  opposition  he  had  experienced  from  an 
enemy  apparently  so  contemptible,  that  he  bade  him  prepare  for  death, 
nor  indulge  in  the  hope  of  being  suffered  to  live  longer. 

Laurin  had  now  recourse  to  the  only  resource  he  had  left.  He 
called  upon  Dietlieb,  flattered  his  vanity,  by  extolling  his  prowess,  and 
begged  him  to  savehis  Ufe,  for  the  sake  of  his  sister,  whom  he  had  in 
his  possession.  The  knight  of  Styria  promised  to  intercede  for  him, 
and  prayed  him  of  Bern  to  deliver  up  the  dwarf  to  him,  offering  to 
continue  in  his  service  for  his  whole  lifetime.  But  Dietrich  refused 
to  hearken  to  any  of  his  offers,  whereupon  the  brother  of  Similt  laced 
fast  his  helmet,  took  his  horse  by  the  bridle,  and  coming  up  to  Diet- 
rich, told  him  that  he  was  prepared  to  be  the  dwarf's  champion,  and 
to  defend  his  brother-in-law  to  the  last  extremity,  against  any  one  who 
dared  to  offer  him  an  injury.  Having  given  this  defiance,  he  took 
the  little  king  by  the  hand,  led  him  away,  and  concealed  him  in  the 
forest. 

Dietrich  did  not  say  a  word,  but  by  his  angry  eye  Dietlieb  saw  his 
rage,  and  knew  that  he  would  be  obliged  to  combat  with  him.  The 
knight  of  Bern  grasped  his  shield  and  spear,  and  bade  Hildebrand 
bring  his  steed.  Having  mounted,  he  rode  to  the  course,  and  found 
the  Styrian  ready  to  abide  his  fury.  They  rushed  together  with  such 
force,  that  both  the  knights  fell  over  the  crupper  of  their  horses. 
Dietlieb  struck  his  opponent's  shield  out  of  his  hand,  but  Dietrich, 
heaving  up  his  sword  with  both  his  hands,  felled  him  to  the  ground. 
He  rose  again,  and  the  fight  was  renewed  ;  but  Hildebrand,  seeing  the 
fury  of  the  champions,  bade  Wohbrt  and  Wittich  part  them,  and  be- 
gan to  negociate  a  peace,  in  which  Laurin  was  to  be  included.  When 
the  dwarf  understood  this,  he  came  forth  from  his  retreat,  and  gave 
Dietheb  an  account  of  the  manner  of  his  having  obtained  his  sister, 
who  was  as  yet  a  virgin,  vaunting  to  him  the  power  and  immense 
riches  which  were  at  her  command.    Dietlieb  demanded  to  see  her, 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  157 

and  promised,  in  case  he  found  his  account  true,  to  give  her  to  him  for 
his  spouse.  Hildebrand  had  in  the  meantime  advised  the  knight  of 
Bern  to  endeavour,  by  every  concession,  to  obtain  the  service  of  the 
valorous  Dietheb,  to  which  he  consented ;  and  a  general  peace  was  con- 
cluded between  the  champions  and  King  Laurin,  who  promised  to 
lead  them  into  his  subterraneous  dominions,  and  to  show  them  their, 
wonders. 

To  his  brother  spake  the  king  of  dwarfs, —        "  Since  fellows  now  we  be, 

I  will  subject  all  my  treasures        and  all  my  might  to  thee : 

With  your  knighits  I'll  lead  you         into  the  hollow  hill; 

There  many  a  dwarf,  alert  and  fair,        shall  serve  ye  at  your  will. 

*'  There,  ray  fellows,  shall  ye  find        pastimes  blythe  and  gay; 
With  song  of  birds  and  play  of  harps,        a  week  will  seem  a  day  : 
All  the  merry  pastimes        never  may  I  tell : 
Tl^ere,  without  all  guile  and  fear,        in  pleaaui"es  shall  ye  dwell."  - 


Dietrich  and  his  companions  counselled  with  Hildebrand,  on  the 
propriety  of  believing  the  fair  promises  of  King  Laurin.  The  old  hero 
advised  them,  as  they  trusted  their  reputation,  to  accept  the  invita- 
tion, and  not  to  cast  any  imputation  upon  their  courage.  Wohbrt 
expressed  great  curiosity  to  view  the  wonders  of  the  caverns,  but 
Wittich  warned  them  not  to  confide  in  the  deceitful  words  of  the  lit- 
tle king,  and  to  beware  of  "  his  lies  and  idle  phantasies,  wrought  by 
the  devil's  cunning ;"  for  which  he  was  upbraided  and  laughed  at  by 
his  companions.  Enraged  at  their  ridicule,  he  leaped  on  his  courser, 
and,  without  uttering  a  word,  gallopped  on  before  them.  When  the 
other  knights  came  up,  they  inquired  of  the  dwarf  what  distance  they 
were  from  his  cavern,  and  were  informed  that  they  had  yet  fifleen  miles 
to  ride. 

Darker  grew  the  night,        and  the  little  monarch  cried, 
"  Follow  me,  you  heroes  bold,        through  the  forest  wide ; 


158  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

Soon  before  a  cavern         shall  ye  view  a  fountain  : 

We'll  spend  the  night  v?ith  mirth  and  glee        in  the  hollow  mountain." 

The  little  king  they  followed,         but  the  night  was  dark  and  dreary. 
And  as  through  the  forest's  shade  they  rode,      the  kemps  grew  wroth  and  weary ; 
But  soon  their  anger  past  away,        when  the  fountain  clear  they  viewed: 
There  King  Laurin  bade  them  leap        from  their  coursers  good. 

To  the  mountain's  gate  he  hied  ;        there  hung  a  bell  of  gold ; 
Quickly  he  drew  the  string,        and  the  bell  has  loudly  tolled ; 
Through  all  the  hollow  hill        aloud  the  sound  did  ring : 
Soon  the  portals  they  unclosed,        to  their  master  and  their  king. 

And  when  the  gates  were  opened,        forth  a  splendour  gleamed ; 
Brighter  than  the  day  it  shone,        and  around  the  forest  beamed; 
From  many  a  gem  the  splendour  came,         hung  in  the  cavern  bright : 
Wond'ring  stood  the  heroes,        when  they  viewed  the  magic  light. 

* 
Up  spake  the  trusty  knight  of  Bern, —        "  Marvels  strange  we  view  ! 
I  ween,  carbuncles  in  the  cave,        are  hung  of  glittering  hue." — 
"  Leave  your  coursers  on  the  mead,"—        spake  King  Laurin,  bold  and  free ; 
"  Come,  ye  kemps,  we'll  spend  the  night        in  mirth  and  jollity. 

"  A  knight  of  worth  and  courage  high        that  hollow  hill  commands  ; 
In  fee  I  gave  him  castles  strong,        and  many  spacious  lands ; 
He  will  graithe  ye  noble  cheer,        the  bread  and  sparkling  wine : 
Follow  me  without  all  fear,        gentle  brothers  mine." 

The  champions  sped  into  the  cave,        where  many  dwarfs  appeared ; 
There  the  merry  song  of  birds,         and  the  sound  of  harps  they  heard  : 
The  trumpets  clear  resounded        in  the  royal  hall  aloud : 
To  the  deas  had  sped  the  host,        when  he  viewed  the  champions  proud. 

There  they  brought  him  tiding        of.his  royal  guest : 
Laurin,  his  mighty  suzerain,         bade  him  graithe  the  feast. 
The  heroes  five  he  welcomed,        and  bade  his  meiny  dight 
Noble  cheer  and  chambers  fair,        to  rest  them  for  the  night. 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  159 

They  placed  them  all  the  table  round,        and  made  them  royal  cheer ; 
Costly  meats  and  wine  they  brought        for  each  bold  compeer  ; 
At  the  feast  the  noble  host        made  them  blythe  and  gay  : 
When  they  had  supped  in  royal  guise,        the  deas  was  borne  away. 

To  Laurin  spake  the  host, —        "  Say,  thou  king  of  might. 
How  long  the  royal  feast        for  these  champions  shall  I  dight  ?" — 
"  To-morrow,  with  the  rising  sun,         to  my  palace  will  we  ride. 
There  to  shew  these  noble  kemps         all  its  gorgeous  pride." 

The  night  they  spent  right  merrily,         with  pastimes  blythe  and  gay. 

Leave  took  the  little  monarch,         and  prepared  to  pass  away. 

When  the  dwarfs  unclosed  the  portals,        quickly  *gan  he  say, 

"  Pale  grows* the  moon,  and  speedily        in  the  east  will  gleam  the  day." 

The  champions  having  severally  taken  leave  of  the  ruler  of  the  cave, 
and  thanked  him  for  his  noble  entertainment,  departed.  The  sun 
broke  out  in  aU  its  splendour,  and  King  Laurin  led  the  way.  They 
travelled  through  the  forest  with  speed,  and,  after  riding  fifteen  mQes, 
arrived  before  the  habitation  of  the  little  king  of  the  mountains. 

Before  the  hollow  mountain        lay  a  meadow  green ; 
So  fair  a  plain  upon  this  world        never  may  be  seen ; 
There  with  the  fruit  full  many  a  tree        was  laden  heavily  ; 
No  tongue  e'er  tasted  sweeter,        fairer  no  eye  might  see. 

All  the  night  and  all  the  day         the  birds  full  sweetly  sung. 
That  the  forest  and  the  plain        to  theii:  measures  loudly  rung  ; 
There  they  tuned  their  melody,        and  each  one  bore  his  part. 
That  with  their  merry  minstrelsy        they  cheered  each  hero's  heart. 

And  o'er  the  plain  were  ranging        beasts  both  wild  and  tame. 

Playing,  with  merry  gambols,        many  alusty  game : 

On  the  noble  champions        fondly  'gan  they  fawn  t 

Each  mom,  beneath  the  linden  tree,        they  sported  on  the  lawn. 


160  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

The  meadow  seemed  so  lovely,         the  flowers  bloomed  so  fair, 
That  he  who  had  the  plain  in  rule         would  know  nor  woe  nor  care. 
Up  and  spake  the  knight  of  Bern, —        "  So  high  my  heart  doth  rise. 
So  full  of  joy  the  meadow,        that  I  hold  it  paradise." 

Up  spake  hero  Wolfort, —        "  Bless  him  who  brought  us  here  ! 
So  fair  a  sight  did  ne'er  before         to  mortal  eye  appear." 
"  Enjoy  the  scene,  young  kemps,"        cried  Hildebrand  the  proud ; 
"  Fair  day  should  in  the  evening        be  praised  with  voice  aloud." 

But  Wittich  spake  a  warning  word, —        "  Hark  to  my  reed  aright ! 
The  dwarf  is  quaint,  and  full  of  guile,        then  beware  his  cunning  sleight ; 
Arts  he  knows  right  marvellous,         if  to  his  hollow  hiil 
We  follow,  much  I  dread  me,        he  will  breed  us  dangerous  ill." 

"  Fear  not,"  cried  King  Laurin ;         "  doubt  not  my  faith  and  truth ; 
The  meadow  blythe  your  own  shall  be,         and  my  treasures  all,  forsooth." 
Proudly  cried  bold  Wolfort, —        "  Wittich,  stay  thee  here ; 
Enter  not  the  hollow  hill,        if  his  treachery  thou  fear." 

"  NeveV,"  cried  fierce  Wittich  ;         "  here  will  I  not  stay." 
In  wrath  he  left  his  courser ;         without  fear  he  sped  away : 
Before  the  mountain-gate  he  run,        there  hung  a  horn  of  gold ; 
Quick  he  blew  a  merry  strain :         Loud  laughed.  Sir  Dietrich  bold. 

Soon  toward  the  mountain         sped  the  little  knight. 
And  with  him  all  the  heroes         of  high  renown  and  might : 
King  Laurin  blew  upon  the  horn         a  louder  note,  and  shrill. 
From  all  the  mountains  echoing,         and  resounding  on  the  hill. 

Quickly  ran  the  chamberlain        where  he  found  the  golden  key, 
And  threw  the  spacious  portals        open  speedily. 
King  Laurin  led  his  guests        through  the  golden  gate ; 
There  many  dwarfs,  alert  and  fair,        their  coming  did  await. 

When  through  another  gate  of  steel        the  noble  knights  had  passed. 
At  the  little  king's  command,        were  closed  the  portals  fast. 


O 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  I6l 

A  necromancer,  old  and  sage,        dwelt  in  the  hollow  hill ; 
Soon  he  came  to  Laurui,        and  asked  his  master's  will. 

"  Look  upon  those  strangers,"        spake  the  little  knight ; 

"  Kemps  they  are  of  high  emprise,        and  love  the  bloody  fight : 

Cast  upon  them,  master  mine,        for  the  love  of  me, 

A  magic  spell,  that  none  of  them        may  the  others  see." 

Upon  the  knights  his  magic  charms        cast  the  sorc'rer  fell ; 
None  could  behold  his  brothers,        so  mighty  was  the  spell. 
Loudly  cried  Sir  Wittich,        "  Mark  my  counsel  now  ; 
I  told  ye  that  the  little  king        would  breed  ye  cares  enow. 

"  What  thint  ye  now.  Sir  Wolfortf"        spake  the  hero  stern  : 
"  I  warned  ye  all  to  shun  the  dwarf,        and  speed  ye  back  to  Bern." 
About  the  cavern  roved  they,        in  mickle  woe  and  care ; 
Fiercely  to  the  king  tljey  cried,        "  Is  this  thy  promised  fare  ?" 

But  up  spake  little  Laurin,        "  Fear  not,  my  noble  guests ; 
All  my  courtiers  shall  obey        quickly  your  behests." 
Many  a  winsome  dwarf  was  seen,        graithed  in  rich  attire ; 
Garments  bright  with  gold  and  gems        bore  each  little  sire. 

From  the  gems  full  mighty  strength        had  the  dwarfish  chivalry : 
Quaintly  they  danced,  and  on  their  steeds        they  rode  right  cunningly ; 
Far  they  cast  the  heavy  stone,        and  in  their  warlike  g&me. 
They  broke  the  lance,  and  tourneyed        before  the  knights  of  fame. 

There  many  harpers  tuned  their  lay,        aad  played  with  mirth  and  glee. 

Loudly,  in  the  royal  hall,        their  merry  minstrelsy. 

Before  the  table  high  appeared        four  learned  singing  men. 

Two  short,  and  two  of  stature  tall,        and  sung  in  courtly  strain. ' 

■  The  lines  stand  thus  in  the  origmal: 

Auch  sah  man  vor  dem  tische  stahn, 
Vier  wol  gelehrte  singend  mau, 
Zwen  kurz,  und  auch  darzu  zwen  lang, 
Die  sangen  hoefelichen  gsang. 
X 


162  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

Soon  to  the  table  sped  the  king,        and  bade  his  meiny  all 

Wait  upon  his  noble  guests,         in  the  royal  hall. 

"  Chosen  knights,  and  brave  they  are,"        he  spoke  with  friendly  cheer : 

Guile  was  in  l)is  heart,  and  cunning';         but  his  treach'ry  bought  he  dear. 

Similt,  the  lady  fair,         heard  of  the  royal  feasts : 

Of  her  meiny  did  she  speir,        "  Who  are  the  stranger  guests  ?" 

"  Noble  knights  of  German  birth,"         spake  a  kemp  of  stature  small ; 

"  Laurin  bids  ye  speed  to  court,        for  well  ye  know  them  all." 

Quickly  spake  the  lady, —        "  Up,  my  damsels  fair ; 

Deck  ye  in  your  richest  guise,        for  to  court  we  will  repair." 

Soon  they  dight  them  royally        in  glittering  array; 

Full  blythe  they  were  to  speed  to  court        with  Similt,  the  gentle  may. 

There  came  many  a  minstrel,        tuning  his  lay  of  mirth  ; 
Shawms  and  trumpets  shrill  they  blew,        the  sweetest  on  the  earth. 
There  full  many  a  song  was  sung,        by  learned  singing  men  ; 
Of  war  and  chivalrous  emprize        they  tuned  the  noble  strain. 

Now  to  court,  in  bright  array,        all  the  maids  are  gone. 

With  many  a  knight  not  two  feet  long ;         one  leaped,  the  other  run ; 

Merry  were  they  all :         and  before  the  lovely  dame. 

Two  tall,  two  little  gleemen         sung  the  song  of  fame. 

•» 
Before  the  queen  they  chaunled        the  merry  minstrelsy. 
And  all  who  heard  their  master-notes         dwelt  in  mirth  and  glee. 
There  fiddlers  quaint  appeared,        though  small  their  stature  were. 
Marching,  two  and  two,        before  the  lady  fair. 

Similt  into  the  palace  came,        with  her  little  maiden?  all ; 
Garments  they  wore  which  glittered         brightly  in  the  hall. 
Of  fur  and  costly  ciclatoun,        and  broches  of  the  gold : 
No  richer  guise  in  royal  courts        might  mortal  man  behold. 

The  gentle  lady  Similt        bore  a  golden  crown ; 

There  full  many  a  precious  stone        around  the  cavern  shone ; 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  163 

But  one  before  the  others        glittered  gorgeously : 

The  wight  who  wore  that  noble  gem         ever  blythe  must  be. 

And  now  the  spell  was  ta'en  away         from  the  champions  bold  : 
Full  glad  they  were  when  openly         their  feres  they  might  behold. 
Right  noble  cheer  was  offered         to  the  champions  brave ; 
In  royal  guise  the  feast  was  held         the  whole  day  in  the  cave. 


Similt  received  the  guests,  and  particularly  her  brother,  with  the 
greatest  affection  ;  and  when  the  latter  inquired  whether  she  wished 
to  stay  with  the  dwarf,  or  whether  he  should  endeavour  her  libera- 
tion, she  answered,  that  though  she  had  all  her  heart's  wishes  in  the 
cave,  and  was  attended  upon  in  the  most  splendid  manner,  she  could 
not  endure  the  absence  of  her  friends,  nor  the  paganism  of  her  pre- 
sent pigmy  attendants.  Dietlieb  promised  to  effect  her  liberation  by 
whatever  means  he  could  devise. 

The  guests  were  now  invited  to  the  high  table,  after  having  unwarily 
laid  off  their  armour  and  weapons,  which  were  borne  away  by  two 
chamberlains.  The  high  table  was  of  ivory,  quaintly  carved  with 
figures  of  men  and  beasts,  and  the  benches  covered  with  scarlet  vel- 
vet. During  the  feast  they  were  entertained  with  singing,  reading, 
and  juggling  ;  and  when  it  was  over.  King  Laurin  bade  Similt  go  in- 
to her  chamber :  but  as  soon  as  she  quitted  the  hall,  the  knights  were 
again  spell-bound,  and  unable  to  see  one  another.  The  king  proceeded 
to  the  chamber  of  Similt,  and  related  to  her  all  the  injuries  he  had 
received  from  the  guests,  dwelling  particularly  on  the  loss  of  the 
girdle.  He  excepted,  however,  her  brother,  against  whom  he  had 
no  malice,  and  whom  he  promised  to  treat  with  all  manner  of  cour- 
tesy. Similt  having  obtained  his  vow,  that  he  would  merely  punish 
the  four  heroes,  but  not  touch  their  life,  gave  him  a  ring,  endued  with 
the  same  qualities  as  the  magic  girdle.  Feeling  his  strength  increa- 
sed twelve-fold,  he  sent  for  DietUeb,  and  endeavoured,  by  every  per- 
suasion, to  win  him  over  to  his  service,  and  to  separate  him  from  his 
companions.    But  Dietlieb  steadily  refused,  declaring,  that  he  wished 


164  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

to  share  the  same  fate  as  his  brethren  ;  for  which  refusal  King  Lau» 
rin  locked  him  up  in  a  chamber,  apart  from  his  companions. 

The  little  king  returned  to  the  four  knights,  and  challenged  them 
to  drink,  having  previously  prepared  a  strong  potion,  which  threw 
them  instantly  into  a  death-like  sleep,  that  they  fell  off  the  benches 
upon  the  floor.  Then  Laurin  sent  for  a  giant,  who  took  them  up, 
and  tied  them  to  a  pole,  which  he  lifted  upon  his  shoulders.  Follow- 
ing the  king  through  many  vaults,  he  bore  them  to  a  black  and  deep 
dungeon,  and  threw  them  into  it.  There  they  lay  all  the  night,  and 
awoke  in  the  morning  in  terror  and  despair.  Fortunately  Dietrich 
was  seized  with  his  habitual  rage,  and  the  fiery  breath  which  issued 
from  his  nostrils  burnt  the  cords  with  which  one  of  his  hands  was  fas- 
tened, and  liberated  it.  He  soon  released  the  other,  and  struck  the 
iron  chains  with  which  his  legs  were  bound  asunder.  Then  he  freed 
his  companions,  one  after  the  other,  from  their  bonds ;  but  without 
their  armour  they  could  not  issue  from  the  dungeon,  where  they  lay, 
without  food  or  drink,  for  three  days. 

Dietlieb  was  in  the  mean  time  confined  in  the  chamber;  but  his 
sister  having  at  last  found  the  key,  liberated  him.  He  immediately 
asked  after  his  companions  ;  and  when  he  heard  of  their  imprisonment, 
called  for  his  armour,  which  she  delivered  to  him,  giving  him  at  the 
same  time  a  ring  of  magic  virtue,  whicli  gaVe  victory  to  him  who  bore 
it  in  battle.  Then  she  led  him  to  the  place  where  the  armour  of  his 
companions  lay,  which  he  took  up,  and  bore  to  the  dungeon.  He 
endeavoured  to  call  to  them,  but  the  depth  of  the  prison  prevented  his 
voice  from  reaching  their  ears.  Then  he  threw  their  arms  down  to 
them,  and  prepared  to  oppose  himself  to  King  Laurin,  who,  observing 
his  liberation,  had  blown  his  horn  in  the  cavern.  All  the  dwarfs 
flocked  around  him,  to  the  number  of  a  thousand,  clad  in  glittering 
hauberks.  He  bade  them  attack  the  great  Christian  knight,  and  im- 
mediately three  hundred  rushed  upon  him.  A  champion,  scarcely  an 
ell  in  length,  stepped  before  the  host,  and  defied  the  knight,  who  fell- 
ed him  to  the  ground  with  a  weighty  stone.  Laurin  bade  his  little 
army  rush  against  him  in  a  body,  and  at  the  same  time  to  guard  the. 


THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES.  165 

entrance  to  the  dungeon,  and  prevent  the  imprisoned  knights  from 
escaping.  But  DietHeb  standing^  with  his  back  against  a  wall,  de- 
fended himself  so  well  with  his  good  sword  Walsung,  that  he  felled 
many  of  the  little  knights  to  the  ground.  Meanwhile  Dietrich  and 
his  knights  had  issued  from  the  dungeon,  but,  by  reason  of  the  spell, 
they  could  not  see  any  of  their  friends  or  enemies.  HUdebrand  gave  the 
magic  girdle  which  Laurin  had  borne  to  the  knight  of  Bern,  which 
at  once  undid  the  spell,  and  gave  him  the  power  of  twelve  men  ;  ad- 
vising him  to  take  the  magic  ring  from  the  hand  of  the  king,  if  he 
could  subdue  him.  Dietrich  instantly  rushed  into  the  little  multitude, 
the  number  of  which  had  now  increased  to  twenty  thousand,  amongst 
whom  hejnade  such  slaughter,  that  above  two  thousand  lay  dead 
around  him.  King  Laurin  Adewing  his  valour,  opposed  himself  to 
him,  but  was  struck  to  the  ground  by  the  knight  of  Bern.  His  ring 
was  taken  from  him,  and  given  to  Hildebrand,  who,  recovering  his 
sight,  and  obtaining  the  additional  strength  of  twelve  men,  rushed  in- 
to the  midst  of  the  dwarfs,  and  made  great  havoc  amongst  them. 

One  of  the  pigmy  knights  seeing  the  jeopardy  in  which  King  Lau- 
rin was  placed,  issued  from  the  hollow  hill,  blew  the  horn  aloud,  and 
rung  the  alarum  bell.  Five  giants  dwelt  in  the  forest,  who  were  sub- 
ject to  the  little  king.  When  they  heard  the  sound  of  the  horn,  and 
of  the  bell,  they  armed  themselves,  convened  together  on  a  meadow, 
and  resolved  to  succour  their  sovereign.  When  the  horn  was  blown 
the  third  time,  they  appeared  before  the  cavern.  The  three  cham- 
pions had  in  the  mean  time  killed  twelve  thousand  of  the  dwarfs,  and 
the  others  fled,  or  concealed  themselves  in  the  different  chambers. 
When  the  five  giants  saw  the  streams  of  blood  which  flowed  in  the 
cave,  they  defied  the  three  champions,  and  grasping  their  iron  poles, 
attacked  them.  Hildebrand  had  advised  Wolfort  and  Wittich  to  re- 
main quietly  in  the  cave,  as  they  were  unable  to  view  their  enemies  ; 
but  they  could  not  subdue  their  courage,  when  they  heard  the  blows 
of  their  companions  resounding  in  the  cavern.  They  laced  their 
helmets,  grasped  their  swords  and  bucklers,  and  leaped  into  the 
throng.    Similt  had  heard  their  discourse,  and  admiring  their  valour, 


166  THE  BOOK  OF  HEROES. 

gave  each  of  them  a  ring,  which  instantly  restored  their  sight.  Two 
thousand  dwarfs  rushed  against  them,  and  endeavoured  to  oppose 
their  junction  with  their  companions ;  but  their  valour  was  irresis- 
tible :  they  hewed  their  way  through  the  host,  and  found  Dietrich, 
Dietlieb,  and  Hildebrand  engaged  with  three  of  the  giants.  They 
engaged  the  two  others,  who,  with  their  brothers,  endeavoured  to  es- 
cape from  the  hollow  hill,  but  were  soon  felled  by  the  falchions  of  the 
five  knights.  King  Laurin  viewing  the  destruction  of  all  his  chivalry, 
gave  himself  up  to  despair,  and  was  forced  to  surrender  as  prisoner. 
No  living  creature  was  found  in  the  cavern,  with  the  exception  of 
himself  and  Lady  Similt.  Many  waggons  were  laden  with  the  riches  of 
the  hollow  hill,  and  King  Laurin  was  brought  to  Bern,  and  there 
obliged  to  serve  in  the  disgraceful  office  of  juggler  to  the  court. 
On  their  return,  they  found  Bitterolf,  the  father  of  Dietlieb,  under 
the  linden  tree  where  Similt  had  been  borne  away.  He  invited  them 
to  the  castle  of  Styria,  where  they  were  entertained  splendidly,  and 
Similt  was  married  to  a  worthy  knight.  After  some  days,  Dietrich,  Hil- 
debrand, Wittich,  and  WoLfort  took  leave  of  Bitterolf  and  Dietlieb, 
and  returned  to  Bern,  where  they  celebrated  their  victory  with  feast- 
ing and  tournaments. 

*'  Here  ends  the  adventure  of  Similt  the  beauteous  queen,  of  the 
little  Laurin,  and  of  Dietrich  and  his  companions,  who  lived  in  mirth 
and  joy  ;  and  God  send  us  his  help,  that  at  all  hours  we  may  live  in 
joy,  and  succeed  in  our  undertakings.  Henry  of  Ofterdingen  has 
sung  this  adventure  "so  masterly,  that  princes  loved  him  for  it,  and 
gave  him  silver  and  gold,  pennies,  and  rich  garments.  Here  ends  the 
Book  of  the  chosen  Heroes.   God  give  us  all  his  blessing !" 


Ber  Jltbeluttgm  lieD. 


THE 


SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN. 


Adventure  I. — Of  the  Nibelungen. 

In  ancient  song  and  story  marvels  high  are  told, 
Of  knights  of  high  emprize,        and  adventures  manifold  ; 

Of  joy  and  merry  feasting  ;  of  lamenting,  woe,  and  fear ; 
Of  champions'  hloody  battles        many  marvels  shall  ye  hear. 

A  noble  maid,  and  fair,         grew  up  in  Burgundy  ; 

In  all  the  land  about        fairer  none  might  be  : 

She  became  a  queen  full  high  ;         Chrimhild  was  she  hight ; 

But  for  her  matchless  beauty        fell  many  a  blade  of  might. 

For  love  and  for  delight        was  framed  that  lady  gay  ; 
Many  a  champion  bold        sighed  for  the  gentle  may : 
Full  beauteous  was  her  form,         beauteous  without  compare ; 
The  virgin's  virtues  might  adorn        many  a  lady  fair. 

Three  kings  of  might  and  power        had  the  maiden  in  their  care, — 
King  Gunter  and  King  Ghernot,        (champions  bold  they  were,) 
And  Ghiseler  the  young,         a  chosen,  peerless  blade :  * 
The  lady  was  their  sister,         and  much  they  loved  the  maid. 

*  Original,  digeri,  a  sword.    The  term  is  very  often  used  for  a  knight  or  hero,  and  in. 


168  THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN. 

These  lords  were  mild  and  gentle,         born  of  the  noblest  blood ; 
Unmatched  for  power  and  strength        were  the  heroes  good : 
Their  realm  was  Burgundy,         a  realm  of  mickle  might. 
Since  then,  in  the  land  of  Etzel,        dauntless  did  they  fight. 

At  Worms,  upoii  the  Rhine,         d  weli.  they  virith  their  meiriy  bold  ; 

Many  champions  served  them,        of  countries  manifold ; 

With  praise  and  honour  nobly,         even  to  their  latest  day. 

When,  by  the  hate  of  two  noble  dames,        dead  on  the  ground  they  lay. 

Bold  were  the  kings,  and  noble,        as  I  before  have  said ; 

Of  virtues  high  and  matchless,  and  served  by  many  a  blade ; 
By  the  best  of  all  the  champions        whose  deeds  were  ever  sung  ; 
Of  trust  and  truth  withouten  fail ;        hardy,  bold,  and  strong. 

There  was  Haghen  of  Tronek,         and  Dankwart,  Haghen's  brother, 
(For  swiftness  was  he  fatned,)        with  heroes  many  other ;  ., 

Ortwin  of  Metz,  with  Eckewart        and  Ghere,  two  markgraves  they ; 
And  Folker  of  Alsace ;        no  braver  was  in  his  day. 

Rumold  was  caterer  to  the  king;         a  chosen  knight  was  he ; 
Sir  Sindold  and  Sir  Hunold        bore  them  full  manfully ; 
In  court  and  in  the  presence        they  served  the, princes  three. 
With  many  other  knights ;         bolder  none  might  be. 

Dankwart  was  the  marshal ;        his  nephew  Ort^win, 
Was  sewer  *  to  the  king ;        much  honour  did  he  win : 
Sindold  held  the  cup    ^     the  royal  prince  before  : 
Chamberlain  was  Hunold  :         braver  knights  ne'er  hauberk  bore. 

Of  the  court's  gay  splendour ;         of  all  the  champions  free ; 
Of  their  high  and  knightly  worth,         and  of  the  chivalry, 

one  instance  is  applied  even  to  the  Deity.  Perhaps  this  is  the  original  meaning  of  the  word, 
and  the  present  sense  {i.  e.  sword)  derived  from  it.  In  that  case,  degen  may  be  traced 
from  taugen,  tuegen,  (Lower  German  dialect,  dcegen,)  to  be  useful,  or  virtuous.  In  the 
same  way,  tugend  (virtue)  frequently  occurs  for  valour,  prowess. 

'  The  office  of  a  truchsess  was  to  set  the  meat  upon  the  table  of  his  lord. 


THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN.  169 

Which  still  they  held  in  honour        to  their  latest  day. 
No  minstrel,  in  his  song,        could  rightly  sing  or  say. 

One  night  the  queen  Chrimhilt        dreamt  her,  as  she  lay. 
How  she  had  trained  and  nourished        a  falcon  wild  and  gay, 
When  suddenly  two  eagles  fierce        the  gentle  hawk  have  slain  : 
Never,  in  this  world,        felt  she  such  bitter  pain. 

To  her  mother.  Dame  Uta,        she  told  her  dream  with  fear : 
Full  mournfully  she  answered        to  what  the  maid  did  speir, — 
"  The  falcon  whom  you  nourished,        a  noble  knight  is  he ; 
God  take  him  to  his  ward  !        thou  must  lose  him  suddenly." — 

"  What  speak  you  of  the  knight  f        dearest  mother,  say  : 

Without  the  love  of  champion,        to  my  dying  day. 

Ever  thus  fair  will  I  remain,        nor  take  a  wedded  fere. 

To  gain  such  pain  and  sorrow,        though  the  knight  were  without  peer." — 

"  Speak  thou  not  too  rashly,"        her  mother  spake  again ; 

"  If  ever  in  this  world        thou  heartfelt  joy  wilt  gain. 

Maiden  must  thou  be  no  more ;        leman  must  thou  have  : 

God  will  grant  tliee  for  thy  mate        some  gentle  knight,  and  brave."— 

"  Oh,  leave  thy  words,  lady  mother,        nor  speak  of  wedded  mate  : 
Full  many  a  gentle  maiden        has  found  the  truth  too  late ; 
Still  has  their  fondest  love        ended  with  woe  and  pain  : 
Virgin  will  I  ever  be,        nor  the  love  of  leman  gain." — 

In  virtues  high  and  noble        that  gentle  maiden  dwelt 
Full  many  a  night  and  day,        nor  love  for  leman  felt ; 
To  never  a  knight  or  champion         would  she'plight  her  truth. 
Till  she  was  gained  for  wedded  fere         by  a  right  noble  youth. 

That  youth  he  was  the  fakon        she  in  her  dream  beheld. 
Who  by  the  two  fierce  eagles         dead  to  the  ground  was  felled ; 
But  since  right  dreadful  vengeance        she  took  upon<his  foen : 
For  the  death  of  that  bold  hero        died  full  many  a  mother's  son. 

y 


170  THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN. 

Adventure  II.  Of  Siegfried. — Siegmund,  king  of  Netherlands 
had,  by  his  queen  Sieghelind,  a  son  of  high  renown,  who,  in  his  earli- 
est youth,  achieved  many  marvellous  deeds  of  chivalry.  He  did  not 
remain  with  his  father  in  the  burgh  of  Santen, '  but  traversed  many  a 
country,  ever  distinguished  for  the  strength  of  his  arm,  and  the  cour- 
tesy of  his  behaviour ;  so  that  he  obtained  the"  love  of  many  a  fmr 
lady.  When  he  came  to  a  ripe  age,  he  returned  to  court.  Then  his 
father,  the  king,  caused  proclamation  to  be  made,  and  commanded 
his  knights  to  assemble  on  the  day  of  the  turn  of  summer,  *  when 
his  son  should  be  knighted,  together  with  four  hundred  sons  of  the 
noblest  of  the  realm.  The  ladies  were  employed  in  embroidering 
rich  garments  with  many  a  precious  stone,  for  the  young  prince.  In 
honour  of  his  knighthood,  mass  was  sung  at  the  cathedral,  and  a 
splendid  tournament  and  jousting  was  held. 

There  they  run  and  saddled        many  a  tilting  horse ; 

In  the  court  of  Siegmund        run  they  many  a  course. 

That  far  and  wide  the  noise  was  heard,        in  palace  and  in  hall : 

Ther«  many  a  high-bred  hero's  name        heralds  did  loudly  call. 

Many  a, fall  to  youthful  knights,        by  ancient  kemps  was  given : 
Lances  shiv'ring,  clash  of  swords,        resounded  to  the  heaven : 
Full  high  the  splinters  flew         about  the  warlike  throng; 
There  was  mirth  and  jollity        virgins  and  dames  among. 

The  king  he  bade  them  stint  the  strife ;         the  horse  were  led  away  : 

There  many  a  buckler  strong         to  shivers  broken  lay  : 

Many  a  stone  of  mound        down  in  the  grass  was  seen. 

Struck  from  the  edge  of  shields,        by  the  falchions  sharp  and  keen^ 

The  evening  was  concluded  with  a  splendid  feast ;  palmers  and  pil- 


'  Xanten,  in  the  ci-devant  duchy  of  JuKers,  forming  now  the  department  of  the  Beer. 

■^  In  the  original,  sunnemewde,  the  turn  of  \he  sun,  solstice.  That  of  summer  fell  upon 
St  John's  day,  and  the  winter-solstice  on  Christmas  day.  Both  periods,  particularly  the 
former,  were  devoted  to  festivities,  as  well  as  Whitsuntide. 

3 


THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN.  I7l 

grims  from  distant  countries  were  royally  regaled.  Siegfried  was  in- 
fefted  in  his  father's  dominions, and  his  sword-companions'  presented 
with  rich  gifts.  In  this  manner  the  high  feast  was  celebrated  for 
seven  days  ;  at  the  end  of  which  Siegfried  took  his  leave,  to  search 
for  deeds  of  arms  ;  and  refused  the  request  of  his  father,  who  wished 
to  resign  to  him  his  crown. 

Adventure  III.  How  Siegfried  came  to  Worms. — During  his 
search  for  adventures,  Siegfried  heard  of  the  matchless  beauty  of 
Chrimhilt,  and  of  her  determination  to  refiise  the  love  of  any  man. 
He  immediately  resolved  to  obtain  her,  and  no  other,  for  his  spouse. 
This  resolution  he  communicated  to  his  parents,  who  spared  no  en- 
treaties to  dissuade  him  from  the  enterprise ;  and  warned  him  to  be- 
ware of  the  pride  of  Gunter  and  Ghernot,  and  the  savage  fierceness 
of  Haghen.  When  they  found  themselves  unable  to  divert  him  from 
his  purpose,  diey  advised  him  to  conquer  her  by  force  of  arms,  and 
invade  Burgundy  with  a  large  army ;  but  Sie^ried  refused  the  offer, 
and  only  demanded  twelve  knights  to  accompany  him,  to  the  great 
sorrow  of  Siegmund  and  Sieghelind,  and  of  the  whole  countiy.  Then 
they  piovided  him  and  his  knights  with  the  richest  garments,  and  the 
most  splendid  armour. 

Arrayed  in  this  guise,  they  took  leave  at  the  court,  and  set  out  for 
Worms,  where  they  arrived  in  seven  days.  The  splendour  of  their 
apparel  drew  great  crowds  about  them,  who  wished  to  take  their 
horses  and  shields,  and  to  lead  them  into  the  town.  But  Siegfried 
refused  their  offer,  demanded  where  he  could  find  Gunter,  the  king 
of  Burgundy,  and  was  informed  that  he  was  at  that  time  sitting  in  his 
hall  of  state. 

The  king  had  by  this  time  been  informed  of  the  arrival  of  these 
strangers,  and  beheld  them  from  a  window.  Marvelling  who  they 
might  be,  he  sent  for  his  uncle  Haghen,  who  had  travelled  far  and 

•  This  term  {schivert-genossen,  Schwert-degen)  was  peculiarly  applied  to  squires  who 
were  'knighted  with  a  young  sovereign,  or  the  son  of  their  suzerain ;  and  were  consequent- 
ly in  a  peculiar  manner  attached  to  his  service. 


1Y2  THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN. 

wide,  and  demanded  of  him  who  the  leader  of  the  champions  was. 
Haghen  went  to  the  window,  but  declared  he  had  never  seen  him. 
However,  he  guessed  that  no  hero  could  be  of  such  a  knightly  sta- 
ture and  martial  aspect,  but  Siegfried,  the  prince  of  Netherland. 
He  took  the  occasion  to  relate  the  wonderful  adventures  which  had 
been  achieved  by  him.  "  The  arm  of  that  hero  struck  down  the 
bold  Nibelungeri,  and  killed  Schilbung  and  Nibelung,  the  rich  sons 
of  a  king.  As  he  travelled  alone  in  their  country,  he  found,  before  a 
mountain,  many  a  man  of  might  around  the  treasure  of  the  Nibelun- 
gen,  which  had  been  brought  thither  from  a  cave  in  the  hill,  and 
which  they  were  about  to  divide  among  them.  When  Siegfried  ap- 
proached, he  was  recognised,  and  courteously  received  by  Schilbung 
and  Nibelung  ;  and  by  them  requested  to  take  the  partition  of  the  trea- 
sure upon  himself,  which  was  of  immense  value.  There  were  preci- 
ous stones  in  such  quantity,  that  an  hundred  waggons  could  not  have 
carried  them  away  ;  and  gold  to  a  still  greater  amount,  from  the  mines 
of  Nibelung-land.  As  a  reward  for  his  service,  the  kings  presented 
him  with  Balmung,  the  invaluable  sword  of  their  father.  Siegfried 
found  himself  unable  to  divide  the  treasure  ;  whereat  the  Nibelungen 
were  so  enraged,  that  they  began  a  furious  battle  with  him.  But  the 
hero  struck  them  dead  with  the  sword  of  their  father,  and  then  kiUed 
their  twelve  companions,  who  were  giants  of  mighty  strength.  Thus 
he  conquered  the  treasure,  and  then  subdued  the  whole  country,  for- 
cing seven  hundred  champions  to  do  him  service.  But  he  was  sud7 
denly  attacked  by  the  powerful  dwarf  Alberich,  who,  not  aware  of  his 
invincible  strength,  attacked  him  with  his  pigmy  army,  and  sought  to 
revenge  the  death  of  his  sovereigns. '  Siegfried  chased  them  into  the 
cave,  took  from  Alberich  the  magic  tarn-cap,*  and  forced  him  to 
swear  fidelity  to  him.  Then  he  again  placed  the  treasure  in  the  cave. — 
Another  marvellous  adventure,"  continued  Haghen,  "  have  I  heard 


"  See  the  preceding  abstract  of  the  Book  of  Heroes,  p.  48. 

'  The  qualities  of  this  singular  magic  utensil  have,  been  already  explained,  p.  41 

The  origin  of  the  fiction  may  perhaps  be  traced  to  the  passages  in  Homer  and  Virgil, 
where  the  heroes  are  rendered  invisible  by  a  fog  cast  around  them  by  some  deity, 

1 


THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN.  173 

bf  him  ;  how  he  killed  a  fire-drake, '  and  bathed  him  in  the  blood ; 
whereby  his  skin  became  of  a  horny  consistence,  which  no  sword  or 
other  weapon  can  penetrate.  Therefore  I  advise  you,  sir  king,  that 
ye  give  him  good  welcome,  and  not  draw  the  wrath,  of  the  hero  upon 
yourself  and  your  subjects." 

.  Gunter,  with  his  brothers  and  his  knights,  went  down  into  the  court 
of  the  palace,  and  welcomed  Sir  Siegfried  right  courteously.     Then 
he  demanded  of  him  what  purpose  had  brought  him  into  Burgundy. 
Siegfried  answered,  in  his  pride,  that  he  had  heard  how  the  best 
knights  and  the  boldest  xihampions  served  at  the  court  of  Burgundy ; 
but  that,  in  despite  of  their  strength,  he  would  bring  them  and^Jie 
whole  kingdom  under  his  subjection.     Thereat  were  the. kings  and 
champions  greatly  moved  ;  and  Ortwin  and  Haghen  defied  him.    But 
Ghernot  and  Ghiseler  softened  their  wrath,  and  conducted  the  guests 
into  the  palace,  where  they  were  feasted  right  royally.     There  Sieg- 
fried dwelt  many  a  day ;  and  in  every  sport  and  game,  both  at  joust- 
ing and  throwing  the  stone,  he  was  ever  accounted  the  best ;  win- 
ning the  love  of  many  a  fair  lady.     But  he  was  still  intent  how  he 
might  behold  Chrimhilt.     That  maiden  often  viewed  him  from  her 
window,  bearing  away  the  prize  from  her  brother's  champions  ;  but 
she  thought  not  what  joy  and  what  sorrow  she  should  have  of  him. 
Thus  Siegfried  dwelt  one  year  at  the  court  of  Burgundy,  and  achieved 
many  knightly  deeds. 

Adventure  IV.  How  Siegfried  fought  with  the  Saxons. — One 
day  it  befel,  that  messengers  came  from  Ludeger,  king  of  Saxony, 
and  Ludegast,  king  of  Denmark,  to  defy  King  Gunter  and  his  bro- 
thers. They  threatened  him  with  war  and  invasion,  unless  he  would 
pay  them  tribute.  Haghen  advised  the  king  to  send  for  Siegfried, 
and  crave  his  help.  But  Siegfried  had  seen  the  king's  sorrow,  and 
the  little  cheer  that  was  made  at  his  court,  and  demanded  of  Gunter 
what  had  thus  depressed  his  spirit.     When  he  heard  of  the  defiance 

'  See  p.  6a 


174.  THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN. 

of  thfe  two  kings,  he  offered  to  go  against  them  with  a  thousand 
men  onljj  though  the  enemy  had  thirty  thousand.  The  messengers 
were  presented  with  rich  gifts,  and  returned  to  their  homes.  But 
when  the  kings  of  Denmark  and  Saxony  heard  that  the  strong  hero 
of  Netherland  was  coming  against  them,  they  were  greatly  dismayed, 
and  levied  mighty  armies,  to  the  number  of  forty  thousand  warriors. 

Siegfried  appointed  Folker  his  standard-bearer,  and  Haghen  mas- 
ter of  the  camp.  Sindold,  Hunold,  Dankwart,  and  Ortwin  served 
also  in  the  army,  which  traversed  Hessia,  and  safely  reached  the  lands 
of  Ludeger,  which  they  wasted  with  fire  and  sword.  Siegfried  left 
the  command  of  his  host  to  Haghen,  and  proceeded  to  view  that  of 
the  enemy.  There  he  met  the  strong  king  of  Denmark,  who,  after 
defending  him  nobly,  yielded  himself  prisoner  ;  nor  were  thirty  of  his 
knights  able  to  rescue  him.  Now  a  cruel  battle  began  between  the 
two  hosts,  and  the  heroes  of  Burgundy  fought  with  great  valour.  But 
Siegfried,  with  his  twelve  champions,  outdid  them  all.  Thrice  he  tra- 
versed the  adverse  host,  and  at  last  met  with  the  Saxon  king,  who  was 
full  of  rage,  when  he  heard  that  his  brother  Ludegast  had  yielded 
himself  prisoner.  The  combat  was  now  general,  and  the  blood  flow- 
ed in  torrents.  But  when  Ludeger  beheld  the  crown  on  the  shield  of 
his  opponent,  he  despaired  of  success. 

He  cried,  "  Give  o'er  the  fight,.        champions  of  my  host; 
I  behold  the  son  of  Siegmund  ;         I  fear  the  battle's  lost : 
The  mighty  hero  Siegfried         amid  the  field  I  see-: 
The  evil  fiend  has  sent  him        to  the  realm  of  Saxony." 

Ludeger  then  ordered  his  standard  to  be  lowered,  and  begged  for 
peace,  yielding  himself  as  hostage.  Five  hundred  prisoners  did  Sieg- 
fried take  along  with  him ;  the  rest  returned  sorrowftilly  to  their 
homes.  Ghernot  sent  the  welcome  news  of  the  victory  to  Worms, 
where  Chrimhilt  rejoiced  in  the  deeds  of  the  knights,  but,  above  all, 
in  the  matchless  achievements  of  Siegfried.  When  the  host  returned 
with  the  prisoners,  they  were  full  royally  received  by  the  king,  and 


THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN.  US 

great  care  was  taken  6f  the  wounded.  The  two  captive  kings  were 
allowed  to  return  to  their  countries,  leaving  hostages,  and  promising 
to  return  to  a  high  feast,  to  be  celebrated  in  six  weeks. 

Adventure  V^  How  Siegfried  first  beheld  CnRiMHiLT.—When 
the  time  which  was  appointed  for  the  high  feast  came,  many  knights  and 
other  guests  thronged  to  the  city  of  Worms,  and,  among  others,  two- 
and-thirty  princes,  emulating  one  another  in  the  richness  of  their  attire. 
On  the  morning  of  Whitsunday,  no  less  than  five  thousand  guests  were 
assembled  at  the  court.  The  king  had  long  observed  the  fervent  love 
which  Siegfried  bore  to  Chrimhilt,  and  yielding  to  the  persuasions  of 
Ortwih  and*Ghernot,  he  sent  to  Uta  and  her  daughter  to  prepare 
themselves,  and  grace  the  feast  with  their  presence.  A  hundred  knights 
were  chosen  to  attend  the  two  queens,  who  bore  glittering  falchions 
in  their  hands. 


And  now  the  beauteous  lady,        like  the  rosy  morn. 
Dispersed  the  misty  douds  ;        and  he,  who  long  had  borne 
In  his  heart  the  maiden,         banished  pain  and  care. 
As  now  before  his  eyes        stood  the  glorious  maiden  fair. 

From  her  broidered  garment        glittered  many  a  gem. 

And  upon  her  lovely  cheek  the  rosy  red  did  gleam : 
Whoever  in  his  glowing  soul        had  imaged  lady  bright. 
Confessed  that  fairer  maiden        never  stood  before  his  sight. 

And  as  the  moon,  at  night,        stands  high  the  stars  among. 
And  moves  the  mirky  clouds  above,         with  lustre  bright  and  strong  ; 
So  stood  before  her  maidens        the  maid  without  compare  : 
Higher  swelled  the  courage         of  many  a  champion  there.  * 


*  That  the  author  of  this  abstract  may  not  be  suspected  of  embellishing,  the  original  of 
these  stanzas  is  subjoined,  (v.  1112 — 1123.) 

Nu  gie  diu  minnechliche        also  der  morgan  rot 

Tuot  uz  truoben  wolchen :        do  schiet  von  maniger  not 


176  THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN. 

And  full  of  love  and  beauty        stood  the  child  of  Sighelind, 
.As  if  upon  the  parchment        by  master's  hand  design'd : 
He  gained  the  prize  of  ^eauty         from  all  the  knightly  train ; 
They  swore  that  lady  never        a  lovelier  mate  could  gain. 

Gunter,  the  more  to  honour  the  hero,  bade  his  sister,  "  who  never 
before  had  saluted  man,"  to  bestow  that  favour  upon  Siegfried. 

The  feast  was  held  for  twelve  days,  and  Siegfried  enjoyed  the  sight, 
and  obtained  the  thanks  of  Chrimhilt  daily.  When  the  guests  pre- 
pared to  'leave  -the  court,  Gunter  demanded  of  Siegfried  how  he  should 
deal  with  the  captive  kings,  who,  for  their  ransom,  had  offered  five 
hundred  sumpter-horses,  laden  with  gold.  By  his  advice,  the  king 
refused  the  treasure,  and  dismissed  them,  taking  surety  for  their  re- 
maining at  peace  with  him  in  future.  Siegfried  also  wished  to  take 
his  leave  of  the  king ;  but  at  the  request  of  Ghiseler,  he  was  conte* 
to  remain  at  the  court  of  Burgundy.. 

AnvENTunE  VI.  How  Gunter  proceeded  to  Isenland,  to  obtain 
THE  HAND  OF  Brunhild. — Tidings  came  to  the  court  of  King  Gunter, 
of  a  queen  of  matchless  beauty,  who  dwelt  in  a  land  far  over  the  sea. 
But  she  was  haughty  of  mind,  and  so  mighty  was  her  strength,  that  she 
forced  every  champion  who  came  to  woo  her  to  contend  with  her  at  the 
three  masculine  games  of  throwing  the  spear,  of  leaping,  and  of  cast- 
ing the  stone.  Whoever  was  unable  to  match  her  strength,  lost  his 
life  for  presuming  to  make  the  attempt.    Many  chanqpions  had  endea- 


Der«i  da  truoeh  im  herzen,        vxid  lange  hete  getan : 
Er  sach     e  minnechlichen        nu  vil  herlichen  stan. 

la  luhte  ir  von  ir  waete  vil  manich  edel  stein  ; 

Ir  rosen  rotiu  varwe  vil  minnechlichen  schein. 

Ob  ieman  wunsen  solde  der  kunde  niht  geiehen 

Daz  er  ce  dirreweflde  hete  iht  schceners  gesehen. 

Sam  der  liehte  mane        vor  den  sternen  stat, 
Der  schin  so  luterliche         ob  den  wolchen  gat, 
Dem  stuont  sie  nu  geliche        vor  andem  frouwen  giiot : 
Des  v/art  wol  gehcehet        vil  raaniges  heldes  rauot. 


THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN.  177 

voured  to  win  the  maid,  but  none  of  them  had  returned.  Gunter 
determined  to  undertake  the  voyage ;  nor  could  Siegfried  dissuade 
him  from  the  resolution.  By  the  advice  of  Haghen,  that  hero  was 
requested  to  give  his  assistance,  and  consented,  upon  the  condition, 
that,  on  their  return  with  Brunhild,  he  should  obtain  the  hand  of  the 
king's  sister. 

Great  preparations  were  made  for  the  voyage.  Siegfried  carried 
along  with  him  the  miraculous  tarn-cap  which  he  had  gained  from 
the  dwarf  Alberich.  It  had  the  property  to  render  the  person  enve- 
loped in  it  invisible,  and  to  give  him  the  strength  of  twelve  men. 
Gunter  wished  to  take  thirty  thousand  kemps  with  him  ;  but  by  the 
advice  of  Siegfried,  the  number  was  diminished  to  four — Gunter,  Hag- 
hen,  Dankwart,  and  himself.  Chrimhilt  undertook  to  provide  for 
each  three  suits  of  the  richest  apparel ;  and,  with  thirty  of  her  virgins, 
she  was  employed  for  seven  weeks  in  the  task.  Their  mantles  were 
made  of  white  silk,  brought  from  Arabia,  and  of  green  silk,  from  the 
land  of  Zazamank,  embroidered  with  many  a  gem.  The  covers  of 
the  mantles  were  made  of  the  skins  of  strange  fishes,  covered  with 
silk,  from  Morocco  and  Lybia.  The  choicest  ermine  was  procured, 
and  the  heroes  richly  adorned  with  gems  set  in  Arabian  gold.  When 
they  were  thus  apparelled,  they  parted,  with  many  tears,  from  Uta  and 
Chrimhilt,  and  embarked  in  a  strong  ship,  which  Siegfried  undertook 
to  steer.  They  sailed  prosperously  down  the  Rhine,  and  on  the  twelfth 
morning  arrived  at  the  stMng  castle  of  Isenstein,  in  the  land  of  Brun- 
hild. 

Adventuee  VII.  How  Gunter  obtained  the  hand  of  Brunhild. — 
When  the  ship  was  arrived  at  the  castle,  the  king  beheld  many  a  fair 
lady  at  the  window,  and  Siegfried  demanded  of  him  whom  he  would 
choose  for  his  spouse.  Gunter  pointed  to  one  clad  in  a  snow-white 
robe,  and  Siegfried  informed  him  that  he  had  chosen  the  fair  Brun- 
hild. The  ladies  were  ordered  by  the  queen  to  leave  the  window, 
which  they  were  ftdl  loth  to  do.  In  the  mean  time  the  four  knights 
landed,  and  proceeded  to  the  castle,  which  they  found  to  contain 


1Y8  THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN. 

eighty-six  towers,  three  spacious  palaces,  and  one  splendid  hall,  built 
of  marble,  "  green  as  grass."  When  they  entered,  their  horses  and 
swords  were  demanded  of  them.  Haghen'  refused  to  deliver  his  fair 
chion ;  but  when  Siegfried  informed  him  that  it  was  the  custom  of. 
the  court,  he  reluctantly  complied.  The  guests  were  splendidly  en- 
tertained, and  welcomed  by  the  knights  of  Brunhild.  The  queen  in-» 
quired  of  one  of  her  chamberlains,  who  might  be  the  strangers  come 
to  her  court. 

Up  and  spake  the  chamberlain^^-         '*  Lady  fair  and  free. 
Never  to  this  day         those  champions  did  I  see  : 
One,  if  rightly  I  areed,        is  Siegfried,  of  high-born  blood : 
I  warn  ye,  lady  queen,        that  ye  give  him  welcome  good, 

"  The  second  of  the  champions,  full  richly  is  he  dight ; 
His  form  is  brave  and  noble ;  he  seems  a  king  of  might 
O'er  many  a  wide  dominion,  and  many  a  distant  land  : 
Proudly,  and  full  lord-like,        by  the  others  does  he  stand. 

"  The  third  of  those  bold  champions,        of  sullen  mood  seems  he ; 
But  tall  of  form,  and  noble,        and  of  courage  brave  and  free ; 
Fiercely  his  looks  he  throws  around ;        his  eyes  full  grimly  roll ; 
I  ween  his  mind  is  cruel,        deadly  and  dark  his  soul. 

"  The  youngest  kemp  among  them        seems  a  knight  of  high  emprize, 
But  gentler  far  his  mind ;        right  courteous  is  his  guise : 
With  countenance  full  mild,        he  stands  the  four  among. — 
Much  may  we  fear  the  wrath        of  those  champions  bold  and  strong." 

The  queen,  however,  declared^  that  she  would  not  even  dread  the 
combat  with  Siegfried  himself.  She  welcomed  the  guests  with  great 
courtesy,  and  being  informed  of  the  object  of  their  enterprise,  order- 
ed immediate  preparations  to  be  made  for  the  three  several  games, 
which  were  to  decide  the  fate  of  Gunter  and  herself. 

Siegfried  mean  while  proceeded  secretly  to  the  ship,  and  returned 
enveloped  in  his  tarn-cap,  so  that  no  one  on  the  field  could  see  where 


THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN.  179 

he  stood.  He  found  every  thing  ready,  and  Brunhild  in  complete 
armour,  with  a  shield  of  the  thickness  of  three  spans,  and  of  such 
weight,  that  four  chamberlains  could  scarcely  bear  it.  Haghen  fierce- 
ly exclaimed, 

"  And  how  js't  now,  King  Gunter  i        Here  must  you  tine  your  life  ! 
The  lady  you  would  gain,         well  may  she  be  the  devil's  wife." 

But  when  the  king  beheld  a  mighty  spear,  carried  by  three  knights, 
and  a  stone  of  such  weight,  that  no  less  than  twelve  carried  it  along, 
he  would  fain  have  been  safe  in  his  castle,  without  the  love  of  Brun- 
hild.    Whea  Haghen  loudly  complained  that  their  swords  had  been 
taken  from  them,  the  queen,  with  a  scornful  smile,  ordered  her  knights 
to  restore  them.     Siegfried,  to  the  great  astonishment  of  Gunter,  who 
could  not  see  him,  instructed  him  to  give  the  shield  to  him,  and  to 
imitate  the  actions  which  he  was  to  perform.    Brunhild  shot  the  shaft 
with  marvellous  force  ;  Siegfried  received  it  upon  the  shield ;  but  both 
he  and  Gunter  were  struck  to  the  ground,  that  the  blood  flew  <&ut  of 
their  mouths.     Siegfried  returned  the  spear,  and  struck  her  down. 
WrathfuUy  she  heaved  up  the  weighty  stone,  threw  it  to  a  great  dis- 
tance,  and  leaped  after  it,  that  her  armour  resounded  loudly.     Sieg- 
fried took  up  the  stone,  and  threw  it  to  a  far  greater  distance,  and 
leaped  after  it,  taking  up  Gunter  in  his  arms.    The  maid  was  enraged, 
but  seeing  herself  conquered,  fell  down  at  the  king's  feet,  and  acknow- 
ledged herself  vanquished.     Siegfried  having  laid  aside  his  tarn-cap, 
returned,  and  pretending  ignorance,  asked  when  the  games  were  to 
begin ;  and  when  the  queen  informed  him  that  they  were  over,  he  seem- 
ed  much  astonished. 

When  Gunter  wished  to  return  with  his  bride  to  Worms,  she  refti- 
sed  to  go  till  she  had  assembled  her  vassals ;  whereat  the  heroes  of  Bur- 
gundy,  fearing  to  be  treacherously  slain,  were  greatly  dismayed.  Sieg- 
fried, however,  comforted  them,  promising  to  proceed  to  his  own  do- 
minions, and  to  return  with  a  thousand  knigljts  to  their  relief. 

11 


180  THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN. 

Adventure  VIII.  How  Siegfried  went  to  the  Nibelungen. — 
Siegfried  went  into  the  ship  in  his  tarn-cap,  and  sailed  away.  The 
knights  of  Brunhild  seeing  no  mariners  on  board,  imagined  that  the 
wind  had  drifted  the  vessel  away.  Before  the  next  night  was  ended, 
he  reached  a  castle  upon  a  mountain,  in  the  land  of  the  Nibelungen, 
where  his  treasure  was  deposited.  He  went  ashore,  and  in  order  to 
try  the  vigilance  of  his  vassals,  proceeded  to  the  gate,  and  in  manner  of 
a  pilgrim,  knocked  at  the  gate.  The  porter,  who  was  a  giant  of  great 
strength,  demanded  who  asked  for  admittance.  Siegfried,  in  an  al- 
tered tone  of  voice,  exclaimed,  "  A  champion  I  am  ;  and  unless  you 
instantly  unlock  the  gate,  many  a  one  who  wishes  to  lie  at  his  ease 
in  the  chambers  shall  feel  the  effects  of  my  anger."  The  porter  ha- 
ving armed  himself,  threw  the  gate  open,  and  attacked  the  hero  with 
his  iron  pole.  His  master  was  highly  delighted  with  the  severe  blows 
he  received  from  his  servant,  but  at  length  struck  him  down,  and 
bound  him. 

But  now  the  battle  fierce         did  in  the  cave  resound : 
The  wild  dwarf  Alberich         heard  the  blows  rebound  ; 
Quick  he  put  his  armour  on,        and  sped  him  where  he  found 
The  noble  guest  of  might,        where  he  the  giant  bound. 

Full  fierce  was  Alberich,        and  of  mickle  strength ; 
Shirt  of  mail  and  helmet  bore         the  kemp  of  little  length ; 
And  in  his  hand  he  brandished         a  scourge  of  the  gold  so  red : 
Where  stood  the  hero  Siegfried,        full  quickly  is  he  sped. 

And  from  his  scourge  adown        hung  seven  knots  of  weight. 
With  which  he  struck  the  champion,        and  on  his  buckler  beat ; 
With  his  blows  the  splinters        far  from  the  shield  did  fly  : 
Of  his  life  Sir  Siegfried         was  in  bitter  jeopardy. 

Far  the  shivered  buckler        threw  the  hero  strong. 

And  he  pushed  into  thf  sheath        his  weapon  sharp  and  long  s 


THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN.  181 

His  faithful  chamberlaia,        he  would  not  strike  him  dead. 
But  saved  his  trusty  vassal ;        for  in  virtues  was  he  bred. 

Suddenly  to  Alberichj        Siegfried,  the  hero,  ran. 
And  by  'his  hoary  beard        be  caught  the  ancient  man  ; 
Down  to  the  earth  he  threw  him :        for  mercy  did  he  pray. 
When,  by  the  champion's  might,        on  the  ground  he  lay. 

The  dwarf  acknowledged  himself  vanquished,  and  said  he  would 
have  become  the  knight's  vassal,  if  he  had  not  sworn  fidelity  to  ano- 
ther. Then  he  was  bound  down  like  the  giant.  When  he  asked  the  vic- 
tor's name,' and  heard  that  he  was  Siegfried,  he  rejoiced  greatly,  and 
oifered  him  any  service.  The  hero  unbound  him  and  the  giant,  and 
bade  him  go  to  ihe  Nibelung  champions,  and  awake  them.  In  a  short 
time  thirty  thousand  were  ready  in  their  armour,  out  of  which  number 
a  thousand  of  the  best  were  chosen.  They  were  clad  in  splendid  ap. 
parel,  and  embarked. 

When  they  arrived  at  the  burgh  of  Isenstein,  Brunhild  demanded 
who  the  warriors  were,  and  was  told  by  Gunter  that  they  were  his 
men,  whom  he  had  left  behind,  and  who  had  followed  him.  Rich  gifts 
were  distributed  among  the  heroes,  and  the  remainder  of  Brunhild's 
treasure  embarked.  The  government  of  the  country,  in  Gunter's  ab- 
sence, was  intrusted  to  her  uncle.  With  her  she  took  six-and-eighty 
dames,  a  hundred  maidens,  and  two  thousand  champions.  Guntey 
was  refused  any  familiarity  with  his  bride  during  the  voyage. 

Adventure  IX.  I^ow  Siegfried  was  sent  to  Worms. — When  the 
heroes  had  sailed  nine  days,  it  was  resolved  that  a  messenger  should 
be  sent  to  Worms,  to  Chrimhilt  and  Uta,  to  inform  them  how  they 
had  sped  in  their  enterprise,  and  to  bid  them  prepare  for  the  recep. 
tion  of  the  bride.  Siegfried  was  chosen  to  bear  the  message,  and,  ac- 
companied by  four-and-twenty  knights,  speedily  arrived  at  the  capital 
of  Burgundy,  where  he  soon  quieted  the  fears  of  the  two  queens,  and 
the  rest  of  the  court,  and  received  many  thanks.  Chrimhilt  re- 
warded  him  for  his  message,  with  twenty-four  brapelets,  whicl\  he  dis? 


182  THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN. 

tributed  among  hler  maidens.  The  preparations  made  for  the  recep- 
tion of  Gunter  and  3runhild  were  of  the  most  splendid  description  ; 
and  when  their  approach,  was  discerned,  ChrimhUt,  accompanied  by 
eighty-six  dames,  and  fifty  maidens  of  supreme  beauty,  and  with  many 
champions  in  heir  train,  pfoceeded  before  the  town  gates,  to  give  them 
welcome. 

Adventure  X.  How  Gunter  held  hi^  Bridal  Feast  with  Bkun- 
HiLD. — Gunter's  arrival  with  his  bride  was  celebrated  on  the  plain  be- 
fore the  city,  with  tournaments  and  other  games  ;  nor  did  they  return 
to  the  palace  till  the  sun  had  gone  down.  As  they  were  washing  their 
hands,  previous  to  supper,  Siegfried  reminded  the  king  how  he  had 
promised  him  his  sister  for  his  spouse,  if  he  should  achieve  his  expedi- 
tion to  obtain  the  hand  of  Brunhild.  Gunter  readily  complied,  and 
Chrimhilt  was  that  night  given  in  marriage  to  Siegfried.  But  Brun- 
hild was  greatly  mortified  at  what  she  conceived  a  match  below  the 
dignity  of  her  sister  ;  and  rouhdly  informed  the  king,  that  he  should 
not  obtain  any  favour  of  her,  unless  he  declared  to  her  why  he  had 
given  his  assent  to  a  marriage  between  a  vassal  of  his  and  his  sister^ 
He  informed  her  that  Siegfried  was  a  king  in  Netherland,  not  far  in- 
ferior in  power  to  himself;  but  she  was  not  satisfied  with  his  answer. 
The  supper  appeared  very  long  to  the  two  bridegrooms,  who  soon  dis- 
missed their  attendants,  and  retired  to  their  chambers.  The  scene 
which  was  transacted  in  that  of  Siegfried  was,  however,  of  a  very  dif- 
ferent nature  from  that  which  happened  in  that  of  Gunter. 

When  the  king  was  alone  with  his  bride,  indulging  in  the  hope  of 
being  supremely  happy,  he  found,  to  his  great  sorrow,  every  favour 
denied,  unless  he  would  acquaint  Brunhild  with  the  real  reason  of  his 
giving  Chrimhilt  to  the  hero  of  Netherland ;  and  when  he  endea- 
voured to  use  force,  he  found  his  strength  far  unequal.  She  took  her 
girdle,  and,  tying  his  feet  and  hands  together,  hung  him  upon  a  nail  in 
the  wall ;  nor  could  his  lamentations  and  entreaties  prevail  with  her  to 
release  him,  nor  prevent  her  from  enjoying  a  sound  sleep.  When  the 
morning  came,  she  unbound  him  ;  and  after  he  had  promised  not  to 


THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN.  183 

touch  her  body,  she  allowed  him  to  lie  by  her  side,  and  thus  obviate 
the  shame  he  would  have  received,  had  his  chamberlains  found  him  in 
that  disgracefiil  situation.' 

It  will  readily  be  supposed  that  the  king  was  not  in  good  humour 
during  the  day :  Neither  the  tournament,  the  dubbing  of  six  hundred 
new  knights,  nor  tiie  mass  in  the  cathedral,  could  divert  his  melan- 
choly. Siegfried  had  shrewd  suspicions  of  the  cause,  and  found  them 
verified,  when,  upon  inquiry,  the  king  related  the  dreadful  situation 
in  which  he  had  passed  the  night. 

To  his  guest  spake  Gunter, —        "  With  shame  and  woe  I  sped ; 
I  have  brought  the  evil  devil,         and  took  her  to  my  bed  : 
When  I  hop'd  her  love  to  gain,        she  bound  me  fis  hey  thrall  j 
To  a  nail  she  bore  me,         and  hung  me  on  the  wall. 

"  There  I  hung  with  fear  and  anguish        till  the  sun  of  morning  shone. 

While  soundly  in  the  bed         slept  Brunhild  all  alone. 

Loudly  to  thee  I  plain         of  my  shame  and  sorrow  sore." 

Then  spake  the  hero  Siegfried, —        ^'  Right  sorry  am  I  therefore." 

He,  however,  consoled  the  poor  king,  and  promised  to  put  Brun- 

•  Josian,  in  the  far-famed  history  of  Sir  Bevis,  proves  herself  as  great  an  Amazon  as  her 
predecessor  Brunhild.  Being  treacherously  decoyed  into  marriage  by  Earl  Miles,  she 
persuades  him  to  dismiss  out  of  his  bed-chamber  all  attendants : 

Than  was  before  his  bed  i-tight, 

As  fele  ban  of  this  gentil  knight^ 

A  coverture  on  raile-tre. 

For  no  man  schold  on  bed  i-se, 

Josian  bethoughte  on  highing ; 

On  a  towaile  she  made  knotte  riding ; 

Aboute  his  neldse  she  hit  threw, 

And  on  the  raile-tre  she  drew; 

Be  the  nekke  she  hath  him  uprtight, 

And  let  him  so  ride  al  the  night. 

AucHiNLECK  MS.  V.  3213 — 3222. 

For  the  whole  of  this  curious  adventure  the  reader  is  referred  to  Mr  Ellis's  elegant  ab- 
su-act  of  the  romance,  in  his  Specimens  of  Romances,  vol.  II.  p.  I**,  et  seq. 


184-  THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN. 

hild  completely  in  his  power  the  next  night ;  and  for  that  purpose 
required  to  be  admitted  to  their  bed-chamber,  where  he  would  render 
himself  invisible,  by  the  means  of  his  tarn-cap.  Gunter  consented, 
upon  his  swearing  not  to  take  advantage  of  the  opportunity. 

When  the  night  came^  and  thebridegrooins  had  retired  with  their 
wives,  Chrimhilt  was  astonished  at  the  sudden  disappearance  of  her 
husband,  who  had  put  on  his  tarfl-cap,  and  joining  the  chamberlains  of 
Gunter,  entered  the  chamber.  When  the  chamberlains  and  attend- 
ant maids  retired,  and  the  lights  were  extinguished,  Siegfried  entered 
the  bed,  and  a  most  violent  and  singular  combat  commenced.  Brun- 
hild threw  him  out  of  the  bed  at  the  very  beginning,  that  his  head 
"  loudly  resounded  on  the  footstool."  He  again  resumed  his  task,  and 
was  again  defeated.  She  embraced  him  with  great  force,  and  bearing 
him  out  of  the  bed,  pressed  him  between  a  door  and  the  wall,  that  he 
cried  aloud  with  pain.  Ashamed  of  this  defeat,  he  again  commenced 
the  attack,  and  threw  her  on  the  bed,  where  she  pressed  his  hand, 
that  the  blood  flowed  from  his  naUs.  He  took  from  her  the  girdle 
and  ring  which  he  gave  in  his  pride  to  Chrimhilt  some  time  after  j 
and  for  this  gift  he  and  many  other  champions  lost  their  lives.  At 
length  the  knight  of  Netherland  bruised  her  so  violently,  and  held  her 
so  close,  that  she  surrendered  at  discretion.  Siegfried  then  retired,  as 
if  to  take  off  his  dress,  and  leaving  the  joyful  king  to  reap  the  fruits 
of  his  hard-gained  victory,  rejoined  his  own  spouse. 

In  the  morning  the  king  was  in  high  good  humour,  and  dispensed 
many  rich  gifts  to  the  knights  and  courtiers.  The  high  feast  lasted 
fourteen  days,  at  the  end  of  which  the  guests  parted  for  their  several 
homes. 

Adventure  XI.  How  Siegfried  came  boME  with  Chrimhilt  to 
Netherland. — When  the  other  guests  had  taken  their  leaves,  Sieg- 
fried also  desired  to  return  to  his  country,  and  Chrimhilt  was  content. 
But  she  first  wished  to  obtain  a  part  of  the  dominions  of  Burgundy 
for  her  husband  ;  which  were  readily  offered  to  him  by  the  three  royal 
brothers.     But  Siegfried  refiised  them,  saying,  that  he  himself  would 


THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN.  L85 

make  his  queen  the  richest  on  the  face  of  the  earth.  At  last  he  was 
persuaded  to  take  five  hundred  champions.  Chrimhilt  desired  to 
take  Haghen  and  Ortwin  with  her,  but  the  former  sternly  refused. 
Duke  Eckewart,  however,  accompanied  her. 

The  hero  was  splendidly  received  with  his  spouse  at  his  father's 
court,  who  resigned  his  kingdom  in  his  favour.  For  ten  years  he 
bore  the  crown  with  great  honour,  and  also  had  the  land  of  the  Nibel- 
ungen  under  his  <x)mmand.  Chrimhilt  bore  him  a  son,  who  was  named 
Gunter ;  and  a  son  of  the  king  of  Burgundy  was,  in  return,  called  a& 
ter  the  king  of  Netherland. 

Adventure  XII.  How  Gojnter  invited  Siegfried  and  Chrimhilt 
TO  A  High  Feast; — Brunhild  one  day  was  ruminating  how  Siegfried 
was  vassal  to  Gtmter,  and  had  not  for  a  long  time  done  any  service 
for  his  lord.  She  persuaded  the  king  to  invite  him  and  Chrimhilt  to 
a  high  feast  at  Worms.  Ghere  was  accordingly  chosen  messenger, 
and,  with  thirty  other  knights,  proceeded  to  the  burgh  of  the  Nibel- 
ungen,  in  the  marches  of  Norway,  where  they  arrived  in  three  weeks. 
Siegfried,  after  consulting  with  his  barons,  determined  to  accept  the 
invitation,  and  to  proceed  to  "Worms,  accompanied  by  a  thousand  of 
his  knights,  and  by  his  father  Siegmund,  with  a  hundred  of  his  own 
knights. 

Adventure  XIII.  How  Siegfried  and  Chrimhilt  went  to  the 
High  Feast. — The  guests  came  safely  to  Worms,  and  were  welcomed 
by  the  king,  with  his  usual  magnificence.  For  eleven  days,  tourna- 
ments and  other  chivalrous  games  were  celebrated,  and  the  most  com- 
plete harmony  prevailed  ;  hut  at  length,  in  a  procession  to  hear  mass 
celebrated  at  the  cathedral,  their  concord  was  fatally  interrupted. 

Adventure  XIV.  Of  the  Altercation  between  the  Queens. — 
One  day  Brunhild  and  Chrimhilt  began  to  praise  the  several  perfections 
of  their  husbands  ;  and  when  they  grew  warm  upon  the  subject,  the 
former  asserted  that  Siegfried  was  the  vassal  of  Gunter,  because  he 

2  a 


186  THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN. 

had  declared  himself  so  when  he  came  to  Isenland.  Chrimhilt  de- 
nied it,  and  said  she  would  precede  her  in  the  procession  to  the  ca- 
thedral. Accordingly  she  went,  accompanied  by  fortyTthree  maidens, 
in  far  more  splendid  apparel  than  those  of  Brunhild,  and  by  all  the 
knights  Siegfried  had  brought  with  him,  and  preceded  her  sister-in- 
law.  When  Brunhild  saw  this,  she  exclaimed,  that  no  wife  of  a  vassal 
should  go  before  a  queen.  Chrimhilt,  enraged  at  these  words,  told 
her  that  she  had  been  concubine  to  another  than  her  husband,  but, 
that  Siegfried  had  gained  her  virginity.  She  then  went  into  the  ca- 
thedral before  Brunhild,  who  was  highly  afficted  and  enraged.  When 
mass  was  over,  she  again  assailed  Chrimhilt,  and  demanded  what 
proofs  she  could  adduce.  The  latter  immediately  shewed  the  ring 
and  girdle  which  Siegfried  had  given  her  ;  upon  which  the  queen  de- 
parted, in  great  anger,  and  complained  to  Gunter  of  the  insulting 
words  which  his  sister  had  spoken  of  her.  Siegfried  swore  an  oath  that 
he  had  not  said  the  words,  and  the  queens  were  at  last  parted. 

Haghen  of  Tronek  hearing  the  lamentations  of  Brunhild,  undertook 
to  revenge  her  injuries  upon  Siegfried,  and  Ortwin  and  Ghernot  join- 
ed with  him  to  procure  his  death.  Ghiseler  wished  to  dissuade  them 
from  the  resolution,  and  the  king  himself  was  at  first  unwilling  to  give 
his  consent,  but  at  last  agreed,  when  he  heard  in  what  manner  the 
treason  was  to  be  executed. 

Adventure  XV.  How  Siegfried  was  betrayed. — The  conspirators, 
with  the  king's  consent,  procured  thirty  messengers,  who  pretende4 
to  have  been  sent  fi'om  the  kings  of  Denmark  and  Saxony,  to  defy 
Gunter.  Siegfried  offered  immediately  to  go  against  them,  and  as- 
sembled his  thousand  heroes  for  the  purpose.  Haghen  then  proceed- 
ed to  Chrimhilt,  and  pretending  great  friendship  for  her  husband, 
asked  her  if  there  was  any  part  of  his  body  which  required  pecuhar 
defence  in  battle.  She  regretted  that  she  had  offended  Brunhild,  and 
told  him  that  her  husband  "  beat  her  black  and  blue  for  it."  Then  she 
informed  him,  that  when  Siegfried  bathed  himself  in  the  dragon's 
blood,  a  leaf  had  stuck  between  his  shoulders,  and  had  prevented  that 


THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN.  '1§7 

part  from  becoming  impenetrable.  Haghen  instructed  her  to  sew 
a  small  cross  upon  his  garment,  in  the  place  where  the  spot  was, 
and  promised  to  defend  that  part  with  peculiar  care.  Siegfried  now 
was  informed,  to  his  great  mortification,  that  peace  had  been  conclu- 
ded. The  king  then  proposed  a  great  chace  of  boars  and  bears,  in  the 
forests  of  Vasgovia,  where  the  treason  was  to  be  executed. 

Adventure  XVI.  How  Siegfried  was  slain. — Great  preparations 
were  made  for  the  chace ;  and,  by  the  advice  of  Brunhild,  every  kind 
of  meat  was  carried  to  a  well  in  the  forest,  but  no  wine.  Siegfried 
took  his  leave  of  Chrimhilt,  who  made  every  exertion  to  dissuade  him 
from  the  chace,  as  she  had  been  warned  of  his  fate  in  two  dreams  :  But 
his  fate  was  irrevocable.  When  the  chace  began,  no  one  distinguish- 
ed himself  so  much  as  he ;  killing  every  kind  of  ferocious  animals,  and 
among  them  a  demi-\yolf,  a  lion,  a  buffalo,  an  elk,  a  bison,  four  ure-oxen,' 
and  one  fierce  bull,  besides  deer  and  boars.  Gunter  then  ordered  a 
horn  to  be  blown,  to  give  notice  that  he  would  dine  at  the  well.  Sieg- 
fried caught  a  great  bear  alive,  to  make  disport  for  the  king,  and 
brought  him  to  the  well,  where  the  animal  made  great  havoc  among 
the  kitchen  utensils,  to  the  exceeding  amusement  of  the  company.  He 
was  at  last  killed  by  his  victor,  who  then  rode  back  to  the  well. 

In  gorgeous  guise  the  hero         did  to  the  fountain  ride : 
Down  unto  his  spurs,        his  sword  hung  by  his  side ; 
His  weighty  spear  was  broad,         of  mighty  length,  and  strong ; 
A  horn,  of  the  gold  so  red,        o'er  the  champion's  shoulder  hung. 

Of  fairer  hunting  garments         ne'er  heard  I  say  before  : 
A  coat  of  the  black  velvet         the  noble  hero  wore  ; 


•  A  demi-wolf  (halb-wolf)  is  probably  an  animal  bred  between  a  wolf  and  a  dog.    The 

h/ciscee  of  Virgil  (Eel.  iii.  v.  18.)  are  by  Servius  explained  to  be  canes  nati  ex  Ittpis  et 

canibus,  cum  inter  sejbrte  miscuntur.    The  uri,  mentioned  by  Caesar  and  other  writers, 

seem  to  have  been  common  in  Germany  down  to  the  thirteenth  or  fourteenth  century, 

but  are  not  to  be  found  at  present  in  any  part  of  that  country,  though  they  are  to  be  met 

with  in  Poland  and  Prussia. 

6 


188  THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN. 

His  hat  was  of  the  sable,         full  richly  was  it  dight ; 

Ho,  with  what  gorgeous  belts        was  hung  his  quiver  bright  I 

A  fleece  of  the  panther  wild  about  the  shafts  was  roU'd ; 

A  bow  of  weight  and  strength  bore  the  huntsman  bold : 

No  hero  on  this  middle  earth,  but  Sir  Siegfried,  I  avow. 

Without  some  engine  quaint,  could  draw  the  mighty  bow. 

His  garment  fair  was  made         of  the  savage  lynx's  hide ; 

With  gold  the  fur  was  sprinkled        richly  on  every  side; 

There  many  a  golden  leaf        glittered  right  gorgeously. 

And  shone  with  brightest  splendour      round  the  huntsman  bold  and  free. 

And  by  his  side  hung  Balmung,         that  sword  of  mickle  might ; 
When  in  the  field  Sir  Siegfried        struck  on  the  helmets  bright. 
Not  the  truest  metal        the  noble  blade  withstood : 
Thus  right  gloriously        rode  the  huntsman  good*. 

If  right  I  shall  areed        the  champion's  hunting  guisej. 
Well  was  stored  his  quiver        with  shafts  of  wond'rous  size ; 
More  than  a  span  in  breadth        were  the  heads  of  might  and  main  t 
Whom  with  those  arrows  sharp  he  pierced,        quickly  was  he  slain. 

The  huntsmen  commenced  their  meal  j  and  Sir  Siegfried  was  full 
wroth  with  Haghen,  for  having  forgotten  the  wine  ;  but  that  treacher- 
ous knight  pretended  it  had  been  sent  to  another  part  of  the  forest. 
Siegfried  then  proposed  to  him  a  foot-race  to  the  well,  and  for  that 
purpose  stripped  himself  to  the  shirt  j  and  bearing  his  garments  on 
his  back,  far  out-ran  his  rival.  Then  he  laid  down  his  weapons,  which 
Haghen  carried  secretly  to  a  great  distance.  Gunter  first  drank  of 
the  well ;  Siegfried  followed  his  example,  and  lying  down  to  drink, 
was  treacherously  pierced  with  a  lance  in  the  vulnerable  spot,  by 
Haghen.  He  started  up,  and  pursued  his  murderer ;  and  though 
mortally  wounded,  and  weaponless,  struck  him  down,  and  broke  his 
shield  in  two.  Then  he  fell  down  with  the  loss  of  blood,  and  up- 
braided his  murderers  with  ingratitude  and  cowardice,  bat  recom« 


THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN.  189 

mended  his  spouse  to  the  mercy  of  the  king.  When  he  was  dead, 
Gunter  wished  to  give  out  that  he  had  been  slain  by  robbers  ;  but  the 
fierce  knight  of  Tronek  expressed  his  perfect  indifference  whether  the 
truth  was  made  known  or  concealed. . 

Adventure  XVIL  How  Siegfried  was  bewailed  and  interred.— 
Haghen  caused  the  dead  body  to  be  laid  before  the  door  of  Chrim- 
hilt's  chamber.  When  she  came  out  in  the  morning,  and  discovered 
that  her' husband  lay  there  murdered,  her  lamentations  were  bound- 
less. She  sent  for  his  father  Siegmund,  who,  as  well  as  his  eleven 
hundred  champions,  swore  immediate  revenge.  But  Chrimhilt  per- 
suaded him  to  leave  the  vengeance  to  her,  for  which  she  would  find 
some  fitting  opportunity.  She  ordered  a  splendid  coffin  of  gold  and 
silver  to  be  made,  in  which  the  body  was  carried  to  the  cathedral. 
Gunter,  with  Haghen  and  his  attendants,  came  to  bewail  the  death  of 
Siegfried,  and  pretended  it  had  been  perpetrated  by  robbers ;  but 
Chrimhilt  bade  those  who  knew  themselves  innocent  go  and  touch 
the  dead  body. 

A  marvel  high  and  strange        is  seen  fiill  many  a  time  : 
When  to  the  murdered  body  nighs        the  man  who  did  the  crime. 
Afresh  the  wounds  will  bleed  :         the  marvel  now  was  found, —  , 

That  Haghen  felled  the  champion        with  treason  to  the  ground. ' 

Ghernot  and  Ghiseler  seemed  to  bewail  the  hero  with  unfeigned 
sorrow ;  and  the  lamentations,  whether  sincere  or  feigned,  resound- 
ed through  the  whole  court.  Three  days  and  three  nights  Chrimhilt 
watched  the  body,  without  food  or  drink ;  and  when  the  corpse  was 
about  to  be  sunk  into  the  grave,  she  caused  it  to  be  again  opened, 
and  once  more  took  leaye  of  her  husband.  More  than  thirty  thousand 


*  This  IS  perhaps  the  earliest  instance  in  which  this  kind  of  ordeal  (the  hahr-recht  of  the 
Germans)  is  mentioned.  The  subject  has  received  full  illustration  in  Mr  Scott's  notes  op 
the  ballad  of  Earl  Richard,  (Minstrelsy  of  the  Border,  ed.  18iO,  II.  419.) 

1 


190  THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN. 

marks  of  gold  were  distributed  among  the  poor,  for  the  welfare  and 
repose  of  his  soul. 

Adventure  XVIII.  How  Siegmund  departed  from  Worms. — 
Siegmund  went  to  Chrimhilt,  and  used  strong  persuasions  to  induce 
her  to  return  with  him,  promising  that  she  should  bear  the  crown  in 
her  husband's  dominions.  But  her  youngest  brother  Ghiseler  dissua- 
ded her  from  leaving  Worms,  and  was  seconded  in  his  solicitations  by 
Queen  Uta  and  Ghernot.  Siegmund  and  the  Nibelung  herdes  left 
the  city  of  Worms  without  taking  leave  of  any  one.  But  Ghernot  and 
Ghiseler  followed  them,  and  assured  Siegmund  that  they  were  inno- 
cent of  the  murder.  The  king  returned  to  his  country,  and  the  dis- 
consolate Chrimhilt  was  left  to  bear  the  insolence  of  her  rival  Brun- 
hild, for  which  she  cruelly  revenged  herself  subsequently. 

Adventure  XIX.  How  the  Nibelung  Treasure  came  to  Worms. 
— When  Chrimhilt  had  bewailed  her  husband  for  three  years  and  a 
half,  without  seeing  Gunter  or  Haghen,  the  latter  advised  the  king 
to  reconcile  himself  with  her,  in  order  to  get  the  invaluable  trea- 
sure of  the  Nibelungen  into  his  possession ;  which  she  had  received 
from  Siegfried  as  her  jointure.  She  consented,  after  some  difficulty, 
and  Ghernot  and  Ghiseler  were  sent  to  bring  it  to  Worms.  They  em- 
barked with  eight  thousand  knights,  and  the  treasure  was  delivered  to 
them  by  the  dwarf  Alberich,  who  greatly  bewailed  the  loss  of  Sieg- 
fried's tarn-cap.  The  treasure  was  now  einbarked,  for  whicK  purpose 
twelve  waggons  were  employed  for  the  space  of  four  days  and  nights. 
Under  the  treasure  lay  a  wishing-rod, '  which  enabled  the  possessor  to 
be  master  over  the  whole  world ;  but  this  quality  appears  to  have  been 
unknown  to  the  knights  of  Burgundy. 


•  The  wishing-rod  of  Fortunatus  has  given  to  this  fiction  very  extensive  popularity.  The 
passage  in  the  text  is  very  remarkable ;  but  the  mention  of  it  in  an  ancient  Teutonic  glos- 
sary, of  the  ninth  or  tenth  century,  discovered  by  Junius,  and  published  by  Nyerup, 
proves  the  existence  of  the  superstition  among  the  Germans  at  a  still  earlier  period.  Ca- 
duceuma  is  there  rendered  uunshiligarta. 


THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN.  191 

When  the  treasure  arrived,  Chrimhilt  so  prodigally  distributed  rich 
gifts,  and  obtained  such  popularity,  thereby,  that  Haghen  advised  Guii- 
ter  to  take  it  from  her  ;  undertaking  to  obtain  the  keys,  and  guard  it 
himself.  When  Ghernot  and  Ghiseler  saw  his  intention  executed, 
they  were  highly  enraged  ;  and  the  former  said,  it  would  be  far  bet- 
ter to  sink  it  to  the  bottom  of  the  Rhine.  Accordingly  the  king  and 
his  whole  court  for  some  days  absented  themselves  from  the  city ; 
during  which  time  Haghen,  who  had  remained  behind,  sunk  the  whole 
treasure  into  the  river,  and  all  the  conspirators  were  sworn  never  to 
reveal  the  place.  Chrimhilt,  after  enduring  this  additional  injury, 
dwelt  thirteen  years  at  court,  unable  to  forget  the  losses  she  had 
sustained.    , 

Adventure  XX.  How  King  Etzel  sent  to  Burgundy  to  obtain 
THE  HAND  OF  Chrimhilt. — It  happened  that  at  this  time  Helka,  the 
wife  of  Etzel,  king  of  the  Huns,  died,  and  his  counsellors  advised  him 
to  send  messengers  to  Worms,  and  sue  for  the  hand  of  Chrimhilt. 
He  expressed  his  fear  that  she  would  refuse  him,  he  being  a  heathen, 
and  she  Christian.  Markgrave  Rudiger,  of  Bechelaren,  however,  un- 
dertook the  expedition,  and  provided  himself  with  apparel  and  arms 
at  Vienna.  Hewas  accompanied  by  five  hundred  knights,  and  ta- 
king leave  of  his  wife  Gotiland,  set  out  for  Worms.  He  was  well  re- 
ceived upon  his  arrival,  and  Gunter,  with  his  brothers,  were  well  con- 
tent to  give  their  sister  in  marriage  to  King  Etzel ;  but  the  fierce 
Haghen  strongly  opposed  the  resolution.  It  was  at  last  determined 
that  Chrimhilt  should  decide  herself.  At  first  she  declared  her  firm 
resolution  to  remain  a  widow,  and  particularly  never  to  espouse  a 
heathen,  though  Rudiger  told  her  that  twelve  kings  and  thirty  princes 
were  vassals  to  the  king  of  the  Huns  j  and  Ghiseler  exclaimed. 

From  the  Rhone  unto  the  Rhine,        from  the  Elbe  to  the  distant  sea. 
No  king  of  greater  riches        and  greater  power  may  be. 

Rudiger  at  last  found  the  means  to  conquer  her  disinclination,,  by 


I92  THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN. 

swearing  that  he  and  his  men  would  be  ever  ready  to  revenge  her  in- 
juries, and  would  never  refuse  her  any  request. 

Preparations  were  made  for  her  departure,  but  she  wished  previ- 
ously to  distribute  the  treasure  which  was  sfill  in  her  possession.  But 
"Haghen  seized  upon  it,  and  kept  it  back  from  her.  Ghernot,  how- 
ever, took  it  from  him  by  force,  and  returned  it  to  her  ;  but  Rudiger 
Taade  her  leave  it  behind,  as  she  would  stand  in  no  need  of  bringing 
any  into  the  realm  of  Hungary,  where  she  would  command  riches  of 
incalculable  value.  Eckewart,  with  five  hundred  men,  swore  to  con- 
tinue his  fidelity  to  her,  and  follow  her  to  Hungary.  Gunter  accom- 
panied her  only  before  the  gates ;  but  Ghernot  and  Ghiseler,  and  a 
thousand  of  their  meiny,  did  not  take  leave  of  her  till  she  came  to 
the  banks  of  the  Danube. 

Adventure  XXI.  How  Chrimhilt  came  to  the  Huns* — Messen- 
gers were  sent  to  apprise  King  Etzel  that  Chrimhilt  would  speedily 
arrive.  At  Passau  she  was  received  by  her  uncle.  Bishop  Pilgerin, 
who  accompanied  her  to  Bechelaren,  where  splendid  feasts  were  given 
■to  her  by  themargrave  and  his  wife  and  daughter.  She  then  pro- 
ceeded to  Medilke  and  Mautern,  and  reposed  for  three  days  at  Trai- 
semmaur,  a  strong  castle  which  King  Etzel  had  built  upon  the  river 
Traisem.' 

Adventure  XXII.  How  Etzel  and  Chrimhilt  held  their  Bri- 
dal Feast. — Etzel  received  his  new  bride  at  the  town  of  Tuln,  ac- 
companied by  a  great  host  of  vassals,  among  whom  were  Russians, 
Greeks,  Poles,  Wallacbians,  Kyben,  the  savage  Petscheners,  and  many 
other  nations.  He  had  four-and-twenty  princes  in  his  train,  among 
whom  were  Ramung,  sovereign  of  the  Wallachians  ;  Gibecke,  Horn- 
bog,  Hawart,  and  Iring,  from  Denmark ;  Irnfried,  duke  of  Thurin- 
gia;  Blodelin,  the  king's  brother-,  and,  finally,  Dietrich  of  Bern.  Chrim- 


^  Most  of  the  towns  mentioned  in  this  and  the  following  adventure  still  exist  in  Aus- 
ttia  and  Hungary. 


THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN.  193 

hilt  was  instructed  by  Rudiger  to  kiss  twelve  of  the  noblest  champions : 
the  others  she  also  received  with  great  courtesy.  A  tournament  was 
held  till  the  evening  broke  in,  and  the  whole  train  then  proceeded  to 
Vienna,  where  the  bridal  feast  was  celebrated  for  seventeen  day^. 
The  gifts  distributed  by  Etzel  and  his  subject  princes  were  incalcul- 
able ;  and  his  two  minstrels, '  Werbel  and  Swemmel,  received  no  less 
than  athousand  marks.  At  the  end  of  the  feastj  the  king,  with  his  bride 
and  his  attendants,  left  Vienna,  and  proceeded  by  the  old  fortress  of 
Hunentourg,  and  by  Misenburg,  to  his  own  residence,  at  the  castle  of 
Etzeknburg.  ChrimhUt  was  served  by  seven  daughters  of  kings,  and 
particularly  by  Herrat,  niece  to  Etzel,  and  wife  of  Dietrich  of  Bern. 

Adventure  XXIII.  How  Chrimhilt  invited  her  Brothers  to  a 
High  Feast.' — Chrimhilt  dwelt  with  King  Etzel  for  thirteen  years, 
during  which  time  she  bore  him  a  son,  who,  by  her  influence^  was 
baptised,  and  called  Ortlieb.  Chrimhilt,  ever  intent  on  her  meditated 
revenge,  persiiaded  King  Etzel  to  send  his  two  minstrels,  Swemmel 
and  Werbel,  to  the  Rhine,  and  to  invite  King  Gunter  and  his  brothers, 
with  all  their  knights,  to  a  high  feast  in  Hungary.  She  instructed  the 
messengers  secretly  to  give  out„that  she  lived  in  perfect  happiness  at 
the  court  of  Etzel,  and  not  to  suffer  any  one  of  her  brothers'  princi- 
pal champions  to  remain  behind. 

Adventure  XXIV.  How  Werbel  and  Swemmel  did  their  Mes- 
sage.— The  messengers  arrived  safely  at  Worms,  and  were  received 
with  every  mark  of  attention ;  but  the  answer  to  their  message  was 
deferred  to  the  seventh  day.  Haghen  strongly  opposed  accepting  the 
invitation,  from  which  he  presaged  utter  ruin,  and  was  not  won  over 
to  give  his  consent  tiU  Ghernot  and  Ghiseler  taunted  hipi,  and  bade 
him  remain  behind,  if  he  feared  to  go  with  them.    Rumold,  the  mas- 

•  This  passage,  and  the  honourable  reception  of  the  minstrels  at  the  court  of  Burgundy, 
fully  prove  the  rank  held  by  mmstrels  in  former  ages,  and  their  frequent  occupation  in 
confidential  embassies ;  and  strongly  militate  against  the  general  degradation  they  have 
suffered  from  the  learned,  but  capricious  and  tasteless  Ritson. 

2b 


194  THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN. 

ter  of  the  kitchen,  alsp  made  a  very  characteristic,  but  ineffectual  at- 
tempt to  persuade  the  kings  from  the  journey,  by  painting  their  present 
feUcity,  having  abundance  of  meat,  drink,  and  clothes.  When  Ha- 
ghen  found  all  were  fuUy  determined  on  the  expedition,  he  undertook 
to  select  a  thousand  of  the  best  knights,  among  whom  were  his  bro- 
ther Dankwart,  and  the  hero  Folker  of  Alsace,  who  was  called  the 
Minstrel,  or  the  Fiddler,  on  account  of  the  excellence  of  his  playing 
and  singing.'  The  messengers  from  the  Huns  were  detained  till  every 
thing  was  ready  for  the  journey,  by  Haghen,  to  prevent  them  from 
coming  too  soon  back  to  Chrimhilt,  and  giving  her  an  opportunity  of 
making  great  preparations  for  the  destruction  of  himself  and  the  other 
knights. 

Adventure  XXV.  How  the  Nibelungen  went  to  the  Huns. — ' 
Queen  Uta  dreamt  that  all  the  birds  in  the  kingdom  had  dropt  down 
dead  ;  but  Haghen,  urged  on  by  the  taunts  of  Ghernot,  was  now  bent 
on  proceeding.  The  care  of  the  two  queens  and  the  kingdom  being  left 
to  Rumold,  the  host,  consisting  of  a  thousand  knights,  and  nine  thou- 
sand esquires,  proceeded  on  their  journey,  and  traversing  Swabia  and 
Franconia,  under  the  condiict  of  Haghen,  who  was  their  guide,  and 
of  Dankwart,  marshal  of  the  host,  arrived  on  the  banks  of  the  Da- 
nube. 

Haghen  of  Tronek  rode         before  the  noble  host. 
Guiding  the  Niblung  knights,        their  leader  and  their  boast : 
Now  from  his  horse  the  champion        leaped  upon  the  ground  ;. 
Full  soon  unto  an  oak        the  courser  has  he  bound. 

The  ferryman,  he  sought        by  the  river  far  and  wide : 
He  heard  the  water  bullering        closely  by  his  side  : 
In  a  fountain  fair,        sage  women  he  espied. 
Their  lovely  bodies  bathing,        all  in  the  cooling  tide. 


•  Folker  is  not  a  professed  minstrel,  but,  like  many  of  the  French,  German,  and  northt. 
em  princes  and  knights,  cultivated  music  and  j^oetry  as  an  accomplishment. 


THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN.  1S5 

And  whenhe  saw  the  mermaids,*        he  sped  him  silently ; 
But  sooD  they  heard  his  footsteps,        and  quickly  did  they  hie. 
Glad  and  joyful  in  their  hearts,        that  they  'scaped  the  hero's  arm  : 
From  the  ground  he  took  their  garments,       did  them  none  other  harm. 

Up  and  spake  a  mermaid,        Hildburg  was  she  hight :— ~ 

"  Noble  hero  Haghen,        your  fate  will  I  reed  aright ; 

At  King  Etzel's  court        what  adventures  ye  shall  have. 

If  back  thou  give  our  garments,        thou  champion  bold  and  brave." 

Like  birds  they  flew  before  him        upon  the  watery  flood. 

And  as  they  flew,  the  mermaid's  form      thought  him  so  fair  and  good. 

That  he  believed  full  well        what  of  hi^  fate  she  spoke ; 

But  for  uie  hero's  boldness        she  thought  to  be  awroke. 

"  Well  may  ye  ride,"  she  said,        "  to  the  rich  King  Etzel's  court ; 
I  pledge  my  head  in  troth,        that  in  more  royal  sort 
Heroes  never  were  received         in  countries  far  and  near, ; 
Nor  with  greater  honours ;        then  hie  ye  without  fear." 

Glad  of  their  speech  was  Haghen,        right  joyous  in  his  heart : 
He  gave  them  back  their  garments,        and  sped  him  to  depart : 
But  when  their  bodies  they  had  dight        in  that  full  wond'rous  guise. 
Rightly  the  journey  to  the  Huns        told  the  women  wise. 

Then  spake  the  other  mermaid,        Sighlind  was  her  name : — 

"  I  will  warn  thee,  son  of  Aldrian,        Haghen,  thou  knight  of  fame ; 

For  the  garments  fair,  my  sister        loudly  did  she  lie  : 

Foully  must  ye  all  be  shent,        if  to  the  Huns  ye  hie. 

"  Turn  thee  back.  Sir  Haghen,        back  unto  the  Rhine, 
Nor  ride  ye  to  the  Huns        with  those  bold  feres  of  thine  ; 


'  In  the  same  manner  the  knight  Gruelan,  (or  Graelent,)  in  the  lay  so  denominated, 
steals  the  garments  of  the  beautiful  fsary.  See  the  original,  in  the  new  edition  of  Barba- 
zan,  (IV,  57,)  and  a  beautiful  translation  in  Way's  Fabliaux,  (I,  177.)  The  reader  is 
referred  for  much  curious  information  on  the  subject  of  mermaids  to  a  note  subjoined  to 
the  Danish  ballad  of  Lady  Grimild's  Wrack,  (relating  the  adventures  of  the  present 


196  THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN. 

Ye  are  trained  unto  your  death,        into  King  Etzel's  land  : 

All  who  ride  to  Hungary        their  death  may  they  not  withstand." 

Up  and  spake  Sir  Haghen, —        "  Foully  dost  thou  lie : 

How  might  it  come  to  pass,        when  to  the  Huns  we  hie. 

That  I,  and  all  our  champions  bold>        should  to  the  death  be  dight  ?' 

The  Niblung  knights'  adventures        they  told  unto  the  knight. 

Lady  Hildburg  spoke  :• —        "  Tiirn  ye  back  to  Burgundy : 
None  will  return  from  Etzel,        of  all  your  knights  so  free  ; 
None  but  the  chaplaia  of  the  king ;        your  cmel  fate  to  tell. 
Back  to  Lady  Brunhild        comes  he  safe  and  well." 

Fiercely  spake  Sir  Haghen        to  that  prophetic  maid, — 
"  Never  to  King  Gunter        your  tidings  shall  be  said. 
How  he  and  all  his  champion's        must,  die  at  Etzel's  court.-.- 
How  may  we  pass  the  Danube,        ladies  sage,  report." 

"  If  yet  thou  wilt  not  turn        back  to  Burgundy, 
Speed  ye  up  the  river's  edge,        where  thou  a  house  wilt  see  ; 
There  dwells  a  ferryman  bold  ;        no  other  .mayst  thou  find  : 
But  speak  him  fair  and  courteously^        and  bear  my  saw  in  mind. 

"  He  will  not  bring  you  over,        for  savage  is  his  moody 

If  angrily  ye  call  him,        with  wrathful  words,  and  lewd : 

Give  him  the  gold  and  silver,        if  he  guides  you  o'er  the  flood : — 

Ghelfrat  of  Bavaria        serves  the  championgoodi. 

"  If  he  will  not  pass  the  river,        call  o'er  the  flood  aloud. 
That  your  name  is  Amelrich  :         he  was  a  hero  proud. 
Who  for  wrath  and  enmity        left  Bavaria's  land : 
Soon  will  he  ferry  over        from  the  further  strand." — 

Haghen  then  dis-sped  him        from  the  mermaids  wise  : 

The  champion  said  no  more,        but  bowed  in  courteous  guise  : 

poem,  abridged,)  translated  by  Mr  Jamieson,  which  will  be  found  in  a  subsequent  part  of 
this  volume. 


THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN,  197 

He  hied  him  down  the  river,        and  on  the  further  side. 
The  house  of  that  proud  ferryuaan        quickly  has  he  spied. 

Loud  and  oft  Sir  Haghea        shouted  o'er  the  flood  : — 

"  Now  fetch  me  over  speedily,"        so  spake  the  hero  good : 

"  A  bracelet  of  the  rich  red  gold        will  1  give  thee  to  thy  meed  : 

To  cross  the  swelling  Danube        full  mickle  have  I  need." 

Rich  and  right  proud  of  mood        was  that  ferryman  bold  ; 
Full  seldom  would  he  serve        for  silver  or  for  gold  : 
His  servants  and  his  hinds        haughty  of  mind  they  were. 
Alone  the  knight  of  Tronek        stood  in  Wrath  and  care. 

With  wohd'rous  force  he  shouted,        that  with  the  dreadful  sound. 
Up  and  down  the  river        did  the  waves  and  rocks  rebound : — 
"  Fetch  ye  oyer  Sir  Amelrich,        soon  and  speedily. 
Who  left  Bavaria's  land         for  wrath  and  enmity." 

A  weighty  bracelet  on  his  sword        the  hero  held  full  soon. 
That  to  the  sun  the  gold  so  red        fair  and  brightly  shone  : 
He  bade  him  bring  him  over        to  the  noble  Ghelfrat's  land  : 
Speedily  the  ferryman        took  the  rudder  in  his  hand. 

O'er  the  swelling  Danube        rowed  he  speedily ; 

But  when  his  uncle  Amelrich        in  the  boat  he  did  not  see ; 

Fearful  grew  his  wrath ,        to  Haghen  loud  he  spake, — 

"  Leave  the  boat,  thou  champion,      or  thy  boldness  will  I  wreak." 

Up  he  heaved  the  rudder,  broad,  and  of  mickle  weight. 

And  on  the  hero  Haghen  he  struck  with  main  and  might ; 

In  the  ship  he  felled  him  down  upon  his  knee  : 
Never  such  fierce  feiTyman         did  the  knight  of  Tronek  see. 

He  seized  a  sturdy  oar,        right  wrathful  was  his  mood ; 
Upon  the  glittering  helmet        he  struck  the  champion  good, 
That  o'er  his  head  he  broke        the  oar  with  all  his  might ; 
But  for  that  blow  the  ferryman        soon  to  the  death  was  dight. 


198  THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN. 

Up  started  hero  Haghen,        unsheathed  his  trusty  blade. 

Grasped  it  strongly  in  his  hand,         and  off  he  struck  his  head: 

Loudly  did  he  shout,        as  he  threw  it  on  the  ground  : 

Glad  were  the  knights  of  Burgundy,      when  they  heard  his  voice  resound. 

During  their  fight,  the  ship  had  drifted  down  the  river,  and  in  endea- 
vouring to  row  himself  ashore,  he  broke  the  rudder.  He  tied  it  toge- 
ther with  his  sword-belt,  and  at  last  succeeded  to  bring  it  to  the  land. 
Haghen  himself  undertook  the  ofiice  of  ferryman,  and  was  employed 
the  whole  day  in  bringing  over  the  host.  When  he  espied  the  chap- 
lain, he  thought  to  frustrate  the  prophecy  of  the  mermaids,  and  threw 
him  into  the  river.  The  friar,  however,  reached  the  opposite  shore 
in  safety,  "and  returned  to  Worms.  The  whole  army  being  ferried 
over,  Haghen  destroyed  the  ship  j  and  being  asked  by  Dankwart,  why 
he  thus  prevented  their  return  from  the  Huns,  he  answered,  that  it 
was  done  to  frustrate  any  opportunity  for  cowards  to  fly. 

Adventure  XXVI.  How  Ghelfrat  was  slain  by  Dankwart.-— 
Haghen  now  acquainted  the  heroes  with  the  prophecy  of  the  mer- 
maids, and  the  death  of  the  ferryman  ;  and  it  was  resolved  to  march 
with  the  greatest  circumspection  ;  Folker  commanding  the  van,  and 
Haghen,  with  Dankwart,  the  rear.  The  following  night,  the  latter 
was  attacked  by  the  Bavarian  dukes  Ghelfrat  and  Else,  with  seven 
hundred  horse,  in  revenge  for  the  slaughter  of  their  ferryman.  Ghel- 
frat struck  Haghen  from  his  horse,  but  was  himself  kiUed  by  Dank- 
wart, upon  which  Else  fled,  with  the  loss  of  a  hundred  of  his  men. 

Having  marched  forwards  all  the  night,  they  found  a  knight,  who 
lay  sleeping  by  the  way.  Haghen  took  away  his  arms,  but  returned 
them  when  he  found  him  to  be  Duke  Eckewart.  The  latter  told  them 
of  the  inimical  disposition  of  his  mistress ;  but  Haghen  exclaimed, 
that  they  stood  in  need  of  no  information,  but  where  they  might  rest 
from  the  fatigues  of  the  night.  Eckewart  informed  them  that  they 
were  near  Bechelaren,  the  burgh  of  the  hospitable  Rudiger. 


THE  SONG  OP  THE  NIBELUNGEN.  199 

Adventure  XXVII.  How  the  Nibelungen  were  received  by  Ru- 
DiGER. — Rudiger,  with  Gotelind  and  her  beautiful  daughter,  welcomed 
the  guests  at  the  gate ;  and  the  latter  was  instructed  to  salute'the  three 
kings  and  the  principal  heroes  ;  but  when  Haghen  was  presented  to 
her,  she  was  appalled  by  his  fierce  countenance ;  and  it  required  the 
interference  of  her  father,  to  make  her  shew  due  respect  to  the  hero. 
During  the  feast,  it  was  determined  to  give  the  beauteous  Dietelind 
in  marriage  to  Ghiseler,  the  youngest  of  the  kings.  When  the  guests 
were  about  to  proceed  on  their  journey,  many  gifts  were  distributed 
among  them  by  Rudiger.  Among  others,  he  gave  to  Gunter  a  coat 
of  mail,  and  to  Ghernot  a  sword,  which  was  fatally  destined  to  end 
his  own  life.  Haghen  requested  of  Gotelind  the  gift  of  a  shield,  which 
had  been  borne  by  Nudung,  who  was  slain  by  Wittich.  •  FoUcer, 
when  he  took  his  leave,  played  "  sweet  tones"  upon  his  fiddle,  and 
sung  his  songs  before  Gotelind,  who  rewarded  him  with  six  bracelets, 
which  she  stuck  on  his  arm.*  The  news  of  the  arrival  of  the  Nibel- 
ungen were  soon  brought  to  King  Etzel ;  and  Chrimhilt  rejoiced  in 
the  near  prospect  of  revenge. 

Adventure  XXVIII.  How  the  Nibelungen  came  to  the  Huns. — 
Old  Master  Hildebrand  had  informed  Dietrich  of  Bern  of  the  approach 
of  the  knights  of  Burgundy,  and  they  proceeded  to  meet  them  on  the 
road,  where  Dietrich  gave  the  Nibelungen  a  full  account  of  the  una- 
bated sorrow  of  Chrimhilt,  and  warned  them  of  its  effects.  When  they 
arrived  at  Etzelenburg,  the  residence  of  Etzel,  the  queen  received 
young  Ghiseler  with  great  affability,  but  took  little  notice  of  the 
others.  When  Haghen  saw  that,  he  tied  his  helmet  faster.  She  asked 
what  presents  they  had  brought  to  her  from  the  Rhine  ;  and  Haghen 


■  This  is  the  only  mention  of  Wittich,  who  is  the  Achilles  of  the  Wilkina-Saga,  in  this, 
poem.     See  page  31  of  the  Dissertation  prefixed  to  this  work. 

*  Bracelets,  in  the  times  of  chivalry,  were  not  confined  to  the  ladies,  but  frequently  wora 
by  knights.    According  to  the  learned  Suhm,  bracelets,  twisted  in  a  serpentine  manner,, 
have  been  found  in  Scandinavia,  of  the  weight  of  159  ducats. 
6 


200  THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN. 

replied  scornfully',  that  he  regretted  not  having  brought  hei*  some  gift 
from  his  own  treasure.  She  asked  him  why  they  had  not  brought  the 
Niblung  treasure  ?  He  replied,  that  it  was  suflScient  for  a  knight  to 
carry  his  armour  and  his  sword.  She  bade  them  give  up  their  arms  be- 
fore they  entered  the  hall,  and  when  H^ghen  and  Gunter  refiised,  she 
discovered  t}iat  some  one  had  warned  the  heroes,  and  swore  vengeance 
against  him ;  but  Dietrich  took  Haghen  by  the  hand,  and  openly  avow- 
ed that  he  had  done  it.  Etzel  asked  who  the  fierce  herb  was  whom 
King  Dietrich  led  by  the  hand  ;  and  when  he  heard  his  name,  he  re- 
collected that  his  father  Aldrian  had  been  his  subject,  and  that  Haghen 
and  Walter  of  Spain,  who.  since  eloped  with  Hildegund,  had  been  his 
hostages.' 

Adventure  XXIX.  How  Haghen  and  Folker  sat  before  the 
Hall  of  Chrimhilt. — Haghen  took  Folker  aside,  and  they  went  to- 
gether across  the  court,  and  sat  them  down  on  a  bench  before  the  hall 
of  Chrimhilt.  When  she  beheld  them,  she  wept  bitterly,  and  com- 
plained to  her  sixty  knights  of  the  indignity,  and  what  injuries  Haghen 
had  done  to  her.  They  offered  immediately  to  avenge  her,  and  to 
slay  the  two  champions ;  but  she  informed  them  that  they  were  too 
few.  They  increased  their  number  to  a  hundred,  and  went  down  to 
the  court  with  Chrimhilt,  who  had  told  them  they  should  have  a  con- 
firmation of  his  crijnes  from  the  mouth  of  Haghen  himself.  When  she 
approached,  Folker  wished  to  rise  from  his  seat,  but  Haghen  hinder- 
ed him,  saying,  their  enemies  would  take  it  for  a  sign  of  their  fear. 

'Twas  then  the  hero  Haghen         across  his  lap  he  laid. 

Glittering  to  the  sun,        a  broad  and  weighty  blade ; 

In  the  hilt  a  jasper  stone,        greener  than  the  grass: 

Well  knew  the  lady  Chrimhilt        that  Siegfried's  sword  it  was. 

When  she  beheld  sword  Balmung,        woe  and  sorrow  did  she  feel : 
The  hilt  was  of  the  precious  gold,        the  blade  of  shining  steel : 

'  The  adventures  here  alluded  to  are  (related  in  the  Latin  epic  analysed  in  this  work, 
(p.  23,)  and  in  the  Wilkina-Saga,  (chap,  85,  etseq.) 

3 


THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN.  201 

It  minded  her  of  all  her  woes  :        Chrimhilt  to  weep  began : 
Well  I  ween  Sir  Haghen        in  her  scorn  the  sword  had  drawD> 

Folker,  knight  of  courage  bold,        by  his  side  sat  he  ; 

A  sl^arp  and  mighty  fiddlestick '        held  the  hero  free ; 

Much  hke  a  glittering  sword  it  was;  sharp,  and  broad,  and  long : 

Fierce,  without  all  fear,         sat  there  the  champions  strong. 

Chrimhilt  bitterly  upbraided  Haghen  with  the  injuries  he  had  done 
her,  which  he  readily  acknowledged.  Mean  time  one  of  the  Huns 
began  to  relate  the  deeds  of  Haghen  (whom  he  had  seen  in  his  youth 
distinguish  himself  in  two-and-twenty  battles)  to  the  others  ;  in  con- 
sequence of  which  they  resolved  not  to  encounter  the  two  champions, 
but  departed  from  them  in  peace.  Then  Haghen  and  Folker  rejoined 
the  kings,  and  they  all  prpcepded  to  the  hfiU  of  King  Et?iel,  who  recei^ 
ved  them  with  every  mark  of  courtesy. 

Adventure  XXIX<  How  Haghen  and  Folker  guarded  the  Kings. 
— When  night  broke  in,  and  the  guests  were  retiring  to  the  large  haU, 
where  their  beds  were  prepared,  Haghen  undertook  the  guard,  and 
Folker  readily  associated  himself  with  him  in  the  charge. 

Before  the  palace  door         Folker  sat  him  on  a  stone  ; 

Bolder  and  more  knight-like  fiddler        ne'er  shone  the  sun  uppn : 

Sweetly  from  his  strings        resounded  many  a  lay ; 

And  many  thanks  the  heroes        to  the  knight  of  fame  did  say. 

At  first  his  tones  resounded        loudly  the  hall  around ; 
The  champion's  strength  and  art        was  heard  in  every  sound : 
But  sweeter  lays,  and  softer,        the  hero  now  began. 
That  gently  closed  his  eyes        full  many  a  way-tir'd  man. 

Folker  having  resumed  his  sword  and  shield,  discovered  helmets  glit- 


'  Continual  jokes  upon  the  musical  accomplishments  of  Folker  occour  in  the  original, 
a  few  of  which  have  been  translated. 

2  C 


202  THE  SONG  0F  THE  MBELUN0EN. 

tering  by  the  light  of  the  moon.  They  were  Tonights  whom  Chrim- 
hilt  had  sent  to  murdef  Hagheh  in  his  sleep.  But  when  they  viewed 
the  hall  door  guarded,  they  retired,  taunted  for  their  cowardice  by 
Folker,  who  wished  to  follow  and  attack  them,  but  was  prevented  by 
Haghen. 

Adventure  XXXl.   How  the  Kings  went  to  hear  Mass. 

"  Cold  grows  my  shirt  of  mail :        I  ween  the  mirky  night 
Will  soon  be  at  an  end,        and  the  morning  sun  shine  bright ; 
For  I  feel  the  air  grows  sharper."        Thus  Sir  Folker  spake. 
And  soon  the  sleeping  knights         did  the  champiotis  two  awake. 

By  thfe  advice  of  Haghen,  they  prepared  themselves  to  go  to  the 
church  and  hear  mass,  and  for  that  purpose  were  about  to  put  on  rich 
dresses. 

But  up  spake  hero  Haghen :— ^  "  Other  garments  must  ye  wear : 
Not  dight  with  flow'rs  and  roses,        glittering  falchions  must  ye  bear ; 
For  your  rich-gemm'd  chaplets '        put  on  your  helmets  good : 
Well  know  ye,  noble  gentlemen.        Lady  Chrimhilt's  angry  mood. 

*'  Fiercely  must  we  fight  to-day,        and  try  our  fortune  soon : 
DofF  your  silken  shirts,         and  gird  your  hauberks  on  ; 
For  your  spacious  mantles        must  each  one  bear  his  shield : 
If  ye  meet  your  enemies,        your  weapons  bravely  wield." 

When  King  Etzel  beheld  his  gu§sts  in  complete  armour,  he  mar- 
velled greatly ;  but  Haghen  disdaining  to  tell  the  real  cause,  pretend- 
ed it  was  the  common  custom  of  Burgundy.  After  the  mass,  a  tour- 
nament was  held;  but  Dietrich  and  Rudiger,  when  they  saw  the 
angry  mind  of  the  Nibelungen,  restrained  their  knights  from  enga- 
ging among  the  others.    Folker  seeing  a  Hun  arrayed  in  splendid  ar- 


'  In  the  original,  schapel,  from  die  French^  chapelet,  a  kind  of  diadem  of  gold,  inlaid 
with  pearls  and  precious  stones. 

11 


THE  SONG  OP  THE  NIBELUNGEN.  208 

mour,  could  not  restrain  his  wrath,  but  rode  into  the  throng,  and 
pierced  him  mth  his  lance.  A  general  engagem^it  began,  which  was 
interrupted  by  the  interference  of  Etzel,  who  tHreateneid  to  hang  any 
one  who  did  harm  to  the  guests  from  Surgiindy.^  The  knights  tkea 
proceeded  into  the  palace,  and  sat  down  to  dinner  in  complete  ar- 
m6ur,  every  one  mistrusting  titic  other.  Chrimhilt  endeavoured  in  vain 
to  persuade  Dietrich  and  Hildebrand  to  revenge  her-  upmi  Haghen. 
Blodelin,  Etzers  brother,  at  last  undertook  the  deed,  a£ber  receiwng 
the  promise  of  large  possessions,  and  the  wife  of  N«d«ng,  a  king,  who 
had  been  slsiin  by  Wittieh.  Towards  the  end  of  the  dinner,  Ortiieb, 
the  young  son  of  Chrimhilt  and  Etzel,  was  brought  in,  and  the  latter 
expressed  his  wish  that  he  might  accompany  the  kings  to  Burgundy, 
and  be  educated  at  their  court.  But  Haghen  spoke  lightly  of  him, 
and  declared  that  he  would  full  seldom  go  and  pay  his  court  to  him 
if  he  came  to  Worms ;  at  which  speech  King  Etzel  was  wroth,,  and 
began  to  detest  the  knight  of  Tronek. 

Adventure  XXXII.  How  Blodelin  fought  with  Dankwart.— 
In  the  mean  time  Blodelin  had  assembled  his  knights,  went  to  the 
haU  where  Dankwart  dined  with  the  squires,  and  immediately  defied 
him.  Dankwart  denied  having  had  any  hand  in  Siegfried's  death,  but 
was  notwithstanding  assailed.  At  the  very  first  blow  he  severed  the 
head  of  Blodelin  from  his  body ;  and  though  few  of  the  squires  were 
armed,  they  at  last  sueceeded  in  driving  out  the  Huns.  But  they  re» 
turned,  with  two  thousand  others,  and  slaughtered  all  th&  youths. 
Dankwart,  however,  fought  Jus  way  through  his  foes,  and  at  last  reach- 
ed the  haU  where  the  kings  and  knights  were  dining,  at  the  very  mo- 
ment when  Of  tlieb  was  borne  out  of  the  hall-door. 

Adventure  XXXIII.  Hpw  Dankwart  brought  the  News  of  the 
Slaughter  to  his  MASTERS.r-TWhen  Dankwart  was  come -to  the  court, 
and  had  informed  his  brother  aloud  what  had  happened  to  him  and 
his  men,  Haghen  bade  him  keep  the  door,  and  prevent  any  one  from 
ipscaping.    He  then  began  the  slaughter,  by  striking  pff  the  head  of 


204  THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN. 

Ortlieb,  which  fell  into  his  mother's  lap.  Fplker,  as  well  as  he,  com- 
menced a  dreadful  battle ;  but  at  the  request  of  Haghen,  he  joined 
Dan  kwa!rt,  to  guard  the  door.  Chrimhilt  began  to  be  in  fear  of  her 
life,  when  she  saw  the  battle  become  general,  and  requested  Dietrich 
of  Bern  to  bring  her  out  of  the  hall.  That  hero  immediately  leapt  on 
the  table,  and  demanded  to  be  allowed  to  leave  the  hall  with  his 
knights.  His  request  was  granted,  and  he  quitted  the  hall,  bearing 
Chrimhilt  under  one  arm,  and  Etzel  in  the  other.  Truce  was  also  grant- 
ed by  the  interference  of  Ghiseler,  to  Rudiger  and  his  champions.  But 
when  he  was  departed,  no  one  was  spared,  and  the  Bufgundian  he- 
roes soon  found  no  enemy  to  oppose.  No  one  distinguished  himself 
like  Folker. 


King  fitzel  cried,  "  Alas  and  woe,        that  to  this  feast  they  came, 
For  there  a  feai'ful  champion  fights,         Folker  is  his  name. 
Raging  like  a  savage  boar ;         a  fiddler  mad  is  he  : 
Praised  be  my  luck,  that  from  the  fiend        safely  I  could  flee. 

"  Foully  his  lays  resound  ;         his  fiddlestick  is  red ; 

And  ah  !  the  dreadful  tones         strike  many  a  champion  dead  !" 

The  champions  of  Burgundy  threw  the  dead  bodies,  to  the  number 
of  seven  thousand,  out  of  the  windows,  and  with  their  spears  prevent- 
ed any  of  the  Huns  on  the  outside  of  the  palace  from  approaching 
them.  Chrimhilt  offered  great  riches  to  any  one  who  would  attack 
Haghen,  but  no  knight  seemed  inclined  to  undertake  the  enter- 
prise. 

Adventure  XXXIV.  How  Iring  was  slain. — At  last  Iring,  mar- 
grave of  Denmark,  resolved  to  encounter  Haghen.  Irnfried,  land- 
grave of  Thuringia,  and  Hawart,  with  a  thousand  men,  would  fain  have 
accompanied  him,  but  he  prevailed  upon  them  to  let  him  proceed 
alone.  Finding  himself  unable  to  slay  Haghen,  he  successively  at" 
tacked  Folker,  Gunter,  and  his  two  brothers,  and  then  returned  to 


THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN.  205 

Haghen,  whom  he  wounded  in  the  head,  and  returned  to  his  country- 
men. But  when  he  had  rested  a  while  he  renewed  the  fight,  and  was 
killed  by  Haghen  with  a  spear.  Irnfried  and  Hawart,  who  went  to 
revenge  his  death,  were  also  slain  by  Folker  and  Haghen,  and  their 
knights  shared  the  same  fate. 

Adventure  XXXV.    How  the  three  Kings  spoke  with  Etzel  and 

Chrimhilt  of  a  TRucii. 

"  Se  ye  proud  of  mood,  my  champions,"         Haghen  aloud  did  say  j 
"  For  aye  the  Huns  shall  rue         that  they  brought  us  here  this  day ; 
Ever  the  feast  shall  they  lament        which  the  queen  for  us  has  dight : 
What  boots  it  now  to  Chrimhilt        that  she  brought  us  here  to  fight  ? 

"  Unlace  ye  now  your  helmets,"        so  spake  the  champion ; 
"  I,  and  my  fellow,  Folker,        will  shield  you  from  the  foen  ; 
And  if  King  Etzel's  meiny         dare  try  the  combat  bold, 
1  warn  ye,  noble  gentlemen,         your  courage  to  unfold." 

There  many  goodly  Icemps         unlac'd  their  helmets  good ; 
Down  they  sat  them  on  the  dead,        (amongst  the  tide  of  blood,) 
Whom  they  had  done  to  death         in  the  sturdy  fight : 
But  soon  of  Etzel's  noble  guests        fell  many  a  hardy  knight. 

Before  the  evening-tide.         King  Etzel  did  command. 
And  so  did  Lady  Chrimhilt,        that  the  kemps  of  Hunnen^Iand 
Graithe  them  for  the  battle :         and  straight  before  them  stood. 
Ready  for  the  fight,        twenty  thousand  champions  good. 

In  the  hall,  and  eke  without,         a  fearfull  fight  was  fought : 

Dankwart,  Haghen's  brother,        noble  deeds  he  wrought ; 

To  his  enemies  he  leapt        rathly  through  the  door : 

When  they  ween'd  he  had  bled  to  death,      he  was  hardier  than  before. 

Ev'n  till  the  night  did  sever  them,        they  fought  the  fight  of  blood : 
The  guests  defended  them,        as  noble  heroes  should, 


206  THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN. 

Against  the  dhampions  of  the  Huns        a  full  long  summejr's  day : 
Ho!  how  many  a  aobl^  blade       .dead  befor^  them  lay! 

At  the  turn  of  summer  *        was  done  this  m^rd'rous  deed : 
'Twas  for  the  Lady  Chrimhilt        the  champions  bold  did  bleed: 
There  fell  her  nearest  kindred,         and  many  a  man  of  fame ; 
For  which  King  Etzel  never  more        knew  nor  joy  nor  game. 

She  never  thought  such  battle  fierce      among  -them  would  be  fought ; 
For  she  had  bent  her  mind        all  only  to  have  brought 
To  the  death  the  hero  Haghen  ;        but  while  his  blood  she  sought, 
All  this  bloody  mischief        by  the  foul  fiend  was  wrought. 

.  Gunter  and  his  brothers  now  issued  before  the  hall,  and  demanded 
truce,  which  was  refused  to  them  by  King  Etzel.  He  was,  however, 
willing  to  allow  them -to  come  out  and  rest  from  the  fight,  but  Chrim* 
hilt  ordered  her  champions  to  drive  them  in,  and  set  fire  to  the  hall. 
The  heroes  of  Burgundy,  now  reduced  to  six  hundreds  were  driven  to 
the  last  extremity.  They  had  no  means  to  quench  the  raging  thirst 
caused  by  the  fire,  till,  by  the  advice  of  Haghen,  they  drank  the  blood 
of  their  enemies.*  Fortunately  the  hall-roof  was  arched,  which  pre- 
vented a  general  conflagration.  They  remained  quiet  till  the  momr 
ing,  when  they  were  attacked  by  twelve  hundred  Huns,  allured  by 
the  offers  of  Chrimhilt,  who  were  slain  to  the  last  man. 

Adventure  'XXXVI.  How  Rudiger  was  slain. — ^Rudiger  was 
disconsolate  to  see  such  dreadful  havoc  among  his.  friends.  A  Hun, 
who  saw  him  standing  unarmed,  upbraided  him  with  cowardice,  but 
was  struck  dead  to  the  ground  by  the  hand  of  the  margrave.  Both 
Jltzel  and  Chrimhilt  used  every  prayer,  an,d  even  fell  on  their  knees,  to 
persuade  him  to  attack  the  Burgundians.  Long  did  he  deny  their  rer 
quest,  pleading  his  friendship  for  them,  and  the  hospitality  which  they 

'  See  the  note  on  p..  170.  i 

»  This  circumstance  has,  been  transferred,  with  considerable  improvements,  into  the  t>at 
nish  ballad  of  Lady  Grimild's  Wrack,  printed  in  this  volume. 


THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN.  207 

had  enjoyied  in  hi*  house.  At  length  the  tears  of  Chrimhilt  prevailed, 
and  be  prepared  himself  and  his  men,  \dth  heavy  hearts,  for  the  attack. 
He  told  the  knights  of  Burgnndy  to  get  ready  to  withstand  him,  and 
informed  them  that  he  was  only  petsttaded  to  it  by  the  commands  and 
entreaties  of  Etzel  and  Chrimhilt.  Haghen  told  him  that  the  shield 
he  had  presented  to  him  at  Bechelaren  was  hewn  to  pieces;  and 
Rudiger  insisted  that  he  should  accept  the  one  he  then  bore  in  re- 
turn. Touched  with  the  generosity  of  the  gift,  Haghen  vowed  not 
to  attack  Rudiger,  and  Folker  followed  his  example.  The  battle  be- 
came generail,  and  was  very  bloody.  In  the  end,  Ghernot  and  Rudi- 
ger met.  The  latter  wounded  his  Opponent  in  the  head  mortally,  but 
was  in  return  struck  dead  by  the  very  sword  he  had  given  to  Gher- 
not. The  remainder  of  Rudiger's  knights  were  slain,  one  after  ano- 
ther. When  Chrimhilt  heard  that  the  noise  had  ceased,  she  supposed 
that  Rudiger  had  made  his  peace  with  her  brothers,  and  upbraided 
him  aloud  for  his  treachery.  But  Folker  shewed  her  his  dead  body, 
and  she  began  to  despair  of  accomplishing  her  vengeance. 

Adventure  XXXVII.  How  Dietrich's  Champions  were  slain.-*- 
A  champion  of  Dietrich  of  Bern  heard  the  lamentations  of  the  Huns, 
and  dreading  that  Etzel  himself  was  slain,  communicated  his  fears  to 
his  master.  Wolf  hart,  the  nephew  of  Dietrich,  and  one  of  his  bravest 
knights,  offered  to  inquire  the  truth  of  the  Burgundians ;  but  the  hero 
of  Bern  fearing  his  rashness,  sent  Helfrich,  who  returned  with  the  in- 
telligence that  the  noble  Rudiger  had  been  slain.  Dietrich  then  or- 
dered old  Hildebrand  to  demand  the  dead  body.  Wolfhart  and  all  the 
others  prepared  themselves  to  accompany  him,  notwithstanding  the 
command  of  their  master  to  the  contrary.  When  they  entered  the 
hall,  and  found  Rudiger  lying  dead,  their  lamentations  were  exces- 
sive, and  Wolfhart  could  not  refrain  from  insulting  the  heroes  of  Bur- 
gundy, who  had  reftised  delivering  the  body*  Folker  answering  him 
in  the  same  style,  he  broke  loose  from  Hildebrand,  and  struck  the 
fiddler  a  mighty  blow,  but  was  felled  down  by  him  in  return.  Nothing 
could  now  restrain  the  heroes  from  the  fight*    Folker  slew  Sighestab, 


208  THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN. 

another  nephew  of  Dietrich,  and  was  himself  slain  by  Hildebrand, 
Ghiseler  and  Wolf  hart  gave  the  death- wound  one  to  the  other ;  and 
at  length  no  one  remained  on  either  side,  excepting  Haghen,  Gunter, 
and  Hildebrand.  The  latter  endeavouring  to  carry  off'  the  body  of 
the  brave  Wolfhart,  was  put  to  flight  by  the  knight  of  Tronek,  and 
communicated  the  disastrous  intelligence  to  his  master,  that  he  alone 
of  all  his  champions  remained  alive. 

Adventure  XXXVIII.  The  Death  of  Gunter  and  Haghen. — » 
Dietrich  armed  himself,  and  went  to  the  hall  where  Gunter  and  Ha- 
ghen stood  among  the  dead,  and  demanded  that  they  should  yield 
themselves  prisoners  to  him.  They  refused ;  upon  which  he  attacked 
Haghen,  and  after  a  fierce  combat,  wounded  him  severely,  bound  him 
down,  and  brought  him  prisoner  to  Chrimhilt,  to  whom  he  gave,  him 
in  charge,  conjuring  her  not  to  take  his  life.  Then  he  returned  to 
Gunter,  and  commenced  another  combat  with  him.  At  length  he 
also  succeeded  in  binding  him,  and  dehvering  him  to  Chrimhilt,  who 
caused  him  to  be  taken  to  a  separate  prison.  Dietrich  then  departed, 
loudly  lamenting. 

Chrimhilt.  offered  Haghen  his  life,  if  he  would  discover  the  Niblung 
treasure  ',  but  he  refused,  saying,  he  had  taken  a  strong  oath  not  to  re- 
veal the  place,  and  well  knowing  that  Chrimhilt  would  never  pa,rdori 
the  offences  he  had  committed  against  her. 

"  Then  I'll  bring  it  to  an  end,"        spake  the  noble  Siegfried's  wife. 
Grimly  she  bade  her  meiny        take  King  Gunter's  life. 
Off  they  struck  his  head  ;         she  grasped  it  by  the  hair: 
To  the  woeful  kemp  of  Tronek         the  bloody  head  she  bare. 

"Vy^hen  the  sorrowing  hero        his  master's  head  did  see. 

Thus  to  Lady  Chrimhilt        spake  he  wrathfully  : 

"  Thou  hast  brought  it  to  an  end,      and  quenchedthy  bloody  thirst ; 

AH  thy  savage  murders         1  prophesied  at  first. 

"  The  noble  king  of  Burgundy         lies  welt'ring  in,  his  bloody 
With  Ghiseler  anjl  Folker,        Dankwart  and  Ghernot  good. 


THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN.  209 

Where  was  sunk  the  Niblung  treasure       knows  none  but  God  and  I : 
Never,  thou  fiend-like  woman,        that  ti-easure  shalt  thou  nigh." 

"  Foully  hast  thou  spoken/'        thus  she  spake«with  eager  word  ; 
"  But  still  I  hold  in  my  right  hand        Balmung,  that  noble  sword. 
That  bore  my  Siegfried  dear,        when  by  your  treacherous  deed 
Basely  he  was  murdered ;        nor  shall  you  the  better  speed." 

From  out  the  sheath  she  drew  that  blade  so  good  and  true ; 

She  meant  the  noble  champion  with  his  life  the  deed  should  rue : 

Up  she  heaved  the  falchion,  and  off  she  struck  his  head. 

Loudly  mourned  King  Etzel,  when  he  saw  the  hero  dead. 

He  wept  and  mourn'd  aloud  :        "  Oh  woe !  by  woman's  hand 
Lies  low  the  boldest  champion,         the  noblest  in  the  land. 
Who  ever  shield  and  trusty  sword         to  the  bloody  combat  bore ! 
Though  he  was  my  fiercest  foe,        I  shall  mourn  him  evermore." 

Up  and  spake  old  Hildebrand, —        "  Thus  she  shall  not  speed  ; 

She  has  dared  to  strike  the  champion  dead,      and  it's  I  will 'quite  the  deed. 

Full  oft  he  wrought  me  wrong,        oft  I  felt  his  direful  wrath ; 

But  bloody  vengeance  will  I  have        for  the  noble  hero's  death." 

Wrathfully  Sir  Hildebrand        to  Queen  Chrimhilt  he  hied  : 

Grimly  he  struck  his  falchion        all  through  the  lady's  side: 

In  sooth  she  stood  aghast,        when  she  viewed  the  hero's  blade  : 

What  might  her  cries  avail  her  i         On  the  ground  the  queen  fell  dead. 

There  bled  full  many  a  champion,        slaughtered  on  that  day ; 

Among  them  Lady  Chrimhilt,        cut  in  pieces,  lay. 

Dietrich  and  King  Etzel        began  to  weep  and  mourn. 

For  their  kemps,  and  for  their  kindred,        who  there  their  lives  had  lorn. 

Men  of  strength  and  honour        welt'ring  lay  that  morrow  ; 
All  the  knights  and  vassals        had  mickle  pain  and  sorrow. 
King  Etzel's  merry  feast  was  done,        but  with  mourning  did  it  end : 
Thus  evermore  does  Love        with  pain  and  sorrow  send. 

2d 


210  THE  SONG  OF  THE  NIBELUNGEN. 

Whal  sithence  there  befd,        I  cannot  sing  or  say- 
Heathens  bold  and  Christians        full  sorely  wept  that  day,  :    , 
With  many  a  swain  and  lady,         and  many  maidens  young. — 
Here  ends  the  tale  adventurous,        hight  theiNiblung  song.' 


'  The  MS.  in  the  Munich  library  has  been  followed  in  the  concluding  stanza,  out  of 
which,  in  the  Hohenembs  MS.,  two  are  formed,  containing  mere  repetitions  and  needless 
tJWtology. 


THE  LAMENT. 


This  is  a  isiilgular  appendix  to  the  Song  of  the  Nibelungen,  probably 
added  by  a  later  hand.  It  is  not  in  the  same  metre  as  that  poem,  but 
in  eight-syUable  couplets,  and  contains  4566  lines.  The  contents  are 
not  such  as  to  require  a  regular  analysis.  In  the  beginning  the  adven- 
tures of  the  Nibelungen  are  shortly  recapitulated  ;  after  which  King 
Etzel  is  introduced,  accompanied  by  Dietrich  of  Bern  and  Hildebrand, 
searching  for  the  fallen  heroes  among  the  ashes  of  the  hall  where  the 
combat  had  taken  place,  and  lamenting  over  every  one  of  themj  as 
they  discover  their  features.  The  general  dulness  of  these  lamenta- 
tions is  sometimes  interrupted  by  passages  of  considerable  merit; 
from  which  the  following  is  selected,  to  give  the  reader  some  idea  of 
the  best  parts  of  the  poem,  and  of  the  versification.  It  occurs  at  verse 
1843,  and  the  translation  is  nearly  Hteral : 


Sir  Dietrich  viewed  with  mourning  cheer> 
Dead  on  the  ground  his  champions  dear : 
Loud  he  inourtied  the  herbes  true. 
When  their  hlood-stain'd  forms  he  kne*^. 
There  his  bold  nephew  Wolf  hart  lay. 
Slaughtered  on  that  bloody  day ; 


212  THE  LAMENT. 


Red  his  beard  and  fierce  his  mien, 
Welt'ring  in  the  gore  was  seen. 
Dietrich  wept  full  mournfully 

The  fall  of  all  his  chivalry. 

Wolf  hart  clenched  his  ghtt'ring  brand 

Firmly  in  his  bloody  hand : 

In  many  a  fight  that  noble  blade 

Had  struck  the  fierqpst  champions  dead. 

Not  Dietrich  nor  old  Hildebrand 

Could  grasp  the  falchion  from  his  hand. 

Till  with  iron  tools  tHey  drew 

From  his  clench  the  weapon  true. 

"  Woe  and  alas !"  Sir  Dietrich  said, 

"  Who  now  shall  bear  thee^  noble  blade  ? 

Never  such  blows  of  might  and  main 

In  battle  shalt  thou  strike  again. 

As  when  to  kings  and  heroes  brave 

Strokes  of  death  Sir  Wolf  hart  gave." 

Sir  Dietrich' sTied  full  matiy  a  tear 

Where  Ihe  chumpiok Vithout jfe^r 

III  the  gory* flood  lay  drfenchfed. 

Firmly  iiis  teeth  together  clenched. 


.  1/  J 


After  the  burial  of  all  the .  heroes,  and  of  the:dead  of  every  descrip- 
tion, King  Etizel,  by  the  advice  of  Dietrich  and  Hildebrand,  collected 
aU  the  armour  and  horses  of  the  skin,  ^and  sent  thenx  to  the  countries 
from  -^rhence  they  had  come.  When  Gnnte^'s  arms,'  and  those  of  his 
brothers  and  champions,  were  brought  to  Worms, 'Bftwihild  repented 
her  treachery  to  Siegfried  too  late,  and  Queen  Uta  died  of  grief.  The 
son  of  Brunhild  and  Gunter  was  crowned  king.  In  the  mean  time 
Dietrich  of  Bern,  to  the  great  sorrow  of  King  Etzel,  returned  to  his 
dominions. 

The  poet  expresses  his  wish  to  be  able  to  give  an  account  of  King 
Etzel  further,  but,  says  he,  "  Some  say  he  W£|,s  killed  in  battle,  which 
others  deny.     I  have  never  been  able  to  ascertain  whether  he  suddenly 

disappeared,  or  was  taken  up  into  the  air  j  if  he  was  buried  alive,  or 

Ji 


THE  LAMENT.  213 

was  taken  up  into  heaven,  or  fell  out  of  Ms  skin,  or  shut  himself  up  in 
caves  among  the  rocks,  or  fell  into  an  abyss,  or,  finally,  if  he  was  swal- 
lowed up  by  the  devil." 

The  minstrel  proceeds  to  inform  us,  that  Pilgerin,  the  bishop  of 
Passau,  in  honour  of  his  nephews,  the  three  Burgundian  kings,  caused 
their  fate  to  be  registered  in  the  Latin  tongue  by  learned  clerks,  as  it 
was  related  to  theiy  by  fiddlers,  (i.  e.  minstrels,  heralds ;)  and  that  his 
clerk  Conrad,  who  has  made  many  poems  in  the  German  tongue,  also 
wrote  the  present  romance, 


APPENDIX  I, 


FRAGMENT  OF  A  PROSE  ROMANCE,  IN  THE  SAXON  DIALECT  OF  THE  TEUTONIC,  WRITTEN  ABOUT 
THE  EIGHTH  CENTURY,  AND  PRINTED  FROM  A  MANUSCRIPT  PRESERVED  IN  CASSEL,  IN  EC- 
gARDI  COMMENT.  DE  REBUS  FRANCIS  ORIENTALIS,  TOM.  I.  P.  864 — 902. 


See  the  Dissertation  on  Ancient  Teutonic  Poetry  and  Romance,  pp.  6,  24,  26. 


The  Original. 
Ik  gihorta  that  seggen,  that  sih  urhettun 
aenon  muotia  Hiltibraht  enti  Hatubrant 
uDtar  heriuntuem.  Sunu  fatarungo  iro  saro 
rihtuu  :  garutun  se  iro  guthhamun ;  gurtun 
sih  iro  suert  ana  helidos  ubarringa. 

Do  si  to  dero  hiltu  ritun,  Hiltibraht  gima- 
halta  Heribrantes  sunu  (her  uuas  heroro- 
man  ferahes  frotoro,  her  fragen  gistount  fo- 
hem  uuortum)  wer  sin  fater  wari,  fireo  in 
folche,  eddo  welihhes  cnuosles  du  sis ;  ibu 
du  mi  aen  ansages,  ik  luideo  dre  uuet. 


Chind  in  Chunineriche,  chut  ist  min  alir, 
min  deotjHadubrahtgiinahalta,  Hiltibrantes 
sunu;  dat  sagetun  mi  unsere  liuti  alte  anti 
fote,  dea  ^rhina  warun,  dat  Hiltibrant 
hsetti  min  fater,  ih  heittu  Hadubrant.  Fo^^ 


Eccard's  Latin  Translation. 

Audivinarrare,  quod  constituerint  pariter 
Hiltibrahtus  et  Hatubrandus  in  expedition- 
em  ire.  Patrueles  ambo  equos  suos  prepa- 
rabant :  Induebant  vestes  suas  militares ; 
appendebant  gladios  suos  capuli  annulis 
connexis. 

Cum  ad  coadunationem  exercitus  perge- 
rent,  Hiltibrahtus,  Heribrandi  filius,  (erat 
is  ex  primoribus,  et  vir  animse  sapientioris, 
quaestionesque  proponebat  brevibus  verbis) 
•  interrogabat  [Hatubrahtum]  quis  pater  il- 
lius  esset.  [Die  mihi,  inquiebat]  cujus  po- 
puli  aut  familiae  sis  s  quod  si  mihi  ilium  in- 
dicaveris,  ego  dono  [tibi]  tres  vestes. 

Princeps  [^sum]  in  Hunorum  regno,  nota 
est  aetas  mea  [et]  gens  mea,  inquiebat  Hat 
dubrahtus,  Hiltibrandi  filius ;  id  indicarunt 
mihi  homines  nostri  senes  et  sapientes,  qui 
ante  nos  fuerunt,  Hiltibrandum  appellatuni 


216 


APPENDIX  I. 


her  Ostar  gih,  ueit  floh  her,  Otachres  nid, 
hi  na  miti  Theotrihhe  enti  sinero  degano 
filu.  Her  furlaet  in  lante  luttila  sitten,  prut 
in  bure,  bam  unvvahsan,  arbeo  losa.  Hera 
Ostar  hina  der  sid  Detrihhe,  dar  bagi  stuon- 
tum  fatereres  mines,  dat  was  so  friuntlos 
man,  her  was  Otachre  ummettiri,  degano 
dechisto,  unti  Deotrichhe  dar  bagi  stontun : 
her  was  eo  folches  at,  ente  imo  was  eo  fe- 
hetati ;  leow  chud  was  her  chonnem  man- 
num ;  ni  waniu  ih,  ju  Hb  habbe. 


Wertu  Irmin  Got,  quad  Hiltibraht,  oba- 
na  ab  heuane,  dat  du  neodana  halt,  mit  sus 
sippan  man  dine  ni  gileitos.  Want  her  do 
ar  arme  w^untane  bouga,  Cheisuringa  gitan, 
so  imo  seder  Chuning  gap,  huneo  truhtin: 
Dat  ih  di  nit  nubi  huldi  gibu. 


Hadubraht  gimalta,  Hihibrantes  sunu: 
Mit  geru  seal  man  geba  infahan,  ort  widar 
orte.  Du  hist  der  alter  him  ummet,  spa- 
her  spenis  mih,  mit  dinem  wuortun  wilihi 
ih  di  nu  spera  werpan.  Pist  also  gialtet  man, 
so  du  ewiii  in  wit  fortdr.  Dat  sagetun ,  mi 
seolidante  Westar,  ubar  Wentilsep  dat  man 
wic  furnam :  Totist  Hiltibrant,  Heribrantes 
B>mo. 

Hiltibraht  gimahalta,  Heribrantes  suno  : 
Wela  gisihu  ih  ih  dinem  hrustim,  dat,  du 
habes  heine  herron  goten,  dat  du  noh  bi 
desemo  riche  reccheo  ni  wurti.  Wela  ga 
nu,  waltant  Got,  quad  Hiltibrant,  we  wfirt 
sMhit,  ih  wiUota  sumaro  enti  wintro  sehstic 
urlante,  dar  man  mih  eo  scerita  in  folc  sceo- 


fuisse  meum  patrem,  ego  nominor  Hadu- 
brandus.  Antequam  in  Orientem  iret,  ini- 
micitiam  is  fugiebat,  Odoacri  iram,  ferme 
cum  Theoderico  et  suorum  militum  multis. 
Rellnquiebat  in  patria  parvulos,  eonjugem 
in  thalamo,  filium  tenellum,  hereditate  ca- 
rentem.  [Pergebat]  versus  orientem  post 
hsec  ad  Theodericum,  ubi  contentiones  fer- 
vebant  patrui  mei,  qui  amicis  carebat,  et 
erat  Odoacro  viribus  impar ;  miles  [aliasj 
optimus,  usque  dum  Theodericus  ibi  decer- 
tabat ;  erat  idem  olim  populi  pater,  et  ipsi 
dim  erant  diviti8e ;  amice  cognitus  erat  for- 
tibus  viris ;  non  puto,  quod  vos  superstitem 
habeat. 

Bone  Deus  Irmine,  inquiebat  Hiltibrah- 
tus,  summo  de  coelo,  quod  tu  inferius  susti- 
nes,  cum  tam  arete  cognate  viro  contraver- 
siam  non  concedes.  Devolvehat  tunc  de 
brachio  suo  plexa  monilia,  annulosque  Im- 
peratorios,  quos  ipsi  antea  Rex,  dominus 
ejus,  dederat  [opto,  inquiens]  ut  nihil  tibi 
nisi  grata  largiar. 

Hatubrahtus  Hildebrandi  filius  ajebat: 
gratanter  accipienda  sunt  dona  ;  acies  vero 
contra  aciem  vertenda  est.  Tu  aetate  illi 
dispar  es,  artificiose  me  seducere  tentas,  sed 
tuis  verbis  ego  te  convincam.  Tu  adeo  pro- 
fectae  aetatis  es,  ut  aetate  prior  sis  illi.  Hoc 
dixere  mihi  naufragi,  in  Oceidente  in  man 
Mediterraneo,  quod  praelium  susceptum  sit : 
Mortuus  est  Hiltibrandus,  Heribranti  fi^ 
lius. 

Hiltibrahtus,  Heribranti  filius  responde- 
bat :  Video  jam  in  armis  tuis,  te  habere  nul- 
lum Deum,  et  sub  hoc  regno  vindicatorem 
[patris  tui]  non  futurum.  Qiiod  bene  nunc 
rertat,  omnipotens  Deus,  ajebat  Hiltebrand- 
us,  cujus  jussa  fiunt,  peregrinatus  sum  aeg- 
tates  et  hyemes  sexaginta  extra  patriaro. 


APPENDIX  I. 


2  If 


tantero,  so  man  mir  at  burc  enigeru  banun 
ni  gifasta :  nu  seal  mi  suasat  chind  suertu 
hauwan  breton  mit  sinu  billiu,  eddo  ih  imo 
ti  banin  werdan !  Doh  maht  du  nu  aodlihho, 
ibu  dir  din  ellenta  oc,  in  sus  heremo  man 
hrusti  giwinnan  rauba  bi  hrabanen,  ibu  du 
dar  enic  reht  habes. 


Der  si  doh  nu  argosto,  quad  Hiltibrant, 
Ostar-liuto,  der  dir  nu  wiges  wame,  nu  dih 
es  so  wSl  lustit.  Gudea  gimeinunniu,  se 
demotti,  wer  dar  sih,  dero  hiutu  hrelzilo 
hrumen  muotti,  erdo  desero  brunnono  be- 
dero  waltan.     * 

Do  lettun  se  aerist  asckim  scritan  scar- 
pen  scurim,  dat  in  dem  sciltim  stont.  Do 
stop'tun  tosamane  staimbort  chludun,  hSfiun 
harmlico  huitte  scilti,  unti  im  iro  lintun  lut- 
tilo  wurtun  giwigan  miti  wambnun. 


ubt  seligebar  inter  turmam  sagittariorum, 
nee  in  uUa  civitate  pedibus  meis  vineula  in- 
jectasunt :  nuncautem  eonsanguineus  prin- 
caps  collum  mibi  late  feriet  bipenni  sua,  aut 
ego  pedes  ipsius  vinciam !  Poteris  tamen 
facilius,  si  virtus  tua  tibi  augebltur,  inviri 
adeo  venerandi  armis  acquirere  manubias 
de  oeciso,  modo  justam  aliquatenus  eausam 
habeas. 

Ille  sit  omnium  Orientalium  ignavissimuB^- 
ajebat  [porro]  Hiltibrandus,  qui  tibi  nunc 
pugnam  dissuadeat,  quando  illam  tantopere 
desideras.  Boni  concives,  estote  judicantes, 
quisnam  sit,  qui  hodie  campo  eedere,  aut 
has  duas  loricas  habere  debeat. 

Mox  tela  tam  valido  impetu  progredi  fa- 
ciebant,  ut  in  scutis  haererent.  Inde  eoUi- 
debant  lapideos  cuneos  sonoros,  [et]  attol- 
lebant  inimice  alba  scuta,  usque  dum  ip^is 
lumbi  paulisper  commoverentur  una  cum 
ventre. 


The  following  translation  has  been  made  immediately  from  the  German,  and  has  been 
rendered  as  literal  as  language  of  the  present  day  can  be  made  to  approximate  to  that  of 
the  seventh  or  eighth  century.  As  the  fragment  is  evidently  written  in  the  dialect  of  the 
northern  parts  of  Germany,  now  denominated  Plat-t,  or  Low  Grerman,  which  was  once 
nearly  identical  with  the  Anglo-Saxon,  a  great  number  of  the  words  have  been  rendered 
into  such  as,  with  little  variation,  existed  in  the  old  English  and  Scottish. 

I  heard  it  related  that  Hiltibraht '  and  Hatubrant  with  one  mind  agreed  to  go  on  a 


'  Eccard  gives  the  following  derivation  of  this  name.  Hilde,  coadunatio,  congregafio,  exerdtus, 
and  braht,  (in  the  present  German  language,  pracht,)  pompa,  splendor ;  hence  Hildebraht,  societatis 
splendor.  'The  name  is,  however,  generally  spelt  Hildebrand,  which  signifies,  acies  exerdtus,  and 
this  is  the  more  probable  etymology 

2  £ 


218  APPENDIX  I. 

warlike  expedition.  The  relatives '  made  ready  their  horses,  prepared  their  war-shirts,* 
girded  on  their  swords  [which  were  fastened]  at  the  hilt  with  chains.' 

As  they  rode  to  the  rendezvous  of  the  host,  Hiltibraht,  Heribrant's  son,  inquired  (he 
was  a  man  of  hosts  of  wise  mind :  he  put  questions  with  few  words)  who  was  his  [|Hatu- 
brand's]  father,  '<  and  of  what  people  thou  art :  If  thou  tellestme,  I  will  give  thee  three 
garments.'', 

"  [I  am]  child  (prince)*  in  the  Hunnish  realm  ;S  known  is  ray  age,  my  people,"  said 
Hadubraht,  the  son  of  Hiltibraht ;  "  that  our  people  aged  and  wise  told  me,  who  were  in 
former  times,  that  my  father  hight  (was  called)  Hiltibrant,  I  hight  Hadubrant.  In  for- 
mer times  he  proceeded  eastwards :  enmity  fled  he,  the  envy  (rage)  of  Ottocbar  (Odoa- 
cer;)  it  [his  flight]  being  with  Theoderic  and  many  of  his  blades  (champions.)  He  left 
behind  in  his  land  few  dwelling  ;  bride  in  hour  (his  wife  in  child-bed ;)  an  ungrown  bairn 
(child)  without  inheritance.  He  [wandered]  eastward  after  this  to  Theoderic,  where 
contentions  stood  (happened)  to  my  father.  He  was  such'a  friendless  man,  was  unequal 
[in  power]  to  Ottochar  :  [he  was]  a  valiant  champion,  till  Theoderic  there  ggt  into  con^ 
tentions.  He  was  once  his  people's  father,  and  once  he  possessed  fees  (dominions :) 
dearly  was  he  known  to  bold  men.    I  do  not  ween  that  he  have  life  (that  he  lives."*) 

"  Worthy  (dear,  beloved)  Godlrmin,"^  quoth  Hiltibraht,  "  above  from  Heaven,  which 
thou  boldest  below,  with  such  related  man  do  thou  not  concede  battle."  Then  he  wou'nd 
from  his  arm  twisted  bracelets,  imperial  rings  made,°  which  formerly  the  king,  his  lord, 
had  given  him  :  "  That  I  give  thee  not,  if  not  with  good  will," 


'  Sunu  fatarungo,  literally,  sons  of  [the  same]  fathers, 

*  That  is,  shirts  of  mail.     From  guth,  war,  and  ham,  hemd,  shirt. 

^  The  swords  of  ancient  horsemen  were  generally  fastened  with  chains. 

♦  Chind,  kind,  child,  infante,  son  of  noble  extraction.  The  word  was  used  in  this  sense  almost  in 
every  language  of  Europe. 

'  The  Hunni  are  denominated  Chunnim  many  of  the  ancient  authors. 

^  In  several  passages  of  this  literal  version  I  have  considerably  differed  from  the  Latin  of  Eccard. 
In  the  present  instance  I  have  very  little  doubt  that  the  interpretation  of  that  learned  antiquary,  as 
well  as  his  Teutonic  text,  is  erroneous.  Every  one  in  the  least  acquainted  with  old  manuscripts 
knows  that  the  u  and  the  n  are  generally  not  to  be  distinguished,  except  from  the  context.  He 
reads :  "  Ni  vvaniu  ih,  ju  lib  habbe,"  which  he  translates,  Non  puto,  quod  vos  superstitem  habeat. 
We  should  certainly  read,  "  Ni  waniii  ih,  jn  lib  habbe,"  literally,  £go  non  puto,  ilium  vitam  haberf. 

^  The  god  Irmin,  or  Arminius,  must  not  be  confounded  with  the  valiant  conqueror  of  Varus.  He 
was  the  Mars  of  the  Gothic  nations,  and  was  also  denominated  Erich,  whence  Friday  (dies  Martis) 
was  named  Erichsdag,  the  day  of  Erich.  The  celebrated  Irminsul,  (pillar  of  Irmin,)  which  was  de- 
stroyed by  Charlemagne,  was  placed  at  Eresburg,  (Erichsburg,  viz.  the  burgh  of  Erich,  or  Irmin,)  now 
Stadburg,  in  the  ci-devant  bishopric  of  Paderbom,  in  Westphalia.  Leibnitz  identifies  the  god  Ir- 
min with  Arimanius,  an  evil  god  of  the  Persians,  and  thence  derives  the  national  name  Herminimes, 
pr  Germani. 

^  That  is,  made  for  the  emperor.  Eccard  seems  to  have  conceived  these  imperial  rings  to  have 
differed  from  the  bracelets  mentioned  before;  but  the  terms  are  probaMy  synonymous,  and  the  se- 
cond only  introduced  to  give  an  account  of  their  prigin,  having  been  given  by  the  "emperor  to  Theo- 


APPENDIX  I.  219 

Hadubraht,  the  son  of  Hiltibrant,  said,  "  Gladly  gifts  should  be  received ;  ord  (spear's 
point)  against  ord. '  Thou  art  unequal  to  him  in  age.  Craftily  thou  seekest  to  deceive 
me ;  with  thy  own  words  will  I  refute  thee.*  Thou  art  a  man  so  aged,  that  thou  far  ex- 
ceedest  him  [in  age.]  Sea-sufferers '  told  me,  that  westwards,  beyond  die  Wendel-sea,* 
war  was  undertaken.   Dead  is  Hiltibrant,  Heribrant's  son." 

Hiltibrant,  the  son  of  Heribrant,  said,  "  Well  I  see  in  thy  arms  that  thou  hast  no  Lord 
God,  and  that  under  this  reign  thou  wilt  be  no  avenger  [of  thy  father.] '  Well  give  now, 
(Turn  thou  this  to  good,)  wielding  God,"  quoth  Hiltibrant,  "  whose  word  is  done.  I 
wandered  summers  and  winters  sixty  out  of  [my]  land ;  there  they  detached  me  among 
shooting  people  (archers;)  never  in  any  burgh  (city,  castle)  fastened  they  my  legs:  [but] 
now  my  nearest  relation  will  hew  my  neck  with  his  bill  (battle-axe,)  or  I  entangle  his  legs 
(tie  him  as  a  captive.)  Yet  may'st  thou  now  easily,  if  thy  valour  should  encrease,  from 
a  man  so  to  be  venerated  gain  prey  of  the  dead,  if  thou  there  (in  this  cause)  hast  any 
right." 

"  May  he  now  be  even  the  worst,"  said  Hiltibrant, "  of  the  Eastern  people,  *  who  would 
warn  (dissuade)  thee  from  the  battle,  now  thou  desirest  it  so  greatly.  Good  fellow-citi- 
zens, be  judges  who  it  be  that  this  day  must  quit  the  field  of  battle,^  or  who  will  have 
both  these  brunies  (hauberks)  in  his  possession." 

Then  they  first  let  ashen  [spears]  fly  with  rapid  force,  °  that  they  stuck  in  the  shields. 


deric,  and  by  him  to  Hildebrand.  The  Teutonic  word  bouga  still  exists  in  the  French  hague,  and 
was  probably  formed  from  beugen,  to  bend. 

'  The  Anglo-Saxon  word  horde,  or  orde,  is  used  for  the  point  of  a  epear  or  a  sword,  in  the  Romance 
of  Alexander,  (Metr.  Rom.  Edin.  1810,  vol.  I.) 

They  metith  heom  with  speris  hordes,    (v.  932.) 

The  horn  is  scharp  as  a  sweord. 

Both  by  the  greyn  and  at  ord.    (v.  6537.) 

That  is, '  both  along  the  edge  and  at  the  point.'  The  meaning  of  the  text  is  probably, "  Gifts  should 
be  gratefully  received,  [but  at  present]  the  point  of  one  spear  [is  to  be  opposed]  against  that  of  an- 
other." I  prefer  this  interpretation  to  another  which  has  been  su^ested  to  me,  viz.  point  forpointi 
another  gift  is  to  be  returned  for  the  one  received. 

*  The  literal  meaning  of  the  text  is,  "  with  thy  words  will  I  now  throw  spears  [against]  thee." 

^  This  is  the  literal  meaning  of  seolidante,  (seeleidende.)  I  have  again  differed  in  this  place  from 
the  interpretation  of  Eccard.    The  reader  is  left  to  the  choice  of  either  version. 

*  This  is  a  frequent  appellation  given  to  the  Mediterranean  by  the  Goths,  which  was  probably  call- 
ed so  from  the  Wenden,  or  Vandal  nation. 

^  This  is  the  most  obscure  passage  in  the  whole  fragment,  and  a  corruption  in  the  MS.  is  strongly 
to  be  apprehended. 

^  Eccard  explains  the  Ostar-liuto  as  the  Ostfalen,  or  Saxons,  in  opposition  to  the  Westphalian 
tribes. 

^  In  the  original,  hrelzilo,  that  is,  "  the  aim  of  lances,"  the  space  measured  out  for  the  two  oppo- 
nents to  gallop  against  each  other,  with  their  lances  in  rest. 

*  Literally,  "  with  sharp  schoure."  The  latter  word  occurs  in  a  similar  way  in  Kyng  Ah'saunder, 
quoted  above : 


220  APPENDIX  I. 

Then  they  thrust  together  resounding  stone-axes;'  they  wrathfidly  heaved  white  shields, 
till  their  loins  were  slightly  moved  with  [their]  bellies.' 


Hit  is  beter  that  we  to  heom  [to  the  enemies]  schoure. 
So  long  so  we  may  dure.    (v.  3722.) 

'  Staimbort,  in  the  original,  is  composed  of  stein,  stone,  and  barte,  securis  manualis,  (whence  the 
word  hellebarte,  halbert.)  This  is  a  very  early  allusion  to  the  stone-axes,  or  celts,  still  found  in  vari- 
ous countries.  Eccard  has  given  a  long  note  on  the  present  passage,  which  he  has  illustrated  with 
engravings  of  various  stone-axes  used  by  the  Goths  and  other  nations,  that  have  been  found  in 
Germany. 

*  Wambun,  wombs.  The  word  is  used  for  belly  in  Kyng  Alisaunder,  (v.  6622,)  and  wambe  is 
still  employed  in  the  same  sense  in  the  Scottish  dialect. 

S 


APPENDIX  II. 
THE  SONG  OF  OLD  HILDEBRAND. 


This  poem  has  not  been  translated  for  its  intrinsic  merit,  which  is  very  inconsiderable, 
but  for  the  reasons  specified  in  the  Introduction,  (p.  21  and  26,)  and  also  because  it  seems 
to  have  formed  a  portion  of  the  original  Book  of  Heroes,  to  which  it  forms  no  unapt  sup- 
plement. In  the  translation,  both  the  German  and  Danish  copies  have  been  consulted, 
and  though  the  difference  between  them  is  but  trifling,  any  variations  in  the  latter,  which 
were  deemed  improvements,  have  been  adopted.  In  the  original,  the  son  of  the  old 
knight  bears  his  father's  name.  The  Danish  ballad,  which  in  this  point  has  been  fol- 
lowed, calls  him,  in  conformity  with  the  Wilkina-Saga,  (see  the  Introd.  p.  37,)  Alebrand. 
The  German  copy  occurs  in  Eschenburg's  Denkmaeler,  (p.  437,)  and  in  the  Knaben  Wun- 
derhorn,  Berlin,  ,1806,  (p.  128,)  but  the  former  copy  is  far  better.  The  Danish  ballad 
is  preserved  in  the  Ksempe  Viser,  1695,  (p.  67-) 


Ich  will  zu  Land.ausreiten 

Sprach  sich  Meister  Hildebrant; 

Der  mir  die  weg  will  weisen 
Gen  Bern  wol  in  die  Land  i  &c. 


«  It's  I  will  speed  :me  far  away,"        cried  Master  Hildfebrand; 
"  Who  will  be  my  trusty  guide        to  Bern,  in  the  Lombard  land? 
I  have  not  passed  the  weary  road        since  many  a  day,  I  ween ; 
For  more  than  two-and-thirty  years       Dame  Utta  have  I  not  seen." 

Up  and  spake  Duke  Amelung, —        "  If  thou  wilt  ride  to  Bern, 

Who  will  meet  thee  on  the  heath  f        A  youth  right  brave  and  stem* 

Who  wiU  meet  thee  on  the  march  J '       '  Alebrand  the  young ; 

Though  with  twelve  of  the  boldest  knights  thou  pass,      thou  must  fight  that  hero  strong." 

'  March,  borders,  frontier. .  At  present  the  word  is  only  used  in  the  plural. 


222  APPENDIX  II. 

"  And  if  he  break  a  lance  vrith  me       in  his  high  and  fiery  mood, 
I  will  hew  asunder  his  buckler  green,       that  fast  shall  stream  his  bI6od : 
Asunder  his  hauberk  will  I  hew        with  a  slanting  blow  of  might ; 
I  ween  for  a  year  to  his  mother       he  will  plain  him  of  the  fight."— 

"  Nay,"  cried  Dietrich,  lord  of  tiern,        "  battle  shalt  thoU  not  wage 
Against  the  youthful  Aldbrand,        for  in  sooth  I  love  the  page. 
I  rede  thee,  knight,  to  do  my  will,        and  ask  him  courteously 
To  let  thee  pass  along  in  peace,       for  the  love  of  me."-^ 

When  he  rode  through  the  garden  of  roses,       right  on  the  march  of  Bern, 
He  came  in  pain  and  heavy  woe        with  a  hero  young  and  stern : 
Against  him  rushed,  with  couchant  lance,        a  hero  brave  and  bold  :- 
"  What  seek'st  thou  in  my  father's  land  I        say  on,  thou  champion  old. 

''  A  bruny  clear  and  bright  thoh  bear'st,       like  sons  of  mighty  kings  ; 

I  ween  thou  deem'st  to  strike  me  blind        with  thy  hauberk's  glittering  rings^ 

Bide  at  home  in  quiet,        I  rede  thee,  man  of  age; 

Sit  thee  down  by  thy  good  fire-side !" —       Loud  laughed  the  hero  sage. 

"  And  why  should  I  in  quiet  be,        and  sit  by  the  chimney-side  ? 

I  have  pledged  me,  night  and  day,        to  wander  far  and  wide ; 

To  wander  o'er  the  world,  and  fight        until  my  latest  day : 

i  tell  thee,  young  and  boasting  knight,        for  that  my  beard  grows  grey." 

"  It's  I  will  pull  thy  beard  of  grey,        I  tell  thee,  ancient  man. 
That  all  adown  thy  furrowed  cheeks        the  purple  blood  shall  run  : 
Thy  hauberk  and  thy  buckler  green        yield  without  further  strife; 
My  willing  captive  must  thou  be,        if  thou  wilt  keep  thy  life." — 

"  My  hauberk  and  my  buckler  greeil,        i'enown  and  bread  have  gain'd. 

And  well  I  trust  in  Christ  on  high,  in  the  stour  my  life  to  defend." — 

They  left  their  speech,  and  rapidly  drew  out  their  falchions  bright, 

And  what  the  heroes  bold  desired,  they  had  in  the  bloody  fight. 

I  know  not  how  Sir  Alfebrand        dealt  a  heavy  slanting  blow. 

That  the  ancient  knight  astounded        at  his  heart  with  pain  and  woe. 

And  hastily  he  started  back        seven  fathoms  far,  I  ween, — 

"  Say,  did  not  a  woman  teach  thee,        young  knight,  that  dint  so  keen  ?"— " 

«  Foul  shame  it  were  if  women        taught  me  to  wield  the  brand : 
Many  a  gallant  knight  and  squire        dwell  in  my  father's  land ; 

"  This  lady,  as  Eschenburg  conjectures,  is  perhaps  Chrimhilt.    See  the  third  book  of  the  Book 
of  Heroes,  and  the  Song  of  the  Nibelungen. 

11 


iVPPENDIX  U.  2?3 

Many  earls  and  knights  of  high  renown        in  the  court  of  my  father  dwell. 
And  what  I  have  not  learnt  as  yet,        they  can  teach  me  right  and  well."'^ 

^'  He  who  will  scour  old  kettles,       black  and  fiiul  his  hands  will  be : 
Even  so,  young  kemp,  from  the  champion  old,       will  soon  betide  to  thee; 
And  quickly  shalt  thou  shrive  thee        upon  the  blooming  heath, 
Or  else,  thou  youthful  hero,        thou  must  graithe  thee  for  thy  death."—' 

He  caught  him  by  the  middle,        where  the  young  man  weakest  was, 
And  heavily  he  cast  him        behind  him,  on  the  grass, 
"  Now  say  to  me,  thou  champion  young,        thy  confessor  will  I  be ; 
If  thou  art  of  the  Wolfing  race,        thou  shalt  gain  thy  life  from  me."-^ 

"  Thou  speak'st  to  me  of  savage  wolves,        that  roam  the  woods  about ; 
Of  noble  Grecian  blood  I  came,        of  high-bom  champions  stout: 
My  mother  is  I«ady  Utta,        a  dtfchess  of  main  and  might ; 
And  Hild^brand,  the  ancient  kemp,        my  dearest  father  hight."— t 

"  If  Utta  be  thy  mother,        who  rules  o'er  many  a  land, 

I  am  thy  dearest  father,        the  ancient  Hild^brand." 

Soon  has  he  doffed  his  helmet  green ;        on  his  cheek  he  kissed  the  swain; 

"  Praised  be  God  we  ar«  sound  and  safe,       nor  ever  will  battle  again,"— 

"  Father,  dearest  father  mine,       the  wounds  I  dealt  to  thee. 
Gladly  would  I  bear  them  thrice        on  my  head,  right  joyfully." — 
"  Oh,  bide  in  quiet,  my  gentle  son ;        my  wounds  will  soon  be  well ; 
But  thank'd  be  God  in  Heaven !        we  now  together  will  dwell."— 

The  fight  began  at  the  hour  of  pone,       they  fought  till  the  vesper-tide :  * 

Up  rose  the  youthful  Al^brand,        and  into  Bern  they  ride : 

AVhat  bears  he  on  helmet .'        A  little  cross  of  gold ; 

And  what  on  his  right  hand  bears  he  ?        His  dearest  father  old. 

He  led  him  into  his  mother's  hall,        set  him  highest  at  the  board. 

When  he  gave  him  meat  and  drink,  his  mother        cried  aloud,  with  angry  word, 

"  Oh,  son,  my  son,  so  dear  to  me,        'tis  too  much  honour  to  place 

So  high  a  captive  champion,       the  highest  at  the  deas."-^ 


'  This  and  the  following  stanza  are  improperly  reversed  in  the  German  ballad.    They  are  regu- 
lated as  in  the  text  in  the  Kaempe  Viser. 
*  The  hour  of  none  is  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon ;  vesper-tide  at  six* 


224  APPENDIX  II. 

"  Rest  in  quiet,  my  mother  dear ;       let  him  sit  at  the  table  head : 

Upon  the  blooming  heath  so  green  '    he  bad  well  nigh  struck  me  dead. 

Oh,  hearken,  lady  mother  mine !  captive  shall  he  not  be ; 

It  is  my  father,  Old  Hildebrand,  that  kemp  so  dear  to  thee." — 

It  was  the  Lady  Utta,        her  heart  was  blythe  and  glad ; 
Out  she  poured  the  purple  wine,        and  drank  to  the  ancient  blade. 
What  bore  in  his  mouth  Sir  Hildebrand  ?       A  ring  of  the  gold  it  was. 
And  for  his  lady.  Dame  Utta,       he  has  dropped  it  in  the  glass. 


APPENDIX  III. 

THE  BATTLE  OF  KING  TIDRICH  AND  THE  LION 
WITH  THE  LINDEN-WORM.' 

Translated Jrcm  the  Danish. 


J.  HE  reasons  for  inserting  a  translation  of  this  ballad  in  this  place  have  been  already  ex- 
plained in  the  Analysis  of  the  third  Division  of  the  Book  of  Heroes,  (page  122,  note  1.) 
As  has  been  there  remarked,  the  incidents  are  closely  copied  from  the  adventure  of 
Wolfdietrich  with  the  dragons.  The  Danish  ballad-singer  has  substituted  for  the  latter 
hero,  his  grandson,  Dietrich  of  Bern,  and  has  ignorantly  confounded  the  emperor  Ot- 
nit  with  the  renowned  Siegfried,  whose  fall  is  very  differently  related  in  the  German  and 
Scandinavian  romances.  The  value  of  the  ballad  is  not  great,  but  there  is  something 
whimsical  and  ludicrous  in  attributing  the  gift  of  speech  to  the  lion  and  the  dragon. 


Det  var  Mester  kong  Tidrich, 

Hand  skuldefra  Bern  udride : 
Derjant  hand  den  Lowe  og  lede  Lind-Orm, 

Saaynckelig  monne  de  stride. 

Den  Lindorm  hand  tog  en  af,  Sfc.  ifC. 


The  royal  Master  Tidrich 
Sped  him  to  ride  from  Bern : 

A  lion  he  found  and  a  laithly  worm. 
Fighting  the  battle  stem. 


•  That  linden-worm  is  one  of  the  numerous  appellations  for  the  ideal  monster  usually  called  the 
dragon,  has  been  already  observed,  (p,  60.  note.) 

2f 


228  APPENDIX  III. 

They  fought  a  day,  and  they  fought  two. 
Till  the  third  at  night  they  fought ; 

But  then  the  laithly  linden-wonn 
To  the  ground  the  lion  brought. 

In  his  need  the  lion  cried. 

When  the  valiant  king  he  viewed, 

"  Help  me,  and  shield  me  from  the  worm, 
Tidrich,  thou  champion  good. 

"  Free  me  for  thy  high  renown. 
And  for  thy  royal  might; 

Free  me  for  the  golden  lion 
Thou  bear'st  in  thy  buckler  bright. 

"  Come  to  my  aid,  thou  noble  king, 
I  conjure  thee  by  thy  name ! 

With  gold  am  I  painted  in  thy  shield, 
Burning  like  a  flame." 

Long  stood  the  royalliero; 

It  thought  him  well  and  right, 
"  I  will  help  the  lion  in  his  need. 

Whatever  may  betide." 

It  was  the  bold  King  Tidrich 
Drew  out  his  falchion  good : 

He  fought  with  the  laithly  linden-worm; 
His  sword  stood  deep  in  blood.' 

The  noble  lord  no  longer  bode,  - 
He  hewed  with  might  and  main ; 

Deep  in  he  thrust  his  blade  of  steel. 
At  the  hilt  it  broke  in  twain. 

The  lind-worm  took  him  on  his  back. 
The  steed  beneath  her  tongue ; 

Bore  them  into  the  hollow  hill. 
To  her  eleven  young. 

She  cast  the  steed  before  them  j 
To  a  cave  she  bore  the  knight  :— 


'  Hans  svasrd  stoed  alt  i  blod. 
8 


APPENBIX  m.  2£7 

**  Eat  up  the  little  morsel. 
While  I  rest  me  from  the  fight. 

«  Eat  up  the  prey,  though  small  it  be, 

While  I  rest  me  from  the  stour. 
And  when  I  from  my  sleep  awake. 

The  man  ye  shall  devour." 

The  royal  Master  Tidrich 

Sought  all  the  hill  around  ; 
There  that  noble  falchion 

Hight  Adelring  he  found. 

There  he  found  that  trusty  blade, 

And  two  knives  were  burnished  bright  ^- 
"  God  rest  thy  soul.  King  Sigfred ! 

Thou  here  to  death  wert  dight, 

"  I  have  been  with  thee  in  lord-like  hosts, 

In  many  a  bloody  strife; 
Never  have  I  known  that  here 

Thou  hast  lost  thy  noble  life." 

And  now  the  royal  hero- 
Would  try  the  sword  of  fame ; 

He  hewed  into  the  rocky  sides. 
That  the  cave  stood  all  in  flame. 

But  when  a  dragon  young  beheld 

The  flames  gleam  far  and  wide, 
"  Who  dares  disturb  the  hostess 

In  her  own  chamber  i"  be  cried. 

Angry  grew  the  dragon  young. 

And  he  raised  him  wrathfuUy, 
"  Who  dares  disturb  the  hostess 

In  her  own  house  i"  cried  he. 

He  told  it  to  the  other  young  worms^ 

Where  in  the  cave  they  lay  :-!- 
"  If  our  mother  old  awake; . 

It's  thou  shalt  rue  the  day," 

Up  and  ^pake  the  royal  knight, 
Uis  mind  in  turmoil  deep,. 


228  APPENDIX  III. 

"  Thy  mother  with  an  i^npouth  dream 
Will  I  wake,  out  of  her  sleep. 

"  Thy  mother  slew  King  Sigfred, 
That  high  renowned  sire; 

Soon,  with  this  haqd,  upoij  ye  all, 
Will  I  wreak  my  vengeance  dire." 

Up  awoke  the  lind-wprm  old. 
And  her  heart  began  to  fear ; — 

"  Who  dares  so  boldly  wake  me? 
What  sounds  are  those  1  hear?" — 

« 'Tis  I,  King  Tidrich,  lord  of  Bern ; 

Fain  \^ould  I  speak  to  thee. 
Yestreen,  beneath  thy  curled  tail. 

To  thy  cave  thou  carried'st  me." — 

"  Oh,  kill  me  not,  thou  noble  king ! 

Lo,  here  the  precious  gold; 
I  ween  'twere  better  we  abide 

Thy  friends,  thou  champion  bold." — 

"  I  will  not  trust  thy  lying  tongue  ; 

Thou  fain  wouldst  me  beguile ; 
Full  many  heroes  hast  thou  done 

To  death  with  thy  evil  wile." — 

"  Hear,  thou  royal  champion, 
Oh!  strike  me  not  to  death ! 

It's  I  will  shew  thee  thy  true  love. 
Who  lies  in  the  cave  beneath. 

"  Search  high  above  ray  head, 
Thou  wilt  find  the  little  key ; 

Search  low  beneath  my  feet, 
And  enter  the  cave  with  me." — 

"  Above  thy  head  will  I  not  search. 
But  there  the  fight  begin ; 

Nor  will  I  search  below  thy  feet. 
But  there  the  battle  win." 

First  he  killed  the  laithly  linden-worm. 
And  then  her  eleven  young ; 


APPENDIX  III.  229 

But  he  could  not  leave  the  hollow  hill 
For  the  laithly  dragon's  tongue. 

Soon  he  digged  a  hole  so  deep. 

His  left  foot  straight  before. 
That  he  might  not  lose  his  life 

In  the  venomous  dragons'  gore. 

And  now  against  the  lion 

Cursed  the  hero  bold : 
"  Shame  and  woe  befal  him. 

With  curses  manifold ! 

"  Right  cunningly  the  wily  beast 
With  wrong  has  me  beguiled ; 
'  Safely  my  steed  had  borne  me  hence, 

Were  he  not  on  my  shield." 

But  when  the  lordly  lion  heard 

The  wailing  of  the  knight, — 
"  Stand  thou  fast,  King  Tidrich ; 

I  dig  with  all  my  might." 

The  lion  he  digged,  and  the  hero  struck, 

That  the  rock  stood  all  in  fire ; 
And  had  not  the  lion  digged  him  out. 

He  had  died  with  sorrow  and  ire. 

'Twas  he  had  slain  the  laithly  worm. 

And  her  eleven  young ; 
Quickly  he  left  the  hollow  hiU, 

With  his  shield  and  hauberk  strong. 

And  when  he  had  sped  him  from  the  cave. 

For  his  courser  'gan  he  mourn ; 
For  now  he  had  killed  the  laithly  worms, 
He  would  fain  to  Bern  return. ' 

"  Hearken,  thou  royal  champion, 

And  mourn  not  for  thy  steed : 
Leap  upon  my  back  so  broad ; 

I  will  bear  thee  in  thy  need." 

'  This  is  not  literal.    The  original  is  too  prosaic,  and  runs  thus  : 

Faa  hannem  torde  hand  vel  lide, 
De  hafde  hver  andre'frist. 


230  APPENDIX  III. 

The  lion  bore  him  o'er  the  dales, 
And  o'er  the  meadows  green ; 

Gently  through  the  forests  dark 
He  bore  the  king,  I  yreen. 

The  h'on  and  King  Tidrich' 
Together  did  they  go, 

For  each  had  saved  the  other 
From  sorrow  and  from  woe. 

When  the  king  beyond  his  marches  rode^ 
By  his  side  the  lion  sped; 

But  when  in  royal  hall  he  sat, 
In  his  lap  he  laid  his  head.  ' 

He  was  called  the  knight  of  the  lion ; 

With  honour  the  name  did  he  bear;. 
And  ever  until  their  latest  day 

They  held  each  other  dear. 


POPULAR 
HEROIC  AND  ROMANTIC 


TRANSLATED  FROM  THE  NORTHERN  LANGUAGES, 

WITH 

NOTES  AND  ILLUSTRATIONS, 

BY 

R.  JAMIESON,  A.M.  and   F.A.S. 


BER  EK  OBIXS  MIOD 


A  ENGLA  [l.]lOD. 

SOIL,  tCjlLL,  BePVDLAVI. 


introduction: 


During  the  present  writer*s  residence  on  the  continent,  there  was 
published  at  Edinburgh  a  Collection  of  Popular  Ballads  and  Songs, 
which  he  had  made  with  a  view  of  doing  somewhat  towards  the  illus- 
tration of  the  real  state  of  traditionary  poetry,  as  well  as  of  preserving 
some  pieces  of  that  kind  which  he  had  procured,  and  which  appeared 
to  be  curious  and  interesting.  Circumstances  did  not  admit  of  that 
work  being  prepared  for  the  press  with  due  care  and  diligence  ;  and 
to  the  Editor*s  omissions  and  commissions,  which  were  great  and  ma- 
nifold, others  were  added  in  consequence  of  his  absence,  while  the 
work  was  at  the  press.  However  great  were  his  regret  and  mortifica- 
tion for  having  suffered  his  first  publication  to  come  into  the  world  in 
so  undigested  a  state,:  after  it  was  once  before  the  public,  the  evil  ad- 
mitted only  of  one  remedy.  In  order  to  apply,  this,  he  collected 
a  very  large  assortment  of  Popular  Poetry  in  the  Danish,'  Swedishj 
German,  Slavonic,  Lettish  (Livonian,)  and  Esthonian  languages,  from 
which  he  began  to  make  translations,  with  a  view  of  publishing  an 
Appendix  to  his  Miscellany,  correcting  the  errors  of  the  first  work^ 
and  adding  as  much  as  possible  to  its  value.  With  this  he  continued 
from  time  to  time  to  amuse  his  leisure,  till  at  last  the  Appendix  swelled 

2  G 


234  POPULAR  BALLADS. 

out  to  the  size  of  a  large  volume.  As  the  success  of  the  volumes  al- 
ready printed  has  been  at  least  no  greater  than  their  merit ;  on  re- 
turning to  this  country,  he  readily  embraced  the  opportunity  of  in- 
serting his  translations  in  the  present  work,  in  which  they  will  appear 
along  with  other  more  important  things,  with  which  they  are  in  their 
nature  intimately  connected,  as  they  tend  mutually  to  illustrate  each 
other,  and  are  still,  in  their  present  form,  most  likely  to  fall  into  the 
hands  of  those  more  especially  for  whom  they  were  originally  in- 
tended. 

Such  is  the  brief  history  of  the  following  tales,  so  far  as  concerns 
the  Translator.  How  far  they  may  be  found  to  answer  the  end  pro- 
posed, will  best  be  seen,  when  they  have  all  been  laid  before  the  pub- 
lic. To  most  readers  in  this  country,  they  have  at  least  the  merit  of 
novelty  ;  and  it  is  presumed  wUl,  rude  as  they  are,  not  be  found  alto- 
gether uninteresting  to  those  who  are  fond  of  .tracing  human  nature 
through  those  darker  paths  of  history,  where  siich  lights,  however  ob- 
scure, are  desirable,  because  we  have  no  surer  guides  to  follow.  If 
the  department  which  they  fill  is  an  inferior  one,  still  theit  evidence 
comes  in  veiy  opportunely  where  other  evidence  fails  ;  and  it  is  much 
to  be  regretted,  that  the  fastidiousness  of  taste  has  too  often  induced 
historians,  in  more  cultivated  ages,  to  overlook  these  rude,  but  strongly, 
characteristic  monuments  of  the  times  that  are  gone  by.  The  legieiids 
of  a  rude  people  are,  it  is  true,  when  first  produced,  wild  and  striange, 
like  themselves  5  and  when  preserved  only  by  tradition,  soon  become 
extravagant  and  confused,  furnishing  but  very  insufficient  data  for 
establishing  the  certainty  of  political  events ;  they  afford,  neverthe- 
less, the  only  pictures  which  remain  of  the  ages  which  gave  rise  to, 
and  which  preceded  them.  If  we  see  how  things  are  at  present,  and 
feel  a  laudable  desire  to  know  from  what  origin  they  arose,  through 
what  gradations  they  have  passed,  and  how  they  came  to  be  moulded 
into  the  form  in  which  we  find  them,  we  must  look  for  the  state  of 
our  forefathers,  "  carminibus  antiquis,  quod  unum  apud  illos  memo- 
.jjae  et  annalium  genus  est.'"     Considered  in  this  hght,  the  very  ex- 

'  Taciti  Germania,  cap.  2. 


INTRODUCTION.  g35 

travagance  of  the  productions  of  the  Scald,  Bard,  and  Seannachy  adds 
not  a  little  to  their  value  ;  and  the  rational  inquirer  into  the  History 
of  Man  and  of  Mind,  will  be  much  more  pleased  and  instructed  by 
learning  what  were  the  habits,  ideas,  prejudices,  and  superstitions  of 
the  fabulist  who  composed  and  recited,  and  of  his  audience  who  heard 
and  were  gratified,  than  he  could  possibly  be  with  a  list,  however  ac- 
curate, of  a  series  of  Kings  and  Heroes,  whether  they  lived  in  caves, 
in  cotitages,  or  in  castles.  The  general  outlines  of  human  nature 
are  nearly  the  same  in  all  ages  and  countries,  in  all  stages  of  civiliza- 
tion, and  in  all  ranks  of  society  :  it  is  the  multifarious  and  ever-vary- 
ing details  arising  from  education,  habit,  and  circumstances,  that  is 
interesting.;^  Of  this  the  more  that  we  know,  the  wiser  we  have  the 
means  of  becoming ;  and  if  we  do  not  also  become  the  better,  the 
fault  is  not  in  the  knowledge,  but  in  our  appHcation  of  it. 
.  If  so  high  a  value  is  set  upon  a  coin  of  hardly  any  intrinsic  worth, 
v/^hich  exhibits  a  legend  scarcely  legible,  and  figures  so  disfigured 
as  to  be  barely  recognizable,  merely  because  it  assists  conjecture,  and 
throws  an  obscure  light  upon  some  unimportant  event ;  how  much 
more  precious  must  the  Saga  or  Romance  be,  which  exhibits  even 
fictitious  characters,  if  it  furnishes  a  picture  either  of  the  manners  of 
the  times  which  produced  it,  or  of  the  opinions  entertained  by  the 
men  of  those  times  respecting  their  neighbours,  or  those  who  inha- 
bited distant  regions  ? 

To  those  whose  lot  it  has  been  to  live  in  a  cultivated  age  and  coun- 
try, it  becomes  of  importance  to  know  not  only  what  their  forefathers 
in  distant  periods  did  know,  but  also  what  they  did  not  know ;  and 
even  the  errors  and  credulity  of  a  comparatively  barbarous  people  are 
no  less  instructive  than  amusing.  Had  Thucydides  been  a  Spartan, 
a  Theban,  or  a  Persian,  he  would  probably  have  represented  many  of 
the  events  which  he  has  recorded,  in  a  very  different  manner  from 
what,  as  an  Athenian,  he  may  be  supposed  to  have  done ;  yet  his  his- 
tory is,  perhaps,  beyond  any  other  merely  human  production,  inte- 
resting, because  he  tells  what  he  had  the  best  means  of  knowing,  and 
the  events  which  he  commemorates  have  affected,  at  one  time  or  an- 


236  POPULAR  BALLADS. 

other,  in  a  greater  or  less  degree,  almost  all  the  nations  of  the  earth. 
Yet  valuable  as  his  memoirs  are,  and  great  as  is  the  pleasure  resulting 
from  the  confidence  in  his  veracitj'  with  which  we  read  them,  who 
does  not  rejoice  that  the  "  Muses"  of  Herodotus  also  have  so  long 
survived  the  goddesses  after  whom  they  were  denominated  ?  This  is 
not  written  with  a  view,  of  exalting  fable  at  the  expence  of  truth,  but 
of  allotting  to  each  its  proper  province,  use,  and  application. 

The  name  of  Herodotus  naturally  suggests  a  period  in  the  history 
of  all  nations,  which  have  risen  from  a  state  of  unsettled  barbarism  to 
civilization  and  refinement,  which  is  intimately  connected  with  the 
subject  now  under  consideration.  What  Herodotus  was  among  the 
Greeks,  Snorro  Sturleson,  Adam  of  Bremen,  Saxo  Grammaticus,  and 
the  earlier  prose  annalists  of  the.  North  were  among  the  Goths.  They 
collected,  like  him,  such,  materialsas  genius  and  superstition  furnished, 
andin  such  a  state  as  the  lapse  of  time,  and  the  changes  of  men  and 
manners,  in  their  country,  had  left  them.;  and,  fortunately  for  succeed- 
ing ages,  the  impression  of  the  truth,  or  at  least  probability,  of  the 
wonders  they  had  to  relate,  arising  from  the  implicit  acquiescence 
with  which  they  had  heard  these  legends  repeated  from  their  earliest 
infancy,  was  too  strong  to  give  way  either  to  the  severity  of  religion/ 

'  Many  of  the  earlier  apostles  and  ecclesiastical  dignitaries  of  the  North  were  foreigners. 
They  found  the  half-converted  Goths  still  strongly  attached  to.their  ancient  superstitions, 
particularly  magic  and  runic  charms.  Tablets  and  books,  containing  all  the  supposed 
mysteries  oiBlach  or  Magic  Runes,twere  common;  arid  were  held  in  a  reverence  which 
the  preachers  of .  Christianity  found  it  very  difficult  to  excite  among  a  rude  and  unsettled 
people,  for  the  doctrines  which  they  could  but  imperfectly  illustrate  in  a  language  which 
was  but  imperfectly  understood.  Partly  from  ignorance  and  want  of  taste  for  the  contents  of 
the  books  and  monuments  which  these,  zealous  strangers  found  in  Scandinavia,  and  partly 
with  a  view  effectually  to  remove  one  powerful  obstacle  to  that  great,  and  no  doubt  salu- 
tary change,  which  they  meditated  introducing  into  the  manners  and  faith  of  their  disci- 
ples, these  good  fathers /Condemnedindiseriminately,  without  trial  or  examination,  every 
tiling  committed  to  .writing  in  pagan  times,  whether  in  parchment,  wood,  or  stone,  that 
they  could  come  at.  Not  only  temples  andimages,  but  books  of  poetry,  the  monuments 
of  the  dead,  with  their  inscriptions,  and  every -relic  of  past  times  that  was  peculiarly  re- 
vered bys  the  people,. was. represented  as  monstrous  and  horrible,  the  invention  of  the  ene- 
my of  mankind  himself,  leading  to  certain  damnation,  and  to  be  effaced  without  mercy. 
Thus  the  poetry  and  antiquities  of  Scandinavia  suffered  more  fi-om  the  ill-managed  zeal  of 
these  men,  than  those  of  Wales  are  said  to  have  done. from  the  politic  fury  of  anambitious 
.  conqueror.^ 


INTRODUCTION.  2S7 

or  the  pride  of  learning.  This  gives  an  additional  charm  to  their  nar- 
ratives ;  for  the  best  historian  that  can  be  expected  to  arise  during  the 
first  dawn  of  true  learning,  in  a  barbarous  age,  is  he  who, 

"  Lest  they  meet  his  blasted  view, 

".  Holds  each  strange  tale  devoutly  true ;" 

and  the  talents,  learning,  and  industry  of  Oluf  Orm,  the  two  Mag- 
nuses, Rudbeck,  Verelius,  Peringskiold,  Vedel,  Syv,  Pontoppidan, 
Suhm,  Holberg,  and  the  other  illustrious  worthies  of  northern  litera- 
ture, have  never  been  employed  to  better  purpose  than  in  examining 
and  illustrqjting  the  productions  of  their  predecessors,  and  the  mate- 
rials which  they  made. use  of.  Such  materials  are^  to  a  certain  extent, 
tfii0us  farrago  libelli.  We  come  late  in  time,  and  are  only  gleaners  in 
a  wide  field,  the  harvest  of  which  has  already  been  gathered  into  the 
barns  of  the  learned ;  yet  rude  and  uncouth  as  are  the  productions 
which  we  propose; to  bring  forward,  they  seem  to  us  to  have  a  certain 
claim  to  dignity  and  respect,  as- being  the  most  genuine  examples  re- 
maining  of  a  species  of  composition  which  we  consider  as  having  been 
at  one  time  the.  production  off  the  first  efforts  of  human  genius,  the 
vehicles  of  all  knowledge,  human  and  divine,  and  the  foundation  and 
ground-work  of  all  that  is  now  -most  admired  in  the  most  cultivated 
times. 

The  Narrative  Ballad  we  believe  to  be  the  oldest  of  all  composi- 
tions ;  and  we  are  not  induced  to  alter  our  opinion  by  all  that  has 
been  said  of  love  and  innocence,  and  of  golden,  pastoral,  and  patri- 
archal ages.'  It  is  natural  to  suppose,  that  the  first  ebullitions  of  ge- 
nius and  fancy  were  prompted  by  admiration,  and  shewed  themselves 
in  celebrating  the  praises  either  of  gods  or  of  men.     These  praises 


'  We  fear  much  that  the  poetical  progression  of  ages  ought  to  be-rieversed,  and  to  be- 
gin with  the- /rsK.  At  least  the  case  is  so  iw  the  world  at  present,  in  which  we  find  ^wo- 
ranee  of  all  things  the  least  simple,  amiable,  safe,  and-desirable  to  be  connected  with. 
Violence,  weapprehend,  is  as  old  as  selfishness  and  property;  and  the  warrior's  club  and 
horn  of  more  venerable  antiquity  than  the  shepherd's  crook  and  pipe. 


238  POPULAR  BALLADS. 

were  founded  upon  actions  such  as  were  then  most  admired;  for  men 
learnt  to  act  sooner  than  to  think ;  and  abstract  virtues,  as  well  as  ab- 
stract ideas  of  virtue,  are  of  slow,  and  therefore  of  late  growth.  These 
actions  furnished  the  story,  and  the  composition  was  short ;  for  sa- 
vages do  not  dehght  in  unnecessary  exertion,  where  necessity  gives 
them  so  much  to  do ;  and  copious  eloquence,  whether  in  poetry  or  in 
prose,  is  always  connected  with  leisure,  and  a  regular  state  of  society^ 
Between  sacred  and  profane  poetry,  in  its  first  rudiments,  there  is  lit- 
tle essential  difference  j  as  the  characters  of  divine  and  human  na- 
tures, according  to  the  crude  conceptions  of  an  unenlightened  people, 
are  but  ill  distinguished  from  each  other,  and  their  attributes,  and 
even  their  essences,  are  constantly  blended,  mingled,  and  confounded 
together;  in  so  much,  that  a  tale  of  the  iactions  of  gods,  if  the  names 
are  but  changed,  may  be  equally  read  as  a  tale  of  the  actions  of  men. 
It  is  highly  probable  that  the  songs  of  Orpheus  and  Linus,  if  any 
such  remained,  although  the  production  of  an  age  of  comparative  re- 
finement, would  tend  strongly  to  illustrate  this ;  and  the  hymns  as- 
cribed to  Homer  are  themselves  either  legendary  odes  or  ballads  on 
actions  and  adventures  of  the  gods,  described  as  men,  or  scraps  of 
pieces  containing  only  simple  allusions  to  actions  which  were  gene- 
rally and  popularly  known.  They  seem  to  be  a  curious  specimen  of 
one  species  of  rhapsodies,  such  as  those  of  which  the  lUad  and  the 
Odyssey  are  a  splendid  tissue.  ~  Such  was  the  poetry  of  the  Greeks  be- 
fore they  ceased  to  be  Gothic  ;  and  such  certainly  was  the  more  anti- 
ent  poetry  of  the  Goths  in  the  West,  before  they  became  in  their  ha- 
bits and  ideas  Romano-Grecian,  as  all  the  civilized  nations  of  Europe 
to  a  certain  degree  now  are. 

If  these  assumptions  are  allowed,  we  naturally  conclude  that  the 
first  poetical  productions  were  short  narrative  odes,  celebrating  one 
principal  event.  Every  event  had  its  own  separate  ballad  or  rhap- 
sody. This  rhapsody  was  always  introduced  by  some  general  intima- 
tions respecting  the  subject,  and  after  being  sung,  was  followed  by  a 
detailed  prose  accpunt  of  the  various  circumstances  connected  with 


INTRODUCTION.  239 

it.'  This  practice  seems  to  be  as  old  as  the  use  of  numbers  and  stu- 
died compoisitiori. '  It  formed  a  principal  part  of  the  entertainment  at 
the  beginning  or  close  of  an  expedition  ;  celebrated  the  praises  of  the 
dead,  and  roused  the  living  to  emulate  their  deeds,  or  revenge  their 
fall ;  amused  the  Sea  Kjng  and  his  confederates  as  they  rested  upon 
their  oars,  waiting  for  the  appearance  of  the  star  that  was  to  di- 
rect their  course,  or,  when  they  moored  their  barks  in  a  creek,  and 
kindled  their  evening  fire  under  a  rock,  till  the  moon  should  rise  to 
light  them  to  their  prey ;  it  often  agreeably  suspended  the  boisterous 
merriment  of  the  hunter  or  warrior  at  the  long-protracted  winter  even- 
ing's carousal ;  and,  being  a  favourite  amusement  and  dekctamenhtm 
Mice,  during  the  short  intervals  of  rational  relaxation,  which  the  lives 
:of  a  bold,  adventurous,  and  unsettled  race  of  men  allowed  of,  it  ever 
•changed  its  character  with  the  times,  and  was  at  all  times  popular  and 
'Characteristic. 

While  the  ruling  powers  were  petty  chieftains,  each  independent  of 
the  other,  presiding  in  a  single  district,  tribe,  or  family,  and  acting  for 
himself,  their  actions,  like  the  lays  that  celebrated  them,  were  abrupt 
and  desultory.  '  Their  sphere  was  too  confined,  at  least  in  its  general 
influence,  and  their  state  too  precarious,  either  to  give  rise  to  long  and 
elaborate  details,  or  to  produce  a  relish  for  them.  But  after  many 
petty  dynasties  were  subjected  to  one  head,  when  dukes,  kings,  and 
■emperors,  in  the  detail  of  administration,  committed  the  truncheon, 
the  sword,  and  the  balance  to  delegated  hands,  the  great  events  of  the 


*  This  is  still  the  practice  in  the  Highlands  of  Scotland,  in  Ireland,  the  Isle  of  Man,  and 
Wales ;  and  we  believe  in  every  other  country  where  such  productions  are  preserved  by  oral 
tradition.  "  I  have  prefixed,"  says  Mr  Syv,  in  his  Preface  to  the  K.  Viser, "  short  notices 
to  some  of  the  ballads,  and  annexed  such  explanatory  notes  as  seemed  to  be  required ; 
thus  following  in  my  publication  the  usage  of  those  by  whom  these  ditties  ■  have  been 
handed  down  to  us,  who  were  accustomed  first  to  sing  the  ballad,  and  when  they  had 
finished,  to  relate  the  story,  with  all  the  circumstances  connected  with  it,  in  prose.  The 
explanation  was  called  JJrskyring,  a  word  still  in  use  in  the  Islandic  language.  This 
manner  of  giving  text  and  commentary  tended  to  impress  the  tale  upon  the  memory,  and 
facilitated  the  traditionary  preservation  of  these  relics ;  and  it  is  to  such  materials,  handed 
down  in  this  manner  from  one  to  another,  that  we  are  indebted  for  the  historical  labours 
of  Adam  of  Bremen,  Snorro  Sturleson,  Saxo,  and  Erishop  Absalon." 


240  POPULAR  BALLADS. 

time  assumed  a  different  aspect,  and  formed  a  more  connected  series 
of  events.  The  state  and  safetjr  of  the  monarch,  with-  all  the  circum- 
stances connected  with  a  more  settled,  extended,  and  complicated  po- 
lity, kept  constantly  about  the  palaces  and  castles  of  the  great,  a  large 
train  of  retainers,  of  knights  and  dames,  who,  being  now  restrained  by 
a  stronger  hand,  were  subjected. to  a  more  orderly  and  regular  deport- 
ment, and  to  that  jealous,  stately,  punctilious,  and  dignified  formality^ 
which  characterised  the  ages  of  chivalry.  But  the  proud  and  impatient 
liegemen,  thus  brought  together,  sacrificed  much  of  what  was  dearest 
to  their  habits  and  th^ir  wishes,  in  attending  the  court  of  a  sovereign^ 
where  they 


"  Were  eich  from  home  a  banished  man  ; 
"  There  thought  upon  their  own  grey  towery  ■. 
"  Their  waving  woods,  their  feudal  power, 
"  And  deemed  themselves  a  shameful  pact 
"  Of  pageant  which  they  cursed  in  heart." 

Such  fiery  and  indignant  spirits  were  to  be  soothed  and  flattered^  and 
reconciled  to  their  dependence,  by  every  possible  means.  Hence,  du- 
ring the  intervals  of  remission  from  war,  huntings,  hawkings,  tourna- 
ments, masks,  and  mummeries,,  jugglers  and  players  of  anticks,  and, 
above  all,  Minstrels^  were  employed;  to  arrest  the  attention,  and  beguile 
the  tediousness  inseparable  from  a.  state  of  leisure,  with  a  people  whose 
minds  were  rude  and  uninformed;  and  whose  sources  of  more  quiet, 
retired,  and  rational  enjoyment  were  few.  The  subjects  of  history  and 
poetry  now  became  more  extended ;  and  a  connected  series  of  events 
required  a  connected  series  of  narratives.  But  the  subject  bard,  who 
celebrates  recent  events,  must  touch  the  harp  in  the  presence  of  a  des- 
pot, however  liberal,  with  a  trembling  hand :  entertainment  was  what 
was  principally  aimed  at  by  the  minstrels  of  all  ages ;  and  remote 
events  gave  more  scope  and  liberty  to  the  imagination,  in  adorning  the 
narrative  with  whatever,  of  strange  and.  wonderful,  was  most  likely  to 
excite  interest  and  admiration  in  rude  minds.  Hence  the  detached  tales 


INTRODUCTION.  241 

or  ballads  of  the  "  olden  time,"  with  the  traditions  which  accompanied 
them,  were  assumed  as  a  ground-work.  These  were  arranged  and  de- 
corated according  to  the  taste,  fancy,  talents,  or  knowledge  of  the  com- 
piler, worked  into  a  long  "  perpetuum  carmen,"  such  as  the  leisure  of 
the  hall  and  bower  could  now  tolerate,  and  indeed  called  for;  and 
formed  a  cifchis  of  events,  often  extending  to  a  narrative  of  twenty  or 
thirty  tl^pusand.  verses,  thus  forming  the  Longer  Romance  of  the  ages 
of  chivalry.  This  kind,  of  composition  being  once  in  vogue,  more  re- 
cent subjects  were  assumed,  and  treated  in  the  same  manner;  In  times 
in  which  the  Reverend  Bishop,  the  relative  and  associate  of  "  knights 
and  barons  bold,"  often  exchanged  the  mitre  and  crosier  for  the  hel- 
met and  spear,  and  laid  aside  the  crucifix  to  grasp  the  battle-axe,  the 
legends  of  ^romantic  heroism  were  no  less  popular  in  the  monastery 
than  in  the  palace  ;  and  the  leisure  of  the  cloister,  co-operating  with 
the  taste  of  the  hall,  tended  to  preserve  and  bring  them  down  to  a  very 
late  period.. ,  But  when  the  learning  of  the  better  days  of  Greece  and 
Rome  was  once  more  introduced  into  Europe,  a  new  light  wa»  poured 
upon  the  minds,  of  men  j  their  sources  of  intellectual  enjoyment  were 
extended  and  multiplied  j  their  manners  and  condition,  and  Avith  them 
their  taste  and  ideas,  were  changed;  and  the  extravagant  fictions 
which  had  lately  been  their  delight,  now  became  tedious  and  dis- 
gusting. 

But  although  the  refinements  of  the  court  now  rejected  the  amuse- 
ments of  ruder  periods,  the  peasant  still  continued  to  be,  as  he  must 
be  in  every  country,  comparatively  simple  and  rude ;  and  the  min- 
strel now 

"  Tuned  to  please  a  peasant's  ear, 

"  The  harp  a  king  had  deign'd  to  hear." 

But  the  minstrel,  however  welcome  a  guest,  could  not  long  sojourn  in 
the  cabin  of  the  poor  rustic,  nor  would  the  leisure  of  the  latter  admit 
of  his  listening  to  long  stories  ;  and  the  song  naturally 

"  Was  sad  by ^^*  ;  by  starts  'twas  wUd ;" 
2h 


U2  POPULAR,  BALLADS. 

And  so  the  long;  romance,  in  itself  a  cychs  of  detached:  adventures, 
-gradually  fell  to  pieces,  and  relapsed  into,  its  :original. state,  giving  rise 
to  a.  number  of  distinct  narrative  odes,  ballads,  or  rhapsodies. — Such 
is  our  iapinion.of±he  origin,  of  that  kind  of  ppetry.  which  we  have  pro- 
iposed  to  illustrate.'  ...Indeed  it  seems  highly  probable,  fhatthis  kind 
of  lesser  tale  was  at  all  times  a  favourite  with  the  vulgar  j  and  that  many 
<of  .those  which  have  reached  our  .times  have  claims  (could  Jjiey  no\«ir 
be  properly  adjusted)  to  a  very  high  antiquity. 

..  Having  premised  thus  much  concerning  the  narrative  baUad  in  ge- 
neral, it  may  not  be  improper  now,  as  the  book  is  little,  if  at  lall,  known 
in  this  country,  and.  the  pieces,  it  fcontaiiis  have  so  singular  a  resem- 
blance in  all.  fespects  to  the  legends  of  the  same  class  among  us,  to 
give  a  short  account  qf  .tha  Danish  KjEmpe  Viser,'  or  Heroic  Songs, 
from  which  the. greater. part.. of- the^-following  translations  have  been 
made.  The.edition  which  has  been  used. is  that  of  lj695ii  b^  the  Keve- 
jeead  Andrew  Syv,*  from. whose  prefe.ce. the  following  account  of  the 
Barkis  digested..  It  contains,  two  Jhundred  pieces,  the  first  centenaS-y 
of  which  w;as  published  ih.  1591,  at  the  rBqijesEt  of  Sophia  Queen  of 
Denmark,  to  whom,,  it  was  dedicatedyby  the  Reverend  Andrew  Sot 
Jcehson  ^e^el,  or  "Veile,  an,  intimate,  friend,  of -the  celebrated  Tyge 
Bfahe,^  and  chaplain  to  the  king  in  Copenhagen,  iand  afterwards. ffis- 
toriographer  for  Denmark,  and  pastor  of  Ribe  Cathedral  and  Kahick ; 


'  The  full  title  is,  "  An  Hundred  Select  Danish  Songs,  concerning  all  manner  of  war- 
like and  other  singular  Adventures  which  have  happened  in  this  Kingdom  with  old  Cham- 
pions, illustrious  Kings,  and  other  distinguished  Persons,  from  the  Time  of  Arild,  down  to 
the  present  Day ;  to  which  are  added.  Another  Hundred  Songs,  concerning  Danish  Kings, 
Champions,  and  others,  with  No^es  both  !amjj^ng.and.instnuctive  annexed.  By  his  Royal 
Majesty's  most  gracious  Authority.    Copenhagen,i^c.,169S." 

■*  In  "  Popular  Ballads  and  Songs,  &c.  1806,"  he  is  erroneously  called  Sai/,  instead  of 

V-  ^^ '   -        ...... .-,.,     ..... .,:,f  r..,.,.' 

'•'  *'  Sophia  Queen  of  Demhark,^ having  been  for  several  days  storm-stayed  at  Knutstr'up, 
whither  she  had  gone  to  see  TygeBrahe'siobservatory  and  astroijomical'apparatus,  and  ex- 
pressing, in  conversation  with  the  astronomer,  a  desire  that  the  heroic. songs,,  which  she  \^as 
very  fond  of,  might  be  preserved,  Mr  Vedel  was  recommended  by  his  friend  to  her  ma- 
jesty as  a  fit  person  to  undertake  that  task ;  and  this  was  the  first  prigin  of  the  collection 
entitled  "  Ksempe  Viser." 


INTRODUCTION.  843 

a  very  industrious  aiid  curious  antiquary,  who  died  in  the  year  1616, 
aged  74.'  In  republishing  these,  Mr  Syv  made  no  alterations  in  the 
text  or  notes,  &,rther  than  correcting  errors  of  the'  presp,  and  adding, 
in  a  fewof  thii  pieices,  sonie  stanzas  from  MS.  collections  of  ballads. 
*  The  second  centenary  Afras^^Ueeted  by  Mr  Syv,  as  he  informs  us, 
from  the  dead  and  the  living ;  jfrom  MSl^s. and  oral  tradition. o  "  Some 
of  the  ballads,"  he  says;  "  that  have  already;  been  printed  separate,  and 
Jtrie  now  difficult  to'^be  procured,  are  inserted,  both  to  preserve  them, 
arid  make  th6in  more  easily  accessible,  and  to  render  the  coUectipn 
more  complete.  Some  of  them  hive  been  eked  out,  and  others  cur- 
tailed, although  not  by  me.  It  would  h'avle  been  easy  to  have  improved 
those  of  the  middle  ages,  in  the  nieasure  and  rhymep  ;,ibut  I  anj.  of 
opinion  that  it  is  mnch  better  to  leave  them  as  they  are,  in  the  vener- 
able rudieness  of  their  ancient  simplicity,  with  all  their  unmeanii^g 
burdens  and  expletives.*^ 

}'  The  first  hundred  are  divided  by  Mr  Veile  into  three  parts ;  and 
I  have  divided  the  second  hundred  into  two ;  the  first  half  concerning 
kings,  great  lords,  and  personages  of  the  first  rank ;  and  the  second, 
concerning  persons  of  distinction  also,  although  of  inferior  note.  They 
miglit  have  been  divided  into  domic,  or  such  as  end  fortunately,  and  tra- 
gic, or  such  as  end  unfartuSnately ;  or  into  sacred  and  profane.  Of  the 
sacred  kind  we  have  abundance,  such  as, "  Adam  he  was  so  rich  a  Man," 
&c.  &c.  &c. ;  but  many  of  them  contain  miracles  and  extravagancies 
which  are  not  to  be  found  in  the  Bible ;  as,  in  Job's  Song,  where  he 
gives  the  riiihstrel's  scabs  Scorn  his  sores,  which  are  converted  into 
gold ;  which'fabulous  circumstance  is  introdiifced  in-  a  painting  in,  the 
chapel  of  Roskild  cathedral ;  and  in  theiSojag  on  the  Nativity,  in  which 


»  Besides  these  hundred  songs,  he  has  published  a  Chronicle  of  the  Popes  in  Rh3Tne^ 
Saxo  in  Danish  ;  Adam  of  Bremen,  with  Latin  notes ;  Funeral  Eulogy  over  King  Fridrik 
the  Second,  in  Danish,  with  a  chronological  Table  of  the  Occurrences  of  his  Reign, — with 
other  Funeral  Sermons;  concerning  the  Sfev;en5ages  of  Greece,  with  other  small  Tracts  ; 
besides  several  Danish  chronological  and  historical  works,  which  he  left  behind  him  ia  - 
Msi   ' 


244.  POPULAR  BALLADS. 

Herod  says,  that  he  would  no  more  believe  what  is  told  of  the  won* 
derous  birth,  than  he  would  believe  that  the  roasted  cock  that  lay  be- 
fore him  on  a  dish  would  crow;  on  which  the  cock  immediately 
clapped  his  -wings  and  crew,  and  Herod,  thunderstruck  at  the  pro- 
digy, tumbled  from  his  stool  C throne,)  &c.  &c.  &c. 

"  Among  the  rest  are  many  smaller  pieces  of  little  intrinsic  merit, 
but  which,  being  found  in  better  company,  it  is  hoped  may  be  allowed 
to  pass.  Although  each  of  these  relics,  considered  separately,  may,  to 
many  readers,  appear  hardly  worthy  of  preservation,  it  must  not  be  for- 
got, that  it  is  not  for  such  readers  alone  that  this  collection  is  made ;  and 
that,  by  bringing  a  number  of  these  pieces  together,  we  consider  our- 
selves as  fiirnishing  our  part  of  evidence,  such  as  it  is,  for  the  illustra- 
tion of  our  ancient  histories  and  sagas,  manners  and  language.  We 
write  neith-er  for  the  learned,  who  do  not  want  our  information,  nor 
for  the  ignorant,  who  cannot  profit  by  it ;  but  it  is  hoped  that  we  have, 
upon  the  whole,  produced  a  farrago,  in  which  readers  of  all  descrip- 
tions may  find  something  which  may  be  read  with  pleasure  and 
profit." 

So  far  the  worthy  pastor  gives  a  very  just  and  modest  account  of 
his  work  ;  and  the  last  paragraph,  digested  from  the  conclusion  of  his 
preface,  speaks  so  truly  the  sentiments  of  the  present  writer  respecting 
his  own  views  and  motives  in  making  the  following  translations,  that  it 
leaves  him  little  farther  to  say  upon  the  subject.  The  "  Kaempe  Viser" 
is  indeed  a  most  curious  and  interesting  work,  and,  for  the  age  and 
country  in  which  it  was  produced,  deserving  of  all  approbation.  The 
editors  had  little  of  profit  or  of  praise  to  look  for ;  and  the  ballads,  to 
save  room,  much  to  our  convenience  and  satisfaction,  are  printed  in 
stanzas,  in  the  manner  of  prose,  as  church  hymn  books  and  stall  bal- 
lads are  still  printed  in  Germany  and  in  the  North.  We  are  the  more 
desirous  to  do  justice  to  this  work  and  its  editors,  because  it  seems  to 
be  known  in  this  country  only  by  name,  and  has  been  mentioned  by 
some  of  the  northern  antiquaries  in  such  a  manner  as  was  not  likely 
to  excite  any  very  lively  interest.  A  new  edition  of  it,  however,  was 
several  years  ago  undertaken  by  the  learned  Professor  Nyerup  of  Co- 


INTRODUCTION.  et,5 

penhagen ;  but  whether,  in  the  present  calamitous  state  of  that  unfor- 
tunately-situated country,  it  has  been  published,  we  have  not  been  able 
to  ascertain.  It  is  hoped,  at  least,  that  the  very  praise-worthy  editor 
has  taken  care  to  obviate  the  objections  made  to  it,  which  were  prin- 
cipally levelled  at  its  inaccuracy,  as  being  a  work  of  no  historical  au- 
thority. So  far  as  dates,  places,  and  persons,  are  concerned,  this  ob" 
jection  is  certainly  just ;  but  who  would  look  for  this  kind  of  accuracy 
in  a  popular  ballad  ?  Even  in  the  ages  in  which  bards,  scalds,  and  min- 
strels, (by  whatever  name  they  are  called,)  were  the  only  preservers  of 
the  records  of  time,  truth  was  cpnstantly  blended  with  the  most  extra- 
vagant fictions  and  exaggerations.  Most  of  these  fictions,  with  the 
incidents  which  they  embellished,  have  perished,  or  become  difficult  of 
access : 

<«  Yet  fragments  of  the  lofty  strain 

Float  down  the  tide  of  years, 
i  As  buoyant  on  the  stormy  main 

A  parted  wreck  appears."  \ 

The  songs  mentioned  by  Tacitus,  in  his  account  of  the  Germans, 
those  collected  by  the  order  of  Charlemagne,  and  those  which  the 
Goths  brought  with  them  out  of  the  East,  are  now  not  to  be  found  j 
yet  it  is  more  than  probable.,  that  much  more  of  them  is  preserved,  in 
however  altered  a  form,  than  we  are  aware  of ;  in  the  elder  Northern 
and  Teutonic  Romances,  the  Danish  and  Swedish,  Scottish  and  Eng- 
lish Popular  Ballads,  and  those  which  are  sung  by  old  women  and 
nurses,  and  hawked  about  at  fairs,  in  Germany.  To  shew  the  intimate 
connection  which  these  haA'e  with  each  other,  is  the  principal  object 
in  view  in  this  publication  j  and  the  jnaterials  brought  forward  for 
this  purpose  have  in  general  one  merit  at  least,  that  of  being  altoge- 
ther  new,  in  any  form  whatever,  to. most,  if  not  all,  of  our  readers. 

As  to  the  execution  of  tiie  part  of  this  work  assigned  to  the  present 
writer,  he  begs  leave  to  observe,  that  he  wishes  himself  to  be  consi- 
dered rather  as  a  commentator  and  editor,  than  a  poetical  translator ; 


246  POPULAR  BALLADS. 

for  his  translations  ttetttselves  have  beeii  done,  to  the  best  of  his  abi- 
lity, in  such  a  manner  as  to  supersede  the  necessity  of  illustration  j 
and  such  pieces  have  been  SiClected  as  might  best  illustrate,  eg^chother, 
as  well  as  the  general  subject  of  our  ballad  romance  and  traditionary 
poetry.  Where  there  seemed  to  be  occasion'  for  throwing  light  uppn, 
or  preserving  the  memory  of,  peculiar  usages,  superstitions,  &c.  notes 
have  been  subjoined. 

As  to  the  dialect  adopted  in  these  versions,  he  is  under  considerable 
anxiety,  being  aware  that  it  may  be  received  with  diffidence,  and  its 
propriety  questioned.  They  were  written  in  Livxjnia,  after  a  residence 
of  upward  of  twelve  years  in  England,  and  four  on  the  continejitj 
and  it  will  with  justice  be  concluded,  that  he  must  have  lost  much  of 
the  natural  facility  in  the  use  of  his  native  dialect,  which  is  above  all 
necessary  for  poetical  narrative.     Of  this  he  is  himself  sufficiently  sen- 
sible ;  and  therefore  would  never  have  attempted  to  adapt  it  to  origi- 
nal composition ;  at  the  same  time  that  he  is  far  from  considering  it 
as  a  valid  objection  to  his  undertaking  his  present  task.     Having  cul- 
tivated an  intimate  acquaintance  with  the  -Scottish  language  in  all  its 
stages,  so  far  back  as  any  monuments  of  it  remain,  he  might  be  supposed 
to  have  some  confidence  in  his  use  of  it.     If  in  his  translations  -he  has 
blended  the  ditilects  df  different  ages,  he  has  at  least  endeavoured  to 
do  judiciousl/'^vhat  his  subject  seemed  to  require  of  him,  in  order  to 
preserve  as  entire  as  possible,  in  every  particular,  the  costume  of  his 
bflginals.  This  is  one  of  the  strongest-features,  of  resemblance  between 
the  Northern  and  Scottish  Ballad,  in  which  there  is  founda  phraseo- 
log/ which  has  long  been  obsolete  in  both  countries,  and  many- terms 
not  understood  by  thoSe  who  recite  them,  and  for  the  meaning  of 
which  we  must  refer  to  the  Norse  or  Mandic^of  the  eighth  and -ninth 
centuries.     On  the  other  points  of  resemblance,  it  -^ill  not  be  neces- 
sary to  say  any  thing,  as  they  must  strike  every  attentive  observer ; 
nor  can  the  style  which  has  been-atdopted  be  more  satisfactorily  justi- 
fied, than  by  informing  the  reader,  that  the  general  cast  of  structure, 
diction,  and  idiom,  has  been  so  Sedulously  followed,  that,  for  whole 
stanzas  together,  hardly  any  thing  has  been  altered  but  thearthogra- 


INTRODUCTION.  247 

phy.  How  easy  a  task  this  was,  wilLbe  seen  from  the  Swedish  Popu- 
lar Ballad  which  -we  have  given  With  an  intercalated  Scotish  prose 
translation,  in  the  introduction  to  "  Fair  Midel." 

Of  the  manner  in  which  a  style  so  singular  was  formed,  and  the 
causes  to  which  it  is  owing  that  its  identity  has  been  so  long  preser- 
ved among  nations  that  have  for  aiany  ages  had  no  such  intercourse 
with  each  other,  as  was  likely  to  have,  in  any  degree,  affected  their 
popular  poetry,  this  is  not  the  plafee  to  speak  ;  as  any  thing  we  may 
have  to  advance  on  that  subject  must  be  more  satisfe.ctory,  aftet  a  largel: 
body  of  evidence  has  been  laid  before  the  public  ;  and  it  wiU  then  be 
the  I'^s  necessary,  if  we  shtAl  be  found  to  have  furnished  the  reader 
with  sufficient  data,  from  wh^gh  to  judge  for  hims6lf.  In  the  tfiean 
time,  enough  has  been  done,  not  only  to  excite  curiosity,  but,  We 
hope,  in  a  considerable  degree,  to  gratify  it.  We  have  at  least  the 
merit  of  pointing  out  where  ptoper  materials  are  to  be  found ;  a,nd  if 
the  subject  should  bp  tJaken  up  by  some  more  able  hand,  we  Shall  be 
aaraoBg  the  first  to  encourage  the  undertaking,  and  to  rejoice  at  its 
success. 

.  Wie  shall  now  conclude  this  article  with  some  conjectures  which 
have  su^ested  themselves  to  us  in  the  xjourse  of  our  investigations  of 
the  nature  of  traditionary  poetry;  and,  giving  them  with  all  deference, 
as  -mere  harmless  ;conjectures,  leave  the  reader  -to  decide  for  himself. 

There  rmay  be  remarked  in  all  the  Scottish  and  Danish  itraditionary 
ballads,  -a  ^frequent  and  almost  unvaried  recurrence  of  certain  terms, 
epithets,  metaphors,  and  phrases,  which  have  obtained  general  cur- 
rency, and  seem  peculiarly^dedicated  to  this -kind  of.  composition.  The 
same  ideas,  actions,  and  circumstaflces  are  almost  uniformly  expressed 
in  the  same  forms  of  words  ;  and -whole  lines,  and  even  stanzas,  are  so 
■hackneyed  among  the  0  reciters  of  popular  ditties,  that  it  is  impossible 
-to  gives  them  their  due  appropriation,  and  to  say  to  which  they  origi- 
nally belonged.  Although  this  feature  is  also  distinguishable  in  Our 
longer  romances,  it  is  but  very  faintly  marked  in  such  as  have  not  been 
•in  their  time  treated  as  traditionary  legends.  This  fact,  and  the  cause 
of  it,  are  so  obvious,  that  we  should  not  have  considered  it  as  deser- 


248  POPULAR  BALLADS. 

ving  of  notice  here,  were  it  not  for  the  light  which  it  seems  to  throw  on 
a  subject  the  most  interesting  of  all  others  to  the  classical  and  poetical 
inquirer. 

It  seems  to  be  not  merely  a  characteristic  of  simple  composition, 
such  as  may  be  expected  to  be  produced  in  a  rude  age,  and  among  a 
rude  people,  but  to  be  decidedly  the  reigning  distinction  of  tradition- 
ary poetry,  in  whatever  language,  country,  or  age  ;  and  we  consider 
the  want  of  it  in  the  poems  ascribed  to  Ossian,  as  one  of  the  strongest 
evidences  of  the  disingenuousness  of  Macpherson,  and  of  the  care  and 
industry  which  he  has  bestowed  in  working  up  his  slender  materials 
into  the  form  in  which  they  have  been  given  to  the  world.  That  an 
Ossian  would,  in  describing  the  same  sg^nes  and  circumstances,  have 
perpetually  varied  his  forms  of  expression,  and  added  or  with-held  cer- 
tain minutice,  so  as  to  produce  an  endless  variety,  may  be  possible,  but 
is  certainly  very  improbable  ?  but  that  his^  compositions  could  have 
been  preserved  in  that  state  by  tradition,  during  a  period  of  fifteen 
centuries,  in  spite  of  local,  habitual,  and  political  changes,  is  a  suppo- 
sition too  absurd  to  be  contended  for. 

But  although  Macpherson,  writing  in  a  cultivated  age,  when  the 
rules  of  correct  and  elegant  composition  were  familiar  to  every  school- 
boy, has  banished  these  characteristics  from  the  poems  which  he  has 
ascribed  to  Ossian,  they  are  every  where  distinguishable  in  an  emi- 
nent degree  in  the  Iliad  and  Odyssey ;  while  they  are  found  in  no 
other  effusions  of  the  Greek  muse,  except  where  they  are  evident  imi- 
tations, not  of  the  style  of  the  ages  in  which  they  were  produced,  but 
of  the  two  great  models  and  treasures  of  heroic  and  mythological  fic- 
tion above-mentioned.  This  never  appeared  to  us  in  so  striking  a 
light,  till  we  had  perused  the  traditionary  rhapsodies. of  the  Danes  and 
Swedes,  after  cultivating  an  intimate  acquaintance  with  those  of  our 
own  countiy,  and  comparing  them  with  the  more  ancient  written  re- 
mains of  the  Scandinavian*  and  British  Muse. 

'  We  do  not  mean  hereto  insinuate,  that  aU  the  iVowe  poetry  which  has  come  down  to 
us,  was  committed  to  writing  by  the  scalds  who  composed  it,  or  that  all  of  them  could 

3 


INTRODUCTION.  249 

We  are  disposed  to  Jiook  upon  the  Iliad  and  Odyssey,  then,  as 
"  perpetua  carmina,"  compacted  from  various  materials  of  different 
ages,  nations,  dialects,  and  tongues,  and  constituting  a  methodized, 
corrected,  and  new-modeUed  anthology  of  all  the  best  traditionary, 
heroic,  narrative,  and  mythological  poetry  that  came  within  the  reach 
of  the  compiler.     Of  the  Fable  which  he  has  so  admirably  decorated, 
it  is  probable  that  he  had  as  little  certain  knowledge,  as  he  had  of  the 
history  of  Bacchus,  Hercules,  or  Jason,  or  as  we  have  of  that  of  Brute 
the  Trojan,  King  Arthur,  or  Fion  Mac  Comhal  j  and  the  existence 
of  Homer  himself  appears  to  us  to  be  even  more  doubtful  than  that 
of  Troy. — The  Rhapsodies  of  Homer  mean  neither  more  nor  less  than 
the  BUnd-nmn's  Ballads,  such  as  were  sung  for  their  daily  bread  by 
blind  itinerant  minstrels,  a  description  of  men  for  which  Greece  was 
famous.    But  'o^hj e? ,  *'  a  blind  man,"  is  a  local,  and  not  a  general  term 
in  the  Greek  language  j  and  therefore  we  are  disposed  to  think  that 
Lycurgus  has  couched  under  this  equivocal  appellation,  the  real  his- 
tory of  the  poems  which  he  produced  in  Greece.    Deriving  the  term 
in  the  manner  the  most  natural  and  the  most  agreeable  to  the  genius 
of  the  Greek  language,  from  e^ov,  "  together,"  and  tj «»-,  "  to  bind,  or 
connect,"  the  Homeric  rhapsodies  will  literally  signify  what  we  have 
supposed  them  to  be — ^a  splendid  tissue  of  ballad  patch-work. 

That  seven  illustrious  cities  of  Greece  contended  for  the  affiliation 
of  Homer  is  less  to  be  wondered  at,  than  that  many  more  cities  of 
Greece,  and  even  of  India,  Persia,  and  Thrace,  did  not  claim  the  same 


write ;  but  when  we  consider  the  weight  of  the  subjects,  the  poetical  enthusiasm  of.  the 
distinguishe'd  men  among  the  Goths,  for  whom  these  pieces  were  composed ;  the  peculiar 
kind  of  pride  and  prejudice  which  led  to  the  preservation  of  their  purity  and  integrity ;  the 
characters  of  those  who  committed  them  to  writing,  and  who  neither  were  nor  could  have 
been  vulgar  men,  because  writing  was  no  vulgar  accomplishment ;  the  rank  and  spirit  of 
those  among  whom  they  were  most  likely  to  be  fotmd,  and  from  whose  recitation  they  were 
taken  down ;  and  lastly,  the  manner  in  which  the  writer  was  likely  to  execute  his  task ; — 
when  we  consider  all  these  circumstances,  we  cannot  reckon  the  Scaldic  remains  in  the 
list  of  traditionary  popular  poems  ;  while  the  rhapsodies  imputed  to  Homer  appear  to  us 
to  be  decidedly  of  thiat  description ;  at  the  same  time  that  they  have  other  characteristics 
of  uniformly  regular  and  correct  composition,  which  remain  to  be  accounted  for. 

21 


km  POPULAR  BALLADS. 

honour ;  for  the  two  great  epics  obtained  currency  among  men  Who 
were  much  more  sensible  of  poetical  beauty,  than  curious  about  the 
authenticity  of  what  they  admired,  in  an  age  that  produced  neither  a 
Johnson,  a  Laing,  nor  a  Ritson,  to  confute,  confound,  or  carp  at  the 
editor ;  and  it  was  perfectly  natural  for  those  who  recognised,  in  the 
"  Tale  of  Troy  divine,"  many  passages  which  they  had  been  taught 
from  their  infancy  to  consider  as  indigenous  among  themselves,  and 
which  they  now  regarded  only  as  parts  of  a  beautiful  whole,  to  claim 
the  wonderful  author  as  their  countryman.'  It  was  also  perfectly  na- 
tural that,  when  those  rhapsodies  had,  like  the  rod  of  Aaron,  swallow- 
ed up  all  the  others,  appropriated  all  their  energies,  and  afterward  come 
out  in  a  more  dilated,  splendid,  and  engaging  form,  the  beauties  of  the 
entire  composition  should  eclipse,  and  bring  into  neglect  and  disre- 
pute the  detached,  rude,  and  imperfect  fragments  from  which  it  was 
originally  constructed.  The  men  of  those  rude  times  were  much  more 
likely  to  admire  the  beauty  and  grandeur  of  a  noble  fabric,  adorned 
with  the  statues  and  busts,  and  enriched  with  reliefs  of  the  heroic 
deeds  of  their  ancestors,  than  to  turn  over  the  rubbish  of  the  quarry, 
or  ruin,  (whether  of  palace,  temple,  tomb,  or  pyramid,)  from  which 
the  materials  were  dug,  in  order  to  discover  the  original  bed  of  every 
particular  stone  of  which  it  was  composed.  The  age  assigned  to  Ho- 
mer was  an  age  of  poetry,  in  which  not  only  history,  but  also  the 
maxims  of  theological,  moral,  and  political  wisdom,  were  all  delivered 
in  a  poeticalform ;  but  it  was  an  age  in  which  antiquarian  curiosity 
was  not  yet  awaked,  and  in  which  truth  and  fable  were  received  with 
equal  confidence,  and  without  scruple  or  scepticism.  Long  before  the 
days  of  Herodotus,  it  was  already  impossible  to  ascertain  with  preci- 
sion any  thing  respecting  either  Homer  or  Troy ;  and  the  traditionary 


•  We  live  in  an  age  mucli  more  curious  and  inquisitive  than  that  which  intervened  be- 
tween the  production  of  the  poems  of  Homer  and  the  time  of  Herodotus ;  yet,  had  tlie 
poems  ascribed  to  Ossian  been  published  300  years  ago,  how  difficult  would  it  by  this 
time  have  been  to  say  any  thing  with  certainty  on  the  subject  of  their  authenticity  ?  And 
why  should  we  wonder  at  the  obscurity  in  which  the  history  of  the  Greek  Epos  is  in- 
volved i 


INTRODUCTION.  251 

tales  must  have  been  become  vulgar  and  degraded,  and  likely  to  be 
considered  rather  as  defective  and  deteriorated  scraps  of  the  Diad  and 
Odyssey,  than  as  the  materials  from  which  these  poems  had  been  fa- 
bricated J  and  these  appear  to  us  to  have  been  the  causes  why  Homer 
was  believed  to  have  invented  every  thing  for  himself,  and  to  have  had 
no  prototypes ;  a  supposition  as  absurd  as  the  thing  is  impossible.. 

Respecting  Homer  and  Troy,  Herodotus,  twenty  centuries  and  a 
half  ago,  had  only  conjectures  and  vague  and  contradictory  traditions 
to  offer,  and  we  can  promise  no  more;  but  of  conjectures,  the  most 
probable  are  the  best,  and  the  field  is  wide,  and  open  to  us  as  to  others. 
If,  through  necessity,  we  should  be  too  brief  and  general  to  be  satisfac- 
tory, we  must  beg  leave  to  suggest,  that  we  are  writing  an  introduc- 
tion to  traditionary  ballads,  and  not  an  "  Inquiry  into  the  Life  and 
Writings  of  Homer,"  which  will  require  a  more  favourable  season  of 
leisure  and  conveniency. 

Plutarch,  in  his  admirable  "  Life  of  Lycurgus,"  has  informed  us, 
that  when  that  great  legislator,  sacrificing  every  private  and  personal 
concern  to  the  good  of  his  country,  became  a  voluntary  exile,  "  He 
passed  from  Crete  into  Asia,  in  order  to  be  an  eye-witness  of  the 
luxury  and  refinement  of  the  lonians,  to  compare  their  manner  of  liv- 
ing with  the  simple  and  austere  discipline  and  habits  of  the  Cretans, 
and  thereby  to  be  able  to  judge  with  more  certainty  of  the  political 
effects  produced  by  the  influence  of  modes  of  life  so  opposite  to  each 
other.  It  was  in  all  probability  there  that  he  first  became  acquainted 
-with  the  poems  of  Homer,  which  were  preserved  by  the  descendants 
of  Cleophilus  ;■  and  having  found  that  the  moral  and  political  maxims 
which  they  contained  were  no  less  useful  than  the  tales  and  fictions 
were  delightful,  he  was  at  the  pains  to  collect,  arrange,  connect,  and 
copy  them,  in  order  to  carry  them  into  Greece.  It  is  true,  that  these 
poems  were  already  not  altogether  unknown  in  that  country,  and  de- 


*  CleophUus  is  said  to  have  entertained  Homer  in  his  house ;  but  Lycurgus  also  is  said 
to  have  seen  and  conversed  with  him.  The  one  tradition  is  just  as  well  supported  as 
the  otiier. 


252  POPULAR  BALLADS. 

tached  fragments  of  them  were  in  a  few  hands ;  but  Lycurgus  was 
the  first  who  produced  them  in  a  perfect  form  in  Greece."  *  *  * 

"  Another  measure  of  Lycurgus  w^as  very  beneficial  to  his  country ; 
for  he  prevailed  upon  Thales,  who  was  reckoned  one  of  the  wise  men 
of  Greece,  and  a  profound  politician,  to  come  and  settle  there.  This 
Thales  was  a  lyric  poet,  who,  although  ostensibly  only  a  writer  of 
songs,  was  capable  of  producing  in  a  more  engaging  manner,  upon 
the  minds  and  manners  of  his  hearers,  by  the  irresistible  charms  of 
his  compositions,  the  same  salutary  effects  as  are  aimed  at' by  the  grave 
legislator." 

This  is  an  interesting  picture  of  the  Greeks,  and  more  particularly 
of  the  Spartans,  in  the  days  of  Lycurgus,  and  of  his  opinion  respect- 
ing the  proper  application  of  poetry  as  a  political  engine  j  and  Ly- 
curgus appears  to  us  to  be  the  person  who  may  with  most  probabiUty 
be  fixed  upon  as  the  -fabricator  of  the  Iliad  and  Odyssey.  The  for- 
mer poem  he  may  have  compiled  during  his  residence  in  Asia  Minor, 
to  prejudice  his  countrymen  in  favour  of  monarchical  government ;  to 
inculcate  unanimity,  to  encourage  and  strengthen  the  national  pride 
of  the  Greeks,  as  a  people  who  could  only  hope  to  flourish  while  they 
continued  faithful  to  each  other ;  and,  above  all,  to  fortify  them  against 
the  dangerous  influence  of  Asiatic  luxury,  vice,  ambition,  and  perfidy, 
the  effects  of  which,  upon  the  liberties  of  the  lonians,  he  already  with 
a  prophetic  eye  foresaw.  Upon  a  careful  comparison  of  the  Iliad  with 
the  history  of  Lycurgus,  we  are  convinced  that  a  large  body  of  e\d- 
dence  will  be  found  to  give  probability  to  this  conjecture ;  while  the 
incongruities  in  manners,  which  seem  to  belong  to  different  ages  and 
states  of  society;  the  striking  marks  of  the  rhapsodies  having  been,  in 
one  form  or  another,  traditionary;  and  the  middle  course  which  the 
collector,  to  keep  up  the  deception,  has  pursued,  seem  distinctly  to 
point  to  the  original  sources  from  which  a  great  part  of  his  materials 
were  drawn.  Hence  we  are  enabled  to  account  for  the  general  uni- 
formity which  they  derived  from  being  new-modelled  by  one  man,  and 
for  the  particular  incongruities  arising  from  the  discrepancy  of  the  ma- 
terials which  he  had  employed ;  hence  the  variety  of  dialects  with 


INTRODUCTION.  25s 

which  the  text  is  infected^  in  -vrhj^lt  it  resembles  the  Scottish  aJid.  Da- 
nish ballads ;,  arid  hiSnce  also  the  prevaleiicfe  s  of  the  Ionic  Mdkcti  de- 
rived froite  tbe  circdmstatice  of  the  diffelrent  ditties  having  been  dol- 
kcted  and;araalgam&ftedin  thatscotintrjr,  with  the  view  of  beang  ini- 
ported  as  Ionic  productions  into  Greece. , 

As  to  the  "  Gdyssey,"  the^  success  ijf  the  Iliiad  mayhavjee^coiiraged 
him  to  produce  it,  as  Macpherson  produded  bis  TMnora;  jandwe  take 
Lycurgus  himself  to  have  been  the  man, 

cf  fA.a.Kx  iroKKo. 

TiKoiyxPn 

IToAAa)'  (T  aVflf  WB-wV  J'tAc  area,  kki  yoov  lyva, 

for  he  is  said  to  have  visited,  not  only  the  islands  in  the  east  of  the 
Mediterranean,  and  to  have  travelled  into  India,  Eygpt,  and  other 
parts  of  Africa,  but  even  to  have  visited  Spain.  In  his  old  age  he 
ceased  from  all  his  wanderings,  left  the  laws  he  had  enacted  to  be  ad- 
ministered by  others,  withdrew  from  Lacedaemon,  and  settled  in  Crete,' 
the  land  of  fable,  where  Jupiter  was  educated,  and  which  was  peopled 
by  Phrygians,  Dorians,  Achceans,  &c.  And  in  this  island  we  think  it 
probable,  that  he  produced  the  "  Odyssey,"  to  shew  the  baneful  con- 
sequences of  luxury  and  of  travelling,  both  which  were  sedulously  pro- 
vided against  by  the  laws  of  Lycurgus.  That  he  should  have  been 
guilty  of  such  an  imposture,  is  no-wise  to  be  doubted  or  wondered  at ; 
for  among  the  Spartans,  a  publicly-useful  lie  was  accounted  not  only 
innocent,  but  virtuous. 

As  the  productions  of  an  unknown  author,  also,  the  poems  carried 
with  them  a  degree  of  historical  dignity,  among  a  people  accustomed 
only  to  poetical  annals,  which  the  acknowledged  inventions  of  a  man 
whom  they  familiarly  knew  could  never  have  hoped  to  attain ;  and  al- 
though they  were  admirably  calculated  to  second  the  views  of  Lycur- 

'  If,  as  some  say,  he  retired  to  "Delphi,  that  place  was  the  greatest  emporium  in  the 
world  for  topographical,  historical,  ethical,  and  mythological  information,  and  therefore 
the  most  favourable  for  the  composition  of  such  a  poem  as  the  Odyssey. 

9 


2S4  POPULAR  BALLADS. 

gus,.the  severe  maxims  of  the  grave  legislator  would  have  lost  not  a 
little  of  their  weight  and  influence,  had  their  author  been  confounded 
•with  the  fabling  minstrel,  who  sung  the  wars  of  Troy,  and  the  wander- 
ings of  Ulysses.  These  appear  "to  us  to  be  inducements  sufficiently 
strong  for  introducing  them  to  the  Greeks  in  the  manner  he  did ;  and 
his  giving  up  for  ever  the  fame  to  be  derived  from  being  their  author, 
was  a  very  trifling  sacrifice  when  compared  with  others,  which  Lycurgus 
is  said  to  have  made  for  the  welfare  of  his  country. 


SIR  PETER  OF  STAUFFENBERGH  AND 
THE  MERMAID. 


This  is  the  tale  allud:ed  to  in  the  Dissertation  on  the  Antient  Teuto- 
nic Poetry  and  Romance,  in  this  work,  p.  16,  and  is  put  at  the  bead 
of  the  pieces  translated  by  the  present  writer  for  two  reasons  j  first, 
because  it  is  an  entire  and  not  unfavourable  sample  of  a  German  Ro- 
mance, holding  a  middle  place  between  the  longer  romance  and  the 
common  ballad,  and  exhibiting  a  specimen  of  an  abridged  and  balla- 
dised  copy  of  a  longer  tale  which  is  still  preserved,  and  may;  be  con- 
sulted by  the  curious ;  and,  secondly,  on  account  of  the  dialect  into 
which  it  has  been  rendered. — As  the  translator  has  used  with  consi- 
derable latitude  the  dialect  which  he  has  adopted,  in  turning  the  Da- 
nish ballads,  he  hoped,  that  his  version  of  "  Sir  Peter"  might  at  the 
out-set  somewhat  conciliate  the  confidence  of  the  reader,  by  shewing 
how  far  he  was  master  of  the  style  and  manner  of  one  particular  cera, 
and  might  therefore  be  justified  in  presuming  to  use  his  own  discre- 
tion, in  adopting  promiscuously  antient  and  modern  terms  and  idioms, 
as  circumstances  seemed  to  require. 

Imagining  that  the  German  tale  would  appear  to  mdst  advantage, 
when  clothed  in  the  costume  of  its  own  age  among  us,  it  was  at  first 
intended  to  adopt  the  language  and  orthography  of  Barbom's  "  Bruce." 
But,  fearing  that  this  would  appear  stiff  and  unpleasing  to  southern 
readers,  he  has  preferred  as  a  model,  the  admirable  Romance  of 
"  Ywain  and  Gawin,"  in  Ritson's  collection.    This  he  has  found  so 


256  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

closely  to  resemble  the  dialect  of  Barbour,  that  they  might  both  pass 
for  the  productions,  not  only  of  the  same  age  and  country,  but  of  the 
same  author,  At  the  same  time,  the  liberties  which  he  supposes  to 
have  been  taken  by  a  more  southerly  transcriber,  may  render  the 
property  of  "  Ywain  and  Gawin"  disputable ;  so,  in  order  to  recon- 
cile all  parties,  he  judged  it  best  to  follow,  even  in  its  irregularities, 
the  style  of  a  piece  which  he  found  every  way  adapted  to  his  purpose, 
and  of  which  it  was  not  easy  to  say  whether  it  was  Enghsh  or  Scotish ; 
and  so  intimate  is  the  connection  which  language,  ideas,  and  manners, 
have  with  each  other,  that  he  found  it  infinitely  more  easy  to  execute 
his  translation  in  the  style  which  he  has  used,  than  in  modern  Eng- 
lish. ■ 

The  slory  of"  Sir  Peter  of  StaufFenbergh"  is  one  of  the  most  popu- 
lar in  Germany;  and  has  of  late  years  obtained  fresh  celebrity  from 
the  favourite  opera  of  Das  Donawweibchen)  "  The  Nymph  of  the  Da- 
nube,j"  in  the  Russian  imitation  of  which,  acted  at  Petersburgh,  in 
which  many  fine  old  Russian  melodies  are  introduced,  the  scene  has 
been  transferred  from  the  Danube  to  the  Dnieper.  The  following 
version  has  been  made  fi:om  the  copy  in  vol.  I.  p.  407,  of  JJes  Kna- 
ben  TVunderhorn,  published  at  Heidelberg,  in  1806,  (to  which  two 
other  volumes  have  siiice  been  added,)  which  is  given  fi:om  the  Stras- 
burg  edition  of  1595 ;  but  with  the  same  licentiousness,  so  far  as  re- 
gards orthography  and  obsolete  terms,  with  which  the  conceited, 
:^ithless,  and  slovenly  editors  have  given  ievery  thing  else  that  has 
passed  through  their  hands.  From  the  general  cast  of  the  diction, 
we  take  the  piecfe  to  be  of  nearly  the  same  age  with  the  fine  old  bal- 
lad of  Der  edele  Moringer,  The  Noble  Moeringer,  (See  Sammlung 
Deutscher  VolksUeder,  he.  Berlin,  1807  ;  and  a  still  more  genuine  and 
antient  copy  in  Bragur  ;J  that  is,  about  the  middle  of  the  fifteenth 
century .-^An  aspirate  has  been  added  to  the  name  of  Staiiffmberg, 
in  compliance  with  the  German  pronunciation. 

'  It  is  rendered  line  for  line  througbout. 


SIR  PETER  OF  STAUFFENBERGH 


AND   THE 


MERMAID. 


TRANSLATED   FKOM  THE   GERMAN. 


Fele  nobil  ernes  by  has  flown : 

A  knyght  of  pryse  and  grete  renown 

Sir  Peter  was,  chast,  nobil,  dene, 

Slike  in  his  face  mot  wele  be  sene ; 

Ay  prestly  b'ayn  at  ilka  hour 

For  mows  or  emyst,  gaym  or  stour. 

In  might  of  youth,  in  fremmed  land, 
Hys  manhede  mekyl  wirship  wand  ; 
And  als  he  hamewart  drogh  ogayn, 
Thoght  on  his  luk,  and  maid  him  fayn, 
And  sla  gan  to  his  kastel  ryde, 
"What  did  his  squier  se  hym  bisyde  ? 

Thar  sagh  he  sit  a  ladye  bright. 
In  shemrand  golde  and  silver  dight. 
With  perry  and  fele  preciows  stane. 
That  riche  and  cler  als  son  sho  shane. 
Tho  til  that  knight  the  squyer  gan  say, 
*'  "Wold  I  mot  ser  that  kmnli  may  !" 
2  K 


258  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

The  knight  curtais  and  debonayr, 

Hailsed  that  fre  with  gretyng  fayr. — 

"  Thou  err,  Sir  Knight,  thou  nobil  pere, 

The  ferly  fode  that  drogh  me  here ; 

In  ilka  land  wyth  the  I  fard. 

To  bete  thi  blis,  and  worth  thi  ward." 

"  Ar  sagh  I  nevyr  fayrer  fre ; 
I  luf  the,  als  thou  wele  may  se. 
Aft  sagh  I  the  in  swevenes  depe ; 
Uneth  I  trow  yit  bot  I  slepe. 
Wold  God,  thou  war  my  lefe  ladye. 
And  I  thi  walit  fere  to  be !" 

"  So  far,  so  gude !"  tho  spak  that  hende ; 

Slike  rede  did  I  £co  the  attende. 

Mi  luf  to  luf  the  op  has  broght ; 

Thi  ilka  kraft  by  me  was  wroght ; 

I  am  thin  awin,  for  evyr  thyne. 

And  thou  mon  now  for  aye  be  myne. 

"  Bot  wyv  hot  me  mon  thou  ha  naue ; 
Mi  faire  bodye  es  al  thyhe  ane 
EverUka  night  at  thi  desyre ; 
And  might  and  store,  if  thou  requyre, 
And  ehdles  lyf,  mi  power  kan  give, 
So  thou  for  luf  and  me  bot  hye. 

"  Uneth  thi  fay  ontryd  will  be ; 
Fele  wyl  the  seke,  at  mell  wyth  the : 
Bot,  dois  thou  evyr  woman  wed. 
So  in  thre  dayes  err  thou  ded. 
Now  fares  thou  hyn ;  bithynk  the  wel, 
And  wirk  als  can  thi  herte  the  tel." 

"  Now,  leve  ladye,  es  it  alswa  ? 
So  the  to  mi  lele  luf  I  fa! 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  259 

What  gives  thou  me,  than,  for  taken 
That  I  sail  be  nagates  forsaken  ?" 
•*  So  tak  this  golden  ryng  fro  me ; 
Fro  al  onhap  it  wyl  wer  the." 

With  kyss  and  mowes  leve  he  nam ; 
To  Nutsbeck  till  the  mess  he  cam ; 
Tho,  with  the  ChapeUan  in  fere, 
The  haJy  reke  he  neghed  nere } 
His  sawl  and  body  he  betaght 
To  God,  that  solde  hym  haif  in  aght. 


THE  SECOND  FIT. 

Als  he  till  Stauffeiibergh  now  cam, 
Down  lyghted  snell  that  nobil  man ; 
So  blyth  cam  al  him  thar  to  kepe. 
To  here,  to  scj  and  kyndli  klepe ; 
The  knaves  al  in  eger  hest. 
And  may  and  dame  to  plese  him  prest. 

And  now  to  bed  the  knyght  wyll  gang : 
Sar  for  hys  ladye  dois  he  lang. 
The  bed  with  kostli  pryde  prepard^ 
Riche  reke  of  encens  es  na  spard, 
Wyth  swete  odouris  redolent ; 
And  may  and  swayn  to  slepe  es  sent. 

He  doft  his  dais,  sat  on  hys  bed. 
And  swa  gan  till  hymselven  red  : 
"  Wold  in  myn  armes  the  kumU  may 
War  now,  that  I  with  spak  to  day !" 
And  sed  uneth  that  word  had  he, 
Bot  ryght  afore  hys  ene  stod  she. 


260  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

What  luf  thar  was,  ye  ghess  ful  viel, 
A  herte  may.  fele,  na  tong  dow  tel* . 
And  wha  swilk  luf  did  ever  tast, . 
Wyll  sygh  to  thynk  on  that  es  past. — 
At  morn,  hot  for  his  ryng,  hym  semed 
A  sweven  al  he  mot  haif  demed. 


THE  THIRD  FIT. 


"  Als  at  this  tyd,  ful  wele  yhe  wis, 
Our  stamm  wel  nere  hot  burgeoun  es. 
So  nim  a  wiflF,  riche  and  nobyU ; 
A  princes  wel  mai  fa  the  tyU : 
Fele  damysels  of  high  degre 
Right  fayne  wil  be  at  mell  wyth  the." 

Sir  Peter  tho  was  sar  agast, 
And  til  hys  brodyr  sed  at  last : 
*'  I  thank  the,  nobU  brodir  myne ; 
Bot  yit  es  for  swDk  red  na  tym ; 
The  Kesars  crownyng  I  til  far, 
Wirship  and  gre  at  win  me  thar." 

The  mermay  gaf  tyl  him  Ijiis  red, 
And  wele  tofore  him  avised ; 
Sho  gaif  him  golde  and  riche  aray ; 
Glanst  nevir  kny^t  in  gere  sa  gay : 
Sho  kyssid  hym,  and  bad  hym  thar 
Of  wyving,  bvyr  aU,  bewar. 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  261 


THE  FOURTH  FIT. 

Ilkane  hys  best  aray  mon  haif ; 
The  StauiFenbergh  omell  the  laif. 
And  als  he  rajd-  in  real  stait, 
Lyk  hym.  mot  nane  be  sene,  I  wait : 
The  Kyng  wenit  hys  fere  to  se ; 
Ladyes  demit  it  wel  mot  be.' 

Now  blew  the  trompes  al  on  hight ; 
Now  stedes  pransit  in  thair  might ; 
And  glad  at  hert  was  hors  and  man 
Whiles  the  turnament  bigan : 
Bet  short  space  darit  the  tumay ; — 
Sir  Petei:  smate  down  al  that  day. 

Now  cam  the  evintyd,  and  swa 

Of  neu  the  trompes  gan  at  bla ; 

And,  don  the  festj  thai  made  thaim  bane, 

And  to  the  courtli  danse  err  gane : 

The  kynges  kosyn,  fin  and  far. 

In  hand  die  pryss  of  boimte  bar. 

A  gold  and  perry  coronall 
The  knyght  sho  decorit  wythall ; 
Sho  set  it  on  his  yellow  bar ; 
Pressyt  his  fyagei  kyndli  thar ; 
Wyth  blenkes  swete  hyr  luf  sho  tald, 
And  covert  takenes  moni  &ld. 


262  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 


THE  FIFTH  FIT, 

The  kyng  lay  mewsand  in  hys  bed : 
Ser  ferly  thyng  cam  in  hys  hed, 
Of  hys  kosyn,  ying  fayr  and  fayne, 
And  how  that  sho  lay  burd-alayne ; 
And  thoght  on  thoght  cam  thyk  and  fast 
Als  beis  whan  so  a  skap  will  cast. 

Air  on  the  morn  he  sent  hys  dwergh 
To  Peter  lord  of  StauiFenbergh : 
"  Mi  kosyn,  born  of  nobil  ling. 
The  princes  lofsum  riche  and  ying, 
Hir  to  your  wif  I  will  geve  yhe, 
Wyth  land  and  slot,  thyn  awin  at  be." 

The  knyght  agast  and  sar  adred 
Stode  in  that  stownd,  but  na  thyng  sed. 
"  Mi  rede,  par  fay,  yhe  wel  may  trow ; 
So  God  me  se,  it  es  na  mow : 
Sho  sal  be  thyn,  that  prynces  frej 
To  haif  and  hald,  sa  mot  I  the !" 

Wyth  tong  fill  lele  Sir  Peter  tald, 
That  bone  he  wyth  malese  mon  hald ; 
How  he  the  Mermay  spousit  air ; 
Sith  than  how,  bbt  wa  want  and  cair, 
Wyth  gold  and  fe»  in  joy  he  lyvit, 
Bot  now  mon  de  whan  so  he  wyvit. 

"  O  wa,  that  evyr  thou  was  born  ! 
Thy  sawl  for  evir  es  forlorn ! 
Godes  face  it  nevyr  mar  can  se, 
Bot  and  fro  hir  thou  twinnit  be. 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  263 

At  wyve  a  gaist  war  luk  forfarn  j 
Sho  never  can  ber  the  a  barn. 

"  Thy  fay  es  to  the  devyl  plyght. 
Thou  sary  man,  thou  wordy  wyght !" 
So  spak  the  byschop  and  the  kyng : 
He  til  the  ky^ig  made  answeryng : 
"  Intyll  min  hert  it  senkes  depe ; 
Of  Godes  grace  I  men  ta  kepe." 

Sir  Peter  spousit  was  onane : 
With  perry  golde  and  real  stane 
Glansed  the  prynccs,  that  swete  wyght, 
And  al  was  luf  and  lyst  and  lyght ; 
And  swa  tyl  StaufFenbergh  thai  far, 
The  high-daye  to  solempne  thar. 

Als  thurgh  the  skuggy  wod  thai  went, 
Blumes  ira  Uka  bogh  war  sprent ; 
Abone,  obowt,  was  al  olyfe, 
Wyth  jubel  sang  and  noyis  ryfe ; 
The  wassail  rowt  in  girlands  gay  j 
And  ai  was  frolyk  lyst  and  play. 


THE  SIXTH  FIT. 


At  Stauffenbergh  on  the  first  night 
Hys  herte  thoght  on  the  ladye  bright } 
And  snell  so  thoght,  the  soth  to  say, 
Fast  lokyd  in  hir  armes  he  lay. 
Sho  gret,  and  sed :  "  O  wa  es  the  ! 
In  vane  has  thou  bene  avise ! 


"  Syn  thou  a  wyf  mon  algate  wed. 

So  the  thrid  day  mon  ihou.be  dead ; 
8 


264  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

I  tel  the  that  mon  be  thi  fa ; 
Als  taken  I  mi  fote  wyll  sha ; 
And  man  and  wyf  sal  se  it  clar, 
And  eke  tjiareat  sal. wonder  sar. 

"  So  sone  als  it  thyne  eighen  se, 
At  dwell  na  langare  tho  mon  ye ; 
And  swith  als  it  fro  sight  es  went. 
Ye  tak  the  haly  sacrament. 
Yhe  wit  how  trew  has  bene  mi  fay : 
Bot  sondred  err  we  now  for  ay." 

Wyth  eighen  wate  sho  sed  in  stede : 
"  Bithynk  the.  Sir,  upon  mi  rede ; 
Mi  hert  es  sar,  och  !  sar  and  wa 
That  be  wyth  the  na  mar  I  ma  ! 
Bot  ather  luf  I  her  forswere ; 
Nor  evyr  man  sal  se  me  mere." 

Emyst  sho  lukit^t  the  Knyghti— 
"  Sal  I  na  mar  of  the  haif  syght  ? 
Wold  God  in  pete,  than,  bot  sends 
Mi  sorow  sone  mai  tak  an  ende ! 
AUas  !  that  til  swUk  gre  I  cam. 
Other  to  wyv  a  prynces  nam  !" 

Sho  kissyt  his  mowth  wyth  dreri  cher ; 
Sar  gret  thai  bath  that  §towad  in  fer  ; 
In  armes  aither  uther  fald ; 
Fast  bre^t  to  brest  in  luf  thai  held : 
"  A  !  sely  es  thi  fa,  to  de ! — 
"Wyth  the  na  mar  now  mon  I  be !" 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  365 


THE  SEVENTH  FIT. 

Mar  real  high-daye  nevyr  nane 
Was  ar,  til  far  the  night  was  gane  : 
Menstralles  sang ;  the  glewmen  plaid ; 
The  castel  rang ;  Ukane  was  glaid ; 
The  fest  was  ful ;  thai  skynked  fre ; 
And  al  was  lyst  and  lyf.and  gle. 

Thai  sat  intyl  the  bygle  hal. 

And  shortle  mot  be  sane  be  al, 

And  knyght  and  ladye  sagh  it  thar, 

That  al  motvesy  it  ful  clar, 

How  sumthyng  thurgh  the  hordes  grew ; 

A  humane  fote  glent  doun  to  vew. 

It  kythed  out  bot  tiU  the  kne ; 
Fote  fayrer  man  mot  nagate  se ; 
Wyde  over  al  the  hdl  it  shatie, 
Als  white  and  fin  so  real  bane. 
Ful  styU  the  knyght  hys  bryd  sat  by. 
That  loud  for  dred  and  fear  gan  cry. 

The  knyght,  whan  so  the  fote  gan  kyth, 

"Wex  al  agast  and  sari  swyth : 

"  O  wa  es  me,  unsely  man  !" 

And  worth  that  stound  al  pale  and  wan : 

His  krystal  glass  thai  broght  hym  hyn  : 

He  sagh  it,  and  worth  paler  syn. 

He  sagh,  that  krystal  cop  thareyn, 
A  bam  on  slepe,  for  al  thair  dyn, 
Unther  the^tvyn  sloumand  in  saght } 
A  lytel  fote  it  out  has  straght : 
21, 


366  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

Bot  als  the  wyn  was  dronkyn  op, 
Na  lytel  barn  was  yn  the  cop. 

"  Alias,  mi  werd !"  the  knyght  tho  sed ; 
"  In  thre  dayes  mon  I  be  ded !" 
Now  hyn  the  fete  gan  disapere. 
And  al  the  4}ordes  neghed  nere ; 
Bot  man  fand  thar  nathyrl  ne  rent, 
Ne  wist  whor  it  by  cam,  ne  went.  , 

Al  myrth  and  soUas  now  was  don ; 
The  menstralles  war  styl  ilkone ; 
Na  mar  thai  danse,  na  mar  thai  syng ; 
The  joust,  the  melle,  and.  the  ryng. . 
Deturbed  war,  and  al  was  lown  i: 
The  ghestes  fled  fro  out  the  town. 

The  bryd  alane  bade  wyth  her  man ; 
Wyth  sari  cher  he  sagh  hir  than : 
"  God  sayne  the  wele,  thou  Hobyl  bryd, 
For  that  by  me  thou  trew  can  byd !" — 
"  That  thou  mon  de  es  long  of  me ; 
Now  Chryst  myn  onely  spous  sal  be !" 

The  haly  oynement  he  tais. 

And  whan  thre  dayes  er  don,  he  sais : 

•'  Loverde  and  God,  intyll  thi  hend 

Mi  synful  sawl  I  her  cummend ; 

Mi  sawle  to  the  I  do  beteke ; 

An  esy  end  I  the  biseke*," 

Hys  ladye  lele,  hir  luf  to  kyth, 
A  moniment  hym  bygged  swyth } 
And,  nere  forby,  a  lytell  ceD, 
Hir  bedes  thar  for  hym  at  tell. 
Thar  tyll  hir  aft  the  mermay  cam. 
And  dele  in  all  hir  cures  nam. 


C     267     3 


STARK  TIDERICH  AND  OLGER  DANSKE. 


TiDERiCH  of  Bern,  (Verona,)  or  Theoderic,  king  of  the  Ostrogoths, 
died  A.  D.  527,  in  the  34th  year  of  his  reign ;  and  the  circumstances 
attending  his  death  were  almost  as  strange  and  romantic  as  any  that 
have  since  been  connected  with  the  actions  of  his  hfe.  (Procop.  Goth. 
Hist.  B.  1.)  Holger,  or  Olger  the  Dane,  flourished  in  the  days  of 
Charlemagne,  nearly  three  centuries  after ;  and  here  we  have  a  very 
hard  battle  fought  between  them ;  a  thing  which  is  no-wise  surprising, 
as  Olger  is  well  known  to  the  readers  of  romance,  to  have  eaten  of  the 
fruit  of  the  trees  of  the  sun  and  moon  :  "  And  men  say  tho  that  kepe 
tho  tres,  and  eten  frewght  of  hem,  they  leve  cccc.  or  v'.  yere."  See 
Weber's  Metrical  Romances,  vol.  III.  p.  331. 

For  a  more  detailed  account  of  what  has  been  said  and  sung  about 
him,  see  "  Bartholini  Dissertatio  de  Hblgero  Dano,"  in  the  second  vo- 
lume of  Oelrich's  "  Daniag  et  Sueciae  litteratae  opuscula  hist.  phil. 
theol.  Bremae,  8vo.  1774,"  where  will  also  be  found  a  copy  of  this 
ballad,  which,  for  lively  and  strong  characteristic  painting,  has  cer- 
tainly very  great  merit,  and  may  well  bear  a  comparison  with  the 
finest  heroic  ballad  productions  of  our  own  country,  Chevy  Chace  it- 
self not  excepted ;  and  this  is  saying  much ! 


[     268     3 


STARK  TIDERICH 

AND 

OLGER  DANSKE. 

TKANSLATED  FROM  THE  DANISH  K^MPE  VISEE,  p.  78, 
riKST  PUBLISHED  IN  1591. 


Sierk  Tidrich  hoer  sig  udi  Bern, 

Med  atten  Brodre  giefoe  ; 
Kver  of  dent  hafde  Sonner  Tolf, 

Stoer  Mandom  monne  de  hedrifve. 
(Nu  slander  Striden  Norden  under  Jutland- J 


Stark  Tidrick  bides  him  intiU  Bern, 

Wi'  his  bald  brithers  acht ; 
Twall  stalwart  sons  had  they  Uk  ane, 

O'  manhead  and  great  macht. 

(Now  the  strife  it  stands  northward  under  Jutland.) 

And  he  had  fifteen  sisters, 

And  twaU  sons  ilk  ane  had ; 

'  The  youngest  she  had  thirteen ; — 

Their  hfe  they  downa  redd. 

(Now  the  strife  it  stands  northward  under  Danmarck.) 
11 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  269 

Afore  the  Bemers  they  can  stand, 

Fiel  stalwart  kempis  Strang : 
The  sooth  to  say,  they  kythit  o'er 

The  beech-tree  taps  sae  lang. 
(Noa»  the  strife,  Sac.) 

"  Now  striven  hae  we  for  mony  a  year, 

Wi'  kemps  and  knightis  stark : 
Sae  mickle  we  hear  o'  Olger  Danske, 

He  bides  in  Dannemarck. 

"  This  hae  we  heard  o*  Olger  Danske,—!^ 

He  bides  in  North  Jutland ; 
He's  gotten  him  crown'd  wi'  red  goud. 

And  scorns  to  be  our  man." 

Up  Sverting  hent  a  stang  o'  steel. 

And  shook  it  scornftdlie : 
"  A  hunder  o'  King  Olger's  men 

I  wadna  reck  a  flie  !" 

"  Hear  thou,  Sverting,  thou  laidly  page, 

lU  sets  thee  sae  to  flout ; 
I  tell  thee  King  Olger's  merry  men 

Are  stalwart  lads  and  stout. 

"  Nae  fear  for  either  glaive  or  swerd,' 

Or  grounden  bolt  hae  they ; 
The  bloody  stour's  their  blythest  hour ; 

They  count  it  bairns'  play." 

This  word  heard  the  high  Bermeris, 

And  took  tent  o'  the  same : 
"  We  wiU  ride  us  till  Dannemarck, 

See  an  Olger  be  at  hame." 

'  "  De  frygte  ick^  glafvend  eller  swerd." 


^79  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

They  drew  out  o'  the  Berner's  land ; 

Acht  thousand  Strang  they  were : 
"  King  Olger  we  will  visit  now, 

And  a'  till  Danmarck  fare." 

King  Tidrich  sent  a  ftiessager, 

Bade  him  till  Olger  say :     n  i 

"  Whilk  will  ye  loor  now  stand  the  stour, 
Or  to  us  tribute  pay  ?"  , 

Sae  grim  in  mood  King  Olger  grew, 
lU  could  he  thole  sic  taimts : 

"  Thou  bid  them  bide  us  on  the  bent ; — 
See  wha  the  payment  vaunts  ! 

"  Tribute  the  Dane  to  nae  man  pays. 
But  dane-gelt  a'  gate  taks  ;         • ' 

And  tribute  gin  ye  will  hae,  ye's  hae't 
Laid  loundring  on  your  backs !" 

King  Olger  tiQ  his  kempis  said : 
"  I've  selcouth  news  to  tell; 

Stark  Tidrich  has  sent  us  a  message 
That  we  maun  pay  black-mail. 

"  And  he  black-mail  maun  either  hae, 
Or  we  maun  fecht  him  here ; 

But'  he  is  na  the  first  king, 

Win  Danmarck  win  this  year." 

Syne  tiU  King  Tidrich's  messager 
Up  spak  that  kemp  sae  stout :, 

"  Come  the  Berners  but  till  Danmarck  in, 
Uneath  they'll  a'  win  out." 

Sae  glad  was  he  then,  Ulf  of  Airn, 
Whan  he  that  tidings  fand ;' 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  271 

Sae  leugh  he,  Hero  Hogen ; 
And  they  green'd  the  stour  to  stand. 

It  was  Vidrich  Verlandsbn,' 

He  grew  in  mood  sae  fain ; 
And  up  and  spak  he,  young  Child  Orme, 

"  We'll  ride  the  Bemers  fwegaini" 

"  The  foremaist  on  the  bent  I'se  be !" 

That  said  Sir  Iver  Blae ; 
"  Fojsuith  I'se  nae  the  hindmaist  be !" 

Answer'd  Sir  Kulden  Gray. 

•  King  Olger  and  Stark  Tiderich, 
They  met  upon  the  muir ; 
They  laid  on  load  in  furious  mood. 
And  made  a  fearfu'  stour.      > 

They  fought  ae  day ;  for  three  they  fought  ;* 

Neither  could  win  the  gree ; 
The  manfu'  Danes  their  chieftain  ware, 

Nae  ane  will  flinch  or  flee. 

The  bluid  ran  bullering  in  burns 

Bedown  baith  hill  and  dale ; 
Dane-gelt  the  Bemers  now  maun  pay. 

That  ween'd  to  get  black-maiL 

The  yowther  drifted  sae  high  i'  the  sky ; 
The  Sim  worth  a'  sae  red :' 


•  In  the  Heldenbuch  he  is  called  Wittick  Weylandson.  This  Wittich,  or  Vitig,  was 
married  to  Mathasventa,  grand-daughter  of  Theoderic,  who,  after  the  death  of  Vitig,  be- 
came the  wife  of  Germanics,  cousin  to  the  Emperour  Justinian,  and  who  commanded  for 
him  against  the  Goths. 

*  This  is  a  sort  of  current  Danish  ballad  expression,  which  commonly  occurs  in  the  de- 
scription of  a  severe  conflict  of  any  kind. 

'  This  sublime  picture  of  the  sun  looking  dark  aiid  red  over  the  field  of  battle,  through 


272  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

Great  pity  was  it  there  to  see 
Sae  mony  stalwart  dead  ! ' 

There  lay  the  steed ;  here  lay  the  man ; 

Gude  friends  that  day  did  twin : 
They  leuch  na  a'  to  the  feast  that  cam 

Whan  the  het  bluid-bath  was  done.  * 

High  Bermeris'  bethought  him  than, 

AH  sadly  as  they  lay : 
"  There  scarce  live  a  hunder  o'  our  men  j 

How  should  we  win  the  day  ?" 

Then  took  Tiderich  till  his  legs. 

And  sindle  luikit  back ; 
Sverting  forgat  to  say  gude-night ; 

And  the  gait  tUl  Bern  they  tak. 

Tidrich  he  turn'd  him  right  about. 
And  high  in  the  lift  luik'd  he  :     : 

"  To  Bern  I  trow  is  our  safest  gait ; 
Here  fa  we  scoug  nor  lee !" 


the  clouds  formed  by  the  vapours  which  arose  from  the  blood  and  sweat  of  the  combat- 
ants, will  call  to  the  mind  the  admirable  stanza  in  Campbell's  Ode  on  the  Battle  of  the 
Linden  Hills : 

•'  'Tis  morn ;  but  scarce  yon  level  sun 
Can  pierce  the  war-clouds,,  rolling  dun, 
Where  furious  Frank,  and  fiery  Hun, 
Shout  in  their  sulph'rous  canopy." 

'  "  And  many  a  gallant  gentleman 

Lay  gasping  on  the  ground." — Chevy  Chace. 

*  This  is  a  very  affecting  picture,  as  every  generous  mind  will  recognise  :  the  author 

was 

— .^—  non  sordidus  aiictor 
Naturce,  Verigue.—Hoji. 

^  Bermeris  is  Bermer  Ris,  i.  e.  the  Giant  Bermer' 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  273 

Syne  stay'd  him  Vidrich  Verlandsbn, 

AH  under  a  green  know  :' 
"  Ye've  Kttle  to  ruse  ye  o*  your  raid 

The  Danish  kemps  to  cow  !" 

That  tyde  they  drew  frae  Bernland  out, 

Acht  thousand  Strang  were  they : 
And  back  to  Bern  but  only  five 

And  fifty  took  their  way. 

*  In  the  German  translation  of  this  piece  by  Mr  Graeter,  in  Bragur,  he  has  in  this  line 
mistaken  lide,  a  hill,  for  linde,  a  (linden)  tree. 


2  M 


C     274     2 


NOTE  ON  STARK  TIDERICH,  &c. 


P.  271,  V.  20. — King  Olger  and  Stark  Tiderich,  8fc. 
If  we  have  succeeded  according  to  our  wish  in  rendering  them  into  the  dialect  which  we 
have  adopted,  it  will  be  needless  to  point  out  to  readers  of  taste,  the  singular  beauty  of 
this  stanza,  and  the  four  that  follow,  which  we  trust  will  be  found  to  justify  the  expec- 
tations which  the  introduction  to  the  piece  may  have  raised.  As  we  have  spoken  of  a 
higher  degree  of  poetical  merit  in  the  original  than  will  perhaps  be  allowed  to  our  copy 
it  is  a  justice  due  to  all  parties,  by  subjoining  the  Danish,  to  enable  the  reader  to  de- 
cide for  himself. 

St.  20.— Kong  Olger  og  sterdc  Tidrich, 
De  modtis  paa  den  hedfe ; 
Da  slogfe  af  magt  foniden  skemt, 
De  varfe  i  hu  saa  vredfe. 

De  slogis  i  dagfe;  de  slogis  i  tre ; 

Ingen  vildfe  bin  anden  vigfe ; 
De  Danskfe  stride  saa  mandelig, 

Deris  herrfe  vildfe  de  ick^  svigfe. 

Blodet  rinder  saa  stride  som  strom. 

Under  birgfe  og  dybfe  dalfe: 
Den  skat  som  f  orrfe  var  lofvet, 

Den  maattfe  de  Bemer  betald. 

Rcigen  dref  saa  hiiyt  i  sky ; 

Og  solen  giordis  saa  rod ; 
Det  var  stoer  ynck  at  see  der  paa, 

Der  blef  saa  mangen  helledS  dod ! 

Der  laa  hesten;  og  hissed  laa  mauden ; 

Der  skildis  godd  venner  at : 
De  loi  ickS  all^  til  gildd  komm£, 

Der  stoed  saa  hit  et  bad. 


C     275     3 


LADY  GRIMILD'S  WRACK* 


This  piece,  being  the  first  of  three  on  the  same  subject,  in  the  Ksempe 
Viser,  is  given  here  on  account  of  its  relationship  to  the  Teutonic  Ro- 
mances, of  which  Mr  Weber  has  given  a  digest  in  this  work.  The 
following  account  of  it  is  given  by  the  editor  of  1695. 

"  Hereafter  follow  three  ballads  of  Hero  Hogen  and  Lady  Gri- 
mild,  of  whom  Saxo  Grammaticus  writes  in  his  SOth  Book,  (the  pas- 
sage  is  found  in  Lib.  xiij.  F.  118.  b.  c.  Edit.  Basil.  1534.)  in  the  His- 
tory of  the  Duke  Saint  and  Martyr  Knut  j  from  which  it  is  obvious 
to  remark,  that  the  piece  is  very  old.  Lady  Grimild's  father  was  Nog- 
ling,  who  is  also  called  Niding,  and  lived  on  the  island  between  Co- 
penhagen and  Kroneborg,  which  is  called  Hvcen,  after  Maiden  Hve- 
nild,  by  whom  the  Hero  Hogen  had  his  son  Rank^.  On  this  island 
are  still  to  be  seen  the  vestiges  of  strong-holds,  graves,  and  founda- 
tions of  buildings,  where  stood  formerly  these  four  castles,  Ndrborg, 
Sdnderborg,  Tarlshdy,  and  Hammer.  Here  lived  Lady  Grimild, 
whose  first  husband  was  Sigfred  Home,  as  is  stated  in  the  Heldenbuch. 
But  on  the  occasion  of  her  second  marriage,  she  invited  her  two  bro- 
thers. Sir  Hogen  and  Sir  Folqvard,  and  caused  them  both  to  be  put 
to  death,  as  is  related  in  the  ballad. 

*'  The  Swedish  Chronicle,  however,  tells  the  story  somewhat  differ- 
ently, and  says,  that,  after  Folqvard  had  slain  the  kemps  whom  Lady 

Grimild  turned  out  upon  him,  learning  that  his  brother  was  slain  at 

8 


276  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

Ndrborg,  he  was  so  enraged,  that  he  drank  a  hornful  of  the  blood  of 
the  dead,  and  so  died  with  the  other  keraps.  Upon  which  she  went  to 
Norborg ;  and  observing  that  the  Hero  Hogen  had  the  better  of  the 
combat  with  the  kemps  there,  she  made  an  agreement  with  him,  that 
after  her  kemps  had  once  brought  him  to  the  ground,  he  should  make 
no  attempt  to  get  Upon  his  legs  again,  but  should  defend  himself  upon 
his  knees  as  well  as  he  could.  On  which  this  artful  woman  caused 
pease  to  be  strewed  upon  wet  hides  upon  the  draw-bridge,  where  three 
of  her  kemps  at  once  attacked  the  Hero  Hogen,  who  fell  upon  his 
knees,  and  received  a  wound  of  which  he  afterwards  died.  He,  ne- 
vertheless, slew  the  three  kemps ;  and  with  the  consent  of  Lady  Gri- 
mild,  in  order*  that  this  race  of  heroes  might  not  utterly  fail,  he  be- 
came the  father  of  a  son  by  the  maiden  Hvenild.  This  son  of  Hei'o 
Hogen's,  called  Rankcj  revenged  the  death  of  his  father  and  his  uncle 
upon  his  aunt  Lady  Grimild,  whom  he  took  with  him  to  Hammershoy, 
to  shew  her  Niding's  treasures,  which  his  father  had  left  him  at  Noge- 
len.  When  she  had  entered  the  cavern  with  him,  he  leapt  out,  and 
locked  the  door  on  her  j  so  she  remained  sitting  there,  and  died  of 
hunger." 

So  far  the  last  editor  of  the  Kaempe  Viser,  who  seems  not  to  have 
been  acquainted  with  the  Wilkina  and  Niflunga  Sagas,  afterwards  pub- 
lished, in  1715,  at  Stockholm  by  Peringskiold.  How  popular  the 
story  was  seven  or  eight  centuries  ago,  may  be  learnt  from  the  follow- 
ing passage  in  Saxo  Grammaticus  :  "  Tunc  cantor — sub  involucro  rem 

prodere  conabatur .     Igitur  speciosissimi  carminis  contextu  no- 

tissimam  GrimUdae  erga  fratres  perfidiam  de  industria  memorare  ador- 
sus,  famosse  fraudis  exemplo  similium  ei  metum  ingenerare  tentabat." 
Sax.  Gram.  Hist.  Dan.  Lib.  xiij. 

With  the  circumstances  of  the  story,  as  detailed  in  the  Teutonic  Ro- 
mances, the  reader  is  already  acquainted.  In  the  Wilkina  Saga,  a 
work  which  is  in  few  hands,  most  of  them  are  found,  although  with 
considerable  variation  as  to  names  and  places^  and  minute  particulars. 
As  we  attach  no  historical  authority  to  our  ballad,  we  shall  select  from 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  277 

the  antient  prose  legend  only  a  few  passages  which  are  most  curious 
in  another  point  of  view. 

The  sea-lady,  who  makes  so  striking  a  figure  in  the  baUad,  is  thus 
introduced,  c.  338,  p.  458  :  "  When  the  others  laid  themselves  down 
to  sleep,  Hogni  took  all  his  arms,  and  went  out  along  the  banks  of  the 
stream,  under  a  clear  moonlight,  which  enabled  him  to  see  his  way  dis- 
tinctly. Now  comes  Hogni  to  a  water  which  is  called  Mori,  and  there 
he  sees  some  human  beings  on  the  water,  and  sees  their  clothes  lying 
near  the  water  between  the  two  streams.  He  takes  the  clothes,  and 
hides  them  ;  and  these  persons  were  no  other  than  those  that  are 
called  Mer-women,  whose  natural  element  is  the  sea  or  water.  These 
Mer-women  had  gone  out  into  the  Rhine  to  sport.  Now  called  the 
Mer-women  to  him,  and  begged  him  to  give  them  their  clothes  ;  and 
came  up  out  of  the  water.  Now  answers  Hogni, '  First  tell  me  where 
we  may  best  cross  the  river ;  if  you  will  not  tell  me  what  I  ask  of  you, 
you  shall  not  get  your  clothes.'  Then  said  she,  '  you  may  get  safe 
over  this  river,  but  by  no  means  return,  however  much  you  may  exert 
yourself.'  Now  draws  Hogni  his  sword,  and  kills  the  Mer-woman, 
cutting  in  two  both  her  and  her  daughter. 

"  Hogen,  advancing  farther  along  the  banks  of  the  river,  saw  the  fer-  • 
ryman  with  his  boat  in  the  middle  of  the  stream,  called  to  him,  and,  in 
order  to  make  himself  the  more  interesting  to  him,  tells  him  he  comes 
from  Earl  Elsung's  land.  The  ferryman  tells  him  that  he  cared  as  lit- 
tle about  Earl  Elsung  as  about  any  body  else,  and  only  carried  people 
over  for  ready  payment.  Hogen  offers  him  his  gold  bracelet  if  he  wiU 
ferry  him  over ;  which  the  ferryman  accepts  with  the  more  readiness, 
because  he  knows  it  will  be  a  very  acceptable  present  to  his  handsome 
young  wife.  Hogen  orders  him  to  row  more  against  the  stream, 
which  he  says  was  no  part  of  his  agreement ;  but  Hogen  compels  him. 
In  the  mean  time,  Gunnar  was  ferrying  over  his  men  in  small  parties, 
in  a  skiff  he  had  found,  which  the  strength  of  the  current  upset,  and 
the  men  with  difficulty  reached  the  land.  Hogen  now  took  Gunnar, 
with  100  men,  on  board  the  ferry-boat,  and  himself  plying  the  oars 
somewhat  too  lustily,  they  broke  in  his  handsi    After  bestowing  some 


278  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

hearty  execrations  on  the  carpenter  who  had  made  them  so  weak,  he 
drew  his  sword,  and  struck  off  the  head  of  the  ferryman,  who  sat  op- 
posite to  him.  The  King  Gunnar  exclaimed  against  such  an  act  of 
wanton  barbarity ;  but  Hogen  excused  it  on  the  score  of  good  policy, 
to  prevent  his  giving  warning  of  their  arrival." 

Of  the  circumstance  of  Grimild  being  starved  to  death  in  the  trea- 
sury, the  reader  has  already  found  a  variety  in  Mr  Weber's  digest  of 
the  Lay  of  the  Nibelungen,  to  which  these  ditties  are  only  an  appen- 
dage ;  but  here  it  may  not  be  improper  to  remark,  that  all  these  trea- 
suries were  either  natural  caverns  in  mountains,  or  earth-houses,  (as 
they  were  called,)  built  under  ground  in  hillocks,  the  entrance  to  which, 
being  concealed  by  trees  and  underwood,  was  known  only  to  those  to 
whom  they  belonged.  Here  money,  plate,  jewels,  armour,  or  what- 
ever was  more  precious,  was  deposited  for  security  against  any  sudden 
invasion,  such  as  they  were  constantly  exposed  to ;  and  those  who  were 
interested  in  preventing  the  place  from  being  explored,  industriously 
propagated  reports  of  its  being  the  retreat  of  a  Drac  (daemon)  of  the 
most  malignant  and  terrible  description.  Every  chief  had  his  pecu- 
liar cavern,  treasury,  or  hiding-place,  which  was  known  only  to  those 
whom  it  most  concerned.  Caverns  of  this  kind  are  everywhere  point- 
ed out  at  this  day  in  Norway,  Sweden,  and  the  Highlands  of  Scotland ; 
and,  if  they  are  but  sufficiently  large  and  dark,  never  without  some  terri- 
ble story  of  the  dragon  or  demon,  who  was  encountered  by  the  war- 
rior, harper,  or  bag-piper,  who,  in  quest  of  the  treasure,  ventured  to 
advance  too  far.  As  it  not  unfrequently  happened,  that  the  whole  fa- 
mily to  which  such  a  dep6t  belonged  was  cut  off  at  once,  the  secret  of 
its  existence  was  lost ;  and  being  afterwards  accidentally  discovered, 
the  strange  treasure,  combined  with  the  popular  belief  of  the  place  be- 
ing the  den  of  a  dragon  or  daemon,  (for  all  dragons  were  daemons,) 
gave  rise  to  the  common  superstition  of  dragons  brooding  over  hid- 
^den  treasures ;  and,  perhaps,  was  also  in  some  degree  connected  with 
the  belief  of  the  dwarfs^  who  live  in  hollow  hills,  being  invariably  pos- 
sessed of  immense  riches.  It  is  also  very  credible,  that  the  vanity  of 
him  who  first  explored  the  cavity  often  induced  him,  on  coming  to 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  279 

the  light  of  day  again,  to  astonish  his  friends  with  strange  stories  of 
the  dangers  he  had  encountered,  and  the  monsters  he  had  subdued ; 
and  it  is  also  worthy  of  notice,  that  it  was  one  of  the  highest  pretensions 
of  those  who  affected  to  understand  magic  runes,  that  they  were  able 
to  charm,  or  put  to  flight,  the  dragon  who  brooded  over  heaps  of  gold  ; 
and  that  dragons  uniformly  chose  for  their  residence  such  places  as  we 
have  been  describing.  These  superstitions,  the  relics  of  antient  man- 
ners, are  found  difiused  every  where  over  Europe  and  Asia,  and  where- 
ever  else  the  Asae  have  settled. 

The  oldest  and  most  remarkable  Gothic  treasury  or  earth-house 
now  remaining,  and  which  I  consider  as  the  greatest  architectural  cu- 
riosity in  Europe,  is  what  is  vulgarly  called  the  Tomb  of  Agamem- 
non, at  Mycenae,  which  has  lately  been  cleared  out  and  examined  with 
the  most  accurate  minuteness,  by  the  Earl  of  Elgin,  who  is  likely  soon 
to  favour  the  public  with  his  delineations  and  description. 

As  one  of  the  heroes  drinking  human  blood  has  already  been  men- 
tioned, we  give  the  following  stanzas  on  that  subject,  from  the  second 
ballad  of  Lady  GrimUd's  Wrack,  in  the  Kaempe  Viser.  There  is  some- 
thing horrible  in  the  solemnity  of  the  last  stanza. 

"  It  was  Hero  Hogen, 

He  rais'd  his  helmet  syne  : 
'I  burn  all  so  sorely 

Under  hard  brynie  mine ! 

'♦  For-foughten  all  and  weary, 

And  quail'd  this  heart  of  mine : 
Might  God,  my  heavenly  father^  grant; 

I  had  a  horn  of  wine ! 

"  Up  he  struck  his  helmet } 

He  drank  the  human  blood : 
'  In  nomine  Domini  P 

Was  Hero  Hogen's  word.'' 


[     280     ] 


LADY  GRIMILD'S  WRACK. 

TRANSLATED  FKOM  THE  DANISH  K^MPE  tiSER,   p.  55. 
FIRST  PUBLISHED  IN  1591.     ■ 


Det  var  stolte  Fru  GrimUd, 
Hun  lader  midden  blande  : 
Hun  binder  til  sig  de  raske  ridder 
Af  aUeJremmede  lande,  Sfc. 


It  was  proud  Lady  Grimild 
Gar'd  mask  the  mead  sae  free,'' 

And  she  has  bidden  the  hardy  knights 
Frae  ilka  frem  countrie. 

She  bade  them  come,  and  nae  deval, 

To  bargane  and  to  strife ; 
And  there  the  Hero  Hogen 

Forloot  his  young  life. 

It  was  the  Hero  Hogen, 
He's  gane  out  to  the  strand. 

And  there  he  fand  the  Ferryman 
AU  upo'  the  white  sand. 

«•  Hear  thou  now,  gude  Ferryman, 
Thou  row  me  o'er  the  sound, 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  281 

And  I'U  gie  thee  my  goud  ring  v 
It  weighs  well  fifteen  pound." 

«  I  \mina  fare  thee  o'er  the  sound* 

For  a'  thy  goud  sae  red ; 
For  and  thou  come  tiU  Hrenild's  laztd, 

Thou  wilt  be  slaen  dead." 

'Twas  then  the  Hero  .^ogen, 

His  swerd  out  he  drew. 
And  frae  the  luckless  Ferryman 

The  head  aiF  he  hew.     '^ 

He  strak  the  goud  ring  frae  his  arm, 

Gae  it  the  Ferryman's  wife : 
*'  Hae,  tak  thou  this,  a  gudely  gift. 

For  the  yoimg  Ferryman's  life." 

It  was  the  Hero  Hogen, 

He  danner'd  on  the  strand ; 
And  there  he  fand  the  Mer-lady 

Sleeping  on  the  white  sand. 

"  Heal,  heal  to  thee,  dear  Mer-lady,. 

Thou  art  a  cimning  wife ; 
And  I  come  in  till  Hvenild's  land,, 

It's  may  I  brook  my  life  ?" 

*  *•  It's  ye  hae  mony  a  straJUg  castell; 

And  mickle  goud  sae  red ; 
And  gin  ye  come  tiH  Hvenoe  land, 
Ye  will  be  slaen  dead." 

'Twas  then  the  Hero  Hogen, 

His  swerd  swyth  he  drew. 
And  frae  the  luckless  Mer-lady 

Her  head  afFhe  hew. 

2  N 


282  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

Sae  he  has  taen  the  bloody  head. 

And  cast  it  i'  the  sound : 
The  body's  croppen  after, 

And  join'd  it  at  the  ground. 

/ 
Sir  Grimmer  and  Sir  Germer 

They  laimch'd  sae  bald  and  free, 

Sae  angry  waxt  the  wild  winds. 

And  stormy  waxt  the  sea. 

/»ae  angry  waxt  the  wild  winds, 
And  fierce  the  sea  did  rair  ;  ^ 
In  twain  in  Hero  Hogen's  hand 
Is  brast  the  iron  air. 

In  twain  it  brast,  the  iron  air. 

In  Hero  Hogen's  hand ; 
And  wi'  twa  gilded  shields  then 

The  knights  they  steer'd  to  land. 

Whan  they  were  tiQ  the  land  come, 

They  ilk'  ane  scour'd  his  brand,' 
And  there  sae  proud  a  maiden 

Saw  what  they  had  in  hand. 

Her  stature  it' was  stately. 

Her  middle  jimp  and  sma ; 
Her  body  short,  her  presence 

Was  maiden-like  witha'. 

They've  doen  them  till  Norborg, 

And  to  the  yett  sae  free : 
"  O  whare  is  now  the  porter. 

That  here  should  standing  be  ?" 

'  This  ceremony  of  Uihetting  and  toiping  their  weapons  in  the  Danish  Ballad,  as  here  and 
in  Sir  Ebbe's  Daughters  in  Buroe,  is  generally  somewhat  better  timed  than  in  the  Scotish 
ballads,  where  it  commonly  takes  place  when  the  heroes  are  likely  to  have  thought  of 
something  else. 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  283 

••  It's  here  am  I,  the  porter 

That  here  stand  watch  and  ward ; 
I'd  bear  your  tidings  gladly, 

Wist  I  but  whence  ye  far'd.." 

"  Then  hither  are  we  come  frae 

A'  gaits  whare  we  hae  gane ; 
Lady  Gximild's  our  sister — 

It's  a  the  truth  I've  ssyn" 

In  syne  cam  the  porter, 

And  stood  afore. the  deas  ; 
Fu'  canny  i'  the  tongue  was  he. 

And  well  his  words  could  placOk 

Fu  camiy  i'  the  tongue  was  he. 

And  well  his  words  could  wale :  • 
"  There  out  afore  your  yett  stand 

Twa  wordy  kemps  but  fail, 

"  It's  out  there  stand  afore  your  yett 

Twa  sae  well-wordy  men ; 
The  tane  he  bears  a  fiddle. 

The  tither  a  ^ded  helm.. 

"  He  that  bears  a  fiddle  bears  't 

For  nae  lord's  meat  or  fee ; 
And  whaxesoe'er  they  come  frae, 

Duke's  sons  I  wat  they  be«" 

It  was  proud  Lady  Grimild, 

Put  on  the  pilche  sae  fipe^ 
And  she  is  to  the  castell  yett 

To  bid  her  brithers  in» 

"  Will  ye  gae  till  the  chamber 
And  drink  the  mead  and  wine  t 

'  This  is  a  favourite  expression,  and  is  found  in  a  number  of  other  Danish  ballads. 


281  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

And  sleep  upon  a  silken  bed 
Wi'  twa  fair  ladies  mine  ?" 

It  was  proud  Lady  Grimild 
Put  on  the  pilche  sae  braw, 

And  she's  intill  tiie  ha'  gane     •«• 
Afore  her  kempis  a'. 

"  Here  sit  ye  a',  my  merry  men. 
And  drink  baith  mead  and  wine  ; 

But  wha  will  Hero  Hogen  sla, 
Allerdearest  brither  mine  ? 

"  It's  he  that  will  the  guerdon  £a. 
And  sla  this  Hogen  dead. 

Sail  steward  o'  my  eastje  be, 
And  win  my  goud  sae  red." 

It's  up  and  spak  a  kemp  syne, 
A  lording  o'  thafland, 

"  It's  I  will  win  your  guerdon. 
Forsooth,  wi'  this  right  hand. 

"  It's  I  wiU  fa  your  guerdon  ; 

Sla  Hero  Hogen  dead ; 
Be  steward  o'  yoaar  castell, 

And  win  your  gdud  sae  red*" 

And  up  spake  Fdbqvar  Spilemand, 

Wi's  burly  iron  stang : 
"  Come  thou  witMn  my  aims'  letig<Ji, 

I'U  mark  thee  or  ihou  gang  !" 

The  first  straik  fifteen  kempis 
Laigh  to  the  card  did  strik : 

"  Ha,  ha,  Folqisai-  i^illemiand ! 
Well  wags  thy  fiddlestick  !" 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  ^5 

Syne  dang  he  down  the  kempis 

Wi'  deadly  dints  and  dour ; 
And  braid  and  lang  the  brig^  was 

Whare  they  fdl  in  that  stour. 

Aneath  were  spread  wet  hides,  and 

Aboon  were  pease  sae  sma, 
And  Hero  Hogeti  stumbled^ 

And  was  the  first  to  fa'. 

It  was  the  Hei!0  llogea 
He  wad  van.  up  again : 
,      "  Hald,  hald,  my  dearest  biidiier. 
Our  paction  well  ye  ken. 

*'  Ye  keep  your  troth,  my  brither  j 

StiD.  keepit  it  maun  be ; 
And  ance  thou  till  the  eard  fa, 

Nae  rising  is  Sir  €aee." 

Sae  moody  Hero  Hogen  is. 

Still  keep  his  word  will  he  ; » 
Till  he  has  got  his  death->straik 

A-fighting  on  his  knee. 

Yet  dang  he  down  three  kempis ; 

Nane  o'  the  least  were  they : 
Wi'  hammers  syne  he  brast  whare 

His  father's  treasures  lay. 

And  him  betid  a  luck  sae  blyth, 

He  gat  the  lady's  fere, 
And  she  was  the  proud  Hvenild,  that 

A  son  to  him  did  bear. 

»  The  readers  of  the  real  histories,  as  well  as  of  the  romances  of  the  middle  ages,  will 
find  nothing  unnatural  or  incredible  in  the  conditions  of  this  combat,  any  more  than  in  the 
agreement  entered  into  between  Folqvard  and  Grimild  respecting  his  marriage,  however 
extraordinary  they  may  appear  when  judged  of  by  the  criterion  of  modern  manners. 


2S6  ROMANTIC  BALLADS, 

Ranke, '  hight  that  kemp,  that 

Revenged  his  father's  dead : 
Grimild  in  the  treasury, 

She  quaU'd  for  want  o'  bread. 

Sae  drew  he  frae  that  land  out 

Till  Bern  in  Lolnbardy } 
There  UVd  amang  the  Danish  mea, 

And  kyth'd  his  valour  hy. 

His  mither  she  gaed  hame  again, 

And  Hvenske-land  bears  her  name  j 
'Mang  gallant  knights  and  kempis 

Sae  wide  is  spread  their  fame. 

'  In  the  Wilkina  and  Niflunga  Saga,  cap.  367,  p.  493,  it  is  stated,  that  after  Hogni  had 
received  his  death-wound,  Theoderic  went  to  him,  and  inquired  how  he  was  ?  On  which 
Hogni  informed  him  that  he  might  live  a  few  days,  but  must  certaiijly  die  of  the  wounds 
he  had  received.  "  Then  King  Tidrich  caused  Hogni  to  be  carried  to  his  inn,  and  his 
wounds  to  be  bound  up.  For  this  office  he  sent  a  female  relation  of  his  own,  called  Her- 
rad.  In  the  evening,  Hogni  requested  Tidrich  to  give  him  this  lady  as  his  companion  for 
the  night,  wliich  was  readily  granted.  In  the  morning,  Hogni  advised  her  to  call  the  son 
which  she  should  afterwards  bear  to'him,  Alldrian.  At  the. same  time  he  gave  her  the 
keys  of  the  vault  of  Sigisfrod,  where  the  Niebelung  treasures  were  kept,  which  were  to  be 
delivered  to  her  son  Alldrian  when  he  came  to  man's  estate.  And  thereafter  died  Hogni, 
&c.» 


C     287     ] 


NOTES  ON  LADY  GRIMILD'S  WRACK. 


"  There  hejand  the  Mer-lady 
Sleeping  o'  the  white  sand." — P.  281,  v.  8. 

The  reader  may  compare  this  situation  of  the  Mermaid  with  that  of  Proteus,  in  the 
fourth  rhapsody  of  the  Odyssey,  and  the  imitation  of  that  in  the  fourth  Book  of  Virgil's 
Georgka. 

The  existence  of  these  sooth-saying  syrens  of  the  wave  has  been  generally  believed  in 
every  part  of  Asia  and  Europe,  and  has  b&en  as  often  defended  as  questioned,  not  only  by 
the  most  learned  philosophers,  but  by  the  most  grave  divines  in  modern  as  well  as  in  an- 
cient times.  Those  who  have  leisure  and  curiosity  to  amuse  themselves  with  the  waste  of 
ingenuity  and  erudition  which  has  been  devoted  to  this  subject,  may  consult  Girald.  in 
Nymphis,  NataL  lib.  8,  Eustath.  in  Horn.  11.  lib.  xiix  ;  Plat.  Atl, ;  Plin,  Hist.  Nat.  lib.  9, 
c.  4.  Ed.  Bip.  s  Alex,  ab  Alex.  Genial.  Dier.  lib,  12.  c.  8.,*  PtearcA'*  entertaining  treatise 
B-egi  rat  'aCM^mi-ruv  j^jjjtrTngiain ;  the  learned  Eric  Pontoppidan's  Nat.  History  of  Noraiay, 
SfC.  SfCt 

As  the  anecdotes  preserved  of  these  marine  people,  both  male  and  female,  in  various 
countries  and  ages,  are  so  similar  as  to  leave  us  no  doubt  of  their  being  all  referable  to  the 
same  origin,  we  shall  not  detain  our  readers  with  vain  distinctions  about  Greek,  Gothic, 
and  Celtic,  such  distinctions  having  in  general  produced  little  else  but  nonsense,  when- 
ever they  have  been  attempted.  The  following  notices  are  brought  forward  rather  with 
a  view  of  shewing  the  general  consent  of  the  various  ages  and  nations  on  this  subject ;  and 
offering  a  conjecture  as  to  some  of  the  phaenomena  by  which  such  delusions  were  first 
created,  and  have  been  since  continued.  That  the  theories  by  which  they  were  reduced 
to  a  system,  and  became  the  objects  of  reasoning  speculation,  came  to  the  Greeks  from 


28&  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

the  Goths,  and  to  the  Goths  from  India,  (the  great  cradle  and  nursery  of  Man  and  of 
Mind,)  was  the  opinion  of  the  best  informed  among  the  antients :  "  Those,"  says  Plu- 
tarch (de  defect,  orac.)  "  appear  to  me  to  have  solved  many  doubts  and  di£Sculties,  who 
have  assigned  to  the  daemons  and  genii  an  intermediate  place  in  the  creation  between  gods 
and  men,  and  have  thus  discovered  a  means  of  communion  between  us  and  the  superior 
natures ;  whether  this  doctrine  originated  with  Zoroaster  and  the  Magi,  or  was  brought 
among  us  by  Orpheus  out  of  Thrace,  8fc"* 

For  the  extraction  and  relationships  of  this  dubious  race,  the  best  authorities  are  old 
Hesiod  (Theog.)  and  the  Eddas.  Of  their  power,  passions,  and  other  peculiarities,  we 
must  be  contented  to  form  our  opinions  from  their  history,  and  the  anecdotes  with  which 
credulity  has  furnished  us.  Their  number  is  uncertain  ;  and  those  who  have  attempted  to 
fix  it,  have  spoken  in  very  vague  terms,  and  made  no  allowance  for  their  wide  dispersion 
and  generally-allowed  fecundity,  which  we  find  most  frequently  exemplified  in  their  in- 
tercourse with  beings  of  a  superior  or  inferior  nature: 

Hes.  Theog.  1. 1018. 
Hesiod  speaks  of  fifty : 

— —  Nv^gSfos  ufcvfttvcf  e|6y8w»T« 

Ibid.  1.  263. 

'  Both  these  conjectures  are  probably  right ;  and  we  beg  to  recommend,  in  a  particular  manner, 
to  the  consideration  of  the  readers  of  the  Eddas,  the  history  of  the  Thracian  Orpheus,  and  the  sin- 
gular coincidence  between  some  of  the  most  remarkable  passages  in  it  and  that  of  the  Gothic  Odin. 
—The  modern  hymns  ascribed  to  Orpheus,  are  as  little  the  production  of  Orpheus,  as  Saemund'a 
Eddas  are  the  production  of  Odin  or  of  Braga.  It  seems  hardly  possible,  that  the  songs  of  the  Thra- 
cian bard  and  mythotegist,  had  they  even  been  committed  to  writing,  could  have  been  understood 
in  Greece  so  late  as  the  age  of  Lycurgus,  (the  preserver,  and  most  probably  the  author,  of  the  Iliad 
and  Odyssey;)  as,  long  before  then,  commerce,  and  a  more  settled  state  of  society  in  Greece,  had 
modelled  their  once  common  dialect  in  such  a  manner,  as  to  make  it  quite  a  new  language.  At  the 
same  time,  it  is  very  likely  that  many  of  the  Gothic  {Thracian)  hymns  and  legends  may  have  been 
preserved  among  the  Greeks,  as  our  ballads  have  been  among  us,  and  may  even  now  remain,  ha- 
ving been  incorporated  with  other  pieces  of  the  kind,  in  the  all-embracing  rhapsodies  of  "  The  Tale 
of  Troy  divine."^— Seethe  introduction  to  these  ballads  in  this  work. 

^  This  is  the  oriental  and  gothic  doctrine  of  the  origin  of  giants,  heroes,  and  demi-gods,  which  we 
find  also  in  the  sixth  chapter  of  Genesis,  and  fourth  verse;— so,  at  least,  the  Greek  translators  have 
understood  that  passage.  In  the  Danish  Bible,  these  GianU  are  very  properly  called  Kanq>i;  the 
cautious  Swedish  translators  have  used  the  equivocal  term,  tyrants,  which  is  a  compound  of  Tyr, 
ThyffOi  Thor,  and  means  eminently  powerful  men. 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  289 

Homer  names  thirty-three, ' 

AMxif  »»  Kifri  fiiiici  <eXo;  Kngii'Je;  i)o-«>' 

It.  B.  18. 

\rho  were  in  the  train  of  Thetis ;  an4  Plato  {Atlant.)  mentions  one  hundred. 

The  elder  Pliny  informs  us  (Hist.  Nat.  lib.  9.  c.  4.  Ed.  Bip.)  that  an  embassy  was  sent 
from  01ysipo( Z,m6o»)  on  purpose  to  inform  the  Emperour  Tiberius,  that  in  a  certain 
grotto,  or  cavern,  a  Triton,  of  the  same  shape  under  which  he  is  usually  designated,  had 
been  distinctly  seen,  and  heard  blowing  his  conch,  or  spiral  shell.  "  Nor,"says  the  his- 
torian, "  are  we  to  disbelieve  the  stories  told  of  Nereides  compleatly  covered  over  with 
rough  scales-;  as  one  has  actually  been  seen  on  the  same  coast,  and  the  inhabitants  heard 
at  a  great  distance  her  lamentable  whinings  and  bowlings,  when  she  was  dying ;  and  his 
lieutenant  wrote  to  Augustus,  that  a  number  of  Nereides  had  been  found  dead  on  the 
coast  of  GauU.  Several  distinguished  men  of  equestrian  rank,  have  assured  me,  that  they 
themselves  have  seen  off  the  coast  of  Gades  {Cadiz,)  a  Mer-man,  whose  whole  body  was 
of  a  human  form.  He  was  accustomed  to  come  on  board  ships  in  the  night-time,  and  the 
part  upon  which  he  stood  gradually  subsided,  as  if  pressed  down  by  his  weight,  till,  if  he 
staid  long,  it  sunk  altogether." 

Here  we  have  a  very  remarkable  story  of  an  apparition  on  board  a  ship  at  sea,  esta- 
blished upon  such  authority  as  no  reasonable  man  can  question;  and  the  reality  of  such 
appearances  is  still  confidently  afiSrmed  from  their  own  experience,  by  mariners  in  every 
country ;  who,  on  such  occasions,  supposing  the  phantom  to  be  the  devil,  have  recom'se 
to  crucifixes,  holy  water,  pater  nosters,  or  such  other  prayers  or  spells,  as  religion  or  su- 
perstition suggest.  As  it  cannot  well  be  supposed,  that  all  these  people  are  either  them- 
selves deceived,  or  wish  to  deceive  others,  several  useful  purposes  *  may  be  answered,  by 
endeavouring  to  throw  some  light  upon  a  subject,  which,  at  first  glance,  appears  not  a  little 
mysterious  and  embarrassing.— In  the  story  just  quoted,  the  subsiding  of  the  wssel  under 


'  Of  all  the  specimens  of  bad  taste  and  faulty  composition  adduced  by  Pope  in  the  "  Bathos,"  per- 
haps there  is  not  one  more  perfect  in  its  kind,  than  his  own  translation  of  this  passage  of  the  Iliad. 
It  would  be  difficult  to  specify  such  another  jumble  of  contradictions  and  nonsense.  In  disposing  of 
such  a  string  of  compound  Greek  names  in  English  rhyming  numbers,  we  grant  that  epithets  and 
amplifications  were  necessary,  but  these  were  suggested  by  the  names  themselves ;  Eustathius  had 
explained  them  all ;  and  if  Pope  himself  neither  understood  the  text  nor  the  commentary,  he  ought 
to  have  had  recourse  to  some  of  his  more  learned  friends  who  did. — This  censure  is  not  meant  to 
extend  farther  than  to  the  passage  specified,  which,  as  having  been  written  by  Pope,  in  the  full  ma- 
turity of  his  taste  and  judgment,  is  really  a  curiosity. 

*  The  story  of  Maclean  of  Lochbuy  is  still  fresh  in  the  memory  of  every  one;  and  this  is  not  the 
only  instance  in  which  such  delusions  have  been  followed  by  the  most  fatal  consequences,  which 
could  have  happened  only  to  people  who  were  unable  to  refer  them  to  any  natural  cause. 

2  O 


290.  ROMANTIC  BALLADS; 

the  weight  of  the  phantom,  must  be  imputed  to  the  fears  of  the  spectators.  They  felt 
their  hearts  sink  within  them  at  the  sight,  and  naturally  enough  imagined  that  the  vessel  was 
sinking  under  them.  Had  any  vessel  ever  been  sunk  under  such  circumstances,  it  is 
hardly  probable  that  any  of  the  crew,  already  unnerved  and  palsied  by  terror,  could  have 
survived  to  tell  the  tale.  But  the  existence  of  the  appearance  described  by  the  Roman 
knights  being  admitted,  it  remains  for  us  only  to  say,  that  there  is  no  necessity  for  believ- 
ing that  there  was  any  trick  in  the  case ;  and  that  it  was  not  a  Mer-maa,  hut  a  real  and 
virtual  Chimcera  begotten  upon-  a  cloud, — Centaurs  of  the  same  description  have  often  been 
seen  by  travellers  on  horseback  ,•  and  we  have  no  doubt,  but  most  of  our  readers  will,  from, 
their  own  recollection  and  experience,  be  disposed  to  confirm  our  opinion,  that  many  of 
the  most  imposing  deceptions  of  sight,  arise  from  the  power  of  reflecting  objects,  which 
certain  dispositions  of  light  and  shade  give  to  clouds.  Nor  is  the  solution  of  such  pheno- 
mena either  incurious  or  unimportant ;  as  it  furnishes  one  reason  why,  in  all  hilly  and 
cloudy  regions,  and  in  the  neighbourhood  of  rivers,  lakes,  and  morasses,  the  stories  of 
ghosts,  giants,  dwarfs,  mer-men,  mermaids,  kelpies,  spunkies,  &c.  SiC,  are  more  common, 
than  in  level  and  dry  co,untries : 

(■"  Quis  Deus,  ihcertum  est)  habitat  Deus.*" 

Si  tibi  occurrit  vetustis  arboribus,  et  solitam  altitudinem  egressis  frequens  lucus,  et  con- 
spectum  coeli  densitate  ramorum  aliorum  alios  protegentium  submovens ;  ilia  procerita^ 
silvae,  et  secretum  loci,  et  admiratio  umbrae,  in  aperto  tam  densse  atque  continuae,  fidem 
tibi  numinis  facit.  £t  si  quis  specus  saxis  penitus  exesis  mortem  suspenderit,  non  manu- 
factus,  sed  naturalibus  causisin  tantam  laxitatem>exacuatus;  anlmum  tuum  quadam  reli- 
gionis  suspicione  percutiet.  Magnorum  fluminum  capita  veneramur ;  subita  ex  abdito 
vasti  amnis  eruptio.aras  habet.  Coluntw  aquarum  calentium  fontes ;  et  stagna  quaedam, 
vel  opacitas,  vel  immensa  altitudo  sacravit."-    (Senec.  Epist.  lib.  1.  £p.  xlj.) 

Yet  it  is  not,  as  is  commonly  supposed,  merely  to  the  solitude,  awful  vastness,.and  gloomy 
wildness  of  an  uncultivated  country,  and  the  ignorance  and  simplicity  of  its  thinly-scat- 
tered inhabitants,  that  we  are  to  impute  that  credulity  and  superstition,  and  those  strange 
wanderings  of  imagination  by  which  they  are  distinguished.  In  mental  energy,  activity, 
sagacity,  and  intelligence,  a  Norwegian,  Swedish,  Swiss,  Tyrolese,  or  Scoto-Gaelic  pea- 
sant, is  in  general  much  superior  to  a  man  of  the  same  rank  in  England,  or  in  the  more 
cultivated  par.ts  of  Germany ;  and^  among  mountaineers,,  (the  goitrous  Alpine  idiots  ex- 
cepted,) imbecility  and  derangement  of  mind  are  not  "more  common  than  feebleness  and 
deformity  of  body.  They  know  those  people  very  ill,  who  consider  them  a£  mere  raving 
extravagant  visionaries ;  for  imagination  has  much  less  to  do  with  their  belief  in  appari- 
tions, and  shadowy  and  supernatural  inhabitants  of  mountains,  rocks,  woods,, and  streams, 

'  ^iCirgil.  .i!En.  lib.  viij.I.  352.. 


ROMANTIC .  BALLADS.  29 1 

than  is  generally  supposed.  Experience  shews,  that  in  proportion  as  a  country  is  culti- 
vated, the  woods  are  cleared,  fewer  damp,  noxious,  and  fieiy  vapours,  (such  as  formerly 
hovered  near  the  earth,  and  exhibited  phenomena  altogether  inexplicable  to  the  unletter- 
ed forester)  are  produced;  clouds,  mists,  and  meteors,  become  more  rare;  the  air  be- 
comes more  pure  and  dry ;  the  marshes,  even  of  their  own  accord,  change  their  nature ; 
and  the  boundaries  of  the  lakes  and  rivers  are  considerably  contracted.  The  shadowy  and 
fiery  forms,  which  every  where  hovered  around  the  belated  hunter,  shepherd,  and  fisher- 
man, are  no  longer  to  be  found;  and  when  evidence  ceases,  there  is  no  great  merit  in  no 
longer  believing. 

When  the  Highlander,  returning  amid  the  clouds  of  night,  or  even  in  broad  day,  from 
the  chace,  or  from  tending  his  flocks,  sees  delineated  in  the  fogs  which  cover  the  precipi- 
tous sides  of  the  opposite  mountain,  the  dilated,  multiplied,  and  infinitely  diversified  re- 
flections of  his  own  form,  robed  in  mist,  and  often  bordered  or  broken  by  bickering  flames 
and  meteorous  exhalations,  those  stupendous  and  colossal  forms, 

"  Like  ghaist  of  Fian  brim, 
That  stride  frae  craig  to  cleugh,  hung  round 
Wl'  gloamin  vapours  dim—" 

while  he  is  treading  on  the  edge  of  a  precipice,  with  all  his  senses  awake  to  his  situation^ 
can  it  be  imagined  he  should  either  believe  he  is  dreaming,  or  should  disbelieve  the  evi- 
dence of  his  own  eyes  ?  Put  the  man  who  despises  his  credulity  in  the  same  situation,  how- 
ever he  may  affect  to  reject  conviction,  he  will  often  find  It  extremely  difficult  to  remove 
the  impression  made  upon  his  senses. 

Of  the  power  which  bodies  of  mist,  of  certain  forms  and  in  certain  situations,  have  of 
magnifying  and  removing  the  objects  which  they  involve,  every  one  who  has  lived  in  a 
mountainous  country  has  had  constant  experience.  This  effect  is  common  and  generally 
known  ;  but  their  power  of  reflecting  objects  is  less  understood,  and  therefore  much  more 
imposing.  Now,  as  to  the  apparitions  which  have  been  seen  on  board  ships,  they  have 
generally  appeared  during  those  dreadful  calms,  which  in  warm  latitudes  often  precede  a 
storm,  and  they  have  fi:equently  been  accompanied  by  blue  streams  of  light,  which  have 
all  the  while  flitted  and  played  about  the  ship,  and  among  the  shrouds.  The  air  at  such 
a  time  is  in  the  exact  state  in  which  vapours  and  eidialatimis  are  most  likely  to  be  col- 
lected and  embodied  for  a  time  on  board  a  ship  at  sea,  that  being  the  only  solid  object  to 
which  they  can  attach  themselves.  It  is  also  to  be  observed,  that  both  the  distance  and 
the  cloud  being  necessarily  small,  the  figures  seldom  exceed  the  stature  of  the  person  they 
represent,  and  that  they  have  always  been  the  perfect  likeness  of  a  man,  because  no  ico- 
man  has  been  present.  These  spectres  being  single,  may  be  imputed  to  the  columns  of 
mist  being  smaller,  and  the  distribution  of  light  and  shade  more  uniform  at  sea,  than  on  a 
more  diversified  surface  at  land.  Their  locomotion,  going  round  the  ship,  &c.  before  they 
vanish,  must  be  regulated  by  the  manner  in  which  the  vapours  are  attracted ;  and  the  sul- 


292  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

phureous  smell  which  sometimes  remains  behind  on  the  disappearance  of  such  objects, 
both  at  sea  and  on  shore,  can  only  be  imputed  to  the  electrical  element  and  other  vapours 
of  which  the  cloud  consists.  -     . 

As  to  Mer-maids,  they  are  commonly  said  to  be  seen  above  water  as  low  as  ±he 
waist,  by  people  when  fishing  not  far  from  the  shore,  in  creeks,  and  near  the  mouths  of 
rivers;  on  which  we  shall  only  observe,  that  a  person  in  a  fishing-boat  cannot  see- either 
the  shadow  or  reflection  of  his  own  form,  lower  than  the  part  which  appears  over  the  gun- 
wale of  the  boat ;  and  that  in  Wales  and  the  Isle  of  Man,  and  more  particularly  in  Nor- 
way and  Sweden,  (which  places  are  most  famous  for  mermaids,)  'women  are  still  employed 
in  rowing  fishing^boats,  while  the  men  fish  ;  and  very  often  there  are  only  women  in  the 
boats.-^But  we  desire  not  to  be  understood,  as  meaning  to  give  too  extensive  an  applica- 
tion to  a  theory,  which  is  here  merely  hinted  at.  It  is  no  wish  of  ours  to  systematize  and 
account  for  all  the  deliramenta  of  imbecility,  ignorance,  and  credulity. 

Nor  have  clouds  only  the  power  of  magnifying,  but  also,  according  to  their  form  and 
consistency,  (like  convex  mirrors,)  oi  diminishing  the  images  which  they  reflect.  Hence 
the  Ettins  {giants)  of  colossal  magnitude,  and  the  Dvergar  {dwarfs)  of  three  span  long  ; 

"  Manch  Ritter  nur  einer  Ellen  lang,"— (Heltenb.  Th.  4.) 

who  in  Scandinavia  are  supposed  to  live  in  rocks  and  hollow  mountains.  How  these  came 
to  be  all  great  enchanters,  and  to  be  peculiarly  endowed  with  the  power  of  being  invisible 
when  they  please,  is  easy  to  be  understood ;  as  they  are  most  frequently  seen  among  rocks 
and  caverns,  and  vanish  on  being  approached.  The  singular  noises  produced  at  certain 
times  in  the  interior  of  rocky  mountains  and  caverns,  by  concealed  vapours,  winds,  and 
waters,  account  for  the  belief,  that  the  giants  labour  in  the  work-shops  of  the  dwarfs,  and 
that  the  dwarfs  are  cunning  artificers  in  all  kinds  of  metals.  How  these  dwarfs  come  to 
be  so  often  seen  and  heard  in  mines,  may  be  understood,  by  considering  the  nature  of  a 
miner's  employment,  the  situations  in  which  he  is  continually  placed,  and  the  phenomena 
of  which  he  is  a  constant  witness. 

"  The  body's  croppen  after, 

And  join' d  it  at  the  ground." — P.  282,  v.  1 2. 
Here  we  have  a  very  notable  trait  in  the  character  of  a  mermaid,  who,  although  suscep- 
tible of  pleasure  and  pain,  and  subject  to  accidents,  like  all  the  more-than-hutnan  beings 
in  the  pagan  daemonology,  was  nevertheless  exempted  from  dissolution,  till  the  arrival  of 
the  period  of  existence  assigned  to  her  nature.  Concerning  the  duration  of  this  period 
the  opinions  are  various  and  dissonant ;  but  all  agree  that  it  was  very  long.  By  Hesiod  ' 
the  oldest  and  best  authority  on  this  subject,  it  is  thus  shadowed  forth : 

'  See  Plutarch,  de  defect,  orac 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  C93 

'Ati^at  i^iitTCir  eXte^o;  ie  te  Tir^aKi^mti' 
£»ve»  Ttvf  Kc^cucxc  eiKcc  a  Cftii;  rain  ftiuxxi 

That  is,  "  the  clamorous  crow  lives  nine  times  the  flourishing  age  of  man ;  the  stag  four 
times  the  age  of  the  crow;  theraven  thrice  the  age  of  the  stag ;  the  phoenix  nine  times 
as  long  as  the  raven ;  but' ye,  ye  beautiful-haired  Nymphs,  daughters  of  Jove,  the  eternal 
ruler 'of  the  world,*  ye  live  ten  times  the  age  of  the  phcenix." 

Adopting  the  most  general 'opinioii  that  the  Nourishing  age  of  Man  is  thirty  years,  the 
life  of  a  Merirtaid  must  extend  to  no  less  a  pferiod  than  291,600  years  ! 

The  end  of  so  long  a  life  is  a  very  notable  event,  and  excites,  as  may  be  expected,  in  a 
very  extraordinary  manner,  the  sympathy  not  only  of  the  kindred  daemons,  (as  in  the  ro- 
mantic story  t6ld  by  Plutarch  (ai  supra)  of  the  miraculous  annunciation  of  the  death  of 
the  Great  Pan,)  but  also  df  the  elements  which.tbey  inhabit. 

"  The  far-travelled' grammarian, "  Demetrius,  said,.3that  there<are  a  number  bf  uncullti- 
vated  islands  scattered  around  the  coast  of  Britain,  some  of  which  are  said  to  be  inhabited 
by  daemons  and  heroes.  Visiting  these  by  order  of  the  emperour,  to  make  observations 
and  colliect  information,  he  came  to  one  which  lay  next  to  those  that  were  uncultivated, 
containing  ft  jfew  ■  inhabitants  who  were  esteemed  sacred  and- inviolable  by  the  Britons. 
Shortly  after  his  arrival,  the  air  became  troubled ;  the  most  portentous  tumult  of  the  ele- 
ments ensued  ;  the  winds  blew  a  hurricane ;  and  vertiginous  volumes  of  fire  were  precipi- 
tated from  the  clouds  to  the  earth.  When  the  storm  had  subsided,  the  islanders  told  him 
that  some  of  the  supernatural  beings  had  ceased  to  exist ;  and  that  such  events  were  often 
followed,  not  only  by  hurricanes  and  storms,  as  in  the  present  instance,  but  by  pestilen- 
tial infections  of  the  air. — In  one  of  these  islands,  moreover,  Kronos  (Saturn)  is  said  to 
be  confined,  in  a  profound  sleep,  under  the  care  and  custody  of  Briareos,  and  has  with  him 


'  Not  much  admiring  Jupiter's  goat-skin  buckler,  we  have  ventured  to  suppose  the  popular  epi- 
thet, used  by  Hesiod,  and  in  the  Homeric  rhapsodies,  to  have  had  originally  a  more  dignified  mean- 
ing; and  have  according  derived  it  from  am,  ayj  always,  and  yaiiopgo;,  terram  tenons;  which  applies 
equally  to  Jupiter  Supreme,  or  to  Jupiter  the  prince  of  the  power  of  the  air. 

^  See  Dr  Leyden's  Mermaid,  Bord.  Min.  v.  iii.  p.  297. 

^  See  Plut.  de  defect,  orac.  Among  other  curious  tales,  the  same  interlocutor  tells  one  of  a  singu- 
lar character,  whom  he  met  with  near  the  Bed  Sea,  who  was  supernaturally  beautiful  and  wise,  spoke 
many  languages,  and  was  endowed  with  the  gift  of  prophecy ;  all  which  accomplishments  were  con- 
ferred upon  him  by  the  mermaids  and  fairies,  with  whom  he  spent  most  of  his  time,  shewing  himself 
among  men  only  twice  every  year. — The  following  may  be  compared  with  the  story  on  which  Mr 
Scott's  Glenfinlas  is  founded  :— "  During  my  long  stay  in  Crete,  I  observed  an  absurd  sacrifice,  in 
which  they  exposed  a  body  without  the  head.  This,  they  told  me,  was  Molos,  the  father  of  Merion, 
who,  having  ravished  a  mermaid,  was  found  without  the  head." 

3 


29*  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

many  daemons,  as  his  companions  and  servants.    The  chains  which  have  been  devised  for 
securing  him  are  the  chains  of  sleep." 

The  foregoing  anecdote  is  deserving  of  attention  on  several  accounts.  It  brings  the 
subject  home  to  us  at  a  very  early  period ;  it  is  the  oldest  exemplification  with  which  we 
are  acquainted,  of  the  popular  belief  of  the  Britons  in  these  matters ;  and  it  shews  in  one 
point  of  view  the  identity  of  the  Eastern  and  Western,  Greek,  Gothic,  and  Celtic  mytho- 
logical creeds.  We  shall  not  here  stop  to  inquire  which  of  the  Eddie  gods  and  demi-gods 
are  designated  under  the  Greek  names  of  Kronos*  and  Briareos,  nor  what  kind  of  society 
and  service  the  Daemons  can  furnish  to  a  sleeping  deity  ;  as  these  notes  have  already  beea 
extended  to  a  much  greater  length  than  was  at  first  intended. — But  the  commentator  has 
been  reading  Plutarch,  and  may  have  caught  the  infection  of  his  garrulity ;  which  would 
be  the  less  to  be  regretted,  had  he  also  learnt  from  him  the  art  of  making  garrulity  rater- 
taiuing. 

*''  Sae  angry  luaxt  the  iuild  tuinds. 

And  stormy  tuaxt  the  sea." — P.  182,  v.  14. 
This  is  to  be  imputed  to  the  displeasure  of  the  marine  lady,  at  being  put  to  the  troidile 
of  groping  for  and  fastening  on  her  own  head  again ;  and  if  we  may  trust  the  tales  of  our  own 
times,  as  well  as  of  those  who  have.gone  before  us,  the  resentment  of  these  demi-goddesses 
has  often  been  more  fatal  when  not  so  justly  provoked ;  unless  it  be  allowed  that  the 
sprette  iiyuriaformee  in  having  her  love  slighted,  is  a  greater  outrage  in  the  eyes  of  a  fe- 
male, than  having  her  head  cut  off. 

'  Kronos  was  probably  the  same  as  Krodo,  who  remained  among  the  Saxons  till  the  days  of  Char- 
lemagne, by  whom  his  shrine  was  destroyed.  See  Schedius  de  Dies  Geimanis,  Syngr.  4.  c.  2.  For 
Briareos,  see  Sax,  Gramm.  Bist.  Dan,  lib,  vj.  Fol.  53.  A. 


C     295     3 


THE  ETTIN  LANGSHANKS  ANI> 
VIDRICH  VERLANDSON. 


In  the  Wilkina  Saga,  this  Langbeen  Riser ,  or  Ettin  Langshanks,  is 
called  the  Giant  Etgeir,  (cap.  174,  p.  255,)  and  the  detail  of  his  ad- 
venture with  Vidrich,  Vidig,  Witticln  or  Vidga-,  the  son  of  the  re- 
nowned smith  Velint,  Veyland,  or  Verland,  (the  fabricator  of  the  ce- 
lebrated sword  Mimmung,  or  Mimmering,)  diflFers  very  little  from  that 
given  in  the  ballad.  In  the  Preface  to  the  Kaempe  Viser,  the  editor 
objects  to  the  incongruity  of  making  King  Tidrich  come  intoBriting- 
shaw  to  seek  for  the  Ettin  Langshanks,  "  whereas  in  the  MS.,  it  is 
with  more  propriety  said,  that  it  was  the  king  of  Denmark's  men  that 
went  in  quest  of  him,  which  is  most  probable..  Vidrich- slew  him,  and 
says,  that  it  could  be  said  in  Denmark,  that  he  overcame  the  Ettin 
Langshanks,  as  that  took  place  in  Zealand,  the  largest  island  in 
Denmark,  which  is  otherwise  called  Birtinggland.  As  a  farther  proof, 
there  is  found  a  (Danish)  mile  from  Roskild,  Birke,  and  Birking-shaw; 
and  there  also,  not  only  the  Ettin  Langshanks's  grave,  both  long  and 
large,  but  also  a  hoUow  in  the  hill,  where  his  house  was,  and  a  hole 
close  to  it,  which  is  called  his  oven.  In  the  year  1658,  the  College 
Rector,  Mr  Rasmus  Brokmand,  caused  the  barrow  to  be  opened,  but. 
fr)und  only  a  pot  full  of  ashes,,and  a  riisty  fragment  of  a-sword." — Had 
the  writer  of  this  passage  been  acquainted  with  the  Wilkina  Saga,  he 
would  probably  have  been  less  confident  in  the  force  of  his  proofs.. 
In  the  introduction  to  the  piece  which,  follows  that  with  which  we 


296  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

are  now  engaged  in  the  Ksempe  Viser,  Mr  Veile  makes  Bratingsborg 
to  be  "  a  castle  near  Tranberg  church,  in  Samsoe,  whose  triple  ditch, 
rampart,  wall,  &c.  could  still  be  traced.  Others  were  of  opinion  that 
it  lay  in  Ifvoenis,  north  from  Ifti'oe. — Some  think  that  Vidrich  Verland- 
son  (who  ought  to  be  called  ViUandson,)  was  born  in  the  large  dis- 
trict of  Scania,  which  is  now  called  Villands-herret,  and  lies  buried 
on  the  side  of  SoUesborgs  Ore,  near  Eisbeck  Mill,  where  a  large  stone 
is  still  seen  standing.  Villands-herret  still  has  a  hammer  on  its  seal, 
in  memory  of  Sir  Vidrich  Verlandson." 

The  following  description  is  given  of  the  giant's  person  in  the  Wil- 
kina  Saga  :  "  He  was  fearfully  large  ;  his  legs  were  prodigiously  thick 
and  long ;  he  had  a  strong,  thick,  and  long  body ;  there  was  the  space 
of  an  ell  between  his  eyes ;  and  his  whole  stature  was  in  proportion.'* 
— He  is  there  represented  as  being  placed  to  guard  one  of  the  passes 
into  his  brother's  kingdom,  for  which  he  seemed,  from  his  natural  pro- 
pensity to  sleeping,  to  be  but  indiiferently  qualified.  When  Vidrich 
first  found  him,  he  snored  so  tremendously,  that  the  leaves  on  the  trees 
shook  and  rustled  for  a  great  distance  round.  It  required  many  hard 
kicks  in  the  ribs  from^  Vidrich  to  make  him  open  his  eyes  at  all ;  and 
they  were  hardly  well  Opened  when  they  closed  again,  and  the  process 
of  kicking  must  be  commenced  anew.  The  Highland  and  Irish  He- 
roes, or,  if  you  please,  Giants,  are  many  of  them  full  as  prone  to  som- 
nolency as  the  Gothic  ones ;  and,  in  the  moment  of  danger^  it  was 
sometimes  necessary  to  rouse  them  by  dashing  a  fragment  of  a  rock 
against  their  heads  with  such  violehce,  that  it  rebounded  for  miles,  &c. 


C     297     ] 


TH£ 


ETTIN  LANGSHANKS. 

TRANSLATED  FROM  THE  DANISH  K^MPE  VISER,  p.  34. 
FIRST  PUBLISHED  IN  1591. 


Koning  Tidrick  sidder  icdi  Bern, 

Hand  roser  of  sin  VeeUe  : 
Saa  mangen  hqfeer  hand  tmcngen, 
Baade  Keemper  og  raske  Helte. 

Der  slander  en  Berg  heder  Bern,  og  der 
boer  i  Konning  Tidrick. 


King  Tidrick  sits  intill  Bern, 

He  rooses  him  of  his  might ; 
Sae  mony  has  he  in  battle  caw' A, , 
Baith  kemp  and  doughty  knight. 

There  stands  a  fortress  higkt  Bern,  and  thereintill 
dwelleth  King  Tidrick. 

King  Tidrick  stands  at  Bern, 

And  he  looks  out  sae  wide  : 
"  Wold  God  I  wist  of  a  kemp  sae  bold 

Durst  me  in  field  abide  !" 
2p 


298  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

Syne  answer'd  Master  Hildebrand, 
In  war  sae  ware  and  wight : 

"  There  liggs  a  kemp  in  Birting's  Bierg  ;- 
Dare  ye  him  rouse  and  fight  ?" 

"  Hear  thou,  Master  Hildebrand, 
Thou  art  a  kemp  sae  rare : 

Ride  thou  the  first  i'  the  shaw  the  day, 
Our  banner  gay  to  bear." 

Syne  answer'd  Master  Hildebrand  ; 

He  was  a  kemp  sae  wise : 
"  Nae  banner  will  I  bear  the  day, 

For  sae  unmeet  a  prize." 

Syne  answer'd  Vidrich  Verlandson, 
He  spoke  in  full  good  mood : 

"  The  first  i'  the  press  I'se  be  the  day, 
To  march  to  Birting's  Wood." 

Up  spak  he,  Vidrich  Verlandson, 
And  an  angry  man  he  grew ; 

"  Thro'  hauberk  as  thro'  hacketon 
The  smith's  son's  swerd  sail  hew." 

They  were  weU  three  hunder  kemps. 
They  drew  to  Birting's  land : 

They  sought  the  Ettin  Langshanks, 
And  in  the  shaw  him  fand. 

Syne  up  spak  Vidrich  Verlandson  : 
"  A  selcouth  game  you's  see. 

Gin  ye  lat  me  ride  first  to  the  wood. 
And  lippen  sae  far  to  me. 

"  Here  bide  ye  a',  ye  kingis  men, 

Whare  twa  green  roads  are  met, 
9 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  299 

While  I  ride  out  in  the  wood  alane, 
To  speer  for  you  the  gate." 

It  was  Vidrich  Verlandson^  ' 

Into  the  wood  he  rade'; 
And  there  he  fand  a  little  foot-path, 

To  the  Ettin's  lair  that  led. 

Syne  up  spak  he,  King  Tidrick : 

"  Hear  what  I  say  to  thee ; 
Find  ye  the  Ettin  Langshanks, 

Ye  healna  it  frae  me." 

It  was  Vidrich  Verlandson, 

To  Birting's  hythe  he  wan ; 
And  there  the  Ettin  Langshanks 

Laidly  and  black  he  fand. 

It  was  Vidrich  Verlandson 

Strak  the  Ettin  wi'  his  stang  : 
"  Wake  up,  ye  Langshanks  Ettin; 

Ye  sleep  baith  hard  and  lang !" 

"  On  this  wild  moor  I've  lien  and  slept 

For  lang  and  mony  a  year : 
Nor  ever  a  kemp  has  challenged  me, 

Or  dared  my  rest  to  steer." 

"  Here  am  I,  Vidrich  Verlandson, 

With  good  swerd  by  my  side. 
And  here  I  dare  thy  rest  to  steer. 

And  dare  tiby  wrath  abide." 

It  was  the  Ettin  Langshanks, 

He  wink'd  up  wi'  his  ee : 
'*  And  whence  is  he,  the  page  sae  bald, 

Dares  say  sic  words  to  me  ? 


30G  •  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

*•  Verland  was  my  father  hight, 

A  smith  of  cunning  rare ; 
Bodild  was  my  mother  call'd, ' 

A  kingis  daughter  fair. 

"  My  fiill  good  shield  that  Skrepping  highly 

Has  mony  a  dent  and  clour ; 
On  Blank  my  helmet  mony  a  swerd 

Has  brast,  of  temper  dour. 

'•  My  noble  steed  is  Skimming  hight, 

A  wild  horse  of  the  wood ; 
My  swerd  by  men  is  Mimmering  nam'd, 

Temper'd  in  heroes  blood. 

"  And  I  hight  Vidrich  Verlandson, 

AH  steel-clad  as  you  see ; 
And,  but  thy  lang  shanks  thou  bestir, 

Sorely  shalt  thou  abie. 

"  Hear  thou,  Ettin  Langshanks, 

A  word  I  winna  he ; 
The  king  is  in  the  wood,  and  he 

Maun  tribute  hae  frae  thee." 

"  What  gold  I  have  fiill  well  I  know 

Sae  well  to  guard  and  ware. 
Nor  sauey  page  saU  win't  frae  me, 

Nor  groom  to  claim  it  dare." 

"  Thou  to  thy  cost  salt  find,  all  young 

And  little  as  I  be. 
Thy  head  I'll  frae  thy  shoulders  hew, 

And  win  thy  gold  frae  thee." 

It  was  the  Ettin  Langshanks 
Nae  langer  lists  to  sleep  : 

*  Bodild  is,  in  another  ballad,  said  to  be  the  mother  of  Hogen. 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  SOI 

"  Young  kemp,  away,  and  to  thy  speed. 
If  thou  thy  life  wilt  keep." 

Wi'  baith  his  hooves  up  Skimming  sprang 

On  the  Ettin's  side  bel3rve ; 
There  seven  o'  his  ribs  he  brake  ;— 

Sae  they  began  to  strive. 

It  was  the  Ettin  Langshanks 

Grip'd  his  steel  stang  in  hand ; 
He  strak  a  stroke  at  Vidrich, 

That  the  stang  i'  the  hill  did  stand. 

.    It  was  the  Ettin  Langshanks, 

He  ween'd  to  strike  him  stythe ; 
But  he  his  firsten  straik  has  mist. 
The  steed  sprang  alF  sae  swyth. 

'Twas  then  the  Ettin  Langshanks, 

And  he  took  on  to  yammer : 
"  Now  Ues  my  stang  i'  the  hillock  fast 

As  it  were  driven  wi'  hammer." 

It  was  Vidrich  Verlandson, 

And  wroth  in  mood  he  grew : 
"  Skimming,  about !  Good  Mimmering, 

Now  see  what  thou  canst  do  !" 

In  baith  his  hands  he  Mimmering  took, 

And  strak  sae  stern  and  fierce. 
That  through  the  Langshanks  Ettin's  breast         / 

The  point  his  thairms  did  pierce. 

Then  first  the  Ettin  Langshanks 

Felt  of  a  wound  the  pain ; 
And  gladly,  had  his  strength  remain'd, 

Wad  paid  it  back  again. 


302  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

<*  Accursed,  Vidrich,;  be  thy  arm, 

Accursed  be  thy  brand, 
For  the  deadly  wound  that  in  my  breast 

I've  taken  frae  thy  hand  !" 

"  Ettin,  I'll  hew  and  scatter  thee 
Like  leaves  before  the  wind, 

But  and  thou  tell  me  in  this  wood 
Whare  I  thy  gold  may  find." 

"  O  spare  me,  Vidrich  Verlandson, 
And  never  strike  me  dead  j 

Sae  will  I  lead  thee  to  the  house 
Roofd  with  the  gold  sae  red." 

Vidrich  rode  and  the  Ettin  crept ; 

Deep  in  the  wood  they're  gone ; 
They  found  the  house  with  gold  sae  red 

Like  burning  light  that  shone; 

"  Away  ye  heave  that  massy  stane, 
Lift  frae  the  bands  the  door  ; 

And  mair  gold  nor  's  in  a'  this  land 
Within  ye'll  find  in  store." 

Syne  answer'd  Vidrich  Verlandson  ; 

Some  treason  he  did  fear : 
"  The  kemp  is  neither  ware  nor  wise 

That  sic  a  stane  wad  steer." 

"  Well  Vidrich  kens  to  turn  a  steed ; 

'Tis  a'  he  imderstands : 
But  I'll  do  mair  wi'  twa  fingers. 

Nor  thou  wi'  baith  thy  hands." 

Sae  he  has  taen  that  massy  stane, 
And  lightly  o'er  did  turn : 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  303 

Full  grimly  Vidrich  etded  then 
That  he  should  rue  that  scorn. 

"  There's  mair  gold  in  this  treasury 

Nor  fifteen  kings  can  shaw : 
Now  hear  thou,  Vidrich  Verlandson, 

The  first  thou  in  sail  ga." 

Syne  up  spak  Vidrich  Verlandson, 

His  ciuming  well  he  knew : 
"  Be  thou  the  first  to  venture  in. 

As  fearless  kemp  should  do," 

It  was  the  Ettin  Langshanks, 

In  at  the  door  he  saw  : 
Stark  Vidrich  strak  wi'  baith  his  hands, 

And  hew'd  his  head  him  fira. 

And  he  has  taen  the  Ettin's  blood 

And  smear'd  wi'  it  his  steed  : 
Sae  rade  he  to  King  Tidrick, 

Said,  "  Foul  has  been  my  speed !" 

And  he  has  taen  the  Ettin's  corpse, 

Set  it  against  an  aik  ; 
And  all  to  tell  the  wondrous  feat 

His  way  does  backward  take. 

"  Here  bide  ye  a',  my  doughty  feres, 

Under  this  green  hill  fair  : 
How  Langshanks  Ettin's  handled  me. 

To  tell  you  grieves  me  sair." 

"  And  has  the  Ettin  maul'd  thee  sae  ? 

That  is  foul  skaith  and  scorn ; 
Then  never  anither  sail  be  foil'd ; — 

We'll  back  to  Bern  return." 


304  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

"  Thou  turn  thee,  now,  King  Tidrich, 
Thou  turn  thee  swythe  wi'me ; 

And  a'  the  gold  the  Ettin  had 
I'll  shew  belyve  to  thee." 

"  And  hast  thou  slain  the  Ettin  the  day? 

That  mony  a  man  sail  weet ; 
And  the  baldest  kemp  i'  the  warld  wide 

Thou  never  need  fear  to  meet." 

It  was  then  King  Tidrich's  men. 
They  green'd  the  Ettin  to  see : 

And  loud  they  leuch  at  his  laidly  bouk. 
As  it  stood  by  the  tree. 

They  ween'd  that  he  his  lang  shanks 
Yet  after  them  might  streek ; 

And  nae  ane  dared  to  nigh  him  near. 
Or  wake  him  frae  his  sleep. 

It  was  Vidrich  Verlandson, 

Wi'  mickle  glee  he  said : 
*♦  How  would  ye  bide  his  living  look 

That  fleys  ye  sae  ^han  dead  ?" 

He  strak  the  body  wi'  his  staff; 

The  head  feU  to  the  eard  : 
"  In  sooth  that  Ettin  was  a  kemp 

That  ance  might  well  be  fear'd." 

And  they  hae  taen  the  red  gold, 
What  booty  there  did  stand ; 

And  Vidrich  got  the  better  part. 
Well  won  with  his  right  hand. 

But  little  he  reck'd  a  spoil  sae  rich ; 
'Twas  a'  to  win  the  gree ; 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  805 

And  as  the  Ettin-queller  wide 
O'er  Danmark  fam'd  to  be. 

Sae  gladly  rode  they  back  to  Bern ; 

But  Tidrick  maist  was  glad ; 
And  Vidrich  o'  his  menyie  a' 

The  foremost  place  ay  had. 


2q 


i:     306     ] 


HERO  HOGEN 


AND   THE 


QUEEN  OF  DANMARCK. 

TRANSLATED  FROM  THE  DANISH  KiEMPE  VISER,  p.    54S. 


It  may  be  observed  that  this  piece  is  a  sort  of  counterpart  to  "  The  Wassel  Dance." 
All  the  irregularities  of  the  measure  in  the  original  have  not  been  preserved ;  but  it  is 
probable  that  the  reader  would  have  thought  a  greater  licence  in  this  respest  a  very 
venial  fault.  This  little  ditty  is  of  a  very  different  cast  from  those  connected  with  the 
history  of  the  Niebelungen ;  but  we  have  given  it  here  on  account  of  its  characteristic 
peculiarities,  and  to  shew  what  use  ballad-reciters  make  of  the  names  of  popular  heroes, 
in  appropriating  to  them  parts  which  do  not  belong  to  them. 


Kongen  hand  sidder  i  Ribe  ; 

Hand  drikker  vin  ,• 
Saa  hyder  hand  de  Danske  riddere 

Hiem  til  sin. 

{Saa  herlig  dandser  hand  Hogen  !  Sfc.) 


The  king  he's  sitting  in  Ribe ; 

He's  drinking  wine ; 
Sae  he  has  bidden  the  Danish  knights 

To  propine. 

{Sae  nobly  dances  he,  Hogen !) 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  307 

"  Ye  stand  up  a'  my  merry  men 

And  knightis  bold, 
And  gaily  tread  the  dance  wi'  me 

O'er  the  green  wold." 
{Sae  nobly,  &c.) 

Now  lists  the  king  o'  Danmarck 

To  dance  in  the  ring ; 
And  neist  cam  Hero  Hogen 

Afore  them  to  siag. 

Up  wak'd  the  queen  o'  Danmarck  j 

In  her  bower  she  lay : 
*•  O  whilken  o'  my  ladies. 

Strikes  the  harp  sae  ?"• 

"  It  is  nane  o'  your  ladies 

Whase  harp  ye  hear ; 
It  is  Hero  Hogen. 

Singing  sae  clear." 

"  Ye  a'  get  up,  my  maidens, 

Rose  chaplets  on  your  hair  5 
Forth  we  will  us  a'  ride, 

Wassel  to  share*" 

First  rade  the  queen  0'  Danmarck, 

In  red  scarlet  tho ; 
Syne  ladies  rade,  and  maidens,. 

And  maries  a^row. 

Fu'  lightly  rade  the  Qiieen  round 

And  round  the  dance  sae  free ; 
'Twas  a'  on  noble  Hogen  ay 

Turned  her  ee. 

'Twas  then  Hero  Hogen,^ 
,  His  hand  raught  he : 


508  ROMAKTIC  BALLADS. 

"  O,  list  ye,  gracicrewkdjyj 
To  dance  wi'  me  ?" 

Now  dances  Hero  Hogen ; 

He  dances  wi'  the  queen ; 
And  mickle  glee,  the  sooth  to  say. 

There  passes  them  atween. 

Up  there  stood  a  little  may 

In  kirtle  blue  :  /  ; 

"  O  'ware  ye  'fore  the  fause  claverers ; 

They  lyth  to  yeu."  '  .  r 

It  was  the  king  o'  DamnaTd£»  '- 
And  he  can  there  speer,  ,1.  ; 

"  What  does  the  queen  o'  Danmarck 
A-dancing  here  ?  ; 

"  Far  better  in  her  bower  'twere  ; 

On  her  goud  harp  to  play, 
Nor  dancing  here  sae  lightly 

Wi'  Hogen  thus  togaae."    . 

Up  there  stood  a  little  may 

In  kirtle  red : 
"  'Ware  now,  my  gracious  lady ; 

My  lord's  grini)  I  red^/'  - 

"  I've  just  but  i'  the  dance  come  in ; 

It's  nae  near  tiU  an  en' ; 
And  sae  my  lord  the  king  may 

Mak  himsell  Uyth  again."  * 

'  From  the  peculiar  turn  of  this  stanza,  the  fidelity  of  the  translation  may  be  suspected. 
Here  is  the  original : 

"  Jag  er  saa  nylig  i  dandsen  kommen, 

Hun  haver  ikkfe  faaet  endfe ; 
Saa  vel  maa  min  Herrfe  eg  Konning 

Blivfe  blid  igen." 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  509 

Up  there  stood  a  little  page 

Intill  a  kirtle  green : 
"  'Ware  ye,  my  gracious  lady ; — 

My  lord  is  riding  hame." 

Shame  fa'  Hero  Hogen, 

That  e'er  he  sang  sae  clear ; 
The  queen  sits  in  her  bower  up, 

And  dowy  is  her  chear. 

(Sae  nobly  dances  he,  Hogen  /) 


C   310  3 


SIR  GUNCELIN. 


The  following  rude,  uncouth,  and  ridiculous  piece,  seems  to  be  an 
imitation  of  the  balladized  copy  of  the  Eddie  Tale  of  Thor's  Ham- 
mer, (which  has  been  admirably  translated  by  the  Hon.  W.  Herbert,) 
inserted  in  the  K^mpe  Viser,  in  which  the  characters  are  all  giants 
merely,  and  not  gods. — ^It  shews  in  what  manner  the  heroes  and  he- 
roines of  Gothic  Romance  have  been  treated  by  the  vulgar  in  later 
times ;  and  gives  a  rude  and  barbarous,  but  just  and  characteristic, 
picture  of  an  ancient  Scandinavian  wedding.  Capricious  and  extra- 
vagant as  the  painting  may  seem,  it  is  nevertheless,  in  all  essential 
points,  true  to  Nature,  and  the  manners  and  usages  of  the  times. 

Who  is  meant  by  Mother  Skrat,  we  do  not  pretend  to  say,  as  we 
have  never  had  the  pleasure  of  meeting  with  her  elsewhere,  and  do 
not  find  her  in  any  of  our  repositories  of  Gothic  divinities.  But  this 
is,  probably,  because  we  have  so  few  ludicrous  compositions  of  the  el- 
der Scandinavians  remaining.  We  take  her  to  be  the  goddess  who 
presided  over  obstreperous  mirth  and  horse-play  of  every  kind,  and  to 
be  here  invoked  by  the  spectators,  to  save  them  from  bursting  their 
sides  with  laughter.  "  Skratte"  in  Danish,  signifies  generally  "  to 
split  or  crack  ;"  and  particularly  to  "  split  the  sides  with  laughing." 


C   311    3 


SIR  GUNCELIN. 

f 
TRAXSLATED  FROM  THE  DANISH  K£MFE  VI8ER,  p.  50. 
FIRST  PUBLISHED  IN  1591. 


Del  var  Grefue  Herr  Guncelin, 

Hand  taler  til  moder  sin  .• 

Jeg  vil  ride  mig  op  pan  Land, 

OgJHste  Manddom  min. 

(  Vel  opJ"6rre  Dag,  m  komme 
vel  qfver  den  Hede.) 


It  was  the  Earl  Sir  Guncelin 

To  his  mother  he  can  say, 
"  It's  I  will  ride  me  up-o-land, 

My  manhood  to  essay." 
{Up,  up  afore  day,  sue  come  we  well  over  the  Aeath-0.) 

"  And  wilt  thou  ride  thee  up-o-land, 

And  dost  thou  tell  me  sae  ?  - 
Then  I'll  gie  thee  a  steed  sae  good, 

Men  call  him  Karl  the  gray. 
{Up,  up  afore,  8fc.) 

"  Then  I'll  gie  thee  a  steed  sae  good. 
Men  call  him  Karl  the  gray ; 


ai2  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

Ye  ne'^er  need  buckle  on  a  spur 
Or  helm,  whan  him  ye  hae.. 

"  At  never  a  kemp  maun  ye  career, 

Frae  never  ane  rin  awa', 
Untill  ye  meet  with  him,  the  kemp 

That  men  call  Ifver  Blaa." 

It  was  the  Earl  Sir  Guncelin 

Can  by  a  green  hill  ride. 
There  met  he  him,  little  Tilventin, 

And  bade  him  halt  and  bide. 

"  Well  met,  weU  met,  young  Tilventin, 
Whare  did  ye  he  last  night  ?" 

"  t  lay  at  Bratensborg,  whare  they 
Strike  fire  frae  helmets  bright." 

It  was  the  Earl  Sir  Guncelin 
Look'd  under  his  helmet  red : 

"  Sae  be't  wi'  little  Tilvehtin  !— 
Thou's  spoken  thy  ain  dead." 

It  was  the  Earl  Sir  Gimcelin, 

He  his  swerd  out  drew  ; 
It  was  little  Tilventin 

He  in  pieces  hew. 

Sae  rade  he  till  Bratensborg, 

He  rapped  at  the  yate : 
"  Is  there  here  ony  kemp  within    ' 

That  dares  wi'  me  debate  }" 

It  was  Sir  liver  Blaa, 

To  the  east  he  turn'd  about : 

"  Help  now  Ulf  and  Ismer  Grib  j 
I  hear  a  kemp  thereout." 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  SIS 

It  was  Sir  Ifver  Blaa, 

And  he  look'd  to  the  West : 
"  Thereout  I  hear  Sir  Guncelin : 

Help,  Otthin !  as  thou  can  best'* 

It  was  the  Earl  Sir  Guncelin, 

And  helm  o'er  neck  he  flang ; 
Sae  heard,  though  mony  a  mile  away. 

His  mother  dear  the  clang. 

That  lady  she  waken'd  at  still  midnight, 

And  till  her  lord  she  said  : 
"  May  God  Almighty  rightly  rede 

That  our  son  may  well  be  sped  !*' 

The  firsten  tilt  they  thegither  rode, 

Those  kemps  sae  stark  and  bold. 
Wide  on  the  field  Sir  liver  Blaa 

Was  cast  upon  the  mold. 

"  Hear  thou,  Earl  Guncelin, 

An  thou  will  lat  me  live> 
I  ha'e  me  a  betrothed  bride, 
^    And  her  to  thee  I'll  give." 

'«  I'll  none  of  thy  betrothed  bride ; 

Yet  wedded  would  I  be : 
Give  me  Salenta,  sister  thine. 

As  bettei;  liketh  me." 

Sae  rode  they  to  the  bride-ale  s 

They  roundly  rode  in  fere } 
And  they  hae  bidden  the  kempery  men 

To  come  frae  far  and  near. 

They  bade  him,  Vidrich  Verlandson, 
Stark  Tidrich  out  of  Bern, 
R 


314  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

And  Holger  Danske,  that  ay  for  feats 
Of  chivalry  did  yearn. 

Child  Sivard  Snaren  they  haei  bidden, 

Afore  the  bride  to  ride  ; 
And  Ettin  Langshankshe maun  be 

All  by  the  bridegroom's  side. 

They've  bidden  Master  Hildebrand, 
And  he  the  torch  maun  bear  ; 

Him  followed  twice  sax  kemps,  and  they 
Drank  and  made  lusty  cheer. 

And  hither  came  Folquard  Spillemand  ; 

For  that  the  kemps  sail  pay ; 
And  hither  came  King  Sigfrid  Home, 

As  he  shall  rue  the  day. 

It  was  proud  Lady  Grimild, 
Was  bidden  to  busk  the  bride ; 

But  hard  and  fast  her  feet  -and  hands 
Wi'  fetters  they  hae  tied. 

Theretill  came  Lady  Gunde  Hette, 
In  Norden  Field  that  bade  ; 

She  drank  and  she  danced,     ">'-' 
And  luckily  was  sped. 

There  in  came  Lady  Brynial,  '  > .    . 

And  she  carved  for  the  bride ; 

Her  follow'd  seven  sma  damsels,-  J  ''^^   ; 

And  sat  the  kemps  beside.  -    '  r  ' ;! 

They  follow'd  the  bride  to  the  chamber  in, 
Their  breakfast  there  to  eat ; 

Of  groats  four  barrels  she  ate  up,  '  t'^i'-  ' 
Sae  well  she  lik'd  that  meat.  ■'•    ' 

9 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  315 

Sax  oxen  she  ate  up,  theretill 

Eight  flitches  of  the  brawn ; 
Seven  hogsheads  of  the  ale  she  drank, 

Or  she  to  yex  b^an.  .Mb  k. 

They  foHoVd  the  bride  intill  the  ha'  j 

Sae  bowden  was  her  skin,. 
They  dang  down  five  elk  o'  the  wa' 

Ere  they  could  get  her  in.  ,:'. 

They  led  the  bride.to  the  bride-bench,  i^.I    :!  l 

And  gently  set  her. down -:  -  _     nr  eaV/ 

Her  weight  it  brake  the  marble  bench. 

And  she  came  to  the  ground. 

They  serv'd  her  wi'  the  best  o'  fare ; 

She  made  na  brocks  o'  meat ; 
Five  oxen,  and  ten  gude  fat  swine 

Clean  up  the  witch  did  eat. 

That  mark'd  the  bridegroom  (well  he  might !) 

'Twas  little  to  his  wish  : 
"  I  never  yet  saw  sae  young  a  bride 

Lay  her  lugs  sae  in  a  dish  !" 

Up  syne  sprang  the  kempery  men ; 

Thegither  they  advise : 
"  Whilk  wiU  ye  rather  pitch  the  bar, 

Or  kemp  in  knightly  guise  ?" 

The  kempery  men  a  ring  they  drew 

All  on  the  sward  sae  green ;, 
And  there,  in  honour  o'  the  bride, 

The  courtly  game  begin. 

The  young  bride  wi'  the  mickle  neives 
Up  frae  the  bride-bench  sprang : 


316  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

And  up  to  tulzie  wi'  her  there  lap 
The  Ettin  wi'  shanks  sae  lang. 

There  danced  and  dinnled  bench  and  board, 
And  sparks  frae  hehnets  fly ; 

Out  then  leapt  the  kemps  sae  bold : 
"  Help,  Mother  Skratt !"  they  cry. 

And  there  a  sturdy  dance  began, 

Frae  Ribe,  and  in  till  She : 
The  least  kemp  in  the  dance  that  was- 

Was  five  ell  under  the  knee. 

The  least  kemp  in  the  dance  that  was 
Was  htde  Mimmering  Tand ; 

He  was  amang  that  heathen  folk 
The  only  Christian  Man. 


[     317     2 


RIBOLT  AND  GULDBORG. 


The  follofwing  belongs  to  a  numerous  class  of  Danish  Ballads,  and  has 
been  here  selected  on  account  of  its  near  resemblance  to  some  of  the 
most  noticed  of  our  own.  Of  these,  one  of  the  most  distinguished  is 
the  "  Child  of  EUe,"  which  seems  (as  well  as  "  Erlington,")  from  the 
name,  to  be  of  Scandinavian  origin.  As  the  value  of  the  original 
fragment  of  that  piece  is  much  enhanced  by  the  publication  of  several 
similar  tales  which  have  lately  appeared,  it  is  hoped  that,  in  whatever 
state  it  may  be,  it  will  no  longer  be  with-held  from  the  public. 

"  Erlinton,"  in  the  Bord.  Min»  (vol.  iii.  p.  235,)  has,  as  much  as  any 
of  oiu:  antient  ditties,  the  appearance  of  being  Scandinavian.  The 
complete  locality  ascribed  to  the  fipe  ballad  of  "  The  Douglas  Tra- 
gedy," (Bord.  Min.  vol.  iii.  p.  243,)  in  Selkirkshire,  aflfords  no  pre- 
sumption of  the  event  having  happened  in  that  country  ;  as  the  scene 
of  action  cannot  be  more  distinctly  pointed  out,  than  it  is  in  Ribolt 
and  Guldborg.  Popular  tales  and  anecdotes  of  every  kind  soon  ob- 
tain locality  wherever  they  are  told  ;  and  the  intelUgent  and  attentive 
traveller  will  not  be  surprised  to-  find  the  same  story  which  he  had 
learnt  when  a  child,  with  every  appropriate  circumstance  of  names, 
time,  and  place,  in  a  glen  of  Morven,  Lochaber,  or  Rannoch,  equally 
domesticated  amid  the  mountains  of  Norway,  Caucasus,  or  Thibet. 

Of  Ribolt  and  Guldborg  it  may  be  observed,  that  it  seems  to  con- 


318  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

tain  almost  all  the  materials  of  Erlinton,  the  Douglas  Tragedy,  and 
the  Ghild  of  EUe,  especially  if  the  latter  piece  originally  ended  tra^- 
cally  for  the  hero  and  heroine. 

Those  who  wish  to  see  from  what  kind  of  materials  these  tales  have 
been  fabricated,  may  compare  this  piece  with  the  romantic  story  of 
Sir  Sampson  and  Hildesvida,  the  daughter  of  Jarl  Rudgeir,  with  which 
the  Wilkina  Saga  commences.  In  the  Saga,  as  in  the  Swedish  and 
Danish  ballads  of  Fair  Midel,  &c.,  the  knight  causes  the  lady  to  pack 
up  all  the  plate  and  treasures  she  can  get  her  hands  on,  to  carry  away 
with  her. 

As  we  have  pointed  out  the  particular  resemblance  which  Ribolt 
bears  to  the  Child  of  EUe,  &c.,  it  may  be  proper  to  observe,  that  we 
have  selected  the  five  which  immediately  follow  it,  as  having,  in  their 
subjects  and  narrative,  a  more  intimate  relationship  to  ballads  of  our  own 
country.  Two  of  this  class  have  already  been  given  to  the  public  in 
"  Popular  Ballads  and  Songs,  &c."  Of  these,  "  Fair  Annie,"  on  the 
same  subject  with  "  Wha  will  bake  my  bridal  bread,  &c."  is  one  of 
the  most  interesting  of  the  Danish  Ballads ;  and  the  "  Merman  Ros- 
mer,"  which  we  intend  still  farther  to  illustrate,  is  a  very  curious  relic 
of  antiquity.  In  the  Notes  to  "  the  Lady  of  the  Lake"  will  be  found  two 
more,  «  The  Elfin  Gray"  and  the  «  Ghaist's  Warning."  The  first  of 
these  is  a  favourable  specimen  of  a  large  class  of  Danish  Ballads,  which, 
like  many  of  our  most  wild  and  antient  Scotish  ditties,  are  founded  on 
stories  of  disenchantment.  The  last  I  have  not  met  with  in  the  form 
of  a  ballad  in  Scotland ;  but  on  the  translation  from  the  Danish  being 
read  to  a  very  antient  gentleman  in  Dumfrieshire,  he  said  the  story  of 
the  mother  coming  back  to  her  children  was  quite  familiar  to  him  in 
his  youth,  as  an  occurrence  of  his  own  immediate  neighbourhood,  with 
all  the  circumstances  of  name  and  place.  The  father,  like  Child  Dy- 
ring,  had  married  a  second  wife ;  and  his  daughter  by  the  first,  a  child 
of  three  or  four  years  old,  was  once  amissing  for  three  days.  She  was 
sought  for  every  where  with  the  utmost  diligence,  but  was  not  found. 
At  last  she  was  observed,  coming  fi-om  the  barn,  which,  during  her 
absence,  had  been  repeatedly  searched.    She  looked  remarkably  clean 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  319 

and  fresh ;  her  clothes  were  in  the  neatest  possible  order ;  and  her 
hair,  in  particular,  had  been  anointed,  combed,  curled,  ■  and  plaited, 
with  the  greatest  care.  On  being  asked  where  she  had  been,  she  said 
she  had  been  with  her  mammie,  who  had  been  so  kind  to  her,  and  given 
her  so  many  good  things,  and  dressed  her  hair  so. prettily.' 

As  I  have  lately  heard  it  insinuated,  upon  authority  that  ought  to 
have  had  some  weight,  that  nothing  was  known  of  the  tragical  frag- 
ment beginning,  *'  O  whare  ha'e  ye  been.  Lord  Ronald,  my  Son  ?" 
(Bord.  Min.  vol.  ii.  p.  263.  ed.  1810,)  till  the  publication  of  Johnson's 
Scots  Musical  Musaeum,  I  am  happy  to  be  able  to  furnish  the  reader 
(along  with  the  assurance,  that  there  are  many  persons  in  Scotland 
who  learnl^it  long  before  it  was  printed)  with  two  curious  scraps,  the 
genuineness  of  which  is  unquestionable.  An  English  gentleman, 
who  had  never  paid  any  attention  to  ballads,  nor,  ever  read  a  collec- 
tion of  such  things,  told  me,  that  when  a  child,  he  learnt  from  a 
playmate  of  his  own  age,  the  daughter  of  a  clergyman  in  Suffolk,  the 
following  imperfect  ditty :  * 

'*  Where  have  you  been  to-day,  Billy,  my  son  ? 
Where  have  you  been  to-day,  my  only  man  ?" 
"  I've  been  a  wooing,  mother,  make  my  bed  soon, 
For  I'm  sick  at  heart,  and  fain  would  lay  down." 

"  What  have  you  ate  to-day,  Billy,  my  son  ? 
What  have  you  ate  to-day,  my  only  man  ?" 


'  The  fairy  Melusina  had  enjoineid  her  husband  not  to  see  or  enquire  after  her  on  a  Sa- 
turday. The  husband,  however,  having  bored  i.  hole  with  his  sword  lii  the  door,  beheld 
her  in  the  bath,  half  woman,  half  fish,  lamenting  her  fate.  Haying  some  years  after,  in 
an  altercation,  hinted  at  her  deformity,  she  flew  out  of  the  window  with  loud  lamentations, 
and  being  metamorphosed  into  her  Saturday's  shape,  flew  thrice  ^out  ^e  castle,  and  then 
departed.  She  had  shortly  before  born  two  infants,  and  the  nurse^  freijuently  observed 
her  entering  the  room  "  in  the  shape  of  a  ghostj"  caressing  the  children,  warming  them 
at  the  fire,  and  giving  them  suck.  By  order  of  the  count,  no  one  disturbed  her;  and,  in 
consequence,  the  children  throve  with  amazing  rapidity..  This  is  the  account  in  the  Ger- 
man popular  story-book,  which  is  somewhat  different  fi-om  the  French  original. 

*  Every  child  knows  the  nursery  tale  of  the  "  Crowdin'  Dow." 


320  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

"  I've  ate  eel-pie,  mother,  make  my  bed  soon  ; 
For  I'm  sick  at  heart,  and  shall  die  before  nooja." 

In  the  above  fragment  I  have  put  the  word  only  in  italics,  not  so 
much  on  account  of  the  singularity  of  the  expression,  as  of  its  resem- 
blance to  the  following  German  popular  ditty,  inserted  in  the  Knaben 
Wunderhom,  of  which,  as  it  is  too  humble  to, be  attempted  in  verse., 
we  have  given  a  verbatim  English  prose  translation. 


GROSSMUTTER  SCHLANGENKCECHIN. 

"  Maria,  wo  bist  du  zur  Stube  gewesen  ? 
Maria,  mein  einziges  kind?" 

"  Jch  bin  bey  meiner  Grossmutter  gewesen;— 
Ach  weh !  Frau  Mutter,  wie  weh .'" 

"  Was  hat  sie  dir  dann  zu  essen  gegeben, 
Maria,  mein  einziges  kindf 

"  Sie  hat  mir  gehackne  Fishlein  gegeben;-^ 
Ach  weh.'  Frau  Mutter!  wie  weh .'  Sfc" 


GRANDMOTHER  ADDER-COOK. 

••  Maria,  what  room  have  you  been  in, 
Maria,  my  only  child  ?" 

"  I  have  been  with  my  grandmother  5— 
Alas  !  lady  mother,  what  pam  !" 

'*  What  then  has  she  given  thee  to  eat, 
Maria,  my  only  child  ?" 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS,  821 

"  She  has  given  me  fried  fishes } — 
Alas !  lady  mother,  what  pain  !" 

"  Where  did  she  catch  the  little  fishes, 
Maria,  my  only  child  ?" 

"  She  caught  them  in  the  kitchen-garden  ;— 
Alas  !  lady  mother,  what  pain !" 

"  With  what  did  she  catch  the  little  fishes, 
Maria,  my  only  child  ?" 

"  She  caught  them  with  rods  and  little  sticks  ; 
Mas  !  lady  mother,  what  pain  !'* 

"  What  did  she  do  with  the  rest  of  the  fishes  ; 
Maria,  my  only  child  ?" 

"  She  gave  it  to  her  little  dark-brown  dog : 
Alas  !  lady  mother,  what  pain  !" 

"  And  what  became  of  the  dark-brown  dog, 
Maria,  my  only  child  ?" 

'<  It  burst  into  a  thousand  pieces  : 
Alas  !  lady  mother,  what  pain !" 

"  Maria,  where  shall  I  make  thy  bed, 
Maria,  my  only  child  ?" 

"  In  the  church-yard  shalt  thou  make  my  bed, 
Alas  !  lady  mother,  what  pain  !" 

That  any  one  of  these  Scotish,  EngKsh,  and  German  copies  of  the 
same  tale  has  been  borrowed  or  translated  from  another,  seems  very 
improbable ;  and  it  would  now  be  in  vain  to  attempt  to  ascertain  what 

2  s 


822  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

it  originally  was,  or  in  what  age  it  was  produced.  It  has  had  the  great 
good  fortune  in  every  country  to  get  possession  of  the  nursery,  a 
circumstance  which,  from  the  enthusiasm  and  curiosity  of  young  ima- 
ginations, and  the  commilnicative  volubility  of  little  tongues,  has  in- 
sured its  preservation.  Indeed,  many  curious  relics  of  past  times  are 
preserved  in  the  games  and  rhymes  found  among  children,  which  are 
on  that  account  by  no  means  beneath  the  notice  of  the  curious  travel- 
ler, who  will  be  surprised  to  find,  after  the  lapse  of  so  many  ages,  and 
so  many  changes  of  place,  language ^  and  manners,  how  little  these 
differ  among  different  nations  of  the  same  original  stock,  who  have 
been  so  long  divided  and  estranged  from  each  other.  As  an  illustra- 
tion of  this,  which  we  happeia  to  have  most  conveniently  at  hand,  we 
give  the  following  child's  song  to  the  Lady-hird,  which  is  commonly 
sung  while  this  pretty  insect  is  perched  on  the  tip  of  the  fore-finger, 
and  danced  up  and  down.     Every  child  knows  the  English  rhyme, 

"  Lady-bird,  lady-bird,  fly  and  begone, 

Your  house  is  a-fire,  and  your  children  at  home,  &c." 

The  German  children  have  it  much  more  perfect,  as  well  as  much 
prettier,  the  English  having  preserved  only  the  second  stanza  in  their 
address. 

Marienwiirmchen,  setze  dich 
Auf  meine  hand,  auf  meine  hand  ; 

Ich  thu  dir  nichts  zu  leide. 
Es  soU  dir  nichts  zu  leide  geschehn, 
WiJQ  nur  deine  bunte  Fliigel  sehn, 

Bunte  Fliigel,  meine  Freude. 

Marienwiirmchen,  fliege  weg, 

Dein  Hseuschen  brennt,  die  kinder  schrein, 

So  sehre,  wie  so  sehre. 
Die  bose  Spinne  spinnt  sie  ein, 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  323 


Marienwiinnchen ;  flieg  hinein, 
Deine  kinder  schreien  sehre. 

Marienw'iirmchen,  fliege  hin 

Zu  nachbars  kind,  zu  nachbars  kind, 

Sie  thun  dir  nichts  zu  leide ; 
Es  soil  dir  da  kein  leid  geschehn, 
Sie  wollen  deine  bunte  Fljigpl  sehn, 

Und  griiss  sie  alle  beyde. 


C     324     ] 


RIBOLT  AND  GULDBORG. 

TRANSLATED   PROM  THE   DANISH   KffiMPE   VISER,   p.    750. 


Riholt  er  en  Greve-son, 
{Om  det  er  eders  villie  ,•) 

HandgiBed  Gtddborg,  det  var  i  Torii 
^Der  huen  legtesjbr  dem, ) 

Hand  giUed  hendejra  hun  var  bartii 
{Om  det  er,  Sfc.) 


RiBOLT  was  the  son  of  an  Earl  gude ; 

{Sae  be  that  ye  are  willing ;) 
Guldborg  he  lang  in  secret  lo'ed. 

(^There's  a  hue  and  cry  for  them.) 

"Whan  she  was  a  bairn  he  lo'ed  her  sair, 

(Sae  be,  4rc.) 
And  ay  as  she  grew  he  lo'ed  her  the  mair. 

{There's  clfc.) 

"  Guldborg,  will  ye  phght  your  troth  to  me, 
And  I'll  tin  a  better  land  bring  thee. 

"  Till  a  better  land  I  will  thee  bear, 
Whare  there  never  comes  or  dule  or  care. 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  325 

**  I  will  bring  thee  untill  an  be 
Whare  thou  sail  live  and  nagate  die." 

"  It's  till  nae  land  can  ye  me  bear 
Whare  there  never  comes  or  dule  or  care ; 

"  Nor  me  can  ye  bring  to  sic  an  oe ; 
For  to  God  I  owe  that  I  should  die." 

"  There  leeks  are  the  only  grass  that  springs, 
And  the  gowk  is  the  only  bird  that  sings ; 

**  There  a'  the  water  that  rins  is  wine  : 
Ye  well  may  trow  this  tale  o'  mine." 

"  O  how  sail  I  frae  the  castell  win, 
Sae  fiel  they  watch  me  out  and  in  ? 

"  I'm  watch'd  by  my  father,  I'm  watch'd  by  my  mitlier, 
I'm  watch'd  by  my  sister,  I'm  watch'd  by  my  brither ; 

"  My  bridegroom  watches  wharever  I  ga. 
And  that  watch  fears  me  maist  ava !" 

"  And  gin  a'  your  kin  were  watching  ye, 
Ye  maim  bide  by  what  ye  hecht  to  me. 

"  And  ye  maun  put  on  my  brynie  blae  ; 
My  gilded  helm«t  ye  sail  hae ; 

"  My  gude  brand  belted  by  your  side  j 
Sae  unlike  a  lady  ye  will  ride : 

"  Wi'  gouden  spur  at  your  heel  sae  braw, 

Ye  may  ride  thro'  the  mids  o'  your  kindred  a'." 

His  mantel  blue  he  has  o'er  her  thrown. 
And  his  ambler  grey  he  has  set  her  upon. 


326  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

As  o'er  the  muir  in  fere  they  rade. 
They  met  a  rich  Earl  that  till  them  said : 

"  O  hear  ye,  Ribolt,  dear  compere  mine, 
Whare  gat  ye  that  page  sae  fair  and  fine  ?" 

**  O  it  is  nane  but  my  yomigest  brither. 
And  I  gat  him  frae  nane  but  my  mither." 

"  In  vain  ye  frae  me  the  truth  wad  heal : 
Guldborg,  Guldborg,  I  ken  ye  weU. 

"  Your  red  scarlet  ye  well  may  Jen. ; 
But  your  rosy  cheeks  fii'  well  I  ken. 

*•  I'  your  father's  casteU  I  did  sair. 
And  I  ken  you  well  by  your  yellow  hair. 

"  By  your  claiths  and  your  shoon  I  ken  ye  iU, 
But  I  ken  the  knight  ye  your  troth  gae  till ; 

"  And  the  Brok  I  ken,  that  has  gotten  your  han' 
Afore  baith  priest  and  laic  man." 

He's  taen  the  goud  bracelet  frae  his  hand, 
And  on  the  Earlis  arm  it  band : 

"  Whaever  ye  meet,  or  wharever  ye  gae. 
Ye  naething  o'  me  maun  to  nae  man  say." 

The  earl  he  has  ridden  to  KaUb-house, 
Whare,  merrOy-drinking,  the  kemps  carouse. 

Whan  Sir  Truid's  castell  within  cam  he. 
Sir  Truid  at  the  deas  he  was  birling  free : 

"  Here  sit  ye,  Sir  Truid,  drinking  mead  and  wine, 
Wi'  your  bride  rides  Ribolt  roundly  hyne." 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  327 

Syne  Truid  o'er  die  castell  loud  can  ca' : 

"  Swyth  on  wi'  j^our  brjrnies,  my  merry  men  a' !" 

They  scantly  had  ridden  a  mile  but  four, 
Guldborg  she  luifcit  her.shoulder  o'er : 

"  O  yonder  see  I  my  father's  steed. 
And  I  see  the  knight  that  I  hae  wed." 

"  Light  down,  Guldborg,  my  lady  dear, 
And  hald  our  steeds  by  the  renyies  here. 

"  And  e'en  sae  be  that  ye  see  me  fa', 
•Be  sure  that  ye  never  upon  me  ca' ; 

"  And  e'en  sae  be  that  ye  see  me  bleed, 
Be  sure  that  ye  namena  me  till  dead." 

Ribolt  did  on  his  brynie  blae  ; 
Guldborg  she  clasp'd  it,  the  sooth  to  say. 

In  the  firsten  shock  o'  that  bargain 
Sir  Truid  and  her  father  dear  he's  slain. 

r  the  nexten  shock,  he  hew'd  down  there 
Her  twa  brethren  wi'  their  gouden  hair. 

"  Hald,  hald,  my  Ribolt,  dearest  mine, 
Now  belt  thy  brand,  for  it's  mair  nor  time. 

•'  My  youngest  brither  ye  spare,  O  spare 
To  my  mither  the  dowy  news  to  bear ; 

"  To  tell  o'  the  dead  in  this  sad  stour— 
O  wae,  that  ever  she  dochter  bure  !"' 


"  O  vae,  hun  nogentid  dotter  fijdd^ !" 


328  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

Whan  Ribolt's  name  she  nam'd  that  stound, 
'Twas  then  that  he  gat  his  deadly  wound. 

Ribolt  he  has  belted  his  brand  by  his  side : 
"  Ye  come  now,  Guldborg,  and  we  will  ride." 

As  on  to  the  Rosen-wood  they  rade, 
The  never  a  word  till  ither  they  said. 

"  O  hear  ye  now,  Ribolt,  my  love,  tell  me 
Why  are  ye  nae  blyth  as  ye  wont  to  be  ?" 

"  O  my  Ufe-blood  it  rins  fast  and  free. 
And  wae  is  my  heart,  as  it  well  may  be  ! 

"  And  soon,  fu'  soon  I'll  be  cald  in  the  clay, 
And  my  Guldborg  I  maim  a  maiden  lea'." 

'•  It's  I'll  tak  my  silken  lace  e'en  now, 
And  bind  up  yoiu'  wound  the  best  I  dow." 

"  God  help  thee,  Guldborg,  and  rue  on  thee  ; 
Sma  boot  can  thy  silken  lace  do  me !" 

Whan  they  cam  till  the  castell  yett, 
His  mither  she  stood  and  leant  thereat. 

•'  Ye're  welcome,  Ribolt,  dear  son  mine, 
And  sae  I  wat  is  she,  young  bride  thine. 

"  Sae  pale  a  bride  saw  I  never  air. 

That  had  ridden  sae  far  but  goud  on  her  hair." 

*'  Nae  wonder,  nae  wonder,  tho'  pale  she  be, 
Sae  hard  a  fecht  as  she's  seen  wi'  me ! 

"  Wold  God  I  had  but  an  hour  to  live ! — 
But  my  last  bequests  awa'  I'U  give. 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  329 

"  To  my  father  my  steed  sae  tall  I  gie  ; — 
Dear  mither,  ye  fetch  a  priest  to  me  ! 

"  To  my  dear  brither  that  stands  me  near, 
I  lea'  Guldborg  that  I  hald  sae  dear." 

"  How  glad  thy  bequest  were  I  to  fang, 
But  haly  klrke  wad  ca'  it  wrang." 

'*  Sae  help  me  God  at  my  utmost  need, 
As  Guldborg  for  me  is  a  may  indeed. 

"  Ance,  only  ance,  with  a  lover's  lyst, 
And  but  only  ance,  her  mouth  I  kist." 

"  It  ne'er  sal  be  said,  till  my  dying  day, 
That  till  twa  brithers  I  plight  my  fay." 

Ribolt  was  dead  or  the  cock  did  craw ; 
Guldborg  she  died  or  the  day  did  daw- 
Three  likes  frae  that  bower  were  carried  in  fere, 
And  comely  were  they  withouten  peer ; 

Sir  Ribolt  the  leal  and  his  bride  sae  fair, 

{Sae  be  that  ye  are  mlling,) 
And  his  mither  that -died  wi'  sorrow  and  care. ' 
>      ( There's  a  hue  and  cry  for  them.) 

•  See  "  Popular  Ballads  and  Songs,  &c.  1806,"  vol.  I.  p.  222. 


2  T 


i:     350    ] 


NOTES  ON  RIBOLT  AND  GULDBORG. 


There  leeks  are  the  only  grass  that  springs. 

And  the  gowk  is  the  only  bird  that  sings— P.  S'ii,  v.  8. 

In  tliis  couplet,  Ribolt  intimates,  by  two  very  characteristic  metaphors,  that  the  land  to 
which  he  proposes  to  carry  his  mistress  is  a  perfect  paradise,  enjoying  a  perpetual  spring, 
"  The  leek,"  says  the  Danish  editor,  "  was  formerly,  as  among  the  Israelites,  esteemed  a 
very  valuable  herb,  and  the  cuckoo  a  fine  singing  bird ;  who,  nevertheless,  only  utters  a 
cry  which,  in  the  learned  language,  is  called  "  coccysmus."  His  song  is  agreeable,  be- 
cause it  is  seldom  heard,  and  dien  only  in  the  most  delightful  season  of  spring,  and  the 
early  part  of  summer." 

It  is  not  without  good  reason  that  the  Welch,  as  well  as  most  other  mountaineers,  are 
partial  to  leeks,  which  were  formerly  believed  to  be  possessed  of  great  medicinal  virtues ; 
and  certainly,  as  kitchen  physic,  their  nutritive  qualities,  their  lightaess,  and  their  kindly 
exhilarating  warmth,  as  well  as  the  facility  with  which  they  are  cultivated,  render  them 
peculiarly  salutary  and  acceptable  to  the  poor  and  frugal  peasant,  who  breathes  the  sharp 
keen  air  of  a  mountainous  country.  In  the  East  they  are  still  a  favourite  vegetable;  and 
the  modern  Egyptians  eat  them  with  as  much  cordiality,  and  with  more  than  as  much 
good  reason,  as  the  antient  Egyptians  worshipped  them. 

In  the  days  of  old,  they  were  food  for  heroes,  and  supposed  to  contribute  not  a  little  to 
military  ardour,  as  well  as  to  manly  vigour ;  as  we  learn  from  a  poem  on  the  actions  of  King 
Svein,  quoted  by  Snorro,  in  "  Heims  Kringla,"  p.  828. 

Var  a  sunnudag  svanni, 
'   Seggur  hnie  margur  und  eggiar, 
Morgin  than  sem  manne 
Mser  lauk  ethur  61  bsere : 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  331 

That  is,  "  On  the  Sunday  morning  early,  many  fell  by  the  edge  of  the  sword,  before  the 
maidens  had  brought  any  one  leeks  or  ale  for  his  breakfast."  In  such  high  esteem,  in- 
deed, was  this  herb  among  the  Scandinavians,  that  they  did  not  call  a  man  who  was  the 
ornament  of  his  name,  as  we  would  do,  ihe^ower  of  his  family,  but  jettar  laukr,  the 
leek  of  his  family  ! — We  shall  not  stop  here  to  inquire  what  connection  the  Scotish  porridge 
and  purry  have  with  the  Latin  porrus  (a  leek ;)  but  the  learned  editors  of"  Orkneyinga 
Saga,"  not  without  an  appearance  of  probability,  suppose  (in  which  they  are  supported 
by  Schilter  and  Junius)  that  the  original  meaning  of  leek  is  found'  in  the  Greek  y^ct^ant, 
which  signifies  pot-herbs  in  general ;  and  that  the  porrus,  on  account  of  its  superior  quali- 
ties, was,  by  way  of  distinction,  called  leek,  i;  e.  the  herb. 

Oar  Scotish  kail,  meaning  originally  pot-herbs  in  general,  is  in  much  the  same  predica- 
ment with  the  leek,  and  derives  its  denomination  from  a  similar  association  of  ideas.  In 
Greek,  p^oXu  means  pot-herbs.  The  Germans,  who  prefer  putting  the  aspirate  after  the 
vowel,  instead  of  Tchol,  write  kohl,  from  whence  our  specific  name  cole-wort,  in  Latin  cavMs, 
Now  in  German,  kohle,  which  was  fonnerly  written  without  tlie  final  vowel,  has  also  the 
same  signification  as  the  English  coal;  fire,  and  the  Latin  color,  &c.  &c.  And  here  we 
have  to  observe,, that,, so  far  as^our  knowledge  of  languages  extends,  we  have  found  all 
the  generic  names,  which  imply  Jbod,  to  be  composed  of  roots,  which  signify  heat  and  m- 
goiir  ;  and  we  are  disposed  to  think,  that  the  leek,  on  account  of  its  heating,  nourishing, 
and  invigorating  qualities,  was  by  the  antient  Egyptians  chosen  from  the  vegetable  king- 
dom, as  the  fittest  emblem  of  the  all-inspiring  and  animating  power  of  heat,  or  Jlre  s  as 
the  ox  was  chosen  from  the  animal  kingdom  by  them  and  other  agricultural  nations,  and 
the  quiet,, useful,  apd  milk-giving  cow,  by  herdsmen,  to  be  dedicated  to  Mother  Earth, 
the  prolific  wife  of  Mithra,  the  power  of  meethness,  or  heat^ 

"  And  the  gowk  is  the  only^  bird  that  sings": — P.  324?,  v.  8. 
Mr  Sy  V  is  certainly  right  as  to  the  charm  found  in  the  note  of  the  cuckoo ;  and,  under 
certain  circumstances,  the  croaking  of  a  frog  might  be  no  less  acceptable  to  the  ear. — 
"  You  have  nothing  like  that  in  your  country  !  Is  it  not  delightful  ?"  said  an  Englishman 
to  his  Scotish  guest,  whom  he  had  taken  out  for  the  first  time,  in  a  fine  summer's  even- 
ing, to  hear  the  song  of  the  nightingale.  "  Ha'  'wa'. !"  said  Saunders ;  "  I  wadna  gi'e 
ae  wheeple  o'  a  luhaup  for  a'  the  nichtingales  in  England  !" — a  sentiment  which  was  per- 
fectly natural,  although  perhaps  more  honourable  tor  the  animal  than  to  the  musical  sym- 
pathies, of  my  honest  countrymen  ;  for  Saunders  had  lived  till  his  days  in  a  parish  in  the 
west  of  Scotland,  which  was  so  bleak  and  bare,  that  not  even  the  rural  lark  ever  conde- 
scended to  visit  it;  and  the  only  bird  of  song  they  had  was  the  ixhaup,  or  curlew,. that 
frequented  their  moors  upon  the  apiproach  of  Spring. 


332  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 


I'm  watch' d  by  my  father,  <^c.— P.  324,  v.  11. 
So  in  "  Erlinton :" 

"  And  he  has  warn'd  her  sisters  six. 
And  sae  has  he  her  brethren  se'en, 

Outher  to  watch  her  a'  the  night, 
Or  else  to  seek  her  mom  and  e'en." 


«  And  the  Brok  I  ken,  .^c.-"— P.  S25,  v.  25.  ' 

Guldborg's  bridegroom  was  SzVTrMJrf  the  Brok.  "  TheJBroks,"  (Brook  Okays' the  Danish 
editor, "  as  well  as  the  Brysh*  and  Sinklarsi  came  from  Scotland ;  and_E«Ae  Brok  of  Estrup 
was  the  sixth  in  descent  of  that  family.  One  of  his  daughters  was  the  Dame  Elizabeth 
Brok,  who  gave  her  name  to  Broksoe  in  Portmosen.  There  is  a  long  story  about  the  hat 
which  Eskfe  Brok  took  in  an  encounter  he  had  with  a  Dvir^'i  who,  in  order  to  get  it  again, 
gave  him  very  advantageous  terms,  but  with  this  deduction,  that  he  should  leave  oidy  female 
issue  hehind  him.  In  like  manner  Ransov's  lady  received  a  gift  from  these  subterraneous 
people,  as  Dame  Sophia  Ransov  of  Sbeholm  related  to  me,  and  as  may  be  found  elsewhere 
recorded." 

"  They  scantly  had  ridden  a  mile  hvifour, 
Guldborg  she  looUt  her  shoulder  o'er." — P.  326,  v.  32. 
The  original  term  Stund,  which  signifies  an  hour,  signifies  also  an  hour's  walk,  or  a  Ger- 
man mile,  or  league ;  so,  in  the  "  Child  of  Elle :" 

"  Fair  Emmeline  scant  had  ridden  a  niile,  &c" 
And  in  "  Erlmton :" 

"  They  hadna  ridden  in  the  bonnie  green  wood 
A  mile  but  barely  ane,  &c." 

As  the  German  mile,  or  league,  is  the  more  probable  distance,  I  have  translated  accord- 
ingly.   The  Scotish  ballad  phrase,  "  luikit  her  shoulder  o'er,"  is  perfectly  Danish ;  thus, 

"  Dot  var  hoyfe  Bermerijs, 
Hand  sig  ofver  Axel  saafe,  &c." 

'  Qu.  Braces  ?  Bruce  is  a  common  name  in  Normandy  at  this  day,  and  was  originally  Danish. 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  333 

It  teas  high  Bermeriis, 

He  him  der  hit  shoulder  looKd.' 

"  Light  da/wn,  Guldborg,  my  lady  dear. 
And  hold  my  steed  by  the  renyies  here." — P.  326,  v.  84. 
It  seems  deserving  of  remark,  that  although  the  circumstance  of  knights  in  armour 
(who  never  quitted  the  saddle  while  they  could  keep  their  seat  in  it)  alighting  from  their 
horses  in  order  to  fight,  is  very  unusual,  and  hardly  ever  to  be  met  with  either  in  the  real 
or  fabulous  histories  of  the  preux  Chevaliers,  more  especially  where  one  had  to  fight,  pele 
mele,  with  many ;  yet  this  singularity  occurs  in  all  the  Scotish  versions  of  this  tale : 

"  Bat  light  nowe  downe,  my  ladye  faire, 

■  Xight  downej  and  hold  my  steed,  &c," — C.  of  klle. 

''  He  lighted  off  his  milk-white  steed, 
And  gae  his  lady  him  by  the  head,  &C."— EsLiNTOir. 

"  Light  down,  light  down,  Lady  Marg'ret,"  he  said, 
^  "  And  hold  my  steed  in  your  hand,"— Doug,  Trag. 

If  this  is  really  an  anachronism,  it  is  not  a  little  surprising,  that  the  reciters  of  all  the  four 
pieces,  in  Denmark,  England,  and  Scotland,  should  agree  in  the  same  mistake;  as  there 
is  faar^y  a  probability,  that  it  came  to  Scotland  later  than  the  middle  of  the  fifteenth  cen- 
tury", at  which  period,  an  armed  knight  and  his  charger  were  almost,  like  a  Centaur,  one 

animal,: 

(■  '  ■ '. 

"  Arid  'e*en  sae  he  that  ye  see  me  bleed. 
Be  sure  that  ye  namena  me  till  dead" — P.  325,  v.  36. 
There  is  in  the  Kaerape  Viser  no  note  upon  this  passage,  which  wants  illustration.    It 
seems  to  have  a  reference  to  some  prediction,  wierd,  fatality,  or  enchantment.     In  "  Er- 
linton,"  the  original  idea  appears  to  be  still  more  obscured  and  deteriorated : 

"  Sa/n  •  See  ye  dinna  change  your  cheer, 
Untill  ye  see  my  body  bleed." 

This  "  untill,"  if  there  was  nothing  supernatural  in  the  case,  seems  very  much  out  of  place 
in  the  mouth  of  such  a  man  as  Ribolt, 


334  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 


"  My  youngest  brither  ye  spare,  O  spare, 

To  my  mither  the  doviy  neius  to  bear" — P.  326,  v.  41. 

So  also  in  •«  Erlinton :" 

"  An'  he  has— ^ 

killed  them  a'  but  barely  ane; 

For  he  has  left  that  aged  knight. 

And  a'  to  carry  the  tidings  hame."' 

[. 

"  It's  I'll  tak  my  silken  lace  e'en  nofw. 
And  bind  up  your  mound  the  best  I  dolu." — P.  327,  v.- 49. 
This  is  the  strongest  proof  that  Guldborg  could  possibly  give  her  lover  of  virtuous  af- 
fection and  unbounded  confidence.  So  indecorous  was  it  accounted  for  a  lady  to  appear 
unlaced  before  any  man,  to  whom  she  was  not  married,  that  many  a,  prtide  dame  of  Guld- 
borg's  days  would  have  esteemed  it  hardly  pardonable  in  her  to  use  such  means,  although 
the  only  means  she  had,  of  saving  her  lover  from  bleeding  to  death;  and  so  much  is  the 
case  now  altered,  that  we  doubt  not  but  many  of  our  readers  will  wonder  what  we  could 
find  in  a  couplet  apparently  so  insignificant  to  call  for  a  commentary  ! 

It  is  from  the  manner  and  motive,  rather  than  from  the  action  itself,  that  the  character 
of  the  actor  is  to  be  estimated.  For  a  gentle  lady  to  ride  over  hill  and  dale,  through  wood 
and  wild,  by  night  or  by  day,  with  a  gentle  knight,  was  held  to  be  no  disparagement  to 
her  chastity  and  delicacy;  and  such  elopements  as  that  of  Guldborg  with  Bibolt  were  very 
common,  and  perfectly  consistent  with  the  adventurous  spirit  of  the  times.  The  fre- 
quency of  such  occurrences,  as  well  as  the  dignity  and  interest  with  which  they  appear  in 
our  ancient  ballads,  is  to  be  referred  to  the  pride,  jealousy,  and  stern,  unbending  severity 
of  parents  among  the  nobles  ;  their  quarrels  and  feuds  with  their  neighbours ;  the  unli- 
mited power  which  they  had  over  their  children,  the  little  social  and  endearing  familiar  in- 
tercourse, which  the  stately  formalities  then  kept  up,  admitted  of  their  having  with  them ; 
and  the  peculiar  manners  and  habits  of  the  age,  which  gave  the  young,  the  brave,  and 
the  fair,  opportunities  of  observing  each  other  under  ckcumstances  which  were  calculated 
to  make  the  most  lively  impressions,  and  to  give  rise  to  the  most  romantic  and  enthusiastic 
attachments. 

"  Ribolt  'was  dead  or  the  cock  did  cratn  ; 

Guldborg  she  died  or  the  day  did  davo,  Sjc." — P.  328,  v.  62. 

So  in  the  Douglas  Tragedy : 

"  Lord  Williad  was  dead  lang  ere  midnight, 
Lady  Margaret  lang  ere  day." 


L     335     j 


YOUNG  CHILD  DYRING. 

TRANSLATED  FROM  THE  DANISH  K-EMPE  VISEK,  p.  718. 


The  readeif  may  compare  this  piece  with  the  ballad  of  "  Catharine  Janfarie,"  in  the  Min- 
strelsy of  the  Scotish  Border,  and  "  The  Young  Lochinvar,"  in  Marmion.  Each  of 
these  belongs  to  a  numerous  class  of  Danish  and  Scotisfa  Ballads. 


Det  var  ungen  Her  Svend  Dyring^ 

Hand  raade  med  Moder  sitit 
Jeg  vil  mig  udride, 

Her  Magnicses  hrud  igeti. 

(/  dag  tager  svenden  sig  orlov  udqfherren.) 


It  was  the  Young  Child  Dyrifig, 

Wi'  his  mither  rede  did  he  : 
*«  I  will  me  out  ride 

Sir  Magnus?s  bride  to  see." 
{His  leave  the  page  takes  to-day  frae  his  master.) 

"  Will  thou  thee  out  ride. 

Sir  Magnus's  bride  to  see  ? 
Sa6  beg  I  thee  by  Almighty  God 

Thou  speed  thee  home  to  me." 
{His  leave,  ^c.) 


sas  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

Syne  answer'd  Young  Child  Dyre — 
He  rode  the  bride  to  meet ; 

The  silk  but  and  the  black  sendell 
Hang  down  to  his  horse'  feet. 

All  rode  they  there,  the  bride-folk. 

On  row  sae  fair  to  see ; 
Excepting  Sir  Svend  Dyre, 

And  far  about  rode  he. 

It  was  the  Young  Child  Dyre  rode 

Alone  along  the  strand ; 
The  bridle  was  of  the  red  gold 

That  gUtter'd  in  his  hand. 

'Twas  then  proud  Lady  Ellensborg, 

And  under  weed  smU'd  she : 
"  And  who  is  he,  that  noble  child 
That  rides  sae  bold  and  free  ?" 

Syne  up  and  spak  the  maiden  fair 
Was  next  unto  the  bride  : 

"  It  is  the  Young  Child. Dyre     ,  ,,,^„  ,  !,> '. 
That  sfetely  st«ed  does  ride." 

'<  And  is't  the  Young  Child  Dyr^ 
That  rides  sae  bold  and  free  ? 

God  wot,  he's  deafprithg.t  tides  that  steed. 
Nor  a'  the  lav^  tcf  ISie !" 

All  rode  they  theiB,^the, bridal  trJain,  i 

JEaeh  rode  his. steed  to  gtall, . 

All  but  Child  Dyre,  that  look'd  whare  he 
Should  find  his  seat. in  the  hall.  > 


"  Sit  whare  ye  list,  my  Jordings  ;- 
For  me,  whate'er  betide,    >       '■■ 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  S37 

Here  I  shaQ  sickerly  sit  the  day, 
To  haJd  the  sun  £rae  the  bride." 

Then  up  spak  the  bride's  father, 

And  an  angry  man  was  he  : 
"  Whaever  sits  by  my  dochter  the  day. 

Ye  better  awa'  wad  be." 

'*  It's  I  have  intill  Paris  been, 

And  well  my  drift  can  speD ; 
And  ay  whatever  I  have  to  say, 

I  tell  it  best  my  sell." 

"  Sooth  thou  hast  intill  Paris  lear'd, 

A  worthless  drift  to  spell : 
And  ay  whatever  thou  hast  to  say, 

A  rogue's  tale  thou  must  tell." 

Ben  stept  he,  Young  Child  Dyre,, 

Nor  reck'd  he  wha  might  chide ; 
And  he  has  ta'en  a  chair  in  hand. 

And  set  him  by  the  bride. 

'Twas  lang  i'  the  night ;  the  briderfi>lk 

Ilk  ane  look'd  for  his  bed  ; 
And  Young  Child  Dyre  amang  the  lave 

Speer'd  whare  he  should  be  laid. 

"  "Without,  afore  the  stair  steps,. 

Or  laigh  on  the  cawsway  stane» 
And  there  may  lye  Sir  Dyre ; 

For  ither  bed  we've  nane." 

'Twas  late  intill  the  evening, 

The  bride  to  bed  maun  ga; 
And  out  went  he,  Child  Dyring,, 

To  rouse  his  mmyie  a'.. 
2U 


938  ROMANTIC  BALIlADS. 

"  Now  busk  and  d'on  your  harnass, 
But  and  your  brynies  blae  ; 

And  boldly  to  the  bride-bower 
Full  merrily  we'll  gae."         ''" 

Sae  folloVd  they  to  the  bridcbowerf  ' 
That  bride  sae  young  and  bright : 

And  forward  stept  Child  Dyre, 
And  quenched  the  marriage  hght. 

The  cresset  they've  lit  up  again,     , 
But  and  the  taper  clear. 

And  followed  to  the  bride-bower. 
That  bride  without  a  peer. 


#        *        *        #.*!#. 

^d  up  Child  Dyre  snatch'd  the  bride, 

All  in  his  mantle  blae ; 
And  swung  her  all 'so  hghtly 

Upon  his  ambler  gray. 

They  lock'd  the  bower,  they  lit  the  torch ; 

'Twas  hurry-scurry  a' ; 
Wlule  merrily  ay  the  loVe*^  gay 

Rode  roundly  to  the  shaw. 

In  Rosen-wood  they  turn'd  about 

To  pray  their  bridal  prayer  : 
"  Good  night  and  joy,  Sir  Magnus ! 

For  us  ye'U  see  nae  mair." 

Sae  rode  he  to  the  green  wood. 

And  o'er  the  meadow  green. 
Till  he  came  to  his  mither's  bower, 

Ere  folks  to  bed  were  gane. 


ROMANTIC  ^BALLADS.  839 

Out  came  proud  Lady  Metelild, 

In  menevair  sae  free  : 
She's  welcom'd  him,  Child  Dyring, 

And  his  young  bride  him  wi'. 

Now  joys  attend  Child  Dyring, 

Sae  leal  but,  and  sae  bold ; 
*  '      ...» 
He's  ta'en  her  to  his  ain  castell, 

His  bride-ale  there  to  hold. 

{His  leave  the  page  takes  to-day  frae  Ms  master.) 


[     340     ] 


INGEFRED  AND  GUDRUN]^. 

TRANSLATED   FROM  THE    DANISH   ILSMPE   VISER,   p.    662. 


Thb  reader  may  compare  this  piece  with  "  Cospatrick,"  (sometimes  Gil  Brenton)  in  the 
Border  Minstrelsy,  vol.  iii.  p.  52,  ed.  4<. 


Ingefred  og  Gudrutie, 

De  sade  udi  deres  bure,  Sfc, 

{Det  er  saajavret  om  sommeren.) 


Ingefred  and  Gudrune 

Intill  their  bower  sat ; 
Proud  Ingefred  sew'd  her  goud  girdle ; 

Sae  sair  Gudrune  grat. 
^Jnd  it's  sae  fair  i'  the  summertide.) 

"  Hear  ye,  dear  sister  Gudrune, 
Whareto  greet  ye  sae  sair  ?" 

"  Fu'  well  may  I  now  sair  greet, 
My  heart's  sae  fu'  o'  care. 
{And  it's,  S;c.) 

"  And  hear  ye,  dear  sister  Ingefred ; 
Be  bride  the  night  for  me ; 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  3*1 

It's  a'  mjr  bonny  bride-daes 

Sae  freely  I'll  gie  thee ; 
And  mair  atour,  the  bridal  gifts, 

Whatso  that  they  may  be." 

"  Gin  I  be  bride  ihe  night  for  ye. 

Your  bridegroom  maun  be  mine." 
"  And  come  o'  me  whatso  God  will. 

My  bridegroom's  ne'er  be  thine." 

IntUl  the  kirke  they  led  her, 

Buskit  in  silk  $ae  fine ; 
The  priest  stood  in  his  gilt  shoon, 

Samsing  and  her  to  join. 

As  they  fiire  o'er  the  meadoW>, 

A  herd  gaed  wi'  his  foe : 
**  Ware  Samsing's  house,  fair  lady, 

And  near  it  comena  ye  ! 

"  Twa  nightingales  Sir  Samsing  has, 

They  ladies  ken  sae  well ; 
And  fas  he  a  may,  or  fas  he  nane, 

Sae  sootiily  they  can  tell." 

They  turn'd  their  carrs  in  greenwood. 

And  chang'd  their  claes  sae  free ; 
They  changed  a'  but  their  rosy  cheeks. 

That  changed  cou'dna  be. 

They've  taen  her  till  the  castell, 

Whare  nane  the  red  goud  spare ; 
And  the  knights  afore  the  bride-bink    < 

Their  bridal  gifts  they  bare. 

It's  up  and  spak  a  leach  syne. 
As  in  his  place  stood  be  : 


342  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

*'  Methinks  ye  are  proud  Ingefted, 
That  mickle  marvekjme."  --.. 

She  took  the  goud  ring  frae  Ijer  arm. 

And  to  the  minstrel  gae — 
"  I'm  but  a  drucken  havrel ;  nane 

Needs  reck  what  I  may  sayi?' 

She  trampit  on  the  leaches '  foot ; 
Frae's  nail-root  sprang  the  blude  : 

•^  It's  nane  needs  reck  a  word  I  say- 
But  it  be  Sir  Samsinggude." 

*Twas  late,  and  down  the  dew  fell, 

And  the  bride  to  bed  can  gae  ; 
Sir  Samsing  says  till  his  nightingales, 

*'  Now  sing  what  luci  Ihae. 

*'  Hae  I  a  may,  or  hae  I  nane 

r  the  bride-bed  now  wi'  me  ?" 
"  Gudrune  stands  i'  the  floor  alane,, 

And  ye've  a  may  you  wi'." 

"  Rise  up,  rise  up,  proud  Ingefred,— 

Gudrune,  here  come  ye  ; 
What  ails  Gudrune,  dearest  mine, 

To  quat  her  bed  and  me  i"  - 

"  On  the  sea-strand  my  fether  liv'd; 

Ae  night  the  rievers  came  ; 
Achtsome  intill  my  bower  brak  ; 

A  kiiight  did  work  me  shame. 

"  His  man  he  held  my  hands  there ; 
The  knight  he  did  that  sin" — 

'  The  iftinstrel  and  physician  here  seem  to  be  the  same  person ;  a  very  antient  union 
ef  professions. 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  343 

"  Chear  up  thy  heart,  my  dearest !" 
And  kist  her  cheek  and  chin. 

"  'Twas  my  men  that  your  bower  brak : 

Mysel  that  did  that  sin ; 
My  man  did  hald  your  hands  there ; 

Mysell  the  flower  did  win." 

Proud  Ingefred,  for  she  bride  was, 

Sae  Wyth  a  luck  had  she, 
She  married  sae  rich  a  courtier, 

A  knight  in  his  degree. ' 

{^nd  ifs  saefair  i'  thcsummertide.) 

'  In  apublication  (of  no  credit)  which  has  just  reached  uS,  entitled  "  Remains  of  Niths- 
dale  and  Galloway  Song,"  by  R.  H.  Cromek,  (which  is  executed  in  such  a  manner  as, 
were  it  of  sufBcient  importance,  to  bring  the  authenticity  of  all  popular  poetry  in  ques- 
tion,) there  is  a  very  poor  and  mutilated  copy  of  "  Gil  Brenton,"  in  a  note  upon  which 
is  the  following  passage :  "  There  are  many  incongruities  in  Mr  Scott's  copy,  which  it  is 
strange  that  so  able  an  antiquary  could  have  let  pass.  For  example,  we  never  hear  of 
mass  being  said  in  the  evening,  but  vespers,  as  in  the  original  here  given.  Mr  Scott  also 
omiis  that  interesting  personage,  the  "  BillJe  Blin,"  and  axuhxiardly  supplies  the  loss  by 
making  the  bed,  blankets,  and  sheets,  speak,  which  is  an  outrage  on  the  consistency  even  of 
a  fairy  tale." 

Now,  in  Mr  Scott's  copies,  and  the  present  water's,  where  the  hero  is  called  Gil  Bren- 
ton, the  blankets  and  sheets  are  just  as  in  the  Minstrelsy;,  there  is  no  word  of  "  Billie 
Blin,"  and  we  doubt  if  ever  any  reciter  of  the  ballad  mentioned  him ;  and  as  to  vespers, 
neither  the  thing  itself,  nor  the  name,  is  known  among  the  peasantry  of  Scotland ;  whereas 
the  mass,  having  been  the  war-cry  of  the  Reformers,  and  afterwards  of  the  Covenanters, 
during  the  struggles  between  presbytery  and  episcopacy,  is  still  familiar  to  every  one. 

8 


C     344     ] 


SIR  STIG  AND  LADY  TORELILD. 

TBANSLATED   FKOM  THE   DANISH   KMilFE  VISER,   p.    757. 


This  piece  bears  a  very  striking  resemblance  to  "  Willie's  Lady,"  in  the  Border  Min- 
strelsy, vol.  ii.  p.  394,  ed.  4.,  and  "  Sweet  Willie  of  Liddisdale,"  in  Popular  Ballads 
and  Songs,  1806,  vol.  ii.  p.  179^ 


Her  Ove  har  ej  daatter  uden  een, 
{Op  under  saagr'dn  en  lind) 

Hand  giver  hejide  til  Elling  hen. 
{De  ride  saa  varlig  gennem  lunden,} 


Sir  Ove  has  never  a  dbchter  but  ane  i 

(  Up  under  sae  green  a  lime) 
He's  parted  wi'  her,  and  till  Elling  she's  gancf 

{They  ride  to  the  greenwood  sae  warily.) 

To  a  knight  he  has  gi'en  her,  his  bride  to  be ; 

{Up  under,  Sfc.) 
To  Sir  Stig  Kop,  for  sae  hight  he.. 

{They  ride,  Ssc) 

Sith  then  was  a  tovraion  well  near  fulfill'd  ; 
Sae  heavy  wi'  twins  gaed  Tor^Iild. 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  S45 

She  gaed  out  and  gaed  in,  kent  na  what  to  do, 
And  ay  the  longer  the  warr  she  grew* 

Sir  Stig  he  in  hy  did  on  his  claes, 

And  in  to  the  bowei*  till  his  mither  he  gaes  ; 

"  O  hear  ye,  dear  mither,  ye  teU  now  me 
How  lang  wi'  bairn  maim  Tor^hld  be  ?" 

"  It's  forty  ouks  and  a  towmon  mair 
Maun  Torelild  gang,  or  a  bairn  she  bear." 

"  O  na,  dear  mither,  it  canna  be  sae ; 
But  forty  ouks  Mary  wi'  Christ  did  gae." 

"  Sin  lax  nor  lee  I  hear  can  fa. 
Then  carry  me  back  whare  I  cam  fra.',' 

"  My  horses  are  a*  i'  the  meadow  down, 
My  men  in  bed  are  sleeping  soun'." 

"  Gin  car  nor  driver  I  can  fa, 
It's  then  o;i  my  bare  foot  I  sail  ga." 

But  that  word  scarcely  out  had  she. 
Whan  horse  and  car  at  the  yett  they  see. 

Sir  Stig  took  her  kindly  up  in  his  arm  ; 
In  the  gilded  car  hfted  her  but  harm ; 

On  a  bowster  blue  set  her  saftly  syne. 

And  himself  he  drave  to  the  greenwood  hyne. 

Whan  they  thro'  Rosen-wood  can  found, 
The  car  it  brak  in  that  same  stound. 

"  A  selcouth  woman  I  sure  maun  be, 
When  my  ain  car  canna  carry  me." 

2x 


346  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

"  O  grieve  ye  for  this,  sweet  love,  nae  mae ; 
For  ye  sail  ride,  and  I  sail  gae." 

Whan  they  cam  till  the  castell  yett. 
His  sister  she  stood  and  leant  thereat 

"  O  rede  me,  dear  sister,  thou  rede  now  me 
How  my  dear  lady  may  lifter  be." 

Proud  Metelild's  till  the  wild-wood '  gane ; 
Twa  dowies  o'  wax  she's  wrought  her  lane ; 

She's  wrapt  her  head  in  her  pilche  sae  fine,- 
And  gane  to  the  bower  till  her  mither  hyne. 

"  O  mither,  forleet  now  a'  your  harms. 
And  tak  your  knave-bairn  oys  i'  your  arms." 

"  My  cantrip  circles  I  coost  a'  round ; 
A'  thing  and  place  I  ween'd  was  bound ; 

"  A'  butt  and  ben  well  charm'd  I  troVd, 
A'  but  whare  Torelild*s  bride-kist  stood." 

The  kist  swyth  frae  that  stede  they  fet, 
And  Torelild  on  it  they  have  set ; 

And  she  was  scarce  well  set  down  there, 
Whan  twa  knave-bairns  sae  blyth  she  bare* 


****** 

"  O  God,  gin  my  life  sae  lang  mat  be  !— 
But  my  last  bequests  awa'  I'll  gi'e. 

'  "  Wildwood,"  in  the  original,  "  orke,"  i.  e.  desert,  heathy  mldeniess. 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  347 

"  I'll  gie  Stig's  mither  my  silken  sark ; — 
God  gif  she  may  brook  it  Tvi'  care  and  cark  ! 

"  To  his  sister  mybrowder'd  shoe  I  lea' ; — 
God  grant  she  may  brook  it  ay  free  frae  wae ! 

*'  Last,  like  to  like,  to  Sir  Stig  I  gie 
A  rose-bloom  sweet  and  fair  as  he !" 


r.nfiVSi!     ■  :   I:'.: 


C     S48    } 


ULRICH  AND  ANNIE. 


J  HE  following  ballad  is  popular,  in  the  nurseries  particularly,  where- 
ever  the  German  language  is  spoken.  As  a  ballad,  (at  least,  in  any 
thing  like  a  perfect  state,)  I  have  never  met  with  it  in  Scotland ;  but 
as  a  tak,  intermixed  with  scraps  of  verse,  it  was  quite  familiar  to  me 
when  a  boy ;  and  I  have  since  found  it  in  much  the  same  state,  in  the 
Highlands,  in  Lochaber  and  Ardnamurchan.  According  to  our  tra- 
dition, Ulrich  had  seduced  the  younger  sister  of  his  wife,  (as  indeed 
may  be  gathered  from  the  German  ballad,)  and  committed  the  miu:- 
der  to  prevent  discovery. — I  do  not  remember  that  any  names  were 
specified  either  in  the  Scotish  or  Gaelic  manner  of  telling  the  story: 
in  every  other  particular,  the  British  tradition  differed  nothing  from 
the  German. 


C     349     3 


ULRICH  AND  ANNIE. 

TRANSLATED  FROM  THE  GERMAN  IN  HERDER's  VOLKSLIEDER,  VoL  I.  p.  79, 
AND  DES  KNABEN  WUNDERHORN,  p.  274. 


Es  ritt  einst  Vlrich  spazieren  atts  ; 
Er  ritt  vmhl  vor  lieb  Annchens  Haus  : 
"  Lieb  Annehen,  milt  mit  in  griinen  Wald? 
Ich  mil  dir  lemen  den  Vogelsang,"  8fc. 


It's  out  rade  Ulrich  to  tak  the  air, 
And  he  to  dear  Annie's  bower  can  fare : 
"  Dear  Annie,  wi'  me  to  the  greenwood  gang, 
And  I'll  lear  you  the  sma  birds'  sang." 

The  tane  wi'  the  tither  they  out  are  gane, 
The  copse  o'  hazel  they've  reekit  alane  ; 
And  bit  and  bit  they  gaed  farther  on. 
Till  they  a  green  meadow  cam  upon. 

On  the  green  grass  syne  down  sat  he  : 

"  Dear  Annie,  come  set  you  down  by  me." 

His  head  on  her  lap  he  saftly  laid. 

And  het  gush'd  the  tears  she  o'er  him  shed. 

•'  O  Annie,  dear  Annie,  why  greet  ye  sae  ? 
What  cause  to  greet  can  Annie  bae  ? 


350  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

Greet  ye,  belike,  for  your  father's  gude  ? 
Or  is't  that  ye  greet  for  your  young  blude  ? 

"  Or  am  I  nae  fair  eneugh  for  thee  ?" 
**  It's  gudes  or  gear  they  reckna  me } 
Fu'  little  thro'  my  young  blude  I  dree, 
And  Ulrich  is  fair  eneugh  for  me. 

"  Up  on  that  fir  sae  fair  and  lang 
Eleven  young  ladies  I  saw  hang — " 
"  O  Annie,  dear  Annie,  that  did  ye  see  ? 
How  soon  sail  ye  the  twelfthen  be !" 

"  And  sail  I  then  the  twelfthen  be  ? 
To  cry  three  cries  then  grant  ye  me  !" 
The  firsthen  cry  that  she  cried  there, 
She  cried  upon  her  father  dear ; 

The  nexten  cry  that  she  did  cry. 
She  cried  to  her  dear  Lord  on  high  ; 
And  the  thirden  cry  she  cried  sae  shiU, 
Her  yoiuigest  brither  she  cried  imtill. 

Her  brither  sat  at  the  cule  red  wine ; 
The  cry  it  cam  thro'  his  window  hyne  ; 
"  O  hear  ye,  hear  ye,  my  brethren  a'. 
How  my  sister  cries  thereout  i'  the  sha\v  ! ' 

*'  O  Ulrich,  Ulrich,  gude-brither  mine, 
Whare  hast  thou  youngest  sister  mine  ?" 
*'  Up  there  upon  that  linden  green, 
The  dark-brown  silk  ye  may  see  her  spin." 

"  Whareto  are  thy  shoon  wi'  blude  sae  red  ?" 

"  Well  may  the  red  blood  be  on  my  shoe. 
For  I  hae  shot  a  young  turtle  dow." 

^1 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  351 

"  Thf  turtle  dow  that  ye  shot  there. 
That  turtle  dow  did  my  mither  bear." 

If  8  deep  in  the  greaf  dear  Annie  was  laid ; 
Fause  Ulrich  was  high  on  the  wheel  display'd. 
O'er  Annie  the  cherubim  sweetly  sung  ^ 
O'er  Ulrich  croak'd  the  ravens  young. 


C     352     ] 


-;i:;!  J.. 


THE  MAIDEN 

AND 

THE  HASEL. 

TRANSLATED  FROM  THE  GERMAN  IN  HERDEr's  VOLKSLIEDER,  Vol.  I.  p.  109, 
AND  DES  KNABEN  WUNDERHORN,  p.   192. 


It  will  be  amusing  to  compare  this  traditionary  fragment  with  "  A  merry  ballet  of'the 
Hawthorn  Tree,"  in  Ritson's  Antient  Songs,  p.  46,  and  in  the  new  Edition  of  Evans's 
Ballads,  vol  I.  p.  342. 


Es  tuollt  ein  mcedchen  rosenbrechen  gehn 

Wohl  in  die  grune  heide. 
Wasjand  sie  da  am  luege  stehn? 

Ein  hasel,  die  inar  grime,  8jc- 


A  LASSIE  gaed  out  a  rose-gathering 

F  the  greenwood  a'  her  lane ; 
And  she  fand  by  the  gaite  a  hasel  tree 

Was  growing  fresh  and  green, 

"  Gude  morrow,  gude  morrow,  my  hazel  dear, 
How  comes  that  ye're  sae  green  ?" 

"  O  thank  ye,  thank  ye,  maiden  gay, 
How  comes  that  ye're  sae  sheen  ?" 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  3fiS 

"  I'll  naething  heal,  but  trulj  tell 

How  comes  that  I'm  sae  sheen  ; 
I  eat  white  bread,  and  I  drink  red  wine, 

And  that  maks  me  sae  sheen." 

"  Ye  eat  white  bread,  and  ye  drink  red  wine, 

And  that  maks  ye  sae  sheen  ; 
And  the  cauler  dew  fa's  ilka  mom  on  me, 

And  that  maks  me  sae  green." 

"  The  cauler  dew  fa's  ilka  mom  on  ye. 

And  that  maks  ye  sae  green  -, 
But  anca  that  a  lassie  her  garland  tines, 

It's  never  foimd 


"  But  the  lassie  that  wishes  her  garland 
To  keep,  maun  bide  at  hame ; 

JNor  daaoe  o'sr  'late  in  the  gfloapdn, 
Jfor  gang  to  flie  gieemwoo^  her  lane." 

'*  O  thank  ye,  thank  ye,  my  hasel4ear, 
For  the  counsel  ye  hae  gi'en ; 

I  mith  danced  o'er  late  i'  the  gloamin, 
But  now  I'll  bide  at  hame." 


2  y 


r     354     ] 


CHILD  AXELVOLD. 


AVe  consider  this  piece  as  a  very  favourable  specimen  of  the  old  nar- 
rative ballad,  equally  simple,  perspicuous,  and  satisfactory  ;  where  no- 
thing seems  to  be  wanting,  and  nothing  redundant.  The  natural  pas- 
sions are  sketched  with  a  masterly  and  chaste  hand,  and  the  more  in- 
teresting features  are  marked  with  such  happy  dexterity,  that,  in  the 
successive  scenes,  as  they  pass  in  review  before  us,  every  thing  seems 
to  be  alive,  exactly  in  its  place,  and  acting  its  proper  part ;  and  there 
is  in  the  whole  a  propriety,  neatness,  and  elegance,  which  is  deserving 
of  all  approbation. 

As  one  of  the  most  affecting  passages  (where  Child  Axelvold's  mo- 
ther takes  off  her  coronet)  derives  its  beauty  entirely  from  fashions 
and  usages  now  little  thought  of  in  this  country,  it  may  not  be  impro- 
per here  to  subjoin  some  such  account  of  them,  as  may  tend  to  illus- 
trate the  text. 

The  Maiden  Coronet,  or  tire  for  the  head,  although  of  various 
forms  and  qualities,  according  to  the  taste  or  condition  of  the  wearer 
was  uniformly  open  at  the  top ;  and  no  one  covered  her  head,  till 
she  had  forfeited  her  right  to  wear  the  coronet,  chaplet,  garland,  or 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  355 

bandeau. '  This  was  the  case  in  many  parts  of  Scotland,  till  within  the 
last  twenty  or  thirty  years.  The  ballads  and  songs  of  the  northern 
nations,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  specimens  we  have  produdSH,  abound 
with  allusions  to  this  very  antient  usage ;  and  eveiy  body  in  Scotland 
knows 

"  The  lassie  lost  her  silken  snood, 
A-puing  o*  the  bracken.'"' 

Of  the  coronets  worn  by  the  peasant  girls  in  Livonia,  Courland,  Es- 
thonia,  Lithuania,  &c.,  a  curious  assortment  has  been  sent  me  by  ray 
learned  and  zealous  friend,  the  Reverend  Gustav  von  Bergmann,  pas- 
tor of  Ruien,  in  Livonia ;  and  some  of  them  are  very  picturesque  and 
elegant.  The  older  ones,  worn  by  brides  on  their  wedding-day,  are 
simple  bandeaus  of  dyed  horse-hair,  curiously  plaited,  diversified,  and 
figured,  which  wUl  be  referred  to  elsewhere.*  The  others  are  of  cloth, 
silk,  velvet,  &c.,  tastefully  ornamented  with  beads,  spangles,  gold  and 
silver  embroidery,  precious  stones,  artificial  emblematic  flowers,  &c.  j 
and  some  raised  before  in  form  of  a  retroverted  crescent,  and  tyed 
with  a  ribbon  behind.  One,  which  seemed  of  very  antique  workman- 
ship, I  have  seen  upon  a  Lithuanian  damsel,  which  was  a  solid,  radiated, 
open  crown  of  gilt  brass,  lined  with  royal  purple  velvet,  perfectly  or- 
bicular, resting  upon  the  top  of  the  head,  (where  the  Scotish  maidens 
used  to  wear  the  cockemonie,)  and  held  on  by  a  fillet  tyed  under  the 
hair,  which  was  plaited  down  the  back,  and  adorned  with  a  bunch  of 
different-coloured  ribbons  at  the  end,  as  is  the  fashion  all  over  that 
country,  as  well  as  in  a  great  part  of  Russia.     No  entreaty  could  in- 

•  To  this  purpose  is  the  Lettish  {Livonian)  metrical  adage : 

Viiieem  schihdeem  mellas  galvas 
Vi^jeem  gnihdu  pilnas ; 
Kurrai  meitai  mitschka  galv4, 
Ta  irr  veena  mauka. 

"  Every  Jew  has  black  hair  fiill  of  nits ;  the  girl  that  wears  a  close  cap  is  a  w — — " 
*,See  in  the  subsequent  part  of  this  volume,  the  notes  on  "  Sir  Lave  and  Sir  John." 
5  The  ends  of  the  hairs  are  turned  inward,  which  makes  it  very  uneasy,  as  no  lining  was 
originally  allowed.    The  moral  intended  to  be  conveyed  by  this  is  simple  and  obvious. 


356  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

duce  her  to  part  with  it,  although  as  much  money  was  offered  as  might 
have  been  a  temptation.  But  whatever  were  her  reasons  for  prizing 
it  so  higt^,  they  must  have  been  good ;  and  to  give  her  coronet,  for 
love  or  money,  to  a  young  man  and  a  stranger,  would  have  been  a 
transaction  of  most  inauspicious  omen ;  so  I  left  her,  much  more 
pleased  with  her  scruples  and  her  delicacy,  than  I  could  have  been 
with  the  possession  of  the  relic  which  I  was  so  desirous  to  obtain. 

This  metal  crown  seems  to  be  an  humble  relative  of  the  golden  one 
worn  by  the  mother  of  Child  Axelvold,  which  was  probably  substi- 
tuted, in  a  more  ostentatious  age,  by  the  richer  Asiatics  and  their 
descendants,  for  the  more  simple,  significant,  and  elegant  garlaind  of 
flowers,  which  the  Greeks  borrowed  from  them,  or  retained  after  their 
separation  from  them.  This  ornament  the  Greeks  called  MIt^h,  with 
an  allusion,  we  suppose,  to  the  radiated  crown  or  circlet  which  sur- 
rounded the  head  of  Mithra,  the  God  of  Fire,  and  to  the  Apollinis  in- 
jula^  and  5-£^/<fli  3-eo7o,  worn  by  his  priests,  and  those  who  officiated  ift 
his  sacrifices.--^As  Venus,  as  well  as  Freija,  was  originally  the  same  as 
Mithra,  that  is,  the  power  of  vivifying  andfecundifying  heat ;  this  crowtt 
was,  at  the  first  entrance  upon  her  mysteries,  dedicated  by  the  bride 
to  that  goddess : 

Tyi  Ilaip/ii  reyaVouf,  tm  YVoLwdti  rrir  7rK0xa.ju.1Jei, 

Apnjuiat  {oyny  ayS'iro  Kahkiaoyi' 
Ev^iTO  ya.^  /Avti^r^^a.,  Toy  ^^iKi,  xa/  KoL^iy  ijSny 

Xaff'oya,,  )ta.i  TiKiuy  aptriy  trmTt  ykyoQ, 

Agath.  apud  Sched.syngr,  1.  c.  4. 

"  CaUirhoe  dedicated  her  coronet  to  Venus,  her  hair  to  Minerva,  and 
her  girdle  to  Diana  ;  for  ^he  had  found  the  suitor  whom  she  loved  ; 
she  had  obtained  the  prudent  youth ;  and  becoming  pregnant,  she 
had  brought  forth  a  man-child." 

In  this  statement  we  have  been  the  more  particular,  because  the 
translators  of  the  Greek  poets,  who  abound  with  elegant  allusions  to 
the  nuptial  ceremony  of  takii:\g  off  the  bride's  coronet,  generally  inter- 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  357 

pret  /ilr^n  by  the  zone  or  girdle '  (of  plaited  rushes,)  which,  among  the 
Greeks  and  Romans,  was  not  properly  a  virgin  zone,  because  it  was  to 
be  worn  by  the  wi^,  till  it  became  too  short. 

In  later  times,  the  unbinding  the  coronet,  and  unbuckling  the  ^- 
dle,  in  putting  the  bride  to  bed,  were  so  nearly  connected  with  each 
other,  that  the  z»ne  and  coronet  were  sometimes  put  for  each  other, 
and  fii'rpn  applied  to  the  former,  as  in  the  Argon,  oi  Apoll.  Rhod,  B.  1, 
1.  287 : — 


MiTfiiy  iTfUToy  thvtroi  Kni  u^curor. 

This  ma^  be  partly  accounted  for  from  the  circumstance  of  the  zone 
being  otherwise  related  to  the  coronet,  as  an  astronomical  and  mythi- 
cal emblem. 

The  Jews  still  retain  the  usage  of  the  nuptial  coronet :  "  A  muli- 
eribus  quoque  et  virginibus  in  peculiare  cubiculum  [sponsaj  non  ve- 
LATo  CAPITE,  passis  capillis  deducitur ;  festivae  cantilenae  nuptiales  co- 
ram ilia  canuntur  j  illam  in  pulchro  sedili  coUocant ;  crinem  iUi 
pectunt ;  capiUosque  in  elegantes  cirros  et  cincinnos  distribuunt ;  mag- 
nificam  vittam  imponunt,  &c — Singularis  est  mulierum  in  hoc  capil- 
lorum  comtu  laetitia,  quam  elegantibus  cantilenis,  saltatione,  ludisque 
omne  genus  testantur,  ut  sponsam  exhilarent :  magno  id  enim  habent 
loco,  Deoque  gratissimum  et  acceptissimum  opus  esse  censent." — 
See  Buxt(yiji  Synagoga  Judaica,  a  B.Jilio  ancta,  ^c.  12mo.  Basil.  1680, 
p.  629. 

Writing  "  De  honestate  copulae  conjugaUs,"  among  the  Sveo-Goths 
of  his  time,  Olaus  Magnus,  (Lib.  xiiij.  c.  x.)  says:  "  Est  et  alia  ratio 
continentiae,  quod  die  desponsationis  suae,  coronata  diademate  imagi- 
nis  Divae  Virginis  (quod  dono  parochianorum  pro  tali  eifectu  rema- 

MoscH.  EuROP.  1. 73. 

This  is  only  one  of  many  examples. 

12 


3S8  ROMANTIC  BALLADS'* 

net,)  incedere  valeat  [^sponsa]  inviolate  pudore.  Praeterea  spe  bona 
ducuntur,  ut  quascunque  sponsa  tali  diademate  amicta  fuerit,  nunquam 
a  fide  marati  fsecundidate  prolis,  et  morum  honestate  confirmata  dis- 
cedet :  imo  ut  ha9c  a  Deo  novi  conjuges  consequantur,  doctrina  pa- 
rentum  admoniti,  per  aliquot  noctes  et  dies  a  carnalibus  lasciviis  sese 

rej&enant.  i 

"  Praeterea  mos  est,  ut  aliquot  delicatiora  fercula  in  lecto  se- 

dentibus  nuptis  exhibeantur,  ut  iis  cum  astantibus  brevi  mora  vescan- 
tur :  tandemque,  valedicentibus  amicis,  sua  pace  fruuntur.  Sequenti 
tamen  die,  nova  nupta,  crinibus  absconsis,  afiabili  incessu  convivis  ar- 
genteos  scyphos  electiore  liquore  repletos,  in  signum  quod  materfami- 
lias  effecta  sit,  liberaliter  propinat." 

Among  Christians,  Our  Lady,  the  Queen  of  Heaven,  was  the  suc- 
cessor of  the  Syrian  Astarte,  (who  held  in  her  hand  a  cnwjfix,^  the 
Greek  and  Roman  Venus,  &c.,  and  the  Gothic  Freija ;  and  to  Our 
Lady  the  maidens  continued  to  dedicate  their  virgin  garlands,  as  they 
had  formerly  done  to  her  predecessor.  This  has  been  in  a  great  mea- 
sure done  away  by  the  zeal  (whether  discreet  or  otherwise)  of  the 
clergy ;  but  a  usage  of  so  long  standing  had  too  fiist  a  hold  on  the 
prejudices  of  the  people  to  be  easily  aboKshed  ;  and  the  walls  of  the 
country  churches  in  Livonia  and  Courland  still  display  multitudes  of 
garlands  and  votive  chaplets  of  flowers,  ever-greens,  and  aromatic 
herbs,  which,  after  having  been  carried  to  the  grave  on  the  coffins  of 
the  deceased,  have  been  nailed  up  there  by  the  parents,  relatives,  or 
lovers  of  maidens  who  have  died  in  the  parish.  This  pious  offering, 
not  being  suspected  of  a  heathen  origin,  has  been  indulged. 

The  Abbe  Fortis  informs  us,  that  a  Morlach  girl,  who  has  been  con- 
victed of  having  "  lost  her  garland,"  has  her  mitre,  or  head  tyre,  torn 
from  her  head  in  the  church  by  the  clergyman,  in  the  presence  of  the 
whole  congregation ;  and  her  hair  is  cut,  in  token  of  ignominy,  by 
some  relation ; — a  barbarous  and  indecent  brutality,  which,  like  our 

'  The  learned  archbishop  informs  us,  that  the  newly-married  wives  were  accustomed 
to  sleep  for  several  nights  with  a  naked  sword  between  them  and  their  husbands. 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS,  359 

cutty-stool,  is  much  more  likely  to  make  the  unfortunate  object  cease 
to  be  ashamed  of  vice,  than  to  recall  her  to  the  ways  of  virtue. 

In  the  island  of  Zlarine,  near  Sebenico,  according  to  the  same  au- 
thor, one  of  the  bride-men  (who  by  that  time  is  generally  intoxicated) 
must,  at  one  bloWj  with  his  broad  sword,  strike  the  bride's  chaplet  of 
flowers  off  her  head,  before  she  is  put  to  bed.  This  is  to  indicate  the 
violence  which  is  necessary  before  the  lady  will  resign  her  virgin  ho- 
nours. The  same  farce'  of  violence,  and  a  sham-fight  between  the 
friends  of  the  parties  in  carrying  off  the  bride,  (as  is  the  custom  among 
the  New  Hollanders,)  has  long  been  in  use,  and  is  still  kept  up  among 
many  of  the  Vandal  nations :  "  Moschovitae  autem,  Rutheni,  Lithu- 
ani,  Livonienses,  praesertim  Curetes,  *  quos  ritus  maxime  plebeiae  con- 
ditionis,  in  nuptiis  celebrandis  observent,  matrimonia  absque  sponsali- 
bus  per  raptum  virginum  saltem  contrahunt. — Quicunque  enim  pa- 
ganorum  sive  rusticorum,  filius  sui^s  uxorem  in  animo  habet,  agnatos, 
cognatos,  cceterosque  vicinos  in  unum  convocat,  illisque  talem  isto  in 
pago  puellam  nubilem  versari,  quam  rapi,  et  suo.  filio  in  conjugem  ad- 
duci  proponit :  hi  commodum  ad  hoc  tempus  expectantes,  ac  tunc 
armati  equites  suo  more  unius  ad  edes  conveniunt,  posteaque  ad  cam 
rapiendam  proficiscuntur.  Puella  autem,  quoad  matrimonii  contrac- 
tionem  libera,  ex  insidiis  opera  exploratorum  ubi  moretur  per  eos  di- 
repta,  plurimum  ejulando,  opem  consanguineorum  amicorumque  ad  se 
liberandam  implorat :  quod  si  consanguinei  vicinique  clamorem  istum 
exaudierint,  ipso  momento  armati  adcurrunt,  atque  pro  ek  liberandd 
proelium  committunt,  ut  qui  victores  ista  pugna  extiterint,  his  puella 
cadat."     (Ol.  Mag.  Lib.  xiiij.  c.  ix.) 

The  same  writer  informs  us,  that  among  the  Swedes,  at  the  marri- 
ages of  the  nobles,  the  spear,  (an  appendage  also  of  the  Roman  Juno,) 
which  was  a  necessary  implement  in  the  furniture  of  a  marriage  cham- 

•  This,  300  years  ago,  was  no  farce,  and  the  contest  was  often  a  hloody  one. 

*  The  Curish  and  Livonian  songs  still  retain  the  memory  of  this  violent  carrying  off  of 
the  bride,  which  was  then  done  without  the  consent  of  the  party  or  her  friends.  It  is  now 
not  permitted,  because  the  poor  slave,  in  marrying,  must  noiu  not  consult  his  own  liking, 
but  the  will  and  convenience  of  his  master.  The  dead  letter  of  the  Lata  says,  "  the  slave 
is  free  to  choose ;"  but  who  is  to  inforce  the  execution  of  such  a  law  ? 


360  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

ber,  was  next  morning  thrown  out  of  the  window,  in  the  sight  of  all 
the  guests,  to  indicate  that  the  arduous  deed  was  now  atchieved,  and 
all  violence  between  the  parties  at  an  end ;  at  the  same  time  that  the 
bridegroom,  to  shew  how  well  he  was  pleased  with  his  choice,  speci- 
fied the  morning  gift,  or  jointure  which  he  settled  on  his  wife.  This 
is  the  morning  gift  alluded  to  in  "  Skidn  Anna," '  and  which  we  fre- 
quently meet  with,  under  the  same  name,  in  our  antient  laws  and 
records. 

At  how  early  a  period  these  indelicate  indications  of  delicacy  be- 
gan, we  win  not  pretend  to  say ;  but  we  consider  their  being  found 
among  the  inhabitants  of  New  Holland  as  at  least  a  presumptive  evi- 
dence, that  they  are  among  the  oldest  usages  of  which  any  traces  are 
preserved ;  perhaps  as  old  even  as  \he  fashion  of  uniformly  walMngon 
the  hind  legs. 

'  "  See  vol.  li.  p.  103,  of  Popular  Ballads  and  Songs,  from  Tradition,  Manuscripts,^  and 
scarce  Editions,  with  Translations  of  similar  Pieces  from  the  ancient  Danish  Langu^e, 
Ac.  Edinb.  1805,"  in  2  Vols.  8vo.,  printed  by  Ballantyne. 


r  361  j 


CHILD  AXELVOLD. 

TRANSLATED    FROM   THE   DANISH    KiEMPE   VISER,   p.    176, 
FIRST  PUBLISHED  IN  1591. 


De  Kongens  moend  rid^paa  vold'i, 
De  iedh  baade  hiort^  og  hind  ; 

Ttefunde  under  den  lind  saa  gran 
Et  saa  lidet  kind. 

( Udi  Iq/iet  der  iofver  stoUen  Eline.) 


The  Kingis  men  they  ride  till  the  wold, 
There  they  hunt  baith  the  hart  and  the  hind ; 

And  they  under  a  linden  sae  green 
Sae  wee  a  bairn  find. 
(/'  the  loft  whare  sleeps  she,  theprona  Eline.) 

That  little  dowie  up  they  took, 

Swyl'd  him  in  a  mantle  blae  ; 
They  took  him  till  the  kingis  court, 

Till  him  a  nourice  gae. 
(r  the  loft,  ^c.) 

And  they  hae  carried  him  till  the  kirk, 
And  christen'd  him  by  night ; 
2  z 


362  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

And  the/ve  ca'd  him  Young  Axelvold, 
Arid  hidden  him  as  they  might. 

They  foster'd  him  for  ae  winter, 
And  sae  for  wintei:s  three  ; 

And  he  has  grown  the  bonniest  bairn 
That  man  on  mold  mat  see. 

And  they  hae  foster'd  him  sae  lang, 

Till  he  was  now  eighteen, 
And  he  has  grown  the  wordiest  child 

Was  in  the  palace  seen. 

The  kingis  men  till  the  court  are  gane, 

To  just,  and  put  the  stane ; 
And  out  stept  he.  Child  Axelvold, 

And  waur'd  them  ilka  ane. 

"  'Twere  better  ye  tUl  the  house  gang  in, 

And  for  your  mither  speer, 
^or  thus  wi'  courtly  knights  to  mell, 

And  dare  and  scorn  them  here." 

Up  syne  spak  Young  Axelvold, 
And  his  cheek  it  grew  wan  : 

"  I's  weet  whaso  my  mither  is. 
Or  ever  we  kemp  again." 

It  was  the  Young  Axelwold 

Thought  mickle,  but  said  na  mair ; 

And  he  is  till  the  bower  gane 
To  speer  for  his  mither  there. 

"  Hear  ye  this,  dear  foster-mither, 
-    What  I  now  speer  at  thee, 
Gin  aught  ye  o'  my  mither  weet, 
Ye  quickly  tell  it  me." 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  363 


"  Hear  ye  this,  dear  Axelvold, 

"Why  will  ye  tak  on  sae  ? 
Nor  living  nor  dead  ken  I  thy  mither, 

I  tell  thee  on  my  fay." 

It  was  then  Young  Axelvold, 
And  he  drew  out  his  knife  : 

"  Ye's  tell  me  wha  my  mither  is, 
Or  it  sail  cost  thy  life." 

"  Then  gae  thou  till  the  ladies'  bower, 

Ye  hendly  greet  them  a' ; 
Her  a  goud  coronet  that  wears, 
•    Dear  mither  ye  may  ca'." 

It  was  then  Young  Axelvold 
Put  on  his  pDche  sae  braw,    - 

And  he's  up  till  the  ladies'  bower, 
'Fore  dames  and  maidens  a'. 

"  Hear  sit  ye,  ladies  and  mariee, 

Maiden  and  courtly  fre ; 
But  and  allerdearest  mither  mine 

F  the  mids  o'  you  should  be."         ;  : 

All  sat  they  there,  the  proud  maidens, 
Nae  ane  durst  say  a  word ; 

But  it  was  proud  Lady  Eline, — 
She  set  her  crown  o'  the  board. 

"  Here  sit  ye,  my  right  mither, 
Wi'  hand  sae  saft  and  fair : 

Whare  is  the  bairn  ye  bure  in  dem, 
Albe  goud  crown  ye  wear  ?" 

Lang  stuid  she,  the  proud  Eline, 
Nor  answer'd  ever  a  word ; 


364  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

Her  cheeks,  sae  richly-red  afore. 
Grew  haw  as  ony  eard. 

She  doiFd  her  studded  stemmiger, 
And  will  of  rede  she  stuid : 

"  I  ture  nae  bairn,  sae  help  me  God 
But  and  our  Lady  gude !" 

'•  Hear  ye  this,  dear  mither  mine ; 

Forsooth  it  is  great  shame 
For  you  sae  lang  to  heal  that  ye 

Was  mither  to  sic  a  man. 

"  And  hear  ye  this,  allerdearest  mither. 

What  now  I  say  to  thee. 
Gin  aught  ye  o'  my  father  weet, 

Ye  heal't  nae  mair  frae  me." 

"  To  the  king's  palace  then  ye  maun  pass  ; 

And,  trow  ye  well  my  word, 
Your  dear  father  ye  may  ca'  him  there 

That  has  knights  to  serve  at  his  board. 

"  And  do  ye  till  the  kingis  ha', 
'Fore  knights  and  liegemen  a'. 

And  see  ye  Erland  the  kingis  son, 
Ye  may  him  your  father  ca'." 

It  was  then  Young  Axelvold 

Put  on  the  scarlet  red. 
And  in  afore  the  Danish  king 

F  the  kingis  ha'  he  gaed. 

"  Here  sit  ye,  knight  and  chUd,  and  drink 
The  mead  and  wine  sae  free, 

But  and  allerdearest  father  mine 
I'  the  raids  o'  you  should  be. 


ROMANTIC  BALLAD&  365 

"  Here  sit  ye,  dearest  father  mine: 

Men  me  a  foimdling  name ; 
And  a  man  like  me  sae  scorn'd  to  be, 

Forsooth  it  is  great  shame !" 

A]l  sat  they  then,  the  kingis  men, 

As  haw  as  ony  eard. 
But  it  was  Erland  the  kingis  son, 

And  he  spak  the  first  word. 

Up  spak  he,  Erland,  the  kingis  son^ 

Right  unassur'd  spak  he : 
"  I'm  nae  thy  father,  Axelvold, 

Sic  like  thou  say'st  I  be." 

It  was  then  Young  Axelvold, 

And  he  drew  out  his  knife : 
"  My  mither  ye  sail  either  wed. 

Or  it  sail  cost  thy  life." 

'*  Wi'  knight  and  squire  it  were  foul  scorn. 

And  deadly  shame  for  me. 
That  I  should  father  a  bastard  bairn, 

A  kingis  son  that  be. 

"  But  hear  thou  this.  Young  Axelvold, 

Thou  art  a  prince  sae  fine. 
Then  gie  thou  me,  my  wiie  to  be, 

Eline,  mither  thine." 

And  glad  were  they  in  the  kingis  court, 

Wi'  lyst  and  mickle  game ; 
Axelvold's  gi'en  his  mither  awa ; 

His  father  her  has  taen. 

It  was  the  Young  Axelvold 

Gae  a  dunt  the  board  upon : 
"  r  the  court  I  was  but  a  foundling  brat ; 

The  day  I'm  a  kingis  son  !" 
(i'  the  loft  whare  sleeps  she,  the  proud  Eline.) 


E     366    J 


NOTES  ON  CHILD  AXELVOLD. 


«  That  little  dome  up  they  took."—'P.  361,  v.  2. 
In  the  Danish : 

«  Togfe  de  op  dennfe  lillfe  Mard,  &c." 

Mard,  the  Danish  editor  says,  means  a  pretty  girl,  a  doll,  and  the  editors  of  "  Fair  Mi- 
del,"  say,  it  means  either  a  male  or  ajemale.  We  have  resolved  to  err  upon  the  safe  side, 
in  rendering  it  a  doiuie  (little  doll ;)  as  that  is  the  name  commonly  given,  in  Scotland,  to 
a  child  before  it  has  got  any  other ;  and,  indeed,  till  it  is  of  an  age  to  be  put  into  short  pet- 
ticoats. The  truth  is,  that  maar,  mard,  or  maard,  has  these  significations  only  in  a  me- 
taphorical sense  ;  and  in  its  direct  import,  is  neither  more  nor  less  than  a  martin  ;  an  ap- 
pellation which,  if  directly  rendered,  would  have  little  |)eauty  or  meaning  for  such  of  our 
countrymen  as  have  not,  Uke  us,  experienced  the  severity  of  a  northern  winter,  and  can 
have  little  conception  of  the  association  of  ideas  by  which  a  martin,  fi-om  the  recollection 
of  the  comfort  derived  from  its  skin,  naturally  suggests  an  object  of  favour  and  endear- 
ment. 

Thirty  degrees  of  cold  (by  Keaumur's  thermometer,)  and  a  cloak  lined  with  vair,  or 
martin's  fur,  has  given  us  a  light  upon  this  subject  which  we  had  in  vain  sought  for  in 
glossaries  and  commentaries. 

It  is  amusing  to  observe  how  the  same  circumstances  suggest  the  same  associations  of 
ideas  to  different  nations,  who  can  for  several  thousand  years  back  have  had  no  connec- 
tion or  intercourse  with  each  other.  Thus  Mr  Hearne  observes,  that  among  the  North- 
American  savages  about  Hudson's  Bay,  the  names  of  girls  are  chiefly  taken  from  some 
part  or  property  of  a  Martin  ;  as  the  White  Martin,  the  Black  Martin,  the  Martin's  head, 
the  Martin's  tail,  8fc. 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  367 


"  All  sat  they  there,  the  proud  maidens, 

Nae  ane  durst  say  a  word  j 
But  it  tvas  proud  Lady  Eline, — 

She  set  her  crown  o'  the  board." — P.  363,  v.  16. 
There  is  something  peculiarly  characteristic  and  affecting  in  this  conduct  of "  Burd 
(gentle)  Ellen."  Surprised,  confounded,  and  abashed,  and  unable  to  utter  a  word,  she 
mechanically,  and  almost  unconsciously,  divests  herself  of  her  maiden  coronet  and  stomach- 
er, '  which  she  feels  that  she  must  now  no  longer  hope  to  wear  ;  and  then,  in  her  confu- 
sion and  embarrassment,  stammers  out  a  disavowal,  which  we  presume  those  only  will  blame 
who  are  sure  that,  in  the  same  situation,  they  would  not  have  done  as  much. — The  difiFer- 
ent  deportment  of  Child  Axelvold,  in  the  presence  of  his  nurse,  his  mother,  and  his  fa- 
ther, is  finely  marked. 

*  "  It  was  the  Young  Axelvold 

Put  on  the  scarlet  red,  Sjc." — P.  364,  v.  24. 
The  term  red,  as  applied  to  scarlet,  in  the  Scotish,  Danish,  Swedish,  and  Teutonic  Ro- 
mances, is  not,  as  has  been  supposed,  a  pleonasm ;  for  scarlet  had  formerly  the  same 
meaning  as  purple,  and  included  all  the  different  shades  and  gradations  of  colour,  formed 
by'a  mixture  of  blue  and  red,  from  indigo  to  crimson.  Cloths,  silks,  and  samites  (velvets) 
of  this  description  the  Scandinavians  had  from  the  Mediterranean,  either  directly  through 
piracy,  in  plukidering  the  Dromounds  of  the  Moors, '  or  through  their  intercourse  witt 
Italy  and  Spain.  They  were  worn  only  by  people  of  condition  ;  and  the  quality  of  the 
colour  designated  the  rank  of  the  wearer.  Thus  we  find  in  the  foregoing  ballad,  "  the 
kingis  men"  dressed  in  blue  mantles,  which  were  also  oi  scarlet,  in  which  blue  was  predo- 
minant ;  whereas  Child  Axelvold  no  sooner  learns  that  he  is  of  royal  extraction,  than  he 
dresses  himself  in  red  scarlet,  or  royal  purple,  before  he  goes  into  the  presence  of  his  fa- 
ther to  challenge  his  birth-right.  Such  a  challenge  was  warranted  by  the  manners  of  the 
age,  in  which  the  claims  of  royal  blood,  when  justified  by  royal  virtues  and  accomplish- 
ments, were  often  allowed,  without  illegitimacy  being  objected  to  them. 

'  See  the  notes  on  "  Sir  Lavfe  and  Sir  John,"  in  the  subsequent  part  of  this  volume. 

^  See  "  Orkneyinga  Saga,"  p.  298,  and  "  Forsiig  til  en  Afhandling  cm  de  Danskes  og  Norskes 
Handel-  og  Seilads  i  den  bedenske  Tid,"  in  Suhm's  "  Samlede  Skrifter,"  vol.  viii. — The  ostentatious 
manner  in  which  the  northern  sea-rovers  were  accustomed  to  display  the  fruits  of  their  adventurous 
valour,  on  their  return  from  a  successful  expedition,  on  a  matrimonial  visit,  or  on  any  other  occa- 
sion of  pomp  and  pageantry,  gave  rise  to  the  "  silken  sails,"  "  gilded  anchors/'  "  gilded  masts," 
"  gilded  sail-yards,"  &c.  &c.,  which  one  meets  with  in  the  Scotish  and  Danish  Ballads;  the  barbar- 
ous pomp  of  wliich  is  perfectly  Gothic,  and  has  no  connection  with  purely  oriental  manners,  or  ori- 
ental fictions. 


[     868     J 


FAIR  MIDEL  AND  KIRSTEN  LYLE. 


The  following  affecting  ballad  is  translated  from  the  Danish  original 
in  Bragur,  vol.  iii.  p.  292,  which  was  first  printed  in  the  Danish  Spec- 
tator, No.  14,  for  Feb.  1793.  It  was  sent  to  the  learned  and  ingeni- 
ous editor  of  that  work,  Professor  Rahbeck,  by  a  gentleman  who  de- 
signs himself  H.  J. ;  and  says  that  he  had  it  some  years  ago  from  a 
female  friend,  whose  mother  had  learnt  it  in  her  youth  in  Jutland. 
For  the  verbal  exactness  of  the  couplets  included  within  brackets,  the 
correspondent  does  not  pretend  to  answer ;  having  been  obliged  to 
rely  upon  his  memory,  as  it  was  not  committed  to  writing  upon  the 
spot,  when  he  learnt  it  from  the  lady  whom  he  had  heard  sing  it  to  a 
sweet,  simple,  and  characteristic  tune. 

In  the  Spectator  for  October  of  the  same  year,  is  a  letter  signed  L., 
from  Faroe,  from  which  it  appears  that  this  old  ditty  is  still  popular, 
and,  as  in  all  other  popular  tales,  the  story  is  told  in  several  ways. 
One  copy  begins  thus : 

Fair  Sidselil  yerked  the  loom  sae  Strang, 
That  the  milk  out  o'  her  breastis  sprang. 

"  Hear  thou,  Sidselil,  dear  dochter  mine, 
Why  rins  the  milk  out  o'  breastis  thine  ?" 


.     ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  369 

"  It  is  nae  milk,  tho*  sae  ye  think ; 
It's  the  mead  I  yesterday  did  drink." 

«  The  things  are  twa,  and  they  are  unlike; 
The  mead  is  brown,  but  the  milk  is  white." 


After  tjiis  she  says, 

"  It  boots  na  now  to  heal  frae  thee, 
Fair  Medevold  has  lured  me." 

Then  follow  the  stanzas  printed  in  Italics,  from  the  copy  given  in  our 
notes,  from  the  Kaempe  Viser.  In  the  above-quoted  copy,  Medevold, 
(of  which  Midel  is  a  colloquial  abbreviation)  says  to  his  servants, 

"  Ye  howk  a  greaf  baith  lang  and  braid, 
Lat  my  dearest  there  wi'  her  babes  be  laid." 

The  conclusion  is  also  less  tragic,  as  Medevold  says, 

"  Whan  ither  knights  are  drinking  wine. 
Then  sorrow  I  for  allerdearest  mine. 

"  Whan  ither  knights  are  glad  in  bower. 
Then  sorrow  I  for  my  lily  flower." 

It  is  sung  with  various  burdens,  one  of  which  is  found  in  Dalin's  Swe- 
dish Songs,  where  he  has  presei-ved  the  airs  of  several  old  ballads. — 
But  on  this  subject  we  hope  at  some  future  peripd  to  say  something 
more  satisfactory. 

The  following  air,  communicated  by  Mr  Abrahamson,  was  taken 
down  from  his  singing,  by  the  celebrated  musical  composer,  Mr 
Zinck. 

3  a 


370 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS, 


I    iM|!|i^  ,i,|i:/i'  \\fy  i     I    IJ   1^ 


Sfcion  Mi-del  ban  tie-ner  i     Eom  -  gens  Gaard.  Haiilokked£<ing;eiisDatter  den  va;-  neMaar. 

"[      II 


^ 


P 


.1  r  °i  fM-i[ 


r     - 


This  he  gives  as  the  Jirst  Danish  national  melody  that  has  been  pre- 
served through  the  medium  of  the  press,  and  asks  whether  ii  must  be 
the  last  ?—a  pathetic  appeal,  which  it  is  to  be  hoped  his  countrymen 
have  not  disregarded. 

According  to  the  best  information  received  in  Copenhagen,  from 
men  equally  distinguished  for  their  extensive  learning  and  deep  re- 
search in  northern  antiquities,  there  now  exist  no  antient  popular 
ballads  or  national  airs  among  the  people,  either  in  Denmark  or  in 
Norway.  If  this  is  true,  it  is  a  melancholy  truth,  because  it  implies 
other  considerations  of  still  greater  importance,  and  much  more  to  be 
lamented  ;  for  ill  fares  the  land,  when  the  people  cease  to  cherish  the 
poetry,  the  music,  and  the  memory  of  their  fathers !  That  such  is  the 
case,  however,  notwithstanding  the  weight  of  the  authority  upon 
which  it  is  affirmed,  I  find  it  extremely  difficult  to  admit ;  not  merely 
because  I  am  very  unwilling  to  do  so,  but  because  it  seems  to  be  al- 
together incredible.  In  Zealand,  and  the  other  Danish  islands  in  the 
Belts,  and  in  a  few  of  the  sea-ports,  it  is  true,  the  manners  and  habits 
of  the  lower  classes  have,  through  the  influence  of  commerce,  during 
the  last  sixty  years,  been  very  much  changed,  without  being  much 
ameliorated ;  but  that  in  the  less  frequented  parts  of  Jutland  and 
Norway,  among  farmers,  fishers,  and  foresters,  the  tale  and  the  song, 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  371 

(to  which  they  were  but  lately  so  passionately  attached,  that  it  formed  a 
distinguishing  feature  in  their  character  as  a  people,  and  which  have 
descended  from  one  generation  to  another,  in  a  language  which  has 
assumed  its  present  form  by  very  slow,  and  almost  imperceptible  de- 
grees,) should,  without  any  adequate  assignable  cause,  have  altogether 
ceased,  seems  quite  inconceivable,  and  indeed  almost  impossible.  That 
the  conclusion  drawn  from  Zealand  is  not  generally  applicable  to  all 
the  Danish  dominions,  is  shewn  by  the  ballad  of"  Fair  Midel,"  of  which 
the  reader  is  here  presented  with  so  many  different  copies,  that  it  can- 
not be  imagined  that  this  is  the  only  tale  of  the  kind  preserved  in  the 
same  manner. 

In  the  province  of  Ditmarsk,  (which,  notwithstanding  what  it  has 
suffered  trough  its  odious  subjection  to  Denmark,  still  retains  more 
of  its  antient  manners  and  usages  than  any  other  part  of  the  Cimbric 
Chersonesus,)  it  is  but  a  few  years  ago,  that  there  was  in  the  posses, 
sion  of  a  peasant,  a  large  MS.  collection  of  antient  popular  Anglo- 
Saxon  heroic  and  romantic  ballads,  in  the  dialect  of  the  country. 
This  curious  treasure,  the  Honourable  the  Privy  Counsellor  Niebuhr, 
(the  every-way  worthy  son  of  the  learned  oriental  traveller  of  that 
name)  bestowed  much  pains,  but  in  vain,  to  recover.  He,  neverthe- 
less, took  down,  from  oral  recitation,  two  very  fine  Anglo-Saxon  bal- 
lads, one  of  the  heroic,  and  the  other  of  the  wild  romantic  kind,  which 
he  had  very  kindly  destined  to  make  their  first  appearance  in  this  col- 
lection ;  but  the  misfortunes  of  a  neighbouring  kingdom,'  to  which  the 
present  writer  is  indebted  for  the  honour  of  Mr  Niebuhr's  acquaint- 
ance, have  put  it  out  of  his  power  to  make  good  his  promise  ;  and  it 
is  possible  that  even  these  relics  are  lost,  and  have  served  a  French 
soldier  to  light  his  pipe,  or  to  wrap  up  cartridges. 

In  Holstein  there  is  to  be  found,  although  rare,  a  collection  of 
"  Godly.  Songs,"  in  the  modern  A.  S.  dialect,  printed  with  the  music, 
about  the  time  of  the  Reformation,  and  set  to  popular  airs.  I  have 
been  promised  a  copy,  which  is  in  the  possession  of  a  clergyman  in 
Ditmarsk ;  but  the  pffesent  calamitous  state  of  Europe  does  not  admit 
of  its  being  transmitted. 

•  Prussia,  in  whose  service  Mr  Niebuhr  still  is.    This  was  written  in  Livonia; 


372  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

If  in  these  remarks  I  have  been  more  circumstantial  than  the  text 
may  seem  to  require,  I  beg  leave  to  observe,  that  I  consider  the  sub- 
ject as  particularly  interesting  to  my  countrymenj  on  account  of  its 
intimate  connection  with  the  Music  of  our  northern  forefathers  and 
kinsmen ;  which  will  probably  be  found  to  be  as  nearly  related  to  our 
own,  as  we  trust  the  reader  is  by  this  time  disposed  to  think  their  bal- 
lads  are. — For  the  illustration  of  this  subject,  equally  curious  and  ob- 
scure, our  chief  hope  must  rest  on  Sweden,  where  measures  have  al- 
ready been  taken  for  procuring  ample  materials. 

The  Swedish  peasantry  are  great  singers,  and,  if  possible,  more  at- 
tached to  old  ballads  and  the  airs  to  which  they  are  sung,  than  even 
the  lowland  Scots,  to  whom,  in  their  language,  habits,  characters,  and 
appearance,  they  bear  a  most  striking  resemblance. ' 

Just  before  the  commencement  of  the  present  war,"  I  procured  from 
a  common  sailor  on  board  a  Swedish  ship  in  the  Diina,  a  parcel  of  these 
ballads,  printed  for  the  stalls,  and  to  be  sold  at  a  half-penny  a  sheet. 
They  are  exactly  of  the  same  kind  with  those  which  I  have  given  from 
the  Kaempe  Viser ;  and  several  of  them  have  the  identical  burdens  which 
were  printed  with  other  pieces  in  that  work  above  two  hundred  years 
ago ;  which  induces  me  to  hope  that  I  may  still  be  able  to  procm*e 
many  of  the  melodies  to  which  these  pieces  were  formerly  sung. 

Till  I  can  obtain  a  larger  and  better  assortment  for  selection,  I  have 
contented  myself  for  the  present,  with  inserting  as  a  specimen,  only 
one  ditty  on  the  subject  oi  Fair  Midel.  As  it  contains  some  idioms 
and  expressions  peculiar  to  the  Danish,  Swedish,  and  Scotish  ballad, 
and  iiohich  are  found  in  no  other  compositions  'whatsoe'ver,  I  have  given  the 
original,  rude  as  it  is,  with  dt.  verbatim  intercalated  prose  translation. — 
It  is  given  from  a  stall  copy,  because  I  had  no  other  j  and  I  am  bound 
to  be  faithful. 

'  This  was  written  just  after  the  irruption  of  the  Russians  into  Finland,  which  cut  off 
all  communication  with  that  country.  I  have  since  visited  Sweden,  but  at  a  time  when  it 
was  not  deemed  advisable  for  an  Englishman  to  remain  longer  there  than  was  absolutely 
necessary.  ^ 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  373 

SIR  WAL  AND  LISA  LYLE. 

To  be  sung  to  its  own  pleasant  Timet 


Det  war  lilla  Lisa  och  hennes  kjaera  mor, : , : 
Och  begge  sa  sutio  de  uti  en  bur. 
H'd,  ha,  n'd  nd,  det  rm  nu  sd  ga; 
Och  begge,  &c. 
It  was  lyle  Lisa  and  her  dear  mother, 
And  baith  sue  sat  they  in  ae  bower. 

Ho  ho,  no  no,  that  may  now  so  go; 
And  baith,  Ifc. 

Och  modrcn  hon  talte  til  kjsere  dottren  sin : : ,: 
"  Hwad  ser  det  for  mjolk  du  har  i  brbstena  din  ?" 
Ha.  ha,  &c. 
And  the  mother  she  tald  till  dear  dother  hers, 
"  What  is  that  for  milk  thou  hast  in  breastis  thine  ?" 
Ho  ho,  &c. 

"  !bet  ser  wael  ingen  mjblk,  fast  eder  tyckes  sa; 

Det  aer  af  det  mjbd  som  jag  drak  uti  gar." 
"  It  is  well  nae  milk,  though  ye  think  sue ; 
It  is  of  the  mead  that  I  drank  yesterday." 

Och  modren  slog  dottren  pa  blekrbda  kind : 

"  Skal  du  sa  swara  kjaer  modren  din  ? 
And  the  mother  struck  the  dother  upo'  the  blaiken'd-red  cheek ; 
"  Shalt  thou  sae  answer  dear  mother  thine  ? 

Och  dig  sa  skal  jag  nu  basa  med  et  ris ; 

Riddar  Wal,  den  skal  jag  hasnga  pa  qwist." 
"  And  thee  sae  shall  I  now  baste  (beat)  with  a  lyse  (rod ;) 
Sir  Wal,  him  shall  I  hang  upo'  a  twist  (branch.") 


374  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

Lilla  Lisa  sadlar  up  sin  gangare  gra  j 
Sa  rider  hon  sig  til  Riddar  Wals  gard. 

la/le  Lisa  saddles  up  her  ganger  (ambler)  gray; 

Sae  rides  she  her  till  Sir  Wal's  [castle-]  yard. 

Och  naer  hon  kom  fram  til  Riddar  Wals  gard, 
Skjon  Riddar  Wal  ute  for  henna  daer  star. 
And  whan  she  cam  on  till  Sir  Wal's  [castle-]  yard. 
Sheen  (fair)  Sir  Wal  out  afore  her  there  stands^ 

'*  Min  moder  hon  ser  mig  sa  grymraelig  wred, 
Hon  hwarken  horer,  ej  heller  hon  ser. 

"  My  mother  she  is  with  me  sae  grimly  wroth. 

She  neither  hears,  nor  yet  sees, 

"  Och  mig  sa  wii  hon  nu  basa  med  ris  : 
Skjbne  Riddar  Wal  wil  hon  haenga  pa  qwist." 

"  And  me  sae  will  she  baste  with  a  ryse  ; 

Sheen  Sir  Wal  will  she  hang  upo'  a  twist." 

"  Ao  horor  och  skjiikor  skal  hon  basa  med  ris; 

Tufwar  och  skjaelmar  skal  hon  haenga  pa  qwist." 
"  O'  whores  and  scouts  shall  she  beat  with  a  ryse ; 
Thieves  and  skellums  [rogues]  shall  she  hang  upd  a  twist.' 

Riddar  Wal  sadlar  sa  up  sin  gangare  gra ; 

Sa  lyfter  han  lilla  Lisa  deruppa. 
Sir  Wal  saddles  sae  up  his  ganger  (ambler)  gfay ; 
Sae  lifts  he  lyle  IJsa  thereupo'. 

Sa  rida  de  baegga  bort  til  en  grbn  lund ; 

Daer  lyster  Ma  Lisa  hwila  en  stund. 
Sae  ride  they  baith  forth  till  a  green  lind  (wood  •^) 
There  lists  lyle  Lisa  to  rest  a  stound. 

Sa  rida  de  baegga,  alt  til  en  grbn  aeng ; 
Daer  lyster  liUa  Lisa  at  baedda  en  saeng, 
Sae  ride  they  baith,  a,ll  till  a  green  mead; 
There  lists  lyle  Lisa  to  make  a  bed. 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  37, 

Riddar  Wal  han  breder  ut  sin  kappe  bl'a ; 

Sa  fodde  lilla  Lisa  sbnnerne  tw'a. 
Sir  Wal  he  spreads  out  his  mantle  blae ; 
Sae  bare  lyle  Lisa  sonnis  twae. 

"  Och  nog  wet  jag  en  rinnende  brunn  ;— 

Ack  !  om  jag  hade  wattn  i  samma  stund !" 
"  -4wd  [sure]  eneugh  weet  I[p'2  a  rinning  bum; — 
Och !  gin  I  had  water  i'  [this]  samen  stound  P' 

Riddar  Wal  sadlar  up  sin  g'angare  gra ; 

Sa  rider  han  sig  bfwer  bbljorna  bl'a. 
Sir  Wal  saddles  up  his  ganger  gray ; 
^ae  rides  he  him  over  the  billows  (?)  blae,^ 

Och  nser  som  han  kom  til  en  rinnande  strbm, 

Daer  satt  en  nsektergal  i  et  traed,  som  sjbng. 
And  whan  that  he  cam  till  a  rinning  stream, 
There  sat  a  nightingale  in  a  tree,  that  sang. 

Han  sjbng  sa  mycket  om  bsede  fruar  och  mbr, 

Men  aldramsest  om  lilla  Lisa  som  war  dbd. 
He  sang  sae  mickle  about  baith  fres  and  mays ; 
But  allermaist  about  lyle  Lisa  that  was  dead. 

Riddar  Wal  han  tjente  den  jungfru  i  tro ; 

Och  hsemtade  wattn  i  bsegga  sina  skor. 
Sir  Wal  he  served  the  maiden  in  truth  ; 
And  hame  took  water  i'  baith  his  shoon, 

Riddar  Wal  sadlar  up  sin  g'angare  gr'a ; 

S'a  rider  han  sig  bfwer  bbljorna  bl'a. 
Sir  Wal  saddles  up  his  ganger  gray; 
Sae  rides  he  him  over  the  billows  (?)  blae. 

Han  rider  ju  fortare  sen  fogel  han  flbg, 

Til  dess  han  kommer  der  lilla  Lisa  war  dbd. 
He  rides,  ay  faster  an  {than)  fowl  he  flies. 
Till  there  he  comes  where  lyle  Lisa  was  dead. 

'  Perhaps  green  slopes  or  rising  grounds. 
8 


376  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

Riddar  Wal  drager  ut  sit  forgyllande  swserd ; 

Da  satte  ban  faestet  alt  emot  en  sten. 
Sir  Wal  draws  out  his  glittering  swerd. ; 
Tho  (then)  set  he  the  hilt  all  against  a  stane. 

S'a  at  udden  i  bans  brbste-ben  nu  der  stod, 
Och  der  utrann  bara  idel  kaerleks-blod." 
Ha  ha,  n'a  tia,,  det  ma  nil  sa  ga, 
Och  der  utrann  bara  idel  kgerleks-blod. 
Sae  at  (that)  the  point  in  his  breast-bane  now  it  stood. 
And  there  out  ran  barely  (but)  his  pure  lover's  blood." 
Ho  ho,  &c. 

Having  thus  exhibited  the  Danish,  Swedish,  and  Scotish  ballad,  as 
nearly  as  possible,  in  one  point  of  view,  we  leave  the  reader  to  make 
comparisons,  and  draw  conclusions  for  himself. 


[     377     3 


FAIR  MIDEL 


AND 


KIRSTEN  LYLE. 


TRANSLATED    FROM   TH£    DANISH. 


Skion  Midel  han  tiener  i  Kongens  gaard  ; 
Han  lohhed  Kongens  datter  den  voene  maar,  ^c. 


Fair  Midel  he  serves  in  the  king's  palay,' 

He  has  lur'd  the  king's  daughter,  that  bonny  may. 

The  queen  ca'd  her  daughter,  and  thus  said  she, 
"  And  is  it  true  they  say  about  thee  ? 

"  Sae  first  in  a  widdie  he's  hing,  and  then 
The  neist  in  a  bale-fire  thou  sail  bren." 

*  "  Palay,"  i.  e.  palace.  We  fear  this  Frenchified  form  of  the  word  is  hardly  warranted ; 
and  we  only  used  it,  because  we  knew  not  well  how  to  do  better,  without  deviating  more 
than  we  wished  to  do  from  our  original.  What  we  have  translated  may,  is  literally  a  mar- 
tin ;  which  will  be  found  explained  in  a  note  on  "  Child  Axelvold." 

3  B 


378  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

Her  mantle  blue  Kirsten  lyle  has  taen, 
And  she  to  fair  Midel's  bower  is  gane  : 

[And  sair  was  her  heart  as  she  chapp'd  at  the  gin : 
"  Won  up,  fair  Midel,  and  lat  me  in."] 

"  A  tryst  wi'  nae  man  I  hae  set, 
And  in  I  nae  man  the  tiight  wll  let." 

"  Won  up,  fair  Midel,  ^fafl  lat  me  in, 
For  I  hae  spoken  wi'  mither  jnine. 

"  Thee  first  in  a  widdie  she'll  hang,  and  then 
Me  neist  in  a  bale-fire  she  will  brenn." 

"  O  na,  Fse  never  be  hung  for  theej 
Nor  ever  sail  thou  be  brent  for  me. 

•'  Then  swyth  thy  goud  in  a  Tcoflfer  lay, 
While  I  am  saddling  my  ambler  gray." 

A  mantle  blue  he  has  D'«r  her^jewfi^ 
And  Tiis  ambler  gray  lifted  her  ttpon. 

Whan  cmt  &ae  the  tastdl  they  «an  "vMn, 

The  saut  tears  hspp'fl  o'er  her  cheek  said  diin. 

"  O  greet  ye,  love,  that  the  gait's  sae  dreigh, 
Or  is't  that  your  saddle's  o'er  narrow  and  high  ?" 

*•  It's  nae  that  I  greet  for  the  dreary  gait. 
But  it's  that  my  saddle's  o'er  high  and  strait." 

His  mantle  blue  he  has  spread  p'  the  ground : 
"  List  ye,  Kirsten  lyle,  to  rest  a  stound  ?" 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  iii9 

"  O  had  I  but  ae  bower-woman  wi'  me  i — 
Now  I  for  the  &ut  o'  help  maun  die  !" 

["  Och !  far  thy  bower-women  are,  far  &i^th^  ;^— 
Thou  has  nane  ither  now  left  but  me  I"] 

"  Far  loor  on  the  card  I'll  lye  end  dio, 
Nor  dree  my  pain  for  a  man  to  see." 

"  Then  tye  o'er  my  een  this  scarf  wi'  your  han% 
And  I'll  be  yoUr  nourlce  the  best  I  can." ' 

'*     "  O  Christ !  for  ae  drink  o'  the  water  sae  clear, 
My  wae  and  my  dowy  heart  to  cheer  !" 

•Fair  Midel  was  ay  sae  kind  and  true. 

The  water  he'll  bring  in  his  browder'd  shoe. 

Out  thro'  the  thick  hythe  fair  Midel  can  gang ; — ■ 
The  gait  to  the  burn  it  was  dreich  and  lang. 

And  whan  to  the  burn  fair  Midel  he  wan, 
A  nightingale  sat  on  a  twist  and  sang : 

"  Little  Kirsten  she  lyes  i'  the  greenwood  dead ;    - 
Twa  baimies  are  in  her  oxter  laid." 

O'  the  nightingale's  sang  sma  reck  he's  taen. 
And  back  the  lang  gait  thro'  the  wood  he's  gane. 

And  whan  he  the  hythe  sae  thick  wan  to, 
Sae  fand  he  the  nightingale's  sang  was  true. 

I  See  the  abstract  of  the  "  Book  of  Heroes,"  in  this  volume,  p.  120. 


380  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

He's  howkit  a  greaf  baith  deep  and  braid, 
And  he  the  three  lykes  therein  has  laid. 

O'  the  greaf  as  he  stuid,  aneath  his  feet  ■ 

He  thought  that  he  heard  the  bairnies  greet. 

The  hilt  he  has  set  till  a  eard-fast  stane. 
And  swyth  thro'  his  heart  the  swerd  is  gane. 

[Kirsten  lyle  ay  leal  and  kind  did  keep, 
And  now  in  the  mools  in  sacht  they  sleep.] 


C     S81      ] 


NOTES  ON  FAIR  MIDEL. 


"  Then  tye  o'er  my  een  this  scarf  luith  your  han'. 
And  I'll  be  your  nourice  the  best  I  can." — P.  379,  v.  19. 
The  term  nourice  (in  the  orig.  Jbstermdder)  has  probably  been  substituted  by  the  fe- 

m 

male  reciters  out  of  delicacy,  for  Midwife,  which  in  the  Danish  language  is  called  Jorde- 
moder  ;  a  curious  vestige  of  the  more  simple  and  natural  antient  religion  of  the  Goths  ; 
among  whom,  as  well  as  among  the  Vandals,  Mother  Earth  (  Terra  Mater)  the  prolific  and 
bountiful  goddess  of  fecundity,  growmg,  and  nourishing,  was  universally  considered  as  the 
guardian  of  bearing,  nursing,  education,  virtue,  wealth,  and  happiness ;  and,  next  to  the 
vivifying  principle  of  heat,  as  the  "  giver  of  all  good  things."  This  beUef  must  be  refer- 
red for  its  origin,  to  a  period  long  anterior  to  the  iron  age  of  Gothic  and  Vendish  celebrity. 
—See  our  notes  on  "  Libussa." 

"  A  nightingale  sat  on  a  tmst"  Sfc- — P.  379,  v.  23. 
This  nightingale  could  have  been  spared ;  but  he  forms  a  link  in  the  chain  that  connects 
the  Scotish  and  Scandinavian  tales;  and  in  the  company  of  our  bonny  birdies,  pretty  par- 
rots, mly  pyots,  and  gay  goss-haiuks,  may  hope,  "  for  the  fashion  of  the  thing,"  to  be  al- 
lowed to  pass. 

"  0'  the  greqfas  he  stuid,  aneath  his  feet 

He  thought  that  he  heard  the  bairnies  greet." — P.  380,.  v.  28. 


In  the  Danish, 


Og  da  han  over  graven  stod, 

Han  syntes,  de  born  grat  unter  bans  fed. 


In  the  whole  compass  of  tragic  and  descriptive  poetry,  it  would  be  difficult  to  find  a  finer 
passage  than  this,  where  so  simple  and  unambitious,  and  at  the  same  time  so  strong,  na- 
tural and  impressive  a  picture  is  given  of  the  workings  of  a  disturbed  and  distracted  ima- 
gination.   Never,  certainly,  was  suicide  more  appropriately  introduced ! 


S82  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

Having  thus  performed  with  due  zeal  the  last  offices  for  "  Fair  Midel  and  Kirsten  lyle," 
it  now  only  remains  for  us  to  lay  before  our  readers  another  piece  (K.  Viser,  p.  S61,)  in 
which  the  poet  has  devised  for  the  loyal  pair  "  a  consummation  more  devoutly  to  be  wished 
for,"  but  by  which  others  are  less  likely  to  be  powerfully  affected — Its  best  recommenda- 
tion is  its  shortness ;  although  there  is  something  pleasing  in  the  passage  where  the  harp 
is  introduced.    The  lines  printed  in  italics  are  often  recited  as  part  of  "  Fair  Medevold." 

"  Little  Kirsten  and  her  piither. 
They  sew'd  a  silken  hood  thegither. 

"  Her  mither  sew'd  sae  fine  a  seam ; 
The  dochter's  tears  ran  like  a  stream. 

"  Hear  ye,  little  Kirsten,  my  dochter  dear. 
Why  blaikens  your  cheek  and  your  bonny  hair  i" 

"  Nae  ferly  I'm  dowy  and  wan  o'  hu^ 
Sae  mickle  as  I've  to  shape  and  sew." 

"  Here's  maidens  eneugh,  I  wat,  but  you, 
That  better  can  shape,  and  better  can  sew. 

<<  But it  boots  nae  langer  to  heal  frae  thee. 

That  our  young  king  has  lured  me." 

"  And  has  our  young  king  lured  thee  ? 
What  for  thy  honour  did  he  gie  f" 

"  He  gae  to  me  a  silken  sark : 

I  more  it  with  mickle  care  and  cark. 

"  Taa  hroKDdet'd  shoon  to  me  he  gae : 
Pve  brookit  them  wf  mickle  wae. 

"  And  he  gae  me  a  harp  o'  gated. 
To  play  whan  in  my  dowy  mood"—— 

She  strak  upon  the  firsten  string: 

That  heard,  as  he  lay  in  his  bed,  the  king. 

She  strak  upon  the  nexten  string : 
Short  while  deval'd  then  the  young  king. ' 

'  In  the  Geiman  translation  of  this  piece  by  Wilhelm  Grimm,  in  the  Heidelberg"  Zeitung  fiir  Eioseid- 
ler,  7  Mai,  1808,"  the  translator,  by  mistaking  the  Danish  negative  ei,  for  the  German  inteijection,  has 
completely  reversed  the  meaning  of  this  line. 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  383 

Our  young  king  ca'd  His  pages  twae: 
"  Ye  bid  Kirsten  lyle  afore  me  gae," 

Kirsten  lyle  cam  in,  stood  afore  the  board : 

"  What  will  the  yowig  king,  that  he's  sent  me  word  ?" 

He  clappit  her  cheek  sae  wan  wi'  a  smile: 
"  Sit  down,  Kirsten  lyle,  and  rest  a  while." 

"  I'm  nae  sae  tir'd,  I  well  can  stand ; 

Sae  tell  me  yom:  errand,  and  lat  me  gang." 

Kirsten  lyle  he  in1lis>arms  has  ta'en; 

Gae  her  a  goud  crown,  and  made  her  his  queen. 

"  Kirsten  lyle  has  cour'd  now  a'  her  harms. 
She  sleeps  ilka  night  i'  the  kingis  arms." 

This  little  Kirsten,  or  Kirsten  lyle,  is  as  great  a  favourite  with  the  northern  minstrels 
as  is  "  proud  Mine"  who  is  the  identical "  hwrd  EUen"  of  the  Scots ;  la  prude  dame  Eline, 
or  in  English,  the  gentle  lady  Eline.  Prud,  which  we  have  corrupted  into  burd,  is  applied 
in  old  Danish  and  Swedish,  as  in  French,  to  knights  as  well  as  to  ladies ;  and  the  Rittet 
hinprud  of  the  Danish  ballads,  is  ^ipreux  Chevalier  of  the  French,  and  the  gentle  htight 
of  the  English,  romances. 


C     384     ] 


THE 

KING'S  DAUGHTER 

OF 

ENGELLAND. 

TRANSLATED   FROM   THE  DANISH   KiEMPE   VISER,   p.    482. 


Kongens  dotter  of  EngeUand, 

Hun  lever  Jbruden  aid  kvide  ; 
Hende  er  gangen  sorg  til  haand; 

Hun  haver  trolovet'  hin  unge  Her  St^ge. 

Hun  er  til  tukt  og  cere  vant ; 
Hun  vil  ej  have  anden  mand. 

Kongens  son  aJ'Danmarck, 

Hand  beder  omjomfruen  of  aid  magt,  8fc. 


The  Kingis  dochter  of  EngeUand 

She  liveth  withouten  all  sorrow ; 
But  she  ha^  sorrow  eneugh  at  hand ; 

She  has  taen  the  young  Sir  Stige  till  her  marrow. 

»  "  Trolovet,"  from  "  tro,"  troth  or  Jaith,  and  "  lov6,"  to  promise.  This  seems  to  be 
the  origin  of  the  term  "  true-love"  in  many  of  our  old  ditties,  which  has,  I  believe,  never 
been  properly  understood  by  modern  editors  and  readers.  Thus,  in  the  beautiful  song, 
beginning  "  O  wala,  wala  up  the  bank,"  &c. 

"  I  leant  my  back  unto  an  aik ; 
I  thought  it  was  a  trusty  tree ; 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  S85 

Ay  wont  sae.  gude  and  leal  to  be, 
Nae  ither  man  now  hae  will  she. 

The  King's  son  of  Danmark 

He  Courtis  that  maiden  wi'  a  his  macht.  • 

Forty  owks  hae  mony  a  dowy  day, 

And  lang  thought  she,  and  was  weary  and  wae. 

Her  mantel  blue  that  maiden*  has  taen, 
And  down  to  her  bower  is  heavily  gane. 

She's  doen  her  till  her  bower  sae  fair, 
'     And  there  a  knave  bairn  sae  bonny  she  bare. 

The  bairnie  she  swyl'd  in  Unnen  sae  fine, 
In  a  gilded  casket  laid  it  syne  ; 


But  first  it  bow'd,  and  syne  it  brak, 
And  sae  did  my  tme-love  to  me. 


"  O  whareto  should  I  busk  my  head  ? 

Or  whareto  should  I  kerab  my  hair  ? 
For  my  true-love's  forsaken  me,  ^ 

And  says  he'll  never  lo'e  me  mair  !" 

Here  the  lady's  true-love  is  really  her  Jause  love,  and  some  of  the  editors  have  altered  it 
accordingly-  But  the  expression,  meaning  betrothed,  seems  to  be  perfectly  correct,  and 
tends  much  to  heighten  the  interest  of  the  piece.  It  is  true,  true-love  may  mean  trueli/- 
loved  ;  but  probability  and  propriety  seem  to  be  in  favour  of  the  other  interpretation. 

These  verses  are  abominable  as  verses  ;  but  what  better  can  be  made  out  of  such  ma- 
terials ?  He  who  has  carved  men  only  out  of  "  cheese-parings"  and  "  forked  radishes  af- 
ter supper"  must  not  expect  to  be  admired  as  a  statuary  :  but  those  who  see  his  produc- 
tions will  be  satisfied  at  least,  that  in  the  age  in  which  he  lived,  cheese  was  made,  and 
radishes  known ;  and  there  are  circumstances  which  sometimes  render  even  the  knowledge 
of  such  trifles  not  uninteresting.— There  is  no  note  in  the  Kaerape  Viser  to  inform  us  whe- 
ther the  second  and  fourth  lines  of  the  first  stanza  were  to  be  sung  throughout  as  a  burden, 
or  whether  they  made  a  part  only  of  this  stanza. 

*  Sk  in  orig. 

3  C 


38S  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

Mickle  saut  and  light'  she's  laid  therein, 
Cause  yet  in  God's  house  it  hadna  been. 

Her  mantel  blue  that  madden  has  taen. 
And  down  to  the  strand  wi'  it  she's  gane. 

She's  doen  her  out  tUl  the  strand, 
And  shot  the  casket  far  frae  the  land. 

She  shot  it  far  out  in  the  sea : 

"  To  Christ,  my  babe,  beteech  I  thee ! 

"  To  Ghristis  grace  beteech  I  thee  ; 
Thou  has  nae  mair  now  mither  in  me." 

The  King  is  a  hunting  by  the  strand ; 
He  fand  the  casket  was  driven  tUl  land. 

The  casket  he  open'd,  and  saw  therein 
The  bonny  knave  bairnie  that  smil'd  on  him. 

The  King  took  money  frae  his  spung, 
And  gar'd  be  christen'd  that  bairnie  young. 

Syne  he  has  taen  that  little  knave, 
And  tili  a  foster-mither  him  gave. 

"  And  hear  ye,  well  foster'd  lat  him  be ; 
For  he's  surely  come  o'  high  degree." 

She  has  foster'd  him  till  five  years'  age ; 
He's  now  the  King's  ain  Uttle  page. 

He  grew  till  he  was  eighteen  year. 

And  the  King's  ain  banner  now  can  bear. 

'  i.  e.  Salt  and  consecrated  tapers,  such  as  ought  to  have  been  used  at  his  baptisfis. 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  3«? 

The  King  has  gi'en  him  tower  and  fee, 
But  and  his  dochter,  that  comely  fire.* 

The  King  untill  his  dochter  said, 

"  And  whan,  my  dochter,  will  ye  wed  ?" 

"  It's  I  will  wed  whan  my  fiither  will ; 
And  FU  wed  him  that  his  heart  lies  till." 

"  Sir  Karl  is  the  first  man  in  my  ha'" — 

"  Och  !  but  fairi  were  my  heart  Sir  Stige  to  fa !" 

Now  a'  for  the  bridal  blyth  is  prest ; 

But  sair  was  the  heart  in  that  lady's  breast. 

The  bride-ale  they've  drucken  for  five  days  lang, 
But  the  bride  for  naething  to  bed  will  gang. 

The  sixthen  day  the  bride  they've  taen, 
And,  nill  she  or  will  she,  to  bed  she's  gane. 

The  bride  in  her  bed  they  down  hae  laid  5 
Sir  Karl  but  short  wlule  after  staid. 

On  her  cheek  sae  white  he  clappit  her  syne  : 
"  Ye  turn  to  me,  allerdearest  mine  !" 

•'  Prythee,  Karl,  be  still  now,  dear  son  mine, 
For  I  am  dearest  mither  thine ; 

"  And  a  scorn  it  were  in  my  father's  Ian', 
That  a  mither  shoiild  hae  her  son  for  a  man." 

"  And  it  is  a  scorn  intiU  this  be 

To  wear  a  goud  crownet  whan  ye're  nae  may." 

'  In  the  orig.  "  bans  dotter  hin  venne  ;"  i.  e.  his  daughter  who  [was]  bonny.     See 
Gloss,  art.  honny. 


388  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

The  morn  the  King  speer'd  at  them  right 
"  How  rested  ye  this  lasten  night  ?" 

"  I  thank  the  King  for  his  bounty  free  j    «,.: 
But  my  mither  to  wed's  great  scorn  to  me!' 

•   "  The  King  has  to  me  aJl  in  kindness  made ; 
But  sooth  'tis  my  mither  that  I  ha'e  wed  !" 

"  My  dochter  we  will  stick  and  brend. 
Or  to  the  Heathen  King  her  send." 

"  Och,  na  !  wi'  my  mither  ye  dealna  sae ; 
Gie  her  to  Sir  Styge,  as  I  now  say." 


I     389     3 


THE 


WASSEL  DANCE. 

TRANSLATED    FROM   THE    DANISH    KJEMPE   VISER,   p.    558. 


Det  er  i  nat  vaage-nat, 

{Der  vaager  hvo  som  vil) 
Der  Jcomme  saa  mange  til  dandsen  brat, 

{Der  vaager  hun  stolt  SigneliM  under 
saagronnen  Oe.) 


The  night  is  the  night  o'  the  wauk ; 

{There  wauk  may  he  that  will;) 
There's  fiel  come  to  dance  and  wassel  mak, 

( Whare  wauks  she,  the  proud  Sigmlild, 
under  me  green  an  oe.) 

Proud  Signild  speer'd  at  her  mither  right, 

{There  wauk,  ^c.) 
"  May  I  gae  till  the  wauk  the  night  ?" 

{TVhare  wauks,  ^c.) 

"  O  what  will  ye  at  the  wauk-house  do, 
But  sister  or  brither  to  gang  wi'  you  ? 

» This  is  the  counterpart  of"  Hero  Hogen  and  the  Queen  of  Denmark"  in  this  work. 


S90  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

"  Brither  or  gude-brither  hae  ye  nane, 

Nor  gang  ye  to  wauk    ouse  the  night  alane." 

That  maiden  fine  has  prigget  sae  lang, 
Her  mither  at  last  gae  her  leave  to  gang. 

"  Thou  gang,  thou  gang  now,  dochter  mine. 
But  to  nae  wauk-house  gangs  mither  thine. 

"  The  King  he  is  coming  wi'  a'  his  men ; 
Sae  lyth  my  rede,  and  bide  at  hame." 

"  There  comes  the  Queen  wi'  her  maries  a' ; 
To  talk  wi'  them,  mither,  lat  me  fa." 

She  to  the  green  wood  her  way  has  tane. 
And  she  is  till  the  wauk-house  gane. 

.Afore  she  wan  the  green  strath  o'er. 
The  Queen  was  gane  to  bed  in  her  bower. 

Ere  she  to  the  castell  yett  can  win. 
The  wassel  dance.it  was  begun. 

There  danced  all  the  Kingis  men. 

And  the  king  himsel  he  danced  wi'  them« 

The  King  raught  out  his  hand  sae  free : 
"  Fair  maiden,  will  ye  dance  wi'  me  ?" 

"  I'm  only  come  o'er  the  dale,  to  see 
An  the  Danish  queen  can  speak  to  me." 

"  Ye  dance  wi'  us  a  wee  but  fear. 

And  the  Queen  herseU  wiU  soon  be  here." 


Out  slept  Signild,  jimp  and  sma  j 

The  King  gae'r  his  hand,  and  they  danced  awa'. 
11 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS,  391 

'<  Hear  ye  what,  Signild,  I  say  to  thee ; 
A  lay  o'  love  ye  maun  sing  to  me." 

<*  In  lays  o'  love  nae  skill  I  hae. 
But  I'll  sing  anither  the  best  I  may." 

Proud  Signild  can  sing  a  sang  vn'  that ; 
This  heard  the  Queen  in  her  bower  that  sat. 

This  heard  the  Queen  in  her  bower  that  lay : 
"  Whilk  ane  o'  my  ladies  is  singing  sae  ? 

"  Whilk  ladies  o'  mine  dance  at  this  late  hoiu-  ? 
*      "Why  didna  they  follow  me  up  to  my  bower  ?" 

Syne  up  spak  a  page  in  kirtle  red : 

"  It's  nane  o'  your  ladies,  I  well  ye  rede ; 

"  Nae  ane  o'  your  ladies  I  reckon  it  be, 
But  it  is  proud  Signild  under  be." 

"  Ye  bring  my  scarlet  sae  fine  to  me, 
And  I  wiU  forth  this  lady  to  see." 

Whan  she  came  tiU  the  castell  yett, 
The  dance  gaed  sae  merrily  and  sae  feat. 

Around  and  around  they  dancing  gae  ; 
The  Queen  she  stood  and  saw  the  deray ; 

And  bitter  the  pangs  her  heart  did  wring, 
Whan  she  saw  Signild  dance  wi'  the  King. 

Its  Sophi  says  till  her  bower-woman ; 

**  Bring  a  horn  o'  wine  sae  swyth  ye  can  5 

"  A  horn  o'  goud  come  hand  to  me, 
And  lat  it  wi'  wine  well  filled  be." 


392  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

The  King  raught  out  his  hand  sae  free : 
"  Will  ye,  Sophia,  dance  wi'  me  ?" 

"  To  dance  wi'  thee  nor  can  I  nor  will, 
'Less  first  proud  Signild  drink  me  tm." 

She  hent  the  horn,  and  she  drank  sae  free  :- 
Her  heart  it  brast,  and  dead  fell  she. 

Lang  Imkit  the  King  in  speechless  wae. 
As  dead  at  his  feet  the  maiden  lay  : 

"  Sae  young  and  sae  fair  !  wae,  wae  is  me. 
Thy  dowie  sakeless  wierd  to  see  !" 

Sair  grat  the  women  and  maries  there 
As  intiU  the  kirk  her  like  they  bare .  , 

Had  she  but  lythit  her  mither's  rede, 
(JIhere  wauk  may  he  that  will,) 

That  maiden  she  never  sae  iU  had  sped, 
(Whare  wauks  she,  the  proud  Signelild, 
under  sae  green  an  be.) 


*^*  The  name  of  Sophia,  Queen  of  Denmark,  is  rather  an  evidence  of  the  antiquity  of 
this  piece  than  otherwise.  In  a  modern  production,  the  subject  of  which  is  fresh  in  the 
memory  of  every  one,  the  author  is  likely  to  be  faithful,  at  least,  to  the  names  and  desig- 
nations of  the  actors  ;  but  in  very  old  popular  tales,  the  reciters  are  apt  to  appropriate 
the  most  distinguished  parts  to  characters  which  have  made  a  figure  in  their  neighbour- 
hood a  century  or  two  ago,  and  whose  names  are  still  in  the  mouths  of  the  people. 


C     393     ] 


OLUF   PANT. 

TRANSLATED  FROM  THE  DANISH  K^MPE  VISER,  p.  745. 


OliifPant  hand  sidderpaa  Korsber-Kuus, 

Og  drikker  med  sine  svenne  ; 

At  dejaa  dem  etjidd  godt  ruiis, 

Saa  de  sig  ei  kunde  iemmh 

(OhifPant  hin  venne^ 

Med  sine  svenne, 

De  monne  saa  sorgelig  kvide.) 


OtUF  Pant  he  sits  in  Korsoer-house, 

A-drinking  wi'  his"  men  ; 
And  merrily  drink  they  and  carouse,, 
Till  themselves  they  downa  tame. 
[Oluf  Pant  the.  bonmf, 
Wi'  a'  his  menyie, 
They  maun  a'  sae  sorry  and  wae  be .') 

•*  My  service  now  will  ye  forleet, 

And  lose  baith  meat  and  fee  j 
Or  follow  me  swyth  to  Gerlev, 
For  a  lemman  there  to  see  ?" 
{OliifPant  the  bonny,  Sjc.) 
3  D 


394  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

His  service  nane  wad  there  forleet, 

Amang  his  merry-men  a', 
Nor  langer  while  deval,  but  till 

They  took  their  steeds  frae  the  sta'. 

He's  bidden  them  saddle  the  bonniest  steed 

They  in  thie  sta'  can  find : 
"  Mat  Burmand's  be  mt  host  the  flight. 

As  he  this  while  sail  mind  !" 

Sae  on  they've  ridden  to  Studeby, 
Thro'  wood  and  shaw  in  haste ; 

Tyge  Olesen  stood  i'  the  cauler  air. 
And  bade  litem  in 'to  guest. 

It  was  then  Rich  Oluf  Pant 

Rade  up  till  Gerlev  yett ; 
His  steed  that  day,  the  sooth  to  say, 

Full  proudly  did  curvett. ' 

He  rade  intiH  Mat  Burmand's  yard, 
Well  wrapt  in  vair  sae  gay  ; 

And  out  the  husbande  he  could  come, 
All  in  his  kirtle  gray. 

"  Thou  shalt  ted  US  thy  holiie  the  night. 
And  mak  us  bierdly  <lbs^ ; 

But  and  gie  us  thy  huswife  swyiJi, 
Or  I  saU  feU  thee  here." 

"  Gin  I  lend  you  myTiouse  tlie  night, 
.  And  mak  ye  bierdly  cheer ; 
But  and  gie  you  my  husW4!fe  sw3rth, 
'TwiU  gang  my  heart  right  tieai-." 


'  In  the  Danish  it  is,  "  his  steed  sprang  like  a  magpie,  (skade,")  or  a  sJcate,  for  the 
word  signifies  both. 

3 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  395 

Tlieir  steeds  he's  till  the  stable  led  % 

Gien  tEem  baith  com  and  hay ; 
And  merrily  they  to  the  chalmer  gang, 

To  talk  wi'  huswife  and  may. 

The  husbande  turn'd  him  aaell  about> 

All  in  his  kirtle  gray,^ 
And  he  has  sought  the  gainest  gate 

To  Andershaw  that  lay. 

Oluf  Mortensen^  that  gude  prioTt.     - 

Speer'd  at  the  husbande  ri^t, 
"  What  has  befa'n  that  thee  has  drawn 

Up  here  sae  Ikte  the  night  i" 

«<  O  sad's  my  teen  and  wnforeseen : 

Oluf  Pant  is  in  my  ham.e  5 
But  him  and  his  rout  I  may  drive  out, 

My  wife  is  brought  to  shame." 

'Twas  then  the  ginde  Prior  Oluf  Mortensen 

O'er  a'  the  house  can  d^,', 
'*  Up,  up  in  haste,  and  swythe  do  on 

Your  bryniesii  my  merry-men  a' !: 

"  Swyth  busk  ye  weel  frae  crown  to  heel 

r  your  gear,  as  best  ye  may  ; 
Oluf  Pant  to  cow  will  be  nae  mow  -, 

We'll  find  nae  bairns  play. 

'<  And  bye,  thou  luckless  husbande,  hame,. 

And  lock  thy  dogs  up  weel ; 
And  keep  a'  quiet  as  ye  may  ; — 

We'll  tread  dose  at  your  heel." 

Buskit  and  boun  the  stout  Prior 
Till  Burmand's  yard  he  rade : 


396  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

Now  God  in  Heaven  his  help  mat  be  ; — 
Oluf  Pant  he  draws  his  blade  ! 

Oluf  Mortensen  at  the  door  gaed  in, 

In  a  grim  and  angry  mood ; 
Oluf  Pant  lap  lightly  till  his  legs, 

'And  up  afore  him  stood. 

"  Wha  bade  thee  here  till  Gerlev-town, 

Wi'  my  husbande  leal  to  guest  ? 
Up,  up,  to  horse,  and  swyth  be  gone. 

Or  thou's  find  a  bitter  feast." 

Oluf  Pant  wi'  that  gaH  smile  aneath 

His  cleading  o'  towsy  vair. 
And,  "  They  are  mine  as  well  as  thine," 

He  saftly  whisper'd  there. 

•Swyth  out  the  Prior  drew  his  swerd  ; 

He  scorn'd  to  flinch  or  flee ; 
The  light  in  the  chandler  Oluf  Pant  put  out, 

And  wi'  Helene  fight  maun  he. 

I'  the  hen-bauks  up  Oluf  Pant  he  .crap  ; 

There  he  was  nagate  fain : 
The  Prior  took  tent  whareas  he  sat. 

And  in  blood-bath  laid  him  then.'* 

Sae  they  the  rich  Oluf  Pant  hae  slain. 

And  his  men  a',  three  times  three, 
A'  but  the  siHy  little  foot-page. 

And  to  him  his  Hfe  th^  gie. 

'  Oluf  Pant  was  slain  in  the  year  1397.  The  Pants  were  a  noble  family  in  Denmark; 
and  I  find  (says  the  Danish  editor)  from  the  book  of  genealogy,  that  the  Prior  of  Ander- 
shaw  was  called  Jep  Mortensen,  and  was  an  Jernskeggfe.  Michel  Petersen  Jernskeg  was. 
from  Erling,  which  is  now  called  Birkholm. 


C     397     ] 


ROSMER  HAF-MAND,  OR  THE 
MER-MAN  ROSMER. 


When  on  a  former  occasion, "  in  Popular  Ballads  and  Songs,"  vol.  ii. 
p.  282,  the  present  writer  laid  before  the  public  a  translation  of  the 
first  ballad  of  "  Rosmer,"  he  expressed  an  opinion  that  this  was  the 
identical  romance  quoted  by  Edgar  in  "  King  Lear,"  which  in  Shake- 
speare's time  was  well-known  in  England,  and  is  still  preserved,  in 
however  mutilated  a  state,  in  Scotland.  Having  the  outline  of  the 
story  so  happily  sketched  to  his  hand,  it  would  have  required  no  very 
great  exertion  of  talents  or  industry  for  one  exercised  in  these  stu- 
dies, to  have  presented  this  Romance  in  a  poetical  dress,  far  more 
correct  and  generally  engaging,  than  that  in  which  it  can  be  expected 
to  be  found  ;  but,  as  he  accounts  an  original,  however  imperfect,  which 
bears  the  -genuine  marks  of  the  age  which  produced  it,  and  of  the  taste 
of  those  who  have  preserved  it,  much  more  interesting  to  the  historian 
or  antiquary,  than  any  mere  modern  tale  of  the  same  kind,  however 
artfully  constructed,  he  has  preferred  subjoining  the  Scotish  legend 
in  puris  naturalibus,  in  the  hope  that  the  publication  of  it  may  be 
the  means  of  exciting  curiosity,  and  procuring  a  more  perfect  copy 
of  this  singular  relic. 


398  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 


["  King  Arthur's  sons  o'  merry  Ctolisle] 

Were  playing  at  the  ba' ; 
And  there  was  their  sister  Burd  Ellen, 

I'  the  mids  amang  them  a'. 

"  Child  Rowland  kick'd  it  wi'  his  foot. 

And  keppit  it  wi'  his  knee ; 
And  ay,  as  he  play'd  out  o'er  them  a'. 

O'er  the  kirk  he  gar'd  it  flee. 

"  Burd  Ellen  round  about  the  isle 

To  seek  the  ba'  is  gane  -, 
But  they  bade  lang  and  ay  langer, 

And  she  camena  back  agsm- 

"  They  sought  her  east,  they  sought  her  west,, 

They  sought  her  up  and  down ; 
And  wae  were  the  hearts  [In  merry  Carlisle} 

For  she  was  nae  gait  found !"  v' 

At  last  her  eldest  brother  went  to  the  Warluck  MqfKn,  (MtfrtiAt 
TFi/Mt,')  and  asked  if  he  knew  where  his  sister,  the  &,n  burd  EUen, 
was  ?  "  The  fair  biird  Ellen,"  said  the  Warluck  Merlin,  "  is  carried 
away  by  the  fairies,  and  is  now  in  the  castle  of  the  king  of  Elfland  j 
and  it  were  toa  bold  an  undertakimg  for  the  stoutest  knight  in  Chris- 
tendome  to  bring  her  back»"  "  Is  it  possible  to  bring  her  back," 
said  her  brother, "  and  I  will  do  it,  or  perish  in  the  attempt."  «  Pos- 
sible indeed  it  is,"  said  the  Warluck  Merlin ;  "  but  woe  to  the  man 
or  mother's  son  wha  attempts  it,  if  he  is  not  well  insti'ucted  before- 
hand of  what  he  is  to  da." 

Inflamed  no  less  by  the  glory  of  such  an  enterprise,  than  by  the  de- 
sire of  rescuing  his  sister,  the  brother  of  the  fair  burd  Ellen  resolved 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  399 

to  undertake  the  adventure  ;  and  after  proper  instractions  from  Mer- 
lin (which  he  failed  in  observing,)  he  set  out  on  his  perilous  expe- 
dition. 

"  But  they  bade  lang  and  ay  iMiger, 

Wi'  dout  and  mickle  maen  ; 
And  wae  were  the  hearts  [in  merry  Carlisle,] 

For  he  camena  back  again." 

The  second  brother  in  like  manner  set  out ;  but  failed  in  observing 
the  instructions  of  the  Warluck  Merlin ;  and 

"  They  bade  lang  and  ay  langer, 

Wi'  mickle  dout  and  maen  ; 
And  wae  were  the  hea«*s  [in  meriy  Carlisle,] 

For  he  camena  back  again." 

Child  Rowland,  the  youngest  brother  of  the  fair  burd  Ellen,  then  re- 
solved to  go  J  but  was  strenuously  opposed  by  the  good  queen  [^Gwe- 
nevra,]  who  was  afraid  of  losing  all  her  children. 

At  last  the  good  queen  fGwenevra]  gave  him  her  consent  and  her 
blessing  ;  he  girt  on  (in  great  form,  and  with  all  due  solemnity  of  sa- 
cerdotal consecration)  his  father's  good  claymore  j^Excahbar,]  that 
never  struck  in  vain,  and  repaired  to  the  cave  of  the  Warluck  Mer- 
lin. The  Warluck  Merlin  gave  him  all  necessary  instructions  for  his 
journey  and  conduct,  the  most  important  of  which  were,  that  he  should 
kiU  every  person  he  met  with  after  entering  the  land  of  Fairy,  and 
should  neither  eat  nor  drink  of  what  was  offered  him  in  that  country, 
whatever  his  hunger  or  thirst  might  be ;  for  if  he  tasted  or  touched  in 
EWand,  he  must  remain  in  the  power  of  the  Elves,  and  never  see  mid- 
^le  eard  again. 

So  Child  Rowland  set  out  on  his  journey,  and  travelled  "  on  and  ay 
farther  on,"  till  he  came  to  where  (as  he  had  been  forewarned  by  the  War- 


400  ^     ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

luck  Merlin)  he  found  the  king  of  Elfland's  horse-herd  feeding  his  horses. 
"  Canstthou  tell  me,"  said  Child  Rowland  to  the  horse-hefd, "  where  the  ' 
king  of  Elfland's  castle  is  ?" — "  I  cannot  tell  thee,''  said  the  horse-herd ; 
"  but  go  on  a  little  farther,  and  thou  wilt  come  to  the  cow-herd,  and  he 
perhaps  may  tell  thee."  So  Child  Rowland  drew  the  good  claymore 
[Excalibar,]  that  never  struck  in  yain,  and  hewed  off  the  head  of  the 
horse-herd.  Child  Rowland  then  went  on  a  little  farther,  till  he  came 
to  the  king  of  Elfland's  cow-herd,  who  was  feeding  his  cows.  "  Canst 
thou  tell  me,"  said  Child  Rowland  to  the  cow-herd,  "  where  the  king 
of  Elfland's  castle  is  ?" — "  I  cannot  tell  thee,"  said  the  cow-herd ; 
"  but  go  on  a  little  farther,  and  thou  wilt  come  to  the  sheep-herd,  and 
he  perhaps  may  tell  thee."  So  Child  Rowland  drew  the  good  clay- 
more [Excalibar,]  that  never  struck  in  vain,  and  hewed  off  the  head  of 
the  cow-herd.  He  then  went  on  a  little  farther,  till  he  came  to  the 
sheep-herd.    *  *  *  * 

[TAe  slieep-herd,  goat-herd,  and  swine-herd  are  all,  each  in  Ms 

turn,  served  in  the  same  manner  ;  and  lastly  he  h  referred  to 

the  hen-wife.^ 
"  Go  on  yet  a  little  farther,"  said  the  hen-wife,'  till  thou  come  to  a 
round  green  hill  surrounded  with  rings  (terraces)  from  the  bottom  to 
the  top ;  go  round  it  three  times  mdershins,  and  every  time  say,  "  Open, 
door  !  open,  door !  and  let  me  come  in ;  and  the  third  time  the  door 
will  open,  and  you  may  go  in."  So  Child  Rowland  drew  the  good 
claymore  pExcalibar,]  that  never  struck  in  vain,  and  hewed  off  the  head 
of  the  hen-wife.  Then  went  he  three  times  mdershins  round  the  green 
hill,  crying,  "  Open  door !  open,  door !  and  let  me  come  in  j"  and  the 
third  time  the  door  opened,  and  he  went  in.  It  immediately  closed 
behind  him  ;  and  he  proceeded  through  a  long  passage,  where  the  air 
was  soft  and  agreeably  warm  like  a  May  evening,  as  is  all  the  air  of ' 
Elfland.  The  light  was  a  sort  of  twilight  or  gloaming  ;  but  there  were 
neither  windows  nor  candles,  and  Jie  knew  not  whence  it  came,  if  it 
was  not  from  the  walls  and  roof,  which  were  rough  and  arched  like  a 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  40i 

grotto,  and  composed  of  a  clear  and  transparent  rock,  incrusted  with 
sheepS'Silver  and  spar,  and  various  bright  stones.  At  last  he  came  to 
two  wide  and  lofty  folding-doors,  which  stood  a-jar.  He  opened  them, 
and  entered  a  large  and  spacious  hall,  whose  richness  and  brilliance  no 
tongue  can  tell.  It  seemed  to  extend  the  whole  length  and  height  of 
the  hill.  The  superb  Gothic  pillars  by  which  the  roof  was  supported 
were  so  large  and  so  lofty  (said  my  seannachy,)  that  the  pillars  of 
the  Ghanry  Kirk,  or  of  Pluscardin  Abbey,  are  no  more  to  be  compa- 
red to  them,  than  the  Knock  of  Alves  is  to  be  compared  to  Balrinnes 
or  Ben-a-chi.  They  were  of  gold  and  silver,  and  were  fretted  like  the 
west  window  of  the  Chanry  Kirk,'  with  wreaths  of  flowers  composed 
of  diamonds  and  precious  stones  of  all  manner  of  beautiful  colours. 
The  key-stones,  of  the  arches  above,  instead  of  coats  of  arms  and  other 
devices,  were  ornamented  with  clusters  of  diamonds  in  the  same  man> 
ner.  And  from,  the  middle  of  the  roof,  where  the  principal  arches 
met,  was  hung  by  a  gold  chain,  an  immense  lamp  of  one  hollowed 
pearl,  perfectly  transparent,  in  the  midst  of  which  was  suspended  a 
large  carbuncle,  that  by  the  power  of  magic  continually  turned  round, 
and  shed  over  all  the  haU  a  clear  and  mild  light  like  the  setting  sun ; 
but  the  hall  was  so  large,  and  these  dazzling  objects  so  far  removed, 
that  their  blended  radiance  cast  no  more  than  a  pleasing  lustre,  and 
excited  no  other  than  agreeable  sensations  in  the  eyes  of  Child  Row- 
land.   , 

The  furniture  of  the;  hall  was  suitable  to  its  architecture ;  and  at  the 
fiirther  end,  under  a  splendid  canopy,  seated  on  a  gorgeous  sopha  of 
velvet,  silk,  and  gold,  and  "  Kembing  her  yellow  hair  wi'  a  silver 
kemb," 

"  There  was  his  sister  hurd.EUeft; 
She  stood  up  him  before." 


*  The  cathedral  of  Elgin  naturally  enough  furnished  similes  to  a  man  who  had  never  in 
Iljs  life  been  twenty  miles  distant  from  it. 

3  E 


^02  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

Says, 

"  God  rue  on  thee,  poor  luckless  fode  f ' 
What  hast  thou  to  do  here  ? 

"  And  hear  ye  this,  my  youngest  brither, 

Why  badena  ye  at  hame  ? 
Had  ye  a  hunder  and  thousand  lives. 

Ye  canna  brook  ane  o'  them. 

"  And  sit  thou  down  ;  and  wae,  O  wae 

That  ever  thou  was  born  ; 
For  come  the  king  o'  Elfland  in, 

Thy  leccam*  is  forlorn  i" 

A  long  conversation  then  takes  place ;  Child  Rowland  tells  her  the 
news  [of  merry  Carlisle,]  and  of  his  own  expedition;  and  concludes 
with  the  observation,  that,  after  his  long  and  fatiguing  journey  to  the 
castle  of  the  king  of  Elfland,  he  is  very  hungry. 

Burd  Ellen  looked  wistfully  and  mournfully  at  him,  and  shook  her 
head,  but  said  nothing.  Acting  under  the  influence  of  a  magic  which 
she  could  not  resist,  she  arose,  and  brought  him  a  golden  bowl  full  of 
bread  and  milk,  which  she  presented  to  him  with  the  same  timid,  ten- 
der, and  anxious  expression  of  solicitude. 

Remembering  the  instructions  of  the  Warluck  Merlin,  "  Burd  El- 
len," said  Child  Rowland,  "  I  will  neither  taste  nor  touch  till  I  have 
set  thee  free !".  Immediately  the  folding-doors  burst  open  with  tre- 
mendous violence,  and  in  came  the  king  of  Elfland, 

"  With  «  /,  Jl,  fo,  and  fum ! 

I  smell  the  blood  of  a  Christian  man  ! 
Be  he  dead,  be  he  living,  wi'  my  brand 

I'll  clash  his  harns  frafe  his  harn-pan  !" 

'*  Strike,  then.  Bogle  of  Hell,  if  thou  darest !"  exclaimed  the  undaunt- 

'  Fode — man,       ,  »  Leccam — loiy. 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  *03 

ed  Child  Rowland,  starting  up,  and  drawing  the  good  claymore  [Ex- 
calibar,]  that  never  struck  in  vain. 

A  furious  combat  ensued,  and  the  king  of  Elfland  was  feUed  to  the 
ground ;  but  Child  Rowland  spared  him  on  condition  that  he  should 
restore  to  him  his  two  brothers,  who  lay  in  a  trance  in  a  comer  of  the 
hall,  and  his  sister,  the  fair  burd  Ellen.  The  king  of  Elfland  then  pro- 
duced a  small  crystal  phial,  containing  a  bright  red  liquor,  with  which 
he  anointed  the  lips,  nostrils,  eye-lids,  ears,  and  finger-ends'  of  the  two 
young  men,  who  immediately  awoke  as  from  a  profound  sleep,  during 
which  their  souls  had  quitted  their  bodies,  and  they  had  seen  &c.  &c. 
&c. — So  they  all  four  returned  in  triumph  to  [merry  Carlisle.] 

Such  was  the  rude  outline  of  the  Romance  of  Child  Rowland,  as  it 
was  told 'to  me  when  I  was  about  seven  or  eight  years  old,  by  a  coun- 
try tailor  then  at  work  in  my  father's,  house.  He  was  an  ignorant  and 
dull  good  sort  of  honest  man,  who  seemed  never  to  have  questioned 
the  truth  of  what  he  related.  Where  the  et.  cceteras  are  put  down, 
many  curious  particulars  have  been  omitted,  because  I  was  afraid  of 
being  deceived  by  my  memory,  and  substituting  one  thing  for  an- 
other. It  is  right  also  to  admonish  the  reader,  that  "  The  Warluck 
Merlin — Child  Rowland — and  Burd  Ellen,"  were  the  only  names  in- 
troduced in  his  recitation  j  and  that  the  others  inclosed  witliin.  brackets 
are  assumed,  upon  the  authority  of  the  locality  given  to  the  story  by 
the  mention  of  Merlin,  In  every  other  respect  I  have  been  as  faithful 
as  possible. 

It  was  recited,  in  a  sort  of  formal,  drowsy,  measured,  monotonous 
recitative,  mixing  prose  and:  verse,  in  the  manner  of  the  Islandic 
Sagas ;  and  as  is  still  the  manner  of  reciting  tales  and  fabulas  miles  in 
the  winter  evenings,  not  only  among  the  Islanders,  Norwegians,  and 


"  This  anointing  the  seats  of  the  five  senses  seems  borrowed  from  the  sacrament  of  ex- 
treme unction  in  the  Catholic  church ;  but  extreme  unction  (with  blood,)  lustration  hy  tiiater, 
the  sign  of  the  cross,  breaking  of  bread  and  drinkiiig  of  wine,  &c.  were  in  use  among  the 
Goths  long  before  the  introduction  of  Christianity ;  and  the  Mitres  of  our  bishops  are 
lineally  descended  from  theradiated  turbans  of  the  priests  of  Mithra,  the  Persian  God  qf 
the  San.— The  Rosary  is  i^sed  by  the  followers  of  Lama,  among  the  Kalmucks,  &c. 


404.  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

Swedes,  but  also  among  the  Lowlanders  in  the  North  of  Scotland,  and 
among  the  Highlanders  and  Irish.  This  peculiarity,  so  far  as  my  me- 
mory'could  serve  me,  I  have  endeavoured  to  preserve;  but  of  the 
verses  which  have  been  introduced,  I  cannot  answer  for  the  exactness 
of  any,  except  the  stanza  put  into  the  mouth  of  the  king  of  Elfland, 
which  was  indelibly  impressed  upon  my  membry,  long  before  I  knew 
any  thing  of  Shakespeare,  by  the  odd  and  whimsical  manner  in  which 
the  tailor  curled  up  his  nose,  and  sniffed  all  about,  to  imitate  the  ac- 
tion which  "  fi,  fi,  fo,  and  fum !" '  is  intended  to  represent. 

Pleased  with  the  fire  which  his  tales  struck  from  me,  as  well  as  teazed 
by  my  indefatigable  importunity  and  endless  questions,  as  I  sat  on  a 
creepy*  by  his  knee,  my  good  Seannachy  let  me  into  the  following 
secrets  in  the  natural  history  of  Elfland,  which  I  can  still  find  as  inte- 
resting as  I  did  thirty  years  ago,  although  for  somewhat  different 
reasons.  ,. 

*'  You  have  seen,"  said  he,  "  on  a  fine  day  in  the  go-harst^  (post- 
autumnal  season)  when  the  fields  are  cleared,  a  number  of  cattle  from 
different  farms  collected  together,  running  about  in  a  sort  of  phrensy, 
like  pigs  boding  windy  weather ;  capering,  leaping,  bellowing,  and 
goring  one  another,  as  if  they  were  possessed,  although  there  is  no 
visible  cause  for  such  disorder. 

*'  If,  at  such  a  time,  you  were  to  look  through  an  elf-bore  in  wood, 
where  a  thorter  knot  (the  knarry  end  of  a  branch)  has  been  taken  out, 
or  through  the  hole  made  by  an  elf-arrow,  (which  has  probably  been 
made  by  a  ivarbk')  in  the  skin  of  a  beast  that  has  been-  elf-shot,  *  you 
may  see  the  elf-bull  haiging  (butting)  with  the  strongest  buU  or  ox  in 


"  I  question  whether  any  of  our  actors  on  the  stage  now  understand  this  ejaculation,  if 
it  may  be  so  called,  so  well  as  my  Seannachy  did. 
*  "  Creepy,"  short-legged  stool. 

3  It  is  pity  that  this  word  is  not  English,  as  we  hare  none  to  supply  its  place. 

4  In  his  notes  upon  the  ballad  of  Sir  Oluf  and  the  Elf  King's  Daughter,  (of  which  a 
translation  will  be  found  in  "  Popular  Ballads  and  Songs,"  vol,  i.  p.  SI  9, )  the  Editor  of  the 
K.  Viser  says,  that  Sir  Oluf  was  «  Elf-shot." 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  465 

the  herd ;  but  you  will  never  see  with  that  eye  again.— Many  a  man 
has  lost  his  sight  in  this  manner ! ' 

"  The  elf-bull  is  small,  compared  with  earthly  bulls,  of  a  mouse-co- 
lour ;  mosted  (crop-eared,)  with  short  corky  horns  ;  short  in  the  legs ; 
long,  round,  and  skimp  (supple)  in  the  body,  like  a  wild  animal ;  with 
short,  sleek,  and  glittering  hair,  like  an  otter ;  and  supernaturally  ac- 
tive and  strong.  They  most  frequently  appear  near  the  banks  of 
rivers  ;  eat  much  green  corn  in  the  night  time  ;  and  are  only  to  be 
got  rid  of  by,J&c.  &c.  (certain  spells  which  I  have  forgot.') 

"  A  certain  farmer,  who  lived  near  the  banks  of  a  river,  had  a  cow 
that  never  was  known  to  admit  an  earthly  bull ;  but  every  yea,r,  in  a 
certain  day  in  the  month  of  May,  she  regularly  quitted  her  pasture, 
walked  slowly  along  the  banks  of  the  river,  till  she  came  opposite  to 
a  small  holm  covered  with  bushes ;  then  entered  the  river,  *  and  waded 
or  swam  to  the  holm,  where  she  continued  for  a  certain  time,  after  which 
she  again  returned  to  her  pasture.  This  went  on  for  several  years, 
and  JEvery  year,  after  the  usual  time  of  gestation,  she  had  a  calf.  They 
were  all  alike,  mouse-coloured,  mosted,  with  corky  horns,  round  and 
long  bodied,  grew  to  a  good  size,  and  were  remarkably  docile,  strong, 
and  useful,  and  all  ridgels.'  At  last,  one  forenoon  abo^it  Martinmas, 
when  the  com  was  all "  under  thack  and  raip,*'  as  the  farmer  sat  with 
his  family  by  the  ingle*side,  they  began  to  talk  about  killing  their  Yuh 
Mart.  "  Hawkie,"  said  the  gude-man,  "  is  fat  and  sleek;  she  has 
had  an  easy  life,  and  a  good  goe  of  it  all  her  days,  and  has  been  a  good 


'  Here,  among  many  others  of  the  same  kind,  he  specified  one  instance  of  a  man  of  his 
own  acquaintance  who  lost  the  sight  of  an  eye  in  consequence  of  looking  through  an  elf- 
hore.  "  It  is  true,"  said  he,  "  the  man  himself  always  denied  it,  from  the  fear  of  the  ven- 
geance of  the  fairies,  but  every  body  knew  that  he  lost  it  in  that  way." — Such  is  the  power 
of  credulity  in  forcing  evidence  for  its  own  delusion ! — There  was  no  danger  of  my  Sean- 
nachy  putting  his  eye-sight  in  jeopardy  by  such  a  rash  indulgence  of  curiosity. 

'  In  the  southern  counties  of  Scotland,  this  story,  or  one  very  similar,  has  been  peculi- 
liarly  appropriated  to  Saint  Mary's  Loch,  in  SelkiAshire. 

3  This  is  a  fortunate  circumstance  for  the  fabulist,  as  otherwise  the  ceremony  of  castra- 
tion, by  obliging  the  steers  to  declare  themselves  too  soon,  would  have  quite  spoiled  the 
story. 


406  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

cow  to  us  ;  for  she  has  filled  the  plough  and  all  the  stalls  in  the  hyre 
with  the  finest  steers  in  this  country  side;  and  now  I  think  we  may 
afford  to  pick  her  old  bones,  and  so  she  shall  be  the  Mart!"— 

The  words  were  hardly  uttered,  when  Hawkie,  who  was  in  the  byre> 
beyond  the  kalian,  with  her  whole  bairn-time,  tyed  by  their  thra-mmeh 
to  their  stalls,  walked  out  through  the  side  of  the  byre  w^ith  as  much 
ease  as  if  it  had  been  made  of  hrown  paper  ;  turned  round'  on  the 
midditig-head ;  lowed  once  upon  each  of  her  calves ;  then  set  out, 
they  following  her  in  order,  each  according  to  his  agCj  along  the  banks 
of  the  river ;  entered  it ;  reached  the  holm  ;  disappeared  among  the 
bushes ;  and  neither  she  nor  they  were  ever  after  seen  or  heard  of. 
The  farmer  and  his  sons,  who  had  with  wonder  and  terror  viewed  this 
phenomenon  from  a  distance,  returned  with  heavy  hearts  to  their 
house,  and  had  little  thought  of  Marts  or  merriment  for  that  yeiar." 

The  foregoing  tale  will  be  found  in  the  unpublished  MS.  of  the  latia 
Mr  Boucher  of  Epsom's  Glossary,  as  it  was  furnished  by  the  present 
writer,  who  was  then  altogether  unacquainted  with  the  foUbwil^  tra- 
gical and  curious  history  of  an  elf-bull,  in  "  Eyrbyggiasaga,?'  pubUshed 
in  4to.,  in  Copenhagen,  by  the  learned  Professor  G.  J.  Thorkelin,  in 
1787,  p.  317,  who  with  much  probability  supposes  it  to  be  of  a  date 
anterior  to  1264. 

^'  It  was  milking^time,  about  nine  in  the  evening,  whea  Thoroddr 
returned  J  and  as  he  rode  towards  the  stable,  a  cow,  running  before 
him,  broke  her  foot.  The  cow,  which  was  yeld,  was  taken ;  and,  be- 
ing too  lean  to  be  slaughtered,  Thoroddr  caused  her  foot  to  be  bound 
up  ;  and,,  as  soon  as  it  was  strong  enough,  she  was  sent  to  Ulfarsfell  to 
be  fattened,  as  the  pasture  there  was  as  good  as  on  the  holms.-  There 
are  some  who  say  that  the  islanders,  when  carrying  their  dried  fish  to 
the  inner  part  of  the  creek,  saw  with  the  cow,  as  she  was  feeding  upon 
the  side  of  the  fell,  a  strange  bull  of  a  mouse-colour,  that  nobody  knew. 
Next  autumn  Thoroddr  thought  of  killing  the  cow ;  but  those  who 
were  sent  to.  fetch  her  could  no-  where  find  her.     After  much  search 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  407 

to  no  purpose,  tliey  at  last  gave  her  up  for  lost,  supposing  she  must 
have  been  either  dead  or  stolen.  A  little  before  the  Yule-time,  one 
morning  as  the  neatherd  at  Kcerstead  was  going  as  usual  to  the:  cow- 
house, he  saw  the  broken-footed  cow,  that  had  been  so  industriously 
sought  for,  standing  before  the  door.  Turning  her  mto  the  cow-house, 
and  tying  her  up,  he  carried  the  news  to  Thoroddr,  who,  entering  the 
cow-house,  and  viewing  and  handling  the  cow,  discovered  that  she  was 
\yith  calf,  and  therefore  not  fit  for  a  mart,  especially  as  he  had  flesh 
enough  besides  for  his  family.  About  the  end  of  the  following  spring, 
she  had  a  qttei/-calf,  and  shortly  after  a  bull-calf,  which  was  so  large 
that  S'he  died  soon  after  calving.  This  large  bull-calf  was  brought  into 
the  house,  and  was  of  a  mouse-colour,  and  seemed  well  worth  preser- 
ving. When  the  calves  were  carried  into  the  room,  there, happened 
to  be  present  an  old  Kerling  (sic.  in  orig.)  who  had  been  foster-mother 
to  Thoroddr,  and  yrss  now  become  blind.  In  her  younger  days  she 
had  been  reputed  to  have  the  second  sight ;  but  as  she  grew  old,  her 
predictions  were  regarded  as  the  ravings  of  dotage,  although  many  of 
them  were  verified  by  the  events.  The  calf,  with  his  legs  bound,  being 
laid  on  the  floor,  bellowed  aloud,  on  which  the  Kerling,  in  the  great- 
est terror,  cried  out,  "  That  is  the  low  of  an  ElPs  imp, .  and  of  no 
earthly  creature  ;  and  you  will  do  well  to  destroy  it  immediately !" 
Thoroddr  said  it  would  be  a  pity  to  kill  such  a  fine  calf,  which,  if  pro- 
perly taken  care  of,  must  turn  out  an  excellent  steer.  The  calf  then 
lowed  a  second  time';  on  which  the  Kerling  threw  away  What  she  had 
in  her  hand,  and  said,  "  My  bairn !  let  the  calf  be  killed ;  for  if  he  is 
brought  up,  we  shall  all  one  day  have  great  cause  to  rue  it."  "  Well, 
nurse,  since  you  will  have  it  so,"  said  Thoroddr,  "  he  shall  be  killed." 
Both  calves  were  then  taken  out  of  the  room,  and  Thoroddr  gave  or- 
ders to  kill  the  quey,  and  carry  the  bull  into  the  barn,  to  be  brought 
up,  with  strict  injunctions  that  nobody  should  undeceive  the  old 
nurse.  This  calf  grew  so  fast,  that  before  spring  he  was  full  as  large 
as  those  that  had  been  calved  several  months  before  him.  When  let 
out,  he  ran  very  much  about  the  meadow,  and  roared  hke  a  full-grov/n 
bull,  so  loud  that  it  was  heard  in  the  house.     Then  the  Kerling  said. 


408  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

*'  As  this  monster  is  not  killed,  he  will  assuredly  do  us  more  mischief 
than  words  can  express  !" — The  calf  grew  a-pace,  and  that  summer 
was  turned  into  a  field  of  saved  grass  ;  and  by  autumn,  he  was  so  large 
that  few  year-olds  could  match  him.  He  was  well-horned,  and  of  all 
the  cattle  the  most  sleek  and  beautiful  to  see,  and  was  thence  called 
Gkesir.  Before  he  was  two  years  old  he  was  as  large  as  a  five-year- 
old  ox ;  fed  mostly  among  the  cows,  not  far  from  the  house ;  and  as 
often  as  Thoroddr  went  into  the  fold,  Glaesir  went  up  and  smeUed  him, 
and  licked  his  cloaths,  and  Thoroddr  patted  him.  He  was  gentle  as 
a  lamb  both  to  men  and  cattle  ;  but  when  he  roared,  it  was  tremen- 
dous, and  the  old  woman  never  heard  it  without  expressing  the  great- 
est consternation  and  horror.  When  Glassir  was  four  years  old,  if 
women,  or  children,  or  striplings,  went  near  him,  he  took  no  notice 
of  them;  but  if  men  passed,  he  chafed  and  threatened,  and  was  so 
surly  and  unruly  that  he  would  hardly  sufier  himself  to  be  driven  out 
of  the  way." 

I^Glaesir  continuing  to  be  unmanageable,  and  to  roar  as  terribly  as 
ever,  Thoroddr,  moved  by  the  continual  warnings  and  apprehensions 
of  his  nurse,  promises  in  good  earnest  to  slaughter  him  next  autumn, 
as  soon  as  he  should  be  fat  enough.  But  the  old  spae-mfe  tells  him 
that  it  will  be  too  late  ;  and  breaks  forth  into  a  yehement,  prophetic, 
and  poetical  ra,pture,  in  strains  which,  far  firom  resembling  those  of 
Cassafidra,  except;  in  their  inefficacy,  were  perfectly  perspicuous  and 
to  the  point.] 

"  So  it  fell  out,  that  same  summer,  that  one  day  after  Thoroddr  had 
got  the  hay  in  a  hay-field  raked  together,  and  made  up  into  cocks 
there  fell  a  great  deal  of  rain.     Next  morning  the  servants  going  out 
observed  Glaesir  in  the  hay-field,  disencumbered  from  the  board  which 
since  he  became  vicious,  had  been 'fastened  upon  his  horns,  running 
about,  overturning  the  cocks,  and  scattering  the  hay  all  over  the  field 
which  he  had  never  been  accustomed  to  do  ;  at  the  same  time  that  his 
roarings  and  bellowings  so  terrified  the  servants,  that  no  one  durst  ven- 
ture  to  go  and  drive  him  away.  •  On  their  telling  Thoroddr  what  Gla- 
sir  was  at,  he  ran  out,  and  snatching  up  a  large  birchen  stake  by  the 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  409 

two  forks,  hastened  into  the  field,  with  it  over  his  shoulder,  to  attack 
the  bull.  Glassir,  seeing  this,  desisted  from  the  havoc  which  he  was 
making,  and  advanced  to  meet  him«  regardless  of  his  threat^,  and  the 
noise  he  made  to  intimidate  him.  On  this  Thoroddr  struck  him  so 
hard  between  the  horns,  that  the  stake  broke  short  close  by  the  forks. 
Glaesir  then  rushed  upon  Thoroddr,  who,  seizing  him  by  the  hpms, 
turned  his  head  aside  j  and  in  this  manner  they  struggled  for  some 
time  ;  Glaesir  always  striking,  and  Thoroddr  avoiding,  till  the  latter 
began  to  be  fatigued.  Then  Thoroddr  leaped- upon  his  neck,  and 
leaning  over  between  his  horns,  clasped  his  hands  under  his  throat, 
which  he  griped  with  all  his  might,  in  hopes  of  stifling  him,  or  ti- 
ring him  out ;  and  in  this  manner  the  bull  ran  about  the  field,  carry- 
ing him  upon  his  neck.  ' 

"  The  servants  seeing  their  master  in  such  danger,  and,  being  wea- 
ponless,, not  daring  to  interfere,  ran  home  to  arm  themselves,  and  re- 
turned with  spears  and  other  weapons.  When  the  bull  saw  that,  he 
stooped  his  head  between  his  legs,  and  shook  it  till  he  got  one  of  his 
horns  under  Thoroddr,  then  raised  it  with  a  jerk  so  suddenly,  that  he 
threw  up  Thoroddr's  legs,  so  that  he  stood  almost  upon  his  head  upon 
the  bull's  neck.  When  his  legs  fell  down  again,  Glaesir  stooped  his 
head  once  more,  and  struck  him  with  his  other  horn  in  the  belly, 
goring  him  so  that  he  let  go  his  hold,  and  the  bull,  roaring  tre- 
mendously, ran  along  the  meadow  towards  the  river.  The  servants 
pursued  him  through  a  ravine  of  the  mountain  called  Geirvaur,  tiU  he 
reached  a  fen  below  the  farm-stead  of  Hello,  where  he  ran  into  a 
pool,  dived,  and  never  after  came  up  again ;  and  ever  since,  the  fen 
has  been  called  Glaesiskellda. — Returning  to  the  house,  they  found 
Thoroddr  dead  of  his  wound." 

This  idea  of  peopling  the  subterraneous  and  submarine  regions,  not 
only  with  supernatural  men  and  women,  but  with  beasts  also,  which  in- 
dulge in  frequent  intercourse  with  those  of  our  element,  is  found  in 
Arabia,  Persia,  India,  Thibet,  among  the  Kalmuck  and  Mongol  Tar- 

3  F 


410  ROMANTIC  BALLA-Da 

tars,  Swedes,  Norwegians,  Scotish  Lowlanders,  Highlanders,  and  He- 
bridians ;  and  it  may,  perhaps  with  more  propriety  than  any  other  super- 
stition, be  denominated  Gothic,  (if  the  term  is  used  in  contradistinction  to 
Greek  and  jRowjaw,)  because  no  distinct  traces  of  it,  it  is  presumed,  are 
to  be  found  among  the  latter,  who  seem  to  have  lost  sight  af  it.  And 
here,  as  a  justification  of  this  gossiping),  the  present  writer  begs  leave  to 
remark,  that  almost  all  the  superstitions,  and  .  antient  popular  usages 
which  are  accounted  national  among  us,  particularly  in  the  Highlands 
and  Hebrides,  are  still  found  in  various  parts  of  Sweden  and  Norway. 
How  fax  these,  as  well  as  the  language  and  poetry  of  the  Highlandersi 
have  been  affected  by  the  residence  of  the  Nor-m  en  among  them,  may 
on  some  future  occasion  be;  the  subject  of  inquiry,  to  which  end  mea- 
sures have  been  taken  for  procuring  ample  materials  from  curious  and 
learned  friends  in  the  university  of  Lund,  with  whom  the  writer's  cor- 
respondence has  at  present  been  broken  off,  by  the  disastrous  war  in 
which  these  countries  are  unhappily  involved. ' 

/  '  This  was  written  two  years  and  a  half  ago. 


r  411  '} 


THE 

SECOND  BALLAD 

ROSMER   HAFMAND, 

OR   THE  ■*  '^''l  ''■' 

MER-MAN  RQSMER. 

TRANSLATED    FROM   THE   DANISH   KiEMPE   VISEK,   p.    165, 
EIBST  PUfitrSHED  iif  1591. 


Bucke  Been  og  Elfver  Steen, 
Ogjleer  kandjeg  icke  nefiie, 

De  lod^  sig  hygge  saa  Iiaard  en  Knar; 
Til  Island  monne  de  stefne. 
{Jeg  hryder  aMrig  mtn  tro.) 


B0W-HOUGH3  and  Elfia-stane, , 
And  fiel  inair  I  canna  name, 

They  loot  them  bigg  sae  stark  a  ship  5 
Till  Island  maun  they  stem. 
(/  never  mil  break  my  troth.) 

They  shot  the  ship  out  in  the  brim 
That  bremm'd  like  ah  angry  bear : 


412  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

The  "White  Goose  '  sank ;  the  laidly  elves 
Loot  her  rise  up  nae  mair. 
(J  never,  Sfc.) 

'Twas  then  the  young  Child  Roland, 

He  sought  on  the  sea  ground, 
And  leading  untill  Eline's  bower, 

A  little  green  sty  he  found. 

Roland  gaed  to  the  castell ; — 

He  saw  the  red  fire  flee : 
"  Now  come  o'  me  whatso  God  will, 

It's  here  that  I  maim  be." 

And  it  was  the  Child  Roland, 

Intill  the  court  rade*  he. 
And  there  stood  his  sister  proud  Eline, 

In  menevair  sae  free. 

And  Roland  into  llie  castel  came : 

His  hands  he  downa  steer : 
"  God  rue  on  thee,  poor  luckless  fode, 

What  hast  thou  to  do  here  ?" 

This  Eline  was  to  him  unkent: 

••  What  for  soe'er  thou  came, 
What  so  thy  letter  or  errand  be. 

Would  thou  had  bidden  at  hame ! 

"  And  gae  thou  till  that  chalmer  in, 

Sae  frozen  wat  and  haw  ; 
But  come  the  lang-shanks  Ettin  in. 

He'll  rive  thee  in  dugits  sma. 

"  And  sit  thou  down,  thou  luckless  fode, 
And  warm  thou  thy  shin-bane ; 

*  The  name  of  the  ship.  »  Orig.  "  Hand  kom  der  ridendis  i  gaard.' 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  413 

But  come  the  lang-shanks  Ettin  in, 
He'll  stick  thee  on  this  stane." 

Hame  cam  Rosmer  Lang-shanks, 

And  he  was  wroth  and  grim  ; 
"  Sae  well  I  wiss  there's  come  in  here 

A  christian  woman  or  man  !" 

Proud  Eline  lyle  is  gane  to  him. 

To  win  him  as  she  dow : 
"  There  flew  a  craw  out  o'er  the  house, 

Wi'  a  man's  bane  in  his  mou." 

Rosmer  screeched  and  sprang  about : 

"  Here's  a  christian  man  I  ken  ; 
But  and  thou  tell  me  truth,  but  lies, 

I  wiU  thee  stick  and  bren  !" 

Eline  lyle  took  o'er  her  her  blue  mantel. 

And  afore  Rosmer  can  stand : 
"  Here  is  a  Child  fi-ae  Island  come, 

O'  my  near  kin  and  land." 

"  And  is  a  Child  frae  Island  come, 

Sae  near  a-kin  to  thee  ? 
His  ward  and  warrant  I  swear  to  be ; 

He's  never  be  drownd  by  me." 

Sae  here  in  love  and  lyst  fii'  deme 

Scarce  twa  years  o'er  them  flew. 
Whan  the  proud  lady  Eline's  cheek 

Grew  a'  sae  wan  o'  hue. 

About  twa  years  he  there  had  been ; 

But  there  maim  be  nae  mair ; 
Proud  Eline  lyle's  wi'  bairn  by  him  j 

That  wirks  tliem  mickle  care. 


41*  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

Proud  Eline  lyle's  now  ta'eh  on  her 

Afore  Rosmer  to  stand : 
"  Will  ye  gie  till  this  fremmit  page 

Forlof  hame  tiU  his  land  ?"    i , 

"  And  will  he  gae  hame  till  his  land  ? 

And  say'st  thou  that  for  true  ? 
Then  o'  the  goud  and  white  money 

A  kist  rU  gie  him  fiiV    . 

Sae  took  he  mickle- red  goud, 

And  laid  it  in  a  kist  v 
And  proud  Eline  lyle  laid  hersell  wi'  it ; — 

That  Rosmer  little  wist. 

He  took  the  man  under  his  arm ; 

The  kist  on  his  back  took,  he ; . 
Sae  he  can  imder  the  saut-sea  gang, 

Sae  canny  and  sae  free. , 

*'  Now  I  hae  bom^  thee  till  the  land} 
Thou  seest  baith  sun  and  moon  : 

And  I  gie  thee  this  kist  o'  goud, 
That  is  nae  cburlis  boon." 

"  I  thank  thee,  Rosmer,  thou  gude  fellow;  ^;i 
Thou'st  landed  me  but  harm } 

I  tell  thee  now  for  tidings  new. 
Proud  Eline  lylfe's  wi'^bairn." 

Then  ran  the  tears  down  Rosmer's  cheeks. 
As  the  bum  rins  down  the  brae  : 

"  But  I  hae  sworn  thee  ward  and  warrant, 
Here  drowning  thou  should  hae." 

Hame  to  the  knock  syne  Rosmer  ran. 
As  the  hart  rlns  to  the  hind ; 


ROMAJ^TIC  BALLAD&  *15 

But  whan  to  the  knock  that  he  cam  hame, 
Nae  Eline  lyle  could  he  find. 

But  proud  Eline  and  ChUd  Roland, 

Wi'  gaming  lyst  and  joy, 
Gaed  hand  in  hand,  \n'  kindly  talk. 

And  mony  an  amorous  toy. 

Rosmer  waxt  sae  wroth  and  grim. 

Whan  he  nae  Eline  fand. 
He  tum'd  intill  a  whinstane  gray, 

Siclike  he  there  does  stand. 


C     416     ] 


THE 


THIRD  BALLAD 


OF 


ROSMER   HAFMAND. 


Island  Konning  lader  hygge  et  skih, 

Saa  ncer  ved  Islands  side  ; 
Og  der  det  gaml^  raad  <oar  dod, 
Det  gik  de  svenne  til  gvide,  8fc. 
{Der  defingefred  udi  hafvet  ud, 
da  seylede  de  Normcend.') 


Island's  King  gar'd  bigg  a  ship, 

Sae  near  to  Island's  side ; 
That  sair  did  young  Child  [Aller]  rue, 
Whan  the  gude  aid  rede-man  died. 
{There  mak  they  peace  i'  the  saut  sea  out, 
w/mre  sailed  the  Normen.) 

Rosmer  lap  out  i'  the  brim  : 

'*  And  wha  my  cann  sail  scorn  ?" 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  417 

Seven  score  ships  to  the  ground  he  sank^, 
Loot  never  nane  return. 

There  mak  they,  l^c. 

Down  sank  the  noble  kingis  men ; 

Down  sank  they  every  man, 
But  him,  Child  Aller,  the  kingis  son, 

A  little  green  sty  that  fand. 

And  there  he  fand  sae  wee  a.  house. 

The  roof  was  gilded  fair : 
"  God's  will  be  done !  However  it  gang 

Wi'  me,  I'se  gang  in  there  !" 

It  was  AUer  the  kingis  son. 

He  braids  in  at  the  door ; 
It  was  proud  Lady  Eline  lyle. 

She  stood  up  him  before. 

"  Sit  thou  down,  thou  luckless  page. 

And  warm  thy  limbs  sae  froren  ; 
But  come  the  lang-shanks  Ettin  in^ 

Thy  leccam  is  forloren. 

And  sit  thou  down,  thou  luckless  page. 

And  beek  thy  Umbs ere  lang, 

The  Ettin  Rosmer  will  be  in. 

And  spit  thee  on  a  stang." 

Late  at  e'en  came  Rosmer  hame. 

About  the  gloaming  hour  ; 
«  What  ha'e  ye  done  wi'  the  Christian  man 

That  ye  had  in  your  bower?" 

"  There  flew  a  bird  out  o'er  the  house, 
Wi'  a  man's  leg  in  his  mouth ; 
S  G 


418  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

I  turn'd  me  about,  and  I  coost  it  out. 
As  fast  as  e'er  I  couth." 

It  was  proud  Lady  Eline  lyle 
Afore  Rosmer  can  stand : 

"  It's  here  is  come  a  little  page, 
W^s  born  in  my  father's  land." 

"  And  is  there  come  a  little  page        * 
Was  in  thy  kingdom  born  ? 

Then  true  I  swear,  he  well  sail  fare. 
Nor  dree  or  skaith  or  scorn." 

For  eight  years  now  he  there  had  been» 
A  tryal  hard  and  sair  ! — 

Now  EUne  lyle's  wi'  bairn  by  him, 
Tho'  they  were  ever  sae  ware. 

It  was  proud  Lady  Eline  lyle. 
Afore  Rosmer  she  gaed  : 

"  Sae  lang  the  Childe  has  now  been  here, 
For  langer  he'U  be  dead. 

"  Ye  lat  him  gang,  he's  o'  my  kin, 
And  gi'e  him  goud  sae  red ; 

For  gin  he  bide  i'  the  «astle  lock'd, 
For  langer  he'll  be  dead." 

"  Then,  gin  he  here  sae  lang  has  bidden,^ 
And  greens  for  hame  and  land ; 

Then  I'U  gi'e  him  a  kist  o'  goud 
Sae  fitting  till  his  hand." 

"  Though  ye  gi'e  bim  a  kist  o'  goud 
Sae  fitting  till  his  hand. 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  +19 

Sae  little  will  the  gift  bestead, 
But  ye  set  him  on  the  strand." 

It  was  proud  Lady  Eline  lyle, 

Sae  well  her  part  she  wist ; 
She's  gane  intill  her  still  chamber, 

And  laid  hersel  i'  the  kist. 

• 

He  took  the  kist  upon  his  back, 

The  man  intill  his  hand, 
And  thro'  the  saut  sea  he  is  gane, 

The  lang  gaite  to  the  strand. 

«  Now  I  ha'e  borne  thee  till  the  land, 

Thou  seest  the  sun  ance  mair ; 
Till  father  and  mither,  till  sister  and  brither, 

Sae  gladly  may'st  thou  fare." 

"  Thou  hast  gi'en  me  a  goodly  gift. 

And  landed  me,  but  harm ; 
Hosmer,  I  canna  heal  frae  thee, 

Lady  Eline  is  wi'  bairn." 

Astonish'd  Rosmer  stood  thereat. 

And  fast  his  tears  ran  down  : 
"  But  I  ha'e  pledged  my  oath  to  thee, 

I'd  sink  thee  to  the  ground." 

Rosmer  lap  i'  the  saut  sea  out. 

And  he  can  rope  and  rair ; 
Aback  he  sterte,  whan  he  cam  hamc  ;— 

Nae  Eline  lyle  was  there. 

*^*  The  last  stanza  has  been  omitted,  because  it  appeared  to  be  nonsense,  something 
like  the  penult  stanza  of  the  first  ballad  on  the  same  subject.  From  the  three  pieces  on 
this  adventure,  all  translated  as  literally  as  possible,  which  are  now  before  the  public,  it 
will  be  seen  what  confidence  we  can  have  in  the  authenticity  and  identity  of  traditionary 
poetiy. 


[    '420     2 


SIR  LAVA  AND  SIR  JOHN. 

TKANSLATED   FROM   THE    DANISH   BLEMPE   VISER,  p.   669. 


[This  piece,  and  that  which  foDows  it,  have  been  inserted  here  as  specimens  of  the  old 
Danish  humorous  popular  ballad ;  the  only  specimens  I  have  ever  met  with,  if  "  Sir 
Guncelin,"  in  this  volume,  does  not  come  under  that  description.  "  Sir  Lave" 
seems  to  have  been  originally  a  very  serious  composition,  and  has  a  good  many  stan- 
zas in  common  with  other  serious  pieces  in  the  Danish  Collection ;  but  is  rendered 
perfectly  ludicrous  by  the  quaint  impertinence  of  Sir  John's  strange  rejoinders,  most 
of  which,  from  the  former  popularity  of  the  piece,  are  become  in  Denmark,  at  this 
day,  proverbial  expressions  applied  to  an  unwelcome  guest  of  any  kind,  whom  one 
does  not  know  well  how  to  get  rid  of.] 


Her  Lave  hand  reed  sig  under  pe 

{J  ere  vel  baarn) 
Derjeste  hand  sig  saa  ven  en  mbe. 

Jeg  rider  med,  sagde  Jon. 

{J  binder  op  hiehn  afguld,  ogjblger  Her  Jan,  ijG.) 


Sir  Lave  he  raid  bim  under  oe, 

( Ye  are  well  born) 
And  he  has  wedded  sae  fair  a  may. 
"  I  ride  wi'm  !"  quo'  John. 

(Ye  hind  up  your  lielm  of  gold,  and  follow  Sir  John.) 

7 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  421 

He's  married  a  bride,  and  he's  brought  her  hame, 
And  Knight  and  Child  gaed  to  welcome  them. 
*'  Here  ride  I !"  quo'  John. 

They  set  the  bride  on  the  bridal  bink ; 
Sir  John  he  challenged  them  round  to  drink : 
"  Swyth  !  waucht  it  out !"  quo'  John. 

They've  taen  the  bride  to  the  bridal  bed  ; 
To  loose  her  snood  nae  mind  they  had- 
"  rn  loose  it !"  quo'  John. 

In  lap  Sir  John,  and  the  door  lock'd  he : 
"  Ye  bid  Sir  Lave  gude  night  frae  me : 
Here  lye  I !"  quo' John. 

Wi'  that  word's  gane  to  Sir  Lave  syne : 
"  Sir  John  is  sleeping  wi'  young  bride  thine  !" 
«  That  I'm  doing !"  quo'  John. 

Sir  Lave  he  rapp'd  at  the  door  wi'  din  : 
"  Get  up.  Sir  John,  and  lat  us  in !" 

"  See  an  I  do  that !"  quo'  John. 

*'  Gin  ye  winna  lat  my  bride  alane, 
I'll  gae  to  the  king>  and  I'U  complain." 
"  In  a  gude  hour !"  quo'  John. 

Ear  on  the  morn,  whan  day  did  spring, 
Sir  Lave  is  gane  to  complain  to  the  king.- 
"  I  wiU  wi'm  !"  quo'  John. 

"  I  wedded  yestreen  sae  fair  a  bride ; 
Sir  John  has  hen  a'  night  by  her  side." 
«'  That  I  did  !"  quo'  John. 


422  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

"  Gin  baith  o'  you  hald  the  lady  sae  dear, 
Then  ye  for  her  sake  should  break  a  spear." 
"  Content !"  quo'  John. 

The  morn,  the  sun  ho  shone  sae  bright ; 
The  knights  they  met  to  see  the  sight. 
"  Here  am  I !"  quo'  John. 

The  first  ae  tilt  that  they  raid  sae  free, 
Sir  John's  horse  he  fell  down  on  his  knee. 
«  Help  now,  God !"  quo'  John. 

The  neisten  tilt  they  thegitherraid, 
O'  the  eard  Sir  Lave  was  sprawling  laid. 
"  There  lies  he  I"  quo'  John. 

Sir  John  he  has  gane  to  the  castell  in  t 
Up  stood  the  lady  there  afore  him. 

"  Thou  art  mine !"  quo'  John. 

Sir  John's  made  amends  for  a'  his  harms, 
{Ye  are  well  born,)     ,:  iJ  h.       jno^. 

And  now  he  sleeps  in  the  lady's  arms. 

"  I  have  her  bodily,"  quo'  John. 
( Ye  bind  up  your  helm  of  gold  and  follow  Sir  John.) 


I     423     ] 


NOTE  ON  SIR  LAVE  AND  SIR  JOHN. 


The  notes  on  the  foregoing  piece,  and  on  Libussa,  which  are  referred  to  in  another  part 
of  this  work,  having  been  by  some  accident  mislaid  while  at  the  press,  and  it  being  im- 
possible to  replace  them  at  present,  as  no  copy  or  reference  is  preserved ;  I  shall  only 
briefly  observe  here,  that  the  ceremonies  of  "  setting  the  bride  on  the  bridal  bench," 
loosing  her  snood,  &c.,  are  still  preserved  in  Jutland,  Ditmarsh,  and  Sleswig,  and  probably 
in  Holstein,  and  other  parts  of  the  antient  Angle-land.-  Immediately  on  her  return  from 
the  church,  aAer  being  married,  the  bride  is  set  in  great  state,  on  the  sopha  or  bench  near 
the  stove  or  fire-place,  in  the  best  room  in  the  house,  to  receive  the  compliments,  and  wed- 
ding gifts,  of  the  guests^  The  presents  are  laid  beside  her  on  the  bench,  while  the  bride- 
men  hand  round  drink,  bride-cake,  Sec,  In  Scotland,,  the  presents  were  formerly  laid  on 
the  marriage  bed ;  and  in  some  parts  of  the  country  this  usage  is  still  kept  up,  although 
with  little  of  its  original  benevolence  and  patriarchal  dignity.  I  remember  several  instances 
of  it  in  Morayshire  when  I  was  a  boy ;  in  one  of  which  a  droll  old  fellow  (still  alive)  threw 
a  flail  on  the  bed,  for  the  young  goodman's  use,  should  his  wife,  prove  disobedient;  on 
which  his  wife,  in  order  to  preserve  the  balance  of  power  in  their  new  state,  presented  the 
young  good  wife  with  a  large  new  kitchen  tongs,  with  suitable  instructions  how  and  when 
it  was  to  be  used.  The  flail,  however,  soon  found  its  way  to  its  proper  place,  the  barn ; 
and  the  tongs  probably  still  serves  the  goodwife  to  stir  up  the  ingle  against  John's  coming 
in  cold  and  weary  from  his  labour.- 

The  ceremony  of  putting  on  the  curtsh,  or  close  cap,  on  the  morning  after  the  marriage, 
when  the  young  wife  is  no  longer  entitled  to  wear  the  snood,  or  maiden  tyre,  is  still  obser- 
ved in  the  north  of  Scotland,  and  gives  the  matrons  in  the  neighbourhood  an  opportunity 
of  enjoying  a  scene  of  jollity  and  gossiping,  from  which  those  who  may  still  wear  snoods  are 
very  properly  excluded. 


I    424    J 


WIT  AT  NEED. 

TEANSLATED  ^ROM  THE  DANISH  K^IMPE  VISER,  p.  709. 


[Compare  this  ballad  with  the  Scotish  one  in  Ritson,  beginning,  "  Our  gudeman  cam 
hatne  at  e'en,  &c.,^'  a  translation  of  which  is  so  popular  in  Germany,  that  I  have  found 
many  well-informed  Germans,  who  were  very  unwilling  to  admit  that  it  was  not  origi- 
nal, and  peculiar  to  their  country.]] 


Sroder  spurde  sbster  ad, 

Tidt  og  mange  sinde, 
Viltu  dig  ej  mand  give  i  stad. 

Aldt  sorger  hurt  for  hiertekiere  sin,  Sfc. 


The  brither  did  at  the  sister  speer, 

{Oft  and  many  times,) 
"  WiQ  ye  na  tak  a  man  to  your  fere  ?" 

{It's  a' for  her  dearie  she  sorrows  sae.) 

"  O  na,  O  na,  dear  brither  I"  she  said, 

(Oft  and  many,  S^c.) 
For  I  am  o'er  young  yet  to  wed, 

{Ifs  a',  8;c.) 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  425 

Gin  they  say  true  in  this  gate  en', 
Ye've  nae  been  ay  sae  fleyt  for  men." 

*'  They  say  was  ay  for  a  lyar  kent ; 
O*  they  says  nane  but  fools  tak  tent." 

"  But  wha  was  that  for  a  Knight  sae  braw, 
That  rade  &ae  your  castle  this  morning  awa?" 

"  A  Knight !"  quo'  she ;  "  braw  knights  indeed ! — 
'Twas  my  little  foot  page  upon  his  steed !" 

"  But  what  were  they  for  twa  pair  o'  sheen, 
That  lay  afore  your  bed  yestreen  ?" 

"  Twa  pair  o'  sheen !"  quo'  she ;  "  o'  sheen !" 
'Tis  surely  my  slippers,  Billy,  you  mean." 

"  And  what  wee  baimies,  the  tither  day, 
Was  it  i'  the  bed  wi'  you  that  lay  ?" 

"  Wee  baimies! — O  aye  ! — the  tither  day, 
Wi'  my  dowie,  I  mind  now,  I  did  play !" 

"  But  what  for  a  bairnie  was  it  that  cried 
Sae  loud  i'  your  bower  this  morrow  tide  ?" 

"  Could  ever  sic  greeting  a  bairnie' s  be? 
'Twas  my  lassie  that  grat,  she  had  tint  her  key." 

*'  And  what  bonny  cradle  was  it  sae  braw. 
That  I  i'  the  neuk  sae  cannily  saw  ?" 

"  Bonny ~cra& .'"  quo'  she;  "  gude  sain  your  een ! 
It's  my  silk  loom  wi'  the  wab  you've  seen. 
3   H 


426  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

"  Now,  brither,  what  mair  ha'e  ye  to  speer  ? 
I've  answers  eneuch>  ye  needna  fear !" 

»     *     *     * 

Whan  women  for  answers  are  at  a  stand, 

{Oft  and  many  times,) 
The  North  Sea  bottom  will  be  dry  land 

{It's  a' for  her  dearie  she  sorrows  me.) 


C    427     ] 


ANKE  VAN  THARAW. 


This  very  amiable  little  piece  owed  its  origin  to  rather  an  unami- 
able  cause,  having  been  an  ebullition  (not  of  tenderness  and  love,  but) 
of  spite.  The  following  translation  of  it  is  done  from  the  original 
Prussian  Low  Dutch,  in  "  Sammlaug  Deutscher  Volkslieder,  mit  einem 
Anhange  Flammaendischer  und  Franzoesischer,  nebst  melodien.  He- 
rausgegeben  durch  Buesching  und  von  der  Hagen.  Berlin,  1807." 
It  appeared  in  a  large  collection  of  songs  from  various  poets,  with  mu- 
sic, by  Alberti,  printed  at  Koenigsberg  in  1638  and  1650,  and  has 
often  been  reprinted.  A  High  German  translation  of  it  will  be  found 
in  Herder's  "  Volkslieder,"  vol.  i.  p.  92 ;  the  first  nine  couplets  of 
which  ai*e  reprinted  in  "  Des  Knaben  Wunderhorn." 

The  author  was  Simon  Dach,  who  was  born  at  Memel  (a  somewhat 
singular  place  to  give  birth  to  a  poet !)  in  1605,  and  died  in  1659,  of 
consumption  and  hypochondria.  "  Anke  van  Tharaw"  was  produced 
as  a  poetical  revenge  on  the  occasion  of  his  first  love  having  jilted 
him.  But  however  subject^r^^  love  may  be  to  those  spurts  of  spleen 
and  passion  by  which  our  fates  in  life  are  so  often  decided,  its  impres- 
sions are  seldom  entirely  effaced  from  the  mind  j  and  poor  Simon 
Dach  never  forgave  himself  for  having  written  a  song  which  has  been 
admired  by  every  body  that  understood  it,  for  nearly  two  centuries. 
During  his  last  illness  he  suffered  mucb  ;  and  after  a  dreadful  access 
of  pain,  "  Ha  !"  said  he,  "  that  was  for  the  song  of  Anke  van  Tha- 


raw." 


[     428     ] 


ANKE  VAN  THARAW; 
ANNIE  O'  THARAW. 

TRANSLATED  FROM  THE  PRUSSIAN  LOW  DUTCH. 


Anke  van  Tharatu  bss,  de  mi  gefollt, 

Se  bss  mihn  Leuien,  mihn  Goet  on  mihn  Gblt. 

Anke  van  Tharaiv  heft  teedder  eer  Hart 
Op  migerbehtet  on  Low'  on  on  Schmart,  8fc. 


Annie  o'  Tharaw,  I've  waled  for  my  fere, 

My  life  and  my  treasure,  my  gudes  and  my  gear. 

Annie  o'  Tharaw,  come  weal  or  come  wae, 
Has  set  her  leal  heart  on  me  ever  and  ay. 

Annie  o'  Tharaw,  my  riches,  my  gude, 

Ye're  the  saul  o'  my  saul,  ye're  my  flesh  and  my  blude. 

Come  wind  or  come  weather,  how  snell  sae  or  cald, 
We'll  stand  by  ilk  ither,  and  closer  ay  hald. 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  429 

Fain,  sickness,  oppression,  and  Fortune  unkind^ 
Our  true-love  knot  ay  but  the  faster  sail  bind. 

As  the  aik,  by  the  stormy  winds  toss'd  till  and  fra, 
Ay  roots  him  the  faster,  the  starker  they  blaw ; 

Sae  love  in  our  hearts  will  wax  stranger  and  mair. 
Thro'  crosses  and  down-drug,  and  poortith  and  care. 

Should  ever  my  fate  be  frae  thee  to  be  twinn'd. 

And  wert  thou  whare  man  scarce  the  sun  ever  kenn'd, 

111  follow  thro'  deserts,  tliro'  forests  and  seas, 
*  •     Thro'  ice  and  thro*  iron,  thro'  armies  o'  faes. 

Annie  o'  Tharaw,  my  light  and  my  sun, 

Sae  twined  our  life-threads  are,  in  ane  they  are  spun. 

Whatever  I  bid  you's  ay  sure  to  be  dane. 
And  what  I  forbid,  that  ye'U  ay  lat  alane. 

The  love  may  be  warm,  but  how  lang  can  it  stand 
Whare  there's  no  ae  heart,  and  ae  tongue,  and  ae  hand  ? 

Wi'  cangling,  and  wrangling,  and  worrying,  and  strife, 
Just  like  dog  and  cat,  live  sic  man  and  sic  wife. 

*  This,  and  the  following  stanza,  stand  thus  in  the  original : 

"  War  om  sock  hartaget,  kabbelt  on  schleiht, 
On  glihk  den  hungen  on  katten  begeiht. 

"  Anke  van  Tharaw,  dat  war  wi  nich  dohn, 

Du  host  mihn  DUhfken,  mihn  Schahpken,  mihn  Hohn." 


430  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

Annie  o'  Tharaw,  that  we'll  never  do, 

For  thou  art  my  lammicj  my  chufckie,*  my  dow. 

My  wish  is  to  you  ay  as  gude's  a  comman', 
I  lat  you  be  gudewift,  ye  lat  me  be  gudeman ; 

And  O  how  sweet,  Annie,  our  love  and  our  lee. 
Whan  thou  and  I  ae  soul  and  body  sail  be ! 

'Twill  beet  our  bit  ingle  wi'  heavenly  flame ; 
But  wrangling  and  strife  mak  a  hell  of  a  hame. 

'  So  Macbeth,  Act  iii.  Scene  ii. — "  Be  innocent  of  the  knowledge,  deai'est  chuck. 

Till  thou  applaud  the  deed." 

It  is  still  in  use  in  Scotland  as  a  term  of  endearment :  In  England,  an  uxorious  old  fool  calls 
his  young  wife,  "  ray  chicken." 


[     431      1 


BALADE, 


TRANSLATED  FROM  THE  OLD  FRENCH  OF  THE  ENGLISH  POET  GOWEK. 


As  Mr  Weber  has  given  in  this  voltime  (p.  8,)  two  translations  from 
the  German  Minnescenger,  or  Love-poets,  I  have  ventured,  as  a  com- 
panion 'to  Simon  Dach's  ditty,  to  attempt  putting  into  an  English 
dress,  a  very  pretty  trouveur  "  Balade"  of  the  English  poet  Gower. 
It  is  the  thirty-sixth  in  order,  of  the  "  Cinquante  Balades"  in  the  Mar- 
quis of  Stafford's  MS.  of  that  poet ;  which  it  is  hoped  that  nobleman, 
so  distinguished  for  his  good  taste  and  liberality,  will  give  to  the 
world  J  as  I  believe  no  other  copy  of  these  very  curious  pieces  exists. 
This,  I  doubt  not,  will  be  the  wish  of  all  men  of  taste,  who  have  read 
the  following  account  of  them  by  the  Historian  of  English  Poetry : 
"  They  are  tender,  pathetic,  and  poetical ;  and  place  our  old  poet 
Gower  in  a  more  advantageous  point  of  view  than  that  in  which  he  has 
hitherto  been  usually  seen.  I  know  not  if  even  any  among  the  French 
poets  themselves,  of  this  period,  have  left  a  set  of  more  finished  son- 
nets.— Nor  had  yet  any  English  poet  treated  the  passion  of  love  with 
equal  delicacy  of  sentiment,  and  elegance  of  composition — although 
I  must  confess,  there  are  some  lines  which  I  do  not  exactly  compre- 
hend." 

The  original  will  be  found  in  Warton's  Histoiy  of  English  Poetry, 
among  the  "  Addenda,"  and  in  the  Life  of  Gower,  in  the  second  vo^- 
lume  of  Alexander  Chalmeis's  edition  of  the  English  Poets.. 


[  432  ] 


BALADE, 


TRANSLATED  FROM  THE  OLD  FRENCH  OF  GOWER. 


Now  in  this  jolly  time  of  May, 

To  Eden  I  compare  the  ground  j 

While  sings  the  Merle  and  Popingay,* 

Green  herb  and  tree  bloometh  around, 

And  all  for  Nature's  feast  are  crown'd ; 
Venus  is  Queen,  all  hearts  obey, 
And  none  to  Love  may  now  say  Nay. 

When  this  I  see,  and  how  her  sway 

Dame  Nature  over  all  extends ; 

And  all  that  lives,  so  warm,  so  gay. 

Each  after  kind  to  other  tends, 

Till  liking  life  and  being  blends ; — 

What  marvel,  if  my  sighs  bewray 
That  none  to  Love  may  now  say  Nay  ! 

To  nettles  must  the  rose  give  way. 
And  Care  and  Grief  my  garland  weave ; 
Nor  ever  Joy  dispense  one  ray 
To  chear  me,  if  my  Lady  leave 
My  love  unblest,  and  me  bereave 

•  In  this  country  the  "  popinjay"  certainly  adds  very  little  to  the  melody  of  the  groves; 
but  when  the  beautiful  golden  jay,  which  is  common  on  the  continent,  condescends  to  sing, 
his  notes,  five  or  six  in  number,  are  remarkably  sweet,  full,  and  mellow ;  and  are  the  more 
to  be  prized,  because  he  screams  horribly  at  least  ten  times  for  once  that  he  sings. 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  43S 

Of  everjr  hope  to  8inile,  and  say, 
That  none  to  Love  may  novr  say  Nay. 

Then  go,  and  try  her  ruth  to  move. 
If  aught  thy  skill,  my  simple  lay ; 
For  thou  and  I  too  well  approve, 

That  none  to  Love  may  now  say  Nay. 


C     43*    ] 


AN  EDDIC  LAY  OF  PAGAN  TIMES. 


This  wild  and  extraordinary  romance  of  early  Pagan  times  in  the 
North  has  hitherto  been  little,  if  at  all,  known  in  this  country.  In 
1794,  it  was  printed  at  Copenhagen,  with  translations  in  Latin  and  Da- 
nish ;  but  it  was  never  published,  and  is  in  few  hands.  Two  copies 
of  it  in  Icelandic  were  brought  to  Edinburgh,  in  MS.,  last  year,  by  Mr 
F.  Magnusen,  from  Island,  and  are  now  here,  along  with  all  the  other 
unpublished  Eddie  remains  j  of  which  advantage  should  have  been 
taken  in  the  course  of  this  work,  had  not  my  part  of  it  been  nearly 
printed  off  two  years  ago,  before  I  had  access  to  them. 

It  is  not  very  easy  to  conjecture  why  this  very  curious  piece  should 
have  been  rejected,  or  rather  so  long  neglected,  by  Sandvig,  and  the 
Arna-Magnean  editors  of  the  Edda  of  Sgeinund.  It  is  found  in  all  the 
MS.  copies  of  that  collection,  except  the  parchment  one  in  the  king's 
library  at  Copenhagen;  and  has  this  peculiarity  in  its  favour,  that 
it  is  the  only  one  of  all  the  Ssemirad  lays  which  is  found  entire  in 
the  Edda  of  Snorro  ; '  a  proof,  if  not  of  its  superior  antiquity,  at  least  oi 
the  esteem  in  which  it  was  held  by  Snorro.  Had  it  no  other  merit, 
however,  its  having  survived  so  many  changes  of  religion,  manners, 
language,  and  government,  during  eleven  centuries,  surely  entitles  it 
to  some  notice.  The  prose  translation  here  given,  is  intended  merely 
to  make  the  original  more  intelligible.  The  tale  is  thus  introduced  in 
the  Edda : 

'  Not  that  published  by  Resenius,  but  Oluf  Orm's  copy,  a  transcript  of  which  is  now  in 
this  country. 


C     435     J 


jTormali  til  dTrotta  g^abngs?. 

PREFACE   TO   THE   QUERN-SGNG. 


*'  Gold  is  called  (by  the  poets)  the  meal  of  Frothi ;  the  origin  of 
which  is  found  in  this  story.  Odin  had  a  son  called  Skioldr,  (from 
whom  the  Skioldvngar  are  descended)  who  settled  and  reigned  in  the 
land  which  is  now  called  Danmaurk,  but  was  then  called  Gotland. 
Skioldr  had  a  son  named  Frithleif,  who  reigned  after  him.  Frithleif's 
son  was  called  Frothi,  and  succeeded  him  on  the  throne.  At  the  time 
that  the  Emperor  Augustus  made  peace  over  the  whole  world,  Christ 
was  born.  But  as  Frothi  was  the  most  powerful  of  all  the  monarchs 
of  the  North,  that  peace,  wherever  the  Danish  language  was  spoken, 
was  imputed  to  him  ;  and  the  North-men  called  it  Frothi's  peace. 

"  At  this  time  no  man  hurt  another,  even  if  he  found  the  murderer 
of  his  father  or  brother,  loose  or  bound.*  Theft  and  robbery  were  then 
unknown,  insomuch  that  a  gold  ring  (armlet)  *  lay  for  a  long  time  un- 
touched in  Jalangursheath. 

"  Frothi  chanced  to  go  on  a  friendly  visit  to  a  certain  king  in  Sweden, 
named  Fiolnir  j  and  there  purchased  two  female  slaves,  called  Fenia 
and  Menia,  equally  distinguished  for  their  stature  and  strength.  In 
those  days  there  were  found  in  Danmaurk  two  Quernstones  of  such  a 
size,  that  no  one  was  able  to  move  them  ;  and  these  mill- stones  were 
endued  with  such  virtue,  that  the  Quern  in  grinding  produced  what- 

»  The  point  of  honour,  which  obliged  every  North-man  in  those  days,  as  an  indispensa- 
ble duty  of  piety,  to  revenge  the  death  of  a  relative,  makes  a  striking  feature  in  the  Da- 
nish ballads,  as  it  does  in  the  manners  of  many  nations  at  this  day. 

*  These  rings  were  often  ^f  great  weight  and  value.    See  Note  on  Rigs-mal. 

6 


436  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

ever  the  grinder  wished  for.  The  quern  was  called  Grotti ;'  he  who 
presented  this  quern  to  Frothi  was  called  Hengikioptr  (hanging 
chops.)  The  king  caused  these  slaves  to  be  brought  to  the  quern,  and 
ordered  them  to  grind  gold,  peace,  and  prosperity  for  Frothi,  allowing 
them  no  longer  rest  or  sleep  than  while  the  cuckow  was  silent,*  or  a 
verse  could  be  recited.  Then  they  are  said  to  have  sung  the  lay 
which  is  called  Grotta-Savngr  j  and  before  they  ended  their  song, 
to  have  ground  a  hostile  army  against  Frothi,  insomuch,  that  a  cer- 
tain sea-king,  (pirate)  called  Mysingr,  arriving  the  same  night,  slew 
Frothi,  taking  great  spoil,  and  so  ended  Frothi's  Peace.  Mysingr 
took  with  him  the  Quern  Grotti,  with  Fenia  and  Menia,  and  ordered 
them  to  grind  salt.  About  midnight  they  asked  Mysingr  whether  he 
had  salt  enough  ?  On  his  ordering  them  to  go  on  grinding,  they  went 
on  a  little  longer,  till  the  ship  sunk  under  the  weight  of  the  salt.  A 
whirlpool  was  produced  where  the  waves  are  sucked  up  by  the  mill- 
eye,  and  the  waters  of  the  sea  have  been  salt  ever  since  !" 

Such  is  the  Eddie  prose  account  of  this  extraoi;dinary  adventure. 
Had  the  learned  Bishop  of  Drontheim,  Eric  Pontoppidan,  been  ac- 
quainted with  it,  it  might  have  helped  him  wonderfully  in  accounting 
for  the  MoL-sTROM  off  the  coast  of  Norway,  which  has  puzzled  and 
terrified  so  many  men  as  well  as  monsters.' 

•  I  take  this  to  be  an  old  Gothic  name  for  a  mill  of  any  kind,  perhaps  from  the  grey 
stone  used  for  mill-stones ;  hence  the  Gaelic  grattan,  meal  ground  on  a  mullin-grattan,  or 
hand-mill ;  the  Scotish,  groats  ;  Eng.  grits  ;  Germ,  groui ;  Dan.  grytte,  to  grind ;  and 
the  Swedish,  grot,  in  Scotish,  crtmdy, 

'  Even  in  the  north  of  Scotland,  about  Midsummer,  when  the  weather  is  fine,  as  it  ge- 
nerally is  at  that  time,  there  is  so  little  darkness  during  the  night,  that  the  morning  and 
evening  twilights  almost  melt  into  each  other :  the  cuckow  calls  through  the  whole  night, 
and  the  lark  and  thrush  are  silent  but  a  very  short  space. 

3  This  is  not  meant  as  a  sneer  at  that  venerable  prelate,  whose  life,  as  well  as  his  learn- 
ing, were  an  ornament  to  his  country,  and  to  the  age  in  which  he  lived. 


C     437     3 


GROTTA-SAVNGRj 


THE 


QUERN  SONG. 


Nv  erom  komnar 
til  konvngs  hvsa 
framvisar  tvser 
fenia  oc  menia. 
thaer  ro  at  frotha 
frithleifs  sonar 
matkar  meyiar 
at  mani  hafthar. 


jFenia  anD  a^enia* 


"  Now  are  we  come 

to  the  king's  house, 

two  fore-seers, 

Fenia  and  Menia." 

These  were  at  Frotha's  [house,] 

FrithleiPs  son, 

(mighty  maidens) 

held  as  thralls. 


Thasr  at  Ivthri 
leiddar  varo 
oc  griotz  gria 
gangs  of  beiddo. 
het  hann  hvarigri 
hvild  ne  yndi 
athr  han  heyrthi 
hli6m  ambatta. 


They  to  the  Quern  [eye] 
were  led, 

and  the  grey  millstone 
were  bid  set  a-going. 
He  promised  to  neither 
rest  nor  relief, 
ere  he  heard 
the  maidens'  lay. 


Thser  tbyt  thvlo 
thavgn  horvinnar, 


They  made  to  rumble, 
ceasing  silence, 


*38 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 


leggiom  Ivthvr 
lettom  steinom. 
bath  hann  enn  meyiar 
at  thaer  mala  sklydo 

Svngo  oc  slvngo 
snvthga  steini 
sva  at  frotba  man 
flcst  sofnatbi. 
tha  qvath  that  mcnia 
var  til  meldz  komin. 


with  their  arms,  the  Quern's 
light  stones. 

He  bade  again  the  maidens, 
that  they  should  grind. 

They  sang,  and  whirled 

the  grumbling  stone, 

so  that  Frothi's  folk 

mostly  slept. 

Then  thus  sang  Menia, 

who  had  eome  to  the  grinding : 


Avth  mblom  frotha 
mblom  alsaelann 
fibld  fiar 
a  fegins  Ivthri 

Siti  hann  a  avthi 
sofi  hann  a  dvni 
vaki  hann  at  vilia 
th^  er  vel  maUt. 
her  skyli  engi 
avthrom  granda 
til  bavls  bva 
ne  til  bana  orka 
ne  hoggva  thvl 
hvavsso  sverthi 
tho  at  bana  brothvr 
bvndinn  finni. 


"  Let  us  grind  riches  to  Frothi !  ^ 
Let  us  grind  him  happy 
in  plenty  of  substance, 
on  our  gladdening  Quern. 

"  Let  him  brood  over  treasures  } 

Let  him  sleep  on  down  ! 

Let  him  wake  to  his  will } 

There  is  well  ground  ! 

Here  shall  no  one 

hurt  another, 

to  plot  mischief, 

or  to  work  bane  (death,) 

nor  strike  therefore 

with  sharp  sword, 

though  his  brother's  murderer 

bound  he  found.' 


En  han  qvath  ecki 
orth  it  fyrra. 
sofit  ei  thit 
ne  of  sal  gavkar 


"  But  he  spake  no 

word  before  this : 

•  Sleep  not  ye, 

nor  the  cuckows  withouti 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 


439 


etha  lengvr  enn  sva 
li6th  eitt  qvethac. 


Varrattv  frothi 
fvllspakr  of  thic 
in^vinr  manna 
er  thu  man  keyptir. 
kavss  thu  at  afii 
oc  at  alitom 
en  at  seterni 
ecki  spvrthir. 


longer  than  while 
I  sing  one  strain." 

JFenia* 

"  Thou  wast  not,  Frothi, 
sufficiently  provident, 
£tho']  persuasively  eloquent, 
when  thou  boughtest  slaves. 
Thou  boughtest  for  strength, 
and  for  outward  looks ; 
but  of  their  ancestry 
didst  nothing  ask." 


Harthr  var  harvngnir 
oc  hans  fathir. 
tho  var  thiassi 
thelm  avflgari. 
ithi  oc  avrnir 
okrir  nithiar 
braethvr  bergrisa 
theim  erom  bornar. 


"  Hardy  was  Hrangnir 

and  his  father ; 

yet  was  Thiassi 

stouter  than  they. 

Ithi  and  Arnir 

our  relations, 

moiuitain  ettin's  brethren,- 

of  them  are  we  born." 


Komia  grotti 
or  gria  fialli 
'  ne  sa  hinn  harthi 
hallr  or  ibrtho. 
ne  moli  sva 
mser  bergrisa 
ef  vissi  6tt 
vaetvr  til  hennar. 


ifenla* 

"  The  Quern  had  not  come 
from  the  grey  fell, 
nor  thus  the  hard 
stone  from  the  earth, 
nor  thus  had  ground 
the  mountain-ettin  maiden, 
if  her  race  known 
had  not  been  to  her." 


Vaer  vetor  nio 
vorom  leikor 


6©enta. 

"  We  nine  winters, 
playful  wierd-women. 


440 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 


avflgar  alnar 
for  iorth  nethan. 
stotho  meyiar 
at  meginverkom 
faertbom  sialfar 
setberg  or  stath. 

Velltom  grioti 
of  garth  risa 
sva  at  fold  fyrir 
for  skicilfandi. 
sva  slavngdom  vith 
snvthga  steini 
hafga  halli 
at  halir  toco. 


were  reared  to  strength, 

under  the  earth. 

We  maidens  stood 

to  our  great  work ; 

we  ourselves  moved 

the  set  mountain  from  its  place. 

We  whirled  the  Quern 

at  the  giant's  house, 

so  that  the  earth 

therewith  quaked. 

So  swung  we 

the  whirling  stone^ 

the  heavy  rock, 

that  the  subterraneans  heard,  it."^ 


En  vith  sithan 
a  svithiotho 
framvisar  tvser 
i  folk  stigom 
braeddom  biiirno 
en  brvtom  skioltho 
gengom  i  gegnom 
gr^serkiat  lith. 

Steyptom  stilli 
stvddom  annaniv 
veittom  gothom 
gvttormi  lith. 
vara  kyrrseta 
athvr  knvi  felli. 


"  But  we  since  then, 

in  Sweden^ 

two  fore-seers, 

have  fought. 

We  have  fed  bears, 

and  cleft  shields ; 

encountered 

grey-shirted  (maikd)  men. 

We've  cast  down  one  prince  ; 

stayed  up  another. 

We  gave  the  good  {brave) 

Guttormi  help. 

Unstably  we  sat 

Till  the  heroes  fell. 


Fram  heldom  thvl 

thav  misseri 

at  vith  at  kavppom 


Forward  held  we 
these  six  months  [so] 
that  we  in  conflicts 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 


4<4.i 


kcndar  voro. 
thar  skortbo  vith 
skavrpom  geirom 
bloth  or  beniom 
oc  brand  rvthom. 


were  known. 
There  scored  we 
with  sharp  spears 
blood  from  wounds, 
and  reddened  brands. 


1^  erom  komnar 
til  konvngs  hvsa 
miskvnnlavsar 
oc  at  mani  hallhan 


Now  are  we  come 

to  the  King's  house, 

unpitied, 

dud  held  as  thralls. 


avrr  etr  iliar 
en  ofan  kvldi 
drogum  d61gs  siotvi 
dapvrt  er  at  frotha. 

Hendor  skvlo  hvllaz 
hallr  standa  mvn 
malit  hefi  ec  fyri  mik, 
mit  ofleiti. 


■nv  mvna  havndom 
hvild  vel  gefa 
^thvr  fvllmalit 
fr6tha  thycki. 

Hendor  skvlo  havlda 
harthra  trionor 
vapn  valdreyrvg. 


vaki  thv  frothi. 
vaki  thv  frothi 
ef  thv  Hytha  vill 


The  earth  bites  our  feet  beneath, 
and  the  cold  above ; 
we  drive  an  enemy's  Quern ; 
^ad  is  it  at  Frothi's  [house]  ! 

Hands  shall  rest ; 
the  stone  must  stand ; 
I've  ground  for  my  part 
with  diligence." 

"  Now  must  not  to  hands 
rest  well  be  given, 
till  enough  ground 
Frothi  thinks. 

Hands  of  men  shall 
harden  {temper)  swords, 
Wood-dropping  weapons.^' 

jFenia» 

"  Awake  thou,  Frothi ! 
Awake  thou,  Fjfothi ! 
If  thou  wilt  listen  to 
3  K 


442 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 


savngom  ockrom 
oc  savgom  fornom. 

Eld  se  ec  brenna 
fyrir  avstan  borg. 
vigspiavll  vaka 
that  rnvn  viti  kallathr. 
mvn  herr  koma 
hinnig  at  bragthi 
oc  brenna  bae 
fyri  bvthlvngi. 

Mvnnatv  halda 
hieithrar  stoli 
ravthom  hringom 
ne  regingri&ti. 
tavkom  k  mavndli 
niaer  skarpara. 
eroma  vafhar 
i  valdreyra. 


M6I  mins  favthvr 
mser  ramliga 
thviat  hon  feigth  fira 
fiblmargra  sa. 
stvkko  st6rar 
stethor  fr^  Ivthri 
iarnar  fiarthar. 
mblom  enn  framarr. 


Mblom  enn  framarr 
mon  yrsv  sonr  . 

nith  halfdana 
hefna  frotha. 


our  song, 

and  prophetic  sayings. 

I  see  fire  burn 

east  of  the  town  ; 

the  war  heralds  wake; 

it  must  be  called  the  beacon. 

An  army  must  come 

hither  forthwith, 

and  burn  the  town 

for  the  prince. 

Thou  must  no  more  hold 
the  throne  of  state, 
nor  red  rings, 
nor  stone  {royal)  edifice. 
Let  us  drive  the  Quern, 
maiden,  more  sharply  ! 
We  shall  not  be  armed 
in  the  bloody  fray." 

"  My  father's  daughter 
ground  more  furiously, 
because  the  near  deaths  she 
of  many  men  saw. 
Wide  sprung  the  large 
prop  (from  the  quern-eye) 
of  iron  to  a  distance. — 
Yet  let  us  grind  on  !" 

jFenia* 

"  Yet  let  us  grind  on  ! 
Yrsu's  son  must 
with  the  Kalfdani 
revenge  Forthi. 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 


44.3 


sa  mvn  hennar 
heitinn  vertha 
bvrr  oc  brothir. 
vitom  bathar  that. 


M&lo  meyiar 
megins  kostotho 
voro  vngar  i 
i6tvnm6thi. 
skvlfo  skaptre 
skavtz  Ivthr  ofan 
hravt  hinn  havfgi 
haHy  svndvr  i  tvav. 

En  bergrisa 
brvthvr  orth  vm  qvath. 
malit  havfom  fi:6tfai 
senn  mvnom  haetta. 
hafa  fvUstathit 
fli6th  at  meldri. 


So  must  he  of  his  [mother  ] 

be  called 

son  and  brother  : — 

we  both  know  that." 

The  maidens  ground, 

and  bestowed  their  strength. 

The  young  women  were  in 

cttin  mood. 

The  spindle  flew  wide ; 

the  hopper  fell  oflF;  • 

burst  the  heavy 

nether  millstone  in  two  ! 

But  the  mountain  giantess 
woman  these  words  said : 
"  We  have  ground,  Forthi ! 
Now  must  we  finish. 
Full  long  stood 
we  maidens  at  the  grinding." 


[     444     J 


THE  SONG  OF  KING  ERIC. 


Rig,  (^Ricli)  or  Eric,  the  second,  who  ruled  in  Scandia  about  the 
end  of  the  second  century,  is  the  hero  of  the  following  piece,  which 
is  supposed  to  be  a  production  of  the  seventh  or  eighth  century.  This 
Rig,  or  Eric,  is  said  to  have  been  the  first  of  the  Goths  in  Scandia  who 
assumed  the  denomination  of  Kong  (king,)  his  predecessors  having 
been  styled  Diar,  or  Drottnar,  that  is,  chiefs,  or  lords.  He  was  like- 
wise the  first  who  divided  his  subjects  into  the  three  distinct  classes  of 
Nobles,  Husbandmen,  and  Slaves,  distinguishing  precisely  the  rights 
and  privileges  of  each ;  and  upon  this  foundation,  the  following  allegori- 
cal  poem  was  constructed.    The  fiction  is  exceedingly  simple,  being 
no  more  than  a  personification  erf  the  different  orders  of  society,  and 
making  them  the  children  of  King  Rig ;  but  this  simplicity  in  the  de- 
sign, and  the  plain  and  unambitious  manner  in  which  the  story  is  told, 
constitute  the  principal  excellence  of  the  piece,  which  is  certainly,  so 
far  as  it  goes,  one  of  the  most  curious  and  interesting  "  manners-paint- 
ing strains"  that  have  been  preserved,  not  even  excepting  the  Odyssey 
of  Homer.     On  this  account,  it  is  deserving'  of  much  more  attention, 
in  a  historical  point  of  view,  than  it  has  hitherto  met  with,  as  it  gives 
us,  in  a  few  short  lines,  a  complete  picture  of  the  manners,  dress,  edu- 
cation, pursuits,  and  habits  of  life,  of  our  Northern  forefathers,  up- 
wards of  a  thousand  years  ago.     Of  the  fidelity  of  the  outline  there 
can  be  no  doubt,  as  the  Scald  (if  he  deserves  that  name)  has  painted 

8      . 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  445 

from  nature,  and  given  us  the  manners  of  his  own  time ;  and  the  bald- 
ness of  the  execution  is  the  best  warrant  for  the  accuracy  of  his  deli- 
neations. Those  who  are  acquainted  with  the  present  state  of  the 
lower  class  of  Scotish  Highlanders,' will  be  surprised  to  find  their 
out-of-doors  and  fire-side  scenes  so  minutely  described  by  a  Scandina- 
vian poet  of  the  seventh  or  eighth  century. 

The  following  copy  is  no  more  than  a  reprint  of  that  which  was  edi- 
ted at  the  university  of  Lund,  in  Sweden,  in  1801,  by  Emanuel  Wen- 
ster.  It  was  only  a  College  Exercise  ;  but  the  imprimatur  of  the  learn- 
ed  President,  Professor  Sjoborg,  (to  whom  I  am  indebted  for  my  copy) 
is  sufficient  security  for  its  accuracy. 


[     446     ] 


3RiSJ8f==i9{lal 


CARMEN  DE  ERICO. 


Svo  segia  men  i  fornum  sognm  ad 
ein  hver  af  Asum,  s^  er  Heimdallr  hiet, 
f6r  ferdar  sinar  oc  fram  med  si^ar 
strondu  nockri  oc  nefnedist  Rigr.  Ef- 
tir  saugu  theirri  er  kvsedi  thetta : 


Ar  quadu  ganga 
graenar  brautir 
adgann  oc  alsaeminn 
As'  kunnigann 
romann  oc  roskvan 
Rig  stiganda. 

Geek  hann  meir  at  that 
midrar  brautar 
kom  hann  at  husi 
hurd  var  k  gaetti 
inn  vann  ad  ganga 
elldr  k  g61fi* 


Narratur  in  antiquis  fabidis  unus  6- 
liorum  Odini,  qui  Heimdallr  dictus  est, 
constitutum  iter  ingressus,  ad  littus  quod- 
dam  pervenisse,  et  appellatus  fiiisse  Rigr. 
Ex  hac  narratione  hoc  compositum  est 
carmen : 


Olim  profectus  est 
virentibus  viis 
fortis  et  grandsevus 
multiscius  As, 
robustus  ille  et  alacer 
progrediens  Rig. 

Ultra  procedens 
media  via, 
adiit  domum ; 
subpatente  janua, 
statim  ingressus  est. — 
In  pavimento  ignis. 


*  Odinus  divus  et  Asiaticus,  omnesque  ab  eo  oriundi  As  dicti  sunt. 
"■  Focus  enim  {sicut  et  nunc  etiam  upud  Scotomontanos  plerumqtie  moris  est,}  in  medio 
paviraenti  erat,  et  fumus  per  foramen,  quod  in  culmine  tecti  fuit,  transiit. 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 


44' 


Hi6n  sktt  that 
haurd  af  e^rne 
Ai  oc  Edda' 
alldin  fallda. 


Sederunt  hie  conjuges, 
durati  laboribus^ 
Ai  et  Edda, 
veterl  vestitu. 


Rigr  kunni  theim 
r^d  at  segia* 
meir  settizt  hann 
midra  fletia 
enn  k  hlid  hvara 
lii&n  salkynna. 


His  potuit  Rigr 
dare  consilia; 
ipse  insedit 
medio  scamno : 
ad  utrumque  latus 
familia  domus. 


Thk  t6k  Edda 
okuiui  leif  3 

thtingann  oc  thyckvann 
thrdnginn  s^um. 


Protulit  turn  Edda 
conspersum  cinere  panem 
ponderosum  et  crassum^ 
plenum  furfuribus. 


Bar  hon  meir  at  that 
midra  skutia 
sod  var  i  bolla 
sette  k  biod 
war  kkUr  sodinn 
krisa  beztr. 


Plura  quoque  apposuit 
media  mensa ; 
vas  jure  repletum 
admotum  fuit, 
elixus  vitulus, 
deliciae  epularum. 


Reis  ban  upp  thadan 
reidzt  at  sofna 
Rigr  kunni  theim 
rkd  at  segia 
meir  lagdizt  hann 
midrar  reckiu 
enn  a  hlid  hvara 
hi6n  salkynna. 


Hinc  surrexit, 
dormire  cupiens. 
Rigr  lis  potuit 
dare  consilia ; 
procubuit  autem 
medio  lecto : 
ad  utrumque  latus 
familia  domus. 


'  Proavus  et  Proavia. 

'  Id  enim  temporis  nobilissimi,  omnium  sapientissimi  et  insimul  litteratissimi  fuerunt. 
2  Nam  in  cinere  et  prunis  coctus  fuit.    Describitur  scilicet  conditio  et  fortuna  hominum 
infimi  generis. 


448 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 


Thar  var  hann  at  that 
thriar  nsettr  saman 
geek  hann  meir  at  that 
midrar  brautar 
lidu  meir  at  that 
m^nudir  nio. 


Ibi  moratus  est 

tres  noctes  continuas; 

Inde  profectus  est 

media  via. 

Post  hiec  absoluti 

menses  novem. 


J&d  61  Edda 
j&su  vatni ' 
horvi  svartann 
hietu  Thrael* 
han  nam  at  vaxa 
oc  vel  at  dafiia. 


Filium  Edda  peperit, 
quern  baptizarunt : 
cute  nigra  fuit; 
dictus  est  Thrael ; 
cito  crevit, 
optime  valens. 


War  thar  a  hondum 
hrockinskinni 
kropner  kniiar 
fingur  digrir 
fulligt  andlit. 
lotr  hrygr 
langir  haelar. 

Nam  hann  meir  at  that 
magns  um  kosta 
bast  ad  binda 
byrdar  gibrva 
bar  han  heim  ad  that 
hris  gibrstann  4ag. 


Manuum  fuit 
rugosa  cutis, 
lapsae  gense, 
digiti  crassi, 
vultus  torvus, 
dorsum  curvum, 
calces  longse. 

Tempore  didicit 
robore  niti, 
philyras  nectere, 
et  fasces  componere, 
deinde  virgas  domum 
tulit  quotidie. 


Thar  kom  ad  gardi 

gengilbeina 

or  Tar  k  ilium 


Ad  villam  venit 
ambulando  ilia, 
quae  in  manibus  cicatrices, 


*  Multo  ante  acceptam  Beligionem  Christianam,  moris  majorum  fuit,  ut  aquam  infanti- 
bus  die  lustrico  superfunderent,  nominaque  dicerent.  V.  Kagnar  Lodbroks  Saga,  p.  15. 
Suhm,  I.  c  p.  243,  279.     Lagerbring,  1.  c.  p.  446. 

»  Servus ;  Ang.  thrall. 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 


449 


armr  solbrunninn 
nidrbiugt  var  nef 
oc  nefiiidzt  Thye. ' 

Midra  fletia 
meir  settizt  hon 
sat  hi^  henni 
sonr  huss 
raeddu  oc  ryndu 
reckiu  giordu 
Thrsell  oc  Thye 
thrdngin  daegr. 

Baiurn  6Iu  thau 
biuggu  oc  undu 
hygg  ec  heti 
Hreimr  oc  Fibsnir 
Klur  oc  Kloggr 
Kefser  Fulner 
Drottr  oc  Digralldi 
Drumbr  oc  Hosnir 
Lutr  Leggialdi.* 

Logdu  garda 
akra  toddu 
unnu  at  svinum 
geita  gaettu 
oc  gr&fu  torf, 

Daetur  voro  thser 
Dumba  oc  Kumba 
Oekkvinkalfa 


fuscatum  brachium, 
nasumque  coUisum  habens, 
appellata  fuit  Thye. 

Medio  scamno 

se  locavit, 

et  juxta  assedit 

jilius  domus. 

Loquebantur  et  confabulabantur, 

lectum  parantes, 

Thrael  et  Thye, 

diebus  profestis. 

Suis  rebus  content! 

domos  edificarunt  et  liberos  genuerunt, 

quos  credo  vocatos 

Hreimarus  et  Fiosnir 

Klur  et  Kloggr 

Kefser,  Fulner, 

Drottr  et  Digralldi, 

Dmmbr  et  Hosnir, 

Lutr,  Leggialdi. 

Saepibus  segetes  cingebant, 
agros  oblimabant, 
sues  nutriebant, 
capras  custodiebant, 
et  cespites  eifodiebant. 

Filiae  fuerunt 
Dumba  et  Kumba, 
Oekkvinkalfa 


•  Serva ;  Ang.  a  female  doer,  worker,  or  labourer. 

*  Quae  omnia  nomina  varia  servorum  negotia  et  proprietates  indicabunt,  q.  d.  gelu  per- 
ferens;  stabularius,  bubulcus;  servus ;  oppletus;  onustus;  corpulentus;  tarde  progrediens ; 
dorsi  inflexi ;  ad  impositionem  aptissimus. 

3  t 


450 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 


oc  Arinn-nefia 
Ysia  oc  Ambatt 
Eikin-tiasna 
Tortiug  Hypia 
oc  Tronubenia' 
thadan  eru  komnar 
thraela  settir. 


et  Arinn-nefifl, 
Ysia  et  Ambatt, 
Eikin-tiasna, 
Tortrug,  Hypia, 
et  Tronubenia : 
hinc  origo 
prosapiae  servorum. 


Geek  Rigr  at  that 
midrar  brautir 
kom  ban  at  h(]si 
hurd  var  h.  gaetti 
inn  nam  ad  ganga 
elldr  var  k  g&lfi 
hion  sato  thar 
helldu  4  syslu. 


Rigr  procedebat 
media  via, 
domum  adiit, 
subpatuit  janua, 
hie  statim  ingressus  est. 
Ignis  erat  in  pavimento  : 
sederunt  hie  conjuges, 
negotiis  districti. 


iladr  telgdi  thar 
meid  til  rifiar 
var  skegg  skapat 
skaur  var  fyri  enni 
skyrtu  throngva 
smockr  k  halsi. 


Maritus  hie  hgnum 
machinae  textoriae  paravlt, 
barba  ei  pexa  fuit, 
et  a  fronte  capilli, 
arctumque  indusium, 
ad  collum  patens. 


Sat  thar  kona 
oc  sveigdi  rock 
breide  fadm 
bi&  til  vadar 
sveiffr  var  k  h(3fdi 
smockr  var  k  bringu 
duckr  var  k  haJsi 
dvergar  h  oxlum 


Uxor  hie  sedebat 
et  colo  nevit, 
extenso  brachio, 
fila  ad  vestes  paravit, 
cacumen  pilorum  caput  tegebat, 
sub  colobio  pectora  subpatebant, 
focale  collum  circumdabat, 
ad  humeros  fibulae, 


'  Muta;  membro  laesa;  irrisa;  nasum  aduncum  habens ;  immodesta;  domestica;  cir- 
cumvincta ;  ponderosa  et  molesta  trua,  lasciva  j  cicatricosa. 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 


451 


Afi  oc  Amma  ^ 
attu  hus. 

Rigr  kunni  theim 
rad  ad  seggia 
reis  fik  bbrdi 
red  at  sofna 
meir  lagdist  hann 
midrar  reckiu 
en  k  hlid  hvara 
hi6n  salkynna. 

Thar  var  hann  at  that 
tly:iar  ijaetur  saman 
lidu  meir  at  that 
m^nudir  nio 
j6d  61  Amma 
j6su  vatni 
koUuduKarr 
kona  sveip  ripti 
raudann  oc  riodann 
ridudu  raudu.* 

Han  nam  at  vaxa 
oc  vel  at  dafna 
oxn  nam  at  temia 
ardr  at  giorva 
h^s  at  timbra 
hladur  at  smida 
karta  at  giorfa 
oc  keyra  pI6g. 


Afi  et  Emma 
domum  possidebant. 

His  Rigr  potuit 
optima  suadere ; 
mensa  surrexit^ 
cupiens  dormire : 
ille  cubuit 
in  medio  lecto : 
et  ad  utrumque  latus 
familia  domus. 

Ibi  cunctatus  est 

tres  noctes  continuas, 

post  hasc  completis 

mensibus  novem 

filium  Amma  peperit, 

quem  baptizatum 

Karl  vocarunt, 

materque  linteo  involvit : 

crines  erant  rubri,  rubicundas  gense, 

et  arguti  oculi. 

Cito  crevit, 

optime  vigens  j 

boves  didicit  mansuefacerej 

aratra  fabricare, 

domos  edificare, 

horrea  struere, 

currus  parare, 

et  aratro  terram  vertere. 


'  Avus  et  Avia. 

*  Homo  plebeius,  rusticus,  fundi  possessor' 

5  Eximise  pulchritudinis  insignia. 


452 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 


Heim  6ku  tha 
h&ngin-Iuklu 
geita-kyrtlu 
oc  giptu  karii 
Snor'  heitir  su 
settizt  undir  ripti 


Domum  duxerunt 

claves  sonantes  portantem^ 

pellibus  caprinis  indutam^  virginem, 

eamque  Karl  nuptam  dederunt ; 

appellata  fuit  Snor, 

et  sedebat  sub  linteo. 


Biuggu  hi6n 
oc  bauga  deildu 
breiddu  blaeiur 
oc  bu  giordu 
baurn  61u  thau 
binggu  oc  vndu. 


Connubio  jungebantur, 
annulos  permutabant, 
lodices  sternebant, 
et  domum  adornabant, 
liberos  gignebant, 
et  laeti  sedificabanC. 


Heit  Hair  oc  Dreingr 
HauUdr  Thegn  Smidr 
Breidr  Bondi 
Bundin-skeggi 
Bui  oc  Boddi 
Brattskeggr  oc  Seggr.* 


Dicti  fuerunt  liberi  Hair  et  Drdngr, 

HauUdr,  Thegn,  Smidr, 

Breidr,  Bondi, 

Bundinskeggi, 

Bui  et  Boddi, 

Brattskeggr  et  Seggr. 


Enn  hetu  svo 
Audrum  nbfnum 
Snot  Brudr  Svanni 
Svarri  oc  Sprakki 
Fliod^  Sprund  oc  Vif 
Feima,  Ristill* 
thadan  eru  komnar 
karla  ^ttir. 


Aliis  quoque 

appellati  fuerunt  nominibus, 

Snot,  Brudr,  Svanni 

Svarri  et  Sprakki, 

Fliod,  Sprund  et  Vif, 

Feima,  Ristiil : 

hinc  origo 

prosapise  rusticoriim.^ 


'  Snori  pro  sneri,  neo,  plecto. 

*  Vir;  subditus ;  miles;  dominus;  faber;  humerosus;  herus  ;  vinctam  cultamque  bar- 
bam  habens ;  colonus  ;  incola,  vel  fundi  possessor ;  cui  barba  prominet ;  qui  gladio  arma- 
tus  est. 

3  Sagax;  sponsa  ;  Candida  (cygni  instar;)  magnifica;  loquax ;  blandiens ;  saliens ;  pu- 
ella ;  hilaris ;  incavata  vel  sculpta. 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 


453 


Geek  Rigr  thadan 
rettar  brautir 
kom  ban  at  sal 
sudr  borfdu  dyr' 
var  hurd  bnigin 
bringr  var  i  gsetti. 


Hinc  Rigr  abiit 
recta  via, 
ad  atrium  venit, 
versus  austrum 
subpatuit  janua, 
habens  annulum  {ansam.) 


Geek  hann  in  at  that 
g&lf  var  str^ad 
s^tu  bion 
s&z  i  augu 
Fadir  oc  Modir 
fingrum  at  leika. 


Mox  irrupit ; 

pavimentum  erat  stramine  velatum, 

conjuges  sedebant 

seque  invicem  intuebantur. 

Pater  et  Mater, 

digitis  ludentes. 


Sat  bus  gumi 
oe  snerre  streing 
aim  of  bendi 
brvar  skepti 
enn  buss  kona 
hugdi  at  ormum 
strauk  of  ripti 
strekti  ermar. 


Paterfamilias  sedens 
funes  torquebat, 
arcum  ulmeum  tendebat, 
et  manubria  telis  parabat, 
sed  Materfamilias 
brachia  inspiciebat, 
linteum  levigabat, 
ct  amylo  manicas  polibat. 


Keiste  falld 
ringa  var  k  bringu* 
sidar  slsedur 
ser  bl^fa^ 
brun  biertare 
briost  liosare 
hals  hvitari 
hreinni  miollu. 


Eleeta  sedebat, 
in  pectore  annuli, 
syrma  erat  promissum, 
indusium  cceruleum, 
crines  fuerunt  pulchriores, 
pectus  candidius, 
et  collum  magis  album 
purissima  nive. 


'  Et  domicilia  majorum  et  sepulcra,  immo  templa,  ostia  habuerunt  vel  orientem  spectan- 
tia,  vel  saltern  solem  versus,  dutn  cursum  flectit  ad  meridiem. 

'  Ring  hoc  loco  ornamentum  quoddam  lunatum  indicat,  simile  fovsan  fibulls  pectoralibus 
puellarum  nostrarum  Scanensium. 


454 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 


Rigr  kunni  theim 
rad  at  seggia 
meir  settizt  hann 
midra  fleita 
en  k  hlid  hvara 
hi6n  salkynna. 


His  Rigr  potuit 

dare  consilia, 

se  locavit 

medio  scatnno, 

et  ad  utrumque  latus 

familia  domus. 


Tha  tok  Modir 
merktann  ddk 
hvitann  af"  horvi 
oc  huldi  bi6d 
hon  t6k  at  that 
hieifa  thunna 
hvita  af  hveiti 
oc  huldi  duk 


Proferens  turn  Mater, 

mappam  pictura  textili  ornatanii 

candidam  et  linteam, ' 

inensamque  stravit 

deinde  sumpsit 

tenues  placentas, 

tritico  albentes, 

quibus  mappam  velabat. 


Framsetti  hon 
fuUa  skutla 
silfri  varda  k  bi6d 
fan  oc  fleski 
fugla  skeita 
vin  var  i  konnu 
vardir  kalkar 
drucku  oc  dsemdu 
dagr  var  a  sinnum 
Rigr  kunni  theim 
r^d  at  segia. 


Apposuit  mensa 

repletas  patinas, 

argenteis  laminis  obductas^ 

fruges  et  lardum, 

aves  assas, 

in  cantharo  vinum, 

laminis  obducta  erant  pocula, 

potabant  et  fabulabantur 

ad  seram  vesperam : 

Hos  Rigr  novit 

optima  monere. 


Reis  Rigr  at  that 

reckiu  giordi 

thar  var  hann  at  that 


Tum  Rigr  surrexit, 
sternebatur  autem  lectus, 
hie  ille  cunctatus  est 


"  The  Swedes  of  the  present  day  excel  perhaps  all  other  nations  in  the  art  of  bleaching 
and  washing  their  linen,  which  is  beautiful.  This  love  of  white  linen  is  a  very  old  Gothiq 
virtue,  which  I  fear  makes  a  striking  feature  of  distinction  between  the  Goths  and  Celts. 
Of  all  the  Greeks,  the  Thessalians  retained  most  traces  of  their  Gothic  origin  j  and  the 
love  of  fine  linen  among  the  rest. 

6 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 


455 


tbrlar  nsetr  saman 
geek  hann  meir  at  that 
midrar  brautar 
lidu  meir  at  that 
manudir  nio 


tres  noctes  contmuas, 
deinde  abiit 
media  via : 
transact!  fuerunt 
menses  novem. 


Svein  ol  Modir 
silki  vafdi 
j6su  vatni 
Jarl  letu  heita.' 
bleikt  var  h&,r 
enn  biartar  vangar 
otul  voru  augu 
sera  i  yrmlingi. 


Filium  nobilem  Modir  peperit, 
quem  serico  involvit, 
quemque  baptizatum 
Jarl  vocarunt, 
crines  candicantes, 
gense  albae, 
oculi  ardentes, 
quales  serpentum. 


Upp  6x  thar 
Jarl  k  fletium 
lind  nam  at  skelfa 
leggia  k  streingi 
khn  at  beygra 
orvar  at  skepta 
fleini  att  fleygia 
frijckur  at  dyia 
hestum  rida 
hundum  verpa 
sverdum  bregda^ 
sund  at  fremia. 


Accrevit 

Jarl  domi, 

tilias  quatere  discens, 

aptare  sagittas  nervo, 

ulmos  fiectere, 

manubria  telis  parare, 

hastas  jacere^ 

lanceas  trajicere, 

equo  vehi 

canes  ad  venandum  instituere, 

gladium  vibrare, 

natationibus  uti. 


Kom  thar  at  ranni 
Rigr  gangandi 
Rigr  gangandi 
runar  kenndi 
sitt  gaf  heiti 
son  kvedzt  eiga. 


Venit  ad  domum 
Rigr  pedibuS; 
Rigr  pedibus, 
runas  eum  docuit, 
promissaque  fecit, 
eumque  suscepit. 


Jarl,  equestris  dignitas,  comes,  vir  apud  plebem  honoratior,  pri°^tor. 


456 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 


Thann  bad  hann  eignatzt 

6dal  vollu 

6dal  vollu 

oc  alldnar  bygdir. 

Reid  ban  meir  thadan 
myrkvann  veg 
lieilug  fibll 
vnz  at  hollo  kom 
skapt  nam  at  dyia 
skelfdi  lind 
hesti  hleypti 
oc  hiovi  bra. 


Eum  possidere  jussit 
avitos  agros, 
avitos  agros 
et  antiqua  rura. 

Hinc  equo  vectus  {J art) 
tenebrosa  via 
ad  pruinosa  juga, 
suumque  venit  ad  atriuir, 
hastam  protendere  discais, 
tillas  concussit, 
equos  domuit, 
gladiumque  gessit. 


Vig  nam  at  vekia 
voll  nam  at  ri6da 
val  nam  at  fella 
va  til  Ian  da. 


Aggressus  est  caedem  quserere, 
campos  sanguine  inficere, 
strages  facere, 
et  in  terras  invadere. 


Red  hann  einn  at  that 
&,tian  buvra 
aud  nam  skipta 
ollum  veita 
meidma  oc  mbsma 
mara  svangrifia 
hringum  hreytti 
hi&  sundr  baug. 


Fostea  solus  tuitus  est 
decem  et  octo  prsedia, 
divitias  suas  divisit, 
omnibus  largiendo 
cinielia  et  munera, 
equos  pingues, 
annulos  nitidos, 
aureosque  circulos  secuit. 


Oku  mserir 
vrgar  brautir 
komu  at  hollu 
thar  ed  Hersir*  bio 


Illustres  viri  curru  vecti 

sordidis  viis 

ad  atrium  venerunt, 

in  quo  Hersir  habitabatj 


'  Many  of  these  massy  rings  of  gold  are  preserved  in  the  North,  some  of  thera  having 
smaller  rings  hanging  on  them.  These  were  used  as  money,  and  given,  either  whole  or 
in  parts,  as  presents,  or  for  other  purposes.  See  the  Ballad  of  "  Lady  Grimild's  Wrack" 
in  this  collection. 

'  Hersir,  liber  baro,  provinciae  prrefectus. 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 


457 


maetti  han 
ini6Rn  garde 
hvitri  oc  hoskvi 
hetu  Erna.' 

Badu  hennar 
ok  helm  6ku- 
giptu  Jarli 
gek  hun  vnd  line ' 
saman  biuggu  thau 
oc  ser  undu 
aettir  j6ku 
oc  alldrs  nutu. 


cui  se  obtulit 
tenui  corpore 
Candida,  pulchra  virgo 
appellata  Erna. 

Illam  exorarunt, 
domumque  revertentes, 
Jarl  nuptum  dederunt, 
ilia  vero  sub  linteo  incessit, 
sic  cohabitarunt 
mutuo  se  amantes, 
Qt  stirpem  propagarunt, 
vita  fruentes. 


Bur  3  var  hinn  ellzti 
enn  barn  annat 
J6d  oc  Adal 
Arfi,  Mogr 
Nidr  oc  Nidiungr 
namu  leika 
Sonr  oc  Sveinn 
sund  oc  tafl 
Kundr  het  einn 
Konr  var  hinn  yngsti.* 

Upp  6xu  thar 
Jarli  bornir 
hesta  tomdu 
hlifar  bendu 


Bur  natu  fuit  maximus 

et  liberi  huic  proximi 

Jod  et  Adal 

Arfi,  Mogr, 

Nidr  et  Nidiungr 

Sonr  et  Svein 

natare  didicerunt 

et  latrunculis  ludere, 

Unus  ex  filiis  Kiuidr  dictus  est, 

Konr  erat  natu  minimus. 

Educati  domi  sunt 
Jarli  filii, 
equos  domuerunt, 
clypeos  fabricarunt^ 


'  Aquila.  > 

*  Umbraculis  lintels  vel  sericis,  peU  dictis,  nostro  quoque  tempore,  dum  perageretur 
eonsecratio  nuptialis,  vsi  sunt,  antiquum  obtinentes,  rustic!. 

3  Bur,  partus,  fcetus,  filius,  puer.    Propria  nomen  Patris  Odini. 

*  Infans ;  uobills ;  liere^ ;  robustus  juvenis ;  filius ;  nepos ;  adolescens ;  coguatus ;  cob- 
sanguineus. 

3  M 


458 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 


skeyti  skofa 
skelfdu  aska. 


vaginas  formarunt, 
arbores  dejecerunt. 


Enn  Konr  vngr 
kunni  runar 
aefinn  runar 
oc  alldr  runar' 
meir  kunni  hann 
monnum  biarga 
eggiar  deyfa 
elldi  at  laegia. 

Klok  nam  fugia' 
kyrra  elda 
saeva  oc  sveiia 
sorgir  laegia 
afl  hafdi  oc  eliun 
atta  mana.^ 


Et  Konr  natu  minimus 
novit  runas 
antiquas  runas^ 
et  sui  temporis  runas, 
ille  quoque  potuit 
heroibus  opem  ferre> 
acies  hebetare^ 
incendia  extinguere. 

Intellexit  quid  garriant  aves» 
potuit  ignem  restingueie, 
fluctus  compesoere, 
dolores  lenire: 
robur  et  vires  habuit 
octo  virorum. 


Hann  vid  Rig  Jarl 
runar  deildi 
brijgdum  beitti 
oc  betr  kiinni 
tb^  bdladist  oc 
th^  eiga  gat 
Rigr*  at  heita 
rfinar  kunna. 

Reid  konr  vngr 
kibrr  oc  skoga 
kolfi  fleigdi 
kyrdi  fngla 


Rigr  cum  Jarl 

runas  divisit^ 

et  doctrina  certavit ; 

sed  plures  artes  edoctus,  vicit 

divitiis  quoque  abundavit^ 

ex  quo  factum  est 

ut  appellaretur  Rigr, 

et  runarum  peritus. 

Konr  junior  equo  vectus 
ad  paludes  sylvasque 
tela  emittebat, 
avesque  domitabat, 


*  Itaque  vel  id  temporis  plura  runarum  genera  fuerunt. 

*  Nod  de  attspicialibus  solum,  sed  de  nuntiis  ctiam  et  premonentibus  avibus  loquitur. 
3  Eadem  miracula  Ynglinga  Saga  enumerat,  C.  7>  de  artibus  Odini  magicis. 

*  That  is,  Rick. 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 


459 


tha  quad  that  kraka  ein 
sat  quisti  k : 

Hvat  skalltu  Konr  vDigr 
kyrra  fugla 
heUdr  maettu  thier 
hestum  rida 
oc  her  fella. 


turn  cecinit  comix, 
ramo  supersedens : 

"  Cur  cupis,  Konr  juvenis, 

aves  domare  ? 

te  magis  deceret 

equis  vehi 

et  exercitus  prostemere. 


As  Danr  oc  Danpr 
dyrar  hallir 
sedri  odul 
en  thier  hafit 
their  kunno  vel 
kiol  at  rida 
egg  at  kienna 
vndir  rififa. 


Danr  et  Danpr 
pretiosa  atria, 
et  tuig  Dieliores 
hsereditates  possident, 
et  bene  norunt 
navibuB  vehi, 
acies  tentare, 
vnlneraque  facere." 


[    460    ] 


L  IB  U  S  S  A, 


OK 


THE  PRINCE'S  TABLE; 


A  BOHEMIAN  TALE. 


Those  who  wish  to  know  more  of  this  beautifully  romantic  and  poe- 
tical, historical,  and  moral  tale  of  Pagan  times,  may  consult  Herder's 
"  Volkslieder,"  vol.  iii. ;  the  third  volume  of  "  Die  Deutchen  Volks- 
maerchen,"  by  Musaeus,  where  it  is  very  agreeably  amplified ;  Ha- 
geck's  "  Boehmische  Chronik,"  near  the  beginning,  referred  to  by 
Herder,  but  which  I  have  not  seen ;  "  Jo.  Dubravii  Olmutzensis 
Episcopi  Historia  Bohemica,  ab  origin e  gentis,  &c.  Hanoviae,  1602," 
and  "  ^neae  Sylvii  Historia  Bohemica,"  in  the  works  of  that  learned 
prelate,  (afterwards  Pope  Pius  the  Second)  printed  at  Basil,  in  1551  j 
and  "  Stranskii  Respublica  Bohemise,  Elzev.  1634." 

The  narrative  of  the  good  Bishop  of  Olmutz  is  given  in  the  true 
spirit  of  faithful  and  ingenuous  credulity,  and  is  extremely  curious  and 
interesting.  It  differs  from  the  poetical  legend  only  in  entering  more 
fully  into  detail.  In  the  hands  of  the  more  judicious  ,/Eneas  Sylvius, 
it  assumes  a  more  dignified  and  classical,  but  perhaps  to  readers  of 
such  a  work  as' this,  a  less  engaging  form.    Both,  however,  have  made 


ROMANTIC  BALLAbS.  461 

use  of  the  same  materials,  although  the  latter  has  been  more  &stidi- 
ously  scrupulous. 

As  to  the  translation,  strict  fidelity,  and  a  plain,  unambitious,  and 
characteristic  simplicity,  is  all  that  has  been  aimed  at : 

"  DeKfiptas servare  vice$,  operumque  labores" 

Hob.  de  A.  P.  L  86. 


C    462    J 


LIBUSSA,  OR  THE  PRINCE'S  TABLE  j 


BOHEMIAN  TALE. 


Who  is  that  Lady  on  the  green  wold  sitting 
Amid  twelve  noble  Chieftains  ?  'Tis  Libussa, 
'Tis  the  wise  daxighter  of  the  prudent  Kroko, 
Boehmia's  Princess^  sits,  and  thinks  and  judges. 

Even  now  sharp  sentence  on  the  wealthy  Rotzan 
Has  she  awarded.     Fierce  in  wrath  he  rises, 
And  thrice  the'ground  strikes  with  his  spear,  exclaiming 

«  Woe  to  us  Boehmians !  Woe  to  us  bold  warriours  ! 
Thus  by  a  woman  to  be  rul'd  and  cozen'd; 
A  long-hair'd  woman,  with  short  understanding ! 
Death — Death  were  better  than  a  female  ruler  !" 
This  heard  Xibussa :  deep  in  her  still  bosom 
Sank  the  harsh  words ;  for  an  indulgent  mother 
To  all  the  land,  and  friend  to  justice  ever 
Was  she ;  yet  kindly  thus  she  answer'd,  smiling  : 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  46S 

"  Woe  to  you  then,  ye  Boehmians,  ye  bold  warriours, 
Thus  rul'd  and  cherish'd  by  a  gentle  Woman ; 
A  Man  henceforth  shall  ye  have  for  a  Ruler, 
The  Dove  shall  to  the  Eagle  yidd  the  sceptre  1" 

Serene  and  beautiful  in  anger  rose  she : 

*'  To-morrow,  when  again  we  meet, — to-morrow 

Your  wish  shall  be  accomplish'd." 

All  in  silence, 
Awe-struck,  and  sore  abash'd  remain'd  before  her. 
And  felt  how  ill-requited  were  her  wisdom, 
Her  truth,  and  mother's  love. — But  she  had  spoken, 
Anil  all  new-fangled  parted,  every  fancy 
But  on  the  morrow  and  their  Prince  now  dwelling. 

Long,  to  Libuasa's  hand  and  throne  aspiring. 
With  gay  attire  and  courtly  adulation, 
And  proud  parade  of  herds  and  rich  possessions, 
Had  many  a  Magnate  woo'd  her.     But  Libussa 
For  wealth  or  splendour,  hand  nor  throne  will  barter. 
Whom  will  she  choose  ?  In  anxious  care  the  nobles 
All  pass'd  the  sleeple&s  night,  hoping  the  morrow. 

The  morrow  comes.     The  prescient  Libussa, 
Reckless  of  sleep  or  slumber,  takes  her  journey 
All  lonely  to  the  high  and  holy  mountain; 
There  to  the  Goddess  Klimba  prays :  The  Goddess 
Hears,  and  discloses  thus  the  rich  futurity. 

"  Up,  up,  Libussa !  quick  from  hence  descending. 
Behind  the  mountain,  on  the  banks  of  Bila, 
Thy  snow-white  steed  shall  find  the  Prince,  thy  Hudband, 
Where  now,  with  two  white  steers  industrious  ploughing, 


464  ROMANTIC  BALLADS: 

The  goad,  the  emblem  of  his  stem,  he  holdeth. 
And  eats  his  viands  from  an  Iron  Table. 
Haste,  daughter,  haste  !  The  hour  of  Fate  is  hasting  !• 
The  Goddess  ended ;  and  Libussa  hasted, 
Conveen'd  her  Boehmians,  on  the  earth  low  laying 
Her  crown,  and  thus  address'd  them : 

"  Up,  ye  Boehmians  ! 
Up,  ye  bold  warriours !  There,  behind  the  mojintainj 
On  Bila's  banks,  my  snow-white  steed  shall  find  him  ; 
The  Prince,  my  Husband,  and  my  Offspring's  Father, 
Where  now  with  two  white  steers  he  ploughs  industrious. 
The  goad,  the  emblem  of  his  stem,  he  holdeth. 
And  eats  his  viands  from  an  Iron  Table : 
Haste,  children,  haste  !  The  hour  of  Fate  is  hasting  !" 

And  they  did  haste,  and,  took  the  Crown  and  Mantle, 
The  steed,  swift  as  the  wind,  before  them  running, 
And  the  white  eagle  hovering  stately  o'er  them, 
Till  on  the  Bila's  banks,  beyond  the  mountain. 
Still  stood  the  steed,  upon  a  peasant  neighing 
That  in  his  field  was  ploughing.     Struck  with  wonder 
Stood  all ;  while  he  strode  onward,  inly  musing, 
Eager  and  anxious,  with  his  white  steers  ploughing. 
In  his  right  hand  a  wither'd  goad-staff  holding. 

With  friendly  salutation  loud  they  greet  him  : 
He,  his  white  steers. more  keenly  urging,  hears  not. 
"  Hail,  stranger,  darling  of  the  Gods  !•  our  Ruler!" 
And  they  approach  him,  round  his  shoulders  throwing 
The  Mantle,  and  the  Crown  on  his  head  setting. 
"  O  had  ye,  sapient,  let  me  end  my  labour. 
And  p  ough  my  field  out,  nothing  it  had  injur'd 
Your  kingdom  ! — But  the  hour  of  Fate  is  flying  ! 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  465 

The  goad-stafiF  in  the  earth  anon  he  planted ; 

The  snow-white  steers  he  from  the  yoke  unloosed : 

"  Go  where  ye  came  from  1"     ■    Through  the  air  ascending 

Soar'd  the  white  steers,  and  in  the  neighbouring  mountain 

Entering,  vanish'd,  and  the  mountain  closed ; 

And  where  it  clos'd,  a  muddy  torrent  issued 

Of  water,  and  still  issues ;  and  the  goad-staff 

Green  from  the  earth,  in  three  fair  branches  parting, 

Luxuriant  rose,  and  beautiful !  Amazement 

Chain'd  every  tongue ;  when  Przemysl  the  Thoughtful 

(Such  was  his  name)  anon  the  plough  up-turning, 

And  from  his  scrip  his  homely  dinner  drawing 

Of  b^ead  and  cheese,  upon  the  plough-share  laid  it. 

Low  on  the  sward  with  courteous  cheer  he  set  them  : 

"  Approach,  and  share  the,  cates  your  prince  provides  ye !" 

And  they,  astonish'd  at  the  true  fulfilment 

Of  Fate's  prediction,  saw  the  Iron  Table, 

And  goad  green-flourishing ;  when  lo !  a  wonder  ! 

Two  of  the  stately  branches  straight  were  blasted, 

And  the  third  blossomed.     They  with  amazement 

Broke  silence,  and  the  plougher  thus  address'd  them  : 

"  Cease,  cease,  my  friends,  your  wonder !  There  before  ye 

Is  of  my  royal  house  the  stem  that  blossoms. 

Many  shall  seek  to  wear  the  crowh,  and  wither. 

And  one  alone  with  royal  honours  flourish." 

"  But  wherefore  is  that  Table  strange  of  Iron  ?" 
"  And  wot  ye  not  what  table  'tis  a  monarch 
Must  ever  eat  from ?  Iron  is  it;  iron; 
And  ye  the  steers  that  plough  to  earn  him  viands !" 
"  But  why  so  eager  was  our  prince  in  ploughing  ? 
Why  griev'd  he  that  the  field  had  not  been  ended  ?" 

3  N 


466  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

"  O  had  it  ended  been !  Had  wise  Libussa 

But  later  sent  ye  to  me  !  So  'twas  destin'd^ 

Rich  fruit  and  plenty  never  in  your  kingdom 

Had  fail'd. — But  now  my  steers  are  in  the  mountain  !" 

Then  graceful  rising,  on  the  white  steed  mounted, 
That  paws,  curvetts,  and  prances  in  proud  triumph. 
His  sandals  of  the  linden  bark  were  plaited. 
And  his  own  hand  with  simple  bast  had  sew'd  them. 
And  on  his  feet  they  put  the  royal  buskin  : 
"  O  leave  me,"  said  the  prince  on  the  white  charger, 
"  My  sandals  of  the  linden  bark,  O  leave  me. 
That  my  own  hand  with  simple  bast  has  sewed ; 
'Twill  to  my  sons  and  grandsons  be  a  token 
How  once  their  royal  ancestor  was  sandai'd ;" 
Then  kiss'd,  and  in  his  bosom  hid  the  sandals. 
And  they  rode  on  ;  and  still  so  kindly  spoke  he. 
Still  with  such  wisdom,  that  they  ween'd  they  saw  hira 
A  Deity  in  his  long  garments  riding. 

And  they  approach'd  the  palace  of  Libussa. 
With  joy  she  greets  him  there  with  all  her  maidens; 
The  people  hail'd  him  for  their  Prince  and  Ruler; 
And  wise  Libussa  chose  him  for  her  Husband. 
And  long  they  reign'd  ;  were  good  and  happy  ever; 
And  Faith  and  Right  and  Justice  ever  triumph'd ; 
And  they  built  cities ;  and  the  goad  still  flourished ; 
And  still  remain'd  the  sandals  for  a  token ; 
And  ever  clear  with  labour  was  the  plough-share, 
While  PbemisI/Aus  liVd  with  Wise  Libussa. 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  467 


*  *  *  * 

*  *  •  # 

O  woe  !  O  woe  !  The  goad-staff  now  is  wlther'd ; 
The  sandals  of  the  linden  bark  are  stolen ; 
And  th'  iron  board's  become  a  gilded  table  ! 


[    468    J 


NOTES  ON  LIBUSSA. 


Amid  twelve  noble  Chieftains. — P.  462.  v.  1. 

This  Eoyal  Folksmote,  or  Court  of  Twelve  Judges,  where  the  prince  presides,  is  the 
prototype  of  our  Parliament,  which  was  at  first  only  a  Supreme  Court  of  Judicature ;  and 
of  our  trial  by  a  Jury  of  Twelve ;  and  marks  the  antiquity  of  the  legend,  and  simplicity  of 
manners  which  it  commemorates. 

The  antient  and  widely-extended  partiality  to  the  number  Twehe,  in  all  things  divine 
and  human,  where  power  and  civil  rule  were  concerned,  was  probably  first  connected  with  ■ 
religious  observance,  relating  to  the  passing  of  the  Sun  through  the  Signs  of  the  Zodiack ; 
and  as  we  have  the  highest  of  all  authorities  for  it,  the  generally  received  impressions 
among  mankind  may  in  this,  as  in  many  other  cases,  have  been  consulted  and  conformed 
to,  in  the  adoption  of  human  means  for  the  effecting  of  divine  purposes.  Hence  the 
Twelve  Patriarchs  sitting  upon  Twelve  Thrones,  judging  the  Twelve  Tribes  of  Israel;  the 
Twelve  Apostles,  under  their  divine  Head;  Jupiter  and  the  Twelve  Dii  Majores  Gen- 
tium ;  Odin  and  his  Twelve  Gods,  in  the  Gothic  Mythology ;  and  their  secularised  repre- 
sentatives, under  the  second  Odin,  in  Scandinavia  ;  Arthur,  and  his  Knights  of  the  Round 
Table,  in  Britain ;  Charlemagne,  and  his  Dussiperes,  in  France,  &c.  &c. 

Having  examined  many  of  those  antient  Circles  of  Stones  which  are  commonly  called 
Druidical,  and  finding  them  in  places  where  it  seemed  very  improbable,  making  all  due 
allowance  for  the  altered  face  of  the  country,  that  there  ever  could  have  grown  groves  of 
oak,  such  as  the  Druids  are  said  to  have  chosen  for  celebrating  their  mysteries  ;  I  have 
been  inclined  to  suspect  that  they  were  Celtic  Mote  Hills,  and  dedicated  to  juridical  ra- 
ther than  sacrificial  purposes.  May  not  the  Judge  have  sat,  sub  dio,  on  the  large  flat  stone 
facing  the  south  or  east  side,  dispensing,  like  the  sun,  (whom,  as  the  arbiter  and  dispen- 
sator  of  Nature,  he  represented)  the  blessings  of  Order,  Justice,  and  Prosperity?  And 
may  not  each  of  the  Patres  and  Notables  who  had  a  seat  in  the  court,  have  sat  by  one  of 
the  perpendicular  stones,  with  those  who  were  to  be  judged,  and  their  advocates  and  evi- 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  46y 

dences,  in  the  middle,  and  the  attending  multitude  on  the  outside  of  the  circle  ?  And  were 
not  these  circles  of  stones  erected,  as  God  was  worshipped,  in  the  high  places,  to  be  at 
all  times  seen  by  the  people  of  the  surrounding  district  or  circle,  to  remind  them  of  their 
duty,  when  the  court  was  not  sitting  i 

'Tis  Libussa  ; 


'Tis  the  wise  daughter  of  the  prudent  Kroko. — P.  462.  v.  1. 
"  Crocus  tunc  erat  [qui]  ante  alios  boni  justique  viri  speciera  prae  se  ferebat,  sermoneque 
comis  et  affabilis  habebatur,  ac  multitudini  maxime  gratus  ex  opinione  divinitatis,  quam  ex 
divinatione  augurioque  coUegerat. — Cseterum  valde  superstitiosus  erat,  ut  qui  fontes  et 
lucos  pro  diis  coleret."  Dubrav.  p.  5. — "  Moriens  autem  tres  filias  reliquit,  Brelam,  her- 
barum  et  medicinae  peritam ;  Therbam  sive  Therbizam,  augurem  et  sortilegam ;  tertiam 
Libussam,  quae  ut  natu  minor  fuit,  ita  divinarum  humanarumque  rerum  scientia  major." 
^n.  Sylv.  p.  85. — "  Vetus  autem  mos  etiam  Germanis  fuit,  ut  mulieribus  fatidicis  sum- 
mos  haberent  honores."  Dubrav. 


the  high  and  holy  mountain  ; 


There  to  the  goddess  KUmha  prays. — P.  463.  v.  7- 
The  seat  of  the  guardian  goddess  of  these  herdsmen  and  agriculturists  was  supposed  to 
be  on  thetop  of  a  mountain,  (every  nation  had  its  own  Olympus,)  from  whence  she  looked 
broad  upon  the  ways  of  men,  distributing  rewards  and  punishments  according  to  their 
deserts.  At  this  day,  this  circumstance  is  often  alluded  to  in  the  popular  ditties  of  the 
aboriginal  inhabitants  of  these  countries ;  a  fine  example  of  which  occurs  in  the  following 
fragment  of  a  Lettish  orphan's  Ode  to  Hope : 

Noswihduii  laime  brauze,  Eager,  hasting,  sweat-becover'd, 

No«wihduichi  kummelin'.  Laima  drove  her  foaming  steeds,* 

Man  nabbagam  bahri«cham  Me  poor  orphan,  left  forlorn, 

Ruhmes  weetu  mekledam'.  Me  a  little  place  to  find. 

Zitti  feudis  ta  «azzii'.  Other  folks  then  of  me  said : 

"     Tew  laimite  Thy  good  Fortune 

Noilihkua' :  Drown'd  [in  tears]  is. 

•    «    *    *    *  *    *    [No!]     *    * 

Man'  laimite  kalnin^  My  Laima  sits  on  a  hill, 

Sehich  sudrab'  sohliwS,  On  [o]  silver  pedestal, 

Man  weetiw  dohmadam'.  Musing  of  [aj  spot  for  me  ! 

'  See  in  next  note,  the  account  of  the  "  Horse"  Svantovit. 


470  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

Were  such  a  device  of  Greek  or  Roman  origin,  its  appropriate  beauty  would  often-  have 
been  adverted  to. 

Klimba  was  the  Goddess  of  Fate,  answering  to  the  Fortuna  of  the  Romans.  By  the 
Esthonians,  Livonians,  Curlanders,  ancient  Prussians,  &c.,  she  was  worshipped  under  the 
name  of  Laima,'  the  prefix  K  being  omitted.  Of  this  worship,  many  traces  still  remain 
in  the  tales,  superstitions,  and  popular  usages  of  these  people.  But  the  gods,  as  well  as 
the  men  of  early  ages  have  been  so  mixed  and  jumbled  together,  that  it  is  now  extremely 
difGcult  to  distinguish  them.  Klimba  or  Laima  was  accounted  the  general,  patroness  of 
the  country,  and  seems  to  have  been  originally  the  same  as  Ops,  Terra  Mater,  the  Hertha, 
(Tacit.  Germ.  c.  40.)  of  the  Germans,  and  the  Triglas  of  the  Yandalsj  (Sched.  de  Diii 
Germanis,  Syngr.  3,  c,  10,  &c.&c.) 

This  supposition  is  justified  by  the  attributes  of  the  goddess,  as  well  as  by  the  consider- 
ation that  the  Goddess  of  the  Earth  was  worshipped  by  the  same  people  under  the  name 
of  Lauma.  This  latter  had  the  distribution  of  rain  and  haU  particularly  in  her  disposal, 
and  every  Friday-eve  was  dedicated  to  her,  on  which  it  was  unlawful  for  any  woman  to 
spin,  &c.  This  vigil,  {PeeMs  wakkars,  i.  e.  the  fifth-day  wake,  or  vigil)  is  still  religiously 
kept  in  Livonia  and  Curland,  by  every  woman  who  has  it  in  her  power,  and  whose  pietjjr 
is  not  interfered  with  by  the  whip  of  a  taskmaster  or  mistress.^ 

When  the  Teutonic  knights,  and  the  ecclesiastical  rufiSans  who  accompanied  them,  in- 
troduced the  Christian  religion  into  this  unhappy  land  with  fire  and  sword,  and  not  only 
rivalled,  but  if  possible  exceeded,  the  horrors  to  which  their  own  forefathers  had  not  long 
before  been  subjected  by  Charlemagne  under  a  similar  pretence,  the  monks  persuaded 
the  poor  Neophytes  that  Lauma,  instead  of  being,  as  they  believed,  a  beneficent  power, 
the  protectress  of  women  in  childbed,  and  of  infants  and  sucklings,  was  no  other  than  the 
Roman  Lamia,  a  she-devil,  or  sorceress,  famous,  like  Mr  Lewis's  Grim  White  Woman, 
for  devouring  babes  alive.  In  this  the  good  fathers  so  far  succeeded,  that  in  the  dialect 
of  Livonia  and  Curland,  Lauma  bears  the  same  import  as  Lamia,  the  Night-hag,  or  Night- 
Mare. 

But  it  is  much  easier  to  give  up  names  than  prejudices.  The  Lauma  or  Lamia  of  the 
monks,  was  resigned  to  the  fury  of  their  ghostly  tyrants  with  the  more  readiness,  because 
they  still  had  remaining  their  old  and  amiable  divinity,  TkeMa,  Tehla,  or  Tikla,*  the  god- 
dess of  benison,  growing  and  thriving,  who  among  the  good  old  Letts  had  long  presided 
over  the  tender  bodies  and  minds  of  children,  to  guard  them  from  accident,  disease,  and 

'  Letticfe,  lemt,  to  ordain,  and  ma',  mother.     In  the  Lithuanian  dialect  laimus  signifies  gain. 

'^  Tikis  in  the  Lettish  dialect  signifies  discreet  and  virtuous.  Tikla  is  invoked  in  Livonia,  to  still 
children  when  naughty,  not  as  The  Saxons  are ;  or  as  the  wolf  was  (and  the  Cossicks  probably  will 
be)  in  France,  and  Brownie  in  Scotland ;  but  as  the  rewarder  of  infant  virtue,  as  well  as  the  punisher 
ef  infant  vice. 

1 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  ^71 

vice,  and  to  form  them  to  vigour,  beauty,  and  virtue.  And  ^diat  slave  is  there,  however 
subdued,  degraded,  and  oppressed,  who  can  so  far  resign  every  hope  and  prospect  of  fu- 
turity, as  no  more  to  offer  incense  at  the  altar  of  Fate  and  Fortune  ?  Klimha  or  Laima, 
and  Tikla,  are  still  resorted  to  by  young  and  old.  To  Tikla  the  midwife  and  patient  still 
address  their  secret  vows ;  her  invisible  hand  is  still  believed  to  receive  the  little  strangei- 
on  his  first  visit  to  the  light ;  she  spreads  his  first  flannel  under  him ;  blesses  the  child- 
bed ;  and  then  and  there  bestows  the  gifts  and  graces  by  which  the  colour  of  his  future 
destiny  is  to  be  decided.  It  was  very  natural  that  quiet  and  unambitious  husbandmen, 
as  were  these  antient  tribes  when  their  merciless  German  invaders  first  came  among  them, 
should  make  Mother  Earth  the  source  of  fortune  and  prosperity ;  and  accordingly  Laima 
in  the  Lettish  dialect  now  signifies  Fortune  or  Fate  ;  and  fragments  of  antient  hymns  are 
sung  by  the  peasants  at  their  popular  festivals,  in  which  the  beneficent  goddess  is  celebra- 
ted under  the  endearing  name  of  Laima  Mahmima,  or  Mother  Goodltick. 

The  beautiful  execution  -oi  the  mythical  emblems  upon  marbles  and  coins,  often  dis; 
poses  us  to  find  an  elegance  and  propriety  in  their  allusions,  to  which  they  are  not  always 
entitled.  Designing  the  Goddess  of  Fortune  as  she  was  designed  by  the  Greeks  and  Ro- 
mans, conveys  a  very  bad  moral.  The  people  ought  to  be  taught,  that  Fortune  is  the  least 
blind  of  all  Goddesses;  and  that  she  is,  like  the  Slavonic  Laima,  the  wide-surveying 
and  never-slumbering  rewarder  of  Perseverance,  Industry,  Economy,  Integrity,  and  Do- 
mestic Virtue. 

As  the  eagle  was  the  bird  of  Jupiter,  the  woodpecker  of  Mars,  the  peacock  of  Juno, 
the  owl  of  Minerva,  and  the  dove  of  Venus,  so  the  lesser  titmouse'  is  the  favourite  bird 
of "  Mother  Goodluck,"  and  consequently  a  bird  of  omen,  as  in  the  following  Lettish 
fragment,  of  which  I  shall  give  a  verbatim  prose  translation. 

Sihle  sMiSd  padseedaj 
Brah/is  istabs  gallina. 
Eij  mahsit  klau«itees, 
Kahdu  d«ee«mu  sihle  dseed. 
&c.  &c.  &c. 

The  Titmouse  sang  very  sweetly. 
My  brother  is  in  the  chamber : 
'  Go,  my  little'  sister,  and  hear 
What  song  the  Titmouse  sings.' 

■  This  hardy  and  lively  little  bird  remains  in  Russia  during  all  the  severity  of  the  hardest 
winters. 


472  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

The  Titmouse  sings  tliis  song : 

"  Brother  must  to  the  wars." 

"  Go,  my  little  sister,  into  the  garden. 

Adorn  thy  brother's  cap  {with  roses.") — 

She  sang,  and  adorned  his  cap, 

And  accompanied  him  with  tears. 

"  Weep  not, 

My  little  sister ! 

If  I  return  not  myself, 

Yet  if  my  charger,  perchance,  return. 

Ask  of  my  charger, 

«  Where  fell  thy  rider  ?"— 

*  *     #     *     * 

The  rider  fell  there, 
Where  blood  ran  in  streams ; 
Where  men  made  a  bridge  of  bones ; ' 
Where  hedges  were  plaited  of  swords 
Nine  rows  thick. 

*  *     #     *     # 

I  saw  my  brother 
Shouting  in  the  battle ; — 
Five  rose-sprigs  in  his  cSp,— 
The  sixth  at  his  sword's  point. 

*  *     *     #     # 

There  lie  the  heroes  like  oaks. 
By  the  heaps  of  piled-up  swords. 

Tht/  sm'w-'white  steed  shall Jind  the  prince,  thy  husband. 
Where  netu,  tdth  two  white  steers,  industrious  ploughing. — P.  463.  v.  3. 
It  is  to  be  observed,  that  all  these  animals,  sacred  to  the  guardian  goddess  of  a  virtuous 
people,  are  white  ;  the  white  Eagle,  the  emblem  of  empire  founded  on  Wisdom  and  Jus- 
tice •  the  white  Horse,  of  honourable  defensive  War ;  and  the  white  Steers,  of  honest  agri- 


'  Walked  on  the  bodies  of  the  dead. 

*  i.  e.  Earning  by  his  valour  a  sixth  rose  to  compleat  his  ebaplet. 


ROMANTIC  BALLADS.  473 

cultural  Industry. — There  is  something  finely  poetical  in  the  idea  of  the  goddes?  of  In- 
dustry lending  her  own  sacred  steers  to  the  husbandman  the  most  distinguished  among 
her  worshippers  for  wisdom,  integrity,  and  industry.  Worshipping  the  Ox,  as  the  Egyp- 
tians did,  was  a  much  less'iimple  and  rational  manner  of  dedicating  him  to  the  same  deity. 

Respecting  the  sacred  Horse,  a  good  illustration  is  found  in  Saxo  Grammaticus,  lib.  siiij. 
F.  158,  d.  "  Praeterea  peculiarem  albi  coloris  equum  titulo  possidebat ;  cujus  jubae  aut 
caudae  pilos  convellere  nefarium  ducebatur.  Hunc  soli  sacerdoti  pascendi  insidendique  jus 
erat,  ne  divini  animalis  usus,  quo  frequentior,  hoc  utilior  haberetur.  In  hoc  equo,  opinione 
Rugise,  SvANToviTcs  (id  simulacro  vocabulum  erat)  adversum  sacrorum  suorum  hostes 
bella  gerere  credebatur.  .  Cujus  rei  prsecipuum  argumentum  extabat,  quod  is  nocturnQ 
tempore  stabulo  in^istens,  adeo  plerumque  mane  sudore  ac  luto  respersus  videbatur,  tan- 
quam,  ab  exercltatione'  veniendo,  magnorum  itinerum  spacia  percurrisset.  Auspicia  quo* 
que  per  eundem  equum  hujusmodi  sumebantur,  &c.  &c." 

"  Effigies  [Svantoviti]  erat  quadrifrons,  qualis  olim  Jani  apud  nonnulloa,  ut  circum- 
stantes  ab  omni  fani  parte,  conspectu  simulachri  perfruerentur.  Dextr4  cornu,  leva  ar- 
cum  gestabat,  proxime  suspensa  erant,  ensis,  frenum,  sella,  juxtaque  candidus  equus  sta- 
bulabatur  simulachro  consecratus.  *  *  *  Vinum  pridie  solenniter  in  cornu  quod  dextrd 
gerebat,  infusum,  si  postridie  integrum  sine  ulla  diminutione  manebat,  bonum  incrementi 
liquidarum  fluentiumque  rerum  illius  anni  eventum  significari  dicebat  [sacerdos :]  malum 
vero,  si  quid  de  vino  fuerat  sua  sponte  diminutum.  Habuit  et  placenta,  a  sacerdote  et  po- 
pulo  comesa,  sua  praesagia,  futuram  ejus  anni  copiam  aut  inopiam  praesagiens.  *  *  *  Diu 
haec  superstitio,  et  cultus  ejusdem  simulachri  etiam  inter  Boiemos  viguit,  donee  Divus  Vin- 
ceslaus,  Principem  Boiemiae  agens,  impetratis  ab  Othone  Caesare  Divi  Viti  reliquiis,  sanc- 
tum virum  idolo  profano  abolito,  venerandum  Boiemis  exhibuit."-i-Dubrav.  p.  6. 

Dubravius  calls  this  idol  Svatovit ;  and  it  is  called  Suiantovii  by  Stranskius  (Respub. 
Boiem.  p.  248,)  who  enters  more  into  detail  on  the  subject  of  Libussa  and. her  religion. 
Whatever  may  have  been  the  origin  of  the  name,  the  attributes  of  Svantovit  had  certainly 
nothing  to  do  with  Saint  Vitus,  whose  image  was  full  as  useless,  and  much  more  expensive, 
to  his  worshippers,  than  that  of  his  predecessor. 

The  goad-staff' in  the  earth  anon  he  planted, — P.  465.  v.  11. 
"  Stimulum  vero,  quo  boves  urgebantur,  terrae  defixum,  mox  fronduisse,  ac  Ires  corili 
ramos  emisisse :  ex  quibus  duo  statim  exaruerunt,  tertiura  in  arborem  ejusdem  generis 
proceram  excrevisse.    *  *  *  Vidi  inter  privilegia  regni,  litteras  Caroli  Quartj'  Romano- 
rum  Imperatoris,  Divi  Sigismundi  Patris,  in  quibus  haec  tanquam  vera  continentur,  villae- 

'  Fpr  the  nature  of  his  supposed  exercise,  see  the  preceding  note. 
»  Charles  the  Fourth  was  set  up  by  the  Pope,  in  134r,  and  crowned  at  Rome. 

3  O 


-474  ROMANTIC  BALLADS. 

«iue  illias  incolae  in  qua  haec  gesta  creduntur,  libertate  donantur,  nee  plus  tributipeiidere 
jubentur,  quam  nucum  illius  arboris  exiguam  mensuram."— JBn.  Sylr.  p.  86> 

^—  Through  the  air  ascending, 

Soar'd  the  ivhite  steers. — P.  465.  v.  11. 
"  Solutos  bores  elevatos  in  aera  ferunt,  et  in  altissimam  prsescissae  rupis  gpeluncam  de- 
Utuisse,  nunquam  postea  visos." — Mn,  Sylv.  86. 

My  sandals  of  the  linden  bark  0  leave  me,  <^c.— P.  465.  v.  12. 
"  Servati  calcei  diu  apud  Bohenios  religiose  habiti,  ac  per  sacerdotes  temjdi  Vissegra- 
densis  ante  Reges  delati,  dum  pompa  coronationis  educitur." — Ma,  Sylr.  p.  86. 

1 


ABSTRACT 


OF  THE 


EYRBIGGIA-SAGA. 


i    *77    ] 


ABSTRACT 


OF  THE 


EYRBIGGIA-SAGA, 

BEING  THE  EAHLY  ANNALS  OF  THAT  DISTEICT  OF  ICELAND  LYING  AROUND 
THE  PKOMONTORY  CALLED  SNiEFELLS. 


Of  the  various  records  of  Icelandic  history  aild  literature,  there  is 
none  more  interesting  than  the  Eyrbiggia-Saga,  composed  (as  has 
been  conjectured  by  the  learned  Thorkelin)  before  the  year  1264, 
Aidien  Iceland  was  still  subject  to  the  dominion  of  Norway.  The 
name  of  the  author  is  unknown,  but  the  simplicity  of  his  annals  seems 
a  sufficient  warrant  for  their  fidelity.  They  contain  the  history  of  a 
particular  territory  of  the  Island  of  Iceland,  lying  around  the  pro- 
montory called  SnaefeUs,  from  its  first  settlement  by  eihigrants  from 
Norway :  and  the  chronicle  details,  at  great  length,  the  feuds  which 
took  place  among  the  fiimilies  by  whom  the  land  was  occupied, 
the  advances  whicTi  they  made  towards  a  more  regular  state  of  soci- 
ety, their  habits,  their  superstitions, ,  and  their  domestic  laws  and 
customs.  If  the  events  which  are  commemorated  in  these  provincial 
annals  are  not  in  themselves  of  great  importance,  the  reader  may,  m, 
recompense,  derive,  from  the  minuteness  with  which  they  are  detail- 
ed, an  acquaintance  with  the  manners  of  the  northern  nations,  not 
to  be  acquired  from  the  perusal  of  more  general  history.     It  is. 


478  ABSTRACT  OF  THE 

therefore,  presumed,  that  an  abstract  of  the  more  interesting  parts  of 
the  E^rbiggia-Saga  may  be  acceptable  to  the  readers  of  the  North- 
ern Antiquities.  The  learned  Thorkelin  pubhshed  a  correct  edition 
of  this  history  in  1787,  executed  at  the  expence  of  Suhm,  the  illus- 
trious and  munificent  patron  of  northern  literature.  A  Latin  ver- 
sion, supplied  by  the  well-known  accuracy  of  the  editor,  assists  the 
difficulties  of  those  who  are  imperfectly  acquainted  with  the  original 
Icelandic. 

In  the  year  of  God  883,  a  Norwegian  nobleman,  named  Biorn,  ha- 
ving been  declared  an  exile  by  Harold,  King  of  Norway,  had  recourse 
to  the  protection  of  Rolf,  or  RoUo,  who  united  the  qualities  of  a  priest 
and  a  warrior,  and  kept  the  temple  of  Thor  in  the  Island  of  Mestur. 
Biorn  was  kindly  received,  and  furnished  with  a  vessel  to  pursue  his  for- 
tune in  the  spring.  But  finding  that  by  this  proceeding  he  had  incurred 
the  resentment  of  Harold,  Rolf,  or,  as  he  was  called  from  his  sacred 
office,  Thorolf,  (quasi  Thor's-Rolf,)  resolved  to  abandon  his  habitation 
and  to  set  sail  for  Iceland,  where,  ten  years  before,  a  colony  had  been 
settled  by  Ingolf,  the  son  of  Arne.  Thorolf  made  an  immense  sacri- 
fice to  Thor  preparatory  to  his  departure  ;  and  haying  received,  or  fa- 
bricated, an  oracle  authorizing  his  change  of  residence,  he  set  sail,  car- 
rying with  him  the  earth  upon  which  the  throne  of  Thor  had  been 
placed,  the  image  of  the  Mace-Bearer  itself,  and  the  wooden  work  of 
his  temple.  When  the  vessel  of  the  adventurer  approached  Iceland, 
Thorolf  cast  the  columns  of  the  idol's  sanctuary  into  the  sea,  and  de- 
clared his  purpose  of  establishing  his  new  residence  wherever  they 
should  be  thrown  on  shore.  Chance,  and  the  current  of  the  tides,  di- 
rected the  pillars  to  a  promontory  or  peninsula,  called  from  that  cir- 
cumstance Thorsness.'     Here,  therefore,  Thorolf  established  himself 

'  Thorsness  seems  to  have  been  that  small  peninsula,  mentioned  by  Sir  George  Mac- 
kenzie in  his  Survey  of  the  Gold-bringe  Syssell  of  Iceland,  which  js  itself  a  huge  indented 
promontory  on  the  south-western  coast  of  that  island.  Near  the  peninsula  the  travellers  saw 
the  Helgafels,  on  which  there  is  still  a  small  hamlet,  which,  they  observe,  derives  its  name 
from  the  superstitious  usages  with  which  it  was  anciently  connected,— rraw&jw  Igeland, 
p.  1 86,  7. 


EYRBIGGIA-SAGA.  479 

and  his  followers,  and,  mindful  of  his  tutelar  deity,  erected  a  temple 
for  Thor,  the  ample  scale  of  which  testified  the  zeal  of  his  devotion. 
An  inner  sanctuary  contained  the  altar  of  the  deity,  on  which  was 
placed  a  silver  ring,  weighing  two  ounces,  which  was  used  in  the  mi- 
nistration of  every  solemn  oath,  and  which  decorated  the  person  of  the 
priest  of  Thor  upon  all  occasions  of  public  meeting.  Here  also  was 
deposited  the  vessel  which  contained  the  blood  of  the  sacrifices,  and 
the  sacred  implement  for  sprinkling  it  upon  the  altar  and  the  worship- 
pers. Idols,  representing  the  various  deities  of  Scandinavian  mytho- 
logy, were  placed  around  the  altar,  and  a  tax  was  imposed  upon  all  the 
settlers  for  the  maintenance  of  the  solemn  rites  and  sacrifices  by  which 
they  were  to  be  propitiated  ;  Thorolf  reserving  to  himself  the  office  of 
high-priest,  with  the  duty  of  maintaining  the  temple  and  superintend- 
ing the  ritual.  A  series  of  curious  ordinances  marked  the  foundation 
and  extent  of  his  authority.  The  whole  promontory  of  Thorsness  was 
under  the  protection  of  the  deity,  but  a  small  eminence  entitled  Hel- 
gafels,  (i.  e.  the  Holy  Mount,)  was  so  peculiarly  sacred,  that  none  of 
the  settlers  were  to  look  upon  it  until  they  had  performed  their  morn- 
ing  ablutions,  and  each  living  creature  which  should  trespass  upon  its 
precincts  was  liable  to  be  punished  with  death.  To  the  terrors  of  re- 
ligion were  added  the  solemnities  of  legal  authority.  Near  the  Holy 
Mount  was  estabhshed  the  place  of  justice,  where  the  popular  assem- 
blies were  held.'  This  spot  was  also  sacred,  neither  to  be  defiled  by 
blood,  nor  polluted  by  any  of  the  baser  niecessities  of  nature,  for  satis- 
fying  which  a  neighbouring  rock  was  appointed.  In  these  institutions 
we  recognize  the  rude  commencement  of  social  order  and  public  law. 
The  infant  settlement  of  Thorolf  was  strengthened  by  the  arrival  of  Bi- 
orn,  the  fiigitive  upon  whose  account  he  had  incurred  the  indignation  of 
King  Harold,  and  by  that  of  other  northern  chiefs,  whom  the  fate  of 

•  Each  little  district  of  settlers  had  its  provincial  assembly,  for  the  purpose  of  making 
laws,  imposing  punishments,  and  accommodating  differences.  At  a  later  period,  general 
assemblies  of  the  whole  Icelandic  people,  called  Althing,  were  held  at  a  place  called 
Thingvalla,  on  the  shores  of  a  salt-water  ]a.'ke-^See  Mackenzie's  Travels, 


480  ABSTRACT  OF  THE 

war,  or  the  loye  of  adventure,  had  banished  from  their  respective 
homes.  Each  chose  his  habitation  according  to  his  pleasure,  and  the 
settlement  began  to  be  divided  into  three  districts,  called  Eyrarvert, 
Alpta-fiord,  and  Breida-wick,  all  of  which  acknowledged  the  authority 
of  the  Pontiff  Thorolf,  and  the  sanctity  of  his  institutions. 

The  death  of  Thorolf,  however,  led  the  way  to  internal  dissension. 
A  patriarch,  called,  from  the  number  of  his  family,  Bama-Kiallak  (rich 
in  children,)  was  tempted  to  dispute  the  sanctity  of  the  territory  of 
Thorsness,  which  had  been  sedulously  stipulated.  His  tribe,  confident 
in  their  numbers,  openly  disputed  the  power  of  Thorstein,  who  had 
succeeded  his  father  Thorolf  as  pontiff,  and  announced  that  when  oc- 
casion pressed  they  would  pay  no  more  respect  to  the  soil  of  the  sacred 
territory  than  to  unconsecrated  ground,  nor  would  they  take  the  trqiir 
ble  to  secede  to  the  rock  appointed  for  such  purposes.  With  this  fqul 
intent  they  marched  towards  Thorsness,  and  were  met  by  Thorstein 
atfthe  head  of  his  tribe,  servants,  and  allies,  who,  after  a  sharp  skirmish, 
was  fortunately  able  to  prevent  the  intended  profanation  of  the  ?acre^ 
soil.  But  as  neither  party  could  boast  decisive  success,  an  armistice 
was  agreed  upon,  and  a  congress  opened  under  the  mediation  of  an 
aged  settler  called  Thordus.  This  ingenious  referee  at  once  removed 
the  ostensible  cause  of  dispute,  by  declaring  that  the  territory  havipg 
been  polluted  by  human  blood  shed  in  the  conflict,  had  lost  its  sane- 
tity  in  future,  and,  to  take  away  the  secret  cause  of  contention,  he  de- 
clared that  Thorgrim,  one  of  the  sons  of  Kiallak,  should -be  conjoined 
with  Thorstein  in  the  charge  of  the  temple  of  Thor,  with  an  ^gual 
share  in  the  duties  and  revenues  of  the  office  of  pontiff,  and  in  the 
charge  of  protecting. from  sacrilege  a  new  place  of  justice,  which  was 
now  to  be  established.  It  is  described  as  a  circular  range  of  upright 
stones,  within  which  one  more  eminent  marked  the  Stpne  of  Thor, 
where  human  victims  were  immolated  to  the  Thunderer,  by  breaking 
or  crushing  the  spine.  And  this  description  may  confute  those  anti- 
quaries who  are  disposed  to  refer  such  circles  exclusively  to  the  Celtic 
tribes,  and  their  priests  the  Druids. 


EYRBIGGIA-SAGA.  481 

Thorstein,  son  of  Thorolf,  perished  by  shipwreck.     His  grandson 
Suorro  became  the  most  distinguished  support  of  his  family,  and  the 
following  commencement  of  his  history  marks  the  singular  system  of 
laws  which  already  prevailed  in  Iceland,  as  well  as  the  high  honours 
in  which  the  female  sex  was  held  in  that  early  period  of  society.  The 
tutelage  of  Snorro,  whose  father  died  young,  had  devolved  upon  Borko 
the  Fat,  his  father's  brother,  who  had  married  Thordisa,  his  mother, 
and  was  thus  at  once  his  uncle  and  father-in-law.     At  the  age  of  four- 
teen, Snorro,  with  two  companions,  went  abroad  to  visit  his  relations 
in  Norway,  and  returned  to  Iceland  after  the  lapse  of  a  year.     His 
companion  Thorlef  was  splendid  in  dress,  a,rms,  and  equipment,  being 
girded  with  a  sword  of,  exquisite  workmanship,  and  bearing  a  shield 
painted*blue,  and  exquisitely  gilded,  and  a  spear,  the  handle  of  which  ' 
was  plated  with  gold.    But  Snorro  was  dressed  in  a  dark  garment, 
mounted  upon  a  black  mare,  and  his  whole  appearance  intimated  want 
and  dejection.     This  assumed  poverty  rendered  Snorro  more  accept- 
able at  Helgafels,  the  abode  of  his  uncle  Borko.     For,  by  the  law  of 
descent,  Snorro  was  entitled  to  one  half  of  the  possessions  of  his  grand- 
father, now  administered  by  Borko  ; ,  and  his  appearance  gave  the  lat- 
ter ground  to  think  that  he-would  sell  them  in  his  necessity  for  an  in- 
considerable price.     He  was,  therefore,  not  displeased  to  see  his  ne- 
phew retwn  in  a  condition  which  did  not  seem  to  supply  to  him  the 
means  of  escaping  from  his  tutelage.     A  singular  incident,  however, 
interrupted  their  family,  concord.     Shortly  after  Snorro  had  taken  up 
his  abode  with  his  uncle,  a  party  of  twelve  armed- men,  headed  by 
Eyolf  Gray,  suddenly  appeared  at  Helgafels,  and  their  leader  announ- 
ced that  he  had  slain  a  relative  of  Thordisa,  the  mother  of  Snorro, 
Borko,  to  whom  the  slaughter  was  indifferent,  and  who  was  connected 
with  Eyolf,  received  him  joyfully,  and  commanded  his.  wife  to  make 
him  good  cheer.     While  she  obeyed  his  commands  with  undisguised 
reluctance,  Eyulf  chanced  to  drc^  the  spoon  with  which; he  was  eat- 
ing j  as  he  stooped  to  recover  it,  the  vindictive  matron,  unable  to  sup- 
press, her  indignation,  snatched  his  sword,  and  severely  wounded  hint 

S  p 


482  ABSTRACT  OF  THE 

ere  he  could  recover  his  erect  posture.  Borko,  incensed  at  this  at- 
tack upon  his  guest,  struck  his  wife,  and  was  about  to  repeat  the  blow, 
when  Snorro,  throwing  himself  between  them,  repelled  his  attack,  and 
placing  his  mother  by  his  side,  announced  haughtily  his  intention  to 
protect  her.  Eyulf  escaped  with  difficulty,  and  afterwards  recovered 
from  Borko  a  fine  for  the  wound  which  he  had  sustained,  and  the  un- 
cle  and  nephew  were  obliged  to  have  recourse  to  justice,  to  arrange 
their  mutual  claims,  which  were  rendered  yet  more  inextricable  by 
this  brawl.  When  they  appeared  before  the  assembled  patriarchs  of 
the  settlement,  Borko  admitted  that  his  nephew,  in  right  of  his  fa- 
ther deceased,  was  entitled  to  one  half  of  the  territory  of  Helgafels, 
and  he  also  agreed  that  they  could  not  conveniently  possess  it  in  com- 
munity. Wherefore  he  offered  to  purchase  that  property  from  Snorro, 
and  to  make  payment  of  an  adequate  price.  To  this  proposal  Snorro 
replied,  that  his  uncle  ought  first  to  fix  the  price  to  be  given,  and  that 
he,  as  descended  of  the  elder  brother,  should  then  have  it  in  his  op- 
tion either  to  sell  his  own  share  in  the  property,  or  to  purchase  Bor- 
ko's  moiety  at  the  price  to  be  so  named.  Borko,  confident  in  the 
supposed  poverty  of  his  nephew,  estimated  the  half  of  the  joint  pro- 
perty  at  sixty  ounces  of  silver,  a  sum  far  beneath  the  real  value ;  when, 
to  his  astonishment,  Snorro  at  once  made  payment  of  the  stipulated 
sum,  and  obtained  full  possession  of  his  paternal  mansion  and  estate. 
Nor  did  the  vexations  of  Borko  end  here.  For  when  he  was  about  to 
depart  from  Helgafels,  his  wife  Thordisa  invoked  witnesses  to  bear 
testimony  that  she  solemnly  divorced  her  husband  Borko,  alleging,  as 
a  sufficient  reason,  that  he  had  raised  his  hand  against  her  person.  And 
such  were  the  rights  of  an  Icelandic  Mater-famiiias,  that  the  divorce 
and  division  of  goods  immediately  took  place  between  her  and  her  hus- 
band, although  one  would  have  presumed  that  the  attempt  to  murder 
a  guest  in  his  own  presence,  might  have  been  admitted  as  a  satisfactory 
apology  for  the  violence  of  the  husband.  Snorro  having  thus  at  an 
easy  rate  obtained  possession  of  his  whole  paternal  inheritance  of  Hel- 
gafels, lost  no  time  in  assuming  the  sacred  character  of  priest  of  Thor, 


EYRBIGGIA-SAGA.  483 

and  continued,  firom  his  boldness,  craft,  and  dexterity,  to  act  a  conspi- 
cuous part  in  the  various  feuds  which  agitated  the  settlers  in  this  sterile 
and  dreary  country,  as  fiercely  as  if  they  had  been  contending  for  the 
mines  of  Peru,  or  the  vineyards  of  Italy ;  so  that  the  subsequent  part 
of  this  history  may  be  considered  as  the  annals  of  Snorro's  pontificate. 

Our  annalist  has  not  left  the  scene  altogether  unvaried.  Wars  and 
prosecutions  before  the  assembly  of  the  people  are  indeed  the  ground- 
work ;  but  such  spells  and  supernatural  incidents,  as  the  superstition 
of  the  age  believed  in,  are  introduced  like  the  omens  and  miracles  of 
classic  history.  Such  incidents,  indeed,  make  an  invariable  part  of 
the  history  of  a  rude  age,  and  the  chronicles  which  do  not  afibrd  these 
marks  of  human  credulity,  may  be  grievously  suspected  as  deficient 
in  authenticity.  The  following  account  of  a  trial  of  skill  between  two 
celebrated  sorceresses,  occupies  several  pages  of  the  Eyrbiggia-Saga. 

•«  Tell  me,"  said  Katla,  a  handsome  and  lively  widow,  to  Gunlau- 
gar,  an  accomplished  and  gallant  young  warrior,  "  tell  me  why  thou 
goest  so  oft  to  Mahfahlida  ? — Is  it  to  caress  an  old  woman  ?"  "  Thine 
own  agcj  Katla,"  answered  the  youth  inconsiderately,  "  might  pre- 
vent thy  making  that  of  Geirrida  a  subject  of  reproach." "  I  lit- 
tle deemed,"  replied  the  oflfended  matron,  "  that  we  were  on  an  equa- 
lity in  that  particular — ^but  thou,  who  supposest  that  Geirrida  is  the 
sole  source  of  knowledge,  mayst  find  that  there  are  others  who  equal 
her  in  science."  It  happened  in  the  course  of  the  following  winter 
that  Gunlaugar,  in  company  with  Oddo,  the  son  of  Katla,  had  renew- 
ed one  of  those  visits  to  Geirrida,  with  which  Katla  had  upbraided 
him.    "  Thou  shalt  not  depart  to-night,"  said  the  sage  matron,  "  evil 

spirits  are  abroad,  and  thy  bad  destiny  predominates." "  We  are 

two  in  company,"  answered  Gunlaugar,  "  and  have  therefore  nothing 
to  fear." — "  Oddo,"  replied  Geirrida,  "  will  be  of  no  aid  to  thee,  but 
go,  since  thou  wilt  go,  and  pay  the  penalty  of  thy  own  rashness." — 
In  their  way  they  visited  the  rival  matron,  and  Gunlaugar  was  invited 
to  remain  in  her  house  that  night.  This  he  declined,  and  passing  for- 
ward alone,  was  next  morning  found  lying  before  the  gate  of  his  father 


484  ABSTRACT  OF  THE 

Thorbiorn,  severely  wounded  and  deprived  of  his  judgment.  Various 
causes  were  assigned  for  this  disaster,  but  Oddo,  asserting  that  they 
had  parted  in  anger  that  evening  from  Geirrida,  insisted  that  his  com- 
panion must  have  sustained  the  injury  through  her  sorcery.  Geirrida 
was  accordingly  cited  to  the  popular  assembly,  and  accused  of  witch- 
craft. But  twelve  witnesses,  or  compurgators,  having  asserted  upon 
their  oath  the  innocence  of  the  accused  party,  Geirrida  was  honour- 
ably freed  from  the  accusation  brought  against  her.'  Her  acquittal 
did  not  terminate  the  rivalry  between  the  two  sorceresses,  for  Geirri- 
da belonging  to  the  family,  of  Kiliakan,  and  Katla  to  that  of  the  pon>- 
tiff  Snorro,  the  animosity  which  ,still  subsisted  between  these  septs  be- 
came awakened  by  the  quarrel. 

It  chanced  that  Thorbiorn,  called  Digri  (or  the  corpulent,)  one  of 
the  family  of  Snorro,  had  some  horses  which  fed  in  the  mountain  pas- 
tures, near  to  those  of  Thorarin,  called  the  Black,  the  son  of  the  en- 
chantress Geirrida.  But  when  autumn  arrived,  arid  the  horses  were 
to  be  withdrawn  from  the  mountains,  and  housed  for  the  winter,  those 
of  Thorbiorn  could  nowhere  be  found,  and  Oddo,  the  son  of  Katla, 
being  sent  to  consult  a  wizard,  brought  back  a  dubious  answer,  which 
seemed  to  indicate  that  they  had  been  stolen  by  Thorarin.  Thorbiorn, 
with  Oddo,  and  a  party  of  armed  followers,  immediately  set  forth  for 
Mahfahlida,  the  dwelling  of  Geirrida  and  her  son  Thorarin.  Arrived 
before  the  gate,  they  demanded  permission  to  search  for  the  horses 
which  were  amissing.  This  Thorarin  refused,  alleging,  that  neither 
was  the  search  demanded  duly  authorized  by  law,  nor  were  the  pro- 
per witnesses  cited  to  be  present,  nor  did  Thorbiorn  offer  any  suffici- 
ent pledge  of  security  when  claiming  the  exercise  of  so  hazardous  a 
privilege.  Thorbiorn  replied,  that  as  Thorarin  declined  to  permit  a 
search,  he  must  be  held  as  admitting  his  guilt ;  and  constituting  for 

'  This  ceremony  of  compurgation  formed,  as  is  well  known,  the  remote  origin  of  the 
trial  by  jury.    The  compurgators  were  at  first  a  kind  of  witnesses,  who,  upon  their  ge- 

.neral  knowledge  of  the  character  of  the  accused,  gave  evidence  of  his  being  incapable  of 
committing  the  crime  imputed,  but  gradually  obtained  the  character  of  judges,  who  formed 

their  opinion  upon  the  evidence  of  others  adduced  in  their  presence. 


EYRBIGGIA-SAGA.  485 

that  purpose  a  temporary  court  of  justice,  by  chusing  out  six  judges, 
he  formally  accused  Thorarin  of  theft  before  the  gate  of  his  own  house. 
At  this  the  patience  of  Geirrida  forsook  her.  *'  Well,"  said  she  to  her 
son  Thorarin,  "  is  it  said  of  thee,  that  thou  art  more  a  woman  than  a 
man,  or  thou  wouldst  not  bear  these  intolerable  afironts."    Thorarin, 
fired  at  the  reproach,  rushed  forth  with  his  servants  and  guests  j  a 
skirmish  soon  disturbed  the  legal  process  which  had  been  instituted, 
and  one  or  two  of  both  parties  were  wounded  and  slain,  before  the 
wife  of  Thorarin,  and  the  female  attendants,  could  separate  the  fray 
by  flinging  their  mantles  over  the  weapons  of  the  combatants.    Thor- 
biorn  and  his  party  retreating,  Thorarin  proceeded  to  examine  the 
field  of  battle.     Alas !  among  the  reliques  of  the  fight  was  a  bloody 
hand,  too 'slight  and  fair  to  belong  to  any  of  the  combatants.     It  was 
that  of  his  wife  Ada,  who  had  met  this  misfortune  in  her  attempts  to 
separate  the  skirmish.     Incensed  to  the  uttermost,  Thorarin  threw 
aside  his  constitutional  moderation,  and  mounting  on  horseback,  with 
his  allies  and  followers  pursued  the  hostile  party,  and  overtook  them 
in  a  hay-field,  where  they  had  halted  to  repose  their  horses,  and  to  ex- 
ult over  the  damage  they  had  done  to  Thorarin.    At  this  moment  he 
assailed  them  with  such  fury,  that  he  slew  Thorbiorn  upon  the  spot, 
and  killed  several  of  bis  attendants ;  although  Oddo,  the  son  of  Katla, 
escaped  free  from  wounds,  having  been  dressed  by  his  mother  in  an 
invulnerable  garment.     After  this  action,  more  bloody  than  usually 
happened  in  an  Icelandic  engagement,  Thorarin  returned  to  Mahfah- 
lida,  and  being  questioned  by  his  mother  concerning  the  events  of  the 
skirmish,  he  answered  in  the  improvisatory  and  enigmatical  poetry  of 
his  age  and  country, — 

From  me  the  foul  reproach  be  far, 
With  which  a  female  waked  the  war, 
From  me,  who  shunned  not  in  the  fray 
Through  foemen  fierce  to  hew  my  way ; 
(Since  meet  it  is  the  eagle's  brood 
(On  the  fresh  corpse  should  find  their  food,) 


486  ABSTRACT  OF  THE 

Then  spared  I  not  in  fighting  field, 
With  stalwart  hand  my  sword  to  wield; 
And  well  may  claim  at  Odin's  8hrine> 
The  praise  that  waits  this  deed  of  mine. 


To  which  effusion  Geirrida  answered,  «  Do  these  verses  imply  the 
death  of  Thorbiorn  ?"— And  Thorarin,  alluding  to  the  legal  process 
which  Thorbiorn  had  instituted  against  him,  resumed  his  song. 

Sharp  bit  the  sword  beneath  the  hood 
Of  him  whose  zeal  the  cause  pursued, 
And  ruddy  flowed  the  stream  of  death, 
Ere  the  grim  brand  resumed  the  sheath ; 
Now,  on  the  buckler  of  the  slain 
The  raven  sits,  his  draught  to  drsdn. 
For  g<n:e>drenched  is  his  visage  bold. 
That  hither  came  his  courts  to  hold. 

As  the  consequence  of  this  slaughter  was  likely  to  be  a  prosecution 
at  the  instance  of  the  pontiff  Snorro,  Thorarin  had  now  recourse  to  his 
allies  and  kindred,  of  whom  the  most  powerful  were  ArnkilL,  his  ma- 
ternal uncle,  and  Verimond,  who  readily  promised  their  aid  both  in 
the  field  and  in  the  Comitia,  or  popular  meeting,  in  spring,  before 
which,  it  was  to  be  presumed  Snorro  would  indict  Thorarin  for  the 
slaughter  of  his  kinsman.  Arnkill  could  not,  however,  forbear  asking 
his  nephew  how  he  had  so  far  lost  his  usual  command  of  temper.  He 
replied  in  verse. 

Till  then,  the  master  of  my  mood. 

Men  called  me  gentle,  mild,  and  good ; 

But  yon  fierce  dame's  sharp  tongue  might  wake 

In  wintry  den  the  frozen  snake. 

While  Thorarin  spent  the  winter  with  his  uncle  Arnkill,  he  received 
information  from  his  mother  Geirrida,  that  Oddo,  son  of  her  old  rival 


EYRBIGGIA-SAGA.  487 

Katla,  was  the  person  who  had  cut  off  the  hand  of  his  wife  Ada,  and 
that  he  gloried  in  the  fact.  Thorarin  and  Arnkill  determined  on  in- 
stant  vengeance,  and  traveUing  rapidly,  surprised  the  house  of  Katla. 
The  undismayed  sorceress,  on  hearing  them  approach,  commanded 
her  son  to  sit  close  beside  her,  and  when  the  assailants  entered  tihey 
only  beheld  Katla,  spinning  coarse  yarn  from  what  seemed  a  large  dis- 
taff, with  her  femaler  domestics  seated  around  her. — "  Her  son,"  she 
said,  "  was  absent  on  a  journey  •"  and  Thorarin  and  Arnkill  having 
searched  the  house  in  vain,  were  obliged  to  depart  with  this  answer. 
They  had  not,  however,  gone  far,  before  the  well-known  skill  of  Katla 
in  optical  delusion  occurred  to  them,  and  they  resolved  on  a  second 
and  stricter  search.  Upon  their  return  they  found  Katla  in  the  outer 
apartment;  who  seemed  to  be  shearing  the  hair  of  a  tame  kid,  but  was 
in  reality  cutting  the  locks  of  her  son  Oddo.  Entering  the  inner  room 
they  found  the  large  distaff  flung  carelessly  upon  a  bench.  They  re. 
turned  yet  a  third  time,  and  a  third  delusion  was  prepared  for  them; 
fijr  Katla  had  given  her  son  the  appearance  of  a  hog,  which  seemed  to 
grovel  upon  the  heap  of  ashes.  Arnkill  now  seized  and  split  the  dis- 
taff which  he  had  at  first  suspected,  upon  which  Katla  tauntingly  ob- 
served, that  if  their  visits  had  been  frequent  that  evening,  they  could 
not  be  said  to  be  altogether  ineffectual,  since  they  had  destroyed  a 
distaff.  They  were  accordingly  returning  completely  baffled,  when 
Geirrida  met  them,  and  upbraided  them  with  carelessness  in  searching 
for  their  enemy.  "  Return  yet  again,"  she  said,  "  and  I  will  accom- 
pany you." — Katla's  maidens,  still  upon  the  watch,  announced  to  her 
the  return  of  the  hostile  party,  their  number  augmented  by  one  who 
wore  a  blue  mantle.  "  Alas !"  cried  Katla,  *•  it  is  the  sorceress  Geir- 
rida, against  whom  spells  will  be  of  no  avaiL"  Immediately  rising 
from  the  raised  and  boarded  seat  which  she  occupied,  she  concealed 
Oddo  beneath  it,  and  covered  it  with  cushions  as  before,  on  which  she 
stretched  herself,  complaining  of  indisposition.  Upon  the  entrance  of 
the  hostile  party,  Geirrida,  without  speaking  a  word,  flung  aside  her 
mantle,  took  out  a  piece  of  seal's-skin,  in  which  she  wrapped  up  Kat- 


488  ABSTRACT  OF  THE, 

la's  head,  and  commanded  that  she  should  be  held  by  some  of  the 
attendants,  while  the  others  broke  opeii  the  boarded  space  beneath 
which  Oddo  lay  concealed,  seized  upon  him,  bound  him,  and  led  him 
away  captive  with  his  mother.  Next  morning  Oddo  was  hanged,  and 
Katla  storied  to  death ;  but  not  until  she  had  confessed  that  through 
her  sorcery  she  had  occasioned  the  disaster  of  Gunlaugar,  which  first 
led  the  way  to  these  feuds.  This  execution  is  remarkable,  because  it 
seems  to  have  taken  place  without  any  previous  ceremony  of  judicial 
procedure,  which,  in  general,  we  find  the  Icelanders  considered^  as  ne* 
cessary  preliminaries  to  the  condemnation  and  execution  of  criminals. 
Spring  now  approached,  and  it  became  necessary  for  Thorarin  to  take 
some  resolution ;  for,  although  it  seemed  possible  that  the  slaughter 
might  be  atoned  by  a  pecuniary  imposition,  yet  so  many  persons  had 
been  slain,  that  the  usual  fines  corresponding  to  their  rank  was  more- 
than  sufficient  to  exhaust  his  fortune  :  And,  to  hasten  his  determina- 
tion, Snorro,  accompanied  by  a  band  of  eighty  horsemen,  appeared 
before  the  house  of  Arnkill,  for  the  purpose  of  citing  Thorarin  to  an- 
swer for  the  slaughter  of  Thorbiorn.  This  citation  was  performed  in 
obedience  to  the  Icelandic  law,  which  permitted  no  accusation  to  be 
brought  against  any  party,  who  had  not  been- previously  apprized  of 
the  charge  by  a  summons  delivered  to  him  personally,  or  at  bis  dwel- 
ling place.'  The  ceremony  being  peaceably  performed,  Thorarin,  ob- 
serving the  strong  party  in  attendance  upon.  Snorro,  broke  forth  into^ 
a  poetical  rhapsody: 

No  feeble  force,  no  female,  hand, 
Compels  me  from  my  native  land"; 
O'er-match'd  in  numbers  and  in  might. 
By.  banded  hosts  in  armour  bright, . 
In  vain  attesting  laws  and  gods, 
A  guiltless  man,  I  yield  to  odds. 


'  This  law  of  summons  is  often  mentioned,  and  seems  to  have  been  regularJy,  insisted, 
upon.    It  was  attended  with  some  risk  to  the  party  who  ventured  to  make  the  citation, 
and  often  ended  in  a  skirmish. 

2 


teYRBIGGIA-SAGA.  4^9 

Accordingly,  ere  the  popular  assembly  met,  Thorarin,  with  his  relative 
Verimond,  embarked  in  a  vessel  for  Scandinavia.  Of  the  former  the 
history  tells  us  no  more ;  but  "Verimond,  who  separated  from  him, 
and  spent  the  subsequent  winter  at  the  Court  of  Count  Haco,  son  of 
Sigurd,  then  regent  of  Norway,  continues  to  make  a  figure  in  the  Eyr- 
biggia-Saga.  - 

It  seems  that  Haco  had  at  his  court  two  of  thos6  remarkable  cham- 
pions, called  Berserkir,  men,  who,  by  moral  or  physical  excitation  of 
some  kind  or  other,  were  wont  to  work  themselves  into  a  state  of 
frenzy,  during  which  they  achieved  deeds  passing  human  strength, 
and  rushed,  without  sense  of  danger,  or  feeling  of  pain,  upon  every 
species -of  danger  that  could  be  opposed  to  them.  Verimond  con- 
tracted a  sort  of  friendship  with  these  champions,  who,  unless  when 
seized  with  their  fits  of  fury,  were  not  altogether  discourteous  or  evil- 
disposed.  But  as  any  contradiction  v^as  apt  to  excite  their  stormy 
passions,  their  company  could  not  be  called  very  safe  or  commodious; 
Verimond,  however,  who  now  desired  to  return  to  Iceland,  conceived 
that  in  the  feuds  to  which  he  might  be  there  exposed,  the  support  of 
the  two  Berserkir  would  be  of  the  greatest  advantage  to  him.  Act- 
ing upon  this  idea.  When  Haco  at  his  departure  offered  him  any  rea'- 
sonableboon  which  he  might  require,  he  prayed  that  he  would  peraiit 
these  two  champions  to  accompany  him  to  his  native  country.  The 
count  assented,  but  not  without  showing  him  the  danger  of  his  re- 
quest. They  are  only  accustomed,  said  Haco,  to  submit  to  men  of 
great  power  and  high  rank,  and  will  be  reluctant  and  disobedient  sti- 
pendiaries to  a  person  of  a  meaner  station.  Verimond,  however, 
grasped  at  the  permission  of  the  count,  though  reluctantly  granted, 
and  was  profuse  in  promises  to  HalH  and  Leikner,  providing  they 
would  accompany  him  to  Iceland.  They  frankly  objected  the  poverty 
of  the  country,  yet  agreed  to  go  thither,  apprizing  their  conductor  at 
the  same  time,  that  their  friendship  would  not  endure  long  if  he  refu- 
sed? them  any  boon  which  was  in  his  power  to  grant,  and  which  they 

3q 


49P  ABSTRACT  OF  THE 

might  cliuse  to  dpniand.  Verimoiid  again  assured  them  of  his  anxious 
wish  to  gratify  them  in  every  paiticuJar,  and  transported  them  U>  Ice- 
land, where  he  was  not  Jong  of  dispoverang  that  he  had  burthened 
himself  with  a  very  dfflcult  task,  HalJi'3  first  request  was,  that  bi& 
should  be  provided  with  a  spouse,  rich,  nobly-horn,  and  beautifijl. 
But,  as  it  was  not  easy  to  find  a  maiden  so  gifted,  who  would  unite 
her  fate  with  a  foreigner  of  mean  birth,  who  was  besides  a  JSersetVar, 
V^erimond  wa*  compelled  to  ehidfi  the  j^ecjuest  of  his  champmn.  This 
was  likely  to  ocpasion  such  jenmity,  that  Verinjonjd  b^W-  to  think  of 
transferring  his  troablesome  and  ungoyerpable  satellites  to  bis  brother 
Arjigriin,  a  man  of  a  stern,  fierxie,  .and  active  disposition,  wb©  bad  car;- 
ijexi  on  numerous  feuds,  and  in  every  case  refused  to  make  peci^ji^ 
compensation  for  the  slfiughters  which  he  had  ecanmitted.  Thus  he 
was  usually  called  iStyr,  (z.  e,  the  StitriBg^  or  Tumultuous;)  as  Veri- 
mond  was  termed  Miofii,  or  the  Delicate.  Styr,  nevertheless,  tunaul- 
tuous  as  he  was,  could  not  be  prevailed  upon,  to  accept  of  the  pal;riQ»- 
age  of  tihe  Berserkie.  It  was  in  vain  that  Verimopd  protested  that  he 
giflted  him  with  twa  such  champions  as  would  enable  him  to  become 
an  easy  victor  in  every  quarrel  he  imght  engage  in,  and  that  he  de> 
-signed  this  present  as.  a  gage  of  thdr  fi'aternal  union.  Styr,  professing 
a  sincere  confidence  in  his.  brxDtherfy  afiection,  intimated,  that  he  had 
heard  enough  of  the  disposition  of  these  foreign  warriors,  to  satisfy 
him  that  they  would  be  ratlier  embarrassing  than  useful  dependants, 
and  was  fully  determined  never  to  admit  them  within,  his  fe,mily. 
Verimond  was  therefore  obliged  to>  change  lus  tone,  to  acknowledge 
the  dread  in  which  he  stood  of  the  Berserkir,  and  request  his  brother's 
advice  and  assistance  to  rid  him  of  them ;  ••  That,"'  answered  Styr, 
'« is  a  difierent  proposal.  I  could  never  have  accepted  them  as  a  pledge 
of  favour  or  friendship  ;  but  to  relieve  th^  from  darker  and  difficulty, 
I  am  content  to  encumber  myself  with  the  charge  of  thy  associates." 
The  next  point  was  to  reconcile  the  Berserkir,  (who  might  resent  be- 
ing transfei:i!ed,  like  bondsmen  fpom  the  one  brother  ta  the  other,)  to. 


EYRBIGQIA-SAGA.  4&i 

this  ehaage  of  irias^ers.  The  warlike  and  fierce  disposition  of  Styr 
seemed,  however,  so  iriucb  more  sukaljle  to  their  own,  than  that  ot 
Verimond,  that  th^  speedily  acquieacetj,  and  accompac^ing  their  new 
pati'on  upon  a  noctut^nal  excursion,  evinced  the»]^  st]?ength  in  breaking 
to  pifeces  a  strong  wooden  &ame^  or  bedy  in  which  his.  enemy  had  ta- 
ken reiiige,'  so  that  Styr^  had  an  opportuaity  of  staying  him.  The  pre- 
sumption of  Halliv  hK&W«very  soon  discomposed  their  union.  The 
champion  cast  this  eyesof  affection  on  .Asdisa,  the  daughter  of  his  pa^ 
tttmf  a  baikgihtyy  fiei^,-  and  robust  daHlsel,  w^U  qualified  to  captivate 
the  heart  <^a  B^serkar.  He  forma%'  anneimoed  to  Styr  that  he  de- 
manded her  hand  in  marriage^  that  a  refusal  would  be  a  breach  of 
their  frienMiipi,  but  that  if  he  would  accept  of  his  alliance,  he  and  his 
brother  would  render  him  the  most  powerful  man  in  Iceland.  At  this 
unexpected  proposal  Styr  for  a  time  remained  silent,  considering  how 
best  he  might  evade  the  presumptuous  deinand  of  this  frantic  cham- 
pion, and  at  length  observed',  that  the  friends  of  his  family  must  be 
consulted  upon  his  daughter's  establishment.  "  Three  days'  space,"  an- 
swered Halli,  "  will  suffice  for  that  purpose,  and  be  mindful  that  our 
friendship  depends  on  thine  answer."  Styr  in  great  doubt  and  trou- 
ble journeyed  to  Helgafels,  to  consult  the  experience  of  the  pontiff 
Snorro.  When  Snorro  learned  that  he  came  to  ask  advice,  "  Let  us 
ascend,"  he  said,  «  the  sacred  mount,  for  such  councils  as  are  taken 
on  that  holy  spot  rarely  prove  unpropitious."  They  remained  in  deep 
conference  on  the  mount  of  Thor  until  evening,  nor  did  any  one  know 
the  purpose  which  they  agitated,  but  what  followed  sufficiently  shows 
the  nature  of  the  councils  suggested  upon  the  holy  ground.  Styr,  so 
soon  as  he  returned  home,  announced  to  Halli  his  expectation,  that 
since  he  could  not  redeem  his  bride  by  payment  of  a  sum  of  money 
as  was  usual,  he  should  substitute  in  lieu  thererf,  according  to  aincient 
right  and  custom,  the  performance  of  some  unusual  and  difficult  task. 
«  And  what  shall  that  task  be  ?"  demanded  the  suitor.  «  Thou  shalt 
form,"  said  Styr,  "  a  path  through  the  rocks  at  Biarriarhaf,  and  a  fence 
betwixt  my  property  and  that  of  my  neighbours,  also  thou  shalt  con- 


*92  ABSTRACT  OF  THE 

struct  a  house  for  the  reception  of  ray  flocks,  and  these  tasks  accom- 
plished thou  shalt  have  Asdisa  to-wife."^ — "  Though  unaccustomed  to 
such  servile  toil,"  replied  the  Berserkar,  ".  I  accept  of  the  terms  thou 
hast  ofiered."  And  by  the  assistance  of  his  brother  he  accomplished 
the  path,  required,  a  work  of  the  greatest  labour,  and  erected :  the 
bound-fence,  of' which  vestiges  remajned  ia  the  days  of  our  historian. 
The  Berserkir  were  now  labouring  at  the  stable-  for  the  flocks,  while 
the  servants  of  Styr  were  employed -in  the  construction  of  a  subterra- 
nean bath,  so  contrived  that  it  could  on  a  sudden  be  deluged  with, 
boiling  water,  or  heated  to  a  sufibcating  degree.  On  the  last  day, 
when  the  brethren  were  labouring  at  the  conclusion  of  their  task,  As^ 
disa,  the  daughter  of  Styr,  passed  by  them  splendidly  arrayed.  Then 
sung  HalU, 

Oh  whither  dost  thou  bend  thy  way,. 
Fair  maiden,  in  such  rich  array, 
^or  never  have  I  seen  thee  roam 
So  gaily  dressed,  so  far  from  home  i—r 

Then  Leikner  also  sung, — 

Till  now  that  stole  of  purple  rare- 
Full  seldom  did  the  maiden  wear. 
Why  is  she  now  attired  so  fair  i 
The  cause,  O  maid,  benign  display. 
Of  that  unwonted  raiment  gay, 
Nor  thus  disdainful  pass  us  by 
With  silent  lip  and  scornful  eye. 

But  Asdisa,  disliking  eij;her  the  bard  or  the  poetry,  or  both,  passed 
on  without  making  any  answer.  Evening  now  approached,  and,  the 
stipulated  task  being  ended,  the  champions  returned  to  the  dwelling 
of  Styr.  They  were  extremely  exhausted,  as  was  common  with  per- 
sons of  their  condition,  whose  profuse  expenditure  of  strength  and  spi-. 
lits  induced  a  proportional  degree  of  relaxation  after  severe  labour^. 


EYRBIGGIA-SAGA.  498 

They,  therefore,  gladly  accepted  Styr's  proposal,  that  they  should  oc- 
cupy the  newly-constructed  bath.  When  they  had  entered,  their  in- 
sidious patron  caused  the  trap-door  to  be  blockaded,  and  a  newly- 
stripped  bullock's  skin  to  be  stretched  before  the  entrance,  and  then 
proceeded  to  pour  in  scalding  water  through  the  aperture  contrived  for 
that  purpose,  and  to  heat  the  bath  to  an  intolerable  pitch.  The  unfor- 
tunate Berserkir  endeavoured  to  break  out,  and  Halli  succeeded  in  for- 
cing the  door,  but  his  feet  being  entangled  in  the  slippery  hide,  he  was 
stabbed  by  Styr  ere  he  could  make  any  defence :  his  brother  attempt- 
ing the  entrance,  was  forced  headlong  back  into  the  bath,  and  thus 
both  perished.  Styr  caused  their  bodies  to  be  interred  in  a  narrow 
glen,  of  such  depth  that  nothing  but  the  sky  was  visible  from  its  re- 
cesses.   Then  Styr.  composed  this  song  concerning  bis  exploit :  — 

These  charapioBS  fromibeyond  the  mam< 
Of  Iceland's  sons  I  deem'd  the  bane^ 
Nor  fear'd  I  to  endure  the  harm 
And  frantic  fury  of  their  arm, 
But,  conqueror,  gave  this  valley's  glooni 
To  be  the  grim  Berserkir's  tomb. 

When  the  pontiff  Snorro  heard  that  the  stratagem  of  Styr  had  pro- 
ved successful,  he  paid  him  a  visit,  in  which,  after  a  day's  consulta- 
tion, Asdisa,  the  daughter  of  Styr,  was  betrothed  to  Snorro.  The  mar- 
riage was  solemnised  shortly  afterwards,  and  the  activity  and  intrepi-i 
dity  of  Styr  being  aided  by,  and  aiding  in  turn,  the  wisdom  and  expe- 
rience of  Snorro,  the  power  of  both  was  greatly  extended  and  fortified 
by  this  alliance. 

Passing  some  feuds  of  less  interest,  we  come  to  the  history  of  Tho- 
rolf  Baegifot,  This  chief  had  in  his  youth  defied  to  combat  an  aged 
champion  called  Ulfar,  for  the  sake  of  acquiring  his  territory.  Ulfar, 
though  old  and  dim  of  sight,  preferred  death  to  dishonour,  and  met 
Thorolf  in  single  combat.  Ulfar  fell,  but  Thorolf  received  a  wound 
in.  the  leg,  on  which  he  ever  after  halted,  and  thus  acquired  the  nam© 


491  ABSTRACT  OF  THE 

of  Ba£gifd>t,  OF  the  Crddc-footed.  Thdroif  had  one  son,  the  same  Afti- 
kill  who  figured  irt  the  history  of  Thdrarirf  the  Black,- and  two  daiigh- 
ters,  one  of  whom  was  the  celebrated  enchantreas-  GekrMa.  As  Tho- 
folf  waxed  aged,,  he  became  of  a  canikered  and  savttg^  dis^ioski^,  and 
as  crooked  in  his  mind  as  in  his  limbs.  Many  cauaes  of  discord  oc- 
curred betwixt  him  and  his  son  ArnkiU,  tfntil  at  lerfgth  they  were  iii 
a  state  of  utter  erimifiy;  The  nearest  neighbour  of  Thbrelf  Baegifot 
was  Ulfar,  a  freed  man  of  ThtJrbrand,  possessed  of  a  fair  propei?fiyr  It 
was  said  of  this  cultivator,  that  he  understood  the  art  of  making  bay 
better  than  any  man  in  Iceland,  and  that  his  crop  was  never  injured 
by  the  rain,  or  his  cattle  by  the  storms.  Thorolf  went  to  consult  this 
sage  upon  the  management  of  the  hay-crOp  oil  a  field  which  they  pcis* 
sessed  in  common.  "  This  week,"  said  UMar,  "^  will  be  rainy  ;  let  us 
use  it  in  cutting  the  hay ;  it  will  be  followed  by  a  fortnight  of  dry 
weather,  which  we  Avill  employ  in  drying  it/'  Thorolf,  however,  be- 
came impatient,  and  dubious  of  a  change  of  Weather,  ordered  his  hay 
to  be  carried  to  his  yard,  and  ricked  up,  while  that  of  Ulfar  was  yet 
lying  in  the  swathe,  and  then,  whether  impelled  by  cupidity,  caprice, 
or  jealousy,  does  not  appear,  he  carried  home  also  that  part  of  the  crop 
which  belonged  to  the  weather-wise  Ulfar.  The  latter  reclaimed  his 
property;,  but,  after  some  altercation,  saw  no  means  of  redress  so  ef- 
fectual as  to  appeal  to  the  justice  of  Arnkill,  the  son  of  Thorolf.  Ami 
kill,  after  vain  applications  for  justice  to  his  fether,  was  at  length  con- 
tented to  indemnify  Ulfar  by  making  payment  to  him  of  the  value  of 
the  hay,  a  proposal  to  which  his  father  had  refiised  to  accede,  sayiMgi 
in  the  plenitude  of  oppressive  power,  "  That  the  churl  was  already  too 
wealthy."  Arnkill,  however,  indemnified  himself  of  the  price  of  the 
hay  by  driving  off  twelve  fat  oxen  belon^ng  to  his  father,  which  he 
alleged  were  compensated  by  the  money  thus  advanced  to  Ulfe,r.  It 
was  now  the  feast  of  Jol>  and  Thorolf,  who  had  drank  freely,  and  cir- 
culated much  liquor  among  his  bondsmen,  was  so  incensed  against 
Ulfar,  that  he  offered  liberty  to  any  of  his  serfe  who  would  burn  his 
house,  and  consume  him  among  the  flames.    Six  of  his  bondsmen  set 


EYRBIGGIA-SAGA,  *95 

out  uppn  this  neighbourly  exploit ;  but  the  flames,  as  they  began  to 
rise,  became  visible  to  Arnkill,  who  hastened  to  the  house  of  Ulfar, 
extinguished  the  fire,  and  made  prisoners  the  incendiaries.  These  he 
transported  to  his  own  house,  and  hanged  them  next  morning  without 
ceremony,  to  the  great  increase  of  his  father's  discontent.  Ulfar,  on 
-the  other  hand,  re^cuced  at  hsuving  acquired  so  active  and  powerful  a 
protector,  chose  Arnkill  for  his  immediate  patron,  to  the  displeasure 
of  the  family  of  his  original  master  Thorbrand,  who  viewed,  with  re- 
sentment, the  chance  of  losing  the  inheritance  of  their  father's  freed 
man.  Meanwhile  the  wrath  of  Thorolf  grew  so  high  against  his  son, 
that  he  wei?t  ito  the  pontiff  Snorro,  to  prevail  on  him  to  prosecute 
Arnkill  to  the  uttermost  for  the  slaughter  of  bis  six  bondsmen.  Snorro, 
■at  fir-at,  dqplined  to  have  any  interference  with  the  matter,  alleging  the 
good  character  of  Arnkill,  ^nd  the  foul  treason  in  which  the  serfs  of 
Thorolf  had  been  engaged  when  seized  and  executed.  "  I  wot  well 
-the  cause  of  thy  regard  for  Arnkill,"  answered  Thorolf;  "  thou  think- 
est  1^  will  pay  for  thy  support  in  th^  assembly  more  freely  than  I. 
But  hearken :  I  know  thy  desire  to  possess  the  fair  woods  of  Kraka- 
ness,  which  pertain  to  me.  I  will  bestow  them  on  thee,  if  thou  wilt 
prasecute  the  cause  arising  from  the  slaughter  of  my  bondsmen  with 
(the  utmost  severity,  without  sparing,  on  account  of  Arnkill's  relation 
to  me,  or  his  friendship  to  thyself."  Snorro  could  not  resist  the  pro- 
spect of  gain  thus  artfi^ly  held  out  to  him,  and  agreed  to  prosecute 
the  cause  to  the  uttermost.  The  pleadings  were  ingenious  on  both 
sides,  and  show  some  progress  in  the  intricate  punctilios  of  municipal 
jurisprudence.  The  death  of  the  bondsmen  was  urged  by  Snorro. 
The  accused  defended  himself  upon  the  feet  of  their  being  apprehend- 
ed in  the  act  of  burning  Ulfar's  habitation.  It  was  replied,  that 
though  this  might  have  justified  their  being  slain  on  the  spot,  yet  it 
gave  those  who  seized  them  no  right  to  execute  them  elsewhere  after 
^  day's  interval.  At  length  the  matter  was  referred  to  the  award  of 
the  two  brethren,  Styr  and  Verimond,  who  appointed  Arnkill  to  pay 
a  fine  of  twelve  ounces  of  silver  for  the  death  of  each  domestic.  Tho- 


496  ABSTRACT  OF  THE 

rolf,  incensed  to  the  highest  pitch  at  this  lenient  imposition,  brbke 
forth  into  complaints  against  Snorro,  whom  he  considered  as  having 
betrayed  his  cause,  and  retired  from  the  convention  to  meditate  a 
bloody  revenge  against  all  his  enemies.  Ulfar,  the  most  helpless  and 
inoffensive,  was  the  first' to  experience  his  resentment.  He  had  been 
feasting  with  his  patron  Arnkill,  and  had  departed  loaded  with  pre- 
sents, when  he  was  waylaid  and  assassinated  by  Spagil,  a  villain  whom 
Thorolf  had  hired  to  the  deed  by  an  ample  bribe.  ArnkiU,  who 
chanced  to  be  abroad  that  evening,  observed  a  man  at  a  distance  bear- 
ing the  shield  which  he  had  so  lately  bestowed  on  Ulfar.  "  That 
buckler,"  said  he,  "  Ulfar  hath  not  parted  from  willingly  5  pursue  the 
bearer  of  it,  and  if,  as  1  dread,  he  has  slain  my  client  through  my  fe- 
ther's  instigation,  bring  him  not  before  my  sight,  but  slay  him  instant- 
ly." A  part  of  his  followers  instantly  pursued  Spagil,  and  having 
seized  and  compelled  him  to  avow  his  crime,  and  confess  by  whomi  it 
was  prompted,  they  killed  him  on  the  spot,  and  brought  back  to  Tho- 
rolf the  spoils  of  the  unh^^y  Ulfar.  The  disputes  concerning  the 
inheritance  of  Ulfar  now  augmented  the  dissensions  of  the  settlement. 
It  was  claimed  by  the  family  of  Thorbrand,  as  Ulfar  had  been  his  freed 
man,  and  by  Arnkill  as  his  immediate  patron  and  protector.  The  for- 
mer, however,  proved  the  weaker  party;  and  on  having  recourse  to 
Snorro,  received  little  encouragement  to  cope  with  Arnkill:  "You 
share  only,"  said  the  pontiff,  "  the  general  lot  of  the  tribe,  which, 
while  Arnkill  lives,  must  put  up  with  such  aggressions  unavenged." 
"  Most  truly  spoken,"  replied  the  sons  of  Thorbrand,  "  nor  can  we 
complain  of  thee,  Snorro,  for  refusing  to  advocate  our  cause,  who  art 
so  tame  and  cold  in  asserting  thine  own."  With  these  words  of  re- 
proach, they  left  the  assembly  in  great  discontent. 

Thorolf  Baegifot  began  now  to  repent  having  bestowed  upon  Snorro 
the  woods  of  Krakaness  without  obtaining  the  stipulated  gratification 
of  his  resentment.  He  went  to  the  pontiff  and  demanded  restitution, 
alleging,  that  he  had  transferred  the  woods  in  loan,  not  as  a  gift.  But 

Snorro  refused  to  listen  to  his  request,  and  appealed  to  the  testimony 

3 


EYRBIGGIA-SAGA.  49T 

of  those  who  witnessed  the  transaction,  that  he  had  received  the 
woods  in  full  property.  In  the  warmth  of  passion,  Thorolf  now  had 
recourse  to  his  son,  and  proposed  to  him  to  renew  their  natural  alU- 
ance,  and  that  the  pledge  of  their  friendship  should  be  the  union  of 
their  forces,  to  recover  from  Snorro  the  woods  of  Krakaness.  '« It 
was  not  for  love  of  me,"  said  Arnkill,  "  that  thou  gavest  Snorro  pos- 
session of  these  woods ;  and  although  I  know  he  has  no  just  title  to 
them,  I  wiU  not  enter  into  feud  with  the  pontiff  to  gratify  thy  resent- 
ment by  our  quarrels."  "  Thy  cowardice,"  said  Thorolfi  "  rather 
than  any  other  motive,  causes  thy  affected  moderation."  "  Think  on 
the  matter  what  thou  wUt,"  said  Arnkill,  "  but  I  wiU  not  enter  into 
feud  with  Snorro  on  that  subject."  Thus  repulsed  at  every  hand,  and 
in  all  the  'agony  of  impotent  fury,  Thorolf  Baegifot  returned  to  his  own 
house.  He  spoke  to  no  one,  partook  not  of  the  evening  meal,  but, 
sitting  in  silence  at  the  hi^est  part  of  the  table,  suffered  his  domes- 
tics to  retire  to  rest  without  quitting  his  seat.  In  the  morning  he  was 
ibund  dead  in  the  same  place  and  posture.  A  message  instantly  con- 
veyed to  Arnkill  the  news  of  his  father's  death.  When  he  came,  the 
corpse  remained  seated  in  the  posture  in  which  Thorolf  had  expired, 
and  the  terrified  family  hinted  that  he  had  fallen  by  the  mode  of  death 
of  all  others  most  dreaded  by  the  Icelanders.'  Arnkill  entered  the 
apartment,  but  in  such  a  manner  as  to  approach  the  body  fronf  be- 
hind, and  he  cautioned  the  attendants  that  no  one  should  look  upon 
the  face  of  the  corpse  until  the  due  propitiatory  rites  were  performed. 
It  was  not  without  application  of  force  that  the  corpse  could  be  re- 
moved from  the  seat  which  it  occupied  j  the  face  was  then  veiled,  and 
the  customary  ceremonies  paid  to  the  dead  body.  This  done,  Arn- 
kill commanded  the  wall  of  the  apartment  to  be  broken  down  behind 
the  spot  where  Thorolf  had  died,  and  the  corpse  being  raised  up  with 
difficulty,  and  transported  through  the  breach,*  was  deposited  in  a 

*  Suicidie  seems  to  be  indicated. 

»  It  is  still  an  article  of  popular  superstition  in  Scotland,  that  the  corpse  of  a  suicide 
ought  not  to  be  carried  out  of  the  apartment  by  the  door,  but  lowered  through  a  window, 

3  R 


498  ABSTRACT  OF  THE 

grave  strongly  built.  But  these  meet  honours,  and  this  grave,  how- 
ever fortified,  could  not  appease  the  restless  spirit  of  Thorolf  Baegifoi. 
He  appeared  in  the  district  by  night  and  day,  slew  men  and  cattle, 
and  harrowed  the  country  so  much  by  his  frequent  apparition  and  mis- 
chievous exploits,  that  his  son  Arnkill,  on  the  repeated  complaints  of 
the  inhabitants,  resolved  to  change  his  place  of  sepulture.  Some  op- 
position was  threatened  by  the  sons  of  Thorbrand,  who  refused  to 
permit  the  corpse  to  be  carried  through  their  domains,  until  reminded 
by  their  father,  that  it  was  illegal  to  refuse  passage  to  those  who  were 
travelling  in  discharge  of  a  duty  imposed  by  law,  and  such  was  the 
burial  of  the  dead.  The  body  of  Thorolf  was  found  on  opening  the 
tomb,  but  his  aspect  was  fearfiil  and  grisly  to  a  preternatural  degree. 
He  was  placed  on  a  bier  between  two  strong  oxen,  which,  neverthe- 
less, were  worn  out  by  fatigue  ere  they  had  transported  him  many 
miles.  Others  were  substituted  in  their  room,  but  when  they  attained 
the  summit  of  a  hill,  at  some  distance  from  the  destined  place  of  sepul- 
ture, they  became  frantic,  and,  breaking  their  yokes,  rushed  down  the 
precipice  and  perished.  The  corpse,  too,  became  of  such  ponderous 
weight,  that  it  could  by  no  means  be  transported  any  fahher,  so  that 
Arnkill  was  fain  to  consign  it  to  the  earth  on  the  ridge  of  the  hill, 
where  it  lay,  and  which  took  its  name  henceforward  fi-om  that  of  Bae- 
gifot.  Arnkill  caused  a  mound  of  immense  height  to  be  piled  above 
the  grave,  and  Thorolf,  during  the  lifetime  of  his  son,  remained  quiet 
in  his  new  abode.' 


or  conveyed  through  a  breach  in  the  wall.    Neglect  of  this  observance  is  supposed  to  ex- 
pose the  house  to  be  haunted. 

'  After  the  death  of  Arnkill,  Baegifot  became  again  troublesome,  and  walked  forth  from 
his  tomb  to  the  great  terror  and  damage  of  the  neighbourhood,  slaying  both  herds  and 
domestics,  and  driving  the  inhabitants  from  the  canton.  It  was,  therefore,  resolved  to  con- 
sume his  carcase  with  fire ;  for,  like  the  Hungarian  Vampire,  he,  or  some  evil  demon  in 
his  stead,  made  use  of  his  mortal  reliques  as  a  vehicle  during  commission  of  these  enormi- 
ties. The  body  was  found  swoln  to  a  huge  size,  and  equalling  in  size  the  corpulence  of  an 
ox.  It  was  transported  to  the  sea-shore  with  diiEculty,  and  there  burned  to  ashes.  A  cow, 
licking  some  part  of  these  ashes,  brought  forth  the  bull  Glaeser,  by  whom  Thorodd,  his 
master,  was  slain,  as  is  mentioned  in  a  legend  quoted  elsewhere  in  this  volume.  -  See  p.  406. 


EYRBIGGIA-SAGA.  499 

After  the  death  of  Thorolf,  Arnkill  engaged  in  various  disputes  with 
the  pontiff  Snorro  for  the  recovery  of  the  woods  of  Krakaness,  and 
with  the  sons  of  Thorbrand,  on  account  of  their  old  feud.  He  had 
the  better  in  many  skirmishes,,  and  in  many  debates  before  the  na- 
tional convention.  Nor  was  Snorro  for  a  length  of  time  more  suc- 
cessful in  his  various  efforts  to  remove  this  powerful  rival.  For,  al- 
though a  priest,  he  was  not  in  any  respect  nice  in  his  choice  of  means 
on  such  occasions,  and  practised  repeatedly  against  Arnkill's  life  by 
various  attempts  at  assassination.  At  length,  however,  irritated  to  the 
highest  pitch,  by  a  conversation  in  which  he  heard  strangers  extol  the 
power  and  courage  of  Arnkill  above  his  own,  he  resolved  to  employ 
in  his. revenge  the  sons  of  Thorbrand.  To  Thorlef  Kimbi,  the  strong- 
est of  these  champions,  he  gave  a  choice  war-axe,  and,  bidding  him 
observe  the  length  of  the  handle,  added,  "  Yet  it  will,  not  reach  the 
bead, of  Arnkill  while  making  hay  at  the  farm  of  Ulfar."  It  must  be 
observed}, that  Arnkill  durst  not  occupy  the  farm  of  Ulfar^, which  had 
been  so  fiercely  disputed  between  him  and  the  sons  of  Thorbrand,  other? 
wise  than, by  sending  labourers. there  in  the  day,  and  withdrawing  them 
before  night-faU.  In  the  hay-season,  however^  he  also  employed  his 
wains  by  moon-light  to  transport  the  hay  from  these  possessions  to  his 
own  domain.  The  sons  of  Thorbrand,  embracingthe  hint  of  the  pon^ 
tiff,  now  watched  his, motions  ;  and  learning  that  one  moon-light  night 
Arnkill  had  himself  accompanied  three  of  his  bondsmen  for  the  above 
purpose,  they  dispatched  a  messenger  to  inform  Snorro,  that  "  the  old 
eagle  had  taken  his  flight  towards  Orligstad."  The  pontiff  instantly 
rose,  and,  accompanied  by  nine  armed  followers,  traversed  the  ice  to 
Altifiord,  where  he  joined  the  party  of  the  sons  of  Thorbrand,  six  in 
number.  Arnkill,  who  descried  his  enemies  advancing  towards  him, 
dispatched  his  unarmed  attendants  to  his  dwelling,  to  summon  his 
servants  to  his  assistance.  "  I  meantime,"  said  he,  "  will  defend  my- 
self on  the  heap  of  hay,  nor  will  I  afford  an  easy  victory  to  my  foe- 
men."  But  of  these  messengers  one  perished  in  crossing  a  torrent, 
the  other  loitered,  by  the,  way.     Meantime  Arnkill,^  after  defending 


500  ABSTRACT  OF  THE 

himself  valiantly,  was  finally  overpowered  and  slain.    Of  which  sings 
the  Scald  Thormoda  Ulfilson  : — 


A  noble  meal  the  pontiff  strewed 
For  the  wild  eagle's  hungry  brood, 
A  noble  corpse  hath  filled  the  tomb, 
When  valiant  Arnkill  met  his  doom. 


Arnkill  is  regretted  by  the  annalist  as  a  model  of  the  qualities  most 
valued  in  an  Icelandic  chief.  He  excelled  all  in  accurate  observance 
of  ancient  rites  and  customs,  was  stout-hearted  and  brave  in  enter- 
prize,  and  so  prudent  and  eloquent,  that  he  was  always  successful  in 
the  causes  which  he  prosecuted  in  the  popular  assemblies — qualities 
which  drew  upon  him  the  envy  that  occasioned  his  death.  His  se- 
pulchral mound,  raised  upon  the  sea-shore,  was  visible  in  the  time  of 
the  historian.  The  property  of  Arnkill,  and  the  charge  of  exacting 
vengeance  for  his  blood,  passed  to  females,  and  hence  the  duty  was 
but  indifierently  discharged.  Thorolf  Kimbi,  who  had  struck  the 
deadly  blow,  was  banished  for  three  years  from  Iceland,  a  poor  atone- 
ment for  the  slaughter  of  such  a  champion.  And  hence,  says  the  an- 
nalist, it  was  enacted  that  neither  a  woman,  nor  a  youth  under  sixteen 
years,  should  prosecute  in  a  cause  for  avenging  of  blood.  Arnkill  was 
slain  in  the  year  993. 

Omitting  a  desperate  feud  between  the  sons  of  Thorbrand  and  those 
of  Thorlak,  we  shall  only  notice  the  accuracy  with  which  the  compen- 
satio  injuriarum  was  weighed  in  the  Comitia  of  Helgafels,  when  the 
quarrel  was  accommodated.  Every  disaster  which  had  been  sustained 
by  the  one  party  was  weighed  against  one  of  a  similar  nature  inflicted 
upon  the  other.  Life  for  Hfe,  wound  for  wound,  eye  for  eye,  and  tooth 
for  tooth,  were  adjusted  with  the  utmost  precision,  and  the  balance 
arising  in  favour  of  one  of  the  contending  septs  was  valued  and  atoned 
for  by  a  pecuniary  mulct.  This  compact,  ^hich  was  followed  by  an 
internal  peace  of  unusual  duration,  took  place  in  the  year  999. 


EYRBIGGIA-SAGA.  50 1 

In  the  year  lOOO,  the  Christian  religion  was  introduced  into  Iceland 
by  her  apostles  Gizur  the  White,  and  Hialto.'  Snorro  became  a  con- 
vert, and  lent  the  greatest  assistance  in  extending  the  new  faith.*  It  is 
not  easy  to  see  what  motive  the  priest  of  Thor  could  have  for  exchan- 
ging a  worship,  over  which  he  himself  presided,  for  a  new  religion, 
since  the  unprincipled  cunning  and  selfish  character  of  Snorro  seem  to 
deprive  hijn  of  the  credit  of  having  acted  upon  conviction.  He  pro- 
cured the  erection,  nevertheless,  of  a  Christian  church  at  Helgafels, 
upon  the  scite  of  the  temple  dedicated  to  Thor,  and  acted  in  every 
other  respect  as  a  sincere  convert.  As  this  was  the  third  attempt  to 
preach  Christianity  in  the  island,  it  seems  probable  that  the  good  sense 
of  the  Icelanders  had  already  rejected  in  secret  the  superstitions  of 
paganism,  and  that  the  worship  of  Thor  had  declined  in  the  estima- 
tion of  the  people. 

The  same  year  is  assigned  as  the  date  of  a  very  curious  legend,  A 
ship  from  Iceland  chanced  to  winter  in  a  haven  near  Helgafels. 
Among  the  passengers  was  a  woman  named  Thorgunna,  a  native  of 
the  Hebrides,  who  was  reported  by  the  sailors  to  possess  garments  and 
household  furniture  of  a  fashion  far  surpassing  those  used  in  Iceland, 


'  Hialto  was  an  Icelander  by  birth,  but  had  been  banished  fi)r  composing  a  song  in  dis- 
paragement of  the  heathen  deities,  of  which  the  following  is  a  literal  version  :— 

I  will  not  serve  an  idol  log 

For  one,  I  care  not  which, 
But  either  Odin  is  a  dog. 

Or  Freya  is  a  bitch. 

Historia  Ecclesiastica  Islandia,  vol.  I.  p-  51. 

*  We  learn  from  another  authority  that  the  heathen  priests  and  nobles  held  a  public 
conference  with  the  Christian  missionaries  in  the  general  assembly  of  the  tribes  of  Iceland. 
While  the  argument  was  yet  in  discussion,  news  arrived  that  an  eruption  of  lava  was  lay- 
ing waste  a  neighbouring  district.  "  It  is  the  effect  of  the  wrath  of  our  offended  deities," 
exclaimed  the  worshippers  of  Odin  and  Thor.  «•  And  what  excited  their  wrath,"  answered 
Snorro,  the  hero  of  the  Eyrbiggia-Saga,  though  still  himself  a  heathen,  "  what  excited 
their  wrath  when  these  rocks  of  lava,  which  we  ourselves  tread,  were  themselves  a  glow- 
ing torrent?"  This  ready  answer  silenced  the  advocates  of  heathenism.— flM^ona  Eccle- 
siastica Islandia,  vol.  I,  p>  62. 


502  ABSTRACT  OF  THE 

Thurida,  sister  of  the  pontiff  Snorro,  and  wife  of  Thorodd,  a  woman 
of  a  vain  and  covetous  disposition,  attracted  by  these  reports,  made  a« 
visit  to  the  stranger,  but  could  not  prevail  upon  her  to  display  her 
treasures.  Persisting,  hawever,  in  her  enquiries,  she  pressed  Thor-. 
gunna  to  take  up  her  abode  at  the  house  of  Thorodd.  The  Hebrideau 
reluctantly  assented,  but  added,  that  as  she  could  labour  at  every,  usual 
kind  of  domestic  industry,  she  trusted  in-  that  manner  ta  discharge 
the  obligation  she  might  lie  under  to  the  family,  without  giving  any* 
part  of  her  property,  in  recompense  of  her  lodging.  As  Thurida  con- 
tinued to  urge  her  request,  Thorgunna  accompanied  her  to.Froda,  the 
house  of  Thorodd,  where  the  seamen  deposited  a  huge  chest  and  ca- 
binet;, containing  the  property  of  her  new  guest,  which  Thurida  view- 
ed with  curious  and  covetous  eyes.  So  soon  as  they  had  pointed  out 
to  Thorgunna  the  place  assigned  for  her  bed,  she  opened  the  chest, 
and  took  forth  such  an  embroidered  bed  coverlid,  and  such  a  splendid 
and  complete  sefc  of  tapestry  hangings,  and  bed  furniture  of  English 
linen,  interwoven  with  silk,  as  had  never  been  seen  in  Iceland.  "  Sell 
to  me,"  said  the  covetous  matron,  '*  this  fair  bed  furniture." — ".  Be- 
lieve me,"  answered  Thorgunna,  "  I  will  not  lie  upon  straw  in  order  to 
feed  thy  pomp  and  vanity  j"  an  answer  which  so  greatly  displeased  Thu- 
rida, that  she  never  again  repeated  her  request.  Thorgunna,  to  whose 
character  subsequent  events  added  something  of  a  mystical,  solemnity,,^ 
is  described  as  being  a  woman  of  a  tall  and  stately  appearance,  of  a 
dark  complexion,  and  having  a  profusion  of  black  hair.  She  was  ad- 
vanced in  age  5  assiduous  in  the  labours  of  the  f?eld  and  of  the  loom  • 
a  faithful  attendant  upon  divine  worship  ;  grave,  silent,  and;  solemn 
in  domestic  society.  She  had  little  intercourse  with  the  household  of 
Thorodd,  and  shewed  particular  dislike  to  two  of  its  inmates.  These 
were  Thorer,  who,  having  lost  a  leg  in  the  skirmish  between  Thorbiorn 
and  Thorarin  the  Black,  was  called  Thorer- Widlegr  (wooden-leg,)  from 
the  substitute  he  had  adopted ;  and  his  wife,  Thorgrima,  called  Galldra- 
Kinna  (wicked  sorceress,)  from  her  supposed  skill  in  enchantmentsi. 


EYRBIGGIA-SAGA;  503 

Kiartan,  the  son  of  Thurida,'  a  boy  of  excellent  promise,  was  the  only 
person  of  the  household  to  whom  Thorgunna  shewed  much  affec- 
tion ;  and  she  was  much  vexed  at  times  when  the  childish  petulance  of 
the  boy  made  an  indifferent  return  to  her  kindness. 

After  this  mysterious  stranger  had  dwelt  at  Froda  for  some  time, 
and  while  she  was  labouring  in  the  hay-field  with  other  members  of 
the  family,  a  sudden  cloud  from  the  northern  mountain  led  Thorodd 
to  anticipate  a  heavy  shower.  He  instantly  commanded  the  hay- 
workers  to  pile  up  in  ricks  the  quantity  which  each  had  been  engaged 


*  He  also  passed  for  the  son  of  Thorodd,  but  this  was  not  so  certain.  Biorn,  a  stran- 
ger, who  had  acquired  the  name  of  the  Hero  of  Bradwick,  was  assiduous  in  his  visits  to 
Thurida  in  the  year  preceding  the  birth  of  Kiartan.  The  jealousy  of  the  husband  was 
awakened,  «nd  he  employed  a  sorceress  to  raise  a  nocturnal  tempest  to  destroy  Biorn  on 
his  way  to  his  mistress.  This  attempt  proved  in  rain  as  well  as  several  others  to  take  his 
life  by  violence.  At  length,  while  Snorro  was  about  to  surround  Biorn  with  a  body  of 
horse,  conceiving  his  own  honour  interested  in  that  of  his  sister  Thurida,  the  champion 
perceiving  their  purpose,  suddenly  seized  on  the  pontiiF,  and,  holding  a  dagger  to  his 
throat,  compelled  him  to  a  treaty,  by  which  Snorro  agreed  to  withdraw  his  followers ; 
and  Biorn,  on  his  part,  consented  to  remove  all  further  stain  upon  Thurida's  reputation 
by  departing  from  Iceland.  Biorn  kept  his  word,  and  for  a  long  time  was  not  heard  of. 
Many  years  afterwards,  however,  an  Icelandic  vessel,  while  on  the  western  coast  of  Ice- 
land, was  surprized  by  a  storm,  which  drove  her  far  into  the  Atlantic  ocean.  After  sail- 
ing far  to  the  west  they  reached  an  unknown  land,  occupied  by  a  savage  people,  who  im- 
mediately seized  on  the  merchants  and  crew  of  the  vessel,  and  began  to  'dispute  whether 
they  should  reduce  them  to  a  state  of  slavery,  or  kill  them  on  the  spot.  At  this  moment 
there  came  up  a  body  of  horsemen,  headed  by  a  leader  of  eminent  stature  and  distin- 
guished appearance,  whom  the  assembled  natives  regarded  as  their  chief.  He  addressed 
the  merchants  in  the  Norse  language,  and  learning  that  they  came  from  Iceland,  made 
many  enquiries  concerning  the  pontiff  Snorro  and  his  sister  Thurida,  but  especially  concern- 
ing her  son  Kiartan.  Being  satisfied  on  these  points,  he  intimated  his  intention  to  set  them 
at  liberty,  cautioning  them  never  to  return  to  that  country,  as  the  inhabitants  were  hostile 
to  strangers.  The  merchants  ventured  to  enquire  the  name  of  their  benefactor.  This  he  re- 
fused to  communicate,  lest  his  Icelandic  friends  coming  to  seek  him,  should  encounter  the 
danger  from  which  his  present  guests  had  been  delivered,  without  his  having  the  same 
power  to  protect  them ;  for  in  this  region  there  were  chiefs,  he  said,  more  powerful  than  he 
himself.  When  they  were  about  to  depart,  he  requested  them  to  present,  on  his  behalf,  a 
sword  to  Kiartan,  and  a  ring  to  Thurida,  as  coming  from  one  who  loved  the  sister  of  Snorro 
better  than  the  pontiff  himself.  These  words  were  supposed  to  indicate  Biorn,  the  Hero  of 
Bradwick  ;  and  the  whole  story  serves  to  show  that  the  Icelanders  had  some  obscure  tra- 
dition, either  founded  on  conjecture,  or  accidental  intercourse,  concerning  the  existence 
of  fl  continent  to  the  westward  of  the  Atlantic. 


504  ABSTRACT  OF  THE 

in  turning  to  the  wind.  It  was  afterwards  remembered  that  Thor- 
gunna  did  not  pile  up  her  portion,  but  left  it  spread  on  the  field.  The 
cloud  approached  with  great  celerity,  and  sunk  so  heavily  around  the 
farm,  that  it  was  scarce  possible  to  see  beyond  the  limits  of  the  field. 
A  heavy  shower  next  descended,  and  so  soon  as  the  clouds  broke 
away,  and  the  sun  shone  forth,  it  was  observed  that  it  had  rained, 
blood.  That  which  fell  upon  the  ricks  of  the  other  labourers  soon  dried 
up,  but  what  Thorgunna  had  wrought  upon  remained  wet  with  gore. 
The  unfortunate  Hebridean,  appalled  at  the  omen,  betook  herself  to 
her  bed,  and  was  seized  with  a  mortal  illness.  On  the  approach  of 
death  she  summoned  Thorodd,  her  landlord,  and  entrusted  to  him  the 
disposition  of  her  property  and  eflfects.  "  Let  my  body,"  said  she, 
"  be  transported  to  Skalholt,  for  my  mind  presages  that  in  that  place 
shall  be  founded  the  most  distinguished  church  in  this  island.  Let  my 
golden  ring  be  given  to  the  priests  who  shall  celebrate  my  obsequies, 
and  do  thou  indemnify  thyself  for  the  funeral  charges  out  of  my  re* 
maining  effects.  To  thy  wife  I  bequeath  my  purple  mantle,  in  order 
that,  by  this  sacrifice  to  her  avarice,  I  may  secure  the  right  of  dispo- 
sing of  the  rest  of  my  effects  at  my  own  pleasure.  But  for  my  bed, 
with  its  coverings,  hangings,  and  furniture,  I  entreat  they  may  be  all 
consigned  to  the  flames.  I  do  not  desire  this,  because  I  envy  any  one 
the  possession  of  these  things  after  my  death,  but  because  I  wish  those 
evils  to  be  avoided  which  I  plainly  foresee  will  happen  if  my  will  be 
altered  in  the  slightest  particular."  Thorodd  promised  faithfully  ta 
execute  this  extraordinary  testament  in  the  most  pointed  manner. 
Accordingly,  so  soon  as  Thorgunna  was  dead,  her  faithful  executor 
prepared  a  pile  for  burning  her  splendid  bed.  Thurida  entered,  and 
learned  with  anger  and  astonishment  the  purpose  of  these  preparations. 
To  the  remonstrances  of  her  husband  she  answered,  that  the  menaces 
of  future  danger  were  only  caused  by  Thorgunna's  selfish  envy,  who 
did  not  wish  any  one  should  enjoy  her  treasures  after  her  decease. 
Then,  finding  Thorodd  inaccessible  to  argument,  she  had  recourse  to 
caresses  and  blandishments,  and  at  length  extorted  permission  to  se- 


EYRBIGGIA-SAGA.  505 

parate,  from  the  rest  of  the  bed-furniture,  the  tapestried  curtains  and 
coverlid ;  the  rest  was  consigned  to  the  flames,  in  obedience  to  the 
will  of  the  testator.  The  body  of  Thorgunna  being  wrapt  in  new  linen, 
and  placed  in  a  coffin,  was  next  to  be  transported  through  the  preci-' 
pices  and  morasses  of  Iceland  to  the  distant  district  she  had  assigned 
for  her  place  of  sepulture.  A  remarkable  incident  occurred  on  the 
way.  The  transporters  of  the  body  arrived  at  evening  late,  weary, 
and  drenched  with  rain,  in  a  house  called  Nether-Ness,  where  the  nig- 
gard hospitality  of  the  proprietor  only  afforded  them  house-room,  with- 
out any  supply  of  food  or  fuel.  But  so  soon  as  they  entered,  an  un- 
wonted noise  was  heard  in  the  kitchen  of  the  mansion,  and  the  figure 
of  a  woman,  soon  recognized  to  be  the  deceased  Thorgunna,  was  seen 
busily  employed  in  preparing  victuals.  Their  inhospitable  landlord 
being  made  acquainted  with  this  frightful  circumstance,  readily  agreed 
to  supply  every  refreshment  which  was  necessary,  on  which  the  vision 
instantly  disappeared.  The  apparition  having  become  public,  they  had 
no  reason  to  ask  twice  for  hospitality,  as  they  proceeded  on  their  jour- 
ney, and  arrived  safely  at  Skalholt,  where  Thorgunna,  with  all  due  ce- 
remonies of  religion,  was  deposited  quietly  in  the  grave.  But  the  con- 
sequences of  the  breach  of  her  testament  were  felt  severely  at  Froda. 
The  author,  for  the  better  understanding  of  the  prodigies  which 
happened^  describes  the  manner  of  living  at  Froda ;  a  simple  and  pa- 
triarchal structure,  built  according  to  the  fashion  used  by  the  wealthy 
among  the  Icelanders.  The  apartment  was  very  large,  and  a  part  board- 
ed off  contained  the  beds  of  the  family.  On  either  side  was  a  sort  of 
store-room,  one  of  which  contained  meal,  the  other  dried  fish.  Every 
evening  large  fires  were  lighted  in  this  apartment,  for  dressing  the  vic- 
tuals ;  and  the  domestics  of  the  family  usually  sat  around  them  for  a 
considerable  time,  until  supper  was  prepared.  On  the  night  when  the 
conductors  of  Thorgunna's  funeral  returned  to  Froda,  there  appeared, 
visible  to  all  who  were  present,  a  meteor,  or  spectral  appearance,  re- 
sembling a  half-moon,  which  glided  around  the  boarded  walls  of  the 

s  s 


506  ABSTRACT  OF  THE 

mansion  in  an  opposite  direction  to  the  course  of  the  sun,'  and  con- 
tinued to  perform  its  revolutions  until  the  domestics  retired  to  rest. 
This  apparition  was  renewed  every  night  during  a  whole  week,  and 
was  pronounced  by  Thorer  with  the  wooden  leg,  to  presage  pestilence 
or  mortality.  Shortly  after  a  herdsman  shewed  signs  of  mental  alien- 
ation, and  gave  various  indications  of  having  sustained  the  perse- 
cution of  evil  demons.  This  man  was  found  dead  in  his  bed  one  morn- 
ing, and  then  commenced  a  scene  of  ghost-seeing  unheard  of  in  the 
annals  of  superstition.  The  first  victim  was  Thorer,  who  had  presaged 
the  calamity.  Going  out  of  doors  one  evening,  he  was  grappled  by 
the  spectre  of  the  deceased  shepherd  as  he  attempted  to  re-enter  the 
house.  His  wooden  leg  stood  him  in  poor  stead  in  such  an  encoun- 
ter ;  he  was  hurled  to  the  earth,  and  so  fearfully  beaten,  that  he  died 
in  consequence  of  the  bruises.  Thorer  was  no  sooner  dead,  than  his 
ghost  associated  itself  to  that  of  the  herdsman,  and  joined  him  in  pur- 
suing and  assaulting  the  inhabitants  of  Froda.  Meantime  an  infec- 
tious disorder  spread  fast  among  them,  and  several  of  the  bondsmen 
died  one  after  the  other.  Strange  portents  were  seen  within  doors, 
the  meal  was  displaced  and  mingled,  and  the  dried  fish  flung  about  in 
a  most  alarming  manner,  without  any  visible  agent.  At  length,  while 
the  servants  were  forming  their  evening  circle  round  the  fire,  a  spec- 
tre, resembling  the  head  of  a  seal-fish,  was  seen  to  emerge  out  of  the 
pavement  of  the  room,  bending  its  round  black  eyes  fall  on  the  tapes- 
tried bed-curtains  of  Thorgunna.  Some  of  the  domestics  ventured  to 
strike  at  this  figure,  but,  far  from  giving  way,  it  rather  erected  itself 


•  This  is  an  important  circumstance.  Whatever  revolved  with  the  sun  was  reckoned 
a  fortunate  movement.  Thus,  the  highlanders  in  making  the  deasil,  a  sort  of  benediction 
which  they  bestow  in  walking  round  the  party  to  be  propitiated,  always  observe  the  course 
of  the  sun.  And  witches,  on  the  other  hand,  made  their  circles,  widdershins,  as  Scottish 
dialect  expresses  it,  {bidder-sins  Germ.)  or  in  opposition  to  the  course  of  the  orb  of 
light.  See  p.  4'00.  The  apparition  of  the  half-moon  reminds  us  of  Hecate,  of  the  my- 
steries of  Isis  in  Apuleius,  and  of  a  passage  in  Lucian's  "  Lears,"  where  the  moon  is  for- 
ced down  by  magical  invocation. 


EYRBIGGIA-SAGA.  507 

further  from  the  floor,  until  Kiartan,  who  seemed  to  have  a  natural 
predominance  over  these  supernatural  prodigies,  seizing  a  huge  forge- 
hammer,  struck  the  seal  repeatedly  on  the  head,  and  compelled  it  to 
disappear,  forcing  it  down  into  the  floor,  as  if  he  had  driven  a  stake 
into  the  earth.    This  prodigy  was  found  to  intimate  a  new.  calartiity. 
Thorodd,  the  master  of  the  family,  had  some  time  before  set  forth  on 
a  voyage  to  bring  home  a  cargo  of  dried  fish  ;  but,  in  crossing  the  ri- 
ver Enna,  the  skifl^  was  lost,  and  he  perished  with  the  servants  who 
attended  him.    A  solemn  funeral  feast  was  held  at  Froda,  in  memory 
of  the  deceased,  when,  to  the  astonishment  of  the  guests,  the  appari- 
tion  of  Thorodd  and  his  followers  seemed  to  enter  the  apartment 
dropping  with  water.     Yet  this  vision  excited  less  horror  than  might 
have  been  expected  ;  for  the  Icelanders,  though  nominally  Christians, 
retained,  among  other  pagan  superstitions,  a  belief  that  the  spectres 
of  such  drowned  persons  as  had  been  favourably  received  by  the  god- 
dess Rana,  were  wont  to  shew  themselves  at  their  funeral  feast.  They 
saw,  therefore,  with  some  composure,  Thorodd,  and  his  <iripping  atten- 
dants, plant  themselves  by  the  fire,  from  which  all  mortal  guests  re- 
treated to  make  room  for  them.   It  was  supposed  this  apparition  would 
not  be  renewed  after  conclusion  of  the  festival.     But  so  far  were  their 
hopes  disappointed,  that,  so  soon  as  the  mourning  guests  had  depart- 
ed, the  fires  being  lighted,  Thorodd  and  his  comrades  marched  in  on 
one  side,  drenched  as  before  with  V,ater ;  on  the  other  entered  Thorer, 
heading  all  those  who  had  died  in  the  pestilence,  and  who  appeared 
covered  with  dust.    Both  parties  seized  the  seats  by  the  fire,  while  the 
half-frozen  and  terrified  domestics  spent  the  night  without  either  light 
or  warmth.  The  same  phaenomenon  took  place  the  next  night,  though 
the  fires  had  been  lighted  in  a  separate  house,  and  at  length  Kiartan 
was  obliged  to  compound  matters  with  the  spectres  by  kindling  a  large 
fire  for  them  in  the  principal  apartment,  and  one  for  the  family  and 
domestics  in  a  separate  hut.  This  prodigy  continued  during  the  whole 
feast  of  Jol  5.  other  portents  also  happened  to  appal  this  devoted  family, 
the  contagious  disease  again  broke  forth,  and  when  any  one  fell  a  sa- 


508  ABSTRACT  OF  THE 

crifice  to  it,  his  spectre  was  sure  to  join  the  troop  of  persecutors,  who 
had  now  almost  full  possession  of  the  mansion  of  Froda»  Thorgrima 
Galldrakinna,  wife  of  Thorer,  was  one  of  these  victims,  and,  in  short, 
of  thirty  servants  belonging  to  the  household,  eighteen  died,  and  five 
fled  for  fear  of  the  apparitions,  so  that  only  seven  remained  in  the  ser- 
vice of  Kiartan. 

Kiartan  had  now  recourse  to  the  advice  of  his  maternal  uncle  Snorro, 
in  consequence  of  whose  counsel,  what  will  perhaps  appear  surprising 
to  the  reader,  judicial  measures  were  instituted  against  the  spectres. 
A  Christian  priest  was,  however,  associated  with  Thordo  Kausa,  son  of 
Snorro,  and  with  Kiartan,  to  superintend  and  sanctify  the  proceedings. 
The  inhabitants  were  regularly  summoned  to  attend  upon  the  inquest, 
as  in  a  cause  between  man  and  man,  and  the  assembly  was  constituted 
before  the  gate  of  the  mansion,  just  as  the  spectres  had  assumed  theu- 
wonted  station  by  the  fire.  Kiartan  boldly  ventured  to  approach  them, 
and  snatching  a  brand  from  the  fire,  he  commanded  the  tapestry  be- 
longing to  Thorgunna  to  be  carried  out  of  doors,  set  fire  to  it,  and  re- 
duced it  to  ashes  with  all  the  other  ornaments  of  her  bedi  which  had 
been  so  inconsiderately  preserved  at  the  request  of  Thurida.  A  tribu- 
nal being  then  constituted  with  the  usual  legal  solemnities,'  a  charge 
was  preferred  by  Kiartan  against  Thorer  with  the  wooden  leg,  by 
Thordo  Kausa  against  Thorodd,  and  by  others  chosen  as  accusers 
against  the  individual  spectres  present,  accusing  them  of  molesting  the 
mansion,  and  introducing  death  and  disease  among  its  inhabitants.  All 
the  solemn  rites  of  judicial  procedure  were  observed  on  this  singular 
occasion ;  evidence  was  adduced,  charges  given,  and  the  cause  for- 
mally decided.  It  does  not  appear  that  the  ghosts  put  themselves  on 
their  defence,  so  that  sentence  of  ejectment  was  pronounced  against 
them  individually  in  due  and  legal  form.    When  Thorer  heard  the 

•  It  does  not  appear  that  the  judges  in  Iceland  were  a  separate  order.  On  the  con- 
trary, every  tribunal  appears  to  have  been  constituted  by  a  selection,  ex  astantibus,  and  so 
far  every  court  of  justice  resembled  a  jury  chosen  to  decide  a  special  cause,  and  dissolved 
when  that  task  was  performed. 


EYRBIGGIA-SAGA.  509 

judgment,  he  arose,  and  saying,  "  I  have  sate  while  it  was  lawful  for  me 
to  do  so,"  left  the  apartment  by  the  door  opposite  to  that  at  which  the 
judicial  assembly  was  constituted.     Each  of  the  spectres,  as  they  heard 
their  individual  sentence,  left  the  place,  saying  something  which  indi- 
cated their  unwillingness  to  depart,  until  Thorodd  himself  was  solemnly 
appointed  to  depart.    "  We  have  here  no  longer,"  said  he,  '*  a  peace- 
ful dwelling,  therefore  will  we  remove."     Kiartan  then  entered  the 
hall  with  his  followers,  and  the  priest  with  holy  water,  and  celebration 
of  a  solemn  mass,  completed  the  conquest  over  the  goblins,  which  had 
been  commenced  by  the  power  and  authority  of  the  Icelandic  law. 
We  have  perhaps  dwelt  too  long  on  this  legend,  but  it  is  the  only  in- 
stance in  which  the  ordinary  administration  of  justice  has  been  suppo- 
sed to  extend  over  the  inhabitants  of  another  world,  and  in  which  the 
business  of  ekorcising  spirits  is  transferred  from  the  priest  to  the  judge. 
Joined  to  the  various  instances  in  the  Eyrbiggia-Saga,  of  a  certain  re- 
gard to  the  forms  of  jurisprudence,  even  amid  the  wildest  of  their 
feuds,  it  seems  to  argue  the  extraordinary  influence  ascribed  to  muni- 
cipal  law  by  this  singular  people,  even  in  the  very  earliest  state  of  so- 
ciety. 

Snorro,  who  upon  the  whole  may  be  considered  as  the  hero  of  the 
history,  was  led  into  fresh  turmoils  and  litigation  by  the  death  of  his 
brother-in-law,  Styr,  slain  by  the  inhabitants  of  a  neighbouring  district, 
for  which  slaughter  neither  Snorro's  eloquence  in  the  popular  assem- 
bly, nor  his  power  in  the  field,  were  able  to  procure  adequate  ven- 
geance.    He  came  off  with  more  credit  in  his  feud  with  Ospakar. 

This  Ospakar,  a  man  of  huge  stature,  and  great  personal  strength, 
surrounded  always  by  satelHtes  of  the  same  description,  differed  from 
the  other  Icelandic  chiefs,  in  the  open  disregard  which  he  professed 
for  the  laws  of  property.  He  kept  a  stout  vessel,  always  ready  for  pi- 
ratical excursions,  and  surrounded  his  house  with  a  mound  so  as  to  con- 
vert it  into  a  kind  of  citadel.  It  happened  that  a  whale  had  been  cast 
ashore  upon  a  part  of  the  island,  where  the  law  assigned  a  part  of  it 


SlO  ABSTRACT  OF  THE 

in  property  to  the  pontiff  Snorro,  and  part  to  his  neighbour  Thorer. 
While,  however,  Thorer,  and  Alf'ar,  called  the  Little,  steward  of  the 
pontiffj  were  engaged  in  making  tl^e  partition,  Ospakar  appeared  at  the 
head  of  his  armed  followers,  and,  after  stunning  Thorer  with  a  blow 
of  his  war-axe,  appropriated  the  whole  whale  to  himself.  Skirmish 
followed  skirmish,  arid  blood  was  spilled  on  both  sides,  until  Snorro 
bestirred  himself  in  invoking  the  justice  of  the  Comitia  against  the 
lawless  Ospakar,  and  obtained  a  sentence  condemning  him  and  his  fol- 
lowers to  banishment.  They  submitted  to  this  doom  for  a  time,  and 
Snorro  caused  the  effects  of  Ospakar  to  be  divided  amongst  those  who 
had  sustained  the  greatest  losses  by  his  rapine,  of  which  spoil  Thorer 
and  Alfar  obtained  the  larger  share.  It  was,  however,  a  gift  fatal  to 
the  former.  Ospakar,  who  still  followed  his  piratical  profession,  made 
a  sudden  descent  on  the  coast,  and  seizing  Thorer,  put  him  to  death 
before  his  own  door.  Alfar  escaping  with  difficulty,  fled  to  the  pro- 
tection of  Snorro ;  and  Ospakar,  in  defiance  of  the  sentence  pronoun- 
ced against  him,  resumed  possession  of  his  fortified  mansion,  a,nd  fur- 
nished it  with  provisions  to  stand  a  siege.  Snorro  proceeded  on  this 
occasion  with  his  characteristic  caution.  It  has  been  seen  that  an  or- 
dinary hay-stack  was  accounted  a  strong  post  in  Icelandic  tactics,  but 
a  house  surrounded  with  a  bank  of  earth  was  a  much  more  serious  for- 
tification ;  nor  did  Snorro  deem  it  safe  to  attempt  storming  the  pirate's 
strong- hold,  till  he  had  assembled  his  most  chosen  friends  and  satel- 
lites. Amongst  these  was  Thrandar,  who,  before  assuming  the  Chris- 
tian faith,  had  been  a  Bersarkar,  and  although  he  had  lost  the  super- 
na,tural  strength  exercised  by  such  persons,  which  the  author  states  to 
have  been  the  usual  consequence  of  baptism,  he  nevertheless'retained 
his  natural  vigour  and  prowess,  which  were  very  formidable.  On  the 
slightest  hint  from  Snorro's  messenger,  he  attended  the  pontiff,  armed 
as  one  who  has  ,a  dangerous  task  in  hand.  Snorro's  other  allies  being 
assembled,  they  made  a  hasty  march  to  the  fortress  of  Ospakar,  and 
summoned  him  to  surrender  at  discretion.  The  robber  having  refused 


EYRBIGGIA-SA.GA.  Sll 

compliance,  the  mound  was  valiantly  assaulted  on  the  one  part,  and 
stoutly  defended  on  the  other.  Thrandar,  by  striking  the  steel  of  his 
battle-axe  into  the  top  of  the  rampart,  actually  scaled  it,  raising  him- 
self by  the  handle,  and  slew  Rafen,  a  pirate  of  great  fame,  who  as- 
saulted him  upon  his  ascent.  Ospakar  himself  fell  by  a  stroke"  of  a 
lance,  and  his  followers  surrendered  upon  the  sole  condition  of  esca- 
ping with  life  and  limb.  On  this  conflict,  the  Scald  Thormodar  conu 
posed  his  poem  called  Rafh-maal,  or  the  Death  of  Rafen, 


The  birds  of  Odin  found  their  prey, 

When  slaughter  raged  in  Bitra's  bay ; 

There  lay  extended  on  the  vale. 

The  three  fierce  plunderers  of  the  whale. 

And  all  his  toils  of  rapine  past. 

Grim  Rafen  found  repose  at  last. 


The  annals  proceed  to  detail  the  remarkable  legend,  elsewhere  men- 
'tioned  in  these  Antiquities,  concerning  the  death  of  Thorodd  by  the 
bull  called  Glsesir ;  (see  p.  406,)  and,  finally,  they  inform  us  of  the 
death  of  Snorro,  during  the  winter  after  the  death  of  St  Olave,  leaving 
a  powerful  and  flourishing  family  to  support  the  fame  which  he  had 
acquired.  He  was  buried  in  the  church  at  Tunga,  which  he  himself 
had  founded,  but  when  it  was  removed  his  bones  were  transported  to 
its  new  site.  From  these  reliques  the  celebrated  Snorro  seemed  to 
have  been  a  man  of  ordinary  stature  j  nor,  indeed,  does  it  any  where 
appear  that  he  attained  the  ascendency  which  he  possessed  in  the  is- 
land by  personal  strength,  but  rather  by  that  subtlety  of  spirit  which 
he  displayed  in  conducting  his  enterprizes,  and  by  his  address  and  elo- 
quence in  the  popular  assembly.  Although  often  engaged  in  feuds, 
his  valour  seems  to  have  been  duly  mingled  with  discretion,  and  the 
deeds  of  war,  for  which  he  was  celebrated  in  poetry,  were  usually 
achieved  by  the  strong  arm  of  some  ally  or  satellite.   He  was  so  equal 


512  ABSTRACT  OF  THE 

in  his  demeanour,  that  it  was  difficult  to  observe  what  pleased  or  dis- 
pleased him  ;  slow  and  cautious  in  taking  revenge,  but  tenacious  and 
implacable  in  pursuing  it  j  an  excellent  counsellor  to  his  friends,  but 
skilful  in  inducing  his  enemies  to  take  measures  which  afterwards  pro- 
ved fatal  to  them.  In  fine,  as  the  ecclesiastical  historian  of  Iceland 
sums  up  his  attributes,  if  Snorro  were  not  a  good  and  pious  man,  he 
was  to  be  esteemed  wise,  prudent,  and  sagacious,  beyond  the  usual 
pitch  of  humanity.  This  pontiff,  or  prefect,  is  mentioned  with  great  dis- 
tinction in  other  Icelandic  chronicles,  as  well  as  in  the  Eyrbiggia-Saga. 
In  the  Landnama  Bok,  part  II,  chapter  13,  many  of  the  foregoing  in- 
cidents are  alluded  to,  and  also  in  the  Laxd^la-Saga,  and  the  Saga 
of  Oluf  Tryggason. 

That  such  a  character,  partaking  more  of  the  jurisconsult  or  states- 
man than  of  the  warrior,  should  have  risen  so  high  in  such  an  early 
period,  argues  the  preference  which  the  Icelanders  already  assigned 
to  mental  superiority  over  the  rude  attributes  of  strength  and  courage, 
and  furnishes  another  proof  of  the  early  civilization  of  this  extraordi- 
nary commonwealth.  In  other  respects  the  character  of  SnOrro  was 
altogether  unamiable,  and  blended  with  strong  traits  of  the  savage. 
Cunning  and  subtlety  supplied  the  place  of  wisdom,  and  an  earnest 
and  uniform  attention  to  his  own  interests  often,  as  in  the  dispute  be- 
tween Arnkill  and  his  father,  superseded  the  ties  of  blood  and  friend- 
ship. Still,  however,  his  selfish  conduct  seems  to  have  been  of  more 
service  to  the  settlement  in  which  he  swayed,  than  would  have  been 
that  of  a  generous  and  high-spirited  warrior  who  acted  from  the  im- 
pulse of  momentary  passion.  His  ascendency,  though  acquired  by 
means  equally  unworthy  of  praise,  seems,  in  his  petty  canton,  to  have 
had  the  effect  produced  by  that  of  Augustus  in  the  Eoman  Empire ; 
although,  more  guiltless  than  the  emperor  of  the  world,  the  pontiff  of 
Helgafels  neither  subverted  the  liberties  of  his  country,  nor  bequeath, 
ed  the  domination  he  had  acquired  to  a  tyrannical  successor.  His 
sons  succeeded  to  the  paternal  property,  but  not  to  the  political  power 


EYRBIGGIA-S  AGA.  5 1 3 

of  their  father,  and  his  possessions  being  equally  divided  amongst 
them,  they  founded  several  families,  long  respected  in  Iceland  as  de- 
scendants of  the  pontiff  Sriorro. 

W.S. 


Abbotsfoud, 
October,  1813. 


GLOSSARY. 


By  R.  JAMIESON. 


[As  this  is  an  Antiquary's  Book,  it  has  not  been  thought  necessary  to  set  down  mere  pro- 
vincial and^rthographical  variations  of  modern  words,  as  every  reader  may,  be.  presu- 
med to  be  su£Bciently  acquainted  with  these,  to  render  such  minuteness  unnecessary. 
Etymologies,  and  more  extended  definitions,  have  only  been  attempted,  where  it  was 
supposed  that  such  were  particularly  wanted,  as  being  desiderata  in  that  very  curious 
branch  of  philology.]  '  '  i  '. 


Abie,  abide  the  consequences  ;  suffer  for, 

Abone,  ahoven;  ahoon;  above, 

Acht,  eight.  ;  .  ;. 

Acht,  aucht,  aght,  keeping. 

Air,  e'arhf.  ;.!•,. 

Air,  oar. 

Aither,  either. 

Algate,  at  all  events. 

Als,  as. 

Alswa,  thus. 

Ar,  ere;  till  now,        ,:.  ^  ■ 

At,  to. 

Ather,  other. 

Atour,  out  over  ;  besides  s  moreover. 

Attend,  expect. 

Ava,  of  all. 

Bade,  abode. 
Bald,  bold. 


Bane,  bone;  real-bane,  royal  bone;  ivory. 

Bane,  bayn,  boun ;  ready. 

Bargain,  battle. 

Barn,  child. 

Beek,  bast. 

Beet,  add  to. 

Belyvefjorthimth. 

Ben,  towards  the  inner  apartment. 

'Rentyjield. 

Betaught,  bequeathed. 

Bierdly,  boardh/;  hospitable;  well  Jed  and 

stout. 
Biseke,  beseech. 
Bla,  blow. 
Bla,  blae,  blue. 
Black-mail,  tribute  paid  to  freebooters  Jbr 

protection. 
Blaikened,  blanched  ;  Jaded  in  colour. 
Blenkes,  blinks,  Ranees, 

7 


516 


GLOSSARY. 


Bluid-bath,  blood-bath  ;  a  Danish  denomina- 
tion  for  a  battle. 

Bogh,  hough. 

Bold,  gentle. 

Bolt,  arrow. 

Bone,  boon. 

Bonny,  beautiful ;  fair.  In  the  Gaelic,  ban 
(in  the  oblique  cases  bhdn,  pronounced 
van)  signifies  white,  Jair ;  as  does  t^e  Swe- 
dish vaen,  and  venne,  and  the  Welsh 
gwin.  Hence  Ven-us;  Faw-wr,  the  Gothic 
Apollo,  &c.  &c.  The  country  of  the  Goths 
was  called  Vanaheimr,  i.  e.  the  home  of 
the  Jair  people. 

Bot,  but,  except;  without;  the  outer  cham- 
ber ;  towards  the  door  of  the  house  from, 
within, 

Bouk,  bulk;  body* 

Bounte,  courage;  Worth. 

'Bowdei>,full ;  swollen. 

Bowster,  bolster  ;  cushion  ;  bed. 

Braw,  brave  ;  fne^ 

Bremmed,  chafed;  grumbled;  murmured^ 
like  the  roaring  of  the  sea.  Thisi  term  is 
found  in  all  the  Gothic  dialects,,  as  well  as 
in  the  Greek.  In  the  Celtic  dialects,  it,  is 
now  applied  to  a  very  undignified  kind  of 
noise. 

Brim,  sea. 

'Brocks, fragments  ;  waste., 

Brynie,  brunie,  a  cuirass. 

BuUering,  boiling;  bubbling. 

Burd-alayne,  single ;  unmarried. 

Burgeoun,  bud. 

Burn,  brook. 

Busk,  dress. 

Byggett,  biggit ;  built. 

Bygle,  bigly;  large. 


Child,  young  gentleman ;   candidate  for 

knighthood. 
Claes,  clothes. 
Clappit,  patted. 
Clar,  clear. 

Claverers,  idle  talkers. 
Cop,  cup. 
Cures,  cares. 

Dane-gelt,  security  money  exacted  hy  the 

Danish  marauders. 
Dannered,  sauntered. 
Debate,  contend. 
Dele,  part. 

Dent,  gap;  indentation. 
Darn,  secret. 
Deval,  stay  ;  cease. 
Dight,  dressed. 

Dinnled,  made  a  tremulous  jmgUng  noise. 
Dour,  hard. 
Dow,  dove. 
Dow,  can  ;  is  able. 
To  Dow,  to  thrive  ;  to  be  strong.  This  is  the 

meaning  of  the  term  do  in  the  last  instance, 

in  the  common  salutation,  "  How  do  you 

do?" 
Dowie,  little  doll;  infant. 
Dowie,  dowy,  doleful. 
Downa,  cannot. 
Dree,  siiffer. 
Dreigh,  tedious;  slow. 
Dreri,  dreary. 
Drogh,  drew. 
Dugits,  pieces. 
Dule,  grief. 
Dunt,  blow. 
Dwell,  delay  ;  stay. 
Dyn,  din  ;  noise. 
Dwergh,  dwarf. 


GLOSSARY. 


511 


Eard,  earth. 

Eighen,  eyes, 

Ene,  eyen,  eyes. 

Ernes,  eagles. 

Err,  art. 

Errand,  business. 

Ettin,  a  Giant ;  in  Islandic  JatUan,  and  Jo- 
tun  ;  the  J  being  sounded  as  our  Y  con- 
sonant. This  word  is  compounded  oi  Jo, 
Jau,  Jao,  Jah,  Ju,  (in  Gaelic  vocat.  Dhia, 
pronounced  Yhia,)  which  in  so  many  Ori- 
ental, Gothic,  Celtic,  and  Slavonic  dia- 
lects, signifies  Gou;  and  Tun,  or  Dun, 
signifying,  in  a  secondary  sense,  Man  ;  so 
that  Ettin  signifies  a  God-man,  or  Demi- 
god; a  mixed  breed,  as  are  all  the  "  ^t- 
naei  fratres,"  between  the  Sons  of  God, 
and  the  Daughters  of  Men. — I  have  never 
met  with  any  good  derivation  of  this  word. 

Ettled,  aimed  i  attempted, 

Everilka,  each. 

Fa,  n.  s.  ^aU ;  luck  ;  fortune. 

Fa,  V.  get. 

'F«y,J'aith. 

Vsi\A,fold. 

Fang,  take. 

Far,  go. 

Fard,  vient. 

Fe,  fee,  cattle. 

Fele,  fiel,  many. 

Fere,  equal;  in  fere,  together. 

Ferly,  strange. 

Fin,  fine;  the  original  meaning  of  which  was 

white;  fair.         v 
Fode,  man. 
Fote,f)ot. 
Forby,  near  by.. 
Fot'egain,  against ;  to  meet. 


Forleet,  let  go. 

Yorlof,  furlotii. 

Forloren,  lost. 

Found,  go. 

Fleys,  affrights. 

me,Jly. 

Fre,  iuoman  ;  lady. 

Fremmed,  strange. 

FrOfJrom. 

'Froreiifjrozen. 

Fwce,  Jared  ;  went;  drove  in  a  carriage, 

Ga,  gae,  gang,  go. 

Gaed,  went. 

Gaist,  ghost. 

Gate,  way;  a'  gate,  in  all  places. 

Ghess,  guess. 

Glaive,  sword. 

Glent,  sprung. 

Glewmen,  glee-men, 

Goud,  gold, 

Gowk,  euekow. 

Grat,  gret,  wept. 

Gre,  renown. 

Greened,  longed. 

Grim,  gram,  angry. 

Grounden,  sharp. 

Gude,  brave ;  gude-brither,  brother-in-law. 

Haif,  have. 

Hailsed,  hailed;  greeted. 

Hamewart,  homeward.  • 

Hams,  brains. 

Havrel,  halfwitted. 

Haw,  lead-coloured;  lividly  pale, 

He'al,  conceal) 

Hecht,  promised. 

Hen-bawks,  hen-roost. 

Hende,  gentle. 


518 


GLOSSARY. 


Hent,  took. 

Het,  hot. 

Hew,  hewed. 

Hight,  was  called. 

Howk,  dig. 

Hyn,  hence  s  straight  Jrom  one  place  to  an- 
other. 

Husbande,  a  villain,  or  agricultural  bond- 
man qfthejirst  class.     ,  ' 

Hy  the,  thicket ;  heath,  nxihere  a  tuood  has  once 
been., 

Ilka,  each. 

Jimp,  slender. 

Kepe,  kep,  receive;  catch. 
Kepe,  attention. 

Kempis,  kempery-men,  champions. 
Kemp,  V.  to  contend  or  strive Jbr  mastery. 
Klepe,  clepe,  call. 

Knaves,  boys  ;  servants  ;  knave-bairn,  man- 
child. 
Knife,  dirk  ;  dagger. 
Knock,  small  pointed  hill. 
Know,  knoll. 
Kumli,  comely. 
Kythed,  made  to  appear  ;  appeared. 

Laif,  rest.  ' 

'Lsk&y,\dii\h\y,  loathsome ;  ugly.      '  , 

Laigli,  law.  ;,     ■  ' 

Lave,  rest ;  'what  is  left. 

Lee,  peace  /  quiet. 

Lea',  leave, 

Lef'e,  dear. 

Ijele,  loyal;  true  ;  Jaithful. 

Lemraan,  lover;  mistress. 

Lev,  conceal. 


Leve,  dear. 

Leugh,  laughed. 

Liggs,  lies. 

Ling,  line. 

Lippen,  rely  upon  ;  trusTto. 

Lofsum,  lovely. 

JjOor,  liefer;  rather.       ■       ^  ■     *■ 

Loundringi  beatingi ;tKr ashing  ;  thiiiacMt^. 

Lown,  quiet. 

Luf,  love^    ' 

Lykes,  bodies. 

Lyle,  little;  a  North  English  word. 

Lyst,  joy  ;  desire  ;  pleasure. 

Lyth,  listen  to. 

Ma,  mae,  more. 

Ma,  v.  may. 

Macht,  might. 

Malese,  uneasiness  ;  tfovble, 

Man,  vassal;  servant ;  husband. 

Manhede,  manhood. 

Marrow,  mate;  match. 

Mask,  mash. 

May,  maid. 

Mekyll,  mickle ;  large;  much. 

Mell,  mix  with. 

Menevair,^ne  martin's Jkr. 

Menye,  Menie,  retinue ;  train ;  attendants,' 
The  word  means  originally  a  power,  or 
Jbrce  ;  as  in  England  they  say  a  power  of 
people;  a  power  of  fine  ladies,  &c.  '  ft  is 
the  same  radically  as  the  English  many, 
which  referred  at  first  to  power,  not  to 
numbers  ;  and  is  of  the  same  origin  with 
the  English  "  with  might  and  main  ;  by 
main  force,  &c."  So  the  Greek-  fiim,  the  ■ 
Latin  magnus,  and  mcenia,  the  English, 
man,  &c.  In  many  languages,  (as  in  the 
Greek  a-s^us)  the  word  which  indicates 


GLOSSARY. 


519 


many,  originally  implied  force,  or  power, 
which  men  naturally  adopted  before  lan- 
guage had  made  such  progress  among 
them  as  to  contain  terms  of  distinct  and 
definite  numeration. 

Moni,  inony;  many. 

Mools,  mould;  earth. 

Mind,  remember. 

Mote,  mought ;  might. 

Mow,  mows ;  game  ;  play. 

Mermayi  mermaid. 

Merry ,  renowned  }  famous  ;  merry  men,  fo- 
mofosJeVMds. 

In  the  old  Teutonic  Romance  of  "  Die 

^neidtj?'  Queen  Dido,  as  in  Virgil,  af- 

.  ter  hearing  the  "Tale  of  Troy  Divine," 

lay  all  night  restless  in  her  bed ;  at  last, 

Nach  der  mugesten  hanen  crat 

Rechte  nach  der  tagrat 

Da  gelag  vrowe  Dydo  '^ 

Nu  quam  iz  also  '■ 

Das  ir  das  ouge  zu  quam 

Ir  deckelachen  sie  nam 

Under  ir  arme  vaste  , 

Ir  getrovmet  von  dem  gaste  '  P 

Sie  geduchte  das  is  were 

Eneas  der  mere,  &c. 

which  in  characteristic  Scottish  would  run 
thus:       ,  •.    ■ 

Quhan  cokkis  maist  had. done  to  crawy 
Richt  als  the  day  bigan  to  daw, 
,  Tho  Lady  Dydb  lay.in  bed. 
Till  hyr  it  happinit  in  sted. 
That  slepe  vpon  hir  eyen  cam. 
The  couverlet  bilyf  scho  nam 


Undir  hir  armis  ferly  fest ;  ' 

Hir  swevenit  tho  of  hir  gest ; 
Scho  wenit,  wele  I  wate,  it  nas 
.  Nane  bot  the  mery  Eneas,  &c. 

In  the  old  German,  mar,  mare,  mer,  mere, 
&c.  signify  great,  and  thence  renowned, 
famous,  answering  to  the  Latin  mactus. 
The  Welsh  mawr,  and  the  Gaelic  m6r,  sig- 
nify great.  The  word  is  a  compound  of 
mo,  ma,  or  mu,  and  ar  or  er,  all  haying  the 
same  meaning.  The  Sanscrit  mha,'  Scot- 
tish and  Northern  ma  and  :mae,'. English 
and  Teutonic  mo,  and  the'  Gaelic  compa- 
rative mu  bear  the  same  import.  In  Gae- 
lic mha  implies  goorf;  but  goorf,  great,  and 
strong,  were  once  synonymous  terms. 

Nagates,  nonmse. 

Nam,  took, 

Nas,  ne  was  ;  was  not, 

Neghed,  nighed;  approached. 

'Nieves,Jists. 

Ogayn,  again, 

Olyfe,  alive.  <  .i 

Omell,  among. 

Onhap,  unhapj  misfortune. 

Op,  up, 

Ouks,  weeks.^  '  • 

Oys,' grandi^ildren. 

Oxter,  the  arm-pit.  ■. 

Perry,  pearls. 

Pilche,  peltz  ijiir  mantle. 

Press,  crowd;  throng. 

Prest,  ready. 

Prigget,  importuned;  intreated' 


.520 


GLOSSARY. 


Proud,  gentle. 
Pryse,  price ;  value, 

Quailed,  quelled;  made  to  die  aiusay ;  died 
atuay, 

Bair,  roar. 

Baught,  reached. 

Real,  royal;  real  bane,  imry. 

Bedd,  clear  ;  extricate. 

Bede,  speech  ;  advice. 

Bede-tnan,  counsellor. 

Beek,  reke;  smoke. 

Beekit,  readied. 

Benyies,  reins  of  a  bridle. 

Bievers,  robbers. 

Booses,  ruses  ;  praises  ;  boasts  of. 

Bope,  roar  ;  call  aloudt 

Sagh,  sa'vo. 

Saght,  peace. 

Sakeless,  causeless  ;  innocent. 

Sar,  sore. 

Sark,  shirt ;  shift. 

Scoug,  shelter. 

Scouts,  vagabonds.  The  term  in  Scotland 
is  now  applied  to  worthless  women.  This 
is  the  real  origin  of  the  denomination  of 
Scythians,  Scots,  &c.  A  Highlander  would 
knock  down  a  man' who,  speaking  his  own 
language,  called  him  a  Scot :  he  calls  him- 
self Gaelfi.  e.  ajair-complexioned  man, 

Se,  see. 

Sely,  blessed. 

Selcouth,  strange  ;  rare. 

Ser,  serve, 

Ser,  several;  many. 

Sets,  becomes. 

Shane,  shone. 


Shaw,  wood}  grove. 

Sheen,  shoon ;  shoes. 

Shemrand,  sparkling  ;  glittering. 

Sho,  she. 

Sickerly,  securely  ;  certainly. 

Sicklike,  like  as, 

Sindle,  seldom. 

Sith,  time  ;  since. 

Skap,  bee-hive. 

Skuggy,  shady. 

Skynked,  skiaked ;  poured  out  liquor. 

Slike,  (Dan.  slige,)  the  same  as  sicklike. 

Slot,  people  ;  relinue  ;  train  qf^foUoiuers  ;  in 
the  Gaelic  sliochd,  being  the  prefix  s,  and 
the  Gothic  liod,  lioth,  hut,  leute,  &c.  peo- 
ple. This  word  is  left  umexplained  in 
Barbour's  "  Bruce." 

Slowmand,  slumbering, 

Smate,  smote, 

Snell,  quick. 

So,  as. 

Son,  sun. 

Sondred,  sundered;  separated. 

Speer,  ask. 

Sprent,  scattered;  sprinkled. 

Spung,  {T)a.n. pung,)  purse. 

Stalwart,  (Germ,  stahl-tiierth,)  steel-tiiorthy ;. 
stout,  stately,  and  martial-looking, 

St^ng,  pole. 

Stark,  strong. 

SteAe,  place;  in  stede,.on  the  spot ;  immedi- 
ately ;  then. 

Steer,  stir  ;  disturb. 

Stound,  time. 

Stour,  battle  ;  in  Teutonic,  sturm.  So  in  the 
"  Heldenbuch,"  F.  235,  b. 

Darumb  so  lag  ein  Guertelein 
Moecht  wol  von  Zauberlisten  seyn; 


GLOSSARY. 


521 


Davon  hett  er  zwoelf  Mannes  kraSl ; 
Er  pflag  Manheit  vnd  Ritterschaft. 
Drum  gesiget  er  zu  alien  zeiten 
In  harten  sturmen  vnd  in  streiten. 

In  Scotish, 

Thartyl  ane  Gyrtel  smal  had  he 
Saynit  sa  wel  wyth  gramarye, 
Tharfra  als  xij  men  wes  he  wyght ; 
And  held  manhede  and  knychtly  myght ; 
And  swa  the  gre  algate  he  wan,    . 
In  stouris  hard,  and  in  bargan. 

Armour  was  called  sturmgewand,  and  the 
tocsin,  sturmglock  : 

Darnach  ein  Sturmglock  erklang, 
Die  hoert  man  einer  Meilen  lang ; 

Thereafter  rang  a  larrum-bell. 
Men  heard  a  gude  mile  lang  the  knell. 

Sty,  (Dan.)  a  narrow  path,  or  lane, 

Straght,  stretched. 

Streek,  stretch. 

Swa,  so. 

Swevenes,  dreams. 

Swilk,  such. 

Swith,  immediatehf. 

Swyled,  stuaddled. 

Syn,  then  ;  after  that. 

Taken,  token.    - 

Teen,  grief. 

Tent,  attention  ;  care. 

Thairms,  small-guts  ;  entrails. 

The,  thrive. 


Tho,  then. 

Tliole,  bear ;  suffer. 

Thyrl,Aofe. ' 

Til,  to. 

Tine,  lose. 

Tint,  lost. 

Tofore,  before. 

Towmon,  twelve  months. 

Towsy,  shaggy. 

Tryst,  appointment-;  rendezvous. 

Tulzie,  struggle;  wrestle. 

Twinnit,  divided. 

Tyd,  tide;  time. 

Uneath,  uneth ;  with  d^kulty ;  uneasily. 
Unsely,  unhappy. 
Up-o-land,  into  the  country. 
Uther,  other. 

Vesy,  vieai. 

Wa,  woe. 
Walit,  chosen. 
War,  wert. 
Ware,  wer ;  defend. 
Warr,  worse. 
Wate,  wet ;  wote. 
Wel  nere,  almost. 
Went,  gone. 

Werd,  weird,  wierd ;  destiny. 
Whor,  where. 
Widdie,  withy ;  gallows. 
Will  of  rede,  bewildered  in  thought. 
Wirk,  work. 

Wirschip,  worship;  dignity. 
Wold,  wald ;  would. 

Wold,  wild;  a  wood.    Many  places  retain 
the  name  after  the  wood  is  gone. 


3  u 


522 


GLOSSARY. 


Wordy,  worthy ;  brave.  In  old  German,  this 
word  wehrde  comes  from  the  old  ruehr, 
{Jnod^  geteehre)  armour,  and  answers  to  the 
Scotish  stalworth.  Thus,  in  the  "  Hel- 
denbuch,"  Ed.  1590,  R  138,  b. 

Jeglich  hatt  an  der  seiten 

Da  sitzen  jren  Mann  ; 
Sie  sahen  zu  den  zeiten 

Den  teehrden  Ritter  an : 

"  The  ladyes,  everichon 
Ther  sal;  h3rr  man  by  syd ; 

That  viordi  knyght  up  on 
Thei  loked  in  that  tyd." 

*        #        # 

£in  horn  von  gold  so  klare 
Hieng  an  der  ijixhrde  mann ; 


Ein  leydhund,  das  its  wahre, 
Lief  mit  jm  in  den  than : 

Id.  F.  91,  L 

"  Ane  horn  of  gold  that  shane 
Hong  fra  that  luordi  man ; 

Ane  lesche-hund,  soth  to  sayne. 
On  ground  by  syd  him  ran.*' 

Worth,  become  ;  be. 
Wyv,  luift. 
Wyvit,  tuedded. 

Yett,  gate. 
Yex,  hiccup. 
Ying,  young. 
Yowther,  vapour. 


THE  END. 


Edinburgh  : 
Printed  by  James  Ballantyne  &  Co,