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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Stories and Ballads of the Far Past + Translated from the Norse (Icelandic and Faroese) with + Introductions and Notes + +Author: Nora Kershaw + +Release Date: August 20, 2010 [EBook #33471] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STORIES AND BALLADS *** + + + + +Produced by Lesley Halamek, Ted Garvin and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<table summary="tn" width="auto"> +<tr> + <td class="note"> + <a name="note" id="note"></a> + <h4>Transcriber's Note:</h4> + <p>This Book contains extensive Notes on the various Sagas, Ballads, etc. + Unobtrusive links have been provided throughout each Tháttr, Saga or Ballad to the relevant note, and another, unobtrusive, return link. + Click on the ° to go to the Notes<a href="#notes">°</a>, and on the <sub>°</sub> to return.</p> + <p style="margin-top: -1.2em;">The notes<sup>1</sup> throughout the 'Introduction' chapters are linked to the <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Footnotes</span>, + which are linked to return.</p> + <p>The rest of the <a href="#tn">Transcriber's Note</a> is at the end of the Book.</p> + + </td> +</tr> +</table> + +<h1 style="margin-top: 2em;">STORIES AND BALLADS<br /> +OF THE FAR PAST</h1> + +<h4 style="margin-top: 3em; line-height: 125%;">TRANSLATED FROM THE NORSE<br /> +(ICELANDIC AND FAROESE)<br /> +WITH INTRODUCTIONS AND NOTES</h4> + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;">BY</h5> + +<h3>N. KERSHAW</h3> + +<h4 style="margin-top: 5em;">CAMBRIDGE<br /> +AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS<br /> +1921</h4> + +<h6 style="margin-top: 5em;">PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN</h6> + +<h3 style="margin-top: 5em;">Preface</h3> + +<p>Very few of the <i>Fornaldar Sögur Northrlanda</i> +have hitherto been translated into English. The +<i>Völsungasaga</i> is of course well known, but with this +exception the 'Stories of Icelanders,' and the 'Stories +of the Kings of Norway' are probably the only sagas +familiar to the majority of English readers. Of +the four sagas contained in this volume only one—the +<i>Tháttr of Sörli</i>—has appeared in English before, +though the poetry which they contain has frequently +been translated, from the time of Hickes's <i>Thesaurus</i> +(1705). So far as I am aware no version of any of the +Faroese ballads has appeared in English. Out of the +great number which were collected during the 18th +and 19th centuries I have chosen a few which deal +with the same stories as the sagas translated here; +and for purposes of comparison I have added a short +extract from one of the Icelandic <i>Rímur</i>, as well as a +Danish ballad and part of the Shetland <i>Hildina</i>.</p> + +<p>In accordance with general custom in works of +this kind I have discarded the use of accents, unfamiliar +symbols, etc., except in a few Norse words +which can hardly be anglicised.</p> + +<p>My thanks are due to the Syndics of the Cambridge +University Press for undertaking the publication +of this book, and to the staff for their unfailing +courtesy.</p> + +<p>To Professor Thuren of Christiania I am indebted +for kindly allowing me to print the melodies from +his son's <i>Folkesangen paa Færøerne</i>. I have also to +thank many friends in St Andrews and Cambridge +for help which they have kindly given to me in +various ways, including Professor Lawson, Dr Maitland +Anderson and the staffs of the two University +Libraries, and Mr B. Dickins. Especially I wish to +thank Professor Chadwick to whom I am indebted +for constant help and advice throughout the book.</p> + +<p class="author">N. K.</p> + +<p class="ind1"><i>2 November, 1920.</i></p> + +<h2 style="margin-top: 3em;">Table of Contents</h2> + +<h3>PART I</h3> + +<h3>SAGAS</h3> + +<table summary="table of contents" width="auto" align="center" border="0"> +<tr> + <td class="left"> </td> + <td class="right">PAGE</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="left">General Introduction</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#page3">3</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="left">The Tháttr of Nornagest</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#page11">11</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="left">The Tháttr of Sörli</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#page38">38</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="left">The Saga of Hromund Greipsson</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#page58">58</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="left">The Saga of Hervör and Heithrek</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#page79">79</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="left">Appendix to Part I (The Combat at Samsø<br /> + and Hjalmar's Death Song)</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#page144">144</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<h3>PART II</h3> + +<h3>BALLADS</h3> + +<table summary="table of contents" width="auto" align="center" border="0"> +<tr> + <td class="left">General Introduction</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#page153">153</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="left">Gríplur I</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#page171">171</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="left">The Faroese Ballad of Nornagest</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#page176">176</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="left">The Faroese Ballad of Hjalmar and Angantyr</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#page182">182</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="left">The Danish Ballad of Angelfyr and Helmer</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#page186">186</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="left">The Faroese Ballad of Arngrim's Sons </td> + <td class="right"><a href="#page193">193</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="left">The Faroese Riddle Ballad (Gátu Ríma)</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#page212">212</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="left">The Shetland Ballad of Hildina</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#page217">217</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="left">Notes</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#page220">220</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="left">List of editions and translations</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#page254">254</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<h4 style="margin-top: 5em;">TO MY SISTER</h4> + +<h3 style="margin-top: 3em;">PART I</h3> + +<h3>SAGAS</h3> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page3" id="page3"></a>[pg 3]</span> + +<h3 style="margin-top: 3em;">THE SAGAS</h3> + +<h4>GENERAL INTRODUCTION</h4> + +<p>The following stories are taken from the <i>Fornaldarsögur +Northrlanda</i>, or 'Stories of Ancient Times +relating to the countries of the North'—a collection +of Sagas edited by Rafn in 1829-30 and re-edited by +Valdimar Ásmundarson in 1886-1891. The stories +contained in this collection deal almost exclusively +with times anterior to Harold the Fairhaired +(c. 860-930) and the colonisation of Iceland, and +stop therefore where the better known stories +relating to Iceland and the historical kings of +Norway begin. Some of them relate to persons and +events of the ninth century, while others are concerned +with times as remote as the fourth or fifth +centuries. Their historical value is naturally far +inferior to that of the <i>Íslendinga Sögur</i>, or 'Stories +of Icelanders' and the <i>Konunga Sögur</i>, or 'Stories +of the Kings.'</p> + +<p>From the literary point of view also the 'Stories +of Ancient Times' are generally much inferior to +the others. The 'Stories of Icelanders' are derived +from oral tradition, which generally goes back in +more or less fixed form to the time at which the +characters in the stories lived, and they give us a +vivid picture of the persons themselves and of the +conditions of life in their time. In the 'Stories of +Ancient Times,' on the other hand, though there +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page4" id="page4"></a>[pg 4]</span> +is some element derived from tradition, often +apparently of a local character, it is generally very +meagre. More often perhaps the source of the +stories is to be found in poems, notable instances of +which will be found in <i>Hervarar Saga</i> and in +<i>Völsunga Saga</i>. In many cases, however, the stories +without doubt contain a large proportion of purely +fictitious matter.</p> + +<p>The texts of the 'Stories of Ancient Times' +which have come down to us date as a rule from the +thirteenth and the beginning of the fourteenth +centuries though the actual <span class="sc">mss</span>. themselves are +generally later. Most of the stories, however, were +probably in existence before this time. The Danish +historian Saxo Grammaticus (c. 1200) was familiar +with many of them, including the story of Hethin +and Högni<a id="footnotetagi1" name="footnotetagi1"></a><a href="#footnotei1"><sup>1</sup></a> and one of the scenes recorded in +<i>Hervarar Saga</i><a id="footnotetagi2" name="footnotetagi2"></a><a href="#footnotei2"><sup>2</sup></a>. And we are told that a story which +seems to have corresponded, in its main outlines at +least, to the story of Hromund Greipsson was composed +and recited at a wedding in Iceland in 1119<a id="footnotetagi3" name="footnotetagi3"></a><a href="#footnotei3"><sup>3</sup></a>. +But in many cases the materials of our stories were +far earlier than this, though they no doubt underwent +considerable changes before they assumed their +present form.</p> + +<p>Indeed many stages in the literary history of the +North are represented in the following translations. +Of these probably the oldest is that section of the +<i>Hervarar Saga</i> which deals with the battle between +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page5" id="page5"></a>[pg 5]</span> +the Goths and the Huns "at Dylgia and on Dunheith +and upon all the heights of Jösur." The poetry +here included in the saga dates even in its present +form probably from the Viking Age, perhaps from +the tenth century. But the verses themselves do not +appear to be all of the same date. Some of them show +a certain elaboration and a sense of conscious art, +while others are comparatively bare and primitive +in type and contain very early features<a id="footnotetagi4" name="footnotetagi4"></a><a href="#footnotei4"><sup>4</sup></a>; and there +is every probability that such poetry was ultimately +derived from poetry composed at a time when the +Goths were still remembered. This is not surprising +in view of the fact that stories relating to the Goths +were popular in English and German heroic poetry, +as well as in the heroic lays of the North. Indeed we +know from Jordanes<a id="footnotetagi5" name="footnotetagi5"></a><a href="#footnotei5"><sup>5</sup></a> and elsewhere that heroic poetry +was common among the Goths themselves and that +they were wont to celebrate the deeds of their +ancestors in verse sung to the accompaniment of +the harp.</p> + +<p>This poem is no doubt much older than the saga. +Originally it would seem to have been complete in +itself; but many verses have probably been lost. +Thus there can be little doubt that the prose passages +in chs. XII-XV are often merely a paraphrase of lost +verses, though it must not be assumed that all the +prose in this portion of the saga originated in such +a way<a id="footnotetagi6" name="footnotetagi6"></a><a href="#footnotei6"><sup>6</sup></a>. "It is difficult to tell ... where the prose of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page6" id="page6"></a>[pg 6]</span> +the manuscripts is to be taken as standing in the +place of lost narrative verses, and where it fills a +gap that was never intended to be filled with verse, +but was always left to the reciter to be supplied in +his own way<a id="footnotetagi7" name="footnotetagi7"></a><a href="#footnotei7"><sup>7</sup></a>." The difficulty, however, is greater +in some cases than in others. The following picturesque +passage from the opening of ch. 14 of the +<i>Hervarar Saga</i> is a very probable instance of a +paraphrase of lost verses:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +It happened one morning at sunrise that as Hervör was +standing on the summit of a tower over the gate of the +fortress, she looked southwards towards the forest and saw +clouds of dust, arising from a great body of horse, by which +the sun was hidden for a long time. Next she saw a gleam +beneath the dust, as though she were gazing on a mass of +gold—fair shields overlaid with gold, gilded helmets and +white corslets. +</p></blockquote> + +<p>The motif of a chief or his lady standing on the +pinnacle of a tower of the fort and looking out +over the surrounding country for an approaching +army is a very common one in ballads. The motif of +the above passage from <i>Hervarar Saga</i>, including the +armour of the foe and the shining shields, occurs in +the opening stanzas of the Danish Ballad <i>De vare +syv og syvsindstyve</i><a id="footnotetagi8" name="footnotetagi8"></a><a href="#footnotei8"><sup>8</sup></a>, which probably dates from the +fourteenth century (though it may possibly be later<a id="footnotetagi9" name="footnotetagi9"></a><a href="#footnotei9"><sup>9</sup></a>) +and which derives its material ultimately from old +heroic lays<a id="footnotetagi10" name="footnotetagi10"></a><a href="#footnotei10"><sup>10</sup></a>.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page7" id="page7"></a>[pg 7]</span> + +<p>To the same period approximately as the poem on +the battle with the Huns belong the two pieces from +the <i>Older Edda</i> contained in the <i>Tháttr</i><a id="footnotetagi11" name="footnotetagi11"></a><a href="#footnotei11"><sup>11</sup></a> <i>of Nornagest</i>. +The <i>Reginsmál</i> indeed, of which only about +half is quoted, may be even earlier than the former +(in the form in which it appears in <i>Hervarar Saga</i>), +while the <i>Hellride of Brynhild</i> can hardly be later +than the early part of the eleventh century.</p> + +<p>A second stage in the literary history of the North +is represented by the 'episodic' poems <i>Hjalmar's +Death Song</i> and the <i>Waking of Angantyr</i>, both of +which are attributed to the twelfth century by +Heusler and Ranisch<a id="footnotetagi12" name="footnotetagi12"></a><a href="#footnotei12"><sup>12</sup></a>. Unlike the poem on the +battle between the Goths and the Huns, neither of +these forms a story complete in itself. They presuppose +the existence of a saga in some form or +other, presumably oral, dealing at least with the +fight at Samsø; and the existence of such a saga in +the twelfth century is confirmed by the account of +the same event given by Saxo<a id="footnotetagi13" name="footnotetagi13"></a><a href="#footnotei13"><sup>13</sup></a>.</p> + +<p>A third stage in the literary development of the +heroic legends is represented by the written saga +itself, which has evidently been formed by the +welding together, with more or less skill as the case +may be, of several distinct stories, and of more than +one literary form. A particularly striking instance of +this is to be found in the <i>Hervarar Saga</i> with its +stories of the Heroic and Viking Ages, the poems +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page8" id="page8"></a>[pg 8]</span> +dealing with the fight on Samsø, the primitive +Riddles of Gestumblindi and the early poem of the +battle between the Goths and Huns<a id="footnotetagi14" name="footnotetagi14"></a><a href="#footnotei14"><sup>14</sup></a>. Something of +the same kind has also taken place in the composition +of the <i>Thættir of Nornagest</i> and of <i>Sörli</i> respectively, +though into the former has entered a considerable +element of folk-tale which is introduced with a +certain <i>naïveté</i> and no little skill alongside the old +heroic legends. As has been already mentioned, +these three sagas, like others of the same type, +appear to have been written down in the late thirteenth +or the early years of the fourteenth century. +On the other hand most if not the whole of the +<i>Saga of Hromund Greipsson</i> appears to have been +composed early in the twelfth century, but we do +not know when it was first written down.</p> + +<p>A fourth stage is represented by the Icelandic +<i>Rímur</i> which are for the most part rhyming metrical +versions of the sagas and which date from the fourteenth +and fifteenth centuries. As an illustration of +this stage I have translated a few stanzas from the +<i>Gríplur</i>, a <i>Ríma</i> based on an early form of the +story of Hromund Greipsson<a id="footnotetagi15" name="footnotetagi15"></a><a href="#footnotei15"><sup>15</sup></a>. The <i>Rímur</i> are, +so far as we can judge, somewhat wearisome paraphrases +of the prose stories, and while the metre and +diction are elaborate in the extreme, the treatment of +the story is often mechanical and puerile. Comparatively +few of the <i>Rímur</i> have as yet been published +and the <i>Gríplur</i> is the only one known to me which +is primarily concerned with any of the sagas contained +in this volume.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page9" id="page9"></a>[pg 9]</span> + +<p>The ballads, both Faroese and Danish<a id="footnotetagi16" name="footnotetagi16"></a><a href="#footnotei16"><sup>16</sup></a>, belong to +a fifth stage in the life of heroic legend in the North; +but their origin and history is by no means so clear +as that of the <i>Rímur</i>, and it is at present impossible +to assign even approximate dates to more than a +few of them with any degree of certainty. I have +touched on this question at somewhat greater length +below<a id="footnotetagi17" name="footnotetagi17"></a><a href="#footnotei17"><sup>17</sup></a>; and I would only add here that some Danish +and Swedish ballads, e.g. <i>Ung Sveidal</i><a id="footnotetagi18" name="footnotetagi18"></a><a href="#footnotei18"><sup>18</sup></a>, <i>Thord af +Haffsgaard</i><a id="footnotetagi19" name="footnotetagi19"></a><a href="#footnotei19"><sup>19</sup></a> +and perhaps <i>Her Aage</i><a id="footnotetagi20" name="footnotetagi20"></a><a href="#footnotei20"><sup>20</sup></a>, appear to be +derived more or less directly from poems of the +Viking Age, such as <i>Fjölsvinsmál</i>, <i>Thrymskvitha</i> and +<i>Helgakvitha Hundingsbana I</i>—without any intermediate +prose stage.</p> + +<p>A careful study of the Faroese ballads as a whole +might enable one to determine something more of +the relation of ballads to 'Literature'<a id="footnotetagi21" name="footnotetagi21"></a><a href="#footnotei21"><sup>21</sup></a> and of the +various ballad forms to one another, such as that of +the short and simple <i>Ballad of Hjalmar and Angantyr</i> +to the longer and more complicated <i>Ballad of Arngrims +Sons</i>. Simplification and confusion are among +the chief characteristics of popular poetry<a id="footnotetagi22" name="footnotetagi22"></a><a href="#footnotei22"><sup>22</sup></a>; but it is +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page10" id="page10"></a>[pg 10]</span> +to be noted that in the case of the <i>Hervarar Saga</i> +confusion set in long before the days of the ballad—as +early as the saga itself, where there must surely be +at least one case of repetition of character<a id="footnotetagi23" name="footnotetagi23"></a><a href="#footnotei23"><sup>23</sup></a>. In reality, +considering through how many stages the ballad +material has passed, one is amazed at the vitality of +the stories and the amount of original groundwork +preserved. A careful comparison of the <i>Völsunga Saga</i> +and the Faroese cycle of ballads generally classed +together as <i>Sjúrðar Kvæði</i>—which, be it observed, +were never written down at all till the nineteenth +century—brings out to a degree literally amazing the +conservatism of the ballads on the old heroic themes.</p> + +<p>Readers who desire to make further acquaintance +with the 'Stories of Ancient Times' as a whole will +find a further account of the subject in Professor +Craigie's <i>Icelandic Sagas</i> (p. 92 ff.). More detailed +accounts will be found in Finnur Jónsson's <i>Oldnorske +og Oldislandske Litteraturs Historie</i><a id="footnotetagi24" name="footnotetagi24"></a><a href="#footnotei24"><sup>24</sup></a>, Vol. <span class="sc">ii</span>, +pp. 789-847, and in Mogk's <i>Geschichte der Altnordischen +Literatur</i> in Paul's <i>Grundriss der Germanischen +Philologie</i>, Ed. <span class="sc">ii</span>, 1904, Vol. II, pp. 830-857, +while a discussion of the heroic stories will be +found in Professor Chadwick's <i>Heroic Age</i>, chs. <span class="sc">i-viii</span>. +For a full bibliography of the texts, translations, +and general literature dealing with the <i>Fornaldarsögur</i> +collectively, see the annual <i>Islandica</i>, Vol. V, +pp. 1-9, compiled by Halldór Hermannsson and +issued by the Cornell University Library, 1912.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotei1" name="footnotei1"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagi1">Footnote 1:</a> +Cf. Saxo Grammaticus, <i>Dan. Hist.</i>, Book <span class="sc">v</span>, p. 160 (Elton's translation, pp. 197, 198).</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotei2" name="footnotei2"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagi2">Footnote 2:</a> +Cf. Saxo, <i>op. cit.</i>, Book <span class="sc">v</span>, p. 166 (Elton's translation, p. 205).</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotei3" name="footnotei3"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagi3">Footnote 3:</a> +Cf. Introduction to the <i>Saga of Hromund Greipsson</i>, p. 58 below.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotei4" name="footnotei4"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagi4">Footnote 4:</a> +Cf. Heusler and Ranisch, <i>Eddica Minora</i> (Dortmund, 1903) p. xii.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotei5" name="footnotei5"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagi5">Footnote 5:</a> +<i>De Origine Actibusque Getarum</i> (transl. C.C. Mierow, Princeton, 1915), cap. 5.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotei6" name="footnotei6"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagi6">Footnote 6:</a> +Cf. Heusler and Ranisch, <i>op. cit.</i>, p. x ff.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotei7" name="footnotei7"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagi7">Footnote 7:</a> +Ker, <i>Epic and Romance</i> (London, 1908, 2nd ed.), p. 112.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotei8" name="footnotei8"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagi8">Footnote 8:</a> +S. Grundtvig, <i>Danmarks Gamle Folkeviser</i> (Copenhagen, 1853-1890), Bd I, no. 7.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotei9" name="footnotei9"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagi9">Footnote 9:</a> +See General Introduction to Part <span class="sc">ii</span>, p. 166 below.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotei10" name="footnotei10"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagi10">Footnote 10:</a> +Cf. Axel Olrik, <i>Danske Folkeviser í Udvalg</i> (Copenhagen and Christiania, 1913), pp. 81, 82.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotei11" name="footnotei11"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagi11">Footnote 11:</a> +A. <i>Tháttr</i> (pl. <i>Thættir</i>) is a story within a story—an episode complete in itself but contained in a long saga.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotei12" name="footnotei12"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagi12">Footnote 12:</a> +<i>Eddica Minora</i>, pp. xxi, xlii.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotei13" name="footnotei13"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagi13">Footnote 13:</a> +<i>Op. cit.</i>, Book <span class="sc">v</span>, p. 166 (Elton's translation, pp. 204, 205).</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotei14" name="footnotei14"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagi14">Footnote 14:</a> +See Introduction to the <i>Hervarar Saga</i>, pp. 81-4 below.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotei15" name="footnotei15"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagi15">Footnote 15:</a> +See Introduction to the <i>Gríplur</i>, p. 171 ff. below.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotei16" name="footnotei16"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagi16">Footnote 16:</a> +Cf. p. 165 ff. below.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotei17" name="footnotei17"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagi17">Footnote 17:</a> +Cf. General Introduction to Part <span class="sc">ii</span>, p. 166 below.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotei18" name="footnotei18"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagi18">Footnote 18:</a> +Bugge's edition of the <i>Saemundar Edda</i>, p. 352 ff.; also Ker, <i>Epic and Romance</i>, p. 114 etc.; Vigfússon and Powell, <i>Corpus Poeticum +Boreale</i> (Oxford, 1883), Vol. <span class="sc">i</span>, p. 501 ff.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotei19" name="footnotei19"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagi19">Footnote 19:</a> +<i>C. P. B.</i>, Vol. <span class="sc">i</span>, pp. 175 and 501 ff.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotei20" name="footnotei20"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagi20">Footnote 20:</a> +<i>C. P. B.</i>, Vol. <span class="sc">i</span>, p. 502 ff.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotei21" name="footnotei21"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagi21">Footnote 21:</a> +Always, however, with the proviso that, owing to the avowed literary origin of many of them, the Faroese ballads to some extent +form a class by themselves; cf. General Introduction to Part <span class="sc">ii</span>, p. 166 below.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotei22" name="footnotei22"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagi22">Footnote 22:</a> +Cf. Chadwick, <i>The Heroic Age</i> (Cambridge, 1912), p. 95.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotei23" name="footnotei23"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagi23">Footnote 23:</a> +Cf. the Introduction to the <i>Saga of Hervör and Heithrek</i>, p. 81 f. below.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotei24" name="footnotei24"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagi24">Footnote 24:</a> +Copenhagen, 1901.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page11" id="page11"></a>[pg 11]</span> + +<h3 style="margin-top: 3em;">INTRODUCTION TO THE THÁTTR OF NORNAGEST</h3> + +<p>This story occurs as an episode in the long <i>Saga +of Olaf Tryggvason</i>—to be distinguished from the +shorter <i>Saga of Olaf Tryggvason</i> contained in the +<i>Heimskringla</i> and translated by Morris and Magnússon +in the <i>Saga Library</i><a id="footnotetag1" name="footnotetag1"></a><a href="#footnote1"><sup>1</sup></a>. +The best known manuscript (<i>F</i>) of the longer saga is the <i>Flateyjarbók</i> which +comes from the island of Flatey in Breithifjörth off +the west of Iceland, and was written between 1386 +and 1394. The second (<i>S</i>) is the Codex <i>Arn. Magn. +62</i> in the Royal Library (at Copenhagen), which, like +the former, contains a fragment only of the <i>Saga of +Olaf Tryggvason</i>, but includes the <i>Tháttr of Nornagest</i>. +This <span class="sc">ms</span>. dates, in all probability, from shortly after +the middle of the fourteenth century. Finally, besides +several paper <span class="sc">mss</span>. (comparatively late and unimportant), +there is a <span class="sc">ms</span>. <i>A</i> (number 2845 of the +Royal Library at Copenhagen) dating from the +fifteenth century, in which the <i>tháttr</i> stands by itself.</p> + +<p>Rafn<a id="footnotetag2" name="footnotetag2"></a><a href="#footnote2"><sup>2</sup></a>, in his edition of the <i>Fornaldarsögur</i>, based +his text of the <i>tháttr</i> on <i>A</i>; but subsequent examination +has rendered it probable that this <span class="sc">ms</span>. is hardly +independent of <i>F</i> which gives an earlier and better +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page12" id="page12"></a>[pg 12]</span> +text. As regards <span class="sc">mss</span>. <i>F</i> and <i>S</i>, the latter frequently +gives a better reading than the former<a id="footnotetag3" name="footnotetag3"></a><a href="#footnote3"><sup>3</sup></a>. For this +reason it was followed by Bugge<a id="footnotetag4" name="footnotetag4"></a><a href="#footnote4"><sup>4</sup></a> who believed it to +be the better source. Wilken<a id="footnotetag5" name="footnotetag5"></a><a href="#footnote5"><sup>5</sup></a> however held that +<i>F</i> represents the 'Vulgate' of the <i>tháttr</i>, while <i>S</i> +gives a corrected and edited version. In his edition, +therefore, he chiefly followed <i>F</i>, though he made use +of <i>S</i> throughout, and also (for the poems) the +<i>Codex Regius</i> of the Older Edda. His example has +been followed by later editors, including Valdimar +Ásmundarson<a id="footnotetag6" name="footnotetag6"></a><a href="#footnote6"><sup>6</sup></a>, from whose version the following +translation has been made. The differences between +all three <span class="sc">mss</span>. appear to be very slight, but Ásmundarson's +edition approximates more closely to +Wilken's than to Rafn's. Indeed the variations +between the texts of Wilken's second edition<a id="footnotetag7" name="footnotetag7"></a><a href="#footnote7"><sup>7</sup></a> and +Ásmundarson are negligible. For a full bibliography +of texts, translations, and literature relating to this +saga the reader is referred to <i>Islandica</i>, Vol. <span class="sc">v</span>, +p. 32.</p> + +<p>The saga itself dates from about 1300<a id="footnotetag8" name="footnotetag8"></a><a href="#footnote8"><sup>8</sup></a>. It is +derived from tradition, mainly Icelandic; but the +various stories contained in it differ greatly from +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page13" id="page13"></a>[pg 13]</span> +one another in their historical value. This episode +is probably to be regarded as legendary in part; +and it would seem also to contain a good deal of +conscious fiction.</p> + +<p>The <i>tháttr</i> falls naturally into three parts. The +framework of the story—the arrival of Guest at the +hall of Olaf Tryggvason, his inclusion in the King's +retinue, and his baptism—forms a whole in itself +and contains nothing inherently improbable save +the manner of his death, where the folk-tale element +creeps in. The first 'story within a story,' the +account that Guest gives of his wanderings and more +especially of the adventures of Sigurth, is legendary—or +perhaps rather made up from old legends with +the help of the <i>Edda</i> poems. As in the case of the +Anglo-Saxon poem <i>Widsith</i>—and indeed to a much +greater extent—the persons who figure in the +stranger's stories lived in reality in widely different +ages. Sigurth and his brothers-in-law belong to the +early part of the fifth century, Harold the Fairhaired +and the sons of Lothbrok to the latter part of the +ninth century. Other characters such as Guthmund +of Glasisvellir who is mentioned in the first chapters +are probably mythical.</p> + +<p>The third part, which is perhaps the most interesting +part of the <i>tháttr</i>, is the passage in which +Guest explains how he came by his name. There +can be no doubt that here we are in the region of +pure folk-tale. The story of the visit of the Norns +shows a very remarkable resemblance to the Greek +legend of Althaea and Meleager. The same motif +appears to some extent in the mediaeval French +romances of <i>Ogier the Dane</i>, and is familiar to everyone +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page14" id="page14"></a>[pg 14]</span> +in a slightly different form as the first part of +the German folk-tale, <i>Sleeping Beauty</i>, where the +reference to spinning should be noted.</p> + +<p>The poetry contained in this <i>tháttr</i>, unlike that in +the <i>Hervarar Saga</i>, is all taken from the <i>Older Edda</i>. +One of the poems, the <i>Hellride of Brynhild</i>, is given +almost complete and there are long extracts from +<i>Reginsmál</i>. There are, however, some references to +poems which no longer exist<a id="footnotetag9" name="footnotetag9"></a><a href="#footnote9"><sup>9</sup></a>.</p> + +<p>In many respects the story of Nornagest is among +the most interesting of the Romantic Sagas. It gives +a vivid picture of life in a northern court—the +<i>naïveté</i> and friendliness of the conversation; the +personal interest that the King took in his men; the +intimacy and directness and simplicity of the intercourse +between them. There is something, too, of the +same boyish indulgence—e.g. in King Olaf's attitude +towards the wager—which one notices in Hrolf +Kraki's talk with Vögg<a id="footnotetag10" name="footnotetag10"></a><a href="#footnote10"><sup>10</sup></a>. Yet combined with the +amiability of both kings is a certain natural dignity +which is very convincing.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnote1" name="footnote1"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetag1">Footnote 1:</a> +An abridged translation of the longer saga by J. Sephton is published in the <i>Northern Library</i>, +Vol. <span class="sc">ii</span> (London, 1898).</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnote2" name="footnote2"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetag2">Footnote 2:</a> +<i>Fornaldarsögur Northrlanda</i> (Copenhagen, 1829), Introduction, pp. xix, xx.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnote3" name="footnote3"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetag3">Footnote 3:</a> +Wilken, <i>Die Prosaische Edda nebst Völsungasaga und Nornageststháttr</i> (Paderborn, 1877), p. lxxxv ff.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnote4" name="footnote4"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetag4">Footnote 4:</a> +<i>Norrøne Skrifter af Sagnhistorisk Indhold</i> (Christiania, 1873).</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnote5" name="footnote5"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetag5">Footnote 5:</a> +<i>Op. cit.</i>, p. lxxxviii.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnote6" name="footnote6"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetag6">Footnote 6:</a> +See <i>Fornaldarsögur Northrlanda</i> (Reykjavík, 1891), Vol. <span class="sc">i</span>, pp. 247-266.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnote7" name="footnote7"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetag7">Footnote 7:</a> +The second edition follows the <i>Codex Regius</i> in the text of the poems included in the <i>Tháttr</i> more closely than did the first edition.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnote8" name="footnote8"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetag8">Footnote 8:</a> +Cf. Finnur Jónsson, <i>Den Oldnorske og Oldislandske Litteraturs Historie</i>, Vol. <span class="sc">ii</span>, p. 847; +also Mogk, <i>Norwegisch-Isländischen Literatur</i> (Strassburg, 1904), p. 822.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnote9" name="footnote9"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetag9">Footnote 9:</a> +Cf. p. 19 below and note (p. 222).</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnote10" name="footnote10"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetag10">Footnote 10:</a> +Cf. <i>Skáldskaparmál</i>, ch. 3; also <i>Hrólfs Saga Kraka</i>, ch. 42.</p> + +<a name="n" id="n"></a> +<h3 style="margin-top: 3em;">THE THÁTTR OF NORNAGEST<a href="#nn">°</a></h3> +<a name="n1" id="n1"></a> +<p class="indent">I.<a href="#nn1">°</a> The story goes that on one occasion when +King Olaf Tryggvason was living at Trondhjem, it +chanced that a man came to him late in the day and +addressed him respectfully. The King welcomed him +and asked him who he was, and he said that his name +was Guest.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page15" id="page15"></a>[pg 15]</span> + +<p>The King answered: "You shall be guest here, +whatever you are called."</p> + +<p>Guest said: "I have told you my name truly, Sire, +and I will gladly receive your hospitality if I may."</p> + +<p>The King told him he could have it readily. But +since the day was far spent, the King would not enter +into conversation with his guest; for he was going +soon to vespers, and after that to dinner, and then to +bed and to sleep.</p> + +<p>Now on that same night King Olaf Tryggvason +was lying awake in his bed and saying his prayers, +while all the other men in the hall were asleep. Then +the King noticed that an elf or spirit of some kind +had come into the hall, though all the doors were +locked. He made his way past the beds of the men +who were asleep there, one after another, and at last +reached the bed of a man at the far end.</p> + +<p>Then the elf stopped and said: "An empty house, +and a mighty strong bolt on the door! People +say that the King is the wisest of men. If he were +as clever in things of this kind as they say he would +not sleep so soundly."</p> + +<p>After that he vanished through the door, locked +as it was.</p> + +<p>Early next morning the King sent his servant to +find out who had occupied that bed over night, and +it proved to have been the stranger. The King ordered +him to be summoned before him and asked +him whose son he was.</p> + +<p>He answered: "My father's name was Thorth. +He was a Dane and was called 'The Contentious,' +and lived at a place called Groening in Denmark."</p> + +<p>"You are a well set-up man," said the King.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page16" id="page16"></a>[pg 16]</span> + +<p>Guest was bold of speech, and bigger in build +than most men. He looked strong but was somewhat +advanced in years. He asked the King if he +might stay for a while in his retinue. The King +asked if he were baptised. Guest said that he +had been prime-signed but not baptised. The King +said that he was free to remain in his retinue, but +added:</p> + +<p>"You will not remain long unbaptised with me."</p> + +<p>The reason for the elf's remark about the bolt was +that Guest had crossed himself, that evening like +other men, but was in reality still a heathen.</p> + +<p>The King said: "Can you do anything in the way +of sport or music?"</p> + +<p>He replied that he could play the harp and tell +stories which people enjoyed.</p> + +<p>Then said the King: "King Svein has no right to +let unbaptised men leave his kingdom and wander +about from one country to another."</p> + +<p>Guest replied: "You must not blame the King of +the Danes for this, for it is a long time since I left +Denmark. In fact it was a long time before the +Emperor Otto burnt the Dane-work and forced +King Harold Gormsson and Earl Haakon the Heathen +to become Christians."</p> + +<p>The King questioned Guest about many subjects +and he always gave him good and intelligent answers. +Men say that it was in the third year of King Olaf's +reign that Guest came to him.</p> + +<p>In this year also there came to him two men called +Grim who were sent by Guthmund from Glasisvellir. +They brought to the King as a present from Guthmund +two horns which were also called 'Grim.' +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page17" id="page17"></a>[pg 17]</span> +They had also some further business with the King +which we will return later.</p> + +<p>As for Guest, he remained with the King, and had +a place at the far end of the visitors' seats. He was +a man of breeding and had good manners, and was +popular and much respected by everyone.</p> + +<a name="n2" id="n2"></a> +<p class="indent">II.<a href="#nn2">°</a> A little before Yule, Ulf the Red and his +following came home. He had been engaged on the +King's business all summer, for he had been appointed +to guard the coasts of 'The Bay' against +Danish raids. He never failed to be with King Olaf +at mid-winter.</p> + +<p>Ulf had many fine treasures to bring to the King, +which he had got during the summer, and one gold +ring in particular which was called Hnituth. It was +welded together in seven places and each piece had a +different colour. It was made of much finer gold than +rings usually are. The ring had been given to Ulf by a +landowner called Lothmund, and before that it had +belonged to King Half, from whom the Halfsrekkar +take their name. The ring had come to them as +forced tribute from King Halfdan Ylfing. Lothmund +had asked Ulf in return for it that he would +guard his home with the support of King Olaf, and +Ulf had promised to do so.</p> + +<p>Now King Olaf was keeping Yule in magnificent +style at his court in Trondhjem; and it was on the +eighth day of Yule that Ulf gave him the gold ring +Hnituth. The King thanked him for the gift as well +as for all the faithful service which he had constantly +rendered him.</p> + +<p>The ring was passed round the building in which +the drinking was going on.—As yet no halls had +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page18" id="page18"></a>[pg 18]</span> +been built in Norway. Now each man showed it to +his neighbour and they thought that they had never +seen such fine gold as that of which the ring was +made. At last it came to the guest-table, and so to the +guest who had just arrived. He looked at the ring +and handed it back on the palm of his hand—the +hand in which he had been holding his drinking +horn. He was not much impressed with the treasure, +and made no remarks about it, but went on jesting +with his companions. A serving-man was pouring +out drink at the end of the guest-table.</p> + +<p>"Do you not like the ring?" he asked.</p> + +<p>They said; "We all like it very much except the +new-comer. He can't see anything in it; but we +think he can't appreciate it simply because he +doesn't care for things of this kind."</p> + +<p>The serving-man went up the hall to the King and +told him exactly what the guests had said, adding that, +the new-comer had taken little note of the treasure, +valuable as it was, when it was shown to him.</p> + +<p>Then the King remarked: "The new-comer +probably knows more than you think: he must come +to me in the morning and tell me a story."</p> + +<p>Now he and the other guests at the farthest table +were talking among themselves. They asked the +new-comer where he had seen a better ring or even +one as good as this.</p> + +<p>"Since you evidently think it strange," said he, +"that I make so little of it, I may say that I have +certainly seen gold which is in no way inferior, but +actually better."</p> + +<p>The King's men now laughed heartily and said +that that promised good sport, adding:</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page19" id="page19"></a>[pg 19]</span> + +<p>"Will you agree to wager with us that you have +seen gold as good as this, and prove it? We will stake +four marks in current coin against your knife and +belt; and the King shall decide who is in the right."</p> + +<p>Then said Guest: "I will neither be made a +laughing-stock for you nor fail to keep the wager +which you offer. And I will certainly lay a wager +with you on the spot, and stake exactly what you +have suggested, and the King shall judge who is in +the right."</p> + +<p>Then they stopped talking, and Guest took his +harp and played it well till far into the evening, so +that it was a joy to all who heard him. What he +rendered best was <i>The Harping of Gunnar</i>; and last +of all he played the ancient <i>Wiles of Guthrun</i>, +neither of which they had heard before. And after +that they went to sleep for the night.</p> + +<p class="indent">III. In the morning the King rose early and heard +Mass; and after that he went to breakfast with +his retinue. And when he had taken his place in the +high seat, the guests came up to him, and Guest with +them; and they told him all about their agreement +and the wager which they had made.</p> + +<p>"I am not much taken with your wager," replied +the King, "although it is your own money that you +are staking. I suspect that the drink must have +gone to your heads; and I think you would do well +to give it up, especially if Guest agrees."</p> + +<p>"My wish is," replied Guest, "that the whole +agreement should stand."</p> + +<p>"It looks to me, Guest," said the King, "as if it +was my men rather than you whose tongues have got +them into trouble; but we will soon put it to the test."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page20" id="page20"></a>[pg 20]</span> + +<p>After that they left him and went to drink; and +when the drinking tables were removed, the King +summoned Guest and spoke to him as follows:</p> + +<p>"Now is the time for you to produce the gold if +you have any, so that I can decide your wager."</p> + +<p>"As you will, Sire!" replied Guest.</p> + +<p>Then he felt in a pouch which he had with him, +and took out of it a fob which he untied, and then +handed something to the King.</p> + +<p>The King saw that it was a piece of a saddle-buckle +and that it was of exceedingly fine gold. +Then he bade them bring the ring Hnituth; and +when they did so, the King compared the ring and +the piece of gold and said:</p> + +<p>"I have no doubt whatever that the gold which +Guest has shown us is the finer, and anyone who +looks at it must think so too."</p> + +<p>Everybody agreed with the King. Then he decided +the wager in Guest's favour, and the other guests +came to the conclusion that they had made fools of +themselves over the business.</p> + +<p>Then Guest said: "Take your money and keep it +yourselves, for I don't need it; but don't make any +more wagers with strangers, for you never know +when you may hit upon someone who has both seen +and heard more than you have.—I thank you, Sire, +for your decision!"</p> + +<p>Then the King said: "Now I want you to tell me +where you got that gold from, which you carry about +with you."</p> + +<p>Guest replied: "I am loth to tell you, because no-one +will believe what I have to say about it."</p> + +<p>"Let us hear it all the same," said the King, "for +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page21" id="page21"></a>[pg 21]</span> +you promised before that you would tell us your +story."</p> + +<p>"If I tell you the history of this piece of gold," +replied Guest, "I expect you will want to hear the +rest of my story along with it."</p> + +<p>"I expect that that is just what will happen," +said the King.</p> + +<a name="n4" id="n4"></a> +<p class="indent">IV.<a href="#nn4">°</a> "Then I will tell you how once I went south +into the land of the Franks. I wanted to see for myself +what sort of a prince Sigurth the son of Sigmund +was, and to discover if the reports which had reached +me of his great beauty and courage were true. +Nothing happened worth mentioning until I came +to the land of the Franks and met King Hjalprek. +He had a great court around him. Sigurth, the son +of Sigmund, the son of Völsung, and of Hjördis, the +daughter of Eylimi, was there at that time. Sigmund +had fallen in battle against the sons of Hunding, and +Hjördis had married Alf the son of King Hjalprek. +There Sigurth grew up together with all the other +sons of King Sigmund. Among these were Sinfjötli +and Helgi, who surpassed all men in strength and +stature. Helgi slew King Hunding, thereby earning +the name Hundingsbani. The third son was called +Hamund. Sigurth, however, outstripped all his +brothers, and it is a well-known fact that he was the +noblest of all warrior princes, and the very model of +a king in heathen times.</p> + +<p>At that time, Regin, the son of Hreithmar, had +also come to King Hjalprek. He was a dwarf in +stature, but there was no-one more cunning than he. +He was a wise man, but malign and skilled in magic. +Regin taught Sigurth many things and was devoted +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page22" id="page22"></a>[pg 22]</span> +to him. He told him about his birth and his wondrous +adventures.</p> + +<p>And when I had been there a little while, I +entered Sigurth's service like many others. He was +very popular with everybody, because he was friendly +and unassuming, and generous to all.</p> + +<a name="n5" id="n5"></a> +<p class="indent">V.<a href="#nn5">°</a> It chanced one day that we came to Regin's +house and Sigurth was made welcome there. Then +Regin spoke these verses:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>The son of Sigmund cometh to our hall,</p> +<p>A valiant warrior. It must needs befall</p> +<p>That I, less doughty and oppressed with age,</p> +<p>Shall fall a victim to his wolfish rage.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>But I will cherish Yngvi's valorous heir,</p> +<p>Since Fate hath sent him hither to our care,</p> +<p>Train him to be, in valour and in worth,</p> +<p>The mightiest and most famous prince on earth.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>At this time, Sigurth was constantly in Regin's +company. Regin told him much about Fafnir—how +he dwelt upon Gnitaheith in the form of a serpent, +and also of his wondrous size. Regin made for +Sigurth a sword called Gram. It was so sharp that +when he thrust it into the River Rhine it cut in +two a flock of wool which he had dropped into the +river and which was drifting down stream, cutting +it just as clean as it did the water itself. Later on, +Sigurth clove Regin's stithy with the sword. After +that Regin urged Sigurth to slay his brother Fafnir +and Sigurth recited this verse:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>The sons of Hunding would laugh loud and high,</p> +<p>Who shed the life-blood of King Eylimi,</p> +<p>If that his grandson bold should more desire</p> +<p>Rings of red gold than vengeance for his sire.</p> + </div> </div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page23" id="page23"></a>[pg 23]</span> + +<p>After that Sigurth made ready an expedition to +attack the sons of Hunding; and King Hjalprek gave +him many men and some warships. Hamund, +Sisurth's brother, was with him on this venture, +and so was Regin the dwarf. I was present too, and +they called me Nornagest. King Hjalprek had got +to know me when he was in Denmark with Sigmund +the son of Völsung. At that time, Sigmund was +married to Borghild, but they parted because +Borghild killed Sinfjötli the son of Sigmund by +poison. Then Sigmund went south to the land of +the Franks and married Hjördis, the daughter of +King Eylimi. The sons of Hunding slew him, so +Sigurth had both his father and grandfather to +avenge.</p> + +<p>Helgi, the son of Sigmund, who was called +Hundingsbani, was the brother of Sigurth who was +afterwards called Fafnisbani. Helgi, Sigurth's +brother, had slain King Hunding and three of his +sons, Eyjulf, Hervarth, and Hjörvarth, but Lyngvi +and his two remaining brothers, Alf and Heming, +escaped. They were exceedingly famous for exploits +and accomplishments of every kind; but Lyngvi +surpassed all his brothers. They were very skilled in +magic. They had reduced many petty kings to subjection, +and slain many champions, and burnt many +cities. They had worked the greatest havoc with +their raids in Spain and in the land of the Franks. +But at that time the Imperial Power had not yet +been transferred to the regions north of the Alps. +The sons of Hunding had seized the realm which +had belonged to Sigurth in the land of the Franks, +and they had very large forces there.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page24" id="page24"></a>[pg 24]</span> + +<a name="n6" id="n6"></a> +<p class="indent">VI.<a href="#nn6">°</a> Now I must tell you how Sigurth prepared +for battle against the sons of Hunding. He had got +together a large and well-armed host, and Regin was +a mighty man in the councils of the force. He had +a sword which was called Rithil and which he had +forged himself. Sigurth asked Regin to lend him +the sword. He did so, begging him to slay Fafnir +when he should return from this adventure, and this +Sigurth promised to do.</p> + +<p>After that we sailed away south along the coast, +and then we met with a great storm raised by witchcraft, +and many believed that it had been stirred up +by the sons of Hunding. After this we hugged the +shore somewhat more closely, and then we saw a +man on a rocky promontory which jutted out from +the cliffs. He wore a green cloak and dark breeches, +and had high laced boots on his feet, and carried a +spear in his hand. This man addressed us in the +following stanza:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>What folk are ye who ride the sea-king's steed,</p> +<p>Mounting the lofty billows, and proceed</p> +<p>Athwart the tossing main? Drenched is your sail,</p> +<p>Nor can your ships against the wind prevail.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p class="ind1">Regin replied:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Hither come we with Sigurth o'er the foam,</p> +<p>Whom ocean breezes blow to our last home.—</p> +<p>Full soon the breakers, higher than the prow</p> +<p>Will sink our 'ocean-steeds'; but who art thou?</p> + </div> </div> + +<p class="ind1">The man in the cloak replied:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Hnikar the name men did for me employ,</p> +<p>Young Völsung, when I gave the raven joy</p> +<p>Of carnage. Call me either of the two—</p> +<p>Fjölnir or Feng, but let me fare with you.</p> + </div> </div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page25" id="page25"></a>[pg 25]</span> + +<p>Then we steered towards the land and the wind +fell immediately; and Sigurth bade the man come +on board. He did so, and a fair breeze sprang up. +The man sat down at Sigurth's feet and was very +friendly, asking if Sigurth would like to hear some +advice from him. Sigurth said that he would, and +added that he had an idea that Hnikar could give +people very helpful advice if he were willing to turn +it to their advantage. Then Sigurth said to the man +in the cloak:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>O Hnikar, since you know the destiny</p> +<p>Of gods and men, declare this unto me.—</p> +<p>Which are the omens that should most delight</p> +<p>When swords are swinging and a man must fight?</p> + </div> </div> + +<p class="ind1">Hnikar replied:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Many propitious signs, if men could know,</p> +<p>Appear when swords are swinging to and fro.</p> +<p>I hold a warrior has a trusty guide</p> +<p>When a dark raven hovers at his side.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>I hold it too for a propitious sign</p> +<p>If men to make a journey should design,</p> +<p>And, coming out of doors, see close at hand</p> +<p>Two gallant warriors in the pathway stand.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>And if you hear beneath the rowan tree</p> +<p>A howling wolf, the sound spells luck to thee,</p> +<p>And luck shall helmed warriors bring to thee,</p> +<p>If thou such warriors art the first to see.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>Facing the sinking and late shining light</p> +<p>Of the Moon's sister, warriors should not fight.</p> +<p>Victory is theirs who, eager for the fray,</p> +<p>Can clearly see to order their array.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>I hold it no occasion for delight</p> +<p>When a man stumbles as he goes to fight;</p> +<p>For guileful spirits dog him on his way</p> +<p>With mischief-bearing looks throughout the fray</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page26" id="page26"></a>[pg 26]</span> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>A man of wisdom, as each day goes past,</p> +<p>Washes, and combs his hair, and breaks his fast.</p> +<p>He knows not where by evening he may be.—</p> +<p>Stumbling is bad luck, boding ill to thee.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>And after that we sailed southwards along the +coast of Holstein and to the east of Friesland, and +there we landed. The sons of Hunding heard at once +of our expedition and gathered an army; and they +soon had a larger force than we had, and when we +encountered them there was a great battle. Lyngvi +was the most valiant of the brothers in every onset, +though they all fought bravely. Sigurth's attack was +so fierce that everyone shrank before him, when they +saw that they were threatened by the sword Gram. +There was no need to reproach Sigurth with lack of +courage. And when he and Lyngvi met, they exchanged +many blows and fought with the greatest +valour. Then there was a lull in the battle, for people +turned to watch the single combat. For a long time +neither of them was able to inflict a wound on the +other, so skilled in arms were they.</p> + +<p>Then Lyngvi's brothers made a fierce attack and +slew many of our men, while others took to flight. Then +Hamund, Sigurth's brother, rushed to meet them, and +I joined him, and then there was another encounter.</p> + +<p>The end of the affair between Sigurth and Lyngvi +was that Sigurth made him prisoner and had him +fettered. And when Sigurth joined us, matters very +soon changed. Then the sons of Hunding fell and +all their host; but then night was coming on. And +when day dawned, Hnikar had vanished, and he was +never seen again. We came to the conclusion that it +must in reality have been Othin.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page27" id="page27"></a>[pg 27]</span> + +<p>A discussion then took place as to what death +Lyngvi should suffer; Regin counselled that the +'blood eagle' should be carved on his back. Then +I handed to Regin his sword and with it he carved +Lyngvi's back till he had severed the ribs from the +spine; and then he drew out the lungs. Thus died +Lyngvi with great courage.</p> + +<p class="ind1">Then Regin said:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Full seldom has a bolder warrior</p> +<p>Reddened the earth than Sigmund's murderer.</p> +<p>Hugin he feasted. Now with biting sword</p> +<p>The 'bloody eagle' on his back is scored.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>Great spoil was taken there. Sigurth's sailors got +the whole of it because he would not take any +himself. The clothes and weapons taken were worth +much gold.</p> + +<p>Afterwards Sigurth slew Fafnir, and Regin also, +because Regin had intended to deal treacherously +with him. Sigurth took Fafnir's gold and rode away +with it, and from that time on he was called Fafnisbani.</p> + +<p>After that he rode up to Hindarheith where he +found Brynhild. What passed between them is told +in the story of Sigurth Fafnisbani.</p> + +<a name="n7" id="n7"></a> +<p class="indent">VII.<a href="#nn7">°</a> Later on Sigurth married Guthrun the +daughter of King Gjuki and then stayed for a while +with his brothers-in-law, the sons of Gjuki. I returned +to the North with Sigurth and was with him +in Denmark, and I was also with him when Sigurth +Hring sent his brothers-in-law, the sons of Gandalf, +to Gunnar and Högni, the sons of Gjuki, and demanded +that they should pay him tribute, threatening +them with invasion in case they refused. But they +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page28" id="page28"></a>[pg 28]</span> +decided to defend their country. Thereupon Gandalf's +sons challenged the sons of Gjuki to a pitched battle +on the frontier, and then returned home; but the +sons of Gjuki asked Sigurth Fafnisbani to go to +battle with them, and he agreed to do so. I was still +with Sigurth at that time. Then we sailed again +northwards along the coast of Holstein and landed +at a place called Jarnamotha. Not far from the +landing place hazel-wood poles had been set up to +mark where the fight was to take place.</p> + +<p>Then we saw many ships sailing from the north +under the command of the sons of Gandalf. Then the +two hosts charged one another fiercely. Sigurth +Hring was not there, because he had to defend his +own land, Sweden, against the inroads of the Kurir +and Kvænir. Sigurth was a very old man at that +time. Then the forces came into collision, and there +was a great battle and much slaughter. The sons of +Gandalf fought bravely, for they were exceptionally +big and strong.</p> + +<p>In that host there appeared a big strong man who +made such slaughter of men and horses that no-one +could withstand him, for he was more like a giant +than a man. Gunnar bade Sigurth go and attack +the scoundrel, adding that as things were, there +would be no success. So Sigurth made ready to +encounter the mighty man, and some others went +with him, but most of them were far from eager.</p> + +<p>We quickly came upon the mighty man, and +Sigurth asked him his name and whence he came. +He said that he was Starkath, the son of Storverk, +and that he came from the North, from Fenhring +in Norway. Sigurth said that he had heard reports +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page29" id="page29"></a>[pg 29]</span> +of him and generally little to his credit, adding that +no mercy ought to be shown towards such people.</p> + +<p>Starkath said: "Who is this man who casts insults +in my teeth?"</p> + +<p>Sigurth told him who he was.</p> + +<p>Starkath said: "Are you called Fafnisbani?"</p> + +<p>Sigurth said he was.</p> + +<p>Then Starkath sought to escape, but Sigurth +pursued him and swung aloft the sword Gram and +struck him on the jaw with the hilt so hard that two +molars fell out of his mouth; it was a stunning blow.</p> + +<p>Then Sigurth bade the cur take himself off, and +Starkath went away, and I picked up one of the teeth +and carried it off with me. It is now used on a bell-rope +at Lund in Denmark and weighs seven ounces; +and people go and look at it there as a curiosity.</p> + +<p>As soon as Starkath had run away, the sons of +Gandalf took to flight, and we captured great booty; +and after that Sigurth went home to his realm and +remained there for a while.</p> + +<a name="n8" id="n8"></a> +<p class="indent">VIII.<a href="#nn8">°</a> A short time after, we heard that Starkath +had committed a foul murder, slaying King Ali in +his bath.</p> + +<p>It chanced one day that as Sigurth Fafnisbani was +riding to some gathering or other, he rode into a +muddy pool, and his horse Grani leapt up so wildly +that his saddle-girth burst asunder and the buckle +fell to the ground. And when I saw where it lay +shining in the mud, I picked it up and handed it to +Sigurth; but he said that I might keep it. It was that +very piece of gold that you were looking at a short +time ago. Then Sigurth got down from his horse, and +I rubbed it down and washed the mud off it; and I +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page30" id="page30"></a>[pg 30]</span> +pulled a lock of hair out of its tail as a proof of its +great size."</p> + +<p>Then Guest showed the lock and it was seven ells +long.</p> + +<p>King Olaf said: "I think your stories are very +entertaining."</p> + +<p>Everybody praised his stories and his talent.</p> + +<p>Then the King wanted him to tell them much +more about the adventures he had met with on his +travels. So Guest told them many amusing stories +till late in the evening. It was then time to go to bed; +but next morning the King sent for Guest, and wanted +to talk to him still further.</p> + +<p>The King said: "I can't quite make out your age +and how you can be old enough to have been present +when these events took place. You will have to tell +another story so as to make us better acquainted with +things of this kind."</p> + +<p>Guest replied: "I suspected before that you would +want to hear another of my stories, if I told you what +had happened about the gold."</p> + +<p>"You must certainly tell me some more," replied +the King.</p> + +<a name="n9" id="n9"></a> +<p class="indent">IX.<a href="#nn9">°</a> "I must tell you then," Guest began, "that +I went north to Denmark and there settled down on +my estate, for my father had died a short time before; +and a little later I heard of the death of Sigurth and +the sons of Gjuki, and I felt that that was news indeed."</p> + +<p>"What was the cause of Sigurth's death?" asked +the King.</p> + +<p>Guest replied: "It is generally believed that +Guthorm the son of Gjuki ran a sword through him +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page31" id="page31"></a>[pg 31]</span> +while he was asleep in bed with Guthrun. On the +other hand, Germans say that Sigurth was slain out +in the forest. In the <i>Guthrúnar-rætha</i> again it is +stated that Sigurth and the sons of Gjuki had ridden +to a gathering and that they slew him then. But one +thing is agreed by all—that they set on him when he +was down and off his guard, and that they were +guilty of gross treachery towards him."</p> + +<p>Then one of the retinue asked:</p> + +<p>"How did Brynhild behave then?"</p> + +<p>Guest answered: "Brynhild then slew seven of her +slaves and five handmaidens, and ran herself through +with a sword, commanding that she should be taken +to the pyre along with these people and burned +beside Sigurth. This was done, one pile being made +for Sigurth and another for Brynhild, and he was +burned first, and then Brynhild. She was taken in a +chariot with a canopy of velvet and silk which was +all ablaze with gold, and thus was she burnt."</p> + +<p>Then Guest was asked if Brynhild had chanted a +lay after she was dead. He replied that she had, and +they asked him to recite it if he could.</p> + +<p>Then Guest said: "As Brynhild was being driven +to the pyre on the way to Hell, she was brought near +some cliffs where an ogress dwelt. The ogress was +standing outside the doors of her cave and wore a +skin kirtle and was of a blackish hue. She carried a +long faggot in her hand and cried:</p> + +<p>'This will I contribute to your burning, Brynhild. +It would have been better if you had been burned while +you were still alive, before you were guilty of getting +such a splendid man as Sigurth Fafnisbani slain. I was +always friendly to him and therefore I shall attack +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page32" id="page32"></a>[pg 32]</span> +you in a reproachful song which will make you hated +by everybody who hears what you have done.'</p> + +<p>After that Brynhild and the ogress chanted to +one another.</p> + +<p class="ind1">The ogress sang as follows:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Thou shalt not be suffered to pass through my courts</p> +<p class="i2">With their pillars of stone in my mansion drear,—</p> +<p>Better far wert thou busied at home with thy needle!</p> +<p class="i2">Not thine is the husband thou followest here.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>Inconstant soul, why comest thou hither?</p> +<p class="i2">From the land of the Romans why visit'st thou me?</p> +<p>Full many a wolf hast thou made be partaker</p> +<p class="i2">Of the life-blood of men who were butchered by thee!</p> + </div> </div> + +<p class="ind1">Then cried Brynhild:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Upbraid me no more from thy rock bound dwelling</p> +<p class="i2">For battles I fought in the days of old.—</p> +<p>Thou wilt not be deemed to be nobler of nature</p> +<p class="i2">Than I, wheresoever our story is told!</p> + </div> </div> + +<p class="ind1">The Ogress:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>In an evil hour, O Buthli's daughter,</p> +<p class="i2">In an evil hour wert thou brought to birth.—</p> +<p>The Sons of Gjuki thou gavest to slaughter,</p> +<p class="i2">Their noble dwellings thou rased'st to earth.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p class="ind1">Brynhild:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>A true account, if thou carest to hearken,</p> +<p class="i2">O thou lying soul, will I tell to thee;—</p> +<p>How empty of love and o'ershadowed by falsehood</p> +<p class="i2">The life that the Gjukings had destined for me!</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>Atli's daughter was I, yet the monarch bold-hearted</p> +<p class="i2">Assigned me a home neath the shade of the oak.</p> +<p>But twelve summers old, if thou carest to hearken,</p> +<p class="i2">Was this maid when her vows to the hero she spoke.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page33" id="page33"></a>[pg 33]</span> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>Hjalmgunnar the Old, of the Gothic nation,</p> +<p class="i2">Great chief, on the pathway to Hell did I speed;</p> +<p>And victory granted to Auth's young brother;</p> +<p class="i2">Then Othin's dread fury was roused at my deed.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>Then a phalanx of bucklers did Othin set round me</p> +<p class="i2">On Skatalund's heights, shields crimson and white,—</p> +<p>Bade only that prince break the slumber that bound me</p> +<p class="i2">Who knew naught of terror, nor shrank from the fight.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>And flames high towering and fiercely raging</p> +<p class="i2">Round my Southern hall did he set in a ring:</p> +<p>None other was destined to pass through in safety</p> +<p class="i2">Save the hero who treasure of Fafnir should bring.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>The generous hero with treasure a-gleaming,</p> +<p class="i2">The Danish viking on Grani rode,—</p> +<p>Foremost champion in deeds of valour—</p> +<p class="i2">Where my foster-father had his abode.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>As brother with sister we slept together;</p> +<p class="i2">Eight nights' space he lay at my side.</p> +<p>There were we happy and slumbered idly,</p> +<p class="i2">Nor loving caresses did ever betide.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>Yet Guthrun the daughter of Gjuki reviled me,</p> +<p class="i2">That I in the arms of her lover had slept.</p> +<p>O then was I 'ware of the thing I desired not—</p> +<p class="i2">The truth of my marriage from me had they kept.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>All too long against storms of adversity struggling</p> +<p class="i2">Both women and men seek their fortunes to right;</p> +<p>But I with my Sigurth shall end my life's battle</p> +<p class="i2">At last. Now depart from me, daughter of Night!</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>Then the ogress gave a horrible shriek and leapt +into the cliff."</p> + +<p>Then the King's followers cried: "That's fine! +Go on and tell us some more!"</p> + +<p>But the King said: "You need not tell us any +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page34" id="page34"></a>[pg 34]</span> +more about things of that kind." Then he continued: +"Were you ever with the sons of Lothbrok?"</p> + +<p>Guest replied: "I was only with them for a short +time; I joined them when they were making an +expedition to the south in the neighbourhood of the +Alps, and when they destroyed Vifilsborg. Panic +spread everywhere at their approach, for they were +victorious wherever they went. They were intending +at the time to go to Rome. It chanced one day that +a certain man came up to King Björn Ironside and +saluted him. The King received him in a friendly +way and asked him whence he came. He said that +he had come from the south, from Rome.</p> + +<p>The King asked him: 'How long is the journey +there?'</p> + +<p>He replied: 'You can see here, O King, the shoes +which I am wearing.'</p> + +<p>Then he took iron-bound shoes from his feet, and +the tops of them were very thick, but underneath +they were all torn.</p> + +<p>'You can see now how severely my shoes have +suffered,' said he, 'and tell by that what a long way +it is from here to Rome.'</p> + +<p>'It must be a very long way,' said the King; +'I shall turn back and give up the idea of attacking +the territories of Rome.'</p> + +<p>And the result was that they went no further on +their way; and everyone thought it extraordinary +that they should change their minds so suddenly at +the word of one man, when they had all their plans +laid. So after this the sons of Lothbrok went back +to their homes in the north, and made no further +raids in the south."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page35" id="page35"></a>[pg 35]</span> + +<p>The King said: "It is clear that the saints in Rome +would not allow them to make their way there. The +man you spoke of must have been a Spirit sent from +God to make them change their minds so quickly, +so as not to bring destruction on Rome, the most holy +place of Jesus Christ."</p> + +<a name="n10" id="n10"></a> +<p class="indent">X.<a href="#nn10">°</a> Then the King asked Guest: "Amongst the +kings whom you have visited, whose was the court +that you liked best?"</p> + +<p>Guest replied: "I enjoyed most being with Sigurth +and the sons of Gjuki; but the sons of Lothbrok +were those who allowed most freedom to their +followers to live as they liked. Then again the richest +place was that of Eric at Upsala; but King Harold +the Fairhaired was more exacting than any of the +kings I have mentioned in the duties that he imposed +on his followers. I was with King Hlöthver too in +the land of the Saxons, and there I was prime-signed; +for it was not possible to remain with him otherwise, +because the Christian religion was carefully observed +there. That was the place I liked best on the whole."</p> + +<p>The King said: "You can give us a great deal +of information whatever question we ask you."</p> + +<p>The King then asked Guest many further questions, +and Guest told him everything clearly, and finally he +said:</p> + +<p>"Now I must tell you why I am called Norna-gest."</p> + +<p>The King said he would like to hear.</p> + +<p class="indent">XI. Guest began: "I was brought up at my +father's home at a place called Groening. My +father was a wealthy man and kept house in great +style. At that time wise women used to go about the +country. They were called 'spae-wives,' and they +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page36" id="page36"></a>[pg 36]</span> +foretold people's futures. For this reason people used +to invite them to their houses and gave them hospitality +and bestowed gifts on them at parting.</p> + +<p>My father did the same, and they came to him +with a great following to foretell my fate. I was lying +in my cradle when the time came for them to prophesy +about me, and two candles were burning above +me. Then they foretold that I should be a favourite +of Fortune, and a greater man than any of my kindred +or forbears—greater even than the sons of the chief +men in the land; and they said that all would come +to pass just as it has done. But the youngest Norn +thought that she was not receiving enough attention +compared with the other two, since they were +held in high account yet did not consult her about +these prophecies. There was also a great crowd of +roughs present, who pushed her off her seat, so that +she fell to the ground. She was much vexed at this +and called out loudly and angrily, telling them to +stop prophesying such good things about me:</p> + +<p>'For I ordain that the boy shall live no longer than +that candle burns which is alight beside him.'</p> + +<p>Then the eldest spae-wife took the candle and +extinguished it and bade my mother take charge of +it and not light it until the last day of my life. After +that the spae-wives went away, and my father gave +them good gifts at parting. When I was full-grown, +my mother gave me the candle to take charge of: I +have it with me now."</p> + +<p>The King said: "Why have you come here to me +now?"</p> + +<p>Guest replied: "The idea that came into my mind +was this: I expected that I should get good luck from +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page37" id="page37"></a>[pg 37]</span> +you, because I have heard you highly praised by good +and wise men."</p> + +<p>The King said: "Will you receive holy baptism +now?"</p> + +<p>Guest replied: "Yes, I will, since you advise it."</p> + +<p>So it came to pass; and the King took him into +his favour and made him one of his retinue. Guest +became a very good Christian and loyally followed +the King's rules of life. He was also popular with +everybody.</p> + +<a name="n12" id="n12"></a> +<p class="indent">XII.<a href="#nn12">°</a> It happened one day that the King asked +Guest: "How much longer would you live if you +could choose?"</p> + +<p>Guest replied: "Only a short time, please God!"</p> + +<p>The King said: "What will happen if you take +your candle now?"</p> + +<p>Thereupon Guest took his candle out of the frame +of his harp. The King ordered it to be lighted, and +this was done. And when the candle was lighted it +soon began to burn away.</p> + +<p>Then the King said to Guest: "How old are you?"</p> + +<p>And Guest replied: "I am now three hundred +years old."</p> + +<p>"You are an old man," observed the King.</p> + +<p>Then Guest laid himself down and asked them +to anoint him with oil. The King ordered it to be +done, and when it was finished there was very little +of the candle left unburnt. Then it became clear +that Guest was drawing near to his end, and his +spirit passed just as the torch flickered out; and they +all marvelled at his passing. The King also set great +store by his stories and held that the account which +he had given of his life was perfectly true.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page38" id="page38"></a>[pg 38]</span> + +<h3 style="margin-top: 3em;">INTRODUCTION TO THE THÁTTR OF SÖRLI</h3> + +<p>This story, like the last, is taken from the long +<i>Saga of Olaf Tryggvason</i> contained in the <i>Flateyjarbók</i>, +Vol. <span class="sc">i</span>, pp. 275-283. Its connection, however, with +the story of that King is of the slightest. According +to the opinion of Finnur Jónsson<a id="footnotetagii1" name="footnotetagii1"></a><a href="#footnoteii1"><sup>1</sup></a> the story in its +present form dates from the first half of the fourteenth +century.</p> + +<p>This story, like the <i>Tháttr of Nornagest</i>, shows +evidence of a definite structural plan and falls into +three distinct parts. In the first two chapters the +scene is laid among the gods, and the story is set +in motion by the forging of a necklace for the goddess +Freyja by some dwarfs. This is stolen by Loki and +given to Othin, who refuses to restore it to Freyja +till she promises to bring about a perpetual battle +between two mighty kings.</p> + +<p>Then in chs. <span class="sc">iii</span> and <span class="sc">iv</span> we have an account of the +adventures of a Viking prince named Sörli, from +whom the story takes its (somewhat inappropriate) +title<a id="footnotetagii2" name="footnotetagii2"></a><a href="#footnoteii2"><sup>2</sup></a>. Sörli comes into contact (first as an enemy, +later as a friend) with another prince called Högni, +and this leads up to the main theme—the friendship +and subsequent quarrel of Hethin and Högni, in +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page39" id="page39"></a>[pg 39]</span> +whose tragic fate Freyja's promise is fulfilled. The +perpetual battle between these two heroes is finally +ended by one of Olaf Tryggvason's men, and it is +through this that the story comes to be introduced +into his Saga.</p> + +<p>The story of Hethin and Högni was a favourite +one in the North. It is told in <i>Skáldskaparmál</i>, +ch. 49 and in Saxo Grammaticus' <i>Danish History</i>, +Book <span class="sc">v</span> (Elton, pp. 195-198). The earliest Norse +reference to it is to be found in Bragi's <i>Ragnarsdrápa</i>, +str. 3-7. The story must also have been well known +in the Orkneys, since we find the following verses +in the <i>Háttalykill</i> by Jarl Rögnvald (1136-58) and +an Icelandic skald Hall who flourished 1140-48<a id="footnotetagii3" name="footnotetagii3"></a><a href="#footnoteii3"><sup>3</sup></a>.</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Who planned to carry off Hild?</p> +<p>Who fight all day long?</p> +<p>Who will be reconciled at last?</p> +<p>Who incited the kings?</p> +<p>Hethin planned to carry off Hild;</p> +<p>The Hjathningar are always fighting;</p> +<p>They will be reconciled at last;</p> +<p>Hild incited the host.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>Who reddens the keen blades?</p> +<p>Who chops meat for the wolf?</p> +<p>Who makes showers of helmets?</p> +<p>Who stirred up strife?</p> +<p>Harold reddened the keen blades;</p> +<p>The host chops meat for the wolf;</p> +<p>Högni makes the shower of helmets;</p> +<p>Hjarrandi stirred up strife!</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>In the Shetlands the story survived down to +modern times in the form of a ballad known as +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page40" id="page40"></a>[pg 40]</span> +<i>Hildina</i>, which was taken down by George Low<a id="footnotetagii4" name="footnotetagii4"></a><a href="#footnoteii4"><sup>4</sup></a> +from the recitation of an old man on the Isle of Foula +in 1774. The Norwegian dialect (Norn) in which it +is composed is so obscure as we have it in Low's +script as to be almost untranslatable, though a +serious attempt at its interpretation has been made +by Dr M. Hægstad in <i>Skrifter udgivne af Videnskabsselskabet +i Christiania</i>, 1900 (<i>Historisk-Filosofisk +Klasse</i>, <span class="sc">ii</span>), with a very full discussion of all the linguistic +difficulties involved<a id="footnotetagii5" name="footnotetagii5"></a><a href="#footnoteii5"><sup>5</sup></a>. According to Low +"The subject is a strife between a King of Norway +and an Earl of Orkney, on account of the hasty +marriage of the Earl with the King's daughter in +her father's absence." Further on<a id="footnotetagii6" name="footnotetagii6"></a><a href="#footnoteii6"><sup>6</sup></a> he gives the +substance of the ballad at greater length:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +An Earl of Orkney, in some of his rambles on the coast of +Norway, saw and fell in love with the King's daughter of +the country. As their passion happened to be reciprocal he +carried her off in her father's absence, who was engaged in +war with some of his distant neighbours. On his return, he +followed the fugitives to Orkney, accompanied by his army, +to revenge on the Earl the rape of his daughter. On his +arrival there, Hildina (which was her name) first spied him, +and advised her now husband to go and attempt to pacify the +King. He did so, and by his appearance and promises brought +the King so over as to be satisfied with the match. +</p></blockquote> + +<p>After this, with the introduction of a courtier +Hiluge the story proceeds in a form totally different +from anything found in the <i>tháttr</i>, though an attempt +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page41" id="page41"></a>[pg 41]</span> +has been made to connect it with the second part +of the German poem <i>Kudrun</i>.</p> + +<p>The story of Hethin and Högni however was not +confined to Norway and its colonies; indeed it seems +to have been popular throughout the whole Teutonic +world. It forms the subject of the first part of the +mediaeval German poem <i>Kudrun</i>, and characters from +the story are mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon poems +<i>Widsith</i>, l. 21, and <i>Deor</i>, l. 36 ff.</p> + +<p>For a treatment of the different versions of the +story as it was known to men of old, the reader may +be referred to Miss Clarke's <i>Sidelights on Teutonic +History during the Migration Period</i> (Cambridge, 1911), +p. 190 ff., and to Chambers' <i>Widsith</i>, p. 100 ff. It +may be mentioned here that in the main points of +the story—the carrying off of Hild and the subsequent +pursuit by the father—all the versions are +agreed. The German version, however, differs in +many respects from those of the North (except that +of the <i>Hildina</i>)—especially in the fact that the combatants +become reconciled. The various Scandinavian +versions of the story also differ somewhat in detail +among themselves. The story translated below is the +only one which mentions the slaying by Hethin of +Högni's wife, and it is only here that Hethin is +described as being of foreign origin. Moreover this +is the only version in which the goddess Freyja is +made responsible for the Unending Battle. Indeed +the supernatural element, and especially the influence +of charms and spells, is more prominent in this version +than in any of the others. It is only here, too, that +we find the story of Göndul and the "potion of +forgetfulness." On the other hand our version +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page42" id="page42"></a>[pg 42]</span> +contains no reference to the statement made in +<i>Skáldskaparmál</i> and Saxo that it was Hild who by +her magic spells restored the dead to life each night.</p> + +<p>In our version of the story the character of +Hild is left wholly undeveloped. Indeed the writers +of the Romantic Sagas are always so much more +interested in incident than in character that highly +individualised personality is rare. Even when as +in the case of Hervör<a id="footnotetagii7" name="footnotetagii7"></a><a href="#footnoteii7"><sup>7</sup></a>, the very nature of the +story presents an interesting and somewhat unusual +personality, we are sometimes left with a feeling of +dissatisfaction and a conviction that the writer did +not realise the full merits and possibilities of his +material. Högni is the usual type of hot-headed +implacable sea-rover. The character of Hethin, +however, presents some interesting features and +strikes us as more modern in conception. Naturally +gentle of disposition, he had been forced by malignant +powers into a situation foreign to his nature. Hardly +characteristic of a viking chief are his genuine regret +for the harm he had done and his anxiety that the men +of Högni and himself should not be called upon to +forfeit their lives for his "crimes and misdeeds." The +conventional viking, clear-eyed and purely material in +his view of life, would have stayed to brave out the +consequences. Hethin only wished "to go away somewhere +a long way off, where he would not each day +have his wicked deeds cast in his teeth." His remorse +had broken him down.—"You will find it an easy +matter to slay me when I am left alive last of all!"</p> + +<p>The motif of the Everlasting Battle is not confined +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page43" id="page43"></a>[pg 43]</span> +the story of Hethin and Högni. Parallels can be +found in many literatures, both ancient and modern<a id="footnotetagii8" name="footnotetagii8"></a><a href="#footnoteii8"><sup>8</sup></a>.</p> + +<p>This <i>tháttr</i> has been translated into English under +the title of <i>The Tale of Hogni and Hedinn</i> in <i>Three +Northern Love Stories</i> by W. Morris and Eiríkr +Magnússon, London, 1875.</p> + +<p>For a full bibliography of <span class="sc">mss</span>., translations, and +the general literature dealing with this saga, cf. +<i>Islandica</i>, Vol. v, pp. 41, 42.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnoteii1" name="footnoteii1"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagii1">Footnote 1:</a> +<i>Oldnorske og Oldislandske Litteraturs Historie</i>, Vol. <span class="sc">ii</span>, p. 837.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnoteii2" name="footnoteii2"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagii2">Footnote 2:</a> +The life of this prince is told at length in another saga—<i>Sörla Saga Sterka</i> which is published in +Vol. <span class="sc">iii</span> of Ásmundarson's edition of the <i>Fornaldarsögur</i>.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnoteii3" name="footnoteii3"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagii3">Footnote 3:</a> +Cf. Finnur Jónsson, <i>op. cit.</i>, Vol. <span class="sc">ii</span>, pp. 34, 35.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnoteii4" name="footnoteii4"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagii4">Footnote 4:</a> +Cf. <i>A Tour through the Islands of Orkney and Schetland</i>, by George Low, edited by J. A. Anderson (Kirkwall, 1879), p. 108 ff.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnoteii5" name="footnoteii5"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagii5">Footnote 5:</a> +On p. 217 ff. below I have attempted a translation of the first twelve stanzas from Hægstad's corrected text.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnoteii6" name="footnoteii6"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagii6">Footnote 6:</a> +<i>Op. cit.</i>, p. 113.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnoteii7" name="footnoteii7"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagii7">Footnote 7:</a> +Cf. The <i>Saga of Hervör and Heithrek</i> translated below, p. 87 ff.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnoteii8" name="footnoteii8"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagii8">Footnote 8:</a> +Cf. Panzer, <i>Hilde-Gudrun</i> (Halle, 1901), <i>passim</i>; Frazer, <i>Pausanias's Description of Greece</i> (London, 1898), +Vol. <span class="sc">ii</span>, p. 443 ff.; etc.</p> + +<a name="s1" id="s1"></a> +<h3 style="margin-top: 3em;">THE THÁTTR OF SÖRLI<a href="#ns1">°</a></h3> + +<p class="indent">I. To the East of Vanakvisl in Asia was a country +called Asialand or Asiaheim. Its inhabitants were +called Æsir and the chief city they called Asgarth. +Othin was the name of their King, and it was a great +place for heathen sacrifices. Othin appointed Njörth +and Frey as priests. Njörth had a daughter called +Freyja who accompanied Othin and was his mistress. +There were four men in Asia called Alfregg, Dvalin, +Berling and Grer, who dwelt not far from the King's +hall, and who were so clever that they could turn +their hands to anything. Men of this kind were +called dwarfs. They dwelt in a rock, but at that time +they mixed more with men than they do now. Othin +loved Freyja very much, and she was the fairest of +all women in her day. She had a bower of her own +which was beautiful and strong, and it was said that +if the door was closed and bolted, no-one could enter +the bower against her will.</p> + +<p>It chanced one day that Freyja went to the rock +and found it open, and the dwarfs were forging a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page44" id="page44"></a>[pg 44]</span> +gold necklace, which was almost finished. Freyja +was charmed with the necklace, and the dwarfs with +Freyja. She asked them to sell it, offering gold and +silver and other costly treasures in exchange for it. +The dwarfs replied that they were not in need of +money, but each one said that he would give up his +share in the necklace.... And at the end of four nights +they handed it to Freyja. She went home to her bower +and kept silence about it as if nothing had happened.</p> + +<a name="s2" id="s2"></a> +<p class="indent">II.<a href="#ns2">°</a> There was a man called Farbauti who was a +peasant and had a wife called Laufey. She was thin +and meagre, and so she was called 'Needle.' They +had no children except a son who was called Loki. +He was not a big man, but he early developed a caustic +tongue and was alert in trickery and unequalled in +that kind of cleverness which is called cunning. He +was very full of guile even in his youth, and for this +reason he was called Loki the Sly. He set off to +Othin's home in Asgarth and became his man. +Othin always had a good word for him whatever +he did, and often laid heavy tasks upon him, all +of which he performed better than could have been +expected. He also knew almost everything that +happened, and he told Othin whatever he knew.</p> + +<p>Now it is said that Loki got to know that Freyja +had received the necklace ... and this he told to Othin. +And when Othin heard of it he told Loki to fetch +him the necklace. Loki said that there was not much +hope of that, because no-one could get into Freyja's +bower against her will. Othin told him to go, and +not come back without the necklace. So Loki went +off howling, and everyone was glad that he had +got into trouble.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page45" id="page45"></a>[pg 45]</span> + +<p>He went to Freyja's bower, but it was locked. He +tried to get in but could not. The weather outside +was very cold and he became thoroughly chilled. +Then he turned himself into a fly, and flew around +all the bolts and along the whole of the woodwork, +but nowhere could he find a hole big enough to +enter by, right up to the gable. He found only a hole +no bigger than would allow of the insertion of a needle. +Through this hole he crept. And when he got inside +he stared around, wondering if anyone was awake. But +he found that the room was all wrapped in slumber.</p> + +<p>Then he went in and up to Freyja's bed and found +that she was wearing the necklace and that the clasp +was underneath her. Loki thereupon turned himself +into a flea and settled on Freyja's cheek and stung +her, till she awoke and turned over and went to sleep +again. Then he laid aside his flea-form, drew the +necklace from her gently, opened the door and +departed, carrying the necklace to Othin.</p> + +<p>When Freyja awoke in the morning she found that +the door was open, though it had not been forced, +and that her lovely necklace was gone. She had a +shrewd idea of the trick that had been played on her, +and when she was dressed she went into the hall to +King Othin, and told him that he had done ill to +rob her of her trinket, and begged him to return it.</p> + +<p>Othin replied that considering how she had come +by it she should never get it back:</p> + +<p>"—Unless you bring about a quarrel between two +kings, each of whom has twenty kings subject to him; +so that they shall fight under the influence of such +spells and charms that as fast as they fall they shall +start up again and fight on—unless there be some +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page46" id="page46"></a>[pg 46]</span> +Christian man so brave and so much favoured by the +great good fortune of his liege lord that he shall dare +to take arms and enter among the combatants and +slay them. Then and not till then shall the labours of +those princes be brought to an end—whoever may be +the chief who is destined to free them from the +oppression and toil of their disastrous lot."</p> + +<p>Freyja agreed to this and recovered the necklace.</p> + +<a name="s3" id="s3"></a> +<p class="indent">III.<a href="#ns3">°</a> Four and twenty years after the death of +Frithfrothi a King called Erling ruled over the +Highlands of Norway. He had a wife and two sons, +of whom the elder was called Sörli the Strong, and +the younger Erlend. They were promising young +men. Sörli was the stronger of the two. As soon +as they were old enough they took to raiding, and +fought against the viking Sindri, the son of Sveigir, +the son of Haki, a sea-king in the Skerries of the Elf. +There fell Sindri the viking, and with him all his +host; and Erlend the son of Erling also fell in that +battle. After that Sörli sailed into the Baltic and +harried there, and performed so many great deeds +that it would take too long to recount them all.</p> + +<a name="s4" id="s4"></a> +<p class="indent">IV.<a href="#ns4">°</a> There was a King called Halfdan who ruled +Denmark; and his capital was at Roskilde. He +married Hvethna the elder, and their sons were +Högni and Haakon. They were distinguished for +their stature, strength and ability. As soon as they +were old enough they took to piracy.</p> + +<p>Now we must return to Sörli and relate how one +autumn he set sail for Denmark. King Halfdan had +been intending to go to a gathering of kings. He +was far advanced in years at the time when the events +related here took place. He had such a fine warship +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page47" id="page47"></a>[pg 47]</span> +that for strength and excellence of every kind it had +no equal in all the countries of the North. It was +riding at anchor in the harbour, but King Halfdan +had gone ashore to give orders for a carousal before +starting on his voyage. And when Sörli saw the +warship his heart was consumed with a burning +desire to possess it at all possible hazards. And indeed +it is generally agreed that there never was a +greater treasure of a warship than this in all the +countries of the North, except the warships Ellithi +and Gnöth and the Long Serpent.</p> + +<p>So he ordered his men to prepare themselves for +battle—</p> + +<p>"For we must slay King Halfdan and seize his +warship."</p> + +<p>A man called Sævar, his fo'c'sle-man and marshal, +made answer:</p> + +<p>"That is not advisable, Sire, for Halfdan is a great +chief and a famous man. Moreover he has two sons +who will be certain to avenge him, for they are both +very famous men already."</p> + +<p>"Though they be superior to the very gods," said +Sörli, "yet we shall fight just as we have done before."</p> + +<p>They prepared for battle, and the news reached +King Halfdan. He started up and went with all his +men to his ships, and they prepared them for battle +at once. Some of Halfdan's men protested to him +that it was not advisable to fight, and suggested that +he should take to flight as the odds were too heavy +against them. The King replied that they would all +fall dead one on the top of another before he would +flee.</p> + +<p>Both sides now prepared to give battle, and closed +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page48" id="page48"></a>[pg 48]</span> +forthwith in a fierce combat, the result of which was +that King Halfdan fell with all his host; and Sörli +took possession of the warship and everything on it +that was of value.</p> + +<p>Then Sörli learned that Högni had returned from +a raiding expedition and was lying off Odinsø. +Sörli set off thither with his ships, and when they +met, he told him of the death of Halfdan, his father, +and made him an offer of reconciliation on his own +terms, suggesting also that they should become +foster-brothers; but Högni declined all his offers. +Then they joined battle, as is told in the poem dealing +with Sörli. Haakon fought very boldly and slew +Sævar, Sörli's standard-bearer and fo'c'sle-man. Then +Sörli slew Haakon, but Högni slew King Erling, +Sörli's father. After that Högni and Sörli fought +together, and Sörli went down before Högni from +weariness and wounds. And Högni afterwards +caused him to be healed of his wounds, and they +swore foster-brotherhood to one another, and both +remained true to their oaths as long as they lived. +Sörli was the first to die. He fell in the Baltic at the +hands of vikings, as is told in the poem of which he +is the subject.</p> + +<p>And when Högni heard of Sörli's death, he went +raiding in the Baltic the same summer, and was +victorious everywhere. He became king over those +regions; and it is said that twenty kings were vassals +to King Högni and paid him tribute. Högni became +so famous on account of his great deeds and his +raiding expeditions that his name was as well known +in the north of Finland as away in Paris, and everywhere +in between.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page49" id="page49"></a>[pg 49]</span> + +<a name="s5" id="s5"></a> +<p class="indent">V.<a href="#ns5">°</a> There was a King called Hjarrandi who ruled +over Serkland. He had a wife and a son called +Hethin, who quickly grew into a man remarkable +for his strength, stature and ability. While still a +youth he went on raiding expeditions and became a +sea-king, harrying all round Spain and Greece and +all the neighbouring kingdoms; so that he made +twenty kings pay him tribute, holding their land and +revenue as his vassals. In winter time Hethin used +to stay at home in Serkland. It is said that on one +occasion he went into a forest with his retinue. He +left his men and found himself alone in a glade where +he saw a woman, tall and fair, sitting on a throne. +She spoke to him courteously, and when he asked her +her name she said she was called Göndul. Then they +talked together. She questioned him about his +mighty deeds and he told her everything frankly +and asked her whether she knew of any king to +match himself in valour and hardihood, renown and +prowess. She replied that she knew of one who did +not fall short of him—one who had twenty kings +subject to him just as Hethin had; and she added +that his name was Högni and that he lived in the +North, in Denmark.</p> + +<p>"I know one thing," said Hethin; "we have got +to prove which of us is the more valiant."</p> + +<p>"It is high time for you to return to your men," +said she; "they will be looking for you."</p> + +<p>Then they parted. He returned to his men, and +she remained sitting there.</p> + +<p>At the very beginning of spring, Hethin prepared +to set out. He had a warship, and three hundred and +sixty men in it, and he made for the northern part +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page50" id="page50"></a>[pg 50]</span> +of the world. He sailed all that summer and the +following winter, and at the beginning of spring he +reached Denmark.</p> + +<a name="s6" id="s6"></a> +<p class="indent">VI.<a href="#ns6">°</a> King Högni was at home at that time; and +when he heard that a famous king had come to his +shores, he invited him to a magnificent banquet, and +Hethin accepted the invitation. And as they sat +drinking, Högni asked what motive brought Hethin +so far north.</p> + +<p>Hethin replied that his object was to compete with +him in contests which would make trial of their +courage and daring and all their prowess and skill.</p> + +<p>Högni said he was ready for this; and early next +morning they went swimming and shooting together. +They rode a-tilt, and performed feats of arms and of +skill of all kinds. And in all their exploits they were +so equal that no-one could distinguish which was the +better of the two. After that they swore foster-brotherhood +to one another, and bound themselves to share +everything equally.</p> + +<p>Hethin was young and unmarried, but Högni +was somewhat older. He had married Hervör, the +daughter of Hjörvarth, the son of Heithrek Ulfham. +Högni had a daughter who was called Hild, and who +excelled all other women in beauty and understanding. +He loved his daughter exceedingly. He +had no other children.</p> + +<a name="s7" id="s7"></a> +<p class="indent">VII.<a href="#ns7">°</a> It is said that a little later Högni went +on a raiding expedition while Hethin stayed behind +to look after his kingdom. It chanced one day that +Hethin went into a forest to pass the time. The +weather was mild. He again wandered away from +his men. He came upon a forest glade, and there he +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page51" id="page51"></a>[pg 51]</span> +saw sitting on a throne the same woman whom he had +seen before in Serkland—only now he thought her +even fairer than before. She was again the first to speak +and chattered to him gaily. She was holding a horn +with a lid to it. The King fell in love with her. She +offered him a drink and he felt thirsty, as he had +grown warm; so he took the horn and drank; and +when he had drunk, a very wonderful change came +over him, for he remembered nothing that had +happened to him previously. He then sat down and +talked to her.</p> + +<p>She asked him if what she had said to him before +of the skill and courage of Högni had proved true +and Hethin replied that it was true enough—"for +he did not come short of me in any feat that we tried, +and so we declared ourselves a match."</p> + +<p>"Yet you two are not equal," said she.</p> + +<p>"And why not?" asked Hethin.</p> + +<p>"For this reason," replied she: "Högni has +married a wife of high birth, whereas you have no +wife."</p> + +<p>He replied: "Högni will marry me to Hild his +daughter as soon as I like to ask him, and then I shall +be as well married as he."</p> + +<p>"Your honour will be impaired," said she, "if +you ask Högni for a marriage alliance. If, as you +profess, you lack neither courage nor valour, you +would do better to carry off Hild by force, and put +the Queen to death by taking her and laying her down +in front of the prow of your warship, and letting it +cut her in two when it is launched."</p> + +<p>The wickedness and forgetfulness contained in the +ale which Hethin had drunk had so got the better of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page52" id="page52"></a>[pg 52]</span> +him that there seemed to him to be no alternative, +and he had not the slightest recollection that he and +Högni were 'foster-brothers.'</p> + +<p>Presently they parted, and Hethin went back to +his men. This took place in the late summer.</p> + +<p>Then Hethin ordered his men to get ready the +warship, saying that he intended to go home to +Serkland. Then he went into the ladies' bower and +took the Queen and Hild by either hand and led +them out. Hild's clothes and jewels were also taken. +There was no-one in the kingdom who had the +courage to do anything; for they were afraid of +Hethin and his men—he glowered so fiercely.</p> + +<p>Hild asked Hethin what his intention was, and he +told her. She besought him to think better of it, +adding:</p> + +<p>"My father will marry me to you if you ask him +for me."</p> + +<p>"Ask for you?" echoed Hethin; "I will never +do that."</p> + +<p>"And," she continued, "if you really must carry +me off, even so my father will make it up with you. +But if you do anything so wicked and unmanly as +to put my mother to death, my father will never +make it up with you. I have had a warning in dreams +that you two will fight and slay one another. Yet +I am afraid that there must be something still more +terrible in store. It will be a great sorrow to me if +I have to be the means of exposing my father to +the ruinous effects of magic spells; nor shall I have +any joy in seeing you in difficulties and toils."</p> + +<p>Hethin replied that he cared not at all for the consequences, +and that he would do as he had threatened.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page53" id="page53"></a>[pg 53]</span> + +<p>"You cannot mend it now," said Hild, "because +in this case you are not your own master."</p> + +<p>Then Hethin went down to the sea-shore, and +now was the warship launched. He thrust the Queen +down in front of the prow, so that she perished. +Hethin stepped into the warship. And when it was +quite ready, he took it into his head to land alone, +leaving his men behind; and he went into the same +forest where he had gone before. And when he +came into the glade, there he saw Göndul seated on +her throne. They greeted one another cordially. +Hethin told her what he had done and she expressed +her approval.</p> + +<p>She had with her the horn which she had carried +before, and she offered him a drink from it. He took +it and drank; and when he had drunk, sleep fell upon +him, and he let his head sink into her lap. And when +he had fallen asleep, she slipped away from under +his head, saying:</p> + +<p>"Now I devote both you and Högni and all your +followers, and lay you under all the spells imposed +by Othin."</p> + +<p>Then Hethin awoke and saw the fleeting shadow +of Göndul, but she appeared to him now to be big +and black; and he recalled everything and realised +how much mischief he had done. He decided now +to go away somewhere a long way off, where he +would not each day have his wicked deeds cast in +his teeth. So he went to his ship, and made haste +to free her from her moorings. A fair breeze was +blowing off the land, and so he sailed away with Hild.</p> + +<a name="s8" id="s8"></a> +<p class="indent">VIII.<a href="#ns8">°</a> When Högni returned home, he learnt that +Hethin had sailed away with Hild and the warship +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page54" id="page54"></a>[pg 54]</span> +Halfdanarnaut, leaving the dead body of the Queen +in his tracks. Högni was furious and bade his +men start up on the spot and sail in pursuit of +Hethin. This they did, and a fair breeze sprang up. +Every evening they reached the harbour from which +Hethin had sailed away in the morning.</p> + +<p>It happened one day that as Högni was making +for a harbour, Hethin's sails were sighted out at sea; +so Högni and his men gave chase. As a matter of +fact, it is said that at this point Hethin got a head wind +against him, whereas Högni had the luck to have a +fair wind as before. Hethin then lay to off an island +called Hoy, and there he rode at anchor. Högni +quickly came alongside, and when they met, Hethin +greeted him courteously.</p> + +<p>"I must tell you, foster-brother," said Hethin, +"that so great a misfortune has come upon me that +no-one save you can remedy it. I have carried off +your daughter and your warship, and put your wife +to death, yet from no personal wickedness of my +own, but rather from promptings of evil spirits and +wicked spells. My wish now is that you shall have +your own way entirely in this matter between yourself +and me. I also offer to give up to you both Hild and +the warship, and all the men and money contained +in it, and to go to such distant lands that I can never +return to the North nor into your sight as long as I +live."</p> + +<p>Högni replied: "Had you asked me for Hild +I would have married her to you; and even in spite +of your having carried her off by force we might have +made up our quarrel. Now, however, since you have +been guilty of such an outrage as to put the Queen to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page55" id="page55"></a>[pg 55]</span> +death in a most shameful manner, I certainly will not +make terms with you. We will try here, on the spot, +which of us is the more valiant fighter."</p> + +<p>Hethin replied: "It would be best, if nothing less +than fighting will satisfy you, that we two should measure +our strength alone; for you have no quarrel with +any man here save with me. There is no use in making +innocent men pay for my crimes and evil deeds."</p> + +<p>Their followers all swore with one accord that +they would rather fall dead in heaps than that they +two should exchange blows alone. And when Hethin +saw that nothing would satisfy Högni, save that they +should fight, he ordered his men to land, saying:</p> + +<p>"I will no longer hold back from Högni, nor make +excuses to avoid fighting. Let every man bear +himself bravely!"</p> + +<p>They thereupon landed and fell to fighting. +Högni was full of fury, but Hethin was both dexterous +with his weapons and mighty in his stroke. +It is told for fact that so potent was the evil charm +in the spell that even when they had cloven one +another to the very shoulders, yet they started up as +before and went on fighting. Hild sat in a grove and +watched the battle.</p> + +<p>This harrowing torment continued to oppress +them from the time when they began to fight until +Olaf Tryggvason became King of Norway. It is +said to have gone on for a hundred and forty-three +years, until it fell to the lot of this famous man that +one of his retinue released them from their grievous +calamities and tragic doom.</p> + +<a name="s9" id="s9"></a> +<p class="indent">IX.<a href="#ns9">°</a> In the first year of King Olaf's reign, it is +said that he came one evening to the island of Hoy +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page56" id="page56"></a>[pg 56]</span> +and anchored there. It was a regular occurrence in +the neighbourhood of this island that watchmen +disappeared every night, and no-one knew what had +become of them. On this particular night it was Ivar +the Gleam who kept guard. And when all the men +on the ships were asleep, Ivar took the sword that +Jarnskjöld had had and that Thorstein his son had +given him, and all his armour, and went up on to the +island. And when he had landed on the island he +saw a man coming towards him. He was very tall +and covered with blood, and his face was full of +sorrow. Ivar asked him his name, and he replied that +he was called Hethin, the son of Hjarrandi, and that +he had come of a stock in far Serkland, adding:</p> + +<p>"I am telling you the truth when I say that the +vanishing of the watchmen must be laid to the charge +of me and Högni, the son of Halfdan. For we and +our men have been laid under such powerful and +destructive spells that we go on fighting night and +day; and this has continued for many generations, +while Hild, the daughter of Högni, sits and looks on. +It is Othin who has laid this spell upon us; and our +only hope of redemption is that a Christian man should +give battle to us.—When that occurs, he whom the +Christian slays shall not stand up again; and so will +each one be freed from his distress. Now I would +pray you that you will come to fight with us, because +I know that you are a good Christian, and also that +the King whom you serve is very lucky. I have a +feeling too that we shall get some good from him and +his men."</p> + +<p>Ivar agreed to go with him.</p> + +<p>Hethin was glad at that and said:</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page57" id="page57"></a>[pg 57]</span> + +<p>"You must take care not to encounter Högni face +to face, and also not to slay me before you slay +him; because no mortal man can encounter Högni +face to face and slay him if I die before him, +for the glance of his eye strikes terror and spares +none. Therefore this is the only way: I will attack +him in front and engage him in battle, while you go +behind and give him his death stroke. You will +find it an easy matter to slay me, when I am left +alive last of all."</p> + +<p>Then they went into the battle, and Ivar saw that +all that Hethin had told him was quite true. He +went behind Högni and struck him on the head, +and clove his skull down to the shoulders, whereupon +Högni fell down dead and never rose up again. After +that he slew all the men who were fighting, and last +of all he slew Hethin, which was no great task.</p> + +<p>When he returned to the ships the day was +dawning. He went to the King and told him what +he had done. The King was very well pleased with +his work and told him that he had had great good +luck. Next day they landed and made their way to the +spot where the battle had taken place; but they saw +no sign of what had happened there. Yet the bloodstains +on Ivar's sword were visible proofs; and never +again did watchmen disappear on that coast.</p> + +<p>After that the King went home to his realm.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page58" id="page58"></a>[pg 58]</span> + +<h3 style="margin-top: 3em;">INTRODUCTION TO THE SAGA OF HROMUND GREIPSSON</h3> + +<p>In the <i>Saga of Thorgils and Haflithi</i>, ch. 10 +(published in <i>Sturlunga Saga</i>, ed. by G. Vigfusson, +Vol. <span class="sc">i</span>, p. 19), we are told that at a wedding held at +Reykjaholar in Iceland in 1119, "There was fun +and merriment and great festivity and all kinds of +amusements, such as dancing and wrestling and +story-telling.... Although it is a matter of no great +importance, some record has been preserved of +the entertainment which was provided, and who were +the people who provided it. Stories were told which +many people now reject, and of which they disclaim +any knowledge; for it seems that many people do not +know what is true, but think some things to be true +which are really pure invention and other things to +be fictitious which are really true. Hralf of Skalmarnes +told a story about Hröngvith the Viking and +Olaf 'the Sailors' King,' and about the rifling of the +barrow of Thrain the berserk, and about Hromund +Gripsson, and included many verses in his story. +King Sverrir used to be entertained with this story +and declared that fictitious stories like this were the +most entertaining of any. Yet there are men who +can trace their ancestry to Hromund Gripsson. +Hrolf himself had composed this story."</p> + +<p>Among those whose ancestry was traced to +Hromund Greipsson were Ingolf and Leif, the +first Norwegian colonists of Iceland. According to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page59" id="page59"></a>[pg 59]</span> +<i>Landnámabók</i>, 1, ch. 3, they were second cousins, +and their grandfathers, who had come from Thelamörk +in the south-west of Norway, were sons of +Hromund. Olaf 'The Sailors' King' is mentioned +also in the <i>Saga of Grím Lothinkinni</i>, ch. 3; and +members of his family figure prominently in several +other sagas.</p> + +<p>These persons may actually be historical. But +the fictitious element is obvious enough in many +places as, for instance, in Hromund's voyage to the +west. Thrain himself is vividly presented to us as +"black and huge, with talons like bird's claws, all +clad in glittering gold, seated on a throne, roaring +loudly and blowing a fire!" This chapter is indeed +a tale of</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Ghaisties and ghoulies,</p> +<p>And lang-leggity beasties,</p> +<p>And things that gae bump in the nicht.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>The most curious features of the saga, however, +are the blurred and perhaps confused reminiscences +of stories and characters which form the +subject of some of the Edda poems. The brothers +Bild and Voli can hardly be other than corruptions +of the god Balder and his avenger Váli. The name +of Hromund's sword 'Mistletoe' too may be a +reminiscence of the same story, though a sword of +the same name is found in <i>Hervarar Saga</i> (ch. 2). +Again, the account of Hromund's sojourn with +Hagal, disguised as a grinding-maid, and the search +made by Blind (ch. 8) are certainly reminiscences of +the Edda poem <i>Helgakvitha Hundingsbana II</i> (sometimes +called <i>Völsungakvitha</i>), where the same adventures +are recorded in connection with the same +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page60" id="page60"></a>[pg 60]</span> +names, except that Helgi here takes the place +Hromund.</p> + +<p>But the most interesting case, however, is the story +of Hromund's opponent Helgi the Bold and Kara +(ch. 7). In this story, Helgi is said to be in the service +of two kings called Hadding, and there can be little +doubt that Helgi and Kara are identical with Helgi +Haddingjaskati and Kara, whose adventures formed +the subject of a lost poem called <i>Káruljóth</i>. This +poem is referred to in the prose at the end of <i>Helgakvitha +Hundingsbana II</i>, where it is stated that they +were reincarnations of Helgi Hundingsbani and +Sigrún—just as the two latter were themselves reincarnations +of Helgi the son of Hjörvarth and +Sváva—"but that is now said to be an old wives' +tale."</p> + +<p>Chapter 4 also has a special interest of its own. +Breaking into barrows was a favourite exploit of +the Norsemen, no doubt for the sake of the gold +which they often contained. References to the +practice are very common in the sagas, e.g. <i>Grettissaga</i>, +ch. 18; <i>Hartharsaga</i>, ch. 15; cf. also Saxo Grammaticus, +<i>Dan. Hist.</i>, p. 200 ff., etc. The ruthlessness +with which the Norsemen plundered the Irish +barrows is mentioned with great indignation in the +Irish Chronicles. In the <i>War of the Gaedhil with +the Gaill</i>, cap. <span class="sc">xxv</span>, we read that certain Norsemen +plundered in Ireland "until they reached +Kerry, and they left not a cave there under ground +that they did not explore." In the same work +cap. LXIX, we are told that—</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Never was there a fortress, or a fastness, or a mound, or a +church, or a sacred place, or a sanctuary, when it was taken +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page61" id="page61"></a>[pg 61]</span> +by that howling, furious, loathsome crew, which was not +plundered by the collectors and accumulators of that wealth. +Neither was there in concealment under ground in Erin, +nor the various solitudes belonging to Fians or to Fairies, +anything that was not discovered by these foreign, wonderful +Denmarkians, through paganism and idol worship. +</p></blockquote> + +<p>Finally in the <i>Annals of Ulster</i> we read (sub anno +862) that</p> + +<blockquote><p> +The cave of Achadh-Aldai (i.e. probably New Grange, +near Dublin) and [the cave] of Knowth, and the cave of Fert-Boadan +over Dowth, and the cave of the smith's wife were +searched by the foreigners (i.e. Norsemen, etc.) which had +not been done before. +</p></blockquote> + +<p>And in England as late as 1344 Thomas of Walsingham +records the slaying of the dragon that guarded +a barrow, and the recovery of a great treasure of gold +by the retainers of the Earl of Warrenne.</p> + +<p>Popular imagination believed that barrows were +occupied by a ghostly inhabitant 'haugbui,' who +guarded the treasure. This was sometimes a dragon, +as in <i>Beowulf</i>, or a reanimated corpse, as in our saga; +but whatever he was, he inspired the outside world +with such fear that the breaking into a grave-mound +came to be regarded as a deed of the greatest courage +and prowess. The 'hogboy' (<i>haugbui</i>) of Maeshowe, +a barrow in the Orkneys, is still a living reality in +the imaginations of the country people<a id="footnotetagiii1" name="footnotetagiii1"></a><a href="#footnoteiii1"><sup>1</sup></a>.</p> + +<p>Unfortunately <i>The Saga of Hromund Greipsson</i> is +preserved only in late paper <span class="sc">mss</span>., of which none +apparently are earlier than the seventeenth century. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page62" id="page62"></a>[pg 62]</span> +None of the verses of which the notice in the <i>Saga +of Thorgils and Haflithi</i> speaks (cf. p. 58 above) have +been preserved. There is, however, a rhymed version +of the saga known as <i>Gríplur</i>, dating apparently from +about the year 1400 and evidently taken from a +better text than any of those which have come down +to us. A short extract from these rhymed verses will +be found on pp. 173-75. For a full discussion of the +relationship of the <i>Gríplur</i> to the extant texts of the +saga and to the later ballads, the reader is referred to +Kölbing, <i>Beiträge zur Vergleichenden Geschichte der +Romantischen Poesie und Prosa des Mittelalters</i> (Breslau, +1876), pp. 181-83, and to Andrews, <i>Studies in the +Fornaldarsögur Northrlanda</i><a id="footnotetagiii2" name="footnotetagiii2"></a><a href="#footnoteiii2"><sup>2</sup></a> in <i>Modern Philology</i>, +1911, 1912.</p> + +<p>A full bibliography of texts, translations and +literature relating to this saga will be found in +<i>Islandica</i>, Vol. v, p. 30.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnoteiii1" name="footnoteiii1"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagiii1">Footnote 1:</a> +Cf. Joseph Anderson, <i>Scotland in Pagan Times: The Bronze and Stone Ages</i>, pp. 278-279 (publ. by Douglas, Edinburgh, 1886).</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnoteiii2" name="footnoteiii2"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagiii2">Footnote 2:</a> +It is pointed out by Andrews, p. 2, that the form Lara (which appears in Rafn's and Ásmundarson's editions, ch. 7) is due to a misreading. +The <span class="sc">mss</span>. have Cara.] +</p> + +<a name="hg1" id="hg1"></a> +<h3 style="margin-top: 3em;">THE SAGA OF HROMUND GREIPSSON<a href="#nhg1">°</a></h3> + +<p class="indent">I. There was a King called Olaf, the son of +Gnothar-Asmund, and he ruled over Garthar in +Denmark, and was very famous. Two brothers, Kari +and Örnulf, both mighty warriors, were entrusted +with the defence of his territories. In that district +there was a wealthy landowner called Greip, who +had a wife called Gunnlöth, the daughter of Hrok +the Black. They had nine sons whose names were +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page63" id="page63"></a>[pg 63]</span> +as follows: Hrolf, Haki, Gaut, Thröst, Angantyr, +Logi, Hromund, Helgi, Hrok. They were all +promising fellows, though Hromund was the finest of +them. He did not know what fear was. He was blue-eyed +and fair-haired; he was broad-shouldered, tall +and strong, and resembled his mother's father. The +King had two men called Bild and Voli. They were +wicked and deceitful, but the King valued them highly.</p> + +<p>On one occasion King Olaf was sailing eastwards +with his fleet along the coast of Norway. They put +in at Ulfasker, and lying to off one of the islands they +began to plunder. The King bade Kari and Örnulf +go up on the island and look if they could see any +warships. They went up on land and saw six warships +under some cliffs, one of them being a most +gorgeous 'Dragon.' Kari called to the men and +asked whose ships they were. One of the scoundrels +on the 'Dragon' stood up and declared his name to +be Hröngvith, adding:</p> + +<p>"But what may your name be?"</p> + +<p>Kari told him his own name and the name of his +brother and added:</p> + +<p>"You are the worst man I know and I am going +to chop you into fragments."</p> + +<p>Hröngvith replied: "For thirty-three years I have +harried both summer and winter. I have fought +sixty battles and been victorious every time with my +sword Brynthvari, which has never grown blunt. +Come here to-morrow, Kari, and I will sheathe it in +your breast."</p> + +<p>Kari said he would not fail to appear.</p> + +<p>Hröngvith had it in his power to choose every day +who was to perish by the point of his sword.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page64" id="page64"></a>[pg 64]</span> + +<a name="hg2" id="hg2"></a> +<p class="indent">II.<a href="#nhg2">°</a> The brothers went back to the King and told +him the news. The King gave orders to prepare for +battle, and his men set to work. The hosts met +and a stiff fight took place. The brothers fought +bravely, Kari slaying eight or twelve men with every +blow. When Hröngvith saw that, he leapt up on the +King's ship, attacked Kari and thrust him through +with his sword. As soon as Kari was wounded he +called to the King:</p> + +<p>"Farewell, Sire. I am going to be Othin's guest!"</p> + +<p>Hröngvith spitted Örnulf on his spear, and when +both the brothers had fallen, Hröngvith called out +to the rest to surrender. Then a murmur of discontent +arose in the King's host. No blade would +wound Hröngvith. Now it is told that Hromund +Greipsson was in the King's retinue. He took a club +in his hand, fastened a long grey goat's beard on his +face, drew a hood over his head, and then rushed to +the fight, where he found the two brothers lying dead. +He rescued the King's standard, and began to deal +death among the scoundrels with his club.</p> + +<p>Hröngvith asked who he was and if he were the +father of that wretched Kari.</p> + +<p>Hromund told him his name and said he was +going to avenge the brothers:—</p> + +<p>"Though Kari was no relative of mine, I will slay +you all the same."</p> + +<p>And thereupon he dealt Hröngvith such a blow +with his club that his head was all awry afterwards.</p> + +<p>Hröngvith said: "I have been in many battles, +but I never got such a blow!"</p> + +<p>Hromund struck another blow at Hröngvith and +broke his skull. At the third stroke he died. After +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page65" id="page65"></a>[pg 65]</span> +that all the survivors surrendered to the King, and so +the battle ended.</p> + +<a name="hg3" id="hg3"></a> +<p class="indent">III.<a href="#nhg3">°</a> Then Hromund proceeded to ransack the +ship, and came upon a man prepared to offer resistance +in the prow. He asked the man's name; and +he replied that he was called Helgi the Bold, a +brother of Hröngvith, and added: "I have no mind +to sue for peace." Hromund gave orders that the +wounds of Helgi the Bold should be attended to. +Then he sailed away to Sweden and was entrusted +with the defence of part of the country.</p> + +<p>After that King Olaf sailed away to the British +Isles with his host, as far as the Hebrides, where they +landed and made a raid. There was a man dwelling +hard by whose cattle had been taken and driven +away by the King's men, and he was bewailing his +loss piteously. Hromund went and asked him who +he was.</p> + +<p>The man replied that his name was Mani and that +his home was a very little way off; and he said that +they would win more honour by breaking into +barrows and plundering the treasures of ghosts.</p> + +<p>Hromund asked him to tell him if he knew anything +about places of this kind.</p> + +<p>Mani replied that he certainly did:—</p> + +<p>"There was a berserk called Thrain, a big, strong +man who was deeply versed in sorcery. He conquered +Valland and was King there. He was put into a +barrow with a sword, armour and great treasure; +but no-one is in a hurry to go there."</p> + +<p>Hromund asked in which direction they should +sail in order to reach it, and he replied that they +could reach it by sailing due south for six days. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page66" id="page66"></a>[pg 66]</span> +Hromund thanked the man for his information, gave +him money, and restored his cattle to him. Then +they sailed away in the direction indicated by the man, +and at the end of six days they saw the barrow straight +in front of their ship.</p> + +<a name="hg4" id="hg4"></a> +<p class="indent">IV.<a href="#nhg4">°</a> They went from the British Isles to Valland, +and found the barrow and immediately set to work +to break it open. And when six days had elapsed +they came upon a trap-door in the barrow. There +they beheld a big fiend, black and huge, all clad in +glittering gold, and seated on a throne. He was +roaring loudly and blowing a fire.</p> + +<p>Hromund asked: "Now who will enter the barrow? +Whoever does so shall have his choice of three +treasures."</p> + +<p>Voli replied: "No-one will be anxious to forfeit +his life for them. There are sixty men here, and that +troll will be the death of them all."</p> + +<p>Hromund said: "Kari would have ventured on it, +had he been alive," and he added—what was true +enough—that even if he were let down by a rope, +it would not be so bad to struggle against eight others +as against Thrain.</p> + +<p>Then Hromund climbed down by a rope.—It was +during the night; and when he had got down, he +gathered up a great amount of treasure and bound +it to the end of the rope.</p> + +<p>Thrain had been King of Valland in bygone days +and had won all his victories by magic. He had +wrought great evil; and when he was so old that he +could fight no longer, he had got himself shut up +alive in the barrow, and much treasure along with +him.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page67" id="page67"></a>[pg 67]</span> + +<p>Now Hromund saw a sword hanging up on a +pillar. He took it down, girded it on, and marched +up to the throne, saying:</p> + +<p>"It is time for me to leave the barrow since there +is no-one to stop me. But what ails you, old fellow? +Have you not seen me gathering up your money +while you sit quietly by, you hateful cur? Were you +not ashamed to look on while I took your sword +and necklace and ever so many more of your treasures?"</p> + +<p>Thrain said that he cared for nothing if only he +would let him sit quietly on his throne: "Formerly," +he continued, "I used to be the first to fight. I must +have become a great coward if I let you rob me of +my wealth single handed; but I'm going to prevent +your taking my treasures; you had better beware of +me, dead though I am."</p> + +<p>Then said Hromund: "Hoist yourself up on your +legs, coward and weakling, and take back your sword +from me if you dare."</p> + +<p>The ghost replied: "There is no glory in attacking +me with a sword when I am unarmed. I would rather +try my strength in wrestling with you."</p> + +<p>Then Hromund flung down the sword and trusted +to his strength. When Thrain saw that, he took down +his cauldron which he kept above him. He was by no +means pleasant to watch as he blew up his fire, ready +to make a meal from the cauldron. The body of the +cauldron was full, and there was a big flame beneath +its feet. Thrain was wearing a gold-wrought mantle. +Both his hands were crooked and his finger nails +were like talons.</p> + +<p>Hromund said: "Get down off your throne, vile +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page68" id="page68"></a>[pg 68]</span> +wretch, now that you have been robbed of all +wealth."</p> + +<p>Then said the ghost: "To be sure, it is high time +to get on my legs, since you taunt me with lack of +courage."</p> + +<p>Day departed, and evening drew on, and it became +dark in the barrow. Then the ghost began wrestling +with Hromund and threw down his cauldron. +Hromund put forth all his strength, and they fought +so hard that rubble and stones were torn up. Then the +ghost sank down on one knee, saying:</p> + +<p>"You press me hard: you are indeed a brave +fellow."</p> + +<p>Hromund replied: "Stand up on your feet again +without support. You are much weaker than Mani +the peasant said."</p> + +<p>Then Thrain turned himself into a troll, and the +barrow was filled with a horrible stench: and he +stuck his claws into the back of Hromund's neck, +tearing the flesh from his bones down to his loins, +saying:</p> + +<p>"You need not complain if the game is rough +and your body sore, for I am going to tear you limb +from limb."</p> + +<p>"I cannot imagine," cried Hromund, "how such +a cat has got into this barrow!"</p> + +<p>The ghost replied: "You must have been brought +up by Gunnlöth. There are not many like you."</p> + +<p>"It will go ill with you," said Hromund, "if you +go on scratching me long."</p> + +<p>They wrestled hard and long till everything round +them shook. At last Hromund tripped him and brought +him down. It had become very dark by this time.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page69" id="page69"></a>[pg 69]</span> + +<p>Then said the ghost: "By guile you have overcome +me and taken my sword. It was that that brought +our struggle to this issue. I have lived in my barrow +for a long time, brooding over my riches; but it is +not wise to trust too much to one's treasures, however +good they may seem. Never would I have +thought that you, Mistletoe, my good sword, would +do me a hurt."</p> + +<p>Hromund then freed himself and seized the sword, +and said:</p> + +<p>"Now tell me how many men you have slain +in single combat with Mistletoe."</p> + +<p>"A hundred and forty four," said the ghost, "and +I never got a scratch. I tried my skill with King +Seming who was in Sweden, and he was of the +opinion that it would take a long time to vanquish +me."</p> + +<p>Hromund said: "You have been a curse on men +for a long time, and it will be a good deed to kill +you at once."</p> + +<p>Then he cut off the ghost's head, and burned him +to ashes on the fire; and then he went out of the +barrow. They asked him on what terms he and +Thrain had parted, and he replied that matters had +gone according to his wishes:—"For I cut off his +head."</p> + +<p>Hromund kept for himself the three treasures +which he had won in the barrow—the ring, the +necklace and Mistletoe; but everyone received a +share of the money.</p> + +<p>Then King Olaf sailed away to his kingdom in the +north, and settled down peacefully in his own country.</p> + +<a name="hg5" id="hg5"></a> +<p class="indent">V.<a href="#nhg5">°</a> After that Hromund grew very famous. He +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page70" id="page70"></a>[pg 70]</span> +was generous and popular. One day he gave to a +man called Hrok a ring of solid gold which weighed +an ounce. Voli got to know about that and slew +Hrok by night and stole the ring. And when the +King heard of it he said he would be even with Voli +some day for such a piece of villainy.</p> + +<p>The King had two sisters, one called Dagny and +the other Svanhvit. Svanhvit was better than her +sister in every way, and had no equal between Sweden +and Halogaland.</p> + +<p>Hromund Greipsson was at home at this time and +became friendly with Svanhvit; but he took no precautions +against either Voli or Bild. On one occasion +she told Hromund that Voli and Bild were busy +slandering him to the King.</p> + +<p>He said: "I am not afraid of any low wretch, and +I shall talk to you as long as you give me the chance."</p> + +<p>This slander became so serious that Hromund +and his brother had to leave the King's retinue and +go home to their father.</p> + +<p>A short time after, Svanhvit was talking to King +Olaf and said:</p> + +<p>"Hromund, who brought us the greatest glory, +has now been banished from the royal retinue; and +in his place you retain two men who care for neither +honour nor virtue."</p> + +<p>The King replied: "A rumour reached me that +he intended to betray you; and the sword shall part +your love."</p> + +<p>"You have very soon forgotten," said she, "the time +when he went alone into the barrow; and no-one else +dared.—Voli and Bild will be hanged first."</p> + +<p>And having said this, she departed hastily.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page71" id="page71"></a>[pg 71]</span> + +<a name="hg6" id="hg6"></a> +<p class="indent">VI.<a href="#nhg6">°</a> Some time after this, two kings, both called +Hadding, came from Sweden, and Helgi the +brother of Hröngvith was with them. They challenged +King Olaf to battle with them on the frozen +surface of Lake Vener in the western part of the land. +He preferred fighting them to abandoning his +country, so he summoned Hromund and his brothers +to follow him. Hromund, however, declined to go, +saying that Bild and Voli were mighty fine fellows +and always fought for the King.</p> + +<p>The King departed with his host. Svanhvit was +grieved at what had happened, and went to Hromund's +home. Hromund welcomed her.</p> + +<p>"Hearken now to my prayer," said she, "more +favourably than you did to my brother's request, +and help the King. I will give you a shield with a +strap attached. Nothing can harm you while you +wear this strap."</p> + +<p>Hromund thanked her for the gift and she was +comforted; so he and his eight brothers made ready +to set out.</p> + +<p>In the meantime the King and his host reached the +frozen Vener, where the Swedish army was waiting +for them. And in the morning, as soon as it was light +enough to fight, they armed themselves on the ice, +and the Swedes made a fierce onslaught. Bild was +slain as soon as the battle began, but Voli was nowhere +to be seen. King Olaf and King Hadding +were wounded.</p> + +<p>Hromund had pitched his tent near the side of +the lake. His brothers armed themselves early in +the morning; but Hromund said:</p> + +<p>"I had a bad dream in the night; some misfortune +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page72" id="page72"></a>[pg 72]</span> +is in store for us, and I am not going into the battle +today."</p> + +<p>His brothers replied that it was disgraceful not +to have the courage to support the King's army, when +he had come for that very purpose.</p> + +<p>They went into the battle and fought bravely +and all those of the army of the Haddings who came +against them fell in heaps. A witch had come among +them in the likeness of a swan. She sang and worked +such powerful spells that none of Olaf's men took +heed to defend themselves. Then she flew over the +sons of Greip, singing loudly. Her name was Kara. +At that same moment Helgi the Bold encountered +the eight brothers and slew every one of them.</p> + +<p class="indent">VII. At this point Hromund entered the battle. +Helgi the Bold caught sight of him and cried:</p> + +<p>"Here comes the man who slew my brother +Hröngvith. Now you must beware of that sword of +his which he got in the barrow.—You held aloof +while I slew your brothers."</p> + +<p>"You need not question my courage, Helgi," +replied Hromund, "for one or other of us must fall +now."</p> + +<p>Helgi said: "Mistletoe is such a heavy weapon +that you cannot use it. I will lend you another that +you can manage."</p> + +<p>"You need not taunt me with faint-heartedness," +cried Hromund. "Remember the blow which +I dealt Hröngvith, when I shattered his skull to +atoms!"</p> + +<p>Helgi said: "You have bound a girl's garter round +your hand, Hromund. Lay aside the shield which +you are carrying. It will be impossible to wound you +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page73" id="page73"></a>[pg 73]</span> +so long as you carry that: I am sure that you are +dependent on that girl."</p> + +<p>Hromund could not endure these galling words, +and flung down his shield. Helgi the Bold had +always been victorious, and it was by means of magic +that he had gained his success. His mistress' name +was Kara—she who was present in the form of a +swan. Helgi brandished his sword so high over his +head that it chopped off the swan's leg. He drove the +sword down into the ground as far as the hilt, and said:</p> + +<p>"My luck has fled now; and it was a bad business +when I missed you."</p> + +<p>Hromund replied: "You were very unlucky, +Helgi, to be the slayer of your own mistress, and you +will have no more happiness."</p> + +<p>Kara dropped down dead. And with the stroke +that Helgi made at Hromund, when the sword was +buried up to the hilt, the point of the sword caught +Hromund's belly and ripped it open, and Helgi +fell forward with the force of his own stroke. Hromund +was not behindhand then: he struck Helgi on +the head with Mistletoe, cleaving helmet and skull +down to the shoulders, and breaking a piece out of +the sword. Then Hromund took his belt-knife and +thrust it into his belly where there was a gaping +wound, and forced back the paunch fat which was +hanging out. At the same time he stitched up the +edges of his belly with a cord, bound his clothes +firmly over it, and so continued fighting valiantly. +Men fell dead in heaps before him, and he fought +on till midnight. Then the survivors of the army of +the Haddings fled, and thereupon the battle came to +an end.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page74" id="page74"></a>[pg 74]</span> + +<p>Then Hromund saw a man standing before him +on the ice, and he felt convinced that he must have +made the ice on the lake by spells. He perceived +that it was Voli. He remarked that it was not unfitting +that he should give him his deserts, and +rushed at him, brandishing Mistletoe and intending +to strike him. Voli blew the sword out of his hand, +and it happened to light on a hole in the ice, and +sank to the bottom.</p> + +<p>Then Voli laughed and said: "You are doomed +now that you have lost hold of Mistletoe."</p> + +<p>Hromund replied: "You will die before me."</p> + +<p>Then he leapt upon Voli and caught him up and +dashed him down against the ice, so that his neck-bone +was broken. There lay the great sorcerer dead! +But Hromund sat him down on the ice, saying:</p> + +<p>"I did not take the girl's advice, so now I have +got fourteen wounds; and in addition to that my +eight brothers lie slain, and my good blade Mistletoe +has fallen into the lake, and nothing will ever make +up to me for the loss of my sword."</p> + +<p>Then he went back to his tent and got some rest.</p> + +<a name="hg8" id="hg8"></a> +<p class="indent">VIII.<a href="#nhg8">°</a> Now the King's sisters were sent for. +Svanhvit examined Hromund's wound, and stitched +his stomach together and tried to bring him round. +She got him taken to a man called Hagal to be cured. +This man's wife was very skilful, and they made +him welcome and nursed him back to health. Hromund +discovered that the couple were skilled in +magic.</p> + +<p>The man was a fisherman, and one day when he +was fishing, he caught a pike, and on going home +and cutting it open he found Hromund's sword +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page75" id="page75"></a>[pg 75]</span> +Mistletoe in its maw, and gave it to him. Hromund +was glad to get it and kissed the sword-hilt and +rewarded the peasant richly.</p> + +<p>In King Hadding's army was a man called Blind +the Evil. He told the King that Hromund was alive +and was being nursed secretly in the home of the +peasant couple. The King refused to believe it, +declaring that they would not dare to conceal him; +but he ordered a search to be made. Blind and some +other men went to the dwelling of Hagal and his +wife and asked if Hromund was under their care. +The woman said he would not be found there. Blind +searched thoroughly, but did not find Hromund because +the woman had hidden him under her cauldron. +Blind and his companions went away, and when they +had gone some distance Blind said:</p> + +<p>"Our quest has not been fruitful. We must go +back again."</p> + +<p>They did so. They went back and found the +woman. Blind told her that she was a crafty one and +had hidden Hromund under her cauldron.</p> + +<p>"Look there then and see if you can find him," +said she. This she said because, when she saw them +returning, she had dressed Hromund in woman's +clothes and set him to grind and turn the handmill. +The men now made search in the house and when +they came upon the girl turning the handmill they +sniffed all round the place, but she cast an unfriendly +look on the King's men, and they went away +again without finding anything.</p> + +<p>And when they had gone away, Blind said that +the peasant's wife had made things look different +from what they were, and he had his suspicions that +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page76" id="page76"></a>[pg 76]</span> +it must have been Hromund who was turning the +mill, dressed as a woman.—"And I see we have +been deceived. We shall do no good struggling with +the woman for she is more cunning than we."</p> + +<p>They cursed her and went back home to the King, leaving +matters as they stood.</p> + +<p class="indent">IX. In the following winter Blind saw many +things in a dream, and on one occasion he told his +dream to the King, saying:</p> + +<p>"I dreamed that a wolf came running from the +east, and bit you and wounded you, O King."</p> + +<p>The King said he would interpret his dream as +follows:</p> + +<p>"A King will come here from some other land, +and his coming will be terrible at first; yet afterwards +peace will be brought about."</p> + +<p>And Blind said that he dreamed he saw many +hawks perched on a house—"And there I espied +your falcon, Sire. He was all bare and stripped of +his feathers."</p> + +<p>The King said: "A wind will come from the clouds +and shake our castle."</p> + +<p>Blind related a third dream as follows.</p> + +<p>"I saw a herd of swine running from the south +towards the King's hall and rooting up the earth +with their snouts."</p> + +<p>The King said: "That signifies the flood-tide, wet +weather, and grass springing from moisture, when +the sun shines on the heath."</p> + +<p>Blind related a fourth dream:</p> + +<p>"I thought I saw a terrible giant come hither +from the east; he gave you a great wound with his +teeth."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page77" id="page77"></a>[pg 77]</span> + +<p>The King said: "Messengers from some King +will come into my hall. They will provoke enmity +and I shall be angered thereby."</p> + +<p>"Here is a fifth dream," said Blind; "I dreamed +that a terrible serpent lay coiled round Sweden."</p> + +<p>"A splendid warship will land here, loaded with +jewels," said the King.</p> + +<p>"I had a sixth dream," said Blind; "I dreamed +that dark clouds came over the land with claws and +wings, and flew away with thee, O King; and I +dreamed moreover that there was a serpent in the +house of Hagal the peasant. He attacked people in +a terrible manner. He devoured both you and me +and all the men belonging to the court. Now what +can that signify?"</p> + +<p>The King said: "I have heard that there is a bear +lurking not far from Hagal's dwelling. I will go and +attack the bear, and it will be in a great rage."</p> + +<p>"Next I dreamed that a dragon's form had been +drawn round the King's hall, and Hromund's belt +was hanging from it."</p> + +<p>The King said: "You know that Hromund lost +his sword and belt in the lake; and are you afraid of +Hromund after that?"</p> + +<p>Blind dreamed yet more dreams which he told to +the King; and the King interpreted them all to his +liking, and none of them according to their real +significance.</p> + +<p>But now Blind related one more dream—this time +one which concerned himself.</p> + +<p>"I dreamed that an iron ring was fixed round my +neck."</p> + +<p>The King said: "The meaning of this dream is +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page78" id="page78"></a>[pg 78]</span> +that you are going to be hanged; and that will be +the end of both of us."</p> + +<a name="hg10" id="hg10"></a> +<p class="indent">X.<a href="#nhg10">°</a> After that King Olaf gathered together an +army and went to Sweden. Hromund accompanied +him, and they took the hall of King Hadding by +surprise. He was in bed in an outer chamber, and +was not aware of their presence till they smashed +in the door of his room. Hadding shouted to his +men and asked who was disturbing the peace of the +night. Hromund told him who they were.</p> + +<p>The King said: "You are anxious to avenge your +brothers."</p> + +<p>Hromund said that he had not come to waste +words about the death of his brothers, adding—"Now +you will have to pay for it and perish on the spot."</p> + +<p>Then one of King Hadding's champions, as big +as a giant, leapt up; but Hromund slew him. King +Hadding covered himself up in bed and got no +wound, because every time Hromund cut down at +him, the sword turned and came down flat on him. +Then Hromund took a club and beat King Hadding +to death.</p> + +<p>Then said Hromund: "Here I have laid low King +Hadding, the most famous man I have ever seen."</p> + +<p>The man Blind, who was also called Bavis, was bound +and then hanged; and so his dream was fulfilled.</p> + +<p>They got a quantity of gold and other booty there, +and then went home. King Olaf married Svanhvit +to Hromund. They were devoted to one another, +and had a family of sons and daughters; they were +people of great distinction in every respect. Kings +and great champions sprang from their stock.</p> + +<p class="ind1">Here ends the Saga of Hromund Greipsson.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page79" id="page79"></a>[pg 79]</span> + +<h3 style="margin-top: 3em;">INTRODUCTION TO THE SAGA OF HERVÖR AND HEITHREK</h3> + +<p>The <i>Saga of Hervör and Heithrek</i> is found in two +vellums, the <i>Hauksbók</i> (<span class="sc">a.m.</span> 544), dating from c. 1325, +which for convenience is usually called <i>H</i>; and +<span class="sc">ms</span>. 2845<a id="footnotetagiv1" name="footnotetagiv1"></a><a href="#footnoteiv1"><sup>1</sup></a> in the Royal Library at Copenhagen, +dating from the fifteenth century, and generally +called <i>R</i>. Besides these there are a number of paper +<span class="sc">mss</span>. (h) dating from the seventeenth century. According +to Bugge<a id="footnotetagiv2" name="footnotetagiv2"></a><a href="#footnoteiv2"><sup>2</sup></a>, these have no independent value +and can contribute nothing to our knowledge of +the text up to the point at which the vellums break +off. They are useful however as continuing the +Saga beyond this point. <i>H</i> comes to an end with +Gestumblindi's second riddle, while <i>R</i> breaks off +just before the close of ch. 12. Beyond this point we +are entirely dependent on the paper <span class="sc">mss</span>. One of +these (<span class="sc">a.m.</span> 345 written in 1694) was adopted by +Rafn<a id="footnotetagiv3" name="footnotetagiv3"></a><a href="#footnoteiv3"><sup>3</sup></a> as the text for his edition of the Saga, though +he gives <i>H</i> in full as an Appendix.</p> + +<p>The <span class="sc">mss</span>. differ considerably among themselves. +For instance <i>R</i> omits the first chapter of the Saga, +but contains <i>Hjalmar's Death Song</i>. Here, too, many +of the riddles are wanting, and the order of the rest +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page80" id="page80"></a>[pg 80]</span> +is quite different from that of <i>h</i>. Finnur Jónsson<a id="footnotetagiv4" name="footnotetagiv4"></a><a href="#footnoteiv4"><sup>4</sup></a> is +of the opinion that <i>R</i> is the best text throughout; +but Heusler<a id="footnotetagiv5" name="footnotetagiv5"></a><a href="#footnoteiv5"><sup>5</sup></a>, like Valdimar Ásmundarson, keeps +the order of the riddles as in <i>h</i>. Petersen<a id="footnotetagiv6" name="footnotetagiv6"></a><a href="#footnoteiv6"><sup>6</sup></a> regards +<i>H</i> as the best text and follows it so far as it goes; but +when it breaks off he follows <i>R</i> mainly, although he +considers the latter <span class="sc">ms</span>. to be defective in many places, +"at the beginning, middle and end." He has supplied +the lacunae in it from Arn. Magn. 192, the paper +<span class="sc">ms</span>. which comes nearest to it, and also from others +but with greater reservation. Valdimar Ásmundarson, +like Petersen, and no doubt influenced by him, has +followed <i>H</i> very closely in his edition of the Saga<a id="footnotetagiv7" name="footnotetagiv7"></a><a href="#footnoteiv7"><sup>7</sup></a> +till it breaks off, and after that the paper <span class="sc">mss</span>. (<i>h</i>) +most closely related to it. He does not appear to have +used <i>R</i>, and therefore omits the details of the fight on +Samsø and <i>Hjalmar's Death Song</i>. Ásmundarson's +version has been followed closely in the translation +given below, but one or two interesting passages +omitted by <i>H</i> have been translated separately (see +Appendix on pp. 144-150) from the text printed from +<i>R</i> in Wimmer's <i>Oldnordisk Læsebog</i><a id="footnotetagiv8" name="footnotetagiv8"></a><a href="#footnoteiv8"><sup>8</sup></a> and from some +short excerpts from <i>h</i> printed at the close of Petersen's +edition of the Saga.</p> + +<p>For a full bibliography of the texts, translations, +and literature dealing with this saga the reader is +referred to <i>Islandica</i>, Vol. <span class="sc">v</span>, pp. 22-26.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page81" id="page81"></a>[pg 81]</span> + +<p>In this saga we have what appears to be the +history of a certain family for more than four +generations. From the point of view of construction, +the story can hardly be regarded as a success. Yet +it contains scenes at least equal to any others which +can be found among sagas of this kind. It also +embodies a considerable amount of poetry which is +not found elsewhere. Some of this is of high merit, +and one piece, dealing with the battle between the +Huns and the Goths, is evidently of great antiquity.</p> + +<p>The Saga opens in a purely mythical milieu—with +Guthmund in Glasisvellir, to whom we have already +had reference in the story of Nornagest. Next we +have a typical story of the Viking Age—the adventures +of the sons of Arngrim and their fight on +Samsø. This story is known to us from other sources, +the earliest being the poem <ins title="transcriber's note: original read 'Hyndluljṓth'. Other occurence in this book: 'Hyndluljóth'; elsewhere: 'Hyndluljóð' (Wikipedia)"><i>Hyndluljóth</i></ins> (str. 24), +which according to Finnur Jónsson<a id="footnotetagiv9" name="footnotetagiv9"></a><a href="#footnoteiv9"><sup>9</sup></a> cannot be later in +date than the latter part of the tenth century, though +Mogk<a id="footnotetagiv10" name="footnotetagiv10"></a><a href="#footnoteiv10"><sup>10</sup></a> is inclined to doubt this. Other references +occur in the <i>Saga of Örvar-Odd</i>, Saxo's <i>Danish +History</i>, the later ballads translated below, etc.</p> + +<p>We then pass on to the account of Hervör, the +daughter of Angantyr (which is only found here and +in the ballads), and the striking poem in which she +is represented as visiting her father's grave-mound to +obtain his sword.</p> + +<p>The next and longest section contains the life of +Hervör's son Heithrek, which is peculiar to this +saga and which in its earlier part likewise seems to be +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page82" id="page82"></a>[pg 82]</span> +a story of the Viking Age. Towards the end, however, +it gradually dawns upon us that there has been +an unconscious change of scene, and that Heithrek +instead of being a Viking prince of the Northern +coasts, is now represented as a King of the Goths, +somewhere in the East of Europe—apparently in +the neighbourhood of the Dnieper. In the last +section of the story, dealing with the adventures of +Angantyr and Hlöth, the sons of Heithrek, there +is no longer any reminiscence of the Viking Age or +the North of Europe. Here we are away back among +the Goths and Huns in the fifth or the latter part of +the fourth century.</p> + +<p>Throughout this strange concatenation of scenes +a connecting link is afforded by the magic flaming +sword, which is handed on from generation to +generation, and which can never be sheathed without +having dealt a death wound.</p> + +<p>It is abundantly clear that the latter part of the +story is of a totally different origin from the first part, +and in reality many centuries earlier. The prose here +is for the most part little more than a paraphrase of +the poem, which probably has its roots in poetry of +the Gothic period. But how this story came to be +joined on to a narrative of the Viking Age is far from +clear.</p> + +<p>It is also interesting to note that some of the +characters in the saga are repetitions of one another. +At all events what is said about Hervör the daughter +of Heithrek in the latter part of the story bears a +strong resemblance to the description of the more +prominent Hervör, the daughter of Angantyr, in +the first part.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page83" id="page83"></a>[pg 83]</span> + +<p>Three poems of considerable length are preserved +in the story. The Riddles of Gestumblindi, though +somewhat tedious as a whole, afford a better +specimen of this type of composition than is to +be found elsewhere in early Norse literature. They +cannot fail to be of considerable interest to anyone +who studies the Anglo-Saxon Riddles, though +unlike the latter they are wholly Teutonic in spirit +and form. Direct Latin influence appears to be +entirely absent.</p> + +<p>Gestumblindi's Riddles, while they belong essentially +to popular literature, yet contain many arresting +phrases which show a minute observation of nature. +They illustrate the condensed, proverbial type of +wisdom that prevails in a primitive state of society, +as well as its keen interest and delight in the little +things of life. They can hardly be called literature +as we understand the term; they are rather the stuff +of which literature is made. But though it is a far +cry from these little nature verses to the more beautiful +and more ambitious nature poems of Burns and +Tennyson, yet Gestumblindi's loving interest in +"every creature of earth" surprised even King +Heithrek into comment. The keen and whimsical +observation that noted that even a spider is a +"marvel" and that it "carries its knees higher than +its body" is the same spirit that inspired a poem to +the</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Wee sleekit, cowrin', tim'rous beastie.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>The poet who noticed that water falling as hail on +rock looks <i>white</i> by contrast, yet forms little <i>black</i> +circles when it falls into the sand as rain, had much +in common with one who noticed that rock and sand +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page84" id="page84"></a>[pg 84]</span> +yield opposite sounds when struck by the same +object—</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Low on the sand and loud on the stone</p> +<p>The last wheel echoed away.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>But though these things are pleasing in themselves, +they are, of course, slight. Gestumblindi +cannot rise to the heights of true poetry reached +by Burns or Tennyson.</p> + +<p>Besides the Riddles, this saga has preserved for +us two far finer poems—in fact two of the finest +Norse poems that we possess—the dialogue between +Hervör and Angantyr at the Barrows of Samsø, and +the narrative of the great battle between the Goths and +the Huns, the <i>Chevy Chase</i> of the North. The ruthlessness +and barbaric splendour of the Hunnish +leaders, the cruelty and the poetry of warfare a thousand +years ago, are here vividly depicted in Norse +verse at its simplest and best.</p> + +<p>We may notice too the little vignettes that appear +from time to time both in the poetry itself and in the +prose narrative, some of which is evidently derived +from lost verses.—Hervör standing at sunrise on the +summit of the tower and looking southward towards +the forest; Angantyr marshalling his men for battle +and remarking drily that there used to be more of +them when mead drinking was in question; great +clouds of dust rolling over the plain, through which +glittered white corslet and golden helmet, as the +Hunnish host came riding on.</p> + +<p>The dialogue between Hervör and Angantyr, +despite a certain melodramatic element in the setting, +is treated with great delicacy and poetic feeling, and +an atmosphere of terror and mystery pervades the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page85" id="page85"></a>[pg 85]</span> +whole poem. The midnight scene in the eerie and +deserted burial-ground, the lurid flickering of the +grave fires along the lonely beach, the tombs opening +one by one as the corpses start to life—all these work +on the imagination and create an atmosphere of +dread. The poet understood the technique of presenting +the supernatural, and he is deliberately vague +and suggestive. Much more is implied than is stated, +and much is left to the imagination.</p> + +<p>The greatest charm of the poem, however, lies +in the sympathetic treatment of Hervör. The Hervör +of the prose narrative is perfectly consistent with the +Hervör of the poem, but at the same time the poem—which +is probably more than a century older than +the saga—would lead us to conclude that her character +was not correctly understood by the writer of +the saga. Obviously unsympathetic, he denounces +her with an indignation which would have made the +writer of the poem smile.</p> + +<p>"She grew up to be a beautiful girl ... but as soon +as she could do anything it was oftener harm than +good; and when she had been checked she escaped +to the woods.... And when the Earl heard of it he +had her caught and brought home."</p> + +<p>The picture which the poem presents to us is +that of a high-spirited girl, headstrong and impulsive, +not unlike Brynhild in the Völsung story. When +she goes to the barrows, every nerve is strung +up to gain the treasure that has fired her imagination:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>What care I though the death-fires blaze,</p> +<p>They sink and tremble before my gaze,</p> +<p class="i6">They quiver out and die!</p> + </div> </div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page86" id="page86"></a>[pg 86]</span> + +<p>But a reaction comes when she holds the sword +in her hands at last:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Surely in terror I drew my breath</p> +<p>Between the worlds of life and death</p> +<p class="i6">When the grave fires girt me round.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>Surveying the saga as a whole, perhaps the most +striking feature is its extraordinary diversity of +interest. It would be difficult to find elsewhere in +Norse literature—or indeed perhaps in any literature—so +great a variety of subjects and of literary forms +brought together within such narrow limits.</p> + +<p>Of the poems contained in the saga, the first is +romantic, the second gnomic, the third heroic—and +the prose narrative itself is not less varied in +character. The conclusion of the saga appears to be +purely historical; indeed it is generally regarded +as one of the most important authorities for early +Swedish history. Elsewhere also historical elements +are probably not wanting, but they are interwoven +in a network of romance and folklore. Thus whoever +King Heithrek may have been, the part which +he has come to play in the saga is chiefly that of +linking together a number of folk-tales and illustrating +popular saws. As regards chronology, the +war described in ch. 12-15 must belong to a period +nearly seven centuries before the incidents related +at the close of the saga. Still more strange is the +fact that the victor in this war, the younger Angantyr, +would seem to have lived some four or five centuries +before his great grandfather and namesake who +perished at Samsø—if indeed the latter story rests +on any genuine tradition. In spite of these and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page87" id="page87"></a>[pg 87]</span> +similar inconsistencies, however, the saga is on +the whole perhaps the most attractive of all the +<i>Fornaldarsögur</i>.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnoteiv1" name="footnoteiv1"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagiv1">Footnote 1:</a> +This <span class="sc">ms</span>. is identical with the one referred to as <i>A</i> in the Introduction to the <i>Tháttr of Nornagest</i> (cf. p. 11 above).</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnoteiv2" name="footnoteiv2"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagiv2">Footnote 2:</a> +Quoted by Heusler, <i>Eddica Minora</i> (Dortmund, 1903), p. vii.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnoteiv3" name="footnoteiv3"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagiv3">Footnote 3:</a> +<i>Fornaldarsögur Northrlanda</i> (Copenhagen, 1829), Vol. <span class="sc">i</span>; <i>Antiquités russes</i> etc. +(Copenhagen, 1850-2), Vol. <span class="sc">i</span>.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnoteiv4" name="footnoteiv4"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagiv4">Footnote 4:</a> +<i>Oldnorske og Oldislandske Litteraturs Historie</i>, Vol. <span class="sc">ii</span>, p. 839 f.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnoteiv5" name="footnoteiv5"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagiv5">Footnote 5:</a> +<i>Eddica Minora</i>, pp. 106-120.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnoteiv6" name="footnoteiv6"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagiv6">Footnote 6:</a> +Cf. <i>Forord</i> to N. M. Petersen's edition of <i>Hervarar Saga ok Heithreks Konungs</i> (published by the 'Nordiske Literatur-Samfund,' +Copenhagen, 1847).</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnoteiv7" name="footnoteiv7"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagiv7">Footnote 7:</a> +See <i>Fornaldarsögur Northrlanda</i> (Reykjavík, 1891), Vol. <span class="sc">i</span>, pp. 309-360.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnoteiv8" name="footnoteiv8"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagiv8">Footnote 8:</a> +Copenhagen, 4th edition, 1889.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnoteiv9" name="footnoteiv9"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagiv9">Footnote 9:</a> +<i>Oldnorske og Oldislandske Litteraturs Historie</i>, Vol. <span class="sc">i</span>, p. 201.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnoteiv10" name="footnoteiv10"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagiv10">Footnote 10:</a> +<i>Geschichte der Norwegisch-Isländischen Literatur</i> (Strassburg, 1904), p. 605.]</p> + +<a name="hh1" id="hh1"></a> +<h3 style="margin-top: 3em;">THE SAGA OF HERVÖR AND HEITHREK<a href="#nhh1">°</a></h3> + +<p>Here begins the Saga of King Heithrek the Wise.</p> + +<p class="indent">I. It is said that in the days of old the northern part +of Finnmark was called Jötunheimar, and that there +was a country called Ymisland to the south between +it and Halogaland. These lands were then the home +of many giants and half-giants; for there was a great +intermixture of races at that time, because the giants +took wives from among the people of Ymisland.</p> + +<p>There was a king in Jötunheimar called Guthmund. +He was a mighty man among the heathen. He dwelt +at a place called Grund in the region of Glasisvellir. +He was wise and mighty. He and his men lived for +many generations, and so heathen men believed that +the fields of immortality lay in his realm; and whoever +went there cast off sickness or old age and became +immortal.</p> + +<p>After Guthmund's death, people worshipped him +and called him their god. His son's name was +Höfund. He had second sight and was wise of +understanding, and was judge of all suits throughout +the neighbouring kingdoms. He never gave an unjust +judgment, and no-one dared violate his decision.</p> + +<p>There was a man called Hergrim who was a giant +dwelling in the rocks. He carried off from Ymisland +Ama the daughter of Ymir, and afterwards married +her. Their son Thorgrim Halftroll took from +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page88" id="page88"></a>[pg 88]</span> +Jötunheimar Ögn Alfasprengi, and afterwards married +her. Their son was called Grim. She had been +betrothed to Starkath Aludreng, who had eight +hands; but she was carried off while he was away to +the north of Elivagar. When he came home he +slew Hergrim in single combat; but Ögn ran herself +through with a sword rather than marry Starkath. +After that Starkath carried off Alfhild the daughter +of King Alf from Alfheimar, but he was afterwards +slain by Thor.</p> + +<p>Then Alfhild went to her kinsfolk, and Grim was +with her there till he went raiding and became a great +warrior. He married Bauggerth the daughter of +Starkath Aludreng and set up his dwelling on an +island off Halogaland called Bolm. He was called +Ey-grim Bolm. His son by Bauggerth was called +Arngrim the Berserk, who afterwards lived in Bolm +and was a very famous man.</p> + +<a name="hh2" id="hh2"></a> +<p class="indent">II.<a href="#nhh2">°</a> There was a King called Sigrlami who was +said to be a son of Othin. His son Svafrlami succeeded +to the kingdom after his father and was a very +great warrior. One day as the King rode a-hunting +he got separated from his men, and at sunset he +came upon a big stone and two dwarfs beside it. The +King banned them with his graven sword from entering +the stone. The dwarfs begged him to spare their lives.</p> + +<p>The King said: "What are your names?"</p> + +<p>One of them said his name was Dvalin and the +other Dulin.</p> + +<p>The King said: "As you are the most cunning of +all dwarfs you must make me a sword, the best you +can. The hilt and the grip must be of gold, and it +must cut iron as easily as if it were cloth and never +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page89" id="page89"></a>[pg 89]</span> +rust; and it must bring victory to whoever uses it +in battle and single combat."</p> + +<p>They agreed to this, and the King rode away home.</p> + +<p>And when the appointed day came, the King rode +to the stone. The dwarfs were outside, and they +handed to the King a sword which was very beautiful.</p> + +<p>But as Dvalin was standing in the doorway of the +stone he said:</p> + +<p>"Your sword, Svafrlami, will be the death of a +man every time it is drawn; and moreover it will be +the instrument of three pieces of villainy; and to you +yourself also it shall bring death."</p> + +<p>Then the King struck at the dwarfs with the +sword. But they sprang into the stone, and the +sword came down on it—sinking so deep that both +the ridges of the blade were hidden; for the door into +the stone closed as they disappeared. The King called +the sword 'Tyrfing,' and ever afterwards he carried it +in battle and single combat, and was always victorious.</p> + +<p>The King had a daughter who was called Eyfura, +an exceedingly beautiful and clever girl.</p> + +<p>At that time Arngrim was raiding among the +Perms in the Baltic. He raided the Kingdom of +King Svafrlami and fought against him. They met +face to face, and King Svafrlami struck at Arngrim +who parried the blow with his shield; but the lower +part of the shield was cut away and the sword plunged +into the earth. Then Arngrim struck off the King's +hand, so that he had to let Tyrfing fall. Arngrim +caught up Tyrfing and cut down first the King, and +then many others. He took great booty there, and +carried off Eyfura, the King's daughter and took her +to his home in Bolm.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page90" id="page90"></a>[pg 90]</span> + +<p>By her he had twelve sons. The eldest was Angantyr, +then Hervarth, then Hjörvarth, Sæming and +Hrani, Brami, Barri, Reifnir, Tind and Bui, and the +two Haddings who only did one man's work between +them, because they were twins and the youngest of the +family; whereas Angantyr, who was a head taller than +other men, did the work of two. They were all berserks, +and were unequalled in strength and courage. +Even when they went marauding there were never +more than just the twelve brothers on one ship. +They raided far and wide in many lands, and had +much success and won great renown. Angantyr had +Tyrfing, and Sæming Mistletoe, Hervarth had +Hrotti, and each of the others possessed a sword +famous in single combat. And it was their custom +when they had only their own men with them, to +land when they felt the berserks' fury coming upon +them, and wrestle with trees or great rocks; for they +had been known to slay their own men and disable +their ship. Great tales were told about them and they +became very famous.</p> + +<a name="hh3" id="hh3"></a> +<p class="indent">III.<a href="#nhh3">°</a> One Yule Eve at Bolm, Angantyr made a vow +over the pledge cup, as the custom then was, that he +would wed Ingibjörg the daughter of King Yngvi +of Upsala—the cleverest and most beautiful maiden +in all the Northlands—or perish in the attempt and +marry no-one else. No more of their vows are recorded.</p> + +<p>Tyrfing had this characteristic, that whenever it +was unsheathed it shone like a sunbeam, even in the +dark, and could only be sheathed with human blood +still warm upon it. Never did he whose blood was +shed by Tyrfing live to see another day. It is very +famous in all stories of the olden days.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page91" id="page91"></a>[pg 91]</span> + +<p>Next summer the brothers went to Upsala in +Sweden, and when they had entered the hall, +Angantyr told the King his vow and that he intended +to wed his daughter.</p> + +<p>Everybody in the hall listened. Angantyr asked +the King to declare what was to be the result of their +errand, whereupon Hjalmar the stout-hearted rose +from the table, and addressed the King:</p> + +<p>"Call to mind, Sire, how much honour I have won +for you since I came into your kingdom, and how +many times I have risked my life for you. In return +for these my services I beg that you will give me +your daughter in marriage. And moreover I consider +myself more deserving a favourable answer than these +berserks, who do harm to everyone."</p> + +<p>The King pondered over the matter, and found it +difficult to decide the question in such a way as to give +rise to as little trouble as possible; and he answered +at last:</p> + +<p>"My wish is that Ingibjörg should choose for +herself the husband she prefers."</p> + +<p>She replied: "If you want to marry me to anyone, +then I would rather have a man whose good qualities +I know already than one of whom I have only known +by hearsay, and nothing but evil at that."</p> + +<p>Angantyr said: "I will not bandy words with +you; for I can see that you love Hjalmar. But as for +you, Hjalmar, come south to Samsø and meet me in +single combat. If you do not appear next midsummer +you will be a coward in the eyes of all +men."</p> + +<p>Hjalmar said that he would not fail to come and +fight, and the sons of Arngrim went home to their +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page92" id="page92"></a>[pg 92]</span> +father and told him what had happened. He replied +that this was the first time he had ever felt any +anxiety on their behalf.</p> + +<p>They spent the winter at home, and in the spring +made ready to start, going first to Earl Bjartmar, where +a feast was made for them. And during the evening +Angantyr asked the Earl for the hand of his daughter +and in this as in the rest they got their wish. The +wedding took place, and afterwards the sons of +Arngrim prepared to set out. But the night before +they left, Angantyr had a dream which he related to +the Earl:</p> + +<p>"I dreamed that I and my brothers were in Samsø. +We found many birds there and killed all that we +saw. Then I dreamed that as we were setting out +again upon the island, two eagles flew towards us. +I went against one and we had a stiff encounter; and +at last we sank down and had no strength left in us. +But the other eagle fought with my eleven brothers +and overcame them all."</p> + +<p>The Earl said: "The death of mighty men has +been revealed to you in this dream."</p> + +<p>Then Angantyr and his brothers went away and +came to Samsø, and went ashore to look for Hjalmar; +and the story of their adventures there is related in +the <i>Saga of Örvar-Odd</i>. First they came to Munarvagar, +where they slew all the men from the two ships +of Hjalmar and Odd; and afterwards they went +ashore and encountered Hjalmar and Odd themselves +on the island. Odd slew Angantyr's eleven +brothers, and Hjalmar slew Angantyr, and afterwards +died there himself of his wounds.</p> + +<p>Then Odd had all the rest of them placed in great +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page93" id="page93"></a>[pg 93]</span> +barrows with all their weapons; but Hjalmar's body +he took home to Sweden. And when Ingibjörg the +King's daughter saw Hjalmar's body, she fell down +dead and they were both laid together in one barrow +at Upsala.</p> + +<a name="hh4" id="hh4"></a> +<p class="indent">IV.<a href="#nhh4">°</a> The story goes on to say that a girl was +born to the daughter of Earl Bjartmar. Everyone +advised exposing the child, saying that if she resembled +her father's kinsmen she would not have a +womanly disposition. The Earl, however, had her +sprinkled with water; and he brought her up, and +called her Hervör, saying that the line of Arngrim's +sons would not be extinguished if she were left +alive.</p> + +<p>She grew up to be a beautiful girl. She was tall +and strong, and trained herself in the use of bow, +shield and sword. But as soon as she could do anything +it was oftener harm than good; and when she +had been checked she ran away to the woods and +killed people to provide herself with money. And +when the Earl heard of it, he had her caught and +brought home, where she remained for a time.</p> + +<p>One day she went to the Earl and said: "I want +to go away because I am not happy here."</p> + +<p>A little while after she departed alone, dressed +and armed like a man, and joined some vikings and +stayed with them for a time, calling herself Hervarth. +Shortly afterwards the chief of the vikings died, and +Hervarth took command of the band.</p> + +<p>One day when they sailed to Samsø, Hervarth +landed; but her men would not follow her, saying +that it was not safe for anyone to be out of doors +there by night. Hervarth declared that there was +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page94" id="page94"></a>[pg 94]</span> +likely to be much treasure in the barrows. She +landed on the island towards sunset, but they lay +off in Munarvagar. She met a shepherd boy and +asked him for information.</p> + +<p>He said: "You are a stranger to the island; but +come home with me, for it is unsafe for anyone to be +out of doors here after sunset; and I am in a hurry to +get home."</p> + +<p>Hervarth replied: "Tell me where are 'Hjörvarth's +Barrows,' as they are called."</p> + +<p>"You must surely be mad," replied the boy, "if +you want to explore by night what no-one dare visit +at mid-day. Burning flame plays over them as soon +as the sun has set."</p> + +<p>But Hervarth insisted that she would visit the +barrows—whereupon the shepherd said:</p> + +<p>"I see that you are a brave man though not a wise +one, so I will give you my necklace if you will come +home with me."</p> + +<p>But Hervarth replied: "Even if you give me all +you have you will not hold me back."</p> + +<p>And when the sun had set, loud rumblings were +heard all over the island, and flames leapt out of the +barrows. Then the shepherd grew frightened and +took to his heels and ran to the wood as fast as he +could, without once looking back. Here is a poem +giving an account of his talk with Hervör:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Driving his flocks at the fall of day,</p> +<p>In Munarvagar along the bay,</p> +<p class="i10">A shepherd met a maid.—</p> +<p>"Who comes to our island here alone?</p> +<p>Haste to seek shelter, the day is done,</p> +<p class="i10">The light will quickly fade."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page95" id="page95"></a>[pg 95]</span> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>"I will not seek for a resting place:</p> +<p>A stranger am I to the island race.—</p> +<p class="i10">But tell me quick I pray,</p> +<p>Ere thou goest hence, if I may descry</p> +<p>Where the tombs of the children of Arngrim lie:</p> +<p class="i10">O tell me, where are they?"</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>"Forbear from such questions utterly!</p> +<p>Foolish and rash must thou surely be,</p> +<p class="i10">And in a desperate plight!</p> +<p>Let us haste from these horrors as fast as we can,</p> +<p>For abroad it is ghastly for children of men</p> +<p class="i10">To wander about in the night."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>"My necklace of gold is the price I intend</p> +<p>To pay for thy guidance; for I am the friend</p> +<p class="i10">Of vikings, and will not be stayed."</p> +<p>"No treasures so costly, nor rings of red gold</p> +<p>Shall take me their thrall, or my footsteps withhold,</p> +<p class="i10">That thereby my flight be gainsaid.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>"Foolish is he who comes here alone</p> +<p>In the fearsome dark when the sun has gone</p> +<p class="i10">And the flames are mounting high;—</p> +<p>When earth and fen are alike ablaze,</p> +<p>And tombs burst open before thy gaze:</p> +<p class="i10">O faster let us hie!"</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>"Let us never heed for the snorting blaze,</p> +<p>Nor fear, though over the island ways</p> +<p class="i10">Dart tongues of living light.</p> +<p>Let us not lightly give way to fear</p> +<p>Of the noble warriors buried here,</p> +<p class="i10">But talk with them tonight."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>But the shepherd lad fled fast away,</p> +<p>Nor stayed to hear what the youth would say,</p> +<p class="i10">But into the forest sped;</p> +<p>While in Hervör's breast rose proud and high</p> +<p>Her hard-knit heart, as she saw near by</p> +<p class="i10">The dwellings of the dead.</p> + </div> </div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page96" id="page96"></a>[pg 96]</span> + +<p>She could now see the fires of the barrows and the +ghosts standing outside; and she approached the +barrows fearlessly and passed through the fires as if +they had been merely smoke, until she reached the +barrow of the berserks. Then she cried:</p> + +<a name="hh5" id="hh5"></a> +<p style="margin-left: 27%; margin-bottom: -2.2em;">V.</p> +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p><a href="#nhh5">°</a>Awaken, Angantyr, hearken to me!</p> +<p>The only daughter of Tofa and thee</p> +<p class="i10">Is here and bids thee awake!</p> +<p>Give me from out the barrow's shade</p> +<p>The keen-edged sword which the dwarfs once made</p> +<p class="i10">For Svafrlami's sake.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>Hervarth, Hjörvarth, Angantyr,</p> +<p>And Hrani, under the tree-roots here,</p> +<p class="i10">I bid you now appear;—</p> +<p>Clad in harness and coat of mail,</p> +<p>With shield and broadsword of biting steel,</p> +<p class="i10">Helmet and reddened spear!</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>The sons of Arngrim are changed indeed</p> +<p>To heaps of dust, and Eyfura's seed</p> +<p class="i10">Has crumbled into mould.—</p> +<p>In Munarvagar will no one speak</p> +<p>To her who has come thus far to seek</p> +<p class="i10">Discourse with the men of old?</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>Hervarth, Hjörvarth, Angantyr</p> +<p>And Hrani, great be your torment here</p> +<p class="i10">If ye will not hear my words.</p> +<p>Give me the blade that Dvalin made;</p> +<p>It is ill becoming the ghostly dead</p> +<p class="i10">To keep such costly swords!</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>In your tortured ribs shall my curses bring</p> +<p>A maddening itch and a frenzied sting,</p> +<p class="i10">Till ye writhe in agonies,</p> +<p>As if ye were laid to your final rest</p> +<p>Where the ants are swarming within their nest,</p> +<p class="i10">And revelling in your thighs!</p> + </div> </div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page97" id="page97"></a>[pg 97]</span> + +<p class="ind1">Then answered Angantyr:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>O Hervör, daughter, why dost thou call</p> +<p>Words full of cursing upon us all?</p> +<p class="i10">Thou goest to meet thy doom!</p> +<p>Mad art thou grown, and thy wits are fled;</p> +<p>Thy mind is astray, that thou wak'st the dead</p> +<p class="i10">—The dwellers in the tomb.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>No father buried me where I lie,</p> +<p>Nor other kinsman<a id="footnotetagp1" name="footnotetagp1"></a><a href="#footnotep1"><sup>1</sup></a> ...</p> +<p>The only two who remained unslain</p> +<p>Laid hold on Tyrfing, but now again</p> +<p class="i10">One only possesses the sword.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p class="ind1">She answered:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Nought save the truth shalt thou tell to me!</p> +<p>May the ancient gods deal ill with thee</p> +<p class="i10">If thou harbour Tyrfing there!</p> +<p>Thine only daughter am I, and yet</p> +<p>Unwilling thou art that I should get</p> +<p class="i10">That which belongs to thine heir!</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>It now seemed as if the barrows, which had opened, +were surrounded with an unbroken ring of flame. +Then Angantyr cried:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>The barrows are opening! Before thy gaze</p> +<p>The round of the island is all ablaze,</p> +<p class="i10">And the gate of Hell stands wide.</p> +<p>There are spectres abroad that are ghastly to see.</p> +<p>Return, little maiden, right hastily</p> +<p class="i10">To thy ship that waits on the tide.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p class="ind1">She replied:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>No funeral fire that burns by night</p> +<p>Can make me tremble with affright,</p> +<p class="i10">Or fear of awful doom.</p> +<p>Thy daughter's heart can know no fear,</p> +<p>Though a ghost before her should appear</p> +<p class="i10">In the doorway of the tomb.</p> + </div> </div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page98" id="page98"></a>[pg 98]</span> + +<p class="ind1">Angantyr:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>O Hervör, Hervör, hearken to me!</p> +<p>Nought save the truth will I tell to thee</p> +<p class="i10">That will surely come about!</p> +<p>Believe me, maiden, Tyrfing will be</p> +<p>A curse upon all thy progeny</p> +<p class="i10">Till thy race be blotted out.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>A son shalt thou bear, as I prophesy,</p> +<p>Who shall fight with Tyrfing mightily,</p> +<p class="i10">And trust to Tyrfing's might.</p> +<p>I tell thee Heithrek shall be his name,</p> +<p>The noblest man and of greatest fame</p> +<p class="i10">Of all under Heaven's light.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p class="ind1">Hervör:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>On all you dead this curse I cry:—</p> +<p>Mouldering and rotting shall ye lie</p> +<p class="i10">With the spirits in the tomb!</p> +<p>Out of the barrow, Angantyr,</p> +<p>Give me the keen-edged Tyrfing here,</p> +<p class="i10">The sword called 'Hjalmar's Doom'!</p> + </div> </div> + +<p class="ind1">Angantyr:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Surely unlike to a mortal thou</p> +<p>To wander about from howe to howe,</p> +<p class="i10">And stand in the doorway here!</p> +<p>In the horror of night-time, my little maid,</p> +<p>Thou comest with helmet and byrnie and blade,</p> +<p class="i10">And shakest thy graven spear!</p> + </div> </div> + +<p class="ind1">Hervör:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>A mortal maiden is she who comes,</p> +<p>Arousing the corpses within their tombs,</p> +<p class="i10">And will not be denied:—</p> +<p>Give me from out the barrow's shade</p> +<p>The keen-edged sword that the dwarf-folk made,</p> +<p class="i10">Which it ill becomes thee to hide!</p> + </div> </div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page99" id="page99"></a>[pg 99]</span> + +<p class="ind1">Angantyr:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>The sword that the death-stroke to Hjalmar gave</p> +<p>Lies under my shoulders within the grave,</p> +<p class="i10">And wrapped about with flame.</p> +<p>But that maiden lives not in any land</p> +<p>Who dare grasp the weapon within her hand</p> +<p class="i10">For any hope of fame.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p class="ind1">Hervör:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>There lives, O Angantyr, a maid</p> +<p>Who yearns to handle the keen-edged blade,</p> +<p class="i10">And such a maid am I!</p> +<p>And what care I though the tomb fires blaze!</p> +<p>They sink and tremble before my gaze,</p> +<p class="i10">They quiver out and die!</p> + </div> </div> + +<p class="ind1">Angantyr:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>O Hervör, 'tis folly and madness dire</p> +<p>To rush wide-eyed through the flaming fire</p> +<p class="i10">With courage undismayed.</p> +<p>Rather by far will I give to thee</p> +<p>The accursed sword, though unwillingly,</p> +<p class="i10">My little, tender maid.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p class="ind1">Hervör:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>O son of the vikings, well hast thou done</p> +<p>In giving me Tyrfing from out the tomb;</p> +<p class="i10">And happier am I today</p> +<p>That I now grasp Tyrfing within my hands</p> +<p>Than if I were queen of the broad Northlands,</p> +<p class="i10">And conqueror of Noroway.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p class="ind1">Angantyr:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Vain is thy rapture, my luckless maid!</p> +<p>Thy hopes are false. All too soon will fade</p> +<p class="i10">The flush of joy from thy face.</p> +<p>Try, child, to listen; I am warning thee!—</p> +<p>This sword is the sword of destiny,</p> +<p class="i10">The destroyer of all thy race!</p> + </div> </div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page100" id="page100"></a>[pg 100]</span> + +<p class="ind1">Hervör:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Away, away to my 'ocean-steed'!</p> +<p>The daughter of princes is glad indeed,</p> +<p class="i10">O glad at heart today!</p> +<p>And what care I for the destiny</p> +<p>Of children as yet undreamed by me?—</p> +<p class="i10">Let them quarrel as they may!</p> + </div> </div> + +<p class="ind1">Angantyr:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Thou shalt have and enjoy without sorrow or pain</p> +<p>The blade which proved to be Hjalmar's bane,</p> +<p class="i10">If thou draw it not from its sheath.</p> +<p>Worse than a plague is this cursed thing.</p> +<p>Touch not its edges, for poisons cling</p> +<p class="i10">Above it and beneath.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>Farewell, yet fain would I give to thee</p> +<p>The life that has passed from my brothers and me,</p> +<p class="i10">O daughter, 'tis truth I say!</p> +<p>—The strength and vigour and hardihood,</p> +<p>—All that we had that was great and good,</p> +<p class="i10">That has vanished and passed away!</p> + </div> </div> + +<p class="ind1">Hervör:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Farewell, farewell to all you dead!</p> +<p>Farewell! I would that I were sped!</p> +<p class="i10">Farewell all you in the mound!...</p> +<p>Surely in terror I drew my breath</p> +<p>Between the Worlds of Life and Death</p> +<p class="i10">When the grave fires girt me round!</p> + </div> </div> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotep1" name="footnotep1"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagp1">Footnote 1:</a> +Two lines are missing from the <span class="sc">ms</span>. at this point.</p> + +<p>Then she returned towards her ships; but when +dawn came, she saw that they had departed. The +vikings had been scared by the rumblings and the +flames on the island. She got a ship to carry her +away; but nothing is told of her voyage till she came +to Guthmund in Glasisvellir, where she remained all +through the winter, still calling herself Hervarth.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page101" id="page101"></a>[pg 101]</span> + +<a name="hh6" id="hh6"></a> +<p class="indent">VI.<a href="#nhh6">°</a> One day Guthmund was playing chess, and +when the game was almost up, he asked if anyone +could advise him as to his moves. So Hervarth went +up to him and began to direct his moves; and it was not +long before Guthmund began to win. Then somebody +took up Tyrfing and drew it. When Hervarth saw +this, he snatched the sword out of his hands, and +slew him, and then left the room. They wanted to +rush out in pursuit, but Guthmund said:</p> + +<p>"Don't stir—you will not be avenged on the +man so easily as you think, for you don't know who +he is. This woman-man will cost you dear before +you take his life."</p> + +<p>After that Hervör spent a long time in piracy and +had great success. And when she grew tired of that +she went home to the Earl, her mother's father. +There she behaved like other girls, working at her +embroidery and fine needlework.</p> + +<p>Höfund, the son of Guthmund, heard of this and +went and asked for the hand of Hervör, and was +accepted; and he took her home.</p> + +<p>Höfund was a very wise man and so just in his +judgments that he never swerved from giving a +correct decision, whether the persons involved were +natives or foreigners. And it is from him that the +'höfund' or judge of law-suits takes his name in +every realm.</p> + +<p>He and Hervör had two sons. One was called +Angantyr, the other Heithrek. They were both big +strong men—sensible and handsome. Angantyr +resembled his father in character and was kindly +disposed towards everyone. Höfund loved him very +much, as indeed did everybody. But however much +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page102" id="page102"></a>[pg 102]</span> +good he did, Heithrek did still more evil. He was +Hervör's favourite. His foster-father was called +Gizur.</p> + +<p>One day Höfund held a feast and invited all the +chief men in his kingdom except Heithrek. This +greatly displeased him, but he put in an appearance +all the same, declaring that he would do them some +mischief. And when he entered the hall, Angantyr +rose and went to meet him and invited him to sit +beside him. Heithrek was not cheerful, but he sat +till late in the evening after Angantyr had gone; +and then he turned to the men who sat on either side +of him and worked upon them by his conversation +in such a way that they became infuriated with each +other. But when Angantyr came back he told them +to be quiet. And when Angantyr went out a second +time, Heithrek reminded them of his words, and +worked upon them to such an extent that one of them +struck the other. Then Angantyr returned and persuaded +them to keep the peace till morning. And +the third time Angantyr went away, Heithrek asked +the man who had been struck why he had not the +courage to avenge himself. And so effective did his +persuasion prove that he who had been struck sprang +up and slew his companion. When Angantyr +returned, he was displeased at what had taken place. +And when Höfund heard of it, he told Heithrek that +he must either leave his kingdom or forfeit his life.</p> + +<p>So Heithrek went out, and his brother with him. +Then his mother came up and gave him Tyrfing. +And Heithrek said to her:</p> + +<p>"I don't know when I shall be able to show as +much difference in my treatment of my father and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page103" id="page103"></a>[pg 103]</span> +mother as they do in their treatment of me. My +father proclaims me an outlaw while my mother has +given me Tyrfing, which is of more account to me +than a great territory. But I shall do that very thing +that will most distress my father."</p> + +<p>He then drew the sword, which gleamed and +flashed brilliantly, and then he got into a great rage +and showed the berserk's fury coming upon him. +The two brothers were alone. Now since Tyrfing +had to be the death of a man every time it was drawn, +Heithrek dealt his brother his death-blow. Höfund +was told of it, and Heithrek escaped at once to the +woods. Höfund had a funeral feast made for his +son Angantyr, and he was lamented by everybody.</p> + +<p>Heithrek got little joy of his deed and lived in the +woods for a long time, shooting deer and bears for +food. And when he came to think over his position, +he reflected that there would be but a poor tale to +tell if no-one was to know what had become of him; +and it occurred to him that he could even yet become +a man famous for deeds of prowess like his ancestors +before him. So he went home and sought out his +mother and begged her to ask his father to give him +some sound advice before they parted. She went to +Höfund and asked him to give their son sound +advice. Höfund replied that he would give him a +little, but added that it would turn out to his disadvantage +nevertheless; he said however that he +would not ignore his request:</p> + +<p>"In the first place he must not aid a man who has +slain his liege lord. Secondly, he must not protect a +man who has slain one of his comrades. Thirdly, his +wife ought not to be always leaving home to visit her +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page104" id="page104"></a>[pg 104]</span> +relatives. Fourthly, he ought not to stay out late +with his sweetheart. Fifthly, he should not ride his +best horse when he is in a hurry. Sixthly, he ought +not to bring up the child of a man in a better position +than himself. Seventhly, let him always be cheerful +towards one who comes for hospitality. Eighthly, +he should never lay Tyrfing on the ground.—Yet he +will not get any benefit from this advice."</p> + +<p>His mother repeated these maxims to him.</p> + +<p>Heithrek replied: "This advice must have been +given me in a spiteful spirit. It will not be of any +use to me."</p> + +<p>His mother gave him a mark of gold at parting, +and bade him always bear in mind how sharp his +sword was, and how great renown had been won by +everyone who had borne it—what great protection its +sharp edges afforded to him who wielded it in battle +or single combat, and what great success it always +had.—Then they parted.</p> + +<p>He went on his way; and when he had gone a +short distance he came upon some men who were +leading a man in bonds. Heithrek asked what the +man had done, and they replied that he had betrayed +his liege lord. He asked if they would accept money +as his ransom, and they said that they were willing +to do so. He ransomed the man for half his gold +mark.</p> + +<p>The man then offered to serve him, but Heithrek +replied:</p> + +<p>"You would not be faithful to a stranger like me, +seeing that you betrayed your liege lord to whom you +owed many benefits."</p> + +<p>Shortly after he again came upon some men, of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page105" id="page105"></a>[pg 105]</span> +whom one was in bonds. He asked what this man +had done, and they replied that he had murdered +one of his comrades. He freed him with the other +half of his gold mark. This man also offered to serve +him, but Heithrek declined.</p> + +<p>After that he went on his way till he came to +Reithgotaland, where he went to the King who +ruled there. His name was Harold, and he was an +old man at the time. Heithrek remained for a time +with the King, who gave him a cordial welcome.</p> + +<a name="hh7" id="hh7"></a> +<p class="indent">VII.<a href="#nhh7">°</a> There were two Earls who had plundered +the kingdom of King Harold and made it subject +to them, and because he was old he paid them tribute +every year. Heithrek grew intimate with the King, +and eventually it came about that he became the +commander of his army and betook himself to +raiding, and soon made himself famous for his +victories. He proceeded to make war on the Earls +who had subdued King Harold's kingdom, and a +stiff fight took place between them. Heithrek fought +with Tyrfing and, as in the past, no-one could withstand +it, for it cut through steel as easily as cloth; +and the result was that he slew both the Earls and +put all their army to flight. He then went throughout +the kingdom and brought it under King Harold +and took hostages, and then returned home. And +as a mark of great honour, King Harold went +himself to meet him, and he acquired great fame +from this. The King gave him his daughter Helga +in marriage and with her half his kingdom. Heithrek +had the defence of the whole realm in his hands; and +this arrangement lasted for a time.</p> + +<p>King Harold had a son in his old age. Heithrek +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page106" id="page106"></a>[pg 106]</span> +also had a son, who was called Angantyr. Presently +a great famine began in Reithgotaland (which is +now called Jutland) and it threatened to destroy all +the inhabitants. So they tried divination, and the +answer was that there would be no plenty in Reithgotaland +until the noblest boy in the land had been +sacrificed. Heithrek said that that was King Harold's +son, but the King declared that Heithrek's son was +the noblest; and there was no escape from this +dilemma save by referring it to Höfund, whose +decisions were always just.</p> + +<p>Thereupon Heithrek went to visit his father, who +made him welcome. He asked his father's decision +about this question. Höfund pronounced Heithrek's +son to be the noblest in that land.</p> + +<p>"What compensation do you adjudge to me for +my loss?" asked Heithrek.</p> + +<p>"You shall claim for yourself in compensation +every second man in the retinue of King Harold. +Beyond that there is no need to give you advice, +considering your character and the army that you +have under you."</p> + +<p>Then Heithrek went back and summoned a +meeting, and told them his father's opinion:</p> + +<p>"He decided that it was my son who must be +sacrificed; and as compensation to me he adjudged +to me every second man of those who are with King +Harold, and I want you to swear an oath that this +shall be done."</p> + +<p>And they did so. Then the people demanded that +he should give up his son and get them a better +harvest. Heithrek then talked with his men after +the force had been divided, and demanded fresh +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page107" id="page107"></a>[pg 107]</span> +oaths of allegiance from them. These they gave, +swearing to follow him whether at home or abroad, +for whatever purpose he wished.</p> + +<p>Then said he: "It appears to me that Othin will +have been well compensated for one boy if he gets +in place of him King Harold and his son and all his +host!"</p> + +<p>He then bade his men raise his standard and make +an attack on King Harold and slay him and all his +host, declaring that he was giving this host to Othin +instead of his own son. He caused the altars to be +reddened with the blood of King Harold and his son +Halfdan, while the Queen took her own life in the +temple of the Dís.</p> + +<p>Heithrek was now accepted as King throughout +the realm. He made love to Sifka the daughter +of Humli, a prince from the land of the Huns. Their +son was called Hlöth. He was brought up with his +mother's father.</p> + +<a name="hh8" id="hh8"></a> +<p class="indent">VIII.<a href="#nhh8">°</a> King Heithrek went out raiding and +marched against the land of the Saxons with a great +host. The King of the Saxons sent men to meet him +and they made peace with one another, and the King +invited Heithrek to a banquet. Heithrek accepted +the invitation. The result of this banquet was that +Heithrek sought the hand of the King's daughter +and married her, receiving much property and land +as her dowry; and with that King Heithrek went +home to his kingdom. She often used to ask to go +to visit her father, and Heithrek was indulgent to +her in this matter. Her stepson Angantyr used to +go with her.</p> + +<p>On one occasion when Heithrek was returning +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page108" id="page108"></a>[pg 108]</span> +from a raid, he lay in hiding off the land of the +Saxons. He landed during the night and entered the +building in which his wife was sleeping. He had +only one companion with him. All the sentries were +asleep. He found a handsome man asleep beside his +wife. He took his son Angantyr and carried him +away with him, and returned to his ship, having +first cut off a lock of the man's hair.</p> + +<p>Next morning he lay to in the King's berth, and +all the people went to greet him; and a feast was +prepared in his honour. A little later he had a meeting +called and asked if anything was known of his son. +The Queen alleged that he had died suddenly. He +asked her to guide him to his tomb, and when she +said that that would only increase his grief, he replied +that he did not mind that. A search was made +accordingly, and a dog was found wrapped in a +shroud. Heithrek remarked that his son had not +changed for the better. Then the King caused the +man whom he had found asleep to be brought +forward, and he proved to be a bondman. Thereupon +Heithrek put away his wife, and then went +home to his kingdom.</p> + +<p>One summer as Heithrek was away raiding, he +went into the land of the Huns and harried there, +and Humli his father-in-law fled before him. Heithrek +there captured great booty and also Sifka, the +daughter of King Humli, and then returned home +to his kingdom. Their son was called Hlöth, as we +said before. He sent her home shortly after. He also +captured another woman called Sifka from Finland. +She was the loveliest woman ever seen.</p> + +<p>One summer he sent men east to Holmgarth to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page109" id="page109"></a>[pg 109]</span> +offer to bring up the child of King Hrollaug, the +most powerful king of the time. This he did because +he was anxious to act exactly contrary to the whole +of his father's advice. Messengers came to Holmgarth +and told their errand to the King, who had a +young son called Horlaug.</p> + +<p>The King replied: "Is it likely that I shall send +him my son to bring up, when he has betrayed King +Harold his father-in-law and his other relatives and +friends?"</p> + +<p>But the Queen urged: "Do not be so hasty in +refusing this, for if you do not accept his offer the +result will certainly be war. I expect it will fare with +you as with many another, and war with him will be +no trifle. Moreover he has a sword which nothing +can withstand, and the man who wields it will always +be victorious."</p> + +<p>So the King resolved to send his son to Heithrek; +and Heithrek was pleased with him and brought him +up and loved him much.</p> + +<p>Heithrek's father had also counselled him not to +tell secrets to his sweetheart.</p> + +<a name="hh9" id="hh9"></a> +<p class="indent">IX.<a href="#nhh9">°</a> Every summer King Heithrek went raiding; +he always went into the Baltic where he had King +Hrollaug's friendly country at hand. On one occasion +King Hrollaug invited him to a feast, and +Heithrek consulted his friends as to whether he +should accept the invitation. They all tried to +dissuade him, bidding him bear in mind his father's +maxims.</p> + +<p>"All his maxims will I disregard," he replied, and +sent word to the King that he would be present at +the feast.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page110" id="page110"></a>[pg 110]</span> + +<p>He divided his host into three parts. One he +ordered to guard the ships, the second accompanied +him, while the third he ordered to go on shore and +conceal themselves in a wood near the house in which +the feast was to be held, and to be on the look out +in case he should need help. Heithrek went to the +feast, and the next day, when the Kings were seated, +Heithrek asked where the King's son, his foster-child, +was. A search was made for him, but he could +not be found. Heithrek was greatly distressed and +retired to bed early; and when Sifka joined him she +asked why he was distressed.</p> + +<p>"That is a difficult matter to talk about," replied +he, "because my life is at stake if it becomes known."</p> + +<p>She promised to keep the secret, adding:</p> + +<p>"Tell me for the sake of the love that is between +us."</p> + +<p>So Heithrek began:</p> + +<p>"As I was riding to the forest yesterday looking +for sport, I caught sight of a wild boar and made a +thrust at him with my spear; but I missed my aim +and the shaft snapped. Then I leapt down from my +horse and drew Tyrfing, which was effective as +usual, and I slew the boar. But when I looked round +there was no-one by except the King's son. But it is +a peculiarity of Tyrfing that it must be sheathed with +human blood still warm upon it, so I slew the lad. +Now this will be the end of me if King Hrollaug +hears of it, because we have only a small force +here."</p> + +<p>Next morning when Sifka came to the Queen, the +Queen asked her why Heithrek had been depressed. +She said that she did not dare to tell. But the Queen +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page111" id="page111"></a>[pg 111]</span> +persuaded her to change her mind, so she told the +Queen all that Heithrek had told her.</p> + +<p>"These are terrible tidings," cried the Queen, +and went off in deep grief and told the King; but she +added:</p> + +<p>"Yet Heithrek has done this against his will."</p> + +<p>"Your advice has turned out as I expected," said +the King as he left the hall to give orders to his men +to arm.</p> + +<p>Heithrek had a shrewd notion as to what Sifka +had said, and ordered his men to arm themselves +secretly, and then to go out in small detachments and +try to find out what was happening.</p> + +<p>A little later King Hrollaug came in and asked +Heithrek to come and have a private talk with him. +And when they entered a garden, some men sprang +at Heithrek and seized him and cast him into fetters +and bound him securely; and he recognised the two +men who bound him most tightly as the men whose +lives he had saved. The King ordered him to be taken +to the forest and hanged. There were two hundred +and forty of them all told, and when they entered the +forest, King Heithrek's men sprang out at them with +his weapons and standard and a trumpet which they +blew as they attacked their foes. Their companions +concealed in the woods heard the noise and came out +to meet King Heithrek's men. And when the natives +saw that, they all took to their heels; but most of +them were slain. The Goths took their King and +released him. Heithrek went to his ships after that, +taking with him the King's son whom he had left +with the men concealed in the wood.</p> + +<p>King Hrollaug now summoned a very large force, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page112" id="page112"></a>[pg 112]</span> +and King Heithrek raided in his kingdom wherever +he went.</p> + +<p>Then said King Hrollaug to the Queen:</p> + +<p>"Your advice has turned out badly for me. I find +that our son is with Heithrek, and in his present state +of anger he will think nothing of making an end of +him in his criminal way, just as he slew his own +innocent brother."</p> + +<p>"We have been far too easily convinced," replied +the Queen. "You saw how popular he was, when +no-one would fetter him except two bad men; and +our son is taken good care of. This has been a trick +of his to make trial of you, and you offered him a poor +return for bringing up your child. Send men to him +now, and offer to make it up with him, and to give +him so much of your territories as you may agree +upon with him; and offer him your daughter too, if +we can recover our son. That will be better than that +you should part from him in enmity. And even if +he already has wide territory, he has not a wife as +beautiful as she."</p> + +<p>"I had not intended to offer her to anyone," +replied the King; "but as you are so wise, you shall +decide."</p> + +<p>Messengers were sent accordingly to King +Heithrek to bring about a reconciliation. A council +was held and a reconciliation effected by Heithrek's +marrying Hergerth, the daughter of King Hrollaug; +and she brought him as her dowry Wendland, the +province which lies nearest to Reithgotaland.</p> + +<p>On one occasion the King was riding his best horse +as he was conducting Sifka home. It was late in the +evening, and when the King came to a river his horse +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page113" id="page113"></a>[pg 113]</span> +fell dead. Shortly afterwards, when Sifka attempted +to embrace him, he threw her down and broke her +leg. Afterwards King Heithrek settled down in his +own kingdom and became a great sage.</p> + +<a name="hh10" id="hh10"></a> +<p class="indent">X.<a href="#nhh10">°</a> They had a daughter called Hervör who was +brought up by a man called Ormar. She was a most +beautiful girl, but as tall and strong as a man, and +trained herself in the use of bow and arrows.</p> + +<p>There was a great man in Reithgotaland called +Gestumblindi, who was not on good terms with +King Heithrek.</p> + +<p>In the King's retinue there were seven men whose +duty it was to decide all the disputes that arose in +that country.</p> + +<p>King Heithrek worshipped Frey, and he used to +give Frey the biggest boar he could find. They regarded +it as so sacred that in all important cases they +used to take the oath on its bristles. It was the custom +to sacrifice this boar at the 'sacrifice of the herd.' +On Yule Eve the 'boar of the herd' was led into +the hall before the King. Then men laid their hands +on his bristles and made solemn vows. King Heithrek +himself made a vow that however deeply a man +should have wronged him, if he came into his power +he should not be deprived of the chance of receiving +a trial by the King's judges; but he should get +off scot free if he could propound riddles which the +King could not answer. But when people tried to +ask the King riddles, not one was put to him which +he could not solve.</p> + +<p>The King sent a message to Gestumblindi bidding +him come to him on an appointed day; otherwise the +King said that he would send to fetch him. Neither +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page114" id="page114"></a>[pg 114]</span> +alternative pleased Gestumblindi, because he knew +himself to be no match for the King in a contest of +words; neither did he think he had much to hope from +a trial before the judges, for his offences were many. +On the other hand, he knew that if the King had to +send men to bring him it would cost him his life. +Then he proceeded to sacrifice to Othin and to ask +his help, promising him great offerings.</p> + +<p>One evening a stranger visited Gestumblindi, and +said that he also was called Gestumblindi. They +were so much alike that neither could be distinguished +from the other. They exchanged clothes, and the +landowner went into hiding, and everyone thought +the stranger was the landowner himself.</p> + +<p>This man went to visit the King and greeted him. +The King looked at him and was silent.</p> + +<p>Gestumblindi said: "I am come, Sire, to make my +peace with you."</p> + +<p>"Will you stand trial by the judges?" asked the +King.</p> + +<p>"Are there no other means of escape?" asked +Gestumblindi.</p> + +<p>"If," replied the King, "you can ask me riddles +which I cannot answer, you shall go free."</p> + +<p>"I am not likely to be able to do that," replied +Gestumblindi; "yet the alternative is severe."</p> + +<p>"Do you prefer the trial?" asked the King.</p> + +<p>"Nay," said he, "I would rather ask riddles."</p> + +<p>"That is quite in order," said the King, "and +much depends on the issue. If you can get the better +of me you shall marry my daughter and none shall +gainsay you. Yet I don't imagine you are very +clever, and it has never yet happened that I have +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page115" id="page115"></a>[pg 115]</span> +been unable to solve the riddles that have been put +to me."</p> + +<p>Then a chair was placed for Gestumblindi, and +the people began to listen eagerly to the words of +wisdom.</p> + +<p class="indent">Gestumblindi began as follows:</p> + +<a name="hh11" id="hh11"></a> +<blockquote><p> +XI.<a href="#nhh11">°</a> I would that I had that which I had yesterday. Guess +O King, what that was:—Exhauster of men, retarder of +words, yet originator of speech. King Heithrek, read me this +riddle! +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Heithrek replied:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it.—Give +him some ale. That is what confounds many people's +reason. Some are made garrulous by it, but some become +confused in their speech. +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Gestumblindi said:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +I went from home, I made my way from home, I looked +upon a road of roads. A road was beneath me, a road above +and a road on every side. King Heithrek, read me this +riddle! +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Heithrek replied:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. +You went over a bridge, and the course of the river was +beneath it, and birds were flying over your head and on either +side of you; that was their road; you saw a salmon in the +river, and that was his road. +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Gestumblindi said:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +What was the drink that I had yesterday? It was neither +wine nor water, mead nor ale, nor any kind of food; and yet +I went away with my thirst quenched. King Heithrek, read +me this riddle! +</p></blockquote> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page116" id="page116"></a>[pg 116]</span> + +<p class="indent">Heithrek replied:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. +You lay in the shade and cooled your lips in dew. But if you +are the Gestumblindi I took you for, you are a more +intelligent man than I expected; for I had heard that your +conversation showed no brains, yet now you are setting to work +cleverly. +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Gestumblindi said:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +I expect that I shall soon come to grief; yet I should like +you to listen a while longer. +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Then he continued:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Who is that clanging one who traverses hard paths which +he has trod before? He kisses very rapidly, has two mouths +and walks on gold alone. King Heithrek, read me this riddle! +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Heithrek replied:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. +That is the goldsmith's hammer, with which gold is forged. +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Gestumblindi said:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +What is that huge one that passes over the earth, swallowing +lakes and pools? He fears the wind, but he fears not man, and +carries on hostilities against the sun. King Heithrek, read me +this riddle! +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Heithrek replied:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. +That is fog. One cannot see the sea because of it. Yet as soon +as the wind blows, the fog lifts; but men can do nothing to it. +Fog kills the sunshine. You have a cunning way of asking +riddles and conundrums, whoever you are. +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Gestumblindi said:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +What is that huge one that controls many things and of +which half faces towards Hell? It saves people's lives and +grapples with the earth, if it has a trusty friend. King +Heithrek, read me this riddle! +</p></blockquote> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page117" id="page117"></a>[pg 117]</span> + +<p class="indent">Heithrek replied:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. +That is an anchor with its thick strong cable. It controls +many a ship, and grips the earth with one of its flukes which +is pointing towards Hell. It is a means of safety to many +people. Greatly do I marvel at your readiness of speech and +wisdom. +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Gestumblindi said:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Ah, but I am now almost at the end of my riddles; yet +everyone is eager to save his life.—What lives in high +mountains? What falls in deep valleys? What lives without +breathing? What is never silent? King Heithrek, read me +this riddle! +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Heithrek replied:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. +A raven always lives in high mountains, and dew falls in +deep valleys, a fish lives without breathing, and the booming +waterfall is never silent.</p> + +<p>Things are now becoming serious, said Gestumblindi, and +I do not know what is going to happen.—What is the marvel +which I have seen outside Delling's doorway? It points its +head towards Hell and turns its feet to the sun. King Heithrek, +read me this riddle! +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Heithrek replied:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. +That is a leek. Its head grows down into the ground, and its +blades upward into the air. +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Gestumblindi said:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +What is the marvel which I have seen outside Delling's +doorway?—Two restless, lifeless things boiling a wound-leek. +King Heithrek, read me this riddle! +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Heithrek replied:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. +That is the smith's bellows which have breath, yet not life. +</p></blockquote> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page118" id="page118"></a>[pg 118]</span> + +<p class="indent">Gestumblindi said:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +What is the marvel which I have seen outside Delling's +doorway?—White fliers smiting the rock, and black fliers +burying themselves in sand! King Heithrek, read me this +riddle! +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Heithrek replied:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. +But now your riddles are growing trivial. That is hail and +rain; for hail beats upon the street; whereas rain-drops fall +into the sand and sink into the earth. +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Gestumblindi said:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +What is the marvel which I have seen outside Delling's +doorway? I saw a black hog wallowing in mud, yet no +bristles were standing up on his back. King Heithrek, read +me this riddle! +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Heithrek replied:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. +That is a dung-beetle. But we have talked too long when +dung-beetles come to exercise the wits of great men. +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Gestumblindi said:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +"It is best to put off misfortune"; and though there are +some who overlook this truth, many will want to go on trying. +I myself too see now that I shall have to look out for every +possible way of escape. What is the marvel that I have seen +outside Delling's doorway? This creature has ten tongues, +twenty eyes, forty feet, and walks with difficulty. King +Heithrek, read me this riddle! +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Heithrek replied:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. +That was a sow with nine little pigs. +</p></blockquote> + +<p>Then the King had the sow killed and they found +they had killed with her nine little pigs, as Gestumblindi +had said.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page119" id="page119"></a>[pg 119]</span> + +<p class="indent">Then the King said:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +I am beginning to suspect that I have to deal with a +cleverer man than myself in this business; but I don't know +who you can be. +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Gestumblindi said:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +I am such as you can see; and I am very anxious to save +my life and be quit of this task.</p> + +<p>You must go on asking riddles, replied the King, till you +have exhausted your stock, or else till I fail to solve them. +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Gestumblindi said:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +What is the marvel which I have seen outside Delling's +doorway? It flies high, with a whistling sound like the +whirring of an eagle. Hard it is to clutch, O King. King +Heithrek, read me this riddle! +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Heithrek replied:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. +That is an arrow, said the King. +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Gestumblindi said:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +What is the marvel which I have seen outside Delling's +doorway? It has eight feet and four eyes, and carries its knees +higher than its body. King Heithrek, read me this riddle! +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Heithrek replied:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +I notice firstly that you have a long hood; and secondly +that you look downwards more than most people, since you +observe every creature of the earth.—That is a spider. +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Gestumblindi said:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +What is the marvel which I have seen outside Delling's +doorway? It shines upon men in every land; and yet wolves +are always struggling for it. King Heithrek, read me this +riddle! +</p></blockquote> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page120" id="page120"></a>[pg 120]</span> + +<p class="indent">Heithrek replied:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. +It is the sun. It gives light to every land and shines down on +all men. But the wolves are called Skalli and Hatti. Those +are the wolves who accompany the sun, one in front and one +behind. +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Gestumblindi said:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +What is the marvel which I have seen outside Delling's +doorway? It was harder than horn, blacker than the raven, +whiter than the membrane of an egg, straighter than a shaft. +King Heithrek, read me this riddle! +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Heithrek replied:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. +You saw an agate, and a sunbeam penetrated the house and +shone upon it. But since you seem to be a learned man, can +you not propound your riddles without always beginning +them in the same way? +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Then said Gestumblindi:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Two bond-women, fair-haired brides, were carrying ale +to the store-room. The cask was not turned by hands, nor +clinched by hammers; and he who made it strutted about +outside the islands. King Heithrek, read me this riddle! +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Heithrek replied:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. +These are eider duck laying their eggs. The eggs are not +made with hammer or hands, and the hand-maidens put the +ale into the egg-shell. +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Gestumblindi said:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +He who has got but a little sword and is very short of +learning has to look out for help. I would like to talk still +further.—Who are those ladies of the lofty mountain? A +woman begets by a woman; a maid has a son by a maid; and +these good-wives have no husbands. King Heithrek, read me +this riddle! +</p></blockquote> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page121" id="page121"></a>[pg 121]</span> + +<p class="indent">Heithrek replied:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed +it. They are two Angelicas joined together, and a young +angelica shoot is growing between them. +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Gestumblindi said:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Who are the girls who fight without weapons around their +lord? The dark red ones always protect him, and the fair ones +seek to destroy him. King Heithrek, read me this riddle! +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Heithrek replied:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. +That is a game of chess. The pieces smite one another without +weapons around the king, and the red assist him. +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Gestumblindi said:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Who are the merry-maids who glide over the land for their +father's pleasure? They bear a white shield in winter and a +black one in summer. King Heithrek, read me this riddle! +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Heithrek replied:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. +Those are ptarmigan. +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Gestumblindi said:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Who are the damsels who go sorrowing for their father's +pleasure? These white-hooded ladies have shining hair, and +are very wide awake in a gale. King Heithrek, read me this +riddle! +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Heithrek replied:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. +Those are the billows, which are called Ægir's maidens. +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Gestumblindi said:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Who are the maidens who go about many together for +their father's pleasure? They have brought trouble to many; +and these good-wives have no husbands. King Heithrek, read +me this riddle! +</p></blockquote> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page122" id="page122"></a>[pg 122]</span> + +<p class="indent">Heithrek replied:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. +Those are billows like the last. +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Gestumblindi said:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Who are the brides who go about the reefs and trail along +the firths? These white-hooded ladies have a hard bed and +do not play much when the weather is calm. King Heithrek +read me this riddle. +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Heithrek replied:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. +Those again are Ægir's maidens; but your pleading has now +become so weak that you will have to stand trial by the +judges. +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Gestumblindi said:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +I am loath to do so; and yet I fear that it will very soon +come to that. I saw a barrow-dweller pass by, a corpse sitting +on a corpse, the blind riding on the blind towards the ocean-path. +Lifeless was the steed. King Heithrek, read me this +riddle! +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Heithrek replied:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. +It is that you came to a river; and an ice-floe was floating +along the stream, and on it a dead horse was lying, and on the +horse was a dead snake; and thus the blind was carrying the +blind when they were all three together. +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Gestumblindi said:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +What is that beast which slays people's flocks and is girt +around with iron? It has eight horns, yet no head, and it +runs when it can. King Heithrek, read me this riddle! +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Heithrek replied:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. +That is the <i>Hunn</i> in chess. It has the same name as a bear. +It runs as soon as it is thrown. +</p></blockquote> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page123" id="page123"></a>[pg 123]</span> + +<p class="indent">Gestumblindi said:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +What is that beast which protects the Danes? Its back is +bloody, but it shields men, encounters spears and saves men's +lives. Man fits his hand to its body. King Heithrek, read me +this riddle! +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Heithrek replied:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. +That is a shield. It protects many people and often has a +bloody back. +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Gestumblindi said:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +A 'nose-goose' (i.e. duck) in former days had grown very +big when eager for young. She gathered together her building +timber: 'biters of straw' sheltered her, and 'drink's echoing +cavern' was above her. King Heithrek, read me this riddle! +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Heithrek replied:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. +There a duck was sitting on her eggs between the jaws of an +ox, which you call 'biters of straw.' The 'echoing cavern' +is the skull, and the 'building timber,' the nest. +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Gestumblindi said:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Four walking, four hanging, two pointing the way, two +warding off the dogs, one, generally dirty, dangling behind! +King Heithrek, read me this riddle! +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Heithrek replied:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. +That is a cow. She has four feet and four udders, two horns +and two eyes, and the tail dangles behind. +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Gestumblindi said:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Who is that solitary one who sleeps in the grey ash and is +made from stone only? This greedy one has neither father +nor mother. There will he spend his life. King Heithrek, +read me this riddle. +</p></blockquote> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page124" id="page124"></a>[pg 124]</span> + +<p class="indent">Heithrek replied:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. +That is a spark struck by a flint and hidden in the hearth. +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Gestumblindi said:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +I saw a horse standing.... +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Then the King said:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +My retinue shall read this riddle. +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">They made many guesses, but not particularly +good ones. And when the King saw that they could +do nothing he said:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +What you call a 'horse' is a piece of linen, and his +'mare' is the weaver's rod; and the linen is shaken up and +down. +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Gestumblindi said:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Who are the thanes who ride to the meeting, sixteen of +them together? They send their men far and wide to make +homes of their own. King Heithrek, read me this riddle! +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Heithrek replied:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. +That is 'King Itrek's game.' +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Gestumblindi said:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +In summer time at sunset I saw the King's body-guard +awake and very joyful. The nobles were drinking their ale in +silence, but the ale-butts stood screaming. King Heithrek, +read me this riddle! +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Heithrek replied:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. +That is a sow with her litter. When the little pigs are +feeding, she squeals and they are silent.—But I can't imagine +who you are who can compose such things so deftly out of +such unpromising materials! +</p></blockquote> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page125" id="page125"></a>[pg 125]</span> + +<p class="indent">The King then silently made a sign that the door +of the hall was to be closed.</p> + +<p class="indent">Gestumblindi said:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +I saw maidens like dust. Rocks were their beds. They +were black and swarthy in the sunshine, but the darker it +grew, the fairer they appeared. King Heithrek, read me this +riddle! +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Heithrek replied:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. +They are pale embers on the hearth. +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Gestumblindi said:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +I sat on a sail, and saw dead men carrying a channel of +blood in the bark of a tree. King Heithrek, read me this +riddle! +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Heithrek replied:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. +You sat on a wall, and watched a hawk flying and carrying +an eider duck in its claws. +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Gestumblindi said:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Who are those two who have ten feet, three eyes and one +tail? King Heithrek, read me this riddle! +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Heithrek replied:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +You are hard up when you have to turn back to things of +long ago to bring forward against me. That is Othin riding +his horse Sleipnir. It had eight feet and Othin two, and they +had three eyes—Sleipnir two and Othin one. +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Gestumblindi said:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Tell me lastly, Heithrek, if you are wiser than any other +prince, what did Othin whisper in Balder's ear, before he +was placed upon the pyre? +</p></blockquote> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page126" id="page126"></a>[pg 126]</span> + +<p class="indent">The King replied:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +I am sure it was something scandalous and cowardly and +thoroughly contemptible. You are the only person who knows +the words which you spoke, you evil and wretched creature. +</p></blockquote> + +<p>Then the King drew Tyrfing, and struck at +Gestumblindi; but he changed himself into a falcon +and flew out through the window of the hall. And +the sword struck the tail of the falcon; and that is +why it has had a short tail ever since, according to +heathen superstition. But Othin had now become +wroth with the King for striking at him; and that +night he was slain.</p> + +<a name="hh12" id="hh12"></a> +<p class="indent">XII.<a href="#nhh12">°</a> It is said that King Heithrek had some slaves, +nine in all, whom he had taken in a freebooting +expedition in the West. They came of noble families, +and chafed against their captivity. One night, when +King Heithrek lay in bed, attended by only a handful +of men, the slaves armed themselves and went to the +building in which he lay. They first slew the sentries, +and then went and broke into the King's chamber, +and slew the King and all who were within. They took +the sword Tyrfing, and all the treasure that they +found there, and carried everything off with them.</p> + +<p>For a while, no one knew who had done the deed +or how vengeance was to be taken. Then Angantyr +the son of King Heithrek had a meeting called, and +by that assembly he was proclaimed King over all +the territories that King Heithrek had held. And +at the same meeting he swore a solemn oath that he +would never sit on his father's throne until he had +avenged him.</p> + +<p>Shortly after the meeting, Angantyr went away by +himself and travelled far and wide searching for +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page127" id="page127"></a>[pg 127]</span> +these men. One evening he was walking down to the +sea along a river called Graf. There he saw three men +in a fishing-boat, and presently he saw one of the +men catch a fish, and heard him call to one of his +companions to hand him a bait-knife to cut off the +fish's head. The man replied that he could not spare +it. Then the first man said:</p> + +<p>"Take down the sword from over there by the +rudder, and hand it to me."</p> + +<p>And he took it and unsheathed it, and cut off the +fish's head, and then spoke a verse:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>This pike at the mouth of the river</p> +<p class="i2">Has paid the penalty</p> +<p>For the slaughter inflicted on Heithrek,</p> +<p class="i2">'Neath the Mountains of Harvathi.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>Angantyr immediately perceived that it was +Tyrfing, and went off at once to the wood and waited +there till it was dark. And the fishermen rowed to +the land, and went to a tent which they had, and lay +down and went to sleep. And when it was close on +midnight, Angantyr went up to them and pulled +down the tent on top of the slaves and slew all nine +of them, and carried off the sword Tyrfing as a sign +that he had avenged his father. He then went home +and had a great funeral feast held to his father's +memory on the banks of the Dnieper, at a place called +Arheimar. The kings who ruled at that time were as +follows: Humli ruled the Huns, Gizur the Gautar, +Angantyr the Goths, Valdar the Danes, Kjar the +Gauls; Alrek the Bold ruled the English people.</p> + +<p>Hlöth the son of King Heithrek was brought up +at the court of King Humli, his grandfather. He +was a very handsome and valiant man. There was an +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page128" id="page128"></a>[pg 128]</span> +old saying at that time that a man was "born with +weapons or horses." And the explanation is that it +referred to the weapons which were being forged at +the time when the man was born; also to any sheep, +beasts, oxen and horses that were born about the +same time. These were all given to high-born men +as an honour to them, as is here related about Hlöth +the son of Heithrek:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>In the land of the Huns was Hölth born</p> +<p class="i2">In a holy forest glade,</p> +<p>With ring-bedizened helmet,</p> +<p class="i2">With dagger and keen-edged blade,</p> +<p>With byrnie and with broadsword,</p> +<p class="i2">And noble prancing steed.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>Then Hlöth learnt of the death of his father, and +also that his brother Angantyr had been made King +over all the territory which their father had held. +Then King Humli and Hlöth resolved that Hlöth +should go and request his brother Angantyr to allow +him a share of his father's property, and that he +should try first by fair words—as is said here:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Hlöth, the heir of Heithrek,</p> +<p class="i2">Came riding from the East,</p> +<p>To where Angantyr was holding</p> +<p class="i2">King Heithrek's funeral feast.</p> +<p>He came to his court in Arheimar</p> +<p class="i2">Where the Gothic people dwell,</p> +<p>Demanding his share of the heritage left</p> +<p class="i2">By the King when he journeyed to Hell.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>Hlöth now arrived in Arheimar with a great host +as it says here:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>He found a warrior hastening</p> +<p class="i2">Towards the lofty hall;</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page129" id="page129"></a>[pg 129]</span> +<p>And unto this late traveller</p> +<p class="i2">Did Hlöth his greeting call:</p> +<p>O man, make haste to enter</p> +<p class="i2">This hall that towers so high!</p> +<p class="i4">Bid Angantyr speed,</p> +<p class="i4">For great is the need</p> +<p class="i2">We hold a colloquy.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>The men entered and went up to Angantyr's table +and saluted the King, saying:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Hlöth, thy warlike brother,</p> +<p class="i2">King Heithrek's valiant heir,</p> +<p>Has sent me hither to thee,</p> +<p class="i2">And bidden me declare</p> +<p>That he wishes to hold converse;</p> +<p class="i2">And though he be young indeed,</p> +<p>Yet he looks a mighty champion,</p> +<p class="i2">Seated high upon his steed.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>And when the King heard that, he flung down his +knife upon the table and arose from the feast; and +he put on his corslet and took a white shield in one +hand and the sword Tyrfing in the other. Then a +great din arose in the hall, as is said in the poem:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Then a murmur arose from the warriors,</p> +<p class="i2">And all in the hall drew near,</p> +<p>As the warder reported the message of Hlöth:</p> +<p class="i2">—Everyone lent an ear;</p> +<p>And the men all awaited with quivering breath</p> +<p class="i2">The message of Angantyr.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>Then Angantyr said: "Hail, brother! You are +welcome! Come in and drink with us, and let us +first drink mead in memory of our father, to the +honour and glory of us all with full ceremony."</p> + +<p>Hlöth said: "We are come hither for a different +purpose than to fill our stomachs."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page130" id="page130"></a>[pg 130]</span> + +<p class="ind1">Then Hlöth cried:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Of all the possessions of Heithrek</p> +<p class="i2">The half do I now demand;</p> +<p>—His spear and blade and treasures,</p> +<p class="i2">His cattle and his land,</p> +<p>His handmaids and his bondmen,</p> +<p class="i2">And the children to them born,</p> +<p>And the murmuring mill that the bondwomen turn</p> +<p class="i2">As they wearily grind the corn.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>And half of the far-famed Myrkvith,</p> +<p class="i2">And half of the holy grave</p> +<p>Far off mid the Gothic peoples,—</p> +<p class="i2">These also will I have.—</p> +<p>Half of the noble pillar</p> +<p class="i2">That stands on Danaper's shore;</p> +<p>And of Heithrek's castles, land and folk,</p> +<p class="i2">And half of his golden store!</p> + </div> </div> + +<p class="ind1">Cried Angantyr:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>The white-shining shield shall be cloven, brother,</p> +<p class="i2">And spear on spear shall ring;</p> +<p>And many a helmet be lowered, brother,</p> +<p class="i2">In battle for this thing,</p> +<p>Ere I give thee half my heritage,</p> +<p class="i2">Or half of the sword Tyrfing.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p class="ind1">But Angantyr added:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>I will offer thee wealth in plenty,</p> +<p class="i2">And all thy heart's desire</p> +<p>In store of costly treasure,</p> +<p class="i2">And rings of golden fire;</p> +<p>Twelve hundred squires will I give thee,</p> +<p class="i2">Twelve hundred prancing steeds;</p> +<p class="i4">Twelve hundred men</p> +<p class="i4">To attend on them</p> +<p class="i2">And arm them for mighty deeds.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page131" id="page131"></a>[pg 131]</span> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>And every man whom I give thee</p> +<p class="i2">Shall receive a richer store</p> +<p>Of rings and costly treasures</p> +<p class="i2">Than ever he had before.—</p> +<p>To every man a maiden!</p> +<p class="i2">To every maid a ring!</p> +<p>I will clasp a necklace round her throat,</p> +<p class="i2">A necklace fit for a king!</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>I will case thee all in silver</p> +<p class="i2">As thou sittest on thy throne;</p> +<p>And a third of the Gothic peoples</p> +<p class="i2">Shall be thine to rule alone;</p> +<p>With gold shalt thou be covered</p> +<p class="i2">As thou farest through the land.—</p> +<p class="i4">Thou shalt dazzle the sight</p> +<p class="i4">As thou walk'st in the light</p> +<p class="i2">Like the flame of a fiery brand.</p> + </div> </div> + + <a name="hh13" id="hh13"></a> +<p class="indent">XIII.<a href="#nhh13">°</a> Gizur, a liegeman from the Grytingar, +King Heithrek's foster-father, was with King +Angantyr. He was a very old man at that time. And +when he heard King Angantyr's suggestion, he +thought that he was offering too much and said:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>King Angantyr is generous,</p> +<p class="i2">And royal his offering!</p> +<p>For thy mother was merely a bondmaid</p> +<p class="i2">Though thou hadst for thy father a King.</p> +<p>And though thou art only an outcast,</p> +<p class="i2">Yet a seat of honour was thine,</p> +<p>When the Prince was dividing his treasure and land,</p> +<p class="i2">And his portion to each did assign.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>Hlöth grew very angry at being called an outcast +and the child of a bondwoman, if he accepted +his brother's offer; so he departed at once with all +his men and returned home to King Humli, his +mother's father, in the land of the Huns. And he +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page132" id="page132"></a>[pg 132]</span> +told Humli that Angantyr his brother had not +granted him an equal share. King Humli enquired +as to all that had passed between them, and was very +angry that Hlöth, the son of his daughter, should be +called the son of a bondmaid, and he cried:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>We will stay in our homes for the winter,</p> +<p class="i2">And as princes are wont when they dine,</p> +<p>We will hold high converse together,</p> +<p class="i2">Quaffing the costly wine.</p> +<p>We will call on the Hunnish people</p> +<p class="i2">To arm them with spear and with shield.—</p> +<p class="i4">They shall march to the fight</p> +<p class="i4">Right royally dight,</p> +<p class="i2">And conquer their foes in the field.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p class="ind1">Then he added:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>We will summon a mighty host, Hlöth,</p> +<p class="i2">And shield on shield will clang,</p> +<p>As the warriors arm them from twelve years old,</p> +<p class="i2">And the wild colts gallop along.</p> +<p class="i4">And the Huns shall mass</p> +<p class="i4">Ere the winter pass,</p> +<p class="i2">And assemble a countless throng.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>That winter, King Humli and Hlöth remained +quiet, but the following spring they collected such +a large army that the land of the Huns was swept +bare of fighting men. All those of twelve years old +and upwards, who were fit for military service and +could carry arms, joined the army, and all the horses +of two years old and upwards. The host was now so +big that thousands and nothing less than thousands +could be counted in the legions. And a commander +was set over every 'thousand,' and a standard was set +up over every legion. And there were five 'thousand' +in each legion, each 'thousand' containing thirteen +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page133" id="page133"></a>[pg 133]</span> +'hundreds,' and each 'hundred' four times forty men; +and these legions were thirty three in number.</p> + +<p>When these troops had assembled, they rode +through the forest which was called Myrkvith, and +which separated the land of the Huns from that of +the Goths. And when they emerged from the forest, +they came upon a thickly inhabited country with +level fields; and on these plains there was a fine +fortress. It was under the command of Hervör, the +sister of Angantyr and Hlöth, and Ormar, her foster-father +was with her. They had been appointed to +defend the land against the Hunnish host, and they +had a large army there.</p> + +<a name="hh14" id="hh14"></a> +<p class="indent">XIV.<a href="#nhh14">°</a> It happened one morning at sunrise that as +Hervör was standing on the summit of a tower over +the gate of the fortress, she looked southwards towards +the forest, and saw clouds of dust arising from +a great body of horse, by which the sun was hidden +for a long time. Next she saw a gleam beneath the +dust, as though she were gazing on a mass of gold—fair +shields overlaid with gold, gilded helmets and +white corslets. Then she perceived that it was the +Hunnish host coming on in vast numbers. She +descended hastily and called her trumpeter, and bade +him sound the assembly.</p> + +<p>Then said Hervör: "Take your weapons and arm +for battle; and do thou, Ormar, ride against the +Huns and offer them battle before the Southern +Gate."</p> + +<p>Ormar replied: "I will certainly take my shield +and ride with the companies of the Goths. I will +challenge the Huns and offer them battle before the +Southern Gate."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page134" id="page134"></a>[pg 134]</span> + +<p>Then Ormar rode out of the fortress against the +Huns. He called loudly bidding them ride up to the +fort, saying:</p> + +<p>"Outside the gate of the fortress, in the plains to +the south—there will I offer you battle. Let those +who arrive first await their foes!"</p> + +<p>Then Ormar rode back to the fortress, and found +Hervör and all her host armed and ready. They rode +forthwith out of the fort with all their host against +the Huns, and a great battle began between them. +But the Hunnish host was far superior in numbers, +so that Hervör's troops began to suffer heavy losses; +and in the end Hervör fell, and a great part of her +army round about her. And when Ormar saw her +fall, he fled with all those who still survived. Ormar +rode day and night as fast as he could to King +Angantyr in Arheimar. The Huns then proceeded +to ravage and burn throughout the land.</p> + +<p>And when Ormar came into the presence of King +Angantyr, he cried:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>From the south have I journeyed hither</p> +<p class="i2">To bear these tidings to thee:—</p> +<p>The whole of the forest of Myrkvith</p> +<p class="i2">Is burnt up utterly;</p> +<p>And the land of the Goths is drenched with blood</p> +<p class="i2">As our warriors fall and die.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p class="ind1">Then he continued:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>All of thy noblest warriors</p> +<p class="i2">On the field are lying dead.</p> +<p>King Heithrek's daughter fell by the sword;</p> +<p class="i2">She drooped and bowed her head.</p> +<p>Thy sister Hervör is now no more.—</p> +<p class="i2">By the Huns was her life-blood shed.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page135" id="page135"></a>[pg 135]</span> +<p>O prouder and lighter the maiden's step</p> +<p class="i2">As she wielded spear and sword</p> +<p>Than if she were sped to her trysting place,</p> +<p class="i2">Or her seat at the bridal-board!</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>When King Angantyr heard that, he drew back +his lips, and it was some time before he spoke. Then +he said:</p> + +<p>"In no brotherly wise hast thou been treated, my +noble sister!"</p> + +<p>Then he surveyed his retinue, and his band of +men was but small; then he cried:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>The Gothic warriors were many,</p> +<p class="i2">As they sat and drank the mead;</p> +<p>But now when many are called for,</p> +<p class="i2">The array is poor indeed!</p> +<p>Not a man in the host will adventure—</p> +<p class="i2">Though I offer a rich reward—</p> +<p class="i4">To take his shield,</p> +<p class="i4">And ride to the field,</p> +<p class="i2">To seek out the Hunnish horde.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p class="ind1">Then Gizur the Old cried:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>I will crave no single farthing,</p> +<p class="i2">Nor ringing coin of gold;</p> +<p class="i4">I will take my shield</p> +<p class="i4">And ride to the field</p> +<p class="i2">To the Huns with their myriads untold.</p> +<p>And the message of war that you send to the host</p> +<p class="i2">Will I carry, and there unfold.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>It was a rule with King Heithrek that if his +army was invading a land, and the King of that +land had set up hazel stakes to mark the spot on +which the battle was to take place, then the vikings +should not go raiding till the battle had been fought.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page136" id="page136"></a>[pg 136]</span> + +<p>Gizur armed himself with good weapons and +leapt on his horse as if he had been a young man. Then +he cried to the King:</p> + +<p>"Where shall I challenge the host of the Huns to +battle?"</p> + +<p>King Angantyr replied: "Challenge them to +battle at Dylgia and on Dunheith, and upon all +the heights of Jösur, where the Goths have often +won renown by glorious victories!"</p> + +<p>Then Gizur rode away until he came to the host +of the Huns. He rode just within earshot, and then +called loudly, crying:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Your host is panic stricken,</p> +<p class="i2">And your prince is doomed to fall;</p> +<p>Though your banners are waving high in the air,</p> +<p class="i2">Yet Othin is wroth with you all.</p> +<p>Come forth to the Jösur Mountains,</p> +<p class="i2">On Dylgia and Dunheith come fight;</p> +<p class="i4">For I make a sure boast,</p> +<p class="i4">In the heart of your host</p> +<p class="i2">The javelin of Othin will light!</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>When Hlöth heard Gizur's words, he cried:</p> + +<p>"Lay hold upon Gizur of the Grytingar, Angantyr's +man, who has come from Arheimar!"</p> + +<p>King Humli said: "We must not injure heralds +who travel about unattended."</p> + +<p>Gizur cried: "You Hunnish dogs are not going +to overcome us with guile."</p> + +<p>Then Gizur struck spurs into his horse and rode +back to King Angantyr, and went up to him and +saluted him. The King asked him if he had parleyed +with the Huns.</p> + +<p>Gizur replied: "I spoke with them and I challenged +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page137" id="page137"></a>[pg 137]</span> +them to meet us on the battle-field of Dunheith +and in the valleys of Dylgia."</p> + +<p>Angantyr asked how big the army of the Huns was.</p> + +<p>"Their host is very numerous," replied Gizur. +"There are six legions in all, and five 'thousands' in +every legion, and each 'thousand' contains thirteen +'hundreds,' and in every 'hundred' there are a +hundred and sixty men."</p> + +<p>Angantyr asked further questions about the host +of the Huns.</p> + +<p>He then sent men in all directions to summon every +man who was willing to support him and could bear +weapons. He then marched to Dunheith with his +army, and it was a very great host. There the host +of the Huns came against him with an army half as +big again as his own.</p> + +<a name="hh15" id="hh15"></a> +<p class="indent">XV.<a href="#nhh15">°</a> Next day they began their battle, and they +fought together the whole day, and at evening they +went to their quarters. They continued fighting for +eight days, but the princes were then still all unwounded, +though none could count the number of +the slain. But both day and night troops came +thronging round Angantyr's banner from all quarters; +and so it came about that his army never grew +less.</p> + +<p>The battle now became fiercer than ever. The +Huns were desperate, for they now saw that their +only chance of escaping annihilation lay in victory, +and that sorry would be their lot if they had to ask +for quarter from the Goths. The Goths on the other +hand were defending their freedom and their native +land against the Huns; so they stood fast and encouraged +one another to fight on. Then towards the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page138" id="page138"></a>[pg 138]</span> +close of the day the Goths made so fierce an attack +that the line of the Huns recoiled before it. And when +Angantyr saw that, he pressed forward from behind +the rampart of shields into the forefront of the battle +and grasping Tyrfing in his hand, mowed down both +men and horses. Then the ranks fell apart in front +of the Kings of the Huns, and Hlöth exchanged +blows with his brother. There fell Hlöth and King +Humli, and then the Huns took to flight. The Goths +cut them down and made such a great slaughter that +the rivers were dammed with the bodies and diverted +from their courses, and the valleys were full of dead +men and horses. Angantyr then went to search +among the slain, and found his brother Hlöth. Then +he cried:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>I offered thee wealth unstinted, brother,</p> +<p class="i2">And treasures manifold,—</p> +<p>Riches of cattle and land, brother,</p> +<p class="i2">Riches of glittering gold;</p> +<p>But now thou hast wagered and lost in the battle</p> +<p class="i2">Thy desires and glories untold.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>A curse has fallen upon us, brother,</p> +<p class="i2">I have dealt destruction to thee;</p> +<p>And ne'er shall the deed be forgotten, brother;</p> +<p class="i2">Full ill is the norns' decree!</p> + </div> </div> + + <a name="hh16" id="hh16"></a> +<p class="indent">XVI.<a href="#nhh16">°</a> Angantyr ruled Reithgotaland as King for +a long time. He was powerful and generous and +a great warrior, and lines of kings are sprung from +him.</p> + +<p>He had a son called Heithrek Wolfskin who ruled +after him for a long time in Reithgotaland. Heithrek +had a daughter called Hild, who was the mother of +Halfdan the Valiant, the father of Ivar Vithfathmi. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page139" id="page139"></a>[pg 139]</span> +Ivar Vithfathmi went with his army into the Swedish +kingdom, as is told in the Sagas of the Kings. And +King Ingjald the Wicked was panic-stricken at the +approach of his army, and burned the roof over himself +and all his retinue at a place called Ræning. Ivar +Vithfathmi then conquered all Sweden. He also subdued +Denmark and Courland and the land of the +Saxons and Esthonia, and all the eastern realms as +far as Russia. He also ruled the land of the Saxons +in the West and conquered the part of England +which was called Northumbria.</p> + +<p>Then he conquered all Denmark and set over it +King Valdar, to whom he married his daughter +Alfhild. Their sons were Harold Hilditönn and +Randver who afterwards fell in England. And when +Valdar died in Denmark, Randver got possession of +the Danish kingdom and made himself King over it. +And King Harold Hilditönn got himself proclaimed +King of Gautland, and he afterwards conquered all +the kingdoms already mentioned, which King Ivar +Vithfathmi had held.</p> + +<p>King Randver married Asa, the daughter of +King Harold of the Red Moustache from Norway. +Their son was Sigurth Hring. King Randver died +suddenly, and Sigurth Hring succeeded to the +Kingdom of Denmark. He fought against King +Harold Hilditönn at the Battle of Bravöll in East +Gautland, and there King Harold fell, and a great +multitude of his army with him. This battle and the +one which Angantyr and his brother Hlöth fought +at Dunheith are the battles which have been most +famous in stories of old. Never were any greater +slaughters made.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page140" id="page140"></a>[pg 140]</span> + +<p>King Sigurth Hring ruled the Kingdom of the +Danes till the day of his death; and his son Ragnar +Lothbrok succeeded him.</p> + +<p>Harold Hilditönn had a son called Eystein the +Wicked, who succeeded to the Swedish Realm after +his father, and ruled it until he was slain by the sons +of Ragnar Lothbrok, as is related in the Saga of +Ragnar Lothbrok. The sons of Ragnar Lothbrok +conquered all the Swedish Kingdom; and after the +death of King Ragnar, his son, Björn Ironside, inherited +Sweden, and Sigurth Denmark, Hvitserk the +Eastern Realm, and Ivar the Boneless England.</p> + +<p>The sons of Björn Ironside were Eric and Refil. +The latter was a warrior-prince and sea-king. King +Eric ruled the Swedish Realm after his father, and +lived but a short time. Then Eric the son of Refil +succeeded to the Kingdom. He was a great warrior +and a very powerful King. The sons of Eric Björnsson +were Önund of Upsala and King Björn. Then the +Swedish Realm again came to be divided between +brothers. They succeeded to the Kingdom on the +death of Eric Refilsson. King Björn built a house +called 'Barrow,' and he himself was called Björn +of the Barrow. Bragi the poet was with him. King +Önund had a son called Eric, and he succeeded to +the throne at Upsala after his father. He was a +mighty King. In his days Harold the Fair-haired +made himself King of Norway. He was the first to +unite the whole of that country under his sway.</p> + +<p>Eric at Upsala had a son called Björn, who came +to the throne after his father and ruled for a long +time. The sons of Björn, Eric the Victorious, and +Olaf succeeded to the kingdom after their father. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page141" id="page141"></a>[pg 141]</span> +Olaf was the father of Styrbjörn the Strong. In their +days King Harold the Fair-haired died. Styrbjörn +fought against King Eric his father's brother at +Fyrisvellir, and there Styrbjörn fell. Then Eric ruled +Sweden till the day of his death. He married Sigrith +the Ambitious. They had a son called Olaf who was +accepted as King in Sweden after King Eric. He +was only a child at the time and the Swedes carried +him about with them, and for this reason they called +him 'Skirt-King,' and then, later, Olaf the Swede. +He ruled for a long time and was a powerful King. +He was the first king of Sweden to be converted, and +in his days, Sweden was nominally Christian.</p> + +<p>King Olaf the Swede had a son called Önund who +succeeded him. He died in his bed. In his day fell +King Olaf the Saint at Stiklestad. Olaf the Swede +had another son called Eymund, who came to the +throne after his brother. In his day the Swedes +neglected the Christian religion, but he was King +for only a short time.</p> + +<p>There was a great man of noble family in Sweden +called Steinkel. His mother's name was Astrith, +the daughter of Njal the son of Fin the Squinter, from +Halogaland; and his father was Rögnvald the Old. +Steinkel was an Earl in Sweden at first, and then +after the death of Eymund, the Swedes elected him +their King. Then the throne passed out of the line +of the ancient kings of Sweden. Steinkel was a +mighty prince. He married the daughter of King +Eymund. He died in his bed in Sweden about the +time that King Harold fell in England.</p> + +<p>Steinkel had a son called Ingi, who became King +of Sweden after Haakon. Ingi was King of Sweden +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page142" id="page142"></a>[pg 142]</span> +for a long time, and was popular and a good Christian. +He tried to put an end to heathen sacrifices in +Sweden and commanded all the people to accept +Christianity; yet the Swedes held to their ancient +faith. King Ingi married a woman called Mær who +had a brother called Svein. King Ingi liked Svein +better than any other man, and Svein became thereby +the greatest man in Sweden. The Swedes considered +that King Ingi was violating the ancient law of the +land when he took exception to many things which +Steinkel his father had permitted, and at an assembly +held between the Swedes and King Ingi, they offered +him two alternatives, either to follow the old order, +or else to abdicate. Then King Ingi spoke up and +said that he would not abandon the true faith; +whereupon the Swedes raised a shout and pelted +him with stones, and drove him from the assembly.</p> + +<p>Svein, the King's brother-in-law, remained behind +in the assembly, and offered the Swedes to do sacrifices +on their behalf if they would give him the Kingdom. +They all agreed to accept Svein's offer, and he was +then recognised as King over all Sweden. A horse +was then brought to the assembly and hewn in pieces +and cut up for eating, and the sacred tree was smeared +with blood. Then all the Swedes abandoned Christianity, +and sacrifices were started again. They drove +King Ingi away; and he went into Vestergötland. +Svein the Sacrificer was King of Sweden for three +years.</p> + +<p>King Ingi set off with his retinue and some of his +followers, though it was but a small force. He then +rode eastwards by Småland and into Östergötland +and then into Sweden. He rode both day and night, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page143" id="page143"></a>[pg 143]</span> +and came upon Svein suddenly in the early morning. +They caught him in his house and set it on fire and +burned the band of men who were within.</p> + +<p>There was a baron called Thjof who was burnt +inside. He had been previously in the retinue of +Svein the Sacrificer. Svein himself left the house, but +was slain immediately.</p> + +<p>Thus Ingi once more received the Kingdom of +Sweden; and he reestablished Christianity and ruled +the Kingdom till the end of his life, when he died +in his bed.</p> + +<p>King Steinkel had, besides Ingi, another son +Hallstein who reigned along with his brother. +Hallstein's sons were Philip and Ingi, and they +succeeded to the Kingdom of Sweden after King +Ingi the elder. Philip married Ingigerth, the daughter +of King Harold the son of Sigurth. He reigned for +only a short time.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page144" id="page144"></a>[pg 144]</span> + +<h3 style="margin-top: 3em;">APPENDIX TO PART I</h3> + +<h3>THE COMBAT AT SAMSØ AND HJALMAR'S DEATH SONG</h3> + +<p>The following passage is taken from an early text +of the <i>Saga of Hervör and Heithrek</i> (<span class="sc">ms</span>. 2845 in the +Royal Library at Copenhagen) where it occurs +immediately after the earl's speech ("The death of +mighty men" etc.) on p. 92<a id="footnotetaga1" name="footnotetaga1"></a><a href="#footnotea1"><sup>1</sup></a>.</p> + +<p>When the brothers came home they made ready +to go to the combat, and their father accompanied +them to the ship and gave the sword Tyrfing to +Angantyr, saying:</p> + +<p>"I think that you will have need of good weapons +now."</p> + +<p>He then bade them farewell, and so they parted.</p> + +<p>And when the brothers came to Samsø they saw +two ships lying in a harbour which was called Munarvag. +The ships were of the kind called 'Ash.' The +brothers concluded that these must be the ships of +Hjalmar and Odd the Far-travelling, who was called +Örvar-Odd. The sons of Arngrim then drew their +swords and gnawed the rims of their shields and +worked themselves up into the berserks' fury. Then +they sallied forth, six against each 'Ash,' but so +brave were the men whom they encountered on board +that they all drew their weapons, and not one fled +from his post, and not one spoke a word of fear. And +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page145" id="page145"></a>[pg 145]</span> +the berserks made their way up one side of the ship +and down the other and slew them all. Then they +landed and began to howl.</p> + +<p>Hjalmar and Odd had landed on the Island to find +out if the berserks had come. And as they made their +way from the forest to join their ships, the berserks +were leaving the ships with bloody weapons and +drawn swords. But by this time the berserk fury +had passed away from them, and at such times their +strength is reduced like that of people who are +recovering from illness of some kind.</p> + +<p class="ind1">Then said Odd:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>I never knew aught of terror</p> +<p class="i2">Till today when the berserks came.</p> +<p>They have sailed to this isle in their ashen ships,</p> +<p class="i2">All twelve devoid of shame,</p> +<p>And landed with many a whoop and yell,</p> +<p class="i2">Those wretches of evil fame.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>Then said Hjalmar to Odd: "Do you see that all +our men are fallen? It is my belief that we shall all +be Othin's guests tonight in Valhalla."</p> + +<p>—And it is said that that was the only word of +fear ever uttered by Hjalmar.</p> + +<p>Odd replied: "My advice would be that we should +make off to the wood; for we shall never be able to put +up a fight, being only two against twelve—and twelve +too who have slain the twelve bravest men in Sweden."</p> + +<p>Then said Hjalmar: "We will never flee from our +foes. Rather will we suffer the worst that their weapons +can inflict. I am going to fight against the berserks."</p> + +<p>"Not so," replied Odd; "I have no mind to visit +Othin tonight. It is all these berserks who must perish +before evening comes; but you and I will be left alive."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page146" id="page146"></a>[pg 146]</span> + +<p>An account of their dialogue is found in these +verses which Hjalmar chanted:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Twelve berserks hasten onward,</p> +<p class="i2">Inglorious warriors;—</p> +<p>Leaving their warships on they come;</p> +<p class="i2">And when night's shadow lowers</p> +<p>We two shall feast in Othin's hall,</p> +<p class="i2">Leaving them conquerors.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p class="ind1">But Odd replied:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>This is the answer I give thee:—</p> +<p class="i2">In Othin's hall tonight,</p> +<p class="i4">Twelve berserks shall feast,</p> +<p class="i4">Every one as a guest,</p> +<p>While we shall live on in the light.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>Hjalmar and Odd saw that Angantyr had Tyrfing +in his hand, for it flashed like a sunbeam.</p> + +<p>Hjalmar said: "Will you fight against Angantyr +alone, or against all his eleven brothers?"</p> + +<p>"I will fight against Angantyr," replied Odd; "He +will give mighty strokes with Tyrfing; but I have +more faith in the protection of my shirt than in that +of your mail-coat."</p> + +<p>Then cried Hjalmar: "When did you and I ever +go to battle and you took the lead of me? You want +to fight Angantyr because you hold that to be the +deed of greater prowess. I am the leader in this +combat, however, and far other was the vow I made +to the daughter of the King of the Swedes than to let +you or anybody else come before me in the fight. +It is I who am going to fight Angantyr."</p> + +<p>And with that he drew his sword and stepped +forth to meet Angantyr and they commended one +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page147" id="page147"></a>[pg 147]</span> +another to Valhalla<a id="footnotetaga2" name="footnotetaga2"></a><a href="#footnotea2"><sup>2</sup></a>. Hjalmar and Angantyr then +made ready for the combat, and mighty strokes fell +thick and fast between them.</p> + +<p class="ind1">Odd called to the berserks, saying:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Man to man should a warrior fight</p> +<p class="i2">Who would win a well-fought day,—</p> +<p>Unless it be that his courage fail,</p> +<p class="i2">Or his valour has ebbed away.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>Then Hjörvarth advanced, and he and Odd had a +stiff encounter; but Odd's silken shirt was so strong +that no weapon could pierce it. And so good was his +sword that it cut through iron as easily as cloth; and +few strokes had he dealt ere Hjörvarth fell dead.</p> + +<p>Then Hervarth came on and the same thing +happened;—then Hrani, then each of the others in +turn. And with such force did Odd encounter them +all that he slew every one of the eleven brothers. As +for the combat between Hjalmar and Angantyr, the +upshot was that Hjalmar was wounded in sixteen +places, and then Angantyr fell dead.</p> + +<p class="ind1">Then Odd went over to where Hjalmar lay and +cried:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>O Hjalmar! Why has thy face grown pale</p> +<p class="i2">As the face of men who die?</p> +<p>Wide gape the rents in byrnie and helm,</p> +<p class="i2">And I fear that the end draws nigh;</p> +<p>And the strength of manhood has gone from thine arm,</p> +<p class="i2">And the light of life from thine eye.</p> + </div> </div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page148" id="page148"></a>[pg 148]</span> + +<p class="ind1">Hjalmar made answer<a id="footnotetaga3" name="footnotetaga3"></a><a href="#footnotea3"><sup>3</sup></a>:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>With sixteen wounds is my mailcoat rent,</p> +<p class="i2">And the world is fading fast.</p> +<p>Blindly I tread in the gathering gloom,</p> +<p class="i2">Pierced to the heart at the last</p> +<p>By Angantyr's sword with its pitiless point</p> +<p class="i2">And its edges in poison cast.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>*I have given no cause to Ingibjörg</p> +<p class="i2">To hold my prowess light;</p> +<p>It shall never be said by our maidens at home</p> +<p class="i2">That I gave one thought to flight.</p> +<p>They shall hear how the battle was fought and won.—</p> +<p class="i2">How I wielded my sword in the fight.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>Five manors were mine, all nobly appointed,</p> +<p class="i2">Where I might have tarried and made good cheer.</p> +<p>Yet my heart was stirred by a restless longing</p> +<p class="i2">That urged me onward to Samsø here,</p> +<p>Where, pierced by the sword, with my life blood out pouring,</p> +<p class="i2">I shall linger and die on this island so drear.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>In my mind I can see the henchmen</p> +<p class="i2">Drinking mead in my father's hall.—</p> +<p>A circle of gold is round every throat,</p> +<p class="i2">And joy is among them all.</p> +<p>My merry companions are drinking their ale,</p> +<p class="i2">Till thought and care are no more,</p> +<p>While I, torn with wounds from a murderous sword,</p> +<p class="i2">Perish here on this island shore.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>*The lofty halls of Sigtun,</p> +<p class="i2">I see them from far away;</p> +<p>And the maidens who sought to withhold us</p> +<p class="i2">As we hastened forth on our way.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page149" id="page149"></a>[pg 149]</span> +<p>I shall never again see those maidens,</p> +<p class="i2">Or talk with the warriors bold,</p> +<p>Or drink fair ale in the King's high hall,</p> +<p class="i2">As I did in the days of old.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>In my heart a voice still lingers,</p> +<p class="i2">The voice of a maiden fair,</p> +<p>Who rode with me forth to Agni's meads,</p> +<p class="i2">And bade farewell to me there.</p> +<p>And true, too true, were the words she spake</p> +<p class="i2">From the depths of her despair,</p> +<p>That never again should I touch her lips,</p> +<p class="i2">Or tangle her golden hair.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>In my ear a song is ringing,</p> +<p class="i2">An echo from out the East,—</p> +<p>I heard it from Soti's cliffs on the night</p> +<p class="i2">When I left my friends at the feast.</p> +<p>How could I know that never again</p> +<p class="i2">Should I hear the maidens' lay,</p> +<p>As I hastened forth with my heart aflame,</p> +<p class="i2">And my good ship sailed away?</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>*In token of what has befallen,</p> +<p class="i2">My helmet and corslet take,</p> +<p>And bear them forth to the King's high hall.—</p> +<p class="i2">'Tis the last request I make.</p> +<p>The prince's daughter, fair Ingibjörg,</p> +<p class="i2">Will be stricken with grief and pain</p> +<p>When she looks on my good shield hacked and rent,</p> +<p class="i2">And knows that her love was vain.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>Draw from my arm this token,</p> +<p class="i2">This ring of gleaming gold:</p> +<p>And bear it to Ingibjörg the fair,</p> +<p class="i2">Lest she deem my love grown cold.</p> +<p>Young is the maid to bear the sorrow</p> +<p class="i2">Her heart must then endure,</p> +<p>When I ride not home to greet her,</p> +<p class="i2">When I keep not my tryst as of yore</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page150" id="page150"></a>[pg 150]</span> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>*I left the youthful Ingibjörg</p> +<p class="i2">Upon that fateful day,</p> +<p>When rashly we placed our fortunes</p> +<p class="i2">In the hands of Destiny.</p> +<p>O heavy will be the maiden's grief,</p> +<p class="i2">The sorrow she must endure</p> +<p>When she knows I have fallen in battle,</p> +<p class="i2">And will enter her hall no more.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>From the tree tops away to the Eastward</p> +<p class="i2">There gather a loathly brood:—</p> +<p>Raven and eagle are swooping</p> +<p class="i2">To wet their bills in my blood.</p> +<p>Full many a feast has the eagle had</p> +<p class="i2">Of carrion slain by me:</p> +<p class="i4">I have fought my last fight,</p> +<p class="i6">And I pass to the night;</p> +<p class="i4">And now he shall feast on me.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>Then Hjalmar died<a id="footnotetaga4" name="footnotetaga4"></a><a href="#footnotea4"><sup>4</sup></a>. Odd brought the tidings +to Sweden; and the King's daughter could not +bear to live after Hjalmar, so she took her own +life. Angantyr and his brothers were laid in a barrow +in Samsø with all their weapons.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotea1" name="footnotea1"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetaga1">Footnote 1:</a> +Printed in Wimmer's <i>Oldnordisk Læsebog</i> (4th ed.) p. 29 ff. The poetry is also found, though with many divergent readings, in +<i>Örvar-Odds Saga</i>, ch. 14 <i>(Fornaldarsögur</i>, Vol. <span class="sc">ii</span>, p. 217 ff.).</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotea2" name="footnotea2"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetaga2">Footnote 2:</a> +In late (paper) <span class="sc">mss</span>. the following passage is here added.—"Angantyr said: 'It is my wish that if any of us escapes from here +we should not rob one another of our weapons. If I die, I wish to have Tyrfing in the barrow with me. Odd likewise shall have his +shirt and Hjalmar his weapons!' And they agreed that those who were left alive were to raise a barrow for the others."</p> + +<p>Then follows a long description of the fighting.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotea3" name="footnotea3"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetaga3">Footnote 3:</a> +This poem is given more fully in <i>Örvar-Odds Saga</i> than in <i>Hervarar Saga</i>. The strophes which occur only in the former are +marked with an asterisk. I have re-arranged the order of the stanzas, in regard to which there is considerable variation between the two texts.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotea4" name="footnotea4"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetaga4">Footnote 4:</a> +In paper <span class="sc">mss</span>. the following passage occurs here:</p> + +<p class="footnote1"> +"Odd remained there all night. In the morning he brought +together the bodies of all the berserks and then set about building +barrows. The islanders built chambers of great oaks as Odd directed +them, and then piled up stones and sand on the top. They were +strongly constructed, and it was a great achievement. Odd was busy +at this work for a fortnight. Then he placed the berserks in with +their weapons and closed the barrows. After this Odd took Hjalmar's +body and carried it to a ship and conveyed it to Sweden." +</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page151" id="page151"></a>[pg 151]</span> + +<h3 style="margin-top: 3em;">PART II</h3> + +<h3>BALLADS</h3> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page152" id="page152"></a>[pg 152]</span><br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page153" id="page153"></a>[pg 153]</span> + +<h3 style="margin-top: 3em;">BALLADS</h3> + +<h4>GENERAL INTRODUCTION</h4> + +<p>I. The ballads of the Faroe Islands aroused the +interest of Ole Worm as early as 1639; but the five +ballads which he took down are no longer extant, +and we know of them only from a reference by +Peder Syv<a id="footnotetagv1" name="footnotetagv1"></a><a href="#footnotev1"><sup>1</sup></a> towards the close of the seventeenth +century. In 1673 Lucas Debes<a id="footnotetagv2" name="footnotetagv2"></a><a href="#footnotev2"><sup>2</sup></a> wrote a description +of the islands which contained an account of their +dances and songs; but unfortunately he did not +transcribe any of the ballads. Indeed the balladry +and songs attracted little general attention till the +close of the eighteenth century, when Jens Kristjan +Svabo devoted himself to a careful study of the +language and a collection of the ballads of his native +Islands.</p> + +<p>In 1781-2, during a visit to the Faroes, Svabo +turned his attention especially to Faroese folk-songs +and made a ms. collection of fifty-two ballads, which +were purchased by the Crown Prince and presented +to the Royal Library at Copenhagen. It is interesting +to note that Svabo, like his contemporary Bishop +Percy<a id="footnotetagv3" name="footnotetagv3"></a><a href="#footnotev3"><sup>3</sup></a>, thought it necessary to apologise in his preface +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page154" id="page154"></a>[pg 154]</span> +for making the collection, and humbly claims for it +an interest merely antiquarian. It is clear, however +from his tone throughout the Preface, that Svabo +had a far more scholarly appreciation of the value of +his material than had Percy. Indeed it would be +difficult to overestimate the debt which all succeeding +students of Faroese ballads owe to him. Disappointed +in his hopes of public recognition of his +work done for the Civil Service, he retired to the +Islands, where, in solitude and poverty, he devoted +himself, till his death in 1829, to the collection and +transcription of ballad material. His personal help +and example inspired other Faroe-islanders to make +collections for themselves, some of which, notably +Klemmentsen's <i>Sandoyjarbók</i>, are among our best +authorities for the ballads today. His own ballad +collection, still in ms. in the Royal Library at Copenhagen, +has never been published; but Schrøter, +Lyngbye and Hammershaimb all owed their incentive +and inspiration to his work. To study the history of +Faroese ballad collections without realising the force of +Svabo's personality is to leave Hamlet out of the play.</p> + +<p>In 1817 the Danish botanist, Hans Kristjan +Lyngbye visited the Faroes, where he became acquainted +with "the learned Svabo" as he calls him, +and also with Johan Henrik Schrøter, a clergyman +on Suderø, himself a keenly interested ballad collector, +and, incidentally, the first to make a collection +of Faroese folk-tales in prose. Partly from these +men, and partly from oral recitations and material +supplied by Provost Hentze, Lyngbye was able to +gather together a considerable body of Faroese +ballads which, with the support and encouragement +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page155" id="page155"></a>[pg 155]</span> +of Bishop P. E. Müller, he published at Copenhagen +in 1822, under the title of <i>Færöiske Kvæder +om Sigurd Fofnersbane og hans Æt</i>.</p> + +<p>Unfortunately Lyngbye knew no Icelandic and +very little Faroese, and his work necessarily suffers +in consequence. Still more unfortunate was his +unscientific handling of material and lack of literary +conscience, which permitted his cutting out, adding +and transposing stanzas—and again we are reminded +of the <i>Reliques</i>—till the original form of +a ballad is sometimes entirely lost. Fortunately, +however, most of the material that he had at his +command is still preserved. It is to be noted that +the qualities which go to make an ideal <i>collector</i> of +ballads do not always imply an ideal editor of the +material collected. The great collector of Jutland +ballads and folk-lore, Evald Tang Kristensen, has +started a new and sounder tradition by a reverent +in-gathering of all that formed part of the common +stock of peasant lore in his day<a id="footnotetagv4" name="footnotetagv4"></a><a href="#footnotev4"><sup>4</sup></a>. The sifting of +material is wisely left to the trained scholar, and, one +hopes, to a later and less intrepid generation<a id="footnotetagv5" name="footnotetagv5"></a><a href="#footnotev5"><sup>5</sup></a>.</p> + +<p>The tradition started by Svabo and Lyngbye was +carried on by V. U. Hammershaimb, himself a +native of the Islands and a great lover of Faroese +folk-lore. During the years 1847-8, and again in +1853, he visited the Faroes expressly to study the +dialects, and to collect the native ballads and folklore, +which he published under the title of <i>Færöiske</i> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page156" id="page156"></a>[pg 156]</span> +<i>Kvæder</i> in the <i>Nordiske Literatur-Samfund</i>, the <i>Antiquarisk +Tidsskrift</i>, etc.</p> + +<p>Like Svabo, Hammershaimb eventually returned +and settled on the Faroes; but unfortunately, owing +to the pressure of his administrative duties, he was +never able to spare time for a final revision of his +collection, though urged repeatedly to the work by +his friend Svend Grundtvig. Ultimately, however, +when Grundtvig himself undertook to make an +exhaustive critical edition of the Faroese ballads in +all their variant forms, Hammershaimb placed all +his material in his hands.</p> + +<p>Svend Grundtvig and his colleague J. Bloch, of +the Royal Library staff, completed in 1876 their +great fifteen vol. <span class="sc">ms</span>. collection of Faroese ballads +with all their known variants, <i>Føroyja Kvæði</i>—<i>Corpus +Carminum Faeroensium</i>—<i>Færøernes Gamle +Folkeviser</i>. This was afterwards increased by Bloch to +sixteen volumes by the addition of much new material, +some of which was collected by Jakobsen in his +journey to the Faroes in 1887<a id="footnotetagv6" name="footnotetagv6"></a><a href="#footnotev6"><sup>6</sup></a>. Before beginning +the work Grundtvig had every available version, +whether in public or private hands, at his disposal, +so that he had a magnificent apparatus criticus. Unfortunately +the work has never been published, so +that owing to the difficulties of communication with +Denmark (which have proved to be insuperable) it +has been impossible for me to consult it. The first +three volumes, however, which include all the +Faroese ballads translated below, are based on +Hammershaimb's collections of 1851-1855. Hammershaimb +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page157" id="page157"></a>[pg 157]</span> +was himself a genuine scholar with a +sensitive literary conscience and a thorough knowledge +of all the Faroese dialects, and his work is +spoken of in the highest terms by Grundtvig in his +article on the <i>Corpus Carminum Faroensium</i><a id="footnotetagv7" name="footnotetagv7"></a><a href="#footnotev7"><sup>7</sup></a>. Moreover +Hammershaimb had consulted all the other available +versions of these ballads before printing; so that +it is improbable that when a comparison of the texts +can be made much alteration will be required.</p> + +<p>II. The Faroe Islands are probably the only +place to be found in Western Europe where ballads +are still sung to the accompaniment of the dance. +The dance and song, it must be confessed, are gradually +losing their original character, while the +ballads are often long and unwieldy, sometimes, +as in the Ballad of Ívint Herintsson, running to +five divisions (<i>Tættir</i>) and over three hundred and +fifty verses. The verses are frequently chanted in +a solemn recitative, while the ballad tunes tend to +be confined chiefly to the refrains. The method of +supplying the melody, however, is subject to almost +endless variation. Sometimes old native folk tunes +are attached to special ballads, e.g. in the case of +<i>Vi hugged mid kaarde</i>; sometimes native ballads are +sung to Danish folk melodies and refrains as, e.g. +<i>Grindevisen</i>, sung to the tune of the Danish +<i>Burmand holder i Fjældet ut</i>. Sometimes in the +Faroese repertoire, Norse ballads are found complete +with their own melodies, e.g. <i>Sømandsviserne</i>, or sung +to Danish folk-tunes, e.g. <i>Zinklars Vise</i>. Most curious +of all is the method not infrequently resorted to in +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page158" id="page158"></a>[pg 158]</span> +modern times of singing native ballads, often of +modern origin, to the tunes of the Protestant +Psalmody—a custom which may have had its origin +in the common practice of singing both ballads and +psalms on all momentous occasions, such as on the +night of a wedding, or before starting on a big fishing +expedition. The Islanders have little idea of tone +or melody and do not sing well; and eye-witnesses +of some of the ballad dances at Thorshaven aver that +the tunes sound less like dance music than melancholy +dirges. In <i>Folkesangen paa Færøerne</i> (<i>Færøske +Kvadmelodier</i>), pp. 85-140, Thuren has published a +large number of original ballad tunes. The characteristic +motifs of folk tunes are traceable throughout, +as well as their elusive qualities. Thus we find, +side by side with airs based on the ordinary major +and minor scales, others which, like mediaeval +church music, are based on a 'modal' or 'gapped' +tonal system. Indeed traces of the pentatonic scale +are not infrequently met with, especially in the tunes +attached to the earlier ballads. The majority of +Faroese melodies, however, have only one gap and +have more in common with the system of notation +found in Gregorian music than with the pentatonic +scale of many Hebridean lays. A further characteristic +of folk music which appears in most Faroese airs +is the curious form of close which rarely occurs on the +tonic. Not infrequently the theme ends on the leading +note or supertonic which strikes the ear with a perpetual +surprise, the cadence leading one to anticipate +a repetition rather than a conclusion of the air. The +reason is that these tunes, like many folk songs from +Somerset, the Appalachians and the Hebrides, were +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page159" id="page159"></a>[pg 159]</span> +'circular,' that is, formed for continuous repetition +to suit the lengthy nature of the songs and ballads.</p> + +<p>The ballad however is not a mere historical relic +on the Faroes, but a living literary form. The +simplicity of the life, and the absence of class distinction<a id="footnotetagv8" name="footnotetagv8"></a><a href="#footnotev8"><sup>8</sup></a>, +still constitute an atmosphere in some +respects not unlike that of Mediaeval Denmark, and +the ballad is the favourite form of artistic expression. +A whale-hunt, a shipwreck, or the adventures of +fishermen in the far north are still made the subject +of a new ballad, composed by one or more of the +community; and if the result finds general favour +it is added to the ballad repertoire along with the +ballads of Sir Tristram or Childe Sigurth<a id="footnotetagv9" name="footnotetagv9"></a><a href="#footnotev9"><sup>9</sup></a>.</p> + +<p>In his description of his travels on the Faroes +1847-8, V. U. Hammershaimb<a id="footnotetagv10" name="footnotetagv10"></a><a href="#footnotev10"><sup>10</sup></a> says that he took +down the greater number of his ballads at Sumbø +on Suderø, the most southerly village in the Islands. +He describes the ballad dance as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +It is the custom here that the same ballad should not be +sung more than once a year<a id="footnotetagv11" name="footnotetagv11"></a><a href="#footnotev11"><sup>11</sup></a> in the 'dancing-chamber,' so +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page160" id="page160"></a>[pg 160]</span> +that the repertoire is obviously extensive, seeing that they +dance at wedding feasts, generally for three days and nights +without cessation. In the special dancing season from Yule +till Lent, the ballads are danced not only on Sundays but +also on the so-called 'Feast Days.' (They do not dance again +from the beginning of Lent till the day after Christmas.) +The dance at Sumbø has characteristics of its own which +differ from those of the rest of the Faroes. The people here +generally sing well and know how to put expression into the +actual dance. Elsewhere on the Islands this is now for the +most part reduced to a uniform stamp with the feet, marking +the melody of the ballad. Moreover they still continue here +in common use both the 'Walking Verse' (<i>stigingar stev</i>) +and the more rapid measure 'Tripping Verse' (<i>trókingar +stev</i>) of the Round Dance, in which, as a rule, the dancers +hold one another by the hand, forming a circle, dancing +backwards while the verse (<i>örindi</i>) is sung, and reversing the +movement with considerable energy during the singing of +the refrain (<i>viðgangur, niðurlág, stev</i>). This round dance is +characteristic of Sumbø<a id="footnotetagv12" name="footnotetagv12"></a><a href="#footnotev12"><sup>12</sup></a>. +</p></blockquote> + +<p>For the most part the dance is now performed with +the same speed in both verse and refrain<a id="footnotetagv13" name="footnotetagv13"></a><a href="#footnotev13"><sup>13</sup></a>, and +though little changed since Hammershaimb wrote, +it tends more and more to become a solemn and +joyless function; and there is a curious unanimity +today among eyewitnesses as to the depressing effect it +has on them. Hjalmar Thuren, writing in later times +(1908), furnishes some additional information as to the +manner of the ballad dance<a id="footnotetagv14" name="footnotetagv14"></a><a href="#footnotev14"><sup>14</sup></a>. The ballads are danced +with special zest on the 29th of July, the day of the +anniversary of the death of Saint Olaf, when all the +islanders who can leave their homes flock to Thorshaven +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page161" id="page161"></a>[pg 161]</span> +and dance from sunset till sunrise. Sometimes +the ballads are danced in the open air, and it has been +the custom in certain districts from ancient times to +hold assemblies for dancing out in the fields on certain +fixed days. On the 12th Sunday after Trinity people +meet in definite places on the Northern Islands. On +the other hand the dance is often the spontaneous +outcome of the desire of the moment, "as much to +keep themselves warm as for the sake of entertainment." +Thus after a whale-hunt the men sometimes +dance in their wet, bloody clothes, singing the +popular ballad of the ca'ing whale with the refrain:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>To us bold men great joy it is</p> +<p>To slay a whale!</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>The dance is always accompanied by song, but +instrumental music has never been in use on the +Faroes. The time and character of the dance are indicated +at the beginning of the ballad by the precentor. +This post of honour was originally much sought after +and some precentors were famous over the islands +for their special rendering of certain ballads, some +of which were family possessions in the old days.</p> + +<p>When a ballad is concluded, one of those who are +taking part straightway begins on a new one, the +dance frequently continuing uninterrupted, even +when the song is ended. The precentor must have a +strong voice and great powers of endurance as the +ballads are often very long. He is generally of a +lively disposition with some dramatic power, so that +by imitating his gesticulations the dancers give +character and individuality to the ballad. Thus in +the refrain to the <i>Death-Song of Ragnar Loðbrók</i>:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p><i>We struck with the sword</i></p> + </div> </div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page162" id="page162"></a>[pg 162]</span> + +<p>the dancers stamp on the floor and clap hands together; +but they are solemn and silent during the +singing of a sorrowful ballad such as</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Queen Dagmar lies sick, etc.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>With the ballad dances of the Faroes it is interesting +to compare the ballad dances of the Ukraine and +also the choral dances of a community so far removed +as the Torres Straits. Of these latter Dr Haddon +writes<a id="footnotetagv15" name="footnotetagv15"></a><a href="#footnotev15"><sup>15</sup></a>:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +The dancing-ground was an oblong space.... The drummer +with the singers generally struck up a song, but sometimes +the dancers sang a refrain or called for a song by name. Each +song seemed to be associated with its own particular dance +and to be <i>accompanied by some story or incident</i> which was +illustrated by the movements of the dancers. +</p></blockquote> + +<p>A much closer parallel, however, is furnished by +the <ins title="transcriber's note: Cyrillic: Khorovod">Ҳороводъ</ins> or choral dance of Little Russia. +The <ins title="transcriber's note: Cyrillic: Khorovod">Ҳороводъ</ins>, according to the account of an +eye witness<a id="footnotetagv16" name="footnotetagv16"></a><a href="#footnotev16"><sup>16</sup></a>, is not only a song sung to the accompaniment +of a dance; but the song is narrative in form +and answers in all respects to the ballad of North +Western Europe. The dancers join hands and dance +in a circle from west to east, in a contrary direction +to the sun's movements—<i>withershins</i> as the Scots +peasants have it. Then, because it is considered +unlucky to do anything <i>withershins</i>, in the refrain +the motion is reversed and the dancers pass from +east to west, to counteract the baleful effects of the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page163" id="page163"></a>[pg 163]</span> +first direction. Here too, however, it is interesting +to note, the dance is sometimes stationary.</p> + +<p>III. Into the rise of the ballads on the Faroes and +their exact relation of form and content to the Icelandic +<i>Fornkvæði</i><a id="footnotetagv17" name="footnotetagv17"></a><a href="#footnotev17"><sup>17</sup></a>, +and to the <i>Viser</i> of Norway<a id="footnotetagv18" name="footnotetagv18"></a><a href="#footnotev18"><sup>18</sup></a>, +Sweden<a id="footnotetagv19" name="footnotetagv19"></a><a href="#footnotev19"><sup>19</sup></a>, +and above all of Denmark<a id="footnotetagv20" name="footnotetagv20"></a><a href="#footnotev20"><sup>20</sup></a>, it is impossible +to enter here. Perhaps the relationship between the +ballads of the various countries of the North will +never be fully understood. The ramifications are too +many and too complex, while too many links in the +chain have already been lost in the "scrubby paper +books" such as that with which Bishop Percy found +the housemaid lighting the parlour fire. And those +who would too hastily dogmatise on the 'conveyance', +translation, and borrowing of the various +versions receive a wholesome warning from Dr Axel +Olrik's analysis<a id="footnotetagv21" name="footnotetagv21"></a><a href="#footnotev21"><sup>21</sup></a> of the ancestry and parallel versions +of the Scots, Icelandic, Swedish, Norwegian and +Danish forms of the ballads of Earl Brand (Dan. +<i>Riboldsvisen</i>). Moreover it is no easier to generalise +about the sources of the Faroese ballad material than +about the Danish. The motif of the Faroese <i>Tristrams +Táttur</i>, also found in the Icelandic ballad of <i>Tristram</i> +comes ultimately (through the Tristram's Saga one +would suppose) from a French romance; that of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page164" id="page164"></a>[pg 164]</span> +Nornagest, changed though it is in form, is surely +founded on the Icelandic Saga; <i>Olufu Kvæði</i> comes +no doubt from a Spanish story; and the motif of the +Scots ballad of <i>Binnorie</i> is "found also among the +people of Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and +the Faroes<a id="footnotetagv22" name="footnotetagv22"></a><a href="#footnotev22"><sup>22</sup></a>."</p> + +<p>It would be pleasant to develop a theory that the +purveyors of ballad material were the sailors and +merchants who plied up and down the great trade +routes in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, or +even earlier. It has been suggested by Professor Ker<a id="footnotetagv23" name="footnotetagv23"></a><a href="#footnotev23"><sup>23</sup></a> +and others that Shetland <i>may</i> have been "the chief +meeting-place or trading station between the ballads +of Scotland and Norway." The Shetland ballad +of <i>Sir Orfeo</i> actually has a refrain in Norn, the +Norse dialect spoken in Shetland and the small +neighbouring islands till the eighteenth century; +while the ballad of <i>Hildina</i> taken down by Low<a id="footnotetagv24" name="footnotetagv24"></a><a href="#footnotev24"><sup>24</sup></a> on +the Island of Foula off Shetland (cf. p. 217 below) +is entirely composed in Norn. Indeed we know from +Low's account<a id="footnotetagv25" name="footnotetagv25"></a><a href="#footnotev25"><sup>25</sup></a> that many ballads and songs must +have perished with the language:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Nothing remains but a few names of things and two or +three remnants of songs which one old man can repeat; +</p></blockquote> + +<p>and further on he continues:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Most of the fragments they have are <i>old historical ballads +and romances</i>.... William Henry, a farmer in Guttorm in +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page165" id="page165"></a>[pg 165]</span> +Foula has the most knowledge of any I found; he spoke of +three kinds of poetry used in Norn, and repeated or sung by +the old men; the Ballad (or Romance, I suppose); <i>the Vysie +or vyse, now commonly sung to dancers</i><a id="footnotetagv26" name="footnotetagv26"></a><a href="#footnotev26"><sup>26</sup></a>; and the simple song.... +Most of all their tales are relative to the history of Norway; +they seem to know little of the rest of Europe but by names; +Norwegian transactions they have at their fingers' ends. +</p></blockquote> + +<p>One would like to have known more about Norn +and its 'Vysies,' which might have formed an interesting +and instructive link between some of the +Northern ballads. On the other hand, the Scandinavian +colonies in Ireland, and settlers in English +ports such as Bristol, may have done not a little, +through their trade with France and the Mediterranean +countries, to spread the new rhyming four +line verse and the romantic stories of southern and +eastern Europe<a id="footnotetagv27" name="footnotetagv27"></a><a href="#footnotev27"><sup>27</sup></a>.</p> + +<p>While this obscurity remains as to the connection +between the Faroese ballads and those of neighbouring +countries, notably Denmark, the questions +of the age and origin of many of the Faroese ballads +in their present form are also frought with difficulty. +Of the Danish ballads, which sometimes offer +parallels so close as to suggest translation from one +language to the other, the first MS. collection that +can be dated with certainty was written down in +1550. But there is much evidence, both internal and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page166" id="page166"></a>[pg 166]</span> +external, for assigning a much earlier date to the +historical ballads at least. It has been suggested by +Olrik<a id="footnotetagv28" name="footnotetagv28"></a><a href="#footnotev28"><sup>28</sup></a>, who supports his view by arguments which +it would be extremely difficult to contest, that many +of the historical ballads are practically contemporaneous +with the events which they describe, and +some of these took place in the thirteenth century, +while others, e.g. <i>Riboldsvisen</i>, are possibly of the +twelfth century.</p> + +<p>Unfortunately we have fewer data, whether philological +or historical, for assigning dates to the +Faroese ballads than we have for the Danish. There +can be little doubt, however, that the ballads translated +below had their origin in the <i>Fornaldar Sögur</i> +composed in Iceland during the thirteenth century +or in some fourteenth century <i>Rímur</i> derived from +the sagas. That many of the Faroese ballads were +literary in origin<a id="footnotetagv29" name="footnotetagv29"></a><a href="#footnotev29"><sup>29</sup></a>, and were based on either Sagas or +Rímur, is conclusively established by the opening +lines of many of the ballads themselves, notably that +of the <i>Olufu Ríma</i>:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Ein er ríman ur Íslandi komin,</p> +<p>Skrívað í bók so breiða.</p> + </div> </div> + +<blockquote><p> +("This story is come from Iceland, written in a book so +broad.") +</p></blockquote> + +<p class="ind1">And <i>Tröllini í Hornalandum</i>:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Verse 1. Frøðíð er komið frá Íslandí</p> +<p class="i8"> Skrívað í bók so víða <i>etc.</i></p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page167" id="page167"></a>[pg 167]</span> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>Verse 2. Frøðið er komið frá Íslandi</p> +<p class="i8">Skrívað í bók so breiða <i>etc.</i></p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>Verse 3. Frøðið er komið frá Íslandi</p> +<p class="i8">Higar ið skald tað tók,</p> +<p class="i8">Havið tær hoyrt um kongin tann,</p> +<p class="i8">Íð skrívaður stendur í bók?</p> + </div> </div> + +<blockquote><p> +("This poem has come from Iceland, brought hither by +a <i>skald</i>. Have you heard of the king about whom this book +is written?") +</p></blockquote> + +<p>The passages quoted above would seem to point to +Rímur rather than Sagas as the sources of the ballads. +Or had more than one "Book so broad" come +from Iceland? One wonders. Heusler notices<a id="footnotetagv30" name="footnotetagv30"></a><a href="#footnotev30"><sup>30</sup></a> the +tendency to divide up the longer ballads into sections +or <i>Tættir</i>, each whole in itself and yet forming a part +of the ballad, and suggests the Icelandic <i>Rímur</i> as +the models for this particular form. It is even possible +that the word <i>Ríma</i> is used advisedly in the first +strophe of <i>Olufu Kvæði</i>, instead of the somewhat +commoner <i>Kvæði</i>, with some reminiscence of its +origin. One of the <i>Sjurðar Kvæði</i> (<i>Dvörgamoy</i> III) +begins:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Eina veit eg rímuna,</p> +<p>Íð inni hevir ligið leingi.</p> + </div> </div> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>(I know a rhyme (or <i>Ríma</i>?) etc.)</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>and <i>Rísin í Holmgarð</i> also begins:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Eg veit eina rímuna,</p> +<p>Íð gjörd er um Virgar sterka.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>Many other instances might be quoted.</p> + +<p>But it would be perilous to press too far what may, +after all, be a mere verbal coincidence. And whatever +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page168" id="page168"></a>[pg 168]</span> +gave rise to our poems as they now stand, it cannot +be too strongly emphasised that they, like +the rest of the <i>Føroyja Kvæði</i>, are first and last +<i>Ballads</i>—rightly ballads. They have a form of their +own, like other ballads, and are not a degenerate form +of <i>Rímur</i> or a mere versification of some old Icelandic +legends. Indeed what Professor Ker says of the +Danish ballads<a id="footnotetagv31" name="footnotetagv31"></a><a href="#footnotev31"><sup>31</sup></a> may with equal truth be applied to +the ballads of the Faroes:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +The ballads are not rude, rustic travesties of older more +dignified stories; though some, perhaps many, of the older +stories may survive among the ballads. They are for Denmark +in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries what the older +heroic lays of the Poetic Edda had been before them in the +Northern lands. They take the place of earlier heroic poetry. +</p></blockquote> + +<p>Whatever the nature of their connection with the +ballads of the surrounding lands, the Faroese ballads +are no isolated growth. They exhibit all the main +characteristics of the ballad type, especially of the +Danish, Norwegian and Icelandic ballads. Crude and +inartistic they often are compared with the best of the +Danish and even the Scottish ballads. The <i>Ballad of +Hjalmar and Angantyr</i> has little to recommend it +beyond its simplicity and naïveté, the 'quaintness' of +primitive literature; the <i>Ballad of Arngrim's Sons</i> exhibits +a curious lack of skill in the manipulation of +the theme, and perhaps we are justified in assuming +that two earlier ballads or perhaps <i>tættir</i> have been +imperfectly welded. The <i>Ballad of Nornagest</i> is bald +to a fault and lacks inspiration; and all alike show an +imperfect artistry in diction.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page169" id="page169"></a>[pg 169]</span> + +<p>Yet despite all these blemishes they are ballads as +surely as <i>Sir Patrick Spens</i> or <i>Ungen Sveidal</i> are +ballads. Nor is Professor Ker quite just to the ballads +of the Faroes in saying<a id="footnotetagv32" name="footnotetagv32"></a><a href="#footnotev32"><sup>32</sup></a> that because of their length, +and "because they were made out of books, nothing +but the lyrical form and the dancing custom kept +them from turning into ordinary romances." Surely +no material could be less promising than King +Heithrek's Riddles; yet in virtue of what has been +forgotten and what has been selected—the telescoping +of the riddles and the elaboration of the setting—the +ballad spirit has entered in and shaped from the +unwieldy mass an artistic whole.</p> + +<p>Indeed whatever their faults one realises in all +these ballads the truth of Sidgwick's epigram<a id="footnotetagv33" name="footnotetagv33"></a><a href="#footnotev33"><sup>33</sup></a>: +"You never know what a ballad will say next, though +you <i>do</i> know how it is going to say it!" For it is even +less similarity of theme than similarity of form that +links the ballads of the Faroes with those of Denmark +and the North. The invariable accompaniment of +the refrain; the fluctuation between assonance and +rhyme, the disregard of alliteration, and the general +verse form; the love of repetition and ballad formulae,—especially +of repetition of whole phrases or verses +with the alteration of merely the words that rhyme, +or of repetition with inversion of word order; the +balladist's love of colour, of the material and the +concrete, of glitter and shine; the large element of +dialogue; the abrupt dramatic openings; the condensation +and concentration of narrative and the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page170" id="page170"></a>[pg 170]</span> +strict exclusion of the irrelevant or superfluous; +the infallible feeling for a 'situation'; the atmosphere +of the tragic or the critical; the "echo, +without comment, of the clash of man and fate<a id="footnotetagv34" name="footnotetagv34"></a><a href="#footnotev34"><sup>34</sup></a>." +All these are the elements that make the ballad a +form of literature distinct from other lyric or epic +forms; all these are the elements that go to make the +Faroese ballads what they are—part of what Ker calls +the "Platonic Idea, a Ballad in itself, unchangeable +and one, of which the phenomenal multitude of +ballads are 'partakers<a id="footnotetagv35" name="footnotetagv35"></a><a href="#footnotev35"><sup>35</sup></a>.'"</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotev1" name="footnotev1"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagv1">Footnote 1:</a> +Cf. S. Grundtvig, <i>Meddelelse Angående Færøernes Litteratur og sprog</i>, in <i>Aarbøger for Nordisk Oldkyndighed</i>, published by the Royal +Norse Early Text Society (Copenhagen), 1882, p. 358.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotev2" name="footnotev2"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagv2">Footnote 2:</a> +<i>Færoa Reserata</i> (Copenhagen, 1673), pp. 251 and 308 (tr. John Sterpin, London, 1676).</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotev3" name="footnotev3"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagv3">Footnote 3:</a> +<i>Reliques</i>, Vol. <span class="sc">i</span>, <i>Epistle to the Countess of Northumberland</i>.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotev4" name="footnotev4"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagv4">Footnote 4:</a> +Cf. W. A. Craigie, <i>Evald Tang Kristensen, A Danish Folk-lorist</i>, in <i>Folklore</i>, Vol. <span class="sc">ix</span>, 1898, pp. 194-220.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotev5" name="footnotev5"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagv5">Footnote 5:</a> +Cf. C. J. Sharp, <i>English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians</i> (London, 1917), p. xxii.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotev6" name="footnotev6"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagv6">Footnote 6:</a> +Axel Olrik, <i>Om Svend Grundtvigs og Jörgen Blochs Føroyjakvæði +og færøske ordbog</i>, in <i>Arkiv för Nordisk Filologi</i> (Lund, 1890), p. 249.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotev7" name="footnotev7"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagv7">Footnote 7:</a> +Sv. Grundtvig, <i>Færøernes Litteratur og Sprog</i>, in <i>Aarbøg for +Nord. Oldk.</i>, 1882, p. 364.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotev8" name="footnotev8"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagv8">Footnote 8:</a> +Cf. N. Annandale, <i>The Faroes and Iceland</i> (Oxford, 1905), p. 42.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotev9" name="footnotev9"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagv9">Footnote 9:</a> +For interesting accounts of the composition of new ballads, cf. Lyngbye's article in the <i>Skandinavske Litteraturselskabs Skrifter</i>, +12th and 13th Annual, p. 234 ff.; also P. E. Müller, Introduction to Lyngbye's <i>Fær. Kv.</i>, pp. 14, 15. The <i>Trawlaravísur</i> and other +ballads, besides the dances and tunes of the Faroe Islands of today, have been investigated by Thuren who published several studies +on this most interesting subject, e.g. <i>Dans og Kvaddigtning paa Færøerne, med et Musikbilag</i>, 1901. <i>Folkesangen paa Færøerne</i>, +1908, etc., (cf. especially <i>Nyere Danseviser</i>, pp. 273-282), etc.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotev10" name="footnotev10"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagv10">Footnote 10:</a> +<i>Antiq. Tidsk.</i>, 1846-1848, pp. 258-267.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotev11" name="footnotev11"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagv11">Footnote 11:</a> +According to H. Thuren, <i>Dansen paa Færøerne</i> (Copenhagen, 1908), p. 9, a certain fixed number of songs are now sung on Suderø; +a great many have been quite forgotten since Hammershaimb wrote.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotev12" name="footnotev12"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagv12">Footnote 12:</a> +It is also occasionally danced in Andefjord, but only very rarely nowadays (cf. H. Thuren, <i>Dansen paa Færøerne</i>, p. 8).</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotev13" name="footnotev13"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagv13">Footnote 13:</a> +<i>Ib.</i> p. 8.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotev14" name="footnotev14"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagv14">Footnote 14:</a> +<i>Ib.</i>, pp. 4-10.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotev15" name="footnotev15"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagv15">Footnote 15:</a> +<i>Dances and Dance Paraphernalia</i>, in <i>Expedition to the Torres Straits</i> (Cambridge, 1904), Vol. <span class="sc">iv</span>, p. 292.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotev16" name="footnotev16"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagv16">Footnote 16:</a> +Miss Aline Brylinska, who has kindly supplied me with this information.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotev17" name="footnotev17"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagv17">Footnote 17:</a> +S. Grundtvig and Jón Sigurðsson, <i>Islenzk Fornkvæði</i>, in <i>Nordiske Oldskrifter</i> (Copenhagen, 1854-85).</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotev18" name="footnotev18"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagv18">Footnote 18:</a> +Landstad, <i>Norske Folkeviser</i> (Christiania, 1853); S. Bugge, 1858.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotev19" name="footnotev19"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagv19">Footnote 19:</a> +Geijer and Afzelius, 1814-1816, 1880; Arwidsson, 1834-1842.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotev20" name="footnotev20"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagv20">Footnote 20:</a> +S. Grundtvig, <i>Danmarks Gamle Folkeviser</i>, 1853-1890. S. Grundtvig and A. Olrik, <i>Danske Ridderviser</i>, 1895-1919.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotev21" name="footnotev21"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagv21">Footnote 21:</a> +<i>Riboldsvisen</i> (a review of von der Recke's <i>Nogle Folkeviseredaktioner</i>) in <i>Danske Studier</i>, 1906, p. 175 ff.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotev22" name="footnotev22"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagv22">Footnote 22:</a> +Landstad, <i>Norske Folkeviser</i>, note to <i>Dei Tvo Systar</i>, p. 867.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotev23" name="footnotev23"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagv23">Footnote 23:</a> +<i>On the Danish Ballads</i> (<i>Scottish Historical Review</i>, Vol. <span class="sc">i</span>, No. 4, July, 1904), p. 362.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotev24" name="footnotev24"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagv24">Footnote 24:</a> +<i>A Tour through Orkney and Schetland in 1774</i>, Kirkwall, 1879. Cf. also Preface to <i>Sörla Tháttr</i>, p. 39 ff. above.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotev25" name="footnotev25"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagv25">Footnote 25:</a> +<i>Ib.</i>, p. 105 ff.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotev26" name="footnotev26"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagv26">Footnote 26:</a> +The <i>Vyse</i>, be it observed, is the Danish word most commonly used to denote a ballad. The Faroese use <i>Kvæði</i>, and less frequently <i>Ríma</i>.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotev27" name="footnotev27"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagv27">Footnote 27:</a> +For an account of the Scandinavian settlements on the Bristol Channel, cf. A. Bugge, <i>Contributions to the History of the Norsemen in +Ireland</i>, No. III, published in <i>Videnskabsselskabet i Christiania, Historisk-filosofisk Klasse</i>, <span class="sc">11</span>, 1900.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotev28" name="footnotev28"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagv28">Footnote28:</a> +Axel Olrik, Introduction to <i>Danske Folkeviser í Udvalg</i>, 3rd ed. +(Copenhagen and Christiania, 1913), p. 40 ff. Cf. also Steenstrup, <i>Vore Folkeviser</i> (Copenhagen, 1891), ch. VII.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotev29" name="footnotev29"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagv29">Footnote 29:</a> +On the literary sources of the Faroese ballads, cf. Steenstrup, <i>op. cit.</i> Introduction.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotev30" name="footnotev30"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagv30">Footnote 30:</a> +<i>Lied und Epos</i> (Dortmund, 1915), p. 19.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotev31" name="footnotev31"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagv31">Footnote 31:</a> +<i>On the History of the Ballads, 1100-1500</i>, published in <i>Proceedings of the British Academy</i> for 1902-1910, p. 202.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotev32" name="footnotev32"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagv32">Footnote 32:</a> +<i>On the History of the Ballads</i>, etc., p. 202.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotev33" name="footnotev33"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagv33">Footnote 33:</a> +Frank Sidgwick, <i>The Ballad</i>, London (Arts and Crafts of Letters Series), p. 61.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotev34" name="footnotev34"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagv34">Footnote 34:</a> +Gummere, <i>The Popular Ballad</i> (London, 1907), p. 340.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotev35" name="footnotev35"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagv35">Footnote 35:</a> +<i>On the History of the Ballads</i>, etc., p. 204.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page171" id="page171"></a>[pg 171]</span> + +<h3 style="margin-top: 3em;">INTRODUCTION TO GRÍPLUR I</h3> + +<p>In the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries in Iceland, +many of the Sagas or portions of them were turned +into rhyming verse known as <i>Rímur</i>. Sagas of almost +every class were subjected to this treatment—<i>Íslendinga +Sögur</i>, <i>Fornaldar Sögur</i>, <i>Fornmanna Sögur</i> +and others. It is supposed that in the first place these +rhymed versions (<i>Rímur</i>) were made for the purpose +of recitation at social gatherings. There is ground for +believing that the <i>Rímur</i> were sometimes recited, as +an accompaniment of dances in Iceland<a id="footnotetagvi1" name="footnotetagvi1"></a><a href="#footnotevi1"><sup>1</sup></a>; but this is +not believed to have been the purpose for which they +were originally composed<a id="footnotetagvi2" name="footnotetagvi2"></a><a href="#footnotevi2"><sup>2</sup></a>.</p> + +<p>According to both Jónsson<a id="footnotetagvi3" name="footnotetagvi3"></a><a href="#footnotevi3"><sup>3</sup></a> +and Mogk<a id="footnotetagvi4" name="footnotetagvi4"></a><a href="#footnotevi4"><sup>4</sup></a>, the +<i>Rímur</i> and other forms of rhyming verse in early +Norse poetry originated in the Mediaeval Latin +Church Hymns introduced into Iceland in the +thirteenth century. The similarity between the +rhyming metres of the Latin and many (though not +all) of the forms of verse used in the <i>Rímur</i> is very +striking. Whether the influence of Latin hymns in +Iceland was directly responsible for the change, +however, as Jónsson and Mogk believe, or whether +the Latin hymns only influenced Norse verse indirectly +through the medium of French poetry, is +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page172" id="page172"></a>[pg 172]</span> +problematical. Perhaps these compositions owe +their origin to the fashion of turning all kinds of +material, likely and unlikely, into rhyming verse—a +fashion which originated in France, and from the +latter part of the twelfth century onwards gradually +made its way over most of the West and North of +Europe. The rhyming chronicles of the fourteenth +century in England may be mentioned as one instance +of this fashion, and the rhyming paraphrases +of the splendid prose of Iceland are an outcome of +the same movement.</p> + +<p>The <i>Gríplur</i>, some twenty stanzas of which are +given below, represent this stage in the development +of Icelandic literature. It may be observed that, like +other <i>Rímur</i>, they are the work of educated people—a +fact which makes the wretched quality of much of +the verse all the more striking, especially when they +are contrasted with the ballads, which are, at least in +most cases, the work of the unlettered. Unattractive +however as they appear to the modern mind, it has +been thought advisable to include a short extract +from them here because it seems possible that in +some cases the Faroese ballads may have derived +their material from Iceland through the intermediate +stage of the <i>Rímur</i> rather than from the Saga direct.</p> + +<p>Reference is made to the exploits of Hromund in +other <i>Rímur</i> besides the <i>Gríplur</i>, notably in the +<i>Málsháttakvæði</i>, the <i>Skíða-Ríma</i><a id="footnotetagvi5" name="footnotetagvi5"></a><a href="#footnotevi5"><sup>5</sup></a> (which is interesting +as being based, in all probability, on an earlier poem +than the <i>Gríplur</i>) and in the <i>Klerka-Ríma</i><a id="footnotetagvi6" name="footnotetagvi6"></a><a href="#footnotevi6"><sup>6</sup></a>. And he +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page173" id="page173"></a>[pg 173]</span> +and Thrain the Berserk still live in the popular songs +of the North. He is the <i>Ungen Ranild</i><a id="footnotetagvi7" name="footnotetagvi7"></a><a href="#footnotevi7"><sup>7</sup></a> of the Danish +ballad; and in the Norwegian ballad <i>Ramund den +Unge</i><a id="footnotetagvi8" name="footnotetagvi8"></a><a href="#footnotevi8"><sup>8</sup></a>, Ramund (Hromund) and Hölgi (Helgi) +appear as rivals for the hand of Svanhvit (who, +however, is not mentioned by name). Like some +of the Faroese ballads on the <i>Hervarar Saga</i>, these +later versions are far removed from the story as we +know it from early Icelandic sources<a id="footnotetagvi9" name="footnotetagvi9"></a><a href="#footnotevi9"><sup>9</sup></a>. They are of +interest only to those who care for folk song and +ballad for their freshness and their naïve simplicity<a id="footnotetagvi10" name="footnotetagvi10"></a><a href="#footnotevi10"><sup>10</sup></a>.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotevi1" name="footnotevi1"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagvi1">Footnote 1:</a> +Cf. Finnur Jónsson, <i>Oldnorske og Oldislandske Litteraturs Historie</i>, Vol. <span class="sc">iii</span>, p. 35.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotevi2" name="footnotevi2"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagvi2">Footnote 2:</a> +Cf. F. Jónsson, <i>op. cit.</i>, Vol. <span class="sc">iii</span>, p. 36; also Eugen Mogk, <i>Geschichte der Norwegisch-Isländischen Literatur</i> +(Strasburg, 1904), p. 722.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotevi3" name="footnotevi3"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagvi3">Footnote 3:</a> +<i>Op. cit.</i>, <span class="sc">iii</span>, p. 26 ff.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotevi4" name="footnotevi4"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagvi4">Footnote 4:</a> +<i>Op. cit.</i>, p. 722 ff.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotevi5" name="footnotevi5"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagvi5">Footnote 5:</a> +Ed. by K. Maurer, Munich, 1869; F. Jónsson, <i>Carmina Scaldica</i> (Copenhagen, 1913).</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotevi6" name="footnotevi6"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagvi6">Footnote 6:</a> +Codex A.M. 604 H.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotevi7" name="footnotevi7"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagvi7">Footnote 7:</a> +S. Grundtvig, <i>Danmarks Gamle Folkeviser</i>, Vol. <span class="sc">i</span>, p. 367 ff.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotevi8" name="footnotevi8"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagvi8">Footnote 8:</a> +M. B. Landstad, <i>Norske Folkeviser</i> (Christiania, 1853), p. 189 ff.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotevi9" name="footnotevi9"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagvi9">Footnote 9:</a> +Cf. Kölbing, <i>Beiträge zur Vergleichenden Geschichte der Romantischen Poesie und Prosa des Mittelalters</i>, pp. 185-187.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotevi10" name="footnotevi10"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagvi10">Footnote 10:</a> +For further ballads on the story of Hromund Greipsson, cf. Andrews, <i>Studies in the Fornaldarsögur Northrlanda</i>, in <i>Modern Philology</i>, 1911, 1912.] +</p> + +<a name="gi" id="gi"></a> +<h3 style="margin-top: 3em;">GRÍPLUR I<a href="#ngi">°</a></h3> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>9. Olaf was a mighty Prince</p> +<p class="i2">Who governed Hörthaland.</p> +<p>The brave folk dwelling along the coast</p> +<p class="i2">He guarded with his hand.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> + + <a name="gi10" id="gi10"></a> +<p>10.<a href="#ngi10">°</a> Gnöthar-Asmund, the Prince's father,</p> +<p class="i2">A peerless man was he;</p> +<p>By many a battle he reft from Kings</p> +<p class="i2">Their land and territory.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>11. In the stern of the King's ship Kari stood,</p> +<p class="i2">And of heroes many another;</p> +<p>In strength of limb had he never a peer;</p> +<p class="i2">And Örnulf was his brother.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page174" id="page174"></a>[pg 174]</span> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>12. The King and his warriors reddened their swords</p> +<p class="i2">In the blood of wicked men;</p> +<p>But no man travelling with merchandise</p> +<p class="i2">Got any hurt from them.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> + + <a name="gi13" id="gi13"></a> +<p>13.<a href="#ngi13">°</a> The Prince brought joy to his followers' hearts,</p> +<p class="i2">With Draupnir's beautiful blood.</p> +<p>A franklin who better were named a burgess</p> +<p class="i2">Beside the princes stood.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>14. Grip was a man who stirred up strife,</p> +<p class="i2">Eager with blade for slaughter.</p> +<p>This hero's wife was a good woman:</p> +<p class="i2">Of Hrok the Black was she daughter.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>15. Grip and Gunnlöth, his good wife,</p> +<p class="i2">They had nine sons in all:</p> +<p>(Clever verses are made about them)</p> +<p class="i2">And <i>Hrök</i> did they every one call!</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>16. Hromund was a son of Grip,</p> +<p class="i2">Eldest of the brothers was he;</p> +<p>His heart knew never aught of fear,</p> +<p class="i2">Nor faltered his valiancy.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>17. Hrolf must I add, Högni, Haki and Gaut,</p> +<p class="i2">And Thröst with the other five;</p> +<p>Angantyr and Helgi whose lot it was</p> +<p class="i2">In the fortunes of war to thrive.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>18. Logi was youngest (a tiny lad)</p> +<p class="i2">Of the sons of the worthy pair;</p> +<p>Hromund alone sallied forth to fight in battle,</p> +<p class="i2">And the rest stayed at home where they were.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>19. The hero feared neither fire nor sword</p> +<p class="i2">When shields clashed in the fray;</p> +<p>His shoulders were broad, and shining his hair.</p> +<p class="i2">And kindly and keen was his eye.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>20. He never fled or deserted the host,</p> +<p class="i2">But poured forth darts on the shield;—</p> +<p>Faithful and true in courage was he</p> +<p class="i2">As a hero should be in the field.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page175" id="page175"></a>[pg 175]</span> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>21. His wicked foe did he slay with might—</p> +<p class="i2">He knew no fear of pain;</p> +<p>And all his noble courage and valour</p> +<p class="i2">From his kinsman Hrök did he gain.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>22. Two villains were there with the King,</p> +<p class="i2">Deep-versed in magic arts.</p> +<p>I swear those brothers Bild and Vali</p> +<p class="i2">Both had evil hearts!</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>23. The King of Vali council takes,</p> +<p class="i2">And a sad mistake made he;</p> +<p>A name had he gained for courtesy and valour,</p> +<p class="i2">But he never donned byrnie.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>24. Less trusty warrior in the field</p> +<p class="i2">I never look to find;—</p> +<p>False he was and treacherous,—</p> +<p class="i2">Full of deceit his mind.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>25. The Prince's troop, the Niflung men,</p> +<p class="i2">Along Norway's coast did sail,</p> +<p>Until they came to the Skerries of the Elf,—</p> +<p class="i2">Nor did their courage fail.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>26. The troop had prepared for a mighty battle,</p> +<p class="i2">And against a promontory</p> +<p>Olaf's men in their warships there</p> +<p class="i2">Lay at anchor in the bay.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>27. "Over the Island do ye go,"—</p> +<p class="i2">Thus to Kari spoke he,—</p> +<p>"To see if ye come on the vikings' ships,</p> +<p class="i2">And if they are like to fight fiercely."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>28. Kari and Ornulf, clothed and armed,</p> +<p class="i2">With shield and polished blade</p> +<p>Examine the coast, and hastily</p> +<p class="i2">A search through the island made.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>29. Six tall warships soon they see,</p> +<p class="i2">Under the sea-cliffs lay they;</p> +<p>And a '<i>Dragon</i>' carved in wondrous wise</p> +<p class="i2">Beside the warships lay.</p> + </div> </div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page176" id="page176"></a>[pg 176]</span> + +<h3 style="margin-top: 3em;">INTRODUCTION TO THE FAROESE BALLAD OF NORNAGEST</h3> + +<p>The <i>Ballad of Nornagest</i> was published for the +first time by Lyngbye in 1822 in <i>Færöiske Kvæder +om Sigurd Fofnersbane</i> etc. In his visit to the Faroes +in 1847-8, Hammershaimb took down the ballad +from oral recitation at Sumbø. He afterwards +collated his version carefully with those of Svabo, +Schrøter and Lyngbye, and published the result in +<i>Færöiske Kvæder</i>, Vol. <span class="sc">i</span>, Copenhagen, 1851. This is +the version of the ballad translated below.</p> + +<p>Lyngbye points out that Nornagest has become a +well-known character in modern Faroese legend. We +certainly note his popularity in the ballads, which +is no doubt due to his association with Sigurth in +the original story. In some ballads he appears as a +companion in arms of the latter and even as a great +warrior himself. He it is who rides with Sigurth and +Virgar to meet the giant in Holmgarth (cf. <i>Rísin í +Holmgarðum</i>, v. 33), and in <i>Ragnarlikkja</i> (cf. v. 39 ff.) +"the fierce Nornagest" sails with Sigurth, Brand, +and Virgar to slay the King of Girtland; and so too +in other stories.</p> + +<p>It will be observed that the framework of the story +differs considerably from that of the Saga, notably +in the opening and closing scenes. The beginning of +another story, dealing likewise with an old man, +has been substituted for the original opening. The +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page177" id="page177"></a>[pg 177]</span> +mention of the boat in verse 40 is perhaps reminiscent +of some folk-tale; and the story of the leaden casket +containing the soul of Nornagest which was sunk in +the lake is an interesting instance of the external soul. +I have no doubt that it is a reference to some folk-tale, +but have not yet been able to identify it. Among +many primitive peoples, who can hardly grasp abstract +ideas, the life or soul of a man is regarded as +a concrete thing which can be laid aside, and which, +so long as it remains unharmed, will secure for him +immortality. There is, for example, a Hindoo story +of a princess whose soul was believed to be in her +necklace.—One day an astrologer said to her parents: +"This is no common child; the necklace of gold +about her neck contains your daughter's soul; let +it therefore be guarded with the utmost care; for if it +were taken off and worn by another person, she +would die<a id="footnotetagvii1" name="footnotetagvii1"></a><a href="#footnotevii1"><sup>1</sup></a>."</p> + +<p>Many similar folk-tales are known from Icelandic +and Danish sources as well as from many parts of +Europe and Asia.</p> + +<p>The air to which the following ballad is sung will +be found on pp. 117, 118 of Thuren's <i>Folkesangen +paa Færøerne</i>.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page178" id="page178"></a>[pg 178]</span> + +<h3 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Nornagests Rima</i></h3> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/music-178.png" width="560" height="480" alt="music" border="0" /></div> + +<a name="fbn" id="fbn"></a> +<h3 style="margin-top: 3em;">THE FAROESE BALLAD OF NORNAGEST<a href="#nfbn">°</a></h3> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>1. A Ballad there is of Nornagest,</p> +<p> Refrain:—<i>Be ready with a plan in trouble!</i>—</p> +<p class="i2"> In manly virtues among the best.</p> +<p> Refrain:—<i>Every lad should do so!</i></p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>2. Twelve oxen were led to the market square,</p> +<p class="i2"> And onward thence to a castle fair.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>3. The King he thought to hew them to earth,</p> +<p class="i2"> And with courage and joy did he sally forth.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>4. The King he struck such a mighty blow</p> +<p class="i2"> That the blood from the wounds did swiftly flow.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page179" id="page179"></a>[pg 179]</span> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>5. All the oxen fell down dead,</p> +<p class="i2"> And the axe sank deep that he brandished.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>6. All men praised his princely blow:</p> +<p class="i2"> The blood from the wounds did swiftly flow.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>7. A man there came with crutches twain:</p> +<p class="i2"> With these he steadied himself amain.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>8. The King to the man full mildly spoke:—</p> +<p class="i2"> "O why, and O why, dost thou praise not my stroke?"</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>9. "O Sire, thou struckest full manfully;</p> +<p class="i2"> But I saw a finer stroke in days gone by.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> + <a name="fbn10" id="fbn10"></a> +<p>10.<a href="#nfbn10">°</a> "Of Sigurth's deeds hast thou heard the worth,—</p> +<p class="i4">The mightiest champion of men on earth!</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>11. "Leaf and grove did tremble and quake</p> +<p class="i4">When Sigurth clove in sunder the snake.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>12. "This may you tell of Sigurth the bold:—</p> +<p class="i4">'He was mightiest of all men in days of old.'</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>13. "This can I tell of Sigurth's fame:—</p> +<p class="i4">'I know no hero with eyes so keen.'</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>14. "Leaf and grove did tremble and shake</p> +<p class="i4">When Sigurth clove in sunder the snake.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<a name="fbn15" id="fbn15"></a> +<p>15.<a href="#nfbn15">°</a> "A noble man was Högni, I ween,</p> +<p class="i4">Full well did I know his ugly mien.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<a name="fbn16" id="fbn16"></a> +<p>16.<a href="#nfbn16">°</a> "Rich, brave and gentle was Gunnar enow,</p> +<p class="i4">Wise too, and Gunnhild was like him, I trow.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>17. "Wise too, and Gunnhild was like him, I trow.</p> +<p class="i4">Of heroes like him are there all too few.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>18. "My father he had a homestead fair:</p> +<p class="i4">Herds of cattle were pastured there.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>19. "And horses I tended as I sat in the wood.—</p> +<p class="i4">And blithest my heart when the weather was good!</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>20. "One and all in their saddles they ride,</p> +<p class="i4">Childe Sigurth, and Högni, and Gunnar beside.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page180" id="page180"></a>[pg 180]</span> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>22. "Over the mire-pit rode all and one.—</p> +<p class="i4">I was a lad, and I looked thereon.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>23. "First sprang Gunnar's horse forthright.</p> +<p class="i4">Gunnar measured his leap aright.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>24. "Högni's horse sprang after then.</p> +<p class="i4">Fast stuck Grani in the fen.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>25. "The last to spring was Sigurth's steed.</p> +<p class="i4">Sigurth had given him so heavy a feed!</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>26. "Grani floundered in the fen:</p> +<p class="i4">His saddle girth brake in pieces twain.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>27. "Down from their saddles each did glide,—</p> +<p class="i4">Childe Sigurth, and Högni, and Gunnar beside.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>28. "They dragged at the noble steed amain;</p> +<p class="i4">But Sigurth pulled hardest the <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'bridal'">bridle</ins> rein.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>29. "'Oft have I leapt o'er the pit aright</p> +<p class="i4">By day and eke in the murky night.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>30. "'O Guest, a service of thee I pray:—</p> +<p class="i4">Wash from my courser the mire away.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<a name="fbn31" id="fbn31"></a> +<p>31.<a href="#nfbn31">°</a> "'The saddle buckle which broke 'neath me—</p> +<p class="i4">The same, O Guest, will I give to thee.'</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>32. "Forth they rode to a river then.</p> +<p class="i4">No-one was there to look to the men.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>33. "I washed his poitrail and breast for him,</p> +<p class="i4">His thigh, his leg, and each long limb.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>34. "The noble courser I made full clean.</p> +<p class="i4">Then Sigurth took me for his horse-swain.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>35. "So rode we forth to Fafnir's lair.</p> +<p class="i4">Like the sun's own beams did the gold shine there.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>36. "From Sigurth's steed did I draw a hair,</p> +<p class="i4">Of wondrous length and beyond compare.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>37. "The hair in the tail of Grani hung,</p> +<p class="i4"> —Well-nigh a foot and a fathom long.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page181" id="page181"></a>[pg 181]</span> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>38. "Well-nigh a foot and a fathom in height.</p> +<p class="i4">And it shone and gleamed like silver so bright.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>39. "In days gone by, full far have I strayed,</p> +<p class="i4">Nor found I my candle and span of days."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>40. The King he gave him pole and boat,</p> +<p class="i4">And directed the old man on his road.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>41. "In the Land of the Franks is a lake broad and wide</p> +<p class="i4">Where thy candle and span of days do bide."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<a name="fbn42" id="fbn42"></a> +<p>42.<a href="#nfbn42">°</a> Long and long dived the courteous man</p> +<p class="i4">Before he came his candle upon.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>43. Körnar the priest baptised him anon.</p> +<p class="i4">When the candle burnt out his life was done.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>44. When the light in the lanthorn had burnt away,</p> +<p class="i2"> Refrain:—<i>Be ready with a plan in trouble!</i>—</p> +<p class="i4"> Then ended too his own life's day.</p> +<p class="i2"> Refrain:—<i>Every lad should do so!</i></p> + </div> </div> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotevii1" name="footnotevii1"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagvii1">Footnote 1:</a> +For many interesting parallels, cf. Frazer, <i>Golden Bough</i> (London, 1911-1915), "Balder the Beautiful," ch. <span class="sc">ii</span>.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page182" id="page182"></a>[pg 182]</span> + +<h3 style="margin-top: 3em;">INTRODUCTION TO THE BALLAD OF HJALMAR AND ANGANTYR</h3> + +<p>The following ballad was taken down by Hammershaimb +from oral recitation in Westmanhavn +in 1846, and published at Copenhagen in 1855 in +<i>Færöiske Kvæder</i>, Vol. <span class="sc">ii</span>. He took down a second +version of the same ballad, but consisting of only +nineteen stanzas, at Sumbø in 1847, which he published +in the <i>Antiquarisk Tidsskrift</i>, 1849-50. This +second version differs slightly from the one given in +our text. In it Arngrim is said to have twelve sons +of whom Angantyr was the youngest. Hjalmar is +not expressly stated to have been a brother of +Angantyr, as he is in our version and in the Danish +ballad <i>Angelfyr and Helmer the Warrior</i> (cf. p. 188 ff.). +Moreover Angantyr is the first to learn of the +franklin's daughter, and he forthwith builds a ship +and sails away alone; and it is only later that Hjalmar +also hears of her and sets sail, thus reaching the spot +when Angantyr has already landed. More colour +is given to the maiden's choice in the second version +by the additional detail that</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Hjalmar leapt so lightly to land,</p> +<p>He made no footprint on the sand.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>This, however, it is to be noted, is the regular +formula by which the landing of the hero is described +in the Faroese ballads. Cf. <i>Lokka Táttur</i>, v. 78.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page183" id="page183"></a>[pg 183]</span> + +<p>It is the opinion of Hammershaimb that this +ballad was the original from which the longer ballad +of <i>Arngrim's Sons</i> sprang. This would seem to be +supported by Heusler's contention that <i>The Long +Ballad</i> of the <i>Marsk Stig</i> Cycle was composed by +welding together several shorter ballads<a id="footnotetagviii1" name="footnotetagviii1"></a><a href="#footnoteviii1"><sup>1</sup></a>; and certainly +the <i>Ballad of Arngrim's Sons</i> suggests that at +least two distinct ballads have been run into one, +especially when we compare the two varying versions +of Svabo and Hammershaimb. Against this, however, +we have to place the fact that something of the +same invertebrate impression is given by the <i>Saga +of Hervör and Heithrek</i>, on which these ballads are +ultimately based. Even if we assume a composite +origin for the <i>Ballad of Arngrim's Sons</i>, there is +no evidence that any portion of it was based on +the short <i>Ballad of Hjalmar and Angantyr</i>, while +the difference of metre diminishes the probability +of a connection.</p> + +<p>The air and refrain to this ballad are given on +p. 124 of Thuren's <i>Folkesangen paa Færøerne</i>.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page184" id="page184"></a>[pg 184]</span> + +<h3 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Ballad of Hjalmar and Angantyr</i></h3> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/music-184.png" width="560" height="376" alt="music" border="0" /></div> + +<a name="bha" id="bha"></a> +<h3 style="margin-top: 3em;">THE BALLAD OF HJALMAR AND ANGANTYR<a href="#nbha">°</a></h3> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>1. A man lived up in a high oak-tree,</p> +<p class="i2">Refrain:— <i>Ye well-born men!</i>—</p> +<p class="i4">Eleven warlike sons had he.</p> +<p class="i2">Refrain:— <i>Arngrim's Sons from Africa</i>,</p> +<p class="i10"> <i>They fought, they fought on Samsø.</i></p> + </div><div class="stanza"> + <a name="bha2" id="bha2"></a> +<p>2.<a href="#nbha2">°</a> He had eleven sons so dear,—</p> +<p class="i4">The champions Hjalmar and Angantyr.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>3. A ship, a ship did these warriors man,</p> +<p class="i4">And swift 'fore the wind was the course she ran.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> + <a name="bha4" id="bha4"></a> +<p>4.<a href="#nbha4">°</a> They hoisted their sail to the mast so high:</p> +<p class="i4">They had faith in their strength and their valiancy.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> + <a name="bha5" id="bha5"></a> +<p>5.<a href="#nbha5">°</a> Their anchor they cast in the white, white sand.</p> +<p class="i4">Hjalmar hastily sprang to the land.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page185" id="page185"></a>[pg 185]</span> + </div><div class="stanza"> + <a name="bha6" id="bha6"></a> +<p>6.<a href="#nbha6">°</a> Their anchor they cast in the white, white sand.</p> +<p class="i4">And Angantyr eagerly sprang on the strand.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>7. Angantyr eagerly sprang on the strand.</p> +<p class="i4">Up to his knees he sank in the sand.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>8. "I drew my hose from my legs so bare</p> +<p class="i4">To hide the sand from my lady fair!"</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>9. In the garden they busked them in cloaks of skin,</p> +<p class="i4">And so went up to the franklin sitting there within.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> + <a name="bha10" id="bha10"></a> +<p>10.<a href="#nbha10">°</a> "Here sittest thou, franklin, drinking thy wine:</p> +<p class="i4">I beg that thy daughter so fair may be mine!"</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>11. When Hjalmar stood before the board,</p> +<p class="i4">Angantyr straight took up the word.—</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>12. "Here sittest thou, franklin, drinking thy wine:</p> +<p class="i4">I beg that thy daughter so fair may be mine!"</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>13. In sorry plight was the franklin then,</p> +<p class="i4">For there at the board stood two mighty men.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>14. "No choice so hard will I ever make;</p> +<p class="i4">The maiden herself must choose her mate."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>15. "No choice so hard shall be made by thee:</p> +<p class="i4">The warrior Hjalmar shall wed with me.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>16. "With Hjalmar the Brave would I wedded be,</p> +<p class="i4">Who is so lovely and fair to see."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>17. "O franklin! Lend me a trusty blade,</p> +<p class="i4">We two must fight for the hand of the maid."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> + <a name="bha18" id="bha18"></a> +<p>18.<a href="#nbha18">°</a> "O franklin! Lend me a sharp penknife:</p> +<p class="i4">Each of us surely must lose his life."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> + <a name="bha19" id="bha19"></a> +<p>19.<a href="#nbha19">°</a> They fought their way forth of the hall.</p> +<p class="i4">They bellowed louder than any troll.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>20. Till they reached a river they fought amain,</p> +<p class="i4">Down on their knees and then up again.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>21. Down on their knees and then up again</p> +<p class="i2">Refrain:— <i>Ye well-born men!</i>—</p> +<p class="i4"> Till stiff and dead lay those champions twain.</p> +<p class="i2">Refrain:— <i>Arngrim's Sons from Africa</i>,</p> +<p class="i10"> <i>They fought, they fought on Samsø.</i></p> + </div> </div><br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page186" id="page186"></a>[pg 186]</span> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnoteviii1" name="footnoteviii1"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagviii1">Footnote 1:</a> <i>Lied und Epos</i> +(Dortmund, 1905), p. 41 ff.</p> + +<h3 style="margin-top: 3em;">INTRODUCTION TO THE DANISH BALLAD OF<br /> +ANGELFYR AND HELMER THE WARRIOR</h3> + +<p>Four different versions of the Danish ballad of +<i>Angelfyr and Helmer the Warrior</i> are given by +Grundtvig in <i>Danmarks Gamle Folkeviser</i>, Vol. <span class="sc">i</span>, +number 19 (Copenhagen, 1853). Two of these, closely +allied, are found in a <span class="sc">ms</span>. written in the sixteenth +century<a id="footnotetagix1" name="footnotetagix1"></a><a href="#footnoteix1"><sup>1</sup></a>. The version which Grundtvig has called <i>A</i> +is the one adopted for translation below.</p> + +<p>An interesting study in ballad composition is +afforded by a comparison of this Danish ballad with +the Faroese ballads of the <i>Sons of Arngrim</i>. According +to Axel Olrik<a id="footnotetagix2" name="footnotetagix2"></a><a href="#footnoteix2"><sup>2</sup></a> the Danish ballad is founded on the +<i>Saga of Hervör and Heithrek</i>. That the ultimate source +of all the ballads of the <i>Sons of Arngrim</i> was the Saga +there can be no doubt. But whether the Danish +ballad is derived directly from the Saga or through +some intermediate stage, Icelandic, Faroese or Danish, +is problematical. A definite relationship between the +Danish and the Faroese ballads would seem to be +shown by several common features of the story +which do not occur in the Saga itself, as well as by +some striking verbal resemblances which have no +foundation in the prose narrative.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page187" id="page187"></a>[pg 187]</span> + +<p>Thus on the one hand both in the Danish and in +the Faroese ballads translated above, Hjalmar and +Angantyr are described as brothers<a id="footnotetagix3" name="footnotetagix3"></a><a href="#footnoteix3"><sup>3</sup></a>, whereas in the +Saga they are not related. On the other hand the +Danish and the two Faroese ballads are almost +identical in their description of Angantyr and all his +kin as "vile trolls," though Version <i>A</i> given by +Grundtvig describes him in accordance with the Saga +as a "half-troll" (i.e. on his mother's side).</p> + +<p>Other close verbal parallels, surely indicative of +cross-relationship or of a common source, are afforded +by a comparison of certain passages of the Danish +ballad and the Faroese <i>Ballad of Arngrim's Sons</i>. Thus +<i>v. 5</i> of the Danish is practically identical with <i>v. 74</i> of +the Faroese, and we may compare <i>v. 9</i> of the shorter +<i>Ballad of Hjalmar and Angantyr</i>. May we also compare +<i>v. 6</i> of the Danish with <i>v. 79</i> of the longer +Faroese ballad; <i>v. 8</i> with <i>v. 81</i>; <i>v. 10</i> with <i>v. 84</i>; +<i>v. 14</i> with <i>v. 79</i>? Conventional as many of these +phrases are, the identity can hardly be accidental +in all cases.</p> + +<p>The precise nature of the relationship between the +two versions is not so clear. We may note, however, +some of the features contained in the Danish version +of the story which are not found in the Saga. In the +first place neither Arngrim nor Samsø are mentioned, +the names Offue and Uthiss-kier being substituted +for them<a id="footnotetagix4" name="footnotetagix4"></a><a href="#footnoteix4"><sup>4</sup></a>; secondly, except in the refrain there is no +mention of the sea or a voyage in the Danish ballad. +Helmer bids them "saddle his steed," and both he +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page188" id="page188"></a>[pg 188]</span> +and Angelfyr <i>ride</i> to Upsala. Finally after <i>v. 11</i> of +our text, the Danish ballad differs entirely from the +Faroese version of the story and also from that of the +<i>Saga of Hervör and Heithrek</i>. Offue's revenge is +peculiar to the Danish, and here too no mention is +made of Ingibjörg's death.</p> + +<p>From all these changes, and especially from the +transference of names and places, it is obvious that +the Danish version of the story is considerably more +remote from the Saga than either of the two Faroese +versions. At the same time, the absence of any +reference to Samsø or any other Danish locality +renders it highly improbable that its divergences are +due to any (Danish) local tradition independent of +the Saga.</p> + +<p>On the whole it would seem that at an early date +(fifteenth or early sixteenth century?) a ballad had +been made from this portion of the Saga, either +directly or through the intermediate stage of a lost +rhymed version; and that it was composed in the +Faroes themselves or in Iceland or some other region—the +Orkneys and Shetlands are a possible suggestion—and +acquired by the Danes not very long afterwards.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnoteix1" name="footnoteix1"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagix1">Footnote 1:</a> +Cf. Grundtvig, <i>Danmarks Gamle Folkeviser</i>, Vol. <span class="sc">i</span>, p. 252. Also Axel Olrik, <i>Danske Folkeviser í Udvalg</i>, +Vol. <span class="sc">i</span>, p. 263.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnoteix2" name="footnoteix2"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagix2">Footnote 2:</a> +Cf. Olrik, <i>op. cit.</i>, p. 78. For general information on the Danish ballads the reader is referred to Steenstrup, <i>Vore Folkeviser</i> (Copenhagen, +1891), translated by E. G. Cox (Boston, 1914).</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnoteix3" name="footnoteix3"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagix3">Footnote 3:</a> +See, however, the Introduction to the <i>Ballad of Hjalmar and Angantyr</i>, p. 182 above.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnoteix4" name="footnoteix4"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagix4">Footnote 4:</a> +So <span class="sc">ms</span>. <i>A</i>; but cf. below <i>v. 1</i> and note.</p> + +<a name="dbah" id="dbah"></a> +<h3 style="margin-top: 3em;">ANGELFYR AND HELMER THE WARRIOR<a href="#ndbah">°</a></h3> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>1. Offue he dwelt in Uthiss-kier,</p> +<p class="i6">Both rich and bold was he;</p> +<p class="i4">And when two sons were born to him,</p> +<p class="i6">He vowed they should warriors be.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page189" id="page189"></a>[pg 189]</span> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>Refrain: <i>But the tempest from the North</i></p> +<p class="i10"><i>Lashes dark and troubled billows</i></p> +<p class="i10"><i>On the gleaming waste of sand.</i><a id="footnotetagx1" name="footnotetagx1"></a><a href="#footnotex1"><sup>1</sup></a></p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>2. It was Young Helmer the Warrior;</p> +<p class="i6">He bade them saddle his steed:</p> +<p class="i4">"I Ride to Upsala this day,</p> +<p class="i6">The King's daughter to wed."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>3. Then up and spake Young Angelfyr,</p> +<p class="i6">Where he stood in scarlet so red:</p> +<p class="i4">"O never shalt thou this eventide</p> +<p class="i6">To the lovely maid be wed!"</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>4. Then up and spake Young Angelfyr:</p> +<p class="i6">He bade them saddle his steed:</p> +<p class="i4">"I will gallop today to Upsala,</p> +<p class="i6">Till the earth is rent with my speed."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>5. Out of doors in the castle-court</p> +<p class="i6">They busked them in cloaks of skin,</p> +<p class="i4">And so went they to the hall gallery,</p> +<p class="i6">Where the King of Upsala sat within.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>6. In came Young Helmer the Warrior,</p> +<p class="i6">And stood before the board;</p> +<p class="i4">"O King, I pray thee, give me thy daughter,—</p> +<p class="i6">I wait thy friendly word."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> + +<a name="dbah7" id="dbah7"></a> +<p>7.<a href="#ndbah7">°</a> In there came Young Angelfyr,</p> +<p class="i6">And gold shone on his hand:</p> +<p class="i4">"O King, I pray thee, give me thy daughter</p> +<p class="i6">And quit thee from this thy land."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>8. Long and long stood the King of Upsala,</p> +<p class="i6">And pondered silently,</p> +<p class="i4">How those heroes who stood before him</p> +<p class="i6">He might answer fittingly.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page190" id="page190"></a>[pg 190]</span> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p> 9. It was the King of Upsala,</p> +<p class="i6">And he spake this word theretil:</p> +<p class="i4">"I give my daughter to that man only</p> +<p class="i6">Who has won him her goodwill."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>10. "I give thee thanks, my father dear,</p> +<p class="i6">That the choice thou lay'st on me;</p> +<p class="i4">I give myself to Young Helmer the Warrior,</p> +<p class="i6">For a noble man is he.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> + +<a name="dbah11" id="dbah11"></a> +<p>11.<a href="#ndbah11">°</a> "I will not wed me to Angelfyr:</p> +<p class="i6">For he is half a troll;—</p> +<p class="i4">So is his father, and so his mother,</p> +<p class="i6">And so are his kinsfolk all."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>12. Then up and spake Young Angelfyr</p> +<p class="i6">As he stood and pondered there:</p> +<p class="i4">"We both will take us forth to the courtyard,</p> +<p class="i6">And fight for the maiden fair."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>13. It was the King of Upsala,</p> +<p class="i6">And answered he forthright:</p> +<p class="i4">"O the swords they be keen, and the lads they be bold,</p> +<p class="i6">And may measure them well in a fight."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>14. Then up and rose Young Angelfyr</p> +<p class="i6">Where he his sword out drew;</p> +<p class="i4">And up rose Young Helmer the Warrior,</p> +<p class="i6">Whom he to the earth did hew.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>15. Offue he stands in Uthiss-kier</p> +<p class="i6">And far and wide looks he:</p> +<p class="i4">"O somewhere is Helmer suffering pain,</p> +<p class="i6">For I feel such woe in the heart of me."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>16. Offue he stands in Uthiss-kier</p> +<p class="i6">And looks o'er the wide, wide heath:</p> +<p class="i4">"O what can be harming my two sons today,</p> +<p class="i6">And why are they both so wroth?"</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>17. It was Offue in Uthiss-kier;</p> +<p class="i6">He sprang on his red-roan steed.</p> +<p class="i4">And so came he to the King's courtyard,</p> +<p class="i6">Ere Helmer was dead indeed.</p> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page191" id="page191"></a>[pg 191]</span> + +<a name="dbah18" id="dbah18"></a> +<p>18.<a href="#ndbah18">°</a> "O hearken, hearken, Young Helmer,</p> +<p class="i6">Beloved son of mine:</p> +<p class="i4">Thy noble sword from out thy hands</p> +<p class="i6">Why didst thou list to tine?"</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>19. "Eight are the mortal wounds I bear,</p> +<p class="i6">They are both deep and sore;</p> +<p class="i4">And had I only one of them</p> +<p class="i6">I could not live an hour."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>20. O it was Offue in Uthiss-kier,</p> +<p class="i6">And he his sword out drew;—</p> +<p class="i4">And O it was Young Angelfyr</p> +<p class="i6">Whom down to the earth he slew.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>21. "Lie thou there, Young Angelfyr,</p> +<p class="i6">And bleed till thou art dead;</p> +<p class="i4">So woeful was I in my heart</p> +<p class="i6">When I saw how Helmer bled.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>22. "Lie thou there, Young Angelfyr,</p> +<p class="i6">And lose thy life-blood all.</p> +<p class="i4">So woeful was I in my heart</p> +<p class="i6">When I saw Young Helmer fall."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>Refrain: <i>But the tempest from the North</i></p> +<p class="i10"><i>Lashes dark and troubled billows</i></p> +<p class="i10"><i>On the gleaming waste of sand.</i></p> + </div> </div><br /> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotex1" name="footnotex1"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagx1">Footnote 1:</a> +The translation of the refrain is somewhat free; but cf. Olrik, <i>D. F. í U.</i>, p. 78. Extreme condensation is a feature of all Faroese +and Danish ballad refrains which makes a literal translation into English practically impossible.] +</p> + +<p>In <span class="sc">ms</span>. <i>B</i> of the <i>Ballad of Angelfyr</i> etc., <i>vv.</i> 1-11 +correspond pretty closely to <span class="sc">ms</span>. <i>A</i>; but <i>vv.</i> 12-18 +are different:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>12. Alff he stood in Odderskier,</p> +<p class="i6">And listened over the field;</p> +<p class="i4">Then could he hear so far away</p> +<p class="i6">Where his sons their swords did wield.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>13. Up then rose Alff in Odderskier;</p> +<p class="i6">He sprang on his red-roan steed;</p> +<p class="i4">And came he so to Upsala</p> +<p class="i6">Ere both the warriors were dead.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page192" id="page192"></a>[pg 192]</span> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>14. "O hearken, hearken, Young Helmer,</p> +<p class="i6">Beloved son of mine:</p> +<p class="i4">Why does the life blood from thy head</p> +<p class="i6">In streams come running down?"</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>15. It was Young Helmer the Warrior,</p> +<p class="i6">And his father answered he:</p> +<p class="i4">"My brother Angelfyr could not have the maid,</p> +<p class="i6">And therefore he wrought this ill to me.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>16. "My body is pierced with fifteen wounds,</p> +<p class="i6">All tainted with poison full sore;</p> +<p class="i4">And had I only one of them</p> +<p class="i6">I could not live an hour."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>17. It was Alff in Odderskier,</p> +<p class="i6">And an oak he uprootéd;</p> +<p class="i4">He struck with the oak Young Angelfyr,</p> +<p class="i6">Till he lay on the earth stone dead.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>18. Now both these warriors are lying dead,</p> +<p class="i6">And dead lie they in their grave;</p> +<p class="i4">And the King he is ready to give his daughter</p> +<p class="i6">To the man whom he himself will have.</p> + </div> </div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page193" id="page193"></a>[pg 193]</span> + +<h3 style="margin-top: 3em;">INTRODUCTION TO THE FAROESE BALLAD OF ARNGRIM'S SONS</h3> + +<p>The <i>Ballad of Arngrim's Sons</i> was first taken down +by Svabo towards the close of the eighteenth century. +He never published it, but his <span class="sc">ms</span>. (<span class="sc">iii</span>. 9) is preserved +in the Royal Library at Copenhagen. In +1848 V. U. Hammershaimb took the ballad down +again from oral recitation on Sandø and published +it in the <i>Antiquarisk Tídsskrift</i>, 1849-1851 (Copenhagen, +1852). He had, however, consulted Svabo's +version, for he says in the prefatory note to the +ballad:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +It is entirely confused in Svabo's version in the Royal +Library. I have therefore kept to the version which I got on +Sandø, which in the main points agrees with the Saga. Only +in the conclusion and two other passages have I followed +Svabo's version. +</p></blockquote> + +<p>By 1855, however, it would seem that his view +had changed. In his prefatory note to the <i>Ballad +of Arngrim's Sons</i>, published in <i>Nordiske Oldskrifter</i>, +vols. 18-19, Part II (Copenhagen, 1855), he writes:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +The version given by Svabo is at variance with the Saga +and has many internal discrepancies arising mainly from the +fact that Hjalmar and Angantyr are here taken to be brothers, +as in the Danish ballad. In the <i>Antiquarisk Tídsskrift</i> for +1849-1851 I published another version which I took down +in Sandø in 1848, and in which I made some use of Svabo's +version. My version corresponds exactly with the <i>Harvarar +Saga</i>, but it is open to suspicion from the fact that it +here forms the second part (<i>tháttr</i>) of <i>Hjalmar's Kvæði</i>, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page194" id="page194"></a>[pg 194]</span> +of which the first part (<i>The Tháttr of Örvar-Oddr</i>) is clearly +of later origin; as is shown not only by the language, but also +by the fact that the whole falls in with Suhm's story,—"The +three friends, Hjalmar, Asbjörn and Örvarodd," etc. +Many verses of <i>Arngrim's Sons</i> presuppose a first <i>táttur</i> +to the ballad, for example that in which the sick Asbjörn +complains that he cannot follow his companion to the fight +on Samsø<a id="footnotetagxi1" name="footnotetagxi1"></a><a href="#footnotexi1"><sup>1</sup></a>. That the language in the second part is purer and +older than in the first part is easily explained from the fact +that the people of Sandø have utilised the older Faroese version +which was taken down by Svabo. They only needed to +transpose the verses and to make a very few changes to get +the whole readjusted according to the Saga or Suhm's +story. The verses which the Sandø version has in common +with Svabo's could therefore be used for purposes of comparison. +There are thus weighty reasons for giving preference +to Svabo's version, in spite of all its imperfections. +</p></blockquote> + +<p>Of the first part of <i>Hjalmar's Kvæði</i> I have unfortunately +been unable to obtain a copy, though it +is no doubt accessible at Copenhagen, as it is mentioned +as number 60 ('<i>Hjalmar's Kvæði</i>, 2 tættir: +<i>a</i>, Örvaroddur, <i>b</i>, Arngrim's Sinir') in a list of +Faroese ballads taken down in the Faroes by Hammershaimb +for the archaeological archives of the +Royal Old Norse Text Society<a id="footnotetagxi2" name="footnotetagxi2"></a><a href="#footnotexi2"><sup>2</sup></a>. Hammershaimb +says<a id="footnotetagxi3" name="footnotetagxi3"></a><a href="#footnotexi3"><sup>3</sup></a>, however, that the first part "deals with +Hjalmar's youth, the counsel given him by his father +when he leaves home, how he is taken into the +retinue (<i>hirð</i>) of the Swedish King, how he distinguishes +himself by his bravery against the vikings, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page195" id="page195"></a>[pg 195]</span> +and how he and Asbjörn and Örvarodd swear to be +foster-brothers."</p> + +<p>The translation which follows is made from Hammershaimb's +second edition of the ballad, published +in <i>Nordiske Oldskrifter</i>, vols. 18 and 19, Part II<a id="footnotetagxi4" name="footnotetagxi4"></a><a href="#footnotexi4"><sup>4</sup></a>—which +is in fact Svabo's text; but the refrain of his +first version has been adopted.</p> + +<p>It will be noticed that the ballad differs in many +points from the <i>Saga of Hervör and Heithrek</i>. In the +first place, according to the ballad, it is Arngrim and +not Angantyr who is buried with the sword Tyrfing<a id="footnotetagxi5" name="footnotetagxi5"></a><a href="#footnotexi5"><sup>5</sup></a>. +Secondly, Hervik (the Hervör of the Saga) is +described as a daughter of Arngrim and a sister of +Angantyr. Hjalmar also is a brother of Hervik and +of Angantyr according to the ballad, and actually +accompanies Hervik on her quest of the sword +Tyrfing, which according to the ballad took place +<i>before</i> the fight on Samsø. Finally, Arngrim is said +to have been killed by Örvarodd, and Hervik +accordingly kills Örvarodd in retaliation. Another +'Young Odd' appears later as Hjalmar's companion +in the true place of Örvarodd.</p> + +<p>Thus we see that, as commonly happens in popular +poetry, complex situations have become simplified, +and, where simplification has not taken place, the +people and events have become confused<a id="footnotetagxi6" name="footnotetagxi6"></a><a href="#footnotexi6"><sup>6</sup></a>. Both in +the shorter Faroese ballad of <i>Hjalmar and Angantyr</i>, +and in the Danish ballad of <i>Angelfyr and Helmer the</i> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page196" id="page196"></a>[pg 196]</span> +<i>Warrior</i>, the simplification has proceeded even farther, +and a still more striking instance of rigorous simplification +is to be found in the <i>Ballad of Nornagest</i>.</p> + +<p>No <i>Rímur</i> dealing with Arngrim's Sons have been +published, and I have not been able to ascertain +whether any exist, though a passing mention is made +of them in verse 74 of the satirical poem <i>Skítharíma</i><a id="footnotetagxi7" name="footnotetagxi7"></a><a href="#footnotexi7"><sup>7</sup></a>, +probably composed in the fifteenth century by Einar +or Sigurður Fóstri. <i>A priori</i> it would seem probable +that the ballads are derived from compositions of +this kind rather than from the Saga direct. But it +would be unwise to hazard even a guess as to the +balance of probability without detailed knowledge of +the relative circulation, distribution and popularity +of the Sagas and the Rímur respectively.</p> + +<p>The air to which the following ballad is sung on +the Faroes has been transcribed and printed by +Thuren in <i>Folkesangen paa Færøerne</i>, pp. 132, 133.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotexi1" name="footnotexi1"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagxi1">Footnote 1:</a> +Cf. also the introduction of Örvar-Odd in v. 29 of Hammershaimb's version (<i>Antiq. Tídss.</i>, 1849-51, pp. 61-74); also vv. 28, 33, 58.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotexi2" name="footnotexi2"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagxi2">Footnote 2:</a> +Cf. <i>Antiq. Tídss.</i>, 1849-1851, p. 28.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotexi3" name="footnotexi3"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagxi3">Footnote 3:</a> +<i>Ib.</i>, p. 58.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotexi4" name="footnotexi4"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagxi4">Footnote 4:</a> +Copenhagen, 1855.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotexi5" name="footnotexi5"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagxi5">Footnote 5:</a> +So Svabo's version; the Sandø version of Hammershaimb's first edition, however, preserves Angantyr here.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotexi6" name="footnotexi6"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagxi6">Footnote 6:</a> +A still more striking instance of the latter development will be found in the <i>Gátu Ríma</i> (see p. 213 f. below) especially v. 22.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotexi7" name="footnotexi7"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagxi7">Footnote 7:</a> +<i>Carmina Scaldica</i> (<i>a selection of Norwegian and Icelandic Scaldic poetry</i>) by Finnur Jónsson, Copenhagen, 1913.</p> + +<h3 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Ballad of Arngrim's Sons</i></h3> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/music-196.png" width="559" height="488" alt="music" border="0" /></div> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page197" id="page197"></a>[pg 197]</span> + +<h3 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Variations of Refrain of The Ballad of Arngrim's Sons</i></h3> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/music-197.png" width="560" height="557" alt="music" border="0" /></div> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page198" id="page198"></a>[pg 198]</span> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/music-198.png" width="560" height="545" alt="music" border="0" /></div> + +<a name="fbas" id="fbas"></a> +<h3 style="margin-top: 3em;">THE BALLAD OF ARNGRIM'S SONS.<a href="#nfbas">°</a></h3> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>1. High on a lofty mountain</p> +<p class="i6">Does Arngrim his castle hold;</p> +<p class="i4">He has eleven noble sons,</p> +<p class="i6">And his twelfth is a champion bold.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>Refrain: <i>Noble men are sailing now from Norway</i>,</p> +<p class="i10"> <i>And a fair breeze bears them o'er the wave.</i></p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<a name="fbas2" id="fbas2"></a> +<p>2.<a href="#nfbas2">°</a> He has eleven noble sons,</p> +<p class="i6">Each skilled to wield his brand;</p> +<p class="i4">And mightiest of all is Angantyr</p> +<p class="i6">Who comes from Bjarnaland.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page199" id="page199"></a>[pg 199]</span> + </div><div class="stanza"> + <a name="fbas3" id="fbas3"></a> +<p>3.<a href="#nfbas3">°</a> He has eleven noble sons,</p> +<p class="i6">Beneath oak-trees live they;</p> +<p class="i4">And Angantyr lives with them there</p> +<p class="i6">And a warrior bold is he.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> + <a name="fbas4" id="fbas4"></a> +<p>4.<a href="#nfbas4">°</a> Arngrim and the Earl's lady,</p> +<p class="i6">Children so fine had they—</p> +<p class="i4">Their daughter was named Hervik,</p> +<p class="i6">Who governed land and fee.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>5. This maiden was named Hervik,</p> +<p class="i6">'Fore all men I declare,</p> +<p class="i4">She tilted in the tourney</p> +<p class="i6">When the lads were playing there.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>6. She tilted in the tourney</p> +<p class="i6">Among the lads so strong.</p> +<p class="i4">Then blood was up and blood was shed</p> +<p class="i6">Ere she had played her long.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> + <a name="fbas7" id="fbas7"></a> +<p>7.<a href="#nfbas7">°</a> Down then sat the lads there;</p> +<p class="i6">Angry were they each one.—</p> +<p class="i4">"Better than fighting us so fiercely</p> +<p class="i6">Go 'venge thy father anon!"</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> + <a name="fbas8" id="fbas8"></a> +<p>8.<a href="#nfbas8">°</a> Water she cast on her armour;</p> +<p class="i6">She list no longer to fight,</p> +<p class="i4">But went and stood before her mother,</p> +<p class="i6">With cheeks all red and white.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> + <a name="fbas9" id="fbas9"></a> +<p>9.<a href="#nfbas9">°</a> "O hearken, hearken my Mother dear,</p> +<p class="i6">The truth from thee would I know.—</p> +<p class="i4">Was my father slain in battle</p> +<p class="i6">Or did he die on straw?"</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> + <a name="fbas10" id="fbas10"></a> +<p>10.<a href="#nfbas10">°</a> "No truer tale can I tell to thee,</p> +<p class="i6">My daughter whom I love:</p> +<p class="i4">He fell before the bold Örvarodd</p> +<p class="i6">To the South in Isan's Grove.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>11. "I can tell thee no truer, my daughter dear</p> +<p class="i6">Than I tell as here I stand;—</p> +<p class="i4">He fell before the bold Örvarodd</p> +<p class="i6">To the South in Isan's Land."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page200" id="page200"></a>[pg 200]</span> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>12. She took her quickly to a chest</p> +<p class="i6">Which guarded gold and fee;</p> +<p class="i4">She drew a shirt from out the chest,</p> +<p class="i6">And flung it on Hervik's knee.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> + <a name="fbas13" id="fbas13"></a> +<p>13.<a href="#nfbas13">°</a> She drew a shirt from out the chest,</p> +<p class="i6">All bloodstained where it had lain.—</p> +<p class="i4">"Here may'st thou see the very same shirt</p> +<p class="i6">In which thy father was slain."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> + <a name="fbas14" id="fbas14"></a> +<p>14.<a href="#nfbas14">°</a> Up then rose Hervik the Earl's daughter</p> +<p class="i6">And manned ship hastily;</p> +<p class="i4">Its cables were of shining gold,</p> +<p class="i6">All twisted cunningly.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>15. Up then rose Hervik the Earl's daughter,</p> +<p class="i6">And decked her ship so fine,</p> +<p class="i4">And bade them store within the hold</p> +<p class="i6">Both ale and costly wine.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>16. Tarred were the masts,</p> +<p class="i6">And black was the ship in hue;</p> +<p class="i4">The masthead was of the red, red gold,</p> +<p class="i6">And the sun shone on it too.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>17. Tarred were the masts;</p> +<p class="i6">The ship it was quite new;</p> +<p class="i4">The golden weather-cock spun aloft,</p> +<p class="i6">And shone amid Heaven's own blue.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>18. Tarred were the masts,</p> +<p class="i6">The beams scored wondrously;</p> +<p class="i4">Stem and stern were of red, red gold,</p> +<p class="i6">And so was the sail on high.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>19. All in the middle of the ship's deck</p> +<p class="i6">The colour shone so fair</p> +<p class="i4">Where Hervik, the Earl's daughter,</p> +<p class="i6">Sat on the platform there.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> + <a name="fbas20" id="fbas20"></a> +<p>20.<a href="#nfbas20">°</a> She hoists aloft her silken sail,</p> +<p class="i6">Striped gold on a scarlet ground,</p> +<p class="i4">Nor ever once does she strike it again</p> +<p class="i6">Till she comes to Isan's Land.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page201" id="page201"></a>[pg 201]</span> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>21. She hoists aloft her silken sail,</p> +<p class="i6">(The like will scarce be found)</p> +<p class="i4">Nor ever once does she strike it again</p> +<p class="i6">Till she comes to Isan's ground.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>22. Forth when Hervik's frigate</p> +<p class="i6">Touched the fair land,</p> +<p class="i4">Cast she forth her anchor</p> +<p class="i6">Into the white, white sand.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> + <a name="fbas23" id="fbas23"></a> +<p>23.<a href="#nfbas23">°</a> Cast she down her anchor</p> +<p class="i6">Into the white, white sand;</p> +<p class="i4">And the first was Hervik the Earl's daughter</p> +<p class="i6">To spring with her foot to land.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>24. The first was Hervik the Earl's daughter</p> +<p class="i6">To spring with her foot to land,</p> +<p class="i4">And with her Hjalmar her brother</p> +<p class="i6">Close at her right hand.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> + <a name="fbas25" id="fbas25"></a> +<p>25.<a href="#nfbas25">°</a> There a huntsman met her;</p> +<p class="i6">He had hunted herd and fee:</p> +<p class="i4">"O why art thou so sorrowful,</p> +<p class="i6">As a troll had been hunting thee?"</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>26. Then up stood Hervik the Earl's daughter,</p> +<p class="i6">Her good sword out she drew,</p> +<p class="i4">And with it she clove the huntsman</p> +<p class="i6">And him in sunder slew.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>27. Three cross roads are bending,</p> +<p class="i6">And one can she descry;</p> +<p class="i4">Hervik has gone straight forth to the barrow</p> +<p class="i6">Wherein her father doth lie.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> + <a name="fbas28" id="fbas28"></a> +<p>28.<a href="#nfbas28">°</a> Hervik has gone straight forth to the barrow</p> +<p class="i6">Where her father lies dead and cold.</p> +<p class="i4">Little recks she of fear or favour,</p> +<p class="i6">Though quake now fell and fold.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>29. Then up and spake the voice of Arngrim,</p> +<p class="i6">And these words first spake he:—</p> +<p class="i4">"O where are my eleven sons gone,</p> +<p class="i6">Since daughters are visiting me?"</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page202" id="page202"></a>[pg 202]</span> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>30. "I pass not for my eleven brothers,</p> +<p class="i6"> Or where they share their fee.</p> +<p class="i4"> No treasure have I, save only Hjalmar,</p> +<p class="i6"> Hither brought with me.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>31. "O haste thee, haste thee, my noble Father</p> +<p class="i6"> The good brand to give me;</p> +<p class="i4"> Or shall I set fire here to this barrow,</p> +<p class="i6"> And burn it over thee?"</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>32. Full woe was the champion Arngrim</p> +<p class="i6"> That she should wreck his grave.</p> +<p class="i4"> He seizéd Tyrfing in both his hands</p> +<p class="i6"> And to his daughter gave.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>33. He gave to her the sword then</p> +<p class="i6"> Was wonderfully made.—</p> +<p class="i4"> The length of it was eighteen ells,</p> +<p class="i6"> And poisoned was its blade.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>34. He gave to her the sword then</p> +<p class="i6"> Was wonderfully made.</p> +<p class="i4"> No leechcraft could avail the man</p> +<p class="i6"> Was wounded by its blade.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> + <a name="fbas35" id="fbas35"></a> +<p>35.<a href="#nfbas35">°</a> All in the middle of the garden</p> +<p class="i6"> She clad her in cloak of skin;</p> +<p class="i4"> She busked her in a cloak of fur,</p> +<p class="i6"> And entered the high hall within.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> + <a name="fbas36" id="fbas36"></a> +<p>36.<a href="#nfbas36">°</a> She busked her in her cloak of fur</p> +<p class="i6"> And entered the high hall belive,</p> +<p class="i4"> Where Örvarodd sat before the board</p> +<p class="i6"> With a hundred men and five.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> + <a name="fbas37" id="fbas37"></a> +<p>37.<a href="#nfbas37">°</a> "O welcome, welcome, Hervik,</p> +<p class="i6"> Hither now to me</p> +<p class="i4"> Mead or wine shalt thou have to drink</p> +<p class="i6"> As liefest is to thee."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>38. "O little to me is thy mead, Örvarodd,</p> +<p class="i6"> And little to me thy wine.</p> +<p class="i4"> Today I have come to thy high hall,</p> +<p class="i6"> And a different errand is mine.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page203" id="page203"></a>[pg 203]</span> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>39. "O little to me is thy mead, Örvarodd,</p> +<p class="i6"> And little to me thy beer;</p> +<p class="i4"> For a different errand did I busk me</p> +<p class="i6"> When I left my home to come here.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>40. "I busked me and came from Sweden</p> +<p class="i6"> To fight in this thy land.</p> +<p class="i4"> Stand up! Stand up! Thou bold Örvarodd,</p> +<p class="i6"> Stand up, and arm thy band!"</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>41. It fell full early on a morning tide,</p> +<p class="i6"> Before the sun rose high,</p> +<p class="i4"> Bold Örvarodd had a hundred men and twelve</p> +<p class="i6"> Accoutred royally.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>42. Bold Örvarodd had a hundred men and twelve</p> +<p class="i6"> Accoutred royally.</p> +<p class="i4"> Then up rose Hervik, the Earl's daughter,</p> +<p class="i6"> To meet them gallantly.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>43. Up then rose Hervik, the Earl's daughter,</p> +<p class="i6"> So doughty in the fight.</p> +<p class="i4"> She blew a blast on her golden horn,</p> +<p class="i6"> And struck to left and right.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>44. It was Hervik, the Earl's daughter,</p> +<p class="i6"> So gallantly she rode;—</p> +<p class="i4"> She clove to the shoulders every knight</p> +<p class="i6"> Who forth against her strode.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>45. She clove to the shoulders every knight</p> +<p class="i6"> Who forth against her strode,</p> +<p class="i4"> Till only Örvarodd and his two companions</p> +<p class="i6"> Survivors of the army stood.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>46. Under the castle gateway</p> +<p class="i6"> The King crept fearfully.—</p> +<p class="i4"> "Now mercy, mercy, sweet Hervik,</p> +<p class="i6"> I pray thou'lt give to me!"</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>47. "Just so much is the sweet mercy</p> +<p class="i6"> Thou now shalt get of me</p> +<p class="i4"> As thou gavest to my noble Father</p> +<p class="i6"> When thou slew'st him felonly!"</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page204" id="page204"></a>[pg 204]</span> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>48. "Just so much is the sweet mercy</p> +<p class="i6"> Thou now shalt win of me</p> +<p class="i4"> As thou gavest to my noble Father</p> +<p class="i6"> When thou slew'st him cruelly!"</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>49. That was Hervik, the Earl's daughter,</p> +<p class="i6"> To draw her sword was fain.</p> +<p class="i4"> She has slain the warrior Örvarodd</p> +<p class="i6"> And cut him in pieces twain.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>50. She has slain the warrior Örvarodd</p> +<p class="i6"> And cut him in pieces twain,</p> +<p class="i4"> And all his men so brave and true</p> +<p class="i6"> She has heaped on his corse amain.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>51. Up then rose Hervik, the Earl's daughter;</p> +<p class="i6"> Through the greenwood gan she ride;</p> +<p class="i4"> But hawk or hound made never a cry</p> +<p class="i6"> In the greenwood by her side.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> + <a name="fbas52" id="fbas52"></a> +<p>52.<a href="#nfbas52">°</a> She hoists aloft her silken sail,</p> +<p class="i6"> Striped gold on a scarlet ground;</p> +<p class="i4"> Nor ever once does she strike it again</p> +<p class="i6"> Till she reaches far Uppland.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>53. Forth when Hervik's frigate</p> +<p class="i6"> Touched the fair land,</p> +<p class="i4"> Cast she forth her anchor</p> +<p class="i6"> Into the white, white sand.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>54. Cast she forth her anchor</p> +<p class="i6"> Into the white, white sand;</p> +<p class="i4"> And forthwith her brother Angantyr</p> +<p class="i6"> Came riding down the strand.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>55. She gave to him the sword then</p> +<p class="i6"> Was wonderfully made.—</p> +<p class="i4"> The length of it was eighteen ells,</p> +<p class="i6"> And poisoned was its blade.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>56. She gave to him the sword then</p> +<p class="i6"> Was wonderfully made.—</p> +<p class="i4"> No leechcraft could avail the man</p> +<p class="i6"> Was wounded by its blade.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page205" id="page205"></a>[pg 205]</span> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>57. Angantyr sits in his high seat,</p> +<p class="i6"> And with his men spake he!—</p> +<p class="i4"> "O where will I get a make to myself?</p> +<p class="i6"> This thought has been long with me."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>58. One and all they hung their heads,</p> +<p class="i6"> And never a word spake they,</p> +<p class="i4"> Save Hjalmar his brother, and better were it</p> +<p class="i6"> He had held his peace that day.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>59. "I can no truer tell thee,</p> +<p class="i6"> But and thou list to hear:</p> +<p class="i4"> The King of Upsala has a daughter,</p> +<p class="i6"> And she is passing fair.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> + <a name="fbas60" id="fbas60"></a> +<p>60.<a href="#nfbas69">°</a> "The King of Upsala has a daughter</p> +<p class="i6"> As lovely as the sun.</p> +<p class="i4"> Her cheeks they are as red and white</p> +<p class="i6"> As blood on driven snow.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>61. "The King of Upsala has a daughter:</p> +<p class="i6"> Of many is her fame the word.</p> +<p class="i4"> Her throne it is of the red, red gold,</p> +<p class="i6"> And stands at the King's own board."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>62. "O gin the maiden be so fair,</p> +<p class="i6"> And gin she be so fine,</p> +<p class="i4"> I swear an oath, though ill betide,</p> +<p class="i6"> To call that maiden mine.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>63. "O long and long will the journey be</p> +<p class="i6"> O'er breaker but and billow;</p> +<p class="i4"> But I go forth to Upsala, Hjalmar,</p> +<p class="i6"> And thou, my brother, must follow."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>64. Then up spake Hjalmar the warrior,</p> +<p class="i6"> And straightway answered he:</p> +<p class="i4"> "The bird feels joy when he spies a corpse,</p> +<p class="i6"> And so do I follow thee!"</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>65. Up then rose him Angantyr,</p> +<p class="i6"> And manned ship hastily.</p> +<p class="i4"> Its cables were of shining gold</p> +<p class="i6"> All twisted cunningly.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page206" id="page206"></a>[pg 206]</span> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>66. Up then rose him Angantyr,</p> +<p class="i6"> And decked his ship so fine,</p> +<p class="i4"> And bade them store within the hold</p> +<p class="i6"> Both ale and costly wine.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>67. He hoists aloft his silken sail,</p> +<p class="i6"> Striped gold on a scarlet ground</p> +<p class="i4"> Nor ever once does he strike it again</p> +<p class="i6"> Till he comes to Uppsaland.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> + <a name="fbas68" id="fbas68"></a> +<p>68.<a href="#nfbas68">°</a> Forth then when his frigate</p> +<p class="i6"> Touched the fair land,</p> +<p class="i4"> Cast he down his anchor</p> +<p class="i6"> Into the white, white sand.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> + <a name="fbas69" id="fbas69"></a> +<p>69.<a href="#nfbas69">°</a> Cast he down his anchor</p> +<p class="i6"> Into the white, white sand.</p> +<p class="i4"> And Angantyr was the first to light</p> +<p class="i6"> With his foot to land.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>70. Angantyr was the first to light</p> +<p class="i6"> With his foot to land,</p> +<p class="i4"> And by him Hjalmar his brother,</p> +<p class="i6"> Close at his right hand.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>71. By him Hjalmar his brother</p> +<p class="i6"> Close at his right hand;</p> +<p class="i4"> Truly is it told to me</p> +<p class="i6"> He sank to his knees in sand.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>72. Up they went from the sea-shore,</p> +<p class="i6"> Those men of wealth and worth;</p> +<p class="i4"> The rollers brake, and the earth it shook</p> +<p class="i6"> As they set their ships in berth.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>73. Up they went from the sea-shore,</p> +<p class="i6"> In their clothes of scarlet so fair;</p> +<p class="i4"> Their helmets were of burnished gold,</p> +<p class="i6"> And no man did they fear.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>74. All in the middle of the garden</p> +<p class="i6"> They clad them in cloaks of skin;</p> +<p class="i4"> They busked them in their cloaks of fur</p> +<p class="i6"> And entered the high hall within.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page207" id="page207"></a>[pg 207]</span> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>75. They busked them in their cloaks of fur</p> +<p class="i6"> And entered the high hall belive,</p> +<p class="i4"> Where the King of Uppland sat at the board</p> +<p class="i6"> With a hundred men and five.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>76. Hjalmar went into the high hall</p> +<p class="i6"> With silk embroidered hood.</p> +<p class="i4"> His cheeks were red as lobster's claws,</p> +<p class="i6"> His eyes were like the dove.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>77. Angantyr has do'en him to the high hall,</p> +<p class="i6"> 'Twas the custom in days gone by;</p> +<p class="i4"> And all in a word did he hail the King</p> +<p class="i6"> And ask for the maid truly.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>78. Angantyr stands on the hall floor,</p> +<p class="i6"> Offers him greeting there;—</p> +<p class="i4"> "Now hail be to thee, bold King of Uppsaland,</p> +<p class="i6"> Give me thy daughter fair!"</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>79. Then up and spake the bold Hjalmar,</p> +<p class="i6"> Before the broad board he stood:—</p> +<p class="i4"> "O King, I pray thee, give me thy daughter</p> +<p class="i6"> Who is so fair and good."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>80. Up then rose the bold Hjalmar,</p> +<p class="i6"> Before the broad board sat he:—</p> +<p class="i4"> "O King, I pray thee, give me thy daughter</p> +<p class="i6"> Who is so wise and fair to see."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>81. Long in sorrow sat the King</p> +<p class="i6"> And silently pondered.</p> +<p class="i4"> What he should answer the two fierce warriors,</p> +<p class="i6"> Who stood before the board.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>82. Up then rose the King of Uppsaland;</p> +<p class="i6"> Angry and wroth was he:</p> +<p class="i4"> "My lady daughter shall come to the hall</p> +<p class="i6"> And for herself reply."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>83. They have led his daughter to the hall,</p> +<p class="i6"> Attended fittingly;</p> +<p class="i4"> And Hjalmar's face grew red and pale</p> +<p class="i6"> As in the high-seat sat he.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page208" id="page208"></a>[pg 208]</span> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>84. "Now thanks and thanks to my noble father</p> +<p class="i6"> Who gave this choice to me.</p> +<p class="i4"> Hjalmar the champion from Uppland,</p> +<p class="i6"> He shall my husband be.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>85. "I will not wed me to Angantyr:</p> +<p class="i6"> He is so vile a troll;</p> +<p class="i4"> So is his father and so his mother,</p> +<p class="i6"> And so are his kinsfolk all."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>86. "Come forth, come forth, thou bold Hjalmar</p> +<p class="i6"> For ne'er so brief a tide.</p> +<p class="i4"> To battle on an island make thee bowne;</p> +<p class="i6"> She shall not be thy bride."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>87. Then up and answered Odd the Young:</p> +<p class="i6"> "Once more we are fighting here.</p> +<p class="i4"> You shall go against Arngrim's Sons,</p> +<p class="i6"> And I against Angantyr."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> + <a name="fbas88" id="fbas88"></a> +<p>88.<a href="#nfbas88">°</a> "We two, Angantyr and I,</p> +<p class="i6"> Shall fight with mighty strife;</p> +<p class="i4"> I would not that lady Ingibjörg hear</p> +<p class="i6"> That I sought to flee for my life.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>89. "We two, Angantyr and I,</p> +<p class="i6"> Shall meet in a mighty gripe,</p> +<p class="i4"> And long will lady Ingibjörg wait</p> +<p class="i6"> Ere she hear that I shrank for my life."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>90. Out then spake the Young Odd,</p> +<p class="i6"> And pondered heavily;</p> +<p class="i4"> "O gin thou go'est against Angantyr,</p> +<p class="i6"> Thou choosest thy death truly."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>91. All the sons of Arngrim</p> +<p class="i6"> Rode up the river shore</p> +<p class="i4"> A-tightening of their shield-straps</p> +<p class="i6"> Till they could tighten them no more.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>92. All the sons of Arngrim</p> +<p class="i6"> Rode through the plain so green;</p> +<p class="i4"> A league and a league you could hear on the stones</p> +<p class="i6"> The clang of their spears so keen.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page209" id="page209"></a>[pg 209]</span> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>93. All the sons of Arngrim,</p> +<p class="i6"> Angry were they in mood.</p> +<p class="i4"> Little recked they for weapons,</p> +<p class="i6"> But tore up clubs of stout oakwood.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>94. All the sons of Arngrim</p> +<p class="i6"> Rode up the river strand.</p> +<p class="i4"> It is the young Odd will lose his life,</p> +<p class="i6"> For Hjalmar is not at hand.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>95. Odd rode against the Sons of Arngrim,</p> +<p class="i6"> His noble weapons proved he so,</p> +<p class="i4"> And he slew all the eleven brothers</p> +<p class="i6"> Yet never dealt he a second blow.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>96. Angantyr and the bold Hjalmar</p> +<p class="i6"> On the island combated.</p> +<p class="i4"> All their followers who manned the ship</p> +<p class="i6"> Are lying now stone dead.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> + <a name="fbas97" id="fbas97"></a> +<p>97.<a href="#nfbas97">°</a> Hjalmar then struck Angantyr,</p> +<p class="i6"> So lay he at his feet.</p> +<p class="i4"> "O Hjalmar, give me now a drink,</p> +<p class="i6"> For it comforts the meanest wight."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>98. "A drink from out my drinking horn</p> +<p class="i6"> I give thee willingly;</p> +<p class="i4"> But hearken, Angantyr my brother,</p> +<p class="i6"> Today have I surely conquered thee."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>99. O he held the horn before his lips,</p> +<p class="i6"> —He the noble warrior,—</p> +<p class="i4"> And O it was the heathen dog</p> +<p class="i6"> Who stabbed him under the helmet there.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>100. It was the warrior Hjalmar,</p> +<p class="i6"> He drew his sword amain;</p> +<p class="i4"> He has cleft his brother Angantyr</p> +<p class="i6"> And cut him in pieces twain.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>101. Odd came home at eventide</p> +<p class="i6"> A-riding on the strand,</p> +<p class="i4"> And saw where Hjalmar had sat him there,</p> +<p class="i6"> Marred by the poisoned brand.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page210" id="page210"></a>[pg 210]</span> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>102. Odd came home at eventide,</p> +<p class="i6"> Where Hjalmar leant his back on a stone;</p> +<p class="i4"> "O why art thou so wondrous pale,</p> +<p class="i6"> And what has brought thee to make such moan?"</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>103. "My corslet he has piercéd,</p> +<p class="i6"> He has scathed my skin so white;</p> +<p class="i4"> The poison smeared upon the blade</p> +<p class="i6"> My heart will surely smite."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>104. "Thou didst put thy faith in thy corslet,</p> +<p class="i6"> All made of shining steel;</p> +<p class="i4"> But here stand I in my shirt only,</p> +<p class="i6"> And yet no wound I feel.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>105. "Thou didst put thy trust in thy corslet,</p> +<p class="i6"> All made of silver bright;</p> +<p class="i4"> But here stand I in my shirt only,</p> +<p class="i6"> And got no wound in the fight.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>106. "Thou did'st put thy trust in thy corslet,</p> +<p class="i6"> All made of silver white;</p> +<p class="i4"> But here stand I in my shirt only</p> +<p class="i6"> Which sword could never bite."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>107. Then up and spake the Warrior Hjalmar.</p> +<p class="i6"> The first word he did say</p> +<p class="i4"> Was "Hearken and hearken now Young Odd,</p> +<p class="i6"> And bear me hence away."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>108. Then up and answered the Young Odd,</p> +<p class="i6"> He gazed on the rocky ravine:</p> +<p class="i4"> "This fight, O Hjalmar, if thou list to hear</p> +<p class="i6"> Has gone as I had foreseen."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>109. He drew the gold ring from his arm;</p> +<p class="i6"> Speech could he utter still;</p> +<p class="i4"> Bade carry it to the lady Ingibjörg,</p> +<p class="i6"> And bade him fare him well</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page211" id="page211"></a>[pg 211]</span> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>110. He drew the gold ring from his arm;</p> +<p class="i6"> All floating was he in blood.</p> +<p class="i4"> He sent it to the lady Ingibjörg,</p> +<p class="i6"> That maid so fair and good.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>111. She died of grief for Hjalmar—</p> +<p class="i6"> She the noble maid;</p> +<p class="i4"> I swear an oath upon my honour</p> +<p class="i6"> There lives none of whom the like can be said.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>Refrain: <i>Noble men are sailing now from Norway</i>,</p> +<p class="i8"> <i>And a fair breeze bears them o'er the wave.</i></p> + </div> </div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page212" id="page212"></a>[pg 212]</span> + +<h3 style="margin-top: 3em;">INTRODUCTION TO THE FAROESE RIDDLE BALLAD (GÁTU RÍMA)</h3> + +<p>The <i>Gátu Ríma</i> was first taken down in Suderø by +a clergyman, Schröter, early in the nineteenth century, +and is preserved in the archives of the Early Text +Society in Copenhagen. Unfortunately Schröter was +only able to obtain the Ballad in a fragmentary form, +and he has left us only a Danish translation of what +he found. In his travels on the Faroes in 1847-1848 +Hammershaimb made strenuous efforts to get the +entire version, but curiously enough only succeeded +in getting a version (of course in the original +Faroese) which corresponds closely in length and +content with Schröter's. He published this version +first in the <i>Antiquarisk Tídsskrift</i>, 1849-1851, and +later <i>Færöiske Kvæðer</i>, vol. <span class="sc">ii</span>. (Copenhagen, 1855). +The translation given below is taken from the ballad +as printed in <i>Færöiske Kvæðer</i>.</p> + +<p>That a longer version of this ballad once existed +is proved by the fact that verse 8 of both Schröter's +and Hammershaimb's versions states that Guest the +Blind<a id="footnotetagxii1" name="footnotetagxii1"></a><a href="#footnotexii1"><sup>1</sup></a> propounds thirty riddles to King Heithrek—about +the same number as are to be found in the Saga, +though only some six riddles and the answers to +four others have come down to us. Hammershaimb +attributed the loss of the others to the fact that the +ballad is no longer one of those used in the dance. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page213" id="page213"></a>[pg 213]</span> +He was of opinion that the riddles propounded in the +<i>Ríma</i> are not the same as those found in the Saga; +but it is to be noticed that the subjects of the riddles +are in four cases the same, and in the other cases the +subjects have the same characteristics, though the +riddles themselves are not identical. It would therefore +seem on the whole that the subjects of the <i>Gátu +Ríma</i> were originally identical with those of the Saga, +but that they have become corrupted and possibly +confused in the popular mind.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnotexii1" name="footnotexii1"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetagxii1">Footnote 1:</a> +Presumably a corruption of <i>Gestumblindi</i>.</p> + +<a name="fgr" id="fgr"></a> +<h3 style="margin-top: 3em;">GÁTU RÍMA.<a href="#nfgr">°</a></h3> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>1. Guest goes wandering from the hall,</p> +<p class="i4"> Silent and blind is he;</p> +<p class="i2"> Meets he with an eldern man</p> +<p class="i4"> All with hair so grey.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>2. Meets he with an eldern man,</p> +<p class="i4"> All with hair so grey;</p> +<p class="i2"> "Why art thou so silent, Guest the Blind,</p> +<p class="i4"> And wherefore dost thou stray?"</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>3. "It is not so wonderful</p> +<p class="i4"> Though I of speech am slow;</p> +<p class="i2"> For riddles have brought me to an evil pass,</p> +<p class="i4"> And I lose my head tomorrow.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>4. "It is not so wonderful</p> +<p class="i4"> Though mournful am I and slow;</p> +<p class="i2"> For riddles have brought me to an evil pass,</p> +<p class="i4"> And I lose my life tomorrow."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>5. "How much of the red, red gold</p> +<p class="i4"> Wilt thou give to me,</p> +<p class="i2"> If I go in before King Heithrek</p> +<p class="i4"> And ask thy riddles for thee?"</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page214" id="page214"></a>[pg 214]</span> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p> 6. "Twelve marks of the red, red gold</p> +<p class="i6">Will I give to thee,</p> +<p class="i4">If thou wilt go in before King Heithrek,</p> +<p class="i6">And ransom my head for me."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p> 7. "Go thou into thy courtyard</p> +<p class="i6">And look to thy dwelling, thou,</p> +<p class="i4">While I go in before King Heithrek,</p> +<p class="i6">And ask him riddles now."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p> 8. "Thirty are the riddles</p> +<p class="i6">And one will I propose ...</p> +<p class="i8">(<i>Riddles lost.</i>)</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> + <a name="fgr9" id="fgr9"></a> +<p> 9.<a href="#nfgr9">°</a> (<i>First two lines lost.</i>)</p> +<p class="i4">Thunder is the red drum</p> +<p class="i6">Which beats over all the world."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>10. "O hearken now, Heithrek my King,</p> +<p class="i6">Where dost thou know the neighbours,</p> +<p class="i4">Both of whom use the same door,</p> +<p class="i6">And neither one knows the other?"</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>11. "My thought and thy thought,</p> +<p class="i6">No neighbour is one to other;</p> +<p class="i4">Both of them use the same door,</p> +<p class="i6">Yet neither knows the other."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>12. "O hearken now, Heithrek my King,</p> +<p class="i6">Where dost thou know the brothers</p> +<p class="i4">Who roll far away on the outer reefs,</p> +<p class="i6">And have neither fathers nor mothers?"</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>13. "The Western flow and the Eastern flow,</p> +<p class="i6">Well may they be called brothers;</p> +<p class="i4">They roll far away on the outer reefs</p> +<p class="i6">And have neither fathers nor mothers."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>14. "O hearken now, Heithrek my King,</p> +<p class="i6">And what can this be now?—</p> +<p class="i4">Soft as down and hard as horn,</p> +<p class="i6">And white as glistening snow!"</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page215" id="page215"></a>[pg 215]</span> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>15. "Hear thou this now, Guest the Blind;</p> +<p class="i6">This riddle I understand.—</p> +<p class="i4">The sea it is both soft and hard,</p> +<p class="i6">And flings white spray upon the land."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>16. "O hearken now, Heithrek my King,</p> +<p class="i6">Where does the sapling grow,—</p> +<p class="i4">Its root is turned towards high Heaven,</p> +<p class="i6">And its head turned down below?"</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>17. "The icicle on the high crags,</p> +<p class="i6">No sapling it is I trow,</p> +<p class="i4">Yet its root is turned towards high heaven,</p> +<p class="i6">And its head turned down below."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>18. "O hearken now, Heithrek my King,</p> +<p class="i6">Where does that forest grow,—</p> +<p class="i4">It is cut on every holy day,</p> +<p class="i6">And yet there is wood enow?"</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>19. "The beard which grows on each man's chin,</p> +<p class="i6">No forest is that I trow,</p> +<p class="i4">Though shaved on every holy day,</p> +<p class="i6">And yet there is wood enow."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>20. "O hearken now, Heithrek my King,</p> +<p class="i6">Where dost thou know the brothers,—</p> +<p class="i4">Both of them live in the same hall,</p> +<p class="i6">And have neither fathers nor mothers?"</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>21. "Turf clods and brimstones,</p> +<p class="i6">Neither of the twain are brothers.</p> +<p class="i4">Both of them live in the same hall,</p> +<p class="i6">And have neither fathers nor mothers."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>22. "The sow she wanders to her sty,</p> +<p class="i6">She wallows on the green, green earth.</p> +<p class="i4">The boar he grunts and the little pigs squeak,</p> +<p class="i6">And each makes music with his mouth."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>23. "O well do I know thy riddle,</p> +<p class="i6">And well it shall be spoke;</p> +<p class="i4">The hammer is raised in every smithy,</p> +<p class="i6">And falls with even stroke."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page216" id="page216"></a>[pg 216]</span> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>24. "O well do I know thy riddle,</p> +<p class="i6">Though thereof no boast make I.</p> +<p class="i4">It is Othin who rides upon his steed,</p> +<p class="i6">By land and eke by sea.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>25. "O well do I know thy riddle,</p> +<p class="i6">Yet of wisdom I make no display.</p> +<p class="i4">Othin he rides upon his steed</p> +<p class="i6">By night and eke by day."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>26. Othin has turned into a wild fowl,</p> +<p class="i6">And flown out from the hall;</p> +<p class="i4">And therein King Heithrek has been burnt,</p> +<p class="i6">He and his nobles all.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>27. Othin has turned into a wild fowl,</p> +<p class="i6">And has flown far out to sea;</p> +<p class="i4">He has burnt King Heithrek in his hall,</p> +<p class="i6">And all his company.</p> + </div> </div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page217" id="page217"></a>[pg 217]</span> + +<h3 style="margin-top: 3em;">INTRODUCTION TO THE SHETLAND BALLAD OF HILDINA</h3> + +<p>This ballad has been discussed above, pp. 39 and +164 f. It was taken down by George Low in the +course of a visit made by him to the island of Foula +in the Shetlands in 1774. He was entirely ignorant +of the language, and had apparently no idea as to +the meaning of the actual words, though the general +drift of the ballad was explained to him by the +islander, William Henry, from whom he obtained it +(cf. p. 164). As very few remains of the dialect have +been preserved, apart from the ballad, the interpretation +presents great difficulties. The following +translation of the first twelve stanzas is made from +the corrected text given by Dr M. Hægstad in his +edition of the <i>Hildina</i> contained in <i>Skrifter udgivne +af Videnskabsselskabet i Christiania</i>, 1900 (<i>Historisk-Filosofiske +Klasse</i>, <span class="sc">ii</span>).</p> + +<a name="h" id="h"></a> +<h3 style="margin-top: 3em;">THE SHETLAND BALLAD OF HILDINA<a href="#nh">°</a></h3> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>1. It was the Earl from Orkney,</p> +<p class="i4"> And counsel of his kin sought he,</p> +<p class="i2"> Whether he should the maiden</p> +<p class="i4"> Free from her misery.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>2. "If thou free the maid from her gleaming hall,</p> +<p class="i4"> O kinsman dear of mine,</p> +<p class="i2"> Ever while the world shall last</p> +<p class="i4"> Thy glory still shall shine."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page218" id="page218"></a>[pg 218]</span> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>3. Home came the king,</p> +<p class="i4"> Home from the ship's levy</p> +<p class="i2"> The lady Hildina she was gone,</p> +<p class="i4"> And only her stepmother there found he.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>4. "Be he in whatever land,</p> +<p class="i4"> This will I prove true,</p> +<p class="i2"> He shall be hanged from the highest tree</p> +<p class="i4"> That ever upward grew."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> + <a name="h5" id="h5"></a> +<p>5.<a href="#nh5">°</a> "If the Earl but come to Orkney,</p> +<p class="i4"> Saint Magnus will be his aid,</p> +<p class="i2"> And in Orkney ever he will remain—</p> +<p class="i4"> Haste after him with speed."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>6. The King he stood before his lady,</p> +<p class="i4"> And a box on her ear gave he,</p> +<p class="i2"> And all adown her lily white cheeks</p> +<p class="i4"> The tears did flow truly.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>7. The Earl he stood before Hildina,</p> +<p class="i4"> And a pat on her cheek gave he,—</p> +<p class="i2"> "O which of us two wouldst thou have lie dead,</p> +<p class="i4"> Thy father dear or me?"</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>8. "I would rather see my father doomed,</p> +<p class="i4"> And all his company,</p> +<p class="i2"> If so my own true lord and I</p> +<p class="i4"> May long rule in Orkney.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>9. "Now do thou take in hand thy steed,</p> +<p class="i4"> And ride thou down to the strand;</p> +<p class="i2"> And do thou greet my sire full blithely,</p> +<p class="i4"> And gladly will he clasp thy hand."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>10. The King he now made answer—</p> +<p class="i6">So sore displeased was he—</p> +<p class="i4">"In payment for my daughter</p> +<p class="i6">What wilt thou give to me."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page219" id="page219"></a>[pg 219]</span> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>11. "Thirty marks of the red gold,</p> +<p class="i6">This to thee will I give,</p> +<p class="i4">And never shalt thou lack a son</p> +<p class="i6">As long as I may live."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>12. Now long stood the King,</p> +<p class="i6">And long on the Earl gazed he:—</p> +<p class="i4">"O thou art worth a host of sons;</p> +<p class="i6">Thy boon is granted thee."</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>It will be seen that up to this point, in spite of the +loss of the names, there can be little doubt that the +subject of the ballad is the story of Hethin and Högni. +After this however the narrative deviates from any +other known version of this story. It would rather +seem that—as in the German Kudrun—two stories, +originally distinct, have been brought together in +one poem.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page220" id="page220"></a>[pg 220]</span> + +<a name="notes" id="notes"></a> +<h3 style="margin-top: 3em;">NOTES<a href="#note"><sub>°</sub></a></h3> + +<p>The numbers refer to chapters (sagas) and strophes (ballads, etc.)</p> + +<a name="nn" id="nn"></a> +<h4 style="margin-top: 3em;">THE THÁTTR OF NORNAGEST<a href="#n"><sub>°</sub></a></h4> + +<p><i>The Tháttr of Nornagest.</i> A <i>tháttr</i> is a portion (episode) +of a longer saga, in this case the <i>Saga of Olaf Tryggvason</i> +which is found in the <i>Flateyjarbók</i>.</p> + +<a name="nn1" id="nn1"></a> +<p class="indent">I.<a href="#n1"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>King Olaf Tryggvason</i>, one of the most famous kings of +Norway (<i>r.</i> 995-1000). He compelled the country to accept +Christianity. For accounts of his life and times, see the +<i>Story of Olaf Tryggvison</i> in the <i>Heimskringla</i>, vol. <span class="sc">i</span>, pp. +221-378; +and also the longer <i>Saga of King Olaf Tryggwason</i>, +translated by Sephton.</p> + +<p><i>Trondhjem</i>, originally the name, not of a town, but of the +entire district round the Trondhjem Fjord.</p> + +<p><i>A man came to him.</i> Cf. the <i>Saga of Olaf Tryggvason</i> +(<i>Heimskringla</i>), ch. 71.</p> + +<p><i>Guest.</i> Here a pun is intended, the word <i>Gestr</i> in Icelandic +signifying a 'guest' as well as a 'stranger.'</p> + +<p><i>The Contentious.</i> The word in the text, '<i>þingbítr</i>,' seems +to mean 'sharp in debate,' and to refer to his ready wit and +astuteness in litigation.</p> + +<p><i>Guest said that he had been prime-signed.</i> To 'prime-sign' +signified to make the <i>prima signatio</i> or sign of the Cross +over a person, preliminary to baptism. People so 'prime-signed' +were admitted to certain parts of the Mass and to +social intercourse in Christian communities. See the <i>Saga +of Egil Skallagrimsson</i>, ch. 50 "King Athelstan [of England] +was a good Christian.... He asked Thorolf and his brother to +let themselves be prime-signed; for this was a common +practice with both merchants and soldiers who took service +under Christians. Men who were prime-signed had free +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page221" id="page221"></a>[pg 221]</span> +intercourse with both Christians and heathens, and followed +whatever religion they liked best. Thorolf and Egil did as +the King asked them, and both were prime-signed."</p> + +<p><i>Svein Forkbeard</i>, King of Denmark from 986 (?) to 1014, +and of England also during the last year of his life.</p> + +<p><i>The Emperor Otto</i>, i.e. Otto II, 973-983.</p> + +<p><i>Dane-work</i>, i.e. the Danish Wall still partially preserved, +which divided Jutland from the land of the Saxons and +stretched from near the city of Slesvig to the marsh-land +along the River Treene.</p> + +<p><i>King Harold Gormsson</i> appears to have reigned for about +fifty years and to have died probably in 986. He was +nick-named Harold 'Bluetooth' (or perhaps 'Blacktooth'). +About 974 he fought the Emperor Otto II, and Earl Haakon +of Norway aided him. Both Harold and Haakon were forced +to accept Christianity, but Haakon afterwards renounced it.</p> + +<p><i>Earl Haakon the Heathen</i>, i.e. Earl Haakon the Great, or +the Bad, who ruled over Norway, 975-995.</p> + +<p><i>Guthmund.</i> Cf. the <i>Saga of Hervör and Heithrek</i>, ch. 1. +See also Saxo Grammaticus, <i>Dan. Hist.</i>, pp. 346-349, where +Guthmund is described as a magician dwelling in the land +of the Perms. But see <i>Glasisvellir</i>, below.</p> + +<p><i>Glasisvellir.</i> Cf. the <i>Saga of Hervör and Heithrek</i>, ch. 1. +For the name of the tree or grove called <i>Glasir</i> beside Othin's +abode in Valhalla, see <i>Skáldskaparmál</i>, ch. 34: "Glasir +stands with golden foliage before the halls of the God of +Victory." See also <i>Bjarkamál in Forna</i>, str. 3.</p> + +<a name="nn2" id="nn2"></a> +<p class="indent">II.<a href="#n2"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Ulf the Red</i> was standard-bearer to Olaf Tryggvason +at the Battle of Svöld (cf. the <i>Saga of Olaf Tryggvason, +Heimskringla</i>, ch. 56), where he slew great numbers of the +enemy.</p> + +<p><i>The Bay</i>, i.e. Christiania Fjord and the adjacent coasts.</p> + +<p><i>King Half.</i> See <i>Hálfssaga</i>, ch. 10; and <i>Flateyjarbók</i>, 11, +pp. 136, 137. King Half had a chosen band of warriors +numbering about sixty, who were subject to strict discipline +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page222" id="page222"></a>[pg 222]</span> +and rules which Professor Craigie (<i>The Icelandic Sagas</i>, p. 94) +suggests were modelled on those of the Jómsvíkings. For +instance, "It was one of their customs always to lie off the +ends of promontories. Secondly, they made a rule of never +pitching tents on their ships and never clewing up the sail +on account of bad weather." The incident referred to in the +text is not mentioned in the Saga.</p> + +<p><i>No halls had been built in Norway.</i> The writer probably +means to contrast the stone halls of his own day with the +wooden structures of earlier times.</p> + +<p><i>The Harping of Gunnar</i>, a lost poem. The legend here +referred to is told in <i>Völsunga Saga</i>, ch. 37 (and elsewhere), +doubtless from an old lay.—'King Attila had Gunnar cast +into a pit full of snakes ... and his hands were tied. Guthrún +sent him a harp, and he was so skilful in harping that he could +play it with his toes; and he harped so well that hardly anyone +had ever heard such skilful playing, even with the hand. So +beautifully did he play that all the snakes were lulled to sleep +except one horrible big adder which crept up to him and +stung him to the heart. Thus he perished with great +courage.'</p> + +<p>Gunnar, the son of Gjúki, is the central figure both of +the Norse story and of the German <i>Nibelungenlied</i>, in which +he is called Gunther. In reality, he was overthrown and +killed by the Huns in 437, after which the Burgundians +moved from the Rhine to the district now known as Burgundy.</p> + +<p><i>The Ancient Wiles of Guthrún.</i> It is generally believed +that this is the name of another lost heroic poem. But the +title may possibly mean <i>The Adventures of Guthrún</i>, in which +case the poem referred to may be the well-known <i>Ancient Lay +of Guthrún</i> (<i>Guðrúnarkviða hin forna</i>). This latter poem is +alluded to in ch. 9 below under the title of <i>Guðrúnarræða</i>.</p> + +<a name="nn4" id="nn4"></a> +<p class="indent">IV.<a href="#n4"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>The Land of the Franks</i>, the Rhineland. As far +back as the fifth century the Franks occupied that region—to +the north of the Burgundians.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page223" id="page223"></a>[pg 223]</span> + +<p><i>Sigurth the son of Sigmund.</i> The story of Sigurth the +Völsung is related in <i>Völsunga Saga</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Hundingsbani</i>, i.e. 'Slayer of Hunding.' See <i>Völsunga +Saga</i>, ch. 9.</p> + +<a name="nn5" id="nn5"></a> +<p class="indent">V.<a href="#n5"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>It chanced one day that</i>, etc. Chapters 5 and 6 are mainly +taken from the poem <i>Reginsmál</i> of which strophes 13-26 +are quoted in our text. <i>Reginsmál</i> is the first poem of a trilogy +dealing with the early adventures of Sigurth. The two remaining +poems <i>Fáfnismál</i> and <i>Sigrdrifumál</i> are used only in +the last two sentences of ch. 6.</p> + +<p><i>Yngvi</i> is a name of the god Frey, from whom the kings of +Norway and the early kings of Sweden were believed to have +sprung.</p> + +<p><i>Fafnisbani</i>, i.e. 'Slayer of Fafnir.' Cf. ch. 6 <i>infra</i>. See +also <i>Völsunga Saga</i>, ch. 18.</p> + +<p><i>The Imperial Power had not</i>, etc. This may mean either +the refounding of the Western Empire by Charlemagne, +<span class="sc">a.d.</span> 800, or possibly the gaining of the Imperial throne by +Otto I, King of the Germans, in 962.</p> + +<a name="nn6" id="nn6"></a> +<p class="indent">VI.<a href="#n6"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Sigurth prepared for battle</i>, etc. An account of this +battle is given in <i>Völsunga Saga</i>, ch. 17.</p> + +<p><i>The sea-king's steed.</i> The text has <i>Ræfils hestum</i>, lit. +'Ræfil's horses.' Ræfil was a legendary sea-king. The +names of such characters are frequently used in 'kennings' +(i.e. poetic circumlocutions) like this.</p> + +<p><i>Hnikar</i>, a name of the god Othin in the <i>Grímnismál</i> +(str. 47) and elsewhere.</p> + +<p><i>The Moon's sister.</i> The text has <i>systur Mána</i>, 'Máni's +sister,' i.e. the sun. <i>Máni</i>, the old word for the moon, is +preserved in Iceland only in a mythological sense, the ordinary +word in use for moon being <i>tungl</i>. <i>Máni</i> and <i>Sól</i> (the sun) +were brother and sister. See <i>Vafþrúþnismál</i>, str. 23; also +<i>Gylfaginning</i>, ch. 11, 12.</p> + +<p><i>Order their array</i>, lit. 'draw up a wedge-shaped column'—a +favourite battle-formation, the origin of which was +ascribed to Othin. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page224" id="page224"></a>[pg 224]</span> +<i>Stumbling is bad luck</i>, etc. So Wilken (gloss. <i>s.v. fyrir</i>, +2.) Vigfússon and Gering transl. 'It is an ill thing to outrun +one's luck.'</p> + +<p><i>Friesland.</i> In early times the Frisians occupied a much +greater extent of coast than now, reaching from the boundary +between Holland and Belgium on one side to beyond the +mouth of the Weser on the other—apart from the Frisians +inhabiting the west coast of Slesvig.</p> + +<p><i>The 'blood-eagle'</i> was a form of vengeance practised by +the heathen Scandinavians in battle when anyone captured +the slayer of his father. The ribs were cut in the shape of +an eagle, and the lungs torn out through the opening. The +Northumbrian King Ella (Ælla) is said to have been put to +death in this way by the sons of Ragnar Lothbrók. Cf. the +<i>Saga of Ragnar Loðbrók and his sons</i>, ch. 18; also the <i>Tháttr +of Ragnar's Sons</i>, ch. 3.</p> + +<p><i>Hugin and Munin</i> were Othin's attendant ravens who gave +him information. See <i>Grímnismál</i>, str. 20; <i>Gylfaginning</i>, +ch. 38; <i>Ynglingasaga</i> (<i>Heimskringla</i>), ch. 7.</p> + +<p><i>The story of Sigurth Fafnisbani.</i> The whole story of the +loves of Sigurth and Brynhild is related in the <i>Völsunga Saga</i>, +ch. 20-32. It is uncertain whether the reference here is to +the <i>Völsunga Saga</i> as we have it or to an earlier form of the +story.</p> + +<a name="nn7" id="nn7"></a> +<p class="indent">VII.<a href="#n7"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Gjuki</i> is mentioned under the form <i>Gebica</i> in the <i>Lex +Burgundionum</i> (<i>c.</i> 500 <span class="sc">a.d.</span>). Nothing more is known of him +from historical sources; but he is mentioned in <i>Skáldskaparmál</i>, +ch. 41, <i>Völsunga Saga</i> ch. 25, and in the <i>Edda Poems</i>, as the +father of Gunnar and Guthrún. His name appears also (as +<i>Gifica</i>, <i>Gibicho</i>, etc.) in the Anglo-Saxon poem <i>Widsiþ</i>, the +Latin poem <i>Waltharius</i>, and in several early German poems.</p> + +<p><i>Sigurth Hring</i>, a legendary king of Sweden and Denmark, +and the father of Ragnar Loðbrók. His story is related at +length in a fragment of the <i>Skjöldunga Saga</i>; and he is probably +identical with the <i>Sigifridus</i> who is mentioned in several +Frankish Chronicles under the year 812 as carrying on +hostilities against another Danish King <i>Anulo</i>.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page225" id="page225"></a>[pg 225]</span> + +<p><i>The sons of Gandalf</i> were in constant hostility with King +Harold the Fairhaired and his father. They owned Alfheimar +and Vingulmörk along the Swedish coast of the Kattegat. +Cf. the <i>Story of Halfdan the Black</i> (<i>Heimskringla</i>), ch. 1, 4; +also the <i>Story of Harold the Fairhaired</i> (<i>Heimskringla</i>), ch. 1 +etc.</p> + +<p><i>Gunnar and Högni.</i> The story of the relations of Gunnar +and Högni with Sigurth is told in <i>Völsunga Saga</i>, ch. 26 f.</p> + +<p><i>Jarnamotha.</i> The locality is unknown. There were large +forests in Holstein in the Middle Ages called 'Iarnawith' and +'Isarnho'; cf. Müllenhoff, <i>Deutsche Altertumskunde</i>, v, p. 122.</p> + +<p><i>hazlewood poles had been set up</i>, etc. The verb <i>hasla</i>, used +in the sense of 'to challenge (to a pitched battle),' means, lit. +'to enhazle' a battlefield, i.e. to mark out the space reserved +for a pitched battle with hazel poles. Cf. the <i>Saga of Egil +Skallagrímsson</i>, ch. 52.</p> + +<p><i>The Kurir</i> were the people of Courland (perhaps Lithuanians). +The <i>Kvænir</i> were the Finnish inhabitants of the +northern portion of what is now Sweden. King Alfred, in +his translation of <i>Orosius</i>, inserts an original account of Norway +and the neighbouring regions which was given to him +by a Norwegian called Ohthere. It is there stated that beyond +the mountains which bound the northern part of Norway was +'the land of the Cwenas.' Cf. also the <i>Saga of Egil Skallagrímsson</i>, +ch. 14.</p> + +<p><i>Starkath</i>, the ideal warrior of old time in the North. +Probably originally a historical figure, he became the centre +of much legendary matter, and, as often happened in such +cases, he was even credited with the composition of many +poems, notably that on the Battle of Brávöll—an event which +probably took place long after his time. In Saxo Grammaticus, +<i>Dan. Hist.</i>, pp. 246-258, he corresponds to the unnamed +"Old Warrior" mentioned in <i>Beowulf</i>, l. 2041 ff.</p> + +<p><i>Fenhring</i>, in Hörthaland in Norway, not far from Bergen.</p> + +<p><i>Lund</i>, the old ecclesiastical capital of Denmark, situated +in Skaane in the extreme south of Sweden. Not only Skaane, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page226" id="page226"></a>[pg 226]</span> +but also the neighbouring provinces (Halland, etc.) belonged +in early times to Denmark.</p> + +<a name="nn8" id="nn8"></a> +<p class="indent">VIII.<a href="#n8"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Starkath had committed a foul murder.</i> For this story +see Saxo Grammaticus, <i>Dan. Hist.</i>, p. 314 ff. Saxo says that the +rule of King Ali or Ole was so hateful to the Zealanders that +twelve of their generals resolved to put him to death, bribing +Starkath to join them. Although a personal friend of Ole, +Starkath agreed to do so, and murdered him in his bath. He +afterwards repented bitterly, "and to atone for his crime slew +some of those who had inspired him to it."</p> + +<p><i>Travels.</i> I have followed the reading <i>ferða</i>, 'travels,' +adopted by Wilken, not <i>frænda</i>, as in the <i>Fornaldar Sögur</i>, ed. +by Ásmundarson. The latter would read: "The King wanted +him to tell him much more about the history of his relatives."</p> + +<a name="nn9" id="nn9"></a> +<p class="indent">IX.<a href="#n9"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Germans say</i>, etc. For the German story of the +murder of Sigurth see the <i>Nibelungenlied</i>, str. 985 ff.</p> + +<p><i>Guthrúnarrætha.</i> This is no doubt the poem commonly +called <i>Guðrúnarkviða hin forna</i>, the opening of which +narrates how Sigurth's horse came home riderless.</p> + +<p><i>Brynhild and the ogress chanted</i>, etc. The following lay is +found in the <i>Edda Poems</i> under the title of <i>Helreið Brynhildar</i> +('The Hell-ride of Brynhild').</p> + +<p><i>From the Land of the Romans</i>, lit. 'From Valland'—the +'land of the Valar,' i.e. the Celts or Romans. Here the +reference is doubtless to the Roman territories on the west bank +of the Rhine. In the <i>Nibelungenlied</i>, Gunther (i.e. Gunnar) +is represented as reigning at Worms. Cf. p. 232 below.</p> + +<p><i>Assigned me a home</i>, etc. In the <i>Codex Regius</i> of the <i>Edda +Poems</i> this passage runs as follows: "The courageous king +had my swan-form and those of my eight sisters carried +beneath an oak."</p> + +<p><i>Hjalmgunnar.</i> See <i>Sigrdrifumál</i>, the prose following str. 4. +"She (i.e. Sigrdrifa) said that two kings were fighting. One +was called Hjalmgunnar. He was old at that time, but a +very great warrior, and Othin had promised him victory; but +the other was called Agnar, the brother of Autha, whom no +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page227" id="page227"></a>[pg 227]</span> +being would protect. Sigrdrifa (who was a valkyrie) slew +Hjalmgunnar in battle, but Othin pierced her with a sleep-producing +thorn in punishment for this," etc.</p> + +<p><i>Fafnir</i> was the serpent who guarded the gold hoard on +Gnítaheið till Sigurth slew him and carried off the treasure.</p> + +<p><i>All too long</i>, etc. In the <i>Codex Regius</i> of the <i>Edda Poems</i> +this passage runs as follows: "For far too long a time (? for +ever) will women and men be born into the world to overwhelming +sorrow."</p> + +<p><i>The Sons of Lothbrok.</i> Ragnar Lothbrók was a famous king +who flourished about the middle of the ninth century, and +who, according to legend, obtained his name ('Shaggy +Breeks') from the shaggy trowsers which he wore when he +went to attack a serpent. His various exploits are told in the +<i>Saga of Ragnar Lothbrók</i>, and in the <i>Tháttr of the Sons of +Ragnar</i>, and also by Saxo Grammaticus, <i>Dan. Hist.</i>, pp. 368-380, +etc. Among his other adventures he is said to have +invaded Northumbria, but he was defeated by King Ella +(Ælla) and thrown into a snake-pit, where he "died laughing," +as we are told in a late poem (<i>Krakumál</i> or the 'Death-song +of Ragnar Lothbrók'). His death was afterwards avenged by +his sons who invaded England in 866. Practically nothing +historical is known of Loðbrók himself, though the achievements +of his sons, both in the British Isles and on the continent, +are of great historical importance.</p> + +<p><i>In the neighbourhood of the Alps.</i> In 856, Björn Ironside, +a son of Ragnar Lothbrók, with Hástein his chief lieutenant, +invaded France, and during the years 859-862 made expeditions +to Spain, Africa, the south of France, and Italy, +capturing Pisa, Luna, etc. There can be no doubt that in +their invasion of Italy in 860 the real objective was Rome; +but for some unknown reason they returned without approaching +it. According to Scandinavian tradition, when they +entered Luna they were under the impression that it was +Rome, and returned satisfied that their aim was accomplished.</p> + +<p><i>Vifilsborg.</i> This place is identified by Wilken with the +modern Avenches in the Canton Vaud (Switzerland).</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page228" id="page228"></a>[pg 228]</span> + +<p><i>Make their way there</i>, lit. 'pass over (the mountains) thither.'</p> + +<a name="nn10" id="nn10"></a> +<p class="indent">X.<a href="#n10"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Eric</i>, a famous King of Sweden in the time of Harold +the Fairhaired, King of Norway, in the latter half of the +ninth century. He is frequently referred to in the Sagas and +regarded as the typical great Swedish King of the past.</p> + +<p><i>Upsala</i>, i.e. Old Upsala, the ancient capital of the Swedish +kingdom, a few miles from the modern city.</p> + +<p><i>King Harold the Fairhaired</i>, said to have been born <i>c.</i> 850 +and to have succeeded as King of Vestfold <i>c.</i> 860. His conquest +of Norway was practically completed at the Battle of +Hafrsfjörth (<i>c.</i> 872). He is said to have retired in 930 and +died <i>c.</i> 933.</p> + +<p><i>King Hlothver</i>, i.e. Louis I, King of the Franks and +Emperor, 814-840.</p> + +<p><i>The Saxons</i> inhabited a large part of north-west Germany +and Holland; but the name <i>Saxland</i> is often used in a wider +sense, i.e. the German part of the Empire.</p> + +<p><i>Nornagest</i>, i.e. 'Gest (or guest) of the Norns.' The Norns +were represented in Scandinavian mythology as women with +the power of shaping human destiny. See <i>Helgakviða Hundingsbana</i>, +1, str. 2; <i>Gylfaginning</i>, chs. 15, 16; Saxo Grammaticus, +<i>Dan. Hist.</i>, p. 223; the <i>Saga of Burnt Njál</i>, ch. 156. +Similar beliefs occur in Greek stories about the Fates (<ins title="Greek: Klôthes">Κλὥθες</ins>) +e.g. the late Greek legend of the birth of Meleager. Cf. +p. 13 above.</p> + +<a name="nn12" id="nn12"></a> +<p class="indent">XII.<a href="#n12"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Three hundred.</i> I have used round figures here as +elsewhere. Strictly the Norse 100 is 120.</p> + +<a name="ns1" id="ns1"></a> +<h4 style="margin-top: 3em;">THE THÁTTR OF SÖRLI<a href="#s1"><sub>°</sub></a></h4> + +<p class="indent">I. <i>Vanakvisl.</i> The opening sentence may be compared with +<i>Ynglingasaga</i>, ch. 1, in the <i>Heimskringla</i>. From this it appears +that Vanakvísl is the River Don, though strictly <i>kvǐsl</i> means +the fork (delta) of a river.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page229" id="page229"></a>[pg 229]</span> + +<p><i>Æsir and Vanir</i>, two sets of Scandinavian deities; but the +references to the River Don and Asia are due to the learned +speculations of later times, suggested partly by the resemblance +of <i>Asia</i> and <i>Æsir</i>. According to <i>Ynglingasaga</i>, chs. 1-4, +there was war between the Æsir and the Vanir, which was concluded +by an exchange of hostages. The Vanir gave to the Æsir three +of their leading people—Njörth and his children Frey and +Freyja. Othin made Njörth and Frey temple-priests, and +Freyja a temple-priestess. What is said about Freyja here is not +mentioned in <i>Ynglingasaga</i>; but from the poems of the <i>Edda</i> it +is clear that she was the Aphrodite of northern mythology.</p> + +<p><i>Asgarth.</i> For a description of Asgarth, the home of the +Æsir, see <i>Gylfaginning</i>, chs. 2, 9, 14, etc.</p> + +<p><i>Men in Asia called Alfregg</i>, etc. For Dvalin, cf. the <i>Saga +of Hervör and Heithrek</i>, ch. 2 and note.</p> + +<p><i>Lived in a rock</i>; cf. <i>Völuspá</i>, str. 48.</p> + +<p><i>Necklace.</i> For the <i>Brísingamen</i>, Freyja's treasure, see +<i>Thrymskviða</i>, str. 12, etc. Cf. also <i>Beowulf</i>, l. 1199.</p> + +<a name="ns2" id="ns2"></a> +<p class="indent">II.<a href="#s2"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Nal</i>, i.e. 'Needle.'</p> + +<p><i>Loki.</i> See <i>Gylfaginning</i>, ch. 33; and the <i>Edda Poems</i>, passim.</p> + +<p><i>So much favoured by the great good fortune of his lord.</i> Cf. +<i>Laxdæla Saga</i>, ch. 40 'Mun konungr [i.e. Olaf Tryggvason] +vera giftudrjúgr ok hamingju-mikill.'</p> + +<a name="ns3" id="ns3"></a> +<p class="indent">III.<a href="#s3"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Frithfrothi</i>, the mythical peace-king of the Danes. See +<i>Skáldskaparmál</i>, ch. 43. He is often split up into two different +characters, as by Saxo Grammaticus. (See especially <i>Dan. +Hist.</i>, Book v, which gives an account of the great Frothi.)</p> + +<p><i>Erling and Sörli.</i> Their story is told in the <i>Saga of Sörli +the Strong</i> (<i>Fornaldar Sögur</i>, <span class="sc">iii</span>.).</p> + +<p><i>Skerries of the Elf.</i> Rocky islands near the mouth of the +Göta Elv not far from Göteborg.</p> + +<a name="ns4" id="ns4"></a> +<p class="indent">IV.<a href="#s4"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Halfdan</i>, surnamed Brönufóstri. See the <i>Saga of Sörli +the Strong</i>, ch. 11, where he is represented as King of Sweden.</p> + +<p><i>Roeskilde</i>, the old capital of Sjælland, now the ecclesiastical +capital of Denmark.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page230" id="page230"></a>[pg 230]</span> + +<p><i>Ellithi.</i> See the <i>Saga of Thorstein Vikingson</i> (passim), and +the <i>Saga of Friðjóf the Bold</i> (passim).</p> + +<p><i>Gnoth.</i> The ship Gnoth belonged to Ásmund, who was +called after it 'Gnoðar-Ásmund.' Cf. the <i>Saga of Egil and +Asmund</i>, ch. 17; and the <i>Saga of Grím Loðinkinni</i>, ch. 3. See +also the <i>Saga of Hromund Greipsson</i>, ch. 1.</p> + +<p><i>Long Serpent</i>, i.e. the warship of Olaf Tryggvason.</p> + +<p><i>As is told in the poem</i>, etc. The poem is now lost.</p> + +<p><i>The poem of which he is the subject.</i> The Saga here quotes +a difficult and obscure stanza which I have omitted.</p> + +<p><i>Högni ... went raiding in the Baltic</i>, etc. In <i>Widsið</i> l. 21, +Högni is said to have ruled the <i>Holmryge</i>, i.e., no doubt, the +Rugii on the coast of Pomerania.</p> + +<a name="ns5" id="ns5"></a> +<p class="indent">V.<a href="#s5"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Hjarrandi</i> is the name of Hethin's father in all the Norse +forms of the story; but originally this would seem to have +been the name of Hethin's minstrel—the <i>Hôrant</i> of <i>Kudrun</i>, +and the <i>Heorrenda</i> of <i>Deor</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Serkland</i>, i.e. Africa, 'Saracen Land.' It is only in this +story that Hethin is said to come from here. Saxo Grammaticus +calls him a Norwegian. Cf. also <i>Widsiþ</i>, l. 21, which +gives the name of an unknown people.</p> + +<p><i>Göndul</i>, the name of one of the Valkyries. See <i>Völuspá</i>, +str. 31; <i>Hákonarmál</i>, passim; <i>Skáldskaparmál</i>, chs. 2 and 47.</p> + +<a name="ns6" id="ns6"></a> +<p class="indent">VI.<a href="#s6"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Heithrek Ulfham.</i> For Heithrek Ulfham see the <i>Saga +of Hervör and Heithrek</i>, ch. 16.</p> + +<a name="ns7" id="ns7"></a> +<p class="indent">VII.<a href="#s7"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>She asked him.</i> I have followed Rafn's text. The +Reykjavík ed. apparently has a misprint here—<i>hann</i> for <i>hón</i>.</p> + +<p><i>He thrust the Queen down in front of the prow</i>, etc. The +murder of the Queen is peculiar to this saga.</p> + +<a name="ns8" id="ns8"></a> +<p class="indent">VIII.<a href="#s8"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>This harrowing torment continued</i>, etc. A good deal +has been written on the subject of the Unending Battle, which +many writers believe to have been of mythological origin. +Very often, however, it appears in local traditions. See +Frazer's <i>Pausanias</i>, vol. <span class="sc">ii</span>, p. 443 (the reference to the Battle +of Marathon), where a considerable number of parallels are +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page231" id="page231"></a>[pg 231]</span> +given. See also Panzer, <i>Hilde-Gudrun</i>, p. 328. Cf. p. 43, +note <span class="sc">i</span> above.</p> + +<p><i>Olaf Tryggvason.</i> See the <i>Tháttr of Nornagest</i>, ch. 1 and +note.</p> + +<a name="ns9" id="ns9"></a> +<p class="indent">IX.<a href="#s9"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Jarnskjöld.</i> Cf. <i>Fornmanna Sögur</i>, vol. <span class="sc">iii</span>, p. 125 ff. +(<i>Saga of Olaf Tryggvason</i>).</p> + +<p><i>Glance of his eye</i>, etc. Literally, "He has the <i>ægishjálmr</i>." +This is a poetical expression for a glance inspiring terror.</p> + +<a name="nhg1" id="nhg1"></a> +<h4 style="margin-top: 3em;">THE SAGA OF HROMUND GREIPSSON<a href="#hg1"><sub>°</sub></a></h4> + +<p class="indent">I. <i>Gnothar-Asmund</i>, i.e. Asmund of the Gnoth, who was so +called from his ship 'Gnoth' (cf. p. 230 above). For an +account of him see the <i>Saga of Egil and Asmund</i> (in <i>Fornaldar +Sögur</i>, vol. <span class="sc">iii</span>), especially ch. 17. He is mentioned also in +the <i>Saga of Grím Loðinkinni</i>, ch. 2. A different account of +Olaf's family is given in <i>Göngu-Hrólfs Saga</i>, ch. 38.</p> + +<p><i>Garthar in Denmark.</i> The geography of the story is by +no means clear. Elsewhere in this saga Olaf's realm would +seem to be situated in Sweden, while references in other +works, e.g. <i>Landnámabók</i>, <span class="sc">i</span>, ch. 3, <i>Hversu Noregr +Bygthist</i>, +ch. 2 (<i>Fornaldar Sögur</i>, <span class="sc">ii</span>, p. 7) etc., point to Norway, +especially +the provinces of Thelamörk and Hörthaland, as the +home of Hromund and his family.</p> + +<p><i>Hromund.</i> According to <i>Landnámabók</i>, <span class="sc">i</span>, ch. 3, Ingolf +and Leif, the first settlers in Iceland (<span class="sc">a.d.</span> 874) were the +great grandsons of Hromund Greipsson. This would seem to +show that he lived in the second half of the eighth century. +See also the <i>Saga of Halfdan Eysteinsson</i>, ch. 1.</p> + +<p><i>Bild and Voli.</i> For these names, see Introduction to this +saga, p. 59, and the note to <i>Mistletoe</i> below.</p> + +<p><i>Ulfasker.</i> A corruption of <i>Elfasker</i>. Cf. <i>Gríplur</i>, str. 25, +and note to <i>Skerries of the Elf</i>, p. 229 above.</p> + +<p><i>Dragon</i>, a common term for a large type of warship in the +Viking Age.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page232" id="page232"></a>[pg 232]</span> + +<p><i>Scoundrels.</i> The text has <i>Blámenn</i>, i.e. lit. 'Black men', +negroes. But in the Romantic Sagas, owing probably to the +influence of stories relating to the Saracens, pirates are +described as <i>Blámenn</i>, even in stories relating exclusively to +the North. Cf. <i>The Ballad of Hjálmar and Angantyr</i> (refrain), +p. 184, above.</p> + +<a name="nhg2" id="nhg2"></a> +<p class="indent">II.<a href="#hg2"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>I am going to be Othin's guest</i>, is a euphemism for 'be +slain,' and is equivalent to 'go to Valhalla,' the abode of slain +warriors which belonged to Othin. See the <i>Saga of Egil +Skallagrímsson</i>, ch. 81, where Thorgerth, Egil's daughter, +says that she will have no supper till she "sup with Freyja."</p> + +<p><i>No blade would wound Hröngvith.</i> It is not uncommon to +hear that a warrior, usually an unsympathetic character, was +immune through spells from wounds inflicted by weapons; +cf. <i>Beowulf</i>, l. 804, where this is stated of Grendel.</p> + +<a name="nhg3" id="nhg3"></a> +<p class="indent">III.<a href="#hg3"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Hebrides.</i> The word <i>Suthreyjar</i>, here translated +Hebrides, properly means all the islands off the west coast of +Scotland. The modern form of the word is <i>Sodor</i>, surviving +in the name of the diocese of 'Sodor and Man.'</p> + +<p><i>Ghosts.</i> It will be seen from the context that the word +<i>draugr</i> here translated 'ghost,' is in reality the animated +corpse of the dead man. This is a common feature of Norse +stories (e.g. the <i>Saga of Grettir the Strong</i>, ch. 18).</p> + +<a name="nhg4" id="nhg4"></a> +<p class="indent">IV.<a href="#hg4"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Valland</i>, i.e. France, lit. the 'Land of the <i>Valar</i>,' i.e. +of the Celts or Romans. In Anglo-Saxon literature the +French are sometimes called <i>Galwalas</i>, i.e. the 'Walas (Welsh) +of Gaul'. See also the <i>Tháttr of Nornagest</i>, ch. 9 and note.</p> + +<p><i>And he added</i>, etc. Are we to assume a lacuna here? +The composition of this saga is however far from perfect. +In certain passages (e.g. at the beginning of this chapter) one +is inclined to suspect that someone has tried to combine two +different texts of the story.</p> + +<p><i>Finger nails</i>, etc. Cf. the physiological fact of the growth +of the finger nails after death, and the legend of Charlemagne +according to which his beard grew through a stone table +after his death.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page233" id="page233"></a>[pg 233]</span> + +<p><i>Gunnlöth.</i> Other documents appear to make Hromund a +Norwegian, and this is what we should gather from <i>Landnámabók</i> +quoted above (p. 231, note). See <i>Hversu Noregr +Bygðist</i>, ch. 2.</p> + +<p><i>Mistletoe</i>, the name of the sword again connects this story +with that of Balder who is stated in <i>Völuspá</i>, str. 32 and +<i>Gylfaginning</i>, ch. 49 to have been killed by a piece of mistletoe.</p> + +<a name="nhg5" id="nhg5"></a> +<p class="indent">V.<a href="#hg5"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Dagny</i>, the wife of Ingjóld, who was the friend of +Grím Lothinkinni. See the <i>Saga of Grím Loðinkinni</i>, ch. 3.</p> + +<p><i>Hálogaland.</i> See <i>Hervarar Saga</i>, ch. 1 and note; and also +the Sagas of <i>Ketil Hæng</i> and <i>Grím Loðinkinni</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Voli and Bild</i>, etc. At this point the writer of the saga has +omitted part of the dialogue in which Olaf threatens to hang +Hromund. Cf. <i>Gríplur</i>, p. 383, str. 20, 21.</p> + +<a name="nhg6" id="nhg6"></a> +<p class="indent">VI.<a href="#hg6"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Helgi</i> is known elsewhere as Helgi Haddingjaskati, +e.g. in the short text called <i>Hversu Noregr Bygðist</i>, ch. 2 +(<i>Fornaldar Sögur</i>, <span class="sc">ii</span>, p. 7). According to the prose at the end +of <i>Helgakviða Hundingsbana</i> <span class="sc">ii</span>, Helgi Haddingjaskati and +Kara were reincarnations of Helgi Hundingsbani and Sigrún, +the hero and heroine of this poem. Their story was given in +a poem called <i>Káruljóð</i> which is now lost. See however +Vigfússon and Powell, <i>Corpus Poeticum Boreale</i>, vol. <span class="sc">i</span>, +pp. 129 and 130.</p> + +<p><i>On the frozen surface of Lake Vener.</i> This story is perhaps +taken from that of the battle related in <i>Skáldskaparmál</i>, ch. 43 +and <i>Ynglingasaga</i>, ch. 33. Cf. <i>Beowulf</i>, l. 2392 ff.</p> + +<p><i>Kara.</i> For the form <i>Lara</i> which appears in the printed +editions see p. 62, note, above. In the prose at the end of +<i>Helgakviða Hundingsbana</i> <span class="sc">ii</span>, Kara is called a valkyrie.</p> + +<a name="nhg8" id="nhg8"></a> +<p class="indent">VIII.<a href="#hg8"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Hagal.</i> The story of Hagal and Blind is given also +at the beginning of <i>Helgakviða Hundingsbana</i> <span class="sc">ii</span>; but here +the person disguised as a grinding-maid is Helgi, the hero of +the poem.</p> + +<a name="nhg10" id="nhg10"></a> +<p class="indent">X.<a href="#hg10"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Who was also called Bavis</i>; cf. <i>Helgakv. Hund</i>. <span class="sc">ii</span>, str. 2, +where he is called <i>Blindr enn bölvísi</i> ('skilled in harmful doings').</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page234" id="page234"></a>[pg 234]</span> + +<a name="nhh1" id="nhh1"></a> +<h4 style="margin-top: 3em;">SAGA OF HERVÖR AND HEITHREK<a href="#hh1"><sub>°</sub></a></h4> + +<p class="indent">I. <i>Finnmark</i>, i.e. the northernmost part of the Scandinavian +Peninsula.</p> + +<p><i>Jötunheimar</i>, i.e. the homes of the <i>jötnar</i> or giants. This +name occurs frequently in Norse stories, though it is not +elsewhere connected with Finnmark.</p> + +<p><i>Ymisland</i>, i.e. the land of <i>Ýmir</i>; see below.</p> + +<p><i>Halogaland</i>, i.e. the northern part of Norway stretching +from about lat. 65° as far as Finnmark.</p> + +<p><i>Guthmund.</i> Cf. the <i>Tháttr of Nornagest</i>, ch. 1 and note.</p> + +<p><i>Glasisvellir.</i> Cf. the <i>Tháttr of Nornagest</i>, ch. 1, and note.</p> + +<p><i>Fields of immortality</i>, i.e. lit. 'Fields of the not dead' +(<i>ódainsakr</i>). Cf. the <i>Saga of Eiríkr Víðförla</i>, ch. 1, and the +<i>Saga of Hálfdan Eysteinsson</i>, ch. 1. See also Saxo Grammaticus, +<i>Dan. Hist.</i>, p. 129.</p> + +<p><i>Höfund.</i> The name means lit. 'Judge.'</p> + +<p><i>Ymir</i>, i.e. the old 'Rime-giant,' the first being created out +of Chaos, from whom the giants sprang; cf. <i>Völuspá</i>, str. 3; +<i>Vafþrúþnismál</i>, str. 21; <i>Grímnismál</i>, str. 40; <i>Hyndluljóð</i>, +str. 33; <i>Gylfaginning</i>, chs. 5-8.</p> + +<p><i>Starkath Aludreng.</i> See <i>Gautreks Saga</i>, ch. 3, according +to which this Starkath is the grandfather of his more famous +namesake, for whom see the <i>Tháttr of Nornagest</i>, ch. 7 and +note. See also Saxo Grammaticus, <i>Dan. Hist.</i>, pp. 224, 225.</p> + +<p><i>Elivagar.</i> See <i>Vafþrúþnismál</i>, str. 31; <i>Gylfaginning</i>, ch. 5; +<i>Hymiskviða</i>, str. 5.</p> + +<p><i>Alfheimar</i>, a name given to the region between the +Gøtaelv and the River Glommen, in the south-east of Norway +(now mainly in Sweden). The royal family of this region is +frequently mentioned in the history of Harold the Fairhaired +and his father, and also in the stories of Sigurth Hring. See +the <i>Tháttr of Nornagest</i>, ch. 7 and note.</p> + +<p><i>Ey-grim Bolm</i>, i.e. 'Grim of the Island of Bolm.'</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page235" id="page235"></a>[pg 235]</span> + +<p><i>Arngrim.</i> See Saxo Grammaticus, <i>Dan. Hist.</i>, p. 203 ff.</p> + +<p><i>Berserk.</i> See <i>Ynglingasaga</i>, ch. 6.</p> + +<a name="nhh2" id="nhh2"></a> +<p class="indent">II.<a href="#hh2"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Dwarfs.</i> Cf. the story of Svegðir in <i>Ynglingasaga</i>, ch. 15.</p> + +<p><i>Dvalin</i> is the name of a dwarf in <i>Völuspá</i>, str. 11, 14; +<i>Hávamál</i>, str. 143, and in other of the <i>Edda</i> poems. It +is, in fact, the typical name for a dwarf. Cf. also <i>Gylfaginning</i>, +ch. 14, and <i>Skáldskaparmál</i>, ch. 3, 57. <i>Dulin</i> does +not occur elsewhere, though <i>Durin</i> is found in <i>Völuspá</i>, str. 10.</p> + +<p><i>Standing in the doorway of the stone</i>, etc. Cf. <i>Völuspá</i>, +str. 48.</p> + +<p><i>Your sword</i>, etc. Cf. <i>Skáldskaparmál</i>, ch. 49. "Now I +have drawn <i>Dáinsleif</i>, which the dwarfs made and which +must cause a man's death every time it is drawn, and never +fails in its stroke."</p> + +<p><i>Tyrfing.</i> It has been suggested that this name is derived +from <i>tyrfi</i>, 'resinous fir-tree,' owing to its flaming like +resinous fir-wood. In early times it was customary for swords +to be called by names ending in <i>-ing</i>. Cf. the swords <i>Hrunting</i> +in <i>Beowulf</i>, l. 1457, etc., <i>Nagling</i>, <i>ibid.</i>, l. 2680, and +<i>Mimming</i> +in <i>Waldhere</i>, l. 3, etc., etc.</p> + +<p><i>Perms.</i> The text has <i>um Bjarmaland</i> 'in the land of the +Bjarmar,' i.e. the <i>Beormas</i> of Ohthere's Voyage in Alfred's +translation of <i>Orosius</i>. It is generally reached, not as here, +apparently, by the Baltic, but by voyages round the North +Cape. The name is generally supposed to be connected with +<i>Perm</i>, and in early times may have comprehended the +Zyrianians, as well as the Permians proper and the Votiaks. +There is some evidence from place-names that this group +of languages was once spoken as far west as the White Sea. +Cf. Abercromby, <i>The Pre- and Proto-historic Finns</i>, p. 10 f.</p> + +<p><i>Svafrlami.</i> The text (H) followed by the Reykjavik edition +here has Sigrlami—which can hardly be right. Rafn's ed. +reads Svafrlami.</p> + +<p><i>Twelve sons.</i> For Arngrim's Sons, Cf. <i>Hyndluljóth</i>, +str. 23, 24; Saxo Grammaticus, <i>Dan. Hist.</i>, pp. 203-205; +<i>Saga of Örvar Odd</i>, ch. 14.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page236" id="page236"></a>[pg 236]</span> + +<p><i>Twins.</i> See the <i>Saga of Harold the Fairhaired</i> +(<i>Heimskringla</i>), ch. 18, where again we find twins both receiving the same name.</p> + +<p><i>Mistletoe.</i> A sword of the same name occurs in the <i>Saga +of Hromund Greipsson</i> (see above).</p> + +<p><i>Hrotti.</i> Cf. <i>Hrunting</i>, the sword of Hunferth in <i>Beowulf</i>, +l. 1457 etc. See also the note to <i>Tyrfing</i>, p. 235.</p> + +<a name="nhh3" id="nhh3"></a> +<p class="indent">III.<a href="#hh3"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Yule</i>, a festival of heathen times, approximately at +Christmas, but rather later.</p> + +<p><i>Feast</i>, lit. 'At the Bragi-cup.' The custom of making +vows in connection with these toasts was carried on into +Christian times, an interesting example being found in the +<i>Saga of Olaf Tryggvason</i> (<i>Heimskringla</i>), ch. 39. See also +the <i>Saga of Haakon the Good</i> (<i>Heimskringla</i>), ch. 16; and +<i>Helgakviða Hjörvarðssónar</i>, str. 32.</p> + +<p><i>Angantyr made a vow.</i> In the Royal MS. (see p. 79) it +is Hjörvarth who makes the vow and subsequently claims +the bride.</p> + +<p><i>Yngvi</i> is the family name of the early Swedish kings. +Collectively the early Swedish royal family were called +<i>Ynglingar</i>. Cf. <i>Ynglingasaga</i>, ch. 20.</p> + +<p><i>Never did he</i>, etc. Compare what is said of Högni's sword +in <i>Skáldskaparmál</i>, ch. 49.</p> + +<p><i>Samsø.</i> The fight at Samsø is described in another <span class="sc">ms</span>. of +this saga (which is translated in the appendix to Part I, p. 145 ff. +above and which contains also the <i>Death-song of Hjalmar</i>), +as well as in the <i>Saga of Örvar Odd</i>, ch. 14, and in Saxo Grammaticus, +<i>Dan. Hist.</i>, p. 205. The Island of Samsø is situated +half way between Jutland and Sjælland.</p> + +<a name="nhh4" id="nhh4"></a> +<p class="indent">IV.<a href="#hh4"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Exposing the child</i>, etc. For the custom of exposing +infants, especially girls, at birth, so as to cause their death, see +the <i>Saga of Gunnlaug Ormstungu</i>, ch. 3, the <i>Saga of Finnbogi +Rammi</i>, etc. A similar custom prevailed in Ancient Greece. +Cf. Plato, <i>Rep.</i> v, 461; Aristophanes, <i>Clouds</i>, l. 530 f.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page237" id="page237"></a>[pg 237]</span> + +<p><i>Sprinkled with water.</i> Sprinkling a child with water when +a name was given to it appears to have been customary in +heathen times. Cf. the <i>Saga of Harold the Fairhaired</i> +(<i>Heimskringla</i>), ch. 40; the <i>Saga of Haakon the Good</i>, ch. 12; +the <i>Saga of Egil Skallagrimsson</i>, ch. 31; <i>Völsunga Saga</i>, +ch. 13.</p> + +<p><i>She grew up</i>, etc. Cf. the description of the later Hervör +in ch. 10.</p> + +<p><i>Here is a poem</i>, etc. The poem is probably earlier than +the Saga in its present form. Heusler (<i>Eddica Minora</i>, p. xxi) +refers it to the early part of the twelfth century.</p> + +<p><i>I will give you my necklace</i>, etc. Note the discrepancy +between the poem and the prose at this point. In the former +it would seem to be Hervör who offers a necklace, and this +is what we should expect.</p> + +<p><i>Foolish is he who comes here alone</i>, etc. Cf. J. M. Synge, +<i>The Aran Islands</i>, <span class="sc">iii</span>: "We went up on the dun, where +Michael said he had never been before after nightfall, though +he lives within a stone's throw.... These people make no +distinction between the natural and the supernatural."</p> + +<a name="nhh5" id="nhh5"></a> +<p class="indent">V.<a href="#hh5"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Ghosts</i>, i.e. the animated corpses of the people buried +there.</p> + +<p><i>Nor other kinsman.</i> There is a lacuna in the text of the ms. +at this point.</p> + +<a name="nhh6" id="nhh6"></a> +<p class="indent">VI.<a href="#hh6"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Bring up the child</i>, etc. It was customary for men in +high station to send their children to be brought up and +educated in the houses of relatives and friends.</p> + +<p><i>Reithgotaland</i> is here explained as Jutland; but in ch. 9, +Heithrek's subjects are described as <i>Gotar</i>, i.e. Goths; and +in the latter part of the Saga, from ch. 12 onwards, the +subject is clearly a war between the Goths and Huns. The +earliest occurrence of the word (in the Swedish Inscription of +Rök; cf. also <i>Vafþrúþnismál</i>, str. 12) gives not <i>Reithgotaland</i>, +but <i>Hraithgotaland</i>, which suggests that the name may be +connected in some way with <i>Hrethgotan</i>, a name applied to +the Goths in Anglo-Saxon poetry.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page238" id="page238"></a>[pg 238]</span> + +<a name="nhh7" id="nhh7"></a> +<p class="indent">VII.<a href="#hh7"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Divination.</i> The phrase means literally, 'The casting +of bits of wood at the sacrifice.' Cf. Tacitus, <i>Germania</i>, ch. 10.</p> + +<p><i>Every second man.</i> <i>annanhvárn</i>, apparently for <i>annanhvern</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Hall of the Dís.</i> It is not clear who the <i>dís</i> was, as the +word is used rather loosely for supernatural female beings. +Another reference to the <i>Hall of the Dís</i> occurs in <i>Ynglingasaga</i>, +ch. 33. One of the goddesses (Freyja?) may be meant; +or it may be the guardian spirit of the family.</p> + +<a name="nhh8" id="nhh8"></a> +<p class="indent">VIII.<a href="#hh8"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Land of the Saxons.</i> Cf. the <i>Tháttr of Nornagest</i>, +ch. 10 and note.</p> + +<p><i>Sifka and Hlöth.</i> The names here mentioned, together with +<i>Heithrek</i> and <i>Angantyr</i>, are believed by some scholars to recur +in <i>Widsiþ</i>, l. 116, where we find</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p><i>Heaðoric and Sifecan, Hliðe and Incgenðeow</i>,</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>mentioned as being among the followers of Eormenric. These +names clearly come from Gothic tradition, but the passage +would seem to suggest that <i>Sifeca</i> was a man, the Sibich of the +German poems. Cf. Chambers, <i>Widsith</i>, p. 32. For the +name Lotherus in Saxo, see note to ch. 12, p. 242.</p> + +<p><i>Holmgarth</i>, i.e. Novgorod.</p> + +<a name="nhh9" id="nhh9"></a> +<p class="indent">IX.<a href="#hh9"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Wendland</i>, i.e. the 'Land of the Slavs' (Anglo-Saxon +<i>Weonodland</i>). After the expansion of the Slavs, from the +fifth century onwards, this term came to denote an enormous +expanse of country, including the coast of Eastern Germany, +to which it is applied in the account of the voyage of Wulfstan +in Alfred's translation of <i>Orosius</i>. In earlier times, when the +Goths still occupied Poland and Galicia, the Slavs were +restricted to the regions east of these countries.</p> + +<p><i>His horse fell dead.</i> Here the point of the story seems to be +missed, or at least not clearly expressed. According to Höfund's +fifth maxim (see ch. 6), Heithrek was not to ride his best +horse when he was in a hurry.</p> + +<a name="nhh10" id="nhh10"></a> +<p class="indent">X.<a href="#hh10"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>They had a daughter.</i> From our text it would appear that +Hervör was the daughter of Sifka; but the end of ch. 9 is +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page239" id="page239"></a>[pg 239]</span> +probably a late addition to the text. In the text printed +by Rafn, Hervör is expressly stated to be a daughter of +Hergerth.</p> + +<p><i>Ormar</i> is presumably to be identified with the <i>Wyrmhere</i> +mentioned in <i>Widsiþ</i>, l. 119, in connection with the war +waged by the Goths against the Huns in defence of their +ancient fatherland, round the forest of the Vistula.</p> + +<p><i>Gestumblindi.</i> For this curious name, cf. the <i>Gestiblindus +Gothorum rex</i> mentioned by Saxo Grammaticus, <i>Dan. Hist.</i>, +p. 198 ff.</p> + +<p><i>In the King's retinue there were seven men</i>, etc. In the text +(<i>a</i>) of this saga printed in Rafn's edition (<i>Fornaldar Sögur</i>, +<span class="sc">i</span>, p. 462), there are said to be twelve men here. This is no +doubt the right figure, twelve being the regular number in +the judicial councils of the North, whether historical or +legendary. Thus, e.g. in the <i>Saga of Olaf the Holy</i> (<i>Heimskringla</i>), +ch. 96 we read of a council of twelve sages (<i>spekingar</i>), +whose duty it was to advise the Swedish king, especially in +the administration of justice. Similar councils existed in the +Danish settlements in England. Thus Lincoln and Stamford +had each a council of twelve (cf. Stubbs, <i>Const. Hist.</i>, <span class="sc">i</span>, +p. 106, and n. 4). We may compare the twelve priests who +officiated in the sacrifices at Mæren (cf. the <i>Saga of Olaf +the Holy, Heimskr</i>. ch. 115), and the story of the twelve gods +who were appointed by Othin as temple priests (<i>hof-goðar</i>) +to keep up the sacrifices and administer justice among men; +cf. <i>Ynglingasaga</i>, ch. 2 (<i>Hyndluljóð</i>, str. 30; <i>Gautrekssaga</i>, +ch. 7). In the Irish <i>Lay of Magnus Barelegs</i>, the Norwegians +are referred to as <i>Clann an dá ċo<span style="font-size: 0.9em;">ṁ</span>airleaċ déag</i> ('children or +clan of the twelve councillors'). Cf. <i>Laoi<span style="font-size: 0.9em;">ḋ</span> Maġnius Moir</i> +(<i>Reliques of Irish Poetry</i>, by Charlotte Brooke, Dublin +1789, p. 274).</p> + +<p><i>King Heithrek worshipped Frey.</i> One text quoted by Rafn +(<i>Verelius</i>) has <i>Freyja</i> for <i>Frey</i>. The boar appears in stories +relating to both these deities, e.g. <i>Gylfaginning</i>, ch. 49; +<i>Skáldskaparmál</i>, ch. 35; <i>Hyndlulióð</i>, str. 5, 7.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page240" id="page240"></a>[pg 240]</span> + +<a name="nhh11" id="nhh11"></a> +<p class="indent">XI.<a href="#hh11"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>I</i> <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'w uld'"><i>would</i></ins> <i>that I had that</i>, etc. On these riddles see +Heusler, <i>Eddica Minora</i>, p. xc ff.; 'Diealtnordischen Rätsel' in +<i>Zeitschrift des Vereins für Volkskunde</i>, <span class="sc">xi</span>, p. 117 ff.; Tupper, +<i>Modern Language Notes</i>, 18, p. 103; <i>The Riddles of the +Exeter Book</i>, p. lii, etc. In the original the riddles are all in +verse, while the King's answers, except the refrain with which +they begin ("Your riddle is a good one," etc.) are in prose.</p> + +<p><i>You went over a bridge</i>, etc. The metrical text given by +Rafn (<i>Fornaldar Sögur</i>, <span class="sc">i</span>, p. 466), has: "A bird flew above +thee, a fish swam beneath thee, thou did'st go over a bridge." +The prose text given on the same page has: "Thou did'st +go over a bridge, and the course of the river was beneath thee, +but birds were flying over thy head and on both sides of thee, +and that was their road."</p> + +<p><i>Delling's doorway.</i> Delling (perhaps from an obsolete word +<i>dallr</i>, 'bright, shining') is mentioned in <i>Vafþrúþnismál</i>, +str. 25, as the 'father of Day.' Possibly he may originally +have been a personification of day itself. The expression +"before Delling's doorway" occurs also in <i>Hávamál</i>, str. 160, +where it has been thought to mean 'at sunrise.' See also the +genealogy in <i>Hversu Noregr Bygðist</i>, ch. <span class="sc">i</span> (<i>Fornaldar +Sögur</i>, +<span class="sc">ii</span>, p. 6), where a certain Svanhild is said to be the daughter of +Day, the son of Delling, and of Sól (i.e. the sun), the daughter +of Mundilfari (cf. <i>Gylfaginning</i>, ch. <span class="sc">ii</span>).</p> + +<p><i>Wolves are always struggling for it.</i> See <i>Gylfaginning</i>, +ch. 12 (from <i>Grímnismál</i>, str. 39).</p> + +<p><i>He who made it</i>, etc. I have followed Heusler's reading +and read <i>er</i> for <i>ker</i> and <i>þó</i> or <i>sjá</i> for <i>þá</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Laying their eggs.</i> For <i>verja</i> read <i>verpa</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Have no husbands.</i> For <i>eigu</i>, read <i>eigut</i>, as on p. 121.</p> + +<p><i>Game of chess.</i> The text has <i>hneftafl</i>, i.e. a game having +certain features in common with chess which was played in +Iceland till the introduction of the latter, probably in the +thirteenth century. Game-pieces have been discovered in +Iceland which were probably used for this game. Some are +plain and hemispherical in shape, others are shaped with a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page241" id="page241"></a>[pg 241]</span> +man's head or a dog's head. For a full and interesting description +of <i>hneftafl</i> see H. J. R. Murray, <i>A History of Chess</i>, +Oxford, 1913, Appendix I, 'Chess in Iceland,' pp. 443-446.</p> + +<p><i>Ægis meyjar.</i> Ægir or Hlér, the husband of Rann, is +a personification of the sea; but the kennings 'Ægir's +daughters,' 'Ægir's steed,' etc. for 'billows' are common in +poetry. See <i>Helgakviða Hundingsbana</i> <span class="sc">ii</span>, str. 29, and +<i>Bragar-ræður</i>, +ch. 55 (included in Brodeur's translation of the <i>Prose +Edda</i> as <i>Skáldskaparmál</i>, ch. <span class="sc">i</span>).</p> + +<p><i>Reefs.</i> For <i>brimserkum</i>, read <i>brimskerjum</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Ocean-path.</i> For <i>brim-reiðar</i>, read <i>brim-leiðar</i>. The +passage is possibly corrupt.</p> + +<p><i>That is the hunn.</i> This stanza is difficult to interpret as +we have no clear information as to the character of the game. +It would seem that like the game of the Welsh <i>tawlbwrdd</i>, +it was played between sides composed, the one of sixteen +'fair' (white) men, the other of a King (called <i>hnefa</i> or <i>hunn</i>) +and eight 'dark' (black) men. Cf. note to <i>Game of Chess</i> +above. See also Murray, <i>A History of Chess</i>, Oxford 1913, +Appendix I, 'Chess in Iceland,' pp. 443-446.</p> + +<p><i>Four walking</i>, etc. This riddle is found in a form almost +identical with our text in Jakobsen's <i>Dialect and Place +Names of Shetland</i> (Lerwick, 1897), p. 53. The 'sow' is +also found in the <i>Exeter Book</i>, while 'the waves,' 'the +anchor' and 'hailstones' have certain affinities with the AS. +riddles.</p> + +<p><i>King Itrek's Game.</i> The reference here seems to be to a +game something like chess. The text (R) given by Heusler in +his edition of the <i>Eddica Minora</i>, p. 118, reads: "That is +Itrek and Andath when they sit at their game."</p> + +<p><i>Dead men</i>, etc. In this strophe there seems to be an +elaborate play on words. The phrase 'dead men' (<i>dauðar +menn</i>) seems to be a disguise for <i>val</i> which means 'the slain' +as well as 'hawk.' So also 'channel of blood' seems to be a +disguise for <i>æði</i> which means 'vein' as well as 'eider-duck.'</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page242" id="page242"></a>[pg 242]</span> + +<p><i>Sleipnir.</i> Othin's eight-footed horse. Cf. especially <i>Gylfaginning</i>, +ch. 42.</p> + +<p><i>Tell me lastly</i>, etc. In <i>Vafþrúþnismál</i>, str. 54, Othin makes +himself known to Vafþrúþnir by the same question.</p> + +<a name="nhh12" id="nhh12"></a> +<p class="indent">XII.<a href="#hh12"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>This pike</i>, etc. This verse is generally supposed to +come from a lost poem on Heithrek.</p> + +<p><i>Mountains of Harvathi.</i> It is thought that <i>Harvathi</i> may +be the early Teutonic name for the Carpathians—a reminiscence +of Gothic times.</p> + +<p><i>Humli and Hlöth.</i> These names may be compared with +<i>Humblus</i> and <i>Lotherus</i>, two sons of Dan, the first kings +mentioned in Saxo Grammaticus, <i>Dan. Hist.</i>, p. 1. For the +name <i>Hlöð</i> cf. also note to ch. 7, p. 238.</p> + +<p><i>Poem.</i> For this poem on the battle between the Goths and +the Huns, see Heusler, <i>Eddica Minora</i>, p. vii ff., and notes. +In part at least it appears to be very old.</p> + +<p><i>Myrkvith.</i> The forest <i>Myrkvith</i> is mentioned also in +<i>Atlakviða</i>, str. 3, 5, and 13; and in <i>Helgakviða Hundingsbana</i>, +<span class="sc">i</span>, str. 53.</p> + +<p><i>Pillar</i>, lit. 'stone.' I do not know what is meant. Possibly +<i>Guðrúnarkviða</i> <span class="sc">iii</span>, str. 3 may be compared.</p> + +<p><i>Danaper's Shore.</i> <i>Danpr</i> is treated as a personal name in +<i>Rígsþula</i>, str. 49, but it is more likely to have been originally +the name of the River Dnieper (mentioned by Jordanes, <i>The +Origins and Deeds of the Goths</i>, ch. 5, 52, as <i>Danaper</i>), which +was within the territories of the Goths in the fourth century.</p> + +<a name="nhh13" id="nhh13"></a> +<p class="indent">XIII.<a href="#hh13"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Gizur.</i> There appear to be reminiscences of this +story in Saxo, Book V, e.g. in regard to the numbering of the +Hunnish forces. <i>Gizur</i> seems to correspond to Eric in Saxo +p. 190 f. It has been suggested that he is Othin in disguise.</p> + +<p><i>Hazle stakes.</i> Cf. the <i>Tháttr of Nornagest</i>, ch. 7 (note).</p> + +<a name="nhh14" id="nhh14"></a> +<p class="indent">XIV.<a href="#hh14"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>They rode forthwith ... against the Huns.</i> It has been +suggested by Heinzel that this battle between the Goths and +the Huns was the great battle fought on the Catalaunian Plain +in 451 <span class="sc">a.d.</span>; but the passage in <i>Widsið</i> cited on p. 238 +points rather to Poland.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page243" id="page243"></a>[pg 243]</span> + +<p><i>Drew ... lips</i>, lit. 'drew back his moustache.'</p> + +<p><i>Dunheith</i> and the other place names are unknown.</p> + +<a name="nhh15" id="nhh15"></a> +<p class="indent">XV.<a href="#hh15"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>The Goths were defending</i>, etc. Cf. <i>Widsiþ</i>, l. 121 ff.</p> + +<a name="nhh16" id="nhh16"></a> +<p class="indent">XVI.<a href="#hh16"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Ivar Vithfathmi.</i> For Ivar Vithfathmi and his +family, see <i>Ynglingasaga</i>, chs. 44, 45, and the first fragment of +<i>Skjöldunga Saga</i> (printed in the <i>Fornaldar Sögur</i>, <span class="sc">i</span>, p. +285 ff.), chs. 1-3.</p> + +<p><i>Harold Hilditönn.</i> The fullest account of Harold Hilditönn +is that given by Saxo Grammaticus, <i>Dan. Hist.</i>, p. 296 ff. +See also the fragments of the <i>Skjöldunga Saga</i>, ch. 4 ff.</p> + +<p><i>Gautland</i>, i.e. the Land of the <i>Geatas</i> in <i>Beowulf</i>, the +modern Götaland (whether Vestergötland or Östergötland or +both), comprising roughly speaking the southern portions of +Sweden, exclusive of the Danish districts (Skaane etc).</p> + +<p><i>Harold of the Red Moustache.</i> He was King of Agthir. +A daughter of his, also called Ása, was married to Guthröth, +King of Vestfold—the <i>Godefridus</i> who fought against +Charlemagne and died in 810. See <i>Ynglingasaga</i>, ch. 53. +Their son was Hálfdan the Black, the father of Harold the +Fairhaired.</p> + +<p><i>Sigurth Hring.</i> See the <i>Tháttr of Nornagest</i>, ch. 7 and note.</p> + +<p><i>Battle of Brávöll.</i> The chief accounts of this battle are to +be found in the second fragment of the <i>Skjöldunga Saga</i>, +ch. 8 f. (see above); and in Saxo Grammaticus, <i>Dan. Hist.</i>, +pp. 309 ff.</p> + +<p><i>The Sons of King Ragnar.</i> For Ragnar Lothbrók and +his sons, see the <i>Tháttr of Nornagest</i>, ch. 9 and note.</p> + +<p><i>A sea-king.</i> Cf. the <i>Saga of Olaf the Holy (Heimskringla)</i>, ch. 4.</p> + +<p><i>The Sons of Eric Björnson were Önund and Björn.</i> These +are probably to be identified with the Swedish kings Bern +and Anoundus mentioned in Rembertus' <i>Life of St. Ansgar</i>, +chs. 11 and 19, in connection with the saint's missionary visits +to Sweden (<i>c.</i> 830).</p> + +<p><i>Bragi Skald</i> was the great grandfather of Arinbjörn the +friend of Egil Skallagrímsson. In the <i>Saga of Egil Skallagrímsson</i>, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page244" id="page244"></a>[pg 244]</span> +ch. 59, he is said to have saved his life by composing +in one night a poem in honour of King Björn. Some fragments +of his poems have been preserved—the earliest datable +Norse poems which have come down to us.</p> + +<p><i>King Harold the Fairhaired.</i> See the <i>Tháttr of Nornagest</i>, +ch. 10, and note.</p> + +<p><i>Eric the Victorious.</i> The battle won by Eric the Victorious +over Styrbjörn at Fyrisvellir seems to have taken place +between 980 and 985. Several Runic inscriptions contain +references to it. The statement that Harold the Fairhaired +died in Eric's time can hardly be correct; for Harold is +believed to have died in 933.</p> + +<p><i>Fyrisvellir</i>, on the banks of the Fyriså, close to the site of +the modern town of Upsala.</p> + +<p><i>Olaf the Swede.</i> The traditional date of his conversion is +1008.</p> + +<p><i>Olaf the Saint</i>, ex-King of Norway, whence he had been +expelled in 1028, was killed at the Battle of Stiklestad in 1030 +in an attempt to recover the throne.</p> + +<p><i>He tried to put an end to</i>, etc. An interesting account of +the heathen ceremonies of the Swedes, dating from shortly +after the middle of the eleventh century, is given by Adam +of Bremen in his <i>History of the Church of Hamburg</i>, Book <span class="sc">iv</span>., +ch. 26 f.</p> + +<p><i>The sacred tree.</i> The sacrificial tree in question is presumably +that mentioned in schol. 134 to Adam of Bremen as +standing beside the great temple of Upsala.</p> + +<p><i>Eymund</i>, <i>c.</i> 1050-<i>c.</i> 1060.</p> + +<p><i>Steinkel</i>, 1060-1066.</p> + +<p><i>Haakon the Red</i>, 1066-1079?</p> + +<p><i>Ingi I</i>, d. <i>c.</i> 1110. He, Hallstein and Blótsvein were all +reigning in 1081.</p> + +<p><i>Philippus</i>, d. 1118.</p> + +<p><i>Ingi II</i>, d. 1125.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page245" id="page245"></a>[pg 245]</span> + +<a name="ngi" id="ngi"></a> +<h4 style="margin-top: 3em;">GRIPLUR I<a href="#gi"><sub>°</sub></a></h4> + +<a name="ngi10" id="ngi10"></a> +<p class="indent">10.<a href="#gi10"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Gnoth-Ásmund</i>, etc. For notes on people mentioned in +the <i>Gríplur</i>, see notes to the <i>Saga of Hromund Greipsson</i>, +p. 231 ff. above.</p> + +<a name="ngi13" id="ngi13"></a> +<p class="indent">13.<a href="#gi13"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Draupnir's beautiful blood</i>, a <i>kenning</i> for 'gold rings.' +Draupnir was the name of Othin's ring which was made by +the smith Eitri and sent to Othin by his brother Brokk. Its +special value lay in the fact that every ninth night, eight gold +rings dropped from it. Cf. <i>Skáldskaparmál</i>, ch. 35. Cf. also +<i>Völuspá</i>, str. 15, where Draupnir is mentioned in the list of +dwarfs.</p> + +<a name="nfbn" id="nfbn"></a> +<h4 style="margin-top: 3em;">THE FAROESE BALLAD OF NORNAGEST<a href="#fbn"><sub>°</sub></a></h4> + +<p class="indent"><i>Refrain.</i> According to Lyngbye the refrain should be:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p><i>You dare not give counsel in trouble</i>, etc.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p class="indent">Others have it</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p><i>Let them have help in trouble.</i></p> + </div> </div> + +<p class="indent">Schrøter took down the first two verses as follows:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>A ballad there is of Nornagest,—</p> +<p class="i4"><i>You dare not give counsel in trouble</i>—</p> +<p>In manly virtues among the best.—</p> +<p class="i4"><i>Let every lad do so!</i></p> +<p>Twelve oxen were led to the Market Square,</p> +<p>And onward thence to a castle fair.—</p> +<p class="i4"><i>Grani bore gold from the heath.</i></p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>The King he thought to hew them to earth,—</p> +<p class="i4"><i>You dare not give counsel in trouble</i>—</p> +<p>With courage and joy does he sally forth,—</p> +<p class="i4"><i>Let every lad do so!</i></p> +<p>The King he struck such a mighty blow,</p> +<p>That the blood from the wounds did swiftly flow.</p> +<p class="i4"><i>Grani bore gold from the heath.</i></p> + </div> </div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page246" id="page246"></a>[pg 246]</span> + +<a name="nfbn10" id="nfbn10"></a> +<p class="indent">10.<a href="#fbn10"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>The mightiest champion</i>, etc. In Lyngbye's version 10 +and 11 are transposed. Hammershaimb's is no doubt the +correct order.</p> +<a name="nfbn15" id="nfbn15"></a> +<p class="indent">15.<a href="#fbn15"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Was Högni</i>, etc. Lyngbye here inserts a stanza:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Högni was a mighty man:</p> +<p>Swarthy of hue was he as I ween.</p> + </div> </div> + +<a name="nfbn16" id="nfbn16"></a> +<p class="indent">16.<a href="#fbn16"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Rich, brave</i>, etc. The Suderø version of the ballad +here substitutes at the beginning of the line: "They were +old and grey."</p> + +<a name="nfbn31" id="nfbn31"></a> +<p class="indent">31.<a href="#fbn31"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>The saddle-buckle</i>, etc. In Lyngbye's version of the +<i>Ballad of Regin the Smith</i>, v. 131 (omitted by Hammershaimb) +the following stanza is found:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>[Grani] sprang across the pool</p> +<p class="i2">And his saddle-buckle brake.</p> +<p>And as I ween that saddle-buckle</p> +<p class="i2">Nornagest did take.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>In the <i>Ballad of Regin the Smith</i> we are told that the +accident to Grani occurred when Sigurth was on his way +home from Gnítaheið after slaying Fafnir. Grani was +heavily laden with treasure and Sigurth also was mounted on +him, so that the accident there appears perfectly natural.</p> + +<p class="indent"><i>In days</i>, etc. So Hammershaimb. Lyngbye has:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>In days gone by full far have I strayed</p> +<p>In search of my candle and span of days.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p class="indent"><i>In the land.</i> Here Lyngbye has:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>In the Land of the Franks is a lake broad and wide:</p> +<p>O there does my span of life abide.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>O there does my span of life abide:</p> +<p>And so for long I have wandered far and wide.</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>But he adds a version corresponding to Hammershaimb's in +a footnote and states that it is frequently sung so.</p> + +<a name="nfbn42" id="nfbn42"></a> +<p class="indent">42.<a href="#fbn42"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>The courteous man.</i> According to Lyngbye, by a +'courteous man,' the Faroese mean a <i>Scotsman</i> and says that +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page247" id="page247"></a>[pg 247]</span> +the origin of the word (<i>kurtis</i>) is unknown. It is of course the +same as the Icelandic <i>kurteis</i> which is a French loan-word.</p> + +<p>According to Lyngbye it was still part of popular Faroese +legend in his day that Nornagest kept his candle in a little +leaden casket which was sunk in a lake. Lyngbye says that +Nornagest was regarded as the 'Nestor' of the Faroes, +which is quite in accordance both with his "three hundred +years" mentioned in the saga, and with the unusually long +span of life often associated with the External Soul of folklore.</p> + +<a name="nbha" id="nbha"></a> +<h4 style="margin-top: 3em;">THE BALLAD OF HJALMAR AND ANGANTYR<a href="#bha"><sub>°</sub></a></h4> + +<p class="indent">1. <i>In a high oak-tree.</i> In the version of this ballad obtained +by Hammershaimb at Sumbø the first line runs 'A man +there lived on (lit. 'in') an island high,' whereas in the <i>Ballad +of Arngrim's Sons</i>, v. 3, we are told that Arngrim and his +sons lived 'under' an oak. Possibly the first line of our text +is a confusion of these two versions. The error is made more +comprehensible by the fact that there are no trees on the +Faroes, and so the phrase must have been a meaningless jingle +of words to the singers.</p> + +<p><i>Arngrim's sons from Africa.</i> The text has 'Arngrim's sons +from Bláland,' by which the Faroese ballads and the <i>Fornaldar +Sögur</i> generally mean Africa. Here, however, we +should more naturally have expected 'Norway,' and it is +very probable that, as Hammershaimb suggests, we here have +the refrain in a corrupt form as so often happens. Probably +'from Bláland' (<i>af Blálandum</i>) should be 'from Bólmland' +(af <i>Bólmlandi</i>), i.e. from the Island of Bólm, but the Faroese +may have substituted the more familiar name for that of the +island with which they were unacquainted.</p> + +<a name="nbha2" id="nbha2"></a> +<p class="indent">2.<a href="#bha2"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>The champions Hjalmar</i>, etc. The Sumbø version has:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>He has eleven sons so dear;</p> +<p>The twelfth is the warrior Angantyr,</p> + </div> </div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page248" id="page248"></a>[pg 248]</span> +<p>and also inserts immediately following a verse giving reasons +for the voyage:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>News then came to Angantyr</p> +<p>That a man there was had a daughter fair.</p> + </div> </div> + +<a name="nbha4" id="nbha4"></a> +<p class="indent">4.<a href="#bha4"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>They hoisted their sail</i>, etc. Cf. <i>Sigmundar Kvæði</i>, +str. 13, 28, 48.</p> + +<a name="nbha5" id="nbha5"></a> +<p class="indent">5.<a href="#bha5"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Their anchor they cast</i>, etc. Cf. <i>Magna Dans</i> (<i>Icelandic +Fornkvæði</i>) v. 3, with which this is practically identical.</p> + +<a name="nbha6" id="nbha6"></a> +<p class="indent">6.<a href="#bha6"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Angantyr eagerly</i>, etc. The lit. transl. of the text is 'Angantyr +was the first to step,' etc.; but the following v. has +'Hjalmar was the first to step!' The Sumbø version, which +is undoubtedly better here, has</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p><i>Angantyr loypur so tungliga á land</i></p> +<p>Angantyr leapt so heavily to land,</p> + </div> </div> + +<p>instead of</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p><i>Fyrstur steig Angantýr fótum á land</i></p> +<p>Angantyr was the first to step with his feet to land.</p> + </div> </div> + + <a name="nbha10" id="nbha10"></a> +<p class="indent">10.<a href="#bha10"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Here sittest thou</i>, etc. In the Sumbø version, Hjalmar's +request is not recorded. The repetition of Angantyr's request +in our text, if it has any significance at all, implies that both +Hjalmar and Angantyr made the proposal.</p> + +<a name="nbha18" id="nbha18"></a> +<p class="indent">18.<a href="#bha18"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>O franklin, lend me</i>, etc. The Sumbø version here +inserts an additional verse.</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Angantyr is so vile a troll,</p> +<p>So are his kinsfolk and followers all.</p> + </div> </div> + +<a name="nbha19" id="nbha19"></a> +<p class="indent">19.<a href="#bha19"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Forth of the hall.</i> In the Sumbø version the fight took +place outside the hall, and only Angantyr is credited with the +troll-like bellowing. Indeed one feels throughout the Sumbø +version a more clearly defined hostility to Angantyr on the +part of the balladist, whereas the Westmanhavn version is +more detached in its attitude.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page249" id="page249"></a>[pg 249]</span> + +<a name="ndbah" id="ndbah"></a> +<h4 style="margin-top: 3em;">THE DANISH BALLAD OF ANGELFYR AND HELMER<a href="#dbah"><sub>°</sub></a></h4> + +<p class="indent">1. <i>Offue he dwelt in Uthiss-kier</i>, so <span class="sc">ms</span>. A. <span class="sc">ms</span>. B has +"<i>Alff ... Odderskier</i>." <span class="sc">ms</span>. C. has "<i>Ulff ... Oderskier</i>." +<span class="sc">ms</span>. D +has "<i>Alff ... Odderskiær</i>." Axel Olrik, however, in the version +which he prints in <i>Danske Folkeviser i Udvalg</i>, p. 105 f. has +"Alf ... Odderskær." He explains (Introduction, p. 78) Alf to +be 'a combination of Arngrim the father of the berserks and +Hjalmar's foster-brother Örvarodd.'</p> + +<a name="ndbah7" id="ndbah7"></a> +<p class="indent">7.<a href="#dbah7"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Gold shone on his hand.</i> The phrase is not quite clear. It +may possibly refer to some personal ornament, but in view +of the following line, would seem more probably to indicate +that Angelfyr offered money to the King of Upsala.</p> +<a name="ndbah11" id="ndbah11"></a> +<p class="indent">11.<a href="#dbah11"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>He is half a troll</i>, So A, which is in accordance with +Angelfyr's ancestry as told in the <i>Saga of Hervör and Heithrek</i>, +ch. <span class="sc">i</span>. B and D, however, like the Faroese, have 'He is so +vile a troll.' A gives little sense, considering the second half +of the verse, and the whole becomes a meaningless formula in +all the versions in which Angantyr and Hjalmar are described +as brothers.</p> +<a name="ndbah18" id="ndbah18"></a> +<p class="indent">18.<a href="#dbah18"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Whom he himself will have.</i> Possibly <i>han</i>, 'he,' is a +misprint for <i>hón</i>, 'she,' which is what we should expect. +Cf. the <i>Saga of Hervör and Heithrek</i>, ch. 3. One hardly +expects a cynical touch like this in an authentic ballad. But +the whole of the latter part of B may be a later version than +the original.</p> + +<a name="nfbas" id="nfbas"></a> +<h4 style="margin-top: 3em;">THE FAROESE BALLAD OF ARNGRIM'S SONS<a href="#fbas"><sub>°</sub></a></h4> + +<p class="indent"><i>Refrain.</i> I have adopted the refrain given in Hammershaimb's +version of the Ballad, taken down on Sandø in 1848 +and published in the <i>Antiq. Tídss.</i>, 1849-1851, rather than +Svabo's version which he afterwards adopted, but which is +very obscure and possibly corrupt.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page250" id="page250"></a>[pg 250]</span> + +<a name="nfbas2" id="nfbas2"></a> +<p class="indent">2.<a href="#fbas2"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Bjarnaland</i>, so sing the Faroese according to both Svabo +and Hammershaimb. By <i>Bjarnaland</i> they mean Norway. +Contrast, however, the <i>Saga of Hervör and Heithrek</i>, ch. 2, +where we are distinctly told that Angantyr's mother was +Eyfura who had been carried off by Arngrim from <i>Bjarmaland</i> +(i.e. the land of the Perms) where her father was king. See +also the note on this passage. The Faroese have no doubt +confused the unfamiliar name with one more familiar to +themselves.</p> + +<a name="nfbas3" id="nfbas3"></a> +<p class="indent">3.<a href="#fbas3"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Beneath oak trees live they</i>—a common ballad formula +with no real significance. It is interesting, however, as a touch +indicating the literary origin of this and other stories told in +the Faroese ballads. As has been remarked (see p. 247 above) +there are no trees on the Faroes. On the other hand farm +houses in Scandinavian lands stand frequently beneath the +shadow of a large oak. For a discussion of this subject, see +Chadwick, <i>Cult of Othin</i> (Cambridge, 1899), p. 72 ff. +Compare the Scottish Ballad of <i>Rose the Red and White Lily</i>, +v. 38:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Then out and spak' the King again,</p> +<p class="i2">Says, "Bonny boy, tell to me</p> +<p>Who lives into yon bigly bow'r,</p> +<p class="i2">Stands by yon green oak-tree?"</p> + </div> </div> + +<a name="nfbas4" id="nfbas4"></a> +<p class="indent">4.<a href="#fbas4"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Arngrim and the Earl's lady</i>, etc. So Svabo. In Hammershaimb's +version (<i>Antiq. Tídss.</i> 1849-1851) she is described as +the daughter of Angantyr.</p> + +<a name="nfbas7" id="nfbas7"></a> +<p class="indent">7.<a href="#fbas7"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Better than fighting</i>, etc. The incident of a <i>boy</i> playing +too roughly with his companions and being told by them to go +and avenge his father instead of maltreating them is very +widespread. Prof. Ker notes its occurrence (<i>On the History +of the Ballads</i> 1100-1500, p. 194) in the Irish Romance of +Maelduin, in four Norwegian, five Faroese, two or three +Danish ballads, in a Literary History of the Arabs and in +New Guinea.</p> + +<a name="nfbas8" id="nfbas8"></a> +<p class="indent">8.<a href="#fbas8"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Water she cast</i>, etc. The passage is obscure. It is not +clear if Hervik had actually been fighting with the 'lads,' so +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page251" id="page251"></a>[pg 251]</span> +that the cleansing of her armour was an actual necessity; or if +she had only been playing rather roughly. <i>Leika</i> can mean +both 'to play' and 'to fight'; and <i>leikvöllr</i> may mean both a +'playground' and a 'battlefield.' If Hervik had only been +playing, the throwing of the water on the armour was possibly +a rite performed before undertaking vengeance.</p> + +<a name="nfbas9" id="nfbas9"></a> +<p class="indent">9.<a href="#fbas9"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Die on straw.</i> To 'die on straw' is the regular idiom in +Faroese and Icelandic for to 'die in one's bed,' of old age or +sickness, as opposed to death by the sword.</p> + +<a name="nfbas10" id="nfbas10"></a> +<p class="indent">10.<a href="#fbas10"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Isan's Grove.</i> Hammershaimb suggests that by <i>Isan's +Land</i> here and in vv. 20 and 21 below the Faroese mean +<i>Samsø</i>. On the other hand there was a forest in Holstein in +ancient times called <i>Isarnho</i>, and some such name may possibly +be preserved here. There was a King <i>Isung</i> mentioned in the +Danish Ballad <i>De vare syv og syvsindstyve</i>, as an opponent of +King <i>Didrik</i>; but it is improbable that his land is here indicated.</p> + +<a name="nfbas13" id="nfbas13"></a> +<p class="indent">13.<a href="#fbas13"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>She drew a shirt from out the chest</i>, etc.—a common +ballad motif. A verse almost identical with this is to be found +in the <i>Kvæði of Regin the Smith</i>, v. 47.</p> + +<a name="nfbas14" id="nfbas14"></a> +<p class="indent">14.<a href="#fbas14"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Up then rose Hervik</i>, etc. vv. 14, 15, 16 and 20 are +identical with vv. 12-16 (inclusive) of <i>Olufu Kvæði</i>, the +only change being that 'Hugin the King' takes the place of +'Hervik the Earl's daughter.' They are practically identical +too with the <i>Kvæði of the Jómsvíkingar</i>, vv. 6-8 (inclusive). +Cf. also <i>Sjurðar Kvæði</i> (<span class="sc">iii</span> <i>Högna Táttur</i>, vv. 46-49), +and <i>Ragnarlikkja</i>, vv. 40-48.</p> + +<a name="nfbas20" id="nfbas20"></a> +<p class="indent">20.<a href="#fbas20"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Striped gold on a scarlet ground.</i> The text has <i>Gull við +reyðan brand</i>, which is probably a mishearing of the line +<i>Gull við reyðan rand</i> ('with a gold stripe on a red ground'). +Verse 39 of <i>Brúsajökils Kvæði</i> (which is otherwise identical +with the above) gives in the second line <i>Gull við ráum brann</i> +('gold blazed on the yardarms'). In Hammershaimb's version +of our ballad, vv. 10, 72, the line is <i>Gulli vovin við rand</i> +('woven with gold in stripes'), as also in v. 22 of the <i>Kvæði +of Ormar Torolvsson</i>. The line also occurs in the form <i>Gull +við vágum rann</i> ('the margin of the ship was gold down to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page252" id="page252"></a>[pg 252]</span> +where it touched the waves'). This is no doubt corrupt, but +it is difficult to conjecture as to which of all the variants was +the original form of the line.</p> + +<a name="nfbas23" id="nfbas23"></a> +<p class="indent">23.<a href="#fbas23"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Cast she down her anchor</i>, etc. vv. 23, 24 are the almost +invariable formula for the landing in the Faroese ballads. +They are practically identical with v. 46 of <i>Olufu Kvæði</i> +and vv. 24, 25 of the <i>Kvæði of Ormar Torolvsson</i>. Cf. also +<i>Sigmundar Kvæði</i>, v. 32; <i>Brúsajökils Kvæði</i>, v. 41 and the +<i>Kvæði of Alvur Kongur</i>, vv. 24-26 and <i>Sjurðar Kvæði</i> +(<i>Högna Táttur</i>, vv. 71-73).</p> + +<a name="nfbas25" id="nfbas25"></a> +<p class="indent">25.<a href="#fbas25"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Herd and fee.</i> Either the word <i>jæge</i> or the word <i>fæ</i> +seems to have an unusual sense here.</p> + +<a name="nfbas28" id="nfbas28"></a> +<p class="indent">28.<a href="#fbas28"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Though quake now fell and fold.</i> The original (<i>kyk gekk +jörð á fold</i>) is not clear. I have merely adopted Grundtvig's +translation of Hammershaimb's early text in the <i>Antiq. Tídss</i>. +1849-1851. The 1855 ed. substitutes <i>hon</i> for <i>jörð</i> which is +better.</p> + +<a name="nfbas35" id="nfbas35"></a> +<p class="indent">35.<a href="#fbas35"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>All in the middle</i>, etc. There is obviously a lacuna or +transference of some kind here. For this and the following +verses, cf. <i>Olufu Kvæði</i>, vv. 26, 27, which are identical except +the names. Indeed it is a common formula in the Faroese and +Danish Ballads, and occurs in the <i>Kvæði of Ormar Torolvsson</i>, +v. 26; and the <i>Kvæði of Alvur Kongur</i>, v. 33.</p> + +<a name="nfbas36" id="nfbas36"></a> +<p class="indent">36.<a href="#fbas36"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>A hundred men and five</i>—a stock number in the Faroese +ballads. Cf. the <i>Kvæði of Ormar Torolvsson</i>, v. 27, where +we are also told that the King sat at the board 'with a hundred +men and five.' Cf. also <i>Olufu Kvæði</i>, v. 27.</p> + +<a name="nfbas37" id="nfbas37"></a> +<p class="indent">37.<a href="#fbas37"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Mead or wine</i>, etc. Cf. <i>Sjurðar Kvæði</i> (<span class="sc">iii</span>, <i>Högna +Táttur</i>, v. 181).</p> + +<a name="nfbas52" id="nfbas52"></a> +<p class="indent">52.<a href="#fbas52"><sub>°</sub></a> Perhaps we should here again assume a lacuna or transposition.</p> + +<p><i>Uppland</i> is the old name for the modern province of +Upsala in Sweden.</p> + +<a name="nfbas60" id="nfbas60"></a> +<p class="indent">60.<a href="#fbas60"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Her cheeks they are as red and white</i>, etc. Cf. the <i>Kvæði +of Finnur hin Fríði</i>, v. 18. Cf. also the old Celtic romance of +the <i>Fate of the Sons of Usna</i>: "I should like," said Deirdre, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page253" id="page253"></a>[pg 253]</span> +"that he who is to be my husband should have these three +colours: his hair as black as the raven: his cheeks red as the +blood: his skin like the snow" (Joyce's translation). Cf. also +Grimm's story of <i>Little Snowdrop</i>.</p> + +<a name="nfbas68" id="nfbas68"></a> +<p class="indent">68.<a href="#fbas68"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Forth then when his frigate</i>, etc. vv. 68-84 are found +in almost identical form in <i>Olufu Kvæði</i>, vv. 22-35.</p> + +<a name="nfbas69" id="nfbas69"></a> +<p class="indent">69.<a href="#fbas69"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Angantyr was the first to light</i>, etc. A common ballad +formula, both Faroese and Danish.</p> + +<a name="nfbas88" id="nfbas88"></a> +<p class="indent">88.<a href="#fbas88"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>I would not that lady Ingibjörg hear</i>, etc. Lit. "the lady +Ingibjörg will learn that I fled." There is a suppressed condition. +"If I let you fight, the lady Ingibjörg would learn, etc." +Hammershaimb's text (<i>Antiq. Tídss.</i>) v. 37, has a negative and +no condition: "The lady Ingibjörg shall not learn," etc.</p> +<a name="nfbas97" id="nfbas97"></a> +<p class="indent">97.<a href="#fbas97"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>O Hjalmar, give me now a drink.</i> This incident appears +to be taken from <i>Gunnlaugs Saga</i>, ch. 12.</p> + +<a name="nfgr" id="nfgr"></a> +<h4 style="margin-top: 3em;">THE FAROESE GATU RIMA<a href="#fgr"><sub>°</sub></a></h4> +<a name="nfgr9" id="nfgr9"></a> +<p class="indent">9.<a href="#fgr9"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>Thunder is the red drum.</i> Probably <i>reyða</i> ('red') is a +printer's error for <i>reiða</i> ('angry'), though the same form +occurs also in the version of the ballad published in the <i>Antiquarisk +Tídsskrift</i>. In v. 16, however, we find <i>skarið</i> whereas +in v. 17 the word is written <i>skarðið</i>, the form used in both +verses in <i>Antiq. Tídss.</i>, and the two words are obviously +identical in both verses. Moreover in v. 21 <i>einir</i> ('own,' +'single') which gives little sense, is surely an error for +<i>eingir</i> ('no,' adj.) as in vv. 11, 17, 19. The negative is also +found in v. 21 in the version in the <i>Antiq. Tídss.</i>, in the form +<i>ei</i>, +'they have <i>not</i> fathers or mothers.' Indeed the entire ballad +would seem to be somewhat carelessly printed in <i>Færöiske +Kvæðer</i>.</p> + +<a name="nh" id="nh"></a> +<h4 style="margin-top: 3em;">HILDINA<a href="#h"><sub>°</sub></a></h4> +<a name="nh5" id="nh5"></a> +<p class="indent">5.<a href="#h5"><sub>°</sub></a> <i>St Magnus</i>, Earl of Orkney, 1108 to 1116. A +cathedral was built at Kirkwall in his honour by one of his +successors, Earl Ronald.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page254" id="page254"></a>[pg 254]</span> + +<h3 style="margin-top: 3em;">EDITIONS OF TEXTS USED FOR TRANSLATIONS</h3> + +<h3 style="margin-top: 3em;">PART I</h3> + +<blockquote><p> +<i>Fornaldar Sögur Norðrlanda</i>, ed. by C. C. Rafn, published at Copenhagen, +1829.</p> + +<p><i>Fornaldar Sögur Norðrlanda</i>, ed. by Valdimar Ásmundarson, published +by Sigurður Kristjánsson, Reykjavík, 1891-1911.</p> + +<p><i>Die Prosaische Edda im Auszuge nebst Völsungasaga und Nornageststháttr</i>, +ed. with introduction and glossary by Ernst Wilken, +Paderborn, 1877. 2nd ed., 1912.</p> + +<p><i>Sagaen om Hervar ok Kong Heiðrek</i>, ed. by N. N. Petersen and +published (together with a Danish translation by G. Thorarensen), +by the Norse Literature Society, Copenhagen, 1847. +</p></blockquote> + +<h3 style="margin-top: 3em;">PART II</h3> + +<blockquote><p> +<i>Færöiske Kvæðer henhørende til Hervarar Saga</i>, published by +V. U. Hammershaimb in the <i>Antiquarisk Tídsskrift</i>, 1849-1851, +Copenhagen, 1852.</p> + +<p><i>Færöiske Kvæðer</i>, published by V. U. Hammershaimb at Copenhagen, +Part I, 1851; Part II, 1855.</p> + +<p><i>Danmarks Gamle Folkeviser</i>, Vol. I, collected and edited by Svend +Grundtvig, 1853.</p> + +<p><i>Gríplur</i>, published in <i>Rímnasafn</i>, edited by Finnur Jónsson, Copenhagen, +1905-1912, p. 351 ff. +</p></blockquote> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page255" id="page255"></a>[pg 255]</span> + +<h3 style="margin-top: 3em;">NOTE: TRANSLATIONS</h3> + +<p>The following is a list of English translations of works +referred to in the notes of the present volume. It is not in the +nature of a bibliography; but for the convenience of English +readers, reference has been given, whenever English translations +are accessible, to the translations in preference to the +original work.</p> + +<blockquote><p> +<i>Corpus Poeticum Boreale</i>, 'The Poetry of the Old Northern Tongue +from the earliest times to the Thirteenth Century,' 2 Vols., +Vigfússon and Powell, Oxford, 1883.</p> + +<p><i>Five Pieces of Runic Poetry</i>, including <i>Hervör and Angantyr</i>, translated +into prose by Bishop Percy, 1763.</p> + +<p><i>Hickes's Thesaurus</i>, including <i>Hervör and Angantyr</i>, translated into +prose, Oxford, 1705.</p> + +<p><i>The Elder or Poetic Edda</i>, Part I, <i>The Mythological Poems</i>, translated +and edited by Olive Bray; printed for the Viking Club, 1908.</p> + +<p><i>The Edda of Sæmund</i>, translated by B. Thorpe, published by +Trübner and Co., London, 1866.</p> + +<p><i>The Prose Edda</i>, translated by A. G. Brodeur, New York, 1916.</p> + +<p>Saxo Grammaticus, <i>Danish History</i>, Books I-IX, translated from the +Latin by Professor Elton; published by D. Nutt, 1894 (the +numbers in the notes refer to the pages of the translation, and +not to the original Latin).</p> + +<p><i>The Heimskringla</i>, translated by W. Morris and E. Magnússon; +published by B. Quaritch in <i>The Saga Library</i>, 1889.</p> + +<p><i>The Saga of King Olaf Tryggwason</i>, translated by J. Sephton and +published by D. Nutt in <i>The Northern Library</i>, London 1895 +(different from <i>The Story of Olaf Tryggvison</i> contained in the +<i>Heimskringla</i>).</p> + +<p><i>Islands Landnámabók</i>—'The Book of the Settlement of Iceland,' +translated by T. Ellwood and published at Kendal, 1898.</p> + +<p><i>The Story of Egill Skallagrímsson</i>, translated by W. C. Green, +published by Elliot Stock, 1893.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page256" id="page256"></a>[pg 256]</span> + +<p><i>Grettissaga—The Story of Grettir the Strong</i>, translated by E. Magnússon +and W. Morris, published by Longmans, Green and Co. +(new edition), 1900. Also translated by G. A. Hight in Dent's +<i>Everyman</i> Series.</p> + +<p><i>Brennu Njálssaga—The Story of Burnt Njal</i>, translated by G. W. +Dasent; published by Edmonston and Douglas, Edinburgh +1861; republished by Dent in the <i>Everyman</i> Series.</p> + +<p><i>Three Northern Love Stories and other tales</i>, translated by E. Magnússon +and W. Morris. 2nd ed. 1901.</p> + +<p><i>Völsunga Saga—The Story of Sigurth the Völsung</i>, translated by +W. Morris and E. Magnússon; published by the 'Walter +Scott' Publishing Co. Ltd., London and Felling-on-Tyne.</p> + +<p><i>The Nibelungenlied—The Lay of the Nibelung Men</i>, translated into +verse by Arthur S. Way; published at the Cambridge University +Press, 1911. Also <i>The Lay of the Nibelungs</i>, translated into +prose by Alice Horton, and edited by Edward Bell; published +by George Bell and Sons, London, 1898. Also <i>The Fall of the +Nibelungs</i>, translated by M. Armour in Dent's <i>Everyman</i> +Series. +</p></blockquote> + +<p>A further list of English translations of sagas not referred to +in this book will be found in Craigie's <i>Icelandic Sagas</i>, ch. +<span class="sc">vii</span>, +p. 110. A list of foreign translations, especially translations into the +various Teutonic languages, will be found in <i>Islandica</i>, issued by +the Cornell University Library, Vol. <span class="sc">v</span>, compiled by Halldór +Hermansson, 1912, pp. 3-7 (general) and <i>passim</i>.</p> + +<h6>CAMBRIDGE: PRINTED BY J. B. PEACE, M.A., AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS</h6> + +<hr /> + +<table summary="tn" width="auto"> +<tr> + <td class="note"> +<a name="tn" id="tn"></a> +<h4>Transcriber's Note:</h4> + +<p>Throughout this book 'I' (Roman numeral 'one') has been used for '1' (one). +In the case of 'II' and 'III' it is not always clear whether the Author referred +to 2, or 11 (eleven); or 3, or 111 (one hundred and eleven). +(The number keys on some old typewriters only contained numerals 2 to 9. +Capital 'I' was used for '1', and capital 'O' for zero).</p> + +<p>Accents on proper names are not necessarily consistent throughout this Book.</p> + +<p>Errata:</p> +<p>Sundry missing or damaged punctuation has been repaired.</p> +<p>Text corrections are indicated, in the text, by a dotted line underneath the correction.</p> +<p style="margin-top:-1em;">Scroll the mouse over the word and the original text will <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'apprear'">appear</ins>.)</p> +<p>Text corrections are also listed below.</p> + +<p>Page 81: 'Hyndluljṓth' corrected to 'Hyndluljóth'. +Other occurence in this book: 'Hyndluljóth' (no macron); elsewhere: 'Hyndluljóð' (Wikipedia)"</p> + +<p>Page 180: 'bridal' corrected to 'bridle' ... "But Sigurth pulled hardest the +bridle rein."</p> + +<p>Page 240: 'wou d' corrected to 'would' - missing letter replaced: +"XI. <i>I would that I had that</i>, etc."</p> + +<a href="#note">Return to top</a> + +</td> +</tr> +</table> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Stories and Ballads of the Far Past, by +Nora Kershaw + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STORIES AND BALLADS *** + +***** This file should be named 33471-h.htm or 33471-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/3/4/7/33471/ + +Produced by Lesley Halamek, Ted Garvin and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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