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diff --git a/old/44430-h.htm.2021-01-25 b/old/44430-h.htm.2021-01-25 new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1ad38fa --- /dev/null +++ b/old/44430-h.htm.2021-01-25 @@ -0,0 +1,11559 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + Myths of the Rhine, by Prof. M. Schele de Vere, LL. D. + </title> + <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 100%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + .side { float: left; font-size: 75%; width: 25%; padding-left: 0.8em; + border-left: dashed thin; text-align: left; + text-indent: 0; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; + font-weight: bold; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: solid 1px;} + p.pfirst, p.noindent {text-indent: 0} + span.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.1em 0 0; line-height: 1 } + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Myths of the Rhine, by X. B. Saintine + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. 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: Myths of the Rhine + +Author: X. B. Saintine + +Illustrator: Gustave Doré + +Translator: M. Schele De Vere + +Release Date: December 14, 2013 [EBook #44430] +Last Updated: December 14, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MYTHS OF THE RHINE *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <div style="height: 8em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + MYTHS OF THE RHINE + </h1> + <h2> + Translated from the French of X. B. Saintine + </h2> + <h3> + By Prof. M. Schele De Vere, LL. D. + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h1> + Illustrated by Gustave Doré + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h5> + Scribner, Armstrong, and Company <br /> <br /> 1874 + </h5> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/009m.jpg" alt="009m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + <b>CONTENTS</b> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> DESCRIPTIVE TABLE OF CONTENTS. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_LIST"> LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> I. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> II. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> III. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0006"> IV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0007"> V. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0008"> VI. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0009"> VII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0010"> VIII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0011"> IX. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0012"> X. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0013"> XI. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0014"> XII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0015"> XIII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0016"> XIV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0017"> XV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0018"> XVI. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + DESCRIPTIVE TABLE OF CONTENTS. + </h2> + <h3> + I. + </h3> + <p> + Primitive Times.—The First Settlers on the Rhine.—Masters + going to School.—Sanskrit and Breton.—An Idle God.—Microscopic + Deities.—Tree Worship.—Birth-Trees and Death-Trees..<a + href="#link003">...003</a> + </p> + <h3> + II. + </h3> + <p> + The Druids and their Creed.—Esus.—The Holy Oak.—The + Pforzheim Lime Tree.—A Rival Plant.—The Mistletoe and the + Anguinufh.—The Oracle at Do-dona.—Immaculate Horses.—The + Druidesses.—A late Elector.—Philanthropic Institution of Human + Sacrifices.—Second Druidical. Epoch..<a href="#link027">...027</a> + </p> + <h3> + III. + </h3> + <p> + A Visit to the Land of our Forefathers.—The Two Banks of the Rhine.—Druid + Stones.—Weddings and Burials.—Night Service.—A Demigod + Glacier.—Social Duels.—A Countrywoman of Aspasia.—Boudoir + of a Celtic Lady.—The Bard’s Story.—Teutons and Titans.—Earthquake..<a + href="#link055">...055</a> + </p> + <h3> + IV. + </h3> + <p> + The Roman Gods invade Germany.—Drusus and the Dru-idess.—Ogmius, + the Hercules of Gaul.—Great Philological Discovery concerning + Tentâtes.—Transformations of every kind.—Irmensul.—The + Rhine deified.—The Gods cross the River.—Druids of the Third + Epoch..<a href="#link091">...091</a> + </p> + <h3> + V. + </h3> + <p> + The World before and since Odin.—Birth of Ymer.—The Giants of + the Frost.—A Log split in Two.—The First Man and the First + Woman.—The Ash Ygdrasil and its Menagerie.—Thor’s Three + Jewels.—Freyr’s Enchanted Sword.—A Souvenir of the + National Guard of Belleville.—The Story of Kvasir and the Two + Dwarfs.—Honey and Blood.—Invocation..<a href="#link121">...121</a> + </p> + <h3> + VI. + </h3> + <p> + Short Biographies.—A Clairvoyant among the Gods.—A Bright God.—Tyr + and the Wolf Fenris.—The Hospital at the Walhalla.—Why was + Odin one-eyed.—The Three Norns.—Mimer the Sage.—A + Goddess the Mother of Four Oxen.—The Love Affairs of Heimdall—The + God with the Golden Teeth..<a href="#link153">...153</a> + </p> + <h3> + VII. + </h3> + <p> + Heaven and Hell.—The Valkyrias.—Amusements in Walhalla.—Pork + and Wild Boar.—A Frozen Hell.—Balder’s Death.—Frigg’s + Devotion.—The Iron Tree Forest.—The Twilight of the Gods.—Iduna’s + Apples.—The Fall of Heaven and the End of the World.—Reflections + on that Event.—The Little Fellow still alive..<a href="#link175">...175</a> + </p> + <h3> + VIII. + </h3> + <p> + How the Gods of India live only for a Kalpa, that is, for the Time between + one World and another.—How the God Vishnu was One-eyed.—How + Celts and Scandinavians believed in Metempsychosis, like the Indians.—How + Odin, with his Emanations, came forth from the God Buddha.—About + Mahabarata and Ramavana.—Chronology.—The World’s Age.—Comparative + Tables.—Quotations.—Supporting Evidence.—A Cenotaph..<a + href="#link211">...211</a> + </p> + <h3> + IX. + </h3> + <p> + Confederation of all the Northern Gods.—Freedom of Religion.—Christianity.—Miserere + mei!—Homeric Enumeration.—Prussian, Slavic, and Finnish + Deities.—The God of Cherries and the God of Bees.—A Silver + Woman.—Ilmarinnen’s Wedding Song.—A Skeleton God.—Yaga-Baba’s + Pestle and Mortar.—Preparation for Battle.—The Little Chapel + on the Hill.—The Signal for the Attack.—Jesus and Mary..<a + href="#link217">...217</a> + </p> + <h3> + X. + </h3> + <p> + Marietta and the Sweet-briar.—Esus and Jesus.—Amalgam.—A + Neophyte.—Prohibition to eat Horseflesh.—Bishops in Arms.—Interruption.—Come + Home, my Good Friend!—Prussia and the Myths of the Middle Ages.—Tybilinus, + the Black God.—The little Blue Flower..<a href="#link245">...245</a> + </p> + <h3> + XI. + </h3> + <p> + Elementary Spirits of Air, Fire, and Water.—Sylphs, their Amusements + and Domestic Arrangements.—Little Queen Mab.—Will-o’-the- + Wisps.—White Elves and Black Elves.—True Causes of Natural + Somnambulism.—The Wind’s Betrothed.—Fire-damp.—Master + Haemmerling.—The Last of the Gnomes..<a href="#link263">...263</a> + </p> + <h3> + XII. + </h3> + <p> + Elementary Spirits of the Water.—Petrarch at Cologne.—Divine + Judgment by Water.—Nixen and Undines.—A Furlough till Ten o’clock.—The + White footed Undine.—Mysteries on the Rhine.—The Court of the + Great Nichus.—Nixcobt, the Messenger of the Dead.—His Funny + Tricks.—I go in Search of an Undine..<a href="#link283">...283</a> + </p> + <h3> + XIII. + </h3> + <p> + Familiar Spirits.—Butzemann.—The Good Frau Holle.—Kobolds.—A + Kobold in the Cook’s Employ.—Zot-terais and the Little White + Ladies.—The Killecroffs, the Devil’s Children.—White + Angels.—Granted Wishes, a Fable..<a href="#link309">...309</a> + </p> + <h3> + XIV. + </h3> + <p> + Giants and Dwarfs.—Duel between Ephesim and Gromme-lund.—Court + Dwarfs and Little Dwarfs.—Ymer’s Sons.—The Invisible + Reapers.—Story of the Dwarf Kreiss and the Giant Quadragaat.—How + the Giants came to serve the Dwarfs..<a href="#link335">...335</a> + </p> + <h3> + XV. + </h3> + <p> + Wizards and the Bewitched.—The Journey of Asa-Thor and his + Companions.—The Inn with the Five Passages.—Skrymner.—A + Lost Glove found again.—Arrival at the Great City of Utgard.—Combat + between Thor and the King’s Nurse.—Frederick Barbarossa and + the Kyffhâuser.—Teutonia! Teutonia!—What became of the Ancient + Gods.—Venus and the good Knight Tannhâuser.—Jupiter on Rabbit + Island.—A Modern God..<a href="#link371">...371</a> + </p> + <h3> + XVI. + </h3> + <p> + Women as Missionaries, Women as Prophets, Strong Women, and Serpent Women.—Children’s + Myths.—Godmothers.—Fairies.—The Magic Wand and the + Broomstick.—The Lady of Kynast.—The World of the Dead, the + World of Ghosts, and the World of Shadows.—Myths of Animals..<a + href="#link399">...399</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_LIST" id="link2H_LIST"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +Father Rhine.................................................<a href="#link003">...003</a> + +The impassive historian .....................................<a href="#link004">...004</a> + +Vast forests as old as the world ............................<a href="#link005">...005</a> + +The first pioneers...........................................<a href="#link007">...007</a> + +The Celts were a people from India...........................<a href="#link009">...009</a> + +What happy people scholars are...............................<a href="#link010">...010</a> + +A horrible custom............................................<a href="#link019">...019</a> + +Dead man’s trees.............................................<a + href="#link022">...022</a> + +The Druids now appear for the first time in Germany..........<a href="#link023">...023</a> + +The other chieftains were generally polygamists..............<a href="#link031">...031</a> + +Courts of justice were always held under an elm tree.........<a href="#link032">...032</a> + +Attempt to murder the mayor .................................<a href="#link033">...033</a> + +Mistletoe an officinal and sacred plant......................<a href="#link035">...035</a> + +Gauls........................................................<a href="#link037">...037</a> + +Serpents’ knots..............................................<a + href="#link038">...038</a> + +Prophetic trembling and neighing.............................<a href="#link041">...041</a> + +A Druid teacher .............................................<a href="#link044">...044</a> + +The Germans were in full flight .............................<a href="#link046">...046</a> + +The bloody knife of the Druids ..............................<a href="#link052">...052</a> + +I turn my steps from the sacred precincts....................<a href="#link055">...055</a> + +Who are these other soldiers?................................<a href="#link057">...057</a> + +These laborers seem to suffer from some restraint............<a href="#link058">...058</a> + +I look around for a resting-place ...........................<a href="#link059">...059</a> + +A shepherd...................................................<a href="#link060">...060</a> + +The guard of a sword, which had been driven into the ground..<a href="#link061">...061</a> + +The shepherd,—as mournful as ever............................<a + href="#link063">...063</a> + +Herds of swine are wallowing ................................<a href="#link066">...066</a> + +A young wife bearing the burden of united household..........<a href="#link067">...067</a> + +Happiness consists in the fulfillment of duty ...............<a href="#link068">...068</a> + +Such were the ways of our fathers: rejoice in facing death...<a href="#link069">...069</a> + +The Druidical altars.........................................<a href="#link070">...070</a> + +As there is no window I peep through the trap-door...........<a href="#link072">...072</a> + +One of the chief men of the country .........................<a href="#link075">...075</a> + +She was a young Ionian girl, a country-woman of Aspasia......<a href="#link080">...080</a> + +The boudoir of a Celtic lady.................................<a href="#link082">...082</a> + +The Druid-bard...............................................<a href="#link085">...085</a> + +Death of Druids..............................................<a href="#link091">...091</a> + +A Druidess endowed with the gift of prophecy ................<a href="#link093">...093</a> + +The victorious march of the Romans ..........................<a href="#link094">...094</a> + +Her deities personified nothing but vices ...................<a href="#link096">...096</a> + +The Hercules—so called.......................................<a + href="#link098">...098</a> + +Mercury, the son of Jupiter .................................<a href="#link099">...099</a> + +“O Varus, Varus, bring me back my legions!”..................<a + href="#link103">...103</a> + +Perhaps the old river remembered his grievances..............<a href="#link105">...105</a> + +They made him a king, the King of German rivers..............<a href="#link106">...106</a> + +He had already allowed Jupiter to cross......................<a href="#link107">...107</a> + +The vines began to adorn the banks of the river..............<a href="#link108">...108</a> + +Once more caresses had their hoped-for effect................<a href="#link109">...109</a> + +He did his best to help everybody across.....................<a href="#link110">...110</a> + +Fnvolous and ill-mannered deities............................<a href="#link110">...110</a> + +The dauntless pirates will end by wearing white night-caps...<a href="#link113">...113</a> + +The great Northern Tempest ..................................<a href="#link115">...115</a> + +The German Druids gave way...................................<a href="#link117">...117</a> + +Iormungondur, the great sea serpent..........................<a href="#link118">...118</a> + +The giant Ymer has been born.................................<a href="#link123">...123</a> + +The first men had been born with a telescope in their pocket?<a href="#link127">...127</a> + +Ymer was the first to succumb................................<a href="#link128">...128</a> + +After the giants came the turn of land and sea monsters......<a href="#link129">...129</a> + +The new creation was assuming a more pleasing appearance.....<a href="#link132">...132</a> + +Deer, eland, and aurochs were bounding in herds..............<a href="#link133">...133</a> + +Incessantly a tiny squirrel comes and goes...................<a href="#link136">...136</a> + +A vulture perching upon the loftiest top of the sacred tree..<a href="#link137">...137</a> + +Thor’s weighty hammer Mjoïner................................<a + href="#link139">...139</a> + +The good Freyr seated at Odin’s table........................<a + href="#link141">...141</a> + +Portrait of Freyr............................................<a href="#link142">...142</a> + +Bragi and the beautiful Freya ...............................<a href="#link147">...147</a> + +Return of the eagle with the three precious vessels..........<a href="#link149">...149</a> + +Balder, the bright god.......................................<a href="#link151">...151</a> + +The wolf Fenris..............................................<a href="#link156">...156</a> + +Converse with each other by significative glances............<a href="#link159">...159</a> + +They were the Norns..........................................<a href="#link160">...160</a> + +He took counsel with the Norns...............................<a href="#link162">...162</a> + +“To Egir, the seas and navigation”...........................<a + href="#link164">...164</a> + +Gefione took her four sons and changed them into oxen........<a href="#link165">...165</a> + +Jarl, the noble..............................................<a href="#link171">...171</a> + +The Valkyrias ...............................................<a href="#link175">...175</a> + +Beautiful nymphs of carnage..................................<a href="#link176">...176</a> + +A very mammoth of a boar.....................................<a href="#link180">...180</a> + +Feast in Scandinavian Paradise...............................<a href="#link181">...181</a> + +Hela, the pale goddess.......................................<a href="#link185">...185</a> + +“Balder, fair Balder, is going to die”.......................<a + href="#link189">...189</a> + +Loki succeeds in exhilarating even Odin himself..............<a href="#link191">...191</a> + +Balder is amused by the game.................................<a href="#link192">...192</a> + +When the mother told her pitiful tale the iron trees wept....<a href="#link197">...197</a> + +The three sacred cocks announcing the Twilight of Greatness..<a href="#link202">...202</a> + +The death of the gods........................................<a href="#link208">...208</a> + +My VIIIth chapter is thus changed into a cenotaph............<a href="#link211">...211</a> + +I like to glean a little where scholars have reaped..........<a href="#link214">...214</a> + +The two religions face to face...............................<a href="#link217">...217</a> + +Ovid reciting his “Metamorphoses”............................<a + href="#link219">...219</a> + +Druidic worship suspended by the Romans......................<a href="#link220">...220</a> + +“Miserere mei, Jesu”.........................................<a + href="#link222">...222</a> + +Perkunos, Pikollos, and Potrympos............................<a href="#link224">...224</a> + +Puscatus,—a kind-hearted god ................................<a + href="#link226">...226</a> + +Monstrous reptiles accompany the gods to Germany.............<a href="#link227">...227</a> + +He let his heavy mace fall upon a little town................<a href="#link238">...238</a> + +The blacksmiths of Ilmarinnen................................<a href="#link239">...239</a> + +Marietta appeared in their midst.............................<a href="#link245">...245</a> + +“Do you think I am a man to be taken in ?”...................<a + href="#link251">...251</a> + +Horse-head, a la mode........................................<a href="#link253">...253</a> + +The Undines mingled with the Tritons and the Naiads..........<a href="#link258">...258</a> + +Have transferred their Olympus to the Brocken................<a href="#link259">...259</a> + +The Olympus of the North.....................................<a href="#link263">...263</a> + +Able to see without being seen ..............................<a href="#link266">...266</a> + +Dance of the white fairies ..................................<a href="#link269">...269</a> + +The black fairies personify Nightmare .......................<a href="#link271">...271</a> + +An important personage with a will of his own ...............<a href="#link272">...272</a> + +Enormous toads are posted about.as watchmen..................<a href="#link279">...279</a> + +Elementary spirits of the water..............................<a href="#link283">...283</a> + +Imaginary music .............................................<a href="#link288">...288</a> + +The nix with the harp .......................................<a href="#link289">...289</a> + +Schoolmaster’s son who had fallen in love with one of them...<a + href="#link291">...291</a> + +He thought he saw a pale form arise from the waters..........<a href="#link294">...294</a> + +He rose suddenly and fled to another room ...................<a href="#link295">...295</a> + +The steward whispered some words in her ear .................<a href="#link297">...297</a> + +Niord, the Scandinavian god .................................<a href="#link299">...299</a> + +This creature is Nixcobt.....................................<a href="#link300">...300</a> + +The Vintner is hanged, and Nixcobt laughs heartily...........<a href="#link302">...302</a> + +Four Prussian soldiers watching the water ...................<a href="#link305">...305</a> + +The Zotterais protected sheep ...............................<a href="#link309">...309</a> + +The master has nothing to do.................................<a href="#link315">...315</a> + +Prefer to remember the Kobold a cheerful household companion.<a href="#link317">...317</a> + +The Zotterais as fond of stables as the Kobolds of kitchens..<a href="#link319">...319</a> + +They are naturally easily tired .............................<a href="#link321">...321</a> + +The Killecroffs are children of the Devil ...................<a href="#link322">...322</a> + +His nurse has to be reinforced by two goats and a cow........<a href="#link324">...324</a> + +The great Reformer, Dr. Martin Luther .......................<a href="#link326">...326</a> + +The fall of Killecroff ......................................<a href="#link331">...331</a> + +Giants and dwarfs............................................<a href="#link335">...335</a> + +The last of the giants.......................................<a href="#link337">...337</a> + +Grommelund and Ephesim ......................................<a href="#link339">...339</a> + +The humiliated giant.........................................<a href="#link340">...340</a> + +Our good little dwarfs ......................................<a href="#link341">...341</a> + +He stood at first with his mouth wide open ..................<a href="#link346">...346</a> + +A long and deep sigh of satisfaction.........................<a href="#link348">...348</a> + +Flight of the conspirators...................................<a href="#link353">...353</a> + +Kreiss slipped boldly into this vast and spacious cavity.....<a href="#link354">...354</a> + +They fixed strong piles between the two rows of teeth........<a href="#link355">...355</a> + +In his hand he held not a club but a lantern.................<a href="#link357">...357</a> + +Kreiss compelled to leave his position by torrents of tears..<a href="#link359">...359</a> + +The last two held each a long thorn in their hands...........<a href="#link361">...361</a> + +Kreiss entering the great meeting hall.......................<a href="#link363">...363</a> + +Putskuchen was in love.......................................<a href="#link364">...364</a> + +Ouadragant vanquished........................................<a href="#link367">...367</a> + +The passing of the wizard ...................................<a href="#link371">...371</a> + +Venus and Tannhàuser.........................................<a href="#link390">...390</a> + +His ex-colleague Jupiter ....................................<a href="#link396">...396</a> + +The author pursues the subject ..............................<a href="#link399">...399</a> + +The conscientious collector of myths.........................<a href="#link401">...401</a> + +The Druidess transformed into an accursed witch..............<a href="#link406">...406</a> + +To return was as impossible as to proceed....................<a href="#link409">...409</a> + +She had rejoined her victims ................................<a href="#link413">...413</a> + +He is the Lord Hackelberg....................................<a href="#link417">...417</a> + +These ghosts can imitate all the motions of men..............<a href="#link421">...421</a> + +Farewell.....................................................<a href="#link423">...423</a> +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <span class="pagenum">[003]</span><a name="link003" id="link003"></a> + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0001" id="linkimage-0001"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/023s.jpg" alt="023s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/023.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/023m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + I. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Primitive Times.—The First Settlers on the Rhine.—Masters + going to School.—Sanskrit and Breton.—Ax Idle God.—Microscopic + Deities.—Tree Worship.—Birth-Trees and Death-Trees.</i> + </p> + <p class="pfirst"> + <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he Rhine is born + in Switzerland, in the Canton of Grisons; it skirts France and passes + through it, and after a long and magnificent career it finally loses + itself in the countless canals of Holland; and yet the Rhine is + essentially a German river. + </p> + <p> + <span class="pagenum">[004]</span><a name="link004" id="link004"></a>Already + in the earliest ages, long before towns were built on its banks, it saw + all the Germanic races dwell here in tents, watch their flocks, and fight + their interminable battles, although the clash of arms and the blast of + trumpets never for a moment aroused the impassive historian from his deep + slumbers. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0002" id="linkimage-0002"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/024s.jpg" alt="024s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/024.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/024m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + His silence, long continued into later centuries, does not prevent us from + supposing, however, that the Rhine was already at that time the great + high-<span class="pagenum">[005]</span><a name="link005" id="link005"></a>road + on which the Germanic races wandered to and fro, and other races came to + their native land. It was the Rhine that brought to them commerce and + civilization; but on the Rhine came also invasions of a very different + kind. We can allude here only to those religious invasions which are + connected with our subject. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0003" id="linkimage-0003"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/025s.jpg" alt="025s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/025.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/025m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + In the earliest ages the South of Europe alone was inhabited, while the + Northern part was covered with vast forests, as old as the world, and as + yet<span class="pagenum">[006]</span><a name="link006" id="link006"></a>unbroken + by the footsteps of men. Dark, dismal solitudes, consisting of ancient + woods or wretched morasses, where trees struggled painfully for existence + and only the strongest survived when they reached the light and the sun; + densely wooded deserts, in which vast herds of wild beasts pursued each + other incessantly, while in the deep shadow of impenetrable foliage flocks + of timid, trembling birds sought a refuge against hosts of voracious birds + of prey. Thus, even while Man was yet absent, War was already reigning + supreme here, and in these vast regions the Great Destroyer seemed to + revel in it, as if it had been a feast, a necessity, a glory! + </p> + <p> + Had never human eye yet looked upon these magnificent but unknown regions? + </p> + <p> + Then, one fine day a host of savages appeared here and settled down with + their flocks. After them came another host of more warlike and better + armed men, who drove out the first comers and took possession of the + tilled ground. + </p> + <p> + After them another race, and then still another. Thus it went on for years + and for centuries, and all these waves of immigration came down from the + extreme North, marking each halting place by a bloody battle, while the + conquered people, driven by the sharp edge of the sword to seek new homes, + by turns pursued and pursuing, went and peopled those wild unsettled + countries which afterwards be<span class="pagenum">[007]</span><a + name="link007" id="link007"></a>came known as Belgium and France, as + Bretagne and England. Continuing their march from thence southward, from + the Rhine to the Mediterranean, they spread right and left, east and west, + and crossed the Pyrenees and the Alps, making themselves masters on one + side of Iberia, and on the other side of the plains of Lombardy, thus + changing from fugitives into conquerors. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0004" id="linkimage-0004"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/027s.jpg" alt="027s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/027.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/027m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + These conquered conquerors, driven from their own homes, and now driving + other nations from their homes, these first pioneers who laid open one + unknown country after another, were all children of one great family and + all bore the same name of <i>Celts</i>. + </p> + <p> + But where was the first source from which this <span class="pagenum">[008]</span><a + name="link008" id="link008"></a>flood of families, of peoples, of nations, + broke forth, that now overflowed Europe and in successive waves spread + over the greater part of the Old World? Whence came these vast multitudes + of Northern visitors, unexpected and unknown, who broke the mournful + silence that had so long reigned in Europe? Were the frozen regions of the + North pole, at that early time, really so fertile in men? We call upon men + of science to answer our question. The question is a serious one, perhaps + an indiscreet one, for who can be appealed to on such a difficult point? + History? It did not exist. Monuments, written or sculptured? The Celts had + never dreamt yet of writings or of carvings. Does this universal silence + put it out of the power of our learned men to give a reply? Must they + confess that they are unable to do so? By no means. Learned men never + condescend to make such confessions. The Celts have left as a monument, a + language, a dialect, still largely used in certain parts of ancient + Bretagne as well as in the Principality of Wales. + </p> + <p> + Illustrious academicians, mostly Germans, did not hesitate to go to school + once more in order to learn Breton. The self-denial of which science is + capable, deserves our admiration. + </p> + <p> + After long labors, devoted to the separation of what belonged to the + primitive language from subsequent additions, our great scholars found + them<span class="pagenum">[009]</span><a name="link009" id="link009"></a>selves + once more face to face with Sanskrit, the sacred idiom of the Brahmins, + the ancestor of the old German tongue, and of the old Celtic tongue, and + thus of the Breton. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0005" id="linkimage-0005"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/029s.jpg" alt="029s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/029.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/029m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + The matter was decided, scientifically and categorically, and no appeal + allowed. The Celts were a people from India. Europeans are all descended + from Indians, driven from home by some powerful pressure, a political or + religious revolution, or one of those fearful famines which periodically + devastate <span class="pagenum">[010]</span><a name="link010" id="link010"></a>that + immense and inexhaustible storehouse of nations. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0006" id="linkimage-0006"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/030s.jpg" alt="030s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/030.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/030m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + At first, we good people, artists, poets, or authors, who generally claim + to possess some little knowledge, were rather surprised at such a + decision. But the wise men had said so; Bengal and Bretagne had to + fraternize; the Brahmins of Benares speak Breton and the Bretons of + Bretagne speak Sanskrit. Bretagne is Indian and India is Breton. + </p> + <p> + Comparative Philology has taught the children of our day, that two + syllables which are identical <span class="pagenum">[011]</span><a + name="link011" id="link011"></a>in the idioms of two different races, + prove the connection between two nations; hybridism means kinship. + </p> + <p> + What happy people scholars are! They can converse with people who have + been dead these three thousand years, and the grave has no secrets for + them! A single word bequeathed to us by an extinct people, enables them to + reconstruct that whole race. + </p> + <p> + But I am bound to ask them another question, a question of much greater + importance to myself. What were the religious convictions of these first + inhabitants of Europe? I am answered by Mr. Simon Pelloutier, a minister + of the Reformed Church in Berlin, of French descent, who has studied the + primitive creed of the Celts most thoroughly and successfully. He tells us + that these people, before they had Druids, worshipped, or rather held in + honor the sun, the moon, and the stars, a kind of Sabaism, which, however, + did not exclude the belief in a God, who was the creator, but not the + ruler, of all things. + </p> + <p> + This god appears to me to have been very imperfect; he was heavy, sleepy, + and shapeless, having neither eyes to see nor ears to hear; he was + incapable of feeling pity or anger, and the prayers and vows of men were + unable to reach him. Invisible, intangible, and incomprehensible, he was + floating in space, which he filled, and which he <span class="pagenum">[012]</span><a + name="link012" id="link012"></a>animated without bestowing a thought upon + it; omnipotent and yet utterly inactive, creating islands and continents, + and causing the sun and the stars to give light by his mere approach, this + divine idler had created the world, but declined taking the trouble of + governing his creation. + </p> + <p> + To whom had he confided the control over the stars in heaven? Mr. + Pelloutier himself never could find out. As to the government of the + earth, he had entrusted it to an infinite number of inferior deities, gods + and sub-gods, of very small stature. They were as shapeless and as + invisible as he was, but vastly more active, and endowed with all the + energy which he had disdained to bestow upon himself. By their numbers and + by their collective force they made up for their individual feebleness—and + they must have been feeble indeed, since their extremely small size + permitted a thousand of them to find a comfortable shelter under the leaf + of a walnut tree! + </p> + <p> + Besides, they presided over the different departments which were assigned + to them, not by hundreds, but by myriads, nay, by millions of myriads. + Thus they rushed forth in vast hosts, stirring the air in lively currents, + causing the rivers and brooks to flow onwards, watching over fields and + forests, penetrating the soil to great depths, creeping in through every + crack and crevice, and breaking out <span class="pagenum">[013]</span><a + name="link013" id="link013"></a>again through the craters of volcanoes. + They formed a belt from the Rhine to the Taunus mountains, dazzling the + whole region for a moment by a shower of sparks, and falling back upon the + plain in the form of columns of black smoke. + </p> + <p> + Science has, moreover, established this incontestable principle, that + motion can only be produced in two ways here, below: either by the acts of + living beings, or by the contact of these microscopic deities. + </p> + <p> + Whenever the waters rose or broke forth in cataracts, whenever the leaves + trembled in the wind, or the flowers bent before a storm, it was these + diminutive gods who, invisible and yet ever active, forced the waters to + come down in torrents, drove the tempest through the branches, bent the + flowers down to the ground, and chased the dust of the highroads in lofty + columns up to the clouds. It was they who caused the golden hair of the + maid to fall down upon her shoulders as she went to the well, who shook + the earthenware pitcher she carried on her shoulder, who crackled in the + fire on the hearth, and who roared in the storm, or the eruptions of fiery + mountains. + </p> + <p> + When I think of this little world of tiny insect gods, who passed through + the air in swarms, coming and going, turning to the left and to the right, + struggling and striving above and beneath (I ask <span class="pagenum">[014]</span><a + name="link014" id="link014"></a>their pardon for comparing these deities + to humble insects, born in the mud and subject to infirmity and death like + ourselves), I cannot help thinking of the beautiful lines by Lamartine, in + which he so graphically describes life in Nature. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +“Chaque fois que nos yeux, pénétrant dans ces ombres, +De la nuit des rameaux éclairaient les dais sombres, +Nous trouvions sous ces lits de feuille où dort l’été, +Des mystères d’amour et de fécondité. + +Chaque fois que nos pieds tombaient dans la verdure +Les herbes nous montaient jusques à la ceinture, +Des flots d’air embaumé se répandaient sur nous, +Des nuages ailés partaient de nos genoux; +Insectes, papillons, essaims nageants de mouches, +Oui d’un éther vivant semblaient former les couches, +Ils’ montaient en colonne, en tourbillon flottant, +Comblaient l’air, nous cachaient l’un à l’autre un instant, +Comme dans les chemins la vague de poussière +Se lève sous les pas et retombe en arrière. + +Ils roulaient; et sur l’eau, sur les prés, sur le foin, +Ces poussières de vie allaient tomber plus loin; +Et chacune semblait, d’existence ravie, +Epuiser le bonheur dans sa goutte de vie, +Et l’air qu’ils animaient de leurs frémissements +N’était que mélodie et que bourdonnements.” + </pre> + <p> + Such were the gods known to the first ingenuous dwellers on the banks of + the Rhine—gods worthy of a society but just beginning. And still, I + venture to make a suggestion, which Mr. Simon Pelloutier, my guide up to + this point, has unfortunately neglected to make. It is this: I feel as if + <span class="pagenum">[015]</span><a name="link015" id="link015"></a>there + was hidden beneath this primitive and apparently puerile mythology a + hideous monster, writhing in fearful threatenings and bitter mockery. This + god Chaos, so careless and reckless, gifted with the power of creation but + not with love for his work, seems to me nothing else but Matter, + organizing itself. I have called these countless inferior deities + microscopic. I should have called them molecular, for they are atoms, the + monads of our science. There is evidently here a germ, not of a religious + creed so much as of a philosophic system, a shadow of the materialism of a + former civilization that is now degraded and nearly lost. + </p> + <p> + At first I doubted the correctness of the opinions of our learned men; but + I begin to believe in them; yes, these early Celts had come, to us from + distant India, from that ancient, decayed country, and in their knapsacks + they had brought with them, by an accident, this fragment of their + symbolic cosmogony, the sad meaning of which was, no doubt, a mystery to + them also. + </p> + <p> + After some years, perhaps after some centuries, —for time does not + count for much in those questions,—the Celts became weary of this + selfish Deity, which was lost in the contemplation of its own being and + dwelt in the centre of a cold and empty heaven, and they desired to + establish some relations between him and themselves. Unable to appeal to + <span class="pagenum">[016]</span><a name="link016" id="link016"></a>the + Creator, they appealed to Creation, and asked for a mediator, who should + hear their complaints or accept their thank-offerings and transmit them to + the Supreme Power. + </p> + <p> + We have already seen that they turned first to sun and moon; but they were + ill rewarded for their efforts. These heavenly bodies were either too far + removed from their clients to hear their complaints, or they were too busy + with their own daily duties; at all events they shared with their common + master in his indifference towards men. + </p> + <p> + Our pious friends were offended by this want of consideration, and thought + of looking for other intercessors, who might be less busy; whom they might + not only see with their eyes but touch with their hands, and who would + remain as much as possible in the same place, so as to be always on hand + when they were needed. + </p> + <p> + They appealed to rivers and mountains; but the rivers had nothing + permanent but their banks, and went their way like the sun and moon; while + the mountains, besides being the home of wolves, bears, and serpents, and + thus enjoying an evil reputation, were continually hid by snow and rain + from the eyes of the petitioners. + </p> + <p> + At last they turned to the trees, and as it always happens, they now found + out that they ought to have commenced where they ended. <span + class="pagenum">[017]</span><a name="link017" id="link017"></a>A tree was + an excellent mediator; standing between heaven and earth, it clung to the + latter by its roots, while its trunk, shaped like an arrow, feathered with + verdure, rose upwards as if to touch the sky. + </p> + <p> + The worship of trees was probably the first effect of sedentary life + adopted by the Celts after their long, more or less forced wanderings; in + a few years it prevailed on both sides of the river Rhine. + </p> + <p> + There was no lack of trees; every man had his own. As he could not carry + it away with him, he became accustomed to live by its side. + </p> + <p> + Man could lean his hut against the trunk; the flock could sleep in its + shade. + </p> + <p> + The birds came to it in numbers. If they were singing, it was a sign of + joy to come; if they built their nests there, it was an invitation to + marry. + </p> + <p> + The fruit-bearing tree suggested comfort, abundance, and enjoyment; it + spoke of harvest feasts and cider-making, when friends gathered around it, + holding in their hands large horns filled to overflowing with foaming + drink. + </p> + <p> + Soon it became customary to plant at the birth of a child a tree which was + to become a companion and a counsellor for life. + </p> + <p> + Thus in the course of time a copse represented a family. + </p> + <p> + The worship bestowed upon the tree consisted <span class="pagenum">[018]</span><a + name="link018" id="link018"></a>in pruning it, in making it grow straight, + in freeing its bark from parasitical growth and in keeping the roots free + from ants, rats, snakes and all dangerous enemies. Such continuous care + naturally led in the course of time to an improvement in cultivation. + </p> + <p> + The tree worshippers, however, did more than this. On certain hallowed + days they hung bouquets of herbs and of flowers on its branches, they + brought food and drink, and thus fetichism crept in gradually. Alas! That + men have never been able to keep from extremes! + </p> + <p> + When the wind whispered in the leaves, the devout owner listened + attentively, trying anxiously to interpret the mystic language of his + cedar or his pear tree, and often a regular conversation ensued. + </p> + <p> + It was a bad omen when a rising storm shook the tree fiercely; if the + tempest was strong enough to break a branch, the event foretold a great + calamity, and if it was struck by lightning, the owner was warned of his + approaching death. The latter was resigned; he felt quite proud at having + at last compelled his indolent god to reveal himself to his devout + worshipper. + </p> + <p> + When a child died, it was buried under its own tree, a mere sapling.. But + it was not so when a man died.<span class="pagenum">[019]</span><a + name="link019" id="link019"></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0007" id="linkimage-0007"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/039s.jpg" alt="039s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/039.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/039m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + The Celts used various and strange means for the purpose of disposing of + the remains of their <span class="pagenum">[021]</span><a + name="link021" id="link021"></a>deceased friends. In some + countries they were burnt, and their own tree furnished the fuel for the + funeral pile; in other countries the <i>Todtenbaum</i> (Tree of the Dead), + hollowed out with an axe, became the owner’s coffin. This coffin was + interred, unless it was intrusted to the current of the river, to be + carried God knows where! Finally, in certain localities there existed a + custom—a horrible custom!—of exposing the body to the voracity + of birds of prey, and the place of exposure was the top of the very tree + which had been planted at the birth of the deceased, and which in this + case, quite exceptionally, was not cut down. + </p> + <p> + Now, observe, that in these four distinct methods by which human remains + were restored to the four elements of air and water, earth and fire, we + meet again the four favorite ways of burial still practiced in India, as + of old, by the followers of Brahma, Buddha, and Zoroaster. The + fire-worshippers of Bombay are as familiar with them as the dervishes who + drown children in the Ganges. Thus we have here four proofs, instead of + one, of the Indian origin of our Celts. For my part at least, I confess I + am convinced by this quadruple evidence. + </p> + <p> + It is to be presumed that the use of Dead Men’s Trees and of + posthumous drownings continued for centuries in ancient Gaul as well as in + ancient Germany. About 1560 some Dutch laborers found, <span + class="pagenum">[022]</span><a name="link022" id="link022"></a>in + examining a part of the Zuyder Zee, at a great depth, several trunks of + trees which were marvelously well preserved and nearly petrified. Each one + of these trunks had been occupied by a man, and contained some + half-petrified fragments. It was evident that they had been carried down, + trunk and man, by the Rhine, the Ganges of Germany. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0008" id="linkimage-0008"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/042s.jpg" alt="042s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/042.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/042m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + As recently as 1837 such <i>Todtenbaume</i> or Dead Men’s Trees, + well preserved by the peculiar nature of the soil, have been discovered in + England, near Solby in Yorkshire, and still more recently, in 1848, on + Mount Lupfen in the Grand Duchy of Baden. + </p> + <p> + In face of such well authenticated evidence of Dead Men’s Trees + having been confided to the current of rivers or the bosom of the earth, + it seems superfluous to ask for additional proof in support of the fact + that cremation was practiced all over ancient Europe. Nor do I consider + myself, as a collector of myths, bound to prove everything. I <span + class="pagenum">[023]</span><a name="link023" id="link023"></a>do not mean + to speak, therefore, any further of Birthday Trees, of Dead Men’s + Trees, and of Fetich Trees,—which we shall moreover meet again + presently,—and hasten on to other myths of far greater importance. + </p> + <p> + The Druids now appear for the first time in Gaul and in Germany. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0009" id="linkimage-0009"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/043s.jpg" alt="043s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/043.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/043m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + II. + </h2> + <p> + <span class="pagenum">[027]</span><a name="link027" id="link027"></a><i>The + Druids and their Creed.—Esus.—The Holy Oak.—The + Pforzheim Lime Tree.—A Rival Plant.—The Mistletoe and the + Ansfuinum.—The Oracle at Dodona.—Immaculate Horses.—The + Druidesses.—A late Elector.—Philanthropic Institution of Human + Sacrifices.—Second Druidical Epoch</i>. + </p> + <p class="pfirst"> + <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he Druids were the + first to bring to the Gauls as well as to the Germans religious truths, + but their creed can be appreciated from no dogma of theirs; it must be + judged by their rites. + </p> + <p> + The first question is: Whence did the Druids <span class="pagenum">[028]</span><a + name="link028" id="link028"></a>come? Were they disciples of the Magi, and + did they come from Persia? Such an origin has been claimed for them: or + had they been initiated by Isis in her ancient mysteries, and did they + come from Egypt? This view also has its adherents. Or, finally, had they + been driven towards Western Europe by one of the last waves of + immigration, which left India under the pressure of some new calamity? + Many think so. + </p> + <p> + As it seems to be difficult to decide between these three suggestions, it + might be worth while to try and reconcile them with each other. It is a + long way from India to Germany and to Gaul, and there might have been many + stopping places between the country from which they started and their + future home. + </p> + <p> + The Druids, like all other Celts, might very well have started from India, + and choosing not the most direct way might have reached Europe only after + making many a long halt in Persia and in Egypt. + </p> + <p> + 'If that can be admitted, then there is no difficulty in assuming that the + first Celts might very well have taken with them from the banks of the + Indus and the Ganges only a few fragments of a sickly materialism taught + by false teachers outside of the temple, while the Druids might have been + initiated within the temple itself, thus learning to know the true nature + of the Deity. + </p> + <p> + Their creed was founded upon a triple basis—one <span class="pagenum">[029]</span><a + name="link029" id="link029"></a>God; the immortality of the soul; and + rewards and punishments in a future life. + </p> + <p> + These sound doctrines, which are as old as the world and form the + foundation of all human morality, had ever been maintained by their wise + men. + </p> + <p> + At a later period the Greeks, proud as they were of their Platonic + philosophy, had not hesitated to acknowledge that they had obtained the + first germ of it from the Celts, the Galati, and consequently from the + Druids. One of the Fathers of the Church, Clement of Alexandria, openly + admits that these same Celts had been orthodox in their religion, at least + as far as their dogmas were concerned. + </p> + <p> + By what name was the Supreme Being known to the Druids? They called it <i>Esus</i>, + which means the Lord, or they gave it the simple designation of <i>Teut</i> + (God). Through this Teut the German races became afterwards Teutons, the + sons and followers of Teut, and even in our day they call themselves in + their own language Teutsche or <i>Deutsche</i>. + </p> + <p> + Three marvelously brief maxims contain almost the whole catechism of the + Druids: Serve God; Abstain from evil; Be brave! + </p> + <p> + The Druids, being warriors as well as priests, displayed in the + performance of their warlike priesthood all the energy, the severity, and + the authority which must needs accompany such a strange combination of + powers. <span class="pagenum">[030]</span><a name="link030" id="link030"></a>Holding + all the power of the state in their hands, and speaking in the name of + God, commanding the army, controlling the public treasury, and acting not + only as judges but also as physicians, they punished heresy and rebellion, + and ended lawsuits as well as diseases, by the death of the person most + interested. + </p> + <p> + Their laws, liberal and philanthropic in spite of their apparent severity, + allowed a jury consisting of notables, to judge grave crimes; this fact of + a jury suggests naturally the idea of extenuating circumstances, and thus + the criminal, escaping more readily than the patient, frequently got off + with a fine, if he was rich, or with banishment if he was poor. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless all the efforts of the Druids did not succeed in thoroughly + eradicating Tree worship; they were thus led to adopt one tree, to the + exclusion of all others, which should rally around it the scattered + adoration of all the nations. This official tree, a kind of green altar, + on which God manifested himself to his priests, was an oak, a strong, + vigorous oak, the king of the forests. + </p> + <p> + Thus the holy oak became known and honored; pious worshippers came by + night, with torches in their hands, in long processions to present their + offerings. + </p> + <p> + This usage soon became general among all Celtic nations. Around these oaks + the Druids formed sacred precincts within which they lived with their + families, for they were married; but they could have <span class="pagenum">[031]</span><a + name="link031" id="link031"></a>only one wife, while the other chieftains + were generally polygamists. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0010" id="linkimage-0010"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/051s.jpg" alt="051s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/051.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/051m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + But the oak, although thus enjoying preeminence over all other trees, was + by no means exclusively worshipped everywhere. Perhaps from religious + antagonism, or perhaps merely from local usage, some provinces of Gaul and + of Italy preferred the beech and the elm. In Gaul especially, the elm + prevailed over the oak, and even Christian France still continued for a + long time to plant an elm tree before every newly built church, so as to + draw God’s blessing the more surely upon it; and down to the end of + the Middle Ages courts of justice were always held under an elm tree. + Hence the curious <span class="pagenum">[032]</span><a name="link032" + id="link032"></a>French proverb, which did not always have the mocking + sense in which it is used nowadays, wait for me under the elm tree! + (Attendez-moi sous forme) What was then a formal summons to appear before + a judge has now come to mean: Wait till doomsday. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0011" id="linkimage-0011"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/052s.jpg" alt="052s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/052.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/052m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + The ash tree, also, had its worshippers among the dwellers in high + northern latitudes, and it was under the dense branches of an enormous ash + tree that terrible Odin and his following of deities appeared in a dark + cloud. + </p> + <p> + Thus Tree worship appeared once more. It has ever since continued to + flourish more or less in Germany, and even now exists to a certain extent. + But it is not the oaks, nor the beech, nor the elm, nor the ash tree, + which in our day receives the worship of the young especially—but + the lime tree. The admirers of the lime tree carry their fervor to + fanaticism and their fanaticism to murder. I had <span class="pagenum">[033]</span><a + name="link033" id="link033"></a>been unwilling to believe this. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0012" id="linkimage-0012"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/053s.jpg" alt="053s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/053.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/053m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + But this morning I opened my newspaper and there I found an article, dated + December 30, 1860, and stating that a young man from Pforzheim, in the + Palatinate, attempted to murder the mayor of his town by means of a + revolver, the four barrels of which were loaded with as many leaden balls. + When he was arrested, he declared that he had personally nothing to say + against the burgomaster, but that the latter <span class="pagenum">[034]</span><a + name="link034" id="link034"></a>had recently ordered certain lime trees to + be cut down, that <i>the good people of Pforzheim idolized these trees</i>, + and that he had determined to punish him for such profanation. + </p> + <p> + The paper added: “This young man belongs to an honorable family, his + antecedents are excellent, and he has never shown the slightest symptom of + mental derangement.” + </p> + <p> + How, then does it come about that the lime tree should in our day, in the + nineteenth century, call forth sentiments of such extreme violence? The + reason is that Young Germany has proclaimed it to be the Tree of Love, + because <i>its leaves are shaped like hearts</i>. + </p> + <p> + If I were not afraid of getting myself into trouble, having a natural + horror of all firearms, and especially of four barrelled revolvers, I + should mention here, that anatomists protest against this pretended + resemblance of the leaf to the heart. In reality it looks much more like + the ace of hearts, as it terminates below in a sharp point—but + superstition prevails over anatomy, and teaches us once more that science + ought not to meddle with things pertaining to love. + </p> + <p> + The Druids’ Oak, although less tempting to gallant comparisons, + finally excited almost equal fanaticism. Processions and sacrifices became + well nigh endless; young maidens adorned it with garlands of flowers, + <span class="pagenum">[035]</span><a name="link035" id="link035"></a>interspersed + with bracelets and necklaces, while warriors suspended in its branches the + most precious spoil they brought home from their battles. If a storm + arose, the other trees of the forest seemed in good faith, humbly to bow + down before their chief. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0013" id="linkimage-0013"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/055s.jpg" alt="055s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/055.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/055m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + And yet it had an enemy, a fierce, relentless enemy. An abject, little + plant, unknown and miserable in appearance, came unceremoniously and made + its home on its sacred branches and even on its august summit; there it + lived on its life’s blood, feeding on its sap, absorbing its + substance, threatening <span class="pagenum">[036]</span><a + name="link036" id="link036"></a>to impede its natural growth, and + finally carrying the impudence so far as to conceal the glossy leaves of + the noble godlike tree under its own lustreless and viscous foliage. This + hostile and impious plant was the Mistletoe, the mistletoe of the oak (<i>Guythil</i>). + </p> + <p> + Other people, less intelligent and less sagacious than the Druids, would + have freed the tree from this unwelcome and obnoxious visitor, by simply + climbing up and cutting off the parasite by means of a pruning bill. This + would have been irreverent as well as impolitic. What would the people + have thought? The people would most assuredly have reasoned, that the + sacred tree had been rendered powerless, being unable to rid itself of its + vermin. + </p> + <p> + The Druids did much better. They treated the mistletoe very much as we, in + our day, treat a formidable member of the opposition; they gave it a place + in the sanctuary. The mistletoe was proclaimed to be an official and + sacred plant, and became an essential part of their worship. When it was + to be detached from the tree, this was not done stealthily and by a mean + iron bill-hook, but in the presence of all, amid public rejoicings and + accompanied by solemn chants. The instrument was a golden reaping hook, + and with it the <i>Guythil</i> was carefully cut off at the base and + gathered in <span class="pagenum">[037]</span><a name="link037" + id="link037"></a>linen veils. These veils became henceforth sacred, + and were not allowed to be used for ordinary purposes. + </p> + <p> + The Teutons who lived on the Rhine, obtained from the mistletoe a kind of + glue, which they looked upon as a panacea against the sterility of women, + the ravages of diseases, the effects of witchcraft,—and also as a + means to catch birds. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0014" id="linkimage-0014"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/057s.jpg" alt="057s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/057.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/057m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + The Gauls, on the other hand, dried it carefully and put the dust into + pretty little scent-bags, which they presented to each other as New Year’s + Gifts on the first day of the year. Hence, in t some provinces of France, + the cry is still heard, “Aguilanneuf” (<i>au gui l’an + neuf</i>), “Mistletoe for New Year!” + </p> + <p> + Modern science treats mistletoe simply as a purgative, and thus attempts + to prove that our ancestors showed their affection to each other by + exchanging presents of violent purgatives. + </p> + <p> + The introduction of this parasite plant into the <span class="pagenum">[038]</span><a + name="link038" id="link038"></a>sanctuary became, however, very soon a + public benefit. For the oak-mistletoe obtained ere long considerable + commercial value, and at once counterfeiters (for even under the Druids + there existed such men) went to work and gathered it from other trees + also, from apple trees and pear trees, from nut trees and lime trees, from + beeches, elms, and even larches. The consequence was, that owners of + orchards as well as owners of forests, rejoiced in the trick, at which the + Druids discreetly winked; for they took advantage of the lesson. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0015" id="linkimage-0015"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/058s.jpg" alt="058s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/058.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/058m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + At one time venomous reptiles had become so numerous in the regions of the + Rhine, that they caused continually serious accidents among the <span + class="pagenum">[039]</span><a name="link039" id="link039"></a>people, the + majority of whom lived all day long in the open air, and did not always + sleep under shelter. During their winter sleep, these reptiles rolled + themselves up into vast balls, and became apparently glued to each other + by a kind of viscous ooze. In this state they were called by the Celts <i>Serpents + Eggs</i>, or rather <i>Serpents’ Knots</i>, while the Romans called + them <i>anguimim</i>. + </p> + <p> + These strange balls were used medicinally by the Druids like the + mistletoe; they employed them even in their religious ceremonies, and soon + they became so rare, that only the wealthiest people could procure them, + by paying their weight in gold. If the Druids had really at first been + misled so as to adopt superstitious customs, which they repented of in + their hearts, they soon found means to make these same superstitious rites + beneficial to the people. + </p> + <p> + Unfortunately serpents’ knots, oaks, and their parasites, did not + long satisfy a people ever desirous of new things. It is a well-known fact + that innovations, however small may have been their first beginning, are + sure to go on enlarging and increasing from day to day. + </p> + <p> + The old party of Tree worshippers, still numerous and very active as all + old parties are, complained of the suppression of their companion-trees, + the ancient family oracles, for the purpose of favoring <span + class="pagenum">[040]</span><a name="link040" id="link040"></a>one single + oak tree,—a tree which yet was not able, in spite of all the + privileges it enjoyed, to put them into communication with <i>Estes</i>, + the god of heaven. + </p> + <p> + This complaint was certainly not unfounded;—it had to be answered. + </p> + <p> + The Druids consisted of three classes:— + </p> + <p> + The Druids proper (<i>Eubages</i>, they were called in Gaul) were + philosophers as well as scholars, perhaps even magicians, for magic was at + that time nothing more than the outward form of science. They were charged + with the maintenance of the principles of morality, and had to study the + secrets of nature. The Prophets, on the other hand, knew how to interpret + in the slightest breath of wind, the language of the holy oak, which spoke + to them in the rustling of its leaves, in the soughing of the branches, in + the low cracking heard within the trunk, and even in the earlier or later + appearance of the foliage. There were, finally, the Bards, poets bound to + the altar. + </p> + <p> + While the bards were singing around the oak, the prophets caused it to + render its oracles. These oracles soon increased largely not only in + Europe, but also in Asia Minor, where a Celtic colony, according to + Herodotus, established in the land they had conquered the oracle of + Dodona. Early Greece worshipped an oak tree, which Strabo, however, + assures <span class="pagenum">[041]</span><a name="link041" id="link041"></a>us + was a beech. There is no disputing about trees any more than about colors; + but Homer calls it an oak, and an oak it must remain for us. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0016" id="linkimage-0016"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/061s.jpg" alt="061s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/061.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/061m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + This new movement, grafted upon the simple worship of the Druids, did not + stop here. After having for some time been accustomed to converse with + Teut by means of a tree, the Celts were naturally surprised at seeing + that, while trees could speak, living creatures remained silent, and were + apparently deprived of the power of foretelling the future. Certain + chieftains, especially, felt aggrieved, <span class="pagenum">[042]</span><a + name="link042" id="link042"></a>upon setting out on a great campaign, that + they were not allowed to carry the holy oak along with them, and in their + intense devotion, fell upon the idea of consulting the nervous trembling + of their horses and their sudden neighing in moments of surprise or + terror,—for in order to be of prophetic nature the movements of the + animals had to be involuntary and spontaneous. As this creed began to + spread gradually, every man who was setting out on a journey or a warlike + expedition mounted his horse in the firm conviction that he would be able + to consult his four-footed prophet at any time during his absence from + home, provided he was able to submit the omens to the learned + interpretations of a soothsayer. + </p> + <p> + The Druid priests were not long in becoming seriously alarmed at these + travelling oracles, liable as they naturally were to contradict each + other. + </p> + <p> + As they had before chosen a single tree to be the sacred tree, so they now + accepted as genuine omens only the symptoms noticed in certain horses + which were bred within the sacred precincts and under their own eyes. + </p> + <p> + These horses, of immaculate whiteness and raised at public expense, were + not employed for any work, and never had to submit to saddle or bridle. + Wild and untamed, they roamed with fluttering manes in perfect liberty + through the lofty forests. The freedom <span class="pagenum">[043]</span><a + name="link043" id="link043"></a>of their movements gave naturally a safer + character to their omens, and thus these prophetic horses, which formed + almost a part of the druidical clergy, enjoyed for a long time the highest + authority in all Celtic countries, when suddenly one fine day new rivals + arose. + </p> + <p> + Other living creatures entered into competition with them, and these + rivals of the horses were—shall I say it?—were women. These + women discovered, all of a sudden, that they also were endowed, and in the + very highest degree, with the gifts of second sight, of inspiration, + intuition, and divination. + </p> + <p> + When public opinion appealed to the Druids to give their views on this + claim, they admitted, according to the statement of Tacitus, that women + had something more instinctive and more divine in them than men, nay, even + than horses. Their sensitive organization predisposed them to receive the + gift of prophecy, and hence “women indeed act more readily from + natural impulse, without reflection, than from thought or reason.” + </p> + <p> + This last explanation, improper in the highest degree, does not come from + Tacitus, nor from myself, God forbid! It is the exclusive property of the + aforementioned Mr. Simon Pelloutier. Let every one be responsible for his + own work! + </p> + <p> + The Druids treated the women just as they had <span class="pagenum">[044]</span><a + name="link044" id="link044"></a>treated the horses, the mistletoe, and the + trees. They acknowledged as true prophetesses only those who were already + under the direct influence of the holy place and the sacred oak; that is + to say, their wives and their daughters. + </p> + <p> + The principle of centralization of power is evidently not of modern + origin. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0017" id="linkimage-0017"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:15%;"> + <img src="images/064s.jpg" alt="064s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/064.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/064m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + Thus, there were now Druidesses, as there had been Druids before. The + latter became the teachers of the young men; they taught their pupils the + motions of the stars, the shape and extent of the earth, the divers + products of nature, the history of their ancestors written in the form of + poems which the bards recited; in fact, they taught them everything except + reading and writing. Memory was as yet sufficient for all things. The + priestesses, on the other hand, opened schools for the young girls; they + taught them to sing and to sew, they initiated them into religious + ceremonies and confided to them the knowledge of simples; nor was poetry + neglected, as they had to learn by heart certain poems which were + specially composed for their benefit. These verses, of somewhat doubtful + <span class="pagenum">[045]</span><a name="link045" id="link045"></a>lyrical + character, probably taught them how to make bread, how to brew beer, and + other small details of the kitchen and the house. + </p> + <p> + The Druidesses practiced also medicine. This threefold prerogative of + being physicians, prophets, and preceptors, finally raised them so high in + the estimation of the nation, that when the priests of Teut were compelled + to abandon their sanctuaries, they did not hesitate to confide them to + their guardianship. They even presided in their own right, at certain + ceremonies. + </p> + <p> + If one of them excelled by the frequency, the lucidity, and the + reliability of her inspirations, as was the case at different times with + the illustrious Aurinia, Velleda, and Ganna, whom the Roman emperors even + deigned to consult through their ambassadors, the proud Druids placed her + with humble submission, at the head of their own college of priests. + During this female dictatorship, she became the arbiter of the destiny of + nations, decided on peace and war, and controlled all the movements of + great armies. + </p> + <p> + Caesar tells us that he once asked one of his German captives, why + Ariovistus, their chieftain, had never yet dared to meet him in battle, + and was told in reply, that the Druidesses, after a careful examination of + the eddies and whirlpools of the Rhine, had forbid his engaging in action + till the <span class="pagenum">[046]</span><a name="link046" id="link046"></a>time + of the new moon. As a matter of course, the shrewd general profited by + this information, and when the new moon appeared, the Germans were in full + flight. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0018" id="linkimage-0018"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/066s.jpg" alt="066s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/066.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/066m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + But the Rhine has not yet given its oracles, and the time has not yet + come, when Ganna Velleda, and Aurinia condescend to grant audiences to + Roman ambassadors. + </p> + <p> + We only wished to trace in a few outlines the future development of this + institution of Druidesses, which we shall meet again in the days of its + decline. <span class="pagenum">[047]</span><a name="link047" id="link047"></a>In + the mean time, however, their influence and their power were daily + growing. Were the Teutons at last satisfied? By no means. In spite of all + the skill displayed by their diviners and the Druid-esses, they came to + the conclusion, that neither the trembling foliage of the holy oak, nor + the sudden starts, the wild leaps, and the more or less prolonged, loud + neighings of the horses, afforded them sufficient excitement and perfectly + reliable revelations. It occurred to them next, to consult animals, not in + their outward manifestations, but in their still quivering entrails. This + new ceremony could not fail to give to their religious worship a more + serious aspect, and a certain savor of murder, which no doubt had its + charms for a warlike people. + </p> + <p> + The Druids yielded once more, but they felt discouraged. What had become + of that grand philosophic religion, which was content with prayer and + meditation, and which they once—too fondly, perhaps—had hoped + to be able to adapt to the nature of these barbarians? + </p> + <p> + They first consented to slay at the foot of the sacred oak, so long kept + free from blood, a number of noxious beasts, like wolves, lynxes, and + bears; but the turn of domestic animals came ere long, and they began to + sacrifice sheep, goats, and finally man’s best companion in war, the + horse. Not even the spotless white horses, heretofore looked upon <span + class="pagenum">[048]</span><a name="link048" id="link048"></a>with such + profound and superstitious reverence, were spared any longer. + </p> + <p> + And at each step forward in this bloody career, the Druids, always + resisting, and always compelled to yield, made their last and their very + last concession, vainly hoping that they might thus retain for a little + while longer the power, which they felt was fast slipping from their + grasp. + </p> + <p> + Encouraged by success, the reformers finally came to the question, whether + the most acceptable offering to be presented to God, was not the blood of + man? Is not man, of all created beings, the most noble and the most + perfect? Perhaps they were inclined to carry the argument still farther, + and to reason that among all men the most worthy to be chosen and the most + likely to be acceptable to God, were the Druids themselves? But they took + care not to ask too much at once. They held this final consequence of a + great principle in reserve, requiring for the present nothing more than a + common victim, anything that might come in the way, provided it was a + human being. + </p> + <p> + It might have been expected, that when this abominable demand was made to + hallow murder by committing it in the name of Heaven, the descendants and + heirs of the ancient sages would have remembered their noble ancestors who + had put an end to the first and quite inoffensive superstitions <span + class="pagenum">[049]</span><a name="link049" id="link049"></a>of the + early Celts. They ought to have veiled their faces, drawn back with + horror, and recovering for once their former energy, appealed by means of + the holy oak, the spotless horses, the soothsayers and the Druidesses, nay + of heaven and earth itself, to the whole nation, calling upon them to + anathematize the infamous petitioners. But they did no such thing. On the + contrary they hastened to legalize such savage bloodshed by their holy + consent. One might almost be led to suspect that they had themselves, + underhand, suggested the horrible idea. + </p> + <p> + O ye hypocritical priests, ye false philosophers, ye tigers disguised as + shepherds of the people!.... But we must check our indignation. For who + knows, but they may have been swayed not so much by an instinct of cruelty + as by a lofty political, or even philanthropic principle? Philanthropic? + Yes, indeed; we will explain. + </p> + <p> + Among the Celts human life counted for little; it was lavished in battles, + it was cast away in duels. At the time when the Gauls held large national + assemblies, they tried to secure punctual attendance by simply putting to + death the man who was the last to come; he paid for all the tardy ones. I + do not mean to propose such a plan at the present day; but after all it + was an infallible and economical measure. <span class="pagenum">[050]</span><a + name="link050" id="link050"></a>The Teutons, on the other hand, bloodless + in their national assemblies, after a battle in which they had been + victorious, delighted in massacring all their prisoners. + </p> + <p> + These massacres ceased from the time when the Druids claimed for + themselves the exclusive right of human sacrifices. + </p> + <p> + The good Esus, having become bloodthirsty, demanded all the captives to be + slain in expiation at his altar, and woe to him who dared to anticipate + him in his wrath. He was excluded from the sacred precincts; he was + declared an impious, sacrilegious person, who could no longer take his + place among the citizens; and he ran great risk of being forced to offer + his own life in compensation for that which by his fault was wanting at + the holocaust. + </p> + <p> + When this custom became once fully established, the prisoners of war were + all delivered up to the high-priest, who chose from among them one or more + to be slain as an offering. The victim was generally one of the captive + chieftains, and he was slain together with his war horse, so as to add to + the impressiveness of the ceremony and to reconcile the spectators by the + abundance of blood that was shed to the small number of victims. + </p> + <p> + After having carefully examined the opened bodies of man and animal, the + sacrificing priest, his <span class="pagenum">[051]</span><a + name="link051" id="link051"></a>beard and clothes saturated with + blood, raised his bloody right hand to heaven and, reeking with murder and + breathing carnage, he proclaimed that his god was satisfied. The remainder + of the prisoners were kept for another day, but that other day never came. + </p> + <p> + Thus a new office had been created: that of a sacrificing priest. On both + banks of the Rhine, in Germany as well as in Gaul, the Druids reserved + this office for themselves; in other Celtic countries, in Scandinavia and + among the Scythians, women performed the terrible duty; we all remember as + a proof of it, Iphigenia of Tauris. + </p> + <p> + Whatever we may think of this bloody innovation, it certainly benefited + the prisoners, but the Druids obtained from it, after all, the greatest + advantage. Their power, which had been seriously undermined, step by step, + was once more firmly established. The opposition, which had paid no + attention to their remonstrances or their prayers, shrunk from their + knives. + </p> + <p> + From this moment begins the Second Period of the Druids. + </p> + <p> + The bloody knife of the Druids remained long all powerful, but we need not + follow its later fate. Cæsar had conquered and pacified Gaul, and the + successors of Augustus fulminated their Imperial <span class="pagenum">[052]</span><a + name="link052" id="link052"></a>decrees against the Druids, as slayers of + men, while the same knife continued to shed the blood of the Germans. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0019" id="linkimage-0019"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/072s.jpg" alt="072s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/072.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/072m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0020" id="linkimage-0020"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/075s.jpg" alt="075s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/075.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/075m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + III. + </h2> + <p> + <span class="pagenum">[055]</span><a name="link055" id="link055"></a><i>A + Visit to the Land of our Forefathers.—The two Banks of the Rhine.—Druid + Stones.—Weddings and Burials.—Xight Service.—A Dentigod + Glacier.—Social Duels. A Countrywoman of Aspasia.—Boudoir of a + Celtic Lady.—The Bard’s Story.—Teutons and Titans.—Earthquake.</i> + </p> + <p class="pfirst"> + <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">A</span>ny one who has + ever travelled in my company, must know that I am apt to stray from my + way, or at least to choose the longest route. I have a fancy to-day, to + turn my eyes and my steps away from those sacred precincts of the Druids, + which <span class="pagenum">[056]</span><a name="link056" + id="link056"></a>had become slaughter-houses and in which the hand + that blessed was also the hand that killed. + </p> + <p> + I desire to breathe an air less filled with the perfumes, or rather the + fetid odor of sacrifices. Up there, on that hill-top, where the setting + sun lights up the bright summit, I shall breathe more freely. + </p> + <p> + Here I am. + </p> + <p> + Beneath me the Rhine spreads out its two banks, not united yet by any + bridge, and even without a ferry to bring the one nearer to the other. + </p> + <p> + But on both sides, half hid under dense willow thickets and gigantic + reeds, there lie, in many a shallow little bay, large numbers of tiny + barks. These cunning looking boats belong to harmless fishermen in the + daytime; but at night they are filled with robbers and corsairs, who form + in bands, cross over to the other side in search of booty, and even + venture, if needs be, out into the Northern Sea. Just now nothing stirs; + the fishermen have gone home, the corsairs have not come forth. I look + farther out. + </p> + <p> + On the left bank there are some Gallic Celts encamped, with blue eyes, + white skin, and abundant golden tresses. Almost naked, their principal + garment seems to be that immense shield, almost as long as their body, + which shelters them on the march as well as when they are at rest, and + which protects <span class="pagenum">[057]</span><a name="link057" + id="link057"></a>them against the sun and the enemy alike. All of a + sudden I hear them, with lips held close to one of the edges of their + shields, utter sharp cries, which are taken up and repeated, from distance + to distance, all the way down the river. To these cries, which no doubt + represent their telegraphic system, there comes an answer from far + sounding trumpets. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0021" id="linkimage-0021"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/077s.jpg" alt="077s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/077.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/077m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + Who are these other soldiers with the black hair and the bronzed + complexions? Carefully arrayed in symmetrical lines they advance steadily, + clad in brilliant armor, and carrying banners surmounted by golden eagles + with half open wings. Has Cæsar really succeeded, after ten years’ + warfare, in making himself master of Gaul as far as the banks of the + Rhine? I cannot doubt it; for at their <span class="pagenum">[058]</span><a + name="link058" id="link058"></a>approach, the Gauls lower their + lance-heads, in token of their peaceful disposition, and allow them to + pass. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0022" id="linkimage-0022"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/078s.jpg" alt="078s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/078.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/078m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + When they reach the river, the small Roman army pauses; under the + protection of this armed force a few men, dressed in simple tunics, with + no arms but tablets, a style, and ropes for measuring the ground, go to + work preparing a plan, perhaps for a bridge, perhaps for a town. + </p> + <p> + German sentinels, take care! + </p> + <p> + From the height of my hill I look down upon a <span class="pagenum">[059]</span><a + name="link059" id="link059"></a>narrow strip of land on the right bank of + the river, and here I see several groups of men, scattered here and there + in the woods and on the plain, who work under the superintendence of a + Druid. Some are digging up the roots of trees which overshadow and + impoverish the ground; others draw long furrows with the iron of their + ploughs. These laborers seem all to suffer from some restraint which + impedes their movements, but of which at this distance I can discover no + cause. + </p> + <p> + In order to meditate on this strange sight, I look around for a resting + place. Half way up the hill I notice a small stone bench. As I draw + nearer, the object grows in size and rises to such a height, that I should + need a ladder if I wished to take possession of my seat. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0023" id="linkimage-0023"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/079s.jpg" alt="079s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/079.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/079m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + This apparent bench is a monument, a Druidical monument, and consists of + two upright stones, on which rests a third, horizontal stone. In France, + in England, and in Germany there are still found <span class="pagenum">[060]</span><a + name="link060" id="link060"></a>such Druidical altars, cromlechs or + dolmens; these menhyrs astonished already Alexander of Macedonia when he + marched through Scythia. In Bretagne, at Carnac, some of these stones, + consisting of a single rock, rise by the wayside, as if to tell the + traveller the story of the past, or they range themselves before his eyes + in long lines, forming on the ground endless circles of emblematic + meaning, as it is supposed. But the traveller can no longer understand + their language. Was this an altar, or was it an idol, or perhaps only a + simple monument raised over a grave. If they were altars, Carnac would be + Olympus; if they were tombstones, it would be a cemetery. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0024" id="linkimage-0024"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:15%;"> + <img src="images/080s.jpg" alt="080s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/080.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/080m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + I was going all around the mystic three stones to examine them more + closely, when I noticed close by a flock of sheep, and then a shepherd. + </p> + <p> + This shepherd, covered with a ragged <i>sagum</i>, had on his feet leather + sandals, a half open wound on his forehead, which had not yet had time to + close, enhanced the fierceness of his appearance. His burning <span + class="pagenum">[061]</span><a name="link061" id="link061"></a>glances + fell now upon the Druidical stone and now upon another object which I had + not noticed before. This was the guard of a sword which had been driven + into the ground. + </p> + <p> + Could it be that this stone resting upon two supports, were new + concessions made by the politic Druids? + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0025" id="linkimage-0025"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/081s.jpg" alt="081s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/081.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/081m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + As according to their spiritualistic views God could not render himself + visible in a shape resembling our own, they had represented him as well as + they could by a symbol. It appeared thus that human sacrifices were + already no longer sufficient to maintain their creed. + </p> + <p> + While I was examining with growing curiosity this strange keeper of sheep, + fair, with bare neck and bare feet, was busy watching on the same side of + the hill another flock, and at the same time gathering herbs for medicinal + purposes. When she was about to leave, she offered the shepherd to attend + to his wound, sword handle, and this <span class="pagenum">[062]</span><a + name="link062" id="link062"></a>but he refused haughtily; she ran away + laughing, and threw a flower into his face. + </p> + <p> + He did not pick up that flower; he did not salute that pretty girl as she + left him. He looked at her with disdain. + </p> + <p> + Ah! I can doubt it no longer; this unhappy man is like the wood-cutter in + the forest, and the laborers in the field, one of those prisoners taken in + war, whom the Druids have spared, and now render useful. His closely shorn + hair, his open wound, and the heavy wooden yoke which he has to carry on + his neck, all betray his sad fate. He has made no reply to the half + pitiful, half coquettish advances of the pretty gatherer of simples, + because she has only awakened in his heart painful memories of his distant + love, or of his wife, whom he is never to see again! He has cast glances + of fierce hatred and burning revenge at the Druidical altar and the handle + of the sword, because both of these objects point out the place of bloody + sacrifices. Does he think he is himself destined to be slain? or was + perhaps the warrior whom they slew yesterday, a man of his own tribe, his + best friend, his own brother? + </p> + <p> + But I have taken refuge here in order to escape from these painful + thoughts of blood and murder. I propose to seek new objects of interest. + </p> + <p> + Farther down, nearly at the foot of the hill, I <span class="pagenum">[063]</span><a + name="link063" id="link063"></a>see a few huts, or rather a few low, + almost crushed roofs, which seem hardly to rise from the ground. Are they + houses, or stables, or caves? + </p> + <p> + On the left bank Gauls and Romans have alike disappeared in the mists + rising from the river. On the right bank the wood-cutters and the + field-laborors are resting upon their axes or their ploughs, and seem to + ask the sun if the day is not drawing to an end. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0026" id="linkimage-0026"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/083s.jpg" alt="083s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/083.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/083m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + A breeze is springing up, the shepherd gathers his flock and, as mournful + as ever, he slowly takes <span class="pagenum">[064]</span><a + name="link064" id="link064"></a>the footpath that leads down the hill + towards the village. + </p> + <p> + I follow him without knowing what mysterious power draws me in that + direction. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps some Druid magician holds me under a potent spell, which enables + me to forget who I am, whence I come, and even to what century I belong, + and to witness these strange scenes, which, well nigh forgotten by all + living beings, I alone am permitted to watch? Let me try, at all events, + to profit by this rare piece of good fortune. + </p> + <p> + I reach the low village and find it occupied by a colony of Salic Franks, + who live scattered all along the Rhine. With their eyes fixed upon the + left bank, they are just now far more occupied with the invasion of + Germany by the Romans, than with the thought of invading Gaul themselves.—I + feel suddenly a deep interest in these people. What Frenchman of this + nineteenth century can feel sure that the blood in his veins is not the + same that once gave life and strength to these terrible warriors from the + North, Franks or Gauls? We are all natives of one or the other bank of + this great river Rhine, and feel towards each other, whether we live on + the right or the left bank, very much like school-boys whose friendship is + cemented by many a battle royal. + </p> + <p> + Being a Frenchman, I feel that I am about to <span class="pagenum">[065]</span><a + name="link065" id="link065"></a>pay a visit to my paternal ancestors—for + the Franks have given us our name. No wonder that I feel deeply moved. + </p> + <p> + I examine the low huts of the village, if village it can be called, and + find that they are separated from each other by commons and by fields, and + that they finally lose themselves in the open country. Where now these + scattered huts are standing, there may be one of these days a Mayence or a + Cologne, and yet they will occupy no larger space with all their suburbs + included. + </p> + <p> + On both sides of the road extend orchards, fenced in with reeds and all + aglow with blooming apple trees; dark, sombre pine forests and swamps, the + greenish waters of which are confined within slight dams; here and there + the live rock crops out from the ground and interrupts the road, or huge + trees are lying across, recently cut down and but just deprived of their + branches. In the open pasture grounds huge buffaloes are lying about + snorting and panting with fatigue, for they have worked all day in the + plough; the neighing of horses is heard from one end of the country to the + other, and gradually dies out as the sun sinks below the horizon; lean + heifers, with long, spiral horns, push here and there their heads through + the fence of the orchards to have a last bite at the tender foliage of the + reeds, and small oxen of an <span class="pagenum">[066]</span><a + name="link066" id="link066"></a>inferior breed return to their quarters at + the same time with the sheep, quite content to browse on the grass by the + wayside, while herds of swine are wallowing in the mire of the low + grounds. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0027" id="linkimage-0027"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/086s.jpg" alt="086s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/086.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/086m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + The landscape resembles parts of Bretagne and of Normandy; but these + provinces have no such huts. To see a human habitation, you have to rise + high above the fences and hedges and then look down upon the ground. + </p> + <p> + At a place where two roads meet, the cracking of a whip is heard; hogs, + sheep, and small oxen are driven aside to make way for a kind of + procession, consisting of grave and solemn men and women, who almost all + wear a look of consternation. + </p> + <p> + It is a wedding. + </p> + <p> + Two young people have just had their union blessed by the priests under + the sacred oak. The bride is dressed in black, and wears a wreath of dark + leaves on her head; she walks in the midst <span class="pagenum">[067]</span><a + name="link067" id="link067"></a>of her friends, bent double, as if weighed + down by overwhelming thoughts. A matron, who walks on her left, holds + before her eyes a white cloth; it is a shroud, the shroud in which she + will be buried one of these days. On her right, a Druid intones a chant, + in which he enumerates, in solemn rhythm, all the troubles and all the + anxieties which await her in wedded life. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0028" id="linkimage-0028"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/087s.jpg" alt="087s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/087.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/087m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + “From this day, young wife, thou alone wilt have to bear all the + burden of your united household. + </p> + <p> + “You will have to attend the baking oven, to provide fuel, and to go + in search of food; you will have to prepare the resinous torch and the + lamp. + </p> + <p> + “You will wash the linen at the fountain, and you will make up all + the clothing; + </p> + <p> + “You will attend to the cow, and even to the horse if your husband + requires it; + </p> + <p> + “Always full of respect, you will wait upon him, standing behind + him, at his meals; + </p> + <p> + “If he chooses to take more wives, you will receive your new + companions with sweetness; <span class="pagenum">[068]</span><a + name="link068" id="link068"></a>"If needs be, you will even offer + to nurse the children of these favorites, and all from obedience to your + karl (master); + </p> + <p> + “If he is angry against you and strikes you, you will pray to Esus, + the only God, but you will never blame your husband, who cannot do wrong. + </p> + <p> + “If he expresses a wish to take you with him to war, you will + accompany him to carry his baggage, to keep his arms in good condition, + and to nurse him if he should be sick or wounded. + </p> + <p> + “Happiness consists in the fulfillment of duty. Be happy, my child!” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0029" id="linkimage-0029"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/088s.jpg" alt="088s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/088.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/088m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + When I heard this dolorous wedding song, which in some parts of France is + to this day addressed to brides by local minstrels, when I saw this + winding-sheet, <span class="pagenum">[069]</span><a name="link069" + id="link069"></a>the mournful costumes and the whole funereal wedding + procession, I felt overcome with sadness. Just then, cries and joyous + acclamations were heard at some little distance. + </p> + <p> + Another procession came from the opposite direction to the cross-roads; + there all the faces were smiling and full of joyousness. + </p> + <p> + This was a funeral. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0030" id="linkimage-0030"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/089s.jpg" alt="089s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/089.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/089m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + Such were the ways of our fathers; they rejoiced in facing death, which + relieves man from all his sufferings; they had nothing but tears for man + when he entered upon his trials. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime the twilight had passed into darkness. Small lights, + looking like will-o’-the-wisps, were flitting to and fro in field + and forest, going in all directions. Devout worshippers, carrying torches + or lanterns in their hands, were going to consecrated places, to hold + public worship or to recite private prayers. <span class="pagenum">[070]</span><a + name="link070" id="link070"></a>Some, and these were the majority, go in + the direction of the oak forests, where the Druids are found; others, + concealing the light of their lanterns as well as they can, go hither and + thither, towards the copses of beeches and pine trees, or towards the + river, or towards the hill, which was but just now shining brightly in the + sunlight, but is now concealed in utter darkness. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0031" id="linkimage-0031"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/090s.jpg" alt="090s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/090.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/090m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + What are they going to do? They are going to worship the Rhine, the wells, + the water-courses, the trees, the Druidical <span class="pagenum">[071]</span><a + name="link071" id="link071"></a>altars, and the sword-guards. For no creed + yet but has had its schisms. + </p> + <p> + Orthodox or not, German or Gallic, the Franks have always shown a + preference for nocturnal worship; they divide the year into moons, and + count the moons not by days but by nights. And yet they have been + suspected of worshipping the sun! And I had nearly fallen into the same + error! How well it was that I came to see for myself! + </p> + <p> + As I am just now more interested in watching manners than in studying + mythology, I pursue my investigations, especially as I know very well that + we must know the lives which people lead in order to be able fully to + appreciate the objects of their worship. + </p> + <p> + While all these small lights are flashing, like shooting stars, here and + there through the landscape, certain specially bright lights seem to + become stationary and permanent. These are the lighted-up windows of human + habitations. I called the latter just now stables, or caves, and excepting + a few of them, I must still call them such. + </p> + <p> + They are dug out of the ground, damp and dark; their ceiling is on a level + with the surface of the earth, and their roof consists of layers of turf, + or of dry thatch covered with moss. The only door resembles the lid of a + snuff-box, and is set in the roof on a level with the ground. The dwelling + <span class="pagenum">[072]</span><a name="link072" id="link072"></a>has + no light but such as enters through these trapdoors; consequently they are + utterly dark during the whole rainy season and during winter, that is to + say, for three fourths of the year! Darkness reigns supreme here; that + darkness which is the enemy of all healthfulness, of enjoyment, of every + comfort. No windows! No glass! O divine Apollo,— + </p> + <p> + “Thou of the silver bow, god of Claros, hear!” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0032" id="linkimage-0032"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/092s.jpg" alt="092s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/092.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/092m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + I never had any objection to the doctrine which made of you, the brilliant + personification of the sun, a first class divinity; but I think like + honors ought to have been bestowed upon the unknown man who first invented + windows and window-panes, the <span class="pagenum">[073]</span><a + name="link073" id="link073"></a>first glazier in fine. He ought at least + to have been made a demigod, and if he had to remain a simple mortal, they + ought surely to have remembered his name! Alas! that high honors are as + unfairly distributed in heaven as upon earth! + </p> + <p> + As there is no window, I peep through the trapdoor to see how these + subterranean dwellings look inside. The aspect is far from being as + wretched as I had expected. I find that the walls are hung with mattings + and the floor is beaten hard; by the side of the smoking lamp which is + suspended from the main beam of the ceiling, there are hanging, on hooks, + a hindquarter of venison, baskets filled with provisions, and implements + for fishing and hunting. Besides, I notice long strings of medicinal + herbs, such as we see in the shops of herb-doctors, and among these plants + the mistletoe occupies, as a matter of course, the place of honor. + </p> + <p> + In another underground hut there appear actually some traces of luxury. + Here the walls are incrusted with pebbles from the Rhine, of many colors + and skillfully arranged; here and there weapons are arranged in various + shapes; javelins with sharp hooks; framees, such as the ancient Franks + were using; hatchets of stone or iron; “morning stars,” with + sharp points, were pleasantly mingled with huge bucklers; large leather + quivers and long arrows feathered at one end and with jagged teeth <span + class="pagenum">[074]</span><a name="link074" id="link074"></a>at the + other. At first sight it looks as if for the purpose of softening somewhat + the threatening aspect of these panoplies, the Celtic lady of the house + had added some of her jewels to these weapons. But it is not so; these + gold chains, these necklaces set with onyx and rubies, are worn by the + grim warriors on the day of battle, quite as much in the nature of + ornaments as for the purpose of protection. One of our sober, I may say, + most sober historians, ascribes to this custom of our forefathers, the + Franks, the gorget, worn still by officers in some European armies. Here + also I see straw mats, but here they are trod under foot; they are used as + carpets, not as hangings. + </p> + <p> + The deep and spacious dwelling contains, besides the large room which + alone I can see through my dormer-window, a number of other rooms on all + sides, or rather of other caves, which are all connected with each other. + I am evidently before the palace of one of the chief men of the country. + </p> + <p> + In the first hut, into which I had looked, I had found the people at + table, drinking a beverage made from grain and herbs—cerevisia—in + horns of wild bulls, and talking about business—for our ancestors + talked about business at dinner, just as we do. The conversation turned + about exchanges of rams, a great fishing expedition to be undertaken + jointly, an invasion to be made into the territory on the other<span + class="pagenum">[075]</span><a name="link075" id="link075"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/095s.jpg" alt="095s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/095.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/095m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + <span class="pagenum">[077]</span><a name="link077" id="link077"></a>bank + of the river, and most eagerly, about the approaching elections. For + Montesquieu tells us that municipal and even constitutional government + existed alike among the early Germans. + </p> + <p> + In the other dwelling, the one adorned with panoplies, they were talking + neither of elections, nor of fishing, but they were likewise at table. + Here they drank not only cerevisia in the <i>horns of the brave</i>, but + also hydromel and hippocras in leathern tankards or human skulls, as white + as ivory, adorned with silver and naturally shaped like cups. God be + thanked that this custom has not been bequeathed to us by the Franks! + </p> + <p> + On that evening they were celebrating the welcome given to a young warrior + who had already made himself known by great exploits and who belonged to a + neighboring, friendly tribe. + </p> + <p> + When the meal was ended, and what a meal it was!—I shall be careful + not to give the bill of fare, since the mere recital would cause an + indigestion,—they thought of prolonging the entertainment given to + their illustrious guest. But what could they do? The young Frankish ladies + were not familiar yet with the piano, and the noble game of billiards had + not yet been invented. They proposed riddles to be guessed, but this did + not seem to afford much amusement to the young man. Then came a game with + bones; but he nearly fell <span class="pagenum">[078]</span><a + name="link078" id="link078"></a>asleep. As the duty of hospitality + required that they should make every possible effort to entertain their + guest, a great man among the Cheruski or the Marcomanni, they proposed the + <i>handkerchief</i>; this, seemed to arouse his attention. + </p> + <p> + The handkerchief game was at that time very popular; it was a kind of + company duel. Two kind-hearted adversaries, having no other motive but to + amuse themselves and to entertain the company, would seize with their left + hand one end of a handkerchief, and with their right hand a table knife or + a hunting knife, it did not matter which, provided the weapon was sharp + and very pointed. For our good ancestors did not know foils with cork + buttons or other arms of courtesy. Imbued with the strange idea that to + fight, man against man, or a thousand against a thousand, was the greatest + happiness upon earth, they delighted in occasionally cutting each other’s + throat, even if they were the best friends in the world. + </p> + <p> + The spectators formed a ring around the combatants. After they had taken a + solemn oath, by the rims of their bucklers, by the shoulders of their + horses, and by the points of their swords, that they cherished no feeling + of animosity against each other, a signal was given and the game + commenced. For some time I saw how the handkerchief was stretched out, + twisted and then suddenly <span class="pagenum">[079]</span><a + name="link079" id="link079"></a>turned around and around rapidly. Light + red lines had already begun to mark the skin of the two adversaries; the + blood was trickling down their arms, but these wounds were such trifles + that the spectators took no notice of them and uttered not a single + exclamation. + </p> + <p> + All of a sudden I heard three hurrahs in rapid succession; the welcomed + guest, whom all had been striving to honor to the utmost of their + capacity, had fallen down with his adversary’s knife still sticking + in his breast. He was dead. + </p> + <p> + They had not been able to think of any better way to make him spend a + pleasant evening. The good old times had a hospitality of their own! + </p> + <p> + This pleasant handkerchief game has survived, only slightly modified, in + several countries of northern Europe. The handkerchief is generally + wrapped around a rapier, so as to shorten the length of the blade. In the + taverns of Holland the game is considered conducive to health; a knife + wound gives a man a chance to escape apoplexy; it serves as a timely + bleeding. + </p> + <p> + I had run away in horror. For an hour I wandered about, casting a furtive + glance down a trapdoor here and there, and almost everywhere I saw men and + women, horses and cattle, enjoying their rest, lying pell-mell on the same + litter. + </p> + <p> + In one of these hovels I thought I recognized <span class="pagenum">[080]</span><a + name="link080" id="link080"></a>the young girl whom I had seen on the + hill; her attitude of repose gave a peculiar charm to her supple and + delicate limbs, and by the feeble flickering light of the lamp, she + suggested the idea of a sleeping nymph. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0033" id="linkimage-0033"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/100s.jpg" alt="100s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/100.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/100m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + She was a young Ionian girl, a countrywoman of Aspasia; captured in war, + she had been sold as a slave in twenty markets, developing in spite of + such treatment, one grace and one beauty after another. On the banks of + the Ilyssus, they would have erected an altar in her honor, on the banks + of the Rhine they made her keep a herd of swine. <span class="pagenum">[081]</span><a + name="link081" id="link081"></a>She was not the only one of her sex, + however, whom I saw during that fantastic night. + </p> + <p> + The sound of a shrill fife, mingling with the sweeter notes of a harp, + attracted my attention. I went toward the spot from which the music came. + </p> + <p> + In a little room decked with flowers, a young woman was engaged in her + toilet. + </p> + <p> + I ought to have fled once more,—this time from bashfulness or a + sense of propriety,—but a conscientious historian is bound to + overcome every difficulty, in order to ascertain the exact truth. It was a + great piece of good luck, surely, to be able to report as an eye-witness, + what might be seen in the boudoir of a Celtic lady. + </p> + <p> + My friend was sitting, half undressed, on a stool, with her hair loosened, + and holding in her hand a metal mirror. An old woman, a servant or her + mother, I cannot tell which—and yet it seemed to me as if I had seen + both these women, as well as the beautiful swine-herd, somewhere before; + when that was, however, I could not possibly tell—the old woman held + the whole rich abundance of the young lady’s hair in both her hands + and rubbed it with a horrid mixture of tallow, ashes, and plaster. Thanks + to this wretched pomatum, the beautiful hair gradually changed from pale + blonde to intense red, and thus enabled the owner to comply with a + fashion, which I do not presume to criticise, but <span class="pagenum">[082]</span><a + name="link082" id="link082"></a>simply record here. Then she washed and + combed it carefully, plaited it cunningly, and at last rubbed the + shoulders and the neck of the beauty with melted butter, while she washed + the face and the hands with foaming beer. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0034" id="linkimage-0034"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/102s.jpg" alt="102s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/102.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/102m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + After the demands of cleanliness had thus been satisfied, she placed + before her mistress a slight collation, which was promptly served and + promptly dispatched. While she was thus attending to her toilet and + disposing of a bird’s meal, there was a cyclopean feast going on in + an adjoining room; loud and violent voices were heard, everybody seemed + <span class="pagenum">[083]</span><a name="link083" id="link083"></a>to + talk at once, and in such high tones that even the shrill fife could no + longer be distinguished—for it was from this hall that the sound of + music proceeded, which had attracted me to the dwelling. + </p> + <p> + The old woman evidently thought the feast was drawing to an end, for she + hastened to finish her mistress’s toilet: She opened a wooden box + and drew from it a pair of pretty red boots, which she put on the feet of + the young beauty; then she threw over her white dress a purple scarf, + which she fastened on the left shoulder with a long thorn from a + sloe-tree. After that she tied a narrow scarlet ribbon around her head, + handed her a collar and bracelets made of small berries, which in form and + color were strikingly like corals, and finally, as the finishing touch, + she daubed her cheeks with red by means of a cosmetic which I suspect + consisted largely of brickdust. When the young Frankish beauty found that + there was enough red—scarlet, crimson, purple, and pink—on her + person from head to foot, she uttered a cry of triumph, especially when + her husband, who entered her room, followed by his guests, seemed to be + quite dazzled by the resplendent charms of his lovely wife, whom he had + just <i>bought</i>. + </p> + <p> + To buy a woman was a familiar expression in Germany at that time, as it is + now,—<i>Ein weib kaufen</i>. It must be borne in mind, however, that + <span class="pagenum">[084]</span><a name="link084" id="link084"></a>in + those days the bride brought no dower; on the contrary, the husband paid + her family a certain sum as compensation. We have inherited many of our + usages from our Celtic forefathers; but as to this custom, we have not + thought proper to keep it up. + </p> + <p> + I at once recognized the husband, although he was now all smiles in his + face, and let us hope, all smiles in his heart also. He was the chief + personage in the wedding procession, whom I had seen two hours before, + looking so grave and solemn, so sad and mournful. + </p> + <p> + According to Druidical regulations, the bride has first of all waited upon + him at table, humbly standing behind him like the other house slaves; + then, towards the middle of the repast, she had gone to her room in order + to exchange her girlish costume for the dress of a married woman—a + woman who has the right to follow the fashions and to dress herself up in + red from the heels of her feet to the end of her hair. + </p> + <p> + Now she receives her master <i>at home</i>; here she is mistress, and + mistress she will remain. This was the rule among the Franks; for in spite + of the lachrymose anthems of the bards and in spite of the sombre + ceremonies of the wedding, the women became almost invariably the masters + at home, a usage which, contrary to that of dowerless girls, may possibly + have crossed the Rhine. <span class="pagenum">[085]</span><a + name="link085" id="link085"></a>Thinking it over, I found that + during my nocturnal excursion into the land of my forefathers, I had been + present—as a witness only, be it understood—at three + successive entertainments; a feast of welcome, a business dinner, and a + wedding dinner. Although they had not been calculated to satisfy my + appetite, they had, at all events, made me extremely hungry. I was + thinking, therefore, of retracing my steps and looking for a lodging, when + I saw the Druid-bard, who had not disdained taking a seat at the nuptial + feast, coming slowly and solemnly to the centre of the room, all the while + drawing a few accords from, a kind of harp, which consisted of a closely + bent bow with three strings instead of one. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0035" id="linkimage-0035"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/105s.jpg" alt="105s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/105.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/105m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + He was getting ready to charm the company with the recital of one of those + long and mysterious poems which recount the history of the Celts. I delay + my departure. + </p> + <p> + It has been said, and not without a show of reason, that the history of + our Gallic or Germanic ancestors ought to be for us a subject of deep + interest; but bold minds have in vain tried to raise <span class="pagenum">[086]</span><a + name="link086" id="link086"></a>up once more the old oak tree, to trim it + and to let air and light enter within its canopy of leaves. The birds that + once sang in its branches have left no trace behind them of their songs, + and nothing has reached us from those sacred precincts but a few faint + echoes. + </p> + <p> + I certainly have reason to praise my good fortune! What all these great + scholars, these learned men, have not been able to accomplish by dint of + energy and perseverance and aided by all their knowledge of Latin, Greek, + and Sanskrit, I (I, the man whom you know) am enabled to do! Thanks to the + bard’s long recital, I am able to fill up this blank,—the + first, the only man in the history of mankind, who can throw light upon + the impenetrable darkness of those ages! + </p> + <p> + The bard began. I listened, all attention and eagerness, trying to catch + every sound and to impress every word upon my excellent memory. + </p> + <p> + In a pompous introduction he told us all about the first arrival of the + Celts in Europe, the coming of the Druids as apostles of the true faith; + he told us how a great colony of Salic Franks, Gauls, under the collective + name of Pelasgi, all children of Teut, or Teutons, had first planted a + sacred oak at Dodona. On this point I was already well informed. He then + alluded to the building up of Athens, due as much to the Teutons as to the + <span class="pagenum">[087]</span><a name="link087" id="link087"></a>Greeks + of Cecrops; he boasted, that when the Greeks were led astray by their + corrupt imagination and wished to raise altars to Saturn, Jupiter, and all + those false gods whom they had borrowed from the Egyptians and the + Phoenicians, the Teutons rose in the name of outraged human reason, and + proclaimed the only one God, breaking down all the false altars. Hence, he + said, that formidable struggle, still so well known as the battle of the + gods of Olympus against the <i>Teutons</i> or <i>Titans</i>.... + </p> + <p> + I held my breath. What? Those terrible giants, those colossal men, whom + Jupiter himself feared and who piled Ossa upon Pelion, or Pelion upon Ossa—they + were Celts? They were the ancestors of the brave French? + </p> + <p> + O Titans, O my brothers, with what delight I listened to the sacred words + of the bard, so that I might repeat them to you and rejoice with you in + our glorious descent! + </p> + <p> + By special grace I understood the Germano-Celtic words of the bard without + difficulty. But the poem was flowing on interminably; I began to mistrust + my memory. Centuries succeeded centuries, events followed events, and they + were as close to each other and as numerous as grains in a bag of wheat. + The continuous exertion of all my faculties began to tell upon me. The + most illustrious <span class="pagenum">[088]</span><a name="link088" + id="link088"></a>heroes of Gaul and of Germany appeared to me soon + only like the faint forms seen by means of a magic lantern; Sigovesus and + Bellovesus, the descendants of the great king Ambigat; Brennus, Btlgius, + and Lutharius, sons or sons-in-law of that other great king Cambaules, + began to turn around and arouad in my head, holding each other by the hand + and performing an old British dance to the music of an old Breton + instrument. Ariovistus played on the biniou. Then the sounds of the + biniou, the shrill tones of the fife and the Druid harp were broken in + upon by a terrible noise of countless church bells; the air shook all of a + sudden, the earth trembled, everything around me fell to the ground with a + great crash, the Druid, the house of the wedding, the trap-door, the + hamlet, the trees, the hill, the Rhine and its banks, the heaven and the + stars, all disappeared at the same moment, and I awoke in my arm-chair, + surrounded by my poor books, which had just fallen from my knees. + </p> + <p> + The dinner bell was still ringing. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0036" id="linkimage-0036"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/111s.jpg" alt="111s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/111.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/111m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + IV. + </h2> + <p> + <span class="pagenum">[091]</span><a name="link091" id="link091"></a><i>The + Roman Gods invade Germany.—Drusus and the Druidess.—Ogmius, + the Hercules of Gaul.—Great Philological Discovery concerning Teut + at es.—Transformations of every kind.—Irmexsul.—The + Rhine deified.—The Gods cross the River.—Druids of the Third + Epoch.</i> + </p> + <p class="pfirst"> + <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">Y</span>ou may rest + assured, I did not merely dream of that bold transformation of Teutons + into Titans; one of the most learned and most reliable authors in my + library, assures me of the fact. These great scholars are sometimes very + clever men. + </p> + <p> + According to this authority, the Celts were very much taller than the + Greeks, and this fact had naturally suggested to the latter the idea of + speaking of them as giants. The Celtic Pelasgi, who were warlike shepherds + like all the men of their race, usually watched their flocks as they were + <span class="pagenum">[092]</span><a name="link092" id="link092"></a>grazing + on the high mountains, and it was these mountains which the myth accused + them of piling up, one upon another, to scale the heavens. You will say, + What mad follies of poets! I grant this; but after these mad poets came + men like Hesiod and Homer, who changed the idle dream into stern reality, + and upon this rock a new religion was founded, and with it, a new + civilization. + </p> + <p> + Now the day has come when these same gods of Greece, having become the + gods of great Rome, will pursue the Titans, or Teutons, to the very heart + of Germany. + </p> + <p> + It is well known that Cæsar, after having conquered Gaul, had promptly + crossed the Rhine, rather for the purpose of making a reconnaissance on + the opposite bank of the river, than with any view to conquest. His + successor went farther into Germany. Drusus, the adopted son of Augustus, + and his lieutenant, reached the banks of the river Elbe, pursuing the + Franks, the Teutons, the Burgundians, the Cheruski, the Marcomanni, all + those children of the same great family, who had been overcome, put to + flight, but never subjugated. All of a sudden, at the very moment when he + is about to cross the river, there comes forth from the dark, dense + forest, not a new army of barbarians, bristling with spears and halberts, + but a woman, a tall, haughty looking woman, with long disheveled hair<span + class="pagenum">[093]</span><a name="link093" id="link093"></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0037" id="linkimage-0037"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/113s.jpg" alt="113s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/113.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/113m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + <span class="pagenum">[094]</span><a name="link094" id="link094"></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0038" id="linkimage-0038"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/114s.jpg" alt="114s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/114.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/114m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + <span class="pagenum">[095]</span><a name="link095" id="link095"></a>flowing + down upon her bare shoulders, and on her brow a crown of simple oak + branches. + </p> + <p> + She steps across his path and with uplifted finger orders him in an + imperious voice to turn back and to go to his camp to prepare for death. + </p> + <p> + It was a Druidess, endowed in the highest degree with the gift of + prophecy; so it would seem at least, for Drusus had hardly entered the + Roman camp, when he fell from his horse and expired. + </p> + <p> + Not all the Druidesses, however, succeeded in making the Roman generals go + back, by a word or a gesture; nor did all the Roman generals fall from + their horses and die. After fifty-five years of strangely varying + fortunes, the Genius of Rome was victorious, and must needs have been + victorious, for it led the whole world by its power. It brought with it + also its gods, which in spite of their numbers, or rather perhaps because + they were so numerous, met on the banks of the Rhine with a more + determined resistance than its soldiers. + </p> + <p> + Rome had a magnificent mission to fulfill. Her glorious duty upon earth + was to restore the unity of all the great human families, and to improve + their condition by bringing them in contact with each other—by + fraternity, in fine. To attain this end, she had generally employed War as + her principal instrument; Religion had been a subsidiary agent only, a + weapon which she kept concealed, <span class="pagenum">[096]</span><a + name="link096" id="link096"></a>but which she used with great efficacy to + secure the permanency of her conquests. + </p> + <p> + Unfortunately, Roman gods were as liable to corruption, and to fearful + corruption, as the great men of the Empire. Nations rise step by step on + the grand ladder of civilization; when they have reached the top they must + keep up their activity, without which no life and no progress can be + maintained, and thus the moment comes when they are forced to descend + again, till at last they sink into sensual degradation, into erudite, + refined, voluptuous barbarism—the very bottom of the ladder. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0039" id="linkimage-0039"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/116s.jpg" alt="116s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/116.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/116m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + Rome had begun by raising altars to all the virtues; now her deities + personified nothing but vices. How could they expect to introduce them and + make them acceptable to these coarse Germans, among whom prostitution, + adultery, and theft were hardly known by name, who allowed a woman <span + class="pagenum">[097]</span><a name="link097" id="link097"></a>to claim + hospitality at the house of any <i>Karl</i>, to rest under his roof, and + even to share his couch, without fearing slander, if he had but put a + naked sword between her and himself, and who had never known and could not + know the use of locks and keys? Were they not accustomed to hang their + most valuable possessions upon the branches of a consecrated tree in the + open camp, or to place them on top of a druidical stone or beneath it, as + they chose—knowing that there they were perfectly safe? When they + had taken this simple precaution, they could go to bed and sleep quietly, + and there was no need for putting a sentinel on guard. + </p> + <p> + Already, in the days of Cæsar, the Romans had employed a very ingenious + and cunning device, in order to win over the simple Gauls. They had + pretended to find their gods, their own peculiar gods, already established + in the country from olden times. Thus there existed in Gaul a statue which + the Etrusci had erected in honor of <i>Ogmius</i>, or rather <i>Ogma</i>. + The Greek Lucian mentions it in these words:— + </p> + <p> + “It is a decrepit old man; his skin is black; this form of a man, + however, wears the attributes of Hercules, the lion’s skin and the + club. + </p> + <p> + “I thought at first,” Lucian adds, “that the Celts had + invented this odd figure in order to laugh at <span class="pagenum">[098]</span><a + name="link098" id="link098"></a>the gods of Greece; but this so-called + Hercules, who is of very great antiquity, drags after him a multitude of + men, whom he leads by golden chains which he holds in his mouth, while + they are fastened to the ears of his victims.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0040" id="linkimage-0040"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/118s.jpg" alt="118s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/118.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/118m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + This <i>Ogmius</i> was evidently a typical representation of Druidism + itself; <i>Ogma</i>, in Celtic languages, means both science and + eloquence. What has Hercules to do with all this? Nevertheless the Romans + insisted upon calling him by that name. + </p> + <p> + Nor did they stop here. <span class="pagenum">[099]</span><a + name="link099" id="link099"></a>When they found all the nations + they had conquered were continually speaking of a certain <i>Teutates</i>, + they at once declared that they recognized in this popular person their + own god Mercury. It was he and no other! It was Mercury, the son of + Jupiter and the nymph Ma’ia. There was a striking resemblance, an + unmistakable analogy! No one could misapprehend the thing for an instant! + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0041" id="linkimage-0041"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/119s.jpg" alt="119s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/119.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/119m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + Oh, my good Romans, I don’t mean to blame you now for all the + trouble you gave me when I was at college! I will forget all that—But + what could make you conceive this stupid idea, of naturalizing among us + your Mercury, the god of eloquence, if <span class="pagenum">[100]</span><a + name="link100" id="link100"></a>you choose, but above all the ever ready + pimp of Jupiter, the god of trade and of thieves, and of naturalizing him + in a land where trade, love, and thieves are so little known! In + subservience to this Roman notion, some of our modern writers have been + clever enough to prove that there were really many points of resemblance + between Mercury and Teutates—but I, I openly deny it! Once more, + philology shall come to my assistance, to overturn their doctrine. It was + only this morning, while shaving, that I made a philologie discovery of + the very highest importance, in which the public will take the most lively + interest, and, I doubt not, the French Acadamy also. + </p> + <p> + The word <i>Teut</i>, as the reader no doubt knows perfectly well, means + <i>God; Tat</i> in ancient Celtic and in modern Breton may be accurately + rendered as <i>father</i>—so an old Breton woman assures me, who + brought me up when I was a child. Add to <i>Tat</i> the termination <i>Es</i>, + the diminutive form of <i>Esus</i>, the <i>Lord</i>, connect the three + monosyllables, and you have <i>Teut-Tat-Es</i>, God, Father, and Lord! + </p> + <p> + Where—I appeal to all the famous historians so graphically described + by Rabelais—where do you find a trace of Mercury in Teutates now? He + is beyond all doubt the great divinity of the Celts, but you found it more + convenient to follow the interested views of the Roman writers. And yet + <span class="pagenum">[101]</span><a name="link101" id="link101"></a>even + if they were innocent of any design upon your credulity, might they not + have been mistaken themselves? Are you not aware that Plutarch, + conscientious Plutarch himself, after having witnessed the Feast of + Tabernacles in Palestine, tells us gravely that the Jews worshipped + Bacchus? You were not aware of it, come, confess it frankly! For I will + confess to you, that I was not aware of it, myself, ten minutes ago; but + Dr. Rosahl has just told me so. The good doctor is delighted at my + discovery of the true meaning of <i>Teut-Tat-Es</i>; he thinks no + etymological question of such importance ‘was ever more + satisfactorily put and answered in the same breath. He advises me strongly + to write a memoir on the subject, which he will undertake to bring to the + notice of learned societies, and only suggests the expediency of leaving + out any allusion to my old Breton nurse; but I am too conscientious a + writer ever to omit quoting my authorities. + </p> + <p> + Now, since I have mentioned Rabelais, let us “return to our lambs,” + that is, to our Teutons. + </p> + <p> + After the Roman conquest, the same transformation of native deities into + classic gods continued in Germany. The sacred oak was changed into + Jupiter, whom it represented symbolically; the Druidical altars became + either Apollo or Diana; sometimes they were made to represent deities of + inferior rank, nymphs, anything in fact. But these numerous <span + class="pagenum">[102]</span><a name="link102" id="link102"></a>metamorphoses, + made rather hastily, led to a curious mistake. + </p> + <p> + The conquerors had met on the banks of the Weser a huge monolith, cut with + an axe by simple and ignorant stone-carvers. It was called <i>Irmensul</i>. + Like the Celtic Teutates, this Irmensul also attracted at certain fixed + times an immense concourse of people. The Romans, appreciating the martial + spirit of the natives, did not hesitate to declare that this was Mars, + their god of war. Thereupon they paid it all possible honor, consecrating + their weapons to the new deity, and offering countless propitiatory + sacrifices. + </p> + <p> + Now, who was this Irmensul? + </p> + <p> + When Varus had invaded Germany, during the reign of Augustus, at the head + of three legions, Arminius, a chieftain of the Cheruski (a Brunswicker, we + would say nowadays), had surprised him, and completely surrounded his army + in the marshes of Teutoburg, on the banks of the Weser. Every man of this + army, whether a Roman or a warrior of the allied tribes wearing Roman + livery, had perished by the sword. For eight days the bloody waters of the + Weser had carried down more than thirty thousand dead bodies. + </p> + <p> + When the news of this disaster reached Augustus, he thought that Gaul was + lost, Italy in danger, and Rome herself imperilled. Mad with grief, he + would <span class="pagenum">[103]</span><a name="link103" id="link103"></a>rise, + for a month afterwards, night after night, and in his terror wander + through his vast palace, crying out: “O Varus, Varus, bring me back + my legions!” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0042" id="linkimage-0042"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/123s.jpg" alt="123s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/123.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/123m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + Well, the Irmensul was nothing more than a triumphal column erected in + honor of Arminius and his Cheruski. <i>Irmen</i> is the same as the name + <i>Herman or Armin</i> (Arminius), and <i>sul</i> means column. The + Romans, however, did not know this, and they paid dearly for their + ignorance. If they had known better they would not have committed the + egregious blunder of kneeling down and worshipping the man who had + destroyed the three legions of Varus. It is very evident that they were as + ignorant of German as of Celtic. <span class="pagenum">[104]</span><a + name="link104" id="link104"></a>It ought not to surprise us, however, to + see the soldiers of the imperial people change stones into gods, as + Deucalion had changed them into men. Before the days of Homer, and for a + long time after him, Jupiter was in Seleucia modestly represented by a + fragment of rock and Cybele by a black stone. In Cyprus, the Venus of + Paphos was nothing but a triangular or quadrangular pyramid, nor can I + imagine what importance could be attached to three or four angles in a + body, which was soon to assume the softest and most fascinating outlines. + First the poets had come and sung of Cybele, the kind goddess, of Jupiter + the omnipotent, and of Venus, the soul of the world and the queen of + beauty. Inspired by their voice and the bold conceptions of their fancy, + the sculptors had next employed the chisel upon these stones and these + pyramids, and there had sprung forth from these shapeless masses the Lord + of Gods, armed with his lightning, the beautiful Cytherea, armed with the + most powerful weapons of all womanly graces. Oh, poets and sculptors, you + have upset everything in religion! You are responsible for the loss of + that austere simplicity which once characterized the faith of men! + Miserable cutters of stone, reckless counters of syllables, you, and you + alone, have substituted symbols for truth! Still, I do not condemn you; + although I have stood up to <span class="pagenum">[105]</span><a + name="link105" id="link105"></a>defend the Druids of the earliest days, I + am far from being insensible to the charms of art and of poetry; besides, + what right have I, who speak of gods and myths, to pass sentence on those + who have been the real creators of Mythology? + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0043" id="linkimage-0043"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/125s.jpg" alt="125s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/125.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/125m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + While the conquerors of the Teutons, in the pride of their cleverness, + were committing blunder after blunder, and fell into the pits they had dug + for others, the real gods of Rome stayed on the banks of the Rhine, where + they had already been accepted by the Gauls. They were impatient enough to + see Germany also erect them temples and statues, but the Rhine with + uplifted waves barred the passage. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps the old river remembered his grievances <span class="pagenum">[106]</span><a + name="link106" id="link106"></a>of former days, when he had been compelled + to appear in the triumphal processions of Germanicus, as a conquered + river, loaded with chains, while the rabble and riffraff of Rome had + insulted him to his face and covered him from head to foot with the mud of + the Tiber. + </p> + <p> + The remembrance of his former humiliation seemed to revive his wrath at + this day, and he unfolded his whole strength to take his revenge. In vain + had the Olympians tried repeatedly to cross at different points; + everywhere, from the Alps to the Northern Sea, they found him furious, + roaring and rushing, full of threats in his green waters and besprinkling + the banks with white foam. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0044" id="linkimage-0044"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/126s.jpg" alt="126s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/126.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/126m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + At last they bribed him to espouse the cause of the Empire: they made him + a king, the king of German rivers. A king more or less mattered very + little to a people who made and unmade kings at will. + </p> + <p> + The Rhine was evidently flattered by the distinction; and he laid aside + his long cherished wrath. + </p> + <p> + He had already allowed Jupiter to cross, taking <span class="pagenum">[107]</span><a + name="link107" id="link107"></a>him perhaps for Esus; he now carefully + examined the passports and certificates of good conduct of several other + gods, and left the way open for Apollo and Minerva, Diana and some deities + of fair repute; but when he saw Bacchus, his anger was rekindled. What? + Were not the Germans mad and quarrelsome enough, when they had only taken + too much beer? How could he consent to allow their passions to be aroused + by potent wine? He was king, and as such bound to keep this scourge from + his people. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0045" id="linkimage-0045"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/127s.jpg" alt="127s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/127.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/127m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + The gods whom he had allowed to cross endeavored to plead for the son of + Semele,—but he remained inexorable. His severity relaxed, however, + when the vines planted by order of the Emperor <span class="pagenum">[108]</span><a + name="link108" id="link108"></a>Probus in parts of the Rheingau, began to + adorn the banks of the river with their verdure—he was overcome, + when he had once tasted the juice of the grape. He consented to let + Bacchus pass from bank to bank, but only at the time of the vintage. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0046" id="linkimage-0046"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/128s.jpg" alt="128s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/128.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/128m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + Once admitted, Bacchus soon brought into the land the whole crowd of gods + and goddesses, who made up his following and who enjoyed no great + reputation in Rome and in Greece. The Rhine <span class="pagenum">[109]</span><a + name="link109" id="link109"></a>became angry once more, but once more + caresses and unexpected honors had their hoped-for effect. He was already + a king; he now became a god. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0047" id="linkimage-0047"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/129s.jpg" alt="129s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/129.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/129m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + Henceforth Father Rhine conceived a strong affection for his former + adversaries. When he saw that the German bank had adopted the customs and + the religion of the conquerors as fully as the Celtic bank, he abandoned + completely his restrictive policy and did his best to help everybody + across. Thus Jupiter was no sooner installed in Germany, than he summoned + his Corybantes; Bacchus his Bacchantes and his Maenads, Diana <span + class="pagenum">[110]</span><a name="link110" id="link110"></a>her hunting + nymphs, Venus her whole court of lascivious priestesses; the Dryads and + the Hamadryads, the Naiads and the Tritons, the Fauns and the S il vans, + all came one by one. It was a perfect invasion. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0048" id="linkimage-0048"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/130s.jpg" alt="130s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/130.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/130m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + Germany, grave and solemn as she was, felt not a little troubled by this + wholesale irruption of frivolous <span class="pagenum">[111]</span><a + name="link111" id="link111"></a>and ill-mannered deities, who so little + agreed with her austere habits. The young, it is true, were more easily + Romanized and readily caught at this poetical personification of all the + forces of Nature; but the old, the chieftains, and above all the Druids, + backed by a nearly unanimous people, asked each other what could be the + meaning of this sudden enthusiasm for new gods, this half mad devotion to + celestial clowns? + </p> + <p> + No one, however, dared to raise a hand; the Teutons had lost their former + energy, they were enfeebled, unnerved and exhausted by their long but + useless resistance. Hence, like true cowards, they appeared in the pagan + temples, in order to conciliate the good-will of the conquerors, and then, + to pacify their consciences, they hastened to some dark forest and there + with anxious eyes and disturbed minds, they offered in fear and trembling + their fervent worship to the sacred oak. + </p> + <p> + The Roman gods were soon to encounter far more formidable adversaries + elsewhere. + </p> + <p> + Far beyond Germany, as we find it described and limited by geographers, + there lived a host of nations, scattered over a vast territory, and + extending as far East as the shores of the Caspian Sea. The Romans had + never penetrated far into these unknown depths, which sent forth + incessantly new armies of soldiers whom they classed indiscriminately + <span class="pagenum">[112]</span><a name="link112" id="link112"></a>under + the vague and collective name of Hyperboreans. Such were the Huns, the + Scythians, the Goths, the Slaves (Poles, Danes, Swedes, Russians, and + Norwegians), all of them robbers and pirates. Some, under the name of + Cimbrians, had joined the Teutons t and with them invaded Gaul and even + Italy, till they encountered the armies of Marius; others, were about to + cross the Pyrenees and to fall upon Spain. Among them all, the + Scandinavians were by far the most powerful, intrepid soldiers and + fearless sailors, who were soon to darken the waters of the Rhine with + their countless vessels, and to make Charlemagne shed tears as he thought + of the days to come. + </p> + <p> + Ere long these dauntless pirates will actually enter the Loire, then even + the Seine; they will besiege Paris, and finally, thanks to the able + statesmanship of King Charles, whom they call the Simple, they will + become. Christians, after a fashion, and under the name of Normans take + possession of one of the fairest provinces of France. Then they will + cultivate the soil which they had heretofore robbed of its produce, they + will drink beer instead of cider, they will peacefully devote themselves + to lawsuits and cattle-raising, and will end by wearing white cotton + night-caps—after having destroyed Rome and conquered England twice. + </p> + <p> + The Scandinavians, of Celtic origin like the <span class="pagenum">[113]</span><a + name="link113" id="link113"></a>Gauls and the Germans, led at first both + nomadic and sedentary lives and were rather barbarous than unpolished; but + they built cities and erected temples, in which they worshipped Odin the + One-Eyed. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0049" id="linkimage-0049"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/133s.jpg" alt="133s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/133.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/133m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + If the harvest failed, or whenever the first warmth of spring aroused in + them their innate fondness of vagabondage and war, they took to their + boats or mounted their horses, and the stupefied nations <span + class="pagenum">[114]</span><a name="link114" id="link114"></a>of Europe + watched the horizon and listened along the river courses, to distinguish + whether this great Northern tempest, this storm of iron and fire, of blood + and of tears, was rushing down upon them by land or by sea. + </p> + <p> + After having crossed Germany in all directions, some of these bands, or + rather some remnants of such bands, settled from inclination or from + necessity, in certain portions of the country, especially on the islands + in the Main, the Weser, and the Neckar. Their priests soon made numerous + converts among the neighbors to the faith of Odin. The Germans paid little + heed to the difference between Odin and Teut. The two names designated, + for them, one and the same god, the one god of the Celts. + </p> + <p> + The increasing influence of these Druids of the third epoch led, however, + naturally to some opposition. The German priests accused them of being too + profuse in the shedding of blood, and of having given their god Odin a + companion in a certain god Thor, fond of overcoming giants, and of having + thus destroyed the true nature of the original creed, which knew but one + God. + </p> + <p> + A schism was about to divide the Druidical church, when the arrival of the + Roman deities brought the two opposite parties once more together. Each + yielded somewhat; <span class="pagenum">[115]</span><a name="link115" + id="link115"></a>they came to an understanding and finally joined + hands in a conspiracy. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0050" id="linkimage-0050"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/135s.jpg" alt="135s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/135.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/135m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + <span class="pagenum">[117]</span><a name="link117" id="link117"></a>The + Scandinavian Druids, forsaking the prudent reserve which they had so far + scrupulously observed, declared that, in order to triumph over the Roman + Olympians, Odin had not only the assistance of his all-powerful son Thor, + but could, if he chose, summon an escort of gods at least as imposing in + numbers as that of Jupiter himself. + </p> + <p> + The German Druids veiled their faces, but the people and the whole party + which was opposed to Jupiter the wicked, and to Venus the shameless, + joyfully accepted the proposition. However cruel the Scandinavian ritual + appeared with its increased number of victims who had to be offered to the + new gods, it seemed to them better still to worship Terror than to worship + disgraceful Voluptuousness. They acknowledged Odin and his son Thor, and + impatiently waited for the arrival of the others. + </p> + <p> + The German Druids gave way, hoping perhaps that the two hosts of deities + would erelong fall out among themselves and soon destroy each other. + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/138s.jpg" alt="138s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/138.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/138m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + Father Rhine, in his equal affection for all his brother gods, was far too + good-natured to take this admission of new deities amiss, and promptly + went northward, to the most hyperborean regions of snow and ice, in search + of the newly chosen gods. + </p> + <p> + The two parties soon met face to face. <span class="pagenum">[118]</span><a + name="link118" id="link118"></a>It is our solemn duty to explain fully the + whole curious system of Scandinavian gods. We shall see that here, as in + all that we shall have to add, legends, myths, and traditions abound in + such numbers that they can be had for the asking. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0051" id="linkimage-0051"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/141s.jpg" alt="141s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/141.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/141m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + V. + </h2> + <p> + <span class="pagenum">[121]</span><a name="link121" id="link121"></a><i>The + World before and since Odin.—Birth of Ymer.—The Giants of the + Frost.—A Log split in Two.—The First Man and the First Woman—The + Tree Ygdrasil and its Menagerie.—Thor’s Three Jewels. Freyr’s + Enchanted Swoj’d.—A Souvenir of the National Guard of + Bellville.—The Story of Kvasir and the Two Dwarfs.—Honey and + Blood.—Invocation.</i> + </p> + <p class="pfirst"> + <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he world was not + born. + </p> + <p> + Thick mists, unbroken by light, unbounded in limit, filled space. + </p> + <p> + After a long period of darkness, silence, and perfect repose, a faint + light is seen, vague and uncertain, hardly deserving the name; something + is moving unsteadily in this night. The giant Ymer has been born + spontaneously out of the mixture <span class="pagenum">[122]</span><a + name="link122" id="link122"></a>and assimilation of these closely + compressed mists, which sudden and severe frost has condensated. + </p> + <p> + At that time men of science had not yet discussed the question of + spontaneous generation; not one academy made mention of the subject. + </p> + <p> + Ymer, the sole inhabitant, the Robinson Crusoe of this world of darkness, + became tired of his solitude. Guessing how he had been born himself, he + gathered the mists that surrounded him, piled them one upon the other, + shaped them into a form resembling his own, and once more the North wind + came and solidified the mists. As he was a giant, he created giants; he + also created mountains, no doubt for the purpose of furnishing seats for + these giants, for the highest among them did not reach up to their belts. + This does not mean, that these mountains were less high than they are + nowadays, but the sons of Ymer were of such size that without bending down + a little, they could not have rested their elbows on the summit of + Chimborazo, and what is more marvelous still, Ymer himself not only was + taller than every one of his sons, but taller than all of his sons + together, standing one upon the shoulders of the other! When he stretched + himself out full length, the Alps might have served him as a pillow, while + his feet would have rested on <span class="pagenum">[123]</span><a + name="link123" id="link123"></a>Mount Caucasus. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0052" id="linkimage-0052"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/143s.jpg" alt="143s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/143.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/143m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + <span class="pagenum">[125]</span><a name="link125" id="link125"></a>In + order to produce such giants and such mountains, he had, of course, to + consume large quantities of the material furnished by the chaos of mists; + the remainder of this gaseous substance, trembling in vacant space and + losing its balance, fell back into the depths of the valleys, and formed + the ocean. + </p> + <p> + Some few animals began soon to stir in the waters, and on the shores of + that vast sea; sphinxes and dragons, hydras and griffins, kraken and + leviathans, all creatures of a low order, but in their proportions adapted + to this colossal world, this world of the infinitely great, and no doubt + related in some manner to the antediluvian families of mammoths and + pterodactyls, of ichthyosauri and plesiosauri. + </p> + <p> + A god of the first race, a creator without being created, Ymer naturally + did not possess that skill and that cleverness which can only be acquired + by long experience. However strange, therefore, it may appear, however + inexplicable, the fact is, that this world, fresh with new life and freed + from the original mists, was nevertheless covered with darkness. The only + light which existed was an occasional phosphorescence of the sea or a few + flashes of electric light, such as an aurora borealis sends forth; and + this faint glimmer alone illumined the pathway of those vast creatures, + those monstrous <span class="pagenum">[126]</span><a name="link126" + id="link126"></a>reptiles, who, dazzled for an instant, plunged back + into the lowest depths of the waters, casting up huge waves and tall + columns of spray. + </p> + <p> + It must have been a peculiarly curious sight, certainly, to see those + Giants of the Frost, as they were called, wandering, through the darkness + across the boundless plains and along endless shores, under a sky without + light, looking for each other from one end of the world to the other. To + be sure, they could accomplish the journey in a few long strides, and if + they were peculiarly anxious to see each other, face to face, they had + only to wait for the chance of a momentary flash or a faint twilight + glimmer. + </p> + <p> + The sight was no doubt curious, but there was no one to behold it. + </p> + <p> + This state of things could not last long. With a new god a new world also + came into existence. This new god was very different from the first, it + was Light itself, condensed at the southern extremity of the heavens, far + from this earth inhabited by giants. + </p> + <p> + One fine day—an unlucky day for them, however—these giants + noticed that the sky above their heads was suddenly assuming a faint + pinkish hue, then violet, and finally purple. At this they rejoiced. But + suddenly a ball of fire appeared, and they were terrified. It was Odin, + Odin followed <span class="pagenum">[127]</span><a name="link127" + id="link127"></a>by his celestial family, which consisted at least of + a dozen principal deities! + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0053" id="linkimage-0053"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/147s.jpg" alt="147s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/147.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/147m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + But no! no! I take it back! I rebel! No one can come in contact with these + ancient myths, without knocking against some principle of astronomy. + Astronomers find only seven principal deities in Scandinavian mythology, + when they are called upon to transform them into planets, and twelve, when + the question is about the signs of the Zodiac. That seems to me to make + mythology a. little too easy. Does it not look as if the first men had + been born with a telescope and a compass in their pocket, and as if they + had erected an observatory long before they thought of building huts for + themselves? + </p> + <p> + Fortunately I am not bound to follow their footsteps. + </p> + <p> + Certain historians of high authority have found out that Odin lived upon + earth before he came to dwell in heaven. He was an illustrious conqueror, + <span class="pagenum">[128]</span><a name="link128" id="link128"></a>very + expert at killing men, one of those scourges of God, who fall upon nations + in order to break them to pieces. As a matter of course, these nations + deified him after his death. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0054" id="linkimage-0054"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/148s.jpg" alt="148s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/148.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/148m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + I see nothing astronomical in all this. + </p> + <p> + Hence, I return to my own method, and propose to describe him, as he + appeared to his Druids, his Scalds, and his worshippers. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <span class="pagenum">[129]</span><a name="link129" id="link129"></a> + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0055" id="linkimage-0055"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/149s.jpg" alt="149s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/149.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/149m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + He arrived from the southern countries, no doubt from the Orient, bringing + with him the sun, as an indispensable auxiliary in the great taskwhich he + had undertaken, to reform this dark and ice-covered world: “For + there was a time,” says the Edda, the bible of the Scandinavians, + “when the sun, the moon, and the stars did not know the place they + were to occupy.<span class="pagenum">[131]</span><a name="link131" + id="link131"></a> It was then the gods assembled and agreed as to the post + which was to be assigned to each one of them.” + </p> + <p> + When the installation of the heavenly bodies had thus been agreed upon, + Odin followed the example of all the Hercules of Egypt and of Greece, and + began his benevolent career by freeing the earth of all the monsters by + which it was infested. Ymer was the first to succumb to his blows, and + after him, the other giants of the frost, “a race of evildoers,” + adds the Edda. Evildoers? Whom did they aggrieve, I wonder? The + complainants must have been the kraken, the griffins, and the serpents. + </p> + <p> + The world had hardly come into existence and already the right of the + stronger had established the doctrine: <i>Væ victis!</i> + </p> + <p> + Of all the giants of the frost a single one escaped. He must have been a + married man, for his descendants became after a while so numerous as to + trouble the Ases, that is to say, Odin and his companions, the other gods. + </p> + <p> + After the giants, came the turn of land and sea monsters, who were almost + as formidable as they themselves. In the general destruction two monsters + <span class="pagenum">[132]</span><a name="link132" id="link132"></a>only + survived: the wolf Fenris, with his fearful jaws, which enabled him to + crush mountains and even to injure the sun, and the serpent Iormungandur, + the great sea serpent of world-wide renown. Both these monsters were one + day to aid the giants of the frost in avenging themselves on their + conqueror. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0056" id="linkimage-0056"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/152s.jpg" alt="152s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/152.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/152m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + Odin thought he had now nothing more to fear, and returned to the realms + of light, there to enjoy his glory in peace and to revel in the delights + of Walhalla. + </p> + <p> + <span class="pagenum">[133]</span><a name="link133" id="link133"></a>One + morning he came down to see how the world was coming on since he had + reorganized it, and he found to his great joy, that the new creation was + assuming a more pleasing appearance. Grass was growing in the plains, on + the slopes of hills, and even at the bottom of the rivers and the sea; + here and there trees of varied forms and shapes arose and gave variety to + the monotonous horizon; some, crowding together in groups on the mountain + side, seemed to whisper confidentially to each other, as the breeze was + lightly agitating their foliage, while others stood together in countless + hosts, stretching away over hill and dale as far as eye could reach, but + silent and immovable, like an army which remains motionless, while the + chiefs are deliberating. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0057" id="linkimage-0057"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/153s.jpg" alt="153s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/153.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/153m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + Behind the green curtain of forests, deer, eland, and aurochs were + bounding in herds, now and then showing their beautiful horns or their + dark bushy brows at the opening of some clearing; goats were <span + class="pagenum">[134]</span><a name="link134" id="link134"></a>climbing + about on the rocks and venturing close to the brink of precipices; birds + were singing in the groves, now swinging playfully on the supple branches + of willows, and now darting suddenly on swift wings through the air; fish + were gliding silently under the surface of the waters, which reflected + their silvery sheen or broke in soft ripples, while butterflies and + insects were sporting and buzzing around beautiful flowers. + </p> + <p> + Odin smiled; the artist was pleased with his work. + </p> + <p> + But were animals, impelled by natural instincts only and exclusively + occupied with the desire to satisfy their coarse wants, were such animals + worthy to be the sole owners of such a charming abode? + </p> + <p> + It occurred to him to invent a being which, without participating in the + divine essence, might still rise high above all other creatures. This time + the divine artist wanted a spectator, to witness his work, to appreciate + it intelligently, and afterwards to profit by it for some good purpose. + </p> + <p> + He was meditating on it during a walk on the sea-shore, when a piece of + wood, a fragment of a huge branch of a tree which the wind had broken off, + attracted his attention. It had evidently fallen into a river, which had + carried it out into the high sea, and there it had been beaten and bruised + by <span class="pagenum">[135]</span><a name="link135" id="link135"></a>ebb + and tide. He drew this poor shapeless stick of wood towards him, split it + in two and made out of it a man and a woman. + </p> + <p> + “Do you hear? Do you understand?” Asks the Edda, at this + point. + </p> + <p> + Now, what is this intended to convey to us? That man, exposed to the + caprices of the elements, is nothing but a poor plaything in the hands of + Fate? Very well, let us admit this explanation. But can the sacred book of + the Scandinavians really presume to teach us that the origin of mankind + must be looked for in two sticks of wood? We cannot but think that that + would be a sorry jest, alike unworthy of the general solemnity of the Edda + and of the mysterious majesty of ancient cosmogonies. + </p> + <p> + Besides, we ought not to forget that all the Northern nations attributed a + divine character to trees; if in Germany the oak was held sacred, the + hyperboreans held the ash tree in great respect, and the question is only + whether our first father was made of the wood of an ash tree, an oak, or a + willow. + </p> + <p> + This leads us naturally to the consideration of the ash <i>Ygdrasil</i> + and its curious population of gods, birds, and quadrupeds. + </p> + <p> + The branches of this marvelous tree spread over the whole surface of the + earth; its top supported <span class="pagenum">[136]</span><a + name="link136" id="link136"></a>the Walhalla and rose is to the uppermost + heavens, while its roots penetrated to the very bottom of hell. Under its + shadow dwell Odin and his Ases, when the government of the world requires + his presence, or some important question has to be decided. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0058" id="linkimage-0058"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/156s.jpg" alt="156s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/156.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/156m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + Two swift winged ravens are incessantly flying to and fro in the Universe, + to see what is going on; then they come and perch, one on his left and one + on his right shoulder, and whisper into his ear the news of the day. A + squirrel, as swift in its movements as the two ravens, is perpetually + running up and down the tree. If you doubt my word, hear what the poet + says:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +.... The fearful Odin Was seated beneath the ancient ash, +The sacred tree whose immortal brow +Rises and touches the vault of heaven. +<span class="pagenum">[137]</span><a name="link137" id="link137"></a>On the top an eagle with eager eyes, +With piercing eyes, with ever open eyes, +Takes in the whole Universe in a single glance. +Odin receives his swift messages. +Incessantly a tiny squirrel +Comes and goes; the god’s voice cheers it onward. +All at once it dashes from the trunk to the top +And in an instant it returns again +From the top to the trunk. Odin, when it comes, +Turns an attentive ear to the squirrel..... +</pre> + <p> + But the poet does not tell the whole story. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0059" id="linkimage-0059"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/157s.jpg" alt="157s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/157.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/157m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + To act as a check upon the reports of the eagle, the ravens, and the + squirrel, a vulture is perching <span class="pagenum">[138]</span><a + name="link138" id="link138"></a>upon the loftiest top of the sacred tree, + who looks over all the horizons of the earth and the universe, watching + for the slightest stir and giving notice of any important event by his + cries or the flapping of his wings. + </p> + <p> + Still other animals, however, inhabit the great ash tree Ygdrasil. Some of + these play a sinister part in the great menagerie; they are hideous + reptiles, half concealed in the slimy marshes into which one of the roots + of the tree finds its way, and ever striving to pour their venom into the + mire; beneath another root a dragon is crouching, who constantly gnaws at + it, and four starving deer, rushing through its branches, forever devour + its foliage. + </p> + <p> + “Do you hear? Do you understand?” asks the Edda once more. + </p> + <p> + For the present we do not presume to interpret these descriptions, and + before we attempt to penetrate into these dark mysteries, we will mention + the principal chiefs among the Ases. + </p> + <p> + The mystic marriage of Odin and Frigg resulted in the god Thor, who is + held in equal veneration with his father. As his duty is to carry thunder + and lightning, it is he who shakes the earth whenever he drives through + the clouds in his car drawn by two goats and producing a noise represented + by the words: “<i>Pumerle pump! Ptimerle pump! Pliz! Pluz! Schmi! + Schmur! Tarantara! Tarantara!</i>”. <span class="pagenum">[139]</span><a + name="link139" id="link139"></a>This onomatopoetic translation of the + flashing of lightning and the rolling of thunder, is not my own; it comes + directly from Dr. Martin Luther, the great Reformer. + </p> + <p> + Thor is also engaged in pursuing and destroying the giants of the + mountains, degenerate children of the giants of the frost, in size at + least. At a later period we shall meet with giants of still smaller + dimensions. Alas! that here below everything that is great and strong has + a tendency to decrease steadily! + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0060" id="linkimage-0060"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/159s.jpg" alt="159s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/159.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/159m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + For this war against the giants Odin has bestowed upon his son three + precious objects, which in the inventory of the Ases appear under the name + of <i>Thor’s Three Jewels.</i> The first is his weighty hammer. + </p> + <p> + <i>Mjoïner</i> (some people call it his club), which goes forth by itself + to meet giants and crushes their heads. One of the commentators upon the + Edda professes to see in the giants of the mountains nothing but the + mountains themselves, and in the hammer Mjoïner, nothing but lightning, + which generally strikes their summit. We must evidently <span + class="pagenum">[140]</span><a name="link140" id="link140"></a>put as + little faith in commentators as in astronomers. + </p> + <p> + The second of Thor’s jewels was a pair of iron gloves. As soon as he + puts them on, his spear no sooner reaches the point at which it is aimed, + than it returns to his hand, precisely as the falcon comes back to the + keeper’s gauntlet, after having destroyed its victim. + </p> + <p> + The third jewel of Thor is his war belt; when he puts it on, his strength + is twice as great as before; in fact, he becomes irresistible and would + overthrow the great Odin himself. But Odin has nothing to fear on his + part, for in spite of his brutal and passionate temper, Thor is always an + obedient and submissive son. + </p> + <p> + Asa-Thor, that is to say, the Lord Thor, was most highly respected among + men as the redhaired master of thunder and lightning, and as the destroyer + of giants; and he was also greatly feared as an active, blustering god, of + a troublesome, turbulent temper and of somewhat eccentric manners. + </p> + <p> + Another weapon, at least as marvelous as Asa-Thor’s famous hammer, + was the sword of the god Freyr. This sword was endowed with an + intelligence very rarely to be met with among swords, and punctually + obeyed the orders of its master. Even in his absence, it went promptly and + faithfully <span class="pagenum">[141]</span><a name="link141" id="link141"></a>to + carry out his orders, striking here and there at a given point, or making + terrible havoc in the midst of a battle, without a hand at the hilt to + direct its mortal blows. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0061" id="linkimage-0061"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/161s.jpg" alt="161s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/161.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/161m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + The good Freyr, as pacific a god as ever lived, was quite indifferent to + battles and fights; hence he gave his orders quietly to his faithful + sword, while he remained comfortably seated at Odin’s table, + enjoying his strong beer and the rarest wines. + </p> + <p> + I cannot help wishing that they might have known the art of manufacturing + guns after this system, at the time when I was a lieutenant in the + Belleville National Guard. It would have been so pleasant to see a rifle + move gravely to and fro, quite alone, in front of the City Hall and the + Guard House; or to meet a patrol of four <span class="pagenum">[142]</span><a + name="link142" id="link142"></a>guns, accompanied by a corporal, but a + flesh and blood corporal to cry out: Who is there? + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0062" id="linkimage-0062"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/162s.jpg" alt="162s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/162.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/162m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + In the meantime the happy owners of these improved weapons might have been + sitting, not at Odin’s table, but at the nearest coffee house or + restaurant, <span class="pagenum">[143]</span><a name="link143" + id="link143"></a>drinking beer or wine just like the Scandinavian + gods. + </p> + <p> + Unfortunately our manufacturers of arms have not yet reached that degree + of skill, which our forefathers seem to have possessed, and thus I have + never yet been able to enjoy such a sight. + </p> + <p> + The happy owner of this magic weapon, Freyr, presided over the general + administration of the clouds; it was he who made fine weather or rain, a + very troublesome office, which must have exposed him to countless + petitions and most contradictory prayers. + </p> + <p> + His sister Freya, afterwards called Frigg, was Odin’s wife and the + most honored goddess on earth as well as in heaven. She inspired and + protected lovers, and very different from her sister in Greece, this + Northern Venus enjoyed an unsullied reputation. + </p> + <p> + They say that once, when her husband had gone away on a long journey, she + was so deeply grieved at his absence, that her tears ran day and night + incessantly; these tears, however, differed from those of mortal beings; + “they were all drops of gold which fell into her bosom,”—and + hence the Northern people call the precious metal to this day <i>Freyas + tears</i>. + </p> + <p> + One only among all the dwellers in Walhalla had been able to give her some + comfort by singing <span class="pagenum">[144]</span><a name="link144" + id="link144"></a>his sweetest songs; this was the god Bragi, the god + of poetry and beautiful words. + </p> + <p> + A tradition which deserves to be mentioned here, accounts for the manner + in which he obtained this precious gift of eloquence and the art of + poetry. + </p> + <p> + In the early days of the world, when the creating god had concentrated, so + to say, all the active powers of humanity in a few individuals, and when a + long life permitted these favored beings to carry on their studies till + they reached a happy end, there lived on earth a wise man who possessed an + art unknown, not among men only, but among the gods themselves. This was + the art of perpetuating thoughts by word-painting, of reproducing them in + outward forms, not to the eye by colors, but to the ear by sounds. This + sage was called Kvasir. He had invented the <i>Runes</i>, the art of + poetry, and the no less precious art of reproducing words and fixing them + in writing. He cut his runes on beech tablets; if he had gone a step + farther, he would have invented printing long before Guttenberg. + </p> + <p> + Kvasir was then the sole owner of the art of Poetry. + </p> + <p> + Two wicked dwarfs prowling about in search of treasures, took it into + their heads, that the treasure of Poetry was better than any other, and + forthwith determined to obtain possession of it. They killed Kvasir, into + whose dwelling they had crept by <span class="pagenum">[145]</span><a + name="link145" id="link145"></a>stealth, and as they were masters in + magic, like all the dwarfs of those days, they carefully collected his + blood, and mixing it, in different proportions, with honey, put it into + three vessels, which they closed hermetically. These three vessels + contained respectively Logic, Eloquence, and Poetry. To keep them safe + till the day on which they should be used, they buried them in the depths + of a cave which was inaccessible to men and unknown to the gods + themselves. But one of those travelling agents, who under the form of + ravens, were continually wandering over the world in Odin’s employ, + had been a silent witness of the transactions, the murder, the mixing, and + the hiding of the three vessels. He returned instantly to the ash Ygdrasil + and reported it all to his master. The god gave his orders, which the + squirrel, no doubt, at once carried to the eagle, and the latter, who was + continually on the watch on the top of the sacred tree, left his post for + a few moments in charge of the vulture, and flew with rapid wings to the + cave, from whence he returned laden with the three precious vessels. It is + to be supposed that he carried one in his beak, and the two others, one in + each of his claws. + </p> + <p> + He placed the mysterious vessels at Odin’s feet and at once returned + to relieve the vulture and to resume his watch. + </p> + <p> + Odin opened first the vessel which contained <span class="pagenum">[146]</span><a + name="link146" id="link146"></a>Poetry and tasted the contents. From that + moment he never spoke otherwise than in verse. He also tasted Logic, and + henceforth he spoke and reasoned with such extreme accuracy, that he found + no one to agree with him any longer; he tasted Eloquence, and as soon as + he opened his lips, he might have been mistaken for one of our own most + eminent lawyers. Gold chains seemed to come out from his lips, as was the + case with Ogmius, with which he bound the ears and hearts of all his + hearers. + </p> + <p> + Whilst he was thus enjoying himself, Bragi his son, and Saga his daughter, + who were sitting by him, felt their mouths water and looked imploringly at + him. + </p> + <p> + Setting aside the terror with which the Druids have surrounded Odin, he + seems to have been occasionally good-natured, and certainly always acted + like a kind father. He offered the vessel with Poetry first to Saga, + courteously giving her the preference on account of her sex. She barely + touched it with her lips. When Bragi’s turn came, he eagerly + swallowed as much as he could, and without taking time to gather breath, + he began a grand triumphal chant in honor of the feasts, the loves, the + wars, and the greatness of the gods, the stars of the firmament, paradise, + hell, and the ash Ygdrasil. <span class="pagenum">[147]</span><a + name="link147" id="link147"></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0063" id="linkimage-0063"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/167s.jpg" alt="167s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/167.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/167m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + <span class="pagenum">[149]</span><a name="link149" id="link149"></a>In + well chosen cadences he imitated the clanking of cups, the cooing of doves + and of lovers, the tumult of battles, the harmonies of the celestial + spheres, and all this with such energy, such fire and such grace by turns, + that Odin was enchanted, and having become a master himself about five + minutes ago, on the spot changed his name of the Long-bearded God, which + he had borne so far, to that of the God of Poetry. Moreover, he entrusted + to his keeping the threefold treasure which had been taken from Kvasir’s + murderers. + </p> + <p> + This was that god Bragi who alone succeeded in comforting the beautiful + and inconsolable Freya in her great grief. + </p> + <p> + Through him the Druids were instructed in the art of verse; to him is due + that terrible Scandinavian poetry, which contains, according to Ozanam, + quite as much blood as honey. + </p> + <p> + As to Saga, she became the goddess of Tradition. “The heart of + history is in tradition,” says a master, a sage, and a poet. + </p> + <p> + Good goddess Saga, your lips, I know, never touched the vessel containing + Eloquence, nor that which held Logic, far from it! And still I count upon + you to support me in carrying out my work, which I have perhaps + imprudently begun; for I begin to be overwhelmed with materials, the + subject is a very grave one, and, in spite of the good advice of my + learned doctor and the assistance of my two charming lady-companions, time + and strength threaten not to suffice. Therefore I beseech you as well as + my readers, to grant me a short repose, before I proceed any farther on my + journey through Odin’s fantastic world. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <span class="pagenum">[150]</span><a name="link150" id="link150"></a> + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0064" id="linkimage-0064"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/170s.jpg" alt="170s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/170.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/170m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + <span class="pagenum">[151]</span><a name="link151" id="link151"></a> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0065" id="linkimage-0065"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/173s.jpg" alt="173s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/173.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/173m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VI. + </h2> + <p> + Short<span class="pagenum">[153]</span><a name="link153" id="link153"></a> + Biographies.—<i>A Clairvoyant among the Gods.—A Bright God.—Tyr + and the Wolf Fenris.—The Hospital at the Walhalla.—Why was + Odin one-eyed?—The Three Norns.—Mimer the Sage.—A + Goddess the Mother of Four Oxen.—The Love Affairs of Heimdall, the + God with the Golden Teeth.</i> + </p> + <p class="pfirst"> + <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">W</span>e have no + intention of giving here a complete list of the numerous deities of the + North. We will only mention Hermode, Odin’s messenger and man of + business; Forseti, the peacemaker; Widar, the god of silence, a dumb + person who only walks on air, as if he were afraid to hear the noise of + his own footsteps; Vali, the skilfull archer; Uller, the excellent skater, + who taught the giant Tialff his art, in spite of what the poet Klopstock + says to the contrary; Hoder, a mysterious deity, whose name must never be + uttered by any one in heaven or on earth. Why not? Odin alone knows the + reason. + </p> + <p> + Let us also mention Heimdall, with the golden teeth. A son of Odin, he had + nine mothers—eight more than had ever been known before him. He is + the guardian of Walhalla, and his duty is to watch lest the giants should + one fine day attempt to storm the heavenly abode by means of the Bifrost + bridge, that is, the rainbow. But the gods can sleep in peace; neither the + eagle nor the ravens on the ash Ygdrasil can surpass Heimdall in + vigilance. The senses of sight and hearing are in him developed to a + perfectly marvelous degree; he can hear the grass grow in the meadows and + the wool grow on the back of the sheep. From one end of the world he sees + a fly pass through the air at the other end, and, more than that, he sees + distinctly the different joints in its feet and the black or brown spots + with which its wings are <span class="pagenum">[155]</span><a + name="link155" id="link155"></a>dotted. In the midst of the darkest night + and at the bottom of the sea where it is deepest, he sees an atom moving + and watches the marriage of monads. There is nothing in the whole universe + hid from him. + </p> + <p> + But why should this god Heimdall have golden teeth, after a fashion of + some of the natives of Sunda? Odin alone knows the reason. + </p> + <p> + Among all these gods Balder is the most richly endowed, the best, the + handsomest and the most virtuous—Balder, the Bright God, by + eminence. Although the son of Odin and Frigg, he might be taken for a son + of Freya, on account of his strong resemblance to Love itself, not to the + turbulent, passionate, and capricious Love of the Greeks, but to Love in + the widest and noblest sense of the word,—Love, in fine, in its + Christian meaning. Balder represents that universal goodness, loyalty, + affection, and harmony, which binds all beings to each other; Bragi, the + poet is his brother; Forseti, the peacemaker, is his son. But we shall but + too soon have to return to him on a most melancholy occasion. + </p> + <p> + In spite of our desire to close this already too numerous list, we cannot + well pass over in silence that poor Tyr, the very type of intrepidity and + loyalty, who fell a victim to his own prowess and to his imprudent + confidence in the other gods. <span class="pagenum">[156]</span><a + name="link156" id="link156"></a>The latter, having one day met the wolf + Fenris, invited him to enjoy a good meal with them. The wolf, always + voraciously hungry, listened to the proposal. Then the Ases, pretending to + fear that he might play them an ugly trick on the way home, insisted upon + leading him by a chain around his neck, pledging their word as gods, + however, that they would set him free upon going to table. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0066" id="linkimage-0066"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/176s.jpg" alt="176s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/176.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/176m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + Fenris, suspicious as all wolves, in fact, as all wicked creatures are, + consented to be bound, but made it a condition that as a proof of the good + faith of the Ases, one of them should put his hand into his mouth. Tyr + agreed to do so without hesitation, not expecting that personages of such + lofty position could possibly be faithless. The gods, <span class="pagenum">[157]</span><a + name="link157" id="link157"></a>however, did behave faithlessly and kept + Fenris a prisoner, whereupon the wolf claimed the fulfillment of the + pledge, and when Tyr put his hand into his mouth, coolly bit it off up to + the wrist. Hence that particular joint has ever since been called <i>the + wolf’s joint</i>, in memory of this inartistic amputation. + </p> + <p> + Thus the gods had a one-handed brother among them, after having long been + presided over by a one-eyed god. But Tyr and Odin were by no means the + only gods who labored under such an infirmity. Heimdall with the golden + teeth must evidently have had a set of false teeth; Widar, the god of + silence, was dumb, and Hoder, that mysterious being whose name must not be + pronounced by any one, was blind. There was also a certain god, called + Herblinde, who was not only blind but—actually dead! We poor mortals + generally imagine that death includes blindness as a matter of course, but + it was not so, apparently, among these mystic personages. Herblinde, for + instance, was quite blind, although he was quite dead also, and yet he + attended the meetings of the gods and even had a vote in their counsels. + Do you understand that? I do not, I am sure. + </p> + <p> + And this grand council, this hospital of the Walhalla, which counted among + its members a onehanded and a dumb god, a toothless and two blind <span + class="pagenum">[158]</span><a name="link158" id="link158"></a>gods, was, + as I said, presided over by one-eyed Odin! This fact recalls forcibly the + old proverb: Among the blind the one-eyed is king. + </p> + <p> + But why had Odin but one eye? + </p> + <p> + Fortunately I am able, for once, to give an answer to this question. + </p> + <p> + Astronomers have naturally found a reply to this Why? in their + imperturbable system of sidereal interpretations. Odin was the sun-god; + the sun was the eye of Nature, Nature had but one eye—consequently + Odin was bound to be born one-eyed!.... Now you see why your daughter is + deaf-mute. + </p> + <p> + The Edda, however, gives a different account of the matter, and I feel + bound to adopt this explanation, as it is founded upon a knowledge of the + most secret mysteries. + </p> + <p> + Odin had two eyes when he was born, and the sun was nothing more than his + travelling companion, when he came from the far East, to revive and warm + the earth which had so long been in the hands of’ the giants of the + frost. + </p> + <p> + Several centuries after he had created man, he was one day walking up and + down in the lower parts of his great ash tree Ygdrasil, and thinking of + the greatly increased responsibility which rested upon him since he had + added the government of the earth to that of heaven, and since the earth + <span class="pagenum">[159]</span><a name="link159" id="link159"></a>had + begun to be peopled with a multitude of races. He was asking himself + whether the knowledge of all things had been revealed to him fully enough + to enable him satisfactorily to fill, his two great offices. He had + quaffed ample draughts by turns from the three vessels of Kvasir, but + Eloquence, Poetry, and even Logic do not supply Wisdom. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0067" id="linkimage-0067"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/179s.jpg" alt="179s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/179.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/179m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + As he passed by a large tank fed by a purling brook, he saw three + beautiful swans swimming merrily about in it, who after having examined + him with half thoughtful, half mocking attention, twisted their long + flexible necks in strange contortions and then seemed to converse with + each other by significative glances. + </p> + <p> + He spoke to them and asked them if they possessed the secret of Wisdom. + </p> + <p> + The swans suddenly plunged beneath the surface, <span class="pagenum">[160]</span><a + name="link160" id="link160"></a>and in their place there appeared three + beautiful women, representing three different stages of life. + </p> + <p> + They were the Norns. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0068" id="linkimage-0068"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/180s.jpg" alt="180s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/180.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/180m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + The first, called Urda, knew the Past; the second, called Verandi, saw the + Present unfold itself before her eyes, hour by hour and minute by minute, + and when to-day had become yesterday, her older sister gathered up the + departed day and entered it on her record. Finally Skulda, the third, the + Norn of the Future, enjoyed the privilege of beholding with her far-seeing + eyes the germs of all future events and of being able to foretell with + unerring accuracy the date and the consequences of their occurrence. + </p> + <p> + Let us pause here a moment to notice a remark communicated to me by the + amiable and learned <span class="pagenum">[161]</span><a name="link161" + id="link161"></a>Dr. Rosalh, which may not be without interest to some + of my readers. + </p> + <p> + It will be remembered that the Romans had at first pretended to recognize + in these three Norns their own three Fates, probably because they were + three and because they were women; at least I can see no other reason. + Urda, Verandi, and Skulda were as beautiful and as graceful as the three + Parcæ—Alecto, Lachesis, and Atropos—were ugly. Besides, their + duties were entirely different. The Norns knew the fate of men, but they + were utterly unable to lengthen human life. Such at least is the opinion + of the great Holinshed in his Chronicles. Warburton sees in them nothing + more than Valkyrias, but, what is far more astonishing, Shakespeare chose + these three beautiful prophetic virgins, to furnish the three hideous, + unclean, and toothless witches, the weird sisters, who called out to + Macbeth, “All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!” + </p> + <p> + Shakespeare had evidently taken the curse denounced by the Church against + the ancient deities in its literal meaning. + </p> + <p> + Odin had a better opinion of the three sisters; he conversed for some time + with them, and afterwards came frequently back to visit them. It was thus + and by their aid that he gained experience. + </p> + <p> + But even Experience, added to the precious gifts <span class="pagenum">[162]</span><a + name="link162" id="link162"></a>of Eloquence, Poetry, and Logic, is not + able to supply Wisdom. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0069" id="linkimage-0069"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/182s.jpg" alt="182s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/182.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/182m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + He took counsel with the Norns, and in his anxiety to possess this most + precious of all gifts, he expressed his willingness to exchange for it, if + needs be, his treasures of poetry and of eloquence, his magic armor which + made him safe against all danger, his horse Sleipner, which had eight legs + and crossed the air with the rapidity of lightning, his eagle and his + vulture, his squirrel and his two <span class="pagenum">[163]</span><a + name="link163" id="link163"></a>ravens. Then he went to Mimer, the wisest + man in existence, the successor of old Kvasir, and attended his lectures + like the most humble and zealous of students. When he had mastered the + subject, and felt that he had acquired Wisdom at last, he paid the + philosopher liberally by giving him one of his own eyes, in order thus to + show him the high value he set upon the service which had been rendered to + him by Mimer. + </p> + <p> + This was the reason why Odin was one-eyed. The truth is far too honorable + to the god to be hid under idle astronomical pretexts. + </p> + <p> + Now, what use did he make of his wisdom? + </p> + <p> + He began by regulating the government of heaven. The Ases had until now + lived very much as they chose; he now gave to each of them a duty to + perform: to Niord the management of rivers and of fishing; to Egir, the + seas and navigation; and so to others, requiring regularity and accuracy + of all, but sternly prohibiting the display of extreme zeal, just as + Talleyrand used to do with his diplomatic apprentices. + </p> + <p> + Then he turned to the earth. + </p> + <p> + Here men had multiplied incessantly, and with their numbers their wants + had increased, and alas! with these, their vices also! In order to satisfy + the wants and to repress the vices, they had established among them that + great, primitive law which <span class="pagenum">[164]</span><a + name="link164" id="link164"></a>constitutes the whole code of laws among + barbarians—the right of the stronger. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0070" id="linkimage-0070"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/184s.jpg" alt="184s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/184.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/184m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <h3> + “TO EGIR, THE SEAS AND NAVIGATION.” + </h3> + <p> + The most fertile pastures, the rocks and grottoes best fitted for + dwellings and safe retreats, the forests that were richest in game and the + springs that were most frequented by the flocks, all were taken by force + and possession maintained by the strength of the sword. + </p> + <p> + Wise Odin felt that violence gave no right and that theft could not give a + title to possession. He <span class="pagenum">[165]</span><a + name="link165" id="link165"></a>determined to establish the right + of property, and to give it, for greater efficiency, a religious character + which would make it sacred in the eyes of nations. + </p> + <p> + One of his daughters, Gefione, was sent by him to one of the most powerful + chiefs of Scandinavia. She presented herself before his tent, with + presents in her hands. In return she asked only for a span of land. The + chief gave her a vast but uncultivated territory. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0071" id="linkimage-0071"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/185s.jpg" alt="185s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/185.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/185m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + Next she went, with secret purposes in her mind and always inspired by + Odin, to a distant country, into the mountains, where giants dwelt. Here + she married one of these giants, the most powerful of them all, to whom + she bore four sons. The strong are apt to be gentle. Gefione took her four + sons, changed them into oxen, and by words of gentle persuasion induced + her husband to harness them himself to a plough. A river marked the + boundary of the field, on the other side stood an altar. Thus was the + first piece of property inaugurated, <span class="pagenum">[166]</span><a + name="link166" id="link166"></a>by purchase, by labor, and under the + protection of the gods. The first owner, the gigantic husband, represented + Force submitting to Right, and the four oxen represented the hard-working + family, improving the soil and enriching it with the sweat of their brow. + </p> + <p> + Soon people began to imitate Gefione’s example, and in all + directions land was measured and laid out; stones were put up to mark the + boundary lines of each legal possession, and these stones were held + sacred. + </p> + <p> + In order to encourage men in these efforts, the Ases made it a point every + morning to show their bright, shining heads above the horizon and thus to + cheer them by their presence and the interest they took in their labors. + </p> + <p> + The god Thor even came once to pay a visit to his sister Gefione, and then + cast a few flashes of lightning upon each one of the newly acquired pieces + of land, to render them sacred. Hence the old, deeply rooted notion that + lightning hallows all it touches. Afterwards, and as late as the fifteenth + century, it was deemed sufficient at Bonn, at Cologne, and at Mayence, to + cast Thor’s hammer upon the piece of land that had become a fief, in + order to establish an absolute right of proprietorship. + </p> + <p> + But the right of property alone did not suffice to render human society + stable and flourishing,—<span class="pagenum">[167]</span><a + name="link167" id="link167"></a>the nations of the earth longed for a + hierarchy of rank and race; at least the divine pupil of the wise Mimer + decided it should be so. The means he employed to found such a hierarchy + and the system itself appear curious and odd enough to us, who are no + gods, but, unsuitable as they look now, they were successful at the time. + </p> + <p> + By his order Heimdall, the god with the false teeth, abandoned his post as + guardian of the Wal-halla for nine days, and after a long journey across + the country, knocked at the door of a wretched tumbledown hut, where the + <i>Great-grandmother</i> lived. Here he remained three days and three + nights. + </p> + <p> + The Great-grandmother brought a male child into the world, black-skinned, + broad-shouldered, with hard horny hands, and powerful arms. They called it + <i>Thrall</i>, the serf. + </p> + <p> + Thrall’s natural inclination led him to prefer the hard work in + mines and in the wilderness; he was fond of the society of domestic + animals and even slept with them in their stables. His sons became + cattle-raisers, miners, or charcoal-burners. + </p> + <p> + Heimdall had continued his journey. He next stopped at the <i>Grandmother’s</i> + house, a small, simple cottage, but lacking in nothing that was useful. + </p> + <p> + Here he remained three days and three nights. + </p> + <p> + The Grandmother gave birth to a son, who was called <i>Karl</i>, the free + man. <span class="pagenum">[168]</span><a name="link168" id="link168"></a>Karl + was fond of driving oxen under the yoke, of working in wood and in iron, + of building boats and houses, and of trading. From him are descended our + workmen and artisans, our merchants and builders. + </p> + <p> + Turning his face towards the south, Heimdall next went to a beautiful + mansion, surrounded by magnificent gardens and reflected in the blue + waters of a large lake. As the god had only to show his golden teeth in + order to be welcomed by every woman he saw, the mistress of this mansion, + the <i>Mother</i>, also received him with great delight and tried to do + him honor. Dressed in her most costly robes she put an embroidered cloth + upon a table of polished wood and offered him in silver dishes all the + varieties of fish and game, in which the lake and the park near the house + abounded. The Mother did everything to keep the god as long as possible at + her house, but, as at the Grandmother’s and at the Great-grandmother’s, + so he remained here only three days and three nights. + </p> + <p> + A son appeared to console the Mother for the departure of her illustrious + guest; this child had at its birth already rosy cheeks, long hair, and a + haughty look. When he was still a child, he was fond of brandishing his + spear and of bending his bow; at fifteen he swam across the blue waters of + the lake, or plunged on an unbroken horse into <span class="pagenum">[169]</span><a + name="link169" id="link169"></a>the depths of the forest, riding as fast + as the wind. They called him Jarl, the noble. + </p> + <p> + Some years later Heimdall paid another visit to this country; delighted + with the prowess of Jarl, he acknowledged him as his son and taught him + the language of birds, which the gods alone understand and fluently speak. + He taught him also the science of Runes, of runes of victory which are + engraven on the blades of swords; runes of love to be traced upon drinking + horns or the thumbnail; runes of the sea, with which the prow and the + rudder of ships are decorated—in all cases precautionary measures by + which alone ill fortune can be kept at bay. + </p> + <p> + Besides these gifts of knowledge, he bestowed upon him an inalienable, + hereditary domain. This was the first entailed estate ever known in + Europe. + </p> + <p> + Jarl, says the Edda, was a man of <i>eight-horse power</i>. Could we + express it better in the noble railway Anglo-Saxon of our day, or does our + modern English really go back to the old Scandinavian, as this coincidence + would seem to prove? + </p> + <p> + Jarl’s descendants are the great chieftains, the barons, princes, + kings, and Druids, who have all inherited great power from their divine + ancestor with the golden teeth. They alone are his legitimate and + acknowledged children; the descendants of the grandmother and + great-grandmother are illegitimate. <span class="pagenum">[170]</span><a + name="link170" id="link170"></a>Still, whether acknowledged by the + law or not, they all form a close chain, a single family, they all spring + from the same god! Thus the humblest among them saw his rights secured for + the future. + </p> + <p> + I must confess that, the more carefully I examine these barbarians, + whether they were gods or men, the more I am surprised to discover beneath + the outward cloak of their fables so many correct ideas of order and of + justice. These fables had, of course, their day and then passed away. Up + to the present time, it is true, there is not much of the day gone; + perhaps also Odin may be blamed for having invented, before the world was + a few hundred years old, both the Middle Ages and the Feudal System. But + it would be wrong to blame him, for it must be acknowledged, that in spite + of the violence of their manners and the bloody nature of their worship, a + certain civilization had at last appeared among the Scandinavians. It may + be called brutal, I grant; it may be called aggressive even, but it was + after all an improvement, and it has held its own in the North, under snow + and ice, like the vigorous plants of our Alps. How comes it that the + Germans and the Franks, more favored by climate and by contact with highly + civilized nations, remained so long inferior to the Scandinavians in this + respect? Perhaps they were more liable to be invaded than the Sons of the + North; the Scandinavians invaded the continent <span class="pagenum">[171]</span><a + name="link171" id="link171"></a>in all directions, but no one ever dreamt + of invading their country. + </p> + <p> + After having thus established the right of property and a certain social + hierarchy, Odin had next instituted marriage with the symbolic ring, and + finally courts of justice. + </p> + <p> + But, since he had given to man an immortal soul, and since he held out to + him reward or punishment in another world according to his deserts, Odin + had been compelled to establish the first high tribunals in that other + world. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0072" id="linkimage-0072"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/191s.jpg" alt="191s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/191.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/191m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + We must, therefore, find our way to Walhalla and even to Hell, if the + reader is disposed to follow us to that place. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <span class="pagenum">[175]</span><a name="link175" id="link175"></a> + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0073" id="linkimage-0073"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/195s.jpg" alt="195s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/195.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/195m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VII. + </h2> + <p> + Heaven and Hell.—<i>The Valkyrias.—Amusements in Walhalla.—Pork + and Wild Boar.—A Frozen Hell.—Balder’s Death.—Frigg’s + Devotion.—The Iron Tree Forest.—The Twilight of the Gods.—Idunas’ + Apples.—The Fall of Heaven and the End of the World.—Reflections + on that Event.—The Little Fellow still alive.</i> + </p> + <p class="pfirst"> + <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">W</span>hen the warriors + were preparing for battle, a number of blue-eyed young maidens, mounted on + <span class="pagenum">[176]</span><a name="link176" id="link176"></a>bright, + shining horses, passed through their ranks, animating them with word and + gesture, and whispering into their ears warlike songs to be soon changed + into triumphal chants for those who fell on the battlefield, mortally + wounded. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0074" id="linkimage-0074"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/196s.jpg" alt="196s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/196.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/196m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + These maidens were the Valkyrias, those Valkyrias whom ever since the + poets and painters of the Ossianic school have reproduced in a thousand + forms. Nor must it be forgotten that this remarkable school, which the + Scotchman Macpherson revived <span class="pagenum">[177]</span><a + name="link177" id="link177"></a>towards the end of the eighteenth century, + counted among its most ardent admirers two enthusiastic Frenchmen, whose + names were Napoleon and Lamartine. + </p> + <p> + These Valkyrias, beautiful nymphs of carnage as they were, delighted in + the clash of arms, the shedding of blood, and the dying groans of the + wounded, even in the odors exhaled by the dying,—a taste which seems + little suited to fair, blue-eyed maidens. These unnatural tastes were, + however, justified to a certain extent, by the peculiar mission which they + had to fulfill, a mission of kindness and tender compassion. They walked + to and fro on the battlefield, not to carry off the dead, but to gather + the souls of those who had fallen. Of the <i>Seola</i> (such was the sweet + name of the Soul among the nations of Germanic or Scandinavian race), they + rapidly asked these questions:— + </p> + <p> + “Seola, did you belong to a free man or to a slave? + </p> + <p> + “Seola, did your master honor the gods and the priests of those + gods? + </p> + <p> + “Did he keep his pledged word? + </p> + <p> + “Did he die like a brave man, with his face to the enemy and not a + fear in his heart? + </p> + <p> + “Seola, did he ever fight against the men of his own blood and his + own race?” + </p> + <p> + The human soul, as soon as it escapes from the <span class="pagenum">[178]</span><a + name="link178" id="link178"></a>wretched bondage of this earth, no longer + possesses the sad power of being able to tell a falsehood; Seola, + therefore, answered these questions truthfully, even though it were to its + own condemnation. In the latter case the Valkyrias left it to the black + Alfs, a kind of demons who belonged to hell; but if the Seola had belonged + to a brave and loyal warrior, the Valkyria instantly unfolded her white + wines and took it to Walhalla, the home of the gods and the paradise of + heroes. + </p> + <p> + This paradise, exclusively intended for free men, was still open to slaves + also, if they had fallen by the side of their masters, or if they had + thrown themselves voluntarily into the fire of the funeral pile for the + purpose of continuing their service in the future life. + </p> + <p> + Let us see whether the delights of Walhalla were sufficiently attractive + to warrant such selfimmolation. + </p> + <p> + The one great enjoyment of all who dwell in Walhalla was combat and + strife. That is a matter of taste, but did they not carry combat and + strife a little too far? They fought there for hours and hours, with + eagerness, with fury, even piercing each other and cutting each other to + pieces to their hearts’ delight. It is true, that as soon as the + dinner hour came the blood ceased to flow, the wounds closed their gaping + lips, the <span class="pagenum">[179]</span><a name="link179" id="link179"></a>limbs + that had been lopped off by the swords returned to their place, the broken + heads and exposed entrails were restored without the surgeon’s aid, + not leaving a scar behind, and the heroes went arm in arm to dinner, + looking forward with joy to a repetition of the same merry sport as soon + as the meal should be finished. + </p> + <p> + The fare at this table of gods and heroes does not seem to have been + peculiarly wholesome; at all events it was not very varied. + </p> + <p> + The pork-butchers’ business was at that time uncommonly flourishing + both in heaven and on earth. Tacitus tells us that among the races of the + North, as far as the borders of the Baltic Sea, chieftains and matrons + alike loved to wear suspended around their neck a small image of a pig as + an emblem of abundance and fecundity. Rich and poor, all looked upon pork + as the main supply of their pantry. The pig, however, was not deemed + worthy to appear on Odin’s table, and its place was taken by the + boar: the gods lived upon wild boar, men upon domestic pig, that was the + whole difference. + </p> + <p> + I am often tempted to eat pork, and I am occasionally enabled to taste + wild boar; but I must solemnly confess, swearing if needs be by my + stomach, that in my opinion, the gods and the heroes had by no means the + best of it. It may <span class="pagenum">[180]</span><a name="link180" + id="link180"></a>be, however, that wild boars here below are not quite + equal to heavenly boars. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0075" id="linkimage-0075"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/200s.jpg" alt="200s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/200.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/200m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + However that may be, there appeared every morning upon the edge of one of + the marvelous forests to be found in Walhalla, an enormous colossal boar, + a very mammoth of a boar. The <span class="pagenum">[181]</span><a + name="link181" id="link181"></a>heroes proceeded to hunt it, accompanied + at times by Thor, by Vali, the skillful archer, or by Tyr, the one-handed + god, who nevertheless wielded his sword with power and accuracy. Then the + monster was killed, cut up and roasted, and all dined together. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0076" id="linkimage-0076"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/201s.jpg" alt="201s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/201.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/201m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + The next day there appeared on the edge of the marvelous forest another + wild boar, quite as fat and quite as enormous, in fact in every respect as + attractive as the boar of the day before—some think it was always + the same animal, come to life again. Then a new hunt and a new dinner upon + roasted wild boar. Surely we poor people might become disgusted for the + rest of our lives, one would imagine,—and those were immortal gods! + What taste! + </p> + <p> + But there is worse behind yet. The Scandinavian <span class="pagenum">[182]</span><a + name="link182" id="link182"></a>paradise was by no means the only one + where the pork-butcher was thus glorified. In a neighboring paradise, + which the Finns had established, we are told by a learned writer, the + rivers were flowing with beer and hydromel, the mountains consisted of + lard and the hills of half salted pork. + </p> + <p> + To help them in digesting their solid food, the Scandinavian gods drank, + like those of Finland, great quantities of beer and hydromel; but they had + in addition, an abundance of wine which they quaffed from gold cups. Wine! + In this one word thoughtful historians have discovered a whole revelation. + </p> + <p> + Now would it ever have occurred to Odin, in his hyperborean lands, where + the vine did not exist and could not possibly live, to bring the fruit of + the vine to his paradise? Did he know grapes? And when had he learnt to + know them? But as I do not wish to interrupt my story, I reserve the + discussion of this great and important question, with several others of + the same kind, for another chapter, in which I hope to be able to develop + my views fully and scientifically. + </p> + <p> + Besides wine, beer, and hydromel, the blessed people in Walhalla had an + additional precious beverage of their own, which it may safely be + presumed, no mortal on earth has ever tasted. This <span class="pagenum">[183]</span><a + name="link183" id="link183"></a>ambrosia of a novel nature was obtained by + the gods and heroes themselves, on certain favorable days, from the white + substance of the moon. Yes, from the moon! Did they quaff it in full + draughts or did they inhale it through calumets? We do not know, but the + nations of the earth saw in these periodical bleedings of the moon the + reason for her divers phases and her gradual diminution. When she became + reduced to a mere crescent, fright was seen on all faces and oppressed all + hearts. Were the great people up there forgetting themselves in their + celestial orgies, and would they drink up the moon to the last drop? + </p> + <p> + It must be borne in mind that they, like the Germans, saw in the moon + nothing but a transparent leathern bottle, filled with sweetened milk, and + phosphorescent. + </p> + <p> + Let us return now. To hunt the boar, to breakfast on wild boar, to dine on + the same dish, day after day, to drink beer and wine, and from time to + time that mulled egg which the moon furnished, to fight morning and + evening, to die and come to life again, merely for the purpose of fighting + again—these were the amusements of that delightful place. Upon my + word, it took Scandinavians to be content with such pleasures. + </p> + <p> + If Odin’s paradise appears to us but little attractive, his hell, on + the other hand, seems to have been <span class="pagenum">[184]</span><a + name="link184" id="link184"></a>far from terrible, especially if we + compare it with the hell of some of our great poets, such as Dante and + Milton. + </p> + <p> + The hell of the Scandinavians occupied the lowest depths of the world and + consisted of two parts, <i>Nastrond</i> and <i>Niflheim</i>. The latter is + a kind of dismal vestibule shrouded in darkness, in which are seen + wandering about the mournful seolas of those who have been neither good + nor bad, neither heroes nor scoundrels, and of all who have not fallen by + the sword. To die on one’s bed or in an armchair, was a wrong in + Odin’s eyes, a grievous wrong, though not exactly a crime, since he + punished it only with a temporary detention in those damp, low places, + where darkness, silence, and weariness seemed to combine for their + punishment. The dwellers in Niflheim had scarcely any amusement except + their reciprocal yawns, and from time to time a flash of dim light which + reached there when the little black Alfs came in or went out, busily + engaged in conveying a load of souls. + </p> + <p> + The great criminals were thrown into Nastrond, the real hell. What is very + remarkable is, that here there were no braziers and burning gridirons to + be seen, no furnaces and masses of flames as in all the other hells. This + was a hell of ice; it froze here hard enough to split iron, and the damned + shivered with cold. Dante mentions something of <span class="pagenum">[185]</span><a + name="link185" id="link185"></a>the kind in his great work, but between + the Florentine and the Scandinavian there can be no doubt who borrowed + from the other. + </p> + <p> + It was quite natural after all that in these win-tery regions of + Scandinavia, where cold is the greatest evil to be dreaded, intense, + continued, eternal cold should have become the terror and the punishment + of the criminal. The idea of a hell of fire, so far from keeping them from + the fatal slope, might very well have tempted some chilly scoundrel to + commit a great crime. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0077" id="linkimage-0077"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/205s.jpg" alt="205s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/205.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/205m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + The poor wretches who were shivering in Nastrond <span class="pagenum">[186]</span><a + name="link186" id="link186"></a>with stiffened hands and eyes full of + frozen tears, felt their tortures increased whenever Hela, the pale + goddess, the queen of that place, Death itself, cast upon them a glance + from her lack-lustre eyes. + </p> + <p> + Yes, it was Hela who reigned over this frightful iceberg; her palace is + called Misery, her gate the Precipice, her reception room Grief, her bed + Disease, her table Famine, and her throne Malediction! + </p> + <p> + The body of this terrible queen is party-colored, half white and half + blue, and her breath is perfumed with that horrible cadaverous odor in + which the Valkyrias delight. + </p> + <p> + But after all, the names seem to be worse than the sufferings themselves; + for excessive cold paralyzes pain itself, and there is nothing here to + compare with those classic places where lava-baths, rolling rocks, flaming + wheels, horses of red-hot iron, boiling pitch, fiery arrows and the snake + whips of the Eumenides made up an infernal stock of tortures which might + well tempt the imagination of the greatest of poets. + </p> + <p> + In Nastrond there were no demons and no Eumenides; to be sure, there was a + Bigvor and a Sisvor, furies if you will have it so, watching at the gates + of hell, with the help of Gaun, the formidable dog, but all three are + forbidden to enter within. <span class="pagenum">[187]</span><a + name="link187" id="link187"></a>The place of missing monsters is occupied + by some of those whom Odin spared on the occasion of his first campaign + against the giant sons of Ymer, and by the wolf Fenris, whom the Ases had + treacherously captured. There are also two other wolves, convicted of + having made an attempt upon the life of the Sun, and all of these monsters + are firmly chained and appear rather as sufferers than as tormentors. + </p> + <p> + One of these days, their iron chains will be loosened; one of these days + heaven will turn cold and hell will melt, and—then, woe to the gods! + </p> + <p> + Listen! The moment is drawing near when all these mysteries are to be + solved. The hour is coming when <i>you shall hear, when you shall + understand!</i> But before uttering these last words, final and at the + same time fatal words, we must mention an event which at that moment + occurred in the open assembly of the gods, filling heaven and earth with + amazement, with pity and horror. + </p> + <p> + It must be acknowledged that so far the heavenly personages have appeared + to be rather kindhearted and mild. Odin, in spite of his Druids and their + demands for bloody sacrifices, seems to have been full of good intentions. + The god Thor, with all his somewhat brutal ways, rendered great services + to mankind; and the same hammer, which protected them against the giants, + afterwards served, <span class="pagenum">[188]</span><a name="link188" + id="link188"></a>without the aid of geometry, to mark the boundary + lines of their respective properties. The golden-teethed god, Heimdall, + gave most undoubted evidence of his devotion to the human race and of his + self-denial in his visits to the Grandmother and the Great-grandmother, + and so did the other gods. But we had good reasons for not going through + the whole list of the Ases. For there is one whom we keep in reserve so + that he may appear at the right hour, and that is Loki, the god of evil + and the genius of destruction. + </p> + <p> + Surpassing Odin himself in his magic skill, fair of form and features, a + smile on his lips—thin lips, however, the Edda adds—and + apparently possessed of the most jovial temper so as to make him a most + agreeable person, Loki is in reality a compound of the most hideous vices. + He is the representative of hatred and cruelty, of envy, hypocrisy, and + perversity. In fact, he is our Satan, before the fall. If he had been king + of hell, Miflheim and Nastrond would both have been filled with more + tortures and more horrors than all the other hells which are known to men. + </p> + <p> + And yet he was the god upon whom the dwellers in Walhalla counted for + their entertainment, and whom they had surnamed the Clown! + </p> + <p> + One day an ancient prophetess returns to life, rises in her grave, and + utters a terrible cry: “Balder, <span class="pagenum">[189]</span><a + name="link189" id="link189"></a>fair Balder, is going to die!” With + these words she falls back again upon her mournful couch and dies again—forever. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0078" id="linkimage-0078"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/209s.jpg" alt="209s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/209.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/209m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + In the meantime this cry has been heard even at the top of the ash + Ygdrasil. The Ases are troubled and amazed; they meet, they look at each + other, thoroughly frightened, for on the life of Balder depends the + existence of all the other gods. Moreover, <span class="pagenum">[190]</span><a + name="link190" id="link190"></a>Balder the Bright is the glory of heaven + and the love of the earth. Can Balder die, the most charming and the + purest as well as the most beautiful of all the sons of Odin? He, who was + so beautiful that Hela herself could not help smiling when she looked at + him—he, so pure that no falsehood could be uttered in his presence + and that a vessel containing an adulterated liquid would break instantly + at his approach—he, so charming that all the gods love him as their + favorite child, and that men have surnamed him Hope? No, no! Balder shall + not die, said the Ases. + </p> + <p> + His distressed mother Frigg, Odin’s wife, shows her apprehensions by + her intense anguish, and her sobs scarcely allow her to speak. She tells + those who try to laugh at the sudden alarm of all who have heard the + warning of the prophetess, that for several nights already she has been + repeatedly, persistently warned in her dreams of the death of her + well-beloved son. She would not believe it, she adds, but now she does + believe. + </p> + <p> + The divine sybil Vola, whose predictions have never proved untrue, and + Skulda, the Norn of the Future, are ‘summoned to appear. They + consult with each other and this is their decision:— + </p> + <p> + “Balder is in danger; Balder will die unless all earthly substances + that can inflict death, are rendered powerless.” <span + class="pagenum">[191]</span><a name="link191" id="link191"></a>Frigg + descends to the earth and speaks to volcanoes and water-spouts, to frost + and hail, and they promise to spare her son. Among the aquatic powers, + from the ocean to the smallest brook, among the stones, from the mightiest + rock to the pebble, and among the metals, from gold to iron, there is none + that does not swear the same oath. The plants also promise, from the oak + to the smallest shrub and down to the humblest grass. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0079" id="linkimage-0079"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/211s.jpg" alt="211s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/211.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/211m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + Triumphantly she returns to heaven to announce the good news. Everybody is + overjoyed. They celebrate the happy result of her journey by a family + dinner, at which Loki succeeds in exhilarating even Odin himself by his + merry jokes. He had never appeared in better spirits; had never seemed to + sympathize more warmly with the happy court. + </p> + <p> + When the feast was ended and the last cups were drained in honor of + Balder, some one proposed for the general amusement to try how far all + these substances, vegetable or mineral, will be faithful to the oath they + have sworn, when brought face to face with Balder. <span class="pagenum">[192]</span><a + name="link192" id="link192"></a>Beginning with the most inoffensive of + them all, they throw at him a clod of earth; the clod of earth breaks into + a cloud of dust before it touches him. Then they pour a pitcher of water + over him and the water forms a cascade above him without wetting even his + garments. They try to strike him with a hazel wand; the wand, slipping + from the hand that holds it, breaks in two. Balder is amused by the game + and encourages the bystanders to renew their attacks. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0080" id="linkimage-0080"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/212s.jpg" alt="212s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/212.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/212m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + The skillful Uller shoots at him a pointless arrow, aiming, from excessive + caution, only at his shoulder. The arrow passes at a distance of twenty + feet from its aim and continues its flight through <span class="pagenum">[193]</span><a + name="link193" id="link193"></a>the air, like a bird in search of its prey + beyond the clouds. + </p> + <p> + Ten other assailants meet the same fate, trying their luck with a fragment + of rock and a heavy branch in the shape of a club. But the fragment was of + stone and remembered the promise given to Frigg, and the club was cut from + a tree and the tree remembered the promise given to Frigg. + </p> + <p> + Encouraged by so many reassuring trials, Freyr desired to try his magic + sword, but for once the faithful sword was deaf to his orders. Thor + brandished his hammer, but the hammer suddenly reversed its action and + well nigh made him fall back upon his heels. Freyr’s sword and Thor’s + hammer were both of iron and the iron remembered the promise given to + Frigg. + </p> + <p> + Loki took care not to appear. + </p> + <p> + The sport was over, as it seemed, when suddenly the blind god Hoder, + Balder’s own brother, was seen to advance, feeling his way, towards + the bright god. Hoder held in his hand a small bunch of leaves, a bit of + grass, at least it appeared such after the fearful instruments that had + just been brought into play. + </p> + <p> + Immense laughter, a laughter such as the gods of Homer were in the habit + of enjoying, broke out at the sight; Loki laughed till his sides shook and + Hoder himself shared the general hilarity. <span class="pagenum">[194]</span><a + name="link194" id="link194"></a>But he drew nearer and nearer, shaking his + bit of verdure in the air; then, almost tottering and having learnt from + the bystanders in what direction he would have to turn, he threw the + slender twig against Balder, using his full force, which was prodigious. + </p> + <p> + He hit Balder full in the chest and the god fell instantly. That bright + light which was always shining around him became extinct; he closed his + eyes, and lowered his beautiful brow deprived of its glory.....Balder was + dead! + </p> + <p> + He had been struck by a bit of mistletoe. Frigg had addressed her prayers + to the oak tree, but she had not thought of the mistletoe which grows on + the oak tree; the mistletoe had given no promise to Frigg. Must we look + here for a symbolic meaning? Did this mean, that the Druidical mistletoe + was soon to triumph over the gods of Scandinavia? This could not be so, + for at the time to which we have come, there was no trace left of the wise + worship of the Druids of the first epoch; the Druids of the second epoch + were fast losing their power, and the Scandinavian gods were daily + increasing in popularity, even beyond the banks of the Rhine. + </p> + <p> + But we ought not to interrupt this account of Balder’s death, which + is as poetical and as touching as the most famous fables of Greece. <span + class="pagenum">[195]</span><a name="link195" id="link195"></a>When blind + Hoder, whose name must not be uttered, you remember, hears the cries of + despair which break out all around him, and encircle him on all sides with + maledictions, he is troubled and seriously distressed. Then, all of a + sudden joining in the distressed cries of the Ases, he falls utterly + overcome upon his brother’s body and denounces Loki as the author of + this calamity. Loki has reproached him for being the only one who took no + part in the amusements by which they thought to honor Balder, and he it + was who had not only given him the fatal plant but who had also directed + his arm. Loki was jealous of all the perfections of Balder and he hated + him as much as the other gods loved him. + </p> + <p> + They look for Loki, but he has disappeared. No doubt he has tried to + escape from the vengeance of the Ases by seeking refuge in the mountains + among the giants, his natural allies, or perhaps in the deep sea, with the + serpent Iormungandur. + </p> + <p> + And whilst they thus lament, inquire, and investigate, Balder’s soul + is carried off by the black Alfs to Niflheim, the dark vestibule of hell. + </p> + <p> + Odin still cherished hopes that his dead son might be restored to him. + Upon his order Her-mode, the messenger of the gods, mounts his horse + Sleipner and goes to see Hela, but neither promises nor threats can move + the dread goddess. Fate has <span class="pagenum">[196]</span><a + name="link196" id="link196"></a>decided, and Fate is above the gods, as + the gods are above men. + </p> + <p> + Then Frigg herself goes to see the pale goddess. Frigg weeps and the + merciless goddess is unable to keep her heart from softening when she sees + the tears of such a mother. She says to her:— + </p> + <p> + “Let all created beings—mind, I say, all created beings!—give + a tear to Balder, a tear such as you have’ shed in my presence, and + Balder shall be restored to you!” + </p> + <p> + Frigg was unwilling to trust any one but herself with the effort to + realize such hopes. Once more she went over the world, gathering around + her all the races of men, one after the other, and as she mentioned the + name of Balder, tears flowed from all eyes. + </p> + <p> + For three months she visited all the forests and all the mountains, the + seas and the lakes and the animals that live in the waters and the + mountains; and seas and lakes and mountains wept. She went even to the + abode of the giants, the enemies of the gods, and her grief made the + giants also weep; every tree wept and every rock wept. + </p> + <p> + Frigg thought her task was accomplished, and was filled with joy; but she + heard that in the far East of Midgard there lived an old woman in the + heart of a forest of iron trees. As she lived alone there, far from any + beaten track, she had never <span class="pagenum">[197]</span><a + name="link197" id="link197"></a>become known to the intrepid traveller. + Now, however, Frigg sought her out by steep paths, cut up with gullies and + fierce torrents, and at last found her. When the mother told her pitiful + tale, the iron trees wept, but the old woman would not weep. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0081" id="linkimage-0081"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/217s.jpg" alt="217s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/217.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/217m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + <span class="pagenum">[198]</span><a name="link198" id="link198"></a>They + called her Thorck, and her heart was ten times as hard as her name. + </p> + <p> + “What do I care for your Balder?” she cried; “what do I + care whether he is dead or alive? You have other sons; I have not one left + me. Once I had four, and all four were my pride, my delight. They were so + fair! They were so tall! Your son Thor killed every one of them. I wept + much at that time. Now, it is all over. Look for tears elsewhere, I have + no tears to give to other people’s sorrows!” + </p> + <p> + Frigg bowed down before her, begged her, conjured her, and even fell on + her knees before her; but the old woman was inflexible. Balder had to + remain a prisoner with Hela. + </p> + <p> + Some interpreters of Scandinavian runes have been of the opinion that the + bereaved mother in the forest of iron trees was none other than Loki + himself, changed into an old woman. That thought, however, is + inadmissible. The Ases were beyond the reach of Hela, and Loki’s + refusal would not have rendered void the unanimous vote of all Nature, + when tears of pity and sympathy alone were to be given as votes. It is + much more plausible to suppose, that Loki had induced Thorck to refuse by + his counsels and by his enchantments; through him the heart of the old + woman had’ become iron as well as the trees of the forest in <span + class="pagenum">[199]</span><a name="link199" id="link199"></a>which she + lived. Thus Loki had twice caused the death of Balder! + </p> + <p> + It was at this time that a strange, almost incredible report was for the + first time heard among men. The Druids whispered it cautiously into the + ears of the initiated, and voices were said to utter it in the air during + the night. This report, a terrible secret, a most unexpected revelation, + stated that the gods were about to die! Thor would die, after seeing + lightning become extinct in his hands; Odin himself would die, and so + would the others. The fate of each one of them was depending on the fate + of this fragile world over which they ruled, and this world had to perish + because Balder had perished. + </p> + <p> + What? Should the Universe change back into chaos? Was there no + all-powerful will that could arrest the process of destruction before it + was too late? But where could such omnipotent will be found, now that the + gods were no longer to be in existence? + </p> + <p> + Listen! listen to these verses from the Edda! + </p> + <p> + “Who is the most ancient among the gods? + </p> + <p> + “Alfader, that is, the universal father. He has always been and will + ever be; he governs all things, both big and small; he has made the + heavens, the earth and the gods. Odin created man, but Al-fader gave him + his immortal soul!” <span class="pagenum">[200]</span><a + name="link200" id="link200"></a>Thus we come back to the pure + essence of an only god, who is ever the same, whether his name be Teut, + Esus, or Jehovah; the other gods are nothing but emanations proceeding + from him, living symbols intended to live for a few thousand centuries—that + is all. + </p> + <p> + “Do you hear? Do you understand now? + </p> + <p> + “Do you understand why the great ash tree Ygdrasil is continually + gnawed at its root by a dragon? Why four famished stags feed upon its + foliage? You understand? Well! + </p> + <p> + “But by what sign shall we recognize the approaching end of the gods—that + which the Edda calls their <i>twilight?</i> + </p> + <p> + “The most important among all the sacred books of the North, a + volume containing the prophecies of the divine sybil Vola, the <i>Voluspa,</i> + will tell you. + </p> + <p> + “When the fatal moment draws near, their voice will cease to be able + to utter the accustomed chants, and the luminous brightness radiating from + their bodies will fade away little by little. + </p> + <p> + “When they leave their bath, their bodies will not dry at once, as + they do now, but remain moist; drops of water will continually drip from + them, and they will in this respect become like unto mortal men. + </p> + <p> + “In order to overcome these first symptoms of <span class="pagenum">[201]</span><a + name="link201" id="link201"></a>indisposition, the wife of the god Bragi, + Iduna, will give them certain apples to eat, which she keeps in reserve. + These apples will have the effect of strengthening them and of restoring + to them a kind of fictitious youth for a few thousand years perhaps. + </p> + <p> + “One day, however, their eyes will begin to wink; the next morning, + upon awaking, their eyelids will be found closed, and then they will turn + red and blear. + </p> + <p> + “At table, when proceeding to their usual libations, their slightly + tremulous hands will be unable to hold their cups steadily; some of the + wine or the hydromel will escape and their garments will remain stained. + </p> + <p> + “Woe to them if a grain of dust adheres to these stained garments! + </p> + <p> + “Woe to them still more, if the wreaths of flowers or of jewels + begin to fade and to wither on their brows! + </p> + <p> + “Finally, when the sweet perfumes which now are exhaled from their + bodies, change into acrid and sickening odors, there will be nothing left + for them but to make their last will.” + </p> + <p> + I am well convinced that this last phrase has been stealthily introduced + into the Voluspa by some kind of criminal and fraudulent trick. The rest, + however, is a faithful translation of the original <span class="pagenum">[202]</span><a + name="link202" id="link202"></a>text, as taken from the best authenticated + editions. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0082" id="linkimage-0082"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/222s.jpg" alt="222s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/222.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/222m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + “Then,” the prophecy continues, “then three sacred + cocks, dwelling in the three principal worlds, will crow and reply to each + other, announcing the <i>Twilight of Greatness.</i> + </p> + <p> + “Then, everything on earth will be in disorder and confusion; + families will be at variance with <span class="pagenum">[203]</span><a + name="link203" id="link203"></a>each other, the claims of blood will no + longer be acknowledged, and brothers will be arrayed against brothers. + </p> + <p> + “Adultery and incest, robbery and murder, will prevail among men, + and the age will be an age of barbarism, an age of the sword, an age of + tempests, an age of wolves! + </p> + <p> + “The wolves will be ready to devour the sun. Three long winters, + with no summers between them, will cover the earth with snow and ice; the + branches of the trees will give way under the immense burden; the sun will + be darkened more and more; the moon will dissolve into vapor and the stars + will go out; the mountains, shaking in their foundations, will be tossed + to and fro like reeds in a river; the earth will reject all the plants, + the trees, and the rocks which it now bears; the waters will cast the fish + upon the shore and with them their algae, their corals, and even the + bodies of shipwrecked men, hideous skeletons, whose rattling bones will + chime in grimly with the warning of the rising flood. + </p> + <p> + “Then the sea will grow dark, and upon its waters there will be seen + floating that monstrous ship made of the nails of dead men. At the rudder, + Ymer, the giant, will stand, having been recalled to life for a time, in + order to assist Loki in scaling the heavens by the way of Bifrost, the + <span class="pagenum">[204]</span><a name="link204" id="link204"></a>rainbow, + at the head of the other Giants of the Frost. + </p> + <p> + “Then Surtur the Black will arrive from the southern regions, from + the realm of fire, with all of his malignant demons, bearing torches and + ready to set heaven and earth on fire. + </p> + <p> + “Then Hela, the pale goddess of death, will set free her prisoners, + the wolf Fenris first of all, and march at the head of these monsters to + assist the powers of the South. + </p> + <p> + “Then the gods will take up their arms; Odin will gather them around + him, and with them the heroes from Walhalla; and the last battle will be + fought.” + </p> + <p> + But Vola’s prophecy has to be fulfilled; the gods must perish, and + the world with them. + </p> + <p> + Freyr dies in the flames of Surtur the Black; Thor succumbs to the deadly + embrace and the poisonous bites of the great serpent Iormungandur; but, + before dying, he kills it. Odin is torn to pieces by the wolf Fenris. + </p> + <p> + During the struggle, the heavens have been scaled and the genii of fire + enter on horseback through the breach, while the giants shake the ash + Ygdrasil, which writhes uttering long sighs, and at last falls with the + heavenly vault which it has been upholding. The conquerors and the + conquered alike are crushed under the ruins, and the world <span + class="pagenum">[205]</span><a name="link205" id="link205"></a>being set + on fire by Surtur the Black, vanishes in smoke. + </p> + <p> + Thus the night of the gods has to succeed to the twilight of the gods. + </p> + <p> + “O you, spirits of the mountains, do you know whether anything will + continue to exist?” asks the Voluspa, at the end of these mournful + prophecies. + </p> + <p> + It must be admitted that this sombre and terrible conception is not + without a certain poetic grandeur, a certain savage heroism, which we + cannot help admiring. In these verses the Edda is in no way inferior to + the most brilliant pictures drawn by Dante or by Milton, and more than + once it approaches nearly to the Apocalypse. Thus, as the inspired Apostle + saw a new heaven and a new earth, the Edda also announces the coming of a + time, when a new earth, more favored and more perfect than ours, shall + succeed the old earth. + </p> + <p> + “When the earth is thus broken to pieces and devoured by fire, what + shall happen next? + </p> + <p> + “There will come forth from the sea another earth, more beautiful + and more perfect. + </p> + <p> + “And will any of the gods survive? + </p> + <p> + “Balder will be revived and come forth from the place of departed + spirits, to rule over the new world under the guidance of the imperishable + Al-fader. <span class="pagenum">[206]</span><a name="link206" id="link206"></a>Then + will be the reign of Justice.” + </p> + <p> + The mythology of the Scandinavians embraces, as we have shown, among its + symbols all the great phenomena of Nature, the continual struggle between + the two opposite principles, creation and destruction. Being, besides, + more complicated and more intelligent than the mythology of the Gauls and + the Germans, it deserved to fill a large space in our work, and such a + space we have accorded it cheerfully. + </p> + <p> + But why was it that the civilization introduced by Odin contributed as + little as the philosophy of the Druids to the real well-being and the + improvement of mankind? I think I see the reason. + </p> + <p> + In the eyes of the German as well as of the Scandinavian, God was only + just and rigid. The rule of the God of Love had not yet begun. Perhaps + Balder was to inaugurate it in that other world which the Edda announced. + </p> + <p> + Do you hear? Do you understand? + </p> + <p> + Amid all the incidents which were to mark the general conflagration, there + is one which particularly recalls to our mind a great historical event. + Alexander of Macedonia once questioned certain Celtic ambassadors and was + told by them, that what they feared most upon earth, was the falling down + of the sky. + </p> + <p> + This apparently lofty answer filled the young <span class="pagenum">[207]</span><a + name="link207" id="link207"></a>conqueror with admiration, and it is still + admired by modern students of history. It was, however, in reality nothing + more than a simple, naïve rendering of one of their articles of faith; for + all their prophetic books threatened them with the destruction of the + heavens. + </p> + <p> + Another detail, the complete destruction of this globe of ours, after a + series of fearful catastrophes, recalls to me, not exactly a great + historical fact, but a simple game of my childhood, which may have been + symbolic, nay, which may have come down to us from the Edda. This, + however, I state with great hesitation. + </p> + <p> + Did you ever know one of the merriest games, which was once very much the + fashion in city and country alike, when a firebrand, a burning stick, or a + bunch of straw set on fire, was quickly passed from hand to hand? To + prevent its going out, while you held it, you were bound to pass it as + quickly as possible to your neighbor, repeating at the same time the + expressive words: “<i>The little fellow is still alive</i>.” + Your neighbor passed it to his neighbor and thus it travelled all around, + always accompanied by the same, constant burden: “The little fellow + is still alive!” This game was transformed during the Middle Ages, + in the North, and especially in Bretagne, into the Torch Dance, as I have + mentioned before. <span class="pagenum">[208]</span><a name="link208" + id="link208"></a>Now I imagine that this game, in some way or other, + prefigured the universal conflagration that was to come, and <i>the little + fellow</i> was the world. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0083" id="linkimage-0083"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/228s.jpg" alt="228s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/228.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/228m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + But we must make haste to reach our great scientific discussion. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <span class="pagenum">[211]</span><a name="link211" id="link211"></a> + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0084" id="linkimage-0084"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/231s.jpg" alt="231s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/231.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/231m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VIII. + </h2> + <p> + <i>How the Gods of India live only for a Kalpa, that is, for the Time + between one World and another.—How the God Vishnu was One-eyed.—How + Celts and Scandinavians believed in Metempsychosis, like the Indians.—How + Odin, with his Emanations, came forth from the God Buddha.—About + Mahabarata and Ramayana.—Chronology.—The World’s Age.—Comparative + Tables.—Quotations.—Supporting Evidence.—A Cenotaph.</i> + </p> + <p class="pfirst"> + <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">M</span>y reader has had a + lucky escape. + </p> + <p> + Determined as I was to fathom in this chapter the true origin of the + Scandinavian religion, and inspired by the zeal of a recent convert, I had + collected and compared every document that could aid me in proving the + Oriental descent of the priests of Odin as well as of the other Druids. I + <span class="pagenum">[212]</span><a name="link212" id="link212"></a>thought + it was a beautiful doctrine, and especially an entirely new one. + </p> + <p> + When I finished my chapter, which I thought was exceedingly well done, I + read it to Doctor Rosahl, expecting, I must confess, to be warmly + congratulated. + </p> + <p> + “Why, my dear sir,” he said, when I had finished, “you + have made great efforts to prove a thing which has been established long + since. All the master minds of France and Germany, to say nothing of other + nations, agree on that subject. I mean men like Fauriel, Lassen, + Lenormand, Ampere, Eichhoff, Saint-Marc Girardin, Marmier, Klaproth, + Ozanam, the two Rémusats, the two Thierrys, the two Humboldts, the two + Grimms, not to mention twenty others. + </p> + <p> + “Why will you come to their assistance after they have won the + victory? Do you merely wish to display your scholarship?” + </p> + <p> + I indignantly denied the charge, and seizing my manuscript with both + hands, I resolutely threw it into the fire. + </p> + <p> + A remnant of paternal weakness induced me, however, to retain the summary + of that famous chapter, and I have inserted it here in its regular place, + so that it might bear evidence of my wasted labor. As the <i>corpus + delicti</i> is no longer in existence, this summary may stand there like + an inscription <span class="pagenum">[213]</span><a name="link213" + id="link213"></a>on an empty tomb, to honor the memory of the + deceased. + </p> + <p> + My VIIIth chapter is thus changed into a cenotaph. + </p> + <p> + I—a scholar! Great God! Let the reader not be disturbed. My purpose + in writing this work was nothing more than to try and collect along the + banks of the Rhine all the curious myths which have survived the ancient + creeds of Europe; for they have all come to the great river. There the + traveller finds piled up, after the manner of alluvial layers, all the + ancient fables, all the marvelous and often childish tales to which the + credulity and lively imagination of our forefathers gave a ready welcome. + With the exception of a very few cases, in which the grave nature of the + subject lifts me necessarily into higher regions, I wish mainly to tell + you once more <i>Grandmamma’s Tales</i>. That is what we are going + to do next. The Edda itself has no other meaning, for <i>Edda</i> means + the same as our <i>grandmother</i>. + </p> + <p> + No, I am too great a lover of tales of a tub ever to have claimed the + reputation of being a scholar; but at times I like to glean a little where + scholars have reaped. I have been shown the best spots, and I pilfer as + well as I can—that is all. + </p> + <p> + An ignoramus and a pilferer, I resemble a bee which might fly into a + botanical garden and, utterly <span class="pagenum">[214]</span><a + name="link214" id="link214"></a>unacquainted with the Latin names of + flowers, carry off joyously a rich harvest, without pretending to be able + to make academic honey. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0085" id="linkimage-0085"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/234s.jpg" alt="234s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/234.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/234m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <span class="pagenum">[217]</span><a name="link217" id="link217"></a> + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0086" id="linkimage-0086"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/237s.jpg" alt="237s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/237.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/237m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0011" id="link2H_4_0011"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + IX. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Confederation of all the Northern Gods.—Freedom of Religion.—Christianity.—Miserere + mei!—Homeric Enumeration.—Prussian, Slavic, and Finnish + Deities.—The God of Cherries and the God of Bees.—A Silver + Woman.—Ilmarinnen’s Wedding Song.—A Skeleton God.—Yaga-Babcûs + Pestle and Mortar.—Preparation for Battle.—The Little Chapel + on the Hill.—The Signal for the Attack.—Jesus and Mary.</i> + </p> + <p class="pfirst"> + <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">I</span>t is high time for + us to return to the banks of the Rhine, where the two religions of Jupiter + and Odin were about to meet face to face. <span class="pagenum">[218]</span><a + name="link218" id="link218"></a>At that time the terrible prophecies of + the Edda were far from being near their fulfillment; Odin had a long + period of omnipotence yet before him. + </p> + <p> + To the great surprise of the adversaries, the Romans, so far from showing + any alarm at his approach, received him and his retinue of deities as old + acquaintances. + </p> + <p> + According to their unchanging policy they would see in him nothing but a + Jupiter, and in fierce Thor another gallant Mars, somewhat sobered by a + long residence in northern countries and excessive use of beer. + </p> + <p> + The Romans looked, in fact, upon all of these Scandinavian gods and + goddesses simply as upon myths of their own that came back to them once + more. + </p> + <p> + The poets hallowed these claims and the historians tried to justify them. + According to some, Odin the Conqueror, a member of the family of Ases, had + first given to some of his conquests the name of Asia (which might very + well be so), and then receded before the Roman armies to cold hyperborean + regions. Here he had adopted the gods of his new conquerors, hoping that + they would, in return, make him victorious—which seems to me in the + highest degree improbable. According to others, the poet Ovid, when + Augustus had banished him to Scythia, had learnt the language of the + barbarians, <span class="pagenum">[219]</span><a name="link219" + id="link219"></a>among whom he was living, and finding them willing + and eager to listen to him, had recited before them his “Metamorphoses.” + This was all that was needed to induce the Scythians to make for + themselves gods after the model of the Roman gods. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0087" id="linkimage-0087"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/239s.jpg" alt="239s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/239.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/239m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + Tacitus, Plutarch, Strabo, and a host of the most illustrious writers + never hesitated to give currency to such childish stories, ignoring + entirely the date of the Scandinavian religion. + </p> + <p> + As Rome, however, permitted no human sacrifices, the priests of Odin and + of Teut had at first withdrawn far from the beaten track, into the depths + of dark old forests. There they could live quietly, practice without + restraint the religion of their forefathers, and kill their men in perfect + security. At least such were their hopes. The Roman soldiers, however, who + handled the woodman’s axe <span class="pagenum">[220]</span><a + name="link220" id="link220"></a>as readily as the sword, and the spade as + well as the spear, soon made big holes in these venerable forests, + murdered the murderers, and overthrew their blood-stained altars. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0088" id="linkimage-0088"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/240s.jpg" alt="240s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/240.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/240m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + <span class="pagenum">[221]</span><a name="link221" id="link221"></a>Occasionally + it happened that the brave legionaries who were employed in these + hazardous enterprises, did not reappear. The proconsuls, whose duty it was + to keep Germany in order, would have liked to inflict severe punishment; + but just then the great reaction began to set in, from the North against + the South. + </p> + <p> + Whilst Rome was making efforts to establish her power in Germany, certain + German tribes, Franks and Burgundians, invaded France and began to settle + down in some of the conquered Roman provinces. The proconsuls thought it + both prudent and wise not to raise the question of religion; and for a + long time a truce was tacitly agreed upon between all the different + creeds, though not without some misgivings on both sides. Odin had his + altars by the side of those of Jupiter; a temple in honor of Thor stood + facing a temple dedicated to Mars, and if Bacchus, Diana, and Apollo had + their sacred days, Bragi, Frigg, and Freya had theirs also. + </p> + <p> + In spite of this general toleration, the parties watched each other + carefully. + </p> + <p> + Sooner or later a holy war had to break out; in certain regions it had + already begun, when fishermen of the Rhine busily drawing in their nets, + heard, for the first time, a still small voice coming down upon them on + the waters of the river, which whispered the names of Jesus and Mary. + <span class="pagenum">[222]</span><a name="link222" id="link222"></a>The + same voice and the same names were simultaneously heard again and again + before Strasbourg, Mayence, and Cologne. It was Christianity that was + approaching. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0089" id="linkimage-0089"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/242s.jpg" alt="242s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/242.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/242m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + These wondrous words, which now the river only <span class="pagenum">[223]</span><a + name="link223" id="link223"></a>murmured, had soon after been forced by + some mystic power from the lips of the Druidesses in their prophetic + exaltation and from the priests of Jupiter, as they consulted their + auguries. + </p> + <p> + There was a Druid, who, in the act of sacrificing, was suddenly seized + with inspiration, and dropping the bloody knife felt impelled to cry out: + <i>Miserere mei, Jesus!</i> and yet Latin had until then been an unknown + tongue among the Druids! + </p> + <p> + The nations stood expectant, waiting for the revelation of a new faith. + </p> + <p> + Soon a number of fugitives from Tolbiac, returning to the Rhine, produced + consternation in all hearts by the announcement that Clovis, the king of + the Franks, who had long been suspected of a secret understanding with + Rome, had gone over to the god of the Christians, and that the god of the + Christians was at that moment advancing at the head of ten legions of + destroying angels. + </p> + <p> + When this news came, the rival religions laid aside their jealousy, and + terrified by a common danger, joined hands to resist the invader. A + general appeal was made not only by the followers of Odin to those of + Jupiter, but also to the Northern gods, the Finnish gods, the Russian + gods, and the Slavic gods. The danger was threatening to all alike, and + they responded to the appeal and came to the Rhine. <span class="pagenum">[224]</span><a + name="link224" id="link224"></a>We cannot so rapidly pass over this vast + Olympian assembly of gods, a poet’s dream, it may be, but a + traditional dream, full of strange and striking splendor, which completes + in a most unexpected manner the limited description we have tried to give + of Northern Myths. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0090" id="linkimage-0090"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/244s.jpg" alt="244s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/244.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/244m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + At this grand meeting there appeared in the first place a goodly number of + Borussian or Prussian gods, among whom stood first and foremost Percunos, + the divine leader of the heavenly bodies; Pikollos, whose face was as pale + as Hela’s and whose duty was, like hers, to preside over hell; + exacting, however, from men nothing but prayers accompanied by beating + hearts, he cared nothing whether he was feared or beloved. A third god, + Potrympos, had the appearance of a youth, with smiling lips and with a + wreath of wheat ears and flowers on his brow; this was the god of War. Of + War? And what meant the smile on his lips and the wheat ears on his brow? + They indicated that he was also the god of public supplies and even of + love. + </p> + <p> + It seems that, in ancient Prussia, War was the purveyor-general and + supplied everything. + </p> + <p> + In the retinue of this great trio, we find Antrympos, the god of seas and + lakes; Poculos, the god of the air and of storms; then, after these gods + ending in <i>os</i>, came other deities ending in <i>us</i>; Pilvitus, the + god of riches, Auchwitus, the god of the sick, and Marcopulus, the god of + the nobles. The latter was the terror of the common people, whom he held + under an iron yoke. In order to <span class="pagenum">[226]</span><a + name="link226" id="link226"></a>conciliate his good will, they prayed to + Puscatus, another god in us, but a kindhearted god. He lived under an + elder tree, and the price he exacted in return for his mediation was the + modest gift of a piece of bread and a <i>schoppen</i> of beer. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0091" id="linkimage-0091"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/246s.jpg" alt="246s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/246.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/246m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + Although their priests were called Crives or Waidelottes, their ceremonies + were, nevertheless, mere imitations of those of the Druids. The Borussians + honored particularly the famous oak of Remowe, to which Percunos, + Pikollos, and Potrympos paid a daily visit. To these same gods they + offered their prisoners of war; but they were not sacrificed by means of a + knife after the German <span class="pagenum">[227]</span><a + name="link227" id="link227"></a>Or the Scandinavian manner. They + destroyed them by fire or they gave them to be devoured to enormous + serpents who lived upon the altar and for the altar. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0092" id="linkimage-0092"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/247s.jpg" alt="247s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/247.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/247m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + Now all these gods have come to Germany accompanied by their monstrous + reptiles, by griffins fearful to behold, and by demons summoned from hell, + all called upon to take part in the impending struggle. <span + class="pagenum">[228]</span><a name="link228" id="link228"></a>Almost at + the same time with the Prussian gods arrived also the Scythian gods and + those of the Sarmatians, the former in chariots, according to the manner + of travelling which prevailed among those nations. They also bowed low, + like their people, before the all-powerful Tahiti, the great + representative of their religion, Fire. The Scythians had evidently + derived very little profit from hearing Ovid read his “Metamorphoses.” + </p> + <p> + The others were but few in numbers; their representatives were their chief + triad: Perun, their Jupiter Tonans; Rujewit, who controlled the clouds; + and Sujatowist, the judge of the dead. These three brought in their train + only Trizbog and the Tassanis, that is, the plague and the furies. Their + other gods, unable to do anything for success in war, had wisely stayed at + home. + </p> + <p> + Can I neglect mentioning the names and attributes of these inoffensive + local deities, whom the fierce Sarmatians worshipped. They were:— + </p> + <p> + Kirnis, who causes the cherries to ripen; + </p> + <p> + Sardona, who watches over the nut trees; + </p> + <p> + Austeïa, who presides over the education of bees; + </p> + <p> + The sweet Kolna, who sees to the marriage of flowers. + </p> + <p> + There were also gods or goddesses of corn, of the kneading-tub and the + wash-tub, the god of flies and the god of butterflies; we must confess + that <span class="pagenum">[229]</span><a name="link229" id="link229"></a>these + deities could hardly have been very useful on the banks of the Rhine. + </p> + <p> + But Odin and Jupiter could count upon more efficient and more reliable + allies in the gods of Finland. + </p> + <p> + The gods bear almost always the impress of the character of their + followers and of those over whom they rule, and what other nation has ever + given such proofs of undaunted courage as the Finns or Finlanders? Pirates + on the Baltic, as the Scandinavians were pirates on the ocean, they shared + with them the booty that could be gotten in all the Northern seas. They + had originally come from the high table-lands of Asia, together with their + brethren the Turks, the Mongols, and the Tartars; their first appearance + was made under the name of Ugorians, Ogres, and surely the Ogres have made + a lasting and a terrible impression on bur popular tales! + </p> + <p> + The Finns consisted almost exclusively of sailors and soldiers, of miners + and blacksmiths. To smelt iron and to fashion it into anchors for their + ships, into lances, swords, and spears, was their principal occupation. + Hence they paid special reverence to Rauta-Rekhi, the personification of + iron; to Wulangoinen, the father of iron, and to Ruojuota, the nurse of + iron. They worshipped in like manner with special zeal three sombre + virgins, whose powerful breasts were running over with a dark milk, <span + class="pagenum">[230]</span><a name="link230" id="link230"></a>which + turned into iron as it cooled off, as water turns into ice when it cools + off. + </p> + <p> + Their principal gods, besides these whom I have mentioned, were again + three, and, as usual, three brothers. + </p> + <p> + The oldest, Vainamoinen, of hoary age, created celestial and terrestial + fire, that is to say, the sun and the volcanoes. + </p> + <p> + The second, Ukko, has to provide them with fire, so as to prevent the + earth from returning to the condition of an immense icicle, and the sun to + the form of a heap of extinct embers. Living in the clouds he now blows + upon the sun and now upon the volcanoes so as to keep up the blaze in + both, and encourages them with his voice, the thunder. + </p> + <p> + Ilmarinnen, the third, a very industrious and most skillful workman, has + forged the earth and the seven heavens by which it is surrounded; hence he + is called the <i>Eternal Blacksmith</i>. He spends his life at the forge, + making sometimes stars of all sizes and at other times spare moons. He has + even made a silver woman, not for himself, however, but for a younger + brother, whose manifold and incessant occupations left him no time to take + the necessary steps for a suitable marriage. This woman of fine metal, + well-made, beautiful, charming, and of the sweetest disposition, had but + one single defect,—no <span class="pagenum">[231]</span><a + name="link231" id="link231"></a>one could come near her without being + chilled to the marrow of his bones. + </p> + <p> + However, the most skillful blacksmith cannot be expected to make a perfect + woman at the first trial. + </p> + <p> + When the question of his own marriage was mooted, Ilmarinnen preferred + taking a ready made wife, and, according to the usage which prevailed + among the Finns as well as among the Germans, he bought one. + </p> + <p> + For the sake of enjoying some relief after such a long enumeration of + deities, now entirely out of fashion, I feel strongly tempted to insert + here <i>a saga</i>, a Finnish legend, which treats of this very marriage + of Ilmarinnen, the blacksmith, and was composed by his own sister. In this + wedding-song, which is full of the sweetest and chastest sentiments, she + exhibits the domestic life of these artisan-gods, who sometimes were + disposed to beat their wives,—at least the saga suggests the + occurrence of such events. + </p> + <p> + Ilmarinnen has just been married and becomes impatient, he actually swears + at not seeing his young bride come to him in great haste. Listen to what + is sung to him, with an accompaniment on a small Kantele guitar, by his + sister, the hostess of Pohjola, in order to calm him the better:— + </p> + <p> + “O husband, brother of my brothers, you have <span class="pagenum">[232]</span><a + name="link232" id="link232"></a>already waited long for the coming of this + happy day; wait patiently a little longer. Your well beloved will not + tarry long. She finishes her toilet; but you know it is far to the + fountain to which she has to go for water. + </p> + <p> + “O husband, brother of my brothers, be patient! She has just put on + her robe, but she has only put on one sleeve. You would surely not have + her appear before you with one sleeve empty? + </p> + <p> + “O husband, she has just arranged her hair; a beautiful belt + encircles her waist, but she has a shoe only on one foot; she must needs + have time to put on the other shoe also. + </p> + <p> + “Husband,.... here she is coming,.... but she has put on only one + glove,.... give her time to put on the other!” + </p> + <p> + When the young bride appears at last, the good hostess of Pohjola is + suddenly deeply concerned for her:— + </p> + <p> + “O wife, O purchased maid, O dove that has been sold! My sister, my + poem, my green branch, how many tears you will shed! + </p> + <p> + “Your family were very eager to have the money paid down for you in + the hollow of a shield. + </p> + <p> + “Poor ignorant girl, you thought you were leaving the paternal roof + for a few hours, for a day, perhaps! Alas! You have surrendered forever, + you have a master now!” <span class="pagenum">[233]</span><a + name="link233" id="link233"></a>And then turning once more to + Ilmarinnen, she adds:— + </p> + <p> + “O husband, brother of my brothers, do not teach this child, the + slave, whip in hand, the way she must walk. + </p> + <p> + “Do not make her cry under the rod or under the stick; teach her + gently, in a soft voice, with closed doors. + </p> + <p> + “The first year by words, the second year by a frown, the third year + by gently pressing her foot. Be patient! + </p> + <p> + “If, after three years, she is unwilling to learn, O husband, + brother of my brothers, take a few slender reeds, take a little + broom-sedge, chastise her, but with a rod covered with wool. + </p> + <p> + “If she still resists, well; cut a twig in the woods, a willow + branch, not too stout, and hide it beneath your garment. Let no one guess + what is going to happen. + </p> + <p> + “Above all, do not strike her hands nor her face; for her brother + might well ask you: Has a wolf bitten her? Her father might well say to + you: Has a bear torn her thus?” + </p> + <p> + Does not this Saga, with all its harsh allusions, breathe a most touching + tenderness? It seems that the most delicate sentiments were preserved + intact amid the coarsest manners and the most violent passions. What was + your name, O naïve muse of <span class="pagenum">[234]</span><a + name="link234" id="link234"></a>Finland, who inspired the good hostess of + Pohjola? Were you not perhaps a daughter of those beautiful Indian + gandharvas, who said,— + </p> + <p> + “The elephant is led by a rope, the horse by a bridle, and a woman + by her heart.” + </p> + <p> + And does it not remind us of our humble and simple-minded neighbors, when + we hear how this Eternal Blacksmith, this first-class god who has made + heaven and earth, who buys a wife and beats her, expresses his fear of the + reproaches of his brother-in-law and his father-in-law? + </p> + <p> + After this pause we must go on describing the other armies of gods who had + hastened to the banks of the Rhine in order to resist a common enemy. + </p> + <p> + By the side of the heavenly representatives of Scythia and Sarmatia, of + Prussia and Finland, we find other gods belonging to the different + Slavonic races. But why should we repeat here a complete list of all this + multitude of allies, whose curious names the most retentive memory could + not possibly retain? + </p> + <p> + Suffice it to say that the Lithuanians, the Moravians, the Silesians, + Bohemians, and Russians were represented at this meeting by their most + formidable deities. There was Ilia, the great archer, whose arrows hit the + mark after having passed through a thickness of nine fir trees; Radgost, + the <span class="pagenum">[235]</span><a name="link235" id="link235"></a>merciless + destroyer; Flintz, the skeleton god, who bore a lion’s head on his + shoulders and drove a chariot of flames; and the giant Yaga-Baba, whose + head reached high above the loftiest mountains. When a warrior was seized + with fear before he beheld the enemy, he immediately took him from the + ranks and brayed him in a wooden mortar with an iron pestle. + </p> + <p> + All four of them brought in their retinue whole battalions of Strygi or + blood-suckers, of voracious Trolls, Marowitzes, and Kikimoras, who + smothered their victims; of Polkrans and Leschyes, the latter a kind of + dwarf satyrs, who could at will change into giants, and the former half + men and half dogs, singing and barking alternately. Their songs, as + fearful as their barkings, spread terror around them, and they themselves + killed at a hundred yards’ distance by the venom of their breath. + </p> + <p> + Such were the allies whom the Roman and Scandinavian gods arrayed against + Christianity. + </p> + <p> + When the new comers had been properly organized, Jupiter’s eagle + rose above the clouds, uttered three piercing cries, turning to the three + points of the horizon, and at once from the East, from the West, and from + the South, there came forth the gods of Rome and Greece, abandoning their + mysterious retreats. There was Neptune with his Tritons, his Harpies, and + his marine monsters; and <span class="pagenum">[236]</span><a + name="link236" id="link236"></a>there was Pluto with his Fates, his + Furies, and his whole host from hell. + </p> + <p> + Odin struck his buckler, and from the far North came not only the gods and + the Valkyrias, with the heroes of Walhalla, but even the adversaries of + the Ases,—Hela, the wolf Fenris, the Giants of the Frost with Loki + at their head,—and all enlisted under him to take part in the + immense slaughter. + </p> + <p> + Never had the armies of a Darius, an Alexander, an Attila, or a + Charlemagne, presented a more imposing and more terrible aspect; nor has + the world ever seen the like since. + </p> + <p> + When the Sibyls and the Norns, the augurs and the witches had been + consulted, the march began. + </p> + <p> + A few miles from the other side of the river, in the direction of + Argentoratum (Strasbourg), about half way up the slope of a gentle hill, + there stood a little chapel which had not been quite finished. + </p> + <p> + The Sibyls and Druidesses had pointed out this building as the end of the + first day’s march, not doubting but that the god of the Christians + would appear at the head of his legions, to defend his temple. + </p> + <p> + The Confederates were advancing silently under cover of the night in order + to surprise the enemy, whom they thought fully prepared for resistance. + Odin was in command of the right wing of the <span class="pagenum">[237]</span><a + name="link237" id="link237"></a>army, Jupiter of the left. The Scythian, + Sarma-tian, Borussian, and Finnish deities under the orders of Tahiti, + Perun, Percunos, Wainamoinen, and Radgost, commanded the centre. + </p> + <p> + As soon as they came in sight of the hill, they noticed a very peculiar + twinkling light, which shone out from the deep darkness, and was + surrounded below by a circle of light. + </p> + <p> + Immediately the three light-footed messengers of the Roman, Slavonic, and + Scandinavian gods, Mercury, Algis, and Hermode, were sent out to + reconnoitre, accompanied by the Eumenides, the Valkyrias, and a small + detachment of Lapithes and Centaurs. When they returned they reported that + the light proceeded from the flaming swords of ten thousand destroying + angels. They were quite sure of it. + </p> + <p> + Some of the allies immediately rushed forth, as is the usage in all epic + battles, to challenge the chiefs of the angels to single combat. But + Jupiter and Odin, thinking that all these private contests can only + jeopardize the success of the great battle, compelled them to obey orders. + </p> + <p> + Thor, who had been one of the first to rush forth, was so much + disappointed, that in his anger he let his heavy mace fall upon a little + town that was on their route, and that might possibly have impeded the + progress of the army. The mace <span class="pagenum">[238]</span><a + name="link238" id="link238"></a>instantly returned to the hand of the + owner, and then fell and returned again and again. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0093" id="linkimage-0093"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/258s.jpg" alt="258s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/258.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/258m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + The barking of Cerberus, the three-headed dog, of his brother dog Garm, + and the howlings of the Strygi, the Kikimoras, and the Polkrans. + </p> + <p> + This was by no means all of the concert. + </p> + <p> + Mars, Odin, Potrympos, and the other war-gods now drew their swords, which + produced a fearful grating sound as they came out of their sheaths; next + Jupiter sounds his thunder among the Romans, and after him thunder Perun + among the Slaves, Ukko among the Finns, and Thor among the Scandinavians. + The repeated crash of thunder. And thanks to this incident, the plain had + been cleared and levelled at the same time, and the signal for the attack + was given at once. The Corybantes beat their drums in muffled tones; the + chants of the Bards and the Skalds responded from the right and the left + wing, although their harps were soon drowned in the bleat of the trumpets, + the furious <span class="pagenum">[239]</span><a name="link239" + id="link239"></a>lightning mingles with the rumbling of the chariots + of Tabiti, of Flintz, the skeleton god, and of Pocu-los and Stribog, the + gods of waterspouts and of Northern tempests; the Egipans, the Cyclops, + the blacksmiths of Ilmarinnen, begin to push immense masses of rock before + them, brandishing entire oak trees as spears; while the Giants of the + Frost with fearful clamor, which is taken up by the whole army of + invaders, follow them, led by the equally gigantic Yaga-Baba, the terrible + conductor of such an infernal concert, who marks the time by beating with + his iron pestle upon his wooden mortar. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0094" id="linkimage-0094"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/259s.jpg" alt="259s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/259.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/259m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + All these fearful noises, all these echoing explosions, seem to confound + heaven and earth; the <span class="pagenum">[240]</span><a + name="link240" id="link240"></a>horizon trembles and shakes, the + mountains start and stagger. + </p> + <p> + But the holy hill stands unmoved. + </p> + <p> + The light which at first shone only at the base has gradually risen as + high as the summit, and the little chapel now shines brightly like a + brilliant constellation. + </p> + <p> + Surprised at seeing no enemy appear, the army of the pagan gods makes a + halt. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly, O miracle! lifted up as if by a gust of wind from on high, the + little chapel vanishes, and in its place is seen a simple altar surmounted + by a cross. + </p> + <p> + Before this altar stands a young maid, showing neither ornament nor weapon + of defense,—a Virgin barefooted, with a child in her arms. + </p> + <p> + She comes down the hill, a smile on her lips; the brilliant light still + encircles her brow and the brow of the infant; she comes straight up to + the allied gods, who begin to look at each other in utter consternation. + </p> + <p> + She draws nearer, and all of a sudden an irresistible panic seizes Jupiter + and Odin, Mars and Thor, Wainomoinen and Perun, together with the + Eumenides, the Tassanis, the Cyclops, and the Giants, and all turn back + towards the river, cross it in fearful disorder, and crush each other in + their desperate flight, while their own temples and <span class="pagenum">[241]</span><a + name="link241" id="link241"></a>their own statues fall to pieces in the + universal destruction. + </p> + <p> + Some of these were buried in the Rhine, where we shall hereafter find them + once more; the remainder reached in sad condition their northern homes, + abandoning almost the whole of Germany to Jesus and Mary. + </p> + <p> + It is but right to notice that in all the traditions which speak of this + struggle between the gods and the rising religion of Christ, no mention is + ever made of the Teut and the Esus of the Celts, the Alfader of the + Scandinavians, the Jumala of the Finns, and the Bog of the Slaves,—nor + is the Unknown God of the Romans ever mentioned. The reason is that each + one of these grand deities, like the Indra of the Indian heaven, contained + all the others and represented to the mind the idea of the only one + eternal God. + </p> + <p> + This grand but vain effort of the pagan gods was made, according to + tradition, about the year 510 of the Christian era. In the course of the + same year King Clovis determined to erect a temple in honor of Christ + which should be worthy of Him, and laid the foundation of the Minster at + Strasbourg, perhaps with a design to replace the little chapel, which had + disappeared in so miraculous a manner. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <span class="pagenum">[245]</span><a name="link245" id="link245"></a> + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0095" id="linkimage-0095"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/265s.jpg" alt="265s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/265.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/265m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0012" id="link2H_4_0012"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + X. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Marietta and the Sweet-briar.—Esus and Jesus.—A malgam— + A Neophyte.—Prohibition to eat Horse-flesh.—Bishops in Arms.—Interruption.—Come + Home, my Good Friend!—Prussia and the Myths of the Middle Ages.—Tybilimts, + the Black God.—The little Blue Flower.</i> + </p> + <p class="pfirst"> + <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">A</span>ll who know me and + esteem me will testify to my great natural modesty. Even when I have <span + class="pagenum">[246]</span><a name="link246" id="link246"></a>to + do with fables, I would not venture to invent the smallest thing; I am + incapable of committing such a crime. Nevertheless, some of my incredulous + readers, when they see the marvelous nature of the poem, in which the + triumph of Jesus and Mary over the allied pagan gods was celebrated, might + possibly fancy it to be a product of my imagination. In self-defense I + feel bound to quote here one of the countless traditions which allude to + this great event. I once more borrow from the Muse of the Finns. + </p> + <p> + “There lived in those days a virgin who was so pure, so pure and + chaste, that her eyes had never seen anything but the eyes of her sisters, + that her hands had never yet touched a being in creation for the purpose + of caressing it. + </p> + <p> + “She lived alone in her chamber, in company with her distaff, and + ignorant of what happened even within the narrow circle of shadows which + the sun traced around her house, and the image of a man was as foreign to + her eyes as it was to her mind. Her thoughts and her eyes had alike kept + their chastity perfect. + </p> + <p> + “She was called Marietta. + </p> + <p> + “One day, on a fine spring morning, Marietta felt a vague and + incomprehensible desire to enjoy the beauties of Nature. Her heart rose + within her with strange emotion. <span class="pagenum">[247]</span><a + name="link247" id="link247"></a>"Impelled rather by a desire of her own + than by a command from on high, she opened her door and hastened to a + meadow inclosed with a hedge, which was near the house. + </p> + <p> + “In this hedge a sweet-briar was in bloom. She drew near to inhale + the fragrance; she touched the flower, and that was all that was needed. + Marietta became a mother, and when her son was born she felt by the + boundless pride that filled her heart, that she had given birth to a god. + </p> + <p> + “In the mean time the other gods of her own country and of the + adjoining countries had been warned by their prophetesses that this child, + born of a virgin and a flower, would one day drive them out of heaven; + they assembled, fully armed and determined that mother and child must both + die so as to prevent the threatened catastrophe. + </p> + <p> + “At the moment when they were holding their secret councils, + Marietta appeared in their midst holding her infant in her arms, and all + these gods, who had until now wielded such absolute power, fled in dismay + to the far North, and the icy gates of the North Pole closed behind them.” + </p> + <p> + This is the story of Marietta and her child Jesus. + </p> + <p> + It would certainly seem as if this naïve account, well known among the + ancient legends of Finland, was nothing less than a slight sketch of that + great epic poem which we have laid before our readers. <span + class="pagenum">[248]</span><a name="link248" id="link248"></a>We have + only filled out the details by the aid of similar documents. + </p> + <p> + Henceforth Christianity enjoyed the results of that great day at + Argentoratum. At a later period the conquered gods, it is true, showed + once more signs of resistance on isolated points, but from the first, this + triumph of Mary and Jesus, and perhaps also the victories obtained by King + Clovis, changed the first dawn of Christianity in Germany into a kind of + purifying conflagration, which spread rapidly from the Rhine to the Weser + and from the Weser to the Danube. + </p> + <p> + Curious circumstances sometimes came to its assistance. Thus, many Teutons + had been taught by their Druid teachers to acknowledge but one single God, + and this primitive doctrine naturally reconciled them to the new creed. + But, more than that, the particular god whom they thus acknowledged, was + called <i>Esus</i>, almost Jesus! Others had followed the example of the + Slaves and worshipped the handle of their swords, which bore the form of a + cross; they naturally recognized in the Christian cross a familiar emblem + of protection and safety. Even baptism was in no way distasteful to the + followers of Odin. They readily adopted, it in memory of the regular and + regenerative ablutions with water which their ancient creed prescribed. + Odin had said to them in the Runic chapter of the Edda: “If I wish a + man never to perish in combat, <i>I sprinkle him with water soon after his + birth?</i>” + </p> + <p> + Finally, this just man, put to death by wicked men, this risen Christ, + reminded them forcibly of their own god Balder. Evidently the predicted + time had come. Balder, the ancient prisoner of Niflheim, was about to + renew the world; in his new shape, the Bright God was no longer the son of + Frigg; he was now Mary’s son and his name was Jesus. + </p> + <p> + This disposition, however, although plainly shown in many parts of + Germany, was by no means unanimous. + </p> + <p> + At the table of King Clovis, the bishops, and Saint Reni himself, were + compelled to sit by the side of Scandinavian Druids. When they intoned + their Benedicite, the latter never failed to pour out their libations in + honor of Asa-Thor and Asa-Freyr. In spite of all the heroic and + indefatigable efforts of the priests, polytheism survived even among the + new converts, who would walk devoutly in the processions of Christian + worship, while they carried their idols and their fetishes under their + arms, and who never failed to make the sign of the cross when they passed + a tree or a spring that had been held sacred by their forefathers. What + could be done to make them sincere and orthodox Christians? <span + class="pagenum">[250]</span><a name="link250" id="link250"></a>Liberty, in + the sense in which we understand it now, and have good reason to + understand it, would have appeared to a Teuton or a Slave as a beautiful + woman, with a wooden yoke around her neck and all her limbs in chains. + Germany had her laws, as well as every other Northern country her written + or unwritten laws, but the dignity of a freeborn man consisted mainly in + disregarding these laws. The free man left his country, to engage in war + wherever he chose, and his family, to live in any country he might prefer. + It was the same thing with religious matters; he reserved to himself his + independent judgment, the right to worship as he chose and the privilege + of combining such articles of creed as pleased him. + </p> + <p> + This curious freedom of religion, this curious amalgamation of creeds, + produced the strange result, that the neophytes especially remained half + pagan and half Christian, and preferred generally to “ride on the + fence” between the two creeds. + </p> + <p> + In the Nibelungen Lied, which we look upon as nothing more than a great + epic poem of the Scandinavians, pagan at first but Christianized at a + later period, men are represented as going devoutly to church after having + consulted the Nix of the river as to their future fate. This is, no doubt, + a true picture of the Germany of the early Christian days. <span + class="pagenum">[251]</span><a name="link251" id="link251"></a>Some looked + upon baptism, with its magnificent and pompous ceremonies, as a pleasure; + others submitted to it for a consideration. Ozanam, who is exceedingly + well informed about everything that refers to this curious period of + transition in point of religion, tells the following anecdote:— + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0096" id="linkimage-0096"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/271s.jpg" alt="271s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/271.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/271m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + One day there was a crowd of candidates for baptism; each one of them was, + as usual, dressed in white, as emblematic of purity. This symbolic dress, + made of a suitable material, was a present from the Church to the + neophyte, which he had carefully to preserve as an evidence of his + conversion. + </p> + <p> + Now, on that day, all the available robes had been given away, when one + more candidate for baptism presented himself; the priest found at last a + robe of light color, but unfortunately in wretched condition. + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean?” exclaimed the neophyte, angrily drawing + back; “have I not a right to claim a white robe as well as the + others, and one of fine wool?” and looking furiously at the priest + he added: “Do you think I am a man to be taken <span class="pagenum">[252]</span><a + name="link252" id="link252"></a>in? This is the twentieth time + that I am baptized, and I have never been offered such rags before!” + </p> + <p> + The naïve candor of this good Teuton could make me almost believe that he + misunderstood the nature of the ceremony altogether, and looked upon it + only as a gratuitous distribution of wearing apparel. + </p> + <p> + Other more painful mistakes were made when the Christian missionaries, + crossing rivers and seas at the risk of their lives, went to the uttermost + confines of Germany, and there encountered half savage nations who were + still worshipping the Scandinavian gods. + </p> + <p> + The patient zeal, the gentleness, and the eloquence of these holy men, + succeeded finally in overcoming the convictions of these barbarians, and + in introducing among them not only the Gospel, but also the worship of + saints. The people received baptism, and not only welcomed the saints with + great eagerness and enthusiasm, but in their desire to do them all the + honor in their power, they hastened to turn every one of them into a god! + They erected altars to these new gods, and on these altars they offered + them human sacrifices. + </p> + <p> + These same missionaries had been instructed to prohibit the use of + horseflesh among the new converts; but they found it very difficult to + overcome a custom which at that time was very general. <span + class="pagenum">[253]</span><a name="link253" id="link253"></a>We can + hardly, at the present day, understand the importance which the Church + attached to this abstinence, since now-a-days the best of people are + perfectly willing to allow their horses to be taken from their stables for + the purpose of being served up at table! + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0097" id="linkimage-0097"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/273s.jpg" alt="273s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/273.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/273m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + The most serious difficulty in all such critical periods is this, that + while the true and faithful clergymen by their prodigious labors and + admirable self-devotion succeeded in converting and disciplining great + multitudes, false priests appeared among them, taking forcible possession + of parishes and bishoprics, often without waiting till they became vacant. + Pepin of Heristal and Charles Martel, his son, had just compelled the + pagan Saxons to take refuge behind the Weser. When the war was over and + they proceeded to dismiss the commanders of <span class="pagenum">[254]</span><a + name="link254" id="link254"></a>this numerous army till the beginning of + another campaign, as was the custom in those days, the majority among them + claimed, as a reward for services rendered, the right to exchange the + sword for the crozier and the helmet for the mitre. They evidently thought + that the profession was an easy one to practice and rich in rewards. + </p> + <p> + Pepin and Charles resisted, but they had to give way. + </p> + <p> + To the great disgust of the newly converted populations and to the great + injury of the holy cause, which they professed to have served, these + warrior-priests brought with them into the Church the manners of the camp + and the fortress. They surrounded themselves with squires, falconers, and + riding-masters, with horses and hounds; they hawked, they hunted, they + lived high, giving themselves up to all kinds of excesses, and drawing the + sword against any one who should venture to reproach them. + </p> + <p> + When war began once more, they almost all returned to arms, without, on + that account renouncing their ecclesiastic duties. Gerold, Bishop of + Mayence, perished in a battle against the Saxons; his son succeeded him on + the episcopal throne, and had hardly been consecrated when he proceeded to + avenge his father. He rushes into battle, challenges Gerold’s + murderer, kills him, and quietly returns to <span class="pagenum">[255]</span><a + name="link255" id="link255"></a>Mayence for the purpose of officiating + there at Mass and of returning thanks to God for his success. + </p> + <p> + Such acts of violence and such worldly enjoyments were incomprehensible to + the faithful; gradually the Church of the Apostles began to fear the + Church of the Soldiers. The Saxons, having vastly increased their numbers + by an alliance with the Scythians and Scandinavians, appeared once more in + the field. + </p> + <p> + “But,” exclaims the reader, whom I fancy I hear at this + distance, “but this is history, church history moreover, and you + told us you would tell us all about gods!” + </p> + <p> + I confess I did, sir; and that is the reason why I have traced out, on + this historical ground, the narrowest and shortest possible path, on which + I can safely return to my own domain. + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, let us return, my good friend.” + </p> + <p> + I beg your pardon, sir, but before we return, allow me at least to glorify + three men, who were called upon at that time to save Christianity, and + with it civilization, by the pen, the word, and the sword. These equally + great and equally heroic men are now three of our saints. + </p> + <p> + “Saints again!” + </p> + <p> + Yes, sir, the first is Pope Gregory, the second Saint Boniface the + missionary, and the third the Emperor Charlemagne. Do not be afraid; I + shall <span class="pagenum">[256]</span><a name="link256" id="link256"></a>do + no more than mention them, for fear of going again out of my way and of + speaking of forbidden subjects, against which you have warned me. Allow + me, however, to add that if the struggle which the great Emperor + undertook, was a long and ter-tible one, it was also glorious far beyond + all. Was it not marvelous, I ask you, to see this nation of Franks, which + but just now consisted of a mixture of barbarians, go forth under the + command of their young king, to become the protector of Rome, of + civilization, and of Christianity? The mace had become a shield, the + siege-ram a wall and a rampart. + </p> + <p> + “Of course! Everybody knows that!” + </p> + <p> + But, did you know this, sir: When the Saxons, conquered for the tenth + time, had received baptism, together with their king Witikind, when the + Rhine, also baptized, had become a French river and a Christian river, + when the whole of Germany bowed low before the cross, one of the nations + of that country, the Borussians (Pruszi, or Prussians), refused to give up + their old gods, and continued to refuse for several centuries to come? And + yet it was so. The proscribed gods, finding a refuge on the banks of the + Oder and the Spree, paid frequent visits, as was quite natural, to their + former followers. It was thus that the old pagan creed was long preserved + in the remote regions of Germany. You see, sir, I have returned to my + subject. <span class="pagenum">[257]</span><a name="link257" id="link257"></a>Let + us rapidly conclude this first part of our task, so as to reach at last + the modern gods, who were as popular as the others, and in their way + neither less strange nor less curious. + </p> + <p> + During the time of the Middle Ages, Germany had been filling up with towns + and castles, feudal dungeons bearing aloft a helmet and a cross. The cross + arose wherever two streets met in a city and at every cross-road in the + country; the most beautiful cathedrals in the world and the most + magnificent monasteries were reflected in her broad river; and still, in + field and forest, in city and country, and along the banks of the Rhine, + the false gods were worshipped in secret. + </p> + <p> + As the church taught that they were to be looked upon as demons, the + people dared not treat them badly. Demons are not guests to be turned out + rudely. + </p> + <p> + “From the eighth century of our Christian era,” says one of + our erudite authorities, “the Saxons and Sarmatians heard the + Christian missionaries speak so continually of the formidable power of + Satan, that they thought it best to worship him secretly in order to + disarm his wrath and perhaps to win his favor. They called him the Black + God or <i>Tybilinus</i>; the Germans call him, even now, <i>Dibel or + Teufel</i>.” + </p> + <p> + This Black God now became for all the German <span class="pagenum">[258]</span><a + name="link258" id="link258"></a>nations the army leader of their + proscribed gods, an army which was presently to be largely increased. + </p> + <p> + The princes and knights, followed by their vassals, departed in large + numbers, on the Crusades, but they brought back from the Crusades, + together with holy relics, traditions of Gnomes, Peris, and Undines. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0098" id="linkimage-0098"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/278s.jpg" alt="278s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/278.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/278m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + The Rhine, disgusted at the loss of his royal dignity, and determined to + take his vengeance on the warrior-bishops, received these last arrivals as + he had those who came before. In his healing waters the Undines mingled + with the Tritons and the Naiads; the Gnomes found shelter under the rocks, + where they were hospitably received by the Dwarfs, and in the evening + twilight the Nymphs, the Elves, and the Dryads danced once more merrily in + company with Sylphs, Fairies, and Peris. + </p> + <p> + No doubt Christian Germany looked afterwards at all this more in the light + of food for the imagination than of trouble for the conscience, but in + that happy land, where people believe and dream <span class="pagenum">[259]</span><a + name="link259" id="link259"></a>at the same time, and where the words of + the poet are as true as the Gospel, the imagination easily gets the better + of conscience. Thus the search after the little blue flower led many a + learned man astray, far off into half satanic paths. Besides, it lies in + the nature of the German mind, which has always a tendency towards + idealism, its magnetic pole, to oppose to the orthodox religion another + more secret and more mysterious creed. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0099" id="linkimage-0099"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/279s.jpg" alt="279s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/279.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/279m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + This was the case already in the fourteenth and <span class="pagenum">[260]</span><a + name="link260" id="link260"></a>fifteenth century; it is the case still in + this, the nineteenth century, especially among the country people, who + have passed through the age of witchcraft in which the Black God ruled + supreme, and, completely modifying their pagan notions, have transferred + their Olympus to the Brocken, the mountain of the Witches’ Sabbath. + </p> + <p> + Let us now see what the dwellers on the banks of the Rhine have done with + all their old gods and demi-gods of every denomination. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <span class="pagenum">[263]</span><a name="link263" id="link263"></a> + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0100" id="linkimage-0100"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/283s.jpg" alt="283s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/283.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/283m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0013" id="link2H_4_0013"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XI. + </h2> + <p> + Elementary Spirits of Air, Fire, and Water.—<i>Sylphs, their + Amusements and Domestic Arrangements.—Little Queen Mab. —Will-o’-the-Wisps.—White + Elves and Black Elves.—True Causes of Natural Somnambulism.—The + Wind’s Betrothed.—Fire-damp.—Master Haemmerling.—The + Last of the Gnomes.</i> + </p> + <p class="pfirst"> + <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he reader is + requested to recall what I have said before, that in Germany manners, + customs, and creeds, matters of prejudice as well as matters of art, and + even of science, may have a beginning, <span class="pagenum">[264]</span><a + name="link264" id="link264"></a>but never have an end. In that ancient + home of mysticism and of philosophy, everything is permanently rooted, + everything is made for eternity, like those old oak trees of the Hercynia + of antiquity: when the parent tree is cut down, and has no longer a trunk + to bear boughs and branches, it sends forth new shoots from the roots. + Druidism also has become permanent there. We have seen it fight against + the gods of the Romans; it fought in like manner against Christianity + under Witikind; it was kept alive, though in concealment, by the first + iconoclasts or image breakers, and when that whole vast country was at + last conquered and became wholly devoted to Catholicism, it broke forth + once more quite unexpectedly in the first days of the Reformation. Luther + was a Druid still. + </p> + <p> + Thanks to this tenacity of life which characterizes creeds, and thanks to + the prolific nature of that soil, whatever seems to have disappeared, + rises again, under new forms, and whatever has perished is recalled to + life in some way or other. Let us prove this. + </p> + <p> + Among all those gods which we have mentioned before, none surely would + seem to have been more readily forgotten, swept away by the wind, which + they claimed to render useless, or buried in the dust with which they + seemed to compete, than those tiny, microscopic deities, called Monads. + <span class="pagenum">[265]</span><a name="link265" id="link265"></a>And + yet this was by no means the case. Did they not, in fact, represent the + elementary spirits? And the worship of the elements continued in spite of + all other creeds which tried to suppress it forever. + </p> + <p> + Only these atomic deities, still quite small, exceedingly small, had + increased in the most astonishing manner, when compared with their + original diminutiveness. They had even assumed a form and a body, a + visible body and a shape by no means void of grace. + </p> + <p> + They had become Alps or Alfs, better known afterwards under their Eastern + designation of Sylphs. + </p> + <p> + It happened occasionally that a belated traveller, a peasant or a charcoal + burner, returning homeward from a wedding towards the beginning of night, + would be fortunate enough to meet at a clearing in the woods or on the + banks of a brook with a band of little goblins, who were making merry in + the dim twilight. + </p> + <p> + These were Sylphs, a little people flying in swarms through the air, + making their nest in a flower or building one with a few bits of grass at + the foot of a broom-sedge, and going out only in the evening to pay visits + and as good neighbors to perform their social duties. + </p> + <p> + If the traveller, the peasant, or the charcoal burner <span class="pagenum">[266]</span><a + name="link266" id="link266"></a>had walked softly on the fine sand of the + brook or on a grass-grown path on which his steps could not be heard, and + if he had then stopped in time so as to be able to see without being seen, + he might witness their gambols and ascertain the secrets of their private + life, without running any risk. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0101" id="linkimage-0101"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/286s.jpg" alt="286s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/286.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/286m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + Have you, dear reader, have you heard Mercutio, in Shakespeare’s + “Romeo and Juliet,” relate how Queen Mab came, and say:—<span + class="pagenum">[267]</span><a name="link267" id="link267"></a> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +“Oh, then, I see, Queen Mab hath been with you..... +Her wagon spokes made of long spinners’ legs, +The cover of the wings of grasshoppers, +The traces of the smallest spider’s web, +The collars of the moonshine’s watery beams, +Her whip of cricket’s bone, the lash of film, +Her wagoner, a small, gray-coated gnat!” + </pre> + <p> + Well, the peasant, the traveller, or the charcoal burner, enjoyed a sight + which was by no means less curious. + </p> + <p> + Some of his Sylphs, suspending a thread of gossamer from one blade of + grass to another, made a delightful swing for their amusement, or took a + spiders web to supply them with a hammock. Others danced wildly about in + the air, beating their tiny wings with harmonious accuracy and furnishing + thus an orchestra for the aerial ball. + </p> + <p> + Not far from them some little sylph ladies, no doubt excellent + housekeepers, were washing their linen in the beams of the moon, or + preparing a feast. + </p> + <p> + The provisions consisted of a mixture of honey with the nectar of flowers, + a few drops of milk which the hanging udders of young heifers had left on + the high grass, and a few pearls of that precious dew which aromatic + plants secrete; this mixture was used as a seasoning for some + butterfly-eggs beaten up white as snow. + </p> + <p> + If during the repast darkness fell upon them and <span class="pagenum">[268]</span><a + name="link268" id="link268"></a>suddenly covered the guests with its + sombre cloak, other hobgoblins, the Will-o’-the-Wisps, with wings of + fire, came and took seats at the hospitable table, paying for their + entertainment by diffusing a pleasant light all over the place. + </p> + <p> + The principal occupation of these elves consisted in walking before the + wanderer who had lost his way so as to lead him back again into the right + path. + </p> + <p> + Such were some of the harmless spirits of Air and Fire. Everything has, + however, been changed in these two elements. The Will-o’-the-Wisps + especially, angry at the reports of wicked people, that they are nothing + more than the products of burning hydrogen, or at best phosphorus in a + volatile form floating above damp places, have conceived a veritable + hatred against men and now only appear when they wish to tempt travellers + into marshes and deep ravines. + </p> + <p> + As to the Sylphs, they also seem to have heard similar stories which have + been told about them, or they may have been irritated by the chemist + Liebig, who in his “Treatise on the Composition of the Air,” + absolutely denies their existence, having found in his apparatus neither + Sylphs nor Sylphides. + </p> + <p> + They have changed into faithless Elves, hostile to men, like the other + Gnomes.<span class="pagenum">[269]</span><a name="link269" id="link269"></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0102" id="linkimage-0102"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/289s.jpg" alt="289s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/289.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/289m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + <span class="pagenum">[271]</span><a name="link271" id="link271"></a>The + Fairies of our day are divided into two formidable classes. + </p> + <p> + The White Fairies are damsels who wander about on meadows and in woods, + like the Willis of the Slaves, and lie in wait for inexperienced young + men, whom they persuade to join in their dances and keep dancing, till + they lose their breath and generally fall to the ground never to rise + again. German stories are full of such wicked tricks. The place where they + perform their diabolic dances, becomes quite silvery under their feet. The + shepherds can thus at once recognize the place where they have been, and + are sure to hasten away at once with their flocks. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0103" id="linkimage-0103"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/291s.jpg" alt="291s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/291.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/291m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + The Black Fairies personify Nightmare and Somnambulism, but only Natural + Somnambulism, it must be borne in mind. <span class="pagenum">[272]</span><a + name="link272" id="link272"></a>When men fall into this state, the Black + Elf directs all the motions of the sleeper; he lives in him, thinks and + acts for him, makes him get upon the furniture and climb upon roofs, and + keeps him from falling, unless... Poor sleeper, he allowed them breath + enough to swell the sails of a vessel or to chase the clouds from one end + of the heavens to another. + </p> + <p> + Among the Celts all magicians had been able to command the winds and the + tempests at will; even now certain men in Norway and in Lapland will sell + you, for a small price, the wind you desire to carry you home. + </p> + <p> + Careful! The Black Fairies are treacherous and cruel; the Fairy who + controls you for the moment may at any moment take a fancy to throw you + from your height. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0104" id="linkimage-0104"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/292s.jpg" alt="292s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/292.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/292m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + The Alfs, who have thus become Elves or Fairies, are of course not the + only Spirits of the Air; their fragile and delicate structure would never + have been inGermany, on the contrary, the wind was looked upon as an + elementary power. It was not deified, as in Rome, where there was a whole + windy family of gods, like Eurus, Æolus, Boreas, and Favonius, but it was + an important personage, with a will of his own and independent action. The + poets did their part to give importance to <i>Master Wind.</i> + </p> + <p> + I have in my hand a ballad, which will enable the reader to judge for + himself:— + </p> + <p> + “Gretchen, the pretty miller’s daughter, was courted by the + son of the king. Her father, the miller, knowing that kings’ sons + are not apt to marry, had chosen her a husband, a young flour merchant + from Rotterdam. + </p> + <p> + “The Dutchman was on his way up the Rhine; that very evening he was + expected to arrive, to make his proposals. + </p> + <p> + “Gretchen called upon Master Wind to help her; he came in by the + window, but not without breaking a number of panes. + </p> + <p> + “‘What do you wish me to do?’ + </p> + <p> + “‘A man wants to marry me, against my will; he is coming in a + sail boat; contrive it so that he cannot land at Bingen.’ + </p> + <p> + “The wind blew, and blew so well that the boat, instead of coming up + to Bingen, was driven back again as far as Rotterdam. <span class="pagenum">[274]</span><a + name="link274" id="link274"></a>"At Rotterdam also it could not make land; + it was driven into the North Sea, and there the Dutchman is perhaps still + sailing about at this day. + </p> + <p> + “But Master Wind had made his conditions before he went to work + blowing so well; and the pretty miller’s daughter had agreed to them + without hearing them, for all around her the furniture, the doors, and the + blinds were shaking and rattling furiously, thanks to her visitor. Thus it + came about that poor Gretchen found herself betrothed to Master Wind, + which made her very sad, for now she had less hope than ever of marrying + the king’s son. + </p> + <p> + “However, Master Wind was as gallant towards his fair betrothed as + he could be. Every morning, when she opened her window, he would throw her + in beautiful bouquets of flowers which he had torn off in the neighboring + gardens. + </p> + <p> + “If any young man of the village, whom she had rejected, passed + without saluting her, Master Wind was promptly at hand to carry off his + hat and send it up in the air so high, that soon it looked no bigger than + a lark. It was well for him that Master Wind did not, with the hat, take + his head off at the same time. + </p> + <p> + “One day (when Master Wind must have been asleep), the king’s + son came to the mill, made his <span class="pagenum">[275]</span><a + name="link275" id="link275"></a>way without difficulty to Gretchen’s + chamber, and forthwith desired to kiss her. Gretchen did not object. But + at once, and although out of doors all was quiet, the tables and chairs + performed a wild dance, and the doors and windows began to slam as if they + had been mad. + </p> + <p> + “Gretchen herself began to twirl around and around in the most + unaccountable manner; her hair was loosened by an invisible hand and + whisked about her head with strange rustling and dismal whistling. + </p> + <p> + “Terrified by the sight of a tempest in a close room, the prince + cried:— + </p> + <p> + “‘Ah! accursed one, you are the betrothed of Master Wind!’ + </p> + <p> + “And at the same moment a terrible gust of wind carried off the king’s + son, the miller’s daughter, and the mill, and no one ever saw or + heard anything more of them. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps they went to join the Dutchman, who was all the time + sailing about in the North Sea, or the hat, which was still on its way in + the clouds.” + </p> + <p> + The legend does not tell us whether it was before or after this occurrence + that Master Wind married Mistress Rain. + </p> + <p> + So much for the Spirits of the Air. + </p> + <p> + As for the Spirits of the Fire, it must be remembered <span class="pagenum">[276]</span><a + name="link276" id="link276"></a>that the Will-o’-the-Wisps were by + no means their only representatives. There were also Salamanders, too well + known to be described here; and St. Elmo Fires, near relations of the + Will-o’-the-Wisps. But we must pause a moment to speak of the + formidable Fire-damp, the miner’s terror. The remarkable feature + about it is that it plays so insignificant a part in the popular German + myths, although it has destroyed so many victims in all mountainous + countries, and above all in the Hartz mountains. + </p> + <p> + This subterranean lightning, far more fatal than that of the upper + regions, is known to the people of the Rhine simply as a tall monk, whom + they call Master Haemmerling. + </p> + <p> + Master Haemmerling visits the mines from time to time in the guise of a + harmless amateur, or of an inspector, who is not fond of being hurried. + However, on Fridays especially, he is subject to violent attacks of anger. + If a laborer handles his pickaxe awkwardly, or if he is insolent to his + master, or the master harsh to him and requiring too much, he is, quick as + a flash of lightning, between them when they are as yet half way under + ground. Then he suddenly draws his long legs together, and between his two + knees crushes their heads with as little hesitation and ceremony as a + mother would show in destroying between her two thumbs the <span + class="pagenum">[277]</span><a name="link277" id="link277"></a>little + hateful insect that has troubled her darling child. + </p> + <p> + Nothing more need be said of the elementary spirits of Air and Fire; but + as we have followed Master Haemmerling into the lower depths of the + mountains, we might just as well remain there a while and make the + acquaintance of the Gnomes, the Spirits of the Earth. + </p> + <p> + Can you see, through the dense air which fills these immense caverns, the + long, gigantic stalactites, reaching from the ceiling to the floor and + strongly impregnated with iron? They are the columns of this subterranean + palace, and around these stalactites, peaceful, slumbering waters form a + kind of little lakes, the shores of which look as if they were covered + with rust. + </p> + <p> + Here and there, in the damp low grounds, half choked with ore and slag of + various kinds, dark reeds are growing in the shape of lizards; like + lizards they bend backwards, moving their heads from side to side and + showing thus the diamond eye which shines brilliantly at the extreme end. + </p> + <p> + These dark depths seem to teem with fantastic creatures; close by a heap + of grains of gold, stands immovable a watchful, silent guardian, a + griffin; a pack of black dogs, also guardians of the treasures hid in this + world of precious metals and <span class="pagenum">[278]</span><a + name="link278" id="link278"></a>stones, are roaming incessantly along the + ceiling. On the sloping sides, dwarfs not larger than grasshoppers, and + jumping about like peas in the sieve of the winnower, are gathering right + and left the tiny gold and silver spangles which are left at their + disposal, while enormous toads are posted about as watchmen. + </p> + <p> + Finally, far back in the remotest part of these abysses the kings of this + empire are moving about; these thick-set men, with stout limbs and + monstrous heads, are the Gnomes. + </p> + <p> + But people hardly believe in Gnomes any longer; the hard-working miners + who ought to come every day in contact with them, deny their existence, + and they have gradually passed into the class of fabulous beings. + </p> + <p> + Still, I am told that as recently as last year, a pretty peasant girl from + the neighborhood of Hamburg appeared on a certain evening at a ball, with + a large ruby on her finger. She professed to have received this gem from + an Earth Spirit, who had appeared to her at the entrance to the Faunus + mines. + </p> + <p> + The gossips of the village were not satisfied, however, with the account, + and suspected the Gnome to have been an English Gnome, who was travelling + abroad for his health and courting pretty girls for his amusement. This + conviction <span class="pagenum">[279]</span><a name="link279" id="link279"></a>was + so strong that the poor girl had to leave the country in disgrace. + </p> + <p> + This is the last Gnome that has been mentioned in that part of Germany. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0105" id="linkimage-0105"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/299s.jpg" alt="299s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/299.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/299m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <span class="pagenum">[283]</span><a name="link283" id="link283"></a> + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0106" id="linkimage-0106"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/303s.jpg" alt="303s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/303.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/303m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0014" id="link2H_4_0014"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XII. + </h2> + <p> + Elementary Spirits of the Water.—<i>Petrarch at Cologne.—Divine + Judgment by Water.—Nixen and Undines.—A Furlough till Ten o’clock.—The + White-footed Undine.—Mysteries on the Rhine.—The Court of the + Great Nichus.—Nix-COBT, the Messenger of the Dead.—His Funny + Tricks.—I go in Search of an Undine.</i> + </p> + <p class="pfirst"> + <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">A</span>fter leaving + Aix-la-Chapelle, I had stopped at Cologne, on the left bank of the Rhine, + which I then found completely covered with several rows of women, a + countless and charming multitude.... + </p> + <p> + “Adorned with flowers or aromatic herbs, the sleeves <span + class="pagenum">[284]</span><a name="link284" id="link284"></a>pushed up + above the elbow, they dipped their soft white hands and arms into the + river, murmuring certain mysterious words which I could not understand. + </p> + <p> + “I questioned some people. They told me it was an ancient custom of + the country. Thanks to these ablutions and certain prayers which + accompanied them, the river carried down with it all the diseases, which + would otherwise have attacked them during the coming year. I answered, + smilingly: ‘How happy the people of the Rhine must be if the kind + river thus takes all their sufferings to distant countries! The Po or the + Tiber have never been able to do as much for us.’” + </p> + <p> + These are the words which Petrarch wrote in one of his familiar letters, + written on St. John’s Eve. + </p> + <p> + This letter, as precious by its date as by its contents, proves beyond all + question, that in the fourteenth century the Rhine was popularly + worshipped and adored on the very days on which the summer solstice is + celebrated by bonfires after the manner of the old fire worshippers. + </p> + <p> + Unfortunately the Christians ended by appealing to the elements, to Fire + or Water, as to a judicial authority. + </p> + <p> + The popular notion that the elements were perfectly pure and would hence + instinctively reject every impure substance, led naturally to ordeals + <span class="pagenum">[285]</span><a name="link285" id="link285"></a>by + water. The accused was undressed; his hands and feet were tied crosswise, + the right hand to the left foot and the right foot to the left hand, and + thus bound he was thrown into a river or any watercourse that was deep + enough. If he floated, he was guilty and instantly burnt; if he sank and + remained for some time at the bottom of the water, he was considered + innocent—but he was drowned. + </p> + <p> + Heinrich Heine, at least, tells us that this was the infallible result of + justice in the Middle Ages, and the Middle Ages ended in Germany but + yesterday. + </p> + <p> + There was also a trial by bread and cheese (<i>exorcismus panis hordeacei, + vel casei, ad probationem veri</i>), but bread and cheese are not + elements. Let us return to the elementary spirits of Water. + </p> + <p> + During the great religious reaction which took place after the days of + Charlemagne, all the mythological gods of rivers and streams had gradually + returned, more or less successfully, to their former occupations. The + great Nix or Nichus, upon whom devolved the rule over all the rivers of + Germany, was no other than the ancient Niord, a very important deity and a + kind of Northern Neptune. This very weighty discovery is due to the + learned Mallet. + </p> + <p> + No doubt this god Niord was one of those who, on their disastrous flight + from Argentoratum, had <span class="pagenum">[286]</span><a + name="link286" id="link286"></a>fallen into the Rhine. They + thought that he was drowned, but he had only taken refuge in one of the + lowest, almost unfathomable depths of the river. From this safe retreat + the great Nichus had defied the decrees of Councils and the anathemas of + the Christians hurled against all elementary spirits alike; there he had + summoned the subaltern deities of sources, ponds, lakes, and smaller + streams, the nymphs of the banks, and the hideous, scaly monsters which + swarmed at the bottom of the river. Organizing all these into a people, an + escort, and an army, he had come forth and invaded at the head of his host + the banks of the Neckar and the Main, the Moselle and the Meuse, the great + tributaries of the Rhine, and governed the inhabitants of the banks by + terror. More than once he had extended his ravages far beyond the plains, + overthrowing churches that had but just been completed, and drowning in + his waters all the deserters from the altars of Odin. + </p> + <p> + Niord was a wicked god, who had a fearful temper. He held his subjects, to + whatever class they might belong, completely under his yoke, treating them + capriciously and cruelly, and making of the Rhine a hell of waters. + </p> + <p> + It is to this dark and damp kingdom of the great Nichus that we have to go + in order to make the acquaintance, not of his great dignitaries, but <span + class="pagenum">[287]</span><a name="link287" id="link287"></a>of the very + humblest and lowest of his subjects, the Nixen and the male and female + Undines, a race of anathematized demons, who make up, by themselves, + almost the whole population of this realm beneath the waters of the Rhine. + </p> + <p> + What! Must we really count our beautiful Lore, the charming fairy Lorelei, + you who preferred death to the punishment of making all men fall in love + with you, much as you loved men in general, must we count you among the + demons, evildoing and accursed sprites? No! How public opinion has stoutly + held its own in defiance of all the decrees of the Church. Nixen, like the + Fairies, are by common consent divided into two classes: Nixen proper, who + are former pagan deities and not too much to be dreaded, and female Nixen, + almost always harmless and at times even useful. + </p> + <p> + It is these latter only of whom we shall hereafter speak as Undines. + </p> + <p> + The Nixen of the first class are ever ready to assume any disguise that + may aid them in attaining their purpose. Some of them roam about in + deserted places near the banks of rivers; others have at times appeared in + the neighboring towns, pretending to be foreign ladies of distinction, or + artists, generally great performers on the harp. Here they have begun + intrigues with credulous lovers or unlucky admirers. Others appear at + village <span class="pagenum">[288]</span><a name="link288" id="link288"></a>celebrations, + mingling in the dance with such energy, that their partners are + intoxicated, carried away, and, losing their heads, think they continue to + hear the sound of harps and violins, while they are already far away, led + on by imaginary music, and only return to consciousness on the banks of + the river, at the moment when they are about to sink helpless into the + waters of the Rhine. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0107" id="linkimage-0107"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/308s.jpg" alt="308s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/308.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/308m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + One important point, however, must not be overlooked. To protect one’s + self against the allurements of these accursed fairies, a bit of horehound + or marjoram is sufficient. We hope all who propose visiting the Rhine will + be careful always to keep such an herb on their person. Before they take + out their passports they ought always to pay a visit to an herbalist. + </p> + <p> + The second class of Nixen, the only one in which we are interested, the + Undines, are, as far as I have been able to learn, the restless souls of + <span class="pagenum">[289]</span><a name="link289" id="link289"></a>poor + girls who, driven to despair by love, have thrown themselves into the + Rhine. Unfortunately German lovers, not very courageous at best, are but + too apt to seek relief in suicide. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0108" id="linkimage-0108"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/309s.jpg" alt="309s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/309.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/309m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + According to the somewhat uncertain information for which I am indebted to + my authorities or to my intercourse with the Rosahl family, the Undines + <span class="pagenum">[290]</span><a name="link290" id="link290"></a>are + born as human beings and very inferior in power to the genuine Nixen. They + live under the water exactly the same time they would have lived on earth, + if they had not voluntarily put an end to their existence. They are thus + granted a kind of exceptional resurrection and have here a preliminary + purgatory, in which they but too frequently expiate, if not the sin of + their love, at least that of their death. + </p> + <p> + In the lowest depths of the river, at the bottom of vast, submerged + grottoes, a secret tribunal, presided over by the great Nichus, holds its + solemn meetings. Here they are disciplined with the utmost severity, as is + abundantly proven by a great number of terrible stories, such as the + account of the three Undines of Sinzheim, which the two brothers Grimm + report in their great work. + </p> + <p> + Three young girls of marvelous beauty, three sisters, appeared every + evening at the social meetings of Epfenbach, near Sinzheim and took their + seats among the linen-spinners. They brought new songs and merry stories + which no one had heard before. Where did they come from? No one knew, and + no one dared to ask for fear of appearing suspicious. They were the + delight of these meetings, but as soon as the clock struck ten they rose, + and neither prayers nor supplications could induce them to stay a moment + longer. <span class="pagenum">[291]</span><a name="link291" id="link291"></a>One + evening the schoolmaster’s son, who had fallen in love with one of + them, undertook to prevent their departure at the usual hour; he put back + the wooden clock, which usually gave them warning. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0109" id="linkimage-0109"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/311s.jpg" alt="311s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/311.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/311m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + The next day some people from Sinzheim, who were walking by the side of + the lake, heard groans rising from the depths of the lake, while the + surface was stained by three large spots of blood. From that time the + three sisters were never seen again at the evening assemblies, and the + school<span class="pagenum">[292]</span><a name="link292" id="link292"></a>master’s + son faded away gradually. He died very soon afterwards. + </p> + <p> + These three sisters, so gentle, so lovely and laborious, had in nothing + betrayed a connection with the spirits of the lower world. The only thing + was, that people remembered how the hems of their garments had frequently + been wet, a sure sign by which Undines can be recognized. Otherwise they + seem to have been very much like other girls, and the severity of the + great Nichus appears hardly reasonable. + </p> + <p> + As to this hour of ten o’clock, however, military rules cannot be + more rigorous than his. + </p> + <p> + It must, on the other hand, not be imagined that all Undines are as gentle + and resigned as these three sisters. There are some who bitterly resent + having been abandoned by their lovers, and try to revenge themselves; + these seem to partake to some degree of the character of the Nixen, or + rather,—why should we not say so at once and quite candidly?—they + remain faithful to their instincts as women. + </p> + <p> + As a proof of this statement I will quote a short but perfect little + drama, which Miss Margaret Rosahl has, at my request, copied from Busching’s + voluminous collection. + </p> + <p> + Count Herman von Filsen, whose estates lay on the right bank of the Rhine, + between Oslerspey <span class="pagenum">[293]</span><a name="link293" + id="link293"></a>and Brauback, was about to marry the rich heiress of + the castle of Rheins, on the other bank. His messenger had started to + carry the letters of invitation to all the guests, but a sudden rise of + the waters had nearly prevented his crossing a small stream. In trying to + get over, his horse stumbled, and was drowned. The messenger, however, did + not lose courage, but went on his way on foot. Everywhere he found the + brooks swollen into streams, and the torrent seemed to press him more and + more closely, describing curves and zigzags, with countless cataracts, + barring him the way on all sides and making the usual path impassable. + </p> + <p> + By the aid of a huge stick and jumping from rock to rock, the poor, half + bewildered man kept on, walking well-nigh at hap-hazard, till he found + himself near the Rhine, into which the swollen torrent, rushing after him + with sudden fury, seemed determined to push him. + </p> + <p> + Fortunately a small boat was lying quite near the shore: he loosened it, + took the oars, and returned to Filsen. + </p> + <p> + When he reached the castle he said to the Count: “Sir, a Nix has + barred me the way.” + </p> + <p> + The Count did not believe in Nixen. He sent out another messenger. But the + same adventure befell him. + </p> + <p> + The wedding day had been fixed and the Count <span class="pagenum">[294]</span><a + name="link294" id="link294"></a>went on, although he feared his friends + and followers would be few in number. + </p> + <p> + One morning, as he crossed the river from the right bank to the left, in + order to pay a visit to his lady love, a sudden tempest broke out. He + thought he saw a pale form arise from the waters, bending over the bow of + the boat and trying to draw it down into the abyss beneath the waters. + Thereupon he became thoughtful, sent for his steward, and ordered him to + find out what had become of a certain girl of the neighborhood, + Gott-friede from Braubach. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0110" id="linkimage-0110"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/314s.jpg" alt="314s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/314.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/314m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + <span class="pagenum">[295]</span><a name="link295" id="link295"></a>"I + met her a few days ago,” replied the steward, “as she was + going to St. Marks Chapel, and I offered her holy water. Gottfriede asked + me about your approaching wedding. She was very well, and seemed to be in + good spirits.” + </p> + <p> + “Go and see if you can find her,” said the Count, “and + bring me word.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0111" id="linkimage-0111"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/315s.jpg" alt="315s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/315.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/315m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + During the wedding feast Hermann von Filsen appeared joyous and attentive + to his bride, the new Countess, but the effort to appear so caused his + perspiration to break out profusely, especially when all of a sudden a + small woman’s foot, white and delicate, appeared to his eyes, and to + his only, on the ceiling of the dinner-hall. + </p> + <p> + He felt a chill in all his limbs. He rose suddenly <span class="pagenum">[296]</span><a + name="link296" id="link296"></a>and fled to another room, followed by his + wife, his mother, and all the guests, who thought he had been seized with + sudden illness. + </p> + <p> + In this room he saw, and he alone again saw, a white hand raise a curtain + and with the forefinger beckon him to follow. + </p> + <p> + Long time ago Hermann had heard, without paying any attention at that time + to the statement, that such a small white foot and a small white hand + indicated the presence of an Undine and the coming of an inevitable + calamity. + </p> + <p> + Now he believed it. + </p> + <p> + The bishop, who had performed the marriage ceremony, was at the dinner. + Hermann went straight up to him, knelt down, and confessed aloud, and with + many tears, that a young girl named Gottfriede, fairer and better than all + her sisters, had loved him dearly, and that he had returned her love and + then abandoned her. Gottfriede had sought oblivion of her sufferings in + the river, and now was bent upon revenge. + </p> + <p> + “Bless me, father, for I am going to die!” + </p> + <p> + The bishop, before uttering the words of absolution, demanded first that + the Count should abjure his impious faith in such supernatural beings, of + whom the Church knew nothing. + </p> + <p> + “How can I refuse to believe what I see? There she is! Looking as + pale as she was this morning <span class="pagenum">[297]</span><a + name="link297" id="link297"></a>at the bow of the boat. Her hair, + full of green grass, is hanging in disorder all over her shoulders; she + looks at me with a tearful smile.” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing but visions!” replies the bishop. “Your eyes + deceive you.” + </p> + <p> + “But it is not only by the eye that I am aware of her presence, I + hear her voice; she is calling me? Forgive me, Gottfriede!” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0112" id="linkimage-0112"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/317s.jpg" alt="317s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/317.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/317m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + “You are out of your mind! These are the devil’s snares! And + who tells you that the girl has ceased to live? That she has committed a + crime? Thanks be to God, Gottfriede came to me, she confessed to me + penitently, and now she is in a convent!” At this moment the + assembly, already deeply excited, was somewhat startled by the entrance of + the steward, who looked terrified, went up to the Count’s mother, + and whispered some words into her ear. She could not repress a cry. + </p> + <p> + “Dead!” she said. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, she is dead, and I also must die!” cried Hermann in + accents of despair. + </p> + <p> + The young bride, offended at this avowal of a previous attachment, had at + first stood aloof; now, consulting her own heart alone, she thought of + contesting <span class="pagenum">[298]</span><a name="link298" id="link298"></a>the + right of this invisible rival, and with open arms drew near the Count; but + he pushed her aside rudely. + </p> + <p> + The bishop began his exorcisms. While he was repeating the prescribed + words, the Count asked:— + </p> + <p> + “What do you want of me, Gottfriede? Forgive me and we will all pray + for you. You are seeping and kissing me by turns, but your kisses are + nothing but bitterness and sorrow to me, since I have given my name to + another, since another is my—” + </p> + <p> + He could not complete the sentence. Uttering a sharp cry he fell at full + length to the ground, and on his neck appeared a long, bluish mark, such + as is seen in strangled persons. + </p> + <p> + The great Nichus is, as we have seen, the master, the despot, the <i>Wassermann</i>, + par excellence, of all this watery, dark world, peopled by Nixen and + Undines. His authority is, moreover, by no means limited to the exercise + of judicial functions; his will, constantly under the influence of an + ill-regulated appetite, is law for everybody; the male Nixen are his + Court, and his harem is kept full by the fairest among those women who + become his own by suicide. This greenish-complexioned Sardanapalus is said + to celebrate incredibly monstrous orgies with his drowned Odalisques. + </p> + <p> + He is, in reality, Niord, the Scandinavian god, <span class="pagenum">[299]</span><a + name="link299" id="link299"></a>and this Niord again is, originally, one + of those old Roman emperors, who were deified, and whose portraits + Petronius has left us drawn in mud and blood. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0113" id="linkimage-0113"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/319s.jpg" alt="319s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/319.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/319m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + His principal agent, and the Jack-of-all-trades of the whole community, + Nixcobt, the messenger of the dead, has to maintain communication between + the people who live on the river, and those who live in it. He is perhaps + the most eccentric of all the mythical personages of the Rhine. + </p> + <p> + When morning is about to dawn and the mountain tops are beginning to glow + in a faint subdued light, a kind of low, thickset man of the most hideous + appearance, may occasionally be seen gliding along the houses of a town, + keeping carefully in the shade, or slipping down the hill-side between the + long rows of grapes, which are almost as high as he is. His terrible head + turns upon his slender neck as upon a pivot, and thus he can see and + examine everything without stopping for a moment. His bare shoulders, his + elbows, knees, and cheekbones are covered with scales; small pins appear + <span class="pagenum">[300]</span><a name="link300" id="link300"></a>at + intervals at his ankles; his round glamous eyes have a bright red point in + the centre; his teeth and hair are green, and his enormous mouth, split + wide open and shaped like the mouth of a fish, wears a fixed smile, which + strikes terror in the beholder. This creature is Nixcobt. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0114" id="linkimage-0114"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/320s.jpg" alt="320s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/320.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/320m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + With daybreak he is back in the river to inquire if its mournful + population has been added to over night by some victim, suicide or not. He + takes down a description of each one, draws up a report, inquires as to + what induced them to seek refuge in the new world, and offers them his + services for the purpose of letting the friends and parents know, <span + class="pagenum">[301]</span><a name="link301" id="link301"></a>whom they + may have left behind, ignorant of their fate and inconsolable at their + loss. + </p> + <p> + Then he amuses the great Nichus with all his stories and all the clever + tricks he has been playing during his nocturnal visits to the people in + the villages and towns on the river. + </p> + <p> + These merry tricks of Master Nixcobt form even in our day an ever welcome + staple of amusement to the young spinners during the long winter nights, + accompanied as they are by the cheerful hum of the swiftly turning wheels. + </p> + <p> + One day Nixcobt calls upon the tax collector of a little town on the + Rhine, whom he finds in great consternation. His wife has left his house + and he does not know what has become of her. To console him Nixcobt tells + him that she is dead, having drowned herself, and as a proof of it, he + shows him a letter which he has with his own hands taken from the pockets + of the deceased. + </p> + <p> + The husband, whose tears had been flowing freely, dries them quickly, + becomes furious, and looks at his children with fierce glances. He is + jealous of their dead mother. Nixcobt laughs and goes to some one else. + </p> + <p> + That some one else, an honest vintner of the Rheingau, has the night + before killed his friend in an excess of passion and then thrown the body + into the Rhine, together with the knife with which <span class="pagenum">[302]</span><a + name="link302" id="link302"></a>he had committed the murder. This knife + Nix-cobt now presents to him, for he takes delight in restoring lost + objects of this kind. + </p> + <p> + While the murderer stands petrified at the sight of the still bloody + knife, the Gnome hastens to the Mayor to report to him the whole matter. + </p> + <p> + An inquiry is held, the vintner is found, holding the bloody knife in his + hand, he is hanged and Nixcobt laughs heartily. + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/322s.jpg" alt="322s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/322.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/322m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + One night a notary of Badenheim, near Mayence, hears in his sleep a voice + saying:— + </p> + <p> + “John Harnisch, the great Nichus is courting your wife, who has been + changed into an Undine three months ago; she will not listen to him, and + <span class="pagenum">[303]</span><a name="link303" id="link303"></a>he + wants you to tell him how he must manage to please her.” + </p> + <p> + The notary thought it was a bad dream, uttered a sigh as he thought of his + deceased wife, and fell asleep once more. But a chilly hand resting upon + his breast waked him once more, and the voice said:— + </p> + <p> + “John Harnisch, speak, speak promptly and be sincere, or you shall + never sleep again.” + </p> + <p> + John Harnisch resisted for some time longer, but a red flame dimly lighted + up his alcove and he saw a row of green teeth and scaly cheek bones. + Thoroughly frightened, he said what he could. + </p> + <p> + “Thanks!” cries Nixcobt, and breaks out into a far sounding + laugh. + </p> + <p> + We might fill folios with all the lugubrious jokes of this messenger of + the dead, but we will abstain. Besides, Nixcobt has lost all respect + now-a-days. He is no longer seen gliding along the houses in towns or + slipping through the rows in the vineyards. + </p> + <p> + We might in like manner tell a vast number of interesting stories and + quote endless <i>Lieder</i> and ballads, which treat of Nixen and Undines. + For there are, besides, Undines of rivers and Undines of lakes, and there + are even some in the ocean; in Germany all watercourses, down to the + tiniest rills, have their Undines. <span class="pagenum">[304]</span><a + name="link304" id="link304"></a>Only day before yesterday I was walking on + the banks of the Rhine; only yesterday on those of the Moselle, This + morning, wandering about at haphazard I encountered a brook, a mere rill, + which attracted me by its sweet murmurs. I followed it, followed it for + two hours. I happened to have nothing else to do. + </p> + <p> + My tiny rill, a mere infant so near its source, was turning and twisting + in the thick grass and seemed to try and walk on all fours as little + children do. Farther down it had become a little girl, having increased in + size and bulk; it now wandered hither and thither, carelessly, + capriciously, leaping merrily over the rocks and carrying off here a + flower and there a flower that grew on its banks, no doubt for the purpose + of making a bouquet. Still farther on, I witnessed its marriage with a big + brook that had come down all the way from the mountains; it was a young + woman now, a wife, and walked soberly through the plain, like a prudent + stream, bearing already boats on its surface and preparing to join an + elder sister, the Moselle. Soon I had to cross it on a bridge; on this + same bridge four Prussian soldiers were busy watching the water as it + flowed by, no doubt in the hope of catching a fair Undine as she was + stealthily slipping down the river. As for myself, I had in vain traced + the unknown little river from its birth all <span class="pagenum">[305]</span><a + name="link305" id="link305"></a>along its banks, under the thick shelter + of willows and alder bushes; neither day before yesterday on the Rhine, + nor yesterday on the Moselle, nor today, did I ever find a trace of a + Nymph, a Nix, or an Undine! + </p> + <p> + What must be my conclusion? + </p> + <p> + A thief who had been brought before a police court and was there + confronted with two persons who had seen him steal, said:— + </p> + <p> + “These men claim that they have seen me, but I, I could bring twenty + other witnesses who would swear that they have not seen me!” + </p> + <p> + “What does that prove?” asked the judge of the court. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0115" id="linkimage-0115"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/325s.jpg" alt="325s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/325.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/325m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + I saw nothing. “What does that prove?” as the wise judge said + to the thief. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <span class="pagenum">[309]</span><a name="link309" id="link309"></a> + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0116" id="linkimage-0116"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/329s.jpg" alt="329s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/329.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/329m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0015" id="link2H_4_0015"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XIII. + </h2> + <p> + Familiar Spirits.—<i>Butzemann.—The Good Frau Holle.—Ko-bolds.—A + Kobold in the Cook’s Employ.—Zotterais and the Little White + Ladies.—The Killecroffs, the Devil’s Children.—White + Angels.—Granted Wishes, a Fable.</i> + </p> + <p class="pfirst"> + <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">F</span>rance, which is + skeptic to the core, has no idea of the importance of certain visible or + invisible spirits, who eagerly seek the society of man, sleeping <span + class="pagenum">[310]</span><a name="link310" id="link310"></a>under his + roof, or in certain cases becoming members of his family, in the strictest + sense of the word. Besides, they render efficient services to a good + housekeeper; they may do great harm if they are made angry, and they give + at times most useful advice. + </p> + <p> + These hobgoblins, little known outside of Germany and England, frequent + also the French provinces watered by the Meuse, the Moselle, and the + Rhine, and are sometimes brought to Paris by cooks from Alsace and + coachmen from Lorraine. + </p> + <p> + Let us rapidly glance, not at all, but at some of the best authenticated + among these familiar spirits. + </p> + <p> + Evening has come, the night is dark, and master and mistress are fast + asleep. A servant with a candle in her hand and gaping to her heart’s + content, goes once more over the house, looking in all the corners and out + of the way places and putting everything in order. All of a sudden a door + is swiftly opened and closed again right in her face and her light is + blown out. You will say a window has been left open and the draught has + done all this. + </p> + <p> + By no means! It is the <i>Butzemann</i>. + </p> + <p> + Some merry companions are assembled in the large dining-room of the hotel + and celebrate there a feast of grapes in memory of the divine Dionysius. + The night advances and there they are still, <span class="pagenum">[311]</span><a + name="link311" id="link311"></a>glass in hand, singing, drinking.... + Silence! all of a sudden singing and drinking comes to an end; the glasses + halt half way in the midst of a toast; the heavy eyes open wide, the + trembling knees grow strong once more. Every one of the guests hastens + home. Three times a hairy, ill-shapen creature has come and knocked with + its wings against the window. You will say it was a bat. + </p> + <p> + By no means! It is the <i>Butzemann!</i> + </p> + <p> + The family is gathering around the warm porcelain stove, where they can + safely defy cold winter. The men are smoking, a pot of beer by their side; + the women are knitting and talking of the approaching wedding of the + eldest daughter. Oh misery! Away back in the fireplace, a great noise is + heard; a bright light shines. Coals and sparks are scattered all around, + and some have fallen upon the dress of the betrothed. What is the matter? + You will say again, it was a knot in the wood, perhaps a chestnut that had + been overlooked in the ashes and has burst now. + </p> + <p> + By no means! it is the <i>Butzemann!</i> + </p> + <p> + The Butzemann, a prophetic family spirit, warns you of coming danger and + bids you prepare for an approaching misfortune. Never undertake a journey, + never get married if a clear sign has made you aware that Butzemann has + put his veto upon your journey or your marriage. The only difficulty <span + class="pagenum">[312]</span><a name="link312" id="link312"></a>you will + have is to distinguish between Butzemann and a puff of wind, a bat, or an + exploding chestnut. + </p> + <p> + It is much easier to recognize <i>Frau Holle</i>, as her presence is + always announced by unmistakable indications. She has assumed the task of + overlooking the poor country girls at their work. But it has never been + found out why this benevolent fairy of work-people does not live in some + great industrial city, or some beautiful country district, where the signs + of active life are abundant and the whirring of wheels or the stamping of + machinery is heard; where the spinners sing, and the washerwomen beat time + at the limpid stream. She prefers, with unaccountable perverseness, to + live in dismal swamps, beside faithless Will-o’-the-Wisps and low + Nixen! + </p> + <p> + No one has ever dared examine this question so closely as to ascertain the + precise truth. + </p> + <p> + Some have dropped timid hints that Frau Holle, now occupying a very humble + position and rated among the familiar spirits only, was once upon a time a + high and mighty personage, but they have had nothing more to say of her + past glory, as is the case with poor ladies who have been “unfortunate.” + Others, with more boldness or more knowledge, have recognized in her the + goddess Frigg, Odin’s wife. Dear Frau Holle! what a coming down! + what poor creatures we are, after all. <span class="pagenum">[313]</span><a + name="link313" id="link313"></a>As soon as the cross was planted on the + banks of the Rhine and the Danube, Frigg, under the name of Hertha (Mother + Earth), had taken refuge on an island in the ocean, where she lived + invisible and alone in the heart of a sacred forest, which was constantly + invaded by the waves of the sea. + </p> + <p> + A priest, who had remained faithful to the old religion, alone knew the + hour and the minute when the goddess would deign once more to appear to + men. At the given moment he drew forth, on the marshy island, a chariot + wrapped in veils. Hertha got in, and for some days travelled through the + world, diffusing all around her good will and consolation. Then all wars + were suspended; not only the sword went back into its sheath, but all + irons, all defensive and offensive weapons and even the iron shoes of the + ploughs, had to be kept carefully concealed. Hertha invited the world to + enjoy peace and repose. + </p> + <p> + Now let us see in what respect Frau Holle or Holla reminds us of the good + goddess. + </p> + <p> + At certain periods of the year, especially at Christmas, Frau Holle leaves + her marshy island in order to inspect the world. All who work in linen, + spinning, weaving, embroidery, or starching, are by turns visited by the + good lady. Their idleness and their carelessness are severely punished. If + one fine morning Annie finds her wheel <span class="pagenum">[314]</span><a + name="link314" id="link314"></a>or Kate her loom covered with green slime, + if Bertha notices her work torn in the place which she repaired only the + night before, or if the water has over night turned greasy and looks + discolored, the poor girls may be sure that Frau Holle has been on her + round of inspection. + </p> + <p> + If she is pleased, on the other hand, the ribbon around the distaff holds + a pretty marshflower, a lily, an iris, or a gladiolus; on the lace cushion + or on the seamstress’s work a little golden needle is stuck, and on + the heap of specially well washed and well folded linen lies a cake of + perfumed soap, which fills the whole house with its sweet odor. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes Frau Holle finds her way mysteriously to a garret, where a poor + woman is lying sick with fever, the result of overwork. Then she finishes + herself the work that had been begun, and when she leaves she puts a few + florins under the pillow of the sleeping sufferer. + </p> + <p> + Blessings be upon you, good Dame Holle! Even if you were really once a + goddess of the first rank, you need not blush at your present condition. + Still, we cannot help asking, with a slight tremor of fear, how it can + have come about, that the noble Frigg, the all powerful Hertha, should + have been reduced to play the lady patroness of washerwomen and + seamstresses? How has this island in the ocean, with its sacred forest, + become a wretched <span class="pagenum">[315]</span><a name="link315" + id="link315"></a>marsh, fetid and ill reputed? There is but one answer + to such a question: Frigg has been unfortunate. + </p> + <p> + But the spinners and seamstresses, the clear-starchers and embroiderers + are not the only ones who are honored by kind attentions from the + supernatural world. The brothers Grimm say:— + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0117" id="linkimage-0117"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/335s.jpg" alt="335s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/335.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/335m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + “In certain parts of the world, every person—man, woman, or + child—has his own goblin to do menial service; he carries water, + cuts wood, and fetches beer.” During all this time the master has + nothing to do but to set still and to see the work done. + </p> + <p> + This goblin is evidently the <i>Genius loci</i> of the ancients. + </p> + <p> + Among all these goblins, however, one is by far the most famous in + Germany, and at the same time the oddest, of whom the most extraordinary + stories are told. They call him <i>Kobold.</i> + </p> + <p> + During the night the Kobold sets everything to <span class="pagenum">[316]</span><a + name="link316" id="link316"></a>rights in the kitchen; he cleans the + glasses, the plates, the pans, and wages war against the spiders and the + mice. For all these attentions he asks only a little food, specially + prepared for him, for he would never dream to ask for a share of his + master’s dinner. + </p> + <p> + Although he seems to be specially devoted to the cook’s department, + the Kobold is first of all attached to the house. If the cook is + dismissed, or if the master moves, he nevertheless remains in his old + home, quite ready to offer his services to the new comers. If the cook + goes, she says to her who takes her place:— + </p> + <p> + “Do not forget to put a little panada on the kneading trough for the + Kobold, or he might play you some ugly tricks. Be careful, for he is not + always in good humor.” + </p> + <p> + If the Kobold, or in his place the cat, eats the panada, the new cook is + sure to say:— + </p> + <p> + “Chim has been here; I see we shall be good friends.” + </p> + <p> + But if Chim has left the dainty untouched, or has merely tasted it, she is + troubled. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps he wants it made with the yolk of an egg? Or perhaps I had + not put enough butter to it?” + </p> + <p> + Although the Kobold is almost always invisible, he is at all times ready + for a chat. <span class="pagenum">[317]</span><a name="link317" + id="link317"></a>What are we to make of these strange beings, the + servants of our servants, who are even more faithful than the latter to + the house which they have once made their home, who do not, as we are told + is the case in some countries, insist so strongly upon certain privileges + that it becomes uncertain whether the servants are not themselves masters + and those who think themselves to be masters are in reality servants? They + generally do nothing but kindness. Nevertheless they keep out of sight, + thus shunning all public return for their benevolent services. What are we + to make of such servants? Martin Luther answers in his “Table Talk.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0118" id="linkimage-0118"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/337s.jpg" alt="337s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/337.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/337m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + “For many years,” he says, “a servant had a familiar + spirit who sat down by her on the hearth, where she had made a little + place for him, and they talked to each other during the long winter + evenings. One day she asked Heinzchen (Chim, Heinzchen, and Kurt Chimgen + are the pet names by which German and Alsatian cooks generally call their + Ko-bolds) to let her see him in his natural shape. At first Heinzchen + refused. <span class="pagenum">[318]</span><a name="link318" id="link318"></a>but + at last, as she insisted, he told her to go down into the cellar, where he + would show himself to her.” “She took a candle,” he goes + on to say, “and went into the cellar, where the Kobold appeared to + her in the likeness of a child of hers who had died some years before.” + Whether he vanished then, leaving her in amazement and terror, or whether + he resumed the shape in which she had been accustomed to see him, we are + not told. It is a grim story upon which we do not care to dwell, for we + prefer to remember the Kobold as a cheerful household companion. It is + pleasant to think of those quaint little creatures, whose world is the + kitchen, and to imagine the joy they feel in sharing the busy, bustling + life that goes on there daily. Be sure they know every nook and corner + about,—every stew-pan and ladle, and are learned in the steamy + scents and fragrant savors which are the atmosphere of their home. At + night when the fires are out, and the family is asleep, they have a life + of their own. They are on the best possible terms with the cat, which they + permit to share their food, and with which they no doubt waltz when in a + gamesome mood. Happy Kobolds. + </p> + <p> + According to general belief the Kobolds belong as much to the race of men + as to the world of spirits; they retain the size and shape of infants, and + that knife which so often is noticed in the form <span class="pagenum">[319]</span><a + name="link319" id="link319"></a>of a caudal appendage, is nothing less + than the instrument with which they have been put to death. + </p> + <p> + There exist, however, quite a number of troublesome hobgoblins, who turn + the house upside down and deprive the people to whom they bear a grudge of + all peace and sleep, till they well nigh drive them mad. But these + creatures ought, in my opinion, not be mixed up with the Kobolds. The + latter are almost invariably gentle and inoffensive; if they sometimes + become angry, they act just like children; they break and smash things, + but they are easily pacified by the sight of some little tit-bit, as for + instance, a panada made with butter and eggs. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0119" id="linkimage-0119"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/339s.jpg" alt="339s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/339.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/339m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + The Zotterais and the Little White Ladies seem, in their habits at least, + to come nearer to Kobolds. Very useful and easily satisfied, the Zotterais + are as fond of stables as the Kobolds are of kitchens; they curry the + horses, nurse <span class="pagenum">[320]</span><a name="link320" + id="link320"></a>them when they are sick, and keep everything in + excellent order in their racks as well as in the harness-room. + </p> + <p> + The Little White Ladies, on the other hand, are more delicate in their + instincts and often quite fastidious; they like only blood horses, Arab or + Turkish horses, and hence the popular idea that they have originated in + the East. + </p> + <p> + They slip into the stables of wealthy people, while the grooms are asleep; + here they light a small candle, which they always keep about them, and + then proceed to business. + </p> + <p> + In the morning, when the head, coachman makes his round to see that + everything is right, he sometimes finds a drop of wax on the smooth coat + of a sorrel or an Isabel colored horse, and then he says to the grooms:— + </p> + <p> + “You have not had much to do to-day, my friends, with your horses; I + see the little lady has been here.” + </p> + <p> + The Zotterais are of unmistakable German origin, for they take care of + horses without regard to race and without the help of a wax candle. They + have, of course, harder work to do and are more apt to become soiled or to + have accidents; but, nevertheless, they accomplish their purpose. They are + naturally easily tired, and hence they require a knot to be made in the + mane of a horse, where <span class="pagenum">[321]</span><a + name="link321" id="link321"></a>they can suspend themselves and + rest. There is not a peasant on the banks of the Rhine or the Meuse, who + would neglect this duty, and I have myself often seen them attend to it + carefully. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0120" id="linkimage-0120"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/341s.jpg" alt="341s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/341.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/341m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + Formerly the Zotterais also protected sheep against ticks and kept their + wool from getting tangled; they even derived their name from Zotte, which + means a flock of wool. In those days, it must be presumed, from the habits + of those benevolent little people, the fleeces must have been whiter and + better kept than they are now-a-days; but sheep raisers had the unlucky + idea, produced probably by avarice, that not a particle of wool should be + left on ram or ewe, and thus deprived their tiny friends of all means to + rest and recover breath when hard at work. The Zotterais looked upon this + neglect of what was due to them as an insult, and abandoned the flocks of + sheep for the horses in the stables. Besides, they found it impossible to + live on good terms with the shepherds’ dogs. + </p> + <p> + We must finally mention the most important and most extraordinary of all + familiar spirits, whom we must needs include among these favored beings, + <span class="pagenum">[322]</span><a name="link322" id="link322"></a>as he + represents nothing less than the son of the house, the child of the + family. + </p> + <p> + This is the <i>Killecroff or Suppositus.</i> The last mentioned name is + given to him because this so-called son of the house is in reality a + changeling, a supposed child, which has been put into the place of the + real child. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0121" id="linkimage-0121"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/342s.jpg" alt="342s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/342.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/342m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + Who has taken the legitimate child from its cradle in order to put into + its place a <i>Killecroff</i>, and who is the real father of the latter? + </p> + <p> + Both of these questions are met by one and the same answer. The Devil! We + have so far carefully avoided touching on matters of witchcraft; but + unfortunately they are as well known on the banks of the Rhine as on those + of the Thames and the Seine. The <i>Killecroffs</i>, however, children of + the Devil and begotten according to popular belief during the orgies of + the Witches’ Sabbath, have been really in existence upon earth; <i>suppositi</i> + or not, they have played their part in the world’s history and + occasionally even left behind them illustrious descendants. <span + class="pagenum">[323]</span><a name="link323" id="link323"></a>In the same + way as the Swedish king Vilkins and Merovæus, king of the Franks, boasted + of being the sons of a sea-god, the dynasty of the Jagellons in Poland + were proud of their original descent from the Devil, no doubt through + Killecroffs, and actually bore in their arms certain emblems of hell. + </p> + <p> + How can a real Killecroff be recognized, since he has been, improperly + enough, counted in among the Kobolds? + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <span class="pagenum">[324]</span><a name="link324" id="link324"></a> + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0122" id="linkimage-0122"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/343s.jpg" alt="343s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/343.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/343m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + From his first appearance in the world, the Killecroff excites the + astonishment, and sometimes the admiration of his reputed parents. He + sucks so heartily and with such an appetite that his nurse has to be + reinforced by two goats and a cow, like the renowned Gargantua. + </p> + <p> + When he is weaned a new marvel appears: he swallows his soup by the + tureen, “as much as two peasants and two threshers in the barn would + take,” says a celebrated writer in speaking of this subject. + </p> + <p> + He grows up and keeps everything in commotion around him; he provokes + quarrels not only among the servants, but even between his parents. If + some untoward event occurs he roars with laughter, on a day of rejoicing + he sheds tears and moans piteously. He takes a stick or a spit and rides + on it in his room, from morning till evening, climbing on every chair and + table, breaking everything that comes in his way, injuring himself—also + quite as readily, provoking cats, dogs, and even the parrot on his perch, + till they all mew and bark and scream. Then he runs to the stable and + sticks a pin into the croup of a horse to see it kick, and then breaks + open the doors and locks by the aid of a huge stick of wood; next he + rushes into the garden, playing the part of a tempest there, destroying, + uprooting, and breaking everything. + </p> + <p> + In the poultry yard he wrings the hens’ necks and walks over the + young chickens; in the kitchen <span class="pagenum">[325]</span><a + name="link325" id="link325"></a>he loves to take up the tops of pots and + pans and to season the dishes according to his fancy with salt, pepper, + dust, ashes, oil, vinegar, mustard, sand, or sawdust, and never leaves + without having turned on the water everywhere. + </p> + <p> + If a visitor arrives, he takes possession of him and stands between his + legs, and walks on his toes, pulls the buttons off his waistcoat, and + draws the strings out of his shoes; he troubles and annoys him in every + way, he pinches and scratches, he worries and tortures him. When his + mother cautiously observes that he must not trouble the gentleman he obeys + like a good child and leaves the gentleman alone, but not without having + first broken his watch-chain, taken his cane, and hid his spectacles; the + cane he drops accidentally into the well; as for the spectacles, he + forgets where he has put them. When the poor visitor, quite overcome and + exhausted, at last rises to go, he stumbles and falls down the stairs, + thanks to a string which his playful young friend, the Killecroff, has + stretched across the top step. + </p> + <p> + The Killecroffs are generally the delight of their parents; fortunately + they do not live long. + </p> + <p> + The great man whom I have quoted before, told the Duke of Anhalt frankly, + that if he were a sovereign like the duke, he would run the risk and + become a murderer in such a case, by ordering <span class="pagenum">[326]</span><a + name="link326" id="link326"></a>every such son of the devil to be thrown + into the Moldau! + </p> + <p> + This great man, who believed so firmly in Killecroffs, who believed + likewise in Butzemann, in Ko-bolds, in Nixen and Undines, who saw the + Devil in every fly that came to drink his ink or to perch on his nose, was + again Dr. Martin Luther. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0123" id="linkimage-0123"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/346s.jpg" alt="346s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/346.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/346m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + The great Reformer, who was so valiant in combating the superstitions of + the Papists, seems to have taken very little trouble to get rid of his + own. + </p> + <p> + But among the many delusions, in which he apparently delighted, there was + one, a really charming <span class="pagenum">[327]</span><a + name="link327" id="link327"></a>one, which arose from the + Christian religion itself, and which, it seems to me, I cannot well pass + over in silence when speaking of familiar spirits. + </p> + <p> + I mean Guardian Angels. + </p> + <p> + A most erudite and clever academician, Mr. Alfred Maury, tells us in his + charming book on “Magic and Astrology,” that according to + Egyptian doctrines a special star foretold the arrival of every man in + this world. In proof of this statement, he refers us to Horapollon, in his + “Treatise on Hieroglyphics.” + </p> + <p> + We infinitely prefer taking Mr. Maury’s own evidence; and he adds: + “This creed exists still in some remote districts among rural + populations, and especially in Germany.” + </p> + <p> + It may be that in certain portions of Germany every man may still have + faith in his star; we are willing to believe it, since he says so; but + almost everywhere the star has been superseded by a Guardian Angel, the + White Angel, as they call him, a far more tempting personage, and + infinitely more intimate and sympathetic. The White Angel is much more + than the <i>Genius loci</i>; it is in fact the <i>Genius personalis</i>. + </p> + <p> + Without entering here upon a serious discussion, on the subject of + Guardian Angels, whom the modern Church is disposed to ignore, we shall + prefer <span class="pagenum">[328]</span><a name="link328" id="link328"></a>inserting + here, as a complement to our chapter on Familiar Spirits, a legend, which + we were fortunate enough to obtain directly from very truthful and very + beautiful lips:— + </p> + <p> + “A white figure appeared before the young girl as she awoke. + </p> + <p> + “‘I am your Guardian Angel!’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Then you will grant me the wishes which I shall mention?’ + </p> + <p> + “‘I shall carry them to God’s throne. You may count upon + my assistance. What are your wishes?’ “‘O White Angel, I + am tired of continually turning the spindle, and my fingers are getting to + be so hard by constant work, that yesterday, at the dance, my partner + might have imagined he was holding a wooden hand.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Your partner was that fine looking gentleman from Hesse? Did + he not tell you that he adored your blue eyes and fair hair, and that he + would make you a baroness, if you would go home with him?’ + </p> + <p> + “‘White Angel, make me a baroness.’ + </p> + <p> + “The evening of that day a young peasant came and asked Louisa’s + mother for her daughter’s hand. The mother said, Yes. + </p> + <p> + “‘White Angel, deliver me from this boor. I want to be a + baroness!’ + </p> + <p> + “But the mother, who was a widow, had energy <span class="pagenum">[329]</span><a + name="link329" id="link329"></a>enough for two. The White Angel did not + appear again; Louisa had to yield, and went on turning her spindle. + </p> + <p> + “One day her husband, who was a hard-working man, had over-exerted + himself and was taken ill. Louisa had seen her gentleman again. + </p> + <p> + “‘White Angel, he loves me still. He has sworn he would marry + me if I were a widow.’.... She dared not say more. Her husband + recovered his health completely. The White Angel still turned a deaf ear + to her wishes. She lost all hope of ever becoming a baroness. + </p> + <p> + “Some years later Louisa was the mother of two beautiful children; + she was fond of her husband, whose labor procured for her all that she + needed, and when she thought of him and her two darlings, the spindle felt + quite soft to her fingers. + </p> + <p> + “One evening, when she was only half asleep, lying by her husband’s + side, with one of her hands in his, and the youngest of her babies at her + bosom, the white figure appeared once more and she heard a gentle voice + whispering something into her ear. It was the voice of the White Angel. + </p> + <p> + “What did it say? + </p> + <p> + “It told her a fable. + </p> + <p> + “‘A little fish was merrily swimming about in the water and + looking seriously at a pretty blackcap which first circled around and + around in the air <span class="pagenum">[330]</span><a name="link330" + id="link330"></a>and then alighted softly on a branch of a willow which + grew close to the bank of the river. + </p> + <p> + “‘"Oh,” said the little fish, “how happy that bird + is. It can rise up to the heavens and go high up to the sun to warm itself + in its rays. Why cannot I do the same?” + </p> + <p> + “‘The blackcap was looking at the fish at the same time, and + said:— + </p> + <p> + “‘"Oh! how happy that fish is! The element in which it lives + furnishes it at the same time with food; it has nothing to do but to glide + along. How I should like to sport in the fresh, transparent water!” + </p> + <p> + “‘At that moment, a kite pounced upon the poor little fish, + while a scamp of a schoolboy threw a stone at the bird; the blackcap fell + into the water, the fresh, transparent water, and for a moment struggled + in it before it died, while the little fish, carried aloft, could go up on + high to the sun and warm itself in its rays. Their wishes had been + granted.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Louisa,’ continued the gentle voice, ‘our duty + as Guardian Angels is far more frequently to thwart wishes than to satisfy + them.’ + </p> + <p> + “This was the moral of the fable. + </p> + <p> + “Louisa pressed her husband’s hand warmly, kissed her last + born, and said: 'Thank you, White Angel, thank you.’” <span + class="pagenum">[331]</span><a name="link331" id="link331"></a>I am + certainly delighted to think, that if the poor Germans have Killecroffs + among their familiar spirits, they have at least also White Angels. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0124" id="linkimage-0124"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/351s.jpg" alt="351s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/351.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/351m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <span class="pagenum">[335]</span><a name="link335" id="link335"></a> + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0125" id="linkimage-0125"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/355s.jpg" alt="355s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/355.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/355m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0016" id="link2H_4_0016"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XIV. + </h2> + <p> + Giants and Dwarfs.—<i>Duel between Efthesim and Grommelund.—Court + Dwarfs and Little Dwarfs.—Ymer’s Solis.—The Invisible + Reapers.—Story of the Dwarf Kreiss and the Giant Quadragant.—How + the Giants came to serve the Dwarfs.</i> + </p> + <p class="pfirst"> + <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">I</span>f legendary + tradition is only a distant vibration of the bell of history, where must + we go and look for traces of the real existence of giants? Must we believe + the Edda or Holy writ itself? Afterwards the great fossil skeletons of + mammoths, mastodons, and other antediluvian animals only revived the <span + class="pagenum">[336]</span><a name="link336" id="link336"></a>memory + of gigantic men. The Apocryphal Books tell us that in the days of Enoch, a + number of angels, amounting to two hundred, had conceived a desire for the + daughters of men and came down to Mount Hermon in order to be near them. + Some of the principal ones are even mentioned by name; there were + Urakabaramiel, Sanyaza, Tamiel, and Akibiel. Is it a wonder, then, that + credulous people should have believed that devils also, who after all are + but fallen angels, have acted in the same way towards the descendants of + Eve. The Killecroffs, we have seen, were the offspring of a union between + devils and earthborn women; in like manner giants were the offspring of + marriages between women and angels. Women are evidently capable of setting + heaven, earth, and hell on fire. + </p> + <p> + Germany, which was the last part of Europe to enter the great Catholic + Church, and was to be the first to leave it again at the time of the + Reformation, kept up the belief in giants longer than any other country. + Perhaps this was one of the results of the right of free inquiry. + </p> + <p> + The giant Einheer lived in the days of Charlemagne and even served in his + army. Several centuries later there were gigantic burgraves (Burggra-fen), + living all along the banks of the Rhine. They have a well known story + there of a young and ingenious giant’s daughter, who had been + jealously <span class="pagenum">[337]</span><a name="link337" id="link337"></a>guarded + in her father’s castle, and when she got out into the fields for the + first time in her life, brought back in her apron a peasant with his + plough and his two horses, whom she had picked up on the way. She showed + them to her father as being all three little animals of very curious + shape. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0126" id="linkimage-0126"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/357s.jpg" alt="357s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/357.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/357m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + After a while, however, the giants became smaller and smaller, until there + were only a few left in the highest mountains, in dark forests, and in the + romances of chivalry. After that they disappeared altogether. + </p> + <p> + The report is, however, that a single couple, man and wife, are kept alive + by magic art in an isolated part of the Hartz Mountains, to serve as a + specimen of the lost race. <span class="pagenum">[338]</span><a + name="link338" id="link338"></a>At first the giants had produced universal + terror. The god Thor was blessed because he had driven them, armed as he + was with his famous iron mace, all across the Hercynian forest. But as + people became better acquainted with them, their fears subsided. They + turned out to be far from cruel, to eat human flesh only in cases of dire + necessity, and to act generally not only kindly, but even like simpletons—a + misfortune common to most men, who are too fully developed in length or in + breadth. This latter weakness is well supported by a popular German tale. + </p> + <p> + An old duke of Bavaria had at his court a dwarf, called Ephesim, and a + giant, called Grommelund. The latter laughed at the dwarf, and Ephesim + threatened to box his ears. Grommelund laughed only the more heartily and + challenged Ephesim to carry out his threat. The dwarf accepted the + challenge, and the duke, having been a witness of the whole scene, ordered + at once that a field for single combat should be prepared. + </p> + <p> + Everybody expected to do as the giant did and laugh at the pigmy; as the + poor little fellow was hardly two feet high and would have had to climb a + long way before reaching the giant’s ears. But it turned out very + differently. + </p> + <p> + The dwarf began by walking all around the giant as if to take his measure. + The good-natured giant, <span class="pagenum">[339]</span><a + name="link339" id="link339"></a>standing up immovable, looks down + upon him and laughs till his sides shake; but while he is holding his + hands to his sides, the dwarf unties his shoestrings and then worries him + by kicking and pinching his calves. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0127" id="linkimage-0127"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/359s.jpg" alt="359s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/359.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/359m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + Grommelund laughs more loudly than ever, thanks to the tickling, takes a + few strides, steps on his loose shoestrings, nearly stumbles, and at last, + with a thoughtful presence of mind, characteristic of his race, he stoops + down to tie the strings. + </p> + <p> + Ephesim has foreseen this, he avails himself of the opportunity, and slaps + the giant’s cheek with his little hand, so heartily that the sound + reaches the ears of the duke and the lords of his court, who applaud + Ephesim’s skill enthusiastically. + </p> + <p> + The poor giant, humiliated and overcome, left the town, it is said, and + sought refuge in the mountains, where he died of shame. + </p> + <p> + The people were thus beginning to have a very humble opinion of giants, + when a rumor was spread that they had entered the service of the dwarfs; + <span class="pagenum">[340]</span><a name="link340" id="link340"></a>not + of court dwarfs, but of little dwarfs, who are so small that, by their + size, the others appear as giants. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0128" id="linkimage-0128"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/360s.jpg" alt="360s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/360.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/360m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + These little dwarfs appear in the popular tales of Germany, under + different names, as <i>Wichtelman-ner, Metallarii, or Homunculi</i>, and + evidently, at one time, were found in great numbers throughout all the + mountainous parts of the North. In Bretagne they were also known as <i>Couribes, + Parulpiquets or Cornicouets</i>, but as they are ugly and evil disposed, I + presume they are not of the same race with our good little dwarfs. These + latter appear in the evening at the foot of large oak trees, or in old + ruins, where they come by the <span class="pagenum">[341]</span><a + name="link341" id="link341"></a>thousand out of every crack and crevice + and gambol and frolic, but vanish at the smallest noise. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0129" id="linkimage-0129"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/361s.jpg" alt="361s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/361.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/361m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + <span class="pagenum">[343]</span><a name="link343" id="link343"></a>As to + their origin there are different opinions entertained. One theory alone is + worthy of belief, because it is mentioned already in the Edda. + </p> + <p> + According to the Scandinavian Bible, when Odin had killed the giant Ymer, + his decaying body produced an innumerable quantity of small worms. By a + law of natural order which had already become operative with insects, each + worm changed into a chrysalis, and out of each chrysalis came forth a + little man, resembling, with a few trifling differences, the race of full + sized men, whom Odin had created. + </p> + <p> + Like ourselves, they also are subject to all the infirmities of age, to + disease and death; like ourselves, they are at times capable of reasoning + with fairness. Skillful metallurgists, they are at work in the mines, + where we have already met them; they are not without imagination, and even + know what piety is. + </p> + <p> + What religion do they profess? + </p> + <p> + For a long time, we are told, the majority, having been converted to + Christianity, were under its benign influence, in a far higher degree than + we, for they did not carry on war among themselves, and all authors, + legends, and ballads agree, that they were gentle and peaceful, loving + each other, <span class="pagenum">[344]</span><a name="link344" + id="link344"></a>kindly disposed towards others, laborious, and very + obliging. Hence they were universally known as the <i>Peaceful People</i>,—das + stille Volk. + </p> + <p> + “In ancient times,” says Wyss, “men lived in the + valleys, and around their dwellings, in the cavities of the rocks, dwelt + the little dwarf people, keeping always on very good terms with them, and + helping them even at times in their work in the fields. They took great + delight in doing good in this way; for generally they were very busy + mining in the mountains, and digging in the ground to collect the tiny + particles of gold and silver that could be obtained.” + </p> + <p> + Sometimes field laborers coming out to plant or to weed, found their work + already done, and heard the dwarfs, hid behind the bushes, break out into + loud laughter, when they showed their amazement. + </p> + <p> + It happened one day, early in the morning, that some peasants in passing a + cornfield, saw that the stalks were falling in long rows, as if by their + own will; they were most cunningly cut off below, and now they were + ranging themselves, also to all appearance by their own act, in long + sheaves. The peasants had no doubt that the good little dwarfs were there, + working away stealthily, but of the tiny workmen not a trace could be + seen. + </p> + <p> + The dwarfs possessed, in common with all these <span class="pagenum">[345]</span><a + name="link345" id="link345"></a>mysterious races, the power of making + themselves invisible. They had nothing to do, for that purpose, but merely + to draw a little hood over their ears, which formed part of their costume. + </p> + <p> + Our countrymen, seeing that the wheat was not ripe enough to be cut, + became exceedingly angry against these injudicious friends, and arming + themselves with twigs, went to work striking right and left in the hope of + hurting one or the other by chance. They really heard some faint cries of + distress in the furrows, and soon the first rows of wheat which had been + left standing were thrown into violent disorder, thus testifying to the + flight of the little ones. + </p> + <p> + Several of the dwarfs became even visible, as the twigs suddenly tore the + hoods from their heads. Thereupon the men became furious and tried to + strike all the harder; but suddenly a violent storm broke forth and the + hail came down in torrents, cutting the whole standing crop to pieces and + sparing only the rows that had been reaped. + </p> + <p> + The rude countrymen now saw clearly that the Quiet People had foreseen the + hailstorm and anticipated the harvest on that account. They repented their + brutality, but the dwarfs, disgusted by their ingratitude, never again + appeared in that region of country. Similar occurrences took place in + other countries. <span class="pagenum">[346]</span><a name="link346" + id="link346"></a>Now let us see, by what perseverance, by what skill, + and especially by what audacious conceptions these tiny beings, not much + more than a few inches high, succeeded in making themselves masters of the + giants. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0130" id="linkimage-0130"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/366s.jpg" alt="366s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/366.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/366m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + They were running about quite bewildered, pushing and jostling each other + in their anxiety to regain their little mole-hill, he stood at first with + his mouth <span class="pagenum">[347]</span><a name="link347" id="link347"></a>wide + open, lost in amazement. Then, to amuse himself in true lordly fashion, he + crushed a few dozen with his foot. + </p> + <p> + But he was not without curiosity, and hence he tried in the next place to + find out something about their manners. The moment was not very well + chosen, it must be confessed. Men do not usually choose a city that has + just been taken by storm and given up to pillage, for the purpose of + studying the manners and customs of its citizens. But we have seen before + this, that giants are not remarkably bright. + </p> + <p> + Our giant, whose name I have never been able to ascertain and whom I will + call for convenience sake, <i>Quadragant</i> (“Quadragant was rather + colossal,” I once read in “Amadis of Gaul;” our giant + was really colossal, for he measured thirty feet in height), our giant, I + say, stretched himself out at full length and fixed his eyes upon the hole + out of which he had pulled the oak tree. He heard a low humming noise + underground, but he could see nothing. + </p> + <p> + He thought he would wait patiently, and in waiting he fell quietly asleep, + turning over so as to lie on his back, his usual position when he was + sleeping. + </p> + <p> + After a few hours’ sound and heavy sleep, such as all giants are + said to enjoy, he awoke. Finding <span class="pagenum">[348]</span><a + name="link348" id="link348"></a>that the sun had in the mean time followed + his example and gone to sleep, he remembered that it was supper time, and + as he thought of the delights in store for him he uttered a long and deep + sigh of satisfaction. But something that his long drawn breath had brought + up, suddenly jumped out of his mouth. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0131" id="linkimage-0131"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/368s.jpg" alt="368s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/368.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/368m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + This something was one of the dwarfs; and this dwarf, the boldest and most + intelligent among them all, was called Kreiss. + </p> + <p> + But in order to make it clear how Kreiss happened to be almost in the + giant’s throat, which was <span class="pagenum">[349]</span><a + name="link349" id="link349"></a>of course only accidentally his home for a + time, we must go back and see what had happened while Quadragant was + asleep. + </p> + <p> + When the little pigmies found their tree uprooted and their people + scattered in all directions, escaping through every crack and crevice in + the soil, they had rushed into a long subterranean passage, excavated in + days long gone by, by their forefathers. Here they had uttered their well + known cries of distress, resembling the chirp of crickets, and thus they + had finally reached the ruins of an old castle, inhabited by vast numbers + of their people, and chosen as the place of meeting of the General Council + of the dwarfs. + </p> + <p> + Kreiss happened to have arrived the night before, as one of a numerous + deputation, and he at once suggested the propriety of burying the dead + with all due honors, before anything else was done. After that, they might + go to work stopping up all the holes and openings made by the tearing up + of the sapling, and filling the excavation which it had produced, so that + the rain might not come and inundate their long gallery, which was their + only safe means of communication. + </p> + <p> + The two resolutions offered by Kreiss were carried by acclamation, and + all, loaded with brush and with stakes, went immediately to work. There + were some ten thousand of them. <span class="pagenum">[350]</span><a + name="link350" id="link350"></a>They thought the giant had left, but they + found him lying full length on the ground and snoring most fiercely. Their + first impulse was to escape, but Kreiss held them back. He had conceived a + bold plan; he proposed to capture the giant. Were they not already + provided with ropes and with stakes? Was there not strength in numbers? + They immediately went to work, and in less than an hour the murderer, + unable as he was to make the slightest motion, was bound to the soil which + he had soaked with their blood. + </p> + <p> + “What do you say?.... Yes, sir, you are undoubtedly right. This + looks very much like the manner in which Gulliver was treated in the + island of Lilliput. How can we help that? Besides, we must remember that + there have been dwarfs in Germany from time immemorial. If Jonathan Swift + undertook to transfer them to imaginary countries, whose business is that + and who is liable to be charged with plagiarism, I ask you?” + </p> + <p> + We will not stop to discuss this trifling matter, which is of little + importance. We have weightier matters than that in hand. + </p> + <p> + When the work was done and with the excitement of the efforts the first + enthusiasm also had somewhat passed away, the question arose what was to + be done with their capture. They looked at each other in great perplexity. + <span class="pagenum">[351]</span><a name="link351" id="link351"></a>The + dwarfs are kind hearted people, who have a great horror of blood. Besides, + it would have been more difficult even, to dispose of the giant after + death than to kill him. Still, if they did not kill Quadragant he would, + as soon as he was awake, go to work and cry for help lustily; then the + other giants would, no doubt, hasten to his assistance. The disgrace + inflicted upon one of their brethren would in all probability render them + furious, and they would proceed at once to uproot all the trees and to + pursue the poor little people of dwarfs down into the very bowels of the + earth. + </p> + <p> + While these and similar observations were passing in the crowd from one + group to another, Kreiss remained silent and thoughtful, supporting his + head in his hand and his hand on his elbow. + </p> + <p> + In the mean time the crowd passed from simple talk to grumbling and from + grumbling to threats. There was nothing left but to undo what was done as + promptly as possible, to abandon this ridiculous enterprise and to restore + the giant to liberty in the same way in which he had been deprived of it—during + his sleep. If he should awake before the operation was over, why, then + they might try to appease his wrath by handing over to him the authors of + this fatal project. + </p> + <p> + Ah! one can see at a glance, that these dwarfs, small as they were, were + nevertheless men, and <span class="pagenum">[352]</span><a + name="link352" id="link352"></a>that it is better not to venture + upon attacking giants! + </p> + <p> + They were utterly discouraged and demoralized. Calm in spite of all this + excitement around him, Kreiss was still meditating, apparently quite + unmindful of all the invectives that were hurled at him and the little + hands that were threatening him. But when some of them actually began to + loosen the ropes, he suddenly dropped his hands from his elbow and his + brow, and turning sharply upon his aggressors, he said:— + </p> + <p> + “I acknowledge my mistake and I am ready to atone for it. Go,—my + seven brothers and myself, we will alone set the giant free again. If he + awakes, he shall have to do with us and with us only. Go!” + </p> + <p> + The former conspirators were well content to accept the proposition, and + without bestowing a thought upon their murdered brethren, they escaped as + fast as they could. In the dim twilight of the last hour of the day one + might have seen them running nimbly through the tall grass and under the + cupolas of mushroom, arousing in their hurry the beetles and moths, or + even mounting upon their backs in order to reach by their aid all the more + quickly their safe retreat in the ruins of the old castle. + </p> + <p> + When all were gone save Kreiss and his seven <span class="pagenum">[353]</span><a + name="link353" id="link353"></a>brothers, he said to them: “Now that + we are alone, we alone shall reap the glory of the enterprise! So far from + regretting what I have done, I mean on the contrary, to enlarge our + project in a manner which shall redound to the eternal glory of our race.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0132" id="linkimage-0132"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/373s.jpg" alt="373s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/373.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/373m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + The dwarfs are not only skillful metallurgists, but they are also most + expert carpenters and builders. + </p> + <p> + Hence the good people of the Rheingau are <span class="pagenum">[354]</span><a + name="link354" id="link354"></a>convinced that they have built all those + ruins of solid old castles, in which they are still living and which they + have so cunningly repaired and propped up that they will last forever. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0133" id="linkimage-0133"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/374s.jpg" alt="374s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/374.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/374m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + Now Quadragant was sleeping with his mouth wide open, as all large people + are apt to’ do. Kreiss slipped boldly into this vast and spacious + cavity, armed with a long spear which was equally sharp and pointed at + both ends. He took care to rest at first most cautiously only upon the + projections of the teeth, which formed, so to say, a double row of + parallel battlements. By such assistance he passed from one end of the + abyss to the other, without troubling the slumbers of the giant by the + <span class="pagenum">[355]</span><a name="link355" id="link355"></a>slightest + awkwardness in his movements. For a case of emergency Kreiss held his + spear firmly in his hands, ready to fasten it so between the two jaws as + to prevent their closing upon him. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0134" id="linkimage-0134"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/375s.jpg" alt="375s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/375.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/375m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + His brothers were in the meantime busily engaged in preparing posts, pins, + and rafters, which they handed to him as he needed them. One of them even + went with him to assist him. + </p> + <p> + They fixed strong piles between the two rows of teeth, and strengthened + the piles by beams, which secured them to each other. The work was by no + means an easy one, for in the mouth of the giant it was as dark as night, + and there reigned in it a heat equal to that of an oven. Moreover + Quadragant had dined that day on a deer and several <span class="pagenum">[356]</span><a + name="link356" id="link356"></a>hares, and as he liked his game high, like + every good judge of fine dinners, the perfumes of his breath increased the + inconvenience caused by the heat and the darkness. + </p> + <p> + Kreiss’s brother was all of a sudden taken ill, and had to leave to + join the others outside. They, however, continued work on the scaffolding, + and watched the giant carefully. + </p> + <p> + Quadragant was absolutely in the hands of the eight dwarf brothers. + </p> + <p> + They had passed up a lantern to Kreiss, which he hung upon one of the + transverse beams, and he now continued his work alone resolutely, although + he was every now and then compelled to stop his nose. + </p> + <p> + His work was at last completed, and he was just about to leave this damp, + pestiferous abyss, when the giant awoke, and his first sigh carried off + the brave pigmy, as a gust of wind would have carried off a dry leaf from + a branch, and hurled him senseless into space. He fell heavily upon the + chest of the colossus. + </p> + <p> + As soon as he recovered from the shock, he looked around carefully, and + saw, to his great satisfaction, that the bonds which held the giant were + beyond doubt strong enough to hold him a prisoner. Then he crept + cautiously all along the neck as far as his ear, and by its aid climbed up + the chin, after having crossed the cheek in its whole <span class="pagenum">[357]</span><a + name="link357" id="link357"></a>length. When he had found a convenient + restingplace, he drew himself up to his full height, and raising his + feeble voice as loud as he could, he said to the giant:— + </p> + <p> + “Murderer of our brethren, you are our prisoner, and you must die! + Commend your soul to God.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0135" id="linkimage-0135"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/377s.jpg" alt="377s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/377.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/377m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + The giant tried to see the tiny being who was speaking to him so boldly, + and cast down his eyes. At first he could distinguish nothing but a feeble + glimmering light at the extremity of his nose; but the nose itself + completely concealed the speaker. + </p> + <p> + Kreiss then advanced a few steps from the chin towards the mouth of the + colossus, and the latter now perceived a kind of little man, dressed in a + cloak of mouse skin, which he grandly wrapped around him, as Hercules did + with the skin of the Nemean lion. + </p> + <p> + In his hand, however, he held not a club, but a lantern, in which a + firefly did service as candle. + </p> + <p> + Thanks to this phosphorescent sheen, which seemed to surround Kreiss as + with a halo, Quadragant could examine him at leisure, and he asked himself + how such an embryo could have flown out of his mouth, and how he, + Quadragant, could have become his prisoner? <span class="pagenum">[358]</span><a + name="link358" id="link358"></a>The contemptuous glance which he threw at + the dwarf made Kreiss aware of what he was discussing in his mind. + </p> + <p> + “You think you are not captured yet,” he said. “Very + well, try to get up and walk, if you can!” Quadragant did try, and + found that he was firmly fastened to the ground by ropes and chains, by + each single hair of his head, by every hair on his body. He tried to speak + to the pigmy, and he could not, by any effort of his, move his jaws in the + slightest way. + </p> + <p> + “As to the manner of your death,” Kreiss went on, “if + the wolves and the vultures do not hasten your end, hunger will do the + work.” + </p> + <p> + At this thought of dying of hunger, a mode of death which he had always + looked upon as the most terrible of all, Quadragant’s heart gave + way, and he began to cry piteously. Two torrents of tears flowed down his + cheeks, and after turning around the prominence of his lips, ran over from + his chin. + </p> + <p> + Kreiss was compelled to leave his position, so as to avoid the double + current. + </p> + <p> + Although quite firm in his resolution, he was naturally kind-hearted. + These many tears of such unwonted size finally touched ‘him, but his + sympathy made him only the more determined to render his vengeance as + useful as it was complete. <span class="pagenum">[359]</span><a + name="link359" id="link359"></a>"Listen to me, giant. You can buy your + life, if you choose.” Quadragant’s tears ceased to flow. Here + was life offered to him, and with that life he saw first of all a good + supper in store for him, and if his mouth had not been held so tight by + the scaffolding erected in it by Kreiss, his big face would have grinned + from ear to ear. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0136" id="linkimage-0136"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/379s.jpg" alt="379s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/379.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/379m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + “But,” continued the dwarf, “you will Tiave to devote + your life and your liberty, if we restore both to you, to the service of + our decimated people; do you hear? You must understand me clearly; you + will not be our protector, but our servant; you will unhesitatingly + perform every kind of work which may be required of you for our safety or + our comfort. First of all you will replant that oak tree, <span + class="pagenum">[360]</span><a name="link360" id="link360"></a>under which + the dwarfs of this district were living in peace, and you will water it + every morning until it has taken root again. Now, close your eyes, if you + mean to accept our conditions!” + </p> + <p> + Quadragant opened and shut his eyes quickly ten times in succession. + </p> + <p> + Kreiss made with his lamp a kind of telegraphic signal; his brothers, all + seven dressed in garments of mouse skin or mole skin, and carrying each + one a lantern with a firefly inside, climbed in an instant upon the face + of the giant, which now looked quite brightly illuminated. + </p> + <p> + Three of them took their station on his forehead; two others by the side + of each eye. The last two held each a long thorn in their hands, which + they seemed to use as a dagger. + </p> + <p> + Kreiss, who had remained at his place, said again to the giant:— + </p> + <p> + “If, after you have been set free, you dare utter a sound to call + for help, you lose both of your eyes instantly. Mind the warning!” + </p> + <p> + Armed with his double pointed spear, he then went once more into + Quadragant’s mouth, and loosened one of the transverse beams which + formed the ceiling. The giant assisted him with his tongue in the work of + demolition; then, after drawing a long sigh of relief, he closed his mouth + and crushed between his formidable jaws all the timber, posts, <span + class="pagenum">[361]</span><a name="link361" id="link361"></a>and beams, + as if they had been a bundle of matches, and swallowed the whole in + anticipation of his supper. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0137" id="linkimage-0137"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/381s.jpg" alt="381s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/381.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/381m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + After that he swore an oath which binds the giants as firmly as the + invocation of the Styx pledged the s of Greece. + </p> + <p> + “By the earth, which is my mother, by the mountains, which are her + bones, by the woods and forests, which are her hair, by the brooks, the + streams, and the rivers, which are the blood of her veins, I, <span + class="pagenum">[362]</span><a name="link362" id="link362"></a>the giant + Quadragant, declare that I am the slave of the dwarfs.” + </p> + <p> + At sunrise Quadragant was up again, carrying his new masters between his + fingers, which he twisted together in the shape of a cradle. In less than + five minutes he reached, in obedience to their orders, the old castle in + ruins, where a ‘solemn meeting was held, not only by the fugitives + of the day before, but also by the principal representatives of all the + dwarfs of that part of Germany. + </p> + <p> + When the sentinels announced the arrival of the giant, all thought their + last hour had come and endeavored to escape, hoping to find a refuge in + the lowest depths of the old building. Kreiss, however, had ordered the + giant to put him down in front of the cellars of the castle, and now + entered the great Meeting Hall, assuming like all great conquerors, an air + of extreme modesty. + </p> + <p> + Then he informed them that the giant was their slave! + </p> + <p> + They at once threw themselves at his feet and expressed their desire to + proclaim him Emperor of the Dwarfs. + </p> + <p> + Kreiss, however, having heard of a recent experiment of that kind, was far + from believing such sudden enthusiasm to be either deep or permanent. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <span class="pagenum">[363]</span><a name="link363" id="link363"></a> + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0138" id="linkimage-0138"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/383s.jpg" alt="383s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/383.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/383m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + From that day the giant abandoned his <span class="pagenum">[364]</span><a + name="link364" id="link364"></a>old name of Quadragant, and assumed that + of <i>Ptitskuchen,</i> which at that time meant Friend of the Dwarfs, but + which, translated into modern German, represents our <i>omelette soufflee</i>. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0139" id="linkimage-0139"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/385s.jpg" alt="385s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/385.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/385m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + <span class="pagenum">[365]</span><a name="link365" id="link365"></a>At + first all went well; but at the end of three weeks Putskuchen looked sad + and melancholy; Putskuchen only took half a dozen meals a day; Putskuchen + was slowly fading away; Putskuchen was in love, in love with a young + giantess, who taunted him with having become the servant of these wretched + pygmies and reproached him with his poverty. The unhappy creature fell off + more and more, the <i>omelette soufflee</i> fell down flat, and Putskuchen + was a mere lath of thirty feet in length. + </p> + <p> + Kreiss had always felt a certain tenderness for him, and hence, after + having asked the consent of all the other chieftains, he placed in the + giant’s hands a large heap of gold scales such as the dwarfs were in + the habit of collecting in the neighboring mountains. + </p> + <p> + It was enough to buy three wives, instead of one. + </p> + <p> + The fact had no sooner become known than all <span class="pagenum">[366]</span><a + name="link366" id="link366"></a>the happy giant fathers of the country + desired him as a son-in-law, and when they saw how liberally his services + had been rewarded by his new masters, they were all eager to become the + serfs of the dwarfs. + </p> + <p> + Thus, thanks to Kreiss, the giants gradually came all, one by one, and + entered the service of the dwarfs. + </p> + <p> + Certain skeptics have maintained that the whole story is symbolic. + </p> + <p> + According to their interpretation the giant fastened to the ground and + muzzled by the dwarfs, is the people, the people always kept down and + always held in subjection, in spite of its gigantic strength. The dwarfs, + who lived under the oak, the sacred tree of all nations of Celtic origin, + are the priests. + </p> + <p> + We say: Shame upon people, who would change a legend into an apologue and + our friend Kreiss into a Druid! + </p> + <p> + When the dwarfs became reconciled again to men, they compelled the giants + to execute for them great works of public utility, such as bridges and + highroads, which were afterwards generally ascribed to the Romans. + </p> + <p> + The belief in little dwarfs continues to this day to exist in most of the + Northern countries. They still live in myriads in the subterranean regions + <span class="pagenum">[367]</span><a name="link367" id="link367"></a>and + in the rocks in Westphalia, in Sweden, and in Norway, and they are still + hard at work amassing vast treasures. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0140" id="linkimage-0140"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/387s.jpg" alt="387s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/387.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/387m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <span class="pagenum">[371]</span><a name="link371" id="link371"></a> + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0141" id="linkimage-0141"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/391s.jpg" alt="391s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/391.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/391m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0017" id="link2H_4_0017"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XV. + </h2> + <p> + Wizards and the Bewitched.—<i>The Journey of A sa-Thor and his + Companions.—The Inn with the Five Passages.—Skryinner.—A + Lost Glove found again.—Arrival at the Great City of Utgard.—Combat + between Thor and the King’s Nurse.—FREDERICH BARBAROSSA AND + THE KYFFHAUSER.—Teutonia! Teutonia!—What became of the Ancient + Gods.—Venus and the good Knight Tannhauser.—Jupiter on Rabbit + Island.—A Modern God.</i> + </p> + <p class="pfirst"> + <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">H</span>ear! hear! New and + greater marvels still! But, unfortunately, we shall be under the sad + necessity of returning to our giants once more, much as we have already + spoken of them, from giant Ymer down to Quadragant, and there may be too + much even of the best things in this world. But let the reader take + courage; this time my giants are not real giants; or at least they are + giants of a very peculiar species. But instead of losing time with + limitations and explanations, let us begin our story. + </p> + <p> + It was in the days when the Scandinavian gods were still in the full + enjoyment of their power. + </p> + <p> + One fine day the god Thor, curious to see certain distant lands of which + they had told him most marvelous stories, set out on his travels, + accompanied by Raska, Tialff, and Loki. Leaving Sweden and Norway behind, + they arrived at the sea-shore and crossed over by swimming. A mere trifle, + of course, for people of their kind. On the opposite shore they found a + vast plain, and as night was approaching and they began to feel that rest + would be acceptable, they looked out for a shelter. In this vast and + deserted plain they see but one single building; a huge, ill-shapen, and + abandoned house, <span class="pagenum">[373]</span><a name="link373" + id="link373"></a>rather broad than high and of altogether exceptional + appearance. It has neither doors nor windows, nor even a roof; but the + night fog may possibly conceal a part of the edifice. The travellers enter + and find a square, low vestibule, and at the end of it five long passages; + each of the travellers takes one of these passages, looking for a door or + a bed in the dark. As they find neither bed nor chamber, they resign + themselves and lie down on the floor, with their backs to the wall. + </p> + <p> + But even the walls seem to be elastic, and so does the floor; perhaps a + layer of straw or of moss was spread over them and gave them the softness + of felt, rather coarse, to be sure, but not unpleasant. The travellers + felt that they could sleep there comfortably and warm. So they did. + </p> + <p> + At daybreak Thor rubbed his eyes, stretched his arms and proposed to take + a turn in the country, to stretch his legs and to shake off the heaviness + of sleep. Through the white mists which were still hanging on the tops of + high hills he thought he saw a huge mass of disheveled hair, and then he + discovered in the centre of that head two eyes. At first he thought this + head and these eyes were simply a rock covered with shrubbery and two + small pools of water shining in the rays of the rising sun. But soon the + disheveled head began to move, bent down to the ground, and turned now + <span class="pagenum">[374]</span><a name="link374" id="link374"></a>to + one side and now to another. In the meantime the mists had risen and Thor + found that he was standing before a giant of such enormous size that those + whom he was generally engaged in hunting down would not have reached to + his knee. + </p> + <p> + The giant advanced toward him, always looking here and there, and still + with his eyes fixed on the ground, as if he were looking for something he + had lost. + </p> + <p> + Thor, who was easily incensed by the sight of a giant, went straight up to + meet him and said in an arrogant tone:— + </p> + <p> + “What are you doing here? What is your name? Who are you?” + </p> + <p> + “My name is Skrymner,” replied the other. “Did you not + know? As for me, I have no need to ask you any such question; you are the + god Thor, one of those under sized gods who live with Odin on the ash tree + Ygdrasil. Have you seen my glove? I have lost my glove; yes! yesterday,” + he added in the most indifferent manner possible, and as if he were solely + occupied with his search. + </p> + <p> + “I have found nothing of the kind,” replied Thor, who was + always in bad humor, and now regretted that he did not have his hammer at + hand. + </p> + <p> + “And do you travel quite alone?” asked Skrymner. <span + class="pagenum">[375]</span><a name="link375" id="link375"></a>"I have + three companions.” + </p> + <p> + “I do not see them.” + </p> + <p> + “They are all three still asleep in that house there, in which we + have spent the night.” + </p> + <p> + And with his finger he pointed at the house, which they had used as an inn + for the night. + </p> + <p> + Skrymner looked both surprised and delighted. “My glove!” he + cried, “that is my glove! I have found it.” He hastened to + pick up this apparent house with its five long passages, and took it up, + but not before he had shaken it, holding it close to the ground, and + showing thus that he was not without a feeling of humanity. + </p> + <p> + Loki, Tialft, and Raska tumbled out upon the grass, rather terrified by + their sudden ascension and the sudden somerset which they had been forced + to make. But as soon as they had recovered from their first surprise, and + especially from the discovery that they had spent the night in a glove, + they thought of continuing their journey. + </p> + <p> + The country was unknown to them, but Skrymner offered to act as guide and + even to carry their baggage. So much obliging kindness and courtesy drove + all aggressive thoughts out of Thor’s mind, especially as he now had + his hammer. + </p> + <p> + At the first stopping place, and just when they were getting ready for + breakfast, the giant left them, although only after having pointed out to + <span class="pagenum">[376]</span><a name="link376" id="link376"></a>them + the road they ought to take. Thor, however, found he was unable to open + the knapsack in which they carried their provisions; all the strings and + small chains by which it was fastened, were in knots. They had to proceed + on their journey without having had any breakfast, a necessity which is + most disagreeable to travellers, and even to gods. + </p> + <p> + As hour after hour passed and the plain remained deserted and sterile, + their hunger became tormenting. They listened with all their might, hoping + they might hear the roaring of a bear or the lowing of a cow, determined + as they were to dine upon the one or the other; but the dull rumbling of a + storm and the distant roll of thunder was all they heard. + </p> + <p> + Thor was furious at the idea that any one should venture to thunder + without having obtained permission from him, the god of thunder, and + rushed forward. Following the direction of the noise, he reached a rocky + defile, overshadowed by a few oak trees, where he found Skrymner lying at + full length between two hills and snoring furiously. This snoring it was + which the travellers had taken for the roaring of a storm. + </p> + <p> + “No doubt,” said Thor to himself, “the wretch is at work + digesting the provisions of which he has robbed us. No doubt it was he who + tied all those knots in the strings of our knapsack, in order to <span + class="pagenum">[377]</span><a name="link377" id="link377"></a>conceal his + theft; but he shall pay for it dear! Besides, did he not speak of me as an + undersized god?” + </p> + <p> + With these words he seized his hammer and threw it at the head of the + sleeping giant, who did not stir, but only passed his hand over his brow + as if a dead leaf falling from a tree had tickled him a little. + </p> + <p> + Thor went up closer and struck him once more on the back of his head, + directly on the cerebellum, which in giants is unusually developed. + </p> + <p> + This time the sleeper opened one eye, closed it again, and after having + scratched himself at the place where he had been struck, he fell asleep + again. + </p> + <p> + Brutal by nature and doubly so when fasting, Thor had become perfectly + furious when he found himself thus mysteriously powerless. Fully + determined the next time to make an end, once for all, of his adversary, + he put on his invisible belt, which had the gift of doubling his strength, + seized his hammer with both hands and threw it with such amazing force at + the giant, that it sank up to the handle into one of his cheeks and Thor + had no small trouble in getting it to come back to him. + </p> + <p> + This time Skrymner was fully roused; he opened both of his eyes, raised + his hand to his cheek, and exclaimed that it was impossible to sleep + comfortably <span class="pagenum">[378]</span><a name="link378" + id="link378"></a>in that place, as a fly had just stung him in the + cheek. + </p> + <p> + Then, perceiving his assailant, who stood right before him, he asked him + good-naturedly, how he happened to be there, and whether he had lost his + way. In the meantime the other travellers are also coming up and Skrymner + offers to show them the way to the great city of Utgard, where he promises + they will find a good inn, a good table, a warm reception, and not only + enough for their wants but all that their heart can desire. + </p> + <p> + Thor does not know what to think. Overcome and confounded, he follows the + footsteps of his guide, without being able to form any idea except the + one: to avenge himself in a signal manner for all his humiliations. + </p> + <p> + The city of Utgard is of incredible size, the city walls, the houses, the + trees, the furniture, all are gigantic. Our travellers could easily pass + between the legs of the little children they met in the streets, as we + modern people pass under the triumphal arches of the ancients. You see, + now we are no longer in Lilliput, we have reached the island of the giants + with Gulliver. Gulliver might very well be the offspring of some + Scandinavian legend. + </p> + <p> + The king received Thor and, his friends, laughing heartily at their small + size, and the seats they are offered are three times as high as they are. + <span class="pagenum">[379]</span><a name="link379" id="link379"></a>After + a host of adventures in which our men, that is to say, our gods, are + continually victimized, Thor in his rage challenges the giants to single + combat. The king accepts the challenge and offers to back his nurse, a + toothless old woman, against the god. Thor consents, eager as he is to + vent his wrath on somebody, and determines to pitch His Majesty’s + nurse out of the window. But by all his efforts he hardly succeeds in + lifting her slightly off the ground, and he himself, exhausted by the + struggle, sinks on his knees. + </p> + <p> + On the next day our travellers came to the conclusion that they had + travelled far enough. Skrymner again showed the way, with his usual + courtesy, and when they were well out of the town he took the god Thor + aside and said to him: “So far you have only known my name and + nothing of myself, now you ought to know that I am Skrym-ner, the wizard. + You ought, therefore, not to mind anything that has happened to you during + these last days. You thought you were striking me three times with your + hammer, but in reality you were striking the impenetrable rocks, on which + I was apparently sleeping. As to the nurse, you have given proof there of + such strength as I should not even have expected from the great Thor, when + you lifted her from the ground; for the toothless old woman is none other + but Death, yes Death, <span class="pagenum">[380]</span><a + name="link380" id="link380"></a>whom I had compelled to come and + take part in our games. The rest was all enchantment, mere delusions! I + wanted to see if the power of the art of Magic was equal to that of the + gods. Farewell, Asa-Thor, and a pleasant journey to you.” + </p> + <p> + More enraged than ever, Asa-Thor was about to throw himself upon him; but + the pretended giant had fled in the shape of a bird. Then Thor turned back + towards the city of Utgard, determined to destroy it utterly, but before + his eyes it dissolved into a column of smoke. + </p> + <p> + Well, I promised you some of Mother Goose’s stories—have I + kept word? And do not imagine that this story of Thor and the giants’ + city is of doubtful origin—you will find it in chapters 23, 24, 25, + and 26 of the sacred book called Edda. + </p> + <p> + Of magicians and wizards I could say much, but the road is long and I am + in haste to reach the end. And who does not know the story of the prowess + of Merlin and of the Maugis? + </p> + <p> + In all the ancient traditions of the North there are found innumerable + tales of wizards, witchcraft, and ghosts. Now rocks are changed into + palaces, and now brutes into men and men into brutes; and the same + fantastic but always epic element prevails largely in all the old romances + of chivalry as well as in the great poems of Ariosto and Tasso. <span + class="pagenum">[381]</span><a name="link381" id="link381"></a>In almost + all countries we find that epic poetry is closely allied to religious + sentiments and through these to the marvelous; for it has always found a + first home in temples and a first use for temples. Thus it was in India + with the Mahabarata, and in Greece with the myths of Hercules and of + Orpheus. It could not be otherwise with the Gallic or German bards, nor + with the Scandinavian skalds, all of whose grand poems are most + unfortunately unknown at present. + </p> + <p> + But a feature more peculiarly German than the wizards, are the bewitched, + often called the Sleepers. In these Germany incorporates, as it were, the + loftiest of her patriotic aspirations, the saddest of her disappointments, + the most persistent of her hopes. They represent not only her old faith, + that could never be completely eradicated, but also her old favorites, a + Hermann and a Siegfried, the hero of the Nibelungen, a Theodoric and a + Charlemagne, a Witikind and a Frederick Barbarossa, a William Tell and a + Charles V. Her heroes, her beloved, her glory—she has not allowed + them to fall into oblivion and be severed from the present; she will not + admit that they are dead, they are but asleep. Witikind under the Siegberg + in Westphalia, Charlemagne in the lowest rooms of his old castle at + Nuremberg. There—and not, as might have been imagined, in + Aix-la-Chapelle—the mighty old <span class="pagenum">[382]</span><a + name="link382" id="link382"></a>Emperor rests majestically, surrounded by + his brave champions, ready to awake again whenever God shall be pleased to + tell him that the moment has come. + </p> + <p> + As for Frederick Barbarossa, he sleeps in the Kyffhauser, one of the + porphyry and granite mountains of the Taunus, and so do others; there is + no denying the fact, for they have been seen! + </p> + <p> + A few years after his disappearance from this world, Frederick showed + himself upon the summit of one of these mountains, whenever the sound of a + musical instrument was heard in the valley. Knowing his love of music, the + Philharmonic Societies of Erfurth and of other towns to this day, are fond + of serenading the old warrior. + </p> + <p> + It is said that one evening, when the clock at Tilleda struck midnight, + certain musicians who had ascended the Kyffhauser, suddenly saw the + mountain open and a number of women adorned with jewels and carrying + torches, came out of the opening. They beckoned to them, the men followed, + continuing to play on their instruments and thus they came where the + Emperor was. The latter ordered a good supper to be served, and when they + were ready to leave again, the fair ladies of the court escorted them + back, with their torches in their hands, and at the last moment gave to + each of them a poplar branch. The poor musicians had <span class="pagenum">[383]</span><a + name="link383" id="link383"></a>hoped for better things from the Emperor’s + generosity, and when they reached the foot of the mountain, they threw + their branches into the road, very indignant at having been so badly + treated. Only one among the number kept his branch, and when he reached + home, carefully stuck it by the side of the consecrated bunch of box which + hung over the head of his bed. Immediately, O marvel! each leaf of the + poplar branch changed into a gold ducat. When the others heard of this, + they hastened to look for their branches, but they never found them again. + </p> + <p> + On another occasion a shepherd—others say a miner—met on the + Kyffhäuser a monk with a white beard, who unceremoniously and just as if + he had asked him to come and see his next door neighbor, told him to come + with him and see the Emperor Barbarossa, who wanted to speak to him. At + first the poor shepherd was dumb-founded; then he began to tremble in all + his limbs. The monk, however, reassured him and led him into a narrow, + dark valley, and then, striking the ground three times with his rod, he + said: “Open! open! open!” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon a great noise arose beneath the feet of the monk and the + shepherd; the earth seemed to quake and then a large opening became + visible. They found they were in a long gallery, lighted up <span + class="pagenum">[384]</span><a name="link384" id="link384"></a>by a single + lamp and closed at the other end by folding doors of brass. The monk, who + no doubt was a magician, knocked three times at the door with his rod, + saying again: “Open! open! open!” and the brass doors turned + upon their hinges, producing the same noise which they had heard before + underground. + </p> + <p> + They were now in a grotto, whose ceiling and walls, blackened by the smoke + of an immense number of torches, seemed to be hung with black as a sign of + mourning. It might have been taken for a mortuary chapel, only there was + no coffin or catafalque visible. The shepherd had, in the mean time, begun + to tremble once more, but the monk repeated his summons before a silver + door, which thereupon opened in the same manner as the brass door. + </p> + <p> + In a magnificent room lighted but dimly and in such a manner that it was + impossible to tell where the light came from, they saw the Emperor + Frederick, seated upon a golden throne, with a golden crown on his head; + as they entered he gently inclined his head, contracting his bushy + eyebrows. His long red beard had grown through the table before him and + fell down to the ground. + </p> + <p> + Turning, not without visible effort, towards the shepherd, he spoke to him + for some time on different subjects and recommended to him to repeat <span + class="pagenum">[385]</span><a name="link385" id="link385"></a>what he + heard to his friends at home. His voice was feeble, but it grew strong and + sonorous as soon as he alluded to the glory of Germany. Then he said:— + </p> + <p> + “Are the ravens still flying over the mountains?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes!” replied the shepherd. + </p> + <p> + “Are the dead trees still hanging over the abysses of the Kyffhâuser + as in former days?” + </p> + <p> + “Who could uproot them, unless it be a great storm?” + </p> + <p> + “Has no one spoken to you of the reappearance of the old woman?” + </p> + <p> + “No!” + </p> + <p> + “Well then, I must sleep another hundred years!” + </p> + <p> + He made a sign to the shepherd that he could go, and then fell asleep, + murmuring the name of a woman which died on his lips. + </p> + <p> + For among these great Sleepers of Germany there is also a woman, but a + woman rather of symbolic than real existence. What is the difference? + Tradition gives the following account of her:— + </p> + <p> + When Witikind was beaten by Charlemagne at Engter, a poor old woman, + unable to follow him in his flight, uttered lamentable cries and thus + added to the panic among the defeated army. When the <span class="pagenum">[386]</span><a + name="link386" id="link386"></a>soldiers obeyed Witikind’s orders + and stopped for a moment in the heat of their flight, they threw a mass of + sand and rock upon the old woman. They did not expect that she would die + when thus buried alive; their commander had told them: “She will + come back!” + </p> + <p> + This old woman, who is to come back, is Teutonia, and it was her name that + Frederick Barbarossa was murmuring to himself as he fell asleep for + another century. + </p> + <p> + When the old woman shall have succeeded in extricating herself from this + mass of sand and rock which weighs her down, then and then only the great + day will come. The heroes who now are held captive in their mountains and + subterranean grottoes, will shake off the torpor of their long sleep; they + will reappear among their people, the dead trees will bear new foliage to + proclaim their return by a miracle, and the cry of: Teutonia! Teutonia! + will resound in a thousand valleys, and the birds even will repeat the + name! + </p> + <p> + They say that when this long wished for day does come, Germany will be + freed of all her difficulties, and will boast of having but one creed, one + law, and one heart; she will be glorious and free, one and indivisible! + </p> + <p> + We must wait for the birds to tell us so, before we believe it. <span + class="pagenum">[387]</span><a name="link387" id="link387"></a>At that + time Teutonia and her emperors were alike asleep. They mention a peasant + woman from Mayence, who on her way home became so exhausted and unable to + bear the heat of the sun, that she had to seek shelter in an isolated + house, standing by the wayside in the midst of a plantation of young + trees. It was a dwelling of a skillful magician. She asked him for leave + to rest there a few moments. As he was in the midst of some of his most + abstruse calculations, he only replied by nodding his head, and glanced + with his eye at a bench in the most distant part of the room. She went and + sat down, but only on the edge, hardly knowing if she was allowed to do so + or not; every moment she got up to ask her host if she disturbed him, and + if she had not better leave him, tired and exhausted as she was. She told + him that she would much rather endure the heat and the fatigue, than be a + burden to him, she begged him not to mind her and to go on just as if she + were not there, and a host of similar phrases. + </p> + <p> + Annoyed by her incessant, idle talk, the magician suddenly turned round + and fixedly looked her full in the face. Immediately she fell asleep. + (There was no doubt some knowledge of magnetism already in the world at + that time, but as yet only of magic magnetism). When the good woman awoke, + <span class="pagenum">[388]</span><a name="link388" id="link388"></a>she + was alone; her host had left her. To her great regret she was compelled to + leave without being able to thank him for his hospitality in her usual + profuse manner, and to beg him to excuse her falling asleep, when he did + her the honor of keeping her company. + </p> + <p> + As she left the house, she was not a little surprised to see around the + house, not a copse of young trees, but a number of tall pine trees and + noble oaks, but she thought it possible she might have left by another + door than that by which she had entered. + </p> + <p> + When she at last reached her village, new surprises were in store for her. + Of all the good people whom she met on her way or whom she saw standing in + the doors of their houses, she could not recognize a single one; she had + to look a long time before she found her own house, and when she reached + it at last, it was inhabited by strange people, who in spite of her + protestations, pushed her out and treated her as mad. + </p> + <p> + Then followed a lawsuit, the result of which was to prove, that instead of + sleeping an hour or so on that bench, as she believed, she had been asleep + there a hundred years. Thus the young saplings had had time to grow up + into large trees and her house to change masters. The strangers who were + now living in it and who had turned her out so <span class="pagenum">[389]</span><a + name="link389" id="link389"></a>unceremoniously, were nothing less than + her great grandchildren. + </p> + <p> + I hope, however, the matter was settled amicably. + </p> + <p> + The Germans have, with that perseverance which characterizes the nation, + preserved all that could be preserved of their ancient gods as well as of + their former heroes; they do not like to lose anything, only they did not + embalm their favorites, but used enchantment. Let us, however, notice at + once for the honor of the gods, that they were never condemned to sleep + indefinitely. Not one of them is found among the great Sleepers, such as + Charlemagne, Witikind, Frederick I., William Tell, or the peasant woman, + from the neighborhood of Mayence. It is true, they were exiled to certain + remote districts, which they were not allowed to leave, but they could at + least move about and continue their former mode of life there, after a + fashion. + </p> + <p> + It is not so very long since certain charcoal burners protested that they + had seen Asa-Thor, for want of giants to combat, hurl his hammer against + the tallest trees, which he broke and uprooted. + </p> + <p> + They had also seen the enchanted hunt of Diana, whose deep-mouthed dogs + bark at night and disturb the slumbers of honest people in <span + class="pagenum">[390]</span><a name="link390" id="link390"></a>Bohemian + villages. Who has not heard of the intrigues of old Venus, not with her + former, classic lover, the god Mars, but with the good knight Tannhäuser? + If we are to believe Heinrich + </p> + <p> + Heine, even Jupiter has been recently discovered again in one of the + Norwegian islands. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0142" id="linkimage-0142"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/410s.jpg" alt="410s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/410.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/410m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + It would be the height of imprudence, of course, to undertake an account + of the discovery, after such a master. I shall, therefore, be content to + present a mere summary of this remarkable tradition. + </p> + <p> + There is an island in the Northern seas, which is bordered by icebergs and + arid mountains: the valleys are dim and dark with heavy mists, the + mountain tops are covered with snow for nine months of the year. + </p> + <p> + Here, one dismal morning, some travellers landed, driven by a tempest much + more than by their own free will. They were mostly savants, members of + great academies from Stockholm and St. Petersburg, who had undertaken a + voyage of discovery to the polar regions. The arid, almost <span + class="pagenum">[391]</span><a name="link391" id="link391"></a>bare soil + did not promise a pleasant resting place, but the mountain slopes towards + the south produced fine grass and dwarf gooseberry bushes, and the immense + number of holes in the ground, together with distinct traces of debris + left at the openings, proved that the island was at all events inhabited + by countless numbers of rabbits. Of other animal life, however, no trace + could be found. + </p> + <p> + Rabbits seemed to be the only inhabitants of the island, and that was + tempting enough for poor sailors who had for some time been put on salt + rations. + </p> + <p> + Our savants prepared, therefore, a large number of traps and snares, when + suddenly a fierce tempest of snow and hail broke out, and compelled them + instantly to seek refuge in a spacious cave which opened in that + direction. + </p> + <p> + They were not a little surprised to find here an old man, bald, hollow + cheeked, and pale, whose body was emaciated and decrepit and who was + hardly clothed in spite of the rigor of the climate. But beneath all these + signs of extreme old age, and great destitution, the stranger displayed an + air of authority, and on his serene and lofty brow such supernatural + majesty, that the travellers were filled with respect and reverence, and + well-nigh trembled at his appearance. <span class="pagenum">[392]</span><a + name="link392" id="link392"></a>An eagle of the largest variety, but so + reduced that he looked the mere skeleton of a bird, and with faded and + disheveled plumage, sat in a corner, the picture of misery, with his dull + eyes and his drooping wings. He was the old man’s sole companion. + </p> + <p> + The two hermits, having no other means of subsistence, lived by hunting, + and the old man found in addition, means to carry on a modest traffic in + the furs of the only game that the island contained; he laid up large + supplies of the small peltry and exchanged it for luxuries..... + </p> + <p> + But my pen refuses to go on. I cannot reconcile it to my principles as an + author nor to my conscience as an honest student of genuine myths, to + repeat here a story, which is altogether apocryphal, and which belongs + much less to tradition than to mystification. + </p> + <p> + Now, this old man was Jupiter, and as I think it over, I come to the + conclusion that Mr. Heine, who laughs at the most serious things, has + skillfully concealed his irony under the cloak of an interesting story, + for the mere purpose of telling us that the Chief of the Gods, dread + Jupiter, has become—a dealer in rabbit skins! + </p> + <p> + I cannot follow his example. + </p> + <p> + Without wandering from my subject, for I am still speaking of false gods, + I will substitute for <span class="pagenum">[393]</span><a + name="link393" id="link393"></a>this necessarily much curtailed + account, another story which I can warrant as authentic. + </p> + <p> + “In Persia,” we are told by Count Gobineau, in a recently + published book of great merit, “the <i>Soufys,</i> that is to say + the savants and philosophers, reject all dogmatic religion and believe in + the reunion of the soul with God in trances only. When this union is + complete, the soul is transformed and becomes itself a participant in the + nature of the uncreated essence, and Man is God.” Human folly is + always a disease produced by human pride. + </p> + <p> + France, also, has produced a few gods of that kind; I do not mean to + mention them, however, as belonging to the myths of the Rhine, which have + special reference to Germany only. But among the Germans, also, there is a + school of philosophers who without going as far as the Persians go, are + utterly incredulous, and disregarding trances and immortal souls alike, + have finally denied the existence of God altogether and made themselves + gods. This shows how anxious savants as well as ignorant men are, in that + beautiful country, to people the earth with deities of every kind! + </p> + <p> + It is the history of one of these earth-born gods which I propose to give + here, before I close this long chapter. Alas! he is dead now, and that is + a great pity; but he did live once; on that essential point there is no + lack of evidence. I could even, <span class="pagenum">[394]</span><a + name="link394" id="link394"></a>like the Thuringian peasants when speaking + of Frederick Barbarossa, say: “I have seen him!” + </p> + <p> + In the year 1800 there was born in Düsseldorf, in Prussia, a child in a + Jewish family recently converted to Christianity. This child might well + have been looked upon as of supernatural origin, so entirely different was + it, from its earliest days, from all that had ever been seen before. + Martin Luther no doubt, if the child had been one of his own, would have + pronounced him to be a Killecroff. + </p> + <p> + He was not only noisy and troublesome, but he was also a pedant; he + snubbed professors and listened to the advice of very young children. When + his parents scolded him, he only laughed at them; when a grave event + disturbed a neighbor’s household, he laughed; when the French took + his native city, he laughed; in fine he was always laughing. + </p> + <p> + However, as he grew up, he gorged himself with logic, with mathematics, + with Greek and Latin and Hebrew and all kinds of good things besides. He + became even a philosopher before he was of age, but his philosophy + consisted mainly in a sarcastic laugh. When they spoke to him of the + position he might occupy in Düsseldorf, and of the wealth he might + acquire, his only answer was a grimace. + </p> + <p> + A rabbi spread out before him heaps of gold, <span class="pagenum">[395]</span><a + name="link395" id="link395"></a>promising to give him that and more, if he + would be his slave only for a few years; he refused to listen to him. As + he was a vain man, the demon of Fame endeavored to tempt him, but he + laughed in his face. + </p> + <p> + At last the devil, a real devil, I am sure (his name was George William + Frederick Schlegel) whispered into his ear: “Would you like to be a + god?” + </p> + <p> + This time our young philosopher did not laugh. He became a god, and, from + official jealousy, proceeded to deny the great God in Heaven until he lost + all human sentiments. He lived alone, friendless, childless, without a + family and giving up even his mother country, finding that everything had + to be done over again in this world, which he had not created. + </p> + <p> + After leaving Germany he came to France, and here in France he laughed + louder and bitterer than ever. In France they did not believe in his + divinity; they did not worship him, but they loved him as if he had been a + simple mortal; in France he made friends and he became like other men once + more. Finally, as he was after all bad only in his wit, he became + voluntarily a convert as he saw the evil fruit of his teachings. He took a + wife to himself with the sanction of the Church, and he died a believer. + <span class="pagenum">[396]</span><a name="link396" id="link396"></a>This + ex-god was called Heinrich Heine, that Heinrich Heine, who laughed so + bitterly at his ex-colleague, Jupiter, and spoke of him as a dealer in + rabbit skins. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0143" id="linkimage-0143"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/416s.jpg" alt="416s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/416.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/416m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <span class="pagenum">[399]</span><a name="link399" id="link399"></a> + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0144" id="linkimage-0144"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/419s.jpg" alt="419s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/419.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/419m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0018" id="link2H_4_0018"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XVI. + </h2> + <p> + Women as Missionaries, Women as Prophets, Strong Women and Serpent Women.—<i>Children’s + Myths.—Godmothers.—Fairies.—The Magic Wand and the + Broomstick.—The Lady of Kynast.—The World of the Dead,’ + the World of Ghosts, and the World of Shadows.—Myths of Animals.</i> + </p> + <p class="pfirst"> + <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">W</span>ell? Have you seen + enough of the gods and demigods of Germany, of the Nixen and goblins, the + Kobolds, the giants, and the dwarfs? Have I shown you enough of this vast + storehouse of human folly? I must confess, it makes me melancholy to speak + of all this, and I feel an urgent desire to “shut up shop.” + </p> + <p> + The conscientious collector of myths, who has more material than he can + manage, and sees new myths continually rising before him, is not unlike + those learned physicians who spend their lives among crowds of insane + people. A fever of imitation seizes them and soon they begin to wander + like their patients. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps I have reached that point myself without becoming aware of it. The + reader must judge for himself. + </p> + <p> + My mind, filled with myths, symbols, and eccentricities, is ready to ask + for mercy, and still I feel it, there are some things yet to be done. For + instance, I recollect having promised to give a completion of the history + of the Druidesses, that is to say, of women, those myth-like beings by + eminence! That kind of instinctive sense, that delicacy of almost + intuitive perceptions which distinguished them from the other sex in its + material coarseness, could not fail to give them easily the advantage over + men. In Celtic lands as in Scandinavia they were the models of all + virtues, the oracles of the house. They were occasionally beaten, <span + class="pagenum">[401]</span><a name="link401" id="link401"></a>it is true, + but they were also grandly honored, and in Germany especially people burnt + incense before them, long before they smoked tobacco in their presence. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0145" id="linkimage-0145"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/421s.jpg" alt="421s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/421.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/421m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + <span class="pagenum">[403]</span><a name="link403" id="link403"></a>At + the time when Christianity came, the women played a prominent and truly + glorious part there; all the historians bear witness. Between the fourth + and the sixth century Fritigill, Queen of the Marcomanni, Clotilda, Queen + of France, and Bertha. Queen of England, had compelled their husbands to + bow down before the Cross, and not by witchcraft, as the pagans wickedly + maintained, but simply by persuasion. Other women, who belonged to noble + families or to the common people at large, a Krimhild, a Thekla, and a + Liobat, assisted the missionaries in their dangerous enterprise and + actually helped them in cutting down the sacred oak trees. + </p> + <p> + What had become, during these long continued persecutions, of you, fair + Gann, noble Aurinia, majestic Velleda, and of your sisters, the other + Druidesses? + </p> + <p> + They were wandering about in dark forests, proscribed and weeping over + their departed glory; they concealed themselves in remote places where the + agents of the civil power but rarely appeared. Sometimes, of an evening, + they would venture forth, approach a belated traveller on a cross-road, + and <span class="pagenum">[404]</span><a name="link404" id="link404"></a>hold + with him mysterious converse. Sometimes, also, the inhabitants of a + village, or even of a larger place, would go secretly to their well chosen + hiding places to consult them on the good or evil chances of their + prospects in life, or on an epidemic that was attacking their cattle. Some + people, and among them not unfrequently recent converts, who were still + strongly imbued with their former creed, would ask them to name their + new-born infants and thus to bring them good luck. Hence they were at + first known as <i>Godmothers</i>, and at a later time as <i>Fairies</i>. + </p> + <p> + It was naturally supposed that like the ancient fairies of the East, these + women also derived their power from the stars, for why else should they + have been met so constantly on the mountain slopes, when the moon was + shining brightly, or slipping suddenly from behind a rock or a tree, where + will-o’-the-wisps and fireflies alone were in the habit of being + about? + </p> + <p> + Among these fairies many were kind and naturally benevolent; others, no + doubt embittered by their fate, appeared irascible and ill disposed. Woe + to the men, or even the cattle upon whom they cast an evil eye! + </p> + <p> + This evil influence could be averted only by the assistance of another + fairy, a good one in this case, who relieved you more or less promptly by + means <span class="pagenum">[405]</span><a name="link405" id="link405"></a>of + a talisman, a constellated stone, or certain words possessed of magic + power. + </p> + <p> + Now, if we add to these godmothers, to these godchildren, to good and bad + fairies, the terrible Ogres, whose very name filled the people of those + days with terror, you will know all the mysterious personages which appear + in the myths of children and which we have all known in our early days. + </p> + <p> + If we were to examine these legends and traditions more carefully, we + should no doubt easily find “Bluebeard” again among the old + burggraves of the Rhine, as “Puss in Boots” has already been + discovered there. “The Sleeping Beauty” might very well be the + peasant woman who had slept a century under the influence of magic + magnetism, and why should not our little dwarf Kreiss and his brothers + have furnished the first idea of little Tom Thumb, with Quadragant to play + the part of the ogre? In “Cinderella” we might with the same + readiness recognize one of the three Undine sisters, who forgot amid the + delights of the evening assembly, that their furlough was out at ten o’clock? + The same would apply, no doubt, to many others who lived under the + influence of wicked Nichus or evil disposed fairies. + </p> + <p> + Poor Druidesses! If you had at least survived as fairies! If they had met + you only in the air travelling simply by the aid of your magic wand! <span + class="pagenum">[406]</span><a name="link406" id="link406"></a>But in + proportion as Christianity increased, your power necessarily decreased. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0146" id="linkimage-0146"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/426s.jpg" alt="426s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/426.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/426m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + The day came at last, when they dared transform you into fortune tellers, + and finally into accursed witches! Then your enchantress’ wand + became that atrocious broomstick upon which you travelled through the air + on your way to the witches’ Sabbath! Oh misery! Oh <span + class="pagenum">[407]</span><a name="link407" id="link407"></a>wretchedness! + What a fatal overthrow of all earthly glory and grandeur! + </p> + <p> + When the women thus saw their power of ruling men by prophetic inspiration + slip away from them, they one fine day determined to change their tactics, + their ways and manners, and, I am sorry to have to say it, almost their + sex! They assumed the noisy and truculent manners of their brothers and + husbands and affected violent exercises, riding on horseback, wrestling, + and even fighting in battles. This was the age of bullying women, of <i>Strong + Women</i> in fact. + </p> + <p> + When they were young ladies they would admit no lover who could not prove + his affections by the most perilous adventures and impossible enterprises. + Such was the case with the famous Lady of Kynast. + </p> + <p> + She owned a large domain and on this domain a ruined old tower which stood + on the summit of a steep, high rock, surrounded on all sides by a deep + abyss. + </p> + <p> + Rich, young, and beautiful, eagerly sought for by a number of admirers, + she did not think, in her desire to keep them from becoming too pressing, + of undertaking an endless piece of embroidery like Penelope. She did not + embroider; in fact, she looked with contempt, and almost with disgust, + upon every kind of work that was done by women. <span class="pagenum">[408]</span><a + name="link408" id="link408"></a>She told her lovers that she was betrothed + to Ky-nast—this was the name of the old tower—and that any one + who thought of winning her good will, would first have to compete with her + betrothed. To do this, nothing was required but to climb up the rock and + the tower, and after having reached the battlements, to make a complete + round, not on foot, however, and assisted by the hands and knees, but on + horseback, without other assistance than the bridle. + </p> + <p> + The flock of lovers took flight instantly; only two remained. They were + two brothers, bereft of reason by the strength of their passion. + </p> + <p> + After having cast lots, the first one attempted the task and at first he + was successful. But that was all. He had no sooner reached the crenelated + top of the old tower, unaccompanied by his less active courser, than he + was seized with vertigo and fell instantly into the abyss. + </p> + <p> + The second brother, in his turn, climbed up to the top and actually + succeeded in riding some length along the battlements; but soon his horse, + feeling the stones slipping from under its hoofs, and the whole tower + rocking under the weight, refused to go on. To return was as impossible as + to proceed.<span class="pagenum">[409]</span><a name="link409" id="link409"></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0147" id="linkimage-0147"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/429s.jpg" alt="429s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/429.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/429m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + <span class="pagenum">[411]</span><a name="link411" id="link411"></a>The + knight, determined to carry through the undertaking in which he was + engaged, encouraged his horse with his voice and with his spurs, but the + poor animal remained immovable, apparently wedged in between the large + stones of the tower. At last, knight and horse disappeared together; the + abyss swallowed up their bleeding, mangled remains. + </p> + <p> + The Lady of Kynast could not disguise her delight and her pride as she + received the congratulations of her noble neighbors; all the great ladies + thought of having a Kynast, or a similar trap, in which they might catch’ + and try their lovers. + </p> + <p> + No other claimants, however, appeared to woo this fair lady, who was so + well protected by her betrothed. The poor damsel felt rather aggrieved by + this neglect. She was by no means satisfied with having sacrificed only + two young men to her pride; she was gradually becoming soured and + ill-tempered, when at last a third lover presented himself and asked leave + to attempt the trial. + </p> + <p> + She did not know who it was, and this surprised her; for how could he have + fallen in love with her? He might possibly have seen her on her balcony, + or at some royal feast; perhaps he was only allured by her great + reputation. However, there was nothing to lose by accepting his offer. At + best, he was only one more victim to be added to the list; that was all. + At that time women were ferocious. + </p> + <p> + For some days a thick, heavy fog had shrouded <span class="pagenum">[412]</span><a + name="link412" id="link412"></a>the castle and the old tower from top to + bottom, so as to make the ascent utterly impossible. + </p> + <p> + The simple laws of hospitality, required, therefore, that the lady should + offer her castle to the newly arrived knight. + </p> + <p> + The latter was handsome and of fine figure; his features beamed with + bravery and intelligence; his white, delicate hands, exquisitely shaped, + proved sufficiently that he was of noble descent; and his large retinue + bespoke his high rank and large fortune. During three days he spent almost + all his time with the young lady, but as yet he had not dared say a word + of his love. She, however, felt herself gradually conquered by a feeling + which had, until now, been unknown to her heart. + </p> + <p> + When the dense veil of mist was at length torn aside, and the Kynast shone + forth in its full splendor, she was on the point of telling the knight + that she would not insist on the trial in his case; but what would her + good friends, the noble ladies of the neighborhood, have said? + </p> + <p> + When the moment came, the Lady of Kynast felt her heart fail her. She shut + herself in, she wept, she cried, and although little given to prayers + generally, she besought God to do a miracle in behalf of her knight. She + could, however, hope very little from such a miracle, for in the meantime, + loud clamors had been heard below, and as <span class="pagenum">[413]</span><a + name="link413" id="link413"></a>she surely thought the spectators were + bewailing the death of her last lover, she fainted away. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0148" id="linkimage-0148"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/433s.jpg" alt="433s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/433.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/433m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + <span class="pagenum">[415]</span><a name="link415" id="link415"></a> + Cries of joy and of triumph roused her again; the knight had successfully + accomplished the task. Quite overcome, she rushes to meet him, and in her + intense excitement and the depth of her passion, she forgets that all eyes + are upon her, and breathlessly cries out: “My hand is yours.” + </p> + <p> + But he draws himself up to his full height, and, haughtily and harshly he + replies with a withering smile:— + </p> + <p> + “Have I ever asked you for your hand? I only came to avenge my two + brothers, whom you have killed, and I have done it, for I do not love you, + and you love me! Very well! Now you can die of your love, or of your + shame, as you like it! Farewell, I am going back to Margaret, my darling, + my wife!” + </p> + <p> + The same evening the wretched lady had herself hoisted up to the top of + the tower, from whence she wished, as she said, to watch the setting sun. + </p> + <p> + But before the sun had sunk below the horizon, she had rejoined her + victims at the foot of the ruined old tower. + </p> + <p> + Thus the Kynast obtained possession of his betrothed. + </p> + <p> + The story might furnish an admirable plot for a grand opera. But, upon + reflection, I think it would <span class="pagenum">[416]</span><a + name="link416" id="link416"></a>suit a circus better, for there are in it + three first-class parts for horses. + </p> + <p> + The Lady of Kynast was a strong minded woman, rather than a really strong + woman; but there were others, who really distinguished themselves by + extraordinary physical strength. It would seem that the habit of taking + violent exercise had finally developed their muscles and sinews to such a + degree, that few men could be found strong enough to overcome them in a + wrestling match, or in armed combat. + </p> + <p> + Such was the noble Brunehilt, queen of Isenstein, in Norway. + </p> + <p> + <i>Soothsayers, Godmothers, Fairies, Strong Women, and Serpent Women</i> + are not the only women of this class which we ought to mention here + perhaps. We might also speak of the <i>Swan Women</i>, who floated on the + water in the dim morning mist, clothed in a cloak of eider down; and the + <i>Forest Woman</i>, who was honored every year by the burning of a + spindle full of hemp, to keep her from doing any harm; and the <i>Water + Sneezers,</i> to whom you had to say three times “God bless you!” + in order to save their souls from purgatory; and the little <i>Moss + Gatherers</i>, who could not escape from their enemies, the Forest Woman + and the Wild Huntsman, unless a benevolent charcoal burner would mark some + trees with three crosses, behind <span class="pagenum">[417]</span><a + name="link417" id="link417"></a>which they could conceal + themselves. But we must make haste to conclude. + </p> + <p> + However, as the great <i>Wild Huntsman</i> has accidentally been + mentioned, we do not think it would be fair to leave him out and pass him + over in silence. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0149" id="linkimage-0149"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/437s.jpg" alt="437s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/437.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/437m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + He is the Lord Hackelberg. Most imprudently he had begged God to allow him + to exchange his place in heaven for the right to hunt upon earth for all + time to come. To punish him, God granted <span class="pagenum">[418]</span><a + name="link418" id="link418"></a>his prayer, and ever since he has been + hunting, with horns blowing and dogs barking, without respite or repose. + He hunts continually, day and night, to-day as yesterday; he must hunt + to-morrow as he does to-day, and yet he must hunt the same deer, which + forever escapes from him, and ever will escape. + </p> + <p> + Which of the two is most to be pitied, the everlasting huntsman, or the + everlasting game? + </p> + <p> + How many others could claim a right to be mentioned here as well as he? + </p> + <p> + These are the people who are <i>condemned to remain standing forever</i>, + and those who are <i>condemned to dance forever,</i> another variety of + bewitched people. + </p> + <p> + You do not think my material is all used up? By no means! In the first + place, I might have told you all about mythological animals; of Thor’s + <i>buck-goat</i>, which enjoyed the same privilege as the boar of the + Walhalla, of daily satisfying the powerful appetite of its master and his + guests, and yet being replaced in all its bodily fullness, provided only + care had been taken to put all the bones aside. + </p> + <p> + I might have gone back to give a fuller account of that famous + Iormungandur, the great sea serpent, which still exists in our days—who + dares doubt it? The crew of an English vessel, passengers, <span + class="pagenum">[419]</span><a name="link419" id="link419"></a>officers, + and sailors, have unanimously testified in a legally drawn up deposition + that they have met it quite recently in the Northern seas. What more + evidence do you want? + </p> + <p> + And the <i>Kraken</i>, that most marvelous of all cetaceans, which could + easily be mistaken for a habitable island, and on which imprudent + navigators once really landed, erecting their tents and saying mass, + without its ever stirring, until they hoisted anchors, when the animal for + the first time gave signs of life? + </p> + <p> + And the <i>Griffins</i>, those perfect symbols of avarice, who are all the + time busily engaged in dragging forth from underground vast heaps of gold + and precious stones, merely in order to guard and defend them ever + afterwards, at the peril of their lives, although the gold and the jewels + are of no use to any one? And Sleipner, Odin’s <i>eight-legged horse</i>, + and the dog <i>Garm</i>, etc? + </p> + <p> + Passing on to another variety of zoological marvels, I might have + mentioned the <i>Salmon,</i> whose scaly skin wicked Loki assumed as a + disguise in order to escape from the wrath of the gods after Balder’s + death. And that marvelous <i>Sturgeon</i> in the Rhine, which the French + legends have put to good profit. Let us pause a moment in contemplation of + this wonderful fish. + </p> + <p> + A young, noble lady determined, in order to save <span class="pagenum">[420]</span><a + name="link420" id="link420"></a>her honor, to destroy her beauty, the + grandest, most heroic, and most calamitous sacrifice that can possibly be + made. Hence, when the moment for action arrived, her courage failed her. + But if she could not bear the idea of becoming ugly, she could at least + mutilate herself. So she puts her dagger upon the ledge of a window which + overlooked the Rhine, seizes a hatchet, and with a single blow cuts off + her hand, which falls into the river, and then with the bleeding stump + terrifies her infamous persecutor. Here the sturgeon makes its appearance. + This providential sturgeon has seen the hand drop into the river; it + swallows it with well-known voracity, but in the anticipation of restoring + it, seven years later, uninjured to the true owner, and thus to prove her + superhuman virtue. And this really happened seven years after the + occurrence in Rome, in the presence of the Pope and his assembled + Cardinals. + </p> + <p> + At first sight it does not appear quite clear, how the sturgeon could have + passed from the waters of the Rhine into those of the Tiber, but in this + kind of stories there is no use in trying to comprehend everything. + </p> + <p> + The noble lady and the sturgeon have furnished the theme for the famous + novel, “La Manekine,” and later, in the Middle Ages, for a + great dramatic mystery on the French stage. <span class="pagenum">[421]</span><a + name="link421" id="link421"></a>Before concluding this chapter, I may be + allowed to say a word about the <i>World of the Dead</i>, which sends in + certain consecrated nights its representatives to some of the churches, or + to silent dinners, and about the <i>World of Ghosts</i>, the annals of + which have been collected, and the laws of which have been explained by + Jung Stilling and Kerner. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0150" id="linkimage-0150"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/441s.jpg" alt="441s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/441.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/441m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <p> + These ghosts can imitate all the motions of men, walk, run, and even jump, + but they have no power over material objects; they cannot move a table, a + chair, or even a straw. All their united efforts would not succeed in + causing the light of a candle <span class="pagenum">[422]</span><a + name="link422" id="link422"></a>to flicker. We can therefore feel + perfectly easy with regard to these ghosts; they cannot injure our + furniture, nor draw the knot of our cravat inconveniently tight, if they + should take a fancy to make an end of us. + </p> + <p> + Nor can I keep altogether silence as to the <i>World of Shadows</i>, still + dimmer and less perceptible than the World of Ghosts. I shall therefore + content myself with a single instance, which we owe to a Dutch legend. The + master bell-ringer of the city of Haarlem, caught at a tavern by his wife + escaped with such extraordinary rapidity that his shadow was unable to + follow him, and remained hanging on the wall—a fact duly certified + by the signature and seal of the reigning burgomaster, the aldermen, and + other notables of said town. + </p> + <p> + In spite of such overwhelming evidence one might be disposed to doubt the + authenticity of this remarkable occurrence, which Hoffmann, I believe, has + used in one of his Tales; but had not long before Hoffmann, and long + before the master bell-ringer of Haarlem even, the god Fô left his shadow + in some town of Hindustan, instead of his card? We try in vain to find + anything new under the sun; all our most famous myths and all our most + amusing anecdotes have travelled all over India before they reached us. + </p> + <p> + I might also tell you.... but he who tells <span class="pagenum">[423]</span><a + name="link423" id="link423"></a>everything, says too much. Let us here + pause once more, and for the last time. Farewell, reader, and may Heaven + keep you sound in body and soul.<span class="pagenum">[424]</span><a + name="link424" id="link424"></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0151" id="linkimage-0151"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:35%;"> + <img src="images/443s.jpg" alt="443s " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h4> + <a href="images/443.jpg"><i>Full Page Image</i></a> -- <a + href="images/443m.jpg"><i>Medium-Size</i></a> + </h4> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Myths of the Rhine, by X. B. 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