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Chapter I

THE NORSE KING’S BRIDAL

BY E. M. SMITH-DAMPIER LONDON :: ANDREW MELROSE 3 YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN, W.C. 1912 {ii} PRINTED BY HAZELL, WATSON AND VINEY, LD., LONDON AND AYLESBUBY. {iii} TO E. D. AND THE OLD ONE

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AUTHOR’S PREFACE

In these translations from the Danish I have adhered strictly to the metres of the original; this, however, is not the case with those from the Old Norse. The original ballads are not versifications of Northern legends, but, like those in my previous volume, so far as matter goes, pure inventions of my own.

The “Drowning of John Remorsson” is, according to Professor Gründtvig, in treatment, though not in subject, a Danish parallel to the Scottish “Sir Patrick Spens.” “Agnes and the Merman” seems to me interesting, as having possibly suggested to Matthew Arnold his “Forsaken Merman.”

With regard to “The Awakening of Angantheow” and “The Lay of Thrym,” I have little but apologies to offer. No one can be more sensible than myself of their short-comings. My excuse is, that I could learn {vi} of no other English metrical versions—and we all know who rush in where angels fear to tread! If my inadequacies exasperate some better poet than myself to the production of versions nearer to the magnificent originals, they will at least have justified their existence.

October 5, 1911.{vii}

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FROM THE OLD NORSE

THE WAKING OF ANGANTHEOW

NOTE.—Swafurlami, a king of the seed of Odin, stole the sword Tyrfing (ripper) from the dwarfs who forged it. They laid on it a curse—that it should bring death to its bearer; that no wound made by it should be healed; and that three deeds of woe should be wrought by it. Swafurlami is slain by Arngrim, who inherits the sword. Eyfura, his wife, has twelve sons, all of whom become Vikings. Angantheow, the eldest, and his brothers, are eventually all slain near Upsala by Hjalmar, and his brother Arrow-Odd; but Hjalmar, being wounded by Tyrfing, has only time to sing his death-song before he dies.

Angantheow’s daughter, Herwor (by his wife Tofa) is brought up as a bond-maid, in ignorance of her parentage. When at last she learns it, the war-fury comes upon her; she arms herself as an Amazon, and goes to Munarvoe in Samsey, in quest of the dwarf-doomed weapon. The following poem concerns her dialogue with her dead father, his yielding up to her of Tyrfing, and his prophecy of the further doom its possession will bring upon her race.

Shepherd:

Herwor:

Shepherd:

Herwor:

Shepherd:

Herwor:

Angantheow:

Herwor:

Angantheow:

Herwor:

Angantheow:

Herwor:

Angantheow:

Herwor:

Angantheow:

Herwor:

Angantheow:

Herwor:

Angantheow:

Herwor:

THE LAY OF THRYM

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FROM THE DANISH