FEITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
THE 
 
 TALE OF FRITHIOF 
 
 BY 
 
 ESIAS TEGNER. 
 
 TRANSLATED FROM THE SWEDISH 
 
 BY CAPT N - H. SPALDING, 
 
 104th Fusiliers. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET. 
 1872. 
 

 LUNUON : 
 EVANS, & CO., PRINTERS, WHITEKRIAKsi. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 IN publishing this poem, the translator thinks it 
 desirable to point out that his chief endeavour has 
 been to adhere as closely as possible to the original, 
 which is confessedly of surpassing beauty. The 
 twenty-four sections into which the poem is divided 
 are written each in a different measure. Some of 
 these are peculiar : and this circumstance considerably 
 increases the difficulty of giving a faithful and yet 
 harmonious version. The translator has followed 
 these measures without deviation, except in XXI., 
 in which the alliteration has been abandoned from a 
 fear of sacrificing the meaning of the context. 
 
 FORT GRANGE, GOSPORT. 
 May 3, 1872. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 FRITHIOF AND INGEBORG 1 
 
 KING BEL& AND THORSTEN VIKINGSSON . . . . 10 
 
 FRITHIOF SUCCEEDS TO HIS FATHER 19 
 
 FRITHIOF'S COURTSHIP 34 
 
 KING RING 41 
 
 FRITHIOF PLAYS AT CHESS 47 
 
 FRITHIOF'S GOOD FORTUNE 50 
 
 THE FAREWELL 59 
 
 INGEBORG'S LAMENT 80 
 
 FRITHIOF ON THE SEA . . ^ 83 
 
 FRITHIOF VISITS ANGANTYR 94 
 
 FRITHIOF'S RETURN 106 
 
 BALDER'S FIRE , . 115 
 
 FRITHIOF GOES INTO EXILE 121 
 
 THE VIKING'S CODE 132 
 
viii CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE 
 FRITHIOF AND BJORN . . . . . . . . 138 
 
 FRITHIOF VISITS KING RING 142 
 
 THE JOURNEY ON THE ICE . . . . . . 150 
 
 FRITHIOF'S TEMPTATION 153 
 
 KING RING'S DEATH 163 
 
 KIMG'S DEATH-SONG . 168 
 
 THE KING-ELECTION 172 
 
 FRITHIOF ON HIS FATHER'S TOMB . . . . .177 
 THE RECONCILIATION 183 
 
FKITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 I. 
 FRITHIOF AND INGEBORG. 
 
 IN the far North, mid verdure fair, 
 
 Two flowers bloomed, a lovely pair, 
 
 In Hil ding's charge they there were nourished, 
 
 And gloriously they grew and flourished. 
 
 The one did like an oak arise, 
 That points its summit to the skies, 
 All trembling in the fitful gale 
 Like crest of warrior clad in mail. 
 
 The other, like the blushing rose, 
 When winter, still reluctant, goes ; 
 And spring, with many a zephyr light, 
 Brings the young blossom into sight. 
 
FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 The storm around the earth shall rage, 
 The oak shall with its warfare wage ; 
 But the spring sun shall lend its glow, 
 And open the red rose below. 
 
 * o thus with joy their course they took, 
 And Frithiof was the stately oak ; 
 The rose that fragrant scents the air, 
 Her name was Ingeborg the fair. 
 
 Saw you the pair by midday beam, 
 In Freya's 1 Court yourself you'd deem, 
 Where many a little couple swings, 
 With golden hair and rosy wings. 
 
 But saw you them by moonlight sheen, 
 Dance round beneath the branches green, 
 You'd say that 'neath the spreading grove, 
 The elf king dances with his love. 
 
 How glad, how full of pride the boy 
 When first the rune 2 was spelt ; with joy 
 He hastened to his Ingborg fair, 
 And wished to teach her then and there. 
 
FRITHIOF AND INGEBOKG. 
 
 Upon the dark blue deep his wherry 
 Glided with her so light and merry ; 
 How gladsome when the sail he veers 
 She claps her tiny hands and cheers ! 
 
 Iso nest so difficult to reach 
 
 He climbed not from the pebbly beach. 
 
 The eagle, hovering in the air, 
 
 Lost eggs and young for Ingeborg fair. 
 
 No brook was found, how swift so e'er, 
 O'er which he could not Ingeborg bear ; 
 Who, frightened by the stream's alarms, 
 Clings to him with her small white arms. 
 
 The first young bud that spring brings forth, 
 The first red strawberry in the north, 
 The first young spike whose gold is red, 
 He brought to her so true and glad. 
 
 But childhood's days too soon are past, 
 The boy becomes a man at last, 
 Who onward pants with hope and prayer, 
 The girl becomes a maiden fair. 
 
 B 2 
 
FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 Young Frithiof dearly loved the chase, 
 But few would dare his sport to face, 
 For without blade and without spear 
 The bold boy seized a grizzly bear. 
 
 Thus, breast to breast, they struggled on. 
 The hunter, torn and bleeding, won, 
 And home he bore his shaggy prize ; 
 Could maid refuse to hear his sighs ? 
 
 Man's courage e'er is woman's boast ; 
 The brave deserve the fair the most ; 
 A maid is wont the brave to wed, 
 E'en as a helmet fits the head. 
 
 And many a winter's evening dire, 
 When seated by the great hall fire, 
 He sang of Valhalla 3 , and told 
 Of gods and goddesses of old. 
 
 He sang : tho' yellow Freya's tresses 
 As cornfields which the wind distresses, 
 Fair Ingeborg's are like a net 
 Of gold round rose and lilies set. 
 
FRITHIOF AND INGEBORG. 
 
 Iduna's 4 breast is fair, I ween, 
 It beats beneath a silk of green ; 
 I know a silk, whose folds do hide 
 Two fairies bright on either side. 
 
 And Frigga's 5 eyes have that deep blue 
 "Which shames the heaven's ethereal hue ; 
 I know two eyes, against them both 
 The spring day to compete was loath. 
 
 Why praise ye Gerda's 6 soft cheeks so, 
 Aurora on the new-fallen snow ? 
 I know two cheeks like rosy morn, 
 When night is chased by coming dawn. 
 
 I know a heart, which, soft as wax, 
 Not one of Nanna's 7 virtues lacks. 
 By poets art thou justly lauded, 
 Balder 8 , by Nanna's love rewarded ! 
 
 Oh, that my bones might thus be laid, 
 Bewept by my own peerless maid, 
 Who, soft and faithful, may compare, 
 Balder, to thine own Nanna fair. 
 
FKITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 The royal maiden sat and wove, 
 And Bang a lay of war and love, 
 She wove the cloth with heroes bold, 
 Their deeds on sea and barren wold. 
 
 She wove them on a snow-white field, 
 With yellow wool the glittering shield, 
 The lance of combat flourished red, 
 And graced the silver helm each head. 
 
 But ah ! she wove from day to day 
 Her hero Frithiof 's features play, 
 And when they from the canvas blazed, 
 She blushed with joy, yet half amazed. 
 
 But Frithiof cut upon a beech 
 
 The letters I and F, till each 
 
 Constrained by time and growth and weather, 
 
 In faithful union grew together. 
 
 When day arose upon the sky, 
 Old Worldking, with the flaming eye, 
 And men began to move and stir, 
 She thought of him, and he of her. 
 
FRITHIOF AND INGEBORG. 
 
 When night upon the earth upstood, 
 Worldmother, with her starry brood, 
 "When silence reigns and planets err, 
 She dreamed of him, and he of her. 
 
 " Thou Earth, who yearly dost adorn 
 Thy tresses green with flowers and corn, 
 Give me the best, that I may bear 
 A chaplet to my Frithiof dear." 
 
 " Thou deep blue sea, give up the pearl 
 From depths where darkling eddies whirl, 
 Give me the best, that I may make 
 A necklace for my Ingeborg's sake." 
 
 " Thou knob on Odin's 9 royal throne, 
 Eye of the world, far blazing Sun ! 
 Wert thou but mine, thy radiant face 
 As buckler should my Frithiof grace." 
 
 " Thou beacon in our Father's home, 
 Thou Moon, that palely bright dost roam ! 
 Wert thou but mine, thy visage fair 
 I'd give to grace my maiden there." 
 
FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 But Hilding said, " foster son, 
 Set not thy heart her love upon, 
 For Destiny thy wish gainsaid ; 
 King Bele's daughter is the maid ! 
 
 " From Odin's self, in starry sky, 
 Descends her ancestry so high ; 
 But thou art Thorsten's son, so yield, 
 And leave to mightier names the field." 
 
 But Frithiof laughed : " My noble race 
 Counts downward from the death embrace 
 With which I slew the forest's pride : 
 I gained his pure blood with his hide. 
 
 " A free born man will never yield, 
 To him belongs the earth's fair field, 
 And Fate, which oft on him doth frown, 
 May bear on wings of hope a crown. 
 
 " All Might is noble held by Thor 10 , 
 In Thrudvang " first the light who saw. 
 Not birth but worth sits by his board ; 
 A mighty noble is the sword ! 
 
FRITHIOF AND INGEBORG. 
 
 " I'll struggle for my youthful bride, 
 Were it with Thor the Thunderer's pride. 
 Be then secure, my lily white, 
 Who part us dares, must Frithiof fight." 
 
II. 
 
 KING BELE AND THORSTEN 
 YIKINGSSON. 
 
 ON his sword leant King Bele, and by him stood 
 The bold Thorsten Vikingsson, his vassal good ; 
 Scarred like a runic pillar, a hundred years 
 Had passed o'er the old warrior's silvery hairs. 
 
 They stood like two grim temples on a bleak shore, 
 Ruined, but sacred to the old gods of yore, 
 With many a line of wisdom writ on their walls, 
 And many an old-world memory their form recalls. 
 
 " Dim evening comes anon," King Bele said ; 
 " I cannot brook my helmet nor quaff my mead. 
 Mine eye grows dark, and faintly I draw my breath, 
 But Valhalla shines nearer. I hail thee, Death. 
 
KING BELfi AND THORSTEN VIKINGSSON. 11 
 
 11 I've called *ny sons together, and thine also, 
 That we may e'en take counsel before I go. 
 I'll give a warning to them, the eagles' young, 
 Before that death for ever confounds my tongue." 
 
 Into the hall together then come the three, 
 And first 'mongst them came Helge, dark-visaged he : 
 He loved to dwell in forests, 'midst altars round, 
 With blood upon his fingers he now was found. 
 
 Then followed him young Halfdan, with locks so fair, 
 
 And features soft and noble, but girlish air ; 
 
 And by his side he carried a flimsy blade, 
 
 But seemed in warlike trappings a girl arrayed. 
 
 But after them came Frithiof, in mantle blue 
 He by a head was taller than th' other two. 
 He stood between the brethren, as day should light 
 Between the rosy morning and darksome night. 
 
 "My children," said the monarch, "my sun goes down. 
 In union rule the kingdom, and wear the crown ; 
 For union holds together. A ring is wrought 
 Around a lance without it, its strength is nought. 
 
12 FEITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 " Let Force be but a watchman to guard the port ; 
 Within let concord flourish, with blessings fraught. 
 The sword was given for safety, and nothing more ; 
 The shield should be a padlock on the barn door. 
 
 " Who his own land oppresses, that foolish man 
 Can nought but that accomplish his people can. 
 Upon a barren mountain the forest's pride 
 Soon withers up, tho' verdant ; its roots are dried. 
 
 " Above us rests the heaven on pillars four ; 
 The throne is founded really upon the law. 
 Woe to the land and people where force prevails ! 
 But to preserve a kingdom justice ne'er fails. 
 
 " Helge", the gods may tarry in Disarsal ; 
 But not like to the cockle within its shell. 
 As long as sunlight glances on meadows wide, 
 As long as Fancy wanders, the gods abide. 
 
 " Entrails are oft deceptive in offered bird, 
 And oft has proved fallacious the runic word. 
 The honest heart, Helge, and brave beside, 
 Odin with runes has covered which ne'er deride. 
 
KING BELfi AND THOESTEN VIKINGSSON. 13 
 
 " Perhaps 'tis strange, King Helge, but still 'tis true : 
 The sword which bites the sharpest is yielding too. 
 Mildness adorns the monarch, as flowers the shield, 
 And spring-time more than winter blesses the field. 
 
 " A friendless man is helpless, how strong he be ; 
 He dies, as in the desert, a barkless tree. 
 A man by friendship doth like a tree prevail, 
 "Which, watered by a streamlet, defies the gale. 
 
 " Count not upon thy father ; struggle alone. 
 
 Canst thou not bend the bow, son, 'tis not thine own. 
 
 Rest not upon the heroes who buried be ; 
 
 Swift streams of their own vigour cleave thro' the sea. 
 
 " And though 'tis good, my Halfdan, to laugh and sing, 
 Gossip becometh no man, far less a king ; 
 For mead is brewed with hops, son, honey not aye ; 
 Put steel into your sword, king, earnest in play. 
 
 " For too much wit hath no man, e'en 'mongst the wise; 
 Yet many a man knows something who never tries. 
 Men scorn the foolish stranger with little wit ; 
 The wise command attention, though low they sit. 
 
14 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 " To find a friend, Halfdan, a foster-brother, 
 The way is short, tho' distant from one another. 
 The castle of a foeman, or his abode, 
 Should aye be very distant, though on the road. 
 
 " Choose not the idle trifler to share your cup 
 The empty house stands open, the rich shut up. 
 Choose one it is not needful the man to show ; 
 The world doth know, Halfdan, what three men know." 
 
 Thorsten arose thereafter, and he spoke so : 
 
 " The king must not all lonely to Odin go. 
 
 "We've shared life's toils together, my king and friend, 
 
 Together to Valhalla we'll gladly wend. 
 
 " Old age and care, son Frithiof, have spoken to me, 
 Whispering with many a warning I now give thee. 
 Though godlike Odin's ravens die in the North, 
 The old man's lips still utter warnings of worth. 
 
 " First, give the gods all honour, whate'er betide, 
 For storm and sunshine hover where they abide. 
 They see the heart's dark chamber, and judgment make, 
 And many years scarce expiate the hour's mistake. 
 
KING BEL6 AND THORSTEN VIKINGSSON. 15 
 
 " Obey the king*; he governs alone my son. 
 Dark night hath many beacons, the day but one. 
 A true man ever, Frithiof, abides the best ; 
 The sword with edge and hilt, son, stands every test. 
 
 " Great strength is God's own gift ; but, Frithiof, mind, 
 That strength, to be true power, must knowledge find. 
 The bear, by one man conquered, hath twelve men's force ; 
 The shield doth guard the sword-cut, and stop its course. 
 
 " The proud by few are feared, hated of course ; 
 And haughtiness, Frithiof, is ruin's source. 
 Full many a bird soars boldly, but then is struck ; 
 For storms destroy the harvest, and ill winds luck. 
 
 ' Praise thou the sun, Frithiof, when it is sunk, 
 Good counsel, when 'tis followed, and ale when drunk. 
 A youth must on his merit for much depend ; 
 But strife doth prove the falchion, and need the friend. 
 
 " Night trust not, nor, in spring-time, the driven snow, 
 Nor sleeping snake, nor sighing of maiden low ; 
 Like swiftly-rolling chariot her fancy ranges, 
 And 'neath her snowy bosom her heart e'er changes. 
 
1C FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 " Thyself must die, relinquish thy dearest ties ; 
 But I know one thing, Frithiof, which never dies 
 It is the dead man's judgment. Keep this in sight ; 
 Therefore choose what is noble, do what is right." 
 
 So warned his son that ancient, in that high hall, 
 As many a scald has sung since in Havamal 2 ; 
 From race to race the warnings pithy go forth, 
 And in the deep, dull distance whispers the North. 
 
 Then spake they both together words full of worth, 
 All of their faithful friendship, famed in the North ; 
 How unto Death still steadfast, in wind and weather, 
 Their rough old hands in union they'd held together. 
 
 " For back to back we've stood, sons, in many a field ; 
 Wherever fell the death-stroke it met a shield. 
 Before you now to Valhalla we old ones haste, 
 And may your fathers' spirit upon you rest." 
 
 Much spake the king of Frithiof 's heroic mood, 
 And mighty strength, more goodly than kingly blood. 
 And much spake aged Thorsten about the glory 
 Which waits the royal brethren in future story. 
 
KING BELfc AND THORSTEN VIKINGSSON. 17 
 
 ** Now hold ye fast together, my children three ! 
 The North three better warriors shall never see ; 
 For when a powerful monarch doth wisdom wield, 
 'Tis like the dark steel edging round golden shield. 
 
 " Greet ye my daughter also, the rosebud sweet ; 
 She hath been reared in quiet, as it was meet ; 
 Protect her, do not suffer the storm's dark power 
 To fasten on his helmet this lovely flower. 
 
 " My last behest, Helge, on thee I lay, 
 To love and cherish Ingeborg, from day to day. 
 Force wounds the noble temper, but kindness leads 
 Both man and woman, Helge, to righteous deeds. 
 
 " But lay us gently, children, where the blue wave, 
 Beating harmonious cadence, the shore doth lave ; 
 Its murmuring song is pleasant unto the soul, 
 And like a lamentation its ceaseless roll. 
 
 " And when the moon's pale lustre around us streams, 
 And midnight dim grows radiant with silver beams, 
 There will we sit, Thorsten, upon our graves, 
 And talk of bygone battles by the dark waves. 
 
18 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 " And now, farewell, my children ! Come here no more ; 
 
 Our road lies to Allfather's far-distant shore, 
 
 E'en as the troubled river sweeps to the sea : 
 
 By Frey 3 and Thor and Odin blessed may ye be." 
 
III. 
 FRITHIOF SUCCEEDS TO HIS FATHER. 
 
 LAID in the grave was King Bele" and with him Thorsten 
 
 his vassal, 
 Where they themselves had chosen : by the side of the 
 
 murmuring ocean 
 Tall tombs lifted their heads ; but death their two 
 
 bosoms had parted. 
 Helge and Halfdan, by popular choice, now took their 
 
 paternal 
 
 Heritage as joint rulers ; but only son of his father 
 Was Frithiof ; so took he his castle of Framnas in quiet. 
 Three miles broad and long round the castle's dominions 
 
 extended, 
 Valleys and hills and mountains, but on the fourth 
 
 side the ocean. 
 Birchwoods crowned the hill-tops, whose smooth slopes 
 
 gently declining, 
 
 c 2 
 
20 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 Gladdened the eye with corn and tall rye gracefully 
 
 waving. 
 Deep lakes, countless in number, their mirrors held to 
 
 the mountains, 
 Held to the forests, in whose depths the lofty-plumed 
 
 elm trees 
 Ruled in their silent domain and drank of the swift - 
 
 rushing torrent. 
 Scattered within the deep valleys and glades, there 
 
 cropped the green pasture 
 Herds with glistening skin and udders that longed for 
 
 the milk-pail. 
 Countless flocks of snowy-fleeced sheep were sprinkled 
 
 amongst them, 
 Not unlike to the light fleecy clouds which one oft sees 
 
 in spring-time 
 Cover the blue vault of heaven, when boisterous March 
 
 winds are blowing. 
 Coursers swift twenty-four, obstreperous whirlwinds 
 
 imprisoned, 
 Pawing stood in their stalls and pulled at the hay in the 
 
 mangers, 
 Plowing manes plaited with red and bright hoofs polished 
 
 and iron-shod. 
 Built of the hardest of timber, the drinking-hall looked 
 
 like a palace. 
 
FRITHIOF SUCCEEDS TO HIS FATHER. 21 
 
 Not five hundred men (ten times twelve to the 
 
 hundred) 
 Filled that spacious hall, when assembled to celebrate 
 
 Yuletide. 
 Made of evergreen oak, down the hall ran a ponderous 
 
 table, 
 Polished and bright as a breastplate : and there was the 
 
 seat of the chieftain, 
 At the end; and formed of two gods carved in wood 
 
 were its pillars 
 Odin the Lord of the World and Frey with the sun on 
 
 his helmet. 
 Seated upon his bearskin, Thorsten was lately between 
 
 them 
 (Coal-black the skin, and scarlet the mouth, with claws 
 
 made of silver) 
 Amongst his friends, like Hospitality seated 'midst 
 
 Gladness. 
 Oft, when the moon flew high mid the clouds, the old 
 
 man related 
 Stories of foreign shores he had seen and of sea-rovers' 
 
 dangers, 
 Far in the East and the North and the boisterous shores 
 
 of the Baltic. 
 Still sat the listening warriors and hung on the lips of 
 
 their chieftain, 
 
22 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 Like the bee on the rose ; but the poet thought upon 
 
 Brage 1 
 With his silvery beard and runes from his lips sweetly 
 
 flowing, 
 Under the wide-spreading beech, and relating a story by 
 
 Mimer's 2 
 
 Ever-murmuring wave ; a history now in himself. 
 In the midst of the straw-strewn pavement the bright 
 
 glowing hearthstone 
 
 Cheerily burnt 'twixt its slabs ; and through the atmo- 
 sphere murky 
 With smoke, the stars peeped into the hall, the heavenly 
 
 companions. 
 
 Round the walls on nails of steel hung many a helmet, 
 Burnished and glitt'ring coats of mail, whilst sometimes 
 
 between them 
 Flashed down a sword like lightning, or like to a meteor 
 
 in winter. 
 Yet more than helmets and swords with shields the 
 
 hall was resplendent, 
 Like the disc of the sun or moon, shining with bright 
 
 polished silver. 
 A maiden went round the table and replenished each 
 
 goblet, 
 And cast her eyes to the ground ; she blushed, and her 
 
 face in the bucklers 
 
FRITHIOF SUCCEEDS TO HIS FATHER. 23 
 
 Shone back and 'blushed again ; this gladdened the 
 
 revelling warriors. 
 Rich was the house ; and wherever the eye was cast the 
 
 spectator 
 Saw nought but comfort and plenty and storehouses 
 
 crammed unto bursting. 
 Many a jewel was also concealed, of conquest the 
 
 booty, 
 
 Silver and gold resplendent thereon, all skilfully graven. 
 Yet three things were prized above all these riches in 
 
 value ; 
 The sword handed down from father to son was first of 
 
 the triad, 
 
 Angurvadel was its name, of lightning the brother. 
 Far in the unknown East was it forged (for thus saith 
 
 the story) ; 
 In the fires of the dwarfs was it tempered ; first worn by 
 
 Bjorn Blatand. 
 
 But Bjorn lost his life and his sword at once in a battle, 
 Southwards in Groningasund, where he fought with 
 
 valorous Yifell. 
 "Vifell a son had called Viking. A king with his 
 
 beauteous daughter 
 
 Dwelt at Ulleraker in quiet, but aged and failing. 
 See, there comes from the depths of the forest a hideous 
 
 giant, 
 
24 FKITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 Taller by far than the sons of men, but rough like a wild 
 
 boar, 
 
 Demanding the maid and the kingdom to buy his for- 
 bearance. 
 But none dared the combat unequal, nor was there a 
 
 falchion 
 Could cut through his skull of iron, whence his name 
 
 Jernhos. 
 
 Yiking alone, just fifteen years old, accepted the chal- 
 lenge, 
 Trusting his strength and relying on Angurvadel. With 
 
 one sword-cut 
 Asunder he clove the loud-roaring brute and delivered 
 
 the fair one. 
 Yiking delivered the sword to Thorsten his son, and 
 
 from Thorsten 
 Came it to Frithiof an heirloom ; when he drew it, its 
 
 shimmer 
 Flew through the room like lightning or northern 
 
 aurora. 
 Hilt was of hard-hammered gold ; but the blade was 
 
 engraven 
 "With letters mysterious, unknown in the North, but well 
 
 comprehended 
 Towards the sun 3 , of our fathers the home till the gods 
 
 brought us hither. 
 
FRITHIOF SUCCEEDS TO HIS FATHER. 25 
 
 Faint and dull lobked the runes alway when peace was 
 
 prevailing : 
 But when Hildur 4 began his sport, then constantly burnt 
 
 they 
 Red as the comb of the cock when he fighteth ; a lost 
 
 man was he who 
 In combat encountered that blade with the runes all a- 
 
 flaming. 
 The sword was famed far and wide, and of swords was 
 
 first in the North. 
 
 Next highest in worth was prized a wide-renowned armlet, 
 Forged by the Vulcan of Northern story, by Vaulund the 
 
 limping ; 
 Three marks was it in weight and made of the purest of 
 
 fine gold ; 
 Heaven was designed thereon, with the fortresses of the 
 
 Immortals, 
 Twelve, like the changing months, but named by the 
 
 poets the sunhouse. 
 Alfhem too was pourtrayed, the castle of Frey : 'tis the 
 
 sun who 5 , 
 New-born at Christmas, commences to climb the steep 
 
 slopes of heaven. 
 Soquaback also was there, in whose hall sat Odin with 
 
 Saga 6 , 
 
26 PRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 Drank his wine from the golden cup ; but that cup was 
 
 the ocean, 
 Coloured with gold and the glow of the morning ; and 
 
 Saga was spring-time, 
 Written on verdant fields ; but instead of the runes were 
 
 the flowers. 
 
 Also Balder appeared on his throne, like the sun at mid- 
 summer, 
 From the firmament pouring his riches, of Goodness the 
 
 emblem ; 
 
 For Goodness is far-beaming light, but Evil is darkness. 
 Always to fertilise deigns not the sun, and Beneficence 
 
 likewise 
 Totters upon the edge of the gulf ; with a heart-rending 
 
 sigh 
 Vanish they both to the shadows of Hel ; 'tis the story 
 
 of Balder. 
 Glitnir 7 , the city of peace, was seen ; and carefully 
 
 weighing 
 All things with balance in hand sat Forseti, judge of 
 
 the autumn. 
 These significant shapes with others, the struggle 
 
 betokening 
 Of light in heaven's blue vault and the senses of 
 
 mortals, 
 Were carved by a master's hand. A magnificent cluster 
 
FRITHIOF SUCCEEDS TO HIS FATHER. 27 
 
 Of rubies its circlet crowned as the sun crowns the 
 
 heavens. 
 Long in the race was the ring an heirloom, for 'twas 
 
 descended, 
 Though by the mother's side, from Vanlund, reckoned its 
 
 founder. 
 Once on a time was the rare jewel stolen by the sea-rover 
 
 Sot*, 
 
 "Who infested the seas of the North, and 'twas not re- 
 covered. 
 Then 'twas whispered that Sote*, not far from the bleak 
 
 shores of Bretland, 
 Living with ship and goods, had buried himself in his 
 
 barrow ; 
 Yet found he no rest, for the tomb was constantly 
 
 haunted. 
 Thorsten soon heard of the rumour, and mounted his 
 
 galley with Bele, 
 Which ploughed through the foaming deep till he came 
 
 to the barrow. 
 
 Large as a temple or royal abode, the tomb was em- 
 bedded 
 In ruins and turf-covered banks, which nearly concealed 
 
 it; 
 Light also shone therefrom; through a chink in the 
 
 mouldering portal 
 
28 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 Peeped the warriors in : the well-tarred sea-rovers' galley 
 
 Stood there with anchor and masts and yards ; but high 
 o'er the rudder 
 
 Sat a terrible shape ; and 'twas clad in a fiery mantle. 
 
 Gloomy and fierce sat it there, and scraped at its blood- 
 speckled falchion, 
 
 But those drops were not to be cleansed ; all the gold it 
 had plundered 
 
 Lay scattered around ; and on its arm was hanging the 
 armlet. 
 
 " Descend we the tomb," whispered Bele, " and hew down 
 the demon, 
 
 Two 'gainst a spirit of fire!" But Thorsten, half- 
 angered, gave answer : 
 
 " One against one was our fathers' wont; alone will I 
 conquer." 
 
 Long argued they now who first of the twain should en- 
 deavour 
 
 To enter those perilous gates ; till the king seized his 
 helmet 
 
 And shook two lots therein : now by the glimmering 
 starlight 
 
 Thorsten beheld his fortune ; then with one blow of his 
 iron lance 
 
 Burst he the bolts and bars and descended. If one de- 
 manded 
 
FRITHIOF SUCCEEDS TO HIS FATHER. 29 
 
 What he perceived in the noisome pit, he was silent and 
 
 shuddered. 
 Bele first heard a song, which seemed like the song of a 
 
 demon, 
 Then a clinking sound, as of blades which on armour are 
 
 clattering, 
 Then a terrible shriek, then all silent. Out started 
 
 Thorsten, 
 Pale, distracted, and shaken, for with Death had he 
 
 struggled. 
 Yet bore he the ring : " Dearly bought is the prize," said 
 
 he often, 
 " For I trembled but once in my life, and 'twas when I 
 
 seized it ! " 
 The jewel was famed far and wide, and of jewels was first 
 
 in the North. 
 
 Lastly Ellida, the galley, was one of the household 
 treasures. 
 
 Once on a time when Viking, 'tis said, was returning from 
 warfare, 
 
 Sailing along the coast he perceived a man on a ship- 
 wreck, 
 
 Carelessly drifting along as if he derided the breakers. 
 
 The man was tall and of noble aspect, and his counte- 
 nance open, 
 
30 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 Cheerful, yet changeable too, as the sea which sports in 
 
 the sunshine. 
 His mantle was blue, and his belt of gold, ornamented 
 
 with coral, 
 
 Beard white as the foam of the sea, and tresses of sea- 
 green. 
 Viking steered his ship to the spot and succoured the 
 
 suff'rer, 
 Took him benumbed to his house, and well entertained 
 
 him. 
 But when invited to rest in his chamber, then laughed he 
 
 and answered : 
 " Fair is the wind and my ship, as thou seest, is by no 
 
 means a bad one, 
 
 A hundred miles, I hope, I shall this night accomplish ; 
 Thanks for thy courteous reception, 'tis well meant, could 
 
 I only 
 Leave a remembrance behind ! But my riches lie in the 
 
 ocean. 
 Yet to-morrow mayst thou find on the shore a 
 
 memento." 
 By the sea stood Viking next morning, when, lo ! as an 
 
 eagle 
 
 Swiftly pursues his prey, into the creek scuds a war-ship. 
 No form was seen on the deck, and without the aid of a 
 
 helmsman 
 
FRITHIOF SUCCEEDS TO HIS FATHER. 31 
 
 The rudder steereH its course amongst rocks and perilous 
 shallows ; 
 
 Reefed by themselves were the sails ; without the aid of 
 a mortal 
 
 The anchor dropped of itself, and gripped in the sands of 
 the ocean. 
 
 Viking stood still and watched, when playfully chanted 
 the billows : 
 
 " ^Egir 8 assisted forgets not his debt, he gives thee the 
 war-ship." 
 
 A royal gift to behold, for the swelling planks of its frame- 
 work 
 
 Were not fastened with nails, as is wont, but grown in 
 together. 
 
 Its shape was that of a dragon when swimming, but for- 
 ward 
 
 Its head rose proudly on high, the throat with yellow gold 
 flaming ; 
 
 Its belly was spotted with red and yellow, but back by 
 the rudder 
 
 Coiled out its mighty tail in circles, all scaly with silver ; 
 
 Black wings with edges of red ; when all were expanded 
 
 Ellida raced with the whistling storm, but outstript the 
 eagle. 
 
 When, filled to the edge with warriors, it sailed o'er the 
 waters, 
 
32 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 You'd deem it a floating fortress, or warlike abode of a 
 
 monarch. 
 The ship was famed far and wide, and of ships was first 
 
 in the North. 
 
 These and much more received Frithiof as heir to his 
 
 father; 
 
 Scarcely was found in the whole of the North an inherit- 
 ance fairer, 
 If 'twere not the son of a king, for a king's worth is 
 
 greatest. 
 He was not the son of a king, though truly his temper 
 
 was kingly, 
 Sociable, noble and mild, and each day his glory grew 
 
 greater. 
 Beside him sat twelve warriors, grey-haired princes of 
 
 exploit, 
 His father's companions, with breasts of steel and deep- 
 
 scarred foreheads. 
 On the warriors' bench, of like age with Frithiof, a young 
 
 man 
 Sat like a rose among withering leaves : and Bjorn was 
 
 he named, 
 
 Glad as a child, but firm as a man, and wise as an elder. 
 He had grown up with Frithiof, their blood was mingled 
 
 together, 
 
FRITHIOF SUCCEEDS TO HIS FATHER. 33 
 
 Foster-brothers nuNorland fashion, and bound by agree- 
 ment 
 
 Together to hold in weal or woe, and by dark oaths of 
 vengeance. 
 
 Girt round by warriors and guests who had come to the 
 funeral banquet, 
 
 With eyes full of tears sat Frithiof, a sad entertainer ; 
 
 Drank, as his fathers were wont, to his father's remem- 
 brance and listened 
 
 Whilst thundered the skalds to his praise a loud lamen- 
 tation ; 
 
 Then up to his father's seat, now his own, he ascended, 
 
 Twixt Odin and Frey; but Thor's place is up in Val- 
 halla. 
 
IV. 
 
 FRITHIOF'S COURTSHIP. 
 
 -9- 
 
 IN Frithiof s hall loud rings the song, 
 And poets praise his race so long. 
 But the song brings 
 No joy to Frithiof; he hears not what the poet sings. 
 
 The earth again in green is drest, 
 The sea again bears ships on its breast. 
 But the hero's son 
 "Wanders alone in the woods and looks at the moon. 
 
 Lately was he so cheerful and glad, 
 For gladsome King Halfdan as guest he had, 
 And Helge sinister, 
 And with them they had their lovely sister. 
 
FEITHIOF'S COURTSHIP. 33 
 
 He had sat by 'her side and her hand caressed, 
 And felt in return his own slightly pressed, 
 With ardent gaze 
 He had looked on her noble and lovely face. 
 
 And much they talked of the joyful day, 
 When morning's dew on life still lay. 
 The noble mind 
 With wreaths of roses childhood's hours doth bind. 
 
 She hailed him now from each valley and park, 
 From the name which he cut in the birch's bark, 
 And from the wold 
 Where the sturdy oaks thrive in the heroes' mould. 
 
 " It was not so pleasant in the king's ward, 
 For Halfdan was childish, and Helge hard. 
 The royal brothers 
 Heard nought but prayers and praise from others. 
 
 " And no one " (here blushed she like a rose) 
 " To whom one might a complaint disclose. 
 And in the palace 
 How confined was it too after Hilding's valleys ! 
 
 D 2 
 
36 FEITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 11 And the doves which they had tamed and paired 
 Had flown away, by the fierce hawk scared. 
 One pair alone 
 Lingered behind, of these two take thou one. 
 
 "The dove he will soon fly home again, 
 Away from his mate he will not remain ; 
 Bind under his wing 
 A friendly line, which unperceived 'twill bring." 
 
 Thus whispered they on from morning gray 
 Till dewy eve the hours away ; 
 As the evening breeze 
 In spring-time whispers amongst the rustling trees. 
 
 But now she is gone, and Frithiof 's joy 
 Is flown with her. The unhappy boy 
 All lonely lies, 
 .And silent thinks of her, and thinks again and sighs. 
 
 His sorrow then on a slip he wrote, 
 And glad let fly the dove with his note ; 
 But, alas ! hard fate ! 
 The dove came not back, but remained with his mate. 
 
FRITHIOF'S COUETSHIP. 37 
 
 This conduct was not to the mind of Bjorn, 
 Who said : " Why doth our eagle mourn ? 
 Why so sad and oppressed ? 
 Have his wings been crippled or pierced in his breast ? 
 
 " What wilt thou ? Have we not more than we need 
 Of yellow pork and dark brown mead ? 
 Doth not the sound 
 Of music and song in our halls resound ? " 
 
 "The pawing charger stamps in his stall, 
 For his quarry the falcon screams in the hall. 
 But Frithiof roves 
 Alone in the clouds, and thinks of his loves. 
 
 " Ellida tosses upon the sea, 
 And tugs at her anchor constantly. 
 Ellida, hush ! 
 Frithiof for warlike adventure cares not a rush. 
 
 " A death-bed on straw is death ; but I fear 
 I shall hasten my end at last with my spear. 
 We cannot fail, 
 Welcomed guests shall we be to Hela 1 pale ! " 
 
38 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 Then Frithiof went his ship aboard, 
 The white sail swelled and the billows roared. 
 Right over the bay 
 To the royal brothers he steered his stormy way. 
 
 They were seated on Bele's tomb, and o'er 
 The common folk administered law. 
 But Frithiof speaks, 
 And his voice re-echoes round valleys and peaks. 
 
 " Ye kings, my love is Ingborg fair ; 
 To ask her in marriage I here repair; 
 And what I require 
 I here maintain was King Bele's desire. 
 
 " He let us grow in Hilding's care, 
 Like two young saplings, year by year ; 
 And therefore, kings, 
 Unite the full-grown trees with golden rings. 
 
 " My father was neither earl nor king, 
 Yet poets oft his glories sing. 
 The high-arched grave 
 Relates the story of my fathers brave. 
 
FRITHIOF'S COURTSHIP. 39 
 
 
 " Well might I win a kingdom broad, 
 
 But keep for my native land my sword. 
 My shield of proof 
 Shall guard the royal hall and peasant's roof. 
 
 " We are on Bele's tomb : beneath 
 He lies, attentive to each breath. 
 With Frithiof prays 
 The old man in the grave : think well on what he says." 
 
 Then rose up Helge, and said, with scorn : 
 " Our sister is not for a freeman 2 born. 
 The kings of the land 
 May struggle, not thou, for the damsel's hand. 
 
 (t Boast on, if thou wilt, to be first in the North, 
 To conquer in war and in love go forth ; 
 But Odin's blood 
 I yield not a victim to haughty mood. 
 
 " As to my kingdom and throne, I can 
 Protect it myself. Wilt be my man ? 
 A place I proffer 
 Amongst my house-carls ; wilt take my offer ? " 
 
40 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 " Hardly thy man," said Frithiof ; " and more, 
 I am man for myself, as my father before. 
 From thy scabbard wide 
 Leap, Angurvadel ! thou inay'st not abide." 
 
 The blue blade glanced in the beaming sun, 
 And crimson flamed the runes thereon. 
 Said Frithiof now : 
 " Of right noble descent, Angurvadel, art thou ! 
 
 " And had it not been for the tomb where we stand, 
 I had hewed thee down, dark king, with this hand. 
 Yet will I show 
 What my blade can do by a single blow." 
 
 So saying, he smote with a mighty stroke 
 King Helge's shield, which hung on an oak. 
 The half-circles twain 
 Clashed on the tomb, which re-echoed again. 
 
 " Well struck, my blade ! Lie still, and pant 
 For higher deeds ; till then consent 
 To quench thy fire. 
 Now sail we home o'er the billow dire." 
 
Y. 
 
 Kiisra RING. 
 
 AND King King pushed back his chair from the board, 
 
 All the warriors about 
 
 Rose up to hear the words of their lord, 
 
 In the North adored, 
 
 He was wise as god Mimer, as Balder devout. 
 
 Like the grove was his land where the gods abide, 
 
 And war's dark doom 
 
 Came not within its shadowy pride ; 
 
 And meadows wide 
 
 Flourish secure instead, and roses bloom. 
 
 Justice, both mild and strict, was set 
 
 On the judgment chair ; 
 
 And peace discharged each year her debt. 
 
 The stranger met 
 
 On every side the yellow cornfields there. 
 
42 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 And the galleys came with bosom black 
 
 And pinions white ; 
 
 When from foreign shores they scudded back, 
 
 There was no lack 
 
 Of wealth with which the rich to delight. 
 
 Peace dwelt with freedom as it ought, 
 
 In union glad. 
 
 And all their chieftain's welfare sought, 
 
 Though in the court 
 
 Both king and yeoman equal hearing had. 
 
 For thirty years peaceful and blessed, 
 
 The North he swayed, 
 
 And no man injured went to his rest ; 
 
 The people blest 
 
 His name, and to Odin for him prayed. 
 
 And King Ring pushed back his chair from the board, 
 
 And every man 
 
 Stood up to list to the words of his lord, 
 
 In the North adored ; 
 
 But he heaved a deep sigh and thus began : 
 
KING RING. 43 
 
 
 
 " My queen sits now by Freya there, 
 
 With radiant look ; 
 
 But here the grass doth flourish fair, 
 
 With blossoms rare, 
 
 Above her ashes by the brawling brook. 
 
 " Ne'er find we a queen so good and fair, 
 
 The pride of our lands. 
 
 She is gone to breathe Yalhalla's air, 
 
 But my people's prayer 
 
 A queen, a mother demands. 
 
 " King Bele, who oft did sail to my hall, 
 
 When summer settles, 
 
 Did leave a daughter ; my choice doth fall 
 
 On the lily small 
 
 With rosy morn on its petals. 
 
 " I know she is young, and a youthful maid 
 
 Would fain pluck flowers; 
 
 But withering Winter his hand hath laid 
 
 On my whitening head, 
 
 And old age above me lowers. 
 
44 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 " Can she to my declining head 
 
 Affection bring ; 
 
 And to my little ones stand in the stead 
 
 Of a mother dead, 
 
 Then Autumn offers his throne to Spring. 
 
 " Take jewels rich from the casket strong 
 
 Of every sort ; 
 
 Follow, ye skalds, the rest among, 
 
 For the god of song 
 
 Is present at wooing, and present at sport." 
 
 Now out streamed the youths the road along, 
 
 With gold and prayers, 
 
 And the skalds they followed, a line full long, 
 
 With many a song, 
 
 And arrived at the hall of King Bele's heirs. 
 
 Three wassail nights they kept awake, 
 
 But on the fourth 
 
 They desired King Helge' answer to make, 
 
 That they might take 
 
 A quick return to the North. 
 
KING RING. 45 
 
 King Helge he offered both hawk and horse 
 
 In the verdant grove, 
 
 And questioned the priests at the oracle's source, 
 
 "Which were the best course 
 
 For his sister, and for her love. 
 
 But priests and entrails denied consent 
 
 So constantly, 
 
 That Helge, affrighted, his answer sent, 
 
 And No it meant ; 
 
 For when gods ordain must mortals obey. 
 
 But gay King Halfdan he laughed and said, 
 
 " Farewell to the feast ! 
 
 King Greybeard must now abandon the maid 
 
 But I'll gladly aid 
 
 The old man to mount his beast." 
 
 Angrily went the envoys away, 
 
 And tidings bore 
 
 Of the slight to the king ; but he drily did say, 
 
 That with small delay 
 
 King Greybeard will wash out the stain with gore. 
 
46 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 He struck his war-shield, which did rest 
 
 On a lofty lime : 
 
 Straight o'er the brine the galleys pressed 
 
 With blood-red crest, 
 
 Whilst the nodding plumes to the oars keep time. 
 
 A challenge bade Helge draw the sword, 
 
 Who said sinister, 
 
 " King Ring is mighty, the strife will be hard, 
 
 In Balder's ward, 
 
 In his temple I've placed my sister." 
 
 There sits the loving heart, full of pain, 
 
 And sad her bosom. 
 
 She broiders with silk and gold again, 
 
 But like the rain 
 
 Flow her tears, or the dew on the blossom. 
 
VI. 
 
 FRITHIOF PLAYS AT CHESS. 
 
 BJORN and Frithiof sat and played 
 At a chessboard fairly made. 
 Set around with jewels rare, 
 Of gold and silver was each square. 
 
 Then stept Hilding in : " Sit down 
 In the seat beside mine own, 
 Drain a goblet, whilst I end 
 This contest, well-beloved friend ! " 
 
 Hilding said : Of Bele's heir 
 I bear to thee the rueful prayer. 
 Ill news hath reached the royal ear, 
 Hope of thy race, and foeman's fear." 
 
48 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 Frithiof said : " Bjorn, take heed, 
 Your king is now hard pressed indeed. 
 By a pawn he may be freed ; 
 They are made for kings in need." 
 
 " Frithiof, anger not the kings, 
 Powerful wax the eagles' wings ; 
 Though 'gainst Ring they weak may seem, 
 They are strong for thee, I deem." 
 
 " Bjorn, you threaten now the rook, 
 Thine assault I lightly brook. 
 'Tis hard, indeed, the rook to o'erpower 
 When firmly seated in his tower." 
 
 " Ingeborg in Balder's shrine 
 Sits and weeps, and there doth pine. 
 Can she not lure thee to the fight, 
 Drooping maid with eyes so bright ? " 
 
 " Bjorn, the queen you vainly chase 
 Was dear to me from childhood's days, 
 She, the best piece in all the game, 
 Should sure be saved whatever came. 
 
FRITHIOF PLAYS AT CHESS. 49 
 
 " Frithiof, wilt thou not decide ? 
 Must thy foster-father ride 
 Unheard from thy gates, the whilst 
 Thou thyself with chess beguil'st ?" 
 
 Then rose Frithiof up and laid 
 Hilding's hand in his, and said : 
 " Father, thou hast heard already, 
 My soul's resolve is firm and steady. 
 
 " Let the sons of Bele know 
 
 What I've said : I strike no blow 
 
 For those who have mine honour slighted, 
 
 But I'll see that honour righted."- 
 
 f 
 " Well, defend thine own fair fame, 
 
 I cannot thine anger blame. 
 Odin guide and bless thee, son ! " 
 Thus said Hilding, and was gone. 
 
VII. 
 
 FRITHIOFS GOOD FORTUNE. 
 
 KING BELE'S sons may gladly roam 
 From dale to dale, with flag unfurled. 
 Tis nought to me ; in Balder's dome, 
 There rests my soul, there lies my world; 
 There shall no thought my bliss destroy 
 Of kingly rage or earthly care ; 
 But only drink without alloy 
 The cup of bliss with Ingborg fair. 
 
 Whilst the bright sun with radiance plays, 
 Sheds on the flower its crimson warm, 
 Like to the rosy gauze whose haze 
 Conceals the charms of Ingborg's form ; 
 So long I wander on the strand, 
 Consumed by everlasting fire, 
 And, sighing, write upon the sand 
 Her name, with love that nought can tire. 
 
FKITHIOF'S GOOD FORTUNE. 61 
 
 
 
 How slowly pass the lazy hours ! 
 
 Delling's son, why tarriest thou ? 
 
 Hast thou not seen both tombs and towers, 
 
 And lakes and islands, until now ? 
 
 Is there no maid in the far "West 
 
 To hasten on thy lagging pace ; 
 
 Who, closely to thy bosom pressed, 
 
 Will look into thy radiant face ? 
 
 At last, in spite of billows' roar, 
 Thou sink'st into the troubled deep, 
 And Evening draws her veil before 
 The mystery of godlike sleep. 
 Their tale of love the streamlets smother, 
 The winds their songs of love repress, 
 Welcome, Night ! Of gods the mother^ 
 With pearls upon thy bridal dress ! 
 
 Silent the shining stars advance, 
 Like lover, tiptoe, to his maid. 
 O'er the rough wave, Ellida, dance, 
 Dance on, nor let thy course be stayed. 
 There, in the distance, lies the grove 
 O'er the blue wave, a green line thin- 
 And Balder's temple is above, 
 And Love's fair goddess is within. 
 
 E 2 
 
52 FKITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 Earth, I could embrace thee now ! 
 fields, I could thy bosom kiss ! 
 flowers, which red and white do grow 
 Upon the rugged precipice ! 
 Moon, who shed'st thy radiant beams 
 O'er grove and temple, tomb and tower, 
 And sit'st like prophetess who dreams 
 Of things below with silent power ! 
 
 Who taught thee, brook, the voice which fails, 
 And dies unspoken in my breast ? 
 Who taught you, northern nightingales, 
 To warble forth my love expressed ? 
 The evening's blushes paint her form 
 All rosy on the darkening sky ; 
 But Freya damps its colours warm, 
 And, envious, sweeps them now away. 
 
 Yet gladly let her phantom vanish ; 
 
 She comes herself, with bright blue eyes, 
 
 And faith, which nought but Death can banish, 
 
 She comes herself, affection's prize. 
 
 Come, my beloved, let me press thee 
 
 To the heart which holds thee dear. 
 
 My soul's delight, may Heaven bless thee ; 
 
 Come to my arms, and rest thee there. 
 
FRITHIOF'S GOOD FORTUNE. 53 
 
 Slim as the sfalk of any flower, 
 Round as the form of full-blown rose, 
 With purity thy native dower, 
 Thy love thou may'st with warmth disclose. 
 Kiss me, my fair one. Let the glow 
 Which warms my veins e'en quicken thee. 
 Ah ! heaven above and earth below 
 Swim round me when thou kissest me. 
 
 Be not afraid there is no fear ; 
 Bjora stands below, with sails unfurled, 
 And warriors armed with shield and spear, 
 Fit to defend us 'gainst a world. 
 that the Fates would so decide 
 That I might die for thee e'en now, 
 And joyful to Valhalla ride, 
 If my Valkyria 1 wert thou. 
 
 What whisper you of Balder's ire ? 
 The pious god he is not wrath. 
 He loves himself, and doth inspire 
 Our love the purest he calls forth. 
 The god with true and steadfast heart, 
 The sun upon his glittering form, 
 Is not his love for Nanna part 
 Of his own nature, pure and warm ? 
 
54 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 There is his image ; he is near. 
 
 How mild he looks on me how kind ! 
 
 A sacrifice to him I'll bear, 
 
 The offer of a loving mind. 
 
 Kneel down with me ; no better gift, 
 
 No fairer sure for Balder is, 
 
 Than two young hearts, whose love doth lift 
 
 Above the world almost like his. 
 
 More unto heaven than to earth 
 Belongs my love. Despise it not ; 
 For heaven it was that gave it birth, 
 It longeth for that sacred spot. 
 On high how pure would be our love ! 
 
 might I die by foeman's blade, 
 And glorious rise to realms above, 
 Clasped in the arms of my pale maid ! 
 
 When to the fight the warriors ride 
 From out the silver portals free, 
 
 1 should repose thy form beside, 
 
 A faithful friend, and gaze on thee. 
 When Valhall's maids around the board 
 Hand the large mead-horn, foaming high, 
 To thee I'd whisper low a word 
 Of love, and heave a tender sigh. 
 
FRITHIOF'S GOOD FORTUNE. 
 
 A hut of branches would I build 
 On some bright isle in dark blue bay, 
 'Neath trees with slumbering songsters filled, 
 The darksome night we'd sleep away. 
 When ValhalPs sun again did burn, 
 (How pure, how glorious, are his beams), 
 Unto the gods we would return, 
 Whilst each of home and quiet dreams. 
 
 Thy pallid beauty to enhance, 
 With stars I'd crown thy golden head ; 
 In Yingolf s 2 hall with thee I'd dance 
 Till thy pale cheeks were rosy red. 
 Then from the dance I thee would bring 
 To the abode of love and peace. 
 Brage the silver-haired to sing 
 Thy bridal song should never cease. 
 
 A songster chirps from yonder brake 
 The song is from Valhalla's strand. 
 How the moon shines upon the lake ! 
 She shineth from Death's shadowy land. 
 The song and moonlight soft portend 
 A world of love, devoid of care. 
 My life and love I'd gladly end 
 With thee, with thee, my Ingeborg fair. 
 
66 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 Weep not, for yet the life-blood streams 
 In my young veins. Oh ! weep not so ; 
 For love and youth indulge in dreams 
 Fantastically here below. 
 Only thine arms toward me stretch, 
 With thy blue eyes but look on me, 
 And easily the dreamer fetch 
 From heavenly happiness to thee. 
 
 " Hush ! 'tis the lark/' No, 'tis a dove 
 Cooing within the wood at rest. 
 The lark is sleeping by his love, 
 Secure within his downy nest. 
 happy birds ! Can ye not sing 
 The livelong day as free as air ? 
 Their life is free, free as the wing 
 Which bears aloft the happy pair. 
 
 See, the day breaks." No, 'tis the light 
 Guiding the homeward-veering sail ; 
 Yet may we speak, as yet the night 
 Covers us with her darksome veil. 
 Sleep on, golden star of day, 
 Delay to mount the arduous hill ; 
 For me you may your course delay 
 Till Ragnarok 3 , if so you will. 
 
FKITHIOF'S GOOD FORTUNE. 57 
 
 Alas ! 'tis vain to hope for night ; 
 See in the east the reddening streaks. 
 The morning breeze is fanning light 
 The roses on my darling's cheeks. 
 A crowd of feathered songsters twitters, 
 And soars into the cloudless sky ; 
 Nature awakes, and Ocean glitters, 
 Whilst shadowy night and lovers fly. 
 
 Now rises bright the glorious sphere. 
 Grant me, golden sun, this prayer, 
 I know it well the god is near, 
 And casts around his dazzling glare. 
 
 thou, who tread'st thine annual course, 
 Proudly magnificent as now, 
 
 And cloth'st in light from glory's source 
 Victorious thy sacred brow, 
 
 1 place before thy glitt'ring eye 
 The fairest thing within the North ; 
 Take her into thy ward, most high, 
 She is thine image upon earth. 
 
 Her soul is pure as thy bright beams, 
 Her eyes are as the heaven blue ; 
 The gold which from thy forehead streams 
 Reflects in her long tresses' hue. 
 
58 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 Farewell, beloved one ; and now 
 We part until a longer meeting. 
 Farewell ! A kiss upon thy brow, 
 Now on thy lips a lover's greeting. 
 Sleep now, and dream of me ; when soft 
 You wake at noon, let mem'ry dwell 
 Upon thy absent love, who oft 
 Doth sigh and dream of thee. Farewell ! 
 
VIII. 
 THE FAREWELL. 
 
 INGEBORG. 
 
 BRIGHT breaks the day, but Frithiof cometh not ! 
 Though yesterday was held in state the court 
 Upon my father's tomb. Well was the spot selected 
 Well may his daughter's fate be there decided. 
 How many soft entreaties has it cost me, 
 How many tears, well marked I trust by Freya, 
 To melt the ice of hate round Frithiof 's heart, 
 And charm the promise from his haughty lips, 
 Again to ask my hand from my proud brother ! 
 Alas ! how hard man is, who for his honour 
 (So christens he his pride) recketh but little, 
 rather, nought at all, if he should torture 
 A woman's faithful bosom more or less. 
 Poor woman, closely bounden to his breast, 
 Is like the lichen blooming on the rock, 
 
I FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 With pallid colour, whilst with pain she keeps 
 Her timid hold upon his stony breast : 
 And her sole nourishment the tears of night. 
 So there my fate was yesterday decided, 
 And the red sun hath sunk to rest thereon. 
 But Frithiof cometh not ! The pallid stars 
 In quick succession quench their fires and vanish ; 
 And as each planet pales and dies away, 
 So disappears each hope within my breast. 
 Yet wherefore did I hope ? Yalhalla's gods 
 Protect me not : I have offended them. 
 The mighty Balder, in whose shrine I dwell, 
 Doth frown on me, and sure a human passion 
 Is all unsanctified in godlike eyes ; 
 And earthly gladness should not dare to show 
 Its laughing face beneath the mighty vault 
 Where the imperial powers of heaven reside. 
 What is my fault ? Why doth the pious god 
 Frown darkly on a youthful maid's affection ? 
 Is it not pure as Urda's shining wave 1 , 
 As innocent as Gefjon's 2 morning visions ? 
 The mighty sun turns not away his eye, 
 Though pure and holy, from two faithful lovers, 
 And Day's fair widow, star-bespangled night, 
 Immersed in grief, with joy receives their oaths. 
 That which is lawful under heaven's blue vault, 
 
THE FAREWELL. 61 
 
 Can it be guilty in this sanctuary ? 
 
 
 
 Frithiof I love. Alas ! as long ago 
 
 As memory stretches backwards have I loved him ; 
 
 The passion is coeval with my birth, 
 
 I know not whence it came, cannot conceive 
 
 The thought that it were severed from my being. 
 
 Even as the golden fruit its form arranges 
 
 Around its kernel in the summer sun, 
 
 So have I grown and ripened, and my being 
 
 Is but the outer shell of inward love. 
 
 Forgive me, Balder ! "With a faithful heart 
 
 I tread thy threshold, and with heart as faithful 
 
 Will I depart therefrom ; I'll take it with me 
 
 Thence over Bifrost's 3 bridge, and place myself 
 
 In all my love before Valhalla's gods. 
 
 There shall it stand, an Asa 4 son like them, 
 
 Mirror itself in shields, and fly away 
 
 With soft and dovelike wings right through the blue 
 
 And boundless space into Allfather's breast, 
 
 From whence it came. Wherefore knittest thou 
 
 Thy brows immortal in the morning grey ? 
 
 Within my veins flows pure as in thine own 
 
 The blood of Odin old. What wilt thou, kinsman ? 
 
 Devoted love I cannot offer thee, 
 
 Will not ; but still 'tis worthy of thy heaven. 
 
 But I can offer thee my life and love, 
 
FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 Cast them away, e'en as a queen doth cast 
 
 Her mantle from her, and as heretofore 
 
 She is the same, a queen. It is resolved ! 
 
 Valhalla's glorious host shall not disown 
 
 Their daughter ; I will meet my destiny 
 
 As many a hero hath ! But here comes Frithiof ! 
 
 How wild he looks, how pale! 'Tis o'er ! 'tis o'er ! 
 
 My angry Norna 5 stalks beside his form. 
 
 Be firm, my soul ! "Welcome, though late indeed I 
 
 Our destiny is fixed, for I can read 
 
 The sentence on thy brow. 
 
 FKITHIOF. 
 
 Glows it not there 
 
 Stamped deep in burning letters, speaking fierce 
 Of hate and exile ? 
 
 INGEBORG. 
 
 Frithiof, calm thyself, 
 Relate what has befallen. I have divined 
 The worst long since ; I am prepared for all. 
 
 FRITHIOF. 
 
 I reached the court, upon thy father's tomb, 
 
 And round its verdant sides, shield touching shield, 
 
 Stood sword in hand the warriors of the North, 
 
THE FAREWELL. 
 
 Crowded in many a dense-packed serried rank 
 
 Up to the top ; upon the judgment stone, 
 
 Black as a thunder cloud, stood cruel Helge', 
 
 The pallid butcher with the evil eye ; 
 
 And by his side, a fair and stalwart child, 
 
 Sat Halfdan, careless playing with his sword. 
 
 Then I arose and said : " War is abroad, 
 
 And strikes his echoing shield within our borders, 
 
 Thy crown and land, King Helge, are in danger ; 
 
 Give me thy sister's hand, and I will use 
 
 Henceforth my warlike force in thy defence. 
 
 Let then the wrath between us be forgotten, 
 
 Unwillingly I strive 'gainst Ingborg's brother. 
 
 Secure, king, by one fraternal act 
 
 Thy golden crown and save thy sister's heart. 
 
 Here is my hand. By Thor, I ne'er again 
 
 Present it here for reconciliation." 
 
 A joyful sound arose. A thousand swords 
 
 Hammered applause upon a thousand shields. 
 
 The clash of arms rose to the sky, which glad 
 
 Ke-echoed its approval, thundering loud : 
 
 " Let Ingeborg be his, the slender lily, 
 
 The fairest flower which blooms within our vales : 
 
 His is the boldest blade within our land, 
 
 Let Ingeborg be his ! " Our foster-father, 
 
 The aged Hilding, with the silver beard, 
 
64 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 Arose and spoke with words of wisdom full, 
 
 And many a proverb, trenchant as a blade ; 
 
 Halfdan himself, from off the royal seat, 
 
 Arose, entreating both with look and word. 
 
 It was in vain, for every prayer was wasted, 
 
 Just as the sunbeam falls upon a rock 
 
 And charms no verdure from its barren breast. 
 
 Thus was King Helge's face ; a pallid No 
 
 To damp the hopes and prayers of mortal men. 
 
 " Upon a simple knight," said he with scorn, 
 
 " I might bestow my sister ; but a profaner 
 
 Of temples mates not well with ValhalPs daughter. 
 
 Hast thou not, Frithiof, broken Balder's peace ? 
 
 Hast thou not seen my sister in his temple, 
 
 When darksome night concealed your secret meeting ? 
 
 Say yes or no ! " Then rose a mighty shout 
 
 Up from the crowd : " Say No, say only No, 
 
 We trust thee on thy word, we answer for thee, 
 
 Thou Thorsten's son, as good as royal blood ; 
 
 Say No, say No, and Ingeborg is thine." 
 
 " My weal or woe depends upon a word," 
 
 Said I, " be not alarmed for that, King Helge ; 
 
 I would not lie myself to ValhaU's bliss, 
 
 Nor more to earthly. I have seen thy sister, 
 
 Have talked with her by night without the temple : 
 
 But Balder's peace have I not therefore broken." 
 
THE FAREWELL. 65 
 
 They let me say no more. A cry of horror 
 
 Rose from the 'crowd ; those standing near my side 
 
 Shrank back aghast, as from a pestilence ; 
 
 And when I gazed around, blank superstition 
 
 Had lamed each tongue, and painted chalky white 
 
 Each cheek but lately burning bright with hope. 
 
 King Helge had succeeded ; with a voico 
 
 As hoarse and fierce as when the Yala 6 dead, 
 
 In Vegtamsquida sang a lay to Odin 
 
 Of ruin to the gods and Hel's success, 
 
 So hoarse he spoke : " Exile or instant death 
 
 I could impose, as by our fathers' laws. 
 
 For this thy crime; but I will be as mild 
 
 As Balder is, whose temple thou hast outraged; 
 
 Far in the west there lies a group of islands 
 
 Ruled by Earl Angantyr. 
 
 As long as Bele lived the earl presented 
 
 Each year his tribute ; since he has neglected. 
 
 Sail o'er the billow wild and bring the treasure ; 
 
 I ask this expiation for thy madness." 
 
 This said, continued he, M-ith hateful scorn, 
 
 " That Angantyr is miserly and loves his gold, 
 
 Like to the dragon Fafner ; but who indeed 
 
 Can brave our modern Sigurd Fafnersbane. 
 
 Till the next summer we await thee here, 
 
 Bringing thy glory, and 'fore all, the treasure. 
 
66 FEITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 If not, Frithiof, each man shall call thee niding 7 ; 
 Friendless and homeless shalt thou roam the land/' 
 He gave his judgment and dismissed the court. 
 
 INGEBORG. 
 
 And thy resolve? 
 
 FRITHIOF. 
 
 Have I a choice to make ? 
 Is not mine honour bound by his demand ? 
 I shall accomplish it if Angantyr 
 Concealed his gold in Slidur's 8 miry flood. 
 To-day I must depart. 
 
 INGEBORG. 
 
 And leave me here ? 
 
 FRITHIOF. 
 
 Not leave thee, Ingborg; thou wilt follow me. 
 
 INGEBORG. 
 
 Impossible ! 
 
 FRITHIOF. 
 
 Hear me before you answer ! 
 Thy cunning brother Beige" hath forgotten 
 
THE FAREWELL. 67 
 
 That Angantyr was friendly with my father, 
 Even as with Bele ; it may come to pass 
 That he will freely give what I demand, 
 If not, a powerful advocate and sharp 
 Hangs here. The precious gold I'll send to Helge, 
 And thereby shall we both for ever 'scape 
 The crowned impostor's bloody arts and crimes. 
 But we ourselves, fair Ingeborg, will hoist 
 Ellida's sail and skim the unknown deep ; 
 She'll waft us gently to some friendly shore, 
 Which will give shelter to our outlawed love. 
 What care I for the North, what for a people 
 Which pales with abject fear before their gods, 
 And with audacious hand assails my heart, 
 Lays hands upon my sanctuary of love ? 
 By Freya fair, their base designs shall fail ! 
 A wretched thrall is bounden to the soil 
 Which gave him birth; but I, I will be free, 
 Free as the mountain breeze. A clod of earth 
 From off my father's tomb, and one from Bele's, 
 Can well be placed on board, and that is all 
 That we demand from this our fatherland. 
 Belovdd maiden, there are other suns 
 Than this which palely lights our snowy fells ; 
 There is a heaven brighter far than this, 
 Where tranquil stars look down with yellow radiance, 
 
 F 2 
 
68 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 In the warm summer nights, upon the deep 
 And fragrant laurel groves. 
 My father, Thorsten Yikingsson, had journeyed 
 In warlike einprize far and wide and oft, 
 At eve, when the fire shed its ruddy light, 
 Discoursed of Greece and of her sunny isles, 
 Her dark green groves amid the foaming waves. 
 A mighty race dwelt there in ancient times, 
 And mighty gods within those marble shrines. 
 Now are they waste and broken, the grass grows 
 On the deserted paths, whilst perhaps a flower 
 Peeps from the hallowed tomb of former wisdom. 
 The tall and graceful column oft is seen 
 Encircled by the verdure of the south, 
 And there the earth produces without stint 
 An unsown harvest, all that man requires, 
 And golden apples blush between the leaves, 
 And purple grapes hang heavy from the vines, 
 And swell luxuriant as thine own sweet lips. 
 There, Ingeborg, we'll form amid the waves 
 Another north, more beautiful than here ; 
 And with our fond affection we will fill 
 The graceful temple arches, and delight 
 With earthly happiness the vanished gods. 
 When the chance sailor, slowly gliding by, 
 With flapping sail unruffled by the storm, 
 
THE FAREWELL. C 
 
 Beholds our habitation on the isle, 
 
 When evening spreads its crimson light abroad, 
 
 He'll gaze and see upon the temple's threshold 
 
 The modern Freya (Aphrodite\called 
 
 In their soft tongue, I trow), and fixed admire 
 
 The golden tresses streaming in the wind, 
 
 And eyes more bright than are the southern skies. 
 
 And afterwards there shall arise around 
 
 A little troop of fairies for the temple, 
 
 With cheeks where you would deem the sunny south 
 
 Her roses with the northern snows had blended. 
 
 Ah, Ingeborg, how easily attained 
 
 Is earthly joy by two young faithful hearts ! 
 
 Have they the courage but to seize her fast, 
 
 She follows willingly and builds for them . 
 
 Another Vingolf here below the clouds. 
 
 Come, haste ! each idle word we utter here, 
 
 Subtracts a moment from our future bliss. 
 
 All is prepared ; already Ellida 
 
 Hath spread her swarthy eagle wings for flight. 
 
 The freshening breeze will waft us swift away 
 
 For ever from this superstitious shore. 
 
 Why hesitate? 
 
 INGEBOKG. 
 
 I cannot follow thee. 
 
70 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 FRITHIOF. 
 
 Not follow me ? 
 
 INGEBORG. 
 
 Ah ! Frithiof, you are happy ; 
 You follow none, and like the mast which stands 
 Erect upon your galley you go forth, 
 And steer your course e'en as the rudder doth 
 Which guides the ship over the boist'rous wave. 
 How differently placed am I ! 
 My lot is cast by other hands than mine, 
 Eemorselessly they grasp their bleeding prey 
 To sacrifice herself and weep and grieve 
 In silence, is the royal maiden's doom. 
 
 FRITHIOF. 
 
 Art thou not free already ? In the tomb 
 Thy father sits. 
 
 INGEBORG. 
 
 But Helge is my father, 
 Stands in my father's place, on his consent 
 Depends my hand, and Belt's daughter steals not 
 Her earthly happiness, how near it be. 
 "What were a woman if she rent asunder 
 The ties with which the Almighty hath attached 
 
THE FAREWELL. 71 
 
 Her slender foiun to the stern breast of man ? 
 
 Is she not like the pallid water-lily, 
 
 Which rises with the wave and falls again ? 
 
 The sharp keel passes o'er her prostrate form, 
 
 Careless, may be, how sore her breast is wounded. 
 
 Such then is woman's fate ; but whilst the plant 
 
 Holds firm its root within the shifting sand, 
 
 It has its beauties, and reflects the light 
 
 Sent down from heaven by the pale bright stars, 
 
 On the blue deep itself a beauteous star ; 
 
 But breaking from its root it drifts away, 
 
 A withered leaf upon the watery waste. 
 
 Last night, a long long weary night to me, 
 
 I waited for thee and thou earnest not ; 
 
 The children of the night, dark brooding thoughts, 
 
 With swarthy locks passed rapidly before 
 
 My wakeful eye, tearless and hot with care ; 
 
 Balder himself, the unstained god, looked down 
 
 With glances full of wrath and menace on me. 
 
 Last night I have considered well my fate, 
 
 And my resolve is taken, I remain 
 
 A sacrifice upon my brother's altar. 
 
 Well was it for me that I listened not, 
 
 When thine imagination conjured up 
 
 The lovely isles where the sun never sets 
 
 Upon a flowery world of love and peace. 
 
72 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 Who knows how weak one is? My childhood's dreams, 
 
 Sweet memories now long silenced rise again, 
 
 And whisper in mine ear familiar tones, 
 
 Dear as a sister's, tender as a lover's. 
 
 I listen not; nay, nay, I hear ye not, 
 
 Beloved voices of my childhood's days ! 
 
 Child of the north, what do I in the south ? 
 
 I am too pale for its red blushing roses, 
 
 My temper is too moderate for its glow ; 
 
 I should be scorched by its bright blazing sun, 
 
 And full of longing I should cast my eyes 
 
 Back to the northern star, who constant keeps 
 
 A heavenly watch upon our fathers' graves. 
 
 My noble Frithiof shall not flee away 
 
 From the dear land which proudly owns his birth, 
 
 Nor shall he cast away his glory for 
 
 A thing so worthless as a maiden's love. 
 
 A life in which the sun doth rise and set 
 
 On each successive day just like the last, 
 
 Always monotonous, is good, perhaps, 
 
 For womankind, but for the hero's soul, 
 
 And well for thine, a life of calm is ill. 
 
 Thy place is where the restless steeds of ocean 
 
 Rush madly on the broad and troubled deep ; 
 
 When on thy deck, amid the clash of arms, 
 
 Thou spurnest death and danger for thine honour ! 
 
THE FAREWELL. 73 
 
 The lovely isle you painted thus would be 
 The grave of glories yet not thought upon. 
 And with thy rusted shield would rust likewise 
 Thy noble temper. So it shall not be ! 
 I will not steal away my Frithiof' s name 
 From songs of future bards, nor will I quench 
 My hero's glory in its rosy dawn. 
 Be wise, my Frithiof, let us bend before 
 The mighty Nornas ; let us save from off 
 The shipwreck of our love at least our honour ; 
 Our fond affection cannot now be saved. 
 We must part. 
 
 FRITHIOF. 
 
 But wherefore must we part ? 
 Because a sleepless night hath loosed thy nerves ? 
 
 INGEBORG. 
 
 To save mine honour and thine own from ruin. 
 
 FRITHIOF. 
 
 On man's affection resteth woman's honour. 
 
 INGEBORG. 
 
 He loves not long who loves without esteem. 
 
74 FEITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 FRITHIOF. 
 
 By light caprice esteem is never gained. 
 
 INGEBORG. 
 
 The sense of right is sure a noble feeling. 
 
 FRITHIOF. 
 
 But yesterday our love was not against it. 
 
 INGEBORG. 
 
 Nor more to-day, but only 'gainst our flight, 
 
 FRITHIOF. 
 
 Pressing necessity compels us, come ! 
 
 INGEBORG. 
 
 Necessity is what is right and noble. 
 
 FRITHIOF. 
 
 High rides the sun and fast the time speeds past. 
 
 INGEBORG. 
 
 Alas ! alas ! 'tis past, 'tis past for ever ! 
 
 FRITHIOF. 
 
 Consider well ; is this thy last resolve ? 
 
THE FAEEWELL. 75 
 
 I have considered all, it is my last. 
 
 FRITHIOF. 
 
 Maiden, farewell ! Farewell, King Helge's sister ! 
 
 INGEBORG. 
 
 Frithiof, Frithiof, must we thus be parted ? 
 Hast thou no friendly glance to give to me, 
 The friend of childish days ? no hand to reach 
 To the unfortunate you loved before ? 
 Think you I stand on roses here and watch 
 With smiling face my happiness depart ? 
 That without pain I tear from out my breast 
 A hope that grew entwined around my being? 
 Wert thou not aye my bosom's morning dream ? 
 All joy I had or knew on earth was Frithiof, 
 And all that life displayed of great or noble 
 Assumed thy shape before my loving eyes. 
 Darken not the dear image ; do not meet 
 With cruelty the weak one, when she offers 
 
 All that affection prizes on the earth, 
 
 All that could make Valhalla's mansions dear. 
 
 Frithiof, the sacrifice is hard enough, 
 
 A word of comfort might it well deserve. 
 
 1 know thou lovest me, have known it since 
 
76 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 My youthful days began on earth to dawn, 
 
 And rest assured thine Ingeborg's remembrance 
 
 Follows thee many a year, where'er thou roam'st. 
 
 But war's loud clangour drowns the voice of care, 
 
 'Tis swept away upon the rolling wave, 
 
 And dares not sit upon the warrior's bench, 
 
 "When the deep mead horn celebrates the victor. 
 
 But now and then, when in the quiet night 
 
 Before thine eye flit glimpses of the past, 
 
 You will distinguish then a pallid form ; 
 
 Then scan her visage well, for she salutes you 
 
 From regions well belov'd, for 'tis the image 
 
 Of the pale girl who dwells in Balder's shrine. 
 
 Then turn her not away, albeit her form 
 
 Is bent with care, but whisper in her ear 
 
 Gently a word of comfort ; night's dark wings, 
 
 The faithful night, will waft those words to me ; 
 
 One comfort left, for other have I none ! 
 
 There's nought for me which may distract my thoughts; 
 
 All that's around me tells me of my loss. 
 
 The mighty pile above me speaks alone 
 
 Of thee ; the god-like images assume, 
 
 When the moon palely shines, thy form and features. 
 
 Upon the sea I gaze, there swam thy bark, 
 
 And clove the foaming wave to love and me. 
 
 T wander in the grove and there I see 
 
THE FAREWELL. 77 
 
 My name cut deep in many a forest stem ; 
 
 The bark now swells and grows, my name departs, 
 
 And that betokens death, so say the seers. 
 
 I ask the sun where last he saw thy face, 
 
 I ask the night, but still and silent they, 
 
 Then the dark sea which bore thee forth, and he 
 
 Answers with a deep sigh upon the shore. 
 
 When the red sun sinks in the western wave, 
 
 A greeting will I send on his bright beams, 
 
 And heaven's wayfarers, the travelling clouds, 
 
 Shall bear a deep drawn sigh from me to thee. 
 
 Thus will I sit within my maiden bower, 
 
 After life's joy, a widow clothed in black, 
 
 And on the canvas broider broken lilies, 
 
 Till one day spring shall weave his web and plant 
 
 The earth with better lilies on my grave ; 
 
 And when I take the harp, in broken tones 
 
 To sing the unceasing grief within thy breast, 
 
 My voice will choke with tears as now. 
 
 PRITHIOF. 
 
 Thou conqu'rest, Bele's daughter, weep no more ! 
 Forgive my anger, which was but my sorrow, 
 Which for the moment took the garb of wrath, 
 Of wrath, which cannot long 'gainst thee be nurst. 
 Thou art my guardian angel, Ingeborg ; 
 
78 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 The noble mind best teaches what is noble ; 
 The wisdom of necessity could have 
 No better advocate than thou art now, 
 Thou shining Vala 9 with the rosy lips. 
 Yes, I will bend before necessity, 
 Will part from thee, but not relinquish hope ; 
 I bear it with me o'er the western wave, 
 I'll bear it with me unto death's dark door* 
 The coming spring will see me here again, 
 King Helge yet again must brook my presence. 
 When I've performed the task which he demands, 
 Atoned the crime of which I am accused, 
 Then will I ask thy hand, nay, will demand it, 
 In open court, 'mid helms and bristling spears, 
 Not from thy brother, but from the northern folk, 
 They are thy lawful sponsors, royal maiden. 
 I'll have a word with him that says me nay. 
 . Farewell till then, be true, forget me not, 
 And take in mem'ry of our childhood's love 
 My armlet here, the work of skilful Yaulund, 
 With heaven's wonders deep engraved in gold : 
 The most to be admired a faithful heart. 
 How gracefully it suits thy snowy arm : 
 Like glowworm round the tender lily's stem ! 
 Farewell, my love, my bride, again farewell, 
 Ere many moons have shone all will be well ! 
 
 (Goes.) 
 
THE FAREWELL 79 
 
 INGEBORG. 
 
 How glad, defiant, and how Ml of hope ! 
 
 He plants the glitt'ring point of his good sword 
 
 Before the Norna's breast and cries : Submit ! 
 
 Poor Frithiof, know'st thou not the Norna yields not ? 
 
 She goes her way and laughs at Angurvadel. 
 
 Little thou know'st the temper of my brother ! 
 
 Thine own heroic mind cannot conceive 
 
 The darksome depths of his, and all the hate 
 
 Which gnaws and burns within his envious breast. 
 
 On thee his sister's hand he'll ne'er bestow ; 
 
 He'd rather sacrifice his crown and life, 
 
 Or offer me to ancient Odin up, 
 
 Or to old King, whom now he wars against. 
 
 Where'er I turn I see no hope for me, 
 
 Yet I rejoice it lives within thy breast. 
 
 Alone I'll stanch the wound which pierced my heart ; 
 
 But thee may angels follow and preserve ! 
 
 Here on thine armlet let me count the days, 
 
 Each separate month of long enduring care ; 
 
 Two, four, or six and then thou may'st return. 
 
 Alas ! no more thou'lt find thine Ingeborg ! 
 
IX. 
 
 INGEBORG'S LAMENT. 
 
 'Tis Autumn now, 
 Stormily heaveth the sea his brow, 
 Ah ! but how gladly I'd lie 
 'Neath the bare sky ! 
 
 As in a trance, 
 
 "Watched I his sail o'er the western wave dance. 
 
 Ah ! happy sail, thou wilt follow 
 
 Frithiof to-morrow. 
 
 Blue rolling ware, 
 
 Swell not so high o'er the track of the brave. 
 
 Shine, ye stars, brightly, and say 
 
 "Where lies the way. 
 
INGEBORG'S LAMENT. 81 
 
 When it is spring, 
 
 He will come home like a bird on the wing ; 
 
 Vainly he'll search for his maid 
 
 In the green glade ; 
 
 Deep in the mould, 
 
 All for her love she lies stiffened and cold, 
 
 Or sacrificed perhaps to another 
 
 By her dark brother. 
 
 Hawk, which he left, 
 Dearly I'll love thee, of master bereft, 
 Teach thee to come at my word, 
 Swift darting bird. 
 
 Here on his hand, 
 
 "Worked on the canvas thou proudly shalt stand, 
 
 Silver thy wings, and behold ! 
 
 Claws made of gold. 
 
 Once on a time, 
 
 Freya took hawk's wing, and wandered each clime : 
 
 North and south the fair rover 
 
 Sought for her lover. 
 
82 FRITIIIOFS SAGA . 
 
 If I could borrow 
 
 Thy wings, they'd carry me not from my sorrow. 
 
 Death is the angel who brings 
 
 Godlike wings. 
 
 Hawk, come to me, 
 
 Sit on my shoulder, and gaze at the sea. 
 Ah ! how we gaze from the spot, 
 Frithiof comes not. 
 
 When I am gone, 
 
 He'll come to my grave in silence to mourn ; 
 Greet then, greet from Ingborg departed 
 My love brokenhearted ! 
 
X. 
 
 FRITHIOF ON THE SEA. 
 
 ON the stormy strand, 
 Helge king did stand 
 In his fiercest mood, 
 And called the goblin brood. 
 
 See the rainbow dim and dusky, 
 Thunder rattles round the skies, 
 And the gale sounds hoarse and husky, 
 White with foam the ocean lies. 
 Lightning through the inky clouds 
 Sudden cuts a blood-red streak, 
 All the feathered tribes in crowds, 
 Seek the land with piercing shriek. 
 
 " Hard the weather, brothers ! 
 Stormy wings I hear 
 
 Ci 2 
 
84 FKITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 Fluttering in the distance, 
 But we tremble not. 
 Quiet in thy grove 
 Sit and think of me y 
 Lovely in thy tears, 
 Lovely Ingeborg I" 
 
 'Gainst Eflida's stem 
 Came two goblins arrayed ; 
 'Twas icy cold Ham 
 And snowy Hejd. 
 
 Now are loosed the tempest's wings, 
 
 Now the madman dips them deep 
 
 In the ocean, now he swings 
 
 Then whirling 'gainst heaven's sacred keep. 
 
 All the powers of darkness roll, 
 
 Eiding grim upon the waves, 
 
 Up from ocean's foaming bowl, 
 
 From his deep, unfathomed caves. 
 
 " The journey was fairer, 
 In the bright moonshine, 
 O'er the blue breakers 
 To Balder's shrine. 
 
FKITHIOF ON THE SEA. 85 
 
 'Twas warmer than here 
 'Gainst lageborg's heart, 
 And whiter than sea-foam 
 Her swelling bosom." 
 
 Solundaro we see, 
 Rise from the wave so white, 
 There we at rest shall be, 
 Steer for the haven tight. 
 
 But our daring vikings shudder, 
 Not so soon on sturdy oak, 
 Joyfully he grasps the rudder, 
 Spurns away the tempest's stroke. 
 Higher yet the sail he heaves, 
 Faster yet the wave he cleaves, 
 Straight to the west, straight to the west, 
 We drift upon the billows' breast! 
 
 Gladly I will fight 
 
 Yet an hour against the storm, 
 
 Storm and Northmen flourish 
 
 Together on the brine. 
 
 My Ingeborg would blush, 
 
 If her eagle of the sea, 
 
FKITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 Fled afraid, with drooping wings, 
 In haste unto the land." 
 
 Now the waves do roar, 
 Back the ship doth reel, 
 The tackle creaketh sore, 
 And straineth hard the keel. 
 
 Yet though wild the wave may thunder, 
 Rolling darkly far and wide, 
 Ellida cleaves its rage asunder, 
 Stout and sturdy is her side, 
 As a meteor doth shoot, 
 So darts she by like arrow bright, 
 She springs like stag or nimble goat, 
 Lightly by from height to height. 
 
 " Better 'twas to kiss 
 My bride in Balder's shrine, 
 Than stand here and smack 
 The salt sea bubbling brine. 
 I'd rather cast my arms 
 Around fair Ingeborg's form, 
 Than stand fast here and grip 
 This rudder in my hands." 
 
FRITHIOF ON THE SEA. 
 
 From heaven's lofty fields, 
 Black with angry frown, 
 Down on deck and down on shields, 
 The hailstorm clatters down. 
 
 Now between the lofty masts 
 Nought is seen but darksome night, 
 Dark as when the trumpet blasts 
 Shall call the dreaming dead to light. 
 Storm, by powers of darkness raised, 
 "Will swallow up the reckless brave, 
 "Who, by relentless furies seized, 
 Will sink into a watery grave. 
 
 " Blue beds in the deep 
 Ean prepares for us, 
 But I wait for thine, 
 Lovely Ingeborg. 
 Oars, with powerful stroke 
 Urge on Ellida, 
 Keel, divinely built, 
 Support us yet an hour ! " 
 
 O'er the starboard lept, 
 A sea with sudden flush, 
 
88 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 The deck was cleanly swept 
 By the mighty rush. 
 
 Frithiof from his arm then takes 
 Of purest gold a heavy ring, 
 Bright as sun when up he breaks, 
 'Twas a gift of Bele king. 
 In portions then the ring he splits, 
 Forged by dwarfs with cunning rare, 
 Parts them 'mongst his crew, omits 
 None of those who then stood there. 
 
 " J Tis good to have gold 
 On our last emprise, 
 No one may descend 
 To Ran empty handed. 
 Cold is she to kiss, 
 Fickle her embrace, 
 But dearly she loves 
 The red red gold." 
 
 With redoubled rage 
 
 The storm now thunders on, 
 
 Nought can it assuage, 
 
 The sheets and yards are gone. 
 
FEITHIOF ON THE SEA. 89 
 
 Now the waves roll onward sailing, 
 Breaking o'er the vessel rough, 
 And the crew though always baling, 
 Cannot yet bale out enough. 
 Frithiof e'en cannot conceal 
 Death stalks fearful now on board, 
 Higher than the gale doth peal, 
 Or crashing wave, his mighty word. 
 
 " Bjorn, come hold the rudder, 
 Grasp it with thy bearlike arm, 
 Valhalla's gods sure never 
 Send such storms as these. 
 There's witchcraft in the matter, 
 Helge coward summoned 
 The spirits from the deep, 
 I will up and see ! " 
 
 Up the mast he sprang 
 With a mighty bound, 
 Like wild cat there did hang 
 And cast his eyes around. 
 
 See, before Ellida's storms 
 Like a drifting isle, a whale, 
 
90 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 And two hideous goblin forms 
 
 Ride upon it 'mid the gale. 
 
 Hejd, with coat all snowy white, 
 
 Like unto a polar bear, 
 
 And Ham his wings prepared for flight, 
 
 Like eagle stretches in the air. 
 
 " Now, Ellida, show me 
 Whether you possess 
 Courage in thine iron-bound 
 Swelling breast of oak. 
 Listen to my voice, 
 Thou daughter of the gods, 
 With thy head of iron, 
 Gore the magic whale ! " 
 
 And Ellida heard 
 Her master's wish, 
 And sprang at his word 
 'Gainst the mighty fish. 
 
 And a bloody fountain spirts 
 From the wound towards the sky, 
 Whilst the monster mad with hurts 
 Roaring downward quick doth fly. 
 
FRITHIOF ON THE SEA. 91 
 
 Then at once two lances part, 
 By heroic vigour flung, 
 Pierce the shaggy icebear's heart, 
 Through the eagle's bosom swung. 
 
 " Ellida, well struck ! 
 Not so quickly I trow, 
 Will King Helge's warship 
 Arise from the deep. 
 Hejd and Ham too no longer, 
 "Will keep the sea, I ween, 
 Bitterly bites 
 The bright blue steel." 
 
 Now the storm has flown, 
 The sea is calm awhile, 
 A gentle swell is blown 
 Against the neighbouring isle. 
 
 Then at once the sun arose, 
 
 Like a king who mounts his throne, 
 
 Vivifies the world and throws 
 
 His light on billow, field and stone. 
 
 His newborn beams adorn awhile 
 
 A dark green grove on rocky top, 
 
FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 All recognise a sea-girt isle, 
 Amongst the distant Orkney's group. 
 
 " The prayers of Ingeborg 
 Ascended unto heaven, 
 Her knees so lily white 
 Were bent to God in prayer. 
 Blue eyes filled with tears, 
 Sighs from swandown bosom, 
 Have touched the Asa's hearts, 
 Let us give them thanks !" 
 
 But Ellida's frame, 
 
 From the shock of the whale, 
 
 Is tired and lame, 
 
 And her strength doth fail. 
 
 Tired indeed are all on board, 
 All the crew of Frithiof 's men, 
 KScarce supported by a sword, 
 Can they raise themselves again. 
 Bjorn takes four of them ashore, 
 On his mighty shoulders wide, 
 Frithiof singly takes twice four, 
 Places them the fire beside. 
 
FRITHIOF ON THE SEA. 93 
 
 " BJush not, ye pale ones, 
 The sea's a valiant viking, 
 'Tis hard indeed to fight 
 Against the rough sea waves. 
 Lo ! there comes the mead horn 
 On golden feet descending, 
 To warm our frozen limbs, 
 Hail to Ingeborg ! " 
 
XI. 
 
 FRITHIOF VISITS ANGANTYR. 
 
 WITH all his men, we say, 
 Angantyr did recline, 
 And drank so blithe and gay 
 All in his house of pine, 
 He was so glad at heart, 
 The sea he gazed upon, 
 'Neath which the sun did dart 
 Just like a golden swan. 
 
 Whilst by the window stood 
 Old Halvar, and took heed, 
 He watched in serious mood, 
 With eye upon his mead, 
 For 'twas the old man's whim 
 To make a single draught, 
 Each horn he found near him 
 Was to the bottom quaffed. 
 
FRITHIOF VISITS ANGANTYR. 95 
 
 Now shouted he full loud 
 
 Into the hall and said ; 
 
 " Ship see I on the flood, 
 
 Her voyage was not glad, 
 
 Death holds her crew as prey, 
 
 Now make they for the land, 
 
 And two tall giants lay 
 
 The pale ones on the strand." 
 
 Straight o'er the rugged crag 
 The earl did gaze down too : 
 " That is Ellida's flag, 
 With Frithiof 'mongst her crew. 
 By gesture and by feature 
 Old Thorsten's son is known, 
 Within the North no creature 
 Like majesty doth own." 
 
 Then from the festive board 
 Sprang Atle* up anon, 
 Black bearded berserk hard, 
 And fierce to look upon. 
 He cried : "Now will I shame 
 The lie that rumour spread, 
 That Frithiof s sword can tamo, 
 But n'er from foe hath fled." 
 
96 . FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 And up beside him sprang 
 His twelve companions near, 
 The earth resounding rang, 
 And rattled sword and spear. 
 They streamed down to the strand 
 Where tired the warriors lay, 
 And Frithiof on the sand 
 Encouraged temper gay. 
 
 " I easily could slay thee," 
 Did Atle viking cry, 
 " Yet if thy heart betray thee, 
 I grant thee leave to fly. 
 Only for mercy plead, 
 Although a warrior bold, 
 And I myself will lead 
 
 Thee to the earl's stronghold." 
 i 
 
 " Though scarce from death restored,' 
 Replied bold Frithiof wrath, 
 "I scarce shall yield my sword 
 Before I prove its worth." 
 The mighty blade was swung 
 Above the warrior's head, 
 On Angurvadel's tongue 
 The runes were glowing red. 
 
FRITHIOF VISITS ANGANTYR. 97 
 
 Now swordcuts fast they ply, 
 And rattling deathstrokes thunder, 
 But both their bucklers fly 
 At the first stroke asunder. 
 The champions ne'er did quit, 
 Nor from the circle broke, 
 Sharp Angurvadel bit 
 And Atle's falchion broke. 
 
 " Against a swordless man 
 I scorn to wield my steel," 
 Said Frithiof, " but again 
 We'll try our warlike zeal." 
 As Autumn breakers shatter 
 Themselves upon the shore, 
 So with a deaf ning clatter 
 They 'gainst each other bore. 
 
 As angry eagles fight 
 Upon the stormy main, 
 As bears exert their might, 
 So wrestle they and strain. 
 Full many a rock would tumble 
 Receiving such dire hugs, 
 The forest oak would humble 
 His crest before such tugs. 
 
FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 On each the sweat stands thick, 
 And cold each bosom heaves, 
 Bushes and stones they kick 
 About like withered leaves. 
 The steelclad men abide 
 The end upon the strand, 
 The contest far and wide 
 Was famed in Northern land. 
 
 At last bold Frithiof sent 
 
 His enemy to earth, 
 
 Knee on his bosom bent 
 
 And spake with words of wrath : 
 
 Had I but my good sword, 
 
 Black Berserk beard, I pledge 
 
 To thee mine honest word, 
 
 That thou should'st feel its edge.'* 
 
 " Be not for that afraid " 
 Said Atle without flinch, 
 " Depart and fetch thy blade, 
 I will not budge an inch. 
 At one time or another 
 We must Valhalla see, 
 First one and then another, 
 It soon your turn may be." 
 
FEITHIOF VISITS ANGANTYR. 99 
 
 With patience long not gifted, 
 Frithiof the foe would kill, 
 And Angurvadel lifted, 
 But Atle yet lay still. 
 This touched the hero's soul, 
 He stayed the sweeping brand 
 Before it reached its goal, 
 And took the fall'n one's hand. 
 
 Now Halvar cried with zeal, 
 And raised his snow white wand : 
 " In this no joy we feel 
 Put up the murderous brand. 
 The silver dishes steam 
 Long since with viands choice, 
 They now are cold, I deem, 
 And thirst chokes up my voice." 
 
 Now reconciled they be, 
 Pass through the castle door, 
 Frithiof had much to see 
 He never saw before. 
 To keep out wind and weather, 
 No coarse wood walls were there, 
 But costly gilded leather 
 Adorned with flowers fair. 
 
 H 2 
 
100 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 Upon the pavement glows 
 The fire with ruddy glare, 
 But 'gainst the wall arose 
 Chimney of marble fair ; 
 No soot the rafters clad, 
 No smoke above them soars, 
 And glass the windows had, 
 Secured with locks the doors. 
 
 On silver brackets fan*, 
 The tapers bright are placed, 
 No torches crackling there 
 Disturb the warriors' feast. 
 Now roasted whole they bring 
 Upon the board a deer, 
 With hoof in act to spring. 
 And garlands 'neath each ear. 
 
 Behind each chair a maid 
 
 Stood with her skin so white, 
 
 Bright as a star displayed 
 
 Amid a stormy night. 
 
 Their nut-brown locks are streaming 
 
 Luxuriant from each head, 
 
 Their bright blue eyes are beaming, 
 
 Their rosy lips are red. 
 
FRITHIOF VISITS ANGANTYR. 10 1 
 
 High on a silver throne, 
 The earl sat in his might, 
 His helm like sunshine shone, 
 His mail with gold bedight 
 With golden stars designed 
 His mantle was, and there 
 Were purple borders lined 
 With ermine spotless fair. 
 
 Then rose he from the board, 
 Stept forward paces three, 
 And said with friendly word : 
 " Come here and sit by me. 
 Full many a horn I've swallowed 
 With Thorsten Vikingsson, 
 The son his path has followed, 
 And glorious deeds hath done." 
 
 Then was the beaker flowing 
 With wine from Sicily, 
 Like flaming crimson glowing 
 And foaming like the sea. 
 " Welcome my noble guest, 
 Son of mine ancient friend, 
 We'll drink to Thorsten blest 
 Remembrance without end." 
 
102 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 A skald from Scotland's hills 
 Now touches sweet the strings, 
 Melodious tones distils, 
 And heroes' exploits sings ; 
 But in the old Norsk tongue, 
 E'en as our fathers spake, 
 He Thorsten's deeds then sung, 
 And no man silence brake. 
 
 Now much the earl did speak 
 Of friends he'd left behind ; 
 Frithiof did answer make 
 With mirth and wit combined. 
 And no man could complain 
 Of aught he there did tell, 
 Like Saga 2 spoke he plain 
 By Mimer's 3 holy well. 
 
 And when he did relate 
 What on the deep he saw, 
 Of Helg^'s monsters' fate, 
 And goblins triumphed o'er, 
 Then laughed the warriors all, 
 And Angantyr he smiled, 
 And all within the hall 
 Applauded Fortune's child. 
 
FRITHIOF VISITS ANGANTYR. 103 
 
 But when tie came to speak 
 Of Ingeborg at last, 
 How down her gentle cheek 
 The tears did flow so fast, 
 Then many a maid did sigh, 
 Cheeks blushing did attest 
 How gladly would she fly 
 Unto her lover's breast ! 
 
 Patient the earl had heard 
 The young man's tale and then 
 He spake with gentle word 
 Amongst those armd men : 
 " I ne'er will pay my wealth, 
 My people all are free, 
 We drink King Belt's health, 
 His subjects ne'er could be. 
 
 " His sons I know not then, 
 But wish they for my gold, 
 Let them come here like men 
 And claim it as of old ; 
 We'll meet them on the strand 
 Yet was thy father dear " 
 Then beckoned with his hand 
 His daughter, who sat near. 
 
104 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 Then rose the maid in haste 
 From off her golden chair, 
 So slender was her waist, 
 Her bosom was BO fair, 
 The dimples on her cheeks 
 Young Astrild 4 oft disclose, 
 Like a butterfly who takes 
 His refuge in a rose. 
 
 Off to her bower she flees 
 And brings a purse well spun, 
 Whereon, 'neath mighty trees, 
 The beasts of forest run, 
 And shines the moon's soft light 
 On sea with ships untold, 
 Its clasps of rubies bright 
 With tufts of glittering gold. 
 
 She handed it to him, 
 Her father kind and bold, 
 Who filled it to the brim, 
 With foreign coins of gold : 
 " Take this a gift from me, 
 Do with it what you will ; 
 But Frithiof now must stay 
 Here for the winter chill 
 
FRITHIOF VISITS ANGANTYR. 105 
 
 " Courage may oft prevail 
 Against the winter storms, 
 But Ham and Hejd ne'er fail 
 Again to raise their forms. 
 Ellida may not shoot 
 Through the dark sea so true, 
 And many monsters float 
 The wave, though one ye slew." 
 
 They drank with laughter light 
 Till upward morn did press, 
 The golden goblets bright 
 Brought gladness not excess. 
 A brimming bumper then 
 They to Angantyr bare, 
 And Frithiof with his men 
 Stayed all the winter there. 
 
XII. 
 
 FRITHIOFS RETURN. 
 
 AGAIN the sky is bright and blue, 
 Again the earth is clothed anew. 
 Frithiof now thanks his host and hastes 
 Again to plough the watery wastes. 
 And gladly cuts his swan so black 
 Through the bright sea her silvery track ; 
 The western wind with spring's soft tongue 
 Like nightingale above them sung, 
 And JEgir's daughters in garments blue, 
 Around the rudder danced and flew. 
 How sweet it is to turn the bark 
 From foreign shores, and gladly mark 
 The smoke curl upward from the spot 
 Where passed our happy childhood's lot ; 
 The fresh spring yet yon rock doth lave, 
 But ah ! thy father's in the grave, 
 The faitMul maid that pines for thee 
 
FEITHIOF'S RETUEK 107 
 
 Gazes fbrlorn upon the sea. 
 
 Seven days he sailed and not before, 
 
 A dark blue streak afar he saw, 
 
 On the horizon growing fast, 
 
 Till rocks and isles appeared at last. 
 
 'Tis his fatherland which now he sees, 
 
 Its forests shiver in the breeze, 
 
 He hears the rushing waterfall 
 
 Dash on the rocks with eddying brawl. 
 
 He hails the cape and hails the sound, 
 
 And sails beneath the temple round, 
 
 Where the last summer many a night, 
 
 He'd watched his Ingborg's glimmering light : 
 
 " Why comes she not ? Doth not her soul 
 
 Tell her that on the deep I roU ? 
 
 But perhaps she left her old resort, 
 
 And sits forlorn within the court, 
 
 And strikes the harp, or weaves the woof." 
 
 Now sudden from the temple's roof 
 
 His hawk shot up, then downward bore, 
 
 To Frithiof 's shoulder, as of yore. 
 
 And there he flaps his snowy wing, 
 
 And none can lure the faithful thing, 
 
 With talons scratches without cease, 
 
 He gives no rest, he gives no peace, 
 
 And bends his beak to Frithiof 's ear, 
 
108 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 As if he tidings had to bear, 
 Perchance from Ingeborg renowned, 
 But none can seize the broken sound. 
 
 Ellida now the headland rounds, 
 Like fawn on grass she blithely bounds, 
 For well known breakers beat her sides, 
 Whilst Frithiof glad the bowsprit rides. 
 He rubs his eyes and lays his hand 
 Above his brow to see the land ; 
 But though he rubs and views the shore, 
 He'll find his Framnas there no more. 
 The blackened ruins rise in gloom, 
 Like bones of warriors from a tomb ; 
 Where stood the hall, a desert now, 
 And ashes whirling round do blow. 
 Wrathfully Frithiof leapt ashore, 
 And scanned the desolation o'er, 
 His father's home a blackened waste. 
 Now shaggy Bran runs up in haste, 
 His dog who oft, as brave as good, 
 Had fought the bear amid the wood ; 
 In many a circle round he sweeps, 
 And high upon his master leaps. 
 The milk-white steed with golden mane, 
 With legs like stag and neck like swan, 
 
FRITHIOF'S RETURN. 109 
 
 On whojn so oft had Frithiof sped, 
 Swept from the vale with springy tread; 
 Gladly he neighs, his neck he bends, 
 And waits for bread from Frithiof 's hands ; 
 Poor Frithiof, now more poor than they, 
 Hath nothing more to give away. 
 
 Houseless and sad on his own land, 
 Gazing around did Frithiof stand, 
 When aged Hilding met him there, 
 His foster father with silver hair. 
 " At what I see, I scarce have wondered, 
 The eagle flown, his nest is plundered. 
 A valorous, kingly deed, in troth ! 
 And well King Helge keeps his oath, 
 Pursuing men with vengeance gory, 
 "Whilst fire and murder are his glory ; 
 It causes me more wrath than care, 
 But tell me, where is Ingborg fair ? " 
 " The news I bring," the old man said, 
 " I fear thou'lt find but little glad. 
 E'en as you sailed King Ring advanced, 
 Five shields to one against us glanced, 
 In Disardal the battle lay, 
 And blood-red ran the brook that day. 
 King Halfdan laughed with many a joke, 
 
110 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 Yet many a foeman's helmet broke ; 
 I held my shield above the boy, 
 His courage filled my heart with joy. 
 Not long the unequal strife we bore, 
 King Helge fled, then all was o'er. 
 The Asar's friend, in wild career, 
 Kindled thy house whilst passing near. 
 Then to the kings a summons sped, 
 To yield at once the lovely maid, 
 She only could Eing's wrath appease, 
 If not, both land and crown he'd seize. 
 On peace at length the kings decide, 
 And Ring hath ta'en away his bride." 
 
 " woman, woman," Frithiof said, 
 " The first dark thought that Loke 3 had ? 
 It was a lie and he sent it then, 
 In woman's shape to trouble men. 
 A blue-eyed lie, that with false tears 
 Always deceives and yet endears ; 
 High bosomed lie so lily fair, 
 With faith like ice in spring, or air ; 
 Deceit and guile dwell in thy heart, 
 And quick each tie is torn apart ! 
 Alas, how dear she was to me, 
 How dear she is, and aye will be ! 
 
FEITHIOF'S RETURN. Ill 
 
 From childhood's dawn and early day, 
 She was my mate at sport and play, 
 No exploit swam before my eyes 
 But she shone forth the hope and prize. 
 As trees whose growth has been the same, 
 And Thor strikes one with lightning flame, 
 The other withers ; blossoms one, 
 Its mate displays its leaves anon ; 
 Thus were our joys and sorrows past, 
 'Tis hard to be alone at last. 
 I am alone. mighty Yar 3 ! 
 Who round the earth dost travel far, 
 Of broken vows account to make, 
 From thy vain labours respite take. 
 With lies thy tablets soon will fill, 
 And soon destroyed thy faithful quill ; 
 Of Balder' s Nanna I've heard a tale, 
 But love in woman's breast is frail, 
 Faith rests not now on human choice, 
 Since guile is in my Ingborg's voice 
 That voice like Zephyr's waving wings, 
 Or harp sounds soft from Brage's strings. 
 I'll not the sound of harp abide, 
 I will not think on my faithless bride ! 
 Where the storm roars, there will I be, 
 Blood shall thou drink, boundless sea ! 
 
112 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 Where the sword sows the tomb's fell seed, 
 There will I glide among the dead, 
 Meeting perchance a king with his crown, 
 I'll laugh with joy as I hew him down, 
 In combat, perhaps, among the rest, 
 Some stripling with enamoured breast, 
 A fool, who trusts in love and truth, 
 For pity's sake I'll fell the youth, 
 Spare him that one day he may die, 
 Insulted, scorned, betrayed as I." 
 
 " How youth's wild humour onward speeds,' 
 Said aged Hilding, " how it needs 
 To be cooled down by age's snow ; 
 You wrong the noble maiden so. 
 Complain not of my fosterchild, 
 But blame the Norna's anger wild, 
 Unmoved by mortals, but which rains, 
 Thundering upon us from heaven's plains. 
 None heard the maiden's wailing song, 
 Like silent Vidar 4 she bore her wrong ; 
 Silent she wept, as in laurel grove 
 Bemoans her mate the turtle dove. 
 To me she gave her heart relief, 
 Within it dwells unceasing grief. 
 As the waterfowl with wounded breast, 
 
FRITHIOF'S RETURN. 113 
 
 Dives in the eddying pool, and lest 
 The day should on her torture glare, 
 Lies at the bottom and dies there. 
 So her crushing woe in darkness slept, 
 
 I only know how the brave girl wept. 
 
 I 1 am a sacrifice/ she said, 
 
 * For Bele's kingdom, on my head 
 
 The snowdrops bloom with evergreens, 
 
 But endless woe for me begins. 
 
 I might expire, but 'twere in vain, 
 
 I should not shun eternal pain ; 
 
 A lingering death few long endure, 
 
 Whose hearts beat high and blood runs pure. 
 
 But to no man my grief relate, 
 
 I want not pity for my fate, 
 
 King Bele's daughter pity spurns, 
 
 But Frithiof greet when he returns.' 
 
 The bridal morn arrived (whose sun 
 
 Its fatal course was doomed to run), 
 
 Up to the temple mounted then 
 
 Troops of young girls and armed men. 
 
 The singers chanted there indeed, 
 
 But pale the bride on her coal black steed, 
 
 Pale as a spirit in snow-white shroud 
 
 Seated upon a thunder cloud ; 
 
 From the saddle I lifted my lily tall, 
 
114 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 And led her up to the temple hall, 
 
 The altar round, where she softly said 
 
 To Lofh 5 her TOWS with bended head. 
 
 And much to the snow-white one she prayed, 
 
 Whilst all did weep, except the maid. 
 
 Helge espied the ring she wore, 
 
 Thy ring, which from her arm he tore : 
 
 'Tis now hung up in Balder's fane ; 
 
 No more could I my wrath restrain; 
 
 From its sheath I tore my good sword forth, 
 
 Not much was then King Helge worth. 
 
 But Ingborg whispered soft, * Forbear, 
 
 A brother might this insult spare, 
 
 Let me endure till life be past, 
 
 Allfather judge us at the last/ " 
 
 " Allfather, judge us," said Frithiof stern, 
 " But to judge a little myself I yearn. 
 Is it not Balder's midsummer feast? 
 In the temple is now the crowned priest, 
 The murderous king, who sold my bride, 
 I also to judge a little decide." 
 
XIII. 
 
 BALDER'S FIRE. 
 
 THE midnight sun 1 on the mountain lay, 
 And blood-red was its glare, 
 It was not night and it was not day, 
 And dim the murky air. 
 
 The fire, fair image of the sun, 
 Burnt on the holy hearth, 
 Soon will its flickering flames be done, 
 And Hoder 2 rule the earth. 
 
 The priests around the temple stood, 
 Aged and pale were they, 
 They stirred and fed the up-piled wood, 
 Streaming their tresses grey. 
 
116 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 The crowned king in all his power 
 Near the altar round doth move, 
 Hark ! in the deadly midnight hour, 
 Clash weapons in the grove. 
 
 " Bjorn, in thy grasp hold fast the door, 
 Taken is every man, 
 Hew down upon the marble floor 
 Each fugitive you scan." 
 
 The king became all pale, he knew 
 The accents bold too well ; 
 Wrathfully Frithiof onward flew, 
 His voice like storm did swell. 
 
 " Here is the red gold which my skiff 
 Bore from the western isle ; 
 Take it ! Now fight we here for life 
 Or death by Balder's pile. 
 
 " Shield upon back and bare the breast, 
 We will the combat join; 
 The first good blow as king thou hast, 
 But mind, the next is mine. 
 
BALDER'S FIRE. 117 
 
 " Gaze not so eager at the door, 
 The fox is ta'en in his lair, 
 Think upon Framnas' ruin sore, 
 And sister with yellow hair." 
 
 So spake the hero in his wrath, 
 From his belt the purse did bring, 
 And little careful he slung it forth, 
 And struck on the brow the king. 
 
 Blood came gushing from the wound, 
 Darkness before his eye ; 
 Fainting beside the altar round 
 The Asa friend did lie. 
 
 " Countest thou not thy golden gain, 
 Coward, thy wealth to see ? 
 Angurvadel will never deign, 
 To slay the like of thee. 
 
 " Be still, ye priests with gory knives, 
 Pale princes of the moon ; 
 Or it may cost your wretched lives, 
 My blade will thirst fall soon. 
 
118 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 " Shining Balder, thy wrath disarm, 
 Nor look so dark on me, 
 The ring thon bearest on thine arm, 
 By theft was given to thee. 
 
 " For well I ween 'twas not for thee 
 Forged by Yaulund's skill ; 
 Subdued a weeping maid may be, 
 But away with their cowardly guile ! " 
 
 Bravely he tugged, but both arm and ring 
 Had grown together quite ; 
 When it loosened became, the god did spring 
 Into the flames from spite. 
 
 Hear ! How it crackles, the flames assail 
 The golden roof and beams, 
 Bjorn by the door stands deadly pale, 
 Even Frithiof to tremble seems. 
 
 " Let the people out; ope wide the door; 
 A guard no more I need. 
 The temple burns, pour water, pour 
 The whole sea over with speed ! " 
 
BALDER' S FIRE. 119 
 
 Now from tjie temple down to the strand, 
 Are knitted of warriors chains, 
 The billow passes from hand to hand, 
 Hisses 'gainst charred remains. 
 
 Frithiof stood, like the god of rain, 
 High on the roof and shot 
 Water on all around amain, 
 Calm 'mid the ruins hot. 
 
 In vain ! Fire gete the upper hand, 
 The smoke rolls overhead, 
 The gold drops on the burning sand, 
 The silver plates burn red. 
 
 And all is lost ! From the half burnt house, 
 
 A fiery cock 3 now springs, 
 
 Sits on the temple's roof and crows, 
 
 And wildly flaps his wings. 
 
 The morning wind now blowing high, 
 Up 'gainst the sky it blazes, 
 And Balder's grove is summer dry, 
 The hungry flame it seizes. 
 
120 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 Springing from branch to branch it came 
 Onward with speed amazing, 
 Hurrah ! What wild, what fearful flame ! 
 How Balder's pile is blazing ! 
 
 Listen, how crackle the riven roots, 
 See how the summits flare. 
 With Muspel's 4 blood-red sons what boots 
 The power of men compare ? 
 
 A sea of fire is Balder's ground, 
 Strandless its waves do swell, 
 The sun goes up, but fjord and sound 
 Reflect the flames of hell. 
 
 The temple soon in ashes lay, 
 Ashes the temple's bower ; 
 Wofully Frithiof goes his way, 
 Weeps in the morning hour. 
 
XIV. 
 
 PRITHIOF GOES INTO EXILE. 
 
 IN galley light, 
 On summer night, 
 Sat hero sad. 
 Like breakers mad 
 Now care, now wrath 
 In him burst forth, 
 Whilst blazing fane 
 Smoked on amain. 
 
 " Dark rolling smoke, 
 From temple rock, 
 Valhalla seek, 
 Let vengeance wreak 
 The White One's wrath 
 'Gainst me called forth. 
 Fly high and shriek, 
 
122 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 That heaven may quake, 
 Of temple round, 
 Burnt to the ground ; 
 Of image fair 
 Prostrated there, 
 Consumed by flame 
 When down it came. 
 The forests then, 
 Secure since men 
 Bound sword on thigh, 
 Now burnt do lie, 
 Accustomed they 
 To rot away ! 
 This haste to bear 
 To Balder's ear, 
 Thou smoky shroud, 
 To god of cloud ! 
 
 " Right well they'll sing 
 The righteous king, 
 Who banished me, 
 By his decree, 
 From out his land. 
 But on ! We stand 
 On kingdom blue 
 Where billows flow. 
 
FRITHIOF GOES INTO EXILE. 123 
 
 Thou must not rest, 
 But thou must haste, 
 Ellida, fly 
 
 Through breakers high ; 
 For thou must roam 
 On salt sea foam, 
 My galley good : 
 A drop of blood 
 Will often flow 
 Where'er we go. 
 'Mid storm and foam 
 Thou art my home : 
 Helge accurst 
 Hath burnt the first. 
 Thou art my north, 
 My foster earth, 
 Whilst from mine own 
 Away I've flown : 
 My bride, all hail, 
 In pitch black veil ; 
 The one in white 
 Kept not her plight. 
 
 " Thou rolling sea, 
 Unbounded, free, 
 No kings oppress 
 
124 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 Thy happiness : 
 Thy king is he 
 Among the free, 
 Who never quakes, 
 Though stormy breaks 
 The sparkling crest 
 On foaming breast. 
 The clear blue wave 
 Delights the brave ; 
 His vessels plough 
 Thy fields enow, 
 And blood-rain showers 
 'Neath oaken towers, 
 Steel bright and bare 
 The seedcorn there. 
 Thy fields all gory 
 Bear fruit of glory, 
 Harvest of gold ; 
 Thou billow old, 
 Be true to me, 
 I'll follow thee. 
 My father's tomb 
 Lies still in gloom, 
 With ocean's din 
 Around its green. 
 Mine blue shall be, 
 
FRITHIOF GOES INTO EXILE. 125 
 
 The foaming sea, 
 Shall swim for aye 
 In storm and spray, 
 And gently flow 
 In depths below. 
 To me by heaven 
 As home thou'rt given ; 
 Thou rolling wave, 
 Shalt be my grave." 
 
 So sang he wild 
 Whilst, like a child, 
 He wept to roam 
 Away from home. 
 He gently sails 
 Through rocks and isles, 
 "Which yet do guard 
 The shallow fjord. 
 But vengeance wakes ; 
 King Helge takes 
 Ten ships of war, 
 Sails from the shore. 
 Then shouted all: 
 " Now king must fall. 
 A fight he gives ; 
 Now no more thrives 
 
126 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 Valhalla's son 
 Beneath the moon ; 
 Despite his name, 
 Wherefrom he came, 
 The king must roam 
 To Odin home." 
 
 Scarce on their course, 
 An unseen force, 
 The sharp keel nips 
 Of Helge's ships; 
 And more and more 
 They downward bore, 
 To Sana's death, 
 When out of breath, 
 King Helge' swam 
 From sinking stem. 
 
 But Bjorn, the glad, 
 Laughed loud and said 
 " Thou Asa blood, 
 The trick was good. 
 Without a word 
 The ships I bored, 
 A night ago, 
 A lawful blow. 
 
FRITHIOF GOES INTO EXILE. 127 
 
 Eana, the queen, 
 As aye hath been, 
 Kept all that came, 
 But 'twas a shame, 
 She did not sink 
 The king, I think." 
 
 In angry mood 
 King Helge stood, 
 His bow he bent, 
 With fell intent, 
 Steel forged and round, 
 'Gainst rocky ground. 
 He scarcely knew 
 How hard he drew, 
 Till with a twang 
 The arrow sprang. 
 
 Lance waving high, 
 Did Frithiof cry : 
 " Death eagle bear 
 I fettered here ; 
 Did it but fly 
 Then would the high 
 King-coward fall 
 For once and all. 
 
128 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 But do not think 
 My lance would drink 
 A coward's blood ! 
 'Tis for the good 
 And for the brave. 
 On runic grave 
 It may be seen, 
 But not, I ween, 
 On niding stocks, 2 
 Where thy name rocks. 
 These ships of thine 
 Are 'neath the brine, 
 Nor is thy hand 
 Worth more on land. 
 Rust breaketh steel, 
 Not thou ; I deal 
 My vengeance stern 
 When I return. 
 Beware ! lest dread 
 It strike thy head." 
 
 He seized a fir, 
 Fashioned as oar, 
 A mast-fir grown 
 In valley lone. 
 He seized its mate 
 
FRITIIIOF GOES INTO EXILE. 129 
 
 An4 rowing sate. 
 He rows with speed ; 
 
 , 
 
 Like bending reed, 
 The oars do dash 
 With feathery splash. 
 
 The sun goes up 
 From mountain top, 
 The whispering wind 
 Doth soft remind 
 The wave to dance 
 In morning glance. 
 On billow tops 
 Ellida hops 
 With joy along, 
 But Frithiof sung : 
 
 " World-circle's brow, 
 Thou mighty North ! 
 I may not go 
 Upon thine earth; 
 But in no other 
 I love to dwell, 
 Now, hero-mother, 
 Farewell, farewell ! 
 
130 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 " Farewell, thou high 
 And heavenly one, 
 Night's sleeping eye, 
 Midsummer sun. 
 Thou clear blue sky, 
 Like hero's soul, 
 Ye stars on high, 
 Farewell, farewell. 
 
 " Farewell, ye mounts, 
 Where Honour thrives, 
 And Thor recounts 
 Good warriors' lives. 
 Ye azure lakes, 
 I know so well, 
 Ye woods and brakes, 
 Farewell, farewell ! 
 
 " Farewell, ye tombs, 
 By billow blue, 
 The lime tree blooms 
 Its snow on you. 
 The Saga' 5 sets 
 In judgment well 
 What earth forgets ; 
 Farewell, farewell. 
 
FKITHIOF GOES INTO EXILE. 131 
 
 " Earewell the heath, 
 The forest hoar, 
 
 I played beneath, 
 By streamlet's roar. 
 To childhood's friends, 
 "Who loved me well, 
 Eemembrance sends 
 
 A fond farewell ! 
 
 II My love is foiled, 
 My rooftree rent, 
 Mine honour soiled, 
 In exile sent ! 
 
 We turn from earth, 
 On ocean dwell, 
 But, joy and mirth, 
 Farewell, farewell ! " 
 
 K 2 
 
XV. 
 
 THE VIKING'S CODE. 
 
 Now he wandered about on the salt desert waste, like 
 
 prey-seeking falcon he flew ; 
 But for warriors on board he wrote maxims and rules. 
 
 Wilt list to the laws of his crew ? 
 
 " Not a tent upon deck, and no sleeping ashore, within 
 
 houses but enemies go ; 
 Vikings sleep on their shields with their swords in their 
 
 hands, and for tent have they heaven the blue. 
 
 ' Short the hammer's strong haft of victorious Thor, but 
 
 an ell long Frey's falchion is made, 
 'Tis enough, hast thou heart, grip thine enemy close, and 
 
 then long enough is the blade. 
 
THE VIKING'S CODE. 133 
 
 " When wild hurricanes rage, hoist the sail high above, it 
 is blithe on the rough rolling deep ; 
 
 Let her drive, let her drive, he who strikes is afraid, and 
 I'd rather beneath the sea sleep. 
 
 " Maids are safe upon land, and they come not on board; 
 
 were she Freya she would thee ensnare : 
 On her cheek the fair dimples are traps for the brave 
 
 and a net is her long flowing hair. 
 
 " Wine is Valfather's drink, and a bout is allowed, pro- 
 vided with judgment you drink. 
 
 He who reels upon land can arise, but to Ean to the 
 sleep-giver here would you sink. 
 
 " When the merchant ye meet, ye may spare his good 
 ship, but the weaker his wealth must unfold. 
 
 Thou art king on thy wave, he is slave of his gain, and 
 thy steel is as good as his gold. 
 
 " For the booty on deck with lots may ye cast, how they 
 
 fall out ye may not complain ; 
 But the sea-king himself will ne'er cast a lot, but only 
 
 the honour retain. 
 
134 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 " When the enemy comes and there's conflict and strife, 
 and hot fall the blows on the shields ; 
 
 If thou waver'st a step, from among us depart ; 'tis our 
 law for the niding who yields. 
 
 " When victorious, be mild; he who begs for his life, bears 
 
 no sword, cannot be thy foe. 
 Prayer is Valhalla's child, hear the pale one's voice ; he 
 
 is niding who says to him no. 
 
 " Vikings' glory, a wound, adorning its man when on 
 
 bosom or forehead its lies. 
 Let it bleed, bind it not before twenty four hours, and 
 
 maybe 'fore spring you will rise." 
 
 So these laws he gave forth, and his name with each day 
 
 waxed famous on foreign domain, 
 He found not his equal on dark rolling sea, and his men 
 
 fought with might and main. 
 
 By the rudder he sat, and dark did he look as he gazed 
 
 at the bottomless sea : 
 " Thou art deep ; in thy depths perhaps some peace may 
 
 be found, but above them it never can be. 
 
THE VIKING'S CODE. 135 
 
 "Is the White 'One enraged? let him take his bright 
 sword, I will perish if so he resolve ; 
 
 But he sits in the clouds, and reflections sends down 
 which in darkness my spirit involve." 
 
 Yet when combat was near, then his dark mood took 
 
 flight and bold as an eagle he rose, 
 And his forehead is bright and clear is his voice, like the 
 
 Thunderer he stands up 'gainst foes. 
 
 So from conquest to conquest still onward he swept, he 
 was safe on the wide foaming grave ; 
 
 And he saw in the South both the isles and the rocks, 
 sailing by on the Grecian wave. 
 
 When he saw the dark laurels arise from the deep with 
 
 the tottering temple above, 
 What he thought Freya knows, and the Skalds know it 
 
 too, and ye know it, ye beings who love. 
 
 " Here we should have abode, here the isle, here the grove, 
 and the temple my sire shadowed forth. 
 
 It was here, it was here, I implored her to come, but the 
 cruel one stayed in the North ! 
 
136 FfUTHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 "Dwells not peace in those far distant valleys above, 
 dwells not mem'ry those columns among ? 
 
 And like lovers' soft whispers the murmuring brook, and 
 like love-chant the nightingale's song ? 
 
 "Where is Ingeborg now? For the gray-haired old 
 king have all kind remembrances flown ? 
 
 Ah ! I cannot forget, and I'd give up my life to see her? 
 to see her alone ! 
 
 " And three years have passed by since I saw my dear 
 land, the home of the Sagas so deep. 
 
 Strike the glorious mountains the heavens still ? Is it 
 green where my forefathers sleep ? 
 
 " On the tomb where my father is laid have I planted 
 a lime-tree ; ah ! doth she live now ? 
 
 Who watches the sapling ? earth, give thy sap, and thy 
 dew, high heaven, give thou ! 
 
 " Yet why wander I thus far away from my home, take 
 
 booty, and slay warriors bold ? 
 I have glory enough, and my spirit abhors the paltry and 
 
 glittering gold. 
 
THE VIKING'S CODE. 137 
 
 " See the flag on the mast, how it points to the North, to 
 
 the North my fatherland dear, 
 I will follow the path of the heavenly wind and straight 
 
 for the North will I steer! " 
 
XVI. 
 
 FRITHIOF AND BJORN. 
 
 FRITHIOF. 
 
 BJORN, I am wearied of ocean's wrath, 
 
 On the tossing billow no rest; is found, 
 
 I long to return and to gaze around 
 
 On the mighty fells of beloved North. 
 
 happy he who ne'er left his home, 
 
 Ne'er has been chased from his forefathers 1 graves ; 
 
 Already too long, too long do I roam 
 
 Restless around on the salt sea waves. 
 
 BJORN. 
 
 Blame not the sea, for true is its breast, 
 Freedom and happiness dwell on the seas, 
 Nothing they know of luxurious ease, 
 But love on the ocean for ever to rest. 
 
FKITHIOF AND BJORN. 139 
 
 "When I am old, on the fresh verdant earth 
 Will I also grow on as firm as a tree, 
 Now will I battle and revel in mirth, 
 Now shall my life be both careless and free. 
 
 FRITHIOF. 
 
 Hunted by ice are we now to ground, 
 Lifeless the waves round our good keel blend, 
 Winter the tedious I care not to spend 
 Here among rocks to this desert bound 
 Yuletide once more in the North will I dare, 
 Visit King Ring and my childhood's choice, 
 Yet again gaze on her yellow hair, 
 Once more will hear her melodious voice. 
 
 BJ5RN. 
 
 Good ; I am with thee ; and King Ring shall learn 
 Ruthless the vengeful viking's power, 
 Singe the old king at the midnight hour, 
 Sweep off the fair one, the castle burn ; 
 Or it may be that in vikings* wise 
 Singly to combat the king you will call, 
 Or summon his forces to fight on the ice ; 
 Say what you will ; I am ready for all. 
 
140 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 FRITH IOF. 
 
 Name not destruction nor think upon strife, 
 Peacefully thither my course do I steer ; 
 King hath not sinned nor his queen without peer, 
 Vengeance divine hath blasted my life ; 
 Nothing remains on the earth but gloom, 
 Farewell will I say to her I hold dear, 
 Farewell for ever ! When forests do bloom, 
 Perchance before that I again shall be here. 
 
 BJORN. 
 
 Frithiof, thy folly I ne'er will permit, 
 Sighing and grief for the sake of a maiden, 
 Earth, save the mark, is with women o'erladen, 
 Thousands you'll find should you one chance to quit. 
 Speak, and I'll fetch you a cargo for gold, 
 Fresh from the South, of young maidens fair, 
 Gentle and tender as lambs in the fold 
 For these we'll draw lots or as brothers share. 
 
 FRITHIOF. 
 
 Bjorn, you are open and gladsome as Frey, 
 Bold in the battle and prudent in troth, 
 Odin and Thor, you may know them both ; 
 Freya the heavenly, you know not her way. 
 
FRITHIOF AND BJORN. 141 
 
 Judge not the gods nor their influence dire ; 
 Recklessly waken not fair Freya's rage ; 
 Sooner or later her slumbering fire 
 Burns with a fury that nought can assuage. 
 
 BJORN. 
 
 Go not alone then, beware of the king. 
 
 FRITHIOF. 
 
 Friendless I go not, my sword is with me. 
 
 BJORN. 
 
 Mind'st thou how Hagbart was hanged on a tree ? 
 
 FRITHIOF. 
 
 He who is taken deserves to swing. 
 
 BJO'RN. 
 
 Fall'st thou, strife-brother, like death-eagle fell, 
 Vengeance I'll take for Frithiof s stock ! 
 
 FRITHIOF. 
 
 "Tis useless, Bjorn ; for the crowing cock 
 Hears he no longer than I ; farewell. 
 
XVII. 
 
 FRITHIOF VISITS KING RING. 
 
 KING RING he sat at his yuletide feast, and quaffed his 
 
 mead and ale ; 
 And by him sat his youthful queen, like lily fair and 
 
 pale. 
 If spring and autumn thus conjoined and hand in hand 
 
 might be, 
 She were the fresh and gladsome spring, the chilly 
 
 autumn he. 
 
 But lo ! within the lofty hall a strange old man strode in; 
 From head to foot his stalwart form was clothed in 
 
 swarthy skin. 
 He bore a staff within his hand, his shape was slightly 
 
 bent, 
 Yet taller far than those around that ancient stranger 
 
 went. 
 
FEITHIOF VISITS KING RING. 143 
 
 He sat himself upon the bench hard by the great hall 
 door 
 
 Here are the places for the poor, as they have been before ; 
 
 The courtiers laughed contemptuously, and whispered 
 man to man, 
 
 And pointed with the finger at the bowed-down bear- 
 skin man. 
 
 Like lightning flashed the stranger's eyes, like lightning 
 
 bright and clear, 
 With one strong hand he seized a youth who thus stood 
 
 smiling near ; 
 With ease he took the courtier up and on the ground 
 
 he threw ; 
 The others then were silent we should have been so too. 
 
 " What ho ! who makes this uproar ? Who thus our 
 
 peace doth break ? 
 
 Come up to me, thou old man, and let us with thee speak. 
 What is thy name ? What wilt thou ? Thy country let 
 
 us know." 
 Thus spake the king in anger to the old man down 
 
 below. 
 
 " Thou wishest much to know, king ; but I will answer 
 thee; 
 
144 FRITIIIOFS SAGA. 
 
 My name alone I shall withhold 'fc belongs alone to me. 
 At Aanger was I nurtured, but Brist men call my home ; 
 I dwelt some time with Ulven from him I now am 
 come. 
 
 " Of yore I rode so glad and safe upon a dragon strong ; 
 Like rushing wind from mountain side he boldly swept 
 
 along ; 
 
 He now lies lame and frozen in a far distant land ; 
 Myself, old, helpless, ailing, burn salt upon the strand. 
 
 " I came to see thy wisdom, so far and wide displayed ; 
 They met me here with laughter for that I am not 
 
 made. 
 I seized a fool and shook him, and away from me did 
 
 fling; 
 Quite safe and sound he rose again ; forgive me this, 
 
 King Ring." 
 
 " In sooth," replied the monarch, " I find thy words are 
 
 just, 
 For men should honour silver locks. Come, sit by me 
 
 thou must. 
 
 Let fall thy cumbrous bearskin and let me scan thy face. 
 Disguise suits ill with gladness but joy my board shall 
 
 grace. 
 
FRITHIOF VISITS KING RING. Ho 
 
 Now from the old man's stooping head is loosed the 
 
 sable hood, 
 When lo ! a young man smiling stands, where erst the 
 
 : old one stood. 
 See ! From his lofty forehead, round shoulders broad 
 
 and strong, 
 The golden locks flow glistening, like sunlight waves 
 
 along. 
 
 He stood before them glorious in velvet mantle blue, 
 His baldrics broad, with silver worked, the artist's skill 
 
 did shew ; 
 For round about the hero's breast and round about his 
 
 waist, 
 The beasts and birds of forest wild embossed each other 
 
 chased. 
 
 The armlet's yellow lustre shone rich upon his arm ; 
 His war-sword by his side in strife a thunderbolt alarm. 
 Serene the hero cast his glance around the men of war ; 
 Bright stood he there as Balder, as tall as Asa Thor. 
 
 As when the Northern Lights appear and gild the snowy 
 
 peak, 
 So glowed the changeful colour on the startled lady's 
 
 cheek ; 
 
146 FEITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 As when twin water-lilies, contesting 'gainst the storm, 
 Bend, heaving with each wavelet, so heaved her bosom 
 warm. 
 
 I 
 
 The trumpet's blast resounded; deep silence greets its 
 
 sound, 
 Now is the hour of promise come ; Frey's boar is borne 
 
 around, 
 With chaplets round his shoulders, an apple 'twixt his 
 
 teeth, 
 And four stout knees he bended upon the dish beneath. 
 
 King Ring he, started from his seat, and streamed his 
 
 tresses gray, 
 He touched the wild boar's forehead, and thus with oath 
 
 did say : 
 " I swear to capture Frithiof, though proved in many a 
 
 war, 
 So help me Frey and Odin, also the mighty Thor." 
 
 With scornful laughter rose again the stranger guest so 
 
 tall- 
 Heroic wrath flashed o'er his face ; he eyed them one and 
 
 all, 
 With sword-hilt smote the table the hall resounding 
 
 rang; 
 
FEITHIOF VISITS KING BING. 147 
 
 Up from his oak bench instantly each gallant warrior 
 sprang. 
 
 " And listen now," qnoth he, " sir king, whilst I my vow 
 
 do tell, 
 Young Frithiof is my firmest friend certes, I know him 
 
 well; 
 
 I swear to fight for Frithiof, for him and for his weal ; 
 So help me thou, my Norna, also my faithful steel." 
 
 The king replied with laughter loud : " Though bold 
 
 thy speech may be, 
 Within a Northern court 'tis known that words go ever 
 
 free. 
 Fill him the flowing horn, my queen, with wine of all 
 
 the best, 
 This winter, may I hope, the knight will tarry here our 
 
 guest." 
 
 The queen she took the goblet up, and forward gently 
 
 came; 
 (The cup was made of wild bull's skull, adorned with 
 
 many a gem ; 
 
 It stood on silver pedestal, with golden circlets bound, 
 Carved o'er with ancient figures, and runic letters 
 
 round). 
 
 L 2 
 
148 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 With downcast eye she took the cup and proffered it 
 
 alone, 
 But, lo! the hand is trembling, and wine is spilt 
 
 thereon. 
 As purple sunset reddens deep the sky, the sea, the 
 
 land, 
 So burnt the dark drops crimson upon her snow-white 
 
 hand. 
 
 Now gladly took the guest the horn up from the noble 
 
 dame,- 
 Not two of us could drain it; men are not now. the 
 
 same; 
 But quick, and without winking, to please the lovely 
 
 queen, 
 The mighty hero drained it without a breath between. 
 
 Then touched the skald his harpstrings, close by the 
 
 monarch's side, 
 And sang of love which true and fast doth in the North 
 
 abide, 
 Of Hagbart and sweet Signe*, till his deep measured 
 
 tone 
 Through adamantine corslets softened those hearts of 
 
 stone. 
 
FRITHIOF VISITS KING EING. 149 
 
 He sang the halls of Valhalla and the Einheris' 1 gain, 
 Of glorious fathers' deeds of might on field and foaming 
 
 main; 
 Then seized each hand the falchion, and flamed each 
 
 rolling eye, 
 And quickly filled and emptied ranged the goblet 
 
 passing by. 
 
 Now all had drunk their fill and more within the royal 
 
 house, 
 
 Each warrior that Yuletide night did royally carouse. 
 Then went he on his way to rest with neither wrath 
 
 nor care, 
 But old King Ring slept peacefully beside his partner 
 
 fair. 
 
XVIII. 
 
 THE JOURNEY ON THE ICE. 
 
 ON a visit King Ring with his queen will pass 
 O'er the ice-covered sea, like polished glass. 
 
 " Go not on the ice," the stranger saith ; 
 " It will break, and deep is the chilly bath." 
 
 11 Kings drown not so easily," Ring did say, 
 " But he who's afraid may go round the bay." 
 
 The stranger he looked so dark at the joke, 
 And quick on his feet the skates did yoke. 
 
 The sledge-horse sweeps with might away, 
 His breath is in flame, he is so gay. 
 
THE JOURNEY ON THE ICE. 151 
 
 " Stretch out," cried the king, *' my courser good, 
 Show whether thou art of Sleipnir's l blood." 
 
 They sweep like a storm-cloud thro' the air, 
 The old man regards not his partner's prayer. 
 
 But the steel-shod warrior, he stands not still, 
 But passes them by whenever he will. 
 
 Full many a rune on the ice he cut, 
 Fair Ingeborg over her name doth shoot. 
 
 So haste they away o'er the slippery path, 
 But underneath lurks false Ran in wrath. 
 
 A hole in her silver roof she clove, 
 And quickly the sledgers into it drove. 
 
 Fair Ingeborg's cheeks became all pale, 
 But the guest he came like a whirling gale. 
 
 Deep in the ice his skates he placed, 
 And seized the courser's mane in haste. 
 
152 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 Then up on the ice one single haul 
 
 Socn landed both sledge, and horse, and all. 
 
 " The feat must I praise," did the king exclaim, 
 
 " Only Frithiof the strong could have done the same." 
 
 Then back to the castle they took their ways ; 
 And the stranger remained till Spring's fair days. 
 
XIX. 
 
 FKITHIOFS TEMPTATION. 
 
 SPRING now comes with chirping birds, and budding 
 
 leaves and laughing sun, 
 And the streams, released from Winter, surging down to 
 
 Ocean run. 
 Blushing bright as beauteous Freya, peeps from out its 
 
 bud the rose, 
 And in human hearts and bosoms love of life and courage 
 
 glows. 
 
 Now the aged king will hunt, the queen will with him in 
 
 the chace, 
 And the Court in motley splendour over hill and valley 
 
 race ; 
 Bows are jingling, quivers rattle, chargers paw the 
 
 ground away, 
 And with hood upon his forehead shrieks the falcon for 
 
 his prey. 
 
154 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 See ! the queen approaches lightly (wretched Frithiof, 
 
 look not there !) 
 Like the morning star in spring time glitt'ring in the 
 
 misty air. 
 Half like Freya, half like Rota, fairer far than both the 
 
 two, 
 From the graceful purple bonnet lightly float the feathers 
 
 blue. 
 
 Look not on her eye's blue heaven, look not on her 
 
 yellow hair, 
 Caution, for her waist is slender ; caution, for her breast 
 
 is fair ! 
 Gaze not on the rose and lily changeful blooming on her 
 
 face, 
 Hear not those beloved accents, whispering like the 
 
 evening breeze ! 
 
 Now the hunting troop is ready ! Hurrah, over hill 
 
 and dale ! 
 Trumpets echo, falcon soaring straight 'gainst Odin's 
 
 home doth sail, 
 Beasts of forest fly in terror, seek in haste their secret 
 
 home, 
 After them, with spear-head levelled, the Valkyria doth 
 
 come. 
 
FBITHIOF'S TEMPTATION. 155 
 
 Aged king can hardly follow cavalcade in headlong 
 
 chace, 
 Lonely by his side rides Frithiof, silent he with serious 
 
 face. 
 Dark and painful thoughts are surging in his bosom 
 
 bold and strong, 
 And where'er reflection wanders, hears he still their 
 
 wailing song : 
 
 " Mighty Ocean wherefore left I, for my danger madly 
 
 blind ? 
 Billows drive away reflection, blown away by heaven's 
 
 wind. 
 Broods the viking, cometh danger, bids him to the 
 
 dangerous dance, 
 And the racking tortures vanish, charmed away by 
 
 weapon's glance. 
 
 "Different here I find my temper, boundless passion 
 
 tears my soul, 
 Strikes her wings upon my forehead, in a dream I 
 
 onward roll ; 
 Can I banish from my mem'ry midnight vows, affiance 
 
 sworn ? 
 Vanished treasures she ne'er broke them vengeful 
 
 gods my soul have torn. 
 
156 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 " Oh they hate humanity, and scatter grief on joy with 
 zest, 
 
 Stole away my youthful rosebud, placed it in cold 
 Winter's breast ; 
 
 What doth Winter chill with rosebuds ? Can he under- 
 stand their price ? 
 
 No ! his cold unthankful spirit clothes both bud and 
 stalk in ice." 
 
 Thus he sang with plaintive voice. They soon approached 
 
 a lonely dell, 
 Dark, enclosed by lofty mountains, shaded o'er by birches 
 
 well. 
 Then the king in haste dismounted, said : " How fair, 
 
 how cool the bower, 
 I am tired, my soul is weary, I will slumber here an 
 
 hour." 
 
 " Sleep not, king, for cold the ground, and hard to lay 
 the weary brow, 
 
 Heavy sleep will little help thee. Up ! and to the castle 
 go." 
 
 " Sleep, like other god-like beings, comes upon us un- 
 awares, 
 
 Let the old man for a moment here repose his silver 
 hairs." 
 
FRITHIOF'S TEMPTATION. 157 
 
 
 
 Frithiof then took off his mantle, on the mossy turf he 
 
 spread, 
 On his knee the aged monarch gently laid his weary 
 
 head ; 
 Gently slept he as the warrior after battle's stern 
 
 alarms 
 On his shield ; as sleeps the infant quiet in its mother's 
 
 arms. 
 
 As he slumbers, list ! a raven croaks from out the neigh- 
 bouring brake : 
 
 " Haste thee, Frithiof, kill the old man, for thy suff ring 
 vengeance take. 
 
 Take his queen, for she is thine to thee the bridal kiss 
 she gave, 
 
 Not a mortal eye beholds thee, silent is the darksome 
 grave." 
 
 Frithiof listens, hear ! there warbles snow-white dove 
 
 from out the brake : 
 "Though no mortal eye behold thee, Odin's eye doth 
 
 record make. 
 Niding, wilt thou kill the sleeper ? the defenceless old 
 
 man slay ? 
 Great your gain, but hero's scutcheon never more on 
 
 earth display ! " 
 
158 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 Thus in varied strain they sang. But Frithiof seized 
 
 his war-sword good, 
 Flung it forth with horror from him, deep into the 
 
 darksome wood. 
 Coal-black raven flies to Nastrand 1 , but on pinion light 
 
 and soft, 
 Flies the other up to heaven, warbling music sweet 
 
 aloft. 
 
 Now the aged king arises : "Much I thank thee for the 
 
 rest, 
 Sweet is sleep in forest glade, protected by the hero's 
 
 breast. 
 But where is thy falchion, stranger ? Lightning's 
 
 brother, where is he ? 
 Who hath parted those who never more in life should 
 
 parted be ? " 
 
 Frithiof said : " Full many a blade of equal worth all 
 
 idle lies. 
 King, the falchion's tongue is pointed, speaketh not in 
 
 peaceful guise. . 
 Evil spirits dwell in iron, spirits flown from Niffel- 
 
 hem, 
 Slumber is not sacred for them, silver tresses anger 
 
 them.'* 
 
FRITHIOFS TEMPTATION. 159 
 
 " Frithiof, sleep I feigned to prove thee, try thy inmost 
 
 soul alone, 
 Man and steel, untried in battle, rest the prudent not 
 
 upon. 
 Thou art Frithiof, I have known thee quickly through 
 
 thy rough disguise, 
 Old King King hath long discovered what his prudent 
 
 guest denies. 
 
 " Wherefore crept you to my dwelling, deep disguised, 
 
 with covered face ? 
 Wherefore but to steal the maiden from the aged king's 
 
 embrace ? 
 Honour, Frithiof, comes not darkly within hospitable 
 
 law, 
 As the sun her shield is spotless, and her scutcheon 
 
 without flaw. 
 
 " Rumour mentioned of a Frithiof, bane of men and 
 
 heaven's dread, 
 Shields he clove and temple burnt, as brave as desperate, 
 
 overhead. 
 Soon he comes, so thought I then, to devastate and spoil 
 
 my land, 
 And he came, but wrapt in tatters, with a beggar's staff 
 
 in hand. 
 
160 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 " Wherefore downcast is thy visage ? I had youth and 
 
 strength before, 
 Life is but a tedious battle, youth is e'er its Berserk 
 
 hour. 
 Youth must press 'mid clashing shields, the while its 
 
 boiling rage is hot, 
 I have suffered and forgiven, dearly loved and then 
 
 forgot. 
 
 " See you, I am old and ailing, soon will mount into the 
 
 tomb, 
 Stranger, take my queen and kingdom when the fatal 
 
 hour is come. 
 Here remain an honoured guest, and 'neath my royal roof 
 
 a son, 
 Swordless champion shall defend me, and our ancient 
 
 strife be done." 
 
 " Never," answered Frithiof, darkly, " came I here a thief 
 
 to thee, 
 Would I rob thee of thy consort, tell me who should 
 
 hinder me ? 
 But my bride again I would behold, once more her 
 
 features view, 
 Oh ! I madden, half-quenched fires light up devouring 
 
 flames anew ! 
 
FRITHIOF'S TEMPTATION. 161 
 
 " Some time in thy hall I dwelt, no more stay I there, 
 
 king. 
 Gods unreconciled upon me angry thunderbolts do 
 
 fling. 
 Balder with the golden tresses, he who holds each mortal 
 
 dear, 
 See, his hate is pointed at me, turned away his face 
 
 severe. 
 
 " Yes, I set in flames his temple ; Yarg i Veum 2 am 
 
 proclaimed, 
 Gladness flies the festal meeting, children shriek when I 
 
 am named. 
 Me my foster earth in anger from her bosom forth hath 
 
 cast, 
 Without peace within my country, restless care devours 
 
 my breast. 
 
 " On green earth no more I wander, vainly seek for rest 
 
 and peace ; 
 Burns the ground beneath my footsteps, shadeless are the 
 
 barren trees ; 
 Ingeborg is lost for ever, she from me by Ring was 
 
 ta'en ; 
 Now in life my sun is quenched, only darkness doth 
 
 remain. 
 
 M 
 
162 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 " Therefore, home unto my breakers. Hurrah ! out my 
 
 galley good ! 
 Bathe again thy pitch-black bosom gaily in the briny 
 
 flood, 
 Raise thy spreading wings to heaven, through the hissing 
 
 ocean tear, 
 Fly so long as stars conduct thee, fly so long as billows 
 
 bear! 
 
 '- Let me hear the storm's deep thunder, let me see the 
 
 lightning dart ; 
 When it rages round about me, then 'tis peace in 
 
 Frithiof s heart. 
 Din of shields and showers of arrows ! On the sea the 
 
 battle lies, 
 And I fall by gods forgiven, gladly to Valhalla rise." 
 
XX. 
 
 KING RING'S DEATH. 
 
 YELLOW-MANED teams, 
 
 Shining their hair, 
 
 Draw from the wave sun more bright than before. 
 
 Morning's sweet beams, 
 
 Doubly as fair, 
 
 Play in the king's hall. They knock at the door. 
 
 Frithiof brave 
 
 Enters forlorn, 
 
 Pale sat the king ; and fair Ingeborg's breast 
 
 Heaves like a wave. 
 
 Sorrowful morn ! 
 
 Trembling with anguish takes leave the guest. 
 
 " Dark billows gush 
 Round wingM steed, 
 
 M 2 
 
164 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 Sea-horse away from the haven must wend. 
 
 Out will I rush, 
 
 Now guest must speed 
 
 Off from the land and his trusty friend. 
 
 " Ingborg, for ever 
 
 This ring I bestow, 
 
 Holy remembrances in it remain. 
 
 From it ne'er sever, 
 
 Frithiof must go ; 
 
 Never on earth wilt thou see him again. 
 
 " Ne'er will my age 
 
 Repose in the North ; 
 
 There can I dwell not ; there man is a slave ; 
 
 Nornas do rage, 
 
 I must go forth, 
 
 Range o'er the ocean, my home and my grave. 
 
 " Approach not the strand, 
 
 Ring, with thy queen, 
 
 Most when the stars shed their light o'er the bay. 
 
 Perhaps on the sand, 
 
 Yellow their sheen, 
 
 O'er the wrecked corpse of the Viking may play." 
 
KING RING'S DEATH. ^ 165 
 
 t 
 
 Then quoth the king : 
 
 " Hard 'tis to hear 
 
 Warrior who weeps like a sorrowing maid. 
 
 Death-song doth ring 
 
 Deep in mine ear, 
 
 Man that is born in the tomb must be laid. 
 
 " Nornas decide 
 
 Whate'er the stake, 
 
 Destiny evenly onward doth run. 
 
 Take then thy bride, 
 
 My kingdom take, 
 
 Keep it in charge for my growing son. 
 
 " Friendship I sought, 
 
 Seated by board ; 
 
 Dearly I loved that peace should prevail. 
 
 Yet have I fought, 
 
 Cloven spear and sword, 
 
 Pierced shields at sea, and never waxed pale. 
 
 " Now the red vein 
 
 Carve I with spear, 
 
 Straw-death becomes not a king in the North. 
 
 Little the pain 
 
166 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 Now doth appear, 
 
 Care not for life 'tis of little worth.'' 
 
 Bravely he slashes 
 
 Odin's red letters, 
 
 Blood-runes of heroes, on arm and on breast. 
 
 Brightly the splashes 
 
 Of life's flowing fetters 
 
 Drip from the silver of hair-covered chest. 
 
 " Bring me the horn ! 
 
 Hail to thy kind, 
 
 Hail to thy mem'ry, thou glorions North ! 
 
 Kipening corn, 
 
 Generous mind, 
 
 Peaceful exploit, have I loved upon earth. 
 
 " Peace among wild, 
 
 Blood-seeking kings 
 
 Vainly I sought for ; she fled far away. 
 
 Now comes the mild 
 
 Goddess, and brings 
 
 Peace in the tomb after life's dark day. 
 
 " Hail to ye, gods ! 
 Valhalla sons ! 
 
KING RING'S DEATH. 167 
 
 Vanishes earth ; to the Asa's high feast 
 
 Piercing horn bids ; 
 
 Happiness crowns., 
 
 Fair, like a helmet of gold, the new. guest ! " 
 
 Gently he pressed 
 
 Ingeborg's hand, 
 
 Hand upon son and on weeping friend lain. 
 
 Softly to rest, 
 
 Spirit so grand 
 
 Fled with a sigh to Allfather again. 
 
XXI. 
 
 RING'S DEATH-SONG. 
 
 IN the tomb sitting 
 High born old chieftain, 
 Sword by his side and 
 Shield upon arm. 
 Mettlesome charger 
 Neighing within it, 
 Scrapeth with pale hoof 
 Ground-enclosed grave. 
 
 Now rideth mighty 
 Ring over Bifrost, 1 
 Shakes from the burden, 
 Bending the bridge ; 
 Up spring Valhalla's 
 Wide vaulted portals, 
 
KING'S DEATH-SONG. 169 
 
 Hands of the Asas 
 Hanging in his. 
 
 Thor is not heavenwards, 
 Warfare he wages ; 
 Valfather motions 
 Forward the cup. 
 Corn plaiteth Frey round 
 Crown of the monarch, 
 Frigg bindeth azure 
 Blossoms thereon. 
 
 Brage, that ancient, 
 Strikes now the gold strings, 
 Sweeter now murmurs 
 Song than before. 
 Listening reposes 
 Vanadis 2 radiant, 
 Bosom 'gainst table, 
 Burns whilst she hears. 
 
 " High sing the war-sword 
 Dreadful on helmets ; 
 Billows of red blood 
 Constantly shed. 
 
170 FKITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 Strength, of the mighty 
 Gods the fair birthright, 
 Fierce as a Berserk 
 Bites the round shield. 
 
 " Dear to ns therefore 
 Was the good king, who 
 Placed his strong shield o'er 
 Cottager's field ; 
 Wisdom and force's 
 Fairest conception 
 Mounts as an off 'ring 
 Up to the sky. 
 
 " Words full of wisdom 
 Valfather loves when 
 Seated by Saga, 3 
 Soquaback's maid. 
 So rang the king's words 
 Like Mimer's billows, 
 Clear and resplendent, 
 Deep too as they. 
 
 " Peacefully settles 
 Forseti 4 quarrels, 
 
RING'S DEATH-SONG. 171 
 
 Ruler by Urda's 
 Dark-heaving wave. 
 So sat at judgment 
 Idolized monarch, 
 Fierce hands united, 
 Blood-vengeance quelled. 
 
 " King was no niggard ; 
 Round him he scattered, 
 1 Daylight of dwarfs,' and 
 * Fierce dragon's bed.' 5 
 Glad went the gift from 
 Generous spirit, 
 Quick from the kind lips 
 Comfort to woe. 
 
 " Welcome, then, wise old 
 Heir to Valhalla ! 
 Long in the bleak North 
 Praised be thy name. 
 Brage now greets thee, 
 Courteous with wine draught, 
 Sent by the Nornas 
 Down from the North." 
 
XXII. 
 
 THE KING-ELECTIOK 
 
 To court ! To court ! The summon's call 
 Doth echoing ring. 
 King Ring is dead ! Now gather all 
 To choose a king. 
 
 The peasant takes his sword from ledge 
 
 The steel is blue 
 
 With finger proves the eager edge, 
 
 It bites full true. 
 
 With gladness look the boys upon 
 The steel-blue sheen. 
 Two raise the sword which had for one 
 Too heavy been. 
 
THE KING-ELECTION. 173 
 
 The daughter scours the helmet clean, 
 Bright shall it shine 
 But blushes deep, for she has seen 
 Her face therein. 
 
 And last he takes the buckler round, 
 
 A sun of blood. 
 
 All hail ! Free man and iron-bound, 
 
 Thou peasant good ! 
 
 * 
 
 Our country's honour grows from out 
 Thy bosom strong. 
 In strife thou art our bulwark stout, 
 In peace our tongue. 
 
 So gather they with warlike cry, 
 And arms of proof, 
 In open court, and heaven's sky 
 Their only roof. 
 
 But Frithiof stands upon the stone, 
 And with him there 
 The royal boy, a little one 
 "With flaxen hair. 
 
174 FEITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 A murmur then on high arose : 
 " Too young by far ; 
 The boy can neither fight our foes, 
 Nor make our law ! " 
 
 But Frithiof on his shoulders broad 
 Lifted the boy : 
 
 " Ye Northmen, see your rightful lord, 
 Your country's joy. 
 
 " See here the race of Odin old, 
 So fair and free ; 
 On shield he is as light and bold 
 As fish in sea. 
 
 " I will defend him and his right 
 With sword and spear, 
 And set the father's circlet bright 
 Upon his heir. 
 
 " Forseti, Balder's mighty son, 
 Hath heard my vow ; 
 And if I leave my task undone, 
 Strike he me low ! " 
 
THE KING-ELECTION. 175 
 
 High on the shield the boy sat there, 
 Like king on throne, 
 Or eagle young, who from his lair 
 Looks at the sun. 
 
 At this delay his youthful blood 
 Appeared to creep ; 
 So with one bound on earth he stood, 
 A royal leap ! 
 
 Then high the peasants round did sing : 
 " We warriors steeled 
 Elect thee ; be thou like King Ring, 
 Youth borne on shield ! 
 
 " Let Frithiof manage thine estate, 
 Till thou art grown. 
 Earl Frithiof, let it be thy fate 
 The queen to own." 
 
 But Frithiof darkly frowned : " To-day 
 A king elect ; 
 
 No wedding 'tis ; my bride I may 
 Myself select. 
 
176 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 " To Balder's temple must I hie, 
 And busy be 
 
 With vengeful Nornas there, who cry 
 Out constantly. 
 
 " A moment will I lonely see 
 
 The maids with shields 1 ; 
 
 They build beneath Time's ancient tree 2 
 
 On verdant fields. 
 
 " The fair-haired Balder's outraged fane 
 My breast doth chide ; 
 He took, and he must give again 
 My heart's fair bride." 
 
 The new-made king he greeted there, 
 Kissed on the brow, 
 And slowly o'er the heather fair 
 Did silent go. 
 
XXIII. 
 
 FRITHIOF ON HIS FATHER'S TOMB. 
 
 " How brightly laughs the sun, how gladly hops 
 TJie friendly beam away from bough to bough ! 
 Allfather's glance reflected in dew-drops, 
 As o'er the ocean spreads the ruddy glow ! 
 Now crimson colours he the mountain tops ! 
 'tis the blood which doth to Balder flow ! 
 Soon will the earth in darkness buried be, 
 Soon sinks he, like a golden shield, in sea. 
 
 " First let me therefore those dear spots perceive, 
 My childhood's darling haunts I cherished so. 
 Ah ! the same flowers yet scent the air at eye, 
 And the same birds yet in the forest go. 
 The ocean yet against the rocks doth heave 
 that it never there did moaning flow ! 
 Of fame and glory aye the false one sings, 
 And for away from home's delights she brings. 
 
178 FEITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 " I know thee well, thou flood, who often bore 
 The hardy swimmer on thy billow clear. 
 I know thee, valley, where we fondly swore 
 Eternal faith, which earth doth never bear. 
 Ye birches, too, whose bark I once did score 
 With many a letter, still your forms ye rear ! 
 With silver stems and circling crowns arranged, 
 All as before, and only I am changed ! 
 
 " All as before ? But where are Framnas' halls, 
 And Balder's temple on the sacred strand ? 
 Ah ! it was lovely in my childhood's vales, 
 But since thereover have passed sword and brand ; 
 Now rage divine with human vengeance calls 
 To wand'rers from a black and desert land. 
 4 Thou pious pilgrim, hither do not roam, 
 For beasts of forest dwell in Balder's home.' 
 
 " A tempter haunts us through this life's career, 
 The dreadful Nidhogg from the world of Hel : 
 He hates the light divine which shineth clear 
 Upon the hero's brow, or spotless steel. 
 Each hateful deed the hour of wrath doth bear, 
 That is his work and bears the demon's seal ; 
 And when he sees the temple burning stands, 
 Then claps he joyously his coal black hands. 
 
FEITHIOF ON HIS FATHER'S TOMB. 179 
 
 " Is there no pardon then in Valhall's hall ? 
 
 blue-eyed Balder, are there no amends ? 
 Amends take men, if haply friends should fall ; 
 And man to God the sweet peace off ring sends. 
 'Tis said thou art the mildest god of all, 
 Command the offring which thy wrath unbends. 
 Thy shrine's destruction was not Frithiof 's aim ; 
 Remove the blot from off his shield of fame. 
 
 " Take off thy burden, which I cannot bear, 
 Crush in my soul the demon's darksome spell ; 
 Despise me not, but let my honour fair 
 Appease thine anger dire, though once I fell ; 
 
 1 blench not though the Thund'rer's self stood near, 
 I dare stand face to face with pallid Hel ; 
 
 Thou pious god, that like the moonbeam glancest, 
 Thee only fear I, and the bolts thou launchest. 
 
 " Here is my father's tomb. The hero sleeps ! 
 
 Ah ! he rode off whence none e'er come away. 
 
 How dwells he, say they, where the bright star sweeps, 
 
 And quaffs his mead and joins in the affray. 
 
 Thou heavenly guest ! look down from heaven's steeps, 
 
 Thy son, Thorsten Yikingsson, doth pray ! 
 
 I come not here with witchcraft or with charms ; 
 
 But teach me to return to Balder's arms. 
 
 Jf 2 
 
180 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 " Has the tomb then no tongue ? Angantyr tall 
 Cried from the grave but lately for a blade. 
 That sword was good, but Tirsing's price was small 
 'Gainst what I ask, though sword I never prayed ; 
 Swords capture I in single fight ; but all 
 I ask from thee is help and godlike aid. 
 My hazy eye and groping step guide forth, 
 A noble temper bears not Balder's wrath. 
 
 " What ! silent, father ? Hear the dashing wave, 
 
 Light in its murmur let thine answer fly. 
 
 The storm with loosened wings doth onward rave, 
 
 Whisp'ring unto me, sweep upon it by. 
 
 The sun the clouds with golden light doth lave, 
 
 Let one of them to me as herald cry. 
 
 No word, no token for thy son in need 
 
 Can'st give, my father ? how poor the dead ! " 
 
 The sun is quenched, the evening zephyr sings 
 For earth's sad child from heaven its lullaby, 
 And crimson sunset rises up and brings 
 Its rosy chariot round the burning sky, 
 O'er purple vales and purple mountains flings 
 Her glowing mantle, heavenly canopy, 
 When sudden o'er the western wave there came 
 A form which rustled on in gold and flame. 
 
FBITHIOF OX HIS FATHER'S TOMB. 181 
 
 A hagring 1 call we this Valhalla wonder, 
 
 (But there indeed its name more sweet had been,) 
 
 It floateth gently o'er the forest yonder, 
 
 A golden crown upon a bed of green. 
 
 Above it glitters and it glitters under, 
 
 And shines with splendour weird before not seen. 
 
 At length it stopped and earthwards did incline, 
 
 And where the temple stood, is now a slirine. 
 
 Image of Breidablick 2 , the lofty wall 
 Stood silver-bright upon the rock and shone, 
 Of deep blue steel designed each pillar tall, 
 And altar round composed of precious stone '; 
 As if of spirits borne, each pinnacle 
 Hung like a wintry sky with pure stars sown, 
 And high therein in mantles blue were found, 
 Valhalla's gods with golden circlets crowned. 
 
 And lo ! reclining on their runic shields 
 
 The mighty Nornas now the portal fill ; 
 
 Three rosebuds fair which the same garden yields, 
 
 With aspect serious, but charming still. 
 
 Whilst Urda points upon the blackened fields, 
 
 The fairy temple Skulda doth reveal. 
 
 When Frithiof first his dazzled senses cleared, 
 
 Eejoiced, admired, the vision disappeared. 
 
182 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 " I comprehend, maids from Mimer bright, 
 
 This was thy token, hero-father good ! 
 
 I will restore the ravished temple's site, 
 
 Fair on the precipice where erst it stood. 
 
 'tis a glorious blessing to requite 
 
 With peaceful actions youth's hot haughty mood. 
 
 Within this downcast bosom hope now lives, 
 
 Since the white god my former sins forgives. 
 
 " Welcome, ye stars, that gleaming march on high ! 
 Now gladly gaze I on your silent way. 
 Welcome, ye northern lights, and blood-red sky ! 
 To me a burning shrine but yesterday. 
 Grave of my fathers, bloom ! and, ocean, sigh 
 Out sweetly as before thy mournful lay ! 
 Here will I sleep upon my shield and dream 
 How pious deeds the sins of youth redeem." 
 
XXIV. 
 
 THE EECONCILIATIOK 
 
 COMPLETED now was Balder's temple ; and around 
 A wooden barrier stood not now, but palings made 
 Of hammered iron were raised, with spikes of burnished 
 
 gold, 
 
 Round Balder's shrine, as if a steel-clad, armed host, 
 With halberts and with golden helm upraised, kept watch, 
 Standing on silent guard round Balder's new abode. 
 Of giant stones alone its circle wide was built, 
 With cunning art united a stupendous work, 
 Made to defy decay, like to Upsala's temple, 
 Where the North sees Valhalla in an earthly shape. 
 Proud stood it there upon the lofty cliff, and mirrored 
 Its haughty forehead in the ocean's sunny wave ; 
 But round about, like to a gorgeous bed of flowers, 
 Stretched Balder's dales, encumbered thick with mur- 
 muring groves, 
 
184 FR1THIOFS SAGA. 
 
 "With all their warbling birds a 'smiling home of peace. 
 High were the brazen portals, and disclosed within 
 Two colonnades, upon whose mighty shoulder-blades 
 Rested the oval dome; and there it hung so fair 
 Over the temple, like a shield embossed with gold. 
 But further stood the altar ; it was carved from 
 A single northern marble block; and all around 
 Snakes twined their knotted forms, engraved with runic 
 
 lore, 
 
 Deep-pondered words from Yala and from Havamal. 1 
 But in the wall above was seen a spacious niche, 
 With golden stars upon a dark-blue ground; and there 
 The silver image of the pious god sat mild 
 And kind, as sits the moon upon the vault of heaven; 
 So shone the temple glorious. Two and two stepped in 
 Twelve sacred maidens, all arrayed in silver gauze, 
 With roses on their healthful cheeks, and roses in 
 Their guileless hearts. Before the image of the god 
 They danced the newly consecrated altar round, 
 As the spring breezes lightly o'er the rivulet, 
 As fairies of the woods dance in the waving grass, 
 When in the morning dew lies glittering thereon. 
 And 'mid the dance they chanted forth a sacred song 
 Of Balder, of the pious god ; how he was loved 
 By every being ; how he fell before the shaft 
 Of Hoder fell, and earth and ocean wept. 2 The song 
 
THE RECONCILIATION. 18-5 
 
 Seemed not of mortal tone, nor sung by human yoice; 
 But like a strain from Breidablick, home of the god; 
 Like song of lonely maid who thinks upon her lover, 
 When in the silent night the deep-toned quail pipes 
 
 forth, 
 
 And the moon shineth o'er the birches in the North. 
 Frithiof stood charmed, supported by his sword, and 
 
 gazed 
 
 Upon the dance; whilst childhood's mem'ries thronged 
 Before his eyes, an innocent and cheerful troop, 
 With eyes as blue as heaven, and with graceful heads 
 Streaming with curly golden hair; they lightly waved 
 A friendly greeting to their former youthful friend. 
 Then like a bloody shadow sank his viking life 
 With all its combats, struggles, and adventures wild, 
 Down into lower darkness, and his fancy saw 
 A flower-encircled monument above their tomb. 
 And as the song waxed loud, he lifted up his soul 
 From earth and earthly things to vaulted Yalaskjalf; 3 
 And man's revenge and hate now melted gently from 
 
 him, 
 
 As from the mountain's breast melts the cuirass of ice 
 When shines the sun in spring. A sea of quiet joy, 
 Of silent rapture, poured into his hero-breast. 
 It was as if he felt the heart of Nature beat 
 Against his own; as if with passion he could press 
 
186 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 The universe in brotherly embrace, and found 
 
 'Fore God a lasting peace with every living thing. 
 
 Then came into the temple Balder's great high-priest, 
 
 A lofty form, not like the god both young and fair. 
 
 But heavenly gentleness upon his features writ ; 
 
 Whilst, sweeping to his belt, floated his silver beard. 
 
 Unusual veneration seized on Frithiof s soul, 
 
 The eagle plumes upon his helm were lowered deep 
 
 Before the priest ; but he with friendly accent spoke : 
 
 " Son Frithiof, welcome hither ! I awaited thee ; 
 
 For youth and strength must wander wild round earth 
 
 and sea, 
 
 Like to the berserk 4 pale who hews the buckler's edge, 
 But tired of life and sobered, comes back home at last. 
 The mighty Thor went many a time to Jotunsheim ; 5 
 But yet, despite his belt divine and gloves of steel, 
 Utgarda Loke sitteth yet upon his throne ; 
 Evil, itself a mighty force, yields not to force. 
 Goodness is nought but child's play uncombined with 
 
 strength : 
 
 'Tis like the sunbeam bright upon the ocean's breast 
 A fitful image, glittering in the inconstant wind, 
 Devoid of all consistence, for it hath no base. 
 But strength, devoid of piety, consumes itself, 
 E'en as the sword within the tomb ; 'tis life's debauch, 
 Oblivion's heron hovers o'er the goblet's brim ; 
 
THE EECONCILIATIOX. 187 
 
 But when the drunkard wakes, he blushes for his deeds. 
 All strength is from the earth, derived from Ymer's 6 
 
 form; 
 
 The bois'trous waters are the veins which course therein, 
 And from the ore of mines are forged its sinews strong. 
 Yet desert are its plains, its spaces vast unfruitful, 
 Until the sun of piety doth shine thereon ; 
 Then flourishes the grass, then blooms the purple flower, 
 The tree lifts up its head, and brings forth golden fruit, 
 And man and beast are nourished from their mother's 
 
 breast. 
 
 So is it, too, with Asker's 7 child. The Almighty Father 
 Within the balance of our life hath placed two weights, 
 Which counterpoise each other, when the scale is true, 
 And earthly strength and heavenly piety their names. 
 Mighty indeed is Thor, young man, when, girding tight 
 His Megingjard 8 around his iron loins, he strikes. 
 Wise, too, is Odin, when in Urda's silver wave 
 He looketh down, and when the ravens flying come 
 Unto the Asa-sire with tidings of the world. 
 Yet dim became they both, the radiance of their 
 
 crowns 
 
 Half-quenched when Balder, god of goodness, fell ; 
 For he encircled was by Valhall's crown divine. 
 When yellow grew the summit of the tree of time, 
 And Nidhogg ate away its roots, 9 then were released 
 
188 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 The powers of darkness, and the Midgard serpent 
 
 struck 
 
 His matter-swollen tail 'gainst heaven, and Fenris howled 10 
 And Surtur's 11 fiery sword flashed red from Muspelheim. 
 But now, where'er thine eye is cast, strife rages wild 
 With war-shield round the universe. In Valhall crowed 
 The cock with yellow comb ; the blood-red cock of strife 
 Crowed upon earth and 'neath the earth. Before, 'twas 
 
 peace, 
 
 Not only in the halls of heaven, but e'en on earth; 
 Peace reigned supreme in human and in godlike breasts; 
 For that which happens here already hath ta'en place 
 On more stupendous scale above. The universe 
 Is but a picture of Valhalla, as heaven's light 
 Mirrors itself upon the Saga's runic shield. 
 Each bosom hath its Balder. Think but of the time, 
 "When peace abode within thy breast, when life was pure, 
 As glad and innocent as the wood-songster's dream, 
 "When in the summer night the breezes gently wave 
 Each sleepy blossom's head upon its grassy bed ; 
 Then Balder yet existed in thy pure young soul, 
 Thou Asa-son, thou image of Valhalla's gods ! 
 God is not dead for children, and Hel renders up 
 His prey again whene'er a human being's born. 
 But side by side with Balder, in each human soul, 
 Grows his blind brother, Ho'der; 12 for all evil is 
 
THE RECONCILIATION. 189 
 
 Born blind, as youthful bears are born, and dark Night 
 
 is 
 
 Its cloak, for Goodness ever clothes itself in light, 
 Loke, the watchful tempter, constantly is there, 
 And guides blind Hoder's murderous hand; and the 
 
 slight shaft 
 Pierces Valhalla's darling, sinks into young Balder's 
 
 heart. 
 
 Then Hate awoke, Oppression sprang upon his prey, 
 And hungry roamed the "Wolf of Death round hill and 
 
 dale, 
 
 And ships swam furiously upon the blood-stained sea ; 
 For Piety sat powerless, like an empty shadow, 
 Dead amongst things extinct, in pallid Hel's abode ; 
 And burnt to ashes now is Balder's sacred house. 
 Thus are the mighty Asas' lives a truthful image 
 Of fall'n humanity's condition ; both are but 
 Allfather's silent meditations, and ne'er change. 
 What was, what will be, knows alone the Yala's 13 song. 
 That song is both Times's lullaby and funeral dirge. 
 The universe's annals tune themselves to this, 
 And each may hear in it his destiny unfolded. 
 Say, dost thou comprehend ? The Vala questions thee. 
 
 Thou wilt be reconciled. Know'st thou what this 
 portends ? 
 
190 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 Look up into my face, young man, and wax not pale. 
 
 On earth a reconciler stalks his name is Death. 
 
 All Time is from the first but stained eternity, 
 
 All Life a mean reflection from Allfather's throne ; 
 
 And pardon means to go back thither purified. 
 
 The mighty Asas fell themselves ; and Ragnarok 
 
 Their day of reconciliation, day of blood, 
 
 On Yigrid's drear and spacious plain ; on this they fall, 
 
 And yet they fall not unrevenged, for Evil dies 
 
 For ever ; but the Good which fell again arises 
 
 Up from the burning world, refined and purified. 
 
 The starry garlands bright fall pale and withered down 
 
 From heaven's temple, and the earth sinks deep in 
 
 ocean, 
 
 But fairer still they rise again, and lift up glad 
 Their flower-encircled heads high from the ocean wave. 
 New stars and planets move above with godlike 
 
 splendour, 
 
 And wend their quiet way over the new creation. 
 But o'er the verdant hill-tops, Balder gladly leads 
 The new-born Asas, and a race of men more pure. 
 The golden runic tables too, which once were lost 
 In Time's first dawn, by chance were found, hid in the 
 
 On Ida's spacious plain, by Yalhall's pardoned child. 
 Thus is the fall of Goodness but its fiery proof, 
 
THE RECONCILIATION. 10 1 
 
 Its expiation ; born unto a better life, 
 
 It flieth back with spirit purged to wjience it came, 
 
 E'en as a guileless child flies to its father's knee. 
 
 Alas ! that all that's best should lie beyond the tomb, 
 
 That mound, green gate of Gimle, 14 and that all is low, 
 
 And stained and tainted all that lies beneath the stars. 
 
 Yet e'en life may gain a reconciliation, 
 
 Inferior and a prelude to the higher one. 
 
 As when the skald, who runs his fingers o'er the harp 
 
 Ere he commence the wond'rous melody, with art 
 
 Touches the tuneful wires, and softly proves them till 
 
 Full harmony bursts powerful from the golden strings ; 
 
 Then charms he glorious mem'ries from forgotten graves, 
 
 And Yalhall's radiance streams before the listener's eye. 
 
 For earth is but the shade of heaven, and life is but 
 
 The portico to Balder's temple in the sky. 
 
 The crowd adores the gods, and leads the charger forth, 
 
 Gold-saddled, purple-bridled, to the sacrifice. 
 
 This is a symbol, and of deep import, for blood 
 
 Is the red dawn of Reconciliation's day. 
 
 But symbols are not things and cannot aught effect, 
 
 And thy transgressions past thyself must expiate. 
 
 The dead are pardoned by Allfather's grace divine, 
 
 The quick must pardon find within the heart's recess. 
 
 I know an off 'ring sweeter far to gods above, 
 
 Than sacrificial smoke, it is the off'ring of 
 
192 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 The wild revenge and hate which rages in thy heart 
 Can'st thou not mitigate their fury, can'st thou not 
 Forgive, yonng man, what dost thou here in Balder's 
 
 house ? 
 
 What signifies the temple which thou here hast built ? 
 Balder is not appeased by stone ; with peace alone 
 Above as here below dwells reconciliation. 
 A Balder dwelt once in the South, a virgin's son, 
 Sent by Allfather to expound the mystic runes 
 "Writ on the Norms' sable shields, unknown before. 
 Peace was his war-cry, love to men his shining sword, 
 And Innocence sat dove-like on his silver helm. 
 Pious he lived and taught, until at last he died, 
 And 'neath far distant palms his grave in glory shines. 
 His doctrine, say they, spreadeth far from vale to vale, 
 Melteth the hardened heart and joins the friendly hand, 
 And founds the reign of peace upon the gladdened 
 
 earth. 
 
 I know not well the creed indeed but darkly still 
 Have I in better hours had glimpses of his teaching, 
 At times each human heart yearns toward it, e'en as 
 
 mine. 
 
 One day, I feel assured, it comes and lightly waves 
 Its snowy dove-like wings over the northern hills. 
 But ah ! no North will longer be for us that day, 
 The oak will sadly sigh o'er our forgotten graves. 
 
THE RECONCILIATION. 193 
 
 Ye tribes more fortunate, who then will quench your 
 
 thirst, 
 From the bright beaker tilled with new-born light, I hail 
 
 you ! 
 
 Your fortune, if it chase away each cloud which hangs 
 Its damp, unwholesome shroud before the sun of life. 
 Likewise, despise us not, who honestly inquired 
 With unaverted eye for light and truth divine, 
 One is Allfather, many are his messengers. 
 
 " Thou hatest Bele's sons. But wherefore hatest thou ? 
 
 Unto a simple freeman's son they have refused 
 
 To give their sister, for she is of Seming's blood, 
 
 The mighty son of Odin, whose heroic race 
 
 Counts their descent from Valhall's throne ; this causeth 
 
 pride. 
 
 But noble birth is chance, and not desert, thou sayest. 
 Of his desert, young man, a man is never proud, 
 But of his fortune, and that surely is the best 
 Which is the gift of gods. Art thou not proud thyself 
 Of thy heroic deeds, of thy superior force ? 
 Who gave thee thy great strength ? And did not Asa 
 
 Thor 
 
 Knit thine arm's thews and sinews like an oaken branch ? 
 Comes not from God the untamed heart which boundeth 
 
 glad 
 
194 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 Within the fortress of thy vaulted breast ? And is 
 Not godlike lightning flashing from thy burning eye ? 
 The mighty Nornas by thy cradle chanted clear 
 The royal story of thy life ; and thy desert 
 Is not superior to the brothers' royal birth. 
 Judge not the pride of others, that thou be not judged. 
 "Now is King Helge fallen." Here broke Frithiof in : 
 "King Helg6 fallen? When and where?" "Thou 
 
 know'st thyself, 
 
 Whilst thou wast building here, he led an expedition 
 Against the mountain Finns. Upon a craggy rock 
 Arose an aged temple, raised to Jumala. 15 
 Now was it closed and for many a year abandoned. 
 But high above the portal stood, famed far and wide, 
 An ancient statue of the god, inclined and tottering, 
 But no man durst approach it, for a saying went 
 Among the country folk, that who should haply first 
 Visit the temple, should behold the god Jumala. 
 This Helge heard, and with blind, eager passion moved, 
 Sprang up the barren path against the hated god, 
 And would prostrate the temple. When he reached the 
 
 top, 
 
 The door was locked, the key was fixed by rust therein. 
 The doorposts then he seized, and wildly shook the 
 
 frame 
 Of mouldering wood, when, with a fearful crash, 
 
TILE RECONCILIATION. 195 
 
 The statue fell to earth, and overwhelmed in falling 
 
 The son of Valhalla, .and then he saw Jumala. 
 
 A midnight messenger hath brought these tidings hither. 
 
 Now Halfdan sits alone upon his lather's throne ; 
 
 Offer to him thy hand, and sacrifice revenge. 
 
 The off 'ring Balder claims, I claim myself, his priest, 
 
 In token that ye jest not with the peaceful gcd. 
 
 If thou refusest, is the temple built in vain, 
 
 And vainly have I spoken." 
 
 Now stepped Halfdan in 
 
 Over the brazen threshold, and with wistful look 
 Stood silent, at a distance from the dreaded one. 
 Then Frithiof loosed the Harness-hater from his thigh, 
 Against the altar placed the golden buckler round, 
 And forward came unarmed to meet his enemy : 
 "In such a strife," thus he commenced, with friendly 
 
 voice, 
 
 " The noblest he who first extends the hand of peace." 
 Then blushed King Halfdan deep, and drew his gauntlet 
 
 off, 
 
 And long-divided hands now firmly clasped each other, 
 A mighty pressure, steadfast as the mountain's base. 
 The old man then absolved him from the curse which 
 
 lay 
 
 Upon the Varg i Yeum, 16 on the outlawed man. 
 And as he spake the words, fair Ingeborg came in, 
 
 o 2 
 
196 FRITHIOFS SAGA. 
 
 Arrayed in bridal dress, and followed by fair maids, 
 E'en as the stars escort the moon in neaven's vault. 
 "\Vhilst tears suffused her soft and lovely eyes, she fell 
 Into her brother's arms, but deeply moved he led 
 His cherished sister unto Frithiof s faithful breast, 
 And o'er the altar of the god she gave her hand 
 Unto her childhood's friend, the darling of lier heart. 
 
NOTES. 
 
 I. 
 
 1 Freya, the Scandinavian goddess of Love. 
 
 2 Referring to the Runic or ancient Scandinavian alphabet. 
 
 3 Valhalla : literally, " Abode of the chosen." Only the brave 
 were admitted, after death, as companions of Odin. The Val- 
 kyrias, who in some measure correspond to the Houris of 
 Eastern mythology, were supposed to hover over a battle-field 
 and " elect " the most intrepid heroes ; hence their name, con- 
 nected with the German wahlen and kuren. 
 
 4 Iduna, the Hebe of Scandinavian mythology. 
 6 Frigga, the wife of Odin. 
 
 6 Gerda, a beautiful giant maiden, with whom Frey, the gcd 
 of Fertility, was enamoured. 
 
 " Nanna, the emblem of feminine love and tenderness, wife of 
 Balder, one of the chief Scandinavian divinities, of whom more 
 below. 
 
 8 Balder, the symbol of all that is good and holy in the uni- 
 verse. His death was the signal for the reign of Evil. It oc- 
 curred in the following manner. Balder was troubled by evil 
 dreams ; so, in a council of the gods, it was resolved that Frigga 
 should exact an oath from all substances that they would do no 
 harm to Balder. This being done the gods, in their joy, proved 
 his invulnerability by slashing at him, throwing stones, and shoot- 
 ing arrows. Loke, the evil spirit, envious of the honours accorded 
 to Balder, came and asked Frigga if all nature had sworn to do no 
 harm to Balder ; she replied that all had, with the exception of a 
 plant in Valhalla, called " mistletoe." Loke, on hearing this, 
 
198 NOTES. 
 
 immediately went and plucked some mistletoe, and, returning 
 to the council, asked his blind brother, Hoder, why he also did 
 not shoot at Balder. On his excusing himself on the score of 
 his blindness, Loke placed the mistletoe in his hand, and di- 
 rected the shot, which pierced the bosom of Balder, who fell 
 dead, to the consternation of the assembled gods. Balder, on his 
 death, descended to Helheim, the abode of Evil. The perpetua- 
 tion of the use of the mistletoe at Christmas is curious. Doubt- 
 less, on the introduction of Christianity into the North, the 
 Romish priests represented Christ as identical with Balder ; and 
 thus the instrument of the latter's death has been handed down 
 to us even as the cross has been. 
 
 9 Odin, the chief divinity of the Scandinavians. He is termed 
 " All-father," " Father of the gods," " The mighty," " The pru- 
 dent and circumspect," &c. , &c. He is represented as bearing a 
 spear or javelin, which always struck its mark, Gungnir, i.e., the 
 earthquake, and a ring, the emblem of eternity. 
 
 10 Thor, the god of Truth and Strength. He was " the strongest 
 of all the gods," and his attribute was Mjolnir, the hammer, 
 which always hit the mark and returned of itself to Thor's hand. 
 " Mjolnir " signifies the " Shatterer," to indicate the crushing 
 force of truth. 
 
 11 Thrudvang, the abode of Thor, signifying "The home of 
 Truth and Strength." 
 
 II. 
 
 1 Odin was accompanied by two ravens, who whispered in his 
 ear tidings of the world. 
 
 - A portion of the Elder Edda. 
 3 T Ids note I. 6. 
 
 III. 
 
 1 Brage, or Bragi, " The Speaker," the god of music, poetry, 
 and oratory. 
 
 2 The well or spring Mimer was, in Northern mythology, the 
 symbol of knowledge and experience. 
 
NOTES. 199 
 
 3 It must be remembered that the Gothic races came originally 
 from the East. 
 
 4 One of the Nornas, or Fates. 
 
 5 Frey, the god of fertility, is often symbolised as the Sun. 
 
 6 Saga, the muse of history. 
 
 ' Hel, the ruler of Niflheim, the abode of cowards after death. 
 
 8 Glitnir, the " Shining," was the abode of Forseti, son of 
 Balder and Nanna, and the personification of Justice, 
 
 9 The sea-god. 
 
 IV. 
 
 1 Vide III. 7. 
 
 2 Frithiof is supposed to be an " odalbonde," or allodial pro- 
 prietor. 
 
 VII. 
 
 1 Belling, the father of the Sun. 
 
 2 Vide note I. 3. 
 
 3 The abode of Freya, goddess of Love. 
 
 4 Ragnarok, the burning of the world. On this day the Asas, 
 or gods, are attacked and destroyed by the powers of darkness, 
 the world is consumed by fire and sunk beneath the sea, from 
 which, however, it arises renovated. The Asas are then restored 
 to a purified existence, and Balder is released from the power of 
 Hel ; the reign of Evil,which had commenced at his death, having 
 perished for ever. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 1 The well by which dwelt the three Nornas, or Fates : Urda, 
 Verdandi, and Skulda. 
 
 2 Gefion, a goddess, to whom all virgins, who died as such, went 
 after death. 
 
 3 The rainbow, supposed to be a bridge between heaven and 
 earth. ' 
 
200 XOTES. 
 
 4 Asa is the name for the Scandinavian gods. 
 
 5 The Nornas were, as has been before mentioned, the Fates or 
 Destinies ; one was supposed to attend on each individual during 
 life. 
 
 6 A " Vala," or " Volva," signifies a woman who foretells the 
 future. Odin is related to have consulted the deceased Vala 
 about the death of Balder, and by the employment of strange 
 exorcisms to have obtained a full response. 
 
 7 Niding, according to Fritzner's " Icelandic-Danish Diction- 
 ary," a person who disgraces himself by shameful actions, and 
 especially a traitor. 
 
 8 Slidur, a miry stream which flowed through Helheim. 
 
 9 See note 6. 
 
 X. 
 
 1 Rana, a sea-goddess, supposed to catch those who fell into the 
 sea in her net. She was married to (Egir, the sea- god, and had 
 nine daughters, personifying the waves. 
 
 XI. 
 
 1 Berserk, according to Fritzner's Icelandic-Danish Dictionary, 
 "A man who, at times, but especially in combat, is wont to be 
 seized with a wild, animal fury, which gives him extraordinary 
 strength, and makes his assault almost irresistible." Akin to the 
 " ghazee " of Eastern climes, except that the " wild, animal fury" 
 of the latter is produced by opium. 
 
 * Vide III. 6. 
 
 3 Vide III. 2. 
 
 4 Name of a fairy. 
 
 XII. 
 
 1 (Egir's daughter, i.e., the waves; vide X. 1. 
 
 2 Loke ; vide I. 8. It will be remembered that he appeared at 
 
NOTES. 201 
 
 the assembly of the gods as an old woman previous to Balder's 
 death. 
 
 3 Var, goddess of oaths. 
 
 4 Vidar, the personification of Immortality. He dwells in 
 primaeval forests, and is termed " the Silent." 
 
 5 Lofn, goddess of marriage. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 1 The Aurora Borealis. 
 
 2 Hb'der, brother to Lokd ; he is represented blind, and is the 
 symbol of Darkness. 
 
 3 A symbol of strife and destruction. 
 
 4 The flames. Muspelheim was a burning world, guarded by 
 Surtur with a flaming sword. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 1 Eana; videX. 1. 
 
 2 Cowards were placed in the stocks on the judgment-day. 
 
 3 Vide III. G. 
 
 XVII. 
 
 1 The Einheris were the warriors of Valhalla. 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 1 Sleipnir, Odin's white and ^7^-legged horse. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 1 Nastrand, i.e., Niflheim, the abode of Hel. 
 
 2 Teinple-ravisher : literally, " Wolf in sanctuaries.' 
 
202 NOTES. 
 
 XXI. 
 
 1 Bifrost. Vide VIII. 3. 
 
 2 A name for Freya. 
 
 3 Vide III. G. 
 
 4 Vide III. 8. 
 
 5 Poetical names for gold. 
 
 XXII. 
 
 1 The Nornas were termed " Skoldemor," or " Shield-maidens/' 
 
 2 The ash tree, Yggdrafill, was the symbol of the history of the 
 world. Its roots are three-fold : one directed towards the gods, 
 the second to empty space, and the third to Niflheim. Near the 
 first dwell the Nornas, Urda, Verdandi, and Skulda ; near the 
 second is the well Mimer ; and under the third lies the serpent 
 Nidhogg, who constantly gnaws the root of the ash. Nidhogg 
 is the symbol of death. 
 
 XXIII. 
 
 1 Vide XXII. 2. 
 
 2 Breidablick, the abode of Balder. 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 1 Parts of the Elder Edda, an Icelandic collection of epic 
 poems. 
 
 2 Vide I. 8. 
 
 3 Valaskjalf, the vaulted abode of Odin. 
 
 4 Vide XL 1. 
 
 5 The abode of the giants. 
 
 6 A giant, from whose substance the earth was made. 
 
 7 Askr and Embla, two trees found lifeless by the gods, who 
 endowed them with the qualities which constituted them the 
 progenitors of the human race. 
 
 * Thor's belt of strength. 
 
NOTES. 203 
 
 9 Vide XXII. 2. 
 
 10 Fenrir, the " "Wolf of Death," who slew Odin on the day of 
 Ragnarok. Vide VII. 4. 
 
 11 Surtur, the guardian of Muspelheim. He was armed with 
 a flaming sword, and burnt the world at Ragnarok. Vide XIII. 4. 
 
 12 Vide I. 8. 
 
 13 Vide VIII. 6. 
 
 14 A name for Heaven. 
 J 5 A Finnish god. 
 
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