THE NORSE KING’S BRIDAL

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

AUTHOR’S PREFACE

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

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

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

October 5, 1911.

CONTENTS

FROM THE OLD NORSE

PAGE

The Waking of Angantheow3

The Lay of Thrym10

FROM THE DANISH

The Norse King’s Bridal19

The Gipsy’s Bride23

Hagen at the Dance27

The Lowly Squire31

The Drowning of John Remorsson34

Sir Dalebo’s Vengeance39

The Luck of the Linden-Tree45

Agnes and the Merman48

ORIGINAL

Mors Yanua Vitæ55

Ballad of the Turning Tide59

Ballad of All Souls’ Eve66

The Bride’s Bracelet75

The Wolf of Ironwood79

Ballad of Midsummer Eve84