Wo siehst du jetzt die Hörner, Schweif und Klauen?
(Faust von Göthe.)
[4] The Eddas are written in the Icelandic tongue, then called the Suio-Gothic, and sometimes the Norrana tunga (or Norse tongue), which was formerly the language of all Scandinavia. After the introduction of Christianity, from the connection with the Empire and the Church, this tongue became gradually deteriorated by a mixture with the German; and it is by this mixture with the German that the modern Swedish and Danish languages are formed. Iceland having been colonised by some Norwegian families previous to the corruption of the language, has thus, from its insular position, preserved the old language pure; and it is now called Icelandic, which, though a dead language for Scandinavia, is a living one in Iceland.
[5] Snorro Storleson is likewise the author of the celebrated history called Heimkringlas, a most valuable work.
[6] For the meaning of Ginnungagap and of all the other proper names, see the alphabetical catalogue annexed to this preface.
[7] The details of the death of Balder are not given in this Poem “The Gods of the North.” It is only alluded to in the speech of the Vala, in the last canto; but Œhlenschläger has treated the “Death of Balder” separately, and made it the subject of an admirable tragic opera, with choruses and trochaics in the Greek style.
[8] Respecting the tragic opera of Balder by Œhlenschläger, which I have also translated, Sneedorf Birch says:
“The mythe of Balder is one of the most beautiful and sublime poetical compositions, whose equal is not to be found in the Greek or Roman mythology, or perhaps in that of any other people. This mythe has besides furnished the subject of one of the finest masterpieces in the Danish literature, namely, the drama of “Balder the Good,” by Œhlenschläger.”
[9] Sneedorf Birch.
[10] Thor is called by the Scalds Jotni-bane, i.e. Bane of the Giants: perhaps Odin himself may be the original Jack the Giant-killer, since one of his names is Jalc.—See the Grimnismal in the poetic Edda.