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 Angantheow][3]
[The Lay of Thrym][10]
FROM THE DANISH
[The Norse King’s Bridal][19]
[The Gipsy’s Bride][23]
[Hagen at the Dance][27]
[The Lowly Squire][31]
[The Drowning of John Remorsson][34]
[Sir Dalebo’s Vengeance][39]
[The Luck of the Linden-Tree][45]
[Agnes and the Merman][48]
ORIGINAL
[a]Mors Yanua Vitæ][55]
[Ballad of the Turning Tide][59]
[Ballad of All Souls’ Eve][66]
[The Bride’s Bracelet][75]
[The Wolf of Ironwood][79]
[Ballad of Midsummer Eve][84]

FROM THE OLD NORSE

THE WAKING OF ANGANTHEOW

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