Sigurd the Volsung (William Morris).
Other divinities of the sea.
Besides these principal divinities of the sea, the Northern nations believed in mermen and mermaids, the latter having swan plumage or seal garments, which they sometimes laid for a moment upon the beach, and if a mortal secured them he could compel the fair maidens to remain ashore.
“She came through the waves when the fair moon shone
(Drift o’ the wave and foam o’ the sea);
She came where I walked on the sands alone,
With a heart as light as a heart may be.”
L. E. R.
There were also malignant marine monsters who were known as Nicors, from whose name has been derived the proverbial Old Nick. Many of the lesser water divinities had fish tails; the females bore the name of Undines, and the males of Stromkarls, Nixies, Necks, or Neckar. These water spirits often left their native streams, especially during the middle ages, to appear at village dances, where they were recognized by the wet hem of their garments. They often sat beside the flowing brook or river, playing on a harp, or sang alluring songs while combing out their long golden or green hair.
“The Neck here his harp in the glass castle plays,