The power of music over all nature is a subject of frequent recurrence in northern poetry. Here all the wild animals are entranced by the magic tones of the harp; the meads flower, the trees put forth leaves; the knight, though grave and silent, is attracted, and even if inclined to stay away, he cannot restrain his horse.
[161] Rosendelund. The word Lund signifies any kind of grove, thicket, &c.
[162] Not the island of Iceland, but a district in Norway of that name. By Berner-land, Geijer thinks is meant the land of Bern (Verona), the country of Dietrich, so celebrated in German romance.
[163] Sabel och Mård. These furs are always mentioned in the northern ballads, as the royal rewards of distinguished actions.
[164] This fine ancient Visa was taken down from recitation in West Gothland. The corresponding Danish one of Herr Tönne is much later.
[165] Niebuhr, speaking of the Celsi Ramnes, says, "With us the salutation of blood relations was Willkommen stolze Vetter (Welcome, proud cousins) and in the Danish ballads, proud (stolt) is a noble appellation of a maiden."—Römische Geschichte, 2d edit. vol. i. p. 316.
It may be added, that in English, proud and the synonymous term stout (stolz, stolt) had also the sense of noble, high-born.
Do now your devoir, yonge knightes proud.
Knight's Tale.
Up stood the queen and ladies stout.
Launfal.
[166] Men jag vet at sorge är tung.