in the _Skjọldungasaga_, where the murderer is called Ingjald, not
Frothi," is taken from the account that appears in the _Hrólfssaga_;
this account must therefore be earlier than the corresponding account in
the _Skjọldungasaga_.
2. As the story about Frothi, Halfdan, etc., in the _Bjarkarímur_ is
substantially the same as in the _Skjọldungasaga_, it must be derived
from the same source as the story in the _Skjọldungasaga_. The
_Bjarkarímur_ are, therefore, at this point a later composition than the
corresponding portion of the _Hrólfssaga_; and this fact affords further
corroboration of the idea that the stories in the _rímur_ of Bjarki's
slaying the wolf and Hjalti's slaying the bear are later than the
_Hrólfssaga's_ account of Bjarki's slaying the winged monster.
3. When the _Skjọldungasaga_ says that Hrolf Kraki met Hrani-Odin on the
expedition to Sweden, though nothing is said about such a meeting in
_Snorri's Edda_, the idea is probably taken from a version of the story
essentially as we have it in the _Hrólfssaga_.[185]
4. Though the _Hrólfssaga_ is made up of elements of varying degrees of
antiquity and merit, it contains features worthy of more consideration
than has generally been accorded them.
5. In discussing the genealogy of the Danish kings in _Beowulf_ and
comparing it with that of other documents,[186] it is to be remembered
that the _Skjọldungasaga_ has no independent value as an authority in
this connection; its value lies in its recognition of a conflict between
the Ingjald lay and the story in the _Hrólfssaga_, and its attempt to
harmonize the two.
6. On the whole, as Olrik says, "Hvor værdifuld den islandske
_Skjọldungasaga_ end er, den er selvfölgelig ikke på alle punkter at
foretrække for enhver anden kilde."[187] When it disagrees with other
documents, its statements should be scanned with care.
A little ought to be said about Saxo's treatment of the problem, the
solution of which in the _Skjọldungasaga_ has just been considered. The
solution in the saga is based on the recognition of the fact that Frothi
as a king who was slain (i.e., by Swerting) and later avenged by his son
is irreconcilable with the idea that he slew his brother, whose sons
later put Frothi to death and thus avenged their father's murder. Saxo
solved the problem by employing two Frothi's,--namely Frothi IV,
Ingjald's father, who was slain by Swerting and was avenged by his son,
and Frothi V, Ingjald's successor, who slew his brother, Harald (i.e.,
Halfdan in the _Hrólfssaga_), and later was put to death by Harald's
sons.
On the whole, Saxo's story presents something of an attempt to harmonize
Danish and Old Norse tradition. The Danish tradition about the
Hroar-Helgi group of kings Saxo preserves in his second book. The Old
Norse tradition about them he utilizes in his seventh book, at a point
where, in the line of Danish kings, it occurs according to the Old Norse
conception of the matter.[188] In the latter connection he repeats
certain features of the story as it appears in his second book. Ingjald
who appears in the sixth book is really the same Ingjald (second book)
whose son Agnar is slain by Bjarki; and Helgi (here called Halfdan)
takes to sea, just as he does in the second book. All that concerns
Hrolf Kraki, Yrsa, Bjarki, etc., Saxo omits from the seventh book; but
he gives Halfdan (Helgi) a career in Sweden, something like Helgi's
(second book). Halfdan dies, however, without leaving an heir to the
Danish throne; and this solves another problem, for thus the necessity
of introducing Hrolf Kraki, Helgi's son, again, or some substitute for
him, is obviated, and the story of this royal family is brought to an
end.
_Conclusion._
We have, therefore, only two versions of the Hroar-Helgi story (Saxo's
version and the one in the _Hrólfssaga_), and these have been subjected
to a variety of influences and manipulations. The two versions do not,
however, always employ the same features in just the same way, as is
exemplified in the treatment of the insanity motive; nor have they
always retained the same features present in the source of influence, as
where the place of concealment of the boys in one instance is a cave and
in the other a hollow tree. But the possession of the two versions is
valuable in this respect, that they afford a double confirmation of the
source of influence, as in the instances just cited and in Frothi's
consulting the witch.
It is a great transformation that has taken place in the fortunes of
Hrothgar (Hroar) from the time we become acquainted with him as the
famous King of the Danes in _Beowulf_ till we finally see him in the
_Hrólfssaga_ sitting on the throne of Northumberland in England. But the
conception of him that excludes him from the list of ancient kings of
Denmark seems to have been shared by Snorri Sturlason; for in Snorri's
_Ynglingasaga_, where Frothi, Halfdan, Helgi, Hrolf Kraki, and other
early Danish kings are mentioned, and where one would expect something
to be said about Hroar also, his name does not occur and there is no
reference to him whatever.
The foregoing explanation of how Hroar came to be regarded as King of
Northumberland has a bearing on _Beowulf_-criticism. The name of Hroar's
wife is given as Ögn. In _Beowulf_, Hrothgar's wife, Wealhtheow, is
called a Helming and is supposed to be an English lady. In support of
this idea, Sarrazin[189] and, following him, Thomas Arnold[190] have
stated that perhaps we have a reminiscence of her nationality in that of
Ögn. But, as we have seen, there is no connection between the two
women.
Finally, let it be stated that not all has been said about the
Hroar-Helgi story that one would like to say. One would like to be able
to trace still more in detail the development of the story and account
for all the variations between the two versions. Such knowledge is,
however, vouchsafed in very few instances. But if what has been said is
substantially correct, a little has been added to what was known before
about this interesting story.
III
_GENERAL SUMMARY._
From what has been said, it will be seen that the origin of the dragon
in the _Bọðvarsþáttr_ of the _Hrólfssaga_ has hitherto been
unperceived and the story of Bjarki's fight with the dragon has not
been understood. Neither of the two has any connection with _Beowulf_.
The _Bjarkarímur_ throw no light on the _Beowulf_ problem, for the
story of Bjarki's slaying the wolf and that of Hjalti's slaying the
bear are later than the story of Bjarki's slaying the dragon and were
written by one who had the story of Bjarki's fight with the dragon in
mind. Moreover, the story told in the _rímur_ in connection with
Hjalti's slaying the bear is merely an adaptation of the story told in
the _Hrólfssaga_ about Bjarki's father.
The _Fróðaþáttr_ of the _Hrólfssaga_ embodies an earlier form of the
Hroar-Helgi story than is found in the _Skjọldungasaga_ and the
_Bjarkarímur_; and this confirms the idea that the story in the
_Hrólfssaga_ of Bjarki's fight with the winged monster is earlier than
the corresponding stories in the _Bjarkarímur_. Aside from the influence
exerted by the Hamlet story, the _Fróðaþáttr_ version and Saxo's version
of the Hroar-Helgi story are the result of influences emanating from the
"exile-return" type of story in England, and, nore particularly, the
Meriadoc story and the Macbeth story, which were well known to
Scandinavians in Great Britain.
The version of the Hroar-Helgi story which we find in the
_Skjọldungasaga_ and the _Bjarkarímur_ is the result of an attempt to
harmonize conflicting traditions emanating from events about which we
now find the first account in _Beowulf_ and _Widsith_, as is also Saxo's
treatment of the same matter in his sixth and seventh books.
The change of names in Saxo's version of the Hroar-Helgi story is the
result of arbitrary action on his part in order to conceal the fact
that he introduces into his history the Hroar-Helgi group of kings a
second time, namely in his seventh book, and gives an account of them
that conflicts with the account already given of them in his second
book.
INDEX
Ågesön, Svend, 65.
abbreviations, 5, 6.
Agnar, 17, 51, 52, 82, 83, 93, 96.
Ali, 81, 94.
"Angler," 90.
Anglo-Saxons, 80.
Arcadia, 67.
Arglud, 71.
Arngrim, 92, 95.
Arthur, King, 43, 71-73.
Arthurian romances, 46.
Athils, 83.
Balder-cult, 8.
"Baldersagn," 66.
Banquo, 79.
bear, 13, 16, 20, 23, 35, 49, 50, 55, 57.
bear in _Bjark._, 7, 10-12, 47-55, 57, 58, 60, 95, 98.
bear in _Gest. Dan._, bk. two, 7, 10, 19, 51, 52, 59, 60.
bear in _Hrs._, 55, 59.
bear-ancestry, 10, 14, 16, 19, 20, 56, 59.
Beaw, 9, 10.
Beorn, 14, 16.
Beowulf, 7-12, 30, 41, 43, 60, 89.
Beowulf (Danish king), 9, 10.
_Beowulf_, 3, 7-12, 34, 35, 38, 40, 41, 43, 58, 59, 61, 65-67, 88-91,
94, 96-98.
Bera, 16, 56.
Beresun, 14, 16.
Berki, 9.
Bern, 13.
Bernicia, 13, 78.
Biár, 11.
bibliography, 5, 6.
Biörn, 13.
_Bjarkarímur_, 3, 7, 10-12, 16, 28, 35, 47, 49-60, 81-83, 94, 95, 98.
Bjarki, 7-12, 16-20, 23, 24, 27-31, 33-39, 41, 44-60, 67, 77, 83, 90,
93, 95, 96, 98.
Bjarki and the dragon in _Hrs._, Story of, 20 ff.
Bjarki and the wolf in _Bjark._, Story of, 47 ff.
Björkman, 69.
Björn, 16, 56.
blood-drinking, 8, 21, 23, 24, 27, 28, 34, 49-52, 58-60.
Boduwar, 9.
Bothvar, 8, 10-12, 16, 19, 22, 23, 33, 41, 49, 52, 53, 55, 56, 67, 77.
"Bọðvar," 8, 20-22, 47.
_Bọðvarsþáttr,_ 3, 7, 98.
British Isles, 70.
Bromton, 13.
Brunanburh, 80.
Canute, 13, 70, 80.
Caradoc, 71.
cattle-attacking monster, 30, 53.
Christianity, 26.
Christmas, 27, 46.
Christmas Eve, 25, 26, 31-35, 59.
Cuaran, 73.
Cumberland, 14.
Cumbria, 13, 80.
"Cymren," 70.
"cymrisch-skandinavische Sage," 70.
Dan, 90.
Danes, 13, 16, 43, 61, 65, 67, 70, 80, 88-91, 97.
Deira, 13.
Denmark, 7, 8, 14, 18, 19, 61, 63, 65, 67, 70, 76-78, 80-83, 87,
90-92, 97.
"Didrikskæmper," 90.
Diere, 14.
Digera, 13.
dogs, herdsmen's, 48, 53, 54, 56.
dog's name in _Hist. Mer._, 74.
dogs' names in _Gest. Dan._, bk. seven, 64, 73, 74, 77.
dogs' names in _Hrs._, 61, 67, 73, 74, 77.
Dolfin, 71, 73, 74.
Donaldbane, 77, 78, 80.
dragon, 9, 14, 15, 19, 20, 23, 24, 27, 46, 55.
dragon in _Beow._, 7-10, 34, 60.
dragon in _Hrs._, 7, 10, 19, 20, 24, 27,
28, 30, 33, 34, 36-39, 44-46, 50,
51, 54-60, 98.
Drifa, 9.
Duncan, 13, 77, 78.
Dundee, 15.
Dunewal, 15.
Durendal, 43.
Eadwulf Cutel, 13.
Eagle Rock, 71.
Ealdred, 13, 78.
Ebbe, 25.
Eckhart, 68.
Edward the Confessor, 13, 14, 17.
Elgfrothi, 18.
England, 3, 9, 10, 13-16, 63, 67, 69, 70, 73, 77, 80, 82, 83, 97, 98.
Excalibur, 43.
"exile-return" story, 68, 69, 77, 81, 83, 98.
Favnir, 23, 28.
Firth of Clyde, 13.
Firth of Forth, 13.
Fleventanean forest, 71.
Florencius, 69.
folk-lore, 24, 28, 38.
Fordun, Johannes, 80.
"fornaldarsaga," 15.
Freawaru, 9, 88.
Frey-cult, 8.
Fridleif, 81, 86.
Fridleus, 86.
Frodas, 69.
Frothi, 9, 10, 43, 61-66, 68, 69, 73, 75, 76, 78, 79, 81-97.
_Froðaþáttr_, 3, 61, 94, 98.
Fyen, 64.
Gaimar, Geffrei, 72.
Gautland, 63, 77.
Geats, 43, 91.
genealogy of Danish kings in _Gest. Dan._, 84, 85.
genealogy of Danish kings in _Hrs._, 92.
genealogy of Danish kings in _Skjs._, 84, 85, 92.
Germany, 87.
giants, 25, 26, 42, 46.
giant-sword in _Beow._, 11, 38.
Godwin, 13.
Great Britain, 98.
Grendel, 7, 9-12, 34, 35, 38, 58, 60.
Grendel's mother, 7, 11.
Grettir, 35.
Griffith, 71, 72.
Grim, 73.
Grímur, 31.
Gudmundur, 31-33.
Gullinhjalti, 11, 12, 22-24, 35, 36, 39-41, 44, 59.
Gyldenhilt, 11, 40, 42.
"gylden hilt," 11, 12, 35, 40-44, 59.
"Hadbarder," 65, 88-90.
Hagena, 90.
Halfdan, 61, 63, 65, 66, 68, 69, 75, 78, 81-84, 86-88, 91-97.
Halga, 61.
hall-attacking monster, 29-31, 34, 53.
Halvor, 38.
Hamlet, 67, 73, 80.
Hamlet story, 67, 72, 73, 76, 77, 98.
Hamur, 62, 74.
Hanef, 87.
Harald, 63, 75, 83, 86, 87, 96.
Hardecanute, 13.
Havelok, 80.
Heiðr, 66.
Helgi, 19, 61-64, 66, 67, 69, 73, 75, 77, 78, 80, 82-84, 86, 91, 92,
94, 96, 97, 99.
Helming, 97.
Heorot, 89.
Hereward, 60.
Hilda, 81.
Hildr, 56.
"Hitdölekæmpe," 24.
Hjalti, 10-12, 22, 24, 28, 35, 39, 40, 44, 47-59, 95, 98.
Hjalti and the bear in _Bjark._, Story of, 47 ff.
"Hjort," 89.
Hleidargard, 48, 49, 53, 55.
Ho, 61, 74.
"Holmryger," 90.
Hondscio, 12.
Hopp, 61, 74.
Hott, 11, 12, 20-25, 27-30, 34, 36-40, 44-46, 53.
Hrani, 62, 74, 95.
Hrethel, 43.
Hrethric, 93.
Hring, 17, 55.
Hroar, 19, 61-67, 69, 75, 77, 78, 80, 82-84, 86, 91-94, 96, 97, 99.
Hroar-Helgi story, 61, 67-70, 72-74, 76-79, 81-84, 86, 87, 94, 95, 97,
98.
Hrok, 93.
Hrolf Kraki, 7, 9, 17-23, 27, 33, 35, 39, 40, 43, 46, 48-50, 52, 54,
55, 57, 66, 82-84, 86, 92, 95-97.
_Hrólfssaga_, 3, 7, 9-12, 16-20, 23, 33, 35, 39-41, 45, 46, 49, 50,
52-54, 57-60, 63, 65, 68, 72-74, 76-80, 82, 83, 87, 91-98.
Hrossþjófr, 66.
Hrothgar, 9, 42, 43, 88, 89, 93, 96, 97.
Hrothulf, 89.
Hrunting, 11.
Hrörik, 65, 82, 93, 94.
"Hunnerslaget," 90.
Huntingdon, 13, 14.
Hygd, 43.
Hygelac, 43.
Iceland, 26, 65, 77, 84.
Icelanders, 67.
"ilex," 75, 76.
Ingjald, 81-84, 86-91, 93-96.
Ingjald lay, 87-92, 94, 96.
insanity in _Gest. Dan._, bk. seven, 64, 73, 77, 97.
insanity in Hamlet story, 67, 73.
insanity in _Hrs._, 73, 77, 97.
invulnerability, 29.
Ireland, 71, 78, 80.
"islændingasaga," 15.
Ivor, 71-75, 77.
Jorund, 81, 82, 93, 95.
Joseph, 76.
Karl, governor of Gautland, 63.
Kay, 71, 72.
Leofric, 13.
London, 14.
Lonkentus, 39.
Macbeth, 13, 78-80.
Macbeth story, 77-81, 98.
Macduffe, 79.
Malcolm, 13, 77, 80.
Margaret, 33.
Meriadoc, 72, 73.
Meriadoc story, 70-76, 78, 80, 98.
Merlin, 46.
Morwen, 71, 72.
New Year, 32.
"Niebelunger," 90.
"Nordmænd," 15, 90.
Norfolk, 70.
Northri, 63, 78.
Northumberland, 10, 13-15, 18, 63, 78, 80, 97.
Northumbria, 13, 78.
Norway, 7, 25, 26, 65, 77, 81.
Norwegians, 14, 16, 67.
Odin, 15, 17-19, 26, 95.
Offa, 90.
Olaf, 85, 87.
Orkney Islands, 14, 17-19.
Orwen, 72, 78.
Osbeorn, 13, 18.
Osbernum, 15.
Osbertum Bulax, 15.
Per Bakken, 25.
Per Gynt, 35.
Per Sandager, 29.
"quercus," 74.
Ragnar, 64.
Ragnar Lodbrok, 15.
Ravenlandeye, 14, 18.
Regin, 61-63, 68.
Remus, 67.
Roland, 43.
Romulus, 67.
Russia, 81.
"Sakser," 90, 91.
Scandinavians, 10, 70, 80, 98.
"Scania," 82.
Scioldus, 86.
Scotland, 13, 17, 71, 72, 78.
Scots, 13, 15.
Scyld, 9.
Scylding kings, 67, 69.
Seeland, 64, 77, 82.
"seid," 79.
"seiðkona," 79, 81.
Sigar, 73.
Signy, 61-63, 73, 77, 82, 83, 93, 95.
Sigrith, 63, 82, 83, 92, 93, 95.
Sigurd, 23, 28, 67.
Sigurdur, 31-33.
Silfrúnarstadir, 31.
Siward, 10, 13-20, 23, 24, 56, 59, 63, 77, 78, 80.
Sjávarborg, 31.
Skåne, 82.
Skagafjördur, 31.
_Skjọldungasaga_, 18, 65, 81-84, 86, 87, 91-96, 98.
"Skjoldunger," 65, 88.
"Skjoldungsagaer," 67.
"Skjoldungsagn," 64, 66.
"Skjoldungslægt," 84.
"Skjoldungæt," 65, 90.
Skofnung, 39, 40.
Sleipnir, 19.
Snowdon, Mount, 72.
soothsayers, 61, 79.
Spratlingus, 14.
Starkad, 81, 82, 87, 88, 90.
Sweden, 8, 17-19, 63, 77, 81, 82, 87, 95, 97.
Swedes, 81.
Swerting, 81, 82, 85, 87, 88, 91, 92, 94-96.
Sævar, 78.
Sævil, 61-63, 73, 78, 82, 83, 93, 95.
Thames, 14.
Thebes, 67.
Thessaly, 67.
Tosti, 14, 17.
troll, 7, 9, 11, 16, 21, 22, 24-28, 30-35, 38, 52, 53, 59.
troll-animal, 29.
troll-bird, 29.
troll-dragon, 28, 29, 31, 34, 35, 49, 50, 53, 55, 58, 59.
troll-hare, 29.
troll-wife, 35, 66.
Ulf, 16, 55, 56.
Ulfius, 14.
Ulsius, 14.
Uplands in Norway, 81.
Urien, 71-73.
Ursus, 14.
Uther Pendragon, 71.
Valhalla, 19.
Valsleit, 17.
"Vender," 90.
Vifil, 61, 62, 73, 74, 76, 79.
Vitholphus, 66.
Viðolfi, 66.
"Volsunger," 90.
Waldar, 92, 93.
Waldef story, 69.
Wales, 71.
Wealhtheow, 97.
Weder-Geats, 41.
Welsh, 70.
werewolf myth, 12.
Westminster, 14.
Westmoreland, 14.
Widsith, 61, 89, 91, 98.
winged monster in _Hrs._, 7-12, 20-22, 25, 55, 95, 98.
witch, 26, 61, 62, 64, 78, 79, 97.
wizard, 26, 79.
wolf in _Bjark._, 7, 10-12, 28, 47, 49-52, 54, 57, 58, 60, 95, 98.
wolves in _Gest. Dan._, bk. seven, 63, 64.
wolves in _Hist. Mer._, 71, 75, 76.
Worcestershire, 13.
York, 13.
Young Siward, 13.
Yrsa, 66, 69, 83, 96.
Yule, 25.
Yule Eve, 22, 25, 30.
Yule-feast, 22, 25.
Yule-tide, 27.
Ælflæd, 13, 78.
Æsir, 26.
Ögn, 63, 78, 92, 94, 97.
"Östersöen," 90.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 1: For these portions of the _Bjarkarímur_, see pp. 47-48.]
[Footnote 2: For the story of Bjarki's fight with the winged monster,
see pp. 20-22.]
[Footnote 3: See p. 51.]
[Footnote 4: _Ant. Tid._, 1852-54, p. 130.]
[Footnote 5: _Ang._, 1886, IX, pp. 198-201.]
[Footnote 6: _P.B.B._, 1887, XII, pp. 55-57.]
[Footnote 7: _Beow. Stud._, 1888, pp. 62-63.]
[Footnote 8: _Beow. Unt. Ang._, 1889, p. 55.]
[Footnote 9: _Beow. Unt._, 1888, pp. 185-88.]
[Footnote 10: _Eng. Stud._, 1892, XVI, p. 80.]
[Footnote 11: The list is "Osbern Thruwin Aeskitil Riculf Aeskyl Rikui
Boduwar Berki Esel Petre Osbern."]
[Footnote 12: _P. B. B._, 1895, XX, pp. 157-58.]
[Footnote 13: _Eng. Stud._, 1897, XXIII, pp. 243-46.]
[Footnote 14: _Notes, Beow._, 1898, p. 96.]
[Footnote 15: _Grundr._, 1898, III, p. 649.]
[Footnote 16: _Ark._, 1903 (the article is dated 1901), XIX, pp. 19 ff.]
[Footnote 17: _Oldn. Lit. Hist._, II, 1901, p. 832.]
[Footnote 18: _Helt._, I, 1903, pp. 135-36.]
[Footnote 19: _Helt._, I, p. 135.]
[Footnote 20: _Helt._, I, pp. 139-41.]
[Footnote 21: _Helt._, pp. 215-17.]
[Footnote 22: _Helt._, I, p. 248.]
[Footnote 23: _Hrs. Bjark._, 1904, Introd., p. 22.]
[Footnote 24: _Eng. Stud._, 1905, XXXV, pp. 19 ff. The similarity
between "Gullinhjalti," in the _Hrólfssaga_, and "gylden hilt," in
_Beowulf_, was first pointed out by Friedrich Kluge in _Englische
Studien_, 1896, XXII, p. 145. Sarrazin would write "gylden hilt," the
form in which the words appear in _Beowulf_, in one word and capitalize
it (i.e., Gyldenhilt). This manner of writing the words brings them
nearer in form to "Gullinhjalti," as this word is written in the
_Hrólfssaga_. Holthausen in his latest edition (1909) of _Beowulf_ also
uses the form "Gyldenhilt." Lawrence, likewise, identifies "gylden hilt"
with Gullinhjalti (see p. 12), as does also Panzer (see p. 12).]
[Footnote 25: _St. Sag. Eng._, 1906, pp. 249 ff.]
[Footnote 26: _Camb. Hist. Lit._, I, 1907, pp. 29-30.]
[Footnote 27: _Gesch. Alteng. Lit._, 1908, p. 993.]
[Footnote 28: _P. M. L. A._, 1909, XXIV, p. 237.]
[Footnote 29: _P. M. L. A._, XXIV, p. 239.]
[Footnote 30: _P. M. L. A._, XXIV, p. 231.]
[Footnote 31: _P. M. L. A._, XXIV, p. 231.]
[Footnote 32: _P. M. L. A._, XXIV, p. 224.]
[Footnote 33: _P. M. L. A._, XXIV, p. 223.]
[Footnote 34: _P. M. L. A._, XXIV, p. 224.]
[Footnote 35: _St. germ. Sag._, 1910, pp. 366 ff.]
[Footnote 36: _St. germ. Sag._, pp. 372-73.]
[Footnote 37: _St. germ. Sag._, p. 383.]
[Footnote 38: XVIII, pp. 318-19.]
[Footnote 39: See the legendary life of Siward in the following.]
[Footnote 40: _Ark._, XIX, p. 199.]
[Footnote 41: Olrik, _Ark._, XIX, p. 205.]
[Footnote 42: _Ark._, XIX, pp. 212-13.]
[Footnote 43: _Ark._, XIX, pp. 205-07. See also _Helt._, I, pp. 215-17.
In his _St. germ. Sag._, p. 378, n., Panzer calls in question the
connection that Olrik makes between Bjarki's bear-ancestry and that of
Siward. But Olrik's theory furnishes the only satisfactory explanation
of all the phenomena involved, and is so extremely probable that it must
be regarded as correct.]
[Footnote 44: _Hrs. Bjark._, pp. 59-60.]
[Footnote 45: _Sn. Ed._, pp. 107-10.]
[Footnote 46: See p. 95, 3 and note.]
[Footnote 47: _Ark._, XIX, p. 211]
[Footnote 48: _Helt._, I, p. 136.]
[Footnote 49: _St. germ. Sag._, p. 367.]
[Footnote 50: _P. M. L. A._, XXIV, p. 239.]
[Footnote 51: _Hrs. Bjark._, pp. 68-71. Lawrence's translation of the
above is as follows:--
"And as the Yule-feast approached, the men grew depressed. Bothvar
asked Hott the reason; he told him that a beast had already come
two successive winters, a great and terrible one,--'and it has
wings on its back and flies about continually; two autumns it has
already sought us here, and it does great damage; no weapon wounds
it, but the king's champions, the best warriors of all, don't come
home at this time.' Bothvar said, 'The hall isn't so well defended
as I thought, if a beast can destroy the domain and property of the
king.' Hott answered, 'That is no beast, it is rather the greatest
of monsters.' (þat er ekki dýr, heldr er þat hit mesta trọll). Now
came the Yule-even; and the king said, 'Now I desire that the men
be still and quiet in the night, and I forbid them all to run any
risk on account of the beast; let the cattle fare as fate wills
(sem auðnar); my men I do not wish to lose.' All promised to act as
the king commanded. But Bothvar crept secretly out in the night; he
made Hott go with him, but Hott only went because he was forced to,
crying out that it would surely be the death of him. Bothvar told
him it would turn out better. They went out of the hall, and
Bothvar had to carry him, so full of fear was he. Now they saw the
beast, and Hott shrieked as loud as he could, and cried that the
beast was going to swallow him. Bothvar commanded the dog (bikkjuna
hans, i.e. Hott) to keep still, and threw him down in the moss, and
there he lay in unspeakable terror, and didn't even dare to run
home. Then Bothvar attacked the beast, but it chanced that the
sword stuck in the sheath when he wanted to draw it; then he pulled
so hard at the sword that it flew out of the sheath, and he plunged
(leggr) it immediately with such force under the shoulder of the
beast that it penetrated the heart, and hard and heavily fell the
beast down on the ground dead. Then Bothvar went over to where Hott
was lying. He took him up and carried him over to the place where
the beast lay dead. Hott trembled frightfully. Bothvar said, 'Now
you must drink the blood of the beast.' For a long time he was loth
to do this, but he finally didn't dare to do otherwise. Bothvar
made him drink two big gulps, and eat some of the beast's heart;
then Bothvar grappled with him, and they struggled long with each
other. Bothvar said, 'Now you have become very strong, and I don't
believe that you will be afraid of the troop of King Hrolf any
longer.' Hott answered, 'I shall not fear them any more, nor shall
I be afraid of you henceforth.' 'That is well, comrade Hott,' [said
Bothvar] 'and now will we set up the beast, and arrange it so that
the others will think it alive.' They did so. Then they went in and
were quiet; no one knew what they had done.
"The king asked in the morning whether they knew anything of the
beast; whether it had showed itself anywhere in the night; they
told him the cattle were all safe and sound in the folds. The king
bade his men see if they couldn't find any indication that it had
come thither. The warders obeyed, came quickly back again and told
the king that the beast was advancing rapidly to attack the town
(borginn). The king bade his men be courageous, [and said] each one
should help, according as he had courage for it, and proceed
against this monster. It was done as the king commanded; they made
themselves ready for it. The king looked at the beast and said, 'I
don't see that the beast moves; but who will undertake the task and
attack it?' Bothvar answered, 'A brave man might be able to satisfy
his curiosity about this! (þat væri næsta hrausts manns
forvitnisbót.) Comrade Hott, destroy this evil talk about you,--men
say that there is neither strength nor courage in you; go up and
kill the beast!--you see nobody else wants to.' 'Yes,' said Hott,'I
will undertake it.' The king said. 'I don't know whence this
courage has come to you, Hott, you have changed marvellously in a
short time.' Hott said, 'Give me your sword Gullinhjalti, which you
are bearing, and I will kill the beast or die in the attempt.' King
Hrolf said, 'This sword can only be borne by a man who is both
brave and daring.' Hott answered, 'You shall be convinced that I am
such a man.' The king said, 'Who knows whether your character
hasn't changed more than appearances show? Take the sword and may
you have good fortune!' Then Hott attacked the beast and struck at
it as soon as he was near enough so that he could hit it, and the
beast fell down dead. Bothvar said, 'Look, lord, what he has done!'
The king replied, 'Truly he has changed much, but Hott alone didn't
kill the beast, you were the man who did it.' Bothvar said, 'It may
be so.' The king said, 'I knew as soon as you came here that only
few men could compare with you, but this seems to me your most
illustrious deed, that you have made a warrior out of Hott, who
appeared little born to great good fortune. And now I wish him
called Hott no longer, he shall from this day be named
Hjalti,--thou shalt be called after the sword
Gullinhjalti.'"--P. M. L. A., XXIV, pp. 226-27.]
[Footnote 52: _Ark._, XIX, pp. 207-08.]
[Footnote 53: See p. 7.]