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"We fought with fwords, that day " when I made to struggle in the twilight " of death that young chief so proud of

many a lifeless body fell to the earth. It was about the time of the morning, when the foe was compelled to fly in the battle. There the sword sharply bit the polished helmet. The pleasure of that day was like kiffing a young widow at the highest feat of the table."

"We fought with swords in the Flemings land: the battle widely raged before king Freyr fell therein. The blue steel all reeking with blood, fell at length upon the golden mail. Many a virgin bewailed the flaughter of that morning."

* *

"We fought with swords; the spear refounded; the banners reflected the sunshine upon the coats of mail. I saw many a warrior fall in the morning: many a hero in the contention of arms. Here the sword reach betimes the heart of my fon: it was Egill deprived Agnar of life. He was a youth who never knew what it was to fear."

"We fought with swords in the ifles of the fouth. There Herthiofe proved victorious: there died many of my valiant warriors. In the shower of arms, Rogvaldur fell, I lost my fon. In the play of arms came the deadly spear: his lofty crest was dyed with gore. THE BIRDS OF PREY BEWAILED HIS FALL: THEY LOST HIM THAT PREPARED THEM BANQUETS."

Vid. Five Pieces of Run. Poet. p. 31, 32, 35, &c.

т.

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" his flowing locks, he who spent his " mornings among the young maidens; " he who loved to converse with the hand"some widows. What is "the happy portion of the brave, but to " fall in the midst of a storm of arrows +? "He who flies from wounds, drags a te"dious miferable life: the daftard feels no "heart in his bosom.

"We fought with swords: a young man " should march early to the conflict of

arms: man should attack man or bravely " refist him. In this hath always confifted "the nobility of the warrior. He who

aspires to the love of his mistress ought " to be dauntless in the clash of swords.

"We fought with swords: but now I "find for certain that men are drawn " along by fate: there are few can evade "the decrees of the Destinies. Could I " have thought the conclufion of my life " referved for Ella, when almost expiring, " I shed torrents of blood? When I thrust

‡ He means Harald, furnamed Harfagre, or Fairlocks, king of Norway. т.

† Literally, a hail-storm of darts. Une grêle de

traits.

Q4

т.

"for

!

" forward my ships into the Scotish gulphs? "When I gained fuch abundant spoil for "the beasts of prey ?

"We fought with swords: I am still " full of joy, when I think that a banquet " is preparing for me in the palace of the "Gods. Soon, foon in the splendid abode " of Odin, we shall drink BEER out of "the sculls of our enemies. A brave man " shrinks not at death. I shall utter no " words expreffive of fear as I enter the "hall of Odin.

"We fought with swords. Ah! if my "sons knew the sufferings of their fa"ther : if they knew that poisonous

vipers tore his intrails to pieces! with " what ardour would they wish to wage " cruel war! For I gave a mother to my " children, from whom they inherit a va"liant heart.

さ

"We fought with fwords: but now I "touch upon my last moments. A ferpent " already gnaws my heart. Soon shall my "fons black their swords in the blood of "Ella: their rage is in flame: those va"liant youths will never rest till they have avenged their father.

6

"We

"We fought with swords, in fifty and "one battles under my floating banniers. From my early youth I have learnt to " dye the steel of my lance with blood; " and thought I never could meet with a " king more valiant than myself. But it " is time to cease: Odin hath sent his God" desses to conduct me to his palace. I " am going to be placed on the highest " feat, there to quaff goblets of BEER " with the Gods. The hours of my life are rolled away. I will die laughing."

REMARKS ON THE PRECEDING ODE.

I neceffarilyanticipate Will not anticipate the reflections that

rufing this. Poem; but will only observe, that it strongly confirms what I have advanced in the former part of this work, concerning the peculiar sentiments of the northern nations with regard to the fair sex. It has been commonly supposed, that we owe to the Laws of Chivalry, (i. e. to an institution so late as the eleventh century) that spirit of generofity, which formerly rendered the ladies the umpires of the glory and honour of the male fex; which made their favours the object and the reward of virtuous and gallant actions; which caufed the care of ferving, defending and pleasing them, to be confidered as the sweetest and most noble of all duties; and which hath, even to this day, entailed on them refpect and deference, of which there is not the least idea in other climates. But it is certain, that long before the eleventh century, this manner of thinking had been familiar,

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