TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE: A printing error with the page numbering of the original book(present in multiple copies) has been retained: the poem goes from pages 1 to 352,but then the following section of notes begins with page 337.
THE GODS
OF THE NORTH.
Paris.—Printed by J. Smith, 14 ter, rue Fontaine-au-Roi.
Dedicated by permission to H. M. the
King of Denmark.
THE
GODS OF THE NORTH,
AN EPIC POEM, BY
ADAM ŒHLENSCHLÆGER,
TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL DANISH INTO ENGLISH VERSE
BY
WILLIAM EDWARD FRYE,
FORMERLY MAJOR OF INFANTRY IN THE BRITISH SERVICE, AND MEMBEROF THE ACADEMY DEGLI ARCADI, IN ROME.
LONDON,
WILLIAM PICKERING,
PARIS,
STASSIN AND XAVIER.
1845.
Sire,
The countenance of an enlightened Prince has everbeen eagerly sought after by the most distinguishedauthors. It may then well be permitted to an humbleadmirer and translator of a poem of Denmark’s greatestScald to desire to place himself and his work underthe protection of a King of Denmark, who yields to noSovereign of any age or country in his love of science,and in his zealous furtherance of all that can adornor benefit the great family of mankind. In solicitingthe permission of dedicating this work to your Majesty,I had nothing to plead in favour of my request, butmy ardent zeal for Scandinavian literature; I knew,however, that such zeal would be my greatest recommendationin the eyes of a patriotic Monarch, and thegracious permission accorded to me by Your MajestyI consider as my highest reward.
I have the honour to be, Sire,
Your Majesty’s most grateful anddevoted humble servant,
W. E. FRYE.
Paris, January, 1845.
The argument of the poem by the author is the soledocument that accompanies the original work; thereare neither notes nor preface to the edition from whichI have made my translation, and which is the only oneI have ever seen. To the people of education in Scandinavia,who are well versed in the ancient mythology oftheir country, notes are perhaps not strictly necessary,inasmuch as this poem is based upon the Edda, whichis universally read; but since, to the generality ofEnglish readers, the Edda and the Scandinavian mythologyare but little, if at all familiar, I feel myselfbound to furnish them with all the information on thesubject that I have been able to collect from varioussources; by which they will be enabled to read thispoem with additional pleasure and profit.
The Scandinavian mythology, like that of all othernations, is founded on the personification and[viii]consequent adoration of the powers of nature, which maybe expressed by the word “Demonism,” used in itsGreek sense; to this may be added the deification of