THE OLDEST NORTHERN POETRY.f
Tun precious parchment in the Royal Library at Copenhagen, dating from the thirteenth century according to Kiss Clarke, though Powell and Vigfusson say twelfth century, is the only source of the oldest Northern poetry which dates back to heathen times. These " wisdom " poems or collections of wise sayings originated most probably in Norway before the migration to the Western isles and from there to Iceland. It was in this last home that they were preserved, and there probably received their final form.
The interest of these works is that they give us some idea of heathen thought and conduct, and also some insight into the social intercourse of the time. It would seem that the
• Englieh Decoration sail Furniture of the Later Eighteenth Centiu'y. By KW It. Jourdain. London : B. T. Batsford. 1£3 3a. net.]
t The Il4vam41; with SdeMions from Other Poems of the Edyla. Edited and translated by LI. E. Martin Clarke. Cambridge at the University Press. [10s. &LI
proper behaviour of guests was of great importance from the number of maxims existing. These are for the guidance of the guest, so that he should make a good appearance and also use due caution when with strangers. Here are a few examples :—
" (1) Before making your way up the hall you should observe and note all the doorways, for you can never be certain when you will find enemies present. (13) There is a bird called the heron of forgetfulness which hovers over ale-drinking ; it robs a man of his wits. . . . (19) No man should be the slave of the drinking cup, though he may drink mead in moderation. He should say what is wanted or hold his tongue. No man can accuse you of ill manners for going to bed early. (85) A visitor should depart and not always be in one place. A friend becomes a nuisance if he stays too long in the house of another. (77) Cattle die, kinsfolk die, even to us ourselves will death come. One thing I know will never die—the reputation we all leave behind at our death."
The speaker appears to be Woden himself, and allusion is made to the mystical sacrifice of himself to himself, hanging wounded on the tree for nine nights, and thereby obtaining knowledge and learning mighty spells. Miss Clarke adds to this collection like material from the old play of the Volsungs, and among these the curiously prosaic saws in the Sigrdri- fumcil which follow the great poetic outburst that inspired Wagner when the enchanted one is awakened by Sigurd.
Those who love the great poetry of the North will not find it in the present volume, for here we have a scholarly analysis of only that portion of these old writings which deals with manners and customs and beliefs. The Icelandic text is given, and facing it a literal but very readable translation.
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