T

HE Ode which follows is of a different kind from the preceding, it is called, in the ancient Chronicles, the ELOGIUM OF HACON. This prince was fon of the famous Harald, furnamed Harfagre, or Fair-Locks, the firft king of all Norway. He was flain in the year 960, in a battle wherein eight of his brothers fell along with him. Eyvind, or Evinder, his coufin, a celebrated Scald, who was called THE CROSS OF POETS on account of his fuperior talents for verfe, was present at this battle, and afterwards compofed this Ode, to be fung at the funeral of his relation. It is Snorro himself, to whom we owe the EDDA, that hath preferved this Ode in his Chronicle of Norway.

THE

ELOGIUM OF HACON.

ર

T

AN OD E.

AHE Goddeffes of Destiny' who' prefide over battles, come, fent forth by Odin. They go to chufe among the princes of the illuftrious race " of Yngvon, him, who is to perish, and' 36 go to dwell in the palace of the Gods *.

* Eight ftanzas are here omitted, which the Reader may fee at large in the FIVE PIECES OF

"Gon

RUN. POET. p. 63, & feq.-One of them prefents a fine picture of a youthful Chieftain.

"The leader of the people had just before caft afide his armour; he had put off his coat of mail: he had thrown them down in the field a little before the beginning of the battle. He was playing with the fons of renowned men, when he was called forth to defend his kingdom. The gallant king now ftood under his golden helmet.”

T.

N. B.

***

"Gondula, < one of these Goddeffes,' leaned on the end of her lance, and thus befpake her companions:' the affem"bly of the Gods is going to be increased: ⚫ the enemies of' Hacon* come to in"vite this prince with his numerous hoft, "to enter the palace of Odin.

"Thus fpake thefe beautiful nymphs of "war: who were feated on their horfes; "who were covered with their fhields and

N. B. The Tranflator has borrowed here and there a word or two from that Verfion, which he hath inclofed between two inverted commas: he hath alfo diftinguifhed by the fame marks, fome paffages, which M. Mallet feems to have fuperadded to the original, without fufficient foundation. Let the curious Reader compare the two Verfions. T.

* Rather, "The Gods "invite Hacon." Our Author fcems to have here departed from the original without neceffity. The

dying a violent death was
fo far from being confi-
dered as an evil, by the
ancient Scandinavians, or
as the act of an enemy;
that the Gods could not
do them a greater favour

than to take that method
of inviting them to their
eternal abode. We have
feen it cftablifhed as a
facred truth in the EDDA,
"Odin is called the Fa-
"ther of Battles, because
"he adopts for his chil-
"dren all thofe who are
"flain with their fwords
"in their hands:" i. e.
in battle. See FABLE X.
p. 61.
T.

VOL. II.

R

« helmets,

ec

helmets, and appeared full of fome great "thought.

"Hacon heard their difcourfe: Why, "faid he to one of them? why haft thou thus difpofed of the battle? Were we

"not worthy to have obtained from the "Gods a more perfect victory? It is we, "fhe replied, who have given it to thee: "it is we who have put thine enemies to "flight.

"Now, proceeded fhe, let us urge for"ward our horfes across thofe green and verdant worlds, which are the refidence "of the Gods. Let us go tell Odin that the king is coming to vifit him in his "palace.

"When the father of the Gods hears "this news, he fays, Hermode and Brago, "my fons, go to meet the king: A king "admired by all men for his valour, now "approacheth to our hall.

"At length king Hacon approaches, and, "arriving from the battle, is ftill all befprinkled and running down with blood. "At the fight of Odin he cries out, Ah! How fevere and terrible doth this God appear to me!

..

66

"The God Brago replies; Come thou, "that waft the terror of the most illuftrious "warriors: Come hither, and re-join thine

eight brethren: the heroes who refide "here fhall cultivate peace with thee. Go " drink ALE therefore in the full circle of "the Gods.

"But this brave king cries out: I will "ftill retain my arms: a hero ought carefully to preferve his mail and helmet: it "is dangerous to be a moment without the "fword * in one's hand.

"Then was fully feen how religioufly "this king had facrificed ever to the Gods: "fince the great celeftial council and all "the inferior Gods, received him among "them with refpectful falutations.

"Happy is the day on which that king "is born, who thus gains to himself such "favour from the Gods. The age in which " he hath lived fhall remain among men in happy remembrance.

"The wolf Fenris fhall burst his fetters, "and dart with rage upon his enemies, be"fore fo good a king fhall again appear