ointments which so naturally embittered
him. It was not until 1874, however, some seven years before his death,
that he finally gave up all hope. The MSS. of his translations of the
_kjaempeviser_ passed into the hands of Mrs. MacOubrey.

The ballad of _Grimhild's Vengeance_ (_Grimhilds Hevn_) is given in three
versions by Abrahamson, Nyerup and Rahbek. Borrow has closely followed
the editors of 1812 and has translated each of the versions. He added a
number of notes, the MS. of which is mutilated, but not so much so as to
prevent us from observing that these are translated word for word from
the appendix of Abrahamson, Nyerup and Rahbek, but, so far as can be
discerned from the fragmentary and mutilated Manuscripts at our disposal,
without a sign of acknowledgment.

EDMUND GOSSE.

GRIMHILD'S VENGEANCE
_Song the First_

It was the proud Dame Grimhild
Prepares the mead and beer,
And unto her the valiant knights
She bids from far and near.

She bade them come and not delay
To tournament and strife;
It was the Hero Hogen
Who lost his youthful life.

It was the Hero Hogen
Along the shore went he,
And there he found upon the sand
The maiden of the sea.

"Now hail, thou maiden of the sea,
Of wisdom thou art rife;
Say, if I go to Hvenild's land,
Can I retain my life?"

"Of castles hast thou plenty, knight,
And store of gold so red,
If thou shouldst go to Hvenild's land
Thou wilt be smitten dead."

It was the Hero Hogen,
He straight drew forth his blade,
And he struck off at a single blow
The head of the ocean-maid.

Then out amid the Sound he cast
The head all dropping gore;
The body rolled down after it,
In the deep they joined once more.

It was the Hero Hogen,
He further wandered on,
Until the Ferry-carl he spied
The ocean beach upon.

"Now list to me, good Ferry-carl,
Convey me o'er the Sound,
And I'll give thee my good gold ring,
It weighs full fifteen pound."

"I will not take thee o'er the Sound
For all thy gold so red,
If thou dost go to Hvenild's land
Thou wilt be smitten dead."

It was the Hero Hogen
His faulchion round did whirl,
And he struck off at a single blow
The head of the Ferry-carl.

He gave the gold ring off his arm
Unto the dead man's wife:
"Take that as an atoning gift
For the Ferryman's young life."

Sir Gunter and Sir