search. But their evidence gains immensely by the existence of Saxo's
nine books of traditional and mythic lore, collected and written down in
an age when much that was antique and heathen was passing away forever.
The gratitude due to the Welshman of the twelfth century, whose garnered
hoard has enriched so many poets and romances from his day to now, is
no less due to the twelfth-century Dane, whose faithful and eloquent
enthusiasm has swept much dust from antique time, and saved us such a
story as Shakespeare has not disdained to consecrate to highest use. Not
only Celtic and Teutonic lore are the richer for these two men, but
the whole Western world of thought and speech. In the history of modern
literature, it is but right that by the side of Geoffrey an honourable
place should be maintained for Saxo, and

"awake remembrance of these mighty dead."

--Oliver Elton

ENDNOTES:
(1) A horn and a tusk of great size are described as things of
price, and great uroch's horns are mentioned in Thorkill's
Second Journey. Horns were used for feast as well as fray.
(2) Such bird-beaked, bird-legged figures occur on the Cross at
Papil, Burra Island, Shetland. Cf. Abbey Morne Cross, and
an Onchan Cross, Isle of Man.

THE DANISH HISTORY OF SAXO GRAMMATICUS.

PREFACE.

Forasmuch as all other nations are wont to vaunt the glory of their
achievements, and reap joy from the remembrance of their forefathers:
Absalon, Chief Pontiff of the Danes, whose zeal ever burned high for the
glorification of our land, and who would not suffer it to be
defrauded of like renown and record, cast upon me, the least of his
followers--since all the rest refused the task--the work of compiling
into a chronicle the history of Denmark, and by the authority of his
constant admonition spurred my weak faculty to enter on a labour too
heavy for its strength. For who could write a record of the deeds of
Denmark? It had but lately been admitted to the common faith: it still
languished as strange to Latin as to religion. But now that the holy
ritual brought also the command of the Latin tongue, men were as
slothful now as they were unskilled before, and their sluggishness
proved as faultful as that former neediness. Thus it came about that my
lowliness, though perceiving itself too feeble for the aforesaid burden,
yet chose rather to strain beyond its strength than to resist his
bidding; fearing th