Journeys Through Bookland V3

C >> Charles H. Sylvester >> Journeys Through Bookland V3

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Immediately upon Helge's return he learned of Frithiof's misdeed.
Summoning the offender to him, he asked, in awful tones: "Hast thou
aught to say in denial of the grave charge that stands against thee
for defiling the sanctuary?"

"According to the law, the charge is just," calmly answered Frithiof.

"Then get thee hence at once," cried Helge. "Sail to the Orkney
Islands and there let us see if thy boldness will avail to secure from
Earl Angantyr the long-due tribute money. If thou succeed, return; but
if thou fail, let shame for thy empty boasts and overweening pride
keep thee from these shores forever."

The thought of parting seemed so cruel that Frithiof tried to persuade
Ingeborg to go with him to the sunny land of Greece. "There shalt thou
dwell in queenly fashion, and I myself will be thy most devoted
subject," he pleaded.

Ingeborg, faithful to duty, replied: "My brothers now take my father's
place in my life, and I cannot be happy unless I have their consent to
my marriage."

In deep dejection Frithiof then set sail in Ellida, Ingeborg watching
him from the shore with a heavy and foreboding heart. Hardly had the
ship got under way when there arose a terrible storm, caused by two
witches whom Helge had paid to use their evil power against his enemy.
For days the storm raged, until it seemed that the dragon-ship must be
wrecked.

"As made with defeat,
It blows more and more hard;
There is bursting of sheet,
There is splintering of yard.
O'er and o'er the half-gulfed side,
Flood succeeding flood is poured;
Fast as they expel the tide,
Faster still it rolls aboard.
Now e'en Frithiof's dauntless mind
Owned the triumph of his foe;
Louder yet than wave and wind
Thus his thundering accents flow!
'Haste and grasp the tiller,
Bjorn, with might of bear-paw!
Tempest so infuriate
Comes not from Valhalla.*
Witchcraft is a-going;
Sure, the coward Helge
Spells* the raging billows!
Mine the charge to explore.'"
[Footnote: Longfellow's translation]
*[Footnote: Valhalla, the palace of Odin, in Asgard, the home of the
gods.]
*[Footnote: Spells, bewitches]

Had the prayers of Ingeborg at length availed? Even as he was gazing
out over the waters, Frithiof beheld the two witches floating before
him on the back of a great whale. Then it was that his ship Ellida,
intelligent and faithful as a human servant, saved him from the power
of the crafty Helge. Bearing down quickly upon the evil-workers, it
despatched one of them with its sharp prow, while Frithiof, with one
thrust of his weapon, destroyed the other. But the vessel was filled
with water, and the sailors were forced to bale continually. In this
desperate plight the Orkney Islands were reached, and the exhausted
crew were borne ashore. Frithiof, too, was worn with fatigue, yet he
carried eight of his men at one time from the ship to safety.

When Ellida put into harbor, Earl Angantyrand his warriors were in the
midst of a drinking-bout at the palace. The old attendant Halvar,
while refilling the Earl's horn [Footnote: Horn, a drinking vessel,
horn shaped, or made of horn.] with mead, [Footnote: Mead, a drink
made of honey and water.] called the attention of the party to the
incoming vessel.

"A ship that can weather such a sea must be no other than Ellida,
bearing the doughty son of my good friend Thorsten," exclaimed
Angantyr, rising to get a better view.

At these words of praise the keenest envy was aroused in Atle and
several of his companions who were most celebrated in that realm for
their skill and prowess as huntsmen and warriors; and in a body they
went down to the shore to challenge the far-famed youth of Norway.

Again did the magic Angurvadel stand its owner in good stead. Atle's
sword having been broken, Frithiof cast aside his own weapon, and the
two men wrestled until the latter threw his opponent and stood over
him victor.

"Now had I my sword, thou should'st die," cried Frithiof. "Get thy
weapon," calmly replied Atle. "I give thee my word I will await thy
return."

Frithiof recovered Angurvadel, but as he was about to plunge it into
Atle's body he was so moved by the fearlessness of the vanquished man
that he spared his life. Earl Angantyr then warmly welcomed the son of
his noble friend Thorsten, and because of the memory of this
friendship agreed to pay the required tribute.

[Illustration: FRITHIOF BEHELD THE TWO WITCHES]

Not until spring did Frithiof return to Sogn. When he arrived in his
native land he learned of two direful events. Helge had destroyed the
estate at Framnas, and had given Ingeborg as a bride to King Ring.
Into such a furious passion did the news put him, that he went at once
to seek out Helge. The two kings with their wives were worshipping in
Balder's temple. Unable to suppress his rage, Frithiof advanced toward
Helge and thrust Angantyr's tribute into the very face of the king.
Then, finding that Helge's wife was wearing the magic ring that
Ingeborg had been forced to give up, Frithiof tried to wrest this from
its wearer, and in doing so caused the queen to drop into the fire an
image of the god Balder. In the effort to avert this disaster
Halfdan's wife let fall a second image, and immediately the temple
burst into flames.

Had not Frithiof been the most dauntless of all the sons of Norway, he
would have been prostrated with fear for the consequences of this
terrible sacrilege. Could he longer escape the avenging anger of
Balder? Summoning all his courage, he ran to the shore and immediately
embarked in Ellida. Swiftly the dragon-ship skimmed the waves, while
Helge paced up and down the shore in helpless wrath, all of his
vessels having been destroyed by the companions of his fleeing enemy.

For three years thereafter Frithiof roved the seas as a viking,
overcoming the great sea-pirates, and taking from them their rich
spoils. At length, when he had become very wealthy, he tired of his
ceaseless roaming and came to feel that nothing would satisfy him but
to see Ingeborg again. Then, despite the protests of Bjorn, he set out
for Norway to visit the kingdom of Ringland.

Arrived at the king's palace he entered, disguised as an old man, and
humbly seated himself among the servants. Soon those about him began
to make fun of his forlorn appearance, whereupon he seized a youth
standing near, and raising him high above his head, twisted him about
as though he weighed no more than a mere babe. This surprising test of
strength drew the attention of the entire party, and the king
questioned: "Who art thou, and where didst thou pass the night just
gone?"

"In Anguish was I nurtured, Want is my homestead bright.
Now come I from the Wolf's den, I slept with him last night"
[Footnote: Longfellow's translation]

came in a quavering voice from Frithiof.

But the king, intent upon further discovery, bade the stranger remove
his shaggy cloak. Then Frithiof knew that deception was no longer
possible, and, throwing off his cloak, he stood forth in all the might
of his manhood. Even had it not been otherwise possible to recognize
him, the Vaulund ring worn on his arm would have betrayed its owner.
At once his eyes traveled to Ingeborg, who blushed deeply, while the
king feigned ignorance.

So much favor did Frithiof find with the aged monarch, that he was
besought to remain at the court during the winter. On one occasion he
repaid this hospitality by saving the lives of the king and queen when
they were on their way to a feast. The ice over which they were
passing broke, and they would have sunk into the river below had not
Frithiof by main force pulled the pony and sleigh out of the water.

Somewhat later, while accompanying the royal party on a visit to the
woods and fields where the new beauty of the springtime could be fully
enjoyed, Frithiof was left alone with King Ring. Feeling weary, the
old man lay down upon a cloak spread for him by his companion, and
fell asleep with his head upon the younger man's knee. As he lay thus,
a coal-black raven from a near-by tree called in hoarse whispers to
Frithiof: "Take his life, now that he is in thy power." But from
another bough a bird, white as snow, admonished him: "Respect old age
and be true to the trust that has been placed in thee." Thereupon
Frithiof cast his sword from him as far as it could be thrown. Soon
the king aroused himself from the sleep that he had merely pretended,
and said in kindly tones:

"I know thee now to be a brave and loyal friend; and thy
trustworthiness shall be rewarded, Frithiof. Do not be surprised that
I speak thy name, for I have known thee from the first. Even now the
darkness of death is closing round me, and when the light of Midgard
[Footnote: Midgard, the name given in Norse mythology to earth, as
distinguished from Asgard (the home of the gods) and Hel (the lower
world).] fades from my sight, I shall die willing that thou marry
Ingeborg and rule my kingdom until my young son shall have grown to
manhood."

Frithiof, whose noble nature had been deeply touched by the king's
generosity, would have departed from Ringland soon afterward, but with
great difficulty was prevailed upon to stay. And so it came about that
when in a little time the king died, the long years of trial endured
by Ingeborg and Frithiof were brought to an end, and their constancy
was rewarded. To fill the measure of their joy, Halfdan, who was now
reigning alone, Helge having died, became reconciled to them and
gladly agreed to their union. Indeed, it was he who led his sister to
the altar in the restored temple of Balder and gave her into the safe-
keeping of her faithful lover.

When you think how old your grandmother and grandfather seem, and then
remember that they have lived less than a hundred years, you feel that
a story which has been living for hundreds of years is indeed very
old. Such a story is the one that you have just been reading. Many
more children than you could possibly imagine, if you were trying to
picture them all in one place--especially children of Norway, Sweden
and Denmark--have delightedly read or listened to this same
interesting tale.

The Frithiof saga,[Footnote: Saga, an ancient Scandinavian legend, or
mythical or historical tale.] as the story is called, did not appear
in its present form until the fourteenth century, though it is
believed to have existed, at least in part, in earlier ages. It has
been told and retold by writers of Norway and Sweden, translated into
many languages, and even made into a celebrated epic[Footnote: Epic, a
narrative poem concerned usually with historic deeds and characters,
and written in a style of marked dignity and grandeur.] poem by the
Swedish poet, Tegner.

Of course in the fourteenth century the people of northern Europe no
longer thought that Odin, Balder and the other gods mentioned in the
story lived in Valhalla and ruled the world. But at that time many did
believe in magic and in the evil power of witches; and it is
altogether probable that the wonderful ship Ellida, which possessed
human intelligence and could save its master from shipwreck; the
witches traveling about on the whale's back; the talking birds, and
the magical ring and sword would have seemed far less astonishing to
these people than would our great ocean steamships and men-of-war, our
railroad trains and trolley cars, our telephones and talking-machines,
and many other modern wonders in which we fully believe.

While we agree with the children of the long-ago in admiring
Frithiof's bravery and faithfulness and Ingeborg's amiability and
constancy, probably we are most interested in the story because of the
many adventures that it contains. How many of the bold deeds of
Frithiof can you recall without turning to the story? If you can
remember all of them you are surely doing well. Can you name these
deeds in just the order in which you have read them? Suppose you tell
this story some time when you are playing school with the younger
children in the family or in the neighborhood. It would be a good
thing for you to do just what a real teacher might do: go over the
story, picking out all of the principal events and writing these
briefly and clearly on a slip of paper, one under another, exactly in
the order in which they occur.

THE STORY OF SIEGFRIED

Adapted by GRACE E. SELLON

NOTE.--Near the beginning of the thirteenth century there was written
in Germany one of the greatest story-poems in the literature of the
world. This is the Nibelungenlied, a partly historical, partly
mythical tale containing more than two thousand stanzas composed by an
unknown poet, or perhaps by several poets. The first half of the poem
is made up mostly of the deeds of Siegfried, a warrior king claimed as
a national hero, not only by the Germans but by the Norse people, who
lived in northern Europe, in the countries of Iceland, Norway, Sweden
and Denmark. In the Norse stories, however, Siegfried is known as
Sigurd.

It is not at all certain that Siegfried was an historical person.
Though there is some reason for thinking that he was Arminius, the
fearless leader of the Germans in the terrible revolt by which they
overthrew their Roman rulers in the year 9 A. D., yet of the warriors
with whom he has been identified, Siegfried seems most like Sigibert,
king of the Franks who lived in Austrasia, or ancient Germany. For
this king, like Siegfried, overcame the Saxons and Danes by his brave
fighting, he too discovered a hidden treasure, and he was at length
treacherously put to death by pages of his sister-in-law, Fredegunde,
with whom his wife, Brunhilde, had quarreled over some question of
precedence.

After all, though, it does not make a great difference whether or not
Siegfried was any of the heroes to whom he has been likened or was all
of them put together; he really lives for us in the wonderful story of
his knightly bravery and good faith.

Some of the greatest poets and dramatists and composers, not only of
Germany, but of other countries as well, have made use of incidents
from the Nibelungenlied. Of all these works which have been produced
with this old poem as a basis, the Ring of the Nibelungen, a group of
four operas by Richard Wagner, is most famous. These operas, which are
among the finest works of this great composer, are not based
absolutely on the Nibelungenlied; many happenings in the life of the
hero, Siegfried, are different. But it is clear that Wagner drew his
inspiration from this thirteenth century epic, and his use of it has
opened other people's eyes to its beauties.

In the golden days of knightly adventure, when heroes famed for
marvelous daring went up and down the land in search of deeds in which
to display their skill, strength and courage in combat, and their
gallantry towards fair ladies, there lived in one of the countries on
the Rhine a prince named Siegfried who, though but a youth, was noted
far and wide for his unequaled valor and boldness. When he was a mere
boy he nobly served his country in putting to death the Dragon of the
Linden-tree, a monster so full of hate that it would cast its poison
out upon any one who came near it, and so strong that it could destroy
any one who tried to conquer it. Nevertheless the fearless Siegfried
not only slew this evil creature but bathed in its blood, thus making
his own skin so hard that it could never afterward be pierced by any
weapon. At another time, while traveling through the land of the
Nibelungers, he came upon the two princes of the country and a company
of their attendants gathered about the foot of a hill from which had
just been taken great quantities of gold and precious stones.

[Illustration: SIEGFRIED AND THE DRAGON]

"Ho, Siegfried," called one of the princes, advancing to meet him,
"come to our aid, for we are much in need of some one to divide
between my brother and myself this treasure left us by our father. For
such help we will prove to you our gratitude."

Siegfried, however, would have ridden on had not both princes and all
those about them urged him again and again to make the division. They
gave him, for reward, the mighty sword Balmung, that had belonged to
the dead king of the Nibelungers, and then in anxious expectation
stood around him as he began to count out and separate the pieces of
gold and the shining stones.

But Siegfried soon grew weary of his task, and glancing over the great
piles of treasure that would have filled more than a hundred wagons,
he turned impatiently away and would have departed had not twelve
powerful companions of the two princes blocked his path.

"Do you think to stay me thus?" cried Siegfried; and before they could
answer he attacked them one after another and put them all to death.
Then in fury rode against him seven hundred of the great warriors of
that land, but, secure in the possession of Balmung, and with a skin
like horn, Siegfried overcame every opponent. Last of all he slew the
two princes and subdued the dwarf Alberich, whom he made keeper of the
treasure.

From this same dwarf he wrested a magic cloak or tarnkappe, that gave
its owner wonderful strength, made him proof against every blow dealt
him, and enabled him to become invisible. At length, when the
remaining nobles had sworn allegiance to him, Siegfried rode away,
lord of the Nibelunger's land and treasure.

At this time there dwelt in Burgundy, on the Rhine, a young princess
of such rare virtue and beauty that noble youths had come from every
land to win her as a bride. As yet, however, she had bestowed her
favor upon no one. What, then, were the surprise and foreboding felt
by King Siegmund and his queen, Siegelind, the parents of Siegfried,
when he made known to them that he was about to fare forth to
Burgundy, to sue for the hand of the princess Kriemhild. For they knew
that King Gunther, Kriemhild's brother, was a man of great might, and
that he and his powerful nobles might look with displeasure upon
Siegfried's proud bearing. Finding, however, that they could not
change the purpose of the young prince, they provided him and his
eleven companions with the finest of garments and with armor of
dazzling brightness, and allowed him to depart.

Siegfried was not in the least dismayed when, upon reaching the court
of Burgundy, he was taken into the presence of the king.

"It would please me much to know why you have journeyed hither, Prince
Siegfried," said Gunther, in kindly tones.

"That I shall tell you without delay," replied the youth. "I have
heard of your prowess, King Gunther, and I have come to prove who is
the better in arms, you or I. If in fair combat I am victor, let your
kingly authority and your lands be given over to me. If I am
vanquished, you may claim my rights and possessions as heir to the
throne of Netherland."

Upon hearing these bold words Gunther looked on the prince with much
surprise, yet with no ill will; but his nobles exchanged angry glances
and then broke out in threats of punishment for such overweening
pride. Not at all daunted, Siegfried would have challenged the whole
company had not the king addressed him with such generous courtesy and
offers of entertainment for himself and his companions that the large-
hearted knight could not refuse to be pacified.

Little did King Gunther know how greatly he was to profit by this
kindness. Before long his kingdom was threatened by the combined
armies of the Danes and the Saxons led by their kings, Ludegast and
Ludger. Learning of the great danger that had cast a gloom over
Gunther, Siegfried assured the king, "Do not let yourself be troubled.
I am your friend and for your sake will teach these upstarts to rue
the day when they foolishly defied the King of Burgundy." Well pleased
with this show of sincere friendship, Gunther entrusted his army to
Siegfried, and the young prince of Netherland set forth to meet his
foes.

As the Burgundians approached the camp of the enemy, Siegfried rode
far in advance to learn what were the numbers of their foes. Thus it
was that just without the camp he was challenged by a knight whom he
at once recognized as King Ludegast. Leveling their lances, the two
warriors rushed together, and each struck full against the other's
shield. Then drawing their swords they fought fiercely until Ludegast,
severely wounded, fell from his horse. Immediately, thirty of the
followers of the Danish king hurled themselves upon Siegfried, and all
but one, who begged for life, were slain by the mighty sword Balmung.

After leading the Burgundians into battle, Siegfried fought in the
thickest of the fray until almost unhorsed by the Saxon king, Ludger.
Stirred to keenest anger by this incident, the prince of Netherland
began to rain blows upon his opponent and doubtless would have
overcome him had not Ludger suddenly discovered with whom he was
fighting, and cried: "Hold! Stay your hand! Let the battle cease. I
will not fight against the terrible might of Siegfried, the
Netherlander. Let my men surrender, as I submit."

Thus was the day won for the Burgundians; and with mingled sorrow for
their fallen warriors and joy for the good tidings that they were
bearing King Gunther, they traveled back to the Rhine, accompanied by
the captive Danes and Saxons and the prisoner kings. Never was a
conquering army more gladly and fittingly received with merry-making
and pageants, kind gifts and unstinted praise than was the great host
that returned to Gunther's capital.

And, as he deserved, Siegfried was most honored of all. As if the
brothers knew what could reward the hero better than anything else in
the world, they arranged that Siegfried should at length be presented
to their lovely sister, Kriemhild. The plan was indeed no less
pleasing to the maiden than to the young prince, for although she
lived in seclusion, she had secretly observed him and had come to feel
deep admiration and affection for him.

On the day set for the meeting, Kriemhild and her mother, with many
attendants, advanced in state to the great room where Gunther held his
court. As the princess passed through the crowds that thronged the
way, her eyes were often downcast, and a vivid pink overspread the
pure whiteness of her cheeks as hundreds of eyes bent upon her their
admiring glances. For of all the fair ladies of that court, she was
indeed the fairest.

Noting her rare beauty and the modesty, gentleness and grace of her
bearing, Siegfried could only exclaim to himself, "She is too good and
beautiful for me to win; yet I must always be wretched if I go from
this land and never see her again."

Shortly afterward, with formal ceremony, he was presented to the
princess, and as he knelt and kissed her hand she murmured: "Welcome
again to Burgundy, Sir Siegfried, for surely you have been a brave
defender of the honor of our land."

As the last words fell from her lips she looked at Siegfried with such
kind interest and he returned her glance with so much ardor that words
were not needed to declare their love. For several days thereafter
great festivities were held by the King and his court, and whether at
tournament or feast Siegfried always held the envied place by
Kriemhild's side.

Meanwhile a great project had been forming in Gunther's mind, and one
day as he sat among his nobles he declared: "It is my purpose to set
forth soon to win a bride who lives in a far distant land. Though the
terms by which she is to be won are hard, I cannot be content until I
have tried my fate and have either made the fair Brunhilde my wife, or
have died in the effort."

At the mention of the name Brunhilde, Gunther's companions cried out
in dismay, and one of the lords exclaimed:

"Oh, give up, I pray you, this wild enterprise. A great and good king
should not be sacrificed to the strange caprice of the Queen of
Issland. You know that like all others who have contested against the
unmatched strength of Brunhild, you will die without honor."

Gunther, however, was unmoved by the warning, and turning to
Siegfried, he asked, "Will you not help me to carry out my plan? Queen
Brunhild, you know, is mightier in combat than any man that lives, yet
he who wins her must prove himself superior to her in strength and
skill. If he fail, he must die. My friends here think me rash and
would induce me to stay at home. In most things I would not oppose
them, but in this case I must do as my own heart bids me."

After some thought Siegfried replied, slowly and impressively: "There
is one condition on which I will aid you. I will win Brunhild for you
if in return you will give me the hand of your sister, Kriemhild."

"There is no other to whom I would more gladly trust her than to you,"
replied Gunther; and then with clasped hands the two friends sealed
their compact.

After busy days of preparation, during which the most splendid raiment
that ever clad brave knights was made by Kriemhild and her maidens,
Gunther and Siegfried, with several companions, set sail upon the
river Rhine, thence to cross the sea to Issland, in the far north.
Slowly passed the days of the voyage, for it was a time of keen
suspense. "Will good King Gunther ever sail back again into the Rhine
country?" was the question that haunted his loyal friends. All but
Siegfried were doubtful.

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