Svipdag

“ Svipdag killed one, and another wanted to avenge him but suffered the same fate, and Svipdag did not stop before he had slain four; then Adils said, ‘Great loss hast thou caused to me, and now thou shalt pay for it,’ and he asked men to rise and kill him. The Queen got men and wanted to help him, and said that the King could see that there was much more skill in him alone than in all the Berserks. The Queen made peace between them, and every one considered Svipdag to be a man of great prowess. Now he sat on the lower bench opposite the King, by the wish of Queen Yrsa. ”

“ The games were continued; Svipdag sat on a fallen tree and looked on. The Berserks eyed him angrily, and said to the King that they wanted to try him; the King answered: ‘I think that he has no little strength, but I should like you to try whether he is such a man as he considers himself.’
“When men gathered into the hall the Berserks walked towards Svipdag and asked him if he was a champion, as he 428made so much of himself: he answered that he was as great a one as any of them. At these words their anger and eagerness (to fight) increased. But the King told them to be quiet that night ”

“ SVIPDAG BRINGS TO ASGARD THE SWORD OF REVENGE FORGED BY VOLUND.
The most important question put to Fjölsvin by Svipdag is, of course, the one whether a stranger can enter. Fjölsvin's answer is to the effect that this is, and remains, impossible, unless the stranger brings with him a certain [Pg 760] sword. The wall repels an uninvited comer; the gate holds him fast if he ventures to lay hands on it; of the two wolf-dogs one is always watching while the other sleeps, and no one can pass them without permission. ”

“ Of these, Odr and Hermodr (and in the Beowulf poem Svidferhd) form a group which, as has already been pointed out above, refer to the qualities of his mind. Svipdag ("the glimmering day") and Skirner ("the shining one") [Pg 847] form another group, which refers to his birth as the son of the star-hero Orvandel, who is "the brightest of stars," and "a true beam from the sun" (see above) . Again, anent the synonym Eirekr, we should bear in mind that Svipdag's half-brother Gudhorm had the epithet Jormunrekr, and the half-brother of the latter, Hadding, the epithet thódrekr. ”

“ The young Svipdag, the hero in Grogalder and in Fjolsvinnsmal, is in the latter poem represented as standing before the gate of a citadel which he never saw before, but within the walls of which the maid whom fate has destined to be his wife resides. Outside of the gate is a person who is or pretends to be the gate-keeper, and calls himself Fjolsvinn. ”

“ Laerten) has sounds in common with the name of Svipdag's father. If, as Tacitus seems to indicate, Asciburgium was named after its founder, we would find in Asc- an epithet of Orvandel's son, common in the first century after Christ and later. In that case it lies nearest at hand to think of aiska (Fick. iii. 5) , the English "ask," the Anglo-Saxon ascian, the Swedish [Pg 843] äska, "to seek," "search for," "to try to secure," which easily adapted itself to Svipdag, who goes on long and perilous journeys to look for Freyja and the sword of victory. ”

“ A certain number of Ballads borrowed their subjects from the Old Norse Lays, making of them, not translations, but fresh creations; for the Lays tower above the many-coloured ballad-world like ice-peaks that loom over flowery meads. The story of Young Svejdal is derived from two Lays dealing with the adventures of Svipdag, who wakes Menglad from her trance on the magic mountain; but
“there is a vast difference between the simplicity of the Ballad and the stately measure and rhetorical pomp of the original:—
‘Svipdag is my name ”

“ Eirik Sigrsæli (the victorious) , King of Sweden, had sent the Berserks to the Jarl, and told him to be careful to treat them well, and said, as was true, that they could be a great help if regard was had to their tempers” (Eyrbyggja, c. 25) .
427The following account gives a picture of the life of these champions:
“The bóndi Svip lived in Sweden far away from other men; he was wealthy and had been the greatest champion and not all he looked, as he knew many things. He had three sons, Svipdag, Geigad, and Hvitserk, who was the oldest; they were all well skilled, strong, and fine-looking men. ”

“ If I had come without a gown, he would have served me so, though my life and preferment should have lain upon it: and I am making a livery for him will cost me four pounds; but I will order the tailor to morrow to stop till farther orders. My lord Oxford can't yet abide to be called my lord; and when I called him my lord, he called me Dr. Thomas Swift, which he always does when he has a mind to tease me. By a second hand, he proposed my being his chaplain, which I by a second hand excused; but we had no talk of it to day: but I will be no man's chaplain alive. But I must go and be busy. ”

“ I was at church to day by eight, and received the sacrament, and came home by ten; then went to court at two, it was a collar day, that is, when the knights of the garter wear their collars; but the queen staid so late at sacrament, that I came back, and dined with my neighbour Ford, because all people dine at home on this day. This is likewise a collar day all over England in every house, at least where there is brawn: that is very well — I tell you a good pun; a fellow hard by pretends to cure agues, and has set out a sign, and spells it egoes ”

“ Soon grows domestic, seldom fails, Either at morning or at meals; Came early, and departed late; In short, the gudgeon took the bait. My lord would carry on the jest, And down to Windsor takes his guest. Swift much admires the place and air, And longs to be a Canon there; In summer round the Park to ride, In winter—never to reside. A Canon!—that's a place too mean: No, doctor, you shall be a Dean; Two dozen canons round your stall, And you the tyrant o'er them all: You need but cross the Irish seas, To live in plenty, power, and ease. ”

“ Workman, are not you brewing to day?" "Yes." "Are you brewing the barley, or brewing the beer?" "Brewing the barley," said Workman, to Tisdal's great disappointment; who, beside losing his wager, had the laugh of the company against him.
A young gentleman, much addicted to laughing, happened to get into Swift's company; and having heard much of the dean's pleasantries, was upon the titter at every thing he said: "Where is the jest?" said some one. "There," said Swift, pointing at the laughing young gentleman. ”

“ Miss. No, indeed; you shan’t drink after me, for you’ll know my Thoughts.
Neverout. I know them already; you are thinking of a good Husband: Besides, I can tell your Meaning by your Mumping.
Lady Smart. Pray, my Lord, did not you order the Butler to bring up a Tankard of our October to Sir John? I believe, they stay to brew it.
[The Butler brings up the Tankard to Sir John.
Sir John. Won’t your Ladyship please to drink first?
Lady Smart. No, Sir John; ’tis in a very good Hand; I’ll pledge you.
Col. [to Ld. Smart.] My Lord, I love October as well as Sir John ”

“ It is the season of peace and good-will, when disaffections are forgotten and friendships are cemented more closely, and all people, as the wise men of old, come bearing gifts. The first Christmas gift, which is ours from this new land, is this,” and he held aloft in his hand a goblet of sparkling water, fresh and clear and pure. “This comes from a sweet brook that runs under a hillside and many delicate springs, and [23] is as good water as can be drunk.” He pointed silently to the water-casks. ”

“ If you have books in large print, or an honest parson with common sense, I desire no more. But here is an interval of above six months; and in the mean time God knows what will become of me, and perhaps of the kingdom, for I think we are going to ruin as fast as it is possible. If I have not tired you now, I promise never to try your patience so much again. I am, sir, with true esteem, your most obedient and obliged servant,
JONATH. SWIFT.
I hear your brother the clergyman is still alive: I knew him in London and Ireland, and desire you will present him with my humble service. ”

“ One day Swift observed a great rabble assembled in a large space before the deanery door in Kevin street, and upon inquiring the cause of this, was told it was to see the eclipse. He immediately sent for the beadle, and gave him his lesson what he should do. Away ran Davy for his bell, and after ringing it some time among the crowd, bawled out, O yes, O yes, all manner of persons concerned, are desired to take notice, that it is the dean of St. Patrick's will and pleasure, that the eclipse be put off till this hour to morrow. So God save the king, and his reverence the dean. ”

“ Smart. Sir John, will you taste my October? I think it is very good; but I believe not equal to yours in Darbyshire.
Sir John. My Lord, I beg your Pardon; but they say, the Devil made Askers.
Ld. Smart. [to the Butler.] Here, bring up the great Tankard full of October for Sir John.
Col. [drinking to Miss.] Miss, your Health; may you live all the Days of your Life.
Lady Answ. Well, Miss, you’ll certainly [155] be soon marry’d; here’s Two Batchelors drinking to you at once.
Lady Smart. Indeed, Miss, I believe you were wrapt in your Mother’s Smock, you are so well belov’d. ”

“ Footman comes in.
Lady Smart. Here, take away the Tea-table, and bring up Candles.
Lady Answ. O Madam, no Candles yet, I beseech you; don’t let us burn Day-Light.
Neverout. I dare swear, Miss, for her Part, will never burn Day-Light, if she can help it.
Miss. Lord, Mr. Neverout, one can’t hear one’s own Ears for you.
Lady Smart. Indeed, Madam, it is Blind-Man’s Holiday; we shall soon be all of a Colour. ”

“ He has got some templars from Ireland that show him the town. I do not let him see me above twice a week, and that only while I am dressing in the morning. — So now the puppy's come in, and I have got my own ink, but a new pen; and so now you are rogues and sauceboxes till I go to bed; for I must go study, sirrahs. Now I think of it, tell the bishop of Clogher he shall not cheat me of one inch of my bell metal. You know it is nothing but to save the town money; and Enniskilling can afford it better than Laracor: he shall have but one thousand five hundred weight. ”

“ Swift, always at enmity with these vagrants, begged of his lordship not to receive it, and was calling out to the coachman to drive on, when the bishop, who had been let into the secret by Sheridan, stopped him, and opening the petition, kept it close to his eyes, so that no one else might see its contents, and for some time seemed to read it with attention. He then gave the poor man a shilling, and said he would examine into the truth of what was there set down, when he returned. ”

“ I will come over like a Zinkerman [5] , and lay out nothing in clothes in Ireland this good while. I have writ this night to the provost. Our society met to day as usual, and we were fourteen, beside the earl of Arran, whom his brother the duke of Ormond brought among us against all order. We were mightily shocked; but, after some whispers, it ended in choosing lord Arran one of our society, which I opposed to his face; but it was carried by all the rest against me.
29. This is leap-year, and this is leap-day. Prince George was born on this day. People are mistaken ”

“ The Swift, whose strange flight has for a moment led us astray from our course, is the only one of its tribe that has yet made any preparations towards departure: though the young broods of House-swallows and House-martins are evidently thinking of it, and congregating together in great flocks, about the tops of old towers and belfries, to talk the matter over, and wonder with one another what will happen to them in their projected travels—if they do travel. ”

“ This love of evasion, this mixture of moderation with passion, of prudence with grasping desires, marked the political, as well as the personal character of Swift. Generally speaking, the high churchmen of those days were Tories, and the low churchmen Whigs. It is not easy to say why, except for the purposes of party, this should be the case; nor can we reasonably justify a suspicion that an ardent promoter of the principles of the Revolution, like Swift, could not be equally sincere in his ultra notions of liberty, and in his vehement advocacy of the high church cause. ”

“ I entertained our society at the Thatched house tavern to day at dinner; but brother Bathurst sent for wine, the house affording none. The printer had not received my letter, and so he brought up dozens a piece of the Prophecy; but I ordered him to part with no more. 'Tis an admirable good one, and people are mad for it. The frost still continues violently cold. Mrs. Masham invited me to come to night and play at cards; but our society did not part till nine. But I supped with Mrs. Hill, her sister, and there was Mrs. Masham and lord treasurer, and we staid till twelve. ”

“ I have as many here as the bishop of Killala has in Ireland. I am thinking what scurvy company I shall be to MD when I come back: they know every thing of me already: I will tell you no more, or I shall have nothing to say, no story to tell, nor any kind of thing. I was very uneasy last night with ugly, nasty, filthy wine, that turned sour on my stomach. I must go to the tavern: O, but I told you that before. To morrow I dine at Harley's, and will finish this letter at my return; but I can write no more now, because of the archbishop: faith it is true ”