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Fjölsvinnsmál
Introduction and Translation
by Amos S. Cottle

with historical criticism

THE FABLE OF FIOLSUID

ARGUMENT

Suipdager is a young man of an illustrious family, who was destined to marry a regal virgin, whose name was Menglada. But before the nuptials were celebrated, according to ancient custom, he went to acquire glory in a warlike expedition. In the mean time, it is probable that many strove to gain the affections of his mistress; whose offers, however, she faithfully rejected, and whose company she avoided. She dwelt in a mansion that was excellently defended by strong fortifications without, and by persons who were attached to her within. We understand also, that it was defended by certain fires which surrounded it. Suipdager, after long absence, returns in disguise, for the purpose, perhaps, of trying her fidelity, about which some injurious reports had been raised. Coming to the gate, he meets with one Fiolsuid, who was stationed there as a guard. Fiolsuid abuses him, and denies him entrance. Suipdager, although ordered to depart, yet pertinaciously remains about the gate. After he had known from Fiolsuid, that Menglada resided in the mansion, he began to propose questions in an enigmatical manner, which Fiolsuid readily answered. The questions and answers are at this time equally obscure. The obscurity, however, rests in the things themselves, not in the words.

 

[1] Before the palace gates1 he saw
The Giant forth his legions draw.
Stranger hence! the chieftain cry'd,
To thee all entrance is deny'd:
Back thro' the marshy plains retreat,
That hither lead thy wand'ring feet.

1. "He saw." Suipdager

FIOLSUID

[2] What stranger he, in tatter'd state,
Who loiters round this palace gate?
Art thou a robber in disguise?
Or mendicant that lives by lies?
Whence thy journey, tell --- and where—
And what thy errand here declare.

STRANGER

[3] What rude barbarian station'd here,
Thus with taunts invades my ear;
And to a trav'ller dares deny,
The rights of hospitality?
Back with speed thy footsteps bend,
And shame for this thy life attend.

FIOLSUID

[4] Stranger! Fiolsuid I am nam'd,
For prudence I and wisdom fam'd:
On mendicants that croud this gate,
I squander not my Lord's estate.
Speed thee on thy destin'd way;
Or at thy peril, Villain! stay.

STRANGER

[5] Where tower's magnificent arise,
Oft the poor man turns his eyes;
"Lord of this wealth," he cries, "ah! why
Feast mine eyes, and bread deny?
Cease, cease to spread so fair and wide,
Those riches that my wants deride."
Joyless, like him, I now behold
These roofs emblazon'd high with gold.
But tho' misfortune me attend,
May'st thou thy days in pleasure spend.

FIOLSUID

[6] Unfold what names thy parents bear,
And what their lineage declare.

STRANGER

Know Vinkalder is my name;
From Old Valkalder first I came.
Should you trace my kindred higher,
You'll find Fiolkalder his sire.
[7] Tell me, Fiolsuid! in return,
The secrets I would wish to learn.
What happy potentate is heir
Of all these lands out-spread so fair.



FIOLSUID

[8] O'er all these wide-spread rich domains,
Fair Menglada justly reigns.
Her fire was Suafer --- in the field
No foe with him the spear could wield.
Thoriner call'd the Hero son, ---
Brave offspring, from just parent sprung.

VINDKALDER

[9] Say what name for her is found,
Among the nations neighb'ring round:
For Gods above the maiden stile,
Unequal'd architect of guile.

FIOLSUID

[10] When she speaks,2 the rocks around,
Re-echo with the thunder's sound.
Mortals at her voice afraid,
Thrimgialla name the maid.
Solbrinder's progeny with guile,
Around her rais'd this lofty pile.
What bold advent'rer shall presume,
To free her from her prison gloom,
Shall to the wild winds vainly groan,
Fix'd as in everlasting stone.

2. "When she speaks." --- Fiolsuid, like a faithful guardian, gives a frightful description of Menglada, that he might deter the stranger from any attempt to see her.

VINDKALDER

[11] Say, what name denotes that pile,
Whose mazy lab'rinths Gods beguile.

FIOLSUID

[12] That house, Gastropner, mortals name,
A structure of immortal fame:
I the towers built strong and high,
And bade them time and storm defy.

VINDKALDER

[13] When the hostile giant train,
Vanquish'd, left the ensanguin'd plain;
Say, what titles were assign'd,
To the fierce dogs they left behind;
That in the fields their vigils hold,
And night and day protect the fold,

FIOLSUID

[14] One pursu'd his prey with speed,
And Gifer was the name decreed:
The other was in combat brave,
And man the title, Gerer, gave.
Along the winding vales they go,
And keep at distance ev'ry foe:
Eleven folds by night and day,
They watch, till Gods the guardians slay.

VINDKALDER

[15] Say, if mortal can evade,
The hostile dogs in slumber laid.

FIOLSUID

[16] By turns the wary guardians sleep,
By turns their wakeful vigils keep.
Their custom this, since first at large,
They rov'd about the eleven-fold charge.
Thus none their notice can elude,
Or in their precincts safe intrude.

VINDKALDER

[17] Defended by what potent charm,
May one approach secure from harm;
And whilst to hunger, watching yields,
Rush into those forbidden fields?

FIOLSUID

[18] Shook by the blast, descends the fruit,
In clusters round the antique root
Of yonder tree --- the only charm,
That can the monsters rage disarm:
Tempt them with this luscious treat,
Forgetful of their charge, they eat.

VINDKALDER

[19] Say, what names denote that tree,
Of umbrose prodigality;
That o'er all lands where men reside,
Extends its verdant branches wide?

FIOLSUID

[20] Whence arise its roots below,
Few there are pretend to know.
'Tis TREE of EMULATION nam'd,
And widely thro' the nations fam'd.
Its boughs no tempest can annoy,
Nor fire burn, nor steel destroy.

VINDKALDER

[21] Shall the vigor of this tree,
Survive thro' all eternity?
Since storms can work it no annoy,
Nor fire burn, nor steel destroy.

FIOLSUID

[22] Fruit of this tree, prepar'd with heat,
Let each pregnant woman eat;
So shall the embryo of her womb,
Safe to infantine vigor come.
Prudent mortals may not chuse,
But largely of this fruit to use.

VINDKALDER

[23] Perch'd on yon lofty top branch high,
What Cock is that salutes my eye?
His station safe he seems to hold;
And all his feathers shine with gold.

FIOLSUID

[24] Vidofner is the name they give ---
His plumes the morning gales receive;
Then bright he shines midst orient beams,
And fairest bird of nature seems.
Far oft his echoing notes resound;
But scatter misery around:
His ruffled plumes with lustre shine,
But all their influence is malign.
Dark author, he, of many a groan,
Eats his dire repast alone.

VINDKALDER

[25] Say, could one hope, by force or art,
To reach Vidofner with a dart?
And thus with retribution meet,
Bring him from his direful seat.

FIOLSUID

[26] Hevatein is an arrow's name,
That never disappoints the aim.
Lopter endu'd it with that spell,
Where prison'd ghosts in darkness dwell.
A brazen vase the reed contains,
Where iron handed Sinmor reigns:
There nine times is it circled round,
With barriers in the abyss profound.

VINDKALDER

[27] Is safe return for him decreed,
Who boldly ventures for this reed?

FIOLSUID

[28] Safe return for him's decreed,
Who boldly ventures for the reed;
If Genii of the lucid clay,3
He take companions of his way.

3. "Lucid clay." --- The Earth.

VINDKALDER

[29] Does mortal man the power hold,
By force of diamond or gold,
Safe to the drear abode to press,
And bribe the lurid Giantess?

FIOLSUID

[30] A shining blade,4 you'll find beneath,
Vidofner's wings --- that safely sheath,
And bear it to those martial plains,
Where iron handed Sinmor reigns.
Arm'd with this he'll boldly dare,
The storm of battle to prepare. 

4. "A shining blade." --- A Feather.


VINDKALDER
[31] What does man yon mansion name,
Surrounded by protecting flame?

FIOLSUID

[32] Because its high dome like a star,
Shoots its lucid radiance far;
Mortals thence derive its name.
And call the mansion, HOUSE of FLAME.
As on a faulchion's point set fast,
It moves to to ev'ry random blast.
This fabric, tott'ring to its base,
Is heritage of human race.

VINDKALDER

[33] What walls are those within that shine,
As founded by some power divine?

FIOLSUID

 [34] On them are sculptur'd many a name,5
With Lok's, the Imp of subtle fame.

5. "On them, &c.", --- The names are Uni, Iri, Barri, Ori, Varns, Vegdrasil, Derri, Uri, Dellinger, Atvarder. These are supposed to be the names of certain dwarfs; and each wall to be built by the individual whose name it bears.

VINDKALDER

[35] What is that rock whose craggy head,
Bends incumbent o'er its bed;
While on its lofty top I trace,
A virgin form of goodliest grace?

FIOLSUID

[36] The ROCK of PLEASURE is the name
Those rude majestic summits claim.
There round the convalescent's brow,
Gales falubrious ever blow.
The sigh of anguish never there,
Rends the pure elastic air.
Happy! thrice happy! is her lot,
Who gains that life inspiring spot:
For pain, and malady, and care,
It med'cines from each suff'ring fair.

VINDKALDER

[37] What names denote that virgin croud,
Whose songs symphonious echo loud;
As seated at Menglada's knees,
They charm the Genii of the breeze?

FIOLSUID

[38] The first6 that's seen with Goddess face,
Is guardian of the etherial race:
The next the giant brood defends:
The third o'er man her care extends:
The fourth all learning's stores combines:
The fifth in milder virtue shines:
Graces supreme the sixth adorn:
The seventh is fair as vernal morn:
The eighth each healing flow'ret knows.
On plain or mountain brow that grows:
The ninth fair nymph assumes the part
Of Guardian to each liberal art. 

6. "The first, &c." --- These are the nine muses of the northern nations. Sir W. Jones informs us that the Asiatics also have their nine Gopia or Muses. This is one among the many circumstances which leads one to suspect, that the Mythology of the heathens originated, at first, from one and the same source. The names of the Northern Muses are Hlif, Hlif-dursa, Theodrarta, Beort, Blith, Blithur, Frith, Eir, and Aurboda.


VINDKALDER

[39] Will the nymphs their vot'ries aid ---
Those by whom due rites are paid?

FIOLSUID

[40] Never to those of mortal birth,
Of happiness so great a dearth,
As when to these they altars raise
Beneath the scorching day star's blaze.
Each vot'ry at their cruel shrine,
Feels envy's serpents round him twine.

VINDKALDER

[41] Is it given to mortal arms,
To embrace Menglada's matchless charms.

FIOLSUID

[42] Destined for Suipdager alone
Long the maiden's charms has shone
In radiance like the star, whose light
Chears the sullen brow of night.

VINDKALDER

[43] Lift the massy barriers high!
Bid the portals open fly!
Beauty is the glorious meed,
By Gods, to Suipdager decreed!
Menglada will not disapprove
The offer of my destin'd love.

FIOLSUID

[44] Hear, Menglada! to this sphere,
From distant lands a man draws near.
Dogs, as he approach the gate,
The welcome guest congratulate.
The doors themselves wide open fly:
'Tis Suipdager that passes by.

MENGLADA

[45] Where the vast Portico's arise,
Let ravens gorge upon thine eyes;
If falsely, from a distant land,
Thou say'st my Lover seeks my hand.

MENGLADA

[46] On what journey art thou bent?
Thee what motive hither sent?
Tell me what thy parents names;
What nations thy protection claims;
And all thy pedigree explain,
Ere my hand thou hope to gain.

VINDKALDER

[47] Suipdager speaks at thy desire ---
Solibarter was my sire.
Far from my home beat to and fro,
I've wander'd long where frost winds blow.
The power of  the fatal maid,7
No earth-born sufferer can evade:
Not lightly I the power arraign,
That taught me first to taste of pain.

7. "The fatal maid." --- A personification of fate.

MENGLADA

[48] My ev'ry wish I've now attain'd,
In safety Suipdager I've gain'd.
May Gods propitious thee defend,
And joy thy future life attend.
If ever I have pleasure felt ---
(A boon to me but rarely dealt,)
'Tis now to see my lover's face,
And clasp him in my warm embrace.

[49] Oftimes, companion'd with despair,
I've outwatch'd the midnight Bear;
At ev'ry sound that smote my ear,
Hope falsely whisper'd, thou wert near.
Oftimes by day exalted high,
I've cast around the wistful eye:
For thee, seen suns successive rise,
And chas'd them to the western skies.

[50] I too long time have sought thy charms ---
Now haste thee to thy lover's arms.
Adverse fate no more shall frown;
But joy our future moments crown.

 

Verse and footnote numbers are not found in the original text.

   
Svipdag and Menglad
by Carl Emil Doepler Sr. (1882)
 

1788 Gentleman's Magazine, Review of New Publications, 1788, p. 139
Review of "Edda Sæmundar hinns froda, Edda Rhythmica", 1787.

"Fiol Svinns Mal. Suipdag, an illustrious youth, returning from a journey, tries the wit of Fiolsuid, who guarded his mistress, by various questions. This is a mere firing of riddles, and can neither belong to the Mythologic nor Historic part of the Edda, as the Editor allows."
Monthly Review Vol. VI, Dec. 1798, "Runic Sagas":

Contains a review of Cottle's Edda and a translation of Vafþrúðnismál as "The Meal of Vafthrudni" by William Taylor.

Duncan Wu,  Wordsworth's Reading 1770-1799, Volume 1 (1993), p. 179:



"Coleridge's borrowing of the Edda in the original Icelandic coincides with the publication of Amos Cottle's translation. The original impetus for Amos' translation had come from Southey, who borrowed Edda Sæmundar hinns Froda,
with its facing Icelandic and Latin texts, in 1795. Explaining the inaccuracy of Amos' work to William Taylor in April 1799 he recalled that:
'He was in a hurry and wanted northern learning, but seemed to have no idea of knowing how or where to look for it. The 'Edda' fell into his hands and delighted him. His brother, who knows no language but English, wanted to read it, and he had begun a prose translation, when I advised him to versify it: in the course of six weeks he had the book half printed. All this was not as it should have been (Robberds i. 246).'
In fact, Amos did not translate the Icelandic text; he merely translated into English the Latin version also in the volume. All the same, he made numerous errors, for Wordsworth too writes of the 'many inaccuracies which ought to have been avoided' (EY 196). Coleridge's aim in borrowing the Latin text was to compare it to Amos' translation, published in the first week of November by his brother, Joseph."
Frank Edgar Farley, Scandinavian Influences in the English Romantic Movement (1902):

Taylor's review of Cottle appeared in the Monthly Review for December, 1798. Whether Cottle considered it inurbane or not, it could scarcely have been pleasant reading for him:

The Edda of Saemund [writes the reviewer] was published at Copenhagen in 1787, accompanied with a very vicious Latin interpretation; and with visionary mythological notes which . . . are every way unworthy of a philosophical antiquary. On this interpretation, Mr. Cottle uniformly relies for his construction of the text; and to these notes he is commonly indebted for his attempts at illustration. He has indeed occasionally profited by Percy's well-edited translation of Mallet's Northern Antiquities: but with the greater part of what else has been written on this topic, he seems scarcely at all acquainted. He will appear, therefore, to those who have cultivated these inquiries, to be somewhat behind-hand with his subject.

Taylor then goes over the Introduction, which he regards as a pretty superficial piece of work, and proceeds to quote the twenty-six stanzas making up what Cottle calls The Song of the Ravens (Hrafnagaldr Odhins), omitting the notes, "not being thoroughly satisfied of their soundness." "To these lines," he concludes, "we have nothing to object, but their frequent disagreement with the Icelandic text: the translation of a translation, however elegant, is at best but the shadow of a shade."

William Herbert shared Taylor's opinion of Cottle's work. He remarks in his Notes to the Song of Thrym:

Mr. Cottle has published, what he calls a translation of this ode, but it bears little resemblance to the original. Translations made, like Dr. Percy's, by a person quite unacquainted with the Icelandic language, through the medium of a Latin prose version, cannot be expected to represent the style and spirit of the originals: but Mr. C. has not even taken the trouble of understanding the Latin. . . . [He] has confounded the nominative, genitive, accusative, and vocative cases, apparently ignorant of the Latin grammar. In the thirteenth stanza he has represented Freyia as consenting to go instead of refusing, which destroys the sense of all that follows.

"...Since Cottle's Icelandic Poetry was the first English translation of the only volume of the Copenhagen Edda that had then appeared, it naturally became well known to everybody who had any interest in Norse mythology. Drake quoted the book constantly in his Literary Hours, and it was for many years invariably cited by English writers on Scandinavian subjects.

 
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