Early Kings of Norway [53]
as we chance to have it, I have often thought, how essentially Homeric it was:--indeed what is "Homer" himself but the _Rhapsody_ of five centuries of Greek Skalds and wandering Ballad-singers, done (i.e. "stitched together") by somebody more musical than Snorro was? Olaf Tryggveson and Olaf Saint please me quite as well in their prosaic form; offering me the truth of them as if seen in their real lineaments by some marvellous opening (through the art of Snorro) across the black strata of the ages. Two high, almost among the highest sons of Nature, seen as they veritably were; fairly comparable or superior to god-like Achilleus, goddess-wounding Diomedes, much more to the two Atreidai, Regulators of the Peoples.
I have also thought often what a Book might be made of Snorro, did there but arise a man furnished with due literary insight, and indefatigable diligence; who, faithfully acquainting himself with the topography, the monumental relies and illustrative actualities of Norway, carefully scanning the best testimonies as to place and time which that country can still give him, carefully the best collateral records and chronologies of other countries, and who, himself possessing the highest faculty of a Poet, could, abridging, arranging, elucidating, reduce Snorro to a polished Cosmic state, unweariedly purging away his much chaotic matter! A modern "highest kind of Poet," capable of unlimited slavish labor withal;--who, I fear, is not soon to be expected in this world, or likely to find his task in the _Heimskringla_ if he did appear here.
Footnotes: _______________________________
[1] J. G. Dahlmann, _Geschichte von Dannemark_, 3 vols. 8vo. Hamburg, 1840-1843.
[2] "Settlement," dated 912, by Munch, Henault, &c. The Saxon Chronicle says (anno 876): "In this year Rolf overran Normandy with his army, and he reigned fifty winters."
[3] Dahlmann, ii. 87.
[4] Dahlmann, ii. 93.
[5] _Laing's Snorro_, i. 344.
[6] G. Buchanani _Opera Omnia_, i. 103, 104 (Curante Ruddimano, Edinburgi, 1715).
[7] His Long Serpent, judged by some to be of the size of a frigate of forty-five guns (Laing).
[8] This sermon was printed by Hearne; and is given also by Langebek in his excellent Collection, _Rerum Danicarum Scriptores Medii AEri._ Hafniae. 1772-1834.
[9] Kennet, i. 67; Rapin, i. 119, 121 (from the _Saxon Chronicle_ both).
[10] Knut born A.D. 988 according to Munch's calculation (ii. 126).
[11] Snorro, Laing's Translation, ii. p. 31 et seq., will minutely specify.
[12] Snorro, ii. pp. 24, 25.
[13] Snorro, ii. pp. 156-161.
[14] Snorro, ii. pp. 252, 253.
[15] _Saxon Chronicle_ says expressly, under A.D. 1030: "In this year King Olaf was slain in Norway by his own people, and was afterwards sainted."
[16] _Saxon Chronicle_ says: "1035. In this year died King Cnut. ... He departed at Shaftesbury, November 12, and they conveyed him thence to Winchester, and there buried him."
[17] Munch gives the date 1038 (ii. 840), Adam of Bremen 1040.
[18] Camden, Rapin, &c. quote.
[19] _Buchanani Hist._ i. 130.
[20] _Fors Clavigera_, Letter XIV. Pp. 8-10.
End
I have also thought often what a Book might be made of Snorro, did there but arise a man furnished with due literary insight, and indefatigable diligence; who, faithfully acquainting himself with the topography, the monumental relies and illustrative actualities of Norway, carefully scanning the best testimonies as to place and time which that country can still give him, carefully the best collateral records and chronologies of other countries, and who, himself possessing the highest faculty of a Poet, could, abridging, arranging, elucidating, reduce Snorro to a polished Cosmic state, unweariedly purging away his much chaotic matter! A modern "highest kind of Poet," capable of unlimited slavish labor withal;--who, I fear, is not soon to be expected in this world, or likely to find his task in the _Heimskringla_ if he did appear here.
Footnotes: _______________________________
[1] J. G. Dahlmann, _Geschichte von Dannemark_, 3 vols. 8vo. Hamburg, 1840-1843.
[2] "Settlement," dated 912, by Munch, Henault, &c. The Saxon Chronicle says (anno 876): "In this year Rolf overran Normandy with his army, and he reigned fifty winters."
[3] Dahlmann, ii. 87.
[4] Dahlmann, ii. 93.
[5] _Laing's Snorro_, i. 344.
[6] G. Buchanani _Opera Omnia_, i. 103, 104 (Curante Ruddimano, Edinburgi, 1715).
[7] His Long Serpent, judged by some to be of the size of a frigate of forty-five guns (Laing).
[8] This sermon was printed by Hearne; and is given also by Langebek in his excellent Collection, _Rerum Danicarum Scriptores Medii AEri._ Hafniae. 1772-1834.
[9] Kennet, i. 67; Rapin, i. 119, 121 (from the _Saxon Chronicle_ both).
[10] Knut born A.D. 988 according to Munch's calculation (ii. 126).
[11] Snorro, Laing's Translation, ii. p. 31 et seq., will minutely specify.
[12] Snorro, ii. pp. 24, 25.
[13] Snorro, ii. pp. 156-161.
[14] Snorro, ii. pp. 252, 253.
[15] _Saxon Chronicle_ says expressly, under A.D. 1030: "In this year King Olaf was slain in Norway by his own people, and was afterwards sainted."
[16] _Saxon Chronicle_ says: "1035. In this year died King Cnut. ... He departed at Shaftesbury, November 12, and they conveyed him thence to Winchester, and there buried him."
[17] Munch gives the date 1038 (ii. 840), Adam of Bremen 1040.
[18] Camden, Rapin, &c. quote.
[19] _Buchanani Hist._ i. 130.
[20] _Fors Clavigera_, Letter XIV. Pp. 8-10.
End