Chapter 6

An open field before you lies, A wind-burst o'er its bosom sighs, Now all is still, all seems asleep; 'Midst of the field there stands a heap, Upon the heap stand Runic stones, Thereunder rest gigantic bones. From Arild's time, that heap stands there, But now 't is till'd with utmost care, In order that its owner may Thereoff reap golden corn one day. Oft has he tried, the niggard soul, The mighty stones away to roll, As useless burdens of his ground; But they for that too big were found. See, see! the moon through cloud and rack Looks down upon the letters black: And when the ghost its form uprears He shines upon its bursting tears-- For oh! the moon's an ancient man, Describe him, mortal tongue ne'er can, He shines alike, serene and bright, At midmost hour of witching night, Upon the spot of love and glee, And on the gloomy gallows-tree. Upon each Rune behold him stare, While off he hastes through fields of air; He understands those signs, I'll gage, Whose meaning lies in sunken age; And if he were in speaking state, No doubt the old man could relate Strange things that have on earth occurr'd, Of which fame ne'er has said a word; But since with look, with look alone, He cannot those events make known, He waketh from his height sublime Mere longing for the dark gone time.

THE SUICIDE'S GRAVE. FROM THE GERMAN.

This piece is not translated for the sentiments which it contains, but for its poetical beauties. Although the path of human life is rough and thorny, the mind may always receive consolation by looking forward to the world to come. The mind which rejects a future state has to thank itself for its utter misery and hopelessness.

The evening shadows fall upon the grave On which I sit; it is no common heap,-- Below its turf are laid the bones of one, Who, sick of life and misery, did quench The vital spark which in his bosom burn'd.

The shadows deepen, and the ruddy tinge Which lately flooded all the western sky Has now diminish'd to a single streak, And here I sit, alone, and listen to The noise of forests, and the hum of groves.

This is the time to think of nature's God, When birds and fountains, streams and woods, unite Their various-sounding voices in his praise: Shall man alone refuse to sing it--yes, For man, alone, has nought to thank him for.

There's not a joy he gives to us on earth That is not dash'd with bitterness and gall, Only when youth is past, and age comes on, Do we find quiet--quiet is not bliss, Then tell me, God, what I've to thank thee for.

But to recur to him who rests beneath-- He had a heart enthusiastic, warm, And form'd for love--no prejudice dwelt there; He roam'd about the world to find a heart Which felt with his, he sought, and found it not.

Or if he found it, providence stepp'd in, And tore the cherish'd object from his sight, Or fill'd its mind with visions weak and vain-- Could he survive all this? ah, no! he died,-- Died by the hand which injur'd none but him.

And did he die unpitied and unwept,-- Most probably, for there are fools who think 'T is crime in man to take what is his own-- And 't was on account they laid him here, Within this sweet, unconsecrated, spot.

There comes a troop of maidens and of youths Home from their labour--hark! they cease their song, And, pointing to the grave, with trembling hands, They make a circuit, thinking that in me The ghost of the self-murderer they view-- Which, fame says, wanders here.

LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS.

The Right Honourable the Earl of Albemarle

T. Amyot, Esq., _London_

F. Arden, Esq. _London_, 5 copies

Mr. A. Austin

The Right Rev. Father in God Henry Bathurst, Lord Bishop of Norwich

Mr. W. Bacon

Mr. A. Barnard

Mr. P. Barnes

Mr. Barwell

Mr. Bell, _Diss_

N. Bolingbroke, Esq.

J. Bowring, Esq., _Hackney_

W. Burrows, Esq., _Stoke_

Miss Burrows

W. Burt, Esq. Jun.

Thomas Campbell, Esq., London

S. Clarke, Esq., _Berghapton_

Mr. T. Clarke

Mr. P. Clarke

Mr. P. Clayton

N. Cobham, Esq. _Exeter_, 2 copies

Rev. C. Codd, _Dereham_

J. H. Cole, Esq.

Mrs. Coleman

Mr. W. Cooper

Mr. E. Cooper, _Dereham_

Mr. G. Cooper, _Dereham_

W. Cross, Esq.

H. Custance, Esq., _Weston Longueville_

Rev. Custance

E. Dashwood, Esq., _Colchester_

T. G. O'Donnahoo, Esq., _London_, 5 copies

Mr. Doughty, _Brockdish_

T. Dyson, Esq., _Diss_

Mr. Elliot

Dr. Evans

F. Farr, Esq., _Beecles_

G. Fitzmaurice, Esq., _London_, 2 copies

J. Fletcher, Esq., _London_

R. Fowler, Esq., _London_

J. Geldart, Esq.

B. Girling. Esq., _Dereham_

Rev. W. Girling

Mr. Green

C. Greville, Esq. M.P.

T. Gurdon, Esq., _Letton Hall_, _Suffolk_, 2 copies

Mrs. Gurdon, 2 copies

H. Gurney, Esq. M.P.

R. H. Gurney, Esq. M.P.

Miss Anne Gurney

Mr. W. Hankes

Capt. Hare, _Stow Hall_, 2 copies

Mr. W. Harper

J. Harvey, Esq.

Sir R. J. Harvey

G. Harvey, Esq.

R. Hawkes, Esq.

Mrs. Hawkes

B. R. Haydon, Esq., _London_

W. Herring, Esq.

Mr. Higham, _London_

Mr. Hobart

Mr. Holly

T. Hudson, Esq.

Mr. R. Hull

N. Islay, Esq., _Croydon_

Mr. G. Jay

S. Johnson, Esq., _London_

P. Johnstone, Esq., _London_

Mr. Juby

Rev. J. Kennedy, _Templemore_, _Tipperary_

Mr. R. Kerrison

Mr. E. Kerrison

Capt. Langford

E. Lombe, Esq.

Mrs. Lloyd, _Bawdeswell_

Miss Lloyd, _Bawdeswell_

Miss L. Lloyd, _Bawdeswell_

Miss E. Lloyd, _Bawdeswell_

Mr. R. Lloyd

Mr. J. Lloyd, _Welsh Pool_

Mr. H. Marshall, _Ashby_

Mr. H. Marshall, _Norwich_

Mr. W. Matchett

Rev. C. Millard

Mr. Mills, _Pulham_

Mr. F. Mills

A. Morrison, Esq., _Eaton Hall_

Mrs. Morrison

G. Morse, Esq.

Rev. G. Munnings, _Dereham_

J. Neales, Esq., _London_

Mr. Newton

Mr. E. Newton

Mr. W. Nichols

Mr. B. Norgate

T. Oliver, Esq., _Yarmouth_

C. S. Onley, Esq. M.P.

J. Parkinson, Esq.

Mr. P. Paterson, _Glasgow_

Mrs. J. Pertwee, _Fingringhoe Hall_

R. Plumptre, Esq.

Mr. Press

Mr. P. Pullen

W. Quarles, Esq., _Foulsham_

W. Rackham, Esq.

Mr. W. Roberts

J. Robertson, Esq., _London_

W. Robertson, Esq., _London_

Etienne Compte de la Roche, _Brest_, 2 copies

N. Simpson, Esq., _London_

W. Slous, Esq., _London_

Sir James Smith

J. Sparham, Esq., _Palgrave_

Mr. W. Stark

Mr. J. Stark

J. Stewart, Esq.

R. Stoughton, Esq., _Sparham_

Rev. A. T. Suckling

Mr. P. Thompson, _London_

Mr. J. Thompson, _Dereham_

J. Timbs, Esq., _London_

Mr. G. Thurtell, _Eaton_

Mr. J. Thurtell

Mr. B. Sadler

S. Salter, Esq., _London_

Capt. R. Sayer

P. Scott, Esq.

Mr. Sendall

Mrs. Simpson

W. Simpson, Esq. Jun.

W. W. Simpson, Esq., _London_

Mrs. E. Thurtell

Mr. J. Turner, _London_

Mr. Turner

J. Vincent, Esq., _London_

S. Weir, Esq., _Manchester_

Rev. G. Widrow, _Manchester_

Mr. Wilson

Mr. Winter

Mr. I. Wiseman

Hon. Col. Wodehouse

E. Wodehouse, Esq. M.P.

D. Woods, Esq., _Dereham_

Mr. I. Young, _London_, 2 copies

Mr. L. Young, _London_

APPENDIX No. 1. A Bibliographical Note by Clement Shorter.

George Borrow commenced his literary career with a translation of Klinger's "Faustus" in 1825, and by a compilation of "Celebrated Trials" in the same year. Both these books appeared in London while he was engaged as a bookseller's hack, as described in "Lavengro." In 1826 Borrow returned to Norwich, and there he issued from the printing-house of S. Wilkin, in the Upper Haymarket, these "Romantic Ballads." He had worked hard at collecting subscribers, and two hundred copies were reserved for Norwich at half a guinea each copy; the remaining three hundred out of an edition of five hundred were sent to London. Some of these bear the imprint of John Taylor, Waterloo Place, Pall Mall, 1826, while the remainder bear the imprint of Wightman & Cramp, of Paternoster Row, in the same year. Dr. Knapp only knew of the Taylor edition, because that is referred to in the correspondence. Copies, however, of the Wightman & Cramp edition are in existence, and the title-page will be found reproduced with those of the first and second issue in the opening pages of this volume. Borrow sent copies to Lockhart, and Cunningham advised gifts to other reviewers; but not a single review of the book appeared. Yet his subscription list "amply paid all expenses," as Borrow states in a letter to Cunningham. That list reveals the fact that such diverse persons as Dr. Bathurst, Bishop of Norwich, and Thurtell, the murderer of Mr. Weare, were among the Norwich subscribers, while Benjamin Haydon, John Timbs, and Thomas Campbell paid their half-guineas from London. Thurtell, we may add, was hanged before the book appeared.

APPENDIX No. 2. Facsimile of Borrow's Manuscript from the Collection of Clement Shorter.

{i:Manuscript of The deceived Merman--part 1: borrow1.jpg}

{i:Manuscript of The deceived Merman--part 2: borrow2.jpg}

Footnotes:

{f:1} The goddess of death--according to the Northern mythology.

{f:2} The paradise of the Northern mythology.

{f:3} Moe in Danish signifies Maid, and is pronounced nearly like "May." May is Old English for Maid.

{f:4} The Fairies.--Ellefolk. _Dan_.

{f:5} Giants.--Jette. _Dan_.

{f:6} Dovrefeld is the highest mountain in Norway, and in Europe.

{f:7} Some of the many powers attributed to "Runic verses" will be found described in the song so intituled, in the latter part of this volume.

{f:8} Boune, to get ready.

{f:9} Rede, advise. Raader.--Dan.

{f:10} Woxen, grown. Voxen.--Dan.

{f:11} Jesus Christ.

{f:12} Grene shaw, green wood.--Old English.

{f:13} Brute-carl, dyre-carl.--_Original_.

{f:14} By this nose under the chin must be understood, that the elf has so long and crooked a nose, that it reaches and turns up under his chin. Crooked noses are, in all stories, allowed to be an ingredient of fiendish physiognomy.

{f:15} Svobt udi maard.--_Original_.

{f:16} Slaae mig et mit Ledemod sonder.

{f:17} Burly, strong.

{f:18} Rok og teen. The Rok is no longer used in England, though still common in the North. It is a hazle stick, more than a yard long, round which the wool is wound. It is affixed to the side of the spinner, under the left arm.

{f:19} By scattering "Runes," or Runic letters, over graves, provided they formed a particular rhyme, the ancient Scandinavians imagined that the dead might be aroused.

{f:20} Han laerer de Kiaempers Ryg at verke.

{f:21} To ride at Dyst, to battle on horseback.

{f:22} It was formerly the custom in Denmark, upon St. John's day, to celebrate the arrival of Summer, by troops of youths and maids going out into the woods, and thence returning bedecked with leaves and branches. This ceremony was called "bringing Summer to town."

{f:23} Blank, clear, shining.--_Dan_.

{f:24} Called in Danish Kiaempe-steene; these stones either mark the burial place of a warrior, or the spot where some very remarkable circumstance has occurred.

{f:25} These were ancient Danish monarchs renowned in song and tale, for warlike exploits and strange adventures. Not far from the Bridge of Vaere in the diocese of Roeskild, is King Frode's grave-hill, which, according to tradition, contains immense treasures, and is the richest in all the land. "Around the King's neck is a gold chain, so long that its other end reaches round his feet." _See Thiele's Danske Folkesagn_.

{f:26} Denmark's wisest and greatest king. He entertained a warm friendship for James the First of England, and, attended by his court, came to London to visit him. The ceremonies and rejoicings which this event gave rise to, are well described in an old German book, at present in the British Museum.

{f:27} Tordenskiold Juul and Hvidtfeld--celebrated Danish admirals. The memory of Tordenskiold is sacred among the peasantry, on account of the victories obtained by him over the Swedes. It is reported of him in Jutland, that when the shot of the enemy was directed thick and fast against him, he would shake the leaden bullets from out the folds of his clothes.

{f:28} In the Northern mythology, the God of war and strength. He is girded by a belt of bear-sinews, and bears a hammer called "Miolner," which means the shatterer, and with which he destroys giants, demons, and other foes of Odin the supreme God.

{f:29} See preface to "Waldemar's Chase," p. 115.

{f:30} It was frequently the practice of the ancient Norsemen, after having entombed their dead kings and heroes, to plant oaks or other trees over them, in order to prevent their remains being disturbed with facility. In that sublimest of all poems, "The Incantation of Hervor," is a passage to the following effect:

Hervadr, Hiorvadr, Hrani and Angantyr, I wake ye all under the roots of the trees.

{f:31} Between the islands of Ferroe the Sea exhibits a phenomenon, called, in the dialect of the Islanders, the Boff. Whilst the salt stream runs strong and glassy through its narrow channel, it is suddenly deformed by seven successive breakers, huge and foamy, which occur without any apparent cause, and infallibly overwhelm any boat which may chance to be in the way of their fury.

{f:32} The ancient Northern god of music and poetry.

{f:33} A mountain in the Scottish Highlands.

{f:34} The Duergar, or Dwarf-elves, of Scandinavia are famous for the dexterity with which they fabricate ornaments of every kind, from the gold which they dig out of the depths of the hills.

{f:35} Kemp, a warrior.--_Old Eng_. _Dan_. Kiempe.