DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1442#0062
48
Section VI.
In the "Hcimskringla"- or "Konunga Saga" the story of Ingiald Ilroda
is related nearly in the same words as here. All that remains to be added
is, that the description of Ronningeburg, where that king in a fit of despair
destroyed himself, has been given from ocular inspection. That wall of
massy stones is still seen on the top of the mountain, not far from the
Malar, in Sudermannia : and more than ten centuries were incapable of
shaking the roughly jointed walls, from which one, shuddering, looks
down into the gaping abyss, that surrounds it ; where , on the steepest part,
the enormous rocky masses, towered up to the very top, present to the
beholder a giant-like work, which one should scarcely suppose could have
been accomplished by human perseverance.
Kinglwar, the pious, resolute avenger of his unfortunate fellow-kings,
after Ingialds fall, ruled over the whole countiy, thus uniting the diffe-
rent petty states under one sceptre.
Taking it for granted, that the majority of my readers know already
that the denomination of the Ases comprises Odin and his sons, who,
having arrived from Asia, as legislators and princes, introduced into the
north the first germs of civilisation, together with agriculture, and moral
order — for which they afterwards were worshipped as Gods — it may
suffice, here only to observe, that swearing by the Ases, who were so highly
venerated by the northern nations, was by them esteemed the highest and
most inviolable oath.
Section VII.
In the language of ancient traditions, the Sapphire is called: "the
stone, which, by means of its noble qualities, takes away the sins of men",
that is, whose spiritual power, being congenial with the intellectual facul-
ties of men, and purifying them, bridles and reduces their animal instincts.
Thus Topaze signifies strengthening in conflict ; Jasper, dispelling
sickness, etc.
Section VIII.
Tiundaland's heaths are in Unglinga Saga called the plains of Upsala,
which city already in the remotest period of idolatry, was the residence of
the Scandinavian kings. About a quarter of an hours distance from this
spot, may be seen the tombs of Odin, Thor and Friga (Freya).
À small chapel, constructed of rough stones, according to tradition
the first that was devoted to christian worship, is standing upon the, other-
wise dreary, heath. The bones of St. Erich are said to be kept in it, in a
silver coffin ; this prince, praying upon that very spot, having gained the
victory over the army of idolators.
Section IX.
The wanderer will now scarcely find the same point of view, from
which Welleda at once overlooked the plain in the West, and the deep ravine
in the East ; because the larger part of the mountain, across which the path
formerly probably may have led, has been broken by quarries, and rises as
a steep precipice along the path, which now, lined with fruit — and walnut-
trees, leads down into the valley, having gained in cheerfulness, what it has
lost in terrible grandeur.
The three Norries, or Goddesses of fate, were called TJrd, Wardandis,
and Skald, time past, present, and future, denoting their mysterious operations.
The noble linden-tree which extended its fragrant branches over the
limpid well, was very celebrated. In it's shade Oïiïz composed the fol-
lowing verses upon the wolf's-well :
•»Du edler Brunnen, du, mit Ruh' und Lust umgeben,
„Mit Bergen hier und dort als einer Burg umringt,
•»Prinz, aller schönen Quell', aus welchen W'asser dringt,
»Anmuthiger denn Milch, und köstlicher denn Beben etc.
(Thou noble well, environed with tranquillity and pleasure, girt
here and there with moun is, as with a castle ; Prince of all fine
springs, from which water is issuing, more pleasant than milk, and
more generous than wine etc.)
That, at a later period, in which unfortunately but too little regard
for the sacred ancient beauties of nature remains, this well has for centuries
been deprived of its fairest ornaments, cannot be lamented sufficiently;
scarcely anything being left, that could recall the recollection of ancient
times. On this spot, where so many German princes used to forget the
cares of government on the bosom of kind nature; where noble poets of
former ages were enraptured by it's beauties, here, easting a melancholy
look at the desolation that prevails all around, we cannot help asking:
„What is become of those hospitable shades, where are the men, that would
be as deserving as those of former ages, of enjoying them?"
FINIS.
Section VI.
In the "Hcimskringla"- or "Konunga Saga" the story of Ingiald Ilroda
is related nearly in the same words as here. All that remains to be added
is, that the description of Ronningeburg, where that king in a fit of despair
destroyed himself, has been given from ocular inspection. That wall of
massy stones is still seen on the top of the mountain, not far from the
Malar, in Sudermannia : and more than ten centuries were incapable of
shaking the roughly jointed walls, from which one, shuddering, looks
down into the gaping abyss, that surrounds it ; where , on the steepest part,
the enormous rocky masses, towered up to the very top, present to the
beholder a giant-like work, which one should scarcely suppose could have
been accomplished by human perseverance.
Kinglwar, the pious, resolute avenger of his unfortunate fellow-kings,
after Ingialds fall, ruled over the whole countiy, thus uniting the diffe-
rent petty states under one sceptre.
Taking it for granted, that the majority of my readers know already
that the denomination of the Ases comprises Odin and his sons, who,
having arrived from Asia, as legislators and princes, introduced into the
north the first germs of civilisation, together with agriculture, and moral
order — for which they afterwards were worshipped as Gods — it may
suffice, here only to observe, that swearing by the Ases, who were so highly
venerated by the northern nations, was by them esteemed the highest and
most inviolable oath.
Section VII.
In the language of ancient traditions, the Sapphire is called: "the
stone, which, by means of its noble qualities, takes away the sins of men",
that is, whose spiritual power, being congenial with the intellectual facul-
ties of men, and purifying them, bridles and reduces their animal instincts.
Thus Topaze signifies strengthening in conflict ; Jasper, dispelling
sickness, etc.
Section VIII.
Tiundaland's heaths are in Unglinga Saga called the plains of Upsala,
which city already in the remotest period of idolatry, was the residence of
the Scandinavian kings. About a quarter of an hours distance from this
spot, may be seen the tombs of Odin, Thor and Friga (Freya).
À small chapel, constructed of rough stones, according to tradition
the first that was devoted to christian worship, is standing upon the, other-
wise dreary, heath. The bones of St. Erich are said to be kept in it, in a
silver coffin ; this prince, praying upon that very spot, having gained the
victory over the army of idolators.
Section IX.
The wanderer will now scarcely find the same point of view, from
which Welleda at once overlooked the plain in the West, and the deep ravine
in the East ; because the larger part of the mountain, across which the path
formerly probably may have led, has been broken by quarries, and rises as
a steep precipice along the path, which now, lined with fruit — and walnut-
trees, leads down into the valley, having gained in cheerfulness, what it has
lost in terrible grandeur.
The three Norries, or Goddesses of fate, were called TJrd, Wardandis,
and Skald, time past, present, and future, denoting their mysterious operations.
The noble linden-tree which extended its fragrant branches over the
limpid well, was very celebrated. In it's shade Oïiïz composed the fol-
lowing verses upon the wolf's-well :
•»Du edler Brunnen, du, mit Ruh' und Lust umgeben,
„Mit Bergen hier und dort als einer Burg umringt,
•»Prinz, aller schönen Quell', aus welchen W'asser dringt,
»Anmuthiger denn Milch, und köstlicher denn Beben etc.
(Thou noble well, environed with tranquillity and pleasure, girt
here and there with moun is, as with a castle ; Prince of all fine
springs, from which water is issuing, more pleasant than milk, and
more generous than wine etc.)
That, at a later period, in which unfortunately but too little regard
for the sacred ancient beauties of nature remains, this well has for centuries
been deprived of its fairest ornaments, cannot be lamented sufficiently;
scarcely anything being left, that could recall the recollection of ancient
times. On this spot, where so many German princes used to forget the
cares of government on the bosom of kind nature; where noble poets of
former ages were enraptured by it's beauties, here, easting a melancholy
look at the desolation that prevails all around, we cannot help asking:
„What is become of those hospitable shades, where are the men, that would
be as deserving as those of former ages, of enjoying them?"
FINIS.