ABSTRACT

Of the early use of poetry among the Danes, we are furnished with the strongest proofs, in the ancient Anglo-Saxon poem, describing the affairs of that people in the third and fourth centuries, which has lately been published by my learned friend Etatsraad Thorkelin. Depicting the customs of one of the northern courts, the author of the poem exhibits something strikingly analogous to the matter of the ancient Eddaic poetry:

Thær was hearpan Sweg swutol sang Scopes sægde Se the cuthe Frum sceaft fira Feorran reccan Cwæth thæt se Almightiga Eorthan worh, &c.