The _GrÌplur_, some twenty stanzas of which are given below, represent this stage in the development of Icelandic literature. It may be observed that, like other _RÌmur_, they are the work of educated people--a fact which makes the wretched quality of much of the verse all the more striking, especially when they are contrasted with the ballads, which are, at least in most cases, the work of the unlettered. Unattractive however as they appear to the modern mind, it has been thought advisable to include a short extract from them here because it seems possible that in some cases the Faroese ballads may have derived their material from Iceland through the intermediate stage of the _RÌmur_ rather than from the Saga direct. Reference is made to the exploits of Hromund in other _RÌmur_ besides the _GrÌplur_, notably in the _M·lsh·ttakvÊi_, the _SkÌa-RÌma_[5] (which is interesting as being based, in all probability, on an earlier poem than the _GrÌplur_) and in the _Klerka-RÌma_[6]. And he and Thrain the Berserk still live in the popular songs of the North. He is the _Ungen Ranild_[7] of the Danish ballad; and in the Norwegian ballad _Ramund den Unge_[8], Ramund (Hromund) and Hˆlgi (Helgi) appear as rivals for the hand of Svanhvit (who, however, is not mentioned by name). Like some of the Faroese ballads on the _Hervarar Saga_, these later versions are far removed from the story as we know it from early Icelandic sources[9]. They are of interest only to those who care for folk song and ballad for their freshness and their naÔve simplicity[10]. [Footnote 1: Cf. Finnur JÛnsson, _Oldnorske og Oldislandske Litteraturs Historie_, Vol. III, p. 35.] [Footnote 2: Cf. F. JÛnsson, _op. cit._, Vol. III, p. 36; also Eugen Mogk, _Geschichte der Norwegisch-Isl‰ndischen Literatur_ (Strasburg, 1904), p. 722.] [Footnote 3: _Op. cit._, III, p. 26 ff.] [Footnote 4: _Op. cit._, p. 722 ff.] [Footnote 5: Ed. by K. Maurer, Munich, 1869; F. JÛnsson, _Carmina Scaldica_ (Copenhagen, 1913).] [Footnote 6: Codex A.M. 604 H.] [Footnote 7: S. Grundtvig, _Danmarks Gamle Folkeviser_, Vol. I, p. 367 ff.] [Footnote 8: M. B. Landstad, _Norske Folkeviser_ (Christiania, 1853), p. 189 ff.] [Footnote 9: Cf. Kˆlbing, _Beitr‰ge zur Vergleichenden Geschichte der Romantischen Poesie und Prosa des Mittelalters_, pp. 185-187.] [Footnote 10: For further ballads on the story of Hromund Greipsson, cf. Andrews, _Studies in the Fornaldarsˆgur Northrlanda_, in _Modern Philology_, 1911, 1912.] GRÕPLUR I 9. Olaf was a mighty Prince Who governed Hˆrthaland. The brave folk dwelling along the coast He guarded with his hand. 10. Gnˆthar-Asmund, the Prince's father, A peerless man was he; By many a battle he reft from Kings Their land and territory.