The Fairy Mythology: Illustrative of the Romance and Superstition of Various CountriesKeightley, Thomas
General
The Fairy Mythology: Illustrative of the Romance and Superstition of Various Countries
Keightley, Thomas
Fairies; Fairy tales; Folk literature; Folklore
again to the gate, just at ten o'clock. Meanwhile, a quantity of old
pieces and clippings of silver were laid on a shelf, in the
sitting-room, and my wife found them next day, when she was putting
the room in order. It is to be supposed that they were laid there by
the _Vettr_. That it in truth so happened, I witness, by inscribing my
name. Ragunda, the 12th of April, 1671.
"PET. RAHM."[188]
_The Hill-Smith._
Biörn Martinsson went out shooting, one day, with a gamekeeper, on the
wooded hill of Ormkulla. They there found a hill-smith (_bergsmed_)
lying fast asleep. Biörn directed the gamekeeper to secure him, but he
refused, saying "Pray to God to protect you! The hill-smith will fling
you down to the bottom of the hill." He was, however, bold and
determined, and he went up and seized the sleeping hill-smith, who
gave a cry, and implored him to let him go, as he had a wife and seven
little children. He said he would also do any iron work that should be
required; it would only be necessary to leave iron and steel on the
side of the hill, and the work would be found lying finished in the
same place. Biörn asked him for whom he worked; he replied, "For my
companions." When Biörn would not let him go, he said, "If I had my
mist-cap (_uddehat_) you should not carry me away. But if you do not
let me go, not one of your posterity will attain to the importance
which you possess, but continually decline;" which certainly came to
pass. Biörn would not, however, let him go, but brought him captive to
Bahus. On the third day, however, he effected his escape out of the
place in which he was confined.[189]
* * * * *
The following legend is related in Denmark:--
On the lands of Nyegaard lie three large hills, one of which is the
abode of a Troll, who is by trade a blacksmith. If any one is passing
that hill by night, he will see the fire issuing from the top, and
going in again at the side. Should you wish to have any piece of
iron-work executed in a masterly manner, you have only to go to the
hill, and saying aloud what you want to have made, leave there the
iron and a silver shilling. On revisiting the hill next morning, you
will find the shilling gone, and the required piece of work lying
there finished, and ready for use.[190]
_The Girl at the Troll-Dance._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account