Tha gaf hann Trescegg Tröllum, Torf-Einarr drap Scurfo. Then gave he Trescegg to the Trolls, Turf-Einarr slew Scurfo. [152] The ancient Gothic nation was called Troll by their Vandal neighbours (Junii Batavia, c. 27); according to Sir J. Malcolm, the Tartars call the Chinese Deevs. It was formerly believed, says Ihre, that the noble family of Troll, in Sweden, derived their name from having killed a Troll, that is, probably, a Dwarf. [153] Arndt, Reise nach Schweden, vol. iii. p. 8. [154] Like our Fairies the Trolls are sometimes of marvellously small dimensions: in the Danish ballad of Eline af Villenskov we read-- _Del da meldte den mindste Trold, Han var ikke större end en myre, Her er kommet en Christen mand, Den maa jag visseligen styre._ Out then spake the tinyest Troll, No bigger than an emmet was he, Hither is come a Christian man, And manage him will I surelie. [155] Thiele, i. 36. [156] For this they seem to be indebted to their hat or cap. Eske Brok being one day in the fields, knocked off, without knowing it, the hat of a Dwarf who instantly became visible, and had, in order to recover it, to grant him every thing he asked. Thiele iii. 49. This hat answers to the Tarnkappe or Hel-kaplein of the German Dwarfs; who also become visible when their caps are struck off. [157] In the Danish ballad of Eline af Villenskov the hero is called _Trolden graae_, the Gray Trold, probably from the colour of his habiliments. [158] We deem it needless in future to refer to volume and page of Mr. Thiele's work. Those acquainted with the original will easily find the legends. [159] We have ventured to omit the Omquæd. _I styren väll de Runor!_ (Manage well the runes!) The final _e_ in Thynnè is marked merely to indicate that it is to be sounded. [160] _Runeslag_, literally Rune-stroke. Runes originally signified letters, and then songs. They were of two kinds, Maalrunor (_Speech-runes_), and Troll-runor (_Magic-runes_). These last were again divided into Skaderunor (_Mischief-runes_) and Hjelprunor (_Help-runes_), of each of which there were five kinds. See Verelius' notes to the Hervarar Saga, cap. 7. The power of music over all nature is a subject of frequent recurrence in northern poetry. Here all the wild animals are entranced by the magic tones of the harp; the meads flower, the trees put forth leaves; the knight, though grave and silent, is attracted, and even if inclined to stay away, he cannot restrain his horse. [161] _Rosendelund._ The word _Lund_ signifies any kind of grove, thicket, &c. [162] Not the island of Iceland, but a district in Norway of that name. By Berner-land, Geijer thinks is meant the land of Bern (_Verona_), the country of Dietrich, so celebrated in German romance. [163] _Sabel och Mård._ These furs are always mentioned in the northern ballads, as the royal rewards of distinguished actions.