[204] Afzelius, Sago Häfdar., ii. 169. On Christmas-morning, he says, the peasantry gives the Tomte, his wages, _i. e._ a piece of grey cloth, tobacco, and a _shovelful of clay_. NECKS, MERMEN, AND MERMAIDS. Ei Necken mer i flodens vågor quäder, Och ingen Hafsfru bleker sina kläder Paa böljans rygg i milda solars glans. STAGNELIUS. The Neck no more upon the river sings, And no Mermaid to bleach her linen flings Upon the waves in the mild solar ray. It is a prevalent opinion in the North that all the various beings of the popular creed were once worsted in a conflict with superior powers, and condemned to remain till doomsday in certain assigned abodes. The Dwarfs, or Hill (_Berg_) trolls, were appointed the hills; the Elves the groves and leafy trees; the Hill-people (_Högfolk_[205]) the caves and caverns; the Mermen, Mermaids, and Necks, the sea, lakes, and rivers; the River-man (_Strömkarl_) the small waterfalls. Both the Catholic and Protestant clergy have endeavoured to excite an aversion to these beings, but in vain. They are regarded as possessing considerable power over man and nature, and it is believed that though now unhappy, they will be eventually saved, or _faa förlossning_ (get salvation), as it is expressed. The NECK (in Danish Nökke[206]) is the river-spirit. The ideas respecting him are various. Sometimes he is represented as sitting, of summer nights, on the surface of the water, like a pretty little boy, with golden hair hanging in ringlets, and a red cap on his head; sometimes as above the water, like a handsome young man, but beneath like a horse;[207] at other times, as an old man with a long beard, out of which he wrings the water as he sits on the cliffs. In this last form, Odin, according to the Icelandic sagas, has sometimes revealed himself. The Neck is very severe against any haughty maiden who makes an ill return to the love of her wooer; but should he himself fall in love with a maid of human kind, he is the most polite and attentive suitor in the world. Though he is thus severe only against those who deserve it, yet country people when they are upon the water use certain precautions against his power. Metals, particularly steel, are believed "_to bind the Neck_," (_binda Necken_); and when going on the open sea, they usually put a knife in the bottom of the boat, or set a nail in a reed. In Norway the following charm is considered effectual against the Neck:-- Nyk, nyk, naal i vatn! Jomfru Maria kastet staal i vatn! Du sök, äk flyt! Neck, neck, nail in water! The virgin Mary casteth steel in water! Do you sink, I flit! The Neck is a great musician. He sits on the water and plays on his gold harp, the harmony of which operates on all nature. To learn music of him, a person must present him with a black lamb, and also promise him resurrection and redemption.