The Hero of Esthonia and Other Studies in the Romantic Literature of That CountryKirby, W. F. (William Forsell)
History
The Hero of Esthonia and Other Studies in the Romantic Literature of That Country
Kirby, W. F. (William Forsell)
Estonian literature; Estonian literature -- History and criticism
"Helga" is a somewhat poor production, containing but few
striking passages except the description of the appearance
of the Valkyrior before the fight between Hialmar and
Angantyr. But the shorter poems at the end, "The Song of
Vala" and "Brynhilda," ought to be alone sufficient to
remove the name of this forgotten poet from oblivion.
[52]
The Esthonian demons are often represented as
contemptible creatures, very easily outwitted. Later
in the present canto the personage in question is
distinctly called a water-demon.
[53]
A common proverb in Esthonian tales. We also find it
in Italian, in almost the same words.
[54]
The money is sometimes called roubles, and sometimes
thalers.
[55]
Visits to Hades or Hell (Põrgu) are common in the
_Kalevipoeg_ and in the popular tales, some of which
we shall afterwards notice.
[56]
The term "Lett," which the Kalevide himself afterwards
applies to the demon, seems to be used in contempt;
otherwise the passage in the text might have been
taken as equivalent to our old-fashioned expression,
"It's all Greek to me."
[57]
Usually the devil's mother (or grandmother) is
represented as a white mare. Compare Canto 14 of the
_Kalevipoeg_, and also the story of the Grateful
Prince.
[58]
This Air-Maiden, who seems to be only a mischievous
sprite, must not be confounded with Ilmatar, the
creatrix of the world in the first Runo of the
_Kalevala_.
[59]
Finn, the Irish hero, was once entrapped by a
sorceress on a similar pretext into plunging into an
enchanted lake, which changed him into an old man.
(See Joyce's _Old Celtic Romances_, "The Chase of
Slieve Cullin.") The story is also related in one of
Kenealy's ballads.
[60]
This is a well-known Mongol characteristic; and it is
rather oddly attributed by Arabic writers to the Jinn.
"Two of them appeared in the form and aspect of the
Jarm, each with one eye slit endlong, and jutting
horns and projecting tusks."—Story of Tohfat-el-Kulub
( _Thousand and One Nights_, Breslau edition).
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