
A striking anthology brings together the haunting melodies of Danish folk tradition and the raw power of ancient Norse verse, rendered into English with careful attention to original meter. The translator balances faithful recreation of the old forms with inventive additions, offering readers a vivid glimpse of heroic sagas that have long echoed across the North Sea. The collection also includes original ballads that echo the spirit of the source material, enriching the tapestry of myth and melody.
Among the standout pieces is a tale of a cursed sword forged by dwarves, its dark fate binding a lineage of warriors. A young woman, raised unaware of her noble blood, discovers her heritage and embarks on a daring quest to reclaim the deadly blade, confronting restless spirits and ancient graves along the way. The poem’s dialogue, rich in rhythm and atmosphere, captures the tension between destiny and defiance, inviting listeners into a world where legend and personal resolve intertwine.
Full title
The Norse King's Bridal Translations from the Danish and old Norse, with original ballads
Language
en
Duration
~53 minutes (51K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Charlene Taylor, Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
Release date
2021-09-14
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Best known for bringing Danish and Norse ballads into English, this early 20th-century writer and translator left behind a small but distinctive body of verse and retellings. Her work has a strong storytelling feel, drawing on myth, legend, and traditional song.
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