First published in 1820. Public Domain.
Daring sword fights. Heroes in disguise. Maidens in distress. What's not to love?
A treatise on social classes and racial and religious prejudice in the 12th Century.
It will readily occur to the antiquary, that these verses are intended to imitate the antique poetry of the Scalds—the minstrels of the old Scandinavians—the race, as the Laureate so happily terms them,
"Stern to inflict, and stubborn to endure, Who smiled in death."
The poetry of the Anglo-Saxons, after their civilisation and conversion, was of a different and softer character; but in the circumstances of Ulrica, she may be not unnaturally supposed to return to the wild strains which animated her forefathers during the time of Paganism and untamed ferocity.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
