LITMIR.BIZ

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very good years. The people made so much of him that when they heard he was dead, and that his body had been taken to Hringariki to be buried there, powerful men from Raumariki, Vestfold and Heidmörk came, and all asked for leave to take his body and mound it in their fylki;²⁰² they thought that those who got it were likely to have good seasons. They agreed to divide the body in four pieces, and the head was mounded at Stein in Hringariki; the others took their pieces home and mounded them, and they are all of them called the mounds of Hálfdán (in Snorri’s time)” (Hálfdán the Black’s Saga, ch. 9) (Heimskringla).

      Friends often wished to be buried near each other, for they believed that their spirits could talk to each other or look over their household before important events occurred.

      “Then Thorstein fell sick. He said to Fridthjof: ‘My son, I beg of thee that thou wilt yield to the king’s sons with regard to thy temper, for that befits thee on account of their dignity, and I have good hope of thee. I want to be laid in a mound opposite to King Beli, on this side of the fjord, near the sea, for then it will be easy for us to call to each other before great events.’ The foster-brothers of Fridthjof were Björn and Asmund; they were tall and strong men. A short time after Thorstein died; he was mounded as he had prescribed, and Fridthjof got his land and personal property” (Fridthjof’s Saga, c. 1).

      Several persons were often buried in the same mound; and after a battle many of the slain were buried together.

      “After this Hjálmar died. Odd then placed the Berserks in a heap, and piled upon them boughs. This was near the sea. He put with them their weapons and clothing, divesting them of nothing. He covered this with turf and cast sand over it. He then took Hjálmar on his back, carried him to the sea, and laid him down on the shore. He went out on the ships, took ashore every one who had fallen, and there threw up another mound over his men. It is said by those who have gone thither, that to this day are seen those mounds which Odd there made” (Orvar Odd’s Saga, c. 14).²⁰³

      “On the following morning Hrolf had the field cleared, and divided the booty among his men. There were raised three very large mounds. In one Hrolf placed his father Sturlaug and Krák, Hrafn’s brother and all the best champions of their host who had fallen. In that mound were put gold and silver and good weapons, and all was well performed. In the second was placed King Eirik, Brynjólf and Thórd and their picked men. In the third was Grim Ægir, near the shore, where it was thought least likely that ships would approach. The warriors were buried where they had fallen” (Göngu Hrolf’s Saga, ch. 34).

      From many descriptions we see with what awe the ancient Vikings regarded the mounds under which renowned chiefs were buried. Over the mounds of great warriors flames were seen at night, and the ghost of the departed was believed to remain there.

      When the burning did not take place, the warrior was buried with his weapons and entire equipment. Sometimes he slept with his sword under his head. Angantyr’s shoulders rested upon the famous sword Tyrfing, and Angrim’s sons were buried there in that manner. Many of the weapons placed with them were very famous and supposed to possess special or supernatural qualities, and mounds were sometimes broken for the sake of getting.

      “A little after she (the Amazon Hervör) left by herself in a man’s dress and weapons and went to Vikings, and was with them for awhile, and was called Hervard. A little after the chief of the Vikings died, and Hervard got the command of them. Once they came to Sámsey. Hervard went up on land, and none of his men wanted to follow him, for, they said, it would not do for any man to stay out there at night. Hervard said that much property was likely to be in the mounds, and went up on the island near sunset. They lay in Munarvag. She met a herd-boy there, and asked him about news. He said, ‘Dost thou not know the island? Come home with me, for it will not do for any man to stay out here after sunset; I am going home at once.’ Hervard replied: ‘Tell me; where are the mounds of Hjörvard?’ The boy said: ‘Thou art unwise, as thou wantest to search for that at night which few dare search for at mid-day; burning fire plays on the mounds after sunset.’ Hervard replied he would certainly go to the mounds. The shepherd said: ‘I see that thou art a bold man, though thou art unwise. I will give thee my necklace if thou wilt come home with me.’ Hervard answered: ‘Though thou wouldst give me all thou ownest thou couldst not hinder me from going.’ When the sun set they heard hollow noises in the island, and the mound fires appeared. The shepherd got frightened and took to his feet, and ran into the forest as quickly as he could, and never looked back.”

      As she comes by the mound she sings:—

      Awake, Angantyr!

      Hervör thee rouses,

      The only daughter

      Of thee and Svafa;

      Yield to me from the mound

      The sharp sword

      Which the Dvergar

      For Svafrlami forged.

      Hjörvard! Hervard!

      Hrani! Angantyr!

      I awaken you all

      Beneath the tree-roots,

      Who are clad in

      Helmet and coat of mail

      With shield and sharp sword,

      And reddened spear.

      Sons of Arngrim!

      Much harm doing,

      Much have you

      The mould increased,

      As no one

      Of the sons of Eyfura

      Will speak to me

      At Munarvag.

      Hjörvard! Hervard!

      Hrani! Angantyr!

      So be the mind

      Of you all

      As if you were rotting

      In an ant-hill

      Unless ye yield

      The sword forged by Dvalin;

      It is not fit for ghosts

      Costly weapons to hide.

      Angantyr.

      Hervör, my daughter!

      Why callest thou thus

      Full of baneful words;

      Thou art going to fare badly;

      Mad hast thou become

      And out of thy senses,

      Mind-bewildered,

      As thou awakenest the dead.

      Neither father buried me

      Nor other kinsmen;

      The two who lived

      Kept Tyrfing;

      Although at last

      One became its owner.

      Hervör.

      Thou dost not tell me truth;

      The As shall leave thee

      Unharmed in the grave-mound

      If thou hast not Tyrfing;

      Thou art unwilling

      To give the heritage

      To thy only child.

      Then the mound opened and looked as if it were all on fire and flame.

      Angantyr sang:

      Ajar is the gate of Hel;

      The mounds are opening,

      All the island-coast

      Looks as if on fire;

      Outside all

      Is awful to behold;

      Hasten thee, maiden, if thou canst,

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