This is one of those Ballads which, from the days of Arild, have been
much sung in Denmark: we find in it the names and bearings of most
of those renowned heroes, who are mentioned separately in other
poems. It divides itself into two parts;--the first, which treats of
the warrior's bearings, has a great resemblance to the 178th chapter
of the Vilkina Saga, as likewise has the last part, wherein the Duel
is described, to the 180th and 181st chapters of the same.

I cannot here forbear quoting and translating what Anders Sorensen
Vedel, the good old Editor of the first Edition of the Kiaempe Viser,
which appeared in 1591, says concerning the apparently superhuman
performances of the heroes therein celebrated.

"Hvad ellers Kiaempernes Storlemhed Styrke og anden Vilkaar berorer,
som overgaaer de Menneskers der nu leve deres Vaext og Kraft, det
Stykke kan ikke her noksom nu forhandles, men skal i den Danske
Kronikes tredie Bog videligere omtales. Thi det jo i Sandhed
befindes og bevises af adskillige Documenter og Kundskab, at disse
gamle Hellede, som de kaldes, have levet fast laenger, og vaeret
mandeligere storre staerkere og hoiere end den gemene Mand er, som nu
lever paa denne Dag."

"That part which relates to these Warriors' size, strength, or other
qualities, so far surpassing the stature and powers of the men who
now exist, cannot be here sufficiently treated upon, but shall be
further discussed in the third Book of the Danish Chronicles: for,
in truth, it is discovered and proved from various documents and
sources, that these old heroes, as they are called, lived much