The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 10, No. 57, July, 1862 by Various
page 6 of 292 (02%)
page 6 of 292 (02%)
![]() | ![]() |
|
an allowance. Its muscle was its chief characteristic. We speak only
of war-poetry. [Footnote 4: Braga was the name of the goblet over which the Norse drinkers made their vows. Probably no Secessionist ever threatened more pompously over his whiskey. The word goes back a great distance. _Paruf_ is Sanscrit for rough, and _Ragh_, to be equal to. In reading the Norse poetry, one can understand why _Braga_ was the Apollo of the Asa gods, and why the present made to a favorite Scald was called _Bragar-Laun_ (_Lohn_). _Bravo_ is also a far-travelled form.] Here, for instance, is the difference plainly told. Hucbald, a monk of the cloister St. Amand in Flanders, wrote "The Louis-Lay," to celebrate the victory gained by the West-Frankish King Louis III. over the Normans, in 881, near Saucourt. It is in the Old-High-German. A few lines will suffice:-- The King rode boldly, sang a holy song, And all together sang, Kyrie eleison. The song was sung; the battle was begun; Blood came to cheeks; thereat rejoiced the Franks; Then fought each sword, but none so well as Ludwig, So swift and bold, for 't was his inborn nature; He struck down many, many a one pierced through, And at his hands his enemies received A bitter drink, woe to their life all day. Praise to God's power, for Ludwig overcame; And thanks to saints, the victor-fight was his. Homeward again fared Ludwig, conquering king, |
|