rik_, _but_
_The mace struck deep in the ground_.

_It was Langben_, _the lofty Jutt_,
_Had thought his foe to slay_;
_But the blow fell short_, _for the speedy horse_
_His master bore away_.

_It was Langben_, _the lofty Jutt_,
_He bellow'd to the heaven_:
"_My mace is tight within the height_,
_As though by a hammer driven_!"

* * * * *

_Accurs'd be thou_, _young Vidrik_!
_Accursed be thy steel_!
_Thou'st given me a mighty wound_,
_And mighty pain I feel_.

* * * * *

"_Now hear_, _now hear_, _thou warrior youth_,
_Thou well canst wheel thy steed_;
_But I could beat thee out and out_
_In every manly deed_."

In _Romantic Ballads_, and also in the Manuscript of
1854, this Ballad is entitled _Vidrik Verlandson_. In
the Manuscript of 1829 it is entitled _Vidrik
Verlandson's Conflict with the Giant Langben_. The text
of this Manuscript is intermediate between that of the
other two versions.

A reduced facsimile of the first page of the Manuscript
of the 1854 version of _Vidrik Verlandson_ is given
herewith, facing p. 35.

Elvir Hill. [_I rested my head upon Elvir Hill's side_, 111
_and my eyes were beginning to slumber_]

In the Manuscript of 1829 this Ballad is entitled _Elfin
Hill_, and the text differs considerably from that
printed in 1826. I give the opening stanzas of each
version.

1826.

_I rested my head upon Elvir Hill's side_, _and my
eyes were beginning to slumber_;
_That moment there rose up before me two maids_,
_whose charms would take ages to number_.

_One patted my face_, _and the other exclaim'd_,
_while loading my cheek with her kisses_,
"_Rise_, _rise_, _for to dance with you here we have
sped from the undermost caves and abysses_.

"_Rise_, _fair-haired swain_, _and refuse not to
dance_;_ and I and my sister will sing thee_
_The loveliest ditties that ever were heard_, _and
the prettiest presents will bring thee_."

_Then both of them sang so delightful a song_, _that
the boisterous river before us_
_Stood suddenly quiet and placid_, _as though_
'_twere afraid to disturb the sweet chorus_.

1829.

_I rested my head upon Elfin Hill_, _on mine eyes
was slumber descending_;
_That moment there