IN writing these stories of the Norse gods, many books have been consulted, and especially the following: Anderson's Norse Mythology, the translation of Rydberg's Teutonic Mythology and of the Younger Edda by the same author, Grimm's Teutonic Mythology, translated by Stallybrass, and Thorpe's translation of Sæmund's Edda. My aim has been to write a story simple enough for children, but not so simple as to be uninteresting to older persons. My own interest in Norse mythology was aroused many years ago by two books, "Heroes of Asgard" by A. and E. Keary and "Wonderful Stories of Northern Lands " by Julia Goddard. The excuse for this book is, that, in many respects, it is unlike any that have been written on the same subject. And this is partly owing to the fact that Rydberg's researches have made it possible, for the first time, for one to form a definite conception of the cosmography of the mythology, and also because he clears away many inconsistencies that have long clung to it. I have written the story of the gods as it has formed itself in my mind after much reading and thinking. In some cases the words of the poems of Sæmund's Edda have been used, especially in the last chapter, The Twilight of the Gods. I have taken the liberty of putting a part of the "Vala's Proph ecy" and of other prophecies into the mouth of Odin, because he is represented in the Eddas as knowing all that is to come in the future. In the story of Baldur, I have followed Rydberg rather than the author of the Younger Edda. Rydberg claims that the latter has departed from the old mythology in many instances, and especially in his version of the Baldur myth. In order to make a dramatic whole out of the separate stories, it has been necessary to supply connecting links and to give special prominence to certain characters. Loki is the central figure; and Thiassi, as portrayed by Rydberg, plays an important part. Whatever is coarse or unpoetic in the old stories has been left out, and much has been added from my own imagination. For instance, there is no foundation for the chapter, Odin seeks Wisdom from Mimir, except in the lines quoted from Odin's Rune-song. I wish to express my sincere thanks to those who have kindly answered my questions, or helped me by their criticisms. |