FORCADES of THOR MODUS TORFÆ US HAFNIE, 1697, Folio; and also in BA R

THOLINUS.

VITT ER OPRIT FYRIR VALFALLI, &c.

The Author once had thoughts (in concert with a 'friend) of giving "The History of English Poetry:" In the Introduction to it he meant to have produced fome fpecimens of the Style that reigned in ancient times among the neighbouring nations, or those who had fubdued the greater part of this ifland, and were our progenitors; the following three imitations made a part of them. He has long fince dropped his defign, especially after he had heard that it was already in the hands of a perfon well qualified to do it juftice, both by his tafte, and his refearches into an<tiquity.

PRE

PREFACE.

N the eleventh century, Sigurd, Earl of the Orkney

a

body of troops into Ireland, to the affiftance of Sietryg with the Silken Beard, who was then making war on his father-in-law Brian, King of Dublin: the Earl and all his forces were cut to pieces; and Sictryg was in danger of a total defeat; but the enemy had a greater lofs, by the death of Brian, their king, who fell in the action. On Christmas-day, (the day of the battle,) a native of Caithnefs, in Scotland, faw at a distance, a number of perfons on horfeback, riding full speed towards a hill, and seeming to enter into it. Curiofity led him to follow them, till, looking through an opening in the rocks, he saw twelve gigantic figures, refembling women: they were all employed about a loom; and as they wove, they fung the following dreadful fong; which when they had finifhed, they tore the web into twelve pieces, and (each taking her portion) galloped fix to the north, and as many to the fouth.

THE

THE

FATAL SISTER S

NOW

AN O D E.

WOW the ftorm begins to lour,
(Haste, the loom of hell prepare,)

*Iron-fleet of arrowy shower
+ Hurtles in the darken'd air.

Glittering lances are the loom,
Where the dusky warp we ftrain,
Weaving many a foldier's doom,
Orkney's woe, and Randver's bane.

See the griefly texture grow,
('Tis of human entrails made,)
And the weights that play below,
Each a gafping warrior's head.

Note The Valkyriur were female divinities, fervants of Odin (or Woden) in the Gothic mythology. Their name fignifies chufers of the flain. They were mounted on fwift horfes, with drawn fwords in their hands; and in the throng of battle felected fuch as were destined to flaughter, and conducted them to Valkala, the hall of Odin, or paradife of the brave; where they attended the banquet, and served the departed heroes with horns of mead and ale.

* How quick they wheel'd; and flying, behind them shot Sharp fleet of arrowy shower -MILTON'S PAR. REG.

†The noise of battle hurtled in the air.

SHAKESPEARE'S JUL. CESAR.

Shafts

Shafts for fhuttles, dipt in gore,
Shoot the trembling cords along;
Sword, that once a monarch bore,
Keep the tiffue close and strong.
Mifta black, terrific maid,
Sangrida, and Hilda see,
Join the wayward work to aid:
Tis the woof of victory.

Ere the ruddy fun be fet,
Pikes muft fhiver, javelins fing,
Blade with clattering buckler meet,
Hauberk crafh, and helmet ring.
(Weave the crimson web of war,)
Let us go, and let us fly,

Where our friends the conflict fhare,
Where they triumph, where they die.

As the paths of fate we tread,
Wading through th' enfanguin'd field:
Gondula, and Geira, spread

O'er the youthful king your shield.

We the reins to flaughter give,
Ours to kill, and ours to spare:
Spite of danger he shall live.
(Weave the crimson web of war)

They, whom once the defert-beach
Pent within its bleak domain,
Soon their ample sway shall stretch
O'er the plenty of the plain,

Low