The Great Epics of Mediaeval Germany; An Outline of Their Contents and History (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1891 Excerpt: ...it on; he also took the knight's sword and bow. He intended to return to the cave, and scarcely had clad himself in the mail when he heard above his head a great roaring as of the wind, and saw the old griffin sweeping down upon him. Then with his childlike power he aimed against his foe Full many a pointed arrow, and shot them from his bow. He could not wound the griffin; it was of no availing. Then with his sword he tried it; he heard the maidens wailing. Despite his youthful bearing he yet was not bereft Of daring mood; and fiercely the griffin's wing he cleft. After a short combat the old griffin fell dead to the ground beneath Hagen's sword, and the same fate overtook the other griffins who came to attack him. Henceforth Hagen and the three maidens could wander freely over the whole island, and their eager desire was to espy a ship that would take them away from the barren shore on which they had lived so long. In his wanderings and hunting through the trackless forest, Hagen came across a wild beast (gabilijLn) much resembling a dragon. The monster attacked him, but Hagen slew it with his sword and drank its blood, which gave him superhuman strength. This incident is evidently an imitation of Siegfried's slaying of the dragon in the Nibelung sagas. Immediately afterwards he meets a lion, who, as we must infer from the connection, had fought with the monster and was saved by Hagen. This reminds us of the story of " Henry the Lion." At last Hagen, gazing upon the sea, perceived a vessel. With might young Hagen shouted, and did not cease to shout, Howe'er the roaring tempest the wild waves tossed about. The sailors were at first reluctant to approach the shore, as they took the maidens, whose attire consisted of moss woven together, for mermaid...