To maintain that a poem, which, for centuries, must have floated on the breath of oral tradition, still retains, precisely, its original form would be a vain attempt. There is, however, no improbability that Regner shou’d finish his career with a recital of his actions. Many of the Scandinavian heroes were votaries of the muse; & one of them, we know, obtained a respite from death by the mere exertion of his poetical talents. Besides, during the rude periods of society, the safety, both of nations and of individuals, depends upon making themselves objects of terror. Hence, while the captive Indian mitigates his torments by the recollection of his exploits, he tramples, as it were, on the cruelty of his enemies, by recapitulating the multitude of their relations who have perished by his sword. The Lodbrokar-quida shews, that a similarity of manners prevailed in the north; and, indeed, men, in the same degree of civilization, will act, and think, nearly in the same way.
Having suggested to some learned natives of Iceland, that this poem seemed to be of that
