1828.] Harold Harrung. 19 
unheard in these regions of frost, fell sweetly on his ear ; and, in pursuit 
of it, he entered another passage, dark and tedious as the first ; but when 
he emerged again, it was to behold a scene of wondrous change. Before 
him, in the rich soft light of evening, was spread a vast and verdant 
plain, chequered with lakes and groves ; the turf beneath his feet was 
enamelled with sweet flowers, and watered by fresh-springing fountains ; 
the delicious green of the prospect refreshed his aching eyeballs, and the 
mild warmth of the air revived his frozen limbs. “Surely,” cried the 
warrior, “I have reached Valhalla by this strange approach ; and these 
are the ever-blooming meads prepared for the repose of heroes.” Scarcely 
had he given utterance to the thought, when the voice of one unseen 
sang sweetly :— 
Oh! welcome, warrior! welcome to our land, 
From the rude perils of the unkind sea: 
Lord of the dauntless heart and matchless hand ! 
Long have we watched, long have we wished for thee. 
Unconsciously Harold wandered on until he reached a pleasant bower, 
where the trees grew ina circle around a flowery sward, and amidst them 
the vine twined its exuberant trellice-work. Here, to his amazement, he 
beheld a luxurious banquet spread; rich wine and smoking venison 
seemed to invite the wayworn wanderer to taste; and again the same 
sweet voice breathed out :— 
Harold, for thee the feast is spread; 
The deer scents high, the wine glows red: 
Taste, and famine’s pangs allay; 
Drink, and cast all cares away. 
No longer doubting that he had reached the blissful abodes of those 
departed spirits who had found favour in the eyes of Odin, the young 
hero obeyed the injunctions of his unseen guardian, though he marvelled 
that no sharers of the banquet should appear. When he had sufficiently 
gratified the wants of long-restricted nature, he felt that a delightful 
- languor stole gradually on his weary frame: the softness of his fragrant 
couch, the gentle waving of the boughs, invited to repose; and again 
the friendly voice was heard to sing :— 
a 
Rest, wanderer, rest! All nature now lies dreaming ; 
The small bird settles in its downy nest ; 
Hushed lies the deer beneath the mild moon’s beaming: 
Then rest—oh ! rest. 
Rest, wanderer, rest! The flowers are gently closing, 
As the sun sinks beyond the rosy west ; 
The groves scarce tremble in their mute reposing: 
Then rest—oh! rest. 
Rest, wanderer, rest! Old Ocean, steeped in slumbers, 
Heaves slow and regular his tranquil breast ; 
The winds chaunt lullabies in softest numbers: 
' Then rest—oh! rest. 
Long ere this strain had ceased, the delighted Harold Harrung lay 
buried in profound repose ; and the duration of his slumber was such as 
nature needed after sufferings like his. But when he roused himself at 
leugth, new prodigies burst upon his view. His resting-place was no 
