212 SKETCH OF THE STATE OF LITERATURE 
morning over-veiled with clouds or obscured with mists, before it 
gradually shines forth effulgent, and disperses the darkness and the 
fogs with its energies of life and light. 
Let us, then, endeavour to investigate the origin of Letters in 
Denmark, without being discouraged by their rude beginnings, 
their unsteady progress, their protracted obstructions. The inquiry 
will conduct us to true science, to genuine poésy. 
Denmark, during the ninth, tenth and eleventh centuries, still re- 
mained a pagan country. Charlemagne, after having converted the 
fierce Saxon tribes to a profession of Christianity, more by the 
power of his sword than by persuasion, at last conceived the project 
of carrying his “evangelical” conquests beyond the Elbe. Death, 
however, prevented him from accomplishing his design; but, by 
Louis le Debonnaire, the scheme was completed. At the Council 
held at Thionville, in A.D. pceccxx1, the resolution was adopted— 
that the Christian Faith should be preached to the Northern nations. 
Ebbo, archbishop of Rheims, voluntarily undertook to fulfil this 
mission, and applied personally to the Pope for instructions. ‘The 
bull* granted to him by Paschal I, is the most ancient document 
having reference to this subject, now in existence. An unexpected 
circumstance occurred to enliven the zeal of the new missionaries. 
One of the kinglets who divided the Danish states among them- 
selves, Harald Klak, the prince of Jutland, was discomfited in bat- 
tle; and, being hardly pressed by his enemies, he fled to the suc- 
cessor of Charlemagne for protection. The pious emperor eagerly 
seized this as an opportunity favourable for making an available 
proselyte. He preached to the pagan fugitive, converted him, bap- 
tized him, and restored him to the sovereignty of his former domi- 
nions. When Ebbo arrived in the north, he found a patron in this 
disciple of Louis. Unfortunately, the petty prince of Jutland was 
unable, however willing, to sustain the Faith he had adopted ; 
wherefore, after preaching some sermons and baptizing a few per- 
sons, the archbishop returned to France. 
In his apestolical labours, Ebbo was succeeded by Ansgard, a 
monk of Corbeil. This devotee possessed youth, vigour and hardi- 
hood: he was animated with the virtues of a christian and the zeal 
of a missionary. He departed for the place of his destined ministry, 
accompanied by Authbert, one of his friends, who cherished, like 
himself, an enthusiastic anxiety for proselytism. After a tedious 
* This curious and important “instruction” has been saved for useful re- 
ference, by bishop Pontoppidan, in his “ Ecclesiastical Annals.” 
VE ee ee 
