228 SKETCH OF THE STATE OF LITERATURE 
position is secondary ; but, in respect to style, he deservedly ranks 
at the head of the Danish poets, his cotemporaries. 
About a score of years afterwards, and in the same city of Oden- 
see, there arose another poet whose name ought to be distinguished 
among those eminent persons who have struck out a new course and 
indicated a new style. This ingenious person was no other than 
the schoolmaster Christiern Hansen, who attempted, the first in 
Denmark, to establish theatrical entertainments.* He wrote three 
scenic pieces, partly humorous partly serious, whereof the subjects 
are evidently borrowed from the ancient German dramatists ; and, 
by its rudeness, his composition throughout betrays a palpable lack 
of experience. His first piece bears for its title, ‘‘ The Story of a 
Man who outwitted a Woman, wilh the help of a Dog,” and ten 
characters act their assigned parts in the representation. One of 
them, Preco, opens the affair with a prologue designed to arrest the 
hearers’ attention, and the orator concludes with a moral induction. 
Instantly after this, a wealthy citizen makes his appearance ; and, 
although newly married, he is ready to set out on a pilgrimage, and 
bids adieu to his bride. Scarcely has the good man taken his de- 
parture than the wooers of his wife present themselves at her door. 
First of all, a boorish neighbour advances, and bluntly prefers a de- 
claration of love to the lady, without having recourse to rhetorical 
professions. The young wife disdainfully repels him. She is next 
addressed by a monk, in prim and pretty phrases ; and he is suc- 
ceeded by a courtier who makes the most magnificent promises. 
But the bland flattery of the one and the other’s superb protestations 
alike prove unavailing ; the monk retires in despair ; the courtier 
goes in search of a sorceress, and hires her to enchant the fair dame 
of whom he declares himself enamoured. Forthwith to her aid, 
the hag invokes the infernal spirits ; but, as she is then only a no- 
vice in witchcraft, the devils hold her in derision. Feeling annoyed, 
* This observation must be considered as referring, in a limited sense, to 
dramatic writings composed according to definite rules; for, it is certain 
that the Danes, the Swedes and the Norwegians had long been acquainted 
with that sort of scenic exhibitions whereof traces are to be found in the early 
history of every people. The Edda speaks of the harlequin whom Gylf met 
at the Gate of the Gods; and Snorro Sturleson relates that king Hugleik 
retained harpers, conjurers and minstrels, at his court. Several poems of 
the Kempeviser may be regarded as dramatic compositions which were recited 
with a sort of theatrical accompaniment. In Sweden anciently, the Lakaré 
were attended with music and pantomimes. 
ae ee, oe ee 
