22. Pronounce Yendeen.

23. This is the poet’s own explanation of this difficult passage. “Hvirvlens vætter,” he writes, is equivalent to “Svimmelhedens ånder”—i.e., spirits of dizziness or vertigo.

24. See Appendix.

25. Literally “bushels.”

26. An ecclesiastical dignitary—something equivalent to a rural dean.

27. “Jon med Skjæppen”—literally, “John with the Bushel”—a nickname given him in his days of prosperity, in allusion to his supposed bushels of money.

28. Pronounce Maass-Moo-en.

29. It is believed in some parts of Norway that “changelings” (elf-children left in the stead of those taken away by the fairies) can, by certain spells, be made to fly away up the chimney.

30. “Sendingsfolk,” literally, “folks with presents.” When the Norwegian peasants are bidden to a wedding-feast, they bring with them presents of eatables.

31. A somewhat violent peasant dance.

32. Foss (in the North of England “force”)—a waterfall.

33. A sort of master of ceremonies.

34. To kick the rafters is considered a great feat in the Halling-dance. The boy means that, in the open air, his leaps are not limited even by the rafters.

35. A marriage party among the peasants will often last several days.

36. Literally, “thoughts.”

37. Literally, “last year.”

38. “To read with the pastor,” the preliminary to confirmation, is currently used as synonymous with “to be confirmed.”

39. Literally, “A reader.”

40. Literally, “Here shall judgment be called for.”

41. Literally, “Must be bent to the hillside,” made to bite the dust—but not in the sense of being killed.

42. A peasant idiom.