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The collection called Sæmund's Edda consists of two parts, viz., the Mythological and the Heroic. It is the former of these which is now offered to the public in an English version. In the year 1797, a translation of this first part, by A.S. Cottle, was published at Bristol. This work I have never met with; nor have I seen any English version of any part of the Edda, which the exception of Gray's spirited but free translation of the Vegtamskvida. The present volume closes with a translation of the Solarlioð, a poem in which the religion of the country appears in a transition state from Heathenism to Christianity.³ Some readers will, I doubt not, be desirous of ampler illustration of the mythological poems of the Edda than that which is afforded by the Index to this volume; to such I would recommend the translation of the Prose Edda, in Mallet's Northern Antiquities, published by Bohn, and Thorpe's Northern Mythology and Popular Traditions, in 3 vols. Small 8, the 1st vol. Of which contains a good and satisfactory compendium of the Odinic religion. The German scholar will find ample and valuable information on the same subject in the “Altnordische Mythologie” prefixed to Professor Lünings editions of the Edda, a work which I have principally used while revising the present translation, and which I regard as unquestionably the best existing.

From a memorandum made at the time, I find that this volume was ready for press in the year 1856, though the idea of offering it to the public was not entertained until about two years ago. On intimating my intention to one or two persons, I was informed that an edition was already in the press, and, consequently, I withdrew from the field. But as that edition seems to be postponed sine die, or I had been misinformed regarding it, I have resolved on sending forth my humble production. It is needless to inform my readers that it has no pretension to elegance; but I believe it to be a faithful though homely representation of the original, and may, at all events serve as a stop-gap until made to give place to a worthier work; for that the lack of an edition of the Edda seems a chasm in our literature cannot be denied.

If a not unfavourable reception is given it by the British public, the Second, or Heroic part shall be immediately sent to press.

- The Editor

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