The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-06

essentials Wagner has Justly preferred the pure Ice
landic sources TO the mixed versions OF later ages
changing, however. the Icelandic names Tor their
German equivalents, such as. Odin for Wotan,
sigurd for siegried, and his mother, Hiordys,
for Segnde. In a general way, II may be affirmed
that the incidents OF Wagners drama in the
Icelandic Sagas; only the way In which these incl
dents connected with each other aud condensed
into dramatic organism, as also the deep transcen-
dent meaning which Is impaired TO them, belray the
hand Of the great modern poet.
We shall find an opportunity in our descrp-
tions OF tho ''Ring OF the Nbelung" to speak
further OF the sources which Wagner has
used and explain why tho composer co.,
sidcred necessary order to glorify his hero sieg
fried to call to lie again all the gods and goddesses
OF ancient German worship For tho present
would speak more Of my
RgsEARcnEs IN WORMS
The Cathedral at Worms plays an important part In
scrbed the contest between Krlemhilda and Brunn-
hlda having taken place on the open space at the
conjure up the scene which have already described
and was not little disappointed atterward 10 learn
that the contest took place on the space on the north
SIDE
OF COURSE ALL THE GUIDE hooks ARR WRONG
which found tie the more likely. since King Gun
theirs bourg is said have been the northern SIDE
But the could not have taken place in front Of
the present church al ALL which was built about the
eleventh century but probably before an earlier eaHce
Tor Worms had Christian bishop early the fourth
century. There are nc traces OF King Gunther's
bourg left its place is now occupied by public gar
den The legend tells even the place where segried
buried. II was huge block Of stone, forty feet
long, under which the hero's body supposed TO
grab to be opened, but nothing found but swamp
The coat OF arms of the city represents two winged
Dragons, key in the claws Of one THIS Is supposed
to have some deep reference to the Segried legend
FATAL HUNTING EXPEDITION
From Worms took place the hunting expedition
when Siegried was The noble game picked out for
slaughter. Those German Swans who have
looked into the matter ut all by
means agreed as to whether the spcssart the Oden.
wald or the Vosges the OF Sieglred's death
One medieval singer says the Vosgcs, another the
Odcnwald One old singer says that the village Of
school teacher of the viliag OF Lndenfcls and
Graselenbach settled the matter 10 at least their own
satisfaction the year 1851 whom they put stone
cross near muddy spring in their district, and
scribed thereon a verse IRON the Ni6eluogen:-
Then, to drink Sir sieGrcd down kaeeng there he
He pierre him through the croes that Sudden from the
Forth tn etiood spouted e'en his murderer, weed
Never will warrior dare SO foul doed.
But people refuse to believe the wisdom OF the wise
schooiinaslcr and tho forester who boldly set
search ut defiance.
THE PLACES AND PERSONS OF THE LIED
Many OF the other characters and places mentioned
in the Lied eau be quite clearly traced. Whether
Hoard into the Rhine by Hagan at the modern
village OF Locbhcm, or whether the name should sig
niiy Whirlpool '.strude" OF the Rhine, either at the
Bnger Loeb at the Loreei, is quite rs unsettled
point as the whereabouts OF Brunnnilda's home The
poets equally hazy about the position OF Siegfrcds
home. he appears to have hailed from the Neither
lands Xanten but his treasures ana his Nibelungen
subjects were many days journey away-that IS most
probably III tho Land OF Romance Brunnhida is said
to be- Isensten the capital OF Issland; but where
Isenstc,n Is 1t difficult to conjecture Legend
points to u Of IsensteIns In Germany. In
fact, do think Il at all necessary
to settle these matters Let the personages OF the
Lied remain Ear IN the Land OF Romance possible.
There they ali the Interesting Wagner takes
them further still, and gives them home IN the
realms OF mythology and descent IRON tho ancient
German divinity. And tnther we must follow them II
would understand the grand ngure OF SegIrled and
the story OF the Nibeungs Ring.
NGARrEN
was but little repaid Tor my journey to Worms to
search Tor tho footprints the old Germanic legendary
heroes, and TO catch glimpse OF the lovely Rhine
daughters who (ro supposed to guard the Hoard.
Across the Rhine IRON Worms there Is a
large piece OF ground covered with trees and
grass, called the Rosengarte Tho guidebooks
say that this ground formerly an island)
sacred tho memory Of the heroes Of tho NIbeun
gem drinking glass of beer under pleasant shady
trees the rivers bank, thinking whether or not |
should take the trouble the old bridge OF boats
aud penetrate this Segtried DOMAIN. But my hostess,
with whom discussed tho matter, persuaded me to
stay where was for "Lieber Herr" said she, ut
looks much prettcr and much more romantic from
here than it docs when you got there sny here and
drink your beer In a comfortable fashion, you will be
disappointe II you go the river" So stayed
where was, and the Rosengarten is unexpored by
eft Worms a very disappointed mood and begin 10
think the Germans talk more about the Nibeungen
Lied than they shouldn't least II they want to COM
pare with tho Had they should do something toward
nnding out the places mentioned In the narrative.