PREFACE. N the Eleventh Century Sigurd, Earl of the IN Orkney-Iflands, went with a fleet of ships and a confiderable body of troops into Ireland, to the affiftance of Sitryg with the filken beard, who was then making war on his father-in-law Brian, King of Dublin: the Earl and all his forces were cut to pieces, and Sidryg was in danger of a total defeat; but the enemy had a greater lofs by the death of Brian, their King, who fell in the action. On Christmas day, (the day of the battle,) a Native of Caithness Caithness in Scotland faw at a diftance a number of persons on horseback riding full speed towards a hill, and feeming to enter into it. Curiofity led him to follow them, till looking through an opening in the rocks he saw twelve gigantic figures resembling women: they were all employed about a loom; they wove, they fung the following dreadful Song; which when they had finished, they tore the web into twelve pieces, and (each taking her portion) gal and as Joped Six to the North and as many to the South. THE XXX THE FATAL SISTER S. AN OD E, OW the storm begins to lowr, Now (Hafte, the loom of Hell prepare,) Iron-fleet of arrowy shower r Hurtles in the darken'd air. Note-The Valkyriur were female Divinities, Servants of Odin (or Woden) in the Gothic mythology. Their name fignifies Chufers of the flain. They were mounted on fwift horfes, with drawn fwords in their hands; and in the throng of battle selected fuch as were deftined to slaughter, and conducted them to Valkalla, the hall of Odin, or paradife of the Brave; where they attended the banquet, and ferved the departed Heroes with horns of mead and ale. 9 How quick they wheel'd; and flying, Sharp fleet of arrowy shower T The noife of battle hurtled in the air. behind them shot |