interesting manner. One gets the genuine savour of
romantic saga-lore.

Finally, a word of WOLFDIETRICH, a popular medi-
'val poem of which there are several versions in different
stages of completeness. The story has no connection with
the Dietrich-saga, though its hero is represented as an
ancestor of Dietrich, but sprang from the same soil that
produced King Rother. It is an ancient blend of Gothic,
Lombard, and Byzantine saga, retold in Nibelung stan-
zas by a poet, or rather by several poets, of the thir-
teenth century. Wolfdietrich is the son of Hugdietrich,
the Byzantine emperor. Lending his ear to a wicked
intriguer, the father disowns his little son and sends him
to Duke Berchtung of Meran to be put to death. But the
duke is moved to pity and love for the wonderful child,
saves his life, and in time becomes his faithful liegeman.
When the story of the boy's rescue reaches Constantinople,
Hugdietrich pardons Berchtung, but as he has already
divided his kingdom among his other sons there remains
no portion for Wolfdietrich. The landless prince must
conquer a kingdom for himself, and he proceeds to do so.
In the battles with his brother, and the other adventures
that befall him in pursuit of his object, he is loyally aided
by Duke Berchtung and his sixteen sons. Such of these
as survive reap the reward of faithful service when Wolf-
dietrich finally triumphs.

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