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Hollander: Jómsv. saga. 221
and has been noted before*). Upon a little closer examin-
ation we arrive very simply at the reason w hy Pharao’s
dream, as interpreted by Joseph, is attributed to Gorm the
Old and interpreted by fýra. Genesis chap. 41 we read
that, after Pharaoh has set Joseph as ruler over Egypt,
he called him Zaphnath paaneah, which the Vulgate (in-
correctly) translates by salvator mundi — savior of the
world. Now the historicity of queen J>yra is beyond doubt,
attested as it is in many chronicles and on the smaller
runestone of Jællinge, erected by Gorm himself. Quite as
imperishable is her title of honor ”Danmarkarbót” — savior of
Denmark. The runes say in so many words that it was she
who built the Dannevirke (the continuous fortifications de-
fending Denmark against incursions from the South) 2).
Very likely, the Icelanders, or at least the author of this
embellishment of the Jómsvikingasaga knew not why this
title was given her. Hence the wise provision here attributed
to her, against a famine 3).
The third vision of Klakharald, which turned him back
from his proposed Yule visit to king Gorm, is told as fol-
lows (H 4, 3): On the ship on which they were to cross
the Limfirth there happened to be some bitches with young.
And when they had embarked they heard the whelps bark
x) Henzen, Über die Träume in der altnordischen Litteratur, p. 39.
*) We know, to be sure, that the oldest Dannevirke was constructed
by king Godfred against Charlemagne. J>yra increased its strength.
3) It is interesting to note that, according to Snorre, (Hmsk. Ólaf Trygg-
vasons saga chap. 12) a severe famine occurred in Norway in the reign of
the sons of Gunnhild, when Harald Gråfell sails to Denmark for provisions,
much like the brothers of Joseph who journey to Egypt for grain. — As
to the oxen, the necessary association may have been furnished by local
Danish stories of water-cattle. Cf. Thiele, Danm. folkesagn II, 257, 36; E.
T. Kristensen, Danske sagn II, 155 nos. 32—33; elsewhere e. g. Campbell,
Popular Tales of the West Highlands iv p. 300 ff. Cf. also king Frode’s
death through a "sea-cow”, Saxo book v.
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