Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - VII - Sorø
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
Below is the raw OCR text
from the above scanned image.
Do you see an error? Proofread the page now!
Här nedan syns maskintolkade texten från faksimilbilden ovan.
Ser du något fel? Korrekturläs sidan nu!
This page has never been proofread. / Denna sida har aldrig korrekturlästs.
96
SORØ.
Chap. VII.
perhaps, had he been more regular in his attendance, he
would have already discovered the dilapidated state of the
building; so previous to his starting he gave directions
to his wife, the fair lady Inge, at that time in an
interesting condition, to rebuild the church during his
absence, and if she were brought to bed of a boy to erect
a lofty church-tower, if only a girl a spire. The lady
Inge promised obedience to the wishes of her lord, and
off he goes, followed by a numerous train of squires, to
fight the battles of his country, and perform prodigies
of valour. When the war is at an end he bends his
way homeward, and on approaching Fienneslevlille his
impatience is so great he outstrips all his train, and
arrives first alone on the brow of the hill which
overhangs the village: he strains his eyes and sees not one
tower, but two,—the lady Inge has given birth to twin
boys during his absence,—and on arriving at his castle
half mad with joy (education cost nothing in those days)
he embraced his wife, exclaiming, “ Oh thou noble lady
Inge ; thrice honoured be thou : thou art a ‘ Dannewif’! ”
(a woman who first bears twin sons to her husband is
termed a Dannewif). And these twins grew up to be the
most celebrated characters of their century—Absalon*
* His Danish name was Axel, but, after the fashion of the day, it was
Latinized into Absalon. Absalon was elected Bishop of Roeskilde in
1158. In assuming the episcopal crosier, he did not lay down the
sword he had so often drawn to chastise the Wends. He left his
episcopal palace to fall to decay, whilst he built upon the shores of
his island-diocese rude huts, where he watched night and day, guarding
his flock like a true shepherd against the heathen wolves. Even in
the dead of winter he cruised along the coasts of Zealand to interrupt
the sea-rovers, and was often called from the altar, where he was
performing divine service, to march against them. He was once preparing
to celebrate Palm-Sunday at Roeskilde, when information was suddenly
brought him that a powerful band of Wends had landed from their
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
