Minstrelsy of the Scottish border - National Library of Scotland

THE SCOTTISH BOllDEU. 31
NOTES
ON
KEMPION.
OnEstmere crags, luhenye them climb.—P. 26. v. 2.
If by Estmere crags we are to understand the rocky cliffs of
Northumberland, in opposition to Westmoreland, we may bring
our scene of action near Bamborough, and thereby almost iden-
tify the tale of Kempion with that of the Laidleu Worm of
Spindleston, to which it bears so strong a resemblance.
/ wierd ye to afiery beast.— P. 26. v. 3.
Our ideas of dragons and serpents are probably derived from
the Scandinavians. The legends of Regnar Lodbrog, and of
the huge snake in the Edda, by whose folds the world is encircled,
are well known. Grilfins and dragons were fabled by
the Danes, as watching over, and defending hoards of gold.
Bartholin, de cans. conl. inortis, p. 490. Saxo Gi-ammaticus, lib.
2. The Edda also mentions one Fafner, %vho, transformed into
a serpent, brooded over his hidden treasures. From these
authorities, and that of Herodotus, our ISIilton draws his si-
mile
—
As when a Gryphon, through the wilderness,
With winged course, o'er hill or moory dale,
Pursues the Arimaspian, who, by stealth,
Had from his wakeful custody purloin'd
The guarded gold.
—