Northern mythology

292 EPITOME OF GERMAN MYTHOLOGY.
wholly estranged from earthly life. No oblivious draught
has been given them, but the remembrance of their earthly
doings cleaves to them. Hence they gladly see again the
places frequented by them while on earth ; but they are particularly
disquieted when anything still attaches them to
earthly life. A buried treasure allows them no rest until
it is raised ^ ; an unfinished work^ an unfulfilled promise
forces them back to the upper world -.
In like manner the dead attach themselves to their
kindred and friends. Hence the belief is very general
that they will return to their home and visit them, and
that they sympathize with their lot ^. Thus a mother returns
to the upper world to tend her forsaken children "^^
or children at their parents' grave find aid, who, as higher
powers, grant them what they wish ^. Slain warriors also
rise again to help their comrades to victory ^. But it disturbs
the repose of the dead when they are too much wept
were in life and to follow the same pursuits. In ruined castles, knights
in their ancient costume hold tournaments and sit at the joyous feast ; the
priest reads mass, the wild huntsman and the robber continue their handiwork
after death. D. S. Nos. 527, 828 ; Niederl. Sagen, Nos. 422, 424,
425 ; Mones Anzeiger, 4. 307 ; Harrys, i. No. 51 et alibi.
1 Grimm, Abergl. No. 606, comp. 207, 588.
- Miiller, p. 410.
•^
In the neighbourhood of Courtrai it is a custom, when conveying a
corpse to the churchyard, to repeat a Pater noster at every crossway, that
the dead, when he wishes to return home, may be able to find the way.
Niederl. Sagen, No. 317. The dead usually re-appear on the ninth day.
Grimm, Abergl. No. 850. According to the Eyrb. Saga, c. 54, the dead
come to their funeral feast.
* For a mother that has died in childbirth the bed is to be made during
six weeks, that she may lie in it when she comes to give her child the
breast. Niederl. Sagen, No. 326.
^ Grimm, K. and H. M. No. 21. Comp. Hervarar Saga and Udvalgte
Danske Viser, i. p. 253.
6 Grimm, D. S. No. 327. Comp. Wunderhorn, i. 73, 74. The dead
also wreak vengeance. Niederl. Sagen, No. 312. It is an old behef that
if a person is nuxrdered on Allhallows' day, he can have no rest in the
grave until he has taken revenge on his murderer. lb. No. 323.