Northern mythology

64 SWEDISH TRADITIONS.
stationary on the spot where the third cock-crowing reached
their ears^ It is said to be dangerous for a person to
come in contact with such an invisible ' dagstand ' on his
way, and many are bcheved to have contracted pain and
sickness from that cause.
If the wanderer in a summer^s
evening lays himself to rest by an elf-mount, he soon hears
the tones of a harp with sweet singing. If he then promises
them redemption, he will hear the most joyful notes
resound from numerous stringed instruments ; but if he
says, " Ye have no Redeemer," then with cries and loud
lament they will dash their harps in pieces ; after which
all is silent in the mount. In the green woods and valleys,
in the meadows and on the hills, the Elves perform
their nightly ^ stimm,^ that is, play and dance, from which
cause the grass grows luxuriant and of a darker green in
circles ;
these by the people are called elf-dances, and must
not be trampled on.
In nearly all the most distinguished families of Sweden
are to be found jewels or ornaments connected with traditions
of Trolls and Elves. Thus it is related of the Statecouncillor
Harald Stake's wife, how late one summer's
evening an elf-woman came to her, who desired to borrow
her bridal dress to wear at an elfin wedding. After some
consideration the lady resolved on lending it to her. In
a few days it was returned, but set with gold and pearls
on every seam, and had hanging from it a finger-ring of
the finest gold set with the most costly stones, which afterwards,
together with the tradition, passed for several centuries
as an heirloom in the Stake family.
Among the simple country folks, even at the present
day, a bridegroom stands in dread of the envy of the Elves,
to counteract which it has long been a custom to lay in
the clothes on the wedding day certain strong-smelling
1
See vol. i. p. 8. note ^.