Page:History of the Literature of the Scandinavian North.djvu/393

Rh element, which was natural to him, predominates in his "Emili, eller en afton i Lappland" (Emili, or an evening in Lapland). Of his epic compositions "Svante Sture," a tale in verse in Walter Scott's style, is of importance, while his "Columbus" and the fragments of the national epic, "Gustav Adolph i Tyskland," are, in spite of the many beautiful episodes, upon the whole failures. This also applies to his very discursive drama "Lappflickan i Kungsträdgarden" (The Lapp-maid in the king's park.) His talent was limited to lyrics, but there it was rich and original. He was endowed with a keen eye for the idyllic in nature and in life; he loved to dwell thereon, and knew how to clothe his thoughts in the most graceful and elegant form. His religious songs are also exquisite."

(1779-1839), "The David's harp of the North," as Tegner called him, was born in very needy circumstances, but by Herculean efforts of mind and will he raised himself to high positions and died as archbishop of Sweden. He was a man of great eloquence, giving his vigorous, pithy thoughts the most finished utterance, while his delivery was also very effective. The same qualities are also found in his hymns, many of which are of unrivalled beauty. In the excellent Swedish psalm-book, which was compiled under his direction, there are one hundred and twenty hymns by Wallin, while a large number of the others were translated or adapted by him. His last work of this kind was the touching hymn "Dödens Engel" (the angel of death). Wallin's secular poems cannot be compared with his religious songs, but still they too are marked by great warmth of feeling and an elegant style. They are partly idyllic and partly humorous. Humor seemed to be Wallin's element whenever he abandoned the religious field. By his didactic poem "Uppfostraren" (the educator), he won a prize from the Academy. His dithyrambic song, "George