Page:History of the Literature of the Scandinavian North.djvu/423

Rh the pictures from popular life are perfect models of graphic and faithful description, and at the same time they show the finest psychological insight. This particularly applies to "Elgskyttarne," which is one of the most excellent works of this kind in existence. Runeberg displayed his lyric talent not only in a number of excellent lyric poems, but also in several lyric epic compositions, among which are "Nadeschda," a Russian subject treated with great grace and delicacy, and "Kung Fjalar," in which the world sung by Ossian is reproduced in grand outlines, that are pervaded by the idea of an inexorable tragical fate.

But Runeberg's chief work is "Fänrik Ståls sägner" (the Stories of Ensign Stål), of which the first part appeared in 1848, and the second part in 1860. He here gave his people a national work of the greatest value. In no other of his productions has his spirit unfolded fairer blossoms or soared to loftier heights of pathos than in this collection of romances describing scenes from the second Finnish war. The situations are depicted so vividly, faithfully and graphically, and the characters are drawn with such consummate skill, that they stamp themselves indelibly on the memory. Every one of these poems, each written in a metre of its own, is a master-piece, and together they are the most beautiful heroic drapa that was ever composed for or in honor of any nation. The whole collection is pervaded by a deep and warm patriotic sentiment, which is so gloriously expressed in the song, "Vårt land, våland, våfosterland," which forms the introduction to the romances. None of his other works have like this contributed so much toward making Runeberg the national poet both of Sweden and Finland, for he sings the common struggle and the common misfortune of both countries in tones that on the stranger make the impression of rare beauty, while on those who are more intimately related to the events described, they must of necessity produce a most powerful effect. Of dramatical works Runeberg has composed only the play, "Kan ej," which, though delicately writ-