Ebook Northern Mythology, Comprising the Principal Popular Traditions and Superstitions of Scandinavia, North Germany, and the Netherlands

Two young damsels went together to take the sacra ment, having partaken of which, and while still by the altar, one said to the other: Do you go to the wedding this evening? Don't speak of it, said her companion; but she continued: I shall go, and dance till I am tired I could dance myself dead to-day. In the evening, while at the wedding-party and in the height of the dancing, a tall, comely young gentleman entered, whom no one knew, who invited her to dance. At first they danced quite soberly, but by degrees more and more madly, and even when the musicians made a pause they continued without intermission. To the rest of the company this seemed mysterious, and they caused a song to be struck up, in the h0pe of bringing them to a stand. But the stranger danced with the damsel out at the door and vanished. The girl was found in a dung-pit, into which she sank in the sight of all. It was believed that her mother had, while she was a child, sold her to the devil.