HELIAND, a Saxon poem of the 9th century. The portion yet preserved sets forth the life of Christ as told by the four evangelists, whose various narratives the author seeks to harmonize. Itis thought to have been composed by a Saxon writer of unknown name at the request of the emperor Louis the pious. Like all the most ancient remains of Teutonic poetry, Helfand is written iu alliterative verse, of which the writer was perfect master. It is almost the only remnant of the old Saxon dialect, and has there fore a high philological value, but it is still more interesting from a literary point of view. The poet does not merely repeat his authorities; while true to the main facts of the original story, he allows his imagination to play upon them in a free and poetic spirit. He realizes intensely the incidents in the career of the Founder of Christianity, and imparts vitality and definiteness to the received conception of His character. The diction is simple and popular, but marked by an elevation of sentiment adapted to the theme, and the author often succeeds most happily in imparting to his style color, variety, and animation. The 9th c. is remarkable in the history of old English
and old Norse poetry ; the Helfand affords proof of that same impulse which operated also upon the higher minds of Germany. The historical aspects of this great work are hardly less important. Of all the German tribes the Saxons were the last to submit to the influence of Christianity. They regarded baptism as the symbol of Frankish supremacy, and clung tenaciously to the ancient Teutonic faith. It was only when Charlemagne, after more than 30 years of warfare, forced the new creed upon them that it gained acceptance by them, and then when they talked of Christ and the saints, they associated them with Woden and Thor, and took delight in the heathen poetry which had been handed down from remote periods.