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Axel and Valborg (Danish:Axel og Valborg) is a tragedy in five acts byAdam Oehlenschläger. It was written inParis in 1808 and printed inCopenhagen in 1810. There is an English translation by F. S. Kolle.
The story is taken from aDanish romantic ballad, the last verse of which Oehlenschläger used as a motto:
May God forsake the wicked wretch |
The ballad was well known throughout the Scandinavian countries long before Oehlenschläger's time. InLudvig Holberg's poem “Peder Paars,” the bailiff's wife was almost drowned in a flood of tears because parts of it had been read to her.
The whole action of the drama takes place in the famousTrondhjem Cathedral, inNorway, during the reign ofHaakon Herdebred. Axel and Valborg are cousins who love each other. In spite of thePope's dispensation removing the legal impediment, a scheming monk prevents their marriage.
In his own generation, Oehlenschläger'sAxel and Valborg was the most favored and admired of all his writings. Through it, the romantic-sentimental style of poetry gained general favor. WhenBaggesen, beginning his review in a critical and hostile spirit, reached the famous lines spoken by the pure and innocent Valborg, as she crowns her lover's initials with flowers: “I bid thee, my love, good morning,” he was absolutely carried away and praised the work in the highest terms.
A production of the play directed byMartinius Nielsen premiered at the Dagmar Theatre in Copenhagen on 22 November 1906. The cast consisted of :[1]
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