The Erlking
The flight from the Erlking.
The Erlking is an entity from European folklore. The name comes from the German Erlkönig, often translated as “Alder King”, though this may itself be a mistranslation of the Danish ellerkonge, meaning “Elf King”. Either way, he is generally depicted as a lord of the forest - and in some traditions, a King of the Faeries.
He was believed to lurk in ancient woodland, who dwells in the Black Forest in Germany, stalking any unfortunate children who lingered too long beneath the boughs of his realm. It was said he could kill mortals with a single touch, which is a strong incentive not to dawdle on your way home.
The Erlking is best known today through the poem “Der Erlkönig” (1782) by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, inspired by earlier folklore collected and discussed by Johann Gottfried Herder. The poem tells the tale of a boy being carried on horseback by his father through the night. The purpose of their journey isn’t explained, though I can only assume it’s an urgent one.
As they ride, the boy becomes increasingly fearful, insisting that they are being followed by an unnatural being. The father - clearly a deeply rational man - dismisses his son’s complaints entirely, attributing the strange sights and sounds to shadows, mist, and the wind in the trees. I don’t know about you, but I have a feeling this “father of the year” is going to regret that.
As the journey continues, the Erlking attempts to lure the boy with promises of games, fine clothes, and his daughters. Whether these poor daughters agreed to be used as bait is unclear, though if they didn’t, I can only hope they voiced their displeasure at the next family dinner.
Finally, losing patience, the Erlking declares his intention to take the boy by force. (At this point, his thinking may have been something like: If I’m going to get an ear-bending from my irate daughters, I might as well have something to show for it.)
When the father finally reaches his destination, he discovers that his beloved son is dead.
So yes - a fairly grim poem, all things considered, but an extremely effective one. The New Oxford American Dictionary describes the Erlking as “a bearded giant or goblin who lures little children to the land of death”, which feels about right.
Below is a translation of the poem from German by Edgar Alfred Bowring.
Hope you enjoy it.
Who rides there so late through the night dark and drear?
The father it is, with his infant so dear;
He holdeth the boy tightly clasp'd in his arm,
He holdeth him safely, he keepeth him warm.
My son, wherefore seek'st thou thy face thus to hide?
Look, father, the Erl-King is close by our side!
Dost see not the Erl-King, with crown and with train?
My son, 'tis the mist rising over the plain.
"Oh, come, thou dear infant! oh come thou with me!
For many a game, I will play there with thee;
On my strand, lovely flowers their blossoms unfold,
My mother shall grace thee with garments of gold."
My father, my father, and dost thou not hear
The words that the Erl-King now breathes in mine ear?
Be calm, dearest child, 'tis thy fancy deceives;
'Tis the sad wind that sighs through the withering leaves.
"Wilt go, then, dear infant, wilt go with me there?
My daughters shall tend thee with sisterly care;
My daughters by night their glad festival keep,
They'll dance thee, and rock thee, and sing thee to sleep."
My father, my father, and dost thou not see,
How the Erl-King his daughters has brought here for me?
My darling, my darling, I see it aright,
'Tis the aged grey willows deceiving thy sight.
"I love thee, I'm charm'd by thy beauty, dear boy!
And if thou'rt unwilling, then force I'll employ."
My father, my father, he seizes me fast,
For sorely, the Erl-King has hurt me at last.
The father now gallops, with terror half wild,
He grasps in his arms the poor shuddering child;
He reaches his courtyard with toil and with dread,
The child in his arms finds he motionless, dead.
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. I hope this ghostly tale has left you trembling with a pleasurable fear. If you enjoy what I do, please consider picking up a copy of either of my books, Threads of Shadow or Fireside Horror, terrifying folk-horror novels uniquely told through short stories - available on all Amazon stores, I have enclosed link to the UK & US versions below, alternatively you can just search P A Sheldon and my work should appear.
Until next week, Stay Spooky.
Link to 'Fireside Horror' - Amazon UK
Link to 'Fireside Horror' - Amazon US
Sources
Wikipedia
The New Oxford American Dictionary
britannica.com
