Axel and Valborg

The story is taken from a Danish romantic ballad, the last verse of which Oehlenschläger used as a motto: May God forsake the wicked wretch Who two like these would part When glows a warm and mutual love In young and virtuous heart The ballad was well known throughout the Scandinavian countries long before Oehlenschläger's time.

In Ludvig 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 famous Trondhjem Cathedral, in Norway, during the reign of Haakon Herdebred.

When Baggesen, 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 by Martinius Nielsen premiered at the Dagmar Theatre in Copenhagen on 22 November 1906.