the melody with the words, for the greater part set in a form of verse not previously used.  And so inseparably linked are words and melody, that it has not occurred to any one to set any other music to Bellman’s songs than what he originally chose.  He took all his characters out of the life he saw around him; and with the appreciation of the man to whom the present is everything, he seized the charm of the fleeting moment and expressed it with such simplicity and truth, and deep feeling withal, that it stands forth immortally fresh and young.  A number of these songs have probably been lost; he had no thirst for fame, and took no pains to circulate them, but they found their way to the public in written copies and cheap prints, and his name was soon known throughout the country.

This way of living and singing like the birds of the air was, however, not very conducive to the satisfaction of material wants.  He had made two attempts to go into business, but the more he was seen at the inns, the less he was seen at his business.

Fortunately for him, Gustavus III., who was himself a poet, became at this time king of Sweden.  He was an adherent of the French school of poetry, and Bellman’s muse could hardly be said to belong to this:  but with considerable talent as a dramatic writer, Gustavus appreciated the dramatic quality in Bellman’s songs; and when Bellman sent him a rhymed petition, still kept, in which he wrote that “if his Majesty would not most graciously give him an office, he would most obediently be obliged to starve to death before Christmas,” the king made him secretary of the lottery, with the title of court secretary, and a yearly income of three thousand dollars.  Bellman promptly gave half of this to an assistant, who did the work, and continued his troubadour life on the other half with a superb disdain of future needs.  His affairs so well in order, he could afford to get married; and chose for his wife Lovisa Groenlund, a girl of a bright intellect and strong character, of which she ultimately had great need, the responsibilities of their married life being left altogether to her.

Bellman was now at his best; about this time he wrote most of ’Fredman’s Songs’ and ‘Actions concerning the Chapter of Bacchus order.’ both rich in lyric gems; he was the favorite companion of the King, to whom his devotion was boundless, and he was happy in his chosen friends whose company inspired him.  Nevertheless he was now, as ever, in need of money.  Atterbom tells that “One day the King met him on the street, so poorly dressed that he instinctively exclaimed, ’My dear Bellman, how poorly you are clad!’ The poet answered with a bow, ’I can nevertheless most obediently assure your Majesty that I am wearing my entire wardrobe.’” His ready wit never left him.  “How goes the world with you?” asked the King once when they met; “you don’t look to me as if you could turn a single rhyme to-day.”  The poet bowed and replied on the spur of the moment:—­