Poems and Songs Part 23

By those who ought to guard it betrayed, oh yes, betrayed,-- Say, is it not thus truth ever progress has made?

Some summer day beginning, a murmur in the grain, It grows to be a roaring through the forests amain, Until the sea shall bear it with thunder-trumpets' tone, Where nothing, nothing's heard but it alone, it alone.

With Northern allies warring we take the Northern For G.o.d and for our freedom--is the watchword we bring.

That G.o.d, who gave us country and language, and all, We find Him in our doing, if we hear and heed His call.

That doing we will forward, we many, although weak, 'Gainst all in fearless fighting, who the truth will not seek:-- Some summer day beginning, a murmur in the grain, It goes now as a roaring through the forests amain.

'T will grow to be a storm ere men think that this can be, With voice of thunder sweeping o'er the infinite sea.

What nation G.o.d's call follows, earth's greatest power shall show, And carry all before it, though it high stand or low.

AT A BANQUET GIVEN TO THE DEPUTATION OF THE SWEDISH RIKSDAG TO THE CORONATION, IN TRONDHJEM, JULY 17, 1873 (See Note 62)

You chosen men we welcome here From brothers near.

We welcome you to Olaf's town That Norway's greatest mem'ries crown, Where ancient prowess looking down With searching gaze, The question puts to sea and strand: Are men now in the Northern land Like yesterday's?

'T is well, if on the battlefield Our "Yes" is sealed!

'T is well, if now our strength is steeled To grasp our fathers' sword and s.h.i.+eld And in life's warfare lift and wield For G.o.d and home!

For us they fought; 't is now our call To raise for them a temple-hall, Fair freedom's dome.

List to the Northern spirit o'er Our sea and sh.o.r.e!

Here once high thoughts in word were freed, In homely song, in homely deed; And ever shall the selfsame need That spirit sing: Heed not things trivial, foreign, new; Alone th' eternal, Northern, true Can harvest bring.

O brother-band, this faith so dear Has brought us here?

The spirit of the North to free, Our common toil and prayer shall be, Those greater days again to see,-- As once before, Of home and trust a message strong To send the warring world we long Forevermore.

OPEN WATER!

Open water, open water!

All the weary winter's yearning Bursts in restless pa.s.sion burning.

Scarce is seen the blue of ocean, And the hours seem months in motion.

Open water, open water!

Smiles the sun on ice defiant, Eats it like a shameless giant: Soon as mouth of sun forsakes it, Swift the freezing night remakes it.

Open water, open water!

Storm shall be the overcomer Sweeping on from others' summer Billows free all foes to swallow,-- Crash and fall and sinking follow.

Open water, open water!

Mirrored mountains are appearing, Boats with steam and sail are nearing, Inward come the wide world's surges, Outward joy of combat urges.

Open water, open water!

Fiery sun and cooling shower Quicken earth to speak with power.

Soul responds, the wonder viewing: Strength is here for life's renewing.

SONG OF FREEDOM TO "THE UNITED LEFT"

(1877) (See Note 63)

Freedom's father--power strong, Freedom's mother--wrath and song.

Giant-stout, a youth self-taught, Soon a giant's work he wrought.

Ever he, full of glee, Thought and wit and melody, Mighty, merry, made his way,-- Labor's toil or battle-fray.

Enemies whom none could tell Lay in wait this foe to fell, Found him waking all too stark, Sought his sleeping hours to mark, Tried their skill, bound him still; When he wakened, they fared ill.

Glad he forward strode firm-paced, Full of power, full of haste.

Bare fields blossom 'neath his feet, Commerce swells about his seat, From his fire gleam thought-rays bright,-- All things doubled are in might!

For the land law he planned, Keeps it, guards with head and hand, Of all rue and error quit, Crus.h.i.+ng him who injures it.

Freedom's G.o.d is G.o.d of light, Not the bondsman's G.o.d of fright,-- G.o.d of love and brotherhood, Springtime's hope and will for good.

To earth's ends _peace_ He sends!

Heed the words His law commends: "One your Lord, and I am He, Have no other G.o.ds but Me!"

TO MOLDE (See Note 64)

Molde, Molde, True as a song, Billowy rhythms whose thoughts fill with love me, Follow thy form in bright colors above me, Bear thy beauty along.

Naught is so black as thy fjord, when storm-lashes Sea-salted scourge it and inward it dashes, Naught is so mild as thy strand, as thine islands, Ah, as thine islands!

Naught is so strong as thy mountain-linked ring, Naught is so sweet as thy summer-nights bring.

Molde, Molde, True as a song, Murm'ring memories throng.

Molde, Molde, Flower-o'ergrown, Houses and gardens where good friends wander!

Hundreds of miles away,--but I'm yonder 'Mid the roses full-blown.

Strong s.h.i.+nes the sun on that mountain-rimmed beauty, Fast is the fight, let each man do his duty.

Friends, who your favor would never begrudge me, Gently now judge me!-- Only with life ends the fight for the right.

Thought flees to you for a refuge in light.

Molde, Molde, Flower-o'ergrown, Childhood's memories' throne.

Oh, may at last In thine embrace, life's fleeting Conflict past, Glad thine evening-glory greeting, --Where life let thought awaken,-- My thought by death be taken!

+ PER BO (1878)

Once I knew a n.o.ble peasant From a line of men large-hearted.

Light and strength were in his mind, Lifted like a peak clear-lined O'er the valley in spring suns.h.i.+ne, First to feel the morning's beam, First refreshed by cloud-born stream.

Wide the springtime spread its banner, Waving in his will illumined, Bright with promise, color-sound; Heritage of toil its ground.

Round that mountain music floated, Songsters sweet of faith and hope Nestled on its tree-clad slope.

Sometime, sometime all the valley Like him shall with light be flooded; Sometime all his faith and truth Sunward grow in dewy youth, And the dreams he dreamt too early Live and make him leader be For a race as true as he.