Poems and Songs Part 4

Peasants whetted axes carried, Broke th' invader's blow; Tordenskjold flashed forth and harried, Lighted home the foe.

Women oft to arms were leaping, Manlike in their deed; Others' lot was naught but weeping, Tears that brought their meed.

Many truly were we never, But we did suffice, When in times of testing ever Worthy was the prize.

For we would the land see burning, Rather than its fall; Memory our thoughts is turning Down to Fredrikshald!

Harder times we bore that tried us Were cast off in scorn; In that crisis was beside us Blue-eyed freedom born.

That gave father-strength for bearing Famine-need and sword, Honor death itself outwearing, And it gave accord.

Far our foe his weapons flinging Up his visor raised; We in wonder to him springing On our brother gazed.

Both by wholesome shame incited Southward made our way; _Brothers three_, in heart united, We shall stand for aye!

Men of Norway, high or lowly, Give to G.o.d the praise!

He our land's Defender Holy In its darkest days!

All our fathers here have striven And our mothers wept, Hath the Lord His guidance given, So our right we kept.

Yes, we love this land that towers Where the ocean foams; Rugged, storm-swept, it embowers Many thousand homes.

As our fathers' conflict gave it Vict'ry at the end, Also we, when time shall crave it, Will its peace defend.

THE CALL (FROM A HAPPY BOY)

Come calf now to mother, Come lamb that I choose, Come cats, one and t' other, With snowy-white shoes, Come gosling all yellow, Come forth with your fellow, Come chickens so small, Scarce walking at all, Come doves, that are mine now, With feathers so fine now!

The gra.s.s is bedewed, The sunlight renewed, It's early, early, summer's advancing But autumn soon comes a-dancing!

EVENING (FROM A HAPPY BOY)

Evening sun in beauty is s.h.i.+ning, Lazy puss on the step's reclining.

"Two small mice, Cream that was so nice, Four fine bits of fish, Stolen from a dish, And I'm so good and full, And I'm so lazy and dull!"

Says the p.u.s.s.y.

Mother-hen her wings now is sinking, Rooster stands on _one_ leg a-thinking: "That gray goose, High he flies and loose; But just watch, you must admit, Naught he has of rooster-wit.

Chickens in! To the coop away!

Gladly dismiss we the sun for today!"

Says the rooster.

"Dear me, it is good to be living, When life no labor is giving!"

Says the song-bird.

MARIT'S SONG (FROM A HAPPY BOY)

"Dance!" called the fiddle, Its strings loudly giggled, The bailiff's man wriggled Ahead for a spree.

"Hold!" shouted Ola And tripped him to tumbling, The bailiff's man humbling, To maidens' great glee.

"Hop!" said then Erik, His foot struck the ceiling, The beams rang their pealing, The walls gave a shriek.

"Stop!" said now Elling, And seizing him collared, He held him and hollered: "You still are too weak!"

"Hei!" said then Rasmus, Fair Randi embracing: "Be quick now in placing The kiss that you know!"

"Nay!" answered Randi.

A slapping she gave him, And from her she drave him: "Here take what I owe!"

LOVE THY NEIGHBOR (FROM A HAPPY BOY)

Love thy neighbor, to Christ be leal!

Crush him never with iron-heel, Though in the dust he's lying!

All the living responsive await Love with power to recreate, Needing alone the trying.

OYVIND'S SONG (FROM A HAPPY BOY)

Lift thy head, thou undaunted youth!

Though some hope may now break, forsooth, Brighter a new one and higher Shall throe eye fill with its fire.

Lift thy head to the vision clear!

Something near thee is calling: "Here!"-- Something with myriad voicing, Ever in courage rejoicing.

Lift thy head, for an azure height Rears within thee a vault of light; Music of harps there is ringing, Jubilant, rapturous singing.

Lift thy head and thy longing sing!

None shall conquer the growing spring; Where there is life-making power, Time shall set free the flower.

Lift thy head and thyself baptize In the hopes that radiant rise, Heaven to earth foreshowing, And in each life-spark glowing!

LOVE SONG (FROM A HAPPY BOY)

Have you love for me, Yours my love shall be, While the days of life are flowing.

Short was summer's stay, Gra.s.s now pales away, With our play will come regrowing.

What you said last year Sounds yet in my ear,-- Birdlike at the window sitting, Tapping, trilling there, Singing, in would bear Joy the warmth of sun befitting.

Litli-litli-lu, Do you hear me too, Youth behind the birch-trees biding?

Now the words I send, Darkness will attend, May be you can give them guiding.

Take it not amiss!

Sang I of a kiss?

No, I surely never planned it.

Did you hear it, you?

Give no heed thereto, Haste I make to countermand it.