Poems and Songs Part 22

Song brings us union, while gently beguiling Discord and doubt on its radiant way; Song brings us union and leads, reconciling Battle-glad pa.s.sions by harmony's sway, Unto the beautiful, valiant, and holy --Some can pa.s.s over its long bridge of light Higher and higher to visions that solely Faith can reveal to the spirit's pure sight.

Songs from the past of the past's longings telling, Pensive and sad cast a sunset's red glow; Present time's longings in sweet music dwelling, Grateful the soul of the future shall know.

Youth of all ages in song here are meeting, Sounding in tone and in word their desire; --More than we think, from the dead bringing greeting, Gather to-night in our festival choir.

ON THE DEATH OF N. F. S. GRUNDTVIG (1872) (See Note 57)

E'en as the Sibyl in Northland-dawn drew Forth from the myth-billows gliding, Told all the past, all the future so true, Sank with the lands' last subsiding,-- Prophecies leaving, eternally new, Still abiding

Thus goes his spirit the Northland before,-- Though, that he sank, we have tiding,-- Visions unfolding like sun-clouds, when o'er Sea-circled lands they are riding, Northern lands' future, till time is no more, Ever guiding.

FROM THE CANTATA FOR N. F. S. GRUNDTVIG (1872)

His day was the greatest the Northland has seen, It one was with the midnight-sun's wonders serene: The light wherein he sat was the light of G.o.d's true peace, And that has never morning, nor night when it must cease.

In light of G.o.d's peace shone the _history_ he gave, The spirit's course on earth that shall conquer the grave.

Might of G.o.d's pure peace thus our _fathers'_ mighty way Before us for example and warning open lay.

In light of G.o.d's peace he beheld with watchful eye The people at their work and the spirit's strivings high.

In light of G.o.d's pure peace he would have all learning glow, And where his word is honored the "Folk-High-Schools" must grow.

In light of G.o.d's peace stood 'mid sorrow and care For Denmark's folk his comfort, a castle strong and fair; In light of G.o.d's pure peace there shall once again be won And thousand-fold increased, what seems lost now and undone.

In light of G.o.d's peace stands his patriarch-worth, The sum and the amen of a manful life on earth.

In light of G.o.d's pure peace how his face shone, lifted up, When white-haired at the altar he held th' atoning cup.

In light of G.o.d's peace came his word o'er the wave, In light of G.o.d's pure peace sound the sweet psalms he gave.

In light of G.o.d's pure peace, as its sunbeam curtains fall To hide him from us, stands now his memory for all.

AT A BANQUET FOR PROFESSOR LUDV. KR. DAA (See Note 58)

Youthful friends here a circle form, Elder foes now surrender.

Feel among us in safety, warm, Toward you our hearts are tender.

Once again on a hard-fought day Hero-like you have led the way, Smiting all that before you stood;-- But now be good!

With no hubbub, without champagne, Dress-suit, and party-collar, We would honor o'er viands plain Grateful our "grand old scholar"!

When all quiet are wind and wave, Seldom we see this pilot brave;-- When storm-surges our s.h.i.+p might whelm, He takes the helm!

--Takes the helm and through thick and thin (Clear are his old eyes burning), Steers the course with his trusty "grin,"

Straight, where the others are turning!

Thanks gave to him I know not who, For he scolded the skipper, too!-- Back he went to his home right soon: We had the boon.

He has felt what it is to go Hated, till truth gains the battle; He has felt what it is to know Blows that from both sides rattle.

He has felt what the cost is, so Forward the present its path to show: He, whose strength had such heights attained, Stood all disdained.

Would that Norway soon grew so great That it with justice rewarded Heroes who its true weal create, Who are no laggards sordid.

Shall we always so slowly crawl, Split forever in factions small, Idly counting each ill that ails?-- No! Set the sails!

Set the sails for the larger life, Whereto our nation has power!

Daily life is with death but rife, If there's not growth every hour.

Rally to war for the cause of right, Sing 'neath the standard of honor bright, Sail with faith in our G.o.d secure, And strong endure

OH, WHEN WILL YOU STAND FORTH?

(See Note 59)

Oh, when will you stand forth, who with strength can bring aid, To strike down the injustice and lies That my house have beset, and with malice blockade Every pathway I out for my powers have laid, And would hidden means find With deceit and with hate To set watch on my mind And defile every plate In my beautiful home where defenseless we wait?

Oh, when will you stand forth? This detraction through years For my people has made me an oaf, Hides my poetry's fount in the fog of its fleers, So it merely a pool of self-wors.h.i.+p appears; Like a clumsy troll I Am contemned with affront, Whom all "cultured" folk fly, Or yet gather to hunt, That their hunger of hate at a feast they may blunt.

When I publish a book: "It is half like himself;"

If I speak, 't is for vanity's sake.

What I build in the stage-world of fancy's free elf Is but formed from my fatuous self.

When for faith I contend And our land's ancient ways, When the bridge I defend From our fathers' great days, 'Tis because my poor breast no king's "Order" displays.

Oh, when will you stand forth, who shall sunder in twain All this slander so stifling and foul, And shall sink in the sea all the terror insane That they have of heart-pa.s.sion and will-wielding brain,-- And with love shall enfold A soul's faith wide and deep, That in want and in cold Would its morning-watch keep Undismayed, till the light all the host shall ensweep?

Come, thou Spirit of Norway, G.o.d-given of yore In the stout giant-conquering Thor!

While the lightning thou ridest, thy answer's loud roar Drowns the din that the dwarfs in defiance outpour; Thou canst waken with might All our longings to soar, Thou canst strengthen in right What united we swore, When at Hafur thy standard in honor we bore.

Hail, thou Spirit of Norway! To think but of thee Makes so small all the small things I felt.

To thy coming I hallow me, wholly to thee, And I humbly look up to thy face, unto thee, And I pray for a song With thy tongue's stirring sound, That I true may and strong In the crisis be found, To rouse heroes for thee on our forefathers' ground.

AT HANSTEEN'S BIER (1873) (See Note 60)

G.o.d, we thank Thee for the dower Thou gavest Norway in his power, Whom in the grave we now shall lay!

Starlit paths of thoughts that awe us His spirit found; his deeds now draw us To deeds, as mighty magnets play.

He was the first to stand A light in our free land; Of our present the first fair crown, The first renown, At Norway's feet he laid it down.

We his s.h.i.+ning honors sharing, And humble now his body bearing, Shall sing with all the world our praise.

G.o.d, who ever guides our nation, Hath called us to a high vocation And shown where He our goal doth raise.

People of Norway, glad Go on, as G.o.d us bade!

G.o.d has roused you; He knows whereto, Though we are few.

With Him our future we shall view.

RALLYING SONG FOR FREEDOM IN THE NORTH TO "THE UNITED LEFT"

(Tirol, 1874) (See Note 61)

Dishonored by the higher, but loved by all the low,-- Say, is it not the pathway that the new has to go?