THE COLLECTED POEMS OF HENRIK IBSEN Translated by John ...

164
The foe’s strong shield-wall shattered.
For on its walls there stood arrayed
A muster, weak, but undismayed, —
And freedom’s flag on high displayed
A splendour o’er them scattered.
Keen was the Norseman peasant’s sight,
His aim a skill to treasure;
His ancient piece flashed lightning-bright,
Which gave the foe small pleasure.
But then peace breathed its summer gust;
The gun hung on the wall to rust, —
But woe should it so stay there, just
When none dare fail to measure!
No, Norway’s son is strong and free,
Would honour his extraction;
Sport once, he knows, lent dignity,
Man’s noblest satisfaction.
So cheer all those who bear away
A winner’s trophy from the fray!
Let all men shoot like these today
When time calls out for action!
Henr. Ibsen
Rifle associations were highly regarded; they recalled the volunteer militia that repelled
Sweden’s attempted invasion in 1814 to prevent Norway from establishing, at Eidsvoll, an
independent constitution. Ibsen was a member of one such association.
SONG
AT THE MILITARY BALL IN KRISTIANIA
ON KING CHARLES’S CORONATION DAY
[5 th August 1860]
Upon the King of Norway’s brow
The crown’s bright circlet’s shining;
The whole land joins the revel now,
The country, coast combining.
And though he’s far beyond our view
His name amongst his men rings true;
The King’s the soldiers’ friend, whereto
They’d swear without repining.
Behind the frontier ranges dwell
Our Swedish kin, stout-hearted;
His steel has been recorded well,
We know how it has smarted.
He’s like a greybeard, staunch in stress;
But we’ve a lad’s hot-headedness;
Combined we’d harder smite, not less, —
A thought to foes imparted!