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

178
Became my most sacred need. —
The space here now is lighter,
There’s height beneath the roof —
And time is pointing onward,
A dawning sky the proof;
But who can have forgotten
That childhood wretchedness;
Child-labour was enlisted
To save the house, no less!
And down came the ancient structure,
Today, in the rubble’s stead,
There rises a finer building,
Much lighter, with space overhead;
Whence comes a thought that’s soothing
‘Mid the stresses of time, the strain:
I too played a part, supplying
My stone to the work in train.
So thanks for the tonic potion
Provided so cordially!
Thanks for each glowing reflection
I carry through life with me!
Hard I shall strive, with ambition,
Though it come brief and short,
On, to the temple of Vision,
Up, to the stronghold, Thought!
Henr. Ibsen
The Norwegian Theatre was comprehensively redesigned and refurbished during the summer
of 1860. It was reopened on October 11 th with an orchestral overture conducted by the
famous violinist Ole Bull, who also, after the reading of a prologue, played to the audience.
PERIL AT SEA
(Written March 1861)
With surf-troubled holms and no trees to boast,
It shows pretty grim, does Norway’s coast,
The western approach most dourly;
Close in, though, you’ll find many bays disposed,
Sun-warmed and sparkling and snugly enclosed,
Where your anchor will hold securely.
There you’ve a shelter of leaning trees;
Fields that resemble the very seas,
Their crops waving golden-mellow.
In by the quay where the flag is seen,
Tucked under the slope on a thin patch of green,
Wooden houses stand, red and some yellow.