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

183
Dare in your song ring loudly.
You’ll not be free till ridge and height,
Fall’s dazzling sunset, spring’s clear light
Pervade the mind as well as sight,
When home’s bright meadows crowd thee.
Not free until the North’s defence
Stands firm, the south protected, —
The Dark-Age thrall-badge flung far hence
Across the Straits, rejected.
Not free till all the North is freed!
Woe, then, to him who dares concede
Mere words to brothers in dire need, —
His grave shall be neglected!
So guard your birthright with staunch pride,
When horn and flag are hailing, —
Keep night-watch at your brother’s side,
Brave fell-men, never failing!
Scan well the frontier’s mountain wall,
Spread dale to dale the beacon’s call,
For freedom’s God aids free men all, —
His cause is all-prevailing!
Henr. Ibsen
SONG
for
THE UNIVERSITY
AT THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
AT KLINGENBERG
2 nd September 1861.
Mel. Herr Peder kasted Runer.
Across the mountains misty morn came trailing;
It bore the message: Dark’s duress is failing.
The folk though saw a mirage
Far off, as in a dream,
A keep, with spires and turrets
That o’er the ridge-crest gleam.
But the ship must be sent a-sailing
To arrive at the sun-regaling
Castle Thought.
But here and there mid spruces darkly jumbling
The wise see clearly, while the folk are fumbling;
The Doomsday winter ended,
So, too dream’s listless doze, —
Then was it Norway’s May-day
In land-wide splendour rose:
Fairest sight of the fell’s profusion, —