cultural resources in henrik ibsen's early environment - Ibsen.net

Did not sounds echo in the night's calm from the mist yonder? Softly the waves trickle,
the birds listen from a twig; in the forest, where the elves play, everything at once
becomes hushed, between the old oaks the moon shines so bright.
Do you hear the nøkken 21 sing down by the river's edge, there where the willow tree
swings shading out over the water! There, concealed in that dark thicket, he plucks those
golden strings, and the echo sounds gentle and long in the calm night.
Nature is put in such a sad melancholy mood by the nøkken's lay; the dewdrop, just like a
tear, glistens from every blade, enveloped in light clouds the moon shines so soft,
lamenting notes twine themselves into the strange playing.
When the daylight shines up here, the nøkken dwells in the river bottom, but when the
moon in nocturnal hour ascends behind the spruce's top, you see him glide on the wave,
singing so mournfully; O could the lament tremble high above the golden star!
In the song is pious energy, that commands a sacred power: the goal you long for, though
deepest in the future laid, will one day reconcile your bosom and raise you above the
earth, then every melancholy note becomes a blissful chord!
TO THE STAR
(Dedicated to C. E.)
Pale star! Send a sign from that eternal height! Shine with friendly blazing twinkle
clearly before the eye of the soul!
Shall your dim word-pictures 22 awaken only longing, then! Yet teach me to see clearly
through the future's covering!
Scatter doubt's black cloud from my sick heart, let a dawn of blessed certainty shine
through the gloom;
My prayer is foolhardy; dare I ask for certainty! Is a son of the earth able to raise himself
from the earth?
I shall be content with faith's gentle gleams; even if truth cannot be found here, I shall
nourish hope;
21 water sprite in the shape of a horse, man, etc.
22 I.e., letters.
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