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

Then, King! you (will) spread in newborn radiance an ancient honor over Norden's realms
and the people exultantly (will) shout your name; while brothers sink happily in brother's
embrace and decorate the double crown with a wreath of love and faith which never fail.
But if hope is disappointed, if it was only an illusion, if Denmark is left without help in
distress, Norway and Sweden will have betrayed Norden's cause, while for it many Danes
met the heroes' death.
Then hear a Norwegian's word you Danish men: let not the whole innocent people suffer;
know, many of us gladly girded their loins with the sword in order to battle by your side.
Among Norway's mountains many bosoms bleed, so many hearts blaze for you there and
never, never dies the flame of brotherhood.
Only the misery the hate's seed scatters out wakens dullness' foolish indignation, while it
threatens the nation with imagined danger! (?)
Yet one day,--you noble sons of Norway, you brave Swedish brothers! You awake! Hear
yet the battle's tumult from Denmark thunder, soon the page is turned back in destiny's
book.
Remember Schleswig was from distant bygone days a fair branch of Norden's giant oak
tree,--soon perhaps (there will) remain of Denmark only its honor as a tall stone
monument of the past.
Remember posterity will judge our conduct, let us not forget the heart's high command,
nor break Norden's noble bond of brotherhood;
Therefore work bravely by word, by writing, by sword, obey the voice of honor, of duty,
and of reason, extend to the brother-people a loving brother's hand!
POEMS FROM 1850
TO THE POETS OF NORWAY
Poets, why do you daydream for the distant past, for entombed age with its crumbling
memories, a picture as feeble as the light that rises at dawn from a cloud-veiled star?--Is
not the spark which you possess merely a gift bestowed on you to use for the people, who
demand that the skald's inspired voice interpret its sorrow, its delight and its longing?
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