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

soon? Harp notes wafted through the soul, deep in the mind's temple it was sabbath; now
the tone-wave has changed with a deathly sigh through the heart's night!
The mind-castle lies in ruins stone upon stone on the heart's barren soil; but now at its
mistress' steps the hall rises in the hour of night; from that mournful vanished kingdom
she reaches me gently that full chalice and the pale clouds of memory ascend ethereally
from their catafalque. 25
Oh, then I shall dream gently and ramble through the castle in the silent night, pious
memory blossoms I shall pluck, to keep them, as the heart's best treasure> Come then,
cold Present! with all your pain, settle winter-like around my breast; a temple stands
spring-like in my heart; there has memory built its tent!
VACANT LODGING
Little girl! would you like to move into a faithful breast? See, I have a bright and cozy
room in my heart's cottage, but I live there so sad and so lonely; I surely believe that
within the hut's walls there can be found room enough for us both!
To be sure, so many little girls peek inside the door in passing, but the visit makes the
cottage emptier than before; she has curtsied farewell, thanked kindly for the evening; she
is forgotten and yet--the visit has increased my boredom.
No, that will not do any longer, I take that for granted! If you like, move in at once,
conclude a contract with me for life. We’ll probably agree on the rent, just come, little
girl! Come, let the sun, before it sinks, see us as roommates!
The cottage is certainly no hall where a party's noises resound, it is plain, a summer
hunting lodge; it even lacks winter heating; here on the wall is only one picture,--it is my
portrait. If you agree, I shall paint a friendly little angel beside it.
Then the hut will be redecorated, it will be tidied up inside, then I shall no longer find the
heart's cottage sad and empty; everyone will smile Sunday-like, life will slip by like a
poem, I shall be at peace if you are pleased to be my room's best ornament!
THE SKALD IN VALHALLA
(At the news of Oehlenschlæger's death.)
25 An ornamental structure sometimes used for the lying-in-state of a body; also a pall-covered coffinshaped
structure used at requiem masses celebrated after burial.
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