Chapter V: Epilogue

'T is but a short time since we saw pass by A picture drawn from life, austere and dark, A soul in servitude to strong desires; And all its life in prison-labor spent. Although religion prays and sings its hymns, And poetry and art their sunshine spread, That soul in slavery toils, till white the hair.

She, in whose memory we gather here, Was early made to feel by hard conditions, That clouded life and rudely barred her soul,-- How men and women live as toiling slaves! And she rebelled against this servitude; Great powers have birth to longings for the light; _Freedom she craved, that others she might free!_ With restless spirit outward went her quest To people, books; but thoughtful she became, As one whose search was vain; reserved and shy, As one whose courage fails;--until one day _He_, who from fairy-tale and hero-legend That wondrous bow received of magic might, Stood up and to the vale and mountain played: "Come forth, come from our nation's heart-deep forth, Creative might, that in our nation's morning Didst lift its image up to dread, to greatness, In myths of Asas fair and giants grim! As mountain-walls lean o'er their own reflection, In that thought-ocean we our life could see, With spring, with winter, and with spring again. Thou gav'st our image oft in song and story, In times of darkness and in times of light; Our image meets us wheresoe'er we go,-- But yet our nation sees it not, nor looks Up from its toiling thoughts and dull routine!-- Oh, wake it, lift it, _make it see itself!_ Then shall it put to use the powers it owns!"

And living echoes answered! Lo, there swarmed Elves of the Stage about him, as he played! They made the lamps to burn, and reared the grotto, They brought and brushed the costumes Holberg knew, And in them played their pranks 'neath powdered wigs,-- Roamed on the mountains of a summer night And stole the saeter-maiden while she slept, And filled with mortal fear the aged wooer! They danced the goblin-dance in dusk of winter, Played hide-and-seek with their own shadows; They snared the hypocrite in his own sighs, In his own web the pettifogger bound; They scattered wide the hoard a miser gathered, They tripped and threw the petty parish-pope They saved the tears of innocence seduced And on the altar laid as lustrous pearls; They melted hatred in the ice-hard breast, It fell as rain upon the enemy's fields; They bound the slanderer, Mazeppa-like, Upon the back of his wild calumnies;-- The crafty man of stealthy selfishness They set afloat within an open boat;-- But one who freely gave himself, his all, They bore to heaven upon their joyous laughter. They drew the magic ring round those who loved, And to the altar led the blushing pair. They brought heroic forms from barrows old To tower in might among the teeming present. --There was not one could longer rest in peace; Himself, his folly, all our country's need, Wholeness victorious, halfness doomed to fail, The power of honest faith, the wreck of doubt,-- All this our nation saw in its own image, When strongly lighted on the Stage 't was set.--

And she was part of this! The first full tone Thrilled her breast too and woke a thousand mem'ries Of something that she ne'er before had known! On that first evening, when the curtain rose, With timid step one clad in white came forth And begged for Norway's art, for our young drama A home in Norway,--but with so great fear, The gentle voice was trembling, dim the eyes; Yet from the voice, the eyes, the form, the bearing Was heard a promise in sweet modesty; For she who spoke those first words on this Stage, That maiden dark with eyes so deep and true, Lo, it was she!

And soon her art shone clear And softly radiant through the evening hours.-- With fairy lightness fell its magic gleams On hidden longings, sorrows half-concealed,-- But gently, tenderly. If joy she touched, 'T was always softly. But we all could feel A stream of power so full, that if she had In an unguarded hour let it flow free With all its deep and swelling tide sincere, It would have borne herself from earth away.

In truth, the calmness of her course through life Was never weakness, but was strength controlled; Was never fear, but veneration deep For those whose souls are great: a model she For noble women as for forceful men,-- This wreath we weave for her pure memory.

But what she thus had early taught herself, She taught to others. When upon the stage She stood, depicting woman's painful conflict With rudeness, violence, and wild desire, Then,--though she wielded but a woman's weapons, Her silent dignity, her subtle smile, Her light derision, all-subduing laughter,-- A spirit-dawn gleamed from their flashing play, To usher in a day of victory. She barriers raised around the woman weak (Down-trodden in a half-built social order), She stood forth here so many an evening-hour And talked to thousands of a woman's worth. though her call was not fully to free All that a woman's heart may hope and dream, She shielded it secure in all its beauty.

This conflict made her reticent, severe;-- But sometimes in a song her spirit could Send forth glad tidings, messages of freedom, Her large free soul revealing. _Then_ we heard Such longing after full, unbroken peace, Our thoughts were captive held by sad foreboding.--

'T is now come true!--The crape of mourning droops About her name, the tolling bell is still. Her final summons gather us once more Before her stage, and here our thanks we utter For what she gave us. So as _she_ had given, Has no one given. She gave of her sorrow, With bleeding heart beneath her winsome smile. She shared with us the tears her conflict brought, The radiant glory of her victory.

Thanks, prayer-borne thanks, you noble soul, From all your brothers, from your sisters all! From Norway's youthful art enduring thanks! From women to their pure interpreter Farewell and thanks!--From all those whom you lifted On pinions of the spirit high to beauty Once more a wreath is brought,--it is the last.

_(Laying it before the bust)_ Now God in His bright heaven makes you glad, And we will make you glad with good remembrance.

CHORUS
_(Behind the scenes, softly)_
Farewell, farewell!
Now in your grave
No want is known;
But what you gave,
We ever own.
Your spirit's seed
Shall blossom here,
Bear fruit in deed,
And sad hearts cheer.

TO JOHAN DAHL, BOOKDEALER (ON HIS SIXTIETH BIRTHDAY) (See Note 31)

Our glasses we lift now and drink to our host!
"Hurrah!"
Give heed to our ditty, we sing you our toast!
"Aha!"
The first thing appearing is what he was nearing,
When uproar not fearing he came for a hearing
'Fore skerry-bred eagle
And Wergeland regal.
Oh! Ha!

He came like an innocent spring-lambkin ewe-born,
Oh, woe!
So neat and so fine in his guilelessness new-born
Like snow.
The flesh so delicious was chopped up to farce-meat,
And later by Wergeland found for a farce meet,
And gayly 't was swallowed,
And all the bones hollowed
And strown.

But swift as Thor's he-goats to life again skipping,
He sprang
Whole skinned together, and gave them a whipping
That rang.
This made him seem worthy to join the gay party,
At once they received him in fellowship hearty!
And soon was no other
More loved as a brother
Than Dahl.

The light from his shop spread afar and made brighter
Our day.
His drawing-room gathered so many a fighter
In play.
Our taste there was made and our critical passion,
The shop was a power, new Norway to fashion.
Though little, its story
Shall some time in glory
Be writ.

For what you have kindled, endured, and aspired,
Our thanks!
For hearts you have gladdened and souls you have fired,
Our thanks!
For all your good faith in your fervor and ranting,
Yes, for your whole-heartedness free from all canting,
You whimsical, queer one,
Old fellow, you dear one,
Our thanks!

TO SCULPTOR BORCH (ON HIS FIFTIETH BIRTHDAY) (See Note 32)

With friends you stalwart stand and fair, To-day of fifty years the heir; The past your works rejoicing praise, But forward goes your gaze. Your childlike faith, your spirit true, Your hand that never weary grew, A home's sweet music, love of wife, Make ever young your life.

You dared believe with heart alive That here in Norway art can thrive. You forced the hardness of our stones To harmony of tones. You laid our wild world's secrets bare And caught "The Hunter" near the lair. Our nation's moods, of beauty born, Your "Girl with Eggs" adorn.

As o'er a slope's snow-covered brow A youth came swiftly flying now, You saw him, raised your hand, and lo! He stood there, chiseled snow. But your "Ski-runner's" courage good, It was your own, when forth you stood Art's champion by the world unawed, And with your faith in God.

You won your victory supreme Through rock-like faith and will's full stream While with unnumbered hours of rest Your love has others blessed. Were all now here from west and east Whose hearts you own, oh, what a feast! From Akershus the convicts e'en Would bear a freeman's mien.

Now we whose lives with good you filled For you to-day a palace build, On heights of heart's-ease lifting square Its golden tower of prayer. In peace you oft shall dwell in it, Whene'er you need to rest a bit, And feel through them who hold you dear Yourself to heaven near.

Long since our country to you gave The meed of thanks that most you crave; It gave a maid with golden hair, Its springtime's image fair. She came from where the fairies dwell, With nixie's charm and wood-nymph's spell, With peace all holy, sweet, and calm, To sing of life the psalm.

So may your life yet long endure To light our gland, your home secure! May all that from your heart you gave, Still blossom on your grave! May God's protecting mercy hold Your spirit ever fresh and bold,-- May He to genius oft impart Just such a mind and heart!

THE SPINNER

Oh, what was it he meant
By his question as he went?
"I am making a loom,
'T will be up in April's bloom;
If you think it may be,
Spin for me!"

Oh, what shall I believe?
Does he think himself to weave?
And the yarn that I spin,
Lo, he thinks to weave it in?
And so soon as the Spring
Flowers shall bring?

And he laughed when he'd done;
Oh, he is so full of fun.
Dare I trust all my skein
To so young and wild a swain?--
May God help to bind in
All I spin!

THE WHITE ROSE AND THE RED ROSE

The white rose and the red rose, So sisters two were named, yes, named. The white one was so quiet, The red one laughed and flamed. But different was their doing, yes, When came the time of wooing, yes. The white one turned so red, so red, The red one turned so white.

For him the red one favored, Him father would not bless, not bless. But him the white one favored, He got at once his "Yes." The red one now was paling, yes, With sorrow, psalms, and wailing, yes. The white one turned so red, so red, The red one turned so white.

Then father grew so fearful And had to give his "Yes," oh, yes! With songs and music cheerful The wedding rang, oh, yes! And soon sprang children rosen, yes, In shoes and little hosen, yes. The red one's, they were white,--and oh, The white one's, they were red.

YOUTH Mood of youth, Mood of youth, Eagle-like must seek the blue, Dauntlessly its course pursue, All the mountain-heights must view. Blood of youth, Blood of youth, Steam-like puts full-speed to sea, E'en though storm and ice there be, Makes its way and romps in glee. Dream of youth, Dream of youth, Rogue-like stealing sets its snare In the maiden's morning-prayer; All the springtime, fragrant, glowing, In its airy waves is flowing. Joy of youth, Joy of youth, Waterfall-like foams in truth, Laughing, rainbow-gifts forth flashing, Even while to death 't is dashing. Joy of youth, Dream of youth, Blood of youth, Mood of youth, Clothe the world with colors golden, Singing songs that never olden.

THE BLONDE MAIDEN

Though _she_ depart, a vision flitting,
If I these thoughts in words exhale:
I love you, you blonde maiden, sitting
Within your pure white beauty's veil.
I love you for your blue eyes dreaming,
Like moonlight moving over snow,
And 'mid the far-off forests beaming
On something hid I may not know.

I love this forehead's fair perfection
Because it stands so starry-clear,
In flood of thought sees its reflection
And wonders at the image near.
I love these locks in riot risen
Against the hair-net's busy bands;
To free them from their pretty prison
Their sylphs entice my eyes and hands.

I love this figure's supple swinging
In rhythm of its bridal song,
Of strength and life-joy daily singing
With youthful yearnings deep and long.
I love this foot so lightly bearing
The glory of sure victory
Through youth's domain of merry daring
To meet first-love that hers shall be.

I love these hands, these lips enchanting,
With them the God of love's allied,
With them the apple-prize is granting,
But guards them, too, lest aught betide.
I love you and must say it ever,
Although you heed not what you've heard,
But flee and answer: maidens never
May put their trust in poet's word.

THE FIRST MEETING (FROM THE FISHER MAIDEN)

The first fond meeting holy Is like the woodbirds' trilling, Is like a sea-song thrilling, When red the sun sinks slowly,-- Is like a horn on mountain, That wakes time's sleep thereunder And summons to life's fountain To meet in nature's wonder.

GOOD-MORNING (FROM THE FISHER MAIDEN)

Day's coming up now, joy's returned, Sorrow's dark cloud-castles captured and burned; Over the mountain-tops glowing Light-king his armies is throwing. "Up now, up now!" calls the bird, "Up now, up now!" child-voice heard, Up now my hope in sunshine. "

MY FATHERLAND (FROM THE FISHER MAIDEN)

I will fight for my land,
I will work for my land,
Will it foster with love, in my faith, in my child.
I will eke every gain,
I will seek boot for bane,
From its easternmost bound to the western sea wild.

Here is sunshine enough,
Here is seed-earth enough,
If by us, if by us all love's duty were done.
Here is will to create;
Though our burdens be great,
We can lift up our land, if we all lift as one.

In the past we went wide
O'er the sea's surging tide,
And the Norman's high walls stand on many a shore.
But our flag flies its way
Ever farther to-day
And is red with life's vigor as never before.

Great our future shall be;
For the Northern lands three
Shall unite once again and their true selves shall know.
Give your strength and your deed,
Where you nearest see need,
As a brook to the river that forward shall flow.

Yes, this land where we dwell,
Oh, we love it so well,
All was, all it is, all it can be again.
As our love had its birth
In this homeland's dear earth,
Shall the seed of our love bring it increase again.

CHOICE (See Note 33)

April for me I choose! In it the old things tumble, In it things new refresh us; It makes a mighty rumble,-- But peace is not so precious As that his will man shows.

April for me I choose, Because it storms and scourges, Because it smiles and blesses, Because its power purges, Because it strength possesses,-- _In it the summer grows._

NORWEGIAN SEAMEN'S SONG (FOR THE STAVANGER REGATTA, 1868) (See Note 34)

Norwegian seamen are A folk grown strong 'neath sail and spar; Where boats can find a way, The best men there are they. On high seas or at home, In calm or when the storm-waves comb, To God their prayer they make, Their lives they gladly stake.

Incessant is their strife, They wage with death a war for life, And dear their souls they sell In conflicts none can tell. All that is commonplace In history seldom leaves its trace, And often none is there, The tidings home to bear.

But fishing-boats in need Have shown so many a daring deed Of courage fine and skill, Though unrecorded still. And many a seaman's head A wreath of sea-weed wore when dead, Whose name should shine in gold Among great heroes bold.

Saint Olaf's Cross's praise Would on that pilot fitly blaze Who saved a hundred men, And hundred once again. To many a boy so young, Who riding home to boat's keel clung, His father set on board, We honor should accord.

In Norway's mountain-coast Our land's own mother-breast we boast, With food for us and tears For sons whom danger nears. In it each deed has lot, And there no brave son is forgot, From Hafurfjord's great day To the last castaway.

This each one felt and found Who homeward came and looked around; This each one felt who went, In the last look he sent. They felt the ocean o'er: Their ships our country's fortune bore; Honor and power it sought,-- And these the white sails brought.

Hurrah for them to-day Who the Norwegian flag display! Hurrah for pilots true Who forth to meet them flew! Hurrah for them who ply Their fishing-boats 'twixt sea and sky! Hurrah for all our boast, Our skerry-skirted coast!

HALFDAN KJERULF (1868) (See Note 35)

Winter had sought his life's tree to o'erthrow, Youthful and strong. But his blood's vernal flow Saved it from death through the cold and the maiming; Late in the summer bright flowers were flaming, Late in the autumn they swelled to completeness,-- Fruits that were few, but of fragrance and sweetness.

Poets received them to endless seed-sowing, Where for his folk endless summer is glowing,-- While more and more, Stricken he hung o'er the death-river's shore, Fighting in weakness the winter abhorred, Fighting for summer, the singer's reward, Fighting while failing, with modesty rare, Soon but in prayer.

Summer received him! He now is victorious! Now, while they harvest the yellowing corn, Now, while the hills hear the notes of the horn, _He_ enters glorious.

Mirrored in him is true poetry's force, Marked by our winter, in summer its source. E'en as the air with its quivering sheen, Leaves of the forests and red peaks serene, Waters that wander 'mid meadows delaying Sound with the music the sunshine is playing,-- Poetry also shall leap with new life, If it, though failing, is faithful in strife:-- Leap from death's thronging:-- _Soon comes the summer with summer's pure longing._

NORWEGIAN STUDENTS' GREETING WITH A PROCESSION

TO PROFESSOR WELHAVEN (See Note 36)

Hear us, O age-laden singer! Streams of your tones are returning, Touching your heart! Spirit of youth is their bringer, Under your window with yearning Called by your art. Now our soul's echoes abounding Soar in the blue, In the sun-shimmering blue, High where your silvery song-notes are sounding.

Smile on your labor now lightened, You who in winter perfected Seeds to be sown! All that your courage has brightened, All that your pity protected, Now it is grown; Over your shoulders upswinging, Folds round your frame, Bringing in roses your name, Joyous the sprite of your poetry bringing.

Onward our life is now marching, Banner-like high thoughts are flying, Lifted to view. One 'mid the foremost o'erarching Leads where the pathway is lying,-- It came from you! Runes of our past with their warning Carved on its shaft, Show us the spring you have quaffed, Leading our land to the light of the morning.

FOR A CHARITY FAIR (IN A COPY OF MINOR PIECES)

Some poor man in need To bless and to feed, I bring at its worth, This day of my birth, A book,--from my youth I must own. But Who in His power Gave bud and gave flower, To bread can transform In want's winter-storm Each leaf that my Springtime has grown.

FORWARD (See Note 37)

"Forward! forward!"
Rang our fathers' battle-cry.
"Forward! forward!"
Norsemen, be our watchword high!
All that fires the spirit and makes the heart's faith bright,
For that we forward go with might
And faithful fight.

"Forward! forward!"
Whoso loves a home that's free.
"Forward! forward!"
Freedom's course must ever be.
Though it shall be tested by doubt and by defeat,
Who will the losses' count repeat
When vict'ries greet?

"Forward! forward!"
Whoso trusts in Norway's day.
"Forward! forward!"
Whoso goes our fathers' way.
Hid in Northern mountains are spirit-treasures true
They shall, when dawns the morning's blue,
Come forth anew.

THE MEETING (AT THE STUDENT MEETING OF 1869) (See Note 38)

Thoughts toward one another coursing
To their pole must run,
Hearts that meet, all bonds are forcing,
Like the springtime sun.
Though to-day too heavy sorrow
Dull the mind of youth,
Higher on the meeting's morrow
Roll the tides of truth.

Though each man with courage fired
Hundreds forward bore,
Though a thousand died inspired,
There is need of more.
May a Northern Spring come blowing
Over wood and field,
Wake the hundred thousands, knowing
Meeting-hour revealed!

Hail! A Northern day is written
In the brightening sky;
Darksome dread, that erst had smitten,
Flees, now dawn is nigh.
After Gjallar-horn blasts hollow,
Tears and shame and blood,
As so often, now shall follow
Full the spirit's flood.

In our people's life deep-seated
This is felt each day:
Who grows stronger when defeated,
Victor stands for aye.
Our Spring-meeting's fullness swells now,
Bearing prophecy
Of the Spring whose hope upwells now:
Hail, the Northern three!

NORSE NATURE (IN RINGERIKE DURING THE STUDENT MEETING OF 1869) (See Note 39)

We wander and sing with glee Of glorious Norway, fair to see. Let sweetly the tones go twining In colors so softly shining On mountain, forest, fjord, and shore, 'Neath heaven's azure arching o'er.

The warmth of the nation's heart, The depth, the strength, its songs impart, Here opens its eyes to greet you, Rejoicing just now to meet you, And giving, grateful for the chance, In love a self-revealing glance.

Here wakened our history first, Here Halfdan dreamed of greatness erst, In vision of hope beholding The kingdom's future unfolding, And _Nore_ stood and summons gave, While forth to conquest called the wave.

Here singing we must unroll Of our dear land the pictured scroll! Let calm turn to storm of wildness, Bring might into bonds of mildness: Then Norsemen mustering, each shall see This is our land's whole history.

To them first our way we wing, The hundred harbors in the spring, Where follow fond love and yearning, When sea-ward the ships are turning. For Norway's weal pure prayers exhale From sixty thousand men that sail.

See sloping the skerried coasts, With gulls and whales and fishing-posts, And vessels in shelter riding, While boats o'er the sea are gliding, And nets in fjord and seines in sound, And white with spawn the ocean's ground.

See Lofoten's tumult grand, Where tow'ring cliffs in ocean stand, Whose summits the fogs are cleaving, Beneath them the surges heaving, And all is darkness, mystery, dread, But 'mid the tumult sails are spread.

Here ships of the Arctic sea; Through snow and gloom their course must be; Commands from the masthead falling The boats toward the ice are calling; And shot on shot and seal on seal, And souls and bodies strong as steel.

On mountains we now shall guest, When eventide to all brings rest, In dairy on highland meadow, On hay-field 'neath slanting shadow, While to the alphorn's tender tone Great Nature's voice responds alone.

But quickly we must away, If a11 the land we would survey,-- The mines of our metal treasures, The hills of our hunters' pleasures, The foam-white river's rush and noise, The timber-driver's foot-sure poise.

Returning, we linger here, These valleys broad to us are dear, Whose men in their faithful living To Norway are honor giving; Their fathers, strong in brain and brawn, Lent luster to our morning-dawn.

We wander and sing with glee Of glorious Norway fair to see. Our present to labor binds us, Each how of the past reminds us, Our future shall be sure and bright, As God we trust and do the right.