“Oh, just come up so near, that I know you by the scent! Think not that by your jaw to earth I shall be bent!" When first they met, 't was scarce a bout at all, The second time Hans Bugge slipped his hold. The third time Hans fell headlong, and forth the blood did spurt. "Why spit you now so much, man?"—"Oh my, that fall did hurt!" Saw you a tree casting shadows on new-fallen snow? Have you seen Tailor Nils when the dance he commences? Are you a maiden, then go!—It's too late, when you've lost your senses. And all the little birds sang right merrily their lay: "Midsummer Day Brings us laughter and play; But later know I little, if she twines her wreath so gay!" She twined him a wreath of the flowers blue: "My eyes for you!" He tossed it and caught it and to her did bend: "Good-by, my friend!" And loudly he exulted at the field's far distant end: "Midsummer Day Brings us laughter and play; But later know I little, if she twines her wreath so gay!" She twined him a wreath: "Do at all you care For my golden hair?” She twined one, and gave Her red lips' pair; in life's hour so rare He took them and he pressed them, and he blushed as she did there. She twined one all white as a lily-band: "T is my right hand." She twined one blood-red, with her love in each strand: "'T is my left hand.” He took them both and kept them both, but would not understand. She twined of the flowers that bloomed around: "Every one I found!” She gathered and twined, while tears would her eyes fill: "Take them you will!" In silence then he took them, but to flight he turned him still. She twined one so large, of discordant hue: "My bride's-wreath true!" She twined it and twined, till her fingers were sore: "Crown me, I implore!" But when she turned, he was not there, she never saw him more. She twined yet undaunted without a stay At her bride's-array. But now it was long past the Midsummer Day, She twined it of the flowers, though they all were now away! "Midsummer Day Brings us laughter and play; But later know I little, if she twines her wreath so gay!" OVER THE LOFTY MOUNTAINS WONDER I must, what I once may see Over the lofty mountains! Eyes shall meet only snow, may be; Pinions strong bear the eagle away Over the lofty mountains Forth to the young and vigorous day; Sees all the wide world's borders. Full-leaved the apple-tree wishes naught Over the lofty mountains! Spreading, when summer hither is brought, Waiting till next time in its thought; Many a bird it is swinging, Knowing not what they are singing. He who has longed for twenty years Garrulous bird, what will you here Shall I then never, never go Shall to my thoughts this wall say,-No! Barring the way unwended, Coffin me when life is ended? Out will I! Out!-Oh, so far, far, far, Baffling my thoughts, that so buoyant are;- Sometime I know I shall rise and soar Over the lofty mountains. Hast Thou already ajar Thy door? — Hold not the gates asunder, Leave me my longing wonder! THE DAY OF SUNSHINE (FROM ARNE) It was such a lovely sunshine-day, The house and the yard couldn't hold me; I roved to the woods, on my back I lay, In cradle of fancy rolled me; But there were ants, and gnats that bite, The horse-fly was keen, the wasp showed fight. |