"Dear me, it is good to be living, When life no labor is giving!" Says the song-bird. MARIT'S SONG (FROM A HAPPY BOY) 'DANCE!" called the fiddle, Its strings loudly giggled, The bailiff's man wriggled Ahead for a spree. "Hold!" shouted Ola And tripped him to tumbling, The bailiff's man humbling, To maidens' great glee. "Hop!" said then Erik, His foot struck the ceiling, The beams rang their pealing, The walls gave a shriek. "Stop!" said now Elling, And seizing him collared, He held him and hollered: "You still are too weak!" "Hei!" said then Rasmus, Fair Randi embracing: "Nay!" answered Randi. A slapping she gave him, And from her she drave him: "Here take what I owe!" LOVE THY NEIGHBOR (FROM A HAPPY BOY) Love thy neighbor, to Christ be leal! All the living responsive await ÖYVIND'S SONG (FROM A HAPPY BOY) LIFT thy head, thou undaunted youth! Though some hope may now break, forsooth, Brighter a new one and higher Shall thine eye fill with its fire. Lift thy head to the vision clear! Something near thee is calling: "Here!". Something with myriad voicing, Ever in courage rejoicing. Lift thy head, for an azure height Lift thy head and thy longing sing! None shall conquer the growing spring; Where there is life-making power, Time shall set free the flower. Lift thy head and thyself baptize LOVE SONG (FROM A HAPPY BOY) HAVE you love for me, Yours my love shall be, While the days of life are flowing. Short was summer's stay, Grass now pales away, With our play will come regrowing. What you said last year Sounds yet in my ear, Birdlike at the window sitting, Tapping, trilling there, Singing, in would bear Joy the warmth of sun befitting. Litli-litli-lu, Do you hear me too, Youth behind the birch-trees biding? Now the words I send, Darkness will attend, May be you can give them guiding. Take it not amiss! Sang I of a kiss? No, I surely never planned it. Did you hear it, you? Give no heed thereto, Haste I make to countermand it. Oh, good-night, good-night! Dreams enfold me bright Of your eyes' persuasive mildness. Many a silent word From their corners heard, Breaking forth with gentle wildness. Now my song is still; Is there more you will? All the tones, to me returning, Laughing, luring, soar; Did you wish me more? Still and warm the night is yearning. MOUNTAIN SONG (FROM A HAPPY BOY) WHEN you will the mountains roam Put therein not much from home, Birds sing Hail! from many a bough, You the heights are walking. Nod with blushing cheeks and coy, If you stop and listen long, To your ear full swelling; Hear the duty you forsook In a world-wide rumble. |