Section: «Poems»

Verse (ancient Greek ὁ στίχος — row, structure), a term in versification used in several meanings: artistic speech organized by division into rhythmically commensurate segments; poetry in the narrow sense; in particular, it implies the properties of versification of a particular tradition ("antique verse", "Akhmatova's verse", etc.); a line of poetic text organized according to a certain rhythmic pattern ("My uncle of the most honest rules").

Frida

Frida, I knew that thy life-years were counted.If but before thee a lifting thought mounted,Upward thy gaze turned all wistful to view it,As wouldst..

© Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson

My Fatherland

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..

© Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson

Frederik Hegel

IDedicationYou never came here; but I goHere often and am met by you.Each room and road here must renewThe thought of you and your form showStanding..

© Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson

Good Cheer

So let these songs their story tellTo all who in the Northland dwell,Since many friends request it.(That Finland's folk with them belongIn the wide..

© Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson

At Michael Sars's Grave

Ever he would roamToward th' eternal home;From the least life deep in oceanTo each gleam of stars in motion,Worth of all he weighed.Now the Lord..

© Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson

Hunting Song

Round us rolls the heather's sheen,Heather's sheen,'Neath the falcon of our queen,Of our queen.Birch and cherry balm exhale,Balm exhale,Loud our..

© Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson

Bergliot

(In her lodgings)To-day King HaraldMust hold his ting-peace;For Einar has hereFive hundred peasants.Our son EindrideSafeguards his father,Who goes in..

© Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson

Daniel Schjötz

(DIED OF OVER-EXERTION AS VOLUNTEER MILITARY-SURGEON, 1864)He gave heed to no Great PowerBut the one that God we call.Hastening on to death's high..

© Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson

Answer From Norway To The Speeches In The Swedish House Of Nobles, 1860

Have you heard what says the Swede now,Young Norwegian man?Have you seen what forms proceed now,Border-watch to plan?Shades of those from life..

© Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson

At Hansteen's Bier

God, we thank Thee for the dowerThou gavest Norway in his power,Whom in the grave we now shall lay!Starlit paths of thoughts that awe usHis spirit..

© Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson

Love Song

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..

© Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson

The Tree

Ready with leaves and with buds stood the tree."Shall I take them?" the frost said, now puffing with glee."Oh my, no, let them stand,Till flowers are..

© Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson

Bergen

As thou sittest thereSkerry-bound and fair,Mountains high around and ocean's deep before thee,On thee casts her spellSaga, that shall tellOnce again..

© Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson

From The Cantata For N. F. S. Grundtvig

His day was the greatest the Northland has seen,It one was with the midnight-sun's wonders serene:The light wherein he sat was the light of God's..

© Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson

The Hare And The Fox

The fox lay still by the birch-tree's rootIn the heather.The hare was running with nimble footO'er the heather.Was ever brighter a..

© Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson

The Ocean

... Oceanward I am ever yearning,Where far it rolls in its calm and grandeur,The weight of mountain-like fogbanks bearing,Forever wandering and..

© Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson

At A Banquet Given To The Deputation Of The Swedish Riksdag To The Coronation, In Trondhjem, July 17

You chosen men we welcome hereFrom brothers near.We welcome you to Olaf's townThat Norway's greatest mem'ries crown,Where ancient prowess looking..

© Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson

Alone And Repentant

A friend I possess, whose whispers just said,"God's peace!" to my night-watching mind.When daylight is gone and darkness brings dread,He ever the way..

© Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson

Ballad Of Tailor Nils

If you were born before yesterday,Surely you've heard about Tailor Nils, who flaunts him so gay.If it's more than a week that you've been here,Surely..

© Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson

The Dove

I saw a dove fear-daunted,By howling storm-blast driven;Where waves their power vaunted,From land it had been riven.No cry nor moan it uttered,I..

© Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson

A Sigh

Evening sunshine neverSolace to my window bears,Morning sunshine elsewhere fares;-Here are shadows ever.Sunshine freely falling,Wilt thou not my..

© Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson

Choice

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 preciousAs that his will..

© Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson

A Day Of Sunshine

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..

© Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson

First Love

Falling in love was like falling down the stairsEach stair had her name on itAnd he went bouncing down each one like a tongue-tiedlunaticOne day of..

© Brian Patten

There Is A Boat Down On The Quay

There is a boat down on the quay come home at last.The paint's chipped, the sails stained as ifTime's pissed up against them.I imagine the sea routes..

© Brian Patten