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??rnson, Bj??rnstjerne, 1832-1910

"Poems and Songs"


If in sickness for succor we thirst,
Is there balm in the dreams that have burst?
Stars of hope and of longing eternal,
That we saw o'er life's sorrows arisen,
Shall they sink in death's terrors nocturnal,
Only turn into worms in our prison?

SOLO
He that liveth in me,
Needeth no one to be
Mediator; I own Him indeed: it is Thou!
Is eternal hope prized
As from Him; is baptized
By His spirit my own,--is it Thou, is it Thou --:
Shall not I, who am dust,
His eternity trust?
I take humbly my law; for I know, it is Thou!
Was I worth Thy word: Live!
Let Thy life power give,
When Thou wilt, as Thou wilt,--it is Thou, it is Thou!


QUESTION AND ANSWER

THE CHILD
Father! Within the forest's bound
No bird I found,
No sound of song the woods around.

THE FATHER
The bird that glad his song us gave,
Flies o'er the wave;
Perhaps he there will find his grave.

THE CHILD
But why does he not wait till later?

THE FATHER
He goes where light and warmth are greater

THE CHILD
Father! It selfish seems to me,
Far off to flee,
When all we others here must be.

THE FATHER
With new-born spring comes new-born song;
By instinct strong
The better new he'll bring erelong.

THE CHILD
But if in death the cold waves swallow--?

THE FATHER
Others will come; his kin will follow.


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