The contents of this volume befit the verse-form, as if each were made by and for the other. The subjects are simple, large, weighty; the form is compact, strong, suggestive. Björnson is distinctly not subjectively lyrical, but has a place in the first rank "as a choral lyric poet and as an epic lyric poet." (Collin.) Georg Brandes wrote of him many years ago: "In few [fields] has he put forth anything so individual, unforgettable, imperishable, as in the lyric field." POEMS AND SONGS BY BJÖRNSTJERNE BJÖRNSON SYNNOVE'S SONG (FROM SYNNOVE SOLBAKKEN) Have thanks for all from our childhood's day, Our play together in woodland roaming. I thought that play would go on for aye, Though life should pass to its gloaming. I thought that play would go on for aye, From bowers leading of leafy birches To where the Solbakke houses lay, And where the red-painted church is. I sat and waited through evenings long And scanned the ridge with the spruces yonder; But darkening mountains made shadows throng, And you the way did not wander. I sat and waited with scarce a doubt: He'll dare the way when the sun's descended. The light shone fainter, was nearly out, The day in darkness had ended. My weary eye is so wont to gaze, To turn its look it is slow in learning; No other landmark it seeks, nor strays, Beneath the brow sorely burning. They name a place where I help may find, And fain to Fagerli church would guide me; But try not thither to move my mind; He sits there ever beside me. --But good it is, that full well I know, Who placed the houses both here and yonder, Then cut a way through the woods so low And let my eye on it wander. But good it is that full well I know, Who built the church and to pray invited, And made them meeting in pairs to go Before the altar united. THE HARE AND THE FOX (FROM SYNNOVE SOLBAKKEN) The fox lay still by the birch-tree's root In the heather. The hare was running with nimble foot O'er the heather. Was ever brighter a sunshine-day, Before, behind me, and every way, O'er the heather! The fox laughed low by the birch-tree's root In the heather. The hare was running with daring foot O'er the heather. I am so happy for everything! Hallo! Why go you with mighty spring O'er the heather? The fox lay hid by the birch-tree's root In the heather. The hare dashed to him with reckless foot O'er the heather. May God have mercy, but this is queer! -- Good gracious, how dare you dance so here O'er the heather? NILS FINN (FROM HALTE HULDA) (see Note 1) Now little Nils Finn had away to go; The skis were too loose at both heel and toe. --"That's too bad!" rumbled yonder. Then little Nils Finn in the snow set his feet: "You ugliest troll, you shall never me cheat!" --"Hee-ho-ha!" rumbled yonder. Nils Finn with his staff beat the snow till it blew "Your trollship, now saw you how hapless it flew?" --"Hit-li-hu!" rumbled yonder.