John Brett. Portrait of Christina Rossetti. 1857.
The Bijou

The Bijou;

or Annual of Literature and the Arts

compiled by William Fraser

London: William Pickering,

1828

pp. pp. 173-175
[Page 173]page image and link
The National Norwegian Song, , From S. P. Wolff
By W. H. Leeds
LAND of our fathers thou art fair, 1
To us thy sea- zoned coast is dear; 2
And dear thy rocks up- piled on high, 3
Which storms and years alike defy! — 4
Remains of a primeval land, 5
That midst the raging tempests stand 6
As mailed giants on whose brow 7
Wide gleams the helmet's silver glow. 8

When Thor first Norway's shores beheld, 9
His throne he stationed there, and dwelled 10
Amidst the spirits who delight 11
With cloud and storm to wage the fight. 12
As through the welkin rolled his car, 13
He heard them chaunt his praise afar; 14
With boding voice of awe they hailed 15
The power that o'er thy foes prevailed. 16

[Page 174]page image and link
'Twas here that roamed the North's brave child, 17
Undaunted through the troublous wild; 18
Not death could e'er his soul appal, 19
But beckoned him to Odin's hall, 20
Like a fair maid with Freia's face, 21
Full rushing to his fond embrace, 22
Whilst in his life's last throb of pain 23
His lips would breathe the victor strain. 24

Dear to our hearts the legend lore 25
Of which is thine so rich a store: 26
When howls the storm the plain along, 27
It seems some ancient warrior's song; 28
When foams the dashing water fall, 29
We hear a voice to battle call — 30
The clang of arms — the glorious fray — 31
The Skald's bold, courage stirring lay. 32

Still in thy manly sons we trace 33
Norway's former hero- race; 34
The spirit flashes from their eye, 35
While toil they brave, and death defy; 36
And in thy maiden's eye of blue 37
Beneath young Siofna's virgin hue, 38
While Ydun's ever- youthful spring 39
Doth o'er their cheek its rose- tints fling. 40

[Page 175]page image and link
Hail! thou our glorious father- land! 41
With pride we view thy lofty strand — 42
Its summer vales and winter woods, 43
Its crystal lakes, and torrent- floods. 44
Unshaken by the storms that rage 45
Around, it stands from age to age; 46
And rears its giant crest sublime, 47
Unchanging to the end of time! 48