Decorah-posten., 1903-07-03

were fearless and independent; and
taught the world a lesson in regard to
the rights OF nan by making their own
laws, while other peoples yet obeyed ty.
rants and despots. They were pioneers
in the art of navigation. and discovered
Iceland and Greenland and vinland the
Good. They loved and cultivated song
and poetry, and produced literature OF
the highest order.
This heroic age ofNorway lasted about
four hundred years. Then her glory
began to fade. The many pretenders
to the throne, who represented the new
democracy on the one hand and the old
aristocracy and the hierarchy on the
other, plunged the country into a long
series Of internecine wars, and thus
brought on the decline which made pos
sible the humiliating dependency on Den.
mark, from the Kalmar Union of 1907 to
the new birth Of Norway in 1914. How.
ever, even during this period it was the
political and national, not the individual,
liberty of the Norsemen which was de.
stroyed; the people of Norway were
never reduced to serfdom.
The national spirit of Norway was
stirred by the new thoughts which, in
the latter years OF the eighteenth century
began to shake mankind; and it was fully
awakened when the high-handed attempt
was made to transfer the country to
Sweden without consulting the wishes OF
the N~orwegians themselves. Then it was
that representative men met at Eidsvold
and, May II, 1874, gave to Norway her
present liberal constitution, by which she
again took her rightful place among the
nations. Since that time her onward
march has been rapid and sure. She has
made, and is making valuable contribu-
tons to the science, art and liters ture OF
the world. In the matter of popular
education she is in the very front rank,
and her sons are everywhere holding their
own, drawing their inspiration largely
from the record of their heroic past.
A. o. Vinje, the poet who has tuned his
harpin closest harmony with Norwegian
nature and is nearest the hearts of the
Norwegian people, had these thoughts in
mind when he wrote the poem here tur-
ned into English:
Trrr Mp>,opy or Orp E,rupps
That father had the strength to do
The exploits he has done
His battles for the good and true,
The victories which he won
- These give me strength my wars to
wage,
And honest aims inspire.
1t is a goodly heritage
To have a noble sire.
A better man was never seen
Beneath these mundane skies
And, as his sword, his tongue was keen,
And tipped with counsels wise.
No adverse lot could cast him down,
Or cause him to complain;
He smiled at tickle Fortunes frown
And laughed at wounds and pain.
He taught the Frenchman chivalry,
And set his soul on fire;
The Englishman, to love the sea,
And wake the tuneful Tyre.
A captain, he, in days ofyore
Who led in every land @.b!' -"
From Scotland to Messina's shore 81,
His sons assumed command.
My father died, as die we must,
And lett to us his hoard
Which, though we trod it in the dust,
In part may be restored.
At times | grope as in a dream,
The while | toll and wait;
So little |. perhaps, may seem,
Because he was so great.
Our fields are fertile as before,
Our slopes are green today
And there is found along the shore
No ice to bar our way.
Our mountain peaks still cleave the air ;
We have the same blue sky;
And, as of old, we bravely dare
Press on to do or die.