Original (English)

INTRODUCTION BJÖRNSON AS A LYRIC POET I lived far more than e'er I sang; Thought, ire, and mirth unceasing rang   Around me, where I guested; To be where loud life's battles call For me was well-nigh more than all   My pen on page arrested. What's true and strong has growing-room, And will perhaps eternal bloom,   Without black ink's salvation, And he will be, who least it planned, But in life's surging dared to stand, The best bard for his nation. A l