My boyish heart in thee confided, <br />For to the great by thee 't was guided. <br />As man, my waiting is for thee,- <br /> <br />The Northern cause with thee, with thee! <br /> <br /> <br />Rich lands and talents are thy dower, <br />But fallow lie thy wealth and power. <br /> <br />Thou must the North in concord bind, <br />Or never shalt thy true self find. <br /> <br /> <br />There's longing in thy folk arisen, <br />Poetic hope-but yet in prison. <br />Though forces great within thee dwell, <br />Thou art not wholly sound and well. <br /> <br />Too many things are undertaken, <br />Too oft the task is soon forsaken. <br />Though rich in promptings of the heart, <br />In faith and duty faint thou art. <br /> <br />In danger only hast thou thriven, <br />When something great to guard was given. <br />When every breast with warmth shall glow <br />At Sweden's name, thy strength thou'lt know. <br /> <br />What's thine alone lifts not thy feeling, <br />Till honor's cause the skies are pealing, <br />Thou hast no joy but daring deed <br />In fortune's favor or in need. <br /> <br />For thy fair memories inspiring <br />Are far too great, much more requiring: <br /> <br />The Northern cause! Lead thou the way! <br />'T will double glory thee repay! <br /> <br /> <br />Of all thou canst, this is the greatest, <br />Thy duty earliest and latest. <br />Thy future rests in its embrace <br />With cure for ills that now abase. <br /> <br />Thou land of heart-born fancies thronging, <br />Thou land of poetry and longing, <br />Fill now thy heart, thy spirit free! <br /> <br />The Northern banner waits for thee!<br /><br />Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/during-a-journey-in-sweden/
