THE CHILD <br /> <br />Father! Within the forest's bound <br />No bird I found, <br />No sound of song the woods around. <br /> <br /> <br />THE FATHER <br /> <br />The bird that glad his song us gave, <br />Flies o'er the wave; <br />Perhaps he there will find his grave. <br /> <br /> <br />THE CHILD <br /> <br />But why does he not wait till later? <br /> <br /> <br />THE FATHER <br /> <br />He goes where light and warmth are greater <br /> <br /> <br />THE CHILD <br /> <br />Father! It selfish seems to me, <br />Far off to flee, <br />When all we others here must be. <br /> <br /> <br />THE FATHER <br /> <br />With new-born spring comes new-born song; <br />By instinct strong <br />The better new he'll bring erelong. <br /> <br /> <br />THE CHILD <br /> <br />But if in death the cold waves swallow-? <br /> <br /> <br />THE FATHER <br /> <br />Others will come; his kin will follow.<br /><br />Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/question-and-answer-2/
