'Twas then this land of ours we drew <br />From centuries of ice and sorrow, <br />And let it of the sun's warmth borrow, <br />And law and plow brought order new; <br />We dug the wealth in mountain treasured, <br />Our stately ships the oceans measured, <br />And springtime thoughts were free to run <br />As round the Pole the midnight sun. <br /> <br />And still with God we'll conquer, hold: <br />Each plot reclaimed for harvest-reaping, <br />Each ship our sea takes to its keeping, <br />Each child-soul we to manhood mold, <br />Each spark of thought our life illuming, <br />Each deed to fruit of increase blooming,- <br />A province adds unto our land <br />And o'er our freedom guard shall stand.<br /><br />Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/toast-for-the-men-of-eidsvold/
