Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry. 1904.
I. Disappointment in LoveThe Princess
Björnstjerne Björnson (18321910)From the Norwegian by Nathan Haskell Dole
T
The lad blew his horn at the foot of the tower.
“Why playest thou alway? Be silent, I pray,
It fetters my thoughts that would flee far away,
As the sun goes down.”
The lad had ceased to play on his horn.
“Oh, why art thou silent? I beg thee to play!
It gives wings to my thought that would flee far away,
As the sun goes down.”
Once more with delight played the lad on his horn.
She wept as the shadows grew long, and she sighed:
“Oh, tell me, my God, what my heart doth betide,
Now the sun has gone down.”