Jonas Hallgrimsson

Home

I journeyed forth
from the frozen north,
bringing vows with me
on the misty sea.
I have found pleasure
in full measure
but hope to rest
on my Hulda's breast.

There dwells my brother,
my blessèd mother,
my sisters, my friends,
in the flower-starred glens
between mountains and sea --
how familiar to me! --
where my life's blind spark
once sprang from the dark.

I pray I may rest
where the priests and the best
of farmers have trod,
with faith in God
and themselves strong as stone --
as strong as my own! --
and where life flows bright
amid bounties of light.

A Toast to Iceland

Our land of lakes forever fair
below blue mountain summits,
of swans, of salmon leaping where
the silver water plummets,
of glaciers swelling broad and bare
above earth's fiery sinews --
the Lord pour out his largess there
as long as earth continues!

After the Ball

If mother had known that a foreign land
holds thrills both pleasant and horrid!
-- He hurled the golden ball from his hand
and struck my glowing forehead.

And now I plunge through the woods, my mind
distracted, at sixes and sevens,
seeking my white, my delicate hind --
stars are aglint in the heavens.

Ye gods! in that shadowy pool ahead --
the Huntress! a sight to undo me!
Hark! -- a halloo! -- it's finished! -- I'm dead!
The hounds of the nymphs pursue me.

I Send Greetings!

Serene and warm, now southern winds come streaming
to waken all the billows on the ocean,
who crowd toward Iceland with an urgent motion --
isle of my birth! where sand and surf are gleaming.

Oh waves and winds! embrace with bold caresses
the bluffs of home with all their seabirds calling!
Lovingly, waves, salute the boats out trawling!
Lightly, oh winds, kiss glowing cheeks and tresses!

Herald of spring! oh faithful thrush, who flies
fathomless heaven to reach our valleys, bearing
cargoes of song to sing the hills above:

there, if you meet an angel with bright eyes
under the neat, red-tasselled cap she's wearing,
greet her devoutly! That's the girl I love.