Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Scotland: Vols. VI–VIII. 1876–79.

Introductory to Norway

Norway

By Bayard Taylor (1825–1878)

(From Lars)

I DO confess

I love Old Norway’s bleak, tremendous hills,

Where winter sits, and sees the summer burn

In valleys deeper than yon cloud is high:

I love the ocean-arms that gleam and foam

So far within the bosom of the land:

It is not that. I do confess to thee

I love the frank, brave habit of the folk,

The hearts unspoiled, though fed from ruder times

And filled with angry blood: I love the tales

That taught, the ancient songs that cradled me,

The tongue my mother spake, unto the Lord

As sweet as thine upon the lips of prayer.