To Johan Dahl, Bookdealer (On His Sixtieth Birthday)

(See Note 31)     Our glasses we lift now and drink to our host!             "Hurrah!"     Give heed to our ditty, we sing you our toast!             "Aha!"     The first thing appearing is what he was nearing,     When uproar not fearing he came for a hearing             'Fore skerry-bred eagle             And Wergeland regal.              Oh! Ha!     He came like an innocent spring-lambkin ewe-born,             Oh, woe!     So neat and so fine in his guilelessness new-born             Like snow.     The flesh so delicious was chopped up to farce-meat,     And later by Wergeland found for a farce meet,             And gayly 't was swallowed,             And all the bones hollowed              And strown.     But swift as Thor's he-goats to life again skipping,             He sprang     Whole skinned together, and gave them a whipping             That rang.     This made him seem worthy to join the gay party,     At once they received him in fellowship hearty!             And soon was no other             More loved as a brother              Than Dahl.     The light from his shop spread afar and made brighter             Our day.     His drawing-room gathered so many a fighter             In play.     Our taste there was made and our critical passion,     The shop was a power, new Norway to fashion.             Though little, its story             Shall some time in glory              Be writ.     For what you have kindled, endured, and aspired,             Our thanks!     For hearts you have gladdened and souls you have fired,             Our thanks!     For all your good faith in your fervor and ranting,     Yes, for your whole-heartedness free from all canting,             You whimsical, queer one,             Old fellow, you dear one,              Our thanks!