Poem of the Week, week 18: Henrik Wergeland

OMEN ACCIPIO My house is now a sacred place A swallow flew inside, Swift and merry as the thought Darting through my mind. They both came down from Heaven, And could my thought be known It would be gold blue like the swallow, Or white as the snow. Mate and mate together. One happy omen more. For nothing good arrives alone, As has been said before. Innocence and tenderness Looking for a home. A blessing on my dwelling, They made my house their own! Translated by Annabelle Despard

OMEN ACCIPIO Nu blev mit Huus velsignet: en Svale fløj derind, saa snar og glad som Tanken, der gjennemfoer mit Sind. De Begge kom fra Himlen. Lod sig min Tanke see, den guldblaa var som Svalen, eller hvid som Sne. Og Mage kom med Mage. Det var et Varsel meer. Thi noget Godt ei kommer alene, siges der. Uskyldighed og Ømhed just søgte sig et Hjem. Held dig, min nye Hytte, at du behagte dem!

From Henrik Wergeland (1808–1845), Mindre Digte i udvalg, H. Aschehoug & Co.s Forlag, Kristiania 1897.

Poem of the Week. 52 poems through the year

From the time when the earliest texts were recorded in runic inscriptions, poetry has had a strong position in Norway. By introducing a new poem each week throughout 2019, we aim to highlight the quality and breadth of Norwegian poetry. «Poem of the Week» presents 52 poems, inspired by the changing seasons and the passing of the year. The selection has been made by Annette Vonberg and Tone Carlsen, and consists of poems from the earliest handwritten manuscripts up until today, with a special emphasis on contemporary poetry.

Poem of the Week, week 18: Henrik Wergeland "Omen accipio"

Take part in a weekly journey through 52 poems by authors from Norway throughout 2019 – Norway’s year as Guest of Honour.

Poem of the Week. 52 poems through the year