Hans Christian Andersen: 'Jeg gik igjennem den duftende Skov'

 

Jeg gik igjennem den duftende Skov

(Skrevet under et Besøg hos Ingemanns i Sorø.)

 

Jeg gik igjennem den duftende Skov,

Den hvælvede sig som en Kirke;

Et Fuglepar sang der Kjærligheds Lov

Mellem Bøge, Ege og Birke.

 

Jeg saae i Søen bag Bølgens Skum

Smaafiskene lysteligt svømme;

Kjærligheds Lykke er ofte Stum,

Men talende Hjertets Drømme.

 

I Byens tummel, hvor jeg kom frem,

Det var som bag Skum og bag Grene;

Kun Mand og Hustru havde et Hjem,

Ei han, som er ganske ene.

 

Thi voxer paa Træet Blad ved Blad,

Og Blomsten mod Blomsten sigbøier;

Ei Døden skiller de hjerter ad,

Som Kjærlighed sammenføier.

 

Den er en hellig, en styrkende Daab,

Forvisning om Evigheds Lykke,

Den mildner vort Sind og begrunder vort Haab,

Er Klippen, hvorpaa vi kan bygge.

 

Lyksalig Enhver, som eier den ret,

Lyksalig alt her paa Jorden.

Den Sorg, hvorved to Hjerter har grædt,

Er deelt jo og mindre vorden.

 

Hil Eder, hvor Kjærligheds Lykke boer!

I fik, hvad kun Gud kan forlene.

Hos Eder Hjertet paa Lykken troer,

Om selv det er fattigt og ene.

 

 

I took a walk through the sweet-scented wood

(Written during a visit to the Ingemanns’ in Sorø)

 

I took a walk through the sweet-scented wood,

Like a church it arched up in greeting;

A pair of birds there of Love’s law cooed

Among beech, oak and birch trees tweeting.

 

I saw in the lake the small fish that sped

So gaily through waves gently foaming;

Love’s joy lacks words it is often said,

But to heart’s dreams it speaks of homing.

 

It was as with branches and wave’s white crest

In the city’s rush I knew only;

A home none but man and wife possessed

Not someone alone and lonely.

 

For should leaf by leaf and bloom by bloom

Have decided to live together,

Death cannot ever such hearts entomb

That Love has conjoined for ever.

 

A baptism holy and full of scope,

Eternity’s bliss its assurance;

It quietens our mind and justifies hope

Is our rock of lasting endurance.

 

Blessed all those that its precepts have kept,

Most blessed is all of creation.

The sorrow with which two hearts have wept

Has been shared, is less a vexation.

 

My greeting, all you who in Love’s bliss dwell!

You gain that which God can grant only.

With you the heart  can believe in joy’s spell,

Although it is wretched and lonely.