Olav. H. Hauge: 'Vindhanen'

 

VINDHANEN

 

Smeden slo han

med vele og kamb,

høgt kom han,

verdi var ny

og vindane mange.

Han var ivrig,

trippa, skreik

og brusa fjør

for kvart vinddrag,

i storm sto han strak

med lang hals –

Til han rusta fast

og vart ståande

skeivt mot nord.

Draget stend oftast

frå den kanten.

 

 

THE WEATHERCOCK

 

The smith wrought him

with tail and comb,

high up he came,

the world was new 

and the winds many.

He was eager,

tripped about, crowed

and puffed his feathers

at every breeze,

in gales he stood erect

with neck outstretched –

Till he rusted solid

and stayed pointing

obliquely northwards.

The wind comes most often

from that quarter.