free-verse18 lines
The Maiden On The Shore
by Bj'rnstjerne Martinius Bj'rnsonShe wandered so young on the shore around,
Her thoughts were by naught on earth now bound.
Soon came there a painter, his art he plied
Above the tide,
In shadow wide, -
He painted the shore and herself beside.
More slowly she wandered near him around,
Her thoughts by a single thing were bound.
And this was his picture wherein he drew
Herself so true,
Herself so true,
Reflected in ocean with heaven's blue.
All driven and drawn far and wide around
Her thoughts now by everything were bound.
Far over the ocean, - and yet most dear
The shore right here,
The man so near,
Did ever the sunshine so bright appear!