The Winter Night. 317 



On we must go if you want to please us ; 



To make us lie still is the way to tease us. 



In the old year we sailed not so badly, 



Be it so still, or you'll hear us groan sadly. 



When the time comes you must break up the ice for us ; 



When the time comes you must win the great prize for us ; 



We fervently hope, having reached our great goal, 



To eat next Christmas dinner beyond the North Pole." 



During the evening we were regaled with pine-apple, 

 figs, cakes, and other sweets, and about midnight 

 Hansen brought in toddy, and Norclahl cigars and 

 cigarettes. At the moment of the passing of the year 

 all stood up, and I had to make an apology for a 

 speech to the effect that the old year had been after 

 all a good one, and I hoped the new would not be 

 worse ; that I thanked them for good comradeship, 

 and was sure that our life together this year would be 

 as comfortable and pleasant as it had been during the 

 last. Then they sang the songs that had been written 

 for the farewell entertainments given to us at Christiania 

 and at Bergen : 



" Our mother, weep not ! it was thou 



Gave them the wish to wander ; 

 To leave our coasts and turn their prow 



Towards night and perils yonder. 

 Thou pointed'st to the open sea, 



The long cape was thy finger ; 

 The white sail wings they got from thee ; 



Thou canst not bid them linger ! 



