SONG FOR THE FOURTH BOOK OF GUSTAVUS VASA:

By William Sidney Walker

Circling ages swept away

Sweden's kings of ancient sway,

And hid their race from sight:

Circling ages bring again

To that race the long-lost reign,

And Time revokes his flight.

Their star shall rise with brighter beam

From slumbering in the ocean-stream.

Dalecarlia, grasp the spear!

Hail thy great Deliverer near,

To alter Sweden's doom!

Born to raise her darken'd name,

Heir of all her former fame,

And source of all to come,

Past and future glories shine

Centred in the youth divine.

Sweden, rise! I bid thee brave,

Unappall'd, War's dubious wave,

‘ Till the doom'd period close!

War in vain shall spend his rage,

Prelude to a peaceful age

That shall redress his woes.

Sweden! rouse thy martial band;

‘ Tis thy Guardian Power's command!

When the slow-emerging sun

First dispels the shadows dun,

And his whole circle rears:

When the north-wind's stormy breath

Shakes the mountain, sweeps the heath,

The clouded ether clears:

Own the signal of the sky!

Hail the great Deliverer nigh!