Venice masks

Wednesday, 20 August 2025

Ultima Thule Sendeth Greeting: Part I - Matthías Jochumsson

Hail to thee, Albion! 
Ultima Thule
sendeth salutem
to Shakespeare’s Mother. 
Sendeth salutem
—Sun and stars
be my witness —
to all the wide world.
 
Sendeth salutem
to Shakespeare’s spirit ! 
None like to him, 
aforetime or after,
the cravings of mortals
 so cunningly drew,
the soul universal
in song-craft revealed.
 
Thee know I, Shakespeare, 
of the sons of men
in the mansions of song 
foremost, supreme:
wiser than seer,
wiser than sage,
more bright-eyed than child, 
likest to Bragi!

Matthías Jochumsson (1835–1920) Iceland
Translated by Israel Gollanz
Source: 1616—1916 On the Tercentenary Commemoration of Shakespeare. Ultima Thule
Sendeth Greeting
. A Icelandic poem by Matthías Jochumsson with translation into English by Israel Gollanz, Humphrey Milford, 1916
 
Part II (to follow) 

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