The Icelandic Canadian - 01.12.1961, Page 16

14
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
Winter 1961
that Canada inspired him to write was
as great and as passionate as 'that in-
spired by Iceland, he said, and there
was no conflict in his loves for the
two countries. He would have been
recognized as one of Canada’s greatest
poets if he had written in English.
“LandiS sem min vigSi vinna,
voggustoSin barna minna.”
As translated by Judge W. J. Lindal:
“Land my labors consecrated,
Laureled by my children’s patter.”
Stephan was aptly laying his gifted
Icelandic tongue to a universal human
sentiment when he said that in one of
inspired tributes to Canada. It is man’s
true declaration of kinship with a soil
he has consecrated with his labors, the
birthland of his children. Here is no
conflict between a man’s love for his
new country and his love to the one
of his birth. It is not only humanly
possible, but humanly natural to grow
greater of heart, not smaller, with
broadening emotional experiences.
Canadians of all origins have grown
into a nation on the strength of that.
God speed to any visiting statesman
who understands us and takes home
our message in his heart.
<$>!&
Miss Mattie Halldorson, Secretary of the Magazine Board, presenting a bound volume
of The Icelandic Canadian to Asgeir Asgeirsson, President of Iceland. Nine volumes,
covering 18 years, were presented. Future volumes, as prepared, will be presented to
the President.