an two hundred years should silence the
claim that a translated hymn must of necessity be less valuable than an
original. A considerable number of the originals of Brorson's most
favored translations have long been forgotten.

As a translator Brorson is usually quite faithful to the originals,
following them as closely as the differences in language and mode of
expression permit. He is not slavishly bound, however, to his text. His
constant aim is to reproduce his text in a pure and idiomatic Danish. And
as his own poetic skill in most cases was superior to that of the
original writer, his translations are often greatly superior to their
originals in poetical merit.

Although the translation of a translation of necessity presents a very
unreliable yard-stick of a man's work, the following translation of
Brorson's version of the well-known German hymn, "Ich Will Dich Lieben,
Meine Starke" may at least indicate the nature of his work as a
translator.

Thee will I love, my strength, my Treasure;
My heart in Thee finds peace and joy.
Thee will I love in fullest measure,
And in Thy cause my life employ.
Thee will I love and serve alone.
Lord, take me as Thine own.

Thee will I love, my Life Eternal,
My Guide and Shepherd on Life's way.
Thou leadest me to pastures vernal,
And to the light of endless day.
Thee will I love, Whose blood was spilt
To cleanse my soul from guilt.

Long, long wert Thou to me a stranger,
Though Thou didst love me first of all,
I strayed afar in sin and danger
And heeded not Thy loving call
Until I found that peace of heart
Thou canst alone impart.

Lord, cast not out Thy child, returning
A wanderer, naked and forlorn.
The tempting world, I sought with yearning,
Had naught to give but grief and scorn.
In Thee alone for all its grief
My heart now finds relief.

Thee will I love and worship ever,
My Lord, my God and Brother dear!
Must every earthly tie I sever
And naught but sorrow suffer here,
Thee will I love, my Lord divine;
O Jesus, call me Thine.

Equally characteristic of his work is his translation of the less-known
but appealing German hymn "Der Schmale Weg Ist Breit Genug zum Leben".

The narrow way is wide enough to heaven
For those who walk straight-forward and with care
And take each step with watchfulness and prayer.
When we are